bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Oxygen Activation Mechanisms
Authors: Vaseashta Ashok , Duca Gheorghe , Travin Sergey Olegovich
Published: June 2023

Molecular oxygen is the greenest of all possible oxidizing agents, but its specific electronic configuration eliminates the possibility of its direct reaction with organic substances. Single-electron transfer between triplet O2 and singlet organics is prohibited according to the Wigner spin selection rule. Moreover, attaching the first electron is disadvantageous even from a thermodynamic point of view. The authors will not consider the high-temperature processes, however, and will focus on the mechanisms for generating active oxygen species under normal temperature conditions. All methods of “soft” activation of oxygen can be conditionally divided into three main groups: photo-excitation; direct or sensitized initiation of a radical-chain oxidative process; and catalysis by transition metal ions with the inclusion of oxygen in the coordination sphere. New perspectives on molecular oxygen activation pathways and their application in some oxidative reactions including degradation of organic pollutants, organic synthesis, and environmentally significant reactions are discussed.
Pseudo Jahn-Teller Effect in Transition States of Redox Processes
Authors: Gorinchoy Natalia , Balan Iolanta , Gorbachev Mikhail , Arsene Ion , Polinger Victor , Duca Gheorghe , Bersuker Isaac
Published: June 2023

The authors show that the instability of the transition (activated) states of chemical reactions are due to the vibronic coupling of the ground electronic state with the appropriate low-lying excited states, resulting in the pseudo Jahn-Teller effect (PJTE). In application to reactions relevant to environmental problems, the PJTE origin of their activation barrier is illustrated by several examples, including the proton transfer in deprotonated H3O2- and protonated H5O2+(H2O)4 water clusters and in a number of proton-bound dimers. The results can serve as a general parametrized analytical model of the potential energy profile in simulating proton transfer processes in such systems. It also includes modeling the polarizing effect of the solvent, serving as an additional stabilizing factor in intramolecular H-bonds. Similarly, it is shown that the transition states of photochemical reactions are formed by the PJTE interaction of the relevant excited state with a higher in energy electronic state. Examples of electron transfer and charge transfer by coordination are also shown.
Antioxidants in Clinical Treatments
Authors: Silaghi-Dumitrescu Radu , Oana (Gadina) Flavia-Malina , Lehene Maria
Published: June 2023

The ability of antioxidants to scavenge free radicals is well known, but their possible therapeutic action is still unclear because so far most studies are in vitro on cultured cells (where the antioxidant concentrations are typically much larger than those that can be reached in the human body) or in vivo on animals. This chapter is focused on ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Vitamin C exhibits dual reactivity with pro-oxidant activity registered at concentrations above 1 mM while at lower concentrations it has an antioxidant effect. Vitamin C appears to be effective in preventing respiratory diseases, shortening recovery time after surgeries, increasing the efficiency of the immune response to infections, improving glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, decreasing the need for fluids in the treatment of burns, and protecting the skin. Although countless beneficial effects of antioxidants have been proposed, far more studies are required before most of these claims should be taken seriously, possibly to discover new antioxidants that are more effective against the disease.
Versatility and Specificity of Flavin-Based Oxidoreductases in the Electron Transfer Reactions
Authors: Anghel Lilia , Erhan Raul Victor
Published: June 2023

Oxidoreductases are a large class of enzymes involved in the catalysis of oxidation/reduction reactions. These oxygen-utilizing biomolecules firmly control the reactions involving molecular oxygen mostly by regulating their cofactors. Flavoenzymes, a large group of oxidoreductases, possess either a flavin mononucleotide or a flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor non-covalently bound to the protein substrate. Flavin cofactors are versatile due to reactivity and many oxidizing states allowing them to undergo electron transfer reactions. As a result, flavoenzymes can participate in a wide range of biochemical and photochemical processes including electron transport, C-H oxidations, oxidative protein folding, and even repair of cross-linked DNA. Structural studies have shown that the large variety of functions that flavoenzymes possess are limited and dependent on structure and protein folding to ensure the specific electrostatic environment. The present work concerns the structural aspects of specific flavin-dependent oxidoreductases influencing electron transfer reactions.
Sustainable Career Ecosystems
Authors: Donald William E. , Jackson Denise
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this introductory chapter is to set the scene for this handbook of research. The authors begin by briefly explaining how different fields within the literature have tended to operate independently. Even within fields, distinct research groups often work in silos, limiting intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge sharing. Next, the authors introduce and define the construct of ‘sustainable career ecosystems' as an opportunity to provide a framework for a more collaborative research agenda. The chapter concludes by giving a brief overview of the current state of play, identifying some of the challenges, and initiating the process of searching for solutions across the three key sections addressed by this handbook of research, (i) higher education and graduate employability, (ii) organizations and graduate employment, and (iii) sustainable careers and the future of work.
A Career Ecosystem Approach to Developing Student Agency Through Digital Storymaking
Authors: Le Rossignol Karen , Kelly Meghan
Published: June 2023

