bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PEMBUATAN BIO-BRIKET DARI SABUT KELAPA DAN SERBUK KAYU JATI DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN PEREKAT TEPUNG TAPIOKA
Authors: Haliza Hilda Nur , Saroso Hadi
Published: March 2022

Meningkatnya perkembangan industri pengolahan kelapa di Indonesia sehingga banyak menghasilkan limbah  biomassa yaitu sabut kelapa, dimana limbah tersebut banyak yang tidak diolah. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk  mengetahui hasil kualitas di dalam biobriket dari campuran sabut kelapa dan serbuk kayu jati dan untuk  mengetahui variasi campuran limbah sabut kelapa dengan serbuk kayu jati terhadap persen kadar air dan nilai  kalor serta laju pembakaran didalam briket. Dengan variabel perbandingan jumlah bahan dengan  menggunakan perekat 10:10, 10:20 dan 10:30. Dan tanpa menggunakan perekat dengan perbandingan 10:10,  10:20 dan 10:30. Pengujian dilakukan dengan mencari nilai kalor, kadar air dan hasil dari pembakaran. Sehingga  hasil yang akan diperoleh adalah kualitas dari bio briket. Komposisi briket yang terbaik dalam bahan baku yang  menggunakan perekat pada perbandingan (60:40), memiliki kadar air 5,9%, Nilai kalor 5974 kal/gram, dan laju  pembakaran sebesar 1,858 kal/detik. Komposisi briket berbahan baku tidak menggunakan perekat pada  perbandingan (50:50), dengan hasil yang diperoleh kadar air 6,2 %, Nilai kalor 7607 kal/gram dan laju  pembakaran sebesar 1,591 kal/detik. Semua komposisi briket dalam penelitian ini telah memenuhi standar  ketentuan SNI No. 01- 6235-2000 tentang briket arang kayu dan SNI No. 19-4791-1998 tentang briket sabut  kelapa.
PENGARUH WAKTU PENGADUKAN DAN PERSENTASE PENAMBAHAN NaOH PADA PROSES TREATING PERTASOL CA DI PPSDM MIGAS CEPU
Authors: Saida Rizqy Ianatus , Agustin Tiara Retsa Putri , Dewajani Heny , Kusuma Rieza Mahendra
Published: March 2022

Pertasol CA merupakan salah satu produk dari PPSDM Cepu yang digunakan sebagai solvent dalam berbagai  industri seperti industri cat, varnish, tinta, dan ban. Produksi pertasol CA terus meningkat seiring dengan  meningkatnya permintaan dari konsumen PPSDM Migas Cepu. Permasalahan yang dihadapi pada produksi CA  adalah adanya kandungan sulfur yang mempengaruhi mutu produk pertasol karena dapat menimbulkan korosi,  menurunkan mutu produk, bau tidak enak saat pembakaran dan penurunan stabilitas pada penyimpanan. Untuk  menghilangkan sulfur ini maka dilakukan proses caustic treating menggunakan NaOH sebagai pengikat sulfur.  Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh waktu pengadukan dan persentase penambahan NaOH pada  proses treating untuk meningkatkan kualitas pertasol CA. Variasi yang digunakan yaitu waktu pengadukan (15  menit, 30 menit dan 45 menit) dan persentase penambahan NaOH (5%, 10%, 15%, dan 20%) . Parameter uji pada  penelitian ini antara lain uji densitas, uji warna, doctor test, analisis aromatic content, analisis copper strip  corrosion, uji distilasi, dan analisis sulfur content. Hasil yang didapatkan pada penelitian ini adalah penurunan  kadar sulfur sebesar 33.90% dari kadar sulfur awal 151.9 ppm dengan persentase penambahan NaOH terbaik  sebesar 20% dan waktu pengadukan 15 menit. Dari hasil uji didapatkan densitas sebesar 750.4 kg/m3, uji warna  +30, distilasi dengan suhu 58°C - 165°C, doctor test negatif, kandungan aromatik sebesar 16%, analisis copper  strip corrosion nomor 1, dan sulfur content sebesar 100.4 ppm.
Sistem Telemonitoring Kekeruhan dan pH Air Terhadap Pengurasan Serta Pemberian Kaporit Otomatis Dalam Kolam Renang Berbasis
Authors: Nabila Kalam Achmad , Aisah Aisah , Rasyid Abdul
Published: March 2022

