bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Use of Gamified Online Tools: A Study with Kahoot and Quizizz in the Educational Context
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Peru, Maraza-Quispe Benjamín
Published: February 2024

Developing effective feedback is fundamental to meaningful learning. Therefore, understanding how gamification tools influence feedback can have a significant impact on improving the educational process and students’ academic performance. By comprehending the impact of platforms like Kahoot and Quizizz on feedback for learning, educators can make more informed decisions on how to use these tools to maximize the benefits of online learning. In this context, the research aims to assess the impact of online gamification tools, such as Kahoot and Quizizz, on the feedback process of student learning. Pre-knowledge tests, quiz applications, and final tests were conducted as part of the methodology. Additionally, the applied methodology involved a sample of 24 students selected through convenience sampling. The questionnaires assessed prior knowledge, feedback, and assimilated knowledge. Multiple-choice questionnaires were created, and an assessment rubric was applied to evaluate the quality of the questionnaires. The research results demonstrate significant progress in the use of gamification platforms, highlighting the effectiveness in providing learning analytics. Quizizz was more effective than Kahoot in providing feedback. Questionnaire results indicated an increase in knowledge and understanding of the subjects. In conclusion, gamification influences feedback, enhancing learning, and motivating students. The tools enable instant review questions, visualization of rankings, and summary of participation. These findings strengthen the effectiveness of gamification in education and its contribution to the feedback process of learning.
Augmented Machine Intelligence with Human Intelligence for Cryptocurrency Price Prediction
Authors:   Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran Polytechnic, Iran, Honarmand Melika
Published: February 2024

This research explores the integration of human and machine intelligence in the financial industry. While AI systems excel at analyzing data, humans possess unique traits that contribute to accurate predictions. Inspired by the concept of Augmented Financial Intelligence, the study aims to integrate human intelligence with existing models, considering the limitations of current human input methods. Natural Language Processing and Sentiment Analysis are used to enhance prediction tasks, but limited training data and suboptimal processing can introduce noise. The study introduces a framework that integrates human and machine intelligence to enhance cryptocurrency market forecasts, analyzing six cryptocurrencies and utilizing an Elo-based rating system to identify exceptional predictors. The framework aims to minimize noise and optimize human input in financial forecasting.
Reduction of Computational Amount in Person Verification Based on SVM Using Evoked Brain Wave by Ultrasound
Authors:   Faculty of Engineering, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan, Nakanishi Isao
Published: February 2024

For realizing continuous authentication of users, we have studied to use an electroencephalogram (EEG) evoked by ultrasound as biometrics. Users are presented only the ultrasound of their memorable music and verified whether genuine or not using the induced components of EEG. In our previous studies, the verification error rate of 0 % was achieved using multiple quantities in EEG as individual features and a support vector machine (SVM) as a verification method; however, it required a large amount of computation for processing SVM models. Thus, we reduce the number of SVM models by applying two selection methods of features and electrodes, which have been previously introduced. Furthermore, we examine the usage rates of features and electrodes in the reduced SVM models. By using only the electrodes with high usage rates, the verification error rate of 0 % is guaranteed with a small amount of computation.
Effects of intake manifold geometry in H2 & CNG fueled engine combustion
Authors: SAAIDIA Rafaa , GHRISS Ons , KÖTEN Hasan , M ALQURAISH Mohammed , BOUABIDI Abdallah , EL HAJ ASSAD Mamdouh
Published: February 2024

This study attempted to identify the effect of optimized intake manifold geometry on the behaviors and emission level of hydrogen compressed natural gas (H2CNG) fueled engine. For this purpose, a commercial Hyundai Sonata spark ignition engine (SIE) is modified to operate with CNG and hydrogen blend. The optimal intake pipe length was predicted using an analytical acoustic method. A new intake manifold is designed and implemented utilizing natural supercharging managed by over-pressure waves acoustic propagation. Several tests are conducted on the engine using the new manifold with a speed range from 1000 to 5000 rpm. Based on various engine speeds, the variation of brake torque (BT), in-cylinder pressure, NOx and CO emissions investigated by using gasoline, CNG and hydrogen CNG blend (HCNG) fueled engines via external mixtures. The first finding of the study is that the novel geometry improves the in-cylinder pressure by 10% at 3500 rpm. However, high engine speeds show a reduction of 14% in NOx and 40% in HC while speeds below 2000 rpm reduce CO by 40%. The second finding is that the new optimized geometry serves to get rid of both the auto-igni-tion and the backfire for high ratio of hydrogen in the blend.
A case study on the modeling and simulation of UAVs
Authors: KOÇ Osman Kerem , SERTKAYA Ali , GÖNÜL Alişan , TANER Tolga , DALKILIÇ Ahmet Selim
Published: February 2024

