bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ob 100-letnici biologije na Univerzi v Ljubljani
Authors: Dolenc Koce Jasna
Published: August 2023

Leta 1919 je bila ustanovljena Univerza v Ljubljani, v okviru katere sta delovala tudi Botanični in Zoološki inštitut. Ob praznovanju stoletnice je 21.11.2020 na Oddelku za biologijo Biotehniške fakultete Univerze v Ljubljani potekal enodnevni simpozij z naslovom »100 let biologije na UL«. Na simpoziju so se predstavile raziskovalne skupine Oddelka za biologijo (Katedre za zoologijo, botaniko in fiziologijo rastlin, fiziologijo, antropologijo in etologijo, ekologijo in varstvo okolja, biokemijo, molekularno genetiko in biologijo mikroorganizmov, biološko izobraževanje, Botanični vrt Univerze v Ljubljani) in Nacionalnega inštituta za biologijo (Oddelki za biotehnologijo in sistemsko biologijo, za raziskave organizmov in ekosistemov, za genetsko toksikologijo in biologijo raka, Morska biološka postaja). V prispevku se predstavlja večina raziskovalnih skupin, ki poleg zgodovinskega orisa predstavljajo svojo pedagoško, znanstveno-raziskovalno in strokovno dejavnost v današnjem času.
Corylus avellana bark optical properties differ during and out of the vegetation season
Authors: Grašič Mateja , Malkoč Hrvoje , Gaberščik Alenka
Published: August 2023

We compared different bark traits of the common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) in four different months during the vegetation season (September, November) and out of the vegetation season (January, February) to get an insight into the changes in bark morphological, biochemical, and optical properties. Since bark of woody plants contains a layer of chlorenchyma, which can harvest transmitted light and perform photosynthesis, we also measured bark potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. The values of the latter parameter decreased during the research period, ranging from 0.77 in September to 0.22 in February. This could be attributed to low temperatures. The shapes of the bark reflectance curves were similar between the four samplings, with a peak in red and pronounced reflectance in the near-infrared spectrum. However, the level of reflectance differed between the four samplings. Regarding the time of the season, we obtained the most pronounced changes in the green, yellow, and red reflectance spectra. Light reflectance in these regions was positively related with chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents, while it was negatively related with anthocyanins and UV-B–absorbing substances. Transmittance spectra showed less variability between the four samplings. Regarding the studied pigments, the most pronounced changes were obtained for anthocyanin and UV-B–absorbing substances contents, which decreased in accordance with decreasing environmental temperatures. On the contrary, the level of photosynthetic pigments remained high, thus enabling undisturbed primary metabolism.
Short-term changes in microbial communities in the water column around the fish farm in the Bay of Piran
Authors: Turk Valentina , Tinta Tinkara
Published: August 2023

A multidisciplinary approach was used to study the impact of fish farming on coastal bacterial communities in the inner part of the Bay of Piran (northern Adriatic). Differences in bacterial abundance, production and the occurrence of selected bacterial groups were studied in the water column around the cage and at different distances from the centre of the fish cage towards the open water, i.e., reference marine station. We also examined the effect of fish feeding on the surrounding system in a short-term in situ experiment based on the simultaneous collection of seawater samples from different locations around the fish cage before and after feeding of fish. Our study suggests that fish feeding has a moderate short-term effect on water column parameters, including bacterial abundance and production, only at a limited distance from the fish cages. The nitrifying, ammonia-oxidizing bacterial groups, as determined by the fluorescent in situ hybridization method, were represented at a higher percentage in the seawater samples in the middle and around the fish cages. β- Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria and the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium group were represented to a higher percentage at sampling sites in the middle of the Bay of Piran and at the reference marine station. The Vibrio group was detected at all sampling sites. The accumulation of organically enriched fish food and waste products releasedinto the seawater during the short-term experiment resulted in a significant increase in particulate matter, orthophosphate and ammonium. In response to the increase in inorganic nutrients, we observed a significant increase in bacterial production, whileno significant differences were observed in bacterial abundance in such short time.
Status of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Brachyura: Portunidae) in Slovenia
Authors: Lipej Lovrenc , Rogelja Manja
Published: August 2023

Authors present data regarding the presence of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Brachyura: Portunidae) based on records gathered from local fishermen. This alien species was firstly recorded in Slovenian coastal waters in March 2019 and it was subsequently found in six other cases in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Crabs were collected or sighted in shallow coastal areas along the Slovenian coast. In addition, authors discussed about the status of the blue crab in marine and coastal habitats of Slovenia
The impact of sewage discharge on nutrients and community production in a lagoon environment (Lagoon of Strunjan, Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea) – a revisited experiment
Authors: Fanagelj Jadran
Published: August 2023

