bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations of rare variants in the AKAP11 gene with bipolar disorder in Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Yankai , Yu Hui , Wang Tingting , Sun Ping
Published: December 2023

Purpose
This pioneering study aimed to explore the associations between the A-kinase anchoring protein 11 (AKAP11) gene and bipolar disorder (BD) in a Chinese population. We sought to replicate findings from European populations regarding ultra-rare protein-truncating variants (PTVs) within exon 8 of AKAP11 and identify any novel rare mutations linked to Chinese BD patients.
Methods
We conducted a case-control association study, including a cohort of 284 Chinese BD patients, with the control group comprising 10,588 individuals from the China Metabolic Analytics Project (ChinaMAP) database. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed to analyze exon 8 of the AKAP11 gene. Statistical analysis involved chi-square tests to assess differences in allele frequency between BD patients and the control group.
Results
In our 284 Chinese BD patients, within exon 8 of the AKAP11 gene we did not find any ultra-rare PTVs previously identified in European BD patients. However, five additional rare variants were discovered, including three missense variants and two synonymous variants. Among these variants, one synonymous variant, g.42300171T > C (i.e., rs771987690), had not been reported in the ChinaMAP database. Statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences in allele frequencies between BD patients and controls (P = 0.240), but there was a noticeable trend suggesting a potential association between the rare variants with the AKAP11 gene and risk of BD. Additionally, three of the five rare variants were not documented in the Bipolar Exomes Browser (BipEx) database, the frequencies of the other two were mildly lower in cases than controls, contrary to the trend observed in the Chinese population. The observed difference may be due to population genetic-environmental interaction.
Conclusions
Our preliminary data indicates a potential trend between the AKAP11 gene and BD patients in China, despite did not reach nominal significance, calling for further analysis in a larger sample set.
Development of a smartphone screening test for preclinical Alzheimer's disease and validation across the dementia continuum
Authors: Alty Jane , Goldberg Lynette R. , Roccati Eddy , Lawler Kate , Bai Quan , Huang Guan , Bindoff Aidan D. , Li Renjie , Wang Xinyi , St George Rebecca , Rudd Kaylee , Bartlett Larissa , Collins Jessica , Aiyede Mimieveshiofuo , Fernando Nadeeshani , Bhagwat Anju , Giffard Julia , Salmon Katharine , McDonald Scott , King Anna , Vickers James
Published: December 2023

Background
Dementia prevalence is predicted to triple to 152 million globally by 2050. Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitutes 70% of cases. There is an urgent need to identify individuals with preclinical AD (a 10–20-year period of progressive brain pathology without noticeable cognitive symptoms) for targeted risk reduction. Current tests of AD pathology are either too invasive, specialised or expensive for population-level assessments. Cognitive tests are normal in preclinical AD. Emerging evidence demonstrates that movement analysis is sensitive to AD across the disease continuum, including preclinical AD. Our new smartphone test, TapTalkTest combines analysis of hand and speech-like movements to detect AD risk. This study aims to (1) determine which combinations of hand-speech movement data most accurately predict preclinical AD, (2) determine usability, reliability, and validity of TapTalkTest in cognitively asymptomatic older adults and, (3) prospectively validate TapTalkTest in older adults who have cognitive symptoms against cognitive tests and clinical diagnoses of Mild Cognitive Impairment and AD dementia.
Methods
Aim 1 will be addressed in a cross-sectional study of 500 cognitively asymptomatic older adults who will complete computerised tests comprising measures of hand motor control (finger tapping) and oro-motor control (syllabic diadochokinesis). Motor measures will be compared to a blood-based AD biomarker, phosphorylated tau 181 to develop an algorithm that classifies preclinical AD risk.
Aim 2 comprises three sub-studies in cognitively asymptomatic adults: (i) a cross-sectional study of 30-40 adults to determine the validity of data collection from different types of smartphones, (ii) a prospective cohort study of 50-100 adults ≥50 years old to determine usability and test-retest reliability, and (iii) a prospective cohort study of ~1,000 adults ≥50 years old to validate against cognitive measures.
Aim 3 will be addressed in a cross-sectional study of ~200 participants with cognitive symptoms to validate TapTalkTest against Montreal Cognitive Assessment and interdisciplinary consensus diagnosis.
Discussion
This study will establish the precision of TapTalkTest to identify preclinical AD and estimate risk of cognitive decline. If accurate, this innovative smartphone app will enable low-cost, accessible screening of individuals for AD risk. This will have wide applications in public health initiatives and clinical trials.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06114914, 29 October 2023. Retrospectively registered.
Environmental stability promotes generalist taxa which increase resistance to environmental shocks in methanogenic microbial communities
Authors: Mills Simon , Ijaz Umer Zeeshan , Lens Piet N.L.
Published: December 2023

