bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Space of Conflict in the Reproduction of Hindu Sacred Places into Spiritual Destination
Authors: I Gede Sutarya  , Widana I Ketut Arta
Published: June 2024

Holy places used as spiritual tourism destinations are considered to have more value than merely holy places since they can produce economic benefits. Visiting holy places builds a positive tourist experience and often a positive vibe for the local community. However, in the case of Bali, various complaints have arisen regarding the arrival of spiritual tourists, resulting in overcrowding and long queues. This study reveals the use of religious shrines as spiritual tourism destinations and the entailed conflict regarding the division of space between the locals and the tourists to achieve a middle-way solution to this conflict.
This study collected data through observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). The collected qualitative data were then analysed. The findings reveal that people use religious holy places as spiritual tourism destinations because they get economic benefits. Conflicts of interest, of course, arise due to crowding and long queues. This conflict is mediated by various proposals for dividing space between the two interests. The study contributes to the need for limits on the use of religious holy places as tourist destinations to ensure the destination's sustainability.
Bayesian Modelling of Travel Times on the Example of Food Delivery: Part 1 - Spatial Data Analysis and Processing
Authors: Gibas Justyna , Pomykacz Jan , Baranowski Jerzy
Published: June 2024

Online food delivery services are rapidly growing in popularity, making customer satisfaction critical for company success in a competitive market. Accurate delivery time predictions are key to ensuring high customer satisfaction. While various methods for travel time estimation exist, effective data analysis and processing are often overlooked. This paper addresses this gap by leveraging spatial data analysis and preprocessing techniques to enhance the data quality used in Bayesian models for predicting food delivery times. We utilized the OSRM API to generate routes that accurately reflect real-world conditions. Next, we visualized these routes using various techniques to identify and examine suspicious results. Our analysis of route distribution identified two groups of outliers, leading us to establish an appropriate boundary for maximum route distance to be used in future Bayesian modelling. The spatial analysis revealed that these outliers were primarily deliveries to the outskirts or beyond the city limits. By refining the data quality through these methods, we aim to improve the accuracy of delivery time predictions, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.
Exploring the Integration of Supply Chain Data Analytics with Marketing Strategies for Enhanced Customer Insights
Authors: Holloway Samuel
Published: June 2024

The integration of supply chain data analytics with marketing strategies has become increasingly critical for organizations seeking to enhance customer insights and competitive advantage in today's dynamic business environment. This qualitative research explores the intersection of these two disciplines, focusing on implementation strategies, benefits, challenges, and future directions. Through semi-structured interviews with industry experts and stakeholders, key themes emerged, highlighting the importance of cross-functional collaboration, technological integration, and robust data governance in achieving effective integration. The study identifies significant benefits, including enhanced customer insights, improved operational efficiencies, and competitive advantage through personalized marketing strategies and optimized supply chain management. However, challenges such as data silos, technological complexities, and regulatory compliance issues pose barriers that require strategic solutions and organizational commitment. Future directions point towards the continued evolution of predictive analytics, AI-driven solutions, and sustainability integration, shaping the future landscape of supply chain management and marketing. Proactive engagement with regulatory frameworks and ethical considerations will be crucial in navigating these challenges and building trust with consumers. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how organizations can leverage data analytics to drive strategic decision-making, enhance customer relationships, and achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly data-driven economy.
A Full Calibration Approach on a Drone-Borne Platform for HF Antenna Measurements in Smart Grid Energy Facilities
Authors: Pastorcici Marius , Constantin Andreea , Heiman Adelaida , Tamas Razvan D.
Published: June 2024

Emerging data processing techniques brought back into attention the HF range communication as an interesting alternative to third-party solutions for IoT applications, such as data transmission in distributed energy production facilities. The physical size of HF antennas, often comparable to the surrounding objects, require in-situ radiation measurements. Drone-borne measuring systems are already known as a flexible solution, but mostly restricted to higher frequency ranges. In this work, we propose to use an electrically small, folded dipole as a probe for drone-borne measurements on HF antennas. We also propose a calibration approach for the effects related to the near-field zone, and to the drone body proximity. The impact of ground reflection is also investigated. We show that despite its low, realized gain figure such a probe can provide stable results for near-field measurements, even at low input power levels.
Exploring the Microstructural Effect of FeCo Alloy on Carbon Microsphere Deposition and Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Jia Xiaoshu , Zhang Heng , Liu Fang , Yi Qiaojun , Li Chaolong , Wang Xiao , Piao Mingxing
Published: June 2024

