bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RET mutation as a putative prognostic biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy in various malignancies
Authors: Long Jun-Yu , Li Rui-Zhe , Wang Dong-Xu , Liu Hui , Tian Jincheng , Ding Zi-Niu , Yan Lun-Jie , Dong Zhao-Ru , Hong Jian-Guo , Tian Bao-Wen , Han Cheng-Long , Zhao Hai-Tao , Li Tao
Published: May 2023

Background The RET gene, which is frequently mutated across many types of cancer, has been proven to be critically involved in tumorigenesis and tumor development, while its precise contribution to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy remains to be elucidated. The present research aims to investigate the association between RET mutations and the efficiency of ICIs therapy.Method We analyzed the role of RET mutations in predicting the prognosis of patient receiving ICIs therapy in the discovery cohort and validated it in the validation cohort. Then, multi-omics data from TCGA pan-cancer cohort was employed to propose the association between RET mutations and tumor inflamed anti-tumor immune response and tumor antigenicity.Results Our study revealed that RET mutation is associated with better clinical outcomes for ICIs therapy in 606 cases across five types of cancer, including elevated response rate, longer PFS and OS. Multivariate analysis showed that RET mutation could independently predict the prognosis of ICIs-treated patients after adjusting cancer types. The predictive value of RET status for the OS of patients treated with ICI immunotherapy was further validated in the validation cohort (n = 1683). Subgroup analysis suggested that only the monotherapy group showed significant differences in OS and PFS between RET- wildtype tumors and RET- mutant tumors. Multi-omics data analysis revealed potential anti-tumor immunity mechanisms of RET mutations, suggesting that RET-mutant tumors have enhanced immunogenicity, higher expression of immune checkpoints, chemokines, and immune cell infiltration than RET-wildtype tumors, potentially indicating a more favorable response to immunotherapy.Conclusions RET mutation may be a predictive biomarker of enhanced response to ICIs therapy. Extensive molecular mechanism investigation and prospective studies are needed in the future.
Fractured Sternal Wire Causing a Cardiac Laceration
Authors: Khouzam Matthew S , Jacobsen Kristina , Boyer Joseph H , Suarez-Cavalier Jorge E , Accola Kevin D , Silvestry Scott , Khouzam Nayer
Published: May 2023

Background
Hemopericardium is a serious complication that can occur after cardiac surgery. While most post-operative causes are due to inflammation and bleeding, patients with broken sternal wires and an unstable sternum may develop hemopericardium from penetrating trauma.
Case Presentation
We present the case of a 62-year-old male who underwent triple coronary bypass surgery and presented five months later with sudden anterior chest wall pain. Chest computed tomography revealed hemopericardium with an associated broken sternal wire that had penetrated into the pericardial space. The patient underwent a redo-sternotomy which revealed a 3.5 cm bleeding, jagged right ventricular laceration that correlated to the imaging findings of a fractured sternal wire projecting in the pericardial space. The laceration was repaired using interrupted 4 − 0 polypropylene sutures in horizontal mattress fashion between strips of bovine pericardium. The patient’s recovery was uneventful and he was discharged on post-operative day four without complications.
Conclusion
Patients with broken sternal wires and an unstable sternum require careful evaluation and management as these may have potentially life-threatening complications if left untreated.
Altered functional connectivity of large-scale brain networks in psychogenic erectile dysfunction associated with cognitive impairments
Authors: Feng Sitong , Dong Linrui , Yan Bin , Zheng Sisi , Feng Zhengtian , Li Xue , Li Jiajia , Sun Ning , Ning Yanzhe , Jia Hongxiao
Published: May 2023

Several studies have demonstrated that psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED) patients potentially suffer from cognitive dysfunction. Despite that previous neuroimaging studies have reported abnormal functional connections of brain areas associated with cognitive function in pED, the underlying mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in pED remain elusive. Large-scale brain networks might shed light on the neuropsychological cognitive functions in pED. The functional connectivity (FC) of large-scale brain networks was calculated in 30 pED patients and 30 healthy controls. The relationship among cognitive functions and altered FC of large-scale brain networks was further explored in pED patients. Our results showed that the decreased FC within visual network, and between visual network and default mode network, visual network and frontoparietal network, and ventral attention and default mode network were found in pED patients. Furthermore, there was the positive correlation between immediate memory score and FC within visual network. And visuospatial score was negatively correlated with decreased FC between ventral attention network and default mode network. Taken together, our findings revealed the relationship between cognitive impairments and altered FC between large-scale brain networks in pED patients, providing the new evidence about the neural mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in pED patients.
Scale development to measure the patient perception of patient-centered care of dentists in primary care settings of Thailand: a measurement invariance test
Authors: Khamnil Yutthana , Kao-iean Surasak , Pisarnturakit Pagaporn Pantuwadee
Published: May 2023

