bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
МОНЕТАРНІ ЧИННИКИ ТА ФІСКАЛЬНІ НАСЛІДКИ ФЛУКТУАЦІЙ НА РИНКУ ПРАЦІ УКРАЇНИ
Authors: Сідельникова Лариса , Кібенко Віталій
Published: October 2024

Досліджено вплив інструментів монетарної політики на функціонування вітчизняного ринку праці та визначено фіскальні наслідки оподаткування заробітної плати найманих працівників. Встановлено основні тенденції ринку праці України до повномасштабного вторгнення рф та в умовах воєнного стану. Проведено порівняння рівня безробіття в Україні та в європейських країнах. Розглянута динаміка середньомісячної заробітної плати за галузями економіки та встановлено взаємозв’язок її розміру з активністю застосування господарюючими суб’єктами механізму банківського кредитування. Доведено, що системне використання суб’єктами реального сектору економіки кредитних коштів позитивно впливає на фінансові аспекти вітчизняного ринку праці, дозволяючи підвищувати рівень заробітної плати та генеруючи щорічне зростання мобілізованих до бюджету обсягів податку на доходи фізичних осіб із заробітної плати найманих працівників.
КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНІ ЗАСАДИ ФОРМУВАННЯ СУЧАСНОЇ МОДЕЛІ МОТИВАЦІЇ У ЗАКЛАДАХ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ
Authors: Табачук Василь
Published: October 2024

У статті розглядаються основні концептуальні засади, що лежать в основі формування сучасної моделі мотивації персоналу в закладах вищої освіти. Автор аналізує різноманітні теоретичні підходи до побудови системи мотивування науково-педагогічних працівників, включаючи їх потреби, інтереси та цілі, а також вплив організаційного середовища на мотиваційні процеси. Особлива увага приділяється специфіці мотивації науково-педагогічних працівників, які мають унікальні потреби в розвитку та визнанні. Стаття також висвітлює важливість інтеграції індивідуальних потреб викладачів з загальними цілями закладу, що сприяє підвищенню їхньої залученості та продуктивності. Окрім того, обговорюються питання оцінювання ефективності мотиваційних програм та винагороди, які можуть бути застосовані для стимулювання професійного зростання викладачів. Висновки статті підкреслюють необхідність комплексного підходу до мотивації персоналу, що враховує сучасні виклики та тенденції в освіті.
ДИНАМІКА МАЛОГО І СЕРЕДНЬОГО БІЗНЕСУ ТА ЕКОНОМІЧНІ ПЕРЕДУМОВИ СПРИЙНЯТТЯ УКРАЇНСЬКИМИ ПІДПРИЄМСТВАМИ СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ ВІДПОВІДАЛЬНОСТІ, ЯК ВАЖЛИВОЇ РИСИ МОДЕЛІ РОЗВИТКУ
Authors: Федько Іванна , Верховод Ірина , Леонтенко Ольга
Published: October 2024

Стаття присвячена аналізу формування і реалізації потенціалу малих підприємств, щодо посилення сприйнятливості українського бізнесу до принципів соціальної відповідальності. За результатами порівняльного аналізу співвідношення темпів зростання продуктивності і реальної зарплати по малих, середніх і великих підприємствах, а також з урахуванням тенденцій динаміки частки витрат на оплату праці в складі доданої вартості, генерованої малими, середніми і великими підприємствами, ми отримали емпіричні свідчення на користь того, що за збереження чинних тенденцій, перерозподіл загальної чисельності зайнятих на користь малих і зокрема мікропідприємств справлятиме негативний вплив на економічні передумови зростання сприйнятливості українського бізнесу до принципів соціальної відповідальності.
СУЧАСНІ ТРЕНДИ ІННОВАЦІЙНОСТІ РИНКУ СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКОЇ ТЕХНІКИ В УМОВАХ ГЛОБАЛЬНОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА
Authors: Головня Олена , Чемерис Юрій
Published: October 2024

В статті досліджуються інноваційні технології, що трансформують сільськогосподарське виробництво за рахунок інформаційно-комунікаційних технологій, інтернету речей, штучного інтелекту та машинного навчання, автоматизації та робототехніки. Автори наголошують, що найближчим часом ринок сільськогосподарської техніки зростає досить швидко завдяки впровадженню інтелектуального обладнання та інтелектуальних технологій землеробства. Зокрема, дрони для сільськогосподарського використання, які стали дуже популярним інструментом в агротехнологіях, що допомагає фермерам оглядати посіви, фотографувати та збирати дані. Новітні тенденції в сільському господарстві знаменують перехід до розумного землеробства й ефективного використання часу та ресурсів з одночасним зменшенням втрат врожаю. Серед технологічних досягнень у топі технологічних трендів, які матимуть значний вплив на агросектор у найближчі роки знаходиться Real Time Kinematic, що дозволяє отримувати поправки до вимірювань і встановлювати місце розташування з сантиметровою точністю в режимі реального часу за допомогою GNSS приймача в мережі постійно діючих референцних GNSS станцій. У непростих умовах українські аграрії продовжують годувати Україну та світ, виробники сільгосптехніки розвивати та вдосконалювати свою продукцію а українські компанії продовжують вірити в потенціал українського аграрного ринку та вкладати зусилля у його розвиток. Серед українських виробників, що пропонують інноваційну техніку для потреб, варто виділити «Ремсинтез», «Вінмашпостач», «Завод Кобзаренка», «Дніпро Агро», Житомирська компанія А.ТОМ. В останні роки впровадження інформаційних технологій в сільському господарстві призвело до коригування способів обробки сільськогос-подарських культур та управління полями. Технології докорінно змінили концепцію сільського господарства, зробивши його більш вигідним, ефективним, безпечним та простим.
ТЕОРЕТИКО-МЕТОДИЧНЕ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ДЕРЖАВНОГО РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ВПРОВАДЖЕННЯ МОДЕЛЕЙ ЦИРКУЛЯРНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ НА МІКРОРІВНІ
Authors: Кузьома Віталій
Published: October 2024

