bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sistem Informasi Pendaftaran Pernikahan KUA Kecamatan Medan Baru Berbasis Web
Authors: Sibarani Fathiya Hasyifah , Manurung Sultan Oloan
Published: May 2023

Kantor Urusan Agama (KUA) Kecamatan Medan Baru merupakan salah satu institusi yang berada di bawah naungan Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia. KUA menjalankan beberapa tugas dalam melayani masyarakat, yaitu melayani pendaftaran pernikahan, rujuk, dan perceraian. Permasalahan yang ada pada KUA Kecamatan Medan Baru yaitu pendaftaran pernikahan harus dilakukan secara langsung dengan cara mendatangi KUA, mengisi formulir dengan tulis tangan yang dapat menyebabkan human error, sulitnya mendapatkan informasi yang dibutuhkan karena harus mendatangi KUA, Pegawai membutuhkan waktu yang cukup lama dalam proses pencatatan, pencarian, dan pengarsipan berkas pendaftaran. Saat ini, penyimpanan berkas-berkas pendaftaran masih disimpan dalam bentuk kertas, hal ini membuat pencarian berkas membutuhkan waktu yang lebih lama dan berkas yang sudah lama disimpan menjadi rusak sehingga sulit untuk dibaca ketika dibutuhkan. Hal tersebut membuat proses pendaftaran pernikahan pada KUA menjadi tidak efektif dan efisien. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membangun sebuah sistem informasi pendaftaran pernikahan berbasis web. Sistem informasi ini dibangun dengan menggunakan Rapid Application Development (RAD) sebagai metode pengembangan sistem dan teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah Observasi, Wawancara, dan Studi Literatur. Hasil penelitian ini adalah sebuah sistem informasi pendaftaran pernikahan yang dapat memudahkan proses pendaftaran pernikahan.
Pengaruh Kualitas Wesbite Terhadap Kinerja Bisnis, Studi Kasus Website Travel
Authors: Pribadi Farid Angga
Published: May 2023

Situs web adalah sarana bertukar dan berbagi informasi antar pengguna. Situs web menyampaikan informasi dalam berbagai jenis, bahasa, dan bentuk serta kombinasi teks, gambar, suara, dan video yang dimaksudkan untuk menginformasikan, membujuk, menjual, dan memberikan perspektif atau bahkan mengubah sikap atau keyakinan.

Usability website travel merupakan bagian dari kualitas website yang erat kaitannya dengan kualitas pelayanan yang berdampak pada kepuasan pelanggan. Untuk mengetahui kualitas website, dapat dilakukan ppengukuran. Teori utama yang akan digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah teori WebQual.

Tahap pertama adalah identifikasi faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kualitas website dengan menggunakan domain WebQual dan beberapa domain lainnya yang dihasilkan dari studi literatur. Domain tersebut adalah Kegunaan, Kualitas Informasi, Interaksi Layanan, Fungsionalitas Situs Web, dan Hubungan Pelanggan.

Tujuan dari penelitian adalah mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor yang menjadi prioritas dalam mengukur kualitas website travel. Kemudian, menganalisis kesenjangan antara mengukur kualitas website melalui survei pengguna dengan mengukur kualitas website melalui evaluasi berbasis pakar. Terakhir adalah menganalisis pengaruh kualitas website terhadap kinerja bisnis e-travel.

Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah metode Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Data diproses menggunakan metode AHP dan menghasilkan bobot lokal dan global untuk setiap domain dan parameter pendukungnya.

Hasilnya adalah parameter yang berada pada domain Usability mendominasi dengan urutan Positive Experience (Global Weight: 0.071) pada posisi pertama, parameter Easy To Use (Global Weight: 0.067) dan diketahui bahwa kualitas website berbanding lurus dengan kinerja bisnis. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan website yang menempati posisi pertama dari segi kualitas website sama dengan website yang menempati posisi pertama dari segi kinerja bisnis.
Sistem Pakar Diagnosis Penyakit dan Hama pada Tanaman Padi dengan Metode Forward Chaining
Authors: Zuraida Vit , Kusbianto Deddy , Pahlevi Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2023

Tanaman padi merupakan salah satu tanaman paling penting bagi masyarakat di kawasan Asia karena masih menjadi bahan makanan pokok. Proses penanaman atau pemeliharaan tanaman padi memiliki banyak kendala yang dapat mempengaruhi hasil panen, terutama faktor hama dan penyakit yang beraneka ragam. Padi termasuk tanaman yang sangat rentan terhadap berbagai macam penyakit sehingga jika tidak ditangani dengan cepat dan tepat maka akan berdampak pada hasil panen. Tujuan dari pembuatan sistem pakar ini adalah untuk memudahkan petani dan membantu ahli pertanian untuk melakukan dianosis jenis hama dan penyakit. Metode forward chaining diharapkan dapat  menentukan penyakit atau hama yang tepat melalui proses pemilihan atau pencocokan setiap gejala. Sistem pakar berbasis website yang dikembangkan tidak hanya mendiagnosa penyakit atau hama tetapi juga memberikan rekomendasi solusi untuk petani. Berdasarkan hasil analisa yang dilakukan, sistem pakar ini dapat mendiagnosa penyakit dan hama padi berdasarkan informasi gejala yang muncul dengan tingkat akurasi 87,4%.
Principal Policy Formulation Models Of Learning During Covid-19
Authors: Muslim Moh , Sholihah Ani Maratus , Rahmi Elvi
Published: May 2023

The spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Indonesia has had a crucial impact on educational institutions. To contain the spread of COVID-19, the government has decided to close schools and implement distance education (online). The impact is that not all schools can carry out distance learning activities due to various obstacles and constraints. The purpose of this study is to conduct an in-depth investigation of the formulation of school principal policies in the implementation of Education to deal with the COVID-19 Pandemic. This research uses a qualitative approach with this type of case study. Data is collected through observation techniques, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Data analysis with interactive techniques. The study results concluded that the formulation of the principal's policy includes the following stages: problem formulation, policy agenda, alternative selection, strategic, operational, and determination.
The influence of problem-based learning model on students' ability toward understanding mathematics concepts in the material of linear equations one variable
Authors: Nasution Yuliani , Susanta Agus , Zaili Zam
Published: May 2023

This study aims to determine whether there is an effect of the problem-based learning model on the mathematics subject matter chapter of one-variable linear equations on the ability to understand concepts. This research is quasi-experimental research (quasi-experimental). Implementation of research at the IT Darul Fikri North Bengkulu Private Middle School (SMPS) located on Jl Mayor Salim Batubara Karang Anyar Village 1 Arga Makmur North Bengkulu, with the subjects in the study being students of the IT Darul Fikri North Bengkulu Private Middle School (SMPS) class VII, totaling 44 students. The data collection technique in this study is by using a test instrument. And for the data analysis technique using descriptive analysis, normality test and homogeneity test. Based on the hypothesis, the average value of the posttest shows that the average value of the experimental class is higher than that of the control class. In the experimental class, the posttest average value was 85.59, and in the control class, the posttest average value was 75.91. This means that there is a difference in the average value between the two classes of 9.68. So, it can be concluded that in this study the ability to understand mathematical concepts in the experimental class was better than the control class.
Violencia contra las mujeres en la frontera entre Brasil y Paraguay: legislación y feminismo decolonial
Authors: Staliano Pamela , Mondardo Marcos , Yuri Kaneko Adriana
Published: May 2023

The objective of this article is to analyze violence against women on the border between Brazil (state of Mato Grosso do Sul) and Paraguay (Department of Amambay) through online journalistic reports and the legislation of both countries. From readings of decolonial feminism, it was possible to identify and describe how these information channels give visibility to gender violence on that border. Qualitative research of documentary analysis was carried out with the use of the descriptors women and violence. Femicide is the most recurrent crime in the twin cities; its modus operandi sometimes has characteristics equivalent to execution-type crimes and is usually perpetrated by people close to the victim. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the awareness and visibility of violence against women in this border region.
PENGARUH PEMBERIANRUMPUT GADJAH (Pennisetum Purpureum) dan COMBORAN (AMPAS TAHU, AMPAS SINGKONG/GAMBLONG DAN KONSENTRAT SMG-S20®) TERHADAP PRODUKSI SUSU SAPI FRIESIAN HOLSTEIN (FH)
Authors: Putra Teguh Dwi , Aini2 Lia Nur , Hansah Sulton Aulia
Published: May 2023

Sapi FH memiliki kemampuan memproduksi susu tinggi dengan kadar lemak rendah dibadingkan dengan bangsa sapi perah lainnya. Produksi susu sapi perah di negara asalnya mencapai 6000-8000 kg/ekor/laktasi, di Inggris sekitar 35% dari total produksi sapi perah dapat memproduksi hingga 8069 kg/ekor/laktasi. Produktivitas dipengaruhi oleh pakan, jumlah air minum, umur ternak, interval pemerahan, dan luas kandang. Penelitian ini dilakukan di CV. Karunia Kediri, kec. Gampengrejo, Kediri, Jawa Timur pada tanggal 10 Januari sampai 8 Juli 2018. Data dihimpun melalui observasi secara langsung dan data dianalisis secara deskriptif. Waktu pemberian pakan pada sapi perah laktasi  dilakukan 2 kali sehari pada jam 05.00 dan 11.00. Jumlah pakan hijauan yang diberikan per hari 20 kg. Jumlah sampel adalah 30 ekor, jadi jumlah pakan yang diberikan adalah 600 kg/hari. Jumlah sisa pakan di ambil setiap 5 hari sekali, 5 hari pertama sampai terahir yang paling banyak pakan sisanya ada pada 5 hari pertama yaitu 23 kg. Dari sekian jumlah pakan hijauan yang diberikan pada sapi perah laktasi hanya 96% yang dimakan. Pakan hijauan diberikan sebanyak 20 kg/hari dan comboran sebanyak 42 kg/hari. Rata-rata sapi perah laktasi di CV. Karunia kediri menghasilkan kurang dari 10 liter/hari.
Determination of the Plasma Levels of Growth Arrest Specific 6 in Colon Cancer Patients
Authors: TEZCAN Songul , İZZETTİN Fikret , BİNGÖL ÖZAKPINAR Özlem , ATTAALLAH Vafi , YUMUK Perran , URAS Fikriye
Published: May 2023

Objective: Growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS 6) has a role in cell proliferation and was detected in different cancer types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma GAS 6 levels in colon cancer patients.

