bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topographic Survey and Modelling using Photogrammetry: A Comparison against Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) Method
Authors: Lim Chung Han
Published: September 2021

Topographic surveying has been an important companion to the civil engineer in the development of human civilization since ancient history. It is used to map terrestrial features on the ground along with its contour heights. Application of this can be seen in the establishing land boundaries and setting out construction projects. Conventional methods of surveying range from ground field methods such as the use of total station to aerial surveys such as photogrammetry or LiDAR. This study looks to assess the feasibility of aerial photogrammetry using UAVs as a replacement to the conventional EDM survey using total stations. This objective was achieved by carrying out both photogrammetric and EDM surveys on a 350m long stretch of highway. The resulting survey data were processed to produce two comparative TIN surfaces of the highway which were then superimposed together and compared for accuracy. It could be observed that on plan view, both surfaces were quite closely matched with a maximum difference of less than 0.4m and a low standard deviation. In elevation view, however, the differences were larger with maximums of 5.0m, accompanied by large standard deviations. RMS error analysis carried out also correlate with the findings.
IMPACT OF FUEL SUBSIDIES ON FISHERMEN INCOME AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERMEN IN KEDAH AND PERLIS
Authors: Mgt Husain Wan Hafidzatul Akmal , Ali Jamal , Arzemi Amizam
Published: September 2021

Even though fuel subsidy can give more profit to the fisheries sector, it also has drawbacks to the ecosystem that tends to lead to overcapacity. This study investigated the impact of fuel subsidies on the income of fishermen operating in Zone A and Zone B in Kedah and Perlis. Focus group discussions with fisherman association committees were conducted to understand the issues related to fuel subsidy. The regression analysis method was used to examine the relationship between the fishermen’s monthly income and various explanatory variables, such as oil subsidy received by the fishermen, the incentive value of catch received, the monthly allowance, the location of fishing activity, and the socioeconomic background of fishermen. The result of the study revealed that Boat B fishermen gained more benefits from the implementation of fuel subsidized policy than Boat A fishermen because the former used larger boat sizes and better fishing gear. In addition, variables, such as fuel subsidy, operating costs, and duration of fishing hours, influenced fishermen's income. Although fuel subsidies may contribute toward overfishing, fuel subsidy is still needed by small-scale fishermen since it can reduce the cost of fishing activities and thus increase their monthly income. This research indicates that it is important to understand the contribution of fuel as the total cost of fishing activities and how fuel subsidies can reduce these costs to improve the income of fishermen in the study area.
El comportamiento en el análisis de las decisiones colectivas basadas en razones: sesgos y efectos alrededor del dilema discursivo
Authors: Bodanza Gustavo , Freidin Esteban
Published: September 2021

El dilema discursivo es un resultado paradójico que puede suscitarse en las decisiones colectivas, consistente en que la agregación de opiniones de los individuos acerca de una decisión (agregación de conclusiones) puede ser incompatible con la agregación de sus propias opiniones sobre los elementos de juicio relevantes (agregación de premisas). Aunque ha dado lugar a profusas discusiones normativas, pocas investigaciones empíricas se han realizado para estudiar las preferencias de procedimiento de las personas frente al dilema. Aquí hacemos una revisión de los escasos pero iluminadores trabajos experimentales en torno a efectos de marco y sesgos, tales como los de indulgencia, confirmación y la adecuación a normas sociales, que influyen en la elección de un procedimiento en el contexto del dilema discursivo.
El problema de las falacias: objeciones a la utilidad de un concepto teórico
Authors: Gascón José Ángel
Published: September 2021

Aunque el concepto de falacia es ampliamente utilizado tanto dentro como fuera de la filosofía, también ha sido criticado recientemente por varios autores. En este artículo me uno a esas voces críticas con el objetivo de presentar varias razones para abandonar el concepto de falacia en teoría de la argumentación. Argumentaré que la noción de falacia está intrínsecamente unida a las taxonomías de falacias, y tales taxonomías resultan ser muy deficientes para distinguir argumentos genuinamente defectuosos. Los esquemas argumentativos falaces identifican tanto buenos como malos argumentos, de modo que carece de sentido mantener tales esquemas o tipos de argumentos en las clasificaciones de falacias. En los casos en los que, en lugar de basarse exclusivamente en los esquemas argumentativos, se establecen criterios pragmáticos y contextuales que identifican inequívocamente argumentos incorrectos, tales criterios están formulados en términos evaluativos, cuya aplicación no es directa e indiscutible. En consecuencia, las etiquetas de falacias no proporcionan un fundamento teórico para distinguir entre buenos y malos argumentos y tampoco desempeñan ningún papel en nuestras evaluaciones cotidianas de argumentos, que se basan más bien en apreciaciones de aspectos del contexto para cada argumento concreto. Finalmente, responderé a la objeción de que, aunque el concepto de falacia pueda ser teóricamente problemático, la enseñanza de las falacias resulta útil para el desarrollo de las habilidades argumentativas.
Overview The Implementation Of Discharge Planning By Nurse In Hospital: Literature Review
Authors: Diwa Agus Sudrajat  , Eva Supriatin  , Nursiva Indrawati  , Linlin Lindayani
Published: September 2021

