bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Rekomendasi Reksa Dana Obligasi Menggunakan Metode SAW (Simple Additive Weighting)
Authors: Buntoro Ghulam Asrofi , Astuti Indah Puji , Widiantoro Riki
Published: February 2023

AbstrakReksa dana merupakan salah satu alternatif investasi bagi masyarakat yang memiliki keterbatasan modal, waktu dan pengelolaan keuangan dikarenakan dana masyarakat yang telah dikumpulkan dalam reksa dana dikelola oleh manajer investasi yang profesional. Untuk jenis reksa dana yang memiliki resiko sedang atau moderat adalah jenis reksa dana obligasi. Salah satu tempat untuk membeli dan menjual reksa dana secara online adalah aplikasi Bibit. Pada aplikasi bibit per April 2022 terdapat 32 produk reksa dana obligasi. Dari banyaknya produk reksa dana obligasi yang ada masyarakat atau investor kesulitan dalam memilih produk reksa dana obligasi yang terbaik. Maka dari itu, untuk memilih produk reksa dana obligasi terbaik diperlukan sistem pendukung keputusan berbasis web menggunakan algoritma Simple Additive Weighting (SAW). SAW dipilih karena dapat menentukan nilai bobot untuk setiap atribut yang kemudian dilanjutkan dengan proses perangkingan dalam menyeleksi alternatif terbaik. Pengujian sistem dilakukan menggunakan metode white box, hasilnya semua perintah terhadap sistem berhasil dilakukan dengan valid. Hasil dari penelitian ini berupa aplikasi sistem pendukung keputusan berbasis web yang responsive dan dapat memberikan rekomendasi untuk reksa dana obligasi terbaik dengan sistem perangkingan.Kata kunci: Bibit, Investasi, Reksa Dana, Simple Additive Weighting AbstractMutual funds are one of the alternative investments for people who have limited capital, time, and financial management because the public funds that have been collected in mutual funds are managed by professional investment managers. The type of mutual fund that has moderate or moderate risk, it is a type of bond mutual fund. One of the places to buy and sell mutual funds online is the Bibit application. In the Bibit application as of April 2022, there are 32 bond mutual fund products. Of the many bond mutual fund products that exist, the public or investors have difficulty choosing the best bond mutual fund product. Therefore, to choose the best bond mutual fund product, a web-based decision support system is needed using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) algorithm. SAW was chosen because it can determine the weight value for each attribute which is then continued with the ranking process in selecting the best alternative. The results of this study are in the form of a web-based decision support system application that is responsive and can provide recommendations for the best bond mutual funds with a ranking system.Keywords: Bibit, Investments, Mutual Funds, Simple Additive Weighting
An integrated modeling framework for groundwater contamination risk assessment in arid, data-scarce environments
Authors: Rafiei-Sardooi Elham , Ghazanfarpour Hossein , Azareh Ali , Parteli Eric J. R. , Faryabi Mohammad
Published: February 2023

Groundwater contamination risk mapping is one essential measure in groundwater management and quality control. The purpose of the present study is to address this mapping by means of a novel framework, which is more suitable for arid regions than other methods developed in previous work. Specifically, we integrate machine learning tools, interpolation and process-based models with a modified version of DRASTIC-AHP to evaluate groundwater vulnerability to nitrate contamination and to map this contamination in Jiroft plain, Iran. The DRASTIC model provides a tool for evaluating aquifer vulnerability by using seven parameters related to the hydrogeological setting (Depth to water, net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone, and hydraulic Conductivity), while the criteria ratings and weights of these parameters are evaluated by means of an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). However, to obtain the risk map, the results about groundwater vulnerability are combined here with a contamination hazard map, which we estimate by applying ensemble modeling based, in part, on the occurrence probability predicted from Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Flexible Discriminant Analysis (FDA), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Our integrated modeling framework provides an assessment of both regional patterns of groundwater contamination and an estimate of the impacts of the contamination based on socio-environmental variables, and is particularly suitable for applications based on limited amount of available data. The groundwater contamination risk map obtained from our case study shows that the central and southern regions of the Jiroft plain display high and very high contamination risk, which is associated with high production rate of urban waste in residential lands and an overuse of nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural lands. Therefore, our work is providing new modeling insights for the future assessment of groundwater contamination, with potential impacts for the management and control of water resources in arid and semi-arid environments.
Super-enhancer-driven lncRNA LIMD1-AS1 activated by CDK7 promotes glioma progression
Authors: Bian Erbao , Chen Zhigang , Cheng Meng , Xie Han , Zhao JiaJia , Liu Jun , Tian Dasheng , Zhao Bing , Fang Zhiyou , Chen Xueran
Published: February 2023

