bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction of Involutional Entropion by Excising Redundant Skin and Pretarsal Orbicularis Muscle without Vertical and Horizontal Tarsal Fixation
Authors: Choi Eun Woo , Jang Sun Young
Published: February 2023

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of the excision of redundant skin and pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without vertical or horizontal tarsal fixation, on the correction of involutional entropion.Methods: This retrospective interventional case series recruited patients with involutional entropion who underwent excision of redundant skin and pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without vertical or horizontal tarsal fixation, from May 2018 to December 2021. Preoperative clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes, including recurrence at 1, 3, and 6 months, were determined by reviewing the medical charts. Surgical treatment included the excision of redundant skin and pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without any tarsal fixation, and simple skin suture.Results: All 52 patients (58 eyelids) attended every follow-up visit and were thus included in the analysis. Among 58 eyelids, 55 (94.8%) had satisfactory results. The recurrence rate was 3.45% (two eyelids) and the overcorrection rate was 1.7% (one eyelid).Conclusions: Excision of only redundant skin and the pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without capsulopalpebral fascia reattachment or horizontal lid laxity correction, is a simple surgery for correcting involutional entropion.
Концепція планування оперативно-службової діяльності Державної прикордонної служби України
Authors: Bratko Artem
Published: February 2023

Мета роботи: створення концепції побудови методології планування оперативно-службової діяльності Державної прикордонної служби України.

Дизайн/Метод/Підхід до слідження: в концепції застосовуються такі наукові методи дослідження як: SWOT-аналіз – для проведення оцінки сильних та слабких сторін Державної прикордонної служби України в умовах повсякденної діяльності, в умовах ускладнення обстановки та в умовах воєнного характеру, можливостей та загроз і обгрунтування напрямків подальшого розвитку Державної прикордонної служби України для забезпечення ефективного застосування прикордонного відомства в принципово нових умовах; метод експертного оцінювання – для оцінювання важливості факторів та параметрів загроз, впливу та уразливості щодо загрози діяльності організованої злочинності; матричний метод для оцінювання відповідності способів протидії до сценаріїв (ситуацій, способів) дій організованої злочинності; метод гілок та меж – для оцінки проміжних результатів та якості; аналітичні методи – для проведення оперативно-тактичних розрахунків спроможностей прикордонних підрозділів; метод мережевого планування та управління – для графічного представлення взаємозв’язків процедур планування та послідовності їх проведення.

Результати дослідження: основним результатом проведеного дослідження є створена концепція планування оперативно-службової діяльності Державної прикордонної служби України в сучасних умовах.

Теоретична цінність дослідження: такий підхід дозволяє визначити порядок планування оперативно-службової діяльності сил та засобів Державної прикордонної служби України в загальній системі безпеки та оборони держави.

Оригінальність/Цінність дослідження: запропонована концепція є одним із допоміжним інструментом при плануванні оперативно-службової діяльності частин та підрозділів Державної прикордонної служби України.

Майбутні дослідження: в подальшому необхідно провести дослідження із залученням інших складових сил безпеки та оборони держави.

Тип статті: теоретична.
Аналіз впливу воєнно-економічних факторів на обґрунтування вибору раціонального варіанту складу розвідувально-ударної системи в операції
Authors: Semenenko Oleh , Marko Ivan , Baranov Serhii , Remez Artem , Cherevatyi Taras , Malinovskyi Andrii
Published: February 2023

Мета роботи: проведення аналізу та оцінювання впливу факторів на вибір та обґрунтування раціонального складу розвідувально-ударних систем для ведення операцій військами (силами).

Метод дослідження: основними методами досліджень є експертні методи, метод аналізу ієрархій, метод регресійного та кореляційного аналізу, методи статистичного аналізу та математичної статистики, методи прогнозування.

Результати дослідження: сформовані переліки основних воєнних та економічних факторів, які впливають на вибір раціонального варіанту розвідувально-ударної системи в операції, а також проведена оцінка степені взаємозв’язку змін економічних факторів протягом досліджуваного періоду із показниками бойового потенціалу військових формувань.

Теоретична цінність дослідження: основними результатами  досліджень за тематикою статті є: перелік основних зовнішніх та внутрішніх воєнних та економічних факторів, що впливають на вибір та обґрунтування раціонального варіанту розвідувально-ударної системи в операції; запропонований підхід до оцінювання степені впливу факторів шляхом застосування методу регресійного та кореляційного аналізу.