Background Patient-centered care is essential for providing quality services thoroughly from the primary care level, but it is unclear and lacks measurement. This study aimed to develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure patient perception of patient-centered care of primary dental care in Thailand and test the measurement invariance between the large and small community hospitals.Methods The initial set of 45 items for the Patient Perception of Patient-Centered Care of Dentist Scale (PPCCDS) was developed using a mixed-method approach, which included a literature review, content validity test, cognitive interviews, and a pre-test. A multistage sampling strategy was used to recruit dental patients or parents/caregivers from community hospitals across Thailand. Validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient. Furthermore, a multi-group analysis was conducted to compare the responses of patients from large and small community hospitals.Results 336 and 1167 samples were randomized for EFA and CFA, respectively. The final PPCCDS consists of 7 factors with satisfactory reliability and validity and composed of 42 items: dentist-patient relationship, disease-illness, integrated care, communication, shared information and decision-making, holistic and empathy and anxiety management. The CFA showed the model fit was consistent with the entire sample. The metric invariance analysis showed that the factor loadings were invariant across patient groups. Overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient were satisfactory.Conclusions The newly developed PPCCDS is composed of seven domains with 42 items with good reliability and validity, and it indicated the measurement invariance across patients in large and small community hospitals.
Loss of Dec1 inhibits alcohol-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and circadian rhythm disorder
Authors: SATO FUYUKI , BHAWAL UJJAL K , OIKAWA KOSUKE , MURAGAKI YASUTERU
Published: May 2023

Chronic alcohol exposure increases liver damage such as lipid accumulation and hepatitis, resulting in hepatic cirrhosis. Chronic alcohol intake is known to disturb circadian rhythms in humans and animals. Dec1, a BHLH transcription factor, plays an important role in the circadian rhythm, inflammation, immune responses, and tumor progression. We have previously shown that Dec1 deficiency inhibits stresses such as periodontal inflammation and perivascular fibrosis of the heart. However, the significance of Dec1 deficiency in chronic alcohol exposure remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether biological stress caused by chronic alcohol intake is inhibited in Dec1 knockout mice. We treated control and Dec1 knockout mice with 10% alcohol for three months by chronic free intake. The Dec1 knockout mice consumed more alcohol than control mice, but we observed severe hepatic lipid accumulation and disturbance of the circadian rhythm in control mice. In contrast, Dec1 knockout mice showed little effect. Furthermore, we investigated the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which are involved in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increases of phosphorylation AMPK and PPARa but decreases PPARg in Dec1 knockout mice compared to control mice. This indicates a molecular basis for the inhibition of hepatic lipid accumulation in alcohol-treated Dec1 knockout mice. These results suggest a novel function for Dec1 in alcohol-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and circadian rhythm disorders.
Psychological Distress Reported by Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in China During COVID-19
Authors: Ge Names：Wei-Li , Xu Chao , Xu Jin-Tian , Jiang Jian-Jun , Mi Ya-Fei , Li Tao , Lu Yi-Fei , Tung Tao-Hsin , Yan Su-Hua
Published: May 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted routine cardiovascular health assessments and services. The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with self-reported psychological distress among a sample of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in China in relation to COVID-19.
Methods: An online survey was administered to 288 patients with AF at several hospitals in China. The survey consisted of three sections: demographic characteristics, questions related to COVID-19, and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12).
Results: A total of 177 patients with AF completed the baseline survey; 177 (61.46%) were male and 133 (46.18%) were older than 65 years. High levels of psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥3) were observed in 27 (9.4%) participants of the sample. These high levels were found to be associated with older age, radiofrequency ablation, drinking, and combined basic diseases (p values < .05).
Logistic regression analysis showed that psychological distress in patients with AF was associated with radiofrequency ablation (OR = 0.316, 95% CI = 0.147–0.666), drinking (OR = 4.761, 95% CI = 2.076–10.916), and concerns regarding infection (OR = 1.244, 95% CI = 1.052–1.472).
Conclusions: COVID-19 has resulted in high levels of psychological distress in approximately 9.4% of patients with AF in China. Factors associated with high levels of psychological distress in AF patients include older age, radiofrequency ablation, drinking, and combined comorbidities. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing psychological health throughout the course of infectious pandemics.
Detecting Shape-based Interactions among Environmental Chemicals using an Ensemble of Exposure-Mixture Regression and Interpretable Machine Learning Tools
Authors: Midya Vishal , Gennings Chris
Published: May 2023

There is growing interest in discovering interactions between multiple environmental chemicals associated with increased adverse health effects. However, most existing approaches (1) either use a projection or product of multiple chemical exposures, which are difficult to interpret, and (2) can not simultaneously handle multi-ordered interactions. Therefore, we develop and validate a method to discover shape-based interactions that mimic usual toxicological interactions. We developed the "Multi-ordered explanatory interaction" (Moxie) algorithm by merging the efficacy of Extreme Gradient Boosting with the inferential power of Weighted Quantile Sum regression to extract synergistic interactions associated with the outcome/odds of disease in an adverse direction. We evaluated the algorithm's performance through simulations and compared it with the currently available gold standard, the signed-iterative random forest algorithm. We used the 2017–18 US-NHANES dataset (n=447 adults) to evaluate interactions among nine per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and five metals measured in whole-blood in association with serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In simulations, the Moxie algorithm was highly specific and sensitive and had very low false discovery rates in detecting true synergistic interactions of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th order through moderate (n=250) to large (n=1000) sample sizes. In NHANES data, we found a two-order synergistic interaction between cadmium and lead detected in people with whole-blood cadmium concentrations and lead above 0.605 ug/dL and 1.485 ug/dL, respectively. Our findings demonstrate a novel validated approach in environmental epidemiology for detecting shape-based toxicologically mimicking interactions by integrating exposure-mixture regression and machine learning methods.
Methods for Calculating the Carbon Footprint of Telemedicine: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zee C. van der , Chang-Wolf Msc J.M. , Koopmanschap M.A. , Leeuwen R. van , Wisse R.P.L.
Published: May 2023

