bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
การวิเคราะห์ผลตอบแทนทางการเงินสำหรับผู้เกษียณอายุ กรณีศึกษา: การรับเงินบำนาญจากกองทุนการออมแห่งชาติ
Authors: เตโชชลาลัย สุพัฒนา , โฆษิตกุลพร ปรมินทร์ , ผดุง พรสวัสดิ์
Published: May 2024

การวิจัยในครั้งนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์ เพื่อวิเคราะห์ผลตอบแทนทางการเงินสำหรับผู้เกษียณอายุ กรณีศึกษา: การรับเงินบำนาญจากกองทุนการออมแห่งชาติ โดยเปรียบเทียบอัตราผลตอบแทนจากการลงทุนกับอัตราเงินเฟ้อ อัตราดอกเบี้ยเงินฝากประจำ อัตราผลตอบแทนของกองทุนการออมแห่งชาติ และอัตราดอกเบี้ยพันธบัตรรัฐบาล โดยเก็บข้อมูลทุติยภูมิ ซึ่งเครื่องมือในการวิเคราะห์ ได้แก่ ระยะเวลาคืนทุน (Payback Period) มูลค่าปัจจุบันสุทธิ (Net Present Value: NPV) และอัตราผลตอบแทนซื้อลด (Internal Rate of Returns: IRR)
ผลการวิจัยพบว่า หากผู้ออมเริ่มออมตั้งแต่อายุ 15-60 ปี จะมีระยะเวลาคืนทุนเมื่อผู้ออมมีอายุ 79.14 ปี ถ้าผู้ออมเริ่มออมตั้งแต่อายุ 30-60 ปี จะมีระยะเวลาคืนทุนเมื่อผู้ออมมีอายุ 75.62 ปี นอกจากนี้ หากผู้ออมเริ่มออมตั้งแต่อายุ 45-60 ปี จะมีระยะเวลาคืนทุนเมื่อผู้ออมมีอายุ 77.55 ปี อย่างไรก็ตาม หากผู้ออมเริ่มออมตั้งแต่อายุ 50-60 ปี จะมีระยะเวลาคืนทุนเมื่อผู้ออมมีอายุ 93.91 ปี สำหรับผลการวิจัยมูลค่าปัจจุบันสุทธิ และอัตราผลตอบแทนซื้อลด พบว่า ผู้ออมที่เริ่มออมเงินตั้งแต่อายุน้อยจะได้รับผลตอบแทนสูงกว่าผู้ออมที่เริ่มออมเมื่อมีอายุมากแล้ว
MANFAAT ULVA LACTUCA SEBAGAI MASKER WAJAH ALAMI
Authors: Maulidya Rulita , Handayani Lia , Syahputra Faisal , Thaib Azwar , Mardhiah Ainal
Published: May 2024

Cosmetic products in Indonesia are growing rapidly in this era of technological progress, so now cosmetics are synonymous with women, and men are also interested in skincare. However, due to the lack of knowledge about the function of the substances contained in a product whether it is good or not if used in cosmetic products. Apart from that, most people do not know how to utilize village potential. Making organic masks aims to avoid the dangers of instant masks and utilizing the potential of village natural resources is the right solution. Therefore, this community service activity can be used as education on organic masks based on utilizing the potential of Ulva lactuca seaweed. Organic masks are very safe from chemicals that can damage facial skin. Organic masks contain more nutrients that are good for facial skin and can be used by all facial skin types. The results of community service showed a low increase in the participants' understanding of knowledge.
STUDENT'S PERCEPTION OF TEACHER'S CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Authors: Rustamadji Rustamadji , Triyoso Anang , Sahidi Sahidi , Irwan Andi , Nursalim Nursalim , Karim Abdul
Published: May 2024

: This study aims to know the students’perception of teachers’ classroom management. This is a quantitative research study. Totalling 162, the population of this study consists of all eleventhgrade students attending High School in SMA UNIMUDA of Sorong Papua, Indonesia. Using the Krejcie Morgan table, 115 respondents were selected as the sample size. The technique of proportional random sampling is used to sample members. They are using a questionnaire to obtain information. Implementation of data collecting utilizing instruments whose validity and dependability have been examined. This study's data analysis technique employed descriptive statistical analysis techniques. Results indicated that students positively perceive teachers’ classroom management in SMA UNIMUDA of Sorong Papua. Teachers’ activity in creating the optimal learning environment and managing the interaction of teaching and learning was the highest perception of the students toward their teachers’ classroom management
Analysis of the Potential of the Silangit International Airport in Increasing Tourist Visiting’s in the Danau Toba Region
Authors: . Netty , Saragih Agus M
Published: May 2024

This research aims to determine the potential of the Silangit International Airport to increase tourist arrivals in the Kawasan Danau Toba. This research is limited to the elements of international tourism accessibility since the opening of international flights Silangit Airport is expected to increase the number of foreign tourists visiting the Kawasan Danau Toba. This research uses quantitative and qualitative approaches using questionnaires and interview lists. The data collecting technique is purposive sampling by taking research subjects that fulfill the criteria. Data sources are Silangit Airport, immigration staff, transportation, hotels, restaurants, and foreign tourists. Data analysis used in this research was an analysis of frequency descriptions and interpretation of interview results. The results of the research found that there is great potential for Silangit Airport to increase the number of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals to Kawasan Danau Toba. This is indicated by the data processing results, which describe that all respondents stated that there was an increase in the number of foreign tourists arriving at the Silangit airport to visit as tourists and do business visits to the Kawasan Danau Toba.
Pendampingan Pajak Bagi Pelaku UMKM Desa Siangan Agar Taat Administratif
Authors: Wirawan I Made Dwi Sumba , I Made Dwi Harmana  , I Wayan Chandra Adyatma
Published: May 2024

