bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peningkatan Keterampilan Warga Binaan Pemasyarakatan Lapas Takalar Melalui Pelatihan Pengolahan Bandeng Tanpa Duri
Authors: Harianti Harianti , Angreni Husni , Khairiyah Zul , Sofyan Jawiana Saokani , Karim Mutemainna , Hidayani Mesalina Tri
Published: August 2024

Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk (1) meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilan mulai dari pemilihan bahan baku, pengolahan dan pengemasan pada Warga Binaan Pemasyarakatan (WBP) Lapas Takalar dalam pengolahan Bandeng Tanpa Duri (BATARI), (2) meningkatkan nilai konsumsi ikan bandeng karena produk ini dibuat khusus untuk menghilangkan duri yang banyak terdapat pada daging ikan bandeng, (3) menciptakan peluang bisnis dan pendapatan baru bagi WBP Lapas Takalar  melalui keterampilan yang didapat dalam pelatihan tersebut. Pencapaian tujuan pelatihan tersebut dilakukan melalui pelatihan dengan metode ceramah, demontrasi, tanya jawab dan evaluasi kegiatan. Setelah kegiatan pelatihan dilaksanakan monitoring atau evaluasi oleh tim PKM untuk melihat dan menilai pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang diperoleh dalam pelatihan pengolahan Bandeng Tanpa Duri. Hasil yang diperoleh menunjukan bahwa pelatihan pada program Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat tersebut berjalan lancar dan sukses. Program pelatihan ini mampu memberikan pengetahuan dan keterampilan dalam membuat produk Bandeng Tanpa Duri dan dapat memberikan peluang bisnis dan pendapatan baru bagi WBP lapas Takalar. Adapun saran yang dapat diajukan dari hasil program Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, bagi mitra Lapas Takalar untuk melanjutkan kegiatan ini yakni pengolahan berbagai produk olahan lainnya berbahan baku Bandeng Tanpa Duri.
Implementation of the Family Welfare Rice Program in an Effort to Improve the Welfare of the Poor
Authors: Jamaluddin  , Harman Anita , Niswaty Risma , Suprianto
Published: August 2024

The prosperous family rice program is a food subsidy program (rice) for low-income people. The goals and targets of food subsidies (Rastra) are placed by the government in the national development agenda so that in the future development of rastra into nutritional food assistance. This study aims to determine the implementation of the Family Welfare Rice Program in an effort to improve the welfare of poor people in Lalabata Rilau Village, Lalabata District, Soppeng Regency.The type of research used is qualitative descriptive. In this study, the data collection techniques used were observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The data analysis techniques used are data collection, condensation, data presentation and conclusion. Informants are Lurah, Rastra Distributors, and the Community. The results of this study show that the implementation of the Family Welfare Rice Program in an effort to improve the welfare of the poor in Lalabata Rilau Village, Lalabata District, Soppeng Regency has been carried out quite well, but still needs improvement in supporting the implementation of the Rastra program. This data is seen from the results of research on each dimension, namely the standards and targets of Rastra distribution have met the criteria. My resources in distributing Rastra have been adequate. Relations between organizations from the center to the regions have collaborated well. The characteristics of the implementing agents of the Rastra team have been good but still need to be improved. The disposition of good implementors has been proven by the realized Rastra Program, and social, economic and political conditions have been good with support from various parties. This research can be used as information in providing an in-depth understanding of poverty alleviation, and the implementation of rastra distribution because it is different from previous studies.
FATORES ASSOCIADOS À INFECÇÃO PELO VÍRUS DA HEPATITE B: UM ESTUDO INTEGRATIVO
Authors: Santos Maria Eduarda Sant’ Anna Rangel dos , Silva Vitória Lorrana Nunes da , Alencar Ingrid Gomes , Lima Luan Cardoso Silva , Bessa Ramon Sales , Miranda Denis Rocha , Matos Roberta Priscila Baccili Castilho , Santos Gabriele Arja de Abreu dos , Silva Júnior Ned Augusto Rocha da , Perez Gabriel Barreto , Correia Jucilaine Ferreira , Migliorança Flavia Renata Bradassio , Alves Ana Paula Marques , Mendonça Pinto Gabriela Sarmento de , Linhares Eduarda Ozório Nunes Nogueira , Abrantes Lizanka Dias , Souza Lucas dos Santos de , Silva Roberta Cristiane Oliveira da
Published: August 2024