Background: Healthcare is responsible for 4-10% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions worldwide, with travel-related emissions accounting for approximately 22%. Telemedicine has emerged as a potential solution, but there is a lack of comprehensive approaches to estimate carbon footprint savings, limiting our understanding of its environmental impact. The aim of this paper is to conduct a systematic review to evaluate how the carbon footprint of telemedicine is measured, report the impact of a telemedicine program, and propose an open-access calculator to estimate CO2 emissions for healthcare providers.
Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the PubMed, Medline, Embase and Scopus databases to identify articles estimating the carbon footprint savings of telemedicine. We evaluated publications based on various categories, with ground travel and streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) being the most important. Based on our findings and an example case in eyecare, we developed a Carbon Calculator for remote Care (CCrC) and applied this model to the papers included for ground travel analysis.
Results: Based on a search of 1,117 records, 30 articles were included for quantitative or qualitative analysis. The median roundtrip travel distance for each patient in 23 papers examining ground transportation emissions was 131 km (interquartile range [IQR]:52-386), resulting in 26.3 kilograms CO2 (kgCO2) (IQR:10.6-94.4) emissions. Calculations including LCA had a mean emission of 2.5% less than estimates excluding LCA. In our remote eyecare example, we estimated that 411,000 kgCO2/year could be saved from travel alone, or 401,000 kgCO2/year when accounting for LCA.
Conclusions: To prevent overestimation of CO2 emissions savings due to telemedicine, including LCA should be considered, although travel distance as a variable is the biggest contributor. Our CCrC is a preliminary attempt to roughly capture these factors and furthers the debate for structural measurement and calculation of CO2 in telemedicine.
Low-voltage dynamic light manipulation with silicon-organic slot
metasurfaces
Authors: Zheng Tianzhe , Gu Yiran , Kwon Hyounghan , Roberts Gregory , Faraon Andrei
Published: May 2023

Active metasurfaces provide the opportunity for fast spatio-temporal control of light. Among various tuning methods, organic electro-optic materials provide some unique advantages due to their fast speed and large nonlinearity, along with the possibility of using fabrication techniques based on infiltration. In this letter, we report a silicon-organic platform where organic electro-optic material is infiltrated into the narrow gaps of slot-mode metasurfaces with high quality factors. The mode confinement into the slot enables the placement of metallic electrodes in close proximity, thus enabling tunability at lower voltages. We demonstrate a tuning sensitivity of 0.16nm/V at telecommunication wavelength. These results provide a path towards tunable silicon-organic hybrid metasurfaces at CMOS-level voltages.
Was ist Chenopodium pedunculare (Chenopodiaceae)?
Authors: Wisskirchen Rolf
Published: May 2023

Eine mit Chenopodium album eng verwandte, teilweise auch als dessen Unterart geführte, morphologisch auffällige Sippe mit dem Namen Ch. pedunculare (Stielblütiger Gänsefuß) ist in der Fachwelt taxonomisch umstritten. Dennoch zeichnet sich in neuerer Zeit eine Wertung als Art ab, so bei Iamonico & Mosyakin (2018), in der Liste der Gefäßpflanzen Deutschlands (Buttler & al. 2018) und im Schmeil-Fitschen (Parolly & Rohwer 2019). Ein Aussaat-Experiment sollte zeigen, ob die Pflanzen wirklich erbfest sind. Sechs Herkünfte (Parental-Generation, P) wurden überprüft. Es zeigte sich, dass alle Pflanzen der Filial-Generation (F) keine pedunculare-Merkmale mehr besaßen, sondern gewöhnliches Ch. album subsp. album repräsentierten. Hieraus ergibt sich, dass Ch. pedunculare nur eine Modifikation ist und keinen taxonomischen Status verdient.
Chromosomenzahlen von Farn- und Samenpflanzen aus Deutschland 16
Authors: Gregor Thomas , Paule Juraj
Published: May 2023

Angegeben wird jeweils das Sammeldatum des für die Chromosomenzählung verwendeten Materials (Lebendpflanze, Samen) zuzüglich eines eventuell gesammelten Beleges sowie – getrennt durch einen Schrägstrich – Sammeldatum und Aufbewahrungsort eines Beleges der gezählten Pflanze.
The impact of taxi drivers’ characteristics on the propensity to do business: Case study from a sharing economy
Authors: Rozsa Zoltan , Zhidebekkyzy Aknur , Bilan Yuriy , Drahosova Jana
Published: May 2023