The rational design of magnetic carbon composites, encompassing both composition and microstructure, holds significant potential for achieving exceptional electromagnetic wave absorbing materials (EAMs). In this study, FeCo@CM composites was efficiently fabricated through an advanced microwave plasma assisted reduction chemical vapor deposition (MPARCVD) technique, offering high efficiency, low cost, and energy-saving benefits. By depositing graphitized carbon microspheres, the dielectric properties were significantly enhanced, resulting in improved electromagnetic wave absorption performances through optimized impedance matching and a synergistic effect with magnetic loss. A systematic investigation revealed that the laminar-stacked structure of FeCo exhibited superior properties compared to its spherical counterpart, supplying a higher number of exposed edges and enhanced catalytic activity, which facilitated the deposition of uniform and low-defect graphitized carbon microspheres. Consequently, the dielectric loss performance of the FeCo@CM composites was dramatically improved due to increased electrical conductivity and the formation of abundant heterogeneous interfaces. At a 40 wt% filling amount and a frequency of 7.84 GHz, the FeCo@CM composites achieved a minimum reflection loss value of -58.2 dB with an effective absorption bandwidth (fE) of 5.13 GHz. This study presents an effective strategy for developing high-performance EAMs.
Identifying Habitat Productivity Thresholds to Assess the Effects of Drought on a Specialist Folivore
Authors: Kotzur Ivan , Moore Ben D , Meakin Chris , Evans Maldwyn J , Youngentob Kara N
Published: June 2024

Climate change has altered the frequency and severity of extreme weather, which can affect vegetation condition and habitat quality for wildlife. Declines in vegetation productivity during droughts and heatwaves can negatively impact animals that depend on vegetation for water and nutrition. The ability to detect such effects on habitat suitability can reveal refugia, which can be prioritised for protection to improve threatened species conservation. We used the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) to look at relationships between vegetation productivity and the presence of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in potential habitat throughout much of their range. Using a large, long-term koala presence dataset, we tested the hypothesis that locations where koalas had been observed would exhibit higher NDVI values than a random, representative sample from the same vegetation group (i.e. woodlands, open forests or tall open forests). We also identified the minimum NDVI threshold at which koalas occurred across time for each vegetation group and compared these to the minimum NDVI values observed across potential koala habitat before and during the millennium drought; one of the worst recorded in Australia. Additionally, we investigated whether vegetation above the minimum NDVI thresholds was significantly closer to perennial water than unsuitable vegetation. We found that koalas tend to occur at locations exhibiting higher NDVI than average for all vegetation groups. We also found that 49% of all vegetation groups maintained a minimum NDVI above the koalas’ NDVI threshold before drought, equating to 190,227 km2, which declined to 166,746 km2 during drought (a 12% reduction). We also found that unsuitable vegetation tended to occur farther from perennial water than suitable vegetation for some vegetation groups. Areas that remained above the NDVI thresholds during the drought should be considered potential refugia for populations during an event of similar magnitude and could indicate future core habitat extent.
Unravelling the Genetic Architecture of Serum Biochemical Indicators in Sheep
Authors: Kizilaslan Mehmet , Arzik Yunus , Behrem Sedat , Yavuz Esra , White Stephen N. , Cinar Mehmet Ulas
Published: June 2024

Serum biochemical indicators serve as vital proxies that reflect the physiological state and functions of different organs. The genetic parameters and molecular mechanisms underlying serum biochemical indicators of sheep (Ovis aries) have not been well understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify genetic architecture and genomic loci underlying ten serum biochemical indicators in sheep, including alanine transaminase, aspartate transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol, glucose, phosphorus, calcium, creatinine, urea concentrations and total protein levels. We implemented genetic parameter estimations and GWAS for each trait in 422 Akkaraman lambs. Overall, low to moderate heritability estimates were found, in the range 0.14–0.55. Additionally, low to high genetic correlations were observed among traits. In total, 23 SNP loci were associated with serum biochemical indicators leading to 19 genes . These are SPTA1, MGST2, CACUL1, IGFBP7, PARD3, PHB1, SLC15A5, TRIM35, RGS6, NUP93, CNTNAP2, SLC7A11, B3GALT5, DPP10, HST2ST1, NRP1, LRP1B, MAP3K9, ENSOARG00020040484.1 as well as LOC101103187, LOC101117162, LOC105611309 and LOC101118029. To our knowledge, these data provide the first association between SPTA1 and serum cholesterol and between ENSOARG00020040484.1 and serum glucose. The current findings provide a comprehensive inventory of the relationships between serum biochemical parameters, genetic variants, and disease-relevant characteristics. This information may facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets and fluid biomarkers and establish a strong framework for comprehending the pathobiology of complex diseases as well as providing targets for sheep genetic improvement programmes.
Resilience and Adaptation Strategies in Response to Drought: A Spatial and Community-Based Study in West Pokot, Kenya
Authors: Munyaka Jean-Claude Baraka , Gallay Olivier , Abdem Seyid Abdellahi Ebnou , Timu Lelemtum Joseph , AZMI Rida , Chenal Jérôme
Published: June 2024

