bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decontamination protocols affect the internal microbiota of ticks
Authors: Fernández-Ruiz Natalia , Pinecki-Socias Sophia , Estrada-Peña Agustín , Wu-Chuang Alejandra , Maitre Apolline , Obregón Dasiel , Cabezas-Cruz Alejandro , de Blas Ignacio , Nijhof Ard M.
Published: June 2023

Studies on the microbiota of ticks have promoted hypotheses about the combined effects of the bacterial community, its functional contributions to the tick’s physiology or probable competition effects with some tick-borne pathogens. However, knowledge on the origin of the microbiota of newly hatched larvae is missing. This study aimed to elucidate the source(s) of the microbiota in unfed tick larvae, addressing the composition of the “core microbiota” and the best ways to decontaminate eggs for microbiota studies. We applied laboratory degree bleach washes and/or ultraviolet light treatments on engorged Rhipicephalus australis females and/or their eggs. No significant effects of these treatments on the reproductive parameters of females and the hatching rates of eggs were observed. However, the different treatments did show striking effects on the composition of the microbiota. The results indicated that bleach washes disrupted the internal tick microbiota in females, implying that bleach may have entered the tick and subsequently affected the microbiota. Furthermore, the analyses of results demonstrated that the ovary is a main source of tick microbiota, while the contribution of Gené’s organ (a part of the female reproductive system that secretes a protective wax coat onto tick eggs) or the male’s spermatophore requires further investigation. Further studies are needed to identify best practice protocols for the decontamination of ticks for microbiota studies.

Graphical Abstract
A virtual biopsy study of microsatellite instability in gastric cancer based on deep learning radiomics
Authors: Jiang Zinian , Xie Wentao , Zhou Xiaoming , Pan Wenjun , Jiang Sheng , Zhang Xianxiang , Zhang Maoshen , Zhang Zhenqi , Lu Yun , Wang Dongsheng
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This study aims to develop and validate a virtual biopsy model to predict microsatellite instability (MSI) status in preoperative gastric cancer (GC) patients based on clinical information and the radiomics of deep learning algorithms.

Methods

A total of 223 GC patients with MSI status detected by postoperative immunohistochemical staining (IHC) were retrospectively recruited and randomly assigned to the training (n = 167) and testing (n = 56) sets in a 3:1 ratio. In the training set, 982 high-throughput radiomic features were extracted from preoperative abdominal dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and screened. According to the deep learning multilayer perceptron (MLP), 15 optimal features were optimized to establish the radiomic feature score (Rad-score), and LASSO regression was used to screen out clinically independent predictors. Based on logistic regression, the Rad-score and clinically independent predictors were integrated to build the clinical radiomics model and visualized as a nomogram and independently verified in the testing set. The performance and clinical applicability of hybrid model in identifying MSI status were evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve (DCA).

Results

The AUCs of the clinical image model in training set and testing set were 0.883 [95% CI: 0.822–0.945] and 0.802 [95% CI: 0.666–0.937], respectively. This hybrid model showed good consistency in the calibration curve and clinical applicability in the DCA curve, respectively.

Conclusions

Using preoperative imaging and clinical information, we developed a deep-learning-based radiomics model for the non-invasive evaluation of MSI in GC patients. This model maybe can potentially support clinical treatment decision making for GC patients.

Graphical abstract
Cowpea cropping systems, traits preference and production constraints in the upper west region of Ghana: farmers' consultation and implications for breeding
Authors: Karikari Benjamin , Maale Margaret Delle , Anning Ebenezer , Akakpo Daniel Brain , Abujaja Afishata Mohammed , Addai Isaac Kwahene
Published: June 2023

Background

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is used primarily as food for humans and feed for animals. It is also used for soil management within a cropping system. However, cowpea production is confronted with numerous challenges. As such farmers and consumers alike have certain preferences in terms of production and utilization. This present study investigated cowpea cropping systems, traits preference and production constraints among farmers in the Nandom, Lambusie and Lawra districts in the northern part of the Upper West Region of Ghana. A total of 306 farming households were sampled from the 3 chosen districts. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. The IBM SPSS software, version 22, was employed to analyze the data using descriptive statistics, specifically frequencies, percentages and crosstabulations.

Results

The study’s results indicated that a majority (58.5%) of the cowpea farmers practice intercropping, whereas a minority (41.5%) practice sole cropping. The farmers intercropped cowpea with maize, millet, sorghum and yam. Farmers preferred cowpea varieties with the following traits: high yield, drought tolerance, early maturing, pest resistance, improve soil fertility, high price, high demand, better taste, less cooking time, storage quality, palatability and fast growing. Farmers indicated that susceptibility to storage pests, high pest incidence, late maturity, difficulty in harvesting, high input cost, small grain size, low yield, high disease incidence, poor colour, lack of improved variety, and drought are some constraints that hinder cowpea production.

Conclusion

Results indicate a need for behavioural change communication to assist cowpea farmers to adopt improved and appropriate cropping systems. Farmers should be involved in cowpea technology development in order to understand their preferences and constraints to enable subsequent adoption of such technologies. The results from this study call for an interdisciplinary committee to plan and breed cowpea varieties that meet the needs of the farmers.
Modified subcostal approach to anterior quadratus lumborum block for managing postoperative pain in patients undergoing open nephrectomy
Authors: Kaya Cengiz , Dost Burhan , Dokmeci Hilal , Ustun Yasemin Burcu , Ozkan Fatih
Published: June 2023

Background

Quadratus lumborum block is a relatively new truncal block and different approaches to this block have been described. With a recent modification to the subcostal approach to the anterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB3), the injection point was moved further cranially and medially, thereby aiming to enhance the spread of the local anesthetic into the thoracic paravertebral space. Although the level of blockade achieved with this modification seems sufficient for open nephrectomy, the modification is still for clinical evaluation. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the modified subcostal QLB3 approach on postoperative analgesia.

