bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TF-IDF Method and Vector Space Model Regarding the Covid-19 Vaccine on Online News
Authors: Zen Bita Parga , Susanto Irwan , Finaliamartha Dian
Published: October 2021

Advances in information and technology have caused the use of the internet to be a concern of the general public. Online news sites are one of the technologies that have developed as a means of disseminating the latest information in the world. When viewed in terms of numbers, newsreaders are very sufficient to get the desired information. However, with this, the amount of information collected will result in an explosion of information and the possibility of information redundancy. The search system is one of the solutions which expected to help in finding the desired or relevant information by the input query. The methods commonly used in this case are TF-IDF and VSM (Vector Space Model) which are used in weighting to measure statistics from a collection of documents on the search for some information about the Covid 19 vaccine on kompas.com news then tokenizing it to separate the text, stopword removal or filtering to remove unnecessary words which usually consist of conjunctions and others. The next step is sentence stemming which aims to eliminate word inflection to its basic form. Then the TF-IDF and VSM calculations were carried out and the final result are news documents 3 (DOC 3) with a weight of 5.914226424; news documents 2 (DOC 2) with a weight of 1.767692186; news documents 5 (DOC 5) with weights 1.550165096; news document 4 (DOC 4) with a weight of 1.17141223;, and the last is news document 1 (DOC 1) with a weight of 0.5244103739.
Testing of Strategic Management Accounting Contingency Model on SME Performance in Maluku
Authors: Handojono Monika , Cornelis Victor
Published: October 2021

The sustainability of SMEs is supported by various important factors, both financial and non-financial. This study examines non-financial factors, namely the management accounting adoption model on the performance of SMEs in Maluku. The sample of this study consisted of 63 UKM units located in Ambon City, SBB Regency and Central Maluku Regency. The testing of management accounting adoption contingency models is carried out using path analysis. The result showed that management accounting adoption is a mediator of the relationship between the level of innovation and technology adoption in manufacturing activities with the performance of SMEs. However, this study has not succeeded in proving the relationship between manager characteristics and managers' perceptions of environmental uncertainty with the decision to adopt strategic management accounting by business units. These results indicate that there is a need for further introduction to the benefits of a strategic management accounting system as an important instrument in streamlining the business value chain.
yuhanad, Pengaruh Kualitas Audit dan BOPO terhadap Profitbailitas
Authors: Rifan Dinda Fali , Qintharah Yuha Nadhirah
Published: October 2021

ABSTRAK
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh Kualitas Audit dan Biaya Operasional Pendapatan Operasional (BOPO) terhadap profitabilitas yang diukur melalui Return on Asset (ROA). Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif, dengan populasi penelitian adalah Bank Umum Syariah (BUS) yang ada di Indonesia dan telah terdaftar pada Bank Indonesia periode 2012-2018. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah 6 Bank Umum Syariah dari total 14 Bank Umum Syariah, yang diperoleh dengan menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Sampel data diuji dengan menggunakan teknik analisis deskriptif, sedangkan untuk uji hipotesis diuji dengan menggunakan analisis regresi linear berganda. Hasil dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa variabel Kualitas Audit berpengaruh negatif terhadap profitabilitas yang diukur melalui ROA dan variabel BOPO juga berpengaruh negatif terhadap profitabilitas yang diukur melalui ROA. Selain itu, variabel kualitas audit dan BOPO secara bersama-sama berpengaruh terhadap ROA.
 
Kata Kunci: Kualitas Audit, BOPO, ROA, Bank Umum Syariah
Review Essay: Unravelling Democracy’s Anti-Democratic Machine
Authors: Couldry Nick
Published: October 2021

This review of two recent books, with further discussion of a third, addresses questions of the direction of democracy and the impacts of media circulation and data extraction on democratic culture. The reviewed books are Selena Nemorin (2018). Biosurveillance in New Media Marketing: World, Discourse, Representation, and Dipankar Sinha (2018). The Information Game in Democracy, with discussion also of Peter Csigo (2016). The Neopopular Bubble: Speculating on “the People” in Late Modern Democracy.
What is digital activism anyway? Social constructions of the “digital” in contemporary activism
Authors: Özkula Suay Melisa
Published: October 2021

In recent decades, digital activism has received a lot of scholarly and journalistic attention. Even so, there remains no firm consensus on its precise definition and scope. This paper addresses this conceptual haziness and contends that there are analytical issues and conceptual implications in the openness of the term and its description as digital, as 'digitality' is neither the sole nor the primary feature along which activism has changed. Drawing on extant practices of digital activism and conceptual approaches to its scope, the paper aims to (1) critically discuss & highlight a range of conceptual obscurities in digital activism scholarship, (2) provide a glimpse into the concept’s evolution, and, through these (3) suggest that the term (incl. synonyms) suffers from myriad conceptual and epistemological fallacies: omissions of the concept’s complexity (e.g. hybridity, rhizomatism, multi- mediality), implications of digital dualism and therefore potentially technological determinism, and the invitation of stigma, luddite sentiment, and other social constructions of the technologies to which the term is attached.
Comparing the victimization impact of cybercrime and traditional crime: Literature review and future research directions
Authors: Borwell Jildau , Jansen Jurjen , Stol Wouter
Published: October 2021

