bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
After 3D Printing, What's Next: Discovering Scientific Trends of 4D Printing
Authors: Ventayen Randy Joy M.
Published: March 2024

he field of additive manufacturing has seen the rise of 3D Printing and 4D Printing as noteworthy subjects of research. This study highlights the advancements in advanced Printing techniques. To identify, evaluate, and analyze the existing literature on this subject, the research followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, focusing on documents indexed in the Elsevier Scopus database. Through bibliometric analysis (BA), including co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and citations, the research landscape and scientific progress in this area were examined. The analysis revealed that a total of 1,638 documents have been published and indexed on this topic since its inception. The search was conducted on February 17, 2023, at 2:30 AM +8 GMT. The results indicated that articles are the primary form of publication, with a strong emphasis on Materials Science, Engineering, and Chemistry as the favored thematic subjects in the published works. Among the various sources of publications, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, published by ACS Publications, emerged as the most influential. On the research leadership front, Gladman A. Sydney, affiliated with Harvard University, was identified as the most influential lead researcher in this domain. Further examination revealed that prolific authors in this field are primarily associated with institutions in China, the United States, India, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. In conclusion, the findings highlight that the trend of 4D Printing within the scientific community is still in a phase of ongoing development.
OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing: Similarity Index and Analysis of Artificial Intelligence-Based Contents
Authors: Ventayen Randy Joy M.
Published: March 2024

This research compares AI language models—specifically, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Bard, and Microsoft's Bing—by analyzing their originality, use of external sources, and performance. Conducted on August 5, 2023, the study evaluates how these models respond to different queries, revealing distinct characteristics. ChatGPT stands out with lower similarity scores and lesser reliance on online sources, indicating its potential for creating more unique content. In contrast, Bard and Bing show higher similarity scores, suggesting they draw more from available online content, which could be beneficial for tasks requiring context-rich information. While ChatGPT and Bard excel in grasping context, generating substantial content, and offering relevant insights, there are concerns about accuracy and consistency across queries. Notably, Bing's focus on aiding content creation rather than direct essay generation showcases diverse strengths among AI models. As AI technology progresses, refining these models and addressing inconsistencies will improve their usefulness across various applications. These findings guide users in choosing AI tools that fit their content needs and ensure the credibility of generated outputs.
Implementation of Work Immersion in the New Normal: Basis for Students’ Quality Performance and Satisfaction
Authors: Cabile Jr Democrito C
Published: March 2024

This study evaluated the implementation of work immersion in the new normal, students' quality performance, and work immersion satisfaction. The relationship between variables and the mediating effect of students' quality performance between work immersion implementation and student satisfaction was also investigated. Adherence, exposure, quality of delivery in terms of work immersion curriculum, work immersion processes, and work immersion assessment, as well as participant responsiveness, were used to assess the extent of work immersion implementation. In addition, the level of satisfaction among students was evaluated using Task values (attainment value, intrinsic value, utility value, and cost); Motivation factors (work itself, achievement, and responsibility); and Hygiene factors (administrative policies, supervision, interpersonal, and working conditions). On the other hand, students’ quality performance was gauged base on teamwork, communication, attendance/punctuality, productivity/resilience, initiative/proactivity, judgement/decision-making, and dependability. Respondents are Grade 12 students from public secondary schools in the SDO Tayabas who have participated in actual work immersion activities in an authentic workplace. The structured questionnaire was created and validated to collect data from respondents via Google Forms to determine the extent of the research variables and their association. These data were analyzed to obtain reliable and valid study results. The study's findings revealed that work immersion program implementation is significantly related to student satisfaction. Work immersion program implementation is significant to student quality performance; student satisfaction creates a relationship with work immersion program implementation. The mediation analysis results indicate that the overall student’s quality performance can transmit the effect of influenced implementation of work immersion, which increases student Satisfaction. Also, partial mediation exists considering the extent of the mediating effect of students' quality performance between the work immersion implementation and the students' satisfaction with work immersion. This is due to the analysis that the work immersion implementation as the independent variable significantly affects a mediating variable, which is the students' quality performance. The students' quality performance as the mediating variable has a direct impact on the students' satisfaction with work immersion as the independent variable.
School Head’s Professional Identity, Emotional Intelligence and Perfectionism: Three-Tier Factors to Advance Pedagogical Leadership
Authors: Callo Eden C. , Asilo Marta G.
Published: March 2024