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are tissue-specific expression patterns and dysregulated in cancer, how they are regulated is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the functions of glioma-specific lncRNA LIMD1-AS1 activated by super-enhancer (SE) and identify the potential mechanisms. In this paper, we identified a SE-driven lncRNA, LIMD1-AS1, which is expressed at significantly higher levels in glioma than in normal brain tissue. High LIMD1-AS1 levels were significantly associated with a shorter survival time of glioma patients. LIMD1-AS1 overexpression significantly enhanced glioma cells proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, whereas LIMD1-AS1 knockdown inhibited their proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and the xenograft tumor growth of glioma cells in vivo. Mechanically, inhibition of CDK7 significantly attenuates MED1 recruitment to the super-enhancer of LIMD1-AS1, and then decreases the expression of LIMD1-AS1. Most importantly, LIMD1-AS1 could directly bind to HSPA5, leading to the activation of interferon signaling. Our findings support the idea that CDK7 mediated-epigenetically activation of LIMD1-AS1 plays a crucial role in glioma progression, and provides a promising therapeutic approach for patients with glioma.
Detector-Grade Perovskite Single Crystal Wafers via Stress-Free Gel-Confined Solution Growth Targeting High-Resolution Ionizing Radiation Detection
Authors: Dong Qingfeng , Song Yilong , Wang Lixiang , Shi Yongqiang , Bi Weihui , Chen Jianwu , Hao Mingwei , Wang Anran , Yang Xueying , Sun Yuan , Yu Fan , Li Liansheng , Fang Yanjun , Yang Deren
Published: February 2023

Solution-processed organic‒inorganic halide perovskite (OIHP) single crystals (SCs) have demonstrated great potential in ionizing radiation detection due to their outstanding charge transport properties and low-cost preparation. However, the energy resolution (ER) and stability of OIHP detectors still lag far behind those of melt-grown inorganic perovskite and commercial CdZnTe counterparts due to the absence of detector-grade high-quality OIHP SCs. Here, we reveal that the crystallinity and uniformity of OIHP SCs are drastically improved by relieving interfacial stress with a facial gel-confined solution growth strategy, thus enabling the direct preparation of large-area detector-grade SC wafers up to 4 cm with drastically suppressed electronic and ionic defects. The resultant radiation detectors show both a small dark current below 1 nA and excellent baseline stability of 4.0×10− 8 nA cm− 1 s− 1 V− 1, which are rarely realized in OIHP detectors. Consequently, a record high ER of 4.9% at 59.6 keV is achieved under a standard 241Am gamma-ray source with an ultralow operating bias of 5 V, representing the best gamma-ray spectroscopy performance among all solution-processed semiconductor radiation detectors ever reported.
Inactivation of MGMT is Associated With the Efficacy of Streptozocin and High-grade Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Yagi Kohei , Ono Hiroaki , Kudo Atsushi , Kinowaki Yuko , Asano Daisuke , Watanabe Shuichi , Ishikawa Yoshiya , Ueda Hiroki , Akahoshi Keiichi , Tanaka Shinji , Tanabe Minoru
Published: February 2023

Purpose
O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) has been linked with alkylating agent resistance and tumor growth suppression. However, its role remains undetermined in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (Pan-NENs). This study examined the expression of MGMT in Pan-NENs and explored how MGMT affects the efficacy of the alkylating agent streptozocin (STZ).
Methods
The expression of MGMT was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining in 146 Pan-NEN patients at our institute; MGMT immunoreactivity and clinicopathological factors were evaluated.
Results
In 146 Pan-NEN, 99 cases (67.8%) were judged as MGMT-positive and 47 cases (32.2%) as negative. MGMT-negative cases were associated significantly with larger tumor size (p < 0.001), higher mitotic index (p < 0.001), and higher Ki-67 index (p < 0.001). Of the 19 cases treated with STZ, 6 cases were determined as SD and 4 cases as PD in MGMT-positive patients (N = 10), while 5 cases were determined as PR and 4 cases as SD in MGMT-negative patients (N = 9). Progression-free survival in MGMT-negative cases was significantly better than in MGMT-positive cases (p = 0.042).
Conclusions
MGMT expression was decreased with higher grade Pan-NENs, and STZ improved the therapeutic outcomes of MGMT-negative Pan-NENs. These findings indicate that higher grade Pan-NENs may represent a better therapeutic target for STZ treatment.
A novel nutritional parameters-based nomogram for predicting severe neutropenia after CAPEOX/XELOX or SOX adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Gao Chun , Zhu Li , Zhang Yu Jie , Tong Yi Xin , Zhang Sheng
Published: February 2023

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop and internal validate a novel and specific predictive model for severe neutropenia during adjuvant chemotherapy cycles among patients with gastric cancer.
Methods We included 391 gastric cancer patients underwent curative laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy and divided them into development cohort and validation cohorts. The study endpoint was grade 3/4 neutropenia. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the independent risk factor of severe neutropenia. Predictive nomogram was constructed based on the multivariate model using R. We applied area under ROC curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) to evaluate the performance of the model.
Results 318 patients and 73 patients were divided into development and validation cohorts, treated with 1518 and 356 chemotherapy cycles respectively. The multivariable analysis revealed 4 predictive factors for severe neutropenia: Age, prealbumin level, prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and neutropenia in previous cycles. The constructed nomogram displayed a good predictive value, with AUCs as 0.825 (95%CI, 0.789-0.860) and 0.810 (95%CI, 0.783-0.835) in development and validation cohorts.
ConclusionsWe developed and internally validate a novel and specific risk prediction model for severe neutropenia among gastric cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy. This model is user-friendly and can guide clinical decision for personalized treatment plan. Further external validation should be necessary.
Melatonin strongly enhances the Agrobacterium- mediated transformation of carnation in nitrogen-depleted inoculation and co-cultivation media
Authors: Aalami Omid , Azadi Pejman , Hadizadeh Hanieh , Wilde H. Dayton , Karimian Zahra , Nemati Hossein , Samiei Leila
Published: February 2023

