bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular Function and Intima-Media Thickness in Children and Adolescents with Growth Hormone Deficiency: Results from a Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Improda Nicola , Moracas Cristina , Mattace Raso Giuseppina , Valente Valeria , Crisci Giulia , Lorello Paola , Di Mase Raffaella , Salerno Mariacarolina , Capalbo Donatella
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) may be associated with subtle cardiovascular abnormalities, reversible upon starting GH treatment. Data on vascular morphology and function in GHD children are scanty and inconclusive. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of GHD and GH treatment on endothelial function and intima-media thickness (IMT) in children and adolescents. Methods: We enrolled 24 children with GHD (10.85 ± 2.71 years) and 24 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched controls. We evaluated anthropometry, lipid profile, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and IMT of common (cIMT) and internal (iIMT) carotid artery at study entry in all subjects and after 12 months of treatment in GHD children. Results: At baseline GHD, children had higher total cholesterol (163.17 ± 18.66 vs. 149.83 ± 20.68 mg/dL, p = 0.03), LDL cholesterol (91.18 ± 20.41 vs. 77.08 ± 19.73 mg/dL, p = 0.019), atherogenic index (AI) (2.94 ± 0.71 vs. 2.56 ± 0.4, p = 0.028), and ADMA (215.87 ± 109.15 vs. 164.10 ± 49.15 ng/mL, p < 0.001), compared to controls. GHD patients also exhibited increased higher waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) compared to controls (0.48 ± 0.05 vs. 0.45 ± 0.02 cm, p = 0.03). GH therapy resulted in a decrease in WHtR (0.44 ± 0.03 cm, p = 0.001), total (151.60 ± 15.23 mg/dL, p = 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (69.94 ± 14.40 mg/dL, p < 0.0001), AI (2.28 ± 0.35, p = 0.001), and ADMA (148.47 ± 102.43 ng/mL, p < 0.0001). GHD showed lower baseline FMD than controls (8.75 ± 2.44 vs. 11.85 ± 5.98%, p = 0.001), which improved after 1-year GH treatment (10.60 ± 1.69%, p = 0.001). Baseline cIMT and iIMT were comparable between the two groups, but slightly reduced in GHD patients after treatment. Conclusion: GHD children may exhibit endothelial dysfunction in addition to other early atherosclerotic markers like visceral adiposity, and altered lipids, which can be restored by GH treatment.
A Resilience Process Model of Parenting in the Context of Poverty
Authors: Park Ye Rang
Published: July 2023

