bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features of subset composition and functional activity of blood lymphocytes in tick-borne infections of different etiologies
Authors: Voronkova O. V. , Ilyinskikh E. N. , Hasanova R. R. , Esimova I. E. , Nevskaya K. V. , Karpova M. R. , Chernyshov N. A. , Yampolskaya A. V. , Yampolskaya O. V.
Published: October 2024

Aim. To perform a comparative assessment of subset composition and functional activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and ixodid tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB) in the acute phase of the disease.

Materials and methods. The study involved 22 patients with febrile and meningeal TBE, 15 patients with ITBB with and without erythema, and 11 healthy controls. Subset composition of blood lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry. The blast transformation assay was applied to assess lymphocyte proliferation. Cytokine-producing activity of cells was studied in 24-hour incubated mononuclear cell cultures. Cytokine concentrations (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)γ) were determined in the supernatants by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results. Patients with TBE demonstrated an increase in the proportion of helper – inducer T-cells, a pronounced decrease in the proportion and absolute count of cytotoxic T cells, and low T lymphocyte count compared to the control values. The study in ITBB patients revealed an increase in the helper – inducer T-cell count and the proportion of NK-cells, a decrease in the cytotoxic T cell count, and the T lymphocyte count comparable to normal values. The most significant decrease in the levels of phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation was found in patients with TBE. Patients of both groups showed a decrease in IL-2 secretion in the mononuclear cell culture, a rise in IL-4 and IL-10 production, and IFNγ production levels comparable to control values.

Conclusion. The study of TBE patients revealed relative lymphocytopenia with changes in the subset composition of lymphocytes characterized by an increase in the proportion of helper – inducer T-cells and a decrease in the absolute cytotoxic T lymphocyte count. Patients with ITBB demonstrated an increase in the proportion of NK-cells and a more pronounced imbalance in the T-helper / cytotoxic T lymphocyte ratio. Changes in the functional phenotype of lymphocytes, regardless of the etiology of tick-borne infection, were characterized by reduced proliferative reserve, low IL-2 secretion, increased IL-4 and IL-10 production, and depressed reactivity of lymphocytes with respect to IFNγ secretion.
Adipocytokine levels in patients with atherosclerosis and high triglyceride – glucose index
Authors: Garbuzova E. V. , Shramko V. S. , Kashtanova E. V. , Polonskaya Ya. V. , Stakhneva E. M. , Kurguzov A. V. , Chernyavsky A. M. , Ragino Yu. I.
Published: October 2024

Aim. To study the levels of adipocytokines and their associations with stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaques in patients with a high triglyceride – glucose (TyG) index.

Materials and methods. The study included 109 men aged 38–79 years (mean age 62.28 ± 8.19 years) with atherosclerosis hospitalized for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). After microscopy of the intima – media layer, the type of atherosclerotic plaque was determined: stable / unstable. The TyG index ≥ 4.49 was considered as high. Fifty-eight (60%) men had stable plaques in the CA (28 (56%) of them had TyG ≥ 4.49); 39 (40%) men had unstable plaques in the CA (15 (39%) had TyG ≥ 4.49). Blood adipocytokine level was studied using the multiplex assay and the Human Metabolic Hormone Panel V3.

Results. The final analysis included 97 patients. The level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) was 1.53 times greater in patients with TyG ≥ 4.49 (34.16 [18.71; 54.98] vs. 22.34 [15.02; 34.77], p = 0.004). In patients with TyG < 4.49, the adipsin level was 1.2 times higher in patients with unstable plaques than in patients with stable ones. In patients with stable plaques and TyG ≥ 4.49, the GIP level was 1.88 times higher than in patients with TyG < 4.49 (42.13 [25.34; 68.95] vs. 22.39 [17.00; 28.60], p = 0.003). In patients with unstable plaques and TyG ≥ 4.49, the level of peptide tyrosine – tyrosine (PYY) was 1.46 times greater than in patients with TyG < 4.49 (46.14 [30.49; 70.66] vs. 31.53 [24.71; 43.01], p = 0.048).

Conclusion. Men with atherosclerosis and TyG ≥ 4.49 had higher blood levels of GIP and PYY. Blood adipsin levels were higher in patients with unstable plaques without insulin resistance.
Course of arterial hypertension during breast cancer chemotherapy with anthracyclines
Authors: Berezikova E. N. , Shilov S. N. , Popova A. A. , Neupokoeva M. N. , Teplyakov A. T. , Grakova E. V. , Kopeva K. V. , Kalyuzhin V. V. , Yushin A. Yu.
Published: October 2024

Aim. To study the characteristics of the course of arterial hypertension (AH) and subclinical cardiac damage during breast cancer chemotherapy with doxorubicin.

Materials and methods. The study included a total of 27 women with breast cancer (BC) and a history of controlled hypertension who were to receive chemotherapy with anthracyclines. Twelve women had stage 1 hypertension; 15 women had stage 2 hypertension. The patients received dual antihypertensive therapy according to clinical guidelines. All patients underwent echocardiography and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring at baseline, after the last course of chemotherapy, and 12 months after the end of chemotherapy. The control group included 35 women with BC without a history of AH, who also were to receive anthracycline chemotherapy.