With the rising demand for new cultivars of carnation, efficient transformation protocols are needed to enable the bioengineering of new traits. Here, we established a novel and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system using callus as the target explant for four commercial carnation cultivars. Leaf-derived calli of all cultivars were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 containing the plasmid pCAMBIA 2301 harboring genes for β-glucuronidase (uidA) and neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histochemical assays confirmed the presence of uidA and β-glucuronidase (GUS), respectively in transgenic shoots. The effect on transformation efficiency of medium composition and the presence of antioxidants during inoculation and co-cultivation was investigated. The transformation efficiency was increased to 5% in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium lacking KNO3 and NH4NO3, compared to 0.6% efficiency in full-strength medium. The omission of other components including the entire macro- and microelements, Fe or vitamins from MS medium was also observed to increase gene transfer. Transformation efficiency was increased dramatically to 24.4% across all carnation cultivars by the addition of 2 mg/l melatonin to nitrogen-depleted MS medium. Shoot regeneration was also doubled in this treatment. The establishment of this efficient and reliable transformation protocol can advance the development of novel carnation cultivars through molecular breeding approaches.
Predictors assisting treatment choices between cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine in membranous nephropathy
Authors: He Hong-Guang , Peng Xiao-Mei , Liang Qin-Qing , Ye Kun , Huang Yi-Yun , Zeng Chun , Zhang Yan-Fei , Wu Chao-Qing , Wu Qiu-Xia , You Yan-Wu
Published: February 2023

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CTX) and cyclosporine (CsA) are used in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN); however, limited data comparing their efficacy are available. We aimed to determine the baseline clinicopathological predictive factors of renal outcome in patients with IMN who received CTX or CsA. We also attempted to establish simple risk scores for predicting renal outcomes in IMN patients prescribed CsA-based initial treatment.
Method: We retrospectively included 516 patients with biopsy-proven IMN from January 1, 2007 to October 31, 2019. The primary outcome was no remission and a decline of renal function in IMN patients who received CTX and CsA as initial treatment.
Results: The CsA group showed higher complete remission (CR) rate at 6 months, and no significant difference in accumulative total remission between the two groups was observed in the initial 12 months. Independent predictors of primary outcomes were urine protein content and serum albumin in the CTX-based group and serum creatinine, triglyceride, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) lesions in the CsA-based treatment group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve based on a three-variable risk score in predicting primary outcome was 0.791 (95% CI 0.720–0.862). IMN patients with FSGS lesions who received CsA-based initial treatment had a higher percentage of primary outcome and a lower CR rate.
Conclusion: Serum creatinine, hypertriglyceridemia, and FSGS lesions were important predictors of a worse prognosis in CsA-based initial treatment patients. Our simple risk score was able to predict renal outcomes in IMN patients receiving CsA-based initial treatment with good discrimination.
Name of the registry: Chinese Clinical TrialRegistry
Trial registration number: ChiCTR2200059658
May 5, 2022 Retrospectively registered
URL of trial registry record: https://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.aspx?id=168696
Community of Inquiry, Self-Efficacy, and Student Attitudes in Sustained Remote Health Professions Learning Environments
Authors: Burbage Amanda K. , Jia Yuane , Hoang Thuha
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Community of Inquiry (CoI) presence types and self-efficacy on perceived student attitudes within a sustained remote learning environment. As institutions must remain ready for modality-altering situations, a better understanding of CoI and self-efficacy in sustained remote teaching and learning environments may help address gaps in current practices and perceived student attitudes. An interinstitutional team of health professions education researchers from six U.S. universities collected survey data from 205 health professions students representing a wide range of professions in five U.S. institutions. Latent mediation models under structural equation modeling framework were used to examine whether student self-efficacy mediates the relationship between CoI presence and student’s favorability of sustained remote learning delivered in the prolonged stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed that higher levels of teaching presence and social presence in the remote learning environment were associated with higher levels of remote learning self-efficacy which, in turn, predicts variance in positive attitudes toward remote learning. Only direct effects for cognitive presence and self-efficacy on the favorability of sustained remote learning were observed. CoI presence types explained 61%, 64%, and 88% of the variance respectively in student’s favorability of sustained remote learning. Theoretical implications of this study include the establishment of the CoI and its three presence types as a relevant and stable framework for investigating sustained remote health professions teaching and learning environments, not only carefully designed online learning environments.
Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma in patients aged 45 years and younger: clinical features and novelty in treatment
Authors: Su Hao , Fan Rong , Yang Hua , You Yan , Zhu Lan , Feng Fengzhi
Published: February 2023