Este estudo utiliza uma revisão integrativa da literatura para identificar e analisar os fatores associados à infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B (HBV). A metodologia incluiu a definição da questão de pesquisa e a seleção de artigos publicados entre 2014 e 2024, em inglês e português, que abordassem fatores relacionados ao HBV. Foram excluídos estudos sem dados relevantes ou texto completo. A busca foi realizada nas bases PubMed, Scielo e Google Scholar, usando descritores como "Hepatite B" e "Fatores de risco". A análise qualitativa dos dados permitiu identificar padrões e categorizar os fatores associados, destacando implicações para práticas de saúde pública e estratégias de prevenção.
HIPERTENSÃO ARTERIAL: PREVALÊNCIA, TRATAMENTO E CONTROLE DA DOENÇA
Authors: Oliveira Gislaine Gaspari de , Landim Maria Teresa de Oliveira Paes , Silva Jéssica Caroly Barros da , Vargas Bárbara Citelis Silva , Castro Jamille Lessa , Santos Filho João Antônio dos , Lopes Luiza Amorim Fernandes , Rocha Luís Felipe , Perez Gabriel Barreto , Nascimento Amanda Florentino do , Lacerda Ingrid Peixoto , Vasconcelos Maria Livya Moraes , Silveira Viviane Almeida da , Bastos Isabella Rodrigues dos Santos , Vieira Raíra Zucoloto , Rocha Márllon Cardozo Vieira , Lopes Cristiano Torres , Moura Dávinna Nyara Lima , Bimbatti Maria Alice Silva , Linhares Eduarda Ozório Nunes Nogueira
Published: August 2024

A hipertensão arterial é uma condição crônica prevalente globalmente e um fator de risco significativo para doenças  cardiovasculares. Este artigo de revisão narrativa explora a prevalência, os métodos de tratamento e as estratégias de controle da hipertensão arterial. Foram revisados estudos publicados entre 2010 e 2024 em bases de dados como PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO e LILACS. Os critérios de inclusão consideraram a relevância dos artigos e a qualidade metodológica. A análise aponta paraa necessidade de intervenções eficazes em saúde pública e abordagens terapêuticas personalizadas. Conclui-se que estratégias multidisciplinares e políticas de saúde são essenciais para o controle da hipertensão, melhorando a qualidade de vida e reduzindo a morbidade e mortalidade associadas à doença.
Pioneering Conservation Efforts with Crowdfunding Scheme for the Sumatran Tiger Conflict
Authors:   Environmental Sciences Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia 57126, Suhardono S , Mulyana R ,   Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. William Iskandar Ps. V, Kenangan Baru, Deli Serdang, Medan, Indonesia 20221, Prayogo W ,   Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. William Iskandar Ps. V, Kenangan Baru, Deli Serdang, Medan, Indonesia 20221, Suryawan I W K ,   Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure Planning, Universitas Pertamina, Jakarta, Indonesia 12220, Septiariva I Y
Published: August 2024

Human-wildlife conflicts present significant challenges in conservation efforts. This study delves into the effectiveness of crowdfunding, intervention mechanisms, and communication initiatives in addressing the human-wildlife conflict, specifically concerning the sumatran tiger. By leveraging data from NGO web platforms, exploratory documentation, national records, and a broad spectrum of literature reviews, we aimed to unravel the nuanced dynamics of these initiatives in the conservation framework. Our findings indicate that while crowdfunding platforms such as the sapu jerat campaign offer innovative fundraising avenues, the harmonized efforts of communication strategies and robust intervention mechanisms create lasting impacts. This study underscores the essence of multifaceted approaches, stressing the value of stakeholder collaborations, including NGOs, local communities, and governmental agencies. Furthermore, this research accentuates the increasing role of digital tools in enhancing conservation efforts, suggesting a paradigm shift in contemporary conservation strategies. Hence, this study offers invaluable insights for conservationists, decision-makers, and NGOs aiming to optimize their strategies in the context of human-wildlife conflicts. At a more detailed level, the intervention mechanisms of the Sumatran Tiger Project demonstrate the importance of adaptive management, inter-agency collaboration, and sustainable financing as key components. This study highlights that the combination of technology, community involvement, strategic planning, and effective storytelling can provide a sustainable future for the sumatran tiger.
Enhancing Forest Fire Communication: A Case Study of Oregon Government Social Media
Authors:   School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States of America 97330, Setiono D
Published: August 2024

Forest fires pose an escalating threat, demanding effective communication strategies for communities. While past research underscores the importance of community involvement and transparent communication, the dominance of social media in today's media landscape calls for a reassessment. This study investigates the utilization of social media, specifically Facebook, by the Oregon government during the 2022 fire season in Cedar Creek and Double Creek regions. Through Facepager, 4576 posts and comments were collected and then analyzed using the multi-coder approach and Vader Algorithm focusing on post frequency, thematic content, and user sentiments. The result reveals that positive sentiment polarity scores were observed with 0.61 and 0.71 for Cedar Creek and Double Creek respectively, however, the thematic and post-frequency analysis suggests a need for government agencies to diversify content, emphasizing scientific aspects and addressing community concerns. The findings offer valuable insights for enhancing risk communication strategies, promoting informed public engagement, and guiding effective government communication in wildfire scenarios.
Prominin 1 and Tweety Homology 1 both induce extracellular vesicle formation
Authors: Bell Tristan A , Luce Bridget E , Hakim Pusparanee , Ananda Virly Y , Dardari Hiba , Nguyen Tran H , Monshizadeh Arezu , Chao Luke H
Published: August 2024

