bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longer survival of Helicobacter pylori positive gastric cancer patients is associated with a more active T cell immune response as revealed by single-cell sequencing
Authors: Chen Yun , Yan Caiwang , Shi Shujing , Zheng Chang , Ren Chuanli , Bian Lijun , Gu Yuanliang , Kong Deyuan , She Qiang , Deng Bin , Ding Yanbing , Chen Jinfei , Jiang Runqiu
Published: January 2022

Background: The effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status on survival for gastric cancer remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the molecular heterogeneity of tumour-infiltrating T cells in gastric cancer with different H. pylori infection status.Methods: We conducted a prognostic analysis of 488 gastric cancer patients and performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis on 18,717 T cells from 6 tumour samples with or without H. pylori infection. Analysis results were validated using histological assays and bulk transcriptomic datasets.Results: We confirmed that gastric cancer patients with H. pylori infection had a significantly longer survival time compared to patients with negative H. pylori status (HR=0.74, 95% CI=0.55-0.99, P= 0.045). After unsupervised re-clustering of T cells based on scRNA-seq data, we identified ten CD4+ and twelve CD8+ clusters. Among them, four clusters in CD8+ T cells appeared to exhibit distinct distributions with different H. pylori infection status. One subgroup marked by CXCL13, which contained mostly cells of H. pylori infection and expressed high levels of IFNG, GZMB and low level of PDCD1, was activated by TNFRSF1A-TNF interaction. The developed gene signature was significantly associated with improved patient survival in gastric cancer. The other subgroup specifically expressed immune suppression-related genes AREG and PTGER2, was almost exclusively populated with cells without H. pylori infection. High PTGER2 expression was significantly associated with worse prognosis with high CD8 expression.Conclusion: Our results shed light into the mechanisms underlying the target cell dependent T cell responses induced by H. pylori, which will provide assistance for precision treatment and prognosis.
An Economic Analysis on Willingness to Pay for Jhansi Fort: An Evidence from Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Baskar David Chella , Kavitha  , kumarvel Senthil , Pal Sundar
Published: January 2022

The study has examined the willingness to pay for Jhansi fort in Uttar Pradesh. The study has utilized primary data collected from different commuters’ using random survey method. In order to analyze the willingness to pay for the park, binary logistic regression was used. The results of the study has indicated that the willingness to pay for the park was influenced positively and also significantly by monthly income and negatively by cost spent inside the park and occupation status of the visitors. Garrett ranking on suggestions for the betterment of park indicates that the visitors have given rank one for maintenance of the park, rank two for enhancing the facilities and rank three for safe drinking water
Characteristics of Acute Kidney Injury and Its Impact on Outcome in Patients With Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: HUANG YUE , Cai Junjun , Ha Fushuang , Guo Beichen , Xin Shaojie , Duan Zhongping , Han Tao
Published: January 2022

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and life-threatening complication of liver failure. However, the characteristics of AKI and its impact on prognosis in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are limited.Methods: 574 ACLF patients were evaluated retrospectively. AKI was defined by criteria proposed by International Club of Ascites (ICA) and divided into community-acquired and hospital-acquired AKI (CA-AKI and HA-AKI). The difference between CA-AKI and HA-AKI, factors associated with development into and recovered from AKI periods, and its impact on prognosis in ACLF patients were evaluated. Results: Among 574 patients, 217(37.8%) patients had AKI, CA-AKI and HA-AKI were 56 (25.8%) and 161 (74.2%) respectively. Independent risk factors of AKI occurrence were age, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, bacterial infections, albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and prothrombin time (PTs). The AUROC of the model in internal and external validations were 0.747 and 0.759, respectively. Among 217 AKI patients, 81(37.3%), 96(44.2%) and 40(18.4%) patients were with ICA-AKI stage progression, regression and fluctuated in-situ, respectively. The 90-day mortality of patients with AKI was 55.3% (CA-AKI 58.9% and HA-AKI 54.0%) higher than non-AKI patients 21.6%. The 90-day mortality of patients with progression of AKI was 88.9%, followed by patients with fluctuated in-situ 40% and regression of AKI 33.3%. Independent predictors of 90-day mortality in ACLF patients were GI bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), TBIL, INR, progression of AKI.Conclusions: AKI can increase the 90-day mortality significantly in ACLF patients. TBIL, INR, GI bleeding, HE, progression of AKI are independent risk factors affecting 90-day mortality in ACLF patients.Trial registration: Chinese clinical trials registry: ChiCTR1900021539.
A Fault Identification Method Based on an Ensemble Deep Neural Network and a Correlation Coefficient
Authors: Yang Yanli , He Yichuan
Published: January 2022

