bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macro Watershed Management- Flood Forecasting for Rivers, Gumara and Megech Employing Flood Frequency Analysis, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Endalew Walelign Kassie
Published: June 2024

Adverse Climate variations are adversely impacting the hydrological cycles which is causing abnormal flooding and drought conditions in the region, including Ethiopia. Severe environmental and socioeconomic consequences result from extreme weather occurrences like floods. Therefore, evidence-based hydrological data is essentially required for accurate estimations of extreme events (flood and drought) predictions for prudent management of available water resources. When managing and developing water resources, accurate flood predictions and peak flow estimations are crucial. Flooding is one of the major problems in Ethiopia. Over the past few decades, both frequency and magnitude have quickly grown in scope and complexity. Both changes in land use and climate change are the main drivers for the flooding scenarios in the country. The flood frequency analysis methods were used for forecasting the incoming flood of the two rivers. The result of the study shows that General Parto and General logistic distributions are the best-fitted probability distributions for the Gumera and Megech Rivers. Using these best-fit probability distributions, flood magnitudes for 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200-year return periods were forecasted. The result also shows the incoming flood increased from 310.8 (10-year return period) to 413.3 (200-year return period) in Gumara River and increased from 245.3 (10-year return period) to 323.7 (200-year return period) in Megech River.
Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal the taxonomic distinctiveness between Nymphaea pygmaea and N. tetragona (Nymphaeaceae)
Authors: Naito Hanaka , Kato Syou , Shutoh Kohtaroh , Shiga Takashi
Published: June 2024

In this study, we aimed to clarify the taxonomic identity between Nymphaea tetragona, which has a red to purple stigmatic disk and the widest distribution range among the genus, and Nymphaea pygmaea, which has a yellow stigmatic disk and is ordinarily treated as a synonym of N. tetragona, based on detailed morphological measurements and phylogenetic analyses. Through morphological analysis, we assessed 26 quantitative characters of 111 individuals from 15 populations. Seventeen characters were significantly different between the two species; however, these characters overlapped. Principal component analysis based on 13 morphological characters revealed different trends in the morphology of the two species. In DNA analysis, one nuclear ribosomal DNA region, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and one chloroplast DNA region (rps4-trnF) were compared. The ITS region showed differences in 18–19 substitutions and two indels between N. pygmaea and N. tetragona. Additionally, the two species were closely related within the subgenus Nymphaea, and N. tetragona and Nymphaea leibergii formed a robust monophyletic group with N. pygmaea as a sister taxon. These results indicate that N. tetragona and N. pygmaea have differentiated morphologically and genetically, thus making these two species taxonomically distinct.
Addressing Musculoskeletal Curricular Inadequacies within Undergraduate Medical Education
Authors: Peeler Jason
Published: June 2024

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries and diseases place a significant burden on the health care system. Despite this, research indicates that physician training in the area of MSK medicine has historically been inadequate, with a majority of medical students feeling that their training in MSK medicine is lacking. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of a new preclinical MSK curriculum that was implemented within a nationally accredited allopathic medical program.
Methods: Retrospective analysis was completed on five consecutive years of preclinical MSK curricular data, including mid and end-of-course examinations and end-of-course student satisfaction surveys. Both parametric and non-parametric methods of analysis were used to examine for within and between class differences (P < 0.05).
Results: The MSK curriculum covered 15 of 16 “core or must know” topics in MSK medicine, and academic performance was consistently high over the 5-year period (final course marks ranged from 76.6 ±7.1 to 81.4 ±8.1; failures/year: range from 0 to 4), being equal or above levels of student performance observed for other courses delivered during preclinical studies. Likert data from end-of-course surveys demonstrated that feedback was overwhelmingly positive (overall course satisfaction ranged from a low of 3.07/4.00 to a high of 3.56/4.00) and indicated that students felt that the new preclinical MSK curriculum did effectively support medical student learning and knowledge retention.
Conclusion:Results are expected to help advance the current body of knowledge that is dedicated to improving physician learning and knowledge retention in the area of MSK medicine and provide a curricular model that could be used by other nationally accredited medical programs to help enhance MSK learning and knowledge retention at the preclinical levels of physician training.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Artificial Neural Networks and Elastic Net Regression in Surface Runoff Modeling
Authors: Buczyński Rafał
Published: June 2024

This study examines the comparative performance of Artificial Neural Networks and Elastic Net Regression in predicting surface runoff in urban stormwater catchments. Utilizing the Storm Water Management Model, a dataset of over 100,000 samples was prepared, incorporating diverse catchment parameters such as impervious surface percentage, overland flow path width, slope, Manning’s coefficients, and depression storage depths. Both models were developed and tuned to enhance runoff prediction accuracy. An assessment was carried out to gauge the predictive accuracy, computational efficiency, and ability to withstand data noise of the models. The Artificial Neural Networks demonstrated significant advantages in handling complex, non-linear relationships inherent in hydrological data, resulting in higher predictive accuracy and stability. Elastic Net Regression, while useful, exhibited limitations, particularly in lower runoff scenarios due to its regularization constraints. The outcomes highlight the relative advantages and drawbacks of each modeling technique, offering crucial perspectives for enhancing water resource management in urban settings.
Caring Through Uncertainty: A Qualitative Exploration of Older Colorectal Cancer Caregivers' Experiences During Palliative Chemotherapy
Authors: Li Mengxue , Su Liqing , Zhang Jie , Jia Lei , Zhang Yumeng , Zheng Ziyi , Chang Jian
Published: June 2024

