bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipid-Lowering Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndrome in Outpatient Practice—How to Achieve Goal
Authors: Rajtar-Salwa Renata , Bobrowska Beata , Batko Jakub , Bartuś Stanisław , Petkow-Dimitrow Paweł , Krawczyk-Ożóg Agata
Published: October 2023

Background: Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease involves the use of optimal pharmacological treatment and modification of risk factors through lifestyle changes. Recent evidence demonstrates that the major initiating event in atherogenesis is the storage of low-density lipoproteins. Objectives: We aimed to compare the efficacy in achieving the therapeutic lipid target in relation to the frequency of follow-up at selected time points and to determine the safety and tolerability of cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins, ezetimibe). Methods: This was a prospective analysis of 72 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients were consecutively divided into two groups: first, with follow-up and laboratory tests at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge, including 32 patients; second, including 40 patients with follow-up and laboratory tests 12 months after hospital discharge. Results: A significant reduction in LDL-C level was observed at 12 months in both groups. LDL-C level was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 after 12 months (p = 0.02). Total cholesterol level was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 after 12 months. After 12 months of therapy, 21 (65.6%) patients in group 1 and 17 (42.5%) in group 2 had LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L. In group 1, we observed a significant decrease in LDL-C, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The group of patients with more frequent follow-up visits showed a greater reduction in LDL-C level than the group with only one visit after a 12-month hospital discharge.
Does Ramadan Intermittent Fasting Affect the Fasting Blood Glucose Level among Type II Diabetic Patients?
Authors: Jarrar Yazun , Abdul-Wahab Ghasaq , Mosleh Rami , Abudahab Sara , Jarrar Qais , Hamdan Anas , Qadous Shurouq Ghalib , Balasmeh Ruba , Abed Abdulqader Fadhil , Ibrahim Yasmeen , Al-Doaiss Amin A. , AlShehri Mohammed Ali
Published: October 2023

Background: The level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) is influenced by several factors, including health status, genetics, and diet. Some studies have reported a beneficial effect of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting (RIF) on diabetic patients. However, clinical observations have shown that diabetes is exacerbated in some patients. Aim: This study aims to investigate the influence of RIF on the FBG level, a biomarker of hyperglycemia and diabetes, and to identify factors associated with variations in FBG levels during RIF among diabetic patients. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. We monitored the FBG levels of 181 type II diabetic patients over a two-month period, from 20 February to 20 April 2023, which represents the Islamic lunar months of Shaban (8th month) and Ramadan (9th month). Ramadan provides a prominent month of intermittent fasting practice for studying its physiological effects on diabetes. We collected clinical data from each participant, including demographic information, co-morbidities, and medications used during this period. Results: Based on our findings, diabetic patients were classified into three groups depending on the influence of RIF on FBG levels: the positively affected group (44%), whose average FBG levels were reduced; the neutrally affected group (24%), whose average FBG levels did not change; and the negatively affected group (32%), whose average FBG levels increased during the fasting month of Ramadan compared to the previous month. Furthermore, we found that the positive effect of RIF was more frequent among obese, non-geriatric, and male diabetic patients, while the negative effect of RIF was more frequent among patients who were not adhering to the medication. Conclusions: This study concludes that RIF affects FBG levels differently among diabetic patients. These findings should be taken into consideration when treating diabetic patients during the fasting month of Ramadan, and further studies are needed to identify (1) factors associated with inter-individual variation in the response to RIF and (2) those who are great candidates for RIF.
Work Engagement, Financial Wellness Support and COVID-19 Risk Perceptions in Egypt
Authors: Wagner Michael , Badr Eldin Aboul-Ela Ghadeer , El Maghawry Ibrahim Marwa
Published: October 2023

While the relationship between COVID-19 and employee attitudes has been studied in developed economies, little research has examined this relationship in emerging markets. This is relevant in the age of COVID-19, given the financial disruption it has caused. Also, little research has investigated how employee financial wellness programs are related to employee attitudes. This study examined how generalized perceptions of COVID-19 risk and perceptions of financial wellness support were related to work engagement. It also sought to understand whether financial wellness and COVID-19 risk interact in their relationship with work engagement. 106 employed persons in Egypt were surveyed. Results showed that, consistent with theory on perceived organizational support, perceptions of financial wellness support were positively related to work engagement. A significant interaction was also found, such that at high levels of financial wellness, COVID-19 risk perceptions were not related to engagement; however, at lower levels of financial wellness, COVID-19 risk was positively related to engagement. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Assessing the Impact of Rural Multifunctionality on Non-Point Source Pollution: A Case Study of Typical Hilly Watershed, China
Authors: Yan Wei , Duan Xuejun , Kang Jiayu , Ma Zhiyuan
Published: October 2023