Berenang merupakan kegiatan yang digemari masyarakat. Namun tanpa disadari, beberapa kolam renang memiki kualitas air yang tidak cukup bagus sehingga menjadi media penularan berbagai penyakit dalam air. Pengawasan kualitas air kolam renang merupakan upaya sanitasi yaitu dengan memberikan cairan kaporit untuk mereduksi zat organik dan sebagai desinfeksi terhadap mikroorganisme. Dengan adanya hal tersebut penulis melakukan penelitian mengenai sistem telemonitoring kekeruhan dan pH air terhadap pengurasan serta pemberian kaporit otomatis dalam kolam renang berbasis smartphone. Sistem diaplikasikan pada miniature kolam renang yang terdiri dari empat sensor yaitu sensor pH, sensor turbidity, sensor ultrasonik, sensor waterflow, keempat sensor akan mengirimkan data ke ESP32 untuk diproses sesuai sistem yang dibuat. Setelah ESP32 selesai melakukan pemrosesan kemudian dikirimkan pada firebase dan aplikasi pada smartphone untuk mempermudah monitoring dan kontroling air. Hasil pengujian dapat disimpulkan bahwa sistem dirancang menggunakan ESP32 sebagai mikrokontroler akan memproses hasil data dari sensor pH, sensor turbidity, sensor waterflow dan sensor ultrasonik. Kemudian hasil data pH memiliki nilai pH paling tinggi yaitu 7,9 dan terendah 6,9. Selanjutnya hasil data sensor turbidity memilki nilai 0 NTU dengan ADC tertinggi 3827. Pengurasan secara otomatis dibagi menjadi 2, yaitu sebagai monitoring dan kontroling. Selanjutnya untuk kualitas jaringan WiFi yang diuji menggunakan Wireshark ketika melakukan proses pengiriman data dari segi delay memiliki nilai rata-rata 0.188389435, packet loss 1.178 dan throughput 7428 Kb/s.
Weather Condition Monitoring System as A Floods Prevention in Malang using Android Application
Authors: Pramesti Audia Yumna Dita , Soelistianto Farida Arinie , Mustafa Lis Diana
Published: March 2022

On January 2021 rain often splashing Malang City with intensity high and deep period a long time, so some areas experience flood. BMKG is an Indonesian official institution in charge to give information forecast weather good through online media nor offline. However, they do not give specific information about real-time location weather. This study aims to make it easy for user in accept information on bulk rain, water level, wind speed and temperature as effort to prevent flood. This study proposed prototype using bulk sensor rain, water level, wind speed and temperature as well as using ESP32 as microcontroller with monitoring via android. This tool could put in general place or in a vulnerable flood area. Results show that sending data from ESP32 microcontroller to firebase database is successful sent through "AVRO POLINEMA" Wi-Fi connection. QoS performance between ESP32 to Firebase shows throughput = 7.076368 Kb / s (poor), packet loss = 0.5% (very good), delay = 250,582 s (good), jitter = 0.0299139 ms (good) and between Application to Firebase got results throughput = 32.24112 (medium), packet loss = 0.4% (very good), delay = 118.009 ms (very good), jitter = 0.0903578947 ms (good).
Peramalan Indeks Harga Saham Melalui Trending Topic Youtube Pada Kondisi Great Lockdown
Authors: Ayu Widjayanti  , Ari Kamayanti  , Sarah Yuliarini
Published: March 2022

This research aims to find out the trending topic with the hashtag Large-Scale Social Restrictions which affects changes in the values of the stock prices index during the pandemic. The forecasting method is Autogressive Integrated Moving Average. The results showed that the index experienced a movement when the hashtag on Youtube is trending. The research implication for shareholders and the government is to be able to make policies that protect the condition of the stock market and the image of the stock market in Indonesia in order to remain good in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic with various kinds of uncertainty

 

Abstrak

Riset ini bertujuan mengetahui trending topic dengan tagar pada platform digital Youtube yaitu Pembatasan Sosial Skala Besar (PSBB) memengaruhi perubahan nilai IHSG dan ISSI pada masa pandemi. Metode peramalan dengan menggunakan metode ARIMA (Autogressive Integrated Moving Average) dipilih dalam penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan indeks IHSG mengalami pergerakan disaat nilai perbincangan dengan tagar PSBB pada aplikasi Youtube mengalami fluktuasi, sedangkan ISSI tidak mengalami intervensi pada trending topic. Implikasi riset bagi pemegang saham dan pemerintah adalah dapat membuat kebijakan yang melindungi kondisi pasar saham dan citra pasar bursa di Indonesia agar tetap baik di era pandemi Covid-19 dengan berbagai macam ketidakpastian.
Evaluasi atas Perancangan Sistem Informasi Akuntansi Penjualan Kredit pada Usaha Kecil
Authors: Yu Anita Nila Vandarita  , Sri Dwi Estiningrum
Published: March 2022

This applied study aims to design and evaluate the testing of the computer-based accounting information system design at UD. Sampun Mapan. The study uses a qualitative descriptive approach, starting from collecting all data related to credit sales, data is presented in a flowchart, designing a credit sales system using Microsoft Access with the MySQL programming language and system testing. The result of this study are design of the accounting system database, testing the computer base system and the obstacles found during system testing were a lack of human resource skills, funds, and a computer system that was not needed.

AbstrakPenelitian terapan ini bertujuan untuk merancang dan mengevaluasi pengujian perancangan sistem imformasi akuntansi basis komputer pada UD. Sampun Mapan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif, dimulai dari pengumpulan semua data yang berkaitan dengan penjualan kredit, kemudian data disajikan dalam bentuk flowchart, merancang sistem penjualan kredit menggunakan Microsoft Access dengan bahasa pemrograman MySQL dan tahapan terakhir pengujian sistem. Hasil penelitian berupa rancangan basis data sistem akuntansi, pengujian sistem basis komputer dan beberapa kendala yang ditemukan saat pengujian sistem berupa kurangnya keterampilan sumber daya manusia, kurangnya dana, dan sistem komputer yang kurang dibutuhkan.
Laba yang Tersebunyi: Kajian Empiris pada Entitas Perbankan Syariah
Authors: Basuki Rachmat  , Muhamad Muwidha
Published: March 2022

Hidden Profit is the 2005 theory concept of newly tested empirical qualitative in 2020. With service profit chain as a Grand Theory, this study aims to provide a strengthening understanding of hidden profits in activities of PT. Bank Mandiri Syariah (BMS). The results of the study involving 10 informants from the different branch offices in the East Java region showed that the right operating strategy and service delivery system supported by vision, mission and culture of sharia value-based organizations was proven to be able to realize the service concept that reflects the Hablum Minallah, Hablum Minannas Wa Hablum Minal ‘Alam in the achievement of the blessing of the financial performance of BMS as Allah SWT promised in the Qur'an.

