bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Professional Indemnity Insurance Use in Construction Risk Management
Authors: Ngoy Kabemba S. , Chisumbe Sampa , Petere Gaida , Mwiya Balimu , Mwanaumo Erastus 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Despite convergence shown by different schools of thought on the correlation between efficient risk management practices and enhanced delivery of sustainable construction projects, the knowledge gap on the use of professional indemnity insurance (PII) is still persistent in Africa, particularly in Zambia. This paper examined factors influencing the use of PII to manage construction risks. It has identified the main factors influencing the use of PII, assessed their influence and respondents’ consensus level in the Zambia context. Data were collected qualitatively using a two-round Delphi survey. Ten field experts were selected, including construction professionals, contractors and surety providers. Experts’ opinion positioned premium and legal framework as highly influential with a median of within the range of 9 to 10; surety prequalification and stakeholders’ interest as being influential with a median equal to 7. Except for surety prequalification and stakeholders’ interest, which had weak consensus with an Interquartile Range greater than or equal to 2.75, the other six factors (surety service quality, surety, construction firm relationships, competition in the industry, and construction firm level of awareness) reached a good consensus with an Interquartile Range within the range of 1 to 2.75. Embedded with the ability to influence other factors, legal framework acts as focal point to improve access of PII and therefore needs adequate and contextualized amendments.
Impacts of Biotechnologically Developed Microorganisms on Ecosystems
Authors: Celebi Dilek , Yilmaz Mustafa Tugrul , Dundar Munis 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Climate change has imposed a significant struggle for survival most of the Earth’s species, highlighting the urgent need for a healthy and secure environment. Recent scientific investigations have primarily concentrated on the development and use of microorganisms as powerful biotechnological tools to address the escalating pollution that poses a severe threat to life. But this microorganisims long-term effects on biodiversity and ecosystems remain a subject of inquiry. In this comprehensive review, we aim to thoroughly evaluate the effects of microorganisms on the general ecosystem and critically assess the use of existing biotechnological tools developed to combat climate-related challenges. By shedding light on the potential implications, this review strives to contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between microorganisms, ecosystems, and climate change mitigation.
Correlation of leucocyte and platelet indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with microvascular complications at a tertiary care hospital in south India – A prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Gokul Raj , Yoganathan Chidambaram , Clement Jenil Dhas Christopher Paul , Abilash Nekkanti , Velammal Petchiappan , Bhargavi Kumar , Sujith Kumar Sivaraj 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective. The present study was directed to assess the correlation between leukocyte and platelet indices and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2020 and May 2021 at a tertiary healthcare center. Sixty T2DM patients, who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included into the study and divided into 2 groups: T2DM patients with microvascular complications and T2DM patients without vascular complications. Clinical history was taken and examinations (routine complete blood count) were done to obtain platelet indices, neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) were obtained and tabulated. A correlation was statistically analyzed from the obtained data, p value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results. From the patients with microvascular complications, 18 cases suffered from retinopathy and nephropathy. Majority of the participants suffered from moderate non-proliferative retinopathy. The creatine median and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were significantly higher in T2DM patients with microvascular complications (p<0.0001 and p<0.0054, respectively) compared to T2DM patients without vascular complications. No significant correlation was found between platelet indices, NLR, PLR with regard to fasting blood sugar, post prandial blood sugar, HbA1C in T2DM patients.

Conclusions. Since no significant correlation was found between the different platelet indices and microvascular complications, it is evident that these markers cannot be used as the predictors of microvascular complications in T2DM patients.
Hypoxia controls the expression of genes responsible for serine synthesis in U87MG cells on ERN1-dependent manner
Authors: Sliusar Myroslava Y. , Minchenko Dmytro O. , Khita Olena O. , Tsymbal Dariia O. , Viletska Yuliia M. , Luzina Olha Y. , Danilovskyi Serhij V. , Ratushna Oksana O. , Minchenko Oleksandr H. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective. Serine synthesis as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress and hypoxia are important factors of malignant tumor growth including glioblastoma. Previous studies have shown that the knockdown of ERN1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling) significantly suppressed the glioblastoma cell proliferation and modified the hypoxia regulation. The present study is aimed to investigate the impact of hypoxia on the expression of PHGDH (phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase), PSAT1 (phosphoserine aminotransferase 1), PSPH (phosphoserine phosphatase), ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4), and SHMT1 (serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1) in U87MG glioblastoma cells in relation to knockdown of ERN1 with the intent to reveal the role of ERN1 signaling pathway on the endoplasmic reticulum stress-dependent regulation of expression of these genes.

Methods. The control U87MG glioblastoma cells (transfected by empty vector) and ERN1 knockdown cells (transfected by dominant-negative ERN1) were exposed to hypoxia introduced by dimethyloxalylglycine for 4 h. RNA was extracted from cells and reverse transcribed. The expression level of PHGDH, PSAT1, PDPH, SHMT1, and ATF4 genes was studied by real-time qPCR and normalized to ACTB.