Methods

All adult patients who received a modified subcostal QLB3 for postoperative analgesia following open nephrectomy between January 2021- 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Accordingly, total opioid consumption and pain scores during rest/activity within the first 24 h after surgery were evaluated.

Results

A total of 14 patients underwent open nephrectomy were analyzed. Pain scores within the first 6 h postoperatively, particularly the dynamic numeric rating scale (NRS) scores (4–6.5/10), were high. The median (interquartile range) resting and dynamic NRS scores for the first 24 h were 2.75 (1.79) and 3.91 (1.67), respectively. The mean ± standard deviation IV-morphine equivalent dose for the first 24 h was 30.9 ± 10.9 mg.

Conclusions

It was found that the modified subcostal QLB3 did not provide satisfactory analgesia in the early postoperative period. Further randomized studies that extensively investigate the postoperative analgesic efficacy are required to draw a stronger conclusion.
Pathological images machine learning and prediction of long-term efficacy for immunotherapy in small cell lung cancer.
Authors: Sato Yuki , Shibaki Ryota , Fujimoto Daichi , Nozawa Tsukasa , Hara Satoshi , Uchida Junji , Miyauchi Eisaku , Hiraoka Ryota , Daga Haruko , Masuda Takeshi , Tanaka Satoshi , Ikeda Satoshi , Saito Go , Suzuki Hidekazu , Sakata Shinya , Sakata Yoshihiko , Kijima Takashi , Yamamoto Nobuyuki , Koh Yasuhiro , Akamatsu Hiroaki
Published: June 2023

8578

Background: In development of effective treatment such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) among patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the absence of biomarkers is critical. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are the main activator of antitumor immunity and could be a promising biomarker if TIL can be objectively assessed throughout the whole tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). To evaluate TIME, pathological assessment is one of the easiest ways. Recently, several studies showed that machine learning analysis can assess type of lymphocytes and their localization in pathological images. Here, we aimed to develop a novel biomarker to predict efficacy of ICI in SCLC using machine learning of pathological images. Methods: This study was a biomarker analysis of the APOLLO study which was 32-centered, prospective cohort study of patients with extensive-stage SCLC who received chemo-immunotherapy as the first-line treatment between September 2019 and September 2020. The patient who can provide sufficient tumor tissue sample from the primary tumor were enrolled. We trained a classifier which predicts 365-day progression-free survival (PFS) by all three types of pathological images (hematoxylin and eosin, programmed death-ligand 1, and CD8_FoxP3) and patient information, and developed the patient information model, pathological image model, and combination model. We used the area under the curves (AUC) to evaluate the machine learning models. Results: Of 78 patients, the median age was 78 (interquartile range, 48-87), 65 patients (83%) were male, 67 patients (86%) had a performance status of 0 or 1, and three patients (3.8%) treated with steroid therapy. Among all patients, the median PFS and the 365-day PFS rates were 145 days and 10.3%. The mean AUC of these models was 0.789 (range, 0.571-0.982) in the patient information model, 0.782 (range, 0.750-0.911) in the pathological image model, and 0.868 (range, 0.786-0.929) in the combination model, respectively. According to the median precision model, the median PFS was longer for the high efficacy group than the low efficacy group (the patient information model; hazard ratio (HR) 0.468, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.287-0.762. the pathological image model; HR 0.334, 95%CI 0.117-0.628. the combination model; HR 0.353, 95%CI 0.195-0.637). Conclusions: Using machine learning by pathological images, we could predict the efficacy of immunotherapy in SCLC. This study demonstrated the potential of machine learning to help the biomarker development in SCLC by assessing TIME. Clinical trial information: UMIN000038064 .
Prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after failure on immune checkpoint inhibitors (IO) treated with anticancer vaccine OSE2101 or chemotherapy (CT) in phase 3 ATALANTE-1 randomized trial.
Authors: Besse Benjamin , Felip Enriqueta , Campelo Rosario Garcia , Cobo Manuel , Mascaux Celine , Madroszyk Anne , Cappuzzo Federico , Hilgers Werner , Romano Giampiero , Denis Fabrice , Viteri Ramirez Santiago , Debieuvre Didier , Razaq Mohammad , Schuette Wolfgang , Zer Alona , Attali Pierre , Montestruc François , Vasseur Berangere , Dziadziuszko Rafal , Giaccone Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

