bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation Inventories of POPs from Rice Straw Combustion as an Agricultural Waste
Authors: Khalid Asma , Guerriero Ettore , Cerasa Marina , Mahmood Tariq , Khalid Azeem , Paris Enrico , Silvia Mosca , Gallucci Francesco
Published: November 2023

Rice cultivation is the main agricultural activity in Asia, and it results in an enormous amount of agricultural waste, that are usually disposed-off by burning, causing serious environmental health and climate problems. Pakistan is the tenth largest producer in the world and the fourth exporter of rice in the world. To date, there are no studies targeting Pakistan’s profile monitoring its contribution in open burning emissions from rice straw waste. This study presents the characterization of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs emissions from three samples of rice straw collected from the main rice cultivation regions of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh and Azad Jammu and Kashmir) in relation to the role of metal-based agricultural additives. PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs emissions were quantified using a fixed grid system biomass plant and measuring the macro-pollutants online and sampling the organic micro-pollutants and metals in isokinetic mode, followed by ISO and CEN standards methods. In addition, role of agrochemicals was monitored in terms of metal catalysis resulted in POPs emissions. This study provides the characterization of most relevant group of pollutants (metals, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs) as a result of agricultural waste combustion. The rice straw samples from AJK showed high values of organochlorine micro-pollutants compared to the values followed by samples from Punjab and Sindh, i.e., respectively, ∑PCDD/F (2594>1493>856 pg/Nm3) and ∑PCB (41>38>30 pg/Nm3). Whereas the organic micro-pollutants ∑PAH, indicators of incomplete combustion (PICs), were recorded high in the samples from Sindh followed by Punjab and AJK. This study supports the idea that the phenomena that lead to the formation of PCDD/F and PCB are influenced not only by poor combustion but also by the presence of metal catalysts or precursors in the burned fuel.
A Robust Flexible Model for Satellite Equipment Layout Optimisation
Authors: Hekmatfar Masoud , Aliha Mohammad Reza Mohammad , Pishvaee Mir saman , Sadowski Tomasz
Published: November 2023

The issue of equipment layout in multi-floor satellites consists of two primary parts: allocating the equipment to the satellite's layers and placing the equipment in each layer individually. In reviewing the past literature in this field, firstly, the issue of assigning equipment to layers is observed in a few articles and next in the layout part, the non-overlapping constraint has always been a challenge, particularly for components that do not have a circular cross-section. In addition to presenting a heuristic method for allocating equipment to different layers of the satellite, this article presents a robust flexible programming model (RFPM) for the placement of equipment at different layers, taking into account the inherent flexibility of the equipment in placement and the subject of uncertainty. This model is based on the existing uncertainty between the distances of cuboid equipment which has not been addressed in any of the previous research, and by comparing its outputs with cases from past studies, it demonstrates a significantly higher efficiency in placing the equipment and meeting the limit of non-overlapping constraints between the equipment. Finally, it would be possible to reduce the design time in the conceptual and preparatory stages, as well as the satellite's overall size, while still satisfying other constraints like stability and thermal limitations, moments of inertia and centre of gravity.
Pangeran Diponegoro: The Effectiveness of Achieving 100% UHC in the City of Semarang through Public Service Innovation
Authors: Suryawijaya Tito , Trenandi Tendi , Jatmiko Andreas , Safitri Maria
Published: November 2023

Health services play an important role in people's lives and are the basic right of every individual. Equal and quality access to health services is crucial for people's welfare. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of public service innovation in achieving 100% UHC in Semarang City, with a focus on PANGERAN DIPONEGORO’s inspirational contribution, in order to provide insight regarding the implementation of the health insurance program and its impact on UHC. The method used in this research is qualitative using the Double Diamond approach with primary data collection through documentation and innovation supporting literature studies and secondary data collection through literature studies and Focus Group Discussions. The results of the study show that the "PANGERAN DIPONEGORO" innovation succeeded in having a significant positive impact in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Semarang City. There has been an increase in community participation, accessibility and quality of health services, as well as a competitive advantage that is rarely possessed by other agencies. There have been many studies using public service objects. However, little has been discussed about the contribution and innovation of public services, especially those that focus on the health sector.
Density of States in the 3D System With Semimetallic Nodal-Loop and Insulating Gapped Phase
Authors: Rukelj Zoran , Kupčić Ivan , Radić Danko
Published: November 2023

We investigate a single-particle density of states in the three-dimensional system described by effective two-band Hamiltonian which describes a ground state in two distant electronic phases: the semimetalic nodal-loop phase and the insulating gapped phase. Analysis of valence bands and Fermi surfaces in both phases indicates that the density of states crucially depends on the parameter in the Hamiltonian of the system that controls a topological alternation of the Fermi surface. The signature of that alternation is expected to play an important role in all quantities closely related to the density of electronic states, such as charge transport and optical conductivity of the system for example.
The Influence of Physical Activity Regime on Body Composition in Teenagers With and Without Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Ungurean Bogdan Constantin , Cojocariu Adrian , Abalașei Beatrice Aurelia , Popescu Lucian , Puni Alexandru Rares , Martinaș Florentina-Petruța , Bulduș Codruța Florina , Tătăranu Elena , Popa Cristian , Ene-Voiculescu Carmen , Parvu Carmen
Published: November 2023

