bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Islamic Banks after the 2008 Crisis: Symptoms of the Second Round Crisis and Performance of Sharia Commercial Banks during the Period 2012-2017
Authors: Enayatullah Imam Haroki , Amalia Euis , Rini Rini
Published: February 2024

The Islamic banking system has long been believed to possess resilience in the face of crises, some even asserting its resistance to such challenges. To validate the aforementioned notion, an analysis of the efficiency performance of Sharia banking is conducted after the occurrence of what is referred to as the Second Round Crisis. This is undertaken due to the discovery that the impact of a crisis might not necessarily be felt during its onset, but rather after its passing. The research case study is Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia during the period 2012-2017. The research employs a parametric approach, namely the Stochastic Frontier Analysis Panel (SFA)  Greene's approach (2005) to examine the data. The research found that all examined samples experienced a decrease in efficiency in the year 2014. The data also reveal an increase in Non-Performing Financing (NPF) and a decrease in Return on Assets (ROA) during the same period. These findings reveal the presence of a second-round crisis phenomenon affecting the Sharia Commercial Banks in this year. Following this period, there was a gradual improvement in both efficiency and other ratios. In conclusion, it can be inferred that Sharia banks, particularly in Indonesia, are not resistant to crises.
The Effects Of Up Selling And Gastrodiplomacy On The Consumer Purchasing Power Of Japanese Halal Food Products Case Study Food Retail Sushi Tei In North Sumatera
Authors: Gusdini Wan melia , Lestari Nasution Annio Indah , Imsar Imsar
Published: February 2024

Understanding different cultures from other countries can be done through cuisine that can be used as a tool to promote international relations and offer someone to visit the place of such international food or buy cultural food sold. This study aims to: 1) Analyze the effect of up selling on the consumer purchasing power of Japanese halal food products at Sushi Tei food retail in North Sumatra. 2) Analyze the effect of gastrodiplomacy on the consumer purchasing power of Japanese halal food products at Sushi Tei food retail in North Sumatra. 3) Analyze the effect of up selling and gastrodiplomacy on the consumer purchasing power of Japanese halal food products at Sushi Tei food retail in North Sumatra. This study uses a quantitative descriptive research method using an associative research strategy. The sampling technique used non-probability and purposive sampling techniques with a total sample of 75 respondents. In this study, the SPSS 25 program was used for data processing. The results of the study show that up selling and gastrodiplomacy significantly affect the purchasing power of consumers of Japanese halal food products at Sushi Tei, North Sumatra.
Web-Based Sukaraja Puskesmas Services Governance Information System
Authors: Sari Marlia , Septia ER Lusia , Rasid Muhammad
Published: February 2024

The Community Health Center is a functional health organization which is a center for community health development which also fosters community participation in addition to providing comprehensive services to the community in its working area in the form of main activities. Currently, at the Sukaraja Community Health Center, all data recording is still done manually using paper media. Because increasingly modern technology requires Puskesmas as one of the health service providers to always improve the quality of its services. The use of computers to process data is very necessary because it can provide benefits and convenience in patient care. In this case, community health centers are required to always improve the professionalism of their employees and improve their health facilities or facilities to provide satisfaction to the community using health services. The objectives to be achieved are: Designing a website-based health center management information system, Improving the conventional health center service system with a computerized system. And makes it easier to process patient data for outpatient, inpatient, pharmacy, counter registration, administration (printing certificates/referrals & health center reports) and general clinics using the waterfall method. The stages of the waterfall method are Requirements, design, implementation, integration, Maintenance. The website-based governance information system that has been produced in this design can process patient data from outpatient, inpatient, emergency health centers and pharmacy services. With this website-based community health center management information system application, data at the Sukaraja Community Health Center is now integrated through a database so that it can process data effectively and efficiently and help provide good services.
Implementation of Telegram Chatbot as an Effective Communication Means at SMK PGRI 1 Tangerang
Authors: Kurnaedi Didi , Widodo Agus Danu
Published: February 2024

The use of technology in education continues to grow in response to demands for efficiency and effectiveness of communication in the school environment. This research aims to investigate the application of Telegram chatbots as an effective means of communication at SMK PGRI 1 Tangerang. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, focusing on collecting data through observation, interviews and content analysis of the use of Telegram chatbots among students, teachers and school administration staff. The research results show that the application of the Telegram chatbot as a means of communication has made a significant contribution to increasing interaction and access to information in the educational environment of SMK PGRI 1 Tangerang. Students, teachers and administrative staff showed a positive response to the use of Telegram chatbots as an efficient communication alternative, facilitating the exchange of information regarding schedules, assignments and other important information. Qualitative findings support the idea that Telegram chatbots have become an effective means of communication at SMK PGRI 1 Tangerang, opening up new opportunities for more dynamic interactions and easier accessibility of information among the school community. The implications of these findings indicate that the integration of communication technology such as the Telegram chatbot can be an innovation that has the potential to change the communication paradigm in the educational environment.
User Acceptance Testing through Blackbox Evaluation for Corn Distribution Information System
Authors: Zulkarnaini  , Firdhayanti Ayu , Taufik Taufik , Bachry Bobby
Published: February 2024

