bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Future of Social Media, Anesthesiology, and the Perioperative Physician
Authors: Tan Jonathan M. , Simpao Allan F. , Gálvez Delgado Julia Alejandra
Published: January 2024

Social media has rapidly developed in the past decade to become a powerful and influential force for patients, physicians, health systems, and the academic community. While the use of social media in health care has produced many positive changes, such as rapid dissemination of information, crowd-sourced sharing of knowledge, learning, and social interaction, social media in health care has also negative effects. Recent examples of negative impacts of social media include rapid and unchecked information dissemination leading to patient misinformation and inadvertent reputational harm for health care professionals due to engaging in controversial topics on public platforms. Members of the anesthesiology community, like other medical specialties, have rapidly adopted social media at many different levels. However, most anesthesiologists, health systems, and academic communities have little education, preparation, and guidelines on optimizing the use of social media technology while minimizing the risks of social media. Anesthesiology has been and will continue to be impacted by the forces of technology and the cultural influences of social media for the foreseeable future. The purpose of this article was to examine the recent history of social media adoption in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, understand the current impact of social media across our specialty, and consider how the future development of technology and evolving social and cultural dynamic influences of social media will have on anesthesiology over the next quarter century.
Multicenter Population Pharmacokinetics of Fentanyl in Neonatal Surgical Patients Using Dried Blood Spot Specimen Collection Demonstrates Maturation of Elimination Clearance
Authors: Rzasa Lynn Rachael S. , Henthorn Thomas K. , Zuk Jeannie , Hammer Gregory B. , Drover David R. , Levy Richard J. , Maxwell Lynne G. , Sadhasivam Senthilkumar , Suresh Santhanam , Galinkin Jeffrey L.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Fentanyl is widely used for analgesia and sedation in neonates, but pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis in this population has been limited by the relatively large sample volumes required for plasma-based assays.

METHODS:

In this multicenter observational study of fentanyl kinetics in neonates up to 42 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) who received fentanyl boluses and continuous infusions, dried blood spots were used for small-volume sampling. A population PK analysis was used to describe fentanyl disposition in term and preterm neonates. Covariates for the model parameters, including body weight, PMA, birth status (preterm or term), and presence of congenital cardiac disease, were assessed in a stepwise manner.

RESULTS:

Clearance was estimated to be greater than adult clearance of fentanyl and varied with weight. Covariate selection did not yield a significant relationship for age as a continuous or dichotomous variable (term or preterm, the latter defined as birth with PMA of <37 weeks) and clearance.

CONCLUSIONS:

A supra-allometric effect on clearance was determined during covariate analyses (exponential scaling factor for body weight >0.75), as has been described in population PK models that account for maturation of intrinsic clearance (here, predominantly hepatic microsomal activity) in addition to scaling for weight, both of which impact clearance in this age group.
Prevalência e Fatores de risco associados ao tabagismo e outras formas de consumo de tabaco em acadêmicos da saúde em Goiânia, Goiás
Authors: Souza Lidia Acyole de , Santos Sandra Oliveira , Oliveira Luiz Fernando Alves de
Published: January 2024

Introdução: O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar e identificar a prevalência e fatores de risco associados ao tabagismo e outras formas de consumo de tabaco entre acadêmicos da saúde. Métodos: A pesquisa contou com 407 acadêmicos dos cursos de Biomedicina, Educação Física, Enfermagem, Farmácia, Fisioterapia e Nutrição de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior. A coleta de dados foi realizada no mês de maio de 2020, por um formulário eletrônico, disponibilizado em e-mail institucional, grupos de estudos e redes sociais. O procedimento ocorreu após aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética, cujo parecer 3.966.951. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes (79,6%) eram do sexo feminino, solteiros (75,2%) com idade média de 25,32 anos. O consumo de tabaco foi confirmado por 10,8% participantes. Quanto ao consumo de produtos derivados de tabaco 24,1% dos entrevistados já consumiram produto de tabaco, 8,6% assumiram tabagismo ocasional, e 4,2% tabagismo ativo. Conclusões: A associação entre tabagismo e as variáveis sociodemográficas demonstrou que alunos do curso de Farmácia (OR: 5,25 [IC:1,34-20,22] p=0,017), homens (OR: 1,71 [IC: 1,01 – 2,91]), estudantes turno matutino (OR: 1,96 [IC:1,02-3,78] p=0,04) e que residem com tabagistas (OR:4,44 [IC: 2,24-8,80]) apresentaram maiores chances de serem tabagista. A associação em relação ao consumo de derivados do tabaco, os homens apresentaram maiores prevalências de consumo de derivados de tabaco (OR: 1,71 [IC: 1,01 – 2,91] p=0,045) bem como, alunos do curso de Farmácia (OR: 6,40 [IC:2,31-17,7] P<0,01), que estudam no turno Noturno (OR:1,85 [IC:1,16-8,82] p=0,009) e entre os que residem com tabagistas (OR: 4,49 [IC:2,24-8,80] p<0,001).
Η εμπειρία του πολέμου και της κατοχής στα αστικά κέντρα της βουλγαρικής ζώνης
Authors: Καλογιαννίδης Δημήτριος
Published: January 2024

