bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Giant cervical teratoma masquerading as lymphatic malformation
Authors: Bachala Keerthana , Dhudani Shreyas , Jana Sourav , Kumar Amit , Sinha Amit Kumar
Published: May 2024

Teratomas are composed of multiple tissues foreign to the organ or site from which they arise. They are tumours which consist of solid or organoid masses containing tissues derived from all three or any of the three blastodermic layers. Their histologic features are heterogeneous and may include cystic or solid areas as well as mature and immature components. They can develop from any part of body. The commonest area of occurrence is sacrococcygeal region followed by retro peritoneum. They rarely occur in cervical region.
Novel therapeutic approaches for steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in paediatric patients: a comprehensive review
Authors: Kumar Rajan , Kumar Santosh , Kumar Deepak , Ansari Ehtesham
Published: May 2024

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome poses a significant therapeutic challenge in paediatric nephrology. Previously exact cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome was mostly unknown. Recently, advancements in diagnostic intervention, they are found to be a heterogeneous entity having an immune basis and genetic aetiology. With a better understanding of the pathogenesis of SRNS, leading to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Novel therapeutic options include extracorporeal therapy, monoclonal antibodies, stem cell therapy, ACTH and galactose. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of emerging therapies for SRNS in paediatric populations.
AS JORNADAS INTERNACIONAIS SOBRE REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS (1998- 2019): IMPORTANTE ESTRATÉGIA NA CONSOLIDAÇÃO DA TRS NO BRASIL
Authors: Camargo Brigido Vizeu , Giacomozzi Andréia Isabel , Da Silva Mariana Luíza Becker , Silva Emanuely Zelir Pereira da
Published: May 2024

O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever e analisar os resumos dos trabalhos apresentados em 10 Jornadas Internacionais sobre Representações Sociais (JIRS) ao longo de 21 anos. A pesquisa é documental e o corpus de análise constituído de 2.297 resumos de trabalhos apresentados na modalidade “Grupos Temáticos de Discussão”. Os resultados apresentam algumas indicações gerais sobre práticas de pesquisa orientadas para a teoria das representações sociais no Brasil, demonstrando que os trabalhos envolvendo as áreas temáticas da educação e da saúde se sobressaem, assim como o uso da abordagem estrutural. Observou-se ainda um aumento da qualidade dos resumos apresentados nas JIRS ao longo do período estudado, o que remete a um reflexo de estudos e aprimoramento, além da vivacidade da teoria no mundo e no Brasil, que é fora da Europa o país onde mais se publicam trabalhos com a TRS.
AS REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS COMO FENÔMENO
Authors: Santos Elismar Alves dos , Martins Filho José Reinaldo Felipe
Published: May 2024

Apresentação do dossiê.
MAPA GEOTÉCNICO DE POTENCIAL EROSIVO DE UMA ÁREA DE EXPANSÃO URBANA DE TUBARÃO - SC
Authors: Heidemann Marcelo
Published: May 2024

O município de Tubarão – SC tem sofrido uma considerável expansão de sua mancha urbana. Esta expansão tem-se dado em muitas áreas de encostas, de solo residual e coluvionar. A ocupação destas áreas é problemática, não apenas pelo risco de instabilização e deslizamentos, mas também pela deflagração de processos erosivos nos solos expostos. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho apresenta os resultados de um mapeamento geotécnico com vistas ao potencial erosivo dos solos, realizado em uma área de expansão urbana do município. O mapeamento foi realizado tendo como base o conceito de unidades geotécnicas, a partir do cruzamento de mapas geológicos e pedológicos, pré-existentes. Para estimativa do potencial erosivo dos solos foram realizados ensaios Inderbitzen Modificado e Infiltrabilidade e Perda de Massa por Imersão, propostos pela metodologia MCT, em amostras indeformadas. Os dados obtidos foram inseridos em um banco de dados vinculado a um sistema de informações geotécnicas (SIG). Os resultados mostraram a alta susceptibilidade à erosão em praticamente toda a área de estudo, que já apresenta a ocorrência do processo de forma acelerada em vários pontos. A geração destas informações é importante porque pode contribuir para a gestão do crescimento do município, de forma que esse processo possa se dar de maneira ordenada e tecnicamente adequada, assim como melhorar o entendimento acerca do comportamento geotécnico dos solos estudados.
Vulnerabilities of water-energy and food nexus in cities of digital era
Authors: Sargentis G. Fivos , Kougkia Matina
Published: May 2024

