bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indonesian Job Creation Law: Neoliberal Legality, Authoritarianism and Executive Aggrandizement Under Joko Widodo
Authors: Setia Negara Tunggul Anshari , Anggoro Syahriza Alkohir , Koeswahyono Imam
Published: June 2023

On October 5, 2020, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) passed Law no. 11/2020 on Job Creation (Job Creation Law/JCL) designed to improve Indonesia’s private investment climate. The law changed various legal landscapes that were identified as obstacles to accelerated development and economic growth. However, the Law has sparked widespread protests because it can potentially encourage environmental damage, exacerbate workers’ vulnerability and increase socioeconomic inequality. Describing JCL as a neoliberal legality project, this paper explores the elected executive’s role in mobilizing authoritarian state practices through disciplinary measures that undermine democratic accountabilities. It is argued that the configuration between the pre-existing illiberal democracy and Jokowi’s autocratic tendencies offers predatory business alliances an adequate legal and institutional platform to formulate a neoliberal legal breakthrough while eliminating resistance to them. Through a socio-legal analysis of the three areas targeted by the JCL amendments, we further argue that Jokowi’s success in advocating for his preferred neoliberal agenda hinges on what is called an executive aggrandizement strategy. This is characterized by interventions designed to safeguard the neoliberal legality preferences promoted by the elected executive from the disruption of meaningful checks and balances in the future, thereby deepening the features of authoritarian statecraft. This paper contributes to an advanced understanding of the bleak picture of Indonesian democracy over the past few years by proposing neoliberal legality as one of the ingrained legal characteristics of Jokowi’s authoritarian regime.
Citizen science reveals the first occurrence of the greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula in Fennoscandia
Authors: van der Kooij Jeroen , Nyfors Ebbe
Published: June 2023

The occurrence of the non-native, greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula in the Stavanger area in Southwestern Norway was brought to our attention by two records from the public (from 2012 and 2017). A citizen-science project, based on targeted media-calls between 2017 and 2019, resulted in 78 reported observations. A correct species identity, using photographs and collected specimen, was confirmed for 103 observations from 68 unique localities. Many of the sightings resulted directly from the media calls, but several were made both years before and after (ranging from 2012 to 2021). The minimum area of occurrence was 60 km long and 20 km wide and is characterised by one of the mildest climates in Norway. No clear expansion pattern was evident from the data, though an introduction between 2000 and 2010 seems likely. As only a few other shrew species were reported by the public, it is possible that the white-toothed shrew has outcompeted native shrews in the area. However, this could be biased by the nature of the media call or the commensal lifestyle of the shrew. Media calls beyond the area of occurrence did not result in any reports of the species. The introduction route and origin of the present population remain unclear.
pH dependence of glyphosate adsorption from aqueous solution using a cationic cellulose microfibers (cCMF) biosorbent
Authors: Leal Maria Vitória Guimarães , Gomes Andressa Silva , Tolosa Gabrieli Roefero , Dognani Guilherme , Job Aldo Eloizo
Published: June 2023

Currently, the agricultural sector is responsible for the contamination of groundwater and springs due to the excessive use of pesticides, which represents a risk to human and environmental health. Among pesticides, glyphosate is the most used herbicide to increase agricultural production, however, it can cause intoxication in humans and has been classified as a potentially carcinogenic agent. Alternatives for removing these contaminants from water have been studied and discussed, including biosorption, a physical-chemical process that removes substances from solutions using a natural and renewable material. In this sense, this work studied the process to obtain cationic cellulose microfibers (cCMF) from sugarcane bagasse residue, by cellulose isolation followed by cationization reaction with Girard T reagent to promote a new adsorbent for glyphosate removal from water. It was observed that cCMF structure maintains the fibrillar morphology after the microfiber production (1.375 mmol g−1 oxidation degree). Results of zero charge of cCMF microfibers showed an isoelectric point pH = 5.4 ± 0.016 and the highest adsorption capacity was reached at pH 14 (59.21 %), showing a clear pH dependence on the adsorption process. Thereby, the cCMF can be produced from sugarcane bagasse residue being applied as a potential biomaterial for removing organic compounds from water.
Electrospinning and electrospun based polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers utilized as filters and sensors in the real world
Authors: Khan Kamran-ul-Haq , Masroor Suhaib , Rizvi Ghaus
Published: June 2023

Electrospinning is a contemporary and effective technique for producing fine fibers with diameters as small as nanometers by using an electric field. These fibers have numerous industrial applications, including filtration, sensors, composite materials, and membranes. This study provides an overview of the electrospinning process and discusses a few applications of polyvinyl alcohol based electrospun nanofibers in the development of filters and sensors.
Fractional neutral functional differential equations driven by the Rosenblatt process with an infinite delay
Authors: Lahmoudi Ahmed , Lakhel El Hassan
Published: June 2023

This paper concerns a class of fractional impulsive neutral functional differential equations with an infinite delay driven by the Rosenblatt process. A set of sufficient conditions are established for the existence of new mild solutions using fixed point theory. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the theoretical result.
Investigating the Economic Consequence of Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a Dynamic Panel Model
Authors: Agu Christian , Mbah Augustine Jideofor , Agu Chukwuagoziem Samuel
Published: June 2023

