bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TEKNOLOGI BIOFLOK (BFT) SEBAGAI TEROBOSAN USAHA PENDEDERAN IKAN GABUS (Channa striata Bloch, 1793)
Authors: Sihananto Bambang , Supriyono Eddy , Diki Diki
Published: December 2023

Environmental issues related to aquaculture have recently surfaced, especially related to the use of natural resources such as water and land use including the price of feed which is increasingly expensive, biofloc technology is able to answer these problems by using less water, land, and commercial feed compared to conventional methods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and take strategic steps to utilize biofloc technology in the snakehead fry nursery business. Data and information were collected through interviews using questionnaires prepared using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach, strength weakness opportunities threat (SWOT) analysis, and business analysis was conducted to determine the potential for business development. This study was conducted using two types of rearing containers: round tarpaulin tubs with a diameter of 3 m and plastic containers. The business of rearing snakehead fry using the biofloc method both in plastic containers and in round tarpaulin tanks in one cycle shows inefficient results (<1). The criteria of yield, cost, growth, feed and water are the criteria used as the basis for assessing the effective and efficient business of snakehead fry rearing with a higher alternative weight of the biofloc method (0,629) when compared to conventional (0,371). Through SWOT analysis, the use of less feed and water is the strength of the biofloc method in the cork fish seed breeding business.
EFEKTIVITAS KOMBINASI KOAGULAN SINTETIK DAN BIOKOAGULAN TERHADAP PENINGKATAN MUTU BAKU AIR SUNGAI TABALONG
Authors: Sari Yunita , Fauzana Noor Arida , Fitriliani Indira , Herliwati Herliwati
Published: December 2023

Tabalong River is used as the raw water source for PDAM Tabalong. The large number of industrial activities in the district produces residual products that eventually pollute the watershed, resulting in a decrease in water quality and availability. Parameters that do not meet the standard quality standards as clean water based on Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 class I are turbidity, color, TSS, dissolved Fe, dissolved Mn, and E. coli. This river water requires treatment with coagulation - flocculation technology with the jar test method. The technology requires a coagulant whose role is to precipitate colloidal particles. The commonly used coagulant is poly aluminum chloride (PAC). It is abundant but produces high concentrations of sludge, so coagulants that are biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, and abundant are needed. These properties are found in biocoagulants in the form of chitosan. The coagulant in this study is synthetic (PAC) and bicoagulant (chitosan) by determining the optimum dose in river water treatment in the rainy season. The optimum dose is used to combine the ratio between coagulants. The ratio is (100:0, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 0:100) which is analyzed for its effectiveness from each parameter. The optimum dose of PAC is 10 ppm and chitosan is 20 ppm. The best effectiveness is the PAC-chitosan combination in the form of a ratio of 0:100, which is in the form of chitosan which is able to reduce the levels of these parameters to meet the quality standards.
Modeling and Forecasting Volatility in USD/GBP Exchange Rate
Authors: Qona’ah Niswatul
Published: December 2023

Rate changes can occur hourly, daily, or in large incremental shifts. These changes may impact firms by changing the cost of commodities imported from other countries and the demand for their goods among foreign consumers. Therefore, it is essential to forecast exchange rates to manage this business effect. This study aims to determine the best model for predicting volatility in the exchange rate between USD and GBP. In particular, we analyze exchange rates using the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model and the volatility or variance model by Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH). To determine the best model, the performance of each model is evaluated with several criteria, namely Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The results show that EGARCH(1,1) has the best forecasting performance in the out-sample section because it can better capture out-sample data patterns with minimum RMSE, MAE, and MAPE.
Pensar em linhas: notas epistemológicas e metodológicas para a pesquisa empírica em teologia
Authors: Schellin de Mattos Thiago , Oneide Bobsin
Published: December 2023

O texto a seguir traz apontamentos epistemológicos e metodológicos que visam caracterizar possibilidades teóricas e práticas para a pesquisa empírica em teologia, especificamente no que tange à linguagem teológica como “objeto” de estudo. Para tanto, estabelecemos um diálogo entre a teologia latino-americana e a filosofia de Deleuze e Guattari, orientados ainda pela primazia empírica dos estudos de antropologia social e cultural. A partir disso, propõe-se que a linguagem teológica pode ser concebida por um viés epistemológico, como produção de conhecimento em “linhas” e, sob um aspecto metodológico da pesquisa empírica, como mobilização dos sentidos e procedimentos em vista de percorrer e perceber a constituição destas linhas. Linhas operando processos de “territorialização” e “desterritorialização”, atualizadas em situações históricas e culturalmente dinamizadas.
Percepções de umbandistas sobre resultados das Cirurgias espirituais na Umbanda e suas contribuições para a qualidade de vida dos pacientes
Authors: Brandão Juliana de Lima , Gomes Antonio Marcos Tosoli , Apostolidis Thémistoklis
Published: December 2023

