bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
As ferramentas tecnológicas de aprendizagem em matemática e o curso de nutrição
Authors: Priebe Débora Danielle Alves Moraes , Alvarenga Karly Barbosa
Published: January 2024

Introdução: O uso de ferramentas para cálculo no ensino da matemática é histórico e impõe aos alunos diferentes demandas cognitivas, que revelam a perspectiva de ensino e de aprendizagem da matemática adotada pela instituição. Objetivo: analisar as percepções de sujeitos que vivenciam o currículo com relação ao uso das ferramentas tecnológicas de aprendizagem em matemática no curso de nutrição, identificando as possíveis coerências e incoerências entre os recursos utilizados e as necessidades formativas e profissionais do nutricionista. Metodologia: realizou-se entrevistas semiestruturadas com uma estudante e uma professora do curso de nutrição da Universidade Federal de Goiás, uma nutricionista em atuação e uma representante do Conselho Federal de Nutrição, que foram investigadas por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo, de Bardin. Resultados: a categoria de ferramentas tecnológicas de aprendizagem em matemática é dividida nas subcategorias: “lápis, papel e calculadora” e “software”. Revelou-se a ênfase nos cálculos manuais com o auxílio da calculadora, a partir da substituição de dados em fórmulas fornecidas previamente, em detrimento do uso dos softwares, que são pouco explorados. Tal prática é dissonante da necessidade profissional do conhecimento computacional, amplamente demandado pelos nutricionistas. Conclusão: apesar de o uso da abordagem mecanicista não ser um objetivo do curso, a manutenção dos cálculos manuais revela uma concepção algoritmizada, ao não estimular a compreensão dos conhecimentos subjacentes aos caminhos percorridos de forma mecânica. A maneira ideal de resolução das fórmulas requer mais do que a memorização de algoritmos e inclui uma reflexão dos princípios matemáticos presentes nas equações utilizadas.
Az egészség ára – Az egészségesnek vélt élelmiszerek iránti fogyasztási és vásárlási szokások vizsgálata, kiemelt tekintettel az árra
Authors: Buglyó-Nyakas Erzsébet Tünde , Gál Tímea
Published: January 2024

The economic events of recent years (war, the COVID epidemic) have had a significant impact on our daily life, including our consumer and shopping habits. The main aim of this research is to examine how food consumption and purchasing habits have changed in response to price changes, particularly for foods perceived to be healthy. Two focus group surveys were conducted to explore consumer habits on this topic. The period covered by the research was the consumer prices in April 2022 and April 2023. Our research explored general food purchasing habits and consumer motivations. We examined the extent to which products that participants perceived as healthy were purchased online, and the impact of price changes on the demand for health-conscious foods and on consumers' brand loyalty. We also looked at the online price monitoring system, where we mapped consumer adoption and the consumer benefits that the system provided. One of our key achievements is to identify a growing consumer awareness, with more and more people choosing quality, expertise and choice over convenience and price. The types of consumer responses identified in the EUROPA.EU research was in terms of products perceived as healthy in the wake of the price rise, although the proportions have shifted significantly; many are looking for alternatives, seeking substitutes for products; and fewer are the concern-averse, loyal consumers and the well-off but not engaged. Price sensitivity is increasing as a result of recent sustained price rises, with a small proportion of people who are not concerned. There is also a low proportion of emotional comfort seekers, a group largely confined to high-income consumers. For those who are not aware of the price of products, there is no change in brand loyalty and no brand abandonment, but for those who are price-aware, there is a tendency to switch between brands.
JEL-CODES: I12, M31, M38
Fight for Customers - Correlations of Trade Organizations and Sales Promotionon the Hungarian FMCG Market
Authors: Földi Kata , Pólya Éva , Pénzes Ibolya Rózsa
Published: January 2024

Tract of time after the millennial brought well definable changes in retailers’ trade organizations and marketing activity in the Hungarian three-pole FMCG market. Operation conditions of enterprises became more complicated which is also reflected in the variability of the number and intensity of relevant influencing factors as well as in the difficulties of forecasting them. Out of these the change of consumer/purchase behaviour, the growth of competition intensity, the swell of procurement marketing, changes in channel position, the innovation of informatics and info communication tools, the dominant change of economic environment, the stiffening legislation and the unexpected influence of ecological environment can be highlighted. An important starting point for exploring the impact of the changes focusing on market competition is that the number and activity of chain stores operating in Hungary has stabilized, which has shifted the direction of research to explore the relationship between trade organization and marketing, improving competitive advantages and management efficiency.JEL Code: M31
Understanding the leaching of plastic additives and subsequent risks to ecosystems
Authors: Iftikhar Asmara , Qaiser Zonaira , Sarfraz Wajiha , Ejaz Ujala , Aqeel Muhammad , Rizvi Zarrin Fatima , Khalid Noreen
Published: January 2024

