bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Pendidikan, Pemahaman Akuntansi, dan Pengalaman Kerja terhadap Penyusunan Laporan Keuangan
Authors: Nurwanto Nurwanto , Dewi Riana Rachmawati , Masitoh Endang
Published: February 2022

The preparation of financial statements can be influenced by education, understanding of accounting, and work experience. This study aims to determine the effect of education, accounting understanding, and work experience on the preparation of financial statements. This research is quantitative. The number of samples was 60 employees of the Surakarta Islamic Study Council Foundation which were selected using saturated sampling. Multiple linear regression analysis was used as a data analysis technique. This research is shown based on the acquisition of t count 2,263 > t table 2,003, sig. of 0.028 <0.05, meaning that it accepts H1, meaning that education has a significant positive effect on the preparation of the financial statements of the Surakarta Islamic Study Council Foundation. Obtaining t arithmetic 4.087 > t table 2.003, sig. of 0.000 <0.05, meaning that it accepts H2, meaning that accounting understanding has a significant positive effect on the preparation of the financial statements of the Surakarta Islamic Study Council Foundation. The value of t arithmetic is 4.768 > t table 2.003, sig. 0.000 <0.05, means accepting H3, meaning that work experience has a positive influence on the preparation of the financial statements of the Surakarta Islamic Study Council Foundation. The conclusion is that education, understanding of accounting, and work experience have a significant positive effect on the preparation of financial statements at the Surakarta Islamic Study Council Foundation.
Pengaruh Kepemilikan Manajerial, Risiko Litigasi dan Leverage terhadap Konservatisme Akuntansi dengan Financial Distress sebagai Variabel Moderating
Authors: Rahmi Elvi , Baroroh Niswah
Published: February 2022

Accounting conservatism is an attitude of prudence in responding to uncertainties in the future by recognizing expenses and liabilities as soon as possible, but only recognizing income and assets when they are sure they will be received. Accounting conservatism in Indonesia is still very low. There are still some companies that have not applied the accounting conservatism method. In this study, the purpose is to investigate the influence of management ownership, litigation risk, and leverage on accounting conservatism using financial distress as the moderating variable. The population was picked as many as 26 manufacturing enterprises listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in the 2018-2020 timeframe, and 72 samples were gathered by purposive sampling approach. Descriptive analysis and regression analysis were utilized to assess the data via a moderating test of the difference in absolute values. The findings demonstrate that management ownership and litigation risk do not have a considerable influence, whereas leverage has a big impact on accounting conservatism. Financial distress is not able to moderate considerably in order to affect the three factors on accounting conservatism. Therefore, additional study is required to broaden the factors so that the findings obtained are more correct. Suggestions from this study, the company is expected to improve the principle of accounting conservatism to reduce the asymmetry between shareholders or investors and creditors.
Assessing Refractive Stability after Cataract Surgery in Axial Myopes: One-piece and Three-piece Intraocular Lenses
Authors: Lee Ji Hye , Cho Yang Kyung
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To assess the refractive changes and stability after cataract surgery with insertion of three different intraocular lenses in axial myopes.Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed with 44 eyes of normal axial length (22.0 mm < axial length ≤ 24.5 mm) and 49 eyes of long axial length (24.5 mm < axial length) in patients who underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens insertion. Automated keratometry examination and refraction were performed using an autorefractor keratometer; A-scan ultrasound was used to calculate target refraction. One-piece intraocular lenses (IOLs) and three-piece IOLs were inserted. At 2 and 12 months postoperatively, refraction differences relative to the target refraction (calculated using the SRK-T formula) were analyzed. The refractive changes between 2 and 12 months postoperatively were compared according to the IOL.Results: Myopic shift from the target refraction was observed with eyes of long axial length, compared with eyes of normal axial length, at 2 and 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.003, p = 0.013). For refractive stability according to IOL, there was no significant difference in eyes with normal axial length; in eyes with long axial length, three-piece IOLs showed significant refractive stability (p < 0.05).Conclusions: In eyes with long axial length, there was a significant difference in postoperative refractive stability according to the inserted IOL; three-piece IOLs showed significant refractive stability compared with one-piece IOLs.
Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer-to-Disc Ratio Distinguishing Glaucoma from Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Park Donghee , Choi Youn Joo , Park Sung Pyo , Na Kyeong Ik
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of retinal nerve fiber layer-to-disc ratio (RDR) compared to established parameters including retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), Bruch membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), and Bruch membrane opening-minimum rim area (BMO-MRA) for differentiating between open angle glaucoma (OAG) and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods: This retrospective study included 23 optic disc size-matched normal control eyes and 23 OAG and NAION eyes matched according to global RNFLT. The RDR, RNFLT, BMO-MRW, and BMO-MRA were analyzed; the diagnostic capabilities of these parameters were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).Results: The global BMO-MRW and total BMO-MRA were lower in the OAG group than in the other two groups (all p < 0.001). RDR was greatest in the OAG group, followed by the healthy and NAION groups (p < 0.001). Between the OAG and NAION groups, the AUCs for temporal inferior BMO-MRW, total BMO-MRA, and RDR were 0.987, 0.996, and 1.000, respectively; these were greater than the temporal inferior RNFLT (0.811; p = 0.005, p = 0.006, and p = 0.006, respectively).Conclusions: RDR could be one of the useful parameters for differential diagnosis in OAG and NAION.
A Cross-disciplinary Study of Hedging Expressions in English Articles of Iranian Writers
Authors:   Yasouj University, Iran, Rezvani Reza , Javadi Mohammad ,   Yasouj University, Iran
Published: February 2022