As cirurgias espirituais na Umbanda são exemplo de inclusão da espiritualidade e da religiosidade, por meio da religião, nos cuidados em saúde. Não requerem filiação religiosa, nem um aparato instrumental. Seu foco principal é a cura de determinada doença, no entanto sem garantias de que tal intento será alcançado, em virtude dos fatores que justificam o adoecimento. A partir desta premissa, salientam-se as crenças no karma e na reencarnação que, juntos da fé e do merecimento, corroboram os resultados desta terapêutica religiosa. Para tanto, as cirurgias espirituais na Umbanda fazem parte, para seus fiéis, de um enredo espiritual que, ao mesmo tempo que orienta a sua realização, justifica o não atingimento da cura, sem perder o seu valor, pois ainda assim, figuram como rede de apoio e amparo para amenização do sofrimento causado pela doença. Todo este processo é analisado segundo o Cosmograma Bakongo difundido por Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fuki-au.
A mediação angélica
Authors: Heitor Carlos Santos Utrini  , Andrioni Wagner
Published: December 2023

O presente artigo tem por objetivo lançar luz sobre o texto de Mt 18,10 a partir do tema da angelologia na tradição judaica. As figuras angelicais estão presentes tanto no AT como no NT. Os textos Neotestamentários fazem uma releitura da temática conforme as tradições oriundas do AT e da tradição judaica como um todo, nas quais é possível perceber diversas figuras angélicas que desempenham diferentes funções. Contudo, o texto de Mt 18,10 parece trazer uma ideia diferente, pois Jesus exorta a não desprezar os pequeninos porque os seus anjos veem continuamente o rosto do Pai do céu. A partir da análise de textos bíblicos e extra-bíblicos, o dito de Jesus será analisado a fim de se entender as tradições existentes por detrás da perícope e ampliar a compreensão acerca da mesma.
Respostas religiosas à Gripe Espanhola no Brasil entre os anos de 1918 e 1919
Authors: Rolmão Caldas Alanar , Miranda Valtair A. , Vitor Cavalcante Seal da Cunha André
Published: December 2023

O presente artigo é resultado de pesquisa de mestrado no Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, intitulada: Representações e práticas dos batistas no enfrentamento da pandemia da gripe espanhola no Brasil durante os anos de 1918-1919. Cada geração, em particular, constrói sua própria resposta a uma epidemia. No decorrer da história e seus espaços geográficos específicos, indivíduos e grupos sociais utilizaram-se de símbolos, ritos, práticas e preceitos para lidar, administrar e combater as doenças. Cada sociedade forja seus próprios modos de definir a causa, a transmissão, o tratamento adequado, utilizando-se, para tanto, dos recursos materiais e intelectuais da época. Portanto, o surgimento de uma doença em seu devido espaço, tempo e meio social abre, para o historiador, um campo fértil por se constituir numa perspectiva nova da sociedade evidenciando uma configuração própria de valores, crenças, concepções culturais e práticas institucionais.
“O que é um arminiano?” Antigos e novos caminhos a partir do pensamento de John Wesley
Authors: Couto Vinicius
Published: December 2023

John Wesley escreveu um tratado intitulado “O que é um arminiano?”, publicado em 1770, a fim de trazer uma explicação clara da escola soteriológica derivada do pastor e professor neerlandês Jacó Armínio, que veio a ser conhecida como arminianismo. O texto foi escrito em tom conciliatório em meio às constantes controvérsias ocorridas entre os anglicanos que se identificavam como calvinistas e arminianos. Nele, Wesley explica o que, de fato, é o arminanismo, e chama seus leitores a buscarem o entendimento correto dessa tradição antes de tecerem críticas. Além disso, Wesley traz uma postura irênica no texto, chamando os dois lados para o respeito mútuo e para a fraternidade cristã. O presente ensaio se ocupa em analisar os acessos de Wesley ao pensamento de Armínio e do arminianismo, em destacar os antigos caminhos propostos por ele em seu tratado, e de explorar os novos caminhos desdobrados em sua concepção da ação da graça no ser humano, que proporciona – como resultado de alguém que corresponde à graça –, uma ação integral na sociedade.
Rodna stereotipizacija u predizbornoj kampanji na lokalnim izborima 2021.
Authors: Martinić Karla
Published: December 2023

U članku se problematiziraju rodna stereotipizacija u predizbornim kampanjama i diskursne strategije kandidatkinja koje kombiniraju stranačku poziciju i rodni identitet u medijskom izvještavanju. U analizu su uključeni članci ‎objavljeni na portalima Večernjeg lista, Jutarnjeg lista, 24sata, HRT vijesti, ‎Telegrama, Nacionala, Novoga lista, net.hr i tportala koji spominju stranačke ‎kandidatkinje tijekom kampanje lokalnih izbora za gradonačelnika/cu Zagreba i Samobora 2021. godine. Kritička analiza diskursa provedena je na trima ‎razinama: medijskom izvještavanju o izborima kao obliku diskursne prakse, ‎političkoj kampanji kao obliku društvene prakse te člancima o samim kandidatkinjama. Istraživanje je pokazalo da su političarke-kandidatkinje za gradonačelnicu smještene u rodno stereotipne okvire u kojima se njihova politička ‎uloga svodi na trivijalizaciju i iznimku u političkoj areni. Kandidatkinje prihvaćaju stereotipe kako bi preživjele u tom sustavu i predstavljaju se kao skrbiteljice, žene odane stranci te kao stručnjakinje‎
NMR-Based Metabolomics of Non-Human Primate Ocular Tissues: A Dataset
Authors: Yanshole Vadim V. , Fomenko Maxim V. , Yanshole Lyudmila V. , Osik Nataliya A. , Radomskaya Elena Y. , Bulgin Dmitry V. , Tsentalovich Yuri P.
Published: December 2023