Ο βασικός σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι να διερευνήσει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο ο πόλεμος και η κατοχή επηρέασε την καθημερινότητα των κατοίκων στα αστικά κέντρα της βουλγαρικής ζώνης και να ανασυστήσει όψεις της βιωμένης εμπειρίας και την αίσθηση του να ζει κάνεις σε αυτή την περιοχή μέσα στις συνθήκες της πολυεπίπεδης κρίσης αυτής της περιόδου. Έχοντας ως μελέτη περίπτωσης την πόλη της Ξάνθης γίνεται προσπάθεια να ανασυσταθεί το κοινωνικό και πολιτικό πεδίο της καθημερινότητας και να αποτυπωθεί η αίσθηση του να ζει κάνεις μέσα σε συνθήκες πολέμου και κατοχής στη συγκεκριμένη γεωγραφική περιοχή. Αυτός ο τρόπος προσέγγισης του παρελθόντος μας δίνει τη δυνατότητα να αναδείξουμε μια μεγάλη ποικιλία θεματικών, όπως η τοπογραφία της κατοχικής Ξάνθης, η εμπειρία και οι σχέσεις μεταξύ των διαφόρων εθνοτικών ομάδων, η σύνδεση του αστικού με τον αγροτικό χώρο, τα συναισθήματα που διακατείχαν τον πληθυσμό, τις κοινωνικές πρακτικές που ενεργοποιήθηκαν και τις στρατηγικές επιβίωσης που υιοθετήθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια αυτής της περιόδου και να προσεγγίσουμε μια σειρά από φαινόμενα που εκδηλώθηκαν στο εσωτερικό της τοπικής κοινωνίας ως αποτέλεσμα των ανατροπών που επέφερε ο πόλεμος και η κατοχή, όπως η αντίσταση, η συνεργασία, οι προσφυγικές μετακινήσεις, η αποδιάρθρωση της κοινωνικής και οικογενειακής ζωής και η ενασχόληση των ανθρώπων με τα ιδιωτικά ζητήματα. Η διερεύνηση των συνεπειών του πολέμου στην καθημερινή ζωή των ανθρώπων και η ανασύσταση των συνθηκών διαβίωσης στον αστικό χώρο συμβάλλει στο να κατανοήσουμε την κοινωνική πραγματικότητα εκείνης της εποχής και μας δίνει τη δυνατότητα να ιχνηλατήσουμε τα πρότυπα συμπεριφοράς και τις στρατηγικές επιβίωσης που υιοθετήθηκαν από τους ανθρώπους για να ανταπεξέλθουν μέσα στις ιδιαίτερα δύσκολες κοινωνικοπολιτικές συνθήκες αυτής της περιόδου.
Συγκριτική μελέτη των διαφορετικών τεχνικών απεικονιστικά καθοδηγούμενης διαδερμικής χολοκυστοστομίας
Authors: Αρκούδης Νικόλαος-Αχιλλέας
Published: January 2024

Η διαδερμική χολοκυστοστομία είναι μια ασφαλής και αξιόπιστη, ελάχιστη παρεμβατική, απεικονιστικά καθοδηγούμενη επέμβαση που μπορεί να πραγματοποιηθεί σαν εναλλακτική του χειρουργείου για την αντιμετώπιση ασθενών υψηλού χειρουργικού κινδύνου, με πολλαπλές συννοσηρότητες, που πάσχουν από οξεία χολοκυστίτιδα. Πρόκειται για μια γρήγορη και σχετικά απλή επέμβαση, που μπορεί να πραγματοποιηθεί και παρά την κλίνη του ασθενούς. Χαρακτηρίζεται από εξαιρετικά ποσοστά τεχνικής επιτυχίας και ανεκτά ποσοστά σχετιζόμενων με την επέμβαση επιπλοκών. Η διαδερμική χολοκυστοστομία μπορεί να πραγματοποιηθεί υπό την απεικονιστική καθοδήγηση του υπολογιστικού τομογράφου, του υπερήχου ή της ακτινοσκόπησης ή/και με έναν συνδυασμό των ανωτέρω μεθόδων. Η τεχνική διενέργεια της επέμβασης είναι είτε η τεχνική trocar είτε η τεχνική Seldinger, και η επέμβαση πραγματοποιείται είτε διαμέσου της διηπατικής είτε της διαπεριτοναϊκής οδού και είτε με υποπλεύρια είτε με διαμεσοπλεύρια προσέγγιση. Τα αποτελέσματα των μελετών μας ενισχύουν την άποψη ότι για την επιτέλεση της απεικονιστικά καθοδηγούμενης διαδερμικής χολοκυστοστομίας, η τεχνική trocar είναι τουλάχιστον εξίσου αποτελεσματική και ασφαλής με την τεχνική Seldinger, αλλά είναι ταχύτερη και απλούστερη στην εκτέλεση της και σχετίζεται με λιγότερο μετεπεμβατικό άλγος.
Ιατρικά εμφυτεύματα και σύγχρονη βιοηθική
Authors: Ρουμελιώτης Γεώργιος
Published: January 2024