In the context of rural development and transformation, it is crucial to identify the impact of rural multifunctionality on non-point source (NPS) pollution. This study applies the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), geographical detector, and principal component analysis in Liyang, a typical hilly subbasin in China, in order to assess the rural multifunctional development that influences the spatial differentiation of NPS pollution and detect the interactive effects of rural multifunctionality. The R2 and NSE demonstrated that the calibrated SWAT model successfully simulated NPS pollution in Liyang. The village scale was identified as the optimal research scale for examining the rural multifunctional development on NPS pollution distribution. The rural multifunctional indicators, such as the proportion of vegetable farming, sowing area, and grain farming, would influence NPS distribution. The number of family farming cooperatives, the area of pond farming, and the nature reserves area were also significant. The rural multifunctionality in Liyang could be classified into five categories: grain production, mixed agriculture, ecological conservation, leisure tourism, and industry and business function. The superposition of rural multifunctionality has a strengthening effect on NPS pollution, especially when the ecological conservation function is combined with the grain production or modern agriculture function. The study could provide NPS pollution control strategies for policymaking in rural multifunctional development.
Impact of Notches on Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Tensile Performance
Authors: Johnson Joseph , Kujawski Daniel
Published: October 2023

This study was completed in effort to characterize the notch sensitivity of additively manufactured (AM) Inconel 718 produced by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Three different root radii on V-notched test specimens and smooth specimens were evaluated under tensile conditions for specimens built in vertical and horizontal orientations. Both the total axial strain and localized notch diametral strain were measured. Finite element analysis (FEA) was completed on each specimen geometry to confirm the actual strain measurements near the notch. Test results showed the tensile strength of the notched specimens were larger than the tensile strength values of the smooth specimens. These tensile results equate to a notch-sensitivity ratio (NSR) greater than one, indicating that the L-PBF Inconel 718 material is a notch-strengthened material. It is suspected that the notch strengthening is a result of increased triaxial stress produced near the notch tip causing added material constraints, resulting in higher strength values for the notched specimens. Fractography analysis was completed on the various fracture surfaces and identified a dominate ductile failure mode within all of the specimens; however, the amount of ductility reduced with smaller notch root radii. While this study provides the initial notch responses of the L-PBF Inconel 718, further research must be completed in regard to the impact of notches on more complex loading behaviors, such as fatigue and stress-rupture conditions.
Properties of Topologies for the Continuous Representability of All Weakly Continuous Preorders
Authors: Bosi Gianni , Franzoi Laura , Sbaiz Gabriele
Published: October 2023

We investigate properties of strongly useful topologies, i.e., topologies with respect to which every weakly continuous preorder admits a continuous order-preserving function. In particular, we prove that a topology is strongly useful provided that the topology generated by every family of separable systems is countable. Focusing on normal Hausdorff topologies, whose consideration is fully justified and not restrictive at all, we show that strongly useful topologies are hereditarily separable on closed sets, and we identify a simple condition under which the Lindelöf property holds.
Stiffness and Strength of Square Hollow Section Tubes under Localised Transverse Actions
Authors: Latour Massimo , Di Benedetto Sabatino , Francavilla Antonella Bianca , Elettore Giuseppe , Rizzano Gianvittorio
Published: October 2023

This manuscript explores the stiffness and strength of Square Hollow Section (SHS) tubes subjected to localised transverse actions applied to the open side of a rectangular hole created using 3D laser cutting technology (3D-LCT). Understanding the behaviour of this specific detail is crucial as it is a key component in the connections between SHS columns and passing-through IPE beams. The methodology employed in this manuscript involved developing analytical equations to predict both stiffness and strength of this structural element. The provided equations are presented in a straightforward manner and were deduced by applying elasticity principles to structural components. To validate these equations, a parametric analysis was conducted, simulating the response of 27 distinct geometric configurations of the analysed structural detail thanks to the Finite Element (FE) software. Their accuracy was confirmed by comparing the results of these simulations with the outcomes derived from the formulated equations. The primary findings indicated that the proposed equations could predict the stiffness and strength of the studied detail with an average ratio close to 1 when comparing predicted and numerical results, and a coefficient of variation of approximately 10%.
Scaling and Complexity of Stress Fluctuations Associated with Smooth and Jerky Flow in FeCoNiTiAl High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Lebyodkin Mikhail , Brechtl Jamieson , Lebedkina Tatiana , Wen Kangkang , Liaw Peter K. , Shen Tongde
Published: October 2023

Recent observations of jerky flow in high-entropy alloys (HEA) revealed a high role of self-organization of dislocations in their plasticity. The present work reports the first results of the investigation of stress fluctuations during plastic deformation of an FeCoNiTiAl alloy, examined in a wide temperature range covering both smooth and jerky flow. These fluctuations, which accompany the overall deformation behavior representing an essentially slower stress evolution controlled by the work hardening, were processed using complementary approaches comprising Fourier spectral analysis, refined composite multiscale entropy, and multifractal formalisms. The joint analysis at distinct scales testified that even a macroscopically smooth plastic flow is accompanied by nonrandom fluctuations, disclosing the self-organized dynamics of dislocations. Qualitative changes in such a fine-scale “noise” were found with varying temperature. The observed diversity is significant for understanding the relationships between different scales of plasticity of HEAs and crystal materials in general.
First Report of Human Urinary Tract Infection Caused by Lactococcus petauri
Authors: Colussi Silvia , Pastorino Paolo , Prearo Marino , Sciuto Simona , Bondavalli Fabio , Acutis Pier Luigi , Bozzetta Elena , Amisano Francesco , Salerno Angelo
Published: October 2023