У статті обґрунтовано значущість державного регулювання впровадження моделей циркулярної економіки на мікрорівні для забезпечення економічного, екологічного та соціального прогресу в Україні. В дослідженні розглянуто кластери ініціатив державного регулювання циркулярними трансформаціями: «промоутери», «фасилітатори» та «активатори», які відіграють різні ролі в регулюванні циркулярних трансформацій. В дослідженні запропоновано механізм державного регулювання становлення й розвитку циркулярної економіки агропродовольчого сектору. На відміну від існуючих, авторський механізм передбачає відокремлення фінансово-економічного механізму, поєднання інноваційного механізму із цифровою складовою, яка у майбутній перспективі визначатиме потенціал та ступень інклюзивності доступу до інноваційно-наукових розробок, стартапів, проектів та інших технологічних продуктів, доповнення архітектури механізму державного управління такою принциповою складовою, як соціальна відповідальність.
АНАЛІЗ РИНКУ УПАКОВКИ ДЛЯ ЧАЙНОЇ ПРОДУКЦІЇ В УКРАЇНІ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ВИРОБНИЦТВА ПАКУВАННЯ ЗА ДОПОМОГОЮ 3D-МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ
Authors: Трапаідзе Софія , Швецова Катерина
Published: October 2024

Стаття присвячена сучасним тенденціям в розвитку та поширенні упаковки для чайної продукції створеної на основі 3D-моделювання. Обґрунтовано необхідність розвитку виробництва пакування на основі 3D-моделювання. Проаналізовано цінову ситуацію на ринку пакувальної продукції, види продукції та їхня характеристика і переваги. Розглянуто доступні дослідження про споживання чаю в Україні. Розроблено способи виробництва та просування упаковки для чаю на основі 3D-моделювання. Розглянуто методи адаптивного виробництва, переваги та процес 3D-друку. Визначено, що стратегія просування розробленої упаковки для чайної продукції в Україні може включати такі ключові елементи: співпраця з виробниками та дистриб'юторами чаю, акцент на екологічність, інноваційний дизайн та функціональність, створення ексклюзивних колекцій.
Impact of Cyclophosphamide on Testis and Sexual Glands of Adult Albino Rats and Probable Recovery After Drug Withdrawal: A Histological and Immunohistochemical study
Authors: Sheet Eman Ghanim
Published: October 2024

السايكلوفوسفامايد هو علاج كيميائي معروف ودواء مضاد للمناعة ويستخدم على نطاق واسع في علاج الأمراض الخبيثة والمتعلقة بالمناعة. تم إجراء العمل الحالي لتقييم التركيب النسيجي للغدد التناسلية الذكرية أثناء العلاج وبعد التوقف عن تناول هذا الدواء.
المواد والطرق: تم تصنيف ثلاثون من ذكور الجرذان إلى ثلاث مجموعات. عولجت المجموعة الأولى بمحلول ملحي عادي، بينما عولجت المجموعة الثانية والمجموعة الثالثة بالسايكلوفوسفاميد 150 مجم / كجم داخل التجويف الصفاقي كل يومين لمدة أسبوع. المجموعة الثالثة اعتبرت مجموعة التعافي وتم تقسيمها إلى مجموعتين فرعيتين مع فترة تعافي لمدة شهرا وشهرين. في نهاية العمل تم سحب الدم لأجراء فحص هرمون التستوستيرون ثم تم قتل الحيوانات وإزالة كل من الخصية، البروستات والحويصلة المنوية وتحضير العينات للصبغات النسيجية والنسيجية المناعية. 
النتائج: أظهرت المجموعة المعالجة (المجموعة الثانية) بالسايكلوفوسفاميد انخفاضًا في مستوى هرمون التستوستيرون في الدم، وكشفت مقاطع الخصية والغدد الجنسية عن تغيرات ضامرة وتنكسيه في الظهارة البطانية مع انخفاض وظيفتها وتغيرات في تعبيرها المناعي مما يشير إلى نمط تكاثر غير طبيعي للخلايا. ومع ذلك، فإن التغيرات النسيجية المرضية للمجموعة المعالجة لم تظهر أي تحسن بعد شهر أو حتى شهرين من سحب الدواء                                             
الاستنتاج: أشارت الدراسة الحالية إلى خطر العقم وسمية الغدد التناسلية أثناء العلاج بالسيكلوفوسفاميد والذي قد يكون دائما حتى بعد انتهاء العلاج.
Rate of Adriamycin Resistance Associated (ARA) long Noncoding RNA Expression in Sample of Hepatitis B Virus Iraqi Patients
Authors: Osama Mohammed Hasan
Published: October 2024