Το πρώτο μέρος αναφέρεται στα εμφυτεύματα ως προϊόν της ανθρώπινης επινοητικότητας υπό την μορφή επιστημολογικής μελέτης περί των εμφυτευμάτων ως εργαλείων. Αναλύεται η ορολογία, παρουσιάζεται η ιστορία, οι κατηγορίες και τα είδη εμφυτευμάτων. Γίνεται μια τεχνολογική κατηγοριοποίηση ανάλογα με την κατασκευαστική πολυπλοκότητα του εμφυτεύματος. Περιγράφεται ο βασικός επιστημονικός διάλογος που υπάρχει σχετικά. Το δεύτερο μέρος αναφέρεται στην ηθική φιλοσοφία και την οπτική της πάνω στο ανθρώπινο σώμα. Περιγράφεται η φιλοσοφική αντιμετώπιση της προσπάθειας για βελτιστοποίηση του ανθρώπου από την σκοπιά της ηθικής. Από την αρχαιότητα έως και σήμερα. Περιγράφονται οι βασικές ηθικές θεωρίες και η προσέγγιση της κάθε μιας στο ανθρώπινο σώμα και στην φροντίδα και βελτίωση του. Το τρίτο μέρος αναφέρεται στην ηθική φιλοσοφία και τεχνικά εμφυτεύματα. Εδώ επιχειρείτε να δομηθεί η φιλοσοφική τεκμηρίωση. Η χρήση αυτών των αντικειμένων μέσα στο ανθρώπινο σώμα δημιουργεί μια σειρά φιλοσοφικά ερωτήματα. Η ανάδειξη των ερωτημάτων αυτών και η απαντήσεις με βάση τις θεωρίες της βιοηθικής είναι ο πυρήνας της εργασίας. Επιχειρείται δηλαδή η ανάπτυξη ηθικών φιλοσοφικών απόψεων για την χρήση τεχνικών μοσχευμάτων στο ανθρώπινο σώμα (στα πρότυπα ανάλογων εργασιών σχετικών με τις μεταμοσχεύσεις). Στο τέταρτο μέρος επεκτείνεται η ηθική προβληματική σε όλα τα στάδια της παραγωγής, διακίνησης και χρήσης των εμφυτευμάτων. Γίνεται προσπάθεια να απαντηθούν τα ηθικά ερωτήματα που αφορούν την παραγωγή ιατρικών εμφυτευμάτων, το εμπόριο τους και την «κατανάλωση» τους. Περιγράφεται ακόμα η νομολογία και διεθνείς κανονισμοί για την παραγωγή και χρήση εμφυτευμάτων. Στο πέμπτο και τελευταίο μέρος, διερευνάται η έννοια του βιονικού ανθρώπου. Αναλύεται ο επιστημονικός διάλογος γύρω από το θέμα και γίνεται προσπάθεια να οριστούν τα ηθικά όρια για την διείσδυση της τεχνολογίας στο ανθρώπινο σώμα.
Tension in Modernist Art and Lyric Poetry at the Beginning of the 20th Century in Estonian Culture: Ernst Enno and Others
Authors: Mihkelev Anneli
Published: January 2024

The Young Estonia group (1905–1919) was at the centre of Estonian literature at the beginning of the 20th century, when Estonian poetry was both experimental and imitative. Gustav Suits was officially the creator of modern Estonian poetry. At the same time there were poets who wrote original poems that did not imitate previous work. Juhan Liiv was one of these, and Villem Grünthal Ridala and Ernst Enno continue in the same vein. Enno’s nature poetry is pantheistic and symbolic, emotional and sensitive to nature, at times suggesting transcendental cognition. He was interested in Oriental religion, which influenced his poetry to become less rational and more mystical. Ridala and Enno also used visual effects, and their texts have been set to music as well as becoming part of the visual arts in films and serials. The paper analyses the verbal texts of Enno and Ridala, and the interaction between visual and verbal texts.
A Western – Chinese Conjoint Attempt to Surmount the Chinese Wall
Authors: Talvet Jüri
Published: January 2024

Tiao Wang, Ronald Schleifer (authors). Modernist Poetics in China. Consumerist Economics and Chinese Literary Modernism. Palgrave MacMillan, Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2022. (Palgrave Studies in Literature, Culture and Economics). 260 pp., ISBN 978-3-031-00912-9, ISBN 978-3-031-00913-6 (eBook)
Missing Poetry: A historiography of Albanian Literature during the Communist Regime
Authors: Macaj Edlira
Published: January 2024

The paper aims at a panoramic view of the partial representation of Albanian poetry in the texts of the history of Albanian literature published during the dictatorship period (1945–1990). The fragmentary presentation of Albanian poetry and poets in informative scholarly and university texts on literature highlights the complications and the problems derived from this one-sided representation. The information gained only after the fall of the dictatorship, changed the situation regarding the literary values specifically related to poetry. What crucial representative texts on Albanian literary history were published during the dictatorship? Who were the most noticeable authors and poets, and why were they set aside, censored, imprisoned, executed, and not published? The answers suggest that only thanks to political change and awareness of literature can the reader today reassess this missing part of Albanian literature in historical texts published during the communist regime.

The methodology relies on a historical, analytical, and critical approach to the most representative authors and their texts that is intertwined with factual data. The conclusions reinforce the idea that any evaluation of the literary process dictated by extra-literary principles damages the natural literary process. The revitalisation of literature after the 1990s, although with much delay, restored the natural process of aesthetic assessment. Now we can reassess the best part of that missing poetry.
Soil cover and humus state of armable soils of the Volga Republic of Tatarstan
Authors: Gilyazov Minnegali , Lukmanov Anas , Zaripov Daynis
Published: January 2024