The current work presents the flow and structural analysis of the application design in un-manned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as indicates a case of the modeling and simulation study with the ANSYS Fluent and Mechanical programs. This research reveals the unmanned aerial vehicle’s structural and mechanical design, structure configurations, energy-flow and struc-tural analysis, propulsion and firing systems, prototype production and testing, and design flow models. This study aims to complete the unmanned aerial vehicle design by determining its aerodynamic configurations. Due to the complexity of the design, a preliminary prepa-ration for flow analysis is performed with simplified geometry as well as flow analysis. The unmanned aerial vehicle is tested at different velocities by numerical analysis. In addition, different density flow analyses provide predictions about the aerodynamic forces of the UAVs at different heights and temperatures. The thrust results are 4240 g, power became 1711.62 W with 2.48 g/W efficiency, and 12179 [rpm] revolution for 22.2 V voltage and 77.1 A current, respectively. The 5 different analyses are performed in the range of 2.9-12 million elements, and the solution meshes with the lowest number of elements by performing parametric stud-ies with the ANSYS program that gives the most accurate result.
Experimental investigation of forced convective heat transfer and fluid flow in a mini heat pipe with rectangular micro grooves
Authors: MAJEL Bassim Mohammed , OBAID Zain Alabdeen Hussein
Published: February 2024

In the present study, the convective heat transfer coefficient of water in a laminar flow regime under constant inlet temperature conditions inside a flat mini heat pipe was investigated ex-perimentally. Heat flux ranged from 20-50W and various horizontal heat sink temperatures (operating temperature) ranged from 15-35°C with liquid flow rate (3.563E-8 m3/sec) used during the experiments. The rectangular microchannels performance is evaluated in terms of the temperature profile, heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number and thermal resistance. The results emphasized that the mini heat pipe temperature gradients are less than the tempera-ture of the copper plate and the heat resistance gradually decreases to its lowest value when the heat flux value reaches its highest value if it does not exceed the capillary limits. The data also demonstrated that the coefficient of heat transfer in the condensation zone is lower than in the evaporation zone at different heat sink temperatures. The augmentation rate for the flat mini heat pipe thermal conductivity reached about 240% at a heat load 30W for the positions of thermosyphon and horizontal, while the rate of increase in the case of the anti-gravity situ-ation at a heat load 30W reaches 210%, then the improvement percentage begins to decrease to 200%. A generalized regression equation is developed for the estimation of the Nusselt number valid for water in a flat mini heat pipe.
Engaging with Tapa and Ngatu
Authors: Fonua Sonia M. , Fonua Fire U. F. A. T. M. I. , Fonua Lavinia T. , Burrows Sulieti Fieme’a , Gillies Tui Emma
Published: February 2024

The making and gifting of koloa faka-Tonga (women’s valuables, also known as koloa) has been an integral part of Tongan identity and culture for as long as anyone can remember. Working collaboratively on tapa and ngatu provides space for discussions and understanding, and reflections of Tongan identity and culture. The practice of gifting koloa has continued outside of the Kingdom of Tonga as Tongans migrate for new opportunities, including Aotearoa New Zealand (henceforth Aotearoa NZ). Using two different examples, this article will explore, through talatalanoa, how Tongan family partnerships working with tapa/ngatu in contemporary ways are sites of intergenerational knowledge sharing through art practices in Aotearoa NZ. Sulieti Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies are a mother-daughter partnership of tapa artists who work and reside in Aotearoa NZ and use their time together to share stories and make tapa works depicting what concerns them in contemporary society. Also residing in Aotearoa NZ, Lavinia and Fire Fonua are a mother-son partnership who turn koloa into contemporary personal adornment, alongside Fire’s wife, Sonia. In this article, the four Tongan authors’ reflections on inter-generational knowledge sharing and practices related to koloa making and gifting are described and illustrated using examples of their work. Their diverse stories also reflect on Tongan material culture, and Tongan identity, and demonstrate how working on practices that centre koloa provides opportunities to consider what it means to be Tongan in Aotearoa NZ, and how Tongan ways of being, knowing, and doing are valued as tu’atonga.
Tongan Crip Gang
Authors: Hafoka ‘Esiteli
Published: February 2024

This article is an articulation of Tongan angafakafonua (way of the land, culture)as Tongan identity and its (re)makings through religion and gangs in the United States. Based on a section of my doctoral thesis, I examine the influence of the Mormon Church on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act charges.1 This article acknowledges that legislators, driven by their Mormon religio-racial ideology, interpreted the legislation in an exclusive manner. They took liberties to explicitly exclude first-generation Tongan Americans based on their preference for street gangs rather than the fraternal organizations associated with the Church. During the period between the settlement of Utah and the RICO trial of Siale Angilau, American-born Tongans of the first generation modified angafakafonua to address the needs of a growing Tongan community in the United States. In the later years of this transitional period, second-Generation Tongan Americans utilized angafakafonua to counteract excessive surveillance by gang task forces, racial profiling, and discriminatory practices employed by the state.
Moana (Pacific) Expressions of Design
Authors: Withers Sonya , Harper-Siolo Charlotte , Hāmuera Dunstall Samuel , Vaima’a Pelerose , Gibbs Kristina , Te’o-Faumuina Alexander
Published: February 2024