This paper addresses the importance of building knowledge on the impact of cybercrime victimization. Because the topic is understudied, it is unclear whether the impact of cybercrime differs from that of traditional crime. Our understanding of potential impact differences needs to be improved, considering that society and criminality are digitizing and, consequently, more people are likely to become victims of cybercrime. From a practical perspective, knowledge about the impact of different crimes is important to develop victim policies within law enforcement and other relevant agencies, and to treat victims appropriately. In this paper, a literature review is provided, as well as future research directions to address the current knowledge gap. The future research directions are divided in three topics: (1) distinguishing between cybercrime and traditional crime, (2) classifying cybercrime and traditional crime, and (3) measuring the victimization impact of cybercrime and traditional crime.
"Within the hour" and "wherever you are": Exploring the promises of digital healthcare apps
Authors: Lundgren Anna Sofia , Lindberg Jens , Carlsson Eric
Published: October 2021

The use of healthcare apps for medical advice is becoming increasingly common. This paper explores apps that offer interaction with medical experts. Working from the supposition that digital technologies are intimately entangled in their cultural context, we argue that the apps do more than just neutrally mediate contacts and offer medical and psychological advice. The article addresses the cultural dimensions of healthcare apps and answers questions about the ways in which such apps contribute to forming changing notions of what “healthcare” and being a “patient” entail. Three popular Swedish apps and their marketing material is studied using a discursive interface analysis of the apps’ affordances. The results show that the apps significantly contribute to producing a marketable narrative about app health care that includes accessibility, security/safety and personalisation, and which is partly produced as an alternative to what is offered by Swedish public health care. The results further show that this narrative primarily represents and addresses users who are young, busy, urban consumers of care – partly contrasting policy expectations and hopes.
Modeling the interaction of thiozonide and atphase M.tuberculosis by the method of molecular docking
Authors: Shilov B. V. , Smirnov A. S. , Savchenko A. Yu.
Published: October 2021

The mechanism of interaction of a new anti-tuberculosis drug thiosonide with a probable target of M. tuberculosis was studied. According to the data obtained, the most likely target with a thiozonide binding pocket is the subunit of bacterial ATP synthase, an enzyme that plays a key role in the processes of energy exchange in the cell, coupling the reaction of ATP synthesis/hydrolysis with transmembrane proton transfer. Original models of the three subunits of this enzyme (alpha, delta, and epsilon) were built. To simulate docking in silico, the AutoDock program version 4.2 was used, which is included in the MGL Tools version 1.5.6. It was shown that all three subunits have clusters with the minimum binding energies for the thiosinide molecule, and the epsilon subunit has two clusters with equal probabilities of being a thiosinide binding site.
Pharmacological optimization of premedication to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications
Authors: Safronenko A. V. , Maklyakov Yu. S. , Lepyavka S. V. , Demidov I. A. , Demidova A. A. , Dubatova I. V.
Published: October 2021

In 46 patients with arterial hypertension, arrhythmias and amiodarone-associated type I thyrotoxicosis, it was confirmed that prolonged premedication with long-acting benzodiazepines and magnesium preparations reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications and instability of systemic hemodynamics, mitigates the adverse effects of amiodarone dysfunction of the thyroid gland on the cardiovascular system. Postoperatively, under prolonged premedication with long-acting benzodiazepines and magnesium preparations, postoperative cardiac arrhythmias were found to be less common. When the pre-operative period was significantly reduced, the appointment of long-acting benzodiazepines had advantages over short-acting benzadiazepines due to the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias and increased blood pressure in the early post-operative period.
In vitro determination of the release rate of selenoxanthene synthetic derivative from its soft dosage form
Authors: Zayats D. V. , Buyuklinskaya O. V. , Horeva O. V.
Published: October 2021

The release rate of Selenopyran, a selenoxanthene synthetic derivative, from 1% gel-cream was studied using a vertical diffusion cell. The experimental results showed that, on average, 77.5% of Selenopyran of the total amount is released from a soft-dosage form sample within 3 hours.
Cultivation of mice embryos on various nutrient media up to the stage of two blastomers after the microinjection of a genetically-engineered construct
Authors: Maksimenko S. V. , Savchenko E. S. , Ogneva N. S.
Published: October 2021

The normal growth and differentiation of mammalian embryos in vitro during the pre-implantation period depends on the availability of appropriate metabolic substrates. Selection of optimal cultivation conditions when working with microinjected embryos is of significance, since any manipulations can reduce their viability. This is particularly important when obtaining transgenic animals. In order to determine the most effective culture medium, we studied the survival of mouse embryos after the microinjection of a genetically engineered construct into the pronuclei and further cultivation on the M16 and Onestep nutrient media. Compared to the M16 medium, an increase in the number of embryos that developed to the stage of two blastomeres on the Onestep medium was observed. Differences were also revealed in the two control groups, the embryos in which were not subjected to microinjection, but were cultured on the same media under the same conditions as the embryos of the experimental groups. We found that the Onestep medium, in which the percentage of survived embryos exceeded that in the M16 medium, is a more efficient medium for the cultivation of intact embryos.
Anesthesia of female mice during surgical embryo transfer
Authors: Ogneva N. S. , Savchenko E. S. , Taboyakova L. A.
Published: October 2021