The state has a role in providing support to MSMEs, but MSMEs often face significant challenges, especially in terms of taxation. One of the main challenges faced by MSMEs is the lack of understanding of taxation caused by a lack of understanding of taxation, a low level of awareness, and the perception that the process of paying or managing taxes is complicated. The results of community service are in the form of understanding of Siangan Village MSME actors of the importance of orderly tax administration. From the community service activities that have been carried out in Siangan Village, it will provide additional education about MSME taxation and tax administration that should be carried out by MSMEs.
SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING (PMT) PROGRAM FOR TODDLERS FROM LOCAL FOOD AT PANUNGGANGAN PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER, TANGERANG CITY, 2023
Authors: Eminita Krina  , Dewi Purnamawati
Published: May 2024

Latar belakang: Salah satu strategi penanganan masalah gizi pada balita adalah pemberian makanan tambahan (PMT) berbahan pangan lokal yang berasal dari bahan makanan tersedia, mudah dan terjangkau. Tujuan: penelitian ini bertujuan menggambarkan program PMT berbasis pangan lokal pada balita gizi kurang indeks BB/U di Puskesmas Panunggangan Kota Tangerang tahun 2023. Metode: penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif, populasi adalah ibu yang memiliki balita status gizi kurang indikator BB/U di Puskesmas Panunggangan. Sampel ditentukan berdasarkan kebutuhan berjumlah 50 balita, menggunakan teknik purposive sampling, data dikumpulkan dengan pengukuran antropometri balita dan wawancara pada ibu balita, data di analisis secara univariat. Hasil: Selama periode 14 hari pemberian PMT berbasis pangan lokal diberikan kepada 50 balita sesuai kriteria di Puskesmas Panunggangan Kota Tangerang. Lebih dari separuh responden berjenis kelamin laki laki (52%), sebagian besar balita  berusia lebih dari 23 bulan (74%), adanya peningkatan berat badan pada 44 balita (88%), adanya perubahan status gizi indikator BB/U pada 9 balita  (18%), daya terima balita terhadap PMT (suka 74%) walaupun demikian hanya 28% ibu balita membuat sendiri kudapan sisanya membeli kudapan instan karena tidak memiliki ketrampilan memasak bervariasi. Kesimpulan: Banyak manfaat didapat dari pelaksanaan program PMT berbahan pangan lokal pada balita yang secara positif berdampak pada status kesehatan, gizi dan faktor lainnya. Saran: perlunya peningkatan ketrampilan kader dan ibu balita dalam mengolah PMT berbasis pangan lokal
Production of Portland cement clinker with diabase-porphyritic wastes of Karakalpakstan
Authors: Нажимов Ж.Б. , Хожабаев А.М. , Усманов Х.Л. , Кадырова З.Р.
Published: May 2024

В статье рассмотрена возможность получения портландцементного клинкера из известняков и диабаз-порфиритовых отходов Каракалпакстана, образующихся в производстве щебня. Приведены результаты химического и рентгенофазового анализа сырьевых материалов и расчета сырьевой смеси с различными коэффициентами насыщения и силикатным модулем. Определены химико-минералогический состав и физико-механические свойства полученного портландцементного клинкера.

The article considers the possibility of obtaining Portland cement clinker from limestone and dia-base-porphyritic wastes of Karakalpakstan generated in the production of crushed stone. Results of chemical and X-ray phase analysis of raw materials and calculation of the raw material mix with different saturation coefficients and silicate modulus are given. Chemical and mineralogical composition and physical and mechanical properties of the obtained Portland cement clinker are determined.
Composite cement with dispersed perlite and colloidal additive for hydraulic concrete.
Authors: Урханова Л.А. , Иванов А.А. , Лхасаранов С.А.
Published: May 2024

В статье рассмотрена возможность получения композиционного цемента для гидротехнического строительства с применением тонкодисперсных алюмосиликатных пород — перлитов, коллоидной добавки в виде золя кремниевой кислоты и суперпластификатора — для повышения трещиностойкости гидротехнического бетона. Рассмотрена кинетика твердения цементного камня с добавкой стекловидного и закристаллизованного перлита различной степени дисперсности, коллоидной добавкой и суперпластификатором. Исследована структура цементного камня, модифицированного коллоидной добавкой и тонкодисперсным перлитом, в возрасте 3 и 28 сут. ﻿Показано, что с добавлением к портландцементу добавки тонкодисперсного перлита и суперпластификатора можно получить композиционный цемент с прочностными показателями не ниже, чем у исходного цемента, и с меньшим тепловыделением при гидратации по сравнению с традиционными состава-ми. Наиболее рациональны составы композиционного цемента, содержащие 10—20 % стекловидного перлита с удельной поверхностью 400—600 м2/кг, коллоидную добавку и суперпластификатор, обеспечивающие увеличение прочности цементного камня в возрасте 28 сут на 30—40 % по сравнению с контрольным составом. Для составов со стекловидным и закристаллизованным перлитом, золем кремниевой кислоты и суперпластификатором температура в 1-е и 2-е сутки гидратации ниже, чем у контрольных составов, на 12,7—14,1 и 11,0—13,3 % соответственно.