This study examines the economic consequence of terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with a panel of 38 countries between 2010 and 2020. Specifically, the study examined the impact of terrorism on economic growth, international tourism demand, income inequality, unemployment rate, and inflation rate. The study employed the two-step system GMM and quantile regression for the estimation. The results show that terrorism has had a significant negative impact on economic growth in SSA. Similarly, the study results indicate that terrorism impacts negatively on international tourism demand, widens the income gap, and increases the rate of unemployment and inflation in SSA. Furthermore, the two governance institution indicators employed in the study (government effectiveness and control of corruption) shows a significant negative impact on economic growth in the zone, while credit to the private sector and human capital had performed abysmally in the zones’ growth trajectory. These findings were further supported by the quantile regression results. The study employed both system GMM model and quantile regression in the analysis. The use of these two different methods makes the results obtained to be robust and efficient for policy purpose, which no other author has done before now.
NATO’s Expansion and Russia’s Aggressiveness: An Empirical Study from the Perspective of the U.S. Public
Authors: Liu Kerry
Published: June 2023

Russia’s aggression on Ukraine has attracted worldwide attention. The relations between Russia’s aggression and NATO’s expansion are being debated with conflicting viewpoints. Based on weekly Google Trends data from 5 March 2017 to 13 February 2022, this study creatively creates a series of time series variables to measure the public agenda in the US. Based on time series modellings, this study finds that the U.S. public believes that there are bi-directional relations between NATO’s expansion and Russia’s aggressiveness. In particular, Russia’s aggressiveness is driven by both NATO’s expansion and Russia’s imperialism. NATO’s expansion is driven by Russia’s foreign policy, Russia’s aggressiveness, and Russia’s imperialism. These conclusions predicted the U.S. government’s policy towards this war. This study contributes to policymakers by providing solid empirical evidence on the U.S. public’s opinion on this important issue and to academia as well by presenting a (still) new quantitative method in international relations. By employing this method, we can leverage readily accessible high-frequency time series data to gain valuable insights into U.S. public opinion, potentially enabling people to predict U.S. foreign policies.
Dorstone Hill: a Neolithic timescape
Authors: Ray Keith , Thomas Julian , Overton Nick , Griffiths Seren , Hoverd Tim , Allen Michael J. , Barclay Alistair , Birchenall Julie , Challinor Dana , French Charley , Healey Elizabeth , Ixer Rob , Roseveare Anne , Roseveare Martin , Rovira Irene Garcia , Stanford Adam , Wiltshire Isabel
Published: June 2023

Studies of early fourth-millennium BC Britain have typically focused on the Early Neolithic sites of Wessex and Orkney; what can the investigation of sites located in areas beyond these core regions add? The authors report on excavations (2011–2019) at Dorstone Hill in Herefordshire, which have revealed a remarkable complex of Early Neolithic monuments: three long barrows constructed on the footprints of three timber buildings that had been deliberately burned, plus a nearby causewayed enclosure. A Bayesian chronological model demonstrates the precocious character of many of the site's elements and strengthens the evidence for the role of tombs and houses/halls in the creation and commemoration of foundational social groups in Neolithic Britain.
Fentanyl-Induced Respiratory Depression and Locomotor Hyperactivity Are Mediated by μ-Opioid Receptors Expressed in Somatostatin-Negative Neurons
Authors: Furdui Andreea , da Silveira Scarpellini Carolina , Montandon Gaspard
Published: June 2023

Opioid drugs are widely used as analgesics but cause respiratory depression, a potentially lethal side effect with overdose, by acting on μ-opioid receptors (MORs) expressed in brainstem regions involved in the control of breathing. Although many brainstem regions have been shown to regulate opioid-induced respiratory depression, the types of neurons involved have not been identified. Somatostatin is a major neuropeptide found in brainstem circuits regulating breathing, but it is unknown whether somatostatin-expressing circuits regulate respiratory depression by opioids. We examined the coexpression ofSst(gene encoding somatostatin) andOprm1(gene encoding MORs) mRNAs in brainstem regions involved in respiratory depression. Interestingly,Oprm1mRNA expression was found in the majority (>50%) ofSst-expressing cells in the preBötzinger Complex, the nucleus tractus solitarius, the nucleus ambiguus, and the Kölliker–Fuse nucleus. We then compared respiratory responses to fentanyl between wild-type andOprm1full knock-out mice and found that the lack of MORs prevented respiratory rate depression from occurring. Next, using transgenic knock-out mice lacking functional MORs specifically inSst-expressing cells, we compared respiratory responses to fentanyl between control and the conditional knock-out mice. We found that respiratory rate depression by fentanyl was preserved when MORs were deleted only inSst-expressing cells. Our results show that despite coexpression ofSstandOprm1in respiratory circuits and the importance of somatostatin-expressing cells in the regulation of breathing, these cells do not mediate opioid-induced respiratory rate depression. Instead, MORs found in respiratory cell populations other thanSst-expressing cells likely contribute to the respiratory effects of fentanyl.
A Cre Driver Line for Genetic Targeting of Kappa Opioid Receptor Expressing Cells
Authors: Paliarin Franciely , Duplantis Chelsea , Jones Andrea F. , Cucinello-Ragland Jessica , Basavanhalli Samhita , Blaze Emily , Doré Evan , Neel Anna Isabella , Sun Haiguo , Chen Rong , Edwards Scott , Gilpin Nicholas W. , Messing Robert O. , Maiya Rajani
Published: June 2023