e21037

Background: OSE2101 (Tedopi) is an anticancer vaccine that has shown an improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with Chemotherapy (CT) (HR 0.59; p = 0.017) in HLA-A2+ NSCLC patients with IO secondary resistance (ESMO 2021 #47LBA). The objective of this analysis was to identify the prognostic factors of OS in each treatment group. Methods: 118 NSCLC EGFR and ALK negative patients who progressed after sequential CT-IO and who received at least 12 weeks IO (defining IO secondary resistance), were randomized (2:1) in OSE2101 or SoC (docetaxel or pemetrexed). Stepwise multivariate analysis of OS was performed after the selection of factors with p > 0.10. Classical baseline factors (disease stage, histology, patient general status) and treatment effect, including best response (Complete Response CR, Partial Response PR, Stable Disease SD versus Progressive Disease PD), severe adverse events and ECOG PS deterioration, were studied and correlated to OS. Results: The statistically significant prognostic factors of OS in multivariate analysis are described in table below. When PS ≤1 was maintained, median OS with OSE2101 was 14.0 [11.1; 16.8] months and 6.3 [2.9; 8.2] when PS deteriorated > 1 (HR 0.23 [0.13; 0.41]); with CT, median OS was respectively 7.5 [4.4; 10.3] and 7.2 [2.3; 15.7] months (HR 0.92 [0.44; 1.96]). When best response to study treatment was CR/PR/SD, median OS with OSE2101 was 12.6 [8.8;16.8] months and 8.0 [5.5; 11.1] when best response was DP (HR 0.61 [0.36; 1.04]); with CT, median OS was respectively 9.8 [7.4; 13.8] and 5.0 [1.0; 7.2] months (HR 0.34 [0.14; 0.84]. Conclusions: Prognostic factors of OS differ between cancer vaccine OSE2101 and standard CT. Maintenance of good ECOG PS was the most important for OSE2101, while best response (CR/PR/SD) to treatment correlated with longer OS with CT and was not prognostic for OSE2101. This analysis supports the mechanism of action of the cancer vaccine in improving OS by controlling tumor growth regardless of best response. Clinical trial information: NCT02654587 . [Table: see text]
Human Papillomavirus and Rising Oropharyngeal Cancer Incidence in the United States
Authors: Chaturvedi Anil K. , Engels Eric A. , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Hernandez Brenda Y. , Xiao Weihong , Kim Esther , Jiang Bo , Goodman Marc T. , Sibug-Saber Maria , Cozen Wendy , Liu Lihua , Lynch Charles F. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Jordan Richard C. , Altekruse Sean , Anderson William F. , Rosenberg Philip S. , Gillison Maura L.
Published: June 2023

PURPOSE

Recent increases in incidence and survival of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States have been attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, but empirical evidence is lacking.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

HPV status was determined for all 271 oropharyngeal cancers (1984-2004) collected by the three population-based cancer registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Residual Tissue Repositories Program by using polymerase chain reaction and genotyping (Inno-LiPA), HPV16 viral load, and HPV16 mRNA expression. Trends in HPV prevalence across four calendar periods were estimated by using logistic regression. Observed HPV prevalence was reweighted to all oropharyngeal cancers within the cancer registries to account for nonrandom selection and to calculate incidence trends. Survival of HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients was compared by using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

HPV prevalence in oropharyngeal cancers significantly increased over calendar time regardless of HPV detection assay ( P trend < .05). For example, HPV prevalence by Inno-LiPA increased from 16.3% during 1984 to 1989 to 71.7% during 2000 to 2004. Median survival was significantly longer for HPV-positive than for HPV-negative patients (131 v 20 months; log-rank P < .001; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.46). Survival significantly increased across calendar periods for HPV-positive ( P = .003) but not for HPV-negative patients ( P = .18). Population-level incidence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers increased by 225% (95% CI, 208% to 242%) from 1988 to 2004 (from 0.8 per 100,000 to 2.6 per 100,000), and incidence for HPV-negative cancers declined by 50% (95% CI, 47% to 53%; from 2.0 per 100,000 to 1.0 per 100,000). If recent incidence trends continue, the annual number of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers is expected to surpass the annual number of cervical cancers by the year 2020.

CONCLUSION

Increases in the population-level incidence and survival of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States since 1984 are caused by HPV infection.
Η ορθογραφική ικανότητα και η σχέση της με τις δεξιότητες της κατανόησης και της παραγωγής γραπτού λόγου
Authors: Τζανάκη Αικατερίνη
Published: June 2023

Η παρούσα μελέτη αποτελεί μια ποσοτική έρευνα συσχετίσεων, στην οποία αξιοποιήθηκε πρωτογενές υλικό από μεγάλο σώμα γραπτών κειμένων μαθητών/-τριών της Στ’ τάξης του δημοτικού σχολείου που συμμετείχαν σε γραπτό διαγωνισμό λογοτεχνικού περιεχομένου. Βασικός σκοπός της έρευνας είναι ο εντοπισμός των ορθογραφικών αποκλίσεων των μαθητών, η κατηγοριοποίησή τους με βάση γλωσσολογικά κριτήρια, και ο συσχετισμός της ορθογραφικής επίδοσης με τη γενική επίδοση των μαθητών στον εν λόγω διαγωνισμό και τις επιδόσεις τους χωριστά στα έργα κατανόησης γραπτού λόγου και στα έργα παραγωγής γραπτού λόγου. Ειδικότερα, τα κείμενα που είχαν παραγάγει οι μαθητές/-τριες στο πλαίσιο του διαγωνισμού εξετάστηκαν ως προς την ορθογραφική τους ακρίβεια, με στόχο να αναδειχθούν οι ορθογραφικές αποκλίσεις, να κατηγοριοποιηθούν βάσει γλωσσολογικών κριτηρίων και να εξεταστούν οι λέξεις στις οποίες αυτά εντοπίζονται. Παράλληλα, συσχετίζεται με ποικίλους τρόπους η ορθογραφική επίδοση με άλλες παραμέτρους, όπως οι απαντήσεις σε ερωτήσεις κατανόησης κλειστού τύπου και οι απαντήσεις σε ερωτήσεις ανοιχτού τύπου. Ακόμη, διερευνήθηκε η γραμματική κατηγορία στην οποία ανήκει η λέξη που σημειώθηκε το ορθογραφικό λάθος καθώς και το μόρφημα στο οποίο αυτό εντοπίστηκε. Τέλος, καταγράφηκαν έξι δημογραφικά στοιχεία που αφορούσαν τόσο το σχολείο συμμετοχής όσο και τις ομάδες των συμμετεχόντων. Ένα σημαντικό στοιχείο το οποίο φέρει η εν λόγω έρευνα και το οποίο συνέβαλε στη μέτρηση της ορθογραφικής επίδοσης είναι η παράμετρος-μεταβλητή που ονομάσαμε Πυκνότητα λάθους. Ως πυκνότητα λάθους ονομάζουμε το ποσοστό των ορθογραφικών λαθών που εντοπίσθηκαν επί του συνόλου των λέξεων που παράχθηκαν στο γραπτό κείμενο.
estudio de la empresa de venta directa ecuatoriana y su incidencia en el empleo adecuado femenino
Authors: Quintero Montaño Washington , Choez Icaza Mariela , Montes Cantos Andrea
Published: June 2023