The selection of an adequate combination of drugs for anesthesia of female mice during surgical embryo transfer is an important part of the process, since insufficient depth of anesthesia or the influence of undesirable effects on the pregnant female and the embryo can lead to unsatisfactory results of the experiment. In our work, we use a combination of 2 drugs for anesthesia of an animal: Zoletil 100 and Meditin, as well as Antisedan immediately after transplantation for a faster recovery from anesthesia.
Indirect submaximal load test PWC170 for determining physical performance on svetlogorsk mini pigs
Authors: Stankova N. V. , Savina M. A.
Published: October 2021

A method for conducting an indirect submaximal load test on Svetlogorsk mini-pigs under laboratory conditions was developed and adapted. The physical performance of animals was assessed; the advantages and disadvantages of the developed method were discussed.
Öğretim Programlarında Sağlık Okuryazarlığının Yeri: Kütüphanelerin ve Kütüphanecilerin Artan Önemi
Authors: ŞENYURT Özlem
Published: October 2021

Sağlık okuryazarlığı, sağlığın korunması ve geliştirilmesi için gerekli temel bilgi ve becerilerden oluşmaktadır. Temel sağlık bilgisinin yanında, sağlık bilgi ve becerilerini yaşam boyu kullanabilmeye imkân sağlayacak, sağlık bilgisine erişme, bu bilgileri anlama, değerlendirme ve kullanma, bunun neticesinde doğru kararlar verebilmeyi ifade eder. Sağlık okuryazarlığının sistemli olarak öğrenilmesinde sosyal eğitim içerisinde okullar ve ilgili kurumların yayın ve eğitimleri önemli yer tutmaktadır. Okullar ve ayrılmaz bir parçası olan kütüphaneler bu sorumluluğu almada en yetkin kurumlar olmalıdır. Eğitimi destekler nitelikteki diğer çalışmalar da sağlık okuryazarlığının yaşam boyu geliştirilmesi açısından önemlidir.Çalışmanın amacı, sağlık okuryazarlığı becerilerinin eğitim sistemi içerisinde Sağlık Bilgisi ve Trafik Kültürü dersi kapsamında nasıl verildiğini anlamaktır. Çalışmada eğitimde sağlık okuryazarlığına ilişkin literatür değerlendirilmiş olup, öğretim programı ders kitabıyla beraber incelenerek uygulamaya yönelik daha fazla bilgi elde edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Bununla beraber, Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı ve Sağlık Bakanlığı bünyesinde sağlık eğitimine yönelik gerçekleştirilen çalışmalar da bu kapsamda incelenmiştir. Böylece, sağlık bilgi ve hizmetlerine erişim, sağlık bilgisinin değerlendirilmesi ve sağlık bilgisini kullanabilme alanlarının geliştirilmesi gereken yönler olduğu tespit edilerek önerilerde bulunulmuştur.
Shape-Based Classification of Partially Observed Curves, With Applications to Anthropology
Authors: Matthews Gregory J. , Bharath Karthik , Kurtek Sebastian , Brophy Juliet K. , Thiruvathukal George K. , Harel Ofer
Published: October 2021

We consider the problem of classifying curves when they are observed only partially on their parameter domains. We propose computational methods for (i) completion of partially observed curves; (ii) assessment of completion variability through a nonparametric multiple imputation procedure; (iii) development of nearest neighbor classifiers compatible with the completion techniques. Our contributions are founded on exploiting the geometric notion of shape of a curve, defined as those aspects of a curve that remain unchanged under translations, rotations and reparameterizations. Explicit incorporation of shape information into the computational methods plays the dual role of limiting the set of all possible completions of a curve to those with similar shape while simultaneously enabling more efficient use of training data in the classifier through shape-informed neighborhoods. Our methods are then used for taxonomic classification of partially observed curves arising from images of fossilized Bovidae teeth, obtained from a novel anthropological application concerning paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
Automated Machine-Learning Framework Integrating Histopathological and Radiological Information for Predicting IDH1 Mutation Status in Glioma
Authors: Wang Dingqian , Liu Cuicui , Wang Xiuying , Liu Xuejun , Lan Chuanjin , Zhao Peng , Cho William C. , Graeber Manuel B. , Liu Yingchao
Published: October 2021