Background: Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma (PBML) is the most common extrauterine spread of uterine leiomyoma and its biological behavior is traditionally thought to be hormone-dependent. Studies about the older PBML patients has been previously reported, but limited literature has been regarding to the clinical features and treatment of PBML in young women.
Methods: A total of 65 cases of PBML in women aged 45 years and younger were reviewed, including 56 cases selected from PubMed and 9 cases from our hospital. The clinical characteristics and management of these patients were analyzed.
Results: The median age of all the patients at diagnosis was 39.0 years. PBML most commonly presented as bilateral solid lesions (60.9%), with other rare imaging manifestations. Median interval time from a pertinent gynecologic procedure to diagnosis was 6.0 years. 16.7% of patients received careful observation and all achieved stable status in a median follow-up time of 18.0 months. 71.4% of patients were administrated anti-estrogen therapies, including surgical castration (33.3%), gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (23.8%) and anti-estrogen drugs (14.3%). Eight of 42 patients underwent surgical resection of metastatic lesions. Patients receiving curative surgery for the removal of pulmonary lesions, combined with adjuvant anti-estrogen therapies, had favorable outcomes compared with the ones who only received surgical resection. The disease control rates of surgical castration, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue, anti-estrogen drugs were 85.7%, 90.0%, 50.0%, respectively. Rapamycin for two patients achieved successful relief of symptoms and control of pulmonary lesions without lowering hormone levels and causing estrogen deficiency symptoms.
Conclusions: In the absence of standard treatment guidelines for PBML, maintaining a low-estrogen environment by different kinds of anti-estrogen therapies has been the mainstream strategy currently and has satisfying curative effects. A wait-and-see strategy might be an option, but therapeutic approaches must be contemplated when complications or symptoms progressed. For PBML in young women, the negative effect on ovarian function of anti-estrogen treatment especially surgical castration should be considered. Rapamycin might be a new treatment option for young PBML patients, especially for those ones who want to preserve ovarian function.
Prevalence, associated risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157 isolated from cow milk and milk products and hygienic practices in selected towns of the Oromia region, Ethiopia
Authors: Sarba Edilu Jorga , Wirtu Wakuma , Gebremedhin Endrias Zewdu , Borana Bizunesh Mideksa , Marami Lencho Megersa
Published: February 2023

Escherichia coli is a major foodborne illness pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli and E. coli O157 in milk and milk products and hygienic practices in West Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia. Five hundred fifty-six milk samples comprising 421 udder milk, 57 bulk tank milk, and 78 milk products were investigated. Moreover, 145 questionnaires were administered to assess hygienic practices. A standard microbiological procedure was used to detect E. coli and E. coli O157:H7. The Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Petri film plates were used to enumerate the coliform in raw bulk tank milk. Farm and animal-level E coliprevalence were estimated and association with risk factors was assessed. Escherichia coli was detected in 33.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 29.9 - 37.9%) of the samples, of which only one isolate (0.2%) was E.coli O157. E. coli contamination was higher in bulk tank samples (47.4%; 95% CI: 34.0– 61.0%) than in udder milk (34.7%; CI: 30.1 – 39.4%) and in cottage cheese (27.0%; 95% CI: 14.6 – 43.9%) than in yoghurt 10.5% (95% CI: 2.9 – 24.8%). For the animal-level E. coli contamination, only the study area was identified as a risk factor. Risk factors such as types of milk containers, udder washing practices, hygiene, and management systems were associated with both farm-level and milk products E.coli contamination. Most (59.0%) of the farmers practice udder washing only before milking and the remaining did not practice udder washing at all. The mean coliform count in raw bulk tank milk was higher than the international standard (4.09 log10 CFU/ml). All of the 42 E.coli isolates tested were multidrug resistant. The occurrence of E. coli is high, while that of E. coli O157 is too low. The milk-handling practices are poor in the study areas. The high prevalence of E. coli, as well as the high coliform count, and higher multi-drug resistance may pose risk to public health and food safety. Therefore, proper hygienic practices throughout the milk chain as well as rational drug use are advised.
Effect of metal oxide nanoparticles on thermal behavior of polyvinyl alcohol
Authors: channe shrikant shankar , Singh Ranjana , Kulkarni Suresh G.
Published: February 2023

Polymers reinforced with metal oxide nanoparticles exhibit interesting possibilities from application point of view due to homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles, and superior thermal and mechanical properties. In the present work, SiO2, ZrO2 and ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by the microwave hydrothermal method, and nanocomposites based on them were processed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The thermal decomposition behaviour of pure PVA and composites was studied using the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the case, of composites, at 50% weight loss, the temperature was shifted by nearly 80°C, in comparison to the pure PVA. The SiO2 doped nanocomposites showed, a three stage temperature decomposition in the DSC spectra.
A Congestion Control Scheme Based on Path Recovery for Smart Grid Communication
Authors: Ji Yanpeng , Zeng Siming , Zhao Jianli , Liu Liangshuai , Feng Haiyan , Shen Xingdi , Liu Deliang
Published: February 2023