El contenido de este trabajo aborda un fenómeno importante dentro del análisis del mercado laboral, este es el empleo adecuado femenino en Ecuador. El análisis busca indagar si existe alguna relación entre el crecimiento de la tasa de empleo adecuado femenino y la evolución de algunas de las variables más relevantes de las firmas de venta directa en Ecuador, tales como el ingreso por ventas (IV), las ratios de solvencia (RSOLV), de liquidez (RLIQ), y el rendimiento sobre los activos (ROA). Para hacer esto, se utiliza la técnica de datos de panel de grupos medios dinámicos [ARDL (1,1,1)] para generar evidencia empírica; se encuentra que la ratio de liquidez, la ratio de solvencia y el ingreso de las empresas de venta directa muestran un efecto estadísticamente significativo sobre el empleo adecuado femenino, aunque pequeño, lo que implica que los encadenamientos productivos originados por estas empresas desde el año 2010 no tienden a crear un impacto importante en la creación de empleos de mejor calidad para las mujeres en Ecuador.
Dynamic Matching: Characterizing and Achieving Constant Regret
Authors: Kerimov Süleyman , Ashlagi Itai , Gurvich Itai
Published: June 2023

We study how to optimally match agents in a dynamic matching market with heterogeneous match cardinalities and values. A network topology determines the feasible matches in the market. In general, a fundamental tradeoff exists between short-term value—which calls for performing matches frequently—and long-term value—which calls, sometimes, for delaying match decisions in order to perform better matches. We find that in networks that satisfy a general position condition, the tension between short- and long-term value is limited, and a simple periodic clearing policy (nearly) maximizes the total match value simultaneously at all times. Central to our results is the general position gap ϵ; a proxy for capacity slack in the market. With the exception of trivial cases, no policy can achieve an all-time regret that is smaller, in terms of order, than [Formula: see text]. We achieve this lower bound with a policy, which periodically resolves a natural matching integer linear program, provided that the delay between resolving periods is of the order of [Formula: see text]. Examples illustrate the necessity of some delay to alleviate the tension between short- and long-term value.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, revenue management and market analytics.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CMM-2010940] and the U.S. Department of Defense [Grant STTR A18B-T007].
Effort Peer Effects in Team Production: Evidence from Professional Football
Authors: Cohen-Zada Danny , Dayag Itay , Gershoni Naomi
Published: June 2023

We exploit a unique data set from the Israeli Professional Football Leagues that provides high-frequency direct measures of players’ effort to estimate effort peer effects in a high-skill collaborative team task. Using two complementary identification strategies, we find robust evidence of substantial positive peer effects. Our findings highlight that effort spillovers play an important role in team production and that even a change in just one worker’s effort can substantially influence team effort and thus performance. Moreover, we present suggestive evidence that behavioral considerations are a relevant mechanism for creating peer effects even in highly skilled teams of workers.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4811 .
The changing face of lung cancer: oligometastatic renal metastasis post chemo-immunotherapy combination
Authors: Matini Elvis , Yogaretnam Trishhani , Wilson Charlotte Alice , Power Derek
Published: June 2023

This report describes a rare case of oligometastatic renal disease in a 69 year-old Caucasian male with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Diagnosed with Stage IIIb, NSCLC he completed chemoradiotherapy followed by 1 year of immunotherapy. Surveillance CT scans after nearly three years showed an ill-defined lesion in the left kidney. Biopsy results were consistent with metastasis from the known lung carcinoma. Following neo-adjuvant Pembrolizumab (200mg, q3w), the patient underwent a left radical nephrectomy, without complications. One year post-operatively, CT of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis (TAP) did not identify any recurrence. Renal metastases were historically demonstrated predominantly by autopsy studies[1]. Any mass manifesting in the kidney in the context of previous NSCLC warrants comprehensive investigations. The combination of immunotherapy followed by definitive treatment appears to be a promising management strategy[2]. With regards to local curative options, the advantages and disadvantages of surgery and radiotherapy have been well described[3-4].
Wonder, wellbeing and learning: balancing all three in early years
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: June 2023