Prominin 1 (Prom1) is a five-transmembrane pass integral membrane protein that associates with curved regions of the plasma membrane. Prom1 interacts with membrane cholesterol and actively remodels the plasma membrane. Membrane-bending activity is particularly evident in photoreceptors, where Prom1 loss-of-function mutations cause failure of outer segment homeostasis, leading to cone-rod retinal dystrophy (CRRD). The Tweety Homology (Ttyh) protein family has been proposed to be homologous to Prominin, but it is not known whether Ttyh proteins have an analogous membrane-bending function. Here, we characterize the membrane-bending activity of human Prom1 and Ttyh1 in native bilayer membranes. We find that Prom1 and Ttyh1 both induce formation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cultured mammalian cells and that the EVs produced are physically similar. Ttyh1 is more abundant in EV membranes than Prom1 and produces EVs with membranes that are more tubulated than Prom1 EVs. We further show that Prom1 interacts more stably with membrane cholesterol than Ttyh1 and that this may contribute to membrane-bending inhibition in Prom1 EVs. Intriguingly, a loss-of-function mutation in Prom1 associated with CRRD induces particularly stable cholesterol binding. These experiments provide mechanistic insight into Prominin function in CRRD and suggest that Prom and Ttyh belong to a single family of functionally related membrane-bending, EV-generating proteins.
Discovery of a heparan sulfate binding domain in monkeypox virus H3 as an anti-poxviral drug target combining AI and MD simulations
Authors: Zheng Bin , Duan Meimei , Huang Yifen , Wang Shangchen , Qiu Jun , Lu Zhuojian , Liu Lichao , Tang Guojin , Cheng Lin , Zheng Peng
Published: August 2024

Viral adhesion to host cells is a critical step in infection for many viruses, including monkeypox virus (MPXV). In MPXV, the H3 protein mediates viral adhesion through its interaction with heparan sulfate (HS), yet the structural details of this interaction have remained elusive. Using AI-based structural prediction tools and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we identified a novel, positively charged α-helical domain in H3 that is essential for HS binding. This conserved domain, found across orthopoxviruses, was experimentally validated and shown to be critical for viral adhesion, making it an ideal target for antiviral drug development. Targeting this domain, we designed a protein inhibitor, which disrupted the H3-HS interaction, inhibited viral infection in vitro and viral replication in vivo, offering a promising antiviral candidate. Our findings reveal a novel therapeutic target of MPXV, demonstrating the potential of combination of AI-driven methods and MD simulations to accelerate antiviral drug discovery.
Discovery of a Heparan-Sulfate Binding Domain in Monkeypox Virus H3 Protein as a New Anti-poxviral Drug Target
Authors: Zheng Bin , Duan Meimei , Lu Zhuojian , Liu Lichao , Wang Shangchen , Huang Yifen , Tang Guojin , Cheng Lin , Zheng Peng
Published: August 2024

The 2022 global outbreak of mpox virus (MPXV), recognized as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), underscored the urgent need for specific antiviral agents. H3, a key antiviral target, mediates the adhesion of MPXV to host cells through its interaction with heparan sulfate (HS). Understanding the details of the H3-HS interaction has been challenging due to the highly flexible and complex nature of HS, which hinders its structural characterization. Utilizing state-of-the-art computational biology techniques, including molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, dynamic molecular docking, and AlphaFold2, we identified a novel α-helical domain in H3 critical for HS binding. This domain, conserved across
orthopoxviruses
, was validated experimentally, confirming its crucial role in viral adhesion at both molecular and cellular levels. Targeting this newly discovered HS-binding domain, we
de novo
designed a protein inhibitor, AI-PoxBlock723, which effectively disrupt the H3-HS interaction, and inhibit viral infection. Our work not only introduces a promising anti-poxviral drug candidate, but also provides a comprehensive framework for elucidating complex protein-glycan interactions.
An anciently diverged family of RNA binding proteins maintain correct splicing of a class of ultra-long exons through cryptic splice site repression
Authors: Siachisumo Chileleko , Luzzi Sara , Aldalaqan Saad , Hysenaj Gerald , Dalgliesh Caroline , Cheung Kathleen , Gazzara Matthew R , Yonchev Ivaylo D , James Katherine , Kheirollahi Chadegani Mahsa , Ehrmann Ingrid , Smith Graham R , Cockell Simon J , Munkley Jennifer , Wilson Stuart A , Barash Yoseph , Elliott David J
Published: August 2024

We previously showed that the germ cell specific nuclear protein RBMXL2 represses cryptic splicing patterns during meiosis and is required for male fertility. RBMXL2 evolved from the X-linked RBMX gene, which is silenced during meiosis due to sex chromosome inactivation. It has been unknown whether RBMXL2 provides a direct replacement for RBMX in meiosis, or whether RBMXL2 evolved to deal with the transcriptionally permissive environment of meiosis. Here we find that RBMX primarily operates as a splicing repressor in somatic cells, and specifically regulates a distinct class of exons that exceed the median human exon size. RBMX protein-RNA interactions are enriched within ultra-long exons, particularly within genes involved in genome stability, and repress the selection of cryptic splice sites that would compromise gene function. These similarities in overall function suggested that RBMXL2 might replace the function of RBMX during meiosis. To test this prediction we carried out inducible expression of RBMXL2 and the more distantly related RBMY protein in somatic cells, finding each could rescue aberrant patterns of RNA processing caused by RBMX depletion. The C-terminal disordered domain of RBMXL2 is sufficient to rescue proper splicing control after RBMX depletion. Our data indicate that RBMX and RBMXL2 have parallel roles in somatic tissues and the germline that must have been conserved for at least 200 million years of mammalian evolution. We propose RBMX family proteins are particularly important for the splicing inclusion of some ultra-long exons with increased intrinsic susceptibility to cryptic splice site selection.
Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri type III effector PthA4 directs the dynamical expression of a putative citrus carbohydrate-binding protein gene for canker formation
Authors: Chen Xinyu , Zou Huasong , Zhuo Tao , Rou Wei , Wu Wei , Fan Xiaojing
Published: August 2024

Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), the causal agent of citrus canker, elicits canker symptoms in citrus plants because of the transcriptional activator-like (TAL) effector PthA4, which activates the expression of the citrus susceptibility gene CsLOB1. This study reports the regulation of the putative carbohydrate-binding protein gene Cs9g12620 by PthA4-mediated induction of CsLOB1 during Xcc infection. We found that the transcription of Cs9g12620 was induced by infection with Xcc in a PthA4-dependent manner. Even though it specifically bound to a putative TAL effector-binding element in the Cs9g12620 promoter, PthA4 exerted a suppressive effect on the promoter activity. In contrast, CsLOB1 bound to the Cs9g12620 promoter to activate its expression. The silencing of CsLOB1 significantly reduced the level of expression of Cs9g12620, which demonstrated that Cs9g12620 was directly regulated by CsLOB1. Intriguingly, PhtA4 interacted with CsLOB1 and exerted feedback control that suppressed the induction of expression of Cs9g12620 by CsLOB1. Transient overexpression and gene silencing revealed that Cs9g12620 was required for the optimal development of canker symptoms. These results support the hypothesis that the expression of Cs9g12620 is dynamically directed by PthA4 for canker formation through the PthA4-mediated induction of CsLOB1.
Age-Related Decline in Blood-Brain Barrier Function is More Pronounced in Males than Females in Parietal and Temporal Regions
Authors: Shao Xingfeng , Shou Qinyang , Felix Kimberly , Ojogho Brandon , Jiang Xuejuan , Gold Brian T , Herting Megan M , Goldwaser Eric L , Kochunov Peter , Hong L Elliot , Pappas Ioannis , Braskie Meredith , Kim Hosung , Cen Steven , Jann Kay , Wang Danny JJ
Published: August 2024

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a pivotal role in protecting the central nervous system (CNS), shielding it from potential harmful entities. A natural decline of BBB function with aging has been reported in both animal and human studies, which may contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders. Limited data also suggest that being female may be associated with protective effects on BBB function. Here we investigated age and sex-dependent trajectories of perfusion and BBB water exchange rate (kw) across the lifespan in 186 cognitively normal participants spanning the ages of 8 to 92 years old, using a non-invasive diffusion prepared pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (DP-pCASL) MRI technique. We found that the pattern of BBB kw decline with aging varies across brain regions. Moreover, results from our DP-pCASL technique revealed a remarkable decline in BBB kw beginning in the early 60s, which was more pronounced in males. In addition, we observed sex differences in parietal and temporal regions. Our findings provide in vivo results demonstrating sex differences in the decline of BBB function with aging, which may serve as a foundation for future investigations into perfusion and BBB function in neurodegenerative and other brain disorders.
Merging Multi-OMICs with Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration Unveils Antibiotic Mode of Action
Authors: Maity Ritwik , Zhang Xuepei , Liberati Francesca Romana , Rossi Chiara Scribani , Cutruzzolà Francesca , Rinaldo Serena , Gaetani Massimiliano , Aínsa José Antonio , Sancho Javier
Published: August 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is responsible for an alarming number of deaths, estimated at 5 million per year. To combat priority pathogens, like
Helicobacter pylori
, the development of novel therapies is of utmost importance. Understanding the molecular alterations induced by medications is critical for the design of multi-targeting treatments capable of eradicating the infection and mitigating its pathogenicity. However, the application of bulk omics approaches for unraveling drug molecular mechanisms of action is limited by their inability to discriminate between target-specific modifications and off-target effects. This study introduces a multi-omics method to overcome the existing limitation. For the first time, the PISA assay is utilized in bacteria in the PISA-express format to link proteome solubility with different and potentially immediate responses to drug treatment, enabling us the resolution to understand target-specific modifications and off-target effects. This study introduces a comprehensive method for understanding drug mechanisms and optimizing the development of multi-targeting antimicrobial therapies.
Muscarinic receptors mediate motivation via preparatory neural activity in humans
Authors: Grogan John P , Raemaekers Matthias , van Swieten Maaike MH , Green Alexander L , Gillies Martin J , Manohar Sanjay G
Published: August 2024