An intelligent fault identification algorithm based on ensemble deep neural networks and correlation coefficients is proposed for rotating machinery fault detection. In this algorithm, three deep neural networks (DNNs) are arranged to initially identify faults in the frequency domain, wavelet domain and envelope spectrum angle, respectively. Then, correlation coefficients are adopted to evaluate the recognition results of the DNNs. The reliabilities of the DNNs’ recognition results are divided into 6 levels according to the outputs of the DNNs and the correlation coefficients. Finally, the evaluation results of the three DNNs are put through fusion processing to generate more reliable recognition results. This algorithm identifies fault signals from multiple angles and combines the correlation coefficients to make a comprehensive judgment, which is beneficial for fault identification. The proposed algorithm is tested with the bearing data provided by the Case Western Reserve University Bearing Data Center. The test results show that the algorithm has a high recognition accuracy for homologous data and a good generalization ability for nonhomologous data.
Standardized Measure for Performance Assessment of Athletes in The CrossFit Open: Theoretical Structuring and Item Response Theory
Authors: Fernandes Rafael da Silva , Biffe Bruna Gabriele , Louzada Mário Jefferson Quirino , Bornia Antônio Cézar , de Andrade Dalton Francisco
Published: January 2022

In its competitive form, CrossFit® intends on assessing the performance of athletes in a wide variety of aspects that determine their conditioning. CrossFit Games is an official competition and intends to recognize the best conditioned athlete in the world to each class. Thus, measuring an athlete’s Physical Conditioning is, in a sense, assigning a set of performance outputs that can determine the efficiency and efficacy of the athlete, discriminating the performance of one or more athletes. Since the scores obtained by the athletes in the various workouts are directly identifiable, the conditioning can be seen through the performance in a competition, it is, therefore, a result of the interpretation and scope of the workouts in measuring the performance. This work analyzed data form “CrossFit Open” and has as an objective to propose a new theoretical arrangement to the sport discipline while being of the Item Response Theory which is capable of providing data such as, discriminatory capacity and difficulty level of the workouts, as well as, an assessment of the competition. In other words, intends to describe the probability of an athlete performing a workout and obtaining a score, given his/her physical conditioning. Analysis of the main indications that refer to a good quality of the measurement tool indicates it is a high quality competition. Lastly, this work accomplished both objectives proposed, methodological as well as practical, and recognizes the limitations derived from the reduced amount of qualitative data on the topic and the little use of applied probability models.
Deep thrombosis characterization using photoacoustic imaging with intravascular light delivery
Authors: Tang Yuqi , Wu Huaiyu , Klippel Paul , Zhang Bohua , Huang Hsiao-Ying Shadow , Jing Yun , Jiang Xiaoning , Yao Junjie
Published: January 2022

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition in which blood clots form within the deep veins of the leg or pelvis to cause deep vein thrombosis. The optimal treatment of VTE is determined by thrombus properties such as the age, size, and chemical composition of the blood clots. The thrombus properties can be readily evaluated by using photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), a hybrid imaging modality that combines the rich contrast of optical imaging and deep penetration of ultrasound imaging. With inherent sensitivity to endogenous chromophores such as hemoglobin, multispectral PACT can provide composition information and oxygenation level in the clots. However, conventional PACT of clots relies on external light illumination, which provides limited penetration depth due to strong optical scattering of intervening tissue. In our study, this depth limitation is overcome by using intravascular light delivery with a thin optical fiber. To demonstrate in vitro blood clot characterization, clots with different acuteness and oxygenation levels were placed underneath ten-centimeter-thick chicken breast tissue and imaged using multiple wavelengths. Acoustic frequency analysis was performed on the received PA channel signals, and oxygenation level was estimated using multispectral linear spectral unmixing. The results show that, with intravascular light delivery, clot oxygenation level can be accurately measured, and the clot age can thus be estimated. In addition, we found that retracted and unretracted clots had different acoustic frequency spectrum. While unretracted clots had stronger high frequency components, retracted clots had much higher low frequency components due to densely packed red blood cells. The PACT characterization of the clots was consistent with the histology results and mechanical tests.
Synthesis of Nickel-Chitosan Nanoparticles for Controlling Blast Diseases in Asian Rice
Authors: Parthasarathy Ramalingam , Jayabaskaran Chelliah , Manikandan Appu , Anusuya Sathiyanarayanan
Published: January 2022

Rice blast disease is a major challenge for rice production and consumption worldwide. To explore a control measure of rice blast alternative to fungicides, nickel-chitosan nanoparticle (Ni-Ch NPs) was prepared using nickel chloride and investigated for growth improvement and inhibition of Pyricularia oryzae (blast pathogen). SEM, TEM and DLS analyses exhibited smooth and spherical shaped nanoparticles with size range from 20–70 nm. Zeta potential revealed the colloidal stability of nanoparticles with PDI of 0.22. EDX spectroscopy corroborated the presence of nickel (14.05%) in Ni-Ch NPs. Application of Ni-Ch NPs to paddy seeds showed a significant increase in germination and growth attributes in terms of shoot and root length and number of lateral roots over control. Further, the nanoparticle treatment to plants under glasshouse condition demonstrated a remarkable improvement in plant growth condition showing no toxic effect. Protein profiling of treated plants revealed new polypeptides (rubisco units) which enlightened the enhanced photosynthetic rate. In addition, Asian rice exhibited reduced blast symptoms on leaves treated with nanoparticle over control under glasshouse condition while displaying 64 % mycelia inhibition in Petri plates. All these results suggest that nickel-chitosan nanoparticles could be exploited as a plant growth promoter cohort in controlling rice blast disease.
Efficient isolation of keratin from protein-rich waste biomass: A practical approach to minimize environmental impact and valorize waste biomass
Authors: Maity Tapan Kumar , Singh Nripat , Vaghela Pradip , Ghosh Arup , Singh Sanju , Shinde Pramod B , Sequeira Rosy Alphons , Prasad Kamalesh
Published: January 2022