A specially constructed enclosure in the lagoon environment (Lagoon of Strunjan, Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea) received sewage daily while another was kept clean and used as a reference. Nutrients and community production changes were monitored approximately bimonthly over a year. Nutrients introduced by the sewage discharges and diluted by tides were immobilized by enhanced community production, in particular benthic macroalgae. The dead organic matter afterwards settled and decomposed producing anoxic conditions and high levels of dissolved and suspended organic nutrients in the water and total nitrogen in the sediments. The daily mean gross community production showed no quantitative differences between the two enclosures during the study. Differences arose in the temporal succession of the studied events. An intensive nutrient recycling emerged from this study.
Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli from dishwasher rubber seals
Authors: Starčič Erjavec Marjanca , Ambrožič Avguštin Jerneja
Published: August 2023

In this study 35 Escherichia coli isolates obtained from sampled dishwashers rubber seals were analysed with polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using specific primers for phylogenetic group, multilocus sequence type (MLST) determination the presence of 43 virulence-associated genes (VAGs) linked with intestinal and extraintestinal E. coli infections and the presence of some typical E. coli virulence plasmids’ sequences in order to assess their virulence potential and/or specific genes, associated with the adaption to a specific environment. It was found that all of the 35 E. coli isolates belonged to the commensal non-pathogenic phylogenetic group A and that the diversity of these E. coli isolates, according to MLST analysis, was relatively low. Further, the prevalence of virulence-associated genes among the dishwasher rubber seal E. coli isolates was also low. Only the following VAGs were detected: fimH, crl, fluA, picU, irp, fyuA, sitA, aslA. Of the five plasmid replication regions tested only RepFIA and RepFIIA were detected. The two sequences associated with conjugative plasmids namely traJ and traT, were detected in only one isolate. Based on the obtained results the studied isolates can be designated as commensal E. coli with low pathogenic potential. Due to the low diversity of sequence types, even among isolates obtained from dishwashers from different locations, there is a possibility that strains from certain clonal groups are more adapted to specific habitats outside warm-blooded hosts than strains of other sequence types.
Hepatobiliary surgery based on intelligent image segmentation technology
Authors: Wang Fuchuan , Xiao Chaohui , Jia Tianye , Pan Liru , Du Fengxia , Wang Zhaohai
Published: August 2023

Liver disease is an important disease that seriously threatens human health. It accounts for the highest proportion in various malignant tumors, and its incidence rate and mortality are on the rise, seriously affecting human health. Modern imaging has developed rapidly, but the application of image segmentation in liver tumor surgery is still rare. The application of image processing technology represented by artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery can greatly improve the efficiency of surgery, reduce surgical complications, and reduce the cost of surgery. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor in the world, and its mortality is second only to lung cancer. The resection rate of liver cancer surgery is high, and it is a multidisciplinary surgery, so it is necessary to explore the possibility of effective switching between different disciplines. Resection of hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors is one of the most challenging and lethal surgical procedures. The operation requires a high level of doctors’ experience and understanding of anatomical structures. The surgical segmentation is slow and there may be obvious complications. Therefore, the surgical system needs to make full use of the relevant functions of AI technology and computer vision analysis software, and combine the processing strategy based on image processing algorithm and computer vision analysis model. Intelligent optimization algorithm, also known as modern heuristic algorithm, is an algorithm with global optimization performance, strong universality, and suitable for parallel processing. This algorithm generally has a strict theoretical basis, rather than relying solely on expert experience. In theory, the optimal solution or approximate optimal solution can be found in a certain time. This work studies the hepatobiliary surgery through intelligent image segmentation technology, and analyzes them through intelligent optimization algorithm. The research results showed that when other conditions were the same, there were three patients who had adverse reactions in hepatobiliary surgery through intelligent image segmentation technology, accounting for 10%. The number of patients with adverse reactions in hepatobiliary surgery by conventional methods was nine, accounting for 30%, which was significantly higher than the former, indicating a positive relationship between intelligent image segmentation technology and hepatobiliary surgery.
The early diagnosis and pathogenic mechanisms of sepsis-related acute kidney injury
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhao Yibo , Zhang Yan , Shou Songtao , Jin Heng
Published: August 2023

