bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential Expression of Circulating miRNA-103 in Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Naseri Mohammad Reza , Kalantar Seyed Mehdi , Nikoonahad Narges , Shafienia Hanieh , Montazeri Fateme
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a largely unknown etiology and is a common heterogeneous endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and chronic anovulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA sequences that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. miRNA-103 has been associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, which are also associated with PCOS. This study aims to describe the different expressions of circulating miR-103 in the plasma of PCOS women.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study includes 25 women with PCOS and 25 healthy women. Plasma total RNA was isolated and, after polyadenylation, converted to total cDNA. Then, the expression level of microRNA-103 was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and SNORD miRNA was used as the reference gene.
Results: Our results indicate that the expression level of miRNA-103 significantly decreased in the PCOS group compared to healthy women, which can be related to the etiology and progression of PCOS (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Our findings recommend further studies in the larger statistical population and more accurate techniques to confirm microRNA-103 as a noninvasive diagnosis biomarker.
Investigating the effect of sodium chloride on the prevention of mucormycosis fungal infection in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia during treatment
Authors: Ghodsi boushehri Yasaman , Zare Sangderazi Ehsan , Zaboli Mahdiabadi Morteza , Hashemipour Seyed Mohammad Amin , Mozafari Sima , Sattar Marzieh , Shamsi Farimah , Hashemi Azam
Published: January 2023

Background: Given that no comprehensive study was conducted regarding the effect of sodium chloride on the prevention of mucormycosis fungal infection in acute leukemia patients during treatment, this study aimed the investigating the effect of sodium chloride  on the prevention of mucormycosis fungal infection in acute lymphocytic leukemia patients during treatment.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on children with ALL who were undergoing chemotherapy in the induction phase and were susceptible to fungal and infectious diseases. Then 84 patients were randomly divided into the two groups. One group (n=46) received nasal drop containing sodium chloride (NORMONIX, 0.65%, three times a day) as the intervention group during treatment and another group did not receive sodium chloride (control group)(n=38). If the symptoms of mucormycosis was observed and detected (positive test), the injection of amphotrypsin B was started.
Results: In the current study, 84 patients entered the study.  The mean age of patients in the control group and the intervention group was 7.84±3.45, and 6.45±3.4 years, respectively (P>0.05). Positive mucormycosis was seen in 24 (63.2%) patients in the control group and 16 (34.78%) patients in the intervention group (P=0.01).
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the frequency of patients with positive mucormycosis in the NaCl group was significantly lower than the control group.  Therefore, it seems that NaCl drop can be effective regarding reducing the incidence of mucormycosis fungal infection and can decrease the need to amphotrypsin B, but further studies should be conducted in this regard.
Study of Gene Expression Signatures for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Through Gene Expression Array Analyses
Authors: Manoochehri Hamed , Raeisi Roya , Sheykhhasan Mohsen , Fattahi Abbas , Bouraghi Hamid , Eghbalian Fatemeh , Tanzadehpanah Hamid
Published: January 2023

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as the most common malignancy in children is associated with high mortality and significant relapse. Currently, the non-invasive diagnosis of pediatric ALL is a main challenge in the early detection of patients. In the present study, a systems biology approach was used through network-based analysis to identify the key candidate genes related to ALL development and relapse.
Materials and methods: In this systems biology (experimental) study, main and validating datasets were retrieved from a gene expression omnibus (GEO). Gene expression analyses were done using a bioinformatics array research tool (BART) and ExAtlas. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were also performed via Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Furthermore, the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and cytoscape V.3.9.1 were used to network construction and analysis. The MCODE and NCMine Plugin of cytoscape were applied to find clusters and a functional module in the network. The Kaplan Myer curve was applied in order to survival analysis of the validated candidate genes. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: A total of 671 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) mainly involved in transporter/channel activity functions, cell communication/signaling processes and fatty acid transport/PPAR signaling/eicosanoid metabolism pathways were identified (P-value < 0.05). The main cellular compartments were plasma membrane, cell periphery and cell surface (P-value <0.05). The network analysis revealed 68 hub genes, 29 of which were candidate genes. Five candidate genes were also validated in two independent experiments. These genes were considered as key candidate genes, and three of them (BCL2L11, IGF1, PDE5A) were predictors of pediatric ALL patients survival (P-value < 0.05). 
Conclusion: BCL2L11, IGF1 and PDE5A genes, as key candidate genes, are potentially good diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pediatric ALL.
Nursing Intervention to Manage Oral Mucositis in Children Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Heydari Abbas , Manzari Zahra Sadat , Ghayebie Elahe
Published: January 2023

