bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HALİL HÂLİD BEY’İN “AKVÂM-I İSLÂMİYYE ETNOGRAFYASINA BİR MEDHAL” BAŞLIKLI MAKALESİ ÜZERİNE BİR İNCELEME
Authors: ÖZBAY Çiğdem
Published: June 2023

XIX. yüzyılda akademik bir disiplin olarak dünya bilim sahnesine giriş yapan antropolojiye Osmanlı aydınlarının ilgisi yüzyılın son çeyreğinde gün yüzüne çıkmıştır. Başlangıçta evrim kuramının muazzam etkisiyle ortaya çıkan bu ilgi, cumhuriyet sonrası dönemde bilimsel bir uğraş halini almış ve tarihin dinsel olmayan bir bakış açısıyla ele alınması ve Türklere karsı olan önyargının kırılması işlevini görmüştür. Antropoloji aynı zamanda, dil, tarih, coğrafya, arkeoloji, jeoloji, biyoloji, etnoloji bilimlerinin çağı yakalama sürecinde de başı çekmiştir. Antropolojinin, yeni yeni ilgi gördüğü zamanlarda etnoloji ve etnografya bilgisi ile iç içe olması, bu bilimlerin odaklandıkları konuların kapsamı ve sınırı hususunda farklı yorumlamalara sebep olmuştur. Halil Hâlid Bey (1869-1931) de, 1926 tarihli Darülfünun İlahiyat Fakültesi Mecmuası’nda yayımlanan “Akvâm-ı İslâmiyye Etnografyası Tedkîkâtına Medhal” başlıklı makalesinde bu üç bilimi analiz etmiştir. Bu makalesi Müslüman kavimleri tetkik ettiği makale serisinin girişi niteliğinde olup antropoloji ve etnoloji üzerine oldukça bilgilendiricidir ve zamanının önemli bilim insanlarının eserlerinden alıntılarla zengin kılınmıştır. Ankara mebusluğu, Bombay Başkonsolosluğu, Londra İkinci Konsolosluğu gibi yürüttüğü idari görevleri onu Avrupa siyaseti ve İslam toplumları üzerine yetkin hale getirirken yabancı dillere hâkimiyeti ve Cambridge Üniversitesindeki yaklaşık 15 yıllık öğretmenlik deneyimi de bir akademisyen olarak nitelememizde etkili olmuştur. Harbiye Mektebi’nde İngilizce, Dârülfünûn İlahiyat Fakültesinde İslam felsefesi ve Müslüman kavimlerin etnografyası gibi dersler de veren Halil Hâlid Bey, geniş bir kültür ve tarih bilgisi olan entelektüel bir kişi olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Biz de çalışmamızda söz konusu makaleyi inceleyerek Halil Hâlid Bey’in antropoloji ilgisi ve bilgisini tartışmaya açacak ve antropoloji tarihimizdeki yerini göstermeye çalışacağız.
PERCEPTION OF ASSOCIATIVE GENDER IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS-A TURKISH LANGUAGE CASE
Authors: GÖKMEN Seda , PEÇENEK Dilek
Published: June 2023

Turkish has no noun classes or grammatical gender. However, in terms of biological gender, it can be said that lexical/semantic gender is reflected to nouns lexically. Although Turkish has no grammatical gender, it does have various means based on semantic system in which nouns are assigned to a gender according to its referent’s biological sex to recognize gender. It can also be said that there is a covert gender marking that denotes some person reference words as masculine or feminine. The aim of this study is to describe the phenomenon of associative gender, which carries the social-psychological context, in the case of certain categories (colour, animal, vegetable/fruit, clothing, body, transportation, sports, profession, material and natural features/plants). Also it was aimed at see the current associative gender perceptions of the lexicalized covert words (e.g., hemşire ‘nurse’, gömlek ‘shirt’) based on the assumption that the associative gender perception of sociocultural context may change in parallel with social changes. For this aim, how participants from different age groups (N 400) perceive the gender in Turkish is researched. A survey consisting of close-ended questions with 3 rating scale (masculine, feminine, neutral) for each category was conducted. The most general conclusion in this study is that in the associative gender assignment, neutral is dominant. This is followed by male and female dominance. In terms of the context of database, gender bias varies from masculine-feminine to neutral when the process from childhood to adulthood is looked at. In other words, while the children's perspective in marking gender is more towards masculine-feminine, the characteristics of the language appear more prominently and the tendency to assign gender decreases with age. Another consequence is male participants marked more masculine than female participants. This may be identified with the social gender perception.
Oxytocin and vasopressin levels in maltreated children: A systematic review
Authors: Beyazıt Utku , Kuru Alev , İlhan Ildız Gökçen , Uzun Mehmet Erdem , Şirin Hande , Bütün Ayhan Aynur , Yılmaz Serkan
Published: June 2023

