bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geometric Brownian Motion, Option Pricing, and Simulation: Some Spreadsheet-Based Exercises in Financial Modeling
Authors: Brewer Kevin D. , Feng Yi , Kwan Clarence C. Y.
Published: November 2023

 This paper presents some Excel-based simulation exercises that are suitable for use in financial modeling courses. Such exercises are based on a stochastic process of stock price movements, called geometric Brownian motion, that underlies the derivation of the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Guidance is provided in assigning appropriate values of the drift parameter in the stochastic process for such exercises. Some further simulation exercises are also suggested. As the analytical underpinning of the materials involved is provided, this paper is expected to be of interest also to instructors and students of investment courses. 
Verkfallsskylda ófélagsbundinna launþega
Authors: Stephensen Sindri M.
Published: November 2023

Samkvæmt nýlegum dómi Félagsdóms í máli nr. 19/2019 hvílir sú skylda á ófélagsbundnum launþega að hlíta verkfalli stéttarfélags sem gert hefur þann kjarasamning er hann þiggur laun samkvæmt. Sú skylda byggist samkvæmt dóminum á 18. gr. laga nr. 80/1938 um stéttarfélög og vinnudeilur sem skýrð var í ljósi 1. gr. laga nr. 55/1980 um starfskjör launafólks og skyldutryggingu lífeyrisréttinda. Í greininni er vöngum velt yfir því hvort umrædd skylda verði nægjanlega leidd af gildandi réttarheimildum vinnumarkaðsréttar. Þá er jafnframt fjallað um það hvort slík skylda geti samrýmst kröfum stjórnarskrárinnar og mannréttindasáttmála Evrópu, þá einkum neikvæðu félagafrelsi. Í samanburðarskyni er vikið að regluumhverfi hér um í Danmörku og Noregi.

Verkföll. Vinnumarkaðsréttur. Stéttarfélög. Lögskýringar. Neikvætt félagafrelsi. Stjórnskipunarréttur.

OBLIGATION OF NON-UNION MEMBERS TO STRIKE
Sindri M. Stephensen, associate professor at the Reykjavík University Faculty of Law

Abstract:
According to a recent judgment of the Labour Court in Case No. 19/2019, a non-unionized employee must go on strike if the union that has entered into the collective agreement according to which the employee receives wages has called a strike. This obligation is based on Article 18 of Act no. 80/1938 on trade unions and labour disputes, interpreted in light of Article 1 of Act no. 55/1980 on working conditions for employees and mandatory insurance of pension rights. The article questions whether this obligation can be sufficiently derived from cited legislation. It is also discusses whether such an obligation is compatible with the requirements of the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, especially the negative freedom of association. For comparison purposes, reference is made to the comparable legislation in Denmark and Norway.

Strikes. Labour market rights. Unions. Statutory interpretation. Negative freedom of association. Constitutional law.
Fermenting Futures
Authors: Modi Kaajal
Published: November 2023

In this paper I explore the material and metaphoric affordances of fermentation as an “art of noticing” (Tsing, 2015) as embodied through a collaborative practice of making with migrant women of colour in the kitchen. In doing so, I make visible some of the ways in which our microbial entanglements make us part of our environments, and the ways in which these have the potential to connect us to planetary metabolic ecologies. Through this practice, I further work to disrupt the exclusion of marginalised people from the category of human by challenging the basis of individualism and the idea of human as a discrete category. I do so by utilising food fermentation to consider the ‘cross-cultural’/multispecies ethics at play as a heuristic for a mode of participation that can account for diverse modes of knowledge and agency.
The House of Pain: The Island of Dr. Moreau and Post/Trans/ Humanism Today
Authors: Gomel Elana
Published: November 2023

H. G. Wells’ novel The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896) is a bleak critique of the Victorian notion that evolution can provide ethical or social guidance to humanity. This essay reads the novel in the context of the contemporary debate between posthumanism and transhumanism. By applying theoretical models derived from Braidotti, Agamben, Wolfe and others, the essay argues that Wells’ evolutionary antihumanism provides a corrective to both critical posthumanism’s attempts to articulate a non-anthropocentric ethics, and to transhumanism’s dreams of transcending humanity. The essay considers the chronotope of an island polity in the context of evolutionary antihumanism by comparing Wells’ novel with the contemporary biotech thriller Island 731 (2013) by Jeremy Robinson.
Analisis Penerapan Lean Warehouse Untuk Meminimalisir Waste Menggunakan Value Stream Mapping dan Fishbone Diagram
Authors: Salsabila Nurulita  , Ramadhanti Cahaya , Pramestiana Intan
Published: November 2023

