bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction and validation of anoikis-related genes in neuropathic pain using machine learning
Authors: He Yufeng , Wei Ye , Wang Yongxin , Ling Chunyan , Qi Xiang , Geng Siyu , Meng Yingtong , Deng Hao , Zhang Qisong , Qin Xiaoling , Chen Guanghui
Published: February 2025

Background

Neuropathic pain (NP) can be induced by a variety of clinical conditions, such as spinal cord injury, lumbar disc herniation (LDH), lumbar spinal stenosis, diabetes, herpes zoster, and spinal cord tumors, and inflammatory stimuli. The pathogenesis of NP is extremely complex. Specifically, in LDH, the herniated nucleus pulposus exerts mechanical pressure on nerve roots, triggering local inflammation and consequent NP. Anoikis, a special form of programmed cell death, is closely related to the progression of NP. In this study, we sought to clarify the molecular characteristics of anoikis-related genes in NP, providing novel insights for the diagnosis and treatment of NP.

Methods

We screened NP-related genes based on the GSE124272 dataset and obtained 439 anoikis-related genes from the GeneCards database. Through Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) machine learning algorithms, six key hub genes were identified: hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), c-abl oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (ABL1), elastase neutrophil expressed (ELANE), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and long non-coding RNA (Linc00324). Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), alongside Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and immune infiltration analysis, were performed on these hub genes. Additionally, transcription factors and potential therapeutic drugs were predicted. We also used rats to construct an NP model and validated the analyzed hub genes using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting assays.

Results

Our data indicated that anoikis-related genes have diagnostic value in NP patients, as confirmed by experimental results. Moreover, this study elucidated the role of these genes in immune infiltration during the pathogenesis of NP and identified potential therapeutic drugs targeting these key genes.

Conclusion

This study further explores the pathogenesis of NP and provides certain reference value for developing targeted therapeutic strategies, thereby improving NP management.
Predominance of extensively-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii carrying bla
OXA-23
in Jordanian patients admitted to the intensive care units
Authors: Ababneh Qutaiba , Aldaken Neda’a , Jaradat Ziad , Al-Rousan Ekhlas , Inaya Zeina , Alsaleh Dua’a , Alawneh Dua’a , Al Sbei Sara , Saadoun Ismail
Published: February 2025

Background and Aim

The global emergence of Acinetobacter baumannii is of great concern, especially inside intensive care units (ICUs). This study investigated the prevalence, antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation and genetic relatedness of A. baumannii recovered from ICU patients in three major hospitals in Jordan.

Methods

The A. baumannii isolates included in this study were identified by the detection of the blaOXA-51 gene, and a multiplex PCR assay. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods, and the ability of the isolates to form biofilms was tested using the 96-well plate assay. All isolates were tested for the presence of carbapenemases-encoding genes by PCR. Clonal relatedness was assessed by Rep-PCR and dendrogram analysis.

Results

Overall, 148 A. baumannii isolates were identified, with 96.7% of the isolates recognized as carbapenem resistant A. baumannii. Based on their resistance patterns, 90% of the isolates were extensively resistant (XDR). The highest prevalence of carbapenemases-encoding genes was for blaOXA-23-like (96.7%), followed by blaADC (93.9.2%), blaVIM (56.8%) and blaNDM-1 (7.4%). Almost 80% of the isolates were able to form biofilms, with 63.2% classified as strong biofilm former. Rep-PCR and clustering analysis revealed 26 different clusters and the circulation of hospital-specific clones.

Conclusions

Our study revealed an alarming high prevalence of XDR, blaOXA-23-carrying and strong biofilm-producing A. baumannii among ICU patients. These findings call for continuous epidemiological surveillance and implementation of prevention strategies to reduce infections and dissemination of such a problematic pathogen inside the ICUs.
Addressing information and credit barriers to making India open defecation free and improving child health: Evidence from a cluster randomized trial in rural India
Authors: Seth Payal , Pingali Prabhu
Published: February 2025

Background

Open defecation (OD) remains a significant public health challenge in India, contributing to adverse child health outcomes. Eliminating OD and improving child health necessitates both universal access and adoption of toilets. Despite the success of removing credit constraints and enhancing access to subsidized toilets through national sanitation campaigns, the adoption of these toilets is still lagging in India. This is because households might also be lacking information about the benefits of using toilets (information constraint).

Methods

In this paper, we test for the joint efficacy of the removal of information and credit constraints versus solely addressing the credit constraint at eliminating OD, based on a cluster randomized control trial in rural India. We implemented two interventions: a universal community-led behavior change campaign along with subsidized construction of individual household toilets for every household that opted for subsidy (cluster A) and only subsidized construction of individual household toilet construction for every household that opted for the subsidy (cluster B). No behavior change was provided in cluster B. The control group did not receive any intervention.