The purpose of the study is to assess the dynamics of the humus state of arable soils in connection with the distribution features of soil types and subtypes in the municipal regions of the Volga region of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT). The territory of the Volga region occupies 1014.3 thousand hectares, which is about 15% of the area of the Republic of Tatarstan. The Volga region includes 8 municipal districts: Apastovsky, Buinsky, Verkhneuslonsky, Drozhzhanovsky, Zelenodolsky, Kaybitsky, Kamsko-Ustinsky and Tetyushsky. The results of soil and agrochemical surveys conducted by the Federal State Budgetary Institution CAS “Tatarsky” over the past 35 years are summarized. For the first time, arable soils of the studied region were examined for humus content in 1986-1990. (IV cycle of agrochemical examination). The determination of humus was carried out according to the method of I.V. Tyurin as modified by TsINAO (GOST 26213-91). It has been established that the soil cover of two municipal districts (Buinsky and Drozhzhanovsky) is dominated by highly fertile chernozems, and the remaining six districts are dominated by gray forest soils. A comparison of the distribution of the main soil types in the Volga region and in the Republic of Tatarstan as a whole shows that the region under study appears to be a miniature copy of Tatarstan: in both cases, gray forest soils are dominant, and chernozems are subdominant. It is noted that over 35 years, the area of arable land in the region has decreased by 57 thousand hectares, presumably due to the withdrawal of less fertile land from agricultural use. It is indicated that this circumstance to a certain extent stabilized the humus state of the soils remaining in the arable land. The weighted average content of humus in the arable layer according to the cycles of agrochemical survey of soils in the studied region varied from 4.42 to 4.82%, however, these fluctuations turned out to be statistically insignificant (r = -0.06). There was a positive correlation and the highest degree of dependence of the weighted average humus content on the total share of chernozem and dark gray forest soils (R²=0.96).
Assessment of the nutritional value of various types of feed prepared from corn, depending on the level of chemicalization and soil cover of the Republic of Tatarstan
Authors: Yakhin Ildar , Gabitov Ranis , Sochneva Svetlana , Trofimov Nikolay
Published: January 2024

It is known that from the same corn plant material one can prepare silage, cornage, flattened grain or grain for fodder. Each of them contains completely different amounts of nutrients and a wide range of gross feed units. The research results show a direct dependence of the choice of method of using corn on the zonal characteristics of the soil cover, the existing level of chemicalization and the power supply of agricultural units of the Republic of Tatarstan. It should also be particularly emphasized the high efficiency of the integrated use of agrochemicals on leached chernozems of the Republic of Tatarstan. Despite 5 years of liming, phosphorite treatment, the use of zeolite, and the application of NPK with the expectation of obtaining 35 t/ha of green mass, 10.6 t/ha of additional products were obtained, which is 34.6 percent higher than the control. In this version of the experiment, agromeliorants ensured the production of 41.2 t/ha of green mass versus 33.8 t/ha with the application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers without prior liming and phosphorite treatment in combination with the use of a prolongator (zeolite) at the rate of 0.5 t/ha. It was also revealed that for the production of flattened grain or cornage with a gross harvest of feed units of 7.94-8.82 t/ha on leached chernozem soils of the Republic of Tatarstan, which account for 83,103 hectares of arable land, the integrated use of agromeliorants and calculated norms of minerals for corn is recommended fertilizers Liming of acidic dark gray and gray forest soils with phosphorite treatment and the addition of zeolite in combination with the use of calculated rates of mineral fertilizers ensures an increase in the gross collection of feed units in corn silage from 4.22 to 6.13 and 3.34 to 5.86 t/ha respectively.
EFFICIENCY OF APPLICATION OF BIOLOGICAL PREPARATIONS BASED ON ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA STRAINS ON SPRING WHEAT IN THE CONDITIONS OF KAMA REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Amirov Marat , Zemdihanov Minsur , Semenov Pavel , Shavalieva Azaliya , Semenov Stanislav
Published: January 2024

The aim of the research was to evaluate the efficiency of various biological preparations with different methods of their application (seed treatment, plant treatment) on spring wheat. The object of the study was spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L) of Burlak variety. Two types of endophytic bacteria Bacillus velezensis KS-25 and Bacillus velezensis KS-31 were studied. The studies were conducted in 2022-2023 at LLC Agrobiotechnopark of Kazan State Agrarian University. The agrochemical parameters of the gray forest soil were as follows: humus content of 3.0%, very high content of mobile phosphorus (250 mg/kg according to Kirsanov), increased content of exchangeable potassium (170 mg/kg). The field experiment design included studying the following options: control (no treatment); seed treatment with KS-25 at a dose of 1 l/t; seed treatment with KS-31 at a dose of 1 l/t; spraying plants with KS-25 at a dose of 1 l/ha; spraying plants with KS-31 at a dose of 1 l/ha. The experiment was repeated four times, the plots were placed sequentially, the area of each plot was 24 m2. A comparatively higher dry weight of roots and stems in 2022 was obtained in the variant with seed treatment with KS-31 strain at a dose of 1 l/t and amounted to 3.45 and 15.24 grams, respectively. In 2023 the best indicators were obtained in the variant with spraying plants with KS-31 strain at a dose of 1 l/ha and amounted to 3.26 and 14.1 grams, respectively. An excess of seedling survival over the control was obtained in the variant with seed treatment with KS-25 strain at a dose of 1 l/t and increased this indicator by 4.5%. When analyzing the structure of the spring wheat yield, an increase in the number of productive stems was found in the variant with seed treatment with KS-25 strain at a dose of 1 l/t. The highest grain weight per ear was obtained in two variants where plants were sprayed with strains KS-25 at a dose of 1 l/ha and KS-31 at a dose of 1 l/ha, which amounted to 0.99 grams each. The highest grain yield was obtained in the variant using strain KS-31 when spraying plants, where the increase was 0.35 t/ha or 8.6%. The variant with spraying KS-25 at a dose of 1 l/ha was 1% lower in yield, where the increase was 0.31 t/ha or 7.6%.
Analysis of multigene families of African swine fever virus
Authors: Sibgatullova Adylya , Kolbasov Denis , Titov Ilya
Published: January 2024