Divisi Value Added Service (VAS) PT XYZ seringkali tidak dapat mencapai target produksi yang ditetapkan. Identifikasi awal menunjukkan faktor penyebab keterlambatan yaitu menunggu datangnya material pendukung. Metode Lean Warehouse berdasarkan konsep Lean Manufacturing digunakan untuk mengatasi permasalahan tersebut. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menemukan akar dari jenis pemborosan dan mendapatkan solusi yang tepat untuk mengurangi waktu tunggu stiker dan pelabelan Bedtime Lotion produk 100ml. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan urutan persentase waste yaitu defect waste 22,40%, overproduction waste 16,76%, motions waste 16,32%, inventory waste 14,47%, transportation waste 10,70%, process waste 10,59% dan waiting waste 8,77 %. Terdapat peningkatan pada aktivitas Non Value Added (NVA) yang semula berjumlah 430 detik menjadi 395 detik, sedangkan pada aktivitas Value Added (VA) yang semula berjumlah 700 detik menjadi 632,8 detik setelah dilakukan perbaikan atau penurunan waktu sebesar 0,35% pada aktivitas Non Value Added (NVA), sedangkan pada aktivitas Value Added mengalami penurunan sebesar 0,672%.
ANALISIS LAJU ANGKUTAN SEDIMEN UNTUK MENGANTISIPASI RESIKO BENCANA SEJAK DINI PADA SUNGAI CILEUEUR KABUPATEN CIAMIS
Authors: Sumarno Wahyu , Yanti Defiana  , Dedi Sutrisna
Published: November 2023

This study uses the Duboy's method and the Englund -Hunsen method to calculate bed load transport which aims to determine the volume of sedimentation in the Cileueur River, Ciamis Regency as a form of early anticipation of disaster risk.This research was carried out with stages starting from hydrological analysis, determining the planned rainfall, analyzing the design discharge, and analyzing the average velocity of the river.This research is based on considerations to anticipate disaster risks, especially in the Cileueur River, Ciamis Regency, this river has a length of 25,000 m and an area of 13,660.7 ha of watershed. In the Cileueur River there are several problems including silting of the river which results in frequent occurrence of large enough water overflows exceeding the cross-sectional area capacity of the river during the rainy season. Seeing the impact of the occurrence of these problems, it is necessary to conduct research in order to anticipate risks before a disaster occurs.Based on the results of the analysis and discussion, it can be concluded that the results of bed load transport calculations in the Cileueur river, Ciamis Regency using the Duboy's method obtained an average of 357.5619 tonnes/year and the Englund and Hunsen method of 317.379 tonnes/year. Then the comparison of the results of calculating the amount of bottom sediment from the two methods is 6%.
ANALISIS FAKTOR KEAMANAN PADA JEMBATAN KERETA API BH NOMOR 105 KM 49+093 ANTARA STASIUN LUBUKALUNG DAN STASIUN SICINCIN DI DIVRE 2 SUMATERA BARAT
Authors: Arisikam Dicky , Kuswanto Heru , Arifudin Muhammad , Ramadianisa Alya
Published: November 2023

One of the structures on various railroads, of which is a bridge. On the railway bridge, there are calculated loads. The load is divided into three, namely the girder self-load, additional dead load, and live load. Locomotives and wain have different axle loads and axle distances, so there is a change in the forces acting on the rail structure. Currently, the planned train loading is based on the 1921 Load Plan (RM) scheme. On the bridge BH No. 105 which connects Lubukalung Station with Sicincin is passed by BB 303 locomotive and closed wain, loading analysis is carried out by making axle loads and axle distances on a span of 50 m. Then we can compare the calculation of the load with the RM 1921 and RM Sumbar scheme, it is necessary to check the capacity of the entire bridge structure against the applicable loading. Obtained the value of the calculation of the safety factor of the existing loading with the RM 1921 scheme for a maximum reaction is 2,353 and a maximum moment is 2,32. With the RM Sumbar scheme, a maximum reaction is 0.8365 and a maximum moment is 0.74125. This shows the achievement of a safety factor of more than 1.5 for the calculation of the safety factor of the existing loading with the RM 1921 scheme. While the maximum displacement safety factor value for the RM 1921 scheme is 0.005, West Sumatra RM 0.005, and the existing charge is 0.0667. Based on the calculation results, it is smaller than the maximum safety factor value that meets the requirements.
BIM SEBAGAI ALAT MANAGEMENT ASET : USULAN TINGKAT LOD DARI PEKERJAAN DIGITASI DAN VALIDASI PENGUKURAN ASSET PT.KAI
Authors: Arisikam Dicky , Kuswanto Heru , Arifudin Muhammad , Azwar Azwar
Published: November 2023

The station is one of the important assets because passengers must access the station before boarding the train and must leave the station after arriving at their final destination. TTA is a unit that has one of the main tasks, namely collecting data, recording, validating, evaluating and controlling data on the Station Building assets. The main challenge in implementing an asset management strategy for buildings lies in the many types of assets that must be analyzed and categorized. Therefore, by adopting digital tools such as BIM, practitioners can improve the consistency of building information, computing capabilities, and coordination capabilities in managing assets. In the early stages, LOD is needed to determine the number and level of building information that needs to be placed in the BIM Model.The topic that will be presented in this paper is about proposing an LOD framework for station buildings managed by BUMN PT. Kereta Api Indonesia so as to improve the quality of asset management. Based on the research results, LOD contains 2 (two) key levels to identify a station building so that the resulting information becomes more structured when we want to build a BIM model. The first level is a component that is divided into several indicators such as roof components, walls, floors, doors, windows, ventilation, platforms, overcaping, rails, lighting and plumbing. The second level is elements which are divided into several descriptors such as geometry, position, dimensions, type, elevation, material, and finishing. So this paper proposes the LOD level to be applied to BIM so that it can explain station buildings from a simple model (LOD-S.KA. 0) to a detailed model (LOD-S.KA.4)
A Synergetic Approach Utilizing Nanotechnology, Chemotherapy, and Radiotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Authors: Alhussan Abdulaziz , Calisin Reinali , Jackson Nolan , Morgan Jessica , Chen Sam , Tam Yuen Yi C. , Beckham Wayne , Krishnan Sunil , Chithrani Devika
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study was to assess the anticancer effectiveness of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and lipid-encapsulated docetaxel prodrug (LNPDTX-P) with radiotherapy (RT). The study utilized a co-culture spheroid model comprising MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells and patient-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF-98) to mimic pancreatic cancer conditions.

