bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning for schizophrenia classification based on natural language processing—A pilot study
Authors: Lin Pei-Yun , Chen Ying-Hsuan , Chang Yuh-Jer , Ho Tsung-Tse , Shih Tai-Chuan , Ko Chih-Hung , Lai Ying-Hui
Published: January 2024

Background：The correct diagnosis of schizophrenia is essential to reduce the economic burden and avoid worsening patients’ comorbidities. However, current clinical diagnosis is subjective and time consuming. We propose a deep learning method using the bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) to identify lexical incoherence related to schizophrenia.
Methods：We use a fine-tuned BERT model to extract schizophrenia-related text features and detect possible schizophrenia. Our study involves the enrollment of 13 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia and 13 participants without schizophrenia. Following the collection of speech data, we create a training set by sampling from 10 speakers in each group. Subsequently, the remaining speakers' data is reserved for external testing to assess the model's performance.
Results：After adjusting the parameters of the BERT model, we achieve excellent detection results, with an average accuracy of 84%, 95% of true positives, and an F1 score of 0.806. These results underscore the efficacy of our proposed system in identifying lexical incoherence related to schizophrenia.
Conclusions：Our proposed method, leveraging the deep learning BERT model, shows promise in contributing to schizophrenia diagnosis. The model's self-attention mechanism successfully extracts representative schizophrenia-related text features, providing an objective indicator for psychiatrists. With ongoing refinement, the BERT model serves as a valuable auxiliary tool for expedited and objective schizophrenia diagnosis, ultimately alleviating societal economic burdens and preventing major complications in patients.
Rapid Market Screening to Assess Lead Concentrations in Consumer Products across 25 Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Sargsyan Aelita , Nash Emily , Binkhorst Gordon , Forsyth Jenna E. , Jones Barbara , Ibarra Gabriel Sanchez , Berg Sarah , McCartor Andrew , Fuller Richard , Bose-O’Reilly Stephan
Published: January 2024

Background: Lead exposure can have serious consequences for health and development. The neurological and behavioral effects of lead are considered irreversible. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. In 2020, Pure Earth and UNICEF estimated that one in three children had elevated blood lead levels above 5 µg/dL. The sources of lead exposure vary around the world and can range from household products, such as spices or cookware, to environmental pollution from nearby industries. The aim of this study was to analyze common products from markets in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for their lead content to determine whether they are plausible sources of exposure.
Methods: In 25 LMICs, the research teams systematically collected consumer products (metal cookware, ceramics, cosmetics, paints, toys, spices and other foods). The items were analyzed on site for detectable lead above 2 ppm using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer. For quality control purposes, a subset of the samples was analyzed in the USA using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lead concentrations of the individual product types were compared with established regulatory thresholds.
Results: Out of 5007 analyzed products, threshold values (TV) were surpassed in 51% for metal cookware (TV 100 ppm), 45% for ceramics (TV 100 ppm), and 41% for paints (TV 90 ppm).
Conclusions: Sources of exposure in LMICs can be diverse, and consumers in LMICs lack adequate protection from preventable sources of lead exposure. Rapid Market Screening is an innovative, simple, and useful tool to identify risky products that could be sources of lead exposure.
Selective enhancement of fear extinction by inhibiting neuronal adenylyl cyclase 1 (AC1) in aged mice
Authors: Shi Wantong , Chen Qi-Yu , Ma Yujie , Wan Jinjin , Li Xu-Hui , Zhuo Min
Published: January 2024

Adenylyl cyclase 1 (AC1) is a selective subtype of ACs, which is selectively expressed in neurons. The activation of AC1 is activity-dependent, and AC1 plays an important role in cortical excitation that contributes to chronic pain and related emotional disorders. Previous studies have reported that human-used NB001 (hNB001, a selective AC1 inhibitor) produced analgesic effects in different animal models of chronic pain. However, the potential effects of hNB001 on learning and memory have been less investigated. In the present study, we found that hNB001 affected neither the induction nor the expression of trace fear, but selectively enhanced the relearning ability during the extinction in aged mice. By contrast, the same application of hNB001 did not affect recent, remote auditory fear memory, or remote fear extinction in either adult or aged mice. Furthermore, a single or consecutive 30-day oral administration of hNB001 did not affect acute nociceptive response, motor function, or anxiety-like behavior in either adult or aged mice. Our results are consistent with previous findings that inhibition of AC1 did not affect general sensory, emotional, and motor functions in adult mice, and provide strong evidence that inhibiting the activity of AC1 may be beneficial for certain forms of learning and memory in aged mice.
Rab8a serves as a valuable biomarker of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Rong , Kang Zhanting , Gan Ting , Wang Yangruonan , Huangfu Zhiyuan , Cui Jing , Wang Yongxia
Published: January 2024

