bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age Effects on Subtest and Composite Scores of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence–Second Edition
Authors: Ryan Joseph J. , Gontkovsky Samuel T. , Kreiner David S.
Published: October 2023

We evaluated age effects in the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence–Second Edition (WASI-II) standardization sample. This extends work completed using previous editions of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales. Of the four subtests, Vocabulary (VC) and Similarities (SI) were most resistant to aging. VC showed minimal variation regardless of age; SI peaked at 30 to 54 years followed by a decline. Block Design (BD) and Matrix Reasoning (MR) showed substantial drops from the younger to older groups. BD peaked at 17 to 44 years and then declined; MR peaked at 20 to 29 years and then consistently deteriorated. The WASI-II Verbal Comprehension Index peak at 30 to 44 years was followed by a maximum drop at 85 to 90 years. The Perceptual Reasoning Index peaked at 20 to 29 years, with a marked decline by 65 to 69 years. The Full Scale IQ was average until age 65 years followed by a decline. Minor changes in points of peak performance and subsequent decline were seen as a function of Full Scale IQ level. Results were consistent with crystallized and fluid intelligence theory.
Age-related differences in temporal binding and the influence of action body parts
Authors: Fujii Yoshitaka , Kuroda Naoki , Teraoka Ryo , Harada Shinya , Teramoto Wataru
Published: October 2023

If voluntary action is followed by an effect with a short time delay, the time interval between action and effect is often perceived to be shorter than it actually is. This perceptual time compression is termed intentional binding or temporal binding. We investigated age-related changes in adulthood considering temporal binding and its dependence on action body parts (i.e., hand vs. foot). This experiment included 17 young adults (mean age: 21.71 ± 3.14 years) and 27 older adults (mean age: 74.41 ± 3.38 years). Participants performed a button press task using their index fingers (hand condition) or toes (foot condition). The results showed that older participants exhibited a strong time compression comparable to young participants in the voluntary condition. Older participants also showed a strong time compression in involuntary action, which was induced by a mechanical device, differently from young participants. In line with previous research, the present age-related differences in time compression considering involuntary action suggest that causal belief significantly influences event perception rather than the associated intention of action or sensory afferents. The present results also suggest that the nature of action body parts has no significant influence on temporal binding, independent of age group.
Eyes can tell: Assessment of implicit attitudes toward AI art
Authors: Zhou Yizhen , Kawabata Hideaki
Published: October 2023

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly improved the abilities of machines. Human-unique abilities, such as art creation, are now being challenged by AI. Recent studies have investigated and compared people's attitudes toward human-made and AI-generated artworks. These results suggest that a negative bias may exist toward the latter. However, none of these previous studies has examined the extent of this bias. In this study, we investigate whether a bias against AI art can be found at an implicit level. Viewers’ attitudes toward AI art were assessed using eye-tracking measures and subjective aesthetic evaluations. Visual attention and aesthetic judgments were compared between artworks categorized as human-made and AI-made. The results showed that although it was difficult for individuals to identify AI-generated artwork, they exhibited an implicit prejudice against AI art. Participants looked longer at paintings that they thought were made by humans. No significant effect of categorization of paintings was found in subjective evaluations. These findings suggest that although human and AI art may be perceived as having similar aesthetic values, an implicit negative bias toward AI art exists. Although AI can now perform creative tasks, artistic creativity is still considered a human prerogative.
Antileishmanial activity of 5-nitroindazole derivatives
Authors: Mollineda-Diogo Niurka , Chaviano-Montes de Oca Claudia Sissely , Sifontes-Rodríguez Sergio , Espinosa-Buitrago Teresa , Monzote-Fidalgo Lianet , Meneses-Marcel Alfredo , Morales-Helguera Aliuska , Perez-Castillo Yunierkis , Arán-Redó Vicente
Published: October 2023

Background:

Currently, there is no safe and effective vaccine against leishmaniasis and existing therapies are inadequate due to high toxicity, cost and decreased efficacy caused by the emergence of resistant parasite strains. Some indazole derivatives have shown in vitro and in vivo activity against Trichomonas vaginalis and Trypanosoma cruzi. On that basis, 20 indazole derivatives were tested in vitro against Leishmania amazonensis.

Objective:

To evaluate the in vitro activity of twenty 2-benzyl-5-nitroindazolin-3-one derivatives against L. amazonensis.

Design:

For the selection of promising compounds, it is necessary to evaluate the indicators for in vitro activity. For this aim, a battery of studies for antileishmanial activity and cytotoxicity were implemented. These results enabled the determination of the substituents in the indazole derivatives responsible for activity and selectivity, through the analysis of the structure–activity relationship (SAR).

Methods:

In vitro cytotoxicity against mouse peritoneal macrophages and growth inhibitory activity in promastigotes were evaluated for 20 compounds. Compounds that showed adequate selectivity were tested against intracellular amastigotes. The SAR from the results in promastigotes was represented using the SARANEA software.

Results:

Eight compounds showed selectivity index >10% and 50% inhibitory concentration <1 µM against the promastigote stage. Against intracellular amastigotes, four were as active as Amphotericin B. The best results were obtained for 2-(benzyl-2,3-dihydro-5-nitro-3-oxoindazol-1-yl) ethyl acetate, with 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.46 ± 0.01 µM against amastigotes and a selectivity index of 875. The SAR study showed the positive effect on the selectivity of the hydrophilic fragments substituted in position 1 of 2-benzyl-5- nitroindazolin-3-one, which played a key role in improving the selectivity profile of this series of compounds.