Lactococcus petauri is a recently described species of the genus Lactococcus. It was reported as an etiological agent of piscine lactococcosis together with Lactococcus garvieae. L. garvieae was already described as an opportunistic pathogen in human infections, with a potential zoonotic role. This paper represents the first report of a human urinary tract infection caused by L. petauri. A 91-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department for a femur fracture consequent to a domestic accident. The fracture was reduced by surgery and a catheterized specimen urine culture revealed a high bacterial load sustained by Gram-positive cocci, identified by Vitek 2 compact as L. garvieae, and subsequently as L. petauri through Internal Transcribed spacer 16S-23S r-RNA amplification. The number of L. petauri infections in humans is expected to rise in the near future mainly due to diagnostic improvement. A dedicated survey on L. garvieae and L. petauri infections in humans should be performed to better understand their role as pathogens and as zoonotic agents.
A Functional Biological Molecule Restores the PbI2 Residue-Induced Defects in Two-Step Fabricated Perovskites
Authors: Huang Yuanmei , Yu Guoping , Khan Danish , Wang Shuanglin , Sui Yujie , Yang Xin , Zhuang Yu , Tang Jun , Gao Huaxi , Xin Ming , Aierken Abuduwayiti , Tang Zeguo
Published: October 2023

Coating the perovskite layer via a two-step method is an adaptable solution for industries compared to the anti-solvent process. But what about the impact of unreacted PbI2? Usually, it is generated during perovskite conversion in a two-step method and considered beneficial within the grain boundaries, while also being accused of enhancing the interface defects and nonradiative recombination. Several additives are mixed in PbI2 precursors for the purpose of improving the perovskite crystallinity and hindering the Pb2+ defects. Herein, in lieu of adding additives to the PbI2, the effects of the PbI2 residue via the electron transport layer/perovskite interface modification are explored. Consequently, by introducing artemisinin decorated with hydrophobic alkyl units and a ketone group, it reduces the residual PbI2 and improves the perovskites’ crystallinity by coordinating with Pb2+. In addition, artemisinin-deposited perovskite enhances both the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells by suppressing nonradiative recombination
The Construction of Surface-Frustrated Lewis Pair Sites to Improve the Nitrogen Reduction Catalytic Activity of In2O3
Authors: Wang Mingqian , Zheng Ming , Sima Yuchen , Lv Chade , Zhou Xin
Published: October 2023

The construction of a surface-frustrated Lewis pairs (SFLPs) structure is expected to break the single electronic state restriction of catalytic centers of P-region element materials, due to the existence of acid-base and basic active canters without mutual quenching in the SFLPs system. Herein, we have constructed eight possible SFLPS structures on the In2O3 (110) surface by doping non-metallic elements and investigated their performance as electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction catalysts using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results show that P atom doping (P@In2O3) can effectively construct the structure of SFLPs, and the doped P atom and In atom near the vacancy act as Lewis base and acid, respectively. The P@In2O3 catalyst can effectively activate N2 molecules through the enzymatic mechanism with a limiting potential of −0.28 eV and can effectively suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Electronic structure analysis also confirmed that the SFLPs site can efficiently capture N2 molecules and activate N≡N bonds through a unique “donation-acceptance” mechanism.
Na+ Binding and Transport: Insights from Light-Driven Na+-Pumping Rhodopsin
Authors: Yang Qifan , Chen Deliang
Published: October 2023

Na+ plays a vital role in numerous physiological processes across humans and animals, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of Na+ transmembrane transport. Among the various Na+ pumps and channels, light-driven Na+-pumping rhodopsin (NaR) has emerged as a noteworthy model in this field. This review offers a concise overview of the structural and functional studies conducted on NaR, encompassing ground/intermediate-state structures and photocycle kinetics. The primary focus lies in addressing key inquiries: (1) unraveling the translocation pathway of Na+; (2) examining the role of structural changes within the photocycle, particularly in the O state, in facilitating Na+ transport; and (3) investigating the timing of Na+ uptake/release. By delving into these unresolved issues and existing debates, this review aims to shed light on the future direction of Na+ pump research.
Revealing Allosteric Mechanism of Amino Acid Binding Proteins from Open to Closed State
Authors: Shi Quanshan , Liu Ling , Duan Huaichuan , Jiang Yu , Luo Wenqin , Sun Guangzhou , Ge Yutong , Liang Li , Liu Wei , Shi Hubing , Hu Jianping
Published: October 2023

Amino acid binding proteins (AABPs) undergo significant conformational closure in the periplasmic space of Gram-negative bacteria, tightly binding specific amino acid substrates and then initiating transmembrane transport of nutrients. Nevertheless, the possible closure mechanisms after substrate binding, especially long-range signaling, remain unknown. Taking three typical AABPs—glutamine binding protein (GlnBP), histidine binding protein (HisJ) and lysine/arginine/ornithine binding protein (LAOBP) in Escherichia coli (E. coli)—as research subjects, a series of theoretical studies including sequence alignment, Gaussian network model (GNM), anisotropic network model (ANM), conventional molecular dynamics (cMD) and neural relational inference molecular dynamics (NRI-MD) simulations were carried out. Sequence alignment showed that GlnBP, HisJ and LAOBP have high structural similarity. According to the results of the GNM and ANM, AABPs’ Index Finger and Thumb domains exhibit closed motion tendencies that contribute to substrate capture and stable binding. Based on cMD trajectories, the Index Finger domain, especially the I-Loop region, exhibits high molecular flexibility, with residues 11 and 117 both being potentially key residues for receptor–ligand recognition and initiation of receptor allostery. Finally, the signaling pathway of AABPs’ conformational closure was revealed by NRI-MD training and trajectory reconstruction. This work not only provides a complete picture of AABPs’ recognition mechanism and possible conformational closure, but also aids subsequent structure-based design of small-molecule oncology drugs.
New Research on the Bacillus anthracis Genetic Diversity in Siberia
Authors: Timofeev Vitalii , Bakhteeva Irina , Khlopova Kseniya , Mironova Raisa , Titareva Galina , Goncharova Yulia , Solomentsev Viktor , Kravchenko Tatiana , Dyatlov Ivan , Vergnaud Gilles
Published: October 2023