This paper aims to quantify the impact of selected demographic, financial, and economic factors on the propensity to do business in the taxi sector of the sharing economy. The sample comprised 375 taxi drivers from the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. Data were collected using the query method via a questionnaire in April 2022. The structure of the respondents is divided into shared taxi service providers (N = 294) and traditional taxi service providers (N = 69). The study selected 14 factors: demographic (4), financial (7), and economic (3). The SEM approach was applied to evaluate the hypotheses. Shared taxi providers have a stronger propensity to do business than traditional taxi drivers. Demographic characteristics of a traditional taxi driver are the most significant factors with a strong influence on the propensity to do business (βS = 0.525 > βT = 0.425). On the other hand, the financial and economic characteristics of shared taxi drivers strongly influence the propensity to do business (βT = 0.565 > βS = 0.212). The characteristics of the enterprise are on the verge of significance in relation to the tendency to do business with shared taxi drivers, as opposed to traditional taxi drivers. For traditional taxi drivers, there is a strong influence of the characteristics of the enterprise on the propensity to do business (βT = 0.476 > βS = 0.026). This study contributes to understanding how participating in sharing economy may stimulate the propensity to do business.
Contributo do Enoturismo em São Joaquim/SC na percepção dos residentes
Authors: Flores Luiz Carlos da Silva , Oliveira de Mattos da Silva Flores Guilherme , Jaski Pedro Gustavo , Cegatta Júnior Ivan
Published: May 2023

O desenvolvimento do turismo numa região causa impactos na comunidade que são percebidos de forma positiva ou negativa, formando uma imagem pelos residentes. Definiu-se como objetivo geral desta pesquisa: Analisar os impactos sociais, econômicos, culturais e ambientais do Enoturismo para São Joaquim/SC na perspectiva dos residentes. São Joaquim/SC é um destino tradicional pelo turismo de inverno e o principal produtor nacional de maçãs. Recentemente entrou no cenário nacional como um produtor de vinhos finos e, consequentemente, iniciam as atividades do enoturismo, pessoas apreciadoras e interessadas nos vinhos da região. O referencial teórico contemplou os temas do enoturismo, percepção dos residentes dos impactos e reflexos da atividade do turismo. Utilizou-se dos recursos da pesquisa exploratória-descritiva, com corte transversal, delineamento quantitativo e procedimentos de levantamento. Foram aplicados questionários à uma amostra não aleatória de residentes, apoiado na mídia social. Para a análise dos dados foram utilizados testes de análise de confiabilidade, estatística descritiva, com base no SPSS. Como resultados da pesquisa identificou-se o perfil dos respondentes a participação e envolvimento nas atividades das vinícolas, bem como identificou-se os benefícios pessoais e impactos econômicos, socioculturais e ambientais como reflexo das atividades do enoturismo mais percebidos pelos residentes. Verificou-se também que os proprietários de imóveis têm uma percepção maior do que a dos não proprietários. Constata-se que os gestores das vinícolas devem incluir em seus planejamentos estratégicos ações para integrar a comunidade, os residentes nas atividades do Enoturismo.
Empreendedorismo, desafios e conquistas
Authors: Motta Zimermann Marisa , Martins de Sousa Rúbia Elza , Horst Pereira Cristina
Published: May 2023

Este artigo teve por objetivo analisar como o ato de empreender trouxe mudanças para a vida de mulheres que se tornaram empreendedoras e atuam no trade de turístico no município de Dourados-MS. Para responder ao objetivo geral foram delineados os seguintes objetivos específicos: entender o que levou essas mulheres a empreender; elencar os desafios enfrentados pelas empreendedoras no processo de gestão; identificar junto a estas mulheres as conquistas adquiridas e identificar o que almejam alcançar no futuro. O trabalho se configurou como qualitativo e foram utilizados como procedimentos metodológicos a pesquisa bibliográfica, pesquisa documental e questionário, com perguntas fechadas e abertas, aplicado a seis empreendedoras. Para a coleta de dados optou-se por fazer um recorte do trade turístico, de modo que foram selecionados os seguintes setores: hotelaria, agência de viagens e empresas promotoras de eventos. Os dados coletados indicaram que o ato de empreender, para estas mulheres, está relacionado aos múltiplos aspectos de suas vidas, aspectos ligados a realização profissional, a independência financeira, a flexibilidade de horários e ao desenvolvimento de serviço/produto próprio. Quanto aos desafios de empreender na cidade de Dourados, foram elencados os seguintes aspectos: falta de mão de obra qualificada e pouco investimento na área de turismo. As perspectivas para o futuro, mencionadas pelas participantes da pesquisa, se encaminham na direção de lutar pela sobrevivência no mercado, aperfeiçoar as atividades desenvolvidas e capacitar pessoas para atuarem em suas empresas e no setor do turismo como um todo.
Impactos socieconômicos ocasionados pela pandemia da COVID - 19 nos trabalhadores do turismo no Brasil
Authors: Bezerra da Silva Clebia , Lamas Suellen Alice , Domingos Nascimento Edson
Published: May 2023

Em um momento em que toda a cadeia de valor do turismo é impactada direta e indiretamente pela pandemia da Covid-19, considerada como sem precedentes na história global, faz-se pertinente avaliar as condições de trabalho e renda dos trabalhadores do turismo no Brasil. Com base nessa realidade, faz-se o questionamento: como foram impactados os trabalhadores do setor de turismo no Brasil em meio à pandemia da Covid-19? Deste modo, o presente artigo buscou investigar os impactos socioeconômicos dessa pandemia nos trabalhadores do turismo no Brasil, a partir deles próprios. Uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva com abordagem qualitativa foi realizada. Valeu-se de um instrumento de pesquisa on-line para a coleta de dados, totalizando 1006 questionários válidos. A coleta aconteceu entre os dias 22 de abril a 8 de junho de 2020. A análise dos dados foi feita utilizando-se estatística descritiva. Os resultados permitiram demonstrar que o cenário mundial de impactos negativos no setor de turismo apontado na literatura também se repete no Brasil, com fechamento de empresas, desemprego, precarização das condições de trabalho, diminuição da renda dos trabalhadores, entre outros, ainda que em determinada faixa temporal, o cenário da situação da força de trabalho no turismo nacional, que se diferencia, a partir das relações de trabalho – formalidade ou informalidade, mas que, de modo geral, revela o fechamento de empresas, desemprego, diminuição da renda dos trabalhadores, preocupação pelas incertezas impostas pela crise, entre outros impactos que são abordados nesta investigação.
A Survey on the Machine Learning Techniques for Automated Diagnosis from
Ultrasound Images
Authors: Mohit Kumar , Gupta Rajeev , Kumar Basant
Published: May 2023