Corn Distribution Information System in Bandar Lampung has witnessed a significant surge in interest, highlighting the importance of ensuring system reliability and functionality. This research endeavors to investigate and enhance these aspects through the application of the black box testing approach, focusing on the user-centric perspective of User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Black box testing, a methodology emphasizing system functionality without delving into internal structures, is complemented by UAT to provide comprehensive evaluation. In executing 27 study cases to evaluate the system, 22 patients demonstrated proper functionality, while 5 issues were identified. Notably, 4 issues pertained to the unavailability of the export function to CSV, and 1 patient encountered difficulties with road letter generation facilities. The discussion elucidates that UAT through Black Box proves to be a valuable approach, effectively bridging the methodological gap of traditional black box and providing insightful input from end users. Furthermore, this methodology successfully identified 5 focal points that can serve as development suggestions for the company's system, previously undiscovered. In conclusion, the study underscores the efficiency of integrating UAT with black box in enhancing Corn Distribution Information System's dependability and functionality. Identified issues shed light on areas for improvement, emphasizing the need for ongoing research in system testing methodologies. Future studies are recommended to explore the integration of UAT with white box testing, iterative testing for bug identification, and comprehensive security testing within the system network. This approach ensures a holistic evaluation, addressing potential limitations and contributing to the continuous refinement of the information system.
Catch, Engage, Retain: Audience-Oriented Journalistic Role Performance in Canada
Authors: Blanchett Nicole , Brin Colette , Duncan Stuart
Published: February 2024

 

To understand audience-oriented journalistic role performance, one must understand how journalists conceptualize and cater to their audience. Giving the audience what it wants is a complex endeavor, with varying goals and hybridized end results, in newsrooms with fewer resources serving increasingly polarized audiences. Through a triangulation of data—content analysis at the subdimension level to examine the range and hybridity of audience-oriented journalistic product presenting the civic, service and infotainment roles; a survey to identify journalists’ attitudes toward the use of audience data and social media in their work; and interviews with journalists that revealed how their journalistic practice and audience perceptions were impacted by quantitative (metrics and analytics) and qualitative data (comments/social media interactions)—this research fills a gap in understanding about the connection between journalists, their audiences, and audience data when it comes to journalistic role performance. Findings show that in Canada the infotainment role is a significant part of reporting, but entertaining often comes with a goal of educating, as does service journalism. There are no “bad” journalistic roles, but there are a lot of journalists trying to figure out which ones might best catch, engage, and retain an ever-shrinking news audience.
Peran Pelopor Perdamaian dalam Penangananan Konflik Sosial di Provinsi Jawa Barat
Authors:   Departemen Kesejahteraan Sosial FISIP Universitas Padjadjaran, Nulhaqim Soni Akhmad , Adiansah Wandi , Putri Nadila Auludya Rahma
Published: February 2024

Potensi dan angka kejadian konflik di Provinsi Jawa Barat tergolong cukup tinggi. Tenaga Pelopor Perdamaian (Pordam) merupakan salah satu pihak yang memiliki peran dan tugas penting dalam upaya penanganan konflik tersebut. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mendeskripsikan peran Pordam dalam penangananan konflik sosial di Provinsi Jawa Barat. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan penelitian kualitatif dan metode penelitian deskriptif. Sumber data terdiri dari data primer dan data sekunder. Data primer diperoleh melalui teknik pengumpulan data berupa observasi non partisipatif, indepth interview, dan Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Sementara itu, data sekunder diperoleh melalui studi dokumentasi. Pengolahan dan analisis data dilakukan melalui tahapan reduksi data, display data, penarikan kesimpulan dan verifikasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa peran Pordam Provinsi Jawa Barat dalam penangananan konflik sosial meliputi upaya pencegahan, pemenuhan kebutuhan dasar, serta pemulihan pasca konflik.Upaya pencegahan konflik dilakukan melalui pembentukan dan penguatan Pordam, pemetaan daerah rawan konflik sosial, dan sosialisasi pencegahan konflik ke sekolah-sekolah. Dalam pemenuhan kebutuhan dasar, Pordam berperan sebagai relawan yang memenuhi kebutuhan pangan, sandang dan pelayanan psikososial dalam kondisi kedaruratan bagi korban konflik sosial dan pengungsi. Dalam pemulihan pasca konflik Pordam berperan dalam upaya mengembalikan keadaan dan memperbaiki hubungan yang tidak harmonis di masyarakat akibat konflik melalui kegiatan rekonsiliasi dan rehabilitasi.
Krisis Keluarga dalam Perkembangan Otonomi Perempuan
Authors:   Universitas Sebelas Maret, Kartono Drajat Tri , Demartoto Argyo ,   Universitas Sebelas Maret, Hakim Fatwa Nur ,   Pusat Riset Kesejahteraan Sosial, Desa dan Konektivitas. Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional
Published: February 2024