Objective: The present study aimed to focus on the neurobiological basis of childhood maltreatment. Method: A systematic review approach was followed by focusing on the possible links among oxytocin, vasopressin, and child maltreatment. The review included research based on data examining the role that being exposed to any kind of maltreatment during childhood plays. The review was not limited to a specific period. However, reviews, systematic reviews, dissertations, congress papers, and studies in languages other than Turkish and English were excluded. The search was concentrated on the Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, EBSCO Host, and Google Scholar databases including the keyword combinations. Results: The review between December 2021 and April 2022 revealed 49 research studies that reported data from a total of 13979 participants (3981 children and adolescents, 9998 adults). Studies reviewed contained demographically diverse samples from a wide range of Western cultural contexts. Conclusion: The findings are promising in terms of clinical implications as there are considerable links between OXT and child maltreatment. However, more studies are needed to understand the nature of these links.
The Effect of Self-Confidence on Students' Understanding of Mathematical Concepts through the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum
Authors: Gita Andriani Desi
Published: June 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of self-confidence has a positive effect on students' understanding of mathematical concepts through the implementation of an independent curriculum. This study used a quantitative approach with an ex-post facto research design. The population in this study consisted of all students at Wahidiyah Kediri Junior High School, consisting of 447 students. The sampling technique used purposive sampling technique and obtained a sample of 96 students. The instruments used were a self-confidence questionnaire and an understanding test of mathematical concepts. Data analysis used in this study used simple linear regression whose calculations were assisted by the SPSS v.25 application for windows. The results of this study indicate that self-confidence has a positive effect on students' understanding of mathematical concepts through the implementation of an independent curriculum, with a significant value of 0.000 <0.05 and a coefficient of determination of 91.2%
Arazi koşullarında çinko ile kirletilmiş toprağın biyolojik özelliklerindeki değişim
Authors: BAYRAKLİ Betul , KIZILKAYA Ridvan
Published: June 2023

Toprak mikroorganizmaları ve bunların aktiviteleri toprak kirliliğinin izlenmesi ve değerlendirilmesinde önemli ayraçlar olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, tın bünyeli bir toprağa artan dozlarda uygulanan çinko (Zn)’nun toprağın mikrobiyal biyomas karbon (Cmic), toprak solunumu (TS), üreaz (UA) ve β-glikosidaz (β-GA) aktiviteleri gibi mikrobiyal özelliklerindeki değişimler değerlendirilmiştir. Deneme tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre üç tekerrürlü ve 0, 75, 150, 300, 600 ve 1200 mg kg-1 Zn dozları olarak kurulmuştur. Toprak mikrobiyolojik özelliklerindeki değişiklikleri belirlemek için her parselden yıl boyunca her ay toprak örneklemesi yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonuçlarına göre; toprağın Cmic’i kontrol uygulamasına kıyasla yüksek Zn dozlarında düşmüştür. Buna karşın, TS kontrole göre düşük Zn dozlarında düşerken yüksek dozlarda artış göstermiştir. Toprağa uygulanan tüm çinko dozlarının β-GA üzerinde olumsuz etkilere sahip olduğu görülmektedir. Üreaz aktivitesi ise orta ve yüksek dozlardaki Zn’den olumsuz etkilenmiştir.
Assessment of the influence of the ADC resolution of the coherent radar on the accuracy of determining the coordinate of the projectile flight
Authors: Hrabchak Volodymyr , Kosovtsov Andriy , Hrabchak Zinaida
Published: June 2023

The article considers the development of a heavy-class robotic ground combat system based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier. Analysis of samples the heavy class combat robotic ground complexes showed that they can be developed on the basis of serial crewed military vehicles HMMWV (AM General), M-ATV (Oshkosh), BMP-3 (Russia), T-72 (Russia), M113 (Israel), Patria AMV (Finland) or create a new design MDARS (AM General), Black Knight (BAE Systems), "Uran-9" (Russia), TYPE-X (Milrem Robotics). They are made on a tracked or wheeled platform. What unites this class of robotic ground combat systems is a remotely controlled combat module with a 25-30 mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, a machine gun and a grenade launcher, which can be controlled from a distance.
A comparative analysis of the tactical and technical characteristics the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with military vehicles with a 30 mm cannon in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been performed. As a result, the choice of     BTR-4E armored personnel carrier as the basic crew unit for the construction of a heavy class robotic ground combat system has been substantiated.The analysis of the design of control drives of the power plant, transmission, braking system, steering system and combat module installed on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier was carried out in terms of the possibility of implementing remote control of movement and fire.
The structure of a combat ground robotic complex based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with different variants of remote control panels, means of establishing communication channels and construction of a remote control station is proposed.
For example, the driver's remote control panel may be designed on the basis a tablet or on the basis a simulator for full simulation of control commands. Remote controls for the commander and gunner can be designed on the basis of regular controls and be similar to them for quick training of the crew to work.
Communication between remote control units and the controlled armored personnel carrier can be arranged using ultrashort-wave radios or via the 4G, 5G mobile network.
The remote control point can also be developed on the basis a BTR-4E armored personnel carrier, a military vehicle or deployed on the ground. It depends on the concept of application of the heavy class combat ground robotic complex.
The decomposition of the deep learning machine for specialized datasets for time minimizing of spatial information processing
Authors: Tymchuk Volodymyr , Lytvyn Vasyl , Perehuda Oleksandr
Published: June 2023