Results

We find that the removal of information and credit constraints at a near-universal level in cluster A resulted in improved toilet access and adoption, eliminating OD at the community level, with a significant gain in child weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ scores). There was an increase in the percentage of households that owned individual household toilets from 2% to 98% and a decline in female respondents practicing OD from 98% to 4% in cluster A. In cluster B, ownership of individual household toilets improved by 78 percentage points (from 6% to 84%), but OD decreased by only 45 percentage points (from 95% to 50%) for the respondents. The control group saw no significant changes. For children under five, there was a statistically significant increase in WAZ scores by 0.68-0.69 standard deviations in cluster A, while cluster B showed insignificant changes when compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The study implies that supplementing universal financial support with community-level information intervention enhances sustainable adoption of improved sanitation facilities, aiding India’s progress towards an open defecation-free nation and improving child health outcomes.
Low capacity for molecular detection of Alphaviruses other than Chikungunya virus in 23 European laboratories, March 2022
Authors: Pezzi Laura , Moegling Ramona , Baronti Cécile , Stanoeva Kamelia R. , Presser Lance D. , Jourdan Pauline , Ayhan Nazli , van den Akker Willem M.R. , Zientara Stephan , Gossner Céline M. , Charrel Rémi N. , Reusken Chantal B.E.M. ,   on behalf of EVD-LabNet
Published: February 2025

Alphaviruses comprise over 30 identified species spread worldwide and carry a large global health burden. With vector expansion occurring in and around Europe, it is anticipated this burden will increase. Therefore, regular assessment of the diagnostic capabilities in Europe is important, e.g., by conducting external quality assessments (EQAs). Here we evaluated molecular detection of alphaviruses in expert European laboratories by conducting an EQA in March 2022. Molecular panels included 15 samples: nine alphaviruses, Barmah Forest virus (BFV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), Mayaro virus (MAYV), o’nyong-nyong virus (ONNV), Ross River virus (RRV), Sindbis virus (SINV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), and Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and four negative control samples. Alphavirus detection was assessed among 23 laboratories in 16 European countries. Adequate capabilities were lacking for several viruses, and approximately half of the laboratories (11/23) relied on pan-alphavirus assays with varying sensitivity and specificity. Only 46% of laboratories characterized all EQA samples correctly. Correct result rates were > 90% for CHIKV, RRV and SINV, but laboratories lacked specificity for ONNV and MAYV and sensitivity for VEEV, BFV, and EEEV. Only two alphaviruses causing human disease circulate or have circulated in Europe, CHIKV and SINV. Molecular detection was satisfactory with both CHIKV and SINV, but < 50% correct for the entire alphaviruses panel. With continued imported cases, and a growing global concern about climate change and vector expansion, focus on progress toward rapid, accurate alphavirus diagnostics in Europe is recommended, as well as regular EQAs to monitor quality.
Protocol for a theory-based, mixed methods evaluation of Cynnau|Ignite: an active learning programme to foster positive research culture through leadership development at Cardiff University
Authors: Hennah Charlotte , Rizwan Maleeha , Edwards Nicola , Beckett Hayley , Convery Michele , Dawson Heidi , Morris Jonathan , Rigby Mair , Vilares James , Wahl-Jorgensen Karin , Williams Rebecca , Gameiro Sofia
Published: February 2025

A recent UKRI call for training programmes to improve research culture at Higher Education Institutions led Cardiff University to design Cynnau|Ignite. This active learning programme intends to foster positive research culture practices through empowering staff towards leadership on this agenda, and by embedding learners in environments where these practices are highly valued. Cynnau|Ignite will be implemented within Cardiff University as three tailored programmes, dependant on job roles: Teaching and Research (64 learners), Research-Only (32 learners), and Professional Services, Technicians and Specialists (32 learners). This protocol details a theory-based, mixed methods evaluation of Cynnau|Ignite’s effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility as a tool to improve research culture practices and perceptions within Cardiff University. This knowledge will help inform future iterations of Cynnau|Ignite and similar initiatives, while advancing methods for the evaluation of positive research culture practices, and has potential to inform choices regarding funding and evaluation of research culture initiatives at other Higher Education Institutions. Here, we outline the Cynnau|Ignite Theory of Change used to inform our primary outcomes and describe our plan to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness by measuring learners’ self-reported positive research culture practices (intentions and behaviours) before and after taking part in Cynnau|Ignite, in comparison to a control group of staff who were not involved in the programme. Additionally, data monitoring, sessions observation, and semi-structured interviews will be conducted to establish programme acceptability and feasibility for stakeholders including learners, the delivery team, and university management. We hypothesise Cynnau|Ignite will be largely acceptable and effective in boosting learners’ positive research culture intentions compared to a control group, but believe behavioural implementation may be adversely affected by common barriers such as insufficient time and resources. Overall, we expect Cynnau|Ignite to improve short-term positive research culture practices and perceptions at Cardiff University, but its potential long-term impact is unclear.