Conclusion:

2-bencyl-5-nitroindazolin-3-one derivatives showed selective and potent in vitro activity, supporting further investigations on this family of compounds as potential antileishmanial hits.
Digital Transformation Empowers ESG Performance in the Manufacturing Industry: From ESG to DESG
Authors: Wang Jin , Hong Zihan , Long Hai
Published: October 2023

Digital transformation (DT) is a long-term strategy for economic sustainability, particularly for manufacturing-oriented economies. This study proposes a digital ESG (DESG) theoretical framework to investigate how DT empowers ESG performance in the manufacturing industry. Using Python, we collected data from Chinese manufacturing firms from 2009 to 2020. This study used the ordinary least squares method to examine the relationships among DT, ESG performance, and manufacturing ESG heterogeneity. The results suggest that big companies and growing firms pay more attention to their ESG performance than others and that state-owned enterprises are keen on ESG performance but underperform. Additionally, DT may contribute to manufacturing ESG performance in general; labor-intensive and non-state-owned enterprises benefit more from DT than their counterparts; and manufacturers in economically developed regions show more significant ESG performance thanks to DT. These findings support the use of a DESG theoretical framework in the manufacturing industry whereby digital technologies facilitate business production and improve the business profits of manufacturing firms, so that manufacturers have sufficient profits to conduct ESG investments for sustainable development in a virtuous cycle.

JEL Classification: O32, O44, Q56
Late Onset of Rivaroxaban-Associated Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Agarwal Muskan , Cummings Kristopher , Larsen Brandon , Chopra Madhav , Rodriguez-Pla Alicia
Published: October 2023

Although anti-thyroid drugs (ATDs) are the most common cause of drug-associated anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis (AAV), many other classes of drugs can lead to drug-associated AAV. We present a unique case of rivaroxaban-associated AAV. A 76-year-old female with a past medical history of atrial fibrillation on rivaroxaban presented with fatigue, bilateral lower extremity purpura, and hemoptysis to an outside hospital. Investigations revealed a positive cytoplasmic-ANCA (c-ANCA) titer of 1:320 and a positive anti-myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO), and negative perinuclear-ANCA (p-ANCA) and anti-proteinase 3 (anti-PR3). In addition, chest imaging demonstrated bilateral ground-glass opacities which raised suspicion for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). A lung biopsy revealed acute and ongoing DAH with focally active capillaritis and characteristic pathological findings, which strongly suggested that was likely secondary to rivaroxaban. Rivaroxaban was discontinued, and the patient received pulses of intravenous glucocorticosteroids and rituximab. Her symptoms improved. She continued immunosuppressive therapy with rituximab for 2 years. She presented to our hospital for a second opinion regarding the discontinuation of rituximab, and we decided to discontinue rituximab. After discontinuation, the patient remained stable after 1.5 years of follow-up and did not have any relapses. This is a unique case of rivaroxaban-associated AAV. Clinicians should consider drug-associated AAV in all patients who present with an atypical clinical presentation and/or pathological findings of AAV. Given the broad and rapidly increasing use of novel anticoagulants, it is important to raise awareness of this potential complication. Prompt discontinuation of the drug and initiation of immunosuppressant treatment in severe cases may be lifesaving.
Roastgsa: a comparison of rotation-based scores for gene set enrichment analysis
Authors: Caballé-Mestres Adrià , Berenguer-Llergo Antoni , Stephan-Otto Attolini Camille
Published: October 2023

Background

Gene-wise differential expression is usually the first major step in the statistical analysis of high-throughput data obtained from techniques such as microarrays or RNA-sequencing. The analysis at gene level is often complemented by interrogating the data in a broader biological context that considers as unit of measure groups of genes that may have a common function or biological trait. Among the vast number of publications about gene set analysis (GSA), the rotation test for gene set analysis, also referred to as roast, is a general sample randomization approach that maintains the integrity of the intra-gene set correlation structure in defining the null distribution of the test.

Results

We present roastgsa, an R package that contains several enrichment score functions that feed the roast algorithm for hypothesis testing. These implemented methods are evaluated using both simulated and benchmarking data in microarray and RNA-seq datasets. We find that computationally intensive measures based on Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistics fail to improve the rates of simpler measures of GSA like mean and maxmean scores. We also show the importance of accounting for the gene linear dependence structure of the testing set, which is linked to the loss of effective signature size. Complete graphical representation of the results, including an approximation for the effective signature size, can be obtained as part of the roastgsa output.

Conclusions

We encourage the usage of the absmean (non-directional), mean (directional) and maxmean (directional) scores for roast GSA analysis as these are simple measures of enrichment that have presented dominant results in all provided analyses in comparison to the more complex KS measures.
Assessment of the readiness and response toward the dengue fever outbreak (2019) in Sudan: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Bagahizel Abdulla M. , Elkhatim Hamadnalla Sir
Published: October 2023

Background

Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquito species and has been considered a major public health problem in Kassala State for tens of years. This study aimed to assess the level of readiness and response toward the 2019 dengue fever outbreak in Kassala at the state and community levels.

Methods

This exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in Kassala State, Sudan, from January to March 2020. The researcher conducted interviews with the key respondents at the state level to assess the level of readiness and response and to reflect the capacity of institutions—public health authorities, health systems, and emergency response bodies.

Results

The surveillance system reported 3961 DF cases in Kassala State, representing 93.5% of the total cases in Sudan between August 2019 and January 2020. This outbreak was identified by passive surveillance, 51 samples were tested during the outbreak period, and private clinics and labs were not included in the surveillance system. According to the WHO checklist of outbreak readiness and response, Kassala's surveillance system and public health laboratory received the lowest scores.

Conclusions

The study concludes that outbreak readiness and response could be considered below standards, mainly in the surveillance system and laboratory diagnostic facilities, due to the absence of intersectoral collaboration with a regulatory framework in terms of financial and operational participation.
Prognostic factors and survival prediction of resected non-small cell lung cancer with ipsilateral pulmonary metastases: a study based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database
Authors: Zhang Jiajun , Zhang Jin
Published: October 2023

Background

Prognostic factors and survival outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with Ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis (IPM) are not well-defined. Thus, this study intended to identify the prognostic factors for these patients and construct a predictive nomogram model.