For effective military management, the creation of complexes of automation tools, spatial information processing systems, primarily consolidated, is a priority task in the conditions of constant growth of data and requirements for their collection, transmission, storage, processing and use.
The problem of consolidated processing of spatial information is related to the diversity of sources, the diversity of data formats, the diversity of acquisition and use, the diversity of processing etc. All that imply an extremely complex organizational and technical structure, a kind of ‘system of systems’.
Deep Learning Machine (DLM) ensure the high accuracy of prediction. But such DLM should be matched for the military conditions of the usage where time restrictions and space lack are present.
So, the effort to create a dataset for the maximum accuracy of the Deep Learning Machine rests on computing resources (in common research it is possible to overcome but in military sphere it isn’t). In military applied tasks, the criterion of time and overcoming uncertainties due to confrontation are critical. This allows us to put forward the hypothesis that it is impossible to achieve absolute accuracy in deep learning machine. Therefore, for variable tactical situations, it is advisable to create specialized datasets and achieve maximum efficiency from each iteration step (or their combination) using the decomposition method of the consolidated spatial information processing system. It is analysed the methods of scientific and technical solutions in the deep learning machine and the method of systematizing data types in existing tactical situations. In the end the detection and recognition system with a deep learning machine and a set of specialized datasets is proposed in the paper.
The volume of each specialized dataset at the level of 103 enables ultra-high speed of information processing processes and allows a person to set up such a system of consolidated processing of spatial information without excessive organizational and time demands. The dataset itself is revealed.
This principle of forming a dataset, or their sets, allows obtaining high-accurate and high -fast detection and recognition systems.
Target visibility index
Authors: Khaustov Dmytro , Kyrychuk Oleksandr , Stakh Taras , Khaustov Yaroslav , Sidor Roman , Burashnikov Oleh , Ryzhov Yevhen , Nastishin Yuriy
Published: June 2023

Quantitative description of the quality of images from the military sight-seeing systems, particularly those of armored vehicles, implies specific approaches different from those used in traditional image processing for civilian needs. Our analysis of the literature shows that there are several disadvantages in the definitions of the quantitative image quality indices, which makes them inapplicable for the characterization of targets in images from military sight-seeing systems. First, quantitative indices describing the quality of images introduced for civilian applications and techniques for their measurements are not target-oriented. In most cases, image quality indices available in the literature characterize the image as a whole but turn out to be irrelevant to the visibility and conspicuity of a target. High image quality indices do not guarantee high visibility and conspicuity of a target. Contrarily, frequently high contrast and thereby visibility of a target is accompanied by abnormal (enormously high or low) lighting of the background, target, or both, which enhances the visibility and conspicuity of the target but results in low-quality indices of the image as a whole. Second, expressions for the contrast, visibility, and conspicuity of a target available in the literature are not symmetric with respect to zero and some of them are singular functions. We claim that an image quality index describing the target visibility should satisfy, at least, the following requirements. First, the notion of the threshold local contrast, still (or no longer) resolved by human eyes, must be involved in the definition of visibility. Second, the visibility index should not be a singular function. Third, visibility is a notion strongly related to the neuronal response of the human brain and, thus, should be in the form of an activation function. Forth, the target visibility index should be of the probability character. Fifth, the visibility index should be target-oriented. In this paper, we propose an expression defining the target visibility index which satisfies all five requirements listed above and develop a technique for its measurement based on the measurements of brightness profile along a line and calculation of the local contrast of the target. The measurements of the target visibility index are illustrated for the partial (visible and infrared) images and for images fused by algorithms of different target-oriented image fusion methods.
Spatial-spectral methods of increasing the efficiency of artillery reconnaissance
Authors: Zubkov Anatoliy , Kamentsev Serhii , Krasnyk Yaroslav , Prokopenko Viacheslav , Shcherba Andrii
Published: June 2023

The author analyzes the evolution of reconnaissance-fire technology based on reconnaissance-strike (RSS) and reconnaissance-fire (RFS) systems and its transition to the ideology of reconnaissance-fire systems (RFS).
Based on Boyd's cybernetic model, the situational model of RFS combat control and the issue of optimizing it in terms of the "observe" cycle are considered. Practical ways of implementing the developed approach based on multichannel spatial and multispectral processing of intelligence information are substantiated. The optimality of the developed approach is confirmed by the results of a model experiment.
A methodology for adapting the characteristics of multi-channel processing of location information to a dynamically changing mobile phone environment has been developed. The optimality of the developed approach is confirmed by the results of the model experiment, and the practical feasibility is confirmed by the patent for the invention.The maximum combat effectiveness of the first stage of the Boyd cycle (artillery reconnaissance) – range, accuracy, target channel, immunity - is achieved by the integration of ground-based radar means of reconnaissance of firing positions and UAVs with multispectral surveillance equipment.
The practical significance of the obtained results is provided by the independence of targeting accuracy from the target range with simultaneous provision of round-the-clock operation, all-weather operation, interference resistance and potential informativeness of artillery reconnaissance. The attainable gain in artillery reconnaissance effectiveness indicators is 7.2 times the range, and 20 times the target channel. All analytical results are aimed at implementation in the practice of designing the production of equipment for ground and on-board reconnaissance components.
ІСТОРІЯ МОДЕРНІЗАЦІЇ ТАНКІВ Т-72 В УКРАЇНІ
Authors: Кікавський Андрій Григорович
Published: June 2023