The article presents summarized data on the multigene families of the African swine fever virus (MGF). A feature of the ASF virus is the presence of a large number of multigene families. It is generally accepted that multigene family proteins are widely distributed in the African swine fever virus (ASF) genome and are generally classified into five families, including MGF-100, MGF-110, MGF-300, MGF-360, and MGF-505. The multigene families of the ASF virus are located in both the left and right variable regions of the genome. It is known that multigene families 110 and 300 are located on the left end of the genome, and MGS 100 on the right, and MGS360, MGS505 and MGS530 at both ends of the genome. Most MGS families have copies at each end of the genome. Multigene families are responsible for the virulence and replication of the ASF virus. Several genes belonging to the 360 and 505/530 families determine the host range of the ASF virus and its virulence. The 530 multigene family contains six different reading frames encoding an average of five hundred and thirty amino acids containing four highly conserved domains. MGS300 consists of three open translation frames encoding an average of three hundred amino acids containing three highly conserved domains. The amino-terminal regions of the proteins encoded by MGS-530 and 300 have significant similarity to each other, as well as to the corresponding regions. Most researchers believe that MGS evolved through a process of duplication and sequence divergence. Elements of multigene families are located close to each other and are read in only one direction.
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4): Latent Risk for Banana and Plantains Crops in Puerto Rico
Authors: Matos Ana Elba Pérez- , González Xavier Cruz - , -Villarini Rosa Ivette Berrios , Resto Taycha Ortiz- , - González Gladys Chompré , González* Nancy Arroyo-
Published: January 2024

Musa spp. (banana and plantain) is the most widely consumed and exported fruit globally, and it plays a crucial role in the diets of billions of people worldwide. Over the years, many diseases have threatened this crop, including the recent emergence of Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum race 4. Puerto Rico is home to numerous economically significant variants of Musa spp. Due to the crop's importance in the island's economy and nutrition, research on maintaining existing varieties and developing new ones has been initiated. Although Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 4 has not been detected in Puerto Rico, it has been detected in the Caribbean region. Therefore, it is essential to know both the plant and the pathogen to prevent and fight this disease. This review summarizes information about Musa spp, including its plant description, morphology, and genetic characteristics. Furthermore, it covers information about Fusarium sp., its pathogenicity, detection methods, and prevention of its spread. We also reviewed the few articles published for the island of Puerto Rico about Musa and Fusarium, and the guidelines suggested regarding the threat of the Fusarium wilt race 4 for the island. Finally, we underline Puerto Rico's opportunities to develop disease-resistant Musa cultivars.
Verification of Vermicompost Technology on Faba Bean Production at Welmera District, Birbo Watershed, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Tamiru Gezahign , Mekonnen Mulugeta , Mnalku Abere
Published: January 2024

Vicia faba, usually known as faba bean, which is commonly cultivated as a crop for human consumption, is the world’s leading source of protein. However, due to the low availability of basic cations, excess of hydrogen and aluminium in exchangeable forms, soil fertility limits its productive potential. Thus, this verification trial was intended to show the effects of Vermicompost technology on faba bean production, productivity and soil properties improvement on Nitisol of Birbo watershed in Welmera district in 2020/23. This verification work indicated that vermicompost application had contributed to the improvement of soil’s chemical properties and yields of faba bean, even if statistically non-significant results were observed. Soil chemical properties like pH, TN and OC were observed due to their application. From this study it is concluded that fifty per cent of nitrogen (0.47 ton ha-1) from Vermicompost and fifty per cent of nitrogen from urea would be recommended to be applied in the areas which have the same agro-ecology and soil properties as Welmera Districts.
Assessment of Varietal Resistance and Fungicides on Management of Smut Disease of Sorghum in Central Tanzania
Authors: Said Soma , Rweyemamu Cornel , Chilagane Luseko Amos , Kongola Eliud Francis
Published: January 2024

Sorghum smut disease caused by the fungus Sporisorium spp is one of the serious constrain on the productivity and quality of the sorghum grain yield especially in areas where farmers do not treat seeds before planting where grain yield loss of up to 80% is reported in different parts of the world. A Randomized Complete Block Design experiment was laid down to determine the relatively higher resistant sorghum variety and proper fungicide for management of smut disease in central Tanzania. The materials used in this experiment included some selected genotypes of sorghum (Wahi, Hakika, Macia, , Langalanga Gombela and one commercial variety). with different selected fungicides (Seed Watch 20WS, Apron Star WS 42% and Snow Angel W30% DS). Results revealed that, there was high significant difference among sorghum varieties tested (P< 0.05) on disease incidence and severity whereby the lowest incidence and severity of 4.57% and 11.41% respectively were recorded on Commercial variety while highest incidence 22.18% and Severity 19.07% were in Langalanga landrace. Among fungicides the lowest disease incidence and severity (3.72 and 11.15 respectively) were observed on Apron stars fungicide (20% Metalaxyl-m, 20% Thiamethoxa and2% Difenoconazole) while the highest incidence (36.93%) and severity (26.68%) were recorded on control. From the present study, smut management using combination of improved sorghum varieties with the application of seed dressing fungicides especially with Metalaxyl-m, Thiamethoxam and Difenoconazole is recommended for use in central part of Tanzania.
Quantitative Assessment of Post-Harvest Losses of Guava (Psidium guajava) in Rajasthan
Authors: Vikash Vikash , Meena Satyveer Singh , Sharma Amita , Kumar Susheel , Verma R. K. , Acharya V. S.
Published: January 2024