This article is a reflection on an attempt to create a space of flux through the concepts of positionality, vā and talanoa within the design academy. This was presented as an academic course, originally intended to address a gap in established learning, and to make space for intergenerational knowledge systems that were originally being shared outside of the studio (shared at the knee, through office hours, and in passing conversations). This sharing led to key questions regarding how we (re)craft our ways through our practices and what cultural conditions are needed to enable safe design and cultural production. Five students enrolled in the course and are featured as co-authors in this article. They whakapapa as Tangata whenua (Māori, people of the land) or Tagata o le Moana (specifically Sāmoan). They are enrolled in a range of design disciplines such as spatial design, fashion design, and concept design. Classes were held once a week over a 12- week semester period. These in-person classes involved reflecting and re-presenting our positional contexts, a sharing and setting of kai, hikoi to gallery exhibitions featuring Māori and Pacific art practitioners at an institutional level and a community level, alongside the sharing of scholarship developed on the concepts of vā and talanoa, while coming back to ourselves and our familial, generational social settings.
Mana Moana
Authors: Tone Lama , ‘Ilaiū Talei Charmaine
Published: February 2024

Our article is an investigation of the architectural meanings of Moana when located in Aotearoa, as Pacific practitioners, designers, and academics. This article will traverse sensitive topics, such as how Aotearoa’s Pacific peoples relate to Tangata Whenua today and how this is expressed in the built space. How can we navigate Te Tiriti o Waitangi through our voyaging histories, moving beyond the muddy relations within urban conditions in Aotearoa? The phrase Mana Moana is used to refer to the ancestral relationships between Tangata Whenua and the wider Moana, or vast Pacific region, as a positioning framework for our discussions. Mana Moana reinforces connected genealogies of Māori and Pacific peoples across deep time and space beyond the shores of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The article draws on architectural case studies from Aotearoa that investigate placemaking concepts and praxes that provoke, educate, and inspire current and future built environments of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Regulatory Aspects of Servitisation: Study Materials for Global Law Course
Authors: Hojnik Janja
Published: February 2024

This course material was prepared as a support for a lectures series under Global Law Programme organised by the Catholic University Leuven (Belgium), Faculty of Law and Criminology. The course dealt with EU regulatory challenges arising from the servitisation of manufacturing and the related sustainability and digitalisation process in the EU economy. Servitisation is a complex interdisciplinary concept that essentially stands for bringing together products and services. Servitization as an economic megatrend reflects consumers’ oriented business models, offering not just products to the buyers, but solutions to their problems. This solution offering is enhanced by digitalisation of the economy that makes the relationship between product-service providers and their customers easier to maintain due to various mechanisms of distant communication and monitoring. Moreover, servitisation is at the centre of the endeavours to establish a more sustainable circular economy. Adding services to products can prolong their consumption time, decrease the amount of materials needed for certain effect and improve waste management. Increasingly, however, it is clear that servitisation is not just related to environmental sustainability, but social as well. These services often require people to be performed and digital applications tend to decrease their rights as workers to the benefit of the owners of these applications.
A Short Form for Measuring Anxiety in Nursing Education
Authors: Reed Janet Marie , Ferdig Richard E. , Karpinski Aryn C. , Zsidó András N.
Published: February 2024

Background and Purpose:Nursing education lacks an easily accessible, valid, and reliable short instrument to support researchers and instructors in quickly assessing student anxiety. The purpose of this research was to respond to this need by assessing the reliability and validity of a short-form anxiety instrument adapted from psychology which could measure state and trait anxiety.Methods:Using a one-group, repeated measures design, 51 sophomore level undergraduate nursing students had their state and trait anxiety levels measured at three time points over the course of a semester.Results:Results showed that the anxiety instrument was valid and reliable for use in nursing education with coefficient α ranging from .65 to .88.Conclusion:Future nurse researchers and educators should consider using the short-form anxiety instrument when a quick differentiation is needed to measure state and trait anxiety.
Experiencias de planificación del uso de la bicicleta: contextos global, latinoamericano y colombiano
Authors: QUINTERO GONZÁLEZ JULIÁN RODRIGO , QUIJANO MORENO JEISON SEBASTIAN
Published: February 2024

La bicicleta es una de las soluciones más factibles para la movilidad en las ciudades. Su uso trae beneficios ambientales, sociales y económicos. Sin embargo, aún se desconocen los métodos y las estrategias para su planificación. El objetivo es hacer una reflexión acerca de las experiencias sobresalientes de la planificación del uso de la bicicleta. La metodología consiste en la síntesis de las bondades del modo de transporte ciclista y su proceso de planificación. A partir de estos dos conceptos se realiza una exploración de los casos de implementación del uso de la bicicleta en ciudades en los contextos global, latinoamericano y colombiano. Se analizan los métodos de planificación empleados, los desarrollos de infraestructura y la gestión del uso de la bicicleta. Se concluye que los beneficios del uso de la bicicleta, así como los diversos enfoques para su planificación implementados exitosamente, justifican la inclusión de proyectos de infraestructura para ciclistas en los planes de desarrollo de los gobiernos territoriales y su materialización.
Antitumor activity of three new azoloazine derivatives in orthotopic transplantation model of human breast cancer cells into mice
Authors: Al-Humairi A. H. , Speransky D. L. , Novochadov V. V. , Poroisky S. V. , Cherdyntseva N. V. , Udut V. V.
Published: February 2024

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors, which makes scientific research in this area extremely relevant. The difficulties of breast cancer chemotherapy stimulate the search for new drugs to treat this nosology. Derivatives of imidazotriazine and imidazotetrazine, which are analogues of the antitumor drug temozolamide, can be ones of the promising drugs in this regard.

