bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Palm Stearin in Poly (Butylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate) (PBAT)/ Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA) Biodegradable Feedstock
Authors: Nur Azrini Ramlee  , Ahmad Rafizan Mohamad Daud  , Muhammad Hussain Ismail  , Siti Fatimah Mohd Ariff  , Istikamah Subuki
Published: October 2023

Because of environmental concerns, the need to minimize reliance on fossil-based polymers and achieve sustainable growth is important today. In this study, poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) blend at 50/50 wt.% ratio were mixed with palm stearin (PS) ranging from 5 to 20 wt.%. The characterizations of the tri-component PBAT/PLA/PS polymer blend were done based on torque analysis, rheology, thermal properties, and mechanical properties. Results showed the PS induced the compatibilization to PBAT/PLA blend, with the evidence of both Tg PLA and PBAT shifter closer to each other. Moreover, the addition of the PS in the PBAT/PLA matrix decreased the torque value from 4 Nm to 2 Nm of the PBAT/PLA blends and reduce fluidity and showed good thermal stability properties, suggesting that the PS is an alternative material to compatibilized the PBAT/PLA blend. Evidently addition of 15 wt.% PS has also improved the PBAT/PLA blends properties such the elongation at break to approximately 200%.
The Industrial Revolution 4.0, Societal Well-Being and Firms Performance among Malaysian Listed Companies
Authors: Nor Asma Lode  , Wan Adibah Wan Ismail  , Khairul Anuar Kamarudin
Published: October 2023

In today's competitive economic landscape, companies around the world face mounting pressure to innovate and incorporate cutting-edge technology, particularly Industry 4.0 (IR4), into their operations. As a result, investing in the development and adoption of advanced IR4 technology has become increasingly crucial for businesses looking to remain competitive. Additionally, there is growing demand for companies to prioritize their responsibilities to society, including improving their workforce, upholding human rights, supporting local communities, and ensuring product safety and reliability. In light of these factors, it is important to investigate the relationship between a company's commitment to Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) and societal well-being with the overall firm performance. This study examines a sample of 309 firm-year observations from publicly listed companies in Malaysia between 2010 and 2018, utilizing data from the Refinitiv database and employing multiple regression analysis. The results of the study demonstrate a positive association between a company's commitment to IR 4.0 and societal well-being with its overall firm performance. Further analysis also shows that individual components of social scores, such as workforce, human rights, community, and product responsibility, have a positive impact on firm performance. The findings of this study offer valuable insights to investors and policymakers, suggesting that a company's commitment to adopting digital technology and promoting societal well-being can lead to improved performance.
Conservation Digitalization through Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM): Online Database Theoretical Review
Authors: Mohd Nurfaisal Baharuddin  , Nur Aina Iylia Husa  , Nur Fadhilah Bahardin  , Abdul Hadi Nawawi  , Siti Norlizaiha Harun  , Afifuddin Husairi Hussin
Published: October 2023

It is essential in today's world to protect and maintain cultural heritage in the face of threats posed by modernity, development, and climate change, all of which have the potential to shorten the useful lifespan of cultural heritage. On the other hand, the effort involved in conservation is far more challenging since incomplete documentation frequently leads to misunderstandings and incorrect interpretations. Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is a tool that came into latter part of the 2000s with the intention of assisting in the management of the conservation, rehabilitation, and retrofitting of heritage structures. When it comes to the management and digitization of documents associated with historical buildings and artefacts, HBIM is often regarded as the most trustworthy tools available. The main objective of this paper is to identify theories concerning HBIM based on theoretical review conducted via online database. On 9th October 2022, the search had been made using Scopus online database, 1346 articles and conferences paper were selected in this research, after screening phases, only 65 high quality articles were included. As a result, HBIM digitalization model is proposed.
Importance of identifying genetic cardiovarscular risk in pediatric patients
Authors: Sánchez-Vargas Juan Manuel , Moreno-Giraldo Lina Johanna
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a disease with autosomal dominant inheritance, manifesting in homozygous (HFHo) or heterozygous (HFHe) genotypes. It is characterized by elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. It can lead to atherosclerotic plaque formation in the coronary arteries and proximal aorta at an early age, increasing the risk of premature cardiovascular events such as angina and acute myocardial infarction.
Diagnosis can be made with two aspects: clinical and genetic. Case report: We present the case of an asymptomatic adolescent patient with a relevant family history of cardiovascular disease in the first and second degree of consanguinity, hyperlipidemia of difficult management and early deaths. Given the family history and the importance of ruling out an inherited genetic disease associated with cardiovascular risk, a lipid profile was requested with abnormal results of hyperlipidemia at the expense of plasma LDL. Following these results, a molecular panel of genes associated with hypercholesterolemia was requested, obtaining pathogenic variants in the gene encoding the LDL receptor (LDLR) and in the LDL receptor adaptor protein 1 (LDLRAP1) gene, both associated with familial hypercholesterolemia. Discussion and conclusion: With this result, it is possible to carry out an adequate predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory intervention. A targeted treatment can be established, an adequate follow-up and genetic counseling can be carried out, including risk of heritability, active search for other possible relatives carriers of the disease, and thus have an impact on morbidity and mortality.
Variant identification and interpretation
Authors: Mendez-Rios Jorge David
Published: October 2023