The present research was done for the quantitative assessment of post-harvest losses in guava. Factors responsible for the post-harvest losses in guava were identified and evaluated. The study was performed in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan because the district has the highest guava production (27452 MT) among other districts of Rajasthan. The research was performed during the year of 2022. The data was taken from 40 farmers through judgmental sampling. Modified average formula was employed to quantify the post-harvest losses in guava by taking consideration of all types of losses at 5 level (collection, sorting, grading, packaging and transportation). Friedman’s test was employed to test the difference between factors responsible for the post-harvest losses in guava. The overall post-harvest losses in guava at farm level was 14.05 per cent at district level which was comparatively higher than NABCONS 2022 study on post-harvest losses. The post-harvest losses during collection & transportation to storage house (1.91%), sorting (7.50%), grading (1.73%), packaging (1.32%) and transportation (1.59%) operations at farm level majorly contributed to the post-harvest losses in guava. The highest loss (7.50%) was found during sorting operation among other operation at farm level. Friedman’s test results reflected that inappropriate sorting & grading, heavy rainfall, insect infestation, disease infection and market infrastructure were the major contributing factors for the post-harvest losses in guava.
Application of Carbon Materials for the Development of Medical Devices
Authors: Kwak Yeong-Gon
Published: January 2024

Carbon materials are widely used in many areas of our lives. A fiber having a carbon content of 90% or more obtained by heating an organic fiber precursor is referred to as a "carbon fiber". Carbon fibers are currently used in the medical market to manufacture radiation transmission device parts, artificial joints, and medical aids, as many developments have been made to utilize carbon fibers' characteristics such as light weight, radiation permeability, biocompatibility, high strength, high heat resistance, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity. In order to maintain body temperature and increase immunity in long-lasting nuclear medical examination and treatment through the idea of convergence of carbon materials and radiation technology, the quality of medical services can be improved by utilizing carbon materials. We should be aware of the domestic carbon-based medical device industry and make efforts to contribute to the development of medical devices. As a radiation expert, we should try to use our skills and experience to find items that can be fused with medical devices to develop various nuclear medical examination fields and radiographic examination fields that can be widely applied. We should actively engage in future technology development and carbon material research to strengthen the global competitiveness of the domestic medical device industry and improve the quality of medical services.
Evaluation of Image for Phantom according to Normalization, Well Counter Correction in PET-CT
Authors: Lee Choong-Woon , You Yeon-Wook , Mun Jong-Woon , Kim Yun-Cheol
Published: January 2024

Purpose: PET-CT imaging require an appropriate quality assurance system to achieve high efficiency and reliability. Quality control is essential for improving the quality of care and patient safety. Currently, there are performance evaluation methods of UN2-1994 and UN2-2001 proposed by NEMA and IEC for PET-CT image evaluation. In this study, we compare phantom images with the same experiments before and after PET-CT 3D normalization and well counter correction and evaluate the usefulness of quality control. Materials and methods: Discovery 690 (General Electric Healthcare, USA) PET-CT equiptment was used to perform 3D normalization and well counter correction as recommended by GE Healthcare. Based on the recovery coefficients for the six spheres of the NEMA IEC Body Phantom recommended by the EARL. 20kBq/㎖ of 18F was injected into the sphere of the phantom and 2 kBq/㎖ of 18F was injected into the body of phantom. PET-CT scan was performed with a radioacitivity ratio of 10:1. Images were reconstructed by appliying TOF+PSF+TOF, OSEM+PSF, OSEM and Gaussian filter 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6,5 ㎜ with matrix size 128×128, slice thickness 3.75 ㎜, iteration 2, subset 16 conditions. The PET image was attenuation corrected using the CT images and analyzed using software program AW 4.7 (General Electric Healthcare, USA). The ROI was set to fit 6 spheres in the CT image, RC (Recovery Coefficient) was measured after fusion of PET and CT. Statistical analysis was performed wilcoxon signed rank test using R. Results: Overall, after the quality control items were performed, the recovery coefficient of the phantom image increased and measured. Recovery coefficient according to the image reconstruction increased in the order TOF+PSF, TOF, OSEM+PSF, before and after quality control, RCmax increased by OSEM 0.13, OSEM+PSF 0.16, TOF 0.16, TOF+PSF 0.15 and RCmean increased by OSEM 0.09, OSEM+PSF 0.09, TOF 0.106, TOF+PSF 0.10. Both groups showed a statistically significant difference in wilcoxon signed rank test results (P value<0.001). Conclusion: PET-CT system require quality assurance to achieve high efficiency and reliability. Standardized intervals and procedures should be followed for quality control. We hope that this study will be a good opportunity to think about the importance of quality control in PET-CT.
Structured level-2 condition numbers of matrix functions
Authors: Arslan Bahar , D. Relton Samuel , Schweitzer Marcel
Published: January 2024

Matrix functions play an increasingly important role in many areas of scientific computing and engineering disciplines. In such real-world applications, algorithms working in floating-point arithmetic are used for computing matrix functions and additionally input data might be unreliable, e.g., due to measurement errors. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the sensitivity of matrix functions to perturbations, which is measured by condition numbers. However, the condition number itself might not be computed exactly as well due to round-off and errors in the input. The sensitivity of the condition number is measured by the so-called level-2 condition number. For the usual (level-1) condition number, it is well known that structured condition numbers (i.e., where only perturbations are taken into account that preserve the structure of the input matrix) might be much smaller than unstructured ones, which, e.g., suggests that structure-preserving algorithms for matrix functions might yield much more accurate results than general-purpose algorithms. In this work, we present a novel upper bound on the structured level-2 condition number, focusing on perturbation matrices within an automorphism group, a Lie or Jordan algebra, or the space of quasi-triangular matrices. In numerical experiments, we then compare the unstructured level-2 condition number with the structured one for some specific matrix functions such as the matrix logarithm, matrix square root, and matrix exponential.
Ants and Restingas: the Relationship Between the Geometric Model, Vegetation Cover, and Myrmecofauna in a Dune Habitat in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Djane dos Reis , Conceição Eltamara Souza da , Costa Neto Antônio de Oliveira , Nascimento Antonio Teofilo Ataide do
Published: January 2024