Poverty is associated with multiple contextual stressors, which may exacerbate child-rearing stress and interfere with positive parenting. However, many parents successfully navigate seemingly insurmountable obstacles and engage in positive parenting, which may allow parents to minimize the impact of poverty on child development by exerting control in responding to child-rearing challenges and focusing on parenting as a source of agency and competence. This paper provides a resilience process model of parenting based on the literature from multiple disciplines, including socio-cognitive processes, decision-making, and coping, to identify risk and protective factors that contribute to positive parenting. Parents’ adaptive mindsets and more active, problem-oriented coping strategies may strengthen parents’ cognitive and emotion regulation, which, in turn, may lead to more positive parenting behaviors. This conceptual model may contribute to a more nuanced appreciation of how parents living in poverty successfully manage child-rearing challenges. By understanding the resilience process of parenting, we may inform family practice and interventions to better support well-being among families living in poverty.
Right Heart Structure and Function after Electrical Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Yan Xiaohan , Meyre Pascal B. , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Bossard Matthias , Zimmermann Andreas , Conen David , Kaufmann Beat A.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) adversely impacts right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) structure and function. There are limited data on these changes after electrical cardioversion (ECV) and the relative contribution of heart rate to evaluate the immediate (1–2 h) and short-term (4–6 weeks) changes in right cardiac chamber dimensions and RV function after ECV in patients with persistent AF. Methods: Right cardiac chamber dimensions and RV function were measured in 64 patients using transthoracic echocardiography 1–2 h before, immediately after, and 4–6 weeks after ECV. Associations between changes in right-heart measures and rhythm status at follow-up were assessed using linear regression models. Results: For patients who remained in sinus rhythm 4–6 weeks after ECV (n = 48), median fractional area change (FAC) at baseline, immediately after ECV, and 4–6 weeks after ECV were 39 (Q1:35, Q3:42) %, 42 (Q1:39, Q3:46) %, 46 (Q1:43, Q3:49) % (p < 0.01); median tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values at the same time points were 18 (Q1:17, Q3:20) mm, 20 (Q1:18, Q3:23) mm, and 24 (Q1:22, Q3:26) mm (p < 0.01), respectively. There was no significant difference in RV end systolic area and RA volume index before and after ECV. However, RV end systolic area and RA volume index decreased significantly after 4–6 weeks from a median of 10 (Q1:8, Q3:13) cm2 to 8 (Q1:7, Q3:10) cm2 (p < 0.01), and from a median of 30 (Q1:24, Q3:36) mL/m2 to 24 (Q1:20, Q3:27) mL/m2 (p < 0.01). Changes in TAPSE were significantly associated with sinus rhythm at follow-up (p = 0.027), changes in FAC showed a strong trend to association with sinus rhythm (p = 0.053), and this was not true for RA measures (p = 0.64). Conclusions: Among AF patients who remained in sinus rhythm after ECV, RV function improved immediately after ECV with further improvement at 4–6 weeks following sinus rhythm restoration.
Developing Predictive Models to Anticipate Shunt Complications in 33,248 Pediatric Patients with Shunted Hydrocephalus Utilizing Machine Learning
Authors: Shahrestani Shane , Shlobin Nathan , Gendreau Julian L. , Brown Nolan J , Himstead Alexander , Patel Neal A , Pierzchajlo Noah , Chakravarti Sachiv , Lee Darrin Jason , Chiarelli Peter A. , Bullis Carli L. , Chu Jason
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is a common pediatric neurosurgical pathology, typically treated with a ventricular shunt, yet approximately 30% of patients experience shunt failure within the first year after surgery. As a result, the objective of the present study was to validate a predictive model of pediatric shunt complications with data retrieved from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Readmissions Database (NRD). Methods: The HCUP NRD was queried from 2016 to 2017 for pediatric patients undergoing shunt placement using ICD-10 codes. Comorbidities present upon initial admission resulting in shunt placement, Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups (JHACG) frailty-defining criteria, and Major Diagnostic Category (MDC) at admission classifications were obtained. The database was divided into training (n = 19,948), validation (n = 6,650), and testing (n = 6,650) datasets. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of shunt complications which were used to develop logistic regression models. Post hoc receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created. Results: A total of 33,248 pediatric patients aged 6.9 ± 5.7 years were included. Number of diagnoses during primary admission (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04–1.07) and initial neurological admission diagnoses (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 3.33–4.42) positively correlated with shunt complications. Female sex (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76–0.99) and elective admissions (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53–0.72) negatively correlated with shunt complications. ROC curve for the regression model utilizing all significant predictors of readmission demonstrated area under the curve of 0.733, suggesting these factors are possible predictors of shunt complications in pediatric hydrocephalus. Conclusion: Efficacious and safe treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus is of paramount importance. Our machine learning algorithm delineated possible variables predictive of shunt complications with good predictive value.
Social Media Literacy to Confront Far-Right Content: Saying “No” to Neutrality
Authors: Burnham Sarah L.F. , Arbeit Miriam R.
Published: July 2023

Current conceptualizations of media literacy do not explicitly state that users should be able to identify and reject hateful, manipulative far-right content. We highlight important principles of relational developmental systems metatheory that are integral to our proposed model of anti-oppressive social media literacy. We critique current theories of digital media literacy for their political neutrality or lack of active opposition and offer a value- and action-based anti-oppressive framework for social media literacy in pursuit of social justice. We propose a model of anti-oppressive social media literacy in which we outline three potential orientation outcomes: rejection, endorsement, and ambivalence. We describe the implications and potential developmental pathways of each of these orientations in response to far-right content. We also highlight multiple layers of bidirectional mutually influential individual-context relations that may influence the development of social media users’ orientation to far-right content online. In conclusion, we discuss strengths, limitations and future directions for studying our proposed theory of anti-oppressive social media literacy.
Racial residential segregation and COVID-19 vaccine uptake: an analysis of Georgia USA county-level data
Authors: Medcalfe Simon K. , Slade Catherine P.
Published: July 2023

Background

Foundational literature demonstrates that racial residential segregation results in poorer health outcomes for Black people than white people due to a variety of social determinants of health. COVID-19 vaccine uptake is important for better health outcomes, regardless of race. The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated concerns about racial health disparities but with little discussion of racial residential segregation as a predictor of disparate health outcomes. This paper investigates the relationship between racial residential segregation and COVID-19 vaccine uptake using county level data from the State of Georgia (USA).

Methods

Using publicly available data, regression analysis is conducted for 138 of the 159 counties in Georgia USA, using a dissimilarity index that describes county level differences in racial residential segregation. The primary independent variable is Black-white differences in vaccine uptake at the county level. The analytic methods focus on a spatial analysis to support information for county level health departments as the basis for health policy and resource allocation.

Results

Constructing a variable of the difference in vaccination rates between Black and white residents we find that Black-white differences in COVID-19 vaccination are most notable in the 69 most segregated of the 159 counties in Georgia. A ten-point lower segregation index is associated with an improvement in the Black-white vaccination gap of 1.5 percentage points (95% CI -0.31, -0.00). Income inequality and access to health care resources, such as access to a primary care physician, also predict Black-white differences in vaccination rates at the county level. Suggested mapping approaches of publicly available data at a state county level, provides a resource for local policy makers to address future challenges for epidemic and pandemic situations.

