bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rekonstruksi Pemahaman Penilaian Pembejalaran: Gugatan Terhadap Ujian Nasional Pendidikan Kesetaraan
Authors: Agus Agus Sadid
Published: January 2023

Penilaian dalam pembelajaran mempunyai makna yang sangat penting, karena dari kegiatan penilaian kita bisa menentukan dan mengetahui hasil perkembangan belajar anak (baca: warga belajar) selama proses pembelajaran berlangsung. Penilaian merupakan bagian dari kegiatan evaluasi yang pasti ada baik pada pendidikan formal maupun nonformal. Tulisan ini mengupas tentang beberapa pemahaman yang keliru (miskonsepsi) tutor tentang penilaian terutama konsep penilaian alternatif, penilaian otentik dan tes tulis (paper-and-pencil test). Dengan asumsi bahwa tes tulis konvensional tidak bisa memenuhi kebutuhan untuk mendapatkan informasi akurat dan komprehensif tentang kompetensi warga belajar, tutor dianjurkan untuk mengimplementasikan penilaian alternatif. Namun demikian, penilaian alternatif belum dipahami benar oleh para tutor dalam hal peran, tujuan, dan cara melaksanakannya. Oleh karena itu, untuk memberikan wawasan tentang konsep penilaian yang komprehensif, tulisan ini mengeksplorasi isu tentang penilaian alternatif dan membandingkannya dengan tes konvensional agar nampak jelas peran dan fungsinya dalam pendidikan, beserta kelebihan dan kekurangan masing-masing. Beberapa kekeliruan (miskonsepsi) tutor tentang penilaian diuraikan dan dibahas sehingga pemahaman tentang konsep penilaian dapat diluruskan, yang pada akhirnya para tutor tidak terjebak pada pemahaman konsep penilaian terbatas pada penilaian konvensional (sebut saja: tes tulis)Kata kunci: Penilaian, Pembelajaran, dan Pendidikan Kesetaraan.
Identifikasi Minat Orang Tua Menyekolahkan Anak Perempuannya pada Tingkat Perguruan Tinggi
Authors: Suharyani Suharyani
Published: January 2023

Tujuan penelitian adalah ingin mengetahui faktor-faktor penyebab minimnya minat orang tua menyekolahkan anak perempuannya ke tingkat perguruan tinggi dan upaya-upaya yang dilakukan untuk mengatasi minimnya minat orang tua menyekolahkan anak perempuannya ke tingkat perguruan tinggi di Desa Sepapan Kecamatan Jerowaru Kabupaten Lombok Timur Tahun 2015. Sedangkan manfaatnya menambah khasanah pengetahuan bagi semua pihak yang terkait, memberikan informasi awal bagi peneliti yang ingin meneliti fenomena yang berbeda namun di lokasi yang sama dengan penelitian ini dan memberikan informasi kepada masyarakat Desa Sepapan tentang pentingnya pendidikan terutama bagi anak perempuan. Peneitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif karena lebih menekankan pada penemuan data yang bersifat apa adanya dan menuntut peneliti untuk menggunakan kata-kata dalam mengolah hasil penelitiannya. Penelitian kualitatif menghasilkan data deskriptif berupa kata-kata tertulis dan lisan dari orang-orang yang dapat diamati. Analisis data yang dilakukan adalah data reduction, data display dan conclusion drawing. Sementara hasil penelitian adalah faktor penyebab minimnya minat orang tua menyekolahkan anak perempuannya pada tingkat perguruan tinggi faktor ekonomi keluarga, kurangnya motivasi dari orang tua, lingkungan keluarga, lingkungan masyarakat. Kemudian upaya yaitu memberdayakan ekonomi guna mengimbangi tuntutan pendidikan anak agar dapat berjalan dengan baik, berupaya (menabung), sehingga pelaksanaan pendidikan anak dapat berjalan dengan baik dan lancar. Meningkatkan pemahaman dan kesadaran kepada orang tua bahwa kewajiban orang tua tidak hanya memenuhi kebutuhan fisik anak tetapi yang paling penting adalah kewajiban yang lebih utama adalah pendidikan. Memberikan pemahaman kepada orang tua agar lebih memahami arti pentingnya pendidikan bagi anak perempuan.Kata Kunci: Minat, Orang Tua, Pendidikan.
Efektivitas Program Nasional Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Mandiri Perdesaan (PNPM-MP) dalam Meningkatkan Perekonomian Masyarakat
Authors: Tamba Wayan
Published: January 2023