In order to solve the problem that the original path forwarding traffic caused by congestion that cannot be recovered in time in Smart Grid Communication, a congestion control scheme RFCC (Router Forwarding Congestion Control) based on path recovery is proposed, which not only supports the receiving end combined with router nodes to relieve congestion, it can also solve the problem of low transmission performance caused by not being able to restore the original path in time after the traffic is transferred. Active queue management technology is used to detect congestion and notify downflow nodes (users and routers) in time, which trigger downflow users to adjust the request sending window and intermediate routers to transfer packets. In addition, the original path traffic is restored in time through the path recovery policy. Firstly, the path traffic is recovered according to the congestion mark carried by the subsequent content packets. Secondly, the transmission frequency of the probe packets is calculated according to the information such as the packet queue length of routers and the available bandwidth of the congested path, and the probe packets are periodically sent to the congested path, and the traffic is sent to the congested path in time. The alternate path is transferred back to the original path. This paper implements the scheme in NS-3, and extensive experiments show that the proposed scheme outperforms the comparison schemes, which not only higher and more stable throughput can be obtained, but also shorter and more stable transmission delay can be obtained. In addition, the optimal path transmission volume and link utilization are improved.
Role of High-temperature Requirement Serine Protease A 2 in Rheumatoid Inflammation
Authors: Jeong Gi Heon , Nam Min-Kyung , Hur Wonhee , Heo Seolhee , Lee Saseong , Choi Eunbyeol , Park Jae Hyung , Park Youngjae , Kim Wan-UK , Rhim Hyangshuk , Yoo Seung-Ah
Published: February 2023

Background: High-temperature requirement serine protease A 2 (HtrA2) is known to be involved in growth, unfolded protein response to stress, and apoptosis or autophagy. However, whether HtrA2 controls inflammation and immune response remains elusive.
Results: Here, we found that the concentration of HtrA2 was elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fluid (SF) than in osteoarthritis (OA) SF, and its concentrations were correlated with immune cells counts in the RA SF. Strikingly, in the SF of RA patients, HtrA2 levels were elevated in proportion to synovitis severity and correlated with proinflammation cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-8, IL-6 and CCL2. Of note, HtrA2 was highly expressed in RA synoviums and primary synoviocytes. RA synoviocytes released HtrA2 when stimulated by ER stress inducers. Moreover, knockdown of HtrA2 inhibited IL1β-, TNFα- or LPS-induced release of proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine by RA synoviocytes.
Conclusion: HtrA2 is a novel inflammatory mediator and therefore a promising target for developing an anti-inflammation therapy for RA.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver in Obesity with Deteriorating Glucose Control
Authors: Forst Thomas , Botz Isabel , Berse Matthias , Voswinkel Stephan , Strempler Mares-Elaine , Baumann Sybille , Schultz Armin
Published: February 2023

Background: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising in parallel with increasing bodyweight and loss of glucose control, implicating a high risk of hepatic and extra-hepatic complications. Subjects / Methods: This longitudinal observational study analysed several indicators for NAFLD in 240 overweight subjects (body mass index (BMI) > 28 kg/m²) at 2 visits within in average 16 months. Subjects were categorised according to their insulin sensitivity (HOMAIR) and diabetic status. Methods: Liver fat and liver stiffness were measured with sonographic elastography (FibroScan®), and by calculation of Fatty Liver Index (FLI), and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). Results: Parameters indicative for liver steatosis, i.e., the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and the FLI, were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared to the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) groups (p<0.05). FLI values and the HOMAIR significantly correlated with sonographic liver fat content (CAP) (r=0.53, p<0.0001; r=0.34, p<0.001, respectively). An inverse correlation was observed between serum adiponectin levels and CAP (r=-0.20; p<0.019) and adiponectin levels and FLI (r=-0.37; p<0.0001). Over 16 months, fasting insulin levels and HOMAIR score increased mainly driven by the group of obese subjects with T2DM. No significant change in liver fat or stiffness was observed that period. Conclusions: In subjects with a BMI ≥ 28kg/m², the prevalence of NAFLD increases in line with increasing insulin resistance and loss of glucose control. Despite some ongoing deterioration in insulin sensitivity, liver fat content appeared relatively unchanged over 16 months.
DeepGWAS: Enhance GWAS Signals for Neuropsychiatric Disorders via Deep Neural Network
Authors: Li Yun , Wen Jia , Li Gang , Chen Jiawen , Sun Quan , Liu Weifang , Guan Wyliena , Lai Boqiao , Szatkiewicz Jin , He Xin , Sullivan Patrick
Published: February 2023

