bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERAN KELOMPOK SADAR WISATA (POKDARWIS) PULAU TILAN DALAM PENGEMBANGAN DESA WISATA PULAU TILAN
Authors: Nurfahima Rindiani , Hijjang Pawennari
Published: August 2022

One of the tourism sectors with great potential to be developed is local wisdom-based tourism through tourism villages. The natural beauty and cultural richness of the Tilan Island Rantau Bais Tourism Village required the roles of competent community groups in the Tourism Village development, namely Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis). The research objectives consisted of 1) explaining the tourism awareness group's roles in Tilan Island Tourism Village development in five dimensions, namely, the economic dimension, the social dimension, the cultural dimension, the environmental dimension, and the political dimension; and 2) explaining the supporting and inhibiting factors in realizing Tilan Island Tourism Village as a tourism destination. This research used a qualitative approach by collecting data through interviews, observation, and documentation. The research results indicated the tourism awareness group's roles of Tilan Island Tourism Village. The roles included developing business products to improve the community's economy and community empowerment, managing Tilan Island Tourism Village based on local wisdom as a tourist destination, and establishing collaboration with stakeholders. In its implementation, the supporting factors were the attractiveness and natural potential of Tilan Island, the spirit of the tourism awareness group management, and supports from the community, village government, and stakeholders. Meanwhile, the inhibiting factors included the limited funds available, pedestrian bridges, localization of community livestock, illegal crossings, lack of training related to tourism, and the community did not maintain cleanliness and existing facilities and infrastructure there. Moreover, the public interest in the tourism sector was low.
Analysis of hybrid combining ability for growth and multiple stress tolerance traits in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Wang Lun , Liu Jianyong
Published: August 2022

To identify optimal mating combinations for Litopenaeus vannamei, a linear mixed model was used to estimate the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for growth and multiple stress tolerance [high salt (35‰), low pH (6 ± 0.1), and high ammonia nitrogen (70 mg/L) co-stress] traits in 47 combinations of L. vannamei. The results showed that the SCA in the parents played a dominant role in the offspring traits. The highest GCAs were observed for females of strain O and males of strain B (0.602 and 8.889, respectively), indicating that the dams of strain O and sires of strain B could be used as maternal and paternal lines to increase multiple stress resistance in the next generation. The growth traits of the hybrid combination strain G♂ × strain H♀ exhibited the highest degree of heterosis (9.838%–46.518%) and a generally high SCA (0.643–8.596) among all mating combinations. The SCA was the highest for the strain N♂ × strain O♀ multiple stress tolerance (30.131), while the heterosis for that combination strain was the third-highest. The combinations of strain G♂ × strain H♀ and strain N♂ × strain O♀ can be used as candidate combinations for rapid growth and multiple stress tolerance, respectively.
Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Resource Allocation Strategy in Cloud-Edge Computing System
Authors: Xu Jianqiao , Xu Zhuohan , Shi Bing
Published: August 2022

The rapid development of mobile device applications put tremendous pressure on edge nodes with limited computing capabilities, which may cause poor user experience. To solve this problem, collaborative cloud-edge computing is proposed. In the cloud-edge computing, an edge node with limited local resources can rent more resources from a cloud node. According to the nature of cloud service, cloud service can be divided into private cloud and public cloud. In a private cloud environment, the edge node must allocate resources between the cloud node and the edge node. In a public cloud environment, since public cloud service providers offer various pricing modes for users’ different computing demands, the edge node also must select the appropriate pricing mode of cloud service; which is a sequential decision problem. In this stydy, we model it as a Markov decision process and parameterized action Markov decision process, and we propose a resource allocation algorithm cost efficient resource allocation with private cloud (CERAI) and cost efficient resource allocation with public cloud (CERAU) in the collaborative cloud-edge environment based on the deep reinforcement learning algorithm deep deterministic policy gradient and P-DQN. Next, we evaluated CERAI and CERAU against three typical resource allocation algorithms based on synthetic and real data of Google datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that CERAI and CERAU can effectively reduce the long-term operating cost of collaborative cloud-side computing in various demanding settings. Our analysis can provide some useful insights for enterprises to design the resource allocation strategy in the collaborative cloud-side computing system.
Current development of bovine jugular vein conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction
Authors: Li Chenggang , Xie Bo , Tan Ruizhe , Liang Lijin , Peng Zhaoxiang , Chen Qi
Published: August 2022

Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction is a common surgical method to treat congenital cardiac lesions, and bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC) has become a prevalent candidate of prosthetic material for this procedure since 1999. Although many clinical studies have shown encouraging results on BJVCs, complications such as stenosis, aneurysmal dilatation, valve insufficiency, and infective endocarditis revealed in other clinical outcomes still remain problematic. This review describes the underlying mechanisms causing respective complications, and summarizes the current technological development that may address those causative factors. Novel crosslinking agents, decellularization techniques, conduit coatings, and physical reinforcement materials have improved the performances of BJVCs. The authors expect that the breakthroughs in the clinical application of BJVC may come from new genetic research findings and advanced characterization apparatuses and bioreactors, and are optimistic that the BJVC will in the future provide sophisticated therapies for next-generation RVOT reconstruction.
Improved Faster R-CNN for the Detection Method of Industrial Control Logic Graph Recognition
Authors: Wu Shilin , Wang Yan , Yang Huayu , Wang Pingfeng
Published: August 2022

In the process of developing the industrial control SAMA logic diagram commonly used in the industrial process control system, there are some problems, that is, the size of logic diagram elements is small, the shape is various, similar element recognition is easily confused, and the detection accuracy is low. In this study, the faster R-CNN network has been improved. The original VGG16 network has been replaced by the ResNet101 network, and the residual value module was introduced to ensure the detailed features of the deep network. Then the industrial control logic diagram dataset was analyzed to improve the anchor size ratio through the K-means clustering algorithm. The candidate box screening problem was optimized by improving the non-maximum suppression algorithm. The elements were distinguished via the combination of the candidate box location and the inherent text, which improved the recognition accuracy of similar elements. An experimental platform was built using the TensorFlow framework based on the Windows system, and the improved method was compared with the original one by the control variable. The results showed that the performance of similar element recognition has been greatly enhanced through an improved faster R-CNN network.
Bio-driven visual saliency detection with color factor
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Teng , Wu Jun , Ding Chris H. Q.
Published: August 2022

Most visual saliency computing methods build models based on the content of an image without considering the colorized effects. Biologically, human attention can be significantly influenced by color. This study firstly investigates the sole contribution of colors in visual saliency and then proposes a bio-driven saliency detection method with a color factor. To study the color saliency despite the contents, an eye-tracking dataset containing color images and gray-scale images of the same content is proposed, collected from 18 subjects. The CIELab color space was selected to conduct extensive analysis to identify the contribution of colors in guiding visual attention. Based on the observations that some particular colors and combinations of color blocks can attract much attention than others, the influence of colors on visual saliency is represented computationally. Incorporating the color factor, a novel saliency detection model is proposed to model the human color perception prioritization, and a deep neural network model is proposed for eye fixation prediction. Experiments validate that the proposed bio-driven saliency detection models make substantial improvements in finding informative content, and they benefit the detection of salient objects which are close to human visual attention in natural scenes.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Targeting Cell Surface GRP78 to Eradicate Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Yu Wei , Zhang Hang , Yuan Yuncang , Tang Jie , Chen Xinchuan , Liu Ting , Zhao Xudong
Published: August 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a serious, life-threatening hematological malignancy. The treatment outcome of relapsed or refractory AML patients remains dismal, and new treatment options are needed. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been successful in improving the prognosis for B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma by targeting CD19. However, CAR T-cell therapy for AML is still elusive, owing to the lack of a tumor-specific cell surface antigen and spare hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This study generated a novel CAR construction that targets the cell surface protein glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) (csGRP78). We confirmed that GRP78-CAR T cells demonstrate an anti-tumor effect against human AML cells in vitro. In xenograft models, GRP78-CAR T cells effectively eliminate AML cells and protect mice against systemic leukemia, in the meanwhile, prolonging survival. In addition, GRP78-CAR T cells also specifically eradicate the primary AML patient-derived blast. In particular, GRP78-CAR T cells spare normal HSCs, highlighting that GRP78-CAR is a promising approach for the therapy of AML.
Rigidity and Flexibility in Rotaxanes and Their Relatives; On Being Stubborn and Easy-Going
Authors: Fadler Rachel E. , Flood Amar H.
Published: August 2022

Rotaxanes are an emerging class of molecules composed of two building blocks: macrocycles and threads. Rotaxanes, and their pseudorotaxane and polyrotaxane relatives, serve as prototypes for molecular-level switches and machines and as components in materials like elastic polymers and 3D printing inks. The rigidity and flexibility of these molecules is a characteristic feature of their design. However, the mechanical properties of the assembled rotaxane and its components are rarely examined directly, and the translation of these properties from molecules to bulk materials is understudied. In this Review, we consider the mechanical properties of rotaxanes by making use of concepts borrowed from physical organic chemistry. Rigid molecules have fewer accessible conformations with higher energy barriers while flexible molecules have more accessible conformations and lower energy barriers. The macrocycles and threads become rigidified when threaded together as rotaxanes in which the formation of intermolecular interactions and increased steric contacts collectively reduce the conformational space and raise barriers. Conversely, rotational and translational isomerism in rotaxanes adds novel modes of flexibility. We find that rigidification in rotaxanes is almost universal, but novel degrees of flexibility can be introduced. Both have roles to play in the function of rotaxanes.
Ionic liquid-mediated microstructure regulations of layered perovskite for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Hailili Reshalaiti , Bahnemann Detlef W. , Schneider Jenny
Published: August 2022

