bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HAK KONSTITUSIONAL ATAS AIR PASCA DIHAPUSNYA UNDANG UNDANG NOMOR 7 TAHUN 2004 TENTANG SUMBER DAYA AIR OLEH MAHKAMAH KONSTITUSI
Authors: Yarsina Nova
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine human rights over water after the abolition of Law Number 7 of 2004 concerning Water Resources by the Constitutional Court. The research method used is normative juridical. Later there was an opinion that if the state was unable to guarantee the fulfillment of human rights over water, then the water supply was carried out by a third party. The state must regulate the appropriateness of control over water sources, affordability of prices, guarantees for water health. For the realization of these things, a system of regulation must be made. An independent regulatory body can also be formed, public participation, and sanctions against violations. In essence, every regulation issued by the local government related to water use actually makes water as "Economic goods". Commercialization and privatization of water services is not an illegal thing as long as it can improve clean water services so that public access to water also increases. Local governments should be able to understand that commercialization of water resources by setting drinking water tariffs that exceed the capacity and reasonableness of the community actually results in reduced community access to water resources, especially clean water and drinking water. The poor and marginalized are the most vulnerable groups to the failure to fulfill the right to water by the State. To see the extent to which the fulfillment of the right to water by the state apart from the perspective of the executive authority, it is necessary to look at court decisions that can reflect the fulfillment of the right to water especially after the abolition of Law Number 7 of 2004 concerning Water Resources by the Constitutional Court and return to Law Number 11 of 1974 concerning Irrigation.
ANALISA HUKUM PEMBERIAN GRASI TERHADAP TERPIDANA KASUS KORUPSI GUBERNUR RIAU ANNAS MAAMUN
Authors: Iqsandri Rai , Utama Andrew Shandy
Published: July 2021

Clemency is a pardon in the form of changes, reductions, reductions, or abolition of the execution of a criminal offense granted by the President. Based on Article 14 Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, it is regulated that the President grants Clemency and Rehabilitation by taking into account the considerations of the Supreme Court. The granting of clemency by the president can have legal implications for the convict who applies for clemency. Decisions taken by the President, whether the decision to grant or reject the request for clemency, will not aggravate the sentence decided by the court. Convicts who get clemency will feel freedom because they can get out more quickly and are free from all obligations to undergo the punishment imposed on them. Although Law No. 22 of 2002 concerning Clemency does not regulate the prohibition of granting clemency to convicted corruption cases, the President should support the spirit of eradicating anti-corruption that has been echoed for a long time. With the granting of the petition for clemency against the convicted corruption case, the Governor of Riau, Annas Maamun, President Joko Widodo has hurt the feelings of the Indonesian people.
KEDUDUKAN HUKUM KETETAPAN MPRS/MPR SEBELUM DAN SESUDAH PERUBAHAN UUD 1945
Authors: Asnawi Eddy
Published: July 2021

Perubahan UUD 1945 membawa implikasi terhadap perubahan kekuasaan atau kewenangan kelembagaan MPR yang membawa akibat pada kedudukan hukum ketetapan MPRS/MPR yang dilahirkannya, baik itu sebelum dan sesudah perubahan UUD 1945. Kajian penelitian ini dilakukan dengan melakukan studi kepustakaan. Untuk itu metode yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian yuridis normatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dalam praktik ketatanegaraan sepanjang berlakunya UUD 1945 sebelum dilakukan perubahan, cakupan luas materi muatan yang diaturnya tidak hanya terbatas pada hal-hal ditentukan dalam UUD 1945. Jika diklasifikasikan, ada Ketetapan MPR yang memenuhi unsur sebagai peraturan perundang-undangan, Ketetapan MPR sejenis penetapan administrasi Negara (beschikking), Ketetapan MPR berupa perencanaan (GBHN), dan Ketetapan MPR semacam peraturan kebijakan (beliedregels) di bidang administrasi negara. Setelah UUD 1945 dilakukan perubahan, maka kedudukan hukum Ketetapan MPR menjadi sumir, di satu sisi perubahan pasal-pasal UUD 1945 dan adanya ketentuan Pasal 1 Aturan Tambahan UUD 1945 mengakibatkan hilangnya kewenangan MPR untuk membentuk Ketetapan-Ketetapan MPR (jenis peraturan perundang-undangan) bersifat mengatur (regeling), karena tidak lagi memiliki dasar konstitusioanal dalam UUD 1945. Namun di sisi lain dengan diberlakukannya UU Nomor 12 Tahun 2011 tentang Pembentukan Peraturan Perundang-undangan, kedudukan hukum Ketetapan MPR menjadi hidup kembali sebagai bentuk peraturan perundang-undangan dengan pembatasan sebagaimana disebut dalam penjelasan Pasal 7 ayat 1 huruf b, yakni Ketetapan-ketetapan MPRS/MPR yang masih berlaku sebagaimana ditentukan dalam Ketetapan MPR Nomor 1/MPR/2003.
Onkobiózis és mikrobiális metabolikus jelátvitel pancreas-adenocarcinomában
Authors: Kiss Borbála , Mikó Edit , Sebő Éva , Tóth Judit , Ujlaki Gyula , Szabó Judit , Karen Uray , Bai Péter , Árkosy Péter
Published: July 2021

