bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sobrevivência de Salmonella enterica às condições gástricas simuladas in vitro: papel dos fatores de adesão e resistência antibacteriana
Authors: Schmiedt Jhennifer Arruda , Santos Emanoelli Aparecida Rodrigues dos , Tadielo Leonardo Ereno , Coitinho Tatiane Barbosa , Rodrigues Carolina Dias , Bach Luiz Gustavo , Pinto Taís Luana , Pereira Juliano Gonçalves , Soares Vanessa Mendonça , Bellé Thiago Henrique , Barcellos Vinicius Cunha , Bersot Luciano dos Santos
Published: December 2023

O estudo tem como objetivo verificar a capacidade de adesão e formação de biofilme de isolados de Salmonella spp. produtores de enzimas beta-lactamases de espectro estendido (ESBL), bem como a resistência de isolados produtores ou não de ESBL, frente às condições gástricas e intestinais simuladas in vitro. Foram utilizados 18 isolados de Salmonella spp. obtidos de cortes de frangos congelados produzidos no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Os isolados produtores de ESBL foram avaliados de forma fenotípica e genotípica quanto a capacidade de adesão e formação de biofilme em lâminas de polipropileno. Além disso, todos os isolados foram submetidos a avaliação in vitro de resistência às condições gástricas e intestinais e após as simulações, realizadas contagens das células sobreviventes. Com relação à adesão e formação de biofilme, 13 isolados apresentaram essa capacidade. Quanto a tolerância às condições gástricas e intestinais, a quantificação de Salmonella spp. diminuiu (p<0,05) conforme a passagem do trato gastrointestinal. Em relação a comparação de isolados produtores e não produtores de ESBL, não houve diferença (p>0,05) na taxa de sobrevivência total. Os resultados demonstram que, apesar da diminuição da contagem de microrganismos conforme a passagem simulada pelos sucos gástricos e intestinais, a taxa de sobrevivência média total dos isolados de Salmonella spp. foi alta, o que permite inferir que os isolados possuem a capacidade de sobreviver às condições gastrointestinais simuladas, e ainda sim permaneceram em número capaz de causar infecção.
Performance evaluation systems for research and teaching staff: The attitude of university teachers
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Aleshkovski Ivan A. , Grebenyuk Aleksandr A. , Efimenko Ekaterina I.
Published: December 2023

This article summarizes the results of a survey and semi-structured interviews of Russian university teachers regarding the systems of performance evaluation of research and teaching staff and their effectiveness. The results of the study revealed that university teachers have a positive attitude to the methods of stimulating research and teaching staff performance applied in higher education. At the same time, the degree of teachers’ satisfaction and evaluation of systems’ effectiveness directly depend on the specifics of their application in a particular higher education institution. The results of the study confirm the overall trend towards increasing importance of scientific components in the performance evaluation of research and teaching staff at universities. The results can become a prerequisite for the development of new criteria for ensuring the effectiveness of social and labor relations with university teachers.
Features of the interrelation of resilience and value orientations of the personality of youth prone to deviant behavior in the form of attitude to aggressive behavior, in the perspective of the problem of amok and shooting
Authors:   Dimitrovgrad engineering technological Institute — branch of National research nuclear university MEPhI ", Oschepkov Aleksey A. ,   Moscow Engeneering Physics Insntitute", Piskunova Elena N. , Salakhova Valentina B.
Published: December 2023

The relevance of the study of the given problem is conditioned by transformations of social-normative structures of the modern world, generating the appearance of new forms of violence. One of such forms became the phenomenon of unmotivated attacks of pupils and students on their peers and teachers with the use of weapon, obtained the name of amok and shooting. Due to this, the given article is directed to theoretical-methodological justification of the study of amok and shooting, because the direct study of the given phenomenon is related to the restrictions of ethical character. With this in mind, the study of amok and shooting is possible on the basis of dispositional concept of personality, because it lets reveal the social-psychological projections of amok and shooting of dispositional character. The leading method of the given study became the psychological testing of systems of value orientations and resilience of personality. The sample of the study is presented by students of the age of 20–22 years of Dimitrovgrad engineering-technological institute — branch of NRNU MEPhI. Thus, it was conducted the empirical study of the features of systems of value orientations and resilience of personality of youth with high and low level of proneness to aggressive behavior. As a result, it was revealed that youth with high level of proneness to aggressive behavior has the statistically significant low mark of the component of resilience ‘Spirituality, meaning the low level of meaningfulness of own vital activity. The given result lets conduct the justified experimental study of influence of level of life meaningfulness of young people to level of proneness to aggressive behavior. In its turn, the given study will contribute to development of knowledge about phenomenon of amok and shooting and to elaboration of psychological-pedagogical technologies of school-shooting preventing.
Comparative pedagogical research and the potential of F. Fröbel’s pedagogy as a basis for comparing preschool education in different countries
Authors:   L.S. Vygotsky Institute of Psychology of Russian State Humanities University, Kozhevnikova Victoria V. ,   Association of Fröbel-Pedagogues
Published: December 2023