Study registration

Number: ISRCTN15575518
Early economic evaluation of chelation therapy in kidney transplant recipients with high-normal lead
Authors: Hao Jiasi , Alizadeh Behrooz Z. , Postma Maarten J. , Touw Daan J. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , de Jong Lisa A.
Published: February 2025

Background

Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with high-normal lead have a higher risk of graft failure (GF). Clinically, chelation therapy using meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) removes lead. Despite the proposal that chelation therapy can prevent GF through lead removal, evidence is lacking. To guide research efforts, we conducted an early economic evaluation, aiming to explore the economic feasibility of screening for and implementing chelation therapy with oral DMSA for high-normal plasma lead concentrations in KTR (i.e., the intervention) compared to standard of care.

Methods

A Markov model simulated the life course of 10,000 KTR in the Netherlands from a societal perspective. Transition probabilities were estimated using the data from TransplantLines Food and Nutrition Biobank and Cohort study. Costs and utilities were sourced from publications and public data. Model robustness was investigated through deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Various administration strategies were tested. Five-year costs were calculated from a healthcare payer’s perspective. Value of information was assessed.

Results

The intervention was cost-saving and improved health, leading to a dominant incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. The result was most sensitive to transition probabilities (led by GF, followed by death with functioning graft and after graft failure). The probability of the intervention being cost-effective was 60%. Chelation strategies did not affect the result. The intervention applied to the Dutch KTR population could save €27 million in the initial five years. Further research is desirable if the cost of obtaining perfect information on GF survival is approximately below €4,000/KTR (all uncertainties under €5,000/KTR).

Conclusion

The cost-effectiveness of the intervention is robust in KTR, except when considering the uncertainties around (graft) survival probabilities. Applying chelation therapy in the new setting we studied holds significant potential. However, trials that systematically assess the efficacy, administration strategies, and impacts on survival are crucial in updating the current evaluation and informing policies.
Finding your own voice
Authors: Hajian George , Powley Caroline
Published: February 2025

E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū.

(The tūī chatters, the kākā cackles, the kererū coos.)

The appeal of printed matter extends beyond the visual to include the ability to convey voice and emotion. Much like ‘vocal inflexion’ in spoken language, type and typography imbue content with a unique tone or ‘voice’. Using the above Māori whakataukī (‘proverb’) as a metaphor to investigate typographic voice, we devised a new twelve-week course which invites students to create a multi-sectional publication responding to endemic birds. Birds are symbolic creatures in Māori mythology and hold a special place in te ao Māori (world-view). As tauiwi kaiako (‘non-Māori teachers’) entrusted with the responsibility to design resources that honour an Indigenous partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the whakataukī acts as a catalyst to develop an inclusive curriculum. The syllabus for this introductory article is pedagogically structured to scaffold students’ learning. Built as a sequence of analogue and digital exercises, students are encouraged to explore distinct compositional strategies relevant to six diverse types of content: (1) creating dynamic text forms to reflect poetry, (2) generating typographic patterns with letterforms to represent birdsong, (3) integrating letterforms with images to create expressive descriptions, (4) using hierarchy to establish structure within long-form text, (5) using expressive text to depict symbolism and significance in culture and (6) composing fluid lines of text to express rhythm within a song. The resulting multi-sectional publications also reflect the whakataukī by bringing together distinctive print and typographic formats into a cohesive publication – a collective ‘chorus’ of different typographic voices. This article unpacks examples of student work to elucidate learning and successes, highlighting practical challenges of teaching diverse students and introducing them to a conceptual framework for a communication design project through the metaphor of ‘voice’.
Sung, drawn and quartered: the roman ideogram of bread (part 2)
Authors: Waring Bunny
Published: February 2025

The common, round, and quartered loaf of wheat-bread was produced and eaten by all echelons of Roman society. The fundamentality of this segmented loaf to the daily life, industry, and economy of Rome, imbued it with ideogrammic qualities of social balance and stability which have yet to be explored. Part 1 of this paper introduced the development of bread in Roman diets, before an in-depth analysis of its metaphoric characteristics in ancient writing genres. Part 2 investigates how these themes translate visually into the archaeological record, exploring the emblematic use of bread on tombs, altars, frescos, and mosaics throughout the Empire. This two-part paper aims to highlight the allegorical nature of bread beyond dietetics.
Discurso, ideología y dilemas en las ONG: un estudio con cooperantes españoles
Authors: Briales Canseco Álvaro
Published: February 2025

Este trabajo se aproxima al discurso del cooperante internacional español con experiencia en Latinoamérica. Como método utilizamos el concepto de dilemas ideológicos para analizar entrevistas de cooperantes. Así, se identificaron situaciones dilemáticas respecto a temas como las causas de la pobreza o el deber de intervenir. Por un lado, el análisis pone de relieve la capacidad del cooperante de reflexionar sobre sí mismo y su actividad, mientras que por otro lado, problematizamos la dimensión ideológica del discurso en tanto tiende a despolitizar la pobreza.
Discurso y poder. Gedisa, Barcelona. 2009. Teun A. van Dijk
Authors: Soto Guillermo
Published: February 2025