Background Different microbial communities are impacted to disproportionately by environmental disturbances. For example, methanogenic microbial communities, which underpin biotechnologies such as anaerobic digestion are particularly susceptible to disturbances, as they are highly syntrophic and dysbiosis in one of the necessary trophic groups can cause system failure. The degree to which such a community can remain stable when faced with a disturbance is referred to as resistance. However, the factors which infer a community’s resistance are unknown. It has previously been hypothesised that resistance may be increased by prior exposure to disturbances or general environmental instability. In this study, we investigate the impact of historical environmental stability on ecological phenomena and in turn, the resistance of a methanogenic microbial community to shocks.Results Three separate methanogenic consortia, which were subjected to varying degrees of historical environmental stability, and displayed different levels of resistance to an organic overload were sampled. Their community composition was assessed using high throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. A suite of ecological analysis were applied to determine the effect of environmental stability on ecological phenomena such as microbial community assembly, microbial niche breadth and the rare biosphere and in turn, the effect of these phenomena on community resistance. The community which experienced the most historical stability displayed the most functional resistance to a major disturbance (shock organic load) had a higher number of persistently rare taxa. Environmental instability led to more temporal variation in community beta diversity and phylogenetic dispersion and resulted in a community dominated by taxa with a narrow niche breadth (i.e. specialists), which was more susceptible to deterministic influences caused by a shock organic overload.Conclusions These results indicate that frequent, varied environmental disturbances reduce microbial community resistance. This reduced resistance is characterised by a microbial community with lower numbers of rare taxa and a dominance of specialist taxa with narrow niche breadths. Therefore, environmental stability promotes the development of a microbial community which is more resistant to shocks.
An efficient genetic algorithm for solving the travel salesman problem
Authors: Rafique Fahad , Cui Hengjian
Published: December 2023

The genetic algorithm (GA) is a widely employed evolutionary method used to tackle the complex-nature and nondeterministic polynomial (NP-hard) problems. Despite its popularity, GA faces inherent challenges, notably premature convergence and sub-optimal computational efficiency. Addressing these weaknesses is currently a critical focus in the realm of solving intricate optimization problems. A pivotal aspect of GA lies in assigning selection probabilities to the generated population, which can influence the avoidance of premature convergence. In this study, we introduce a new selection operator for GA, designed to exert higher selection pressure while preserving population diversity. By utilizing Pearson's chi-square as a goodness-of-fit test, we meticulously evaluate the sampling accuracy of this novel operator against established counterparts. Despite a slight increase in complexity, our proposed operator significantly improves sampling accuracy. To validate its efficacy, we assess the global performance through the traveling salesman problem and observed a significant improvements in achieving optimal or near-optimal solutions.
Assessment of tumor hypoxia in spontaneous canine tumors after treatment with OMX, a novel H-NOX oxygen carrier, with [ 18 F]FMISO PET/CT
Authors: Choen Sangkyung , Kent Michael S. , Loucks F. Alexandra , Winger Jonathan A. , Zwingenberger Allison L.
Published: December 2023

· Background: Hypoxia is a detrimental factor in solid tumors, leading to aggressiveness and therapy resistance. OMX, a tunable oxygen carrier from the heme nitric oxide/oxygen-binding protein (H-NOX) protein family, has the potential to reduce tumor hypoxia. [18F]Fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO) positron emission tomography (PET) is the most widely used and investigated method for non-invasive imaging of tumor hypoxia. In this study, we used [18F]FMISO PET/CT (computed tomography) to assess the effect of OMX on tumor hypoxia in spontaneous canine tumors.
· Results: Thirteen canine patients with various tumors were randomly divided into blocks of two, with the treatment groups alternating between receiving intratumoral (IT) OMX injection (OMX IT group) and intravenous (IV) OMX injection (OMX IV group). A maximum tumor-to-muscle ratio (TMRmax) greater than 1.4 was used as the standard threshold to determine tumor hypoxia. In addition, hypoxic volume (HV) was defined as the region with tumor-to-muscle ratio greater than 1.4 on [18F]FMISO PET images. Hypoxia was detected in 6/7 tumors in the OMX IT group and 5/7 tumors in the OMX IV injection group. Although there was no significant difference in baseline hypoxia between the OMX IT and IV groups, the two groups showed different responses to OMX. In the OMX IV group, hypoxic tumors (n=5) exhibited significant reductions in tumor hypoxia, as indicated by decreased TMRmax and HV in [18F]FMISO PET imaging after treatment. In contrast, hypoxic tumors in the OMX IT group (n=6) displayed a significant increase in [18F]FMISO uptake and variable changes in TMRmax and HV.
· Conclusions: [18F]FMISO PET/CT imaging presents a promising non-invasive procedure for monitoring tumor hypoxia and assessing the efficacy of hypoxia-modulating therapies in canine patients. OMX has shown promising outcomes in reducing tumor hypoxia, especially when administered intravenously, as evident from reductions in both TMRmax and HV in [18F]FMISO PET imaging.
Genomic analysis of the class Phycisphaerae reveals a versatile group of complex carbon-degrading bacteria
Authors: Lenferink Wouter B. , Jetten Mike S.M. , Kessel Maartje A.H.J. , Lücker Sebastian
Published: December 2023