Research on the use of hedging strategies as one of the key issues of rhetorical organization of academic texts has gained growing attention during the past few decades. The present study aimed to explore the frequency and form of hedging expressions in the abstracts of Iranian writers’ English research articles where findings and claims were more explicitly projected. To this end, a random sample of 200 abstracts (50 each) was drawn equally from the four subfields of chemistry and mathematics, and philosophy and English randomly selected from the two academic fields of Soft Sciences and Hard Sciences respectively as suggested in Biglan’s (1973) typology of academic disciplines. The tally and analysis of the tokens of the hedge expressions indicated that the abstracts from the soft sciences differed from those from the hard sciences in terms of both frequency and form. The results revealed that the writers from the soft sciences tended to employ more hedge expressions than hard sciences writers. More specifically, whereas soft sciences writers utilized more modals, verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, their counterparts opted for more conditional expressions. Moreover, epistemic and cognition verbs were found to be the most frequently used hedging expressions in both sciences. This study discusses the research and pedagogical implications of the findings in the context of Iranian academia.
Cooperative Learning: A Foundation for Project Work
Authors:   Universiti Malaya Malaysia, Meng Huat Chau , Jacobs George M ,   Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education Singapore
Published: February 2022

This article has one theme and two parts. The theme is that we humans can do more and do it more enjoyably when we cooperate. The first part of the article explains eight principles from cooperative learning, a methodology that facilitates students learning in groups of two-four members, along with the learning they do with teachers and by studying on their own. The second part describes four cooperative learning techniques, as a way to bring to life the eight principles from the first part, and also to provide readers of the article with ready-made ideas for using cooperative learning in their own teaching. This article suggests that shorter cooperative learning activities can prepare students for doing projects, and that students can do shorter cooperative learning activities as part of the work they do on projects.
Study of the Agro-Industrial Properties of the Soil Cover of the Agjabadi Region in the Example of the Garadolag Administrative Village
Authors: Aliyev ZH
Published: February 2022

It is known from the brief nature of the territory of the research district that the date of establishment of Agjabadi district - 08.08.1930 The territory - 1.76 thousand sq.m. km Population - 136.8 thousand people (January 1, 2020) Population density - 1 sq. km. km 78 people (January 1, 2020). Agjabedi district is located in Mil and Garabagh plains of Kur-Araz lowland. Agjabedi city and Sarvanlar, Kurds, Minakhorlu, Garavelli, Galabadin, Avshar, Muganli, Shahsevan, Koyuk, Tazakend, Khojavend, Salmanbeyli, Ashagi Avshar, Hindarkh, Imamgulu-beyli, Mirzahagverdili, Sarijali, Balakhrizli, Taynaq, Poinag , Sharafkhanli, Shotlanli, Shenlik, Husulu, Ranjbarlar, Boyat, Hajilar, Garakhanli, Hajibadalli, Pariogullar, Agabeyli, Garadolag, Mehrabli, Kabirli, Aran, Yeni Garadolag, Najaf-gulubeyli, Qiyameddinli, Shahsevan-Tazakand, Shahsevan-Tazakand, Includes Jafarbeyli and Yukhari Qiyameddinli villages. The relief of the region is flat, gradually rising from the north-east to the south-west. The surface of the area is composed of continental-alluvial and marine sediments of the Anthropogenic system. There is a clay deposit. The climate is temperate hot, dry subtropical. The average temperature is 1.2-1.7 ° C in January and 25-26 ° C in July. Annual precipitation is 300-500 mm. The river network is sparse. The Kura River flows along the north-eastern border, and the Gargar River flows through the central part. The Upper Karabakh canal passes through the region. There is a salt lake in the area. Gray-meadow, gray, meadow-gray soils are widespread. In the central part, saline and saline soils are found. The plants are of steppe and semi-desert type. There are bushes and sparse Tugay forests on the banks of the Kura River. Animals: gazelle, wolf, wild boar, jackal, fox, swamp beaver, badger, gray rabbit, Asia Minor sand mouse, etc. Birds: turkey, pigeon, black grouse, pheasant, etc. Aggol National Park is located in Agjabadi district. 15 species of animals, 20 species of fish and 40 species of plants have been recorded here. Agjabadi is mainly an agricultural region. Fruit growing, cotton growing, grain growing, silkworm breeding, animal husbandry, etc. developed.
The Need for Effective Management of Reclaim Activities and Foreign Experience
Authors: Ismailov T.
Published: February 2022