Plastic pollutants have emerged as one of the biggest environmental concerns in recent times. The potential hazards arise from the presence of additives within microplastics (MPs), which can leach into the environment. These additives serve a multitude of purposes, resulting in a diverse range of compounds used in plastic formulation. These elements are commonly integrated into plastic molding processes to enhance usability, optimize material performance, and reduce costs. Throughout the lifespan of plastics, there exists a potential for the release of unpolymerized monomers (sometimes more toxic) and additives that are not chemically bound to polymers; these elements pose risks to the environment and, ultimately, human well-being. Assessing the potential impact of MPs on life requires determining the precise chemical composition and the level of exposure to these additives. Phthalates and chemical flame retardants are currently the focus of extensive examination due to their widespread presence in the environment. Following closely behind are stabilizers and antioxidants, which are also undergoing evaluation. Chemical compounds like hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) possess characteristics such as persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. The understanding of the ecotoxicological implications of plastic additives and their discharge from primary plastic materials remains limited at present. The current state of issues concerning the regulations and transparency regarding plastic additive chemicals is marked by a significant lack of openness and clarity. It is paramount to thoroughly comprehend and assess the risks that ecosystems face due to the leaching, degradation, bioaccumulation, and eventual fate of additive compounds when plastics are released into the environment.
Sulfur — a potential additive to increase the efficacy of copper-based fungicides against grapevine downy mildew
Authors: Bleyer Gottfried , Schumacher Stefan , Fuchs René
Published: January 2024

Control of downy mildew on grapevines in organic viticulture in Europe is mainly based on using copper-based fungicides. However, the effect of these agents is often insufficient to prevent losses when infestation pressure is high. The addition of sulfur, which is primarily used to control powdery mildew, improves the effect of copper on downy mildew. In three out of five trial years, sulfur had a clear positive effect when it was added during spray treatments against Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of downy mildew on grapevines. This was evident mainly in the fruits; no further positive effect on the leaves was evident. In addition, the present study shows that copper-based fungicides are effective on leaves but have a rather poor effect on grapevine fruit. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the effect of copper is significantly worse than that of the chemical synthetic contact fungicide folpet.
Investigation of Effective Section Reduction in Low Carbon Steel during SMAW Welding
Authors: Mushthofa Malik , Pratama Nurfauzi Fakhri , Hardawati Astriana
Published: January 2024

Welding, with its advantages of expedient execution and reduced weight, is a favored method for structural connections. However, it poses a significant risk, softening the steel and diminishing load-bearing capacity, underscoring the importance of accurate estimation. The need for precision is paramount, as critical infrastructure must remain operational not only during disasters but also during repair and maintenance activities. To address this challenge, this research introduces an approach to estimate the extent of capacity reduction resulting from welding, providing engineers with valuable insights for maintaining these critical systems structural integrity and functionality. The study examined low-carbon steel with various thicknesses, focusing on Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) width calculations and Abaqus simulations. Welding was performed at a speed of 1.67 cm/s with a 5 mm element increment. This research aimed to investigate the impact of welding parameters on low-carbon steel, particularly concerning HAZ measurements. A 4 mm-thick plate generated a 38.73 mm affected zone, while simulations with 5 mm to 12 mm thicknesses produced progressively narrower affected zones. Results demonstrated that steel plate thickness significantly influences the affected zone width, with thicker plates yielding narrower affected zones. The study examined low carbon steel with a 4 mm thickness, focusing on Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) width calculations and Abaqus simulations. Welding was performed at a speed of 1.67 cm/s with a 5 mm element increment. The research aimed to investigate the impact of welding parameters on low carbon steel, particularly concerning HAZ measurements. Results demonstrated that steel plate thickness significantly influences the affected zone width, with thicker plates yielding narrower affected zones. A 4 mm-thick plate generated a 38.73 mm affected zone, while simulations with 5 mm to 12 mm thicknesses produced progressively narrower affected zones.
Analisis Aselerasi Riwayat Waktu pada Wilayah Spesifik di Yogyakarta dengan Sumber Gempa Subduksi Berdasarkan Peta Gempa 2002
Authors: Erlangga Wisnu , Teguh Mochamad , Makrup Lalu , Jafar  , Dagi Saputri Maharani
Published: January 2024

Indonesia is a country that is very prone to earthquake disasters. Earthquakes cause damage especially to buildings. In building planning, the usual earthquake load is the earthquake load from the spectral response. The use of earthquake loads from time history is very rarely used because of the difficulty of finding accurate data for an area. In this study, Alana Hotel and Apartment were chosen as research objects to find artificial time history. All earthquake data affecting Yogyakarta region were collected from several sources. Seismic hazard analysis in this study uses the PSHA (Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis) method by calculating the main earthquake only. The selection of attenuation functions is based on the similarity of geological and tectonic conditions in Indonesia. These attenuation functions produce a seismic hazard curve and a uniform hazard spectrum response. The selection of time history data for bedrock is based on the results of the deaggregation process in the form of dominant magnitude and dominant distance from the subduction earthquake source. It is necessary to adjust the spectrum response in the time history data to fit the research location. Furthermore, earthquake waves from the bedrock are propagated to the surface. The results show that the peak time history acceleration value after surface propagation increased by 1.51 times than the time history in bedrock.
Analisis Fluktuasi Jumlah dan Karakteristik Penumpang Bus Trans Jogja Kondisi Sebelum, Selama, dan Setelah Covid-19
Authors: Budi Utomo Rizki , Winarno Setya
Published: January 2024