Sepsis is a syndrome caused by an imbalance in the inflammatory response of the body caused by an infection that leads to organ dysfunction, with the kidney being one of the most commonly affected organs. Sepsis-related acute kidney injury (SAKI) is strongly linked to increased mortality and poor clinical outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce patient mortality. On the other hand, the pathogenesis of SAKI is not fully understood, and early diagnosis of SAKI is a clinical challenge. Therefore, the current review describes biomarkers of acute kidney injury in sepsis and discusses the various pathogenic mechanisms involved in the progression of acute kidney injury in sepsis to develop new clinical treatment avenues.
A novel statistical modeling of air pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic mortality data by Poisson, geometric, and negative binomial regression models with fixed and random effects
Authors: İyit Neslihan , Sevim Ferhat
Published: August 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global epidemic on March 11, 2020, as the infectious disease that threatens public health fatally. In this study, the main aim is to model the impact of various air pollution causes on mortality data due to the COVID-19 pandemic by Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) approach to make global statistical inferences about 174 WHO member countries as subjects in the six WHO regions. “Total number of deaths by these countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic” until July 27, 2022, is taken as the response variable. The explanatory variables are taken as the WHO regions, the number of deaths from air pollution causes per 100.000 population as “household air pollution from solid fuels,” “ambient particulate matter pollution,” and “ambient ozone pollution.” In this study, Poisson, geometric, and negative binomial (NB) regression models with “country” taken as fixed and random effects, as special cases of GLMM, are fitted to model the response variable in the aspect of the above-mentioned explanatory variables. In the Poisson, geometric, and NB regression models, Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares parameter estimation method with the Fisher-Scoring iterative algorithm under the log-link function as canonical link function is used. In the GLMM approach, Laplace approximation is also used in the prediction of random effects. In this study, six different Poisson, geometric, and NB regression models with fixed and random effects are established for 174 countries all over the world to make global statistical inferences for investigating the relationships between “total number of deaths” by these countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic and “air pollution causes.” As a result of this study, “NB mixed-effects regression model” as the most appropriate GLMM is used to make global statistical inferences about the impact of the various air pollution causes on the mortality data due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On liftings of modular forms and Weil representations
Authors: Strömberg Fredrik
Published: August 2023

We give an explicit construction of lifting maps from integral and
half-integral modular forms to vector-valued modular forms for Weil
representations associated with arbitrary isotropic subgroups and
finite quadratic modules of even and odd signature. This construction
provides an explicit and general extension of previous work by Scheithauer and Zhang.
Assessing the performance of IRI-2016 and IRI-2020 models using COSMIC-2 GNSS radio occultation TEC data under different magnetic activities over Egypt
Authors: Sherif Ahmed , Rabah Mostafa , Mousa Ashraf ElKutb , Zaki Ahmed , Sedeek Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Variations in Total Electron Content (TEC) between the COSMIC-2, IRI-2016, and IRI-2020 are considered under different levels of geomagnetic storm activity: minor, moderate, and severe. TEC values are scrutinized at three levels of the Kp index, which serves as a metric for gauging the strength of a magnetic storm (Kp = 3.0, Kp = 6.0, Kp = 8.0) and across four-time intervals throughout 24 h to understand the performance of the models during both day and night-time conditions. Statistical analysis reveals that the standard deviation of TEC variations is lower during minor storms than moderate and severe. The comparison of variations between COSMIC-2 Radio Occultation TEC and both IRI-2016 and IRI-2020 models revealed more substantial discrepancies during day-time intervals; This was likely attributed to the dynamic and complex nature of the ionosphere influenced by solar radiation and other factors. Comparative analysis across the three levels of storm activity demonstrated that IRI2020 provided improved results over IRI2016, particularly during minor geomagnetic storm events. The study demonstrates that IRI2020 is more accurate than IRI-2016 at forecasting ionospheric conditions, especially at night and during moderate geomagnetic storm activity periods. Both models, however, provide valuable insights during challenging space weather conditions, and the results demonstrate their utility in understanding and forecasting the ionosphere’s behavior. The results yield valuable insights into space weather conditions and their effects on technology and communication, highlighting the potential for further improvement in TEC prediction models.
Assessment of the OTEC cold water pipe design under bending loading: A benchmarking and parametric study using finite element approach
Authors: Adie Prayoga Wira , Adiputra Ristiyanto , Prabowo Aditya Rio , Erwandi Erwandi , Muttaqie Teguh , Muhayat Nurul , Huda Nurul
Published: August 2023

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a floating platform that generates electricity from seawater heat. The cold water pipe (CWP) used in OTEC has a length of 1,000 m and a diameter of 10 m, making it susceptible to bending loads from ocean currents. To find suitable geometry and material for the CWP, the finite element method was used to model the real-world geometry. In the D/t variation, lower ratios (increased thickness) result in higher critical moments, maximum stress, strain, and displacement. D/t 50 was chosen for the CWP. In the L/D variation, the critical moment’s impact on L/D ratio was minimal, while reducing L/D (shorter pipe) increased strain, and larger L/D geometries had higher displacements. L/D 10 was selected as it balanced critical moments and reduced the number of stiffeners needed. For diameter size variation, larger diameters increased critical moment and strain, but smaller diameters (larger L/D ratios) also showed high strain due to necking at two points. A diameter of 12 m was chosen for its exceptionally high critical moment. Steel was selected as the suitable material due to its higher critical moment and maximum stress, despite its higher weight and lower maximum strain than composites. Capital shape imperfections had a minimal effect on the CWP’s structure as they were localized.
Beltran-Serrano v. City of Tacoma
Authors: Swan Sarah L.
Published: August 2023

In Tacoma, Washington, on a late June afternoon in 2013, a police officer brutally shot an unarmed, mentally-ill, middle-aged homeless man four times in the back with a Glock 45. He was not a suspect in any criminal wrongdoing, and horrified eyewitnesses confirmed that he was not posing a threat to anyone, including the officer, at the time of the shooting. The victim, Cesar Beltran-Serrano, survived, and subsequently sued the city for his injuries.

