bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DETERMINAN KINERJA INVESTASI PERUSAHAAN ASURANSI SYARIAH DI INDONESIA PERIODE 2014-2018
Authors: Ilma Nafiatul , Filianti Dian
Published: December 2020

ABSTRAKPenelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan menggunakan jenis penelitian explanatory research. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah Perusahaan asuransi syariah di Indonesia yang terdaftar di Otoritas Jasa Keuangan periode 2014 – 2018. Teknik pengambilan sampel pada penelitian ini adalah purposive sampling dan diperoleh syariah 18 perusahaan asuransi syariah sebagai sampel. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis regresi linear berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara parsial company size dan volume of capital tidak berpengaruh signifikan sedangkan likuiditas, leverage, premium growth berpengaruh signifikan negatif sedangkan asset growth berpengaruh signifikan positif terhadap investment yield, secara simultan company size, likuiditas, asset growth, leverage, volume of capital, premium growth secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap investment yield.Kata Kunci: company size, liquidity, leverage, asset growth, volume of capital, premium growth, investment yield, takaful ABSTRACTThis research uses a quantitative approach using an explanatory research type. The population in this study is sharia insurance companies in Indonesia registered with the Financial Services Authority for the period 2014 - 2018. The sampling technique in this study was purposive sampling and 18 sharia insurance companies were obtained as samples. This study uses multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that partially company size and volume of capital have no significant effect while liquidity, leverage, premium growth have a significant negative effect while asset growth has a significant positive effect on investment yield, simultaneously company size, liquidity, asset growth, leverage, volume of capital, premium growth simultaneously have a significant effect on investment yield.Keyword: company size, liquidity, leverage, asset growth, volume of capital, premium growth, investment yield, takaful
The Transformation from (111) to (100): A Routine to Large-Scale Epitaxial Diamond
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Weihua , Yang Shilin , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: December 2020

Diamond is a material with excellent performances which attracts the attention from researchers for decades. Pt (111), owing to its catalytic activity on diamond synthesis, is regarded to be a candidate for diamond hetero-epitaxity, which can enhance nucleation density. Molten surface at diamond growth temperature can also improve mobility and aggregation capability of primitive nuclei. Generally, (100)-oriented is welcomed for the achivement of high quality and large size diamond, since the formation of defects and twins are prevented. First-principle calculations and experimental researches were carried out for the study of transformation of orientation. The transformation from {111} to {100}-oriented diamond has been observed on Pt (111) substrate, which can be promoted by the increase of carbon source concentration and substrate temperature. The process is energetic favorable, which may provides a way towards large-scale (100) diamond films.
Forced Fold Amplitude and Sill Thickness Constrained by Wireline and 3-D Seismic Data Suggest an Elastic Magma-Induced Deformation in Tarim Basin, NW China
Authors: Tian Wei , Li Xiaomin , Wang Lei
Published: December 2020

Disparities between fold amplitude (A) and intrusion thickness (Hsill) are critical in identifying elastic or inelastic deformation in a forced fold. However, accurate measurement of these two parameters is challenging because of the limit in separability and detectability for the seismic data. In the TZ-47 exploring area from the Tarim Basin, Northwest China, we combined wireline data and 3-D seismic data, to accurately constrain the fold amplitude and total thickness of sills that inducing the roof uplift. The measurement results show that the forced fold amplitude is 155 m and the total sill thickness is 148.4 m. When using a magma density of 2.7 g/cm3, and solid rock density of 3 g/cm3, the molten magma thickness at the time of intrusion would be 153.8 m, which is almost no difference from the forced fold amplitude. Therefore, the TZ-47 fold is a pure elastic forced fold induced by emplacement of multiple sills. Measurement solely based on seismic data may not be able to detect some thin interlayers and may result in large errors.
Pengaruh Penambahan Beeswax terhadap Kestabilan Fisik Lip Balm Berbasis Bioaktif Kakao
Authors: Ruqayyah Ruqayyah
Published: December 2020

Biji kakao telah dimanfaatkan di Indonesia dalam proses produksi makanan, minuman dan produk farmasi. Dalam dunia farmasi biji kakao memiliki komponen bioaktif yakni, lemak kakao dan polifenol yang dapat dimanfaatkan dalam pembuatan lip balm. Lemak kakao memiliki kekurangan karena dapat membentuk kristal polimorf yang dapat diatasi dengan penambahan beeswax. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh penambahan beeswax pada berbagai konsentrasi terhadap kestabilan fisik lip balm yang akan diperoleh dengan menggunakan bioaktif kakao. Dalam penelitian ini uji kestabilan fisik yang dilakukan meliputi uji organoleptis, uji homogenitas, uji daya oles dan uji titik lebur. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan bahwa warna, bentuk sediaan, uji homogenitas dan uji daya oles pada semua formula yang dibuat sama. Sedangkan uji titik lebur diperoleh hasil yang berbeda-beda yakni pada F0 45oC, F1 50 oC, F2 52 oC, dan F3 55 oC.
SISTEM PAKAR UNTUK PERLINDUNGAN TANAMAN PADI MENGGUNAKAN METODE FORWARD CHAINING
Authors: Kuswanto Joko
Published: December 2020

