bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural and Clinical Outcomes after Tenex Debridement for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Authors: Trivedi Akash , Yian Edward , Cho Yung , Hwang James
Published: March 2024

Background

Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT) is a frequently encountered condition by the orthopedic surgeon. Patients presenting with tendinopathy or partial thickness tear present a difficult challenge to treat. Treatments for rotator cuff tendinopathy include nonsurgical and surgical intervention. While surgical management can be effective in the treatment of RCT, patients must be willing to accept risks of anesthesia and surgery and be willing to potentially undergo a lengthy post-operative rehabilitation course. Our study evaluates the use of percutaneous ultrasonic debridement (percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy (PUT)) of tendinopathy lesions for rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Methods

This study consisted of 15 patients with symptomatic rotator cuff pathology diagnosed by physical exam and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Operative and non-operative treatment options for RCT were discussed with the patients, including the Tenex procedure. The 15 patients who underwent the Tenex procedure were followed post-procedure for clinical improvement with Shoulder Pain and Distability Index (SPADI) scores and for structural improvement with MRI.

Results

The present study included 15 patients (16 shoulders) consisting of 8 women and 7 men. The average age of our cohort was 59.9. 14 of the patients achieved improvements in their SPADI (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index) scores and had similar or improved structural appearance on MRI after undergoing percutaneous ultrasonic debridement.

Conclusion

The results from this study show that patients with RCT who have tried conservative treatment but are not interested in surgical intervention can consider the Tenex procedure. The procedure carried a high safety profile with significant improvement in outcomes in the majority of patients.
Efficacy of Autologous Blood Injections in Treatment of Chronic Recurrent TMJ Dislocation Based on its Severity: A Prospective Study
Authors:   Ex-Resident, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Goyal Shikha , R. Karjodkar Freny , Sansare Kaustubh , Verma Ankita
Published: March 2024

Aim: To study the efficacy of autologous blood injections in treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation based on the severity of the condition. Method and Material: Total 26 patients with complain of chronic recurrent bilateral TMJ dislocation were included in the study. The patients were grouped into three groups based on the frequency of episodes of TMJ dislocation: Group 1 (7 patients) included patients with minimum one episode of TMJ dislocation each day, Group 2 (5 patients) included patients with minimum of 2 episodes of TMJ dislocation each week and Group 3 (14 patients) included patients with minimum of 2 episodes in last 6 months. In each joint, 2ml of autologous blood was injected in superior joint space and 0.5 ml was injected into the peri capsular area. Post injection patients were followed for the period ranging from 6 months to the 2 years. Patients were assessed for frequency of episodes of TMJ dislocation and inter-incisal opening (IO) before the start of the treatment and during the follow up visit. Results: On long term follow up (1 to 2 years) 2 patients in Group 1 showed recurrence of TMJ dislocation. However, none of the patients from Group 2 and 3 showed recurrence of the condition. It was analyzed that success of the ABI was found to be inversely proportional to the frequency of the episodes during the pre -injection phase. Conclusion: ABI is the safe, conservative, cost effective, non- invasive and simpler treatment approach for the TMJ dislocation, however the treatment outcome is better with the patients experiencing less frequent episodes.
Bladder Perforation During Trans-Urethral Resection of Bladder Tumors: Is the Open Exploration Ever Indicated?
Authors:   Department of Urology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, Jaipur, India, Sharma Ashish , D K Chugh , Agarwal Samarth , Sadasukhi Nripesh , Gupta H L , Gupta Manish , Sadasukhi T C , Jat Subhash , Tushar Aggarwal , Gaurav Varnwal , Abdul Basit , Virendra Singh , I D Charan
Published: March 2024

Objectives: Management of bladder perforation during TURBT and to evaluate the need for open exploration? Materials and Methods: A retrospective study design was done and 1550 patients underwent TURBT for bladder mass from January 2005 to November 2023. 52 patients were identified with bladder perforation. 20 patients with T2 tumour on biopsy were excluded from final analysis. Parameters recorded on occurrence of a perforation included patient age and sex, tumor stage, grade, multiplicity, size, location, type of bladder perforation and management undertaken. Results: Of a total of 32 patients, 20 were male and 12 patients were female. The mean age of presentation was 65±12.34yrs. 19 patients had T1 tumors. The site of urinary bladder associated with the highest perforation was postero-lateral wall seen in 14 patients. None of the patients had past history of TURBT or were previously operated. A total of 10 patients (31.25%) had intra-peritoneal perforation and 22 patients (68.75%) had extra-peritoneal perforation. Conclusion: We conclude from our study that open exploration is seldom required for bladder perforation during TURBT unless there are signs of peritonism.
Study of resistance to cephalosporin compounds in Salmonella spp. and Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from turkeys
Authors: Samadi Keyvan , Jahantigh Mohammad , Esmaeelzadeh Dizaji Reza , Saadati Dariush
Published: March 2024