The aim of the work was to evaluate the antitumor activity of three new azoloazine derivatives in a xenogeneic breast cancer model in mice in vivo.

Materials and methods. A study was conducted on a xenogeneic model of BC. After the immunosuppression with azathioprine, 48 white BALB/c mice were injected with MCF-7 cells, test derivatives, and the reference drug epirubicin at doses of 1/2 IC50 and 1/10 IC50, into the base of the mammary gland once. The body weight of the mice was monitored; on the 15th day, at the end of the experiment, the relative volume was assessed.

Results and discussion. Among the three compounds studied, imidazotetrazine 1 showed the most encouraging results: stopping the loss of body weight in the mice caused by the administration of tumor cells, and reducing the tumor volume on the 15th day of the experiment to 50.6% of that in the control when using a dose of 1/10 IC50, up to 39.2% – when using a dose of 1/2 IC50, which significantly exceeded the values of the reference drug epirubicin and the values in the control group. In the histological examination, the signs of spread and preservation of tumor cells viability of the MCF-7 line after its administration were minimal, the value of the histological malignancy index decreased by 9.3% of the control value.

Conclusion. Among the tested azoloazine derivatives, 3-cyclohexyl-4-oxoimidazo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine-8-N-piperidinylcarboxamide is the undisputed leader, causing inhibition of the tumor growth in a xenogeneic model in vivo.
Phytochemical and pharmacological study of biologically active compounds and dry extracts of Populus rubrinervis Hort. Alb. buds of various polarities
Authors: Urbanchik E. A. , Kurkin V. A. , Zaitseva E. N. , Ryzhov V. M. , Dubishchev A. V. , Tsybina A. S. , Altareva A. I. , Sirotkina Yu. D.
Published: February 2024

The aim of the work was a phytochemical and pharmacological study of biologically active compounds (BACs) and Populus rubrinervis Hort. Alb. buds preparations of various polarities.

Materials and methods. The object of the study was dry extracts of P. rubrinervis Hort. Alb. buds the samples of which were prepared in January–March 2023 in the Botanical Garden of Samara University (Samara, Russia). The separation of the amount of current substances was carried consecutively by the method of circulating extraction (chloroform), then, by the method of fractional percolation, a tincture was received on 70% ethyl alcohol (1:5). Pinostrobin was used as the standard sample (SS). The analysis of the substances was carried out by the TLC method. The electronic spectra registration was carried out with a spectrophotometer “Specord 40” (Analytik Jena, Germany). The study of the pharmacological (diuretic) activity of P. rubrinervis Hort. Alb. buds dried extracts was carried out on 60 white outbred rats of both sexes weighing 200–220 g in the experiments with aqueous diuresis.

Results. P. rubrinervis Hort. Alb. buds dried extracts of various polarities (extract No. 1 (chloroform) and extract No. 2 (70% ethanol) were received. By the method of thin-layer chromatography, it was determined that the dominant complexes of the lipophilic nature with pinostrobin are isolated in extract No. 1, phenolic substances of the glycoside nature prevail in extract No. 2. Despite various polarities of the extragents, spectral characteristics of extract No. 2 have significant similarities with extract No. 1. When studying the diuretic activity, it was established that when SS pinostrobin was injected at a dose of 1 mg/kg, for 4 h of the experiment, an isolated increase in diuresis was noted (from 1.72±0.11 to 1.97±0.03 ml, p <0.05); at the same time, an isolated increase in creatininuresis (from 1.50±0.29 to 2.39±0.15 mg, p <0.05) was observed during 24 h of the experiment. When extract No. 2 was injected at a dose of 10 mg/kg, there was a moderate significant increase in diuresis (from 1.82±0.02 to 2.07±0.04 ml and from 2.38±0.39 to 3.02±0.11 ml, p <0.05) and a significant increase in creatininuresis (from 0.14±0.01 to 0.19±0.03 mg and from 2.31±0.42 to 2.79±0.51 mg, p <0.05) for 4 and 24 h of the experiment, respectively.

Conclusion. The extraction separation of the amount of P. rubrinervis Hort. Alb. buds by the polarity degree was carried out. Pinostrobin SS at a dose of 1 mg/kg and extract No. 2 at a dose of 10 mg/kg had a diuretic activity, in connection with which they are promising in terms of the development of effective drugs.
Methodological and regulatory aspects of pharmaceutical development of biological products
Authors: Kurkin D. V. , Morkovin E. I. , Bakulin D. A. , Zaborovsky A. V. , Makarenko I. E. , Drai R. V. , Solodovnikov A. G. , Petrov V. I. , Koryanova K. N. , Lycheva N. A. , Voskresensky S. A. , Strygin A. V. , Kolosov Yu. A. , Gorbunova Yu. V. , Ivanova O. V.
Published: February 2024

The aim of the work was to conduct an analysis of the current state and current trends in the approval of drugs, as well as some aspects of the methodology for their development based on biological molecules and registration.