Purpose: Despite the growing body of research on cancer patient caregivers, the unique experiences of spouses caring for elderly colorectal cancer patients remain underexplored. This study aimed to fill this gap by examining the caregiving experiences of spouses during palliative chemotherapy for elderly Chinese colorectal cancer patients.
Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, we recruited spousal caregivers of elderly colorectal cancer patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data.
Results: Sixteen caregivers aged 60 to 82 years participated in the interviews. The analysis revealed three main themes: ambivalence, multiple role adaptation to conflicts, and the coexistence of hope and pressure. These themes shed light on the behaviors of older caregivers and the challenges they face, including physical and psychosocial issues associated with aging.
Conclusion: This study highlights the significant stress and challenges experienced by older caregivers, characterized by intertwined emotions such as anxiety about their spouses’ health deterioration, exhaustion from long-term care responsibilities, and anticipation of treatment outcomes. These findings can inform future interventions and research aimed at understanding and supporting the unique needs of older spousal caregivers.
Simulation study of foreign exchange market interventions using an extended dealer model
Authors: Arita Rintaro , Takayasu Hideki , Takayasu Misako
Published: June 2024

This study analyzed yen-dollar exchange market price fluctuations and the shape of the order book observed in the foreign exchange (FX) market at the time of intervention by the Japanese government. Using the comprehensive data of the order book during the yen-sold (dollar-bought) intervention in 2011 and yen-bought (dollar-sold) intervention in 2022, we found that methods of intervention used by the Japanese government in 2011 and 2022 were quite different in the sense of strategy.Intervention in 2011 involved a strategy placing a large number of buy orders on a price absorbing a large number of market orders, while intervention in 2022 involved a strategy placing a large number of sell limit orders at a price lower than the best bid price. Next, simulations of market price movements during FX interventions were conducted by generalizing a model known as the spread dealer model.We introduced the concept of volume into this model and further modified and formulated the effects of stop-loss and take-profit, as well as modified the intervention effects, to simulate market price fluctuations during these interventions.We decomposed the time series into upward and downward trends, assuming that dealers have certain strategic parameters under each trend. Parameter search was performed by randomly selecting parameters within the search space.By searching for parameters that minimize the error function between the real time series and the simulated price time series, and optimizing dealer parameters under each trend, we obtained parameters for the dealer model that could replicate time series closer to real price fluctuation.The generalized dealer model developed in this study has the potential to be utilized in the future for estimating the number of interventions conducted and assessing the efficiency of interventions.
Non-Random Distribution of Plasmodium Species Infections and Associated Clinical Features in Children in The Lake Victoria Region, Kenya, 2012-2018
Authors: Omondi Protus , Musyoka Brian , Okai Takatsugu , Kongere James , Kagaya Wataru , Chan Chim , Ngara Mtakai , Kanoi Bernard , Kido Yasutoshi , Gitaka Jesse , Kaneko Akira
Published: June 2024

Background
While Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) stands out as the most lethal malaria parasite species in humans, the impact of other species should not be dismissed. Moreover, there is a notable lack of understanding of mixed-species infections and their clinical implications.
Methods
We conducted eight school-based cross-sectional malariometric surveys in the Lake Victoria region of western Kenya between 2012 and 2018. Plasmodium infection was determined by microscopy and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The multiple-kind lottery (MKL) model calculated the expected distribution of Plasmodium infections in the population and compared it to observed values using a chi-squared test (χ2).
Results
The Plasmodium prevalence by PCR was 51.1% (4969/9724). Among all infections, Pf, P. malariae (Pm), and P. ovale (Po) mono-infections were 58.6%, 3.0%, and 1.7%, respectively. Pf/Pm, Pf/Po, Pm/Po, and Pf/Pm/Po co-infections were 23.5%, 4.3%, 0.1%, and 8.6%, respectively. MKL modelling revealed non-random distributions with frequencies of Pf/Pm and Pf/Pm/Po co-infections higher than expected (χ2 = 3385.60, p < 0.001). Pf co-infections with Pm and Po were associated with a decreased risk of fever (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46–0.83; p = 0.01) and increased risks of splenomegaly (aOR 12.79, 95% CI 9.69–16.9; p < 0.001) and anaemia (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 2.09–3.15; p < 0.001), compared to single-species infections.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on the potential interaction between Pf and Pm and/or Po. Given the clinical significance of mixed-species infections, improved diagnostics, and case management of Pm and Po are urgently needed
Topological importance of CD8 + T-cell enrichment in the tumor microenvironment of classic Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Takahashi Hiromichi , Ito Shun , Nakanishi Yoko , Miura Katsuhiro , Nishimaki Haruna , Nakagawa Masaru , Otake Shimon , Hamada Takashi , Koike Takashi , Iizuka Kazuhide , Masuda Shinobu , Nakayama Tomohiro , Shimizu Tetsuo , Ishibashi Naoya , Kogure Hirofumi , Nakamura Hideki
Published: June 2024