Background: Discharge planning is the process of interaction among of nurse, patient and family to manage the continuation treatment which is needed by the patient during the transition from hospital to home. Whatever the result is from discharge planning will have an impact on the quality of nursing treatment and the quality of patient health. Objective: Describing the implementation of nurse discharge planning in a hospital based on previous research. Methods: The type of this research is literature review. The quality in each journal is assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tools assessment to review selected articles. Results: Four of the seven journals which are selected, describe the discharge planning of nurse in the favorable category and three others describe in the unfavorable category. Conclusion: The good categorized nurse discharge discharge consists of five stages beginning in the examination stage, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation stage. It is hoped that the results of this literature review can provide education and information for scientology, institutions, hospitals associated with customs duties. Recommendations: Nurses and medical teams are advised to facilitate the transition of patients from hospital to home especially with education related to increased knowledge of the patient and the family.
Hubungan Fatigue Terhadap Kualitas Hidup Pasien Hemodialisa
Authors: Gina Nurdina  , Dian Anggraini
Published: September 2021

Latar Belakang : Hemodialisa membantu meningkatkan harapan hidup pasien penyakit ginjal kronis, namun pasien juga sering melaporkan masalah dari pengobatan tersebut salah satunya fatigue yang merupakan gejala paling umum dari pasien hemodialisa dan sering dikaitkan dengan masalah kualitas hidup . Tujuan : Mengetahui hubungan fatigue terhadap kualitas hidup pasien hemodialisis. Metode : Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah studi korelasional dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Populasi penelitian ini adalah pasien yang menjalani hemodialisis di berbagai Klinik Hemodialisis di Kota Bandung dengan tehnik pengambilan sampel menggunakan consecutive sampling . Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) dan  Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQoL-SF36). Analisis univariat menggunakan distribusi frekuensi. Analisis bivariat dilakukan dengan menggunakan uji korelasi pearson. Hasil : Dari 34 responden sebagian besar pasien mengalami fatigue dengan rerata tingkat fatigue 41.18 (SD=17.11). Sekitar 41% responden memiliki skor fatigue tinggi (45<FAS<=63). Rerata skor KDQoL-SF36 pada aspek daftar gejala/masalah 66.02 (SD=9.06), aspek efek penyakit ginjal 43.70 (SD=10.68), aspek beban penyakit ginjal 12.13 (SD=5.94), aspek komponen kesehatan fisik 35.7 9 (SD=6.58) dan aspek komponen kesehatan mental 45.51 (SD=7.82).  Terdapat hubungan antara fatigue dengan aspek beban penyakit ginjal dan  komponen kesehatan fisik terlihat dari nilai p value <0.05 dengan nilai koefisien korelasi sebesar (-0.491) dan (-0.515). Kesimpulan: Semakin tinggi skor fatigue maka semakin rendah skor aspek kualitas hidupnya
Las causas del cambio estructural en la economia de México entre 1950 y 1960
Authors: Aroche Reyes Fidel
Published: September 2021

By means of a well-known methodology in the literature, this paper deals with the causals of structural change in the Mexican economy during the 1950s, characterised by the entrenching of growth tendencies, related to the development if the industrial and the services sectors. Results allow to say that growth was commanded by private consumption, as well as the dynamics of the internal market.
Forage growth, biomass yield and nutrient content of two different hybrid Napier cultivars grown in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahamed S , Rakib MRH , Jalil MA
Published: September 2021

A 2×3 factorial experiment was conducted to compare two cultivars; Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute developed Napier hybrid-3 (BN-3) (Pennisetum purpureum) and Pakchong-1 (Pennisetum purpureum× P. glaucum) in terms of forage growth, biomass yield, and nutritional quality. Cultivars were cultivated in 03 blocks with 03 replicates and were harvested at 03 cutting periods (40, 50, and 60 days). Plot sizes for each cultivar were 25 m2 (5m × 5m), and in every plot, twenty-five stem cuttings with two healthy nodes per cutting were planted with (1×1) m spacing. The effects of cultivar and cutting period were significant on plant height, leaves per tiller, leaf DM production, and leaf stem ratio (LSR). Highest plant height (P<0.01) and leaves per tiller (P<0.05) were consistently produced by BN-3, while Pakchong-1 produced the highest amount of CP (P<0.05), LSR (P<0.05), tiller diameter (P<0.01) and diameter of the lowest node (P<0.01). Based on the %DM, DM yield, and CP yield, BN-3 performed better cutting at 50 days after the first plantation, but Pakchong-1 performed better cutting at 60 days after the first plantation. From the forage standpoint, Pakchong-1 seems to have little advantages over BN-3 because of its higher DM, LSR, and CP production.

Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2021. 50 (1):43-49
USAGE OF RECLAIMED ASPHALT PAVEMENT AS A MIXTURE MATERIAL OF ASPHALT CONCRETE - WEARING COURCE (ACWC)
Authors: Handayani Ratna , Wicaksono Ahmad Faathir
Published: September 2021

The objective of this research is to utilize Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) as a mixture of hot asphalt AC-WC type. The new additional material is required such as an aggregate and asphalt to meet the technical performance which is based on Specification Bina Marga 2018 Revision 2. This research is started by analyzing the RAP. The result of RAP extraction process are aggregates and asphalt. Grading on aggregate were conducted for required grading envelope. If it failed to qualify for required grading envelope, new aggregate and new asphalt is needed. Therefore, the AC-WC mixture was composed by mixing with a variation of RAP which is 10%, 20% and 30%. From all of the mixing composition, only mixture with 30% of RAP and 70% of new materials is recommended for hot mixture which fulfilling the engineering criteria requirements.
LANDSLIDE HAZARD ASSESSMENT APPROACH ON THE PROVINCIAL ROAD IN EAST JAVA
Authors: Wahyudianto Emil
Published: September 2021

Landslide hazard mapping on the road infrastructure has 2 (two) main sources. The first is through a landslide inventory survey, and the second is through recording data on past landslide events. Each of the methods above has advantages and disadvantages. The most appropriate moment in making a landslide hazard map is when a certain disaster strikes an area with a certain measured impact. The Unpredictable variables that have been hidden and difficult to predict will be eliminated. Disaster events in disaster-prone mapping become a key variable as well as a validator. The characteristic of the landslide on road is also very specific, depends on the nature of the vehicle's spatial movement, and the scope of the affected area which is narrow but extends along the slopes coincide with the road. The most appropriate disaster mapping in measuring the level of hazard, vulnerability, and risk on the road is based on landslide record data. That is because the variables used to predict landslide events are extremely varied and too many are unknown. Assessing a map using a landslide disaster occurrence on the road is easier than making a map through the calculation method of certain variables that are overlapped. Based on the calculation of frequency analysis for 12 years, the daily rainfall value of 126.2 mm per day is the threshold of rain which has a probability of a landslide of 95% on the road infrastructure in East Java Province.
Strategi Pengembangan Bisnis Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah Keripik Pisang Dengan Pendekatan Business Model Kanvas
Authors: Suwarni Emi , Handayani Maidiana Astuti
Published: September 2021

The aim of this research is to describe the business model canvas and to create a business transformation design. The research was carried out at the MSMEs Arabar Shop Bandar Lampung, which is one of the MSMEs whose main activity is marketing Banana Chips. This research uses a descriptive method with a qualitative approach, namely explaining in depth about the situation or process being researched, namely the Arabar Shop MSMEs. The key informants in this research are the owners of MSMEs and staff. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews with key informants to obtain clear information about the application of the business model canvas at the Arabar Shop MSMEs. The general description of the company is explained by the position of company resources and their performance. The business transformation model is analyzed using a business model canvas approach and a customer empathy map. The result of the Arabar Shop MSMEs business transformation development strategy is to improve the preservation of customer segments and as their key resource. Increasing value propositions such as customer customization service, and social media in its value in customer channels and relationships generate a revenue stream from selling new products made of bananas and other ingredients. Increases are also needed in social activities in the main activities, increasing partners such as supplier and delivery services as the main partners, as well as additional costs for adjustments and social activities to the cost structure.

 

Abstrak

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan Bisnis model kanvas dan menciptakan desain transformasi bisnis. Riset ini dilakukan pada UMKM Arabar Shop Bandar Lampung yang kegiatan utamanya adalah memasarkan keripik Pisang. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatif, yakni menjelaskan dan menggambarkan secara mendalam tentang situasi atau proses objek yang diteliti yaitu UMKM Arabar Shop. Informan kunci dalam penelitian ini adalah pemilik UMKM dan staf bagian pemasaran. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui  wawancara mendalam kepada informan penelitian sehingga diperoleh gambaran yang jelas mengenai penerapan business model canvas pada UMKM Arabar Shop. Deskripsi umum perusahaan dijelaskan melalui posisi sumber daya perusahaan dan kinerjanya. Model transformasi bisnisnya dianalisis dengan pendekatan bisnis model kanvas dan peta emphaty pelanggan. Hasil strategi pengembangan transformasi bisnis UMKM Arabar Shop adalah meningkatkan pelestarian segmen pelanggan sebagai kunci sumber daya mereka. Peningkatan proposisi nilai seperti layanan penyesuaian pelanggan, dan media sosial dalam nilainya di saluran dan hubungan pelanggan menghasilkan aliran pendapatan dari penjualan produk baru yang terbuat dari pisang dan bahan lainnya.