This study is focused on the school head’s professional identity, emotional intelligence, and perfectionism as three tier factors to advance pedagogical leadership. The study employed the quantitative descriptive methodology, combining descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis. The researchers-made online survey instrument, via a google form. Responses from 132 school heads were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, and standard deviation. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to determine the significant relationships of the variables. The results reveal that professional identity has a positive relationship with pedagogical leadership.  Contradicting result is the emotional intelligence which has a negative relationship with pedagogical leadership. Lastly, perfectionism has a positive relationship with pedagogical leadership. It is concluded that a school head’s professional identity, emotional intelligence and perfectionism significantly predict pedagogical leadership. Hence, the department (DepEd) may conduct series of training and workshops for teachers as a capacity building to equip them with knowledge and competencies to handle the numerous challenges in the delivery of quality, relevant, inclusive, and liberating education to the Filipino learners. Further, during Gender and Development programs one activity to consider is the training in emotional development among teachers and school heads.
Strategies Applied in Resolving Organizational Conflict in the Academe: An Experienced-based Approach
Authors: Cajayon Menrado V. , Gutierrez Ernell Bautista , Masanga Luisito P.
Published: March 2024

There is no organization with no conflict situations (Kharadze & Gulua (2023), thus, this research identified and analysed organizational conflict in the subject institution. It further investigated the effectiveness of conflict resolution as practiced by the select organization. The study is qualitative in nature and utilized twelve (12) key informants selected by way of purposive sampling. Results revealed common organizational conflicts, strategies and suggestions based on the experience of the select key informants. The following organizational conflicts were culled out: Misinterpretation/Misunderstanding, Failure to Comply, Leadership Conflict, Professional Rivalry, Work Load Distribution and Undesirable Decision-making. On the other hand, the following are the common strategies applied to solve organizational conflict: Teambuilding, One-on-One Interaction, Portraying Positive Disposition, Identifying and Eradicating Root Causes and Policy Re-orientation. Lastly, the following are suggested by the key informants to lessen if not to solve organizational conflict: Socialization Activities, Collaborative Activities, Expert Advice, Helpful Attitude and Openness and Honesty.
Integration of Gamification in Teaching and Students’ Academic Performance: Basis for Action Plan
Authors: Pacturan Drexile B. , Sabacajan Bazil T. , Nahial Wenie L.
Published: March 2024

Gamification has been noted to be very helpful to learners in increasing their collaboration, motivation, interest, engagement, and teamwork in the classrooms. This is the reason that this work was conducted to determine the extent of the integration of gamification in teaching as a step to help address the alarming performance of the learners in the international and local examinations. Using the descriptive-correlational research design with use of a survey questionnaire as the main data gathering tool, this work was implemented to junior high school science and mathematics teachers in the districts of Guinsiliban, Sagay and Catarman. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyze the data to answer the inquiries of the study. Results showed that most of the respondents in science and mathematics were females, and majority of them were in Teacher I position, on the age group of 20 to 40, served for at most 10 years, proceeded to graduate studies, and specialized in science education. The respondents had moderately integrated gamification in teaching science and mathematics. While the learners of the respondents had a very satisfactory performance in science and mathematics. Demographic variables like sex, age, educational attainment, number of years of teaching, field of specialization, and teaching position did not influence the extent of integration of gamification in teaching. The study also found a positive, low correlation but significant relationship between the extent of integration of gamification and the academic performance of the learners. Lack of gadgets like laptops and computers, internet connection, lack of access to online game-based platforms, computer literacy of teachers, and time management were the most common challenges in the integration of gamification in the learning sessions of science and mathematics. The researcher recommended that future researchers may replicate this study in schools where gadgets and internet connection are available.
Integration of Literacy Strategies in Teaching Science among Grade IV Pupils of Zone II Zambales Division for The School Year 2019 – 2020
Authors: Sebastian Mary Jane A.
Published: March 2024

The study aimed to assess and determine the integration of literacy strategies in teaching Science among Grade IV elementary pupils of Zone II Division of Zambales during the School Year 2019-2020.
The researcher utilized the descriptive research design with questionnaire as the main instrument in gathering data and information from (50) Science teachers and determine their profile as to age, sex, highest educational attainment, position, and numbers of years in teaching Science. The study was limited to determine perception towards integrating literacy in teaching Science among elementary pupils as to Paraphrasing/Vocabulary Instruction, Summarizing Science, Interactive Read-Aloud, Interactive Reading Guides, and Writing A Scientific Explanation
The result of the study revealed that most of the respondents are from age-group of 30-39 with 19 or equivalent to 38.00% and with mean age of 38.1 years old; majority of the respondents are female teachers with 29 or equivalent to 58.00%; majority have attained Masteral units and with 27 or equivalent to 54.00%; mostly are occupying Teacher I and with 19 or equivalent to 38.00%; and 18 or equivalent to 36.00%  are in the teaching service for 6-9 years with mean of 7.6% or 8 years in the service.
Based on the summary of the investigations conducted, the researcher has arrived to conclude that the respondent is a typical female in her middle adulthood, Teacher 1, with Masteral units and has served for almost a decade in the teaching service. The respondents Highly Practiced Paraphrasing/Vocabulary Instruction, Summarizing Science, Interactive Read-Aloud, Interactive Reading Guides, and Writing A Scientific Explanation. The students were assessed “Average Mastery” in their academic performance. Based on the summary of the investigations conducted and the conclusions arrived at the researcher has offered the following recommendations based on the salient findings obtained in the study. It is encouraged that the Science teachers have to finish their Masteral Degree for them to have higher academic rank.
The Science teachers have to sustain the teaching strategies in Paraphrasing, Summarizing in Science, Interactive Read Aloud, Interactive Reading Guides, and Writing Scientific Explanation must be sustained among science teachers. The teachers have to encourage pupils to develop study habits to improve the academic performance. Teachers are encouraged to be sensitive and vigilant to pupils who are passive in the subjects and make them highly involve in all activities by giving rewards and recognition. If budget warrants, provision of internet services in classroom environment is strongly recommendable for better appreciation and learning Science. The future researchers have to conduct a parallel or similar study with in-depth and wider in scope so as to validate and confirm the findings obtained in the study.
Extrapolating Pre-service Physical Educators’ Motives and Barriers to Exercise as Basis for the Development of a Physical Activity Plan
Authors: Lacson Allyson Alvear T. , Tolentino Julius Ceazar G.
Published: March 2024