En esta reseña, se tratan ciertos aspectos del libro Discurso y poder de van Dijk que parecen de gran relevancia para comprender la relación entre el discurso, los individuos, la sociedad y el abuso de poder. Especialmente, se revisa el enfoque tridimensional del discurso, que concibiendo este como fenómeno, a la vez, lingüístico, interactivo-social y cognitivo, propone que la relación entre discurso y poder está mediada por la actividad mental de individuos ideológicos contextualmente situados. También se discute el papel que desempeña el diseño del contexto por parte de los grupos poderosos en el control de las interpretaciones y representaciones sociales de las personas. La reseña concluye indicando algunas posibles limitaciones del enfoque adoptado.
Selecciones lingüísticas y discursivas en la “visibilización” de la dimensión moral de la violencia: el insulto moral
Authors: Colín Rodea Marisela
Published: February 2025

El presente estudio tiene por objetivo analizar las selecciones lingüísticas y discursivas usadas por el sujeto para referir aspectos morales y físicos de la violencia. El corpus del análisis lo constituyen dos relatos de personas directamente implicadas con la policía en México. La metodología empleada retoma la idea de la psicología discursiva sobre las emociones y la teoría de la relevancia vista en la propuesta sobre el insulto. Cardoso de Oliveira (1996, 2005) señala que la dimensión moral de la violencia está poco elaborada y mal comprendida; y sin embargo, ella constituye el cierne de la agresión desde el punto de vista de los actores. Las implicaciones de este hecho tocan el problema de la violación de derechos y el déficit de la ciudadanía en las llamadas sociedades democráticas.
Enfrentándose al cáncer en compañía: el rol del familiar en la consulta oncológica
Authors: Cordella Marisa
Published: February 2025

Esta investigación utiliza las herramientas del análisis del discurso (AD) para estudiar en detalle nueve conversaciones que se desarrollan en una consulta médica tripartita entre el oncólogo, el paciente y su acompañante. Las conversaciones se grabaron en el ambiente natural de una clínica del cáncer en Santiago de Chile, y se transcriben en su totalidad con el fin de identificar el rol que los acompañantes juegan en la consulta oncológica, las estratégicas lingüísticas que ellos utilizan y las ventajas o desventajas que dichas contribuciones aportan al encuentro. El análisis indica que los acompañantes asumen 7 roles durante el período de tratamiento oncológico, dos de ellos son prominentes y se estudiarán en detalle en este artículo. A través del discurso médico se descubre que aquellos acompañantes que asumen el rol de asistente familiar de salud y compañero cumplen diferentes funciones en el cuidado del paciente. Se destacan en estos roles estrategias discursivas que apuntan a acompañantes que monitorean el bienestar y la salud del paciente a través de estrechos vínculos que suelen formarse en el transcurso de la enfermedad.
El discurso de género en un programa radial juvenil: una mirada desde el análisis de la conversación y el análisis crítico del discurso
Authors: Álvarez Valencia José Aldemar
Published: February 2025

En el proceso de construcción de las sociedades postmodernas, el discurso público se constituye en un mecanismo influyente para la legitimación y deslegitimación del poder. Esta manera de materializar el poder fundamenta la necesidad de examinar los discursos públicos (la televisión, la radio, etc.) como canales de difusión ideológica. En este sentido, este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las pautas de género subyacentes en el discurso de los locutores de una emisora juvenil en Colombia. El enfoque analítico articuló el andamiaje teórico–metodológico del Análisis de la Conversación (AC) y el Análisis Crítico del Discurso (ACD). Los resultados indican que en el programa predomina un discurso androcéntrico que se cristaliza mediante el control que ejercen los hombres sobre la situación interaccional, el acceso a los temas y su tratamiento.
Matrix Hashing with Random Probing in 1D Array
Authors: Tripathi Rajeev Ranjan Kumar , Singh Pradeep Kumar , Singh Sarv Pal
Published: February 2025

The current computing era enables the generation of vast amounts of data, which must be processed to extract valuable insights. This processing often requires multiple query operations, where hashing plays a crucial role in accelerating query response times. Among hashing techniques, Cuckoo Hashing has demonstrated greater efficiency than conventional methods, offering simplicity and ease of integration into various real-world applications. However, Cuckoo Hashing also has limitations, including data collisions, data loss due to collisions, and the potential for endless loops that lead to high insertion latency and frequent rehashing. To address these challenges, this work introduces a modified Matrix hashing technique. The core concept of the proposed scheme is to utilize both a 2D array and an additional 1D array with random probing to create a more robust technique that competes effectively with Cuckoo Hashing. This study also introduces degree of dexterity as a new performance metric, in addition to the traditional load factor. Furthermore, the Even-Odd hash function is proposed to ensure a more balanced load distribution. Through rigorous experimental analysis in a single-threaded environment, this modified Matrix hashing with random probing in the 1D array is shown to effectively resolve key issues associated with Cuckoo Hashing, such as excessive data migration, inefficient memory usage, and high insertion latency.
Machine Learning Based Prediction of Retinopathy Diseases Using Segmented Retinal Images
Authors: Saroj Sushil Kumar , Kumar Rakesh , Singh Nagendra Pratap
Published: February 2025

Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, glaucoma, etc. are severe and common retinopathy diseases today. Early age detection and diagnosis of these diseases can save human beings from many life threats. The retina’s blood vessels carry details of retinopathy diseases. Therefore, feature extraction from blood vessels is essential to classify these diseases. A segmented retinal image is only a vascular tree of blood vessels. Feature extraction is easy and efficient from segmented images. Today, there are existing different approaches in this field that use RGB images only to classify these diseases due to which their performance is relatively low. In the work, we have proposed a model based on machine learning that uses segmented retinal images generated by different efficient methods to classify diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and multi-class diseases. We have carried out extensive experiments on numerous images of DRIVE, HRF, STARE, and RIM-ONE DL datasets. The highest accuracy of the proposed approach is 90.90 %, 95.00 %, and 92.90 % for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and multi-class diseases, respectively, which the model detected better than most of the methods in this field.
Scholars and Literati at the University of Ingolstadt (1459–1800)
Authors: De la Croix David , Kotala Clara , Stelter Robert
Published: February 2025

This note is a summary description of the set of scholars and literati who taught at the University of Ingolstadt from its inception in 1459 to its relocation in 1800.
La escritura de sí como tecnología del yo en la configuración narrativa de Satanás (2002), de Mario Mendoza
Authors: Cabra Hernández Jhon Erick
Published: February 2025

El siguiente texto se propone realizar un ejercicio interpretativo de Satanás (2002), con la finalidad de mostrar cómo la realidad referencial se transforma de manera semiótica en la escritura novelesca. De esta manera, me interesa observar cómo la escritura de sí, como tecnología del yo, funciona como un aspecto relevante en la configuración narrativa de la obra en mención. Para esto, se parte de la hipótesis acerca de cómo la novela imita un discurso que ya ha sido garante de decir la “verdad”, en este caso, las diferentes maneras de reproducción del discurso de la intrahistoria a través de las escrituras del yo.
Ramiro Isaza Mejía, maestro de la guitarra en Colombia. Recuerdo de su labor a veintiún años de su fallecimiento
Authors: Gómez Irene
Published: February 2025

Transcurridos ya veintiún años del fallecimiento del guitarrista y pedagogo Ramiro Isaza (Medellín, 31 de diciembre de 1947 - Bogotá, 13 de mayo de 2003), quien fuera un comprometido impulsor de la carrera de guitarra en la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, y fundador del primer cuarteto de guitarras, el Cuarteto Espiral, se pretende en el siguiente escrito estudiar aspectos de su recorrido y su labor, que abrieron una gran puerta al desarrollo de la guitarra clásica en Colombia.
AIR FLOW PATTERNS AROUND A RESIDENTIAL CLOSED-SHAPED BUILDING WITH ARCHES AND GAPS
Authors:   South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia, Olenkov V.D.
Published: February 2025

The paper studies the properties of wind flow distribution in a closed-shaped residential building of two types: with arches and gaps. It considers the variants of a typical building with a height of 16 floors and two predominant directions of the incoming wind flow. It also presents the results of the numerical modelling of air flow dynamics in Ansys Discovery Live software package and analyses the wind velocity fields inside the courtyard area taken at pedestrian height. A closed-shaped building in terms of wind regime determines the presence of large areas of the territory with reduced wind speeds. The presence of arched openings or gaps significantly improves the comfort of the microclimate of the yard. The percentage of wind-friendly territories inside the courtyard is higher in case of the second variant of block-section layout – with full-fledged gaps for the whole height of the buildings. The paper suggests recommendations for the mutual placement of residential building layout elements and the choice of courtyard landscaping.
ESTIMATION OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS IN THE KORTROS GROUP OF COMPANIES USING INFORMATION MODEL DATA ANALYTICS
Authors:   Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Yekaterinburg, Russia, Pridvizhkin S.V.
Published: February 2025

The article highlights the use of digital information models in the Kortros Group of Companies to estimate the cost of construction at the design stages and preparation for the contracting of construction and installation works. As part of the study, a business intelligence tool, the BI platform, is considered as a method for determining the cost of construction. The accuracy of the data obtained from digital information models was assessed at the stages of Architectural and urban planning concept, Project, Tender and Working Documentation. As a result of the study, the authors made conclusions about the use of data analytics of information models at the early stages of work on an investment and construction project to predict the cost of construction, as well as about BI-platforms as tools for determining it.
CONSTRUCTION OF A SPATIAL CURVE COMPOSED OF RATIONAL CUBIC SEGMENTS
Authors:   South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia, Korotkij V.A.
Published: February 2025