This study aims to assess several morphofunctional parameters in female teenagers with and without intellectual disability to characterise normality and its disturbances. More precisely, the purpose was to examine the factors contributing to the differences in body composition elements between groups, such as the physical activity level. To evaluate these parameters, we used bioelectrical impedance analysis technology (BIA), most commonly used in studies concerning body composition because it is non-invasive, quick, with high data fidelity; it can be easily moved to various locations and applied straightforwardly among populations with diverse types of intellectual disability. Our research sample comprised 212 subjects (boys and girls) aged 17.1±0.6, divided into six groups by gender and type of intellectual disability. The study found influences of physical activity level on body composition components. In addition, we report a highly significant relationship for p<0.05, body mass index and the independent variable (No. of min./week) in some groups.
Similar Formulas to Hilbert-Type Inequalities on Time Scales Delta Calculus
Authors: Rezk Haytham M. , Valdés Juan E. Nápoles , Ali Maha , Saied A. I. , Zakarya Mohammed
Published: November 2023

In this article, we establish some new generalized inequalities of Hilbert-type on time scales delta calculus which considered as similar formulas for inequalities of Hilbert type proved by Chang-Jian, Lian-Ying and Cheung [7]. These inequalities will proved by applying Hölder’s inequality, chain rule on time scales and the mean inequality. As special cases of our results (when T = N and T = R), we get the discrete and continuous inequalities. Also, we can obtain other inequalities in different time scale, like T = q^Z, q > 1.
Mosquito Salivary Antigens and their Relationship to Dengue and P. vivax Malaria
Authors: Howell McKenna M. , Olajiga Olayinka , Cardenas Jenny C. , Parada-Higuera Claudia A. , Gonzales-Pabon Maria U. , Gutierrez-Silva Lady Y. , Jaimes-Villamizar Lucy , Werner Brett M. , SHAFFER Jeffrey G. , Manuzak Jennifer A. , Londono-Renteria Berlin
Published: November 2023

In tropical areas, simultaneous transmission of several vector-borne diseases is common due to ecological factors that are shared by arthropod vectors. Malaria and dengue virus, transmitted by Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, respectively, are among the top vector-borne diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality in endemic areas. Notably, tropical areas often have suitable conditions for the co-existence of these mosquito species, highlighting the importance of identifying markers that accurately indicate the risk of acquiring each specific disease entity. Aedes are daytime-biting mosquitoes, while Anopheles preferentially bite during the night. These biting patterns raises the possibility of concurrent exposure to bites from both species. This pattern is important since mosquito saliva, deposited in the skin during blood feeding, induces immune responses that modulate pathogen establishment and infection. Previous studies have focused on characterizing such effects on the vector-pathogen interface for an individual pathogen and its mosquito vector. In this study, we evaluated associations between immune responses to salivary proteins from non-dengue and non-malaria vector mosquito species with clinical characteristics of malaria and dengue, respectively. Surprisingly, antibody responses against Anopheles antigens in dengue patients correlated with red blood cell count and hematocrit, while antibody responses against Aedes proteins were associated with platelet count in malaria patients. Our data indicate that concurrent exposure to multiple disease-carrying mosquito vectors and their salivary proteins with differing immunomodulatory properties could influence the transmission, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of malaria, dengue fever, and other vector-borne illnesses.
Modulation of CD8+ T Cell Responses by Radiotherapy—Current Evidence and Rationale for Combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Jeon Seung Hyuck , Song Changhoon , Eom Keun-Yong , Kim In Ah , Kim Jae-Sung
Published: November 2023

Radiotherapy for cancer has been known to affect the responses of immune cells, especially those of CD8+ T cells that play a pivotal role in anti-tumor immunity. Clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors led to an increasing interest into the ability of radiation to modulate CD8+ T cell responses. Recent studies that carefully analyzed the CD8+ T cell responses following radiotherapy suggest the beneficial roles of radiotherapy on anti-tumor immunity. In addition, numerous clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy of combining radiotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors are undergoing. In this review, we summarize the current status of knowledge regarding the changes of CD8+ T cells following radiotherapy from various preclinical and clinical studies. Furthermore, key biologic mechanisms that underlie such modulation, including both direct and indirect effects, are described. Lastly, we discuss the current evidence and essential considerations for harnessing radiotherapy as a combination partner for immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Species Diversity and Community Structure of Macrobenthos in the Cosmonaut Sea, East Antarctica
Authors: Mou Jianfeng , Liu Kun , Huang Yaqin , Lin Junhui , He Xuebao , Zhang Shuyi , Li Dong , Zu Yongcan , Chen Zhihua , Fu Sujing , Lin Heshan , Liu Wenhua
Published: November 2023