The spheroids underwent treatment with GNPs (7.5 μg/mL), LNPDTX-P (99 nM of DTX pro-drug), and 2 Gy of RT. Cell viability of the spheroids was evaluated using the CellTiter-Glo 3D assay. At the same time, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) were assessed by examining the expression of the DNA damage marker 53BP1 through an immunofluorescence assay. Alt-hough GNPs/RT and RT/LNPDTX-P showed a reduction in spheroid size and an apparent in-crease in DNA DSB damage, the combination of the two nanoparticles, GNPs, and LNPDTX-P, with RT, significantly enhanced the anticancer efficacy, resulting in a 28% decrease in spheroid size and an estimated 39% increase in DNA DSB. The combination of GNPs and LNPDTX-P with RT showed a synergetic effect due to their radiosensitizing properties, improving the ther-apeutic efficacy of each treatment modality alone. This triple modality offers a hopeful strategy to enhance cancer treatment efficacy while reducing adverse effects.
Appointment of Supreme Court Judges in Bangladesh: An Alternative Interpretation of “Consultation”
Authors: Waheduzzaman Moha
Published: November 2023

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh in the cases of Manabjamin and Idrisur Rahman held that in the matter of appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court “consultation” with the Chief Justice with primacy of his opinion is a condition of independence of Judiciary. I argue that the appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court by the Executive does not by itself fetter judicial independence provided that the other post-appointment conditions imposed by the Constitution are met. I further argue that Article 98 (appointment of Additional Judges) and Article 99 (permitting Judges to hold ‘judicial’ or ‘quasi-judicial’ offices after retirement) are provisions that compromise with the independence of Judiciary. The Court has never identified these provisions as potential or real threat to the independence of Judiciary. The Court rather over-focused on the mode of appointment as a major aspect of judicial independence. So far as the mode of appointment is concerned, I argue that the accountability of the Executive should be ensured politically and not judicially. This assumes that the whole of the accountability of the Government cannot be claimed to be ensured legally and the vice versa. In his dissent, Joynul Abedin J argued that the mode of appointment of Judges isn’t a component of judicial independence. However, this raises the question: if the Executive disregards the Chief Justice’s opinion, what then? Abedin J didn’t address the Executive’s political accountability in such a scenario. This leaves a gap in our jurisdiction regarding the justifiability of the Executive’s political accountability in Supreme Court Judge appointments. This article aims to fill that void by advocating for political accountability of Executive solely within this context.

Dhaka University Law Journal, Vol. 33(1), 2023 P.77-94
APLIKASI E-MARKETPLACE PADA USAHA MIKRO KECIL MENENGAH (UMKM) BERBASIS MOBILE
Authors: Aulami Rizal , Ariani Fenty
Published: November 2023

Berdasarkan Undang-undang No. 33 Tahun 2007 tentang pembentukan Kabupaten Pesawaran di Propinsi Lampung Tanggal 10 Agustus 2007 secara administratif Kabupaten Pesawaran terbagi menjadi sebelas Kecamatan. Dinas UMKM Kabupaten Pesawaran sebagai dinas yang bertugas mewadahi kegiatan UMKM sebagai pendorong dan menumbuh kembangkan UMKM yang terdaftar dalam rangka menunjang Visi dan Misi pembangunan Kabupaten Pesawaran dan mensinergikan program serta kegiatan kearah untuk mewujudkan visi dan misi yang saling berkesinambungan. Dinas UMKM Kabupaten Pesawaran terdapat 3084 yang terdaftar dan memiliki beberapa produk unggulan seperti Tapis, Batu Fossil, Keripik hingga olahan Ikan. Berdasarkan jumlah UMKM yang relatif banyak dan terus bertambah setiap tahunnya menunjukan permasalahan seperti belum memanfatkan media teknologi informasi khususnya mobile untuk membantu meningkatkan pemasaran produk UMKM dan meningkatkan penjualan produk. Metode yang digunakan berupa extreme programming dengan penerapan pada aplikasi mobile android. Hasil pengembangan aplikasi e-marketplace sebagai wadah dalam memasarkan produk UMKM Pesawaran dengan menggunakan mobile dapat dengan mudah mengelola data produk hasil olahan UMKM
Temperatura del Agua de Alimentación a Colectores y su Influencia en la Fracción Solar
Authors: Figueredo Gustavo Raul , Pochettino Juan Jose , Zurlo Hugo Daniel
Published: November 2023