The paper describes a rational cubic segment by a formula similar to the Bezier formula, but, unlike this formula, the coordinates of the vertices of the characteristic broken line of a rational cubic segment are supplemented with weighting coefficients. The paper considers two problems. The first task is to construct a composite G2-smooth curve passing through points given in three-dimensional space and touching pre-specified directing lines at these points. Smoothness G2 means a continuous change in the curvature vector along the constructed curve (without jumps in magnitude and direction). The second task is to insert a cubic segment into the gap between two fixed spatial cubic curves. To solve the problems, constructive step-by-step graphic-analytical algorithms have been developed. A distinctive feature of the proposed algorithms is the significant use of tools and methods of three-dimensional computer graphics. The paper proposes to solve the first problem sequentially: we add a second segment to the first segment, providing a common tangent and a common curvature vector of the connected segments at the joint point. We add the next segment to the second segment, also ensuring that the tangents and curvature vectors at the joint point coincide. To solve the second problem, it is necessary to find the characteristic broken line of the inserted segment based on the condition of coincidence of the touching planes at the joint points. The segment weights are calculated taking into account the G2 smoothness requirement. The examples of solving problems 1 and 2 presented in the paper are transparent and can be used in the educational process.
Analysis of Scheduling Method in Building Projects: A Case of Line of Balance and Precedence Diagram Method
Authors: Arifuddin Rosmariani , Fatimah Andi Nurul , Fadlillah Muh Rifan
Published: February 2025

The construction industry plays a significant role in a country's economic growth. However, construction projects frequently face challenges in meeting schedule targets. Project scheduling is crucial as it provides insights into enhancing the development process. Various scheduling methods are employed in construction projects, including the line of balance (LoB) method and precedence diagramming. Selecting the appropriate scheduling method impacts the project's timeline. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of the LoB method and precedence diagramming in building construction projects, with a specific case study of a COVID center. The research method involves collecting project data, including project s-curves. The findings indicate that utilizing both the line of balance and precedence diagram methods can enhance project scheduling by ensuring the continuous allocation of resources.
Quality of Life in the Hetmanate and Left-Bank Ukraine in the 18th–19th Centuries: Between ‘Subjective’ Narratives and ‘Objective’ Markers
Authors: Serdiuk Igor
Published: February 2025

This article aims to better understand the quality of life in Left-bank Ukraine during the 18th and 19th centuries through the analysis of a wide range of social, economic, and demographic indicators. The concept of ‘quality of life’ is considered as an interdisciplinary framework combining sociological, economic, historical, and demographic approaches. The study also evaluates the potential of various sources, including diaries, chronicles, statistics, and population censuses. Particular attention is paid to the subjective perception of well-being and its treatment in historical sources. The research demonstrates that quality of life in the region was closely connected with access to resources, education levels, infrastructure development, and professional medicine. A significant aspect of the study is the exploration of differences in perceptions of well-being among various authors. For instance, foreign travelers often romanticized or, conversely, criticized the everyday life of Left-bank Ukraine, depending on their personal views and experiences. The article analyzes key spheres affecting quality of life, such as social inequalities, population density, agrarian culture, and urbanization levels. The author emphasizes that quality of life did not always improve alongside modernization, and the expansion of urban infrastructure, for example, often adversely affected living conditions for certain groups as a consequence of inadequate water supply and sewage systems. The study highlights the necessity of analyzing historical transformations through the integration of subjective and objective data. The conclusions suggest that to objectively assess the quality of life in the region, researchers need measurable and comparable markers, as well as integral indicators reflecting the impact of various factors on human lives. Mortality rates and life expectancy are proposed as such indicators. Existing data for Left-bank Ukraine indicate a noticeably higher quality of life in the region compared to the provinces of European Russia at that time. However, this data is insufficient, referring only to the quality of life in Left-bank Ukraine at its ‘exit point’ from its ‘exit point’ from its situation of subjugation to empire. Without knowledge of mortality and life expectancy at its ‘entry point’, when the Hetmanate was still a distinct social and economic entity, such data can be interpreted in various contradictory ways, as is happening now. Therefore, the next stage of research would require studying these same indicators as they apply to the Hetmanate.
Exploring the therapeutic promise of fisetin: molecular mechanisms and clinical aspects in lung cancer
Authors: Goyal Kavita , Babu M. Arockia , Afzal Muhammad , Rekha Arcot , Ali Haider , Gupta Saurabh , Singh Ravindra Pal , Mishra Anurag , Singh Himmat , Agrawal Mohit , Rana Mohit , Imran Mohd , Khan Abida
Published: February 2025

Fisetin, a flavonol belonging to the flavonoid subclass, is a ubiquitous dietary flavonoid present in fruits and vegetables, including fruit peels, and has proven potential for anticancer activity, especially for lung cancer – a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The current paper provides the most detailed and elaborate list of the various roles of fisetin in experimentally induced lung cancer cells, and these roles include the promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the regulation of autophagy. Among the molecular targets, some identified pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB, that fisetin affects are crucial for tumor formation, so it can be considered a potential chemopreventive agent. Moreover, fisetin improves the effectiveness of conventional treatments as a chemo- and radiosensitizer and minimizes side effects. However, the overall utility of fisetin for clinical use is now somewhat restricted by its poor solubility and short half-life. It is predicted that the future development of nanotechnologies for drug delivery, such as nanoparticle encapsulation, might help solve these difficulties. Further Preclinical and clinical investigations are required to uniformly determine the safety, efficacy, and standard dosage of fisetin for consumption in lung cancer therapy.
Hybrid modeling of structure extension and instance weighting for naive Bayes
Authors: Yu Liangjun , Wang Di , Zhou Xian , Wu Xiaomin
Published: February 2025