Conclusion

County level and geospatial data analysis can inform policy makers addressing the impact of racial residential segregation on local health outcomes, even for pandemic and epidemic issues.
Understanding the barriers and facilitators of COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy adoption and COVID-19 vaccination in refugee settlements in Uganda: a qualitative study
Authors: Klabbers Robin E. , Muwonge Timothy R. , Ajidiru Scovia , Borthakur Sukanya , Mujugira Andrew , Sharma Monisha , Vinck Patrick , Pham Phuong , Celum Connie , Parkes-Ratanshi Rosalind , O’Laughlin Kelli N.
Published: July 2023

Background

Perspectives on COVID-19 risk and the willingness and ability of persons living in refugee settlements to adopt COVID-19 prevention strategies have not been rigorously evaluated. The realities of living conditions in Ugandan refugee settlements may limit the extent to which refugees can uptake strategies to mitigate COVID-19 risk.

Methods

In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted between April 2021 and April 2022 to assess COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, prevention strategy adoption including COVID-19 vaccination, and COVID-19 impact on living conditions in refugee settlements in Uganda. Interview participants included 28 purposively selected refugees who called into “Dial-COVID”, a free telephone COVID-19 information collection and dissemination platform that was advertised in refugee settlements by community health workers. Interviews were analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive content analysis. Emerging themes were mapped onto the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify domains influencing prevention behavior. Results were synthesized to provide intervention and policy recommendations for risk mitigation in refugee settlements for COVID-19 and future infectious disease outbreaks.

Results

The COVID-19 pandemic detrimentally impacted economic and food security as well as social interactions in refugee settlements. Youth were considered especially impacted, and participants reported incidents of child marriage and teenage pregnancy following school closures. Participants displayed general knowledge of COVID-19 and expressed willingness to protect themselves and others from contracting COVID-19. Risk mitigation strategy uptake including COVID-19 vaccination was influenced by COVID-19 knowledge, emotions surrounding COVID-19, the environmental context and resources, personal goals, beliefs about the consequences of (non)adoption, social influences, and behavior reinforcement. Resource constraints, housing conditions, and competing survival needs challenged the adoption of prevention strategies and compliance decreased over time.

Conclusions

Contextual challenges impact the feasibility of COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy uptake in refugee settlements. Pre-existing hardships in this setting were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. Targeted dispelling of myths, alignment of information across communication mediums, supporting survival needs and leveraging of respected role models are strategies that may hold potential to mitigate risk of infectious diseases in this setting.

Registration details

World Pandemic Research Network – 490,652.
Association of variability in metabolic parameters with the incidence of type 2 diabetes: evidence from a functional community cohort
Authors: Chen Ning , Liu Yu-Hong , Hu Li-Kun , Ma Lin-Lin , Zhang Yu , Chu Xi , Dong Jing , Yan Yu-Xiang
Published: July 2023

Background

To investigate the association of variability in metabolic parameters such as total cholesterol concentrations (TC), uric acid (UA), body mass index (BMI), visceral adiposity index (VAI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and whether variability in these metabolic parameters has additive effects on the risk of T2D.

Methods

Based on the Beijing Functional Community Cohort, 4392 participants who underwent three health examinations (2015, 2016, and 2017) were followed up for incident T2D until the end of 2021. Variability in metabolic parameters from three health examinations were assessed using the coefficient of variation, standard deviation, variability independent of the mean, and average real variability. High variability was defined as the highest quartile of variability index. Participants were grouped according to the number of high-variability metabolic parameters. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to assess the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident T2D.

Results

During a median follow-up of 3.91 years, 249 cases of incident T2D were identified. High variability in TC, BMI, VAI and SBP was significantly associated with higher risks of incident T2D. As for UA, significant multiplicative interaction was found between variability in UA and variability in other four metabolic parameters for incident T2D. The risk of T2D significantly increased with the increasing numbers of high-variability metabolic parameters. Compared with the group with low variability for 5 parameters, the HR (95% CI) for participants with 1–2, 3, 4–5 high-variability metabolic parameters were 1.488 (1.051, 2.107), 2.036 (1.286, 3.222) and 3.017 (1.549, 5.877), respectively. Similar results were obtained in various sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

High variability of TC, BMI, VAI and SBP were independent predictors of incident T2D, respectively. There was a graded association between the number of high-variability metabolic parameters and incident T2D.
Cross-Sectional Variation of Option-Implied Volatility Skew
Authors: Wu Liuren , Tian Meng
Published: July 2023

The stock option-implied volatility skew reflects both the structural risk characteristics of the underlying company and the short-term information flow about the stock price movement. This paper builds a semistructural, cross-sectional option pricing model to separate the structural risk contributions from the information flow. The model identifies two structural risk sources that contribute to the cross-sectional variation of the skew: the company’s business cyclicality and its default risk. The model can explain as much as 44% of the cross-sectional variation in implied volatility skew and is particularly informative during and after recessions. The remaining skew variation reflects mainly short-term information flow and can be used to construct stock portfolios with much better investment performance and without hidden structural risk exposures.