Program Nasional Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Mandiri Perdesaan (PNPM-MP) merupakan salah satu mekanisme program pemberdayaan masyarakat yang digunakan PNPM Mandiri dalam upaya mempercepat penanggulangan kemiskinan dan perluasan kesempatan kerja di wilayah perdesaan. Untuk mengetahui apakah program ini telah berhasil dengan baik atau tidak, maka perlu dilakukan kajian melalui penelitian dengan judul “Program Nasional Pemberdayaan Masyarakat-Mandiri Perdesaan (PNPM-MP) dalam meningkatkan perekonomian masyarakat khususnya Simpan Pinjam Kelompok Perempuan (SPP) di Desa Midang Kecamatan Gunungsari Kabupaten Lombok Barat Tahun 2012.” Tujuan penelitian ini adalah ingin mengetahui proses pelaksanaan PNPM-MP dalam meningkatkan perekonomian masyarakat khusus Simpan Pinjam kelompok Perempuan (SPP) dan dampak PNPM-MP dalam meningkatkan perekonomian masyarakat khusus Simpan Pinjam kelompok Perempuan (SPP) di Dusun Belencong Desa Midang Kecamatan Gunungsari. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif deskriptif, karena penelitian berupaya untuk menggambarkan fenomena atau gejala-gejala yang terjadi di lingkungan masyarakat kaitan dengan pelaksanaan PNPM-MP dan dampak ekonomi masyarakat yang ditimbulkannya. Kemudian hasil penelitian adalah dengan adanya SPP ini perekonomian masyarakat khususnya para anggota kelompok SPP di Dusun Belencong menjadi meningkat. Terutama kaum ibu-ibu yang menjadi anggota SPP tersebut, mereka mengaku sangatlah terbantu dengan pinjaman tambahan modal dari SPP tersebut, dari usahanya yang akan mulai bangkrut bisa terbantu dengan pinjaman tambahan modal yang didapat dari SPP, sehingga usahanya bisa lancar kembali dan perekonomian keluarga bisa lebih sejahtera lagi. Hal ini dapat kita lihat dari terpenuhinya kebutuhan mendasar keluarga seperti kebutuhan akan makanan, pakaian, pendidikan dan biaya kesehatan.Kata Kunci : Efektivitas, Pemberdayaan Masyarakat.
PEMBERDAYAAN PEREMPUAN MELALUI PROGRAM SEKTOR NON FORMAL PADA PEMBINAAN NARAPIDANA PEREMPUAN MELALUI PROGRAM KETERAMPILAN MENJAHIT DI LEMBAGA PEMASYARAKATAN
Authors: Yani Ahmad Yani
Published: January 2023

Pemberdayaan perempuan sangat penting karena merekalah yang umumnya belum mendapatkan kesempatan. Hal ini dimaksudkan agar mereka dapat berfungsi sebagai subyek maupun obyek dalam berbagai aspek pembangunan, baik sebagai perencana, pengambil keputusan, pelaksana, maupun mengevaluasi dan menikmati berbagai hasil pembangunan secara merata. Pada sektor non formal pemberdayaan perempuan memainkan perananan yang sangat penting dalam pembangunan masyarakat yang mencerminkan perempuan yang mampu meningkatkan perannya dalam lingkungan masyarakat melalui keterampilan menjahit. Paradigma pemberdayaan perempuan menuntut pendekatan yang tidak memposisikan perempuan sebagai obyek dari berbagai aksi pembangunan, tetapi harus menempatkan perempuan sebagai subyek kegiatan. Perempuan akan berdaya pada saat mereka bertindak pada hal-hal yang sifatnya strategis dan bukan hanya ditujukan pada pemenuhan material, tetapi juga kelmpok-kelompok sehingga dapat meningkatkan kehidupan mereka.Kata Kunci: Pemberdayaan perempuan, Non formal
Data Mining Selection of Prospective Government Employees with Employment Agreements using Naive Bayes Classifier
Authors: Bustomi Yosep , Nugraha Anwar , Juliane Christina , Rahayu Sri
Published: January 2023

The implementation of health in Indonesia is still marked by problems in managing the workforce, especially among honorary health workers. The State Personnel Agency seeks to improve service quality by selecting good human resources to enhance community services. Several Ministries agreed to change the team member recruitment system from Prospective Civil Servants to Government Employees with Work Agreements. In the field, in the Government Employees with Work Agreements acceptance process, there are still pros and cons, both from the rules and the appointment process. The community hopes that the appointment process can be objective and open so that no group is disadvantaged. To achieve these expectations, researchers used data mining to classify health workers who would become Government Employees with Work Agreements. The data mining process uses probability with the Naive Bayes Classifier algorithm from historical data on Government Employees with Work Agreements receipts for 2021. Data on the history of Government Employees with Work Agreements acceptance of health workers as many as 1078 data have been filtered and cleaned. The results of testing the data are 0.00012 for the worthy assumptions and 0.0032 for the unworthy assumptions. Data processing results will be visually displayed using bubble diagrams and Python programming. The researcher concluded that the process of classifying prospective first-aid team members for medical personnel could be done by data mining using the Naïve Bayes algorithm. The results of this classification can be used as a reference for the following year's Government Employees with Work Agreements revenue classification process.
UX Evaluation Using Firstclick, Performance Measurement, RTA, And Questionnaire On E-Commerce Website
Authors: Candiasa I Made , Gunadi I Gede Aris , Putra I Nyoman Wahyu Semeru
Published: January 2023