Trans Jogja Urban Public Transportation is a form of reform of the subsidized road transport system in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, which has served the Yogyakarta Urban Area since 2008. Trans Jogja Buses have served 25 sub-districts, with a fleet of 128 buses subsidized by the DIY Regional Government and 44 buses subsidized by the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020-2021, there was a decrease in people's movements, resulting in a decrease in Trans Jogja Bus passengers. This study aims to analyze the fluctuations of passengers and compare the characteristics of the Trans Jogja Bus passengers in conditions before COVID-19 (in 2019), during COVID-19 (in 2020 and 2021), and after COVID-19 (in 2022). The analysis results show that based on the monthly average, the number of Trans Jogja Bus passengers in conditions during COVID-19 decreased by 54%. After COVID-19, it increased by 12% compared to during COVID-19. The monthly average number of passengers After COVID-19 is not as regular as in conditions before COVID-19, with a disparity of 50%t. Based on the characteristics of passengers during COVID-19, the proportion of missing passengers is by the professional aspect, namely students/students and civil servants/national soldiers/police. Regarding travel intentions, a relatively large proportion of the missing were college, school, and tourism travel, each decreasing by 7%.
Pengaruh Penambahan Vermikulit pada Beton Normal Terhadap Kuat Lentur Balok Terdukung Sederhana
Authors: Dian Artanti Lintang , Mushthofa Malik
Published: January 2024

Concrete innovation in the construction industry continues to grow until now. One of the substantial innovations made is adding a material called vermiculite. If changes in compressive strength of concrete were observed in the previous study, then changes in concrete weight and flexural strength of concrete with the addition of vermiculite as much as 12%, 24%, and 36% were observed in this study. Concrete specimens were cured with water for 28 days and then weighted and tested for flexural strength with two loading points. The test results show that the lightest concrete is found in concrete with the addition of 36% vermiculite, with a weight difference of 0.03% lighter than normal concrete. Based on the results of the flexural strength test, the addition of 36% vermiculite makes the flexural strength of concrete 42.75% higher than normal concrete. This improvement proves that vermiculite's high water absorption properties can reduce the excess water content in concrete to reduce its weight, making the concrete denser and increasing its flexural strength.
Historical and Current Online Monitoring of Vital Parameters of Persons on Duty in Extreme Environments
Authors: Werner Andreas , Gunga Hanns-Christian , Küpper Thomas
Published: January 2024

Collecting and recording physiological parameters and forwarding this data via telemedicine or remote surveys may significantly increase the health and safety of people working under extreme environmental conditions, like firefighters, mountain rescuers, disaster control employees, military personnel, etc. First, ruggedized systems, as small, lightweight, and flexible as possible, are needed to optimize the goal of increasing occupational health and safety of persons at risk and maximizing their performance during missions. Previous systems could only record a very limited number of parameters, and a few could forward the data online to return information to the user. Therefore, in order to record several meaningful, valid, and reliable physiological parameters synchronized, an extension of existing systems is required. This review highlights this problem and gives an overview of the historical development. The actual status of the systems available was listed and described comparatively. In the end, a proven, promising, and innovative solution is presented that can solve the problem and allow people to work more safely in extreme environments, which may represent the future.
Supersymmetry and Particle-Like Quantum Black Holes
Authors: Li Yuanxin
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we consider the formation of quantum black holes (QBHs) through a genuine quantum process. We treat particles at the Planck energy as QBHs. The Hawking temperature and entropy of QBHs are estimated. We also show that a QBH has a discrete energy spectrum. By analogy with supersymmetric theory, the mass of the superpartner of a QBH is estimated.
A Comparative Evaluation of eDNA Metabarcoding Primers in Fish Community Monitoring in the East Lake
Authors: Li Yiwen , Tang Minzhe , Lu Suxiang , Fang Chengchi , Xiong Fan , Zeng Honghui , He Shunping
Published: January 2024

East Lake in Wuhan, China, harbors a high number of freshwater fish species of great conservation value, concurrently serving as vital resources for local livelihoods. However, the ecosystem is threatened by an array of anthropogenic activities, thus requiring consistent monitoring of the local fish community to enable more efficacious conservation management. In place of conventional surveying methods, we undertook the first analysis of the fish distribution within East Lake via metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA). The accuracy and efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding relies heavily upon selecting an appropriate primer set for PCR amplification. Given the varying environmental conditions and taxonomic diversity across distinct study systems, it remains a challenge to propose an optimal genetic marker for universal use. Thus, it becomes necessary to select PCR primers suitable for the composition of fish in the East Lake. Here, we evaluated the performance of two primer sets, Mifish-U and Metafish, designed to amplify 12S rRNA barcoding genes in fishes. Our results detected a total of 116 taxonomic units and 51 fish species, with beta diversity analysis indicating significant differences in community structure diversity between the 6 sampling locations encompassing East Lake. While it was difficult to accurately compare the species-level discriminatory power and amplification bias of the two primers, Mifish outperformed Metafish in terms of taxonomic specificity for fish taxa and reproducibility. These findings will assist with primer selection for eDNA-based fish monitoring and biodiversity conservation in the East Lake and other freshwater ecosystems.
Processing Speed and Attentional Shift/Mental Flexibility in Patients with Stroke: A Comprehensive Review on the Trail Making Test in Stroke Studies
Authors: Tsiakiri Anna , Christidi Foteini , Tsiptsios Dimitrios , Vlotinou Pinelopi , Kitmeridou Sofia , Bebeletsi Paschalina , Kokkotis Christos , Serdari Aspasia , Tsamakis Konstantinos , Aggelousis Nikolaos , Vadikolias Konstantinos
Published: January 2024