Background: In 40-80% of children undergoing chemotherapy, oral mucositis is an acute complication which imposes significant financial and physical burdens on patients. In this article, a systematic review of published studies is conducted to investigate the role of nursing intervention in reducing oral mucositis.
Materials and methods: This systematic review investigated, critically appraised, and rated the evidence on nursing intervention to manage oral mucositis (OM) in children undergoing chemotherapy. The review was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist in 2018. A search was conducted through the literature using international databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Web of Science). Only English-language trials published from January 2007 to December 2019 were selected to consider. There were eleven studies relevant enough to review.
 Results: A total of 127 articles were extracted in an electronic search. The excluded studies were combined research works on adults and children, descriptive studies, observational studies, and those about adults’ endurance of chemotherapy, mucositis produced by other cancer treatments, and cohorts. Finally, eleven studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. Based on them, honey, olive oil, ice chips and chewing gum have been used to prevent, reduce and treat chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
Conclusion: This review made a comprehensive examination of the available treatment options for nursing. Nurses can use one of the treatments depending on the child's conditions.
MANDRAKE, UM HERÓI ATÍPICO NO CONTO “DIA DOS NAMORADOS” DE RUBEM FONSECA
Authors: Huang Lin
Published: January 2023

O presente artigo visa a analisar a personagem Mandrake, recorrente na ficção de Rubem Fonseca, no caso do conto “Dia dos Namorados” (1975). Procura-se conotações contidas no nome “Mandrake” através da revisão dos significados semânticos da própria palavra e a origem do nome “Mandrake” na história da literatura. Recorre-se a nomeação de personagem como prática literária (AGUIAR; SILVA, 1990) para esclarecer quais as caraterísticas atribuídas à personagem por este nome “Mandrake”. Considerando os duplos sentidos da palavra “herói” e os conceitos teóricos de F. K. Stanzel (1986) sobre o narrador, propomos que se designe a personagem “Mandrake” como um herói atípico.
ARTHUR AZEVEDO E A VISÃO SÓCIO-HISTÓRICA DO PAÍS
Authors: Cavalcante José Dino
Published: January 2023

Arthur Azevedo, nos seus epigramas, contos e nas revistas de ano, faz uma leitura bastante satírica das relações sociais no Brasil. Atento a tudo que acontecia no país, através da imprensa, da qual era leitor e colaborador assíduo, reproduz, com uma boa dose de sátira, os acontecimentos políticos e episódios familiares nos seus textos. O presente artigo pretende analisar como os escritos do escritor maranhense dialogam com os fatos e pequenos episódios do cotidiano do Rio de Janeiro e do Brasil, de modo geral. Para tanto, usaremos os seguintes teóricos: Friedrich Engels, Antônio Candido, Nicolau Sevecenko, L. Mallard, entre outros.
NASCIMENTO MORAIS FILHO & MARIA FIRMINA DOS REIS
Authors: Garrido Natércia Moraes
Published: January 2023

Este artigo dedica-se a perscrutar, por meio de uma análise crítica, as seções que compõem o livro-pesquisa Maria Firmina: fragmentos de uma vida, de autoria do poeta Nascimento Morais Filho, a fim de demonstrar a jornada deste pesquisador rumo à descoberta da vida e obra da autora maranhense Maria Firmina dos Reis, a primeira romancista da literatura brasileira. Resgatamos também uma pequena biografia do poeta para contextualizarmos as circunstâncias da descoberta e entendermos seus desdobramentos até resultar na publicação do livro em si.
A sociolinguistic probe of language use on Facebook among Algerian Internet users
Authors: Hamzaoui Chahrazed
Published: January 2023

As Facebook has tremendously evolved into one of the best-liked ways of communication on the Internet, language has also been enticed in terms of its use and practices. This paper aims to raise its issue in the multilingual Arabic–French–English Facebook posts and comments from three purposely selected groups, comprising 40 participants each. The data were collected via an online questionnaire to explore the language(s) or language varieties used by the members in concordance with code-switching as a sociolinguistic phenomenon and the reasons behind such behaviour in online written discourse. The data were analysed through a mixed methods approach. The findings revealed that the participants of each selected group use a specific language or language that varies depending on the group membership, the language of the posts and the language they master best. Additionally, it was detected that most of the participants code-switch on Facebook either due to lack of fluency or to facilitate socialising.

Keywords: Code-switching, comments, Facebook, Internet users, language, posts;
The importance of regular visits to the home country in maintaining and transmitting the Arabic language to Arabic speakers in Toowoomba
Authors: Abdelhadi Mostefa
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant impact of regular visits to the home country on the intergenerational maintenance and transmission of the Arabic language within the Arabic-speaking community in the regional Queensland city of Toowoomba, Australia. A qualitative approach was employed to explore the language maintenance phenomenon by engaging in the everyday life of Arabic speakers. Data was gathered through participant observations and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 adults who were selected using a mixed purposeful sampling strategy. The study's findings revealed that visiting the country of origin is seen to be the most effective factor for the maintenance of the Arabic language and culture among Arabic speakers. Parents are aware of the importance of taking their children to visit their home country to immerse them in the heritage culture and connect them with their relatives. The findings of this study are intended to expand knowledge and theories of language maintenance.