The case eventually landed at the Washington Supreme Court, where the court was asked to resolve two separate legal issues: does the public duty doctrine immunize localities from liability when an officer has affirmatively acted (rather than just failed to act), and can a police officer who intentionally shoots a person be liable in both negligence and intentional tort.

The court found in favor of the plaintiff on both issues. In so doing, the court created a viable and accessible path towards greater police accountability. On this basis alone, the decision deserves a spot in this symposium issue on the Great Tort Cases of the 21st Century. Yet the case does still more: its holdings are important not just for plaintiffs bringing claims against police, but for parties in cases far beyond the police/city context. Most notably, the issue of whether negligence can co-exist with intentional assault and battery claims is of particular importance to sexual assault tort litigation and potentially opens pathways for other contexts as well. The dual holdings in Beltran-Serrano thus hold much promise for those seeking social justice through tort law.
Concept of inverted refractive-index-contrast grating mirror and exemplary fabrication by 3D laser micro-printing
Authors: Pruszyńska-Karbownik Emilia , Jandura Daniel , Dems Maciej , Zinkiewicz Łukasz , Broda Artur , Gębski Marcin , Muszalski Jan , Pudiš Dušan , Suffczyński Jan , Czyszanowski Tomasz
Published: August 2023

Highly reflective mirrors are indispensable components in a variety of state-of-the-art photonic devices. Typically used, bulky, multi-layered distributed Bragg (DBR) reflectors are limited to lattice-matched semiconductors or nonconductive dielectrics. Here, we introduce an inverted refractive index-contrast grating (ICG) as compact, single-layer alternative to DBR. In the ICG, a subwavelength one-dimensional grating made of a low-refractive-index material is implemented on a high-refractive-index cladding. Our numerical simulations show that the ICG provides nearly total optical power reflectance for the light incident from the side of the cladding whenever the refractive index of the grating exceeds 1.75, irrespective of the refractive index of the cladding. Additionally, the ICG enables polarization discrimination and phase tuning of the reflected and transmitted light, the property not achievable with the DBR. We experimentally demonstrate a proof-of-concept ICG fabricated according to the proposed design, using the technique of sub-µm 3D laser lithography in which thin stripes of IP-Dip photoresist are micro-printed on a Si cladding. This one-step method avoids laborious and often destructive etching-based procedures for grating structuration, making it possible to implement the grating on any arbitrary cladding material.
Laughter as Natural Piety: John Dewey, Humor, and the Religious
Authors: Weidenbaum Jonathan
Published: August 2023

One topic frequently explored in the philosophy of humor is the relationship of comedy and laughter with other facets of human existence—including theological insight and religious experience. The aim of this essay is to employ the mature thought of John Dewey not only to illuminate the nature of humor, but also to discern the deep source and connection between the spiritually exalting and the funny from a naturalistic perspective. While a number of passages on comedy and humor from Dewey’s later work are addressed, mostly from Art as Experience, they are synthesized with other ideas from this same text along with a few quotes from John Morreall. The focus is then shifted toward the central themes of A Common Faith, Dewey’s proposal for a de-supernaturalized form of the religious life. It is suggested that the humorous and the religious, understood through Dewey’s refined account of experience, disclose a few very important things about our place within the cosmos as a whole—that greatest of contexts in and through which laughter and the spiritual alike acquire their significance. This Deweyan vision is further clarified by way of comparison with Peter Berger’s theological reflections on humor. The controversies over sin and the place of tragedy in Dewey’s religious naturalism are briefly discussed in the conclusion.
Quantifying Laughter in International Research
Authors: James Christine A.
Published: August 2023

Historical theories of humor rely on a classic distinction in philosophy, the distinction between reason and emotion. Such a distinction lends itself to qualitative rather than quantitative research. In the last 40 years, quantitative scholarship on laughter and comedy has become very popular, and often includes international and indigenous examples of laughter as a healing or teaching tool. This paper addresses the historical research on laughter and mockery, then shows the broad range of quantitative studies that have provided important data on the usefulness of humor in teaching and in memorization of material. While there are a variety of items that one might laugh at, there are also certain commonalities that transcend social groups.
Vowel-internal cues to vowel quality and prominence in speech perception
Authors: Steffman Jeremy
Published: August 2023