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) histologically consists of Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), but the relationship between TME characteristics and clinical features of CHL remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of the TME structure on the outcomes of patients with CHL. We performed a high-throughput analysis of HRS cells and their topological relationship with the reactive immune cells in the TME. After multiplexed immunofluorescence labeling against CD4, CD8, CD30, CD68, CD163, PD-1, and PD-L1, visual images were analyzed. Phenotypes were assigned to all reactive cells, such as CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and macrophages. Since the densities of PD1+/CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, and PD-L1+ macrophages were significantly higher in the area < 60 µm than in the area < 120 µm from each HRS cell in 45 tissue samples from 34 patients with CHL, we further analyzed the TME-component cells by focusing on the 60 µm radius in the initial samples. TMEs containing > 15 CD8+ T-cells were associated with a significantly better 3-year progression-free survival than those with ≤ 15 CD8+ T-cells (100% vs. 53%, p = 0.006). In comparison with TMEs containing ≤ 15 CD8+ T-cells, TMEs containing > 15 CD8+ T-cells had significantly more PD-L1− macrophages (mean 3 vs. 1 cell, p = 0.015) and fewer PD-1+/CD4+ T-cells (mean 16 vs. 28 cells, p = 0.036). In conclusion, the TME structure in patients with CHL can differ, enabling precision therapies.
Going beyond hardware limitations with advanced stray light calibration for the Metop-3MI space instrument
Authors: Clermont Lionel , Michel Céline , Chouffart Quentin , Zhao Yuchen
Published: June 2024

Space optical instruments play a pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of the universe and our planet, and are crucial in addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. In this context, stray light has emerged as a primary performance limitation. Originating from ghost reflections or scattering, it obscures essential details and introduces false information into images. With the demand for increasingly high-performing instruments, mitigation through hardware optimization is becoming insufficient. We are entering an era where future instruments require a stray light correction algorithm to meet user specifications, necessitating extensive on-ground calibration. This paper examines the Metop-3MI Earth observation instrument, which, with wide field of view, broad spectral range, and multi-polarization capabilities, epitomizes the challenges of stray light calibration and correction. A custom calibration apparatus was constructed to evaluate the complex stray light dependence on field-of-view, wavelength, and polarization. Data were processed, and stray light kernels database was derived, which then fed into a specially developed correction algorithm. Applied to the image of an extended scene, it effectively reduces stray light by a remarkable factor of 91. This achievement sets a new standard for low-stray-light instruments and provides a comprehensive case study for future missions.
Enhancement of SBR’s treatment under organic shock load
Authors: Ahmed Dalia , ELKaramany Hesham M. , Alged Ahmed
Published: June 2024

Organic shock loads often hinder biological wastewater treatment systems from meeting discharge standards, as a result, these systems frequently fail to achieve the required level of treatment so, the potential impact of these loads was investigated using laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). Short-term (4.5 h) exposure to 721.25 - 1515.36 mg COD/L shock loads reduced the removal ratios of COD by 3.48 % – 31.73 % compared with the control. A mathematical model was developed for COD decomposition and the results obtained from the model were approximately close to the experimental data, and the maximum difference between the experimental and the theoretical removal rates was 3.36 % at a shock organic load of 1019.20 mg COD/L. In addition, the reactor performance was evaluated under successive organic shock loads so, a constant influent COD value of 1249.5 mg/L was applied for eight successive batch cycles and the results indicated that the removal ratio gradually improved with successive loading. As well, to enhance treatment efficiency under organic shock loads the performance of the reactor was evaluated for different MLSS concentrations of 2000, 2600, 3200, 3900, 4200, 4600, 4825, and 5250 mg/L. Three different organic shock loads with COD concentrations of 1043.04, 1205.36, and 1560 mg/L. COD removal ratios of 96.23 %, 86.18 %, and 75.81 % were achieved for the first, second, and third shock loads respectively at a MLSS concentration of 4825 mg/L however, it dropped when MLSS concentration increased to 5250 mg/L.
Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on inflammation and oxidative stress in PCPA-induced insomnia rat models
Authors: Wang Meng-meng , Yao Yang , Fu Yue , Huang tao , Chen Ying , Han Yi , Fang Yi-qun
Published: June 2024