Diffuse gliomas are the most common malignant primary brain tumors. Identification of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutations aids the diagnostic classification of these tumors and the prediction of their clinical outcomes. While histology continues to play a key role in frozen section diagnosis, as a diagnostic reference and as a method for monitoring disease progression, recent research has demonstrated the ability of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for predicting IDH genotypes. In this paper, we aim to improve the prediction accuracy of IDH1 genotypes by integrating multi-modal imaging information from digitized histopathological data derived from routine histological slide scans and the MRI sequences including T1-contrast (T1) and Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging (T2-FLAIR). In this research, we have established an automated framework to process, analyze and integrate the histopathological and radiological information from high-resolution pathology slides and multi-sequence MRI scans. Our machine-learning framework comprehensively computed multi-level information including molecular level, cellular level, and texture level information to reflect predictive IDH genotypes. Firstly, an automated pre-processing was developed to select the regions of interest (ROIs) from pathology slides. Secondly, to interactively fuse the multimodal complementary information, comprehensive feature information was extracted from the pathology ROIs and segmented tumor regions (enhanced tumor, edema and non-enhanced tumor) from MRI sequences. Thirdly, a Random Forest (RF)-based algorithm was employed to identify and quantitatively characterize histopathological and radiological imaging origins, respectively. Finally, we integrated multi-modal imaging features with a machine-learning algorithm and tested the performance of the framework for IDH1 genotyping, we also provided visual and statistical explanation to support the understanding on prediction outcomes. The training and testing experiments on 217 pathologically verified IDH1 genotyped glioma cases from multi-resource validated that our fully automated machine-learning model predicted IDH1 genotypes with greater accuracy and reliability than models that were based on radiological imaging data only. The accuracy of IDH1 genotype prediction was 0.90 compared to 0.82 for radiomic result. Thus, the integration of multi-parametric imaging features for automated analysis of cross-modal biomedical data improved the prediction accuracy of glioma IDH1 genotypes.
Cyton2: A Model of Immune Cell Population Dynamics That Includes Familial Instructional Inheritance
Authors: Cheon HoChan , Kan Andrey , Prevedello Giulio , Oostindie Simone C. , Dovedi Simon J. , Hawkins Edwin D. , Marchingo Julia M. , Heinzel Susanne , Duffy Ken R. , Hodgkin Philip D.
Published: October 2021

Lymphocytes are the central actors in adaptive immune responses. When challenged with antigen, a small number of B and T cells have a cognate receptor capable of recognising and responding to the insult. These cells proliferate, building an exponentially growing, differentiating clone army to fight off the threat, before ceasing to divide and dying over a period of weeks, leaving in their wake memory cells that are primed to rapidly respond to any repeated infection. Due to the non-linearity of lymphocyte population dynamics, mathematical models are needed to interrogate data from experimental studies. Due to lack of evidence to the contrary and appealing to arguments based on Occam’s Razor, in these models newly born progeny are typically assumed to behave independently of their predecessors. Recent experimental studies, however, challenge that assumption, making clear that there is substantial inheritance of timed fate changes from each cell by its offspring, calling for a revision to the existing mathematical modelling paradigms used for information extraction. By assessing long-term live-cell imaging of stimulated murine B and T cells in vitro, we distilled the key phenomena of these within-family inheritances and used them to develop a new mathematical model, Cyton2, that encapsulates them. We establish the model’s consistency with these newly observed fine-grained features. Two natural concerns for any model that includes familial correlations would be that it is overparameterised or computationally inefficient in data fitting, but neither is the case for Cyton2. We demonstrate Cyton2’s utility by challenging it with high-throughput flow cytometry data, which confirms the robustness of its parameter estimation as well as its ability to extract biological meaning from complex mixed stimulation experiments. Cyton2, therefore, offers an alternate mathematical model, one that is, more aligned to experimental observation, for drawing inferences on lymphocyte population dynamics.
Prognostic Value of C-Reactive Protein, Glasgow Prognostic Score, and C-Reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhou Jiahui , Wei Wene , Hou Hu , Ning Shufang , Li Jilin , Huang Baoyue , Liu Kaisheng , Zhang Litu
Published: October 2021

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that inflammatory response biomarkers are predictive factors that can improve the accuracy of colorectal cancer (CRC) prognoses. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of C-reactive protein (CRP), the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), and the CRP-to-albumin ratio (CAR) in CRC.

Methods: Overall, 307 stage I–III CRC patients and 72 colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) patients were enrolled between October 2013 and September 2019. We investigated the correlation between the pretreatment CRP, GPS, and CAR and the clinicopathological characteristics. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for univariate or multivariate analysis to assess potential prognostic factors. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the predictive value of each prognostic score. We established CRC survival nomograms based on the prognostic scores of inflammation.

Results: The optimal cutoff levels for the CAR for overall survival (OS) in all CRC patients, stage I–III CRC patients, and CRLM patients were 0.16, 0.14, and 0.25, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank tests demonstrated that patients with high CRP, CAR, and GPS had poorer OS in CRC, both in the cohorts of stage I–III patients and CRLM patients. In the different cohorts of CRC patients, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of these three markers were all high. Multivariate analysis indicated that the location of the primary tumor, pathological differentiation, and pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CRP, GPS, and CAR were independent prognostic factors for OS in stage I–III patients and that CRP, GPS, and CAR were independent prognostic factors for OS in CRLM patients. The predictors in the prediction nomograms included the pretreatment CRP, GPS, and CAR.