The Cosmonaut Sea is an under-studied area and a “blank canvas” for macrobenthos research. Here, we report on the species diversity and community structure of macrobenthos collected using the tringle trawl on the 38th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) in the Cosmonaut Sea, East Antarctica. A total of 11 tringle trawls were deployed at different depths across the shelf, slope and seamount of the Cosmonaut Sea. A total of 275 macrobenthic species were found from 207-1994 m. The species richness per station varied from 23 to 89. Echinoderms (100 species), arthropods (48 species) and mollusks (36 species) were the most dominant groups. Echinoderms and arthropods dominated in abundance at seamount stations, and echinoderms, arthropods and polychaetes dominated in abundance at slope stations, while bryozoans, corals, ascidians and sponges were abundant on the Cosmonaut Sea Shelf. Depth was the major driving force influencing the distribution of macrobenthos. The main components were two core communities. One was dominated by sessile suspension feeders and associated fauna. Variants of this community include sponges and bryozoans. The other core community was dominated by mobile deposit feeders, infauna and grazers–epifauna, which included arthropods and echinoderms. The results showed that the slope (40-50° E, 65-67° S) of the Cosmonaut Sea may be an important area with complex ecological processes. The results of this study contribute to the knowledge of species diversity and communities of macrobenthos in the Cosmonaut Sea and provide monitoring data for future ecosystem health assessments and better protection.
Analysis of Seismotectonic Parameters and Earthquake Return Periods in The Nias Area (1980-2021)
Authors: Siregar Riski Efrina , Lubis Lailatul Husna , Sirait Ratni , Sari Novita
Published: November 2023

The Nias Islands region is an area prone to earthquakes with a very high level of earthquake activity. One reason is the source of the subduction zone which is in the northwest of the Nias Islands. The aim of this work is to determine the b-value, seismic index, and earthquake return period using probabilistic techniques. For the years 1980 to 2021, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) published data with a magnitude of 3-6.7 and a depth (H) of 10-300 Km. The research results obtained by calculating the highest b-value is 0.791 in South Nias district and the highest a-value is in the South Nias district of 3.97. Calculation of the highest seismicity index with a magnitude of 6.7 in South Nias district with a-value of 7.223191 with an earthquake return period of 14 years.
Identification of Mount Sirung Geothermal Potential based on Land Surface Temperature and 3D Gravity Model
Authors: Primastika Ayu Alvita , Fadrian Dhika Faiz , Zani Fardhan Rafshan , Permana Nanda Ridki
Published: November 2023

According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources 2021 data, first ranks in the list of 10 provinces with the lowest electrification ratio in Indonesia. One of the geothermal prospect areas in East Nusa Tenggara is Mount Sirung. This research was conducted in August 2022 which aims to identify geothermal systems. Gravity data was obtained from the GGMPlus 2013 with a total of 3819 data. Land Surface Temperature (LST) is used as supporting data with a surface temperature approximately 26.1 – 29.5°C because there are manifestations of hot springs at Mount Sirung. Based on the derivative analysis, there are four trajectories in the northwest-southeast direction with reverse faults and normal faults as the geothermal control system of Mount Sirung. The results of 3D gravitational inversion modeling are estimated that there is clay interspersed with breccia with a density of 2.34 – 2.39 g/cm3 as clay cap at 0 – 600 m, and lava interspersed with sandy tuff as a reservoir with a density of 1.98 – 2.03 g/cm3 at 700 – 1400 m. Based on these results and discussions, Mount Sirung is proven to have geothermal potential which can be utilized as a source of electrification in East Nusa Tenggara.
Presentation of Green Open Space of Makassar City inN WebGIS
Authors: Arif Samsu , Syafnur Aswar , Ismail A. Muh. Imran , Azzahra Aza , Wikal Wikal
Published: November 2023

Green open space has three basic functions, among others, to function socially, namely as a facility for the public with the functions of recreation, education and sports, as well as establishing communication between city residents; to function physically, namely as the lungs of the city, protecting the water system, soundproofing, fulfilling visual needs, restraining the development of built-up land/as a buffer, and protecting city residents from air pollution; and functions as an aesthetic that is a binder between building elements in the city, a giver of characteristics in shaping the face of the city, and an element in the arrangement of urban architecture. Law No. 26 of 2007 concerning Spatial Planning, it is explained that the spatial planning of the city area must include a plan for the provision and utilization of green open space which covers at least 30% of the city area consisting of 20% public green open space and 10% consisting of private green open space. . But in reality, there are still many big cities that are not difficult to achieve the provisions of the law. This research will identify green open space in Makassar City by utilizing satellite image data and then presenting the green open space in the form of spatial information into a Web GIS so that it can be easily accessed openly. Based on the results of the analysis, the percentage of open green space in Makassar reached 9.08%, consisting of private green open space of 4.07% and public green open space of 5.01%.
Potential of Limestone as a Groundwater Reservoir based on Porosity Analysis in the Tintingon Area, Banggai District
Authors: Supardi Nurhikmah , Bundang Syarifullah , Pakiding Meltini
Published: November 2023