Materials and methods. The material for the analysis was taken from the abstract databases of PubMed, Google Scholar and e-library.ru. The search was carried out using publications for the period from 2008 to 2023, the keywords were as follows: “biologicals”, “new drug approval”, “drug authorization”, “drug development”, “biosimilar”, taking into account various spellings.

Results. Over the past 15 years, scientists have been observing revolutionary trends and processes in the field of the drug development, especially biopharmaceuticals. Significant advances have been made in gene, immune and cell therapies, resulting in the approval of such drugs more than doubling over the past ten years. The development of biological drugs includes the identification and testing of molecular targets and requires a deep understanding of the structure and functioning of the polypeptides involved in the development of the effect. The features of these active pharmaceutical substances are a high molecular weight, a complex three-dimensional structure and a high immunogenic potential. Preclinical and clinical studies of biologics have unique challenges. Selecting appropriate animal species, understanding the immunogenicity, and assessing pharmacodynamics and toxicological properties require a multilevel, detailed approach. The article discusses the regulatory framework under which these drugs are registered, summarizing the guidelines provided by international organizations such as the International Council for Harmonization and various national agencies.

Conclusion. The analysis highlights the current advances and prospects in the development of biologics, highlighting their key role in future transformations in the treatment of rare diseases and oncology, approaching the era of personalized medicine. Monitoring the development directions and technological approaches, as well as the commitment to global methodological and regulatory aspects can become a catalyst in the development of the Russian pharmacology.
Hospital consumption of direct oral anticoagulants in regions of the Russian Federation in 2017–2022
Authors: Matveev A. V. , Glagolev S. V. , Koryanova K. N. , Sychev D. A.
Published: February 2024

The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of inpatient consumption of direct oral anticoagulants in different regions of the Russian Federation for the period from 2017 to 2022.

Materials and methods. This study is a non-interventional, retrospective analysis of the electronic database records of Cursor Marketing LLC (Russia) about the announced by medical organizations and executed contracts for the purchase of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The сonsumption was calculated on the basis of a DDD (defined-daily-dose) and estimated DDDTID (defined-daily-dose/1000-inhabitants/day) for each DOACs: rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban. The Rosstat database available on its official website were used as a source of inhabitants data for the Russian regions.

Results. A total of 57 866 records were entered into the analyzed databases of Cursor Marketing LLC (Russia) from 2017 to 2022, 47.38% of which indicated rivaroxaban as the drug being procured, 26.51% indicated dabigatran, and 26.11% indicated apixaban. Edoxaban was not procured by healthcare organizations. During the period investigated, there was an increase in the consumption of all DOACs studied, with a higher increase for apixaban (by an average of 284.6% per year), then rivaroxaban (by 144.8% per year) and, to a lesser extent, dabigatran (by 92.5% per year). The analysis of DOACs consumption in general showed that compared to 2017, the need for these drugs in medical organizations in 2022 increased by 18 times. The Urals Federal District consistently exceeds the national average in terms of DDTID consumption. Noteworthy is the consumption dynamics of the regions of the Central Federal District and the North-Western Federal District, which made it possible to achieve DDDTID values above the national average for 5 out of 6 observation years. The lowest rates of DOACs consumption were observed in the Volga Federal District, which, despite positive growth dynamics, failed to reach the national average values. A high level of consumption (>10 DDDTID) of rivaroxaban was noted for the Arkhangelsk region (2018) and the Nenets Autonomous District (in 2021), dabigatran – only for the Arkhangelsk region (in 2018). Many more regions reached high levels of the apixaban consumption, especially in 2021.

Conclusion. Despite a number of limitations, the data on the volume of DOACs procurement can be used in the analysis of the consumption at both regional and national levels. When analyzing the DOACs consumption, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and pharmacogenetic features of patients in different regions should be taken into account. During the studied period of time, a significant part of the Russian regions achieved a consumption level of rivaroxaban and apixaban, but not dabigatran, exceeding 1 DDDTID.
Atualização Clínica sobre Diagnóstico, Tratamento e Prevenção da Dengue
Authors: B.A. Seixas Jorge , Giovanni Luz Kleber , Pinto Junior Vitor
Published: February 2024

A dengue é uma doença transmitida por um vetor hematófago (mosquito) que possui um impacto significativo na saúde pública mundial. O mosquito transmissor pertence ao género Aedes. São duas as espécies responsáveis pela transmissão humana: o Ae. aegypti, que se adaptou ao ambiente urbano de áreas altamente populosas de países tropicais e subtropicais, resultando num aumento dramático dos casos de dengue ao longo dos anos; e o Ae. Albopictus, que representa uma potencial ameaça para os países de clima temperado pela sua capacidade de adaptação aos climas mais frios. A doença está presente em grande parte do mundo, colocando cerca de metade da população do planeta em risco. Embora a maioria dos casos seja assintomática, a dengue causa uma sobrecarga nos sistemas de saúde e impacta principalmente os jovens. A doença também tem vindo a alastrar-se a países de clima temperado, tornando-se uma ameaça global. As medidas de controlo vetorial e o desenvolvimento de vacinas têm sido as principais estratégias de prevenção, uma vez que não existe ainda um tratamento eficaz para a doença.
Cenários da conectividade fluvial atual e a relação de água e sedimentos na Bacia do rio Santana (RJ)
Authors: Oliveira Gabriel Ferreira de , Marçal Mônica dos Santos
Published: February 2024