Genetic dissection of neuropsychiatric disorders can potentially reveal novel therapeutic targets. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have tremendously advanced our understanding, we approach a sample size bottleneck (i.e., the number of cases needed to identify >90% of all loci is impractical). Therefore, computationally enhancing GWAS on existing samples may be particularly valuable. Here, we describe DeepGWAS, a deep neural network-based method to enhance GWAS by integrating GWAS results with linkage disequilibrium and brain-related functional annotations. DeepGWAS enhanced schizophrenia (SCZ) loci by ~3X when applied to the largest European GWAS, and 21.3% enhanced loci were validated by the latest multi-ancestry GWAS. Importantly, DeepGWAS models can be transferred to other neuropsychiatric disorders. Transferring SCZ-trained models to Alzheimer’s disease and major depressive disorder, we observed 1.3-17.6X detected loci compared to standard GWAS, among which 27-40% were validated by other GWAS studies. We anticipate DeepGWAS to be a powerful tool in GWAS studies.
Modest forest and welfare impacts from current REDD+ initiatives
Authors: Wunder Sven , Schulz Dario , Montoya-Zumaeta Javier , Börner Jan , Frey Gabriel
Published: February 2023

Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) promise to deliver performance-based, cost-effective climate change mitigation. 15 years after REDD+’s conception, we analyse the rigorous counterfactual-based ev-idence for environmental and welfare effects from national and subnational initiatives, along a REDD+ Theory of Change. Using machine-learning tools for literature review, we compare 32 quantitative studies including 26 primary forest-related and 12 socioeconomic effect sizes. Average environmental impacts were positively significant yet moderately sized, comparable to impacts from other conservation tools, and mostly impermanent over time. Socioeconomic impacts were welfare-neutral to slightly positive, especially at outcome stage (e.g. rising incomes). Moderator analysis shows that REDD+ environmental additionality was likely restricted by project proponents’ ‘high-and-far’ spatial targeting of low-threat areas (adverse selection bias). Disappointingly scarce funding flows from carbon markets and ill-enforced condi-tionality probably also limited impacts. Hence, important policy and implementation lessons emerge for boosting effec-tiveness in the current global transition towards larger-scale, jurisdictional REDD+ action.
Green Extraction of Quercus Infectoria Gall With Supercritical CO2 and Methanol Co-solvent
Authors: Purbowati Retno , Taufikurohmah Titik , Syahrani Achmad
Published: February 2023

A comparative study of phenolic acid extract from Quercus infectoria Gall using supercritical fluid extraction of CO2 (SCFE-CO2) with co-solvent methanol can produce yields, phenolic acid compositions, and differences in the extract's toxicity. SCFE-CO2 was carried out with the same weight of material (Q. infectoria gall) and run at a temperature of 60 oC and a pressure of 20 MPa with methanol as the co-solvent and an extraction time of 60 minutes. The extraction process extracts were identified by yield, phenolic acid composition using LC-MS/MS, total phenolic acid, and toxicity. The results of the SCFE-CO2 extraction technique with co-solvent methanol do not produce extracts that are toxic but have high yields and tannic acid compound (TPC). The SCFE-CO2 technique has small extract variability (div. sd. 0.1%), a high yield, a high tannic acid compound, a high TPC, and non-toxic, so SCFE produces extracts that have maintainable quality. The small amount of addition of methanol co-solvent can increase the quality of the extract using the SCFE-CO2 technique, and increasing the addition of methanol cannot increase yield.
Roundup and immune challenge have different effects on a native field cricket and its introduced competitor
Authors: Mullins Lydia R , Brown Dylan J , Lovsey Shelly R , Bowers Troy A , Gershman Susan N
Published: February 2023