تم ربط العديد من العمليات البيولوجية، بما في ذلك تنظيم الوراثة اللاجينية، والتحكم في دورة الخلية، إلى جانب النسخ والانتقال وتنظيم التعبير الجيني، بـ lncRNAs الطويلة غير المشفرة، ومن المفهوم أن تعطيل الأنظمة التنظيمية للتعبير عن lncRNAs يعد مراحل مبكرة مهمة في نشأة الاورام. توجد حالة  من عدم المعرفة فيما يتعلق بوظيفة lncRNAs في مرض فيروس التهاب الكبد B. تم إجراء تضخيم ARA Lnc-RNA وGAPDH الجين المرجعي بواسطة Two Steps reverase-Transcriptase PCR، ولم يلاحظ أي فرق كبير P = 0.566 في مستويات مصل ARA lncRNA بين مريض فيروس التهاب الكبد B المزمن والسيطرة عليه، في مجموعة المرضى الذين يعانون من فيروس التهاب الكبد B المزمن. ، مع ملاحة رفع التعبير عن ARA lncRNAs  إلى مرتين.
PHARM-LC: What role can Community Pharmacy play in supporting people with long Covid? Protocol for a mixed methods study
Authors: Kingstone Tom , Saunders Katie , Fisher Tamsin , Bhamra Sukvinder , Briggs Tracy , Higginbottom Adele , Higginson Paula , Jones Geraint , Lokugamage Amali , Maidment Ian , O'Hara Margaret , Shaw Matthew ,   Pharm-LC Clinical Advisory Group, Chew-Graham Carolyn
Published: October 2024

Background Long Covid is a debilitating multifaceted condition, that is more prevalent in those from deprived areas, females and those with another disorder or disability. Those that live with Long Covid currently must endure a lack of services, support and have also reported being ‘gaslit’ by health care professionals. Primary care services such as GP surgeries are under immense pressure and have limited resources to offer those that live with Long Covid. Community pharmacy could be a localised solution for those that need support and advice for Long Covid as they have already proven to be a reliable source during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to address gaps in research to explore the possible role that community pharmacy teams can play in supporting those living with Long Covid. Protocol A two-phase multi-method study using semi-structured interviews and co-design will be utilised. For phase one: two population groups; those with lived experience of Long Covid and community pharmacy team members will be interviewed to understand their current experiences of community pharmacy supporting those living with Long covid, as well as lived experiences and self-management (people with Long Covid), and training needs, and current practice (Community pharmacy teams). For phase two: a co-design approach will be utilised with key stakeholders to help inform online training via multiple workshops. This training will be then piloted by end users, who will provide post training feedback via a survey. Discussion Understanding the role that community pharmacy can play in supporting those with Long Covid and to facilitate development of this new support pathway to develop online training which provides pharmacy teams with a structured and cohesive approach to care.
Comparative Performance Analysis of Catalysts for Syngas Production from Biogas: A Simulation Study Using DWSIM
Authors: Adha Afdal , Rahmadi Arie
Published: October 2024

This study explored how CH4/CO2 feed ratio, temperature, and pressure affect the conversion of carbon dioxide and methane and the H2/CO ratio of syngas using simulations for six catalysts: Rh/La2O3, Rh/La2O3-SiO2, Ru/La2O3, Ni-Co/Al-Mg-O, LaNiO3, and Ce-La-Ni-O2. Simulations with DWSIM© were conducted at CH4/CO2 feed ratios of 1–2, pressures of 1–5 bar, and temperatures of 550–750 °C. The effects showed that increasing the temperature by as much as 750 °C boosted the H2/CO ratio and improved CO2 and CH4 conversions because of the endothermic nature of the reactions. Higher pressure reduced conversion rates and H2/CO ratios across all catalysts, with a notable similarity between 2 and 5 bar, indicating thermodynamic limits. A higher feed ratio of CH4/CO2 decreased CH4 conversion while increasing the H2/CO ratio at the expense of reduced H2 yield. As the pressure decreases, the Ru/La2O3 and Rh/La2O3-SiO2 catalysts exhibited higher activity because of the kinetic factor. The current research focuses on the possibility of using dry reforming of biogas to synthesize syngas with suitable H2/CO ratios for different uses. The observations suggest that future studies should include techno-economic analysis to determine the least expensive catalysts that will ensure the dry reforming process yields the right composition of syngas.
SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE TEACHERS’ BELIEFS ON THE PURPOSES AND GOALS OF SCIENCE TEACHING: THE PRESENCE OF CULTURAL MYTHS
Authors: Sanchez III Ramon L. , Monterola Sheryl Lyn C.
Published: October 2024