Bacteria of the phylum Planctomycetota have received a lot of attention over the years due to their unique cell biology and potential for biotechnological application. Within the phylum, bacteria of the class Phycisphaerae have been found in a multitude of environmental datasets. However, only a few species have been brought into culture so far and even enrichments are scarce. Therefore, very little is known about their lifestyle, which has hindered efforts to estimate their environmental relevance. Here, we analysed all medium- and high-quality Phycisphaerae genomes represented in the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) to learn more about their physiology. We combined automatic and manual annotation efforts to provide a bird’s eye view of their different energy metabolisms. In contrast to previous reports, we did not find indications for the presence of genes for anaerobic ammonium oxidation in any Phycisphaeraegenome. Instead, we found that many members of this class are adapted to a facultative anaerobic or strictly fermentative lifestyle and may be specialized in the breakdown of carbon compounds produced by other organisms. Based on these findings, we provide a practical overview of organic carbon substrates that are predicted to be utilized by Phycisphaerae families.
Semi-Supervised Machine Learning Method for Predicting Observed Individual Risk Preference Using Gallup Data
Authors: Ahmed Faroque , Shamsuddin Mrittika , Sultana Tanzila , Shamsuddin Rittika
Published: December 2023

Risk and uncertainty play a vital role in almost every significant economic decision, and an individual's propensity to make riskier decisions also depends on various circumstances. Studies on general and financial risk preference mostly kept their investigation restricted to analyzing the correlation between the sociodemographic and economic aspects of risk-taking, using ordinary least-square and supervised machine learning paradigms. This article aims to investigate the effects of social and economic covariates on an individual's willingness to take general risks and extends the literature by using quantitative measures of risk-taking from the GPS and Gallup datasets in addition to the qualitative measures used in the literature. Based on the available observed risk-taking data for one year, this article proposes a semi-supervised machine learning-based approach that can efficiently predict the observed risk index for those countries/individuals for years when the observed risk-taking index was not collected. We find that linear models are insufficient to capture certain patterns among risk-taking factors, and non-linear models, such as random forest regression, can obtain better root mean squared values than those reported in past literature. In addition to finding factors that agree with past studies, we also find that subjective well-being influences risk-taking behavior.
A review of the adverse effects of intravenous immunoglobulin infusion in pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease patients (MIS-C)
Authors: ergün deniz , kara aybüke akarslan , özer arife , özenen gizem güner , şahinkaya şahika , cem ela , çelebi miray yılmaz , gülderen mustafa , kaçar pelin , çatıkoğlu aslı , bayram nuri , devrim ilker
Published: December 2023

Background
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) are associated with systemic inflammation and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion is the first-line cornerstone of therapy. We aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical findings of children diagnosed with MIS-C, the incidence of adverse effects events of IVIG infusion, and identify the influencing factors.
Methods
A single-center retrospective study was designed to evaluate children hospitalized with MIS-C and receiving IVIG infusion therapy between February 2020 and February 2023.
Results
108 patients diagnosed with MIS-C and receiving IVIG treatment were included in the study. When the disease severity of 98 patients diagnosed with MIS-C was evaluated, 50 (51.0%) patients were found to have mild MIS-C, 25 (25.5%) patients had moderate MIS-C, and 23 (23.5%) patients had severe MIS-C. Twenty-five patients (23.2%) required pediatric intensive care unit follow-up. In 38.9% (n = 42) of the patients, glucocorticoids were combined with IVIG. Fever was identified in 34.3% (n = 37) of patients when adverse effects were examined during IVIG infusion. In 27.8% of patients (n = 30), IVIG infusion had to be stopped, with the most common reasons being 83.3% fever, 10% rash, 3.3% headache, and 3.3% vascular access change. There was no statistically significant difference in IVIG infusion adverse effects or infusion-stopping frequency between patients who received and did not receive steroid treatment (p = 0.557). There was no significant difference between the severity of MIS-C and the adverse effects and infusion stopping time in individuals receiving IVIG infusion (p = 0.139).
Conclusions
In our study, adverse effects related to IVIG infusion were rarer and less severe than in previous reports. The most common adverse effect of IVIG infusion and the reason for discontinuation of the infusion was fever. We discovered that steroid therapy and MIS-C severity did not affect IVIG adverse effects. It was given by prolonged infusion in most patients; perhaps this is why we did not observe any serious adverse effects in children. We recommend that patients diagnosed with MIS-C and treated with IVIG should be closely monitored for adverse effects, and risk factors should be determined correctly.
A test method for identifying selection bias risk in prospective controlled clinical therapy trials using the I2 point estimate (Preprint)
Authors: Mickenautsch Steffen , Yengopal Veerasamy
Published: December 2023

