bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions Between Marine Group II Archaea and Phytoplankton Revealed by Population Correlations in the Northern Coast of South China Sea
Authors: Chen Songze , Tao Jianchang , Chen Yufei , Wang Wenxiu , Fan Lu , Zhang Chuanlun
Published: January 2022

Marine Group II (MGII) archaea (Poseidoniales) are the most abundant surface marine planktonic archaea and are widely distributed in both coastal and pelagic waters. The factors affecting their distribution and activity are poorly understood. MGII archaea have the metabolic potential to utilize algae-derived organic matter and are frequently observed in high abundance during or following phytoplankton blooms, suggesting that they are key players of the marine food web. In this study, we studied interactions between MGII archaea and the diverse taxa of phytoplankton in the northern coast of South China Sea. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and cluster analyses demonstrated distinct MGII community patterns in the Pearl River plume (PRP) and the open regions of the northern South China Sea (ONSCS), with MGIIb dominating the former and MGIIa and MGIIb showing remarkable variations in the latter for the same sampling season. Nevertheless, positive correlations (Pearson correlation: R > 0.8 and P < 0.01) in absolute abundances of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-derived complementary DNA and rRNA genes from network analyses were found between MGII archaea and phytoplankton (cyanobacteria, haptophytes, and stramenopiles in both PRP and ONSCS) among different particle size fractions, indicating their intrinsic relationships under changing environmental conditions. The results of this study may shed light on the multiple interactions between co-existing species in the micro-niches of different oceanic regions.
Secreted Toxins From Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated From Keratinocyte Skin Cancers Mediate Pro-tumorigenic Inflammatory Responses in the Skin
Authors: Krueger Annika , Zaugg Julian , Chisholm Sarah , Linedale Richard , Lachner Nancy , Teoh Siok Min , Tuong Zewen K. , Lukowski Samuel W. , Morrison Mark , Soyer H. Peter , Hugenholtz Philip , Hill Michelle M. , Frazer Ian H.
Published: January 2022

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common type of skin cancer that typically arises from premalignant precursor lesions named actinic keratoses (AK). Chronic inflammation is a well-known promoter of skin cancer progression. AK and SCC have been associated with an overabundance of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Certain secreted products from S. aureus are known to promote cutaneous pro-inflammatory responses; however, not all S. aureus strains produce these. As inflammation plays a key role in SCC development, we investigated the pro-inflammatory potential and toxin secretion profiles of skin-cancer associated S. aureus. Sterile culture supernatants (“secretomes”) of S. aureus clinical strains isolated from AK and SCC were applied to human keratinocytes in vitro. Some S. aureus secretomes induced keratinocytes to overexpress inflammatory mediators that have been linked to skin carcinogenesis, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα. A large phenotypic variation between the tested clinical strains was observed. Strains that are highly pro-inflammatory in vitro also caused more pronounced skin inflammation in mice. Proteomic characterization of S. aureus secretomes using mass spectrometry established that specific S. aureus enzymes and cytolytic toxins, including hemolysins, phenol-soluble modulins, and serine proteases, as well as currently uncharacterized proteins, correlate with the pro-inflammatory S. aureus phenotype. This study is the first to describe the toxin secretion profiles of AK and SCC-associated S. aureus, and their potential to induce a pro-inflammatory environment in the skin. Further studies are needed to establish whether these S. aureus products promote SCC development by mediating chronic inflammation.
Multiomics Analysis of Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and Cerebrospinal Fluid Metabolomics in Cognitively Normal and Impaired Adults
Authors: Eldridge Ronald C. , Uppal Karan , Shokouhi Mahsa , Smith M. Ryan , Hu Xin , Qin Zhaohui S. , Jones Dean P. , Hajjar Ihab
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Integrating brain imaging with large scale omics data may identify novel mechanisms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We integrated and analyzed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolomics to elucidate metabolic mechanisms and create a “metabolic map” of the brain in prodromal AD.

Methods

In 145 subjects (85 cognitively normal controls and 60 with MCI), we derived voxel-wise gray matter volume via whole-brain structural MRI and conducted high-resolution untargeted metabolomics on CSF. Using a data-driven approach consisting of partial least squares discriminant analysis, a multiomics network clustering algorithm, and metabolic pathway analysis, we described dysregulated metabolic pathways in CSF mapped to brain regions associated with MCI in our cohort.