Тип статті: теоретичний та практичний.
Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassaemia: A Panoramic Survey from Pathophysiology to Treatment
Authors: Bazarbachi Abdul-Hamid A. , Chaya Bachar F. , Moukhadder Hassan M. , Taher Ali T.
Published: February 2023

Non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (NTDT) is a rather broad term that encompasses a group of thalassaemia syndromes, most commonly β-thalassaemia intermedia, haemoglobin E/β-thalassemia, and α-thalassaemia intermedia (haemoglobin H disease). Importantly, these entities do not require regular blood transfusions for survival, and therefore have transfusion independence. Clinical morbidities associated with the NTDTs are the end result of the culmination of three principal pathophysiological aberrancies: ineffective erythropoiesis, chronic anaemia (and associated haemolysis), and iron overload. Such complications involve multiple organs and organ systems; hence, the importance of prompt identification of at-risk individuals and holistic management of diagnosed subjects can never be overstated. Several management options, both medical and surgical, remain at the disposal of involved clinicians, with a significant body of data favouring the virtue of iron chelation therapy, fetal haemoglobin induction, and treatment with blood transfusions, the latter only when absolutely indicated, with reservation of splenectomy to a few select cases. Yet, a better understanding of the molecular phenomena at the origin of the disease process in the NTDT syndromes calls for a pressing need to explore novel therapeutic modalities, in light of the increasing incidence of NTDT in the developed world.
The culture transformation: situs Gambyok in mathematics teaching learning with pancasila student profile
Authors: Fiantika Feny Rita , Prajitno Sunyoto Hadi , Ar Rozzaq Goffar , Shabir Sofin Musthafa Ahmad
Published: February 2023

This article aims to describe the transformation of the knowledge process, namely the gambyok site into an indicator of mathematics learning tools with a Pancasila student profile. The research used is descriptive qualitative research. The instrument is an interview sheet that is used to gather information from cultural actors, mathematical concepts, learning outcomes and learning objectives (ATP). Transformation process data obtained from interviews with informants, cultural actors studied by collecting information by translating interview scripts, data reduction by classifying information that is relevant to what is needed in such a way that the transformation process variables can apply to the indicators indicator . The results shown in this article are indicators that can be used to develop mathematics learning tools with a Pancasila student profile.
L'Éducation dans les Situations d'Urgence Sanitaire : Une Analyse Intégrative de la Littérature entre 1990 et 2020
Authors: Elliott Kathlyn E. , Mathew Katie A. , Fan Yiyun , Mattson David
Published: February 2023

Avant 2020, peu de recherches empiriques et de rapports étaient disponibles sur les méthodes éducatives pendant les crises sanitaires. Ces recherches se concentraient principalement au niveau local et ne proposaient qu'une analyse limitée de la situation. Les diverses épidémies qui ont sévi par le passé, notamment le SRAS, Ebola et le VIH/SIDA, nous ont permis de tirer des leçons importantes concernant l'efficacité de l'éducation dans les contextes d'urgences sanitaires majeures. Toutefois, l'émergence soudaine de la pandémie du COVID-19 a conduit à une véritable explosion du nombre de recherches portant sur les stratégies éducatives en période de crise sanitaire mondiale. Cette analyse intégrative de la littérature (Torraco 2005) utilise le cadre des normes minimales de l'INEE pour conceptualiser la réponse du système éducatif face aux pandémies et aux épidémies entre 1990 et 2020. Cette recherche s'appuie sur 124 études empiriques, des comptes rendus de praticiens et des rapports gouvernementaux, des témoignages d'époque sur Ebola, le SRAS et d'autres épidémies, ainsi que les premières solutions pédagogiques trouvées lors du déclenchement du COVID-19. Ce travail de recherche va permettre de comprendre comment les acteurs de l'éducation ont continué à enseigner pendant que ces maladies contagieuses se répandaient à travers le monde. Plusieurs thèmes essentiels ont émergé, notamment le rôle fondamental du contexte et du soutien communautaire ; l'accès à une éducation équitable à l'ère numérique ; le bien-être socio-émotionnel des enseignants et des élèves ; le rôle des enseignants dans l'adaptation des programmes et de la pédagogie ; la nécessité d'une formation et d'un soutien supplémentaires pour les enseignants ; et l'opportunité d'effectuer un changement créatif dans les méthodes et les politiques en matière d'éducation.
Apprentissage à Domicile pour les Enfants dans des Milieux à Faibles Revenus pendant une Pandémie : Analyse des Résultats de l'Enquête 2020 en Syrie et en République Démocratique du Congo
Authors: Corcoran Su Lyn , Pinnock Helen , Twigg Rachel
Published: February 2023