Keywords: Arabic; Heritage Culture; Intergenerational; Language Maintenance;  Toowoomba.
Communication in a second language and individual differences: Effects of student age, gender, and socioeconomic status
Authors: Li Zheng , Li Bing
Published: January 2023

It has been widely argued that willingness to communicate (WTC) in a second language (L2) is a dual construct of the learner’s trait and state. This study aimed to explore the relationships between trait-level antecedents (students’ demographic features) and their L2 WTC. A sample of 1,502 university students was recruited to participate in this study. Data on their age, gender, and family socioeconomic status (SES) were collected. A questionnaire of L2 WTC was adopted to measure the participants’ WTC in meaning-focused activities and WTC in form-focused activities. A path model was tested via structural equation modelling， and significant relationships between student demographic features (age, gender, and SES) and L2 WTC were observed. The major findings were that male students had higher WTC in meaning-focused activities, but female students showed higher WTC in form-focused activities, and student age was negatively related to WTC in meaning-focused activities.

Keywords: Willingness to communicate, second language acquisition, demographic feature, higher education;
A Model and Case of English Literature Instruction Using Autobiographical Graphic Novels for Critical Multicultural Education
Authors:   The Korean Society For Teaching English Literature, Kim Sayeong
Published: January 2023

Critical multiculturalism has recently been accepted as a pedagogical framework, which emphasizes diversity and social justice as a way of realizing praxis on the issue of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, migration, refugee, and so on. This frame is in line with rising of autobiographical graphic novels consisting of two different modes, image and text, which sheds light on the marginalized population’s voices. Based on the close potential connection between critical multiculturalism and autobiographical graphic novels, this paper proposes an instruction model and case with autobiographical graphic novels representing a variety of themes for diversity and social justice in the multicultural era. In the first section of the main body, theoretical backgrounds and key concepts of critical multiculturalism will be introduced including intersectionality, identity, positionality. critical race theory, whiteness studies, (trans)languaging, and microaggression. In the second section, a theoretical framework of graphic novel instruction will be examined closely, where basic elements of graphic novels and the Expanded Four Resources Model (EFRM) will be examined. In the third section, the instructional practice of multicultural autobiographical graphic novels will be presented, using six graphic novels. In the conclusion, ethical and political implications and pedagogical strategies will be proposed, which instructors need to recognize for graphic novel instruction based on critical multiculturalism.
Tanque Séptico de Bombonas: Um Sistema Individual de Esgotamento Sanitário
Authors: Cardoso Iago Prado , Fonseca Breno Rodrigues , Queiroz Igor , Santos Elton
Published: January 2023

O saneamento básico é considerado como um conjunto de ações que objetivam prevenir doenças e promover a saúde da população. No entanto, apenas 55,00% da população urbana brasileira e 31,30 % dos domicílios rurais dispõem de soluções apropriadas para o tratamento dos efluentes domésticos gerados. Este artigo tem como objetivo orientar futuras replicações do sistema de tanque séptico de bombonas para residências com até 5 moradores em regiões sem esgotamento sanitário adequado. Os materiais necessários à instalação são bombonas plásticas de 240 L, com tampa de rosca, tubos e conexões de PVC e brita. A unidade destinada ao tratamento é o TSB, enquanto a vala de infiltração corresponde a unidade complementar de tratamento e disposição final de efluentes. A retirada, tratamento e disposição de lodo também é previsto no sistema. Com as instruções de fácil entendimento e ilustrações sobre o sistema de TSB é possível futuras replicações do sistema em regiões sem esgotamento sanitário adequado.
Looking Back to Move Forward: A Review of Literature to Identify #BlackLivesMatter as the Virtual Community That Sparked a Movement
Authors: Edrington Candice L.
Published: January 2023

George Zimmerman, a white neighborhood watchman, was acquitted in July of 2013 for the murder of unarmed African American teenager Trayvon Martin. Upset by this news, many people took to social media to express their discontent. A Facebook post from one user in particular, Alicia Garza, resulted in the hashtag #blacklivesmatter. It wasn’t until the shooting death of another African American teenager, Michael Brown, that the hashtag gained momentum on other social media sites. This paper argues that the use of the hashtag #blacklivesmatter on Twitter created a meeting place, free from temporal and spatial boundaries, for people to organize against and combat the racial injustices imparted upon the Black community. Through a review of literature on virtual communities, this paper identifies the hashtag #blacklivesmatter as a virtual community which 1) increased the visibility of these injustices imparted upon the Black community and 2) catalyzed the hashtag #blacklivesmatter into a social movement.
Building Community Through Queer Learning Disability Amateur Filmmaking: Oska Bright Film Festival and Queer Freedom
Authors: Allsopp Jenna
Published: January 2023

Much has been written on the intersection of disability and sexuality since the publication of The Sexual Politics of Disability (Shakespeare et al., 1996), however scant literature refers to these issues as represented on the screen, where it can be argued representations have the most power to shape perceptions. Disabled characters in media narratives are invariably represented as lacking in any sexuality or negation of heteronormative gender and sexual expressions.