Permasalahan krisis keluarga menyebabkan adanya perubahan relasi kuasa dalam keluarga yang berpengaruh pada hilangnya kepercayaan perempuan otonom terhadap instansi keluarga yang kemudian akan menimbulkan proses-proses disosiatif dalam instansi keluarga yang dapat memicu terjadinya krisis keluarga. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pemahaman tentang krisis keluarga dan relasi kuasa dalam keluarga yang berdampak terhadap permasalahan kepercayaan atas institusi keluarga. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah strategi deskriptif kuantitatif dengan analisis korelasi product moment. Penelitian ini dilakukan dalam kurun waktu 1 tahun di Kota Surakarta. Hasil penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa prosentase hasil penelitian menghasilkan 28% tidak krisis, 52% moderate dan 19% krisis. Hal tersebut memiliki arti bahwa kecenderungan orientasi perempuan menjadi perempuan otonom ke arah moderat dan otonom. Ini akan berakibat pada kecenderungan perempuan untuk tidak menikah atau lebih menikmati kehidupan sendiri. Hasilnya akan berakibat pada terjadinya krisis keluarga di masa depan karena lembaga perkawinan tidak lagi sangat diharapkan oleh perempuan. Perempuan telah memiliki kekuatan keluar dari tekanan sosial untuk mewajibkan menikah dan berkeluarga.
Perlindungan Kerja Bagi Pekerja Lanjut Usia di Daerah Pedesaan: Analisis Situasi dan Kebijakan di Provinsi Yogyakarta
Authors:   Prodi Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial, Fakultas Dakwah dan Komunikasi, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Torrido Aryan , Abshor Muh. Ulil , Umam Khatibul
Published: February 2024

Hanya sedikit penelitian yang memberikan perhatian pada kondisi kerja, perilaku ekonomi lansia, bahaya dan risiko kerja, serta perluasan akses terhadap perlindungan sosial di tempat kerja. Studi ini merupakan upaya untuk menganalisis kondisi kerja, perilaku ekonomi lansia, bahaya dan risiko kerja serta perluasan akses terhadap perlindungan sosial di tempat kerja. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan menggabungkan observasi dan wawancara mendalam terhadap 22 informan yang berasal dari kalangan lanjut usia, tokoh masyarakat, dan pejabat pemerintah. Studi ini menemukan bahwa lansia yang bekerja di pedesaan menggabungkan pertanian dan peternakan. Alasan bekerja bervariasi berdasarkan kelas sosial dimana alasan bekerja bagi lansia dari keluarga berada lebih cenderung karena alasan sosiologis sedangkan alasan bekerja bagi lansia dari keluarga berpendapatan rendah lebih cenderung karena alasan ekonomi. Paper ini juga menemukan bahwa berbagai bahaya yang berhubungan dengan pekerjaan termasuk banyak pekerjaan yang menuntut fisik dan melelahkan, paparan bahan kimia, penggunaan alat pemotong yang tajam, mengangkat beban berat, berjalan jauh, jam kerja yang panjang dan binatang yang berbahaya. Sayangnya, para lansia tidak dilindungi oleh standar perlindungan sosial di tempat kerja mereka. Ada kebutuhan untuk mengembangkan kebijakan mengenai lingkungan kerja yang ramah bagi orang lanjut usia.
Fragmented Hours: The Biography of a Printed Devotional Book by Thielman Kerver
Authors: Haas Stephanie
Published: February 2024

As the most richly illustrated and widely-owned texts of the late medieval and early modern eras, books of hours are essential to the study of art, religion, and the history of the book. Fragmented and altered books, while perhaps less coveted, are of particular value for what they may reveal of book owners and the changing meanings and uses of devotional texts and images over more than five centuries. This paper explores the compelling biography of a book of hours in the University of Florida Library that has undergone such extensive alteration prior to its acquisition in 1989 that cataloguers could not identify the printer and edition, leaving the book’s many dislocations, redactions, and annotations unexplored. Engaging with scholarship on the social history of books of hours, I identify the fragmented book as possibly the sole surviving copy of an edition produced by Thielman Kerver in Paris around 1510 and reconstruct its missing contents through comparison with relevant editions. Next, I examine the book’s complex web of redactions, erasures, and annotations in the context of sixteenth-century religious reform before turning to the book’s dislocations and the spoliation of images in the context of nineteenth and twentieth-century collecting trends.
Riesgos ergonómicos y su relación con los trastornos músculo esqueléticos. Estudio en funcionarios municipales.
Authors: Escobar Zabala Oscar Daniel , Yumiseba Abril Karina Pilar , Caibe Abril María Belén , Quishpi Lucero Veronica Cecilia
Published: February 2024