E-commerce has made transactions easier for several persons. SKI (Semadi Kwazay Indoland), a company in the real estate market, is one of the numerous organizations that develop e-commerce websites. The company wants the e-commerce website to attract a wider audience. Therefore, an evaluation is necessary to measure the usefulness of the website. Twenty responses were divided into two groups of ten: the advanced group and the novice group. The selected assessment approaches are performance measurement to evaluate the system's efficiency and error rate, first-click usability testing to evaluate the system's effectiveness, and RTA and the SUS questionnaire to evaluate user happiness. The following are the study's findings: This e-commerce website is quite efficient, as there is no significant difference in the time necessary to complete the 10 activities between the two groups of respondents. The mean participant questionnaire score for the e-commerce website was 49.75, which was much lower than the average SUS score of 68. The e-commerce website page is highly effective, as the performance measurement test results suggest a comparatively low error rate across both novice and advanced respondent groups.
Weather Forecast In Medan City With Hopfield Artificial Neural Network Algorithm
Authors: Anwar Badrul , Jalinus Nizwardi , Abdullah Rijal
Published: January 2023

Many aspects are very influential for the continuity of Indonesian society, especially Medan. One of the aspects that affect the continuity of the people of Medan is the weather. Weather plays an important role in various sectors, such as agriculture, aviation, and many other sectors. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is always trying to develop their innovations to be able to provide accurate weather information to the public. To assist the process of disseminating weather information to the public in Medan City, we need a Weather Forecast application that uses Website-based computer technology so that it can help disseminate weather information easily and effectively which is generated through the support of the Hopfield method by connecting the application with BMKG data. Based on the results of this study, a weather forecasting application was successfully built to help disseminate weather information in Medan City to all Medan City people who want to get information about the weather.
Comparison of Sports Injury Anxiety in Athletes Doing Sports on Different Surfaces
Authors: Gerçek Hasan , Işık İlayda Dilan , Gürel Melike Naz , Özünlü Pekyavaş Nihan , Altıntaş Atahan
Published: January 2023

The aim of the present study was to compare sports injury anxiety levels of athletes doing sports on different surface regardless from sports type. The study was carried out with 150 male athletes between the ages of 15-35 who had at least one sports injury. The participants were divided into three groups depending on the surface including turf (n=50), artificial turf (n=50), and parquet floor (n=50). The "Sport Injury Anxiety Scale" was used in order to determine the sports injury anxiety levels of the participants. The scale was implemented online through Google Forms. The differences between groups were evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis test. Also differences between paired groups were evaluated with the Mann Whitney U test. It was observed that athletes doing sports on parquet floor had higher levels of sports injury anxiety compared to those doing sports on turf and artificial turf surface (p <0.01). Considering that athletes who do sports on parquet floor have high levels of sports injury anxiety, we think that these athletes should be supported in terms of coping with anxiety.
The Patient’s Perspective on Psoriatic Arthritis: What more can Rheumatologists do to Optimise Disease Management?
Authors: Bittante Alessandra
Published: January 2023

The symposium at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2017 congress aimed to provide insights into the burden of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) on patients’ daily lives, including the significant impact of unresolved musculoskeletal symptoms, and explore the current guidelines for treatment, with a view to identifying strategies to optimise disease management. Case studies were used to evaluate current strategies in PsA management and highlight the critical role of the rheumatologist in patient care. The presentations emphasised that, while patient and clinician priorities for the management of PsA may differ, wider reporting of patient perspectives in studies and patient education may aid in aligning priorities and ensuring the best quality of life (QoL) for patients. The importance of tailoring treatment to the individual was reinforced, and the need to take into account all aspects of disease, including comorbidities and patient relevant outcomes, highlighted.
Social [Media] Distancing: on Digital Espionage, Ethnographic Method, and Ethics ‘in the Field’
Authors: Cearns Jennifer
Published: January 2023

This article examines the role of digital ethnographic methods in an emerging research landscape struck by COVID-19, whereby more traditional anthropological methods have been rendered impossible due to social distancing restrictions. It argues that while anthropology has long privileged physical proximity and presence as a central tenet of ethnographic method, digital methods can also afford a certain sense of social distance, which in fact can be beneficial to the research process. It draws upon experiences of conducting fifteen months of fieldwork both online and offline amongst marginalised groups in Cuba and its diaspora in Miami to reveal the ways in which digital distance can level the relationship between researcher and researched, and ultimately lead to a more ethical way of carrying out fieldwork amongst vulnerable communities.
Numerical study of perforated obstacles effects on the performance of solar parabolic trough collector
Authors: Fahim Tayeb , Laouedj Samir , Abderrahmane Aissa , Driss Zied , Tag-ElDin El Sayed Mohamed , Guedri Kamel , Younis Obai
Published: January 2023