Results. A significant relationship between pre-existing AH and the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction 12 months after the completion of chemotherapy (p = 0.01) was found. According to 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, 15 women (55.6%) showed deterioration of blood pressure control after the completion of chemotherapy, which required modification of antihypertensive therapy by adding one more drug to the treatment regimen. At 12 months after the end of chemotherapy, in 13 women, hypertension control was reached with triple antihypertensive therapy. In two women, hypertension became resistant, which required prescription of a fourcomponent antihypertensive regimen.

Conclusion. Pre-existing AH plays an essential role in the development of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, despite the quality of blood pressure control. Polychemotherapy with anthracyclines may deteriorate blood pressure control in patients with AH, which requires addition of antihypertensive drugs to the treatment regimen.
A decision rule for identifying patients at high risk for impaired lung diffusion capacity after COVID-19
Authors: Savushkina O. I. , Muraveva E. S. , Zhitareva I. V. , Davydov D. V. , Kryukov E. V.
Published: October 2024

Aim. To elaborate a decision rule for identifying the main predictors of impaired lung diffusion capacity after COVID-19.

 Materials and methods. The retrospective study included 341 patients without underlying lung diseases (median age 48 years) who experienced COVID-19 with bilateral pneumonia. The median extent of parenchymal lesion in the acute phase of COVID-19 (CTmax) was 50%. Spirometry, body plethysmography, and lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) test were performed. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, one-dimensional logistic regression analysis with an assessment of odds ratios (OR), and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the quality of the binary classifier model.

Results. The initial model for predicting reduced DLCO (< 80% of predicted) included the following predictors: CTmax, time interval from the COVID-19 onset, gender, age, body mass index. Backward stepwise regression was applied, and a binary classifier model that includes CTmax was obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of the model for the training sample were 80 and 67%, respectively, for the test sample – 79 and 70%, respectively. The analysis of OR showed that OR > 1 was observed at СTmax > 40%.

Conclusion. The decision rule was obtained for predicting impaired lung diffusion capacity after COVID-19 with virus-associated lung damage in patients without underlying bronchopulmonary diseases. Patients with CTmax > 40% require more thorough clinical follow-up with DLCO monitoring after the acute phase of COVID-19
Intestinal microbiota in children with bronchial asthma
Authors: Sokolova T. S. , Malchuk V. N. , Fedorova O. S. , Kulenich V. V. , Odintsova V. E. , Koshechkin S. I.
Published: October 2024

Background. Intestinal microbiota is one of the most important factors determining the state of human health, including its influence on the immunological mechanisms regulating the development of allergic diseases in childhood. The role of intestinal microbiota and the gut – lung axis in the development of bronchial asthma (BA) is an important area of research.

Aim. To analyze the taxonomic composition of intestinal microbiota in children with BA using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Materials and methods. The study included patients with BA (n = 50, mean age 10.34 ± 2.99 years) and a group of apparently healthy individuals (n = 49, mean age 10.3 ± 2.8 years). For all patients, medical history was taken, and physical examination and stool test were performed. Patients with BA were assessed for the level of total and specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and underwent spirometry. The microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing with subsequent bioinformatic and statistical analysis.

Results. Significant differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota (beta diversity) and a decrease in taxonomic diversity (alpha diversity) were found in patients with BA compared to healthy controls. The intestinal microbiota of patients with BA was characterized by an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Lachnospira, Roseburia, Akkermansia, Anaerostipes, Sutterella, Odoribacter, Phascolarctobacterium, Butyricimonas, as well as unclassified bacteria from the Rikenellaceae families. The intestinal microbiota of children without BA was characterized by greater abundance of bacteria from Blautia, Bifidobacterium, Dorea, Ruminococcus, Streptococcus, Eubacterium, Acinetobacter, Collinsella, Lactococcus, Catenibacterium genera and unclassified bacteria from the Clostridiaceae and Coriobacteriaceae families. Significant differences in the quantitative abundance of bacteria were revealed depending on the type of sensitization, the level of total IgE, and the value of FEV1.

Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the differences in the intestinal microbiota composition in children with BA and healthy children.
Fuzzy-Based Convolutional Neural Network Model for Structural Response Prediction Under Seismic Excitation
Authors: Barkhordari Mohammad Sadegh , Barkhordari Mohammad Mahdi
Published: October 2024

This study addresses the challenge of predicting the dynamic behavior of the structures under seismic excitation. Accurate prediction of such systems' responses is critical for the design and evaluation of buildings and infrastructure. Traditional methods, including numerical models and differential equation solvers, often face significant computational burdens, especially with nonlinear hysteretic behaviors and large-scale problems. To overcome these limitations, a novel Fuzzy-based Convolutional Neural Network (FuzzyCNN) model is developed. This model integrates fuzzy logic principles with convolutional neural networks to effectively manage the uncertainties and complexities inherent in soil-structure interaction under seismic loads. The model's performance is validated through both numerical simulations and experimental data from a mid-rise concrete building subjected to seismic events. Comparative analysis with a traditional Physics-informed CNN (PhyCNN) model demonstrates the superior accuracy and robustness of the FuzzyCNN in predicting seismic responses. Key results show that the FuzzyCNN model not only enhances prediction accuracy but also handles uncertainties more effectively than the PhyCNN model. The findings suggest that the FuzzyCNN model can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of dynamic response predictions. This advancement offers valuable implications for engineering design, seismic risk assessment, and the development of more resilient infrastructure.
Quantum-Relativistic Diffusion in Nano-Transport
Authors: Di Sia Paolo
Published: October 2024

In this paper we present the complete technical analysis of the diffusion function D(t) in the hypothesis of quantum-relativistic effects inside a nanostructure. The calculation is carried out through the use of a novel analytical model, known as DS model, that have a wide scale range of applicability and is usable for every oscillating process in Nature. The nanoscale will be considered in the paper, but the presence of a gauge term inside the model allows its application from sub-pico-level to macro-level. In addition to the theoretical framework, the graphical behavior of the function D(t) in some cases is considered and examples of application are performed.
Morphological Studies and Phylogenetic Analyses Unveil Two Notable New Species of Russula Subg. Heterophyllinae from China
Authors: Chen Bin , Liang Junfeng , Yu Fei
Published: October 2024

Russula, a prominent genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi, is notably abundant and diverse in China. We present here the findings from studies on various Chinese Russula collections. Two notable species within subg. Heterophyllinae, namely Russula leucoviridis and R. subswatica, were described and illustrated based on comprehensive morphological characteristics and molecular evidence. Morphologically, Russula leucoviridis is characterized by its small to medium-sized basidiomata with a cuticle that cracks and breaks into small green patches near the center after mature, a pastel green to green pileus center with light yellow spots, and a white to greenish white pileus margin; whereas R. subswatica is distinguished by an infundibuliform pileus with a deeply depressed center after mature, a light orange to grayish orange pileus center, and a yellowish white to light orange margin with a purplish to purplish-black hue, and a white to yellowish white stipe that exhibits a purplish hue at the junction with the pileus. The phylogenetic analyses were constructed using a combined dataset of ITS, nrLSU, RPB2 and mtSSU. Relying on both morphological characteristics and multigene phylogeny, the former species is classified within subsect. Virescentinae, while the latter is affiliated with subsect. Griseinae. In this study, we contribute new data on infrageneric phylogenetic relations and enrich the species diversity of Subg. Heterophyllinae in China.
Underutilized Feature Extraction Methods for Burn Severity Mapping: A Comprehensive Evaluation
Authors: Nguyen Linh , Lee Giha
Published: October 2024

Wildfires increasingly threaten ecosystems and infrastructure, making accurate burn severity mapping (BSM) essential for effective disaster response and environmental management. Machine learning (ML) models utilizing satellite-derived vegetation indices are crucial for assessing wildfire damage; however, incorporating many indices can lead to multicollinearity, reducing classification accuracy. While Principal component analysis (PCA) is commonly used to address this issue, its effectiveness relative to other feature extraction (FE) methods in BSM remains un-derexplored. This study aims to enhance ML classifier accuracy in BSM by evaluating various FE techniques that mitigate multicollinearity among vegetation indices. Using composite burn index (CBI) data from the 2014 Carlton Complex fire in the United States as a case study, we extracted 118 vegetation indices from seven Landsat-8 spectral bands. We applied and compared 13 different FE techniques—including linear and nonlinear methods such as PCA, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), Isomap, uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP), factor analysis (FA), independent component analysis (ICA), multidimensional scaling (MDS), truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD), non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), locally linear embedding (LLE), spectral embedding (SE), and neighborhood components analysis (NCA). The performance of these techniques was benchmarked against six ML classifiers to determine their effectiveness in improving BSM accu-racy. Our results show that alternative FE techniques can outperform PCA, improving classifica-tion accuracy and computational efficiency. Techniques like LDA effectively captured nonlinear relationships critical for accurate BSM. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive comparison of FE methods, highlighting the potential benefits of underutilized techniques in BSM
High Resolution Building Indicator Mapping Using Airborne LiDAR Data
Authors: Tarsha Kurdi Fayez , Lewandowicz Elżbieta , Gharineiat Zahra , Shan Jie
Published: October 2024

