bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AA. VV. Andrés Rodríguez Benot y César Hornero Méndez (Dirs.), David Carrizo Aguado (coord.). Régimen patrimonial de las uniones registradas: aspectos estatales y supraestatales (a propósito del Reglamento UE 2016/1104)
Authors: Ybarra Bores Alfonso
Published: March 2023

Este artículo reseña: AA.VV. Andrés Rodríguez Benot y César Hornero Méndez (Dirs.). David Carrizo Aguado (coord.). Régimen patrimonial de las uniones registradas: aspectos estatales y supraestatales (a propósito del Reglamento UE 2016/1104), Thomson Reuters Aranzadi, Cizur Menor, 2022, 326 pp., ISBN: 978-84-1124-194-6
Was Juden und Christen miteinander verbindet : in memoriam Israel Yaoz (1928-2018)
Authors: Yaoz Israel
Published: March 2023

Der Vortrag von Israel Yaoz (1928-2018) behandelt moralische Schnittmengen zwischen dem Judentum und dem Christentum, vor allem das Gebot der Feindesliebe. Israel Yaoz ist 1928 in Gelsenkirchen geboren. Während des Nationalsozialismus musste er in die Niederlande fliehen; von 1944 bis 1945 war er im Konzentrationslager Bergen-Belsen inhaftiert. Israel ist der einizge Schoah-Überlebende seiner siebenköpfigen Familie. 1948 wanderte er aus den Niederlanden nach Israel aus. Dort leistete er Militärdienst, unter anderem als Pressesprecher. Später wurde er Reiseleiter und half über fünf Jahrzehnte lang mit großem Engagement deutschsprachigen und besonders christlichen Reise- und Pilgergruppen dabei, unbekannte Aspekte und Dimensionen Israels und des Judentums, und damit auch die Wurzeln des christlichen Glaubens, zu entdecken.
"Es falle sein böser Plan, den er über die Jehudäer geplant, auf sein Haupt zurück!" : gibt es ein Purim- oder Pesach-Wunder für die Ukraine?
Authors: Dreyer Nicolas
Published: March 2023

Dieser Aufsatz betrachtet die jüdischen Feste Purim und Pesach und deren mögliche Relevanz im Hinblick auf den russischen Krieg gegen die Ukraine. Er kommentiert und vergleicht die Situation der unterdrückten Juden in den antiken Großreichen Ägypten und Persien mit der angegriffenen Ukraine im Frühjahr 2022, und die politischen Absichten der antiken Monarchen mit denen der gegenwärtigen Staatsführung Russlands, aber auch der westlichen Regierungen. Die Diskussion nimmt Bezug auf moralische Werte, die das Judentum aus der Erfahrung der Verfolgung heraus prägt.
Rhodos im Mittelalter (zwischen Antike und Neuzeit)
Authors: Kempgen Sebastian
Published: March 2023

Eine Präsentation für die Vorbereitung der Zypern-Exkursion des ZEMAS 2023 der Univ. Bamberg im Rahmen des Seminars „Der östliche Mittelmeerraum im Mittelalter“, gehalten am 12.1.2023. Mit Materialien und aus Anlaß der Veröffentlichung der Monographie „Rhodos mit Ross und Reiter“ (2022).
Tucaresol: A Unique Oral Candidate Drug Ideally Accessible for Treatment of COVID-19 Disease
Authors: Penney Christopher , Zacharie Boulos , Duceppe Jean-Simon
Published: March 2023

Abstract: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly impacted world health and economic status. In response, much work has been undertaken to provide effective, safe vaccines, antibodies and antiviral drugs with which to address this pandemic. Treatment of a pandemic population presents multiple challenges in addition to the primary issue of drug efficacy and safety, such as large scale drug manufacture and distribution, drug stability, oral dosing and pharmacoeconomic considerations. Ideally, these factors must be addressed if new candidate drugs are to be advanced for treatment of large (pandemic) populations. Subsequently, new antivirals have reached the market but choices are few. According to the NIH Covid Treatment Guidelines, only three small molecule antiviral drugs are available to treat COVID-19 disease. As such, a significant part of the research towards discovery of new antiviral drugs has focused on screening and evaluation of ‘repurposed drugs’ or previously approved or clinical stage drugs. Yet, in spite of this increased research activity, one promising clinical stage candidate drug has received little attention regarding its potential as a monotherapy or component of combination therapy for treatment of COVID-19 disease. Tucaresol, with documented human safety and pharmacokinetic data, is an orally active, stable, small molecule amenable to large scale manufacture by a proprietary two-step synthesis developed by us. Tucaresol functions as a host-targeted antiviral by selective protection/reconstitution of CD4+ T helper cells as demonstrated in HIV patients and SIV macaques. In view of similarities between HIV and SARS-CoV-2, especially with respect to host CD4+ T helper cells, and the suitability of Tucaresol for facile treatment of pandemic populations, Tucaresol is presented herein for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients but may also be useful for treatment of advanced disease accompanied by lymphopenia.
Sex Age Annotated Omics Data: Enabling Powerful Omics Studies
Authors: Guzzi Pietro Hiram , Cortese Francesca , Giancotti Raffaele , Lomoio Ugo , Puccio Barbara , Vizza Patrizia , Tradigo Giuseppe , Veltri Pierangelo
Published: March 2023