Objectives: A test method is proposed for identifying potential selection bias risk in single prospective controlled clinical therapy trials that can be applied by trial reviewers.
Methods: The method is described in detail and was tested on eight randomised controlled trials (RCT) with reported negative Berger-Exner test result as negative and on eight prospective, controlled COHORT studies as positive controls. All 16 studies were identified by systematic literature search.
Results: The test method yielded negative results for all RCTs and positive results for 6 out of the 8 COHORT studies.
Conclusion: All test results remained within the expected limits for both study types, suggesting a reasonably high accuracy for correctly identifying selection bias risk. However, the method does not provide the possibility to establish whether such bias risk has actually altered trial outcome. Instead, a positive test result may provide an empirical basis for rating a trial as of high selection bias risk during trial appraisal.
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma of the Tail: Unveiling a Rare Presentation with Venous Thrombosis: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: Rabab Syeda Abiha , Zaidi Syeda Mahrukh Fatima , Amjad Ayesha , Paras  , Sattar Maryam
Published: December 2023

Pancreatic cancer is a silent and lethal adversary that often conceals its presence until advanced stages. This report elucidates a distinctive case of a 46-year-old patient with pancreatic tail adenocarcinoma presenting with venous thrombosis, a rare manifestation. The patient’s symptoms included severe left leg pain, swelling, and redness, accompanied by weight loss and decreased appetite. Laboratory findings indicated a prothrombotic state, whereas imaging revealed a substantial pancreatic tail mass with liver metastasis. Elevated tumor markers, CA 19–9 and CEA, supported the diagnosis, confirmed by a liver biopsy. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by pancreatic cancer, particularly in the tail, emphasizing the need for early detection. The intricate interplay between metastasis and thrombosis complicates the clinical landscape, requiring a comprehensive approach to management.
A novel protocol to establish subarachnoid hemorrhage mouse model with preserved vascular anatomy
Authors: Zhang Rui , Khan Dilaware , Muhammad Sajjad
Published: December 2023

This study introduces a novel Circle of Willis perforation (cWp) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model in mice. Employing Needle Puncture and Filament Perforation through the Common Carotid Artery (CCA), the method replicates the External Carotid Artery (ECA) SAH model's characteristic, preserving all normal anatomical structures. Notably, surgical complexity decreases significantly, highlighting its potential to streamline cWp model production and recommending adoption in the broader SAH research community.
The Intersection of Vulnerabilities Among Homeless Populations Exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic: a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Marini Giovanna Marina Fernandes , Moura Heriederson Sávio Dias , Ferezin Letícia Perticarrara Ferezin Perticarrara , Neto Julio Canos , Cunha Jose Henrique da Silva , Teibo Titilade Kehinde Ayandeyi , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre , Fiorati Regina Célia
Published: December 2023

Background: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a discernible amplification of inherent vulnerabilities in the global population, with the most susceptible segments exemplified by the Homeless Population experiencing exacerbated adverse impacts.. This study aims to analyze the intersection of vulnerabilities among homeless populations aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method: This is a parallel convergent mixed methods study, incorporating a cross-sectional quantitative study and a qualitative study. A survey-type questionnaire was employed in the quantitative approach, analyzed using descriptive and inferential techniques, and a semi-structured interview in the qualitative aspect, with interviews analyzed using Minayo's thematic analysis methodology.
Results: Significant associations were identified between the vulnerabilities faced by the homeless population, which were further compounded with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. This period witnessed a critical intersection of these vulnerabilities, resulting in an even deeper social destabilization for this group.
Conclusions: Individuals experiencing homelessness confront a complex accumulation of intertwined inequalities, intensifying their social vulnerability. This scenario underscores the intersection of vulnerabilities within this group and emphasizes the urgent need for an integrated approach to understand their health and the pandemic's impact on these individuals.
History of Research on Scythian Period Sites in the Seym River Basin: Panorama of Works and Thoughts
Authors: Bilynskyi Oleh
Published: December 2023

This article explores the history of theoretical frameworks adopted by researchers concerning the historical and cultural processes that occurred during the Scythian period in the Seym River basin. The research history is divided into several periods, each examining the thoughts of leading authors, their arguments, and the context in which researchers prepared their works, formulated hypotheses, and integrated them into the overall research framework of that period.
These periods include:
­ The research period of I. I. Liapushkin, who considered the Seym basin as part of the Zolnichna culture he identified.
­ A. Ye. Alikhova's studies, describing a series of sites of the Jukhnovo culture in the region, shaping the perception of Kursk Seym region as the territory of its distribution.
­ A. I. Puzikova's works, investigating sites typical for the entire Left Bank Forest-Steppe of the Scythian period in the Kursk Seym region, leading to the identification of a separate Seym variant on the Left Bank.
­ Development and critique of A. I. Puzikova's ideas by researchers from the 1980s to the 2000s.
­ Contemporary research on this topic and the current dominant theoretical constructs.
The main focus is on the chronology of the sites, the description of their characteristic features by researchers, the idea of dividing Left Bank sites into local variants, singling out a specific Seym variant, the history of the region's population, and the cultural processes during the Scythian period.
Reimagining Academia: Lessons from Black M(other)Scholars during our duel with the dual pandemics
Authors: Dowie-Chin Tianna , Haynes-Thoby Latoya , Coleman-King Chonika , Brown Taryrn
Published: December 2023