Understanding why teachers teach the way they do is important especially in a time of curriculum reforms. Hence, the aim of this research is to unpack the secondary school physical science teachers’ beliefs on the purposes and goals of science teaching (PGST) and to check the alignment of their beliefs on PGST with constructivism. A convergent parallel mixed method design was employed. Scale and checklist were used to collect data on the teachers’ beliefs. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was used to explore the teachers’ implementation of the science curriculum. Results revealed that while teachers agree with the basic tenet of constructivism, their beliefs on the PGST were traditional. Difficulties of implementing their constructivist ideas on teaching and learning reinforced the cultural myths. Length of teaching experience and actual classroom teaching hours were seen as significant factors in the development of beliefs, whereas familiarity of curriculum intentions correlate negatively with the development of constructivist beliefs.
Keywords: constructivist physical science education, purposes and goals of science teaching, teachers' beliefs, cultural myths in physical science education
COMPARING TURKISH PRE-SERVICE STEM AND NON-STEM TEACHERS' ATTITUDES AND ANXIETY TOWARD ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Uyanik Aktulun Ozgun , Kasapoglu Koray , Aydogdu Bulent
Published: October 2024

Identifying student teachers’ attitudes and anxiety toward artificial intelligence (AI) in regard to their field of study might be helpful in determining whether and how AI will be employed in their future classrooms. Hence, this study aims to compare pre-service STEM and non-STEM teachers’ attitudes and anxiety toward AI. In this quantitative research, the causal-comparative research design was adopted. The study involved 520 pre-service teachers from a faculty of education at a public university in Türkiye. Among all, 51.5% were pre-service non-STEM teachers while 48.5% were pre-service STEM teachers. Data were collected through the Turkish versions of “the General Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence Scale” and “the Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale”. Diagnostic analytics were performed, and descriptive statistics and MANOVA were performed to analyse the data. As a result, pre-service teachers, in general, were mostly positive about AI, but undecided to be anxious about AI. STEM student teachers had more positive attitudes toward AI than non-STEM student teachers, and non-STEM student teachers were more anxious toward AI than STEM student teachers. The results imply that non-STEM teacher education curricula should be redesigned to be AI-integrated to better prepare teachers of the future as teachers with TPACK integrated with AI.
Keywords: artificial intelligence, anxiety toward artificial intelligence, attitude toward artificial intelligence, pre-service STEM teacher, pre-service non-STEM teacher, pre-service teacher
The spectrum of knowledge synthesis methods: From big picture overview to targeted deep dive
Authors: Turin Tanvir C , Chowdhury Nashit
Published: October 2024

Not available
Stability Assessment Through Dynamic Light Scattering and Rheological Study of Hexanoic Acid-Surface-Modified Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in Cyclohexane at Low Concentration
Authors: Hossain Muhammad Zamir
Published: October 2024

The stability of 1wt% cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles in cyclohexane is assessed in this paper. To do so, first, n-hexanoic acid (C6-) surface-modified CeO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by heating the aqueous Ce(OH)4 suspension at 400 °C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high regulation transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). XRD pattern indicated the crystalline structure and TEM showed the cubic shape of the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles with an average size of 4.5 nm. Next, 1 wt% CeO2–cyclohexane dispersion (nanofluids) was prepared simply by dispersing the required amounts of CeO2 nanoparticles in cyclohexane. Finally, the stability of CeO2–cyclohexane was assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and rheological study. DLS measurement revealed that the 1wt% CeO2–cyclohexane nanofluid has good dispersibility with a small DLS diameter (~6 nm) comparable to that of the pristine particle diameter measured by TEM. Also, the rheology study depicted the Newtonian behavior of prepared nanofluids which indicated its excellent stability.
Jagannath University Journal of Science, Volume 11, Number 1, June 2024, pp. 23−30
Improved Floyd-Warshall Algorithm for Solving Travelling Salesman Problem
Authors: Khanam Solima , Roy Shourov , Shihab Musfiqur Rahman
Published: October 2024

The shortest path problem is a fundamental challenge in graph theory, focused on identifying the most efficient routes between nodes in a network. It stands as one of the extensively researched combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, we explained the fundamental concepts of shortest path algorithms, with a particular emphasis on Floyd Warshall algorithm. We apply the algorithm and showed how this algorithm can be effectively employed to determine the shortest path in various scenarios. Furthermore, this paper addresses real-life applications, particularly focusing on the traveling salesman problem. Individuals often have the option to travel along different routes to reach their destination. However, selecting suboptimal routes can result in time-consuming journeys. To tackle this issue, we apply the Floyd Warshall algorithm to solve the traveling salesman problem (TSP). Additionally, we demonstrate the enhancement of the Floyd Warshall algorithm's efficiency for TSP using the rectangular algorithm. This paper concludes with a comparative analysis between the original and improved Floyd Warshall algorithms, emphasizing the computational reduction achieved through the proposed enhancements.
Jagannath University Journal of Science, Volume 11, Number 1, June 2024, pp. 45−52
Elderly Care Provision under National Policy on Older Persons 2013: A Cross-Sectional Study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Authors: Khatun Khadiza , Halim Sadeka
Published: October 2024