The edifice of civilization stands on water-energy-food nexus, speech, trading management and complexity. This paper, presents a mini review of these issues which are the foundations of civilization, and discusses their role in social prosperity. Recent year public discussion emerges that an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) could strike cities due to natural or artificial reasons therefore, we attempt to describe the impact of an EMP from the viewpoint of civil engineering. To do so, we analyze the fundamental parts of civilization in present, their roles, and their functions. Analysis estimates that an EMP will not regress cities of developed world to the 1970s or even in the Middle Ages, but rather before the agrarian era. It is noted that while the developed world will be more vulnerable, the least developed countries, could exhibit more resilience. Additionally, this paper considers the way societies and cities could demonstrate more resilience, framing the need for further research such as: technological adaptation; study and simulations of related scenarios; design of water-energy-food nexus for survival clusters; resilience measures for money, economy, communications, and trading. As we have a very small timeframe of data (less than 200 years) of the appearance and the effects of EMP, we have to study it, even if the wish is that we will never confront it. It seems unreasonable for our narcissistic and wonderful civilization to behave like ostrich hiding its’ head in the sand in order to be hidden by this threat.
A rurális közegben élő szülők IKT-attitűdjei, nevelési stílusai - Az olvasóvá nevelés digitális kihívásai
Authors: Néma Judit Eszter
Published: May 2024

The present paper is a continuation of a sociological study on reading - published in 2023 (Néma, 2023c) -, in which I present the results of my research in a rural setting in Transylvania (Parajd, Harghita County), focusing on the challenges of literacy education. The study, conducted in the autumn of 2022, aimed to gain narratives from graduate mothers, using a semi-structured interview method (10 interviews) to approach their children's literacy education in the context of increased digitalisation. In order to get a handle on parental digital literacy, I captured the perception of ICT tools along parenting styles. In parallel to identifying the spatial digitalisation context, I also subjected parents' ICT perceptions by content analysis. From the set of ICT-related statements (232 opinions) extracted from the narrative, I also identify a set of references reflecting on reading to explore the reasons for the passivity towards reading - as a research goal for my PhD dissertation research, too.
Conflict Disruptions to Social Assistance in a Multi-Hazard Context: Assessing Responses to the Northern Ethiopia Crisis (2020–22)
Authors: Lind Jeremy , Sabates-Wheeler Rachel , Carter Becky , Tefera Taye Mulugeta
Published: May 2024

This paper focuses on both the responsiveness and resilience of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) to large-scale conflict shocks. Focusing on how PSNP systems and implementation responded during the 2020–22 conflict in northern Ethiopia, the paper considers the possible scope of the programme’s design and delivery structures to address vulnerabilities related to future large-scale conflict shocks. The crisis illustrated just how critical it is that social protection for chronically vulnerable households and humanitarian support for people in acute need complement each other to ensure broad and effective coverage. The PSNP did not and could not scale up to meet additional needs created by conflict. Instead, humanitarian aid covered some proportion of these needs, particularly for those who were not already programme beneficiaries, as well as for PSNP clients who were displaced and could not be reached through PSNP channels.
PENGARUH TINGKAT KEPEMIMPINAN DAN TINGKAT STRES TERHADAP KINERJA PERAWAT DI RUMAH SAKIT DAERAH KABUPATEN NGANJUK 2023
Authors: Hardyanto Fendy , Suprapto Sentot Imam , Wardani Ratna
Published: May 2024

Kinerja merupakan gambaran mengenai tingkat pencapaian pelaksanaan suatu kegiatan/program dalam mewujudkan sasaran, tujuan, misi, dan visi organisasi yang tertuang dalam strategi planning suatu organisasi. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan melalui tingkat stres terhadap kinerja perawat di Rumah Sakit Daerah Kabupaten Nganjuk. Desain penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif observasional dengan pendekatan cross sectional dengan fokus penelitiannya diarahkan untuk akan menganalisis pengaruh kepemimpinan melalui tingkat stres terhadap kinerja perawat di Rumah Sakit Daerah Kabupaten Nganjuk. Jumlah populasi sejumlah 146 responden dan sampel sebanyak 107 responden yang diambil dengan teknik Simple Random Sampling. Hasil temuan didapatkan bahwa pengaruh kepemimpinan terhadap tingkat stres p-value 0,409. Pengaruh kepemimpinan terhadap kinerja dengan p-value 0,000. Pengaruh tingkat stres terhadap kinerja dengan p-value 0,017. Berdasarkan hasil analisis mediasi menunjukkan bahwa nilai p-value 0,471 > 0,05, sehingga hasil tersebut tidak cukup kuat untuk menyimpulkan bahwa tingkat stres bertindak sebagai mediator yang signifikan antara kepemimpinan dan kinerja, atau secara sederhana secara tidak langsung kepemimpinan melalui tingkat stres tidak mempunyai pengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja perawat di Rumah Sakit Daerah Kabupaten Nganjuk.
Pengaruh Tepung Daun Gamal (Gliricidia sepium) Terfermentasi Dalam Pakan Terhadap Pertumbuhan Benih Ikan Bawal Air Tawar (Colossoma macropomum)
Authors: Sari Darmia , Nazlia Suraiya , Dedi Fazriansyah Putra
Published: May 2024