Among protein-containing biomass wastes, waste animal wool, poultry feather, and human hair are considered as one of the most important renewable sources of keratin. Although waste animal wool (WAW) and human hair (WHH) are used for the production of the number of products but the substantial quantity of short fibers not suitable for spinning and being unusable is thrown as waste resulting considerable environmental problems in terms of their accumulation in water bodies resulting water clogging and other related problems. Similarly, poultry waste especially the waste chicken feathers (WCF) is dumped or burnt, or used as low-value fertilizer in certain applications. To extract more value-added products such as keratin from such wastes, herein suitability of an aqueous solution of quaternary ammonium hydroxide known as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (25% w/w TMAOH in water) to solubilize these protein wastes and to extract keratin from them was investigated. The solvent could solubilized ca. 39-44% w/w of WAW, 19-25% of WHH, and 55-60% of WCF. Crude keratin with ca 19-20%, 35-37%, and 69-74% were isolated from WAW, WHH, and WCF respectively. The chemical and structural stability of keratin thus isolated was established. The recovered TMAOH, insoluble WAW, and WCF were found to be nontoxic to soil microbes. The recovered TMAOH thus generated after isolation of keratin was used for green gram (Vigna radiata) seed treatment and a substantial increase in the height (4-12%) and weight (9-58%) of the plants were observed. Treating biomass waste as a source of high-value compounds may minimize environmental impact by reducing the waste load.
Perceived use of health care service: barriers to access prehospital care in Jimma City, Oromia Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Ibro Shemsedin Amme , Matthew Lippi , Shemsi Sheka Shemsi , Akuma Adugna Olani , Haso Tura Koshe , Ahmed Abdulwahid Awol , Simbiro Esmael Ahmed , Moga Tolasa Takele , Ahmed Muktar Beshir , Hebo Habtamu Jarso , Waga Sultan Suleman , Melkamu Gemechis , Reta Ebrahim Yimam , Chala Shimelis Legesse , Mould-Millman Nee-Kofi
Published: January 2022

Background: African nations experience a significant proportion of the global burden of death and disability. The provision of prehospital emergency care has been shown to partially reduce excess morbidity and mortality. However, access to prehospital care in Africa is still limited. This study sought to identify barriers to access prehospital care in the city of Jimma, Ethiopia.Methods: This is an interview-based qualitative study of key prehospital stakeholders in Jimma, conducted in February 2018. A purposive sample of individuals from the community and local ambulance organizations was selected for interviews. Interviews were conducted in local languages, translated into English, and then coded for consistent themes. Results: All respondents felt that prehospital care was difficult to access and therefore infrequently utilized. This was due to a combination of a limited number of ambulances, the lack of a toll-free emergency number, the lack of a single organized EMS system, inconsistent and limited training of ambulance crews, public mistrust of the existing system, poor road infrastructure, and limited public understanding of the role of prehospital care. Respondents suggested that establishment of a formalized prehospital care system, investment in infrastructure, establishment of a toll-free emergency number, public awareness campaigns, and more widely available emergency medical training, which were feasible solutions to these current barriers to access.Conclusion: Multiple barriers to accessing prehospital care were identified in Jimma. Establishing a formalized, well-resourced prehospital system in parallel with improving community capacity and knowledge building were suggested solutions to improve access. Hence, interventions to improve prehospital emergency care delivery should ideally target these identified barriers and proposed solutions.
Validating Local Drivers Influencing Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) in Southwestern Ghana: A Mixed-Method Approach (MMA) Analysis.
Authors: Sarfo Isaac , Shuoben Bi , Otchwemah Henry Bortey , Darko George , Kedjanyi Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi , Oduro Collins , Folorunso Ewumi Azeez , Alriah Mohamed Abdallah Ahmed , Amankwah Solomon Obiri Yeboah , Ndafira Grace Chikomborero
Published: January 2022