Kata kunci: Bisnis Model Canvas; Keripik Pisang; Strategi Pengembangan.
Perancangan Alat Pemotong Kue Yangko dengan Metode Rasional
Authors: Anwar M. Khoirul , Jazuli Jazuli , Setyaningrum Ratih
Published: September 2021

Yangko cake is a culinary area that is often used as souvenirs when visiting the city of Yogyakarta with a sticky texture, supple and soft. In yangko cake making, producers are faced with problems during the process of cutting the cake. It is necessary to have an effective cake cutter so that it can increase its productivity. From the results of research conducted by using rational methods, obtained the result that the cutting tool cake is designed by using sling cutting technology. The rational method consist of several stages: (1) clarifying objectives, (2) establish function, (3) setting requirement, (4) determining characteristic, (5) generating alternatives, (6) evaluating alternatives, dan (7) product improvements. From the results of experimental tools that have been done, obtained increased time efficiency and productivity cutting process as much as 60%. In addition, the cuts using this tool also have better quality than before and reducing the number of defective products. In terms of use, this tool has a good enough resistance and is designed with the concept of ergonomics so it can be used with comfort.
Effect of Methylation Status of lncRNA-MALAT1 and MicroRNA-146a on Pulmonary Function and Expression Level of COX2 in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Sun Li , Xu Aiqun , Li Min , Xia Xingyuan , Li Pulin , Han Rui , Fei Guanghe , Zhou Sijing , Wang Ran
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to investigate the role of methylation of MALAT1 and miR-146a in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients were grouped according to their methylation status of MALAT1 and miR-146a promoters, and we found that forced vital capacity, volume that has been exhaled at the end of the first second of forced expiration, and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide were the highest in the MALAT1 HYPO + miR-146a HYPER group and lowest in the MALAT1 HYPER + miR-146a HYPO group, and COPD patients with hypermethylated MALAT1 showed lower expression of MALAT1 than that in the COPD patients with hypomethylated MALAT1. Meanwhile, miR-146a was the most significantly upregulated in the MALAT1 HYPER + miR-146a HYPO group and the most significantly downregulated in the MALAT1 HYPO + miR-146a HYPER group. Both prostaglandin E1and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression were the highest in the MALAT1 HYPO + miR-146a HYPER group and the lowest in the MALAT1 HYPER + miR-146a HYPO group. In conclusion, our results established a MALAT1/miR-146a/COX2 signaling axis. The overexpression of MALAT1 could increase the expression of COX2 by inhibiting the expression of miR-146a, thus affecting the pulmonary function of COPD patients.
High Visceral Adipose Tissue Density Correlates With Unfavorable Outcomes in Patients With Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhang Lei , Hou Zhong-Heng , Zhao Dong-Xu , Li Jian-Bin , Zhang Shuai , Yin Yu , Ni Cai-Fang , Chen Tao
Published: September 2021

Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the association between different body composition features with prognostic outcomes of intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods:The areas and density of skeletal muscle area (SM) and adipose tissue [subcutaneous (SAT); visceral (VAT)] were calculated on the pre-TACE CT scans. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with log-rank test. The discrimination and performance of body composition features were measured by area under time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were applied to identify the association between body composition parameters and outcomes.

Results:A significant prolonged OS and PFS was displayed by Kaplan–Meier curve analysis for HCC patients with VAT HU below −89.1 (25.1 months, 95% CI: 18.1–32.1 vs. 17.6 months, 95% CI: 16.3–18.8,p< 0.0001, 15.4 months, 95% CI: 10.6–20.2 vs. 6.6 months, 95% CI: 4.9–8.3,p< 0.0001, respectively). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year OS area under the curve (AUC) values of the VAT HU were higher than the other body composition parameters. Meanwhile, it is also found that 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month PFS AUC values of VAT HU were the highest among all the parameters. Univariate and multivariate Cox-regression analysis suggested a significant association between VAT density and outcomes (OS, HR: 1.015, 95% CI: 1.004–1.025,p= 0.005, PFS, HR: 1.026, 95% CI: 1.016–1.036,p< 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion:The VAT density could provide prognostic prediction value and may be helpful to stratify the intermediate stage HCC patients.
Changes in the Gut Microbiome Contribute to the Development of Behcet’s Disease via Adjuvant Effects
Authors: Wang Qingfeng , Yi Shenglan , Su Guannan , Du Ziyu , Pan Su , Huang Xinyue , Cao Qingfeng , Yuan Gangxiang , Kijlstra Aize , Yang Peizeng
Published: September 2021

Behcet’s disease (BD) is associated with considerable gut microbiome changes. However, it still remains unknown how the composition of the gut microbiome exactly affects the development of this disease. In this study, transplantation of stool samples from patients with active ocular BD to mice via oral gavage was performed. This resulted in decreases of three short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including butyric acid, propionic acid and valeric acid in the feces of the BD-recipient group. Intestinal barrier integrity of mice receiving BD feces was damaged as shown by a decreased expression of tight junction proteins and was associated with the release of Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the circulation. The mice also showed a higher frequency of splenic neutrophils as well as an enrichment of genes associated with innate immune responses in the neutrophils and CD4 + T cells as identified by single cell RNA sequencing. Analysis of neutrophils and T cells functions in these mice showed an enhanced mesenteric lymph node and splenic Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation in association with activation of neutrophils. Transplantation of BD feces to mice and subsequent induction of experimental uveitis (EAU) or encephalomyelitis (EAE) led to an exacerbation of disease in both models, suggesting a microbial adjuvant effect. These findings suggest that the gut microbiome may regulate an autoimmune response via adjuvant effects including increased gut permeability and enhancement of innate immunity.
Circularly Polarized Photodetectors Based on Chiral Materials: A Review
Authors: Zhang Can , Wang Xiaohong , Qiu Longzhen
Published: September 2021