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah membuat aplikasi sistem pakar untuk perlindungan tanaman padi menggunakan metode forward chaining. Sistem pakar ini dapat digunakan dan membantu ahli pertanian, petani maupun orang awam untuk proses diagnosa hama dan penyakit pada tanaman padi dengan cara memasukkan gejala-gejala kerusakan yang terjadi pada tanaman padi serta mampu memberikan informasi pengetahuan tentang hama dan penyakit tersebut sehingga didapatkan solusi berupa pengendalian dari hama dan penyakit. Sistem ini dikembangkan untuk menyimpan pengetahuan keahlian seorang pakar tanaman padi, sehingga nantinya sistem yang dikembangkan ini dapat dijadikan asisten pandai untuk membantu memecahkan permasalahan pada tanaman padi.
Determination of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Enzyme (PDE-5) Inhibitors and Analogues as Adulterants in Selected Herbal Products using Gas Chromatography–Electron Impact-Mass Spectrometer (GC-EI-MS)
Authors: Kamaruzaman Nur Azzalia , Mohideen Mazlin , Leong Yin-Hui , Ahmad Azaharudin Awang , Mohd Noor Norjuliana
Published: December 2020

Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil are phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme (PDE-5) inhibitors used for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. This present study aims to investigate 55 herbal products indicated for men’s sexual health from the Malaysian market for adulteration of PDE-5 inhibitors and analogues. The screening and identification of 20 PDE-5 inhibitors and analogues in herbal products of various forms (powder, capsules, tablets, and pastels) were conducted using gas chromatography–electron impact-mass spectrometer (GC-EI-MS). The analysis has shown that 19 herbal products were adulterated with PDE-5 inhibitors and analogues. Unique ion fragmentations and the presence of molecular ion serve as potential markers, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1-5.0 µg/g. Ten PDE-5 inhibitors and analogues were randomly selected and successfully validated for simultaneous quantification, whereby the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 5.0–50.0 µg/g with recoveries at 86.1-118.9%. The developed method of GC-EI-MS was shown to be simple, throughput, economical and had sufficient sensitivity to screen, identify and quantify PDE-5 inhibitors and analogues in herbal matrices.
Stopping power and range calculations of protons in human tissues
Authors: Ahmed Iftekhar , Nowrin Hridita , Dhar Hriday
Published: December 2020

In this research, the stopping power and range of protons in biological human soft and hard tissues (blood, brain, skeleton-cortical bone, and skin) of both child and adult are calculated at the energies ranging from 1MeV to 350 MeV. The data is collected from ICRU Report 46 and calculated the stopping power employing the Bethe formula. Moreover, the simple integration (continuous slowing down approximation) method is employed for calculating protons range at the target. Then, the stopping power and range of protons value in human tissues have been compared with the program called SRIM. Moreover, the results of the stopping power vs energy and the range vs energy have been presented graphically. Proper agreement is found between the gained and the SRIM results and varies almost linearly with energy up to 250 MeV.
Changes in Practitioners’ Attitudes, Perceived Training Needs and Self-Efficacy over the Implementation Process of an Evidence-Based Parenting Program
Authors: Côté Marie-Kim , Gagné Marie-Hélène
Published: December 2020

Background: Evidence-based family support programs such as the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program have the potential to enhance the well-being of children and families. However, they cannot achieve their expected outcomes if insufficient attention is paid to the implementation process. It has been demonstrated that practitioners’ attitudes towards evidence-based programs (EBPs), perceived training needs and self-efficacy for working with parents influence implementation outcomes (e.g., program acceptability, adoption, adherence and sustainability). At the same time, the experience of being involved in the implementation process of an EBP could enhance practitioners’ perceptions of the initiative. This study aimed to assess changes in practitioner’s attitudes, perceived training needs and self-efficacy over a two-year EBP implementation process, in interaction with their appraisal of their organization’s capacity to implement the EPBMethods: In the province of Quebec, Canada, Triple P was implemented and evaluated in two communities. Ninety-nine practitioners from various organizations completed questionnaires shortly before their training in Triple P and two years later. Results: Findings show that practitioners who displayed more initial skepticism regarding their organization’s capacity to implement the program reported greater improvements in attitudes over time, while practitioners who showed more optimism at baseline reported a greater decrease in their perceived training needs. Practitioners’ self-efficacy increased moderately regardless of perceived organizational capacity. Conclusions: These results are encouraging given that more positive perceptions of EBPs could foster the systematic use of these programs in communities, for the potential benefit of a greater number of families.
Presence of a mutation in PSEN1 or PSEN2 gene is associated with an impaired brain endothelial cell phenotype in vitro
Authors: Raut Snehal , Patel Ronak , Al-Ahmad Abraham
Published: December 2020