Methods: This was a prospective study and conducted in a research and training hospital in Turkey. Thirty-three healthy volunteers were enrolled in the control group, thirty-three colon cancer patients who were diagnosed with colon cancer for the first time. Sociodemographic characteristics of participants were recorded. Blood samples of the control group were taken once a time. Patients’ blood samples were taken before and one month after surgery.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the sociodemographic characteristics of the two groups. The mean plasma GAS 6 levels in control were significantly higher than that of colon cancer patients (p
Examination of Factors Affecting the Tendency of Intensive Care Nurses Towards Medical Errors: A Multicenter Study in Turkey
Authors: TEPEHAN ERASLAN Selma , BOZKURT Gülçin
Published: May 2023

Objective: This study aimed to examine the factors affecting the tendency of intensive care nurses towards medical errors.

Methods: The data of this descriptive and cross-sectional were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Medical Error Trend Scale in Nursing. The population of the study consisted of a total of 647 intensive care unit nurses who worked at two research and training hospitals located in the province of Istanbul and one university hospital located in the province of Edirne. The inclusion criterion was being a registered nurse working in intensive care units for at least two months, and it was aimed to reach the entire population. The sample included 349 nurses (participation rate: 53.12%) who completed the questionnaire.

Results: While76.5% of the participants were female, their mean age was 28.96±5.70 years, and 73.4% had graduated from universities. The order of significance of the four independent variables, which were determined to have significant effects on the Medical Error Trend Scale in Nursing scores of the participants, was satisfaction with working in the intensive care unit, the number of patients per nurse, having an intensive care nurse certificate, and weekly working hours.

Conclusion: The tendencies of the nurses who worked for 40 hours per week, those who were satisfied with working in the intensive care unit, those who provided care for 1 or 2 patients per day, and those who had an intensive care nurse certificate towards medical errors were lower in comparison to the others.
Мария Шерстюкова: к 200-летию преставления основательницы Белогорской пещеры
Authors: Степкин Виталий Викторович
Published: May 2023

Поводом к написанию статьи стала знаменательная дата: 200-летие со дня кончины подвижницы благочестия Марии Константиновны Шерстюковой, основательницы Белогорской пещеры в Воронежской губ., самого протяженного культового подземелья в Восточной Европе. Целью исследования является рассмотрение формирования культа Марии-пещерницы на различных этапах истории Русской Православной Церкви. В работе рассматривается исторический контекст событий, связанных с основанием Белогорской пещеры в 1796 г. в меловом склоне долины реки Дон; анализируются различные архивные варианты биографии Марии Шерстюковой; затрагиваются народные легенды о Марии-пещернице; изучается развитие культа подвижницы благочестия, выясняется отношение к ней сегодня в Белогорском Воскресенском монастыре. Делается вывод об устоявшейся народной и церковной традиции почитания данной подвижницы благочестия.
The article was written on the occasion of a memorable date: the 200th anniversary year from the death of Maria Konstantinovna Sherstjukova, who was a pious hermit and a founder of Belogorye cave in Voronezh region, the longest cult caves in Eastern Europe. The research objective is to consider Maria’s cult as a cave digger on different stages of the Russian Orthodox Church. The research paper deals with historical context of events connected with Belogorye cave foundation in 1796 in a chalk hillside of the Don river valley; analyzes different archival variants of Maria Sherstjukova’s biography; addresses folk tales about cave digger Maria; studies the development of the pious hermit cult, explores today attitude to her in Belogorie Resurrection Monastery. It is concluded about an established folk and church tradition to acknowledge the pious hermit.
Ценности православия в контексте модернизационных процессов современности
Authors: Цеханская Кира Владимировна
Published: May 2023

В статье раскрываются и анализируются современные процессы модернистских преобразований в православной церковной среде. Затронуты проблемы антиканоничных подходов к традиционной молитвенной практике. Особое внимание уделено реформистским трактовкам таинств исповеди и причастия, а также неуставным, а потому сомнительным нововведениям в канонически догматические тексты Типикона. В работе вскрыты и актуализированы основные векторы обновленческого движения внутри Русской Православной Церкви.
The article reveals and analyzes the current processes of modernist transformations in the Orthodox church environment. The problems of anti-canonical approaches to traditional prayer practice are touched upon. Special attention is paid to the reformist interpretations of the sacraments of Confession and Communion, as well as non-statutory, and therefore questionable innovations in the canonical and dogmatic texts of the Typicon. The paper reveals and actualizes the main vectors of the renovationist movement within the Russian Orthodox Church.
Auranofin coated catheters inhibit bacterial and fungal biofilms in a murine subcutaneous model
Authors: Felix LewisOscar , Whitely Cutler , Tharmalingam Nagendran , Mishra Biswajit , Vera-Gonzalez Noel , Mylonakis Eleftherios , Shukla Anita , Fuchs Beth Burgwyn
Published: May 2023