Motivation depends on dopamine, but might be modulated by acetylcholine which influences dopamine release in the striatum, and amplifies motivation in animal studies. A corresponding effect in humans would be important clinically, since anticholinergic drugs are frequently used in Parkinson’s disease, a condition that can also disrupt motivation. Reward and dopamine make us more ready to respond, as indexed by reaction times (RT), and move faster, sometimes termed vigour. These effects may be controlled by preparatory processes that can be tracked using electroencephalography (EEG). We measured vigour in a placebo-controlled, double-blinded study of trihexyphenidyl (THP), a muscarinic antagonist, with an incentivised eye movement task and EEG. Participants responded faster and with greater vigour when incentives were high, but THP blunted these motivational effects, suggesting that muscarinic receptors facilitate invigoration by reward. Preparatory EEG build-up (contingent negative variation [CNV]) was strengthened by high incentives and by muscarinic blockade, although THP reduced the incentive effect. The amplitude of preparatory activity predicted both vigour and RT, although over distinct scalp regions; frontal activity predicted vigour, whereas a larger, earlier, central component predicted RT. The incentivisation of RT was partly mediated by the CNV, though vigour was not. Moreover, the CNV mediated the drug’s effect on dampening incentives, suggesting that muscarinic receptors underlie the motivational influence on this preparatory activity. Taken together, these findings show that a muscarinic blocker impairs motivated action in healthy people, and that medial frontal preparatory neural activity mediates this for RT.
Stimulus-specificity of surround-induced responses in primary visual cortex
Authors: Cuevas Nisa , Sotomayor-Gómez Boris , Tzanou Athanasia , Broggini Ana , Uran Cem , Vinck Martin
Published: August 2024

Recent studies in mice challenge the traditional notion of the V1 receptive field (RF) showing increases in V1 firing rates for stimuli presented in the surround, in the absence of a visual input into the classical RF. While this effect has been interpreted as a prediction of the occluded content or a prediction error, an alternative explanation is that it reflects the representation of the uniform achromatic (gray) surface itself. To study this, we systematically investigated the dependence of V1 rate increases on the properties of distal surround stimuli. We recorded V1 and LGN neurons using Neuropixels in awake mice and demonstrated surround-induced responses in V1. That is, V1 firing rates increase by presenting a grating stimulus in the distal surround, while the RF is covered by a large gray patch up to 90° of diameter. LGN firing rates decreased for the same stimuli. V1 response latencies showed a systematic increase with the size of the gray patch. Surround-induced responses did not require spatial continuity or motion coherence of the surround stimulus and generalized to noisy textures and black/white luminance surfaces. Responses to black/white surfaces on a gray background had a similar magnitude and response latency as surround-induced responses with a black/white background. Based on these findings, we suggest that surround-induced responses primarily reflect the representation of the achromatic surface itself, which can contribute to image segmentation.
Vehicle detection and classification using an ensemble of EfficientDet and YOLOv8
Authors: Lv Caixia , Mittal Usha , Madaan Vishu , Agrawal Prateek
Published: August 2024

With the rapid increase in vehicle numbers, efficient traffic management has become a critical challenge for society. Traditional methods of vehicle detection and classification often struggle with the diverse characteristics of vehicles, such as varying shapes, colors, edges, shadows, and textures. To address this, we proposed an innovative ensemble method that combines two state-of-the-art deep learning models i.e., EfficientDet and YOLOv8. The proposed work leverages data from the Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) dataset, which provides both thermal and RGB images. To enhance the model performance and to address the class imbalances, we applied several data augmentation techniques. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ensemble model achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 95.5% on thermal images, outperforming the individual performances of EfficientDet and YOLOv8, which achieved mAPs of 92.6% and 89.4% respectively. Additionally, the ensemble model attained an average recall (AR) of 0.93 and an optimal localization recall precision (oLRP) of 0.08 on thermal images. For RGB images, the ensemble model achieved mAP of 93.1%, AR of 0.91, and oLRP of 0.10, consistently surpassing the performance of its constituent models. These findings highlight the effectiveness of proposed ensemble approach in improving vehicle detection and classification. The integration of thermal imaging further enhances detection capabilities under various lighting conditions, making the system robust for real-world applications in intelligent traffic management.
A pre-averaged pseudo nearest neighbor classifier
Authors: Li Dapeng
Published: August 2024

The k-nearest neighbor algorithm is a powerful classification method. However, its classification performance will be affected in small-size samples with existing outliers. To address this issue, a pre-averaged pseudo nearest neighbor classifier (PAPNN) is proposed to improve classification performance. In the PAPNN rule, the pre-averaged categorical vectors are calculated by taking the average of any two points of the training sets in each class. Then, k-pseudo nearest neighbors are chosen from the preprocessed vectors of every class to determine the category of a query point. The pre-averaged vectors can reduce the negative impact of outliers to some degree. Extensive experiments are conducted on nineteen numerical real data sets and three high dimensional real data sets by comparing PAPNN to other twelve classification methods. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed PAPNN rule is effective for classification tasks in the case of small-size samples with existing outliers.
Microcrack Formation after Root Canal Instrumentation: A Narrative Review
Authors: Naik Divya , Saoji Amisha , Margasahayam Sumanthini , Patil Anuradha , Ganguly Shouvik
Published: August 2024