A hasnyálmirigy-adenocarcinoma az egyik legmagasabb halálozású daganat, medián ötéves túlélése 7-8%, korai diagnosztikája, eredményes kezelése kihívást jelent. A daganatos betegségekhez, így a pancreasrákhoz is gyakran társul a mikrobiom összetételének megváltozása (dysbiosis), amelyet onkobiózisnak nevezünk. Maga a pancreas is gyakran kolonizálódik (pl. többek között Helicobacter pylorival és Malassezia-fajokkal). Az onkobiomok összetétele eltér a rövid és hosszú túlélők esetén. Amennyiben pancreas-adenocarcinomás hosszú túlélők mikrobiomját ültetik hasnyálmirigy-adenocarcinoma állatmodellbe, az egerek túlélése meghosszabbodik. Az onkobiom modulálja a daganatos elfajuláshoz vezető gyulladásos folyamatot pancreas-adenocarcinomában. Az összefoglalóban a bakteriális metabolitok (rövid láncú zsírsavak, másodlagos epesavak, poliaminok, indolszármazékok) szerepét mutatjuk be a pancreas-adenocarcinoma patogenezisében, kitérve arra, hogy a betegségben a bakteriális metabolizmus és a bakteriális metabolom szabályozása is felborul. További metabolitok és anyagcsere-útvonalak felfedezése várható a közeljövőben, tovább bővítve ezen patogenetikai útvonal nyújtotta diagnosztikus és terápiás lehetőségeket hasnyálmirigy-adenocarcinomában.
BIPOLAR SOFT ORDERED TOPOLOGY AND A NEW DEFINITION FOR BIPOLAR SOFT TOPOLOGY
Authors: DEMİRTAŞ Naime , DALKILIÇ Orhan
Published: July 2021

In our study, we gave a new definition for bipolar soft topology and we were able to examine the concept of bipolar soft ordered topology using the base concept we defined on this new bipolar soft topology. We also define the concept of bipolar soft set relation by defining an R relation on a bipolar soft set. Thus, we have defined the concept of bipolar soft interval and presented the bipolar soft ordered topology structure using these intervals in our study. Then, we expressed some applications of bipolar soft order topology.
The Nicolas criterion for the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Vega Frank
Published: July 2021

For every prime number $p_{n}$, we define the sequence $X_{n} = \prod_{q \leq p_{n}} \frac{q}{q-1} - e^{\gamma} \times \log \theta(p_{n})$, where $\theta(x)$ is the Chebyshev function and $\gamma \approx 0.57721$ is the Euler-Mascheroni constant. The Nicolas theorem states that the Riemann hypothesis is true if and only if the $X_{n} > 0$ holds for all prime $p_{n} > 2$. For every prime number $p_{k}$, $X_{k} > 0$ is called the Nicolas inequality. We show if the sequence $X_{n}$ is strictly decreasing for $n$ big enough, then the Riemann hypothesis must be true. For every prime number $p_{n} > 2$, we define the sequence $Y_{n} = \frac{e^{\frac{1}{2 \times \log(p_{n})}}}{(1 - \frac{1}{\log(p_{n})})}$ and show that $Y_{n}$ is strictly decreasing for $p_{n} > 2$. For all prime $p_{n} > 286$, we demonstrate that the inequality $X_{n} < e^{\gamma} \times \log Y_{n}$ is always satisfied. We prove that $\lim_{{n\to \infty }}X_{n}=\lim_{{n\to \infty }}(\log Y_{n})=0$.
Relationship between Higher Order Aberrations and Astigmatism in Hyperopic Amblyopia
Authors: Mukhanov Sh. A.
Published: July 2021

Aim. To study the dynamics of changes in the values of higher order aberrations in amblyopia treatment and the correlation between higher-order aberrations and astigmatism in patients with hyperopic amblyopia.

Methods. This cohort prospective study included 36 patients (36 eyes) with refractive amblyopia aged 4 to 16 years. All patients had anisometropia: emmetropia in one eye and hyperopic astigmatism combined with refractive amblyopia of varying degrees in the other eye. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the degree of astigmatism. Astigmatism greater than 1.5 D was detected in 20 patients (55.5%) and astigmatism less than 1.5 D was detected in 16 patients (44.5%). All patients underwent a complex treatment, including twenty half-hour sessions of videocomputer autotraining using “Amblyotron” device during 20 days, in addition to constant wearing of glasses. Higher order aberrations were measured using the WaveScan Wavefront System aberrometer at the first visit and at 3-, 6 - and 12-month follow-up. A correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between higher order aberrations and astigmatism.

Results. There was a statistically significant difference in treatment success between groups with high and low astigmatism. In both groups, higher order aberrations were reduced during the treatment of amblyopia. When comparing the two groups, a significant difference in coma was found at 12-month follow-up (p = 0.043). At 12-month follow-up, coma showed a statistically significant correlation with astigmatism, and a stronger correlation with astigmatism was found in the group of patients with high astigmatism.