У статті розглянуті питання  та ряд аспектів програм модернізації танків Т-72 в Україні, передумови створення варіантів модернізації, їх реалізація та розвиток. Після розпаду срср Україна отримала досить численний танковий парк основних бойових танків Т-64/72/80 та їх модифікацій з різними силовими установками, ходовими частинами та комплексами озброєння. Парк танків Т-72 налічував близько 800 одиниць. Вище керівництво вбачало в цьому значний експортний потенціал не тільки в базовому варіанті, але у розробці проєктів модернізації, в тому числі з залученням зарубіжних країн, що відчутно покращувало бойові  та експлуатаційні характеристики Т-72 з урахуванням сучасних вимог до основних бойових танків.
PENERAPAN METODE ASSOCIATION RULE MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA APRIORI UNTUK MENGIDENTIFIKASI POLA PENYAKIT RADANG SENDI
Authors: Budiono Budiono , Fahmi Amiq , Pujiono Pujiono
Published: June 2023

Ada lima besar peringkat penyakit yang terdiagnosa oleh UPT Puskesmas Margorejo kabupaten Pati, yaitu radang sendi, influenza, ispa, darah tinggi dan radang lapisan perut (gastritis). Penyakit Radang Sendi menjadi peringkat pertama selama dua tahun berturut-turut. Untuk mengatasi masalah seperti penyuluhan tentang dampak dan bahaya penyakit radang sendi, memperkirakan ketersediaan obat, dan dalam melakukan perkiraan kebutuhan tenaga medis dokter ahli bidang penyakit persendian diperlukan pengolahan data rekam medis untuk mengidentifikasi dan menemukan pola penyakit radang sendi. Pengolahan data dengan aplikasi data mining Association Rule dengan Algoritma Apriori diharapkan mampu untuk mengidentifikasi tentang pola penyakit terutama Radang Sendi. Aplikasi yang dikembangkan dibatasi pada 4 (empat) atribut saja yaitu umur, jenis kelamin, pekerjaan dan gejala. Dari hasil pengolahan data, yaitu umur 45, jenis kelamin laki-laki, pekerjaan petani, dengan gejala kaku persendian dengan nilai support 21 % dan Confident 3 % dari total 4824 kasus penyakit radang sendi yang sering diderita oleh pengunjung dan dapat diartikan, pengunjung yang didiagnosa penyakit radang sendi yang berumur 45 berjenis kelamin laki-laki dan memiliki pekerjaan petani kemungkinan 3% pengunjung tersebut mempunyai gejala kaku persendian. Kata Kunci : Association Rule, Algoritma Apriori, Radang Sendi.
INOVASI RADIO KAMPUS (RANCANG BANGUN RADIO UDINUS DENGAN INOVASI TEKNOLOGI @RADIO)
Authors: Sari Wellia Shinta , Mardiana Lisa , Suhariyanto Suhariyanto
Published: June 2023

Perkembangan Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi (TIK) memaksa industri penyiaran untuk ikut menyesuaikan diri. Radio konvensional bisa jadi akan tertinggal jika tidak melakukan inovasi teknologi yang ada. Begitu juga dengan radio kampus, yang keberadaannya sangat dibutuhkan sebagai wadah kreativitas dan sarana pembelajaran di sebuah universitas, apalagi yang memiliki program studi penyiaran. Radio kampus Suara Dian yang masih konvensional sehingga hampir kehilangan eksistensinya harus segera dibenahi dan dihidupkan kembali dengan mengikuti perkembangan teknologi di era konvergensi. Metode Inovasi teknologi yang bisa dilakukan adalah dengan menggunakan teknologi @Radio Streaming, yang bukan sekedar streaming, tapi juga optimalisasi teknologi yang terintegrasi dinamis melalui RISE (Radio Broadcasting Integrated System). Dengan berbagai fitur unggul dari inovasi teknologi tersebut, maka diharapkan Radio kampus Udinus â€Suara Dianâ€ dapat kembali hidup, berkembang dan lebih kompetitif ditengah industri penyiaran Radio. Kata kunci : radio, kampus, konvergensi, streaming.
Development of an alginate-Matrigel hydrogel system to evaluate cancer cell behavior in the stiffness range of the bone marrow
Authors: Northcutt Logan A. , Questell Alyssa M. , Rhoades Julie , Rafat Marjan
Published: June 2023

Bone metastasis is highly prevalent in breast cancer patients with metastatic disease. These metastatic cells may eventually form osteolytic lesions and affect the integrity of the bone, causing pathological fractures and impairing patient quality of life. Although some mechanisms have been determined in the metastatic cascade to the bone, little is known about how the mechanical cues of the bone marrow microenvironment influence tumor cell growth and invasion once they have homed to the secondary site. The mechanical properties within the bone marrow range from 0.5 kPa in the sinusoidal region to 40 kPa in the endosteal region. Here, we report an alginate-Matrigel hydrogel that can be modulated to the stiffness range of the bone marrow and used to evaluate tumor cell behavior. We fabricated alginate-Matrigel hydrogels with varying calcium sulfate (CaSO4) concentrations to tune stiffness, and we demonstrated that these hydrogels recapitulated the mechanical properties observed in the bone marrow microenvironment (0.7–16 kPa). We encapsulated multiple breast cancer cell lines into these hydrogels to assess growth and invasion. Tumor cells in stiffer hydrogels exhibited increased proliferation and enhanced elongation compared to lower stiffness hydrogels, which suggests that stiffer environments in the bone marrow promote cellular invasive capacity. This work establishes a system that replicates bone marrow mechanical properties to elucidate the physical factors that contribute to metastatic growth.
Correlation analysis between foot deformity and diabetic foot with radiographic measurement
Authors: Luo Xu , Zhang Chun , Huang Qiuhong , Du Zhipeng , Ni Xia , Zeng Qinglian , Cheng Qingfeng
Published: June 2023

Background

Foot deformity is a risk factor for diabetic foot ulcer. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between hallux valgus (HV) and diabetic foot through the radiographic measurement.

