bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analisis keterlambatan pergantian awak kapal di PT Samudera Daya Maritim
Authors: Amanto Aji , Bintari Pramudyasari Nur , Setyawan Yonathan
Published: February 2024

PT Samudera Daya Maritim merupakan perusahaan yang bergerak dalam bidang Crew Manning Agency (Crewing). Sebuah perusahaan yang bergerak dalam bidang crewing tentunya harus memiliki tim rotasi awak kapal di dalam usahanya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hambatan sekaligus pemecahan masalah yang dilakukan oleh PT Samudera Daya Maritim selaku crew manning agency dari PT Samudera Indonesia dalam hal keterlambatan pergantian awak kapal. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif. Subjek penelitian adalah staf PT Samudera Daya Maritim. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi, dan studi pustaka. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di PT Samudera Daya Maritim mulai tanggal 18 Juli 2022 sampai 06 Juni 2023. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah prosedur rotasi awak kapal yang dilakukan di PT Samudera Daya Maritim memiliki beberapa langkah yang sesuai berdasarkan No. DOK SOP-COD-002/00 tanggal 09 Januari 2023; penyebab keterlambatan pergantian awak kapal yang akan naik dapat disebabkan oleh dokumen/sertifikat yang tidak lengkap juga direvalidasi dan hasil MCU yang belum fit for duty serta PKL yang terlambat; dan upaya yang dilakukan oleh PT. Samudera Daya Maritim untuk mengatasi masalah keterlambatan pergantian awak kapal antara lain pemberlakuan surat pernyataan, pemberian sanksi, penambahan PIC bagian PKL, adanya informasi dari perusahaan untuk para awak kapal. Selain itu, PT Samudera Daya Maritim menambahkan SDM di dalam masing-masing tim mereka.
PT Samudera Daya Maritim operates in the Crew Manning Agency (Crewing) sector. A company operating in the crewing industry must have a crew rotation team in its business. This research aims to solve obstacles and ship problems carried out by PT Samudera Daya Maritim as the crew manning agency of PT Samudera Indonesia in terms of delays in crew changes. This research method uses qualitative methods. The research subjects were the staff of PT Samudera Daya Maritim. Data collection methods use observation, interviews, documentation and literature study. The research was conducted at PT Samudera Daya Maritim from 18 July 2022 to 06 June 2023. The results of this research are that the crew rotation procedure carried out at PT Samudera Daya Maritim has several appropriate steps based on No. DOK SOP-COD-002/00 dated 09 January 2023; the causes of delays in changing the boarding ship can be caused by documents/certificates that are not complete or revalidated and MCU results that are not yet fit for duty as well as late PKL and the efforts made by PT. Samudera Daya Maritim to overcome the problem of delays in changing ship crews includes implementing a statement letter, giving sanctions, adding PICs to the PKL section, and providing information from the company for ship crews. Apart from that, PT Samudera Daya Maritim added human resources to their teams.
Pelaksanaan perawatan pada lifeboat untuk menunjang keselamatan di MT. Gede
Authors: Widodo Agus , Demaz Peramutya Alvian , Shabrina Tsania Adlina Nur
Published: February 2024

Lifeboat merupakan salah satu bagian dari peralatan keselamatan di kapal. Lifeboat digunakan ketika terjadi keadaan darurat yang mengharuskan seluruh awak kapal dan penumpang untuk meninggalkan kapal. Lifeboat sangat dibutuhkan sebagai penunjang keselamatan di atas kapal. Lifeboat perlu diperiksa dan dirawat agar lifeboat dapat digunakan dengan baik sesuai dengan fungsinya. Pengecekan dan perawatan peralatan keselamatan harus dilakukan secara berkala agar kondisi peralatan keselamatan tersebut selalu berada dalam keadaan baik dan dapat berfungsi dengan maksimal sesuai dengan peraturan SOLAS 1974 (Safety of Life at Sea) Bab III tentang peralatan keselamatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi pelaksanaan perawatan pada lifeboat untuk menunjang keselamatan di Kapal MT. Gede. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan data deskriptif dan analisis data dari hasil pengamatan di kapal MT. Gede serta referensi dari sumber-sumber terkait. Dari hasil penelitian, ditemukan bahwa perawatan dan pemeliharaan alat keselamatan lifeboat telah sesuai dengan jadwal plan maintenance system yang telah ditentukan. Akan tetapi, kurangnya pengetahuan para awak kapal mengenai prosedur perawatan lifeboat dan padatnya trayek pelayaran di Kapal MT. Gede juga menghambat proses perawatan dan pemeliharaan lifeboat menjadi tidak optimal.
A lifeboat is a piece of safety equipment on a ship. Lifeboats are used when an emergency requires all crew members and passengers to leave the ship. Lifeboats are needed to support safety on ships. Lifeboats must be checked and maintained to be appropriately used according to their function. Checking and maintenance of safety equipment must be carried out periodically so that the condition of safety equipment is always in good condition and can function optimally according to SOLAS 1974 (Safety of Life at Sea) Chapter III regulations regarding safety equipment. This research aims to identify the implementation of maintenance on lifeboats to support safety on MT Gede Ship. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive data and data analysis from observations on the MT Gede ship and references from related sources. The research results found that lifeboat safety equipment was cared for and maintained according to the predetermined maintenance system plan schedule. However, the crew members need to learn about lifeboat maintenance procedures and the busy shipping routes on MT ships. Gede also prevents the lifeboat care and maintenance process from being optimal.
Optimalisasi performa mesin pendingin di Kapal MV. Strait Mas
Authors: Sembel Bernadus Valentin , Santoso Rahmat , Nurfadhlina
Published: February 2024