This study examines how variation in F0 and intensity impacts the perception of American English vowels. Both properties vary intrinsically as a function of vowel features in the speech production literature, raising the question of the perceptual impact of each. In addition to considering listeners’ interpretation of either cue as an intrinsic property of the vowel, the possible prominence-marking function of each is considered. Two patterns of prominence strengthening in vowels, sonority expansion and hyperarticulation, are tested in light of recent findings that contextual prominence impacts vowel perception in line with these effects (i.e. a prominent vowel is expected by listeners to be realized as if it had undergone prominence strengthening). Across four vowel contrasts with different height and frontness features, listeners categorized phonetic continua with variation in formants, F0 and intensity. Results show that variation in level F0 height is interpreted as an intrinsic cue by listeners. Higher F0 cues a higher vowel, following intrinsic F0 effects in the production literature. In comparison, intensity is interpreted as a prominence-lending cue, for which effect directionality is dependent on vowel height. Higher intensity high vowels undergo perceptual re-calibration in line with (acoustic) hyperarticulation, whereas higher intensity non-high vowels undergo perceptual re-calibration in line with sonority expansion.
A corpus-assisted analysis of indexical signs for (im)politeness in Japanese apology-like behaviour
Authors: Diegoli Eugenia
Published: August 2023

This study provides a corpus-assisted pragmatic investigation of three Japanese expressions: the adverb chotto ‘a little’, the verb-ending form -te shimau, conveying (formulaic) regret, and the conditional clause with -tara. These are deictic forms I refer to as indexical signs for (im)politeness because they can, under certain circumstances, trigger evaluations in terms of (im)politeness, potentially favouring an indirect interpretation of the utterance. They are investigated in co-occurrence with apology-like behaviour based on the assumption that, in this context, interactants are more likely to exploit linguistic strategies for conveying additional layers of pragmatic meaning. The main findings point to a wide range of possible interactional meanings the selected forms can acquire in naturally occurring data, from affecting the illocutionary force of the utterance, to conventionally matching interactants’ expectations, to conveying a potentially face-threatening act. These results support the assumption that seemingly polite speech acts will not necessarily be doing polite work (or not only) and highlight the relevance of the interactional context for retrieving communicative meanings.
Gold nanoparticle-based strategies against SARS-CoV-2: A review
Authors: Rasmi Yousef , Kırboğa Kevser K. , Khan Johra , Gupta Ena , Mostafa Fadia , Yallapu Murali M. , Pilaquinga Fernanda
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been an immense threat to global public health and has also had a negative socioeconomic impact worldwide. However, although the pandemic is now under control, it has demonstrated that society is unprepared to use analysis methods that are applicable to various types of viruses nor apply new therapies to prevent infections, considering the extensive time needed for vaccine development. The use of nanomaterial-based diagnostics and therapeutics can provide essential strategies for both virus detection and treatment. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are the nanomaterials most commonly used to enhance virus detection because of their bioconjugation, high plasmon resonance, and excellent electrical, optical, and catalytic properties. The present review outlines the recent advances reported in the literature regarding using AuNPs for their antiviral activities with respiratory viruses, analysis techniques such as AuNP-assisted polymerase chain reaction, biosensors (electrochemical, piezoelectric, and optical), lateral flow analysis, nucleic acid assays, and gene and vaccine therapy. Finally, as a potential antiviral treatment, this review providesin vitroandin vivotoxicity results of AuNPs for respiratory viruses, as well as those related to their toxicity in humans, to evaluate their use as a future antiviral treatment.
Impacts and potential mechanisms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on male testosterone biosynthesis disruption
Authors: Zheng Shaokai , Zhao Nannan , Lin Xiaojun , Qiu Lianglin
Published: August 2023