Anthrax is a particularly dangerous infection of humans and ungulates caused by the Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The highly monomorphic and clonal species B. anthracis is commonly divided into three main lineages, A, B, and C, which in turn are divided into several canSNP groups. We report here a phylogenetic analysis based on the whole-genome sequence (WGS) data of fifteen strains isolated predominantly in Siberia or Central and Southern Russia. We confirm the wide distribution of the cluster of strains of the B.Br.001/002 group, endemic to the Russian Arctic, which is also present in the steppe zone of Southern Siberia. We characterize additional branches within the major A.Br.001/002 polytomy comprising the A.Br.Ames and A.Br.Sterne lineages, one of which is identified in the Arctic.
Exploring Drug Shortages in the United Kingdom
Authors: Obiedalla Mohamed , Patel Nilesh , Donyai Parastou
Published: October 2023

Drugs can become short in supply for many reasons including increased demand and reduced production. Drug shortages have the potential to impact patients and pharmacists. This study aimed to highlight the challenges pharmacists face and the constraints of how they manage drug shortages. An online survey was designed with its link distributed electronically to community pharmacists in the UK with the assistance of pharmacy organizations during the period from September to December 2021. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics. A total of 83% of the respondents (n= 100) were experiencing drug shortages three or more times per week, and more than 70% of these spent 1–3 h per week dealing with them. A total of 93% of the respondents indicated that the issue of drug shortages was a problem for them, and 61% reported that it has worsened since the start of the pandemic. In addition, 65% of the respondents believed that drug shortages had had an impact on patient care. Drug shortages were shown to impact on the pharmacists’ workloads with a potential to affect the quality of patient care. There was a variation between how pharmacists dealt with drug shortages, which needs to be explored further with the reasons behind it.
Fighting Tomato Fungal Diseases with a Biocontrol Product Based on Amoeba Lysate
Authors: Troussieux Sandrine , Gilgen Annabelle , Souche Jean-Luc
Published: October 2023

New solutions to reduce the use of chemical pesticides to combat plant diseases and to meet societal and political demands are needed to achieve sustainable agriculture. Tomato production, both in greenhouses and in open fields, is affected by numerous pathogens. The aim of this study is to assess the possibility of controlling both late blight and powdery mildew in tomatoes with a single biocontrol product currently under registration. The biocontrol product AXP12, based on the lysate of Willaertia magna C2c Maky, has already proved its efficacy against downy mildew of grapevine and potato late blight. Its ability to elicit tomato defenses and its efficacy in the greenhouse and in the field were tested. This study establishes that AXP12 stimulates the tomato genes involved in plant defense pathways and has the capacity to combat in greenhouse and field both late blight (Phytophtora infestans) and powdery mildew (Oidium neolycopersici and Leveillula taurica) of tomato.
A Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide Nanofiber/Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) Composite Membrane for High-Rate and High-Safety Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Luo Lin , Ma Kang , Song Xin , Zhao Yuling , Tang Jie , Zheng Zongmin , Zhang Jianmin
Published: October 2023

Simultaneously high-rate and high-safety lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have long been the research focus in both academia and industry. In this study, a multifunctional composite membrane fabricated by incorporating poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with magnesium carbonate hydroxide (MCH) nanofibers was reported for the first time. Compared to commercial polypropylene (PP) membranes and neat PVDF membranes, the composite membrane exhibits various excellent properties, including higher porosity (85.9%) and electrolyte wettability (539.8%), better ionic conductivity (1.4 mS·cm−1), and lower interfacial resistance (93.3 Ω). It can remain dimensionally stable up to 180 °C, preventing LIBs from fast internal short-circuiting at the beginning of a thermal runaway situation. When a coin cell assembled with this composite membrane was tested at a high temperature (100 °C), it showed superior charge–discharge performance across 100 cycles. Furthermore, this composite membrane demonstrated greatly improved flame retardancy compared with PP and PVDF membranes. We anticipate that this multifunctional membrane will be a promising separator candidate for next-generation LIBs and other energy storage devices, in order to meet rate and safety requirements.
Study on Fracturing Parameters Optimization of Horizontal Wells in Low-Permeability Reservoirs in South China Sea
Authors: Wu Bailie , Wu Guangai , Wang Li , Lou Yishan , Liu Shanyong , Yin Biao , Li Shuaizhen
Published: October 2023