Model animals are employed in experiments as substitutes for human tissues and fluids, particularly when accessing particular human samples (such as cerebrospinal fluid, brain, ocular tissues, etc.) poses significant challenges or is ethically constrained. Nonhuman primates are frequently regarded as superior animal models for investigating human ophthalmological diseases. However, despite this recognition, the metabolomic composition of ocular tissues in non-human primates remains predominantly unexplored. In this work, we present a dataset on metabolite concentrations in serum and ocular tissues, including aqueous humor (AH), vitreous humor (VH), and lens, in two Macaque species: crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). A total of 99 compounds were quantified in 45 samples, shedding light on the previously unknown metabolomic profiles of primate eye tissues.
Potential Lithium Sedimentary Deposits of the Land and Deep Oceans
Authors: Balaram V. , Armstrong-Altrin John S. , Khan Riyaz M. , Rao B. Srinivasa
Published: December 2023

Lithium is a critical metal required for several green technology applications such as electric and hybrid vehicles, energy storage systems, lubricants, polymers, pharmaceuticals, and the preparation of a lot of other industrial chemicals, and its demand is rapidly increasing worldwide. The three most important resources of lithium are pegmatite deposits, salt brine deposits, and sedimentary deposits, and a minor component of unconventional lithium deposits such as geothermal waste, lithium in borate deposits, lithium-enriched coal deposits, lithium-rich industrial wastes such as red mud, acid mine drainage, and recycling. Several studies indicated that marine mineral deposits such as ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese crusts also contain significant lithium concentrations, and can provide a new solution to the looming shortage of lithium. Currently, sedimentary deposits both on the land and deep oceans are receiving increasing attention, due to their large size and their potential for future lithium resources. While land sedimentary deposits showed a high value of lithium up to 7250 μg/g, the marine sedimentary deposits recorded a high of 781 µg/g. Here, an attempt is made to provide a summary of lithium sedimentary deposits world over and their potential for large-scale and long-term production of lithium. In addition to the descriptions of the importance of mineral deposits of lithium, a brief outline of different types of lithium deposits such as brine deposits including continental and geothermal, petroleum brine, pegmatites, and related magmatic deposits are also presented. Similarly, exploration studies based on geological, geophysical, mineralogical, geochemical, and remote sensing techniques in sedimentary basins are also briefly discussed. This cumulative information on sedimentary lithium deposits can possibly trigger many future studies in unexplored and underexplored terrains around the world.
Towards a European Facility for Ground-Based Radar Observations of Near-Earth Objects
Authors: Pupillo Giuseppe , Righini Simona , Orosei Roberto , Bortolotti Claudio , Maccaferri Giuseppe , Roma Mauro , Mastrogiuseppe Marco , Pisanu Tonino , Schirru Luca , Cicalo' Stefano , Tripodo Antonio , Harju Jorma , Penttilä Antti , Virkki Anne K. , Bach Uwe , Kraus Alexander , Margheri Alessio , Ghiani Riccardo , Iacolina Maria N. , Valente Giuseppe , Koschny Detlef , Moissl Richard , Sessler Gunther
Published: December 2023

In this work, we present preliminary results of radar observations of near-Earth Objects (NEOs) carried out by European radio telescopes in the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) project “NEO observation concepts for radar systems”, which was aimed to derive the functional requirements of a radar system, evaluate the available European assets to perform NEO radar observations and carry out test radar campaigns. In the first part of the project, we carried out the performance analysis of a possible European planetary radar system. Instrumental features, as much as issues like the impact of weather conditions on signal propagation at different radio frequencies, were considered. This paper is focused on the test campaigns, performed in the years 2021-22 in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which led to the observation of several asteroids including 2021 AF8, (4660) Nereus and 2005 LW3, which allowed us to derive astrometric measurements, as well as to measure physical properties, such as rotation periods, and detect an asteroid’s satellite. The obtained results demonstrate that European radio astronomical dishes, although employed only as receivers (in bistatic or multistatic configurations) and for a limited amount of time, are able to provide a significant contribution to the constitution of a European network to increase the opportunities for NEO monitoring and studies, if a transmitting antenna - equipped with a suitable high-power transmitter - were made available.
Meteorological Signal on Hydrodynamics in the Ilha Grande and Sepetiba Bays: Lag Effects and Coastal Currents
Authors: Pereira Nair Emmanuela da Silveira , Vinzón Suzana Beatriz , Gallo Marcos Nicolás , Gabioux Mariela
Published: December 2023