Addressing undesirable changes associated with the driving forces of land use cover change are critical to sustainable land management, and the future modelling of land use systems in developing countries. The study ascertains local drivers of land-use cover change in Southwestern Ghana using a mixed-method approach. The approach aided in identifying key land-use drivers, using different research strategies for comparisons through confidence level analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process. We used expert interviews, existing literature and geostatistical tools to ascertain the driving forces triggering such unprecedented changes. Landsat imagery 5 MSS, 4 and 5 TM, 7 ETM+ and 8 OLI/TIRS were acquired from the United States Geological Survey’s website. Land use analysis revealed a decline in forests (-334.8 km2yr−1.) and areas covered by waterbodies (-4.79 km2yr−1.). A remarkable increase in built-up (+137.93 km2yr−1.) and farmlands/shrubs (+131.97 km2yr−1.) areas were also observed. The contribution rate of change analysis revealed built-up areas and increasing population contributed the most to surface temperature and land use change. A steady increase in surface temperature can be attributed to the undesirable changes associated with land-use systems over the past 50 years. Socio-economic development in Southwestern Ghana is fuelling interest in studies related to land use cover change. Biophysical, cultural and technological factors are considered key drivers despite the “medium-to-very low confidence” in results generated. They could potentially impact climate-sensitive sectors that significantly modify land-use systems from the pessimists and optimists’ perspectives. Standpoints established through this study will enrich basic datasets for further studies at the continental level.
Territories and boundaries of the Southwestern Caspian countries in late Antiquity and early Middle Ages: Historiography and sources
Authors: Шагинян А.К.
Published: January 2022

В статье дан критический анализ концепции азербайджанских ученых, согласно которой уже в эпоху поздней Античности и раннего Средневековья — во времена господства в странах Юго-Западного Прикаспия Сасанидского Ирана, а затем Арабского халифата — к северу от ираноязычной страны Атропатены (современного Иранского или Южного Азербайджана) существовал так называемый Северный Азербайджан. Под данным понятием азербайджанские исследователи предлагают объединить земли кавказоязычной Албании, занимавшие в те времена обширное пространство к северу от нижних течений Аракса и Куры до восточных оконечностей Главного Кавказского хребта, что соответствует территории сегодняшнего Северного Азербайджана и Азербайджанской Республики. Автор выстраивает свою критику на детальном разборе сведений греко-римских и средневековых источников о территории и границах двух стран Юго-Западного Прикаспия — Атропатены (Адурбадагана-Адзарбайджана) и Албании (Арана-Аррана), — а также на достижениях научных школ исторической географии, отраженных в академических и энциклопедических изданиях России, США и Западной Европы. В результате автору удается реконструировать политическую карту обеих стран в эпоху поздней Античности и раннего Средневековья.

The article provides a critical analysis of the concept of Azerbaijani scholars, according to which already in the late Antiquity and early Middle Ages — during the domination of Sassanid Iran and then the Arab Caliphate in the South-Western Caspian region — there was the so-called Northern Azerbaijan to the north of the Iranian speaking country Atropatena (modern Iranian or Southern Azerbaijan). Under this concept, Azerbaijani researchers propose to unite the lands of Caucasian-speaking Albania, which at that time occupied a vast area north of the lower reaches of the Araks and Kura rivers to the eastern extremity of the Main Caucasian Range, which corresponds to the territory of present-day Northern Azerbaijan and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The author builds his critique on a detailed analysis of Greco-Roman and medieval sources about the territory and borders of two countries of the southwestern Caspian Sea region — Atropatena (Adurbadagan-Adzarbaidzhan) and Albania (Arana-Arrana), as well as on the achievements of scientific schools of historical geography, reflected in academic and encyclopedic publications in Russia, the USA and Western Europe. As a result, the author manages to reconstruct the political map of both countries in the late Antiquity and early Middle Ages.
Boundary pits of the “General land-surveying” period: Search experience
Authors: Каретников А.Л.
Published: January 2022

В статье рассматриваются межевые ямы, выявленные в ходе натурных исследований на границе современных Ростовского и Переславского районов Ярославской области в урочище «Гора святой Марии». Автор анализирует планы Генерального межевания, параметры выявленных ям, особенности их местоположения и предлагает алгоритм поиска подобных объектов на местности. Исследовательские возможности, которые открывает точная локализация межевых ям, рассмотрены на примере ближайших окрестностей летописного погоста Марии Египетской, охваченных современной топосъемкой в масштабе 1:500.

he paper examines the boundary pits in the isolated terrain feature named “St. Mary's Hill”. The feature is located on the border of modern Rostov and Pereslavl districts of Yaroslavl region in the terrain, and the pits were revealed in the course of field research in the area. The author analyzes the plans of the “General land surveying”, parameters of the identified pits, and peculiarities of their location and proposes an algorithm for finding similar objects on the ground. The research opportunities offered by the accurate localization of boundary pits are considered on the example of the immediate surroundings of the annalistic St. Mary of Egypt churchyard (pogost), covered by modern topographic survey at a scale of 1: 500.
Questionnaires of 1575 and 1578 for “Topographic Relations of Philip II”
Authors: Конюшихина Н.Л.
Published: January 2022

В публикации представлен перевод двух анкет 1575 и 1578 гг. и сопутствующих им документов — одних из важнейших исторических источников по испанской истории и исторической географии второй половины XVI века. Ответы на опросники составили корпус документации, известной как «Топографические донесения Филиппа II» (исп. Las Relaciones Topográficas de Felipe II). Наряду с переводом публикация содержит предисловие и комментарии, касающиеся истории создания этого корпуса документов. Анкеты охватывают самый разнообразный круг вопросов: от географического положения населенных пунктов, времени их основания, юридического статуса, естественных ресурсов, местного производства до вопросов, посвященных религии и культу, выдающимся людям и событиям, примечательным местам и явлениям. Большинство донесений было получено от территории Новой Кастилии (провинции Мадрид, Толедо, Сьюдад Реаль, Гвадалахара, Куэнка). Оставшиеся донесения приходятся на Альбасете, Эстремадуру, Аликанте, Хаэн, Мурсию и Саламанку.