The current work presents and discusses a numerical analysis of improving heat transmission in the receiver of a parabolic trough solar collector by introducing perforated barriers. While the proposed approach to enhance the collector’s performance is promising, the use of obstacles results in increased pressure loss. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model analysis is conducted based on the renormalization-group (RNG) k-ɛ turbulent model associated with standard wall function using thermal oil D12 as working fluid The thermo-hydraulic analysis of the receiver tube with perforated obstacles is taken for various configurations and Reynolds number ranging from 18,860 to 81,728. The results are compared with that of the receiver without perforated obstacles. The receiver tube with three holes (PO3) showed better heat transfer characteristics. In addition, the Nusselt number (Nu) increases about 115% with the increase of friction factor 5–6.5 times and the performance evaluation criteria (PEC) changes from 1.22 to 1.24. The temperature of thermal oil fluid attains its maximum value at the exit, and higher temperatures (462.1 K) are found in the absorber tube with perforated obstacles with three holes (PO3). Accordingly, using perforated obstacles receiver for parabolic trough concentrator is highly recommended where significant enhancement of system’s performance is achieved.
Rhinovirus increases Moraxella catarrhalis adhesion to the respiratory epithelium
Authors: Dissanayake Eishika , Brockman-Schneider Rebecca A. , Stubbendieck Reed M. , Helling Britney A. , Zhang Zhumin , Bochkov Yury A. , Kirkham Charmaine , Murphy Timothy F. , Ober Carole , Currie Cameron R. , Gern James E.
Published: January 2023

Rhinovirus causes many types of respiratory illnesses, ranging from minor colds to exacerbations of asthma. Moraxella catarrhalis is an opportunistic pathogen that is increased in abundance during rhinovirus illnesses and asthma exacerbations and is associated with increased severity of illness through mechanisms that are ill-defined. We used a co-infection model of human airway epithelium differentiated at the air-liquid interface to test the hypothesis that rhinovirus infection promotes M. catarrhalis adhesion and survival on the respiratory epithelium. Initial experiments showed that infection with M. catarrhalis alone did not damage the epithelium or induce cytokine production, but increased trans-epithelial electrical resistance, indicative of increased barrier function. In a co-infection model, infection with the more virulent rhinovirus-A and rhinovirus-C, but not the less virulent rhinovirus-B types, increased cell-associated M. catarrhalis. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that M. catarrhalis adhered to rhinovirus-infected ciliated epithelial cells and infected cells being extruded from the epithelium. Rhinovirus induced pronounced changes in gene expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, M. catarrhalis caused minimal effects and did not enhance RV-induced responses. Our results indicate that rhinovirus-A or C infection increases M. catarrhalis survival and cell association while M. catarrhalis infection alone does not cause cytopathology or epithelial inflammation. Our findings suggest that rhinovirus and M. catarrhalis co-infection could promote epithelial damage and more severe illness by amplifying leukocyte inflammatory responses at the epithelial surface.
A novel prognostic model for predicting the risk of first variceal hemorrhage in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis
Authors: Zhang Qun , Niu Shuaishuai , Yang Li , Zhu Bingbing , Shi Ke , Zhang Xiaohua , Zhang Yi , Bi Yufei , Mu Yongping , Wang Xianbo
Published: January 2023

Background

Variceal hemorrhage (VH) is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. An accurate VH risk evaluation is critical to determine appropriate prevention strategies. We aimed to develop an individualized prediction model to predict the risk of first VH in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients.

Methods

A nomogram was developed based on a retrospective analysis of 527 consecutive HBV-related cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices (GEVs). The nomogram evaluation was performed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The results were verified using an external cohort (n = 187).

Results

We developed a nomogram based on clinical and endoscopic features, including the size of varices, red wale marks, ascites, spleen thickness, γ‐glutamyltransferase, and hematocrit. The C-index of the nomogram in the derivation and validation cohort was 0.806 and 0.820, respectively, and the calibration plot fitted well. Compared with those of the North Italian Endoscopic Club (NIEC) and revised NIEC indexes, the AUC (derivation cohort: 0.822 vs. 0.653 vs. 0.713; validation cohort: 0.846 vs. 0.685 vs. 0.747) and DCA curves of this nomogram were better. Further, based on the risk scores, patients were classified into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups, and significant differences were noted in VH incidence among the three risk groups (P <0.001 for each cohort).

Conclusions

An effective individualized nomogram to predict the risk of first VH in HBV-related GEV patients was established, which can assist clinicians in developing more appropriate prevention strategies.
The prognostic role of the echocardiographic tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (TAPSE/sPAP) ratio and its relationship with NT-proANP plasma level in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Grimaldi Maria Chiara , Rosato Edoardo , D’Angelo Adriano , Cristiano Ernesto , Marchitti Simona , Volpe Massimo , Rubattu Speranza , Romaniello Antonella
Published: January 2023

Background

The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (TAPSE/sPAP) ratio is an echocardiographic estimation of the right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV/PA) coupling, with a validated prognostic role in different clinical settings. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients without evident cardiovascular involvement frequently display subtle RV impairment. The amino-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) plasma level relates to SSc disease progression and mortality. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of the TAPSE/sPAP ratio and its relationship with NT-proANP plasma level in SSc patients without overt cardiovascular involvement.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 70 SSc consecutive patients, with no clinical evidence of cardiovascular involvement or pulmonary hypertension (PH), and 30 healthy controls (HC) in a retrospective, single-centre study. All SSc patients underwent recurrent clinical and echocardiographic assessments and NT-proANP plasma level was assessed at baseline. SSc-related cardiovascular events and deaths were extracted during a 6-year follow-up. The complete work-up for the diagnosis, treatment and management of PH performed along the 6 years of follow-up referred to the 2015 European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Results