The article considers the possibility of obtaining composite cement for hydraulic engineering using finely dispersed aluminosilicate rocks - perlites, a colloidal additive in the form of silica sol and a superplasticizer to increase the crack resistance of hydraulic concrete. The kinetics of cement stone hardening using vitreous and crystallized perlite with varying degrees of dispersion, colloidal addi-tive and a superplasticizer are considered. Studies of the structure formation of cement stone modified with a colloidal additive and finely dispersed perlite at the ages of 3 and 28 days have been carried out. It is proved that with the addition of finely dispersed perlite and a superplasticizer to Portland cement, it is possible to obtain a composite cement with strength not lower than that of the initial cement and with less heat dissipation during hydration compared to traditional compositions. The most rational formulations of composite cement contain 10-20 % of vitreous perlite with a specific surface of 400-600 m2/kg, a colloidal additive and a superplasticizer, providing an increase in the strength of the cement matrix at the age of 28 days by 30-40 % compared to the control composition. For compositions with vitreous and crystallized perlite, silica sol and a superplasticizer, the temperature on the 1st and 2nd day of hydration is lower than that of control compositions by 12.7-14.1 and 11.0-13.3 %, respectively.
Critical Review on the Contribution of Machine Learning to Health Science
Authors: Hasni Neji
Published: May 2024

Background: The field of machine learning in health science is evolving exponentially, with a focus on accelerating scientific discoveries, improving holistic well-being, and advancing personalized healthcare. Aim: In this same spirit, this critical review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role, challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations of integrating machine learning into health science, with an emphasis on healthcare research and practice. Methods: To base its critiques on previous literature, the elucidative survey considered specific criteria, such as the significance and contribution of each source to the field, methodology or approach, and argument, as well as the use of evidence. Results: The study results indicate that machine learning holds great promise to improve evidence-based health science, but significant work is needed to ensure the technology is developed and deployed in a way that is trustworthy and ethical. Conclusion: In conclusion, the literature review presents a balanced assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, and notable features of the current state of machine learning in health science. The key takeaway point is that while machine learning has demonstrated significant potential to improve health science outcomes and strategic management, there are still important challenges, limitations, and research gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate widespread adoption and trust in these technologies.
Induced fatigue impact on plantar pressure in females with mild hallux valgus
Authors: Gao Shunxiang , Sun Dong , Song Yang , Cen Xuanzhen , Chen Hairong , Xu Yining , Shao Shirui
Published: May 2024

Fatigue has been established to change plantar pressure distribution, yet its impact on hallux valgus (HV) patients, who exhibit morphological and biomechanical changes in the foot, remains insufficiently studied. Twenty-eight female participants, comprising 16 with mild HV and 12 healthy controls, were recruited. Plantar pressures were recorded pre- and post-fatigue using the Footscan platform during self-selected-speed walking trials, fatigue protocol was performed on a treadmill. Foot was segmented into 10 anatomical regions for calculating parameters including maximal force, peak pressure, impulse, contact duration, contact area, and force time-series, alongside assessing the distribution of medial and lateral contact forces (Foot balance) across the groups. During post-fatigue, patients with mild HV demonstrated adaptive changes in plantar pressure distinct from healthy controls, with significant reductions in maximal force, peak pressure, and impulse in the M1 and M2 regions and increases in the M3–M5 regions. In contrast, the control group exhibited an opposite pattern, concentrating pressure in the M1 and M2 regions post-fatigue. The force time-series analysis revealed significant disparities between HV patients and controls, particularly in the M4 and M5 regions, where HV patients showed a less pronounced and lower passive peak in forces. Results show that women with mild HV demonstrate adaptive changes in plantar pressure post-fatigue, distinctly different from healthy individuals, aiding in preventive strategies for fatigue-induced foot injuries for HV patients.
Editorial
Authors: Pérez Barreiro Sara , Landrove Bossut Susana , García Braña Celestino
Published: May 2024

Docomomo Ibérico, desde 1993, viene ocupándose de la tarea de documentar, difundir y, en su caso, propugnar la protección adecuada de un notable conjunto de edificios construidos entre los años 1925-1975, vinculados a la arquitectura del movimiento moderno que tan buenos ejemplos ha aportado a la realidad de nuestros países. La condición periférica de los territorios ibéricos retrasó la incorporación al proceso lento, pero imparable de implantación de la modernidad. Este proceso fue posterior a otros países más alejados, como por ejemplo Argentina, Brasil, Cuba o México donde se construyeron edificios muy importantes.
Urban planning approaches to the organization of a medical district
Authors: Vilenskii Michael Yur'evich , Kaledina Anastasiia Andreevna
Published: May 2024