The need to examine whether existing constructs in motives and barriers are still relevant in contemporary times is both a challenge and a trend in research concerning school physical activity. Ergo, this study sought to extrapolate Filipino pre-service physical educators' present-day motives and barriers to exercise, with a valid physical activity plan as the end in mind. A free-listing methodology was utilized to document the motives and barriers of the participants (N = 269) coded using the subscales of the Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2) and Barriers to Physical Activity Scale, respectively. Motives and barriers not covered within the scales were initially coded as ‘other barriers’ and were subsequently coded in the light of existing literature. The subscales from the EMI-2 for coding the motives to exercise the PSPEs are still apparent in contemporary times which is led by ‘positive health’ and ‘appearance.’ Meanwhile, ‘lack of time’, ‘feeling too tired’, and ‘having an injury and/or disease’ are the three leading barriers for the respondents to exercise. Other motives and barriers were likewise reported in the study. A proposed physical activity plan was developed considering the results of the study, and inputs from the faculty implementers, and was validated by three expert physical educators using face validation. It is recommended that psychological and behavioral constructs such as motives and barriers be integrated into the planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating physical activity plans to foster healthy and active would-be physical educators.
Effectiveness of Contextualized Marungko Approach-Based Supplementary Reading Material
Authors: Repaso Jophel C. , Macalisang Denmark S.
Published: March 2024

Acquiring solid reading skills is significant in education as it is the cornerstone for academic success and lifelong learning. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study investigates the effectiveness of a contextualized Marungko approach-based supplementary reading material in improving the reading performance of Grade 1 pupils. In the pre-experimental phase the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) tool was utilized to measure the reading skills of the twenty four (24) Grade 1 pupils in terms of identifying letter sounds, identifying initial sounds, reading familiar words, reading invented words, and reading oral passages before and after the implementation of the contextualized Marungko approach-based supplementary reading material. Findings revealed a significant improvement in the early reading skills of Grade 1 pupils after using the supplementary reading material. This indicated that the reading material effectively enhanced the Grade 1 pupils’ reading performance. The responses of the five (5) participants in the qualitative phase, which were examined following Braun and Clark (2013) analysis, yielded two (2) themes. It is recommended that educational institutions and policymakers should consider incorporating the Marungko Approach into their reading instruction programs to enhance alphabet knowledge, phonemic awareness, word recognition, decoding, and oral reading fluency.
Neural Circuits Underlying Reciprocal Cardiometabolic Crosstalk: 2023 Arthur C. Corcoran Memorial Lecture
Authors: Rahmouni Kamal
Published: March 2024

The interplay of various body systems, encompassing those that govern cardiovascular and metabolic functions, has evolved alongside the development of multicellular organisms. This evolutionary process is essential for the coordination and maintenance of homeostasis and overall health by facilitating the adaptation of the organism to internal and external cues. Disruption of these complex interactions contributes to the development and progression of pathologies that involve multiple organs. Obesity-associated cardiovascular risks, such as hypertension, highlight the significant influence that metabolic processes exert on the cardiovascular system. This cardiometabolic communication is reciprocal, as indicated by substantial evidence pointing to the ability of the cardiovascular system to affect metabolic processes, with pathophysiological implications in disease conditions. In this review, I outline the bidirectional nature of the cardiometabolic interaction, with special emphasis on the impact that metabolic organs have on the cardiovascular system. I also discuss the contribution of the neural circuits and autonomic nervous system in mediating the crosstalk between cardiovascular and metabolic functions in health and disease, along with the molecular mechanisms involved.
Mesozoic: A new interdisciplinary journal for Mesozoic Earth and life evolution
Authors: HUANG DI-YING , FENG ZHUO , PAN YAN-HONG , WANG MIN , KEMP DAVID B.
Published: March 2024