Conclusions: CRP, GPS, and CAR have independent prognostic values in patients with CRC. Furthermore, the survival nomograms based on CRP, GPS, and CAR can provide more valuable clinical significance.
Circ_0000215 Exerts Oncogenic Function in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Targeting miR-512-5p
Authors: Chen Xinping , Xu Weihua , Ma Zhichao , Zhu Juan , Hu Junjie , Li Xiaojuan , Fu Shengmiao
Published: October 2021

Background: Increasing circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to participate in cancer progression. Nonetheless, the role of circRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been fully clarified. This work is aimed to probe the role of circ_0000215 in NPC.

Methods: Circ_0000215 expression in NPC tissues and cell lines was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay, scratch healing assay and Transwell experiment were executed to investigate the regulatory function of circ_0000215 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter experiments were utilized to determine the binding relationship between circ_0000215 and miR-512-5p, and between miR-512-5p and phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1) 3′UTR. The effects of circ_0000215 on NPC growth and metastasis in vivo were examined with nude mice model. Western blot was applied to detect the regulatory effects of circ_0000215 and miR-512-5p on PIK3R1 expression.

Results: Circ_0000215 was overexpressed in NPC tissues and cell lines. The functional experiments confirmed that knockdown of circ_0000215 impeded the growth and metastasis of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, circ_0000215 could also work as a molecular sponge to repress miR-512-5p expression. PIK3R1 was validated as a target gene of miR-512-5p, and circ_0000215 could increase the expression level of PIK3R1 in NPC cells via suppressing miR-512-5p.

Conclusion: Circ_0000215 is overexpressed in NPC and exerts oncogenic effects in NPC through regulating miR-512-5p/PIK3R1 axis.
Endothelial Dec1-PPARγ Axis Impairs Proliferation and Apoptosis Homeostasis Under Hypoxia in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Liu Chengcheng , Qi Wenwen , Meng Qiu , Zhao Hui , Teng Zhenxiao , Xu Runtong , Wu Xinhao , Zhu Fangyuan , Qin Yiming , Zhao Miaoqing , Xu Fenglei , Xia Ming
Published: October 2021

Background: The hypoxia-induced pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic characteristics of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) play critical roles in pulmonary vascular remodeling and contribute to hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathogenesis. However, the mechanism underlying this hypoxic disease has not been fully elucidated.

Methods: Bioinformatics was adopted to screen out the key hypoxia-related genes in PAH. Gain- and loss-function assays were then performed to test the identified hypoxic pathways in vitro. Human PAECs were cultured under hypoxic (3% O2) or normoxic (21% O2) conditions. Hypoxia-induced changes in apoptosis and proliferation were determined by flow cytometry and Ki-67 immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Survival of the hypoxic cells was estimated by cell counting kit-8 assay. Expression alterations of the target hypoxia-related genes, cell cycle regulators, and apoptosis factors were investigated by Western blot.

Results: According to the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE84538), differentiated embryo chondrocyte expressed gene 1-peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor-γ (Dec1-PPARγ) axis was defined as a key hypoxia-related signaling in PAH. A negative correlation was observed between Dec1 and PPARγ expression in patients with hypoxic PAH. In vitro observations revealed an increased proliferation and a decreased apoptosis in PAECs under hypoxia. Furthermore, hypoxic PAECs exhibited remarkable upregulation of Dec1 and downregulation of PPARγ. Dec1 was confirmed to be crucial for the imbalance of proliferation and apoptosis in hypoxic PAECs. Furthermore, the pro-surviving effect of hypoxic Dec1 was mediated through PPARγ inhibition.

Conclusion: For the first time, Dec1-PPARγ axis was identified as a key determinant hypoxia-modifying signaling that is necessary for the imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis of PAECs. These novel endothelial signal transduction events may offer new diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients with hypoxic PAH.
Probing Multivalent Carbohydrate-Protein Interactions With On-Chip Synthesized Glycopeptides Using Different Functionalized Surfaces
Authors: Tsouka Alexandra , Hoetzel Kassandra , Mende Marco , Heidepriem Jasmin , Paris Grigori , Eickelmann Stephan , Seeberger Peter H. , Lepenies Bernd , Loeffler Felix F.
Published: October 2021