The article modern solutions to improve land reclamation, suggestions and recommendations for the sustainable development of processes for the protection of natural resources. The analysis shows that over the years of reforms in Uzbekistan, there has been a tendency to increase the fertility of irrigated lands in all districts, except for Karauzak, Kungrad, Takhtakor, Shumanoi and Khodjayli. In particular, the assessment of irrigated crops increased significantly in Nukus (8 points), Moinak (5 points), Amu Darya (3 points), Kegeyli (2 points), Chimbay (2 points). The productivity of irrigated lands during this period increased from 41 to 42 points.
New Efficiency Criteria for Medical Rehabilitation of Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Complicated With Lower Limb Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Alybaeva S. , Mambetov M. , Bularkieva E.
Published: February 2022

Diabetes mellitus has gone beyond the scope of a common medical problem and is classified as one of the urgent and socially significant problems of mankind. Despite the achievements in the field of diabetes, the urgency of this problem does not decrease, and this is primarily due to the fact that diabetes mellitus has become younger, there has been an increase in the incidence in all age groups. A comprehensive study of patients with diabetes mellitus complicated by peripheral polyneuropathy of the lower extremities was carried out in Kyrgyzstan. The use of new methods of treatment is shown. Normalization of carbohydrate metabolism in patients of the group with the additional use of ozone occurred after 3-4 ozone therapy procedures. Standard therapy in combination with the physiotherapeutic method of treatment with ozone therapy is more effective.
Skillful Professional Workers Unemployment Level Forecasting Features
Authors: Subanov T. , Karybekova R.
Published: February 2022

Research relevance: today, unemployment has a greater negative impact on socio-economic situation in our country, as it leads to underutilization of human capital, which leads to social differentiation, a significant decrease in the social position of the country. Despite the fact that rural poverty in Kyrgyzstan is recognized by society as a critical point of national development, the generally recognized strategy is still not fully developed. Research objectives: the need to predict the level of unemployment in our conditions and the adoption of appropriate measures by the government of the country and regional authorities to combat unemployment. Research materials and methods: results in forecasting unemployment rate in Kyrgyzstan by methods of slidings average, exponential smoothing and least squares were considered in this work. Research results: in our opinion, for regulating this situation, it is necessary to predict level of unemployment. Conclusions: the analysis showed that in order to eliminate the qualitative imbalance between the demand and supply of labor, it became necessary to take certain measures.
Crime Prevention of Minors
Authors: Khudoikina T. , Ruzmanova R.
Published: February 2022

This article discusses the problems of preventing juvenile delinquency in Russia. One of the directions of the penitentiary and post-penitentiary policy of the state should be strict control over the behavior of minors who are registered, serving sentences, released from places of deprivation of liberty, and serious state assistance in the process of their resocialization. It is necessary to constantly monitor the media, Internet sites to detect advertising of criminal values. It is important to form a high level of legal culture of the younger generation as a process of assimilation of legal values, introducing adolescents to the social and legal environment. The basis of this process is a specially organized purposeful moral, legal and patriotic educational activity. All subjects are involved in such upbringing of adolescents: state bodies, public organizations, government officials, teachers, parents. Active preventive measures should be taken at the federal, regional and municipal levels.
Sport Referees Professional Activities on the Kuresh Kyrgyz National Sports Wrestling
Authors: Anarkulov Kh. , Matazimov N. , Abdullaeva Zh.
Published: February 2022

Research relevance: Analysis of professional activities of sports referees in the Kyrgyz national wrestling kuresh is relevant due to the fact that theory of referees activity is a purposefully organized activity according to established provisions and rules with the aim of objectively assessing technical and tactical actions in direct confrontation in competitive conditions. Research objectives: Determination of basic concepts and directions in the professional activities of sports referees in the Kyrgyz national wrestling kuresh. Research materials and methods: Analysis of a person’s professional activity, definition including refereeing of rules and some circumstances in the national sports wrestling kuresh was carried out. Research results: Effectiveness in implementation of pedagogical substantiation of constructed tactics in professional activity of referees is mainly determined by the rules of organizations and the behavior of sports referees. Conclusions: The issue of modern and significant restructuring of referees professional activity, taking into account the orientation of changes in competitions rules in wrestling kuresh and the corresponding conditions, is very urgent and requires further improvement.
Positive Animal Welfare: Bridging the Gap or Raising Inequalities Worldwide?
Authors: Rault Jean-Loup , Sandøe Peter , Sonntag Quixi , Stuardo Leopoldo
Published: February 2022