Conclusions. In patients with refractive amblyopia associated with astigmatism, the decrease in visual acuity is directly dependent on the values of higher-order aberrations, especially on the values of coma, which should be considered as the cause of the development of amblyopia.
Early Criteria for the Diagnosis of Optic Neuritis in the Setting of Davic’s Disease
Authors: Kamilov Kh. M. , Kasimova M. S. , Khamraeva G. Kh.
Published: July 2021

Background. Optic neuritis is the first symptom of Davic’s disease in more than half of cases. Differential diagnosis of optic neuritis in the clinical practice is complicated due to the uniformity of the clinical pattern of inflammatory and demyelinating optic neuritis in the early stages of the disease. The approach to the management of patients with Davic’s disease is varied and requires a precise differentiation at the initial stages of its development.

Purpose. To determine early objective criteria for diagnosing the optic neuritis in the setting of Davic’s disease.

Materials and methods. We observed 31 patients (51 eyes), while the control group consisted of 12 healthy individuals (12 eyes). Research methods were both standard ophthalmic and specialized – optical coherence tomography, visual evoked potential test, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord.

Results. In patients with optic neuritis in the setting of Davic’s disease, optical coherence tomography revealed a smaller area of the optic nerve disc and neuroretinal belt as well as a decrease in macular volume and macular thickness. A reduction of the retinal ganglion cell complex and the inner plexiform layer was also revealed.

Conclusion. At the initial stages of Davic’s disease, it is necessary to conduct optical coherence tomography of the retina, perform visual evoked potential test as well as magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord. Appropriate treatment at an early stage of the disease can reduce the rates of axonal degeneration and optic disc atrophy development.
Condrosarcoma mesenquimal en región pectoral, reporte de caso
Authors: Ortega Cedeño John , Solórzano Pérez Evelyn
Published: July 2021

Introducción: El condrosarcoma mesenquimal extraesquelético (CME), corresponde al 1% de todos los tumores malignos de los tejidos blandos. Se localizan principalmente en la región de la cabeza y cuello, sobre todo en la órbita, y en la duramadre del cráneo, seguida de las extremidades inferiores particularmente a nivel del muslo. La ubicación pectoral es rara, motivo de reporte.
Reporte de caso: Paciente hombre de 38 años quien desarrolla un  nódulo de aproximadamente 2 cm de diámetro localizado en región pectoral derecha con dolor mínimo a la palpación y crecimiento rápido. Dos meses después, al momento la de resección, el nódulo mide 7.5x 6.5 x 3.5 cm, y pesa 106g. Presenta aspecto lobulado, color café grisáceo, al corte es de consistencia cauchosa y superficie blanquecina nodular con áreas centrales de aspecto mineralizado/calcificado. Se procesa 6 cortes de parafina y se diagnostica como condrosarcoma mesenquimal (CM).
Evolución: El paciente fue egresado y está en control por consulta externa no ha desarrollado recidivas hasta el momento.
Conclusiones: El crecimiento acelerado de una masa de consistencia cartilaginosa se correlacionó en este paciente con la presencia de un condrosarcoma mesenquimal extraesquelético.
Proof-of-Concept of the Virtual Reality Comprehensive Balance Assessment and Training for Sensory Organization of Dynamic Postural Control
Authors: Moon Sanghee , Huang Chun-Kai , Sadeghi Maryam , Akinwuntan Abiodun E. , Devos Hannes
Published: July 2021

Accurate quantification of the impact of visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems on postural control may inform tailor-made balance intervention strategies. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the safety, sense of presence, system usability, and face validity of a newly developed Virtual Reality Comprehensive Balance Assessment and Training (VR-ComBAT) in healthy young individuals. The VR-ComBAT included six balance condition: (1) stable surface with fixed virtual reality (VR) surroundings; (2) stable surface with blacked out VR surroundings; (3) stable surface with VR visual conflict; (4) unstable surface with fixed VR surroundings; (5) unstable surface with blacked out VR surroundings; and (6) unstable surface with VR visual conflict. Safety was evaluated using the number of adverse events, including scores on the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Sense of presence was evaluated using the igroup Presence Questionnaire (iPQ). System usability was assessed using the Systems Usability Scale (SUS). Friedman analyses with post hoc Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were employed to demonstrate face validity by quantifying center of pressure (COP) changes in mean distance, mean velocity, and mean frequency in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) direction across the six conditions. Twenty-three participants (27.4 ± 8.0 years old; 13 women) reported no adverse events. Participants scores on average 44.9 ± 9.6 on the iPQ and 79.7 ± 9.9 on the SUS. Post hoc analyses showed significant changes in COP-based measures when compared to baseline. The mean frequency change of COP showed direction-dependence in which increased frequency change in AP was observed while decreased change in ML was noted. The VR-ComBAT provides a safe, feasible, and cost-effective VR environment that demonstrates consistent sensory re-weighting between visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems. Future studies should investigate whether VR-ComBAT can be used to inform precision rehabilitation of balance and fall prevention in older adults without and with neurological conditions.
Modeling the Dynamic Behavior of Track Transitions Along Shared Track Corridors
Authors: Li Wenjing , Hou Wenting , Mishra Debakanta , Tutumluer Erol
Published: July 2021