The oil and gas resources in the deep Paleogene system of the South China Sea are abundant. However, due to its poor reservoir physical properties and strong heterogeneity, the deep Paleogene system needs to be commercially exploited by hydraulic fracturing technology. In view of the challenges of offshore low-permeability reservoirs, large-scale fracturing is not allowed because of the limited operation sites and complex string structure. Taking the H oilfield in the South China Sea as the target, based on the concept of the integration of geologic and engineering techniques, parameters such as the number of fracturing stages and the fracture length were optimized by a numerical simulation, and a study on the slurry rate and fracturing scale was carried out based on the type of fracturing and the pipe string structure. The results show that multistage fracturing technology is available in low-permeability offshore oil fields. It is suggested to adopt networking fracturing technology with a “slick water + high slurry rate” framework. A higher rate is recommended, and the fracturing scale of each stage should be 50 m3 of the sands and 700 m3 of the fluids. This research provides a new model for offshore low-permeability oilfield development.
Experimental Evaluation of Authigenic Acid Suitable for Acidification of Deep Oil and Gas Reservoirs at High Temperatures
Authors: Duan Yongwei , Chen Boru , Li Yanpeng
Published: October 2023

During the acid pressure conversion process in high-temperature, deep oil and gas reservoirs, a number of challenges are encountered that hinder the effectiveness of acid fracturing. These obstacles include significant corrosion of acidized pipe strings, rapid reaction rates of acid with rock, limited reach of acid liquids, and shallow penetration depth of active acids. Additionally, the transportation of highly corrosive acids presents safety risks, necessitating surface conditions that are free of acidity. However, underground conditions require strongly acidic liquids to meet enhanced ecological and environmental protection requirements. To address these limitations, experimental investigations have been conducted to examine the reaction rates of low-corrosive and low-acid rocks in alkaline systems involving halides and carbonyl compounds. Through meticulous assessments of reaction rates and dissociation effects in acid rocks, parameters have been successfully optimized to incorporate erythropoiesis and other compounding agents into acid-pressing designs. The experimental findings indicate that the concentration of released H⁺ ions after 60 min exceeded that of the conventional acid solution processed for 15 min. Enhanced dissolution was observed when erythropoietin content was increased to 20%. Furthermore, combining 10% acetic acid with 20% caustic acid resulted in a significant increase of 6.08% in the dissolution rate from 10 to 120 min, while exhibiting lower dissolution values compared with other types of acids. The development of naturally occurring acids with reduced rates of dissolution and acid–rock reaction holds significant potential for enhancing the efficacy of high-temperature, deep oil and gas reservoirs through acid fracturing stimulation.
EStore: A User-Friendly Encrypted Storage Scheme for Distributed File Systems
Authors: Chen Yuxiang , Dong Guishan , Xu Chunxiang , Hao Yao , Zhao Yue
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we propose a user-friendly encrypted storage scheme named EStore, which is based on the Hadoop distributed file system. Users can make use of cloud-based distributed file systems to collaborate with each other. However, most data are processed and stored in plaintext, which is out of the owner’s control after it has been uploaded and shared. Meanwhile, simple encryption guarantees the confidentiality of uploaded data but reduces availability. Furthermore, it is difficult to deal with complex key management as there is the problem whereby a single key encrypts different files, thus increasing the risk of leakage. In order to solve the issues above, we put forward an encrypted storage model and a threat model, designed with corresponding system architecture to cope with these requirements. Further, we designed and implemented six sets of protocols to meet users’ requirements for security and use. EStore manages users and their keys through registration and authentication, and we developed a searchable encryption module and encryption/decryption module to support ciphertext retrieval and secure data outsourcing, which will only minimally increase the calculation overhead of the client and storage redundancy. Users are invulnerable compared to the original file system. Finally, we conducted a security analysis of the protocols to demonstrate that EStore is feasible and secure.
Culturally Respectful and Competent Practice: What It Looks Like for Organisations Providing Services to Migrant Youth within the Illawarra Region of New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Mugumbate Rugare , Gina Imatakopate
Published: October 2023

The question of culturally respectful and competent practice is important for human services, particularly in Australia, which is characterised by a highly culturally diverse population as a result of migration. On arrival in Australia, migrants start using local services which they anticipate to be appropriate to their culture, situations and aspirations. This study explored what culturally respectful and competent practice looks like for organisations working with migrant youth in the Illawarra region of the state of New South Wales using in-depth interviews and focus groups. Although our focus was youth, responses were more broad to reflect the day-to-day roles of participants. From the responses, themes that came out included awareness of own culture as a practitioner and understanding the cultures of service users; paying attention to service user views of the dominant culture; employing staff from refugee and migrant communities; interpreter services; supporting practitioners in addressing agency limitations; and use of a strengths-based approach. What is central to these themes is capacitating human resources with cultural knowledge and a tendency towards prioritising service users’ interpretation of their culture and addressing the disadvantage and injustice that arise from cultural differences. For the organisations, a key barrier to achieving this is inadequate financial resources. In view of these findings, we conclude that, in relation to the topic and organisations we investigated, culturally respectful and competent practice means embedding service user cultural interpretations and priorities in organisational employment practices, staff skilling and service delivery in order to achieve the best and sustainable cultural, social and economic settlement outcomes.
Effects of Water Management and Rice Varieties on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Central Japan
Authors: Phungern Sunchai , Azizan Siti Noor Fitriah , Yusof Nurtasbiyah Binti , Noborio Kosuke
Published: October 2023