The article defines the direct connection between urbanization and the modern development of medicine as a complex of scientific directions for the development of high-tech medical care. The development of group forms of healthcare facilities as medical and urban complexes in world, Soviet and Russian urban planning practice and theory is presented. A modern trend in the development of innovative territorial formations of a medical organization within the boundaries of urbanized territories has been revealed. The concept of a medical area has been introduced. The object of the study is the medical district. The subject of the study is the spatial and territorial principles of the organization of the medical district. The lack of a spatial connection between medical facilities and the urban structure leads to a shortage of territorial growth and development of medical urban complexes, the unavailability of a comprehensive infrastructure for the development of medical science and practice. The research methodology is based on the definition of criteria for the selection of innovative territorial formations of the medical industry in the structure of urbanized territories. 60 medical districts were analyzed. The characteristic of the methodology for determining the planning options of the area, tested at 19 research sites, is presented. The main conclusions of the study are to determine the planning properties of the medical area. Based on the criteria and their characteristics, a systematization of medical districts has been compiled. A modern approach to the spatial organization of innovative territorial formations of the medical structure based on the collaboration of medical facilities and the integration of the medical district into the urban planning structure has been established. The approach of the urban planning organization of the formation of a medical district based on the territorial localization of medical facilities is revealed.
Ultra-low power magneto-elastic analog-to-digital converter based on magnetic tunnel junctions and bicomponent multiferroic nanomagnet
Authors: Xia Yong-Shun , Yang Xiao-Kuo , Dou Shu-Qing , Cui Huan-Qing , Wei Bo , Liang Bu-Jia , Yan Xu ,   Basic Department, Air Force Engineering University, Xi’an 710051, China
Published: May 2024

In recent years, the utilization of artificial intelligence and big data has led to the rise of compute-in-memory signal processing as the primary method for ADC design. Spintronic memory devices, which have non-volatile and low static power consumption characteristics, are particularly suitable for the design of low-power, high-bandwidth compute-in-memory ADCs.

In this paper, a 3-bit magneto-elastic analog-to-digital converter (MEADC) is proposed, which comprises eight magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), where the MTJ free layer is a bicomponent multiferroic nanomagnet. The bicomponent multiferroic nanomagnet can attain deterministic magnetization switching under zero-field condition by regulating the strain-mediated voltage. It has been discovered that there is a linear correlation between the thickness of the piezoelectric layer and the critical flip voltage in a bicomponent multiferroic nanomagnet of a given size and material. Using this principle, the thickness of the piezoelectric layer is adjusted to allow the MEADC to have eight different voltage switching thresholds. This can make the analog signal converted into a combination of different magnetization states of eight multiferroic MTJ. A latch comparator and an independent read circuit are designed to detect the MTJ’s resistance state output a digital signal. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the MEADC can achieve a 100% success rate of writing at room temperature. Additionally, the read circuit and write circuit are separated from each other, thus the same reference voltage can be set for each MTJ and result in higher readability. Micromagnetic simulation and numerical analysis demonstrate that the MEADC can operate at a maximum frequency of 250 MHz, and the energy consumption of a single conversion is only 20 aJ. Compared with the magnetic analog-to-digital converter based on the Racetrack technology, the energy consumption is reduced by 1000 times, and the sampling rate is increased by 10 times. The MEADC proposed in this paper offers an essential technical support for the spintronics-based compute-in-memory integrated circuit architecture.
Tibiofibular Relationships of the Normal Syndesmosis on Axial Computed Tomography in the Turkish Population
Authors: Yüzügüldü Uğur , Ramazanlı Lachin , Tüzün Harun Yasin , Bozlar Uğur , Sağlam Sönmez , Erşen Ömer , Taşar Mustafa
Published: May 2024

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) is superior to plain radiography for evaluating ankle syndesmosis, but anatomical variations can affect the measurements. This study aimed to assess the radiologic parameters of the incisura fibularis and the factors that could affect these parameters.

Materials and Methods: Lower-extremity CT angiography images were used to evaluate the morphology of the incisura fibularis, anterior and posterior tibiofibular distance, longitudinal and transverse length of the distal fibula, length and depth of the incisura fibularis notch, tibiofibular clear space, tibiofibular overlap, and fibular rotation. Each measured parameter was compared based on sex and body side. Also, the effect of age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) on parameters was evaluated.

Results: A total of 123 patients (83 men and 40 women) were included, and 246 ankles were measured. The CT measurements demonstrated excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. No statistically significant sex or side differences were found in tibiofibular overlap (TFO) and tibiofibular clear space, the most-used parameters in radiographs. Age, weight, and BMI were found to be correlated with TFO.

Conclusions: The present study provides CT measurements of the normal tibiofibular syndesmosis in the Turkish population. Also, the correlations of the parameters with age, height, weight, and BMI are presented. Therefore, TFO and tibiofibular clear space of the uninjured side can be used to plan the treatment of ankle injuries.
Diffusive lensing as a mechanism of intracellular transport and compartmentalization
Authors: Venkatesh Achuthan Raja , Le Kathy H. , Weld David M. , Brandman Onn
Published: May 2024