Mesozoic is an interdisciplinary journal dedicated to the study of Earth and life evolution during the Mesozoic Era. Its scope within the geosciences is broad, encompassing disciplines such as stratigraphy, palaeontology, palaeogeography, palaeoclimate, palaeoenvironment, geochronology, sedimentology, geochemistry, palaeomagnetism, and tectonic geology. We encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to explore the deep relationships between biotic evolution and Earth’s surface processes.
The genus Rhodocollybia (Omphalotaceae, Basidiomycota) in the Republic of Korea
Authors: RYOO RHIM , KA KANG-HYEON , ANTONÍN VLADIMÍR
Published: March 2024

Collections of Rhodocollybia from the Republic of Korea have been studied. Four species are recognized in the area. Three new species, Rhodocollybia butyraceoides, R. hongneungensis and R. variabilicolor, are described based on their macro- and micromorphological and phylogenetic characteristics. A detailed macro- and micromorphological description of R. maculata based on the Korean collection is also given. Taxonomic and phylogenetic positions of all taxa have been inferred and confirmed by analyses of ITS and LSU sequence data. A key to the Korean taxa is provided.
Phylogenetic and taxonomic appraisal of Neomanoharachariella xizangensis sp. nov. and the first asexual report of Acanthostigmina (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) from Xizang Autonomous Region, China
Authors: YANG YAN-YAN , THIYAGARAJA VINODHINI , N. WANASINGHE DHANUSHKA , DE FARIAS AR GOMES , ZHAO QI
Published: March 2024

Tubeufiaceae species have diverse morphologies and habitats and are distributed in both tropical and temperate regions. In the past decade, several new and interesting Tubeufiaceae species were reported from China in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. In this study, we investigated two saprobic species collected on decaying wood in a terrestrial habitat of Xizang Autonomous Region, China. Through phylogenetic analyses of a combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 dataset coupled with detailed morphological examinations, a novel species within Neomanoharachariella was identified. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this new species formed a sister clade to Neomanoharachariella aquatica, but can be morphologically distinguished by its pale brown, septate, and flexuous conidiophores, alongside dark brown setae that turn hyaline at the apex and distinct muriform conidia. In addition, this study presents the first asexual and geographical record of Acanthostigmina (A. multiseptatum) from China. Acanthostigmina multiseptatum is characterized by micronematous, hyaline, and septate conidiophores with unique pleurogenous and helicoid conidia.
Catalog of Anaedus Blanchard, 1842 with nomenclatural notes (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Lagriinae)
Authors: KANDA KOJUN , JOHNSTON M. ANDREW
Published: March 2024

The genus Anaedus Blanchard, 1842 in the tribe Goniaderini Lacordaire, 1859 has experienced drastic genus-level change where seven other genera were subsumed as synonyms by Aalbu et al. (2023). That study addressed multiple nomenclatural issues including several replacement names, but did not provide a full species-group catalog. This study presents a full catalog for the 142 species-group names currently belonging to Anaedus and rectifies several nomenclatural issues missed within the previous study. The catalog includes full nomenclatural histories and type localities for all taxa. The following New Combinations are established: Anaedus keralensis (Kaszab, 1979), An. madrensis (Kaszab, 1979), An. philippinus (Schawaller, 1994), An. setosus (Kaszab, 1979), An. simillimus (Kaszab, 1979). The following New Replacement Names are established for the species listed in parentheses: Anaedus fairmairei Kanda & Johnston (replaces An. fulvipennis Fairmaire, 1889), An. pici Kanda & Johnston (replaces An. rufipes Pic, 192), An. pictus Kanda & Johnston (replaces Spinolyprops maculatus Kulzer, 1954), An. neorufescens Kanda & Johnston (replaces Aspisoma rufescens Pic, 1951).
Nine new species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer (Araneae: Pholcidae) from South Korea
Authors: LEE JUN-GI , LEE JUN-HO , CHOI DOO-YEONG , PARK SUN-JAE , BAEK MIN-JEONG , KIM SAM-KYU
Published: March 2024

Nine new species belonging to the Pholcus phungiformes-group are described from Korea, viz., Pholcus chugok Lee & Lee, sp. nov., Pholcus noeun Lee & Lee, sp. nov., Pholcus wonju Lee & Lee, sp. nov., Pholcus ungyo Lee & Lee, sp. nov., Pholcus hwangjeong Lee & Lee, sp. nov., Pholcus gimsatgat Lee & Lee, sp. nov., Pholcus solchi Lee & Lee, sp. nov., Pholcus mino Lee & Lee, sp. nov., and Pholcus maepo Lee & Lee, sp. nov. These new species were found from mountainous habitats in Gangwon-do and Chungcheongbuk-do, the northeastern regions of South Korea where the two major mountain ranges (Taebaeksan mountains and Sobaeksan mountains) are located together. Detailed descriptions, photographs, and a distribution map for the new species are provided with notes on their intraspecific variations of copulatory organs.
Updates and additions to the annotated checklist of click-beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of Iran
Authors: GHAHARI HASSAN , PACKOVA GABRIELA , PLATIA GIUSEPPE , KUNDRATA ROBIN
Published: March 2024