The Trail Making Test (TMT) is one of the most commonly administered tests in clinical and research neuropsychological settings. The two parts of the test [part A (TMT-A) and part B (TMT-B)] enable the evaluation of visuoperceptual tracking and processing speed (TMT-A), as well as divided attention, set-shifting and cognitive flexibility (TMT-B). The main cognitive processes that are assessed using TMT, i.e. processing speed, divided attention and cognitive flexibility, are often affected in patients with stroke. Considering the wide use of TMT in research and clinical settings since its introduction in neuropsychological practice, the purpose of our review was to provide a comprehensive overview on the use of TMT in stroke patients in an attempt to mainly identify its role for the evaluation of post-stroke cognitive dysfunction and progression over time, the identification of the underlying neuroanatomical pathology related to impaired TMT performance, and the association with other stroke outcomes, such motor function, driving ability and quality of life. Our comprehensive review underscores that the TMT stands as an invaluable asset in the stroke assessment toolkit, contributing nuanced insights into diverse cognitive, functional, and emotional dimensions. As research progresses, continued exploration of the TMT potential across these domains is encouraged, fostering a deeper comprehension of post-stroke dynamics, and enhancing patient-centered care across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, research institutions, and community health settings. Its integration into both research and clinical practice reaffirms TMT status as an indispensable instrument in stroke-related evaluations, enabling holistic insights that extend beyond traditional neurological assessments.
Elderly People Treated in Integrated Home Care in Italian Regions: A Metric Approach
Authors: Resta Onofrio , Resta Emanuela , Costantiello Alberto , Leogrande Angelo
Published: January 2024

In this article, we analyse the ESG determinants of the “Elderly People Treated in Integrated Home Care”-EPIHC in the Italian regions between 2004 and 2022. We used data from the ISTAT-BES database. We used different econometric techniques i.e.: Panel Data with Random Effects, Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Pooled Ordinary Least Squares-OLS and Weighted Least Squares-WLS. The results show that the EPIHC is positively associated with “Nurses, midwives, and Soil sealing by artificial cover" and negatively associated with "Museum heritage density and relevance" and "Trust in law enforcement agencies and firefighters fire". Furthermore, we have applied a k-Means algorithm with the Silhouette Coefficient and we find the presence of two clusters. Finally, we propose a confrontation among eight different machine-learning algorithms and we find that Linear Regression is the best predictive algorithm.
A Novel Feasibility Study Design Enabling Informative Clinical Trials in Low Resource Settings: the Pop-Up Prevalence study with Private Ethics (PUPPE)
Authors: Dolley Shawn
Published: January 2024

The design of randomized controlled trials for low-resource settings has unique challenges. One challenge is ensuring recruitment success in the face of a lack of information about prevalence of disease in the population. What disease burden data may exist is old and from distant regions, adding guesswork into site design. This leads to a high chance that the sample size will not be recruited in any reasonable timeframe—a challenge even in high-resource settings. While cross-sectional prevalence studies could be used as a type of feasibility study informing trials by generating near real-time prevalence estimates for the future trial site, such studies take years to complete. This duration makes insertion of such a study in trial design impossible. An empirically supported combination of new approaches that sidesteps unnecessary hurdles is presented, the Pop-Up Prevalence with Private Ethics (PUPPE) design. PUPPE includes using a COVID-validated, more targeted method of data collection, use of accepted ethics review from universities or hospitals to avoid lengthy public ethics review, and—if needed—post-study in silico participant randomization. Only this design would enable clinical trial designers to insert fit-for-purpose prevalence studies within the design phase of their trials, leading to informative outcomes.
Reconstructive Approach in Residual Periodontal Pockets with Biofunctionalized Heterografts – a Retrospective Comparison of 12-Months Data from Three Centers
Authors: Friedmann Anton , Liedloff Pheline , Eliezer Meizi , Brincat Arthur , Ostermann Thomas , Diehl Daniel
Published: January 2024