El estudio presentado tuvo como objetivo identificar, medir y evaluar los riesgos ergonómicos y sugerir medidas preventivas para mitigarlos, debido a la especificidad de la unidad experimental, se da un total de 16 funcionarios del Departamento de Planificación del GAD Municipal del Cantón Guano, la población de estudio estuvo constituida por una muestra no probabilística. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron los cuestionarios OWAS, REBA y Nórdico, inicialmente relacionados con el esfuerzo físico postural en el lugar de trabajo, mediante la observación de 25 min de tareas específicas no cíclicas, se evaluó su musculatura de forma global. En el segundo método, las extremidades superiores e inferiores se agrupan analizando el estrés postural asumido durante el trabajo. Este método determina el nivel de acción para planificar correcciones oportunas. El cuestionario Nórdico aplicado determina y analiza los síntomas musculo esqueléticos y permite considerar el grado de riesgo ergonómico. Los resultados mostraron que los riesgos ergonómicos para el personal administrativo no estaban relacionados con el esfuerzo físico (p=0,604), sino con factores de posturas forzadas, repetitivas y prolongadas durante las horas de trabajo (p=0,05; p=0,029). El riesgo ergonómico es un factor importante que influye en el desarrollo de los síntomas de los trastornos musculo esqueléticos (TME), lo que sugiere mejoras en el ambiente de trabajo, que constituye la salud física, mental y el desarrollo del personal.
Sumisión química en delitos sexuales, Chimborazo, mayo-octubre de 2020
Authors: Vásconez Jarrín Mayra Rosa , Vásconez Samaniego Carmen del Rocío , Escobar Armijos Lisbeth Carolina , Guzmán Carrasco Cristian David
Published: February 2024

Introducción. La administración encubierta de una sustancia química a un sujeto en función de conducir su voluntad para la ejecución delictiva se denomina sumisión química. Hoy, dicha problemática social ostenta altos números a escala planetaria; en Ecuador la sumisión química constituye el principal facilitador para la ejecución de delitos sexuales. Objetivo. Determinar la incidencia de la sumisión química en delitos sexuales en la provincia de Chimborazo, en el periodo mayo-octubre de 2020. Metodología. La presente investigación de carácter documental asumió un enfoque cualitativo. Para el abordaje de este fenómeno criminológico se efectuó un análisis y descripción de los casos reportados en el Laboratorio de Toxicología del Servicio Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses de la provincia de Chimborazo. Resultados. Se identificó al alcohol etílico como la principal sustancia conductora a estos delitos, así también las benzodiacepinas e hipnóticos, anfetaminas y metanfetaminas, cocaína, cannabinoides, GHB, escopolamina o burundanga, LSD, ketamina, nitrito de amilo, derivados tricíclicos y compuestos nicotínicos empleados por separado o mezclados con el alcohol para incrementar los efectos al ser administrados. Además, se identificó que el género femenino resulta el grupo más expuesto a este tipo de violencia. Conclusión. La problemática de delitos sexuales por sumisión química resulta difícil de eliminar, por lo que la autoprotección deviene una vía para evitar ser víctima, así como el control del consumo de bebidas alcohólicas y el no confiar en sujetos desconocidos. Área de estudio general: Salud. Área de estudio específica: Criminalística. Tipo de estudio: Artículo original.
Hot Deformation Behavior of Inconel 718 Alloy Using Regression-based Dynamic Material Model and Applications in Ring Rolling Manufacturing
Authors: Yang Seon Yeong , Park Jin Wook , Yoon Jun Seok , Lee Kwang Seok , Lee Dong-Geun , Shin Da Seul
Published: February 2024

Inconel 718 nickel-based alloy is extensively used in the aerospace industry (e.g., gas turbine engine components) because of its excellent corrosion resistance and high mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. However, there is a certain limit to manufacturing the alloy through plastic deformation due to its high deformation resistance and complicated deformation behaviors. In this study, the hot deformation behavior of Inconel 718 alloy was investigated to establish how processing conditions of flow stress-strain, at strain rates from 0.001 to 10 s-1, and temperatures from 850 to 1200oC, affected dynamic recrystallization. The regression-based material model was utilized to calculate the strain-rate sensitivity, and subsequently depict the efficiency of the power dissipation and instability criterion of hot deformation. The processing map and instability criterion predicted by the developed 3rd-order polynomial regression model corresponded with the experimental results and in particular, showed a better prediction for instability regime compared to the existing discrete derivative approach. Predicting the strain-rate sensitivity values on a continuous scale with regression analysis covered the additional instability region of the high strain rate near 10 s-1. The dynamic recrystallization deformation was also characterized by microstructural analysis along with the processing map. Consequently, ring-rolled aviation parts were manufactured with the optimum processing parameters, which conform to the AMS 5663 standard (Aerospace material specifications for Inconel 718).
Acute brain injury and nanomedicine: sex as a biological variable
Authors: Simmons Amberlyn , Mihalek Olivia , Bimonte Nelson Heather A. , Sirianni Rachael W. , Stabenfeldt Sarah E.
Published: February 2024