Positive animal welfare (PAW) is a rising topic in animal welfare science, although its construct, definition, and operational approach remain debated. Despite this scientific uncertainty, there is societal interest to include more indicators of positive welfare in legislation, animal welfare assessment and accreditation schemes. Changes in some farming practices seem to be in line with promoting PAW (e.g., free-range housing), providing animals more opportunities for positive experiences such as rewarding natural behaviour, greater autonomy, or choice. Interestingly, some of the ideas underlying PAW are present in extensive production systems or low-input animal management practices that are common in low-income countries, for example free-roaming livestock or village dogs. Nevertheless, welfare challenges such as neglect, diseases, poor nutrition, animal abuse and other forms of suffering remain ubiquitous, especially where resources like veterinary support are limited. Living conditions for animals in low-income countries provide examples of the delicate balance between positive welfare and welfare risks relating to health and survival, with inextricable ethical dilemmas. In our view, the growing focus on PAW could stimulate a more balanced approach to animal welfare worldwide, promoting PAW while simultaneously limiting various forms of welfare challenges. However, this requires accounting for human factors such as societal and cultural location-specific aspects to find flexible solutions that also benefit and respect people whose livelihood may be at stake. Those human factors also modulate the consideration and importance of providing animals with positive welfare states and the role of underlying ethical concepts like happiness and “a good life.”
Xylo-Oligosaccharide Utilization by Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Produce Ethanol
Authors: Procópio Dielle Pierotti , Kendrick Emanuele , Goldbeck Rosana , Damasio André Ricardo de Lima , Franco Telma Teixeira , Leak David J. , Jin Yong-Su , Basso Thiago Olitta
Published: February 2022

The engineering of xylo-oligosaccharide-consuming Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains is a promising approach for more effective utilization of lignocellulosic biomass and the development of economic industrial fermentation processes. Extending the sugar consumption range without catabolite repression by including the metabolism of oligomers instead of only monomers would significantly improve second-generation ethanol production This review focuses on different aspects of the action mechanisms of xylan-degrading enzymes from bacteria and fungi, and their insertion in S. cerevisiae strains to obtain microbial cell factories able of consume these complex sugars and convert them to ethanol. Emphasis is given to different strategies for ethanol production from both extracellular and intracellular xylo-oligosaccharide utilization by S. cerevisiae strains. The suitability of S. cerevisiae for ethanol production combined with its genetic tractability indicates that it can play an important role in xylan bioconversion through the heterologous expression of xylanases from other microorganisms.
Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic Subacromial Ultrasonography: Reliability and Influencing Factors
Authors: Lin Che-Yu , Chou Chia-Ching , Chen Lan-Rong , Wu Wei-Ting , Hsu Po-Cheng , Yang Tung-Han , Chang Ke-Vin
Published: February 2022

Objective: Current imaging methods used to examine patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) are limited by their semi-quantitative nature and their capability of capturing dynamic movements. This study aimed to develop a quantitative analytic model to assess subacromial motions using dynamic ultrasound and to examine their reliability and potential influencing factors.

Method: We included 48 healthy volunteers and examined their subacromial motions with dynamic ultrasound imaging. The parameters were the minimal vertical acromiohumeral distance, rotation radius, and degrees of the humeral head. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to investigate the impact of different shoulder laterality, postures, and motion phases on the outcome.

Result: Using the data of the minimal vertical acromiohumeral distance, the intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities (intra-class correlation coefficient) were determined as 0.94 and 0.88, respectively. In the GEE analysis, a decrease in the minimal vertical acromiohumeral distance was associated with the abduction phase and full-can posture, with a beta coefficient of −0.02 cm [95% confidence interval (CI), −0.03 to −0.01] and −0.07 cm (95% CI, −0.11 to −0.02), respectively. The abduction phase led to a decrease in the radius of humeral rotation and an increase in the angle of humeral rotation, with a beta coefficient of −1.28 cm (95% CI, −2.16 to −0.40) and 6.60° (95% CI, 3.54–9.67), respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between the rotation angle and radius of the humeral head and between the rotation angle and the minimal vertical acromiohumeral distance.

Conclusion: Quantitative analysis of dynamic ultrasound imaging enables the delineation of subacromial motion with good reliability. The vertical acromiohumeral distance is the lowest in the abduction phase and full-can posture, and the rotation angle of the humeral head has the potential to serve as a new parameter for the evaluation of SIS.
Identification of Arabidopsis Protein Kinases That Harbor Functional Type 1 Peroxisomal Targeting Signals
Authors: Kataya Amr , Gautam Nitija , Jamshed Muhammad , Muench Douglas G. , Samuel Marcus A. , Thelen Jay J. , Moorhead Greg B.
Published: February 2022