There is increasing evidence that many molecular processes exhibit differences with age 1 and sex. Such differences produces also differences in the insurgence and progression of many 2 complex diseases. For instances, demographic data on insurgence of comorbidities of mellitus 3 diabetes, on lethality of COVID-19, and on some cancers, shows differences between sex and age 4 groups. Therefore, the growing interest on such area requires the management of related data as 5 well as the development of algorithms and tool for the analysis. The availability of omics data 6 annotated with metadata related to age and sex is mandatory for building pipeline of the analysis. 7 The number of databases containing data related to age and sex is hencefort growing. We here show 8 some databases and tools storing such data. Finally, future research direction are highlighte
Mediating Digital Devices in Post-COVID-19 Classroom: An Exploration of Teachers' Adaptation Process in Nepal
Authors: Joshi Dirgha Raj , Khanal Jeevan , Dhakal Ram Hari
Published: March 2023

This qualitative study explores the implementation and conformation process of digital devices in teaching and learning before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. Using Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory as a framework, the study examines the adoption and adaptation of digital devices by in-service secondary mathematics teachers (n=62) and their perceptions and preferences towards instructional modality. The findings suggest that despite the increased reliance on digital devices during the pandemic, there is a less likelihood of using them in face-to-face classrooms in developing countries like Nepal. The adoption of online learning has not yet reached the confirmation stage, even after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, online learning was not widely implemented or confirmed by teachers in developing countries societies. The study also provides important insights into the challenges and opportunities of using digital devices in post-COVID-19 classrooms, and its implications for policymakers and educators in Nepal.
Analysis of Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Traits of Salt Stress Tolerance in Asian Rice Cultivars at Different Stages
Authors: Alshiekheid Maha A. , Dwiningsih Yheni , Alkahtani Jawaher
Published: March 2023

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a primary energy food for Asian population. One of the most constraints in rice production is soil salinity because of the rice is very susceptible to salt. Meanwhile, many agricultural land in Asia are in the saline area. It is important to identify and develop salt-tolerant rice varieties that can adapt in Asian climate. By combining morphological, physiological, and biochemical assessments for screening the salt tolerant of 116 Asian rice cultivars was able to classify into tolerant, moderate, and sensitive rice cultivars under salinity stress condition, and also for understanding the salt tolerance mechanisms. The rice cultivars which belong to salt-tolerant including Pokkali from India, TCCP 266 from Philippines, IR 45427 also from Philippines, and Namyang 7 from Korea. Whereas, salt-sensitive rice varieties like IR29 from Philippines, IR58 also from Philippines, Daegudo from Korea, and Guweoldo also from Korea. The salt-tolerant varieties showed signs of tolerance, including lower percent reduction of percentage germination, root length, root fresh weight, shoot length, plant biomass, and chlorophyll content. In order to maintain the cellular osmotic balance under saline condition, the salt-tolerant ones exhibited less membrane damage, lower Na/K ratio, high proline and sugar accumulation, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pokkali from India, TCCP 266 from Philippines, IR 45427 also from Philippines, and Namyang 7 from Korea are recommended as valuable germplasm resource for Asian rice breeding program in saline agricultural area.
Evaluation of Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) 111 and Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO) products
Authors: Hutama Anjas Prasetya
Published: March 2023

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Recovery and Characterization of Copper Oxide from Cu-Foil Waste by Combination Method of Acid Leaching and Precipitation
Authors: Dwiana Wiwin
Published: March 2023

Lithium ion batteries have been widely applied in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles as high-density energy storage. The significant consumption of lithium ion batteries is outweighed by the threat to the environment of battery waste. Recovery of valuable metals contained in lithium ion batteries, such as Cu foil, is one of the efforts to overcome environmental pollution due to copper metal. The hydrometallurgical method is used in the recovery process, which includes leaching using nitric acid and precipitation using oxalic acid. The material obtained was copper oxide (CuO), which was analyzed using XRD, SEM-EDX, and FTIR to determine the characteristics of the sample. XRD analysis showed that the crystallinity of CuO was in accordance with the database. SEM images confirm the presence of agglomeration and inhomogeneous particle distribution in the samples. FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of the CuO phase, and the EDX results showed the purity of the sample, which consisted of Cu and O elements. Based on the research, CuO was successfully produced from the recovery of Cu Foil waste.
Determinant of Employee Turnover Intention on Fajar Surya
Authors: Rifai Amirudin Lukmansyah Rifai Amirudin , R. Madhakomala  , Wibowo
Published: March 2023

This study aims to develop a strategic model of the influence of career development, employee involvement, and employee engagement on the turnover intention at PT. Fajar Surya. Quantitative methods are used in this study. The sample consists of 150 employees at the managerial level. The sample criteria in this study were permanent employees who had worked for at least 1 year. Data collection techniques by distributing questionnaires directly to all samples. Analysis of the data used is SEM-PLS (Structural Equation Modeling - Partial Least Square). Empirical results show that career development and employee engagement have a negative and significant effect on turnover intention; with the greatest influence on career development variables. However, employee involvement has no significant effect on turnover intention. While career development has a positive and significant effect on employee engagement. However, employee involvement has no significant effect on employee engagement. Other results show that career development mediated by employee engagement has a negative and significant effect on turnover intention; However, employee involvement mediated by employee engagement has no significant effect on turnover intention. These empirical results show that the mediating role of employee engagement in career development can reduce employee intention to change jobs. This research resulted in a novelty of the turnover intention strategy model at PT. Fajar Surya Swadaya.