Methods

The patients with diabetic foot hospitalizing in the Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2016 to June 2020 were selected. Then the foot plain X-ray radiographs were completed, and the size of HV angle (HVA) was measured. Their clinical data were collected, and the ulcer recurrence rate, amputation rate and mortality rate of the patients were followed up.

Results

A total of 370 patients were included. According to HVA, patients were divided into non-HV group (HVA<15°), and mild (15°≤HVA ≤ 20°), moderate (20°40°) HV groups. The age, height, BMI, smoking history and glycosylated hemoglobin level among the non-HVA, mild, moderate, and severe HV group (P<0.05), while smoking history, HbA1c, eGFR and autonomic neuropathy were significantly lower in HV group than those in non-HV group (P<0.05). The ulcer area in patients with moderate HV was larger than that in non-HV patients, and the severity of infection in patients with severe HV was significantly higher than that the other three groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The occurrence of HV is not only related to age and BMI, but also to the creatinine and eGFR level, autonomic neuropathy, lower limb arteriosclerosis occlusion, coronary heart disease and hypertension. Therefore, more attention should be paid to renal function screening, neuropathy screening and evaluation of lower extremity vascular lesions in patients with diabetes, especially those with moderate or higher HV.
Integration failure of regenerated limb tissue is associated with incongruencies in positional information in the Mexican axolotl
Authors: Vieira Warren A. , Raymond Michael , Kelley Kristina , Cherubino Matthew A. , Sahin Hande , McCusker Catherine D.
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Little is known about how the newly regenerated limb tissues in the Mexican axolotl seamlessly integrate with the remaining stump tissues to form a functional structure, and why this doesn't occur in some regenerative scenarios. In this study, we evaluate the phenomenological and transcriptional characteristics associated with integration failure in ectopic limb structures generated by treating anterior-located ectopic blastemas with Retinoic Acid (RA) and focusing on the “bulbus mass” tissue that forms between the ectopic limb and the host site. We additionally test the hypothesis that the posterior portion of the limb base contains anterior positional identities.

Methods: The positional identity of the bulbus mass was evaluated by assaying regenerative competency, the ability to induce new pattern in the Accessory Limb Model (ALM) assay, and by using qRTPCR to quantify the relative expression of patterning genes as the bulbus mass deintegrates from the host site. We additionally use the ALM and qRTPCR to analyze the distribution of anterior and posterior positional identities along the proximal/distal limb axis of uninjured and regenerating limbs.

Results: The bulbus mass regenerates limb structures with decreased complexity when amputated and is able to induce complex ectopic limb structure only when grafted into posterior-located ALMs. Expressional analysis shows significant differences in FGF8, BMP2, TBX5, Chrdl1, HoxA9, and HoxA11 expression between the bulbus mass and the host site when deintegration is occuring. Grafts of posterior skin from the distal limb regions into posterior ALMs at the base of the limb induce ectopic limb structures. Proximally-located blastemas express significantly less HoxA13 and Ptch1, and significantly more Alx4 and Grem1 than distally located blastemas.

Discussion: These findings show that the bulbus mass has an anterior-limb identity and that the expression of limb patterning genes is mismatched between the bulbus mass and the host limb. Our findings additionally show that anterior positional information is more abundant at the limb base, and that anterior patterning genes are more abundantly expressed in proximally located blastemas compared to blastemas in the more distal regions of the limb. These experiments provide valuable insight into the underlying causes of integration failure and further map the distribution of positional identities in the mature limb.
Modelling renal defects in Bardet-Biedl syndrome patients using human iPS cells
Authors: Williams James , Hurling Chloe , Munir Sabrina , Harley Peter , Machado Carolina Barcellos , Cujba Ana-Maria , Alvarez-Fallas Mario , Danovi Davide , Lieberam Ivo , Sancho Rocio , Beales Philip , Watt Fiona M.
Published: June 2023

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a ciliopathy with pleiotropic effects on multiple tissues, including the kidney. Here we have compared renal differentiation of iPS cells from healthy and BBS donors. High content image analysis of WT1-expressing kidney progenitors showed that cell proliferation, differentiation and cell shape were similar in healthy, BBS1, BBS2, and BBS10 mutant lines. We then examined three patient lines with BBS10 mutations in a 3D kidney organoid system. The line with the most deleterious mutation, with low BBS10 expression, expressed kidney marker genes but failed to generate 3D organoids. The other two patient lines expressed near normal levels of BBS10 mRNA and generated multiple kidney lineages within organoids when examined at day 20 of organoid differentiation. However, on prolonged culture (day 27) the proximal tubule compartment degenerated. Introducing wild type BBS10 into the most severely affected patient line restored organoid formation, whereas CRISPR-mediated generation of a truncating BBS10 mutation in a healthy line resulted in failure to generate organoids. Our findings provide a basis for further mechanistic studies of the role of BBS10 in the kidney.
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment contributing to hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Gao Jiamin , Li Zhijian , Lu Qinchen , Zhong Jialing , Pan Lixin , Feng Chao , Tang Shaomei , Wang Xi , Tao Yuting , Lin Jianyan , Wang Qiuyan
Published: June 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the deadliest cancers worldwide, and advanced HCC is difficult to treat. Identifying specific cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment and exploring interactions between the cells and their environment are crucial for understanding the development, prognosis, and treatment of tumors.