Regenerative capacity of well-preserved blood clot may be enhanced by biologics like enamel matrix derivative (EMD). This retrospective analysis compares outcomes reported by three centers using different heterografts. Center 1 (C1) treated intrabony defects combining cross-linked heavy weight hyaluronic acid (xHyA) with a xenograft, Center 2 (C2) used EMD with an allograft combination to graft residual pocket. Center 3 (C3) combined xHyA with placement of resorbable polymer membrane for defect cover. Clinical parameters, BoP reduction and radiographically observed defect fill at 12-months examination are reported. The 12-months evaluation yielded significant improvement in PPD and CAL at each center (p<0.001, respectively). Analyses of Covariance revealed significant improvement of all parameters, significantly greater CAL gain disclosed C2 vs. C1 (p=0.006). Radiographic defect fill presented with significantly higher scores for C2 and C3 vs. C1 (P=.003 and =.014; C2 vs. C3 P=1.00). Gingival recession increased in C1 and C3 (P=1.00), while C2 reported no GR after 12-months (C2:C1 P=.002; C2:C3 P=.005). BoP tendency and pocket closure rate shared similar rates. Within limitations of the study, data comparison indicated that xHyA showed similar capacity to enhance regenerative response, as known for EMD. Radiographic follow-up underlined xHyA staying alone role in new attachment formation.
Painless Artificial Intelligence Point-of-Care hemogram diagnosis in Companion Animals
Authors: Barroso Teresa Guerra , Costa Joana Maria , Gregório António Hugo , Martins Rui Costa
Published: January 2024

Quantification of erythrocytes and leukocytes is an essential aspect of hemogram diagno- 23
sis in Veterinary Medicine. Flow cytometry analysis, laser scattering, and impedance detection are 24
standard laboratory techniques, verified by manual microscopy counting. Although single-cell scat- 25
tering is already used as a standard technology for differentiating cell counts in flow cytometry, it 26
requires capillary cell separation. The current study investigates the scattering characteristics of 27
whole blood to identify correlations with erythrocytes and leukocytes counts. The scattering infor- 28
mation present in blood samples can be classified into three types: i) geometrical scattering, which 29
occurs when non-absorbed light is reflected and scattered, ii) Mie scattering, which happens when 30
light is scattered by particles of a similar size to the wavelength, and iii) Rayleigh scattering, which occurs when light is scattered by particles that are smaller than the incident light wavelength. In 32
this study, we investigate the scattering correction coefficients of dog blood absorption spectra in 33
the visible-near infrared range, to establish direct correlations with erythrocytes and leukocytes 34
counts, using multivariate linear regression. Our findings demonstrate the possibility of using the 35
scattering properties of dog blood, which is a step towards the existence of a portable and miniatur- 36
ized hemogram diagnosis in Veterinary Clinics worldwide.
Multifunctional Polyethylene Glycol Triethoxysilane… Dressing Study – A Clinician-Scientist’s Insights and Perspective
Authors: Benskin Linda
Published: January 2024

Chen, et al., compared two modified polyurethane-based wound dressings (PUE and PUESi), both intended for use in chronic wounds, with a negative control (gauze) and a positive control (PolyMem) via a series of preliminary in vitro and rodent model tests. Future studies may find that one or both of these two new dressings are beneficial. However, the results of this first study cannot be relied upon. Although they exhibited in-depth knowledge of manufacturing techniques, the study designers seem far less familiar with the science of wound healing and with PolyMem wound dressings. This helps explain the flaws in the methods that lead to many of their tests not being translatable to real-world settings. In addition, the interpretation of some of the test results is questionable.
Formal Knowledge Representation Applied to Lyapunov Theory
Authors: Knoll Carsten , Fiedler Julius , Ecklebe Stefan
Published: January 2024

This paper is motivated by three main assumptions: (1) The currently dominant forms of knowledge representation (natural language text, formulas, graphics) are suboptimal to facilitate knowledge transfer between control engineering sub-fields and into potential application domains. (2) Formal knowledge representation (in general) is a promising supplementary approach, but (3) the established technologies so far have failed to be significantly adopted for formal representation of control engineering knowledge. Thus, after briefly reviewing existing representation methods, we introduce our own approach: The Python based imperative representation of knowledge (PyIRK) and its application to formulate the Ontology of Control Systems Engineering (OCSE). One of its main features is the possibility to represent the actual content of definitions and theorems as nodes and edges of a knowledge graph, which is demonstrated by selected elements from Lyapunov theory. While the approach is still experimental, the formalization already allows to apply methods of automated quality assurance and a semantic search mechanism. The current feature set of the framework is demonstrated on various examples before directions for further developments are discussed.
Novel Antineoplastic Inducers of Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells
Authors: Kesel Andreas
Published: January 2024