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from paddy fields depend on water management practices and rice varieties. Lysimeter experiments were conducted to determine the effect of rice varieties (lowland; Koshihikari (KH) and upland; Dourado Precoce (DP)) on GHG emissions under two water management practices: alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF). A repeated cycle of drying and wetting in AWD irrigation was performed by drying the soil to −40 kPa soil matric potential and then rewetting. Consequently, the closed chamber method was used to measure direct emissions of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The result revealed that water management significantly affected CH4 and N2O emissions (p < 0.05), while no significant effect was observed between different rice varieties. Although, AWD irrigation reduced CH4 emissions, it increased N2O emissions compared to CF irrigation, likely due to increased oxygen supply. AWD irrigation decreased GWP by 55.6% and 59.6% in KH and DP, respectively, compared to CF irrigation. Furthermore, CH4 and N2O emissions significantly correlated with soil redox potential and volumetric water content. These results suggest that AWD irrigation might be an effective water management method for mitigating GHG emissions from rice fields in central Japan.
Crotoxin Modulates Macrophage Phenotypic Reprogramming
Authors: Neves Camila Lima , Barbosa Christiano Marcello Vaz , Ranéia-Silva Priscila Andrade , Faquim-Mauro Eliana L. , Sampaio Sandra Coccuzzo
Published: October 2023

Macrophage plasticity is a fundamental feature of the immune response since it favors the rapid and adequate change of the functional phenotype in response to the pathogen or the microenvironment. Several studies have shown that Crotoxin (CTX), the major toxin of the Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, has a long-lasting antitumor effect both in experimental models and in clinical trials. In this study, we show the CTX effect on the phenotypic reprogramming of macrophages in the mesenchymal tumor microenvironment or those obtained from the peritoneal cavity of healthy animals. CTX (0.9 or 5 μg/animal subcutaneously) administered concomitantly with intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor cells (1 × 107/0.5 mL, injected intraperitoneally) of Ehrlich Ascitic Tumor (EAT) modulated the macrophages phenotype (M1), accompanied by increased NO• production by cells from ascites, and was evaluated after 13 days. On the other hand, in healthy animals, the phenotypic profile of macrophages was modulated in a dose-dependent way at 0.9 μg/animal: M1 and at 5.0 μg/animal: M2; this was accompanied by increased NO• production by peritoneal macrophages only for the dose of 0.9 μg/animal of CTX. This study shows that a single administration of CTX interferes with the phenotypic reprogramming of macrophages, as well as with the secretory state of cells from ascites, influencing events involved with mesenchymal tumor progression. These findings may favor the selection of new therapeutic targets to correct compromised immunity in different systems.
Affine invariant conditions for the inexact perturbed Newton method
Authors: Cătinaş Emil
Published: October 2023

The high convergence orders of the inexact Newton iterates were characterized by Ypma in terms of some affine invariant conditions. Using these results, we obtain affine invariant characterizations for the convergence orders of the inexact perturbed Newton iterates.
On the extremal semi-Lipschitz functions
Authors: Mustăţa Costică
Published: October 2023

The extremal elements of the unit balls of Banach spaces play an important role in the study of the geometry of the space as well as in various applications. For Banach spaces of Lipschitz real functions the extremal elements of the unit ball are investigated in numerous papers (S. Cobzas 1989, J. D. Farmer 1994, N. V. Rao and A. C. Roy 1970, Roy 1968 and in the references therein). In this note we shall present a procedure to obtain extremal elements of the unit ball of the quasi-normed semilinear space of real-valued semi-Lipschitz functions defined on a quasi-metric space.
Local convergence of general Steffensen type methods
Authors: Păvăloiu Ion
Published: October 2023

We study the local convergence of a generalized Steffensen method. We show that this method substantially improves the convergence order of the classical Steffensen method. The convergence order of our method is greater or equal to the number of the controlled nodes used in the Lagrange-type inverse interpolation, which, in its turn, is substantially higher than the convergence orders of the Lagrange type inverse interpolation with uncontrolled nodes (since their convergence order is at most \(2\)).
About one discrete analog of Hausdorff semi-continuity of suitable mapping in a vector combinatorial problem with a parametric principle of optimality ("from Slater to lexicographic")
Authors: Emelichev Vladimir A. , Platonov Andrey A.
Published: October 2023

multicriteria linear combinatorial problem is considered, principle of optimality of which is defined by a partitioning of partial criteria onto groups with Slater preference relation within each group and the lexicographic preference relation between them. Quasistability of the problem is investigated. This type of stability is a discrete analog of Hausdorff lower semicontinuity of the many-valued mapping that defines the choice function. A formula of quasistability radius is derived for the case of metric \(l_\infty.\) Some conditions of quasistability are stated as corollaries.
Bilateral approximations of the roots of scalar equations by Lagrange-Aitken-Steffensen method of order three
Authors: Păvăloiu Ion
Published: October 2023

We study the monotone convergence of two general methods of Aitken-Steffenssen type. These methods are obtained from the Lagrange inverse interpolation polynomial of degree two, having controlled nodes. The obtained results provide information on controlling the errors at each iteration step.
On the uniqueness of the optimal solution in linear programming
Authors: Szilágyi Peter
Published: October 2023

