bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molar cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: Report of 2 cases with review of literature
Authors: Hosseinimousa Sedigheh , Navaei Saymaz , Talebian Marzieh
Published: March 2024

Background: The occurrence of hydatidiform mole at the cesarean scar site is a rare problem. Few cases have been reported, thus there is not enough information for accurate diagnosis and management of this event.
Case Presentation: Herein, we present 2 cases of an invasive hydatidiform mole embedded in cesarean scar tissue, one presented with occasional hypogastric pain and nausea and another with spotting both with a history of cesarean section. Transvaginal ultrasonography and a considerably high titer of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin blood test suggested the existence of molar pregnancy on the cesarean scar, which was confirmed through histological assessment. In the first case, evacuation of molar pregnancy followed by scar resection at the cesarean scar site led to successful fertility preservation management.
Conclusion: The presence of abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding in a pregnant woman without gestational sac in ultrasonography, strongly suggests ectopic pregnancy. The process of diagnosis should be followed by definitive diagnostic evaluation, including beta-human chorionic gonadotropin titer measurement, ultrasonographic assessment (2 and 3-dimensional), magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic laparoscopy, and finally biopsy of the lesion.
Key words: Cesarean scar pregnancy, Ectopic pregnancy, Hydatidiform mole, Molar pregnancy.
Max headroom: making time and space for Welsh manufacturing SMEs to flourish.
Authors: Pickernell David , Rich Nick , Davies Gareth , Roberts Annette , Moghadam Pouya Sarvghad , Walpole Gary , Price Alan
Published: March 2024

The Welsh manufacturing sector has undergone significant change over the last decade, with new technologies, greater promotion of the circular economy by policymakers, and a competitive environment affected by Brexit, covid and energy price rises, all impacting the business landscape. Consequently, Welsh manufacturing businesses, the vast majority of which are micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises, face issues concerning supply chains, training and skills, innovation, finance, infrastructure, and sustainability. This report summarises a recent study conducted by Swansea University, on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses (Pickernell et al 2023). The research investigated the issues faced by Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and identified short-term problems with energy and infrastructure, and difficulties recruiting sufficient qualified staff, as well as a lack of Welsh-based suppliers for many of the resources Welsh SMEs required. The research also highlighted the gap between short-term pressures and long-term vision, but that bridging that gap would allow Welsh manufacturing businesses to place themselves on a more resilient footing, build skills and employment and prepare for future opportunities.
Economic Globalization, Taxation and Public Expenditures: Evidence From OECD Countries
Authors: Akbakay Zeki
Published: March 2024

Globalization shapes the fiscal policies of countries, leading to changes in the structure of taxation and public expenditures. According to the theory of international tax competition, as globalization increases, countries use their tax policies to attract more mobile factors, resulting in tax competition. This competition causes capital tax rates to decrease and labor tax rates to increase, which is known as the efficiency effect of globalization. On the other hand, governments expand the welfare state to compensate for the increased economic risks resulting from globalization. This is known as the compensation effect of globalization. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test these hypotheses using a dataset of 26 OECD countries from the period 1990-2020. The study employed the Driscoll-Kraay estimator, which produces reliable estimates with robust standard errors in the presence of heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, and cross-sectional dependency issues. The results indicate that economic globalization has a negative effect on corporate tax rates and a positive effect on labour tax rates. Additionally, it was observed that a high level of social spending is linked to an increase in economic globalization. These results emphasise that the efficiency effect and the compensation effect coexist and complement each other rather than being rivals.
Key words: Globalization, tax competition, public expenditure, panel data
JEL Classification: E15, E62, C23
Borsa Istanbul Sectoral Connectedness Analysis
Authors: Uluceviz Erhan
Published: March 2024

This study examines the volatility connectedness among banks, industrials, and services subindices of Borsa Istanbul using the Diebold-Yılmaz connectedness index methodology. The findings indicate that the banks index typically acts as a net receiver of connectedness from industrials and services indices. If the banks index is considered a proxy for the financial side of the Turkish economy while the other two represent the real side, this result aligns with earlier observations on the connectedness between the real and financial sides of economies. Specifically, it suggests that when a proxy for the real side incorporates financial variables, the real side tends to be a net source of connectedness most of the time. As shock propagators, industrials play a dominant role, and the banks index often moves in the opposite direction to the other two sectors.
Key Words: Real and Financial Sectors, Financial Connectedness, Volatility, Borsa Istanbul.
JEL Classification: C32, E44, G10.
Stok Yönetiminde Min/Mak, Ekonomik Sipariş Miktarı ve DDMRP Politikalarının Simülasyonla Kıyaslaması
Authors: Kocaoğlu Batuhan , Uluçay Utkan
Published: March 2024