To clarify the effect and mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on insomnia, SD rats were divided randomly into PCPA, HBO+PCPA and Control group (n=8). Rat insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), then 2.0ATA-60min HBO was given. After the intervention, general behavior, sleep status, brain tissue pathology, serum inflammatory and oxidative stress molecules were measured. Compared with the Control group, the rats in the PCPA group showed circadian rhythm reversal, daytime sleep time reduction, weight loss and temper irritability. Sleep latency was significantly prolonged and the sleep duration was significantly shortened in PCPA group. All above changes were significantly improved by HBO intervention. Positive Nissl staining in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus of PCPA group was largely decreased compared with the controls, which was obviously reversed in HBO+PCPA group. Moreover, serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-Α and MDA were markedly increased, while IL-10, IL-12p70 and SOD were significantly decreased in PCPA group, compared to the Controls. When compared with PCPA group, HBO intervention can significantly decrease the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-Α and MDA, while significantly increased the levels of IL-10, IL-12p70 and SOD in serum. HBO can relieve PCPA-induced rat insomnia symptoms, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress injury in vivo, which is one of mechanisms of HBO treatment for insomnia.
Ventilator Treatment Policy Control based on BCQ off-line Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: MAO Jingkun , LI Fengxi , LIU Chunxin , ZHOU Pixuan
Published: June 2024

Ventilator plays a crucial role in treating cardiopulmonary disorders, and proper parameter settings are essential for the successful recovery of patients. Traditional ventilator control relies on the expertise of physicians, leading to delayed treatment responses. Although some machine learning methods have made improvements in this scenario, they are inadequate to adapt to dynamic changes of patient conditions. This paper proposes a dynamic ventilator control method based on the BCQ offline deep reinforcement learning algorithm, achieving real-time adjustment of ventilator treatment policies based on changes in the patient’s medical condition. In the experiments, the Double DQN and SAC algorithms are used as baseline algorithms. During the training phase, the algorithms’ optimal models under different hyperparameter combinations are determined using temporal difference error and average action values. In the testing phase, the model’s therapeutic efficacy is evaluated using the FQE method, while the safety of the treatment is assessed by statistically analyzing the predicted action distribution. Additionally, the algorithm’s generalization ability is further evaluated on an OOD test set. The experimental results demonstrate that the BCQ algorithm outperforms both in terms of treatment effectiveness, safety, and generalization ability, indicating its promising application prospects in medical scenarios.
Predicting single-cell drug sensitivity utilizing adaptive weighted features for deep transfer learning
Authors: Liu Hui , Duan Wei
Published: June 2024

The advancement of single-cell sequencing technology had promoted the generation of a large amount of single-cell transcriptional profiles, providing valuable opportunities to identify drug-resistant cell populations in a tumor. However, the drug sensitivity data at single-cell level is still scarce to date, posing an urgent but tough challenge for the computational prediction of drug sensitivity in individual cells. This paper proposed scAdaDrug, a deep transfer learning model with adaptive weighted features to predict single-cell drug sensitivity. We used an autoencoder to extract domain-invariant features related to drug sensitivity from multiple source domains by exploiting adversarial domain adaptation. Especially, we introduced an adaptive weight generator to produce importance-aware and mutually independent weights, which could adaptively modulate the embedding of each sample in dimension-level for both source and target domains. Extensive experimental results showed that our model achieved state-of-the-art performance in predicting drug sensitivity on multiple independent single-cell datasets derived from cell lines, patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models, and patient tumor tissues. Moreover, the ablation experiments demonstrated our model effectively captured the underlying patterns determining drug sensitivity from multiple source domains.
Physical Activity and Body Weight – Longitudinal Evidence from the Australian Working Age Population
Authors: Doan Nhan , Doan Tinh
Published: June 2024

Overweight and obesity is one of the leading causes of diseases in the developed world. In Australia, two thirds of Australians are overweight or obese causing high costs to the healthcare system. Physical inactivity is one of the key determinants of rising overweight and obesity. However, there is little evidence in this research area in Australia using non-experimental data to address biases due to individual unobserved heterogeneity that is linked to both body weight and physical activities (PA). We employ a fixed effect model, which can adjust for time invariant unobserved confounders that may affect both physical activity and body weight, to estimate the relationship between PA and body weight. We find that higher levels of physical activity are correlated with lower body weight or body mass index (BMI). The dose effect is found; the higher PA levels the lower BMI. Even low levels of physical activity are enough to generate a reduction in BMI (in comparison with sedentary activities). People need time and resources. It is therefore critical to have accessible and affordable sport facilities, and policies enable individuals to have more free time for PA if policies aim to tackle overweight and obesity in Australia.
Which Forms of Capital Are More Important for Economic Growth? Findings from Selected High-Income Countries
Authors: Bayraktar Astt. Prof. Dr. Murat
Published: June 2024