El comportamiento de las instalaciones solares térmicas depende de muchas variables, una de ellas es la temperatura del agua de alimentación al colector. En muchos países la temperatura del agua de alimentación a utilizar para predecir la producción de una instalación solar a largo plazo se encuentra normalizada. La temperatura del agua de red depende fuertemente de la temperatura del ambiente y del tiempo de residencia del agua en las tuberías. En este trabajo se estableció el perfil temporal de temperaturas para el agua de red en la ciudad de Resistencia, se analizó su relación con la temperatura ambiente y se calculó la fracción solar de una instalación para proveer agua caliente sanitaria en función de las evoluciones de las temperaturas. Los perfiles temporales de temperatura se ajustaron mediante una oscilación armónica de periodo anual, con una media de 4 ºC superior a la temperatura ambiente  y una amplitud de 7 ºC, con el mínimo para el mes de julio.
Harmful algal bloom impacts on juvenile green turtle foraging ecology: insights from stable isotope analysis
Authors: Long CA , Worthy GAJ , Paperno R , Ceriani SA , Mansfield KL
Published: November 2023

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are becoming increasingly frequent due to the effects of nutrient pollution. Some HABs affect the environment by decreasing light penetration, resulting in die-offs of aquatic primary producers. Particularly for species of conservation concern, there is a need to understand how HAB impacts on seagrasses and macroalgae relate to the foraging ecology of marine consumers. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is a potentially useful tool to study these processes, but typical SIA study designs may not be appropriate due to the unpredictable nature and fast onset of HABs. Our goal was to gain insights into impacts of HABs on juvenile green turtles Chelonia mydas in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA, by comparing long-term patterns in turtle carbon and nitrogen isotopic values to those of pinfish Lagodon rhomboides, a species with high site fidelity that serves as a reference for the lagoon. Mean isotopic values of carbon and nitrogen showed relatively small changes over time in both species. Green turtle stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic variance decreased during and after the 2011-2013 HABs in the Indian River Lagoon, while pinfish isotopic variance largely remained at pre-HAB levels except for an increase in nitrogen variance in 2013. The decrease in green turtle isotopic variance extended through 2018. We discuss potential causes for this decrease, including changes in diet diversity and habitat use. Our study highlights the need to further understand the impacts of nutrient pollution and HABs on protected marine species and the importance of long-term monitoring programs in achieving this understanding.
Advances in the Construction and Application of Thyroid Organoids
Authors: ZHANG Y , FU M , WANG H , SUN H
Published: November 2023

Organoids are complex multicellular structures that stem cells self-organize in three-dimensional (3D) cultures into anatomical structures and functional units similar to those seen in the organs from which they originate. This review describes the construction of thyroid organoids and the research progress that has occurred in models of thyroid-related disease. As a novel tool for modeling in a 3D multicellular environment, organoids help provide some useful references for the study of the pathogenesis of thyroid disease.
The effect of L. reuteri on Nonspecific Resistance and Hematological Parameters of Laboratory Animals
Authors: Ovcharova A. N. , Belova N. V.
Published: November 2023

Probiotics are microbial preparations, which have a positive effect on the composition of the intestinal microflora and the immune system of animals. These preparations are widely used for correcting and preventing violations of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. Lactobacilli play a special role in the formation of normal microflora. They exhibit a pronounced antagonistic activity against pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, as well as possess a number of other positive effects. This study is aimed at determining the effect of new probiotic strains of L. reuteri on the indicators of nonspecific resistance, hematological and biochemical parameters of laboratory rabbits. The studied strains were found to have a pronounced positive effect on the indicators of nonspecific resistance. Thus, compared to the control, the indicators of phagocytic activity and bactericidal activity in the experimental group were by 22% and 32% higher, respectively. The content of hemoglobin, erythrocytes and total protein in the blood serum also increased.
Development of an Algorithm for Identification of N-terminal Acetyltransferases and Verification of Their Functional Activity
Authors: Kudryashov T. A. , Trunilina M. V. , Bykov V. V. , Boldaevsky I. S. , Sokolov A. S. , Lapteva Yu. S.
Published: November 2023

N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs) of bacteria acetylate the alpha-amino group in amino acids and proteins, participate in the biosynthesis of lantibiotics, and inactivate a number of antibiotics. NATs are used in biotechnology for targeted acetylation of recombinant proteins and peptides. In this regard, the search for NATs that differ in terms of substrate specificity and are also capable of functioning in the reaction at elevated temperatures, a wide pH range, etc., seems relevant. In this work, we develop specific characteristics and a search algorithm for the identification of N-terminal acetyltransferases using the Thermus thermophilus thermophilic bacterium as an example. Out of 14 Abs annotated in the genome, we selected six «putative» NATs. Some of the genes encoding the selected NATs were successfully cloned, generated, and purified from E. coli cells. The specific enzymatic activity of a number of enzymes was confirmed.
3D Printing of a Tissue-Engineered Structure Intended to Replace Cartilage Defects
Authors: Machulin S. A. , Astrelina T. A. , Usupzhanova D. Yu. , Zavialov A. O. , Malivanova T. F. , Golovkova А. I. , Kobzeva I. V. , Suchkova Yu. B. , Brunchukov V. A. , Rastorgueva A. A. , Nikitina V. А. , Lomonosova E. E. , Mihadarkina O. G. , Samoilov A. S.
Published: November 2023