Methods: In this study, we constructed a tumor ecological landscape of 14 patients with HCC from 43 tumor tissue samples and 14 adjacent control samples. We used bioinformatics analysis to reveal cell subpopulations with potentially specific functions in the tumor microenvironment and to explore the interactions between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment.

Results: Immune cell infiltration was evident in the tumor tissues, and BTG1+RGS1+ central memory T cells (Tcms) interact with tumor cells through CCL5-SDC4/1 axis. HSPA1B may be associated with remodeling of the tumor ecological niche in HCC. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and macrophages (TAMs) were closely associated with tumor cells. APOC1+SPP1+ TAM secretes SPP1, which binds to ITGF1 secreted by CAFs to remodel the tumor microenvironment. More interestingly, FAP+ CAF interacts with naïve T cells via the CXCL12–CXCR4 axis, which may lead to resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Conclusion: Our study suggests the presence of tumor cells with drug-resistant potential in the HCC microenvironment. Among non-tumor cells, high NDUFA4L2 expression in fibroblasts may promote tumor progression, while high HSPA1B expression in central memory T cells may exert anti-tumor effects. In addition, the CCL5–SDC4/1 interaction between BTG1+RGS1+ Tcms and tumor cells may promote tumor progression. Focusing on the roles of CAFs and TAMs, which are closely related to tumor cells, in tumors would be beneficial to the progress of systemic therapy research.
Discovery of a heat-generated compound DHD derived from Patrinia villosa water extract with inhibitory effects on colon cancer cells viability and migration
Authors: Yang Huihai , Zheng Tao , Ku Chuen-Fai , Ngai Cheuk Kit , Yue Grace Gar-Lee , Lee Hung Kay , Lau Clara Bik-San
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The plant Patrinia villosa Juss. (PV) has long been used as a medicinal herb for treating intestinal disorders. Pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer effects of compounds isolated from PV have been reported, but these bioactive compounds were not derived from PV water extract (PVW). Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to identify the active component(s) of PVW which exhibit inhibitory activities in colon cancer cells viability and migration.

Methods: Human colon cancer HCT116 cells were treated with the isolated compounds of PVW and then subjected to MTT and transwell migration assays.

Results: Our results showed that an active compound in PVW, 8,9-didehydro-7-hydroxydolichodial (DHD) inhibited cell viability of HCT116 cells, with IC50 value at 6.1 ± 2.2 μM. Interestingly, DHD was not detected in the herbal material of PV. Further investigation revealed that DHD is in fact a heat-generated compound derived from a natural compound present in PV, namely valerosidate. Valerosidate also reduced cell viability in HCT116 cells, with IC50 value at 22.2 ± 1.1 μM. Moreover, both DHD (2.75 μM) and valerosidate (10.81 μM) suppressed cell migration in HCT116 cells, with inhibitory rates at 74.8% and 74.6%, respectively. In addition, western blot results showed that DHD (5.5 μM) could significantly increase p53 expression by 34.8% and PTEN expression by 13.9%, while valerosidate (21.6 μM) could increase expressions of p53 and PTEN by 26.1% and 34.6%, respectively in HCT116 cells after 48 h treatment.

Discussion: Taken together, this is the first report that a naturally-occurring valerosidate present in PV could actually transform to DHD by thermal hydrolysis, and both compounds exhibited inhibitory effects on cell viability and migration in HCT116 cells via increasing the expressions of tumor suppressors (p53 and PTEN). Our findings demonstrated that valerosidate is present in raw herb PV but not in PVW, while DHD is present in PVW rather than in raw herb PV. This difference in chemical profiles of raw herb and boiled water extract of PV may affect the anti-cancer activity, and hence further investigations are warranted.
Open-path dual-comb spectroscopy of methane and VOC emissions from an unconventional oil well development in Northern Colorado
Authors: Mead Griffin J. , Waxman Eleanor M. , Bon Daniel , Herman Daniel I. , Baumann Esther , Giorgetta Fabrizio R. , Friedlein Jacob T. , Ycas Gabriel , Newbury Nathan R. , Coddington Ian , Cossel Kevin C.
Published: June 2023

We present results from a field study monitoring methane and volatile organic compound emissions near an unconventional oil well development in Northern Colorado from September 2019 to May 2020 using a mid-infrared dual-comb spectrometer. This instrument allowed quantification of methane, ethane, and propane in a single measurement with high time resolution and integrated path sampling. Using ethane and propane as tracer gases for methane from oil and gas activity, we observed emissions during the drilling, hydraulic fracturing, millout, and flowback phases of well development. Large emissions were seen in drilling and millout phases and emissions decreased to background levels during the flowback phase. Ethane/methane and propane/methane ratios varied widely throughout the observations.
Lactonase-mediated inhibition of quorum sensing largely alters phenotypes, proteome, and antimicrobial activities in Burkholderia thailandensis E264
Authors: Gonzales Mélanie , Plener Laure , Armengaud Jean , Armstrong Nicholas , Chabrière Éric , Daudé David
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Burkholderia thailandensis is a study model for Burkholderia pseudomallei, a highly virulent pathogen, known to be the causative agent of melioidosis and a potential bioterrorism agent. These two bacteria use an (acyl-homoserine lactone) AHL-mediated quorum sensing (QS) system to regulate different behaviors including biofilm formation, secondary metabolite productions, and motility.

