bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PROFITABILITY OF ISLAMIC BANKING
Authors: Syamsi Dhita A'ulia , Bawono Anton
Published: July 2024

This study uses a quantitative approach to analyze the influence of operational costs and income, non-performing financing (NPF), and the Islamicity Performance Index on the profitability of Islamic banking, with intellectual capital as a moderating variable. The population includes Sharia Commercial Banks located in Indonesia and registered with the Financial Services Authority from 2015 to 2022. The sample was determined using purposive sampling, resulting in 56 data points. Hypotheses were tested using Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) with Eviews 12 software.The results indicate that operational costs and income (BOPO) significantly influence the Return on Assets (ROA), while NPF does not. The profit-sharing ratio (PSR) and the Islamic Income vs Non-Islamic Income Ratio (IsIR) significantly influence ROA. Intellectual capital (IC) has a direct influence on ROA but does not moderate the relationship between BOPO and ROA, nor between NPF and ROA. However, IC can moderate the relationship between the profit-sharing ratio and ROA. It does not moderate the relationship between IsIR and ROA. These findings suggest that operational efficiency, profit-sharing mechanisms, and the proportion of Islamic income are crucial for enhancing profitability in Sharia Commercial Banks, with intellectual capital playing a significant but selective moderating role.
DO THE EXTRA ADDITIONAL FACILITIES CREATE A DESIRE AMONG VISITORS TO REVISIT THE SITE?
Authors: Arisanti Wiwin , Rachmayanti Rishma Anandha , Pasama Tira
Published: July 2024

As an effort to improve the economy through the tourism sector, the management of Prambanan Temple, namely PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko, updated regulations by enhancing facilities in the Prambanan Temple area to attract local and international tourists. This research applies contingent valuation methods (CVM) to determine the benefits of the existence of Prambanan Temple and analyze the factors that influence tourist visits to Prambanan Temple facilities. Based on the Willingness To Pay (WTP) value given by tourists, the value of the benefits of existence from Prambanan Temple tourism is IDR 104,658,080,000 or $6,737,949.99. The regression test results show that ticket prices positively and significantly influence tourists' return visits to Prambanan Temple facilities. Meanwhile, the variables education, age, facilities, and services do not have a substantial influence on the level of tourist return visits.
Royal Heirs: Succession and the Future of Monarchy in Nineteenth-Century Europe. By Frank Lorenz Müller. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023. ISBN 978-1-316-51291-3. xii + 351 pp. £29.99.
Authors: Jones Aidan
Published: July 2024

Review of Frank Lorenz Müller, Royal Heirs: Succession and the Future of Monarchy in Nineteenth-Century Europe, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023).
Later Plantagenet and the Wars of the Roses Consorts: Power, Influence, and Dynasty. Edited by Aidan Norrie, Carolyn Harris, J.L. Laynesmith, Danna R. Messer, Elena Woodacre. Palgrave Macmillan, 2023. ISBN 978-3-030-94886-3 (ebook). xxiii + 292.  $99.00
Authors: Beer Michelle
Published: July 2024

Reivew of Aidan Norrie, Carolyn Harris, J.L. Laynesmith, Danna R. Messer, and Elena Woodacre, eds. Later Plantagenet and the Wars of the Roses Consorts: Power, Influence and Dynasty (Palgrave Macmillan,  2023).
Seasonal variation in near-surface seasonally thawed active layer and permafrost soil microbial communities
Authors: Baker Christopher , Barker Amanda , Douglas Thomas , Doherty Stacey , Barbato Robyn
Published: July 2024

Understanding how soil microbes respond to permafrost thaw is critical to predicting the implications of climate change for soil processes. However, our knowledge of microbial responses to warming is mainly based on laboratory thaw experiments, and field sampling in warmer months when sites are more accessible. In this study, we sampled a depth profile through seasonally thawed active layer and permafrost in the Imnavait Creek Watershed, Alaska, USA over the growing season from summer to late fall. Amplicon sequencing showed that bacterial and fungal communities differed in composition across both sampling depths and sampling months. Surface communities were most variable while those from the deepest samples, which remained frozen throughout our sampling period, showed little to no variation over time. However, community variation was not explained by trace metal concentrations, soil nutrient content, pH, or soil condition (frozen/thawed), except insofar as those measurements were correlated with depth. Our results highlight the importance of collecting samples at multiple times throughout the year to capture temporal variation, and suggest that data from across the annual freeze-thaw cycle might help predict microbial responses to permafrost thaw.
Russian Thought in Epistles of V.V. Rozanov and P.P. Pertsov. New Materials (1896–1918)
Authors: Maslin Mikhail ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University
Published: July 2024