In the southeastern coast of Brazil, the bays of Ilha Grande and Sepetiba are linked by the Ilha Grande Channel, where remarkably vigorous currents have been consistently observed. The sheer intensity of these currents defies a simple explanation through tidal forcing alone, prompting researchers to delve into potential influences such as basin resonance and the baroclinic effect. This study aims to elucidate the role of remote meteorological effects within this complex hydrodynamic system. A numerical approach with a coastal model nested within an ocean model was employed, enabling an in-depth examination of the intricate interplay between meteorological and tidal forcings. The study revealed a significant finding: the lag in signal propagation plays a pivotal role in determining how these signals impact the dynamics of the bays. The astronomical signal exhibits a minimal lag along the coast (1 minute), and leads to water level differences between the sea and the coastline, resulting in the generation of tidal currents at the bay entrances. On the other hand, the remote meteorological signal, with a stronger signal lag along the coast (4.92 hours), leads to the creation of water level difference between the bay’s entrances, inducing significant fluxes along the narrow Ilha Grande Channel.
Associations of Broader Parental Factors with Children’s Happiness and Weight-Status through Child Food Intake, Physical Activity, and Screen Time: A Longitudinal Modeling Analysis of the South Korean Families
Authors: Kim Kay W , Wallander Jan L , Kim Bokyung
Published: December 2023

This study investigated how broader parental factors including parental happiness, parental play engagement, and parenting stress are related to Korean children’s happiness and weight status across three years via indirect pathways through the children’s energy-related behaviors of healthy and unhealthy food intake, physical activity, and screen time. Data from 1551 Korean parent pairs and 7-yaer-old children in the Panel Study on Korean Children were analyzed. Path analysis and gender-based structural equation modeling were conducted. Maternal happiness was negatively related to child screen time. Maternal play engagement showed positive concurrent associations with child healthy food intake and physical activity and negative associations with screen time. Maternal parenting stress was negatively related to child healthy eating. There was one significant finding related to fathers’ role on children’s energy-related behaviors, happiness, and weight status: the positive association between parental happiness and boys’ unhealthy food intake. Child screen time was positively related to child weight status and negatively to child happiness at each age. Broader maternal parenting factors can serve as a protective factor for childhood happiness and weight status in 7-to 9-year-olds through being associated with a reduction in child screen time.
Risk Factors and Environmental Preventive Actions for Aspergillosis in Patients with Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Raposo Puglia Daniel , Raposo Puglia José Ángel , García-Cabrera Emilio , Morales Fátima , Camacho-Vega Juan Carlos , Vilches-Arenas Angel
Published: December 2023

Background Aspergillus spp. is a widely distributed filamentous fungus in the environment due to its high sporulation capacity. Currently, invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most common invasive fungal infection in patients with hematologic malignancies with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The multifactorial nature of the disease requires appropriate risk stratification to allow the most appropriate preventive measures to be adapted and implemented according to the characteristics of the patient. In this sense, the present research aims to identify recent risk factors and environmental control measures against invasive aspergillosis to establish preventive actions to reduce the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in hospitals; (2) Methods: We conducted a qualitative systematic review of the scientific literature on environmental risk factors and preventive measures for invasive aspergillosis in patients with hematological malignancies. The Medline, Cochrane and Scopus databases were consulted, following the PRISMA and STROBE guidelines; (3) Results Adequate implementation of environmental control measures is presented as the most efficient intervention in terms of prevention to decrease the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in hospitals. We identify neutropenia, fungal contamination, lack of adequate environmental control measures in hospitals and patients´ homes, duration of hospitalization, and anemia as independent risk factors. We show that HEPA, LAF and Plasmair® systems are suitable methods to reduce the concentration of airborne fungal spores. Antifungal prophylaxis did not influence the reduction of IA significantly in our study; (4) Conclusions: Proper professional training and environmental control measures in hospitals are essential for the prevention of invasive aspergillosis. We should optimize risk stratification for patients with hematologic malignancies. Antifungal prophylaxis should be complementary to environmental control measures and should never be substituted for these last ones. Studies should also be done to evaluate the efficiency of environmental control measures against IA at patients' homes.
First Record of Nemorilla floralis (Fallén 1810) (Diptera, Tachinidae) Parasitism on Box Tree Moth – Cydalima perspectalis (Walker 1859) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) Larvae
Authors: Bjeliš Mario , Armanda Ana Romana , Nadel Hannah , Raper Chris , Simmons Gregory
Published: December 2023

Box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis is native to East Asia where it occurs on Buxus trees. Its natu-ral distribution includes China, Japan, Korea and India, and it was accidentally introduced into Europe, Middle East, North America and north Africa through the trade in Buxus spp., where it can cause considerable damage. In the native range of C. perspectalis, three tachinids (Diptera, Tachinidae) are known to parasitize larvae of C. perspectalis, including Exorista sp., Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata (Walker 1853) and Compsilura concinnata (Meigen 1824). Data on tachinid parasitoids parasitizing C. perspectalis on the European continent include only P. nigrolineata. Field collection of mature larvae and pupae of C. perspectalis during July 2020 in four locations in Split – Dalmatia County in Croatia resulted in collection of live tachinid larvae that were reared to adults. The tachinid specimens were identified at the Natural History Museum, London, UK, as Nemorilla flo-ralis (Fallén, 1810) (Diptera, Tachinidae). Conservatively, 1.2 – 2.4 % parasitism rate was achieved. This is the first world record of N. floralis parasitism on C. perspectalis larvae, which can be added as a potential tool for C. perspectalis biological control.
Managing the Intermittency of Wind Energy Generation in Greece
Authors: Christodoulou Theodoros , Thomaidis Nikolaos S. , Pytharoulis Ioannis , Kartsios Stergios
Published: December 2023