Daun gamal mempunyai potensi yang baik untuk dijadikan bahan pakan alternatif bagi jenis ikan herbivora dan omnivora.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh dan dosis optimal penambahan tepung daun gamal fermentasi sebagai bahan pakan terhadap pertumbuhan benih bawal air tawar (Colossoma macropomum) Ikan uji yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah  ikan bawal air tawar (Colossoma macropomum) dengan  panjang tubuh 6,3–7 cm dan berat 2,6–4,12 g. Ikan percobaan dipelihara dengan kepadatan tebar 10 ekor/wadah selama 40 hari. Pemberian pakan dilakukan pada pukul 07:00 WIB, 12:00 WIB, dan 17:00 WIB. Metode  penelitian  menggunakan metode Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan enam perlakuan dan tiga ulangan. Perlakuan A tidak ditambahkan tepung daun gamal fermentasi (0%), perlakuan B, C, D, E, dan F ditambah tepung daun gamal fermentasi 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, dan 50%. Penambahan tepung daun gamal terfermentasi dalam pakan berpengaruh (P<0,05) terhadap pertumbuhan panjang dan berat mutlak, laju pertumbuhan spesifik, efisiensi pemanfaatan pakan serta rasio konversi pakan, namun tidak berpengaruh (P>0,05) terhadap kelangsungan hidup benih bawal air tawar (P<0,05). Hasil pertumbuhan terbaik diperoleh pada perlakuan E (40%), dengan nilai pertumbuhan panjang dan berat mutlak sebesar 2,01 cm dan 1,81 g, laju pertumbuhan spesifik sebesar 4,54%/hari, rasio konversi pakan sebesar 1,48, dan efisiensi pemanfaatan pakan 68,78%.
Recent progress in MXenes-based lithium-sulfur batteries
Authors: Liu Hui , Sun Shitong , Jin Bo
Published: May 2024

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered as the potent candidates for next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density. However, some inherent problems, including sulfur insulation, shuttle effect caused by lithium polysulfides, and lithium dendrites, hinder their practical application. Various materials have been studied to address the aforementioned issues. A class of two-dimensional inorganic compounds (MXenes), such as transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbon nitrides, have recently emerged. In this review, we summarize the characteristics and commonly used preparation methods of MXenes and outline the latest development of MXenes and their composites in LSBs. When utilized as sulfur carriers, modified layers of separators, hosts for lithium metal anodes, and electrolyte additives in LSBs, the diversity of structure, excellent conductivity, and high mechanical strength of MXenes and their composites highlight the competitive advantages. This review provides some ideas for the future development of MXenes in LSBs.
Recent advances in carbon-based sulfur host materials for lithium-sulfur batteries
Authors: Yu Xiao-Fei , Shao Dao-Yu , Xu Juan , Cao Jianyu
Published: May 2024

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been brought into focus as the development direction of the next-generation power battery system due to their high energy density, eco-friendliness, and low cost, which has a broad application prospect in the field of energy storage. However, some problems are still unresolved in the sulfur cathode, e.g., poor electric conductivity, serious volume expansion of sulfur, shuttle effect caused by easy dissolution of lithium polysulfides in the electrolyte, and slow redox reaction kinetics of sulfur species. These issues lead to poor cycle stability and rate performance, making it hard to meet the requirement for LSBs in practical applications. Since the inherent nature of sulfur is the root cause of the above problems, reasonable design of functional sulfur hosts will be an effective way to break through the current bottlenecks of LSBs. The review covers the latest research progress on carbon-based sulfur host materials of LSBs, including structural design and functional optimization strategies, aiming to prepare multifunctional sulfur host materials by integrating physical confinement, chemical adsorption, and catalytic effect towards lithium polysulfides. The obstacles and future prospects of carbon-based sulfur hosts have also been brought forward, which provides in-depth guidance for practical application of LSBs.
Cyclodextrin-assisted supramolecular host-guest inclusion for durable and sustainable optoelectronics
Authors: Chen Huanyu , Chang Xueqing , Yang Guo , Lei Bing-Xin , Wu Wu-Qiang
Published: May 2024

Metal halide perovskites and organic nonlinear optical materials have showcased enormous potential in many kinds of optoelectronic applications, such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and patterned displays. However, further enhancement of optoelectronic performances has been largely limited by the intractable issues of these materials including high defect densities, unstable crystallographic structure, harsh fabrication conditions, and unfavorable biocompatibility and environmental sustainability. Encouragingly, several recent works have demonstrated an effective supramolecular host-guest inclusion strategy could ideally address abovementioned concerns by nesting optoelectronic materials within the cavities of cyclodextrin molecules and their analogs. Specifically, the supramolecule hosts embedded with multiple functional groups and/or crosslinked networks could robustly interact with those optoelectronic materials, which play multifaceted roles in terms of chemical chelation, spatial confinement, structural stabilization, defect passivation, ion immobilization and compensation, thus resulting in comprehensive enhancement of optoelectronic performances and sustainability. The current challenging issues and potential solutions are also discussed to provide a roadmap for achieving more durable and sustainable optoelectronics toward practical applications and real commercialization.
An Intrusion Detection Model Based on Extra Trees Algorithm with Dimensionality Reduction and Oversampling
Authors: Yin Li , Chen Yijun
Published: May 2024