While inhomogeneous diffusivity has been identified as a ubiquitous feature of the cellular interior, its implications for particle mobility and concentration at different length scales remain largely unexplored. In this work, we use agent-based simulations of diffusion to investigate how heterogeneous diffusivity affects movement and concentration of diffusing particles. We propose that a nonequilibrium mode of membraneless compartmentalization arising from the convergence of diffusive trajectories into low-diffusive sinks, which we call “diffusive lensing,” is relevant for living systems. Our work highlights the phenomenon of diffusive lensing as a potentially key driver of mesoscale dynamics in the cytoplasm, with possible far-reaching implications for biochemical processes.
Decoding the complexity of delayed wound healing following Enterococcus faecalis infection
Authors: Celik Cenk , Lee Stella Tue Ting , Tanoto Frederick Reinhart , Veleba Mark , Kline Kimberly , Thibault Guillaume
Published: May 2024

Wound infections are highly prevalent and can lead to delayed or failed healing, causing significant morbidity and adverse economic impacts. These infections occur in various contexts, including diabetic foot ulcers, burns, and surgical sites. Enterococcus faecalis is often found in persistent non-healing wounds, but its contribution to chronic wounds remains understudied. To address this, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on infected wounds in comparison to uninfected wounds in a mouse model. Examining over 23,000 cells, we created a comprehensive single-cell atlas that captures the cellular and transcriptomic landscape of these wounds. Our analysis revealed unique transcriptional and metabolic alterations in infected wounds, elucidating the distinct molecular changes associated with bacterial infection compared to the normal wound healing process. We identified dysregulated keratinocyte and fibroblast transcriptomes in response to infection, jointly contributing to an anti-inflammatory environment. Notably, E. faecalis infection prompted a premature, incomplete epithelial-mesenchymal transition in keratinocytes. Additionally, E. faecalis infection modulated M2-like macrophage polarization by inhibiting pro-inflammatory resolution in vitro, in vivo, and in our scRNA-seq atlas. Furthermore, we discovered macrophage crosstalk with neutrophils, which regulates chemokine signaling pathways, while promoting anti-inflammatory interactions with endothelial cells. Overall, our findings offer new insights into the immunosuppressive role of E. faecalis in wound infections.
Rediscovering the Rete Ovarii: a secreting auxiliary structure to the ovary
Authors: Anbarci Dilara N , McKey Jennifer , Levic Daniel S , Bagnat Michel , Capel Blanche
Published: May 2024

The
rete ovarii
(RO) is an appendage of the ovary that has been given little attention. Although the RO appears in drawings of the ovary in early versions of Gray’s Anatomy, it disappeared from recent textbooks, and is often dismissed as a functionless vestige in the adult ovary. Using PAX8 immunostaining and confocal microscopy, we characterized the fetal development of the RO in the context of the ovary. The RO consists of three distinct regions that persist in adult life, the intraovarian rete (IOR), the extraovarian rete (EOR), and the connecting rete (CR). While the cells of the IOR appear to form solid cords within the ovary, the EOR rapidly develops into a convoluted tubular epithelium ending in a distal dilated tip. Cells of the EOR are ciliated and exhibit cellular trafficking capabilities. The CR, connecting the EOR to the IOR, gradually acquires tubular epithelial characteristics by birth. Using microinjections into the distal dilated tip of the EOR, we found that luminal contents flow towards the ovary. Mass spectrometry revealed that the EOR lumen contains secreted proteins potentially important for ovarian function. We show that the cells of the EOR are closely associated with vasculature and macrophages, and are contacted by neuronal projections, consistent with a role as a sensory appendage of the ovary. The direct proximity of the RO to the ovary and its integration with the extraovarian landscape suggest that it plays an important role in ovary development and homeostasis.
Coupling of saccade plans to endogenous attention during urgent choices
Authors: Goldstein Allison T , Stanford Terrence R , Salinas Emilio
Published: May 2024

The neural mechanisms that willfully direct attention to specific locations in space are closely related to those for generating targeting eye movements (saccades). However, the degree to which the voluntary deployment of attention to a location necessarily activates a corresponding saccade plan remains unclear. One problem is that attention and saccades are both automatically driven by salient sensory events; another is that the underlying processes unfold within tens of milliseconds only. Here, we use an urgent task design to resolve the evolution of a visuomotor choice on a moment-by-moment basis while independently controlling the endogenous (goal-driven) and exogenous (salience-driven) contributions to performance. Human participants saw a peripheral cue and, depending on its color, either looked at it (prosaccade) or looked at a diametrically opposite, uninformative non-cue (antisaccade). By varying the luminance of the stimuli, the exogenous contributions could be cleanly dissociated from the endogenous process guiding the choice over time. According to the measured time courses, generating a correct antisaccade requires about 30 ms more processing time than generating a correct prosaccade based on the same perceptual signal. The results indicate that saccade plans elaborated during fixation are biased toward the location where attention is endogenously deployed, but the coupling is weak and can be willfully overridden very rapidly.
Benchmarking reveals superiority of deep learning variant callers on bacterial nanopore sequence data
Authors: Hall Michael B , Wick Ryan R , Judd Louise M , Nguyen An N , Steinig Eike J , Xie Ouli , Davies Mark , Seemann Torsten , Stinear Timothy P , Coin Lachlan
Published: May 2024

