bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH KOORDINASI DAN KOMPETENSI TERHADAP KUALITAS PELAYANAN
Authors: Fajrina Rizka , Assudaisiy Abdurahman , Surajiyo Surajiyo
Published: April 2024

Permasalahan dalam penelitian ini berkaitan dengan variabel penelitian diketahui bahwa Masih kurang pemahaman antara pembagian tugas secara spesifikasi antar pegawai Pengujian hipotesis pertama : Pengujian pengaruh  Koordinasi terhadap Kualitas Pelayanan di Dinas Penanaman Modal Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Musi Rawas, didapatkan nilai thitung sebesar 12.487  dan ttabel adalah sebesar 1,666 maka dengan demikian dapat diketahui bahwa jika kriteria sesuai dengan thitung>ttabel maka Ho ditolak dan Ha diterima, yang artinya terdapat pengaruh Koordinasi terhadap Kualitas Pelayanan di Dinas Penanaman Modal Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Musi Rawas Pengujian hipotesis kedua : Pengujian pengaruh  Kompetensi terhadap Kualitas Pelayanan di Dinas Penanaman Modal Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Musi Rawas, didapatkan nilai thitung sebesar 15,347  dan ttabel adalah sebesar  1,666  maka dengan demikian dapat diketahui bahwa jika kriteria sesuai dengan thitung>ttabel maka Ho ditolak dan Ha diterima, yang artinya terdapat pengaruh  Kompetensi terhadap Kualitas Pelayanan di Dinas Penanaman Modal Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Musi Rawas dan Pengujian hipotesis ketiga: pengaruh Koordinasi dan Kompetensi terhadap Kualitas Pelayanan di Dinas Penanaman Modal Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Musi Rawas, didapatkan nilai Fhitung  sebesar 164,416   dan Ftabel  sebesar 3,12  Ini menunjukan bahwa Fhitung  > Ftabel  dan juga sig sebesar 0,000 < 0,05 sehingga dapat diketahui bahwa pengaruhnya signifikan. Maka dengan demikian dapat diambil kesimbulan bahwa Ho ditolak dan Ha diterima. Artinya terdapat pengaruh  Koordinasi dan kinerj apegawai terhadap Kualitas Pelayanan pegawai di Dinas Penanaman Modal Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Musi Rawas
EFEKTIVITAS FAKTOR-FAKTOR PENGAWASAN PELAKSANAAN PEMERINTAH DAERAH DI INSPEKTORAT PROVINSI BENGKULU
Authors: SYAFITRI TWENTY MARIZA
Published: April 2024

Kualitas Pengawasan yang dilakukan oleh Aparat Pengawasan Internal Pemerintah (APIP) dalam mengawasi kegiatan penyelenggaraan pemerintahan Daerah menjadi sangat penting, hal ini dikarenakan kualitas hasil pengawasan akan menunjukkan baik atau buruknya penyelenggaraan pemerintahan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kompetensi, pengalaman, independensi, integritas, dan standar audit terhadap kualitas pengawasan. Sampel pada penelitian ini adalah 53 orang auditor internal pemerintah dengan menggunakan teknik sampel jenuh. Pengumpulan data penelitian dilakukan melalui self-administered. Penelitian ini menggunakan program SPSS 25 untuk menguji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara parsial kompetensi, integritas, dan standar audit berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kualitas pengawasan. Akan tetapi, pengalaman dan independensi tidak berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kualitas pengawasan.
ЕКОСИСТЕМНИЙ ПІДХІД В ДОСЛІДЖЕННІ СОЦІАЛЬНО-ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ СИСТЕМ
Authors: Поплавська Оксана
Published: April 2024

Стаття присвячена вивченню сутності екосистемності соціально-економічних систем (СЕС) та можливостей застосування екосистемного підходу для їх дослідження в умовах глобальної нестабільності. В роботі представлено авторське розуміння екосистемності СЕС, що проявляється через ознаки: самостійність та взаємозалежність всіх учасників, акторів ринку; спроможність окремих акторів ініціювати нові та змінювати загально прийняті правила взаємодії; неперервність взаємодії та взаємовпливів усіх учасників; нерозривність понять життєздатність системи та зовнішнього і внутрішнього її середовища, інші. Запропоновано визначення дефініції «екосистемний підхід» у вузькому та широкому сенсі, виокремлено його принципи у дослідженні СЕС. Названі ключові напрямки вивчення екосистемності СЕС. Визначені детермінанти адаптивності та розвитку СЕС: ресурсність, компетентність та свідомість, цілі та мотиви акторів.
PARECERISTAS DE 2017
Authors: Equipe Editorial
Published: April 2024

Relação dos pareceristas externos do ano de 2017.
CHARACTERISATION OF METHODS OF PROTECTING THE STATE’S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FROM TERRORIST ACTIVITIES
Authors: Azarenko O. , Honcharenko Yu. , Diviziniuk M. , Khmyrova A. , Shevchenko R. , Shevchenko O.
Published: April 2024