In 2017, Brighton-based learning disability film festival Oska Bright (OBFF) launched their Queer Freedom (QF) strand as an intervention in this lack of queer representation within learning disability narratives. In 2017 and 2019, QF featured films made by or featuring queer people with learning disabilities and autism, including Glasgow-based queer femme filmmaker Mattie Kennedy. Devised by OBFF Lead Programmer and queer filmmaker Matthew Hellett after meeting Kennedy at a previous OBFF, Hellett believed he had a responsibility to create a space for these unheard voices.

This article mobilises Bonnie Honig’s feminist refusal method of inclination and bell hooks’ theory of talking back to explore how OBFF and QF have enabled Kennedy and Hellett to create space and claim their visibility as queer learning-disabled filmmakers through a process of mutual affirmation. Learning-disabled people have historically been segregated from society, so in the spirit of Foucault’s heterotopia, by coming together to form a community of people who affirm and encourage other queer learning-disabled people to make their voices heard, they are refusing their assigned societal segregation.
From Black-Body Radiation to Gravity: Why Quarks Are Magnetic Electrons and Why Gluons Are Massive Photons
Authors: Roza Engel
Published: January 2023

In an historic perspective on the development of the Standard Model of particle physics it is shown how mathematically driven axioms have masked the merits of a physically comprehensible structural view. It is concluded that the difference between the two approaches can be traced back to two major issues. Whereas in the Standard Model the quark is a Dirac particle with a single real dipole moment, the quark in the structural model, in confinement with other quarks, is a Dirac particle with two real dipole moments. The second issue is the view that empty space does not exist, but that space is filled with a polarisable energetic fluid. It is shown how recognition of these two issues pave a road to reconcile particle physics with gravity, in which the quark can be seen as a magnetic electron and in which the gluon, as the strong force carrier, can be seen as a massive photon.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus: An Emerging Threat in the Indo-Pacific Region
Authors: Srivastava Kumar Saurabh , Jeswani Vandana , Pal Nabanita , Bohra Babita , Vishwakarma Vaishali , Bapat Atharva Ashish , Patnaik Yamini Prashanti , Khanna Navin , Shukla Rahul
Published: January 2023

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a disease caused by the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV). JEV is an arbovirus that spreads primarily through the bite of a female Culex spp. mosquito. JE shows predominance over the Asia-pacific region and has the potential to spread globally with a higher rate of morbidity and mortality. JE, a neuro-invasive disease, initiates with mild fever which may lead to encephalitis with severe neurological sequelae in some cases. Efforts have been made to identify and select various target molecules essential in JEV progression, but until now, no licensed anti-JE drugs have been available. From a prophylactic point of view, a few licensed JE vaccines are available but various factors viz. high cost and different side effects imposed by them has narrowed their global use. With an average occurrence of >67,000 cases of JE annually, there is an urgent need to find a suitable antiviral drug to treat patients at the acute phase, as only supportive care is available to mitigate infection. This systematic review highlights the current status of efforts put in to develop antivirals against JE and the available vaccines along with their effectiveness. It also summarizes epidemiology, structure, pathogenesis, and potential drug targets that can be explored to develop a new range of anti-JEV drugs to combat JEV infection globally.
Laser Patterned Alumina Mask and Mask-less Dry Etch of Si for Light Trapping
Authors: Maksimovic Jovan , Mu Haoran , Smith Daniel , Katkus Tomas , Vaičiulis Mantas , Aleksiejūnas Ramūnas , Seniutinas Gediminas , Ng Soon Hock , Juodkazis Saulius
Published: January 2023

Ultra-short 230 fs laser pulses of 515 nm wavelength were tightly focused into 700 nm focal spots and utilised in opening ~ 0.4 − 1 μm holes in alumina Al2O3 etch masks with 20-50 nm thickness. Such dielectric masks simplify fabrication of photonic crystal (PhC) light trapping patterns for the above-Lambertian performance of high efficiency solar cells. Conditions of laser ablation of transparent etch masks and effects sub-surface Si modifications were revealed by plasma etch- ing, numerical modeling, and minority carrier lifetime measurements. Mask-less patterning of Si is proposed using fs-laser direct writing for dry plasma etch of Si.
Usefulness of Systemic Venous Ultrasound Protocols in the Prognosis of Heart Failure Patients: Results from a Prospective Multicentric Study
Authors: Torres-Arrese Marta , Mata-Martínez Arantzazu , Luordo-Tedesco Davide , García-Casasola Gonzalo , Alonso-González Rodrigo , Montero-Hernández Esther , Cobo-Marcos Marta , Sánchez-Sauce Beatriz , Cuervas-mons Valentín , Tung-Chen Yale
Published: January 2023