The work analyzes the meaning, methodological problems and current state of comparative pedagogy. It is concluded that the rapid development and extension of comparative pedagogy at present can be described as expansion. The author sees the full development of comparative pedagogy as a valuable branch of knowledge through its expansion not only in breadth, but also in depth. The interest in comparative studies of preschool education is explained, according to the author, by the recognition of childhood as a valuable period in a person’s life — an idea coming from F. Fröbel. It is proved that F. Fröbel’s pedagogy can be used as a methodological tool and basis for a comparative study of preschool education in different countries.
On the institutionalization of the education system in modern society. Comparative analysis experience
Authors:   Russian Academy of Education, Mikhalchenkova Nataliia A. , Bolshakov Sergei N.
Published: December 2023

The article analyzes the problems of functioning and development of the education system, the effectiveness of education in the conditions of increasing demands of society and the state, the tasks of designing a modern system of higher education. Educational organizations are an example of an institutionalized form of education that is embedded in solid socio-economic realities, determining the scope and directions of the proposed transformations and reform visions. The cultural factors characteristic of the societies of individual countries also influence, certain non-pedagogical criteria are determined that determine the prospects for the development of education on a national and international scale. The importance of civil society in the formation of priorities and directions for the development of reforms in the education system is stated, attention is focused on the continuity and evolution of education and upbringing. The necessity of research on the experience of non-state corporate universities and pedagogical theories relevant to the tasks of improving the education system is substantiated.
Finsler Space of Fourth Order on Some Properties of Rh-Generalized Recurrent
Authors: Al-Qashbari Adel Mohammed Ali
Published: December 2023

In the present paper‚ a Finsler space whose Cartan’s fourth curvature tensor R_jkh^i satisfies R_(jkh|l|m|n|s)^i=c_(lmns R_jkh^i+d_lmns δ_h^i g_jk) , R_jkh^i ≠ 0 , where ׀l׀m|n|s is h-covariant derivative of fourth order ( Cartan’s third kind covariant differential operator ), with respect to x^l , x^m , x^n and x^s successively, c_(lmns ) and d_(lmns ) are non-zero covariant vector field and covariant tensor field of third order, respectively‚ is introduced and such space is called as R^h -generalized fourecurrent Finsler space and we denote them briefly by R^h-G-FR f_n‚ we obtained some generalized fourecurrent space. Also we introduced Ricci generalized fourecurrent space.
HPLC Method for the Determination of Benzoic acid in samples of commercial children’s food in the Markets of Aden -Yemen
Authors: Alabyadh Mokhtar
Published: December 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the quantities of benzoic acid in some local and imported food products for the distributed children in Aden, Yemen. Samples of different food products for children (32) using HPLC method, were collected in August 2022, from different supermarkets in Aden, Yemen. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C-18 column (EXCGL 120 ODS-A) and acetate buffer pH=4.4 - methanol (65:35) as mobile phase, 1 ml/min flow rate and UV detection at 233 nm. The results show that quantities of benzoic acid in studied samples varies greatly starting from 1.778 ppm to 849.295ppm, All samples of group II beverages and Juices samples and group III jam samples were under the study contain concentrations of benzoic acid within the limits allowed by standards of Yemeni and World Health Organization and the estimated maximum allowable benzoic acid in beverages, Juices and jam to 1000 ppm. All samples of the groups I and V cakes and food for children mainly manufacturers of grain, The samples that were under the study contain concentrations of benzoic acid and it is difficult to compare the amount of benzoic acid in samples of two groups with international standards, regional and local non-existence. All samples of the group IV dry milk and cheese samples under study contain concentrations of benzoic acid within the limits allowed according to the standard specifications of Yemen and specifications of the World Health Organization (WHO), which determined the maximum allowable of benzoic acid in dry milk at 50 ppm and the maximum allowed for benzoic acid in the cheese is 2000 ppm, except for sample No. 28 contains a concentration is higher than the allowable limit.
Design and construction of an Ultrasounographic Device Dedicated to the Parietal Rheology Measurement in Human Carotid Artery
Authors: Ali Nasr Kaid , Benabdallah Mohammed
Published: December 2023

We present in this article a detection system of ultrasounographic signal (USG) dedicated to the measurement of parietal rheology in human carotid artery. The aim of this practical work is to develop an ultrasonic method capable of visualizing the localized velocity profile of the carotid artery wall. The device produced makes it possible to take the USG signal from carotid wall of the human neck. It comprises an ultrasonic contact probe applied during the measurement (sensor), a signal shaping circuit, an acquisition and digitization interface in conjunction with an RS232 serial communication port and a local computer terminal hosting a graphical user interface (GUI) implemented in Visual Basic integrated development environment enabling the display, archiving and the digital processing of parietal ultrasonic signal. The aim of this study is to reconnoitering the possibility of using ultrasound for a continuous and non-invasive measurement of the arteries parietal rheology. In this work, a sensor of ultrasound is used to measure the movement and the speed of the carotid artery wall, an image of the arteries parietal rheology.
Öğrencilerin Stres, Depresyon, Kaygı ve Kariyer İyimserliğinde Şehir Farkı: Ampirik bir Araştırma
Authors: ECE Süreyya
Published: December 2023