The high consumption of antimicrobial agents in livestock is a global problem that can increase the antibiotic resistance of human and animal bacteria such as Salmonella serotypes. In this study, cloacal swab was used to isolate Salmonella spp. from turkeys in Zabol, Iran. The isolated bacteria were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction to confirm the bacteria and to identify some resistance genes. Disk diffusion test on Mueller-Hinton agar was used to determine the susceptibility of the isolated bacteria to cephalosporin compounds. A total of 33 Salmonella spp. including 19 Salmonella Typhimurium were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Multiple drug resistance (MDR) to cephalosporin compound was observed in Salmonella serotypes. Antibiotics resistance profiles of Salmonella serotypes were not statistically associated with blaCTX-M-1 and int1 resistance genes (p > 0.05). S. Typhimurium and other Salmonella serotypes did not show significantly different antibiotic susceptibility to the tested antibiotics (p = 0.536). According to the results, there is a high prevalence of resistance to cephalosporin compounds among Salmonella spp. and S. Typhimurium in Zabol, Iran.
Alfred Gysi (1865–1957) – more than a pioneer of dental prosthetics and articulation
Authors: Groß Dominik , Groß Karin , Nitschke Ina
Published: March 2024

Alfred Gysi was one of the most influential dental scientists of the last century. He is primarily considered a pioneer of modern articulation and occlusion theory, and several of his technical developments still bear his name. But what milieu did this dentist come from, what characterized his academic career and what research contributions did he make beyond the theory of articulation? How was he perceived by contemporary experts – as a researcher and as a colleague – and how can his scientific contributions be classified from today's perspective? These are precisely the questions that this article examines. The study is based on contemporary primary sources and on Gysi's own publications. In addition, a systematic re-analysis of the available secondary literature on the life and work of Alfred Gysi and on the history of the Zurich Dental Institute was carried out. The analysis shows that Gysi had a strong influence on contemporary dental prosthodontics and contributed considerably to its scientific character, especially due to the development of articulators and face bows, which received worldwide attention. But Gysi's scientific influence was by no means limited to prosthetics. Rather, he also provided important studies on caries and the dental pulp. Moreover, he published fundamental work on dental histopathology and microphotography. The current image of Gysi therefore needs to be revised. In view of the thematic breadth of his scientific contributions, Gysi is not only the most important prosthodontist of his time, but also one of the most versatile and innovative representatives in the history of Swiss dentistry.
Multiple sclerosis’ evolution of paediatric patients in adult life: A preliminary study
Authors:   University of Medicine and Pharmacy ‘Carol Davila’, Medical School, Bucharest, Romania, Giourgali Danai-Niki ,   Emergency University Hospital of Bucharest (SUUB), Romania
Published: March 2024

Background - Nowadays, multiple sclerosis is considered to be the most common immune-mediated, inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Approximately 2.1 million people suffer from this disease world- wide. Scope - The presented article is a retrospective observational preliminary clinical study, being based upon fourteen patients. Materials and methods – These patients were initially evaluated and diagnosed in the ‘Neuropaediatric department’ and then admitted to the ‘Emergency University Hospital of Bucharest’ (SUUB), after the age of 18 years. The aim of this clinical study was to retrospectively assess the evolution of multiple sclerosis from the moment of its initial clinical manifestation on these paediatric patients into adult life. Results - For each of these patients, a study sheet was designed, according to which every patient was evaluated based upon a variety of parameters. Conclusions – The majority of the data obtained from this preliminary clinical study is congruent with the literature. Nevertheless, the presented article emphasizes the possibility of a Cytomegalovirus (CMV) - viral infection to be a causative agent of multiple sclerosis and not a protective factor instead. Even though epileptic seizures are considered to be an unusual manifestation of multiple sclerosis, a specific case of one paediatric patient with multiple sclerosis is being presented, who also suffered from general tonic-clonic seizures.
Paradoxical reactions in a patient under treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. A case reports
Authors:   1. Asociación Catalana para el Control de la Tuberculosis en el Tercer Mundo (ACTMON), Barcelona, Spain, Ollé-Goig Jaime E. , Molina-Pinargote Israel ,   2. Serveis Clinics. Centro de Tratamiento Directamente Observado para la Tuberculosis. Barcelona, Spain, Forcada Nuria ,   2. Serveis Clinics. Centro de Tratamiento Directamente Observado para la Tuberculosis. Barcelona, Spain, Millet Joan-Pau ,   2. Serveis Clinics. Centro de Tratamiento Directamente Observado para la Tuberculosis. Barcelona, Spain,  3. CIBER de Epidemiologíay Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
Published: March 2024

Some patients with tuberculosis (TB), after starting treatment, may suffer an enlargement of their initial lesions (tuberculomas, adenopathy) or the development of new ones after some days or weeks of treatment. We describe a patient with primary resistance to several anti-TB medications (MDR-TB) and not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the first weeks of treatment, he developed marked enlargement of the cervical adenopathy which remitted after some weeks. Algunos pacientes con tuberculosis (TB), después de unos días o semanas de recibir tratamiento anti-TB, pueden desarrollar nuevas adenopatías o un aumento de tamaño de las lesiones (tuberculomas, adenopatías) detectadas al inicio. Describimos un enfermo con resistencia inicial a diversos medicamentos anti-TB (MDR-TB) que no estaba infectado por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Durante las primeras semanas desarrolló un aumento de tamaño importante de las adenopatías cervicales que remitieron semanas más tarde. Keywords: Multidrug-resistant-tuberculosis, Paradoxical reaction, HIV
Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine care strategies in the Management of hypertension in the elderly: A Meta-Analysis Study
Authors: Yue Nijia , Mui Lim Gek , Yue JieChen
Published: March 2024

