bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Islamic Spiritual Education in the Tradition of Bapalas Bidan In Banjar Tribe, Indonesia
Authors: Harisuddin Ahmad
Published: February 2022

The multidimensional crisis that encourages the importance of developing a spiritual education model based on ethnopedagogy is the background of this research. The goal is to find the content of Islamic spiritual education in the tradition of bapalas bidan or batapung tawar, which is a rite of passage for the early life stage of the Banjar tribe. This qualitative research used an ethnometodological design in the Banjar Hulu and Banjar Batang Banyu areas represented by Hulu Sungai Selatan and Tapin Districts, with criteria-based subjects, combined quouta types and comparisons between cases. Data were collected by engaging observation and in-depth interviews; analyzed by modification of Spradley's cyclic model, which checked its validity according to the degree of trust, transferability, dependence, and certainty. This study found that the tradition of bapalas bidan can be categorized as a form of spiritual education based on the religion of Islam. At a philosophical level, this tradition symbolizes the trilogical relationship: God-man-nature through a process of meaning in the form of tabarruk and tafâ'ul towards the ideal Banjar personality, namely baiman, bauntung, and batuah. Psychologically, this tradition is an expression of gratitude and moral responsibility to prepare an initial environment that is conducive to human spiritual development. As for theoretical education, this tradition describes the transfer of knowledge and spiritual transfer of values which is supported by the findings of neuroscience so that it can be reconstructed in ethnopedagogy-based learning models.
Pesantren as the Three Centers of Education Perspective of Ki Hadjar Dewantara
Authors: Taufikin Taufikin
Published: February 2022

The pros and cons of the full-day school system in Indonesia have occurred for a long time. However, the pesantren (boarding school), which uses more than a full day school system, is in fact more and more attractive to parents because it can educate their children more thoroughly. It turns out that the Ki Hadjar Dewantara (KHD) education concept also states that the boarding school system is the best for national education. With content analysis, KHD's documents are analyzed in this literature study, especially regarding the concept of education in the boarding school system. KHD tries to protect the nation's assets, namely children, through preserving their own cultural traditions and teaching values that are in accordance with the life of the nation and state through the three centers or three education centers, namely family, school, and community. To realize the success of the three centers of education in one place, KHD gave the idea that the boarding school system is the most ideal to be implemented for the character, intellectual and social manners.
Critical Reading Material Development based on Quran for Arabic Student
Authors: Murdani Z Edy , Wargadinata Wildana , Sutaman Sutaman
Published: February 2022

This study aims to develop critical reading skills material based on conversations in the Koran for Arabic Language Students at IAIN Samarinda. The research method used is the research and development of the Balitho and Jolly models with the following stages: (1) identification of the problem as a disclosure of needs; (2) exploration as a needs analysis; (3) realization of context as product design planning; (4) pedagogical realization as product preparation; (5) Product realization as the initial product and validation of the expert team; (6) implementation as a product test in the field in limited groups and large groups; (7) evaluation as a revision for product improvement. The results of the study: (1) the teaching material for critical reading skills based on conversations in the Koran (2) The teaching material has characteristics (a) contains facts and opinions; (b) the material contains many arguments; (c) contains many words which, if expressed correctly, can create new understandings (3) the application of teaching materials to Arabic students shows quite effective results. The new finding of this research is the teaching material which contains various facts and opinions, as well as many arguments that can improve students' ability to think critically.
Management Techniques for Organizational Rumor and Gossip in Schools
Authors: HAN Bünyamin
Published: February 2022

This research aims to determine the techniques for effective management of organizational rumor and gossip in schools. Rumors are informal conversations circulating among the employees of the organization towards an event. Gossips are informal evaluative speech about people who are not present there. Rumors and gossips are common informal conversations, which should be managed by school administration. In this term, this research investigates the ways of managing them. The study is a phenomenological qualitative research carried out by conducting semi-structured interviews with 33 teachers in Diyarbakır, Turkey. The data were analyzed by using content analysis technique and some themes and categories were created. According to the research results, school administration should organize some informative seminars on awareness, communication and values in order to reduce the harmful aspects of rumor and gossip. The school administration should adopt a transparent management approach, establish a feedback mechanism, provide effective communication, operate formal communication channels and react to those who spread harmful rumor and gossip. The rumors and gossips can be used for organizational purposes such as; improving intimate relationships, recognizing the organization and employees, improving group cooperation and sincerity, understanding the hidden side of events, learning innovations and changes, learning how changes and practices are perceived, identifying deficiencies and problems in jobs, learning employee expectations.
Analysis of Grammatical Cohesion in Qira’at Text (The Reading) of Al-Arabiya Baina Yadaik Ii Book
Authors: Ahsanuddin Mohammad , Ma'sum Ali
Published: February 2022