Exposure to PM2.5 is the most significant air pollutant for health risk. The testosterone level in male is vulnerable to environmental toxicants. In the past, researchers focused more attention on the impacts of PM2.5 on respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, and few researchers focused attention on the reproductive system. Recent studies have reported that PM2.5 involved in male testosterone biosynthesis disruption, which is closely associated with male reproductive health. However, the underlying mechanisms by which PM2.5 causes testosterone biosynthesis disruption are still not clear. To better understand its potential mechanisms, we based on the existing scientific publications to critically and comprehensively reviewed the role and potential mechanisms of PM2.5 that are participated in testosterone biosynthesis in male. In this review, we summarized the potential mechanisms of PM2.5 triggering the change of testosterone level in male, which involve in oxidative stress, inflammatory response, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy and mitophagy, microRNAs (miRNAs), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. It will provide new suggestions and ideas for prevention and treatment of testosterone biosynthesis disruption caused by PM2.5 for future research.
Interoperability Between Mobile Money Agents and Choice of Network Operators: The Case of Tanzania
Authors: Grzybowski Lukasz , Lindlacher Valentin , Mothobi Onkokame
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we investigate the effects of non-exclusive agreements between networks of mobile money agents on mobile network operator choices, using survey data from Tanzania conducted in 2017. By combining survey responses with geo-location data and information on agent proximity, we employ discrete choice models to analyze consumers’ decisions in subscribing to mobile network operators and their corresponding mobile money providers. Our findings highlight the significant influence of the distance to mobile money agents on consumers’ subscription choices. To explore the impact of interoperability (non-exclusivity) at the mobile money agent level, where consumers can use the nearest agent from any mobile money provider, we assess its effects on market shares of mobile network operators. Our results indicate that interoperability at the agent level has only a minor impact on market shares. Smaller operators experience marginal gains as their consumers can now utilize agents of larger providers, which are often closer in proximity. In conclusion, we find that interoperability at the agent level does not considerably alter the market structure in the context Tanzania during the period under consideration.
Exploring nanotechnology-based approaches using miRNAs to treat neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Mushtaq Gohar , Hasani Ibrahim W. , Al-Daoud Fouad , Unnisa Aziz , Mutair Yahya A. , Kabba Samer , Alkanash Yaser
Published: August 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding molecules that play a pivotal part in brain development and the processes of establishment and maintenance of dendrites and neurite outgrowth by modulating gene expression. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked with neurological disorders. Exogenous miRNAs are unstable in the plasma due to degradation by nucleases; hence, choosing a harmless and effective delivery mode is crucial in the quest for miRNA-based therapeutics to treat neurological disorders. This review aims to shed light on the emerging role of nanotechnology-based approaches using miRNAs to treat neurodegenerative disorders. Nanotechnology encompasses a broad spectrum of applications, one of which is its role in developing nanoscale drug delivery systems. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have attracted the attention of researchers due to the superiority of this mode over conventional treatment systems in terms of their favorable attributes such as bio-compatibility, bio-degradability, extremely small size, and the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This review explores nanotechnology-based approaches using miRNAs highlighting the use of viral vectors as well as non-viral vectors (such as exosomes, liposome nanoparticles, gold and magnetic nanoparticles, dendrimer-based nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles) to treat neurodegenerative disorders.
Within- and between-subject biological variation of hemostasis parameters in a study of 26 healthy individuals
Authors: Zengi Oguzhan , Uçar Kamil Taha
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The study aimed to estimate the biological variation (BV) of routine coagulation tests, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen, in a healthy population to enhance the accuracy of laboratory results and improve diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Methods

The study included 26 healthy volunteers over 10 weeks; samples were collected weekly. The within-subject BV (CVI) and between-subject BV (CVG) were calculated for each parameter, and the index of individuality (II) and reference change values (RCV) were determined. All tests were performed in duplicate on the Roche Cobas T-711 coagulation analyzer.

Results

Fibrinogen exhibited the highest BV, with a CVI of 11 % and CVG of 17.4 %. The aPTT test had a CVI of 5.8 %, a CVG of 8.4 %, and an II of 0.91. The PT test had a CVI of 3.2 %, a CVG of 5.8 %, and an II of 0.73. The RCV values ranged from −7.5 to 8.1 for PT, −12.7 to 14.6 for aPTT, and −22.7 to 29.4 for fibrinogen.

Conclusions

The study underscores the significant biological variation in routine hemostasis parameters, such as PT, APTT, and fibrinogen, which impacts clinical diagnoses and treatment decisions. Despite certain limitations, the findings offer valuable insights for clinicians and suggest that future research should include more parameters for a comprehensive understanding of biological variations in hemostasis testing.
Impact of temperature asymmetry and small fraction of static positive ions on the relaxed states of a relativistic hot pair plasma
Authors: Shazad Usman , Iqbal M.
Published: August 2023

The relaxed state of a magnetized relativistic hot plasma composed of inertial electrons and positrons having different relativistic temperatures and a fraction of static positive ions is studied. From the steady-state solutions of vortex dynamics equations and the relation for current density, a non-force-free triple Beltrami (TB) relaxed state equation is derived. The TB state is characterized by three scale parameters that consequently provide three different self-organized structures. The analysis of the relaxed state shows that for specific values of generalized helicities, the disparity in relativistic temperature and the existence of a small fraction of static positive ions in pair plasma can transform the nature of scale parameters. Moreover, an analytical solution of the TB state for an axisymmetric cylindrical geometry with an internal conductor configuration demonstrates that due to asymmetries of temperature and density of plasma species, diamagnetic structures can transform into paramagnetic ones and vice versa. The present study will improve our understanding of pair plasmas in trap-based plasma confinement experiments and astrophysical environments.
THERAPEUTIC DWELLING: MENTAL REHABILITATION AND HEALING CENTER WITH BIOPHILIC DESIGN CONCEPT IN WEST JAKARTA
Authors: Dinisara Cyntha
Published: August 2023