I propose a new strategy to suppress human cancer completely with two entirely new drug compounds exploiting cancer's Warburg effect characterized by a defective mitochondrial aerobic respiration, substituted for by cytosolic aerobic fermentation/glycolysis of D-(+)-glucose into L-(+)-lactic acid. The two essentially new drugs compound 1 [P(op)T(est)162] and compound 3 (PT167) represent new highly symmetric, four-bladed propeller-shaped polyammonium cations. The in vitro antineoplastic highly efficacious drug compound 3 represents a covalent combination of compound 1 and compound 2 (PT166). The intermediate drug compound 2 is an entirely new colchic(in)oid derivative synthesized from colchicine. Compound 2's structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 and compound 3 were active in vitro versus 60 human cancer cell lines of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) 60-cancer cell testing. Compound 1 and compound 3 both not only stop the growth of cancer cells to ±0% (cancerostatic effect), but completely kill nearly all 60 cancer cells to a level of almost −100% (tumoricidal effect). Compound 1 and compound 3 induce mitochondrial apoptosis (under cytochrome c release) in all cancer cells tested by (re)activating (in most cancers impaired) p53 function which results in a decrease of cancer's dysregulated cyclin D1 and an induction of the cell cycle-halting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Waf1/p21Cip1.
Interactions and Implications of Dynamic Dark Energy in Cosmology
Authors: Neukart Florian
Published: January 2024

This paper explores the interactions of dynamic dark energy with other components of the cosmos, such as dark matter and baryonic matter, and its wide-ranging implications in cosmology. By investigating the interplay between dynamic dark energy and the universe's large-scale structure, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of cosmic evolution and the behavior of dark energy in different cosmological epochs. We also examine the potential of dynamic dark energy to offer novel insights into long-standing cosmological puzzles and their impact on the formation and evolution of cosmic structures.
Size Structured Method Applied to the Brown Crab Fishery Callinectes bellicosus in the Gulf of California
Authors: Ortega-Lizárraga Gilberto Genaro , Muñoz-Rubí Horacio A. , Rodríguez-Domínguez Guillermo , Pérez-González Raúl , Mendívil-Mendoza Jaime Edzael , Aragón-Noriega E. Alberto
Published: January 2024

The crab’s fishery of the genus Callinectes is one of the most important fisheries in Mexico. Sonora and Sinaloa are the states in the eastern coast of the Gulf of California, the mainland coast. Sinaloa encompass the greatest production in Mexico of these species, in particular the Bahía Santa Maria La Reforma (BSMR), supply the most important catches. An administrative mandatory document for the fishery is the Management Plan of Crab. One of the main weaknesses found in it for Sonora and Sinaloa is the lack of fisheries assessment in both states. For this reason, a structured size method called CASA (Catch at Size Analysis) was applied in the BSMR, in the seasons 2000, 2011 and 2014 to C. bellicosus. The first catch size (CW50%) estimated for females were 97.5, 102.5 and 100 mm, while in males it was estimated at 117.5, 107.5 and 102.5 mm. In the specific case of fishing mortality (F), the algorithm allowed us to detect that in the larger sizes the greater fishing pressure is applied for both, females and males, yielding a weighted exploitation rate of 0.047 (2000), 0.119 (2011) and 0.426 (2014) for females and 0.045 (2000), 0.295 (2011) and 0.132 (2014) for males, all below 50% (E= 0.50), crab C. bellicosus in BSMR is not at risk of over exploitation.
Balancing Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development: Perspectives from New Structural Economics
Authors: Cai Jiayao , Chen Qiong , Zhang Zirun
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates the critical factors for balancing environmental sustainability and economic development through the lens of New Structural Economics. Specifically, we utilize the congruence index to access the alignment between local factor endowment structure and firm production input structure. Using a comprehensive manufacturing firm-level pollutant emissions dataset from the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) region in China, we find that firms demonstrating higher congruence exhibit improved economic performance and alignment with comparative advantages. This not only contributes to increased economic efficiency for these firms but also leads to a reduction in pollutant emissions, including wastewater discharge and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) emissions. Our study provides valuable insights into achieving mutually beneficial environmental and economic outcomes.
A Novel Nutritional Supplement Reduces Postprandial Glucose Response in Healthy Individuals in a Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Clinical Study
Authors: Guntupalli Surendra Prasad , Karpuram Mahesh , B Deepkia , Samala Manasa , Gali Chaitanya Chakravarthi
Published: January 2024

Background: Sugar laden foods and carbohydrate rich diets with high glycaemic index intake are associated with weight gain, increased incidence of diabetes and is linked with increased cardiovascular risk. A blend of mulberry leaf extract and apple peel extract (Glubloc™) may reduce postprandial blood glucose surge and insulin response following dietary carbohydrate intake by limiting its digestion and uptake from the gut.
Methods: In this randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover study, thirty healthy male and female subjects were supplemented with either placebo or Glubloc™, 10 min before a carbohydrate and sugar rich meal intake. Changes in postprandial blood glucose (upto120 minutes) and insulin levels (at 60 minutes) were measured as the primary endpoints. Changes in blood glucose incremental area under the concentration curve (iAUC), maximum concentration (Cmax) and peak time (Tmax) were compared.
Results: Thirty adults (mean age 31±7.2 years, BMI 24±3.8 kg/m2) completed the study and the Glubloc™ blend relative to placebo significantly reduced glucose iAUC at 0.5 h (− 38%, p < 0.0003), 1.0 h (− 30%, p = 0.0007), 1.5 h (− 29%, p = 0.0008), and 2.0 h (− 26%, p = 0.002). A statistically significant reduction in 1 h insulin levels (− 35%, p = 0.029) was observed.
Conclusion: A single dose supplementation of Glubloc™ significantly reduced the postprandial blood glucose spike and serum insulin levels. The observation of a significant glucose reduction paralleled with a significant lower insulin response supports a reduced gastrointestinal glucose absorption. None of the subjects experienced any major gastrointestinal side effects. This study builds a body of evidence that the combination of white mulberry leaf and green apple peel extracts (Glubloc™) can be a useful supplement to manage postprandial glucose levels, further studies are necessary to evaluate its potential in type 2 diabetes and the regulation of dysglycaemia.
Phage Display for Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Petrenko VALERY A
Published: January 2024