This study aims to describe referential devices, substitution ellipsis, and conjunction in qira’at (the reading) text of Al-Arabiya Baina Yadaik (ABY) II book. This research uses a qualitative method in an appropriate setting with a grammatical cohesion analysis approach to identify the grammatical elements from a reference perspective within the qira’at text in the ABY II book. The obtained data subsists of grammatical cohesion, including referential devices, substitution, ellipsis, and conjunction in qira’at (the reading) text. Due to the limited research time, there were only eight qira’at texts, from wihdah (unit) 1-8 of the ABY II book, explored in this research. The results indicate that (1) the referential devices in the qira’at texts is personal (subsisting of third-person singular ‘mufrad’, dual ‘mutsanna’, and plural), demonstrative ( the word ذلك) and comparative (the words that compare sentences); (2) the identified substitution devices are nominal and clause substitution; (3) the discovered ellipsis devices are nominal, verbal and clause ellipsis; and (4) the found conjunction devices are temporal, causal, additive, and adversative.
Education Financial Management during Covid-19 Pandemic of Islamic Universities in South Kalimantan
Authors: Riinawati Riinawati
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the management of education financing in Islamic Universities in South Kalimantan. This research is in the form of descriptive qualitative with a library research data collection approach. The focus of this research will be to observe how the management of education financing in Islamic Universities throughout South Kalimantan, which consists of 13 educational institutions, both public and private categories. The results of this research show that the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be denied, causing the dropout rate to soar, due to the inability of students to pay their tuition fees. However, several campuses in South Kalimantan provide a policy of cutting payments and delaying payments so that students can continue to carry out the education process well. The financial management of Islamic higher education institutions in South Kalimantan during the Covid-19 pandemic has been carried out as effectively as possible. This is to maintain accountability and transparency to get good grades before getting cross-subsidy funds from the Government. The conclusions of this study are: the impact of Covid-19 has a very significant effect on education financing at Private Islamic Colleges in South Kalimantan but not at State Islamic campuses and the management of education financing amid the Covid-19 pandemic should be carried out very strictly.
Developing Islamic Religious Course Teaching Materials with Intercultural Competence-Based in High Schools in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Khojir Khojir , Aini Amalia Nur , Setiawan Agus
Published: February 2022

Islamic education and multiculturalism are connected each other where the content of multiculturalism in national scale includes religious character as one of the core components, whereas in Islamic education relies on commands and prohibitions regarding multiculturalism stated in Alqur’an. Therefore, since intercultural competence and religious character development of students are considered to be important and become one of fundamental objectives existed in national curriculum of 2013 in Indonesia, this research is aimed at conducting Research and Development (R & D) related to developing Islamic Religious course or what so called by Pendidikan Agama Islam (PAI) in Indonesian context in high schools in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. In terms of data collection, the data gained from observation, interview, questionnaire, and validation techniques. Moreover, five stages of ADDIE model were employed in conducting the development research of PAI materials which includes Analisis, Design, Implementation, and Evaluation stages. As a result, findings showed that material design of PAI teaching is feasible and effective to be used in PAI teaching and learning due to good criteria gained from the validation result from material expert and excellent category from media expert. Students’ responses towards the implementation of product design of PAI teaching materials showed good to excellent result towards all aspect assessment. Highlighting points regarding novelty and pedagogical implication are discussed further in this research.
PENERAPAN METODE CARD SORT UNTUK MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI BELAJAR FIQH SISWA MTS NABIL HUSEIN SAMARINDA
Authors: Herwin Herwin , Husin Muhammad Said , Rahmawati Indriana
Published: February 2022

Pembelajaran dengan menggunkan metode yang menyenangkan diharapkan dapat meningkatkan motivasi belajar siswa. Motivasi memeiliki peran yang penting dalam proses pembelajaran, dengan adanya motivasi belajar siswa diharpkan mampu memahami materi pelajaran dengan baik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penerapan metode card sort untuk meningkatkan motivasi belajar fiqh siswa MTs Nabil Husein Samarinda. Metode penelitan dilakukan dengan menggunkan penedekatan kialitatif, sumber data penelitian adalah kepala sekolah, guru Fiqh dan siswa MTs Nabil Husein Samarinda. Teknik pengumpuan dilakukan dengan cara wawancara dan dokumentasi. Keabsahan data diuji dengan menggunakan tekknik triangulasi. Hasil dari penelitian adalah sebagai berikut, 1) Pemilihan metode pembelajaran aktif dan menyenangkan dapat meningkatkan motivasi belajar siswa, 2) Siswa antusias dalam belajar dengan menggunakan metode card sort, 3) Metode card sort dimanfaatkan dengan maksimal di MTs Nabil Husein, 4) Penggunaan metode card sort dapat membantu siswa untuk memahami pelajaran.
Factors Affecting Shrinkage Crack Development in Clay Soils: An Experimental Study
Authors: Lokre Chinmay V. , Shakoor Abdul , Wells Neil A.
Published: February 2022