Methods

One thousand, seven hundred thirty-two patients with IPM identified between 2000 to 2019 were from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Independent prognostic factors were identified using multivariate Cox regression analyses. Nomograms were constructed to predict the overall survival (OS), C-index, the area under the curve (AUC), and the calibration curve to determine the predictive accuracy and discrimination; the decision curve analysis was used to confirm the clinical utility.

Results

Patients were randomly divided into training (n = 1213) and validation (n = 519) cohorts. In the training cohort, the multivariable analysis demonstrated that age, sex, primary tumor size, N status, number of regional lymph nodes removed, tumor grade, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for IPM. We constructed a 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS prediction nomogram model using independent prognostic factors. The C-index of this model for OS prediction was 0.714 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.692 to 0.773) in the training cohort and 0.695 (95% CI, 0.660 to 0.730) in the validation cohort. Based on the AUC of the receiver operating characteristic analysis, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis, we concluded that the prognosis model of IPM exhibited excellent performance. Patients with total nomogram points greater than 96 were considered high-risk.

Conclusion

We constructed and internally validated a nomogram to predict 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS for NSCLC patients with IPM according to independent prognostic factors. This nomogram demonstrated good calibration, discrimination, clinical utility, and practical decision-making effects for the prognosis of NSCLC patients with IPM.
Serum anti-PCK1 antibody levels are a prognostic factor for patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Namiki Toshiki , Takemoto Minoru , Hayashi Aiko , Yamagata Hiroki , Ishikawa Takahiro , Yokote Koutaro , Li Shu-Yang , Kubota Masaaki , Zhang Bo-Shi , Yoshida Yoichi , Matsutani Tomoo , Mine Seiichiro , Machida Toshio , Kobayashi Yoshio , Terada Jiro , Naito Akira , Tatsumi Koichiro , Takizawa Hirotaka , Nakamura Rika , Kuroda Hideyuki , Iwadate Yasuo , Hiwasa Takaki
Published: October 2023

Background

Autoantibodies develop in autoimmune diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus (DM), and atherosclerosis-related diseases. However, autoantibody biomarkers have not been successfully examined for diagnosis and therapy.

Methods

Serological identification of antigens through recombinant cDNA expression cloning (SEREX) was used for primary screening of antigens. The cDNA product was expressed in bacteria and purified. Amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay-linked immunosorbent assay (AlphaLISA) was used to evaluate antibody levels in serum samples.

Results

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) was recognized as an antigen by serum IgG antibodies in the sera of patients with atherosclerosis. AlphaLISA showed significantly higher serum antibody levels against recombinant PCK1 protein in patients with DM and cardiovascular disease than in healthy donors, but not in those with acute ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for anti-PCK1 antibodies was 0.7024 for DM. The serum anti-PCK1 antibody levels were associated with age, platelet count, and blood pressure. Anti-PCK1-antibody-positive patients showed significantly lower overall survival than the negative patients.

Conclusions

Serum anti-PCK1 antibody levels were found to be associated with DM. The anti-PCK1 antibody marker is useful for predicting the overall survival of patients with DM.
Endometrial cancer (EC) derived G3BP1 overexpression and mutant promote EC tumorigenesis and metastasis via SPOP/ERα axis
Authors: Ge Yidong , Jin Jiabei , Chen Gun , Li Jinyun , Ye Meng , Jin Xiaofeng
Published: October 2023

Background

Ras-GTPase-activating protein binding protein 1 (G3BP1) is an oncogenic factor, which highly expressed in a variety of cancers. In recent years, G3BP1 has been reported to promote the development of prostate cancer by inhibiting the degradation of AR through inhibiting SPOP. However, whether G3BP1 contributes in a similar manner to the abnormal accumulation of ERα, which is also an important target for hormone therapy, remains unknown. This article addresses this issue and explores potential mechanisms.

Methods

Bioinformatics tools were used for G3BP1 expression analysis, survival analysis, and clinical association analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to examine the correlation between G3BP1 and ERα in EC patients. In addition, western blot and co-immunoprecipitation were used to detect the half-life of G3BP1 and mutant, and the effect of G3BP1 and mutant on the ubiquitination and degradation of ERα mediated by SPOP. Then, the oncogenic functions of G3BP1 dependent on the SPOP/ERα axis were determined by CCK8 cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay and cell migration assay. Finally, we established the EC cells treated or untreated with fulvestrant, exploring the possibility of fulvestrant combined with the reduction of G3BP1 to improve the efficacy of fulvestrant.

Results

G3BP1 is abnormally high expressed and characterized by high-frequency mutation in EC. In addition, there is a positive correlation between G3BP1 protein and ERα protein. Mechanistically, both G3BP1 and mutant, the latter is displaying the longer half-life, competitively bind SPOP with ERα, thereby inhibiting SPOP-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of ERα. Functionally, G3BP1 and mutant promote the proliferation and migration of EC cells by regulating the G3BP1/SPOP/ERα axis. However, fulvestrant can reverse the cancer-promoting effects of G3BP1 and mutant.