Tedarik zincirleri artan değişkenlik ve belirsizlikten olumsuz etkilenmektedir. Çalkantılı piyasalarda üretim ve stok yönetimi için deterministik-doğrusal-itme tabiatlı MRP (Material Requirement Planning) yöntemleri beklenen performansı karşılamakta zorlanmaktadır. Bu zorluğu aşmak üzere Dinamik-çekme tabiatlı Talebe Duyarlı MRP (DDMRP-Demand Driven Material Requirement Planning) yöntemi önerilmiştir.
Bu çalışmada Goldratt Research Labs tarafından AnyLogic üzerinde hazırlanan Hannah’s Shop paket simülatörüyle değişkenlik olmayan ideal şartlarda, farklı ölçülerde değişkenlik içeren şartlarda, mevsimlik dalgalanma ve tedarik kapasite kısıtlarıyla 4 farklı kategorideki 10 ürün için MRP tabanlı min/maks ve ekonomik sipariş miktarı (EOQ-Economic Order Quantity) politikalarıyla Talebe Duyarlı MRP arasında operasyonel ve finansal kriterlerde kıyaslama yapılmıştır.
Simülatör denemelerinde değişkenlik artarken DDMRP yönteminin, EOQ ve min/maks yöntemlerine göre daha yüksek performans sağladığı gözlenmiştir. Ancak sık sevkiyat gerektirmesi nedeniyle kaynak kısıtları görülebilecektir.
DDMRP yönteminin hammadde veya mamul stok yönetimi için Tedarik Zincirinin bir kısmı veya tamamında kullanılma potansiyeli vardır. Özellikle çalkantılı piyasalarda ve stok tutma kapasitesi veya bütçesi sınırlı olan KOBİ’lerde stok yönetim stratejisi belirlemeye yardımcı olacaktır.
Kullanılan simülatör sektör uygulamacılarına mevcut iş ortamlarına en yakın kurguya benzeterek EOQ - min/maks yöntemleriyle DDMRP yöntemlerini karşılaştırma fırsatı vermektedir. Yöntemin tekrarlanabilir olması, pandemi ve tedarik zinciri kırılmaları sonrasında görülen kıyaslama yapma ihtiyacını karşılayacaktır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: MRP, DDMRP, Ekonomik Sipariş Miktarı, Stok Yönetimi, Tedarik Zinciri Yönetimi, Simülasyon
JEL Sınıflandırması: M11
Türkiye’nin Coğrafi İşaretli Peynirlerinin Fonksiyonel Gıdalar Kapsamında Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Özbay Gülçin , Sarıca Vildan
Published: March 2024

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı Türkiye’nin coğrafi işaretli peynirlerini fonksiyonel gıdalar kapsamında değerlendirmektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda Türk Patent ve Marka Kurumu’ndan faydalanılarak Türkiye’nin 18 adet coğrafi işaretli peyniri incelenmiş, peynirlerin üretim yöntemleri, yapımında kullanılan sütlerin fonksiyonel özellikleri, sağlığa faydaları, içeriğindeki mineral ve ağır metaller hakkında bilgi verilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında incelenen peynirler arasında en düşük tuz oranına sahip olan peynir çeşitlerinin %0.02 oranla Antakya künefelik peynir ve %0.09-0.30 ile Urfa peyniri, en yağsız peynir çeşidinin %1.0-5.5 oranla Erzurum göğermiş peyniri, mineral maddelerinin zenginliği dikkate alındığında ise Van otlu peyniri ve Diyarbakır örgü peynirinin en zengin peynir çeşitleri olduğu ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda özellikle Van otlu peyniri, Antakya sürkü, Erzincan tulumu, Ezine peyniri, Kargı tulum peyniri, Kırklareli beyaz peyniri, Kars kaşarı, Malkara eski kaşar peyniri ve Erzurum civil peynirlerinin üretim şekilleri, içeriğindeki mineral maddeler, sağlık üzerindeki olumlu etkileri, kullanılan sütün özellikleri, içerisine eklenen baharat ve çeşitli otlar sebebiyle fonksiyonel gıdalar kapsamında değerlendirilebileceği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Peynir, Coğrafi İşaret, Fonksiyonel Gıdalar
JEL Sınıflandırması: M31
Algılanan Aşırı Nitelikliliğin İş Yerinde Can Sıkıntısı Üzerindeki Etkisinde Örgütsel Özdeşlenmenin Düzenleyici Rolü
Authors: Erbaş Kelebek Ezgi Fatma
Published: March 2024

Bu çalışmada, sağlık çalışanlarının aşırı niteliklilik algılarının iş yerinde can sıkıntısı üzerindeki etkisi araştırılmıştır. Ayrıca, bu etkide örgütsel özdeşleşmenin düzenleyici rolü incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın örneklemi, Kocaeli ilinde bulunan özel hastanelerde çalışan 151 hemşire ve doktordan oluşmaktadır. Veriler anket yöntemi kullanılarak Algılanan Aşırı Niteliklilik Ölçeği, Örgütsel Özdeşleşme Ölçeği ve İş Yerinden Can Sıkıntısı Ölçeği aracılığıyla toplanmış ve. SPSS programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Ölçeklerin faktör yapılarını anlayabilmek için açıklayıcı faktör analizi kullanılmıştır. Ölçeklerin güvenirliği için Cronbach Alpha iç tutarlılık katsayılarına bakılmıştır. Hipotezlerin test edilmesi için ise regresyon analizi ve PROCESS makrosu uygulanmıştır. Yapılan analizler neticesinde algılanan aşırı nitelikliliğin iş yerinde can sıkıntısı üzerinde pozitif etkisinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ek olarak algılanan aşırı nitelikliliğin iş yerinde can sıkıntısı üzerindeki etkisinde örgütsel özdeşleşmenin düzenleyici rolünün olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Diğer bir ifadeyle yüksek örgütsel özdeşleşmeden ziyade düşük örgütsel özdeşleşme söz konusu olduğunda algılanan aşırı nitelikliliğin iş yerinde can sıkıntısı üzerindeki etkisi daha güçlüdür.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Algılanan Aşırı Niteliklilik, Örgütsel Özdeşleşme, İş Yerinde Can Sıkıntısı, Kişi-İş Uyumu, Sağlık Çalışanları.
JEL Sınıflandırması: M10, M12, L20
monografia do crossref 2024
Authors: Kozińska Monika , Iszniewski Roman
Published: March 2024