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer among men. It was observed that early diagnosis of disease is highly beneficial for survival of cancer patients. Therefore, extension and increasing quality of life of PC patients can be achieved by broadening the Cancer Screening programs that are aimed at the identification of cancer manifestation in patients at earlier stages before they demonstrate well-understood signs of the disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need in standard, sensitive, robust, and commonly available screening and diagnosis tools for identification of early signs of cancer pathologies. In this respect, “Holy Grail” of cancer researchers and bioengineers for decades have been molecular sensing probes that would allow diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of cancer diseases by their interaction with cell-secreted and cellassociated PC biomarkers, e.g. PSA and PSMA correspondinly. At present, most PSA tests are performed at centralized laboratories using high throughput Total PSA immune analyzers which are suitable for dedicated laboratories and are not readily available for the broad health screening. Therefore, the current trend in detection of PC is developments of the portable biosensors for mobile laboratories and individual use. Phage display since its conception by George Smith in 1985 has emerged as a premier tool in molecular biology with widespread applications. This review describes how the paradigm of molecular evolution and phage display revolutionized the methods of early diagnosis and monitoring of PC.
Lung-DT: An AI-Powered Digital Twin Framework for Thoracic Health Monitoring and Diagnosis
Authors: Avanzato Roberta , Beritelli Francesco , Lombardo Alfio , Ricci Carmelo
Published: January 2024

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Digital Twins (DTs) has emerged as a promising approach to revolutionize healthcare, particularly in the diagnosis and management of thoracic disorders. This study proposes a comprehensive framework, named Lung-DT, which leverages IoT sensors and AI algorithms to establish a digital representation of a patient’s respiratory health. Using the YOLOv8 neural network, the Lung-DT system accurately classifies chest X-Rays into five distinct categories of lung diseases, including "Normal," "Covid," "Lung Opacity," "Pneumonia," and "Tuberculosis". The system’s performance was evaluated on a chest X-Ray dataset, demonstrating an impressive average accuracy of 96.6% across all classes. Further tests (prediction) were conducted on the trained network using a third dataset available in the literature and completely unknown to the network, yielding an average accuracy of 98% across three classes. The proposed Lung-DT framework offers several advantages over conventional diagnostic methods. Firstly, it enables real-time monitoring of lung health through continuous data acquisition from IoT sensors, facilitating early diagnosis and intervention. Secondly, the AI-powered classification module provides automated and objective assessments of chest X-Rays, reducing dependence on subjective human interpretation. Thirdly, the twin digital representation of the patient’s respiratory health allows for comprehensive analysis and correlation of multiple data streams, providing valuable insights for personalized treatment plans. The integration of IoT sensors, AI algorithms, and DT technology within the Lung-DT system demonstrates a significant step towards improving thoracic healthcare. By enabling continuous monitoring, automated diagnosis, and comprehensive data analysis, the Lung-DT framework has enormous potential to enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and optimize resource allocation.
The Family Fabaceae in northeastern Mexico (Subfamily Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae Clade, Tribes Mimoseae, Acacieae, and Ingeae)
Authors: Estrada-Castillón Eduardo , Villarreal-Quintanilla José Ángel , Cuéllar-Rodríguez Gerardo , Encina-Domínguez Juan Antonio , Martínez-Ávalos José Guadalupe , Mora-Olivo Arturo , Sánchez-Salas Jaime
Published: January 2024

A synoptic compendium of the legumes of the Mimosoideae clade in northeastern Mexico is presented for the first time, including changes in their botanical nomenclature and retypification of genera. Furthermore, based on new information recently published, the taxonomic limits of several new genera segregated from Acacia (Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia and Vachellia) and Prosopis (Neltuma and Strombocarpa) are clarified and included. Based on field work, collecting botanical samples during the last 30 years, a review of botanical materials and database in national and international, we have completed the diversity of legumes of the Mimosoideae clade of northeastern Mexico. Three tribes (Acacieae, Ingeae and Mimosaeae), 22 genera and 92 species, and 19 infraspecif categories were recorded. Only the genus Painteria is endemic to Mexico. Eighty-eight species are native to Mexico, and four are exotic, Acacia salicina, Neptunia prostrata, Neltuma chilensis and Albizia lebbeck. Twenty-eight species are endemic to Mexico, nine species are endemic of northeastern Mexico, and four species endemic to only one state in Mexico. The 22 registered genera represent 44% and 65% of the generic flora of the Mimosoideae clade for Mexico and the planet respectively while the 92 species registered represent 3% and 18% of the species of the Clade Mimosoideae for the planet and Mexico respectively. According to the new nomenclature of legumes, the number of genera in the Mimosoideae clade in northern Mexico has been increased from 19 to 24.
Implementation of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG): Case of Korean Global Firms
Authors: Park Diane So-Hyun , Lee Taewon , Kim Hee Kyung , Kim Shawn Seung-Chul
Published: January 2024

