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Abstract: Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a chronically relapsing disorder caused by autoantibody-mediated deficiency of ADAMTS13. Rituximab is frequently administered to prevent relapses, but whether the durability of rituximab effect is maintained with subsequent treatment courses has not been studied. Using the United States Thrombotic Microangiopathy Consortium (USTMA) retrospective iTTP registry, we evaluated clinical relapse-free survival (RFS) with subsequent courses of rituximab treatment in multiply relapsing patients. Separately, we evaluated overall RFS (composite of time to clinical relapse, ADAMTS13 relapse, or preemptive rituximab) in a prospective iTTP cohort from the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Minnesota. In the USTMA registry, median clinical RFS was shorter after the second or subsequent rituximab-treated episode than the first (2.1 vs 6.0 years; P = .04). White patients’ clinical relapse risk after the second and subsequent rituximab courses was not significantly different compared with the first (hazard ratio [HR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-15.80; P = .57), whereas for Black patients, clinical relapse risk was significantly higher after the second or subsequent courses (HR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.52-5.24; P = .001). In the prospective cohort, overall RFS progressively shortened after each episode of rituximab treatment with the first episode having the longest RFS (2.8 years; interquartile range, 2.0-6.0) and this loss of response durability was most pronounced in Black patients. The durability of rituximab’s effect declines with subsequent treatments, which is more pronounced in Black patients, who may benefit from closer monitoring and alternative immunomodulatory approaches such as maintenance rituximab and consideration of other agents.

Peroxidases are essential elements in many biotechnological applications. An especially interesting concept involves split enzymes, where the enzyme is separated into two smaller and inactive proteins that can dimerize into a fully active enzyme. Such split forms were developed for the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) already. Both peroxidases have a high potential for biotechnology applications. In the present study, we performed biophysical comparisons of these two peroxidases and their split analogues. The active site availability is similar for all four structures. The split enzymes are comparable in stability with their native analogues, meaning that they can be used for further biotechnology applications. Also, the tertiary structures of the two peroxidases are similar. However, differences that might help in choosing one system over another for biotechnology applications were noticed. The main difference between the two systems is glycosylation which is not present in the case of APX/sAPEX2, while it has a high impact on the HRP/sHRP stability. Further differences are calcium ions and cysteine bridges that are present only in the case of HRP/sHRP. Finally, computational results identified sAPEX2 as the systems with the smallest structural variations during molecular dynamics simulations showing its dominant stability comparing to other simulated proteins. Taken all together, the sAPEX2 system has a high potential for biotechnological applications due to the lack of glycans and cysteines, as well as due to high stability.

Plant stress detection is crucial for enhancing crop yield, particularly in the face of climate change. Cold stress significantly affects photosynthetic activity and pigment composition in soybean (a C3 plant) and maize (a C4 plant), underscoring the need to identify stress signals before irreversible damage occurs. This study used portable spectrometers to non-destructively detect the early signs of cold stress-related processes in these crops. The spectral reflectance indices were measured to identify crop-specific stress responses. According to the results, pigment-based indices have better potential for crop-specific stress detection than general stress response indices. The normalized phaeophytinization index (NPQI) and normalized pigment chlorophyll index (NPCI) exhibited diverse responses in C4 maize compared to C3 soybean, indicating the potential for discerning stress-induced changes in chlorophyll and other pigment contents. The photochemical reflectance index (PRI), modified to specific wavelengths, emerged as a crucial tool for stress detection in both crops, showing strong correlations with photosynthetic parameters and biomass traits. Specifically, the strongest correlation was found between PRI(525, 570) and fresh mass in maize and PRI(555, 570) and fresh mass in soybean. This approach underscores the importance of advanced spectral techniques in understanding and improving crop responses to cold stress, highlighting their potential for precision agriculture.