This paper was accepted by Agostino Capponi, finance.

Funding: L. Wu gratefully acknowledges support by a grant from the City University of New York PSC-CUNY Research Award Program.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4872 .
Corporate responsibility in implementing CSR during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Erytatina Erytatina Sukmawanti
Published: July 2023

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a form of the company’s concern for the company’s environment through various activities carried out in the context of conservation, development participation, and various other social responsibilities. This study aims to determine the CSR challenge program and how the solutions that PT. SHRAP Electronics  Indonesia do to solve these challenges. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative research, namely qualitative research that describes in detail the portrait of the actual conditions that occurred. Where to explain these conditions using interactive analysis Miles and Huberman. Data collection techniques with in-depth interviews, direct observation and literature study. Interviews were conducted with Research Informants as parties who understand and understand the process of implementing CSR programs that are implemented. The results of this study indicate that the CSR program of PT. SHARP Electronics Indonesia has a positive and significant impact on participation in providing social response programs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic so as to create a positive corporate image.
Thermal and mechanical properties of a new insulation composite material
Authors: Kocyigit Fatih , Kaya Alaattin Metin
Published: July 2023

The Taguchi optimization method was used to optimize waste and natural different components such as waste marble dust, expanded perlite, perlite aggregate size, cement, and molten tragacanth in the production of new insulation composite material. Compressive strength, thermal conductivity, abrasion loss, and water adsorption properties of the developed composite material were investigated. Taguchi’s standard L18 array was chosen for optimization of these four components with different levels. Response plots were created using the Taguchi and the optimum test condition was determined. The insulation composite material with the best thermal and mechanical properties was obtained under the condition of waste marble dust (1), expanded perlite (1), perlite aggregate size (1) and molten tragacanth (1). In addition, using the anova (Analysis of Variance), percentage impacts on the mechanical and thermal properties of the test parameters were determined. Statistical values obtained from anova and mathematical models are developed by using multi-linear regression method. It was found that the mathematical model and the experimental results were quite compatible. The optimum test conditions detected were verified by confirmation experiments. Confirmation experiment results were obtained between 99.9 % confidence interval values.
Research on the implantation and dissemination strategy of short creative advertising videos in the new media era
Authors: Liu Eryong , Li Yifei
Published: July 2023

Interconnections and communication between people in  social media enhance the information dissemination. This is leveraged by the business firms by using the social media as advertising platform for their products, brands and services. As interactive multimedia is more captivating than other media forms, the short and creative advertising videos are recently used as effective marketing tool. This work proposes a framework that taps the features of the video advertisements along with social networking properties like network clusters and  network degree to determine the transmission and retransmission of video between primary and secondary level clusters. The degradation in retransmission is estimated using the connections and their influence computed as connection coefficient between the nodes. The proposed framework is validated on Facebook advertisement videos by assessing its efficacy in dissemination and implementation of the products. The detailed experimentation reveals that the proposed model is much effective in determining the dissemination and implementation of the video content with the average mean square error of 0.24. The work is robust and versatile, that it could be deployed to other social media networks by customising the estimation of transmission and retransmission rate.
Framework Design of Smart Contracts-Based Building Information Modeling Contracts Management in Material Supply Chain
Authors: Shu Pan , Lydia Binti Za’ba Nurul Izzatul , Bin Ya’acob Mohd Rashid
Published: July 2023

Disputes in the construction industry occur from time to time. The development of the building information model enables the information in the process of project execution in the construction industry to be stored in the same model, which can find appropriate communication channels for disputes between different parties involved in engineering projects. As an emerging technology, Blockchain has received wide attention and is widely used in various fields because of its distributed storage, decentralization, and de-trust characteristics. Furthermore, smart contracts technology provides a new solution to the existing difficulties of disputes in the construction engineering industry from the perspective of replacing traditional contracts. Based on the research of Blockchain and smart contracts technology, this paper analyzes the feasibility of applying Blockchain and smart contracts to contracts management of the construction information model and discusses the implementation plan of combining Blockchain and contracts management of the construction information model with the actual scenario of material supply in the construction industry, choosing Ethereum blockchain platform as the underlying architecture and adopting " The development of smart contracts for construction material supply is carried out by adopting the "on-chain off-chain" data storage and business interaction method, and the specific design and implementation are carried out from the perspectives of system architecture, system deployment, contracts invocation mechanism, and contracts function.
Change in soil chemical attributes and yield of a common-bean crop in response to steel slag application
Authors: Silva Alessandra Vieira da , Deus Angélica Cristina Fernandes , Souza Mara Lúcia Cruz de , Broetto Fernando , Büll Leonardo Theodoro
Published: July 2023