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease. It is an irreversible condition marked by irreversible cognitive loss, commonly attributed to the loss of hippocampal neurons due to the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Although the sporadic form is the most prevalent, the presence of familial form (involving several genes such as APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2) of the disease is commonly used as a model for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of mutation on PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes on the BBB function using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Methods: iPSC lines from patients suffering from familial form of Alzheimer’s disease and harboring mutations in PSEN1 or PSEN2 were used in this study and compared to a control iPSC line. Cells were differentiated into brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) following established differentiation protocols. Barrier function was assessed by measuring TEER and fluorescein permeability, drug transporters activity was assessed by uptake assay, glucose uptake and metabolism assessed by cell flux analyzer, mitochondrial potential by JC-1 and lysosomal acidification by acridine orange. Results: iPSC derived BMECs from the FAD patient presenting a mutation in PSEN1 gene showed impaired barrier function compared to the FAD patient harboring a mutation in PSEN2 and to control group. Such impaired barrier function correlated with poor tight junction complexes and reduced drug efflux pump activity. In addition, both PSEN1 and PSEN2-BMECs displayed reduced bioenergetics, lysosomal acidification, autophagy, while showing an increase in radical oxygen species (ROS) production. Finally, PSEN1- and PSEN2-BMECs showed an elevated secretion of Ab1-40 peptides compared to control-BMECs. Conclusion: Our study reports that iPSC-derived BMECs obtained from FAD patients showed impaired barrier properties and BMECs metabolism. In particular, PSEN1 mutation was associated with a more detrimental phenotype than the PSEN2 mutation, as noted by a reduced barrier function, reduced drug efflux pump activity and diminished glucose metabolism. Therefore, assessing the contribution of genetic mutations associated with Alzheimer’s disease will allow us to better understand the contribution of the BBB in dementia, but also other neurodegenerative diseases.
Parental Stress around Ophthalmological Health Conditions: A Systematic Review of Literature Protocol
Authors: SOUZA-SILVA JULIO CESAR , Martins Cleusa Alves , Garciazapata Marco Túlio Antonio , Barbosa Maria Alves
Published: December 2020

Background Parents can be psychologically impacted when children have eye diseases such as blindness, strabismus, and eye cancer. Stress can reduce the quality of parental care, and may be linked to the deterioration of parents’ and children’s mental and physical health, and family dynamics. No systematic literature review on parental stress in ophthalmology has been found to provide evidence synthesis capable of stimulating and defining new studies promoting research in this field. To address this important gap, the present review aims to synthesize evidence about approaches, methods, instruments, and results from research regarding ophthalmology-related parental stress. Methods Primary epidemiological observational studies should be original in addressing parental stress caused by ophthalmological health conditions in children, and their originality should be explained in both the summary and full text. They should present the characteristics of the study population, and the clinical and ophthalmic characterizations of children. MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Gray Literature (PsycEXTRA, NTIS and OpenSINGLE) will be searched. Controlled vocabulary, Boolean operators, and defined search strategies will be used. There will be no restrictions on the studies’ publication language, which will be selected in two screening stages. Two reviewers will independently retrieve full-text studies, assess methodological quality, and extract data. Data available through December 2021 will be considered for inclusion. Discussion The socioeconomic characterization of the participants, the identification of which ophthalmological diseases have been studied in relation to parental stress, and the knowledge of each instrument and methodology peculiarities potentially contribute to this study. The results may promote the development or enhancement of public policies focused on this specific theme, thereby providing the means for potential improvement of physical and mental health for parents and children with eye diseases.Systematic review registration The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO: number CRD42018094972.
Prevalence and risk factors of falls among community-dwelling older people: results from three consecutive waves of the national health interview survey in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Yih-Jian , Yang Ping-Yen , Yang Yi-Ching , Lin Mau-Roung , Wang Ying-Wei
Published: December 2020

Background: An aging society incurs great losses due to fall-related injuries and mortalities. The foreseeable increased burden of fall-related injury among older people requires a regular nationwide study on the fall epidemic and prevention strategies. Methods: The fall epidemic was examined using data from three consecutive waves of the National Health Interview Survey (2005, 2009, and 2013). Common explanatory variables across these surveys included sociodemographic factors (age, sex, and difficulty in performing activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental ADL), biological factors (vision, comorbidities, urinary incontinence, and depressive symptoms), and behavioral risk factors (sleeping pill use, and frequency of exercise). After the univariate and bivariate analyses, the prevalence of falls was investigated using multiple linear regression models adjusted for age group, sex, and year of survey. A multivariate logistic regression model for falls with adjustments for these common explanatory variables was established across three waves of surveys. The effect of fall prevention programs was examined with the effect size in terms of age-specific and sex-specific prevalence of falls and fall-related hospitalization rates during 2005 and 2009.Results: For each survey, there were consecutively 2,722; 2,900; and 3,200 respondents with a mean age of 75.1, 75.6, and 76.4 years, respectively. The multiple linear regression model yielded a negative association between the prevalence of falls and year of survey. Several sociodemographic and biological factors, including female sex, difficulty in performing one basic ADL, difficulty in performing two or more instrumental ADLs, unclear vision, comorbidities, urinary incontinence, and depressive symptoms, were significantly associated with falls. In contrast to the universal positive effect on the prevalence of falls among older adults, the effect size of fall-related hospitalization rates revealed a 2% relative risk reduction only for those aged 65-74 years, but deteriorated for those aged 75-84 (-10.9%).Conclusion: Although the decline in fall prevalence over time supports existing fall intervention strategies in Taiwan, the differential prevention effect and identification of risk factors in older people suggest the necessity of adjusting fall prevention programs.
A polypeptide D-TTK001 targeting HBx controls cccDNA against HBV
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Yuan Hongfeng , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Shuqin , Zhao Lina , Gao Hongwei , Yang Guang , Zhang Xuezhi , Yun Haolin , Shan Changliang , Liu Yunxia , Geng Yu , Zheng Wei , Gao Xiuzhu , Wang Xiaomei , Yuan Ying , Miao Zhenchuan , Yin Ming , Zhao Man , Wang Yufei , Wang Jiapei , Niu Junqi
Published: December 2020