The article contains a translation of two questionnaires of 1575 and 1578 and their accompanying documents. These documents are most important historical sources on Spanish history and historical geography in the second half of the 16th century. They were replies by locals in Spain, mainly in the region of New Castile. The answers to the questionnaires constitute a body of documentation known as Las Relaciones Topográficas de Felipe II ("Topographical Reports of Philip II"). Along with the translation, this publication includes a preface and commentary on the history of this corpus. The questionnaires cover a wide range of topics, from geographic location, time of establishment, legal status, natural resources, and local production to questions about religion and cult, notable people and events, and remarkable sites and phenomena. Most of the reports came from the territory of New Castile (provinces of Madrid, Toledo, Ciudad Real, Guadalajara, Cuenca). The remaining reports come from Albacete, Extremadura, Alicante, Jaén, Murcia, and Salamanca.
Geostrategic construct “Blue Motherland” (Mavi Vatan) in the context of general tradition of geohistorical concepts of the Turkish Republic
Authors: Улунян Ар.А.
Published: January 2022

С момента создания Турецкой республики в ее общественно-политическом и научно-академическом пространствах большую роль играли геоисторические пространственные концепты, призванные объяснить и легитимизировать этнонациональные и государственно-политические конструкты возникновения и развития процесса этно- и политогенеза современных турок. По мере увеличения числа этих концептуализированных конструктов, объединяющих широкий спектр составляющих их элементов, расширились «морские» горизонты для формирования маринистских геоисторических по своему происхождению построений, имеющих вполне конкретные стратегические политические, экономические и военные цели. К их числу относится сформулированный в 2006 г. и использующий историко-географический аргумент геостратегический конструкт «Голубая Родина» (Mavi Vatan), который в силу сложившихся в самой Турции внутриполитических условий приобрел в официальной интерпретации властей страны характер общенациональной доктрины, направленной на изменение правового положения в акваториях Эгейского и восточной части Средиземного морей и расширение турецкого присутствия в окружающих водных пространствах.

Since the establishment of the Turkish Republic, geohistorical spatial concepts have played an important role in its socio-political and scholarly spaces. These concepts were designed to explain and legitimize the ethno-national and state-political constructs of the emergence and development of the process of ethnic and political genesis of modern Turks. As the number of these conceptualized constructs, uniting a wide range of their constituent elements, increased, the "maritime" horizons for the formation of Marinist, originally geohistorical systems, with very specific strategic political, economic, and military goals have expanded. These include the “Blue Motherland” (Mavi Vatan) geostrategic construct, formulated in 2006 and using a historical and geographical argument, which, due to the domestic political conditions in Turkey has acquired in the official interpretation of the country’s authorities the character of a national doctrine aimed at changing the legal situation in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas and expanding the Turkish presence in the surrounding water areas.
Conhecimento e uso da vegetação em uma comunidade rural no entorno do Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, Piauí, Nordeste, Brasil
Authors: Brasileiro Derly Pereira , Ferreira Ezequiel da Costa , Santos Suellen da Silva , Carvalho Thamires Kelly Nunes , Felix Cattleya do Monte Pessoa , Barros Roseli Farias Melo de , Lucena Camilla Marques de , Lucena Reinaldo Farias Paiva de
Published: January 2022