The process of variant identification by molecular technologies, through sequencing or array-based methods, is a complex process that requires protocols, quality controls, and technical and clinical knowledge. The complexity of the process does not end with the identification of a genomic variant, but molecular geneticists and clinicians must have sufficient knowledge and experience to interpret the finding and suggest the impact that this variant may or may not have on the patient.Interpretation is not an isolated exercise, but requires repetitive review and systematic review of the available literature on the variant in question. It also requires knowledge of epidemiology, statistics and research methodology to be able to establish a reasonable interpretation with the greatest possible certainty, which is especially important in a clinical setting. Mastering new computer resources such as variant databases (ClinVar, ClinGen, among others) and knowing the population frequency of that variant are additional skills necessary in the exercise of clinical molecular diagnosis.
For this reason, in this issue we are pleased to present three clinical cases focused on molecular diagnostics: a case of Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome, another on familial hypercholesterolemia, and finally, a third clinical case on Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. The three present different approaches, perspectives, and conclusions, allowing us to see the methodologies already implemented in our region. We also present an article on pain and its genetic basis, putting into perspective the variability of perception of each individual to pain stimuli, which may depend on genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors.This issue shows our regional efforts to carry out molecular diagnostics and precision medicine, which are already a reality in our countries, and at the same time, we share knowledge and experiences, which will allow us to document the advances in this discipline of Genetics and Clinical Genomics.
Once again, we thank you, our reader, for appreciating this group effort, and we invite you to participate in this academic exercise in our next issues. We hope you will once again enjoy this second issue we have prepared for you.
GAZİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ SPOR YÖNETİCİLİĞİ BÖLÜMÜNE İKİ FARKLI ÖĞRENCİ ALIM SİSTEMİ İLE YERLEŞTİRİLMİŞ ÖĞRENCİLERİN KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: PARASIZ Özgün , HALICI Alperen
Published: October 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Gazi Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi Spor Yöneticiliği bölümüne özel yetenek ve merkezi yerleştirme sınavı sistemleri ile yerleştirilmiş mezun öğrencilerin çeşitli değişkenler açısından karşılaştırmaktır. Tarama modelinin kullanıldığı çalışmada katılımcıların belirlenmesinde amaçlı örneklem yönteminden tipik örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Bu kapsamda temel özellikleri bakımından evrenden farklılaşmaması, evreni temsil yeteneği olması ve hem merkezi hem de özel yetenek sınavıyla alım yapmış olması nedeniyle Gazi Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi tercih edilmiştir. Araştırmanın katılımcılarını 2007-2011 yılları arasında özel yetenek sınavıyla, 2012-2016 yılları arasında merkezi yerleştirme sistemi ile mezun olmuş toplam 301 öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Öğrencilerin teorik ve uygulamalı ders ortalamalarını belirleyebilmek için zorunlu olarak aldıkları 54 ders çalışma kapsamında incelenmiştir. Veriler Gazi Üniversitesi öğrenci bilgi sisteminden elde edilmiştir. Veri analizinde frekans ve yüzde analizi ve öğrencilerin akademik ortalamaları arasında anlamlı bir fark olup olmadığını test etmek için bağımsız örneklem t testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmamızda elde edilen verilerin analizi ile MYS puanı ile giriş yapan öğrencilerin hem teorik hem de uygulama ders genel başarı puanları ve derse devam durum ortalamalarının ÖYS ile giriş yapan öğrencilerden yüksek olduğu ve genel not ortalamalarının da anlamlı şekilde (p
FAST-ASKAP Synergy: Quantifying Coexistent Tidal and Ram Pressure Strippings in the NGC 4636 Group
Authors: Lin 林 Xuchen 旭辰 , Wang 王 Jing 菁 , Kilborn Virginia , Peng Eric W. , Cortese Luca , Boselli Alessandro , Liang 梁 Ze-Zhong 泽众 , Lee Bumhyun , Yang 杨 Dong 冬 , Catinella Barbara , Deg N. , Dénes H. , Elagali Ahmed , Kamphuis P. , Koribalski B. S. , Lee-Waddell K. , Rhee Jonghwan , Shao 邵 Li 立 , Spekkens Kristine , Staveley-Smith Lister , Westmeier T. , Wong O. Ivy , Bekki Kenji , Bosma Albert , Du 杜 Min 敏 , Ho Luis C. , Madrid Juan P. , Verdes-Montenegro Lourdes , Wang 王 Huiyuan 慧元 , Wang 王 Shun 舜
Published: October 2023