In this paper numerous necessary and sufficient conditions will be given for a vector to be the unique optimal solution of the primal problem, as well as for that of the dual problem, and even for the case when the primal and the dual problem have unique optimal solutions at the same time, respectively, by means of using the strict complementarity and the linear independence constraint qualification. Beyond that, the topological structure of the optimal solutions satisfying the strict complementarity will be determined.
Theoretical and numerical results about some weakly singular Volterra-Fredholm equations
Authors: Calió F. , Marchetti E. , Mureșan V.
Published: October 2023

In this paper existence, uniqueness results for the solution of some weakly singular linear Volterra and Volterra-Fredholm integral equations are given. For these equations, a numerical model is proposed and its convergence and rate of convergence are analyzed. Numerical results on some polynomial test functions are given.
Optimal inequalities related to the logarithmic, identric, arithmetic and harmonic means
Authors: Xia Wei-feng , Yu-Ming Chu
Published: October 2023

The logarithmic mean \(L(a,b)\), identric mean \(I(a,b)\), arithmeticmean \(A(a,b)\) and harmonic mean \(H(a,b)\) of two positive real values \(a\) and \(b\) are defined by\begin{align*}\label{main}&L(a,b)=\begin{cases}\tfrac{b-a}{\log b-\log a},& a\neq b,\\a,&a=b,\end{cases}\\&I(a,b)=\begin{cases}\tfrac{1}{{\rm e}}\left(\tfrac{b^b}{a^a}\right)^{\tfrac{1}{b-a}},& a\neq b,\\a,&a=b,\end{cases}\end{align*}\(A(a,b)=\tfrac{a+b}{2}\) and \(H(a,b)=\tfrac{2ab}{a+b}\), respectively. In this article, we answer the questions: What are the best possible parameters \(\alpha_{1},\alpha_{2},\beta_{1}\) and \(\beta_{2}\), such that \(\alpha_{1}A(a,b)+(1-\alpha_{1})H(a,b)\leq L(a,b)\leq\beta_{1}A(a,b)+(1-\beta_{1})H(a,b)\) and \(\alpha_{2}A(a,b)+(1-\alpha_{2})H(a,b)\leq I(a,b)\leq\beta_2A(a,b)+(1-\beta_{2})H(a,b)\) hold for all \(a,b>0\)?
Comprensión lectora en estudiantes de Educación Básica en tiempos de virtualidad
Authors: Arteaga Cruz Wendy Lizbeth , Tovalino Cordova Omar Luis , Solís Trujillo Beymar Pedro
Published: October 2023

En Perú la falta de equipamiento tecnológico en las instituciones y en sus hogares es una realidad; también la falta de acceso a la información por la inexistencia de medios para la comunicación e instalación de redes de internet en muchas zonas rurales, estas son algunas de las brechas que presenta la compresión lectora. Por ello, el estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las estrategias de comprensión lectora a través de la educación a distancia. El estudio se consolido como una revisión sistemática, la búsqueda se realizó en bases de datos y plataformas como ProQuest, Tesauro de la UNESCO, Springer Open, Scopus, EBSCO, Mendeley, Scielo... se usaron descriptores como Estrategias de lectura, comprensión lectora, estrategias de comprensión lectora, Reading comprehension. Los resultados de búsqueda arrojaron 85 artículos, de los cuales según criterios de inclusión y exclusión fueron seleccionado 21. En conclusión, existen estrategias pueden desarrollar la comprensión lectora en tiempo de virtualidad como lo son: el uso de software para enseñar a leer genera actitudes positivas, uso de app de mapas mentales; las TIC usando papel, ordenador y teléfono móvil y diversas lecturas con preguntas.
Estrategias de acompañamiento pedagógico en el desempeño docente
Authors: Catalán Muñoz Dabeyba Maribel , Obeso Rodríguez Yhonny Alin
Published: October 2023

En el marco de la mejora de los procesos educativos, las estrategias de acompañamiento pedagógico intervienen de manera positiva en el desempeño docente. La investigación tuvo como objetivo describir el efecto de las estrategias de acompañamiento pedagógico dentro del desempeño docente. La metodología empleada fue la revisión sistemática, la búsqueda se realizó en bases de datos o plataformas como Redalyc, Scielo, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect GoogleAcadémico; los descriptores usados en la búsqueda fueron acompañamiento, desempeño docente, estrategias de enseñanzas, supervisión pedagógica; los resultados de búsqueda según criterios de selección 73 estudios de los cuales se seleccionaron 28 por cumplir con los criterios de inclusión. Se concluye que las estrategias de acompañamiento pedagógico influyen en la función formativa, humanística, integradora, inclusiva, valorativa y democrática permitiendo al docente desarrollar sus competencias personales y profesionales para mejorar su desempeño, no encontrándose investigaciones que desarrollen modelos de cómo estas estrategias de acompañamiento pedagógico se puedan integrar en un plan de formación continua por especialidades.
Mevcut ve Gelişmekte Olan Aşı Teknolojileri; Kısa derleme
Authors: KAHRAMAN KILBAŞ Elmas Pınar , ALTINDİŞ Mustafa
Published: October 2023