Bangladesh is undergoing a notable demographic transition, characterized by a substantial rise in the proportion of elderly individuals within its population. This demographic transition presents a range of economic, social and cultural issues that necessitate prompt attention and intervention. The aim of this study was to examine the current state of elderly care services and facilities available for older adults in urban landscape by taking into account the ‘National Policy on Older Persons 2013.’  This study was conducted in Dhaka city by employing a cross-sectional study design. The study population covers elderly people aged 60+ years, living in Dhaka City for more than five years continuously and are able to speak well with someone. The study was based on a sample of 240 and the respondents were chosen using convenient sampling technique. The data were collected through face-to-face interview using structured questionnaire and they were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics. This study found that the existing elderly care services and available opportunities are below the satisfactory level for most of the older adults of the city, even though the ‘National Policy on Older Persons 2013’ was adopted a decade ago. The elderly people in Dhaka city encountered a number of difficulties considering their physical health, psychological and social well-being. In the case of availability of the affordable and quality healthcare services for older adults in their community, 30.4% of the respondents said that the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare services are very poor, followed by 24.6% below average and 26.3% at the average level. Nearly 75% of the study people said that they had ever experienced unfair treatment for being aged. Indeed, they receive care and support in an inconsistent, disorganized and incoherent manner. The study clearly revealed that there is a need to prioritize person-centered care as well as integrated care system for the effective management of the ageing population in Bangladesh.
Jagannath University Journal of Science, Volume 11, Number 1, June 2024, pp. 118−134
Immunological, Serological and Hematological Changes in COVID 19 Patients of Dhaka City
Authors: Akter Amena , Biswas Bishyajit Kumar , Bepary Sukumar
Published: October 2024

The analytical test reports of COVID-19 patients admitted in two major hospitals in Dhaka City were analyzed to observe the immunological, serological and hematological abnormalities that can be significant for managing the patients in emergencies. The observed levels of ferritin, procalcitonin, D–Dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine and alkaline phosphatase (Alkp) were taken into consideration for this study. Though these parameters were elevated as mentioned for patients from many other countries, in significant cases, the values were normal or even lower than the normal levels. The ferritin level was normal (For men, 24 to 336 micrograms per liter. For women, 11 to 307 micrograms per liter) in only 30% of the patients, whereas, 50% of the patients had higher values and 20% patients had the lower values. Similarly, the procalcitonin (normal value 0.1 to 0.5 ng/mL) level was found to be normal in only 27% of the patients while remaining 73% patients had the high level of this parameter. The D‑Dimer level (less than 0.50) was also found to be normal in only 27% of the patients, whereas 72% of the patients had the higher levels. The C‑reactive protein was within the normal level in only 22% of the patients, whereas, 76% of the patients had the high level of this marker. The creatinine was found to be increased in 60% of the patients. There were 88% patents having increased levels of Alkp with only 12% patients having normal levels. Thus, the elevations of the immunological, serological and hematological parameters were somehow different from those observed from patients in other countries. This information might be useful in managing the hospitalized COVID-19 patients in our country.
Jagannath University Journal of Science, Volume 11, Number 1, June 2024, pp. 203−207
Development of Interactive E-Module Based Android on Salt Hydrolysis Material to Improve High Order Thinking Skills
Authors: Fauzi Agi Achmad , Purwanti Purwanti , Lestari Elsi Maria , Nuraini Dewi , Noviar Anggi
Published: October 2024

This study aims to develop a valid and feasible Android-based interactive e-module on the subject of salt hydrolysis to improve High order thinking skills of students. The research method used is Research and Development (R&D) with the ADDIE model. The research instrument is a validation test questionnaire and feasibility test with qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. The results of the expert validation test obtained an average value of 81.85% with Good criteria and in the feasibility test obtained an average value of 88.18% with Good criteria. So that the interactive android-based e-module on the material of salt hydrolysis to improve High order thinking skills is feasible and practical to use in learning.
Bioactive metabolites: A clue to the link between MASLD and CKD?
Authors: Chen Wen-Ying , Zhang Jia-Hui , Chen Li-Li , Byrne Christopher D. , Targher Giovanni , Luo Liang , Ni Yan , Zheng Ming-Hua , Sun Dan-Qin
Published: October 2024

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.
Computation of Binomial Series and Theorems without Binomial Coefficients
Authors: Annamalai Chinnaraji
Published: October 2024

Nowadays, the growing complexity of mathematical and computational modelling demands the simplicity of mathematical equations for solving today’s scientific problems and challenges. In this paper, a new binomial series and its theorem are introduced for applications of computing science and technology. This now idea and technique can enable the researchers for further involvement in research and development.
Non trivial zeros of the generalized Zeta function
Authors: OUKIL Walid
Published: October 2024

In this paper, the generalized Riemann Zeta function is defined on the right half-plane. In particular, this allows us to prove for every $\tau\in \mathbb{R}$ there exists at most one point $r\in (0,1)$ such that $|\zeta(r+i\tau) |=0$.
Science Teachers’ use of Analogies in Secondary School Classrooms in Ilorin, Nigeria
Authors:   Department of Science Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, Mohammed Ridwan E. , Odeniyi Oluwasegun O. ,   Department of Science Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, Ameen Khadijat S. ,   Department of Science Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, Yusuf Aishat A. ,   Department of Science Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Published: October 2024

Analogies are useful tools for teaching difficult scientific concepts and clearing up learners’ misconceptions. However, if not properly used, they can lead to further misconceptions. More importantly, little is known about how science teachers use analogies in Nigerian classrooms. This study assessed science teachers’ use of analogies by identifying their common practices in secondary school classrooms in Ilorin, Nigeria. The sample comprised 80 science teachers obtained across 34 secondary schools using the convenience sampling technique. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used for gathering data. Frequency, percentages, and mean were used to describe the responses, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypothesis at a 5% level of significance. The findings revealed that the science teachers were intentional with their use of analogies – they plan an analogy before use and explain its limitation, but mostly use analogies in the body of their lessons. There was no significant difference between science teachers’ use of analogy based on their teaching experience. The study concluded that analogy use is not considered a science teacher’s primary instructional strategy, but rather one that can be used to supplement the conventional methods of teaching. It was recommended that secondary school science teachers consider using more analogies in the introductory and concluding stage of their lessons.
Quantification of muscle fiber malformations using edge detection to investigate chronic muscle pressure ulcers
Authors: Ong Charlene Z. L. , Nasir N. Jannah M. , Welsch Roy E. , Tucker-Kellogg Lisa , Rajapakse Jagath C.
Published: October 2024