Les fermetures d'écoles liées à la COVID-19 et le besoin pour des millions d'élèves de faire l'école à domicile ont intensifié la pression pour les parents et les éducateurs qui se sont retrouvés soudainement responsables de l'éducation de leurs enfants, souvent avec un soutien ou des ressources limités. Lors de la fermeture des écoles, un flot de matériel et d'activités d'apprentissage à domicile a circulé en ligne, mais trop peu de ces solutions tenaient compte des besoins d'apprentissage à domicile des apprenants handicapés dans des milieux à faibles revenus pour qui l'enseignement en ligne est rarement une option. Le réseau Enabling Education Network et Norwegian Association of Disabled ont élaboré du matériel d'orientation pour tous les apprenants visant à encourager des activités d'enseignement appropriées, réalisables et peu stressantes dans des formats faciles à lire et à visualiser, désormais disponibles en ligne et sur papier. Ce matériel résulte d'une enquête en ligne qui a permis d'obtenir un aperçu de l'étendue du soutien et des ressources d'apprentissage à domicile fournis, et de connaître le point de vue des parents, des familles et des professionnels de l'enseignement sur la situation des apprenants dans 27 pays au cours des mois précédant juillet 2020. Dans cet article, nous nous concentrons sur les réponses à l'enquête réalisée en République démocratique du Congo et au nord de la Syrie décrivant l'offre d'enseignement intégrateur à domicile disponible. Nous avons comparé ces résultats avec les réponses d'autres pays et identifié quatre domaines clés d'enseignement où les approches localisées de l'éducation inclusive ont joué un rôle crucial en s'appuyant sur les réseaux communautaires et en désignant les enseignants et les parents comme des ressources communautaires importantes pour l'éducation en situation d'urgence.
Penerapan Model Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw Untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa SMP Pada Materi Menghitung Luas Permukaan Dan Volume Bangun Ruang Sisi Lengkung (Tabung, Kerucut, Dan Bola)
Authors: Priyadi Mochamad Arief
Published: February 2023

This study aims to find out Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw learning media can improve student learning outcomes about calculating surface area and volume of curved sides (tubes, cones, and spheres) in grades IX-E of Junior High School. To describe the process of improving student learning outcomes about calculating the surface area and volume of curved side spaces before and after using Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw learning media. To measure the magnitude of the increase in student learning outcomes about calculating the surface area and volume of curved side spaces after using Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw learning media. The results showed that using cooperative learning media type Jigsaw can be a fun variation of learning for students so that it is proven to improve student learning outcomes. Before using the Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw learning media, the learning outcomes of students who have completed, reaching the Minimum Completeness Criteria are only 26.5% then there is an increase after using the Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw learning media to 70.6% in cycle 1 and 100.00% in cycle 2. It was concluded that the use of Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw learning media that was adapted to the learning material could create a pleasant learning situation so that there was an increase in student learning outcomes. Therefore, the researcher suggests that the use of Cooperative Learning Type Jigsaw learning media is socialized and used as an alternative in learning Mathematics in schools within the Bogor City Education Office.
Forced Pivots: Reimagining Travel Courses Due to Pandemic Disruptions
Authors: Snow Jonathan
Published: February 2023

Scholars have long demonstrated the numerous benefits to students of participating in experiential learning courses. These factors help justify the substantial additional work that these courses take to organize and execute, on the part of both professors and administrators. When it comes to travel courses, particularly international travel courses, the advantages and costs are perhaps at their highest levels. Given the advanced planning and arrangements required for these courses to run successfully, these trips must justify their financial and time costs by providing unique experiences that are hard or impossible to replicate in a traditional classroom. So, what happens when a global pandemic, such as the Covid 19 outbreak, disrupts these carefully laid plans? Can any of the benefits of these courses be simulated effectively without bringing students to the field? If so, which elements can best be translated or mimicked, and how can this be done?
The biological role and immunotherapy of gangliosides and GD3 synthase in cancers
Authors: Cao Shangqi , Hu Xu , Ren Shangqing , Wang Yaohui , Shao Yanxiang , Wu Kan , Yang Zhen , Yang Weixiao , He Gu , Li Xiang
Published: February 2023

Gangliosides are a large subfamily of glycosphingolipids that broadly exist in the nervous system and interact with signaling molecules in the lipid rafts. GD3 and GD2 are two types of disialogangliosides (GDs) that include two sialic acid residues. The expression of GD3 and GD2 in various cancers is mostly upregulated and is involved in tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and immune responses. GD3 synthase (GD3S, ST8SiaI), a subclass of sialyltransferases, regulates the biosynthesis of GD3 and GD2. GD3S is also upregulated in most tumors and plays an important role in the development and progression of tumors. Many clinical trials targeting GD2 are ongoing and various immunotherapy studies targeting gangliosides and GD3S are gradually attracting much interest and attention. This review summarizes the function, molecular mechanisms, and ongoing clinical applications of GD3, GD2, and GD3S in abundant types of tumors, which aims to provide novel targets for future cancer therapy.
The role of WNT10B in physiology and disease: A 10-year update
Authors: Perkins Rachel S. , Singh Rishika , Abell Amy N. , Krum Susan A. , Miranda-Carboni Gustavo A.
Published: February 2023