Combining new H i data from a synergetic survey of Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) Widefield ASKAP L-band Legacy All-sky Blind surveY and Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope with the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA data, we study the effect of ram pressure and tidal interactions in the NGC 4636 group. We develop two parameters to quantify and disentangle these two effects on gas stripping in H i-bearing galaxies: the strength of external forces at the optical-disk edge, and the outside-in extents of H i-disk stripping. We find that gas stripping is widespread in this group, affecting 80% of H i-detected nonmerging galaxies, and that 41% are experiencing both types of stripping. Among the galaxies experiencing both effects, the two types of strengths are independent, while two H i-stripping extents moderately anticorrelate with each other. Both strengths are correlated with H i-disk shrinkage. The tidal strength is related to a rather uniform reddening of low-mass galaxies (M
* < 109
M
☉) when tidal stripping is the dominating effect. In contrast, ram pressure is not clearly linked to the color-changing patterns of galaxies in the group. Combining these two stripping extents, we estimate the total stripping extent, and put forward an empirical model that can describe the decrease of H i richness as galaxies fall toward the group center. The stripping timescale we derived decreases with distance to the center, from ∼1 Gyr beyond R
200 to ≲10 Myr near the center. Gas depletion happens ∼3 Gyr since crossing 2R
200 for H i-rich galaxies, but much quicker for H i-poor ones. Our results quantify in a physically motivated way the details and processes of environmental-effects-driven galaxy evolution, and might assist in analyzing hydrodynamic simulations in an observational way.
A Comprehensive Optical Search for Pre-explosion Outbursts from the Quiescent Progenitor of SN 2023ixf
Authors: Dong 董 Yize 一泽 , Sand David J. , Valenti Stefano , Bostroem K. Azalee , Andrews Jennifer E. , Hosseinzadeh Griffin , Hoang Emily , Janzen Daryl , Jencson Jacob E. , Lundquist Michael , Meza Retamal Nicolas E. , Pearson Jeniveve , Shrestha Manisha , Haislip Joshua , Kouprianov Vladimir , Reichart Daniel E.
Published: October 2023

We perform a comprehensive search for optical precursor emission at the position of SN 2023ixf using data from the DLT40, ZTF, and ATLAS surveys. By comparing the current data set with precursor outburst hydrodynamical model light curves, we find that the probability of a significant outburst within 5 yr of explosion is low, and the circumstellar material (CSM) ejected during any possible precursor outburst is likely smaller than ∼0.015M
⊙. By comparing to a set of toy models, we find that, if there was a precursor outburst, the duration must have been shorter than ∼100 days for a typical brightness of M

r
≃ −9 mag or shorter than 200 days for M

r
≃ −8 mag; brighter, longer outbursts would have been discovered. Precursor activity like that observed in the normal Type II SN 2020tlf (M

r
≃ −11.5) can be excluded in SN 2023ixf. If the dense CSM inferred by early flash spectroscopy and other studies is related to one or more precursor outbursts, then our observations indicate that any such outburst would have to be faint and only last for days to months, or it occurred more than 5 yr prior to the explosion. Alternatively, any dense, confined CSM may not be due to eruptive mass loss from a single red supergiant progenitor. Taken together, the results of SN 2023ixf and SN 2020tlf indicate that there may be more than one physical mechanism behind the dense CSM inferred around some normal Type II supernovae.
Simultaneous NICER and NuSTAR Observations of the Ultracompact X-Ray Binary 4U 0614+091
Authors: Moutard D. L. , Ludlam R. M. , García J. A. , Altamirano D. , Buisson D. J. K. , Cackett E. M. , Chenevez J. , Degenaar N. , Fabian A. C. , Homan J. , Jaodand A. , Pike S. N. , Shaw A. W. , Strohmayer T. E. , Tomsick J. A. , Coughenour B. M.
Published: October 2023

We present the first joint NuSTAR and NICER observations of the ultracompact X-ray binary 4U 0614+091. This source shows quasiperiodic flux variations on the timescale of ∼days. We use reflection modeling techniques to study various components of the accretion system as the flux varies. We find that the flux of the reflected emission and the thermal components representing the disk and the compact object trend closely with the overall flux. However, the flux of the power-law component representing the illuminating X-ray corona scales in the opposite direction, increasing as the total flux decreases. During the lowest flux observation, we see evidence of accretion disk truncation from roughly 6 gravitational radii to 11.5 gravitational radii. This is potentially analogous to the truncation seen in black hole low-mass X-ray binaries, which tends to occur during the low/hard state at sufficiently low Eddington ratios.
Anomalous Response of Mercury’s Magnetosphere to Solar Wind Compression: Comparison to Earth
Authors: Chen Yu-Wei , Shue Jih-Hong , Zhong Jun , Shen Han-Wen
Published: October 2023

Magnetic field intensity increases when solar wind compresses a planet’s magnetosphere. The compression can be measured using the ratio of compressed magnetic fields to purely dipolar magnetic fields just inside the magnetopause. For Earth, the ratio is proportional to the subsolar standoff distance of the magnetopause. Data from in-orbit observations by the MESSENGER spacecraft indicate an opposite ratio for Mercury; the compression ratio is inversely proportional to the subsolar standoff distance. The additional magnetic fields induced by currents at the top of Mercury’s core enhance the total magnetic field strength. We also evaluated differences in the subsolar standoff of Mercury’s magnetopause according to the north–south polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Previous studies have not identified meaningful differences in subsolar standoff distance between those in northward versus southward IMF polarities for Mercury; however, we found that the difference is statistically significant at a large IMF B