Background

Microscopy of regenerated tissue shows different morphologies between the healing of acute wounds and chronic wounds. This difference can be seen manually by biologists, but computational methods are needed to automate the characterization of morphology and regenerative quality in regenerated muscle tissue.

Results

From the detected edge segments, we computed several imaging biomarkers of interest, such as median tortuosity, number of edge segments normalized by area, median edge segment distance and interquartile range of orientation angles of edge segments of the microscope images of successful and unsuccessful muscle regeneration. We observed that muscle fibers in saline-treated pressure ulcers had a larger interquartile range of orientation angles of the edge segments (p = 0.05) and shorter edge segment distances (p = 0.003) compared to those of acute cardiotoxin injuries.

Conclusion

Our edge detection method was able to identify statistically significant differences in some of the imaging biomarkers between saline-treated pressure ulcers and cardiotoxin injuries, suggesting that chronic pressure ulcers have increased muscle fiber malformations compared to cardiotoxin injuries.
Quantifying the impact of a constructed wetland on downstream nitrate concentrations and loads in the U.S. Midwest
Authors: Anderson Elliot , Schilling Keith E. , Just Craig L. , Seo Bong Chul
Published: October 2024

Constructed wetlands are standard conservation practices used to reduce nitrate loads in agricultural watersheds. Many studies have examined the efficiency of denitrification in wetlands under various scenarios, but quantifying the watershed-scale impact of wetlands on downstream nitrate levels is rarely done using field observations. In this study, we estimated nitrate removal in a constructed wetland in the headwaters of Mud Creek, a HUC12 watershed in eastern Iowa, from May–September 2022 and May–September 2023 (a ten-month period). We also measured nitrate loads at four successive downstream sites, three along Mud Creek and one below its confluence with the larger Cedar River. The wetland removed 6,200 kg of nitrate (74% of total inputs). At the three downstream locations in Mud Creek, the percentage of each site’s total nitrate load removed by the wetland decreased to 19, 8.6, and 4.1%—this latter value represents the wetland’s influence on nitrate removal in the entire Mud Creek basin. The wetland’s impact of nitrate loads in the Cedar River was negligible (reduction of 0.02%). The percentage of a site’s drainage area treated by the wetland approximately followed a 1:1 relationship to that site’s percent reduction in nitrate. Profiles of nitrate concentrations in Mud Creek notably varied pre- and post-wetland. Concentrations before the installation steadily decreased along the waterway, while post-wetland concentrations rapidly decreased directly downstream of the wetland and steadily increased at each succeeding site. Our results demonstrate that while the wetland successfully lowered local nitrate levels, its effect on the basin’s overall nitrate loads was minimal. Achieving nutrient reduction goals at the watershed scale solely using constructed wetlands appears infeasible given that the required number of practices greatly exceeds current efforts.
Simplified methods for variance estimation in microbiome abundance count data analysis
Authors: Shi Yiming , Liu Lili , Chen Jun , Wylie Kristine M. , Wylie Todd N. , Stout Molly J. , Wang Chan , Zhang Haixiang , Shih Ya-Chen T. , Xu Xiaoyi , Zhang Ai , Park Sung Hee , Jiang Hongmei , Liu Lei
Published: October 2024

The complex nature of microbiome data has made the differential abundance analysis challenging. Microbiome abundance counts are often skewed to the right and heteroscedastic (also known as overdispersion), potentially leading to incorrect inferences if not properly addressed. In this paper, we propose a simple yet effective framework to tackle the challenges by integrating Poisson (log-linear) regression with standard error estimation through the Bootstrap method and Sandwich robust estimation. Such standard error estimates are accurate and yield satisfactory inference even if the distributional assumption or the variance structure is incorrect. Our approach is validated through extensive simulation studies, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing overdispersion and improving inference accuracy. Additionally, we apply our approach to two real datasets collected from the human gut and vagina, respectively, demonstrating the wide applicability of our methods. The results highlight the efficacy of our covariance estimators in addressing the challenges of microbiome data analysis. The corresponding software implementation is publicly available at https://github.com/yimshi/robustestimates.
Clinical ocular prediction model of postoperative ametropic amblyopia in patients with congenital ectopia lentis
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Song Linghao , Liu Yan , Huo Qiuyi , Sun Yang , Chen Zexu , Jia Wannan , Shen Xin , Wang Yalei , Chen Xinyao , Chen Tianhui , Jiang Yongxiang , Wang Rui
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Despite prompt and appropriate surgical management, a considerable proportion of patients with congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) suffer from postoperative ametropic amblyopia. To predict and identify at-risk patients early, and ensure timely amblyopia treatment, we conducted a thorough investigation into the onset and progression patterns of postoperative amblyopia in patients with CEL. Moreover, an ocular prediction model was constructed for amblyopia.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, amblyopia analysis was conducted to reveal the prevalence of postoperative amblyopia at different time points of follow-up. Comparative analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed for the development of an amblyopia prediction model. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. A nomogram was created to determine the probability of postoperative amblyopia. Amblyopia was diagnosed according to the most recent edition of the Amblyopia Preferred Practice Pattern.