Clay soils are widely used in constructing embankment dams, levees, highway embankments, sanitary landfills, and hydraulic barriers where they are compacted at maximum dry density and optimum water content. These structures are exposed to many cycles of wetting and drying during their service life, resulting in volume changes and developing shrinkage cracks. This study investigated the effect of density, water content, drying temperature, layer thickness, plasticity index, and multiple wetting and drying cycles on shrinkage crack parameters (length, aperture, and area). Five samples each of low-plasticity clay, medium-plasticity clay, and high-plasticity clay at water contents on both sides of optimum water content were compacted and then oven dried at temperatures of 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, and 50°C. Upon complete drying, crack length, aperture, and area were digitally measured. Additionally, we saturated uncompacted clay layers of varying thicknesses (5, 7, 10, 20, and 30 mm) of the three clay types and oven dried them at the listed temperatures to investigate the effect of layer thickness on shrinkage crack parameters. The length, aperture, and area of the cracks were correlated with the influencing factors. Among the compacted samples, only high-plasticity clay samples developed shrinkage cracks, exhibiting an increase in crack length, aperture, and area with an increase in dry density and water content. For the uncompacted samples, crack length and crack area decreased with increasing layer thickness, whereas crack aperture increased.
Eigenmode Decomposition of the Diffusion Equation: Applications to Pressure-Rate Deconvolution and Reservoir Pore Volume Estimation
Authors: Kubota Leonardo , Piccinini Rodrigo
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes the application of the eigenmode decomposition to the problem of pressure-rate deconvolution. The method enabled us to write the solution of the pressure-rate deconvolution as an infinite series of eigenmodes (eigenfunctions). Each eigenmode is associated with a hydraulic diffusion time scale (eigenvalue) that depends on the intrinsic reservoir properties. The set of eigenmodes forms a basis of the solution space and the analytical solution shows some desirable properties: It is smooth, physically constrained for a closed system, and some parameters have a physical interpretation. As a result, in both single and multiwell problems, the late-time unit slope appears naturally and the curvature penalty does not have to be imposed, thus addressing current knowledge gaps. As an additional contribution, we also propose a mathematically well-defined expression in terms of eigenfunctions to the concept of investigated volume during a well test and a procedure for untangling the single-well deconvolved response from interference effects of neighboring wells under certain conditions. Applications to the analysis of drillstem tests (DST) and reservoir characterization are presented.
Political Advocacy in Colombia: Impact Evaluation of the “Building peace by securing rights for victims of conflict and violence in Colombia” project
Authors: Delgado María
Published: February 2022

The “Building peace by securing rights for victims of conflict and violence in Colombia” project was implemented by Oxfam in Colombia and a network of partners from 2015-2019. It focused on helping victims and Colombian human rights and peace organisations to strengthen their capacities to demand justice for rights violations and to advocate for a more favourable environment to the recognition of victim's rights. The assessment focused on the effectiveness of the project in relation to outcomes extracted from the Theory of Change. It used a combination of participatory methods and tools, the main method being process tracing, a qualitative research method that is useful for inferring causal relationships as well as contribution analysis. The report provides evidence of strengthened capacities at different levels and concludes that the advocacy work carried out as part of the project has demonstrated high levels of effectiveness. Read the full report to find out more.
Waveform inversion of the ultra-long-period seismic event associated with ground tilt motion during an eruption of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, Japan, on January 23, 2018
Authors: Takahashi Ryohei , Maeda Yuta , Watanabe Toshiki
Published: February 2022

We conducted waveform inversions of an ultra-long-period (~240-s) event associated with the phreatic eruption of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane on January 23, 2018. We used broadband seismic and tilt records from three stations surrounding the eruption site. The horizontal components of the broadband seismic records were severely contaminated by tilt motions. We applied a waveform inversion algorithm to account for both the translational and tilt motions. To reduce the number of free parameters, we assumed a tensile crack source and conducted grid searches for the centroid location and orientation of the crack. The results showed a rapid inflation of 105 m3 of the crack, followed by a slow deflation starting 8–11 s prior to the onset of the eruption. The source location and crack orientation were not uniquely determined. The most likely source is a north–south-opening sub-vertical crack near the eruptive craters. This ultra-long-period event may represent volcanic fluid migration from depth to the surface through a vertical crack during the eruption.
PBL Teaching In Ultrasonography Resident Standardization Training In The COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lin Zi-mei , Hong Yu-rong , Liu Chun-mei , Luo Zhi-yan , Zhang Ying , Xie Xiao-jie , Huang Pin-tong
Published: February 2022

Objective: To study the effect of problem-based learning (PBL) method in ultrasonography (US) resident standardization training during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Forty-six residents were randomly divided into two groups to participate in a 30-day US training program. The residents in the observation group underwent the PBL combined with lecture-based learning (LBL) mode, while the residents in the control group participated in an integration of the LBL mode alone, with 23 residents in each group. The basic theoretical test, practical examination, and questionnaire were used to evaluate the teaching effect of the PBL+ LBL mode and the LBL mode alone. Results: The basic theoretical pre-test score of observation group had no significant differences with that of the control group. The post-test theoretical score and practical score were higher in the observation group than that of the control group with significant differences (P<0.01). The results of the questionnaire showed that resident’s satisfaction in the observation group with PBL combined with LBL method was 96%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group with LBL mode alone (80%) (P<0.05).Conclusion: The combination of PBL with LBL method has obvious advantages over the LBL mode alone in the training of US residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Translation and Validation of the Hungarian Version of the Infection Control Standardized Questionnaire: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Hammoud Sahar , Amer Faten , Khatatbeh Haitham , Alfatafta Huda , Zrínyi Miklós , Kocsis Béla
Published: February 2022