Urban indicators characterize a specific urban space through calculated values, such as building coverage, building height, floor area ratio, and many others. Urban indicators established in spatial development plans should ensure the preservation of spatial order when introducing new construction investments. They should also harmonize with the existing urban structure, and even modernize it towards sustainable development. When determining these indicators, surrounding space is analyzed. Conventionally, building indicators in the existing space are determined based on available documents, usually 2D spatial data such as large-scale maps or cadastral maps. The aim of this research is to investigate the method of calculating building indicators using 3D urban building models that will be created from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) measurements. In the discussion of the results, indicators calculated based on LiDAR data are compared with calculated from 2D cadastral data. The calculated 3D indicators correlate with the classically calculated indicators. The accuracy of computed building area, volume, and other indicators depends on the LiDAR point cloud density and accuracy. The indicators calculated from 3D data align with new trends in defining Building Morphology Indicators (BMI).
Evidence of the Long-Term Influence of Volcanic Activity on the Climate of the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Ogurtsov Maxim
Published: October 2024

Six up-to-date reconstructions of hemispheric and global temperature and two indices of volcanic activity were analyzed using both Fourier and wavelet approaches over time intervals up to 1500 years. A cyclicity with a period of 188-250 years was found present in both Northern Hemisphere temperature and volcanic activity. These cycles were found to be negatively correlated, with the maximum correlation coefficient being reached when volcanic variations lead temperature vari-ations by 20 years. The combined probability of the null hypothesis – the proposition that in the Northern Hemisphere there is no real association between the bicentennial change in volcanic activity and temperature and that the revealed correlations arose purely by chance – was found to be no more than 1.2×10-2 over the entire time interval and less than 10-2 over the time interval AD 1270-1980. The effect was weaker in global temperature and was not detected in the Southern Hemisphere. Possible origins of the identified bicentennial correlations are discussed and guidelines for further research are proposed.
Comprehensive Supervision of Agricultural Natural Resources Assets in China: Value Objective, Game Analysis and Legal Approach
Authors: Zhang Wenfei , Zhao Leilei
Published: October 2024

The establishment of Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, marks integrated installation of centralized and unified supervision of agricultural natural resources assets. The value goal of comprehensive supervision of agricultural natural resource assets should include process-oriented, multi-participation, assets accretion and technological innovation. However, different supervision departments have different objectives and interest gambling. From the perspective of game equilibrium, effective balance between development and use and comprehensive supervision of agricultural natural resource assets, promote the reconstruction of structure of rights(powers), form a practical systematic selection. Take comprehensive supervision legislation as solution path, take central and local comprehensive cohesion as realization mechanism, highly integrated and coordinate in legislation, to implement institution allocation which efficient use of agricultural natural resources assets and rural green ecological environment protection are considered.
An Exploratory Study on the Potentials of Removing Ice from Frozen Structures by Bubble Pulsation Energy
Authors: Song Ying , Zhang Shuai , Wang Shi-Ping , Kang Zhuang
Published: October 2024

The safety and reliability of structures operating in cold regions are seriously threatened by icing. This has attracted researchers to explore de-icing/anti-icing methods. In this work, a bubble de-icing system was established and investigated for the removal of ice from frozen structures using bubble pulsation energy. Traditional de-icing method face high energy consumption, environmental pollution, and secondary icing issues. To avoid this and promote the development of de-icing techniques, the massive amount of energy generated by bubble pulsation can be used for de-icing. In the present work, experimental methods have been adopted to demonstrate the possibilities of de-icing using cavitation energy. Many test cases, in which the bubble distance from the target and thickness of ice layer were varied 5 - 35 mm, were examined to determine the mechanism of ice removal by the bubble energy. This research demonstrated that bubble energy can be used effectively for de-icing. Bubble energy
should be further explored for de-icing techniques and engineering application prospects.
Addressing Bias and Fairness using Fair Federated Learning: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Kim Dohyoung , Woo Hyekyung , Lee Youngho
Published: October 2024

In the field of machine learning, the rapid development of data volume and variety requires ethical data utilization and strict privacy protection standards. Fair Federated Learning (FFL) has emerged as a key solution that aims to ensure fairness and privacy protection in a distributed learning environment. FFL enhances privacy protection and solves the inherent limitations of existing federated learning (FL) by promoting fair model training in diverse participant groups, preventing the exclusion of individual users or minorities, and improving overall model fairness. In this study, FFL discusses the causes of bias and fairness of existing FL, and separates solutions based on data partitioning strategies, privacy mechanisms, applicable machine learning models, communication architectures, and technologies to overcome heterogeneity. In order to improve the causes of bias, fairness, and privacy protection of FL, fairness evaluation indicators and applications and challenges of FFL are discussed. Since it addresses bias, fairness, and privacy issues in FL of all mechanisms, it can be an important resource for practitioners who want to implement efficient FL solutions.
Oxidative Processes and Xenobiotic Metabolism in Plants: Mechanisms of Defense and Potential Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Vicidomini Caterina , Palumbo Rosanna , Moccia Maria , Roviello Giovanni N.
Published: October 2024