Most agricultural soils in Brazil are classified as acid, which limits agricultural production in the country, warranting the application of acidity correctives. The present study examined the effect of steel slag application on chemical characteristics of the soil as well as on the metabolic responses and yield of common-bean plants in a no-till system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized-block design with 42-m2 subplots in a 7×2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of two factors, namely, acidity correctives and application forms. The following correctives were tested: steel slag (T1), wollastonite (T2), ladle furnace slag (T3), stainless steel slag (T4), calcined agricultural limestone (T5), agricultural limestone (T6), and a control without correctives (C). The application forms were surface application and incorporation (20 cm). Ten months after the last reapplication of the acidity correctives, a soil probe sampler was used to collect samples from the 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm layers for chemical analysis. The common-bean crop was established after 16 months of the applications, and the following parameters were evaluated 40 days after germination: plant height; leaf dry weight; relative water content; electrolyte losses; pigment content (Clo a, Clo b, and carotenoids); leaf macronutrient and micronutrient content; total soluble protein content; leaf silicon content; enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase; and gas exchange. At the end of the crop cycle, grain production and yield components were evaluated. Phosphorus, pH, base saturation, and Si increased with the application of silicates, influencing the number of plants m-1 and 100-grain weight; however, grain yield did not change
Effect of grafting and number of stems on plant growth, yield and fruit quality of soilless tomatoes
Authors: Perin Lais , Peil Roberta Marins Nogueira , Signorini Chaiane , Grolli Paulo Roberto , Streck Eduardo Anibele , Rosa Douglas Schulz Bergmann da , Neutzling Cristiane , Marques Gabriel Nachtigall , Wieth Albertina Radtke
Published: July 2023

Vegetable grafting has grown considerably and has been a management alternative to overcome adverse soil cultivation conditions. However, many growers have used grafted tomato plants in substrate cultivation, claiming greater plant vigor, fruit yield, and longevity. Thus, the work objective is to evaluate the effect of grafting and the number of stems on plant growth, fruit yield, and quality of the Italian tomato, cultivated in a system of troughs filled with raw rice husk substrate. The experiments were conducted in southern Brazil, in the 2017/18 (long cycle) and 2019/20 (short cycle) crop seasons. The cleft grafting was used. The analyzed variables were the number of leaves, leaf area index, vegetative and fruit dry matter production, plant total dry matter, number of fruits, fruit yield, mean fruit weight, and total soluble solids content (ºBrix). The grafted plants had higher LAI, fruit dry matter production, fruit number, and yield (17 and 19%, respectively, in the first and second crop seasons). The quality of the fruits, concerning the concentration of sugars, was not affected by grafting, and the mean fruit size was increased by 7.9 and 8.1 grams (long and short cycle, respectively). In a long cycle, both for grafted and non-grafted plants, single-stem plant cultivation promotes 13.54% more plant growth and is 4.86% more fruit yield than double-stem plants. In a short cycle, from the point of view of reproductive growth and fruit yield, for both types of plants, cultivation with two stems is like that of single-stem plants.
Identification of waxy genotype in sorghum genetic resources using waxy gene-based markers and iodine staining methods
Authors: Suroya Lizza Fauziah , Wirnas Desta , Trikoesoemaningtyas Trikoesoemaningtyas , Reflinur Reflinur
Published: July 2023