 

Abstrak

Laba Tersembunyi merupakan konsep teori 2005 yang baru diuji kualitatif empiris pada tahun 2020. Dengan Service Profit Chain sebagai grand theory, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberi penguatan pemahaman Laba Tersembunyi pada aktivitas PT. Bank Mandiri Syariah (BMS). Hasil Penelitian dengan melibatkan 10 informan dari kantor cabang yang berbeda di wilayah Jawa Timur menunjukkan, bahwa operating strategy dan service delivery system yang tepat ditunjang visi, misi dan budaya organisasi berbasis nilai-nilai syariah terbukti mampu mewujudkan service concept yang merefleksikan Hablum Minallah, Hablum Minannas Wa Hablum Minal ‘Alam dalam capaian keberkahan kinerja keuangan BMS sebagaimana Allah SWT janjikan dalam Alquran.
On the Global Positivity Solutions of Non-homogeneous Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Mhlanga Farai Julius , Rundora Lazarus
Published: March 2022

In this article, we treat the existence and uniqueness of strong solutions to the Cauchy problem of stochastic equations of the form dXt=αXtdt+σXtγdBt,X0=x>0. The construction does not require the drift and the diffusion coefficients to be Lipschitz continuous. Sufficient and necessary conditions for the existence of a global positive solution of non-homogeneous stochastic differential equations with a non-Lipschitzian diffusion coefficient are sought using probabilistic arguments. The special case γ = 2 and the general case, that is, γ > 1 are considered. A complete description of every possible behavior of the process Xt at the boundary points of the state interval is provided. For applications, the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross model is considered.
Synthesis of Ce/Gd@HA/PLGA Scaffolds Contributing to Bone Repair and MRI Enhancement
Authors: Song Xianji , Liu Xilin , Ma Yihang , Zhu Qingsan , Bi Mingchao
Published: March 2022

It is important for future clinical applications to design and synthesize multipurpose scaffolding materials for bone tissue engineering with high osteogenic induction and MRI capability. In the present study, we synthesized Ce/Gd@HA by co-doping Ce3+ and Gd3+ into hydroxyapatite (HA) using a hydrothermal synthesis method, and then Ce/Gd@HA composites were synthesized by combining Ce/Gd@HA nanoparticles with polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) to investigate whether implanted Ce/Gd@HA/PLGA composites could promote osteoblast viability, leading to tibia repair of the rats and enhance MRI. The measurement results contain X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) showing that HA doped with Ce3+ and Gd3+ was still a hexagonal crystal with high crystallinity. The synthesized Ce/Gd@HA/PLGA composites have a structure and obvious magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capability. The in vitro experimental results indicated that Ce/Gd@HA/PLGA composites significantly promoted the performance of MC3T3-E1 cells, containing proliferation, adhesion, and osteogenic differentiation capacities. These include the improvement of alkaline phosphatase activity, enhancement of mineral deposition, and upregulation of OCN and COL-1 gene expression. The in vivo experimental results demonstrated that the Ce/Gd@HA/PLGA composites significantly improved the healing rate of rat bone defects. The MRI images indicated that the Ga-doped composites were observed in the MRI T1 sequence in rats. The aforementioned results suggested that Ce/Gd@HA/PLGA composites not only effectively promoted bone formation but also enhanced MRI capability. The composites synthesized in this study have great potential in bone regeneration with an extensive application in bone tissue engineering.
Expression of Retinal G Protein-Coupled Receptor, a Member of the Opsin Family, in Human Skin Cells and Its Mediation of the Cellular Functions of Keratinocytes
Authors: Gu Yangguang , Wang Yu , Lan Yinghua , Feng Jianglong , Zeng Wen , Zhang Wei , Lu Hongguang
Published: April 2022

Background: Photoreceptive proteins play critical physiological roles in human skin cells. The retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR) is a photoisomerase in the human retina, but its expression and cellular functions in human skin cells have not been reported.

Objectives: We aimed to detect RGR expression in various skin cells and evaluate its regulation of the cellular functions of keratinocytes.

Methods: The expression, distribution, and subcellular location of the RGR in normal human epidermal keratinocytes and cells with pathological conditions including psoriasis, seborrheic keratosis, and squamous cell carcinoma were determined using microscopic tools (immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescence staining, and immunoelectron microscopy) and Western blotting (WB). The protein levels of the RGR in primary human melanocytes, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts isolated from the neonatal foreskin were measured by WB. The expression and subcellular localization of the RGR in these cells were detected by immunofluorescence staining under a fluorescence microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. Additionally, the levels of RGR expression in normal keratinocytes exposed to ultraviolet (UV)-A or total ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the presence or absence of all-trans-retinal were measured by WB. Furthermore, the effects of the RGR on human keratinocyte functions including proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit 8, wound healing, and Transwell assays after reducing the RGR mRNA level in keratinocytes using small interfering RNA technology.