This community service activity aims to increase the political and civil literacy of novice voters in preparation for the 2024 Simultaneous Elections in Indonesia. The targets of this community service activity are school students or youth who are at least 17 years old in the year the 2024 Simultaneous Election will be held. Youth were chosen as the main target because they are a group with a large proportion in the 2024 election contestation which will determine the future of democracy. As new voters, they need preparation and a deep understanding of how to participate in the political process effectively to determine the direction and policies of government. For this reason, the Public Administration Department of Universitas Airlangga will partner with the East Java Provincial Education Office which will later provide guidance to the SMAN 1 Giri, Banyuwangi Regency to hold a community service program at the school. Community service activities will involve understanding the political system, democratic processes, political issues, and the importance of active political participation. Activities will be carried out through three main stages: preparation, implementation and evaluation. The preparatory stage involves collecting and compiling relevant political and civic literacy materials. Next, the implementation stage will involve counseling, workshops and group discussions to provide in-depth understanding to novice voters. The evaluation stage will be carried out to measure the effectiveness of the program and obtain feedback from participants. It is hoped that this activity will provide a fundamental contribution in increasing the political and civil literacy of novice voters. With a better understanding of the political system, first-time voters will be able to make good political decisions, participate actively in the political process, and critically evaluate the information they receive.

Measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were simultaneously carried out at three different urban locations in Croatia (Zagreb, Slavonski Brod and Vinkovci) characterized as urban residential (UR), urban industrial (UI) and urban background (UB), respectively. This was done in order to determine seasonal and spatial variations, estimate dominant pollution sources for each area and estimate the lifetime carcinogenic health risks from atmospheric PAHs. Mass concentrations of PAHs showed seasonal variation with the highest values during the colder period and the lowest concentration during the warmer period of the year. The contribution of four- and five-ring PAHs to the total PAH concentrations was slightly lower during the warmer period of the year at all locations, while the contribution of six-ring PAHs was higher in the warmer period compared to the colder one. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between temperature and PM10 and temperature and PAHs during the cold season, while in the warm period correlation with temperature was negative for PAHs and positive for PM10. Different statistical methods were used to estimate possible dominant pollution sources for each tested area. The obtained results indicated petrogenic and pyrogenic sources, petroleum combustion, and vehicle emission as dominant sources at the UR and UB locations, while vehicle emission, biomass and coal burning, and pyrogenic sources were recognized as dominant sources at the UI location. Cancer risk values obtained during the analysis were at an acceptable limit level, which was between 10−6 and 10−4 (values higher than 10−4 indicate high probable health risks).

Ao considerarmos as possíveis relações entre o Pensamento Computacional e a Educação Matemática, sobretudo aquelas que podem vir a ser desenvolvidas por professores em suas atuações profissionais, indagamo-nos: como o Pensamento Computacional é compreendido por estudantes de graduação em matemática? A partir dessa interrogação, objetivamos discutir resultados de uma investigação sobre as características relacionadas ao Pensamento Computacional que são compreendidas e desenvolvidas por estudantes dos cursos de Licenciatura e Bacharelado em Matemática de uma universidade pública paulista. Assumimos como ideias teóricas os quatro pilares do Pensamento Computacional, quais sejam: decomposição, reconhecimento de padrões, abstração e algoritmos – Brackmann (2017). A investigação, de cunho qualitativo, foi realizada por meio de um questionário respondido por nove discentes do Curso de Licenciatura e Bacharelado em Matemática de uma universidade pública paulista. Dentre um dos resultados, podemos enfatizar que os alunos identificaram e descreveram aspectos do Pensamento Computacional relacionados, implicitamente, aos quatro pilares de Pensamento Computacional

The aim of this paper is to determine the interdependence between allocations to culture and the satisfaction of citizens with the programme content of theatres in the city of Rijeka, the 2020 European Capital of Culture. Of the ten hypotheses formulated in the paper, five are accepted and five, rejected. This study has applied several scientific methods, in particular the methods of descriptive and inferential statistics (correlation analysis, t-test, ANOVA). The principle finding of this paper indicates that the level of satisfaction of Rijeka's citizens with allocations to culture, sports and social activities and, consequently, with allocations to theatres, is low. The satisfaction of citizens with the theatres' programme contents is statistically more significantly determined by demographic variables than by satisfaction with allocations to culture, sport and social activities.