Academia remains a patriarchal system, in which womxn’s work is undervalued, and the intersection of race and gender positions Black womxn uniquely. Some research has begun to explore how the dual pandemics compounded challenges for Black womxn in the academy. This is further complicated when considering Black womxn as M(other)Scholars. Through the dual pandemics of highly visible police brutality against Black bodies and the disproportionate toll of COVID-19 on Black communities, we offer our stories, as four Black M(other)Scholars, who experienced, mourned, and made room for ourselves and others to thrive during the dual pandemics. We share our stories knowing Black and white womxn have experienced and continue to experience life on different terms. This is also reflected in scholarship around MotherScholars and the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on our previous work rooted in endarkened feminist epistemology, we use autoethnographic sista circle methodology to capture how the dual pandemics provided both a reprieve from the antiblackness of academia and the opportunity to build community amongst other Black womxn scholars and our children. We center music in our storytelling, as music has served as both a balm and an expression of our spirit of resistance.
Diary Study on Microaggressions, Identity Shifting, and Mental Health among Black Women in STEM Graduate Programs During COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Perceived Supervisor Support
Authors: Danielle Dickens  , Hall Naiomi , Farmer Makyra , Johnson Nailah
Published: December 2023

Black women in STEM graduate programs may develop coping strategies, such as identity shifting, to minimize gendered racial stressors, especially in the context of COVID-19. Identity shifting is the process of altering one’s speech, behavior, perspective, and appearance. Past studies found a positive association between identity shifting and mental health outcomes among young Black women; however, research on the mental health of Black women in STEM graduate programs is limited. The present study utilized a Black feminist standpoint theoretical framework to examine daily experiences of gendered racial microaggressions (GRM), identity shifting, perceived supervisor support (PSS), and mental health outcomes among 102 Black women in STEM graduate programs. Participants completed online daily questionnaires for 10 workdays using Qualtrics. We hypothesized that identity shifting and GRM would positively predict anxiety and depressive symptoms. Additionally, we hypothesized that PSS would significantly mediate the relationship between GRMs and mental health outcomes. Results showed that women with higher experiences of GRM and shifting reported more depressive and anxiety symptoms. PSS did not mediate the relationship between GRM and mental health outcomes. The results of this study can be used to develop culturally tailored support programs to create inclusive environments for Black women in academia.
Transformação digital em uma cooperativa de crédito
Authors: Schuch Zuleidi , Milan Gabriel Sperandio , Kieling Rejane Inês , Eberle Luciene , Freitas Junior José Carlos da Silva
Published: December 2023

A transformação digital está alterando a forma das pessoas realizarem transações financeiras. Assim, a presente pesquisa buscou verificar o processo de transformação digital de uma cooperativa de crédito, visando melhorar a qualidade dos serviços prestados e a satisfação dos clientes. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório, operacionalizada por meio da técnica de entrevistas individuais em profundidade, com uma abordagem semiestruturada, mediante aplicação de Roteiros Básicos de Questões onde foram entrevistadas quatro pessoas ligadas à Cooperativa em estudo, três gestores do Centro Administrativo, o CAS, e mais quatro associados da Cooperativa. Os resultados desta pesquisa apresentam para o meio acadêmico, o processo de transformação digital da Cooperativa, além de apresentar direcionamentos propostos para a continuidade deste processo no contexto investigado. Considerando a perspectiva gerencial oferece informações e direcionamentos sobre o processo de transformação digital nas cooperativas de crédito, auxiliando na tomada de decisões e implementação do processo.
Comportamento proativo em organizações sem fins lucrativos
Authors: Lacerda Fabricio Martins , Martens Cristina Dai Prá , De Freitas Henrique Mello Rodrigues
Published: December 2023

Nos estudo sobre o Empreendedorismo, a Orientação Empreendedora, como um comportamento empreendedor, é vista como uma importante especificação das orientações estratégicas de uma organização. De modo especial, a literatura tem sinalizado que esforços devem ser direcionados para consolidar diversos fatores que caracterizam a manifestação da orientação empreendedora nas organizações, especialmente, naquelas que não são motivadas pelo lucro. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa objetivou identificar um conjunto de fatores que representa a manifestação da dimensão proatividade da orientação empreendedora em organizações sem fins lucrativos. No estudo exploratório de análise qualitativa, os autores realizaram 11 entrevistas em profundidade com especialistas do setor não lucrativo, que congrega 16 Associações Médicas Oftalmológicas. O uso do software Atlas.ti contribuiu com a análise dos fatores que caracterizam a manifestação da dimensão proatividade, que apresentaram maior ou menor ocorrência nas entrevistas. Os resultados do estudo apresentam um conjunto de fatores da dimensão proatividade adaptado à realidade do contexto sem fins lucrativos, evidenciando os evocados com maior ocorrência, com destaque a aspectos de marketing com finalidade comercial e uso de habilidades em networking e benchmarking. O estudo contribui com um conjunto de fatores norteadores capaz de auxiliar os dirigentes na tomada de decisão e na realização de processos de estratégia empreendedora. Ainda, pode contribuir com a busca e identificação de oportunidades, seja com a finalidade social ou comercial.
Retorno comparado de empresas sustentáveis e convencionais no Brasil
Authors: Machado Ben Hur Tomaz , Maemura Márcia Mitie Durante , Farinelli Tiago César , Pimenta Junior Tabajara
Published: December 2023