Microbe entry through catheter ports can lead to biofilm accumulation and complications from catheter-related bloodstream infection and ultimately require antimicrobial treatment and catheter replacement. Although strides have been made with microbial prevention by applying standardized antiseptic techniques during catheter implantation, both bacterial and fungal microbes can present health risks to already sick individuals. To reduce microbial adhesion, murine and human catheters were coated with polyurethane and auranofin using a dip coating method and compared to non-coated materials. Upon passage of fluid through the coated material in vitro, flow dynamics were not impacted. The unique antimicrobial properties of the coating material auranofin has shown inhibitory activity against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and fungi such as Candida albicans. Auranofin coating on catheters at 10mg/mL reduced C. albicans accumulation in vitro from 2.0 x 108 to 7.8 x 105 CFU for mouse catheters and from 1.6 x 107 to 2.8 x 106 for human catheters, showing an impact to mature biofilms. Assessment of a dual microbe biofilm on auranofin-coated catheters resulted in a 2-log reduction in S. aureus and a 3-log reduction in C. albicans compared to uncoated catheters. In vivo assessment in a murine subcutaneous model demonstrated that catheters coated with 10 mg/mL auranofin reduced independent S. aureus and C. albicans accumulation by 4-log and 1-log, respectively, compared to non-coated catheters. In conclusion, the auranofin-coated catheters demonstrate proficiency at inhibiting multiple pathogens by decreasing S. aureus and C. albicans biofilm accumulation.
Construction of a fecal immune-related protein-based biomarker panel for colorectal cancer diagnosis: a multicenter study
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zuo Lugen , Li Jing , Geng Zhijun , Ge Sitang , Song Xue , Wang Yueyue , Zhang Xiaofeng , Wang Lian , Zhao Tianhao , Deng Min , Chai Damin , Wang Qiusheng , Yang Zi , Liu Quanli , Qiu Quanwei , He Xuxu , Yang Yiqun , Ge Yuanyuan , Wu Rong , Zheng Lin , Li Jianjun , Chen Runkai , Sun Jialiang , Hu Jianguo
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To explore fecal immune-related proteins that can be used for colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis.

Patients and methods

Three independent cohorts were used in present study. In the discovery cohort, which included 14 CRC patients and 6 healthy controls (HCs), label-free proteomics was applied to identify immune-related proteins in stool that could be used for CRC diagnosis. Exploring potential links between gut microbes and immune-related proteins by 16S rRNA sequencing. The abundance of fecal immune-associated proteins was verified by ELISA in two independent validation cohorts and a biomarker panel was constructed that could be used for CRC diagnosis. The validation cohort I included 192 CRC patients and 151 HCs from 6 different hospitals. The validation cohort II included 141 CRC patients, 82 colorectal adenoma (CRA) patients, and 87 HCs from another hospital. Finally, the expression of biomarkers in cancer tissues was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

In the discovery study, 436 plausible fecal proteins were identified. And among 67 differential fecal proteins (|log2 fold change| > 1, P< 0.01) that could be used for CRC diagnosis, 16 immune-related proteins with diagnostic value were identified. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed a positive correlation between immune-related proteins and the abundance of oncogenic bacteria. In the validation cohort I, a biomarker panel consisting of five fecal immune-related proteins (CAT, LTF, MMP9, RBP4, and SERPINA3) was constructed based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate logistic regression. The biomarker panel was found to be superior to hemoglobin in the diagnosis of CRC in both validation cohort I and validation cohort II. The IHC result showed that protein expression levels of these five immune-related proteins were significantly higher in CRC tissue than in normal colorectal tissue.

Conclusion

A novel biomarker panel consisting of fecal immune-related proteins can be used for the diagnosis of CRC.
Failure to decrease HbA1c levels following TB treatment is associated with elevated Th1/Th17 CD4+ responses
Authors: Krause Robert , Warren Christian M. , Simmons Joshua D. , Rebeiro Peter F. , Maruri Fernanda , Karim Farina , Sterling Timothy R. , Koethe John R. , Leslie Al , van der Heijden Yuri F.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The rising global burden of metabolic disease impacts the control of endemic tuberculosis (TB) in many regions, as persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) are up to three times more likely to develop active TB than those without DM. Active TB can also promote glucose intolerance during both acute infection and over a longer term, potentially driven by aspects of the immune response. Identifying patients likely to have persistent hyperglycemia following TB treatment would enable closer monitoring and care, and an improved understanding of underlying immunometabolic dysregulation.

Methods

We measured the relationship of plasma cytokine levels, T cell phenotypes and functional responses with the change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) before and after treatment of pulmonary TB in a prospective observational cohort in Durban, South Africa. Participants were stratified based on stable/increased HbA1c (n = 16) versus decreased HbA1c (n = 46) levels from treatment initiation to 12 month follow-up.

Results

CD62 P-selectin was up- (1.5-fold) and IL-10 downregulated (0.85-fold) in plasma among individuals whose HbA1c remained stable/increased during TB treatment. This was accompanied by increased pro-inflammatory TB-specific IL-17 production (Th17). In addition, Th1 responses were upregulated in this group, including TNF-α production and CX3CR1 expression, with decreased IL-4 and IL-13 production. Finally, the TNF-α+ IFNγ+ CD8+ T cells were associated with stable/increased HbA1c. These changes were all significantly different in the stable/increased HbA1c relative to the decreased HbA1c group.

Discussion

Overall, these data suggest that patients with stable/increased HbA1c had an increased pro-inflammatory state. Persistent inflammation and elevated T cell activity in individuals with unresolved dysglycemia following TB treatment may indicate failure to fully resolve infection or may promote persistent dysglycemia in these individuals, and further studies are needed to explore potential mechanisms.
A fibroblast-associated signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell cancer
Authors: Ren Qianhe , Zhang Pengpeng , Zhang Xiao , Feng Yanlong , Li Long , Lin Haoran , Yu Yue
Published: May 2023

Background

Current paradigms of anti-tumor therapies are not qualified to evacuate the malignancy ascribing to cancer stroma’s functions in accelerating tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has been identified significantly correlated with tumor progression and therapy resistance. Thus, we aimed to probe into the CAFs characteristics in esophageal squamous cancer (ESCC) and construct a risk signature based on CAFs to predict the prognosis of ESCC patients.