This research provides an in-depth analysis of drought impacts in West Pokot, Kenya, utilizing both remote sensing surveys and focus group discussions. The study commenced by assessing the impact of drought on vegetation health via spatial sensors. It then utilized surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs) to engage farmers from the most drought-affected areas in Kacheliba and Sigor sub-counties. The analysis of remote sensing data from 1990 to 2022 highlighted that Sigor and Kacheliba experienced significant drought events during the years 1995, 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2009, and 1991, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2019, respectively. This study delves into both the meteorological and socio-economic effects on local communities. Using the Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) model with the glm function, the research uncovered the impacts of so-cio-economic factors and agricultural practices on household livestock production. Additionally, the study employed Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to explore the dynamics between livestock production, community resilience, and crop production. The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions to enhance community resilience in the face of increasing climatic extremes, serving as a blueprint for similar arid and semi-arid regions worldwide.
CO2-Breathing Prior to Simulated Diving Increases Decompression Sickness Risk in a Mouse Model: The Microbiota Trail Is Not Forgotten
Authors: Daubresse Lucille , Portas Aurélie , Bertaud Alexandrine , Marlinge Marion , Gaillard Sandrine , Risso Jean-Jacques , Ramdani Céline , Rostain Jean-Claude , Adjiriou Nabil , Desruelle Anne-Virginie , Blatteau Jean-Eric , Guieu Régis , Vallée Nicolas
Published: June 2024

Decompression sickness (DCS) with neurological disorders is the leading cause of diving accidents. Exposure to high levels of CO2 during diving is a safety concern for occupational , groups at risk of DCS. However, the effects of prior exposure to CO2 have never been evaluated.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of CO2 breathing prior to a provocative dive on the occurrence of DCS in mice. 50 mice were exposed to a maximum CO2 concentration of 70 hPa for one hour at atmospheric pressure. Another 50 mice breathing air under similar conditions served as controls. In the AIR group (controls), 22 out of 50 mice showed post-dive symptoms compared to 44 out of 50 in the CO2 group.
We found that CO2 breathing is associated with a decrease in body temperature in mice and that CO2 exposure dramatically increases the incidence of DCS. More unexpectedly, it appears that a lower temperature of the animals even before exposure to the accident-prone protocol leads to an unfavorable prognosis. This study also suggests that the composition of the microbiota may influence thermogenesis and thus accidentology. Depending on prior exposure, some bacteria identified in this work could be perceived as protective or pathogenic.
Assessment of fish farming environmental suitability scenarios in compliance with the Brazilian Forest Code
Authors: Loureiro Bruna Roque , Andrada Marcus Vinícius de , Routledge Eric Arthur Bastos , Silva Fabiano Muller , Marchiori Nathalia , Nuñer Alex Pires de Oliveira
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to evaluate environmental suitability scenarios for fish farms in Santa Catarina, Brazil, applying the rules regarding suitability and occupation in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs) of the current Forest Code. Rural properties (n=15) with commercial aquaculture were selected to verify the occupation scenarios in PPAs. The suitability analysis was based on the legal regulations that guide the activity’s licensing process, later with the inclusion of public databases that make up this environmental policy. From the suitability maps per property in different scenarios, in the most restrictive rule, 93.3% of the properties analyzed presented environmental liabilities due to occupation in PPAs. Based on the least restrictive rule, 80% of the rural properties presented environmental liabilities. Considering the ideal scenario, in which PPA occupation is absent, 6% of the fish farms were identified; in the less restrictive scenario, 16%; and in the restrictive scenario, 78% of the fish farms. In conclusion, legal uncertainty surrounding the application of the NFC in the Atlantic Forest biome can be an obstacle to the regularization of environmental processes in fish farming. However, is possible and feasible in both scenarios, only for occupation profiles III and IV is it more particular to continue with the activity, considering the minimum recomposition rule.
External factors determining changes in the system of training specialists of the Medical Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Authors:   The branch of the Federal state budgetary military educational institution of higher education «Kirov military medical academy» of the ministry of defense of the Russian Federation in the city of Moscow, Sviridova T. B.
Published: June 2024

External factors determining changes in the system of training specialists of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are characterized by changes in the regulatory and legal system of the state, political decisions and directions, economic factors such as financing of healthcare and defense, social factors such as changes in society, including demographic, lifestyle, public health and technological factors such as the use of modern technologies and innovations in the system of training specialists of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the study is to identify external factors that affect the system of additional professional education of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and to make recommendations on reducing the negative impact of these factors. Materials and methods. To analyze the external environment, we used the STEP-analysis method, which determines the factors affecting the system of additional professional education of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (social – S, technological – T, economic – E and political – P). Results. The following tables present the results of the STEP analysis, the influence of factors on the state of the DPO system is distributed, the significance of each factor is calculated, and key factors affecting the training of specialists of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are identified. Conclusions. The conducted STEP analysis allowed us to identify external factors that have a significant impact on the system of additional professional education of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Recommendations are given to reduce the negative impact of these factors on the DPO system in accordance with the detected trends.
Management System as a Competitive Advantage (on the example of «Interregional Clinical and Diagnostic Center»).
Authors:   «Interregional Clinical and Diagnostic Center», Khayrullin R. N. , Absalyamov T. B. ,   «Interregional Clinical and Diagnostic Center»
Published: June 2024

