bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Intensity of Catfish Parasites (clarias sp.) "Mino Ngremboko” Group Cultivation Pool, Grabag Village, Grabag District, Purworejo Regency
Authors: Ayuningtyas Ayuningtyas , Aji Muhammad Tri , Jailani Abdul Qadir , Armando Eric
Published: October 2023

Parasite infections in aquaculture can trigger primary infections due to decreased fish immunity making it easier for other microorganisms, both bacteria and viruses, to enter the fish's body. This study aims to identify, calculate the prevalence and intensity of parasites that found in catfish ponds of the "Mino Ngremboko" fish farmers group in Grabag Village, Grabag District, Purworejo Regency. This study used the scraping method by reviewing the gills, mucus from the skin, fins and digestive tract onto a glass object which was then observed microscopically using a light microscope with a magnification of 10-40x. The parasites found were ectoparasites consisting of 6 species; Trichodina sp., Tetrahymena sp., Gyrodactylus sp., Epistylis sp., and Dactylogyrus sp. No parasites were found from the endoparasite and hematozoa groups. The highest prevalence was Dactylogyrus sp. with a prevalence rate of 54% and the lowest was Dinoflagella with a prevalence rate of 10%. The highest and lowest parasite intensities were Epistylis sp. (18,0 ind./infected fish) and Dactylogyrus sp. (2,8 ind./infected fish), respectively. It can be concluded that the level of parasitic infections in the fish farmer groups ponds was at the "common-usually” level based on William and Bunkley's prevalence criteria.Key words: Clarias sp., identification of Parasite, prevalence, intensity, Mino Ngremboko
Partograph pocketbook application specifically for midwifery students in filling out partographs
Authors: Setiawati Iin , Nikmah Nurun
Published: October 2023

One of the objectives of the Health Education (midwifery) curriculum is to make midwives professionals in the early detection of maternal and neonatal emergencies. Compulsory courses that teach early detection are obstetric care for childbirth and newborns, namely early detection using a partograph. The results of preliminary studies in midwifery 3rd-semester students can be six (60%) filling in the partograph incorrectly and incompletely and four (40%) filling in the partograph correctly and completely. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of applying partograph pocketbooks by students to fill out partographs. The research design used in the study was pre-experimental with the one-group pretest-posttest design approach. Partograph filling dependent variable and independent variable: partograph pocketbook. Has passed the ethical test with certificate number 1576/KEPK/STIKES-NHM/EC/1/20203. The statistical test used paired T-test with Î± 0.05. The results of the study of filling in the partograph of midwifery students before using the partograph pocketbook had a value of almost half 62-71, while the results of filling in the partograph of midwifery students after using the partograph pocketbook were mostly 82-91, statistical tests showed 0.00< 0.05 which means that the partograph pocket book effectively helps students in filling out the partograph. This research can be a source of knowledge for students to improve their skills in filling partographs.
Dynamics of the incidence of chronic diseases in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Loshkova E. V. , Mikhalenko I. V. , Golikova E. V. , Mikhalenko N. V. , Rafikova Y. S. , Zhelev V. A.
Published: October 2023

Relevance. In the context of the pandemic, schoolchildren were transferred to a distance learning format. Forced isolation, prolonged stay at the computer, physical inactivity, high mental stress had an impact on their health. Of practical interest is the analysis of the frequency of chronic diseases during a pandemic in a cohort of adolescents. Purpose: to estimate the incidence of chronic diseases among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: a prospective, cohort, non-randomized study of adolescents (15-17 years old), (n=221): 116 girls, 105 boys were examined in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation of August 10, 2017 N 514n “On the Procedure for Conducting Preventive Medical Examinations minors”, a comparison was made between the results of the survey in 2019 and 2021. Results. The frequency of mild protein-energy malnutrition increased from 15.1% (2019) to 19.6% (2021), p=0.02. The number of overweight children decreased in the general group from 14.1% to 10.1%, p=0.04, and in the group of boys from 17.2% to 10.6%, p=0.04. Obesity of the I-II degree in the observation groups did not have significant changes in the number of diagnosed cases, however, in the group of boys in 2021, obesity of the III degree was detected. According to the results of observation against the backdrop of a pandemic in adolescents, the frequency of chronic diseases has significantly increased: pathology of the organ of vision - by 1.4 times, pathology of the musculoskeletal system - by 2.8 times, pathology of the nervous system - by 7 times, gynecological diseases - by 1, 7 times. Conclusion. The overall frequency of detected pathology increased by 1.6 times, due to diseases of the eyes, blood system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine, nervous and reproductive systems. It is likely that physical inactivity and a high level of stress, causing a long-term hormonal imbalance, played a negative role during the period of covid restrictions. At present, thanks to the opening of rehabilitation departments providing specialized medical care within the framework of the compulsory medical insurance system, this category of patients throughout the Russian Federation will have the opportunity for personalized correction of the identified pathology.
Consumers´ Perception of Novel Foods and the Impact of Heuristics and Biases: a Systematic Review
Authors: Monaco Alessandro , König Laura M , Kotz Johannes , Allmeta Anila , Masri Mirna Al , purnhagen kai
Published: October 2023