Keywords: Turnover Intention, Career Development, Employee Involvement, Employee Engagement.
Measuring Purchase Decision Tendencies of Jakarta Special Region E-Commerce Consumer
Authors: Aditya Elang Dimas , M. Edo Suryawan Siregar  , Dewi Agustin Pratama Sari
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this research is to measure the influence between 1) E-Service Quality towards Purchase Intention, 2) Online Customer Review towards Purchase Intention, 3) Online Customer Review towards Purchase Decisions, 4) E-Service Quality towards Purchase Decisions, and 5) Purchase Intention towards Purchase Decision, and also to find the implications in each influence. Data collection method by using electronic questionnaire through Google Forms. Research object is Jakarta citizen that has accessed or completed at least one transaction in Tokopedia e-commerce with research conducted in April 2022 until July 2022. There are 200 samples that were analyzed using research design of Structural Equation Model (SEM) with AMOS software to process and analyze research results. Result shows that there are positive and significant effects for all of the proposed hypotheses. Result implies that even though e-Service Quality, Online Customer Reviews, and Purchase Intention, has positive and significant effects towards Purchase Decision, Tokopedia could still improves their services in several aspect such as protecting consumer purchasing behavior, increasing customer review frequency, increasing awareness for intention to purchase, and increasing overall services.
How Good Corporate Governance, Firm Size, and Dividend Policy Affect Firm Value? Evidence on 100 Non-Financial Companies in Asia
Authors: Cahya Nilam , Gatot Nazir Ahmad  , Sholatia Dalimunthe
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Good Corporate Governance (GCG), firm size, and dividend policy on firm value in 100 non-financial companies in Asia that are included in the Forbes version of The World's Biggest Public Company in 2017-2020. The independent variables used in this study are Good Corporate Governance (GCG) (number of the board of directors and audit committee), Firm Size (total assets), and dividend policy (Dividend Payout Ratio). The dependent variable used in this study is firm value (Tobins'Q). The source of data used in this study is secondary data sourced from annual reports and company financial statements for the 2017-2020 period. The sampling method used purposive sampling technique. The model used in this study is the Random Effect Model (REM). The results obtained are that the variables of the board of directors, audit committee, and firm size have no effect on firm value, while the dividend policy variable has a positive effect on firm value. This results are in line with agency theory which requires company managers to think of the best solution to increase shareholder wealth
Examining the Role of E-Satisfaction and E-Trust Toward Repurchase Intention on Online Marketplace Mediated by Electronic Word of Mouth
Authors: Shalfa Shabrina Nurul An nisa  , Agung Kresnamurti Rivai Prabumenang  , Shandy Aditya
Published: March 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of e-satisfaction on electronic word of mouth, the effect of e-trust on electronic word of mouth, the effect of electronic word of mouth on repurchase intention, the effect of e-satisfaction on repurchase intention, the effect of e-trust on repurchase intention, the effect of e-satisfaction on repurchase intention through electronic word of mouth, the effect of e-trust on repurchase intention through electronic word of mouth, on Tokopedia online marketplace customers. The data collection in this study was by distributing questionnaires to 200 Tokopedia online marketplace customers. In analyzing the research data, the Structural Equation Model (SEM) approach was used with the Lisrel application version 8.8. The results of this study are there is a positive and significant effect on e-satisfaction on electronic word of mouth, there is a positive and significant influence on e-trust on electronic word of mouth, there is a positive and significant influence on electronic word of mouth on repurchase intention, there is a positive influence and significant on e-satisfaction on repurchase intention, there is a positive and significant effect on e-trust on repurchase intention, there is a positive and significant effect on e-satisfaction on repurchase intention through electronic word of mouth, there is a positive and significant effect on e-trust on repurchase intentions through electronic word of mouth, in the online marketplace Tokopedia.
The Effect of Fiber Volume Fraction on the Bending Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Composites of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches
Authors: Gunawan Rizky , Mujianto Agus
Published: March 2023

In this modern era, the palm oil industry is growing, so the waste is also increasing. If the waste from the palm oil industry is not processed, it will pollute the environment. One way to process palm oil waste is to turn the empty palm fruit bunches (OPEFB) fibers into composite reinforcement. Various natural fibers can be applied to become composite reinforcement, so it is necessary to study the character of OPEFB fibers for composite reinforcement. This study will look at the effect of various volume fractions on the bending strength of the composite. The volume fraction consists of 20%, 30%, and 40% fiber. The composite is then tested for bending to determine the bending strength of the composite. The results of the tests showed that the highest bending strength value was the 30% volume fractional variation with 47.70 MPa. The 40% volume fraction variation has the lowest bending strength value of 29.53 MPa.
Practice Patterns of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Women with Stage I to II Endometrial Carcinoma: A Real-World Multi-Institutional Analysis in China
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Wang Tiejun , Liu Zi , He Jianli , Sun Xiaoge , Zhong Wei , Zhao Fengjv , Li Xiaomei , Li Sha , Zhu Hong , Ma Zhanshu , Hu Ke , Zhang Fuquan , Hou Xiaorong , Wei Lichun , Zou Lijuan
Published: March 2023