Mesin pendingin merupakan salah satu alat bantu yang ada di kapal sebagai penunjang kegiatan operasional di kapal. Mesin pendingin berfungsi untuk mengawetkan bahan makanan yang disimpan di atas kapal dalam waktu yang cukup lama. Penelitian ini dilakukan di atas kapal MV. Strait Mas dengan kinerja mesin pendingin yang kurang optimal, terutama pada naiknya suhu di bagian ruang bahan makanan basah (meat and fish room). Temperatur pada ruang bahan makanan basah tidak mencapai suhu yang telah ditentukan, sehingga kondisi bahan makanan menjadi tidak segar dan tidak layak konsumsi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keoptimalan performa mesin pendingin di kapal MV. Strait Mas, dampak terkait naiknya suhu ruang bahan makanan basah di kapal MV. Strait Mas, dan upaya perbaikan pada ruang bahan makanan basah di kapal MV. Strait Mas. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif untuk memahami fenomena yang dialami oleh subjek penelitian secara holistik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor yang menyebabkan naiknya temperatur pada ruang pendingin makanan adalah terjadinya kebocoran pada tube condensor, condensor yang sudah kotor, sering terbukanya pintu ruang pendingin, dan kurangnya tekanan freon pada sistem. Maka dari itu, perlu dilakukan sejumlah upaya perbaikan pada ruang pendingin makanan seperti menambahkan freon, membersihkan cooler condensor, dan melakukan probe pada salah satu tube yang bocor.
The cooling machine is one of the tools on the ship to support operational activities. The function of the cooling machine is to preserve foodstuffs stored on board for quite a long time. This research was conducted on board the MV. Strait Mas significantly has less than optimal cooling machine performance when the temperature rises in the wet food room (meat and fish room). The temperature in the wet food room does not reach the specified temperature, so the food becomes unfresh and unfit for consumption. This research aims to determine the optimal cooling engine performance on MV Strait Mas Ship impacts related to increasing room temperature for wet food on MV Strait Mas Ship and efforts to repair the damp food space on the MV Strait Mas Ship. This research uses qualitative methods to understand phenomena experienced by research subjects holistically. The research results show that the factors that cause the temperature to rise in the food cooling room are leaks in the condenser tubes, dirty condensers, frequent opening of the cooling room door, and lack of freon pressure in the system. Therefore, it is necessary to make several improvements to the food cooling room, such as adding freon, cleaning the cooler condenser, and carrying out a probe on one of the leaking tubes.
Metarhizium anisopliae, Trichoderma hamatum ve Diatom Toprağının Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)’a Karşı Yalnız ve Kombinasyon Halinde Etkinliğinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: YILDIRIM Mehmet , TUNCER Celal , ÖZDEMİR İsmail Oğuz
Published: February 2024

Bu çalışmada, diatom toprağı (DT) ile Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma) ve Trichoderma hamatum (Th) izolatlarının bireysel olarak ve kombinasyonlar halinde Callasobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) erginlerine karşı laboratuvar koşullarında etkinlikleri araştırılmıştır. Ma ve Th izolatlarının bireysel olarak üç konsantrasyonu (1 × 104, 1 × 106 ve 1 × 108 spor/mL) kullanılırken, kombinasyonlarda da DT’nin üç farklı dozu (200, 400 ve 800 mg/kg) ile her bir fungusa ait en yüksek doz (1 × 108 spor/mL) kullanılarak uygulamalar yapılmıştır. Denemeler 25°C, %70 nispi nem ve 16: 8 aydınlık-karanlık periyodunda yürütülmüştür. Bireysel uygulamalarda Ma ve Th’nin en yüksek dozu (1 × 108 spor/mL) için uygulamadan sonra 8. günde sırasıyla %87.5 ve %52.5 oranında ölüm meydana gelirken, DT’nin en yüksek dozunda (800 mg/kg) uygulamadan 7 gün sonra %100 ölüm ortaya çıkmıştır. Dahası zamanın ve dozun artışına bağlı olarak ölüm oranlarının arttığı gözlemlenmiştir. Kombinasyon denemelerinde ise en yüksek etkinlik 5. günün sonunda %100 ölüm oranı ile DT (800 mg/kg) + Ma (1 × 108 spor/mL) uygulamasında gözlemlenmesinin yanı sıra bireysel uygulamada düşük bir etkinlik gösteren Th en yüksek dozda (1 × 108) DT (800 mg/kg) ile kombinasyonu sonucunda 6. günde %100 ölüme sebep olmuştur. DT’nin entomopatojenlerle çalışmadaki düşük dozlarda bile önemli bir etkinlik gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, azalan uygulama oranlarına rağmen zararlıya karşı umut verici potansiyele sahip bu etmenler, ikili kombinasyonlarda kabul edilebilir sonuçlar ortaya koymuştur. Bu çalışma DT'nin uygulama oranlarının azaltılmasına yardımcı olabilecek bu umut verici bir yaklaşımı ortaya koymakla birlikte uzun süreli depolama koşullarında C. maculatus'a karşı pratik olarak kullanılabilecek bir yöntem için daha fazla araştırma yapılmasını teşvik edebilir.
Analysis of Russia's policy in the Middle East in 2000-2023 in the works of foreign researchers.
Authors: Ionov Dmitriy Dmitrievich , Koreneva Lyudmila Nikolaevna , Nazarov Aleksei Dmitrievich , Ryzhov Igor' Valer'evich
Published: February 2024