Results. It was found that hypoxia up-regulated the expression level of PHGDH, PSAT1, and ATF4 genes in control U87MG cells, but PSPH and SHMT1 genes expression was down-regulated. The expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, and ATF4 genes in glioblastoma cells with knockdown of ERN1 signaling protein was more sensitive to hypoxia, especially PSAT1 gene. At the same time, the expression of PSPH gene in ERN1 knockdown cells was resistant to hypoxia. The expression of SHMT1 gene, encoding the enzyme responsible for conversion of serine to glycine, showed similar negative sensitivity to hypoxia in both control and ERN1 knockdown glioblastoma cells.

Conclusion. The results of the present study demonstrate that the expression of genes responsible for serine synthesis is sensitive to hypoxia in gene-specific manner and that ERN1 knockdown significantly modifies the impact of hypoxia on the expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, and ATF4 genes in glioblastoma cells and reflects the ERN1-mediated reprograming of hypoxic regulation at gene expression level.
Influence of drying and granulation process conditions on the characteristics of micronutrient chelates granules
Authors: Michałek Bernard , Bizon Katarzyna , Gierczyk Błażej , Wilk Tomasz , Rapp Magdalena 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Fluidized-bed spray granulation (FBSG) enables manufacturing particles with desired characteristics, including particle size distribution (PSD), density, or dust content. This study investigated the effect of selected factors on the granules obtained in a continuous FBSG of chelated fertilizers for foliar applications. The effect of surfactant addition to the solution sprayed into the bed and perturbations of operating parameters on PSD and granules morphology was studied. The experiments were supplemented with calculations based on a population balance equation (PBE). It was shown that granules manufactured with the tenside addition are more regular in shape, and thus less prone to mechanical wear. It was demonstrated that increasing rotational mill speed does contribute to a slight increase in the amount of dust, but in the long term, it does not disturb the regular agglomeration process. The computational results confirm that, despite the complexity of the process, its description with PBE is feasible.
Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of leaves extracts of Coleus forskohlii L. collected from Al-Leith Area, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sameeh Manal Y. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background: wild Coleus forskohlii L. is a well-known traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases because of its high forskolin content and several diterpenes. Objective: this study aimed phytochemical screening, finding of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidation activity of Coleus forskohlii L. leavse extracts in Al-Leith area, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: dry leaves of wild C. forskohlii L. were used. Four solvents from diverse polarity groups were tested on these leaves, which are ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hexane. Moreover, obtained extracts were used in phytochemical analyzing, finding of total phenols, and antioxidation activity. Results: showed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, Proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, and glycosides in Coleus forskohlii L. leaves. The highest value of total phenolic content (TPC) was significantly (P < 0.001) in ethanol extract (280.5±2.33 mg GAE/gm. Also, the highest value of total flavonoid content (TFC) was in ethanol extract (141.4±1.30 mg QE /g). The antioxidation activity was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in ethanol extract (78.55±2.23%), followed by ethyl acetate extract (60.18±1.21%), chloroform extract (36.11±2.54%), and lowest value in hexane extract (20.71±0.59%). The study clearly indicated that the leaves extract of C. forskohlli L. collected from Al-Leith region- Saudi Arabia has properties to be useful in pharmacological and biological industries.