Background
This study aimed to report clinical practice patterns of postoperative radiotherapy for stage I to II endometrial carcinoma (EC) patients treated in 13 Chinese medical centers.
Methods
We included early stage EC patients treated by hysterectomy and adjuvant RT between 2003 and 2017 from 13 institutions. Patients were classified into 4 risk groups based on ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO recommendations (2014).
Results
A total of 1,227 cases were analyzed. Along the 15 years of the study, an increasing tendency was found towards administration for vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) alone, while the proportion of external beam pelvic radiotherapy (EBRT) alone remained stable in the corresponding period. When radiation modalities were stratified by risk groups, proportion of VBT alone significantly increased in all risk groups. The higher the risk, the later VBT became the main adjuvant treatment modality. However, EBRT alone or with VBT remained the main adjuvant method for high-risk patients.
There were 13 dose-fractionation schemes for VBT alone with the scheme of 30Gy in 6 fractions prescribed at 0.5cm under the vaginal mucosa accounting for most. There were 17 schemes for VBT boost and the most common schedule was 10Gy in 2 fractions. The upper 3-5 cm part of vagina was the most frequent target. 89.6% of the practitioners performed two-dimensional VBT technique. The median dose for EBRT was 50 Gy. From 2003 to 2017, conventional radiotherapy was gradually replaced by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy modality and intensity modulated radiotherapy.
Conclusion
We report a significant shift from EBRT to VBT alone for high-intermediate-risk , intermediate-risk and low-risk EC patients from 2003 to 2017 while EBRT remained the main radiation modality for high-risk early stage patients. There has been remarkable heterogeneity among VBT dose fractionation schedules across China.
Trial registration: The clinical trial ID was ChiCTR-PRC-17010712. It was authorized by the Institutional Review Board of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (N0. S-K139).
Image watermarking and tamper detection based on modulus operator and logistic map
Authors: Kosuru S. N. V. J. Devi , Senapati Ranjan K. , Sahu Aditya Kumar , Swain Gandharba
Published: March 2023

The existing watermarking techniques do not give importance on tamper correction. This article proposes a watermarking technique with tamper identification and correction. This technique first splits the image into 2×2 pixel blocks and works on the 4 pixels of the block. The 4 most significant bits (MSBs) of a pixel form the quotient and the 4 least significant bits (LSBs) of a pixel form the remainder. The average value of the 4 quotients of the 4 pixels in a block is computed and represented in 4-bit binary. These 4 binary bits are the watermark bits (WBs). Furthermore, a logistic map is used to generate 4 binary bits. The WBs and logistic map bits are passed into exclusive-or operation to obtain the 4 recovery bits (RBs). The first 2 WBs are camouflaged in one of the remainder by LSB substitution. The remaining 2
WBs and 4 RBs are camouflaged in the remaining 3 remainders by modulus function-based logic. While extracting the WBs, the tampered pixels of a block can be recognized and correction mechanism is used to get its corrected value. The efficacy of this watermarking scheme is estimated by various metrics like peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), hiding capacity (HC), structural similarity index (SSIM), and accuracy (ACC). The estimated HC value is 2.0 bits per pixel with a PSNR value of 45.47 decibels. This PSNR value is more than the existing techniques. The SSIM value is 0.9883 and ACC value is 1.0. The ACC value is more than the existing techniques.
A socio-political history of the South African National Health Insurance
Authors: Whyle Eleanor Beth , Olivier Jill
Published: March 2023

Background
Health policy processes are invariably shaped by social, political and historical realities. Spurred by the WHO’s endorsement of universal health coverage as a universal health system goal, many countries are undertaking health financing reforms. The nature of these reforms and the process by which they are achieved will depend on context-specific factors, including the history of reform efforts and the political imperatives driving contemporary reforms. South Africa’s pursuit of universal health coverage through a National Health Insurance is the latest in a nearly 100-year history of health system reform efforts shaped by social and political realities.
Methods
We conducted an interdisciplinary, retrospective literature review to develop an account of how health system reform efforts have unfolded, shaped by the contextual realities of the moment. We began the review by identifying peer-reviewed literature on health system reform in South Africa and iteratively expanded the search through author tracking, citation tracking and purposeful searches for material on particular events or processes referenced in the initial body of evidence. Data was extracted and organised chronologically into nine periods.
Results
The analysis suggests that in South Africa politics; the power of the private sector; competing policy priorities and budgetary constraints; and ideas, values and ideologies have been particularly important in constraining, and sometimes spurring, health system reform efforts. Political transitions and pressures, including the introduction of apartheid in 1948, anti-apartheid opposition, the transition to democracy, and corruption and governance failures, have alternately created political imperatives for reform, and constrained reform efforts. In addition, the country’s political history has given rise to dominant ideas, values and ideologies that imbue health system reform with a particular social meaning. While these ideas and values increase opposition and complicate reform efforts, they also help to expose the inequities of the current system as problematic and re-emphasise the need for reform.
Conclusions
Ultimately, this analysis demonstrates the context-specific nature of health system reform processes and the influence of history on what sorts of reforms are politically feasible and socially acceptable. In addition, the analysis reveals the value of a historical perspective to understanding the challenges facing contemporary reforms.
Design and implementation of a replication study: The Music for Autism (M4A) binational assessor-blinded randomised crossover trial
Authors: Groessing Alexander , Ruiz Marianna , Guran Alexandrina , Koçan Asena , Kouwer Karlijn , Mikus Nace , Nater Urs , Posserud Maj-Britt , Salomon-Gimmon Maayan , Todorova Boryana , Wagner Isabella C , Gold Christian , Silani Giorgia , Specht Karsten
Published: March 2023