This article describes the process of developing a tissue-engineered structure that meets the biocompatibility and biodegradation parameters necessary for replacing cartilage tissue defects. The study was carried out using 3D bioprinting technology, which represents a promising research direction in the biomedical field. It is known that, due to the specifics of its structure, cartilage tissue is not capable of complete regeneration of damage. The methods currently used for treating arthrosis are associated with a number of limitations and disadvantages, which makes research aimed at developing alternative methods for arthrosis treatment particularly relevant. The development of tissue-engineered structures by 3D bioprinting requires the materials not only certified for medical use but also exhibiting biocompatibility and biodegradation properties. Polylactide (PLA) and sodium alginate satisfy the above requirements; moreover, their availability and economic affordability make them one of the most popular materials for 3D bioprinting.
Experimental Study of the Efficacy of Pharmaconutrient Enteral Nutrition and Inulin in the Correction of Intestinal Motor Disorders and Microbiocenosis in the Postoperative Period Under Endotoxemia Conditions
Authors: Tropskaya N. S. , Kislyаkova E. A. , Vilkova I. G. , Gurman Yu. V. , Kislitsyna O. S. , Borodina Ye. N. , Chernen’kaya T. V. , Popova T. S.
Published: November 2023

A scheme for correcting intestinal motor disorders and microbiocenosis is proposed. Experiments on rats included a sequential jejunum administration of pharmaconutrient enteral nutrition (Intestamine, containing glutamine and tributyrin) and inulin, a prebiotic preparation. The application of this scheme in the postoperative period in the setting of endotoxemia prevents excessive bacterial growth in the jejunum, stimulates the appearance of propulsive peristalsis, eliminates pathological motility patterns and promotes early recovery of coordinated peristalsis of the small intestine.
Effect of Heparin on Antigen-Antibody Interaction in a Model System of the Bevacizumab Therapeutic Antibody And its Target VEGF-А165
Authors: Shevelyova M. P. , Nemashkalova E. L. , Deryusheva E. I.
Published: November 2023

In this work, we studied the effect of heparin on the binding process of VEGF-A165, the most common and important growth factor, and the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab by bio-layer interferometry. A complex of the full-length bevacizumab antibody with VEGF-A165 was modeled. The data obtained can be used in therapy with this antibody, as well as in the development of other therapeutic antibodies with maximum target specificity under various conditions.
In vitro study: green synthesis and evaluation of MgO/C-dots/DOX phosphorescent nanocomposites for photodynamic/photocatalytic therapy of tumors
Authors: Karimi M. , Sadeghi E. , Zahedifar M. , Nejati M. , Mirzaei H. , Hamblin Michael R.
Published: November 2023

MgO nanoparticles (NPs) and carbon dots (C-dots) were synthesized by co-precipitation and hydrothermal techniques. In the next step, as-synthesized NPs were modified by C-dots. Then, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was conjugated with MgO/Cdots. Finally, Doxorubicin (Dox) as an anticancer drug was loaded on MgO/Cdots/PEG nanocomposites. The XRD pattern showed the characteristic peaks of C-dots and MgO. The FTIR spectrum showed that MgO/C-dots possessed the carboxyl functional groups, allowing DOX to be loaded onto MgO/C-dots/PEG through hydrogen bonds. The particle size of MgO, C-dots, MgO/C-dots, and MgO/C-dots/PEG/DOX was 20–30, 5–10, 30–40, and 100–130 nm, respectively, using TEM, DLS, and FESEM techniques. MgO, MgO/C-dots, and MgO/C-dots/DOX were fluorescent NPs when excited by a UV source. Anthracene and methylene blue were used as fluorescent probes to identify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by UV excitation. The activity of MgO/C-dots and MgO/C-dots/DOX against colorectal cancer (C26) cells, after repeated 5-min illumination with both UV-light and red light LEDs, were measured by MTT assay. C26 cancer cells incubated with DOX-loaded MgO/C-dots and exposed to either wavelength (UV and red) killed ∼70% of cells. The green synthesized nanocomposites could act as anti-cancer photosensitizers probably by a photocatalytic mechanism.
Intestinal flora study reveals the mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao San and its decomposed recipes to improve cognitive dysfunction in the rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Jin Yijie , Liang Si , Qiu Jiakang , Jin Jing , Zhou Yujia , Huang Yaqi , He Chunxiang , Yu Wenjing , Deng Sisi , Cheng Shaowu , Song Zhenyan
Published: November 2023

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), characterized by a severe decline in cognitive function, significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) presents notable advantages in AD treatment, closely linked to its regulation of intestinal flora. Nevertheless, a comprehensive exploration of the precise role of intestinal flora in AD remains lacking.

Methods

We induced an AD model through bilateral intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin in rats. We divided 36 rats randomly into 6 groups: sham-operated, model, Danggui Shaoyao San (DSS), and 3 DSS decomposed recipes groups. Cognitive abilities were assessed using water maze and open field experiments. Nissl staining examined hippocampal neuron integrity. Western blot analysis determined synaptoprotein expression. Additionally, 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing analyzed intestinal flora composition.