Sorghum is widely recognized as a versatile crop with significant value in the production of food and energy. Sorghum with waxy trait (low amylose) is more palatable to the food industries and more appealing to consumers than nonwaxy variety. However, waxy sorghum has not yet been introduced to Indonesia, making it difficult to use sorghum to support the government of Indonesia's initiative to diversify the country's main foods. This study aimed at identify the waxy traits in a set of sorghum germplasm collected in Indonesia using waxy gene-based markers and iodine staining screening approaches. A total of 48 (27 introduced and 21 local) sorghum accessions collected in the IAARD gene bank along with 4 national sorghum varieties, which were subjected to both molecular analysis and iodine staining assay. The presence of waxy allele in the sorghum gene bank collection was identified using DNA markers associated with two waxy alleles (wxa and wxc). Iodine staining assay performed in the present study was applied to verify the waxy phenotype in sorghum grain and waxy genotypes in sorghum pollen. Based on molecular analysis and pollen staining, five local sorghum accessions were classified as heterowaxy sorghum. These accessions showed reddish-brown color in their endosperm after treated by iodine staining which confirmed them as waxy phenotype. These findings would be beneficial for further improvement of grain quality in sorghum breeding programs
Morphological characteristics, trichomes, and phytochemistry of inflorescences of Humulus lupulus L: Comparison of cropping systems and varieties
Authors: Campos Olivia Pak , Leme Flávia Maria , Fortuna Gabriel Cássia , Gomes Jordany Aparecida de Oliveira , Neves Caio Scardini , Arruda Rosani do Carmo de Oliveira , Bonfim Filipe Pereira Giardini
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to assess the influence of cropping systems (conventional and organic) and hops varieties ('Cascade', 'Chinook', 'Columbus', 'Hallertau Mittelfrüh', and 'Nugget') on morphological and anatomical aspects, as well as the contents of essential oil and phenolic compounds of hops inflorescences. Thus, morphological description and cone length; identification of trichomes and peltate glandular trichome density; anatomical and histochemical analysis of peltate glandular trichomes; essential oil content; and total phenolic compound content were evaluated. The results showed no influence of treatments on morphology; however, higher cone lengths were observed in organic cropping and in ‘Cascade’ and ‘Chinook’. These results report the first record of hops trichomes grown in Brazil. Three types of trichomes were identified in inflorescences: nonglandular, peltate, and bulbous glandular. An intense presence of peltate trichomes was observed on flowers. The trichome density in bracts differed among varieties, and 'Cascade' had the highest mean (8.19). There was a significant interaction between cropping systems and varieties for trichome density in flowers: with the exception of 'Nugget' (59.50), the varieties had higher means under organic cropping, especially 'Hallertau Mittelfrüh' (92.12) and 'Chinook' (88.12). Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of polysaccharides, starch, lipids, phenolic compounds, and proteins in peltate trichomes. The cropping systems did not affect the oil content, although there were significant differences between varieties. 'Hallertau Mittelfrüh' showed the lowest oil content (0.25%). Phenolic compounds showed no effect of treatments. Therefore, the results indicate that organic cropping and the 'Cascade' and 'Chinook' varieties are more promising under the conditions studied
Combination of irrigation systems in several soil types using principal component analysis
Authors: Yassi Amir , Iswoyo Hari , Anshori Muhammad Fuad
Published: July 2023

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Principal Component Analysis in evaluating irrigation systems in different soil types and to obtain information on the best method and combination of factors for rice cultivation. The study was carried out in Soppeng Regency in April-September 2019. A nested design was used with different replication of soil texture levels (S), namely sandy (S1), loam (S2), and clay (S3). The second factor was water management (W), which consists of farmers' watering practice (W1), as well as intermittent (W2), dry-wet application (W3), and semi-puddled (W4) irrigation systems. Each combination treatment was replicated three times to obtain 36 experimental units. Subsequently, observations were carried out on seven yield component parameters, analyzed with multivariate evaluation, correlation, and principal component analysis. The principal component analysis effectively assessed irrigation methods and soil types with an eigenvalue of 0.9286. The intermittent irrigation system was the best method for rice cultivation, specifically in loam and clay soils, where the latter had the best combination. These results are expected to be a basis for future studies or practical activities on the crop's cultivation
Мнение студентов медиков о планировании семьи
Authors: Рындина В.В. , Солянина В.А. , Овод А.И. , Степанова А.В.
Published: July 2023

В статье представлены результаты социологического исследования мнения первокурсников КГМУ о планировании семьи. Показаны основные мнения респондентов о необходимости создания семьи, наличия детей и источниках информации по вопросам планирования семьи и методах контрацепции.
Utility of Smartphone-Based Digital Phenotyping Biomarkers in Assessing Treatment Response to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Depression: Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Kelkar Radhika Suneel , Currey Danielle , Nagendra Srilakshmi , Mehta Urvakhsh Meherwan , Sreeraj Vanteemar S , Torous John , Thirthalli Jagadisha
Published: July 2023

Background

Identifying biomarkers of response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in treatment-resistant depression is a priority for personalizing care. Clinical and neurobiological determinants of treatment response to TMS, while promising, have limited scalability. Therefore, evaluating novel, technologically driven, and potentially scalable biomarkers, such as digital phenotyping, is necessary.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the potential of smartphone-based digital phenotyping and its feasibility as a predictive biomarker of treatment response to TMS in depression.

Methods

We assessed the feasibility of digital phenotyping by examining the adherence and retention rates. We used smartphone data from passive sensors as well as active symptom surveys to determine treatment response in a naturalistic course of TMS treatment for treatment-resistant depression. We applied a scikit-learn logistic regression model (l1 ratio=0.5; 2-fold cross-validation) using both active and passive data. We analyzed related variance metrics throughout the entire treatment duration and on a weekly basis to predict responders and nonresponders to TMS, defined as ≥50% reduction in clinician-rated symptom severity from baseline.