Methods

Using an enzyme-based quorum quenching (QQ) strategy, with the lactonase SsoPox having the best activity on B. thailandensis AHLs, we evaluated the importance of QS in B. thailandensis by combining proteomic and phenotypic analyses.

Results

We demonstrated that QS disruption largely affects overall bacterial behavior including motility, proteolytic activity, and antimicrobial molecule production. We further showed that QQ treatment drastically decreases B. thailandensis bactericidal activity against two bacteria (Chromobacterium violaceum and Staphylococcus aureus), while a spectacular increase in antifungal activity was observed against fungi and yeast (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium graminearum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Discussion

This study provides evidence that QS is of prime interest when it comes to understanding the virulence of Burkholderia species and developing alternative treatments.
Risk factors for heart, cerebrovascular, and kidney diseases: evaluation of potential side effects of medications to control hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Nawata Kazumitsu
Published: June 2023

Background

Heart disease (HD), cerebrovascular disease (CBD), and kidney disease (KD) are serious diseases worldwide. These diseases constitute the leading causes of death worldwide and are costly to treat. An analysis of risk factors is necessary to prevent these diseases.

Data and Methods

Risk factors were analyzed using data from 2,837,334, 2,864,874, and 2,870,262 medical checkups obtained from the JMDC Claims Database. The side effects of medications used to control hypertension (antihypertensive medications), hyperglycemia (antihyperglycemic medications), and hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol medications), including their interactions, were also evaluated. Logit models were used to calculate the odds ratios and confidence intervals. The sample period was from January 2005 to September 2019.

Results

Age and history of diseases were found to be very important factors, and the risk of having diseases could be almost doubled. Urine protein levels and recent large weight changes were also important factors for all three diseases and made the risks 10%–30% higher, except for KD. For KD, the risk was more than double for individuals with high urine protein levels. Negative side effects were observed with antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, and cholesterol medications. In particular, when antihypertensive medications were used, the risks were almost doubled for HD and CBD. The risk would be triple for KD when individuals were taking antihypertensive medications. If they did not take antihypertensive medications and took other medications, these values were lower (20%–40% for HD, 50%–70% for CBD, and 60%–90% for KD). The interactions between the different types of medications were not very large. When antihypertensive and cholesterol medications were used simultaneously, the risk increased significantly in cases of HD and KD.

Conclusion

It is very important for individuals with risk factors to improve their physical condition for the prevention of these diseases. Taking antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, and cholesterol medications, especially antihypertensive medications, may be serious risk factors. Special care and additional studies are necessary to prescribe these medications, particularly antihypertensive medications.

Limitations

No experimental interventions were performed. As the dataset was comprised of the results of health checkups of workers in Japan, individuals aged 76 and above were not included. Since the dataset only contained information obtained in Japan and the Japanese are ethnically homogeneous, potential ethnic effects on the diseases were not evaluated.
Q-VAT: Quantitative Vascular Analysis Tool
Authors: Callewaert Bram , Gsell Willy , Himmelreich Uwe , Jones Elizabeth A. V.
Published: June 2023

As our imaging capability increase, so does our need for appropriate image quantification tools. Quantitative Vascular Analysis Tool (Q-VAT) is an open-source software, written for Fiji (ImageJ), that perform automated analysis and quantification on large two-dimensional images of whole tissue sections. Importantly, it allows separation of the vessel measurement based on diameter, allowing the macro- and microvasculature to be quantified separately. To enable analysis of entire tissue sections on regular laboratory computers, the vascular network of large samples is analyzed in a tile-wise manner, significantly reducing labor and bypassing several limitations related to manual quantification. Double or triple-stained slides can be analyzed, with a quantification of the percentage of vessels where the staining's overlap. To demonstrate the versatility, we applied Q-VAT to obtain morphological read-outs of the vasculature network in microscopy images of whole-mount immuno-stained sections of various mouse tissues.
Supporting and measuring current and future educators' preparedness to facilitate wellbeing of displaced children in schools
Authors: Sklad Marcin
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Immigrant and refugee children face multiple challenges in accessing education. To help facilitate the educational success and wellbeing of these children, teachers need to have self-efficacy in creating a supportive learning environment for them.

Methods

Based on a set of highly interconnected competences identified through a literature review and empirical research, the study developed a measurement instrument to assess teachers' generalized perceived self-efficacy in the domain of working with refugee children: the Newcomer's Teacher's Self-Efficacy (NTSE) scale. The scale was tested for validity and internal consistency with 154 practicing and prospective teachers enrolled at three different teacher education institutions in Belgium and the Netherlands, 42 of whom also underwent newcomer education courses.