Review article presents two-volumes collection of epistles by V.V. Rozanov and P.P. Pertsov (1896–1918) published by the famous Publishing House Pushkinsky Dom (Saint Petersburg). It is the first ever published full edition of correspondence between two famous Russian thinkers – Petr Pertsov and Vasily Rozanov which has been done with great accuracy and on highly professional level. Two-volumes edition was made by the archival scholars from the Institute of Russian Literature (Pushkinsky Dom) from Saint Petersburg. The author of Introduction is E.I. Goncharova – director and the founder of Pushkinsky Dom Publishing House. O.L. Fetisenko together with the E.I. Goncharova are the editors, authors of commentaries and researchers of archival sources. The edition is characterizes by high level of polygraphy and excellent bibliographical apparatus. It includes: list of abbreviations, catalog of archives, periodicals, books and articles, collected works by Rozanov, archival photos, fragments of letters etc. This two-volumes edition contains also catalog of works by V.V. Rozanov and P.P. Pertsov plus annotated index of mentioned names. Commentaries is placed just after the published letters abd not at the end of the whole edition as one can find in printing practice sometimes.
Chronicle of Scientific Life
Authors: Chernyavtseva Maria ,   RAS Institute of Philosophy
Published: July 2024

The review material "Chronicle of Scientific Life" presents the main events of 2023 on the topics of Russian philosophy: all-Russian and international conferences, dissertations for the degree of candidate of philosophical sciences. Events are listed by month - thus, the reader is presented with a calendar of scientific work of the main institutions: RAS Institute of Philosophy, Orthodox St. Tikhon University for the Humanities, Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow State University, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russian State University for the Humanities, House of A.F. Losev and many others.
Dmitry Chizhevsky’s Letter to Leonid Ganchikov (1953)
Authors: Talalai Mikhail ,   Independent researcher, Janzen Wladimir ,   Independent researcher
Published: July 2024

We publish the letter from the philosopher D.I. Chizhevsky (1894–1977), who lived in Germany, to his colleague and compatriot professor L.Ya. Ganchikov (1893–1968), who lived in Italy and worked on the history of Russian religious thought. Chizhevsky, apparently answering the addressee’s questions, essentially sets out his scientific curriculum vitae, with a brief biography and a list of main publications. The letter is an auto-interpretation of the creative heritage of D.I. Chizhevsky, in which the thinker defines his main interest as an attempt to substantiate some issues of logic and ethics by distinguishing those areas in which different types of logical categories are applicable, and also points to the philosophers closest to him – E. Husserl, H.W.F. Hegel, S.L. Frank, N.O. Lossky. The publication of the letter is accompanied by a thorough academic commentary, which fits the information given in it into the context of the life and creative path of D.I. Chizhevsky.
“Kabbalah as a Special Type of Religious Consciousness”. Speech by Boris Stolpner at the Moscow Religious and Philosophical Society in Memory of Vladimir Solovyov
Authors: Burmistrov Konstantin ,   RAS Institute of Philosophy
Published: July 2024

The ideological foundations of Judaism and Jewish thought rarely became the subjects of special discussion among the philosophers of the Russian Silver Age. Archival documents, which are published for the first time in this article, refer to such a rare case when the greatest Russian thinkers of that time – P.A. Florensky, S.N. Bulgakov, V.I. Ivanov and others – publicly discussed the essence of Jewish mysticism at a special meeting of the philosophical society. Boris Stolpner's report "Kabbalah as a Special Type of Religious Consciousness", read in April 1914, caused a lively discussion, the content of which we can get acquainted with due to the accidentally preserved notes of Sergei Durylin. The publication of these materials will significantly expand our understanding of the interest in Jewish thought among Russian philosophers of the early twentieth century.
Philosophical “Field” of Confessionalization in Russia: Russian Religious Philosophy of the 19th Century Between “Official” Ecclesiality and Political Theologies
Authors: Solovyov Artem ,   Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary
Published: July 2024

The article explores the history of Russian religious philosophy of the 19th century as a part of the history of Christianity in Russia. Such a point of view becomes possible if we analyze how Russian religious philosophers criticize the religious attitudes of the “official” Orthodox Church and secular worldview attitudes. Secular attitudes are considered in the article as “political theologies” that “continued” religion in a secular society by secular means and for secular purposes. Criticism of the “official” ecclesiality and political theologies allows us to say that Russian religious philosophers, starting from the 19th century, initiated a process that was structurally similar to the process of confessionalization in the Reformation era. Within the framework of the “hermeneutic wars” they defended their unique type of religiosity, which can be defined as “the religiosity of intellectuals”. It is through the prism of the confessionalization process that consideration of the history of Russian religious philosophy as part of the history of Christianity in Russia becomes possible; confessionalization is associated with religious conversion, which is common to most Russian religious philosophers. It is concluded that the legitimation of one's own religiosity as genuine is the main goal of Russian religious philosophers, and they use philosophy as a means for this legitimation. This legitimation is proposed to be understood as a perlocutionary aspect of Russian religious philosophy, if we consider it according to the approach of the Cambridge School of Intellectual History. Criticism, in the course of which Russian religious philosophers developed confessionalization activities, substantiating the inauthenticity of both “official” ecclesiality and political theologies, is proposed to be considered an illocutionary, warning aspect of Russian religious philosophy.
The Possible Involvement of KATP Channels in Cholestatic Pruritus in Mice
Authors: Afrooghe Arya , Shayan Maryam , Haddadi Nazgol-Sadat , Rashki Asma , Solaimanian Shahabaddin , Zeini Maryam Shokrian , Dehpour Ahmad-Reza
Published: July 2024