According to the definition adopted in the European Union, novel foods are foods that were not consumed to a significant degree within the Union before 15 of May 1997; this includes cultivated meat and insects. Novel foods are meant to play a critical role in the transition towards sustainable food systems. However, their success depends on whether and to what extent they will be incorporated into the diets at the population level. This review investigates consumers´ perception of novel food products by narratively synthesising results on the influence of heuristics and biases triggered by emotions, personality traits, and socio-cultural factors. Empirical studies conducted in Western countries and published in English after 1997 were eligible, which led to 182 studies being included. Disgust and fear are shown to be the predominant emotions driving rejection, together with food neophobia and specific cultural norms common across countries included in the scope of the review. Familiarity with these novel foods leads to higher acceptance, alongside curiosity. Despite being investigated directly in a minority of studies, heuristics and related biases mostly fell under the “affect”, the “natural-is-better”, and the “trust” heuristics. The review also discusses to what extent such perception reflects in the regulatory framework applicable to novel foods in the European Union, how it influences the regulation of insects and cultivated meat and which lessons can be drawn for the future of the regulatory framework.
Effects of Sound Immersion on In Vitro Blood Cells
Authors: Geffen Rona , Gentile Daniela , Atassi Nour , Reid John Stuart , Cuevas Veronica , Braun Christoph , Farran Bashar M. , Oomen Paul
Published: October 2023

The effects of sound and mechanical vibrations on blood flow and in vitro and in vivo blood cells were previously reported in various studies. Frequency-based stimulation and sound vibrations were shown to have a positive effect on peripheral blood flow, blood aggregation, Red Blood Cells longevity and enhanced release of Nitric Oxide which supports improved blood oxygenation. Different frequencies were also reported to have discrete effects on cells and physiological mechanisms. In this preliminary study, we investigated the effect of 20 minutes exposure to audible sound stimuli comprising recordings of spatial sound projections of a singing bowl at 40 Hz and 73 Hz compared to 20 minutes silence in a Faraday cage (control) on in vitro Red Blood Cells and White Blood Cells. We find that the sound stimuli have a highly significant effect on the longevity of both Red and White Blood Cells with a differentiation in effect across frequencies and projections compared to control. Results could indicate a cost-effective treatment to support improved soundness of blood transfusions as well as non-invasive interventions to increase circulating blood cells.
Derivation of the Klein-Gordon-Fock equation from first principles
Authors: Lipovka Anton A. , Andrianarijaona Vola , Davis Colton
Published: October 2023

In present work, the Klein-Gordon-Fock equation is obtained from first principles. Within the framework of the applied approach, there is no need to postulate the existence of wave functions, nor to axiomatically introduce values of coefficients of the equation. The equation is derived on an adiabatically variable manifold, locally described by the Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric and with complete electrodynamics constructed on it. In this case, the transverse electromagnetic field is quantized due to the adiabatic change in the metric tensor, and the Planck constant is an adiabatic invariant of the transverse electromagnetic field propagating over the adiabatically changed manifold. Following this approach, the wave functions appear in the equations in a natural way (they are eigenfunctions of corresponding the Sturm-Liouville problem) and these are the eigenfunctions where the function of the transverse electromagnetic field is expanded. For this reason, the axiomatic introduction of wave functions, as well as the postulation of the values of the coefficients in the equation are no longer required. This makes obvious both the physical meaning of the equation itself and quantum mechanics as well.
Superplastic deformation inside the knife-sharp shear bands in mid-crustal granites
Authors: Sikdar Anamitra , Dutta Dripta , Misra Santanu
Published: October 2023

We examined the microstructures of three ductile shear bands of granitic composition that deformed under mid-to-upper greenschist facies. These shear bands, from the Bundelkhand Craton, India, are 0.8-4.4 mm thick with 20-30 microns median grain sizes and share sharp contacts with the host granite. Comminution of the rheologically stronger feldspars increased permeability, promoted fluid influx, and allowed strain localisation in the incipient shear bands. The major components, quartz and feldspars, deformed via phase-specific crystal plastic deformation mechanisms. Quartz in the monomineralic bands deformed predominantly via dislocation creep, while the feldspars deformed via diffusion creep. Finer quartz grains, which occur at plagioclase triple junctions, resulted from myrmekitisation – also evident from the anti-clustered distribution of quartz-plagioclase phase boundaries and CPO inheritance. The weak CPOs and high mean misorientation angles of the fine plagioclase and K-feldspar grains and yet a high shear strain (γ = 16-37) suggest a significant contribution of grain boundary sliding (GBS) in strain localisation inside the ductile shear bands. Since intracrystalline slip alone cannot explain the high ductile strain in the shear bands, we suggest that GBS controlled the deformation and maturation of the shear bands and promoted superplasticity to accommodate further shearing.
Microbial catabolic and anabolic utilization of hydrocarbons in deep subseafloor sediments of Guaymas Basin
Authors: Nagakura Toshiki , Morono Yuki , Ito Motoo , Kallmeyer Jens
Published: October 2023