Results: The RGR was primarily located in the epidermal basal and spinous layers and skin appendages. Its expression increased in psoriatic lesions, seborrheic keratosis, and squamous cell carcinoma. Confocal microscopy showed that the RGR was located in the cell membrane and nucleus of keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts. Keratinocytes had a higher expression of the RGR than melanocytes and fibroblasts, as well as nuclear expression, according to nuclear/cytoplasmic fractionation. Colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy technology further confirmed that the RGR is mainly located in the nucleoplasm and mitochondria and is scattered in the cytoplasm and other organelles in the epidermal keratinocytes. Notably, RGR knockdown in keratinocytes led to the inhibition of cell proliferation and migration, augmenting cell apoptosis.

Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate the presence of RGR in the human skin. Our findings indicate that the RGR may play a critical role in the physiological function of epidermal keratinocytes.
Hydrogen-Electric Coupling Coordinated Control Strategy of Multi-Station Integrated System Based on the Honeycomb Topology
Authors: Wang Wenyong , Huo Qunhai , Zhang Ningyu , Ni Jianfu , Zhu Jinda , Yu Zuofei , Wei Tongzhen
Published: March 2022

With the high-proportion accession of renewable energy and randomness of the load side in the new energy power system, unbalanced feeder power and heavy overload of the transformer caused by massive access of highly uncertain source loads become more and more serious. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, a honeycomb topology of the multi-station integrated system is proposed. The soft open point (SOP) is used as the key integrated equipment of the internal unit of a multi-station integrated system. The honeycomb grid structure is composed of flexible nodes, and the multi-station integrated system is composed of multi-network flexible interconnection. Based on the characteristics of the regional resource endowment, hydrogen energy flow is deeply coupled in parts of honeycomb grids. In order to improve the reliability and flexibility of the multi-station integrated unit, the structure of the new multi-station integrated unit, the power balance constraints on the unit, and the switching process of SOP control mode are studied. At the same time, the hydrogen electricity coupling structure and the coordinated control strategy of hydrogen electricity conversion are proposed to solve the problem of deep application of hydrogen energy. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed multi-station integrated system is verified by using three simulation models.
Mediating Human-Wolves Conflicts Through Dialogue, Joint Fact-Finding and Empowerment
Authors: Hansen Hans Peter , Dethlefsen Cathrine S. , Fox Gwen Freya , Jeppesen Annika Skarðsá
Published: March 2022

Within a local and national context of escalating conflicts surrounding the management of immigrating wild wolves (Canis lupus) spreading from Germany into Denmark, we invited a group of citizens living in and nearby a Danish wolf territory to participate in an experiment called “The Wolf Dialogue Project”. The overall objective of the Wolf Dialogue Project was to explore the possibility of developing a productive alternative to the systematically distorted communication and “High conflict” that characterizes current wolf management, using a critical-utopian dialogue approach guided by Habermasian discourse ethic and a joint fact-finding process, that seeks to empower citizens to take on a shared responsibility for the commons. By purposefully not representing any strategic interests for or against wolves or the existing wolf management regime, the project offered a group of citizens the opportunity to formulate and communicate the problems and concerns they experienced, living in or nearby wolf territory. The project further offered the participating citizens the opportunity to develop counter measures and solutions to their experienced problems, through a facilitated process of social learning and empowerment. The duration of the dialogue project was two and a half years and included a demographic and political cross section of local citizens. Despite difficulties along the way, the outcome of the project was more profound than initially anticipated by the project team. Participants were initially very polarised, and some were opposed to the existing wolf management regime as well as governmental agencies, but they began taking on a collective responsibility guided by the common interest of their community, across individual differences. In addition, the process left a significant mark on the new wolf management plan recommended to the government by the Danish Wildlife Council in 2021. Far from all problems and conflicts were solved by the project, and new problems also emerged as a result of the project, but by bringing the commons of the participating citizens into focus, and applying a process of communicative rationality, joint fact-finding and the exploration of alternative futures, the project revealed the potential for social and environmental responsibility to emerge from sociopolitical empowerment.
Removal of Antibiotic Resistance From Municipal Secondary Effluents by Ozone-Activated Carbon Filtration
Authors: Spit Tiza , van der Hoek Jan Peter , de Jong Coen , van Halem Doris , de Kreuk Merle , Perez Bruno Bicudo
Published: March 2022

At wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), additional steps are introduced for removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs) from the treated effluents, especially pharmaceutical residues. At the same time, a new concern is emerging: antibiotic resistance (AR). This research studied the effect of ozonation, coagulation and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration applied as tertiary treatment for the removal of OMPs and nutrients, on AR removal. Bacterial culture methods in selective media were used to screen for four different microorganisms: two faecal indicators (Escherichia coli and Enterococci) as antibiotic sensitive bacteria (ASB), and a resistant strain of each of these bacteria, namely Extended-Spectrum Beta-lactamase producing E. coli (ESBL-E.coli) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) as antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). At laboratory scale, ozonation experiments (ozone dose 0.4–0.6 g O3/g DOC) and coagulation experiments using Polyaluminum chloride (PAX-214) and FeCl3 (coagulant dose 0.004–1 mM/L) were performed using secondary effluent from two municipal WWTPs. In addition in a pilot plant and full-scale plant ozonation (ozone dose 0.4 g O3/g DOC) and GAC filtration (empty bed contact time 15 min) were studied for AR removal. No significant differences were found between ARB and ASB removal for coagulation and ozonation which could indicate that ASB can be used as an initial proxy for ARB removal for these technologies. In the laboratory experiments, ozonation and coagulation showed a good removal of both ARB and ASB. However, the doses needed to reach 2–3 log removal were a factor 2.5–4 (ozonation) and 250 (coagulation) higher than applied for OMP removal (by ozonation) and phosphorus (P) removal (by coagulation). In the GAC filters, the risk of ARB enhancement occurred, especially in filters with a matured biology. Although these bacteria are not necessarily directly harmful, they can pass down their resistance to pathogenic bacteria via horizontal gene transfer.
The Role of Foreign Technology Transfer in Improving Environmental Efficiency: Empirical Evidence From China’s High-Tech Industry
Authors: Peng Feng , Zhang Xichun , Zhou Shuzhen
Published: March 2022