Many autistic children suffer from social communication problems, reduced participation, and mental health issues. Music therapy has beneficial but heterogeneous effects; its mechanisms are incompletely understood. The Music for Autism (M4A) trial aims to replicate and expand a previous trial examining brain mechanisms and clinical outcomes of music versus play-based therapy for autistic children. This paper presents M4A’s design and implementation; we examine feasibility of this replication trial based on the first wave of recruitment. M4A is a crossover randomised controlled trial currently conducted at two sites (Bergen, Norway; Vienna, Austria). Children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder will be randomised to a sequence of weekly individual music and play-based therapy (3 months for each intervention; 3-month washout period). Outcomes assessed before and after each intervention period include communication (blinded, assessed by teachers); functional brain connectivity (from functional magnetic resonance imaging, fMRI); and further behavioural and biological outcomes. The planned total sample size of 80 will ensure adequate power. Recruitment in the first wave (14 randomised) was below expectations. Baseline characteristics were similar to the previous study, but some variables (severity, functioning) were difficult to assess and compare. A range of functioning levels were included. Interventions were well accepted; fidelity was adequate. Timing of interventions and assessments was challenging when blinded assessors were hard to reach. Blinding was successful. Movement in fMRI was an issue in some children, but we developed preparation strategies to help also low-functioning children to successfully complete the scans. No study-related adverse events occurred. M4A has a strong design, appears feasible, and promises important new insights into the mechanisms and outcomes of music therapy for ASD. Multinational replicability of controlled trials of complex psychosocial interventions in ASD combining clinical and brain imaging outcomes can be challenging and requires careful planning.
Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04936048
* AGr and MR contributed equally to this work and share first authorship. CG, GS, and KS contributed equally to this work and share last authorship.
Strong nighttime boundary layer activity on Mars caused by thermal perturbations
Authors: Temel Orkun , Senel Cem , Karatekin Ozgur
Published: March 2023

The Planetary boundary Layer (PBL) is the region which governs the interactions between the surface and atmosphere. Martian daytime PBL has been shown to have strong turbulent mixing similar to the Earth. Nighttime Martian PBL, yet to be explored further, has been assumed to form under very weak turbulent mixing conditions so far. Here we show that temperature fluctuations caused by large-scale atmospheric variations can induce strong local turbulent mixing and remarkably affect surface-atmosphere exchange processes. Temperature fluctuations as low as 0.5 K can increase the surface momentum flux up to an order of magnitude. Our results reveal the feedback between global/mesoscale atmospheric dynamics and the microscale boundary-layer meteorology, with implication for nighttime dust lifting on Mars due to increased near-surface wind stress.
Laser-assisted Nano-texturing for Flexible Ultrathin Crystalline Si Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Inho , Lee Youngseok , Woo Jeong-hyun , Kim Keonhee , Lee Kyeong-Seok , Jeong YeonJoo , Kim Jaewook , Hwang Gyu Weon , Lee Doh-Kwon , Kim Ju-Young
Published: March 2023

Ultrathin crystalline Si wafers, which are more flexible than conventional ones, can apply to curved surfaces, enabling a wide range of applications such as building integrated photovoltaics, vehicle integrated photovoltaics and wearable devices. Thinner wafers require more effective light trapping; thus, surface texturing in microscale is a common approach to compensate for the reduced thickness by enhancing the light pathlength. Microscale textures, however, deteriorate the mechanical flexibility due to stress concentration in the valley of the micro-textures. In this study, we propose a laser-assisted nano-texturing process for enhanced flexibility of the ultrathin Si solar cells with a 50-µm thickness while maintaining light trapping performances. A nano-lens array was used to focus laser onto the Si wafers, inducing the formation of nanoparticle etch masks for nano-pyramid texturing in an alkaline solution. The origin of the enhanced flexibility of the nano-textured Si wafers was discussed by a micro-mechanics simulation study. We applied our nano-texturing technique to ultrathin Si based PERC cells and demonstrated the enhanced flexibility of the cells with a 26 mm critical bending radius. Also, we show that the nano-texture Si wafer provide a higher efficiency of 18.68%, whereas the micro-texture one exhibits 18.10%.
Feasibility Study into the Application of the "Iron Man" CHD Screening System in CHD Screening
Authors: Peng Yunzhu , Zhai JiaMing , Wu ChangYong , Pan JiaHua , Li RuiJie , Sun Huang
Published: March 2023

Objective

To explore new methods of remote congenital heart disease (CHD) screening, our study investigated the feasibility of applying the “Iron Man” remote CHD screening system to CHD screening.