Changing patterns of careers, from traditional through to boundaryless, have led to reconsidering student agency in transitioning from higher education to the labor market. Student agency, in the context of this chapter, requires students to synthesize disciplinary skills and knowledge of specific courses with industry-oriented work-integrated learning experiences, aligning these reflective learnings with fluid career patterns. This chapter postulates that graduates demonstrate their agency by curating and narrating their outputs and learnings to personalize their ongoing career story by clearly recognizing individual behaviors and attributes. The authors define this as digital storymaking, integrating an ePortfolio to identify the graduate's capacity to engage with rapidly changing employability requirements imaginatively. If employers accept digital storymaking as part of a demonstration of capacity, they may identify a more adaptive graduate, able to respond flexibly to future uncertain work patterns within a sustainable career ecosystem.
Fulfilling Gen Z's Needs and Expectations in Industry 4.0
Authors: Stumpf Anna M. , Fielding Rebecca
Published: June 2023

This chapter provides insights into how current Industry 4.0 and the characteristics of Gen Z impact talent acquisition and retention. The authors offer an overview of Gen Z as well as the generation's readiness for work in Industry 4.0, highlighting the unique skills and expectations they bring to the workplace. However, challenges remain for organizations in attracting and retaining Gen Z talent. To address these challenges, the article offers several recommendations, including professional and internal networking, reverse mentoring, job crafting, individual deals, and the flexibility of employment. By understanding and even adopting highlighted strategies, organizations can create a work environment that aligns with the expectations of Gen Z and fosters long-term retention of early-career talent.
Identity Regulation Through the Whiteness of “Right Fit”
Authors: Ugiagbe-Green Iwi
Published: June 2023

The author adopts a racialized lens to a generalizable framework of graduate recruitment and selection to explore race and employability. The generalizable framework highlights the inter-relatedness of work-readiness, graduate identity, and signaling at the individual (miso) level, with Tracey Yosso's conceptualization of community cultural wealth and Julia Evett's framing of ‘organizational professionalism at the institutional (meso) level. The adoption of a racialized lens to the generalizable framework enables the author to explain how structural and systemic racism within graduate and recruitment processes operates. Racism in graduate recruitment and selection is evidenced by longstanding inequitable outcomes for racially minoritized graduates. The chapter concludes with recommendations to enable colleagues to engage in compassionate action to mitigate racism in graduate recruitment and selection praxis and recognize institutional responsibility for change.
Enhancing Objective and Subjective Career Outcomes for Graduates in Italy
Authors: Martini Mattia , Tomasuolo Miriam , Cavenago Dario
Published: June 2023

Enhancing the employment of university students and the development of sustainable careers is at the core of national and supra-national political agendas. This chapter explores how perceived employability relates to subsequent career success among graduate students. Moreover, it investigates the personal and context-related factors influencing student perceptions of employability. Data were collected through a two-wave survey administered between 2021 and 2022 to final-year students at the University of Milano-Bicocca. Results of ordinary least squares regression show that perceived employability is a valid predictor of graduates' objective and subjective career outcomes. This study also highlights the key role of digital and personal skills development as potential drivers of employability perception among university students. The results of this study contribute to the literature on graduate employability and career success and have implications for the governance and management of higher education institutions.
Slowing Down the Pace
Authors: Fernandes Isabel
Published: June 2023

Carl Honoré's In Praise of Slowness (2014) signals the appearance of a global movement in favor of slowness in reaction against the increasing acceleration process in our time. In order to substantiate the importance of slowness today and to better realize our present-day context, the author resorts to two different thinkers: the Korean-born German philosopher Byung-Chul Han and the Italian physician and neuroscientist Lamberto Maffei. The author relates their convergent arguments to the central role played by slow reading in medical education according to narrative medicine (NM), the so-called close reading, its “signature method.” The author shows how and why slowing down the pace of reading along with the use of reflective writing are crucial in healthcare professionals' training for furthering attentive listening skills, together with self-awareness and awareness of the patient's predicament. Both close reading and reflective writing will finally be related to the triad underlying NM – attention, representation, and affiliation.
Healthcare Anecdotes
Authors: Hurwitz Brian
Published: June 2023