Methods

The GEO database provided the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. The GEO and TCGA databases were used to obtain bulk RNA-seq data and microarray data of ESCC, respectively. CAF clusters were identified from the scRNA-seq data using the Seurat R package. CAF-related prognostic genes were subsequently identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. A risk signature based on CAF-related prognostic genes was constructed using Lasso regression. Then, a nomogram model based on clinicopathological characteristics and the risk signature was developed. Consensus clustering was conducted to explore the heterogeneity of ESCC. Finally, PCR was utilized to validate the functions that hub genes play on ESCC.

Results

Six CAF clusters were identified in ESCC based on scRNA-seq data, three of which had prognostic associations. A total of 642 genes were found to be significantly correlated with CAF clusters from a pool of 17080 DEGs, and 9 genes were selected to generate a risk signature, which were mainly involved in 10 pathways such as NRF1, MYC, and TGF-Beta. The risk signature was significantly correlated with stromal and immune scores, as well as some immune cells. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the risk signature was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC, and its potential in predicting immunotherapeutic outcomes was confirmed. A novel nomogram integrating the CAF-based risk signature and clinical stage was developed, which exhibited favorable predictability and reliability for ESCC prognosis prediction. The consensus clustering analysis further confirmed the heterogeneity of ESCC.

Conclusion

The prognosis of ESCC can be effectively predicted by CAF-based risk signatures, and a comprehensive characterization of the CAF signature of ESCC may aid in interpreting the response of ESCC to immunotherapy and offer new strategies for cancer treatment.
Differential recognition of influenza A virus H1N1 neuraminidase by DNA vaccine-induced antibodies in pigs and ferrets
Authors: Tingstedt Jeanette Linnea , Stephen Christine , Risinger Christian , Blixt Ola , Gunalan Vithiagaran , Johansen Isik Somuncu , Fomsgaard Anders , Polacek Charlotta , Lassaunière Ria
Published: May 2023

Neuraminidase (NA) accounts for approximately 10-20% of the total glycoproteins on the surface of influenza viruses. It cleaves sialic acids on glycoproteins, which facilitates virus entry into the airways by cleaving heavily glycosylated mucins in mucus and the release of progeny virus from the surface of infected cells. These functions make NA an attractive vaccine target. To inform rational vaccine design, we define the functionality of influenza DNA vaccine-induced NA-specific antibodies relative to antigenic sites in pigs and ferrets challenged with a vaccine-homologous A/California/7/2009(H1N1)pdm09 strain. Sera collected pre-vaccination, post-vaccination and post-challenge were analyzed for antibody-mediated inhibition of NA activity using a recombinant H7N1CA09 virus. Antigenic sites were further identified with linear and conformational peptide microarrays spanning the full NA of A/California/04/2009(H1N1)pdm09. Vaccine-induced NA-specific antibodies inhibited the enzymatic function of NA in both animal models. The antibodies target critical sites of NA such as the enzymatic site, second sialic binding site and framework residues, shown here by high-resolution epitope mapping. New possible antigenic sites were identified that potentially block the catalytic activity of NA, including an epitope recognized solely in pigs and ferrets with neuraminidase inhibition, which could be a key antigenic site affecting NA function. These findings show that our influenza DNA vaccine candidate induces NA-specific antibodies that target known critical sites, and new potential antigenic sites of NA, inhibiting the catalytic activity of NA.
Understanding the breeding phenology of anadromous fish Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) in relation to climatic variables in Brahmaputra River, India
Authors: Borah Simanku , Sahoo Amiya Kumar , Gopinathapillai Vaisakh , Meena Dharmendra Kumar , Jaiswar Ashok Kumar , Deshmukhe Geetanjali , Yadav Anil Kumar , Gogoi Pranab , Mohanty Debasmita , Ramteke Karankumar , Bhattacharjya Birendra Kumar , Das Basanta Kumar
Published: May 2023

The Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha, commands a very high value as food fish. The present study was carried out to understand the breeding phenology of T. ilisha in relation to climatic variables. Monthly fish samples were collected from two landing centres, namely, Uzanbazar (Guwahati) and Shri Ramghat, Dhubri, of River Brahmaputra during May 2018 to April 2019. The assessment of gonadosomatic index (GSI) of T. ilisha revealed higher GSI values during October to February, and showed temporal variations with respect to sex. In males, highest GSI value was observed in the month January followed by February, whereas in females, GSI value was found to be highest in November followed by October. GSI (pooled) value was negatively correlated with air temperature, indicating vulnerability of the species to climate change. The highest percentage of mature males was observed during October–February, and mature females during October–December. The length at first maturity was recorded to be 290 mm for female(s) and 259 mm for male(s). The absolute fecundity ranged from 103,164 to 583,456 ova for fishes in the size range of 229–403 mm, with an average of 250,532 ova per female. Relative fecundity was found to range from 306 to 1096 ova per gram body weight, with an average of 791 ova per gram body weight. The diameter of ova of the studied fishes ranged from 414.6 to 738.2 µm, with a mean value of 546.73 ± 7.18 µm. The percentage frequency distribution of mature ova shows a distinct single peak or mode. Sex ratio (male: female) was found to be 1:0.87, indicating dominance of males over females. The chi-square test on observed sex ratio against the hypothetical ratio of 1:1 did not reveal a significant difference (p > 0.05). The findings of the present study can provide impetus toward successful management of this highly prized, transboundary, and migratory resource of River Brahmaputra, in the context of changing climate.
Mathematical prediction with pretreatment growth rate of metastatic cancer on outcomes: implications for the characterization of oligometastatic disease
Authors: Shin Yerim , Chang Jee Suk , Kim Yeseul , Shin Sang Joon , Kim Jina , Kim Tae Hyung , Liu Mitchell , Olson Robert , Kim Jin Sung , Sung Wonmo
Published: May 2023