In this study, we propose to investigate whether the geometric model and vegetation cover of restinga remnants influences the diversity of ants on the Northern Coast of Bahia. Using Winkler extractors and baits of honey and sardines, the ants were collected from five restinga remnants. Correlations were made between the percentage of soil with vegetation cover, circularity and fractal dimension index and the diversity and richness of ants. Lastly, Kendall correlations and Theil-Kendall regression were performed. The diversity index of ants was not associated with the percentage of soil with vegetation cover. The diversity and richness of terrestrial ants were negatively influenced by the circularity index and positively by the fractal dimension index. The circularity index was inversely proportional, while the fractal dimension index was equivalent to the ant diversity index. The similarity dendrogram showed that areas with less fragmentation had similar myrmecofauna composition. The vegetation cover of the soil does not influence the diversity of ants, but the fragmentation of the areas and the geometric model measured by the fractal dimension index have an influence, being possible that the type of soil, in general, prevents the nesting of a larger volume of species and mask the possibility of finding a closer relationship between these variables.
The Breeding Pattern and Population Genetic Structure of Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Population in Natural Woodland Habitats
Authors: Vellupillai Naveeta , Ab Majid Abdul Hafiz
Published: January 2024

Microsatellite markers are suitable tools for assessing the population structure of eusocial species, especially those with a dynamic breeding system, such as the Asian subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae). Therefore, this study applied seven microsatellite markers to infer the breeding pattern and population genetic structure of C. gestroi found in natural woodland habitats at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. The natural woodland habitat C. gestroi colonies show significant deviation from HWE (all p < 0.05). The uncovered genetic pattern suggested that the C. gestroi colonies presented a combined breeding pattern of mixed- and extended-family colonies with moderate genetic differentiation and elevated inbreeding. In particular, the breeding pattern of C. gestroi colonies was inferred to vary depending on the demographic variation and the age of the colony. Nevertheless, the results revealed comprehensive information on the C. gestroi population structure, habitat-specific to natural woodlands. Furthermore, future studies with exclusive datasets on the population structure of C. gestroi on marginal demography are necessary to enhance the management strategies of this pest species.
Spatial perception in stereoscopic augmented reality based on multifocus sensing
Authors: Alonso Julia R. , Fernández Ariel , Javidi Bahram
Published: January 2024

In many areas ranging from medical imaging to visual entertainment, 3D information acquisition and display is a key task. In this regard, in multifocus computational imaging, stacks of images of a certain 3D scene are acquired under different focus configurations and are later combined by means of post-capture algorithms based on image formation model in order to synthesize images with novel viewpoints of the scene. Stereoscopic augmented reality devices, through which is possible to simultaneously visualize the three dimensional real world along with overlaid digital stereoscopic image pair, could benefit from the binocular content allowed by multifocus computational imaging. Spatial perception of the displayed stereo pairs can be controlled by synthesizing the desired point of view of each image of the stereo-pair along with their parallax setting. The proposed method has the potential to alleviate the accommodation-convergence conflict and make augmented reality stereoscopic devices less vulnerable to visual fatigue.
Experimental investigation of a long-period grating based coupler for high-capacity transmission systems
Authors: Sousa Liliana M. , Fernandes Marco A. , Fernandes Gil M. , Oliveira Ricardo , Monteiro Paulo P. , Guiomar Fernando P. , Nogueira Rogério N. , Rocha Ana M.
Published: January 2024

In this work, we developed and characterized a coupler based on long-period gratings (LPGs). The coupler consists of two single-mode fibers close to each other with similar LPGs inscribed, and it was optimized by adjusting the longitudinal distance between the LPGs. The optimized coupler was then integrated into a 400G coherent optical transmission system to evaluate its impact on the signals. There was no penalty imposed over the 400G signals at the coupling band. These results show that an LPG based coupler could be used in high-capacity coherent transmission systems for wavelength-selective coupling.
Automated, real-time material detection during ultrashort pulsed laser machining using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, for process tuning, end-pointing, and segmentation
Authors: Choi Hongbin , Phoulady Adrian , Hoveida Pouria , May Nicholas , Shahbazmohamadi Sina , Tavousi Pouya
Published: January 2024

The rapid, high-resolution material processing offered by ultrashort pulsed lasers enables a wide range of micro and nanomachining applications in a variety of disciplines. Complex laser processing jobs conducted on composite samples, require an awareness of the material type that is interacting with laser both for adjustment of the lasering process and for endpointing. This calls for real-time detection of the materials. Several methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) can be used for material characterization. However, these methods often need interruption of the machining process to transfer the sample to another instrument for inspection. Such interruption significantly increases the required time and effort for the machining task, acting as a prohibitive factor for many laser machining applications. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a powerful technique that can be used for material characterization, by analyzing a signal that is generated upon the interaction of laser with matter, and thus, it can be considered as a strong candidate for developing an in-situ characterization method. In this work, we propose a method that uses LIBS in a feedback loop system for real time detection and decision making for adjustment of the lasering process on-the-fly. Further, use of LIBS for automated material segmentation, in the 3D image resulting from consecutive lasering and imaging steps, is showcased.
Assessing the impact of digital transformation on capital market information efficiency under environmental uncertainty: Evidence from China
Authors: Feng Tao , Dong Xiaohuan , Wang Yueyun
Published: January 2024