Multivalent ligand–protein interactions are a commonly employed approach by nature in many biological processes. Single glycan–protein interactions are often weak, but their affinity and specificity can be drastically enhanced by engaging multiple binding sites. Microarray technology allows for quick, parallel screening of such interactions. Yet, current glycan microarray methodologies usually neglect defined multivalent presentation. Our laser-based array technology allows for a flexible, cost-efficient, and rapid in situ chemical synthesis of peptide scaffolds directly on functionalized glass slides. Using copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition, different monomer sugar azides were attached to the scaffolds, resulting in spatially defined multivalent glycopeptides on the solid support. Studying their interaction with several different lectins showed that not only the spatially defined sugar presentation, but also the surface functionalization and wettability, as well as accessibility and flexibility, play an essential role in such interactions. Therefore, different commercially available functionalized glass slides were equipped with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker to demonstrate its effect on glycan–lectin interactions. Moreover, different monomer sugar azides with and without an additional PEG-spacer were attached to the peptide scaffold to increase flexibility and thereby improve binding affinity. A variety of fluorescently labeled lectins were probed, indicating that different lectin–glycan pairs require different surface functionalization and spacers for enhanced binding. This approach allows for rapid screening and evaluation of spacing-, density-, ligand and surface-dependent parameters, to find optimal lectin binders.
The Role of Ferroptosis in Cardiovascular Disease and Its Therapeutic Significance
Authors: Chen Zhenzhen , Yan Youyou , Qi Chao , Liu Jia , Li Longbo , Wang Junnan
Published: October 2021

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths worldwide with regulated cell death playing an important role in cardiac pathophysiology. However, the classical mode of cell death cannot fully explain the occurrence and development of heart disease. In recent years, much research has been performed on ferroptosis, a new type of cell death that causes cell damage and contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and other diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of different organelles in ferroptosis and also focus on the relationship between autophagy and ferroptosis. Additionally, we describe the specific mechanism by which ferroptosis contributes to the development of CVD. Finally, we summarize the current research on ferroptosis-related pathway inhibitors and the applications of clinically beneficial cardiovascular drugs.
Clinical Impact of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Cancer Patients With Suspected Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Heidari-Bateni Giv , Durand Jean-Bernard , Iliescu Cezar , Gladish Greg , Deswal Anita , Patel Amit R. , Kim Peter , Song Juhee , Hassan Saamir , Palaskas Nicolas , Baldassarre Lauren A. , Bucciarelli-Ducci Chiara , Lopez-Mattei Juan
Published: October 2021

Objectives: To assess the clinical impact of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) in clinical decision making of cancer patients with a suspected cardiomyopathy in a tertiary cancer center.

Background: Cardiomyopathies of diverse etiologies are frequently encountered in a Cardio-Oncology practice. The clinical impact of CMR after a presumptive diagnosis of cardiomyopathy has not been studied in cancer patients.

Methods: We reviewed data on cancer patients with presumptive diagnosis of cardiomyopathy who underwent CMR in a tertiary cancer center. The clinical impact of CMR was defined as either change in clinical diagnosis or management post CMR results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess whether any of the baseline characteristics were predictive of the clinical impact of CMR.

Results: A total of 110 consecutive patients were identified. Clinical impact of CMR was seen in 68 (62%) patients. Change in the clinical diagnosis and management was seen in 56 (51%) and 41 (37%) of patients, respectively. The most common change was prevention of endomyocardial biopsy in 26 patients (24%). Overall, patients with higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography (echo), clinical impact was influenced more by CMR (LVEF of 37.2 ± 12.3% vs. 51.5 ± 11.6%, p < 0.001). Cancer diagnosis of multiple myeloma was associated with change in the management post CMR (adjusted OR of 25.6, 95% CI 4.0–162.4, p = 0.001). Suspicion of infiltrative cardiomyopathy was associated with a higher likelihood of change in diagnosis. Having an LVEF≥40 by echo was associated with change in diagnosis and management by CMR.

Conclusions: Utilization of CMR has a significant clinical impact in cancer patients with suspected cardiomyopathy. Patients with cancer diagnosis of multiple myeloma, suspicion of infiltrative cardiomyopathy and those with higher LVEF by echo seem to benefit more from CMR.
Developing an XGBoost Regression Model for Predicting Young’s Modulus of Intact Sedimentary Rocks for the Stability of Surface and Subsurface Structures
Authors: Shahani Niaz Muhammad , Zheng Xigui , Liu Cancan , Hassan Fawad Ul , Li Peng
Published: October 2021