With the advancement of the university information process, more and more application systems are running on the campus network, and the information system becomes larger and more complex. With the rapid growth of network users and the popularization and deepening of computer knowledge, the campus network has been transformed from an experimental network for education and scientific research into an operational network that attaches equal importance to education, scientific research, and service. As the most important transmission carrier of digital information, how to ensure its security has become an urgent issue for colleges and universities. Therefore, this paper uses advanced intrusion detection technology to design the corresponding model to solve the security problem of the campus network. When traditional machine learning algorithms train network intrusion data sets, they are prone to problems such as too many feature dimensions, overfitting, and imbalance of data sets, which lead to lower accuracy and low time efficiency of intrusion detection algorithms. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes an intrusion detection model based on Extra Trees, which uses linear discriminant analysis to reduce the dimension of data, then uses oversampling to reduce the influence of imbalance of sample categories of the network intrusion dataset, and finally uses Extra Trees algorithm to train the model. The experimental results show that after LDA reduction and oversampling, using the Extra Trees classification model can improve the overall recognition performance of imbalanced data sets under multi-classification and satisfy the network intrusion detection.
A Service-Learning Experience in Secondary Education to Promote STEM Learning Through Collaboration Between Research and Education Centers
Authors: Fernández Luis , Fernández Serra Rosa Maria , Jiménez Pilar , Marco Santiago , Caballero Eduardo , Arimany-Nardi Cristina , Sanchis Teresa , Pardo Antonio
Published: May 2024

The needs of the digital revolution and the knowledge-based economy impose a transformation of traditional education to improve technical and scientific knowledge and include alternative abilities. This work presents a service-learning initiative with multiple goals: to improve scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) knowledge at school, to enhance students’ engagement, and to make people aware of the repercussions of poor indoor air quality. The initiative involves four actors: the administration which steers the initiative, students who are the receivers of the knowledge, teachers as facilitators of the activity and research centers as expert references. Within this service-learning initiative, a real-life project has been proposed, focusing on measuring carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in classrooms and correlating them with indoor airborne infection transmission. Reference experts have developed two systems provided to teachers and students for project implementation. The project involves an engineering step where students set up the systems, and a scientific step where students hypothesize, develop experiments, analyse data, and communicate results gaining experience with the scientific method. Through the combined efforts and appropriate allocation of responsibilities, this experience has yielded excellent results in STEM knowledge transmission and has proven effective in fostering student commitment to their learning process.
Conditional Knockout of Neurexins Alters the Contribution of Calcium Channel Subtypes to Presynaptic Ca2+-Influx
Authors: Brockhaus Johannes , Kahl Iris , Ahmad Mohiuddin , Repetto Daniele , Reissner Carsten , Missler Markus
Published: May 2024

Presynaptic Ca2+-influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) is a key signal for synaptic vesicle release. Synaptic neurexins can partially determine the strength of transmission by regulating VGCCs. However, it is unknown whether neurexins modulate Ca2+-influx via all VGCC subtypes similarly. Here, we performed live cell imaging of synaptic boutons from primary hippocampal neurons with a Ca2+-indicator. We used the expression of inactive and active Cre recombinase to compare control to conditional knockout neurons lacking either all or selected neurexin variants. We found that reduced total presynaptic Ca2+-transients caused by the deletion of all neurexins were primarily due to the reduced contribution of P/Q-type VGCCs. The deletion of neurexin1α alone also reduced the total presynaptic Ca2+-influx but increased Ca2+-influx via N-type VGCCs. Moreover, we tested whether the decrease of Ca2+-influx induced by activation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1-receptor) is modulated by neurexins. Unlike earlier observations emphasizing a role for β-neurexins, we found that the decrease of presynaptic Ca2+-transients induced by CB1-receptor activation depended more strongly on the presence of α-neurexins in hippocampal neurons. Together, our results suggest that neurexins have unique roles in the modulation of presynaptic Ca2+-influx through VGCC subtypes and that different neurexin variants may affect specific VGCCs.
Enviro-economic Assessment of Microbiomes and K-Humate for Salinity Stress Amelioration and Productivity Enhancement in Wheat and Faba Bean in the Northeastern Delta of Egypt
Authors: Mostafa Soha S.M.
Published: May 2024