Sue Allingham, author, trainer and consultant, discusses some of the pressures on staff at this time of year, and what is lost for both children and staff when learning is capped by an adult agenda.
Arduino Uno Based Child Tracking System Using GPS and GSM
Authors: Bhardwaj Gopal , Dixit Monika , Kumari Ginni , Kumari Khushi , Srivastava Shreya
Published: June 2023

Wearable tracking gadget that school-age children can wear is the topic of this paper. It doesn't need any pricy technology to operate.. This technology is usable by persons of all educational levels. It has got two buttons one is alert button and another is panic button The major objective of this gadget is to ensure that the youngster may contact their parents in an emergency. The alert button allows the child to notify their parents of an emergency and provide their current location. For communication, the current technology includes Bluetooth, WI-FI, and RFID. It is hard to communicate across a great distance with these technologies because they only have a narrow range of coverage. Also they are not that accurate. This device solves the issue by utilizing GSM technology. Parents do not need to submit any special code to the device to determine the child's location's latitude and longitude. If a child is in any emergency situation and wants his/her parents to know their current exact location. If a child feels uneasy, there are two methods to let the parents know. The cell phone of the parents or guardian receives the alarm message via SMS by pressing alert button and if the child wants to communicate to parents immediately, a call can also be made via this device using the panic button and the child can talk to the parent in real time.
Can policy instruments shape the policy problems they aim to solve? How interest registers redefined conflicts of interest
Authors: Wickberg Sofia
Published: June 2023

By analysing the policy process leading to the introduction of interest registers in France and Sweden, this article argues that their use as a policy instrument was crucial for acknowledging and defining conflict of interest as a problem. It challenges rationalist approaches to public policy that focus on how the adoption of policy solutions follows the identification of policy problems, instead, favouring the acknowledgement of how problems and solutions can exist independently. To identify how interest registers became a preferred policy solution, the article traces how policies from the UK and US were integrated in the global anti-corruption toolkit in the 1990s and subsequently adopted in France and Sweden in the 2010s. It uncovers the sequencing of events, and, specifically, the evolution of public discourse on conflicts of interest around the adoption of public interest registers. It shows that interest registers contribute to (re)define the problem of conflict of interest in new contexts of adoption. The sequencing of events suggests that the problem of conflict of interest was rarely used before the instrument’s adoption and, what is important, did not have a clear ‘stabilised’ shared meaning. Interest registers thus give reality to the problem and modify its definition. By establishing which interests are to be declared in standardised forms, interest registers define new ‘risk areas’ for corruption. They also convey the idea that the problem relates to an asymmetry of information between elected officials and voters that can be corrected through transparency measures, shifting the locus of problem-solving responsibility to the public.
Construction and signal analysis of a reflective single-beam spin-exchange relaxation-free comagnetometer for rotation measurement
Authors: Liang Yixiang , Jiang Liwei , Liu Jiali , Quan Wei
Published: June 2023

The single-beam comagnetometer working in the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) state is being developed into a miniaturized atomic sensor with extremely high precision in rotation measurement. In this paper, we propose a reflective configuration for the single-beam SERF comagnetometer. The laser light simultaneously used for optical pumping and signal extraction is designed to pass through the atomic ensemble twice. In the optical system, we propose a structure composed of a polarizing beam splitter and a quarter-wave plate. With this, the reflected light beam can be separated entirely from the forward propagating one and realize a complete light collection with a photodiode, making the least light power loss. In our reflective scheme, the length of interaction between light and atoms is extended, and because the power of the DC light component is attenuated, the photodiode can work in a more sensitive range and has a better photoelectric conversion coefficient. Compared with the single-pass scheme, our reflective configuration has a stronger output signal and performs better signal-to-noise ratio and rotation sensitivity. Our work has an important impact on developing miniaturized atomic sensors for rotation measurement in the future.
Common-mode plasmon sensing scheme as a high-sensitivity compact SPR sensor
Authors: Bruhier Hugo , Dutems Julie , Laffont Emilie , Crespo-Monteiro Nicolas , Verrier Isabelle , Parriaux Olivier , Berini Pierre , Jourlin Yves
Published: June 2023

A deep metal grating enables quasi-phase-matched simultaneous excitation of two counterpropagating surface plasmon modes by means of its +1st and –2nd diffraction orders. The resulting angular reflection spectra of the scattered –1st and zeroth orders exhibit three interleaved zeros and maxima in a range centered around the Littrow angle. The spectra differ thoroughly from the usual reflection dip resulting from single-order plasmon coupling that produces strong absorption. The zeroth and –1st orders exhibit two crossing angles enabling high-sensitivity common-mode detection schemes designed to reject variations in source power and environmental noise. The proof of concept and experimental assessment of this new surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing scheme are demonstrated by monitoring gases in a pressure-controlled chamber. A limit of detection (LOD) of 2 × 10−7 refractive index unit (RIU) was achieved.
Pulse generation with programmable positions based on a phase-modulated optical frequency-shifting loop
Authors: Lyu Weiqiang , Tian Huan , Fu Zhenwei , Zhang Lingjie , Zeng Zhen , Zhang Zhiyao , Zhang Shangjian , Li Heping , Liu Yong
Published: June 2023