Conclusions

G3BP1 and its mutant positively regulate ERα signaling pathway by inhibiting SPOP-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of ERα, indicating the promising effect of fulvestrant on the suppression the occurrence and development of EC with high expressed G3BP1 and G3BP1 mutants.
Superior anti-pulmonary viral potential of Natrialba sp. M6-producing surfactin and C50 carotenoid pigment with unveiling its action modes
Authors: Hegazy Ghada E. , Abu-Serie Marwa M. , Soliman Nadia A. , Teleb Mohamed , Abdel-Fattah Yasser R.
Published: October 2023

Background

Respiratory viruses, particularly adenoviruses (ADV), influenza A virus (e.g., H1N1), and coronaviruses (e.g., HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2) pose a global public health problem. Therefore, developing natural wide-spectrum antiviral compounds for disrupting the viral life cycle with antioxidant activity provides an efficient treatment approach. Herein, biosurfactant (Sur) and C50 carotenoid pigment (Pig) of haloalkaliphilic archaeon Natrialba sp. M6 which exhibited potent efficacy against hepatitis and anti-herpes simplex viruses, were investigated against pulmonary viruses.

Methods

The cytotoxicity of the extracted Sur and Pig was examined on susceptible cell lines for ADV, HIN1, HCoV-229E, and SARS-CoV-2. Their potential against the cytopathic activity of these viruses was detected with investigating the action modes (including, virucidal, anti-adsorption, and anti-replication), unveiling the main mechanisms, and using molecular docking analysis. Radical scavenging activity was determined and HPLC analysis for potent extract (Sur) was performed.

Results

All current investigations stated higher anti-pulmonary viruses of Sur than Pig via mainly virucidal and/or anti-replicative modes. Moreover, Sur had stronger ADV’s capsid protein binding, ADV’s DNA polymerase inhibition, suppressing hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of H1N1, and inhibiting chymotrypsin-like (3CL) protease of SARS-CoV-2, supporting with in-silico analysis, as well as radical scavenging activity than Pig. HPLC analysis of Sur confirmed the predominate presence of surfactin in it.

Conclusion

This study declared the promising efficacy of Sur as an efficient pharmacological treatment option for these pulmonary viruses and considered as guide for further in vivo research.
Identification of novel biomarkers for the prediction of subclinical coronary artery atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Bathon Joan M. , Centola Michael , Liu Xiaoqian , Jin Zhicheng , Ji Weihua , Knowlton Nicholas S. , Ferraz-Amaro Iván , Fu Qin , Giles Jon T. , Wasko Mary Chester , Stein C. Michael , Van Eyk Jennifer E.
Published: October 2023

Background

Cardiovascular (CV) risk estimation calculators for the general population underperform in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to identify relevant protein biomarkers that could be added to traditional CV risk calculators to improve the capacity of coronary artery calcification (CAC) prediction in individuals with RA. In a second step, we quantify the improvement of this prediction of CAC when these circulating biomarkers are added to standard risk scores.

Methods

A panel of 141 serum and plasma proteins, which represent a broad base of both CV and RA biology, were evaluated and prioritized as candidate biomarkers. Of these, 39 proteins were selected and measured by commercial ELISA or quantitative mass spectroscopy in 561 individuals with RA in whom a measure of CAC and frozen sera were available. The patients were randomly split 50:50 into a training/validation cohort. Discrimination (using area under the receiver operator characteristic curves) and re-classification (through net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement calculation) analyses were performed first in the training cohort and replicated in the validation cohort, to estimate the increase in prediction accuracy for CAC using the ACA/AHA (American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association) score with, compared to without, addition of these circulating biomarkers.

Results

The model containing ACC/AHA score plus cytokines (osteopontin, cartilage glycoprotein-39, cystatin C, and chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 18) and plus quantitative mass spectroscopy biomarkers (serpin D1, paraoxonase, and clusterin) had a statistically significant positive net reclassifications index and integrated discrimination improvement for the prediction of CAC, using ACC/AHA score without any biomarkers as the reference category. These results were confirmed in the validation cohort.

Conclusion

In this exploratory analysis, the addition of several circulating CV and RA biomarkers to a standard CV risk calculator yielded significant improvements in discrimination and reclassification for the presence of CAC in individuals with RA.
Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Havsed Kristian , Hänsel Petersson Gunnel , Isberg Per-Erik , Pigg Maria , Svensäter Gunnel ,   the Foresight Research Consortium, Rohlin Madeleine
Published: October 2023

Background

Multivariable prediction models are used in oral health care to identify individuals with an increased likelihood of caries increment. The outcomes of the models should help to manage individualized interventions and to determine the periodicity of service. The objective was to review and critically appraise studies of multivariable prediction models of caries increment.

Methods

Longitudinal studies that developed or validated prediction models of caries and expressed caries increment as a function of at least three predictors were included. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science supplemented with reference lists of included studies were searched. Two reviewers independently extracted data using CHARMS (Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies) and assessed risk of bias and concern regarding applicability using PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASessment Tool). Predictors were analysed and model performance was recalculated as estimated positive (LR +) and negative likelihood ratios (LR −) based on sensitivity and specificity presented in the studies included.

Results

Among the 765 reports identified, 21 studies providing 66 prediction models fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Over 150 candidate predictors were considered, and 31 predictors remained in studies of final developmental models: caries experience, mutans streptococci in saliva, fluoride supplements, and visible dental plaque being the most common predictors. Predictive performances varied, providing LR + and LR − ranges of 0.78–10.3 and 0.0–1.1, respectively. Only four models of coronal caries and one root caries model scored LR + values of at least 5. All studies were assessed as having high risk of bias, generally due to insufficient number of outcomes in relation to candidate predictors and considerable uncertainty regarding predictor thresholds and measurements. Concern regarding applicability was low overall.

Conclusions

The review calls attention to several methodological deficiencies and the significant heterogeneity observed across the studies ruled out meta-analyses. Flawed or distorted study estimates lead to uncertainty about the prediction, which limits the models’ usefulness in clinical decision-making. The modest performance of most models implies that alternative predictors should be considered, such as bacteria with acid tolerant properties.