This study analyses, evaluates and summarizes the characteristics and effects of combined Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WC) care strategies in the management of hypertension among elderly patients. Included in this study were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of hypertensive patients aged 60 years and older, and these RCTs mainly combined a variety of integrated Chinese and Western medicine care strategies, such as pharmacological treatments, lifestyle interventions and their Chinese medicine therapies. These studies focused on key health indicators such as blood pressure control, improvement in quality of life, reduction in complication rate, and improvement in patient satisfaction. From the results, it can be seen that the combined Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine care strategies have a more obvious positive effect in improving the quality of life in terms of treatment effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and improvement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Traditional Chinese Medicine Care strategies always include Chinese medicine dietary care, Chinese medicine massage care, and instruction in Taijiquan, anti-hypertensive exercises, Qigong and other exercise methods and so on. And Western medicine care strategies are always include to give health teaching on monitoring blood pressure and diet and exercise and so on. Although the data is a little less in terms of complication rate, it also shows a positive impact. And there was no significant publication bias in the studies included in this meta-analysis, but overall This study highlights the potential of integrated Chinese and Western medicine care as an effective management strategy for elderly patients with hypertension, while pointing to the need for more high-quality studies to further validate these results and explore best practices and clinical applications.
Clinical study of AIDS complicated with fungal infection
Authors: Gao Zihao
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a systematic study on the common occurrence of concurrent fungal infections in AIDS patients in clinical practice. Firstly, it introduces the epidemiological status of AIDS worldwide, emphasizing the special vulnerability to fungal infections due to the impaired immune function of AIDS patients. Subsequently, it analyzes in detail the incidence, clinical features, and diagnostic methods of common fungal infections in AIDS patients. Furthermore, it discusses the impact of fungal infections on the disease progression and prognosis of AIDS patients and provides a comprehensive review of prevention and treatment strategies. By summarizing and synthesizing the latest research findings and clinical experiences, this paper emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections, and proposes directions for further research and recommendations for future clinical practice.
Groups of Non-bijective Transformations Mapping on Finite Set. (G(Non-bT))
Authors:   Mathematics Department, AJdabyia University, Abdunabi Faraj.A. , shletiet Ahmed ,   Mathematics Department, AJdabyia University
Published: March 2024

Abstract: The aim of this study is to find new groups that consisting of non-bijective transformations cannot subset of symmetric groups Sn on finite set A called G(Non-bT)groups. In addition, we give the necessary and sufficient condition for the elements of these groups on anon empty set A by using the quotient set of A, Moreover, we conclude that G(Non-bT)  Sn on the quotient set of A. Key words: Transformation, Symmetric Group, Equivalence Class, Quotient Set, Partition
El “actuar por otro”, una problemática de la dogmática penal relacionada con la delincuencia económica
Authors: Brito Febles Osvaldo , Barroso González Jorge Luis
Published: March 2024

This article analyzes one of the current problems of criminal dogmatics in relation to economic crime, related to the institution of “act by another.” Although this institution is being included in modern Criminal Codes under different forms of regulation, it is not without controversy. The lack of clarity and diversity of criteria about its constituent elements and certain inconveniences that arise from its practical application has caused great controversy in current criminal dogmatics. The detractors of “act by another” openly label it as an unnecessary and ineffective institution; however, those who defend it weigh its importance in the context of modern Criminal Law to solve a significant problem of imputation in the area of ​​economic crimes. However, there are still issues that must be taken into account to resolve issues that have not yet been resolved by said institution, at least in the way it is regulated in the various substantive criminal laws that contain it. It is also necessary to continue deepening their dogmatic and normative study in order to improve and develop it.
Prototipo de Sistema Experto basado en reglas para determinar el coeficiente intelectual en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Macías Merizalde Azucena Monserrate , García Valdivia Zoila Zenaida , Aguirre Chacha Bryan Patricio
Published: March 2024

The Wechsler scale of intelligence for adults-III (WAIS-III) is based on 14 subtests. It is used in the Metropolitan University of Ecuador to evaluate the students’ intellectual coefficient (IQ). Each subtest measures a different facet of intelligence, producing the three IQ scores: verbal, performance, and total scales, as well as four index scores: processing speed, perceptual organization, working memory, and verbal comprehension. The development of an expert system (ES) that evaluates the IQ, according to WAIS-III can help in the tabulation of these results, since the process is manual. The KLIC methodology facilitated the creation of the ES and a shell allowed the development of knowledge bases (KB). The ES is composed of fourteen KB, which are responsible for performing the corresponding function of each of the subtests. The rules of production in the KB investigate what the student knows about incomplete figures, vocabulary, cube design, matrices, among other aspects.
Análisis del pronóstico de las exportaciones del camarón en el Ecuador a partir del año 2019
Authors: Jiménez Novillo Jean Carlos , Carvajal Romero Héctor , Vite Cevallos Harry
Published: March 2024