This paper undertakes an in-depth exploration of a primary strategy aimed at mitigating the volumetric risk in wind power generation within Greece, which originates from the variability of wind speeds. The proposed strategy hinges on portfolio theory, serving as the foundation for creating diverse generation portfolios, thus facilitating the strategic distribution of available capacity across space. Optimization techniques and quadratic programming are harnessed to derive the minimum variance portfolio along with alternative optimal allocation plans. In parallel, Factor Analysis techniques are deployed to discern prevalent sources of variability that exert influence on wind generation dynamics within Greece. Our assessment encompasses an appraisal of the diversification efficacy inherent in an array of distinct portfolios. This analysis is conducted through the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) techniques. Furthermore, we expound upon key spatiotemporal attributes characterizing the Greek landscape, elucidating their potential contributions to the site-selection process.
Dynamics of Fricke-Painlevé VI surfaces
Authors: Planat Michel , Chester David , Irwin Klee
Published: December 2023

The symmetries of a Riemann surface $\Sigma \setminus \{a_i\}$ with $n$ punctures $a_i$ are encoded in its fundamental group $\pi_1(\Sigma)$. Further structure may be described through representations (homomorphisms) of $\pi_1$ over a Lie group $G$ as globalized by the character variety $\mathcal{C}=\mbox{Hom} (\pi_1,G)/G$. Guided by our previous work in the context of topological quantum computing (TQC) and genetics, we specialize on the $4$-punctured Riemann sphere $\Sigma=S_2^{(4)}$ and the \lq space-time-spin' group $G=SL_2(\mathbb{C})$. In such a situation, $\mathcal{C}$ possesses remarkable properties
(i) a representation is described by a $3$-dimensional cubic surface $V_{a,b,c,d}(x,y,z)$ with $3$ variables and $4$ parameters, (ii) the automorphisms of the surface satisfy the dynamical (non linear and transcendental) Painlev\'e VI equation (or $P_{VI}$), (iii) there exists a finite set of $1$ (\mbox{Cayley-Picard})+$3$ (\mbox{continuous platonic})+$45$ (\mbox{icosahedral}) solutions of $P_{VI}$.
In this paper we feature on the parametric representation of some solutions of $P_{VI}$, (a) solutions corresponding to algebraic surfaces such as the Klein quartic and (b) icosahedral solutions. Applications to the character variety of finitely generated groups $f_p$ encountered in TQC or DNA/RNA sequences are proposed.
Outpatient Embedded Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Thoracic Malignancy: A High-Value Practice
Authors: Boulanger Mary C. , Krasne Margaret D. , Gough Ethan K. , Myers Samantha , Browner Ilene S. , Feliciano Josephine L.
Published: December 2023

Although cancer care is often contextualized in terms of survival, there are other important cancer care outcomes, such as quality of life and cost of care. The ASCO Value Framework assesses the value of cancer therapies not only in terms of survival but with consideration of quality of life and financial cost. Early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer is associated with improved quality of life, mood, symptoms, overall survival, and cost savings. While palliative care has been shown to have numerous benefits, the impact of real-world implementation of outpatient embedded palliative care on value-based metrics is not fully understood. We sought to describe the association of outpatient embedded palliative care in a multidisciplinary thoracic oncology clinic on inpatient value-based metrics. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 215 patients being treated for advanced thoracic malignancies with non-curative intent. We evaluated the association of outpatient embedded palliative care with inpatient clinical outcomes including emergency room visits, hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, hospital charges, as well as hospital quality metrics including 30-day readmissions, admissions within 30 days of death, inpatient mortality, and inpatient hospital charges. Outpatient embedded palliative care was associated with lower hospital charges per day ($3,807 versus $4,695, p=0.024). Furthermore, patients who received outpatient embedded palliative care had decreased hospital admissions within 30 days of death (O.R. 0.50; 95% CI 0.34, 0.74; P<0.001) and decreased inpatient mortality (O.R. 0.46; 95%CI 0.23, 0.94; p=0.032). Our study further supports that outpatient palliative care is a high-value intervention and alternative models of palliative care, including one embedded into a multidisciplinary thoracic oncology clinic, is associated with improved value-based metrics.
A Link Between Cell Wall Biogenesis, Pathogenesis, and Vigor in Walnut Root and Trunk Diseases
Authors: Saxe Houston J. , Walawage Sriema L. , Balan Bipin , Leslie Charles A. , Brown Patrick J. , Browne Gregory T. , Kluepfel Daniel A. , Westphal Andreas M. , Dandekar Abhaya M.
Published: December 2023

Crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens), crown/root rot (Phytophthora spp.), root lesion disease (Pratylenchus vulnus), and tree vigor are key traits affecting productivity and quality of walnuts in California. Non-inoculated hybrid rootstocks were analyzed by RNA-seq to examine pre-formed factors affecting these traits. Enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed that increased expression of cell wall biogenesis-related genes plays a key role in susceptibility to A. tumefaciens, Phytophthora spp., increased vigor, but not P. vulnus. Analysis of the predicted subcellular loci of the encoded proteins revealed that many gene products associated with vigor and susceptibility were targeted to the plasma membrane and extracellular space, connecting these traits to sustaining barrier function. We observed that RNA processing and splicing, along with predicted nuclear targeting, were associated with resistance to A. tumefaciens, Phytophthora spp., low vigor, but not P. vulnus. Four genes within the J. microcarpa QTL region for resistance to A. tumefaciens and Phytophthora spp. were represented among our transcripts, with two of the genes being differentially expressed in association with resistance to A. tumefaciens and decreased vigor. No differential expression related to Phytophthora spp. or P. vulnus traits was observed in this region. Additionally, the J. microcarpa haplotype expressed more transcripts associated with resistance to A. tumefaciens, Phytophthora spp., and low vigor, but not P. vulnus than the J. regia haplotype. We also report unique and shared hormone and defense responses associated with each trait. This research suggests a link between cell wall biogenesis, vigor, and critical root diseases of walnut.
Impact of Digitalization on Budgeting Functions: An Investigation into Contingency Theory Perspectives
Authors: Piosik Andrzej , Karmańska Anna
Published: December 2023

The objectives of this article are to examine whether the application of digitalization in enterprise budgeting affects the fulfilment of budgeting functions and their qualitative characteristics, and to investigate whether the realization of budgeting functions brings benefits. The research was conducted from the perspective of contingency theory, both internal and external conditions. The study used an online survey targeting company budgeting staff. Structural Equation Modelling was utilized to validate the structural model (PLS-SEM technique). The conclusions confirm that the application of digitalization, which particularly pertains to ERP, Business Intelligence systems and accounting systems with budgeting solutions, positively impacts the fulfilment of budgeting functions and most of their qualitative characteristics, while Blockchain makes a minor contribution. Our research suggests that contingency variables, particularly internal ones such as company size, the quality of the organizational structure, and support for competitive strategy, continue to affect budgeting implementation even with the participation of digitalization in budgeting. Budgeting functions and their qualitative aspects are notably correlated with the advantages derived from budgeting, including financial performance, sustainable development and budget task execution.
Soils of the Prinevskaya Lowland and Prospects for Their Use
Authors: Chebykina Ekaterina , Abakumov Evgeny
Published: December 2023

The paper presents the results of soil research in the Prinevskaya lowland within the boundaries of St. Petersburg. The study of the direction and rate of change in the properties of fallow lands, aimed at understanding the process of post-agrogenic transformation of soils, as well as the development of a monitoring system for changes in the parameters and properties of fallow soils will contribute to the optimization of the soil-ecological state of soils excluded from agricultural turnover in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
Larvicidal Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized From Ocimum gratissimum Leaf Extracts Against Anopheles Mosquito
Authors: Sunmonu Adedamola , Ekpunobi Nzube
Published: December 2023

Despite recent improvements in the methods used to eradicate and minimize mosquito populations, they still pose severe threats to human health. This study aimed to investigate the Larvicidal potentials of silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum on wild Anopheles larvae from Lagos. The plant used in this study was collected from the southeastern part of Nigeria, Ibite-Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Wild Anopheles mosquito larvae were collected from a field at Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria where resistant Anopheline populations have been reported in and around Lagos State were brought to the laboratory and kept under standard insectary conditions (25–29 °C;78–82% relative humidity). Aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum was made and subsequently into the silver nanoparticles. A bioassay test was performed according to WHO guidelines, with six different concentrations to assess the larvicidal activity and values obtained were subjected to log prohibit regression analysis to obtain LC50 and values with 95% confidence limit. The results of the larvicidal activities of the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum showed that the mortality rate was dose-dependent with the percentage mortality increasing at a direct proportional rate as with dose and time of exposure. Ocimum gratissimum gave LC50 at 0.5 ppm and LC95 at 2.5 ppm respectively. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles augmented the larvicidal activity of the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum on wild Anopheles larvae from Lagos. Therefore, this study showed that the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum have the potency to be used against an insecticide-resistant mosquito vector and are a suitable candidate for the development of novel natural insecticides.
Spatial Identification and Hotspots of Ecological Risk from Heavy Metals in Urban Dust in the City of Cartagena, Se Spain.
Authors: Marín-Sanleandro Pura , Delgado-Iniesta María José , Sáenz-Segovia Anthony Felipe , Sánchez-Navarro Antonio
Published: December 2023