Background
Cholestatic itch dramatically impairs the quality of life of affected patients; however, the therapeutic choices are limited and far from sufficient. ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) contribute to transmitting signals, including itch. Taking together the modulatory effects of KATP channels on neural excitation and the neurogenic origin of cholestatic itch, we investigated the role of these channels in cholestatic pruritus in mice induced by bile duct ligation.
Results
We detected increased scratching responses in cholestatic mice regarding intradermal vehicle injection, representing cholestatic pruritus. KATP channel openers, diazoxide (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and minoxidil (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) attenuated scratching responses in the bile duct ligated mice. On the other hand, KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (3 mg/kg intraperitoneal) intensified the scratching behavior. Moreover, pre-treatment with the sub-effective dose of glibenclamide (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) reversed the anti-pruritic effects of diazoxide (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and minoxidil (10 mg/kg intraperitoneal). The open-field test revealed that the scratching behavior was not affected by locomotor activity. Our finding of Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis also showed an increase in the expression of Kcnj11 in bile-duct ligated mice.
Conclusions
We conclude that ATP-sensitive potassium channels are possibly involved in cholestatic itch. Further studies are needed to elucidate the other associations between cholestasis and itch.
Mindfulness predicts reduced aberrant salience and improves stress management
Authors: Wießner Isabel , Souza Júlia Paula , Demarzo Marcelo , Tófoli Luís Fernando
Published: July 2024

Mindfulness can improve mental health and clinical conditions including psychosis, and modulate attentional processes including salience, an automatic mechanism to guide attention towards outstanding elements or ideas. Aberrant salience, the exaggerated assignment of salience, is associated with psychotic experiences, but the effects of mindfulness on aberrant salience are unexplored. To address this, we conducted a pre-post-intervention pilot study, with 21 participants undergoing an 8-week course of Mindfulness-Based Health Promotion (MBHP). Quantitative and qualitative measurements were conducted before (T0), immediately after (T1), and three months after the course (T2). Primary outcome was aberrant salience (Aberrant Salience Inventory, ASI). Secondary outcomes included quantitative scales on mindful attention (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS) and decentering (Experiences Questionnaire, EQ), and qualitative reports on participation motivations, preferred practices, learnings, and stress management. Correlations included quantitative changes over time (T1-T0, T2-T0, and T2-T1). The results show that the ASI factor Heightened Cognition increased post-course (T1-T0), while ASI Heightened Emotionality (T2-T0) and total aberrant salience (T2-T1) decreased. MAAS and EQ scores increased (T1-T0, T2-T0). MAAS scores (T1-T0, T2-T0) correlated negatively with ASI Heightened Emotionality (T2-T0). Qualitative analyses indicated consistent stressors but improved stress management, applying the course contents and integrating mindfulness into everyday life, even three months afterward. In conclusion, along with improved well-being and stress management, mindfulness might modify pre-attentional and attentional processes such as reduced aberrant salience, besides enhanced mindful attention and decentering. Importantly, mindful attention might predict and promote aberrant salience reductions, warranting future research on treatment approaches and mechanisms of mindfulness in psychosis.
Comparative Investigation of the Stretch-flange Cracking Mechanism of Ultrahigh-strength Steels with Different Microstructures and Hole-Expansion Ratios
Authors: Matsuki Yuichi , Nakagawa Kinya , Shinmiya Toyohisa , Tamai Yoshikiyo
Published: July 2024

Ultrahigh-strength steel sheets (UHSSs) have been widely adopted for reducing the weight of auto mobile body structures in order to combine fuel efficiency with crashworthiness. One of the issues in the press forming of UHSSs is to prevent stretch-flange cracking on the sheared edges of blank sheets. Although countermeasures have been developed in terms of both materials and processes, the fundamental picture of stretch-flange cracking in diverse types of UHSSs was unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism and material factors of stretch-flange cracking in UHSSs with a tensile strength of 980 MPa grade, comparing dual phase(DP), transformation induced plasticity(TRIP) and full martensite(FM) microstructures. The material sheets were pierced by punching or machining, and subsequently, hole-expansion-tested and observed. Macroscopic observation in the tests revealed that the hole-expansion limit was determined by the earliness of crack propagation relative to the hole-expansion ratio. Scanning electron microscope(SEM) analysis of the expanded edge interior showed that void formation occurred exclusively around the crack tip area, thus contributing to ductile crack growth. Microscopy analysis of the expanded edge surfaces revealed the details of stretch-flange cracking. The analysis results suggested that the flange cracks more easily proceeded and cleaved in the order of TRIP, DP, and FM. It was concluded that the crack growth behavior and the hole-expansion limit were dominated by the microstructural resistance to crack growth generated from work-hardened layer.
Approach to systematic improvements of dependability within railway asset management
Authors: Granström Rikard , Söderholm Peter
Published: July 2024