In this work, we proceeded to estimate the shrimp export demand in Ecuador for the year 2019. The shrimp sector is one of the most dynamic within the country's economy, in recent years it has increased its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The objective of this work is to determine exports of Ecuadorian shrimp taking into account the preponderant factors that have caused this sector to be affected both positively and negatively. It was carried out through a non-experimental, descriptive design, where statistical information from the shrimp sector was collected. The Media Difference Method was used. The result obtained indicates that by 2024 there will be a demand of around 1,925 million pounds of white shrimp, in addition to exports, the country will have income by 2024 of about 4,572 million US dollars. This will correspond to the increase in the market and therefore the consequent demand for the product for human consumption in order to meet the needs and better guarantee food security, this forecast will determine the growth of shrimp farms and the potential demand of the marketing destinations.
A Radiographic Study of the Head of a Child from Graeco-Roman Egypt
Authors: Craig Pamela J. , Davey Janet
Published: March 2024

In the case described a request to ascertain the age at death of a Graeco-Roman mummified head by dental radiographic means revealed some unexpected and interesting information. The radiographic study revealed extensive dental caries, an unexpected low level of wear on the teeth, and evidence of possible interceptive orthodontic treatment having been carried out on the child’s teeth prior to death. The authors argue that the latter may have contributed to the death.
The Efficacy of Using Thermal Insulator Powder in the Production of Cellulose Acetate Aerogel Foam
Authors:   Colegio De San Juan De Letran, Bellezas Hannah Beatrix , Altamera Gracious Angel ,   Colegio De San Juan De Letran, Banawa Sean Ackeem ,   Colegio De San Juan De Letran, Bitangcol Kate Ashley ,   Colegio De San Juan De Letran, Castaneda Kyla Zhenelle ,   Colegio De San Juan De Letran, Manabat Ranier Marco ,   Colegio De San Juan De Letran, Mejellano Axle ,   Colegio De San Juan De Letran
Published: March 2024

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of infusing thermal insulator powder into cellulose acetate aerogel foam to enhance both the production process and its thermal insulation performance, with a focus on the impact of varying concentrations of thermal insulator powder on the structural and mechanical properties of CAAF, compared to commercially available aerogel foams. The researchers used true experimental quantitative design that allowed them to have precise control over variables, particularly the amount of thermal insulator powder. This method helped establish causal relationships and assessed the impact of the powder on foam properties, particularly thermal insulation. Findings indicate that there is a significant difference in the commercial aerogel foam, cellulose acetate aerogel foam, and cellulose acetate aerogel foam infused with different concentrations of thermal insulator powder in terms of their thermal conductivity and time longevity. However, the results indicated that the infusion of thermal insulator powder did not significantly enhance the physical stability property of the samples.
INFLUENCE OF GREEN PURCHASE BEHAVIOR OF NEW ENERGY VEHICLE CONSUMERS
Authors: Wu Liuyan , Phawitpiriyakliti Chaithanaskorn , Terason Sid
Published: March 2024

This study aims to explore the role of green purchase intention in green purchase attitude and the influence of corporate social responsibility on green purchase behavior. By conducting surveys on consumers, we collect data on their attitudes toward green purchases, green purchase intentions, corporate social responsibilities, and actual green purchase behaviors. Through structural equation modeling for data analysis, the study found that green purchase intention plays a mediating role between green purchase attitude and corporate social responsibility on green purchase behavior. Specifically, green purchase attitude and corporate social responsibility have a significant positive impact on green purchase behavior, and green purchase intention plays a partial mediating role between the two. This shows that consumers' green purchase intention plays an important role in deciding whether to make a green purchase, and the company's green purchase attitude and social responsibility have a positive impact on consumers' green purchase behavior. These research results have important guiding significance for enterprises to carry out green marketing and promote sustainable development.
Constitution & Decentralized Government System in France
Authors: Michele  , Balthasar Reny Wittermans Un Yohanes
Published: March 2024