Chronic infection of HBV is a serious global health issue. However, the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) cannot be completely cleaned in liver. Here, we engineer a novel polypeptide, termed D-TTK001, targeting HBV X protein (HBx) against HBV cccDNA. D-TTK001 is a D-type polypeptide, which has a high binding affinity to HBx. Interestingly, it is able to against HBV efficiently in primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) from three donors. D-TTK001 displays high activities against HBV, remarkably reducing the levels of cccDNA in the HBV-infected human liver-chimeric mice. Mechanically, D-TTK001 depresses cccDNA transcription by regulating the epigenetic modification of cccDNA minichromosome and disturbing the interaction of HBx with DDB1 in the cells. D-TTK001 decreases the levels of cccDNA by down-regulating MSL2, leading to the increase of APOBEC3B in liver. When combined with entecavir or interferon-α, D-TTK001 shows additive antiviral effects. Clinically, D-TTK001 is a strong candidate to clear cccDNA against HBV.
An African Tick Flavivirus Forming an Independent Clade Exhibits Unique Exoribonuclease-Resistant RNA Structures in the Genomic 3′-Untranslated Region
Authors: Harima Hayato , Orba Yasuko , Torii Shiho , Qiu Yongjin , Kajihara Masahiro , Eto Yoshiki , Matsuta Naoya , Hang’ombe Bernard , Eshita Yuki , Uemura Kentaro , Matsuno Keita , Sasaki Michihito , Yoshii Kentaro , Nakao Ryo , Hall William , Takada Ayato , Abe Takashi , Wolfinger Michael , Simmunza Martin , Sawa Hirofumi
Published: December 2020

Tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFVs) infect mammalian hosts through tick bites and can cause various serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and hemorrhagic fevers, both in humans and animals. Despite their importance to public health, there is limited epidemiological information on TBFV infection in Africa is limited. Herein, we report that a novel flavivirus, Mpulungu flavivirus (MPFV), was discovered in a Rhipicephalus muhsamae tick in Zambia. MPFV was found to be genetically related to Ngoye virus detected in ticks in Senegal, and these viruses formed a unique lineage in the genus Flavivirus. Analyses of dinucleotide contents of flaviviruses indicated that MPFV was similar to those of other TBFVs with a typical vertebrate genome signature, suggesting that MPFV may infect vertebrate hosts leading to significant public health problems. Bioinformatic analyses of the secondary structures in the 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) revealed that MPFV exhibits unique exoribonuclease-resistant RNA (xrRNA) structures. Utilizing biochemical approaches, we clarified that two xrRNA structures of MPFV in the 3′-UTR could prevent exoribonuclease activity. In summary, our findings provide new information regarding the geographical distribution of TBFV and xrRNA structures in the 3′-UTR of flaviviruses.
Anxiety for the pandemic and trust in financial markets
Authors: Cerqueti Roy , Ficcadenti Valerio
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a novel context of global financial distress. This paper enters the related scientific debate and focuses on the relationship between the anxiety felt by the population of a wide set of countries during the pandemic and the trust in the future performance of financial markets. Precisely, we move from the idea -- grounded on some recent literature contributions -- that the volume of Google searches about "coronavirus" can be considered as a proxy of the anxiety and, jointly with the stock index prices, can be used to produce indicators of the population mood -- in terms of pessimism and optimism -- at country level. We analyse the ``very high human developed countries'' according to the Human Development Index plus China and their respective main stock market indexes. Namely, we propose both a temporal and a global measure of pessimism and optimism and provide accordingly a classification of indexes and countries. The results show the existence of different clusters of countries and markets in terms of pessimism and optimism. Moreover, specific regimes along the time emerge, with an increasing optimism spreading during the mid of June 2020. Furthermore, countries with different government responses to the pandemic have experienced different levels of mood indicators, so that countries with less strict lockdown had a higher level of optimism.
β-catenin/LEF-1 Transcription Complex is Responsible for the Transcriptional Activation of LINC01278
Authors: Lin Shaojian , Zhang Weiwei , Shi Ziwen , Tan Langping , Zhu Yue , Li Honghao , Peng Xinzhi
Published: December 2020