In this study, we provide numerous updates and additions to the checklist of click-beetles (Elateridae) of Iran based on the most up-to-date family classification as well as on the recent taxonomic studies dealing with the species diversity of the click-beetles from Iran. The updated checklist of Iranian Elateridae includes 293 species classified in 62 genera and seven subfamilies, i.e., Agrypninae (15 genera, 42 species), Cardiophorinae (six genera, 68 species), Dendrometrinae (16 genera, 35 species), Elaterinae (21 genera, 124 species), Hemiopinae (one genus, 4 species), Lissominae (one genus, two species), and Negastriinae (two genera, 18 species). The following new combinations are proposed for species hitherto included in Conoderus Eschscholtz, 1829 (since Conoderus is currently a synonym of Monocrepidius Eschscholtz, 1829): Monocrepidius posticus (Eschscholtz, 1822) comb. nov. and Monocrepidius productus (Peyerimhoff, 1931) comb. nov. The following new combinations are proposed for species hitherto included in Hemicrepidius Germar, 1839: Pseudathous agajevi (Platia, 2008) comb. nov., Pseudathous koenigi (Schwarz, 1897) comb. nov., Pseudathous nigritulus (Reitter, 1890) comb. nov., and Pseudathous rahmei (Németh & Platia, 2014) comb. nov. Approximately one third (96) of the listed species are currently endemic to Iran.
Taxonomic notes on the leafhopper genus Phlogothamnus Ishihara (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae), with description of a new species from China
Authors: HASSAN MUHAMMAD ASGHAR , ZHANG JIE , XING JICHUN
Published: March 2024

A new leafhopper species Phlogothamnus renhuaiensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Guizhou Province, China. An updated identification key for the adult male Phlogothamnus species is provided, and a global distribution map showing the geographic distribution of all species is also provided. A cumulative checklist of 10 Phlogothamnus species including the basionym, localities of type materials, type depositories, and updated distribution data is also presented. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).
Amarysius coreanus (Okamoto, 1924), stat. rest.—a species of Korean fauna (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: DANILEVSKY MIKHAIL
Published: March 2024

N/A
Whole transcriptomic analysis reveals overexpression of salivary gland and cuticular proteins genes in insecticide-resistant Anopheles arabiensis from Western Kenya
Authors: Omoke Diana , Impoinvil Lucy Mackenzie , Derilus Dieunel , Okeyo Stephen , Saizonou Helga , Mulder Nicola , Dada Nsa , Lenhart Audrey , Djogbénou Luc , Ochomo Eric
Published: March 2024

Background

Effective vector control is key to malaria prevention. However, this is now compromised by increased insecticide resistance due to continued reliance on insecticide-based control interventions. In Kenya, we have observed heterogenous resistance to pyrethroids and organophosphates inAnopheles arabiensiswhich is one of the most widespread malaria vectors in the country. We investigated the gene expression profiles of insecticide resistantAn. arabiensispopulations from Migori and Siaya counties in Western Kenya using RNA-Sequencing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bottle assays were conducted using deltamethrin (DELTA), alphacypermethrin (ACYP) and pirimiphos-methyl (PMM) to determine the resistance status in both sites.

Results

Mosquitoes from Migori had average mortalities of 91%, 92% and 58% while those from Siaya had 85%, 86%, and 30% when exposed to DELTA, ACYP and PMM, respectively. RNA-Seq analysis was done on pools of mosquitoes which survived exposure (‘resistant’), mosquitoes that were not exposed, and the insecticide-susceptibleAn. arabiensisDongola strain. Gene expression profiles of resistant mosquitoes from both Migori and Siaya showed an overexpression mainly of salivary gland proteins belonging to both the short and long form D7 genes, and cuticular proteins (including CPR9, CPR10, CPR15, CPR16). Additionally, the overexpression of detoxification genes including cytochrome P450s (CYP9M1, CYP325H1, CYP4C27, CYP9L1 and CYP307A1), 2 carboxylesterases and a glutathione-S-transferase (GSTE4) were also shared between DELTA, ACYP, and PMM survivors, pointing to potential contribution to cross resistance to both pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides.