The article is devoted to the issue of effective management in a healthcare organization. It reveals the basic principles of a management system used at the State Autonomous Institution of Healthcare «Interregional Clinical and Diagnostic Center»: approaches to the role of the object and subject of management, manager’s tasks, structure of the information-algorithmic management process. Particular attention is paid to creation of a comfortable environment as one of the main tools of the management process. The outcomes of the management system’s implementation are presented in the paper. Purpose of the study. to consider the management system as a competitive advantage using the example of «Interregional Clinical and Diagnostic Center», to substantiate its key principles, to characterize its constituent elements, to summarize the results in order to transfer positive management experience to interested organizations. Materials and methods. The theoretical basis of the study relies on the works of foreign and Russian scientists, containing classical and modern concepts and hypotheses on the theory of management and scientific organization of labor, as well as on seventeen years of managerial experience at «Interregional Clinical and Diagnostic Center». A wide range of methods is used throughout the paper: comparative analysis, qualitative systematic analysis, ergonomic and environmental analysis, statistics. Results. The article explains the management system of «Interregional Clinical and Diagnostic Center» and its underlying principles. This management system has resulted from the application of the methods described above. Further, the article demonstrates practical results of the system’s application, which emphasize theses about the role of the management system and the importance of the environment. Conclusions. The article confirms the hypothesis about the key role of the management system in the success of the professional activities of the organization.
Modern problems of organization and management of procurement activities in the healthcare system and ways to address them.
Authors:   FSBI National Medical Research Center AGP V. I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Boychuk A.V.
Published: June 2024

The article is dedicated to the analysis of key problems and challenges in the field of public procurement for healthcare institutions. T h e r e l e v a n c e of the work is determined by the critical importance of ensuring the quality and safety of medical products, as well as the need to optimize procurement processes in the face of limited budgets. The research subject is the issues of public procurement activities in healthcare institutions with a focus on process optimization, legal and economic aspects, and the application of modern technologies within an interdisciplinary approach. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the most acute problems in the field of healthcare procurement and develop proposals for their solutions. M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s . The research includes a comprehensive analysis of literary sources, generalizations of practical experience and expert assessments. Methods of comparative analysis, systematization and generalization of the obtained data are used to identify key problems and challenges. The research r e s u l t s indicate a number of problems in the procurement sphere, including: the risk of acquiring counterfeit or substandard medical products, the need to improve the qualifications of procurement specialists, and difficulties in developing detailed technical specifications. Measures to improve the situation are proposed, including the development of detailed technical specifications in collaboration with medical experts, training of specialists, and strengthening quality control of products. The c o n c l u s i o n s of the study highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to solving procurement issues in healthcare, including improving the qualifications of specialists, strengthening interdepartmental cooperation, and implementing innovative technologies. The research results can be applied to improve the legislative framework and practice of conducting public procurement in the healthcare sector. T h e s c o p e o f t h e r e s u l t s . The results of the work can be used to improve the practice of public procurement in the healthcare system at the level of public medical institutions, and also provide a basis for further scientific work in this field.
Lack of Consensus on the Management of Medial Collateral Ligament Tears in the Setting of Concomitant Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Blaber Olivia K. , DeFoor Mikalyn T. , Aman Zachary A. , McDermott Emily R. , DePhillipo Nicholas N. , Dickens Jonathan F. , Dekker Travis J.
Published: June 2024

» There is no clear agreement on the optimal timing or superior type of fixation for medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

» Anatomic healing of medial knee structures is critical to maintain native knee kinematics, supported by biomechanical studies that demonstrate increased graft laxity and residual valgus rotational instability after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) alone in the setting of concomitant ACL/MCL injury.

» Historically, most surgeons have favored treating acute combined ACL/MCL tears conservatively with MCL rehabilitation, followed by stress radiographs at 6 weeks after injury to assess for persistent valgus laxity before performing delayed ACLR to allow for full knee range of motion, and reduce the risk of postoperative stiffness and arthrofibrosis.

» However, with the advancement of early mobilization and aggressive physical therapy protocols, acute surgical management of MCL tears in the setting of ACL injury can have benefits of avoiding residual laxity and further intra-articular damage, as well as earlier return to sport.

» Residual valgus laxity from incomplete MCL healing at the time of ACLR should be addressed surgically, as this can lead to an increased risk of ACLR graft failure.