Background

Oligometastatic disease (OMD) represents an indolent cancer status characterized by slow tumor growth and limited metastatic potential. The use of local therapy in the management of the condition continues to rise. This study aimed to investigate the advantage of pretreatment tumor growth rate in addition to baseline disease burden in characterizing OMDs, generally defined by the presence of ≤ 5 metastatic lesions.

Methods

The study included patients with metastatic melanoma treated with pembrolizumab. Gross tumor volume of all metastases was contoured on imaging before (TP-1) and at the initiation of pembrolizumab (TP0). Pretreatment tumor growth rate was calculated by an exponential ordinary differential equation model using the sum of tumor volumes at TP-1 and TP0 and the time interval between TP-1. and TP0. Patients were divided into interquartile groups based on pretreatment growth rate. Overall survival, progression-free survival, and subsequent progression-free survival were the study outcomes.

Results

At baseline, median cumulative volume and number of metastases were 28.4 cc (range, 0.4-1194.8 cc) and 7 (range, 1-73), respectively. The median interval between TP-1 and TP0 was -90 days and pretreatment tumor growth rate (×10-2 days-1) was median 4.71 (range -0.62 to 44.1). The slow-paced group (pretreatment tumor growth rate ≤ 7.6 ×10-2 days-1, the upper quartile) had a significantly higher overall survival rate, progression-free survival, and subsequent progression-free survival compared to those of the fast-paced group (pretreatment tumor growth rate > 7.6 ×10-2 days-1). Notably, these differences were prominent in the subgroup with >5 metastases.

Conclusion

Pretreatment tumor growth rate is a novel prognostic metric associated with overall survival, progression-free survival, and subsequent progression-free survival among metastatic melanoma patients, especially patients with >5 metastases. Future prospective studies should validate the advantage of disease growth rate plus disease burden in better defining OMDs.
A genome-wide association study and genomic prediction for Phakopsora pachyrhizi resistance in soybean
Authors: Xiong Haizheng , Chen Yilin , Pan Yong-Bao , Wang Jinshe , Lu Weiguo , Shi Ainong
Published: May 2023

Soybean brown rust (SBR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is a devastating fungal disease that threatens global soybean production. This study conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with seven models on a panel of 3,082 soybean accessions to identify the markers associated with SBR resistance by 30,314 high quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). Then five genomic selection (GS) models, including Ridge regression best linear unbiased predictor (rrBLUP), Genomic best linear unbiased predictor (gBLUP), Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Bayesian LASSO), Random Forest (RF), and Support vector machines (SVM), were used to predict breeding values of SBR resistance using whole genome SNP sets and GWAS-based marker sets. Four SNPs, namely Gm18_57,223,391 (LOD = 2.69), Gm16_29,491,946 (LOD = 3.86), Gm06_45,035,185 (LOD = 4.74), and Gm18_51,994,200 (LOD = 3.60), were located near the reported P. pachyrhizi R genes, Rpp1, Rpp2, Rpp3, and Rpp4, respectively. Other significant SNPs, including Gm02_7,235,181 (LOD = 7.91), Gm02_7234594 (LOD = 7.61), Gm03_38,913,029 (LOD = 6.85), Gm04_46,003,059 (LOD = 6.03), Gm09_1,951,644 (LOD = 10.07), Gm10_39,142,024 (LOD = 7.12), Gm12_28,136,735 (LOD = 7.03), Gm13_16,350,701(LOD = 5.63), Gm14_6,185,611 (LOD = 5.51), and Gm19_44,734,953 (LOD = 6.02), were associated with abundant disease resistance genes, such as Glyma.02G084100, Glyma.03G175300, Glyma.04g189500, Glyma.09G023800, Glyma.12G160400, Glyma.13G064500, Glyma.14g073300, and Glyma.19G190200. The annotations of these genes included but not limited to: LRR class gene, cytochrome 450, cell wall structure, RCC1, NAC, ABC transporter, F-box domain, etc. The GWAS based markers showed more accuracies in genomic prediction than the whole genome SNPs, and Bayesian LASSO model was the ideal model in SBR resistance prediction with 44.5% ~ 60.4% accuracies. This study aids breeders in predicting selection accuracy of complex traits such as disease resistance and can shorten the soybean breeding cycle by the identified markers
Microbial communities of the upper respiratory tract in mild and severe COVID-19 patients: a possible link with the disease course
Authors: Galeeva Julia S. , Starikova Elizaveta V. , Fedorov Dmitry E. , Manolov Alexander I. , Pavlenko Alexander V. , Konanov Dmitry N. , Krivonos Danil V. , Babenko Vladislav V. , Klimina Ksenia M. , Veselovsky Vladimir A. , Morozov Maxim D. , Gafurov Ilshat R. , Gaifullina Raushaniya F. , Govorun Vadim M. , Ilina Elena N.
Published: May 2023