This chapter examines the narrative and epistemic coordinates that underpin the way anecdotes notice and reason about healthcare situations. As abbreviated accounts of some verbal and literary facility, anecdotes miniaturize consideration of situations in ways that are often informative, entertaining, and memorable. Whilst those considered here partake of the characteristics of such closely worked accounts, they have been selected for their observational claims, a focus on lived experience, and the ways in which they bring healthcare situations and conceptual frames for understanding them into close relationship with each other. How do these ‘nutshell narratives' marshal their materials, present and reframe information, and swap perspectives on their objects of contemplation? The author shows that through modes of noticing and reasoning which turn on figurative vantagepoints, anecdotes express a ‘standpoint epistemology' that brings before the mind's eye scenes viewed in a new light. Through switching speakers and hearing new voices, they enact forms of epistemic and hermeneutic vigilance.
Making Sense of the Unexpected
Authors: Proença Nuno Miguel
Published: June 2023

After considering the importance of medical and health humanities and the role of philosophy within this field of investigation, the author firstly proposes that we interrogate the relation between the possibility of ethical projects and the reality of needs, constraints, disparities but also of the surprises of a life to the naturalness of which we cannot escape. What influence can that have for clinical practice? Secondly, the author proposes to identify, on the one hand, what links original forms of dependence to ways of comprehension that lead to care and to mutual recognition; and, on the other hand, the importance that such hosting relationship has in order that the signs of a life become culturally interpretable signals. How can we thus understand the role of culture in the processes of hospitality? Finally, bearing in mind the prevalence of affectivity in the community of life, the author briefly recalls the ethical role of fiction and the arts and how, along with the humanities, their empathetic dynamics can help us think and contribute to ameliorate our health and well-being.
Drawing Fragmented Narratives
Authors: Battisti Chiara
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to consider the productive role of the comics/graphic novels as a medium in representing illness, and more specifically Alzheimer's disease. The author first comments on the in/adequacy of language to verbalize and communicate pain and illness. Many detailed studies have been devoted to this topic; Virginia Woolf's seminal reflection will be used as a major starting point. In her essay “On Being Ill” (1926), Woolf meditates upon the “poverty of the language” in matters of illness, thus bringing to the fore a lexical rift between the patients' illness and the clinician's treatment, a discrepancy that continues to affect contemporary biomedical culture. The second part of this chapter will focus on the comics/graphic novel as a (possible) medium to overcome the above-mentioned limits of language. With this critical framework in mind, in the third part, the author analyzes the graphic memoir Aliceheimer's: Alzheimer's Through the Looking Glass by Dana Walrath in which the author narrates the experiences of her mother Alice and her coping with Alzheimer's.
Impact of the Global University Ranking Systems on Higher Education in Ghana With Special Focus on the Role of Academic Libraries
Authors: Owusu-Ansah Samuel , Donkor Antonia Bernadette , Asamoah Catherine
Published: June 2023

University rankings have altered the landscape of higher education around the world, and it is expected to continue to affect higher education institutions (HEI). The objective of this book chapter was to explore the implications of global university ranking systems on higher education in Ghana. Three ranking systems; times higher education (THE) world university rankings, webometrics ranking, and quacqarelli-symonds (QS) rankings in which the University of Ghana features were reviewed. Further, this book chapter discusses the impact that ranking systems have on higher education and its stakeholders. The study established that collaboration between the faculty and libraries is critical to ensuring higher scores by the ranking systems. This book chapter concludes that HEI in Ghana need to reposition libraries to better support universities in enhancing the visibility and ranking of the university globally. Finally, the authors have provided specific local solutions to be adopted by stakeholders in HEI.
The Urgency of Teacher Preparation Programs to Prepare Classroom Educators for Teaching in Multilingual Classrooms
Authors: Tsukiyama Kimberly Dawn , Burke Wendy
Published: June 2023

As the U.S. experiences increases in language learners, teachers struggle with employing methods that promote students' language development and academic growth. The purpose of this chapter is to explore how teachers can attend to creating inclusive, linguistically diverse classrooms for language learners by first highlighting some essential understandings for educators. In addition, the authors will provide an overview of influential theories that articulate the types of professional learning, development, and experiences that nurture and cultivate educators' skills, knowledge, and professional dispositions to best meet the academic, social, and cultural needs of language learners. Finally, using study findings of practicing classroom teachers, the authors will present effective essential practices used in classrooms with high populations of language learners.
Do as I Say, Not as I Do
Authors: Robbins Kirsten , Brown Rebecca
Published: June 2023

Preservice teachers (PSTs) often come to teaching with dominant narratives about children, which can include linguistic prejudice. To combat that issue, some teacher preparation programs include instruction meant to instill the belief that all languages and dialects are equally valuable, moving PSTs away from the ideology of Dominant American English. An explicit discourse is shared that Dominant American English is not more valuable than other languages or dialects. At the same time, there is often a hidden discourse shared with PSTs that Dominant American English is important and that its proper use is valued. This hidden discourse occurs through the grading practices of some faculty members when the proper use of Dominant American English is considered as part of the PST's grade. A conflict then occurs between the explicit and hidden discourses that the PSTs receive related to language which is problematic in developing PSTs critical consciousness.
Globalization and Entrepreneurship in the Industry 5.0 Era
Authors: Jamil Mohammad Izzuddin Mohammed
Published: June 2023