Digital transformation is an emerging development opportunity for enterprises in the digital economy and comprehensively reflects the application of digital technology to production, operation, and management strategies. This study used data on A-share listed enterprises in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2007 to 2022 to examine the relationship between the digital transformation of enterprises and information efficiency of the capital market. Findings revealed that digital transformation can improve the information efficiency of the capital market and that environmental uncertainty plays a more significant regulatory role. The greater the environmental uncertainty, the more enterprises with a high degree of digital transformation can promote the information efficiency of the capital market. Additional analysis showed that the promotional effect of digital transformation on the information efficiency of the capital market is better for non-state-owned enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises. This study provides detailed insights into digital transformation and capital market information efficiency, which enriches the research related to the economic consequences of digital transformation and demonstrates the theoretical and practical value of corporate digital transformation.
Proteomic and transcriptomic characterisation of FIA10, a novel murine leukemic cell line that metastasizes into the brain
Authors: Just Ursula , Burtscher Helmut , Jeratsch Sylvia , Fischer Meike , Stocking Carol , Preussner Jens , Looso Mario , Schwanbeck Ralf , Günther Stefan , Huss Ralf , Mullen Lynne , Braun Thomas
Published: January 2024

Brain metastasis leads to increased mortality and is a major site of relapse for several cancers, yet the molecular mechanisms of brain metastasis are not well understood. In this study, we established and characterized a new leukemic cell line, FIA10, that metastasizes into the central nervous system (CNS) following injection into the tail vein of syngeneic mice. Mice injected with FIA10 cells developed neurological symptoms such as loss of balance, tremor, ataxic gait and seizures, leading to death within 3 months. Histopathology coupled with PCR analysis clearly showed infiltration of leukemic FIA10 cells into the brain parenchyma of diseased mice, with little involvement of bone marrow, peripheral blood and other organs. To define pathways that contribute to CNS metastasis, global transcriptome and proteome analysis was performed on FIA10 cells and compared with that of the parental stem cell line FDCP-Mix and the related FIA18 cells, which give rise to myeloid leukemia without CNS involvement. 188 expressed genes (RNA level) and 189 proteins were upregulated (log2 ratio FIA10/FIA18 ≥ 1) and 120 mRNAs and 177 proteins were downregulated (log2 ratio FIA10/FIA18 ≤ 1) in FIA10 cells compared with FIA18 cells. Major upregulated pathways in FIA10 cells revealed by biofunctional analyses involved immune response components, adhesion molecules and enzymes implicated in extracellular matrix remodeling, opening and crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), molecules supporting migration within the brain parenchyma, alterations in metabolism necessary for growth within the brain microenvironment, and regulators for these functions. Downregulated RNA and protein included several tumor suppressors and DNA repair enzymes. In line with the function of FIA10 cells to specifically infiltrate the brain, FIA10 cells have acquired a phenotype that permits crossing the BBB and adapting to the brain microenvironment thereby escaping immune surveillance. These data and our model system FIA10 will be valuable resources to study the occurrence of brain metastases and may help in the development of potential therapies against brain invasion.
Comparing the variances of several treatments with that of a control treatment: Theory and applications
Authors: Kong Jingsen , Lu Hezhi
Published: January 2024

A common and important problem in medicine, economics and environmental studies is the comparison of the variances of several treatments with that of a control treatment. Among the existing methods, Spurrier’s optimal test based on multivariate F distribution has exact type I error rates. However, it requires equal sample sizes among the treatment groups. To extend the application scope, in this paper, we propose a new efficient test for comparing several variances with a control using the marginal inferential model (MIM). Simulation studies show that the MIM test guarantees the exact type I error rate whether the sample size is equal or unequal. Moreover, the power of the MIM test is competitive with that of Spurrier’s optimal test. Finally, two real examples are used to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.
Antropocênica: digitar um território
Authors: Conceição Lopes M.
Published: January 2024

A villa Romana de S. Cucufate é um dos exemplos melhor conservados de villa aulica.Iniciada a ocupação romana em meados do Séc. I d. C, a villa evoluiu ao longo do tempo, com momento de reforma bem visíveis, como aquele do Século II d.C e o do século IV que lhe desenhou o perfil cujas ruínas hoje observamos.O sítio arqueológico foi intensamente escavado e de para com esse trabalho de recolha de dados primários para análise decorreu um intensivo programa de prospecção no espaço envolvente, em ordem a definir a rede de funcionamento de S. Cucufate, como estrutura agro-pastoril do período romano.Publicados, de modo detalhado, os dados recolhidos e as interpretações alcançadas foram alguns materiais expostos em museu, na Casa do Arco, em Vila de Frades. O museu, parte integrante da narrativa que os dados forneceram, está ao abandono.S.Cucufate, o santo mártir que foi cultuado nos edifícios da villa, teve direção mais feliz e está hoje recolhido na Igrejamatriz de Vila de Frades, onde o culto nunca se apagou e parece cada vez mais atuante. Na capela de s. Brás, namesma localidade, podem ser admiradas as pinturas murais que relatam o martírio do Santo.As ruínas, cujas escavações se iniciaram há quatro décadas, estão , mais descuidadas que cuidadas, abertas aosdiálogos que o presente nos desperta.