Increasingly, firms are expected to implement ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) mandates to appeal to the global market. However, this requires overcoming practical challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the ESG practices of leading Korean global firms. The study selects five firms for case studies representing industries such as electronics, automotive, steelmaking, and chemicals. It examines ESG reports, performance indicators, and corporate disclosures of these firms. The analysis reveals the adoption of industry-specific ESG strategies, highlighting how these firms tailor their approaches to address unique industry challenges while aligning with global sustainability trends. Key findings include a strong emphasis on innovative solutions to ESG challenges, the integration of ESG into core business operations, and a balanced approach to economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. This study contributes to a broader understanding of how ESG practices are implemented in various industrial contexts, particularly in the dynamic and evolving landscape of Korean global businesses. It offers valuable insights and benchmarks for global companies, underlining the importance of contextualized and industry-specific ESG strategies in achieving sustainable and ethical business practices
Observational Constraints and Future of the Universe with Dynamic Dark Energy
Authors: Neukart Florian
Published: January 2024

This paper is dedicated to examining dynamic dark energy models in the context of observational constraints and their implications for the universe's future. By integrating theoretical models with various observational data, we aim to provide a comprehensive view of how dynamic dark energy influences cosmic evolution and the universe's fate. This study tests these models against the latest observational evidence, including the Cosmic Microwave Background, supernovae, and large-scale structure surveys, to refine our understanding of the universe's accelerating expansion and the mysterious nature of dark energy.
GABA-Mediated Alkalinity Stress Alleviation in Lollo Rosso Lettuce under Diverse Light Spectra
Authors: Mirzaei Shima , Moradi Shirin , Karimi Morteza , Esmaeili Sara , Gruda Nazim S. , Aliniaeifard Sasan
Published: January 2024

The agricultural sector faces challenges due to climate change and the growing global population. Alkaline stress could adversely impact plant growth and crop production. This stressor diminishes water quality essential for crop cultivation, consequently impairing plant growth and overall productivity. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid, may exhibit multifaceted roles in plant responses to adverse environmental conditions. Optimization of crop production in controlled environmental agriculture under artificial light attracted much attention. In the present study, we investigated the effects of different light spectra and GABA concentrations on Lollo Rosso lettuce plants under alkaline stress. Seedlings were placed under different light spectra [red (R), blue (B), white (W), 3R:1B, and 2R:1B:1far-red (FR)] and treated by GABA (0 and 50 µmol). Alkaline conditions were instituted by applying NaHCO3 at a concentration of 40 mM. The experiment incorporated a control treatment without NaHCO3. In general, R light exposure caused the highest growth performance of lettuce plants. GABA augmented biomass production in control and alkaline-treated plants across all light spectra. Additionally, it increased the concentrations of photosynthetic and protective pigments under alkaline conditions. GABA also improved the photosynthetic performance under all light spectra. Non-photochemical quenching and pigmentation were enhanced by exposure to B light, especially in plants treated with GABA. Alkaline stress induced an increase in soluble carbohydrate content in the lettuce leaves. These findings highlight the support of GABA application in facilitating coping plants to alkaline stress.
Modeling the Differential Effect of Prescribed Fire on Multi-Vector Tick-Borne Tularaemia Disease
Authors: Agusto Folashade B. , Atsu Joshua , Kwarteng-Adjei Dorothy , Lamptey-Mill Daniel , Osei Samuel A.
Published: January 2024

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by {\it Francisella tularensis} bacteria, a gram-negative coccobacillus-shaped bacterium. There are multiple transmission routes of the infection to humans such as consumption of contaminated food or water, handling of infected animals or bites from {\it haematophagous} arthropods (such as ticks, deer flies, or mosquitoes). In this study we focus on transmission via the bites of ticks and developed a deterministic model of ordinary and impulsive differential equations to gain insight in the differential effect of prescribed fire on {\it Demacenta variablis} and {\it Amblyomma americanum} ticks and the prevalence of tularemina. We found that prescribed fire can differentially reduce the number of the two ticks with {\it D. variablis} been reduced the most compare to {\it A. americanum}, subsequently leading to the reduction of tularemia infected humans, rodents and ticks. Our result further indicates that the spatial arrangement of burn against unburn areas may not matter as either arrangement led to fewer ticks and reduction in tularemia transmission when prescribed fire was implemented. The results of this study provide important new understandings of the intricate effect of prescribed fire on tick species, and the dynamics of the tick-borne disease, tularemia disease in this study.