Background
Up to our knowledge, there is currently no psychometrically validated Hungarian scale to evaluate nurses’ knowledge about infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Thus, we aim in this study to assess the validity and reliability of the infection control standardized questionnaire Hungarian version (ICSQ-H).
Methods
A cross-sectional, multisite study was conducted among 591 nurses in Hungary. The original ICSQ included 25 questions. First, the questionnaire was translated into Hungarian. Then, content validity was assessed by a committee of four specialists. This was done by calculating the item content validity index and scale content validity index. Afterward, construct validity was evaluated in a two-step process using principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The goodness of fit for the model was measured through fit indices. Convergent validity was assessed by calculating the average variance extracted. Additionally, discriminant validity was evaluated by computing the spearman correlation coefficient between the constructs. Finally, the interitem correlations, the corrected item-total correlations, and the internal consistency were calculated.
Results
Content validity of the questionnaire was established with 23 items. The final four-construct ICSQ-H including 10 items showed a good fit model. Convergent validity was met except for the alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) construct, while discriminant validity was met for all constructs. The interitem correlations and the corrected item-total correlations were met for all constructs but, the internal consistency of ABHR was unsatisfactory due to the low number of items.
Conclusions
The results did not support the original three-factor structure of the ICSQ. However, the four-factor ICSQ-H demonstrated an adequate degree of good fit and was found to be reliable. Based on our findings, we believe that the ICSQ-H could pave the way for more research regarding nurses’ IPC knowledge to be conducted in Hungary. Nevertheless, its validation among other healthcare workers is important to tailor effective interventions to enhance knowledge and awareness.
Association of Infant and Child Health Characteristics With the Hazard of Any Medical Condition or Disability in Australian Children
Authors: Ahmad Kabir , Keramat Syed Afroz , Sathi Nusrat Jahan , Kabir Enamul , Khanam Rasheda
Published: February 2022

Background: The incidence of any medical condition (e.g., sight, hearing, and speech problems, blackouts, chronic pain etc.) or disability (e.g., limited use of arms or fingers, legs, and feet, or other physical long-term health condition limiting everyday activities etc.) have been increasing among Australian children in recent decades. Objectives: This study assessed whether infant or child health characteristics might be predictors of subsequent medical conditions or disabilities in children in the first 15 years of life. Methods: Using time to event data of 5107 children, obtained from the Birth cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, the study estimated the incidence of any medical condition or disability using the survival analysis technique. This study followed up the children from birth to 14 or 15 years of age (2004 - 2018) and assessed the association of infant and child health characteristics (birthweight, gestational age, use of intensive care unit or ventilator during their neonatal age and obesity) with hazard of any medical condition or disability using the random effect parametric survival regression model. The infant characteristics were measured in the Wave 1 while the children were aged 0/1 year and obesity characteristics were measured longitudinally over all the waves up to 14/15 years of age. Results: The hazard rate of any medical condition or disability for all participants was 26.13 per 1000 person-years among children in Australia. This hazard incidence was higher among low birthweight (39.07) and obese (34.37) children and among those who had received after‑birth ventilation or intensive care unit emergency services (36.87). The parametric panel regression model also suggests that children with low birthweight were 1.43 times (Hazard Ratio: 1.43, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.05 - 1.94) more likely to have any medical condition or disability than children with normal birthweight. The time to event analyses also revealed that being recipient of after-birth emergencies (HR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.23 - 1.75), being male children (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14 - 1.48) or being obese (HR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07 – 1.79) significantly increased the likelihood of the incidence of a medical condition or disability among children. The regression model was adjusted for region of residence, language spoken at home, indigenous status, whether the study child has both parents, mothers age at birth and education of mothers.Conclusions: This study predicts the risk factors of any medical condition or disability among Australian children. The study findings suggest that infants with low birth weight, hospital emergency service use and children with obesity would benefit from additional health care monitoring to minimize the risk of any medical condition or disability.
Maternal Exposure To Cooking Oil Fumes During Pregnancy And Autistic‐Like Behaviors In Chinese Preschoolers
Authors: Yang Jian-Hui , Strodl Esben , Wu Chuan-An , Hou Xiang-Yu , Yin Xiao-Na , Wen Guo-Min , Sun Deng-Li , Xian Dan-Xia , Chen Jing-Yi , Chen Ying-Jie , Chen Jing , Chen Wei-Qing
Published: February 2022