Results

The multiomics network algorithm clustered metabolites with contiguous imaging voxels into seven distinct communities corresponding to the following brain regions: hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus (three distinct clusters), thalamus, posterior thalamus, parietal cortex, and occipital lobe. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated dysregulated metabolic activity in the urea cycle, and many amino acids (arginine, histidine, lysine, glycine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, glutamate, beta-alanine, and purine) was significantly associated with those regions (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

By integrating CSF metabolomics data with structural MRI data, we linked specific AD-susceptible brain regions to disrupted metabolic pathways involving nitrogen excretion and amino acid metabolism critical for cognitive function. Our findings and analytical approach may extend drug and biomarker research toward more multiomics approaches.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers for Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: Current View
Authors: Hou Yanbing , Shang Huifang
Published: January 2022

Cognitive impairment (CI) ranging from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia is a common and disturbing complication in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Numerous studies have focused on neuropathological mechanisms underlying CI in PD, along with the identification of specific biomarkers for CI. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a promising method, has been adopted to examine the changes in the brain and identify the candidate biomarkers associated with CI. In this review, we have summarized the potential biomarkers for CI in PD which have been identified through multi-modal MRI studies. Structural MRI technology is widely used in biomarker research. Specific patterns of gray matter atrophy are promising predictors of the evolution of CI in patients with PD. Moreover, other MRI techniques, such as MRI related to small-vessel disease, neuromelanin-sensitive MRI, quantitative susceptibility mapping, MR diffusion imaging, MRI related to cerebrovascular abnormality, resting-state functional MRI, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, can provide imaging features with a good degree of prediction for CI. In the future, novel combined biomarkers should be developed using the recognized analysis tools and predictive algorithms in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
Short- and Long-Range Connections Differentially Modulate the Dynamics and State of Small-World Networks
Authors: Arvin Simon , Glud Andreas Nørgaard , Yonehara Keisuke
Published: January 2022

The human brain contains billions of neurons that flexibly interconnect to support local and global computational spans. As neuronal activity propagates through the neural medium, it approaches a critical state hedged between ordered and disordered system regimes. Recent work demonstrates that this criticality coincides with the small-world topology, a network arrangement that accommodates both local (subcritical) and global (supercritical) system properties. On one hand, operating near criticality is thought to offer several neurocomputational advantages, e.g., high-dynamic range, efficient information capacity, and information transfer fidelity. On the other hand, aberrations from the critical state have been linked to diverse pathologies of the brain, such as post-traumatic epileptiform seizures and disorders of consciousness. Modulation of brain activity, through neuromodulation, presents an attractive mode of treatment to alleviate such neurological disorders, but a tractable neural framework is needed to facilitate clinical progress. Using a variation on the generative small-world model of Watts and Strogatz and Kuramoto's model of coupled oscillators, we show that the topological and dynamical properties of the small-world network are divided into two functional domains based on the range of connectivity, and that these domains play distinct roles in shaping the behavior of the critical state. We demonstrate that short-range network connections shape the dynamics of the system, e.g., its volatility and metastability, whereas long-range connections drive the system state, e.g., a seizure. Together, these findings lend support to combinatorial neuromodulation approaches that synergistically normalize the system dynamic while mobilizing the system state.
Feedback Related Potentials for EEG-Based Typing Systems
Authors: Gonzalez-Navarro Paula , Celik Basak , Moghadamfalahi Mohammad , Akcakaya Murat , Fried-Oken Melanie , Erdoğmuş Deniz
Published: January 2022

Error related potentials (ErrP), which are elicited in the EEG in response to a perceived error, have been used for error correction and adaption in the event related potential (ERP)-based brain computer interfaces designed for typing. In these typing interfaces, ERP evidence is collected in response to a sequence of stimuli presented usually in the visual form and the intended user stimulus is probabilistically inferred (stimulus with highest probability) and presented to the user as the decision. If the inferred stimulus is incorrect, ErrP is expected to be elicited in the EEG. Early approaches to use ErrP in the design of typing interfaces attempt to make hard decisions on the perceived error such that the perceived error is corrected and either the sequence of stimuli are repeated to obtain further ERP evidence, or without further repetition the stimulus with the second highest probability is presented to the user as the decision of the system. Moreover, none of the existing approaches use a language model to increase the performance of typing. In this work, unlike the existing approaches, we study the potential benefits of fusing feedback related potentials (FRP), a form of ErrP, with ERP and context information (language model, LM) in a Bayesian fashion to detect the user intent. We present experimental results based on data from 12 healthy participants using RSVP Keyboard™ to complete a copy-phrase-task. Three paradigms are compared: [P1] uses only ERP/LM Bayesian fusion; [P2] each RSVP sequence is appended with the top candidate in the alphabet according to posterior after ERP evidence fusion; corresponding FRP is then incorporated; and [P3] the top candidate is shown as a prospect to generate FRP evidence only if its posterior exceeds a threshold. Analyses indicate that ERP/LM/FRP evidence fusion during decision making yields significant speed-accuracy benefits for the user.
Exploring Neurofilament Light Chain and Exosomes in the Genetic Forms of Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Zanardini Roberta , Saraceno Claudia , Benussi Luisa , Squitti Rosanna , Ghidoni Roberta
Published: January 2022