Eğitim hayatı öğrenciler için stresli olabilmektedir. Özellikle iş yaşamına bir adım daha yaklaşan üniversite öğrencileri için bu süreç giderek daha stresli bir hal alabilmektedir. Yaşadıkları stresi kontrol altına alamadıklarında bu stres zamanla depresyon ve kaygıya dönüşebilmektedir. Stres, depresyon ve kaygı düzeyi yükseldikçe öğrencilerin kariyer konusunda iyimserlikleri etkilenebilmektedir. Öğrencilerin eğitim gördükleri şehrin de stres, depresyon ve kaygı düzeyini etkilediği düşünülmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı kariyer planları yapan üniversite öğrencilerinin yaşadıkları stres, depresyon, kaygı ve kariyer iyimserliklerinde bölgesel bir etki olup olmadığını tespit etmektir. Araştırmanın amacı kapsamında birbirinden farklı gelişmişlik düzeylerine sahip iki şehirde (İstanbul-Şırnak) faaliyet gösteren iki farklı üniversitede öğrenim gören üniversite öğrencileriyle anket yapılmasına karar verilmiştir. Öğrenciler arasında stres, depresyon, kaygı ve kariyer iyimserlikleri arasında fark olup olmadığını tespit edebilmek için Bağımsız Gruplar T-Testi yapılmıştır. Analiz sonucunda öğrencilerin stres, depresyon ve kaygı ortalamaları arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunamamıştır. Ancak kariyer iyimserlikleri açısından aldıkları ortalamalar arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmuş olup, İstanbul’da faaliyet gösteren üniversite öğrencilerinin kariyer iyimserlik düzeyleri Şırnak’taki öğrencilerden daha yüksek çıkmıştır.
China’s “Belt and Road” and Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Alamsyah Mirah Satria , Amalia Ridha
Published: December 2023

Lately Indonesia and China are in a good relationship.  At the same time, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative which is another form of ancient Silk Road. During the Silk Road era, Indonesia had an important role as a 'spice island'. So in line with the Belt and Road Initiative, China expects Indonesia to take part in this initiative. However, the good relationships between these two countries are not enough to predict the path of this initiative. Therefore this paper aims to discuss the Challenges and opportunities for Indonesia in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Karbon dots (C-dots) dari Bahan Hayati untuk Deteksi Logam Berat
Authors: Rahmi Cut Navita , Sugiarti Sri , Yuliani Alvian Dea
Published: December 2023

Pendeteksian logam berat pada limbah hasil industri perlu dilakukan untuk mencegah timbulnya penyakit apabila memasuki tubuh manusia. Salah satu bahan yang dapat digunakan untuk pendeteksian logam berat yaitu C-dots. C-dots yang berasal dari bahan hayati akan menghasilkan gugus fungsi yang dapat meningkatkan karakteristik optik C-dots agar lebih selektif dalam pendeteksian logam berat. Selain itu, penggunaan bahan hayati sebagai sumber C-dots akan memanfaatkan limbah sehingga mengurangi sampah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji nanopartikel karbon C-dots yang berasal dari sumber hayati sebagai pendeteksian logam berat. C-dots yang berasal dari sumber hayati sudah banyak diteliti sebagai deteksi logam berat secara selektif. Gugus fungsi pada permukaan C-dots akan menentukan interaksi spesifik antara C-dots dan masing-masing logam. Reaksi pengompleksan antara C-dots dengan ion logam cenderung mengikuti aturan sebagai berikut, ion logam yang keras akan cenderung mengikat ligan yang keras dan ion logam lunak cenderung mengikat lebih banyak ligan yang lunak. C-dots tersintesis dengan metode hidrotermal cenderung menghasilkan quantum yield dan intensitas fluoresensi yang lebih tinggi yang sensitif untuk deteksi logam berat.

Carbon Dots (C-Dots) from Biomass for Heavy Metal Detection. Detecting heavy metals in industrial waste is necessary to prevent the disease from entering the human body. One of the materials that can be used to detect heavy metals is carbon dots (C-dots). C-dots derived from biological materials have functional groups that can improve their optical characteristics to be more selective in detecting heavy metals. In addition, using natural materials as a source of C-dots will utilize waste, thereby reducing waste. This study aims to review carbon nanoparticles derived from natural sources for detecting heavy metals. C-dots derived from biological sources have been widely studied as selective heavy metal detection. The functional groups on the surface of the C-dots will determine the specific interactions between the C-dots and each metal. The complex reaction between C-dots and metal ions tends to follow the rules: hard metal ions tend to bind to hard ligands, and soft metal ions tend to bind more to soft ligands. C-dots synthesized via the hydrothermal method tend to produce a higher quantum yield and fluorescence intensity that are sensitive to heavy metal detection. ️
Injuries and Factors Associated with Injuries Among U.S. Army Band Musicians
Authors: Schuh-Renner Anna , Grier Tyson L , Rappole Catherine , Jones Bruce H , McCoskey Kelsey , Canham-Chervak Michelle
Published: December 2023