The article is devoted to the scientific consideration of foreign researchers' views on the issues and prospects of military-political, trade-economic and socio-cultural relations of the Russian Federation with the countries of the Middle East during the presidency of V.V. Putin and D.A. Medvedev from 2000 to 2023. The paper aims to identify the main points of view of foreign researchers on the issues and prospects of military-political, trade, economic, social and cultural relations of the Russian Federation with the Middle East countries during the presidency of V.V. Putin and D.A. Medvedev in 2000-2023. The purpose of the work is to highlight the main points of view on Russia's Middle East policy and identify the key areas of interest among foreign researchers. The object of the study is to examine the geopolitical significance of the region and the ways in which this significance is reflected in the studies of foreign scholars. The subject is the views of foreign researchers on Russia's policy in the Middle East. The article analyzes the differences and similarities in the interpretations of the effectiveness and consequences of Russia's actions in the region. The study is based on the principles of objectivity, systematicity and consistency. The main conclusions of the paper are that foreign researchers have different attitudes towards Russia's policy in the Middle East. Some see this policy as a constructive approach to developing relations with all countries in the region, while others point to Russia's desire to strengthen its influence and interests in certain countries and, at the same time, Russia's attempt to upset the already fragile balance of power in the region, which is considered one of the most tense and unstable in the world.
Cyborg
Authors: Forlano Laura , Glabau Danya
Published: February 2024

A concise introduction to cyborg theory that examines the way in which technology is situated, political, and embodied.

This introduction to cyborg theory provides a critical vantage point for analyzing the claims around emerging technologies like automation, robots, and AI. Cyborg analyzes and reframes popular and scholarly conversations about cyborgs from the perspective of feminist cyborg theory. Drawing on their combined decades of training, teaching, and research in the social sciences, design, and engineering education, Laura Forlano and Danya Glabau introduce an approach called critical cyborg literacy. Critical cyborg literacy foregrounds power dynamics and pays attention to the ways that social and cultural factors such as gender, race, and disability shape how technology is imagined, developed, used, and resisted.

Forlano and Glabau offer critical cyborg literacy as a way of thinking through questions about the relationship between humanity and technology in areas such as engineering and computing, art and design, and health care and medicine, as well as the social sciences and humanities. Cyborg examines whether modern technologies make us all cyborgs—if we consider, for instance, the fact that we use daily technologies at work, have technologies embedded into our bodies in health care applications, or use technology to critically explore possibilities as artists, designers, activists, and creators. Lastly, Cyborg offers perspectives from critical race, feminist, and disability thinkers to help chart a path forward for cyborg theory in the twenty-first century.
Algorithms of Resistance
Authors: Bonini Tiziano , Treré Emiliano
Published: February 2024

How global workers, influencers, and activists develop tactics of algorithmic resistance by appropriating and repurposing the same algorithms that control our lives.

Algorithms are all around us, permeating more and more aspects of our daily lives. While accounts of platform power tend to come across as bleak and monolithic, Algorithms of Resistance shows how people can resist algorithms across a variety of domains. Drawing from rich ethnographic materials and perspectives from both the Global North and South, authors Tiziano Bonini and Emiliano Treré explore how people appropriate and reconfigure algorithms to pursue their objectives in three domains of everyday life: gig work, cultural industries, and politics. They reveal how forms of algorithmic agency and resistance are endemic and mundane and how the platform society is a contested battleground of contrasting forces.

Bonini and Treré begin by outlining their key theoretical framework of moral economies. This framework argues that algorithms exist on a continuum. At its two extremes are two competing moral economies: the user moral economy and the platform moral economy. From here, Algorithms of Resistance chronicles the various inventive ways that individuals can work to achieve agency and resist the ubiquitous power of algorithms. Casting a wide net with a diverse range of case studies, Bonini and Treré reveal the moral imperative for all of us—from delivery drivers to artists to social movements—to resist algorithms.
The Elephant and the Blind
Authors: Metzinger Thomas
Published: February 2024

An engaging and insightful journey into human consciousness.

What if our goal had not been to land on Mars, but in pure consciousness? The experience of pure consciousness—what does it look like? What is the essence of human consciousness? In The Elephant and the Blind, influential philosopher Thomas Metzinger, one of the world's leading researchers on consciousness, brings together more than 500 experiential reports to offer the world's first comprehensive account of states of pure consciousness. Drawing on a large psychometric study of meditators in 57 countries, Metzinger focuses on “pure awareness” in meditation—the simplest form of experience there is—to illuminate the most fundamental aspects of how consciousness, the brain, and illusions of self all interact.