Results

The adherence rate was 89.47%, and the retention rate was 73%. The area under the curve for correct classification of TMS response ranged from 0.59 (passive data alone) to 0.911 (both passive and active data) for data collected throughout the treatment course. Importantly, a model using the average of all features (passive and active) for the first week had an area under the curve of 0.7375 in predicting responder status at the end of the treatment.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that it is feasible to use digital phenotyping data to assess response to TMS in depression. Early changes in digital phenotyping biomarkers, such as predicting response from the first week of data, as shown in our results, may also help guide the treatment course.
Fractional SIZR model of Zombie infection
Authors: Jafari Hossein , Goswami Pranay , Dubey Ravi Shankar , Sharma Shivani , Chaudhary Arun
Published: July 2023

This research paper investigates the SIZR model related to Zombie infection outbreaks according to a time-dependent infection rate. The proposed model is extended to the fractional order using different fractional derivative operators. The solution of the proposed model by numerical schemes, is briefed. Graphical representations provide us with a better understanding of this mathematical model. Lastly, as observed in movies, we conclude that Zombie infections can generate the destruction and collapse of human development and it is of paramount importance to deal with Zombies as early as possible in order to avoid putting our civilization under threatening and destructive circumstances.
MEKANISME PEMBENTUKAN PERHIMPUNAN PEMILIK DAN PENGHUNI SARUSUN PASCA BERLAKUNYA PP NO. 13 TAHUN 2021
Authors: Setiawati Anda
Published: July 2023

UURS memerintahkan agar setiap pelaku pembangunan memfasilitasi pembentukan PPPSRS yang berasal dari para pemilik sarusun. Mengenai tata cara pembentukan PPPSRS, PP No. 13/2021 menetapkan tahapan-tahapannya yang meliputi tahap persiapan, penyelenggaraan musyawarah, tahap pembentukan, tahap pembentukan dan pengesahan AD/ART. Setelah PPPSRS yang baru sudah terbentuk dan sudah dilakukan penyerahan pengelolaan atas hak bersama yang diikuti dengan audit keuangan oleh akuntan publik dan penyerahan dokumen-dokumen teknis di hadapan notaris, maka pengurus wajib menyimpan dan memelihara dokumen-dokumen tersebut guna kepentingan bersama dari para pemilik sarusun. Mengenai perubahan atau penggantian pengurus dilakukan dengan merujuk pada AD/ART dan hak suara yang dimiliki setiap pemilik dan penghuni sarusun. Dalam keadaan tertentu, perubahan pengurus dapat dilakukan melalui Rapat Umum Luar Biasa (RULB) dengan syarat dilakukan dengan cara musyawarah mufakat, semangat kekeluargaan dan tidak melanggar undang-undang
Duchenne muscular dystrophy overview
Authors: José Juan Reyes Salazar  , Brissia Lazalde Medina
Published: July 2023

This literature review addresses Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a serious muscle disease related to the X chromosome. DMD causes progressive loss of walking ability and dependence on wheelchairs in adolescence. Patients' quality of life and survival have been improved through the use of corticosteroids and a multidisciplinary approach to orthopaedic management. DMD is caused by partial or total absence of dystrophin protein due to specific mutations in the DMD gene (Xp21. 2 locus). The disease is characterized by progressive muscle weakness, deformities in the musculoskeletal system, problems in the nutrition of the person and digestive problems, also presents a decrease in bone density. Diagnosis is based on clinical evidence, elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase in the blood and electromyography, and its confirmation is made with muscle biopsy. Early diagnosis is recommended to initiate proper management and carry out treatment. Treatment focuses on preserving muscle strength, preventing spinal deformities, managing respiratory and cardiac complications, and improving quality of life. In some studies, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists has been shown to be beneficial for long-term cardiovascular management resulting from DMD. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary approach is required to counteract clinical outcomes and improve the quality of life of patients with DMD.
GENETIC RESOURCES OF STONE FRUIT CROPS : YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
Authors:   N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, UKHATOVA YU.V. , SOKOLOVA E.A. ,   N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, TIKHONOVA N.G. ,   N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources
Published: July 2023