Differential diagnosis of neurological disorders and their subtype classification are challenging without specific biomarkers. Genetic forms of these disorders, typified by an autosomal dominant family history, could offer a window to identify potential biomarkers by exploring the presymptomatic stages of the disease. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second cause of dementia with an age of onset < 65, and its most common mutations are in GRN, C9orf72, and MAPT genes. Several studies have demonstrated that the main proteins involved in FTD pathogenesis can be secreted in exosomes, a specific subtype of extracellular vesicles able to transfer biomolecules between cells avoiding cell-to-cell contact. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in central nervous system have been advocated as biomarkers of axonal injury. NfL concentrations have been found increased in FTD and have been related to disease severity and prognosis. Little information on the relationship between NfL and exosomes in FTD has been collected, deriving mainly from traumatic brain injury. Current review deals with this matter in the attempt to provide an updated discussion of the role of NfL and exosomes as biomarkers of genetic forms of FTD.
Nutritional Status According to the Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) and Clinical Characteristics as Predictors of Length of Stay, Mortality, and Readmissions Among Older Inpatients in China: A National Study
Authors: Liu Hongpeng , Jiao Jing , Zhu Minglei , Wen Xianxiu , Jin Jingfen , Wang Hui , Lv Dongmei , Zhao Shengxiu , Sun Xiang , Wu Xinjuan , Xu Tao
Published: January 2022

Background

Studies are scarce in China that explore the association of nutritional status, measured using the Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) and biochemical data, on adverse clinical outcomes among older inpatients. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in tertiary hospitals of China and the associations between malnutrition and adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods

This prospective study involved 5,516 older inpatients (mean age 72.47 ± 5.77 years) hospitalized in tertiary hospitals between October 2018 and February 2019. The tertiary hospitals refer to the hospital with more than 500 beds and can provide complex medical care services. The MNA-SF was used to assess nutritional status. Multiple logistic regression and negative binomial regression were used to analyze the relationship between nutritional parameters and risk of hospital length of stay (LoS), mortality, and rehospitalization.

Results

We found that 46.19% of hospitalized patients had malnutrition or malnutrition risk, according to the MNA-SF. Death occurred in 3.45% of patients. MNA-SF scores 0–7 (odds ratio [OR] 5.738, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.473 to 9.48) were associated with a six-fold higher likelihood of death, and scores 8–11 (OR 3.283, 95% CI 2.126–5.069) with a three-fold higher likelihood of death, compared with MNA-SF scores 12–14 in the logistic regression model, after adjusting for potential confounders. A low MNA-SF score of 0–7 (regression coefficient 0.2807, 95% CI 0.0294–0.5320;P< 0.05) and a score of 8–11 (0.2574, 95% CI 0.0863–0.4285;P< 0.01) was associated with a significantly higher (28.07 and 25.74%, respectively) likelihood of increased LoS, compared with MNA-SF score 12–14. MNA-SF scores 0–7 (OR 1.393, 95% CI 1.052–1.843) and 8–11 (OR 1.356, 95% CI 1.124–1.636) were associated with a nearly 1.5-fold higher likelihood of 90-day readmission compared with MNA-SF scores 12–14 in the logistic regression model. Moreover, hemoglobin level, female sex, education level, former smoking, BMI 24–27.9 kg/m2, age 75 years and above, and current alcohol consumption were the main factors influencing clinical outcomes in this population.

Conclusions

Malnutrition increases the risk of hospital LoS, mortality, and 90-day readmission. The use of nutritional assessment tools in all hospitalized patients in China is needed. The MNA-SF combined with hemoglobin level may be used to identify older inpatients with a high risk of adverse clinical outcomes. These findings may have important implications for the planning of hospital services.
(Im)maturity in Tumor Ecosystem
Authors: Mortezaee Keywan , Majidpoor Jamal
Published: January 2022

Tumors have special features that make them distinct from their normal counterparts. Immature cells in a tumor mass and their critical contributions to the tumorigenesis will open new windows toward cancer therapy. Incomplete cellular development brings versatile and unique functionality in the cellular tumor ecosystem, such as what is seen for highly potential embryonic cells. There is evidence that maturation of certain types of cells in this ecosystem can recover the sensitivity of the tumor. Therefore, understanding more about the mechanisms that contributed to this immaturity will render new therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy. Targeting such mechanisms can be exploited as a supplementary to the current immunotherapeutic treatment schedules, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The key focus of this review is to discuss the impact of (im)maturity in cellular tumor ecosystems on cancer progression, focusing mainly on immaturity in the immune cell compartment of the tumor, as well as on the stemness of tumor cells.
Ascites and Serial Plasma Circulating Tumor DNA for Predicting the Effectiveness of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Patients With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Authors: Pu Xiaolin , Li Zongyuan , Wang Xiaoying , Jiang Hua
Published: January 2022

Purpose

We investigated the value of ascites and serial plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for predicting response to hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), monitoring tumor burden, and predicting prognosis in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC).

Experimental Design

In this observational study, 19 patients with PC were enrolled. Serial plasma ctDNA was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The molecular tumor burden index (mTBI) was used to detect ctDNA, and concurrent changes in the dominant clone variant allele frequency (VAF) and common tumor markers were used as controls. The correlation between ascites and plasma ctDNA comutated genes was expressed by VAF. The overall response rate (complete response + partial response) after HIPEC was determined. Ascites progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined, and potential correlations between these outcomes and change in mTBI (△mTBI), change in sum-VAF (△sum-VAF), dominant close VAF, and tumor markers were assessed.