Systemic sclerosis patients showed lower TAPSE/sPAP ratio at baseline compared to HC [SSc median value = 0.71 mm/mmHg, (IQR 0.62–0.88) vs. HC median value = 1.00 mm/mmHg, (IQR 0.96–1.05); p < 0.001]. Multivariable Cox analysis revealed TAPSE/sPAP ratio as an independent predictor for SSc-related cardiovascular events [HR = 3.436 (95% CI 1.577–7.448); p = 0.002] and mortality [HR = 3.653 (95% CI 1.712–8.892); p = 0.014]. The value of TAPSE/sPAP ratio < 0.7 mm/mmHg was identified as an optimal cut-off for predicting adverse outcomes (p < 0.001) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. NT-proANP level significantly related to TAPSE/sPAP ratio (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). TAPSE/sPAP ratio combined with NT-proANP showed an overall significant prognostic role in this SSc population, confirmed by Kaplan–Meier analysis (Log rank p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The TAPSE/sPAP ratio, as an index of RV/PA coupling, is an affordable predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality in SSc and, combined with NT-proANP level, may improve the clinical phenotyping and prognostic stratification of SSc patients.
Risk scores in cardiac resynchronization therapy–A review of the literature
Authors: Boros András Mihály , Perge Péter , Merkely Béla , Széplaki Gábor
Published: January 2023

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for selected heart failure (HF) patients improves symptoms and reduces morbidity and mortality; however, the prognosis of HF is still poor. There is an emerging need for tools that might help in optimal patient selection and provide prognostic information for patients and their families. Several risk scores have been created in recent years; although, no literature review is available that would list the possible scores for the clinicians. We identified forty-eight risk scores in CRT and provided the calculation methods and formulas in a ready-to-use format. The reviewed score systems can predict the prognosis of CRT patients; some of them have even provided an online calculation tool. Significant heterogeneity is present between the various risk scores in terms of the variables incorporated and some variables are not yet used in daily clinical practice. The lack of cross-validation of the risk scores limits their routine use and objective selection. As the number of prognostic markers of CRT is overwhelming, further studies might be required to analyze and cross-validate the data.
Deformation characteristics and reactivation mechanism of an old landslide induced by combined action of excavation and heavy rainfall
Authors: Dai Zhenwei , Yang Long , Zhang Nan , Zhang Chenyang , Zhang Zhihua , Wang Heng
Published: January 2023

The reactivation mechanism of old landslides has been extensively studied from building load, erosion of the slope toe, heavy rainfall, and slope cutting for existing research. However, previous research on the reactivation of old landslides pays little attention to the combined action of engineering disturbance and heavy rainfall is rarely studied. This paper describes an old landslide in Wushan County, Chongqing, China, that was reactivated in August 2019 due to engineering disturbance and heavy rainfall. The deformation of the old landslide was first observed in 2007 and 2008, resulting from excavation and rainfall, respectively, and remained stable for about 11 years after treatment. In August 2019, the landslide was reactivated by slope cutting and damaged anti-sliding piles at the toe, and entered a state of imminent sliding due to the concentrated heavy rainfall events that occurred from October 4 to 22, 2019. In order to reveal the deformation features and reactivation mechanism of the landslide, field investigations, drilling activities and monitoring were performed. The results showed that tectonic effects and the stratigraphic lithology were the main reasons for the formation of the old Dashuitian landslide. The cut slope and damaged anti-sliding piles at the toe of the landslide provided the sliding space and reduced the anti-sliding force, and therefore resulted in the reactivation of the landslide. Continuous intense rainfall increased the weight of the landslide, decreased the mechanical properties and increased the pore water pressure of the weak interlayer, which accelerated the deformation rate. Therefore, 1.5 million m3 of rock and soil masses slid along the weak interlayer under the action of gravity, threatening the safety of Wuliu Road, Ring Road, National Road G42 and the Wu-Da Expressway. Our research provides a theoretical basis for reducing the hazard of similar engineering projects involving slopes.
Vegetation history and its links to climate change during the last 36 ka in arid Central Asia: Evidence from a loess-paleosol sequence in the Eastern Ili Valley
Authors: Liu Peilun , Zhang Shanjia , Qiu Menghan , Ruan Qiurong , Luo Jiaming , Miao Yunfa , Ling Zhiyong
Published: January 2023