Medical diagnostic systems has recently been very popular and reliable because of possible automatic detections. The machine learning algorithm
is evolved as a core tool of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) for automatic early and accurate disease detections. The algorithm follows region of
interest (ROI) selection followed by specific feature extractions and selection from medical images. The selected features are then fed to suitable
classifiers for disease identification. The machine learning algorithm's performance depends on the features selected and the classifiers employed
for the job. This paper reviews different feature extraction selection and classification techniques for CAD from ultrasound images.
Ultrasonography (USG), due to its portability and its non-invasive nature, is the prime choice of doctors for prescribing as an imaging test. A
survey on the USG imaging based on four major diseases is performed in this paper, whose diagnosis followed by automatic detection. Various
techniques applied for feature extraction, selection, and classification by different authors to achieve improved accuracy are tabulated. For medical
images, we found texture based gray-level extracted features and SVM (support vector machine) classifiers to be more significant in improving
classification accuracy, even achieving 100% accuracy in many research articles. However, many research articles also suggest the importance of
student’s t-test in improving classification accuracy by selecting significant features from extracted features. The proposed algorithm's accuracy
also depends on the quality of medical images, which are frequently degraded by the introduction of noise and artifacts while imaging acquisition.
So, challenges in denoising are added in this paper as a separate topic to highlight the role of the machine learning algorithm in removing noise and
artifacts from the USG images.
U.S. Cultural Exchange Programs in Algeria: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Oumeddour Soror
Published: May 2023

The internationalization of the higher education sector in Algeria is one of the government’s most important priorities to catch up with the contemporary trends towards fostering internationalization in higher education in the twenty-first century globalized world. The U.S. Embassy in Algeria has added a valuable support instrument in this respect through its cultural exchange programs. Ongoing programs of scholarships for students’ mobility based on the strategies that aim at strengthening the universities’ international dimension have been created. The U.S. Embassy in Algiers provides different types of programs which are perceived as useful and important as they create further opportunities for the learners and the institutions to open up to the increased international environment of the higher education sector. Nevertheless, there seems to be major challenges and hindrances limiting its full potential as a strong tool for sustainable development and better higher education quality. As a strategic soft power tool with long-term impact, American cultural exchange programs seek to Americanize the world via spreading the American values, principles, and ideals abroad through impressing the program participators with the American culture and ideologies. In other words, the Americans assign to themselves the role of reinforcing and supervising peace and democracy in the world. To achieve that, they use the various cultural and educational exchange programs as a soft power mechanism to promote and emphasize the superiority of the American system, ideology, and identity in the world. The seriousness of these programs lies in the pre-selection of the participants. They select the youth with a special focus on their abilities to affect and influence others, along with the potentials they have to be future leaders in their countries to pursue and reinforce the American interests. Ideologies are associated with power structures. Indeed, American Policymakers rely on cultural exchange programs to fashion an international atmosphere that is supportive and conducive to the U.S. interests and values worldwide.
Financial Literacy and Its Impact on the Income Level of Chili Farmers in Rural Indonesia
Authors: Gigih Yudo , Syafrial Syafrial , Toiba Hery , Retnoningsih Dwi
Published: May 2023

The financial literacy level determines the economic condition of every social stratum. In other words, when farmers experience failure in regulating their economic activities, it is most likely due to their low financial literacy level. The study aims to identify the financial literacy level of chilli farmers in Rural Areas, analyze the factors that influence the financial literacy level, and analyze the impact of financial literacy on increasing the income of chilli farmers in Rural Areas. This study uses Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method to analyze the impact of financial literacy. The results of the study provide information that (1) The majority of chilli farmers' financial literacy in Rural Areas is at a high level with 65% of the total respondent, (2) The existence of financial literacy in Rural Areas has a positive impact on increasing the income of chilli farmers with a comparison that farmers at high literacy levels have higher incomes of Rp. 65,384,503 compared to farmers who have low literacy levels, and (3) The results of the analysis of factors that influence financial literacy state that the factors of age, education level, land area, land status, farming experience, and family responsibilities have a relationship with financial literacy, but the gender factor cannot be identified statistically.
Vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) Frozen Shrimp Raw Material Inventory Management With Supply Chain Management Approach
Authors: Mufaidah Iid , Fitri Tartila , Swasono Sony , Wibowo Yuli
Published: May 2023