Salinity, resulting from climate change and excessive mineral fertilization, burdens farmers and negatively impacts soil and water ecosystems in the Northeastern Nile Delta. Organic and biological approaches are crucial for addressing these issues. This study examined the effects of individual and combined inoculations with cyanobacteria, yeast, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), with or without K-humate, on enhancing salinity tolerance, increasing yield, and improving crop quality of wheat and faba bean. The aim was to reduce NPK mineral fertilizer application rates to 25% of recommended doses. An economic evaluation was also conducted. In a preliminary laboratory experiment, the interactive effects of these microbiomes on the production of plant antioxidant enzymes and soil enzymes were investigated under salinity stress. Results showed that co-inoculation, especially with K-humate, yielded superior outcomes compared to individual inoculations. The laboratory experiment findings were confirmed by a field trial conducted in saline-alkaline soil in the Northeastern Nile Delta region. The study found that the integrated inoculation of cyanobacteria, yeast, and mycorrhizae with K-humate, along with 25% mineral NPK fertilization enhanced microbial activity, including AMF colonization, spore density, and total bacteria, cyanobacteria, and yeast counts in the plant rhizosphere. It also increased soil enzyme activity, improving soil fertility compared to individual or mineral control treatments. This integration resulted in wheat yields of 2.77 tons/ha and faba bean yields of 4.75 tons/ha. Crop quality improved, with higher levels of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and protein in wheat grains and faba bean seeds. Microbiomes inoculation increased potassium uptake over sodium, enhancing the potassium/sodium ratio and salt stress tolerance. This approach reduces reliance on costly mineral fertilizers by up to 75%, enabling economically viable cultivation in marginal lands. These sustainable practices optimize resource utilization, maximize economic efficiency, and preserve natural resources.
Three-Dimensional Bowing Measurement of Distal Femur at Actual Size and Clinical Implications of Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Jung Gu-Hee , An Young Jue , Kang Dong-Geun
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives: To assess femoral shaft bowing (FSB) in the coronal and sagittal planes and introduce the clinical implications of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by analyzing a three-dimensional (3D) model with virtual implantation of the femoral component. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight patients (average age: 69.1 years) underwent 3D model reconstruction, incorporating medullary canals, by importing computed tomography (CT) data into Mimics® software. A mechanical axis (MA) line was drawn from the midportion of the femoral head to the center of the intercondylar notch; proximal/distal straight centerlines (length, 60 mm; diameter, 1 mm) were placed in the center of the medulla canal. Acute angles between the two centerlines were measured as lateral and anterior bowing. The acute angle by distal centerline and MA line was measured as distal coronal and sagittal alignment in both anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views. The diameter of curve (DOC) of the medulla along the posterior border was measured. Results: The mean lateral bowing on the AP view was 3.71°, and the mean anterior bowing on the lateral view was 11.82°. The average DOC of the medullary canal was 1501.68 mm. The distal coronal alignment of all femurs was an average of 6.40°, and the distal sagittal alignment was 2.66°. Overall, 22 femurs had coronal bowing, 42 had sagittal bowing, and 15 had both. Conclusion: In Asians, FSB is present in coronal, sagittal, or both directions. Increased anterolateral FSB may lead to cortical abutment in the sagittal plane despite limited space in the coronal plane. During TKA, distal coronal alignment can guide distal femoral valgus cut angle, whereas distal sagittal alignment helps anticipate femoral component positioning, avoiding anterior notching. Osteotomy along the anterior cortical bone to prevent notching may result in outliers due to differences between distal sagittal alignment and distal anterior cortical axis.
Energy Consumption Modeling for Heterogeneous IoT-WSN Devices: Entire Modes and Operation Cycles Considerations
Authors: Portillo Canek , Martinez-Bauset Jorge , Pla Vicent , Casares-Giner Vicente
Published: May 2024

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and the sensing devices are considered part of the core components of the Internet of Things (IoT). Hence, the modeling of IoT-WSNs is fundamental to having a better understanding, management, and deployment of this kind of technology. A fundamental issue in WSN is energy consumption due to the inherent limitations of this resource in the sensor devices. On the other hand, several issues arise in heterogeneous scenarios due to the coexistence of different sensor devices. Therefore, the modeling process becomes challenging and must consider the different transmission and operation cycles and modes that the transmission protocol implements to assure successful functioning in terms of transmission, synchronization, and energy savings. A duty-cycled MAC WSN protocol (PSA-MAC) has been modeled based on a pair of two-dimensional Discrete-Time Markov Chain (2D-DTMC), whose solution in terms of stationary probability distribution is used by expressions that have been derived to evaluate the energy consumption of sensor devices that could be used for WSN-based IoT applications. Analytical results of average energy consumption are obtained, where the synchronization, data, and sleep periods of a full transmission cycle are considered in a heterogeneous scenario with different node classes and priority assignments. Also, the normal and awake operation cycles are considered to assure synchronization and energy savings. Moreover, the transmission schemes of SPT (transmission of single packets) and APT (transmission of packets in aggregation) are also considered in the model. These results are validated through discrete event-based simulations, and the obtained results are accurate.
Genetic Algorithm based optimization of Clustering Algorithms for the Healthy Aging Dataset
Authors: Kouser Kahkashan , Priyam Amrita , Gupta Mansi , Kumar Sanjay , BHATTACHARJEE VANDANA
Published: May 2024

Clustering is a crucial at the same time challenging task in several application domains. It is important to incorporate the optimum feature finding into our clustering algorithms for getting better prediction accuracy but this is difficult when there is no or little information about the importance or relevance of features. To tackle this task in an efficient manner we employ the natural evolution process inherent in genetic algorithms (GA) to find the optimum features for clustering for the healthy aging dataset. In order to empirically verify the findings, genetic algorithms were combined with a number of clustering algorithms including parti-tional, density based as well as agglomerative. A variant of the popular KMeans algorithm, named KMeans++ gave the best performance on all performance metrics when combined with GA.
Polyphenols: Natural Food-Grade Biomolecules for the Treatment of Nervous System Diseases from a Multi-Target Perspective
Authors: Wu Xinchen , Xi Yujiang , Zhou Yang , Zhou Haimei , Tang Zhengxiu , Xiong Lei , Qin Dongdong
Published: May 2024