Detailed vegetation history response to complex influencing factors of arid Central Asia (ACA) is crucial to understanding ecological sustainability. Here, we present the first pollen record in the Ili Valley during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) using the Jirentai (JRT) loess-paleosol sequence. Combining the results of multi-climate proxies and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, we aim to reconstruct the vegetative response to climate change during the last 36 ka. Our results show that rapid loess accumulation in the JRT section began in the Late MIS3 (Marine isotope stage 3), and a thin paleosol layer developed in the Late LGM and Post Glacial. The pollen concentrations in the loess are significantly lower than in the paleosol, but the pollen assemblages are richer. Artemisia and Asteraceae are the dominant non-arboreal types in the loess, and abundant arboreal species are present (e.g., Pinus, Picea, Quercus, Betulaceae). The percentage of Artemisia remains high in the paleosol, and typical drought-tolerant plants are an important component (e.g., Orthomorphic, Ephedra). We suggest that the rich variety of pollen in loess is transported by frequent and intense dust activities, and these pollen may come from regional vegetation. Less diverse pollen assemblages in paleosol respond to the vegetation surrounding the JRT section. The vegetation history obtained from the JRT section shows that the lowlands of the Ili Valley were typical desert or desert-steppe vegetation for the past 36 ka. The surrounding mountains are dominated by Pinus and Picea forests. During the Early LGM, vegetation conditions deteriorated in both of mountainous and lowland. The above phenomena coincide with the pollen records from lakes in the ACA. Our results further suggest that mountain forests reappear and the lowland environment improves in response to increased insolation in the Northern Hemisphere at high latitudes in the Late LGM. This point in time is earlier by about 5–10 ka compared to previous records. We attribute it to the fact that pollen assemblages from the loess-paleosol sequence are more sensitive to vegetation and climate change during the transition from the glacial to interglacial and propose a simple model to characterize them.
Lithofacies, mineralogy, and pore characteristics of Permian marine tuffaceous rocks in the Sichuan Basin
Authors: Li Rong , Xiong Zhifu , Wang Zecheng , Xie Wuren , Li Wenzheng , Su Nan
Published: January 2023

Alongside volcanic eruptions in the middle and late Permian, the sedimentary environment and process changed, and the lithofacies and mineralogical characteristics varied conspicuously from the marine sediments in this period. Marine tuffaceous rocks beared strong witness to the marine and volcanic actions in this time. With experimental studies relying on field outcrop, thin section, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) and CT scan, the researchers analyzed the lithology, mineralogy, and pore characteristics of marine tuffaceous rocks. Among the Permian marine tuffaceous sections of the Sichuan Basin, three types of lithofacies were identified, namely tuff, sedimentary tuff, and tuffaceous mudstone. The mineral composition of the tuffaceous section includes quartz, feldspar, carbonate minerals, pyrite, clay,etc.The quartz content varies from 4.0% to 27.3%, with an average value of 13.0%; the feldspar content varies from 0 to 21.2%, with an average value of 9.8%; the carbonate mineral content varies from 8.52% to 53.45%, with an average value of 27.6%; the clay mineral content varies from 0 to 75.3%, with an average value of 44.8%; and the pyrite content varies from 0 to 13.4%, with an average value of 5.8%. The porosity of tuffaceous rocks varies from 2.2% to 8.1%, mostly concentrated in the range from 3% to 7% with an average level of 5.24%. There are mainly shrinkage pores, dissolution pores, intercrystalline pores, and organic pores. In terms of scale, the pores can be classified as micron-scale and nano-scale pores, and in terms of size, they are mainly micropores and mesopores, accounting for up to 92.12%. The pores are concentrated in the tuffaceous section and well interconnected, forming a complex organic-inorganic pore-fracture network system and bedding fractures with even better connectivity. The pores of the tuffaceous section are greatly influenced by lithofacies and mineral composition. The porosities of tuffaceous mudstone, sedimentary tuff and tuff rank downward, with average porosities of 6.5%, 5.09%, and 3.86% respectively. The felsic content is inversely correlated with porosity; the clay content and TOC content are positively correlated with porosity; the pyrite content is also inversely correlated with porosity. The marine tuffaceous section is similar to shale to a certain extent as it has relatively dense lithology, its pores are mainly of micron-scale and nano-scale and mainly include micropores and mesopores. It boasts the hydrocarbon-generating capacity and reservoir performance, serving as both a source rock and a reservoir. As a novel reservoir, the tuffaceous section can form a tight reservoir both generating and depositing gas and featuring source-reservoir paragenesis, lithological reservoir-controlling, and large-area stratified distribution, manifesting a promising future for exploration.
Study on the construction deformation of a slotted shield in loess tunnels with different buried depths and large sections
Authors: Jiang Han , Fang Xiaolong , Yu Ming , Li Lin , Han Bing , Gao Song , Zhai Chengxian , Gao Renxin , Zhao Jianxiong , Liu Liu
Published: January 2023

Since there is no precedent for the use of slotted shield tunneling in the large section of high-speed railways in China, the relevant technological accumulation and systematic research achievements are few. Therefore, this paper provides theoretical support for loess tunnel construction decision-making through the study of slotted shields and is expected to promote the mechanization and even intelligent construction of a high-speed iron-loess tunnel. Taking the Luochuan tunnel of the Xiyan high-speed railway as the engineering background, this paper uses the numerical simulation software packages of ANSYS and FLAC3D to study the tunnel deformation (surface settlement, vault settlement, tunnel bottom uplift, and horizontal convergence) caused by the slotted shield construction in three different buried depths of 30, 40, and 50 m surrounding rock. The deformation law and mechanical characteristics of a cutter shield construction of large cross-section loess tunnels under the influence of different buried depths are put forward. Results showed that 1) the mutual interference between the working procedures can be significantly reduced by inserting the cutting tool into the soil instead of the advanced tubule before excavation; 2) the settlement in the upper part of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel is the largest; the greater the depth of the tunnel is, the smaller the surface settlement is; and 3) the horizontal deformation of the arch waist and foot of the tunnel under different buried depths is symmetrically distributed into the tunnel during the whole process of slotted shield tunneling.
Intelligent velocity picking considering an expert experience based on the Chan–Vese model and mean-shift clustering
Authors: Wang Li-De , Wu Jie , Xu Xing-Rong , Zeng Hua-Hui , Gao Yang , Liu Wen-Qing
Published: January 2023