The level of social capital within an economy is one of the main factors influencing the likelihood of long-term sustainable economic development. This study examines empirical research on the relationships between social capital, natural capital, intellectual capital, and their impact on economic growth. It also presents evidence from data showing that social capital has a stronger impact on GDP per capita growth than other forms of capital.
Whereas the three forms of capital were found to have positive and significant effects, social capital increases the GDP per capita more than natural capital and intellectual capital. Econometric analysis reveals that a 1 percentage point increase in social capital increases GDP per capita by 1.15 percentage points, while a 1 percentage point increase in natural capital increases GDP per capita by 0.16 percentage points, and a 1 percentage point increase in intellectual capital increases GDP per capita by 0.87 percentage points. Therefore, to facilitate policymaking, this current research provides important policy recommendations to increase social capital levels among developing countries.
JEL Codes: B12, B13, B26, D24
The Human Pathology Atlas for deciphering the prognostic features of human cancers
Authors: Yuan Meng , Zhang Cheng , von Feilitzen Kalle ,   Martin Zwahlen1, Shi Mengnan , Li Xiangyu , Yang Hong , Song Xiya , Turkez Hasan , Uhlén Mathias , Mardinoglu Adil
Published: June 2024

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for a deeper molecular understanding of the disease's heterogeneity and the development of personalized treatments. Since its establishment in 2017, the Human Pathology Atlas has been instrumental in linking gene expression profiling with patient survival outcomes, providing system-level insights and experimental validation across a wide range of cancer research. In this updated analysis, we analysed the expression profiles of 6,918 patients across 21 cancer types using the latest gene annotations. Our refined approach enabled us to offer an updated list of prognostic genes for human cancers, with a focus on hepatocellular, renal and colorectal cancers. To strengthen the reliability of our findings, we integrated data from 10 independent cancer cohorts, creating a cross-validated, reliable collection of prognostic genes. By applying a systems biology approach, we identified that patient survival outcomes in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) are strongly associated with gene expression profiles. We also developed a prognostic regulatory network specifically for KIRC and LIHC to enhance the utility of the Human Pathology Atlas for cancer research. The updated version of the Human Pathology Atlas lays the foundation for precision oncology and the development of personalized treatment strategies.
Neki aspekti teorija spoznaje i znanosti u djelu fra Bonifaca Badrova
Authors: Miličić Zvonko
Published: June 2024

U svojem prilogu autor u okviru filozofske sistematike Bonifaca Badrova, dugogodišnjega profesora filozofije na Franjevačkoj teologiji u Sarajevu, nastoji najprije osvijetliti njegovo skolastičko-neoskolastičko razumijevanje istine kao adaequatio intellectus et rei koje mu služi kao nît vodilja za njegovo koncipiranje »filozofije znanosti«, s posebnim osvrtom na njegovo razumijevanje tijeka »tvorbe pojmova«. Pritom se pokazuje kako se pojmovi tvore putem definicija kao opisi značenja. Time pojam gubi svoju usidrenost u neposrednoj ljudskoj egzistenciji, tj. on se ne razumije kao rezultat odnosa između complicatio i explicatio (N. Kuzanski) ni kao tijek čovjekova zadobivanja sebe u vlastitoj egzistenciji (H.-G. Gadamer), zbog čega pitanje o smislu gubi u konačnici svako značenje ne samo za čovjekovu egzistenciju nego i za »smisao« spoznajnoga i znanstvenoga postupanja uopće.
Neopercepcija kao prepoznavanje izmijenjenih paradigmi u tehnološki posredovanom svijetu
Authors: Ilazi Hasnija , Gashi Taulant
Published: June 2024

Filozofska paradigma percepcije svijeta promijenila je posrednika. Čovjek kao tjelesnost i umnost postaje nedovoljan za spoznaju onoga što svijet biva ili se vjeruje da jest. Antropološka, socijalna i etička zasnovanost odnosa čovjeka i svijeta dobiva na značaju u usporedbi s prethodno dominantnom metafizičkom pozadinom. Odnos čovjek – svijet transformira se u odnos čovjek – ljudski svijet, misaoni pothvat poticanja i prepoznavanja promjena kroz koje svijet prolazi kao rezultat ljudske intervencije. Ovaj rad diskutirat će o tri osnovna problema. Prvo, percepciji s ciljem spoznaje stvari: (a) pitanju vanjskog svijeta kao percepcije promijenjene osjetilnosti, i b) novom shvaćanju percepcije – posredovanosti, kao rezultat razvoja tehnologije. Drugo, percepciji s ciljem razumijevanja odnosa u ljudskom svijetu: a) kako pitanje percepcije postaje pitanje komunikacije unutar ljudskog svijeta (simbolički prostor percepcije kao spoznaja odnosa), i (b) pitanju prevladava li se u antropološkom i etičkom kontekstu potreba za epistemološkim utemeljenjem. Treće, percepciji s ciljem promjene paradigme odnosa s izvanljudskim svijetom: a) kako pod utjecajem tehnologije »istina o stvarima« postaje »istina stvari«, ili kako dolazi do reverzije odnosa subjekt – objekt, i b) pitanju olakšava li tehnologija komunikaciju s onim što nije »naš svijet«? U zaključku dotaknut ćemo se »istine stvari« preko »istine odnosa« do »istine principa i odgovornosti«.
Pro-emocionalni konsenzus i kritika strateške racionalnosti emocija
Authors: Milunović Bojan
Published: June 2024