Starting with an exploration of existential ease and ending on Bewusstseinskultur, a culture of consciousness, Metzinger explores the increasingly non-egoic experiences of silence, wakefulness, and clarity, of bodiless body-experience, ego-dissolution, and nondual awareness. From there, he assembles a big picture—the elephant in the parable, from which the book's title comes—of what it would take to arrive at a minimal model explanation for conscious experience and create a genuine culture of consciousness. Freeing pure awareness from new-age gurus and old religions, The Elephant and the Blind combines personal reports of pure consciousness with incisive analysis to address the whole consciousness community, from neuroscientists to artists, and its accessibility echoes the author's career-long commitment to widening access to philosophy itself.
Liver regeneration by a population of midzone-located mesenchymal-hepatocyte hybrid cells
Authors: Yu Guo , Zhang Shaoyang , Romo Ana , Biswas Soma , Li Baojie , Li Jing
Published: February 2024

Regenerative medicine relies on deep understanding of the mechanisms of organ repair and regeneration. The liver, an organ with critical metabolic functions carried out by hepatocytes located in zones 1-3 of liver lobules, has the capacity to fully regenerate itself, which is mainly attributable to midzone hepatocytes. Yet, how differentiated midzone hepatocytes execute transzone regeneration and quickly recover most of the liver mass remains a myth. Here, we uncover a mesenchymal-hepatocyte population (13.7% of total hepatocytes) that are derived from Twist2-lineage EpCAM
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progenitors, midzone-located, highly polyploidy, and equipped with great mitogenic and migratory capabilities to the detriment of metabolism. They regenerate about 50% of new hepatocytes and repopulate zones 1 and 3 in liver regeneration. Mechanistically, expansion of these cells is negatively controlled by Notch1 signaling. This study has thus uncovered a hepatocyte subpopulation with great proliferation potential and important mechanisms of liver regeneration.
Neural Evidence of Functional Compensation for Fluid Intelligence in Healthy Ageing
Authors: Knights Ethan , Henson Richard N. , Morcom Alexa M. , Mitchell Daniel J. , Tsvetanov Kamen A.
Published: February 2024

Functional compensation is a common notion in the neuroscience of healthy ageing, whereby older adults are proposed to recruit additional brain activity to compensate for reduced cognitive function. However, whether this additional brain activity in older participants actually helps their cognitive performance remains debated. We examined brain activity and cognitive performance in a human lifespan sample (N=223) while they performed a problem-solving task (based on Cattell’s test of fluid intelligence) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Whole-brain univariate analysis revealed that activity in bilateral cuneal cortex for hard vs. easy problems increased both with age and with performance, even when adjusting for an estimate of age-related differences in cerebrovascular reactivity. Multivariate Bayesian decoding further demonstrated that age increased the likelihood that activation patterns in this cuneal region provided non-redundant information about the two task conditions, beyond that of the multiple-demand network generally activated in this task. This constitutes some of the strongest evidence yet for functional compensation in healthy ageing, at least in this brain region during visual problem-solving.
The Effectiveness of the Anti–Drug Program to Drug Reformists of Barangay Bato and its Effect on Their Human Well–Being
Authors: Estrebello, Frank Jay T.  , Sanchez, Darius Jhon C.  , Aleria, Vincent B.  , Otordos, Aljie P.  , Cañete, Raven M.  , Abaricio, Jay D.  , Pendon, Diana Rose L.
Published: February 2024

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the effectiveness of an anti-drug program and its impact on the human well-being of 35 Drug Reformists residing in Barangay Bato, Toril, Davao City. The research focuses on three key components of the anti-drug program, namely the livelihood program, spiritual program, and educational program, serving as indicators for evaluating their effectiveness in contributing to the well-being of drug reformists. The research considers variables such as the financial, educational, and spiritual aspects to discern their influence on the overall well-being of the participants.

The comprehensive research method employed in this study involves the collection of quantitative data through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics are utilized to present a detailed analysis of the data, providing insights into the demographic characteristics and initial conditions of the participants. Furthermore, regression analysis, specifically the stepwise regression technique, is applied to identify the relationships between the variables and to determine the significant predictors of human well-being among drug reformists.

The results of the analysis revealed a high correlation between the variables, highlighting the intricate interplay between the effectiveness of the anti-drug program and the human well-being of the participants. Notably, the stepwise regression analysis excluded the educational program indicator, suggesting that it does not significantly influence the human well-being of drug reformists in this context. This finding contributes valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners involved in anti-drug initiatives, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach that prioritizes certain program components over others based on their impact on human well-being.
Role of Vitamin B17 against Colitis Bearing Female Mice Induced Variations in Some Blood Parameters
Authors: Hasan Ahmed Flayyih , Hameed Haneen Mushtaq , Alyasiri Thura
Published: February 2024