Conclusion

This study provides novel insights into the molecular basis of insecticide resistance inAn. arabiensisin Western Kenya and suggests that salivary gland proteins and cuticular proteins are associated with resistance to multiple classes of insecticides.
Upregulated synthesis and production of bioactive compounds in Lotus arabicus L. by in vitro feeding with dried powder of date palm seeds
Authors: Elsherif Doaa E. , Safhi Fatmah A. , Khalifa Asmaa M. , Ragab Gehad A.
Published: March 2024

Background

Plants are considered the primary source of many principal bioactive compounds that have been utilized in a wide range of applications including the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. Therefore, there is an imperative need to modulate the production of natural bioactive components. The present study aimed to determine the importance of dried and pulverized date palm seeds (DPS) as a natural elicitor for the synthesis of secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L.

Results

The presence of various antioxidant compounds, simple sugars, amino acids, fatty acids and reasonable mineral contents was distinct in the phytochemical characterization of DPS. The major components detected in DPS analysis were the 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural and 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyranone. The induced callus of L. arabicus (seven weeks old) was supplemented with DPS at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 8 and 10 g/l) in culture media. Treatment with 8 g/l DPS induced the highest antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid content and secondary metabolites (total phenolics and flavonoids) in the produced callus. Stress biomarkers (hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde) were found in the control ranges except at 10 g/l DPS. The expression patterns of key genes involoved in secondary metabolism modulation, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavonol synthase (FLS) and deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), were triggered after DPS treatments. Moreover, the quantitative profiling of phenolic and flavonoid compounds showed that supplementation with DPS, especially at 8 g/l, led to pronounced increases in most of the measured compounds.

Conclusion

The marked upregulation of eliciting-responsive genes and overproduction of secondary metabolites provide molecular-based evidence for intensifying the principal pathways of phenylpropanoid, flavonoid and terpenoid biosynthesis. Overall, the present in vitro study highlights the stimulating capacity of DPS utilization to improve the bioactive components of L. arabicus at the physiological and molecular levels, enhancing its potential as a medicinal herb.
A comparison of Scansys and Sirius tomography in healthy eyes
Authors: Khorrami-Nejad Masoud , Khodaparast Mehdi , Abdulkadhim Ihsan Ali , Azizi Elham , Rashidi Fatemeh , Damanpak Vahid , Hashemian Hesam
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To assess the level of agreement and evaluate the reliability of measurements between two Scheimpflug imaging modalities, Scansys (MediWorks, China) and Sirius (CSO, Italy), in quantifying the anterior segment parameters in healthy eyes.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, the right eyes of 38 healthy participants without any ocular or systemic diseases were examined. A range of anterior segment parameters including anterior and posterior flat and steep keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), corneal volume, anterior chamber volume, and horizontal white to white diameter, derived from the sagittal curvature maps were measured. To evaluate the reliability of the measurements, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and correlation coefficient were measured. Additionally, Bland-Altman plots were employed to examine the agreement in mean (bias line) and 95% limits of agreement between the two devices.

Results

The mean age was 31.5 ± 6.9 (range: 19–47) years. The ICC indicated that the majority of anterior segment parameters had an excellent or good level of reliability, surpassing the threshold of 0.9. Nevertheless, CCT and ACA exhibited a moderate level of reliability, with ICC values of 0.794 and 0.728, respectively. The correlation analysis showed a strong correlation for all the variables tested. The Bland-Altman plots revealed that the bias line was near zero and the 95% limits of agreement were narrow for most variables, except for the anterior flat and steep keratometry, which were found to range from − 0.57 to 0.84 D and − 0.68 to 0.87 D, respectively.

Conclusion

Scansys and Sirius devices can be effectively used interchangeably for the evaluation of most anterior segment parameters; however, for anterior corneal curvatures, CCT and ACA, their alternative use is not recommended.
Exploring nurses’ experiences of providing spiritual care to cancer patients: a qualitative study
Authors: Anshasi Huda A. , Fawaz Mirna , Aljawarneh Yousef M. , Alkhawaldeh Ja’far M.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore nurses’ experiences of delivering spiritual care in an oncology setting.

Methods

An exploratory- descriptive qualitative design. Focus groups were conducted to gather data. The discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim to ensure accuracy, credibility, and reliability. Inductive thematic analysis was performed to analyze the narratives, and the study’s reporting followed the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies.

Results

The study revealed four major themes: the spirituality from the perspective of oncology nurses, recognition of patients’ spiritual needs, delivery of spiritual care to patients with cancer, and barriers in implementing spiritual care. The participants identified insufficient staff, lack of time, and insufficient knowledge and skills as obstacles to delivering spiritual care.

Conclusion

This study offers a thorough understanding of how nurses provide spiritual care in an oncology setting. It is recommended that organizational interventions, such as increasing staff numbers, be implemented to enable nurses to provide more compassionate care. Furthermore, nursing curriculums should incorporate purposeful engagement and focused debriefing related to spiritual care to better equip nurses in identifying and meeting the spiritual needs of their patients.
Development and effects of advanced cardiac resuscitation nursing education program using web-based serious game: application of the IPO model
Authors: Baek Gyuli , Lee Eunju
Published: March 2024

Background

The significant rise in cardiac arrest cases within hospitals, coupled with a low survival rate, poses a critical health issue. And in most situations, nurses are the first responders. To develop nursing students’ competencies in advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation, systematic and repetitive learner-centered self-directed education that can promote the integration of knowledge and practice is necessary.