Results

The overall response rate at 1 month after HIPEC was 100%. The △mTBI (r = 0.673; P = 0.023) and △sum-VAF (r = 0.945; P <0.001) were significantly positively correlated with ascites PFS; these correlations were stronger than those of the dominant clone VAF (r = 0.588; P = 0.057) and tumor markers in the same period (r =0.091; P = 0.790). Patients with a low baseline mTBI (<0.67) demonstrated significantly longer ascites PFS (P = 0.003; HR = 0.157; 95% CI: 0.046–0.540) and OS (P = 0.017; HR = 0.296; 95% CI: 0.109–0.804) than those with a high baseline mTBI (≥0.67). Consistent mutations were detected in plasma and ascites (r = 0.794; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

A real-time serial plasma ctDNA assay accurately reflected tumor burden. The △mTBI and △sum-VAF can be used as predictors of HIPEC efficacy in patients with PC. A high baseline mTBI may be a negative risk factor for prognosis.
Practical Protocol for Comprehensively Evaluating Sulfur-Fumigation of Baizhi Based on Metabolomics, Pharmacology, and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Deng Ai-Ping , Kang Chuan-Zhi , Kang Li-Ping , Lyu Chao-Geng , Zhang Wen-Jin , Wang Sheng , Wang Hong-Yang , Nan Tie-Gui , Zhou Li , Huang Lu-Qi , Zhan Zhi-Lai , Guo Lan-Ping
Published: January 2022

Sulfur Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) is a common medicinal herb in Asian countries. A practical protocol combining metabolomics, pharmacology, and cytotoxicity was developed to comprehensively evaluate the influence of sulfur-fumigation on the quality of Baizhi. Furocoumarins could be transformed into sulfur-containing compounds during the sulfuring process, among which1and3were purified with relatively high abundance and identified as 3,4-dihydrobyakangelicin-4-sulfonic acid and (4R,12S)-3,4-dihydrooxypeucedanin hydrate-4-sulfonic acid (OXH-S), respectively. OXH-S was found to be an addition product of sulfite and oxypeucedanin hydrate (OXH-N). Then, the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of OXH-N, OXH-S, and water extracts of sulfured (extraction-S), and unsulfured Baizhi (extraction-N) were evaluated. OXH-S and extraction-S were less toxic than OXH-N and extraction-N, respectively. A comparison of OXH-N with OXH-S and extraction-N with extraction-S showed no significant differences in anti-inflammatory activity. These results suggest that sulfur fumigation can reduce toxicity and does not influence the anti-inflammatory activity of Baizhi, even after chemical composition changes. The proposed protocol based on marker screening, pharmacology, and safety evaluation provides a scientific basis for the standardization and regulation of sulfured Baizhi and other medical materials.
Anticancer Effect of Tanshinones on Female Breast Cancer and Gynecological Cancer
Authors: Jin Zhou , Chenghao Yu , Cheng Peng
Published: January 2022

Female breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer are the most common tumors and the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide in women. Drugs derived from natural plants play important roles in malignant tumor therapy. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a commonly used Chinese herb which has been used in the treatment of liver diseases and cardiovascular diseases because of its positive effect of promoting blood circulation, increasing oxidative stress, and removing blood stasis. Recently, studies have found that fat-soluble components of Salvia miltiorrhiza such as tanshinone II, tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, and dihydrotanshinone I displayed good antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro for gynecological cancer by different molecular mechanisms. In this study, the latest research progress on the antitumor effect and mechanism of tanshinone compounds in breast cancer and gynecological cancer was reviewed to provide references for the research and clinical application of these compounds (tanshinone II, tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, and dihydrotanshinone I).
A Systematic Review of Nudge Interventions to Optimize Medication Prescribing
Authors: Talat Usman , Schmidtke Kelly Ann , Khanal Saval , Chan Amy , Turner Alice , Horne Robert , Chadborn Tim , Gold Natalie , Sallis Anna , Vlaev Ivo
Published: January 2022

Background: The benefits of medication optimization are largely uncontroversial but difficult to achieve. Behavior change interventions aiming to optimize prescriber medication-related decisions, which do not forbid any option and that do not significantly change financial incentives, offer a promising way forward. These interventions are often referred to as nudges.

Objective: The current systematic literature review characterizes published studies describing nudge interventions to optimize medication prescribing by the behavioral determinants they intend to influence and the techniques they apply.

Methods: Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and CINAHL) to identify studies with nudge-type interventions aiming to optimize prescribing decisions. To describe the behavioral determinants that interventionists aimed to influence, data were extracted according to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). To describe intervention techniques applied, data were extracted according to the Behavior Change Techniques (BCT) Taxonomy version 1 and MINDSPACE. Next, the recommended TDF-BCT mappings were used to appraise whether each intervention applied a sufficient array of techniques to influence all identified behavioral determinants.