Fatores ESG, Responsabilidade Social e Sustentabilidade são temas muito discutidos atualmente, e cada vez mais empresas aderem às chamadas “práticas sustentáveis”. Este trabalho compara os retornos de empresas sustentáveis e convencionais, com o objetivo de elucidar se há alguma relação entre sustentabilidade, responsabilidade social e desempenho das ações de empresas na bolsa de valores. É um estudo descritivo, com amostra não probabilística, que se utilizou de testes estatísticos de comparação de médias de distribuições de retornos. Foram criadas duas carteiras teóricas (sustentável e convencional) de ações de empresas brasileiras, com dados referentes ao período de 2016 e 2020. Calcularam-se os fechamentos semanais dessas carteiras e depois o retorno e o risco. Não se obteve evidência de um desempenho superior da carteira com ações de empresas sustentáveis, mas verificou-se uma melhor relação risco e retorno, quando comparado com a carteira de empresas convencionais. Concluiu-se que a estratégia de investimento em empresas sustentáveis pode ser uma opção para o investidor que busca uma posição de menor risco no mercado de ações. Porém também é enfatizada a necessidade de estudos futuros para a comparação de desempenho em diferentes momentos, já que no período abordado, devido a cenários econômicos desfavoráveis, o retorno das duas carteiras não compensou o risco assumido. O estudo destaca a relação entre a adoção de práticas sustentáveis e o desempenho das ações, demonstrando o que pode ser obtido, em termos de retorno e risco, por investidores interessados em empresas que procuram se destacar pela sua forma de atuação.
Çağdaş Seramik Sanat ve Tasarımında Maksimalist Eğilimler
Authors: Işıktan Figen
Published: December 2023

Post-modernizm; maksimalizm, kendine mal etme, postminimalizm, post-endüstriyalizm ve kökeni reddenler olsa da dekonstrüktivizmi de içeren, sanata yönelik bir dizi stil, teori ve yaklaşım üretmiştir. Maksimalizm, fikir ve sanat hareketi olarak minimalizme karşıt değerlerle gösterim oluşturur. Minimalizmin yalınlığından uzaklaşılmış, abartıya ve karmaşaya yönelinmiştir. Maksimalizmin kökenleri araştırıldığında 70’li yılların ortalarında, ‘Desen ve Dekorasyon’ eğilimi ve çalışmaları ile bağlantı kurulabilir. Bu hareket 1980'lerde yeniden canlanmış olup dekoratif yaklaşımlarla çok etnikli ve çoğulcu, küresel geleneklerden ve kaynaklardan gelen maksimalist bir estetik görünümünün benimsenmesinde rol oynamıştır. Maksimalizmi anlayabilmek için geri dönerek incelemek gerekir. Bu çalışmada Maksimalizm hareketinin seramik sanat ve tasarımı alanındaki etkileri araştırılmakta olup, özellikle son dönem maksimalist eğilimlerin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu kapsamda; maksimalizm hakkında kaynak taraması yapılmış, bu alanda üretim yapan sanatçılar ve eserleri araştırılmış, kişisel internet siteleri ve mevcut kaynaklardaki bilgiler incelenmiş olup, sonuç bölümünde maksimalist eğilimlerin genel bir değerlendirmesi yapılmıştır.
Evolution of French Military Policy
Authors: Smirnova Ol'ga , Shpigovskaya Milena
Published: December 2023

The article studies the evolution of the military-political course of the French Fifth Republic. The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the four editions of the French White Paper, which are the conceptual foundations of the country’s defense and national security strategy. Particular attention is paid to the impact of the domestic political situation, international political and economic processes, as well as membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance on the formation of France’s defense policy. The methodological basis for the study of the French military policy evolution is a systematic approach: a comprehensive study of the Fifth Republic’s defense and national security strategy as parts of the global European security architecture, which consists of closely related components. In addition the authors use the concrete-historical method, as well as induction, deduction, content analysis and comparative analysis of the Fifth Republic’s regulatory and legal documentation in the field of national defense and security, which allowed identifying elements of the specifics and continuity of the military-political course of France. With the help of forecasting, as well as a statistical method based on official data from government departments and research centers, the authors assessed the state of the French Republic Armed Forces. The excessive involvement of the French armed forces in various external and internal military operations, accompanied by a reduction in the number of personnel and deterioration of their equipment, weakens of the combat potential of Paris.
A chemometric and ingestion hazard prediction study of groundwater in proximity to the Bandhwari landfill site, Gurugram, India
Authors: Singh Manbir , Wadhwa Vaishali , Batra Lavisha , Khyalia Pradeep , Mor Vikram
Published: December 2023