Results

DSS and its decomposed recipe groups demonstrated improved learning and memory in rats (P<0.01). The open field test indicated increased central zone residence time and locomotor activity distance in these groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the DSS and decomposed recipe groups exhibited reduced hippocampal neuronal damage and increased expression levels of synapsin I (P<0.05) and PSD95 (P<0.01) proteins. Alpha and Beta diversity analyses showed that the intestinal flora species richness and diversity in the DSS and decomposed recipe groups were similar to those in the sham-operated group, signifying a significant restorative effect (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The combination of DSS and its decomposed recipes can reduce the abundance of harmful gut microbiota, leading to improvements in cognitive and learning abilities.
Early postoperative prediction of the risk of distant metastases in medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Zhang Yuhan , Zhou Qing , Chen Guang , Xue Shuai
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a nomogram for estimating the risk of distant metastases (DM) in the early postoperative phase of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed cases of patients diagnosed with MTC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2007 to 2017. In addition, we gathered data on patients who diagnosed as MTC at Department of Thyroid Surgery in the First Hospital of Jilin University between 2009 and 2021. Four machine learning algorithms were used for modeling, including random forest classifier (RFC), gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), logistic regression (LR), and support vector machine (SVM). The optimal model was selected based on accuracy, recall, specificity, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and area under curve (AUC). After that, the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, the brier score (BS) and calibration curve were used for validation of the best model, which allowed us to measure the discrepancy between the projected value and the actual value.

Results

Through feature selection, we finally clarified that the following four features are associated with distant metastases of MTC, which are age, surgery, primary tumor (T) and nodes (N). The AUC values of the four models in the internal test set were as follows: random forest: 0.8786 (95% CI, 0.8070-0.9503), GBDT: 0.8402 (95% CI, 0.7606-0.9199), logistic regression: 0.8670(95%CI,0.7927-0.9413), and SVM: 0.8673 (95% CI, 0.7931-0.9415). As can be shown, there was no statistically significant difference in their AUC values. The highest AUC value of the four models were chosen as the best model since. The model was evaluated on the internal test set, and the accuracy was 0.84, recall was 0.76, and specificity was 0.87. The ROC curve was drawn, and the AUC was 0.8786 (95% CI, 0.8070-0.9503), which was higher than the other three models. The model was visualized using the nomogram and its net benefit was shown in both the Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) and Clinical Impact Curve (CIC).

Conclusion

Proposed model had good discrimination ability and could preliminarily screen high-risk patients for DM in the early postoperative period.
Applying artificial intelligence to predict falls for inpatient
Authors: Chen Ya-Huei , Xu Jia-Lang
Published: November 2023

Objective

Falls are adverse events which commonly occur in hospitalized patients. Inpatient falls may cause bruises or contusions and even a fractures or head injuries, which can lead to significant physical and economic burdens for patients and their families. Therefore, it is important to predict the risks involved surrounding hospitalized patients falling in order to better provide medical personnel with effective fall prevention measures.

Setting

This study retrospectively used EHR data taken from the Taichung Veterans General Hospital clinical database between January 2015 and December 2019.

Participants

A total of 53,122 patient records were collected in this study, of which 1,157 involved fall patients and 51,965 were non-fall patients.

Primary and secondary outcome measure

This study integrated the characteristics and clinical data of patients with falls and without falls using RapidMiner Studio as an analysis tool for various models of artificial intelligence. Utilization of 8 differ models to identify the most important factors surrounding inpatient fall risk. This study used the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve to compute the data by 5-fold cross-validation and then compared them by pairwise t-tests.

Results

The predictive classifier was developed based upon the gradient boosted trees (XGBoost) model which outperformed the other seven baseline models and achieved a cross-validated ACC of 95.11%, AUC of 0.990, F1 score of 95.1%. These results show that the XGBoost model was used when dealing with multisource patient data, which in this case delivered a highly predictive performance on the risk of inpatient falls.

Conclusion

Machine learning methods identify the most important factors regarding the detection of inpatients who are at risk of falling, which in turn would improve the quality of patient care and reduce the workloads of the nursing staff when making fall assessments.
Changes to balance dynamics following a high-intensity run are associated with future injury occurrence in recreational runners
Authors: Aquino Mariana R. C. , Liddy Joshua J. , Napoli C. Dane , Fonseca Sérgio T. , van Emmerik Richard E. A. , Busa Michael A.
Published: November 2023

Background: Fatigue is associated with increased injury risk along with changes in balance control and task performance. Musculoskeletal injury rates in runners are high and often result from an inability to adapt to the demands of exercise and a breakdown in the interaction among different biological systems. This study aimed to investigate whether changes in balance dynamics during a single-leg squat task following a high-intensity run could distinguish groups of recreational runners who did and did not sustain a running-related injury within 6 months.

Methods: Thirty-one healthy recreational runners completed 60 s of single-leg squat before and after a high-intensity run. Six months after the assessment, this cohort was separated into two groups of 13 matched individuals with one group reporting injury within this period and the other not. Task performance was assessed by the number of repetitions, cycle time, amplitude, and speed. To evaluate balance dynamics, the regularity and temporal correlation structure of the center of mass (CoM) displacements in the transverse plane was analyzed. The interaction between groups (injury, non-injured) and time (pre, post) was assessed through a two-way ANOVA. Additionally, a one-way ANOVA investigated the percent change difference of each group across time.