monografia do crossref 2024
Exploration of Plane and Solid Figures in Four Umpak Buildings at Penataran Temple
Authors: Chandra Faizal , Marhayati Marhayati , Nisa' Asfira Zakiatun
Published: March 2024

Cultural exploration is an activity of extracting data related to a regional culture until a new understanding is obtained. One study that explores culture is ethnomathematics. Ethnomathematics is a study that explains the relationship between culture and mathematical concepts . Plane figures are material that is taught in stages at the elementary school level and strengthened at the junior high school level, while solid figures are material that is taught at the junior high school level. Penataran Temple is a historical relic of three kingdoms namely Kediri, Singasari, and Majapahit. Penataran Temple is located in Penataran Village, Nglegok District, Blitar Regency, East Java Province. One of the buildings in Penataran Temple is the Four Umpak. In ancient times, Empat Umpak in Penataran Temple was used as a place to gather, discuss and rest for the previous kings. This research aims to explore and describe the concept of plane and solid figures in the Empak Umpak building. The research method used is qualitative research with an ethnographic approach. The object of research is the Four Umpak building and its ornaments. The data collection techniques used are observation, measurement, documentation, literature study and interviews. Data analysis techniques used are data collection, data reduction, data presentation, conclusions and verification. Checking the validity of the data using observation persistence and peer checking. The results showed that there are mathematical concepts in the Four Umpak building, namely the concept of plane and solid figures. The concept of plane figures found in the Four Umpak building are rectangles, isosceles trapezoids, and rhombus. While the concept of solid figures contained in the Penataran Temple building is a truncated rectangular pyramid and a rhombic prism.
Evaluation of Some Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Reaction to Septoria Tritici Blotch Disease
Authors: Çat Ahmet
Published: March 2024

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the Zymoseptoria tritici is an important wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) disease in the Türkiye and in many countries in the world. In this study, a total of 92 bread wheat varieties were evaluated for STB in the adult plant stage under natural infection conditions. The field trial was performed at the experimental station at the campus of Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye for two consecutive years with the two replications. Disease evaluations were performed using the double-digit scale (00-99). Based on the disease evaluations, the disease severity ranged from 15 to 80, and 21 to 82 in the growing seasons 2022 and 2023, respectively. In infection types, four disease reactions were determined namely resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, and susceptible. Overall, while 32.61% and 36.96% of the varieties were resistant and moderately resistant to STB, 17.39% and 13.04% of them showed moderately susceptible and susceptible reactions, respectively. In conclusion, these varieties can be used in resistance breeding programs to STB disease. In further studies, the resistant/susceptible reactions of bread wheat varieties to STB should be identified to carry which resistance gene/genes or not.
Yağlık Ayçiçeği Üretiminde Karşılaşılan Bitki Koruma Sorunlarının Belirlenmesi: Sivas İli Örneği, Türkiye
Authors: Yemen Barış , Belgüzar Sabriye
Published: March 2024

Bu çalışma, Sivas ilinde, yağlık ayçiçeği (Helianthus annuus L.) üretiminde karşılaşılan bitki koruma sorunlarını belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında, Sivas ilinde (Merkez, Zara, Hafik ve Yıldızeli) toplam 88 üretici ile görüşülerek anket formları doldurulmuştur. Anket verileri 2022 yılı üretim sezonunu kapsamaktadır. Çalışma sonuçlarına göre, ayçiçeği üreticileri çeşitli hastalık, zararlı ve yabancı otlar konusunda sorunlar yaşamaktadır. Üreticiler, özellikle; ayçiçeği solgunluğu (% 26.14), ayçiçeği pası (% 9.09), kuş (% 30.68), domuz (% 25.00), köygöçüren (Cirsium arvense) (% 75.00) ve yabani hardal (Sinapis arvensis) (% 67.05) gibi faktörlerin ayçiçeği üretim alanlarında problem olan önemli zirai mücadele sorunları olduğunu belirtmişlerdir. Ayçiçeği tarımında, üreticiler; kimyasal ve kültürel yöntemlere başvurduklarını, ilaç çeşidi ve doz ayarlamasını zirai ilaç bayisinin tavsiyelerine göre yaptıklarını belirtmişlerdir. Buna ilaveten üreticiler karşılaştıkları sorunların başında ayçiçeği fiyatlarının belirsizliğini de ifade etmişlerdir. Ayçiçeği tarımında daha yüksek verim elde edebilmek için, üreticilerin tarım kuruluşları tarafından hem yetiştiricilik konusunda hem de bitki koruma etmenleri ve mücadeleleri konusunda düzenlenen eğitimlere katılmaları oldukça faydalı olacaktır.
Psihoterapevtski pristopi in metode ter njihova učinkovitost pri obravnavi orgazmične disfunkcije pri ženskah
Authors: Jenko Cita , Žvelc Maša
Published: March 2024