Crickets face many natural selection pressures, and humans have added to this burden by applying potentially harmful herbicides and unintentionally introducing competitors. We examine recently introduced Velafictorus micado Japanese burrowing crickets which share a microhabitat and season with native Gryllus pennsylvanicus field crickets. In this study, we assess the combined effects of Roundup (glyphosate-based herbicide) and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge on both crickets. In both species, an immune challenge reduced the numbers of eggs that female laid, however, this effect was much larger in G. pennsylvanicus. Conversely, Roundup caused both species to increase egg production, potentially representing a terminal investment strategy. The combined effect of immune challenge and herbicide harmed G. pennsylvanicus fecundity more than V. micado fecundity. Further, V. micado females laid significantly more eggs than G. pennsylvanicus, suggesting that introduced V. micado may have a competitive edge in fecundity over native G. pennsylvanicus. LPS and Roundup each had differing effects on male G. pennsylvanicus and V. micado calling effort. Overall, introduced male V. micado spent significantly more time calling than native G. pennsylvanicus, which could potentially interfere with G. pennsylvanicus mate-location behavior in their shared natural habitat. Despite the population-level spread of introduced V. micado, in our study, this species did not outperform native G. pennsylvanicus in tolerating immune and chemical challenge. Although V. micado appears to possess traits that make this introduced species successful in colonizing new habitats, it may be less successful in traits that would allow it to outcompete a native species.
In silico prediction of immune-escaping hot spots for future COVID-19 vaccine design
Authors: Huang Sing-Hang , Chen Yi-Ting , Lin Xiang-Yu , Ly Yi-Yi , Lien Ssu-Ting , Wang Cheng-Tang , Wu Suh-Chin , Chen Chwen-Cheng , Lin Ching-Yung
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a widespread impact on a global scale, and the evolution of considerable dominants has already taken place. Some variants contained certain key mutations located on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike protein, such as E484K and N501Y. It is increasingly worrying that these variants could impair the efficacy of current vaccines or therapies. Therefore, how to design future vaccines to prevent the different variants remains urgent. In this work, we proposed an in silico approach, in which we combined binding free energy measured by computational mutagenesis of spike-antibody complexes and mutation frequency calculated from viral genome sequencing data, to estimate an immune-escaping score (IES) and predict immune-escaping hot spots. We identified 23 immune-escaping mutations on the RBD, nine of which occurred in omicron variants (R346K, K417N, N440K, L452Q, L452R, S477N, T478K, F490S, and N501Y), despite our dataset being curated before the omicron first appeared. The highest immune-escaping score (IES=1) was found for E484K, which agrees with recent studies stating that the mutation significantly reduced the efficacy of neutralization antibodies. Furthermore, our predicted binding free energy and IES show a high correlation with high-throughput deep mutational scanning (Pearson’s r = 0.70) and experimentally measured neutralization titers data (mean Pearson’s r = -0.80). In summary, our work provides valuable insights and will help design future COVID-19 vaccines.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors of coronary artery lesions in Chinese pediatric Takayasu arteritis patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Xu Yingjie , Luo Lingfeng , Kang Gaixiu , Zhu Jia , Kang Min , Zhang Dan , Lai Jianming , Li Xiaohui
Published: February 2023

Backgroud: To summarize the clinical characteristics and identify the risk factors for pediatric Takayasu arteritis (TAK) with coronary artery lesions (CALs).
Methods: Clinical data of pediatric TAK patients in our center were retrospectively assessed. Independent risk factors for CALs were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Survival analysis was used to compare differences in survival rates between the groups.
Results: Among the 66 pediatric TAK cases, the incidence of accompanying CALs was 39.4%. The children in the CAL group were all subclinical, and the coronary arteries most commonly involved were the left main and right coronary arteries. The CALs were mostly small or middle coronary artery aneurysms; some children may have giant coronary aneurysmal dilations. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age at onset, white blood count, hemoglobin, platelet count, interleukin-2 receptor, and renal artery stenosis (RAS) were associated with pediatric TAK combined with CAL(P < 0.05). In multivariate logistic regression, the age of onset and RAS were predictive factors associated with pediatric TAK combined with CAL (P < 0.05). A cutoff value of 54.75 months maximized the diagnostic efficacy combined with CAL. In addition, there was no significant difference in survival rates between the two groups after regular treatment.
Conclusion: This study showed that the occurrence of CAL in pediatric TAK patients has a relatively more rapid clinical course, and a stronger inflammatory state at the time of diagnosis. Early onset is more likely to cause CAL. Pediatric TAK patients with RAS were less likely to develop CAL.
Digital infrastructure development, carbon total factor productivity, and carbon dioxide rebound effects
Authors: Lan Mudan , Zhu Yuke
Published: February 2023

Digital infrastructure construction (DIC) and low carbon transformation are important engines and objective functions of the superior economic development, and the synergistic drive between the two is essential to achieving lasting economic development. This study systematically investigates the effect of DIC on carbon total factor productivity (CTEP) using an econometric analysis. It comprehensively explores and effectively evaluates the influence of DIC on the rebound effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (CRE) using the panel data from 282 Chinese cities at the prefectural level between 2007 and 2019. Research findings that, first, the expansion of digital infrastructure has a nonlinear effect on CTEP, with a U-shaped link between the two; Multiple robustness tests confirm that this is still true. Second, DIC and optimisation of the energy consumption structure in a "U" curve relationship, and the major strategy for increasing CTEP is to reduce energy consumption, while industrial structure optimization and technical innovation have less of a mediating influence. Third, further analysis reveals that there is a "U" shaped non-linear connection between the DIC and CRE, and energy savings and emission reductions in the later stages of DIC fall short of expectations. The findings of the study suggest that DIC is extensible in China, and that the study can promote digital infrastructure to enable low-carbon transformation, improve CTEP, and enhance low-carbon transformation's role in fostering high-caliber, environmentally friendly growth.
Impacts of air pollution and meteorological conditions on dry eye disease among residents in a northeastern Chinese metropolis: A six-year crossover study in a cold region
Authors: Lu Cheng-Wei , Fu Jing , Liu Xiu-Fen , Cui Zhi-Hua , Chen Wei-Wei , Li Guo , Li Xiao-Lan , Ren Yu , Shao Fei , Hao Ji-Long
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to first explore the associations among dry eye disease (DED), air pollution, and meteorological conditions in the cold region of a northeastern Chinese metropolis (i.e., Changchun). Data on ambient air pollutants and meteorological parameters as well as diagnosed DED outpatients during 2015–2021 were collected. The associations between DED and environmental factors were analysed at multiple time scales using various statistical methods (i.e., correlation, regression and machine learning). Among the 10809 DED patients (21617 eyes) studied, 64.60% were female and 35.40% were male. A higher frequency of DED was observed in March and April, followed by January, August and October. Individual and multiple factor models showed the positive importance of particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 µm (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) among normal air pollutants and air pressure (AP), air temperature (AT) and wind speed (WS) among normal meteorological parameters. Air pollutants (PM10, nitrogen dioxide: NO2) and meteorological parameters (AT, AP) have combined impacts on DED occurrence. For the first time, we further explored the associations of detailed components of atmospheric particles and DED, suggesting potential emission sources, including spring dust from bare soil and roads and precursor pollutants of summer O3 formation from vehicles and industry in Northeast China. Our results revealed the quantitative associations among air pollutants, meteorological conditions and DED outpatients in cold regions, highlighting the importance of coordinated policies in air pollution control and climate change mitigation.
Five actions for five people: emergency cesarean section protocol
Authors: Mannella Paolo , Pancetti Federica , Giannini Andrea , Russo Eleonora , Montt-Guevara Magda , Simoncini Tommaso
Published: February 2023