Evaluating the Total Phenolic, Protein Contents, Antioxidant and Pharmacological Effects of Cynodon dactylon Extracts Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Riaz Moazama , Ali Akbar , Shaheen Musarat , Rahman Shafiq ur , Aziz Riffat , Alamri Abdulhakeem S. , Alhomrani Majid , Dablool Anas S , Alghamdi Saad , Sameeh Manal Y. , Tashkandi Manal A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The study was aimed to characterize the antioxidant and anti-microbial activities of Cynodon dactylon with special reference on its precise biochemical analysis. Physiological analysis that total carotenoids content (0.3884 ± 0.0172 mg/g), total chlorophyll content (6.1460 ± 0.2915 mg/g), total phenolic contents (13.4703 ± 0.1494 mg/g), chlorophyll a (3.7708 ± 0.1528 mg/g, catalase (CAT) contents (40.2844 ± 0.1515 units/mg), total anthocyanin contents (5.0166 ± 0.2966 g–1 FW) total soluble proteins (2.9916 ± 0.1734 mg/g) and total flavonoids content (TFC) (4.7863 ± 0.0442 μg/g) was found higher in the leaves of the Cynodon dactylon whereas, chlorophyll b (2.4881 ± 0.1326 mg/g) was found higher in the stem of Cynodon dactylon, while, peroxidase (POD) contents (81.8763 ± 4.6609 units/mg) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity (80.4346 ± 5.9367 units/mg) was investigated higher in roots of Cynodon dactylon. The anti-microbial activity of Cynodon dactylon extracts was performed using a good diffusion technique against two microbial strains. Among all the plant extracts, the methanolic extracts showed a maximum inhibition zone (26.87 mm) against anti-bacterial strain Escherichia coli whereas n-hexane extract showed a maximum inhibition zone (17.88 mm) against anti-fungal strain Candida albicans. This study reported the antimicrobial activity of Cynodon dactylon against some common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, which are highly associated with nosocomial infection. From the given results it is concluded that Cynodon dactylon could be exploited in pharmacology due to its antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.
Glass Microspheres Thermo-Deformation Sintering Processes in the Technologies of Obtaining Materials for Underwater Technical Equipment
Authors: Kazymyrenko Yuliia , Solomoniuk Natalya , Drozd Oxana 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In this work, the important scientific and technical problem of creating multifunctional composite materials for shipbuilding and ocean engineering was solved. The work aimed to study the thermal deformation processes of sintering glass microspheres to obtain lightweight glass composites with a cellular structure that provides positive buoyancy and sound insulation properties. For this purpose, glass microspheres of Na2O‒SiO2 and Na2O‒B2O3‒SiO2 composition with a dispersion of 10 to 60 μm were used as raw materials. They were sintered to form a closed, porous structure. The theoretical substantiation of technological parameters is based on the concepts of solid state and glassy state chemistry and physicochemical concepts of glass softening processes. The process of hot-pressing glass microspheres without plasticisers and additives was investigated. The author’s own laboratory equipment was used for the experiments. The sintering intensity was determined from the results of shrinkage processes; the kinetic shrinkage curves were constructed in semilogarithmic coordinates. The glass composite samples were examined by optical and electron microscopy. As a criterion, the storage of spherical microspheres under the influence of simultaneous heating to 700 °C with the application of pressure in the range of 0,5 to 1,5 MPa was chosen. It was established that the formation of a predominantly closed-porous structure of glass composites with a density of 350...600 kg/m3 occurs by the mechanisms of viscous glass phase flow through liquefaction processes in the walls of microspheres. At the same time, shrinkage processes in the linear direction reach up to 50%.
The acoustic properties were investigated by measuring the differences in sound pressure levels in octave frequency bands using a Kundt pipe. The water absorption of the glass composite samples was determined at hydrostatic pressures up to 20 MPa. The research results were compared with the characteristics of analogue composites, such as syntactic foams and foam glass. The developed materials can be used in the design and manufacture of technical equipment for research and maintenance of underwater infrastructure. The prospects for further research are related to the feasibility study and marketing research on implementing the developed glass composites.
Edaphic Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) in Three Different Land Use Systems in the Eastern Amazon
Authors: De Souza Helender Ueno Seelig , Guimarães Zilza Thayane Matos , De Almeida Nara Maria Silva , Neves Junior Afrânio Ferreira , De Souza Herberto Ueno Seelig , De Carvalho Adenomar Neves 
Published: October 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate edaphic beetles’ abundance, diversity indexes and composition dependence in different land-use systems (LUS) under tropical climate conditions.