WNT10B, a member of the WNT family of secreted glycoproteins, activates the WNT/β-catenin signaling cascade to control proliferation, stemness, pluripotency, and cell fate decisions. WNT10B plays roles in many tissues, including bone, adipocytes, skin, hair, muscle, placenta, and the immune system. Aberrant WNT10B signaling leads to several diseases, such as osteoporosis, obesity, split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM), fibrosis, dental anomalies, and cancer. We reviewed WNT10B a decade ago, and here we provide a comprehensive update to the field. Novel research on WNT10B has expanded to many more tissues and diseases. WNT10B polymorphisms and mutations correlate with many phenotypes, including bone mineral density, obesity, pig litter size, dog elbow dysplasia, and cow body size. In addition, the field has focused on the regulation of WNT10B using upstream mediators, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We also discussed the therapeutic implications of WNT10B regulation. In summary, research conducted during 2012–2022 revealed several new, diverse functions in the role of WNT10B in physiology and disease.
Machine learning analysis of complex late gadolinium enhancement patterns to improve risk prediction of major arrhythmic events
Authors: Zaidi Hassan A. , Jones Richard E. , Hammersley Daniel J. , Hatipoglu Suzan , Balaban Gabriel , Mach Lukas , Halliday Brian P. , Lamata Pablo , Prasad Sanjay K. , Bishop Martin J.
Published: February 2023

Background

Machine learning analysis of complex myocardial scar patterns affords the potential to enhance risk prediction of life-threatening arrhythmia in stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objective

To assess the utility of computational image analysis, alongside a machine learning (ML) approach, to identify scar microstructure features on late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) that predict major arrhythmic events in patients with CAD.

Methods

Patients with stable CAD were prospectively recruited into a CMR registry. Shape-based scar microstructure features characterizing heterogeneous (‘peri-infarct’) and homogeneous (‘core’) fibrosis were extracted. An ensemble of machine learning approaches were used for risk stratification, in addition to conventional analysis using Cox modeling.

Results

Of 397 patients (mean LVEF 45.4 ± 16.0) followed for a median of 6 years, 55 patients (14%) experienced a major arrhythmic event. When applied within an ML model for binary classification, peri-infarct zone (PIZ) entropy, peri-infarct components and core interface area outperformed a model representative of the current standard of care (LVEF<35% and NYHA>Class I): AUROC (95%CI) 0.81 (0.81–0.82) vs. 0.64 (0.63–0.65), p = 0.002. In multivariate cox regression analysis, these features again remained significant after adjusting for LVEF<35% and NYHA>Class I: PIZ entropy hazard ratio (HR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–2.56, p < 0.001; number of PIZ components HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.08–1.67, p = 0.009; core interface area HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.29–1.99, p = <0.001.

Conclusion

Machine learning models using LGE-CMR scar microstructure improved arrhythmic risk stratification as compared to guideline-based clinical parameters; highlighting a potential novel approach to identifying candidates for implantable cardioverter defibrillators in stable CAD.
Metformin therapy in pediatric type 2 diabetes mellitus and its comorbidities: A review
Authors: Alfaraidi Haifa , Samaan M. Constantine
Published: February 2023

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) rates in children and adolescents are rising globally. T2D is a complex and aggressive disease in children with several comorbidities, high treatment failure rates, and insulin needs within a few years from diagnosis. While myriads of pharmacotherapies are licensed to treat adults with T2D, treatments accessible to children and adolescents have been limited until recently. Metformin is an old drug with multiple beneficial metabolic health effects beyond glycemic control. This review discusses Metformin’s origins, its mechanisms of action, and evidence for its use in the pediatric population to treat and prevent T2D. We also explore the evidence for its use as an obesity therapy, which is the primary driver of T2D, and T2D-driven comorbidities. While emerging therapies create new horizons for managing pediatric T2D, Metformin remains an inexpensive and safe part of the treatment plans of many T2D children globally for its beneficial metabolic effects.
Prognostic significance of the triglyceride-glucose index for patients with ischemic heart failure after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Sun Tienan , Huang Xin , Zhang Biyang , Ma Meishi , Chen Zheng , Zhao Zehao , Zhou Yujie
Published: February 2023

Background

In previous studies, the TyG index (triglyceride-glucose index) has been proven to be closely associated with the prognosis of cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of TyG index on the prognosis of patients with ischemic HF (heart failure) undergoing PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) is still unclear.

Method

In this study, 2055 patients with ischemic HF were retrospectively enrolled and classified into four groups based on quartiles of the TyG index. The primary endpoint was MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) consisting of all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI (myocardial infarction), and any revascularization. The incidence of the endpoints among the four groups was assessed through Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The independent correlation between TyG index and endpoints was analyzed with multivariate Cox regression models. Besides, the RCS (restricted cubic spline) analysis was performed to examine the nonlinear relationship between TyG index and MACE.

Result

The incidence of MACE was significantly higher in participants with a higher TyG index. The positive association between the TyG index and MACE was also confirmed in the Kaplan–Meier survival analyses. Multivariate cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that the TyG index was independently associated with the increased risk of MACE, regardless of whether TyG was a continuous [TyG, per 1−unit increase, HR (hazard ratio) 1.41, 95% CI (confidence interval) 1.22-1.62, P < 0.001] or categorical variable [quartile of TyG, the HR (95% CI) values for quartile 4 was 1.92 (1.48-2.49), with quartile 1 as a reference]. In addition, the nonlinear association of TyG index with MACE was shown through RCS model and the risk of MACE increased as the TyG index increased in general (Nonlinear p=0.0215). Besides, no obvious interaction was found in the association of TyG with MACE between the DM (diabetes mellitus) group and the no-DM group.