Results: The current review located 15 studies comprised of 20 interventions. Of the 20 interventions, 16 interventions (80%) were effective. The behavior change techniques most often applied involved prompts (n = 13). The MINDSPACE contextual influencer most often applied involved defaults (n = 10). According to the recommended TDF-BCT mappings, only two interventions applied a sufficient array of behavior change techniques to address the behavioral determinants the interventionists aimed to influence.

Conclusion: The fact that so many interventions successfully changed prescriber behavior encourages the development of future behavior change interventions to optimize prescribing without mandates or financial incentives. The current review encourages interventionists to understand the behavioral determinants they are trying to affect, before the selection and application of techniques to change prescribing behaviors.

Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42020168006].
Magnesium Ions Moderate Calcium-Induced Calcium Release in Cardiac Calcium Release Sites by Binding to Ryanodine Receptor Activation and Inhibition Sites
Authors: Iaparov Bogdan , Baglaeva Iuliia , Zahradník Ivan , Zahradníková Alexandra
Published: January 2022

Ryanodine receptor channels at calcium release sites of cardiac myocytes operate on the principle of calcium-induced calcium release. In vitro experiments revealed competition of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the activation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) as well as inhibition of RyRs by Mg2+. The impact of RyR modulation by Mg2+ on calcium release is not well understood due to the technical limitations of in situ experiments. We turned instead to an in silico model of a calcium release site (CRS), based on a homotetrameric model of RyR gating with kinetic parameters determined from in vitro measurements. We inspected changes in the activity of the CRS model in response to a random opening of one of 20 realistically distributed RyRs, arising from Ca2+/Mg2+ interactions at RyR channels. Calcium release events (CREs) were simulated at a range of Mg2+-binding parameters at near-physiological Mg2+ and ATP concentrations. Facilitation of Mg2+ binding to the RyR activation site inhibited the formation of sparks and slowed down their activation. Impeding Mg-binding to the RyR activation site enhanced spark formation and speeded up their activation. Varying Mg2+ binding to the RyR inhibition site also dramatically affected calcium release events. Facilitation of Mg2+ binding to the RyR inhibition site reduced the amplitude, relative occurrence, and the time-to-end of sparks, and vice versa. The characteristics of CREs correlated dose-dependently with the effective coupling strength between RyRs, defined as a function of RyR vicinity, single-channel calcium current, and Mg-binding parameters of the RyR channels. These findings postulate the role of Mg2+ in calcium release as a negative modulator of the coupling strength among RyRs in a CRS, translating to damping of the positive feedback of the calcium-induced calcium-release mechanism.
Pedagogical Applications, Prospects, and Challenges of Blended Learning in Chinese Higher Education: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad Azeem , Mollah Shorif , Perveen Shahnaz , Shabnam Nadia , Nahar Lizoon
Published: January 2022

In recent years, blended learning (BL) has grown to occupy an important space in Chinese educational practice. Policymakers have developed many application strategies and platforms and are continuing to develop BL for future use. In order to apply BL in practice, key stakeholders have been using different learning management systems (LMSs), digital platforms, games, hybrid courses, and various forms of social media to create a framework for BL. This study asserts that many visible opportunities have emerged in Chinese higher education through the applications of BL. The advantages of BL are that it fosters stronger academic achievement, student engagement, and cognitive engagement and understanding as well as flexible and quick communication skills, faster interaction skills, technical skills, and adaptability to ever-changing educational practices. On the other hand, BL has brought about some pedagogical and technical difficulties for both learners and practitioners. This study found that most BL courses are not as effective as they could be because they do not have a strong pedagogical framework. Moreover, BL suffers from the technical incompetence of teachers and students, the inefficiency of LMSs, and the unavailability of required resources, such as certain devices and the Internet. Some higher education institutions have become pioneers in Chinese educational practice and been able to successfully adopt BL frameworks and integrate Moodle as well as other platforms and techniques. However, many other institutions’ attempts to adopt BL approaches have not been as effective. In order to better understand how and in what ways BL is being integrated into the educational system, this study overviews the current situation and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of BL in Chinese higher education.
Self-Worth as a Mediator and Moderator Between Teacher-Student Relationships and Student Engagement in Rural Schools
Authors: Huang Jiali , Sang Guoyuan , Chao Tzuyang
Published: January 2022

This study examined how self-worth of students mediated and moderated their perceived positive teacher-student relationships and student engagement among middle-school students from rural China. Eighth graders (N = 838) completed surveys measuring their perceived relationships with teachers, their self-worth, and engagement. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations among all three variables, with the strongest being between teacher-student relationships and student engagement. The structural equation modeling indicated that self-worth partially mediated the effect of teacher-student relationships on student engagement; however, positive teacher-student relationships were a stronger predictor. Multigroup analyses identified self-worth as a moderator, whereby students with lower self-worth were more reliant on positive teacher-student relationships to enhance their engagement. This study provides insights into how self-worth of students and their perceived positive teacher-student relationships influence their academic engagement in disadvantaged rural areas of China.
Differences in Mood, Optimism, and Risk-Taking Behavior Between American and Chinese College Students
Authors: Wang Jiao , Cui Ruifeng , Stolarz-Fantino Stephanie , Fantino Edmund , Liu Xiaoming
Published: January 2022