The presence of pollutants, e.g., pharmaceutical residues and industrial pollutants causes serious risks and irreversible damage to public health and ecological balance. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is an attractive way to treat polluted water. Rational design and nanostructuring of semiconductors with visible light absorption and prominent surfaces could strengthen surface-interface reactions, resulting in improved photocatalytic degradation. Herein, layered structured perovskites Bi4Ti3O12 (BTO) were synthesized by an ionic liquid [1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (Bmim)I] assisted approach. The precise tuning of synthetic conditions allowed formations of various microstructures, including spherical nanoparticles, nanoplates and nanorods, respectively. The optical analyses demonstrated that samples were typically visible light absorbents with narrow band gap energies (2.96–2.73 eV), and displayed pronounced degradation for pharmaceutical residues under visible light illumination. The factors responsible for the high efficiency of BTO photocatalysts were discussed in terms of unique structure, optical alignment, dipole induced carrier separation and formation of active radicals. Among studied samples, the nanorod shaped BTO showed 1.31 and 1.46 times higher apparent rate constants for tetracycline and ibuprofen degradation than its counterparts (spherical nanoparticles and nanoplates), respectively. The better performance of nanorods was ascribed to their higher visible light harvesting ability. Importantly, BTO nanorods exhibited nonselective degradation activity for diverse pollutants of pharmaceutical residues and industrial contaminants. This work demonstrates the unique strategy of microstructure regulation and a wide range of applications of layered perovskites for environmental remediation.
Outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair with chimney technique for aortic arch diseases
Authors: Li Jiehua , Xue Yunfei , Li Shangqian , Sun Likun , Wang Lunchang , Wang Tun , Fang Kun , Luo Mingyao , Li Xin , He Hao , Li Ming , Li Quanming , Dardik Alan , Shu Chang
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to summarize the long-term experience of using the chimney technique in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic arch diseases.

Methods

From November 2007 to June 2021, a total of 345 consecutive patients (mean age 56 ± 11.3 years, range 28–83, 302 men) with aortic arch pathologies underwent TEVAR combined with chimney technique (cTEVAR). Their medical data and follow-up results were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results

Among the 345 patients, 278 (80.6%) received single chimneys, 53 (15.4%) received double chimneys, 7 (2%) received triple chimneys, and 7 (2%) underwent cTEVAR accompanied by other techniques (two with extra-anatomical bypass, two with in situ fenestration, and three with physician modified fenestration). A total of 412 chimney stents were used, including 27 in the innominate artery (IA), 113 in the left common carotid artery, 270 in the left subclavian artery, and two in the aberrant right subclavian artery. Early type IA endoleaks were found in 38 (11%) patients, including 12 with the double or triple chimney technique. Early type II endoleak was found in nine (2.6%) patients. Early re-intervention occurred in two patients with double chimney technique, one for chimney stent migration and the other for compression of chimney stent. The 30-day mortality was 1.2% (4 in 345). During a mean follow-up of 42 ± 22 months (range 1–108 months), major stroke occurred in nine (2.6%) patients, chimney occlusion or stenosis occurred in six (1.7%), and retrograde type A aortic dissection occurred in four (1.2%). Fourteen (4.1%) patients received the secondary intervention. The all-cause mortality was 6.7% (23 in 345). Additionally, the total adverse event rate after cTEVAR was 13.9% (48 in 345).

Conclusion

TEVAR with chimney technique provides a minimally invasive alternative with good chimney graft patency and low postoperative mortality during follow-up. However, the double and triple chimney techniques should be used cautiously as they seem to have a higher risk for type IA endoleak and adverse events after the operation.
Non-coding RNAs in necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Cai Yuxi , Zhou Yiwen , Li Zhangwang , Xia Panpan , ChenFu Xinxi , Shi Ao , Zhang Jing , Yu Peng
Published: August 2022

Accumulating evidence has proved that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a critical role in the genetic programming and gene regulation of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality are rising and have become a primary public health issue that requires immediate resolution through effective intervention. Numerous studies have revealed that new types of cell death, such as pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, play critical cellular roles in CVD progression. It is worth noting that ncRNAs are critical novel regulators of cardiovascular risk factors and cell functions by mediating pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. Thus, ncRNAs can be regarded as promising therapeutic targets for treating and diagnosing cardiovascular diseases. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the mediation of ncRNAs on three types of cell death in regulating tissue homeostasis and pathophysiological conditions in CVDs. Although our understanding of ncRNAs remains in its infancy, the studies reviewed here may provide important new insights into how ncRNAs interact with CVDs. This review summarizes what is known about the functions of ncRNAs in modulating cell death-associated CVDs and their role in CVDs, as well as their current limitations and future prospects.
Lipocalin-2 in neutrophils induces ferroptosis in septic cardiac dysfunction via increasing labile iron pool of cardiomyocytes
Authors: Huang Yuxue , Zhang Ning , Xie Cuiping , You Yayu , Guo Lei , Ye Feiming , Xie Xiaojie , Wang Jian’an
Published: August 2022