Trial registration

PROSPERO CRD#152,467 April 28, 2020
Food wastes clean water wastes: melon peel peroxidase isolation and immobilization onto magnetite nanoparticles for phenol removal
Authors: Al-Madhagi Haitham , Yazbik Valantina , Abdelwahed Wassim
Published: October 2023

In this study, melon peel waste was utilized to isolate peroxidase enzyme through three-phase portioning (TPP) and subsequently immobilized onto magnetite nanoparticles for effective bioremediation of phenol pollutants from water. The optimization of TPP parameters ensured maximum activity recovery and enzyme purity. Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized and used as a substrate for immobilizing the isolated peroxidase, achieving an activity recovery of 157% and a purification fold of 5.2. Protein homogeneity testing confirmed the purity of the peroxidase enzyme. The magnetite nanoparticles had an average diameter of 62 nm, and the immobilization efficiency reached 93% at pH 8 with an enzyme/nanoparticles v/v ratio of 1:9. The immobilized peroxidase demonstrated the ability to degrade 57% of phenol within 3 h and retained 30% relative activity even after five catalytic cycles. This immobilized melon peel peroxidase on magnetite nanoparticles proves to be a robust, enduring, and reusable biocatalyst with potential for various applications, especially in bioremediation processes.

Graphical Abstract
Time-domain extended-source full-waveform inversion: Algorithm and practical workflow
Authors: Guo Gaoshan , Operto Stéphane , Gholami Ali , Aghamiry Hossein S.
Published: October 2023

Extended-source full-waveform inversion (ES-FWI) first computes wavefields with data-driven source extensions such that the simulated data in inaccurate velocity models match the observed counterpart sufficiently well to prevent cycle skipping. Then, the source extensions are minimized to update the model parameters toward the true medium. This two-step workflow is iterated until data and sources are matched. It has been recently indicated that the source extensions are the least-squares solutions of the scattered data-fitting problem. As a result, the source extensions are computed by propagating backward in time the deconvolved data residuals by the damped data-domain Hessian of the scattered data-fitting problem. Estimating these weighted data residuals is the main computational bottleneck of time-domain ES-FWI. To mitigate this burden, we approximate the inverse data-domain Hessian by mono- and multidimensional matching filters with two simulations per source. We implement time-domain ES-FWI with the alternating-direction method of multipliers and total-variation regularization. Moreover, we apply ES-FWI with a multiscale approach involving frequency continuation and layer stripping, with the latter being implemented with an offset-time-dependent weighting operator. In this framework, we further regularize the inversions while mitigating their computational burden by matching the grid interval to the frequency bandwidth. Finally, the overall workflow combines ES-FWI and classical FWI during the early and late stages of the multiscale approach, respectively. We illustrate that the sensitivity of ES-FWI to the accuracy of the approximated inverse data-domain Hessian depends on the complexity of the targeted model, the data anatomy, and the accuracy of the starting model. In the case of the 2004 BP salt model, we determine that the layer stripping is necessary when the inverse data-domain Hessian is approximated by a 2D Gabor matching filter and the starting model is crude, whereas this feature is not necessary with the Marmousi II model.
the land of dreams
Authors: Zia Ather
Published: October 2023

In this short piece of dystopian speculative fiction, Kashmiris are forbidden to dream.
Kashmiri Feminist Manifesto
Authors: Wanaan Zanaan
Published: October 2023

A feminist manifesto for Kashmiri futures authored by Kashmiri feminist collective Zanaan Wanaan.
Resisting the Clockwork of Occupation
Authors: Falak Uzma
Published: October 2023

Despite its centrality as a locus of both occupation and resistance in Kashmir, the inquiry into time has received scant academic attention. This essay undertakes two lines of inquiry. First, it attempts to foreground the temporal extraction integral to the Indian state’s matrix of control, arguing that its military occupation and settler-colonial project in Kashmir operates not only through the logics of spatial control but also through a control over time. The state has not only tried to erase people out of their own futures but also weaponized the idea of future itself—as a site of a permanent and multimodal extraction. Second, Kashmir’s liberation praxis is anchored on a rejection of an occupational and settler-colonial temporal order and, through two ethnographic fragments, this essay explores enactments of alternate temporal imaginaries and consciousness and foregrounds multiple registers of “in-betweenness” within this imaginary. The essay redirects attention from future as an event or a discrete unit of time, and from its not-yetness, toward the intimate and everyday articulations and enactments of future—a complex ongoing process of becoming and unbecoming unfolding in the everyday. Thus the essay calls for reimagining “ruptures”—instead of “futures”—as a locus of liberation.
“I Am Very Sexy, Sexy, Sexy”
Authors: Fox Diana J. , Malik Shazia
Published: October 2023

This article focuses on the story of one transfeminine (transgen, in local parlance) wedding singer, Shabu, identifying through interviews, observation, and song analysis the possibilities of self-expression for transgens as well as for cisgender women who attend these performances. How have they carved out agency for themselves amid Kashmir’s territorial conflict over its sovereignty? The article demonstrates how Kashmiri gendered futures are intimately tied to courageous and innovative performances in women’s spaces, even within pronounced systemic constraints. Shabu’s songs concern women’s agency, gender dynamics and roles, family relationships, and gender presentation both in and outside women’s familial household and community/kin networks. The songs both embody accepted tradition and open doors to innovation, protest, and political commentary. The digital life of these performances on YouTube has contributed to their dissemination and popularity. This article addresses questions arising from shifting contexts of transgens’ wedding-song performances and contributes to the body of analysis of digital folklore through decolonial feminist and queer folkloristic lenses.
Researching Kashmir
Authors: Bhan Mona , Junaid Mohamad , Kanjwal Hafsa
Published: October 2023