Polyphenols are the most prevalent naturally occurring phytochemicals in the human diet and range in complexity from simple molecules to high-molecular-weight polymers. They have a broad range of chemical structures and are generally categorized as "neuroprotective," "anti-inflammatory," and "antioxidant" given their main function of halting disease onset and promoting health. Research has shown that some polyphenols and their metabolites can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and hence increase neuroprotective signaling and neurohormonal effects to provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Therefore, multi-targeted modulation of polyphenols may prevent the progression of neuropsychiatric disorders and provide a new practical therapeutic strategy for difficult-to-treat neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, multi-target modulation of polyphenols has the potential to prevent the progression of neuropsychiatric disorders and provide a new practical therapeutic strategy for such nervous system diseases. Herein, we review the therapeutic benefits of polyphenols on autism-spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and sleep disorders, along with in vitro and ex vivo experimental and clinical trials. Although their methods of action are still under investigation, polyphenols are still seldom employed directly as therapeutic agents for nervous system disorders. Comprehensive mechanistic investigations and large-scale multicenter randomized controlled trials are required to properly evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of polyphenols.
Effect of Corona Treatment Method to Carvacrol Nanocoating Process for Carvacrol/Halloysite-Nanotube/Low-Density-Polyethylene Active Packaging Films Development
Authors: Giannakas Aris E. , Karabagias Vassilios K , Ndreka Amarildo , Dimitrakou Aikaterini , Leontiou Areti Α. , Katerinopoulou Katerina , Karakassides Michael A , Proestos Charalampos , Salmas Constantinos E
Published: May 2024

Climate change, increasing global food needs, and decreasing global resources brought a new era to human every-day live with a strong turn to circular economy and sustainability. Food packaging and preservation is an important global sector where enchanced research is carried out. New methods such as active packaging and chemical preservatives replacement are of major interest. Many researchers were published studies about active packaging films, replacement of chemical preservatives with natural originated extracts, and novel incorporation procedures. Sequentially to our and other scientists’ previous work, in this paper we present the results of the improvement which was achieved by incorporating the developed nanohybrid of natural-halloysite/carvacrol-extract, the pure natural carvacrol extract and the commonly used low-density-polyethylene. The well known corona-treatment procedure was employed to produced the optimum final film and the results shown that the low-density-polyethylene incorporated with natural-halloysite/carvacrol-extract nanohybrid and coated external with extra carvacrol extract exhibited aproximatelly 100% higher Young-Modulus values, slightly decreased ultimate strength by 20%, and almost stable elonation at break properties. The water-vapor and oxygen barrier increased by 40%. Finally, the antioxidant activity of the corrona-treated film increased by 28% compared to the similar but untreated product because of the lower release rate of the carvacrol.
Psychometric Property of the Chinese Version of the Core Symptom Index: A Study Among Chinese Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Chang Yu , He Bijing , DeMaranville Justin , Wongpakaran Nahathai , Wedding Danny , Wongpakaran Tinakon
Published: May 2024

(1) Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders often experience psychological distress, which can affect the quality of childcare they provide. It is crucial to screen for psychiatric symptoms among these parents. The Core Symptom Index (CSI) is a widely used tool for assessing general symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, with demonstrated validity and reliability across various populations. However, there is limited research on the validity and reliability of the CSI in the general Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the CSI among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). (2) Methods: A total of 794 Chinese parents raising children with autism participated in this study. All completed the CSI, along with the social inhibition subscale of the Interpersonal Problems Inventory and the Couple Satisfaction Index. Factorial validity was assessed using CFA to determine how well the bifactor three-factor model fits the data. Various structural models were compared using model fit indices. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined by exploring correlations with the social inhibition subscale and the Couple Satisfaction Index. Invariance testing of the CSI was conducted across multiple groups based on gender, age, and education using CFA. The reliability of the CSI was evaluated using McDonald’s omega coefficients. (3) Results: The bifactor model emerged as the best-fitting model for the data, suggesting that the total score of the CSI adequately represents overall psychiatric symptoms. The CSI exhibited significant correlations with the social inhibition subscale (r = 0.41, p < 0.01) and smaller correlation coefficients with the Couple Satisfaction Index (r = -0.16, p < 0.05), indicating both convergent and discriminant validity. Invariant tests supported scalar invariance levels based on gender and age but only partial invariance for education. The Chinese version of the CSI demonstrated high consistency, with McDonald's omega coefficients ranging between 0.86 and 0.95. (4) Conclusions: The bifactor model of the Chinese version of the CSI is validated, making it a suitable tool for measuring depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Further research on other Chinese populations is encouraged.
Time Estimation and Blood Lactate Levels
Authors: Maci Tiziana , Santagati Mario , Razza Grazia , Petralia Maria Cristina , Massimino Simona , Rinella Sergio , Perciavalle Vincenzo
Published: May 2024