Cardiac dysfunction is a common complication of sepsis with high mortality. The present study was designed to identify the effect of neutrophil-derived lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in septic cardiac dysfunction (SCD) and its potential mechanism. Wild-type (WT) and LCN2-knockout (LCN2 KO) mice were peritoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce SCD. The cardiac function was assessed 12 h after LPS injection by echocardiography. Cardiac tissue was harvested for the evaluation of malonaldehyde (MDA) and prostaglandin E synthase 2 (PTGS2) mRNA levels. LPS induced ferroptosis and SCD in mice. LCN2 deficiency attenuated cardiac injury post-LPS administration.In vitro, LCN2 expression in neutrophils increased in response to LPS. Ferroptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by conditioned medium (CM) from LPS-induced neutrophils of WT mice could be attenuated in CM from LPS-induced neutrophils of LCN2 KO mice. Exogenous LCN2 induced H9C2 cell ferroptosisviaincreasing labile iron pool (LIP). In conclusion, our results showed that LCN2 deficiency prevented heart dysfunction and ferroptosis in SCD mice and suggested that neutrophil-derived LCN2 might be a promising therapeutic target for SCD.
Serial changes in left ventricular myocardial deformation in sepsis or septic shock using three-dimensional and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Yan Xiaojun , Li Yuman , Liu Juanjuan , Zhou Ting , Zhou Yi , Sun Wei , Sun Chenchen , Ma Jing , Zhang Li , Shang You , Xie Mingxing
Published: August 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the serial changes in left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation in patients with sepsis using three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).

Methods

In this single-center, prospective, and observational study, we included 59 patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock in the intensive care unit and 40 healthy controls. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) assessed by 3D STE and 2D STE were obtained on the first, third, fifth, seventh to the tenth day after sepsis or septic shock.

Results

In patients with sepsis or septic shock, 3D and 2D LVEF were not different at each time point. GLS and GCS obtained by 3D STE and 2D STE decreased on the first day compared with the healthy group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the values on the first day, GLS and GCS further decreased on the third day, while 3D and 2D LVEF did not differ. 3D and 2D STE strains were lowest on the third day and gradually improved on the seventh to the tenth day compared with values on the third day. When compared with values on the first day, 3D and 2D GLS gradually improved on the seventh to the tenth day, whereas 3D and 2D GCS on the seventh to the tenth day was not different. Although 3D and 2D STE strains were significantly increased on the seventh to the tenth day, they were not fully recovered to normality.

Conclusion

Although patients with sepsis or septic shock demonstrated gradual improvements in 3D and 2D STE parameters during the ten-day period, LV myocardial strain was not fully recovered to normality by the seventh to the tenth days. 3D and 2D strain imaging, used as a helpful tool for monitoring the evolution of myocardial deformation, can provide clinicians with a useful additional imaging parameter.
Effects of Yogic Interventions on Patients Diagnosed With Cardiac Diseases. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kalra Sheetal , Miraj Mohammad , Ajmera Puneeta , Shaik Riyaz Ahamad , Seyam Mohamed K. , Shawky Ghada M. , Alasiry Sharifa M. , Mohamed Elsayed H. , Alasiri Hatim M. , Alzhrani Msaad , Alanazi Ahmad , Alqahtani Mazen , Shaikh Abdul Raheem , Al-Otaibi Mohammad Lafi , Saleem Shakir , Pal Sajjan , Jain Vineet , Ahmad Fuzail
Published: August 2022

Objective

Presently, evidence-based research studies on the efficacy of complimentary therapies like yoga for patients with different cardiac diseases are limited and conflicting. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on yogic interventions compared with usual care or non-pharmacological treatment in patients diagnosed with cardiac diseases.

Methods

We conducted an electronic search of literature published from 2006 to May 2021 through five databases. PRISMA statement was used to develop and report a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. Sixteen RCTs were included in the systematic review and 11 RCTs were used for meta-analysis. Outcome measures were blood pressure, lipid profile, and psychosocial measures. The Cochrane collaboration tool was used to assess bias risk.