The Department of Defense is the largest employer of full-time musicians. In the U.S. military, many musicians experience unique occupational exposures such as extended periods of standing, sitting, and marching for rehearsals and performances, static and non-neutral postures, and a
variety of repetitive motions while playing instruments. These exposures are in addition to physical training and fitness standards required of U.S. Army soldiers. METHODS: An electronic survey was administered to active-duty U.S. Army Band musicians. The survey collected demographics, personal
characteristics, Army Physical Fitness Test performance, occupational demands, health behaviors, and injuries from October 2017 to December 2018. Survey responses were combined with medical and physical fitness performance records. Descriptive statistics were reported and factors associated
with injuries were investigated. RESULTS: There were 465 Army Band members in this population, with approximately half (49%) completing the survey. Most survey respondents (81%) reported an injury in the past year, which they predominantly attributed to overuse (54%). Leading reported activities
resulting in injury included running for physical training (21%), repetitive movements while playing an instrument (11%), and standing while playing (11%). A majority of survey respondents (60%) also had a medical encounter for an injury. Factors significantly associated with injury among
men were lower aerobic fitness and higher body fat percentage; additional unadjusted factors associated with injury among all Army Band soldiers included female sex, older age, and longer periods of marching and standing while playing. CONCLUSIONS: Injury prevention initiatives for Army Band
musicians should focus on the reduction of overuse and repetitive motion injuries. Suggested prevention strategies include balanced physical training, ergonomic adjustments, rehearsal breaks, and leadership support for injury prevention efforts.
Improving Climate Adaptation Governance for Indigenous Communities: Lessons from Alaska Native Villages
Authors: Lezak Stephen , Rock Genevieve
Published: December 2023

Climate adaptation for Indigenous communities is not as simple as making good policy; it is equally about how policy is implemented and how collaboration unfolds between settler governments and Indigenous stakeholders. Rural Alaska Native villages are among the most environmentally threatened communities in the United States. Their ability to effectively manage environmental change and preserve sovereignty depends upon successful collaboration with a range of stakeholders, especially federal agencies. For more than two decades, academics and government agencies have documented a consistent pattern of failures, particularly by federal actors, in effectively managing adaptation challenges. These obstacles are sometimes misrepresented as policy failures. While poor policy is certainly involved in these poor outcomes, this paper highlights a set of barriers to successful collaboration that are not policy issues, per se, but rather micropolitical issues; that is, they pertain to the conduct of government in the context of tribal relationships. Unaddressed, these micropolitical issues have created obstacles to Alaska Native communities’ self-determination as they adapt to a changing landscape. These barriers are explored in a case study drawn from Typhoon Merbok in 2022, which struck Western Alaska, and empirically grounded in a series of interviews and participant observation with experts, elders, elected officials, and tribal staff. This article concludes with several concrete recommendations to improve the practice of domestic diplomacy between Indigenous communities and colonial governments.
The impact of telomere length on prostate cancer aggressiveness, genomic instability and health disparities
Authors: Huang Ruotian , Bornman M.S. Riana , Stricker Phillip , Brum Ilma Simoni , Mutambirwa Shingai , Jaratlerdsiri Weerachai , Hayes Vanessa
Published: December 2023

The telomere repetitive TTAGGG motif at the ends of chromosomes, serves to preserve genomic integrity and chromosomal stability. In turn, genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer - implicating telomere disturbance. Prostate cancer (PCa) shows significant ancestral disparities, with men of African ancestry at the greatest risk for aggressive disease and associated genomic instability. Yet, no study has explored the role of telomere length (TL) with respect to ancestrally driven PCa health disparities. Using patient-matched tumour-blood whole genome sequencing data for 179 ancestrally defined treatment naïve PCa patients (117 African, 62 European), we assessed for TL (blood and tumour) associations. We found shortened tumour TL to be associated with aggressive PCa presentation and elevated genomic instabilities, including percentage of genome alteration and copy number gains, in men of African ancestry. For European patients, tumour TL showed significant associations with PCa driver genes PTEN, TP53, MSH2, SETBP1 and DDX11L1, while shorter blood TL (< 3200 base pairs) and tumour TL (< 2861 base pairs) were correlated with higher risk for biochemical recurrence. Concurring with previous studies linking TL to PCa diagnosis and/or prognosis, for the first time we correlated TL differences with patient ancestry with important implications for future treatments targeting telomere dysfunction.
Women in research: A systematic re-review of WASH interventions to prevent diarrhea and acute respiratory infection in low and middle-income countries
Authors: Caruso Bethany , Ballard April , Sobolik Julia , Patrick Madeleine , Dsouza Janice , Sinharoy Sheela , Cumming Oliver , Wolf Jennyfer , Ray Isha
Published: December 2023

Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions significantly reduce health risks in low- and middle-income countries. Many rely on women for their success but the extent of women’s engagement remains unclear. We conducted a re-review of papers from two systematic reviews that assessed effectiveness of water, sanitation, and/or handwashing with soap interventions on diarrheal disease and acute respiratory infections to assess women’s roles in WASH research and intervention activities (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022346360). 133 studies were included. Among studies that specified gender, women were the most targeted group for engagement in research (n = 91/132; 68.9%) and intervention (n = 49/120; 40.8%) activities. Reporting time burden for research (n = 1; 1%) and intervention activities (n = 3; 2.5%) was rare. All interventions were classified as gender-unequal (36.7%) or gender-blind (63.3%) according to the WHO Gender Responsiveness Assessment Scale, indicating exploitative engagement. Women play a critical but instrumental role in advancing WASH, which requires change to enable, not hinder, gender equality.
Characterization of NiOAg thin film applicated as photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye waste in Yogyakarta textile factory
Authors: Atmono Trimarji , Purwadi Agus , Taxwim Taxwim , Melati Asih , Sudjadi Usman
Published: December 2023

Thin films NiOAg were growth onto glass substrates by RF sputtering technique at the Radio Frequency of 13.56 MHz with variation of oxygen pressure. The research was conducted about preparation and characterization of NiOAg thin films, applicated as a photocatalyst degradation of methylene blue. XRD analysis showed stronger intensity (111) and (200) planes at peak 2θ of 37.660 and 43,230. EDX analysis showed the following composition, Ni = 40.45%, Ag = 13.01%, and O = 46.53%. Based on UV-Vis, it was found the band gap energy of 2.8 eV, 3.1 eV and 3.2 eV, for oxygen pressure 0.05; 0.1 and 0.15 x 10 − 2 mbar, respectively. From the experiment of degradation of methylene blue, that was taken from textile factory dye waste in Yogyakarta/Indonesia, it was obtained the best value of degradation by 91.96%.
A humanized breast cancer microorganoid platform for the ranked evaluation of tumor microenvironment-targeted drugs by light sheet fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Henke Erik , Ascheid David , Baumann Magdalena , Pinnecker Jürgen , Friedrich Mike , Szi-Marton Daniel , Medved Cornelia , Bundalo Maja , Ortmann Vanessa , Öztürk Asli , Nandigama Rajender , Hemmen Katherina , Ergün Süleyman , Zernecke Alma , Hirth Matthias , Heinze Katrin
Published: December 2023

Targeting the supportive tumor microenvironment (TME) is an approach of high interest in cancer drug development. However, assessing TME-targeted drug candidates presents a unique set of challenges: Adequate assays need to recreate the TME at least in part and provide intricate information about drug-induced changes in the TME’s interactions. We have developed a comprehensive screening platform that allows to monitor, quantify, and rank drug-induced effects in self-organizing, vascularized tumor microorganoids (TMOs). Fully humanized, the confrontation of four different cell populations makes it possible to study complex changes in composition and cell-cell interaction. The platform is highly modular, allowing for adjustments regarding tumor entity, TME composition, or for genetic manipulation of individual cell populations. Treatment effects are recorded by light sheet fluorescence microscopy and translated by an advanced image analysis routine in processable multi-parametric datasets. The detailed data output allows for handling a wide range of potential inquiries. Nevertheless, the system proved to be robust, with strong interassay reliability. We demonstrate the platform's utility for the side-by-side evaluation of TME-targeted antifibrotic and antiangiogenic drugs. The platform's output delivered a broad scope of information about treatment effects, enabling clear distinction of even closely related drug candidates according to projected therapeutic needs. Moreover, the modular character allowed for the differential evaluation of genetically targeting different cellular components, adding new possibilities for tailoring selective drugs.
Characterising the change rule of freshness and inorganic anions in reconstituted tobacco pulp with oscillation time
Authors: Li Huayu , Li Pengyu , Li Xiaoyu , Xu HongTao , Wang RuNan , Yan Ying , Yan Shaohui , Zhang Litao , Xue Jianzhong , Wang Yanqing , Zu Mengmeng
Published: December 2023

In order to study the change rule of freshness and acid ions in reconstituted tobacco slurry, the content changes of 17 organic acids and 5 inorganic anions in reconstituted tobacco slurry with different residence times under confined condition were determined by on-line solid-phase extraction ion chromatography in this study. The results showed that the changes of acetic acid, nitrate ion and isovaleric acid in different reconstituted tobacco slurries with oscillation time were regular and consistent, and the trends of the changes of acetic acid, nitrate ion and isovaleric acid in different reconstituted tobacco slurries with oscillation time were correlated with each other in a highly significant way. Taking the evaluation of olfactory aroma and sensory quality qualities of reconstituted tobacco pulps with different residence times as a benchmark, it was found that the variation patterns of nitrate ions and isovaleric acid in reconstituted tobacco pulps with oscillation time were consistent with the variation patterns of olfactory and sensory qualities in the process of closed oscillation; compared with the fresh pulp, the olfactory aroma and sensory qualities of tobacco pulps had unpleasant odours appearing when the content of nitrate ions was reduced by about 50%. The selection of isovaleric acid and nitrate ion as the characteristic components of tobacco reconstituted pulp for monitoring can provide technology for optimising pulp retention time and production process.
The Efficacy and Safety of Immunotherapy Followed by Thoracic Radiation in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Ma Hong Lian , Zhao Ming Dan , Meng Ji Mei , Peng Jie
Published: December 2023