» The treatment of combined ACL/MCL injuries requires an individualized approach, including athlete-specific factors such as level and position of play, timing of injury related to in-season play, contact vs. noncontact sport, and anticipated longevity, as well as consideration of the tear pattern, acuity of injury, tissue quality, and surgeon familiarity with the available techniques.
Chlorantraniliprole mediating the survival and behavior of adults of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato
Authors: Martins Matheus , Nascimento Ana , Fernandes Maria , Tronto Jairo , Fonseca Luciano , Silva Ryan Silva e , Fernandes Flavio
Published: June 2024

Tuta absoluta is a major pest of tomato. An insecticide that acts in several phases of the life cycle of the pest, can present greater control efficiency and greater amplitude of action, possessing greater capacity in reducing the population of the insect. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the lethal concentrations for caterpillar and adults of T. absoluta and to evaluate whether the insecticide chlorantraniliprole influences the behavior and oviposition of adults of T. absoluta as well as the mortality of caterpillar. The insect population was collected in tomato production and created in the laboratory, being used in toxicity studies. We determined lethal concentrations (LCs) and side effects in laboratory oviposition tests, and on oviposition and mortality of adults in field trials were evaluated. The insecticide chlorantraniliprole caused mortality in caterpillar and adults of T. absoluta, in addition to presenting a side effects, reducing both the number of eggs, in laboratory and field trials, as the number of adults of T. absoluta.
Cu Extractability and Machine Learning Modeling of the Putative Role of Hydrocotyle umbellata L. in Environmental Remediation
Authors: Saeed Sidra Hussan , Gazder Uneb , Gillani Ghulam Mujtaba Shah , Mahmood Qaisar
Published: June 2024

The key objective of the research was to investigate the potential of Hydrocotyle umbellata L. as a hyperaccumulator in Copper (Cu) contaminated environments and to enhance understanding of its phytoextraction efficiency through the application of unsupervised machine learning techniques alongside statistical comparisons. Here effects of Cu toxicity on pigments content, total flavonoids, total phenolic content, electrolyte leakage, translocation and bio-concentration factor were analyzed in H. umbellata L. by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), paired t-test and correlation analysis. Whereas, the ML was applied to various experimental outputs of H. umbellata after Cu phytoextraction. The ML techniques included cluster analysis and Classification and Regression Tree (CART). There were 48 samples available for the clustering analysis with three variables (TF observations, plant part and treatment levels.) Results indicated the highest metal uptake was by roots and value of TF was 1.114 making the plant appropriate for phytoextraction of Cu. This would be one of the first attempts showing the effects of Cu toxicity on physiology, biochemical compounds, leakage ratio along with BCF and TF in H. umbellata L. Moreover, new insights from ML model interpretation along with statistical models against Cu stress could guide the effective phytoremediation by detecting the phytoextraction ability of H. umbellate L.
Design, synthesis and evaluation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8(7H)-one derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antioxidants
Authors: Du Wen-Rong , Wei Ben-Ben , Guo Xin-Yuan , Lan Yong , Shang Pan-Pan , Wang Yi-Xuan , Zhou Xue-Wei , Wang Xiao-Ke , Ma Zheng-Yue
Published: June 2024

A series of 8-(piperazin-1-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives were designed and synthesized as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and antioxidants for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, the biological evaluation results demonstrated that these synthesized compounds exhibited moderate inhibitory activities toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and radical scavenging activities. Among them, compound 14r was the most potent AChE inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.47 µM and moderate inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) (IC50 = 11.02 µM). Meanwhile compound 14r had the best selectivity of AChE and selectivity index (SI) values was 23.45. Compound 14r has better activity as well as AChE selectivity compared to reference drug galantamine (AChE IC50 = 5.01 µM, BuChE IC50 = 18.46 µM, SI = 3.68). Compound 14o had the best antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 89.33 µM, which was lower than that of ascorbic acid (IC50 value = 25.70 µM) as the control drug. Furthermore, the results of molecular docking studies indicated that 14r could simultaneously bind to both catalytic active site and peripheral anionic site of AChE, which was consistent with the mixed inhibition pattern shown by enzyme kinetic studies. The interaction’s stability of 14r-AChE/BuChE were also assessed using a conventional atomistic 100 ns dynamics simulation study, which revealed the conformational stability of representative compound 14r in the cavity of the AChE. In addition, the molecular properties of all compounds were predicted online through the SwissADME, and the best active compound 14r matched the properties of most orally administered drugs. Based on the biological activity and molecular properties, compound 14r as AChEI was valuable for further development.
Efficacy of Adalimumab in pediatric non-infectious uveitis with apparent and non-apparent anterior uveitis
Authors: Zhang Chunbo , Xue Xiaorong , Xiao Jinan , Li Qiongge , Zhai Yuyao , Chen Ying
Published: June 2024