As unidades de conservação surgiram como uma resposta à necessidade do cuidado com os recursos naturais diante de sua exploração indiscriminada. A etnobotânica tem crescido substancialmente como área de conhecimento nas últimas décadas, colaborando com a compreensão das relações entre seres humanos e plantas, inclusive no estudo de espécies vegetais em unidades de conservação ou em seu entorno. O presente estudo descreve e analisa as relações de moradores da comunidade rural Cachoeira, no entorno do Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, no Piauí, com as espécies lenhosas úteis, avaliando o uso e disponibilidade das espécies por meio de inventário etnobotânico e de vegetação. Foram entrevistados 27 moradores da comunidade, analisando os dados das entrevistas pelo método do Valor de Uso (VU). Para a fitossociologia foram registrados os indivíduos com diâmetro a nível do solo (DNS) >= 3 cm, amostrados pelo método de ponto quadrante. Foram registradas 73 espécies úteis, das quais 71 foram identificadas. Distribuídas em 64 gêneros e 30 famílias, sendo as de maior VU Aspidosperma sp. (5), Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) (4,07), Cariocar cuneatum Witm. (3,3) e Hymenaea courbaril L. (3,33). As categorias mais citadas foram construção, medicinal e tecnologia. Na fitossociologia foram registradas 34 espécies, pertencentes a 32 gêneros e 20 famílias. As famílias de destaque em número de indivíduos foram Fabaceae (339), Anacardiaceae (330) e Rubiaceae (203). Entre as espécies o destaque foi para Campomanesia velutina (Cambess.) O. Berg. (288 indivíduos), Copaifera luetzelburgii Harms (262) e Aspidosperma sp. (187). O estudo apresentou que algumas das espécies mais conhecidas na comunidade não foram encontradas no inventário da vegetação, apontando para a necessidade de maiores estudos sobre a vegetação local de modo a compreender a dinâmica de uso e sugerir estratégias sustentáveis.
ANALISIS NILAI PERUSAHAAN PADA PERUSAHAAN SUBSEKTOR PERBANKAN YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA
Authors: Hamidah Wardah , Hidayati Siti , Kusmana Agus
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT This research is quantitative research to find out if the capital structure, size of the company and profitability have an influence on the value of the company on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This study used purposive sampling, and as many as 39 companies that meet the sample kriteria. Hypothesis testing using data panel regression with Eviews 9 and a significant level of 5%. The hypothetical test result is that (1) the capital structure negatively affects the company's value (2) the size of the company positively affects the company's value (3) profitability does not affect the value of the company. Keywords: company value, capital structure, company size, profitability.ABSTRAKPenelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif untuk mengetahui apakah struktur modal, ukuran perusahaan dan profitabilitas memiliki pengaruh terhadap nilai perusahaan di Bursa Efek Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan purposive sampling, dan sebanyak 39 perusahaan yang memenuhi kriteria sampel. Pengujian hipotesis menggunakan regresi data panel dengan Eviews 9 dan taraf signifikan 5%. Hasil uji hipotesis adalah (1) struktur modal berpengaruh negatif terhadap nilai perusahaan (2) ukuran perusahaan berpengaruh positif terhadap nilai perusahaan (3) profitabilitas tidak berpengaruh terhadap nilai perusahaan. Kata Kunci: nilai perusahaan, struktur modal, ukuran perusahaan,  profitabilitas.
Value-at-risk (VAR) estimation and backtesting during COVID-19: Empirical analysis based on BRICS and US stock markets
Authors: Shaik Muneer , Padmakumari Lakshmi
Published: January 2022

Value-at-risk (VaR) is the most common and widely used risk measure that enterprises, particularly major banking corporations and investment bank firms employ in their risk mitigation processes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the value-at-risk (VaR) estimation models and their predictive performance by applying a series of backtesting methods on BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and US stock market indices. The study employs three different VaR estimation models, namely normal (N), historical (HS), exponential weighted moving average (EMWA) procedures, and eight backtesting models. The empirical analysis is conducted during three different periods: overall period (2006–2021), global financial crisis (GFC) period (2008–2009), and COVID-19 period (2020–2021). The results show that the EMWA model performs better compared to N and HS estimation models for all the six stock market indices during overall and crisis sample periods. The results found that VaR models perform poorly during crisis periods like GFC and COVID-19 compared to the overall sample period. Furthermore, the study result shows that the predictive accuracy of VaR methods is weak during the COVID-19 era when compared to the GFC period.
Effect of Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines on Severity in Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Lopez Aquel Rene
Published: January 2022

Sickle-cell disease is among the commonest severe monogenic global disorders. At the centre of sickle cell disease physiopathology is the polymerisation haemoglobin, resulting in erythrocytes become rigid and vascular occlusion. It has been hypothesized that the Duffy glycoprotein (Fy) on erythrocytes may enhance clearance of inflammatory cytokines. This may have an impact on the initiation and development of vascular occlusion in Sickle cell disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not the Duffy genotype is in any way linked with the severity of clinical disease in Sickle cell disease patients. Those who were hospitalized >4 times in the previous year because of Vaso-occlusive crisis were classified as having a severe phenotype. Duffy genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then Sty1 restriction endonuclease enzyme analysis. A total of 193 participants (133 cases and 60 controls) were recruited for the study. Vaso-occlusive crises were absent in more than half (58.5%) of the cases. Vaso-occlusive crisis per year occurred three times and four times at 5.2% and 1.65%, respectively. The number of vascular occlusions per year was highest in the 18-28 years and 29-39 years age groups. All the participants were genotyped as homozygotes for Duffy null genotype (FY*B-33/FY*B-33) and categorised as Fy(a-b-). No associations between Duffy genotype and number of VOCs per year was obtained. All the samples analysed were genotyped as Duffy negative homozygous [Fy(a-b-)]. No association between Duffy genotype and number of was vascular occlusion found.
Mead fermentation parameters: Optimization by response surface methodology
Authors: Papuga Saša , Pećanac Igor , Stojković Maja , Savić Aleksandar , Velemir Ana
Published: January 2022

Introduction. This article presents the development of mathematical models related to the effect of the initial content of dry matter, yeast, and yeast energizer on the fermentation rate, the alcohol content, and the dry matter content in the finished product – mead.