Z
(15–20 nT). The magnetic reconnection that occurs behind the cusp for a large northward IMF transfers the magnetic flux to the dayside and increases the subsolar standoff distance. The eroded magnetic flux for a large southward IMF is compensated by the induced magnetic fields.
Steadiness of Coronal Heating
Authors: Judge P. G.
Published: October 2023

The EUI instrument on the Solar Orbiter spacecraft has obtained the most stable, high-resolution images of the solar corona from its orbit with a perihelion near 0.4 au. A sequence of 360 images obtained at 17.1 nm, between 2022 October 25 19:00 and 19:30 UT, is scrutinized. One image pixel corresponds to 148 km at the solar surface. The widely held belief that the outer atmosphere of the Sun is in a continuous state of magnetic turmoil is pitted against the EUI data. The observed plasma variations appear to fall into two classes. By far the dominant behavior is a very low amplitude variation in brightness (1%) in the coronal loops, with larger variations in some footpoint regions. No hints of observable changes in magnetic topology are associated with such small variations. The larger-amplitude, more rapid, rarer, and less well organized changes are associated with flux emergence. It is suggested therefore that while magnetic reconnection drives the latter, most of the active corona is heated with no evidence of a role for large-scale (observable) reconnection. Since most coronal emission-line widths are subsonic, the bulk of coronal heating, if driven by reconnection, can only be of tangentially discontinuous magnetic fields, with angles below about 0.5c

S
/c
A ∼ 0.3β, with β the plasma beta parameter (∼0.01) and c

S
and c
A the sound and Alfvén speeds, respectively. If heated by multiple small flare-like events, then these must be ≲1021 erg, i.e., picoflares. But processes other than reconnection have yet to be ruled out, such as viscous dissipation, which may contribute to the steady heating of coronal loops over active regions.
A Severe Challenge to the Modified Newtonian Dynamics Phenomenology in Our Galaxy
Authors: Chan Man Ho , Law Ka Chung
Published: October 2023

Modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) is one of the most popular alternative theories of dark matter to explain the missing mass problem in galaxies. Although it remains controversial regarding MOND as a fundamental theory, MOND phenomenology has been shown to widely apply in different galaxies, which poses challenges to the standard Lambda cold dark matter model. In this article, we derive analytically the galactic rotation curve gradient in the MOND framework and present a rigorous analysis to examine the MOND phenomenology in our Galaxy. By assuming a benchmark baryonic disk density profile and two popular families of MOND interpolating functions, we show for the first time that the recent discovery of the declining Galactic rotation curve in the outer region (R ≈ 17–23 kpc) can almost rule out the MOND phenomenology at more than 5σ. This strongly supports some of the previous studies claiming that MOND is neither a fundamental theory nor a universal description of galactic properties.
Distinguishing Active Galactic Nuclei Feedback Models with the Thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich Effect
Authors: Grayson Skylar , Scannapieco Evan , Davé Romeel
Published: October 2023

Current models of galaxy formation require strong feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) to explain the observed lack of star formation in massive galaxies since z ≈ 2, but direct evidence of this energy input is limited. We use the SIMBA cosmological galaxy formation simulations to assess the ability of thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (tSZ) measurements to provide such evidence, by mapping the pressure structure of the circumgalactic medium around massive z ≈ 0.2–1.5 galaxies. We undertake a stacking approach to calculate the total tSZ signal and its radial profile in simulations with varying assumptions of AGN feedback, and we assess its observability with current and future telescopes. By convolving our predictions with the 2.′1 beam of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, we show that current observations at z ≈ 1 are consistent with SIMBA’s fiducial treatment of AGN feedback and inconsistent with SIMBA models without feedback. At z ≈ 0.5, observational signals lie between SIMBA run with and without AGN feedback, suggesting AGN in SIMBA may inject too much energy at late times. By convolving our data with a 9.″5 beam corresponding to the TolTEC camera on the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano, we predict a unique profile for AGN feedback that can be distinguished with future higher-resolution measurements. Finally, we explore a novel approach to quantify the nonspherically symmetric features surrounding our galaxies by plotting radial profiles representing the component of the stack with m-fold symmetry.
Inflammation is responsible for systemic bone loss in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab
Authors: Lim Mie Jin , Jung Kyong-Hee , Kwon Seong-Ryul , Park Won
Published: October 2023