The research area is in Tintingon Village, Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province. This study aims to determine the quality of limestone as a groundwater reservoir based on porosity analysis. This study begins with sampling limestone at seven stations, then selecting fresh samples for laboratory analysis. Laboratory analysis consists of two, namely petrographic analysis and porosity analysis. The petrographic analysis aims to determine the microscopic naming of limestone and the type of pores in the rock. Porosity analysis aims to test the ability of limestone to accommodate fluids as a groundwater reservoir. Based on the petrographic analysis, it is known that the microscopic naming of limestone in the study area is wackestone and packstone. The types of limestone porosity are vug, intercrystal, channel and interparticle. Analysis of limestone porosity in the study area is known to be 15.24% - 29.95%. The porosity value is categorized as good to excellent so the research area is very good as a groundwater reservoir rock.
Analysis of the Army transition from LEED 2009 to LEED v4, with updated LEED 4.1 credits
Authors: Stumpf Annette , Stidwell Samuel , Panozzo Brent , Ehlschlaeger Charles , Fuhler Megan
Published: November 2023

The objective of this effort was to identify and recommend an approach for Army green building certification that ensures Army projects meet federal and Army sustainability requirements during the transition from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 2009 to LEED v4. The first Army LEED v4 project was registered for certification with the Green Building Certification Institute in 2014. Since then, over 860 Army projects were registered for LEED v4 certification. As of the third quarter of FY20, when this report was written, 2 projects achieved LEED Silver certification. Other Army projects teams documented difficulty achieving the required LEED v4 Silver certification due to difficult site conditions, budget constraints, facility types, or project requirements. Commercial-sector project teams also had difficulty certifying with LEED v4, forcing the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to recon-sider the credits and metrics project teams found challenging. The USGBC revised the troublesome credits and now offers LEED v4.1 pilot credits that can be used for any project registered with LEED v4. To assist Army project teams, this research investigates difficult-to-achieve LEED v4 cred-its and their possible replacement with LEED v4.1 pilot credits. The report concludes with guidance on implementing the updated version of the LEED rating system from v4 to v4.1.
The Third Way: How BKV Turned to ‘Hybrid’ Refracs in the Barnett Shale
Authors: Jacobs Trent
Published: November 2023

While refracturing has maintained a backseat role in the US shale sector, with capital overwhelmingly flowing toward new well programs, there’s been a notable exception brewing in the Barnett Shale.

Last year, from within the asset that holds the very well that ignited the shale revolution, gas producer BKV Corp. announced that it had become the top refracturing operator in the US. From November 2020 through February of this year, covering a span of just 28 months, the Barnett Shale operator completed an eye‑opening 369 Barnett refracs.

The breath of life BKV pumped down those north Texas wells was enough to temporarily arrest the decline rate of the most mature of all shale plays. BKV reports that the Barnett refrac program has generated 371 Bcf/e of newly proved reserves with a finding and development cost of $0.79/Mcf/e.

But putting these figures aside, what else stands out about the campaign is how it was done.

To rejuvenate many of the vintage wellbores, the Denver‑based operator, a subsidiary of a Thailand‑based energy conglomerate, said it developed an innovative approach called the “hybrid expandable liner system.”

“It is very simply a combination of both bullhead and liner methods where we attempt to minimize the downsides and maximize the positives of both,” Kevin Eichinger, a senior completions engineer for BKV, explained at a recent SPE gathering in Houston.

The concept involves installing as little as a few hundred feet of expandable steel patches over a well’s original heel‑side perforations to allow for several new plug‑ and‑perforation stages. The toe‑end of the wellbore is left unlined but new perforations can be added before it is stimulated using a bullhead treatment.

Eichinger, who leads the operator’s refrac candidate selection and job design efforts, described the end result as “liner‑like performance without the cost of a full liner.”

The completions engineer outlined these and other details while presenting a technical paper he recently coauthored. The subject of a number of industry meetings since it was first published in June, URTeC 3855094 discusses BKV’s inaugural hybrid refracturing trial that achieved twice the average output of neighboring bullhead refracs while also besting legacy liner refrac performance achieved from operated legacy wells.

The success of this first attempt paved the way for hundreds of subsequent jobs in the Barnett where the company operates or holds interest in more than 6,900 wells across 460,000 gross acres.