Mortality and readmission rates for decompensated acute heart failure (AHF) is overall increasing and risk stratification might be challenging. We sought to evaluate the prognostic role of systemic venous ultraso-nography in patients hospitalized for AHF. We prospectively recruited 74 AHF patients with a NT-proBNP level above 500 pg/mL. Then, a multiorgan ultrasound assessment (lung, inferior vena cava, Doppler of hepatic, portal, intrarenal and femoral veins) were performed at admission, discharge, and follow-up (for 90 days). An intrarenal monophasic pattern (AUC 0.923, Sn 90%, Sp 81%, PPV 43%, NPV 98%), a portal pulsatility >50% (AUC 0.749, Sn 80%, Sp 69%, PPV 30%, NPV 96%) and a VExUS score of 3 (AUC 0.885, sensitivity 80%, specificity 75%, PPV 33%, NPV 96%) predicted death during hospitalization. An IVC above 2 cm (AUC 0.758, Sn 93.l% and Sp 58.3) and the presence of an intrarenal monophasic pattern (AUC 0. 834, sensitivity 0.917, specificity 67.4%) in the follow-up visit predicted AHF related readmission. Addi-tional scans during hospitalization or calculate a VExUS score probably adds unnecessary complexity to the assessment of AHF patients. In conclusion, VExUS score does not contribute to guide therapy or the predic-tion of complications, compared to the presence of an inferior vena cava greater than 2 cm, a venous mo-nophasic intrarenal pattern or a pulsatility > 50% of the portal vein in AHF patients. Early and multidisci-plinary follow-up visit remains necessary to improve prognosis of this highly prevalent disease.
Coaching Approach as A Sustainable Means of Improving Communication Skills of Management Students
Authors: Seemann Peter , Stofkova Zuzana , Binasova Vladimira , Majercak Peter
Published: January 2023

The impetus for the development of coaching as a professional managerial activity is based on the needs and requirements of a modern sustainable society. The paper aims to explore the awareness of academic students about the coaching approach and to formu-late recommendations for its application in the academic environment. The article focuses on the views of experts in the field of coaching approach as a means of improving com-munication in the academic/educational setting, characterizes communication and coaching approach, coaching models and its benefits and barriers. The survey presents a survey of awareness of the coaching approach among college and university students of in Slovakia and the possibilities/options of its application in the academic environment. The research was carried out by the questionnaire method. The evaluation of the questionnaire and the statistical evaluation of established hypotheses and assumptions concerning the coaching approach. The proposion of students was the introduction of the subject "Basics of coaching" which could be taught for all students at University of Zilina, Slovakia. Acording to the survey, 468 students, representing 68%, have knowledge about coaching. Furthermore, 68% of students had or have doubts about achieving their goals during their studies. According to the results of the survey, only 24% of students had ex-perience with coaching. The cooperation with a coach was regarded as beneficial for 71% of participants of the survey, which had already experience the coaching lectures. The students of managerial fields would benefit in enhancing leadership skills and providing support of their working teams.Finally, suggest organizing an introductory full-day workshops for students of man-agement -future managers, followed by organizing individual thematic workshops for specific areas of coaching.Moreover, the usage of coaching skills is possible yet while they are students with applications in communication in their relationships, student jobs, searching the profes-sional job opportunities and accomplishing the final thesis.To raise awareness of coaching approach in the University of Zilina in a cooperation with The Counseling and Career Center and its activities.
Local and Global Order in Dense Packings of Semi-flexible Polymers of Hard Spheres
Authors: Martínez-Fernández Daniel , Herranz Miguel , Foteinopoulou Katerina , Karayiannis Nikos Ch. , Laso Manuel
Published: January 2023

The local and global order in dense packings of linear, semi-flexible polymers of tangent hard spheres are studied by employing extensive Monte Carlo simulations at increasing volume fractions. Chain stiffness is controlled by a tunable harmonic potential for the bending angle whose intensity dictates the rigidity of the polymer backbone as a function of the bending constant and equilibrium angle. The studied angles range from acute to obtuse ones, reaching the limit of rod-like polymers. We analyze how packing density and chain stiffness affect the ability of chains to self-organize at the local and global levels. The former corresponds to crystallinity as quantified by the Characteristic Crystallographic Element (CCE) norm descriptor, while the latter is computed through the scalar orientational order parameter. In all cases, we identify the critical volume fraction for the phase transition and gauge the established crystal morphologies, developing a complete phase diagram as a function of packing density and equilibrium bending angle. A plethora of structures is obtained, ranging from random hexagonal closed packed morphologies of mixed character and almost perfect face centered cubic (FCC) and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) crystals at the level of monomers, to nematic mesophases, with prolate and oblate mesogens at the level of chains. For rod-like chains, hysteresis is observed between the establishment of long-range nematic order and crystallization, while for right-angle chains both transitions are synchronized. A comparison is also provided against the analogous packings of monomeric and fully flexible chains of hard spheres.
Modeling of (n, m) Type Minkowski Pythagorean Hodograph Curves with Hopf Map and Applications
Authors: Yazla Aziz , Sarıaydın Muhammed Talat
Published: January 2023