Orgazmična disfunkcija je spolna motnja, pri kateri se orgazem ne pojavi ali pa je zakasnel. Prevalenca orgazmične disfunkcije se giblje med 16 % in 28 % v Evropi, Ameriki in celinski Kitajski ter med 30 % in 46 % v drugih azijskih državah. Vzroki so lahko fiziološki, nevrološki in psihosocialni. Naredili smo pregled literature, katerega namen je bil preučiti, kateri psihoterapevtski pristopi in metode se uporabljajo pri obravnavi orgazmične disfunkcije, in preveriti izsledke njihove učinkovitosti. Za pridobivanje virov smo uporabili podatkovni bazi Scopus in EbscoHost. Po pregledu vseh zadetkov, odstranitvi duplikatov in z upoštevanjem vseh kriterijev smo v pregled vključili 15 raziskav. Terapevtski pristopi in metode, pri katerih je dokazana učinkovitost pri odpravljanju orgazmične disfunkcije, so: skupinska seksualna terapija in seksualna terapija parov, vedenjski pristopi (metoda Masters in Johnson, sistematična desenzitizacija), na čuječnosti temelječi programi (na čuječnosti temelječa kognitivna terapija – MBCT, na čuječnosti temelječa vedenjska in kognitivna terapija), metoda Betty Dodson (kombinacija kratkotrajne psihodinamične skupinske terapije in metod samozadovoljevanja) in samopomočni programi, ki temeljijo na sledenju videoposnetkom, temelječih na kognitivno-vedenjski terapiji (KVT) in MBCT ter priročnikih psihoseksualne terapije. Nekateri samopomočni programi vsebujejo tudi minimalen stik s terapevtom. Omenjeni pristopi se med seboj prekrivajo (npr. seksualna terapija integrira vedenjske metode). Rezultati in pregled služijo kot podlaga za uporabo učinkovitih intervencij in možnosti izboljšav na področju obravnave orgazmične disfunkcije.
Analysis of Smartphone Addiction With Anxiety in School-Aged Children
Authors: Erindia Firnanda , Yusuf Ah , Tristiana RR Dian , Soleha Umdatus
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Increasing smartphone overuse among children is an addictive behavior that not only creates physical difficulties, but also affects their mental health in ways such as mood changes, withdrawal, emotional discomfort, fear and worry regarding certain social situation. The study aimed at determining the analysis correlation between smartphone addiction with anxiety in Pawyatan Daha elementary school, Kediri, East Java.
Methods: This study use a cross-sectional design. The sampling method was simple random sampling and 154 students from Pawyatan Daha elementary school, Kediri, East Java comprised the sample. Data collection was carried out in November to December 2022. In this study, the independent variable was smartphone addiction as measured by the smartphone addiction risk children questionnaire (SARCQ), and the dependent variable was anxiety as measured by the revised child anxiety and depression scale (RCADS). Data analysis was using the spearman rho test with α=0.05.
Result: The study showed the majority 77.3% of respondents are addicted smartphone in the high category, anxiety majority 52.6% of respondents are general anxiety disorders category and statistical test result show a significant correlation with a p-value of 0.001 (p<0.005) and r = 0.330.
Conclusions: Smartphone addiction has a correlation with anxiety in school-aged children, parents must supervise their children's smartphone use in order to help them develop character and avoid addicted behavior and nurse can act as counselors by providing regular counseling service visits to elementary school to reduce smartphone addiction.
Healthcare Professionals Perspectives on Discharge Planning for Patients with Mental Illness
Authors: Sari Hasmila , Keliat Budi Anna , Sahar Junaiti , Susanti Herni , Junus Kasiyah
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Discharge planning is transferring a patient to a different level of care to improve continuity of care by bridging the gap between hospital and community care. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals involved in discharge planning for patients with mental illness.
Method: This research used qualitative methods with a phenomenological approach. Ten participants were selected using a purposive sampling method, with inclusion criteria healthcare professionals involved in the discharge planning process for patients in psychiatric hospitals, had worked in the service for at least 5 years, and provided direct or indirect services to patients. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using interview guides, recording devices, and field notes. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The study identified four themes related to discharge planning preparation for patients with mental illness perceptions of roles and experiences in discharge planning, internal and external barriers in discharge planning, internal and external support in discharge planning and expectations for the continuity of discharge planning.
Conclusions:  The findings indicate that there are still significant disparities in the way that discharge planning for patients with mental illness is implemented in different mental health service settings. These study findings are intended to serve as a further source of information to develop a discharge planning system that integrates patients with mental illnesses from the hospital into the community.
Prospects for Russia's Crop Exports to China and Food Security of China
Authors: Zuenko I.
Published: March 2024