Mental health is one of the most important issues in the world, including Indonesia. Indonesia is the second-ranked country with the highest total cases of mental disorders in Southeast Asia, which reached 9,162,886 (Estimates Global Health, 2017). According to Asia's Least and Most Stressful Cities (2017), the city of Jakarta is ranked 6th as the most stressful city in Indonesia. This mental health problem is triggered by a fast-paced lifestyle which makes it difficult for the people of Jakarta to adapt to one another so that people feel stressed or depressed. Unfortunately, society's paradigm of mental health disorders creates a stigma that can hinder the healing and recovery of sufferers. From a psychological point of view, environmental factors play an important role in the healing process for people with mental disorders. This is commonly referred to as a healing environment which is carried out by managing the relationship between nature, humans, and buildings that can support healing. The purpose of writing this design report is to plan a Mental Rehabilitation and Healing Center with a Biophilic Architecture approach in the City of Jakarta which is capable of providing therapy for sufferers of mental disorders with details including (1) planning and designing a Mental Rehabilitation and Healing Center that can accommodate therapy activities and healing with the Healing Environment method; (2) planning and designing a Mental Rehabilitation and Healing Center with a Biophilic Architecture Approach in the City of Jakarta. The method of discussion in this report uses descriptive methods, with factual data collection through literature studies, observational studies, analysis, and conclusions.

Key Word: Mental Rehabilitation Center in West Jakarta City, Biophilic Architecture.
Exhibition, Marketplace, and Handicraft Development Building in Jepara Regency with Neo- Vernacular Approach
Authors: Dzikrillah Khirza Faiz
Published: August 2023

Jepara is known as the city of woodcarving. This reputation is attributed to the success of Jepara's carved furniture products in entering the international and global markets. In addition to woodcarving crafts, Jepara also produces various other crafts. The types of crafts in Jepara are diverse, including pottery, calligraphy, furniture, metalwork, sculptures, rattan weaving, batik, and woven textiles. These various crafts are concentrated in different areas within Jepara Regency. However, in its development, the number of craft practitioners in Jepara has decreased due to the development of several industrial areas in the regency, leading people to prefer working as factory employees rather than craftsmen. Therefore, efforts need to be made to preserve the crafts in Jepara as cultural heritage and potential for improving the community's economy in the creative industry sector. In this regard, the proposed solution is to establish an Exhibition, Marketplace, and Handicraft Development Building to preserve the crafts in Jepara as cultural heritage and economic potential in the creative industry sector.

The Exhibition, Marketplace, and Handicraft Development Building can serve as educational facilities

and economic activities related to crafts in Jepara Regency
Emodin improves glucose metabolism and ovarian function in PCOS mice via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB molecular pathway
Authors: Otoo Antonia , Czika Armin , Lamptey Jones , Yang Jun-Pu , Feng Qian , Wang Mei-Jiao , Wang Ying-Xiong , Ding Yu-Bin
Published: August 2023

In brief

Obese PCOS mice display metabolic and endocrine disorders that manifest as abnormal metabolism of glucose and dysfunctions in the reproductive system. This study demonstrates that emodin alleviates most of these conditions possibly via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-kB pathway.

PCOS is a reproductive disorder with an unclear etiology. It affects 5–10% of women worldwide and is largely associated with impaired glucose metabolism and obesity. HMGB1 is a nuclear protein associated with impaired glucose metabolism and PCOS. We sought to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of emodin on glucose metabolism and ovarian functions in PCOS mice via the HMGB1 molecular pathway. A high-fat diet (HFD) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)- induced PCOS mouse model comprising four experimental groups was established: control, PCOS, PCOS plus emodin, and PCOS plus vehicle groups. Emodin administration attenuated obesity, elevated fasting glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance, and improved the polycystic ovarian morphology of PCOS mice. Additionally, it lowered elevated serum HMGB1, LH, and testosterone levels in PCOS mice. Elevated ovarian protein and mRNA levels of HMGB1 and TLR4 in PCOS mice were also lowered following emodin treatment. Furthermore, emodin lowered high NF-ĸB/65 protein levels in the ovaries of PCOS mice. Immunohistochemical staining of the ovaries revealed strong HMGB1, TLR4, and AR expressions in PCOS mice, which were lowered by emodin treatment. Moreover, emodin significantly increased GLUT4, IRS2, and INSR levels that were lowered by PCOS. Overall, our study showed that emodin alleviated the impaired glucose metabolism and improved ovarian function in PCOS mice, possibly via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-ĸB signaling pathway. Thus, emodin could be considered a potential therapeutic agent in the management of PCOS.
Investigation of the Effect of Urban Identity on Urban Landscape Design with Eye Tracking Technique in the Case of Konya City
Authors: Gemici Ruhugül Özge , POLAT AHMET TUGRUL
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Konya urban identity on the urban landscape design of Konya city through eye tracking technique (method) through individuals. Within the scope of the research, first of all, a literature review on the subject was made. Afterwards, urban landscape areas with dense urban identity components determined in the light of literature resources were visited and photographs were obtained from these areas. Interviews were held with experts in the field of Konya urban identity, and as a result of these interviews, the photographs to be used in eye tracking analysis were determined. The photographs were uploaded to the eye tracking program and heat maps of the eye movements of the volunteer participants were created using the eye tracking device, and the numerical data (fixation numbers and fixation times) of the eye tracking analysis were reached. In addition, questionnaires were applied to the participants after the eye tracking analysis. As a result of the research, it was revealed that heat maps and eye tracking numerical data supported the questionnaires. Based on this, the conclusion that Konya’s urban identity has an effect on Konya's urban landscape design was reached through the people who participated in the study.
The Contribution of Improving Phosphorous Use Efficiency to Agricultural Economics: A Case Study in Türkiye
Authors: Özbek Fethi Şaban
Published: August 2023