Background/Aims: We investigated the effect of rituximab on systemic bone metabolism in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: Twenty seropositive patients with RA were enrolled and administered one cycle of rituximab. If RA became active for > 6 months after the first rituximab cycle, a second cycle was initiated; otherwise, no additional treatment was administered. Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of rituximab treatment cycles.Results: In patients treated with a second cycle, the total hip bone mineral density (BMD) was clinically low, whereas the serum levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) were increased at 12 months. BMD in patients treated with one cycle did not change at 12 months, whereas serum RANKL levels decreased at all time points. DAS28 activity improved in both groups from baseline to 4 months; however, from 4 to 12 months, DAS28 activity worsened in the develgroup with the second cycle but remained stable in the group with one cycle.Conclusions: Systemic inflammation, reflected by increased disease activity, may be responsible for the increase in RANKL levels, which causes systemic bone loss in rituximab-treated patients with RA. Although rituximab affects inflammation, it does not seem to alter systemic bone metabolism in RA.
Alterations in lung and gut microbiota reduce diversity in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
Authors: Choi Ji Yeon , Shim Bora , Park Youngmok , Kang Young Ae
Published: October 2023

Background/Aims: Although the incidence of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), a chronic infectious disease, is increasing, lung and gut microbiota dysbiosis in NTM patients has rarely been studied and was therefore the focus of this study.Methods: We analyzed the microbiota diversity in sputum and stool samples from 10 healthy subjects and 10 patients with NTM-PD through sequencing of the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. In NTM-PD patients, we comparatively evaluated the microbiota diversity according to the body mass index (BMI), with BMI ≤ 18.5 kg/m2 defined as “underweight” and BMI > 18.5 kg/m2 as “others.”Results: The sputum microbiota from NTM-PD patients tended to have lower index values of amplicon sequence variant richness, Shannon evenness, and beta diversity than those from the control group. Furthermore, NTM-PD patients with a low BMI had a lower microbiota diversity than patients with high BMI. Fecal samples from NTM-PD patients also significantly differed in alpha and beta diversity compared with the control group and exhibited a diversity pattern similar to that found in sputum samples.Conclusions: Our results reveal that the lung and gut microbiota of patients with NTM-PD exhibit an altered distribution and reduced richness and diversity.
Le trône et l’autel en danger
Authors: Rabain Nicolas , Medjkane François
Published: October 2023

Les auteurs et coordinateurs du numéro Binaires/Non-Binaires examinent les questions suscitées par l’exploration de l’identité de genre et de la non-binarité à l’adolescence selon trois axes : le prisme des patient·e·s, celui de leurs parents et enfin, celui des soignants amenés à les rencontrer. Pour ce faire, la démarche freudienne les aiguille vers une créativité subversive plutôt que vers un ensemble de dogmes réactionnaires.
Penser les transidentités au prisme de l’adolescence
Authors: Pechikoff Stéphanie
Published: October 2023

L’actualité des faits trans doit être mise en lien avec les évolutions sociétales de nos modèles occidentaux, ce qui permet de révéler leur dimension politique. Les adolescent·e·s, figures de la modernité, sont particulièrement à même d’incarner les questionnements transidentitaires. En les conflictualisant avec le processus de subjectivation propre à leur âge, elles/ils nous invitent à repenser nos grilles de lecture des identités genrées, ainsi que la logique binaire qui fonde la différence des sexes.
Rupture et continuité de la binarité
Authors: Tajer Débora , Reid Graciela Beatriz , Lavarello María Laura , Cuadra María Eugenia , Saavedra Lucía , Corel Claudina
Published: October 2023

Nous présentons ici des expériences et des résultats de recherche qui articulent psychanalyse, études de genre et santé communautaire, aux effets du binarisme sexuel et identitaire ainsi qu’aux nouveautés produites par les transformations et les avancées en matière de droit et de citoyenneté. Dans ce cadre, nous avons pu constater l’éclatement des représentations patriarcales et du regard adulto-centré dans la relation entre les genres et entre les générations.
Concentration for multiplier empirical processes with dependent weights
Authors: Zhang Huiming , Huang Hengzhen
Published: October 2023

A novel concentration inequality for the sum of independent sub-Gaussian variables with random dependent weights is introduced in statistical settings for high-dimensional data. The random dependent weights are functions of some regularized estimators. We applied the proposed concentration inequality to obtain a high probability bound for the stochastic Lipschitz constant for negative binomial loss functions involved in Lasso-penalized negative binomial regressions. We used this bound to study oracle inequalities for Lasso estimators. Additionally, a similar concentration inequality was derived for a randomly weighted sum of independent centred exponential family variables.
Guarino Guarini y el proyecto de escaleras en los tratados italianos
Authors: Zerlenga Ornella , Cirillo Vincenzo
Published: October 2023

Este estudio investiga los modelos de escalera propuestos por Guarino Guarini (1624-1683) en su Tratado Architettura Civile (1737). A través de la lectura de los textos y de las pocas ilustraciones contenidas en el Tratado, se han elaborado varios modelos gráficos, destacando la configuración geométrica y las características espaciales de los tipos presentados. Estos modelos se comparan luego con los propuestos por otros tratados italianos, incluidos los de Serlio y Palladio. Aquí son significativos los métodos de representación geométrica utilizados por Guarini para dibujar las escaleras, así como su crítica al matemático español Juan Caramuel y Lobkowitz (1606-1682) y su Architectura Civil Recta y Obliqua (1678-1679), que Guarini analizó en términos de configuración espacial y decoración de la escalera.
Effect of Number of Cycles on Surface Roughness of PPS Thrust Bearings Under Rolling Contact Fatigue in Water
Authors: Kajiwara Shuhei , Matsueda Takahiro , Mizobe Koshiro , Kida Katsuyuki
Published: October 2023

Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) caused crack propagation, flaking, and wear. We focused on the wear in the present study because in recent years it was found that PPS thrust bearings under the RCF in water caused wear. The RCF test was performed under a thrust load of 2300 N in water to investigate the effect of the number of cycles on surface roughness in detail. We obtained the experimental results that Ra and Rz values decrease with the number of cycles. This means the bottom surface is worn down at the early stage of wear fatigue.
Residual Stresses of the Laser Welded Abrasion Resistant Steel Butt Joints
Authors: Hietala Mikko , Keskitalo Markku , Järvenpää Antti
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates residual stresses of the laser welded abrasion resistant steel butt joints. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to measure the residual stresses of the laser welded joints. The geometry and mechanical properties of the joints were also investigated. The weld metal hardness of the weld made with the lowest welding energy corresponded to the hardness of the base material. The welding energy had a significant effect on the hardness profiles of the welds. With the lowest welding energy, the tensile strength reached a strength corresponding to the yield strength of the base material. The residual stress results perpendicular to the weld corresponded well to the hardness profiles of the joints. The residual stresses were mainly tensile stress. The measured maximum residual stresses were 480 MPa.
Acute and sub-acute toxicological evaluation of Barleria prionitis Linn. in Wistar albino rats
Authors: Sachinthi S. Amarasiri  , Anoja P. Attanayake  , Mudduwa Lakmini K. B. , Jayatilaka Kamani A. P. W.
Published: October 2023

Despite the wide usage of Barleria prionitis Linn. (Acanthaceae) in traditional medicine, controversial findings have been reported on possible toxic effects of the plant. The present study evaluated the acute and sub-acute toxic/adverse effects of B. prionitis using a healthy Wistar albino rat model. Repeated oral administration of the hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and aqueous extracts of the whole plant at therapeutic doses (25, 80, 70, and 120 mg/kg) revealed no mortality or treatmentrelated hematological and biochemical changes in experimental rats. However, statistically significant changes were observed in a few red cell and white cell parameters, suggesting increased erythropoiesis and immunity in experimental rats treated with B. prionitis (p<0.05). The findings on total cholesterol, glucose, and liver function tests revealed potential changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and liver functions after treatments. However, the absence of statistically significant changes in the plant treated groups was noted compared to their respective vehicle control groups (p>0.05), and the lack of those changes in male and female rats excludes potential toxic effects from B. prionitis extracts. The findings on the relative weight of organs and histopathology further corroborated the safe use of the selected extracts at doses in therapeutic applications. In conclusion, the findings on acute and 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity assessments of the whole plant extracts resulted in neither mortality nor treatment-related hematological, biochemical, and histopathological changes in healthy Wistar albino rats.
Larval T Cells Are Functionally Distinct from Adult T Cells in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Paiola Matthieu , McGuire Connor C , Lopez Ruiz Vania , De Jesús Andino Francisco , Robert Jacques
Published: October 2023

The amphibian Xenopus laevis tadpole provides a unique comparative experimental organism for investigating the roles of innate-like T (iT) cells in tolerogenic immunity during early development. Unlike mammals and adult frogs, where conventional T cells are dominant, tadpoles rely mostly on several prominent distinct subsets of iT cells interacting with cognate nonpolymorphic MHC class I–like molecules. In the present study, to investigate whole T cell responsiveness ontogenesis in X. laevis, we determined in tadpoles and adult frogs the capacity of splenic T cells to proliferate in vivo upon infection with two different pathogens, ranavirus FV3 and Mycobacterium marinum, as well as in vitro upon PHA stimulation using the thymidine analogous 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and flow cytometry. We also analyzed by RT-quantitative PCR T cell responsiveness upon PHA stimulation. In vivo tadpole splenic T cells showed limited capacity to proliferate, whereas the in vitro proliferation rate was higher than adult T cells. Gene markers for T cell activation and immediate-early genes induced upon TCR activation were upregulated with similar kinetics in tadpole and adult splenocytes. However, the tadpole T cell signature included a lower amplitude in the TCR signaling, which is a hallmark of mammalian memory-like T cells and iT or “preset” T cells. This study suggests that reminiscent of mammalian neonatal T cells, tadpole T cells are functionally different from their adult counterpart.
The effect of pregnant mother assistance on stunting prevention behavior
Authors: Siregar Nursyahid , Nurachma Evy , Raihanah Siti
Published: October 2023