This paper describes results from a research and development (R&D) project at Trafikverket (Swedish transport administration). The purpose of the study was to systemize dependability improvements of Trafikverket’s Control Command and Signalling (CCS) assets. A case study was conducted on level crossings that represent a critical part of the CCS system. The results of the study show that the systemic approach contributes to asset management as it contributes to short-term dependability and productivity improvements as well as to medium term specifications for system modifications and long-term specifications for next generation of level crossings. The approach is based on a combination of methodologies and tools described in dependability standards, e.g., Failure Modes, Effects & Criticality Analysis (FMECA). However, the approach also considers aspects from Design of Experiments (DoE) to support field tests aligned with other tasks in the railway infrastructure. Besides contributing to improvements, the approach complies with regulations and mandatory standards. Examples of these are Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM-RA, EU 402/2013) and EN 50126 - RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability & Safety) for railway applications. In addition, the approach complies with regulatory requirements related to enterprise risk management and internal control, i.e., effectiveness, productivity, compliance and documentation. The approach also supports asset management in accordance with the ISO 55000-series.
The Retrotransposon-Derived Capsid Genes PNMA1 and PNMA4 Maintain Reproductive Capacity
Authors: Berchowitz Luke , Wood Thomas , Henriques William , Cullen Harrison , Romero Mayra , Blengini Cecilia , Sarathy Shreya , Sorkin Julia , Bekele Hilina , Jin Chen , Kim Seungsoo , Chemiakine Alexei , Khondker Rishad , Isola Jose , Stout Michael B , Gennarino Vincenzo , Mogessie Binyam , Jain Devanshi , Schindler Karen , Suh Yousin , Wiedenheft Blake
Published: July 2024

The human genome contains 24 gag-like capsid genes derived from deactivated retrotransposons conserved among eutherians. Although some of their encoded proteins retain the ability to form capsids and even transfer cargo, their fitness benefit has remained elusive. Here we show that the gag-like genes PNMA1 and PNMA4 support reproductive capacity during aging. Analysis of donated human ovaries shows that expression of both genes declines normally with age, while several PNMA1 and PNMA4 variants identified in genome-wide association studies are causally associated with low testosterone, altered puberty onset, or obesity. Six-week-old mice lacking either Pnma1 or Pnma4 are indistinguishable from wild-type littermates, but by six months the mutant mice become prematurely subfertile, with precipitous drops in sex hormone levels, gonadal atrophy, and abdominal obesity; overall they produce markedly fewer offspring than controls. These findings expand our understanding of factors that maintain human reproductive health and lend insight into the domestication of retrotransposon-derived genes.
The impact of physiotherapy interventions on respiratory muscle function in patients with neuromuscular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ortiz-Garcia Nancy Yesenia , Rueda-Capristran Diego Eduardo , Herrera Domenica Alejandra , Reyes-Rivera Jonathan , Othón-Martínez Diana , Kumar Ajay , Alonso-Ramírez Angie Carolina , Mejia Frances Marie , Martinez-Illan Jonathan David , Cruz Camila Sanchez , Perez-Moreno Elda Janette , Calderón-Martínez Ernesto
Published: July 2024

Background
Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) represent a diverse group of disorders characterized by progressive impairment of skeletal muscle strength and respiratory function. These disorders pose significant challenges to individuals’ daily activities and overall quality of life. Respiratory complications are common and contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates. Physiotherapy, especially respiratory muscle training, is often recommended as a key intervention to manage and possibly reverse some of these respiratory impairments.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions on respiratory muscle function in adults with NMDs. The databases searched included Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and others. The outcomes assessed were lung volume and capacity, inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, and the frequency of respiratory distress episodes.
Results
Of the 7669 identified articles, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies showed a low to moderate risk of bias. The meta-analysis revealed nonsignificant increases in various respiratory parameters, including FVC%, MIP, and MEP. However, a systematic review indicated that more than two-thirds of the study population experienced improved respiratory muscle strength due to physiotherapy interventions. Notably, there was considerable heterogeneity among the studies, which impacted the overall statistical significance of the meta-analysis results.
Conclusion
This review highlights the potential benefits of physiotherapy, particularly RMT, in improving respiratory muscle strength in patients with NMDs. Despite the variability and lack of statistical significance in the meta-analysis, the systematic review suggested that physiotherapy can be a valuable intervention. Future research should aim to standardize interventions and outcome measures to provide more definitive evidence on the efficacy of physiotherapy for respiratory complications in NMD patients.
Optical signature of retinal tau fibrillation
Authors: Salajkova Zita , Barolo Lorenzo , Baiocco Paola , Ruzicka Barbara , Mura Francesco , Lorenzo Francesco Di , Boffi Alberto , Ricco Vincenzo , Ruocco Giancarlo , Leonetti Marco
Published: July 2024