This roundtable discusses the future of research in critical Kashmir studies through a close consideration of questions of power, ethics, and positionality that have come to the fore in recent years.
Ο υπερβατισμός στην ανεικονική ζωγραφική και η αποφατική θεολογία
Authors: Δερουκάκη Βασιλική
Published: October 2023

Η νεωτερική ζωγραφική ανέπτυξε έναν εικαστικό κώδικα έκφρασης πνευματικών νοημάτων, του οποίου εξελικτική κατάληξι υπήρξε μία ιδιάζουσα εικαστική διατύπωσι της αποφατικής θεολογίας. Η ανάπτυξι του εν λόγω κώδικα εκτυλίχθηκε επί της σταδιακής αποδόμησης της μορφής με κατάληξι την κατάργησί της από τον μετανεωτερισμό. Η απόλυτη αφαίρεσι που προέκυψε τότε, με έσχατη έκφρασί της τις μαύρες ζωγραφικές επιφάνειες, ανακηρύχθηκε ως η εικαστική σημειολογία της αποφατικής θεολογίας. Εν τούτοις, η σημειολογία αυτή, αλλά και το θεωρητικό της υπόβαθρο, μαρτυρούν ότι ο μεταφυσικός τόπος εις τον οποίον αναφέρεται είναι ο τόπος ο οποίος μένει μετά την αποδόμησι της μορφής, ήτοι, η ακατασκεύαστος ύλη. Παράλληλα, στην ιστορία της εικαστικής σημειολογίας, έχει παρουσιασθεί και ένας έτερος τρόπος άρθρωσης της αποφατικής θεολογίας, αυτός της χριστιανικής ορθοδόξου αγιογραφίας. O εν λόγω τρόπος δεν στηρίζεται στην κατάργησι της μορφής, αλλά στην ανάδειξι επί της μορφής της ενεργητικής μετοχής του ανθρώπου εις το θείον, όπως αυτή εμφαίνεται στο πρόσωπο και στην όψι του. Ο τρόπος της εμφάνειάς της είναι ο μυστικός φωτισμός της ανθρώπινης μορφής από το άκτιστον φως, η έλλαμψις του οποίου εκτυπώνεται εικονογραφικά ως θάμβωμα των προσωπικών χαρακτηριστικών, τα οποία επιτεχνούνται με αφαιρετική αχνότητα, αναφορά στο θάμβωμα των πνευματικών οφθαλμών από τον υπέρφωτο Θείον Γνόφο. Η παρούσα διατριβή εξετάζει την σημειολογική γλώσσα των δύο εν λόγω εικαστικών αναφορών της αποφατικής θεολογίας, το φιλοσοφικό και το θεολογικό περιεχόμενό τους, καθώς και τον οντολογικό τόπο στον οποίον ουσιωδώς εκάστη εξ αυτών ανάγει.
Model-based and data-driven approaches meet redundancy in signal processing
Authors: Κούνη Βασιλική
Published: October 2023

Η παρούσα διατριβή χωρίζεται σε δύο μέρη. Στο πρώτο, αντιμετωπίζουμε δύο αντίστροφα προβλήματα, δηλαδή τη συμπιεστική δειγματοληψία (ΣΔ) και την αποθορυβοποίηση ομιλί\-ας, υπό το πρίσμα του μοντέλου αναλυτικής αραιότητας. Για το σκοπό αυτό, αξιοποιούμε ιδέες από την ανάλυση χρόνου-συχνότητας και εισάγουμε ένα νέο πλεονάζοντα τελεστή ανάλυσης σχετιζόμενο με ένα πλαίσιο Gabor, ώστε να αναπαραστήσουμε όσο αραιότερα γίνεται τα σήματα ενδιαφέροντος. Στη συνέχεια, χρησιμοποιούμε μια επαναληπτική μέθοδο για την επίλυση και των δύο προβλημάτων και συγκρίνουμε αριθμητικά την απόδοση του τελεστή ανάλυσής μας με σύγχρονους τελεστές ανάλυσης Gabor, τόσο σε συνθετικά όσο και σε πραγματικά δεδομένα. Τα πειραματικά μας αποτελέσματα υποδεικνύουν βελτιωμένη απόδοση όταν το προτεινόμενο πλαίσιο χρησιμοποιείται για την επίλυση και των δύο αντίστροφων προβλημάτων, καθώς υπερέχει των άλλων μετασχηματισμών Gabor, για όλα τα δεδομένα. Στο δεύτερο μέρος της διατριβής, επιλύουμε το πρόβλημα ΣΔ χρησιμοποιώντας το νεοεισαχθέν πεδίο της «βαθιάς εκτύλιξης», που πηγάζει από την ερμηνεία των κλασικών επαναλη\-πτικών αλγορίθμων ως βαθιά νευρωνικά δίκτυα. Για να γίνει αυτό, «ξεδιπλώνουμε» τις επαναλήψεις δύο σύγχρονων αλγορίθμων, που παραδοσιακά χρησιμοποιούνται για την επίλυση του αναλυτικής-αραιότητας προβλήματος ΣΔ, σε επίπεδα νευρωνικών δικτύων. Τα παραπάνω μαθαίνουν από κοινού αντίστοιχους αποκωδικοποιητές και πλεονάζοντες τελεστές ανάλυσης για αραιοποίηση. Η κύρια καινοτομία μας αποδίδεται όχι μόνο στην ανάπτυξη αυτών των δύο εκτυλισσόμενων δικτύων, αλλά και στην εκτίμηση του σφάλματος γενίκευσης που προκύπτει από καθένα από αυτά. Προς τούτο, εκμεταλλευόμαστε τεχνικές αλυσιδωτής σύνδεσης, προκειμένου να φράξουμε από πάνω την πολυπλοκότητα Rademacher της κλάσης υποθέσεων κάθε δικτύου. Στη συνέχεια, αξιοποιούμε αυτήν την εκτίμηση ώστε να παράξουμε τα επιθυμητά φράγματα των σφαλμάτων γενίκευσης. Τέλος, διεξάγουμε αρκετά πειράματα που επικυρώνουν τα θεωρητικά μας αποτελέσματα και συγκρίνουμε τα προτεινόμενα εκτυλισσόμενα δίκτυα με ένα άλλο σύγχρονο εκτυλισσόμενο δίκτυο. Όπως αποτυπώνεται από τα πειραματικά μας αποτελέσματα, αμφότερα τα εκτυλισσόμενα δίκτυά μας έχουν καλύτερη απόδοση από το επίπεδο αναφοράς, σταθερά για όλα τα σύνολα δεδομένων.
The school health education curriculum in Greek secondary schools
Authors: Σουλτάτου Πελαγία
Published: October 2023