Background
Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is a digestive tract malignancy with high morbidity in China, among which esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for 90% of the confirmed cases. Rab8a is a member of the Ras small GTPase superfamily, and it has been shown to play an important role in endometrial cancer (EC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the function of Rab8a in ESCC are currently unclear. This study aimed to investigate Rab8a as a biomarker for the diagnosis of ESCC.
Methods
The study first used TIMER2.0, GEPIA and UALCAN to analyze the expression of Rab8a in a variety of clinically common malignancies including ESCC, followed by real-time PCR (quantitative real-time PCR, qPCR), Western blot, immunohistochemical (IHC) ，and a series of in vitro biological experiments
Results
Rab8a is highly expressed in the esophageal cancer cells and tissues.overexpression of Rab8a can promote the proliferation and migration of ESCC ,while knockdown its expression can inhibit the proliferation and migration of ESCC. Correlation analysis revealed the positive correlation between the expression of Rab8a and NDUFA1, CYC1 in public GEO databases. Therefore, Rab8a may promote ESCC progression by activating mitochondrial respiration.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that Rab8a is upregulated in ESCC and may promote ESCC cell proliferation and migration by activating mitochondrial respiration. This study provides a rationale for clinical diagnosis and screening of new therapeutic targets for ESCC.
Postpartum Anemia and Associated Factors among Lactating Women Visiting Health Centers in OdoShakisso District, Oromia Region, South west Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.
Authors: Shebiti Tadesse , Dessie Yadeta , Gena Hussein Mohammed , Egata Gudina
Published: January 2024

Background
Anemia is one of the most serious public health problems worldwide. Although anemia during pregnancy has been adequately investigated, very little is known about postpartum anemia in low income countries like Ethiopia.
Objective
to assess the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among lactating women visiting health centers in the study area.
Methods
Facility -based cross-sectional study design was used among randomly selected 509 lactating women who have given birth in the last 6 months prior to the study period. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine hemoglobin concentration using a battery-operated portable Hemo Cue analyzer. Hemoglobin (Hgb) level was measured in gram per deciliter (g/dl). The stool examination was performed for ova and parasite using direct wet mount technique. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data using numerical summary measures, tables, and percentages. Bivariable binary logistic regression analyses were used to see the association between each independent variable and the outcome variable. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted to control for all possible confounders and to identify predictors of anemia. Odds ratio alongside 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to measure the strength of the association between study variables. Level of statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05.
Results
The overall magnitude of postpartum anemia was 30.2%; 95%CI :(26.3%, 34.2%)], mild anemia being [22.5% ; 95%CI:(18.6% ,26.3%)],moderate anemia [5.7%; (95%Cl:(3.8%, 7.7%)] and severe anemia [2%; 95%Cl:( 0.8%,3.2%)] respectively. Maternal primary level of education [adjusted odds ratio [(AOR) = 2.6, 95% CI:(1.6.0 ,6.34)], paternal illiteracy [(AOR = 2.7; (95%CI:1.18,6.19)], being infected with ascaris lumbricoids [AOR = 5.28, 95% CI: (1.81,15.43)] and Hook worm [(AOR = 5.38, 95% CI:(1.05,27.57)], multiparity [(AOR = 2.5, 95% CI:(1.45,4.31)], and lack of iron supplementation during pregnancy [(AOR = 2.89; 95%CI:(1.65,4.65)] were significantly associated with anemia.
Conclusions
The magnitude of postpartum anemia was high. Maternal and paternal education, intestinal parasitic infections, multiparty and lack of iron supplementation during pregnancy were predictors of postpartum anemia. Hence, all concerned bodies should strengthen strategies to contain parasitic infections, improve iron supplementation, birth spacing, and postnatal deworming to prevent postpartum anemia.
Arrangement and feedback effects of droplet swarms in a parallel microchannel device
Authors: Li Shouchuan , He Chengxiang , Wang Zhongdong , Zhu Chunying , Ma Youguang , Fu Taotao
Published: January 2024

Droplet swarms are the dominant form of highly dispersed microdroplets in cavities. In the self-assembly of droplet swarms, the continuous phase tends to flow in the path of the minimum resistance, the arrangement of the droplet swarms tends to minimize the potential energy, and the two mechanisms compromise in competition. In this paper, whether droplet swarms can timely adjust the morphology is measured by the ratio of the average flow rate of the two-phase flow to that of the droplet swarms, so as to clarify the dominant mechanism of the arrangement of droplet swarms. The arrangement of droplet swarms dominated by different mechanisms and the distribution of that are introduced, and the prediction method for the arrangement of droplet swarms is proposed. The mechanism of the breakup of the microdroplet in the cavity is elucidated, and three modes of the breakup in the cavity are introduced. Furthermore, a resistance model for the microdevice is established to quantify the fluctuations of the pressure difference and the flow rate caused by the formation of droplet swarms. The influence of the feedback effects of droplet swarms on the uniformity of droplet formation and flow patterns is analyzed, indicating the ideal flow range for the formation of highly dispersed droplets in microchannels. This paper clarifies the arrangement and feedback effects of droplet swarms, which will guide the application of microdevices in reaction and mass transfer processes.
The Efficacy of The Stephens-Sarlos Development Program on Sensorimotor Development, Auditory and Visual Skills of Schoolchildren
Authors: Stephens-Sarlós Erzsébet , Stephens Patrick
Published: January 2024