Plants are continuously exposed to environmental challenges, including pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals, collectively termed xenobiotics. These substances induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. To counteract this, plants have evolved complex metabolic pathways involving both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms to detoxify and process these harmful compounds. Oxidative stress in plants primarily arises from the overproduction of ROS, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anions (O2•−), singlet oxygen (1O2), and hydroxyl radicals (•OH), by-products of metabolic activities such as photosynthesis and respiration. Exposure to xenobiotics significantly elevates ROS levels, causing cellular damage and disrupting metabolism. Plants employ a robust antioxidant defense system featuring enzymatic antioxidants like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and various peroxidases (POD). These enzymes collaborate to scavenge ROS, minimizing their detrimental effects. Additionally, plants produce numerous non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamins C and E, which neutralize ROS and regenerate other antioxidants, providing comprehensive protection against oxidative stress. Xenobiotic metabolism in plants involves three phases: Phase I (modification), Phase II (conjugation), and Phase III (compartmentalization), facilitated by enzymes like cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), transferases such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Plant secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, significantly contribute to detoxification and antioxidant defense. Understanding these oxidative processes and xenobiotic metabolism pathways in plants is crucial, as it offers insights into developing plant-based strategies to mitigate environmental pollution impacts and improve human health through enhanced detoxification and antioxidant mechanisms, as we discuss in this review.
Simplified Gravity Load Collapse Dynamic Analysis of Old-Type Reinforced Concrete Frames
Authors: Megalooikonomou Konstantinos G.
Published: October 2024

The results of shaking table tests from the literature on a one-story, two-bay reinforced concrete frame experiencing both shear and axial failures are compared with nonlinear dynamic analyses using simplified models designed for assessing the collapse of older reinforced concrete structures. To simulate the nonlinear behavior of columns—both those prone to shear failure and those more flexure-dominant—the one-component beam model was utilized. This model consists of a linear elastic element linked in series to a rigid-plastic linear hardening spring at each end, representing a concentrated plasticity element. To capture strength degradation through path-dependent plasticity, a negative kinematic hardening model was used, connecting points at shear and axial failure, respectively. Shear failure points were determined via pushover analysis of the shear-critical columns using Phaethon software. While the simplified model yielded reasonable predictions of the overall frame response and lateral strength degradation, the reduced computational cost of the modeling approach led to some deviations between the calculated and measured shear forces and drifts during portions of the time-history response.
Simulation of Fidelity in Entanglement-Based Networks with Repeater Chains
Authors: Pérez Castro David , Fernández Vilas Ana , Fernández Veiga Manuel , Blanco Rodríguez Mateo Maximiliano , Díaz Redondo Rebeca P
Published: October 2024

We implement a simulation environment on top of NetSquid that is specifically designed for estimating the end-to-end fidelity across a path of quantum repeaters or quantum switches. The switch model includes several generalizations which are not currently available in other tools, and are useful for gaining insight into practical and realistic quantum network engineering problems: an arbitrary number of memory registers at the switches, simplicity in including entanglement distillation mechanisms, arbitrary switching topologies, and more accurate models for the depolarization noise. An illustrative case study is presented, namely a comparison in terms of performance between a repeater chain where repeaters can only swap sequentially, and a single switch equipped with multiple memory registers, able to handle multiple swapping requests.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Intestinal Helminthiases and Schistosomiasis Among Preschool – Aged Children in Rwanda
Authors: Muhawenamahoro Vestine , Nyandwi Elias , M.K. Elehamer Nafisa , Nkurunziza Emmanuel , Ndera Mucyo Tuyizere , Nshimiyimana Thaddée , Fissehaye Habtu Michael , Rujeni Nadine
Published: October 2024

Background: Intestinal helminthiases and schistosomiasis are among the neglected tropical diseases targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) for elimination as a public health issue by 2030. For this, it is important to determine their distribution and predicting factors, after a decade of mass deworming campaigns. In particular, such information is scarce among pre-school aged children who have not been the target for epidemiological studies and schistosomiasis deworming activities. This cross-sectional study and secondary data analysis focused on preschool-aged children and was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthiases (Ascaris, ankylostoma, trichirus trichura, taenia) and Schistosomiasis, and identify the factors associated with them in Rwanda.
Methods: Data from 4,675 preschool-aged children randomly selected from 17 districts endemic to Schistosoma mansoni were analyzed. Parasitological assessment was performed using the Kato Katz technique. Having at least one intestinal helminthiasis or schistosomiasis case was considered a positive outcome. A structured questionnaire for childcare guardians, literature, and GIS were used to collect information regarding environmental factors. Data were aggregated at village level to calculate village prevalence used in depicting the distribution of intestinal helminthiases and schistosomiasis. Descriptive analysis was performed, and prevalence was assessed as a measure of frequency. The chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis whereas logistic regression was used for multivariable analysis. The confidence level was set at 95%, and the decision was made based on the P-value. Odds ratios (ORs) were assessed as a measure of association. STATA 15 and ArcGIS software were used in this study.
Results: The prevalence of intestinal helminthiases and schistosomiasis among preschool-aged children was 20.3%. Ascaris was the most prevalent parasite in this study (15%). Being older than 24 months, having self-employed parents, residence, fetching water into the lake or water body, land cover, clay soil, and high LST are predictors of intestinal helminthiases and schistosomiasis among preschool-aged children in Rwanda.
Conclusion: The prevalence of 20.3% is moderate and in the march towards the elimination of these parasitic infections, deworming activities should be coupled with water supply, reinforcement of the use of Early Child Development (ECD), relocating people living in proximity of wetlands and water bodies, and health education are key interventions in preventing preschool-aged children to get intestinal helminthiases and Schistosomiasis.
Assessment of Climate Change in Angola and Potential Impacts on Agriculture
Authors: Correia Carlos D.N , Amraoui Malik , Santos João A
Published: October 2024