Sex as a biological variable has been recognized for decades to be a critical aspect of the drug development process, as differences in drug pharmacology and toxicity in female versus male subjects can drive the success or failure of new therapeutics. These concepts in development of traditional drug systems have only recently begun to be applied for advancing nanomedicine systems that are designed for drug delivery or imaging in the central nervous system (CNS). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of two fields of research - nanomedicine and acute brain injury—centering on sex as a biological variable. We highlight areas of each field that provide foundational understanding of sex as a biological variable in nanomedicine, brain development, immune response, and pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury and stroke. We describe current knowledge on female versus male physiology as well as a growing number of empirical reports that directly address sex as a biological variable in these contexts. In sum, the data make clear two key observations. First, the manner in which sex affects nanomedicine distribution, toxicity, or efficacy is important, complex, and depends on the specific nanoparticle system under considerations; second, although field knowledge is accumulating to enable us to understand sex as a biological variable in the fields of nanomedicine and acute brain injury, there are critical gaps in knowledge that will need to be addressed. We anticipate that understanding sex as a biological variable in the development of nanomedicine systems to treat acute CNS injury will be an important determinant of their success.
Alkaline mineral addition to anoxic to hypoxic Baltic Sea sediments as a potentially efficient CO2-removal technique
Authors: Fuhr Michael , Wallmann Klaus , Dale Andrew W. , Kalapurakkal Habeeb Thanveer , Schmidt Mark , Sommer Stefan , Deusner Christian , Spiegel Timo , Kowalski Jannes , Geilert Sonja
Published: February 2024

Recent studies have begun to explore the potential of enhanced benthic weathering (EBW) in the Baltic Sea as a measure for climate change mitigation. To augment the understanding of EBW under seasonally changing conditions, this study aims to investigate weathering processes under anoxia to hypoxia in corrosive bottom waters, which reflect late summer conditions in the Baltic Sea. Dunite and calcite were added to sediment cores retrieved from Eckernförde Bay (Western Baltic Sea) with a constant flow-through of deoxygenated, CO2-enriched Baltic Sea bottom water. The addition of both materials increased benthic alkalinity release by 2.94 μmol cm−2 d−1 (calcite) and 1.12 μmol cm−2 d−1 (dunite), compared to the unamended control experiment. These excess fluxes are significantly higher than those obtained under winter conditions. The comparison with bottom water oxygen concentrations emphasizes that highest fluxes of alkalinity were associated with anoxic phases of the experiment. An increase in Ca and Si fluxes showed that the enhanced alkalinity fluxes could be attributed to calcite and dunite weathering. First order rate constants calculated based on these data were close to rates published in previous studies conducted under different conditions. This highlights the suitability of these proxies for mineral dissolution and justifies the use of these rate constants in modeling studies investigating EBW in the Baltic Sea and areas with similar chemical conditions. Generally stable pH profiles over the course of the experiment, together with the fact that the added minerals remained on the sediment surface, suggest that corrosive bottom waters were the main driving factor for the dissolution of the added minerals. These factors have important implications for the choice of mineral and timing for EBW as a possible marine carbon dioxide removal method in seasonally hypoxic to anoxic regions of the Baltic Sea.
Modifying modularity: aerobic exercise improves functional connectivity in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Page Lindsey L. , Heller-Wight Abi , Phipps Connor J. , Berger Ann M. , Reed Elizabeth C. , Warren David E. , Ehlers Diane K.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve cancer-associated cognitive decline (CACD) in breast cancer survivors (BCS), and recent findings suggest that one mechanism by which exercise may reduce cognitive decline is through alteration of the brain's functional organization. Many cognitive abilities and measures of functional brain organization change with age and disease, typically reflected in cognitive decline and reduced differentiation of brain networks, or “modularity.” Although previous research has identified associations between lifestyle interventions, such as exercise, and increased modularity, no studies have examined these relationships in cancer populations. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the preliminary effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise program on changes in brain network modularity in BCS. As a secondary aim, we explored correlations between changes in modularity with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and cognitive function. Data were exploratory and used for hypothesis generation for a future, larger study.

Methods

Participants included a subsample of 10 BCS (M age = 65.9 ± 9.3 years) from a larger pilot study (N = 30 BCS) who were randomized to a 12-week aerobic exercise program (AE) or usual care (UC). The present study collected brain magnetic resonance imaging, Actigraph accelerometry, and cognitive task performance at baseline and 3-month follow-up (i.e., post-intervention; n = 4 AE, n = 6 UC). Intervention effects on modularity, MVPA, and cognition were quantified as magnitude of change between groups (Cohen's d). Changes in modularity were further explored via paired t-tests within groups. Associations between changes in modularity, MVPA, and cognitive performance were explored using Spearman's correlations.