Background
Around 800 million young children worldwide have cognitive-developmental limitations due to biological, environmental, and psychosocial reasons, while in Europe, an estimated 15 million children have special educational needs. This leads to educational challenges, limited skill levels, and higher unemployment rates. Therefore, timely intervention within institutional settings to address the reasons underlying these problems is of critical importance.
Objective
The “S. Sensorimotor Development Program” (SSDP) was developed by the authors as a key intervention to develop the skills essential for starting school. This longitudinal field study investigated the impact of the SSDP in an institutional setting focusing on the specific auditory and visual skills required for learning in kindergarten and primary school children.
Methods
The SSDP consists of 120 training sessions focused on sensorimotor maturation. 772 children aged 5–8 took part in the study, with 704 in the experimental and 68 in the control group, each containing an equal ratio of boys and girls. The study lasted six to eight months and consisted of three to five weekly training sessions.
Results
Results obtained following the intervention showed significant improvements in sensorimotor maturity in the experimental compared to the no-intervention control group (p<.001, effect size (d)=.483; auditory skillsr=.605 p <.001, d=.366; visual skills r= .542, p< .001, d =.294). The intervention group also improved compared to its baseline measurements.
Conclusion
These results show that implementing the SSDP in school settings can improve sensorimotor development, which has a strong effect on auditory and visual abilities in children aged 5–8.
Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Metal Industry's Response to Renewable Energy Price Volatility
Authors: Reynolds Samantha , Bennett Noah
Published: January 2024

This research explores the intricate relationship between the metal industry and renewable energy price volatility, aiming to uncover the challenges and opportunities that shape the industry's journey towards sustainability. In a world increasingly focused on mitigating climate change, understanding how energy-intensive sectors such as the metal industry respond to the dynamics of renewable energy prices is crucial for fostering environmentally responsible practices. Through a qualitative inquiry involving semi-structured interviews with key industry stakeholders—executives, policymakers, and environmental experts—the study provides a comprehensive examination of the metal industry's perspectives, decision-making processes, and strategies. The findings reveal a shared awareness among participants of the inherent volatility in renewable energy prices, attributed to factors such as market forces, government policies, and technological advancements. The impact of renewable energy price volatility on decision-making processes within the metal industry is a central theme. Participants articulated the delicate balance between short-term economic considerations and long-term sustainability goals, emphasizing the challenges in making confident, large-scale investments in renewable energy infrastructure. Regulatory uncertainties and the perceived lack of a level playing field for renewables compared to traditional energy sources emerged as significant impediments. Despite these challenges, the study identifies several strategies employed by the metal industry to navigate renewable energy price volatility. Diversification of energy sources, adoption of energy-efficient technologies, and collaborative initiatives with government bodies were highlighted as key approaches. These strategies showcase a proactive stance by the industry in mitigating risks and integrating sustainability into operational practices. The research not only outlines the challenges faced by the metal industry but also identifies opportunities for sustainability. Integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, and collaborative efforts with renewable energy providers and policymakers emerged as pathways to enhance operational efficiency and create a more stable environment for sustainable practices. The implications of this research extend to industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers. Recommendations emphasize the importance of stable regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and collaborative partnerships to empower the metal industry in making strategic and sustainable choices. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable practices, informing future policies, business strategies, and research directions. Ultimately, this study seeks to guide the metal industry towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future in the face of renewable energy price volatility.
A Novel Approach of Evasive Malware Analysis Through Binary Opcode and BERT
Authors: Wang Shukai , Xu Bingyan
Published: January 2024

This study addressed the growing challenge of evasive malware detection by introducing an innovative approach that integrates binary opcode analysis with the advanced machine learning capabilities of BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers). Focusing on the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, this study explored the intricacies of malware behavior, particularly in the context of opcode obfuscation and direct OS lower-level API access. Through a comprehensive methodology, the study demonstrated the effectiveness of combining traditional disassembly techniques with state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms. The findings revealed a significant distinction between malware and benign software in terms of their opcode structures and system interactions. This study not only offered a novel perspective in malware analysis, but also set the stage for future advancements in cybersecurity tools and techniques. The integration of binary opcode analysis and BERT represented a vital development in cybersecurity, providing enhanced detection capabilities and a deeper understanding of sophisticated malware threats.
Recombinant Protein Glutaminase from Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 for Enhancing the Functional Properties of Caseins
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Zheng Lihui , Li Yuxi , Jiao Shuchao , Wu Yelin , Jin Mingfei , Zhang Shuo , Gao Hongliang , Chang Zhongyi , Jiang Deming , Huang Jing
Published: January 2024