The definition and concepts behind globalization are sometimes confusing for the masses, and studies on globalization often focus on the macroeconomic level. Globalization is the interdependence of people and businesses everywhere that leads to global cultural, political, and economic integration. The purpose of this chapter is to provide background and insight on globalization, from concepts to linking globalization to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Also, to showcase how favorable globalization conditions are beneficial for the growth of MSMEs, which can ultimately result in them expanding their area of operations in terms of sales, number of employees, and size. This chapter presents George Yip's broader framework of globalization that highlights the conditions needed for MSMEs to grow and flourish, including external factors. A framework is proposed to highlight the summarized framework of the external factors and conditions of globalization that influence the growth of MSMEs.
Personalized Product Recommendation and User Satisfaction
Authors: Patnaik Priyadarsini , Nayak Parameswar , Misra Siddharth
Published: June 2023

The transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 started when personalization options became available to customers. This revolution aims to bring back the human touch with the convergence of advanced technology towards a degree of personalization to meet the demand of the customers. In the era of Industry 5.0, consumers want to differentiate themselves as unique, and personalized products allow them to express themselves as individuals. This has prompted personal recommendations to become more popular. Despite the increasing popularity of personalized recommendations, little research has been conducted on the impact of these recommendations on user satisfaction. As a result, an online survey was conducted to test the relationships between personalized product recommendations and user satisfaction and proposed a conceptual model. The findings of the study indicated a positive association between personalized product recommendations and consumer satisfaction and highlighted several managerial and practical implications that academics and retailers may find useful.
Regulatory Shift Healthcare Applications in Industry 5.0
Authors: Komalasari Rita
Published: June 2023

This chapter aims to present pertinent theoretical frameworks and the most recent results of empirical research in health. It is written for amateurs and experts who wish to understand the industry better. A meta-ethnographic synthesis of research on healthcare applications for Industry 5.0 forms the basis of the review's method. The results show that the link between Industry 5.0 and healthcare applications have a positive relationship. Big data may be used by Industry 5.0 to learn new things and produce symmetrical innovation. It also establishes a digital knowledge network that offers accurate medical data and vital patient records. It establishes a digital knowledge network that offers accurate medical data and vital patient records. This chapter contributes to a better understanding of the link between Industry 5.0 and healthcare applications.
Industry 5.0 and the Collaborative Approach of Internet of Things With Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Gupta Sunil , Kapoor Monit , Sharma Hitesh Kumar
Published: June 2023

Industry 5.0 with the internet of things (IoT) gives a human touch to Industry 4.0 for the development to provide efficiency with automation using robots and machines. The advancement in artificial intelligence makes robots with attached brains like human minds. This brain-machine interface introduces the concept of Industry 5.0, where robots with IoT features tangle with humans and try to work as an agent instead of participants. This digital transformation provides opportunities and challenges. This chapter provides development by various IoT and artificial intelligence-based industries and researchers for the use of Industry 5.0 with their application. In addition, the chapter describes how IoT robots and human values collaborate to give input to Industry 5.0. Finally, the impact of Industrial 5.0 is deliberated based on the economy and manufacturing process with increased productivity.
The Evidence of a Thai Restaurant's Mass Customization Implementation for Firm Survival During the Pandemic Crisis
Authors: Piriyakul Intaka , Nambuddee Nart-Anong , Piriyakul Rapepun , Piriyakul Montree
Published: June 2023

To survive in any crisis, business owners and executives must be able to adapt and change in all aspects of business functions, especially in the marketing function. The aim of the study is to investigate an efficient marketing strategy to provide the implementation for firms' survival. To explore the advantages and how to manage a mass customization strategy in the restaurant business during a pandemic period. The authors conducted the research by selecting restaurants that have proven successful and exploring the key success management factors for further proof. The results show that the moderator, customer collaboration management, of the restaurant sector has a positive impact on the relationship between consumption experience and customer satisfaction through customer engagement. Additionally, the result indicates that the strategic and process implications during a crisis must be tailored to the sub-stages.
Pre-Service Teachers' Task Engagement in Flipped Chinese Language and Culture Learning
Authors: Wang Tingting , He Haixia
Published: June 2023