There is growing evidence that cooking oil fumes (COFs) are harmful indoor air pollutants. However, there is a dearth of research investigating whether maternal COFs exposure during pregnancy may affect children’s autistic-like behaviors in China. This study aimed to explore this association, and examine the effects of different cooking fuels and ventilation methods used by mothers on the presence of autistic-like behaviors. This study analyzed the survey data of the Longhua Child Cohort Study in 2017 with a total of 62372 child-caregiver dyads enrolled in this study. A self-administrative questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, cooking habits during pregnancy, and autistic-like behaviors (measured using the Autism Behavior Checklist). After adjusting for potential confounders, the results showed that compared with children whose mothers never cooked during pregnancy, children whose mothers cooked sometimes, often, always during pregnancy had the higher risk of autistic-like behaviors. As the amounts of COFs exposed to and the frequency of cooking during pregnancy increased, the risk of a child’s autistic-like behaviors also increased. Mothers using natural gas as cooking fuels had a lower risk of their child having autistic-like behaviors, compared with mothers using coal or other cooking fuels. Furthermore, pregnant women using ventilation measures during cooking significantly decreased likelihood of the presence of autistic-like behaviors in their children. These results suggest that maternal exposure to COFs during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of the presence of autistic-like behaviors in offspring. These findings support a recommendation that pregnant women should avoid exposure to COFs and use clean fuels and ventilation equipment in kitchens to reduce the risk of autistic-like behaviors in children.
A comparative study on Fe(III)-chitosan and Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB composites for As(V) removal from water: preparation, characterization and reaction mechanism
Authors: Jiang Changjin , Zhang Ting , Li Shuhui , Yang Zhaoguang
Published: February 2022

Fe(III)-chitosan and Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB composites were prepared using an ionotropic gelation method. Various techniques were used to analyze the morphology, structure, and property of the adsorbents, including SEM, EDS, FT-IR, XPS, and zeta potential. Compared with Fe(III)-chitosan, Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB was more effective for As(V) adsorption at a wide range of pH (3–8). The adsorption of As(V) onto Fe(III)-chitosan and Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB could reach equilibrium in 20 min, and their maximum adsorption capacities were 33.85 and 31.69 mg g‒1, respectively. The adsorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second-order model (R2=0.998 and 0.992), whereas the adsorption isotherms was fitted well by the Freundlich model (R2=0.963 and 0.987). The presence of H2PO4− significantly inhibited the adsorption of As(V) onto Fe(III)-chitosan and Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB, and humic acid also led to a slight decrease in As(V) adsorption by Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB. Over 94% of As(V) at the initial concentration of no more than 5 mg L−1 was removed from real water by the two adsorbents. 1% (w/v) NaOH solution was determined to be the most suitable desorption agent. Fe(III)-chitosan and Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB still maintained their initial adsorption capacities after five adsorption-desorption cycles. Based on different characterization results, both electrostatic attraction and surface complexation mechanisms played important roles in As(V) adsorption on Fe(III)-chitosan and Fe(III)-chitosan-CTAB.
Multi-layer Features Template Update Object Tracking Algorithm Based on SiamFC++
Authors: Lu Xiaofeng , Wang Xuan , Wang Zhengyang , Hei Xinhong
Published: February 2022

SiamFC++ only extracts the object feature of the first frame as a tracking template, and only uses the highest-level feature maps in both the classification branch and the regression branch, so that the respective characteristics of the two branches are not fully utilized. In view of this, the present paper proposes an object tracking algorithm based on SiamFC++. The algorithm uses the multi-layer features of the Siamese network to update template. First, FPN is used to extract feature maps from different layers of Backbone for classification branch and regression branch. Second, 3D convolution is used to update the tracking template of the object tracking algorithm. Next, a template update judgment condition is proposed based on mutual information. Finally, AlexNet is used as the backbone and GOT-10K as training set. Compared with SiamFC++, our algorithm obtains improved results on OTB100, VOT2016, VOT2018 and GOT-10k datasets, and the tracking process is real-time.
High MEIS3 level in colorectal cancer of stage II/III indicates poor prognosis
Authors: Li Haitao , Jian Ma , Ling Yang
Published: February 2022