Groundwater contamination due to the leaching of harmful pollutants such as heavy metals, xenobiotic compounds, and other inorganic compounds from solid waste dumping sites has become a major health concern in recent times. Therefore, to assess the effects of the Bandhwari landfill site, groundwater samples from the surrounding region of the dumping site were collected and analyzed for heavy metals and physicochemical properties. The total dissolved solids (TDS) of 67% of samples exceeded the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limits which makes it unfit for drinking purposes. The groundwater samples were also analyzed for iron (Fe), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) concentrations and results of heavy metal concentration in the groundwater around the Bandhwari landfill follow the concentration trend of Pb > Cd > Ni > Cu > Zn > Fe > Cr. Risk assessment of consumers' health was done using target hazard quotient calculations which were less than unity (threshold value of <1), indicating that heavy metal concentrations do not pose any serious health effect according to total hazard quotient values. The results of the study made it evident that groundwater is not suitable for drinking purposes due to excess values of water quality parameters but poses no risk due to studied metal concentrations.
Health risk assessment of drinking groundwater in rural areas of Ru village and surrounding areas in Wutai County, China
Authors: Sun Qifa , Guo Lin , Hu Chen , Liu Tao , Sun Jingyao , Zhou Long
Published: December 2023

Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a global environmental problem that poses risks to human health. We investigate the health risks of nitrate in rural drinking groundwater in Rucun Township and surrounding areas of Wutai County, and provide a basis for healthy drinking water. By using statistical analysis software (SPSS19) and hydrogeochemical analysis software (AqQA), a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of nitrate health risks was conducted among populations of different ages and genders through water sample collection, chemical analysis, and construction of a human health risk model (HHRA). Through research, it was found that the average concentration of nitrate in the study area is 43.99 mg/L. Groundwater is severely polluted by NO3−, and nitrate pollution areas are mainly concentrated in the main human activity areas, especially in the main agricultural production areas. The Quaternary loess layer, as a permeable layer, cannot prevent groundwater from being polluted by NO3−. Through evaluation, it is believed that there is a health risk of nitrate pollution in rural drinking groundwater in Rucun Township and surrounding areas. Health risk level: infants>children>adult females>adult males. The discovery and evaluation results can provide a basis for the prevention and control of nitrate pollution in groundwater.
Reinforcement learning-based DSS for coagulant and disinfectant dosage selection on drinking water treatment plants
Authors: Álvarez Díez Aída , Pena Rois Rocío , Mocanu Iulian , Orzan Claudia , Brebenel Cristian , Stere Jiru , Muíños Landín Santiago , Fernández Montenegro Juan Manuel
Published: December 2023

The treatments to be applied for water purification must be dynamically adaptable to the raw water conditions. Currently, treatments are applied based on standards that are not optimized for the circumstances of each drinking water treatment plant (DWTP), neither for critical events. This paper presents a methodology for the creation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) decision support system (DSS), encompassing the principal steps of the drinking water treatment processes (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection), based on reinforcement learning techniques, that provides suggestions about the most efficient treatments (coagulant and chlorine dosages) for various raw water conditions, including critical events such as heavy rain and saline intrusions. Together with the model, a retraining strategy is included so the DSS adapts itself to the specific circumstances of each different DWTP. The model has been developed and validated in a DWTP replica. Furthermore, the model has been provided to a real DWTP to obtain feedback from experienced staff. The results and evaluation of the model are promising as a first approach on a DSS for drinking water treatments suggestion, although future versions might require more water quality parameters to characterize the raw water.
EFFECT OF 21-DAY DRY IMMERSION ON VENTILATION RESPONSE OF THE RESPIRATION SYSTEM TO INCREASING HYPERCAPNIA
Authors:   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Ermolaev E.S. , Parshin K.S. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Shulaguin Yu.A. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Zaripov R.N. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Diachenko A.I. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
Published: December 2023

Effects of 21-d dry immersion (DI) on ventilation response to increasing hypercapnia were studied using the Starr "calm down" breathing. Ventilation response to СО2 (SVСО2) and changes in the respiration capacity due to growing hypercapnia (SVtCO2) were measured before, during and on completion of 21-d DI. Measurements in the course of DI included residual pulmonary volume (RPV), functional residual capacity (FRC) and CO transfer-coefficient of the lung (KCO). SVСО2 and SVtCO2 were determined within the CO2 partial pressure range of 45 - 60 mm Hg in the end-exhaled air (PETCO2). Since the subjects breathed an oxygen gas mixture and the hypoxic response could not develop, SVСО2 was determined by PETCO2 only. On DI days 13 and 19, group-average SVtCO2 was significantly (р< 0.05) higher than the baseline value by 0.023 ± 0.019 and 0.018 ± 0.016 l/mmHg, respectively. On DI day 13, SVtCO2 was significantly (р< 0.05) higher by 0.020 ± 0.023l/mmHg when compared to DI day 8. Throughout the DI study, the CO2-related apneic threshold tended to rise; on DI day 13, the threshold was significantly higher (Р< 0.05) when compared to the value on DI day 8 (by 3.09 ± 4.07 mmHg). There was also a significant increase (Р< 0.05) of the breathing capacity at the apneic threshold on DI day 13 when compared to the baseline value (by 6.47 ± 7.09 mmHg) and on day 8 (by 7.27 ± 9.15 mmHg). TLP decreased significantly (Р< 0.05) on DI day 13 when compared to day 8 (by 0.14 ± 0.13 l).
DIFFERENTIATION OF MYOBLASTS ISOLATED FROM RAT'S M. SOLEUS FOLLOWING TAIL-SUSPENSION IS ACCOMPANIED BY P27KIP1 DEPHOSPHORYLATION AND AGGRAVATION OF APOPTOSIS
Authors:   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Vilchinskaya N.A. , Turtikova O.V. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Mirzoev T.M. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Shenkman B.S. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
Published: December 2023