Study objects and methods. The mathematical models were developed by using the response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of yeast, dry matter, and yeast energizer contents were tested in concentration ranges of 150–600 mg/L, 16.3–24.4%, and 140–500 mg/L, respectively. The starting substrates used were honeydew honey and 10% apple juice. Yeast was rehydrated and added in different amounts to obtain required concentrations. Initial dry matter concentrations were measured by a refractometer. At the end of fermentation, oenological parameters of mead, namely dry matter content, pH, and ethanol yield, were determined according to standard methods.

Results and discussion. The statistical estimation of the developed models and the individual model parameters showed that the initial dry matter content had a significant effect on the content of alcohol and dry matter in the final product. While, the initial content of yeast and yeast energizer did not have a significant effect in the tested concentration ranges. In addition, it was proved that the initial content of dry matter and yeast energizer had a significant effect on the fermentation rate, i.e. on the course of fermentation, which was described by a second-degree polynomial.

Conclusion. We determined the optimum content of dry matter (24.4%), amount of yeast (150 mg/L), and concentration of yeast energizer (140 mg/L) in the initial raw material which provided the maximum alcohol yield at a consistent fermentation rate.
137Cs and 40K activity concentrations in edible wild mushrooms from China regions during the 2014–2016 period
Authors: Saniewski Michał , Falandysz Jerzy , Zalewska Tamara
Published: January 2022

Introduction. Contamination by radiocaesium of edible wild mushrooms after major nuclear accidents is a long-lasting process in some regions of the world. Following greater awareness of radioactive pollution in Asia, particularly after the Fukushima accident, this study investigated the radioactivity of 137Cs and 40K contamination in edible wild mushrooms in China.

Study objects and methods. The objects of the research were edible wild mushrooms collected during 2014 to 2016, from the Inner Mongolian and Yunnan regions of China. To obtain an insight into any environmental impacts to distant regions of mainland Asia, the mushrooms were analyzed for 137Cs activity. In parallel, the natural activity of 40K was also determined and used to estimate the content of total K. The topsoil underneath the mushrooms was also investigated from a few sites in Bayanhushu in Inner Mongolia in 2015.

Results and discussion. The results showed that in 4 to 6 mushrooming seasons after the accident, mushrooms from both regions were only slightly contaminated with 137Cs, which implied negligible consequences. The activity concentrations of 137Cs in dried caps and whole mushrooms in 63 of 70 lots from 26 locations were well below 20 Bq kg–1 dry weight. Two species (Lactarius hygrophoroides L. and Lactarius volemus L.), from Jiulongchi in Yuxi prefecture showed higher 137Cs activities, from 130 ± 5 to 210 ± 13 Bq kg–1 dw in the caps. 40K activities of mushrooms were around two- to three-fold higher. A composite sample of topsoil (0–10 cm layer) from the Bayanhushu site (altitude 920 m a.s.l.) in Inner Mongolia showed 137Cs activity concentration at a low level of 6.8 ± 0.7 Bq kg–1 dw, but it was relatively rich in potassium (40K of 595 ± 41 Bq kg–1 and total K of 17000 ± 1000 mg kg–1 dw).

Conclusion. Wild mushrooms from the Yunnan and Inner Mongolia lands only slightly affected with radioactivity from artificial 137Cs. Lack of 134Cs showed negligible impact from Fukushima fallout. Ionizing radiation dose from 137Cs in potential meals was a fraction of 40K radioactivity. The associated dietary exposure to ionizing irradiation from 137Cs and 40K contained in mushrooms from the regions studied was considered negligible and low, respectively. Mushroom species examined in this study are a potentially good source of dietary potassium.
Modern trends of social corporate responsibility on the example of Russian and foreign companies
Authors: Tikhomirov Artiom Sergeevich
Published: January 2022

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a concept according to which companies act in the public interest and are responsible for their impact on employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, local communities and the environment. This determines the relevance of this work.
Efficacy and Safety of Apixaban vs. Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: Systematical Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fahmi Rizki Syaban Mokhamad , Cahya Yunita Khadijah , Farihah Deniyati Faratisha Icha , Erina Erwan Nabila , Waranugraha Yoga , Rizal Ardian
Published: January 2022