In recent years, China’s high-tech industry has made remarkable technological progress, but it has also brought serious environmental pollution, which has aroused great concern about its environmental efficiency. Although foreign technology transfer is considered as important ways for technological progress of the high-tech industry, the existing research on what role foreign technology transfer plays in improving the environmental efficiency of the high-tech industry is still lacking. Based on China’s interprovincial panel data from 2008 to 2017, we evaluated the environmental efficiency of the high-tech industry using the super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model with undesirable outputs. We then used the Tobit model to analyze the impact of technology introduction (TI) and foreign direct investment (FDI)—two major types of foreign technology transfer—on the environmental efficiency of the high-tech industry. The results of the super-efficiency SBM model show that the average environmental efficiency of China’s high-tech industry is only 0.4375. Except for Guangdong, Shanghai, and Beijing, most of the provinces in China have low environmental efficiency. The provinces with high environmental efficiency are in the eastern region, whereas the provinces with low environmental efficiency are concentrated in the central and western regions. Tobit regression results confirm the difference in the role of technology import and foreign direct investment in the improvement of environmental efficiency in China’s high-tech industry. Technology introduction has a significant positive impact on environmental efficiency. FDI also promotes environmental efficiency, but it is not statistically significant. These findings were confirmed by a series of robust tests. This study not only deepens our understanding of the environmental efficiency of China’s high-tech industry but also expands the theoretical research on the relationship between technology transfer and environmental efficiency.
The Emission-Inequality Nexus: Empirical Evidence From a Wavelet-Based Quantile-on-Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: Yang Zhenkai , Ren Jiameng , Ma Shiqun , Chen Xiao , Cui Shihao , Xiang Lijin
Published: March 2022

In order to identify the impact mechanism between income inequality and carbon emissions and clarify the nonlinear relationship between income inequality and carbon emissions in different degrees, so as to provide theoretical support for government departments to formulate policies of reducing carbon emission and optimizing resource allocation efficiency, we investigated the relationship between carbon emissions and domestic income inequality in the United States and France from 1915 to 2019 using wavelet decomposition and Quantile-on-Quantile regression. The results imply that 1) For France, the impact of income inequality on carbon emissions is negative when the income inequality is low. With the increase of income inequality, the impact of income inequality on carbon emission changes from negative to positive, and the increase of carbon emissions will amplify the effect. For United States, with the deepening of income inequality, its emission enhancing effect has been gradually reversed. In addition, the impacts of carbon emissions on income inequality in the two countries are quite similar. 2) In the short term, the relationship between income inequality and carbon emissions in the two countries has obvious random volatility characteristics. 3) In the medium term, there is a three-dimensional inverted “V” shaped relationship between income inequality and carbon emissions across quantiles in the United States. As mentioned for France, on the contrary, a three-dimensional “V” shaped relationship across quantiles exists. 4) In the long run, the relationship between income inequality and carbon emissions in the United States is “V” shaped across quantiles. Carbon emissions in France are mainly inhibited by domestic income inequality. According to the empirical results, we recommend that the governments should make greater efforts to ensure the synergy between income distribution and environmental governance to ensure a sustainable and prudent development of economy.
Integrative Analysis of Multi-Omics Data-Identified Key Genes With KLRC3 as the Core in a Gene Regulatory Network Related to Immune Phenotypes in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mao Kai , Zhao Yunxi , Ding Bo , Feng Peng , Li Zhenqing , Zhou You Lang , Xue Qun
Published: March 2022

In a recent study, the PD-1 inhibitor has been widely used in clinical trials and shown to improve various cancers. However, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors showed a low response rate and were effective for only a small number of cancer patients. Thus, it is important to figure out the issue about the low response rate of immunotherapy. Here, we performed ssGSEA and unsupervised clustering analysis to identify three clusters (clusters A, B, and C) according to different immune cell infiltration status, prognosis, and biological action. Of them, cluster C showed a better survival rate, higher immune cell infiltration, and immunotherapy effect, with enrichment of a variety of immune active pathways including T and B cell signal receptors. In addition, it showed more significant features associated with immune subtypes C2 and C3. Furthermore, we used WGCNA analysis to confirm the cluster C-associated genes. The immune-activated module highly correlated with 111 genes in cluster C. To pick candidate genes in SD/PD and CR/PR patients, we used the least absolute shrinkage (LASSO) and SVM-RFE algorithms to identify the targets with better prognosis, activated immune-related pathways, and better immunotherapy. Finally, our analysis suggested that there were six genes with KLRC3 as the core which can efficiently improve immunotherapy responses with greater efficacy and better prognosis, and our study provided clues for further investigation about target genes associated with the higher response rate of immunotherapy.
Construction of a HOXA11-AS-Interacted Network in Keloid Fibroblasts Using Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis and in Vitro Validation
Authors: Wang Qiang , Wang Wei , Sun Xiao-jie
Published: March 2022

Background: Expression of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA11-AS significantly increased in keloids by unclarified molecular regulation mechanisms.