Circularly polarized light (CPL) plays an important role in many photonic techniques, including tomographic scanning based on circular polarization ellipsometry, optical communication and information of spin, and quantum-based optical calculation and information processing. To fully exploit the functions of CPL in these fields, integrated photoelectric sensors capable of detecting CPL are essential. Photodetectors based on chiral materials can directly detect CPL due to their intrinsic optical activity, without the need to be coupled with polarizers and quarter-wave plates as in conventional photodetectors. This review summarizes the recent research progress in CPL photodetectors based on chiral materials. We first briefly introduce the CPL photodetectors based on different types of chiral materials and their working principles. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities in the development of CPL photodetectors are prospected.
Testosterone in COVID-19: An Adversary Bane or Comrade Boon
Authors: Al-kuraishy Hayder M. , Al-Gareeb Ali I. , Faidah Hani , Alexiou Athanasios , Batiha Gaber El-Saber
Published: September 2021

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which leads to pulmonary manifestations like acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In addition, COVID-19 may cause extra-pulmonary manifestation such as testicular injury. Both high and low levels of testosterone could affect the severity of COVID-19. Herein, there is substantial controversy regarding the potential role of testosterone in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Therefore, the present study aimed to review and elucidate the assorted view of preponderance regarding the beneficial and harmful effects of testosterone in COVID-19. A related literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct was done. All published articles related to the role of testosterone and COVID-19 were included in this mini-review. The beneficial effects of testosterone in COVID-19 are through inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, augmentation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, modulation of the immune response, attenuation of oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. However, its harmful effects in COVID-19 are due to augmentation of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which is essential for cleaving and activating SARS-CoV-2 spike protein during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most published studies illustrated that low testosterone levels are linked to COVID-19 severity. A low testosterone level in COVID-19 is mainly due to testicular injury, the primary source of testosterone.
Earth Ice Age Dynamics: A Bimodal Forcing Hypothesis
Authors: Lai Zhongping , Xu Yantian , Zheng Peisong
Published: September 2021

The Earth has gone through multiple ice ages in the past million years. Understanding the ice age dynamics is crucial to paleoclimatic study, and is helpful for addressing future climate challenges. Though ice ages are paced by variations in Earth’s orbit geometry, how various climatic system components on the Earth respond to insolation forcing and interact with each other remains unclear. A prevailing view argues that the initial responses occur in the northern high latitudes (i.e. the northern high-latitude hypothesis, NHH). This opinion is challenged by recent reports, such as the lead of climate change in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) relative to that in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), the southern control on Atlantic meridional overturning circulations (AMOC), and the potential significance of Southern Hemisphere (SH). Alternatively, the tropical hypothesis (TH) argues for a leading role of the tropics. Both the NHH and the TH belong to a single-forcing mechanism, and have difficulty in interpreting phenomena, such as the saw-tooth pattern of the ice ages. Here we present a new proposal concerning the Earth’s ice age dynamics: the bimodal forcing hypothesis (BFH). The essential assumption of this hypothesis is that for glacial-interglacial cycles, the cooling (glaciation) starts from the northern high latitudes, whereas the warming (deglaciations) starts from the SH. Particularly, the BFH emphasizes the significance of SH oceans in accumulating and transferring heat for deglaciations. Thus, it is capable to reasonably explain the saw-tooth pattern. We compiled 100 paleotemperature records globally for validation. The BFH is consistent with most of these records, and provides a straightforward and comprehensible way to interpret ice age on Earth.
A Moderated Mediation Model of the Relationship Between Primary and Secondary School Teachers’ Digital Competence and Online Teaching Behavior
Authors: Li Wei , Gao Wenyang , Fu Weidong , Chen Yiyan
Published: September 2021

A growing body of work has been devoted to studying teachers’ digital competence, but not much is known about how teachers’ digital competence affects online teaching behavior. Guided by the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework, this study investigated how teachers’ digital competence affects online teaching behavior based on Chinese primary and secondary teachers. A total of 1833 teachers completed self-report scales measuring digital competence, online teaching behavior, use intention of online teaching, and students’ online learning difficulties using the online platform Questionnaire Star. The results indicated that the level of online teaching intentions mediated the relationship between teachers’ digital competence and online teaching behavior. Students’ learning difficulties in online learning moderated the relationship between teachers’ digital competence and the intention to use online teaching, such that the relationship became stronger as students’ online learning difficulties decreased. Similarly, the indirect relationship between teachers’ digital competence and online teaching behavior was stronger at decreased levels of students’ online learning difficulties. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of teachers’ digital competence on online teaching behavior.
Modeling Bioavailability Limitations of Atrazine Degradation in Soils
Authors: Chavez Rodriguez Luciana , Ingalls Brian , Meierdierks Jana , Kundu Kankana , Streck Thilo , Pagel Holger
Published: September 2021