This paper presents findings from an analytical modeling effort undertaken to study the dynamic response of track transitions along shared-track corridors. A recently developed train-track-bridge model was used for this purpose. First, the model predictions are verified using field instrumentation data as well as data from other published literatures. Subsequently, the model is used to analyze the dynamic response of a typical bridge approach under the passage of a high-speed passenger train as well as six different freight trains comprising different freight car types. A speed sensitivity analysis of a freight train comprising one specific freight car type is also carried out. Geometric configuration of different freight trains is assessed as well as weight and speed of operation. Different track response parameters, including vertical displacement and rail-tie reaction force, are considered to highlight the differences in the track dynamic behavior under freight and passenger train loading. Analyses in both time and frequency domains illustrate the difference in track behavior under freight and passenger train loading. The significance of gap development at the tie-ballast interface near track transitions has been emphasized by illustrating the effect of tie gap on the dynamic track behavior. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of special consideration to track dynamic behavior for shared-track corridors.
Astragaloside IV Ameliorates Myocardial Infarction Induced Apoptosis and Restores Cardiac Function
Authors: Sun Chuang , Zeng Guangwei , Wang Tingting , Ren He , An Huixian , Lian Cheng , Liu Jing , Guo Li , Li Wei
Published: July 2021

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus increases the risk of cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction (MI). Inflammation and apoptosis have been implicated in the pathophysiology of MI. In the present study, the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on MI in diabetic mice were evaluated.

Methods

High glucose/high fat (HG/HF) and hypoxia culture condition were established to mimic diabetic condition. After administration of AS-IV to H9c2 myocytes, the cell apoptosis, viability, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were detected. MI was induced in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. After administration of AS-IV to mice, cardiac function, cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and activation of MAPK signaling pathway were detected.

Results

Astragaloside IV treatment significantly inhibited HG/HF and hypoxia-induced apoptosis of H9c2. AS-IV inhibited activation of JNK and p38 signaling pathway while promoting the activation of EKR signaling pathway. AS-IV treatment rescued cardiac function, suppressed cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, and differently regulated the activation of MAPK signaling pathways.

Conclusion

Astragaloside IV prevented apoptosis and restored cardiac function in MI, which may be due to the regulation of MAPK signaling pathway in diabetes.
Recent Progress on NIR-II Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Zhang Yunguang , Zhang Siyu , Zhang Zihan , Ji Lingling , Zhang Jiamei , Wang Qihao , Guo Tian , Ni Simin , Cai Ru , Mu Xiaoyu , Long Wei , Wang Hao
Published: July 2021

Photothermal therapy is a very promising treatment method in the field of cancer therapy. The photothermal nanomaterials in near-infrared region (NIR-I, 750-900 nm) attracts extensive attention in recent years because of the good biological penetration of NIR light. However, the penetration depth is still not enough for solid tumors due to high tissue scattering. The light in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) allows deeper tissue penetration, higher upper limit of radiation and greater tissue tolerance than that in the NIR-I, and it shows greater application potential in photothermal conversion. This review summarizes the photothermal properties of Au nanomaterials, two-dimensional materials, metal oxide sulfides and polymers in the NIR-II and their application prospects in photothermal therapy. It will arouse the interest of scientists in the field of cancer treatment as well as nanomedicine.
Revisiting the Mechanisms of Immune Evasion Employed by Human Parasites
Authors: Chulanetra Monrat , Chaicumpa Wanpen
Published: July 2021

For the establishment of a successful infection,i.e., long-term parasitism and a complete life cycle, parasites use various diverse mechanisms and factors, which they may be inherently bestowed with, or may acquire from the natural vector biting the host at the infection prelude, or may take over from the infecting host, to outmaneuver, evade, overcome, and/or suppress the host immunity, both innately and adaptively. This narrative review summarizes the up-to-date strategies exploited by a number of representative human parasites (protozoa and helminths) to counteract the target host immune defense. The revisited information should be useful for designing diagnostics and therapeutics as well as vaccines against the respective parasitic infections.
Prosodic Differences in Human- and Alexa-Directed Speech, but Similar Local Intelligibility Adjustments
Authors: Cohn Michelle , Zellou Georgia
Published: July 2021

The current study tests whether individuals (n= 53) produce distinct speech adaptations during pre-scripted spoken interactions with a voice-AI assistant (Amazon’s Alexa) relative to those with a human interlocutor. Interactions crossed intelligibility pressures (staged word misrecognitions) and emotionality (hyper-expressive interjections) as conversation-internal factors that might influence participants’ intelligibility adjustments in Alexa- and human-directed speech (DS). Overall, we find speech style differences: Alexa-DS has a decreased speech rate, higher mean f0, and greater f0 variation than human-DS. In speech produced toward both interlocutors, adjustments in response to misrecognition were similar: participants produced more distinct vowel backing (enhancing the contrast between the target word and misrecognition) in target words and louder, slower, higher mean f0, and higher f0 variation at the sentence-level. No differences were observed in human- and Alexa-DS following displays of emotional expressiveness by the interlocutors. Expressiveness, furthermore, did not mediate intelligibility adjustments in response to a misrecognition. Taken together, these findings support proposals that speakers presume voice-AI has a “communicative barrier” (relative to human interlocutors), but that speakers adapt to conversational-internal factors of intelligibility similarly in human- and Alexa-DS. This work contributes to our understanding of human-computer interaction, as well as theories of speech style adaptation.
The Discriminatory Ability of Renalase and Biomarkers of Cardiac Remodeling for the Prediction of Ischemia in Chronic Heart Failure Patients With the Regard to the Ejection Fraction
Authors: Stojanovic Dijana , Mitic Valentina , Stojanovic Miodrag , Petrovic Dejan , Ignjatovic Aleksandra , Milojkovic Maja , Dunjic Olivera , Milenkovic Jelena , Bojanic Vladmila , Deljanin Ilic Marina
Published: July 2021