The flipped classroom approach is becoming increasingly popular in higher education as a substitute for more conventional teaching methods. This study examines pre-service teachers' task engagement in flipped Chinese language and culture learning by employing three engagement facilitators as a theoretical framework. In this study, 50 American undergraduate pre-service teachers who were enrolled in an ESL methods course learned Chinese language and culture online outside of class and then engaged in practice and collaborative learning under the guidance of an instructor. Surveys, follow-up interviews, focus groups, and student documents were analyzed to explore how pre-service teachers perceived their task engagement in their learning tasks and the reasons for their perceptions. The main findings reveal that students are positively engaged in flipped learning when tasks match their abilities, offer opportunities to set their learning goals, provide instant feedback, and have clear learning goals, instructions, and directions. The results also indicate that a fixed course format, clearly defined learning tasks with step-by-step instructions, and effective assessment were essential in engaging students in learning. Conclusion and implications are generated for flipped instructional design and practice for foreign languages. Finally, limitations and future studies are discussed.
A System Dynamics Approach to Evaluate Advanced Persistent Threat Vectors
Authors: Nicho Mathew , McDermott Christopher D. , Fakhry Hussein , Girija Shini
Published: June 2023

Cyber-attacks targeting high-profile entities are focused, persistent, and employ common vectors with varying levels of sophistication to exploit social-technical vulnerabilities. Advanced persistent threats (APTs) deploy zero-day malware against such targets to gain entry through multiple security layers, exploiting the dynamic interplay of vulnerabilities in the target network. System dynamics (SD) offers an alternative approach to analyze non-linear, complex, and dynamic social-technical systems. This research applied SD to three high-profile APT attacks - Equifax, Carphone, and Zomato - to identify and simulate socio-technical variables leading to breaches. By modeling APTs using SD, managers can evaluate threats, predict attacks, and reduce damage by mitigating specific socio-technical cues. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of cyber threats, making it the first to apply SD to APTs.
Teaching Practice Supervisors' Experiences of Being Involved in Mobile App Development at an ODe-L Institution
Authors: Taole Matshidiso Joyce
Published: June 2023

This study used a case study to map teaching practice supervisors' experiences of being involved in developing the teaching practice mobile app (TPMA) for supervising students at an open distance e-learning (ODeL) institution. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used as a theoretical framework for the study. Data were collected through semi structured interviews and analyzed thematically. The perceived usefulness of participating in app development is associated with empowerment and the opportunity to reflect. The participants' perceived ease of use was unfavorable, as they found downloading the app challenging and received minimal support from the developer. Even at an ODeL institution, supervisors would typically travel to visit students in teaching practice. The teaching practice mobile app would give supervisors flexibility and access to their students, as they would no longer have to travel to schools, and they could supervise their students remotely. The study recommends support for university supervisors to integrate mobile technologies into their teaching practice.
Use of Female External Urinary Catheters in a Burn Intensive Care Unit: Benefits and Challenges
Authors: Won Paul , Craig Jasmine , Nevarez Claudia , Gillenwater T. Justin , Yenikomshian Haig A.
Published: June 2023

Background

Burn patients have a relatively high rate of indwelling Foley catheter use because of their need for complex fluid management and wound care. However, Foley catheter use is associated with risks, including urinary tract infection. For female patients, an external urinary catheter is an alternative.

Objectives

To evaluate the use of female external urinary catheters in a burn intensive care unit and to develop a standard protocol.

Methods

This study involved female patients admitted to a burn intensive care unit from 2017 to 2020. An initiative to increase the use of female external urinary catheters was begun in 2019. A retrospective review of medical records was used to determine rates of indwelling and external catheter use and of catheter-associated urinary tract infection before and after implementation of the initiative.

Results

Of 77 female burn patients admitted to the unit between 2019 and 2020, 56 (73%) required indwelling Foley catheterization, a significant decrease from 94% before the initiative (P = .002). The mean duration of indwelling Foley catheter use decreased significantly from 19.4 days to 10.47 days (P = .049). Female external urinary catheters were used in 21 patients (27%). No patients with female external urinary catheters contracted urinary tract infections, compared with 9 patients with indwelling Foley catheters.

Conclusion

The use of female external urinary catheters may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infection in female burn patients. Further research is needed to refine the protocol for use of these devices and determine their safety profile.
Evaluation of microbiological quality of commercially available bottled drinking water in Colombo district, Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera D. D. N. , Herath A.T. , Randika J. L. P. C. , Ruwandeepika H. A. D. , Jayalal R. G. U.
Published: June 2023