Methods: Using successfully primary cultured keloid-derived fibroblasts from central region of chronic keloid tissues (sample 0), small interfering RNAs were designed and transfected into two keloid fibroblast samples (samples 1 and 2) to knockdown HOXA11-AS. One nonspecific transfection control (sample 3) and one blank control (sample 4) were used to remove nonspecific overlap from the studied group. The lncRNAs, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) of five samples were sequenced to identify differentially expressed (DE) profiles in HOXA11-AS-knockdown keloid fibroblasts in samples 1 and 2 (by intersection), which facilitated removal of overlap with the nonspecific controls (samples 3 and 4, by union). Using stepwise bioinformatic analysis, a HOXA11-AS-interacted competing endogenous network (ceRNA) was screened based on three DE profiles.

Results: Keloid fibroblasts with or without HOXA11-AS as well as with or without nonspecific interferences were successfully constructed respectively. A total of 1,396 mRNAs and 39 lncRNAs were significantly changed in keloid fibroblast with HOXA11-AS knockdown. Simultaneously, 1,626 mRNAs and 99 lncRNAs were significantly changed in keloid fibroblast with nonspecific interference. With removal of nonspecific overlap, a lncRNA–mRNA interactive network characterized by close natural/intronic antisense relationship was initially constructed in keloid fibroblast with HOXA11-AS knockdown. Based on this network, a lncRNA–mRNA–protein interaction network was extended by integration of the human protein–protein interaction network. Significant functional genes were screened using PageRank algorithm in the extended network. Three genes, including SNED1, NIPAL3, and VTN, were validated by real-time PCR in HOXA11-AS-knockdown keloid fibroblasts. Only NIPAL3 was predicted to be a target gene for HOXA11-AS via three competing endogenous miRNAs (hsa-miRNA-19a-3p, hsa-miR-141-3p, and hsa-miR-140-5p).

Conclusion: An interactive network of HOXA11-AS–three miRNAs–NIPAL3 was predicted in keloid fibroblasts by integrative bioinformatic analysis and in vitro validation.
Correlation Between Immune Cell Infiltration and PD-L1 Expression and Immune-Related lncRNA Determination in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Yang Wenlin , Qiu Zhen , Zhang Junjun , Zhi Xiao , Yang Lili , Qiu Min , Zhao Lihua , Wang Ting
Published: March 2022

As a key element of the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune cell infiltration (ICI) is a frequently observed histologic finding in people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and it is linked to immunotherapy sensitivity. Nonetheless, the ICI in TNBC, to the best of our knowledge, has not been comprehensively characterized. In our current work, computational algorithms based on biological data from next-generation sequencing were employed to characterize ICI in a large cohort of TNBC patients. We defined various ICI patterns by unsupervised clustering and constructed the ICI scores using the principal component analysis (PCA). We observed patients with different clustering patterns had distinct ICI profiles and different signatures of differentially expressed genes. Patients with a high ICI score tended to have an increased PD-L1 expression and improved outcomes, and these patients were associated with decreased tumor mutational burden (TMB). Interestingly, it was showed that patients with high TMB exhibited an ameliorated overall survival (OS) than patients with low TMB. Furthermore, TMB scores only affected the prognosis of TNBC patients in the low-ICI score group but not in the high group. Finally, we identified a new immune-related lncRNA (irlncRNA) signature and established a risk model for the TNBC prognosis prediction. In addition, the high-risk group was related to poor prognosis, a high infiltration level of plasma B cells, monocytes, M2 macrophages, and neutrophils and a low PD-L1 expression. Therefore, the characterization and systematic evaluation of ICI patterns might potentially predict the prognosis and immunotherapy response in TNBC patients.
Early Blood Transfusion After Kidney Transplantation Does Not Lead to dnDSA Development: The BloodIm Study
Authors: Jouve Thomas , Noble Johan , Naciri-Bennani Hamza , Dard Céline , Masson Dominique , Fiard Gaëlle , Malvezzi Paolo , Rostaing Lionel
Published: March 2022