Stunting, a consequence of prolonged inadequate nutrition, often due to improper feeding practices, was a significant health issue. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal assistance on behaviors aimed at preventing stunting. The research employed a pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-test and post-test for 32 pregnant women attending a Samarinda health center. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires evaluating knowledge, attitudes, and actions. The result of the study revealed that most participants were aged 18-25, had a high level of education, and were housewives. A majority had an income exceeding 2,868,081 units, were primigravida, and lived in nuclear families. Notably, maternal assistance significantly improved stunting prevention behaviors, as evidenced by a p-value of 0.005. This study emphasizes the positive impact of providing comprehensive support, including education and counseling, to pregnant women. Such assistance could enhance knowledge, attitudes, and actions related to stunting prevention. Health professionals should prioritize this support to reduce the risk of stunting among children and promote maternal and child health.
The Reason for Vitamin–Mineral Supplement Intake among Secondary School Adolescents in Malaysia and its Association with Nutritional Status and Dietary Practice
Authors: Baharudin Azli , Othman Fatimah , Sallehuddin Syafinaz Mohd , Ghafar Suhaila Abd , Amali Khairul Hasnan , Wong Norazizah Ibrahim , Zainuddin Ahmad Ali
Published: October 2023

Background:

Vitamin mineral supplement (VMS) consumption is prevalent among the population, particularly adolescents. However, literature about the factors associated with the reasons for consuming VMS has not been investigated in Malaysia, indeed adolescents’ nutrition is important as they experience body change during this period.

Objectives:

Thus, this cross-sectional, national health study aims to determine the association between nutritional status, dietary practice and reasons for VMS consumption among secondary schools in Malaysia.

Methods:

A total of 40,087 adolescents aged 10-18 completed the questionnaire. Among them, only 22.6% (9,077) of them from secondary school consumed VMS and were included in this study.

Results:

Gender, height-for-age, strata, ethnicity, hunger experience, eating out and breakfast intake frequency were associated with the reasons for VMS intake. After the adjustment, stunted adolescents were more likely to consume VMS due to the doctor’s prescription (RRR:1.51, 95% CI: 1.11-2.10). Adolescents who sometimes experienced hunger were more probable to consume VMS due to doctor’s instruction, self-awareness and friends’ influence as compared to other unspecified reasons (RRR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08-1.85; RRR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07-1.77; RRR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.27-3.08, respectively). No association was found between dietary behaviour and the reason for the VMS intake. For meal pattern, adolescents who skipped breakfast were less likely to consume VMS due to doctor’s instruction, parents’ advices and self-awareness (RRR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.39-0.72; RRR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.38-0.66; RRR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.78, respectively).

Conclusion:

This study suggested that further studies were needed to investigate the role of VMS use in relation to nutrient adequacy, overconsumption and health.
Body Image Perception and Mental Well-being among University Students
Authors: Kumar Kousalya V. , Siddiqua M. Ayesha , Pachiyappan Tamilselvan , Venugopal Ragukumar
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

The increasing concern regarding body image perception has prompted research attention, particularly among individuals pursuing business management degrees. This study is set within a multi-disciplinary university in Tamil Nadu and focuses on examining the body image perception of business management majors.

Aim and Objective:

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the relationship between body image perception, personality traits, and resilience among business management majors. The study seeks to understand whether certain factors such as body needs, feelings of inferiority, positive body attitude, and personality traits are linked to resilience levels.

MATERIALS AND Methods:

The study included 114 participants (N=114) who were enrolled as business management majors in the university. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that was adapted from established scales. The Body Image Appreciation Scale and Overall Appearance Evaluation from the Body Self Image Questionnaire-Short Form were utilized to assess body image perception. Resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale, and personality traits were evaluated using Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire.

Results:

The findings revealed significant associations among various factors. Positive body attitude, feelings of inferiority, and body needs were found to be linked with levels of resilience. Additionally, personality traits demonstrated a connection with resilience levels. A majority of business majors exhibited a positive body image perception, along with average resilience levels. The study indicated that those with extroverted, stable, or neurotic personality traits had similar resilience levels. However, a notable proportion of participants displayed negative body image perceptions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of investigating body image perception among business management majors. The results suggest a correlation between body image perception, personality traits, and resilience levels. While most participants displayed a positive body image and normal resilience, the presence of negative body image perceptions among a considerable subset highlights the necessity for interventions aimed at addressing this concern. Such interventions could contribute to the overall well-being and success of individuals pursuing business management degrees.
A Simple Validated High-performance Thin-layer Chromatographic-densitometric Analysis Method for Simultaneous Quantitation of Betulin, Lupeol, Stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol in Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees
Authors: Raval Sadanand Eknath , Saple Seema R. , Vaidya Vikas V.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees is an essential and versatile ingredient in traditional medicine and herbal formulations, owing to their in curing ability against numerous diseases and disorders. There are forms of utilization like hot water extract, Methanol and ethanol extracts, as well as in some eastern parts of India, the plant is used daily as a leafy vegetable for human consumption during the medical treatment2,3. Also, it is considered a nutritious fodder for cattle. With many essential vitamins and minerals, available literature also reports vital phytoconstituents like Betulin, Lupeol, Stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol as therapeutic activity enhancers for Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees. Standardizing these vital phytoconstituents in the raw material will control the quality of the herbal formulations, extracts, and nutritional value.