In recent times, the consumption of bottled water has dramatically increased in Sri Lanka. However, compliance by the producers with the bottled water regulations is debatable, which poses questions about bottled water quality. This study aimed at evaluating the microbiological quality of bottled water in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Twenty-six brands of drinking water were collected from the Colombo district (19 locations) microbial quality was detected by checking the total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and algae. The results revealed that 50 % of drinking water brands violated the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and WHO guidelines, and the Sri Lanka Health Ministry regulation (0 cfu/100 ml). Twenty-three percent of brands exceeded the limits for presumptive FC (0 cfu/100 ml in accordance with WHO guidelines, SLSI, and the Sri Lanka Health Ministry requirement). Moreover, 35% showed higher heterotrophic bacteria which exceeded the WHO guidelines (50 cfu/ml). The dominant fungi found in the bottled water were Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus sp., Trichoderma sp. and Mucor sp. Chlorella vulgaris was identified as the algal species that was present in the drinking water samples and it was 8 % of the samples checked. Additionally, the statistical analysis of water sources revealed no significant differences in the levels of fecal and total coliforms in samples across springs, tube wells, and dug wells. However, the tube wells have a significant difference in HPC and algae than dug wells and springs. The findings of this study concluded that the bottled water industry needs to be closely supervised by competent authorities to provide customers with more healthy bottled water in Sri Lanka.
Motivation Behind Managing Employee Information in the Banking Sector: Comparative Study Between Sri Lanka and New Zealand
Authors: Perera A.
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate motivations behind managing employee information in banking sector in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Specially, this study answers for two research questions first, why does the banking sector in Sri Lanka manage employee information and second, how does the motivations to manage employee information in banking sector in Sri Lanka different to New Zealand. Qualitative method was employed in this study and data was collected through in-depth interviews.  Responses were analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed that both banking sectors in Sri Lanka and New Zealand manage employee information to achieve two purposes; internal management and external reporting. Although the study identified various differences, some of the reasons for managing employee information in both Sri Lanka and New Zealand appear similar.
A preliminary techno-economic assessment of lithium extraction from flowback and produced water from unconventional shale and tight hydrocarbon operations in Western Canada
Authors: Leece A , Jiang C
Published: June 2023

In the path towards decarbonization, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are critical for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. To meet the growing demand for this mineral, various sources of lithium are being explored.
This study evaluated the technical and economic feasibility of direct lithium extraction (DLE) from flowback and produced waters (FPW) of the Duvernay shale reservoir development near Fox Creek, Alberta and the Montney tight reservoir development in Northeast British Columbia using ion-exchange
sorbents. Results indicate that lithium extraction from FPW using DLE technology is a viable option, with fluid pH, temperature, total suspended solids, and organic carbon affecting extraction efficiencies. In the assessment of Duvernay-based FPW fluids processed at a selected centralized facility,
approximately 93 tonnes of lithium carbonate, or 105 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate could be produced annually, based on an average lithium content of 45.1 mg/L and a capacity of approximately 475,000 m3 per year. A discounted cash flow analysis determined the after-tax and royalty internal
rate of return of 22% in the production of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), and 38% in the production of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH·H2O) from the Duvernay development area. Comparatively, in the assessment of Montney brine fluids processed at a modelled centralized facility,
approximately 117 tonnes of lithium carbonate or 134 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate could be produced annually, based on an average lithium content of 57.7 mg/L and a capacity of approximately 475,000 m3 per year. A discounted cash flow analysis determined the after-tax and royalty internal
rate of return of 29% in the production of lithium carbonate and 48% in the production of lithium hydroxide monohydrate from the Dawson Creek Montney development area. These findings demonstrate the economic feasibility of extracting and refining lithium into battery-grade products from a
novel source based on forecasted commodity prices and the development of a domestic battery supply chain system. Further investigation of DLE technology, a strategic resource sampling and analysis program, and investigation into the minimum scale of lithium extraction development are
recommended.
The burden of suspected strokes in uMgungundlovu – Can biomarkers aid prognostication?
Authors: Jansen van Vuuren Juan M. , Pillay Somasundram , Naidoo Ansuya
Published: June 2023

Background: The burden of stroke is increasing worldwide. The hierarchical healthcare referral system in South Africa (SA) poses unique challenges to clinicians when caring for people with suspected strokes (PsS). To improve health outcomes, novel strategies are required to provide adequate care, including prognostication, in SA.Aim: To determine the subjective burden of and challenges posed by suspected stroke cases and the potential usefulness of biomarkers in prognostication.Setting: This study was conducted in the uMgungundlovu Health District (UHD), KwaZulu-Natal, SA.Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to doctors within the UHD. Demographic data and answers to a series of 5-point-Likert-type statements were collected.Results: Seventy-seven responses were analysed. A third of doctors worked in primary healthcare facilities (PHCare) and saw ≥ 2.15 suspected strokes-per-doctor-per-week, compared to ≥ 1.38 seen by doctors working in higher levels of healthcare. Neuroimaging was relied upon by 85% of doctors, with nearly half of PHCare doctors having to refer patients to facilities 5 km – 20 km away, with resultant delays. Knowledge about prognostic biomarkers in strokes was poor, yet most doctors believed that a biomarker would assist in the prognostication process and they would use it routinely.Conclusion: Doctors in this study faced a significant burden of strokes and rely on neuroimaging to guide their management; however, many challenges exist in obtaining such imaging, especially in the PHCare setting. The need for prognostic biomarkers was clear.Contribution: This research lays the platform for further studies to investigate prognostic biomarkers in stroke in our clinical setting.
COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in South Africa: Biblical discourse
Authors: Netshapapame Tshifhiwa S.
Published: June 2023