Guaymas Basin, located off the Gulf of California, is a hydrothermally active marginal basin. Due to steep geothermal gradients and localized heating by sill intrusions, microbial substrates like short-chain fatty acids and hydrocarbons are abiotically produced from sedimentary organic matter at comparatively shallow depths. However, the potential of hydrocarbons as microbial substrates for both catabolic and anabolic metabolism remains elusive. We thus analyzed the effect of hydrocarbons on microbial sulfate reduction rates (SRR) and uptake of hydrocarbons by microorganisms using NanoSIMS. Sediment samples were recovered during IODP Exp. 385. Two sites, U1545C and U1546D, have a distance of roughly 1 km, and their sedimentary sequence and current geothermal gradients are almost identical, but Site U1546D experienced the intrusion of a sill. Since emplacement, the sill has thermally equilibrated with the surrounding sediment. For SRR measurements, sediment samples were amended with four aliphatic and four aromatic hydrocarbons or methane. Incubations were carried out at in-situ temperature and pressure for 10 days. For NanoSIMS analysis, sediment samples were incubated with stable-isotope labeled hydrocarbons (hexadecane-d34 + benzene-13C6 or 13C-methane) and 15NH4Cl at in-situ temperature and pressure for 42 days. Our results show that SRR increases upon the addition of either methane and hydrocarbons in samples from near the seafloor at Site U1545C. Methane addition also stimulated SRR around the sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) at Site U1545C. In contrast, SRR did only increase at Site U1546D below the SMTZ, when the sample was incubated with methane, but did not show any reaction on hydrocarbon addition. Despite the relatively short incubation time of only 42 days we succeeded in detecting hydrocarbon and nitrogen uptake in some samples from both sites. Assimilation also mostly occurred in samples near the seafloor. Consequently, these data indicate the potential of microorganisms in Guaymas Basin to metabolize hydrocarbons.
Field Report No. 2 - Tabor Tree Project: Citizen Scientists Training
Authors: gossen candace
Published: October 2023

“NASA’s citizen science projects are collaborations between scientists and interested members of the public. Through these collaborations, volunteers (known as citizen scientists) have helped make thou- sands of important scientific discoveries.” (NASA) In January 2021, using the GLOBE Observer app, the Mt. Tabor community joined this global network of scientists, students, teachers, hikers, and nature lovers in collecting Earth Science data and sharing in this international network spanning 120+ countries. Be- ginning in January 2021, what began as Tree Medicine Hikes led by Dr. Candace Gossen through the Port- land Hiking Meetup Group, more than 400 hikers began observing, sharing and learning about the trees of Mt. Tabor Park. Forming small groups, they began measuring the old growth forest known as Mt. Ta- bor. Collecting tree height, circumference, and age on more than 150 trees between January and April, Dr. Gossen and the Friends of Mt. Tabor wrote a small conservation grant to the Mazamas to continue collect- ing data during the Fall and winter 2021. The Ronin Institute, supporting Independent Scholars was in- strumental with supporting Dr. Gossen’s mission to train Citizen Scientists and expand the ecological knowledge of the park. Four dates were organized at the end of October and 48 eager community mem- bers showed up, ready with app in hand to learn more about the trees. Another 46 hikers attended the Tree Medicine hikes making it a collective of 94 new Citizen Scientists with a mission to observe, collect and add new information about the trees and forest ecology into the global community. In this Field Re- port, we summarize the Citizen Science Trainings which will continue on into 2022.
Predictive Learning as the Basis of the Testing Effect
Authors: Chen Haopeng , Hauspie Cathy , Ergo Kate , Calderon Cristian Buc , Verguts Tom
Published: October 2023

A prominent learning phenomenon is the testing effect, meaning that testing enhances retention more than studying. Emergent frameworks propose fundamental (Hebbian and predictive) learning principles as its basis. Predictive learning posits that learning occurs based on the contrast (error) between a prediction and the feedback on that prediction (prediction error). Here, we propose that in testing (but not studying) scenarios, participants predict potential answers, and its contrast with the subsequent feedback yields a prediction error, which facilitates testing-based learning. To investigate this, we developed an associative memory network incorporating Hebbian and/or predictive learning, together with an experimental design where human participants studied or tested English-Swahili word pairs followed by recognition. Behavioural experiments revealed strong testing effects. Model fitting suggested that only models incorporating predictive learning can account for the breadth of data associated with the testing effect. Our data and model suggest that predictive learning underlies the testing effect.
What a difference a mind makes: The origin and structure of human intuitive psychology, and its implications for psychological science
Authors: Pietraszewski David
Published: October 2023