Apoptosis and its control during differentiation of primary myoblasts isolated from rat soleus muscle after 7-d tail suspension were investigated. Primary myoblasts were first subjected to myogenic differentiation. TUNEL labeling of double-strand DNA breaks was applied to detect apoptotic cells during myoblast differentiation. Western blot was used to determine the apoptosis markers and a number of signaling molecules, i.e. protein BAX, activated caspase-3, phospho-AMPK (Thr172), phospho-AKT (Ser 437), phospho-p27Kip1 (Thr198), phospho-p27Kip1 (Thr157). PCR analysis was used to investigate the expression of pro-apoptotic markers in myoblasts. The investigation showed enhancement of apoptosis as well as АМРК and p27Kip1 dephosphorylation in the process of differentiation of myoblasts taken from m. soleus of tail-suspended rats.
EFFECT OF THE TOTAL SPACE FLIGHT TIME FOR CAREER ON THE STRUCTURE OF MORBIDITY AND SEVERITY OF CLINICAL COURSE AMONG VETERAN COSMONAUTS BY THE RESULTS OF COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Authors:   Federal Research & Clinic Center of Space Medicine of the Federal Biomedical Agency, Moscow, Zakharov S.Yu. , Baranov M.V. ,   Federal Research & Clinic Center of Space Medicine of the Federal Biomedical Agency, Moscow, Kaspransky R.R. ,   Federal Research & Clinic Center of Space Medicine of the Federal Biomedical Agency, Moscow
Published: December 2023

Data of medical examination of former pilot-cosmonauts (PCs) were compiled within the Longevity project. We compared 12 PCs of similar age but differing in total spaceflight time. Analysis was aimed at detecting a hypothesized connection of diagnosed diseases to the length of time spent in orbit. As for now, the present PCs sample is not enough to refer the detected pathologies to age-related diseases or detrimental consequences of the space factors.
ILAPU-Q: An Improved Lightweight Authentication Protocol for IoT
Based on U-quark Hash Function
Authors: Jebrane Jihane , Lazaar Saiida
Published: December 2023

Background:

In the last decades, the development of Internet activities has been
significantly accelerated, particularly with the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT). Heterogeneous devices in the IoT can seamlessly and feasibly inter-connect with each other without human interaction. Due to this revolution, many applications have been adopted in the arena of smart healthcare, e-commerce, environmental and habitat monitoring, etc. In order to
promote and facilitate people's standards of living around the world. However, these unbounded applications bring more challenges to the storage capabilities of devices, and their security
and privacy preservation. Moreover, security issues suffer from weak authentication protocols.

Methods:

To address these issues, suitable and secure lightweight mutual authentication
schemes based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are required for the approval of Identity
Management (IDM) of devices in the IoT. In this paper, we will propose an improved mutual
authentication scheme based on ECC, coupled with a relevant seminal work considered as a
reference in the field. This scheme is combined with U-Quark, a lightweight hash function, to
guarantee the security needed in the IoT environment.

Results:

We will compare our amended protocol with a seminal scheme as an established reference in terms of computation cost, storage cost, and executing CPU time to demonstrate that
our version can ensure the most favorable performance during the authentication process.

Conclusion:

Finally, our proposed mutual authentication scheme has demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing the security of IoT devices when compared to the seminal work in the
same computational environment.
A Review on the Joining of Dissimilar Materials with Special Context to Laser Welding
Authors: Purohit Aditya , Bajpai Tapas , Kumar Gupta Pankaj , Parihar Arpana
Published: December 2023

In recent times, there has been an increasing demand for dissimilar metal
fabrication, as this weldment utilizes the specific benefits of different metals for a
particular application. In this paper, the recent trends evolving in the field of dissimilar
material joining, which introduces residual stresses, distortions and formation of brittle
intermetallics within the structure is discussed. As these are highly undesirable,
therefore various techniques were studied by the researchers, which reduce the
distortions and formation of brittle intermetallics. The use of numerical techniques in
this field was also studied as they provided the researchers with an insight into the
process. Mostly, the joining of dissimilar material is done using friction stir welding
and laser welding, but the use of friction stir welding has constraints in terms of
material temperature thus, the joining of dissimilar weldment is discussed by giving a
special context to laser welding technology.