Results: The injured group presented more regular (reduced entropy; 15.6%) and diffusive (increased short-term persistence correlation; 5.6%) CoM displacements after a high-intensity run. No changes were observed in the non-injured group. The within-subject percent change was more sensitive in demonstrating the effects of fatigue and distinguishing the groups, compared to group absolute values. No differences were observed in task performance.

Discussion: Runners who were injured in the future demonstrate changes in balance dynamics compared to runners who remain injury-free after fatigue. The single-leg squat test adopted appears to be a potential screening protocol that provides valuable information about balance dynamics for identifying a diminished ability to respond to training and exercise.
Trends and patterns in the global burden of intracerebral hemorrhage: a comprehensive analysis from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Sun Tong , Yuan Yikai , Wu Ke , Zhou Yicheng , You Chao , Guan Junwen
Published: November 2023

Objective

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a significant cause of global mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the burden of ICH and its variation trends across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.

Materials and methods

The study population comprised individuals of all ages and genders with ICH in 204 countries and regions between 1990 and 2019. Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019, we collected information on age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized death rate (ASDR), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) rate, which were compared by age, gender, and socio-demographic index (SDI).

Results

In 2019, there were an estimated 3.4 million (3.0–3.9) incident cases, resulting in 2.8 million (2.6–3.0) deaths and 68.5 million (63.2–73.6) DALYs due to ICH. Between 1990 and 2019, the absolute number of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs increased by 43.0% (41.0–45.0), 37.0% (22.0–51.0), and 25.0% (12.0–36.0), respectively. However, the ASIR, ASDR, and DALYs showed a decreasing trend of-29.0% (−28.0 to −30.0), −36.0% (−29.0 to −43.0), and − 37.0% (−43.0 to −31.0), respectively. Countries with lower SDI tended to have higher ASIR, ASDR, and DALY rates.

Conclusion

While the ASDR and DALY rates decreased from 1990 to 2019, the decline in ASIR was less pronounced. The global burden of ICH remains high, exhibiting significant variation across different genders, age groups, and SDI levels.
Magnetic resonance imaging on brain structure and function changes in diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Wang Li-qin , Yue Jin-huan , Gao Sheng-lan , Cao Dan-na , Li Ang , Peng Cai-liang , Liu Xiao , Han Sheng-wang , Li Xiao-ling , Zhang Qin-hong
Published: November 2023

With the significant increase in the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), the occurrence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has become increasingly common complication associated with DM. It is particularly in the peripheral nerves of the hands, legs, and feet. DPN can lead to various adverse consequences that greatly affect the quality of life for individuals with DM. Despite the profound impact of DPN, the specific mechanisms underlying its development and progression are still not well understood. Advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology have provided valuable tools for investigating the central mechanisms involved in DPN. Structural and functional MRI techniques have emerged as important methods for studying the brain structures and functions associated with DPN. Voxel-based morphometry allows researchers to assess changes in the volume and density of different brain regions, providing insights into potential structural alterations related to DPN. Functional MRI investigates brain activity patterns, helping elucidate the neural networks engaged during sensory processing and pain perception in DPN patients. Lastly, magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides information about the neurochemical composition of specific brain regions, shedding light on potential metabolic changes associated with DPN. By synthesizing available literature employing these MRI techniques, this study aims to enhance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying DPN and contribute to the improvement of clinical diagnosis.
Gut–lung axis: role of the gut microbiota in non-small cell lung cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Huaiyuan , Xu Ziyuan
Published: November 2023

Immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has advanced considerably over the past two decades. In particular, immune checkpoint inhibitors are widely used for treating NSCLC. However, the overall cure and survival rates of patients with NSCLC remain low. Therefore, continuous investigation into complementary treatments is necessary to expand the clinical advantages of immunotherapy to a larger cohort of patients with NSCLC. Recently, the distinctive role of the gut microbiota (GM) in the initiation, progression, and dissemination of cancer has attracted increasing attention. Emerging evidence indicates a close relationship between the gut and lungs, known as the gut–lung axis (GLA). In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge regarding the connection between the GM and the outcomes of immunotherapy in NSCLC, with particular focus on the recent understanding of GLA. Overall, promising GM-based therapeutic strategies have been observed to improve the effectiveness or reduce the toxicity of immunotherapy in patients with NSCLC, thus advancing the utilization of microbiota precision medicine.
Preoperative radiotherapy does not improve and may even be detrimental to the long-term prognosis of patients diagnosed with stage III colon adenocarcinoma: a propensity score-matched SEER database analysis
Authors: Xu Jinyi , Niu Xiaoqiang
Published: November 2023

Background

Currently, for patients with colon adenocarcinoma who are diagnosed with local lymph node metastasis, it is typically recommended to undergo neoadjuvant treatment before undergoing curative surgical intervention. Nowadays, the focus of preoperative adjuvant therapy for colon adenocarcinoma patients mainly revolves around chemotherapy, and the impact of preoperative radiotherapy on long-term prognosis remains uncertain.

Methods

We extracted data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for patients with stage III colon adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2019. Using propensity score matching (PSM), the patients were divided into a preoperative radiotherapy group and a non-preoperative radiotherapy group, and the differences in Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves between the two groups were compared. Cox regression analysis was employed to identify clinical factors that influence survival in stage III colon adenocarcinoma, and the prognostic differences between the two groups were compared within specific subgroups of these clinical factors.