Mood and optimism have been demonstrated to influence risk-taking decisions; however, the literature on mood, optimism, and decision-making is mixed and conducted primarily with western samples. This study sought to address this gap in the literature by examining the impact of mood and dispositional optimism on risk-taking and whether these associations differed between undergraduate students from the United States (N= 141) and the People’s Republic of China (N= 90). Both samples completed a dispositional optimism questionnaire and an autobiographical mood induction task. They were then tasked with choosing to complete the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices reasoning task on easy, medium, or hard difficulty for hypothetical money. Selecting harder difficulties was interpreted as more risk-taking due to a higher chance of failure. More positive mood and higher dispositional optimism were associated with decreased risk-taking, i.e., selecting easier puzzle difficulties, in the American sample but increased risk-taking decisions, i.e., selecting harder difficulties, in the Chinese sample (p< 0.05 for all). These findings suggest that the effect of mood and optimism on decision-making may differ by nationality and/or culture.
Moderated Mediation Mechanism to Determine the Effect of Gender Heterogeneity on Green Purchasing Intention: From the Perspective of Residents’ Values
Authors: Yang Xianchuan , Kittikowit Santhaya , Noparumpa Tim , Jiang Jiayun , Chen Shih-Chih
Published: January 2022

This study determines gender differences in the generation logic for green purchasing intention within the framework of bounded morality and bounded self-interest and determines the causes of the attitude–behavior gap from a new perspective. Empirical analysis of 977 sample data points is used to test the influencing mechanism of gender heterogeneity on green purchasing intention through altruistic values (ALVs) and egoistic values (EGVs). Meanwhile, the moderated mediation effects are also analyzed. The results show that gender heterogeneity negatively affects ALVs and positively affects EGVs for women as the reference group. The mediation effect of ALVs and EGVs is significant, and there are significant gender differences in the formation of values and green purchasing intention. As expected, women demonstrate higher levels of proenvironmental intention than men. Media exposure (ME) significantly moderates the mediation models. It negatively moderates the mediation effect of ALVs and positively moderates the mediation effect of EGVs. The results reveal the complex formation mechanism for green purchasing intention. It can conclude that the gender differences in terms of green purchasing, the different guiding roles of dual values, and the moderated mechanism of ME are key elements in accurate guidance of green consumption and the effective modification of the attitude–behavior gap.
Characterizing the Energy Burden of Urban Households in Mexico: The Impact of Socioeconomic and Temperature Conditions Across Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Molar-Cruz Anahi , Huezo Rodríguez Sergio A. , Hamacher Thomas
Published: January 2022

The transition toward sustainable cities requires evaluating current energy policies to reshape established patterns of energy supply and use. Ignoring socioeconomic and geographic differences among households in the energy policy-making process jeopardizes the government's ability to achieve a fair distribution of resources and advance energy equity. Hence, tailored urban energy strategies that address specific opportunities to improve local sustainable development and energy justice are needed. In this paper, we use the energy burden, i.e., the share of household income spent on energy services, as a metric to characterize energy affordability for urban households in Mexico. We estimate the electricity and gas consumption as well as their resulting financial burden for 17,850 urban households in 72 metropolitan areas. The calculated median monthly energy consumption of Mexican urban households is 453 kWh and is dominated by gas consumption. This results in a median energy burden of 3.5%. However, we observe a large diversity among households in energy consumption and, consequently, in energy burden, due to variations in energy use among urban households derived from their socioeconomic and geographic conditions. In addition, we analyze the role of the temperature-based residential electricity subsidy. We find that even with subsidized electricity prices, the current subsidy scheme is insufficient to alleviate energy vulnerability in urban Mexico, and at the same time, it has a regressive effect by benefiting those consuming more. Based on the analysis of the energy burden at the city level, we highlight evident problems and potential solutions missed by one-size-fits-all energy policies. This analysis provides a better understanding of the drivers and distribution of energy burden in urban households. It also presents practical insights that could help policymakers ensure that energy is available to all households according to their needs and that demands for reductions in energy consumption as well as for adoption of clean energy technologies and energy efficiency measures come from each according to their capacity.
Role of Breast-Conserving Surgery on the National Health System Economy From and to SARS-COVID-19 Era
Authors: Buonomo Oreste Claudio , Vinci Danilo , De Carolis Gerardo , Pellicciaro Marco , Petracca Francesco , Sadri Amir , Buonomo Chiara , Dauri Mario , Vanni Gianluca
Published: January 2022