Background: The wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway plays indispensable roles in tumor budding and EMT process. Myeloid ecotropic viral insertion site 3 (MEIS3), a direct target of wnt/β-catenin, promotes vagal neural crest cells migrating into the gut tissue during development, while its role in cancer process remains unclear. So, we wonder the roles MEIS3 plays in CRC progression.Methods: We analyzed the association between MEIS3 protein expression and clinical stages of CRC patients. The cell biology methods were employed to analyze tumor cell migration and invasion activity. Finally, Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to exhibit the relationship between the proteins level and disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of CRC patients. Results: We found that MEIS3 was mainly located in highly invasive areas including growth front of CRC tissues. And its expression level increased with the CRC progression according clinical stages. In vitro analysis showed that MEIS3 may promote CRC cells metastasis by enhancing migration and invasion process. Stratified by expression level, the 5-year DFS of patients with high expression was lower than MEIS3 low expression patients (40.6% vs 61.7%, p<0.0001). We found that MEIS3 levels could be used to stratify patients at specific clinical stages. The 5-year DFS of stage II patients with MEIS3-high expression was significantly deteriorative than that of MEIS3-low expression (53.4% vs. 67.3%, p=0.0174). The 5-year DFS III patients with high MEIS3 expression was also significantly deteriorative than those of low MEIS3 expression (30.9% vs 49.5%, p=0.0038). Conclusion: This study intimates that MEIS3 may be a biomarker for recurrence of stage II/III patients, and promote the cancer cells metastasis process.
Maize grain yield enhancement in modern hybrids associated with greater stalk lodging resistance in high planting density: A case study in Northeast China
Authors: Cui Jingjing , Cui Zhengguo , Lu Yang , Lv Xiaofei , Cao Qingjun , Hou Yunlong , Yang Xiangyu , Gu Yan
Published: February 2022

Lodging resistance is a critical trait in modern maize breeding. To examine maize stalk lodging and related characteristics in response to increasing planting densities in modern hybrids. A 2-year field trial was conducted from 2018-2019 with two widely grown commercial hybrids (Xy335, Fm985) and three planting densities (LD, MD, HD) of 4.5, 6.5, and 8.5×104 plant/ha. Results showed new hybrid Fm985 had significantly higher grain yield and lower lodging rate in HD, while there was no significance at LD and MD. Compared to Fm985, old cultivar Xy335 had a significantly higher plant height, ear and gravity height, culm length (CL) across three planting density averages, while opposite stalk bending strength (SBS), dry weight per unit length (DWPU), cross-sectional area, and the content of cellulose and lignin in basal internode. The correlation and path analysis revealed that kernels amount per ear lodging rate directly contributed to maize grain yield, while lodging-related traits of SBS, stem lignin and DWPU and indirect effect on maize grain yield, suggesting modern hybrid maize yield enhancement associated with greater stalk lodging resistance in high planting density in Northeast China.
A State Level Analyses of Suicide and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico
Authors: Borges Guilherme , Garcia Jose Angel , Pirkis Jane , Spittal Matthew J. , Gunnell David , Sinyor Mark , John Ann
Published: February 2022

Background: While suicide rates in high- and middle-income countries appeared stable in the early stages of the pandemic, we know little about within-country variations. We sought to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on suicide in Mexico’s 32 states and to identify factors that may have contributed to observed variations between states. Methods: Interrupted time-series analysis to model the trend in monthly suicides before COVID-19 (from Jan 1, 2010, to March 31, 2020), comparing the expected number of suicides derived from the model with the observed number for the remainder of the year (April 1 to December 31, 2020) for each of Mexico’s 32 states. Next, we modeled state-level trends using linear regression to study likely contributing factors at ecological level. Results: Suicide increased across Mexico during the first nine months of the pandemic (RR 1.03; 95%CI 1.01-1.05). Suicides remained stable in 19 states, increase in seven states (RR range: 1.12-2.04) and a decrease in six states (RR range: 0.46-0.88). Suicide RR at the state level was positively associated with population density in 2020 and state level suicide death rate in 2019. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a differential effect on suicide death within the 32 states of Mexico. Higher population density and higher suicide rates in 2019 were associated with increased suicide. As the country struggles to cope with the ongoing pandemic, efforts to improve access to primary care and mental health care services (including suicide crisis intervention services) in these settings should be given priority.
Spectrum of biopsy renal disease in central China: a nine-year retrospective study of 1929 cases
Authors: Zhang Jianjiang , Zhang Jin , Zeng Huiqin , Shi Peipei , Jia Wanyu , Liu Zhen
Published: February 2022