In present paper, spatial Minkowski Pythagorean Hodograph (MPH) curves are characterized with Rational Rotation Minimizing Frames (RRMFs). We define Euler-Rodrigues Frame (ERF) for MPH curves and by means of this concept, we reach the definition of MPH curves of type (n, m). Expressing the conditions provided by these curves in the form of Minkowski-Hopf map that we define, it is aimed to establish a connection with the Lorentz force which occurs during the process of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) type sinker Electronic Discharge Machines (EDMs). This approach is reinforced by split quaternion polynomials. Finally, we give conditons satisfied by MPH curves of low degree to be type (n, m) and construct illustrative examples.
Exploring Novel Therapeutic Targets in the Common Pathogenic Factors in Migraine and Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Tajti János , Szok Délia , Csáti Anett , Szabó Ágnes , Tanaka Masaru , Vécsei And László
Published: January 2023

Migraine and neuropathic pain (NP) are evocative of painful, disabling, chronic conditions which exhibit resembling symptoms and thus considered to share a common etiology. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has gained credit as a target for migraine management; nevertheless, the efficacy and the applicability of CGRP modifiers warrant search for more effective therapeutic targets for pain management. This scoping review overviews human studies of common pathogenic factors in migraine and NP to explore potential novel therapeutic targets. CGRP causes inflammation in the meninges; monoclonal antibodies and inhibitors target CGRP. Gluta-mate-induced hyperexcitability and subsequent sensitization are closely linked to an alteration of the tryptophan (Trp)-kynurenine (KYN) metabolic system; the Trp-KYN system may serve as a potential target. Microglial overaction is observed in migraine and NP; modifying the microglial activity may be a possible approach. Cytokine-induced inflammation is a leading hypothesis of the pathogenesis of the conditions; alleviating neuroinflammation may complement a pain-relieving armamentarium. Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels evoke the release of several substances; TRP ion channels may potentially emerge as new targets. The endocannabinoid system plays a major role in the pain trafficking pathway; modification of the system may open a new path toward discovery of new analgesics. Here we highlight the mechanism of those common pathogenic factors to explore therapeutic targets for innovative pain management in migraine and NP.
Genome Analysis of Bacteriophage (U1G) of Schitoviridae, Host Receptor Prediction using Machine Learning Tools and its Evaluation to Mitigate Colistin Resistant Clinical Isolate of Escherichia Coli In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Sundaramoorthy Niranjana Sri , KU Vineetha , JBB Jean Sophy Roy , Srikanth Sneha , S Santhosh Kumar , Mohan Suma , Nagarajan Saisubramanian
Published: January 2023

The objective of the present study is to isolate phages targeting colistin resistant E. coli clinical isolates (U3790 and U1007), sequence and analyze the phage genome and use machine learning tools to predict host cell surface receptor and finally evaluate the efficiency of the phage in vitro and in vivo in a zebrafish model. Phage targeting colistin resistant U3790 could not be isolated possibly due to presence of capsule and intact prophages in genome of U3790 strain. Phage specific for E. coli U1007 was isolated from Ganges River (designated as U1G). The obtained phage was triple purified and enriched. U1G phages had a greater burst size of 195 PFU/cell and a short latent time of 25 min. TEM analysis showed that U1Gphage possessed a capsid of 70 nm in diameter with a shorter tail, which shows that U1G belongs to the family Podoviridae. Genome sequencing and analysis revealed that the size of the phage genome is 73275 bp with no tRNA sequence, antibiotic resistant or virulent genes. PHASTER annotation revealed the presence of phage RNA polymerase gene in the genome, which favors the classification of phage under a new family Schitoviridae. A machine learning (ML) based multi-class classification model using algorithms such as Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Decision Tree were employed to predict the host receptor targeted by U1G phage and the best performing two algorithms predicted LPS O antigen as the host receptor targeted by the U1G receptor binding protein (RBP), the tail spike protein. The isolated phage was stable from pH 5.0 to 9.0 and upto 45°C. In vitro time kill assay showed an initial 5 log decline in CFU/ml of U1007 at 2 h in the presence of U1G followed by regrowth, Addition of colistin with U1G restricted the growth until 6 h, however it also resulted in a regrowth by 24 h. The phage did not pose any toxicity to zebrafish as evidenced by liver/brain enzyme profiles. In vivo intramuscular infection study showed that U1G and Col + U1G treatment caused a 0.8 log and 1.4 log decline, respectively underscoring its potential for use in phage cocktail therapy.
Investigation, Detection and Prevention of Online Child Sexual Abuse Materials: A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: Ngo Vuong M. , Dang Cach N. , Thorpe Christina , Mckeever Susan
Published: January 2023

Child sexual abuse inflicts lifelong devastating consequences for victims and is an ongoing social concern. In most countries, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) distribution is illegal. As a result, there are many research papers in the literature which proposed technologies to detect and investigate CSAM. In this survey, a comprehensive search of the peer-reviewed journal and conference paper databases (including preprints) is conducted to identify high-quality literature. We use the PRISMA methodology to refine our search space to 2,761 papers published by Springer, Elsevier, IEEE and ACM. After iterative reviews of title, abstract and full text for relevance to our topics, 43 papers are included for full review. Our paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of the tasks of the current research and how the papers use techniques and datasets to solve their tasks and evaluate their models. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to focus exclusively on online CSAM detection and prevention with no geographic boundaries, and the first survey to review papers published after 2018. It can be used by researchers to identify gaps in knowledge and relevant publicly available datasets that may be useful for their research.
Educational Multi-agent PLM System for Threaded Connections
Authors: Kopei Volodymyr , Onysko Oleh , Barz Cristian , Dašić Predrag , Panchuk Vitalii
Published: January 2023