An approach to generating pulses with programmable positions is proposed and demonstrated based on a phase-modulated optical frequency-shifting loop (OFSL). By setting the OFSL to operate in the integer Talbot state, pulses are generated in the phase-locked positions, since the additional phase introduced by the electro-optic phase modulator (PM) in the OFSL is equal to an integer multiple of 2π in each round trip. Therefore, the pulse positions can be controlled and encoded by designing the driving waveform of the PM in a round-trip time. In the experiment, linear, round-trip, quadratic, and sinusoidal variations of pulse intervals are achieved by applying the corresponding driving waveforms to the PM. Pulse trains with coded pulse positions are also realized. In addition, the OFSL driven by waveforms with repetition rates equal to double and triple the free spectral range of the loop is also demonstrated. The proposed scheme paves a way to generate optical pulse trains with user-defined pulse positions, which can be used for such applications as compressed sensing and lidar.
Climate-Smart Forestry: Promise and risks for forests, society, and climate
Authors: Cooper Lauren , MacFarlane David
Published: June 2023

Climate change is presenting a global challenge to society and ecosystems. This is changing long-standing methods to determine the values of forests to include their role in climate mitigation and adaptation, alongside traditional forest products and services. Forests have become increasingly important in climate change dialogues, beyond international climate negotiations, because of their framing as a Natural Climate Solution (NCS) or Nature-Based Solution (NBS). In turn, the term “Climate-Smart Forestry” (CSF) has recently entered the vernacular in myriad disciplines and decision-making circles espousing the linkage between forests and climate. This new emphasis on climate change in forestry has a wide range of interpretations and applications. This review finds that CSF remains loosely defined and inconsistently applied. Adding further confusion, it remains unclear how existing guidance on sustainable forest management (SFM) is relevant or might be enhanced to include CSF principles, including those that strive for demonstrable carbon benefits in terms of sequestration and storage. To contribute to a useful and shared understanding of CSF, this paper (1) assesses current definitions and framing of CSF, (2) explores CSF gaps and potential risks, (3) presents a new definition of CSF to expand and clarify CSF, and (4) explores sources of CSF evidence.
Validation and implementation of a mobile app decision support system for prostate cancer to improve quality of tumor boards
Authors: Ural Yasemin , Elter Thomas , Yilmaz Yasemin , Hallek Michael , Datta Rabi Raj , Kleinert Robert , Heidenreich Axel , Pfister David
Published: June 2023

Certified Cancer Centers must present all patients in multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTB), including standard cases with well-established treatment strategies. Too many standard cases can absorb much of the available time, which can be unfavorable for the discussion of complex cases. In any case, this leads to a high quantity, but not necessarily a high quality of tumor boards. Our aim was to develop a partially algorithm-driven decision support system (DSS) for smart phones to provide evidence-based recommendations for first-line therapy of common urological cancers. To assure quality, we compared each single digital decision with recommendations of an experienced MTB and obtained the concordance.1873 prostate cancer patients presented in the MTB of the urological department of the University Hospital of Cologne from 2014 to 2018 have been evaluated. Patient characteristics included age, disease stage, Gleason Score, PSA and previous therapies. The questions addressed to MTB were again answered using DSS. All blinded pairs of answers were assessed for discrepancies by independent reviewers. Overall concordance rate was 99.1% (1856/1873). Stage specific concordance rates were 97.4% (stage I), 99.2% (stage II), 100% (stage III), and 99.2% (stage IV). Quality of concordance were independent of age and risk profile. The reliability of any DSS is the key feature before implementation in clinical routine. Although our system appears to provide this safety, we are now performing cross-validation with several clinics to further increase decision quality and avoid potential clinic bias.
Trace quantification of GL-V9 and its glucuronide metabolites (5-O-glucuronide GL-V9) in Beagle dog plasma by UPLC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Liu Guanlan , Sang Zechun , Guo Qinglong , Zhou Yuxin
Published: June 2023

GL-V9, a new synthetic flavonoid derived from wogonin, has shown beneficial biological functions. In this study, accurate and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS methods were developed and validated for the quantification of GL-V9 and its glucuronide metabolite (5-O-glucuronide GL-V9) in Beagle dog plasma. The chromatographic separation was performed on a C8 column (ACE Excel 5 C8 50×3.0 mm) using 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile were used as mobile phase. Mass detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface operating in positive ion mode. Quantitative analysis was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the transitions of m/z 410.2→126.1 for GL-V9, m/z 586.3→410.0 for 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 and m/z 180.0→110.3 for phenacetin (internal standard), respectively. The calibration curves for GL-V9 and 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 showed excellent linearity over the concentration range of 0.5–500 ng/mL with correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. The intra- and inter-day accuracies were within 99.86% to 109.20% for GL-V9 and 92.55% to 106.20% for 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9, respectively. The mean recovery was 88.64% ± 2.70% for GL-V9, and 92.31% ± 6.28% for 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study in Beagle dogs after oral and intravenous administration. The oral bioavailability of GL-V9 was approximately 2.47%~4.35% in Beagle dogs and reached steady state on the fifth day after repeated dosing.
Pyruvate decarboxylase and thiamine biosynthetic genes are regulated differently by Pdc2 in S. cerevisiae and C. glabrata
Authors: Iosue Christine L. , Ugras Julia M. , Bajgain Yakendra , Dottor Cory A. , Stauffer Peyton L. , Hopkins Rachael A. , Lang Emma C. , Wykoff Dennis D.
Published: June 2023

