bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANTI-WAR MURALS IN UKRAINE AND THE WORLD DURING THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR
Authors:   Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, KHUDIAKOVA Anastasia
Published: December 2023

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, when the Ukrainian people, realizing that they were part of the European community, defended their independence, the role of new artistic principles that corresponded to the main global trends grew significantly in the artistic and cultural sphere. New forms of artists’ appeal to the masses were becoming increasingly important in terms of social and cultural significance. Breaking away from the institutional space of museums and galleries, Action Art has taken to the streets of cities to engage in a dialogue with society. In the traditional genres of Monumental Art, there is an increasing departure from the dominant trend of imitating Soviet monumental aesthetics, which was manifested, in particular, by the spread of the muralist movement in Ukrainian cities. More and more new murals appeared on Ukrainian buildings, made both by foreign artists who were interested in Ukraine, and came here to create their murals, and by Ukrainian artists who were connected to the latest practices. However, with Russia’s attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the struggle of the Ukrainian people for their freedom, democratic values, and the right to preserve and further develop their ethnicity is gaining worldwide historical significance and is widely supported around the world. In addition to the heroic resilience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the volunteer movement in our country, the information front plays an extremely important role. One of its cultural components is represented by contemporary anti-war murals that draw the world’s attention to the events in Ukraine, which are currently determining the future world order and the existence of humanity. Characteristically, this Ukrainian theme is widely supported by artists from many countries around the world. The murals they created are different in style, but they are united by their reference to Ukrainian symbols. This, in general, determines the relevance of this study.
Edukasi Dan Pemanfaatan Tanaman Obat Untuk Kesehatan Masyarakat Rw 05 Dan Rw 06 Desa Cibiru Hilir, Kecamatan Cileunyi, Kabupaten Bandung Pada Bulan November Tahun 2021
Authors: Lestari Kharina Septi , Heryana Nur Rakhmanto , Ariani Antri , Jamiyanti Anggi , Suhardiman Aris , Kandisa Amelia
Published: December 2023

There are many medicinal plants that have the potential to be developed as raw materials for herbal medicines but in fact have not been managed and utilized optimally by the community. There are several problems with conventional medicine, including side effects, high drug resistance, and higher prices, which have created a prolonged economic situation that has hit Indonesia. One solution that can be done in maintaining health conditions is using family medicinal plants. The purpose of family medicinal plants is that they can be used  as  an  alternative  to  conventional medicine that is easy to find, no money to buy and without the need to come to a health facility. The implementation of education and utilization of family medicinal plants was carried out in RW 05 and RW 06, Cibiru Hilir Village, Cileunyi District, Bandung Regency. The number of participants in this activity involved 60 people (men and women) with an age range of 20 to 50 years, consisting of 30 people from RW 05 and 30 people from RW 06. The methods used in this activity were conducting pre-tests, counseling activities, post test, and delivery of medicinal plant seeds to residents. After the educational activities on the use of medicinal plants took place, public knowledge about family medicinal plants increased as seen from the results of the pre-test and post-test.
Peran Tenaga Kefarmasian dalam Penanggulangan Tuberkulosis (TBC)
Authors: Chusun Chusun , Poppy Indrianti , Nuha Nabila
Published: December 2023

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a chronic disease, where the key to successful treatment is patient compliance. The estimated TB case in Indonesia in 2020 is 845,000 (eight hundred and forty five thousand) which is the second largest case in the world after India.The purpose of this webinar is to assist government programs in TB control and at the same time to remind that the active role of pharmacists is needed by the community / sufferers.The webinar was attended by 207 participants, of which 88.4% were women and 11.6% were men. Most of the participants (68.1%) were between 20 – 30 years old. The material is delivered through power point media.In the question and answer session/ discussion, some of the questions were theoretical in nature, this is probably because most of the participants were graduates of Diploma Three in Pharmacy, maybe even still students. Another factor that caused the participants to be less enthusiastic about asking questions was the role of pharmacists or perhaps the pharmaceutical technical personnel themselves in the TB control team, generally only as team members.At the end of the session participants were asked to fill out a post test and evaluation questionnaire via google form, but there were still 53.6% of participants who did not understand that drug counseling could be done via telepharmacy and 31.4% did not know about the BCG immunization program in infants. Evaluation of participant satisfaction is assessed from the average percentage of the number of answers stating "very good" and "good", which is 97.65% of participants stating they are satisfied.The activity evaluation questionnaire was tested for validity and declared valid because all questions were greater than r table, namely 0.3120, with a significance of 0.05. The reliability test also shows a reliable questionnaire which can be seen from the Cronbach's Alpha value which is greater than the constant value, which is 0.916. The constant value is 0.600.
Pembuatan Infusa Daun Seledri sebagai Obat Antihipertensi dan Pemeriksaan Kadar Glukosa Darah dan Kolesterol pada Masyarakat Desa Tengah Kecamatan Pancurbatu
Authors: Tampubolon Antetti , Sihombing Jhonson P
Published: December 2023