Colorectal cancer is also the third most common cause of cancer-related death, and in the US, it ranks as the third most prevalent kind of cancer. The cells that produce mucus to lubricate the colon and rectum can be the source of colorectal cancer. Natural substances known as phytochemicals contain anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. These properties may be crucial for the treatment of a number of debilitating illnesses. The extract of vitamin B17, or amygdalin, is made from the kernels of apricots. Nitrilosides are naturally occurring compounds that contain cyanide. Natural substances called amygdalin have been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses. Its various pharmacological qualities include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitussive, anti-asthmatic, and anti-ulcer effects. findings, When colitis mice were given acetic acid injections via the anal route, they had diarrhoea, obvious rectal bleeding, and weight loss.serum ALT, AST, and ALP values were higher in the colitis group than in the control and vitamin B17 groups. Conversely, there was a notable drop in the colitis group's blood albumin and total protein levels when compared to the control and vitamin B17 groups. In contrast, as compared to the colitis group, vitamin B17 therapy for colitis resulted in a substantial decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and ALP and an increase in the levels of albumin and total proteins. Serum urea and creatinine levels were higher in the colitis group in comparison to the vitamin B17 and control groups. However, there is a significant decrease in serum urea and creatinine levels in treated colitis with vitamin B17 group when compared with the colitis group. Compared to the vitamin B17 and control groups, the colitis group had higher blood levels of potassium and sodium ions. On the other hand, compared to the colitis group, the treated colitis with vitamin B17 group had significantly lower blood levels of potassium and sodium ions. When compared to the control and vitamin B17 groups, the colitis group's RBC levels and HB% were considerably lower; however, vitamin B17 therapy for colitis regulates and improves these alterations. In contrast to the control and vitamin B17 groups, the colitis group's WBC and platelet counts considerably increased. Conversely, the colitis group's WBC and platelet counts fell when treated with vitamin B17.
Digital Mapping of Soil pH and Electrical Conductivity Using Geostatistics and Machine Learning
Authors: Vandana Nalabolu , Suresh G. Janaki Rama , Mitran Tarik , Mahadevappa S. G.
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the spatial variability of soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in Suryapet district of Southern Telangana Zone through various digital soil mapping approaches. The 202 surface (0-15cm) soil samples were collected and analysed for pH and EC. The analysed data was further divided into calibration set and validation set in the ratio of 75:25. The geostatistical techniques like Ordinary Kriging, Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) and Regression Kriging and data mining technique like random forest technique were used to predict the spatial distribution of pH and EC (dSm-1) over the study area. The accuracy of these methods was assessed using validation data set by calculating RMSE, ME and R2 values. The results showed that among all the approaches, random forest (RF) technique performed better with lower RMSE, ME and higher R2 values for spatial prediction of soil pH (RMSE=0.014, ME=0.28 and R2=0.81) and EC (RMSE=0.134, ME=0.022 and R2=0.73). The RF predicted maps show that the pH of soils varied from neutral (6.5-7.5) to slightly alkaline (7.5-8.5) and the soils of Suryapet district were considered as non-saline (EC: 0-2 dSm-1). The findings of the current study shows that among digital soil mapping techniques, random forest model can be an effective tool for assessing spatial variability of soil pH and EC for further studies.
Folic Acid Protection in Congenital Neural Tube Defects: A Narrative Review
Authors: Schettino Gabriela , Ramos-Silva Valmin , Sarti Thiago Dias
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Neural tube defects, a congenital malformation of multifactorial source, affect more than 200,000 to 300,000 births a year, and are twice as common in developing countries. Food fortification with folic acid has been shown to be effective reducing this congenital malformation. The aim of this study was to look for evidence on the efficacy, interval and best dose of folic acid to be administered in the prophylaxis of neural tube defects.

Methods: Narrative literature review, using the PubMed database, available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/, using the keywords "Folic Acid and Pregnancy and Neural Tube", and applying the filters "Systematic review" and "last five years". Two researchers independently selected articles on the effects of folic acid in preventing neural tube birth defects. After reading the titles and abstracts, 11 of the 21 articles selected were read in full and all were included in the review. Another nine articles obtained from the PUBMED database, using the same keywords and published in the year 2023, were included to discuss the synthesis of the data.

Synthesis of the Data: Neural tube defects were associated with family history, previous stillbirth, unplanned pregnancy, stress during the periconceptional period, lack of prenatal care, use of alcohol, tobacco and exposure to medicines, pesticides, maternal age over 35, chronic maternal illness and low schooling. No evidence of side effects was found as to the supplementation with folic acid. Daily supplementation with 400-800μg, starting 1.5 months before conception and lasting 4 months, prevented the occurrence of neural tube defects and dietary supplementation with folic acid reduced the occurrence of the disease.

Conclusion: Current evidence indicates that folic acid supplementation for pregnant women, starting at 1.5 months before conception and lasting for 4 months, protects against congenital neural tube defects.
Beta-Lactam Resistance and Phenotypic Detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase in Entero bacteriaceae Isolated from Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Éric Kasamba Ilunga , Papy Hichika Tshikolasoni
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Urinary tract infections can affect all individuals, regardless of gender and age, occupying a prominent place in nephrological pathology. The biggest problem is that a pathology with a wide range of antibiotics and other hygiene measures that can remedy it, remains so frequent with sometimes serious complications that can compromise the vital prognosis.

Objectives: To determine antibiogram profile of enterobacteria in urinary infections.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with an analytical aim of enterobacteria isolated from urinary infections from samples from patients of all ages from January 1, 2020 to October 21, 2022.