Here we describe the generation and characterization of aCreknock-in mouse line that harbors a Cre insertion in the 3′UTR of the κ opioid receptor gene (Oprk1) locus and provides genetic access to populations of κ opioid receptor (KOR)-expressing neurons throughout the brain. Using a combination of techniques including RNAin situhybridization and immunohistochemistry, we report that Cre is expressed with high fidelity in KOR-expressing cells throughout the brain in this mouse line. We also provide evidence that Cre insertion does not alter basal KOR function. Baseline anxiety-like behaviors and nociceptive thresholds are unaltered inOprk1-Cremice. Chemogenetic activation of KOR-expressing cells in the basolateral amygdala (BLAKORcells) resulted in several sex-specific effects on anxiety-like and aversive behaviors. Activation led to decreased anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze and increased sociability in female but not in maleOprk1-Cremice. Activation of BLAKORcells also attenuated KOR agonist-induced conditioned place aversion (CPA) in maleOprk1-Cremice. Overall, these results suggest a potential role for BLAKORcells in regulating anxiety-like behaviors and KOR-agonist mediated CPA. In summary, these results provide evidence for the utility of the newly generatedOprk1-Cremice in assessing localization, anatomy, and function of KOR circuits throughout the brain.
A Selective Projection from the Subthalamic Nucleus to Parvalbumin-Expressing Interneurons of the Striatum
Authors: Kondabolu Krishnakanth , Doig Natalie M. , Ayeko Olaoluwa , Khan Bakhtawer , Torres Alexandra , Calvigioni Daniela , Meletis Konstantinos , Koós Tibor , Magill Peter J.
Published: June 2023

The striatum and subthalamic nucleus (STN) are considered to be the primary input nuclei of the basal ganglia. Projection neurons of both striatum and STN can extensively interact with other basal ganglia nuclei, and there is growing anatomic evidence of direct axonal connections from the STN to striatum. There remains, however, a pressing need to elucidate the organization and impact of these subthalamostriatal projections in the context of the diverse cell types constituting the striatum. To address this, we conducted monosynaptic retrograde tracing from genetically-defined populations of dorsal striatal neurons in adult male and female mice, quantifying the connectivity from STN neurons to spiny projection neurons, GABAergic interneurons, and cholinergic interneurons. In parallel, we used a combination ofex vivoelectrophysiology and optogenetics to characterize the responses of a complementary range of dorsal striatal neuron types to activation of STN axons. Our tracing studies showed that the connectivity from STN neurons to striatal parvalbumin-expressing interneurons is significantly higher (∼4- to 8-fold) than that from STN to any of the four other striatal cell types examined. In agreement, our recording experiments showed that parvalbumin-expressing interneurons, but not the other cell types tested, commonly exhibited robust monosynaptic excitatory responses to subthalamostriatal inputs. Taken together, our data collectively demonstrate that the subthalamostriatal projection is highly selective for target cell type. We conclude that glutamatergic STN neurons are positioned to directly and powerfully influence striatal activity dynamics by virtue of their enriched innervation of GABAergic parvalbumin-expressing interneurons.
Is Short Sleep Bad for the Brain? Brain Structure and Cognitive Function in Short Sleepers
Authors: Fjell Anders M. , Sørensen Øystein , Wang Yunpeng , Amlien Inge K. , Baaré William F. C. , Bartrés-Faz David , Boraxbekk Carl-Johan , Brandmaier Andreas M. , Demuth Ilja , Drevon Christian A. , Ebmeier Klaus P. , Ghisletta Paolo , Kievit Rogier , Kühn Simone , Madsen Kathrine Skak , Nyberg Lars , Solé-Padullés Cristina , Vidal-Piñeiro Didac , Wagner Gerd , Watne Leiv Otto , Walhovd Kristine B.
Published: June 2023

Many sleep less than recommended without experiencing daytime sleepiness. According to prevailing views, short sleep increases risk of lower brain health and cognitive function. Chronic mild sleep deprivation could cause undetected sleep debt, negatively affecting cognitive function and brain health. However, it is possible that some have less sleep need and are more resistant to negative effects of sleep loss. We investigated this using a cross-sectional and longitudinal sample of 47,029 participants of both sexes (20–89 years) from the Lifebrain consortium, Human Connectome project (HCP) and UK Biobank (UKB), with measures of self-reported sleep, including 51,295 MRIs of the brain and cognitive tests. A total of 740 participants who reported to sleep <6 h did not experience daytime sleepiness or sleep problems/disturbances interfering with falling or staying asleep. These short sleepers showed significantly larger regional brain volumes than both short sleepers with daytime sleepiness and sleep problems (n= 1742) and participants sleeping the recommended 7–8 h (n= 3886). However, both groups of short sleepers showed slightly lower general cognitive function (GCA), 0.16 and 0.19 SDs, respectively. Analyses using accelerometer-estimated sleep duration confirmed the findings, and the associations remained after controlling for body mass index, depression symptoms, income, and education. The results suggest that some people can cope with less sleep without obvious negative associations with brain morphometry and that sleepiness and sleep problems may be more related to brain structural differences than duration. However, the slightly lower performance on tests of general cognitive abilities warrants closer examination in natural settings.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTShort habitual sleep is prevalent, with unknown consequences for brain health and cognitive performance. Here, we show that daytime sleepiness and sleep problems are more strongly related to regional brain volumes than sleep duration. However, participants sleeping ≤6 h had slightly lower scores on tests of general cognitive function (GCA). This indicates that sleep need is individual and that sleep duration per se is very weakly if at all related brain health, while daytime sleepiness and sleep problems may show somewhat stronger associations. The association between habitual short sleep and lower scores on tests of general cognitive abilities must be further scrutinized in natural settings.
Enhancing Spns2/S1P in macrophages alleviates hyperinflammation and prevents immunosuppression in sepsis
Authors: Fang Chao , Ren Pan , Bian Ganlan , Wang Jian , Bai Jiaxin , Huang Jiaxing , Ding Yixiao , Li Xueyong , Li Mingkai , Hou Zheng
Published: June 2023