The signing of the Paris Agreement represents a consensus on limiting the increase of the average global temperature compared to the preindustrial period. The European Union has set an ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. By 2030, the European Commission's REPowerEU plan aims to accelerate the processes of increasing the share of renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, reducing energy use, and, at the same time, diversifying energy sources and increasing electricity connectivity between member states.In order to achieve the stated goals, future energy systems will be based on renewable energy sources, which are characterized by production variability. Such systems require flexibilization technologies that ensure security and stability of supply. In this study, an analysis of how different fuel and technology costs, as well as policy targets, influence the pace of the energy transition dynamic was made on the case study of Croatia, as there was no such previous investigation. Therefore, the goal of the research is to identify the most prominent driver to achieve energy transition targets in Croatia, with an emphasis on the required flexibilization technologies. The investigation has been implemented in the energy planning tool H2RES, a detailed open-source long-term optimization model in a five-year step model based on scenario analysis of different RES and CO2 targets, technology costs, and fuel prices. The results reveal a need for an ambitious energy policy if the goal is to achieve full energy system decarbonization. Currently, high carbon prices and lower technology costs won't be enough to lead the energy transition, without legislative support.

This research delves into the factors influencing the adoption of ChatGPT, a sophisticated AI-based chatbot, among Generation Z members in Croatia. Employing an extended UTAUT2 model, the impact of various factors on the behavioral intention to use ChatGPT is explored. The study included 694 Generation Z participants, and data were collected through an online survey featuring self-reporting questions. The analysis utilized statistical software packages for performing both confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, in addition to hierarchical linear regression. Key findings reveal that performance expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, and personal innovativeness significantly influence the behavioral intention to use ChatGPT. However, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and price value do not exhibit a significant impact. Notably, the study excludes the use behavior factor due to multicollinearity issues with behavioral intention. While the research does not focus on moderating factors, it reports that the adapted UTAUT2 model explains 65% of the variance in the adoption of ChatGPT by Generation Z users.

Rural Indonesian villages are defined by unique institutional dynamics in public service innovation, one of which manifests in juvenile justice administration where traditional governance meets modern legal structures. These institutional arrangements position villages as sites of public service innovation at the intersection of competing normative orders, especially regarding youth protection standards and cultural practice maintenance. We address patterns of public service innovation and institutional adaptation in rural juvenile justice systems through the systematic analysis of practices across five villages in East Java. Through consolidating stakeholder interviews and justice proceeding observations, our analysis shows how communities innovate in public service delivery by negotiating between formal requirements and informal mechanisms while integrating distinctive legal traditions and maintaining institutional legitimacy across multiple domains. The examination identifies two central patterns in public service development. First, processes of normative integration emerge through systematic institutional synthesis where communities innovate service delivery approaches while preserving cultural coherence. Second, these innovation processes correspond to variations in resource distribution, traditional authority configurations, and state presence across geographic and social contexts. We document how unspoken institutional practices and innovative service arrangements shape justice negotiations between community and state spheres, particularly in mediating youth protection within traditional normative frameworks of public service delivery.

Background and Objectives: Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the male population and the fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide in men as of 2022. One of the potential biomarkers that can predict the progression of the disease is the transmembrane adhesion molecule CD44s. The aims of this study were to determine the expression of CD44s in prostate cancer in the central tumor mass and in the tumor periphery of the disease and to compare it with the clinicopathological parameters (PSA, Gleason score, surgical margins, and biochemical recurrence of the disease) in patients treated with radical prostatectomy. Materials and Methods: The research was randomized retrospectively during the period from 2001 to 2006. Tissue microarrays of 121 archival acinar prostate carcinoma samples were immunohistochemically evaluated for CD44s expression. The immunoexpression was determined semiquantitatively, taking into account the percentage (0 (0–5%), 1 (6–24%), 2 (26–75%), and 3 (76–100%) and intensity of the membranous staining of the tumor cells (0 absent; 1 weak at 400×; 2 intermediates at 100×; 3 strong at 40×) and calculated to obtain a final score (0–3 were regarded as negative; 4–6 were regarded as positive). Results: For statistical purposes, we divided the tumors into two categories: Gleason grade group 1 makes up 80.7% and grade group 2, which includes all the remaining Gleason grade groups (out of 2–5), accounts for 19.3% of the tumors. Grade group 1 had the highest incidence of score 4 (positive expression). There were statistically significantly more positive expressions in those tumors with negative prostatectomy margins (chi square: p = 0.001; Cramer V: 0.319). There was no correlation between CD44s expression and biochemical recurrence (p = 0.218), nor with the preoperative PSA values (p = 0.165). In the grade group 1 tumors, the CD44s immunoexpression and status of prostatectomy margin were statistically significantly related with negative margins (p = 0.028). An analysis of the expression of CD44s according to the localization in the central part of the tumor mass and on the periphery of the cancer in the group of tumors with a positive margin did not show a significant correlation because the sample was too small. Descriptively, it can be noted that the expression on the periphery was higher, and the central/peripheral expression ratio was higher in favor of the periphery. Conclusions: Our results provide insight into the possible value of CD44s expression for predicting the behavior of prostate tumors and the justification of therapy after a prostatectomy. Also hypothetically, they indicate a protective role of CD44s in a group of well-differentiated tumors at the periphery of the tumor mass. Therefore, it is useful to study the CD44s molecule further in this sense.