Many people use traditional medicine which is part of Indonesia's natural wealth. The use of traditional medicine has long been carried out since ancient times. Traditional medicine is widely used for the treatment of hypertension, cholesterol, antidiabetic, cancer, diarrhea and so on. One of the traditional medicines that is often used in the community is celery leaf which is efficacious as antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering. The purpose of this community service is for participants to know how to make celery leaf infusion in accordance with the requirements for making infusions, to know the profile of blood sugar, cholesterol levels and to educate the public by providing counseling about hypertension, cholesterol and family medicinal plants to the people of Tengah Village, Pancur Batu District. The method used is by distributing questionnaires before and after counseling to determine the level of public knowledge about hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, family medicinal plants and how to make infusions. Of the 20 participants who were checked for blood sugar (KGD) and cholesterol levels, the results obtained: 4 participants had normal fasting blood sugar levels, 9 participants had prediabetes, 7 participants had diabetes, 7 participants had normal blood cholesterol, 9 participants had blood cholesterol at the limit. 4 participants had high blood cholesterol. The level of public knowledge about hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, family medicinal plants and making infusions before counseling was done was quite good with a score of 60.71% and after counseling was good with a score of 92.85% It can be concluded that 20% of participants had normal KGD, 45% prediabetes, 35% diabetes, 35% of participants had normal blood cholesterol, 45% had high cholesterol, 20% had high blood cholesterol and the level of public knowledge increased from good enough to good after counseling.
Edukasi Masyarakat Mengenai Suplemen dan Vitamin untuk Tumbuh Kembang Remaja dan Covid-19
Authors: Zulfa Ilil Maidatuz , Yunitasari Fitria Dewi
Published: December 2023

Covid-19 pandemic has hit worldwide for three years. During the pandemic, a proper diet and optimum consumption of vitamins and suplements will help to maintain the immune system. However, there is still lack of public awareness in fulfillness the nutrition need during pandemic. Hence, it is essentials to increase public knowledge and awareness through the through the provision of information in order to make people easier in choosing the best diet, vitamins and suplement to combat the pandemic.
ON k-CONFORMABLE FRACTIONAL OPERATORS
Authors: ERMEYDAN ÇİRİŞ Sümeyye , YILDIRIM Huseyin
Published: December 2023

In this study, we define the left and right fractional kconformable

integrals and derivatives. Furthermore, we obtained the fractional kconformable

derivatives of functions associated with some spaces and express their properties.
An Investigation of the Music Education Reform on Muscular Disease Prevention and Treatment: Case on Piano Teaching Method at Juilliard Music School
Authors: QUAN Huiqi
Published: December 2023

The occurrence rate of neuromusculoskeletal diseases related to keyboard instrument performance has remained high among instrumentalists, often limiting or terminating their learning and performing careers. Injured pianists have been eager to find solutions, seeking so-called scientific methods to develop injury-preventing techniques, yet these methods have lacked rigorous research. This study investigates an interdisciplinary and non-traditional piano teaching method - the Juilliard School’s Piano Teaching Method - to determine its effectiveness in recovery and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal diseases and relapses. It also examines its influence on technique, musicality, and muscular factors. Participants include undergraduate and graduate students, amateur pianists, and enthusiasts who studied this method for at least two semesters between 2020 and 2022. The sample comprises 103 learners aged 22 to 72, with 74 respondents (N=74) participating (71.8%), and 26 of them underwent in-depth interviews. Survey and interview results indicate that participants find this method significantly beneficial for facilitating recovery from neuromusculoskeletal diseases. Moreover, survey and interview participants report improvements in technique and musicality. This study concludes that the Juilliard School’s piano teaching method can serve as a useful model for piano technique instruction aimed at injury prevention within the piano profession, with potential for broader adoption nationwide.
Valuation through Narrative Intelligibility
Authors: Kaszynska Patrycja
Published: December 2023

Narrative intelligibility is central to making sense of valuation. Narrative intelligibility is a framing device that combines empirical observation and situated interaction with teleological, purpose-oriented, normative inquiry. Thus understood, narrative intelligibility provides a useful analytical frame to explain how the phenomenon of valuation is practised. At the same time – and on the level of research – it bridges synthetically different traditions of thought, including actor–network theory’s descriptive accounts of valuation practices and humanities-grounded, normative theories of value. As such, narrative intelligibility offers a way of avoiding the alleged weakness of overstating the agency of devices and material actors in actor–network informed approaches, without however seeking to relocate analysis into the ‘ineffable’ realm of purely theoretical constructs, the way some humanities scholars are said to have done. The argument shows that the humanities-derived understanding of values, approached in terms of standards of justification and norms of criticism, can be combined with the vernacular concepts of valuation from actor–network theory in a way that promises a unified research agenda going forward.
“What is Design Worth?” Narrating the Assetization of Design
Authors: Navarro Aguiar Ulises
Published: December 2023