Background: Our previous study shows that LINC01278 inhibits the development of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by regulating miR-376c-3p/DNM3 axis. However, the regulation mechanism of LINC01278 expression in PTC cells is still unclear. Methods: The luciferase reporter and ChIP assays were used to confirme the binding of LEF-1 to the putative promoter site of LINC01278. The RNA immunoprecipitation was used the enrichment of LINC01278 in β-catenin protein. Western blot was used to detected the expression of target proteins. Results: Firstly, the online PROMO algorithm determined a putative LEF-1 binding site on LINC01278 promoter. Then, the luciferase reporter and ChIP assays confirmed the binding of LEF-1 to the putative promoter site of LINC01278. Furthermore, the overexpression of β-catenin increased the binding of LEF-1 to the LINC01278 promoter, and the knockdown or overexpression of LEF-1 or β-catenin can affect the expression level of LINC01278. In addition, RNA immunoprecipitation showed that LINC01278 was enriched in β-catenin protein. RNA pulldown and western blot also confirmed that LINC01278 precipitated β-catenin in TPC-1 and BCPAP cells. Furthermore, the knockdown or overexpression of LINC01278 significantly affected the expression of β-catenin and targets of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (CCND2, CyclinD1, MYC, and SOX4). Conclusion: In summary, we found the transcriptional activation of LINC01278 by the β-catenin/LEF-1 transcription factor, and the negative feedback regulation of LINC01278 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation.
Plasticity in Plastid Redox Networks: Evolution of Glutathione-Dependent Redox Cascades and Glutathionylation Sites
Authors: Mueller-Schuessele Stefanie J. , Bohle Finja A. , Rossi Jacopo , Trost Paolo , Meyer Andreas J. , Zaffagnini Mirko
Published: December 2020

Background: Flexibility of plant metabolism is supported by redox regulation of enzymes via posttranslational modification of cysteine residues, especially in plastids. Here, the redox states of cysteine residues are partly coupled to the thioredoxin system and partly to the glutathione pool for reduction. Moreover, several plastid enzymes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and damage repair draw electrons from glutathione. In addition, cysteine residues can be post-translationally modified by forming a disulfide with glutathione (S-glutathionylation), which protects thiol groups from further oxidation and can influence protein activity. However, the evolution of the plastid glutathione-dependent redox network in land plants and the conservation of cysteine residues undergoing S-glutathionylation is largely unclear.Results: We analysed the genomes of nine representative model species from streptophyte algae to angiosperms and find that the components of the plastid glutathione-dependent redox network are largely conserved, except for lambda- and the closely related iota-glutathione S-transferases. Screening the literature for target thiols of S-glutathionylation, we find that 151 plastid proteins have been identified as glutathionylation targets, while the exact cysteine residue is only known for 17% (26 proteins), with one or multiple sites per protein, resulting in 37 known S-glutathionylation sites for plastids. However, 38% (14) of the known sites were completely conserved in model species from green algae to flowering plants, with 22% (8) on non-catalytic cysteines. Variable conservation of the remaining sites indicates independent gains and losses of cysteines at the same position during land plant evolution.Conclusions: We conclude that the glutathione dependent redox network in plastids is highly conserved in streptophytes with some variability in scavenging and damage repair enzymes. Our analysis of cysteine conservation suggests that S-glutathionylation in plastids plays an important and yet under-investigated role in redox regulation and stress response.
Data Analysis on Medical Service Utilization and Out-of-pocket Spending among Near-poor National Health Insurance Members in South Korea
Authors: park sooyeol
Published: December 2020

Background: The near poor, a low income population which is excluded from the Republic of Korea's Medical Aid (MA) program, experiences insufficient use of medical services and high out-of-pocket (OOP) spending due to insufficient coverage by the country's National Health Insurance (NHI). This study aims to examine medical utilization, OOP spending, and occurrence of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) among the near poor compared to MA beneficiaries and other NHI members.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted drawing upon a nationally representative dataset based on the 2018 Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS). We classified people into MA beneficiaries, the near-poor population below 50% of the median income threshold, and other NHI members above the 50% median income threshold. Using propensity score matching between MA beneficiaries and the near poor and between the near-poor group and the group of those above the poverty line, this study examined medical utilization, OOP spending, and the occurrence of CHE among the study groups. Results: The findings suggest that MA beneficiaries make greater use of outpatient services compared to the near poor, but other uses of medical services were not significantly different among the study groups. However, OOP spending and occurrence of CHE were significantly higher in the near-poor group compared to the other two groups. Conclusion: We found that the near-poor group was the most vulnerable group in these terms among the Korean population. Health policy needs to take into account the vulnerability of the near-poor population.
Incidence and Clinical Impacts of COVID-19 Infection in Patients with Hemodialysis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 396,062 Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Chen Chun-Yu , Shao Shih-Chieh , Chen Yih-Ting , Hsu Cheng-Kai , Hsu Heng-Jung , Lee Chin-Chan , Sun Chiao-Yin , Chen Yung-Chan , Hung Ming-Jui , WU I-WEN
Published: December 2020