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. This severe disorder of cardiac physiology can impair renal function and lead to the development of cardiorenal syndrome and eventually to end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation may be the best option for renal replacement treatment in patients with tetralogy of Fallot, but only after correcting cardiac abnormalities and optimizing cardiac functions, all of which require a multidisciplinary approach. We report the first case of kidney transplantation in an adolescent patient with tetralogy of Fallot. Our findings confirms that kidney transplantation is a valuable treatment option in selected congenital heart disease cases.

U ovom radu se prikazuju rezultati ispitivanja ovisnosti jačine straha od smrti u odnosu na faktore religioznosti i spol. U ispitivanju, u kojem je sudjelovala 631 osoba iz Republike Hrvatske, pokazalo se da žene iskazuju statistički značajno veći strah od smrti u usporedbi s muškarcima. Istraživanje je također ispitivalo povezanost straha od smrti s različitim dimenzijama religioznosti, kao što su Božja volja, religijsko vjerovanje, socijalno ponašanje i obredna religioznost, ili i s osjećajem zadovoljstva životom. Kod muškaraca je identificirana slabija povezanost između straha od smrti i navedenih dimenzija religioznosti, dok su kod žena ispitivane povezanosti bile negativne i statistički značajne. Rezultati ovog istraživanja potvrđuju velik utjecaj spola u odnosu na jačinu straha od smrti te na složenost odnosa između oblika religioznosti i osjećaja straha od smrti.

The integration of digital knowledge and information technology into all economic sectors is driven by the digital revolution and Industry 4.0. They also emerge as the primary driver of economic advancement across different nations. The main research goal of this paper is to analyse how the Digital Development Level influences the National Cybersecurity Index across different countries, as well as to determine the average Digital Development Level and the average National Cybersecurity Index value for all countries. A quantitative approach was employed in this research, utilizing secondary data. The analysis included one-way ANOVA, linear regression, correlation, and descriptive statistics. The study found a positive correlation between the Digital Development Level (DDL) and the National Cybersecurity Index (NCSI), as well as significant disparities between these variables. Qualitative factors, such as government policies, organizational culture, or international cooperation, are not accounted for in the analysis. Research results highlight the need for continued investments in both areas and underscore the importance of integrated policy approaches that address the complex challenges of the digital economy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various parameters, including water content, total soluble matter, acid content, sugar content, polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, anthocyanin content, and flavonoid content, on the quality of apples and their resistance to Penicillium expansum infection and subsequent patulin production. The research was conducted on four apple cultivars, namely, the traditional cultivars ‘Wagener’ and ‘Ilzer Rosenapfel’, and the commercial cultivars ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Idared’. The results of the study provide valuable insights into the composition, quality attributes, and potential resistance to Penicillium expansum infection among different apple cultivars. It was shown that cultivars with lower content of polyphenols, anthocyanins, soluble matter, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and sugar had higher level of patulin. These findings have implications for the selection and cultivation of apple cultivars with desirable characteristics, such as taste, antioxidant potential, and reduced mycotoxin contamination.