Peroxisomes are eukaryotic specific organelles that perform diverse metabolic functions including fatty acid β-oxidation, reactive species metabolism, photorespiration, and responses to stress. However, the potential regulation of these functions by post-translational modifications, including protein phosphorylation, has had limited study. Recently, we identified and catalogued a large number of peroxisomal phosphorylated proteins, implicating the presence of protein kinases in this organelle. Here, we employed available prediction models coupled with sequence conservation analysis to identify 31 protein kinases from the Arabidopsis kinome (all protein kinases) that contain a putative, non-canonical peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1). From this, twelve C-terminal domain-PTS1s were demonstrated to be functional in vivo, targeting enhanced yellow fluorescent protein to peroxisomes, increasing the list of presumptive peroxisomal protein kinases to nineteen. Of the twelve protein kinases with functional PTS1s, we obtained full length clones for eight and demonstrated that seven target to peroxisomes in vivo. Screening homozygous mutants of the presumptive nineteen protein kinases revealed one candidate (GPK1) that harbors a sugar-dependence phenotype, suggesting it is involved in regulating peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation. These results present new opportunities for investigating the regulation of peroxisome functions.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Fibrillar Collagens in Lamprey Suggests a Conserved Role in Vertebrate Musculoskeletal Evolution
Authors: Root Zachary D. , Allen Cara , Gould Claire , Brewer Margaux , Jandzik David , Medeiros Daniel M.
Published: February 2022

Vertebrates have distinct tissues which are not present in invertebrate chordates nor other metazoans. The rise of these tissues also coincided with at least one round of whole-genome duplication as well as a suite of lineage-specific segmental duplications. Understanding whether novel genes lead to the origin and diversification of novel cell types, therefore, is of great importance in vertebrate evolution. Here we were particularly interested in the evolution of the vertebrate musculoskeletal system, the muscles and connective tissues that support a diversity of body plans. A major component of the musculoskeletal extracellular matrix (ECM) is fibrillar collagens, a gene family which has been greatly expanded upon in vertebrates. We thus asked whether the repertoire of fibrillar collagens in vertebrates reflects differences in the musculoskeletal system. To test this, we explored the diversity of fibrillar collagens in lamprey, a jawless vertebrate which diverged from jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) more than five hundred million years ago and has undergone its own gene duplications. Some of the principal components of vertebrate hyaline cartilage are the fibrillar collagens type II and XI, but their presence in cartilage development across all vertebrate taxa has been disputed. We particularly emphasized the characterization of genes in the lamprey hyaline cartilage, testing if its collagen repertoire was similar to that in gnathostomes. Overall, we discovered thirteen fibrillar collagens from all known gene subfamilies in lamprey and were able to identify several lineage-specific duplications. We found that, while the collagen loci have undergone rearrangement, the Clade A genes have remained linked with the hox clusters, a phenomenon also seen in gnathostomes. While the lamprey muscular tissue was largely similar to that seen in gnathostomes, we saw considerable differences in the larval lamprey skeletal tissue, with distinct collagen combinations pertaining to different cartilage types. Our gene expression analyses were unable to identify type II collagen in the sea lamprey hyaline cartilage nor any other fibrillar collagen during chondrogenesis at the stages observed, meaning that sea lamprey likely no longer require these genes during early cartilage development. Our findings suggest that fibrillar collagens were multifunctional across the musculoskeletal system in the last common ancestor of vertebrates and have been largely conserved, but these genes alone cannot explain the origin of novel cell types.
Expression Patterns of Glycosylation Regulators Define Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Li Fang , Huang Kaibin , Pan Chaohu , Xiao Yajie , Zheng Qijun , Zhong Keli
Published: February 2022

Glycosylation (Glyc) is prevalently related to gastric cancer (GC) pathophysiology. However, studies on the relationship between glycosylation regulators and tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunotherapy of GC remain scarce. We extracted expression data of 1,956 patients with GC from eight cohorts and systematically characterized the glycosylation patterns of six marker genes into phenotype clusters using the unsupervised clustering method. Next, we constructed a Glyc. score to quantify the glycosylation index of each patient with GC. Finally, we analyzed the relationship between Glyc. score and clinical traits including molecular subtype, TME, and immunotherapy of GC. On the basis of prognostic glycosylation-related differentially expressed genes, we constructed the Glyc. score and divided the samples into the high– and low–Glyc. score groups. The high–Glyc. score group showed a poor prognosis and was validated in multiple cohorts. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the high–Glyc. score group was enriched in metabolism-related pathways. Furthermore, the high–Glyc. score group was associated with the infiltration of immune cells. Importantly, the established Glyc. score would contribute to predicting the response to anti–PD-1/L1 immunotherapy. In conclusion, the Glyc. score is a potentially useful tool to predict the prognosis of GC. Comprehensive analysis of glycosylation may provide novel insights into the epigenetics of GC and improve treatment strategies.
CD93 Correlates With Immune Infiltration and Impacts Patient Immunotherapy Efficacy: A Pan-Cancer Analysis
Authors: Zhang Zerui , Zheng Mengli , Ding Qiang , Liu Mei
Published: February 2022

Background: The clinical implementation of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting CTLA4, PD-1, and PD-L1 has revolutionized the treatment of cancer. However, the majority of patients do not derive clinical benefit. Further development is needed to optimize the approach of ICI therapy. Immunotherapy combined with other forms of treatment is a rising strategy for boosting antitumor responses. CD93 was found to sensitize tumors to immune-checkpoint blocker therapy after the blockade of its pathway. However, its role in immune and ICB therapy across pan-cancer has remained unexplored.