Agroclimatic indicators help convey information about climate variability and change in terms that are meaningful to the agricultural sector. This study evaluated climate projections for Angola, particularly for provinces with higher agrarian potential. To this end, a set of 15 predefined agroclimatic indicators in 2041–2070 and 2071–2099, under the anthropogenic forcing scenarios RCP4 and RCP8, were compared with the historical period 1981–2010 as a baseline. Data were extracted within the geographic window of longitudes 10–24°E and latitudes 4–18°S and from five climate model chain experiments, namely MIROC-ESM-CHEM, HadGEM2-ES, IPSL-CM5A-LR, GFDL-ESM2M and NorESM1-M. The averages of the set of agroclimatic indicators, as well as their differences between historical and future periods, are discussed concerning the likely implications for agriculture in Angola. The results show significant increases in average daily maximum (2–3°C) and minimum (2–3°C) temperatures in Angola. For the future, a generally significant reduction in precipitation (and its associated indicators) is expected in all areas of Angola, with the southwest region (Namibe and Huíla) recording the most pronounced decrease, up to 300 mm, while the maximum number of consecutive dry days will increase across the country and especially in the northeast of the country. A widespread increase in temperatures is expected, which could lead to hot and dry conditions in Angola that could lead to more frequent, intense and prolonged extreme events, such as tropical nights, maximum number of consecutive summer days, warm and wet days and Warm spell duration index periods. These changes can seriously affect agriculture, water resources and ecosystems in Angola, thus requiring adaptation strategies to reduce risks and adverse effects, while ensuring the sustainability of the country's natural resources and guaranteeing its food security.
Functional Nano-Metallic Coatings for Solar Cells
Authors: Jacak Witold Aleksander
Published: October 2024

We have collected theoretical arguments supporting the functional role of nano-metallic coatings of solar cells, which enhance their efficiency via by plasmon strengthening of absorption of sun-light photons and reduction of binding energy of photo-excitons. The quantum character of plasmonic effect related with the absorption of photons (called as optical plasmonic effect) is described in terms of Fermi golden rule for quantum transitions of semiconductor band electrons induced by plasmons from a nano-metallic coating. The plasmonic effect related with the lowering of exciton binding energy (called as electrical plasmonic effect) is also quantumly characterized with particular significance for metalized perovskite solar cells. Quantum coupling between plasmons in nanoparticles from a coating with band electrons in a semiconductor substrate significantly modifies material properties (dielectric functions) both of particles and of a semiconductor, beyond the ability of a classical electrodynamics description.
Progressive Cachexia: Tuberculosis, Cancer or Thyrotoxicosis? – Disease-Directed Therapy and Atypical Course of Autoimmune and Malignant Thyroid Disease in High Specialization Era. Case Control Study with Critical Literature Review
Authors: Zdziarski Przemyslaw , Wojnar Andrzej
Published: October 2024

Critical and progressive cachexia may be observed in numerous medical disciplines, but in patients with various diseases several pathways overlap (endocrine, inflammatory and kidney diseases, heart failure, cancer). A case-control analysis is presented of patients with initial immune-mediated thyroiditis complicated with cachexia, pulmonary pa-thology coexisting with opportunistic infection, finally diagnosed cancer (thyroid cancer, misdiagnosed as NSCLC). Contrary to other patients with lung cancer the presented pa-tients were not active smokers, exclusively women who developed cachexia with existing autoimmune process in the first phase. Furthermore, coexistence of short overall survival without cancer progression in the most seriously ill patients, correlation with sex (con-trary to history of smoking) and predisposition to mycobacterial disease are very sug-gestive. The unique sequence shed light on immune-mediated thyroid disease as a sub-clinical paraneoplastic process modified by various therapeutic regimens, however, with systemic consequences and a sequel, requiring holistic approach. Differential diagnosis of severe cachexia, adenocarcinoma with pulmonary localization and tuberculosis reac-tivation require analysis of immunological and genetic background. Contrary to highly specialized teams (e.g. lung cancer units) the immunotherapy and general medicine in aging populations require multidisciplinary observation, holistic and inquiring approach.
Lack of differentiation, confusing bias as well as discrepancy in literature are the main obstacles in statistical research, that indicate correlation of common factors only. Such time-lapse case studies may be first to build evidence of a pathway and association be-tween immune parameters, comorbidity and cancer.
Artificial Intelligence – Guided Cancer Therapy for Patients with Migraine Comorbidities
Authors: Olawade David B , Teke Jennifer , Adeleye Khadijat K. , Egbon Eghosasere , Weerasinghe Kusal , Ovsepian Saak , Boussios Stergios
Published: October 2024