Η παρούσα διατριβή συνιστά μια κριτική διερεύνηση των αναλυτικών προγραμμάτων της αγωγής υγείας (SHEC) στα ελληνικά σχολεία της δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης. Διερευνά θεωρητικά βασικά αιτήματα πολιτικής της εκπαίδευσης στο ευρωπαϊκό περιβάλλον και στη συνέχεια ανιχνεύει τα αποτελέσματα αυτού στην εφαρμοσμένη ελληνική εκπαιδευτική πολιτική. Στη συνέχεια, βασιζόμενη σε μελέτη περίπτωσης της υλοποίησης προγράμματος αγωγής υγείας σε ελληνικό γυμνάσιο, η παρούσα εργασόα διερευνά τις θεμελιωμένες εμπειρίες στη θέσπιση της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής με αναφορά στην αγωγή υγεία. Η μελέτη διερευνά τους τρόπους με τους οποίους ο σχεδιασμός της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής ενημερώνεται από βασικές αρχές ισότητας για την προαγωγή της υγείας. Στη συνέχεια, εξετάζει την αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ του ελληνικού εκπαιδευτικού πλαισίου και της εφαρμογής της συγκεκριμένης πολιτικής. Τέλος, διερευνά τον τρόπο διαπραγμάτευσης των αρχών του σχεδίου εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής στη σχολική πρακτική, ακολουθώνυας την ερμηνευτική ερευνητική μεθοδολογία και την κριτική θεωρία. Μια σειρά ποιοτικών μεθόδων έρευνας χρησιμοποιούνται για τη συλλογή και ανάλυση του συνόλου των δεδομένων. Τα έγγραφα πολιτικής και οι δηλώσεις των σωματείων εκπαιδευτικών χρησιμοποιούνται για τη διερεύνηση της ρητορικής του σχεδίου SHEC και των αντιστάσεων που αναπαράγει. Τα δεδομένα που προέρχονται από μη συμμετοχική παρατήρηση στη σχολική τάξη, ατομικές και ομαδικές συνεντεύξεις με ενήλικες και νέους σχολικούς φορείς προέρχονται από τη μελέτη περίπτωση σε ένα αστικό γυμνάσιο (π.χ. δάσκαλοι, μαθητές, διευθυντές, τοπικές αρχές και επαγγελματίες υγείας) και χρησιμοποιούνται για τη διερεύνηση, κατανόηση και ερμηνεία της πραγματικότητας του SHEC. Τα κύρια ευρήματα αυτής της διατριβής είναι: (α) το σχέδιο πολιτικής και η εφαρμογή του SHEC στο σχολείο μελέτης αποκλίνουν από ορισμένες βασικές αρχές προαγωγής της υγείας και (β) το SHEC, σε αυτή τη μελέτη περίπτωσης ενός σχολείου προκαλεί παιδαγωγικές, ιδεολογικές και πρακτικές συγκρούσεις.
Μεταβίβαση φορτίου σε νανοσύρματα καρβυνών και DNA
Authors: Μόρφης Ανδρέας
Published: October 2023