Fibrillated Tau proteins are believed to be a signature of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and may be potentially employed as a biosensor for AD early detection. Several studies revealed the presence of Tau accumulation and aggregation in the retina, similar to that observed in the brains of individuals with AD. These retinal changes can be non-invasively visualised through AD-related scores derived from reflectance measurements of the patient fundus. However, a direct link with the optical properties of fibrillated protein clusters is still lacking. Here, we present a new optical technique which measures the scattering optical properties of protein fibrils. Our experimental findings show that the scattering intensity of Tau has a wavelength dependence correlated to their size. The optical signal qualitatively replicates the spectral signature observed in human AD patient retinas. Our paper shows that the Tau protein spectral signature is compatible with the distinctive spectral signature of the AD, further confirming that retinal investigation is a promising tool.
The Abl1 tyrosine kinase is a key player in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy and its p53/p73 cell death mediated signaling differs in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes
Authors: Borlak Jürgen , Ciribilli Yari , Bisio Alessandra , Selvaraj Saravanakumar , Inga Alberto , Oh Jung-Hwa , Spanel Reinhard
Published: July 2024

Background
Doxorubicin is an important anticancer drug, however, elicits dose-dependently cardiomyopathy. Given its mode of action, i.e. topoisomerase inhibition and DNA damage, we investigated genetic events associated with cardiomyopathy and searched for mechanism-based possibilities to alleviate cardiotoxicity. We treated rats at clinically relevant doses of doxorubicin. Histopathology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) defined cardiac lesions, and transcriptomics unveiled cardiomyopathy-associated gene regulations. Genomic-footprints revealed critical components of Abl1-p53-signaling, and EMSA-assays evidenced Abl1 DNA-binding activity. Gene reporter assays confirmed Abl1 activity on p53-targets while immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated Abl1, p53&p73 signaling.
Results
Doxorubicin treatment caused dose-dependently toxic cardiomyopathy, and TEM evidenced damaged mitochondria and myofibrillar disarray. Surviving cardiomyocytes repressed Parkin-1 and Bnip3-mediated mitophagy, stimulated dynamin-1-like dependent mitochondrial fission and induced anti-apoptotic Bag1 signaling. Thus, we observed induced mitochondrial biogenesis. Transcriptomics discovered heterogeneity in cellular responses with minimal overlap between treatments, and the data are highly suggestive for distinct cardiomyocyte (sub)populations which differed in their resilience and reparative capacity. Genome-wide footprints revealed Abl1 and p53 enriched binding sites in doxorubicin-regulated genes, and we confirmed Abl1 DNA-binding activity in EMSA-assays. Extraordinarily, Abl1 signaling differed in the heart with highly significant regulations of Abl1, p53 and p73 in atrial cardiomyocytes. Conversely, in ventricular cardiomyocytes, Abl1 solely-modulated p53-signaling that was BAX transcription-independent. Gene reporter assays established Abl1 cofactor activity for the p53-reporter PG13-luc, and ectopic Abl1 expression stimulated p53-mediated apoptosis.
Conclusions
The tyrosine kinase Abl1 is of critical importance in doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy, and we propose its inhibition as means to diminish risk of cardiotoxicity.
Study protocol for Optimising patient positioning for accelerated partial breast radiotherapy with the Integrated Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator -OPRAH MRL
Authors: Dean Jenna , Anderson Nigel , Halkett Georgia KB , Lye Jessica , Tacey Mark , Foroudi Farshad , Chao Michael , Wright Caroline
Published: July 2024

Background:
Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an accepted treatment option for early breast cancer. Treatment delivered on the Magnetic Resonance integrated Linear Accelerator (MRL) provides the added assurance of improved soft tissue visibility, important in the delivery of APBI. This technique can be delivered in both the supine and prone positions, however current literature suggests that prone treatment on the MRL is infeasible due to physical limitations with bore size. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of positioning patients on a custom designed prone breast board compared with supine positioning on a personalised vacuum bag. Geometric distortion, the relative position of Organs at Risk (OAR) to the tumour bed and breathing motion (intrafraction motion) will be compared between the supine and prone positions. The study will also investigate the positional impact on dosimetry, patient experience, and position preference.
Methods:
Up to 30 patients will be recruited over a 12-month period for participation in this Human Research Ethics Committee approved exploratory cohort study. Patients will be scanned on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Simulator in both the supine and prone positions as per current standard of care for APBI simulation. Supine and prone positioning comparisons will all be assessed on de-identified MRI image pairs, acquired using appropriate software. Patient experience will be explored through completion of a short, anonymous electronic survey.
Descriptive statistics will be used for reporting of results with categorical, parametric/non-parametric tests applied (data format dependent). Survey results will be interpreted by comparison of percentage frequencies across the Likert scales. Thematic content analysis will be used to interpret qualitative data from the open-ended survey questions.
Discussion:
The results of this study will be used to assess the feasibility of treating patients with APBI in the prone position on a custom designed board on the MRL. It may also be used to assist with identification of patients who would benefit from this position over supine without the need to perform both scans. Patient experience and technical considerations will be utilised to develop a tool to assist in this process.
Trial Registration:
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN1262400067583. Registered 28th of May 2024. https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12624000679583.aspx
The Role of Piezo1 in Regulating Collagen Expression in Orbital Fibroblasts under High Pressure
Authors: Yan Wen , Liu Taixing , Tang Qingqing , Mu Guiying , Li Danwei , Luo Xin
Published: July 2024