Methods

135 CHD patients and 57 non-CHD patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at two different hospitals (from 2018 to 2019) were evaluated. We examined competency in diagnosing simple CHD cases with the "Iron Man" system by comparing cardiac sounds collected and analyzed in the following three ways-remote auscultation by a physician, automatic analysis by computer, and the online analysis system combining physician auscultation and computer-based automatic analysis.

Results

The physician’s diagnosis of CHD (based on remote auscultation of cardiac sounds collected by the "Iron Man"), had a sensitivity, specificity, overall diagnostic consistency rate and area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 84.44%, 71.93%, 80.73%, and 0.782, respectively. In comparison, the automatic computer analysis had rates of 89.63%, 73.68%, 84.90% and 0.817, respectively, and the remote CHD screening system had rates of 92.59%, 61.40%, 83.33% and 0.770. The remote CHD screening system had a higher sensitivity in diagnosing CHD than physician auscultation (92.59% vs.84.44%, P=0.001＜0.017), and automatic computer analysis had a higher specificity than the remote CHD screening system (73.68% vs.61.40%, P=0.016＜0.017). The automatic computer analysis demonstrated a higher rate of positive cases than physician auscultation (74.48% vs.67.71%, P=0.041＜0.05).

Conclusion

The remote CHD screening system integrating physician auscultation and automatic computer analysis were more sensitive than physician auscultation in diagnosing CHD.
Genomic transcription factor binding site selection is edited by the chromatin remodeling factor CHD4
Authors: Takaku Motoki , Saotome Mika , Poduval Deepak , Grimm Sara , Nagornyuk Aerica , Gunarathna Sakuntha , Shimbo Takashi , Wade Paul
Published: March 2023

Biologically precise enhancer licensing by lineage-determining transcription factors enables activation of transcripts appropriate to biological demand and prevents deleterious gene activation. This essential process is challenged by the millions of matches to most transcription factor binding motifs present in many eukaryotic genomes, leading to questions about how transcription factors achieve the exquisite specificity required. The importance of chromatin remodeling factors to enhancer activation is highlighted by their frequent mutation in developmental disorders and in cancer. Here we determine the roles of CHD4 to enhancer licensing and maintenance in breast cancer cells and during cellular reprogramming. In unchallenged basal breast cancer cells, CHD4 modulates chromatin accessibility at transcription factor binding sites; its depletion leads to altered motif scanning and redistribution of transcription factors to sites not previously occupied. During GATA3-mediated cellular reprogramming, CHD4 activity is necessary to prevent inappropriate chromatin opening and enhancer licensing. Mechanistically, CHD4 competes with transcription factor-DNA interaction by promoting nucleosome positioning over binding motifs. We propose that CHD4 acts as a chromatin proof-reading enzyme that prevents inappropriate gene expression by editing binding site selection by transcription factors.
Cost Optimization of an Inventory Control Problem in Neutrosophic Environment for Smart Manufacturing
Authors: MOHANTA KARTICK , Sarkar Sanchita , Dey Arindam , De Debashis , Pal Anita
Published: March 2023

This paper deals with real-world inventory problems considering the natural idle time like weekly off days and daily closure time. So a cost minimization economic order quantity model is developed considering the idle time costs. In this model, the inventory processing time is divided into two parts: opening time and closing time and also weekly off-day are considered. In a crisp model, a constant rate of deterioration is considered. The deterioration rate, demand rate, and other inventory costs are treated as linear symmetric generalized trapezoidal single-valued neutrosophic numbers to make the model more realistic. The neutrosophic average cost has been derived, and then it is De-neutrosophied using the mean interval method. Hence optimal order quantity, optimal closing and opening time have been derived. Finally, a case study is taken into consideration to support the model, and sensitivity analysis is also presented to justify the model.
Association of gestational metabolic syndrome with the Chinese Healthy Eating Index in mid-pregnancy: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Yu-hong , Lu Ling-peng , Wu Hui , Yi Min-hui , Liu Bing-gang , Xu Yan , Wu Qin
Published: March 2023

Background We established a mid-pregnancy version of CHEI-2022 based on the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI), with reference to the amount of food recommended by Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (DGC-2022) for mid-pregnancy. To explore the relationship between gestational metabolic syndrome (GMS) and the CHEI in mid-pregnancy and to identify potentially beneficial or high-risk dietary habits.
Methods Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the data of 2,411 mid-pregnancy was collected by interview. Total CHEI score and its component scoreswere calculated based on the food frequency questionnaire. Physical examination and blood biochemical tests were used to diagnose GMS. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between GMS or relative indexes and the total CHEI score or its component scores.
Results The study showed the overall prevalence of GMS was 21.65%(522/2,411). Mid-pregnancy with GMS had a higher BMI, FBG, 1hPBG, 2hPBG, TC, TG, HDL, SBP, degree of education, and daily activity than those without GMS (p < 0.001).After adjusting for potential confounders, it showed that the higher total CHEI scores(≥ 80) ,the lower risk of GMSor relative indexes (P<0.05). The GMS or relative indexes risks were reduced by increasing the dietary content of potatoes, whole grains, beans, dark green vegetables, and fruits in the CHEI (P < 0.05).
Conclusion The quality of healthy diet (total CHEI score≥ 80) and increased intake of specificdietary components (potatoes, beans, dark green vegetables ,fruits) were effective in reducing the risk of GMS or relative indexes in mid-pregnancy.
Limitations in physical function and depressive symptoms among Chinese older men and women: the moderating effects of family ties and friendship ties
Authors: Tang Dan , Tang Dan , Hu Qing , Zhang Kun
Published: March 2023