Young’s modulus (E) is essential for predicting the behavior of materials under stress and plays an important role in the stability of surface and subsurface structures. E has a wide range of applications in mining, geology, civil engineering, etc.; for example, coal and metal mines, tunnels, foundations, slopes, bridges, buildings, drilling, etc. This study developed a novel machine learning regression model, namely an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) to predict the influences of four inputs such as uniaxial compressive strength in MPa; density in g/cm3; p-wave velocity (Vp) in m/s; and s-wave velocity in m/s on two outputs, namely static Young’s modulus (Es) in GPa; and dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed) in GPa. Using a series of basic statistical analysis tools, the accompanying strengths of each input and each output were systematically examined to classify the most prevailing and significant input parameters. Then, two other models i.e., multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) were employed to predict Es and Ed. Next, multiple linear regression and ANN were compared with XGBoost. The original dataset was allocated as 70% for the training stage and 30% for the testing stage for each model. To improve the performance of the developed models, an iterative 10-fold cross-validation method was used. Therefore, based on the results XGBoost model has revealed the best performance with high accuracy (Es: correlation coefficient (R2) = 0.998; Ed: R2 = 0.999 in the training stage; Es: R2 = 0.997; Ed: R2 = 0.999 in the testing stage), root mean square error (RMSE) (Es: RMSE = 0.0652; Ed: RMSE = 0.0062 in the training stage; Es: RMSE = 0.071; Ed: RMSE = 0.027 in the testing stage), RMSE-standard deviation ratio (RSR) index value (Es: RSR = 0.00238; Ed: RSR = 0.00023 in the training stage; Es: RSR = 0.00304; Ed: RSR = 0.001 in the testing stage) and variance accounts for (VAF) (Es: VAF = 99.71; Ed: VAF = 99.99 in the training stage; Es: VAF = 99.83; Ed: VAF = 99.94 in the testing stage) compared to the other developed models in this study. Using a novel machine learning approach, this study was able to deliver substitute elucidations for predicting Es and Ed parameters with suitable accuracy and runtime.
Genetics and Clinical Characteristics of PPARγ Variant-Induced Diabetes in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Gong Siqian , Han Xueyao , Li Meng , Cai Xiaoling , Liu Wei , Luo Yingying , Zhang Si-min , Zhou Lingli , Ma Yumin , Huang Xiuting , Li Yufeng , Zhou Xianghai , Zhu Yu , Wang Qiuping , Chen Ling , Ren Qian , Zhang Ping , Ji Linong
Published: October 2021

Objectives

PPARγ variants cause lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, and diabetes. This study aimed to determine the relationship between PPARγ genotypes and phenotypes and to explore the pathogenesis of diabetes beyond this relationship.

Methods

PPARγ2 exons in 1,002 Chinese patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes (diagnosed before 40 years of age) were sequenced. The functions of variants were evaluated by in vitro assays. Additionally, a review of the literature was performed to obtain all reported cases with rare PPARγ2 variants to evaluate the characteristics of variants in different functional domains.

Results

Six (0.6%) patients had PPARγ2 variant-induced diabetes (PPARG-DM) in the early-onset type 2 diabetes group, including three with the p.Tyr95Cys variant in activation function 1 domain (AF1), of which five patients (83%) had diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Functional experiments showed that p.Tyr95Cys suppresses 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. A total of 64 cases with damaging rare variants were reported previously. Patients with rare PPARγ2 variants in AF1 of PPARγ2 had a lower risk of lipodystrophy and a higher rate of obesity than those with variants in other domains, as confirmed in patients identified in this study.

Conclusion

The prevalence of PPARG-DM is similar in Caucasian and Chinese populations, and DKD was often observed in these patients. Patients with variants in the AF1 of PPARγ2 had milder clinical phenotypes and lack typical lipodystrophy features than those with variants in other domains. Our findings emphasize the importance of screening such patients via genetic testing and suggest that thiazolidinediones might be a good choice for these patients.
Gold Standard for Diagnosis of DPN
Authors: Yu Yongchun
Published: October 2021

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. It often causes symmetrical paresthesia, loss of sensation, and hyperalgesia. Without early intervention, it might lead to diabetic foot ulceration, gangrene, and subsequent amputation in people with diabetes. DPN is an insidious disease and often underdiagnosed. This paper reviews the current national and international prevalence of DPN, screening methods for early DPN, including quantitative sensory measurement, neurological function scoring system, confocal microscopy, and high-frequency ultrasound, and summarizes the related research progress, clinical application, and development prospects of these methods in recent years.
Association Between Obesity and Microvascular Diseases in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Gao Shan , Zhang Hongliang , Long Chen , Xing Zhenhua
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the association between obesity, evaluated by fat mass index (FMI) with the risk of microvascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and compare the magnitude of associations of FMI, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of microvascular diseases. We performed a post-hoc analysis of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes study. The primary microvascular outcomes of the present study included chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Cox proportional-hazards models were performed to evaluate the association of FMI with microvascular diseases. A discordant analysis was performed to compare the magnitude of associations of FMI, BMI, and WC with the risk of microvascular diseases. Our study included 10,251 T2DM participants with a median of 5 years (interquartile range, 4.2–5.7) of follow-up. A total of 6,184 participants developed CKD progression, 896 participants had retinopathy, and 3,213 participants developed neuropathy (Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, >2.0). After the confounding factors were adjusted for, patients in the highest FMI quartile had a higher risk of CKD progression (HR: 1.26, 95%CI: 1.16–1.36) and neuropathy (HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.74–2.15), except for retinopathy (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.96–1.43), than those in the lowest quartile. Discordant analyses found that FMI and WC are better in identifying individuals with obesity-related risk of neuropathy, compared with BMI; neither is better in identifying individuals with obesity-related risk of CKD progression and retinopathy. Obesity is associated with CKD progression and neuropathy in T2DM participants. Further randomized trials are needed to test whether obesity control can improve the outcomes of T2DM participants with CKD or neuropathy. FMI and WC are more useful in identifying obesity-related risk of neuropathy compared with BMI in T2DM patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00000620.
Steroid Metabolism in Children and Adolescents With Obesity and Insulin Resistance: Altered SRD5A and 20α/20βHSD Activity
Authors: Sumińska Marta , Podgórski Rafał , Fichna Piotr , Fichna Marta
Published: October 2021