Results

The magnitude of changes in modularity between groups were small-to-moderate and favored the AE group (d = 0.23 to d = 0.67 across thresholds). Paired t-tests revealed a significant increase in modularity in the AE group from baseline to 3-month follow-up (t = 3.08, p = 0.03, d = 1.17), but not in the UC group. The correlation between changes in MVPA and changes in modularity were not statistically significant (r = 0.36, p = 0.39), and correlations between modularity and cognitive performance yielded mixed effects by cognitive domain.

Discussion

Findings suggest that aerobic exercise may influence functional brain network organization and cognition in BCS. These data warrant further investigation in larger exercise trials.
Deep generative models in the quest for anticancer drugs: ways forward
Authors: Romanelli Virgilio , Cerchia Carmen , Lavecchia Antonio
Published: February 2024

Drug discovery is a costly and time-consuming process, especially because of the significant expenses connected with the high percentage of clinical trial failures. As such, there is a need for new paradigms enabling the optimization of the various stages, from hit identification to market approval. The upsurge in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the advent of deep learning (DL) demonstrated a lot of promise in rethinking and redesigning the traditional pipelines in drug discovery, including de novo molecular design. In this regard, generative models have greatly impacted the de novo design of molecules with desired properties and are being increasingly integrated into real world drug discovery campaigns. Herein, we will briefly appraise recent case studies utilizing generative models for chemical structure generation in the area of anticancer drug discovery. Finally, we will analyze current challenges and limitations as well as the possible strategies to overcome them, outlining potential future directions to advance this exciting field.
“I have no idea how I will get a stipend”: the impact of COVID-19 on graduate students’ financial security
Authors: Zhen Fubiao , Graves-Boswell Taylor , Rugh Michael S. , Clough Jake M.
Published: February 2024

In this study, we investigated graduate students’ financial security during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Spring 2022 semester, the continued changes brought on by the precautionary measures implemented presented difficulties for both faculty and graduates. In this mixed methods study, we surveyed graduate students (N = 258) at a public research university to explore the pandemic’s effects on their financial security. Through the sign test analyses, we found a significant decrease in graduate students’ financial security scores during the pandemic, and particular groups of students were more susceptible to decreased financial security. The thematic analysis further explored the financial security decrease and identified inflation and economic downturns, and the suspension of work or financial support as two main challenges graduate students confronted during the pandemic. Both quantitative and qualitative findings reflected the financial stress and hardship confronted by graduate students during the pandemic. It was implied that extra financial support and consultation should be provided to students with meager stipends or student loans. The results further informed the academic community to foster the culture of care inside academia, by addressing graduate students’ financial concerns properly in the post-pandemic period.
Genome-wide association study of blood lipid levels in Southern Han Chinese adults with prediabetes
Authors: Gao Zhenshu , Pu Changchun , Lin Leweihua , Ou Qianying , Quan Huibiao
Published: February 2024

Background

Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent among individuals with prediabetes, further exacerbating their cardiovascular risk. However, the genetic determinants underlying diabetic dyslipidemia in Southern Han Chinese remain largely unexplored.

Methods

We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of blood lipid traits in 451 Southern Han Chinese adults with prediabetes. Fasting plasma lipids, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were assayed. Genotyping was conducted using the Precision Medicine Diversity Array and Gene Titan platform, followed by genotype imputation using IMPUTE2 with the 1000 Genomes Project (Phase 3, Southern Han Chinese) as reference. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with lipid levels were identified using mixed linear regression, with adjustment for covariates.

Results

We identified 58, 215, 74 and 81 novel SNPs associated with TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels, respectively (P < 5×10-5). Several implicated loci were located in or near genes involved in lipid metabolism, including SRD5A2, PCSK7, PITPNC1, IRX3, BPI, and LBP. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted lipid metabolism and insulin secretion.

Conclusion

This first GWAS of dyslipidemia in Southern Han Chinese with prediabetes identified novel genetic variants associated with lipid traits. Our findings provide new insights into genetic mechanisms underlying heightened cardiovascular risk in the prediabetic stage. Functional characterization of implicated loci is warranted.
Improved cancer risk stratification of isoechoic thyroid nodules to reduce unnecessary biopsies using quantitative ultrasound
Authors: Goundan Poorani N. , Lye Theresa , Markel Andrew , Mamou Jonathan , Lee Stephanie L.
Published: February 2024

Objective

Gray-scale ultrasound (US) is the standard-of-care for evaluating thyroid nodules (TNs). However, the performance is better for the identification of hypoechoic malignant TNs (such as classic papillary thyroid cancer) than isoechoic malignant TNs. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) utilizes information from raw ultrasonic radiofrequency (RF) echo signal to assess properties of tissue microarchitecture. The purpose of this study is to determine if QUS can improve the cancer risk stratification of isoechoic TNs.

Methods

Patients scheduled for TN fine needle biopsy (FNB) were recruited from the Thyroid Health Clinic at Boston Medical Center. B-mode US and RF data (to generate QUS parameters) were collected in 274 TNs (163 isoechoic, 111 hypoechoic). A linear combination of QUS parameters (CQP) was trained and tested for isoechoic [CQP(i)] and hypoechoic [CQP(h)] TNs separately and compared with the performance of conventional B-mode US risk stratification systems.