Background
Most studies exploring the moderating effects of social networks between limitations in physical function and depressive symptoms fail to distinguish the effect of different circle of social networks. The aim of this study was to examine the association among limitations in physical function, social networks and depressive symptoms, and explore the moderating effects of family ties and friendship ties among Chinese older men and women.
Methods
Data on 7770 participants (mean age = 69.12, SD = 7.50; men, 54.0%) from the baseline China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey were analysed. Linear regressions were used to evaluate the association among limitations in physical function, social networks, and depressive symptoms. The moderating effects of family ties and friendship ties and gender differences were also examined.
Results
Limitations in physical function were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (B = 0.275). More limitations in physical function were associated with poorer family ties (B=-0.042) and friendship ties (B=-0.195); the coefficient of limitations in physical function on friendship ties was significantly larger than that on family ties (χ2 = 38.41). Both family (B=-0.177) and friendship ties (B=-0.061) were associated with lesser depressive symptoms. The interaction between limitations in physical function and family ties was significantly negative in the total sample (B=-0.011), whereas the interaction between limitations in physical function and friendship ties was significantly positive among older women (B = 0.009). Female older adults with more limitations in physical function reported weaker family (B=-0.052, p < 0.01) and friendship ties (B=-0.210, p < 0.001). Male older adults with more limitations in physical function reported weaker friendship ties (B=-0.184, p < 0.001). However, the limitations in physical function of male older adults had a marginally significant effect on their family ties (B=-0.032, p < 0.1).
Conclusions
These findings highlight the different roles of family and friendship ties for older adults with various physical function status. Older adults, especially older women, who are healthy and can care for themselves should be encouraged to expand friendship ties to maintain their mental health. Moreover, the family and communities should provide enough support for older adults with limitations in physical function to reduce their depressive symptoms.
Developing a Global Medicine Student Pre- and Post-Travel Curriculum
Authors: Mehta Natasha , Fernandes Caroline , Llerena Christopher , Weine Stevan , Bosland Maarten C.
Published: March 2023

Background
The popularity of short-term global health experiences amongst US medical students has been increasing. However, it remains a challenge for medical schools to comprehensively prepare students to work in an international environment and to contribute in ethically responsible and meaningful ways. Students of the Global Medicine program (GMED) of the UIC College of Medicine Center for Global Health set out to develop a pre-and-post travel curriculum that addresses some of these challenges.
Methods
The students surveyed the literature and published global health curricula and identified aspects of pre-and-post travel training that were found to be under-addressed in the. They then developed a curriculum in conjunction with GMED faculty that incorporated these identified aspects of pre-and-post travel training.
Results
Five aspects of pre-and-post travel training were identified as being both under-addressed in the literature and in student’s personal experiences while traveling. These domains include: (1) examining power relations associated with neo-colonization between and within countries; (2) training for bi-directional learning; (3) examining motivations and goals for participating in global health; (4) addressing personal resiliency and psychosocial wellbeing related to students’ travel, and; (5) reflecting on the challenging aspects of the fieldwork experience.
Conclusions
The student-driven curriculum is being integrated into the GMED program through structured didactic sessions, one-on-one mentor meetings and small group discussions. Once students have traveled, an evaluation of the curriculum will be conducted together with the foreign partners they visited.
Proteomic analysis of 92 circulating proteins and their effects in cardiometabolic diseases
Authors: Carland Corinne , Png Grace , Malarstig Anders , Kho Pik Fang , Gustafsson Stefan , Michaelsson Karl , Lind Lars , Tsafantakis Emmanouil , Karaleftheri Maria , Dedoussis George , Ramisch Anna , Macdonald-Dunlop Erin , Klaric Lucija , Joshi Peter K. , Chen Yan , Björck Hanna M. , Eriksson Per , Carrasco-Zanini Julia , Wheeler Eleanor , Suhre Karsten , Gilly Arthur , Zeggini Eleftheria , Viñuela Ana , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. , Wilson James F. , Langenberg Claudia , Thareja Gaurav , Halama Anna , Schmidt Frank , Consortium SCALLOP , Zanetti Daniela , Assimes Themistocles
Published: March 2023