In the present work, a study has been carried out on the contamination of heavy metals in urban dust deposited on the roads of the city of Cartagena (Spain), in order to know the content of metals such as Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu. Likewise, the possible relationship of the concentration of heavy metals with the color of the sample, level of magnetism and traffic density was studied. Contamination was evaluated using several indices such as contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), geoacumulation index (Igeo), pollutant load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (RI). A total of 88 samples were taken in the urban area of Cartagena, and the metals were determined by acid digestion and measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentration of heavy metals in urban dust from Cartagena was Zn (672 mg/kg) > Cu (248.9 mg/kg) > Pb (227 mg/kg) > Cr (82.7 mg/kg) > Ni (47.7 mg/kg) > Cd (4.1 mg/kg). Contamination levels were high in Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu, according to environmental indices. A correlation was found between magnetism and metal concentration, which was repeated for all metals except Cd. Dark-colored samples contained higher metal concentrations than light-colored samples. Meanwhile, streets with medium and low traffic intensity were found to have higher concentrations of heavy metals. This study's objective was to identify pollution hotspots caused by heavy metals in dust in the urban ecosystem of Cartagena city.
From Hemp Waste to Bioactive Nanofiber Composites: Deep Eutectic Solvents and Electrospinning in Upcycling Endeavors
Authors: Mouro Cláudia , Gomes Ana P. , Gouveia Isabel C.
Published: December 2023

Natural fibers have attracted increasing interest as an alternative to produce environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. Particularly, hemp fibers have revealed to be widely used in various industrial applications due to their extremely unique properties. However, hemp can generate a large amount of agro-waste, and results in an attractive source of biopolymers for the development of low-cost materials in alternative to the raw materials and conventional petroleum-based plastics. In addition, deep eutectic solvents (DESs), a new type of truly green solvents, have been tested to remove gums, lignin, and other non-cellulosic components from hemp fibers. Reusing these components dissolved into the DESs to fabricate new materials directly by electrospinning is a very attractive but still unexplored endeavor. Thus, this innovative research to venture new upcycling pathways is focused on the fabrication of composite nanofibers by electrospinning of a gel-based blend of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hemp agro-waste (HW) dissolved into choline chloride (ChCl) : Glycerol (1:2) and ChCl : Urea (1:2) DES mixtures. The results obtained revealed that the produced nanofibers displayed uniform appearance with diameters ranging from 257.72 ± 65.63 nm to 380.78 ± 133.98 nm. In addition, the mechanical properties of the electro-spun composite nanofibers produced from the gel-based blends of HW dissolved in DESs and PVA (HW-DESs_PVA) were found to be superior, resulting in an enhanced tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Furthermore, the incorporation of HW into the nanofibers was able to provide bioactive antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Notably, Onobrychis cornuta and Veratrum lobelianum extracts activated a DNA damage checkpoint response via the ATM/ATR and CHK-1 pathways; hindering germline development. Our LC‒MS analysis revealed jervine in V. lobelianum and nine antitumor compounds in O. cornuta. Interestingly, linoleic acid replicated phenotypes induced by O. cornuta exposure, including an increased level of pCHK-1 foci, apoptosis, and the MAPK pathway. We observed that mutants in the MAPK pathway suppressed the reduction in worm survival, emphasizing its role in survivability, meiotic progression, and DNA damage checkpoint-mediated apoptosis.
This study reveals complex interactions between herbal extracts and C. elegans processes, shedding light on potential antitumor effects and mechanisms. The findings provide insights into the complex landscape of herbal medicine's impact on a model organism, offering implications for broader applications.
Entropic Density Functional Theory
Authors: Yousefi Ahmad , Caticha Ariel
Published: December 2023

A formulation of the Density Functional Theory (DFT) is constructed as an application of the method of maximum entropy for an inhomogeneous fluid in thermal equilibrium. The use of entropy as a systematic method to generate optimal approximations is extended from the classical to the quantum domain. This process introduces a family of trial density operators that are parametrized by the particle density. The optimal density operator is that which maximizes the quantum entropy relative to the exact canonical density operator. This approach reproduces the variational principle of DFT and allows a simple proof of the Hohenberg-Kohn theorem at finite temperature. Finally, as an illustration, we discuss the Kohn-Sham approximation scheme at finite temperature
Analyzing Data Theft Ransomware Traffic Patterns Using BERT
Authors: Almeida Gabriela , Vasconcelos Felipe
Published: December 2023

This research looks into the evolving dynamics of ransomware, shifting from conventional encryption-based attacks to sophisticated data exfiltration strategies. Employing the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) model, the study analyzes network traffic patterns to detect ransomware activities, offering new insights into their covert operations. The findings emphasize the need for advanced AI tools in cybersecurity, highlighting the significance of adapting and innovating defense strategies to counter the changing landscape of ransomware threats. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of ransomware evolution and underscores the importance of integrating AI in cybersecurity practices.
Cancer Screening in Angolan Individuals Using Tumor Marker Tests at Mediag, Luanda-Angola
Authors: Cassinela Edson Kutelela , Quixari Lourenço , Silveira Silvana da Rocha , Sebastião Cruz dos Santos , Armando António , Pinto-Sousa Carlos , Fernando José , Epalanga Manuel Sangombe , Sacomboio Euclides Nenga Manuel
Published: December 2023