Background: The administration of thoracic irradiation has been shown to extend the overall survival rate in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of thoracic radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Methods: Data pertaining to the progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), treatment response, and adverse events of 62 patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC who underwent immunotherapy followed by thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) were retrospectively gathered.
Results: The median PFS and OS were 9 and 15 months, respectively. The patients showed different treatment responses, with 5 patients (8.06%) achieving complete response (CR), 36 patients (58.06%) achieving partial response (PR), 19 patients (30.65%) showing stable disease (SD), and 2 patients (3.23%) experiencing progressive disease (PD). The patients who achieved CR or PR had longer PFS and OS than patients with SD or PD [median PFS: 11.00 vs 7.00 months, HR: 0.45 (0.22-0.91), P <0.001; median OS: not reached (NR) vs 8.00 months, HR: 0.29 (0.13-0.67), P <0.001, respectively].
Conclusions: Thoracic radiotherapy targeting the primary lesion following immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC can delay disease progression and extend survivalwhile maintaining an acceptable level of safety.
Validation of the new IDF-DAR risk assessment tool for Ramadan fasting in patients with diabetes in a primary healthcare setting.
Authors: Alketbi Latifa Baynouna , Afandi Bachar , Nagelkerke Nico , Abdubaqi Hanan , Nuaimi Ruqaya Al , Saedi Mariam Al , Blooshi Fatima Al , Blooshi Noura Al , AlAryani Aysha , AlMarzooqi Nouf , Khouri Amal Al , Mansoori Shamsa Al , Hassanein Mohammad
Published: December 2023

Background:
In diabetic patients intending to fast, Ramadan, risk assessment, and stratification are essential for an individualized treatment plan. The new IDF-DAR risk stratification tool (International Diabetes Federation - Diabetes and Ramadan Alliance) is becoming the primary tool. This study aims to validate this tool in the Abu Dhabi population.
Method
IDF-DAR risk stratification assessment was done before Ramadan, followed by assessing any significant outcome after Ramadan. Patients were included if the attending physicians used the tool in the risk assessment of the patients within six weeks before Ramadan 1444, 2022, in the AHS healthcare center. After Ramadan, assessment was done through tele-interview and Electronic Medical Records review.
Results
Patients included in the study were 435, excluding 21 patients with type 1 Diabetes. Half of the patients were in the low-risk category of the IDF-DAR risk stratification tool (51.7%), 28.5% in the moderate-risk category, and 19.8% in the higher-risk category. Most of those patients fasted all of Ramadan, 81.3%, and the remaining 28.7% attempted to fast but had to break their fast; among them, only 17 (3.9%)did not fast for 15 days or more.
The lower-risk group was younger, with an average age of 56.3 years, compared to the moderate and high-risk risk, who had an average age of 59 and 64.5 years, respectively. Diabetes control was progressively worse with increasing the DAR risk category with an average HbA1C of 7.18, 8.2, and 9 for the low, moderate, and high-risk categories. From all the sample, 14 (3.8%) were admitted at least once, and 56 (12.9%) had at least one significant event, including admission to the hospital.
Using logistic regression, the determinant factor of not having an adverse event was fasting more days, B=-0.08 OR=0.92 (0.86-0.99) p value=0.023. Another independent risk factor was being in the low-risk category of the DAR risk assessment tool B=-1.2, OR= 0.29 (0.09-0.95)p value=0.042 and having a higher frailty score was the third independent risk factor, B=0.4, OR=1.5 (1-2.02-1.86) p value=0.039.
Conclusion
Diabetic patients in the Low-risk category, according to the IDF-DAR risk assessment, had a better outcome than the Moderate or high-risk categories during Ramadan regarding significant adverse events. Another independent risk factor is if the patient is Frail, according to the FRAIL scoring.
How does visual perception change for people with cognitive decline? A Scoping Review
Authors: Chaudhury Habib , Proctor Elizabeth
Published: December 2023

Background
Visual impairment and its associated functional limitations are a common experience of people living with cognitive decline; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Identifying potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia and cognitive impairment is a vital step in developing effective sensory testing and intervention.
Objective
The current study is a scoping review of the literature investigating the association between visual changes and cognitive decline or dementia, and how this relates to functional difficulties.
Design
Online databases were searched to highlight relevant research from 2015-August 2022, of which we included 30 items in our final sample.
Results
The existing literature implicates visual impairment as a risk factor for cognitive decline, with 24 of the 30 studies reporting an association between visual impairment and cognitive decline.
Conclusions
Most of the studies found an association between visual impairment and cognitive decline, dementia, mild cognitive impairment or cognitive impairment-no dementia. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms of action underpinning this relationship, including multiple measures of vision across various cognitive domains.
Trends, lag and characteristics of orphan drug approvals in the USA and China, 1983-2022
Authors: Wang Shaohong , Liu Xin , Zou Yuzhen , Tang Yan , Zuo Wei , Shang Junmei , Tian Xin , Liu Qingyang , Xu Tingting , Zhang Bo , Zhang Shuyang
Published: December 2023