France is a republican country and uses a semi-presidential unitary government system with democracy which is very inherent in the country. The semi-presidential government system is a combination of the presidential government system and the parliamentary government system, in this case there are two executive leaders, each of whom has their own role. The executive leaders are the President of France who serves as head of state and the prime minister who serves as head of government.The French government system is semi- presidential, the French executive is led by a President who is assisted by a Prime Minister, the French Government is responsible to Parliament based on the provisions of Articles 49 and 50 of the French Constitution. However, the French Parliament consists of the National Assembly and Senate, where the National Assembly has the power to dissolve the cabinetso that the majority determines the choice of the Government, in contrast to Indonesia where Ministers cannot be dismissed by Parliament. The decentralization policy in France is based on a law of the French parliament known as the Gaston Deferred Law of 1982. Concept Autonomous government in France itself is divided into four categories, namely institutional, legal, financial and human resources. In the French Government, the Central Government does not intervene at all when problems arise between the Regional Government and other Regional Governments. The Central Government can act as a mediator but not as a decision-making body, because based on Article 72 of the French Constitution, problems relating to territorial matters are resolved through associations between related parties based on the authority to establish laws.
Optimizing IoT Data Aggregation: Hybrid Firefly-Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm for Enhanced Efficiency in Agriculture
Authors:   Department of Master of Business Administration, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Venkateswaran Narayanaswamy , Kiran Kumar Kayala ,   Department of F. E, Prasad V Potluri Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India, Maheswari Kirubakaran ,   Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CMR Technical Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, Kumar Reddy Radha Vijaya ,   Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India, Boopathi Sampath ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Muthayammal Engineering College, Rasipuram, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, India
Published: March 2024

The data aggregation process in this study has been enhanced by the hybrid firefly-artificial bee colony algorithm (HFABC) by increasing the average packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, and lifespan computation. In this study, HFABC and Multi Hop LEACH are two algorithms that are used to aggregate IoT data. Their performance is compared using evaluation criteria including average End-to-End Delay, PDR, and network lifetime. The HFABC method reduces average End-to-End Delay more effectively than Multi Hop LEACH, with gains of 2.20 to 8.66 %. This demonstrates how well it works to reduce the lag times for data transfer in IoT networks. With improvements ranging from 3.45% to 45.39%, HFABC has a greater success rate than Multi Hop LEACH in effectively delivering packets. HFABC increases network lifetime by 0.047 to 2.286 percent, indicating that it helps keep IoT networks operating for longer. For effective data aggregation in IoT networks, HFABC is a superior solution that decreases delays, improves packet delivery, and lengthens network lifetime.
La diversión agudiza el ingenio: Cómo problemas sencillos nos acercan a teorías matemáticas complejas
Authors: Blasco Fernando
Published: March 2024

En este artículo se presenta una aproximación histórica a qué es la matemática recreativa y qué tipo de cuestiones se tratan en esta materia. Se presentan algunos autores, sus obras, los problemas que plantearon y los campos de conocimiento a los que dieron lugar, desde la matemática egipcia hasta el siglo XIX, pasando por el Renacimiento y la Revolución Científica, y dedicando un epígrafe particular al trabajo de Leonhard Euler. Se plantean problemas, pero no se proporcionan soluciones, con el objeto de que el lector participe activamente resolviéndolos o, si así lo desea, consultando las soluciones en las referencias indicadas.
Pasión por la química: Referentes históricos y actuales de la química recreativa e implicaciones en la enseñanza y la divulgación
Authors: Pinto Gabriel
Published: March 2024

Tras introducir algunas ideas generales sobre la química recreativa, se incluyen diversos referentes históricos desde el siglo XVIII a la actualidad, como las «veladas filosóficas», la creación de instituciones para la divulgación científica y la publicación de libros emblemáticos y revistas sobre el tema. Se comenta la actividad de algunos personajes destacados en la química recreativa y se analizan, en relación con esta área del saber, aspectos como formas de abordarla (juegos y ludificación, ferias científicas, programas en medios de comunicación e internet, etc.), características distintivas frente a otros campos de divulgación científica (prevención y seguridad, recomendaciones específicas para su implementación…) e implicaciones en la didáctica y la divulgación de las ciencias. Finalmente, se recogen las conclusiones del trabajo y algunas referencias bibliográficas para facilitar la profundización en el tema.
Road Traffic Flow Speed on Rural Roads in Latvia
Authors: Kreicbergs Juris , Folla Katerina , Smirnovs Juris
Published: March 2024

The aim of this article is to perform a comprehensive analysis of the data obtained during flow speed measurements on Latvian national roads. An algorithm for data selection was developed and implemented allowing for an analysis of comparable and unbiased traffic flow measurement data. In the course of the work, more than 150 000 000 traffic flow data records were received from the State Limited Liability Company Latvian State Roads for the period from autumn 2011 to the end of 2022. Above 30 000 000 records from 15 road sites were selected and processed. The results obtained during the analysis were visualized by depicting flow characteristics – average daily traffic, car proportion in traffic flow, average speed, speed histograms, speed rates V25, V50, V75, V90, V95, V99 and proportions of vehicles driven below various speed levels and speeding data. The data characterising the situation on Latvian national roads are intended to be used in the future traffic safety research.
Spatio-temporal variability of groundwater hydrochemical features in different hydrogeological settings in Piedmont and Campania regions (Italy), a comparative study
Authors: Cocca Daniele , Stevenazzi Stefania , Ducci Daniela , De Luca Domenico Antonio , Lasagna Manuela
Published: March 2024