Day surgery breast-conserving surgery (DS-BCS) is a surgical approach applied in many specialized breast surgery departments. This study demonstrates the benefits of this approach from the perspectives of patients and of the Hospital/National Health System compared to ordinary breast-conserving surgery (ORD-BCS) under general anesthetic. A comparison of costs and diagnosis-related group (DRG) reimbursement demonstrated improved cost-effectiveness in DS-BCS compared to ORD-BCS.
Gramatyczna kategoria czasu w języku polskim i ukraińskim
w ujęciu diachronicznym
Authors: Łesiuk Mykoła
Published: January 2022

The paper presents the history of shaping the category of time in Polish
and Ukrainian, that is forms of the present, future and past tenses, based on
a reconstruction of appropriate, analogous forms of the Proto-Slavic language.
The author analyses the process of shaping tense forms in both languages in
detail, revealing their common and specifi c features. The material is based on
works by renowned European linguists (A. Meillet, N. van Wijk, Z. Klemensiewicz,
T. Lehr-Spławiński, S. Urbańczyk, S. Dubisz, P. Zhyteckyi, W. Rusanivskyi,
P. Kuzniecow, and others), a complete picture of the system of tense forms and
the grammatical category of time in a complementary manner in two related
languages.
Militarismo y militarización: el caso venezolano
Authors: Jácome Francine
Published: January 2022

En este análisis se desarrollan tres puntos centrales. En el primero, se identifican cuatro indicadores principales de la militarización de la sociedad venezolana. En el segundo, se describe el contexto internacional, en general, y se consideran las relaciones con la Unión Europea (UE) y España, en particular. En el tercero, se presentan los escenarios previstos a corto plazo, con especial énfasis en el papel de los militares en un posible proceso de transición y en las negociaciones que se iniciaron en agosto de 2021 en México entre el gobierno de Venezuela y la Plataforma Unitaria de Venezuela, suspendidas en octubre por decisión unilateral del gobierno.
Survei Literatur: Deteksi Berita Palsu Menggunakan Pendekatan Deep Learning
Authors: Yunanto Rio , Purfini Apriani Puti , Prabuwisesa Angga
Published: January 2022

Social media has become an inseparable part of everyday life in modern society to make it easier to interact and communicate with each other. The purpose of this study is to review and compare the deep learning methods implemented in the case of detecting fake news from several previous studies, and to get an overview of the corpus or dataset used by previous studies. This research is also to help researchers identify and map the use of deep learning algorithms in cases of detecting fake news. The research method is conducting a literature survey of 12 literatures obtained from the ScienceDirect and IEEE Xplore websites. The collection of literature that has been surveyed is selected based on the year published in 2021 with the topic of research on detection of fake news using a deep learning approach. The results of this study summarize that the strategy to detect fake news can be done with four approaches, based on the content, based on the writing style, based on the distribution pattern, and based on the credibility of the source. The results of this research also show that the Convolutional Neural Network algorithm is a favorite of researchers by appearing 6 times in the literature collection. The next favorite algorithm is Long Short Term Memory which appears in 5 literatures and Bidirectional LSTM which appears in 4 literatures.
Penilaian Maturity Level Perangkat Lunak Menggunakan CMMI-Dev 1.3 pada Aplikasi Manans MINT
Authors: Asmy Yumma Yustika , Hasugian Leonardi Paris
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the Maturity Level achievement of the Manans MINT application from the software assessment process using CMMI-Dev 1.3 the extent to which application software development supports Manan's Farm business process activities. Capability Maturity Model Integration was chosen because it is an approach that provides important elements to improve company performance. Research aids in analyzing data use PIECES to identify and classify problems with the current system. The research method uses qualitative and quantitative descriptive writing techniques. In this study, Staged Representation is used as a process of grouping areas and RACI Chart to determine the appropriate respondents. The final result of this research is the calculation of Maturity Level results with recommendations for process improvement of the Manans MINT application software. Manans MINT is in mature position 2, namely Managed. The average condition of the readiness level for the calculation of Generic Practices has the required proportion and has been applied at 85%. Meanwhile, the maturity level of Specific Practices for REQM and PMC process areas is 90% and 72.5%, respectively. This research become the basis for improving the work system of the Manans MINT application so that the successful goal of building Manan's Farm can be achieved.
Interferência da dor neuropática no nível de independência funcional em indivíduos com lesão medular
Authors: Cordeiro de Faria Mayara , Rocha Andréa Souza , Oliveira Marinna Coelho , Souza Tailliny Damasceno , Silva Francine Aguilera Rodrigues da , Corrêa Paulo Fernando Lôbo
Published: January 2022