U suvremenoj filozofskoj literaturi vlada pro-emocionalni konsenzus povodom pitanja o odnosu emocija i praktične racionalnosti. Njegovi zagovornici emocijama pripisuju svojstva strateški racionalnih stanja, koja pozitivno utječu na kognitivni mehanizam racionalne deliberacije i navode subjekta na odabir onih radnji koje su za njega praktično korisne. U ovom ćemo radu analizirati osnovna tvrđenja pro-emocionalnog konsenzusa i razmotriti njihovu istinitost u svjetlu tri ključna prigovora tezi o strateškoj racionalnosti emocija. Pokazat ćemo da se emocije, unatoč njihovoj tendenciji da izazivaju epizode impulzivnosti i samoobmane, mogu opravdano nazvati strateški racionalnim, ali da zagovornici pro-emocionalnog konsenzusa moraju biti oprezni kada potporu svojim uvjerenjima traže u tezi o modularnosti emocija i evolucijskim objašnjenjima praktične korisnosti njihovih funkcija.
A social realist account of the way academic managers exercise agency in monitoring students’ academic success in South African higher education
Authors:   , Dwayi Valindawo Valile Medicine
Published: June 2024

The roots of this thesis lie in discourses which promote the use of academic monitoring strategies for student success in South African higher education. Although access to higher education widened for black South Africans following the first democratic election, this ‘formal’ access (Morrow, 1993) has not been matched by success with annual cohort studies showing that, regardless of the university at which they are registered, the subjects they are studying and the qualifications they hope to attain, black South Africans fare less well than their white peers. Monitoring performance and referring students on to academic support and development structures thus became a strategy identified as having the potential to address patterns in performance data. The study reports on an attempt to introduce a strategy for Academic Monitoring for Integrated Academic Development at a historically black university in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. It draws on a metatheoretical framework developed from Bhaskar’s (1978, 1998) critical realism and Archer’s (1995, 1996) social realism to do this. More specifically, it focuses on the way managers at the institution exercised their agency in relation to the strategy and identifies the way social and structural conditions, developed from the time colonial settlers first arrived on the continent, worked to constrain the exercise of this agency. Although the focus of the study was on agency, the study revealed a system of necessary contradictions (Archer, 1995, 1996), a system of conflicting beliefs exacerbated by a lack of resources, that led to the implementation of the strategy not being as successful as intended. The study not only illuminates the conditions at one South African university but also adds to the body of work on management in higher education and to critiques of ‘managerialism’.
Prognostic value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the clinical course of liver cirrhosis
Authors: Sarkarova M. R. , Maevskaya M. V.
Published: June 2024

Introduction. The search for simple and informative markers for predicting positive outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) does not affect its relevance.

Aim. To study the possibility of using the “neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio” indicator as a predictor of development of LC complications and death.

Materials and methods. For a retrospective clinical study, 225 case histories of patients with LC were selected from 2008 to 2018. Three groups were formed from them: group 1: patients with LC class A according to Child- Pugh (24n); Group 2: patients with LC class B and C according to Child- Pugh (201n); and group 3: healthy individuals (50n). A correlation analysis of the NLR indicator with the Child- Pugh and MELD scales was carried out. The prognostic value of NLR in the development of complications and death was analyzed.

Results. Patients with LC had statistically significantly higher values of NLR compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). NLR had a statistically significant positive correlation with the Child- Pugh (p < 0.001) and MELD (p < 0.001) scales. NLR is a statistically significant predictor of the development of complications in patients with LC (p = 0.003). A NLR value > 2.3 had a sensitivity of 0.97 [95% CI: 0.92; 0.99] and specificity 0.19 [95% CI: 0.11; 0.29]. NLR statistically significantly correlated with the number of complications of LC (p<0.001) and served as a statistically significant predictor of death (p<0.001). A NLR value > 4.5 had a sensitivity of 0.24 [95% CI: 0.15; 0.36] and specificity 0.97 [95% CI: 0.92; 0.99].

Conclusion. An NLR value of more than 2.3 increases the risk of complications in patients with LC, and an NLR value of more than 4.5 increases the risk of death.
Evaluating the potential of recycled water use for irrigation in southern Maryland: impact on groundwater conservation and crop yield
Authors: Rahman Azbina , Negahban-Azar Masoud , Shirmohammadi Adel , Karki Ritesh
Published: June 2024