Variant calling is fundamental in bacterial genomics, underpinning the identification of disease transmission clusters, the construction of phylogenetic trees, and antimicrobial resistance detection. This study presents a comprehensive benchmarking of variant calling accuracy in bacterial genomes using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing data. We evaluated three ONT basecalling models and both simplex (single-strand) and duplex (dual-strand) read types across 14 diverse bacterial species. Our findings reveal that deep learning-based variant callers, particularly Clair3 and DeepVariant, significantly outperform traditional methods and even exceed the accuracy of Illumina sequencing, especially when applied to ONT’s super-high accuracy model. ONT’s superior performance is attributed to its ability to overcome Illumina’s errors, which often arise from difficulties in aligning reads in repetitive and variant-dense genomic regions. Moreover, the use of high-performing variant callers with ONT’s super-high accuracy data mitigates ONT’s traditional errors in homopolymers. We also investigated the impact of read depth on variant calling, demonstrating that 10× depth of ONT super-accuracy data can achieve precision and recall comparable to, or better than, full-depth Illumina sequencing. These results underscore the potential of ONT sequencing, combined with advanced variant calling algorithms, to replace traditional short-read sequencing methods in bacterial genomics, particularly in resource-limited settings.
PTX3 mediates PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling to downregulate apoptosis and autophagy to attenuate myocardial injury in sepsis
Authors: Cui Na , Chen Zhi , Yu Zhanbiao , Lv Xiaowei , Hu Zhenjie
Published: May 2024

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) on myocardial injury in sepsis.

Methods

Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to Groups A, B, or C. Mice in Groups A and B were injected with unloaded lentivirus, while mice in Group C were injected with lentivirus encoding PTX3 overexpression. Seven days after injection, septic myocardial injury mouse models were constructed following intraperitoneal injection with LPS in Groups B and C, and mice in Group A were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. Cardiac function was examined using echocardiography; pathological variation of myocardial cells was measured through HE staining, transmission electron microscopy, and TUNEL staining; and Western blot was used to measure the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-related, autophagy-related, and apoptosis-related proteins in mice myocardial cells.

Results

PTX3 significantly improved cardiac function and structure in sepsis-stricken mice, and PTX3 alleviated cardiac damage caused by sepsis. PTX3 reduced the relative protein expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, mTOR, LC3I/II, Beclin, ATG5, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 in septic mouse cardiomyocytes and increased the relative protein expression of Bcl-2.

Conclusion

PTX3 can attenuate myocardial injury in sepsis due to the down-regulation of apoptosis and autophagy induced by the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Identification of YUC genes associated with leaf wrinkling trait in Tacai variety of Chinese cabbage
Authors: Ye Xuelian , Sun Ji , Tian Yuan , Chen Jingwen , Yao Xiangtan , Quan Xinhua , Huang Li
Published: May 2024

Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis (L.) Makino) stands as a widely cultivated leafy vegetable in China, with its leaf morphology significantly influencing both quality and yield. Despite its agricultural importance, the precise mechanisms governing leaf wrinkling development remain elusive. This investigation focuses on ‘Wutacai’, a representative cultivar of the Tacai variety (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. rosularis Tsen et Lee), renowned for its distinct leaf wrinkling characteristics. Within the genome of ‘Wutacai’, we identified a total of 18 YUCs, designated as BraWTC_YUCs, revealing their conservation within the Brassica genus, and their close homology to YUCs in Arabidopsis. Expression profiling unveiled that BraWTC_YUCs in Chinese Cabbage exhibited organ-specific and leaf position-dependent variation. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing data from the flat leaf cultivar ‘Suzhouqing’ and the wrinkled leaf cultivar ‘Wutacai’ revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to auxin during the early phases of leaf development, particularly the YUC gene. In summary, this study successfully identified the YUC gene family in ‘Wutacai’ and elucidated its potential function in leaf wrinkling trait, to provide valuable insights into the prospective molecular mechanisms that regulate leaf wrinkling in Chinese cabbage.
Unpredictable soil conditions can affect the prevalence of a microbial symbiosis
Authors: Scott Trey J. , Stephenson Calum J. , Rao Sandeep , Queller David C. , Strassmann Joan E.
Published: May 2024

The evolution of symbiotic interactions may be affected by unpredictable conditions. However, a link between prevalence of these conditions and symbiosis has not been widely demonstrated. We test for these associations using Dictyostelium discoideum social amoebae and their bacterial endosymbionts. D. discoideum commonly hosts endosymbiotic bacteria from three taxa: Paraburkholderia, Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae. Three species of facultative Paraburkholderia endosymbionts are the best studied and give hosts the ability to carry prey bacteria through the dispersal stage to new environments. Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae are obligate endosymbiont lineages with no measurable impact on host fitness. We tested whether the frequency of both single infections and coinfections of these symbionts were associated with the unpredictability of their soil environments by using symbiont presence-absence data from D. discoideum isolates from 21 locations across the eastern United States. We found that symbiosis across all infection types, symbiosis with Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae obligate endosymbionts, and symbiosis involving coinfections were not associated with any of our measures. However, unpredictable precipitation was associated with symbiosis in two species of Paraburkholderia, suggesting a link between unpredictable conditions and symbiosis.
EXPLORING THE CONCEPT OF LEADERSHIP
Authors: ABASILIM Ugochukwu David
Published: May 2024