Conclusion

Among patients with ischemic HF undergoing PCI, the TyG index was correlated with MACE independently and positively.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists versus orchiectomy in the treatment of prostate cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Zhang Xianlu , Zhang Gejun , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Yanli
Published: February 2023

Background

Orchiectomy has been replaced by medication represented by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist as the first-line therapy for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). After the wide application of LHRH agonist, the side-effects of long-term ADT were noticed. It is time to reconsider the role of medication and surgeries in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Methods

Embase, Pubmed, Web of science and Cochrane library were searched for relevant trials. Quality of the studies and risk of bias were assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Therapeutic and adverse effects, as well as long-term metabolic adverse effects were extracted from the selected studies. The data synthesized in meta-analyses were performed with R software (4.2.1). Risk ratio (RR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by combining outcome data including complete and partial response rate, progression rate, death rate and adverse effects such as hot flash and increase in pain. Descriptive analysis was performed among the prostate specific antigen (PSA), testosterone and metabolic adverse effects due to a lack of homogeneity of frailty measures.

Results

1,711 participants from 11 studies were included in our systematic review. 1,258 patients from six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Based on the meta-analysis, the therapeutic and adverse outcomes included overall response rate, complete response rate, partial response rate, stable rate, progression rate, death rate and hot flashes. No statistical significance was observed between LHRH agonists and orchiectomy. Compared with surgery, LHRH agonist elevated the risk of the increase in pain. In descriptive analysis, it was shown that the therapeutic effects between PSA and testosterone also showed no significant difference. Both groups had lipid and glucose metabolic disorders, and a few studies reported worse lipid metabolic performance in orchiectomy group and worse insulin resistance in LHRH agonist group.

Conclusion

We found that the therapeutic outcomes were similar between the two options. The results of lipid and glucose metabolic abnormality were controversial in existing studies. The direct comparison studies on metabolic adverse effects should be performed in the future. The therapeutic, metabolic, psychological and economical effects should be considered before applying ADT methods.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022365891.
Joint game-theoretical optimization for load aggregators in demand response market considering the breach of residential consumers
Authors: Yang Chen , Mo Wen , Liu Xiaofeng , Dong Xiaofeng , Wang Qing
Published: February 2023

Demand response (DR) with the participation of load aggregator (LA) has received extensive attention in recent years due to the increasing energy demand. However, LA has to face the risk that consumers may refuse to be controlled by LA due to the uncertainty of energy consumption on demand side. Therefore, this paper proposes a joint game-theoretical optimization for LAs in DR day-ahead market and intraday market considering the breach of residential consumers. In day-ahead market, LA will compete with other LAs and obtain the optimal bidding amount through a non-cooperative game process, to obtain the maximal self-profit. In intraday market, in order to make up for the breach amount of consumers, DR resource-deficit LAs can purchase resource from DR resource-surplus LAs via Nash bargaining process. Basically, Nash bargaining model is formulated and solved by translating the optimization problem into two sub-problems. Finally, a case study is performed to show the effectiveness of the proposed DR framework. Simulation results show that the whole profit of all LAs increases 25.9% compared with the scenario where LAs only participate in day-ahead market and will be punished by DR market due to the bidding breach.
Employee associations with R&D investment, firm performance, disruption risk, and supply chain performance during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multiple mediational model
Authors: Sulehri Numair Ahmed , Ullah Naeem , Maroof Zaib , Uzair Ali , Murtaza Abroo , Irfan Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To timely manage supply chain disruptions, experts have focused their attention on the impact of COVID-19 on industries worldwide. Epidemic outbursts are a specific supply chain risk with long disruption propagation, disruption persistence, and high uncertainty. This study aimed to investigate the role of R&D investment and firm performance in mediating the relationship between disruption risk and supply chain performance in Pakistani manufacturing industries and supply chain employees during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic via the application of the dynamic capability theory.

Methodology: From 21 July 2020 to 23 August 2020, 318 employees from supply chains of manufacturing industries in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, participated in this cross-sectional online web-based survey. The four standard research scales were used to examine the research and development, disruption risk, firm, and supply chain performance. The response link was distributed to respondents via Facebook, WhatsApp, and email. The study analyzed the data using structural equation modeling and a partial least squares technique.