Protein glutaminase (PG; EC 3.5.1.44) is widely used in the food industry because it catalyzes the deamidation of peptide chain glutamine residues and enhances the functional properties of food proteins. Here, a strategy for PG production by probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is proposed. The yield of mature PG (mPG) was increased to 8.69 U/mL after testing a series of pSEVA vectors. The purified mPG showed significant deamidation activity against a wide range of protein substrates. Among these tested substrates, the functional properties of PG-modified casein were investigated. Deamidation of casein by PG was more effective at 60°C, pH = 7, and an enzyme-to-substrate ratio (E/S) of 5 U/g protein. Casein is deamidated up to 53.29%, which leads to a solubility of more than 90% for a 5% casein solution. Foam capacity can be nearly doubled. Emulsifiability, especially emulsification stability, is substantially improved. With increasing DD of casein, the α-helix and β-turn in the secondary structure of deamidated casein increased from 0–22.5%, and from 2.8–27.2% respectively, while β-fold and random decreased from 54.6–10.5%, and from 42.6–39.8% respectively. The enhancement of the absorbance values, endogenous fluorescence peaks, and surface hydrophobicity are due to the exposure of hydrophobic amino acids inside the tertiary structure of deamidated casein. Furthermore, deamidated casein particle size reduced while particle size homogeneity rose. After deamidation by PG, casein has achieved enhanced functional properties which improves its usability as a functional ingredient in the food industry.
Superficial circumflex iliac artery based fascial pedicle bi-lobed iliac bone flap transfer for reconstruction of foot composite tissue defects
Authors: Xu Lei , Ju Wen , Li Lei , Jin Qianheng , Zhang Yujun , Tang Linfeng , Fu Yi , Ruixing Ruixing , Ju Jihui
Published: January 2024

Background: To investigate the clinical efficacy of repairing the large-sized compound tissue defects in the foot with the free superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) based fascial pedicle bi-lobed iliac bone flap.
Methods: A retrospective analysis from October 2009 to February 2017 was performed, and 11 patients were identified with large-sized compound tissue defects repaired with the free SCIA based fascial pedicle bi-lobed iliac bone flap. The size of wound ranged from 12 cm × 10 cm to 15 cm × 13 cm and the length of the bony defect was from 4 cm to 7 cm. The flap sizes ranged from 13 cm × 10 cm to 16 cm × 14 cm, and the length of the dissected iliac ranged from 5 cm to 8 cm. The donor sites were primarily closed.
Results: All 11 flaps survived engraftment including one case venous crisis occurred. After 6 months, only one of the cases resulted in swollen flaps which required repair. All other engrafted flaps were well appearing and the transplanted iliac healed smoothly, with a bone healing time of less than 12 weeks. The internal fixation was removed between 12 and 24 weeks post operation. Successful postoperative recovery of ankle joint flexion and extension resulted in normal gait.
Conclusions: The free SCIA-based fascial pedicle bi-lobed iliac bone flap repaired the large-sized compound tissue defect in the foot, resulting in repaired bone defect, wound coverage, low donor site morbidity, and recovery of function.
The research on the effect of dynamic tilt variation on the phase of cold atomic gravimeter
Authors: Chen Peijun , Zhou Yin , Zhu Dong , Wang Kainan , Zhang Can , Peng Shuping , Cheng Bing , Wu Bing , Lin Qiang
Published: January 2024

In recent years, absolute gravity comparison experiments between cold atomicgravimeter and traditional gravimeter have been carried out by combining coldatomic gravimeter with stable platform. Due to the working characteristics of thestable platform, the tilt angle of the cold atomic gravimeter will change slightlyin the process of dynamic measurement, and the measurement noise will be introduced. In order to improve the accuracy of dynamic measurement, this paper firstanalyzes the trajectory of the mirror and atom in the atomic gravimeter, obtainsthe phase expression of the atomic interferometer, evaluates the main terms ofthe gravity deviation by combining the data on the ship in the South China Sea,and then simplifies the higher-order small-terms in the main terms to deduce thesimplified form of the gravity deviation. Then, the 20-minutes data is divided into10 intervals, the power spectrum of the platform angle, angular velocity and carrier acceleration within each interval is solved. The root-mean-square value of thegravity deviation within each interval is solved by combining the transfer function of the window function. The variation trend of the root-mean-square valueis consistent with the trend of solving the gravity deviation through the trajectory. The conclusion provides the calculation method of gravity noise caused bydynamic tilt change, and also provides the basis for platform design.
Contrasting prognostic role of KEAP1-NFE2L2-CUL3 mutation in human Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC)
Authors: Namani Akhileswar , Veeraiyan Durga Devi , Patra Tapas
Published: January 2024

Uterine corpus endometrial cancer (UCEC) is a third most common malignancy in women with a poor prognosis in advanced stages. In this study, we performed an integrated comparative analysis of exome and transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and UCEC patients. Our multi-omics analysis shows that the UCEC patients carrying mutations in the KEAP1-NFE2L2-CUL3 genes were associated with better progression-free survival, whereas the KEAP1-NFE2L2-CUL3 mutation in LUAD showed poor outcomes. Functional annotations and correlative expression studies show that genes related to glutathione synthesis are differentially expressed in KEAP1-NFE2L2-CUL3 mutant UCEC compared to LUAD and may not produce enough glutathione to combat intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accumulate cysteine in UCEC. We hypothesize that the KEAP1-NFE2L2-CUL3 mutation in UCEC leads to uncontrollable ROS with di-sulfite stress, reflecting a favourable clinical outcome.
The Use of Graphic Organizer Strategies to Improve Students' Writing Skills in English Language Teaching
Authors: Al Halim Muhammad Labib
Published: January 2024