Background: Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. The progress in effective treatment has been hampered by challenges in personalized therapy, particularly in patients with comorbid conditions. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into patient profiling offers a promising approach to enhancing individualized anticancer therapy.
Objective: This narrative review explores the role of AI in refining anticancer therapy through personalized profiling, with a specific focus on cancer patients with co-morbid migraine.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies were selected based on their relevance to AI applications in oncology and migraine management, with a focus on personalized medicine and predictive modeling. Key themes were synthesized to provide an overview of recent developments, challenges, and emerging directions.
Results: AI technologies such as machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and natural language processing (NLP) have become instrumental in discovery of genetic and molecular biomarkers to cancer and migraine. These technologies also enable predictive analytics for assessing the impact of migraine on cancer therapy in co-morbid cases, predicting outcomes and provide clinical decision support systems (CDSS) for real-time treatment adjustments.
Conclusion: AI holds significant potential to improve the precision and effectiveness of cancer management and therapy, particularly for cancer patients with co-morbid migraine. Nevertheless, challenges remain over data integration, clinical validation, and ethical consideration, which must be addressed to appreciate the full potential for outlines approach.
The Weight of History: Brazil's Economic Paradox from Estado Novo to Neoliberalism (1930-2000)
Authors: Montgomery Richard Murdoch
Published: October 2024

This study examines Brazil's complex economic journey from 1930 to 2000, exploring the interplay between historical legacies, policy choices, and global economic forces in shaping the nation's development trajectory. It argues that Brazil's economic history during this period is characterized by a series of paradoxes: rapid industrialization alongside persistent inequality, economic miracles followed by devastating crises, and modernization efforts constrained by colonial-era structures. The analysis begins with the Estado Novo of Getúlio Vargas, tracing the evolution of Brazil's economy through state-led industrialization, the "Economic Miracle" of the military regime, the debt crisis and hyperinflation of the 1980s, and the neoliberal reforms of the 1990s. Special attention is given to the enduring impact of slavery and colonial land distribution on Brazil's social and economic structures. The study highlights how these historical factors have contributed to ongoing challenges such as regional disparities, income inequality, and the "Brazil Cost." By examining these issues, the paper provides insights into the complexities of economic development in postcolonial societies and the challenges of overcoming historical constraints in the pursuit of equitable and sustainable growth.
Landslide Susceptibility Assessment Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP): A Case Study of Al Figrah Road, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharbi Talal , El-Sorogy Abdelbaset S. , Al-Kahtany Khaled , Salem Yousef , Rikan Naji A.
Published: October 2024

Landslides in the hilly regions of Al‐Madinah Al‐Munawarah are a natural hazard that endangers both infrastructure and human lives. The objective of this work is to create maps that show the likelihood of landslides occurring on the Al Figrah Road, which is a vital road connects the cities of Al‐Madinah and Yanbu. This will be done using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach. The landslide susceptibility maps have been created by taking into account various parameters such as elevation, slope, aspect, drainage density, lithology, soil, and precipitation. Assess the significance of these thematic layers in relation to the frequency of landslides in the research area based on historical landslide data and field verification, in order to allocate suitable weights. The sensitivity maps of the study region delineated areas with low risk (93,552,333 m2), moderate risk (271,180,722 m2), and high risk (33,053,839 m2). 28.63% of the Al Figrah total Road is classified as low risk, 48.09% as moderate risk, and 23.28% as high risk. A total of 10 landslides were identified in areas with steep slopes and denudational hills, confirming the findings of the AHP analysis conducted in high‐risk zones. The integrity of these slide zones was greatly impacted by the presence of joints, faults, foliation, and shear zones within igneous and metamorphic rocks. Examining the susceptibility of landslides in this region enhances our understanding of landslides on other steep routes in Saudi Arabia.
Designing of a Brushed DC Motor Driver with a Novel Adaptive Learning Algorithm Suitable for Automotive Industry
Authors: ELP Hudaverdi Emin , ALTUĞ Hüseyin , İNAN Remzi
Published: October 2024

In this study, a stepper driver, which is suitable for use in the automotive industry, designed for general use, capable of adaptive learning in the system in which it will be used, with CAN and Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) communication options, has been designed. This design is made with PIC18F25K22 Micro Controller Unit (MCU). Rotor speed, armature current, and terminal voltage can be measured on the proposed brushed DC motor drive system. It gives the desired response by evaluating the obstacle and high current situations. The speed measurement of the vehicle and the open and closed status of the automatic door can be monitored. Main contribution of the designed PCB is Adaptive Learning Algorithm (ALA) which uses pulses of the encoder and estimates position of the step and manage operation process to prevent mechanical damage at final point of the motor. On the other hand, unexpected hitting and pinching can be kept under control by watching current value. Beneficial side of this method is that life of the mechanical step increases due to management of the forward and backward operation of the step and prevents potential accidents.
Tungsten Disulfide-Based Materials and Their Conjugates for Cancer Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Lopes Ana R. , Magalhães Fernão D. , Loureiro Joana A. , Pinto Artur M.
Published: October 2024