Outcomes after kidney transplantation are largely driven by the development of de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA), which may be triggered by blood transfusion. In this single-center study, we investigated the link between early blood transfusion and dnDSA development in a mainly anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)-induced kidney-transplant cohort. We retrospectively included all recipients of a kidney transplant performed between 2004 and 2015, provided they had >3 months graft survival. DSA screening was evaluated with a Luminex assay (Immucor). Early blood transfusion (EBT) was defined as the transfusion of at least one red blood-cell unit over the first 3 months post-transplantation, with an exhaustive report of transfusion. Patients received either anti-thymocyte globulins (ATG) or basiliximab induction, plus tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid maintenance immunosuppression. A total of 1088 patients received a transplant between 2004 and 2015 in our center, of which 981 satisfied our inclusion criteria. EBT was required for 292 patients (29.7%). Most patients received ATG induction (86.1%); the others received basiliximab induction (13.4%). dnDSA-free graft survival (dnDSA-GS) at 1-year post-transplantation was similar between EBT+ (2.4%) and EBT- (3.0%) patients (chi-squared p=0.73). There was no significant association between EBT and dnDSA-GS (univariate Cox’s regression, HR=0.88, p=0.556). In multivariate Cox’s regression, adjusting for potential confounders (showing a univariate association with dnDSA development), early transfusion remained not associated with dnDSA-GS (HR 0.76, p=0.449). However, dnDSA-GS was associated with pretransplantation HLA sensitization (HR=2.25, p=0.004), hemoglobin >10 g/dL (HR=0.39, p=0.029) and the number of HLA mismatches (HR=1.26, p=0.05). Recipient’s age, tacrolimus and mycophenolic-acid exposures, and graft rank were not associated with dnDSA-GS. Early blood transfusion did not induce dnDSAs in our cohort of ATG-induced patients, but low hemoglobin level was associated with dnDSAs-GS. This suggests a protective effect of ATG induction therapy on preventing dnDSA development at an initial stage post-transplantation.
Response Flexibility: The Role of the Lateral Habenula
Authors: Hones Victoria I. , Mizumori Sheri J. Y.
Published: April 2022

The ability to make appropriate decisions that result in an optimal outcome is critical for survival. This process involves assessing the environment as well as integrating prior knowledge about the environment with information about one’s current internal state. There are many neural structures that play critical roles in mediating these processes, but it is not yet known how such information coalesces to influence behavioral output. The lateral habenula (LHb) has often been cited as a structure critical for adaptive and flexible responding when environmental contexts and internal state changes. A challenge, however, has been understanding how LHb promotes response flexibility. In this review, we hypothesize that the LHb enables flexible responding following the integration of context memory and internal state information by signaling downstream brainstem structures known to drive hippocampal theta. In this way, animals respond more flexibly in a task situation not because the LHb selects a particular action, but rather because LHb enhances a hippocampal neural state that is often associated with greater attention, arousal, and exploration. In freely navigating animals, these are essential conditions that are needed to discover and implement appropriate alternative choices and behaviors. As a corollary to our hypothesis, we describe short- and intermediate-term functions of the LHb. Finally, we discuss the effects on the behavior of LHb dysfunction in short- and intermediate-timescales, and then suggest that new therapies may act on the LHb to alleviate the behavioral impairments following long-term LHb disruption.
The Measurement Performance of the Parkinson's Disease Activities of Daily Living, Interference, and Dependence Instrument
Authors: Deal Linda S. , Andrae David A. , Myers Daniela E. , Johnson Nathan , Foster Brandon , Evans Christopher J.
Published: March 2022

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that can be associated with motor fluctuations that result in substantial negative impact to an individual's activities of daily living. Understanding the patient's perspective about the impact of Parkinson's disease therapies is an important part of drug development and shared treatment decision-making. The objective of this research was to examine the structure, scoring, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent and known groups validity of the Parkinson's Disease Activities of Daily Living, Interference and Dependence (PD-AID) instrument, a new, patient-reported outcomes instrument, developed to assess the clinical benefit of Parkinson's disease treatment from the patient's perspective. This was a non-interventional study among persons with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease currently using and responding to L-Dopa. The structure of the measure was confirmed applying item response theory to data from baseline, supporting 4 candidate scores. Baseline Patient Global Impression of Severity ratings facilitated known-groups analysis. Data from all participants were used to estimate test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity was assessed using correlations with related measures. Participants (n = 94) were mean age 69 years (mean time since diagnosis 6.9 years); 34 experienced L-Dopa-related dyskinesia. Psychometric models supported 4 candidate scoring regimes for the PD-AID. All exhibited adequate reliability and validity characteristics and strong internal consistency. Correlations with reference measures were in the expected direction and range of magnitude. Analyses supported the PD-AID as fit-for-purpose, producing psychometrically sound scores. Further research to confirm the measurement properties of the PD-AID in an expanded sample and to establish thresholds for meaningful score changes is recommended.
Study of Sex Differences in Unmedicated Patients With Major Depressive Disorder by Using Resting State Brain Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Mei Lan , Wang Yuting , Liu Chunyang , Mou Jingping , Yuan Yizhi , Qiu Lihua , Gong Qiyong
Published: March 2022

Some important clinical characteristics of major depressive disorder (MDD) differ between sexes. We explored abnormal spontaneous neuronal activity in MDD patients using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and its relationship to clinical manifestations in male and female patients, to seek the neural mechanisms underlying sex-related differences in depression. Twenty-five male MDD patients, 36 female MDD patients, and 25 male and 36 female matched healthy controls (HC) were included. The ALFF difference was investigated among four groups, and partial correlation analysis was used to explore a possible clinical relevance. The main effect results of sex difference were located in the bilateral caudate nucleus and posterior cingulate gyrus. Post hoc comparisons found that the male MDD patients showed decreased ALFF in the bilateral caudate nucleus and posterior cingulate gyrus when compared with female MDD patients/female HCs, and female MDD patients showed increased ALFF in the bilateral caudate nucleus and posterior cingulate gyrus when compared with male HCs. The average ALFF of the right caudate nucleus was positively correlated with illness duration in female MDD patients. Our results suggest that the sex-specific abnormal brain activity might be a potential pathomechanism of different symptoms in male and female MDD patients.
Na/K-ATPase Gene Expression in the Human Cochlea: A Study Using mRNA in situ Hybridization and Super-Resolution Structured Illumination Microscopy
Authors: Liu Wei , Rask-Andersen Helge
Published: March 2022