Psychology is in the midst of an unidentified problem: it is falling prey to a category mistake delivered by our intuitive psychology. From an evolutionary perspective, intuitive psychological concepts such as attention, consciousness, intelligence and so on reflect the output of difference detecting mechanisms; they describe features of the world that varied and that were beneficial to keep track of, they do not describe how mental processes work. This point may have far-reaching consequences for the psychological sciences, as it suggests conceptual bedrocks of these sciences, including the propositional calculus in which a personal pronoun plies cognitive processes to content, as in ‘I see a bear’ or ’Bob desires a Faustian bargain’, do not carve the mind up by the joints, nor do they even pick out mental mechanisms, per se. Perhaps not coincidentally, the attributes of psychology’s theory crisis closely match the attributes of a science over-reliant on the intuitive outputs of the difference detecting mechanisms of its practitioners, suggesting that correcting for the influence of our evolved psychology will be an important step towards scientific reform. How to integrate—rather than jettison—the intuitive psychological concepts delivered by our evolved psychology’s difference detecting mechanisms will be discussed. This involves using additional, alternative difference detecting mechanisms when doing our science, including our evolved artifact psychology.
Does answering survey questions about mental health cause distress?
Authors: Paing Larry , O'Keefe Katie , McMurtrie Brandon , Williams Matt N
Published: October 2023

Self-report surveys measuring mental health constructs such as anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms are regularly used in psychological research. Researchers and ethics committees are often concerned about the possibility that completing surveys on mental health might itself provoke negative emotional reactions. While prior studies have not found strong evidence of such impacts, the existing literature is limited by a lack of preregistered studies, and a lack of studies applying statistical methods that can establish the absence of an effect. In Study 1, we therefore conducted a preregistered within-subjects experiment (N = 337) testing the effects of completing measures of anxiety and depression on state distress, tiredness, happiness, and anxiety. In Study 2, we conducted a between-subjects experiment (N = 871) testing the effects of answering questions about trauma symptoms on state distress, perceived meaningfulness of participation, and unwanted thoughts. In both studies, equivalence tests indicated that the effects of the manipulations on state distress were significantly within our preregistered equivalence bounds of d ± 0.2, albeit that in Study 1 the estimated effect (d = 0.10) was significantly greater than zero. Our findings suggest that answering surveys about mental health topics may provoke some distress. However, these effects appear to be very small, even with outcomes measured immediately after an experimental manipulation.
Self-reported low back pain intensity and interferences among three-wheel drivers in Southwest of Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Kebede Ebissa Bayana , Terfa Yonas Biratu , Tucho Abdisa Eba , Germossa Gugsa Nemera , Hailu Fikadu Balcha , Abdisa Birhanu , Mamo Selam Ayele , Enbakom Mestawet Getachew , Akuma Adugna Olani
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the most reported conditions among vehicle drivers. However, there is a paucity of information about low back pain experiences among three-wheel drivers in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the low back pain experience among three-wheel drivers in Ethiopia Jimma City, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1-25, 2020 among 396 samples. Computer generated simple random sampling method was employed to get the required sample. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was checked for completeness, coded, cleaned and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Data was analyzed using mean and standard deviations for continuous and proportions for categorical variables. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was used to see an association between dependent and independent variables. P-value <0.05 at 95% CI was declared statistically significant.
Results: Of 396 study participants, 26.26% of them had low back pain at any time among which, 73.1% reported pain in the last 24 hours.  Regarding pain intensity in 24 hours, the mean ± standard deviation of worst pain was 5.3 ± 2.5.  The independent variables significantly associated with low back pain along with their adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) were: age 3.45 (1.98, 6.03), educational status: 1.96 (1.07, 3.59), physical exercise: 0.52 (0.31, 0.86) drinking alcohol: 2.32 (1.22, 4.39) and working hours: 0.32 (0.13, 0.83).
Conclusion: The three-wheel drivers experienced moderate to severe low back pain and moderate to severe functional and emotional interferences. More than half of the participants reported the worst pain experience within 24 hours. Age, educational status, physical exercise, drinking alcohol and working hours were significantly associated with low back pain.
PROCESSES OF DEFECT FORMATION IN SILICON DIFFUSIONALLY DOPED WITH PLATINUM AND IRRADIATED WITH PROTONS
Authors: Utamuradov Sh.B.
Published: October 2023

In this work, we studied the effect of technological regimes and proton implantation on the processes of defect formation in single-crystal n-type silicon (n-Si) doped with platinum using the method of impedance spectroscopy. It has been established that radiation-induced changes in the electrical conductivity of silicon depend significantly on the technological regimes of doping with impurities in silicon. Hodographs show that doping with platinum leads to a decrease in the electrical resistance of silicon samples. Irradiation with 2 MeV protons at a dose of 5.1 × 1014 particles / cm2 leads to a significant (2-3 times) increase in the electrical resistance of the silicon samples under study. It is concluded that the relatively high resistance to radiation exposure (resistance change of no more than 16%: from 55 kΩ to 65 kΩ as a result of ion implantation) of samples doped at 1200°C is presumably due to a higher concentration of impurity ions (platinum) in the samples volume compared to 1100°C.
Anxious Vigilance: Heresy and Ritual Pollution in John of Tella and Severus of Antioch
Authors: Shepardson Christine
Published: October 2023