The velocity of seismic data can initially be established by identifying energy clusters on velocity spectra at different moments, which is crucial to the migration imaging and the stacking of common midpoint (CMP) gathers in the seismic data processing. However, the identification of energy clusters currently relies on manual work, with low efficiency and different standards. With the increasing application of wide-frequency, wide-azimuth, and high-density seismic exploration technology, the amount of seismic data has increased significantly, greatly increasing the cost of manual labor and time. In this paper, an intelligent velocity picking method based on the Chan–Vese (CV) model and mean-shift clustering algorithm was proposed. It can be divided into three steps. First, a velocity trend band is set up on the velocity spectrum by experts to avoid multiples and other noises. Then, the velocity trend band is applied to the Chan–Vese model as the initial time condition to segment the velocity spectrum and obtain the velocity candidate region. Finally, mean-shift clustering is adopted to cluster the useful energy clusters retained in the candidate region derived from the Chan–Vese model. When implementing the mean-shift clustering algorithm, the Gaussian kernel function and the energy of the velocity spectrum are utilized to control the efficiency and accuracy of the cluster. The tests of the model and real data prove that the proposed method can dramatically improve the accuracy and efficiency of velocity picking compared with the K-means and manual picking method.
Coarse-graining research of the thermal infrared anomalies before earthquakes in the Sichuan area on Google Earth engine
Authors: Wu Pengcheng , Meng Qingyan , Zhang Ying , Zhan Chengxiang , Allam Mona , Zhang Linlin , Hu Xinli
Published: January 2023

Seismo-induced Thermal infrared (TIR) anomalies has been proposed as a significant precursor of earthquakes. Several methods have been proposed to detect Thermal infrared anomalies that may be associated with earthquakes. However, there is no comparison of the influence for Thermal infrared extraction methods with a long time statistical analysis. To quantify the effects of various techniques used in Thermal infrared anomaly extraction, in this paper, we offer a complete workflow of their comparative impacts. This study was divided into three parts: anomaly detection, statistical analysis, and tectonic factor research. For anomaly detection, daily continuous nighttime surface temperature (ConLST) data was obtained from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, and each different anomaly detection method was used to detect Thermal infrared outliers in the Sichuan region (27°-37°N, 97°-107°E). During statistical analysis, The heated core model was applied to explore Thermal infrared anomalies which is to filter anomalies unrelated to earthquakes by setting time-space-intensity conditions. The 3D error diagram offers scores to assume the best parameter set using training-test-validation steps. In the final part, we considered information on stresses, active faults, and seismic zones to determine the optimal parameters for extracting the Thermal infrared anomalies. The Kalman filter method detected the highest seismic anomaly frequency without considerating the heating core condition. The Autoencoder and Isolation Forest methods obtain the optimal alert type and parameter set to determine if the anomaly is likely earthquake-related. The RST method performs optimally in the final part of the workflow when it considers physical factors such as active faults, seismic zones, and stresses. However, The six methods we have chosen are not sufficient to contain the entire Thermal infrared anomaly extraction. The consideration of tectonic factors in the research remains poorly developed, as statistical methods were not employed to explore the role of constructive factors. Nevertheless, it is a significant factor in comparing anomaly extraction methods and precursor studies.
Modeling rules of regional flash flood susceptibility prediction using different machine learning models
Authors: Chen Yuguo , Zhang Xinyi , Yang Kejun , Zeng Shiyi , Hong Anyu
Published: January 2023

The prediction performance of several machine learning models for regional flash flood susceptibility is characterized by variability and regionality. Four typical machine learning models, including multilayer perceptron (MLP), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), are proposed to carry out flash flood susceptibility modeling in order to investigate the modeling rules of different machine learning models in predicting flash flood susceptibility. The original data of 14 environmental factors, such as elevation, slope, aspect, gully density, and highway density, are chosen as input variables for the MLP, LR, SVM, and RF models in order to estimate and map the distribution of the flash flood susceptibility index in Longnan County, Jiangxi Province, China. Finally, the prediction performance of various models and modeling rules is evaluated using the ROC curve and the susceptibility index distribution features. The findings show that: 1) Machine learning models can accurately assess the region’s vulnerability to flash floods. The MLP, LR, SVM, and RF models all predict susceptibility very well. 2) The MLP (AUC=0.973, MV=0.1017, SD=0.2627) model has the best prediction performance for flash flood susceptibility, followed by the SVM (AUC=0.964, MV=0.1090, SD=0.2561) and RF (AUC=0.975, MV=0.2041, SD=0.1943) models, and the LR (AUC=0.882, MV=0.2613, SD=0.2913) model. 3) To a large extent, environmental factors such as elevation, gully density, and population density influence flash flood susceptibility.
Changes in and the association of retinal blood perfusion and retinal nerves in diabetic patients without retinopathy
Authors: Hao Jianchen , Du Jiantong , Gu Xiaopeng , Zhang Yadi , Yang Liu , Zhang Shijie
Published: January 2023

Objective

To explore intraretinal blood flow perfusion and nerve changes, as well as the correlation between them, in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (NDR).