Objectives

To develop an advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation training program using a web-based serious game for nursing students and verifying its efficacy.

Design

The program was developed based on the stages of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation, and the Input Process Outcome Model of Serious Game Design formed the theoretical basis.

Settings and participants

The research design employed a before-and-after non-equivalent control group, and data collection took place among 2nd and 3rd year nursing students at K University in D City, Korea, from March 2, 2023, to March 24, 2023.

Methods

The program consisted of a 120-min video lecture, 30 min of a web-based serious game, 30-min of written self-reported debriefing, and individual feedback using a video conference system. The effectiveness of the program was measured for both groups using an 89-item structured questionnaire regarding knowledge, confidence in performance, problem-solving ability, and learning transfer expectations.

Results

The program was effective in improving nursing students’ advanced cardiopulmonary knowledge, confidence in performance, problem-solving ability, and learning transfer expectation immediately after intervention.

Conclusions

This program underscores the necessity of a new direction in nursing education, emphasizing learner-centered approaches, rather than the traditional focus on the mere transmission of basic knowledge and skills, to cultivate nurses with advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation capabilities.
Uric acid, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and their ratio are related to microbial enterotypes and serum metabolites in females with a blood stasis constitution
Authors: Sun Chen , Liu Yanmin , Huang Wei , Chen Yang , Deng Yusheng , Yuan Jiamin , Deng Lili , Xu Ning , Shang Xiaoxiao , Wang Chuyang , Yang Zhimin , Huang Li , Qiu Qinwei
Published: March 2024

Background

Blood stasis constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is believed to render individuals more susceptible to metabolic diseases. However, the biological underpinnings of this constitutional imbalance remain unclear.

Methods

This study explored the association between blood stasis constitution, serum metabolic markers including uric acid (UA), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), their ratio (UHR), serum metabolites, and gut microbiota. Clinical data, fecal and serum samples were acquired from 24 individuals with a blood stasis constitution and 80 individuals with a balanced constitution among healthy individuals from Guangdong. Gut microbiota composition analysis and serum metabolomics analysis were performed.

Results

Females with a blood stasis constitution had higher UA levels, lower HDLC levels, and higher UHR in serum, suggesting a higher risk of metabolic abnormalities. Analysis of the gut microbiome revealed two distinct enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides or Prevotella. Intriguingly, blood stasis subjects were disproportionately clustered within the Bacteroides-rich enterotype. Metabolomic analysis identified subtle differences between the groups, including lower phenylalanine and higher trimethylaminoacetone levels in the blood stasis. Several differential metabolites displayed correlations with HDLC, UA, or UHR, unveiling potential new markers of metabolic dysregulation.

Conclusions

These findings elucidate the intricate interplay between host constitution, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites. The concept of blood stasis offers a unique perspective to identify subtle alterations in microbiome composition and metabolic pathways, potentially signaling underlying metabolic vulnerability, even in the presence of ostensibly healthy profiles. Continued investigation of this TCM principle may reveal critical insights into the early biological processes that foreshadow metabolic deterioration.
Causal effects of glycemic traits and endometriosis: a bidirectional and multivariate mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xin Qing , Li Hao-Jia , Chen Hao-Kai , Zhu Xiao-Feng , Yu Lin
Published: March 2024

Background

Observational studies have suggested an association between endometriosis and glycemic traits, but causality remains unclear. We used bidirectional and multivariate Mendelian randomization (MR) to examine the causal effect of glycemic traits on endometriosis and vice versa.

Methods

We obtained genome-wide association studies summary data of endometriosis and glycemic traits in our study. Inverse variance weighted (IVW), Weighted median, MR-Egger and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) were applied in bidirectional two-sample MR analyses. MVMR was implemented to estimate the causal effect for fasting insulin (FI), fasting glucose (FG), and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on endometriosis. To test the validity of our findings, a number of sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results

The risk of endometriosis was significantly increased by genetically predicted T1DM (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, p = 0.0171, q = 0.0556) and GDM (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.01–1.02, p = 1.34 × 10− 8, q = 1.74 × 10− 7). Endometriosis had a suggestive association with HbA1c (Beta = 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.08, p = 0.0481, q = 0.1251). Using multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR), a significant causal effect of FI on genetically predicted endometriosis was found (OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.16–4.09, p = 0.0154, q = 0.0547). Moreover, no causal associations between endometriosis and other glycemic traits were detected.