Results

After PSM, a total of 242 patients were included in the study, divided into the preoperative radiotherapy group and the non-preoperative radiotherapy group. There were no statistically significant differences in important clinical characteristics between the two groups. KM analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Furthermore, age, chemotherapy, T staging, N staging, race, tumor grade, gender, tumor location, and tumor diameter were identified as important factors influencing the prognosis of patients. Within each level of the aforementioned subgroups, there were no differences in OS between the two groups. In fact, in specific subgroups, the non-preoperative radiotherapy group exhibited better OS than the preoperative radiotherapy group.

Conclusion

Preoperative radiotherapy does not improve the long-term prognosis of patients with stage III colon adenocarcinoma. In certain patient populations with specific clinical characteristics, preoperative radiotherapy may even lead to a decrease in OS.
Single-nucleotide polymorphism profiling by multimodal-targeted next-generation sequencing in methotrexate-resistant and -sensitive human osteosarcoma cell lines
Authors: Casotti Chiara , Hattinger Claudia Maria , Patrizio Maria Pia , Luppi Silvia , Fantoni Leonardo , Pasello Michela , Scotlandi Katia , Ibrahim Toni , Serra Massimo
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most important drugs included in the first-line protocols to treat high-grade osteosarcoma (HGOS). Although several polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with drug response or MTX-related toxicity in pharmacogenetic studies, their role in the development of MTX resistance in HGOS is still unclear.

Methods: Therefore, in this study, 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 4 genes of the folate metabolism, 7 MTX transporter genes, and 2 SNPs of the tumor protein p53 (TP53) gene were investigated using a custom multimodal-targeted next-generation sequencing (mmNGS) approach in 8 MTX-resistant and 12 MTX-sensitive human HGOS cell lines. The panel was validated by TaqMan genotyping assays.

Results: High instability of TP53 rs1642785 was observed in all U-2OS/MTX variants. Allele changes of the solute carrier family 19 member 1/replication factor C subunit 1 (SLC19A1, previously known as RFC1) and rs1051266 were identified in all Saos-2/MTX-resistant variants in both DNA- and RNA- derived libraries compared to the parental Saos-2 cell line. Allele changes of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 were identified only in the RNA-derived libraries of the two U2OS variants with the highest MTX resistance level. Significantly upregulated gene expression associated with the development of MTX resistance was revealed for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) whereas SLC19A1 was downregulated. In addition, a fusion transcript of DHFR (ex4) and MutS Homolog 3 (MSH3) (ex9) was identified in the RNA libraries derived from the two U-2OS variants with the highest MTX resistance level.

Conclusion: This innovative mmNGS approach enabled the simultaneous exploration of SNPs at DNA and RNA levels in human HGOS cell lines, providing evidence of the functional involvement of allele changes associated with the development of MTX resistance.
Re-evaluating the structure of consciousness through the symintentry hypothesis
Authors: Rail David , Selby Andrew
Published: November 2023

The Projective Consciousness Model and its extension to the phenomenal selfhood model are the generic invariant structures of consciousness through five symmetries. They include the following: situated 3D spatiality; temporal integration through encompassing the three “nows” that constitute the Now; multimodal synchronic integration; relational phenomenal intentionality; and consciousness entails a pre-reflective awareness of the uniqueness of the phenomenal self. These symmetries stem from the evolution and emergence of the phenomenal self through modeling, and that is realized through the phenomenal modeling of the intentionality relationship. We propose that this set of symmetries is based on and can be explicated in terms of a more fundamental symmetry, symmetry-based modeling. The proposal stems from (a) Kant's transcendental structuralism, which asserts that “Objects” conform to models prescribed through the inherent structure of the phenomenal mind, and (b) Cassirer's proposition that a mathematical group underpins this structure. To validate our proposal, we stipulate this group defining symmetry-based modeling and its emergence and adaptation into structuring the Now. We find that Cassirer's group requires a more powerful dual quaternion operator to be able to support intentionality and the five symmetries. We propose that the efficacy of this operator stems from unifying symmetry-based modeling and intentionality as “symintentry.” Symintentry, we argue, is not just a new form of symmetry but is the archetypical form of symmetry. Symintentry provides fresh insights into the nature of symmetry, intentionality, and consciousness.
Guppies: Small Fish to Answer Big Questions in Ecology and Evolution
Authors: Searle Peter C. , Amaral Jeferson Ribeiro , Axelrod Caleb J. , Bansal Udita , Gordon Swanne P. , Gurholt Hannah , Mohamed Amina , López-Sepulcre Andrés , Talbert Kathryn A. , Tran Stephanie M. , Yang Yusan
Published: November 2023

If you have ever been to a pet store and stopped at the aquariums, you have most likely seen a guppy. Guppies come in diverse shapes and sizes. Some have large, beautiful fins, while others have bright-colored bodies. It turns out that guppies are not only popular with pet owners. Scientists find guppies to be fascinating because these fish are perfect for studying how species rapidly adapt to new environments. Next time you stop at a pet store, be sure to admire these small but interesting fish.