The study describes methods for protecting the critical infrastructure of a state. The article aims to determine the combination of protecting methods of the state’s critical infrastructure from terrorist activities, namely security, physical protection, protection of critical infrastructure, protection of critical information infrastructure, and prevention of emergencies of a terrorist nature at objects of critical infrastructure.
It is necessary to fulfil the following objectives to achieve the aim: to consider the difference and interrelation of the concepts of critical infrastructure and information critical infrastructure; to characterise the general properties of various terms, in particular: security, physical protection, protection of critical infrastructure, protection of information critical infrastructure, prevention of terrorist emergencies at objects of critical infrastructure; to analyse from the scientific point of view the classical definitions of forms and methods of critical infrastructure protection; to propose a generalised structure of information and technical methods of critical infrastructure protection; to determine the possibility of using information and technical methods in various fields of knowledge to protect the state’s critical infrastructure from terrorist influence.
In summary, the structure of information and technical methods for critical infrastructure protection consists of three components: a mathematical model that describes the process occurring at critical infrastructure, a control algorithm that implements the mathematical model, and procedures that indicate the order of actions for applying the method.
The problem of protecting critical infrastructure from terrorist activities requires technical, legal, military, psychological, medical, chemical, biological, and other sciences to address it. Each type of science will use its specific methods to solve practical problems of preventing terrorist emergencies at critical infrastructure. For technical sciences, there will be information-technical, engineering-technical, operational-technical, organisational-technical, biotechnical, and other methods to prevent emergencies of a terroristic nature that need development shortly.
Keywords: critical information infrastructure, protection, terror, security, terrorist emergency.
COVID-19 Australia: Epidemiology Report 84: Reporting period ending 11 February 2024
Authors:   Viral Respiratory Diseases Epidemiology and Surveillance Section
Published: April 2024

This is the eighty-fourth epidemiological report for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reported in Australia as at 23:59 Australian Eastern Daylight Time [AEST] 11 February 2024. It includes data on COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Australia.
Trilogy of Religion: The Construct of The Spiritualization of Millenial Adolescent
Authors: Rahman Fawait Syaiful
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to understand the spiritual revitalization of millennial youth through a religious trilogy as the three foundations of scientific foundations in Islam. This study uses a qualitative method of library research. The data analysis technique uses analysis content. The study results show that the Religion trilogy is a term from the three main foundations of Islam, namely Sharia, aqidah, and morals. Islam represents Sharia, Iman represents Akidah, and Ihsan represents Morals. Faith is, in the first place, functioning as the foundation of life. Adolescents can support various winds and storms of life if their creed or faith is of high quality; like a building, teenagers have a solid foundation that can support other buildings. The second order is Sharia; it regulates attitudes-interaction with His Lord and attitudes-interaction with others. Adolescents with good sharia quality will be able to stand up to the problems that arise in society. The third order is morality, which functions as a decoration, beautifies and beautifies the view. The Religious Trilogy must be understood correctly and adequately for success as Caliph Fi al-Ard'I has a religious-nationalist-ethical-humanistic personality.
Dakwah Strategy for Special Recidivist Inmates Against Changes in Convict Behavior
Authors: Faiz Faiz , Saifillah Muhammad , Farhan Farhan
Published: April 2024

This study was conducted to understand the strategies used by prison officers in providing da'wah to inmates, especially to recidivists at the Class II B Detention Center Kraksaan, Probolinggo, East Java. This study used qualitative research methods. In collecting data and information, the researcher made observations first, then conducted interviews with several informants using the purposive sampling technique. The results of the study show that; the da'wah strategy is carried out by prison officers to inmates using three strategies; First, the educational da'wah strategy from this strategy, there are many educational activities and activities, such as recitation of books, counseling, reading the Koran. Second, da'wah bil al-hal, with refraction to the goodness exemplified by the officers. The third strategy is cultural da'wah; this da'wah guides the form of development skills and skills which are expected to be helpful when leaving the detention house later.
Enhancing Tolerance and Cultural Diversity through Multicultural Education Management
Authors: Hartinah Hartinah , Riantika Tiara Pajri , Safira Nur
Published: April 2024

This research aims to analyze the management of multicultural education at SMP Negeri 3 Sorong City to increase tolerance and embrace cultural diversity among students. The research method used is descriptive and qualitative. Data collection techniques are carried out through interviews, observation, and documentation. The research results show that the multicultural education management implemented at SMP Negeri 3 Sorong City is diverse in its forms and has produced tolerance values in its students. Through various multicultural education activities in the learning process and educational environment, students are instilled with multicultural values to be tolerant and respectful of fellow students, even though they are of different ethnicities, cultures, and religions. Multicultural education can significantly influence students' attitudes towards tolerance and cultural diversity by developing an inclusive curriculum, teacher training, integration of multicultural values in school activities, and character development programs. This research indicates that implementing effective multicultural education strategies in schools can contribute significantly to increasing tolerance and respect for cultural diversity among students, thereby encouraging social cohesion and unity in a diverse society like Indonesia.
Harmony within Diversity: The Internalization of Religious Moderation as a Pillar in Sustaining National Identity
Authors: Khalilurrahman Khalilurrahman , Sugiono Sugiono , Manshur Umar , Munif Muhammad
Published: April 2024

This research analyses Religious Moderation in maintaining national identity in Madrash Aliyah Ihyaul Islam Pajarakan Probolinggo. The research uses a qualitative case study type approach. Data collection techniques were carried out through participant observation, in-depth interviews and documentation. Meanwhile, the data analysis uses Miles and Huberman's descriptive analysis: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The results of this research show that the internalization of religious moderation in maintaining national identity in Madrash Aliyah Ihyaul Islam is carried out through the integration of moderate values in the madrasa curriculum, the integration of moderate values in learning activities, the integration of moderate values through the role of educators and education staff, design students with Pancasila character and exemplary role models. The internalization of religious moderation in maintaining national identity is expected to shape the character of students who are humanist, religious, tolerant, plural, moderate, nationalist, democratic and patriot.
The Concept of Environmental Ecology in QS. Al-Mu'minun Verse 18: The Antics of Roland Barthes Semantic Linguistic Studies
Authors: Assamarqondi Labib Maftuh , Musolli Musolli
Published: April 2024

This study explores the environmental ecology concept implied in verse 18 of Surat Al-Mu'minun (QS. Al-Mu'minun. This study uses a semantic linguistic approach concerning Roland Barthes' theory in analyzing the meaning of the Qur'anic text. The analysis method involves reconstructing and understanding the meaning of keywords in the verse. The results revealed that verse 18 of Surat Al-Mu'minun reflects relevant ecological thinking related to man's responsibility toward the universe in Islam. Through Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis, the meaning of connotation and denotation was found. The meaning of the denotation is the text itself: "And We sent down water from heaven by a measure". While the meaning of the connotation is that water falling from the sky is rain, and with a measure, it means that humans cannot use it excessively. The concept of ecology in this verse includes aspects of protection and management of nature and ecosystem balance. This research provides insight into how the teachings of the Quran reflect environmental awareness and social responsibility in preserving the universe.
Decreased natural killer cell activity as a potential predictor of hypertensive incidence
Authors: Lee Yun-Kyong , Suh Eunkyung , Oh Hyoju , Haam Ji-Hee , Kim Young-Sang
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Blood pressure is closely linked with immune function. This study examined the association between natural killer (NK) cell activity (NKA) and blood pressure and the development of hypertension according to NKA levels.

Methods

This study enrolled 1543 adults who underwent NKA measurement and serial health check-ups at a medical center in Korea. NKA was estimated as the concentration of IFN-γ in the incubated whole blood containing a patented stimulatory cytokine. The participants were categorized into quartiles according to their NKA levels. Participants without hypertension were followed up, and the development of hypertension was compared according to the quartiles.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension was not different among the NKA quartiles, whereas blood pressures significantly decreased, followed by an increment of quartiles (systolic blood pressure of 119.0 in Q1 and 117.0 in Q4, P-trend = 0.018). Over a mean follow-up period of 2.13 years, hypertension developed in 156 of 1170 individuals without baseline hypertension. The hazard ratio of Q4 compared with Q1 was 0.625 (95% CI: 0.397–0.983; p = 0.042).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our findings indicate a correlation between lower NKA and higher blood pressure and the development of incident hypertension. This may suggest a potential protective role of NK cells against endothelial dysfunction. Further research is necessary to elucidate the specific relationship between immune functions and endothelial function.
On-farm harvest timing effects on alfalfa weevil across the Intermountain West region of the United States
Authors: Herreid Judith S. , Rand Tatyana A. , Cockrell Darren M. , Peairs Frank B. , Jabbour Randa
Published: April 2024

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an economically important commodity in the Intermountain Western United States. A major concern for alfalfa producers in this region is the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal). Insecticide resistance development coupled with regulatory changes in pesticide use has resulted in renewed interest by producers in non-chemical control methods such as cultural control. One such cultural control method is early harvest, which consists of producers timing their harvests early in the season to decrease alfalfa weevil damage. This method is thought to be effective by exposing weevil larvae to adverse conditions before significant damage occurs. Still, early harvest can be difficult to employ because recommendations are often vague. To better understand how early harvest impacts both alfalfa weevils and their natural enemies and how producers are using this method across the Intermountain Western United States, we conducted a study in alfalfa production fields in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming over three growing seasons. We determined that the timing of the initial alfalfa harvest spanned more than 1 month across fields, and alfalfa plant stage at harvest ranged from late vegetative to early bloom. Harvest was more impactful on reducing alfalfa weevil densities the earlier it was implemented. Removing windrows in a timely manner is likely useful to further decrease alfalfa weevil densities. Harvest timing was not associated with parasitism rates of alfalfa weevil, but higher parasitism rates were associated with lower post-harvest alfalfa weevil densities. This work has increased our understanding of early harvest in an on-farm setting and to improve recommendations for producers across the Intermountain Western United States.
Surfaces of coastal biogenic structures: exploiting advanced digital design and fabrication strategies for the manufacturing of oyster reef and mussel bed surrogates
Authors: Hitzegrad Jan , Brohmann Leon , Herding Friedrich , Pfennings Kai , Jonischkies Sven , Scharnbeck Elisa , Mainka Jeldrik , Mai Inka , Windt Christian , Kloft Harald , Wehrmann Achim , Lowke Dirk , Goseberg Nils
Published: April 2024

Coastal biogenic structures, formed by ecosystem engineering species, often feature rough surfaces characterized by intricate topographies and highly three-dimensional reliefs. Their surfaces are shaped by waves and tidal currents and reciprocally influence the ambient hydrodynamics, reflecting an equilibrium. Despite their significance, the impact of these surfaces on the ambient hydrodynamics remains underexplored due to limited knowledge of accurately replicating their complex topographies in experimental setups. The recent advent of advanced digital manufacturing presents an efficient means to manufacture highly complex, three-dimensional surrogate models for experimental modeling. This work explores the accurate replication of rough coastal biogenic structures for experimental modeling on the examples of an oyster reef and a mussel bed, utilizing a flexible design methodology and, for the first time, particle bed 3D printing with Selective Cement Activation (SCA) as a fabrication and manufacturing method. A workflow is proposed, which includes an iterative surrogate model development based on in-situ topographical features, requirements of the experimental setup, and parameters of the particle bed 3D printer with SCA. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology in achieving highly accurate surrogate surfaces of complex coastal biogenic structures by validation against a set of topographical features relevant to hydraulic roughness. Particle bed 3D printing with SCA proved to be a suitable method to manufacture complex surrogate surfaces for experimental modeling, offering advantages such as independence of production time from surface complexity. However, challenges persist in achieving exact comparability between the manufactured surrogate surface and the real coastal biogenic structures, particularly for surfaces with very high complexity. Nonetheless, the manufactured generic surrogate surfaces enable detailed investigations into the influence of complex coastal biogenic structures on the ambient hydrodynamics, thereby enhancing the understanding of the processes governing wave energy dissipation attenuation, turbulence production, and vertical mixing – critical for efficient application as a nature-based solution on coastal protection or restoration efforts.
Whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging in inflammatory myopathy with mitochondrial pathology
Authors: Cavalcante Wagner Cid Palmeira , Silva André Macedo Serafim da , Mendonça Rodrigo de Holanda , Moreno Cristiane de Araújo Martins , Proença Bruna Moreira de Souza , Guimarães Júlio Brandão , Ormond Filho Alípio Gomes , Zanoteli Edmar
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Inflammatory myopathy with mitochondrial pathology (IM-Mito) is a rare condition described in a few case series, and it is not clear whether it is a specific disease or a variant of Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM). Radiological data of IM-Mito patients has only been evaluated in one study.

Aim

To analyze whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in patients with IM-Mito compared with individuals with IBM.

Methods

Fourteen IM-Mito and ten IBM patients were included. IM-Mito was defined by endomysial inflammatory infiltrate, presence of at least 1% of Cytochrome C Oxidase negative fibers, and absence of rimmed vacuoles in muscle biopsy; and IBM was defined by the presence of dystrophic muscular abnormalities, endomysial inflammatory infiltrate, and rimmed vacuoles. Patients underwent clinical evaluation and whole-body muscle MRI to determine the presence of edema, and fatty infiltration in various muscles.

Results

Muscle imaging abnormalities were asymmetric in most patients with IM-Mito and IBM. Muscles with the highest average degree of fatty infiltration in both conditions were the quadriceps and medial gastrocnemius. Most patients with IM-Mito and IBM showed imaging patterns of rectus femoris relatively spared compared to other quadriceps muscles. The flexor digitorum profundus was the most affected muscle of the upper limbs in both IBM and IM-Mito.

Discussion

Although the results suggest some similarities in muscle imaging features between IM-Mito and IBM, there remains uncertainty whether these two conditions are part of the same clinical spectrum.
Probucol mitigates high-fat diet-induced cognitive and social impairments by regulating brain redox and insulin resistance
Authors: Wu Han-Ming , Yang Yang Vivian , Huang Na-Jun , Fan Li-Ping , Dai Ying-Ying , Hu Ke-Ting , Tang Tian-Yu , Liu Lin , Xu Yue , Liu Dong-Tai , Cai Ze-Xin , Niu Xiao-Yu , Ren Xin-Yi , Yao Zheng-Hao , Qin Hao-Yu , Chen Jian-Zhen , Huang Xi , Zhang Cixiong , You Xiang , Wang Chen , He Ying , Hong Wei , Sun Yu-Xia , Zhan Yi-Hong , Lin Shu-Yong
Published: April 2024

Probucol has been utilized as a cholesterol-lowering drug with antioxidative properties. However, the impact and fundamental mechanisms of probucol in obesity-related cognitive decline are unclear. In this study, male C57BL/6J mice were allocated to a normal chow diet (NCD) group or a high-fat diet (HFD) group, followed by administration of probucol to half of the mice on the HFD regimen. Subsequently, the mice were subjected to a series of behavioral assessments, alongside the measurement of metabolic and redox parameters. Notably, probucol treatment effectively alleviates cognitive and social impairments induced by HFD in mice, while exhibiting no discernible influence on mood-related behaviors. Notably, the beneficial effects of probucol arise independently of rectifying obesity or restoring systemic glucose and lipid homeostasis, as evidenced by the lack of changes in body weight, serum cholesterol levels, blood glucose, hyperinsulinemia, systemic insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. Instead, probucol could regulate the levels of nitric oxide and superoxide-generating proteins, and it could specifically alleviate HFD-induced hippocampal insulin resistance. These findings shed light on the potential role of probucol in modulating obesity-related cognitive decline and urge reevaluation of the underlying mechanisms by which probucol exerts its beneficial effects.
Exploration of identifying individual tumor tissue based on probabilistic model
Authors: Hu Yuhan , Zhu Qiang , Dai Xuan , Zhang Mengni , Chen Nanxiao , Wang Haoyu , Wang Yuting , Cao Yueyan , Wang Yufang , Zhang Ji
Published: April 2024

Variations in the tumor genome can result in allelic changes compared to the reference profile of its homogenous body source on genetic markers. This brings a challenge to source identification of tumor samples, such as clinically collected pathological paraffin-embedded tissue and sections. In this study, a probabilistic model was developed for calculating likelihood ratio (LR) to tackle this issue, which utilizes short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping data. The core of the model is to consider tumor tissue as a mixture of normal and tumor cells and introduce the incidence of STR variants (φ) and the percentage of normal cells (Mxn) as a priori parameters when performing calculations. The relationship between LR values and φ or Mxn was also investigated. Analysis of tumor samples and reference blood samples from 17 colorectal cancer patients showed that all samples had Log10(LR) values greater than 1014. In the non-contributor test, 99.9% of the quartiles had Log10(LR) values less than 0. When the defense’s hypothesis took into account the possibility that the tumor samples came from the patient’s relatives, LR greater than 0 was still obtained. Furthermore, this study revealed that LR values increased with decreasing φ and increasing Mxn. Finally, LR interval value was provided for each tumor sample by considering the confidence interval of Mxn. The probabilistic model proposed in this paper could deal with the possibility of tumor allele variability and offers an evaluation of the strength of evidence for determining tumor origin in clinical practice and forensic identification.
Radiomic biomarkers of locoregional recurrence: prognostic insights from oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma preoperative CT scans
Authors: Ling Xiao , Alexander Gregory S. , Molitoris Jason , Choi Jinhyuk , Schumaker Lisa , Tran Phuoc , Mehra Ranee , Gaykalova Daria , Ren Lei
Published: April 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to identify CT-based imaging biomarkers for locoregional recurrence (LR) in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) patients.

Methods

Computed tomography scans were collected from 78 patients with OSCC who underwent surgical treatment at a single medical center. We extracted 1,092 radiomic features from gross tumor volume in each patient’s pre-treatment CT. Clinical characteristics were also obtained, including race, sex, age, tobacco and alcohol use, tumor staging, and treatment modality. A feature selection algorithm was used to eliminate the most redundant features, followed by a selection of the best subset of the Logistic regression model (LRM). The best LRM model was determined based on the best prediction accuracy in terms of the area under Receiver operating characteristic curve. Finally, significant radiomic features in the final LRM model were identified as imaging biomarkers.

Results and discussion

Two radiomics biomarkers, Large Dependence Emphasis (LDE) of the Gray Level Dependence Matrix (GLDM) and Long Run Emphasis (LRE) of the Gray Level Run Length Matrix (GLRLM) of the 3D Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG σ=3), have demonstrated the capability to preoperatively distinguish patients with and without LR, exhibiting exceptional testing specificity (1.00) and sensitivity (0.82). The group with LRE > 2.99 showed a 3-year recurrence-free survival rate of 0.81, in contrast to 0.49 for the group with LRE ≤ 2.99. Similarly, the group with LDE > 120 showed a rate of 0.82, compared to 0.49 for the group with LDE ≤ 120. These biomarkers broaden our understanding of using radiomics to predict OSCC progression, enabling personalized treatment plans to enhance patient survival.
Case report: Nutritionally supported perioperative chemo-immunotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with incomplete pyloric obstruction
Authors: Jian Mi , Yang Zhensong , Hu Xue , Wang Xixun , Zhang Zhenbin , Zhang Yifei , Song Xinna
Published: April 2024

This case describes the benefits of perioperative chemo-immunotherapy for advanced gastric cancer and incomplete pyloric obstruction, supplemented with nutritional support. Early parenteral nutrition to stabilize nutritional status and mitigate nutrition impact symptoms, and in addition, throughout the chemo-immunotherapy perioperative period also maintained oral nutrition support and a tailored dietary plan. Above nutritional support maintained the patient’s physical condition during immunotherapy. Eventually, this combination therapy plan leads to a partial response. On the other hand, a combination of therapies that focus more on immune checkpoint inhibitor may be able to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy. Such findings may yield novel prospects for patients with advanced gastric cancer and incomplete pyloric obstruction, enabling them to achieve better outcomes.
Alpha and beta diversity of functional traits in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved secondary forest communities
Authors: Yao Liangjin , Wu Chuping , Wang Zhigao , Jiang Bo
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Intra-speciic variation is the main source of functional trait diversity and has similar ecological effects as inter-speciic variation.

Methods

We studied 79 species and 3546 individuals from 50 ixed monitoring plots in subtropical evergreen broad - leaved secondary forests in Zhejiang Province, China. Using trait gradient analysis, we examined nine traits (speciic leaf area, leaf dry matter content, wood density, leaf area, chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content, leaf phosphorus content, leaf potassium content, and nitrogen-phosphorus ratio) by decomposing species functional traits into alpha (within-community) and beta (among-communities) measure the impact of environmental gradients and the presence of other species on the variation of traits.

Result

All nine functional traits showed some degree of differentiation in the forest communities, with a greater range of variation in alpha values than in beta values . Correlations were signiicantly different between the trait differences in the communities. The alpha values of each trait showed a higher correlation with other components than the beta values. The factors affecting intra-speciic trait variation were relatively complex. The alpha component had a more signiicant and stronger effect on intra-speciic trait variation compared to the beta component. Abiotic factors, such as soil nutrient content, soil nitrogen-phosphorus content, directly affected the beta component. In contrast, biotic factors, such as tree height variation, had a direct and stronger effect on the alpha component.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate that alpha and beta components, as independent differentiation axes among coexisting species, have different sensitivities to different environmental factors and traits in different ecological strategies and spatial scales. Trait gradient analysis can more clearly reveal the variation patterns of species traits in communities, which will help to understand the scale effects and potential mechanisms of trait relationships.
Subjective experiences of tertiary student pianists with playing-related musculoskeletal disorder: a transcendental phenomenological analysis
Authors: Xiaoyu Miao , Musib Ahmad Faudzi , Selvarajah Indra V.
Published: April 2024

Background

The literature suggests that the medical community needs musicians to provide an insider’s perspective to understand the physical and psychological dimensions of playing an instrument, and healthcare providers need to understand musicians’ experiences in order to develop coping strategies. Compared with professional pianists, student pianists are a neglected group. However, student and professional pianists both want to maintain their playing careers and have the experience of giving up playing because of playing-related musculoskeletal disorder (PRMD). There are a few studies conducted on student pianists’ experiences with PRMD, but none have been conducted in the Chinese context. Given the distinctive characteristics of higher music education in China and Chinese piano students, this study aims to investigate the lived experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD.

Methods

Phenomenology is the most suitable qualitative method for investigating lived experiences. This study employed a transcendental phenomenological approach to investigate the experiences of student pianists, collecting data through one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions. Since phenomenological research emphasizes the homogeneity of research subjects, all 25 participants in this study are tertiary student pianists from seven Chinese higher education institutions.

Results

Four themes and ten sub-themes were identified in this study. They are as follows: Theme one, Perceptions of PRMD, with sub-themes of body perceptions, negative thought, and emotional changes; Theme two, Complex Identity, with sub-themes of future pianists’ identity, nuanced identity of student pianists, and the dual identity between student pianist and patient; Theme three, Coping Strategies, with sub-themes of self-regulation and actively seek help from social relations; Theme four, Influences and Meanings, with sub-themes of negative influences of PRMD and positive meanings of PRMD.

Conclusion

This study explores the experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD, including their subjective thoughts and feelings. It also highlights the importance of understanding tertiary student pianists’ experiences in developing health education and healthcare measures tailored to them.
A virtually supervised exercise program improved fitness and mental wellness in healthy and comorbidity older adult individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Canton-Martínez Ermilo , Rentería Iván , Machado-Parra Juan Pablo , Reyes Rubén Avilés , Moncada-Jiménez José , Johnson David K. , Gonzalez Olga Molinero , Del Valle Alfonso Salguero , Jiménez-Maldonado Alberto
Published: April 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic affected older adults worldwide. Sedentary older adults experienced more severe adverse health effects due to their shelter-in-place. Physical activity was strongly recommended during periods of social distancing. The present study evaluated the impact of a virtually supervised exercise program on the physical fitness and mental health of Mexican older adults during the pandemic’s lockdown.

Methods

Participants were 44 older adults who were assigned to one of four physical fitness groups: a healthy control group (Ctrl-H, n = 15), a comorbidity control group (Ctrl-COM, n = 9), an exercise group without comorbidities (Exe-H, n = 11), and an exercise group with comorbidities (Exe-COM, n = 9). The participants engaged in a 60-min, virtually-supervised concurrent exercise session three times/week for 12 weeks. Fitness was measured using the online Senior Fitness Tests and the 4-m Gait Speed Test. Mental health was evaluated through virtual interviews using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Within-subject pre vs. post-intervention comparisons tested for significant differences, between-groups and over time.

Results

Significant interactions were found in the scores of the Geriatric Depression Scale (p ≤ 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.35), the Hamilton Depression Scale (p ≤ 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.35), resilience scores (p ≤ 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.46), lower-body strength (p ≤ 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.32), timed up-and-go test (p = 0.018; ηp2 = 0.18), the 6MWT distance scores (p ≤ 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.39), and the 4-m gait speed test scores (p = 0.011; ηp2 = 0.20).

Conclusion

A long-term virtually-supervised exercise program conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown period led to marked improvements in both the fitness and mental health of older Mexican adults. Comorbidities did not diminish these benefits. These findings provide empirical support for online exercise programs in the daily routines of older adults to make clinically meaningful improvements in both physical and mental well-being.
Best management practice adoption amongst potato producers in Ontario: a study of drivers and barriers
Authors: Potter Charlotte , Sarapura-Escobar Silvia , VanderZaag Peter , Salari Danial , Zink Regan
Published: April 2024

Best management practices (BMPs) are practical, affordable alternatives to conventional production systems. They contribute to improving the agricultural production system’s ability to address social, economic, and ecological challenges. BMPs enhance the viability and sustainability of agriculture when successfully applied, but in systems where intensive industrial agriculture predominates, their use is limited. Working with potato producers (large, medium, and small scale) in South-Western and Central Ontario, Canada this project applied a Systems Thinking approach to understand motivating drivers and structural, institutional, and organizational barriers impacting the adoption of BMPs for potato cultivation. This study used a mixed-methods approach for two years to collect quantitative and qualitative data using a farm-level survey, focus groups, workshops, and participant observation. Data was collected regarding demographics, management approaches, social networking, and perceived challenges with BMPs uptake. Our data analysis revealed that family and future generations, ecosystem, soil and human health, community and social relationships, and efficiency and profitability were motivating drivers (based on beliefs and values) influencing management decisions. However, structural, institutional, and organizational barriers (including market access, regulation, production efficiencies and competition), mediate producers’ abilities to act according to these motivations. Small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale producers are impacted by these barriers differently. In understanding the decision-making factors which drive BMP uptake in Ontario’s potato sector, policy and program design can leverage drivers and reduce barriers.
Sugarcane Water Productivity for Bioethanol, Sugar and Biomass under Deficit Irrigation
Authors: Barbosa Fernando da Silva , Coelho Rubens Duarte , Barros Timóteo Herculino da Silva , Lizcano Jonathan Vásquez , Fraga Júnior Eusímio Felisbino , Santos Lucas da Costa , Leal Daniel Philipe Veloso , Ribeiro Nathália Lopes , Costa Jéfferson de Oliveira
Published: April 2024

Knowledge of how certain crops respond to water stress is one of the prerequisites for choosing the best variety and best management practices to maximize crop water productivity (WPc). The selection of a more efficient protocol for managing irrigation depths throughout the cultivation cycle and in the maturation process at the end of the growth period for each sugarcane variety can maximize bioethanol productivity and WPc for bioethanol, sugar and biomass, in addition to the total energy captured by the sugarcane canopy in the form of dry biomass. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of four irrigation depths and four water deficit intensities on the maturation phase for eight sugarcane varieties under drip irrigation, analyzing the responses related to WPc for bioethanol, sugar and biomass. These experiments were conducted at the University of São Paulo. The plots were positioned in three randomized blocks, and the treatments were distributed in a factorial scheme (4 × 8 × 4). The treatments involved eight commercial varieties of sugarcane and included four water replacement levels and four water deficits of increasing intensity in the final phase of the crop season. It was found that for each variety of sugarcane, there was an optimal combination of irrigation management strategies throughout the cycle and during the maturation process. The RB966928 variety resulted in the best industrial bioethanol yield (68.7 L·Mg−1), WPc for bioethanol (0.97 L·m−3) and WPc for sugar (1.71 kg·m−3). The energy of the aerial parts partitioned as sugar had a direct positive correlation with the availability of water in the soil for all varieties. The RB931011 variety showed the greatest potential for converting water into shoots with an energy of 1.58 GJ·ha−1·mm−1, while the NCo376 variety had the lowest potential at 1.32 GJ·ha−1·mm−1. The productivity of first-generation bioethanol had the highest values per unit of planted area for the greatest water volumes applied and transpired by each variety; this justifies keeping soil moisture at field capacity until harvesting time only for WR100 water replacement level with a maximum ethanol potential of 13.27 m3·ha−1.
The Biogas Production Potential and Community Structure Characteristics of the Co-Digestion of Dairy Manure and Tomato Residues
Authors: Wang Yanqin , Li Yan , Yao Li , Fu Longyun , Liu Zhaodong
Published: April 2024

Anaerobic digestion is an important means to turn agricultural waste into resources and an important way to address the challenges in treating vegetable residues in China. In this study, the co-digestion of dairy manure with tomato residue was investigated to clarify the effect of the total solids (TS) of the digestion substrate on methane’s production and mechanism using the self-made anaerobic digestion device. The results showed that all treatments could rapidly ferment methane and that the daily methane production showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The optimal concentrations of the digestion substrate for liquid anaerobic digestion (L-AD), hemi-solid-state anaerobic digestion (HSS-AD), and solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) were 10%, 18%, and 25%, respectively. Compared with SS-AD and HSS-AD, L-AD gas production peaked 3–6 days earlier. Treatment TS25 had the best cumulative methane production, reaching 117.4 mL/g VS. However, treatment TS6 had acid accumulation and a very unstable system. The cumulative methane production of SS-AD was higher than that of HSS-AD and L-AD. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant flora, and Methanoculleus, Methanosarcina, and Methanobrevibacter were the main archaeal groups. The TS significantly changed the microbial community composition of the digestion system, especially the low TS treatment. The results presented herein indicated that TS significantly changed the bacterial and archaeal community composition of the digestion system, and thus with the increase in TS from 6% to 25%, the methane yield increased.
Development of an Attention Mechanism for Task-Adaptive Heterogeneous Robot Teaming
Authors: Guo Yibei , Huang Chao , Liu Rui
Published: April 2024

The allure of team scale and functional diversity has led to the promising adoption of heterogeneous multi-robot systems (HMRS) in complex, large-scale operations such as disaster search and rescue, site surveillance, and social security. These systems, which coordinate multiple robots of varying functions and quantities, face the significant challenge of accurately assembling robot teams that meet the dynamic needs of tasks with respect to size and functionality, all while maintaining minimal resource expenditure. This paper introduces a pioneering adaptive cooperation method named inner attention (innerATT), crafted to dynamically configure teams of heterogeneous robots in response to evolving task types and environmental conditions. The innerATT method is articulated through the integration of an innovative attention mechanism within a multi-agent actor–critic reinforcement learning framework, enabling the strategic analysis of robot capabilities to efficiently form teams that fulfill specific task demands. To demonstrate the efficacy of innerATT in facilitating cooperation, experimental scenarios encompassing variations in task type (“Single Task”, “Double Task”, and “Mixed Task”) and robot availability are constructed under the themes of “task variety” and “robot availability variety.” The findings affirm that innerATT significantly enhances flexible cooperation, diminishes resource usage, and bolsters robustness in task fulfillment.
Influence of Transport Distance, Animal Weight, and Muscle Position on the Quality Factors of Meat of Young Bulls during the Summer Months
Authors: Poveda-Arteaga Alejandro , Bobe Alexander , Krell Johannes , Heinz Volker , Terjung Nino , Tomasevic Igor , Gibis Monika
Published: April 2024

This study investigated the potential effects of transport distance, animal weight, and muscle position on meat quality in young bulls under commercial conditions across four slaughtering weeks during the summer months (May to September). Data on transport distance, lairage time, and ambient temperature during slaughtering days were collected from 80 young bulls from North German farms. Meat quality parameters, including pH, temperature, and meat color were also recorded at several post-mortem times from two different carcass locations (shoulder clod and silverside). Meat texture was evaluated both by sensory and instrumental analysis, and their values were compared to find possible correlations between them. All of the aforementioned main factors (transport distance, animal weight, and muscle position), as well as the interaction between animal weight and transport distance, significantly influenced (p < 0.01) meat quality traits. The results of the assessment of the meat texture from the cooked meat patties suggested that silverside cuts were consistently harder than shoulder clod cuts, despite having lower pH48 values.
A Complex Meso–Cenozoic History of Far-Field Extension and Compression: Evidence from Fission Track Analysis in the Helanshan Mountain Tectonic Belt, NW China
Authors: Wu Cheng , Wang Yu , Yuan Wanming , Zhou Liyun
Published: April 2024

The Helanshan Mountain tectonic belt (HTB) is an intraplate deformation belt along the northwestern border of the Ordos Block in the North China Craton. When and why this intracontinental tectonic belt formed, its subsequent uplift and erosion, and the relationships between ranges and adjacent basins remain unclear. To better assess the connections between the temporal and structural activity in HTB, apatite fission-track (AFT) and zircon fission-track (ZFT) analyses were conducted in this study. The lack of adequate FT data from the HTB is a source of contention and dispute. This paper collected samples for AFT and ZFT techniques from the central and southern HTB, trying to improve the research. The ZFT and AFT ages could be divided into the following 7 groups: 279 Ma, 222–213 Ma, 193–169 Ma, 151–147 Ma, 130–109 Ma, 92–77 Ma, and 65–50 Ma. The inverse modeling results of AFT indicate 4 fast cooling episodes of 170–120 Ma, 120–95 Ma, 66–60 Ma, and ~10–8 Ma to the present. Combining the results of FT analysis with radial plot and inverse modeling of AFT, the following eight age groups are believed to reveal the distinct tectonic activities in HTB: the first age group of 279 Ma mainly represented the back-arc extension of the southern HTB; the age group of 222–213 Ma was bounded with NNE-SSE trending contraction between the South China block and North China Craton; the event of 193–169 Ma responded to the post-orogenic collapse followed after the second event; the 151–147 Ma group was interpreted as the eastward extrusion induced by the subduction between Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks; the Early Cretaceous (130–109 Ma) group was not only affected by the rollback of the Pacific Plate, but also denoted the collapse of the thickened lithosphere formed in the Late Jurassic; the Late Cretaceous (92–77 Ma) group was attributed to long-distance impact from the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate; the event during 65–50 Ma was a correspondence to far-field effect of the onset collision between the Eurasian and Indian Plates; and from 10–8 Ma to the present, the progressive collision of the Indian and Eurasian Plates have a significant impact on the HTB and the northeastern Tibetan Plateau.