The PLM concept implies the use of heterogeneous information resources at different stages of the product life cycle, the joint work of which allows you to effectively solve the problems of product quality and various costs. According to the principle of isomorphism of regularities of complex systems, an effective PLM system must have these regularities. Unfortunately, this principle is not often fundamental when designing PLM systems. The purpose of the work is to show, using a simple example, the principles of development, operation and use of an educational multi-agent PLM system, the main purpose of which is to study and research these regularities in the life cycle of a special threaded connection. The multi-agent approach to the development of a PLM system provides the necessary prerequisites for the emergence of system-wide regularities in it. The parallel work of agents is implemented using the actor model and the Ray Python-package. Agents for the logical inference of knowledge base facts, CAD/FEA/CAM/SCADA agents, agents for optimization by various methods, and other agents have been developed. Open source software was used to develop the system. Each agent has relatively simple behavior, implemented by its rule function, and can interact with other agents. The system can work in interactive mode with the user or in automatic mode according to a simple algorithm: the rule functions of all agents are executed until at least one of them returns a value other than None. Examples of the operation of the system are given and such system-wide regularities as emergence, historicity and self-organization are demonstrated in it.
Declining Frequency of Chloroquine-resistant Haplotype of Plasmodium falciparum (CVIET) in an Endemic Area of Southwest Nigeria 17 Years After Withdrawal of Chloroquine
Authors: Amusan Abiodun I. , Akinola Olugbenga , Akano Kazeem , Hernández-Castañeda Maria A. , Dick Jenna K. , Sowunmi Akintunde , Hart Geoffrey T. , Gbotosho Grace Olusola
Published: January 2023

The replacement of chloroquine with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for over a decade has had varying impacts on the ability of malaria parasite to sustain its chloroquine resistance prowess in different malaria-endemic regions. We evaluated the frequency of Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) mutations in an endemic area of southwest Nigeria 17 years after replacement of chloroquine with ACTs for malaria treatment. Genomic DNA was isolated from dried blood spot samples obtained from 129 patients (aged 1-35 years) with microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infection. PfCRT fragments covering codons 72-76, CVMNK (wildtype) and A220 were amplified and sequenced. Two mutant PfCRT haplotypes on residues 72-76 (CVIET and CVINT) were identified with a prevalence of 18.6% and 2.3%, respectively. Interestingly, the CVINT haplotype was identified for the first time in this region. A220S changes were found in 16.3% of samples occurring concurrently with the CVIET haplotype, while a Q271E mutation occurred in a wildtype isolate. The reduced prevalence of the PfCRT mutant alleles in this study may suggest a gradual disappearance of chloroquine-resistant malaria parasites following reduced drug pressure. It may also be an indicator of the ability of malaria parasites to develop resistance gradually against the current first-line regimen.
Nanostrategies for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Targeting of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor
Authors: Rurarz Beata Paulina , Bukowczyk Małgorzata , Gibka Natalia , Piastowska-Ciesielska Agnieszka Wanda , Karczmarczyk Urszula , Ulański Piotr
Published: January 2023

Advances in nanomedicine bring the attention of researchers to the molecular targets which can play a major role in the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic modalities for cancer management. The choice of a proper molecular target can decide on the efficacy of the treatment and endorse the personalized medicine approach. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is a G-protein-coupled membrane receptor, well known to be overexpressed in numerous malignancies including pancreatic, prostate, breast, lung, colon, cervical and gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, many research groups express a deep interest in targeting GRPR with their nanoformulations. A broad spectrum of the GRPR ligands has been described in the literature, which allows tuning of the properties of the final formulation, particularly in the field of the ligand affinity to the receptor and internalization possibilities. Hereby the recent advances in the field of applications of various nanoplatforms which are able to reach the GRPR expressing cells are reviewed.
NGAL as Biomarker of Clinical and Subclinical Damage of Kidney Function after Coronary Angiography
Authors: Petrova Iliyana , Alexandrov Alexander , Vladimirov Georgi , Mateev Hristo , Bogov Ivaylo , Paskaleva Iva , Gotcheva Nina
Published: January 2023