This article explores how financial logics and investment rationalities are intersecting with and shaping the expert discourse and practice of professional design. It uses “assetization” as a conceptual category to make sense of recent efforts to account for the value of design in financial terms. Specifically, the article provides a narrative-semiotic analysis of a report on “The Business Value of Design” published by McKinsey & Company, unfolding how design is valued in terms of its capacity to deliver future earnings for shareholders, and thus made to acquire the asset form. The article foregrounds how can the assetization of design be understood not only as evidence of the gradual spread of financialized valuations, but also as an organizing act underpinned by a script that activates characters and defines frames of action around the use of design in firms. It shows how this script entangles the coordinated expansion and monitoring of design activities within firms with the fervor for shareholder value maximization and capital gains, drawing a convenient line of causation between them as a near certainty. The article contributes to our understanding of how the cultural condition that makes the spread of assetization possible is to an important extent established in the ongoing and everyday work of striving to systematize and increase creativity in organizations.
DESENVOLVIMENTO MUSICAL COMO BASE PARA INTERPRETAÇÃO DE ESCALAS AVALIATIVAS EM MÚSICA
Authors: Carlo Ettore José Filippi , Oliveira Gleisson
Published: December 2023

O desenvolvimento musical, em geral, segue um padrão típico e observável e, em música, as escalas avaliativas auxiliam no apontamento do estado atual de desenvolvimento do aluno/paciente atendido, incluindo aí, o desenvolvimento musical. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho, do tipo Revisão Narrativa, teve como objetivo verificar as interfaces possíveis entre o desenvolvimento musical e a interpretação de escalas de avaliação em música. Para tanto, os autores condensaram os marcos do desenvolvimento musical informados pelos estudos de Kenney (2008), Parizzi (2009) e Monteiro (2011) e refletiram sobre a aplicabilidade do conhecimento de tais marcos aliados ao correto entendimento das escalas avaliativas em música.
ANÁLISES QUANTITATIVAS DE DADOS QUALITATIVOS: USO DE TÉCNICAS DE MINERAÇÃO DE TEXTOS PARA A CLÍNICA MUSICOTERAPÊUTICA
Authors: Gonçalves Pedrosa Frederico , Soares dos Reis Jeniffer
Published: December 2023

A mineração de textos é um processo de mineração de dados que tem como objetivo extrair informações úteis de conjuntos de dados não estruturados ou semiestruturados, como e-mails, arquivos HTML ou transcrições. Este estudo propõe a utilização de técnicas de mineração de textos para avaliar a comunicação verbal em sessões de musicoterapia. Para tanto, foram transcritas sessões realizadas pelo projeto Efeitos de Intervenções Musicoterapêuticas na Qualidade de Vida de mulheres negras. As técnicas de nuvem de palavras, modelagem por tópicos e análise de sentimentos foram empregadas nesta pesquisa. A modelagem por tópicos identificou quatro agrupamentos de palavras denominados de “Mulheres Negras”, “Reflexões”, “Musicoterapia” e “Dores”. Por sua vez, a análise de sentimentos identificou uma distribuição ampla de sentimentos, com predominância de sentenças neutras ou positivas, fortemente enviesada para a direita e concentrada em torno da média, com poucas sentenças extremamente negativas ou positivas. Estes dados sugerem que as sessões trataram de questões sentimentais relacionadas às mulheres negras participantes e promoveram bem-estar para esta população. De acordo com os relatos das participantes em resposta a um questionário ao fim dos atendimentos musicoterapêuticos, os resultados da mineração de textos estão em consonância com a percepção das participantes. Neste sentido, a mineração de textos é uma técnica promissora para a compreensão da comunicação verbal em atendimentos musicoterapêuticos, e pode ser utilizada em futuras pesquisas para investigar, com mais evidências, estas e outras possibilidades para a prática clínica da musicoterapêutica.
Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorders: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Zhi , Liu Shuai , Liu Fang , Dai Nannan , Liang Rujia , Lv Shaoguang , Bao Lisha
Published: December 2023

Background

In recent years, observational studies have provided evidence supporting a potential association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gut microbiota. However, the causal effect of gut microbiota on ASD remains unknown.

Methods

We identified the summary statistics of 206 gut microbiota from the MiBioGen study, and ASD data were obtained from the latest Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). We then performed Mendelian randomization (MR) to determine a causal relationship between the gut microbiota and ASD using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, simple mode, MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted model. Furthermore, we used Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO), and leave-one-out analysis to identify heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Moreover, the Benjamin-Hochberg approach (FDR) was employed to assess the strength of the connection between exposure and outcome. We performed reverse MR analysis on the gut microbiota that were found to be causally associated with ASD in the forward MR analysis to examine the causal relationships. The enrichment analyses were used to analyze the biological function at last.