Sepsis is a leading cause of in‐hospital mortality resulting from a dysregulated response to infection. Novel immunomodulatory therapies targeting macrophage metabolism have emerged as an important focus for current sepsis research. However, understanding the mechanisms underlying macrophage metabolic reprogramming and how they impact immune response requires further investigation. Here, we identify macrophage‐expressed Spinster homolog 2 (Spns2), a major transporter of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P), as a crucial metabolic mediator that regulates inflammation through the lactate‐reactive oxygen species (ROS) axis. Spns2 deficiency in macrophages significantly enhances glycolysis, thereby increasing intracellular lactate production. As a key effector, intracellular lactate promotes pro‐inflammatory response by increasing ROS generation. The overactivity of the lactate‐ROS axis drives lethal hyperinflammation during the early phase of sepsis. Furthermore, diminished Spns2/S1P signaling impairs the ability of macrophages to sustain an antibacterial response, leading to significant innate immunosuppression in the late stage of infection. Notably, reinforcing Spns2/S1P signaling contributes to balancing the immune response during sepsis, preventing both early hyperinflammation and later immunosuppression, making it a promising therapeutic target for sepsis.
Indonesian Food Production Challenges: Climate, Land and Industrialization
Authors: Setiawan Avi Budi , Nugroho Agus Dwi , Wiyanti Dian Tri , Yusuf Mochammad , Maslikhatun Anjani , Bowo Prasetyo Ari
Published: June 2023

The increase in agricultural production has become a global issue related to food security. Indonesia faces challenges in fulfilling its food needs. Climate change, land conversion, and industrialization play a role in food crop production. This study aims to examine the short-term and long-term effects of climate change, land conversion, and industrialization on the food production index. The analysis method used is the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The ARDL analysis was chosen because it can explain the short-term and long-term effects as well as the effects at each lag time. The results showed that there is positive and significant long-term cointegration or influence between rainfall, per capita energy consumption, agricultural land area, and forest area on the food production index. There is also a significant negative long-term effect between air temperature, industrialization, and population density on the food production index. In the short term, the previous year's food production, land area and forest area, air temperature, energy consumption, rainfall in two and three years ago, current of industrial share, and one and two years ago industrial share, population density two years ago influence the current food production index. The conclusion and findings of this study are that there is long-term cointegration and short-term effects at different lag times for climate change, land conversion, and industrialization variables on the food production index.
Evaluating the relationship between logo and corporate reputation with psychophysiological data harvesting technique
Authors: İcil Tuncer Aslı , Aytekin Behiç Alp , Aydın Mustafa Seçkin , Erdem Neslihan , Depboylu Kağan , Ulusoy Taylan Ata , Üveyik Burak , Kızılhan Taner
Published: June 2023

Logo design is the most powerful visual instrument that indicates how brands seem to their stakeholders and determines the brand's reputation. In the past, corporations focused only on the graphic design of logos, and this situation has changed over time and included many intangible features such as the institution's culture, stance goals, and the position that individuals want to be in the content of the logo. In this context, the current research looks for similarities of linear effects in logo designs belonging to brands with strong corporate reputations. It investigates the relationship between the character traits and emotions reflected by these effects and the perception of reputation. We employed an artificial intelligence-based “Psychophysiological Data Harvesting” technique for this research and used a multi-method. While conducting the research, the visual identities of the world's top 10 brands with the strongest corporate reputation (2016-2020), according to the Global RepTrak® 100 Research, were examined. As part of the Psychophysiological Data Harvesting technique, participants' logos, facial expression analyses, and eye-tracking data were compared with the participant's responses to the survey questions. Thirty-nine people participated in the research. As a result, valuable findings were obtained about which linear effects and emotions should be applied for a strong perception of corporate reputation. It is thought that the results of the linear effect, character traits and emotional states in the logo production processes will be beneficial and will guide the designers to create the strength of the corporate reputation in the dimension of visual identity.
Detection of fraudulent transactions using artificial neural networks and decision tree methods
Authors: Işık Yusuf , Kefe İlker , Sağlar Jale
Published: June 2023