Background: Better understanding of incidence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in hemodialysis (HD) patients could assist healthcare providers to develop proper preventive strategies and optimal management. However, no published systematic review summarizes current epidemiological evidence regarding COVID-19 infection in HD patients.Methods: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We systematically searched PUBMED and EMBASE for articles published on incidence or mortality of COVID-19 infection in maintenance HD patients until September 2020, and conducted meta-analysis of proportions for incidence and mortality rate. Heterogeneity was measured by Cochran’s Q and I2 statistic. Publication bias was evaluated by Egger’s test. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020209134).Results: In total, 29 articles with 3,261 confirmed COVID-19 cases from pooled 396,062 HD patients were identified. Overall COVID-19 incidence in these HD patients was 7.7% (95% CI: 5.0-10.9%), with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 99.7%, p<0.001) and risk of publication bias (Egger’s test, p<0.001). Overall mortality rate was 22.4% (95% CI: 17.9-27.1%) in HD patients with COVID-19, with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 87.1%, p<0.001). Reported incidence and mortality varied by geographic area, being higher in non-Asian- than Asian countries.Conclusions: Both incidence and mortality of COVID-19 infection were higher in HD patients. Available data may underestimate the real incidence of infection because screening and diagnosis differ between countries. International collaboration and standardized reporting of future epidemiologic studies is encouraged to improve clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in HD patients.
Organisational responses to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on healthcare workers: a qualitative case study from Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Turner Simon , Niño Natalia , Segura Carolina , Botero-Tovar Natalia
Published: December 2020

Background
Healthcare organisations have undergone organisational change to respond to COVID-19. This pandemic has presented challenges for employee adjustment, with impacts on the availability and coordination of human resources in healthcare. This study aimed to characterise the organisational actions regarding the coordination of human resources in healthcare within Bogotá, Colombia, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We followed a case study approach to understand the response to the emergency taking into account the narratives of the actors who have been directly involved in the planning of guidelines oriented to face the pandemic or in the implementation of health services for COVID-19. Twenty-two interviews with multiple health system organisations within Bogotá were conducted between May and September 2020 and analysed thematically.
Results
Three themes emerged from the analysis of the interview data: to retain human resources, to implement actions to improve the mental and physical health of the healthcare workers, and to enhance healthcare workers knowledge, skills and availability to respond to COVID-19.
Conclusions
Organisational actions led by hospital managers to retain, protect, and train human health resources in the dynamic context of the COVID-19 pandemic were identified. Other system-wide organisations like scientific associations contributed to the coordination of human resources across hospitals to respond to COVID-19 in Bogotá, Colombia. The actions of hospital managers, and roles of system-wide intermediary organisations, in coordinating human resources need to be explored in other health system contexts facing COVID-19.
The C Allele of the Reactive Oxygen Species Modulator 1 (ROMO1) Polymorphism Rs6060566 is a Biomarker Predicting Coronary Artery Stenosis in Slovenian Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tibaut Miha , Ramuš Sara Mankoč , Petrovic Daniel
Published: December 2020

Background: We aimed to examine the role of the rs6060566 polymorphism of the reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (ROMO1) gene in the development of myocardial infarction (MI) in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods: A total of 1072 subjects with T2DM were enrolled in this cross-sectional case-control study: 335 subjects with MI and 737 subjects without clinical signs of coronary artery disease (CAD). The genetic analysis of the rs6060566 polymorphism was performed in all subjects. To assess the degree of coronary artery obstruction, a subpopulation of 128 subjects with T2DM underwent coronary computed tomography angiography. Next, endarterectomy samples were obtained during myocardial revascularization from diffusely diseased coronary arteries in 40 cases, which were analysed for ROMO1 expression according to their genotype.Results: There were no statistically significant associations between different genotypes or alleles of the rs6060566 polymorphism and MI in subjects with T2DM. The carriers of the C allele of the ROMO1 rs6060566 had a threefold increased likelihood of having 50%-75% coronary artery stenosis (Adjusted OR= 3.27, 95% CI 1.16 – 9.20). Subjects with two affected coronary arteries had a 3.72 fold higher prevalence of MI (OR= 3.72, 95% CI 1.27 – 10.84). With CAD in LMCA or LAD, MI prevalence was about 3.5-fold higher (p=0.07 for LMCA and p=0.01 for LAD). Furthermore, the carriers of the rs6060566 C allele showed higher number of positive cells for ROMO1 expression in endarterectomy samples of coronary arteries.Conclusions: According to our study, the rs6060566 polymorphism of the ROMO1 gene is not a risk factor for MI in Caucasians with T2DM. However, we found that subjects carrying the C allele were at a 3.27-fold increased risk of developing severe CAD compared with those who had non-obstructive CAD. Moreover, C allele carriers showed a statistically higher number of cells positive for ROMO1 compared with T allele carriers in coronary endarterectomy samples.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes Associated With Precocious Puberty by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization in Goat Pituitary Tissues
Authors: Liu Yufang , Cao Guiling , Xie Yujing , Chu Mingxing
Published: December 2020