Time estimation was investigated in 24 healthy adults, 12 women and 12 men, before and after an exhaustive exercise. We compared the capability of estimating time intervals in the range from 1 to 5 s using tasks requiring mental count and tasks that did not allow the mental count. Time estimation and blood lactate levels were evaluated before and at the end of the exercise. We found that the perception of time intervals between 1 and 5 s was affected at the end of the exercise. The observed effects, associated with a significant increase in blood lactate levels, were different in the two types of time estimation used in the present study. In experimental conditions in which participants had to evaluate duration of the time interval by mental counting, at the end of exercise a significant reduction in the overestimation of time made at rest was observed. On the other hand, when participants had to assess the difference in duration between two events without the possibility to mentally count, at the end of the exercise a significant deterioration in performance was observed. In both cases, no gender differences were seen.
An Empirical Investigation of Sustainability in Finance: Exploring Determinants and Sustainability Performance in the Banking Sector
Authors: KUMAR MANISH , Sandhu Vikram , Dhillon Japneet , Kaur Hansdeep
Published: May 2024

Sustainability experienced significant global momentum in recent decades. The emergence of the sustainability movement in the Financial Sector was prompted by the increasing global climate change resulting from environmental deterioration. Primarily associated with the Financial Sector, it has increasingly been recognised that Financial Institutions are significant contributors to global climate change, both via direct and indirect means. This has resulted in a heightened emphasis and demand from stakeholders for the implementation of Sustainability Principles on a worldwide scale. This study presents a methodology that utilises the various dimensions of Sustainable Finance through the concept of Triple Bottom Line to determine the factors influencing the Sustainability Performance of Financial Institutions. The suggested approach is grounded and supported by the current body of literature. The study presents a hypothesis to investigate the correlation between factors of Green Finance Practices and Sustainability Performance of Banking Sector. The suggested framework can be utilised by regulatory bodies and individual financial institution of a country to identify the elements that influence the Sustainability Performance of Banking Sector.
Chiral non Aromatic Nitrogen-Heterocycles by Asymmetric Intramolecular Haloamination and Haloamidation
Authors: Orena* Mario
Published: May 2024

This review deals with the functionalization of double bonds carried out in the presence of a chiral catalyst exploiting the intramolecular attack to haliranium ions by nucleophilic nitrogen of amides or carbamates prepared from achiral aminoalkenes, and the C-N bonds formation leads to highly enantioenriched non-aromatic heterocycles. A range of protocols are reported, emphasizing the synthesis of many natural and biologically active products of pharmacological interest prepared according to this methodology.
Entropy Analysis of FPGA Interconnect and Switch Matrices for Physical Unclonable Functions
Authors: Jao Jenilee , Wilcox Ian , Plusquellic Jim , Paskaleva Biliana , Bochev Pavel
Published: May 2024

Random variations in microelectronic circuit structures represent the source of entropy for physical unclonable functions (PUFs). In this paper, we investigate delay variations that occur through the routing network and switch matrices of a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The delay variations are isolated from other components of the programmable logic, e.g., Look-up tables (LUTs), flip-flops (FFs), etc. using a feature of Xilinx FPGAs called dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR). A set of partial designs are created that fix the placement of a time-to-digital converter (TDC) and supporting infrastructure to enable the path delays through the target interconnect and switch matrices to be extracted by subtracting out common-mode delay components. Delay variations are analyzed in the different levels of routing resources available within FPGAs, i.e., local routing and across chip routing. Data is collected from a set of Xilinx Zynq 7010 devices, and a statistical analysis of within-die variations in delay through a set of the randomly-generated and hand-crafted interconnects is presented.
Substantiation of the Monitoring Network of Talik Zones in Urbanized Permafrost Areas Based on GPR Profiling Data (Aanadyr, Chukotka)
Authors: Tregubov Oleg D. , Uyagansky Konstantin K.
Published: May 2024

Modern climatic changes have an impact on the bearing capacity of permafrost soils at the base of the foundations of buildings and structures in the urbanized territories of the Arctic and Subarctic. The activation of cryogenic processes leads to the destruction of the infrastructure of human settlements and, as a result, to social, economic, environmental consequences for the population. Based on the results of geothermy of frozen and thawing soil, GPR profiling of the territory of the city of Anadyr, it was concluded that the main risks of permafrost degradation are associated with the spread of hydrogenic melt zones. Maps of soil temperature in imaginary cross-sectional with a depth of 3, 5 and 10 m were compiled; maps of the capacity of thawing soils and the permafrost aquifer; a map of zones of dangerous spread of exogenous cryogenic processes. A permafrost monitoring system in the territory of Anadyr has been substantiated, which will consist of an automated network of observations of soil temperature in 35 wells at the border and at the epicenter of 20 zones of dangerous development of exogenous cryogenic processes and 12 control GPR profiles at the intersection of linear hydrogenic taliks.
Evolution Characteristics of Cultivated Land Protection Policy in China Based on Smith Policy Implementation
Authors: Chen Bo , Yao Na
Published: May 2024