Results: the isolated enterobacteria strains presented high rates of resistance, i.e. 92.61% for Ampicillin, 47.94% for cefadroxil, 45.14% for cefuroxime and 46.46% for cefotaxime, 72.86% for amoxicillin and 40.44% for amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Qualitative detection of extended spectrum Beta Lactamase was generally evaluated at 24.8% with peaks for Citrobacter sp, Klebsiella sp and E coli. For the latter, cross-resistance to quinolones was evaluated in proportions ranging from 49.45% to 85.51%.

Conclusion: This study shows that the level of resistance of enterobacteria to beta-lactams is very high. We have observed co-resistance between beta-lactams and quinolones, antibiotics commonly used against Gram-Negative bacteria. This observation requires an improvement in the antibiotic management policy.
Cu-Catalyzed Halogenation of Diaryliodonium Salts Containing Ortho-sidearm
Authors: Abudken Ahmed M.H. , Kamil Duaa Q.
Published: February 2024

A simple and efficient halogenation pathway has been delivered with various diaryliodonium salts, containing an ortho alcoholic sidearm, and CuCl or CuBr to produce chloroarenes and bromoarenes in para position only without any ortho aromatic isomer. The reaction conditions include temperature (60 oC), solvent (DMF) and reaction time (2 hours) were optimized in order to obtain high yields of products. All products were isolated and characterized via 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. With further investigation, these methods could be the main entrance to prepare herbicides, insecticides and bactericides containing haloarenes in their structures.
Transformation of nanocrystalline MgO pellets in reaction with 1‐chlorobutane
Authors: Gupta Piyush P. , Hohn Keith L. , Erickson Larry E. , Klabunde Kenneth J. , Bedilo Alexander F.
Published: November 2004

Nanoscale MgO, prepared by an aerogel method (AP–MgO), has been found to be a good destructive adsorbent for dehydrochlorination of 1‐chlorobutane. MgO is converted to MgCl2 during reaction, but conversion continues because MgCl2 itself is a good catalyst for dehydrochlorination. Pelletization will likely be required in industrial use of AP–MgO to ensure lower pressure drop. Pelletization, however, can lead to internal diffusion limitations. In addition, the phase transformation of MgO to MgCl2 inside the pellets leads to physical changes that may limit the reaction rate. This study reports the changes in AP–MgO physical properties upon pelletization and reaction with 1‐chlorobutane. Pore diffusion limitations are noted for all pellets. The phase transformation of MgO to MgCl2 plays an important role in the process, as the physical characteristics substantially change with this transformation. A layer of MgCl2 forms on top of MgO, rendering much of the starting pellet inaccessible to reactants. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 3195–3205, 2004
Endopeptidase activity of larval Lacanobia oleracea corpus allatum: Metabolism of Manduca sexta allatostatin and allatotropin
Authors: Audsley Neil , Weaver Robert J.
Published: November 2004

The degradation of synthetic Manduca sexta allatostatin (Manse‐AS) and allatotropin (Manse‐AT) by enzymes associated with the corpus allatum (CA) of larvae of the tomato moth, Lacanobia oleracea, was investigated using reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation‐time of flight mass spectrometry. Manduca sexta allatostatin was metabolised by CA extract to Manse‐AS5–15, Manse‐AS6–15, and Manse‐AS7–15, which indicates enzymic cleavage at the C‐terminal side of arginine residues R3 and R5 and the N‐terminal side of R5, suggesting this is due to a trypsin‐like enzyme. In support of this, the same degradation products were identified after Manse‐AS was incubated with trypsin, and CA enzymic activity could be inhibited up to 79% by aprotinin. Degradation of Manse‐AT by CA extract was also trypsin‐like, cleaving at the C‐terminal side of the basic residues K3 and R11 to produce Manse‐AT4–13 and Manse‐AT1–11. Metabolism by trypsin produced the same deletion peptides, but the major product due to this enzyme was Manse‐AT4–11. Hydrolysis of Manse‐AT by CA could only be partially inhibited by high doses of aprotinin (36%), and the CA extract also cleaved Manse‐AT between M8 and T9 to produce Manse‐AT1–8. A trypsin‐like peptidase appears to be the major enzyme present in the CA of larval L. oleracea that acts to metabolise Manse‐AS and Manse‐AT. In addition, an unidentified enzyme that cleaves between M and T residues degraded Manse‐AT. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 57:178–189, 2004. British Crown Copyright 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Case for mandatory fortification of food with folate in Australia, for the prevention of neural tube defects
Authors: Bower Carol , Stanley Fiona J.
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

Since the publication of randomized controlled trials demonstrating the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) with periconceptional folate, several Australian states have promoted an increase in periconceptional use of folic acid supplements. Since 1996, voluntary fortification of food with folate has been allowed in Australia and New Zealand for the purpose of preventing NTDs.

METHODS

For this report, we synthesized published and unpublished data on folic acid supplement use, voluntary fortification, and trends in NTDs.