Method: We surveyed three different LUS such as primary forest fragment (FFP), agroforestry system (SAF) and conventional agricultural cultivation (CAC) in Eastern Amazon. The edaphic beetles were collected using pitfall traps, identified to the family taxonomic level and classified into trophic guilds (carnivore, detritivore, fungivore, and/or herbivore).

Results and conclusion: All LUS showed strong dominance by Scarabaeidae and Staphylinidae families. The edaphic beetles community is influenced by the LUS, since the highest rates of abundance, average richness, diversity and evenness were found in the CAC. Edaphic beetles’ composition is dependent to natural vegetation, which accumulated richness is the greatest parameter related to natural vegetation.

Research implications: No-tillage cultivation, with homogeneous vegetation formed by decayed plant material from the last culture cycle, can improve and preserve beetles’ detritivore trophic guild. Due to the edaphic beetles’ composition dependence to natural vegetation, is important to preserve forest fragments near altered landscapes to ensure better conditions for this organism’s reestablishment.

Originality/value: Edaphic beetles have rarely been studied under different LUS with tropical conditions, particularly in the Eastern Amazon. Comprising these organisms distribution pattern after land-use changes is essential for ecological conservation implications.
Obtención de polifenoles de cáscara de piña usando hidrosecado conductivo-microondas y solventes de punto eutéctico profundo
Authors: Vargas Serna Claudia Liliana , Latorre-Castaño Daniela , Nadezda Moreira-Muñoz , Claudia I Ochoa-Martínez , Vélez-Pasos Carlos 
Published: October 2023

La piña es una fruta tropical con alta demanda para su industrialización. Sin embargo, sólo entre en 30 y el 50% del peso total del fruto es aprovechable lo que genera un alto volumen de residuos contaminantes. El objetivo de esta investigación fue extraer compuestos fenólicos de residuos agroindustriales de piña mediante tecnologías amigables. Se evaluó el efecto del secado empleando la tecnología de hidrosecado conductivo (muestra fresca y seca) y el efecto del tipo de solvente de punto eutéctico profundo (cloruro de colina - ácido málico y cloruro de colina – glicerol) sobre la extracción asistida por microondas de compuestos fenólicos de cáscara de piña. Se determinó el contenido total de compuestos fenólicos, el rendimiento del proceso, la capacidad antioxidante y el porcentaje de inhibición del radical DPPH. El secado tuvo efecto significativo sobre las variables de respuesta y, en general, el tipo de solvente no tuvo efecto. La mayor concentración de compuestos fenólicos fue 26.29 ± 5.22 mg GAE/g ms, con un rendimiento de 2.6288 ± 0.5220 % (g GAE/g ms) y una capacidad antioxidante de 2.4816 ± 0.0779 mM TE/g. Los extractos obtenidos a partir de muestra seca presentaron la mayor capacidad antioxidante (88.08 ± 1.44% de inhibición del radical DPPH). Estos resultados indican que el uso de tecnologías verdes de extracción es una alternativa viable para la valorización de residuos de piña, comparado con la extracción con etanol.
Results of the Pediatric Shaft Femur Fracture Treated with Closed Rigid Lateral Trochanteric Entry Intramedullary Nail in North Indian Population
Authors: Kansay Rajeev , Vashisht Saurabh , Kothari Siddharth , Soni Ashwani , Jindal Rohit , Garg Sudhir 
Published: October 2023

Objectives
The femoral shaft fractures constitute 1.6% of the pediatric fractures. Intramedullary nailing is a common mode of fixation in older children and adolescents. The rigid intramedullary locking nail is a preferred choice over flexible nails in overweight patients and children older than 11 years of age. The adolescent age group with skeletal immaturity deserves special attention from the surgeons because of grave complications like avascular necrosis of the femur head and angular deformities. The aim of this study is to report the outcome of an adolescent femur shaft fracture treated with a rigid intramedullary interlocking nail in North Indian patients.

Material and Methods
This is a retrospective analysis performed by retrieving records of 19 patients. Patients with open fractures, polytrauma and neurovascular injuries were excluded. The preoperative and post-operative radiographic orthogonal views were analyzed to assess parameters like alignment, union and avascular necrosis (AVN).

Results
The mean age was 12.3 years. The mean follow-up was 1.5 years. The average time for union was 8 weeks. All the fractures were united in an acceptable alignment and rotation. There was no avascular necrosis, angular deformity and infection. The mean femur length discrepancy was 7 mm.

Conclusion
The rigid intramedullary interlocking nail is a valuable option for the fixation of femoral shaft fractures in an adolescent age group with a good union rate and minimal complications.
Epidemiology of common infectious diseases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bavaria, Germany, 2016 to 2021: an analysis of routine surveillance data
Authors: van de Berg Sarah , Charles Tanja , Dörre Achim , Katz Katharina , Böhm Stefanie 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundUnprecedented non-pharmaceutical interventions to control the COVID-19 pandemic also had an effect on other infectious diseases.AimWe aimed to determine their impact on transmission and diagnosis of notifiable diseases other than COVID-19 in Bavaria, Germany, in 2020 and 2021.MethodsWe compared weekly cases of 15 notifiable infectious diseases recorded in Bavaria between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021 in time series analyses, median age and time-to-diagnosis using Wilcoxon rank sum test and hospitalisation rates using univariable logistic regression during three time periods: pre-pandemic (weeks 1 2016–9 2020), pandemic years 1 (weeks 10–52 2020) and 2 (2021).ResultsWeekly case numbers decreased in pandemic year 1 for all diseases assessed except influenza, Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis; markedly for norovirus gastroenteritis (IRR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.12–0.20) and pertussis (IRR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.18–0.26). In pandemic year 2, influenza (IRR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02–0.09) and pertussis (IRR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.09–0.14) decreased markedly, but also chickenpox, dengue fever,Haemophilus influenzaeinvasive infection, hepatitis C, legionellosis, noro- and rotavirus gastroenteritis and salmonellosis. For enterohaemorrhagicEscherichia coliinfections, median age decreased in pandemic years 1 and 2 (4 years, interquartile range (IQR): 1–32 and 3 years, IQR: 1–18 vs 11 years, IQR: 2–42); hospitalisation proportions increased in pandemic year 1 (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08–2.34).ConclusionReductions for various infectious diseases and changes in case characteristics in 2020 and 2021 indicate reduced transmission of notifiable diseases other than COVID-19 due to interventions and under-detection.