The accounting systems generate a large amount of data due to financial transactions. Intentionally fraudulent transactions can occur in high-dimensional and large numbers of emerging data. While many methods can be used for the estimation and detection of fraudulent transactions in accounting, which differ in the audit process, scope and application method, data mining methods can also be used today due to a large number of data and the desire not to narrow the scope of the audit. This study tested the accuracy of detecting fraudulent transactions using artificial neural networks and decision tree methods. According to the results of the analysis test data set for detecting fraud or error risk, 99.7981% accuracy was obtained in the artificial neural networks method and 99.9899% in the decision tree method.
Türkiye’nin uluslararası taşımacılık faaliyetlerinin performansının Entropi ve EDAS yöntemleri ile analizi
Authors: Yerdelen Kaygın Ceyda , Kahramani Koç Azize
Published: June 2023

Gelişmiş ve gelişmekte olan ülkeler için ithalat ve ihracat faaliyetlerinin dengeli ve verimli bir şekilde gerçekleştirilmesi ülke ekonomisine önemli katkılar sağlamaktadır. Bu nedenle ithalat ve ihracat faaliyetlerinin dengeli ve verimli bir şekilde gerçekleştirilmesinde uluslararası taşımacılık faaliyetleri oldukça önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Araştırmanın amacı söz konusu önem dikkate alınarak belirlenmiştir. Türkiye’nin 2012-2021 yılları arasındaki ithalat ve ihracat faaliyetlerinin taşıma türleri açısından ağırlık bazında veriler kullanılarak en iyi ve en kötü uluslararası taşımacılık performans sağlanan yıllar Çok Kriterli Karar Verme Tekniklerinden Entropi ve EDAS Yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Yapılan Entropi analizi sonucunda; Türkiye’nin uluslararası taşımacılık faaliyetlerinin performansı üzerinde en fazla öneme sahip kriter HVYL2 (0,4112) olarak belirlenirken en az öneme sahip kriter ise DNZYL1 (0,0001) olarak tespit edilmiştir. EDAS Analizi sonucunda ise; 10 yıllık zaman periyodunda, Türkiye’nin uluslararası taşımacılık faaliyetlerinin performansının en başarılı yılı 2015 iken, en başarısız yılının 2020 olduğu analiz sonucunda elde edilmiştir.
Sosyal karşılaştırma eğilimin sosyal ağlardaki gösteriş tüketimi etkisinde kendini tanıtma arzusunun aracı rolü: Z kuşağı üzerinde bir araştırma
Authors: Güneş Hande , Altunışık Remzi , Sarıkaya Nilgün
Published: June 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı Z kuşağının, sosyal karşılaştırma eğiliminin sosyal ağlardaki gösterişçi tüketimi üzerindeki etkisinde kendini tanıtma arzusunun aracı rolü olup olmadığını araştırmaktır.  Bu amaç doğrultusunda Sakarya ve İstanbul’da ikamet eden 1994 ve sonrası yıllarda doğan ve Instagram kullanan 271 kişiye yüz yüze ve çevrimiçi anket uygulanmıştır.  Veri analizinde SPSS 25.0 ve AMOS 23.0 paket programları kullanılmıştır. Araştırma bulguları Z kuşağında sosyal karşılaştırma eğiliminin sosyal ağlardaki gösteriş tüketimi üzerinde etkisinde kendini tanıtma arzusunun aracılık rolü olduğu sonucunu desteklemektedir. Böylece Z kuşağının sosyal ağlarda sosyal gösteriş tüketimi eğiliminin, sosyal karşılaştırma eğilimi ve kendini tanıtma arzusu tarafından motive edildiği önermesi desteklenmiş olmaktadır.
2023 European Thyroid Association Clinical Practice Guidelines for thyroid nodule management
Authors: Durante Cosimo , Hegedüs Laszlo , Czarniecka Agnieszka , Paschke Ralf , Russ Gilles , Schmitt Fernando , Soares Paula , Solymosi Tamas , Papini Enrico
Published: June 2023

With the widespread use of sensitive imaging techniques, which include neck visualization, a conspicuous number of thyroid nodules emerge and demand attention. Most lesions are benign, asymptomatic, and do not warrant treatment. In the case of cancer diagnosis, most are small, intrathyroidal and indolent neoplasms that can safely be managed conservatively. There is a pronounced need for more cost-effective, risk-adapted approaches to the management of this highly prevalent condition, taking the wishes of the patient into consideration. Thus, the present guidelines aim at providing a clinical practice guide for the initial workup and the subsequent management of adult individuals harboring thyroid nodules. Importantly, these guidelines are not intended to cover the management of thyroid malignancy. The manuscript and the specific recommendations were developed by reconciling the best available research evidence with the knowledge and clinical experience of the panelists and updating aspects of a number of previous European Thyroid Association guidelines.
Cost-Effectiveness and Clinical Outcome of Transcatheter Versus Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Indelen Cenk , Bas Tolga , Kar Ahmet , Ergenç Ebsar , Karademir Burcin Cayhan , Sismanoglu Mesut , Kirali Kaan
Published: June 2023