Pesticide persistence in soils is a widespread environmental concern in agro-ecosystems. One particularly persistent pesticide is atrazine, which continues to be found in soils and groundwater in the EU despite having been banned since 2004. A range of physical and biological barriers, such as sorption and mass-transfer into bacterial cells, might limit atrazine degradation in soils. These effects have been observed in experiments and models working with simplified systems. We build on that work by developing a biogeochemical model of the degradation process. We extended existing engineered system models by including refined representations of mass-transfer processes across the cell membrane as well as thermodynamic growth constraints. We estimated model parameters by calibration with data on atrazine degradation, metabolite (hydroxyatrazine) formation, biomass, and isotope fractionation from a set of controlled retentostat/chemostat experiments. We then produced site-specific model predictions for arable topsoil and compared them with field observations of residual atrazine concentrations. We found that the model overestimated long-term atrazine biodegradation in soils, indicating that this process is likely not limited by bioavailability or energetic constraints of microbial growth. However, sorption-limited bioavailability, could explain the long-term fate and persistence of the main degradation metabolite hydroxyatrazine. Future studies should seek alternative controls that drive the observed atrazine persistence in soil. This work helps to bridge the gap between engineered and natural systems, allowing us to use laboratory setups to gain insight into real environmental systems.
Behavioral Response of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Its Egg Parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to Host Plant Odors
Authors: Akotsen-Mensah Clement , Blaauw Brett R. , Rivera Monique J. , Rodriguez-Saona Cesar , Nielsen Anne L.
Published: September 2021

Insects use a range of cues to help them interact with each other and their host plants. Among these cues, olfaction plays a major role in host selection. The present study investigated the behavioral response of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), and its egg parasitoid, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead), to host plant-related odors. We used H. halys nymphs since their response to host odors is relatively unknown. In a Y-tube, we first evaluated the behavioral response of H. halys nymphs to whole-fruit odors of apple [Malus domestica (Borkh.)] and peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch)]. Subsequently, we tested the behavioral response of H. halys and T. japonicus to 18 selected synthetic volatiles previously identified from H. halys and its common host plants. In the greenhouse, we further tested H. halys attraction to the most promising of these volatiles individually and as blends. In single-choice tests, H. halys nymphs preferred odors from apple and peach over the control (no odor). In dual-choice tests, H. halys did not show any preference between apple and peach odors. Among the 18 volatiles tested, H. halys nymphs were attracted to ethyl salicylate (ES), undecane (UN), and ethyl acetate (EA) compared to the control. In the greenhouse, H. halys nymphs were similarly attracted to blends of 1:1 ratio of ES and EA but not to single compounds. Also in the Y-tube, female T. japonicus preferred the arm that had ES, β-caryophyllene, and decanal and a blend of these three compounds at a 1:1:1 ratio. Trissolcus japonicus was more attracted to the control arm than to the arm containing tridecane or α-pinene. These results indicate the potential of developing H. halys and T. japonicus attractants or/and repellents based on host plant volatiles and suggest possible adaptive responses of this pest and its egg parasitoid to similar host plant odors.
The Construction and Analysis of ceRNA Network and Immune Infiltration in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Deng Lugang , Wang Peixi , Qu Zhi , Liu Nan
Published: September 2021

Background: Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) has the highest invasion, mortality and metastasis of the renal cell carcinomas and seriously affects patient’s quality of life. However, the composition of the immune microenvironment and regulatory mechanisms at transcriptomic level such as ceRNA of KIRC are still unclear.

Methods: We constructed a ceRNA network associated with KIRC by analyzing the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), miRNA and mRNA expression data of 506 tumor tissue samples and 71 normal adjacent tissue samples downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In addition, we estimated the proportion of 22 immune cell types in these samples through “The Cell Type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts.” Based on the ceRNA network and immune cells screened by univariate Cox analysis and Lasso regression, two nomograms were constructed to predict the prognosis of patients with KIRC. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and calibration curves were employed to assess the discrimination and accuracy of the nomograms. Consequently, co-expression analysis was carried out to explore the relationship between each prognostic gene in a Cox proportional hazards regression model of ceRNA and each survival-related immune cell in a Cox proportional hazards regression model of immune cell types to reveal the potential regulatory mechanism.

Results: We established a ceRNA network consisting of 12 lncRNAs, 25 miRNAs and 136 mRNAs. Two nomograms containing seven prognostic genes and two immune cells, respectively, were successfully constructed. Both ROC [area under curves (AUCs) of 1, 3, and 5-year survival in the nomogram based on ceRNA network: 0.779, 0.747, and 0.772; AUCs of 1, 3, and 5-year survivals in nomogram based on immune cells: 0.603, 0.642, and 0.607] and calibration curves indicated good accuracy and clinical application value of both models. Through co-correlation analysis between ceRNA and immune cells, we found both LINC00894 and KIAA1324 were positively correlated with follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and negatively correlated with resting mast cells.