More on BKV’s hybrid refracs follows, but worth noting is that the firm is in the midst

of a “quiet period” pending the outcome of a potential move to become a publicly traded company in the US and has refrained from issuing updates about the current state of its operations in either the Barnett or the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania.
USIO as an imaging nanoenzyme loaded autologous exosomes for targeted imaging and chemotherapy promotion of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Jin Lufei , Chen Chunqu , Wang Linwei , Xu Kaiwei , Xu Liu , Zhu Lubin , Zhou Wei jian weijian , Ni Jiajing , Wu Ruoyu , Zhu Yuchao , Wang Jianhua
Published: November 2023

Pancreatic cancer is one of the extremely poor prognosis of malignant tumors of the digestive tract, its presence in lack of blood for imaging, chemotherapy resistance caused by hypoxia and other treatment difficulties. This paper investigates a targeted exosomal delivery strategy to construct a nanoprobe Exo-USIO by loading ultra small iron oxide nanoparticles (USIO NPs) into homologous cell-derived exosomes. In vitro cell experiments showed that the nanoprobes had a strong homing ability and could improve the efficiency of USIO NPs into tumor cells; USIO NPs exert enzyme-like activity to catalyze the production of O2 from endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), improve cell hypoxia, and enhance the sensitivity of cells to gemcitabine (GEM). In tumor-bearing mice, the nanoprobe Exo-USIO showed the ability to target imaging tumors and overcome tumor hypoxia in a nearly non-toxic manner, effectively promoting the therapeutic effect of GEM. Homologous cell-derived exosomes are effective carriers for targeted delivery of USIO NPs to pancreatic cancer, and this delivery strategy may play a guiding role in the precise diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Numerical Investigation of Dam Stability in the Presence of Fissured Materials with Varying Angles
Authors: TALEB Hosni Abderrahmane , Guemidi Ismahene , Charrak Hicham
Published: November 2023

Dams are essential infrastructure for water storage and supply, and their safety is paramount. Fissured soil is a common engineering challenge in dam construction, as it can lead to instability and failure. This paper presents a numerical investigation of the effects of fissured soil on dam stability using the finite element method (FEM) software OPTUMG2. A 2D plane strain model of a dam was created and analyzed for different angles of fissured material. The first angle, α1, varied from 0° to 90° in 15° increments, while the second angle, α2, varied from 95° to 180° in 15° increments, additionally, we explore the combined effects of these angles (α1 with α2) to comprehensively assess the impact of fissured material on dam stability. The results showed that the orientation of the fissured planes has a significant impact on dam stability. The factor of safety, slope surfaces, displacements, and deformations all varied depending on the orientation of the fissured material. In general, dams with fissured planes oriented at angles closer to the vertical were more stable than dams with fissured planes oriented at angles closer to the horizontal. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of fissured soil on dam stability. The results can be used to develop better design and construction practices for dams in fissured soil areas.
Nanosecond Laser Cataract Surgery with Soft-Shell technique: Effect on Endothelial Cell Loss
Authors: Blomberg Lutz , Wübbolt Imke , Awe-Krüger Marita , Al-Akhrash Youssef , Knabe Martin
Published: November 2023

Purpose
The primary aim was to compare endothelial cell loss following NanoLaser cataract surgery with and without the integration of the Soft-Shell technique.
Methods
Digital records of eyes with LOCS III grade 2 or 3 cataracts that underwent uncomplicated surgery for removal without post-operative complications or secondary procedures at Hildesheim-Alfeld-Bockenem Eye Center (Hildesheim, Germany) were included in the quality control single-center two surgeon non-randomized retrospective cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria included one baseline and at least one follow-up automated non-contact specular microscopy for endothelial cell density, rate of polymegethism represented by coefficient of variance, and pachymetry. Surgical procedures were performed by two surgeons using a standardized bimanual cataract extraction procedure without intraocular antibiotics, with one also integrating the Soft-Shell technique.
Results
Fifty-five eyes of 36 patients were enrolled. Comparison of laser energy required to complete surgery for the two groups did not yield statistically significant differences. Differences in the modification of endothelial cell density, coefficient of variance and central corneal thickness during the follow-up period between the two groups were not statistically significant. The number of cells lost due to surgery was calculated by using linear regression analysis, showing that NanoLaser + Soft-Shell procedure induced a cell loss of -46 ± 88 cells and the NanoLaser procedure 155 ± 87 cells (p = .002).
Conclusions
NanoLaser cataract surgery used less energy and did not require intraocular antibiotics (all single-use instruments) thus reducing endothelial cell loss. With the addition of the Soft-Shell technique this sparing was even greater.
The Role of Emotional Appeal in Water Conservation Communication: A Framework for Social Media Engagement
Authors: Bakar Mohammad Fahmi Abu , Wu Wenyan , Proverbs David , Mavritsaki Eirini
Published: November 2023