The microbiota of the respiratory tract remains a relatively poorly studied subject. At the same time, it is involved in modulating the immune response to infectious agents in the host organism, just like the intestinal microbiota. A relationship between the composition of the respiratory microbiota and the likelihood of development and the severity of COVID-19 may be assumed. In this study, we applied the 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing to analyze the oropharyngeal swabs from 120 COVID-19 patients collected during the first and the second waves of the COVID-19 epidemic in Russia. Differential abundance analysis with respect to comorbidities suggested association of Neisseria oralis, Neisseria mucosa, unidentified Veillonella spp., Lautropia mirabilis species with more severe lung damage, and Streptococcus salivarius, Capnocytophaga sputigena and Haemophilus parahaemolyticus with a milder course of the disease. We hypothesize that the latter bacteria (or some of them) might be beneficial for the respiratory tract and might be able to alleviate the course of the COVID-19 disease.
Essential Oils as Biopesticide Ingredients
Authors: Gonzalez-Coloma Azucena
Published: May 2023

The Agriculture Special Issue “Biopesticides: The Naturally Originating Plant Protection Products and Biocides”, edited in 2022 by the Special Guest Editor Dra [...]
Computer-Aided Diagnosis System for Breast Ultrasound Reports Generation and Classification Method Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Qin Haojun , Zhang Lei , Guo Quan
Published: May 2023

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies that threaten women’s health. Ultrasound testing is a widespread technique employed for the early detection of tumors. However, after receiving the paper ultrasound report, most patients often have to wait for several days to receive the diagnosis results, which can increase their psychological burden and may cause treatment delay. Based on deep learning, this study designed a computer-aided diagnostic system that directly classifies benign and malignant tumors in breast ultrasound images on paper reports taken by patients, helping them obtain auxiliary diagnostic results as soon as possible. In order to segment and denoise ultrasound report images of patients, this paper proposes a breast ultrasound report generation method, which mainly includes a segmentation model, a rotating classification model and a generative model. With this method, multiple high-quality individual breast ultrasound images can be obtained from a single ultrasound report photo, improving the performance of the breast ultrasound image classification model. In order to utilize high-quality breast ultrasound images and improve classification performance, this paper proposed a breast ultrasound report classification model that includes a feature extraction module, a channel attention module and a classification module. The accuracy of the model reached 89.31%, recall rate reached 88.65%, specificity reached 89.57%, F1 score reached 89.42% and AUC reached 94.53% when input images contained noise. The method proposed in this article is more suitable for practical application scenarios and it can quickly and accurately assist patients in obtaining the benign and malignant classification results of ultrasound reports.
Implementation and Performance Evaluation of a Community-Scale Adobe Evaporative Cooling Chamber for Vegetable Preservation
Authors: Davalo Karine , Yuba Andrea , Pinto João
Published: May 2023

The construction of evaporative coolers in remote areas can increase the longevity of vegetables, improving food security and the local economy of small farmers in remote, impoverished communities without access to electricity. This work presents a 1:1 scale prototype of an 8 m3 (2.1 × 2.1 × 2.3 m) stabilized adobe evaporative cooler, with a design based on the appropriate technology framework, and it was built as a chamber using double adobe walls, filled with wet sand, to induce evaporative cooling. Furthermore, the paper presents the prototype’s performance evaluation. The tests were carried out in the dry and wet states, with different volumes of water. The results show good performance compared with other prototypes, although the optimum watering volume could not be determined because of the high climate variance (outside temperature and humidity) that prevented the repetition of the experiments in identical operating conditions. Stabilized adobe proved to be a good choice for use in the cooler, even when subject to moisture accumulation, indicating an estimated long lifetime for the cooler. The data obtained about the efficiency of evaporative cooling show that the cooler, as expected, has its best performance on the hottest and driest days, reducing the internal temperature (up to 13.24 °C) and managing to keep the internal humidity. The cost, efficiency, durability, and replicability make the proposed evaporative cooler a feasible solution for food preservation.
Seismic Interaction between Multistory Pilotis RC Frames and Shorter Structures with Different Story Levels—Floor-to-Column Pounding
Authors: Manoukas Grigorios E. , Karayannis Chris G.
Published: May 2023

Structural pounding between adjoining multistory buildings with different total heights and different story levels has been repeatedly identified as a frequent cause of severe damage during seismic excitations. This phenomenon is very intense when upper floor slabs of short buildings hit the columns of taller and more flexible structures within their deformable length. On the other hand, it is well accepted that infill masonry panels strongly affect the seismic response and overall behavior of multistory reinforced concrete (RC) frames and especially in the common case of an open first story (pilotis). Thereupon, the interaction between a multistory frame with an open first floor and shorter and stiffer adjacent buildings was studied and the influence of the open first story on pounding investigated with inelastic dynamic step-by-step analyses. The results of the pounding cases of an 8-story RC frame with a single story and 4-story buildings were examined. Three cases of short structures were considered as follows: a frame structure, a stiff structure and a very stiff non-self-vibrating one. All studied interaction cases included type A (floor-to-floor) pounding cases and type B (floor-to-column) pounding cases. This study focused on the influence of an open first story (pilotis) on the pounding phenomenon. Therefore, all examined two-building poundings were studied considering two cases: the first case involving a fully infilled 8-story frame and second case involving an infilled 8-story structure with an open first story (pilotis). Moreover, as expected due to the asymmetry of the examined two-structured pounding pairs, the directions (plus and minus) of the seismic excitation proved to be important for the evaluation of the developing capacity demands. In the present study for the first time, it is stressed that pounding cases between structures with different geometries (asymmetric) have to be examined in both directions (plus and minus) of each seismic excitation. From the results, it can be deduced that the developing shear forces on the columns that suffer a hit in the case of type B pounding exceed the shear strength of the column even if detailing for critical regions according to Eurocode 8 is applied. Further, it is inferred that pilotis configuration increases the developing pounding forces and consequently increases the capacity demands mainly in terms of the ductility of the column that suffers the hit.
Evaluation of Outcomes following Reduction in Targeted Fluid Administration in Major Burns
Authors: Merchant Maryum , Hu Scott B. , Cohen Stella , Grossman Peter H. , Richards Kurt M. , Smith Malcolm I.
Published: May 2023