The development of rotary files and other endodontic instrument techniques have revolutionised treatment by enhancing canal preparation and producing rounder, smoother canals that are constructed of Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) alloy. There are two types of movements in these instruments: rotary continuous and reciprocating. Rotary continuous movements involve torsion and flexion, and can cause instrument fractures. An alternative approach to avoid the issue is proposed, which involves reciprocating movement. The present literature review compares the incidence of dentinal crack formation in root canal walls when using stainless steel and NiTi rotary systems. It highlights the potential complications, such as tooth fracture and increased bacterial susceptibility due to contact between instruments and dentinal walls.
Histopathology and Immunohistochemical Profile of Breast Cancer amongst Young Females below 40 years of Age: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Garg Prakhar , Varma Amit , Rampada Sasmal Prasanjit , Nathani Pooja , Ali Syed Sarfaraz , Malukani Kamal , Jain Nancy
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Breast cancer is a diverse and heterogeneous disease affecting women in both developing and developed countries. In 2022, Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) reported 2.3 million cases of breast carcinoma, which accounted for 11.6% of all cancer cases worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer in India has been steadily rising and has surpassed cervical cancer as the most common cancer in women. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common histologic type found in all age groups. Grading is done according to Elston Ellis’s modification of the Scarff Bloom Richardson Scoring system. Hormonal {Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR)} and Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor-2 (HER2/ neu) immunohistochemical expression are used for molecular typing of breast carcinoma. Young women account for up to 25% of all breast carcinoma cases in India. Aim: To assess the clinical symptoms, histological type, grade, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) profile (ER, PR, HER2neu), and their relationships in females below 40 years of age with breast carcinoma. Materials and Methods: An ambispective cross-sectional study with a total of 99 cases of breast carcinoma in young females were included in the study, which was conducted in the Department of Pathology at Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PG Institute in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, between April 2022 and March 2024. Biopsies, lumpectomy, and total or modified mastectomy specimens were fixed in formalin and paraffin embedded. Sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and IHC markers ER, PR, and HER2neu using Estrogen Receptor Alpha Antibody (EP1), EP2, and EP3 antibodies, respectively, on a fully automated workstation. Carcinomas were classified according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification and graded based on Elston Ellis’s modification of the Scarff Bloom Richardson System Scoring. The proportion of tumour cells and intensity were studied, and evaluation was done with appropriate controls. Results: The most common symptom was a breast lump (84.84%), while Invasive breast cancer of {No Special Type (NST)} was the most common histologic type (96.96%) and histological Grade III was predominant (53.53%) in the majority of patients. ER, PR, and HER2neu were positive in 57.57%, 51.51%, and 33.33% of cases, respectively. HER2neu expression was negative in the majority of cases (66.66%). The most common molecular subtype was Luminal A (35.35%), followed by Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) (29.29%), Luminal B (22.22%), and the least common was the HER2neu enriched subtype (13.13%). Conclusion: Invasive breast carcinoma (NST) is the most common histologic type, with higher histologic grade and a greater number of triple-negative cases seen in young females (<40 years).
Management Practices of Buffalo Farmers in Rural Areas of Tirunelveli Region of Tamil Nadu
Authors: R Sangameswaran , S Senthilkumar , K Ramesh
Published: August 2024

The present study was conducted to identify the management practices followed by buffalo farmers in rural areas of Tirunelveli region, Tamil Nadu. A total of 31 buffalo farmers were interviewed by the pre-structured interview schedule and data were tabulated and discussed. The results of the study indicated that majority of the farmers were rearing non-descript buffaloes (77.42%) and practicing natural service to their buffaloes (90.32%). All the respondents surveyed were rearing their animals in extensive systems and allowing their animals to graze in common property resources (CPRs) and common range lands. But only, about 35.48 per cent of the respondents were providing green fodder to lactating buffaloes, 19.35 per cent were providing greed fodder to heifer and one-sixth of the respondents were providing green fodder to calves. About three- fourth of the respondents (74.19%) were not vaccinating the animals and 22.58 per cent of respondents were vaccinating the animals against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS). None of the respondents were taking precautionary steps against tick infestation. Inadequate veterinary services, lack of space for shed construction, high cost for availing treatment services from the service providers, non-remunerative price for the milk, management constraints during climatic variations and inadequate supply of inputs such as feed/ fodder seeds were the critical constraints perceived by the farmers. The study concludes that enhancing the efficiency of natural feed sourcing by developing forage resources in community land, strengthening the improvement of resilient buffalo breeds by community-based breeding programmes and developing calendar of prophylaxis will ensure sustenance in buffalo farming.
Strategic Approaches to Sustainable Inland Water Fisheries Management in Indonesia: Insights from the Draft WPPNRI-PD Fisheries Management Plan
Authors: Ramadian Afzil , Mulyana Ridwan , Mahardhika R. Herman , Nugroho Fajar , Rachmadi Dodiet
Published: August 2024

Aim: This study analyzes capture fisheries production in several countries, showing that Indonesia has relatively low production compared to countries like India and Bangladesh, despite having a large inland water area.
Methodology: The study employs SWOT and Fishbone analysis to develop a comprehensive and sustainable fisheries management strategy.
Results: The results indicate that innovation can be implemented in the development of the Inland Waters Fisheries Management Plan (WPPNRI-PD FMP) through innovative approaches such as the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), ecosystem-based zoning, and community-based co-management. An Integrated Inland Aquatic Fisheries Information System and a Penta-Helix Partnership Mechanism are also implemented for more comprehensive management.
Practical Implications: The implementation of these strategies is expected to ensure sustainable fisheries management, protect biodiversity, and meet the economic and social needs of Indonesia's coastal communities.
Research Limitations: The limitations of this study include data that may not cover all relevant aspects and challenges in implementing complex strategies.
Research Originality: This research offers a novel approach to inland water fisheries management in Indonesia by integrating various innovative and collaborative approaches to achieve climate and environmentally adaptive fisheries management.
Influences on Transfer Pricing Decisions: The Roles of Tunneling Incentives, Debt Covenants, and Bonus Mechanisms with Tax Minimization as a Moderator
Authors: Nizary Prima , Budyastuti Triyani
Published: August 2024