Amidst the growing concern about water scarcity in today’s world, the emergence of social media stands as a pivotal opportunity. This digital phenomenon provides a powerful platform to raise awareness and transform the behaviours of water consumers. While previous research has emphasised the importance of informative messaging in environmental communication, the potential impact of emotional appeal remains understudied. This research aims to fill this gap by proposing a comprehensive framework that integrates the role of emotional appeal, which can be evoked through video creativity and multimedia effects. Drawing upon the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), the proposed framework highlights the interplay between cognitive and affective factors in influencing individuals’ attitudes, intentions, and behaviours toward water conservation. To empirically examine the proposed framework, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was conducted on a dataset consisting of 433 responses. The analysis revealed that the integration of emotional appeal, elicited through creativity, positively influenced individuals’ attitudes toward water conservation. Overall, the implications are significant for addressing shortcomings in current marketing campaigns and changing the behaviour of water consumers. Water companies and other stakeholders are encouraged to develop social media communication strategies that appeal to emotions and foster empathy to promote sustainable water behaviours among water consumers.
A new alternative for monitoring the crystallization process through artificial neural networks and FBRM signal
Authors: Leite Lucas Campana , Bernardo André
Published: November 2023

Crystallization is one of the most used separation processes in the chemical industry to produce high-value-added products, and its success is dependent on controlling properties such as kinetics, crystal size distribution (CSD), shape, and polymorphism. To optimize the process, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages the development of small-scale online and in-line techniques to obtain real-time data. This work proposes using the FBRM equipment for monitoring the crystallization process by efficiently converting chord length distribution (CLD) measured into CSD, which are used to estimate kinetic parameters. It was possible to train artificial neural networks (ANN) to covert CLD in CSD using different training methods (Levenberg-Marquardt, Bayesian Regularization, and Scaled Conjugate Gradient) and test them to obtain optimized networks that had a maximum deviation of 15% compared to the DTC obtained in Malvern. To ensure the process reliability, four crystallization assays (A-D) were monitored by the best ANN, which allowed the prediction of experimental kinetic parameters through the Method of Moments and inferences about the process, compared to documented experiments. The nucleation kinetic parameters (n from 1.15 to 2.05 and kn from 1,19E + 11 to 3,52E + 12) and growth kinetic parameters (g from 1.6 to 2.00 and kg from 4,96E-06 to 1,94E-04) were obtained, approaching experiments described by other authors under similar conditions. The use of ANNs to analyze FBRM data has shown efficiency in attributing physical meaning to CLD data converted into CSD. Through this method, it is possible to estimate kinetic parameters at each instant of the crystallization process, paving the way for adjusting process parameters in real-time to achieve the final product's required quality by regulatory agencies.
Depressive symptoms of people living in areas with high exposure to environmental noise: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Yun Il , Lee Seung Hwan , Park Sohee , Jang Suk-yong , Jang Sung-In
Published: November 2023

BackgroundExposure and damage caused by noise have been reported in many countries around the world. However, few nationwide studies explored the association of residential environmental noise with depressive symptoms, this study aims to examine this association.MethodsThe Korean Community Health Survey at the individual-level and the Korean Environmental Noise Measurement Database at the regional-level were used. A total of 30,630 individuals were eligible for the analysis. Multilevel model framework was applied to account for the clustered structure of the regional-level data in which individual-level data containing demographic characteristics and health information were nested.ResultsIndividuals living in the highest environmental noise area had a 1.55 times higher likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms than those living in the lowest environmental noise area (95% CI, 1.04−2.31). After stratified analysis according to depressive symptom severity, individuals residing in areas with the highest environmental noise exposure had significantly higher odds of mild (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02−2.07) and moderate symptoms (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.00−2.91).LimitationsBecause secondary data were used, time series analysis to track changes in outcomes was not possible. The PHQ-9 questionnaires, which measures depressive symptoms, were self-reported. Due to the absence of data on inter-floor noise, it could not include in the analysis. Residual confounders from unmeasured variables could not be ruled out.ConclusionsThe higher the residential environmental noise, the higher the possibility of mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest the need for continued attention to and management of noise pollution, which has the potential to adversely affect individual's mental health.
Clinical efficacy analysis of full-endoscopic L5/S1 lumbar discectomy through the interlaminar approach combined with annular fibrosus suture for treatment of lumbar disc herniation
Authors: xiao zijun , Liu Wei , Feng Jing
Published: November 2023

Objective This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and surgical techniques of full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy through the interlaminar approach combined with annular fibrosus suture for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation at the L5/S1 level.Methods From June 2020 to June 2022, patients who underwent full-endoscopic L5/S1 lumbar discectomy through the interlaminar approach were included in this study. The patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group based on whether annulus fibrosus suture was performed. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and The MOS item short from health survey physical function(SF−36 PF) and social function(SF−36 SF) were used to evaluate the surgical outcomes on the first day after surgery, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The annulus fibrosus height, recurrence of disc herniation at the surgical segment, and occurrence of adjacent segment disc herniation were also recorded.Results All surgeries were successfully completed, with 44 cases in the experimental group and 104 cases in the control group. The recurrence rate of disc herniation at the surgical segment was statistically lower in patients who underwent annulus fibrosus suture compared to those who did not. Blurring or hyperintensity at the posterior edge of the disc herniation may indicate that the annulus fibrosus ruptured before surgery in T2 weighted image. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of VAS, ODI,SF-36 PF,SF-36 SF and annulus fibrosus height during the follow-up period. The occurrence rate of adjacent segment disc herniation showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups.Conclusions Full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy through the interlaminar approach combined with annular fibrosus suture for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation at the L5/S1 level can reduce the recurrence rate of disc herniation at the surgical segment in the short-term follow-up. It is a safe and easy-to-perform surgical technique.
Application of near infra-red laser light increases current-threshold in optic nerve consistent with increased Na+-dependent transport
Authors: Lo Hin Heng , Munkongcharoen Tawan , Muijen Rosa M. , Gurung Ritika , Umredkar Anjali G. , Baker Mark D.
Published: November 2023