Alterations in glucocorticoid metabolism may contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Obesity in turn affects the androgen balance. The peripheral metabolism of steroids is equally an important determinant of their bioavailability and activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate steroid metabolism in obese children and to define which enzyme alterations are associated with IR. Clinical characteristics and anthropometric measurements were determined in 122 obese children and adolescents (72 girls, 50 boys) aged 8 – 18 years. 26 of them (21.3%) were diagnosed with IR (13 boys, 13 girls). Routine laboratory tests were performed and 24h urinary steroid excretion profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Positive relationship between 5α-reductase (SRD5A) activity and IR was found. According to the androsterone to etiocholanolone (An/Et) ratio the activity of SRD5A was significantly increased in obese children with IR, but the difference remained insignificant once the 5α-dihydrotestosterone to testosterone (5αDHT/T) ratio was considered. Furthermore, this relationship persisted in boys but was not observed in girls. The activity of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20αHSD) and 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20βHSD) was reduced only in obese girls with IR. Conclude, in the context of obese children and adolescents with IR, we surmise that increased SRD5A represents a compensatory mechanism to reduce local glucocorticoid availability. This phenomenon is probably different in the liver (restriction) and in the adipose tissue (expected increase in activity). We show significant changes in 20αHSD and 20βHSD activity in obese girls with IR, but it is difficult to clearly determine whether the activity of these enzymes is an indicator of the function in their ovaries or adrenal glands.
Analysis of Centroid Trajectory Characteristics of Axial-Flow Pump Impeller Under Hydraulic Excitation
Authors: Duan Xiaohui , Tang Fangpin , Xu Hao , Chen Jian , Lu Qun , Duan Wenyong , Zhang Rentian
Published: October 2021

The hydraulic excitation characteristics of axial flow pump unit are studied through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and field test in this paper. The correlation between impeller hydraulic and radial vibration displacement of impeller centroid is obtained through theoretical analysis. Through the 1-way fluid-solid-interaction (FSI) numerical simulation, the distributions of water pressure and displacement on the impeller surface are obtained, and the time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of transient hydraulic and radial displacement are revealed. Through the field test, the external characteristics of axial flow pump unit and the time-frequency characteristics of the pressure pulsation at the measuring points beside the inlet of the impeller are obtained. The comparisons between simulation results and experimental results show that the former is accurate and reliable.
International Trade as a Double-Edged Sword: The Perspective of Carbon Emissions
Authors: Gao Jialin , Gao Fengfeng , Yin Bo , Zhang Mengwan
Published: October 2021

Due to the rapid growth of fossil energy consumption, countries worldwide have paid considerable attention to reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, with economic globalization and trade liberalization, exploring the relationship between foreign trade and carbon emission reduction has become increasingly critical. Exploring this relationship can aid in establishing suitable recommendations for global carbon emission reductions. This paper uses a spatial econometric model and a dynamic panel threshold model to empirically test the spatial effect, nonlinear effect, and heterogeneous effect of foreign trade on global carbon emissions. All the above models are based on the construction of the economic weight matrix of different countries. The results reveal that 1) carbon emissions in various countries exhibit with significant spatial spillover in the overall spatial context; 2) foreign trade has a significant role in promoting carbon emissions in local and similar economic areas, but it has an apparent dual-threshold effect on economic development; and 3) there are significant differences in the impact of foreign trade on carbon emissions in different regions and different periods. Therefore, in the process of global economic integration, based on their development stages and comparative advantages, countries can focus on overall planning and coordination to promote the optimal allocation of resources and reduce carbon emissions.
Short-Term Nacelle Orientation Forecasting Using Bilinear Transformation and ICEEMDAN Framework
Authors: Li Huajin , Deng Jiahao , Feng Peng , Pu Chuanhao , Arachchige Dimuthu D. K. , Cheng Qian
Published: October 2021

To maximize energy extraction, the nacelle of a wind turbine follows the wind direction. Accurate prediction of wind direction is vital for yaw control. A tandem hybrid approach to improve the prediction accuracy of the wind direction data is developed. The proposed approach in this paper includes the bilinear transformation, effective data decomposition techniques, long-short-term-memory recurrent neural networks (LSTM-RNNs), and error decomposition correction methods. In the proposed approach, the angular wind direction data is firstly transformed into time-series to accommodate the full range of yaw motion. Then, the continuous transformed series are decomposed into a group of subseries using a novel decomposition technique. Next, for each subseries, the wind directions are predicted using LSTM-RNNs. In the final step, it decomposed the errors for each predicted subseries to correct the predicted wind direction and then perform inverse bilinear transformation to obtain the final wind direction forecasting. The robustness and effectiveness of the proposed approach are verified using data collected from a wind farm located in Huitengxile, Inner Mongolia, China. Computational results indicate that the proposed hybrid approach outperforms the other single approaches tested to predict the nacelle direction over short-time horizons. The proposed approach can be useful for practical wind farm operations.