Aşı teknolojileri, daha etkili ve çok yönlü aşılama stratejilerine duyulan ihtiyaç nedeniyle önemli ölçüde gelişti. Geleneksel aşılar öncelikle bağışıklık sistemini uyarmak için zayıflatılmış veya etkisiz hale getirilmiş patojenleri kullanıyordu. Ancak moleküler biyoloji ve immünolojideki son gelişmeler yeni aşı platformlarının geliştirilmesine yol açtı. Dikkate değer ilerlemelerden biri, COVID-19 aşılarından biri olan mRNA aşılarının geliştirilmesidir. Bu aşılar, hücrelere patojenin zararsız bir kısmını üretme talimatı vermek için sentetik mRNA'yı kullanarak güçlü bir bağışıklık tepkisi ortaya çıkarır. Umut verici başka bir yaklaşım, patojenik antijenleri kodlayan genetik materyali konakçı hücrelere iletmek için değiştirilmiş bir virüs kullanan viral vektör aşılarını içerir. Bu teknoloji, Ebola ve COVID-19 gibi hastalıklara karşı güçlü bir bağışıklık tepkisi sağlayarak umut vaat etmektedir. Protein alt birim aşılarındaki yenilikler, bir bağışıklık tepkisini tetiklemek için patojenin proteinler veya peptidler gibi zararsız parçalarının kullanılmasını içerir. Bu aşılar, genellikle adjuvanlar veya nanopartikül dağıtım sistemleri yoluyla geliştirilmiş güvenlik ve etkinlik sunar. Ayrıca, DNA aşıları gibi nükleik asit bazlı aşılardaki ilerlemeler, aşılama için potansiyel olarak güçlü ve esnek bir platform sunmaktadır. Ek olarak, günümüzde nanoteknoloji sayesinde bağışıklık tepkileri güçlendirerek aşı gelişiminekatkı sağlanmıştır. Nanopartiküller, antijenleri veya adjuvanları kapsülleyerek aşı etkinliğini optimize edebilmektedir.Sonuç olarak, mevcut aşı teknolojileri, mRNA ve viral vektör aşıları, protein alt birim aşıları, nükleik asit bazlı aşılar ve nanoteknoloji dahil olmak üzere yenilikçi ve çeşitli yaklaşımlara doğru bir geçiş sergilemektedir. Bu ilerlemeler, ortaya çıkan bulaşıcı hastalıkların ele alınması ve aşının erişilebilirliğinin, güvenliğinin ve etkinliğinin iyileştirilmesi konusunda umut vaat etmektedir.
Transformation zu einer Kreislaufwirtschaft
Authors: Stucki Tobias
Published: October 2023

Die Lieferkettenprobleme der vergangenen Jahre werden in Zukunft kaum verschwinden, da der Materialkonsum weiter steigen wird. Gefragt ist deshalb ein fundamentales Umdenken in der Wirtschaft. Bisher denken die meisten Unternehmen noch immer in linearen Geschäftsmodellen, in welchen Materialien am Ende des Lebenszyklus einfach entsorgt werden. Diese Materialien müssen zunehmend effizienter genutzt und ihre Kreisläufe geschlossen werden: Es braucht eine Transformation von linearen zu zirkularen Geschäftsmodellen. Diese Transformation wird nicht nur aus ökologischen, sondern gerade auch aus wirtschaftlichen Gründen zunehmend unabdingbar. Bisher stehen wir bei dieser Transformation aber noch am Anfang. Aktuell beschäftigen sich gerade mal rund 10 % der Unternehmen in der Schweiz substanziell mit einer Kreislaufwirtschaft. Wollen wir die bereits heute akuten Lieferkettenprobleme nachhaltig angehen, braucht es dringend eine Beschleunigung dieser Transformation.
Digitale Transformation
Authors: Göbel Markus , Gräfen Hans Dieter
Published: October 2023

Die Digitalisierung setzt das Produktportfolio und die Arbeitsorganisation von Unternehmen unter Veränderungsdruck. Ambidextrie ist ein Organisationskonzept, dass die Funktionslogiken von Innovation und Effizienz verbindet. In dieser Fallstudie wird der Praxisbetrieb eines ambidexteren Organisationskonzeptes nachgezeichnet und bewertet. Es wird deutlich, dass die Gefahr besteht, in eine Kompetenzfalle zu laufen. Eine mögliche Lösung stellt die Entwicklung einer Lern- und Innovationsfunktion dar, die die Chancen und Risiken von innovativem, aber auch von strukturkonservativem Verhalten benennt.
Regenerative Strategien
Authors: Wunder Thomas
Published: October 2023

Die Einhaltung ökologischer Belastungsgrenzen sowie die Sicherstellung sozialer Grundlagen sind heute als wichtige Ziele für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung anerkannt. Dennoch sind die lebenserhaltenden Ökosysteme unseres Planeten gefährdet und die weltweiten sozialen Missstände gravierend. Als eine Ursache dieser Probleme spielen Wirtschaftsaktivitäten und deren negative Auswirkungen (Impacts) eine zentrale Rolle. Viele Unternehmen arbeiten bereits mit Nachdruck daran, ihren ökologischen Fußabdruck sowie soziale Missstände entlang ihrer Wertschöpfungskette zu verbessern. Doch angesichts der aktuellen globalen Problemlage reicht es nicht aus, allein nur Transparenz zu schaffen und den Schaden zu reduzieren. Denn ≫weniger schlecht≪ ist noch nicht ≫gut≪.