Background
Adalimumab (ADA) has been used for treating various types of pediatric non-infectious uveitis. Existing studies lack an examination of the correlation between the clinical characteristics of uveitis and the success rate of ADA treatment. The present study is to identify the clinical characteristic of cases that is related to the response rate of ADA treatment.
Methods
A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for pediatric patients with non-infectious uveitis undergoing ADA treatment for a minimum of six months. The patients were stratified into two groups: apparent anterior uveitis (AAU) and with non-apparent anterior uveitis (NAAU). Outcomes including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior chamber cell (ACC), vitreous haze (VH) grade, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, fundus fluorescein angiography (FA) scores, as well as systemic immunosuppression therapy (IMT) and glucocorticoid load, were assessed. Treatment success was defined based on a composite outcome involving the aforementioned variables.
Results
The study included 59 patients (111 eyes), with 44 patients (83 eyes, 74.58%) falling into the AAU group and 15 patients (28 eyes, 25.42%) in the NAAU group. Following 6-month of ADA treatment in the AAU group, there was a significant improvement in BCVA (p < 0.001), improved ACC (p < 0.001) and VH (p < 0.001), decreased RNFL thickness (p < 0.001), reduced FA scores (p < 0.001). Conversely, no significant differences were observed in BCVA, VH, RNFL thickness, FA scores between baseline and the 6-month follow-up visit in the NAAU group. There was also a significant decrease in systemic IMT and glucocorticoid dosing, comparing baseline to the 6-month follow-up visit in both the AAU (p < 0.001) and NAAU groups (p < 0.05). The rate of treatment success in the AAU group was significantly higher compared to that in NAAU patients (93.18% vs. 20%, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
ADA demonstrates superior efficacy in the treatment of pediatric non-infectious uveitis with AAU compared to NAAU.
Exploring Planetary Health Perspectives of Mosquito-borne Infections in Canada: A Rapid Scoping Review
Authors: Hollett Lucas N. , Chapman Tom , Sarkar Atanu
Published: June 2024

Over the past couple of decades, mosquito-borne diseases have increased in Canada. ‘Planetary Health’ is a novel concept that encompasses the impacts of the triple planetary health crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. This study aimed to conduct a rapid scoping review on planetary health with regard to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in Canada, in order to understand the complex relations. This synthesis will identify knowledge gaps, emerging threats, mitigation scopes and it will inform future research scopes. An online query of EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science was performed and a total of 2,086 citations were retrieved. Finally, 62 articles were then reviewed and synthesized. Temperature and precipitation are playing significant roles in mosquito abundance, extension of temporal distribution and the spread from historical distributions of invasive species to newer geographic locations. In fact, the temperature has been rising so high that some species are now predominantly producing eggs without having taken a blood meal (autogeny). Warmer temperatures increased vector viral loads by several folds, thereby, climate change is effectively making infection rates higher and extending the transmission season. Destruction of the natural environment due to anthropogenic activities depopulates native predators resulting in the flourishing of mosquito populations. Pesticides used to control mosquitoes often failed to gain desired results due to operational and technological limitations and unintended ecological consequences. Planetary Health perspective can provide comprehensive analysis of mosquitoes’ presence and abundance, establishment and expansion of invasive mosquito species and disease carrying capacity for both the native and invasive species. Thus, Canada is at risk of outbreak of several exotic mosquito-borne infections. For public health measures and research, planetary health perspectives are required to better understand the complex and multifaceted connections between infections, ecosystem, climate change and anthropogenic activities.
Photocatalytic Ozonation-Electroflucculation Process for the Treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater using modified bentonite /UV/TiO2/ZnO
Authors: Jamil Tayyaba
Published: June 2024

The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of photocatalyst (Clay/UV/TiO2/ZnO) for antibiotic removal from real pharmaceutical wastewater by Combined UV, Catalytic Ozonation-Electroflucculation process. The experiments were performed in a modified hybrid batch reactor with UV-C lamp. The effect of four operational variables such as the applied voltage of (5–15 V), ozone dose of (0.2–0.8 mg/min), pH (5–10), and catalyst dose (0.5–1.5 g/L) on turbidity and COD removal was investigated. Removal efficiencies of antibiotics (carbamazepine and amoxicillin) were evaluated and compared with ozonation (O3), photocatalytic Ozonation (UV/O3), Electroflucculation (EF)/UV, catalytic ozonation/UV, and Hybrid O3/catalytic ozonation/UV/EF. The results showed that the modified hybrid process with UV irradiations provided the highest removal efficiency of 86.9% for COD, and turbidity of 81.66% under optimized conditions of (DC volts of 10 V; catalyst dose of 1 g/L, and ozone dose of 0.6mg/min). The pharmaceuticals removal obtained for amoxicillin was 100% and 95% for carbamazepine. The detailed mechanism was also explored for better understanding of each process. The combined process was effective for treating pharmaceutical wastewater. Therefore, it was suggested that the novel photocatalyst and hybrid system can be used for treating real effluents in large scale and to meet UN sustainability goals.
Efficient modeling and mitigation of quadrupole errors in synchrotrons and their beam transfer lines
Authors:   , Vilsmeier Dominik
Published: June 2024