Cancer remains one of the most critical global health issues. Conventional treatments, such as radiotherapy, surgery, or chemotherapy, have limitations, especially concerning side effects, resistance, and recurrence. Consequently, new innovative treatments to overcome these problems are needed. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising alternative that uses photothermal agents that convert near-infrared light (NIR) into heat to kill cancer cells. Nanoparticles can be used as photothermal agents and also as drug delivery platforms, improving the drugs’ stability, allowing for targeted delivery, and reducing toxicity. Due to its broad absorption band, high surface area, and versatility for surface functionalization, tungsten disulfide (WS2) has high potential in this context. This paper presents the state-of-the-art on the use of WS2-based materials to achieve effective and biocompatible anti-anticancer new treatment strategies.
Breve historia de una pandemia
Authors: Ramírez Alberto
Published: October 2024

Como dice uno de los memes que más han circulado durante la cuarentena: No queremos volver a la normalidad, porque la normalidad es el problema. La “normalidad” no trajo la pandemia…
Días buenos, días malos: aislamiento social de las mujeres mayores
Authors: Hernández Delgado Yolanda de Jesús , Castellanos Vargas Rosa Olimpia
Published: October 2024

En México, a partir del 23 de marzo se ha implementado la Jornada Nacional de Sana Distancia que implica la indicación de quedarse en casa para evitar la transmisión del coronavirus. Entre los sectores más vulnerables ante el coronavirus se encuentran las personas mayores.
#LaOtraPandemia: violencia de género hacia las mujeres
Authors: Baéz Ayala Susana
Published: October 2024

El 23 de marzo el Minotauro reapareció en los espacios que debieran ser de mayor seguridad para las mujeres: los hogares. El temor, el miedo y la incertidumbre salieron de la caja de Pandora a partir del inicio de las Jornadas de Sana Distancia para prevenir los contagios masivos del COVID-19.
Las fronteras de confinamiento y el uso de las redes sociales digitales
Authors: Obregón Patiño Jessica Paola
Published: October 2024

Se pudo observar que, desde el inicio del brote del virus en China, el uso de las redes sociales permitió conocer no solo en lo que consistía el virus, sino la constante propagación, medidas de seguridad y prácticas aconsejables de cuidado.
Cuando las salas y las recámaras se convierten en aulas
Authors: Núñez-Mchiri Guillermina Gina
Published: October 2024

Desde mediados de marzo del 2020 cambió la forma en que nos comunicamos con nuestros alumnos y colegas universitarios, así como cambiaron también nuestras rutinas y vidas.
El derrumbe de la frontera narcisista
Authors: López-Pozos Cecilia
Published: October 2024

En ninguna época como en este siglo se había pugnado tanto por el exceso de individualismo, vanagloria y autosuficiencia del ser humano, considerándose a sí mismo como un “Dios omnipotente” que, eufórico ha desdeñado las ataduras del pasado, desplazando los miedos y creencias internas que lo hacían ver como un “hombre pobre y dependiente”.
Confinamiento
Authors: Garcialopez Miranda José Luis
Published: October 2024

Una de las variantes que presenta el COVID-19 con respecto a los eventos anteriormente mencionados es que puede ser transmitido por familiares o amigos, lo que se ha convertido en una amenaza a la vida social de los seres humanos, afectando los espacios de enseñanza, laborales y de convivencia.
Despedida de Cuadernos Fronterizos
Authors: Orozco Víctor
Published: October 2024

En este último editorial que me toca redactar como Director, me place patentizar que Cuadernos Fronterizos ha sido fiel a las ideas y propósitos que la vieron nacer. Al jubilarme de la Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, me despido sólo de mis funciones directivas en la publicación, que mejores manos habrán de continuar. De la revista en sí, es imposible apartarme, porque la llevaré conmigo siempre, como uno de los entrañables quehaceres intelectuales que la vida generosa me ha dispensado.
El papel de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil en Ciudad Juárez
Authors: Ávila Melgar Mario Narciso
Published: October 2024

Ciudad Juárez es una comunidad que se ha caracterizado por una fuerte presencia de Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC). Ya desde los años 70 empezó a vislumbrarse el surgimiento de las primeras agrupaciones ciudadanas con la aparición del Centro de Orientación de la Mujer Obrera (COMO) con una fuerte influencia en la defensoría de los derechos de las mujeres trabajadoras de la industria maquiladora
El Plan de Contingencia de Chihuahua: ¿un ejemplo de acción pública?
Authors: Hernández Silva Héctor
Published: October 2024

El 7 de marzo de 2016 más de veinte Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC) redactaron un informe en el cual daban cuenta de la situación de riesgo y vulnerabilidad en la que se encuentran las personas que promueven y defienden los derechos humanos en el estado de Chihuahua.