Purpose.To explore the effect of Pizeo 1 on the expression of collagen Ⅰ\Ⅲ\Ⅴof orbital fibroblasts in pressure culture simulated the high orbital pressure of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
Methods.The primary orbital fibroblasts of guinea pig were isolated and cultured by enzymatic digestion method, and the expression levels of Piezo1, α-SMA, and collagenⅠ\Ⅲ\Ⅴin the cells under different pressure (0, 1, 2, and 3Kpa) were checked by WB and PCR. And then the orbital fibroblasts were cultured under a constant pressure of 3KPa and treated with different concentrations (1, 5, and 10 μmol/L) of Piezo1 inhibitor GsMTx4, respectively. The expression levels of Piezo1, α-SMA, and collagenⅠ\Ⅲ\Ⅴ in the orbital fibroblasts were observed. CCK8 and Flow cytometry were used to observe the cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Results.With the increase of pressure, the expression levels of Piezo1 and collagenⅠ\Ⅲ\Ⅴ protein and mRNA in the orbital fibroblasts increased significantly (P< 0.05). Meanwhile, inhibition of Piezo1 by GsMTx4 significantly reduced the levels of OFs transdifferentiation and collagenⅠ\Ⅲ\Ⅴ under the high pressure (P< 0.05). Furthermore, the proliferation of orbital fibroblasts was enhanced with the increase of pressure. Under the co-culture of pressure and inhibitor GsMTx4, the low concentration group promoted the proliferation of orbital fibroblasts, and the high concentration group (10μM) promoted the proliferation of orbital fibroblasts at the early stage, but less than the 5μM group. And at the later stage, the proliferation of orbital fibroblasts was inhibited. Compression alone or compression combined with inhibitor did not affect the apoptosis of orbital fibroblasts.
Conclusion. Down-regulating the expression of piezo1 can inhibit the transdifferentiation of orbital fibroblasts and the synthesis and secretion of collagenⅠ\Ⅲ\Ⅴ, which provide a new idea for exploring the fibrosis mechanism in TAO.
A Lightweight Network FLA-Detect for Steel Surface Defect Detection
Authors: Wang Jingzhe , Wang Yue , Sun Aixi , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2024

Rapid and accurate defect detection is crucial for enhancing product quality in the steel industry. This paper proposes a steel surface defect detection network, FLA-Detect, to address these challenges. Three key improvements are integrated into FLA-Detect. To achieve a lightweight model, a new structure called FC2f has been introduced, significantly reducing the model's parameters Additionally, a lightweight attention mechanism named Large Separable Kernel Attention (LSKA) is incorporated, enhancing the accuracy of small target defect detection and improving network robustness. To further enhance feature extraction and model deployment feasibility, a new downsampling structure called AMDown is designed. The performance of FLA-Detect is validated through comparative ablation experiments on the NEU-DET dataset, followed by generalization validation on the GC10 dataset. These experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of FLA-Detect.
Large Language Models for Source Code Vulnerability Detection: A DiverseVul Analysis
Authors: Dias Tiago , Gonçalves José , Maia Eva , Praça Isabel
Published: July 2024

Software's pervasive impact and increasing reliance in the era of digital transformation raises concerns about vulnerabilities. The emergence of code assistants for code generation further aggravates this issue, emphasizing the critical need for prioritizing software security. In recent research, DL has become a very promising instrument for vulnerability detection, with most recent approaches utilizing LLMs for Software Vulnerability Detection. The data utilized in this context is curated from real-world projects or synthetically, with the latter achieving great metric scores but poor performance in a real context. Driven by this issue, DiverseVul has been curated to be the largest dataset containing C/C++ vulnerable and non-vulnerable functions extracted from real-world projects. This work intends to explore this dataset by using it to fine-tune three LLMs (i.e.: CodeBERT, CodeGPT, and NatGen), evaluating their performance on vulnerability detection. During data processing, several erroneous data points were found, motivating the creation of a refined version of the dataset. Moreover, to establish a comparable baseline, the same models were fine-tuned on the RCVEFixes dataset, which is a refined version of the CVEFixes dataset containing only C/C++ functions. The results show that the best-performing models were CodeBERT trained on DiverseVul with 69% F1-Score and NatGen trained on RVCEFixes with 53%. It can be concluded that the performance of CodeBERT trained on DiverseVul is generally higher than average literature using similar techniques.
Single-Institution Retrospective Review of Immunologic Profiles and Infection Patterns in Patients with Down Syndrome
Authors: Satnarine Travis , Pundit Valishti , de Almeida Alana Xavier , Wyke Matthew , Gebbia APRN Jennifer , Kleiner MD Gary , Gans Melissa
Published: July 2024