Climate change and rainfall variability are driving many farmers to adopt irrigation, who were historically within rain-dependent regions, to sustain crop productivity. In the Mid-Atlantic region, irrigation in agriculture has grown since the 1980s due to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. Dry summers and uneven seasonal rainfall have necessitated a shift toward irrigation, particularly in Maryland's Coastal Plain. However, high dependence on confined groundwater for irrigation around this area has strained aquifers. To mitigate this strain, exploring alternative water sources is now important. This study investigates the viability of utilizing treated wastewater from plants as an irrigation substitute in Maryland's Coastal Plain. Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, the research evaluates crop productivity and irrigation needs under various climate scenarios. Results indicate that recycled water from nearby treatment plants can meet crop water requirements during wet years and partially during moderate and dry years, reducing aquifer reliance by 56 and 30%, respectively. This framework aims to boost yields while conserving freshwater resources. By serving as a decision support tool, stakeholders can assess the feasibility of recycled water for irrigation, thereby potentially reducing strain on confined aquifers.
Model-based assessment of in-sewer heat recovery potentials considering wastewater treatment-specific temperature limits
Authors: Muschalla Dirk , Sprung Werner , Reinstaller Stefan , Pichler Markus , Kretschmer Florian
Published: June 2024

Due to the ongoing climate and energy crisis, wastewater is becoming increasingly important as a source of renewable energy. In urban areas, heat recovery from the sewer is considered a promising approach, as the locations of supply and demand are close to each other. In this context, it is crucial that negative impacts on temperature-sensitive processes in the downstream wastewater treatment plant are strictly avoided. To support the necessary planning and authorization, this paper presents a model-based approach to assess the thermal energy level of the wastewater at any given location in the sewer, taking into account the influent temperature constraints of the wastewater treatment plant. The entire modelling is based on the open-source software SWMM 5, which was extended by a temperature model. The concept showed its practicability and informative value during a full-scale field application in the sewer systems of the Austrian city of Graz. All modelling is based on freely available software, which makes the approach easy transferable to other cities with comparable infrastructural boundary conditions.
Assessment of public health risks caused by phthalates migrating from polymer material to bottled water
Authors:   North-West Public Health Research Center, 4 2nd Sovetskaya St., Saint-Petersburg, 191036, Russian Federation, Shilov V.V. , Markova O.L. ,   North-West Public Health Research Center, 4 2nd Sovetskaya St., Saint-Petersburg, 191036, Russian Federation, Zaritskaya E.V. ,   North-West Public Health Research Center, 4 2nd Sovetskaya St., Saint-Petersburg, 191036, Russian Federation, Isaev D.S. ,   North-West Public Health Research Center, 4 2nd Sovetskaya St., Saint-Petersburg, 191036, Russian Federation, Petrova M.D. ,   North-West Public Health Research Center, 4 2nd Sovetskaya St., Saint-Petersburg, 191036, Russian Federation
Published: June 2024

At present, consumption of packaged drinking water is growing worldwide. In this regard, ensuring packaged drinking water safety, which directly depends on the composition and quality of used polymer materials, is becoming especially relevant. Bottles made of polymer materials, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate, is the most common packaging for drinking water. The aim of this study was to assess population health risks caused by exposure to phthalates migrating from polymer bottles into drinking water. The study was carried out according to the requirements of the Customs Union Technical Regulation… on packaging and Instruction... on sanitary-chemical study of goods. Bottles and model media were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass-spectrometric detection. Risk assessment was performed according to the current guidelines. The study findings allow to report the following phthalate levels in bottle samples: di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), 1.7–4.2 mg/kg; di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), <2.4–31.3 mg/kg; diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), 2.2–10.2 mg/kg. Phthalate migration into model media occurred from all analyzed samples: DEHP and DiBP migrated from Polyethylene terephthalate in quantities equal to 8.6–71.0 µg/l and from < 2.6 to 19.2 µg/l respectively; DEHP, DnBP, and DiBP migrated from polycarbonate, 31.5–43.5 µg/l, 4.8–6.2 µg/l, and 17.0–54.0 µg/l, respectively. The identified phthalate levels are safe according to the performed assessment of health risks associated with chronic intake of harmful substances with drinking water. The values of the estrogenicity equivalent calculated for the analyzed phthalates in model samples of bottled water were seen at a minimum level in Russian Federation as compared to other countries. The results of this study can be used in safety assessment of polymer bottles for drinking water.
Role of cellular immunity in malignant tumors development in individuals chronically ex-posed to ionising radiation
Authors:   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozerskoe shosse, Ozersk, 456780, Russian Federation, Rybkina V.L. , Oslina D.S. ,   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozerskoe shosse, Ozersk, 456780, Russian Federation, Azizova T.V. ,   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozerskoe shosse, Ozersk, 456780, Russian Federation, Kirillova E.N. ,   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozerskoe shosse, Ozersk, 456780, Russian Federation, Makeeva V.S. ,   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozerskoe shosse, Ozersk, 456780, Russian Federation
Published: June 2024