Results

A total of 889 eyes from 677 patients operated for CEL were enrolled in this study. In the pediatric cohort, the prevalence of amblyopia showed a decreasing trend with follow-up time from 1 month to 3.5 years. A prediction model based on preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and cardiac phenotype was established to predict postoperative amblyopia. For effective individual prediction, a nomogram was created. With great calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness, the prediction model demonstrated good performance.

Conclusion

The findings underscore that the prevalence of ametropic amblyopia in pediatric CEL patients who underwent lens surgery exhibited a marked decline over time. The prediction model established with preoperative BCVA and cardiac phenotype can provide accurate and individualized predictions of postoperative amblyopia, and it has the potential to assist ophthalmologists in rapidly identifying high-risk patients.
Endophytic bacteria in Camellia reticulata pedicels: isolation, screening and analysis of antagonistic activity against nectar yeasts
Authors: Meng Qingxin , Huang Rong , Xun Lijie , Wu Xiaoman , Deng Shangkao , Yue Dan , Zhao Wenzheng , Dong Xia , Gong Xueyang , Dong Kun
Published: October 2024

Camellia reticulata, an ancient plant species endemic to Yunnan Province, China, remains underexplored in terms of its endophytic bacterial communities. The plant tissue pedicel serves as the connection between the flower and the stem, not only delivers nutrients but also transmits metabolic substances from endophytic bacteria to the nectar during long-term microbial colonization and probably improves the antagonistic activity of nectar against yeast. Hence, 138 isolates of endophytic bacteria have been isolated in this study from the pedicels of 12- and 60-year-old C. reticulata. Comparative analysis revealed significantly higher density of endophytic bacteria in older trees. Among these isolates, 29 exhibited inhibitory effects against nectar yeasts. Most of the isolates displayed positive results for Gram staining, catalase reaction, gelatin liquefaction, and motility. Additionally, the isolates demonstrated the ability to utilize diverse substrates, such as glucose, nitrate, and starch. Based on 16S rRNA molecular biology analysis, these isolates were identified to be 11 different species of 6 genera, with the majority belonging to Bacillus genus. Notably, C1 isolate, identified as Bacillus spizizenii, exhibited strongest antagonistic effect against three yeasts, i.e., Metschnikowia reukaufii, Cryptococcus laurentii, and Rhodotorula glutinis, with minimum inhibitory concentration values below 250 μg/mL. Major metabolites of B. spizizenii were aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, and quinolones, which possess antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment pathways primarily included the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites, phenylpropanoids, amino acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, neomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin. Therefore, antagonistic activity of B. spizizenii against yeasts could be attributed to these antibiotics. The findings highlight the diverse endophytic bacteria associated with C. reticulata, indicating their potential as a valuable resource of bioactive metabolites. Additionally, this study provides new insights into the role of endophytic bacteria of pedicels in enhancing nectar resistance against yeasts.
TLR4-mediated chronic neuroinflammation has no effect on tangle pathology in a tauopathy mouse model
Authors: Basheer Neha , Muhammadi Muhammad Khalid , Freites Carlos Leandro , Avila Martin , Momand Miraj Ud Din , Hryntsova Natalia , Smolek Tomas , Katina Stanislav , Zilka Norbert
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is marked by the accumulation of fibrillary aggregates composed of pathological tau protein. Although neuroinflammation is frequently observed in conjunction with tau pathology, current preclinical evidence does not sufficiently establish a direct causal role in tau tangle formation. This study aimed to evaluate whether chronic Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation, induced by a high dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg), exacerbates neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) pathology in a transgenic mouse model of tauopathy that expresses human truncated 151-391/3R tau, an early feature of sporadic AD.

Methods

We utilized a transgenic mouse model of tauopathy subjected to chronic TLR4 stimulation via weekly intraperitoneal injections of LPS over nine consecutive weeks. Neurofibrillary tangle formation, microglial activation, and tau hyperphosphorylation in the brainstem and hippocampus were assessed through immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and detailed morphometric analysis of microglia.

Results

Chronic LPS treatment led to a significant increase in the number of Iba-1+ microglia in the LPS-treated group compared to the sham group (p < 0.0001). Notably, there was a 1.5- to 1.7-fold increase in microglia per tangle-bearing neuron in the LPS-treated group. These microglia exhibited a reactive yet exhausted phenotype, characterized by a significant reduction in cell area (p < 0.0001) without significant changes in other morphometric parameters, such as perimeter, circumference, solidity, aspect ratio, or arborization degree. Despite extensive microglial activation, there was no observed reduction in tau hyperphosphorylation or a decrease in tangle formation in the brainstem, where pathology predominantly develops in this model.