Managing transfer pricing in multinational corporations has become a central issue in the scope of global tax policy. This research aims to detail the factors influencing transfer pricing decisions, focusing on the influence of tunneling incentive, debt covenant, and bonus mechanism. Tax minimization will be used as a moderating variable that enriches understanding in research on the dynamics of transfer pricing policies in multinational manufacturing companies. With a sample of 23 multinational companies listed on the IDX and 115 data from observed financial reports, it was analyzed using SPSS version 25 with multiple regression methods and interaction tests. The findings or research results indicate that tunneling incentive and debt covenant have a significant effect, but the bonus mechanism does not have a significant effect, while tax minimization only affects the relationship between debt covenant and transfer pricing.
Applying Remote Sensing, Google Earth Engine, and Machine Learning to Predict the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Sundarbans Mangroves
Authors: Kotwal Sanaya
Published: August 2024

Mangrove forests are pivotal in mitigating climate change impacts due to their exceptional carbon sequestration capabilities and their role as carbon sinks. Mangroves are designated blue zones, storing two to four times more carbon dioxide than global rates observed in mature tropical forests. This study utilizes both radar (Sentinel 1) and optical (Sentinel 2) remote sensing datasets. It compares various machine learning algorithms, such as Random Forest, SVM, and CART, to predict the mangrove distribution and allometric equations to estimate the aboveground biomass and the amount of carbon sequestration for the Sundarbans mangrove forest without requiring time-consuming field measurements. It was found that the Random Forest machine learning classifier yielded the highest accuracy of 0.984 with a Kappa metric of 0.962. Using this classifier, the aboveground biomass was calculated to be 125 Mg/ha and the amount of carbon sequestration was 257 Mg/ha per year. The aboveground biomass found was consistent with prior studies using traditional field work. The carbon sequestration values will aid in highlighting the importance of mangroves as blue-carbon storages and help in accurately monitoring and preserving these vital ecosystems efficiently on a global scale.
Exploring Intricacies of School-community Collaboration in Managing School Discipline: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Chingola District, Zambia
Authors: Ngulube Mwitwa , Kalumbi Mwansa Mukalula , Siakalima Daniel
Published: August 2024

In Zambian schools, the levels of indiscipline among pupils has been on the increase and this should not be the case. The study explored collaboration between the school and the community in promoting school discipline among pupils in selected secondary schools in Chingola. The concurrent mixed-method approach was employed. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. This study had 197 participants from four schools and the surrounding communities. The sample included 113 pupils, 48 teachers, 6 administrators, and 30 parents.  The qualitative data was analysed thematically, while the quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, version 21. This study established that close collaboration between the community and schools promote information sharing between teachers and parents in the community and aids in discipline management among erring pupils. It was noted that collaboration between teachers and parents creates an enabling environment for monitoring the behaviour of their children to curb the high prevalence of pupil indiscipline which ranged from vandalism, theft, mobile phone usage, alcohol and drug abuse.  The study further found that disciplinary referral, summoning of parents, guidance and counselling, rewarding and punishment mechanisms, and involvement of parents are among the strategies to discipline the learners and enhance social cohesion.  Based on the findings, the study recommended that schools should endeavor to strengthen collaboration with the community in curbing indiscipline among learners.
Tourism and Economic Growth in Kenya: A Time Series Analysis
Authors: Wanyonyi Maurice , Mbithi Jonathan
Published: August 2024

Aims: To investigate the dynamic relationship between international tourism inflows and economic growth in Kenya over the period 2012-2023 using time series analysis.
Methodology: Annual data on real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and international tourist arrivals were analyzed using unit root tests, Johansen cointegration analysis, vector error correction models (VECM), Granger causality tests, and forecast error variance decomposition techniques. The optimal lag order was chosen based on the Akaike Information Criterion.
Results: The Johansen cointegration test revealed one cointegrating equation (trace statistic = 35.52, p < 0.05), indicating a long-run equilibrium relationship between GDP and tourism arrivals. The VECM showed a significant error correction term for GDP (-3.1857, p < 0.01), confirming long-run causality. However, the Granger causality test failed to reject the null hypothesis that tourism arrivals do not Granger-cause GDP (F-statistic = 0.1626, p = 0.8543). Forecast error variance decomposition showed that by the 10th period, 99.9% of tourism arrivals variance was attributed to its shocks, while GDP shocks contributed only 0.1%.
Conclusion: While a long-run equilibrium relationship exists between tourism and economic growth in Kenya, there is no evidence of short-run causality from tourism arrivals to GDP. The results suggest that factors specific to the tourism sector, rather than broader economic conditions, have a more substantial influence on tourism arrivals in the long run. Policymakers should focus on developing targeted strategies to enhance the tourism sector's linkages with other economic sectors to maximize its potential for driving sustainable economic growth. Practical recommendations include diversifying tourism products, improving tourism infrastructure, and implementing marketing strategies to attract high-value tourists.
Effect of Different Fertilizer Recommendation Approaches on Yield, Profitability and Nutrient Uptake by Wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Acid Alfisols of North Western Himalayas
Authors: Dogra Kritika , Dixit Shashi Pal , Kaistha Prakriti
Published: August 2024