Background: Renalase has been implicated in chronic heart failure (CHF); however, nothing is known about renalase discriminatory ability and prognostic evaluation. The aims of the study were to assess whether plasma renalase may be validated as a predictor of ischemia in CHF patients stratified to the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and to determine its discriminatory ability coupled with biomarkers representing a range of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology: brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity (sST2), galectin-3, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), syndecan-1, and cystatin C.

Methods: A total of 77 CHF patients were stratified according to the LVEF and were subjected to exercise stress testing. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed, and the areas under curves (AUC) were determined, whereas the calibration was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic. A DeLong test was performed to compare the AUCs of biomarkers.

Results: Independent predictors for ischemia in the total HF cohort were increased plasma concentrations: BNP (p = 0.008), renalase (p = 0.012), sST2 (p = 0.020), galectin-3 (p = 0.018), GDF-15 (p = 0.034), and syndecan-1 (p = 0.024), whereas after adjustments, only BNP (p = 0.010) demonstrated predictive power. In patients with LVEF <45% (HFrEF), independent predictors of ischemia were BNP (p = 0.001), renalase (p < 0.001), sST2 (p = 0.004), galectin-3 (p = 0.003), GDF-15 (p = 0.001), and syndecan-1 (p < 0.001). The AUC of BNP (0.837) was statistically higher compared to those of sST2 (DeLong test: p = 0.042), syndecan-1 (DeLong: p = 0.022), and cystatin C (DeLong: p = 0.022). The AUCs of renalase (0.753), galectin-3 (0.726), and GDF-15 (0.735) were similar and were non-inferior compared to BNP, regarding ischemia prediction. In HFrEF patients, the AUC of BNP (0.980) was statistically higher compared to those of renalase (DeLong: p < 0.001), sST2 (DeLong: p < 0.004), galectin-3 (DeLong: p < 0.001), GDF-15 (DeLong: p = 0.001), syndecan-1 (DeLong: p = 0.009), and cystatin C (DeLong: p = 0.001). The AUC of renalase (0.814) was statistically higher compared to those of galectin-3 (DeLong: p = 0.014) and GDF-15 (DeLong: p = 0.046) and similar to that of sST2. No significant results were obtained in the patients with LVEF >45%.

Conclusion: Plasma renalase concentration provided significant discrimination for the prediction of ischemia in patients with CHF and appeared to have similar discriminatory potential to that of BNP. Although further confirmatory studies are warranted, renalase seems to be a relevant biomarker for ischemia prediction, implying its potential contribution to ischemia-risk stratification.
Appraisal of Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilization Through Fruit Crops
Authors: Sharma Sunny , Rana Vishal Singh , Prasad Heerendra , Lakra Johnson , Sharma Umesh
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, rapid increases in anthropogenic activities have resulted in increased greenhouse gases (GHGs; CO2, CH4, N2O) release in the atmosphere, resulting in increased global mean temperature, aberrant precipitation patterns, and several other climate changes that affect ecological and human lives on this planet. This article reviews the adaptation and mitigation of climate change by assessing carbon capture, storage, and utilization by fruit crops. Perennial plants in forests, fruit orchards, and grasslands are efficient sinks of atmospheric carbon, whereas field crops are a great source of GHG due to soil disturbance, emission of CH4 and/or N2O from burning straw, and field management involving direct (fuel) or indirect (chemicals) emissions from fossil fuels. Thus, there is a need to establish sustainable agricultural systems that can minimize emissions and are capable of sequestering carbon within the atmosphere. Fruit orchards and vineyards have great structural characteristics, such as long life cycle; permanent organs such as trunk, branches, and roots; null soil tillage (preserving soil organic matter); high quality and yield, which allow them to accumulate a significant amount of carbon. Hence, the fruit plants have significant potential to sequester carbon in the atmosphere. However, the efficiency of carbon sequestration by different fruit crops and their management systems may vary due to their growth and development patterns, physiological behavior, biomass accumulation, and environmental factors.
Modelling the Fate of Pesticide Transformation Products From Plot to Catchment Scale—State of Knowledge and Future Challenges
Authors: Gassmann Matthias
Published: July 2021