Results

The study examined the factorability, reliability, and validity of the NTSE scale and showed that the scale is reliable (a = 0.97) and has good convergent and criterion validity. The results also demonstrated that participation in a study module for newcomer educators corresponded with an increase in partakers' NTSE scores, and the extent of the module was related to the degree of increase.

Discussion

The proposed scale performed well in the context where it was tested, but further international research is needed to determine its generalizability to different countries and time frames.
Profiles of learner readers and their early literacy skills and environmental predictors: a large-scale longitudinal study from preschool to grade 1
Authors: Ecalle Jean , Dujardin Emilie , Labat Hélène , Thierry Xavier , Magnan Annie
Published: June 2023

As part of the French national cohort ELFE, a two-year longitudinal study was conducted and children’s literacy skills were assessed twice (N = 2,767), namely at the end of preschool (t1) and at the end of Grade 1 (t2). At t1, letter-name knowledge (LNK), phonological skills (PhoSk) and vocabulary were assessed and at t2, phonemic segmentation, word reading, listening and reading comprehension. Latent profile analyses conducted at t2 resulted in five profiles, ranging from good readers (48.8%), to average readers above the mean (16.2%), readers with very low phonological awareness skill (8.2%), poor readers with low reading comprehension skill (19.4%), and poor readers with general difficulties (7.4%). Two early literacy skills (LNK and PhoSk) and two environmental variables (parents’ educational level and household income) constituted good predictors of membership of a profile. However, home literacy practices also predicted membership of the good reader/poor reader profiles, albeit at a lower level.
Changes and related factors of blood CCN1 levels in diabetic patients
Authors: Xiang Zhao-Yu , Chen Shu-Li , Qin Xin-Ran , Lin Sen-Lin , Xu Yi , Lu Li-Na , Zou Hai-Dong
Published: June 2023

Objective

To study the differences in blood cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1) levels between patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and healthy individuals and to explore the relationship between CCN1 and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

Plasma CCN1 levels were detected using ELISA in 50 healthy controls, 74 patients with diabetes without diabetic retinopathy (DM group), and 69 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR group). Correlations between CCN1 levels and age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and other factors were analyzed. The relationship between CCN1 expression and DR was explored using logistic regression after adjusting for confounding factors. Blood mRNA sequencing analysis was performed for all subjects, and the molecular changes that may be related to CCN1 were explored. The retinal vasculature of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was examined using fundus fluorescein angiography; in addition, retinal protein expression was examined using western blotting.

Results

Plasma CCN1 levels in patients with DR were significantly higher than in the control and DM groups; however, no significant differences were observed between healthy controls and patients with DM. CCN1 levels negatively correlated with body mass index and positively correlated with the duration of diabetes and urea levels. It was observed that high (OR 4.72, 95% CI: 1.10–20.25) and very high (OR 8.54, 95% CI: 2.00–36.51) levels of CCN1 were risk factors for DR. Blood mRNA sequencing analysis revealed that CCN1-related pathways were significantly altered in the DR group. The expression of hypoxia-, oxidative stress-, and dephosphorylation-related proteins were elevated, while that of tight junction proteins were reduced in the retinas of diabetic rats.

Conclusion

Blood CCN1 levels are significantly elevated in patients with DR. High and very high levels of plasma CCN1 are risk factors for DR. Blood CCN1 level may be a potential biomarker for diagnosis of DR. The effects of CCN1 on DR may be related to hypoxia, oxidative stress, and dephosphorylation.
Single-cell multi-omics analysis reveals dysfunctional Wnt signaling of spermatogonia in non-obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Zeng Shengjie , Chen Liuxun , Liu Xvdong , Tang Haibin , Wu Hao , Liu Chuan
Published: June 2023

Background

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe type that leads to 1% of male infertility. Wnt signaling governs normal sperm maturation. However, the role of Wnt signaling in spermatogonia in NOA has incompletely been uncovered, and upstream molecules regulating Wnt signaling remain unclear.

Methods

Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of NOA was used to identify the hub gene module in NOA utilizing weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNAs). Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of NOA was employed to explore dysfunctional signaling pathways in the specific cell type with gene sets of signaling pathways. Single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering (pySCENIC) for Python analysis was applied to speculate putative transcription factors in spermatogonia. Moreover, single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) determined the regulated genes of these transcription factors. Finally, spatial transcriptomic data were used to analyze cell type and Wnt signaling spatial distribution.

Results

The Wnt signaling pathway was demonstrated to be enriched in the hub gene module of NOA by bulk RNA-seq. Then, scRNA-seq data revealed the downregulated activity and dysfunction of Wnt signaling of spermatogonia in NOA samples. Conjoint analyses of the pySCENIC algorithm and scATAC-seq data indicated that three transcription factors (CTCF, AR, and ARNTL) were related to the activities of Wnt signaling in NOA. Eventually, spatial expression localization of Wnt signaling was identified to be in accordance with the distribution patterns of spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we identified that downregulated Wnt signaling of spermatogonia in NOA and three transcription factors (CTCF, AR, and ARNTL) may be involved in this dysfunctional Wnt signaling. These findings provide new mechanisms for NOA and new therapeutic targets for NOA patients.