Methods: In this study, we provide a comprehensive investigation of CD93 expression in a pan-cancer manner involving 33 cancer types. We evaluated the association of CD93 expression with prognosis, mismatch repair, tumor mutation burden, and microsatellite instability, immune checkpoints, tumor microenvironment, and immune using multiple online datasets, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, Genotype Tissue-Expression, cBioPortal, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource database, and Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub.

Results: CD93 expression varied strongly among cancer types, and increased CD93 gene expression was associated with poor prognosis as well as higher immune factors in most cancer types. Additionally, the level of CD93 was significantly correlated with MMR, TMB, MSI, immune checkpoints, TME, and immune cell infiltration. Noticeably, our results mediated a strong positive contact between CD93 and CAFs, endothelial cells, myeloid dendritic cells, hematopoietic stem cells, mononuclear/macrophage subsets, and neutrophils while a negative correlation with Th1, MDSC, NK, and T-cell follicular helper in almost all cancers. Function analysis on CD93 revealed a link between itself and promoting cancers, inflammation, and angiogenesis.

Conclusion: CD93 can function as a prognostic marker in various malignant tumors and is integral in TME and immune infiltration. Inhibition of the CD93 pathway may be a novel and promising strategy for immunotherapy in human cancer. Further explorations of the mechanisms of CD93 in the immune system may help improve cancer therapy methods.
Human Endometrial Organoids: Recent Research Progress and Potential Applications
Authors: Lou Liqun , Kong Shuangbo , Sun Yunyan , Zhang Zhenbo , Wang Haibin
Published: February 2022

Since traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture cannot meet the demand of simulating physiological conditions in vivo, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have been developed. To date, most of these systems have been applied for the culture of gastrointestinal and neural tissue. As for the female reproductive system, the culture of endometrial and oviductal tissues in Matrigel has also been performed, but there are still some problems that remain unsolved. This review highlights recent progress regarding endometrial organoids, focusing on the signal for organoid derivation and maintenance, the coculture of the epithelium and stroma, the drug screening using organoids from cancer patients, and provides a potential guideline for genome editing in endometrial organoids.
Gadolinium-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Li Zhongtao , Guo Jing , Zhang Mengmeng , Li Guohua , Hao Liguo
Published: February 2022

Magnetic resonance molecular imaging can provide anatomic, functional and molecular information. However, because of the intrinsically low sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high-performance MRI contrast agents are required to generate powerful image information for image diagnosis. Herein, we describe a novel T1 contrast agent with magnetic-imaging properties facilitated by the gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) doping of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). The size, morphology, composition, MRI relaxivity (r1), surface area and pore size of these nanoparticles were evaluated following their conjugation with Gd2O3 to produce Gd2O3@MSN. This unique structure led to a significant enhancement in T1 contrast with longitudinal relaxivity (r1) as high as 51.85 ± 1.38 mM−1s−1. Gd2O3@MSN has a larger T1 relaxivity than commercial gadolinium diethylene triamine pentaacetate (Gd-DTPA), likely due to the geometrical confinement effect of silica nanoparticles. These results suggest that we could successfully prepare a novel high-performance T1 contrast agent, which may be a potential candidate for in-vivo MRI.
A Systematic Quality Scoring Analysis to Assess Automated Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Segmentation Algorithms
Authors: Rauseo Elisa , Omer Muhammad , Amir-Khalili Alborz , Sojoudi Alireza , Le Thu-Thao , Cook Stuart Alexander , Hausenloy Derek John , Ang Briana , Toh Desiree-Faye , Bryant Jennifer , Chin Calvin Woon Loong , Paiva Jose Miguel , Fung Kenneth , Cooper Jackie , Khanji Mohammed Yunus , Aung Nay , Petersen Steffen Erhard
Published: February 2022

Background

The quantitative measures used to assess the performance of automated methods often do not reflect the clinical acceptability of contouring. A quality-based assessment of automated cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) segmentation more relevant to clinical practice is therefore needed.

Objective

We propose a new method for assessing the quality of machine learning (ML) outputs. We evaluate the clinical utility of the proposed method as it is employed to systematically analyse the quality of an automated contouring algorithm.

Methods

A dataset of short-axis (SAX) cine CMR images from a clinically heterogeneous population (n = 217) were manually contoured by a team of experienced investigators. On the same images we derived automated contours using a ML algorithm. A contour quality scoring application randomly presented manual and automated contours to four blinded clinicians, who were asked to assign a quality score from a predefined rubric. Firstly, we analyzed the distribution of quality scores between the two contouring methods across all clinicians. Secondly, we analyzed the interobserver reliability between the raters. Finally, we examined whether there was a variation in scores based on the type of contour, SAX slice level, and underlying disease.