Background: Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are becoming increasingly common. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of the two methods. Methods: In this study, cross-sectional retrospective data were collected on 327 patients who underwent SU-AVR (n = 168) and TAVI (n = 159). Homogeneous groups were provided by the “propensity score matching" method, and 61 patients from the SU-AVR group and 53 patients from the TAVI group were included in the study sample. Results: The two groups did not have statistically different death rates, complications after surgery, lengths of hospital stays, or visits to the intensive care unit. It is stated that the SU-AVR method provides an additional 1.14 Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) compared to the TAVI method. The TAVI was more expensive than the SU-AVR in our study, but the difference was not statistically significant ($40,520.62 vs. $38,405.62, p > 0.05). For SU-AVR, the most expensive factor was the length of stay in the intensive care unit; for TAVI, it was arrhythmia, bleeding, and renal failure. Conclusions: These bioprostheses are safe and effective treatments for valve stenosis. Clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups. Therefore, clinicians may find it difficult to determine an effective treatment strategy. According to the evaluation made in terms of cost-effectiveness, it was found that the SU-AVR method gave a higher QALY at a lower cost compared to the TAVI method. However, this result is not statistically significant.
Meglumine Sodium Succinate in Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Authors: Neimark M. I. , Kloster E. A. , Bulganin A. A. , Ioshhenko A. V. , Subbotin E. A.
Published: June 2023

The most common agent used for infusion therapy in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is isotonic 0.9% sodium chloride solution. However, infusion of required volumes can result in development of iatrogenic complications — i. e., worsening of metabolic hyperchloremic acidosis in DKA patients with already altered acid-base balance. Balanced crystalloid solutions can be used as alternative to saline.Objective. To evaluate the feasibility of using meglumine sodium succinate (MSS) balanced crystalloid solution in DKA.Material and methods. We examined 2 groups of patients, 30 subjects each, with moderate and severe diabetic ketoacidosis admitted to anesthesiology and intensive care unit. Patients from both groups were administered with insulin and an infusion therapy was employed according to current clinical guidelines for the management of patients with complications of diabetes mellitus. In the comparison group, infusion therapy included 0.9% sodium chloride, 4% potassium chloride, and 5% dextrose. In the study group MSS intravenous drip infusions 10 ml/kg/daily were added to the infusion protocol. Volumes and infusion rates were comparable in both groups. The following indicators were evaluated: time to resolution and DKA resolution rates during thorough monitoring (first 48 hours of therapy), the time (in hours) before discontinuation of insulin infusion; the time to complete consciousness recovery (15 items on the Glasgow Coma scale); the duration (in hours) of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), dynamics of blood electrolytes; parameters of acid-base balance; levels of glycemia and lactatemia.Results. All patients improved and were transferred from ICU, the mortality rate was 0%. Infusion of MSS shortened the time to DKA resolution (30.0 h [24.0 h; 36.0 h] in the study group, vs 44.5 h [36.5 h; 51.5 h] in the comparison group (P=0.001)); DKA resolution rates during 48 hours from initiation of therapy achieved 90.0% (27) in the study group, vs 66.7% (20) in the comparison group (P=0.060)); duration of intravenous insulin infusion was 32.0 h [24.5 h; 40.0 h] in the study group vs 48.0 h [40.0 h; 55.5 h] in the comparison group (P=0.001)); duration of ICU stay was 41.0 h [30.0 h; 48.0 h] in the study group, vs 56.0 h [50.0 h; 66.3 h] in the comparison group (P=0.001).Conclusion. Infusion of a balanced succinate-containing crystalloid solution improves the results of DKA treatment, as compared to traditional infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride.
Modified Supraclavicular and Pectoral Nerves Blocks for Implantation of Intravenous Port System in Cancer Patients
Authors: Yakovenko M. P. , Antipin E. E. , Bochkareva N. A. , Koroleva N. I. , Drobotova E. F. , Nedashkovsky E. V.
Published: June 2023

Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia can be an effective way to achieve analgesia during implantation of permanent intravenous port systems.The aim of the studywas to improve the quality of perioperative analgesia during placement of permanent intravenous port systems.Material and methods.The prospective randomized study included 93 patients with malignant neoplasms. Patients were randomized into 3 groups, 31 people each, who were implanted with a permanent intravenous port system in 2019–2022. Group 1 patients were implanted under local infiltration anesthesia (LIA). Ultrasound-guided pectoral nerves block (PECS1) in group 2 was supplemented by LIA. In group 3 ultrasoundguided selective supraclavicular (SC) nerve block was supplemented with LIA. Pain intensity was assessed on a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and while moving at 8, 16, 32 and 72 hours after implantation. The inflammatory postoperative stress response was assessed by the dynamics of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1-β (IL 1-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6). We also analyzed the correlation of proinflammatory cytokines levels with VAS-measured pain intensity at the stages of the study taking into account a potential relationship between IL-6 and IL-1β fluctuations and the severity of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.Results.In groups 2 (PECS1) and 3 (SC nerve block), pain intensity measured by VAS at rest and while conducting daily activities was significantly lower than in group 1 (LIA). CRP levels were also significantly lower in group 2 and 3 patients as compared to group 1. The lowest IL-6 and IL-1β concentrations after port implantation were revealed in a group 3 in 24 hours after the procedure, persisting through day 3. There was a correlationbetween proinflammatory cytokines levels and pain intensity.Conclusion.Implantation of an intravenous port system under local infiltration anesthesia causes a significant inflammatory response in cancer patients, which can be balanced by regional techniques. Selective supraclavicular nerve block in combination with a local anesthesia for intravenous port implantation demonstrated the greatest analgesic potential and requires significantly reduced amounts of local anesthetic compared to pectoral nerves block in combination with LIA, or only local infiltration anesthesia.
The Analgesic Efficacy of Prolonged Erector Spinae Fascial Plane Block in Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures
Authors: Sharipova V. H. , Fokin I. V.
Published: June 2023