Churches have always been regarded as a safe haven during calamities. This changed during COVID-19 lockdown when churches were forced to shut down. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a new normal to the world at large, calling for immediate action from authorities and introducing vaccination as an antidote. However, some religious practitioners as a vehicle of change through the institution of the church have been acting on the contrary because it discourages the uptake of vaccines, leading to vaccine hesitancy. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been observed in the Christian community because Christians use Bible verses as a scapegoat for not getting a jab. There is a chasm that exists between faith and science, and it perpetuates the discourse of vaccine hesitancy.Contributions: This article applies a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach and seeks to address the conspiracy theories and the use of Bible verses as discourse on vaccine uptake.
Erratum: Theology, philosophy of biology and virology: An interdisciplinary conversation in the time of COVID-19
Authors: Venter Rian
Published: June 2023

No abstract available.
Chemoprevention curcumin analog 1.1 promotes metaphase arrest and enhances intracellular reactive oxygen species levels on TNBC MDA-MB-231 and HER2-positive HCC1954 cells
Authors: Novitasari Dhania , Jenie Riris Istighfari , Kato Jun-ya , Meiyanto Edy
Published: June 2023

Background and purpose:

Previous studies highlighted that chemoprevention curcumin analog-1.1 (CCA-1.1) demonstrated an antitumor effect on breast, leukemia, and colorectal cancer cells. By utilizing immortalized MDA-MB-231 and HCC1954 cells, we evaluated the anticancer properties of CCA-1.1 and its mediated activity to promote cellular death.

Experimental approach:

Cytotoxicity and anti-proliferation were assayed using trypan blue exclusion. The cell cycle profile after CCA-1.1 treatment was established through flow cytometry. May-Grünwald-Giemsa and Hoechst staining were performed to determine the cell cycle arrest upon CCA-1.1 treatment. The involvement of CCA-1.1 in mitotic kinases (aurora A, p-aurora A, p-PLK1, and p-cyclin B1) expression was investigated by immunoblotting. CCA-1.1-treated cells were stained with the X-gal solution to examine the effect on senescence. ROS level and mitochondrial respiration were assessed by DCFDA assay and mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, respectively.

Findings/Results:

CCA-1.1 exerted cytotoxic activity and inhibited cell proliferation with an irreversible effect, and the flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that CCA-1.1 significantly halted during the G2/M phase, and further assessment revealed that CCA-1.1 caused metaphase arrest. Immunoblot assays confirmed CCA-1.1 suppressed aurora A kinase in MDA-MB-231 cells. The ROS level was elevated after treatment with CCA-1.1, which might promote cellular senescence and suppress basal mitochondrial respiration in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Conclusion and implications:

Our data suggested the in vitro proof-of-concept that supports the involvement in cell cycle regulation and ROS generation as contributors to the effectiveness of CCA-1.1 in suppressing breast cancer cell growth.
Integrative bioinformatics analysis of ACS enzymes as candidate prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers in colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Parsazad Ehsan , Esrafili Farina , Yazdani Behnaz , Ghafarzadeh Saghi , Razmavar Namdar , Sirous Hajar
Published: June 2023

Background and purpose:

Acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) enzymes play an important role in the activation of fatty acids. While many studies have found correlations between the expression levels of ACS enzymes with the progression, growth, and survival of cancer cells, their role and expression patterns in colon adenocarcinoma are still greatly unknown and demand further investigation.

Experimental approach:

The expression data of colon adenocarcinoma samples were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Normalization and differential expression analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene set enrichment analysis was applied to identify top enriched genes from ACS enzymes in cancer samples. Gene ontology and protein-protein interaction analyses were performed for the prediction of molecular functions and interactions. Survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic test (ROC) were performed to find potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers.

Findings/Results:

ACSL6 and ACSM5 genes demonstrated more significant differential expression and LogFC value compared to other ACS enzymes and also achieved the highest enrichment scores. Gene ontology analysis predicted the involvement of top DEGs in fatty acids metabolism, while protein-protein interaction network analysis presented strong interactions between ACSLs, ACSSs, ACSMs, and ACSBG enzymes with each other. Survival analysis suggested ACSM3 and ACSM5 as potential prognostic biomarkers, while the ROC test predicted stronger diagnostic potential for ACSM5, ACSS2, and ACSF2 genes.

Conclusion and implications:

Our findings revealed the expression patterns, prognostic, and diagnostic biomarker potential of ACS enzymes in colon adenocarcinoma. ACSM3, ACSM5, ACSS2, and ACSF2 genes are suggested as possible prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers.
The electrical stimulation of the central nucleus of the amygdala in combination with dopamine receptor antagonist reduces the acquisition phase of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male rat
Authors: Jokar Zahra , Khatamsaz Saeed , Alaei Hojjatallah , Shariati Mehrdad
Published: June 2023

Background and purpose:

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is one of the nuclei involved in the reward system. The aim of the current study was to investigate the electrical stimulation (e-stim) effect of the CeA in combination with dopamine D1 receptor antagonist on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male rats.