Results

The results show that yogic interventions resulted in significant reduction in systolic (d = 046; 95% CI.08–0.84; I2 = 81.86%) and diastolic blood pressures (d = 0.56; 95% CI.13–0.99, I2 = 84.84%). A medium statistically significant increase in HDL (d =0.67; 95% CI 0 to 1.33; I2 79.7%) and a low but significant effect on LDL (d = 0.23; 95% CI −0.08–0.54; I2 32.61%), total cholesterol (d =0.28; 95% CI −0.14–0.7; I2 63.72%), and triglycerides (d = 0.43; 95% CI −0.1–0.97; I2 76.64%) were observed. Pooled effect sizes showed a medium to low statistically significant effect on psychosocial indicators viz., QoL, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis found strong evidence of effectiveness of yogic interventions on lipid profile, blood pressure, and psychosocial outcomes in patients with diagnosed cardiac diseases.
The long-term clinical outcomes of intravascular ultrasound-guided versus angiography-guided coronary drug eluting stent implantation in long de novo coronary lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Shen , Liang Changzai , Wang Yue , Sun Shuaifeng , Wang Yue , Suo Min , Ye Maomao , Li Xinjian , Liu Xinyan , Zhang Meng , Wu Xiaofan
Published: August 2022

Background

No meta-analysis has been conducted to compare the long-term clinical outcomes of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided versus angiographic-guided drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with long de novo coronary lesions. We attempted to compare the efficacy and safety of IVUS guidance versus angiography guidance in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for long de novo coronary lesions.

Materials and Methods

We performed a detailed meta-analysis from four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one observational study to compare long outcomes of IVUS versus angiography in guiding coronary stent implantation with long de novo coronary lesions defined as coronary stenosis which need stent implantation >28 mm in length. Data were aggregated for the endpoints measure using the fixed-effects model as pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Clinical outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all revascularization, including target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR), all myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause death, and stent thrombosis (ST). Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched.

Results

Four RCTs and one observational study were included in our study with 3,349 patients (IVUS guidance = 1,708; Angiography guidance = 1,641). With mean follow-up of 2 years, the incidence of MACE, all myocardial infarction, all revascularization and stent thrombosis were significantly lower in IVUS-guided DES implantation of patients with long de novo coronary lesions than in angiography-guided patients; MACE [OR 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–0.58; p < 0.00001], all myocardial infarction (OR 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09–0.58; p = 0.002), all revascularization (OR 0.48; 95% CI, 0.36–0.66; p < 0.00001), stent thrombosis (OR 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11–0.89; p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the two groups (OR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.55–1.23; p = 0.34).

Conclusion

During mean follow-up of 2 years, the incidence of MACE, stent thrombosis, all myocardial infarction and revascularization in patients with long de novo coronary lesions under IVUS-guided PCI were significantly lower than angiography-guided PCI, and there were no statistically significant differences in all-cause mortality.
YB1 dephosphorylation attenuates atherosclerosis by promoting CCL2 mRNA decay
Authors: Tang Yaqin , Li Zhiwei , Yang Hongqin , Yang Yang , Geng Chi , Liu Bin , Zhang Tiantian , Liu Siyang , Xue Yunfei , Zhang Hongkai , Wang Jing , Zhao Hongmei
Published: August 2022

Chronic inflammation is a key pathological process in atherosclerosis. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been reported to play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque formation, and they could regulate the expression of inflammatory factors by phosphorylation modification. Y-box binding protein 1 (YB1) is an RBP that has participated in many inflammatory diseases. Here, we found an increased expression of phosphorylated YB1 (pYB1) in atherosclerotic plaques and demonstrated that YB1 dephosphorylation reduced lipid accumulation and lesion area in the aorta in vivo. Additionally, we found that inflammatory cytokines were downregulated in the presence of YB1 dephosphorylation, particularly CCL2, which participates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CCL2 mRNA rapid degradation was mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor-mediated mRNA decay (GMD) process during YB1 dephosphorylation, which resulted in the downregulation of CCL2 expression. In conclusion, YB1 phosphorylation affects the development of atherosclerosis through modulating inflammation, and targeting YB1 phosphorylation could be a potential strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis by anti-inflammation.
Mechanisms underlying the role of ankyrin-B in cardiac and neurological health and disease
Authors: York Nicole S. , Sanchez-Arias Juan C. , McAdam Alexa C. H. , Rivera Joel E. , Arbour Laura T. , Swayne Leigh Anne
Published: August 2022