Results: The study’s findings suggest that disruption risk, research and development investment, and firm performance all improve supply chain performance, but the mediation effect is unsupported by the data. These measures help plan a better supply chain in the face of disruption risk. They provide one of the timely empirical conclusions on the role of R&D investment in mitigating risk disruptions and improving supply chain performance.
Urban rainwater utilization: A review of management modes and harvesting systems
Authors: Xu Jiayi , Dai Jiangyu , Wu Xiufeng , Wu Shiqiang , Zhang Yu , Wang Fangfang , Gao Ang , Tan Yanping
Published: February 2023

Due to the impact of climate change and rapid urbanization, issues around global urban flood control and water environment security have emerged as major global concerns. As a practical way to address these issues, exploitation of urban rainwater resources has become a worldwide hotspot for research and application. This paper 1) briefly examined the evolution of rainwater utilization management modes in advanced countries, 2) classified urban rainwater utilization measures from the utilization stages into three categories—source control, medium transmission, and terminal treatment, 3) summarized the advantages, disadvantages, and scope of the application of these measures, 4) reviewed the benefits, drawbacks, and application areas of these measures, and 5) conducted a quantitative analysis of their impact on rainwater pollution and flood control.
Application of black soldier fly larvae in decentralized treatment of faecal sludge from pit latrines in informal settlements in Kampala city
Authors: Tokwaro Richard , Semiyaga Swaib , Niwagaba Charles B. , Nakagiri Anne , Sempewo Jotham Ivan , Muoghalu Chimdi C. , Manga Musa
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Faecal sludge management (FSM) in urban areas of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is not properly implemented due to inaccessibility of sanitation facilities and high faecal sludge (FS) emptying costs, amongst others. Unlike in solid waste and fresh human excreta, use of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in treatment of FS from pit latrines - which are the most common sanitation facilities in urban areas of LMICs - has not yet been explored. Moreover, the optimal conditions for efficient FS degradation, such as moisture content, feeding rate and larval density are not yet well known. Against this backdrop, the overarching aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of BSFL in treating FS under different conditions of moisture content, feeding rate and larval density. Also, the quality of residue left after treatment was assessed.

Methods: FS samples were collected from lined and unlined pit latrines in Bwaise I parish in Kampala, Uganda and experiments were set up to feed 10-day old larvae.

Results and Discussion: The optimum feeding rate, larval density and moisture content were found to be 50 mg/larvae/day, 1.33 larvae/cm2 and 60%, respectively. The reduction efficiency at optimum conditions were 72% and 66% for FS from lined and unlined pit latrines, respectively. It was further noted that BSFL can feed on FS from pit latrines without dewatering it, hence there is no need for a dewatering unit. The properties of the residue left after treatment were within the allowable limit for use as compost except for helminth egg concentration. Thus, in informal urban settlements, BSFL can be applied for effective treatment of FS from pit latrines while generating good quality residue thereby providing an additional value chain in FSM.
Quantitative evaluation of urban resilience in underdeveloped regions: a study of six cities in Sichuan & Tibet, China
Authors: Zhou Rui , Yu Yang , Wu Bingxia , Luo Xunrui
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Urban resilience construction can aid in the management of urban crises and enhance the quality of the human living environment. Compared to metropolises in developed regions, cities in underdeveloped regions with unsatisfactory natural environments, insufficient economic and social development, and inadequate infrastructure construction are highly vulnerable to challenges posed by natural disasters, epidemics, and climate change. Comprehensive quantitative evaluations are needed to identify avenues for enhancing urban resilience.

Methods: This study employs the TOPSIS entropy weight method and coupled coordination model to evaluate the economic, social, environmental, and infrastructure resilience of six cities and states along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway in China from 2015 to 2020. Furthermore, correlation and gray correlation analysis are used to identify the primary factors influencing the urban resilience of underdeveloped regions.

Results: Firstly, during 2015-2020, the overall urban resilience of each city and state maintained an increasing trend, with different trends in the evolution of the four resilience indices and differences among cities, and the highest overall resilience is in Lhasa. Secondly, the coupling coordination between the overall resilience and each resilience aspect maintained an increasing trend and differed significantly from each other. Finally, the social and economic resilience of each city and state maintained an increasing trend and differed significantly from each other.

Discussion: Economic, social, environmental, and infrastructure factors each have their own characteristics in influencing urban resilience. Based on the results, we present a three-dimensional evaluation model for analyzing the evolutionary trajectories and resilience patterns of cities. This work intends to present new concepts for assessing and optimizing urban resilience in underdeveloped regions using quantitative methodologies, as well as providing references for urban resilience construction in these places.
Sierra Nevada amphibians demonstrate stable occupancy despite precipitation volatility in the early 21st Century
Authors: Halstead Brian J. , Kleeman Patrick M. , Rose Jonathan P. , Fellers Gary M.
Published: February 2023