Background: Various treatment strategies to treat AF and reduce its complications have been developed, including anticoagulant administration. Non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are recommended by current guidelines. Different anticoagulants revealed different safety and efficacy characteristic. The real-world evidence-based recommendation is still needed to improve AF management. This study aimed to disclose apixaban safety and efficacy profile compared with warfarin in a real-world population. Methods: We collected data from articles around the world studies comparing Apixaban and Warfarin in NVAF patients recorded online from studies published around 2015 to 2020 that we were taking from a scientific database such as Embase ProQuest, PubMed, and Cochrane based on inclusion criteria. Data analysis was carried out using Review Manager Version 5.4.1 (Cochrane, Copenhagen, Denmark) using Mantel-Haenzel statistical method for categorical data to measure Relative Risk (RR) and 95% Confident Interval (CI). We use a random-effect analysis model if P for heterogeneity (pHet <0.1) and a fixed-effect analysis model if pHet ≥0.1. Results: Apixaban show a benefit in preventing ischemic stroke (RR = 0.51; 95% CI=0.40-0.66; p = <0.00001) ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (RR = 0.63; 95% CI=0.50-0.81; p = <0.0002), and all-cause mortality (RR = 0.54; 95% CI=0.40-0.74; p = <0.0001) relative to Warfarin. Apixaban also show benefit to prevent major bleeding (RR = 0.49; 95% CI=0.41-0.58; p = <0.0001), GI bleeding (RR = 0.46; 95% CI=0.36-0.60; p = <0.0001), and intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 0.45; 95% CI=0.36-0.57; p = <0.0001) relative to Warfarin. Conclusions: Apixaban is over warfarin in efficacy and safety. Apixaban has a safer profile in reducing the risk of major bleeding, GI bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage in AF patients.
The Gap Between Self-Rated Health Information Literacy and Internet Health Information-Seeking Ability for Patients With Chronic Diseases in Rural Communities: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Wang Zhuoxin , Fan Yanyan , Lv Hekai , Deng Shanshan , Xie Hui , Zhang Li , Luo Aijing , Wang Fuzhi
Published: January 2022

Background

The internet has become one of the most important channels for residents to seek health information, particularly in remote rural areas in China.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to explore the gap between self-rated health information literacy and internet health information seeking ability for patients with chronic diseases in rural communities and to preliminarily evaluate their barriers when seeking health information via the internet.

Methods

Residents from rural communities near Bengbu City and with chronic diseases were included in this study. A self-rated questionnaire was used to evaluate their health information literacy, 3 behavioral competency tasks were designed to preliminarily evaluate their ability to seek health information on the internet and semistructured interviews were used to investigate their barriers to obtaining health information via the internet. A small audiorecorder was used to record the interview content, and screen-recording software was used to record the participants’ behavior during the web-based operational tasks.

Results

A total of 70 respondents completed the self-rated health information literacy questionnaire and the behavioral competence test, and 56 respondents participated in the semistructured interviews. Self-rated health information literacy (score out of 70: mean 46.21, SD 4.90) of the 70 respondents were moderate. Although 91% (64/70) of the respondents could find health websites, and 93% (65/70) of the respondents could find information on treatment that they thought was the best, 35% (23/65) of respondents did not know how to save the results they had found. The operational tasks indicated that most articles selected by the respondents came from websites with encyclopedic knowledge or answers from people based on their own experiences rather than authoritative health information websites. After combining the results of the semistructured interviews with the DISCERN scale test results, we found that most interviewees had difficulty obtaining high-quality health information via the internet.

Conclusions

Although the health information literacy level of patients with rural chronic disease was moderate, they lack the ability to access high-quality health information via the internet. The vast majority of respondents recognized the importance of accessing health information but were not very proactive in accessing such information.
The Effect of an Additional Structured Methods Presentation on Decision-Makers’ Reading Time and Opinions on the Helpfulness of the Methods in a Quantitative Report: Nonrandomized Trial
Authors: Koetsenruijter Jan , Wronski Pamela , Ghosh Sucheta , Müller Wolfgang , Wensing Michel
Published: January 2022

Background

Although decision-makers in health care settings need to read and understand the validity of quantitative reports, they do not always carefully read information on research methods. Presenting the methods in a more structured way could improve the time spent reading the methods and increase the perceived relevance of this important report section.

Objective

To test the effect of a structured summary of the methods used in a quantitative data report on reading behavior with eye-tracking and measure the effect on the perceived importance of this section.

Methods

A nonrandomized pilot trial was performed in a computer laboratory setting with advanced medical students. All participants were asked to read a quantitative data report; an intervention arm was also shown a textbox summarizing key features of the methods used in the report. Three data-collection methods were used to document reading behavior and the views of participants: eye-tracking (during reading), a written questionnaire, and a face-to-face interview.

Results

We included 35 participants, 22 in the control arm and 13 in the intervention arm. The overall time spent reading the methods did not differ between the 2 arms. The intervention arm considered the information in the methods section to be less helpful for decision-making than did the control arm (scores for perceived helpfulness were 4.1 and 2.9, respectively, range 1-10). Participants who read the box more intensively tended to spend more time on the methods as a whole (Pearson correlation 0.81, P=.001).

Conclusions

Adding a structured summary of information on research methods attracted attention from most participants, but did not increase the time spent on reading the methods or lead to increased perceptions that the methods section was helpful for decision-making. Participants made use of the summary to quickly judge the methods, but this did not increase the perceived relevance of this section.