Patients with optic neuritis or multiple sclerosis experience worsening symptoms and axonal impulse conduction failure with increased body temperature. Previously we have reported increases in current-threshold occur in optic nerve with localized warming, whose mechanism is only partly understood. Paired applications of near infra-red laser light to isolated optic nerve produced increases in threshold that were reduced on the second application, the response recovering with increasing application intervals, with a time-constant of 24 secs. 3 minute duration single applications of laser light gave rise to a rapid increase in threshold followed by a fade, where the time constant of the fade was between 40 and 50 seconds. Aftereffects were sometimes apparent following the light application, where the resting threshold was reduced. The increase in threshold with laser light illumination was partially blocked by 38.6 mM Li+ in combination with 5 mM bumetanide, a manoeuvre increasing refractoriness and consistent with axonal depolarization. Assessing the effect of laser-light applications on the nerve input resistance ruled-out a previously suggested fall in myelin resistance as contributing to the changes in threshold. These data are consistent with an axonal membrane potential that partly relies on temperature-dependent electroneutral Na+ influx, and where fade in the response to the laser is likely caused by a gradually diminishing Na+ pump-induced hyperpolarization, in response to falling intracellular [Na+].
Investigating the impact of anthropogenic noise on the decision-making of dwarf mongoose offspring
Authors: Vane Lauren S , Morris-Drake Amy , Arbon Josh J , Thomson Robyn , Kern Julie M , Radford Andrew N
Published: November 2023

Anthropogenic (man-made) noise constitutes a novel and widespread pollutant, with its increasing prevalence in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems resulting in alterations of natural soundscapes. There is proliferating evidence that noise leads to maladaptive behaviour in wildlife, yet few studies have addressed the effect on mammalian parent–offspring interactions. We investigated the impact of road noise on dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula) offspring nearest-neighbour decision-making whilst foraging, using a field-based playback experiment. We predicted that offspring would forage closer to groupmates, especially older and dominant individuals, when experiencing road noise compared to ambient sound to reduce communication masking and alleviate stress. We also predicted that noise would have a reduced effect with increasing offspring age due to reduced reliance on adult groupmates for provisioning and predator-defence. However, we found that mean nearest-neighbour distance and nearest-neighbour intrinsic characteristics (age, sex and dominance status) did not differ significantly between sound treatments, and these responses did not vary significantly with focal individual age. Noise may not impact nearest-neighbour decision-making due to habituation from chronic natural exposure; alternatively, noise could induce stress and distraction, resulting in maladaptive decision-making. Future work should aim to detangle the underlying mechanisms mediating parent–offspring interactions in conditions of anthropogenic noise.
Microbiological Quality and Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from Raw Cow Milk in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Godana Kuribachew Endale , Meranga Melese Etifu , Weldeselassie Helen Weldemichael
Published: November 2023

Raw cow milk serves as a suitable medium for microbial growth due to its complex biochemical composition and high water activity; because of this character, the quality and shelf-life of milk must be degraded. This study was conducted in Addis Ababa to evaluate microbial quality and safety and the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria in raw cow milk. The overall mean (± SD) of raw cow's milk for standard plate count (SPC), E. coli count (EC), Coliform Count (CC) and Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC) were 6.24 ± 1.43, 2.44 ± 0.56, 4.34 ± 1.27 and 2.87 ± 1.02 log10cfu/ml respectively. Salmonella was not detected in the collected milk sample, and the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was 37%. The isolated S. aureus bacteria were 100% susceptible to antibiotic drugs like Amikacin, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Erythromycin, Tylosin, Clindamycin and Florenicol. On the other hand, S. aureus was 87% susceptible and 13% intermediate for Enrofloxacin, 78.3% susceptible and 21.7% resistant for Tilcimosin, 60.9% susceptible and 39.1% resistant for Tetracycline, 95.7% susceptible and 4.3% intermediate for Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole. Based on the current study, milk samples contained higher microbial load than National and International standards and had pathogenic bacteria, resulting in public health risks to the consumer. All concerned bodies in the dairy industry should get public education about hygienic milk production to reduce the risk of milk-borne pathogens and losses due to rejection resulting from contamination.
Using human fetal neural stem cells to elucidate the role of the JAK-STAT cell signaling pathway in oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro
Authors: Dey Devanjan , Tyagi Sagar , Shrivastava Vadanya , Rani Sweety , Sharma Jai Bhagwan , Sinha Subrata , Palanichamy Jayanth Kumar , Seth Pankaj , Sen Sudip
Published: November 2023