Raw material inventory is one of the most expensive assets of the company, especially at national private companies in Banyuwangi is developing a frozen vannamei shrimp agro-industry with PND commercial products (Peeled and Devained). Companies often experience problems with losing sales profits if export demand tends to increase, because companies have not maximized their inventory management. So by using a three-level supply chain management approach, namely the level of finished products, the level of processing and the level of raw materials, it is important to ensure the availability of finished products at any time. Through this approach, the average amount of raw material needed for production of each PND product is PND 26/30 of 12,333.33 kg/month, 31/40 of 75,416.67 kg/month, 41/50. 28,750 kg/month, 51/60 42,250 kg/month, 61/70 21,083.33 kg/month, and 71/90 11,083.33 kg/month. so that the company's service level for PND finished products is above 100%, which is an average of 111,39%.
Faktor-faktor yang Mempengaruhi Keberhasilan Studi Mahasiswa Penyandang Disabilitas
Authors: Soeparman Sudjito
Published: May 2023

Dengan diratifikasikan Konvensi PBB tentang hak penyandang disabilitas menjadi Undang-undang no. 19 tahun 2011, pendidikan inklusif bagi penyandang disabilas wajib dilaksanakan di Indonesia. Penelitian ini melakukan studi faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi keberhasilan studi mahasiswa difabel dalam system pendidkan inklusif. Faktor-faktor yang diteliti adalah faktor keluarga (hubungan dalam keluarga dan kondisi ekonomi), factor psikhologis (rencana studi dan kepercayaan diri), dan factor akademik (kehadiran, pilihan Program Studi, lama belajar, cara belajar, kendala belajar, dan IPK).

Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui kuesioner, dengan responden semua mahasiswa difabel dan mahasiswa non-difabel dalam kelas yang sama. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada perbedaan dalam faktor keluarga dan psikhologis antara mahasiswa difabel dan non-difabel. Mahasiswa difabel cenderung lebih lama dan teratur, dan prestasi akademik mahasiswa difabel cenderung lebih baik daripada non-difabel.
Pengaruh Pengeringan Lapis Tipis Jagung (Zea mays L) sebagai Bahan Pakan dengan Suhu yang Berbeda
Authors:   Universitas Teknologi Sumbawa, Tanggasari Devi , Jatnika Ahmad Reza ,   Universitas Teknologi Sumbawa
Published: May 2023

Pengeringan bertujuan untuk mengurangi kadar air sehingga dapat meningkatkan daya tahan dan kualitas bahan pakan terutama jagung. salah satu metode pengeringan yang dapat digunakan yaitu pengeringan lapis tipis. Metode ini dapat menghilangkan air atau pelarut dari lapisan tipis bahan yang diterapkan pada suatu permukaan, sehingga tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh pengeringan lapis tipis pada jagung (kadar air, moisture ratio, dan laju pengeringan) sebagai bahan pakan dengan tingkat suhu pengeringan yang berbeda-beda yaitu pada suhu 50, 60 dan 70 °C. Kadar air konstan yang diperoleh pada pengeringan suhu 50 °C mencapai 22.92%, pada suhu 60 °C mencapai 21.58%, sedangkan pada suhu 70 °C mencapai 17.58%, namun kadar air yang dihasilkan pada penelitian ini belum memenuhi standar kadar air yang dibutuhkan dalam penyimpanan bahan pakan (14%). Semakin tinggi suhu pengeringan yang digunakan maka akan semakin singkat proses pengeringannya dan pengurangan air bahan akan semakin cepat, mengakibatkan nilai Ln MR semakin menurun. Pada suhu pengeringan 50 °C diperoleh nilai rata-rata Ln MR= -2.4796 (R2=0.969), suhu 60 °C diperoleh nilai Ln MR= -2.7369 (R2=0.951), sedangkan pada suhu 70 °C dengan rata-rata Ln MR= -4.2102 (R2=0.977). Pada laju pengeringan pada suhu 60 °C lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan suhu 70 °C yaitu berkisar 0.44 gram/jam, sedangkan laju pengeringan pada suhu 70 °C yaitu mencapai 0.73 gram/jam. Dari hasil uji statistik dari ketiga level suhu pengeringan menunjukkan bahwa estimasi intercept tidak signifikan secara statistik pada level signifikansi 0.05.
SKATEBOARD, SUBCULTURE, AND INDUSTRY: A STUDY ABOUT YOUNG SKATE WORKERS IN INDONESIA
Authors: Artosa Odam Asdi
Published: May 2023

Artikel ini merupakan analisis tekstual skateboard sebagai subkultur dan peluang kerja bagi anak muda di Indonesia, yang menyajikan eksplorasi strategi mereka untuk meraih karir di industri skateboard. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan analisis tekstual yang dilaksanakan selama tiga bulan. Penelitian ini melibatkan tiga informan utama dari anak muda yang berprestasi pada kompetisi skateboard nasional dan/atau internasional dan mendapatkan pekerjaan dari sponsor skateboard. Temuan penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pemaknaan skateboard sebagai subkultur telah berkembang, di mana anak muda tidak hanya melihat skateboard sebagai bentuk aktualisasi diri, tetapi juga sebagai ruang di mana mereka dapat mengembangkan bakat dan memenuhi kebutuhan mereka melalui kolaborasi dengan sponsor. Di Indonesia, skateboard menjadi salah satu kegiatan yang mendapat pengakuan dari pemerintah, hal ini terlihat dari upaya pemerintah Indonesia selaku tuan rumah Asian Games 2018 (Jakarta-Palembang) yang mendaftarkan skateboard sebagai salah satu cabang olahraga yang dipertandingkan dalam ajang tersebut. Dukungan pemerintah Indonesia terhadap olahraga skateboard juga diikuti dengan pembangunan fasilitas skate park di beberapa kota di Indonesia.
Mendiskriminasikan Pesepeda: Analisis Konflik Video Dokumenter ‘Minoritas Urban: Diskriminasi Pesepeda’
Authors: Putri Aprillianty Belinda Ayu Nadifa , Azis Shafaa Salsabila Durotul , Oktavia Tita U’ut , Setyowati Ika , Pramono Didi
Published: May 2023