RESULTS

There has been an increase in the proportion of women (up to 30–40%) taking periconceptional folic acid supplements in Australia, and many foods (mainly breakfast cereals) are fortified. Supplement use is strongly correlated with educational and socioeconomic status; consumption of voluntarily fortified foods is not. There has been a fall in NTDs of about 30% in the non‐Aboriginal population, but no change has been seen in the Aboriginal population.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support mandatory fortification of food as a more equitable approach to achieving sufficient folate intake in the periconceptional period for all women in Australia and New Zealand to prevent the majority of NTDs in their offspring. In May 2004, based on these and other considerations, the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council agreed that mandatory fortification of food with folate should be considered as a priority. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stimulating in‐soil rhamnolipid production in a bioslurry reactor by limiting nitrogen
Authors: Hudak Andrew J. , Cassidy Daniel P.
Published: November 2004

A soil with aged contamination from lubricating oil (LO) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was treated in a bioslurry reactor to investigate in‐soil biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most abundant indigenous, culturable, hydrocarbon‐degrading microorganism. After 2 days of growth on LO, a depletion of nitrogen stimulated the production and accumulation of rhamnolipids to levels roughly 20 times the critical micelle concentration. Surface tensions and concentrations of monorhamnolipid and dirhamnolipid, PCBs, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were measured in a slurry filtrate. Soil‐bound PCBs and TPH were also quantified. Rhamnolipid production was observed within 1 to 2 days after nitrogen depletion in each of the 10 batches tested. By day 6, total rhamnolipid concentrations increased from below detection to average values over 1,000 mg/L, which caused over 98% of soil‐bound PCBs and over 99% of TPH to be emulsified and recovered in the filtrate. After 70 days, rhamnolipid concentrations were only reduced by 15%, because of nitrogen‐limited rates of rhamnolipid biodegradation. The results show that in‐soil biosurfactant production can be stimulated in a controlled way with nutrient limitation and can be used to achieve soil washing. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cervical carcinoma in the elderly
Authors: Wright Jason D. , Gibb Randall K. , Geevarghese Sajeena , Powell Matthew A. , Herzog Thomas J. , Mutch David G. , Grigsby Perry W. , Gao Feng , Trinkaus Kathryn M. , Rader Janet S.
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

Advanced age often is considered a poor prognostic factor for cervical carcinoma. The authors investigated the patterns of care and treatment outcomes of elderly women with cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

A hospital‐based tumor registry was used to identify patients with invasive cervical carcinoma who were treated between 1986 and 2003. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: women age < 70 years and women age ≥ 70 years. Survival was examined using the Kaplan–Meier method. Single and multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

In total, 1582 patients were identified, including 1385 patients age < 70 years and 197 patients age ≥ 70 years. The elderly patients presented with more advanced stage tumors at diagnosis (P < 0.0001) and were more likely to have nonsquamous neoplasms (P = 0.002). A marked difference in treatment was noted for the elderly cohort, even after stratifying by disease stage. Only 16% of the older patients underwent surgical treatment compared with 54% of the younger patients (P < 0.0001). Elderly women were 9 times more likely to receive no treatment (P < 0.0001). In a multivariate model of known prognostic factors, the hazard ratio for death from any cause in women age > 70 years was 2.1 (95% CI, 1.5–3.0). The hazard ratio for death from cervical carcinoma in the elderly women was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1–2.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Age is an important factor in the allocation of treatment and survival for patients with cervical carcinoma. Elderly women with cervical carcinoma are more likely to receive primary radiotherapy, to forego treatment, and to die from their disease. Cancer 2005. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
A rare case of primary malignant melanoma of the scrotum diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration
Authors: Damala Konstantina , Tsanou Elena , Pappa Lina , Sintou‐Mantela Evdoxia , Peschos Dimitrios , Agnantis Niki J. , Malamou‐Mitsi Vassiliki
Published: November 2004

We report a case of a 55‐yr‐old man with malignant melanoma of scrotum. He was referred to our Hospital with a complaint of gradual focal enlargement of the scrotum in a period of 3 yr. On physical examination, a pigmented, poorly marginated mass, with central necrosis was observed. A fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of the lesion was performed. Cytological examination revealed highly cellular smears, containing malignant cells, dispersed or arranged in loose aggregates. Cellular morphology and characteristics were identical to those of malignant melanoma arising elsewhere in the skin. The immunocytochemical study revealed positivity of neoplastic cells for anti‐melanoma monoclonal antibody (HMB‐45) antigen. Histological confirmation finally was provided after wide excision of the lesion. We emphasize the difficulties in differential diagnosis considerations and diagnostic pitfalls of scrotal lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;31:413–416. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Columnar cell lesions: Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy features
Authors: Saqi Anjali , Mazziotta Robert , Hamele‐Bena Diane
Published: November 2004

Columnar cell lesions (CCLs) have been described histologically. Frequently, they are noted in biopsies performed for calcifications and are associated with an increased risk of malignancy in the presence of atypia. We sought to characterize the cytological features of CCLs in fine‐needle aspirations (FNAs). Twenty FNAs with subsequent histology diagnoses of CCL without carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Eighteen of 20 cases were classified as “atypical” on cytology; they had cohesive three‐dimensional clusters of enlarged polygonal epithelial cells intermixed with myoepithelial cells in the centers and palisading columnar cells peripherally. Five of these had cytological or architectural atypia on subsequent biopsies, but no significant differences were noted among the 18 aspirates. Calcifications (2/18), snouts (9/18), and bipolar nuclei (11/18) were also identified. The remaining 2/20 FNAs were interpreted as negative because of scant cellularity. In conclusion, CCLs have characteristic cytological traits, and because they may be associated with carcinoma, their recognition is important. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;31:370–375. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel transgenic rat for in vivo genotoxicity assays using 6‐thioguanine and Spi− selection
Authors: Hayashi Hiroyuki , Kondo Hiroshi , Masumura Ken‐ichi , Shindo Yasuhiro , Nohmi Takehiko
Published: November 2004