Some long-term effects of radiation could be related to changes in the immune system resulting from radiation exposure. Immunity disorders caused by radiation can influence carcinogenesis. Cellular immunity factors were investigated in peripheral blood of workers chronically exposed to occupational combined radiation (external gamma-rays and internal alpha-particles), with malignant neoplasms diagnosed after blood samples were taken or without them, and in the control group. The aim of this study was examine effects of radiation on the cellular immunity status in individuals chronically exposed to ionizing radiation who had malignant neoplasms developed after blood sampling. The relative and absolute number of lymphocyte subpopulations (total T-cells, T-helpers, T-cytotoxic, total B-cells, NK-cells, NKT-cells and activated T-cells) was detected by flow cytofluorometry. The absolute number of T-cells was significantly reduced in workers chronically exposed to occupational combined irradiation, with or without malignancies, compared to the control, which may contribute to tumor progression at an early stage of its onset. At the same time, workers without malignancies had a significant increase in the relative number of T-cytotoxic lymphocytes, which may be a factor preventing tumor development. A significant increase in the relative number of natural killer cells (NK cells) was detected in individuals with malignant neoplasms chronically exposed to occupational combined irradiation, compared with the control, which may indicate enhanced antitumor defense that developed in response to exposure to tumor antigens. In addition, a significant decrease in the absolute and relative number of T- and B-lymphocytes was found in the group of workers with malignant neoplasm, compared with the control. A significant increase in the relative number of T-helpers was found in both groups of workers. Since the role of T-helpers in the antitumor response is ambiguous, additional research on types of T-helpers is planned to clarify the results of the present study
Phytoactive Molecules and Nanodelivery Approaches for Breast Cancer Treatment: Current and Future Perspectives
Authors: Yapar Evren Algın , Ozdemir Merve Nur , Cavalu Simona , Dagıstan Özlem Akbal , Ozsoy Yıldız , Kartal Murat
Published: June 2024

One of the most common malignancies in women, breast cancer accounts for nearly
25% of all cancer cases. Breast cancer is a diverse cancer form that exhibits variability in both
morphology and molecular characteristics and is linked to numerous risk factors. Although various
approaches and research are ongoing in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, medication
resistance in the current breast cancer treatment contributes to the disease's relapse and
recurrence. Phytoactive molecules are the subject of growing research in both breast cancer prevention
and treatment, but currently used conventional medicines and techniques limit their application.
In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the field of nanotechnology,
which has proven to be essential in the fight against drug resistance. The transport of synthetic
and natural anticancer molecules via nanocarriers has recently been added to breast cancer
therapy, greatly alleviating the constraints of the current approach. In light of these developments,
interest in nano-delivery studies of phytoactive molecules has also increased. In this review,
research of phytoactive molecules for breast cancers along with their clinical studies and
nanoformulations, was presented from current and future perspectives.
Diabetes-compound Relationship Identification based on Complex-valued
Flexible Neural Tree and Negative Sample Selection Algorithm
Authors: Sun Xiaochao , Yang Bin
Published: June 2024

Background:

Virtual screening (VS) could select possible effective candidates from
a large number of organic compounds, which plays an important role in network pharmacology.
Virtual screening is a very important step in network pharmacology.

Objective:

The accuracy of screening compounds directly determines the subsequent network
construction, target determination and pathway analysis. In order to improve the accuracy of
screening the important compounds in herbs for treating diabetes, a novel methodology based
on complex-valued flexible neural tree (CVFNT) model and negative sample selection algorithm is presented.

Methods:

In our method, diabetes-related targets were obtained by literature search. According
to diabetes-related targets, active compounds were searched from the public database. The negative sample selection algorithm based on Tanimoto index was proposed to establish inactive
compound set. The CVFNT model optimized was utilized to screen effective candidate compounds.

Result:

Our proposed method performs better than eight classical classifiers in terms of TPR,
FPR, Precision, Specificity, F1, AUC and ROC curve. Our method could also predict 18 compounds from Liangxue Sanyu Decoction, which are involved in the treatment of diabetes.
Investigating the Relationship between the Position of Married People in the Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, with Life Expectancy and the Desire to have Children
Authors: Rahmanpour Yeganeh , Mohammadnahal Leila , Hushmandi Kiavash , Saadat Seyed Hassan , Orouei Sara , Daneshi Salman , Raesi Rasoul
Published: June 2024

Background

The difference in life expectancy and willingness to have children among married people is influenced by the different positions of people in the levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Aim

The current research was conducted to determine the relationship between the position of married people in the levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs with their life expectancy and desire to have children.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling on 140 married people in the general population of Khaf City in 2022. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS-22 statistical software, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression statistical tests at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

The highest average score of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs was related to the level of basic needs (5.45±4.85), and the lowest average was related to the level of self-actualization needs (2.09±5.55). The average score of life expectancy and willingness to have children in the studied subjects was 25.41±6.62 (moderate) and 18.38±6.38 (low), respectively. There was a positive and significant correlation between the levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs on life expectancy and the desire to have children in the studied subjects (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Basic needs are the most important needs of couples and they can directly affect life expectancy and the desire to have children. Therefore, the basic needs must be prioritized in the country's plans so that after the basic needs are met, conditions are created to improve life expectancy and the desire to have children.