Conclusion: Based on the ceRNA network and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, we constructed two nomograms to predict the survival of KIRC patients and demonstrated their value in improving the personalized management of KIRC.
Expression Profiles of Circulating microRNAs in South African Type 2 Diabetic Individuals on Treatment
Authors: Weale Cecil J. , Matshazi Don M. , Davids Saarah F. G. , Raghubeer Shanel , Erasmus Rajiv T. , Kengne Andre P. , Davison Glenda M. , Matsha Tandi E.
Published: September 2021

Aim: The influence of disease duration and anti-diabetic treatment on epigenetic processes has been described, with limited focus on interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs have been found to play key roles in the regulation of pathways associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and expression patterns in response to treatment may further promote their use as therapeutic targets in T2DM and its associated complications. We therefore aimed to investigate the expressions of circulating miRNAs (miR-30a-5p, miR-1299, miR-182-5p, miR-30e-3p and miR-126-3p) in newly diagnosed and known diabetics on treatment, in South Africa.

Methods: A total of 1254 participants with an average age of 53.8years were included in the study and classified according to glycaemic status (974 normotolerant, 92 screen-detected diabetes and 188 known diabetes). Whole blood levels of miR-30a-5p, miR-1299, miR-182-5p, miR-30e-3p and miR-126-3p were quantitated using RT-qPCR. Expression analysis was performed and compared across groups.

Results: All miRNAs were significantly overexpressed in subjects with known diabetes when compared to normotolerant individuals, as well as known diabetics vs. screen-detected (p<0.001). Upon performing regression analysis, of all miRNAs, only miR-182-5p remained associated with the duration of the disease after adjustment for type of treatment (OR: 0.127, CI: 0.018–0.236, p=0.023).

Conclusion: Our findings revealed important associations and altered expression patterns of miR-30a-5p, miR-1299, miR-182-5p, miR-30e-3p and miR-126-3p in known diabetics on anti-diabetic treatment compared to newly diagnosed individuals. Additionally, miR-182-5p expression decreased with increasing duration of T2DM. Further studies are, however, recommended to shed light on the involvement of the miRNA in insulin signalling and glucose homeostasis, to endorse its use as a therapeutic target in DM and its associated complications.
An Integrative Co-localization (INCO) Analysis for SNV and CNV Genomic Features With an Application to Taiwan Biobank Data
Authors: Yu Qi-You , Lu Tzu-Pin , Hsiao Tzu-Hung , Lin Ching-Heng , Wu Chi-Yun , Tzeng Jung-Ying , Hsiao Chuhsing Kate
Published: September 2021

Genomic studies have been a major approach to elucidating disease etiology and to exploring potential targets for treatments of many complex diseases. Statistical analyses in these studies often face the challenges of multiplicity, weak signals, and the nature of dependence among genetic markers. This situation becomes even more complicated when multi-omics data are available. To integrate the data from different platforms, various integrative analyses have been adopted, ranging from the direct union or intersection operation on sets derived from different single-platform analysis to complex hierarchical multi-level models. The former ignores the biological relationship between molecules while the latter can be hard to interpret. We propose in this study an integrative approach that combines both single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) in the same genomic unit to co-localize the concurrent effect and to deal with the sparsity due to rare variants. This approach is illustrated with simulation studies to evaluate its performance and is applied to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride measurements from Taiwan Biobank. The results show that the proposed method can more effectively detect the collective effect from both SNVs and CNVs compared to traditional methods. For the biobank analysis, the identified genetic regions including the gene VNN2 could be novel and deserve further investigation.
Redefining COVID-19 Severity and Prognosis: The Role of Clinical and Immunobiotypes
Authors: Torres-Ruiz Jiram , Pérez-Fragoso Alfredo , Maravillas-Montero José Luis , Llorente Luis , Mejía-Domínguez Nancy R. , Páez-Franco José Carlos , Romero-Ramírez Sandra , Sosa-Hernández Victor Andrés , Cervantes-Díaz Rodrigo , Absalón-Aguilar Abdiel , Nuñez-Aguirre Miroslava , Juárez-Vega Guillermo , Meza-Sánchez David , Kleinberg-Bid Ari , Hernández-Gilsoul Thierry , Ponce-de-León Alfredo , Gómez-Martín Diana
Published: September 2021

Background

Most of the explanatory and prognostic models of COVID-19 lack of a comprehensive assessment of the wide COVID-19 spectrum of abnormalities. The aim of this study was to unveil novel biological features to explain COVID-19 severity and prognosis (death and disease progression).

Methods

A predictive model for COVID-19 severity in 121 patients was constructed by ordinal logistic regression calculating odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for a set of clinical, immunological, metabolomic, and other biological traits. The accuracy and calibration of the model was tested with the area under the curve (AUC), Somer’s D, and calibration plot. Hazard ratios with 95% CI for adverse outcomes were calculated with a Cox proportional-hazards model.