This research is motivated by the weak ability of students' writing in learning English. This research was conducted with the aim of improving English language skills, especially writing skills through the use of the graphic organizer strategy. This research was conducted on first semester students at Billfath Lamongan University. The subjects of this research were students of the English program from several research programs totaling 34 students. This research uses a Classroom Action Research design by Kemmis and Mc Taggart model in four stages, namely planning, implementing action, observing, and reflecting. The results of the preliminary test showed that students' writing skills were still low. The results of the assessment on the practice of writing texts using the assessment rubric show that there are still many students who have not reached the mark according to the criteria. The percentage of scores obtained by students are dominated by the "poor" criterion with 41%, fair 32%, good 18%, very poor 9%, and excellent 0%. While, the students' competence increased and has reached the specified minimum completeness criteria in the final test. The percentage of scores obtained by students are dominated by the "good" criterion with 50%, excellent 32%, fair 18%, poor 0%, and very poor 0%. The results of this research prove that the use of the graphic organizer strategy significantly improves students' writing skills and also has a positive impact on students' attitudes toward learning English.
Development Trends of Digital Transformation in Entrepreneurship and Innovation: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Utomo Prio , Cham Tat-Huei
Published: January 2024

The research provided a bibliometric analysis of 340 studies conducted between 2011 and 2022 related to digital transformation in entrepreneurship and innovation. The bibliographic data were extracted from the Scopus database and analyzed using bibliometric tools in R software. The research revealed research trends such as publication and citation per year, top sources, top authors, top documents, and top countries, as well as their impacts. The conceptual structure was analyzed using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis, which resulted in four cluster keywords related to leadership, entrepreneurial agility, technology impact, digital ecosystems, and digital services. The thematic map analysis identified twenty-seven clusters, which were mapped into four quadrants. Three of those clusters were identified as motor themes (micro foundation, digital global value chain, and digital servitization) which were analyzed in detail through content analysis. The theoretical contribution of the research is to enhance the understanding of how digital technology changes the broad assumptions on the sources, processes, and outcomes of entrepreneurial activities and innovation processes, while the practical contribution provides various contexts of technological impact.
OKLAVADAN SOFRAYA TÜRKLERİN KÜLTÜREL MİRASI “YUFKA” EKMEĞİNİN SOSYOTARİHSEL VE KÜLTÜREL ANLAMI
Authors: KARHAN Jale
Published: January 2024

Her toplumun kendine özgü bir ekmek kültürü ve tarihi vardır. Türklerde oldukça zengin bir ekmek kültürüne ve çeşitliliğine sahiptir. Türklerin, Orta Asya’dan Anadolu’ya getirdikleri ekmek çeşitlerinden birisi de mayasız hamurdan oklava ile ince ve yuvarlak bir biçimde açılan ve sacda pişirilen yufka ekmeğidir. Yufka ekmeği yapmanın toplumsal dayanışmayı ve işbölümünü sağlayan bir işlevi vardır. Bu bağlamda yapılan çalışmanın amacı, yufka ekmeğinin toplumsal, tarihsel ve kültürel anlamı üzerine bir okuma yapmak ve bu konu hakkında gelecekte yapılacak olan çalışmalara bir katkı sağlamaktır. Çalışma sosyolojik bir bakış açısı ile yapılmış olmasına rağmen farklı disiplinlerin görüşlerinden de yararlanılmıştır, dolayısıyla çalışmada disiplinler arası eklektik bir yöntem kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonucunda, bir kültürel miras olan yufka ekmeğinin Türklerin ulusal kimliğinin ve aidiyetinin göstergelerinden birisi olduğu görülmüştür.
Research progress on the transportation of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in freshwater based on CiteSpace
Authors: Xiao Yulong , Shu Anping , Xie Tian , Dou Peng , Zhai Yujia , Bai Junhong , Cui Baoshan
Published: January 2024

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have garnered extensive attention due to their dissolubility, stability, hydrophobicity, and oleophobicity, contributing to long-range transport of PFASs in the water. As an important part of the blue-green space system, freshwater plays a decisive role in ensuring environmental health. Hence, a comprehensive analysis of the current studies regarding the transportation of PFASs in freshwater is highly important for ecotoxicological assessment and pollution control. To explore research progress and hotspots of transportation of PFASs in freshwater, CiteSpace software was utilized in this literature to conduct publication growth, analysis of countries/regionss, analysis of publishing institutions, co-citation analysis, keywords bursting analysis, and keywords timeline analysis. The publication trends of the transportation of PFASs in freshwater were divided into the embryonic period (2005–2014) and the developing period (2015–2023). Institutions and authors from China were found to publish most literature, indicating China places a significant emphasis on the assessment of risks of PFASs in freshwater environments. Research hotspots shifted from transport behaviors and mechanisms to risk assessment and multimedia transportation. Understanding the transportation of PFASs in freshwater is crucial for assessing environmental impacts, ensuring water resource sustainability, and contributing to the development of management practices prioritizing sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Impact of source water quality on total organic carbon and trihalomethane removal efficiency in a water treatment plant: A case study of Upper Awash, Ethiopia
Authors: Assefa Emeru , Jabasingh Anuradha , Mulugeta Eyobel , Dessalegne Meseret , Teju Endale
Published: January 2024