Objctive. To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of prolonged erector spinae fascial plane (ESFP) block in patients with multiple rib fractures.Material and methods. The study included 40 patients with multiple rib fractures. Based on anesthesia methods, patients were divided into 2 groups, where systemic analgesics were used for pain management in the control group (N=20), and additional supplementation with prolonged erector spinae fascial plane (ESFP) block in the main group (N=20). The study monitored the severity of pain measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS) at rest and during coughing, forced vital capacity (FVC), and the need for injectable narcotic analgesics.Results. The NRS measures at rest in the main group were statistically significantly superior to the control group results: at stage II — 1.5 points (IQR: 1.0–3.0) vs 3.0 points (IQR: 3.0–4.0); at stage III — 2.0 points (IQR: 1.0–2.0) vs 4.0 points (IQR: 3.0–5.0); at stage IV — 1.5 points (IQR: 0.8–2.2) vs. 4.5 points (IQR: 4.0–5.0); at stage V — 1 point (IQR: 0–2,0) vs. 3.0 points (IQR: 2.8–4.0), respectively (P0.001). Percentages of predicted FVC depending on patient’s gender, age, height and weight in the control group were as follows: at stage II — 38± 8% (95%CI: 34–41); stage III — 44± 8% (95%CI: 40–47); stage IV — 41±10% (95%CI: 36–45) and stage V — 49±10% (95%CI: 45–53). In the main group, the following FVC values were obtained: 49±15% at stage II (95%CI: 42–56), 50±13% at stage III (95%CI: 44–57), 53±13% at stage IV (95%CI: 47–59), and 57±11% at stage V (95%CI: 52–63). Therefore, statistically significant FVC reduction in the control group vs the main group came up to 22%, 14%, 24% and 15% at stages II-V, respectively (P0.05). The amounts of injected narcotic analgesics on day 1 and day 2 after initiation of the study were 5.0 mg (IQR: 5–10) and 5.0 mg (IQR: 0–5.0) in the main group vs 10.0 mg (IQR: 5.0–15.0) and 7.5 mg (IQR: 5.0–10.0) in the control group, respectively (P0.05).Conclusion. The prolonged erector spinae fascial plane block improves the quality of analgesia and FVC values in patients with multiple rib fractures.
Prognostic Value of Cystatin C as a Predictor of Adverse Outcome in Severe Pneumonia Associated with COVID-19
Authors: Korabelnikov D. I. , Magomedaliev M. O. , Khoroshilov S. E.
Published: June 2023

Objective. To assess the cystatin C (CysC) prognostic value for probability of death in patients with severe and extremely severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19.Material and methods. A single-center prospective study included 72 patients with severe and extremely severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19 undergoing treatment in the ICU of multifunctional medical center from September 2020 to October 2021. Recovered survivors (N=55) were analyzed as a Group 1, nonsurvivors (N=17) were considered as a Group 2.Results. The serum (s-CysC) and urine (u-CysC) CysC concentrations were significantly lower in Group 1 patients vs Group 2, averaging 1.31 mg/l vs 1.695 mg/l (P=0.013550), and 0.25 mg/l vs 0.94 mg/l (P=0.026308), respectively. Significant differences were also revealed in the subgroups differed by age (P=0.0094), platelet count (P=0.001), serum fibrinogen concentration (P=0.016), as well as CURB (P=0.02334), CRB-65 (P=0.032564), and SOFA (P=0.042042) scores. Therefore, s-CysC and u-CysC were statistically significant predictors of death in patients with pneumonia associated with severe and extremely severe COVID-19: 16.273 (95% CI: 2.503–105,814), P=0.003 and 1.281 (95% CI: 1.011–1.622), P=0.040, respectively. Urine and serum CysC were established as predictors of death in pneumonia associated with severe and extremely severe COVID-19, where u-CysC was defined as highly informative (ROC AUC 0.938 (95% CI: 0.867–1.000; P=0.000), with 90% sensitivity and specificity), and s-CysC — as informative (ROC AUC 0.863 (95%CI: 0.738–0.988; P=0.000) with 80% sensitivity and 72% specificity) predictive markers.Conclusion. Levels of S-CysC and u-CysC are of high prognostic significance and may contribute to identifying patients at a high risk of unfavorable outcome (death) due to pneumonia associated with severe and extremely severe COVID-19. Both S-CysC and u-CysC concentrations increasing up to 1.44 mg/l and 0.86 mg/l, respectively, were associated with high probability of death.
Photochemicallly Induced Thrombosis as a Model of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Ostrova I. V. , Babkina A. S. , Lyubomudrov M. A. , Grechko A. V. , Golubev A. M.
Published: June 2023