Results

Based on the results of IVW results, genetically predicted family Prevotellaceae and genus Turicibacter had a possible positive association with ASD (IVW OR=1.14, 95% CI: 1.00-1.29, P=3.7×10−2), four gut microbiota with a potential protective effect on ASD: genus Dorea (OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-0.96, P=1.4×10−2), genus Ruminiclostridium5 (OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-0.96, P=1.5×10−2), genus Ruminococcus1 (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.98, P=2.8×10−2), and genus Sutterella (OR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.68-0.99, P=3.6×10−2). After FDR multiple-testing correction we further observed that there were two gut microbiota still have significant relationship with ASD: family Prevotellaceae (IVW OR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.09-1.40, P=9.2×10-4) was strongly positively correlated with ASD and genus RuminococcaceaeUCG005 (IVW OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.67-0.89, P=6.9×10−4) was strongly negatively correlated with ASD. The sensitivity analysis excluded the influence of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal a causal association between several gut microbiomes and ASD. These results deepen our comprehension of the role of gut microbiota in ASD’s pathology, providing the foothold for novel ideas and theoretical frameworks to prevent and treat this patient population in the future.
Speech and beatboxing cooperate and compromise in beatrhyming
Authors: Blaylock Reed , Phoolsombat Ramida , Mullady Kaila
Published: December 2023

Beatrhyming is a type of multi-vocalism in which an individual beatboxes and speaks (i.e., sings or raps) at the same time by interweaving beatboxing sounds and speech sounds within words and phrases. The measurements in this case study of a beatrhyming performance focus on one-to-one sound “replacements” in which a beatboxing sound is integrated into a word by taking the place of a speech sound. The analysis unfolds in two parts: first, a count of how many times beatboxing sounds used in place of speech sounds matched the intended speech sounds for vocal tract constrictor and constriction degree; and second, an assessment of whether the beatboxing sound patterns in beatrhyming (beatboxing with simultaneous lyrics) have the same degree of rhythmic structure as the beatboxing sound patterns in beatboxing (without lyrics). Despite having disparate aims, the separate speech and beatboxing systems work together to create a well-organized combined behavior. Speech tasks (i.e., communicating the linguistic message of the lyrics) are achieved in beatrhyming by replacing some speech sounds with beatboxing sounds that match the speech segment in vocal tract constrictor and in manner/constriction degree. Beatboxing tasks (i.e., establishing a musical rhythm) are achieved through the inviolable use of Outward K Snares {K} on the backbeat. Achieving both of these aims in the same performance requires flexibility and compromise between the speech and beatboxing systems. In addition to providing the first scientific description and analysis of beatrhyming, this article shows how beatrhyming offers new insight for phonological theories built to describe spoken language.
Stress echocardiography in valvular heart disease
Authors: Hirasawa Kensuke , Izumo Masaki , Akashi Yoshihiro J.
Published: December 2023

Valvular heart disease (VHD) has been a significant health problem, particularly in developed countries, in relation to the aging population. Recent developments in the management of VHD require a more accurate assessment of disease severity to determine the need for transcatheter interventions or open heart surgery. Stress echocardiography is a crucial imaging modality for identifying the underlying pathology of VHD. Optimal administration of exercise or intravenous drugs may reveal hemodynamic abnormalities under stress without posing an invasive risk. Therefore, the implementation of stress echocardiography is recommended for determining interventional indications and risk stratification in mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis. In addition, recent evidence has accumulated regarding the usefulness of stress echocardiography in various conditions including mitral stenosis, aortic regurgitation, and post-interventional VHD. Here, we summarize the current evidence and future perspectives on stress echocardiography in VHD.
Magnetocardiography at rest predicts cardiac death in patients with acute chest pain
Authors: Wessel N. , Kim J. S. , Joung B. Y. , Ko Y. G. , Dischl D. , Gapelyuk A. , Lee Y. H. , Kim K. W. , Park J. W. , Landmesser U.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Sudden cardiac arrest is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and remains a major public health problem for which better non-invasive prediction tools are needed. Primary preventive therapies, such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators, are not personalized and not predictive. Most of these devices do not deliver life-saving therapy during their lifetime. The individual relationship between fatal arrhythmias and cardiac function abnormalities in predicting cardiac death risk has rarely been explored.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the measurements at rest for 191 patients with acute chest pain (ACP) magnetocardiographically. Our recently introduced analyses are able to detect inhomogeneities of the depolarization and repolarization. Moreover, electrically silent phenomena—intracellular ionic currents as well as vortex currents—can be measured and quantified. All included ACP patients were recruited in 2009 at Yonsei University Hospital and were followed up until 2022.

Results

During half of the follow-up period (6.5 years), 11 patients died. Out of all the included nine clinical, eight magnetocardiographical, and nine newly introduced magnetoionographical parameters we tested in this study, three parameters revealed themselves to be outstanding at predicting death: heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) prolongation, depression of repolarization current IKr + IKs, and serum creatinine (all significant in Cox regression, p < 0.05). They clearly predicted cardiac death over the 6.5 years duration (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 85.6%, negative predictive accuracy 99.4%). Cardiac death risk was more than ninefold higher in patients with low repolarization reserve and QTc prolongation in comparison with the remaining patients with ACP (p < 0.001). The non-parametric Kaplan–Meier statistics estimated significantly lower survival functions from their lifetime data (p < 0.001).