Transgenic rodents are valuable models for investigating the genotoxicity of chemicals in vivo. Here, we report the establishment of a novel transgenic rat for genotoxicity analysis. In this model, about 10 copies of λEG10 DNA carrying the gpt gene of E. coli and the red/gam genes of λ phage are integrated per haploid genome of Sprague‐Dawley rats at position 4q24‐q31. After recovery of λEG10 phage, point mutations in the gpt gene and deletions in the red/gam genes are identified by 6‐thioguanine and Spi− selection, respectively. To examine the suitability of these rats for performing in vivo mutagenicity assays, rats were treated with single intraperitoneal injections of ethylnitrosourea (ENU; 100 mg/kg) or benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P; 62.5 and 125 mg/kg), and the mutant frequencies (MFs) in the liver were determined 7 days after the treatment. ENU enhanced the gpt MF about 7‐fold over the control while it did not significantly increase the Spi− MF. B[a]P increased both the gpt and Spi− MFs several‐fold in a dose‐dependent manner. To examine the kinetics of MF, ENU was administered (50 mg/kg/day for 5 successive days) and gpt MFs in the liver were determined 7, 21, 35, and 70 days after the last injection. The MF increased to 8‐fold and 13‐fold over the control at 7 and 35 days, respectively, after the last injection and then slightly declined at 70 days. These kinetics are similar to those reported for ENU‐treated lacZ transgenic mice. This novel transgenic rat could be useful for investigating species differences between rats and mice in their response to genotoxic agents. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 41:253–259, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Canonical transient receptor potential channel 4 (TRPC4) co‐localizes with the scaffolding protein ZO‐1 in human fetal astrocytes in culture
Authors: Song Xianyuan , Zhao Yongmei , Narcisse Leontine , Duffy Heather , Kress Yvonne , Lee Sunhee , Brosnan Celia F.
Published: November 2004

Members of the mammalian transient receptor potential (TRP) family form cation‐permeable channels at the plasma membrane implicated in capacitative calcium influx after activation by either second‐messenger‐mediated pathways or store depletion, or both. This study shows that with the use of RT‐PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, resting astrocytes express TRPC4 at the cell membrane, particularly at sites of cell‐to‐cell contact. By confocal imaging and immunoelectron microscopy, we detected co‐localization of TRPC4 with the scaffolding protein zonula occludens 1 (ZO‐1), and demonstrated that immunoprecipitation with antibodies to ZO‐1 brought down TRPC4, and vice‐versa. It has been proposed that the targeting of TRPC4 to the cell membrane is dependent on the interaction of the C‐terminal TRL motif with PDZ domains. Using transfection of astrocytes with myc‐tagged TRPC4 or TRL‐motif truncated TRPC4 (δTRL), we found that δTRL localized predominantly to a juxtanuclear compartment, whereas the wild‐type protein showed cell surface distribution. Deletion of the TRL motif also reduced plasma membrane expression as assessed by cell surface biotinylation experiments. Using GST fusion proteins, we found that TRPC4 interacted with the PDZ1 domain of ZO‐1 and that this was also dependent on the TRL motif. Thus, our data demonstrate that the PDZ‐interacting domain of TRPC4 controls its cell surface localization. These data implicate TRPC4 in the regulation of calcium homeostasis in astrocytes, particularly as part of a signaling complex that forms at junctional sites between astrocytes. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis in rats: Influence of the acute effects of the toxin on glucose metabolism
Authors: Mion F , Géloén A , Agosto E , Minaire Y
Published: November 2004

In animal models, conflicting results on the effect of cirrhosis on glucose metabolism have been reported. The use of various toxins as well as differences in experimental protocols may be responsible for these controversial data. However, differences may be also be explained by the fact that glucose metabolism has been evaluated following different time intervals after cessation of the toxic injury. Therefore, we have performed intravenous glucose tolerance tests, euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps (at 2,6, and 30 mU/kg/min insulin infusion rates), and determination of peripheral tissue glucose metabolic index (by [3H]2-deoxy-glucose injection) in rats treated for 10 weeks with carbon tetrachloride, either 3 days (acute group) or 2 weeks (delayed group) after the last CCl4 dose was administered. Cirrhosis was confirmed by liver histological analysis, and by a 22% (P<.05) decrease in 13C-aminopyrine demethylation. In the acute group, whole-body glucose disposal was decreased at the highest insulin infusion rate only (19.7 ± 1.2 vs. 23.4 ± 1.2 mg/kg/min in controls,P<.05). In contrast, results of the delayed group were not different from controls at any insulin infusion rate. Peripheral tissue glucose metabolic index was significantly decreased in all muscles tested in the acute group compared with controls. A significant decrease of glucose utilization was found in some but not all muscles in the delayed group but was less pronounced than in the acute group. In conclusion, this study showed than insulin sensitivity in cirrhotic rats is time-dependent with regard to the last CCl4 administration. These results must be taken into account when using this experimental model of liver cirrhosis.