Objective
To evaluate an operative protocol for emergency cesarean section to improve teamwork and reduce surgical setup time.
Methods
sixty-six health care operators working together in the delivery ward (gynecologists, midwives, anesthesiologists) simulated an emergency scenario applying a “five actions for each operator” protocol. For each simulation, the decision to delivery interval was considered and the perception of each operator as a team worker was analyzed with specific tests.
Results
the “five actions for five people” protocol significantly reduces the decision to delivery interval (p < 0.001) for emergency cesarean section. Simultaneously, a simple and codified scheme improves communication among team members, avoids overlapping roles, and improves the feeling of having helped the team by each operator
Conclusion
the use of a standardized, simple, and immediately usable protocol improves the performance of the delivery room team in terms of the urgency and quality of the operator's participation in the event. Procedures of this type should be favored within emergency obstetric settings.
Improving caregivers and physicians understanding about delirium in patients aged 75 and over in a non-geriatric inpatient unit: a study before-and-after a multimodal educational intervention
Authors: Salaun M. , Gavazzi G. , Forestier E. , Trinchero F. , Boussat B. , Drevet S.
Published: February 2023

Background: Delirium is a common geriatric syndrome which has a poor prognosis if not managed rapidly. Our main objective was to improve the knowledge of a non-geriatric care team concerning delirium in the older patients through a multimodal educational intervention in an Infectious Diseases Department.
Materials & Methods: We carried out a monocentric descriptive cohort study in an infectious diseases unit (France), with a retrospective phase (March to May 2021) and a prospective phase (October to December 2021). The multimodal educational intervention on delirium was conducted in September 2021. The primary endpoint was the difference in the percentage of correct responses from the Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) before and after the intervention. The secondary objectives concerned the progression of the knowledge of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), the different forms of delirium and the impact of the intervention on the frequency of diagnosis of delirium, on the patient care pathway and on the quality of care.
Results: The rate of DKQ correct answers of the 24 health caregivers included in the study improved significantly(89.3% vs 84.7%, p=0.02). The CAM was known by 1/5th of caregivers before the intervention and reached 83.3% after training. More than half of the caregivers were aware of all 3 forms of delirium after training. The frequency of delirium diagnosis did not change after the intervention. Prescription of physiotherapy became more frequent, while the use of the mobile geriatric unit or the scheduling of remote geriatric consultations did not change.
Conclusion: Our multi-modal educational intervention resulted in an improvement in caregivers' knowledge of the topic of delirium. Almost three quarters of caregivershad a knowledge about the CAM. Given the frequency of diagnosis and the severity and costs associated with the occurrence of delirium, it seems of major interest to integrate initial and ongoing training for carers on delirium.
Breaking the 25% Transparency and 15% Efficiency limits of Perovskite Solar Cells in a broad angular range of sun-light incidence
Authors: Lorusso Antonella , Masi Sofia , Triolo Claudia , Mariano Fabrizio , Muia Simone , Cannavale Alessandro , Duan Yu , Anni Marco , De Giorgi Maria Luisa , Patané Salvatore , Selmi Olfa , Mora-Seró Iván , De Leo Stefano , Mazzeo Marco
Published: February 2023

Realizing semi-transparent perovskite solar cells for building applications is a very hard goal not only because the absorption and the transmission of light through the device are two competitive processes, but also because the Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) decreases with the angle of incidence of sunlight rays due to the increased reflection intensity. Moreover, an Average Visible Transmittance (AVT) of 25% and PCE of 15% have to be overcome simultaneously in a wide angular range in order to penetrate the market of smart windows. Here, through a rational management of the p and s light reflection modes of a dielectric/metal/dielectric used as top-electrode, we realize a semi-transparent FAPbI3 perovskite solar cell with an AVT value of 28% without the detriment of the PCE, that remains over 15% in a broad angular range up to 50° from normal light-incidence, thus breaking the benchmarks for a real building integration.