Background: Human plasma contains a wide variety of circulating proteins. These proteins can be important clinical biomarkers in disease and also possible drug targets. Large scale genomics studies of circulating proteins can identify genetic variants that lead to relative protein abundance.
Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis on genome-wide association studies of autosomal chromosomes in 22,997 individuals of primarily European ancestry across 12 cohorts to identify protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) for 92 cardiometabolic associated plasma proteins.
Results: We identified 503 (337 cis and 166 trans) conditionally independent pQTLs, including several novel variants not reported in the literature. We conducted a sex-stratified analysis and found that 118 (23.5%) of pQTLs demonstrated heterogeneity between sexes. The direction of effect was preserved but there were differences in effect size and significance. Additionally, we annotate trans-pQTLs with nearest genes and report plausible biological relationships. Using Mendelian randomization, we identified causal associations for 18 proteins across 19 phenotypes, of which 10 have additional genetic colocalization evidence. We highlight proteins associated with a constellation of cardiometabolic traits including angiopoietin-related protein 7 (ANGPTL7) and Semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F).
Conclusion: Through large-scale analysis of protein quantitative trait loci, we provide a comprehensive overview of common variants associated with plasma proteins. We highlight possible biological relationships which may serve as a basis for further investigation into possible causal roles in cardiometabolic diseases.
Impact of HPV-16 lineages infection on response to radio-chemotherapy in cervical cancer
Authors: de Figueiredo Fábio Vidal , Santos Gerusinete Rodrigues Bastos dos , Vidal Flávia Castello Branco , Silva Marcos Antonio Custódio Neto da , Silva Rodrigo Lopes da , Batista Zulmira da Silva , de Andrade Marcelo Souza , Barbosa Maria do Carmo Lacerda , Maniçoba Anna Cyntia Brandão Nascimento , Silva Mayara Cristina Pinto da , Nascimento Maria do Desterro Soares Brandão
Published: March 2023

Aim
Estimate the frequency of Human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 lineages in specimens of cervical cancer, relate the pathological factors in those variants and assess the response to treatment with radical chemoradiotherapy.
Methods
Samples of cervical cancer were collected from women referred to reference cancer hospital to test the presence of Human papilloma virus types DNA. The standard protocol of the service consisted of cisplatin based chemotherapy 40 mg/m² plus conventional pelvic irradiation in the dosis of 45-50.4 Gy and high dose rate brachytherapy of 28–30 Gy to Point A. The response to chemotherapy was avaliated after three months in those patients with HPV − 16 lineage.
Results
HPV DNA was detected in out 104 (88.1%) of the 118 patients. HPV-16 present in 63 patients (53%). Lineages of HPV 16 identified in 57 patients being: 33 (57.8%) lineage A, 2 lineage B (3.5%), 2 lineage C (3.5%) and 20 (35.0%) lineage D. The median age of the patients was 48.4 years (range 25–85 years). Squamous cell carcinoma was detected 48 times (84.2%). Adenocarcinoma were more likely to occur in lineage D, as three of the four cases occurred in this lineage. A total of 11patientes with HPV-16 variant were treated with chemoradiotherapy. After three months, was observed that nine of the eleven patients (81.8%) achieved complete response: five of the lineage A, two of the lineage C and two of the lineage D. The cases of partial response and progression of disease, one each, occurred in the lineage A.
Conclusion
Besides the small number of patients and HPV variants, we notice better response in patients with HPV 16 lineage A. Increasing the sample could be helpful to better associate the impact of HPV variants on cervical cancer treatment.
Do wars abroad affect attitudes at home? Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and European public opinion
Authors: vlandas Tim , Klymak Margaryta
Published: March 2023

What is the effect of wars abroad on the attitudes of people living in countries that are not directly involved? Using representative samples from eight European countries, we explore how the Russian invasion has affected over twenty social and political attitudes. To estimate causal effects, we adopt the ‘Unexpected Event during Survey Design’ which leverages the overlap between the survey fieldwork and the timing of Russia’s invasion. We find that the war increased support for democracy, redistribution, Europe, and immigration, while it reduced authoritarian attitudes. Our findings are the first to show empirically that wars abroad have a causal impact on public opinion even in countries not directly involved in a conflict.
Seasonal sediment dynamics in a constructed and natural tidal marsh in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Dybiec Jacob , Rinehart Shelby , Cherry Julia
Published: March 2023

Declines in sediment loading, combined with sea-level rise, are a major driver of recent tidal marsh loss. As such, evaluations of sediment dynamics are necessary for assessments of current and future marsh resilience to sea-level rise. While tidal marsh creation is used to offset these losses, few studies have assessed sediment dynamics in these systems; those that have were focused on accumulation at a single time and/or place, without considering the composition of accumulated sediment (i.e., organic vs. inorganic). We compared seasonal sediment dynamics between a natural and nearby 34-year-old constructed tidal marsh in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In July 2021, we set up a series of permanent sampling points along one tidal creek in each marsh and made monthly measurements of sedimentation, surface organic matter accumulation, and surface scour for one year. We found that sedimentation and organic matter accumulation were lower in the constructed marsh, while surface scour did not differ. Additionally, we found that the relationship between distance from the mouth of each tidal creek and sedimentation differed between marshes (positive in natural, negative in constructed), as did organic matter accumulation (no relationship in natural, positive in constructed). Despite this, we found that both marshes followed similar seasonal trends in sediment accumulation (highest in summer, lowest in winter). Our results suggest that considering local sedimentation rates is critical to insuring that adequate sedimentary dynamics develop in restored and created marshes, underscoring the importance of evaluating spatial and temporal variation in sedimentary dynamics to assess restoration outcomes.