Anti-Chalcedonian Christians like John of Tella, Severus of Antioch, Philoxenos of Mabbug, and John Rufus were concerned about orthodox Christians mingling with heretics. This essay argues that John of Tella combined narratives of heresy with those of bodily purity and pollution, such as those related to menstruation, to frame heretics as dangerous to orthodox Christians not only in their beliefs that could lure an unsuspecting Christian to accept heretical views, but in their very bodies whose proximity brought the threat of contamination. John integrated expectations of bodily purity and doctrinal orthodoxy in ways that suggested that heresy could physically contaminate, while Severus tried to calm his congregants’ fears about the same. The spread of COVID- 19 and the global responses to it have heightened our awareness of the dynamics of fear and anxiety that can be produced by threats of physical contamination. The global pandemic in 2020 thus helps to clarify the power that the rhetoric of these sixth-century anti-Chalcedonian texts had to confront the spread of what John of Tella implied was the dangerous physical pollution of Christian heresy.
Considerations in Rendering in a Church Bible
Authors: Lund Jerome A.
Published: October 2023

During the revision of the Antioch Bible, the question of how ګﻪﻌףּ ڪ﷼

should be translated arose. Currently, different translators have offered different solutions. This essay will trace the history of the term from the original translators of both the Old and New Testaments, through the commentators, and then through the lexicographers. The essay will offer a solution to the problem going forward.
Manichaeism and the Revelation of the Magi: Syriac “Christianities” in Late Antique Mesopotamia
Authors: Pettipiece Timothy
Published: October 2023

The recently published Syriac Revelation of the Magi has proven to be a remarkable addition to the corpus of early Christian apocryphal literature. This unique amplification of the traditional Nativity narrative recounts the Magi’s encounter with a “star-child” who leads them from their homeland in the far east to the birth of Jesus at Nazareth, where the polymorphic nature of Christ is revealed along with his message of universal salvation. Interestingly, the Revelation of the Magi contains several important points of contact with early Manichaean texts. This paper will examine what those shared motifs might tell us about the common milieu out of which both Manichaeism and the Revelation of the Magi might have emerged.
The Transmission Effectiveness of the Dissolved Nutrients (N, P, Si) Through a South Mediterranean Estuary (Seybouse, Algeria) Under Large Anthropogenic Forcing
Authors: Ziouch Omar Ramzi , Daifallah Tarek , Chenaker Houda , Moujari Zoubir , Dali Naouel , Zebsa Rabeh
Published: October 2023

The Seybouse Estuary (SE) is the downstream of the second great river in Algeria draining one of the main country’s watersheds (6471 km2, 1.5 million inhabitants). This study highlights the effect of the estuarine part on the distribution and the flux of dissolved nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and silicon (Si) through the SE. Surface water sampling was taken and analysed in the dry (September 2016) and wet (April 2017) seasons. Physical parameters and water discharge data were jointly recorded in parallel to sampling dates. Very low flows varying between 0.3 and 4.7 m3 s-1 were recorded at the outlet in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The SE outlet waters were 2.6 and 10 folds higher than upstream in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphates (PO4) levels, respectively. However, the silicates (SiO4) levels decreased by about 1/2 in the outlet waters. In terms of flux, the SE delivered to the coast 84 t·yr-1, 9 t·yr-1 and 56 t·yr-1 of DIN, PO4 and SiO4, respectively. The high DIN:PO4 = 137 and low SiO4:DIN = 0.52 molar ratios classify SE as one of the strong anthropised estuaries. The estuarine part amply modifies cycles and budgets of riverine nutrients introduced to the coast.
Effect of Ag Doping on ZnO/V2O5 Nanoparticles as a Photo Catalyst for the Removal of Maxillion Blue (GRL) Dye
Authors: Refaas Ahmed Mesehour Ali , AL-Robayi Enas M. , Alkaim Ayad F.
Published: October 2023