Understanding metabolism in the pathogenCandida glabratais key to identifying new targets for antifungals. The thiamine biosynthetic (THI) pathway is partially defective inC.glabrata, but the transcription factorCgPdc2 upregulates some thiamine biosynthetic and transport genes. One of these genes encodes a recently evolved thiamine pyrophosphatase (CgPMU3) that is critical for accessing external thiamine. Here, we demonstrate thatCgPdc2 primarily regulates THI genes. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, Pdc2 regulates both THI and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) genes, with PDC proteins being a major thiamine sink. Deletion ofPDC2is lethal inS.cerevisiaein standard growth conditions, but not inC.glabrata. We uncover crypticciselements inC.glabrataPDC promoters that still allow for regulation byScPdc2, even when that regulation is not apparent inC.glabrata.C.glabratalacks Thi2, and it is likely that inclusion of Thi2 into transcriptional regulation inS.cerevisiaeallows for a more complex regulation pattern and regulation of THI and PDC genes. We present evidence that Pdc2 functions independent of Thi2 and Thi3 in both species. The C-terminal activation domain of Pdc2 is intrinsically disordered and critical for species differences. Truncation of the disordered domains leads to a gradual loss of activity. Through a series of cross species complementation assays of transcription, we suggest that there are multiple Pdc2-containing complexes, andC.glabrataappears to have the simplest requirement set for THI genes, except forCgPMU3.CgPMU3has differentcisrequirements, but still requires Pdc2 and Thi3 to be upregulated by thiamine starvation. We identify the minimal region sufficient for thiamine regulation inCgTHI20,CgPMU3, andScPDC5promoters. Defining thecisandtransrequirements for THI promoters should lead to an understanding of how to interrupt their upregulation and provide targets in metabolism for antifungals.
Severe mental illness and ophthalmic health: A linked administrative data study
Authors: Ferry Finola , Rosato Michael , Leavey Gerard
Published: June 2023

Background

While evidence has emerged highlighting the potential benefits of the eye as a window to the central nervous system, research on severe mental illness (SMI) and eye health is rare.

Aims

We examine the association of SMI with a range of ophthalmic health outcomes, and whether any relationship is modified by age.

Methods

We used linked administrative data from general practitioner (GP), hospital and ophthalmic records to examine receipt of any Health and Social Care (HSC) eye-test; and (based on eligibility recorded for a sight test) any glaucoma, any diabetes, and any blindness among the Northern Ireland (NI) hospital population between January 2015 and November 2019 (N = 798,564).

Results

When compared with non-SMI patients, those with SMI recorded a higher prevalence of having had a sight test, diabetes, and blindness. In fully adjusted logistic regression models, higher likelihood of an eye-test and diabetes (OR = 1.71: 95%CI = 1.63, 1.79 and OR = 1.29: 1.19, 1.40 respectively); and lower likelihood of glaucoma remained (OR = 0.69: 0.53, 0.90). Amongst persons with SMI there was evidence that the likelihood of having had an eye-test was lower in the older age-groups.

Conclusion

Our study provides new evidence on ophthalmic health inequalities associated with SMI. While the study has immediate relevance to its NI context, we believe it is generalizable to wider UK health concerns. We emphasize the need for more research of this type, using large linkable electronic administrative databases to further our understanding of both health inequalities associated with SMI and poor eye health, and health outcomes in general.
Perlawanan Golongan Islam Terhadap Kolonialisme Belanda: Kajian Poskolonialisme Novel Pejuang-Pejuang Kali Pepe Karya Djamil Soeherman
Authors: Nabila Atika Silma
Published: June 2023

Dalam novel Pejuang-pejuang Kali Pepe (PpKP) karya Djamil Suherman (DS), kelompok pesantren digambarkan melakukan perlawanan terhadap kolonial Belanda dengan memanfaatkan narasi agama Islam. Identitas kolektif digunakan kelompok pesantren untuk membedakan anggota kelompoknya dengan kelompok penjajah sekaligus sebagai upaya mereka untuk mempersatukan anggotanya. Pembacaan novel PpKP melalui studi poskolonialisme dan serangkaian metode kualitatif deskriptif menunjukkan bahwa terdapat relasi biner antara kelompok pesantren (self) dan kelompok penjajah (Other). Hubungan oposisional ini direpresentasikan dengan kelompok pesantren sebagai Timur yang tradisional/spiritual, sedangkan kelompok penjajah adalah modern/material. Dalam hubungan yang demikian, kelompok pesantren melakukan resistensi dengan menggunakan narasi self sebagai korban dan pahlawan. Sebaliknya, Other adalah penjajah yang menjadi musuh bersama. Pengetahuan, kepercayaan, atau doktrin-doktrin agama Islam digunakan kelompok pesantren untuk melawan kolonialisme, sehingga muncul istilah-istilah kafir, sabil, syahid, dll. Lahirnya novel ini tidak terlepas dari intensi pengarang sebagai bagian dari kelompok Islam yang merespons diskriminasi Orde Baru terhadap kelompoknya. DS berharap agar kelompok Islam mendapatkan kesempatan yang lebih baik, khususnya dalam bidang politik. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menjelaskan bagaimana identitas agama yang dimanfaatkan kelompok pesantren melawan penjajah dalam novel PpKP.[In the novel Pejuang-pejuang Kali Pepe (PpKP) by Djamil Suherman (DS), the pesantren group is depicted as fighting against the Dutch colonialism by using Islamic religious narratives. Collective identity is used by the pesantren group to distinguish its group members from the colonial group as well as their efforts to unite their members. The reading of the PpKP novel through the study of postcolonialism and a series of descriptive qualitative methods shows that there is a binary relationship between the pesantren group (self) and the colonial group (Other). This oppositional relationship is represented by the pesantren group as the traditional/spiritual East, while the colonial group is modern/material. In such a relationship, the pesantren group performs resistance by using the narrative of self as a victim and a hero. On the other hand, the Other is a colonialist who becomes a common enemy. Islamic religious knowledge, beliefs, or doctrines are used by pesantren groups to fight colonialism, so that the terms kafir, sabil, syahid, etc. appear. The birth of this novel is inseparable from the author's intention as part of an Islamic group that responded to the New Order's discrimination against his group. DS hopes that Islamic groups will get better opportunities, especially in the political field. The purpose of this study is to explain how the religious identity used by the pesantren group against the invaders in the PPKP novel.]
Pemanfaatan Lusi dan Fly Ash Sebagai Material Bautan Berdasarkan Nilai Berat Jenis Agregat Halus dan Porositas
Authors: Santoso Toni Budi
Published: June 2023