Background
Over the past approximately 40 years, Chinese drug regulations have undergone many major reforms to accelerate the approval of drugs and keep pace with the scientific innovation of drugs in the world, especially developed countries. In 2018, China’s National Health Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly released China's "First Batch of Rare Diseases Catalogue". However, there is currently less relevant research on the overview and speed of the approval of rare disease drugs (orphan drugs) in China.
Methods
This mixed-methods study comprised a systematic review and cross-sectional analysis of orphan drugs approved in China and the USA from 1983 to 2022 through official drug search databases and systematically analyzed and compared orphan drugs approved in the USA and China, including the number, marketing time, chemical types, ingredient classes, and special approval pathways.
Results
During 1983–2022, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketed a total of 693 orphan drugs (including 1,228 dosage forms/specifications) and a total of 201 (29.00%, 201/693) orphan drugs (including 425 (34.58%, 425/1228) dosage forms/specifications) marketed by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. The number of China's orphan drugs on the market is increasing year by year, and the approval speed has gradually accelerated. The average lag time for orphan drug marketing by the NMPA compared to the FDA has decreased from 28.81 years (1983–1987) to 1.66 years (2018–2022), showing a progressive downward trend (down by 94.24%). The time lag between FDA orphan drug marketing and designation is becoming increasingly shorter, especially after 2006. The special procedures for drug marketing have a great promoting effect on orphan drug approval.
Conclusion
This research provides evidence of breakthroughs in the review and approval of orphan drugs in China and demonstrates the tremendous boost to orphan drugs from China's ongoing restructuring and reform of the drug regulatory ecosystem, as well as a stimulus for future orphan drug development in China and the world.
Impact of Using Virtual Avatars in Educational Videos on User Experience
Authors: Zhang Ruyuan , Wu Qun
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: popularization of knowledge is of considerable importance and necessity, and traditional knowledge popularization activities suffer from high cost and low acceptance, which affect their effectiveness and coverage. Applying virtual avatars to educational videos may be an effective way to solve the problem. This study investigates the impact of applying virtual avatars to educational videos on user experience;
(2) Methods: constructed a model of the impact of user experience on educational videos with virtual avatars, collected data from the target population, and analyzed it empirically;
(3) Results: the video quality and virtual avatar expressiveness dimensions of the influencing factors have a significant positive effect on the learning effect, emotional experience and user engagement dimensions of user experience; the content quality dimension of the influencing factors has a significant negative effect on the three dimensions of user experience;
(4) Conclusions: the video quality and virtual avatar expressiveness dimensions of the influencing factors have a significant positive effect on the learning effect, emotional experience and user engagement dimensions of user experience; the content quality dimension of the influencing factors has a significant negative effect on the three dimensions of user experience.
Giant Rat Tail Grass (Sporobolus pyramidalis) grain as a novel food for human consumption: an infrared study
Authors: KANE VICTORIA , COZZOLINO DANIEL , HARRISON MARK D , Pols JOLIEKE van der
Published: December 2023

Giant Rat Tail Grass (GRT) is an introduced pasture plant species to Australia. The low palatability of GRT to livestock and its high seed count and drought tolerance are contributing factors to define this species as invasive pest. An alternative use for the plant would potentially alleviate the requirement of landholders to engage methods of eradication. The aim of this study was to collect and analyse the infrared fingerprint of GRT grain to assess its nutritional suitability for human consumption. Whole grain samples of GRT (n = 10) and teff (n = 3), a staple African grain, were analysed using attenuated total reflectance mid infrared spectroscopy (ATR-MIR spectroscopy). The MIR absorbance values of protein, lipids, and starch of each GRT and teff samples were calculated and compared. The MIR results indicated that GRT seeds have comparable levels of protein, lipids, and starch comparable to other commercially available seeds such as teff. The MIR spectra of GRT seeds showed that they have potential nutritional value for human consumption; however, the concentration of protein, starch and lipids was not determined. Further research is required to quantify the levels of these nutrients and suitability of GRT seeds for human consumption.
The Role of Kdm5d in the Development of Chemoresistance to Cisplatin Through Cul4a in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Podhorska Natalia , Hrabeta Jan , Belhajova Marie , Eckschlager Tomas
Published: December 2023

Chemoresistance is a major cause of cancer therapy failure. Increasing evidence points to the importance of histone lysine demethylase function, whose dysregulation has been described in many cancers. KDM5, a family of histone lysine demethylases, may play a critical role in downregulation of tumour-suppressors or upregulation of oncogenes and in the development of drug tolerance. In this study, we examined the expression of KDM5D in cell lines derived from high-risk neuroblastoma. We found that KDM5D expression was lost in all cisplatin-chemoresistant neuroblastoma cell lines compared with sensitive parental cells. In addition, we found that the cisplatin-chemoresistant neuroblastoma cell line had increased expression of the ubiquitin ligase cullin 4A (CUL4A) compared with the sensitive parental cells. CUL4A plays a role in cellular processes and its aberrant regulation has been observed in a number of cancers. We have shown that silencing of KDM5D causes a more aggressive phenotype of NBL by promoting cell proliferation and migration, evading cell death, promoting S phase of the cell cycle, and desensitizing sensitive cells to CDDP via the gene CUL4A. In addition, ectopic expression of KMD5D in a cisplatin-resistant cell line reversed these phenomena. Our results suggest that KDM5D and / or CUL4A may be a biomarkers of chemoresistance to cisplatin and a potential therapeutic target in NBL.
Dynamics of Rapid Evolution on the Basis of Phenotypic Adaptation and Ecological Opportunities
Authors: Pasti Rodrigo , Politi Alexandre , de Castro Leandro Nunes
Published: December 2023