This study addresses the limited understanding of factors affecting the efficiency of water treatment plants in reducing trihalomethane (THM) formation through total organic carbon (TOC) removal, highlighting significant challenges in improving treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of water quality on the efficiency of water treatment plants to remove TOC and reduce THM formation. Linear regression and correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between water quality parameters and THM concentrations. The results showed that there was a negative relationship between turbidity, metals, and TOC concentration with TOC removal efficiency. Positive correlations were found between parameters and the formation of THMs in water. Of these parameters, water temperature was observed to have relatively less influence on THM formation. It was observed that seasonal variations in water quality affect the efficiency of TOC removal and THM content in treated water. THM levels in chlorinated water were found to be within the permissible range of the World Health Organization's drinking water quality guidelines. However, it is still important to maintain continuous monitoring and take measures to reduce THMs. The model demonstrated a strong correlation (R2 = 0.906) between predicted and measured THM values.
Assessment of groundwater quality and human health risk from nitrate contamination using a multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Raheja Hemant , Goel Arun , Pal Mahesh
Published: January 2024

The present study explores the suitability of groundwater for drinking purpose and evaluates non-carcinogenic health risks for children, women, and men. For this purpose, 47 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including nitrate concentration. The results revealed that nitrate concentration varied from 15 to 85 mg/L and that 48.93% of the groundwater samples exceeded the Bureau of Indian Standards’ limits of 45 mg/L. The spatial map of the pollution index of groundwater specifies that most of the study area lies in moderate to high pollution zones. Principal component analysis was also applied, and five principal components achieving eigenvalues more than 1 with a cumulative variance of 77.36% were found to be sufficient. The findings of non-carcinogenic risk rates range from 0.628 to 3.559 (average of 2.069) for children, 0.427 to 2.421 (average of 1.408) for women, and 0.362 to 2.049 (average of 1.191) for men, and approximately 80% of the population in the study region is exposed to high health risks. The health risk assessment specified that children in the study area are more susceptible than women and men. The findings of this study suggest that groundwater quality in the region has deteriorated, emphasizing the need for treatment before drinking.
THE IMPACT OF LARGE AGGLOMERATIONS ON THE FORMATION OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE WORKPLACES IN THE REGIONS
Authors: Ugryumova A. A. , Savelyeva M. V.
Published: January 2024

Increasing the number of high-performance workplaces (HPW) in the regions contributes to the concentration of highly paid and qualified specialists, the growth of tax revenues to regional budgets, the development of innovative infrastructure and the improvement of people's quality of life. At the same time, a significant increase in high-performance workplaces is observed in the regions where large urban agglomerations are located. However, not all regions have large agglomerations that could create favorable conditions for active socio-economic development. The purpose of the research is to develop ways to spread the positive effect of the development of agglomerations not only to their regions, but also to other territories. The research conducted by the authors allowed identifying the factors that most strongly contribute to the growth of the HPW in the regions. These factors are the level of wages in the subjects of the Russian Federation and the capital ratio. Analysis of statistical data identify fifty-seven subjects of the Russian Federation, leading in terms of indicators characterizing the conditions for the formation and growth of high-performance workplaces. Among them, twenty-two regions are leaders in four or more of the seven indicators. Of these, sixteen are large agglomerations or territories where they are located. In the research, the authors concluded that it is necessary to create regional development corridors between agglomerations, the subjects of the Russian Federation on whose territory they are located, and other territories through the implementation of interregional infrastructure and economic projects. It can contribute to the spread of economic development impulses.
THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN ISLAMIC FINANCE: THE CASE OF DIGITAL CURRENCIES OF CENTRAL BANKS
Authors: Glavina S. G. , Asmyatullin R. R.
Published: January 2024

Advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, neural networks, artificial limbs and systems, automation, virtual and augmented reality, machine learning, and other fields hold great promise for improving efficiency and knowledge acquisition. Decentralization is one of the trends in the modern global finance market. The growth and active development of the Islamic finance and banking industry, the growth in the number of Muslims in the world and other factors determine the interest of researchers in digitalization issues. This paper is devoted to the study of the possibilities, approaches and views on the use of digital currencies from the point of view of Islamic finance. Methods of analysis and synthesis, comparative analysis are used. The approaches of various countries of the Muslim world to the introduction of digital currencies are analyzed, ongoing projects are considered. In the Islamic world, there has not yet been a consensus on the permissibility and scope of the possible use of digital currencies. The authors conclude that, in general, digital currencies can be harmoniously used within the concept of Islamic finance. This is facilitated by such factors as the transparency of decentralized finance and digital currencies, the contribution to the protection of the wealth of society, the focus on social benefits, which is in line with the good goals of Islamic finance and its social value.
ALGUNOS APORTES DEL LABORATORIO ECOLOGÍA DE ARTRÓPODOS, DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGÍA DE LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AGRARIA LA MOLINA, EN EL CONTROL BIOLÓGICO Y DIVERSIDAD
Authors: Arellano Cruz Germán
Published: January 2024