In today's complex global environment, exploring leadership has become paramount in academia and practice. Despite extensive research and discussion, lingering questions underscore a fragmented comprehension of its essence. This conceptual paper aims to address this gap by unravelling the intricate nature of leadership, providing clarity on its definition and various styles. Based on the tendency to oversimplify or misinterpret leadership, this paper meets the rising demand for a comprehensive analysis that acknowledges its multifaceted dimensions. By delineating the disparities between leadership and management, elucidating diverse theories, and scrutinising organisational leadership styles, this paper strives to offer a holistic understanding of leadership's pivotal role in organisational development and effectiveness.
DETERMINANTS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OPIATE ECONOMY IN AFGHANISTAN
Authors: DOBROWOLSKI Wacław
Published: May 2024

Drug production and trafficking, and the related development of criminal groups, are among the most serious problems of the modern world. Issues related to the drug business appear when the institutions and the economic and social systems of the state disintegrate. An example of this is Afghanistan, which has recently become the world’s largest producer of opiates. The growing production of opiates has had negative consequences for Afghan society, causing various social problems, and for the international community, strengthening organized criminal groups involved in drug trafficking around the world. The aim of this study is to look for the most important factors causing the rapid increase in opiate cultivation in Afghanistan, and to assess how the Taliban’s return to power will affect the drug business. The study was carried out through an analysis of available scientific literature, including statistical studies, as well as various compilation documents.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE-LEGAL POSITION OF THE COMMISSION FOR SECURITY AND ORDER
Authors: KUCZUR Tomasz , LEWANDOWSKI Krzysztof Henryk
Published: May 2024

Public safety and order are special goods, being of interest to both national and local government administrations. In local government, a special role is played by the intermediate level of public affairs management; that is, the county (poviat). Tasks in the field of security and order at the county level are carried out mainly by the commission for security and order, which, under current legislation, appears as a multi-member specialized auxiliary body of the head of the county. The purpose of this article is to present the administrative-legal position of the commission for security and order, and to explore its competencies and tasks, as defined in both constitutional law and substantive laws. It also discusses the personnel structure of the commission, the procedure and rules for appointing its members, and the principles of financing its work.
THE VOIVODE'S RECOMMENDATION AS A SPECIFIC TOOL FOR SECURITY PROTECTION IN A DUALISTIC MODEL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN POLAND
Authors: POLINCEUSZ Małgorzata
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to analyze the problems resulting from the voivode’s use of a recommendation tool issued for local government administration bodies, as well as recommendations issued for local government bodies. It investigates the characteristics of the dualistic system of local administration, along with a discussion of its structure and the importance of the connections resulting from centralization or decentralization. It explores problems related to determining the final nature of orders issued by the voivode for government administrative bodies and local government bodies. The study also encompasses the premises enabling the voivode to issue a recommendation and the positions of representatives of the doctrine on how to understand the concepts of protection of public security and order.
THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Authors: SABAL Maciej
Published: May 2024

Recent years have seen an increase in interest in the circular economy (CE) in science and practice. In both cases, the benchmark for an activity is the degree of environmental degradation. CE is a concept based on sustainable development, taking into account the balance of three areas: environmental, economic, and social. While the first two are relatively well described and measurable by quantitative indicators, the third is still not satisfactorily represented in science and practice. To embed CE in scientific discourse, it seems appropriate to use the umbrella concept, which implies the integration of different fields and disciplines into new research areas. This article focuses on the social aspect, emphasizing the role of management sciences, which, with the selection of appropriate methods, can be the key to studying and describing this area. The purpose of this article is to try to select a research paradigm for the social aspect of CE, so that the concept fits more fully into the assumptions of sustainable development.
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION IN THE PURCHASING DECISIONS OF YOUNG CONSUMERS
Authors: SZCZEPAŃSKA Magdalena
Published: May 2024

This article aims to identify the importance of responsible consumption in the purchasing decisions of young consumers. For this purpose, an online survey and individual in-depth interviews were conducted among Polish students; a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods provided insights into consumers’ views and buying habits. The results show that the most important factor in purchasing decisions is economic rationality. Students demonstrate responsible behaviors that are also economically rational: purchasing fewer and longer-lasting products, only buying what they need, using products for as long as they remain functional, repairing them, and purchasing second-hand goods. On the other hand, the results of the qualitative research provide an understanding of consumers’ doubts about responsible consumption. Such findings will enrich the portrait of the Polish consumer already known from previous research.
Threshold incentives over multiple periods and the sales hockey stick phenomenon
Authors: Sohoni Milind G. , Bassamboo Achal , Chopra Sunil , Mohan Usha , Sendil Nuri
Published: November 2010

In this article, we study threshold‐based sales‐force incentives and their impact on a dealer's optimal effort. A phenomenon, observed in practice, is that the dealer exerts a large effort toward the end of the incentive period to boost sales and reach the threshold to make additional profits. In the literature, the resulting last‐period sales spike is sometimes called the hockey stick phenomenon (HSP). In this article, we show that the manufacturer's choice of the incentive parameters and the underlying demand uncertainty affect the dealer's optimal effort choice. This results in the sales HSP over multiple time periods even when there is a cost associated with waiting. We then show that, by linking the threshold to a correlated market signal, the HSP can be regulated. We also characterize the variance of the total sales across all the periods and demonstrate conditions under the sales variance can be reduced. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010
Smooth and Self‐Similar SiO2‐like Films on Polymers Synthesized in Roll‐to‐Roll Atmospheric Pressure‐PECVD for Gas Diffusion Barrier Applications
Authors: Premkumar Peter Antony , Starostin Sergey A. , Creatore Mariadriana , de Vries Hindrik , Paffen Roger M. J. , Koenraad Paul M. , van de Sanden Mauritius C. M.
Published: November 2010