Results

CQP(i) produced an ROC AUC value of 0.937+/- 0.043 compared to a value of 0.717 +/- 0.145 (p >0.05) for the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) and 0.589 +/- 0.173 (p >0.05) for the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification system. In this study, CQP(i) avoids unnecessary FNBs in 73% of TNs compared to 55.8% and 11.8% when using ACR TI-RADS and ATA classification system.

Conclusion

This data supports that a unique QUS-based classifier may be superior to conventional US stratification systems to evaluate isoechoic TNs for cancer and should be explored further in larger studies.
Fixed and mobile energy storage coordination optimization method for enhancing photovoltaic integration capacity considering voltage offset
Authors: Feng Liang , Jianfu Ni , Zhuofei Yu , Kun Zhang , Qianyu Zhao , Shouxiang Wang
Published: February 2024

Mobile energy storage has the characteristics of strong flexibility, wide application, etc., with fixed energy storage can effectively deal with the future large-scale photovoltaic as well as electric vehicles and other fluctuating load access to the grid resulting in the imbalance of supply and demand. To this end, this paper proposes a coordinated two-layer optimization strategy for fixed and mobile energy storage that takes into account voltage offsets, in the context of improving the demand for local PV consumption. Among them, the upper layer optimization model takes into account the minimum operating cost of fixed and mobile energy storage, and the lower layer optimization model minimizes the voltage offset through the 24-h optimal scheduling of fixed and mobile energy storage in order to improve the in-situ PV consumption capacity. In addition, considering the multidimensional nonlinear characteristics of the model, the interaction force of particles in the Universe is introduced, and the hybrid particle swarm-gravitational search algorithm (PSO-GSA) is proposed to solve the model, which is a combination of the individual optimization of the particle swarm algorithm and the local search capability of the gravitational search algorithm, which improves the algorithm’s optimization accuracy. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model and method are verified by simulation analysis with IEEE 33 nodes.
Numerical simulation of the Oncomelania snails transport attached to floating objects under different wind conditions
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhou Jian-yin , Jin Zhong-wu , Chai Zhao-hui , Yang Qi-hong
Published: February 2024

The long-distance migration of Oncomelania snails mainly occurs by attaching to floating objects during floods. However, the processes, characteristics and effects of migration are not fully understood. Here, a motion equation for floating objects with attached Oncomelania snails was constructed using the Lagrangian method. The equation can be numerically solved to simulate the movement of floating objects after parameter calibration. Then, the calibrated parameters were used to simulate the migration of Oncomelania snails in the lower Jingjiang River, where they had spread over a large area. The effects of flood conditions on the migration and spread of Oncomelania snails have been studied to a certain extent, but the impact of wind conditions on snail migration has rarely been reported. Therefore, based on the distribution of Oncomelania snails in China, the difficulties and key areas for the control of schistosomiasis and Oncomelania snails, and the morphological characteristics of the river reach, the Lower Jingjiang River section was selected as a practical application case. A theoretical model of the migration and spread of Oncomelania snails was established, and the characteristics of the Oncomelania snail migration were simulated and analyzed based on flood and distribution patterns under different wind conditions. The results indicate that wind conditions have little influence on the longitudinal spreading of Oncomelania snails but have a relatively large influence on the lateral spreading of snails. Compared with calm wind conditions, both northeasterly and southerly wind conditions can lead to longer longitudinal migration distances of snails, thereby increasing the risk of snail spreading and schistosomiasis transmission.
Host species of freshwater snails within the same freshwater ecosystem shapes the intestinal microbiome
Authors: Hu Zongfu , Tong Qing , Chang Jie , Xu Junzhao , Wu Baiyila , Han Yongmei , Yu Jianhua , Niu Huaxin
Published: February 2024

Background

Freshwater snails are not only intermediate hosts for parasites but also an important part of the food chain as they convert plant biomass and humus into animal biomass. However, being widely distributed in freshwater environments, snails are highly affected by human activities, which makes their adaptation to altering environments challenging. The gut microbiome helps animals in their digestion, immune system, growth and adapting to changing environments. The effect of host species on intestinal microbial community has been poorly studied in snails.

Methods

In this study, single-molecule real-time sequencing technology (SMRT) was used to obtain full-length 16S rRNA genes to determine the intestinal microbiomes of three species of freshwater snails (SQ: Sinotaia quadrata, BU: Boreoelona ussuriensis, RP: Radix plicatula) with similar feeding habits in a same water environment.