The ANK2 gene encodes for ankyrin-B (ANKB), one of 3 members of the ankyrin family of proteins, whose name is derived from the Greek word for anchor. ANKB was originally identified in the brain (B denotes “brain”) but has become most widely known for its role in cardiomyocytes as a scaffolding protein for ion channels and transporters, as well as an interacting protein for structural and signaling proteins. Certain loss-of-function ANK2 variants are associated with a primarily cardiac-presenting autosomal-dominant condition with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity characterized by a predisposition to supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, congenital and adult-onset structural heart disease, and sudden death. Another independent group of ANK2 variants are associated with increased risk for distinct neurological phenotypes, including epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. The mechanisms underlying ANKB's roles in cells in health and disease are not fully understood; however, several clues from a range of molecular and cell biological studies have emerged. Notably, ANKB exhibits several isoforms that have different cell-type–, tissue–, and developmental stage– expression profiles. Given the conservation within ankyrins across evolution, model organism studies have enabled the discovery of several ankyrin roles that could shed important light on ANKB protein-protein interactions in heart and brain cells related to the regulation of cellular polarity, organization, calcium homeostasis, and glucose and fat metabolism. Along with this accumulation of evidence suggesting a diversity of important ANKB cellular functions, there is an on-going debate on the role of ANKB in disease. We currently have limited understanding of how these cellular functions link to disease risk. To this end, this review will examine evidence for the cellular roles of ANKB and the potential contribution of ANKB functional variants to disease risk and presentation. This contribution will highlight the impact of ANKB dysfunction on cardiac and neuronal cells and the significance of understanding the role of ANKB variants in disease.
Treatment patterns and use of healthcare resources of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypercholesterolemia and patients with familial hypercholesterolemia in Spain: Protocol of the Reality study
Authors: Barrios Vivencio , Castellanos Mar , Campuzano Ruiz Raquel , Gómez Cerezo Jorge Francisco , Egocheaga Cabello Isabel , Gámez José M. , Martínez López Icíar , Mostaza José María , Morant Talamante Nuria , Parrondo Javier , Sicras Navarro Aram , Pérez Román Inés , Sicras-Mainar Antoni , Pallarés-Carratalá Vicente
Published: August 2022

Background

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) and dyslipidemia are associated to a higher risk of cardiovascular events, mortality, use of healthcare resources and costs. In Spain, the evidence about the administration of lipid-lowering treatments in clinical practice, and their clinical effectiveness in patients with ASCVD and hypercholesterolemia and patients with FH is scarce. Therefore, a multidisciplinary working group of cardiologists, family physicians, internal medicine specialists and neurologists was gathered for the Reality study. The aim of this study is to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and concomitant medication of patients with ASCVD and hypercholesterolemia and of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The use of healthcare resources and costs associated to the management of these diseases after their diagnosis were also considered.

Methods

This is an observational and retrospective study, based on the BIG-PAC® database, which includes the electronic medical registries (EMRs) of 1.8 million people from 7 Autonomous Communities in Spain (including public primary care centers and hospitals). The study includes patients who had a new or recurrent episode of ASCVD during the recruitment period (from 01/01/2017 to 31/12/2018). The index date will be defined as the date of the ASCVD event, and the follow-up period will be 24 months. According to their first diagnosis in the database, patients will be classified as ASCVD (5 groups: stable/unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and peripheral arterial disease) or FH.

Discussion

This study aims to analyze the treatment patterns and use of healthcare resources of ASCVD and FH in Spain. The prevalence of these disorders will also be estimated. Due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases, it is expected that our study will provide useful information for healthcare systems and decision makers to improve the management of these disabling diseases.
Seismic Risk Assessment of Multiple Cities: Biases in the Vulnerability Derivation Methods for Urban Areas With Different Hazard Levels
Authors: Hoyos Maria Camila , Hernandez Andres Felipe
Published: August 2022