This study aims to investigate the immunologic deficiencies in individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) who were evaluated by immunologists to evaluate extent of immune dysfunction in DS patients. A retrospective review was conducted, approved by the University of Miami and Jackson Health Systems institutional review boards (study #20230956). Electronic medical records from 2010 to 2023 were searched, identifying 35 patients for review. After excluding duplicates and patients without DS diagnosis, 17 patient records were reviewed. Data collected included demographic information, history of infections, and immunologic laboratory parameters. The cohort comprised 17 patients, with a mean age of 7.4 years at immunologic evaluation. The most common recurrent infections were otitis media (29%), viral upper respiratory infections (24%), and bacterial lower respiratory infections (24%). 15/17 (88%) of these patients had a documented laboratory immunological abnormality. Immunologic findings showed that 9/17 (53%) had absolute lymphopenia, 6/10 (60%) had T-cell, B-cell and/or Natural Killer lymphopenia, 7/14 (50%) had low IgG, low IgA, and/or low IgM. Pneumococcal titers were non-protective in 9/12 (75%) of patients after primary vaccination, with 50% achieving protective titers after booster vaccination. Recommendations included additional Pneumococcal vaccination 8/12 (67%) and immunoglobulin replacement therapy 1/17 (6%). This study highlights significant immune dysfunction in DS patients, underscoring the need for routine immunologic evaluations. The findings advocate for enhanced clinical guidelines to include immunologic assessments and treatments, aiming to improve health outcomes for individuals with DS.
Life’s Essential 8 predicts the risk of periodontitis: A nomogram
Authors: Guo Linxu , Luo Zhixin , Deng Ke , Li An , Du Mi
Published: July 2024

Background: Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), a metric to quantify cardiovascular health, comprises eight elements of health behaviours and lifestyles. There is an interest to understand the distinct effects of individual LE8 elements on periodontal health and whether LE8 predict the risk of periodontitis.
Methods: Pooled cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2009–2014 were used (n = 8,519). Periodontitis was classified into two groups (no/mild and moderate/severe). LE8 score (range 0–100), determined by eight metrics (diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure), was categorized as low (0–49), moderate (50–79), and high (80–100). The LE8–periodontitis association was investigated by multivariable logistic regression and population attributable fraction (PAF). Prediction models for periodontitis using LE8 score were developed, and the performance was tested by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curve.
Results: Negative associations were found between LE8 score and periodontitis. Participants with low and moderate LE8 scores had higher risks of periodontitis than those with high LE8 scores (odds ratios [OR] = 4.182 [95%CI = 3.553–4.921], and 2.274 [95%CI = 2.020–2.560], respectively). The PAF analysis showed that 37.794% of periodontitis cases can be attributed to low LE8, among which the effects of blood pressure (PAF = 24.892%), nicotine exposure (PAF = 20.557%), blood lipids (PAF = 19.627%), and diet quality (PAF = 9.252%) were found to be significant. The models constructed using the four LE8 components of blood pressure, nicotine exposure, blood lipids, and diet quality could predict the risk of periodontitis (AUC = 0.744 [0.733, 0.755]).
Conclusion: Worse cardiovascular health, indicated by lower LE8 score, was related to periodontitis risk, and the LE8 score significantly predicted the periodontal health status.
Longitudinal analysis of body weight reveals homeostatic and adaptive traits linked to lifespan in diversity outbred mice
Authors: Raj Anil , Prateek G.V. , Chen Zhenghao , Wright Kevin , Francesco Andrea , Jojic Vladimir , Churchill Gary
Published: July 2024

Dense temporal measurements of physiological health using simple and consistent assays are essential to characterize biological processes associated with aging and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on these processes. We measured body weight in 960 genetically diverse mice, every 7-10 days over the full course of their lifespan. We used a state space model to characterize the trajectories of body weight throughout life and derived 10 novel traits capturing the dynamics of body weight that are both associated with lifespan and heritable. Genetic mapping of these traits identified 12 genomic loci, none of which were previously mapped to body weight. We observed that the ability to stabilize body weight, despite fluctuations in energy intake and expenditure, is positively associated with lifespan and mapped to a genomic locus linked to energy homeostasis. Our results highlight the importance of dense longitudinal measurements of physiological traits for monitoring health and aging.
Deubiquitinase USP5 regulates RIPK1 driven pyroptosis in response to myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Lu Hongquan , Ma Lingkun , Ding Cong , Wang Hailan , Chu Yingjie
Published: July 2024