A field experiment was conducted on wheat crop during rabi, 2019-20 at the experimental farm of Soil Science, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. The study comprised of nine treatments (control, farmers’ practice, general recommended dose, soil test based fertilizer application, Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based application of fertilizers for target yield of 25 q ha-1 and target yield of 35 q ha-1 without farmyard manure (FYM), Soil Test Crop Response based Integrated plant nutrition system (STCR-IPNS) application of fertilizers for target yield of 25 q ha-1 and target yield of 35 q ha-1 with FYM @ 5 t ha-1 and one Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) treatment). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments that were replicated thrice. The effects of different fertilizers recommendation approaches on yield, profitability and nutrient uptake in wheat were evaluated. Different treatments had a significant effect on the yield and nutrient uptake of wheat crop. STCR treatment for the target yield of 35 q ha-1 with FYM resulted in the highest wheat grain yield (35.4 q ha-1). However, the highest BC ratio was recorded in treatment for target yield 35 q ha-1 without FYM followed by treatment 25 q ha-1 without FYM. A significant increase in N, P, K and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) uptake by wheat grain and straw was observed in STCR based target yield plots as compared to general recommended dose, farmers’ practice, and control. The STCR-based target yield approach maximizes economic yields by supplying nutrients precisely according to crop requirements, thereby enhancing fertilizer use efficiency and conserving expensive fertilizers.
The Paradigm of Efficacy of Chemotherapy in Association with Different Adjuvant Treatments for Retinoblastoma: A Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Luz Ana Flavia Cardoso , Alves Carolina Ferreira , Costa Tanise Nazaré Maia , Araujo Rita Helena Vallinoto Silva de , Coutinho Igor Jordan Barbosa , Lima Vitor Hugo Auzier
Published: August 2024

The treatment of retinoblastoma, the most common malignant eye tumour in children, has considerably evolved with the combination of chemotherapy and adjuvant treatments. This study conducted a systematic literature review to analyse the effectiveness of chemotherapy associated with different adjuvant therapies, such as thermotherapy, cryotherapy, and immunotherapy, in controlling retinoblastoma. Through a comprehensive search strategy in electronic databases, relevant studies published to date were identified and selected. The inclusion criteria were rigorously applied to ensure the relevance of the selected articles. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extracted data revealed patterns and trends regarding the effectiveness of these therapeutic combinations. The results indicated that integrating chemotherapy with adjuvant treatments significantly improved clinical outcomes, promoting better vision preservation and reducing recurrence rates. However, variability in treatment response and the need for an individualised approach were highlighted as fundamental factors for therapeutic success. This systematic review reinforced the importance of a multimodal approach and continuous research to improve therapeutic strategies in the treatment of retinoblastoma, pointing to the need for future investigations that can consolidate and innovate clinical practices in this field.
Bir İlkokul Dördüncü Sınıf Öğrencisinin Bilişsel Matematiksel Modelleme Yeterliklerinin Geliştirilmesi: Ayrıntılı Geri Bildirim
Authors: Canbazoğlu Albayrak H. Beyza , Bukova Güzel Esra
Published: August 2024

Bu çalışmada, bir ilkokul dördüncü sınıf öğrencisinin matematiksel modelleme yeterliklerinin değerlendirilmesine yönelik sağlanan ayrıntılı geri bildirimlerin, öğrencinin modelleme yeterliklerinin gelişimine etkisini incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada, bütüncül tek durum deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak göreve dayalı mülakat (task-based interview) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. İlkokul dördüncü sınıf öğrencisinin hem araştırmanın başlangıcındaki ve sonundaki düzeyini belirlemede hem araştırma sürecince öğrencinin modelleme yeterliklerinin gelişimini açıklamada Tekin Dede ve Bukova Güzel (2018) tarafından oluşturulan Modelleme Yeterlikleri Değerlendirme Rubriği (MYDR) kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın başlangıcında öğrencinin bilişsel matematiksel modelleme yeterlikleri değerlendirildiğinde, problemi anlama, sadeleştirme, yorumlama ve doğrulama yeterliklerini sergilemede güçlükler yaşadığı belirlenmiştir. Süreç sonunda öğrencinin matematiksel modelleme yeterlikleri değerlendirildiğinde problemi anlama, sadeleştirme, matematikselleştirme, matematiksel olarak çalışma, yorumlama ve doğrulama yeterliklerinde gelişimler olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bir başka deyişle ilkokul dördüncü sınıf öğrencisine her bir matematiksel modelleme yeterliklerine yönelik sağlanan ayrıntılı geri bildirimler sayesinde öğrencinin modelleme yeterliklerinde gelişim olduğu görülmüştür.