The spatio-temporal evolution of groundwater chemistry has seen an increase in interest over the last decade at a global level. Identifying and discerning the sources of the natural and anthropogenic compounds and the actual hydrochemical processes, as well as their evolution, is essential to support a sustainable planning for managing and protecting groundwater resources at the present time and in the future. The main objective of this study is the comparison of two study areas in Italy (Piedmont and Campania Regions), different in their geographical and geological contexts and climate conditions, to highlight the similarities and differences in the hydrogeochemical behavior in space and time. Three main ions were considered (NO3 –, SO4 2–, Na+) and analyzed to identify the sources and hydrochemical processes responsible for their spatial distribution in the 2015-2020 period and evaluate the existence and the potential causes of trends in their concentration for the 2000-2020 period. Results highlight specific factors and processes distinguishing the spatial distribution and temporal variability of ion concentrations in Piedmont and Campania study areas. These processes are mainly related to the geological and geographical features of the study areas. In both areas, a significant influence of anthropogenic pressures emerges for both spatial and temporal evolutions, with remarkably increasing trends in NO3 – concentrations. In conclusion, some factors and processes emerge as site-specific, mainly related to the geological aspects and natural hydrochemical processes, whereas others are in common (i.e., anthropogenic impacts); thus, reinforcing the advantage of making comparative studies.
ANALISIS CASE MIX INDEX PELAYANAN RAWAT INAP RUMAH SAKIT YANG BEKERJA SAMA DENGAN BPJS KESEHATAN TAHUN 2019-2020
Authors: Ambarita Anna Tirawani , Nurwahyuni Atik
Published: March 2024

BPJS Kesehatan mengalami berbagai tantangan dalam pelaksanaan Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN), termasuk menjalankan sistem rujukan. Menurut temuan National Health Account tahun 2018, biaya belanja kuratif mencapai 69,1%. Case Mix Index (CMI) menjadi tolak ukur kinerja rumah sakit di luar negeri tetapi rumah sakit Indonesia belum menggunakannya. Tahun 2019, BPJS Kesehatan menguji coba CMI pada 30 rumah sakit. Penelitian menggunakan data sampel tahun 2019-2020 berdasarkan provinsi, tipe rumah sakit, dan kepemilikan. Metode yang digunakan yaitu uji anova, T-independen, regresi linear, dan regresi linier berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan penurunan kasus pada tahun 2019-2020. CMI tertinggi berada pada regional 1, rumah sakit A, dan swasta. Nilai koefisien beta proporsi jenis kelamin laki-laki, usia lansia, peserta PBI APBD, dan kelas 1 lebih besar terhadap CMI. CMI rawat inap tahun 2019 berhubungan dengan regional, tipe rumah sakit, kepemilikan rumah sakit, proporsi anak, proporsi produktif, proporsi lansia, proporsi BP, proporsi PBI APBN, proporsi PBI APBD, proporsi PBPU, dan proporsi kelas 1. CMI rawat inap tahun 2020 berhubungan dengan regional, tipe rumah sakit, kepemilikan rumah sakit, proporsi laki-laki, proporsi perempuan, proporsi anak, proporsi produktif, proporsi lansia, proporsi BP, proporsi PBI APBN, proporsi kelas 1, dan proporsi kelas 3. Diharapkan pemerintah mempercepat pemerataan pelayanan kesehatan dan BPJS Kesehatan memonitor CMI rumah sakit.
Dielectric materials for high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Deng Hao-Cheng , Li Yi , Tian Shuang-Shuang , Zhang Xiao-Xing , Xiao Song ,   State Key Laboratory of Power Grid Environmental Protection, School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China,   Hubei Engineering Research Center for Safety Monitoring of New Energy and Power Grid Equipment, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Published: March 2024

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), as a micro-nano power source or self-powered sensor, has shown great prospects in various industries in recent years. The TENG output performance is closely related to the contact electrification characteristics of the triboelectric dielectric material. Herein, we first introduce the relevant fundamental theory and models of TENG and tribo-dielectrics. Then, we introduce the material selection, modification method (including surface modification and bulk modification) and structural design strategy of TENG dielectric material. Surface and bulk modification mainly involve surface roughness control, surface functional group regulation, and optimization of dielectric parameters. In terms of dielectric structural design, the principle of charge transport, trapping, and blocking layers as well as typical techniques to improve the dielectric properties of TENGs through multi-layer structures are highlighted. Finally, challenges and directions for future research are discussed, which is conducive to the fabricating of high-performance TENG dielectric materials.
Distribution of constant terms of irreducible polynomials in ℤ_p[x] whose degree is a product of two distinct odd primes
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, Midwestern State University, Cobb Sarah C. , Knox Michelle L. ,   Department of Mathematics, Midwestern State University, Lopez Marcos ,   Department of Mathematics, Midwestern State University, McDonald Terry ,   Department of Mathematics, Midwestern State University, Mitchell Patrick ,   Department of Mathematics, Midwestern State University
Published: March 2024