Experimental approach:

A 5-day procedure of CPP was used in this study. Morphine was administered at an effective dose of 5 mg/kg, and SCH23390 as a selective D1 receptor antagonist was administrated into the CeA. In addition, the CeA was stimulated with an intensity of the current of 150 μA. Finally, the dependence on morphine was evaluated in all experimental groups.

Findings /Results:

Morphine significantly increased CPP. While the blockade of the D1 receptor of the CeA reduced the acquisition phase of morphine-induced CPP. Moreover, the combination of D1 receptor antagonist and e-stim suppressed morphine-induced CPP, even it induced an aversion.

Conclusion and implication:

The current study suggests that the administration of dopamine D1 receptor antagonist into the CeA in combination with e-stim could play a prominent role in morphine dependence.
Comparative evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of active oxygen containing versus other dentifrices against Streptococcus mutans count in children with early childhood caries: A clinico-microbiological study
Authors: Jindal Tanvi , Srivastava Nikhil , Rana Vivek , Kaushik Noopur , Sharma Preeti , Pruthi Tushar
Published: June 2023

Background:

Fluoridated dentifrices have been used for the prevention of dental caries since ages. However, to avoid the risk of fluorosis, the use of newer nonfluoridated options in dentifrices has shown a great interest in reducing Streptococcus mutans (SM) in early childhood caries (ECC).

Aim:

The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of active oxygen (AO)-based dentifrice with amine fluoride (AF)-, sodium monofluorophosphate (SMP)-, herbal (HB)-, and tricalcium phosphate (TCP)-based dentifrices on SM count in children with ECC.

Materials and Methods:

Two hundred and fifty children aged 3–6 years with def ≥4 were selected and randomly divided into five groups of 50 each, based on the type of dentifrices used; Group I: AO-based, Group II: TCP, Group III: SMP, Group IV: AF, and Group V: HB dentifrice, and were asked to brush twice daily for 15 days. The saliva samples were collected at baseline, and after 15 days, cultured for SM colonies count.

Results:

Difference in colony-forming units (CFU)/ml between baseline and 15 days was highly significant in all the five groups (P < 0.001). Significant difference was observed in SM count after 15 days between Groups I and IV (P = 0.017), while nonsignificant differences were seen when compared with Groups II, III, and V (P = 0.975, 0.137, and 0.992).

Conclusions:

All the dentifrices were efficacious in reducing SM count in children with ECC. Although AO dentifrice showed superior results when compared to SMP, TCP, and HB, it did not prove to be superior to AF.
Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of nanosilver solution, Azadirachta indica, sodium hypochlorite, and normal saline as root canal irrigants in primary teeth
Authors: Tanvir Zoya , Jabin Zohra , Agarwal Nidhi , Anand Ashish , Waikhom Nandita
Published: June 2023

Background:

Microorganisms are the main cause of pulpal and periapical diseases. Hence, the elimination of such potential microbes is achieved by endodontic treatment. Mechanical preparation is the main mechanism to reduce the bacterial load in canals which is enhanced by intracanal irrigants. Despite these procedures, some bacteria might persist within the canals. It is important to disinfect the pulp space and dentinal tubules thoroughly with an effective endodontic irrigant to prevent reinfection of a treated root canal.

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of nanosilver (NS) Solution, Azadirachta indica, sodium hypochlorite, and normal saline when used as irrigants in infected root canals of primary teeth.

Settings and Design:

The study was a prospective randomized control trial which was conducted as per the consort statement.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty pulpally involved primary teeth requiring endodontic treatment of children aged 5–12 years were selected for this study. The subjects were randomly allocated to 4 groups (3 irrigant and control groups) consisting of 20 children each where Group I = NS solution, Group II = A. indica, Group III = Sodium hypochlorite (2.5%), and Group IV = Control group. Microbiological samples were collected at the baseline (before irrigation) and postirrigation after biomechanical preparation using the selected irrigant. The samples were subjected to an anaerobic bacterial culture test. Microbial colonies were identified and expressed as colony forming units per milliliter.

Statistical Analysis:

Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Paired t-test, and Post hoc Bonferroni test.

Results:

NS solution showed the highest mean of 4.384 × 103 ± 1.019 followed by Sodium hypochlorite with a mean of 3.500 × 103 ± 1.193 and A. indica of 2.590 × 103 ± 0.778.

Conclusion:

Based on the results of this study, NS solution can be used as an alternative to other root canal irrigating solutions in primary teeth.