Objective To investigate the renal pathology and transitions of children who received a renal biopsy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between 2012 and 2020. Methods The clinical and pathological data of children with a renal biopsy were analyzed retrospectively. The changes in the distribution of pathological types were examined in age groups of 3 years (-1, -3, -6, -12, -16 years) and gender. Results 1928 children with renal biopsies were included in the analysis. The mean age of the children was 8.18±SD 3.40 years and the ratio of males to females was 1.71. The main pathological types of primary glomerular disease were minimal change disease (MCD) and IgA nephropathy, while the main pathological types of secondary glomerulonephritis were lupus nephritis and Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSPN). The male to female ratio and age distribution between lupus nephritis and HSP were significantly different.
Scoring system for predicting postoperative pain after transarterial chemoembolization treatment in liver cancer
Authors: Wang Yun-Bing , Zeng Hou-Shuai , Salameen Haitham , Chen Long , Wang Jia-Guo
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Patients that experience severe postoperative pain are more reluctant to adhere the treatment. This study intends to identify the relevant risk factors and construct a scoring system for prediction. Materials and methods: Liver cancer patients that underwent the first TACE treatment at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2019 to December 2020 were collected. The 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS-11) was utilized to evaluate the patient's pain level. The patients were randomly divided into a training and a validation cohort. In the training cohort, the correlation between each parameter and the pain level after TACE was evaluated through logistic regression, and a risk prediction model was established. Finally, the predictive power of the model was verified in the validation cohort. Results: A total of 255 patients with liver cancer were included. In the training cohort, univariate analysis found postoperative pain was related to tumor number, tumor size, microsphere volume, and operation time. The above variables were then incorporated into the multivariate analysis to construct the prediction model, In the training and validation cohorts, the area under the curve (AUC) of the model used to predict moderate to severe pain response after TACE was 0.71 and 0.74, respectively. Additionally, we also created a nomogram for clinical use, patients with a total score greater than 72.90 are considered at a high risk of experiencing moderate to severe pain following TACE. Conclusion: This study successfully constructed and validated a scoring system for predicting moderate to severe pain after an initial TACE treatment.
Uric acid and cardiometabolic risk profile in youths with type 1 diabetes: sex-related associations
Authors: Bonito Procolo Di , Rosanio Francesco Maria , Marcovecchio Maria Loredana , Cherubini Valentino , Delvecchio Maurizio , Candia Francesca Di , Iafusco Dario , Zanfardino Angela , Iovane Brunella , Maffeis Claudio , Maltoni Giulio , Ripoli Carlo , Piccinno Elvira , Piona Claudia Anita , Ricciardi Maria Rossella , Schiaffini Riccardo , Franzese Adriana , Mozzillo Enza
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between uric acid (UA) and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) by sex in youths with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Retrospective data collected from 1323 youths (5-18 years; 716 boys) with T1D recruited in 9 Italian Pediatric Diabetes Centers were analyzed. CMRFs included UA, HbA1c, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol (TC), HDL, triglycerides (TG), neutrophils (N) and lymphocytes (L) count, glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (calculated using Schwartz-Lyon equation). The distribution of CMRFs was analyzed in sex-specific tertiles of UA. In the whole study population, statistically significant differences were found across UA tertiles for age, BMI, daily insulin dose, HbA1c, HDL, TG, TG/HDL ratio, TC/HDL ratio, SPISE index, N/L ratio, systolic BP, eGFR (p =0.01-0.0001). The highest tertile of UA was associated with 1,5-3,6 fold increased risk of high TG/HDL ratio, TC/HDL ratio, high BP, and MRGFR, compared to the lowest tertile in boys. Instead, in girls the highest tertile of UA was associated with two-fold increased risk of TC/HDL ratio, N/L ratio and MRGFR. Uric acid may represent a useful marker for identifying youth with T1D at high cardiometabolic risk, and association appears to vary by sex.
Biomarker development for neonicotinoid exposure in soil under interaction with the synergist piperonyl butoxide in Folsomia candida
Authors: Bakker Ruben , Ekelmans Astrid , Xie Liyan , Vooijs Riet , Roelofs Dick , Ellers Jacintha , Hoedjes Katja M. , Gestel Cornelis A.M. van
Published: February 2022

Pesticide toxicity is typically assessed by exposing model organisms to individual compounds and measuring effects on survival and reproduction. These tests are time-consuming, labor-intensive and do not accurately capture the effect of pesticide mixtures. Moreover, it is unfeasible to screen the near infinite combinations of mixtures for synergistic effects on model organisms. Therefore, reliable molecular indicators of pesticide exposure have to be identified, i.e. biomarkers. These biomarkers can form the basis of rapid and economical screening procedures to assess the toxicity of pesticides even under synergistic interaction with other pollutants. In this study, we screened the expression patterns of eight genes for suitability as a biomarker for neonicotinoid exposure in the soil ecotoxicological model Folsomia candida (springtails). Springtails were exposed to the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and thiacloprid either alone or with various levels of piperonyl butoxide (PBO), which inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs): a common point of synergistic interaction between neonicotinoid and other pesticides. First, we confirmed PBO as a potency enhancer for neonicotinoid toxicity to springtail fecundity, and then used it as a tool to confirm biomarker robustness. We identified two genes that are reliably indicative for neonicotinoid exposure even under metabolic inhibition of CYPs by PBO, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha 1 (nAchR) and sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter (SMCT). These results can form the basis for developing high-throughput screening procedures for neonicotinoid exposure in varying mixture compositions.
Factors influencing depression in community-dwelling elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shang Shaomei , Zheng Xiaoyan , Wang Yaya , Jin Xiaoyan , Huang Hongjie , Chen Hongbo , Wang Yan
Published: February 2022