The article makes a contribution to academic discussion about the actual global problem of providing world’s population with the food. The paper focuses on cooperation between Russia and China in the context of economic development of Russian border regions and food security in China which is both largest food producer and food consumer. The main research question is how the situation with the food security in China influences cooperation between Russia in China in agriculture production and trade (especially grain trade) and could Russia benefit from it. And otherwise, what makes it difficult to cope with China in this aspect: alarmist sentiments, bureaucratic troubles or lack of food in Russia itself. On the basis of the analysis of sources about Russian production, Chinese consumption and the flow of goods via Russo-Chinese border the author concludes that import of Russian products (especially soybeans) has important but not crucial role for China’s food security while the demand for Russian production would maintain in the future. It is becoming more profitable for Russian agriculture business to produce food for Chinese market in recent years so now large-scale Russian corporations displace small-scale Chinese farmers from the Russian Far East soil but involvement of Chinese trade companies maintains crucial. There are good prospects for development of agriculture in the eastern regions of Russian (not only Far East but Siberia as well) while increasing of export to China could be provided only after the construction of special port terminal in the Russian Far East. Author proposes several variants for location of such a port terminal and analyzes actual situation in this sphere.
Karnataka as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Southern Political Laboratory
Authors: Zeegofer E.
Published: March 2024

Karnataka has become the first and only state in South India where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ever won Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) elections and come to power. Moreover, in four general elections from 2004 to 2019, the party won a majority of the total of twenty-eight Karnataka’s parliamentary seats. Thus, the state is known as a stronghold of the saffron party in South India, which has a rather significant impact on the national political landscape and the balance of power in Delhi. The article examines ethnocultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and political specifics of South India as a whole and covers the key moments and the main causes of the BJP’s rise in Karnataka. It also scrutinizes the party’s methods of social engineering. These include building of electorally successful social coalitions, winning over dominant caste groups and local political leaders as well as political mobilization based on Hindutva, inter alia through disputes over sacred sites important for both Hindus and Muslims, campaigns against religious conversions, “hindutvatisation” of education, etc. Furthermore, the article examines whether and to what extent these methods are effective in Karnataka and may be replicable in other southern states. The article also investigates the causes of the BJP’s defeat by the Indian National Congress in Karnataka Vidhan Sabha election in May 2023. The author concludes that despite this failure the BJP has not completely lost the state as a springboard in South India, from where it plans to spread its influence to the rest of the region, and remains the majority party in the country and the frontrunner in the general election to be held in 2024.
A New Paradigm in Cancer Treatment: Identifying and Targeting Clonal Mutations
Authors: Renteln Michael
Published: March 2024

Over the last several years, large-scale cancer genomics studies involving multi region, multi-sample sequencing indicate that most or at least many cancer patients may have one or more “clonal" mutations in their tumors. Clonal mutations are those that are present in all of a patient’s cancer cells. They can be identified via multiregion, multisample biopsies - or circulating tumor cells/cell-free DNA. Achilles Therapeutics is currently the only company targeting patient-specific, clonal mutations. They have opted to utilize an immunotherapy approach. However, I recently devised another approach for exploiting clonal mutations called “Oncolytic Vector Replication Contingent on Omnipresent Mutation Engagement” (OVERCOME). It is based on the identification of patient-specific, clonal mutations and targeting them using a bioengineered facultative intracellular bacterium. It would be initially non-replicating, but transiently regain the ability to replicate (and also transiently become hyper-virulent) upon mutation detection via molecular switches.
ISM: A New Space-Learning Model for Heterogenous Multi-view Data Reduction, Visualization and Clustering
Authors: Fogel Paul , Boldina Galina , Augé Franck , Geissler Christophe , Luta George
Published: March 2024

We describe a new approach for integrating multiple views of data into a common latent space using non-negative tensor factorization (NTF). This approach, which we refer to as the "Integrated Sources Model" (ISM), consists of two main steps: embedding and analysis. In the embedding step, each view is transformed into a matrix with common non-negative components. In the analysis step, the transformed views are combined into a tensor and decomposed using NTF. Noteworthy, ISM can be extended to process multi-view data sets with missing views. We illustrate the new approach using two examples: the UCI digit dataset and a public cell type gene signatures dataset, to show that multi-view clustering of digits or marker genes by their respective cell type is better achieved with ISM than with other latent space approaches. We also show how the non-negativity and sparsity of the ISM model components enable straightforward interpretations, in contrast to latent factors of mixed signs. Finally, we present potential applications to single-cell multi-omics and spatial mapping, including spatial imaging and spatial transcriptomics, and computational biology, which are currently under evaluation. ISM relies on state-of-the-art algorithms invoked via a simple workflow implemented in a Jupyter Python notebook.
Assessment of the Accumulation Performance of Mo+, Pb+, and Cu++ in the Acidic Water of Copper Mine with Lemna minor and Lemna gibba
Authors: Konakcı Nevin
Published: March 2024