Climate can have a strong influence on species distributions, and amphibians with different life histories might be affected by annual variability in precipitation in different ways. The Sierra Nevada of California, United States, experienced some of the driest and wettest years on record in the early 21st Century, with variability in annual precipitation predicted to increase with climate change. We examined the relationship between adult occupancy dynamics of three high elevation anurans and site and annual variation in measures of winter severity, summer wetness, and cumulative drought. We further evaluated how these weather conditions affected the probability that each species would reproduce, conditional on their occurrence at a site. We found that although different aspects of weather affected the occupancy dynamics of each species differently, adult occupancy probabilities were generally stable throughout our 15-year study period. The probability of reproduction, although slightly more variable than adult occupancy, was similarly stable throughout the study. Although occurrence of the three species was resilient to recent extremes in precipitation, more detailed demographic study would inform the extent to which amphibian populations will remain resilient to increasing severity, duration, and frequency of drought and flood cycles.
Signaling Through FcγRIIA and the C5a-C5aR Pathway Mediate Platelet Hyperactivation in COVID-19
Authors: Apostolidis Sokratis A. , Sarkar Amrita , Giannini Heather M. , Goel Rishi R. , Mathew Divij , Suzuki Aae , Baxter Amy E. , Greenplate Allison R. , Alanio Cécile , Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed , Oldridge Derek A. , Giles Josephine R. , Wu Jennifer E. , Chen Zeyu , Huang Yinghui Jane , Belman Jonathan , Pattekar Ajinkya , Manne Sasikanth , Kuthuru Oliva , Dougherty Jeanette , Weiderhold Brittany , Weisman Ariel R. , Ittner Caroline A. G. , Gouma Sigrid , Dunbar Debora , Frank Ian , Huang Alexander C. , Vella Laura A. ,   The UPenn COVID Processing Unit, Reilly John P. , Hensley Scott E. , Rauova Lubica , Zhao Liang , Meyer Nuala J. , Poncz Mortimer , Abrams Charles S. , Wherry E. John
Published: February 2023

Patients with COVID-19 present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Thromboembolic events constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Severe COVID-19 has been associated with hyperinflammation and pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Platelets are important mediators and sensors of inflammation and are directly affected by cardiovascular stressors. In this report, we found that platelets from severely ill, hospitalized COVID-19 patients exhibited higher basal levels of activation measured by P-selectin surface expression and had poor functional reserve upon in vitro stimulation. To investigate this question in more detail, we developed an assay to assess the capacity of plasma from COVID-19 patients to activate platelets from healthy donors. Platelet activation was a common feature of plasma from COVID-19 patients and correlated with key measures of clinical outcome including kidney and liver injury, and APACHEIII scores. Further, we identified ferritin as a pivotal clinical marker associated with platelet hyperactivation. The COVID-19 plasma-mediated effect on control platelets was highest for patients that subsequently developed inpatient thrombotic events. Proteomic analysis of plasma from COVID-19 patients identified key mediators of inflammation and cardiovascular disease that positively correlated with in vitro platelet activation. Mechanistically, blocking the signaling of the FcγRIIa-Syk and C5a-C5aR pathways on platelets, using antibody-mediated neutralization, IgG depletion or the Syk inhibitor fostamatinib, reversed this hyperactivity driven by COVID-19 plasma and prevented platelet aggregation in endothelial microfluidic chamber conditions. These data identified these potentially actionable pathways as central for platelet activation and/or vascular complications and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. In conclusion, we reveal a key role of platelet-mediated immunothrombosis in COVID-19 and identify distinct, clinically relevant, targetable signaling pathways that mediate this effect.
Multiple Sclerosis and the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yang Fangkun , Hu Teng , He Kewan , Ying Jiajun , Cui Hanbin
Published: February 2023

Background

Observational studies suggested that multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the causal association has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we aim to assess the causality of the associations of MS with risk of CVDs.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to explore the causality. Genetic instruments were identified for MS from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 115,803 individuals. Summary-level data for CVDs were obtained from different GWAS meta-analysis studies. MR analysis was conducted mainly using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. Sensitivity analyses were further performed to ensure the robustness of the results.

Results

This MR study found suggestive evidence that genetic liability to MS was associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) [odds ratio (OR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00–1.04; p = 0.03], myocardial infarction (MI) (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00–1.06; p = 0.01), heart failure (HF) (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00–1.04; p = 0.02), all-cause stroke (AS) (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00–1.05; p = 0.02), and any ischemic stroke (AIS) (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00–1.05; p = 0.04). The null-association was observed between MS and the other CVDs. Further analyses found little evidence of pleiotropy.

Conclusions

We provided suggestive genetic evidence for the causal associations of MS with increased risk of CAD, MI, HF, AS, and AIS, which highlighted the significance of active monitoring and prevention of cardiovascular risk to combat cardiovascular comorbidities in MS patients.
Genetic architecture of innate and adaptive immune cells in pigs
Authors: Ballester Maria , Jové-Juncà Teodor , Pascual Afra , López-Serrano Sergi , Crespo-Piazuelo Daniel , Hernández-Banqué Carles , González-Rodríguez Olga , Ramayo-Caldas Yuliaxis , Quintanilla Raquel
Published: February 2023