Due to robustness and efficiency, naive Bayes (NB) remains among the top ten data mining algorithms. However, the required conditional independence assumption more or less limits its classification performance. Of numerous approaches to improving NB, structure extension and instance weighting have both achieved remarkable improvements. To make full use of their complementary and consensus advantages, this article proposes a hybrid modeling approach to combining structure extension with instance weighting. We call the resulting model instance weighted averaged one-dependence estimators (IWAODE). In IWAODE, the dependencies among attributes are modeled by an ensemble of one-dependence estimators, and the corresponding probabilities are estimated from attribute value frequency-weighted training instances. The classification performance of IWAODE is experimentally validated on a large number of datasets.
Thermodynamic characterization of transient valve temperatures in diesel engines using probabilistic methods
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Gupta Anikate , Kumar Dinesh , Sharma Vipin Kumar , Rai Santosh Kumar
Published: February 2025

This investigation aimed to predict the temperature distribution in the inlet and exhaust valve and isotherms to the cooling media at a given load of a diesel engine. For the analysis that has been done a Tata- Mercedes diesel engine with 90 mm bore diameter and Stroke length of 120 mm was analysed using FEM through Ansys workbench 15.0. Steady as well as transient cases were considered in combination. The temperature distribution and isotherms are computed and plotted using Ansys. The results obtained by Ansys workbench 15.0 were satisfactory and were in line when compared with finite differential analysis. There is a large temperature variation along the length of the valve. It may vary from 560 °C to 110 °C from tip to valve head in the exhaust valve while this variation is less in the case of inlet valve from 540 °C to 100 °C from the face to the tip. The linear temperature difference between the nodes at the base of the stem to the node at the center of the face increases with time and acquires the maximum value of about 120 °C at about 10 s then it decreases till the valve attains a steady state value. Thus, was observed from analysis that during this time there is a maximum probability of failure of valves due to linear differences in temperature.
Crystal structure of catena-poly[(μ
3-4,4′-oxydibenzoato- κ
5
O,O
′: O
″,O
‴:O
‴)-bis(2,4,6-tri(3-pyridine)-1,3,5-triazine-κ
1
N)cadmium(II)], C50H32CdN12O5
Authors: Jing Hao , Ke Liu , Xia Hou , Hai Wang
Published: February 2025

C50H32CdN12O5, triclinic,

P

1
‾

$P\overline{1}$

(no. 2), a = 9.0273(2) Å, b = 15.4626(3) Å, c = 15.8910(2) Å, α = 96.5060(10)°, β = 98.5010(10)°, γ = 97.354(2)°, V = 2155.88(7) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0320, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0849, T = 100 K.
Klimaschutz durch Degrowth? – Ordonomische Anfragen an die Position radikaler Wachstumskrititk
Authors: Pies Ingo , Schultz Felix Carl
Published: February 2025

Kurzfassung

Der Weltklimarat (IPCC) hat jüngst eine Autorengruppe wohlwollend rezipiert, die die These vertritt, Klimaschutz könne (nur) durch Wachstumsverzicht – durch Nullwachstum und besser noch durch Negativwachstum – ambitioniert vorangetrieben werden. Wir rekonstruieren diese spezifische Degrowth-Argumentation und konfrontieren sie aus der Perspektive des ordonomischen Forschungsprogramms mit zwei kritischen Anfragen. Im Ergebnis sehen wir uns veranlasst, die im Titel aufgeworfene Frage zu verneinen. Unsere Gegenargumente lauten: (a) Degrowth verkennt die zivilisatorischen Vorzüge der post-malthusianischen Wachstumsgesellschaft. (b) Degrowth nimmt die klimapolitische Herausforderung nicht ernst genug. Insbesondere wird unterschätzt, dass die zum Klimaschutz für nötig gehaltenen Innovationen unternehmerischer Anstrengungen bedürfen und insofern marktwirtschaftliche Leistungsanreize voraussetzen.
Spontaneous dehydration side reactions of core amino acids in GC-MS sample preparation: the role of drying conditions
Authors: Karnaeva Anastasia E. , Korzhenevskii Dmitry A. , Nesterenko Alexey M.
Published: February 2025