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, these are the first data linking magnetocardiographical and magnetoionographical parameters and subsequent significant fatal events in people, suggesting structural and functional components to clinical life-threatening ventricular arrhythmogenesis. The findings support investigation of new prevention strategies and herald those new non-invasive techniques as complementary risk stratification tools.
Emotions and interests in social representations about the environmental problem of arsenic in water in Tandil (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: Lampert Damian Alberto , Porro Silvia
Published: December 2023

Qualitative research is presented, recovering the discourse of the students. We worked with a survey and an interview in a 7th year course of the Chemistry Technical at a secondary school in Tandil with a population of 20 people. The first, as a qualitative technique, used those points from the ROSES questionnaire and some items, associated with the theme of arsenic in water, were added in order to incorporate the components of the representations where emotions can be found. On the other hand, the qualitative interview, evoked from images, used a set associated with the theme (water filters, cartographic maps, images of the disease, among others). This created a better communication with the students as well as other aspects. The students had to classify an image in relation to the following items: sadness, fear, distrust, helplessness, anger, worry and indifference. The selection of those emotions was based on previous studies conducted on social representations of environmental issues, such as climate change. The results obtained showed that the students have a great interest in environmental issues and recognize their active role in relation to solving these aspects. In addition, it was obtained that more than 80% of the students expressed their interest in learning more about the subject. Likewise, in relation to the images, the students expressed the following emotions: sadness, helplessness, worry and fear. Faced with these results, the different emotions are taken into account at stake for the subsequent development of a contextualized didactic sequence in the city of Tandil, with the aim of working on the problem of arsenic in water and the emotions obtained from the interview.
Carbon reduction effect of ESG: empirical evidence from listed manufacturing companies in China
Authors: Ye Jian , Xu Wenhua
Published: December 2023

Against the backdrop of global climate change, corporate carbon emissions have increasingly become a focal point, making carbon reduction by companies a pivotal issue. Based on data from Chinese listed manufacturing companies from 2010 to 2020, this paper explores the impact of ESG performance on carbon reduction. The results indicate that ESG performance significantly reduce corporate carbon emissions. Green technology innovation, corporate efficiency, and managerial short-sightedness are vital channels through which ESG promotes corporate carbon reduction. For companies with different environmental regulations, industry competition intensities, and capital intensities, the relationship between ESG performance and carbon reduction varies significantly. Notably, we found that in companies with strict environmental regulations, intense industry competition, and high capital intensity, the carbon-reducing effect of ESG performance is more pronounced. Furthermore, digital transformation positively moderates the relationship between ESG performance and carbon reduction. This study not only provides new empirical evidence for understanding the impact of ESG performance on carbon reduction but also offers valuable insights for businesses and policymakers to promote corporate efforts in carbon reduction and achieve China’s “Dual Carbon” goals.
Whole-exome sequencing reveals novel variants of monogenic diabetes in Tunisia: impact on diagnosis and healthcare management
Authors: Kheriji Nadia , Dallali Hamza , Gouiza Ismail , Hechmi Meriem , Mahjoub Faten , Mrad Mehdi , Krir Asma , Soltani Manel , Trabelsi Hajer , Hamdi Walid , Bahlous Afef , Ben Ahmed Melika , Jamoussi Henda , Kefi Rym
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Monogenic diabetes (MD) accounts for 3%–6% of all cases of diabetes. This prevalence is underestimated due to its overlapping clinical features with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Hence, genetic testing is the most appropriate tool for obtaining an accurate diagnosis. In Tunisia, few cohorts of MD have been investigated until now. The aim of this study is to search for pathogenic variants among 11 patients suspected of having MD in Tunisia using whole-exome sequencing (WES).

Materials and methods: WES was performed in 11 diabetic patients recruited from a collaborating medical center. The pathogenicity of genetic variation was assessed using combined filtering and bioinformatics prediction tools. The online ORVAL tool was used to predict the likelihood of combinations of pathogenic variations. Then, Sanger sequencing was carried out to confirm likely pathogenic predicted variants among patients and to check for familial segregation. Finally, for some variants, we performed structural modeling to study their impact on protein function.

Results: We identified novel variants related to MD in Tunisia. Pathogenic variants are located in several MODY and non-MODY genes. We highlighted the presence of syndromic forms of diabetes, including the Bardet–Biedl syndrome, Alström syndrome, and severe insulin resistance, as well as the presence of isolated diabetes with significantly reduced penetrance for Wolfram syndrome-related features. Idiopathic type 1 diabetes was also identified in one patient.