Previously, it has been shown that probabilistic seismic risk assessments (PSRAs) at urban scale present important discrepancies when compared with analyses conducted using methodologies from regional or national PSRA. However, conducting site-specific urban-scale analyses for a considerable number of cities may not be feasible due to limitations in time, resources, and in some cases availability of information, and thus more general models or methodologies are used. This brings into the picture the importance of identifying and quantifying the possible biases, discrepancies, and uncertainties when using different methods, both in the hazard and vulnerability components. Regarding the latter, several sources of uncertainty and biases have been identified in 1) the selection of ground motion records, either by using a general pool of records such as the ones from FEMA P695 or by performing a site- or hazard-specific analysis that requires a significant effort, especially in areas with a poor history of seismic instrumentation and even more in regions with no evidence of previous PSRA at all; and 2) the fragility or vulnerability derivation nonlinear dynamic methods: incremental dynamic analysis [IDA], cloud analysis [CA], and multi-stripe Analysis [MSA], among others. Focusing on these sources of uncertainty and bias, and with the challenge to bring solutions for places with scarce information, in this study, we aim to explore the use of different vulnerability derivation assumptions for the three principal cities of Colombia: Bogota, Medellin, and Cali, where most of the economic growth is concentrated. This considers the different seismic hazard levels and tectonic environment contributions in each city. Afterward, a comparison between the results of the analysis without the hazard-specific record selection and the site-specific one for each city is performed to establish the cases in which the former is applicable without adding more biases or uncertainties in the process.
Students’ academic procrastination during the COVID-19 pandemic: How does adversity quotient mediate parental social support?
Authors: Muarifah Alif , Rofiah Nurul Hidayati , Mujidin Mujidin , Mohamad Zhooriyati Sehu , Oktaviani Fitriana
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 has had a widespread impact on all aspects of life. The government has undertaken numerous restrictive attempts to sever the virus transmission chain. In the education sector, one of the attempts is to apply certain learning models. For instance, the online model has been used in place of the face-to-face one across all academic and non-academic services. Educators have faced several obstacles, including academic procrastination. Academic procrastination refers to intentionally putting off working on an assignment, which negatively influences academic achievement. This study aimed to examine the role of parental social support in academic procrastination with the mediation of the adversity quotient. The subjects consisted of 256 state Madrasah Aliyah students in Magelang aged 15–18 years (M= 16.53, SD = 1.009). Data collection employed the academic procrastination scale, parental social support scale, and adversity quotient scale. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM) with the aid of the IBM SPSS 23 and AMOS Graphics 26. The research results showed that all variables fell into the medium category. Parental social support had a negative role on academic procrastination and a positive one on adversity quotient. Meanwhile, the adversity quotient had a negative role in academic procrastination and a significant role as a mediator in the relationship between parental social support and academic procrastination. Therefore, parental social support is required to increase students’ adversity quotient in suppressing academic procrastination. Special attention from parents to students is thus critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the mediation of adversity quotient.
Preschool teachers’ perspectives on (haptic) technology in the classroom
Authors: Pila Sarah , Lauricella Alexis R. , Piper Anne Marie , Wartella Ellen
Published: August 2022

One particularly exciting platform with the potential to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in early childhood classrooms is the tablet. However, one challenge in using these devices for STEM learning is that traditional tablets lack important sensory information. The emerging technology of haptic (or tactile) feedback touch-screen displays might reduce this barrier. In order to better understand pre-school teachers’ attitudes toward haptic feedback technology for teaching STEM concepts, we conducted three focus groups. From the focus group data, researchers identified themes around current classroom practices with technology for STEM learning, teachers’ reactions to the haptic feedback tablet, and their impression of the implications of its use in early childhood education. These themes provide insight on teachers’ attitudes and could influence the design of future STEM apps created for haptic feedback tablets.
Surgery for acromegaly: Indications and goals
Authors: Bray David P. , Mannam Sai , Rindler Rima S. , Quillin Joseph W. , Oyesiku Nelson M.
Published: August 2022

Acromegaly is a disease that occurs secondary to high levels of GH, most often from a hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, with multisystem adverse effects. Diagnosis includes serum GH and IGF-1 levels, and obtaining an MRI pituitary protocol to assess for a functional pituitary adenoma. Attempted gross total resection of the GH-secreting adenoma is the gold standard in treatment for patients with acromegaly for a goal of biochemical remission. Medical and radiation therapies are available when patients do not achieve biochemical cure after surgical therapy.
A comparison of DP-TOF Mass Spectroscopy (MS) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) methods for detecting molecular mutations in thyroid nodules fine needle aspiration biopsies
Authors: Qian Xiao-qin , Agyekum Enock Adjei , Zhao Ling-ling , Yu Run-liu , Li Xiu-ying , Gu De-jian , Yan Na , Xu Ming , Yuan Yuan , Wang Yu-guo , Xin-ping Wu , Xu Fei-ju
Published: August 2022