El Laboratorio Ecología de Artrópodos (LEA) es un laboratorio de investigación que desarrolla proyectos sobre artrópodos continentales con el fin de hacer ciencia aplicada en Ecología que proporcione información acertada sobre el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas. Las líneas de investigación básica se han establecido sobre el control biológico con insectos parasitoides y la diversidad de artrópodos en general. La presente nota tiene como objetivos mostrar los resultados de trabajos ejecutados en el LEA sobre la biología de dos parasitoides y la diversidad de artrópodos de diferentes puntos de vista. La información se analizó mediante la revisión de publicaciones como artículos científicos y tesis realizadas por los miembros que pertenecen o han pertenecido al LEA. Como resultados en esta nota tenemos dos trabajos de biologías de parasitoides en los que se estudiaron los ciclos de vida. Sobre la diversidad de artrópodos tenemos patrones de variación espacio temporal, equivalencias entre áreas temporales de diversidad, respuesta de las arañas epígeas al Fenómeno El Niño 97-98, diversidad de “cigarritas”, plagas de la piña, entre otros.
Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Level and Gene Polymorphism as Risk Factors for Depression in Patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus- A Case-Controlled Study
Authors: Hammad Hany , Shaltout Inass , Fawzy Mai M. , Rashed Laila A. , Adel Noha , Abdelaziz Tarek S.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Diabetes mellitus and depression are comorbidities that can be caused
by each other. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) functions as a neuronal growth factor.
It maintains the functional integrity of the nervous system.

Aim:

To study the possible association between BDNF levels and gene polymorphism with depression
in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

The Elisa technique measured BDNF, and rs6265 gene polymorphism was detected
using real-time PCR. Depression was assessed utilizing a clinical interview tool designed to establish
the diagnosis of depression and differentiate it from other psychiatric diseases.

Results:

BDNF levels were significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and
symptoms of depression than in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and no symptoms of depression
(82.6±16.1. Vs 122± 17.47, p< 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference
in BDNF levels in patients with diabetes among the three genotypes of the BDNF gene (p-value
< 0.001). Val/ Val carriers had the highest serum BDNF levels, and Met/ Met carriers had the
lowest serum BDNF levels. Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant genotype-related
differences in serum BDNF levels among the three subgroups in the Depression group. Val/ Val
carriers had the highest serum BDNF levels, and Met/ Met carriers had the lowest serum BDNF
levels. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism had no significant association with the presence of depression,
yet there was a trend towards significance (p = 0.05)

Conclusion:

In this pilot, Low levels of BDNF were associated with depression in patients with
type 2 diabetes. Carriers of the Met/ Met allele have the lowest serum BDNF levels. Multicenter
studies with more participants are required.
Understanding the Role of Galectin-1 in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Authors: Sotoudeheian Mohammad Javad , Mirahmadi Seyed-Mohamad-Sadegh , Pirhayati Mohammad , Azarbad Reza , Nematollahi Soroush , Taghizadeh Mehdi , Pazoki-Toroudi Hamidreza
Published: January 2024

Heart failure (HF) is the fastest-growing cardiovascular condition worldwide. The immune system may play a role in the development of HF since this condition is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. HF is a life-threatening disease, and there is an increasing demand for diagnostic biomarkers, prognostic factors, and therapeutic agents that can help treat it. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is the prototype galectin of the lectin family. Multiple signal transduction pathways are regulated by Ras proteins, which act as a molecular switch in cells. Gal-1 regulates T and B cell activation, differentiation, and survival. Gal-1 has been linked to inflammation. Activated T cells produce Gal-1 through an autocrine apoptotic mechanism involving MEK1/ERK and p38 MAPK. In the cardiovascular system, atherosclerosis is facilitated by Gal-1. Heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and stroke can be caused by atherosclerotic plaque. HF and heart hypertrophy are caused by decreased cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel activity. Deregulation of Gal-1 and CaV1.2 in pathological cardiac hypertrophy suggests a possible target for anti-hypertrophic therapy. Rat hypertrophic cardiomyocytes express Gal-1 and CaV1.2 channels simultaneously. It has been reported that diastolic dysfunction (DD) is associated with elevated Gal-1 levels. The high Gal-1 level in subjects led to the lowest cumulative survival as a composite endpoint. Incidences of HF, DD, and serum Gal-1 levels correlated significantly. The ejection fraction was negatively correlated with Gal-1 and CRP concentrations. Based on two different approaches in mice and humans, Gal-1 was identified as a potential mediator of HF.
Triple Action of Lignosulfonic Acid Sodium: Anti-protease, Antioxidant,
and Anti-inflammatory Effects of a Polymeric Heparin Mimetic
Authors: Al-Horani Rami A. , Aliter Kholoud F.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Heparins are sulfated glycosaminoglycans that are used as anticoagulants
to treat thrombosis. Heparins exhibit other potential therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory,
anti-viral, and anti-malarial effects. However, the strong anticoagulant activity of heparins poses a
risk of life-threatening bleeding, limiting their therapeutic use for other diseases beyond thrombosis.
To exploit the other effects of heparins and eliminate the bleeding risk, we explored an alternative
polymer called lignosulfonic acid sodium (LSAS), which acts as a sulfonated heparin mimetic.
LSAS targets factor XIa to exert an anticoagulant effect, and thus, unlike heparins, it is unlikely
to cause bleeding.