Tumor biomarkers have great potential in screening and their role could extend further from general population risk assessment to treatment response estimation and recurrence monitoring. Different molecular and cellular elements in blood, which give information about the status of an individual, make it a perfect compartment to develop noninvasive diagnostics approaches for cancer. The present study aimed to screen the most frequent tumor markers in the Angolan population according to age and gender. A whole blood sample was collected for each patient. Serum levels were measured using the electrochemiluminescence method, using the automated Cobas e411 equipment (Roche®) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The results of our study elucidated the relevance of tumor biomarkers in screening for different types of cancer. These results also highlight the robustness of the mean in suspected cases, which is 15 to 17 times higher in some markers than in non-suspected cases. More research is needed to elucidate the relevance of these biomarkers in the Angolan population.
Design for Ultrafast Raster Photography with Large Amount of Spatio-Temporal Information
Authors: Zhu Yongle , Zeng xuanke , Ling Weijun , Zeng Liangwei , Zhao Yuxiang , Yang Jinfang , Li Jingzhen
Published: December 2023

Due to the lack of theoretical research on the amount of spatio-temporal information in the high-speed photography technologies, obtaining an optimized system with a best amount of spatio-temporal information remains a challenge, resulting in insufficient effective information and observation accuracy for ultrafast events. The paper presents an ultrafast raster imaging (URI) system with a large amount of spatio-temporal information based on the all-optical raster principle in single-shot. Specifically, we derive the optimal equation of spatial resolution and the expression for the maximum amount of spatio-temporal information that can achieve excellent performance for an URI system. It serves as a general guideline for getting a large amount of information design in the URI system. Compared to the existing URI systems, the advanced URI system exhibits an improvement of nearly 1 order of magnitude in the amount of spatio-temporal information, and more than twofold in spatial resolution. It shows a great potential for capturing intricate and non-repetitive ultrafast events on the femtosecond time scale.
SARS-CoV-2 Intra-host Evolution Is Not Favoured by Immune System Deficiencies
Authors: Manuto Laura , Bado Martina , Cola Marco , Vanzo Elena , Antonello Maria , Mazzotti Giorgia , Pacenti Monia , Cordioli Giampaolo , Sasset Lolita , Cattelan Anna Maria , Toppo Stefano , Lavezzo Enrico
Published: December 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, immunosuppressed patients showed prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infections, with several studies reporting the accumulation of mutations in the viral genome. The weakened immune system present in these individuals, along with the effect of antiviral thera-pies, are thought to create a favourable environment for intra-host viral evolution and have been linked to the emergence of new viral variants, which strongly challenged the containment measures and some therapeutic treatments. To assess whether an impaired immunity could lead to an increased instability of viral genomes, longitudinal nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from eight immunocompromised patients and fourteen non-immunocompromised subjects, all undergoing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Intra-host viral evolution was compared between the two groups through deep sequencing, exploiting a probe-based enrichment method to minimize the possibility of artefactual mutations commonly generated in amplicon-based methods, which heavily rely on PCR amplification. Although, as expected, immunocompromised patients expe-rienced significantly longer infections, the acquisition of novel intra-host viral mutations was similar between the two groups. Moreover, a thorough analysis of viral quasispecies showed that the variability of viral populations in the two groups is comparable not only at the consensus level, but also when considering low frequency mutations. This study suggests that a compro-mised immune system alone does not affect SARS-CoV-2 within-host genomic variability.
A Critical Appraisal of the Protecting Activity of Polyphenolic Antioxidants Against Iatrogenic Effects of Anticancer Chemotherapeutics§
Authors: Purgatorio Rosa , Boccarelli Angelina , Pisani Leonardo , De Candia Modesto , Catto Marco , Altomare Cosimo Damiano
Published: December 2023

Polyphenolic compounds, encompassing flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, rutin, cyanidin) and non-flavonoids (e.g., gallic acid, resveratrol, curcumin), show several health-related beneficial effects, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiviral, and anticar-cinogenic properties, as well as the prevention of coronary heart diseases. Polyphenols have been also investigated for their counteraction against adverse effects of common anticancer chemo-therapeutics. This review examines the outcomes of clinical studies (and related preclinical data) over the last ten years, with a focus on the use of polyphenols in chemotherapy as auxiliary agents acting against oxidative stress toxicity induced by antitumor drugs. While further clinical studies are needed to establish adequate doses and optimal delivery systems, the improvement in pol-yphenols’ metabolic stability and bioavailability, through implementation of nanotechnologies currently being investigated, could improve therapeutic applications of their pharmaceutical or nutraceutical preparations in tumor chemotherapy.
Transport of Riverine Microplastics in the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Golubeva Elena , Gradova Marina
Published: December 2023

Plastic pollution of the ocean is currently one of the most serious environmental threat. Analysis of observations in the Arctic ocean shows that microplastic particles have been found in Arctic snow cover, sea ice, water and sediments. Possible pathways and deposition locations of microplastics in the Arctic Ocean can be assessed based on 3D numerical modeling of thermohaline structure and water circulation, sea ice conditions and drift. The problem is that in addition to transport by currents, a number of other processes affect the state of microplastics. These include mechanical fragmentation, freezing into sea ice and release back into the water, biofouling, adsorption of contaminants and other factors. In this study, based on scenario calculations for a 5-year period, we analyzed the possible spread of microplastics brought by Siberian rivers to the Kara Sea shelf. The Lagrangian particle model used daily 3D numerical simulation data to simulate microplastic transport by ocean currents and by sea ice drift. The results of a series of scenario calculations show how the distribution of particles and their subsequent deposition depend on their type (density), size, processes of freezing into the ice and biofouling.