Artikel mendalami permasalahan masyarakat urban khususnya deskriminasi kepada pesepeda dengan keterbatasan akses pengguna jalan yang dialami. Kajian menggunakan metode kualitatif untuk menggambarkan keadaan secara realistis dalam memahami makna dalam mempelajari suatu kasus. Lokasi dan fokus penelitian berada di Kota Jakarta yang merupakan ibu kota dengan kepadatan penduduk sehingga menimbulkan berbagai masalah sosial yaituperebutan hak para pengguna jalanan umum seperti sepeda dengan pengguna kendaraan lainnya. Subjek penelitian yang menjadi informan dalam penelitian ini merupakan pengguna sepeda  bernama Adhito Hari Nugroho dan Rahmi sepeda yang hendak pergi bekerja. Banyak ditemukan pengguna jalan yang ingin mendominasi jalanan yang tidak seharusnya menjadi haknya. Kebijakan pemerintah dinilai cenderung kurang dalam mengatasi masalah ini.
Mahasiswa Dogiyai di Yogyakarta: kajian tentang adaptasi dan relasi sosialnya
Authors: Agapa Dency Bernadeta , Martiana Aris
Published: May 2023

Penelitian mengkaji strategi adaptasi dan membangun relasi sosial mahasiswi dari Dogiyai Papua selama berkuliah di Yogyakarta. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif melalui wawancara 10 mahasiswi dan mahasiswa dari Dogiyai yang berkuliah di beberapa kampus negeri dan swasta di Yogyakarta. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa strategi adaptasi dalam membangun relasi dipengaruhi oleh dua faktor baik faktor eksternal maupun faktor internal. Faktor internal diantaranya kondisi fisik, determinasi diri dan kepribadian. Sedangkan faktor eksternal sendiri terdiri dari proses belajar, pengalaman, latihan, lingkungan serta agama dan budaya. Dalam proses adaptasi mahasiswi tergabung dalam IPMADO (Ikatan Pelajar dan Mahasiswa Dogiyai) memilih strategi dalam mengatasi kondisi minimal yang mereka alami. Siasat tersebut dimulai dengan menahan diri, alternatif subsistensi dan membangun relasi sosial dengan mahasiswi umumnya dan penduduk lokal di Yogyakarta.
Критерий определения верхних критических полей H-=SUB=-c2-=/SUB=- в тонких пленках YBCO с разной дозой ионного облучения
Authors: Антонов А.В. , Мастеров Д.В. , Михайлов А.Н. , Морозов С.В. , Павлов С.А. , Парафин А.Е. , Тетельбаум Д.И. , Уставщиков С.С. , Юнин П.А. , Савинов Д.А.
Published: May 2023

Magnetotransport measurements were carried out for YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x} (YBCO) thin films in external perpendicular magnetic fields of H. The studies were performed both for the virgin samples and for the irradiated ones. Xenon ions were used as an external irradiation. Thus we studied features of the broadening of superconducting transition in YBCO films (virgin and irradiated). The broadening of superconducting drop was analyzed depending on an external magnetic field H, as well as on an irradiation dose n_D. When processing the experimental data R(H, T), we studied a criterion for determination of temperature dependence of the upper critical field H_{c2}(T). The criterion was analyzed depending on the defect concentration in the film corresponding to a certain value of n_D. It was found out that for a virgin sample, H_{c2} should be determined by the resistance level R = 0.4R_N inside the superconducting transition, where R_N = R(T = 100 K). With a gradual increase in n_D, this resistance level decreases. At sufficiently high radiation doses n_D > 7·10^{12} cm^{-2}, the H_{c2}(T) phase transition line should be determined by the level R ≈ 0.
Топологические зоны в металле с геликоидальным магнитным порядком
Authors: Кудасов Ю.Б.
Published: May 2023

The effect of a helicoidal magnetic field on the dispersion of conduction electrons in one- and two-dimensional systems is investigated. In a helicoidal periodic magnetic field, there is a special symmetry with respect to the reversal of time, which leads to the peculiarities of the band structure. Using an example of a one-dimensional model system, the topological properties of the band structure in an effective magnetic field corresponding to the 120^0 ordering are investigated. In PdCrO_2, the 120^0 magnetic ordering of the dielectric layers of CrO_2 creates an unusual spin structure of the Fermi surface in conducting palladium layers. In this case, the umklapp scattering of mobile charge carriers is strongly suppressed, which leads to abnormally high conductivity at low temperatures observed experimentally.
Управление бистабильностью в системе двух одноосных спин-трансферных осцилляторов с полевой связью и RLC-нагрузкой
Authors: Купцов П.В.
Published: May 2023