We obtain explicit formulas for the number of monic irreducible polynomials with prescribed constant term and degree $q_1q_2$ over a finite field, where $q_1$ and $q_2$ are distinct odd~primes. These formulas are derived from work done by Yucas. We show that the number of polynomials of a given constant term depends only on whether the constant term is a $q_1$-residue and/or a $q_2$-residue in the underlying field. We further show that as $k$ becomes large, the proportion of irreducible polynomials having each constant term is asymptotically equal. This paper continues work done in [1].
A Logic-incorporated Gene Regulatory Network Deciphers Principles in Cell Fate Decisions
Authors: Xue Gang , Zhang Xiaoyi , Li Wanqi , Zhang Lu , Zhang Zongxu , Zhou Xiaolin , Zhang Di , Zhang Lei , Li Zhiyuan
Published: March 2024

Organisms utilize gene regulatory networks (GRNs) to make fate decisions, but the regulatory mechanisms of transcription factors (TFs) in GRNs are exceedingly intricate. A longstanding question in this field is how these tangled interactions synergistically contribute to decision- making procedures. To comprehensively understand the role of regulatory logic in cell fate decisions, we constructed a logic-incorporated GRN model and examined its behavior under two distinct driving forces (noise-driven and signal-driven). Under the noise-driven mode, we distilled the relationship among fate bias, regulatory logic, and noise profile. Under the signal-driven mode, we bridged regulatory logic and progression-accuracy trade-off, and uncovered distinctive trajectories of reprogramming influenced by logic motifs. In differentiation, we characterized a special logic-dependent priming stage by the solution landscape. Finally, we applied our findings to decipher three biological instances: hematopoiesis, embryogenesis, and trans-differentiation. Orthogonal to the classical analysis of expression profile, we harnessed noise patterns to construct the GRN corresponding to fate transition. Our work presents a generalizable framework for top- down fate-decision studies and a practical approach to the taxonomy of cell fate decisions.
Negative cell cycle regulation by Calcineurin is necessary for proper beta cell regeneration in zebrafish
Authors: Massoz Laura , Bergemann David , Lavergne Arnaud , Reynders Célia , Désiront Caroline , Goossens Chiara , Flasse Lydie , Peers Bernard , Voz Marianne L. , Manfroid Isabelle
Published: March 2024

Stimulation of pancreatic beta cell regeneration could be a therapeutic lead to treat diabetes. Unlike humans, the zebrafish can efficiently regenerate beta cells, notably from ductal pancreatic progenitors. To gain insight into the molecular pathways involved in this process, we established the transcriptomic profile of the ductal cells after beta cell ablation in the adult zebrafish. These data highlighted the protein phosphatase calcineurin as a new potential modulator of beta cell regeneration. We showed that calcineurin overexpression abolished the regenerative response, leading to glycemia dysregulation. On the opposite, calcineurin inhibition increased ductal cell proliferation and subsequent beta cell regeneration. Interestingly, the enhanced proliferation of the progenitors was paradoxically coupled with their exhaustion. This suggests that the proliferating progenitors are next entering in differentiation. Calcineurin appears as a guardian which prevents an excessive progenitor proliferation to preserve the pool of progenitors. Altogether, our findings reveal calcineurin as a key player in the balance between proliferation and differentiation to enable a proper beta cell regeneration.
The importance of individual beliefs in assessing treatment efficacy
Authors: Fassi Luisa , Hochman Shachar , Daskalakis Zafiris J , Blumberger Daniel M , Cohen Kadosh Roi
Published: March 2024

In recent years, there has been debate about the effectiveness of treatments from different fields, such as neurostimulation, neurofeedback, brain training, and pharmacotherapy. This debate has been fuelled by contradictory and nuanced experimental findings. Notably, the effectiveness of a given treatment is commonly evaluated by comparing the effect of the active treatment versus the placebo on human health and/or behaviour. However, this approach neglects the individual’s subjective experience of the type of treatment she or he received in establishing treatment efficacy. Here, we show that individual differences in subjective treatment - the thought of receiving the active or placebo condition during an experiment - can explain variability in outcomes better than the actual treatment. We analysed four independent datasets (N = 387 participants), including clinical patients and healthy adults from different age groups who were exposed to different neurostimulation treatments (transcranial magnetic stimulation: Studies 1 and 2; transcranial direct current stimulation: Studies 3 and 4). Our findings show that the inclusion of subjective treatment can provide a better model fit either alone or in interaction with objective treatment (defined as the condition to which participants are assigned in the experiment). These results demonstrate the significant contribution of subjective experience in explaining the variability of clinical, cognitive, and behavioural outcomes. We advocate for existing and future studies in clinical and non-clinical research to start accounting for participants’ subjective beliefs and their interplay with objective treatment when assessing the efficacy of treatments. This approach will be crucial in providing a more accurate estimation of the treatment effect and its source, allowing the development of effective and reproducible interventions.
A stochastic world model on gravity for stability inference
Authors: Huang Taicheng , Liu Jia
Published: March 2024