In this research, the photo catalytic degradation of textile dyes as a model Maxillion Blue (GRL) dye by using Ag/ZnO/V2O5 nanocomposites synthesised via hydrothermal method. The physical properties of the as-synthesised nanocomposites were examined using characterisation techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), TEM, and UV-vis spectroscopy. the production of pure ZnO, V2O5 nanoparticles and the discovery, by XRD analysis, of diffraction peaks related to the hexagonal phase of ZnO, V2O5, UV-vis spectroscopic calculations of the nanocomposite’s energy bandgap (2.63 eV) indicated that it might function as a photo catalyst when exposed to UV-visible light. XRD also supported the fabrication of the ZnO/V2O5 nanocomposite. FE-SEM images showed that the object was spherical and somewhat hexagonal in form. EDX analysis reveals the presence of Zn, V, and O in the nanocomposite; its photocatalytic activity was evaluated through the degradation of GRL dye under exposure to solar light. The results showed that the optimum mass nanocomposite for efficient photo degradation was 0.4 g/L, with a degradation efficiency of 91.6%.
Lead and Cadmium (Pb, Cd) Levels Determination in the Blood of the Gasoline Station Workers
Authors: Kadhum Aamal Muhsen , Moalif Ali S. , Jawad Noor Muhsen
Published: October 2023

The inhalation of hazardous fumes from lead containing gasoline in the workplace has become a major public health concern. These gases include extremely dangerous poisons that can induce aberrant changes in the functioning of a variety of essential organs. The current study aimed to estimate the concentration of blood lead level (BLLs) and blood cadmium level in male working gasoline station and compared with healthy people. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to measure cadmium and lead levels in the blood. The findings of this investigation revealed that there was significant increase in age (P-value = 0.002), mean age of worker station (32.0 ± 11.99) while in the control group (22.85 ± 2.18), the result of blood lead level shown (1.92 ±1.54) in gasoline station while in the control group (1.63 ±0.04) no significant differences was observed (P-value = 0.238). The main of blood cadmium level was 0.005 ±0.0069 in the gasoline station while in the control group (0.069 ±0.011) no significant differences were observed (P- value = 0.5), the smokers (n = 13) has (P > 0.426) mean BLL (21.60 ± 12.88 μg/dL), while non-smoking workers (n = 8) the BLL mean was 15.52 ± 6.80 μg/dL. The results also show that there is a correlation between age and blood lead level while no correlation was observed in blood cadmium level.
Decarbonising of the Indian Cement Industry Through Alternative Fuels – Challenge of Transfer Chute Jamming
Authors: Kukreja Kapil , Soni Manoj Kumar , Mohapatra Bibekananda , Ramachandra Rao M.V.
Published: October 2023

The Indian cement industry in COP27 highlighted its commitment to achieving net zero CO2 emission by 2070 made during COP26. The industry is moving towards decarbonisation and has identified various levers to achieve the goal. Fossil fuel replacement by Alternative Fuels (AFs) has been identified as one of the levers. Refused Derived Fuel (RDF), surplus biomass, industrial waste, and other societal wastes, etc., have emerged as potential AFs; however, their use comes with technical challenges like transfer chute jamming due to the wide range of variations in their properties. Jammed transfer chute leads to the breakdown of the entire transportation system and further fluctuation in AFs feeding to the kiln/calciner. Fluctuation in the feed rate of the AFs disturbs the fuel mix ratio (mix ratio of fossil fuel and AFs) and ultimately negatively impacts the process, operation, and quality of the produced cement. Transfer chute design is often overlooked, leading to build-up, blockage, and wear in chutes. Designing of transfer chute is more challenging when handling solid alternative fuels in cement plants, as the properties of these fuels have a wide range of variation where moisture may be as high up to 40%, bulk density may vary from 0.1 to 0.75 tonnes/m3, and particle size ranges from 1 to 100 mm, etc. This study covers a survey to establish which types of AFs, and their characteristics contribute to the chute jamming problem. The outcome of this study shall help the Indian cement industry to consider the appropriate inputs for transfer chute design and selection of the correct alternative fuels and their mix to avoid chute jamming.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Pollutants by Using Highly Surface Pd Doped on ZnO/CdS Nanocomposite: As a Model of Water Treatment
Authors: Mohwes Mithal N. , Jassm Khawla K. , Alkaim Ayad F.
Published: October 2023

In the last few decades, more attention has been focussed on water treatment. In this study, an advanced catalyst Pd-doped ZnO-CdS nanocomposite was prepared using the photo deposition method. The structure and morphology of the obtained material were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), examining optical properties using UV-visible spectroscopy. Results of absorption show broader bands with moderated energy band gaps and improved photocatalytic properties. The photocatalytic applications show that the increase in amount of pd/ZnO-CdS nanocomposites up to 0.4 g/L increase the number of active site, but beyond 0.4 g/L there is little increase in % degradation. Therefore, the best catalyst at 0.4 g/L was used to remove BG dye. Photo catalytic activity increase was observed for Pd/ZnO-CdS nanocomposites which is about 86.6%. Photocatalytic degradation efficiency (PDE%) increases as the dye concentration decreases from 86.66% to 26.9 %. It was observed that the photo-catalytic degradation of BG dye was 86.6%–95.8% for the first four cycles. This indicates the good stability of ZnO-CdS/Pd nano-composites and could be potentially applied in the practical batch degradation.
Landscape of Phase II Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Lee Alina , Shan Di , Castle David , Rajji Tarek K. , Ma Clement
Published: October 2023