Background

The pervasive Na/K-ATPase pump is highly expressed in the human cochlea and is involved in the generation of the endocochlear potential as well as auditory nerve signaling and relay. Its distribution, molecular organization and gene regulation are essential to establish to better understand inner ear function and disease. Here, we analyzed the expression and distribution of the ATP1A1, ATP1B1, and ATP1A3 gene transcripts encoding the Na/K-ATPase α1, α3, and β1 isoforms in different domains of the human cochlea using RNA in situ hybridization.

Materials and Methods

Archival paraformaldehyde-fixed sections derived from surgically obtained human cochleae were used to label single mRNA gene transcripts using the highly sensitive multiplex RNAscope® technique. Localization of gene transcripts was performed by super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) using fluorescent-tagged probes. GJB6 encoding of the protein connexin30 served as an additional control.

Results

Single mRNA gene transcripts were seen as brightly stained puncta. Positive and negative controls verified the specificity of the labeling. ATP1A1 and ATP1B1 gene transcripts were demonstrated in the organ of Corti, including the hair and supporting cells. In the stria vascularis, these transcripts were solely expressed in the marginal cells. A large number of ATP1B1 gene transcripts were found in the spiral ganglion cell soma, outer sulcus, root cells, and type II fibrocytes. The ATP1B1 and ATP1A3 gene transcripts were rarely detected in axons.

Discussion

Surgically obtained inner ear tissue can be used to identify single mRNA gene transcripts using high-resolution fluorescence microscopy after prompt formaldehyde fixation and chelate decalcification. A large number of Na/K-ATPase gene transcripts were localized in selected areas of the cochlear wall epithelium, fibrocyte networks, and spiral ganglion, confirming the enzyme’s essential role for human cochlear function.
Monitoring Betaine Using Interval Time Between Events Control Chart
Authors: Saleem Muhammad , Khan Nasrullah , Aslam Muhammad
Published: March 2022

A generalization of moving average (MA) control chart for the exponential distribution under classical statistics is presented in this article. The designing of the MA control chart for the exponential distribution under neutrosophic statistics is also presented. A Monte Carlo simulation under neutrosophic is introduced and applied to determine the neutrosophic control limits coefficients and neutrosophic average run length and neutrosophic standard deviation for various shifts. The application of the proposed chart is given using Betaine data. The comparison and real example studies show the efficiency of the proposed chart over the existing charts.
The Impact of Statin Use and Breast Cancer Recurrence - A Retrospective Study in Singapore
Authors: Sim Yirong , Lim Cindy , Phyu Nitar , Tan Kiat Tee Benita , Chew Lita Sui Tjien , Wong Chow Yin , Madhukumar Preetha , Yong Wei Sean , Lim Sue Zann , Hamzah Julie Liana Bte , Tan Si Ying , Chay Wen Yee , Wong Fuh Yong , Tan Puay Hoon , Tan Veronique Kiak-Mien
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, are commonly used cholesterol-lowering medications which are also increasingly recognized to have anti-cancer properties for various cancers, including breast cancer. Most clinical evidence supports a protective effect of statin on reducing breast cancer recurrence, particularly in hormone-receptor positive breast cancers.This study seeks to study the impact of statin use on breast cancer recurrence in an Asian population.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with breast cancer at the National Cancer Centre and Singapore General Hospital from 2005-2015. Statin use was defined as use after surgery. Associations between statin use, breast cancer recurrence and overall survival were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustment for age, TNM stage, grade, ER/HER2 status, and co-morbidities. Associations between statin-use and disease-specific survival were estimated using competing risks regression.

Results

A total of 7858 females with breast cancer were studied, 1353(17.2%) were statin users, 6505(82.8%) were non-statin users, with a median follow-up of 8.67 years. Distribution of cancer stage, histology, molecular subtypes and grades were similar in both groups. Estrogen receptor(ER) positive (HR 0.57,95%CI 0.43-0.76,p<0.001) and HER2 negative (HR 0.74,95%CI 0.57-0.96,p=0.026) invasive cancers had a lower risk of recurrence in statin users. Statin users trended towards a long term recurrence-risk reduction (all subtypes,HR 0.48,p=0.002; ER-, HR 0.34,p=0.036; HER2+,HR 0.10,p=0.002). The risk-reduction benefit is not appreciated in statin users with DCIS, possibly due to small recurrence event numbers. Disease-specific survival benefit was seen in statin users with ER+ cancers (adjusted SHR 0.71,95%CI 0.53-0.96,p=0.027), especially ER+ invasive cancers (adjusted SHR 0.72, 95%CI 0.53-0.97,p=0.028), but with no statistically significant benefit in overall survival for statin users (all subtypes).

Conclusion

This is the first known retrospective study on the effect of statin use and breast cancer recurrence in an Asian population. Similar to previous international studies, statin use is associated with a risk reduction in breast cancer recurrence. This is especially beneficial in patients who have ER+ and HER2- invasive breast cancer. Statin use is also associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence in all subtypes of breast cancer in the long term (>6 years post diagnosis).