Ο όρος «μεταβίβαση φορτίου» αναφέρεται στην ενδομοριακή ή διαμοριακή μετακίνηση ηλεκτρικών φορέων (ηλεκτρονίων ή οπών) απουσία εξωτερικού δυναμικού· μία οπή ή ένα έξτρα ηλεκτρόνιο που δημιουργείται ή εγχέεται αρχικά σε μια τοποθεσία μοριακού συστήματος κινείται αυθόρμητα προς άλλες ενεργειακά ευνοϊκότερες γειτονικές θέσεις. Η παρούσα Διδακτορική Διατριβή επιχειρεί να αποτελέσει μια συστηματική υπολογιστική μελέτη των ιδιοτήτων της μεταβίβασης φορτίου σε μικρού μήκους πολυμερικές αλυσίδες DNA και καρβυνών με την ανάπτυξη κατάλληλης μεθοδολογίας από πρώτες αρχές: η κατανόηση της μεταβίβασης φορτίου στο DNA είναι σημαντική για ποικίλες βιολογικές διεργασίες, καθώς και τεχνολογικές εφαρμογές, ενώ οι καρβύνες, ως ιδανικά μονοδιάστατα νανοσύρματα άνθρακα, παρουσιάζουν ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον για θεωρητική μελέτη και τις πιθανές εφαρμογές τους. Επιπλέον, διερευνώνται τα όρια εφαρμογής της ημιεμπειρικής μεθόδου Ισχυρής Δέσμευσης (Tight Binding, TB) με την εισαγωγή νέων εξειδικευμένων παραμετροποιήσεων για τα υπό μελέτη συστήματα, οι οποίες εξάγονται από υπολογισμούς με βάση τη Θεωρία Συναρτησιακού Πυκνότητας (Density Functional Theory, DFT) έπειτα από κατάλληλους μετασχηματισμούς. Η ενσωμάτωση της ανάλυσης φορτίου Löwdin στον κώδικα της μεθόδου ΧρονοΕξαρτημένου Συναρτησιακού Πυκνότητας Πραγματικού Χρόνου (Real-Time Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory, RT-TDDFT), η οποία δίνει τη χωροχρονική εξέλιξη της ηλεκτρονιακής πυκνότητας από μια αρχική κατάσταση, οδηγεί σε σημαντική βελτίωση της εικόνας των ταλαντώσεων φορτίου. Μια ενδελεχής μελέτη της μεταβίβασης φορτίου σε απομονωμένα επίπεδα ζεύγη βάσεων και μονομερή DNA με «ρεαλιστικές» γεωμετρίες, καθώς και σε όλα τα δυνατά διμερή, έχει ως αποτέλεσμα τη χρονική εξέλιξη του φορτίου και της διπολικής ροπής από όπου εξάγονται όλα τα χαρακτηριστικά μεγέθη των ταλαντώσεων: πλάτος, συχνότητα, μέγιστο ποσοστό και μέσος ρυθμός μεταβίβασης φορτίου. Ακόμη, σε μια συνδυαστική μελέτη Μοριακής Δυναμικής (Molecular Dynamics, MD) και RT-TDDFT, διαπιστώνεται η σημαντική επίδραση των δομικών μεταβολών στη μεταβίβαση φορτίου των διμερών AA και GG τα οποία απαρτίζονται από ίδια μονομερή. Επίσης, εξάγονται οι ιδιότητες της μεταβίβασης φορτίου των κουμουλενικών και πολυυνικών ατομικών αλυσίδων άνθρακα με απλουστευμένη δομή, καθώς και των αντίστοιχων βελτιστοποιημένων γεωμετριών. Τέλος, μελετώνται οι ταλαντώσεις φορτίου στο δακτύλιο άνθρακα C18 λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις δονήσεις μηδενικού σημείου με μια τεχνική δειγματοληψίας Monte Carlo (MC) και συγκρίνονται με αυτές της «στατικής» κουμουλενικής και πολυυνικής διαμόρφωσης ισορροπίας, αντίστοιχα.
Impact of coenzyme Q10 as an adjuvant therapy to letrozole on spermiogram results and sex hormone levels in Iraqi men with infertility; randomized open label comparative study
Authors: Fadhil Essa Bahauldeen , Mohammed ‎ Mohammed Mahmood , Alkawaz Ula M.
Published: October 2023

Background: Worldwide, infertility affects about 15% of reproductive-age couples. In many cases, infertility can't be treated, however new treatment options with promising value have been involved in recent clinical trials. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the impacts of adding coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to letrozole on the results of spermiogram and sex hormone tests in men diagnosed with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT) syndrome, which is a type of male defective spermatogenesis of unknown etiology. Methods: This randomized, open-label, parallel two-arm interventional study included 67 adult male patients aged 18-60 years with a confirmed diagnosis of iOAT syndrome recruited from The High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis & Assisted Reproduction Technologies/Nahrain University. Patients were randomly separated into two groups, Group A included 29 patients treated with letrozole 2.5 mg tablet orally twice a week, Group B included 38 patients treated with a combination of letrozole 2.5 mg tablet orally twice a week plus CoQ10 400 mg per day. Both groups completed treatment for three months. Semen samples, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) were analyzed at day one, and at the end of month one, two and three. Results: Both groups showed that sperm concentration, normal morphology, total sperm count and motility, serum testosterone and FSH levels, and T/E2 ratio were significantly increased, while estradiol levels significantly decreased after three months of treatment. Seminal fluid volume changed significantly in group A only. In comparing between the two groups, all measured parameters, apart from sperm motility and FSH level, demonstrated a significant difference after three months of treatment, while sperm volume reached significant value after only two months of therapy. Conclusions: CoQ10 as adjuvant treatment to letrozole effectively improved most of the tested sperm parameters in Iraqi men with iOAT. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05847257, May 6, 2023).
On the Approach to the Formation of a System of Remuneration for the Teaching Staff of Universities
Authors: Basovskaya Elena , Basovskiy Leonid
Published: October 2023

The paper attempts to propose an approach to improving the system of remuneration of the teaching staff of universities based on the experience of Russian universities, at a time when the high quality of higher education, at least natural science and engineering, was recognized all over the world, and the experience of US universities. Discussion and criticism of the existing wage system indicate that the system was built without taking into account well-known approaches to organizing and stimulating there. The experience of the higher education system shows that the average level of remuneration of the teaching staff of universities should exceed the average level of remuneration in the country by at least two times. The ratio of the level of remuneration of the most highly qualified teachers — heads of departments, professors, doctors of science, and the least qualified teachers — assistants should be at least 3–3.5 times. The remuneration of novice teachers who do not have academic degrees and titles, who have work experience, should not be lower than the average level of remuneration in the economy. The permanent part of remuneration in the form of salaries should be at least 80-85% of the average wage. The variable component in the form of incentive payments is not a mandatory element of the remuneration system and can be retained in the form of bonus payments based on performance. It is expedient to differentiate salaries according to the amount of scientific and pedagogical experience and additional payments for performing the duties of heads of faculties and their deputies.
Approaches to Determining the Effectiveness of the Implementation of Municipal ProgramsP�`0�
Authors: Suslova A.
Published: October 2023

In the municipality of Tula, there is no phased and systematic audit, as well as internal (by the Tula City administration) and external (by the Control and Accounting Chamber of the Ministry of Defense of Tula) audit of the implementation of municipal programs. This audit should be carried out to assess the achievement of the goals, objectives, indicators of the municipal program, activities to achieve the results of its implementation, the ratio of results with the resources spent to ensure the effective use of municipal budget funds.