Background
Gasdermin D (GSDMD) mediated pyroptosis plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the precise mechanisms regulating pyroptosis remain unclear. In the study, we aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of pyroptosis in myocardial I/R injury.
Methods
In the present study, we analyzed the effects of USP5 on the RIPK1 kinase activity mediated pyroptosis in vitro after H/R (hypoxia/reoxygenation) and in vivo in a MI/R mouse model. TTC and Evan’s blue dye, Thioflavin S and immunohistochemistry staining were performed in wild-type, RIPK1flox/flox Cdh5-Cre and USP5 deficiency mice. CMEC cells were transfected with si-USP5. HEK293T cells were transfected with USP5 and RIPK1 overexpression plasmid or its mutants. The levels of USP5, RIPK1, Caspase-8, FADD and GSDMD were determined by Western blot. Protein interactions were evaluated by immunoprecipitation. The protein colocalization in cells was monitored using a confocal microscope.
Results
In this study, our data demonstrate that RIPK1 is essential for limiting cardiomyocyte endothelial cell (CMEC) pyroptosis mediated by caspase-8 in response to myocardial I/R. Additionally, we investigate the role of ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5) as a deubiquitinase for RIPK1. Mechanistically, USP5 interacts with RIPK1, leading to its deubiquitination and stabilization.
Conclusions
These findings offer new insights into the role of USP5 in regulating RIPK1-induced pyroptosis.
Influential Factors for Medical Students’ Classroom Concentration—Evaluation With Speech Recognition and Face Recognition Technology
Authors: Chai Xiaohan , Yang Jingwen , Liu Yunsong
Published: July 2024

Statement of the Problem. The classroom concentration of medical students is an important factor in promoting their mastery of knowledge. Multiple teaching characteristics, such as speaking speed, voice volume, and question use, are confirmed to be influential factors.
Purpose. This research aims to analyze how teachers’ linguistic characteristics affect medical students’ classroom concentration based on a speech recognition toolkit and face recognition technology.
Materials and Methods: A speech recognition toolkit, WeNet, is used to recognize sentences during lectures in this study. Face recognition technology (FRT) is used to detect students’ concentration in class. The study involved 80 undergraduate students majoring in stomatology. The classroom videos of 5 class hours in the dental anatomy course were collected in October 2022. Pearson correlation, Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the impact of time and teachers’ linguistic characteristics on students’ concentration.
Results. As a result of regression analysis, the explanatory power of the effect of the linguistic characteristics was 7.09% (F = 83.82, P < 0.001), with time, volume and question being significant influencing factors (P < 0.01). The local polynomial smooth of the scatter between the concentration degree and the use of questions with time appears to fluctuate cyclically and suggests a potential inverse relationship between the use of questions and the concentration degree.
Conclusions. The results of this study support the significant positive influence of volume and questioning technique, the negative influence of time, and the insignificant influence of speaking speed and the interval between sentences on students’ concentration. This study also suggested that teachers may adjust their questioning frequency based on their observation of students’ concentration.
From Bottleneck to Breakthrough: Superior Performance of AngPPIS, DisPPIS, and SecPPIS Models in PPI Prediction
Authors: Wu Wenyan , Chen Lianglong , Tang Wenru , Yao Feng , Huang Chao
Published: July 2024

In the current field of medical research, particularly in the development of targeted medications for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, tasks are often accomplished through protein-protein interactions (PPI). Consequently, mastering intracellular protein interactions is becoming increasingly important. This study developed three innovative deep learning models: SecPPIS, DisPPIS, and AngPPIS specifically designed to predict features related to proteins' secondary structures, spatial distances, and spatial angles, respectively. Our models underwent comprehensive training and testing, assessing their practicality through their performance in real-world applications. Compared with existing technologies our models demonstrated superior performance levels. These achievements provide effective technical support for the study of protein interactions and related drug development.
Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Antibodies Among Hiv- Infected Individuals Attending Lautech Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State
Authors: Opaleye Oladele Oluyinka , OLAYINKA Adenike Titilayo , OGUNNIRAN James Akinwumi , AKANBI Anuoluwapo Olusola , OLAYINKA Oluwajoba Akintunde , AMOO-ADEBOYE Basirat Opemipo , OLUFEMI-AWORINDE Kehinde Joyce
Published: July 2024

Background: Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is an opportunistic infection of public health concern globally among people living with HIV (PLWHIV). This study focused on the prevalence, of and risk factors for HSV among PLWHIV to help them live a healthier life.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Retroviral Clinic of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho between December 2021 and June 2022. A total of 208 consenting individuals were enrolled in the study. Type-specific anti- HSV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using ELISA. Risk factors and the prevalence of HSV type 2 were analysed using SPSS version 23.
Results: The prevalence rates of HSV-2 IgG among 104 PLWHIV and 104 non-HIV were 40.4% and 0% respectively. The Prevalence of HSV-2 IgM among 104 PLWHIV and 104, non-HIV was 7.7% and 4.8%, respectively. A significant HSV-2 prevalence was reported among those with one or more sexual partners (p=0.049). The percentages of Females and males who were positive for HSV-2 IgG were 40.0% and 41.0%, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that PLWHIV are prone to contracting HSV infection and vice-versa. Thus, it is difficult to improve the health of people living with HIV, and efforts to reduce HIV infection are abortive. This study also, showed, that HSV-2 is a burden among PLWHIV in Ogbomoso. Hence, public sensitization, to HSV-2 among HIV infected individuals is important.