Discussion

These findings suggest that chronic TLR4 stimulation in tau-transgenic mice results in significant microglial activation but does not influence tau tangle formation. This underscores the complexity of the relationship between neuroinflammation and tau pathology, indicating that additional mechanisms may be required for neuroinflammation to directly contribute to tau tangle formation.
Clinical applications and therapeutic potentials of advanced nanoparticles: a comprehensive review on completed human clinical trials
Authors: Kumarasamy Ranil Vikraman , Natarajan Prabhu Manickam , Umapathy Vidhya Rekha , Roy Jeane Rebecca , Mironescu Monica , Palanisamy Chella Perumal
Published: October 2024

Nanoparticles are attractive therapeutic tools due to their distinctive characteristics, including more accurate drug delivery, improved bioavailability, and enhanced targeted therapy. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potentials of cutting-edge nanoparticles as demonstrated in human clinical trials, based on empirical evidence. Through systematic searches of major scientific databases, relevant studies published up to March 2024 were included, focusing on clinical trials utilizing advanced nanoparticles for therapeutic purposes. The review discusses the diverse applications of nanoparticles in oncology, infectious diseases, neurology, and other medical fields. Additionally, it scrutinizes the safety profiles, efficacy outcomes, and challenges associated with nanoparticle-based therapies. The findings underscore significant progress in translating nanoparticle research into clinical practice and highlight the potential of these innovative platforms to revolutionize medical treatments. This review contributes valuable insights into the growing field of nanoparticle-based therapeutics, fostering a deeper understanding of their clinical applications and implications in medical practice.
Improving speech intelligibility in noise and spatial perception: the critical role of hearing aid microphone position
Authors: Kara Eyyup , Özal Nurşah , Deniz Burcu , Çögen Talha , Deniz Rışvan , Aydın Kübra , Caba Cenk , Yılmaz Begüm Bahar
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Hearing aid (HA) manufacturers have introduced behind-the-ear (BTE) models where the microphone is positioned in the ear canal, which could impact auditory performance by distorting the pinna’s acoustic cues. This study aimed to compare two different BTE HAs with varying microphone positions: the receiver in the ear (RITE) and the transducer in the ear (TIE).

Methods

The study involved 10 participants who had never used HAs before. They used both RITE and TIE HAs bilaterally for 3 weeks. Auditory performance was assessed through free field hearing assessments (hearing thresholds, speech recognition threshold, and speech discrimination score), the Turkish Matrix Sentence Test (TURMatrix), a sound localization test, and the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Living (SADL) questionnaire.

Results

There was no significant difference between TIE and RITE in the free field hearing assessments. However, TIE outperformed RITE in non-adaptive TURMatrix scores in quiet, adaptive TURMatrix scores in noise, and sound localization accuracy at various angles. SADL sub-scores (Positive Effect, Service and Cost, and Personal Image) and overall satisfaction scores were significantly better for TIE.

Discussion

The microphone position in HAs can influence auditory performance. This study demonstrated that TIE provided better speech intelligibility, localization accuracy, and user satisfaction compared to RITE.
Comprehensive liquid biopsy analysis for monitoring NSCLC patients under second-line osimertinib treatment
Authors: Ntzifa Aliki , Marras Theodoros , Kallergi Galatea , Kotsakis Athanasios , Georgoulias Vasilis , Lianidou Evi
Published: October 2024

Background

The heterogeneous and complex genetic landscape of NSCLC impacts the clinical outcomes of patients who will eventually develop resistance to osimertinib. Liquid biopsy (LB) analysis as a minimally invasive approach is a key step to efficiently identify resistance mechanisms and adjust to proper subsequent treatments.

Materials and methods

In the present study, we combined plasma-cfDNA and CTC analysis from 30 NSCLC patients in samples collected before treatment and at the progression of disease (PD). We detected molecular alterations at the DNA mutation (EGFR, PIK3CA, KRAS G12C, BRAF V600E), DNA methylation (RASSF1A, BRMS1, FOXA1, SLFN1, SHISA3, RARβ,, WIF-1, RASSF10 and APC), gene expression (CK-19, CK-18, CK-8, AXL, TWIST-1, PD-L1, PIM-1, Vimentin, ALDH-1, and B2M) and chromosomal level (HER2 and MET amplification) as possible resistance mechanisms and druggable targets. We also studied the expression of PD-L1 in single CTCs using immunofluorescence.

Results

In some cases, T790M resistance EGFR mutation was detected at baseline in CTCs but not in the corresponding plasma cfDNA. PIK3CA mutations were detected only in plasma-cfDNA but not in corresponding CTCs. KRAS G12C and BRAF V600E mutations were not detected in the samples analyzed. MET amplification was detected in the CTCs of two patients before treatment whereas HER2 amplification was detected in the CTCs of three patients at baseline and in one patient at PD. DNA methylation analysis revealed low concordance between CTCs and cfDNA, indicating the complementary information obtained through parallel LB analysis. Results from gene expression analysis indicated high rates of vimentin-positive CTCs detected at all time points during osimertinib. Moreover, there was an increased number of NSCLC patients at PD harboring CTCs positive in PD-L1. AXL and PIM-1 expression detected in CTCs during treatment suggesting new possible therapeutic strategies.

Discussion

Our results reveal that comprehensive liquid biopsy analysis can efficiently represent the heterogeneous molecular landscape and provide prominent information on subsequent treatments for NSCLC patients at PD since druggable molecular alterations were detected in CTCs.