Results

The overall distribution of scores between the two methods was significantly different, with automated contours scoring better than the manual (OR (95% CI) = 1.17 (1.07–1.28), p = 0.001; n = 9401). There was substantial scoring agreement between raters for each contouring method independently, albeit it was significantly better for automated segmentation (automated: AC2 = 0.940, 95% CI, 0.937–0.943 vs manual: AC2 = 0.934, 95% CI, 0.931–0.937; p = 0.006). Next, the analysis of quality scores based on different factors was performed. Our approach helped identify trends patterns of lower segmentation quality as observed for left ventricle epicardial and basal contours with both methods. Similarly, significant differences in quality between the two methods were also found in dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertension.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the ability of our systematic scoring analysis to determine the clinical acceptability of automated contours. This approach focused on the contours' clinical utility could ultimately improve clinicians' confidence in artificial intelligence and its acceptability in the clinical workflow.
Collateral Arteriogenesis Involves a Sympathetic Denervation That Is Associated With Abnormal α-Adrenergic Signaling and a Transient Loss of Vascular Tone
Authors: Silva Alexander , Hatch Christopher J. , Chu Megan T. , Cardinal Trevor R.
Published: February 2022

Stimulating collateral arteriogenesis is an attractive therapeutic target for peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, the potency of arteriogenesis-stimulation in animal models has not been matched with efficacy in clinical trials. This may be because the presence of enlarged collaterals is not sufficient to relieve symptoms of PAD, suggesting that collateral function is also important. Specifically, collaterals are the primary site of vascular resistance following arterial occlusion, and impaired collateral vasodilation could impact downstream tissue perfusion and limb function. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of arteriogenesis on collateral vascular reactivity. Following femoral artery ligation in the mouse hindlimb, collateral functional vasodilation was impaired at day 7 (17 ± 3 vs. 60 ± 8%) but restored by day 28. This impairment was due to a high resting diameter (73 ± 4 μm at rest vs. 84 ± 3 μm dilated), which does not appear to be a beneficial effect of arteriogenesis because increasing tissue metabolic demand through voluntary exercise decreased resting diameter and restored vascular reactivity at day 7. The high diameter in sedentary animals was not due to sustained NO-dependent vasodilation or defective myogenic constriction, as there were no differences between the enlarged and native collaterals in response to eNOS inhibition with L-NAME or L-type calcium channel inhibition with nifedipine, respectively. Surprisingly, in the context of reduced vascular tone, vasoconstriction in response to the α-adrenergic agonist norepinephrine was enhanced in the enlarged collateral (−62 ± 2 vs. −37 ± 2%) while vasodilation in response to the α-adrenergic antagonist prazosin was reduced (6 ± 4% vs. 22 ± 16%), indicating a lack of α-adrenergic receptor activation by endogenous norepinephrine and suggesting a denervation of the neuroeffector junction. Staining for tyrosine hydroxylase demonstrated sympathetic denervation, with neurons occupying less area and located further from the enlarged collateral at day 7. Inversely, MMP2 presence surrounding the enlarged collateral was greater at day 7, suggesting that denervation may be related to extracellular matrix degradation during arteriogenesis. Further investigation on vascular wall maturation and the functionality of enlarged collaterals holds promise for identifying novel therapeutic targets to enhance arteriogenesis in patients with PAD.
Performance Optimization of the Helical Heat Exchanger With Turbulator
Authors: Xifeng Wang , Xiaoluan Zhang , Mahariq Ibrahim , Salem Mohamed , Ghalandari Mohammad , Ghadak Farhad , Abedini Mostafa
Published: February 2022

In this paper, optimization on a two-tube helical heat exchanger with a fin is represented. The spiral pipes heat exchanger which is made of the cooper is adopted for investigation. The effects of three types of fins with the proposed geometric shapes on the overall heat transfer coefficient and pressure loss are investigated. The fins are located on the inner surface of the outer pipe. The obtained numerical results are compared with the experimental results, and a good agreement is observed between the results. The studies show that the total heat transfer coefficient has increased by 170% compared to an exchanger with no fin. Therefore, the best fin has been selected based on the benefit-cost-ratio (BCR) factor. Finally, using the new represented optimization algorithm, the height of the represented triangular fin is optimized to represent the best values for overall heat transfer coefficient and pressure loss of the helical heat exchanger. In addition, the results indicate that reducing the density and height of the triangular fin increases heat transfer and reduces pressure loss.
Study of Capacitive Coupling Sensor Fused With High Voltage XLPE Cable Joint
Authors: Xia Rong , Zhao Yang , Ouyang Benhong , Wang Yuli , Fang Chunhua , Xu Yao
Published: February 2022