Pollutants accumulate in aquatic habitats as a result of mining activities. Lemna gibba and Lemna minor were used in this study to examine the accumulation capacities of Mo+, Pb+, and Cu++ in the acid fluids of the copper mining. Duckweed family includes water plants like L. minor and L. gibba. These are tiny, delicate, free-floating aquatic plants. Two reactors were assigned to L. gibba and L. minor, respectively. Throughout the course of eight days, these plants and reactor water were gathered every day. The acid mine water's pH, temperature, and electric conductivity were also tested every day. The L. gibba and L. minor were cleaned, dehydrated, and burned in a drying oven for a whole day at 300 oC. ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy) was used to determine the Mo+, Pb+, and Cu++ content of the plant and water samples. The concentrations of Mo, Pb, and Cu in the acid mine fluids of the copper mining were 30±4, 260±12, and 15535±322 μg L−1, respectively.in that order. When it came to extracting Mo, Pb, and Cu from the acidic fluids of the copper mining, L. gibba and L. minor performed well and efficiently compared to control samples; they did so 29 and 177 times for Mo, 30 and 109 times for Pb, and 495 and 1150 times for Cu. Considering all these findings, it has been shown that L. gibba and L. minor have the ability to efficiently remove Mo, Pb and Cu in acid mine fluids and can be good rehabilitation plants for polluted waters.
Prevalence of Malocclusions Among Schoolchildren from Southwestern Romania
Authors: Petrescu Stelian-Mihai-Sever , Pisc Radu Mircea , Ioana Tamara , Mărășescu Felicia Ileana , Manolea Horia Octavian , Popescu Mihai Raul , Dragomir Lucian Paul , Dragomir Lucian Constantin , Florea Ștefan , Bărăscu-Petrescu Roxana Adina , Ionescu Mihaela , Rauten Anne-Marie
Published: March 2024

Malocclusions have a continuously increasing prevalence from a generation to another as a result of climate changes, soil, atmosphere and water pollution. All of these aspects have unfavorable consequences on the nutritional scheme. Thus, nutrition together with other etiopathogenic factors contribute to complex alterations in the somatic development of the entire organism and, implicitly, of the cephalic extremity. The study group included 4147 children from randomly selected schools from Vâlcea County, Romania. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of malocclusions in schoolchildren from Vâlcea County, Romania, according to the three main classes of malocclusions (according to Angle’s classification), age groups (from 6 to 10 years old and from 11 to 14 years old), gender (male and female) and place of origin (rural and urban). For Angle class I malocclusions we recorded the highest prevalence (48,78% from the total number of schoolchildren with malocclusions), followed by Angle class II malocclusions (45,85% from the total number of schoolchildren with malocclusions) and for Angle class III malocclusions we found the lowest prevalence (5,37% from the total number of schoolchildren with malocclusions).According to gender, we found the highest prevalence in female gender (29,90% from the total number of female subjects), while in male gender we recorded a prevalence of 27,70% from the total number of male subjects. Regarding the place of origin, there is a higher prevalence of malocclusions in the urban areas (29,16%). The study subgroup included 140 children randomly selected from the total number of subjects from the study group. They were included in a more advanced study. The aim is to find potential associations between the presence of malocclusions and various oral variables. Categorical variables were expressed as numerical values and percentages, and their association was evaluated with either the Chi-square test of association or homogeneity, or the Fisher Exact test. The acquired data were incorporated into a binomial logistic regression model to assess the likelihood of developing malocclusions in relation to the following variables: defective phonation, bruxism, frequency of teeth brushing, onychophagia, oral respiration, infantile deglutition, placing objects between the maxillaries, thumb sucking and salivary aspects. It is also aimed to compare the results obtained with similar ones from the specialized literature.
Eco-Anxiety and Trust in Science in Spain: Two Paths to Connect Climate Change Perceptions and the General Willingness for Environmental Behavior
Authors: Vecina María Luisa , Alonso-Ferres María , López-García Laura , Díaz-Silveira Cintia
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This article aims to better understand the mechanisms that connect climate change perceptions and general willingness to engage in pro-environmental behavior using Spanish cross-sectional data (N = 403). To do this, we first developed and validated the General Willingness for Environmental Behavior Scale (GWEBS), which includes the classical approach of voluntarily doing new actions but also actions implying not doing things (degrowth) and actions forced by social constraints. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit for the one-factor structure, which had adequate validity based on their relationship with other variables. Additionally, the GWEBS distinguished between women and men, left- and right-oriented people, and people who belonged to pro-environmental groups and people who did not. In the second place, we tested the parallel mediator role of eco-anxiety and trust in science in the relationship between climate change perceptions and the GWEBS. The results showed that eco-anxiety, fully, and trust in science partially mediated such a relationship, making them crucial to mobilize the intention to act following the perception. This study contributes to our understanding of the psychological mechanisms that eventually drive pro-environmental behaviors and provides a clear direction for future research.
A Transient Voltage-based Approach for Mid-voltage Fault Detection through Low-voltage Sensors
Authors: ZHANG Mingze , GUAN Xinyu , AI Xin
Published: March 2024