Background: Drug development in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) over the past two decades has had high rates of failure. Novel trial designs, such as adaptive designs, have the potential to improve the efficiency of drug development in AD. Objective: To evaluate the design characteristics, temporal trends, and differences in design between sponsor types in phase II trials of investigational agents in AD. Methods: Phase I/II, II, and II/III trials for AD with drug or other biological interventions registered from December 1996 to December 2021 in ClinicalTrials.gov were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize trial characteristics. Linear, logistic, and multinomial regression models assessed temporal trends and differences between sponsor types in design characteristics. Results: Of N = 474 trials identified, randomized parallel group design was the most common design (72%). Only 12 trials (2.5%) used an adaptive design; adaptive features included early stopping rules, model-based dose-finding, adaptive treatment arm selection, and response adaptive randomization. The use of non-randomized parallel-group and open-label single arm designs increased over time. No temporal trend in the use of adaptive design was identified. Trials sponsored by industry only were more likely to use a randomized parallel-group design and have a larger estimated sample size than trials with other sponsor types. Conclusion: Our systematic review showed that very few phase II trials in AD used an adaptive trial design. Innovation and implementation of novel trial designs in AD trials can accelerate the drug development process.
Uncertainty induced and preference involved aggregation in relative basic uncertain information decision environment
Authors: Ma Chao , Yager Ronald R. , Liu Jing , Yatsalo Boris , Garg Harish , Senapati Tapan , Jin LeSheng
Published: October 2023

Uncertainty exists in numerous evaluation and decision making problems and therefore it also provides space for the subjective preferences of decision makers to affect the aggregation and evaluation results. Recently, relative basic uncertain information is proposed to further generalize basic uncertain information, but currently there is no research on how to apply this type of uncertainty in both theory and practices. There is also a paucity of decision methodology about how to build systematic preference involved decision model considering this new type of uncertainty. The relative basic uncertain information can serve as a general frame to enable the possibility for simultaneously handling heterogeneous uncertain information including interval information, basic uncertain information, and relative basic uncertain information. Different types of bipolar subjective preferences commonly should be taken into consideration in practical decision making. With the individual heterogeneous uncertain information and the involved two types of subjective preferences, namely bipolar preferences for uncertainties and bipolar optimism-pessimism preferences, the evaluation and decision making become more complex. This work proposes a systematic intersubjective decision model which can effectively and reasonably deal with the decision scenario with such complex uncertainty, in which Yager preference induced weights allocation is applied. Some novel preference conversion and transformation functions, specified techniques, and the related decision making procedures and sub-modules are proposed and analyzed. An application is also presented to showthe practicality of the proposed decision models and related conversion and transformation functions.
Prospect theory-based large-scale group decision-making method with heterogeneous preference relations
Authors: Gong Kaixin , Ma Weimin , Ren Zitong , Wang Jia
Published: October 2023

Large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM) issues are increasingly prevalent in modern society across various domains. The preference information has emerged as a widely adopted approach to tackle LSGDM problems. However, a significant challenge lies in facilitating consensus among decision-makers (DMs) with diverse backgrounds while considering their hesitation and psychological behavior. Consequently, there is a pressing need to establish a novel model that enables DMs to evaluate alternatives with heterogeneous preference relations (HPRs). To this end, this research presents a new consensus-building method to address LSGDM problems with HPRs. First, a novel approach for solving collective priority weight is introduced based on cosine similarity and prospect theory. In particular, a new cosine similarity measure is defined for HPRs. Subsequently, a consensus index is provided to gauge the consensus level among DMs by considering their psychological behavior and risk attitudes. Further, a consensus-reaching model is developed to address LSGDM with HPRs. Finally, an instance of supplier selection is presented to demonstrate the practicality and efficacy of the proposed method.
Generalized commutativity of intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machine
Authors: Huang Feidan , Deng Zexi , Cao Fasheng
Published: October 2023

Concepts of generalized commutative intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machines and generalized switching intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machines are proposed in this paper, and properties of these two kinds of intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machines are investigated. By using the conditions associated with generalized commutativity, a kind of congruences of intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machines is defined. Homomorphic properties of generalized commutative intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machine are also discussed. Moreover, products of generalized commutative intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machines and products of generalized switching intuitionistic fuzzy finite state machines are studied, and some related properties are proved.
TRANSFORMATION OF SHARIA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THE CASE OF ACEH: POLITICS, STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: Kurniawan Rahmad , Sukmana Enriko Tedja , Dakhoir Ahmad
Published: October 2023