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication after angiographic examinations in cardiology. Diagnosis may be delayed based on standard serum creatinine, and subclinical forms of kidney damage may not be detected at all. In our study we investigate the clinical use in these directions of a “damage” type biomarker - Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL). Among patients with a high-risk profile undergoing scheduled coronary angiography and/or angioplasty, plasmsa NGAL was determined at baseline, at 4 and 24 hours after contrast administration. In the CI-AKI group, NGAL increased significantly at the 4th hour (132.33±72.83 ng/ml versus 111.48±65.06 ng/ml, p=0.006) and at the 24th hour (212 .93±276.61 ng/ml, p=0.008). In patients with subclinical CI-AKI, NGAL also increased significantly at the 4th hour (128.18±99 ng/ml, p=0.002) and reached levels close to those in patients with CI-AKI. Unlike new biomarker, however, serum creatinine did not change significantly in this group. The diagnostic power of NGAL is extremely good - AUC 0.847 (95% CI: 0.677-1.000; p=0.001) in CI-AKI and AUC 0.731 (95% CI: 0.539 – 0.924; p=0.024) in subclinical CI-AKI. NGAL may be a reliable biomarker for early diagnosis of clinical and subclinical forms of renal injury after contrast angiographic studies.
[18F]FDG PET/CT: Lung Nodule Evaluation in Patients Affected by Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Airò Farulla Lighea Simona , Travaini Laura Lavinia , Cuomo Mariarosaria , Galetta Domenico , Mattana Francesco , Frassoni Samuele , Buonsanti Giuseppe , Muraglia Lorenzo , Zuccotti Giulia Anna , Bagnardi Vincenzo , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Ceci Francesco
Published: January 2023

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is generally represented by low-FDG avidity, and [18F]FDG-PET/CT is not recommended to stage the primary tumor. However, its role to assess metastases is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT to correctly identify RCC lung metastases using histology as standard of truth. Records of 350 patients affected by RCC and with CT evidence of at least one lung nodule, were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria were: a) histologically proven RCC; b) [18F]FDG-PET/CT performed prior to lung surgery; c) lung surgery with histological analysis of surgical specimens; d) complete follow-up available. A per-lesion analysis was performed, and diagnostic accuracy was reported as sensitivity and specificity, using histology as standard of truth. [18F]FDG-PET/CT semiquantitative parameters (Standardized Uptake Value [SUVmax], Metabolic Tumor Volume [MTV] and Total Lesion Glycolysis [TLG]) were collected for each lesion. Sixty-seven (n=67) patients with a total of 107 lesions were included: lung metastases from RCC were detected in 57/107 of cases, while 50/107 lesions were related to others lung malignancies. Applying a cut-off of SUVmax ≥2, the sensitivity and the specificity of [18F]FDG-PET/CT for detect RCC lung metastases were 33.3% (95% CI: 21.4% - 47.1%) and 26% (95%CI: 14.6% - 40.3%), respectively. The analysis demonstrated sub-optimal diagnostic accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT to discriminate between RCC lung metastases versus other malignancies. However, semiquantitative analysis including also volumetric parameters (MTV and TLG) can support [18F]FDG-PET/CT image interpretation.
Porous Thermoplastic Molded Regenerated Silk Crosslinked by the Addition Of Citric Acid
Authors: Bucciarelli Alessio , Vighi Nicola , Bossi Alessandra Maria , Grigolo Brunella , Maniglio Devid
Published: January 2023

Thermoplastic molded regenerated silk was proposed as structural material in tissue engineering applications, mainly for application in bone. The protocol allows to obtain a compact non-porous material with a compression modulus in the order of a Giga Pascal starting from silk fibroin by compressing a silk fibroin lyophilized sponge of powder in mold at temperature higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg). The main purpose of the produced resin was the osteofixation and other structural applications in which the lack of porosity was not an issue. In this work, we introduced the use of citric acid in the thermoplastic molding protocol of SF to obtain a porosity inside the structural material. In addition to the previously developed protocols the addition of citric acid allowed us to obtain a structural material. The CA powder during the compression acted as a template for the pore formation. In addition, the CA was able to effectively crosslink the SF chain improving the mechanical strength. This effect was proved both evaluating the compression modulus and by studying the spectra obtained by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This protocol may be applied in the near future to the production of a structural bone scaffold.
Experimental and Numerical Studies of Vertical Stresses Beneath the Circular Footings on Sand
Authors: Keskin Mehmet Salih , Bildik Selçuk , Laman Mustafa
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the experimental and numerical studies of the vertical stress distribution beneath the centerline of circular footings resting on the sand. Vertical stress values due to circular load in medium-dense sand were measured using soil stress transducers. Reduced-scale laboratory model tests were carried out in a square-shaped test box and vertical stresses were measured at the centerline of the circular footing at different depths of the sand. In order to determine the effect of footing width on vertical stress distribution, laboratory experiments were performed on circular footings of different diameters. In addition, a series of finite element analyses was carried out on the test model to validate the findings of the experimental study. In the numerical analysis, the sand was modeled as a non-linear elastoplastic material. The analyses were performed using the finite element method with two-dimensional axisymmetric and three-dimensional conditions. The results obtained from laboratory model tests and numerical analysis were compared with the vertical stress values obtained from the theoretical solution in the literature. Vertical stress distribution in horizontal planes at any depth from the footing base shows the same characteristic form in all methods. However, some differences were observed between experimental, numerical, and theoretical results and discussed.