Aim:

To develop and validate a HPTLC method-densitometric analysis method for simultaneous quantitation of four phytoconstituents of Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees.

Objective:

The method should be simple, capable of separating Betulin, Lupeol, Stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol to simultaneously estimate the contents at 366nm and 540nm. Further, the method is validated following the guidelines laid by ICH, Q2 (R1).

Materials and Methods:

Precoated F254 silica gel TLC plates of Merck were utilized as stationary phase to carry out the separation in combination with n-Hexane: Ethyl acetate (8:2) as mobile phase. After development phytoconstituents were derivatized with Anisaldehyde Sulphuric Acid Reagent and TLC plates are dried at 100 °C for 3 min before visualization at 366nm and 540nm.

Results:

In summary, the method separates all the phytoconstituents adequately and is specific, the limit of detection–limit of quantification for betulin is 0.8 ng and 2.4 ng, lupeol is 0.3 ng and 1.02 ng, and total sterols is 0.2 ng and 0.7 ng the coefficient of variance for precision (Intraday and Interday) is Not more than (NMT) 5%, Linearity and Range is 0.5ng to 6ng, and Recovery ranges from 88.5% to 96.8%.

Conclusion:

It is evidential from the obtained results of the study that method is selective, sensitive, and reproducible for simultaneous analysis of Betulin, Lupeol, Stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol in Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees.
A review of clinical trials registered in India from 2008 to 2022 to describe the first-in-human trials
Authors: Sabu Sowparnika Treasa , Venkatraman Shravan , Cherian Jerin Jose , Das Saibal , Pahuja Monika , Adhikari Tulsi , Mukherjee Shoibal , Chatterjee Nabendu Sekhar , Kshirsagar Nilima Arun
Published: October 2023

Aim:

This analysis was conducted to review the number, and describe the characteristics of first-in-human (FIH) Phase 1 clinical trials registered in India from 2008 to 2022.

Materials and Methods:

The data were extracted from the Clinical Trials Registry – India database for all FIH Phase 1 clinical trials registered between 2008 and 2022. Early-phase trials that were not FIH trials (e.g., pharmacokinetic studies and drug–drug interaction studies) were excluded from the study.

Results:

A total of 1891 trials were retrieved and 220 were included in the analysis. Most of the investigational products were drugs (55%) followed by vaccines (38.2%). The most common therapeutic class of drugs was cancer chemotherapy (19.8%), followed by antimicrobial chemotherapy and endocrinology (18.2% each). The most common vaccine was the influenza vaccine (21.4%), followed by the measles–mumps–rubella vaccine (15.5%). The pharmaceutical industry was the predominant sponsor for most (91%) of the Phase 1 trials. Of the top five sites where most of the Phase 1 trials were conducted, three were private nonacademic centers (cumulatively 31%) and two were tertiary care medical colleges (cumulatively 9%).

Conclusion:

Phase 1 clinical trials seem to be conducted in India predominantly with industry sponsorship. There is a need to have an alternate ecosystem to take forward molecules that do not receive adequate attention from the industry and molecules that are of national health priority other than areas such as chemotherapy, antimicrobials, and endocrinology. The Indian Council of Medical Research is setting up Phase 1 clinical trial capacity for molecules that predominantly may arise from nonindustry channels.
Are Pediatric Residents in Saudi Arabia Equipped to Provide Breastfeeding Care? A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bahawi Yara O. , Al-Wassia Heidi K. , Bahaidarah Saud A. , Aloufi Faisal S. , Aljehani Mohammed A. , Alfaydi Rafah A. , Alghamdi Jana S.
Published: October 2023

Background:

There is a progressive reduction in breastfeeding rates in Saudi Arabia. Counseling and support from health-care providers are useful in overcoming barriers to continuing breastfeeding. However, medical education and residency programs often do not adequately provide breastfeeding training.

Objective:

To determine the knowledge, comfort level, perception, and clinical practices of pediatric residents regarding breastfeeding in Saudi Arabia and to measure the level and type of education received during their residency training.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study included pediatric residents from across Saudi Arabia who were registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Sciences and was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022. A validated self-reported questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. Knowledge score was calculated as a percentage of correct answers.

Results:

A total of 253 residents completed the survey. The mean knowledge score was 58.4% ± 22.7%, which was lower than the cut-off threshold of good knowledge. Almost half of the residents (49.4%) were confident about addressing breastfeeding-related concerns. Although nearly all residents (91.7%) agreed that breastfeeding promotion is part of their role, 35% never or rarely met the mother before birth to discuss breastfeeding. Didactic teaching was the most prevalent educational tool during their training (34.3%); however, most residents preferred learning through interactive workshops (83.7%) and following lactation consultants (82.8%).

Conclusion:

Despite positive perceptions and confidence in providing breastfeeding care, pediatric residents in Saudi Arabia lack optimal knowledge of breastfeeding. These findings indicate the need for enhancing breastfeeding curricula in pediatric residency programs to improve breastfeeding consultation and management.