Recent studies have demonstrated that evolution can be observed in a few dozen generations, especially when species occupy a new ecological opportunity due to environmental changes. There are several factors that induce this rapid evolution and are related to the phenotype and its response to the environment. This response is then determined by phenotypic variation, because if patterns of diversity in a population produce a rapid response to an environmental change, then rapid adaptation to the new environment can occur. This paper aims to investigate patterns of evolution of species in an artificial ecosystem, and to highlight some patterns that promote rapid evolution. Understanding how rapid evolution occurs is not only of fundamental importance in understanding evolutionary processes and species conservation, but also to provide support for improving the resolution of certain types of problems, especially those in which the solution is time-variant. To achieve the objectives of this paper, a computational model of Adaptive Radiation was designed using the concepts of Biogeographic Computing, an area of knowledge that studies ecosystems as information processors, a fundamental principle of Natural Computing. Habitats are represented by adaptive surfaces, which in turn are composed of different ecological opportunities. The results show, for example, that dramatic changes in ecosystems can lead to a rapid response and a rapid adaptation to new ecological opportunities, mainly because of the emergent and self-sustaining behaviour promoted by the continuous speciation, extinction and adaptation of species. This emergent dynamic supports the thesis that rapid environmental changes can lead to rapid evolution. This behaviour, in turn, is highly desired when considering time-varying problem solving. If solutions to a problem are changing over time, sometimes it is necessary to rapidly find new solutions.
Ultrasonography of the donkey tarsus
Authors: Mohamad Zakriya A. Al
Published: December 2023

Tarsal joint illness is a frequent source of hind limb lameness due to the complex anatomy of the region and the presence of numerous bony and soft tissue structures. Proper lameness diagnosis aims to discover the structure provoking lameness. Ultrasonography documents valuable information of soft tissues and characterizes soft tissue injuries that have heretofore been difficult to obtain either noninvasively or via radiography. The objectives of the current study were to develop and describe a standardized ultrasonographic protocol for investigation of the tarsal region in donkeys. The donkey tarsal anatomy was investigated in 5 cadavers and the tarsi of 11 healthy lameness free adult donkeys were echographically investigated. The dorsal, plantar, lateral and medial aspects of the tarsal region were substantially evaluated at four anatomical landmarks in both the longitudinal and horizontal planes using a multi-frequency 5–12 MHz linear transducer. Sonoanatomy of the extensor and flexor tarsal tendons, collateral and plantar ligaments, and synovial pouches was delineated and described. Systematic echography of the tarsal region allowed accurate localization and thorough exploration of various soft tissues of clinical interest in the donkey tarsus. Sonograms provided in this study should serve as a reference database for tarsal ultrasonography in clinical circumstances.
Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult Ugandans With Epilepsy (Smart-u), Randomised Clinical Trial Protocol
Authors: Mbalinda Scovia Nalugo , Kaddumukasa Mark , Najjuma Josephine , Birungi Doreen , Kaddumukasa Martin , Levin Jennifer , Still Carolyn , Burant Christopher , Modi Avani , Katabira Elly. T , Sajatovic Martha
Published: December 2023

Background:
Epilepsy is a common chronic brain disorder globally affecting people of all ages, with the majority living in developing countries. The introduction of epilepsy self-management approaches to help people with epilepsy is urgently needed to influence epilepsy-related outcomes. This 2-site randomised controlled trial building on promising preliminary data is intended to explore this further.
Methods:
A total of 188 adult people with epilepsy (PWE) attending the neurology clinics at Mulago and Mbarara hospitals and consent to participate in the study. They will be randomised into intervention versus enhanced treatment control (eTAU) study groups. The intervention group will receive 12-week “intensive” educational sessions and a 12-week remotely accessed telephone follow-up stage. The controls will continue in their usual care supplemented by written materials on epilepsy in their preferred language and tailored to the reading level of most patients at the clinic. SMART-U consists of 2 main components: a 12-week “intensive” group format stage and a 12-week remotely accessed telephone follow-up stage. SMART-U will be assessed for acceptability, fidelity, and efficacy compared to eTAU. The primary study outcome is the mean change in cumulative past 24-week seizure frequency (24 weeks prior to the study baseline compared to the 24-week follow-up). Seizure frequency will be via self-report with corroboration by family/support system informants whenever possible. Participants will self-report their seizure frequency (numeric count) that they experienced between baseline and 13 weeks and again between 13 and 24 weeks and the mean change from baseline to 24 weeks in QOL.
Discussion: The curriculum-guided Self-Management intervention for Reducing The epilepsy burden among Ugandans (SMART-U) program is anticipated to reduce the epilepsy burden seizure frequency and improve other health outcomes, including depression, functional status and health resource use.
Trial Registration Number (TRN): NCT06139198
Date of registration: 14th November 2023