A conectividade fluvial é uma abordagem que busca a construção de matriz teórica para ajudar a explicar o processo de evolução dos ambientes fluviais, considerando a multiescalaridade, destacando a importância da relação entre os elementos responsáveis pela configuração e distribuição do material nos componentes do sistema hidrológico. É importante a compreensão dos mecanismos e controles ambientais de caráter natural e/ou antrópico e identificar os tipos de bloqueios que interrompem o transporte de sedimentos. O foco da pesquisa está na análise qualitativa da conectividade fluvial atual com base na identificação dos tipos de bloqueios, cenários de precipitação e área de captação efetiva. A pesquisa foi realizada na bacia do rio Santana, que atualmente compõem o chamado “Sistema Guandu”, responsável pelo abastecimento de água para a região metropolitana do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram construídos três cenários de conectividade fluvial atual com base nas relações entre os tipos de bloqueios, cenários de chuvas e a área de captação efetiva. A transmissão de água e sedimentos entre as sub-bacias apresentam diferentes respostas e o arranjo espacial dos elementos de (des)conexão fluvial que dão condições diferenciadas aos regimes hidrológicos e sedimentares com produção e vazão própria.
Utilization of Endophites Fungi in Inhibiting the Growth of Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Takahashi Causes False Smut Disease in Rice Plants invitro
Authors: Sudarma I Made , Suniti Ni Wayan , Darmiati Ni Nengah
Published: February 2024

False smut disease in rice is caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Takahashi, a sporadic pathogen attack in the field, with symptoms of yellow grain which turns black over time. The number of endophytic fungi on the leaves was 15 isolates with the highest prevalence, namely Aspergillus flavus of 40%, as well as the highest endophytic on fruit by 80% and the highest endophytic on stem by Rhizopus sp. by 55%. The diversity index (H') of endophytic fungi on leaves was 1.332, the evenness uniformity index (E) was 0.272 and the dominance index (D) was 0.72. In fruit endophytes the H' index was 0.500, the E value was 0.273 and the D value was 0.32. For endophytic stems, the H' value was 0.959, the E value was 0.254 and the D value was 0.58. Inhibition test of endophytic fungi on leaves only inhibited A. flavus by 80 ± 0.2% and Rhizopus sp. by 70 ± 0.3%. The endophytic fungi on fruit were only A. flavus which inhibited by 78 ± 0.5%, while the inhibition of endophytic fungi on stems, A. flavus and Rhizopus sp. can inhibit each by 80 ± 0.4% and 80 ± 1.2%.
Effects of Marquandomyces Marquandii SGSF043 on Maize Growth Promotion and Soil Enzyme Activity
Authors: Zheng Xu , Zhang Bo , Shi Feng , Chen Yuanlong , Zhao Xiumei
Published: February 2024

In order to further clarify the growth-promoting effect of non-core Metarhizium spp. M. marquandii on plants, M. marquandii SGSF043, which was obtained from the pre-screening in the laboratory, was selected as a test strain, and the effects of the fungus fermentation broth during the stabilization period of the growth of this strain on the growth and growth of maize seeds were investigated by using fermentation broth as a submerged seed. germination, seedling growth, and inter-root soil enzyme activity of seedlings. The results are as follows: In the seed germination test, M. marquandii SGSF043 fermentation liquid had a certain inhibitory effect on the germination of maize seeds, and the 10-times dilution of the fermentation liquid significantly promoted the seed germination, and the effect was the best; After the germination test, the growth of maize germ was promoted by the treatment groups of 10 times and 1,000 times diluent; In the field plot experiment, the 100-fold dilution had the best growth promotion effect, which could promote the growth of cabbage seedlings and increase the seedling biomass. The results show that M. marquandii SGSF043 has the potential to promote the growth of maize and improve the soil environment, which provides a theoretical basis for the research and application of M. marquandii in farmland.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Glial Cells as Molecular Target for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Soares Érica Novaes , Costa Ana Carla dos Santos , Ferrolho Gabriel de Jesus , Ureshino Rodrigo Portes , Getachew Bruk , Costa Silvis Lima , Da Silva Victor Diogenes  Amaral , Tizabi Yousef
Published: February 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, that also includes non-motor symptoms such as mood dysregulation. Dopamine (DA) is the primary neurotransmitter involved in this disease, but cholinergic imbalance has also been implicated. Current intervention in PD is focused on replenishing central DA, which provides remarkable temporary symptomatic relief but does not address the neuronal losss and the progression of the disease. It has been well established that neuronal nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) can regulate DA release and that nicotine itself may have neuroprotective effects. Recent studies have identified nAChRs in nonneuronal cell types including glial cells, where they may regulate inflammatory responses. Given the crucial role of neuroinflammation in dopaminergic degeneration, and involvement of microglia and astrocytes in this response, glial nAChRs may provide a novel therapeutic target in prevention and/or treatment of PD. In this review, following a brief discussion of PD, we focus on the role of glial cells and specifically their nAChRs in PD pathology and/or treatment.
Battery Passport for Second-Life Batteries: Experimental Assessment of Suitability for Mobile Applications
Authors: Hassini Marwan , Redondo-Iglesias Eduardo , Venet Pascal
Published: February 2024