The metabolomic and metabolic flux analyses often require accurate measurement of amino acids, which can be effectively conducted using GC-MS analysis after preliminarily trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization. Among the four central amino acids (glutamate, alanine, serine and aspartate) taken for the study, glutamate has the most peculiar behaviour because of pyroglutamic acid formation. We have discovered that spontaneous non-enzymatic cyclisation occurs only if we dry glutamate from aqueous solution before starting TMS derivatization in pyridine. We investigated various factors during sample preparation and injection into the GC that could affect glutamate cyclisation, and the decisive factor was the presence of water in the sample, which could catalyse the glutamate cyclization process. Very important practical advice was demonstrated that drying from a water-methanol solution (1:1, v/v) instead of drying from water solution significantly prevents the formation of pyroglutamate. Brief research of three other amino-acids indicate the similar problems for alanine and serine amino acids: formations of anhydrides likely happened during drying from pure water solutions.
Elucidating the effect of CdO–Na2O exchange on structure, mechanical and radiation shielding improvements of B2O3–P2O5–Na2O glass
Authors: Shaaban Kh. S. , Al-Baradi Ateyyah M. , Aloraini Dalal Abdullah
Published: February 2025

This study examined the elastic, and radiation resistance of CdO–B2O3–P2O5– Na2O glasses. The density observed increased from 3.42 to 4.87 g/cm3 in conjunction with the increase in CdO content. As the CdO increases, the (V

L
) increases from 4,690 to 5,040 m/s. Similarly, the (V

S
) increases from 2,045 to 2,275 m/s. Furthermore, the elastic moduli showed a linear increase with the increment of CdO concentration. The evaluation of multiple basic radiation attenuation variables was used to determine the radiation shielding of these glasses. This indicates that the addition of CdO has a positive influence on the glass’s ability to attenuate γ radiation. This suggests that this specific glass composition is effective in attenuating γ, making it appropriate for radiation shielding purposes.
The effect of peer group management intervention on chronic pain intensity, number of areas of pain, and pain self-efficacy
Authors: Reilimo Marjatta Inkeri , Sainio Markku , Liira Juha , Laurola Marjukka
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Chronic pain causes loss of workability, and pharmacological treatment is often not sufficient, whereas psychosocial treatments may relieve continual pain. This study aimed to investigate the effect of peer group management intervention among patients with chronic pain.

Methods

The participants were 18–65-year-old employees of the Municipality of Helsinki (women 83%) who visited an occupational health care physician, nurse, psychologist, or physiotherapist for chronic pain lasting at least 3 months. An additional inclusion criterion was an elevated risk of work disability. Our study was a stepped wedge cluster, randomized controlled trial, and group interventions used mindfulness, relaxation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. We randomized sixty participants to either a pain management group intervention or to a waiting list with the same intervention 5 months later. After dropouts, 48 employees participated in 6 weekly group meetings. We followed up participants from groups A, B, and C for 12 months and groups D, E, and F for 6 months. As outcome measures, we used the pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the number of areas of pain, the visual analog scale of pain, and the pain self-efficacy. We adjusted the results before and after the intervention for panel data, clustering effect, and time interval.

Results

The peer group intervention decreased the number of areas of pain by 40%, from 5.96 (1–10) to 3.58 (p < 0.001), and increased the pain self-efficacy by 15%, from 30.4 to 37.5 (p < 0.001). Pain intensity decreased slightly, but not statistically significantly, from 7.1 to 6.8.

Conclusions

Peer group intervention for 6 weeks among municipal employees with chronic pain is partially effective. The number of areas of pain and pain self-efficacy were more sensitive indicators of change than the pain intensity. Any primary care unit with sufficient resources may implement the intervention.
MLST Evidence of Two Different Sequence Types of Listeria Monocytogenes Strains Used for Commercial Veterinary Listeriosis Vaccines
Authors: Kichemazova Natalya , Zaytsev Sergey , Saltykov Yury , Larionova Olga , Zaberezhny Alexey , Feodorova Valentina
Published: February 2025

Objective:

Listeriosis is among the most severe food-borne diseases affecting both animals and humans, and it presents a serious threat to public health, animal welfare, and the food industry. Food products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the causative agent of listeriosis, are recognized as the primary source of infection. Since the late 1960s, the live whole-cell vaccine AUF (LWCV AUF) has been successfully used for the prevention of listeriosis in farm animals in Russian regions affected by the disease. This commercial vaccine is based on manufactured batches of the two ovine parental Lm strains isolated in various regions of the former USSR, Siberia, and Azerbaijan, from distinct animals in different years. This study was aimed at investigating whether these strains might belong to the same phylogenetic lineage and possess identical sequence types (STs).

Methods:

One Lm vaccine strain was attenuated by multiple ultraviolet irradiation (UFR), whereas the other was obtained through routine techniques involving multiple passages on bacteriological media. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis was performed with amplification and sequencing of internal fragments of seven housekeeping genes (abcZ, bglA, cat, dapE, dat, ldh, and lhkA). For morphological comparison, both Lm strains were grown on Chromocult Listeria Agar Ottaviani and Agosti bacterial media.

Results:

Both attenuated Lm strains belonged to a single phylogenetic lineage (lineage II), and were assigned to different STs (ST124 and ST1538), and clonal complexes (CCs), (CC124 and CC7). In addition, these strains demonstrated different morphological characteristics when grown on bacterial media standard for Lm.

Conclusion:

The LWCV AUF is formulated on two manufactured attenuated Lm strains belonging to two genetically different lineages.