Background: Patients with knee osteoarthritis who experience depression might have worse health outcomes. The aim of the present study was to explore the occurrence of depression and the factors influencing depression in community-dwelling elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, correlational descriptive study. The study included 214 participants aged 60 and older diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis.Results: The mean total score of depression was 4.43, and depression correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), education, frequency of falls, number of comorbidities, use of walking aids, taking pain relief or cartilage protectors, pain, stiffness, physical function, social support, mobility function and the muscle strength of lower extremities (r = -0.342 to 0.525). Analysis using hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that falling frequency, using walking aids, the number of comorbidities, BMI, physical function, social support, and stair-climb test explained 40.8% of the variance in depression.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that depression among elderly people with knee OA is a serious problem. Strategies to increase patients’ physical function, prevent falls, lose weight, treat comorbid conditions, and encourage them to increase positive social interaction, and engage in muscle strength training might relieve depression in these patients.
Efficacy Comparison of Tigecycline and Polymyxin B Against Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infection in Intensive Care Units, a Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhang Buyao , Hu Chenghuan , Deng Fuxing , Li Mingxia , Wu Ying , Xiao Xuefei , Zhou Xu , Wu Yanhong , Zhong Yanjun , Yan Shanshan , Zhao Shuangping
Published: February 2022

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of Tigecycline (TG) or polymyxin B(PB) against Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection in ICUs. Method: Electronic medical record systems were used to capture CRKP-infected patients who were treated with TG- or PB-based therapies from ICUs of four academic hospitals in Hunan, China. Propensity-score matching and logistic regression were used to compare efficacy and find prognostic factors.Results: Of the 236 patients, 106 received TG-based therapy (TG), 102 received PB-based therapy (PB), and 28 received a combination of TG and PB (TG+PB). PB group showed higher CRKP clearance (46.6% vs. 22.4%, P = 0.011) and complete bacterial clearance (32.8% vs. 15.5%, P = 0.051) than TG group. CRKP clearance (OR 0.312, 95%CI 0.159-0.612, P= 0.001), longer duration of PB (4-8 vs. > 8 days, OR 2.974, 95%CI 1.297-6.820, P= 0.010), and less vasoactive agents (1-4 vs. 0 days, OR 2.903, 95%CI 1.146-7.352, P= 0.025) were independent protective factors for 30-day mortality. Conclusions: About CRKP treatment in ICUs, PB-based therapy showed better bacterial clearance than TG-based therapy. CRKP clearance, longer duration of PB, and less vasoactive agents were independent protective factors for 30-day mortalit.
Efficacy of Endoscopic Endonasal Common Canaliculorhinostomy for Chronic Dacryocystitis with Small Lacrimal Sac in the Treatment of Failed Patients After EE-DCR
Authors: Li Sha , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2022

Background: Over the past 10 years, endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EE-DCR）has a trend to gradually become the mainstream method for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstructive diseases , but the failure of EE-DCR is not rare in clinical treatment. Therefore, the study will explore the efficacy of treating patients with EE-DCR failure by endoscopic endonasal common canaliculorhinostomy (EE-CAR), in order to improve the success rate of reoperation in patients with EE-DCR failure. Method: Prospective non-randomized controlled study. Patients with EE-DCR failure caused by lacrimal sac nasal mucosal ostium atresia from April 2018 to January 2021 in Hankou Aier Eye Hospital were enrolled. They were divided into two groups according to the principle of voluntariness before surgery. Group A: underwent EE-CAR. Group B: underwent Endoscopic Endonasal Ostial Openning (EE-OO). The postoperative efficacy and complications of the two groups was compared. Results: 44 patients (48 eyes) were included in the comparative analysis, including 26 eyes in group A and 22 eyes in group B. Followed up at 6 months postoperative, the ostium of 22 eyes in group A remained open and the symptoms of tear overflow disappeared. The success rate of surgery was 84.62% (22/26), and 54.55% (12/22) in group B. There was significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05). Conclusions: EE-CAR is better than conventional ostium opening in the treatment of patients with small lacrimal sac remnant after EE-DCR due to ostium atresia.
The effect of brown algae Nizimuddinia zanardinii on biochemical parameters and histopathological changes induced by cholestatic liver fibrosis in male rats
Authors: Nasiri Modara , Hajikhani Ramin , Mortazavi Pejman , Ebrahim Mahsa Ale , Bananaj Maryam
Published: February 2022

Background: Liver fibrosis is an important health problem in the world; the excessive deposition of type 1 collagen is the most characteristic feature of liver fibrosis. Algae is one of the natural resources that contains biologically active compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-stimulating properties. In this study, the effect of brown algae Nizimuddinia zanardinii on liver damage caused by cholestatic liver fibrosis in rats was evaluated.Material and Methods: 54 male rats were randomly classified in nine groups: control, sham, BDL, treatment and Nizimuddinia control. In the treatment group, after BDL, rats were given Nizimuddinia zanradinii extract via intragastric gavage for 45 days (once per day). parameters contains ALT, AST, ALP, cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin, total protein, SOD and CAT and histopathological assessments evaluated.Results: Treatment with Nizimuddinia zanardinii significantly weakened these alterations. In order to, in the treatment groups, TGF-β1 expression was severe, noticeable and low, respectively. In treatment groups, α-SMA expression was remarkable and mildly observed in hepatocytes and hyperplastic bile ducts, respectively.Conclusions: Based on this study, the N. zanardinii extract may protect the liver and have anti-fibrotic effects through its antioxidant and reducing the expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA.