bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kapampangan People and Their Language: A Case Study
Authors: Manapsal Jessie D. , Layug Mark Joseph
Published: February 2022

This study aims to understand the Kapampangan people and their language settling at the heart of Central Luzon or Region III in the Philippines. This study attempts to address the origin of the Kapampangan people, their language and their influences on the Filipino culture as a whole. In spite of the fact that the province of Pampanga is in the midst of the Tagalog, Pangasinese and Ilocano speaking provinces, it remains united in language and, up to this date, used by the native Kapampangans. They believed that it is a member of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family and is also known as Pampango, Capampangan, Pampangueño or Amanung Sisuan. The province also declared that once Spain used it as the seat of the Spanish government in the Philippines. According to some historians, the people of Pampanga played an important role in the campaign for reforms and independence during Spanish, American and Japanese colonization. Kapampangans are very proud of their origin and language that remains the bedrock of their existence. Today, the Province of Pampanga is considered one of the fastest-growing provinces in the Philippines, notwithstanding it was devastated by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Perhaps the behavior and culture of the Kapampangans that made them bounce back from nature’s wrath and, in a short span of time, fully recover and on the track again. The objective of the study is to understand the Kapampangan and its language, origin and development. In particular, it seeks to answer the following: What are the sources of the Kapampangan language? What makes the language unique among other languages? What are the roles of the Kapampangan during colonization? Why the Kapampangan language is an endangered language? The finding of the study: The provincial government of Pampanga, in coordination with the Department of Education, must revive the Pampangan language in all schools in Pampanga as a medium of instruction for Kinder to Grade 12. In coordination with all the cities and towns, the provincial government of Pampanga should practice as part of their official communication the Pampangan language. The provincial government of Pampanga must create a center for Kapampangan Studies. If both Kapampangans make it compulsory to converse in Pampangan The scope of the research concentrates on the Kapampangan language. It will be presented through available records, media interviews and historical data. Social scientists, in particular, have made wide use of qualitative research methods to examine contemporary real-life situations and provide the basis for the application of ideas and extension of methods.
Numerical and Experimental Performance Analysis for Different Types of Heat Exchangers
Authors: Abdel-Kawi Osama , H. F. Elbakhshawangy  , Abdelmaksoud Abdelfatah
Published: February 2022

Heat exchangers are devices whose primary responsibility is to transfer heat, typically from one fluid to another. In such applications, the heat exchangers can be parallel flow, crossflow, or counter flow. An essential part of any heat exchanger analysis is the determination of the effectiveness of the heat exchanger. In the present work, three different types of heat exchangers are investigated. Numerical and experimental performance analyses are applied. The main objective of the present work is to compare the effectiveness of each heat exchanger at different conditions. Six experimental investigations for Plate, shell & tube, and fluidized bed heat exchangers are executed. All experimental tests are reached to steady-state conditions. The results show that the counter flow plate heat exchanger has an effectiveness of 90% compared with the parallel flow of 60% effectiveness for working experimental conditions. Also, the fouling effect in decreasing heat transfer is cleared. In the present work, fouling decreases effectiveness from about 18% to about 4%. In addition, the effectiveness of the fluidized bed heat exchanger depends on the material used for the bed. Finally, the overall heat transfer coefficient is obtained and compared for all experimental tests, and it is directly proportional to the effectiveness of the heat exchanger. The FEHT program is used to get the temperature distribution in all types of present work heat exchangers.
Compliance applying OHS: Are knowledge and self-regulation influence?
Authors: Kurniati Hafidha Tri , Fathiyah Kartika Nur
Published: February 2022

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is a work activity to prevent work accidents. Work accidents caused by workers are motivated by workersâ€™ non-compliance at work. Compliance is known as a personâ€™s ability to act, so that undesirable things do not happen, such as work accidents, do not happen. OHS knowledge and self-regulation affect a personâ€™s compliance to comply with OHS. This study aimed to determine the influence of OHS knowledge and self-regulation on compliance applying OHS. The sample research involved 80 chemistry students at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY). The results showed an effect of OHS knowledge and self-regulation on compliance applying OHS (p=0,000) with an effective contribution of 68.1%. It means that OHS knowledge and self-regulation can predict compliance applying OHS of students practising in chemical laboratories.
Systematic approach to cross-contamination risk management in the production of medicinal products
Authors: Dzerzhinskaya A. A. , Spiridonova A. A. , Khomutova E. G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requires drug manufacturers to apply risk management principles in their operations. One of the main risks to the quality and safety of pharmaceuticals is cross-contamination. The introduction of a systematic approach to contamination risk management requires manufacturers to make a comprehensive assessment of both production processes and the organization of production sites (premises, equipment, systems, etc.). Therefore, the transition to the current GMP requirements for operating production sites may require significantly higher financial and labor costs than for projected production facilities.

Aim. Development of a scientifically based program and methodology for cross-contamination risk management for existing pharmaceutical industries, taking into account compliance with the harmonized GMP requirements of the Russian Federation and the EAEU and world practice.

Materials and methods. In the course of the study, methods of risk management, analysis and systematization of data and a process approach were used.

Results and discussion. The key aspects of the organization of the co-manufacturing of medicines are outlined. A step-by-step approach to risk management, involving a preliminary assessment of the conformity of a production organization with GMP requirements is described. The proposed scheme is aimed at ensuring the continuous functioning of the cross-contamination risk management process.

Conclusion. The presented risk management methodology aims to conduct a proper assessment of the risks of cross-contamination for multiproduct pharmaceutical enterprises. This technique allows to identify areas that need improvement to ensure compliance of manufacturing sites with GMP requirements, which ultimately contributes to improving the quality of medicines.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax sensitive and resistant strains
Authors: Sakpal S. , Abdeen S. Z. , Kothari Sh. L. , Bastikar V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction. Malaria is the sixth leading cause of death worldwide. According to a WHO survey (2019-2020), the total number of malaria deaths is estimated to be 409000. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are major malaria parasites, particularly in subtropical areas.

Materials and methods. In the present study, we used a transcriptome analysis of raw RNA sequence data to identify and characterize the differentially expressed genes in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains, as well as Plasmodium vivax primaquine sensitive and primaquine resistant strains. The raw RNA sequence data were obtained from the NCBI SRA database using the Accession IDs PRJNA308455, SRR14191963, and SRR332573.

Results and discussion. The sequence of raw RNA was quantified, mapped, and annotated. The total number of reads mapped to the reference genome for Plasmodium falciparum was found to be 45474448 and for Plasmodium vivax was 38226870. The Cufflinks-Cuffdiff tool was used to identify differentially expressed genes in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax sensitive and resistant strains. This differentially expressed gene was further annotated and plotted using the "Limma" package of Bioconductor. The PPI network was constructed in String Database and Cytoscape software. Pathway enrichment analysis of list differentially expressed gene performed using KEGG and GO tool.

Conclusion. In sensitive and resistant strains, comparative transcriptome analysis revealed differentially regulated gene expression patterns.
Development of Celecoxib Granules for Manufacturing of Prolonged Release Celecoxib Capsules and Tablets
Authors: Alkhodri A. , Suslina S. N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction. To reduce frequency of taking celecoxib dosage forms, as a highly effective drugs of the latest generation for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system, it is advisable to develop pharmaceutical dosage form with modified release, which will reduce side effects and costs treatment.

Aim. The purpose of this study was to develop formulations of prolonged release celecoxib granules.

Materials and methods. Experiments were carried out with materials and equipments of the scientific laboratories of the company LEM pharma (Hama, Syria). The physico-chemical and technological properties of the experimental samples of granules and tablets of celecoxib were determined according to the methods of the American Pharmacopoeia USP 41 NF 36 edition.

Results and discussion. The choice of excipients, in particular, cellulosic polymers to control releasing celecoxib was carried out. The compositions of six model samples of celecoxib granules were proposed. The technological characteristics of the samples of granules (index Hausner, Carr ratio, Particle size distribution and moisture content) have been determined, using a dissolution test, their suitability for obtaining capsules and matrix tablets of prolonged release has been established.

Conclusion. The compositions of granules celecoxib with modified release are developed, which can be used to obtain capsules, as well as matrix tablets as the final pharmaceutical form.
Development of Effervescent Granules with Solid Dispersion of Furazolidone
Authors: Elagina A. O. , Beliatskaya A. V. , Krasnyuk (Jr.) I. I. , Krasnyuk I. I. , Stepanova O. I. , Vorob'yov A. N. , Fateeva T. V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction. Treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases demands active substances (AS), characterized by low resistance of microorganisms, high specificity of the mechanism of action and a wide range of antimicrobial activity. Though furazolidone (FZ) – AS meets these criteria, however, practically insolubility in water significantly limits its use. Use of the solid dispersion method (SD) could increase the solubility and dissolution rate of AS with low water solubility. revious studies indicate an increase in the solubility and dissolution rate of FZ in water from SD with polyvinylpyrrolidone-24 000 (PVP-24 000) in a ratio with AS > 6 : 1 by weight. As a result, it becomes possible to introduce SD FZ into the composition of rapidly dissolving effervescent dosage forms, for example, granules for obtaining solutions for external use for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Aim. Development of the composition and technology for producing effervescent granules based on solid dispersions of FZ for obtaining a solution for external use.

Materials and methods. FZ substance, polyvinylpyrrolidone-24 000 ± 2000 (PVP-24 000 ± 2000), tartaric acid, malic acid, sodium carbonate anhydrous, ethyl alcohol 96 %, purified water. We provided the granules through fluidized bed granulation. The analysis of the obtained granules included the following parameters: description, granule size, loss in mass on drying, disintegration, uniformity of dosage according to GPМ 1.4.1.0004.15 "Granules". Then followed a qualitative and quantitative determination of AS and analysis of the pH of the aqueous solution of the granules. To study the stability and shelf life of the samples of granules, we laid them to the storage in accordance with GPМ 1.10009.15 "Stability and shelf life of drugs".

Results and discussion. We developed he composition and technology of FZ effervescent granules for obtaining a solution for external use. Granules are obtained by separate granulation of the main (containing a SD AS) and acid components, followed by mixing in ratios that provide a solution of FZ with a concentration of 0.004 % in water at room temperature. Later we assessed the quality of the obtained compositions and determined, the shelf life (2 years) and storage conditions (in a dry, dark place at a temperature of 25 °C) of the developed compositions of granules.

Conclusion. As a result of technological and chemical-pharmaceutical research using the SD method, we developed a new FZ dosage form – effervescent granules, which makes it possible to obtain an aqueous solution with a concentration of FZ 0.004 % in less than 5 minutes without heating. Based on the results of the work, an application was filed with Rospatent No. 2021105988 dated 10.03.2021, "Fast-dissolving dosage form of furazolidone and a method for its production".
Determination of Optimal Technological Conditions for the Process of Production a Liposomal Dosage Form of Cyphetrylin
Authors: Dmitrieva M. V. , Orlova O. L. , Lantsova A. V. , Krasnyuk I. I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction. The Laboratory for the development of dosage forms of the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation has developed a composition of an injectable liposomal dosage form based on soybean phosphatidylcholine, a hydrophobic analog of the hypothalamic hormone somatostatin − cyphetrylin, intended for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.

Aim. Determination of optimal technological conditions for the process of obtaining a liposomal dosage form of cyphetrylin.

Materials and methods. The study used the substance cyphetrylin synthesized in the of Chemical Synthesis Laboratory of the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation; soybean phosphatidylcholine S PC and polyethylene glycol-2000-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine, produced by Lipoid GmbH (Germany); cholesterol ≥99 % (Sigma-Aldrich, Japan). For the preparation of phospholipid vesicles loaded with cyphetrylin and "empty", the methods of lipid film hydration with subsequent extrusion or homogenization of the dispersion of multi-layer liposomes were used. The obtained liposomal samples were evaluated by quality indicators − the effectiveness of the inclusion of cyphetrylin in vesicles, their average size and surface charge (zeta potential), the viscosity of the dispersion. To evaluate these characteristics, the methods of spectrophotometry, laser scattering spectroscopy, determination of the electrophoretic mobility of particles and viscometry were used.

Results and discussion. It was found that the most suitable organic solvent for obtaining a solution of cyphetrylin and lipid components of the dosage form is chloroform. The duration of the drying period of the lipid film under vacuum to remove the residual solvent is determined by the ratio of the volume of the distillation flask used and the mass of its loading its loading. At the same time, hydration off the lipid film with water for injection should be carried out under conditions of low-pressure and room temperature. To obtain a dispersion of single-layer cyphetrylin liposomes of the required size, an extrusion method using nylon and polycarbonate membranes with a filter pore diameter of 0.22 and 0.2 um, respectively, was chosen.

Conclusion. The optimal technological conditions for the process of obtaining a liposomal dosage form in the form of a dispersion of a hydrophobic analog of the hypothalamic hormone somatostatin − cyphetrylin are determined.
Calidad del turismo sostenible desde la perspectiva del cliente
Authors: Suárez Blanco María Macarena
Published: February 2022

Debido a la importancia económica que tiene en Uruguay, el turismo debería ser una actividad sostenible para la rentabilidad de las empresas, así como para la ecología y la cultura; incluso, desde la óptica de la economía verde, debería serlo también para la sociedad en general y la comunidad. Hoy, el turista exige propuestas de calidad; lo que supone que además de brindar el servicio de alojamiento, gastronomía y entretenimientos, el turismo debe considerar todos los factores antes mencionados, sin lo que no se lograría la plena satisfacción del servicio. La toma de decisiones del cliente será mejor en la medida en que se jerarquicen las alternativas.
Evaluasi Sistem Manajemen Informasi Objek Pajak (SISMIOP) Sebagai Sarana Pelayanan Penerimaan Pajak Bumi Dan Bangunan Di Kota Baubau
Authors: Awaluddin Ishak , Sulvariany Tamburaka Sulvariany , Ayu Lestari Widya
Published: February 2022

The research objective is to determine the implementation of the Tax Object Management Information System (SISMIOP) at Baubau city. This study uses primary data and secondary data using the Guttman scale as a measurement scale. The analytical method used in this research is descriptive analysis.The results showed the implementation of the Tax Object Information Management System (SISMIOP) in the city of Baubau which is a system used by the Financial, Asset and Regional Revenue Management Section of the Land and Building Tax (PBB) sector has been implemented quite well. Can be seen from the system that can accommodate or run the entire existing UN channel process with the support of adequate equipment, competent workforce as well as the compliance and discipline of users.
Penerapan Akad Murabahah Pada Produk Pembiayaan Pensiun Di BRI Syariah Cabang Kendari
Authors: Sulvariany Tamburaka Sulvariany , Abdullah Muntu , Faisal Syafila Binti
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was to know the suitability of application akad murabahahin BRI Syariah Branch Kendari withFatwa of National Sharia Concil Number: 04 / DSNMUI / 1V / 2000for understand and analyze the suitabilityof murabahah accounting treatment in BRI Syariah Branch Kendari with PSAK 102. The studyused descriptive qualitative method.The results study showed that the bank represented the client about asset acquisition. At the time of the akad, akad Wakalah and akad Murabahah had been signature at same time. Although the goods (objects of Murabahah) mentioned in the akad do not exist or have not become the legal property of the bank.BRI Syariah Branch Kendari break the PSAK 102 of 2007 because did not to carry out the duty as a seller but as a conventional debt provider. Thetreatment of murabaha accounting based on PSAK 102 at BRI Syariah Branch Kendari in this casethe admission of murabaha assets was appropriate, that wasavowed as the acquisition value. Presentation of akad murabahah financial statement wasagree with PSAK 102, BRI Syariah presents murabahah receivable ofnet value that is value of murabahah receivable after deducting with the allowance loss reserves. The reveal of Akad Murabahah in BRI Syariah that was notagree with PSAK 102 regarding murabahah accounting, because BRI Syariah does not reveal from the purchaser side but only reveal from the seller side.Based on the results of the study concluded that the application of akad murabaha on pension financing products in BRI Syariah Branch Kendari implemented by including the akad wakalah. In the merging of akad BRI Syariah was not agree with the DSN-MUI fatwa No.4 of 2000 about general stipulations of murabaha in syariah bank at point 4 and point 9. BRI Syariah Branch Kendari break the PSAK 102 of 2007 because did not to carry out the duty as a seller but as a conventional debt provider. Accounting treatment which includes admission of murabaha assets, presentation and disclosure was in accordance with PSAK 102.
Interferência da habilidade de escrita no resultado do teste de Cloze por razão fixa Impact of writing skills on the fixed-ratio Cloze test scores
Authors: Ferraz Adriana Satico , De Brito Cunha Neide , Santos Acácia Aparecida Angeli
Published: February 2022

O teste de Cloze é amplamente utilizado na avaliação da compreensão de leitura de escolares. Estudos indicam que os resultados do Cloze por razão fixa se relacionam com a escrita, sugerindo que esse formato é dependente dessa habilidade linguística. Destarte, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a interferência dos erros na escrita para o desempenho no teste de Cloze por razão fixa. Participaram deste estudo 1842 alunos, provenientes das cinco regiões brasileiras, matriculados em escolas públicas do Ensino Fundamental I (3º ao 5º ano). Os instrumentos utilizados foram os testes de Cloze “A princesa e o Fantasma” e “Uma vingança infeliz”, e a Escala de Avaliação da Escrita. Como resultados, a modelagem por equações estruturais indicou que a habilidade de escrita representou mais de 60% da variância explicada dos testes de Cloze. Os alunos que apresentaram maior número de erros na escrita tiveram resultados inferiores no Cloze. A quantidade de erros na escrita predisse o desempenho no teste de Cloze, juntamente com a variável ano escolar. Ambos os testes de Cloze apresentaram estimativas adequadas de fidedignidade. Os resultados corroboram estudos anteriores. São feitas indicações de novos estudos, bem como sugestões para a utilização do teste de Cloze por razão fixa.
Adaptación y normativización del Inventario del Desarrollo Comunicativo Mac Arthur Bates (CDI-Forma II) al español rioplatense
Authors: Resches Mariela - , Querejeta Maira , Kohan Cortada Ana , Laguens Ana
Published: February 2022

En este trabajo se presenta la adaptación al español rioplatense de la Forma II de los Inventarios del Desarrollo Comunicativo Mac Arthur-Bates (CDI), destinado a evaluar el vocabulario expresivo y las habilidades morfosintácticas entre los 16 y los 30 meses. Se expone, en primer lugar, el procedimiento de adaptación del instrumento. En segundo lugar, se presentan algunas evidencias de su fiabilidad y validez, al tiempo que se describen las principales tendencias evolutivas encontradas tras la aplicación del inventario a una muestra de 726 madres y/o padres de niños y niñas de las edades arriba mencionadas. Los resultados indican, en primer lugar, que   la versión rioplatense del CDI presenta elevados niveles de consistencia interna y de representatividad de sus ítems léxicos. En segundo lugar, las trayectorias del desarrollo léxico y gramatical observadas se han mostrado sensibles a los cambios en relación con la edad, de modo comparable al de otras adaptaciones del CDI. Al mismo tiempo, se han encontrado correlaciones moderadas y significativas entre el aumento del vocabulario y la complejidad morfosintáctica, aún después de controlar el efecto de la edad. Por último, se ha observado un efecto significativo del nivel educativo materno sobre el tamaño del léxico expresivo y la longitud media de las primeras frases. Se concluye que la versión rioplatense del CDI representa una contribución necesaria y promisoria para la evaluación del lenguaje temprano en el contexto sudamericano.
Efectos de variar la presentación de las instrucciones en la Tarea Torre de Londres
Authors: Cepeda Islas María Luisa , Hickman Rodríguez Hortensia , Moreno Rodríguez Diana , Arroyo Hernández Rosalinda , Ruiz Méndez David
Published: February 2022

El efecto de las instrucciones sobre la conducta de los sujetos en situaciones experimentales ha sido un tema de interés en el análisis de la conducta. La variación de su contenido, como la especificidad y la precisión, son factores que han mostrado tener efectos sistemáticos en la adquisición de comportamientos complejos en periodos breves de tiempo. Se ha especulado que el aprendizaje observacional puede ser considerado, funcionalmente, como una instancia del control instruccional. En esta medida, es de interés comparar esta modalidad de instrucción con instrucciones escritas en una situación de laboratorio. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos de variar la presentación de las instrucciones en: 1) instrucciones escritas 2) una demostración visual y 2) una demostración visual más regla de operación; utilizando la tarea de la torre de Londres. Se utilizó un diseño de grupo. Participaron treinta adultos y treinta niños, seleccionados por un muestreo no probabilístico. Los resultados mostraron que, tanto para niños como adultos, el grupo con instrucciones leídas tuvo un incremento en las respuestas correctas durante las pruebas de transferencia mientras que, en las otras condiciones, las respuestas correctas bajaron en estas fases. Por otro lado, los reportes verbales sobre la ejecución de la tarea se ubicaron en un nivel concreto y hubo poca correspondencia entre el efecto de las instrucciones y el reporte verbal de los participantes. Se concluye, señalando la necesidad de más experimentación enfocada en analizar la naturaleza de la tarea experimental.
Role of Subsurface Geo-Energy Pilot and Demonstration Sites in Delivering Net Zero
Authors: Stephenson M. H. , Manning D. A. C. , Spence M. J. , Stalker L. , Shipton Z. K. , Monaghan A. A.
Published: February 2022

Recent research suggests that the effects of climate change are already tangible, making the requirement for net zero more pressing than ever. New emissions targets have been announced in April 2021 by various governments, including by the United Kingdom, United States, and China, prior to the Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. Part of the solution for net zero will be geo-energy technologies in the subsurface, these include: mine water geothermal, aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), enhanced geothermal systems and other thermal storage options, compressed air energy storage (CAES), and carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) including bioenergy CCS (BECCS). Subsurface net zero technologies have been studied by geologists at laboratory scale and with models, but also require testing at greater-than laboratory scale and in representative conditions not reproducible in laboratories and models. Test, pilot and demonstration facilities aid rock characterisation process understanding and up-scaling, and thereby provide a bridge between laboratory testing and computer modelling and full-scale operation. Examples of test sites that have progressed technology development include the Otway International Test Centre (Australia, CCS) and the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (Sweden, geological radioactive waste disposal). These sites have provided scale up for key research questions allowing science issues of relevance to regulation, licencing and permitting to be examined at scale in controlled environments. Successful operations at such sites allow research to be seen at first hand to inform the public, regulators, supply chain companies and investors that such technologies can work safely and economically. A Geological Society conference on the “Role of subsurface research labs in delivering net zero” in February 2021 considered the value of test sites and gaps in their capability. Gaps were identified in two areas: 1) test facilities to aid the design of low cost, high resolution, unobtrusive seismic and other monitoring for a seismically noisy urban environment with a sensitive human population, for example for ATES in urban areas; and 2) a dedicated through-fault zone test site to understand fault transmissivity and reactivation. Conference participants also recommended investment and development in test sites, shared facilities and risk, joint strategies, data interoperability and international collaboration.
DJExpress: An Integrated Application for Differential Splicing Analysis and Visualization
Authors: Gallego-Paez Lina Marcela , Mauer Jan
Published: February 2022

RNA-seq analysis of alternative pre-mRNA splicing has facilitated an unprecedented understanding of transcriptome complexity in health and disease. However, despite the availability of countless bioinformatic pipelines for transcriptome-wide splicing analysis, the use of these tools is often limited to expert bioinformaticians. The need for high computational power, combined with computational outputs that are complicated to visualize and interpret present obstacles to the broader research community. Here we introduce DJExpress, an R package for differential expression analysis of transcriptomic features and expression-trait associations. To determine gene-level differential junction usage as well as associations between junction expression and molecular/clinical features, DJExpress uses raw splice junction counts as input data. Importantly, DJExpress runs on an average laptop computer and provides a set of interactive and intuitive visualization formats. In contrast to most existing pipelines, DJExpress can handle both annotated and de novo identified splice junctions, thereby allowing the quantification of novel splice events. Moreover, DJExpress offers a web-compatible graphical interface allowing the analysis of user-provided data as well as the visualization of splice events within our custom database of differential junction expression in cancer (DJEC DB). DJEC DB includes not only healthy and tumor tissue junction expression data from TCGA and GTEx repositories but also cancer cell line data from the DepMap project. The integration of DepMap functional genomics data sets allows association of junction expression with molecular features such as gene dependencies and drug response profiles. This facilitates identification of cancer cell models for specific splicing alterations that can then be used for functional characterization in the lab. Thus, DJExpress represents a powerful and user-friendly tool for exploration of alternative splicing alterations in RNA-seq data, including multi-level data integration of alternative splicing signatures in healthy tissue, tumors and cancer cell lines.
Effects of Plant Extracts on Dentin Bonding Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhao Shikai , Hua Fang , Yan Jiarong , Yang Hongye , Huang Cui
Published: February 2022

Objective: To systematically review in vitro studies that evaluated the effects of plant extracts on dentin bonding strength.

Materials and Methods: Six electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, VIP, CNKI, Wanfang and The Cochrane Library) were searched from inception to September 2021 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). In vitro studies that compared the performance of dental adhesives with and without the plant extracts participation were included. The reference lists of the included studies were manually searched. Two researchers carried out study screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment, independently and in duplicate. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3.

Results: A total of 62 studies were selected for full-text analysis. 25 articles used the plant extracts as primers, while five added the plant extracts into adhesives. The meta-analysis included 14 articles of in vitro studies investigating the effects of different plant extract primers on dentin bonding strength of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives, respectively. The global analysis showed statistically significant difference between dental adhesives with and without plant extract primers. It showed that the immediate bond strength of dental adhesives was improved with the application of plant extract primers.

Conclusion: The application of proanthocyanidin (PA) primers have positive effect on the in vitro immediate bonding strength of dental adhesives irrespective of etch-and-rinse or self-etch modes.
Methodology Maps for Model-Based Sensor-Data Interpretation to Support Civil-Infrastructure Management
Authors: Pai Sai G. S. , Smith Ian F. C.
Published: February 2022

With increasing urbanization and depleting reserves of raw materials for construction, sustainable management of existing infrastructure will be an important challenge in this century. Structural sensing has the potential to increase knowledge of infrastructure behavior and improve engineering decision making for asset management. Model-based methodologies such as residual minimization (RM), Bayesian model updating (BMU) and error-domain model falsification (EDMF) have been proposed to interpret monitoring data and support asset management. Application of these methodologies requires approximations and assumptions related to model class, model complexity and uncertainty estimations, which ultimately affect the accuracy of data interpretation and subsequent decision making. This paper introduces methodology maps in order to provide guidance for appropriate use of these methodologies. The development of these maps is supported by in-house evaluations of nineteen full-scale cases since 2016 and a two-decade assessment of applications of model-based methodologies. Nineteen full-scale studies include structural identification, fatigue-life assessment, post-seismic risk assessment and geotechnical-excavation risk quantification. In some cases, much, previously unknown, reserve capacity has been quantified. RM and BMU may be useful for model-based data interpretation when uncertainty assumptions and computational constraints are satisfied. EDMF is a special implementation of BMU. It is more compatible with usual uncertainty characteristics, the nature of typically available engineering knowledge and infrastructure evaluation concepts than other methodologies. EDMF is most applicable to contexts of high magnitudes of uncertainties, including significant levels of model bias and other sources of systematic uncertainty. EDMF also provides additional practical advantages due to its ease of use and flexibility when information changes. In this paper, such observations have been leveraged to develop methodology maps. These maps guide users when selecting appropriate methodologies to interpret monitoring information through reference to uncertainty conditions and computational constraints. This improves asset-management decision making. These maps are thus expected to lead to lower maintenance costs and more sustainable infrastructure compared with current practice.
Charge Photogeneration and Recombination in Fluorine-Substituted Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Rong , Liu Yurong , Peng Jun , Jiang Jianjun , Qing Mengyao , He Xiaochuan , Huo Ming-Ming , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2022

In this contribution, we studied the effect of fluorine substitution on photogenerated charge generation, transport, and recombination in polymer solar cells. Two conjugated polymer materials, PBDTTT-E (fluorine free) and PTB7 (one fluorine substitution), were compared thoroughly. Meanwhile, various characterization techniques, including atomic force microscopy, steady-state spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy, spectroelectrochemistry, and electrical measurements, were employed to analyse the correlation between molecular structure and device performance. The results showed that the influence of fluorine substitution on both the exciton binding energy of the polymer and the carrier recombination dynamics in the ultrafast timescale on the polymer was weak. However, we found that the fluorine substitution could enhance the exciton lifetime in neat polymer film, and it also could increase the mobility of photogenerated charge. Moreover, it was found that the SOMO energy level distribution of the donor in a PTB7:PC71BM solar cell could facilitate hole transport from the donor/acceptor interface to the inner of the donor phase, showing a better advantage than the PBDTTT-E:PC71BM solar cell. Therefore, fluorine substitution played a critical role for high-efficiency polymer solar cells.
Predictors and Outcomes of Healthcare-Associated Infections Caused by Carbapenem-Nonsusceptible Enterobacterales: A Parallel Matched Case-Control Study
Authors: Hoo Grace S. R. , Cai Yiying , Quek Yan Ching , Teo Jocelyn Q. , Choudhury Saugata , Koh Tse Hsien , Lim Tze Peng , Marimuthu Kalisvar , Ng Oon Tek , Kwa Andrea L.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The increasing incidence of carbapenem-nonsusceptible Enterobacterales as major pathogens in healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is of paramount concern. To implement effective prevention strategies against carbapenem-nonsusceptible Enterobacterales (CnSE) HAIs, it is crucial to identify modifiable factors associated with these infections. We identified risk factors for CnSE-HAIs, and compared clinical outcomes of CnSE-HAI and carbapenem-sensitive Enterobacterales (CSE)-HAI patients.

Methods

We conducted a multi-centre parallel matched case-control study in two 1700-bedded Singapore acute-care hospitals from 2014–2016. Patients with CnSE-HAIs and CSE-HAIs were compared to a common control group without HAIs (1:1:3 ratio), matched by time-at-risk and patient ward. Carbapenem nonsusceptible was defined as non-susceptibility to either meropenem or imipenem. Presence of healthcare associated infections were defined by the criteria provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Outcomes of CnSE-HAI and CSE-HAI patients were compared using multivariable logistic and cox regression; the models were adjusted for infection and treatment characteristics.

Results

Eighty CnSE-HAI and 80 CSE-HAI patients were matched to 240 patients without HAIs. All CRE-HAIs patients had prior antibiotic exposure, with 44 (55.0%) with prior carbapenem exposure. The most common CnSE-HAIs were intra-abdominal infections (28.8%) and pneumonia (23.8%). The most common CnSE species was Klebsiella spp. (63.8%). In the risk factor analysis, presence of drainage devices [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.19; 95% CI, 1.29 – 3.70] and prior carbapenem exposure (aOR,17.09; 95% CI, 3.06 – 95.43) independently predicted CnSE-HAIs. In the crude outcomes analysis, CnSE-HAI patients had higher all-cause in-hospital mortality and longer time to discharge compared to CSE-HAI patients. After adjusting for differences in receipt of antibiotics with reported susceptibility to the Enterobacterales, there was no significant difference in all-cause in-hospital mortality between the two groups (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 0.86–3.58). Time to discharge remained significantly longer in patients with CnSE-HAI (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51 – 0.98) after adjusting for disease severity, receipt of antibiotics with reported susceptibility and receipt of appropriate source control.

Conclusion

Appropriate management of deep-seated Enterobacterales infections and reducing exposure to carbapenems may reduce risk of CnSE-HAIs in Singapore. Efforts to improve antimicrobial therapy in CnSE-HAI patients may improve patient outcomes.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus Persistence in Porcine Tonsils Is Associated With a Weak Induction of the Innate Immune Response, an Absence of IFNγ mRNA Expression, and a Decreased Frequency of CD4+CD8+ Double-Positive T Cells
Authors: Redant Valerie , Favoreel Herman W. , Dallmeier Kai , Van Campe Willem , De Regge Nick
Published: February 2022

In humans, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) causes a devastating neurotropic disease with high mortality, whereas in pigs, the virus only causes mild symptoms. Besides tropism to the central nervous system, JEV seems to harbor a particular tropism for the tonsils in pigs. This secondary lymphoid organ appears to act as a reservoir for the virus, and we show that it is found up to 21 days post infection at high viral titers. The immune response in the tonsils was studied over time upon intradermal inoculation of pigs. Entry of the virus in the tonsils was accompanied by a significant increase in anti-viral OAS1 and IFNβ mRNA expression. This limited antiviral response was, however, not sufficient to stop JEV replication, and importantly, no IFNγ or innate inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression could be observed. Strikingly, the persistence of JEV in tonsils was also associated with a significant decreased frequency of CD4+CD8+ double-positive T lymphocytes. Furthermore, it is important to note that JEV persistence in tonsils occurred despite a strong induction of the adaptive immune response. JEV-specific antibodies were found after 6 days post infection in serum, and cell-mediated immune responses upon NS3 restimulation of PBMCs from experimentally infected pigs showed that CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells were found to display the most prominent proliferation and IFNγ production among lymphocyte subtypes. Taken together, these results suggest that an inadequate induction of the innate immune response and the absence of an IFNγ antiviral response contribute to the persistence of JEV in the tonsils and is associated with a decrease in the frequency of CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells.
Survivals of Angiography-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Proportion of Intracoronary Imaging at Population Level: The Imaging Paradox
Authors: Ng Andrew Kei-Yan , Ng Pauline Yeung , Ip April , Lam Lap-Tin , Siu Chung-Wah
Published: February 2022

Background

There is a significant disparity between randomized controlled trials and observational studies with respect to any mortality benefit with intracoronary imaging during the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This raises a suspicion that the imaging paradox, in which some operators may become over reliant on imaging and less proficient with angiography-guided PCI, might exist.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study from 14 hospitals under the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017. Participants were patients who underwent first-ever PCI. The association between mortality risks of patients undergoing angiography-guided PCI and three tertiles (low, medium, and high) of the proportion of PCI done under intracoronary imaging guidance at a population level (background imaging rate), were evaluated after confounder adjustment by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

In an adjusted analysis of 11,816 patients undergoing angiography-guided PCI, the risks of all-cause mortality for those were higher in the high-tertile group compared with the low-tertile group (OR, 1.45, 95% CI, 1.10–1.92, P = 0.008), the risks of cardiovascular mortality were higher in the high-tertile group compared with the low-tertile group (OR, 1.51, 95% CI, 1.08–2.13, P = 0.017). The results were consistent with multiple sensitivity analyses. Threshold analysis suggested that the mortality risks of angiography-guided PCI were increased when the proportion of imaging-guided PCI exceeded approximately 50%.

Conclusions

The risks of the all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were higher for patients undergoing angiography-guided PCI in practices with a higher background imaging rate.
Associations of Renalase With Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Chinese Adults
Authors: Wang Yang , Chen Chen , Hu Gui-Lin , Chu Chao , Zhang Xiao-Yu , Du Ming-Fei , Zou Ting , Zhou Qing , Liao Yue-Yuan , Ma Qiong , Wang Ke-Ke , Sun Yue , Wang Dan , Yan Yu , Li Yan , Jia Hao , Niu Ze-Jiaxin , Zhang Xi , Wang Lan , Man Zi-Yue , Gao Wei-Hua , Li Chun-Hua , Zhang Jie , Gao Ke , Li Hui-Xian , Chang John , Desir Gary V. , Lu Wan-Hong , Mu Jian-Jun
Published: February 2022

Objective

Renalase, a novel secretory flavoprotein with amine oxidase activity, is secreted into the blood by the kidneys and is hypothesized to participate in blood pressure (BP) regulation. We investigated the associations of renalase with BP and the risk of hypertension by examining renalase single nucleopeptide polymorphism (SNPs), serum renalase levels, and renal expression of renalase in humans.

Methods

① Subjects (n = 514) from the original Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study cohort were genotyped to investigate the association of renalase SNPs with longitudinal BP changes and the risk of hypertension during 14 years of follow-up. ② Two thousand three hundred and ninety two participants from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort were used to examine the association of serum renalase levels with hypertension. Renalase expression in renal biopsy specimens from 193 patients were measured by immunohistochemistry. ③ Renalase expression was compared in hypertensive vs. normotensive patients.

Results

① SNP rs7922058 was associated with 14-year change in systolic BP, and rs10887800, rs796945, rs1935582, rs2296545, and rs2576178 were significantly associated with 14-year change in diastolic BP while rs1935582 and rs2576178 were associated with mean arterial pressure change over 14 years. In addition, SNPs rs796945, rs1935582, and rs2576178 were significantly associated with hypertension incidence. Gene-based analysis found that renalase gene was significantly associated with hypertension incidence over 14-year follow-up after adjustment for multiple measurements. ② Hypertensive subjects had higher serum renalase levels than normotensive subjects (27.2 ± 0.4 vs. 25.1 ± 0.2 μg/mL). Serum renalase levels and BPs showed a linear correlation. In addition, serum renalase was significantly associated with the risk of hypertension [OR = 1.018 (1.006–1.030)]. ③ The expression of renalase in human renal biopsy specimens significantly decreased in hypertensive patients compared to non-hypertensive patients (0.030 ± 0.001 vs. 0.038 ± 0.004).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that renalase may play an important role in BP progression and development of hypertension.
Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies
Authors: Zhang Heng-Zhi , Shao Bo , Wang Qi-Yu , Wang Yi-Han , Cao Ze-Zhong , Chen Lu-Lu , Sun Jin-Yu , Gu Mu-Feng
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the dose-response association between alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation (AF) risk.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched using keywords related to alcohol and AF from the establishment of databases up to 1 March 2021. Prospective studies examining the impact of alcohol on the risk of AF with hazard ratios (HRs) were included. Restricted cubic spline regression was performed to quantify the dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and AF risk.

Results

Thirteen eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 645,826 participants and 23,079 cases of AF. When compared with non-/seldom-drinkers, the pooled adjusted HRs of AF were 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–1.41) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.96–1.05) for high and low alcohol consumption, respectively. Moderate alcohol intake significantly increased the risk of AF in males (HR, 1.21; 95% CI: 1.10–1.33) but not in females (HR, 1.02; 95% CI: 0.91–1.14). The cubic spline regression analysis illustrated that the risk of AF significantly increased with daily alcohol intake in a Non-linear manner (R2 = 0.64, P = 5.785 × 10−12).

Conclusion

This study revealed a Non-linearly positive association between alcohol intake and the risk of AF. Low alcohol intake was not associated with the development of AF, whereas moderate alcohol intake significantly increased the risk of AF in males but not in females. Our meta-analysis highlighted that alcohol consumption should be restricted to a low level to reduce the risk of AF.