The contribution of improving phosphorous (P) use efficiency (PUE) in agricultural areas of Türkiye to agricultural economics has been measured regionally for the years of 2007-2011 within this study. For this purpose, the economic benefit gained from use of P mineral fertilizers has been presented when improving PUE from 5% to maximum PUE in agricultural areas. PUE values used in this study were estimated by using hyperbolic regression model, which states the relationship between phosphorous input and output in agricultural areas of Türkiye. The results showed that important economic benefit would be gained by improving PUE, even when PUE was improved to maximum level, this benefit would be almost the half of the expenses for purchasing P mineral fertilizers. Yearly average economic benefits gained from purchasing P mineral fertilizers would be 0.22 (
0.15 billion) and 0.82 billion TL(0.56 billion) by 5% improving of PUE and reaching maximum PUE, respectively over the five years 2007-2011.
Back to Basics: Reporting National Drug Codes
Authors:   American Academy of Pediatrics
Published: August 2023

When reporting vaccines and medications supplied in a physician practice, it is typically necessary to report an 11-digit National Drug Code (NDC). This article reviews how to appropriately report NDCs, including the following key points:

Selection of the appropriate NDC Conversion of a 10-digit NDC to include the required 11 digits Selecting the NDC unit of measure Entering NDC information into the claim
Supply chain management for modular construction using building information modeling
Authors: Liu Xuefeng , Zhao Jun , Sun Gangzhu , Zhou Guoseng , Han Xiaodong
Published: August 2023

This paper presents an example of an integrated con¬struction system that uses building information model¬ing (BIM), the internet of things (IoT), and geographic information system (GIS) technology to improve supply chain logistics management in construction projects, thereby increasing project efficiencies and controlling construction costs. The authors developed and tested a digital twin platform for the proposed system, which allows real-time simulation of logistics in modular con-struction. The proposed digital twin platform uses BIM and GIS as its foundation because BIM includes infor¬mation on the plans, detailed geometry, properties, and quantities of modules, whereas GIS provides geospatial data for the modules along with vehicular information during transport. This system with integrated BIM, IoT, and GIS modules was applied in a new manufacturing company within its first five years. The results show that potential logistical risks and accurate module arrival time can be detected via the suggested digital twin platform. The integrated system proved to be effective in product delivery management tasks.
Effect of DGAT1 gene variants on milk quantity and quality in Holstein, Simmental and Brown Swiss cattle breeds in Croatia
Authors:   Institute for Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dokso Admir
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to determine allele frequency at the diacylglycerol-O-transferase 1 gene (DGAT1) K232A polymorphic site and effect of allelic variants K and A on milk production traits of Holstein (dairy), Simmental and Brown Swiss (dual purpose) cattle breeds in Croatia. The DNA was extracted from hair of 371 cows, while coding region of DGAT1p.K232A was amplified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Dominant frequency of K allele was determined in all three analysed breeds: Holstein (0.775), Simmental (0.616) and Brown Swiss (0.651). The most Holstein cows were homozygotus for KK variant (0.637), while dominant genotype in other two breeds was KA (Simmental 0.647; Brown Swiss 0.644). Positive effect of KK genotype on milk yield was detected in Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds, while in Simmental breed was negative (-220.8 kg; -463.6 kg) in regard to KA and AA genotype. Milk of cows with KK genotype in Holstein breed, KA in Simmental and AA in Brown Swiss were found as the most favourable in terms of fat content. Cows of AA genotype in all the three analysed breeds have had higher milk protein content. Statistical analysis was performed using the GLM procedure, including genotype and breed effects as independent variables. The effects of DGAT1genotypes on milk quantity and quality were not significant (P>0.05).