The fact that objects without proper support will fall to the ground is not only a natural phenomenon, but also common sense in mind. Previous studies suggest that humans may infer objects’ stability through a world model that performs mental simulations with
a priori
knowledge of gravity acting upon the objects. Here we measured participants’ sensitivity to gravity to investigate how the world model works. We found that the world model on gravity was not a faithful replica of the physical laws, but instead encoded gravity’s vertical direction as a Gaussian distribution. The world model with this stochastic feature fit nicely with participants’ subjective sense of objects’ stability and explained the illusion that taller objects are perceived as more likely to fall. Furthermore, a computational model with reinforcement learning revealed that the stochastic characteristic likely originated from experience-dependent comparisons between predictions formed by internal simulations and the realities observed in the external world, which illustrated the ecological advantage of stochastic representation in balancing accuracy and speed for efficient stability inference. The stochastic world model on gravity provides an example of how
a priori
knowledge of the physical world is implemented in mind that helps humans operate flexibly in open-ended environments.Humans possess an exceptional capacity for inferring the stability of objects, a skill that has been crucial to the survival of our predecessors and continues to facilitate our daily interactions with the natural world. The present study elucidates that our representation of gravitational direction adheres to a Gaussian distribution, with the vertical orientation as the maximum likelihood. This stochastic representation is likely to have originated from our interactions with the physical world, conferring an ecological advantage of balancing accuracy with speed. Therefore, the world model on gravity in the mind is a distorted replica of the natural world, enabling adaptive functionality in open-ended environments and thus shedding light on developing machines imbued with embodied intelligence.
Synthetic eco-evolutionary dynamics in simple molecular environment
Authors: Casiraghi Luca , Mambretti Francesco , Tovo Anna , Paraboschi Elvezia Maria , Suweis Samir , Bellini Tommaso
Published: March 2024

The understanding of eco-evolutionary dynamics, and in particular the mechanism of coexistence of species, is still fragmentary and in need of test bench model systems. To this aim we developed a variant of SELEX in vitro selection to study the evolution of a population of ∼1015 single-strand DNA oligonucleotide ‘individuals’. We begin with a seed of random sequences which we select via affinity capture from ∼1012 DNA oligomers of fixed sequence (‘resources’) over which they compete. At each cycle (‘generation’), the ecosystem is replenished via PCR amplification of survivors. Massive parallel sequencing indicates that across generations the variety of sequences (‘species’) drastically decreases, while some of them become populous and dominate the ecosystem. The simplicity of our approach, in which survival is granted by hybridization, enables a quantitative investigation of fitness through a statistical analysis of binding energies. We find that the strength of individual resource binding dominates the selection in the first generations, while inter- and intra-individual interactions become important in later stages, in parallel with the emergence of prototypical forms of mutualism and parasitism.
Meta-Research: Understudied genes are lost in a leaky pipeline between genome-wide assays and reporting of results
Authors: Richardson Reese , Tejedor Navarro Heliodoro , Amaral Luis A Nunes , Stoeger Thomas
Published: March 2024

Present-day publications on human genes primarily feature genes that already appeared in many publications prior to completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. These patterns persist despite the subsequent adoption of high-throughput technologies, which routinely identify novel genes associated with biological processes and disease. Although several hypotheses for bias in the selection of genes as research targets have been proposed, their explanatory powers have not yet been compared. Our analysis suggests that understudied genes are systematically abandoned in favor of better-studied genes between the completion of -omics experiments and the reporting of results. Understudied genes remain abandoned by studies that cite these -omics experiments. Conversely, we find that publications on understudied genes may even accrue a greater number of citations. Among 45 biological and experimental factors previously proposed to affect which genes are being studied, we find that 33 are significantly associated with the choice of hit genes presented in titles and abstracts of -omics studies. To promote the investigation of understudied genes, we condense our insights into a tool, find my understudied genes (FMUG), that allows scientists to engage with potential bias during the selection of hits. We demonstrate the utility of FMUG through the identification of genes that remain understudied in vertebrate aging. FMUG is developed in Flutter and is available for download at fmug.amaral.northwestern.edu as a MacOS/Windows app.
S-acylation of NLRP3 provides a nigericin sensitive gating mechanism that controls access to the Golgi
Authors: Williams Daniel M. , Peden Andrew A.
Published: March 2024

NLRP3 is an inflammasome seeding pattern recognition receptor activated in response to multiple danger signals which perturb intracellular homeostasis. Electrostatic interactions between the NLRP3 polybasic (PB) region and negatively charged lipids on the trans-Golgi network (TGN) have been proposed to recruit NLRP3 to the TGN. In this study, we demonstrate that membrane association of NLRP3 is critically dependant on S-acylation of a highly conserved cysteine residue (Cys-130), which traps NLRP3 in a dynamic S-acylation cycle at the Golgi, and a series of hydrophobic residues preceding Cys-130 which act in conjunction with the PB region to facilitate Cys-130 dependent Golgi enrichment. Due to segregation from Golgi localised thioesterase enzymes caused by a nigericin induced breakdown in Golgi trafficking, NLRP3 becomes immobilised on the Golgi through reduced de-acylation of its Cys-130 lipid anchor, suggesting that disruptions in Golgi homeostasis are conveyed to NLRP3 through its acylation state. Thus, our work defines a nigericin sensitive S-acylation cycle that gates access of NLRP3 to the Golgi.