Mutations in the B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF), have been linked to a variety of solid tumors such as papillary thyroid carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to compare the DP-TOF, a DNA mass spectroscopy (MS) platform, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods for detecting multiple-gene mutations (including BRAFV600E) in thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration fluid. In this study, we collected samples from 93 patients who had previously undergone NGS detection and had sufficient DNA samples remaining. The MS method was used to detect multiple-gene mutations (including BRAFV600E) in DNA remaining samples. NGS detection method was used as the standard. The MS method’s overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 95.8%, 100%, 100%, and 88%, respectively in BRAFV600E gene mutation detection. With a kappa-value of 0.92 (95%CI 0.82–0.99), the level of agreement between these methods was incredibly high. Furthermore, when compared to NGS in multiple-gene detection, the MS method demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity, 82.9% and 100%, respectively. In addition, we collected the postoperative pathological findings of 50 patients. When the postoperative pathological findings were used as the standard, the MS method demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity, at 80% and 80%, respectively. Our findings show that the MS method can be used as an inexpensive, accurate, and dependable initial screening method to detect genes mutations and as an adjunct to clinical diagnosis.
Mediation effect of environmental performance in the relationship between green supply chain management practices, institutional pressures, and financial performance
Authors: Ma Xin , Akhtar Raheel , Akhtar Adeel , Hashim Raema Abdullah , Sibt-e-Ali Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Pakistan is an agricultural country that uses a huge number of pesticide chemicals and is confronting environmental and economic issues. Firms need to comprehend the integration of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in their supply chain. The current study intends to analyze the mediation effect of environmental performance (ENP) in the relationship between GSCM practices, institutional pressures (IP), and financial performance (FNP). Therefore, GSCM-IP-ENP-FNP model was developed with the help of an extensive literature review and then proved with the help of data collected from pesticide chemical firms working in Pakistan. Data were collected through a questionnaire from 500 senior-level managers of the pesticide firms of Pakistan. However, 468 responses were retained for analysis keeping in view the limitations of the current study. SPSS version 22 and SmartPLS 3.0 were used for data analysis. Results of the study indicated strong relationships among all variables. It was also concluded that GSCM practices, IP, and ENP have a positive and statistically significant relationship with a firm’s FNP. This study is an important contribution to theory and practice. The study is unique and has significant contributions because it developed and proved the GSCM-IP-ENP-FNP model. The model helped to prove the mediation effect of ENP in the relationship between GSCM practices, IP, and FNP in the pesticide sector of Pakistan, which would be highly beneficial for the managers of pesticide firms as well as for the government to understand the importance of GSCM practices for improving the ENP as well as the FNP of pesticide firms in Pakistan as well as worldwide, especially in developing countries. This study recommends that the management of firms should implement GSCM practices to protect the environment. Government, consumers, and other institutions should exert pressure and the government should provide subsidies, if necessary, to the firms for successful implementation of GSCM practices. Furthermore, it is recommended to conduct further studies in other countries by using the mixed methodology in the pesticide sector as well as in other sectors of the economy to increase the generalizability of the current study.
Accounting for niche truncation to improve spatial and temporal predictions of species distributions
Authors: Chevalier Mathieu , Zarzo-Arias Alejandra , Guélat Jérôme , Mateo Rubén G. , Guisan Antoine
Published: August 2022

Species Distribution Models (SDMs) are essential tools for predicting climate change impact on species’ distributions and are commonly employed as an informative tool on which to base management and conservation actions. Focusing only on a part of the entire distribution of a species for fitting SDMs is a common approach. Yet, geographically restricting their range can result in considering only a subset of the species’ ecological niche (i.e., niche truncation) which could lead to biased spatial predictions of future climate change effects, particularly if future conditions belong to those parts of the species ecological niche that have been excluded for model fitting. The integration of large-scale distribution data encompassing the whole species range with more regional data can improve future predictions but comes along with challenges owing to the broader scale and/or lower quality usually associated with these data. Here, we compare future predictions obtained from a traditional SDM fitted on a regional dataset (Switzerland) to predictions obtained from data integration methods that combine regional and European datasets for several bird species breeding in Switzerland. Three models were fitted: a traditional SDM based only on regional data and thus not accounting for niche truncation, a data pooling model where the two datasets are merged without considering differences in extent or resolution, and a downscaling hierarchical approach that accounts for differences in extent and resolution. Results show that the traditional model leads to much larger predicted range changes (either positively or negatively) under climate change than both data integration methods. The traditional model also identified different variables as main drivers of species’ distribution compared to data-integration models. Differences between models regarding predicted range changes were larger for species where future conditions were outside the range of conditions existing in the regional dataset (i.e., when future conditions implied extrapolation). In conclusion, we showed that (i) models calibrated on a geographically restricted dataset provide markedly different predictions than data integration models and (ii) that these differences are at least partly explained by niche truncation. This suggests that using data integration methods could lead to more accurate predictions and more nuanced range changes than regional SDMs through a better characterization of species’ entire realized niches.
The fungal ecology of the Brassington Formation (Middle Miocene) of Derbyshire, United Kingdom, and a new method for palaeoclimate reconstruction
Authors: Pound Matthew J. , Nuñez Otaño Noelia B. , Romero Ingrid C. , Lim Michael , Riding James B. , O’Keefe Jennifer M. K.
Published: August 2022

Fossil fungi from periods warmer than modern climates provide unique insights into the future impacts of anthropogenic climate change. Here we report the fossil fungal assemblage from the late Middle Miocene Kenslow Member of central England, associated with climatic conditions warmer than the present-day. The identification of 110 morphotypes, which primarily relate to moist environments and the presence of wood, have been used to develop a new nearest living relative palaeoclimate reconstruction. The fungal assemblage indicates a Köppen–Geiger climate class, represented by temperate conditions, no dry season, and warm summers. This new fungal-based palaeoclimate reconstruction technique holds exciting potential to explore critically important but poorly understood palaeoenvironments, and the resulting qualitative inferences align well with previously published palaeobotanical quantitative estimates of palaeoclimate. These findings show that diverse fungal assemblages can successfully be used to reconstruct past climates for the first time.