Background Our study aimed to identify genes related to precocious puberty expressed in the pituitary of different growth stages goats using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) screening. Pituitary tissues at 30 day and 90 day and 180 day growth stages of Jining gray goats and Liaoning cashmere goats were used in this study. To identify differentially expressed genes in the pituitary tissues, mRNA from these tissues was extracted and SSH libraries were constructed for screening (API, EPI and BPI groups). ResultsA total of 60, 49 and 58 differently expression genes were annotation in the database. 222 Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 75 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were matched to those genes. Most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the GO terms “structural constituent of ribosome”, “translation” and “GTP binding” were significantly enriched while numerous DEGs related to the Jak-STAT signaling and oocyte meiosis pathways were also significantly enriched. Candidate genes to be involved in precocious puberty and sexual development were retrieved from the SSH libraries. These related genes were discussed taking into account whether they were expressed in different growth stages of pituitary tissues, and of which them influenced the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. ConclusionsInteresting findings about precocious puberty related genes from an evolutionary perspective (such as PRLP0, EIF5A and YWHAH) and for putative future goats breeding applications are reported here. We provide a valuable dataset that will facilitate further research into the reproductive biology of goats.
Overtreatment in Nonmalignant Lesions Detected in a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.
Authors: Cubiella Joaquin , González Antía , Almazán Raquel , Rodríguez-Camacho Elena , Zubizarreta Raquel , Lorenzo Isabel Peña-Rey
Published: December 2020

Background: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs reduce CRC incidence and mortality, they are associated with risks in healthy subjects. However, the risk of overtreatment and overdiagnosis has not been determined yet. The aim of this study is to report the surgery rates in patients with nonmalignant lesions detected within the first round of a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) based CRC screening program and the factors associated with it. Methods: We included in this analysis all patients with nonmalignant lesions detected between May 2013 and June 2019. We calculated surgery rate according to demographic variables, the risk classification according to the colonoscopy findings (European guidelines for quality assurance), the endoscopist’s adenoma detection rate (ADR) classified into quartiles and the hospital’s complexity level. We determined which variables were independently associated with surgery rate and expressed the association as Odds Ratio and its 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: We included 15,707 patients in the analysis with high (19.3%), intermediate (25.1%) low risk (21.7%) adenomas and normal colonoscopy (27.8%) detected in the analyzed period. Colorectal surgery was performed in 162 (10.3‰, 95% CI 8.7-11.9), due to colonoscopy complications (0.2‰, 95% CI 0.005-0.5) and resection of colorectal benign lesions (10.0‰, 95% CI 8.5-11.6). Median hospital stay was 6 days with 17.3% patients developing minor complications, 7.4% major complications, one death. After discharge, complications developed in 18.4% patients. In benign lesions, an endoscopic resection was performed in 25.4% and a residual premalignant lesion was detected in 89.9%. The variables independently associated with surgery in the multivariable analysis were age (≥60 years= 1.57, 95% CI 1.11-2.23), sex (female= 2.10, 95% CI 1.52-2.91), the European guidelines classification (high risk= 67.94, 95% CI 24.87-185.59; intermediate risk= 5.63, 95% CI 1.89-16.80; low risk= 1.43; 95% CI 0.36-5.75), the endoscopist’s ADR (Q4= 0.44, 95% CI 0.28-0.68; Q3= 0.44, 95% CI 0.27-0.71; Q2= 0.71, 95% CI 0.44-1.14) and the hospital (third level= 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.79). Conclusions: In a CRC screening program, the surgery rate and the associated complications in patients with nonmalignant lesions are acceptable and related to age, sex, endoscopic findings, endoscopist’s ADR and the hospital’s complexity.
Ultrawide 3D Phononic Bandgap Metastructures as Broadband Low Frequency Filter
Authors: Muhammad  , Lim C.W.
Published: December 2020

This present study reports a novel model for the study on three-dimensional phononic metastructures endued with ultrawide three-dimensional complete bandgaps. The phononic structure is made of a unique material without composite material composition. Based on the principal of mode separation and global and local modal masses participation, the well-engineered structural configurations give extremely wide bandgaps with the gap-to-mid gap ratio of 157.6% and 160.1% for two proposed prototypes that produce the widest three-dimensional bandgaps ever reported. The band structures are explained by a modal analysis and the findings are further corroborated by developing an analytical model based on monoatomic mass-spring chain and further verified with well-established FEM numerical simulations. Thanks to additive manufacturing, the prototypes are developed by using 3D printing technology and low amplitude vibration test is performed to access the real-time vibration mitigation characteristics. An excellent agreement is obtained between analytical, numerical and experimental results. The effects of material damping on transmission response is also taken into consideration that eventually merge the separated bandgaps to form a broadband vibration attenuation zone. The results reported are scale independent and the proposed strategy may pave the way for developing novel meta-devices to control the noise and vibration, and underwater acoustic waves at a wide frequency band in all directions.
Synthesis of Silicon Nanoparticles in a Novel CO2 Laser Pyrolysis Reactor With an Elongated Reaction Zone
Authors: Maeng Seok-Ho , Lee Hakju , Kim Seongbeom
Published: December 2020