Oligodendrocytes (OL) are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system that mediate nerve conduction. Loss of oligodendrocytes results in demyelination, triggering neurological deficits. Developing a better understanding of the cell signaling pathways influencing OL development may aid in the development of therapeutic strategies. The primary focus of this study was to investigate and elucidate the cell signaling pathways implicated in the developmental maturation of oligodendrocytes using human fetal neural stem cells (hFNSCs) derived primary OL and MO3.13 cell line. Successful differentiation into OL was established by examining morphological changes, increased expression of mature-OL markers MBP, MOG and decreased expression of premyelinating-OL markers CSPG4 and O4. Analyzing transcriptional datasets (using RNA sequencing) in premyelinating and mature OL derived from hFNSCs revealed the novel and critical involvement of the JAK-STAT cell signaling pathway in terminal OL maturation. The finding was validated in MO3.13 cell line whose differentiation was accompanied by upregulation of IL-6 and the transcription factor STAT3. Increased phosphorylated STAT3 (pY705) levels were demonstrated by western blotting in hFNSCs derived primary OL as well as terminal maturation in MO3.13 cells, thus validating the involvement of the JAK-STAT pathway in OL maturation. Pharmacological suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation (confirmed by western blotting) was able to prevent the increase of MBP-positive cells as demonstrated by flow cytometry. These novel findings highlight the involvement of the JAK-STAT pathway in OL maturation and raise the possibility of using this as a therapeutic strategy in demyelinating diseases.
To analyze the clinical characteristics of Omicron COVID-19 pneumonia and compare the predictive performance of several scores on disease severity and mortality risk
Authors: Ni Ruiqin , Zhong Mingmei , Xie Mengrong , Ding Zhen
Published: November 2023

Background
Around the world, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still widely spread. Finding an appropriate scoring system to predict the severity and prognosis of the disease will be help to carry out appropriate intervention as soon as possible and reduce the mortality. Therefore, it is important to analysis the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with Omicron COVID-19 pneumonia and discuss the role of several scoring systems in predicting the disease severity and mortality risk.
Methods
We retrospective collected the clinical data of 409 patients, who visited at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and confirmed as Omicron COVID-19 pneumonia between 1, December 2022 and 31, January 2023. Recorded the PSI, CURB‑65 and MuLBSTA score within 24 hours, evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of each scoring model in predicting the severity and mortality risk of Omicron COVID-19 pneumonia, and then compared the predictive value of several scoring systems on the severity and prognosis of Omicron COVID-19 pneumonia.
Results
Median age of 409 patients was 78 years, the onset of disease was mainly characterized by fever, cough, expectoration, fatigue and digestive symptoms. Expectoration, fatigue, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin (PCT), creatinine and complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were independent risk factors for the severity of the Omicron COVID-19 pneumonia, while age, oxygenation index, glucose, LDH, and complicated by septic shock were independent risk factors for the mortality of it. The CURB‑65, PSI and MulBSTA score with cutoff value as 1.5, 115.5, 10.5, respectively; the sensitivity for predicting severe disease was 65.9%, 63.8%, 79.7%, the specificity was 63.8%, 76.8%, 60.9%, and the AUROC was 0.707, 0.750, 0.728. The CURB‑65, PSI and MulBSTA score with cutoff value as 1.5,102.5,12.5, respectively, the sensitivity for predicting mortality risk was 83.3%, 96.3%, 70.4%, the specificity was 59.4%, 60.8%, 65.4%, and the AUROC was 0.787, 0.850, 0.736.
Conclusion
The patients we included are older, and the majority of them combined with underlying diseases, LDH is the independent risk factor of the disease severity and prognosis. PSI with better predictive value for both disease severity and mortality risk, and it could be used to predict the severity and mortality risk of Omicron COVID-19 pneumonia.
Bimodality Cross Concatenation and Fusion for Audio-visual Event Localization
Authors: Li Ruochen , Wang Wenmin , Wei Wenying , Chen Tongbao , Zhang Shenyong
Published: November 2023

Audio-visual event localization (AVEL) is a task that utilizes audio and visual features in videos to perceive the correlation between audio and video and the type of event. Previous methods have mostly focused on aligning the two features in temporal sequence, ignoring the high-order feature expression after audio-visual feature fusion and the role of cross-attention. To address this issue, we propose a bimodal feature cross-concatenation fusion network (BiCCF Net) that aligns visual and audio features in latent space using the spatiotemporal correlation (STC) module. And the audio-visual cross attention (AVCA) module is used to extract cross-attention while using the Factorized Bilinear Coding (FBC) based Audio-Visual Fusion (AVF) Module to obtain the fused high-order feature expression. Finally, the fused features are combined with cross-attention and processed by a background suppression classification module to predict the category of events and the correlation between audio and video features. Our experiments were conducted on the AVE dataset, and we achieved significant improvement compared to baseline models.