This thesis investigates the problem of estimating quadrupole errors on synchrotrons as well as how to minimize the influence of quadrupole errors for beam transfer lines (beamlines). It emphasizes the importance to treat possible error sources in all parts of an accelerator in order to provide constantly high beam quality to the experimental stations. While the presented methods have been investigated by using the example of the SIS18 synchrotron and the HEST beamlines at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, they are equally relevant for the future synchrotrons and beamlines of the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research in Europe (FAIR). Part 1 discusses the problem of estimating quadrupole errors via orbit response measurements at synchrotrons. An emphasis is put on investigating the influence of the availability of steerer magnets and beam position monitors (BPMs) on the solvability of the inverse problem as well as on the propagation of measurement uncertainty for the estimation of quadrupole errors. The problem is approached via analytical considerations as well as via dedicated simulation studies. By developing an analytical expression for the Jacobian matrix, the theoretical boundaries for the solvability of the inverse problem are derived. Moreover, it is shown that the analytical expressions for the Jacobian matrix can be used during the fitting procedure to achieve a significant improvement in the computational efficiency by a factor $N_{steerers} \times N_{quadrupoles}$, where $N$ denotes the number of lattice elements of the respective type. The presented results are tested via dedicated measurements at the SIS18 synchrotron. Part 2 discusses – complementary to part 1 – the influence of quadrupole errors in beam transfer lines with respect to the beam quality requirements given by the experimental stations. A preventive approach is presented which allows to minimize the influence of possible quadrupole errors on the degradation of beam quality. By identifying and selecting robust quadrupole configurations, a stable operation of the beamline can be enabled and the time needed by operators to readjust the beamline parameters can be reduced. The concept of beamline robustness is developed and is studied with the help of dedicated simulations. The simulation results are used to identify certain properties that distinguish robust from nonrobust quadrupole configurations. Also, various methods for improving the computational process of identifying robust quadrupole configurations are presented. The methods and results are tested via dedicated measurements at two different beamlines at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research and at Forschungszentrum Jülich.
Imperative Bioactive Metabolites from Portieria hornemannii Exhibiting Anticancer Potentiality: A Mini-Review
Authors: Pangotra Akanksha , Cojandaraj Louis
Published: June 2024

Seaweeds are regarded as an important and alternative source of bioactive metabolites. It
has recently come to the attention of researchers that marine algae have important physiologically
active metabolites capable of displaying a range of biological activities, and the compounds extracted
from seaweeds are known to target key molecules that control the processes leading to cancer. Cancer
is one of the most common and potentially fatal diseases worldwide. It is characterised by uncontrolled
proliferation of cells and tumour development. Every year, the global cancer burden is increasing
progressively as a result of the ability of cancer cells to acquire resistance against existing chemotherapeutic
drugs. Thus, there is a need to develop new drugs that could hamper this process leading
to cancer. Marine-derived natural bioactive compounds pose as major potential candidates to develop
such molecules. Portieria hornemannii, a marine macroalgae belonging to the group Rhodophyta
found in coastal plains of Indo-Pacific regions, has shown the presence of a variety of bioactive compounds
that show significant anticancer activities and antioxidant properties. A number of chemical
compounds are found in this species, which results in the macroalgae having significant anticancer
activity. Therefore, the primary focus of the review is to highlight the bioactive compounds found in
P. hornemannii that exhibit such anticancer potential.
The Impact of Azadirachta Indica Extract on the Expression Profile of Esp Gene in Treated Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Hamasaeed Niaz Hamaghareeb
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives

Enterococcus faecalis is a bacterium often associated with persistent endodontic infections, posing challenges for effective root canal disinfection and treatment outcomes due to its resilience in adverse root canal conditions and resistance to antimicrobial therapies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Azadirachtaindica's active plant compounds at subinhibitory concentrations on the expression of the virulence gene (esp) in Enterococcus faecalis strains (ATCC 29212).

Materials and Methods

Azadirachta indica (neem) specimens were obtained in Erbil, Northern Iraq, and the active compounds from the dried plant samples were extracted. Dry extracts were dissolved in Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) until reaching 100 mg/ml. Bacterial samples were treated with the extracted plant material and incubated. The assessment of relative esp gene expression in treated Enterococcus faecalis strains (ATCC 29212) began with total RNA extraction using the RNXplus kit, followed by a Quantitative RT-PCR assay.

Results

The minimum concentration of Azadirachta indica's ethyl acetate fraction 3 (30 mg/ml) inhibited the growth of the targeted bacteria. In contrast, the highest concentration inhibiting the target bacteria was 50 mg/ml of fraction 6 (Azadirachta indica-water). All fractions of Azadirachta indica decreased the expression of the target gene, with fraction 5 (ethyl alcohol) showing the highest fold change.