Two uniaxial spin transfer oscillators with field coupling and RLC loads are considered. This system can demonstrate synchronized as well as non-synchronized oscillations. There is an area of bistability in the parameter space where these two regimes coexist. The mechanism of the bistability control is suggested. It is shown that if the RLC circuits are tuned in such a way that after the start their currents slowly and monotonically decay from high negative magnitudes to zero the oscillators forget their initial states and arrive at the vicinities of their fixed points. It provides the controllable start of the oscillations so that the bistability is suppressed in favor of either synchronous or non-synchronous regimes.
Влияние материала верхнего электрода на электрофизические свойства МДМ-структур на основе сегнетоэлектрических пленок
Authors: Афанасьев М.С. , Белорусов Д.А. , Киселев Д.А. , Чучева Г.В.
Published: May 2023

Сегнетоэлектрические пленки состава Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 (BST) синтезированы на платинированные кремниевые подложки методом ВЧ-распыления. На выращенные пленки методом электронно-лучевого распыления сформированы верхние электроды из никеля, алюминия, меди и хрома. Представлены результаты исследований электрофизических свойств полученных гетероструктур металл--диэлектрик--металл (МДМ) (Ме-BST-Pt-Si). Ключевые слова: сегнетоэлектрические пленки BST, структуры металл--диэлектрик--металл (МДМ), микроструктура, электрофизические свойства.
Synthesis and Characterization of MCM-41 Nanomaterials Containing Titanium and Application for Catalytic Oxidation of BTEX
Authors: Morais Lidiane A. , Castro Francisco L. , Fernandes Glauber J.T. , Araujo Marcio D.S. , Farias Mirna F. , Guedes Ana P.M.A. , Fernandes Jr Valter J. , Araujo Antonio S.
Published: May 2023

The TiO2/MCM-41 nanomaterials were synthesized by impregnation with an excess solvent with different percentages of titanium dioxide. They were used for catalytic degradation of Benzene Toluene Ethylbenzene and Xylenes (BTEX) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous media. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption using the BET method and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The nanostructured phase of the hexagonal ordered materials was obtained even after modification with titanium oxide and calcination. The characterizations have proven the effectiveness of the synthesis method used to incorporate titanium with anatase structure impregnated in the nanoporous of the MCM-41 material. Anatase is the main active phase of TiO2 to oxidize organic compounds. The catalytic evaluation wascarried out in a semi-bath reactor with 20 mL of a mixture containing BTEX (100 mg/L), hydrogen peroxide (2.0 mol/L) and TiO2/MCM-41 (2.0 g/L) in aqueous media. The reactions were carried out at a temperature of 60°C for 5 hours, and the analyses were performed by gas chromatography with a photoionization detector and headspace sampler. The catalytic tests showed satisfactory results with more than 95% of conversion, where the catalyst 48%TiO2/MCM-41 presented higher performance.
A Review of Clinical Influencing Factors in the Selection of Cardiac Medications in the Elderly
Authors: Foroutan Behzad
Published: May 2023

Aging is a stage of the natural life cycle. It is a set of natural and coordinated growth changes all organs and body systems undergo to burnout. It is impossible to determine the exact time of old age for two reasons. First, the aging process is different for humans due to individual, hereditary factors. Second, aging has a set of physiological, psychological and, social factors. This review aimed to gather appropriate clinical information and facts for clinicians when practicing heart medications in elderly patients, preventing potentially inappropriate practices. The absorption of heart medications decreases due to diminished bowel movements in the elderly. In the elderly, the blood flows to the entire gastrointestinal tract decreases and as a result, the entry of the medications into the general bloodstream decreases. Delayed absorption weakens the potency of the medication while prolonging its effects. These effects might be unsafe because most heart medications have a narrow therapeutic index. Factors influencing the selection of alpha & beta blockers, nitrates, CCCBs, ACE-Is, diuretics, and digoxin will be reviewed.
Examining Diversity in Digital Therapeutics Clinical Trials: Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Adu-Brimpong Joel , Pugh Jennifer , Darko David Agyen , Shieh Lisa
Published: May 2023

Background

Digital therapeutics (DTx) are an emerging class of software-based medical therapies helping to improve care access and delivery. As we leverage these digital health therapies broadly in clinical care, it is important to consider sociodemographic representation underlying clinical trials data to ensure broad application to all groups.

Objective

We review current sociodemographic representation in DTx clinical trials using data from the Digital Therapeutics Alliance Product Library database.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive analysis of DTx products. We analyzed 15 manuscripts associated with 13 DTx products. Sociodemographic information was retrieved and compared with the US population’s demographic distribution.

Results

The median study size and age of participants were 252 and 43.3 years, respectively. Of the 15 studies applicable to this study, 10 (67%) reported that females made up 65% or greater of the study cohort. A total of 14 studies reported race data with Black or African American and Asian American individuals underrepresented in 9 and 11 studies, respectively. In 7 studies that reported ethnicity, Hispanics were underrepresented in all 7 studies. Furthermore, 8 studies reported education levels, with 5 studies reporting populations in which 70% or greater had at least some college education. Only 3 studies reported health insurance information, each reporting a study cohort in which 100% of members were privately insured.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate opportunities for improved sociodemographic representation in DTx clinical trials, especially for underserved populations typically underrepresented in clinical trials. This review is a step in examining sociodemographic representation in DTx clinical trials to help inform the path forward for DTx development and testing.