End-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries can be reused to reduce their environmental impact and economic costs. However, the growth of a second-life market is limited by the lack of information on the characteristics and performance of these batteries. As the volume of end-of-life EVs may exceed the amount of batteries needed for stationary applications, investigating the possibility of repurposing them in mobile applications is also necessary. This article presents an experimental test that can be used to collect the data necessary to fill a battery passport. The proposed procedure can facilitate the decision making process regarding the suitability of a battery for reuse at the end of its first life. Once the battery passport has been completed, the performance and characteristics of the battery are compared with the requirements of several mobile applications. Mobile charging stations and forklift trucks were identified as relevant applications for the reuse of high capacity prismatic cells. Finally, a definition of a state of health (SoH) is proposed to track the suitability of the battery during use in the second life application considering not only energy but also power and efficiency of the battery. This SoH shows that even taking into account accelerated ageing data, a repurposed battery can have an extended life of 11 years at 25~°C. It has also been shown that energy fade is the most limiting performance for lifetime and that cell-to-cell variation should be tracked as it has been shown to have a significant impact on battery life.
From Pandemic to Endemic: Lessons Learned From the Avian Influenza and Strategies for Future Pandemic Outbreak
Authors: He Jianning , Kam Yiu-Wing
Published: February 2024

Avian Influenza viruses (AIVs) has posed a significant pandemic threat since their discovery. This review mainly focuses on the epidemiology, virology, and pathogenesis, and treatments of avian influenza viruses. We delve into the global spread, past pandemics, clinical symptoms, severity, and immune response related to AIVs. The review also discusses various control measures, including antiviral drugs, vaccines, and potential future directions in influenza treatment and prevention. Lastly, by summarizing the insights from the previous pandemic control, this review aims to direct effective strategies for managing future influenza pandemics.
Analysis of PAHs and PCBs in Fogwater at Urban, Suburban, and Rural Sites in North East France
Authors: Khoury Dani , Millet Maurice , Jabali Yasmine , Delhomme Olivier
Published: February 2024

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exist in the atmosphere in the vapor and particulate phases, as well as in the solubilized form in fog/rain/cloud waters. They are abundant pollutants and are known for their acute and chronic toxicity. In the current paper, fogwater samples are collected during 42 events between 2015 and 2021 at four sites (Strasbourg, Geispolsheim, Erstein, Cronenbourg) in the Alsace region with different topological characteristics. PAHs and PCBs are extracted using the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) supported on a solid cartridge (XTR Chromabond), and then analyzed by gas-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Total PAHs and PCBs concentration in fog samples varied between 0.58 and 6.7 µg L-1 (average of 2.70 µg L-1), and 0.14 and 15.5 µg L-1 (average of 2.75 µg L-1). Low molecular weight (LMW) predominant and highly detectable over high molecular weight PAHs by at least 1.6 times, while pentachloro-biphenyls are the dominant PCB congener accounting for at least 50% of the total fraction. PAHs and PCBs concentrations have increased over sampling years at all sites, except a slight decrease in PCBs level at Geispolsheim. Diagnostic ratio analysis suggested that diesel and fossil fuel combustion are the dominant contributors to PAHs in Alsace
Design of Impedance Matching Network for Low-power, Ultra-wideband Applications
Authors: Hassani Sepideh , Chen Chih-Hung , Nikolova Natalia
Published: February 2024

This paper reviews several techniques, including analytical theories and real frequency techniques, to design ultra-wideband impedance matching networks for low-power applications. The comparison of solutions obtained using the simplified real frequency technique to the published solution using Chebyshev filter theory is demonstrated.
Efficient Escorting Strategy for Aggregation-Prone Notch EGF Repeats with Sparcl1
Authors: Kondo Yuji , Li Yuxin , Okajima Tetsuya
Published: February 2024

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeats are present in various proteins and form well-defined structures with three disulfide bonds. One representative protein is the Notch receptor. Each EGF repeat contains unique atypical O-linked glycans such as O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). To generate a monoclonal antibody against the O-GlcNAc moiety in mouse Notch1, we expressed the recombinant C-terminal His6-tagged Notch1 EGF14-15 protein in HEK293T cells to prepare the immunogen. Most of the proteins were not secreted and showed higher molecular weight ladders in the cell lysate, suggesting protein aggregation. To overcome this issue, we fused Sparcl1 as an extracellular escorting tag to the N-terminus of Notch1 EGF14-15-His6. The fusion protein was efficiently secreted extracellularly without protein aggregates in the lysates. Following PreScission protease treatment, EGF14-15-His6 was efficiently released from the escorting tag. EGF14-15-His6 prepared using this method was indeed O-GlcNAcylated. The optimal length of the escorting tag was determined by generating deletion mutants to improve the extracellular secretion of EGF14-15-His6. Hence, a large amount of EGF14-15-His6 was successfully prepared from the culture supernatant of HEK293T cells, which were otherwise prone to aggregation.
Impact of Chemical Insecticides Application on Beneficial Insects in Maize
Authors: Camerini Giuseppe , Maini Stefano , Limonta Lidia
Published: February 2024

The European corn borer (ECB) and in a lesser extent the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) are a threat to maize in the Po Valley (Northern Italy), and its control can require insecticide applications. The results of a study to assess the effects of insecticide sprays on the beneficial insect Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera Trichogrammatidae) and aphid predators are reported. A three-year research was carried out in two study areas, in Lombardy. In area 1, crop rotation was a common practice, while in area 2, maize monoculture was practiced. The ordinary trend of ECB egg masses attacked by T. brassicae was affected and parasitism rates were reduced as a result of exposure to insecticides (chlorpyriphos methyl, cypermethrin, alphacypermethrine, teflubenzuron). Repeated maize crop and insecticides spraying increased the aphid population abundance and negatively affected the aphid predator community, which mainly included ladybirds, hoverflies, bugs and lacewings. In sprayed fields, managed according to repeated crop protocols, the predator community was dominated by hoverflies, whereas ladybirds and Orius spp. prevailed in maize fields managed according to crop rotation protocols. Crop rotation protocols help to prevent ECB outbreaks; when threshold limit can be at risk, inundative release of T. brassicae or microbial control (i.e. use of preparation of Bacillus thuringiensis) can integrate natural biocontrol, a valuable alternative to chemical insecticides.
Evaluating Preparedness and Overcoming Challenges in Electricity Trading: An In-Depth Analysis Using Analytic Hierarchy Process—a Case Study Exploration
Authors: Regmi Suraj , Rayamajhi Abhinav , Poudyal Ramhari , Adhikari Sanjeev
Published: February 2024

The South Asian economy is on the rise but struggling with power shortages and heavy dependence on fossil fuels. For sustained growth, there is a need for access to readily available energy sources, such as electricity. Trading clean electrical energy among neighbouring countries can ensure access to readily available points. South Asia has a diverse range of energy sources, including hydropower, that are available in the region. However, sectorial barriers can impede energy trading. This study has attempted to assess the readiness and barriers to Nepal’s cross-border energy trade with India and Bangladesh using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This study also recommends possible measures to strengthen preparedness and address the challenges in energy trade that can be tailored and applied to other cross-country situations.
First European Erwinia amylovora Lytic Bacteriophage Cocktails Effective in the Host: Characterization and Prospects for Fire Blight Biocontrol
Authors: Biosca Elena G. , Delgado Santander Ricardo , Morán Félix , Figàs-Segura Ángela , Vázquez Rosa , Català-Senent Jose Francísco , Álvarez Belén
Published: February 2024

Fire blight, caused by the plant-pathogenic bacterium Erwinia amylovora, is a highly contagious and difficult-to-control disease due to the efficient dissemination, survival, and scarcity of effective control methods. Copper and antibiotics are the most used treatments but pose environmental and human health risks. Bacteriophages (phages) constitute an ecological, safe, and sustainable fire blight control alternative. The goal of this study was to search for specific E. amylovora phages from plant material, soil, and water samples in Mediterranean environments. A collection of phages able to specifically infect and lyse E. amylovora strains was generated from former fire blight-affected orchards in Eastern Spain. Following in vitro characterization, assays on immature fruit revealed that preventively applying some of the phages or their combinations delayed the onset of fire blight symptoms and reduced the disease severity, suggesting their biocontrol potential in Spain and other countries. Morphological and molecular characterization of the selected E. amylovora phages classified them as members of the class Caudoviricetes (former Myoviridae family) and genus Kolesnikvirus. This study reveals Mediterranean settings as plausible sources of E. amylovora-specific bacteriophages, and provides the first effective European phage cocktails in plant material for the development of sustainable fire blight management measures.
LncRNAs Affecting NF-κB-Mediated Macrophage Inflammation Are Potential Therapeutic Targets in Human Diseases
Authors: Shin Jae-Joon , Park Jeong-kwang , Shin Hyeung-Seob , Arab Imene , Suk Kyoungho , Lee Won-Ha
Published: February 2024

The studies regarding macrophage lncRNAs described in this review can help provide valuable information for developing treatments for various pathological conditions involving macrophages. Over the past century, molecular biology's focus has transitioned from proteins to DNA, and now to RNA. Once considered merely a genetic information carrier, RNA is now recognized as both a vital element in early cellular life and a regulator in complex organisms. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are over 200 bases long but do not code for proteins, play roles in gene expression regulation and signal transduction by inducing epigenetic changes or interacting with various proteins and RNAs. These interactions exhibit a range of functions in various cell types including macrophages. Notably, some macrophage lncRNAs influence the activation of NF-κB, a crucial transcription factor governing immune and inflammatory responses. Macrophage NF-κB is instrumental in the progression of various pathological conditions including sepsis, atherosclerosis, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and hypersensitivity. It orchestrates gene expression related to immune responses, inflammation, cell survival, and proliferation. Consequently, its malfunction is a key contributor to the onset and development of these diseases. This review summarizes the role of lncRNAs that regulate NF-κB in macrophage activation and inflammation, especially focusing on their implications in human diseases and their potential as therapeutic targets