Aceh Special Region Government Authority which carried out mass transformation of conventional financial institutions in Aceh. Based on Aceh Qanun Number 11 of 2018 concerning Sharia Financial Institutions, conventional financial institutions are given 3 years from 2019-2022 to transform conventional financial institutions into Islamic financial institutions. The results of empirical-normative research, data sourced from interviews and observations, and sourced from normative data, namely Qanun Aceh Number 11 of 2018 concerning Sharia Financial Institutions. The approach used is legislation, case study approach, and conceptual approach. This research states that the transformation of financial institutions stems from the philosophy of culture and community life that adheres to the Quran and Sunnah. This philosophy is realized through strengthening legal politics in the form of Aceh Qanun Number 8 of 2014 and Aceh Qanun Number 11 of 2018.
Nuclear Level Density in the X(766, 242) System
Authors: Bevelacqua Joseph
Published: October 2023

Level densities for the X(766, 242) system are calculated using a single particle methodology incorporating the Rost interaction and pairing interaction of Blomqvist and Wahlborn. Energy level fluctuations are smoothed utilizing the constant temperature, power law, and equidistant model functional forms. The constant temperature relationship is used to model the density and total number of energy levels. The total number of levels is also compared with the predictions of the power law and equidistant models. Systematics of level densities for theoretical superheavy nuclei are discussed.
Impact of medical, surgical and expectant management on spontaneous miscarriage/abortion on first trimester: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials
Authors: Negi Shivali , Sharma Kavya , Acharya Anwesa , Prabhu Ananya , Dwivedi Rinshu , Athe Ramesh
Published: October 2023

An increase in miscarriage in the first trimester of gestation and its associated complication is burden-some on the quality of life of a woman. Medical, surgical, and expectant care are carried out after the miscarriage to remove any remaining tissues in the uterus. Understanding the efficacy and safety of these interventions will raise awareness and be a deciding factor to choose an appropriate treatment plan. Present review aims to determine the efficacy and safety of medical, surgical, and expectant care of various medical and surgical methods for first-trimester miscarriage. This review included studies that allocated women to medical, surgical or expectant management in the first trimester. PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase Library were searched for the literature. The primary outcome was the complete evacuation of products of conception. Data were independently reviewed, graded for evidence quality, and assessed for risk bias by using the guidelines of PRISAM (Preferred Report Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis). 21 eligible articles were included in this systematic review, comprising of 7931 patients undergoing medical, surgical or expectant-management for early spontaneous-miscarriage. The success rate in surgical intervention was higher when compared with medical intervention (OR: 16.12 [9.11, 28.52]) and expectant management (OR: 2.78 [2.13, 3.61]). Whereas medical intervention had a high success rate when compared with expectant-management (OR: 4.29 [2.31, 7.97]). The review determines the effect of medical, surgical, and expectant-management procedures on women who have had spontaneous-miscarriages in their first-trimester. PROSPERO-International prospective register of systematic reviews–CRD42020154395.
ANALISIS KEGIATAN MUSYAWARAH MELALUI PRODUKTIVITAS PEMBELAJARAN PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL) PADA MATERI JUAL BELI MATA PELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM DI MA’HAD ‘ALY PONDOK PESANTREN LIRBOYO KEDIRI
Authors: Husni Muhammad
Published: October 2023

The success of learning can be seen from the increase of students' mastery and understanding of subject’s matter that is manifested in values or numbers on student learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was improve student learning outcomes in muamalah material for Islamic Religious Education (PAI) subjects, as well as to determine the supporting and inhibiting factors in the development of deliberation activities at Ma'had 'Aly Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo Kediri. This paper is the result of Classroom Action Research (CAR) which places great emphasis on the learning process. The data analysis technique used is descriptive analysis with a qualitative approach. Based on the results of research and data analysis, the results showed that there was increase in learning outcomes for PAI subjects at Ma'had 'Aly Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo Kediri after the problem based learning (PBL) learning’s model was applied. In this study also obtained 2 (two) types of deliberation models in learning muamalah material at Ma'had 'Aly Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo Kediri, namely: first, group’s deliberation; second, joint’s deliberation.
Design features of kamcha with a meadowsweet handle from the Ulkensor burial mound (interdisciplinary analysis)
Authors:   A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Aleksandrovich Sergey  Yarygin , Kairbergenovich Autalipov Dauren ,   Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs
Published: October 2023

Kamcha played an important role in the culture of the steppe peoples of Eurasia during the long period of nomadic pastoral life. Many folk ideas are connected with it, reflecting various aspects of rituals and ritual actions. Kamcha was a symbol of rulership, a companion of a person, a weapon of a hero and in traditional culture a talisman of Shanyrak.In 2020, a burial mound from the early Saka time (7th-6th century BC) was explored near Burabay. During the research, a number of objects of the culture material of the Sakas were found in the burial, including a ceremonial setting belt, a dagger, and the remains of a quiver with arrows and kamcha. It should be noted that the kamcha is the first find of cultural artifacts of this type in this region. Of particular interest among these finds was a handle made of a material identified as tobolga. The kamcha with a handle made of meadowsweet from a burial near Lake Ulkensor became the object of study of the present article.The authors of the article give an archaeological description of the burial mound from the early Saka period as well as a description of the finds in the burial and perform a visual reconstruction of the kamcha.