Transformation products (TP) of pesticides are found everywhere in the aquatic environment. Their dynamic formation and subsequent transport from agricultural fields to adjacent water bodies can be estimated by using environmental fate models, which is done in the registration process for plant protection products in the European Union. In this study, peer-reviewed applications of such models, the model complexity and their structure are documented and analysed. In total, 20 publications of 10 models – eight leaching models (GLEAMS, MACRO, RZWQM2, PEARL, PRZM, Pelmo, LEACHM, HYDRUS 1-D) and two catchment scale models (Zin-AgriTra, FRM) – were identified. The reviewed models greatly differ in their process complexity regarding the formation rate and the formation pathways of TPs.The major reason given for models failing to reproduce sampled TP concentrations in case studies was an erroneous substance transport, especially missing preferential flow simulation in soil. However, the contribution of TP formation processes to simulation uncertainty was not analysed at all in most of the studies. By comparing the structure of existing models, the state of knowledge on TP fate and requirements of TP fate assessment, the following recommendations were drawn: i) It is suggested that the models should be updated to reflect the current state of knowledge in process research, especially more complex transformation schemes and the formation of different TPs in different compartments, which was not included in most of the models. ii) Even though there are pesticide parent compound fate models at the catchment scale with a temporal resolution of one day, none of these models is able to simulate TP fate. Such models would enable scientists and authorities to estimate the environmental fate of TPs at the larger catchment scale or the regional scale. iii) To get over the assessment of the huge number of TPs formed in the environment, an integration of Quantitative Structure Properties Relationship models predicting TP fate characteristics, TP pathway prediction models and environmental fate models is suggested. This would allow for a largely automated and comprehensive assessment of the fate of a pesticide parent compound and all its TPs for regulatory purposes.
Heterogeneity of the Impact of Geopolitical Events on Energy Trade: An Empirical Study Based on Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: Liu Yanqiong , Yu Liang , Yang Cunyi , Li Zhenghui
Published: July 2021

In the context of intensifying global geopolitical disputes and trade frictions, the relationship between geopolitics and energy trade has attracted extensive attention from scholars. The complexity of geopolitical risks mainly comes from the diversity of geopolitical events, which directly leads to the different responses of energy trade in the face of geopolitical risks. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the heterogeneity of the impact of geopolitical events on energy trade based on the difference of event types. This paper uses Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) to simulate a quasi-natural experiment. Based on the monthly data and the Geopolitical Risk index (GPR index) of 17 emerging economies from 2000 to 2020, the empirical analysis can be concluded as follows: Wars and conflicts events lead to the increase of energy trade volume; terrorist attacks have no significant impact on energy trade; international tension can cause the decline in energy trade. Additional analysis shows that the impact of geopolitical events on energy trade in emerging economies is concentrated on the demand side, and the demand is severely inelastic.
Bridging the Gap Between Mammal and Insect Ears – A Comparative and Evolutionary View of Sound-Reception
Authors: Warren Ben , Nowotny Manuela
Published: July 2021

Insects must wonder why mammals have ears only in their head and why they evolved only one common principle of ear design—the cochlea. Ears independently evolved at least 19 times in different insect groups and therefore can be found in completely different body parts. The morphologies and functional characteristics of insect ears are as wildly diverse as the ecological niches they exploit. In both, insects and mammals, hearing organs are constrained by the same biophysical principles and their respective molecular processes for mechanotransduction are thought to share a common evolutionary origin. Due to this, comparative knowledge of hearing across animal phyla provides crucial insight into fundamental processes of auditory transduction, especially at the biomechanical and molecular level. This review will start by comparing hearing between insects and mammals in an evolutionary context. It will then discuss current findings about sound reception will help to bridge the gap between both research fields.
Genomic Prediction Using LD-Based Haplotypes Inferred From High-Density Chip and Imputed Sequence Variants in Chinese Simmental Beef Cattle
Authors: Li Hongwei , Zhu Bo , Xu Ling , Wang Zezhao , Xu Lei , Zhou Peinuo , Gao Han , Guo Peng , Chen Yan , Gao Xue , Zhang Lupei , Gao Huijiang , Cai Wentao , Xu Lingyang , Li Junya
Published: July 2021

A haplotype is defined as a combination of alleles at adjacent loci belonging to the same chromosome that can be transmitted as a unit. In this study, we used both the Illumina BovineHD chip (HD chip) and imputed whole-genome sequence (WGS) data to explore haploblocks and assess haplotype effects, and the haploblocks were defined based on the different LD thresholds. The accuracies of genomic prediction (GP) for dressing percentage (DP), meat percentage (MP), and rib eye roll weight (RERW) based on haplotype were investigated and compared for both data sets in Chinese Simmental beef cattle. The accuracies of GP using the entire imputed WGS data were lower than those using the HD chip data in all cases. For DP and MP, the accuracy of GP using haploblock approaches outperformed the individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) approach (GBLUP_In_Block) at specific LD levels. Hotelling’s test confirmed that GP using LD-based haplotypes from WGS data can significantly increase the accuracies of GP for RERW, compared with the individual SNP approach (∼1.4 and 1.9% for GHBLUP and GHBLUP+GBLUP, respectively). We found that the accuracies using haploblock approach varied with different LD thresholds. The LD thresholds (r2 ≥ 0.5) were optimal for most scenarios. Our results suggested that LD-based haploblock approach can improve accuracy of genomic prediction for carcass traits using both HD chip and imputed WGS data under the optimal LD thresholds in Chinese Simmental beef cattle.
How Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Affects the Settlement Experiences Among Yazidi Refugee Women in Canada
Authors: Bhattacharyya Pallabi , Songose Labe , Wilkinson Lori
Published: July 2021