SiO2‐like layers deposited by means of the developed atmospheric pressure glow‐like DBD assisted CVD technology exhibit remarkable film properties, reported for the first time. The films synthesized in a roll‐to‐roll mode on polymeric webs, are as smooth as the substrate, irrespectively of the precursors (TEOS or HMDSO) and reactive gases (N2 or air) employed. Detailed AFM investigation on film morphology, surface roughness and auto correlation length (ξ) show that they are negligibly influenced with thickness and are similar to that of the polymeric substrate, indicating the self‐similar growth of the SiO2‐like layers in AP‐PECVD. The films are uniform with no defects or particle being incorporated during the deposition process. The produced single layers on polymeric substrate show excellent gas barrier performances towards O2 and H2O permeation (OTR: <5 × 10−3 cm3·m−2·day−1 and WVTR: <5 × 10−3 g·m−2·day−1).

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Genetic Testing Likelihood: The Impact of Abortion Views and Quality of Life Information on Women's Decisions
Authors: Wilson Jessica L. , Ferguson Gail M. , Thorn Judith M.
Published: November 2010

Little is known about factors predicting the likelihood of choosing genetic testing in college aged women versus older women, including knowledge of quality of life (QOL) associated with a disorder. Using vignettes with female college students (Experiment 1: n = 257, mean age = 19.70 yrs) and female faculty/staff/alumni (Experiment 2: nnulliparous = 83, mean age = 30.20 yrs; nmothers = 53, mean age = 33.77 yrs), we examined the contribution of multiple factors to predicting genetic testing likelihood for cystic fibrosis. We investigated malleable situational factors (style of genetic risk presentation and providing QOL information including physical and social aspects) and stable dispositional factors (abortion views). Parity (i.e., prior births) was more influential in women's genetic testing likelihood than was age. Greater acceptability of abortion for oneself and self‐assessed knowledge following QOL information were predictors of higher testing likelihood for college students. Greater acceptability of abortion for another person was a predictor for nulliparous women. Abortion views moderated the effect of predictors for nulliparous women and mothers. Findings encourage genetic counselors to utilize QOL information to promote informed decision making through genetic testing.
Is the Caspian Sea a Sea; and Why Does it Matter?
Authors: Zimnitskaya Hanna , von Geldern James
Published: November 2010

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Caspian Sea and its natural resources became a source of contention for Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. The underlying issue is paradoxical in light of its misleading simplicity – is the Caspian a sea or a lake? Throughout the article, we present proof that this question does matter and the answer should be given in the near future unless the world wishes to witness a cascade of conflicts. Even though the establishment of an international legal regime would place the region within the purview of UNCLOS and the international rule of law, thus ensuring safety and stability, the littoral states have pursued their own economic and political interests, resulting in a plethora of competing legal positions. As we evaluate the main points of disagreement and their respective impact on the status quo, the history of the region plays a prominent role. Consequently, the bordering countries choose to adhere to prevailing methods of dealing with issues of similar complexity: power competition over the resources of small states, negotiation and power politics instead of international rule of law, and protection that disguises coercion. Will the littoral states ever abandon the temptation of hostile geopolitical games and embark on a process of peaceful, open negotiations? This article seeks to help resolve this dilemma while analysing the failure of public international law to amend the situation, the legal chaos reigning in the region arising from the need to exploit the resources and construct pipelines to export them, and how the post-Soviet sphere has experienced a weakening of public international law as its doors open to the global petroleum market.
Characterization of GmCaMK1, a member of a soybean calmodulin‐binding receptor‐like kinase family
Authors: DeFalco Thomas A. , Chiasson David , Munro Kim , Kaiser Brent N. , Snedden Wayne A.
Published: November 2010

MINT‐8051374: CaM (uniprotkb:P62199) and GmCaMK1 (genbank_protein_gi:223452504) bind (MI:0407) by mass spectrometry studies of complexes (MI:0069)
Prognosis of patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss: role of vestibular assessment
Authors: Korres S , Stamatiou G A , Gkoritsa E , Riga M , Xenelis J
Published: November 2010

Objective:

To evaluate the correlation between caloric and vestibular evoked myogenic potential test results, initial audiogram data, and early hearing recovery, in patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss.

Materials and methods:

One hundred and four patients with unilateral idiopathic sudden hearing loss underwent complete neurotological evaluation. Results for vestibular evoked myogenic potential and caloric testing were compared with patients' initial and final audiograms.

Results:

Overall, abnormal vestibular evoked myogenic potential responses occurred in 28.8 per cent of patients, whereas abnormal caloric test results occurred in 50 per cent. A statistically significant relationship was found between the type of inner ear lesion and the incidence of profound hearing loss. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between the extent of the inner ear lesion and the likelihood of early recovery.

Conclusion:

In patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss, the extent of the inner ear lesion tends to correlate with the severity of cochlear damage. Vestibular assessment may be valuable in predicting the final outcome.