We demonstrated silicon nanoparticle synthesis using a novel CO2 laser pyrolysis reactor. The reactor was designed to have an elongated reaction zone more than 10 times longer than conventional laser pyrolysis systems. Such elongation was achieved by aligning the laser beam and precursor gas stream. SiH4 gas was used to synthesize the silicon nanoparticles. The yield of the nanoparticles was 40.9%, as calculated by comparing the masses of the synthesized nanoparticles and precursor gas used. Silicon nanoparticles synthesized by using a typical reactor with identical gas flow rate conditions and without a focusing lens had a nanoparticle yield of 1.7%, which was far smaller than for the new reactor. The average diameter of as-synthesized silicon nanoparticles was 26.7 nm. Considering that high power CO2 lasers are often used for large scale nanoparticle production by laser pyrolysis, our proposed reactor serves as a proof of concept that demonstrates its potential for large scale nanoparticle synthesis.
The relative importance of work-related and non-work-related stressors and perceived social support on perceived stress in a cross-sectional population-based sample
Authors: Sørensen Jes , Lasgaard Mathias , Willert Morten , Larsen Finn
Published: December 2020

Background: High levels of perceived stress have a negative bearing on health and well-being, and stress is a major public health issue. According to the Stress Process Model, stressors are socially patterned and combine to produce strain. Despite this, most studies on stress have focused on work-related stressors leaving non-work determinants underinvestigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the relative importance of work-related and non-work-related stressors and perceived social support for the perceived stress level.Methods: Self-reported data were drawn from the 2017 population-based health survey "How are you?" conducted in the Central Denmark Region (N=32,417). Data were linked with data drawn from national administrative registers. Work- and non-work-related stressors assessed included major life events, chronic stressors and daily hassles. Perceived social support was assessed using a single question. Perceived stress was assessed by the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. We conducted dominance analyses based on a multiple linear regression model to determine the most important contributors to perceived stress. Analyses were weighted and adjusted.Results: Work- and non-work-related stressors along with perceived social support explained 42.5% of the total variance (R2) in perceived stress. The most important predictors were disease, perceived social support and work situation. The stratified analyses produced slightly varying predictor profiles of perceived stress between subgroups. Work situation was the most important predictor in the employed group. However, adding non-work-related predictors to the analysis tripled the explained variance.Conclusions: Level of perceived stress is affected by a combination of work- and non-work-related stressors and perceived social support both at population level and in subgroups. The most important predictors of perceived stress are disease, perceived social support and work situation. Results indicate that public health strategies aiming to reduce stress should take a holistic approach and address a variety of stressor domains rather than focus on a single domain.Trial registration: The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (r. no. 2012-58-0006) and Central Denmark Region (r. no. 1-16-02-593-16).
Novel mitochondrial genes and gene reannotation: conservation of gene arrangements among available astigmatid mites
Authors: Fang Yu , Xu Jiaoyang , Zhan Xuebing , Fang Weixi , Dong Fangyuan , Su Xuan , Chu Lingmiao , Feng Rui , Fang Ying , Zuo Zetao , Liu Fei , Xia Xingquan , Zhou Shulin , Sun Entao
Published: December 2020

Background

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of metazoans typically contain 37 genes, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. To date, complete mitogenome sequences of 15 species of Astigmatina are available, and they present variation in a number of features, such as gene arrangements, tRNA unconventional secondary structures, and the number and internal structures of control regions. Furthermore, 11 astigmatid mites from six superfamilies share the same gene arrangement. Two available species from the genus Histiostoma reportedly have different mitochondrial (mt) tRNA gene arrangements.
Results

We sequenced the mitogenomes of Lepidoglyphus destructor and Gohieria fusca, both from the superfamily Glycyphagoidea (Astigmatina). In total, 37 mt genes were identified in the two Glycyphagoidea species. Based on AT content and stem-loop structures, we divided the largest non-coding regions (LNRs) in L. destructor and G. fusca into two domains, respectively. The novel feature of two domains for the LNR was also found in Acalvolia sp. (Astigmatina, Hemisarcoptoidea). Using MITOS 2, tRNAScan, ARWEN, and manual approaches, we reannotated the mitogenomes of Histiostoma blomquisti, H. feroniarum, and Trouessartia rubecula. We reannotated six tRNA genes in H. blomquisti and four tRNA genes in H. feroniarum. We were able to identify all of the mt tRNA genes that were reported as lost in Tr. rubecula. The phylogenetic relationships found in our study were fairly consistent with previous studies of astigmatid mites phylogeny. Within Astigmatina, Glycyphagoidea was recovered as a monophyletic group.
Conclusions

A novel feature of the LNR was found in L. destructor, G. fusca and Acalvolia sp. (Astigmatina, Hemisarcoptoidea). This feature was not found in other available Astigmatina mitochondrial sequences. In the current study, most available astigmatid mitochondrial genomes shared the same consistent gene arrangement that could be the potential ancestral pattern in Astigmatina.