The effect of turmeric powder and a mix of turmeric powder and black pepper on the physicochemical properties of ice cream samples was examined. Enriched ice creams were manufactured by adding turmeric powder at levels of 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 2.0 %, with or without 0.02 % black pepper and compared with the control ice cream sample. Samples were analysed for proximate composition, pH value, water activity (aw), rheological properties, overrun, fat destabilization, hardness, melting properties, and colour parameters. The results of the study showed that the addition of spices significantly increased pH values (from 6.66 to 6.73), total solids (from 36.43 to 37.53 %), and carbohydrate contents (from 21.47 to 22.53 %) of the samples. Furthermore, this enrichment leads to an increase in the viscosity (from 0.44 to 0.70 Pa s) and thixotropic behaviours of ice cream mixes. Enriched ice creams had higher air incorporation, lower fat destabilization degree, and softer texture. In terms of melting properties, the melting resistance of ice cream samples was enhanced with the addition of spices. The colour properties of ice creams were significantly (p

The accuracy of guiding a spindle is greatly influenced by the thermal load of the bearing. Increased thermal load implies deformation of the bearing parts which is directly reflected in the work quality of the machine system. For this reason, the aim of this paper is to analyse the influence of the material and the geometry of the housing on the temperature field of the threaded spindle bearing assembly, which was realised by "radially mounting" of axial angular contact ball bearing ZKLN. This paper represents a new approach for thermal analysis of the special bearings, type ZKLN which are not involved in the relevant standards for the determination of the reference speed. At the same time the value of this paper finds itself in finding of the guideline at engineering practice which is very important at early design phase of the systems with threaded spindle. The analysis was carried out using experimental and numerical methods. Combination of the mentioned methods gave result which was used to define appropriate guideline regarding influence of housing material and geometry on thermal stability of the ZKLN bearing.

Calibration of low-cost humidity sensors such as the HTS221TR is critical for accurate measurements, especially in smart devices. This study compares two calibration methods: machine learning (PyTorchNeural Network regression model) and optimization algorithm with Engineering Equation Solver. The critical role of temperature in humidity measurement emphasizes that it must be included for a valid calibration. The machine learning approach significantly reduced the average deviation of humidity, reaching ±2,5% compared to the original ±13,4%. Additionally, it aligned mean values along the identity line. However, the performance of the model varied across the different humidity ranges. Applying the model to real-world scenarios showed that the model underestimates humidity, likely due to the sensor's inherent tendency to overestimate humidity, especially at higher temperatures. Despite these challenges, both calibration methods offer simple and effective approaches for correcting low-cost sensor measurements, with machine learning enabling faster processing. This study not only improves the accuracy of the HTS221TR sensor, but also paves the way for more accurate and affordable humidity measurement technologies in general.

In the 1980s, in parallel to the decline of large-scale planning, a local critique of modernist urbanism came to dominate the planning discourse in Zagreb, one that sought to implement strategies of urban regeneration on the omnipresent strata of persisting agricultural lots, and would soon be inscribed as the guiding ethos in the last socialist general plan. Concentrating their efforts on the central area of Trnje, then littered with scattered zones of informal construction that had hitherto resisted generation after generation of ambitious plans to convert it into a central representative and commercial part of Zagreb, local urban planners gradually formulated an innovative system of urban renewal that would enable its programmatic and morphological integration with the historic city. Breaking with the already exhausted expansionist strategy of large-scale greenfield planning, they strove to direct the future development of the city towards the densification and improvement of urban quality for previously “skipped-over” areas, with a newly found appreciation for the idiosyncrasies and complexities of the existing agricultural morphologies and heterogeneous buildings. The peculiar and deliberate choice of this kind of underlying urban strata as the basis of process-based urban renewal to harness the potential of both commercial and private actors promised a pronouncedly different urban outcome than the tabula rasa approach deployed at the apex of modernist urban planning only a decade earlier. However, the complex gestation process of required executive documents, the failure to create sufficient mechanisms of control, and the subsequent ascension of private ownership as the dominant spatial value all helped to usher in a period of frantic individual construction, signalling an abrupt end of this experiment. Rather than mere manifestations of capitalist transition, these processes will be framed as unintended echoes of the paradigm shift within the plans themselves.

This study aims to analyze and identify the strengths and interests of state actors and non-state actors in the revitalization of residents’ houses in the riverside area of Banjarmasin City from the perspective of Collaborative Governance. This study used a qualitative approach by collecting data through observation, in-depth analysis, and document analysis. The findings of this study explain that collaborative governance is an alternative to public policy as an interactive process involving state and non-state actors autonomously who use shared rules and norms carried out collectively to solve societal problems. Collaboration involving actors in power with interests in decision-making might fail during its implementation. This research contributes to the scientific literature on interactions between actors and collaborative governance because the problems faced by the public are fought for, and collaborative governance implementation cannot be separated from the presence of actors involved in advocating for issues of public concern.