Results

Unifrac PCoA (P<0.05), hierarchical cluster and Ternary analyses showed distinct and significant segregation of the intestinal microbiomes of the three hosts. The phyla Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Planctomycetota dominated snail guts, comprising 93.47%, 86.22%, and 94.34% of the total reads in SQ, BU and RP, respectively. Of these, only 25.26% of OTUs were identified up to species level, while 72.07% of OTUs were identified at the genus level. Although 72.94% of the total bacterial species (566) were common to three snails, significant differences were observed in terms of their abundance (P < 0.05). Several genera can help to determine the phenotype of the intestinal microbiota. In this case, Lelliottia contributed mainly to stress tolerance, biofilm formation, potential pathogenicity, mobile elements and facultatively anaerobic phenotypes in RP. Furthermore, Romboutsia and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 contributed to the anaerobic phenotype of SQ and RP, while Pirellula contributed to the aerobic phenotype in SQ. Moreover, PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) predicted 68 GH (glycoside hydrolase) genes, with these including monosaccharide-, disaccharide-, polysaccharide-, and starch-digesting enzyme genes as well as enzymes specific to aquatic plants. Many of the identified pathways were related to Infectious diseases and Xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, which expanded the resistance of freshwater snails.

Concludes

Lelliottia, Romboutsia, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Pirellula play an important role in the intestinal microbiota phenotype of the host snails. In general, the host species affects the structure of the gut microbial community, which in turn helps gastropods improve their environmental adaptability, but further study is still needed.
Artificially remediated plants impact soil physiochemical properties along the riparian zones of the three gorges dam in China
Authors: Naz Farkhanda , Arif Muhammad , Xue Tan , Li Changxiao
Published: February 2024

River ecosystem biodiversity and biogeochemical processes are shaped largely by riverside vegetation and soil. Moreover, river ecosystems provide ecological services influenced by the surrounding vegetation and soil interactions. However, the mechanisms by which artificially remediated plants (ARPs) and riparian soil interact to provide these benefits are still unclear among various ARPs. This study fills this gap and examines the impact of ARPs along the riparian zones of Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in Chongqing City, China. We sampled four varieties of ARPs from the Ruxi River Basin in the TGD. These varieties included Cynodon dactylon, Hemarthria altissima, Taxodium disticum, and Salix mastudana. Our results indicated substantial changes in soil physicochemical parameters. Comparably, T. distigum contains significantly higher soil chemical contents. Interestingly, principal component analysis explained almost 100% of the variance for all plant species in this study. Moreover, different vegetation types and soil chemical properties were positively correlated using Pearson correlation analysis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all plant species exhibited strong negative correlations with physical characteristics (up to r = −1.00). Specifically, these mechanisms explain the interactions between ARPs and soil from riparian areas in the TGD. Hence, this study may facilitate ecological restoration and land management in degraded riparian areas.
Regulation of microtubule nucleation in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells by ARF GTPase-activating protein GIT2
Authors: Sulimenko Vadym , Sládková Vladimíra , Sulimenko Tetyana , Dráberová Eduarda , Vosecká Věra , Dráberová Lubica , Skalli Omar , Dráber Pavel
Published: February 2024

Aggregation of high-affinity IgE receptors (FcϵRIs) on granulated mast cells triggers signaling pathways leading to a calcium response and release of inflammatory mediators from secretory granules. While microtubules play a role in the degranulation process, the complex molecular mechanisms regulating microtubule remodeling in activated mast cells are only partially understood. Here, we demonstrate that the activation of bone marrow mast cells induced by FcϵRI aggregation increases centrosomal microtubule nucleation, with G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 2 (GIT2) playing a vital role in this process. Both endogenous and exogenous GIT2 were associated with centrosomes and γ-tubulin complex proteins. Depletion of GIT2 enhanced centrosomal microtubule nucleation, and phenotypic rescue experiments revealed that GIT2, unlike GIT1, acts as a negative regulator of microtubule nucleation in mast cells. GIT2 also participated in the regulation of antigen-induced degranulation and chemotaxis. Further experiments showed that phosphorylation affected the centrosomal localization of GIT2 and that during antigen-induced activation, GIT2 was phosphorylated by conventional protein kinase C, which promoted microtubule nucleation. We propose that GIT2 is a novel regulator of microtubule organization in activated mast cells by modulating centrosomal microtubule nucleation.
Inferring the diagnostic potential of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in post-renal transplantation from a unique case harboring multiple rare complications
Authors: Huang Zizhen , Zou Shiwei , Liu Qian , Qi Wanling , Sharma Amit , Wang Yulu , Jin Aifang , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo G. H. , Lu Ping , Ai Wuping , Liao Fengxiang
Published: February 2024

Renal transplantation is undoubtedly an effective treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease, but it is certainly not a cure. Patients require lifelong immunosuppression to maintain optimal allograft function, and post-operative risk complications such as cancer in the transplant recipient cannot be ignored. Besides, infection is a silent complication that follows transplantation. Relatedly, herein, we present a report of a 40-year-old patient who underwent renal transplantation and promptly developed a diffuse large B-cell tumor in the liver and Aspergillus infection in the trachea. In addition, an inflammatory necrotizing granuloma was also observed in the muscles. Of importance, we also described the potential of 18F-FDG-PET/CT, which was instrumental in monitoring and evaluating these relevant post-operative complications in this rare case.