Results

The explanatory variables for COVID-19 severity were the body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, albumin, 3-Hydroxyisovaleric acid, CD8+ effector memory T cells, Th1 cells, low-density granulocytes, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, plasma TRIM63, and circulating neutrophil extracellular traps. The model showed an outstanding performance with an optimism-adjusted AUC of 0.999, and Somer’s D of 0.999. The predictive variables for adverse outcomes in COVID-19 were severe and critical disease diagnosis, BMI, lactate dehydrogenase, Troponin I, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, serum levels of IP-10, malic acid, 3, 4 di-hydroxybutanoic acid, citric acid, myoinositol, and cystine.

Conclusions

Herein, we unveil novel immunological and metabolomic features associated with COVID-19 severity and prognosis. Our models encompass the interplay among innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation-induced muscle atrophy and hypoxia as the main drivers of COVID-19 severity.
To Investigate the Risk of Herpes Zoster in Women With Endometriosis: A Taiwan National Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Hsu Chao-Yu , Ke Der-Shin , Lin Cheng-Li , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: September 2021

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the occurrence of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with endometriosis.

Methods: This retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Between 2000 and 2012, women aged ≥20 years with newly diagnosed endometriosis were enrolled into the endometriosis group. Each patient with endometriosis was randomly matched to 4 controls according to age and index year. All the patients were traced from the index date to HZ diagnosis, loss to follow-up, death, or the end of December 2013.

Results: In total, 19,147 patients with newly diagnosed endometriosis and 76,588 participants without endometriosis were enrolled. The incidence of HZ was higher in endometriosis persons (5.36 per 1,000 person-years) than in matched controls (4.43 per 1,000 person-years) (p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, patients with endometriosis age ≤ 49 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.17) (p < 0.001) and 50–64 years (aHR = 1.27) (p < 0.05) showed significantly higher risk of HZ than the corresponding controls. Among women without any comorbidities, patients with endometriosis were 1.22 times (p < 0.001) more likely to have HZ than those without endometriosis.

Conclusion: Taiwanese women with endometriosis may have a higher rate of HZ occurrence. Endometriosis seems to be a high burden for affected women. Therefore, we suggest that clinicians should be aware of HZ among women with endometriosis, although there may be ethnic differences.
Case Report and Literature Review: Pulmonary Sclerosing Pneumocytoma With Multiple Metastases Harboring AKT1 E17K Somatic Mutation and TP53 C176Y Germline Mutation
Authors: Wang Qiushi , Lu Chunlin , Jiang Minrui , Li Mengxia , Yang Xiao , Zhang Lei , He Yong , Mao Chengyi , Fu Ping , Yang Ying , Xiao Hualiang
Published: September 2021

Pulmonary Sclerosing Pneumocytoma (PSP) is considered as a benign tumor, although a few cases have been reported to have multiple lesions, recurrence, and even regional lymph nodes (LNs) metastasis. Here, we report a case of PSP with atypical histologic features and malignant biological behavior, and explore its molecular genetic changes. The 23-year-old male showed a 6.5-cm pulmonary nodule in the right middle lobe (RML) and enlarged media stinal LNs. He underwent thoracoscopic RML lobectomy, systematic LNs dissection, and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. The metastases to the cervical LNs and liver were detected in a short period and then resected. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PSP in all the lesions, based on the histological characteristics and immune phenotypes. Furthermore, whole-exome sequencing identified both AKT1 E17K somatic mutation and TP53 C176Y germline mutation in this case. Thus, we presented an extremely rare case of atypical PSP with rapid recurrence and multiply metastases, which can easily be misdiagnosed as primary lung cancer. In addition, PSP-specific AKT1 E17K somatic E17K somatic mutation accompanied with TP53 C176Y germline mutation may contribute to the malignant clinical course of this tumor.
Comparison of Inflammatory and Angiogenic Factors in the Aqueous Humor of Vitrectomized and Non-Vitrectomized Eyes in Diabetic Macular Edema Patients
Authors: Liang Youling , Yan Bin , Meng Zhishang , Xie Manyun , Liang Zhou , Zhu Ziyi , Meng Yongan , Ma Jiayue , Ma Bosheng , Yao Xiaoxi , Luo Jing
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To compare the aqueous concentrations of inflammatory and angiogenetic factors in vitrectomized vs. non-vitrectomized eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: Aqueous samples were obtained from 107 eyes with DME before intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF, 36 eyes with previous pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with pan-retinal endolaser photocoagulation (PRP), and 71 treatment-naïve. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by cytometric bead array (CBA). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used for measuring central retinal thickness (CRT).

Results: IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and MCP-1 in aqueous humor of DME vitrectomized eyes were significantly higher than in non-vitrectomized DME eyes, while VEGF was lower than in non-vitrectomized DME eyes. VEGF in aqueous humor significantly correlated with CRT for DME in non-vitrectomized DME eyes. IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and MCP-1 in aqueous humor were not significantly associated with VEGF for DME in vitrectomized eyes.

Conclusions: Inflammation might play an important role in the pathogenesis of DME in vitrectomized eyes. Moreover, inflammation might play a central role in the development of DME via the VEGF-independent pathway. Thus, anti-inflammatory therapy might be a strategy for DME in vitrectomized eyes.