Methods:

This study investigated the multiple effects of LSAS to identify potential leads for complex
pathologies treatment. A series of chromogenic substrate hydrolysis assays were used to evaluate
the inhibition of three inflammation-related proteases by LSAS. Its chemical antioxidant activity
against the system of ABTS/hydrogen peroxide/metmyoglobin was also determined. Lastly, the
effect of LSAS on TNFα-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway in HEK-293 cells was also tested
to determine its cellular anti-inflammatory activity.

Results:

The results showed that LSAS effectively inhibited human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin
G, and plasmin, with IC50 values ranging from 0.73 to 212.5 μg/mL. Additionally, LSAS demonstrated
a significant chemical antioxidant effect, with an IC50 value of 44.1 μg/mL. Furthermore, at
a concentration of approximately 530 μg/mL, LSAS inhibited the TNFα-induced activation of the
NF-κB pathway in HEK-293 cells, indicating a substantial anti-inflammatory effect. An essential
advantage of LSAS is its high water solubility and virtual non-toxicity, making it a safe and readily
available polymer.

Conclusion:

Based on these findings, LSAS is put forward as a polymeric heparin mimetic with
multiple functions, serving as a potential platform for developing novel therapeutics to treat complex
pathologies.
PyComp: A Versatile Tool for Efficient Data Extraction, Conversion, and
Management in High-throughput Virtual Drug Screening
Authors: Sisakht Mohsen , Shahrestanaki Mohammad Keyvanloo , Fallahi Jafar , Razban Vahid
Published: January 2024

Background:

Virtual screening (VS) is essential for analyzing potential drug candidates in drug discovery. Often, this involves the conversion of large volumes of compound data
into specific formats suitable for computational analysis. Managing and processing this wealth
of information, especially when dealing with vast numbers of compounds in various forms, such
as names, identifiers, or SMILES strings, can present significant logistical and technical challenges.

Methods:

To streamline this process, we developed PyComp, a software tool using Python's
PyQt5 library, and compiled it into an executable with Pyinstaller. PyComp provides a systematic way for users to retrieve and convert a list of compound names, IDs (even in a range), or
SMILES strings into the desired 3D format.

Results:

PyComp greatly enhances the efficiency of data extraction, conversion, and storage
processes involved in VS. It searches for similar compounds coupled with its ability to handle
misidentified compounds and offers users an easy-to-use, customizable tool for managing largescale compound data. By streamlining these operations, PyComp allows researchers to save significant time and effort, thus accelerating the pace of drug discovery research.

Conclusion:

PyComp effectively addresses some of the most pressing challenges in highthroughput VS: efficient management and conversion of large volumes of compound data. As a
user-friendly, customizable software tool, PyComp is pivotal in improving the efficiency and
success of large-scale drug screening efforts, paving the way for faster discovery of potential
therapeutic compounds.
Pharmacological Investigation of Anticonvulsant Effect of Artemisia Vulgaris on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizures in Zebrafish Experimental Model
Authors: Sharma Mahima , Kumar Godlaveti Vijay Narasimha , Gupta Pankaj
Published: January 2024

Background:

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder, characterized by abnormal,
unpredictable, and recurrent seizures. In the alternative medicine system, Artemisia vulgaris has
been used to treat epileptic symptoms since its inception. However, scientific evidence concerning
its effect on the treatment of epileptic seizures is not available.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to evaluate the anti-convulsant potential of Artemisia vulgaris
in zebrafish experimental models.

Methods:

Zebrafish larvae and adult zebrafish were used as experimental models. Briefly, larvae and
adult zebrafish were exposed to 0.5% of the test medicine Artemisia vulgaris mother tincture (ϕ) and
its potencies (6 CH, 30 CH), and valproic acid for 1 hour. After 1 hour of exposure, they were exposed
to pentylenetetrazole to record different seizure scores from 1 to 5 using ANY maze video tracking
software.

Results:

Artemisia vulgaris 30CH in zebrafish larvae and Artemisia vulgaris 6 CH and 30 CH in adult
zebrafish delayed the latency score from score 1 to score 5 and were found effective against PTZinduced
locomotor activity and seizure duration and intensity.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Artemisia vulgaris (6 CH and 30 CH) has the potential to be a novel
treatment for symptomatic epileptic seizures and could be a potential alternative drug candidate for
symptomatic treatment of epilepsy.