Method

Eighty-six NDR patients (86 eyes) who attended the ophthalmology clinic between December 2019 and December 2021 were included. Sixty-four eyes of 64 healthy examined controls in the same period were selected as the control group. The patients underwent routine ophthalmological examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography.

Results

The average thickness, minimum thickness and thickness of each quadrant except for the superior temporal quadrant of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) in the macular area of the affected eyes in the NDR group were lower than that of the tested eyes in the control group (P< 0.05). The average retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness of the NDR group and the superior, inferior and nasal quadrants around the optic disc of the affected eyes in the NDR group were lower compared with the tested eyes in the control group (P< 0.001,P =0.003,P= 0.001,P= 0.009). The mean vessel length density in the parafoveal and perifoveal areas in the NDR group was positively associated with the mean GCIPL thickness in the macular area (ρ= 0.265,ρ= 0.257 andP< 0.001). No blood flow perfusion parameters in the NDR group were correlated with the RNFL thickness of the corresponding quadrant around the optic disc (P> 0.05).

Conclusion

In diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy, the superficial retinal vessel density in the macular area positively correlated with GCIPL thickness, and the superficial retinal vessel density around the optic disc was not correlated with RNFL thickness.
Maternal thyroid function in multiple pregnancies – a systematic review
Authors: Zgliczynska Magdalena , Ostrowska Magdalena , Szymusik Iwona , Ciebiera Michal , Kosinska-Kaczynska Katarzyna
Published: January 2023

Background

The function of the thyroid gland during pregnancy undergoes physiological changes to ensure the proper amount of thyroid hormones for both the pregnant woman and the fetus. Multiple pregnancies (MP) are characterized by specific differences compared to single pregnancies, e.g., higher concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin, which also affect thyroid function. The aim was to collect available knowledge on maternal thyroid function in MP.

Methods

We have systematically searched three databases: the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library. The last search was run on the 4th of August 2022. We included full-text original observational and experimental studies written in English. Case reports, editorials, letters, conference abstracts, reviews and meta-analyses were excluded. No time criterion was established. Studies were considered eligible if at least one maternal thyroid function test was performed and reported. Studies on MP with a co-existing mole were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed with the use of the AXIS tool. The qualitative synthesis of evidence was applied.

Results

The search strategy resulted in the identification of 821 manuscripts. After removing duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts of 552 articles, out of which 57 were selected for full-text analysis. Finally, 12 articles were included in the review. They were conducted in 6 different countries and published between the years 1997 and 2022. The number of examined women with MP ranged from 9 to 1 626.

Discussion and conclusions

Thyroid function differs between women with MP and SP. Scarce data are available on the topic, but MPs are most likely characterized by higher HCG levels, which influences thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroid hormone levels. These differences are mainly expressed in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Separate population-based reference ranges are needed to correctly diagnose thyroid diseases in MP and to avoid unnecessary treatment. Further research is needed to fill the knowledge gaps.
Cortisol excess in chronic kidney disease – A review of changes and impact on mortality
Authors: Sagmeister Michael S. , Harper Lorraine , Hardy Rowan S.
Published: January 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) describes the long-term condition of impaired kidney function from any cause. CKD is common and associated with a wide array of complications including higher mortality, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, aberrant immune function, cognitive impairment, mood disturbances and poor sleep quality. Glucocorticoids are endogenous pleiotropic steroid hormones and their excess produces a pattern of morbidity that possesses considerable overlap with CKD. Circulating levels of cortisol, the major active glucocorticoid in humans, are determined by a complex interplay between several processes. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) regulates cortisol synthesis and release, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes mediate metabolic interconversion between active and inactive forms, and clearance from the circulation depends on irreversible metabolic inactivation in the liver followed by urinary excretion. Chronic stress, inflammatory states and other aspects of CKD can disturb these processes, enhancing cortisol secretion via the HPA axis and inducing tissue-resident amplification of glucocorticoid signals. Progressive renal impairment can further impact on cortisol metabolism and urinary clearance of cortisol metabolites. Consequently, significant interest exists to precisely understand the dysregulation of cortisol in CKD and its significance for adverse clinical outcomes. In this review, we summarize the latest literature on alterations in endogenous glucocorticoid regulation in adults with CKD and evaluate the available evidence on cortisol as a mechanistic driver of excess mortality and morbidity. The emerging picture is one of subclinical hypercortisolism with blunted diurnal decline of cortisol levels, impaired negative feedback regulation and reduced cortisol clearance. An association between cortisol and adjusted all-cause mortality has been reported in observational studies for patients with end-stage renal failure, but further research is required to assess links between cortisol and clinical outcomes in CKD. We propose recommendations for future research, including therapeutic strategies that aim to reduce complications of CKD by correcting or reversing dysregulation of cortisol.