Single-phase-to-ground fault in non-effectively grounded systems poses serious public safety concern. Along with increasing deployment of low-voltage (LV) sensors, new opportunities and ways are created for solving this traditional problem in distribution systems. A new approach, identifying primary single-phase-to-ground line fault and locating it through measurement data from smart sensors deployed in the secondary side of distribution transformers, is proposed in this paper. When a fault occurs in primary distribution feeder, the transient aerial mode voltage (AMV) of each LV smart sensor is calculated. The fault line can be identified by an abrupt change value of AMV at LV side. Next, by finding the position of the maximum value of this AMV from LV sensors on the fault line, the fault location can be pinpointed to two neighboring distribution transformers. The proposed method has been proven to be efficient and reliable by simulation studies.
The Development of Sustainable polyoxymethylene(POM)-Based Composites by the Introduction of Natural Fillers and Melt Blending with Poly(lactic Acid)-PLA
Authors: Soćko Anna , Andrzejewski Jacek
Published: March 2024

The subject of the conducted study was focused on the development of new type of technical blends reinforced with natural fillers. The study was divided into two parts, where in the firsts stage of the research unmodified POM was reinforced with different types of natural fillers: cellulose, wood flour and husk particles. In order to select the type of filler intended for further modification, the mechanical characteristics was assessed. The 20% wood flour (WF) filler system was selected as the reinforcement. The second stage of research involved the use of combination of polyoxymethylene POM and poly(lactic acid) PLA. POM/PLA blend (ratio 50/50 %) were modified with elastomeric compound (EBA) and chain extender as reactive compatibilized (CE). The microscopic analysis revealed that for POM/PLA system the filler-matrix interface is characterized by better wettability, which might suggest higher adhesion. The mechanical performance revealed that for POM/PLA-based composites the properties were very close to the results for POM-WF composites; however, there is still large difference in thermal resistance in favor of POM-based materials. The increase in thermomechanical properties for POM/PLA composites occurs after heat treatment. The increasing crystallinity of the PLA phase allows for an significant increase of the head deflection temperature (HDT), even above 125 °C.
Synergy in Action: Integrating Environmental Monitoring, Energy Efficiency, and IoT for Safer Shared Buildings
Authors: Franco Alessandro , Crisostomi Emanuele , Dalmiani Stefano , Poletti Roberta
Published: March 2024

Shared public buildings have become centers of innovation, integrating advanced technologies to meet evolving societal needs. With a heightened emphasis on occupants’ health and well-being, these buildings serve as hubs for technological convergence, facilitating seamless connectivity and intelligent data analysis and management. Within this context, environmental monitoring emerges as a foundational element, pivotal to all aspects of building management. This article provides findings from the nationally funded RE-START project, which focuses on shared public buildings, with special regard to educational and medical facilities. The project explores enhanced indoor air quality monitoring, focusing in particular on CO2 concentration that is directly correlated with occupancy, as a fundamental element for developing health and safety protocols, energy efficiency strategies, integration of smart building technologies, and data-driven energy management. The intersection of environmental monitoring, energy efficiency, security, and IoT technologies in in indoor spaces are relevant. The outcomes of the study reveal the delicate nature of all the involved components, that need to be carefully developed in an integrated manner.
Comprehensive Empirical Modeling of Shear Strength Prediction in Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams
Authors: Sayhood Eyad K. , Mohammed Nisreen S. , Hilo Salam Jasim , Salih Salih S.
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a thorough investigation into the shear strength capacity of reinforced concrete deep beams, with a focus on improving predictive accuracy beyond existing code provisions. Analyzing 198 deep beams from 15 investigations, the study considers parameters such as concrete compressive strength (fc’), shear span to effective depth ratio (av/d), and reinforcement ratios (ρs, ρv, ρh ). Introducing a novel predictive model (Equation 7), the study rigorously evaluates it using nonlinear regression analysis and statistical metrics (MAE, RMSE, R2). The proposed model demonstrates a significant reduction in the coefficient of variation (COV) to 27.08%, surpassing existing codes' limitations. Comparative analyses highlight the model's robustness, revealing improved convergence of data points and minimal sensitivity to variations in key parameters. The findings suggest that the proposed model offers enhanced predictive accuracy across diverse scenarios, making it a valuable tool for structural engineers. This research contributes to advancing the understanding of shear strength in reinforced concrete deep beams, offering a reliable and versatile predictive model with implications for refining design methodologies and enhancing the safety and efficiency of structural systems.
Efficiency of Nitrogen Fertilization in Millet Irrigated with Brackish Water
Authors: Sousa Geocleber Gomes De , Costa Francisco Hermeson Rodrigues , Sousa José Thomas Machado de , Almeida Murilo De Sousa , Primola Gomes Silas , Lacerda Claudivan Feitosa De , De Araújo Viana Thales Vinícius , Santos Samuel de Oliveira , Silva Júnior Francisco Barroso da , Lopes Fernando Bezerra , Vieira Lima Silvio Carlos Ribeiro , Silva Alexsandro Oliveira da
Published: March 2024