Pig industry is facing new challenges that make necessary to reorient breeding programs to produce more robust and resilient pig populations. The aim of the present work was to study the genetic determinism of lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of pigs and identify genomic regions and biomarkers associated to them. For this purpose, we stained peripheral blood mononuclear cells to measure ten immune-cell-related traits including the relative abundance of different populations of lymphocytes, the proportions of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells, and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells from 391 healthy Duroc piglets aged 8 weeks. Medium to high heritabilities were observed for the ten immune-cell-related traits and significant genetic correlations were obtained between the proportion of some lymphocytes populations. A genome-wide association study pointed out 32 SNPs located at four chromosomal regions on pig chromosomes SSC3, SSC5, SSC8, and SSCX as significantly associated to T-helper cells, memory T-helper cells and γδ T cells. Several genes previously identified in human association studies for the same or related traits were located in the associated regions, and were proposed as candidate genes to explain the variation of T cell populations such as CD4, CD8A, CD8B, KLRC2, RMND5A and VPS24. The transcriptome analysis of whole blood samples from animals with extreme proportions of γδ T, T-helper and memory T-helper cells identified differentially expressed genes (CAPG, TCF7L1, KLRD1 and CD4) located into the associated regions. In addition, differentially expressed genes specific of different T cells subpopulations were identified such as SOX13 and WC1 genes for γδ T cells. Our results enhance the knowledge about the genetic control of lymphocyte traits that could be considered to optimize the induction of immune responses to vaccines against pathogens. Furthermore, they open the possibility of applying effective selection programs for improving immunocompetence in pigs and support the use of the pig as a very reliable human biomedical model.
Diagnosis of T-cell-mediated kidney rejection by biopsy-based proteomic biomarkers and machine learning
Authors: Fang Fei , Liu Peng , Song Lei , Wagner Patrick , Bartlett David , Ma Liane , Li Xue , Rahimian M. Amin , Tseng George , Randhawa Parmjeet , Xiao Kunhong
Published: February 2023

Background

Biopsy-based diagnosis is essential for maintaining kidney allograft longevity by ensuring prompt treatment for graft complications. Although histologic assessment remains the gold standard, it carries significant limitations such as subjective interpretation, suboptimal reproducibility, and imprecise quantitation of disease burden. It is hoped that molecular diagnostics could enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility of traditional histologic methods.

Methods

Quantitative label-free mass spectrometry analysis was performed on a set of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsies from kidney transplant patients, including five samples each with diagnosis of T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), polyomavirus BK nephropathy (BKPyVN), and stable (STA) kidney function control tissue. Using the differential protein expression result as a classifier, three different machine learning algorithms were tested to build a molecular diagnostic model for TCMR.

Results

The label-free proteomics method yielded 800-1350 proteins that could be quantified with high confidence per sample by single-shot measurements. Among these candidate proteins, 329 and 467 proteins were defined as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) for TCMR in comparison with STA and BKPyVN, respectively. Comparing the FFPE quantitative proteomics data set obtained in this study using label-free method with a data set we previously reported using isobaric labeling technology, a classifier pool comprised of features from DEPs commonly quantified in both data sets, was generated for TCMR prediction. Leave-one-out cross-validation result demonstrated that the random forest (RF)-based model achieved the best predictive power. In a follow-up blind test using an independent sample set, the RF-based model yields 80% accuracy for TCMR and 100% for STA. When applying the established RF-based model to two public transcriptome datasets, 78.1%-82.9% sensitivity and 58.7%-64.4% specificity was achieved respectively.

Conclusions

This proof-of-principle study demonstrates the clinical feasibility of proteomics profiling for FFPE biopsies using an accurate, efficient, and cost-effective platform integrated of quantitative label-free mass spectrometry analysis with a machine learning-based diagnostic model. It costs less than 10 dollars per test.
Chitinase and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase are prognostic biomarkers for unfavorable treatment outcomes in pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Kumar Nathella Pavan , Nancy Arul , Viswanathan Vijay , Sivakumar Shanmugam , Thiruvengadam Kannan , Ahamed Shaik Fayaz , Hissar Syed , Kornfeld Hardy , Babu Subash
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Chitinase, Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenesae-1 (IDO-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) are candidate diagnostic biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB). Whether these immune markers could also serve as predictive biomarkers of unfavorable treatment outcomes in pulmonary TB (PTB) is not known.

Methods

A cohort of newly diagnosed, sputum culture-positive adults with drug-sensitive PTB were recruited. Plasma chitinase protein, IDO protein and HO-1 levels measured before treatment initiation were compared between 68 cases with unfavorable outcomes (treatment failure, death, or recurrence) and 108 control individuals who had recurrence-free cure.

Results

Plasma chitinase and IDO protein levels but not HO-1 levels were lower in cases compared to controls. The low chitinase and IDO protein levels were associated with increased risk of unfavourable outcomes in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that chitinase and IDO proteins exhibited high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating cases vs controls as well as in differentiating treatment failure vs controls and recurrence vs controls, respectively. Classification and regression trees (CART) were used to determine threshold values for these two immune markers.

Discussion

Our study revealed a plasma chitinase and IDO protein signature that may be used as a tool for predicting adverse treatment outcomes in PTB.