Gender and sexual violence is historically used as a weapon of war. Yazidi women resettled in Canada directly from northern Iraq after the 2014 Daesh-led attacks in the Sinjar region. This direct resettlement experience makes the Yazidi refugees a very distinct group from a resettlement perspective. The severe human rights violations and sexual and gender-based violence they have experienced has affected both their physical and mental health. However, research on pre-arrival trauma and its impact on resettlement has been limited to individual post-arrival psychological interventions without considering how pre-arrival trauma experiences may affect their overall settlement experience. Our paper focuses on the settlement challenges and needs of 21 Yazidi women resettled in the four Canadian cities with the largest Yazidi communities. Because the resettlement of the Yazidi often happened within weeks after their release from captivity, the structural deficiencies within the Canadian settlement network revealed challenges for resettlement organizations in terms of how they assist those with acute trauma. We argue that although the Canadian resettlement program is generous in many ways, it falls short of adequately addressing trauma at the acute stage, especially sexual and gender-based violence as experienced by the Yazidi women and children. Our analysis reveals that single-female-headed families, particularly those with young children, have a difficult time navigating the resettlement system in Canada. We have identified the resettlement experiences of Yazidi women and recommend resettlement to happen in three stages, to account for the acute level of trauma this particular group faces. The first stage lasts between six weeks and three months as many women require more dedicated support from settlement providers for housing, language, and health. The second stage is a period of adjustment which occurs within the next eighteen months, depending on the available support these refugee women have to navigate the different settlement services. The third stage begins sometime after the second year when many women can start navigating the social support, education and health systems independently. Thinking of how SGBV may influence the resettlement process in these three stages is a good way for us to consider the additional assistance that may be needed and how they may better access resettlement services.
The Immune Heterogeneity Between Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on lncRNA Model
Authors: Yan Tao , Ma Guoyuan , Wang Kai , Liu Weidong , Zhong Weiqing , Du Jiajun
Published: July 2021

Adenocarcinoma (AD) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are both classified as major forms of non-small cell lung cancer, but differences in clinical prognoses and molecular mechanisms are remarkable. Recent studies have supported the importance of understanding immune status in that it influences clinical outcomes of cancer, and immunotherapies based on the theory of “immune editing” have had notable clinical success. Our study aimed to identify specific long non-coding (lnc) RNAs that control key immune-related genes and to use them to construct risk models for AD and SCC. Risk scores were used to separate patients into high- and low-risk groups, and we validated the prognostic significance of both risk scores with our own cohorts. A Gene Set Enrichment Analysis suggested that the immune responses of patients in the AD high-risk group and the SCC low-risk group tended to be weakened. Evaluation of immune infiltration revealed that the degree of infiltration of dendritic cells is of particular importance in AD. In addition, prediction of responses to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatments, based on the T Cell Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion and immunophenoscore models, indicated that deterioration of the immune microenvironment is due mainly to T cell exclusion in AD patients and T cell dysfunction in SCC patients and that high-risk patients with SCC might benefit from ICI treatment. The prediction of downstream targets via The Cancer Proteome Atlas and RNA-seq analyses of a transfected lung cancer cell line indicated that the lncRNA LINC00996 is a potential therapeutic target in AD.
Crosstalk Between Tumor-Associated Microglia/Macrophages and CD8-Positive T Cells Plays a Key Role in Glioblastoma
Authors: Tu Sheng , Lin Xu , Qiu Jili , Zhou Jiaqi , Wang Hui , Hu Shiyao , Yao Yihan , Wang Yali , Deng Yongchuan , Zhou Yunxiang , Shao Anwen
Published: July 2021

Glioblastoma is considered to be the most malignant disease of the central nervous system, and it is often associated with poor survival. The immune microenvironment plays a key role in the development and treatment of glioblastoma. Among the different types of immune cells, tumor-associated microglia/macrophages (TAM/Ms) and CD8-positive (CD8+) T cells are the predominant immune cells, as well as the most active ones. Current studies have suggested that interaction between TAM/Ms and CD8+ T cells have numerous potential targets that will allow them to overcome malignancy in glioblastoma. In this review, we summarize the mechanism and function of TAM/Ms and CD8+ T cells involved in glioblastoma, as well as update on the relationship and crosstalk between these two cell types, to determine whether this association alters the immune status during glioblastoma development and affects optimal treatment. We focus on the molecular factors that are crucial to this interaction, and the role that this crosstalk plays in the biological processes underlying glioblastoma treatment, particularly with regard to immune therapy. We also discuss novel therapeutic targets that can aid in resolving reticular connections between TAM/Ms and CD8+ T cells, including depletion and reprogramming TAM/Ms and novel TAM/Ms-CD8+ T cell cofactors with potential translational usage. In addition, we highlight the challenges and discuss future perspectives of this crosstalk between TAM/Ms and CD8+ T cells.
Effects of Vitamin D and Dexamethasone on Lymphocyte Proportions and Their Associations With Serum Concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3In Vitro in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Cho Eun Bin , Shin Jong Hwa , Kwon Soonwook , Kim Juhyeon , Seok Jin Myoung , Kim Byoung Joon , Min Ju-Hong
Published: July 2021

Background

Clear associations have been found between vitamin D deficiency and several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the benefits of vitamin D supplementation on disease management remain a matter of debate.

Objective and Methods

Patients with MS (N=12) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD; N=12) were enrolled along with 15 healthy controls. Changes in lymphocyte subset proportions during stimulation of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), and correlations with serum concentrations of the vitamin D precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (serum 25(OH)D3) were explored. The impact of 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation on the expression of vitamin-D-responsive genes in immune cells was also investigated.