Conclusion

The ethyl alcohol extraction of Azadirachta indica inhibited the expression of the virulence gene (esp) by 2.84-fold, suggesting a potential decrease in (esp) gene expression, which could be considered as an alternative to classical irrigants.
The Remarkable Role of Nano-phytocosmeceuticals for Elevating Skincare
in Facial Hyperpigmentation
Authors: Mathur Tanya , Jain Neha , Garg Unnati , Pandey Manisha
Published: June 2024

:

The common skin disorder known as facial hyperpigmentation is caused by an uneven
distribution of melanin, which leaves the face with dark areas or spots. Numerous factors, such as
inflammation, hormonal fluctuations, and sun exposure, might contribute to this condition. Chemical
peels, laser therapy, and topical whitening agents are examples of traditional treatments for facial hyperpigmentation. On the other hand, these treatments may cause scarring, dryness, and inflammation of the skin. For the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation, nano-phytocosmeceuticals—
cosmeceuticals containing nanoparticles generated from plant extracts—have shown great promise.
Compared to traditional cosmeceuticals, these innovative formulations provide several benefits, such
as better skin penetration, increased active ingredient bioavailability, and fewer side effects. Additionally, they have proved to be useful in lowering melanin synthesis and lightening hyperpigmented
skin. Thus, an overview of the recent advances in the development and application of nanophytocosmeceuticals for facial hyperpigmentation, along with clinical studies and patents that have
been granted have been provided in this article.
Phosphine-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Isoxazol-5(4H)-ones with Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates
Authors: Lei Yuncong , Chen Xuling , Jiang Yantong , Li Pengfei
Published: June 2024

Aims:

Phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of isoxazol-5(4H)-ones with
achiral Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates has been developed. A series of isoxazol-5(4H)-
ones bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters were obtained in 55-96% yield with 75-90% ee.
Gram-scale reaction and further transformation of allylation products were conducted to demonstrate
the synthetic practicability.

Methods:

Under Ar atmosphere, the mixture of isoxazol-5-one 1 (0.1 mmol), MBH carbonate 2
(0.12 mmol, 1.2 equiv), catalyst P5 (10 mol%), and 4Å MS (10 mg) in toluene (1 mL) was stirred
at 0℃ for 24 h. The solvent was removed under vacuum, and the residue was purified by flash
chromatography (petroleum ether/ethyl acetate = 3/1) to provide product 3.

Result and Conclusion:

We developed an efficient and enantioselective allylic alkylation of isoxazol-
5(4H)-ones with achiral MBH carbonates in the presence of chiral phosphine catalyst. A broad
range of isoxazol-5(4H)-ones bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters were prepared with high
efficiency and enantioselectivity. Importantly, the organocatalytic δ-stereocontrol of MBH carbonates
was achieved via the synthetic strategy.
Current Therapeutic Strategies for the Management of Leprosy
Authors: Verma Inderjeet , Singh Dhirender , Dhanawat Meenakshi , Gupta Sumeet
Published: June 2024

The chronic infectious condition known as leprosy is brought on by the
bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. Peripheral nerves and the skin are frequently attacked,
which can result in impairments. The incidence of M. leprae infection has decreased in
endemic countries as a result of the WHO's multidrug therapy (MDT) program for
leprosy treatment, but there is still active transmission as evidenced by the high rate of
newly reported cases. It is critical to diagnose leprosy as early as possible, hence
clinical examination and research are required. Leprosy has six subgroups, according to
the Ridley-Jopling classification: Tuberculoid (TT), Borderline Tuberculoid (BT),
Borderline-borderline Mid-borderline (BB), Borderline-lepromatous (BL), Subpolar
Lepromatous (LLs), and Polar Lepromatous (LLp). Based on the type of therapy,
leprosy is categorised into paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary subtypes (MB). Skin
scraping smears are still the preferred laboratory test for leprosy diagnosis. Depending
on the type of leprosy, whether it belongs to the PB or MB group, the course of
treatment with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is modified. Rifampicin and dapsone are
the recommended regimens for the treatment of PB type, whereas rifampicin, dapsone,
and clofazimine are recommended for MB-type patients. To identify an efficient MDT
treatment and stop the spread of the illness, a correct leprosy diagnosis must be made
by both a physical examination and a laboratory analysis.
Major Diseases of Flowering Geophytes
Authors: Mohiddin Fayaz A. , Amin Zakir , Altaf Heena , Jan Suriya , Parveen Shugufta , Haque Ziaul
Published: June 2024

Flowering geophytes are important ornamental or florist crops that mainly
have tuberous roots, tuberous stems, true tuber and rhizomes or corms. The global trade
of florists' crops including flowering geophytes is projected to be more than $100
billion annually. Plant pathogens have a direct impact on the production and
marketability of flowering geophytes. In this chapter, important flowering geophytes
viz., caladium, cyclamen, daffodils, gladiolus, lily, tuberose and tulip and their major
diseases are described with special emphasis on disease aetiology, symptoms/signs,
biology, disease cycle and management.