Sidoarjo mudflow (Lusi) still occurs today, various efforts to stop and reduce the eruption have been made but have not stop able to stop the Sidoarjo mud. To help reduce the mud being ejected, it is necessary to utilize Sidoarjo mud. Researchers aim to reduce the mud caused by Sidoarjo mud by utilizing artificial materials as substitutes for natural materials. Utilization is also carried out for fly ash which is waste from the PLTU. Sidoarjo mud and fly ash are combined with an alkaline activator to form geopolymer paste and cement paste. The geopolymer paste specimen were tested for specific gravity of fine aggregate and its porosity. The result show Sidoarjo mud has a specific gravity of fine aggregate of 2.519 and fly ash of 2.525 which is greater than specific gracity of water, namely 1. The porosity of the geopolymer paste is 3% and that of cement paste is 3.8%.
Pemanfaatan Teknik Rainwater Harvesting sebagai Pemenuhan Kebutuhan Air Domestik di Desa Cot Mee
Authors: Alfiani Sania
Published: June 2023

The use of artesian wells or drilled wells is still the main choice of the people of Cot Mee Village, one of the areas in Nagan Raya Regency, where this is done to meet the needs of raw water sources as domestic needs. In addition to the expensive cost of installing borewells, this also adversely affects the environment due to excessive use of groundwater and raises the potensial for land subsidence. Under these circumstances, in order to solve the problem of raw water for individual lives, alternative solutions are needed that are more effective and efficient. One of alternative is to create a rainwater harvesting system from the roof of the building by maximizing high rainfall or known as rainwater harvesting technique. Field studies show the building area in Cot Mee Village is currently in good condition and livable and the entire roof is made of zinc. Of course, this condition will be very maximum in the process of harvesting rainwater. Analysis of the potensial for rain harvesting in Cot Mee Village is 64,685.61 liters/day, with the potential for rainwater harvesting per house of 743,512 liters/day. The ratio between the total water harvested amounted to 64,685.61 liters/day with the total use of raw water for needs of the people of Cot Mee Village of 43,399.8 liters/day. Research shows that rainwater harvesting technique will be adequate and able to be an alternative in providing raw water for domestic needs.
IMPLEMENTASI BIM TERHADAP UPAYA PENGURANGAN WASTE MATERIAL KONSTRUKSI PADA PT. WIJAYA KARYA JABODETABEK
Authors: Fauziyah Shifa
Published: June 2023

In the implementation of construction projects, materials are a very influential component in determining the cost of a project. Residual material causes wastage and reduces project profits. Research is needed to analyze the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in efforts to minimize construction material waste. The population of the research is WIKA employees who have implemented BIM in the Jabodetabek area (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi). The research sample was 100 people. The data is processed using the Smart PLS software. The results showed that the implementation of BIM had a positive and significant effect on efforts to reduce residual construction materials. If the implementation of BIM is applied with discipline, stakeholders will have a more complete data source for estimating material needs.
Evaluasi Kebijakan Bus Trans Semarang pada Koridor I – Koridor VII
Authors: Putri Nisriena Rachmi , Muktiali Mohammad
Published: June 2023

In 2009, Semarang added a public transportation mode, the Trans Semarang Bus, which is a manifestation of the implementation of public transportation policies in Semarang. The research object to be discussed in this study is the policy of the Trans Semarang Bus which focuses on corridors I - corridor VII. The main problem of the research is that the Trans Semarang Bus policy has not been optimized. In fact, the number of passengers only fulfilled 76.99% of the target in Corridor I - Corridor VII. The purpose of evaluation of the Trans Semarang Bus policy is to look for the best and worst indicators, criteria and corridors of the Trans Semarang Bus policy implementation. The method is quantitative with AHP and scoring analysis techniques using 4 indicators namely Input, Process, Output and Outcome, also 6 criteria namely Effectiveness, Efficiency, Adequacy, Equity, Responsiveness and Accuracy which will be ranked by 4 experts. The result, Input indicator is ranked first, and the last is Output. The criteria that have the highest accumulative score is Justice, while the lowest is Sufficiency. The corridor which has the highest accumulative score of all indicators is Corridor I, while the lowest is Corridor VII.