Results

In both MS and NMOSD, stimulation of PBMCs with 1,25(OH)2D3 followed by steroid suppressed the proliferation of total lymphocytes and T cells. The ratio of CD19+CD27+ memory B cells (Bmem) to all B cells after stimulation with 1,25(OH)2D3 was negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D3 in MS (Spearman’s ρ=–0.594, p=0.042), but positively correlated in NMOSD (Pearson’s r = 0.739, p=0.006). However, there was no relationship between the ratio of Bmem to CD19+CD24+CD38+ regulatory B cells and serum 25(OH)D3 in either MS or NMOSD. In addition, the level of 1,25(OH)2D3-induced CYP24A1 mRNA expression in PBMCs was significantly and negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D3 (for ΔCT, r=0.744, p=0.014) in MS.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a beneficial impact of stimulation of PBMCs with vitamin D followed by steroid on the T-cell population. The association between patient serum 25(OH)D3 and the proportion of Bmem under immune-cell stimulation differed between MS and NMOSD. Further investigations are warranted with larger patient populations.
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Cancer: The Double-Edged Sword Role in Antitumor Immunity and Potential Therapeutic Induction Strategies
Authors: Kang Wendi , Feng Zhichao , Luo Jianwei , He Zhenhu , Liu Jun , Wu Jianzhen , Rong Pengfei
Published: July 2021

The complex tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a vital role in cancer development and dramatically determines the efficacy of immunotherapy. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) within the TME are well recognized and consist of T cell-rich areas containing dendritic cells (DCs) and B cell-rich areas containing germinal centers (GCs). Accumulating research has indicated that there is a close association between tumor-associated TLSs and favorable clinical outcomes in most types of cancers, though a minority of studies have reported an association between TLSs and a poor prognosis. Overall, the double-edged sword role of TLSs in the TME and potential mechanisms need to be further investigated, which will provide novel therapeutic perspectives for antitumor immunoregulation. In this review, we focus on discussing the main functions of TLSs in the TME and recent advances in the therapeutic manipulation of TLSs through multiple strategies to enhance local antitumor immunity.
Eosinophil: A Nonnegligible Predictor in COVID-19 Re-Positive Patients
Authors: Li Xiaolu , Yin Deqing , Yang Yanyan , Bi Chunhua , Wang Zhibin , Ma Guangren , Fu Xiuxiu , Ji Shengxiang , Jiang Fachun , Yu Tao
Published: July 2021

Although vaccine resources are being distributed worldwide, insufficient vaccine production remains a major obstacle to herd immunity. In such an environment, the cases of re-positive occurred frequently, and there is a big controversy regarding the cause of re-positive episodes and the infectivity of re-positive cases. In this case-control study, we tracked 39 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from the Jiaodong Peninsula area of China, of which 7 patients tested re-positive. We compared the sex distribution, age, comorbidities, and clinical laboratory results between normal patients and re-positive patients, and analysed the correlation between the significantly different indicators and the re-positive. Re-positive patients displayed a lower level of serum creatinine (63.38 ± 4.94 U/Lvs. 86.82 ± 16.98 U/L; P =0.014) and lower albumin (34.70 ± 5.46 g/Lvs. 41.24 ± 5.44 g/L, P =0.039) at the time of initial diagnosis. In addition, two positive phases and the middle negative phase in re-positive patients with significantly different eosinophil counts (0.005 ± 0.005 × 109/L; 0.103 ± 0.033 × 109/L; 0.007 ± 0.115 × 109/L; Normal range: 0.02-0.52 × 109/L). The level of eosinophils in peripheral blood can be used as a marker to predict re-positive in patients who once had COVID-19.
Healthy Patients Are Not the Best Controls for Microbiome-Based Clinical Studies: Example of Sjögren’s Syndrome in a Systematic Review
Authors: Doaré Elise , Héry-Arnaud Geneviève , Devauchelle-Pensec Valérie , Alegria Guillermo Carvajal
Published: July 2021

Introduction

It has been hypothesized that gut and oral dysbiosis may contribute to the development of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The aim of this systematic review was to assemble available data regarding the oral and gut microbiota in pSS and to compare them to data from healthy individuals and patients with dry symptoms without a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome or lupus disease to identify dysbiosis and discuss the results.

Methodology

Using the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed studies that compared the oral and gut microbiota of Sjögren’s patients and controls. The PubMed database and Google Scholar were searched.

Results

Two-hundred and eighty-nine studies were found, and 18 studies were included: 13 referred to the oral microbiota, 4 referred to the gut microbiota, and 1 referred to both anatomical sites. The most frequent controls were healthy volunteers and patients with sicca symptoms. The most common analysis method used was 16S-targeted metagenomics. The results were mostly heterogeneous, and the results regarding diversity were not always in accordance. Dysbiosis in pSS was not confirmed, and reduced salivary secretion seems to explain more microbial changes than the underlying disease.

Conclusion

These heterogeneous results might be explained by the lack of a standardized methodology at each step of the process and highlight the need for guidelines. Our review provides evidence that sicca patients seem to be more relevant than healthy subjects as a control group.