Better understanding of ischemic brain injury mechanisms is important for the development and improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for management of ischemic stroke. As experimental studies are on demand, there’s a need for relevant models of focal brain lesions. Photochemically induced thrombosis remains one of the most popular models of ischemic stroke.The purpose of the reviewis to consider the pathogenesis and applicational relevance of the photochemical thrombosis in ischemic stroke modeling.Material and methods.The information was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar databases and keywords «photothrombotic stroke» without language restrictions. 74 papers out of more than 600 sources were found the most relevant for the purpose of this review and selected for the analysis. Of these, more than 50% have been published in the last five years. The criterion for excluding a source was an inconsistency with the objectives of the review and low information content.Results.We outlined a variety of features in modeling photothrombotic stroke, analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the model, presented data on current method’s modifications, as well as approaches to evaluation of brain lesions in ischemic stroke induced by photothrombosis, and summarized information about the mechanisms of brain damage induced in this model.Conclusion.Several advantages of the photothrombotic stroke model, such as low invasiveness, high reproducibility, inherent control of brain infarction volume and low mortality, determine its active use in experimental studies of ischemic stroke. Pathological processes in the brain modeled by photochemical thrombosis are similar to the processes occurring in acute ischemic cerebral circulation events. Therefore, this model provides insights into cellular and molecular mechanisms of ischemic brain damage, and can be used for developing novel therapeutic approaches for management of ischemic stroke.
Facile preparation of scalable bamboo-derived activated carbon for efficient wastewater treatment
Authors: Hassan Siti Suhana , Khong Heng Yen , Chang Yee Hui Robin
Published: June 2023

Water contamination has reached crisis proportions due to the rapid development of industrial operations. Humans, animals, and aquatic life are all at risk of accumulating non-biodegradable heavy metals and dyes in the water supply. The adsorption process using activated carbon was identified as the most efficient, economical, and facile method. Activated carbon has gained widespread popularity because of its specialty as an adsorbent in wastewater treatments. In addition, the abundance and inexpensiveness of local bamboo can be explored in producing a cheaper and more sustainable source of commercially activated carbon. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the optimal parameters for effective activated carbon production using G. albociliata, a bamboo species by characterizing its material properties and adsorption ability. Fourier infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy were employed to identify the functional groups and surface porosity of the activated carbon produced. The adsorption abilities of the heavy metals were determined by atomic adsorption spectroscopy and via the adsorption of dyes by ultraviolet-visible analysis. This study revealed that the bamboo-based activated carbon was a powerful adsorbent and a non-toxic agent for wastewater treatment. The copper, zinc, and methylene blue would be removed effectively by more than 99.2%.
Effect of nano-silver on reduction of hot-pressing time and improvement in physical and mechanical properties of particleboard
Authors: Taghiyari Hamid Reza , Rangavar Hossein , Farajpour Bibalan Omid
Published: June 2023

Effects were studied of 200 ppm nano-silver suspension on physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made on an industrial scale at the Iran-Choob Factory. Nano-silver suspension was added to the mat at two levels of 100 and 150 milli-liters/kg dry weight wood particles and compared with control boards; all the other manufacturing variables remained constant. Results showed that hot-pressing time was reduced by 10.9% and 10.1% when 100 and 150 mL of nano-silver were used, respectively. Also, both levels of nano-silver consumption had improving effects on physical and mechanical properties, although in some cases not statistically significant. It can be concluded that heat-transfer property of nano-silver particles in the mat can be used to reduce the hot-press time as the bottle-neck of nearly all wood-composite factories, as well as to reduce the heat gradient and consequently to improve physical and mechanical properties of composite-boards.
Drying process in Norway spruce wood exposed to infrared radiation
Authors: Cserta Erzsébet , Hegedűs Gergely , Németh Róbert
Published: June 2023

The drying process of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) wood exposed to infrared heat radiation was studied by measuring the moisture profiles of the wood samples at controlled temperature during drying. The thermal treatment was executed in a purpose-made industrial pilot-plant containing the heat radiators covered by infrared (IR) transmition filters. The moisture content of the samples was detected at certain stages of the process. Based on the results of exposing the samples to IR radiation for 15, 25, 35, and 45 hours, the drying mechanism of wood is discussed. The moisture transport mechanism was explained by a semipermeable membrane process considering the moisture content as a dilute aqueous solution. If the semipermeable cell wall allows only the passage of water but not that of solute molecules, water diffusing from the region of higher (center) to lower (periphery) water content produces osmotic pressure difference between the two sides of the cell walls. The importance of this osmosis was considered in the approach of moisture migration.
Morphology and mechanical properties of alkali-treated rice straw flour-polypropylene composites
Authors: Kalagar Mehdi , Khademieslam Habibollah , Bazyar Behzad , Hejazi Sahab
Published: June 2023

Effects of alkali treatment of rice straw flour on the mechanical properties of rice straw flour-polypropylene composites were investigated. Rice straw flour (40 mesh) was first treated with sodium hydroxide using two concentrations of sodium hydroxide, 5 and 10% (W/W), and two treatment times (45 and 90 min) for a total of four treatments. The composites were then made with the rice straw flour as a filler (30%), polypropylene (65%) as a matrix, and maleic anhydride (5%) as a coupling agent. The polypropylene/rice straw flour mixtures were blended in an internal Haake mixer and made into molds that were later used for mechanical testing. The results showed that the treatment of rice straw flour with 5% alkali (W/W) increased the tensile modulus and impact strength. Longer treatment time also resulted in a higher tensile modulus and impact strength. The fiber/matrix interaction was analyzed from the mechanical data and morphological (SEM) studies. Treatment of rice straw flour with 10% alkali (W/W), however, decreased these properties even under a longer treatment time. Increasing the alkali concentration and treatment time increased the flexural modulus, flexural strength, and tensile strength of the composites. The SEM results showed greater adhesion between the rice straw flour and the polypropylene matrix at higher alkali concentrations and longer treatment times.