A capacitive coupling sensor for partial discharge detection with the fusion of high voltage XLPE cable joint is designed in this paper. The sensor is to address partial discharge signals leading to transmission attenuation and external interference causing poor field detection sensitivity. First, a coaxial waveguide transmission model was established of high-frequency electrical signals in the body and joint. The result showed that the signal transmission attenuation was minimized while the sensor electrodes were closely attached to the outer semi-conductive layer of the body. Second, the equivalent circuit model was constructed of the capacitive coupling sensor fused with the 110 kV straight passing joint. The specific installation location, main structure size, detection bandwidth, and sensitivity of the sensor in the joint area were determined, which was to maximize the coupling output signal amplitude and transfer function amplitude. Finally, a lightning surge voltage test was carried out with the integration of the fusion of the joint voltage thermal cycling. Simulation and measurement show the following: while the sensor is installed in the cable metal sleeve break and the electrodes are closed to the overall semi-conductive layer, there is excellent performance for partial discharge detection in the frequency range of 1–300 MHz, with a sensitivity of 5 pC.
Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Scrap Tires: Optimization of Reaction Conditions and Recovery of High Value-Added Products
Authors: Chen Rongjie , Li Hang , Li Kaile , Zhang Shiyu , Li Qinghai , Zhou Hui , Zhang Yanguo
Published: February 2022

Response surface method (RSM) was proposed to investigate the conversion of scrap tire via hydrothermal treatment. Temperature was the dominant factor in the process. The liquefaction rate increased sharply with temperature and exceeds 40 wt.% in the supercritical region ( >374.3°C). A maximum of more than 40 wt.% liquefaction rate was obtained when the tire was kept at 399°C for 60 min with the water/tire mass ratio of 10.8/1. Subsequently, the analysis of solid phase and liquid products at 360 and 400°C was carried out. The thermal stability of natural rubber in tire is significantly deteriorated after hydrothermal treatment. The hydrothermal process of rubber includes chain cleavage, particle hydrolysis, and carbon nanospheres formation, growth and agglomeration. The liquid products including carotenoids, ketones, and aromatic compounds, the ratio of which can be adjusted according to the temperature.
Fish Assemblages in Subtidal Seagrass Meadows Surrounding the West Sand, South China Sea
Authors: Ren Qing-qiang , Leung Priscilla T. Y. , Xu Qing , Yan Meng , Yang Guo-han , Wei Jie-hong , Liu Min
Published: February 2022

Both beach seine (BS) and line transect-based underwater visual census (UVC) methods were applied to investigate fish assemblages of the West Sand (Xisha Islands, South China Sea) seagrass meadows and their relationship with seagrass coverage. The West Sand seagrass meadows were divided into four survey areas, two (areas A and B) to the north and two (areas C and D) to the south. The average seagrass coverages (%) in the north were significantly higher than those in the south (p < 0.05). The dominant seagrass species is Thalassia hemprichii, contributing to over 70% substrate coverage in all four areas. A total of 843 individuals from 25 fish species belonging to 22 genera, 11 families, and ten orders were recorded, with five species obtained by both BS and UVC methods. The labrids Halichoeres trimaculatus and Stethojulis strigiventer were the only two species that dominated (index of relative importance IRI > 500) in both BS and UVC methods. Fish assemblages among the four areas were significantly different (BS, p = 0.002; UVC, p = 0.002); area A was significantly different from areas B−D (p < 0.05), which was mainly driven by the variation in H. trimaculatus density. Furthermore, fish assemblages of the four areas (abundance data) revealed by both BS (r2 = 0.8455) and UVC (r2 = 0.9354) methods showed high correlation with the seagrass coverage. The majority of the individuals (>93%) recorded by BS and UVC methods were shorter than the total length at maturity (TLm), with 80.36 and 46.13% of individuals less than half the sizes of their TLm, respectively. Our results, for the first time, proved the importance of seagrass meadows at the West Sand as fish nursery grounds. The ecological roles of seagrass habitats in South China Sea merit further investigation.
Macroplastic Fragment Contamination of Agricultural Soils Supports a Distinct Microbial Hotspot
Authors: McKay Olivia , Pold Grace , Martin Philip , Sistla Seeta
Published: February 2022

Agricultural plastics support crop production and quality by reducing weeds, improving irrigation efficiency, and regulating soil conditions, but can also become a soil pollutant. While microplastic effects on soil function are increasingly well-understood, the impacts of agricultural macroplastic (>5 mm) contamination on soils are poorly documented. Prolonged exposure to plastic macrofragments may alter microbial decomposer community structure and function, since plastic can directly affect edaphic factors while leaching novel compounds. To better characterize how plastic contamination influences the soil habitat, we sampled three farms characterized by agricultural plastic pollution in Monterey County, CA, United States. Using a randomized block design, we collected surface soil samples from the fields (“bulk PC soil”) to compare with soil directly in contact with the remaining polyethylene (PE) mulch and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dripline fragments (“plastic-associated soil”). Soil directly associated with plastic fragments was hypothesized to have reduced microbial biomass and decomposer activities relative to the bulk soil, due to a greater likelihood of toxicity. In contrast to our expectations, we found that both PE and PVC macrofragments support a distinct microbial habitat that hosts a larger, more efficient microbial biomass with greater labile nutrient pools than the surrounding bulk soil. Because of the scope of macroplastic pollution likely occurring in agricultural soils, our findings suggest that this novel plastisphere habitat may significantly alter ecological functions critical to agricultural soils over time by encouraging microbial colonization within plastic debris.