Conclusion: In this study, we emphasized the importance of genetic screening for MD in patients with a familial history of diabetes, mainly among admixed and under-represented populations living in low- and middle-income countries. An accurate diagnosis with molecular investigation of MD may improve the therapeutic choice for better management of patients and their families. Additional research and rigorous investigations are required to better understand the physiopathological mechanisms of MD and implement efficient therapies that take into account genomic context and other related factors.
One-month assessment of Th-cell axis related inflammatory cytokines, IL-17 and IL-22 and their role in alcohol-associated liver disease
Authors: Sagaram Manasa , Frimodig Jane , Jayanty Danielle , Hu Huirong , Royer Amor J. , Bruner Ryne , Kong Maiying , Schwandt Melanie L. , Vatsalya Vatsalya
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Changes in the expression of cyto- and chemokines due to alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) have been reported to be both protective and pathogenic. This study examined plasma levels of two key cytokines, Il-17 and Il-22, which construct the proinflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory axes across the spectrum of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and ALD including alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) to determine the underlying status of the inflammation.

Methods

Forty-two males and females aged 25-63 yrs. were grouped as healthy controls (HV[n=8]), AUD with no liver injury (AUDNLI [n=8]), AUD with liver injury (AUDLI [n=8]), non-severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (NSAH [n=9]), and severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (SAH [n=9]). Demographic, drinking, and clinical data were collected. Blood samples were collected at baseline (BL, all subjects) and during week 4 (W4, only patients) for IL-17 and IL-22; and statistically analyzed.

Results

IL-17 was highly elevated in the SAH group both at BL and post-SOC. LTDH and BL IL-22 in non-severe AH patients were associated significantly. LTDH significantly predicted W4 IL-22 levels, positively (increasing) in NSAH and inversely (lowering) in SAH patients. BL and W4 IL-22 levels were significantly higher (4-fold, p≤0.001) in all AH patients compared to all AUD patients (AUROC=0.988, p≤0.001). IL-22 showed significant affinity with AST, AST: ALT ratio, total bilirubin, INR, and PT both at BL and W4. IL-22 was inversely associated with IL-1β; and positively with TNF-α and IL-8 both at BL, and W4. BL IL-17 showed a positive correlation with MELD (p=0.017) in all AH patients. In SAH, > 2-fold W4 IL-17 level compared to BL showed significant within subjects’ effects, p=0.006. In AUD patients without AH, the drop in IL-17 at W4 vs. BL showed a significant within subjects’ effect, p=0.031.

Discussion

Drinking chronicity predicted opposite effects in IL-22 levels in NSAH (antiinflammatory) and SAH (pro-inflammatory) patients at post-SOC. BL IL-22 levels differentiated AH patients robustly from the AUD patients (with or without liver injury); and showed corresponding increases stepwise with the stages of ALD. IL-22 was closely associated with progression and injury markers of the liver; and response to the cytokines of pro-inflammatory nature. Pro-inflammatory indicator of IL-17 cell axis, IL-17 showed a strong positive association with MELD, a severity indicator of AH.
KLF17 is an important regulatory component of the transcriptomic response of Atlantic salmon macrophages to Piscirickettsia salmonis infection
Authors: Pérez-Stuardo Diego , Frazão Mateus , Ibaceta Valentina , Brianson Bernardo , Sánchez Evelyn , Rivas-Pardo J. Andrés , Vallejos-Vidal Eva , Reyes-López Felipe E. , Toro-Ascuy Daniela , Vidal Elena A. , Reyes-Cerpa Sebastián
Published: December 2023

Piscirickettsia salmonis is the most important health problem facing Chilean Aquaculture. Previous reports suggest that P. salmonis can survive in salmonid macrophages by interfering with the host immune response. However, the relevant aspects of the molecular pathogenesis of P. salmonis have been poorly characterized. In this work, we evaluated the transcriptomic changes in macrophage-like cell line SHK-1 infected with P. salmonis at 24- and 48-hours post-infection (hpi) and generated network models of the macrophage response to the infection using co-expression analysis and regulatory transcription factor-target gene information. Transcriptomic analysis showed that 635 genes were differentially expressed after 24- and/or 48-hpi. The pattern of expression of these genes was analyzed by weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), which classified genes into 4 modules of expression, comprising early responses to the bacterium. Induced genes included genes involved in metabolism and cell differentiation, intracellular transportation, and cytoskeleton reorganization, while repressed genes included genes involved in extracellular matrix organization and RNA metabolism. To understand how these expression changes are orchestrated and to pinpoint relevant transcription factors (TFs) controlling the response, we established a curated database of TF-target gene regulatory interactions in Salmo salar, SalSaDB. Using this resource, together with co-expression module data, we generated infection context-specific networks that were analyzed to determine highly connected TF nodes. We found that the most connected TF of the 24- and 48-hpi response networks is KLF17, an ortholog of the KLF4 TF involved in the polarization of macrophages to an M2-phenotype in mammals. Interestingly, while KLF17 is induced by P. salmonis infection, other TFs, such as NOTCH3 and NFATC1, whose orthologs in mammals are related to M1-like macrophages, are repressed. In sum, our results suggest the induction of early regulatory events associated with an M2-like phenotype of macrophages that drives effectors related to the lysosome, RNA metabolism, cytoskeleton organization, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Moreover, the M1-like response seems delayed in generating an effective response, suggesting a polarization towards M2-like macrophages that allows the survival of P. salmonis. This work also contributes to SalSaDB, a curated database of TF-target gene interactions that is freely available for the Atlantic salmon community.
Nutricline adjustment by internal tidal beam generation enhances primary production in idealized numerical models
Authors: Jacobsen Jasen R. , Edwards Christopher A. , Powell Brian S. , Colosi John A. , Fiechter Jerome
Published: December 2023

When the barotropic tide encounters variable bathymetry, fluctuating flow along a topographic slope generates baroclinic tides, or internal tides. There is growing evidence that these internal tides can affect primary production in the euphotic zone, though the dominant mechanisms are unclear. Internal tides move passive phytoplankton through an exponentially varying light field, enhancing primary production near the base of the euphotic zone. In addition internal tides also increase primary production through vertical nutrient advection into the euphotic zone. Topographically generated internal tides can be separated into two regimes: 1) the often highly nonlinear near-field regime where tidal beams are observed and 2) the more linear far-field regime. This study examines the primary production response to these internal tide processes using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) coupled to a simple Nutrient, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Detritus (NPZD) model configured for an oligotrophic system with the nutricline positioned below 50 m depth. These idealized simulations generate internal tide beams with an oscillating, horizontal body force at the M2 tidal frequency that is applied to domains with a bathymetric step and uniform stratification. Sensitivity of the primary production response to the energy content of the tidal beam is obtained by adjusting the height and slope of the bathymetric step. Simulation results reveal that primary production intensifies along tidal beams due to the local enhancement of parcel vertical displacement (light effect) and nutrient advective flux divergence (nutrient effect). In the near-field regime across the range of step heights and slopes in this study, the nutrient effect is an order of magnitude larger and explains 92% of the variance in primary production versus only 14% for the light effect. The geometry of the generating feature sets the kinematics of the tidal beam. The light effect is limited in the euphotic zone across our domains because realized changes in light experienced over a tidal cycle are small relative to the amount of light available at a particular depth. In contrast, the magnitude of the nutrient effect increases more substantially with tidal beam energy.
Rock fragmentation size distribution control in blasting: a case study of blasting mining in Changjiu Shenshan limestone mine
Authors: Gao Pengfei , Pan Cheng , Zong Qi , Dong Chunliang
Published: December 2023

Deep-hole bench blasting is the primary method for aggregate extraction in mines. However, factors such as complex geological conditions and suboptimal blasting parameters often result in uneven rock fragmentation and high fines content. This not only increases the cost and energy consumption of subsequent aggregate processing but also has adverse environmental implications. In this study, based on the Changjiu Shenshan limestone aggregate mining project in China, large-scale blasting experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of rock properties and blasting parameters on the size distribution of post-blast fragments and fines content. The results of the blasting experiments indicate that by controlling the size of the crushing zone and adjusting explosive performance, it is possible to significantly reduce fines content while improving mining efficiency. Recommended values for drilling and blasting parameters have been proposed based on geological conditions to more effectively control the generation of fines. The results highlight the importance of optimizing blasting parameters and charge structure for large-scale mining operations to achieve uniform rock fragmentation and low fines content. By adopting explosive performance adjustment methods based on reasonable control of the crushing zone, improving explosive performance can improve the economic benefits of mining operations, reduce energy consumption, and contribute to environmental protection.
A two-stage model updating method for the linear parts of structures with local nonlinearities
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wei Desheng , Zhai Lei , Hu Lixin , Li Liulian , Qin Huilai , Li Dongsheng , Fan Jiansheng
Published: December 2023

Finite element model updating provides an important supplement for finite element modelling. However, some studies have shown that if the tested structure involves local nonlinearities due to damages, material properties and large deformation et al., it is difficult to achieve an accurate modified model using conventional model updating methods that are based on the assumption of linear structures. To address this issue, a two-stage model updating method separating the effects of local nonlinearities is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the underlying linear frequency response function is obtained by using the conditioned reverse path method. Then, combined with the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula and the model updating objective function established by the frequency response function similarity metric, then structural model updating and damage detection are carried out as the second stage. Three numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. This method can not only accurately identify the location and quantify the extent of structural damages, but also has the advantages of not based on sensitivity, not depending on the selection of frequency points, not repeatedly calling the initial model et al. The proposed method has high computational efficiency and avoids the numerical problems often encountered by conventional frequency response function-based model updating methods.
Automating methods for estimating metabolite volatility
Authors: Meredith Laura K. , Ledford S. Marshall , Riemer Kristina , Geffre Parker , Graves Kelsey , Honeker Linnea K. , LeBauer David , Tfaily Malak M. , Krechmer Jordan
Published: December 2023

The volatility of metabolites can influence their biological roles and inform optimal methods for their detection. Yet, volatility information is not readily available for the large number of described metabolites, limiting the exploration of volatility as a fundamental trait of metabolites. Here, we adapted methods to estimate vapor pressure from the functional group composition of individual molecules (SIMPOL.1) to predict the gas-phase partitioning of compounds in different environments. We implemented these methods in a new open pipeline called volcalc that uses chemoinformatic tools to automate these volatility estimates for all metabolites in an extensive and continuously updated pathway database: the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) that connects metabolites, organisms, and reactions. We first benchmark the automated pipeline against a manually curated data set and show that the same category of volatility (e.g., nonvolatile, low, moderate, high) is predicted for 93% of compounds. We then demonstrate how volcalc might be used to generate and test hypotheses about the role of volatility in biological systems and organisms. Specifically, we estimate that 3.4 and 26.6% of compounds in KEGG have high volatility depending on the environment (soil vs. clean atmosphere, respectively) and that a core set of volatiles is shared among all domains of life (30%) with the largest proportion of kingdom-specific volatiles identified in bacteria. With volcalc, we lay a foundation for uncovering the role of the volatilome using an approach that is easily integrated with other bioinformatic pipelines and can be continually refined to consider additional dimensions to volatility. The volcalc package is an accessible tool to help design and test hypotheses on volatile metabolites and their unique roles in biological systems.
Development and management of gastrointestinal symptoms in long-term COVID-19
Authors: He Kai-Yue , Lei Xin-Yuan , Zhang Lei , Wu Dan-Hui , Li Jun-Qi , Lu Li-Yuan , Laila Umm E. , Cui Cui-Yun , Xu Zhi-Xiang , Jian Yong-Ping
Published: December 2023

Background

Emerging evidence reveals that SARS-CoV-2 possesses the capability to disrupt the gastrointestinal (GI) homeostasis, resulting in the long-term symptoms such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux, and nausea. In the current review, we summarized recent reports regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID) on the gastrointestine.

Objective

To provide a narrative review of abundant clinical evidence regarding the development and management of long-term GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Results

Long-term persistent digestive symptoms are exhibited in a majority of long-COVID patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection of intestinal epithelial cells, cytokine storm, gut dysbiosis, therapeutic drugs, psychological factors and exacerbation of primary underlying diseases lead to long-term GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Interventions like probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and antibiotics are proved to be beneficial in preserving intestinal microecological homeostasis and alleviating GI symptoms.

Conclusion

Timely diagnosis and treatment of GI symptoms in long-COVID patients hold great significance as they may contribute to the mitigation of severe conditions and ultimately lead to the improvement of outcomes of the patients.
Responses of the maize rhizosphere soil environment to drought-flood abrupt alternation stress
Authors: Gao Yun , Zhao Yulong , Li Ping , Qi Xuebin
Published: December 2023

Changes in the soil environment in the root zone will affect the growth, development and resistance of plants. The mechanism underlying the effect of drought and flood stress on rhizosphere bacterial diversity, soil metabolites and soil enzyme activity is not clear and needs further study. To analyze the dynamic changes in bacteria, metabolites and enzyme activities in the rhizosphere soil of maize under different drought-flood abrupt alternation (DFAA) stresses, the barrel test method was used to set up the ‘sporadic light rain’ to flooding (referring to trace rainfall to heavy rain) (DFAA1) group, ‘continuous drought’ to flooding (DFAA2) group and normal irrigation (CK) group from the jointing to the tassel flowering stage of maize. The results showed that Actinobacteria was the most dominant phylum in the two DFAA groups during the drought period and the rewatering period, and Proteobacteria was the most dominant phylum during the flooding period and the harvest period. The alpha diversity index of rhizosphere bacteria in the DFAA2 group during the flooding period was significantly lower than that in other stages, and the relative abundance of Chloroflexi was higher. The correlation analysis between the differential genera and soil metabolites of the two DFAA groups showed that the relative abundance of Paenibacillus in the DFAA1 group was higher during the drought period, and it was significantly positively correlated with the bioactive lipid metabolites. The differential SJA-15 bacterium was enriched in the DFAA2 group during the flooding period and were strongly correlated with biogenic amine metabolites. The relative abundances of Arthrobacter, Alphaproteobacteria and Brevibacillus in the DFAA2 group were higher compared with DFAA1 group from rewatering to harvest and were significantly positively correlated with hydrocarbon compounds and steroid hormone metabolites. The acid phosphatase activity of the DFAA1 group was significantly higher than that of the DFAA2 group during the flooding period. The study suggests that there is a yield compensation phenomenon in the conversion of ‘continuous drought’ to flooding compared with ‘sporadic light rain’, which is related to the improvement in the flooding tolerance of maize by the dominant bacteria Chloroflexi, bacterium SJA-15 and biogenic amine metabolites. These rhizosphere bacteria and soil metabolites may have the potential function of helping plants adapt to the DFAA environment. The study revealed the response of the maize rhizosphere soil environment to DFAA stress and provided new ideas for exploring the potential mechanism of crop yield compensation under DFAA.