Nitrogen fertilization can provide greater nutritional support and mitigate salt stress in the millet crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses and agronomic performance of millet crops subjected to nitrogen fertilization and irrigation water salinity. The study was carried out in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized design in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with 4 rep-lications, with five doses of nitrogen (40; 60; 80; 100 and 120 kg ha-1 of N) and two levels of elec-trical conductivity of the irrigation water: 0.3 and 4.0 dS m-1. We concluded that salt stress in-creased leaf sodium levels and had a negative impact on stalk dry mass and panicle dry, leaf gas exchange, mineral element concentrations (K, P and Ca), and water use efficiency. The use of lower salinity water associated with increased nitrogen fertilization provides greater stalk dry mass and panicle dry, photosynthesis, water use efficiency, chlorophyll index, leaf potassium concentration, and biomass production. Salt stress negatively affected transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf P and Ca levels, and increased leaf sodium levels as nitrogen fertilization increased in millet plants grown under pot conditions. These results can be used to create a strategy to reduce the negative impact of salt stress associated with the nutrition of millet plants, using nitrogen fertilization.
Predicting the Effect of miRNA on Gene Regulation to Foster Translational Multiomics Research – A Thorough Review on the Role of ChIP-Seq Data
Authors: Das Sarmistha , Rai Shesh N
Published: March 2024

Gene regulation is vital for cellular function and homeostasis, involving diverse mechanisms controlling specific gene products and contributing to tissue-specific gene expression. Dysregulation leads to diseases, emphasizing the need for understanding these mechanisms. Non-coding regions, notably enhancers and super-enhancers (SEs), act as crucial gene regulators, orchestrating transcriptional activity via transcription factors (TFs). SEs, with high activity, are pivotal in cell identity and disease progression. Current computational approaches focus on individual regulators like TFs and miRNAs, neglecting SE interactions. We emphasize incorporating SEs into models to enhance understanding. Experimental studies have recently linked miRNAs and TFs to SEs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) provides valuable SE information. In this review, we categorize computational methods leveraging TF and miRNA data into three areas and explore challenges integrating enhancers/SEs. These include unraveling indirect regulatory networks, identifying network motifs, and enriching pathway identification by dissecting gene regulators, including SEs. We hypothesize that addressing these challenges will enhance our understanding of gene regulation, aiding in identifying therapeutic targets and disease biomarkers. We believe that understanding the role of ChIP-Seq data in predicting the effect of miRNA on gene regulation is crucial to construct statistical/computational model that would tackle these challenges.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Decreases Erythrocyte Dysfunction Induced by Beta-Amyloid
Authors: Misiti Francesco , Diotaiuti Pierluigi , Lombardo Giovanni Enrico , Tellone Ester
Published: March 2024

Background: Amyloid beta peptides (Aβ) have been identified as the main pathogenic agents in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Soluble Aβ oligomers, rather than monomer or insoluble amyloid fibrils, show membrane-binding capacity to red blood cells (RBCs) and trigger several morphological and functional alterations in RBCs that can result in impaired oxygen transport and delivery. Since bioactive lipids have been recently proposed as potent protective agents against Aβ toxicity, we investigated the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in signaling pathways involved in the mechanism underlying ATP release in Aβ-treated RBCs.
Methods: In RBCs following different treatments, ATP, 2,3 DPG, cAMP levels, and caspase 3 activity were determined by spectrophotometric and immunoassay.
Results: S1P rescued the inhibition of ATP release from RBCs triggered by Aβ through a mechanism involving caspase-3 and restoring 2,3 DPG and cAMP levels within the cell.
Conclusions: These findings reveal the molecular basis of S1P protection against Aβ in RBCs and suggest new therapeutic avenues in AD.
A Novel Differentiated Control Strategy for Energy Storage System That Minimizes Battery Aging Cost Based on Multiple Health Features
Authors: Xiao Wei , Jia Jun , Zhong Weidong , Liu Wenxue , Wu Zhuoyan , Jiang Cheng , Li Binke
Published: March 2024

In large-capacity energy storage systems, instructions are decomposed typically using an equalized power distribution strategy, where clusters/modules operate at the same power and durations. When dispatching shifts from stable single conditions to intricate coupled conditions, this distribution strategy inevitably results in increased inconsistency and hastened system aging. This paper presents a novel differentiated power distribution strategy comprising three control variables: the rotation status, the operating boundaries for both Depth of Discharge (DOD) and C-rates (C) within a control period. The proposed strategy integrates an aging cost prediction model developed to express the mapping relationship between these control variables and aging costs. Additionally, it incorporates the multi-colony particle swarm optimization (Mc-PSO) algorithm into the optimization model to minimize aging costs. The aging cost prediction model consists of three functions: predicting health features (HFs) based on the cumulative charge/discharge throughput quantity and operating boundaries, characterizing HFs as comprehensive scores, and calculating aging costs using both comprehensive scores and residual equipment value. Further, we elaborated on the engineering application process for the proposed control strategy. In the simulation scenarios, this strategy prolonged the service life by 14.62%, reduced the overall aging cost by 6.61%, and improved module consistency by 21.98%, compared with the traditional equalized distribution strategy. In summary, the proposed strategy proves effective in elongating service life, reducing overall aging costs, and increasing the benefit of energy storage systems in particular application scenarios.