(1) Background: in the context of sustainable development goals (SDGs), this work explores the repair direction of future cultivated land protection policies based on the Smith policy implementation model from the historical evolution to ensure that the cultivated land protection policy does not deviate during the implementation process. (2) Methods: this paper uses literature research and inductive deduction methods to sort out the evolution process of Chinese cultivated land protection policy, summarize the successful experience of transferring the focus of cultivated land protection in chronological order, and conclude the repair direction of Chinese cultivated land protection. (3) Results: although the Chinese cultivated land protection policy in the historical evolution has through three significant phases, there are still certain issues in the development trend of Chinese cultivated land protection policy based on regional division of labor for grain transportation and sales. (4) Conclusion: directly utilizing feedback from farmers as stakeholders will contribute to the maturity and improvement of cultivated land protection policies in the specific implementation of cultivated land protection policies.
The Effects of Cathepsin B Inhibition in the Face of Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury and Secondary Intracranial Pressure Elevation
Authors: Hernandez Martina , Regan Sean , Ansari Rana , Logan-Wesley Amanda , Lilova Radina , Levi Chelsea , Gorse Karen , Lafrenaye Audrey
Published: May 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions of people each year. Previous studies using the central fluid percussion injury (CFPI) model in adult male rats indicated that elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) was associated with long-term effects, including neuronal cell loss and increased sensory sensitivity post-injury and secondary ICP elevation, that were not seen following injury alone. Investigations also indicated that Cathepsin B (Cath B), a lysosomal cysteine protease, may play a role in the pathological progression of neuronal membrane disruption; however, the specific impact of Cath B inhibition following CFPI remains unknown. Thus, the focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of Cath B inhibition via intracerebroventricular infusion of CA-074Me 2w following injury with or without secondary elevation of ICP. This was accomplished using adult male rats continuously infused with CA-074Me or 10% DMSO as a vehicle control for 2w following either sham injury, a CFPI only, or a CFPI with subsequent ICP elevation to 20mmHg. We assessed Cath B activity in the lateral neocortices and liver, evaluated protein levels of Cath B and Cath B binding partners AIF, Bcl-XL, and Bak. We also conducted histological analyses of total cell counts to assess for cell loss, membrane disruption, and Cath B localization. Finally, we investigated somatosensory changes with the whisker nuisance task. Overall, this study demonstrated that Cath B is not a direct driver of membrane disruption, however, administration of CA-074Me alters Cath B localization and reduced hypersensitivity, emphasizing Cath B being an important component in late secondary pathologies.
Inhibitors of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase and cGAS-STING Pathway Repair the Defects in Macrophage Clearance of Amyloid-β Underlying Vascular Complications of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Authors: Fiala Milan , Hammock Bruce D. , Hwang Sung-Hee , Whitelegge Julian , Kaczor-Urbanowicz Karolina Elżbieta , Urbanowicz Andrzej , Kesari Santosh
Published: May 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the therapies of AD with anti-amyloid1-42 (Aβ) monoclonal antibodies are associated with the vascular complications of brain edema, hemorrhage, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) termed amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIAs). The neuropathology of normal and AD brains demonstrates that monocyte/macrophages (MMs) are critical in successful brain clearance in healthy brain by up-loading, transporting, and degrading Aβ but fail degradation and clearance in AD patients by releasing Aβ into vessels at the blood-brain barrier, causing vasculitis and ARIAs. The naturally-formed epoxides (EpFAs) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s), including arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, and eicosapentaenoic fatty acids, may repair degradation of Aβ by regulating Aβ-degrading enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, and unfolded protein response (UPR) to endoplasmic reticulum stress in a homeostatic fashion. EpFAs are, however, degraded by the soluble epoxide hydrolase enzyme (sEH) but are protected by the sEH inhibitor (sEHI) TPPU. In the cultures of AD patients’ macrophages, TPPU with the epoxide EEQ, and the cGAS/STING inhibitor H-151 increased uptake of Aβ at 2 hours and degradation of Aβ at 24 hours. In conclusion, the soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor TPPU with omega-3 fatty acids and the cGAS/STING inhibitor H-151 increase Aβ uptake and degradation in macrophages of AD patients, and potentially enhancing Aβ clearance in the AD brain.
Proximate Composition of Pretreated Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) Flour in Relation to Milling Methods
Authors: Oyefeso Babatunde Olayinka , Fadele Oluwaseyi Kayode , Abolade Elijah Okikijesu
Published: May 2024

Cocoyam is a highly nutritious root crop and very promising with vast industrial potentials. The effect of some processing methods on the proximate composition of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) flour was investigated by subjecting the cormels to three pre-treatment methods (soaking, fermentation and steaming) and subsequently, to two different milling methods (wet and dry-milling methods). The proximate composition namely moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, fibre, ash and carbohydrate contents of the flours obtained was carried out. The fermented samples of the wet- and dry-milled flours retained the highest nutrients compared with the soaked and steamed samples. However, the fermented dry-milled flour had the highest crude protein (5.83-6.98 %), crude fat (0.55-2.21%), ash (3.75-4.29%), and carbohydrate (83.75-87.62%), which made it the most acceptable of the samples. The milling methods (wet and dry) had significant effects (p≤0.05) on the proximate composition of the flour for the selected pretreatment methods (soaking, fermentation and steaming). Fermentation as a pretreatment method was therefore, recommended for better nutrient retention for cocoyam flour.