Adequate fluid resuscitation in adults with major burns is crucial to prevent or minimize burn shock, but needs to be balanced against the complications of over-resuscitation. A single-center, retrospective review of 95 ICU patients with severe burns from Jan 2014 to Aug 2021 was performed. Some 52 patients were managed with a liberal targeted fluid goal of 4 mL/kg/%TBSA, and 43 patients were managed after we incorporated a restricted fluid goal of 2 mL/kg/%TBSA into our standard resuscitation strategy. Of the 95 patients included in this analysis, 76 patients (80%) survived admission. The median age was 41 years, and the median TBSA was 36%. All patients received Ringer’s lactate as the primary fluid for resuscitation, and 40 of the 95 patients (42%) received colloids as a rescue infusion within 24 h of injury. Some 44 of the 95 patients (46.3%) had a concurrent inhalational injury. The median length of hospital stay was 37 days, and the median ICU length of stay was 18 days. A total of 17 of the 95 patients developed ARDS (17.9%), 51 of the 95 (53.7%) patients developed pneumonia, and 34 of the 95 patients (35.8%) developed AKI within the first 7 days of admission. The median fluid administered during the first day of hospitalization from 2019 onwards remained close to 4 mL/kg/%TBSA, despite transitioning to a 2 mL/kg/%TBSA formula for a 24 h fluid goal (unless there was an electrical burn, in which case the 4 cc/kg formula was utilized). Further exploratory analyses also suggested that under-resuscitation and administration of albumin may be associated with increased mortality, though this did not reach statistical significance. ARDS development was associated with increased age and TBSA as well as increased fluid intake within the first 24 h. A change in the targeted fluid goal from liberal (4 mL/kg/%TBSA) to a restricted (2 mL/kg/%TBSA) formula did not change the actual fluids administered over 24 h when guided by clinical criteria. Our review did suggest that under-resuscitation contributed to mortality, but that excessive fluid resuscitation likely contributed to ARDS risks for large TBSA patients. Our data suggest that strategies to optimize fluid administration are important to improve patient outcomes, but should focus on clinical parameters rather than calculated fluid goals.
Mineral Composition and Consumer Acceptability of Amaranthus Leaf Powder Supplemented Ujeqe for Improved Nutrition Security
Authors: Olusanya Ruth N. , Kolanisi Unathi , Ngobese Nomali Z.
Published: May 2023

Malnutrition, especially micronutrient deficiency, is a widespread health challenge that predominantly affects young children, young ladies who are within the productive age, refugees, and older adults who reside in rural communities and informal settlements in underdeveloped and developing countries. Malnutrition is caused by consuming either too little or too much of one or more food nutrients. Additionally, monotonous dietary lifestyle, especially the over-reliance on staple foods, is identified among the top factors limiting many individuals’ intake of essential nutrients. Thus, enriching starchy and cereal-based staple foods including Ujeqe (steamed bread) with fruits and especially leafy vegetables is being suggested as a strategic medium for essential nutrient delivery to malnourished populations and especially the Ujeqe regular consumers. Amaranthus, called pigweed, has been rediscovered as a nutrient-dense multipurpose plant. The seed has been explored as a nutrient-enhancer in staple foods; however, the leaves are underutilized, especially in Ujeqe. This study aims to enhance the mineral content of Ujeqe. An integrated research approach was used where Amaranthus dubius was self-processed into leaf powder. Amaranthus leaf powder (ALP), and the ALP-supplemented wheat flour Ujeqe prototypes 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% were investigated for their mineral composition. Sensory evaluations of enriched Ujeqe were conducted using 60 panelists on a five-point hedonic scale. Findings show that the moisture contents of the raw materials and the supplemented prototypes were low, indicating a good shelf life of the food ingredient before being used for Ujeqe development. Carbohydrates of raw materials ranged from 41.6–74.3%, fat ranged from 1.58–4.47%, ash ranged from 2.37–17.97%, and protein ranged from 11.96–31.56%. Additionally, fat, protein, and ash content had significant differences at (p < 0.05). The moisture content of enhanced Ujeqe was equally low, connoting keeping quality of the sample. The increase concentration of ALP led to an enriched Ujeqe especially in the ash and protein content. Similarly, calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, and iron content were significantly influenced at (p < 0.05); 2% ALP-supplemented Ujeqe was the most acceptable prototype as the control sample, 6% was the least preferred prototype. Although ALP dubius can enrich staple foods including (Ujeqe), this study declared that higher addition of ALP dubius leads to low consumer acceptability rate of the Ujeqe, which is not statistically significant. Amaranthus is an economical source of fiber, which was not investigated in the study. Therefore, further studies can explore the fiber content of the ALP-supplemented Ujeqe.