Objetivo. Avaliar a interferência da dor neuropática na independência funcional de indivíduos com Lesão Medular Espinal (LME). Método. Estudo quantitativo transversal analítico, realizado em Goiânia-Goiás. Foi aplicado um questionário sociodemográfico e clínico elaborado pelos próprios autores, o Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions (DN4), o Inventário Breve de Dor (IBD) e a Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III). Resultados. A amostra foi composta por 57 indivíduos diagnosticados com LME, com predomínio do sexo masculino e média de idade de 37,6 anos. A etiologia predominante foi a traumática, em sua maioria por acidente de trânsito e com tempo médio de lesão de 58 meses. Houve prevalência de indivíduos com lesão à nível torácico e com classificação segundo a ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) A e C. A grande maioria dos indivíduos apresentaram dor neuropática, com os sintomas de formigamento e queimação sendo os mais frequentes, somados ao sinal de hipoestesia à picada de agulha e toque. A interferência da dor foi maior sobre o humor, enquanto a área menos afetada foi sobre o relacionamento com outras pessoas. Em relação a funcionalidade, indivíduos com dor neuropática apresentaram pior nível funcional em relação aos indivíduos sem dor, entretanto não foi observada correlação significante entre a dor e o nível de independência funcional. Conclusão. Houve pior pontuação relacionada à independência funcional em indivíduos com dor neuropática, principalmente nos itens de auto cuidado e respiração/controle de esfíncteres, entretanto não houve correlação significante da dor neuropática e a funcionalidade.
Pengaruh Variasi Diameter dan Jarak Nosel Terhadap Daya dan Efisiensi Turbin Pelton
Authors: Sarjono Sarjono
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of variations in diameter and number of nozzles on the power and efficiency of the Pelton turbine. The research method is experimentally using a miniature Pelton turbine installation with 3 nozzles. Variations in nozzle diameters of 4 mm, 5 mm, and 6 mm with a nozzle distance of 80 mm, 90 mm, and 100 mm and variations in rotation from 300 to 700 rpm. The results showed that the nozzle diameter of 6 mm and the distance of the nozzle to the blade of 80 mm produced maximum turbine power and efficiency, namely 30.00 watts and 34.79%, respectively.
Comparative Study of Bioethanol Produced from Different Agro-Industrial Biomass Residues
Authors: Adiya Z.I.S.G. , Adamu S.S. , Ibrahim M.A. , Okoh E.V.C. , Ibrahim D.
Published: January 2022

Bioethanol was produced from the three different agro-industrial biomass residues, i.e., sugarcane bagasse (SB), rice husk (RH) and corn cob (CC)) at 35°C, 120hr with 90g of each substrate. 2% H2SO4 was used for hydrolysis of the samples while 3g of yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae) was used for fermentation. Simple distillation was used for the distillation of the fermented broth. The concentration of reducing sugar and ethanol, quantity of produced bioethanol as well as the physical properties (pH, density, viscosity and flash point) was investigated. SB has the highest concentration of reducing sugar and ethanol as well as the quantity of produced bioethanol. The pH of bioethanol generated from all the three substrates are within the bioethanol standard value while the density, viscosity and flash point were higher than bioethanol standards. It was concluded that both SB, RH and CC has the potential of bioethanol production in commercial quantity under well-chosen production conditions.
PROPERTIES OF PLASMA COATINGS SPRAYED IN ARC POWER MODULA-TION MODE
Authors: Kadyrmetov Anvar , Snyatkov Evgenij , Plahotin Aleksandr , Mandrykin Igor'
Published: January 2022

In this paper, it is shown that by modulating a plasma arc, as well as the use of an air-gas mix-ture (air with propane-butane), you can signifi-cantly increase the strength of the coating coat-ing, the coefficient of use of the powder, reduce gas permeability and increase the wear resistance of plasma powder coatings.
Rituals and Beliefs of Kathavarayan Worship from an Anthropological Point of View
Authors: A Geetha , R Manogarane
Published: January 2022

Anthropology is the study of development of the figurative culture of man from the early times to the till date. Folklore is the part of Anthropology. Ballad is also one of the folk literatures.The Ballad of Kathavarayan was originated in Trichy. Kathavarayan worship is held along with Mariyamman worship in the vanur area of villuppuram district. The rituals of Kathavarayan worship are based on the background of Kathavarayan Ballad.The study looks at the anthoropological data from field studies on the rituals and beliefs of kathavarayan worship such s reading Bharat, park destruction and Gallow climbing.
Possible electrochemical corrosion of rails on a railway track electrified with direct current
Authors: Dąbrowski Józef
Published: January 2022

Abstract: The article describes the construction of a railway line electrified with direct current. Attention is paid to the isolation of the elements leading to the traction current in the supply and return network, and to the difference in significance of these insulations. The reasons for the occurrence of stray currents and their nature in any cross-section of the track on the trail are given. The necessary conditions for the disclosure of electrochemical processes on the rails of the track tracks were shown. It has been shown that the galvanization processes occur locally on the trail - the application of soil electrolyte ions on the surface of the rails and electrochemical corrosion - the loss of the rails material. During the movement of electrified trains on the route, moisture is necessary and the contact of the rails with the poorly drained support of the foot or with the ballast - track ballast. Keywords: Electrified railway route; Stray currents; Electrochemical corrosion