Conclusion

Our findings supported the significant causal associations of T1DM, GDM and FI with endometriosis, respectively. Additionally, a suggestive association was found of endometriosis on HbA1c. Importantly, our study may shed light on etiology studies and clinical management of endometriosis.
An in-silico analysis of OGT gene association with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ayodele Abigail O. , Udosen Brenda , Oluwagbemi Olugbenga O. , Oladipo Elijah K. , Omotuyi Idowu , Isewon Itunuoluwa , Nash Oyekanmi , Soremekun Opeyemi , Fatumo Segun
Published: March 2024

O-GlcNAcylation is a nutrient-sensing post-translational modification process. This cycling process involves two primary proteins: the O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) catalysing the addition, and the glycoside hydrolase OGA (O-GlcNAcase) catalysing the removal of the O-GlCNAc moiety on nucleocytoplasmic proteins. This process is necessary for various critical cellular functions. The O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) gene produces the OGT protein. Several studies have shown the overexpression of this protein to have biological implications in metabolic diseases like cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM). This study retrieved 159 SNPs with clinical significance from the SNPs database. We probed the functional effects, stability profile, and evolutionary conservation of these to determine their fit for this research. We then identified 7 SNPs (G103R, N196K, Y228H, R250C, G341V, L367F, and C845S) with predicted deleterious effects across the four tools used (PhD-SNPs, SNPs&Go, PROVEAN, and PolyPhen2). Proceeding with this, we used ROBETTA, a homology modelling tool, to model the proteins with these point mutations and carried out a structural bioinformatics method– molecular docking– using the Glide model of the Schrodinger Maestro suite. We used a previously reported inhibitor of OGT, OSMI-1, as the ligand for these mutated protein models. As a result, very good binding affinities and interactions were observed between this ligand and the active site residues within 4Å of OGT. We conclude that these mutation points may be used for further downstream analysis as drug targets for treating diabetes mellitus.
PMNet: a multi-branch and multi-scale semantic segmentation approach to water extraction from high-resolution remote sensing images with edge-cloud computing
Authors: Zhang Ziwen , Liu Qi , Liu Xiaodong , Zhang Yonghong , Du Zihao , Cao Xuefei
Published: March 2024

In the field of remote sensing image interpretation, automatically extracting water body information from high-resolution images is a key task. However, facing the complex multi-scale features in high-resolution remote sensing images, traditional methods and basic deep convolutional neural networks are difficult to effectively capture the global spatial relationship of the target objects, resulting in incomplete, rough shape and blurred edges of the extracted water body information. Meanwhile, massive image data processing usually leads to computational resource overload and inefficiency. Fortunately, the local data processing capability of edge computing combined with the powerful computational resources of cloud centres can provide timely and efficient computation and storage for high-resolution remote sensing image segmentation. In this regard, this paper proposes PMNet, a lightweight deep learning network for edge-cloud collaboration, which utilises a pipelined multi-step aggregation method to capture image information at different scales and understand the relationships between remote pixels through horizontal and vertical spatial dimensions. Also, it adopts a combination of multiple decoding branches in the decoding stage instead of the traditional single decoding branch. The accuracy of the results is improved while reducing the consumption of system resources. The model obtained F1-score of 90.22 and 88.57 on Landsat-8 and GID remote sensing image datasets with low model complexity, which is better than other semantic segmentation models, highlighting the potential of mobile edge computing in processing massive high-resolution remote sensing image data.
Effect of ultrasound-guided lung recruitment to reduce pulmonary atelectasis after non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liao Bucheng , Liao Wuhao , Yin Shuang , Liu Shujuan , Wu Xinhai
Published: March 2024

Background

At present, the application of bedside lung ultrasound is increasing gradually, but there is no relevant expert consensus or guidance for its evaluation in the field of perioperative anesthesia. Through this meta-analysis, we tried to determine the impact of ultrasound-guided lung recruitment maneuvers (LRM) on perioperative patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library database, Embase, and Clinical Trials gov for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to December 31, 2022. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative atelectasis. Secondary outcomes included lung ultrasound score (LUS) and LUS of each part. A total of 443 patients were examined in nine randomized controlled trials.

Results

The incidence of atelectasis after surgery in patients with ultrasound-guided LRM was less (RR 0.31; 95% CI 0.25–0.40; p < 0.05). The LUS (WMD − 6.24; 95% CI − 6.90–5.59; p < 0.05) and the LUS of each part (LUS in front lung region (WMD − 2.00; 95% CI − 2.49 to − 1.51; p < 0.05); LUS in lateral lung region (WMD − 2.50; 95% CI − 3.20 to − 1.80; p < 0.05); LUS in posterior lung region (WMD − 3.24; 95% CI − 4.23 to − 2.24; p < 0.05)) in patients with ultrasound-guided LRM were lower.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided lung recruitment maneuvers have been shown to be a promising approach for improving perioperative lung ventilation by increasing aeration while mitigating the development of atelectasis. In comparison to non-ultrasound-guided methods, this technique has exhibited superior effects.