Presented here are the Program and Abstracts of the Scientific Online Seminar “Genetic Resources of Stone Fruit Crops: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” (hereinafter referred to as the Event/Seminar), dedicated to the memory of the famous Russian fruit breeder, creator of the largest gene pool of East Asian stone fruit species, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Vera Petrovna Tsarenko (1940–2022), who headed the Far East Experiment Station, a branch of VIR, for more than 20 years. The Seminar was organized as part of a scientific partnership with scientific organizations holding stone fruit collections, as well as with participants in the VIR project “National Network Collection of Plant Genetic Resources for Effective Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation in the Field of Genetic Technologies” (Agreement No. 075-15-2021-1050 of Sept. 28, 2021). The Seminar is one of the VIR events held as part of the “Science and Universities” National Project. The Seminar discussed the problems of conservation, study of the use of fruit plant genetic resources, topical issues of morphology, taxonomy, biology, study of diversity, origin, evolution, variety studies, breeding, and stone fruit collections genotyping. The presented materials reflect the history, current state and development of fruit growing in the Russian Far East, as well as the use of Far East stone fruit species in the breeding process. Scientists from Adygea, Altai, the Far East, the Crimea, the Krasnodar Territory, the Urals, Siberia, the Northwest of Russia, etc. took part in the work of the Seminar. Recommended to a wide range of specialists in the field of plant breeding and genetics, in the field of work with bioresource collections, including students, graduate students and young scientists under the age of 39. Abstracts are published as submitted. The authors (co-authors) of the published abstracts are responsible for the objectivity and reliability of the data presented.
FREQUENCY OF WHITE SPOT LESIONS IN ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS VISITING TO KHYBER COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY(KCD) PESHAWAR
Authors: Tahira Hussain  , Muhammad Saood  , Syed Suleman Shah  , Ahsan Mehmood shah  , Faizan Ul Hassan  , Haris Mustafa  , Siddiq Yousufi
Published: July 2023

Objectives: The determine the frequency of how common white spot lesions in orthodontic patients .Materials and Methods: A total of 147 patients who visited the Orthodontics department at Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar were included in the study. Intraoral pictures were acquired using a DSLR camera before and after therapy (6 months after fi xed device insertion) (D600). The development of white spot lesions was evaluated between pre and post-therapy photos. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data.Results: Eight four were female (57.1%) and sixty-three were males (42.9%). The mean age was 21.45±4.87 years. The overall frequency of WSL in pre-treatment patients was in four patients (2.7%) only. Out of total 147 patients, 68 (46.3%) patients had WSL while 79(53.7%) were WSL free at mid-treatment time. The frequency of WSL in pre-treatment and mid-treatment was statistically signifi cant having p-value of 0.04. The frequency of WSL stratifi ed by gender showed that females had more WSL than males. The frequency of WSL stratifi ed by age showed that maximum number of cases those had WSL were from 13 to 15 years of age, followed by 26 to 30 years. The stratification for frequency of WSL by age was not statistically signifi cant having p-value of 0.602. Conclusion: During the fi rst six months of treatment, the number of WSLs increased dramatically in this clinical investigation. During the fi rst few months of treatment, clinicians should assess patients' dental hygiene and must take further precautions to prevent the occurrence of WSL.
PERIODONTAL POCKET ASSOCIATED WITH FULL COVERAGE FIXED PROSTHESIS IN PATIENTS COMING TO REHMAT MEMORIAL DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABBOTTABAD
Authors: Irum Bushra , Bakhtawar Mumtaz  , Maham Shafique
Published: July 2023

Objective: To determine the frequency of periodontal pocket associated with full coverage fixed prostheses in patients coming to Rehmat Memorial Dental Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad.
Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 116 participants of both genders, age 30 to 60 years, systemically healthy, nonsmoker patients with root canal treated abutment teeth  having full coverage fixed prostheses for at least one year. The probing pocket depth was measured at six sites per tooth (mesio-buccal, mid buccal, disto-buccal, disto-lingual, mid lingual and mesio-lingual) using the WHO probe. For stratification of pocket depth among age groups and genders chi-square test was applied.
Results: The mean age 40.68±7.98 years. The mean pocket depth was 2.746±0.257 mm. The males were 67(57.76%) and females were 49(42.24%). Most common abutment teeth were mandibular molars (n=46, 39.7%), followed by maxillary molars (n=16, 13.8%), and least were upper incisors (n=11, 9.5%). The periodontal pocket was present in 26(22.4%) participants. No statistical association  between periodontal pocket with age and genders was found.
Conclusion: The periodontal pocket is not rare occurrence among fixed denture wearers with no genders and age predilection.
Pengaruh Liquidity, Earnings Management, dan Faktor Lainnya terhadap Nilai Perusahaan
Authors: Erdiana Jovinca , Natalylova Kartina
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study is to obtain empirical evidence about several factors that influence the value of nonfinancial companies listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). This study aims to determine whether institutional ownership, profitability, liquidity, dividend policy, debt policy, earnings management, and free cash flow affect firm value. Data for this study was acquired from the financial statements of the nonfinancial companies listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange over the past three years period 2019—2021. The sample in this study is 109 companies and was selected with the purposive sampling method. The multiple regression method is used to analyze the sample compiled. The result of this study shows that profitability and debt policy have a positive significant effect on firm value. This indicates that the company’s ability to obtain high profits and utilize its debt correctly to expand its business will increase the value of the firm. Meanwhile, institutional ownership, liquidity, dividend policy, earnings management, and free cash flow have no effect on firm value.