bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association of CD209 promoter variants with tuberculosis infection susceptibility, AIDS development, and treatment response outcomes among an HIV-1 Moroccan population
Authors: BABA Hanâ , Fayssel Naouar , Bouqdayr Meryem , Ouladlahsen Ahd , Bensghir Rajaa , Marih Latifa , Sodqi Mustapha , Amar Laila , Saih Asmae , Zaidane Imane , Filali Kamal Marhoum El , Kettani Anass , Wakrim Lahcen
Published: July 2022

Transmission of Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to permissive CD4+T cells requires the dissemination of virus from sites of infection to secondary lymphoid organs, where extensive viral replication occurs in CD4+T cells. Several studies demonstrated that DC-SIGN (Dendritic Cell-Specific Intercellular adhesion molecule-3-Grabbing Non-integrin) molecules located on the surface of Dendritic Cell subsets showed high-affinity binding to HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). It is exploited by HIV-1 and Mtb as a part of their immune evasion strategy. In this study, we investigated the possible involvement of DC-SIGN encoding gene CD209 variants in the development of tuberculosis (TB) among HIV-1 infected patients as well as AIDS development and treatment response outcomes in a Moroccan population. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CD209 promoter − 336A > G (rs4804803) and − 139G > A (rs2287886) were investigated. Two hundred eighteen Moroccan subjects living with HIV-1 were genotyped using direct DNA sequencing. Out of 218 patients, 90 were co-infected with Mtb. Stratification of patient was performed according to TB status: as HIV-1+/TB- and HIV-1+/TB+ patients and their AIDS status as: AIDS and Non-AIDS patients. Our results revealed that genotype and allele frequencies of the − 336A > G and − 139G > A polymorphisms were not significantly different between HIV-1+/TB- and HIV-1+/TB+ patients (p > 0.05). Likewise, the development of AIDS doesn’t appear to be affected by these two SNPs either (p > 0.05). Haplotype analysis showed that none of the 4 possible haplotypes is associated with HIV-1 and TB co-infection (p > 0.05). Interestingly, the analysis of the − 139 G > A genotype distribution according to the HIV-1 viral load showed an improvement in AG and GG patients, after ART, compared to AA patients (p = 0.0069 and p = 0.0476; respectively). Overall, -336A > G and − 139G > A polymorphisms don’t influence the susceptibility of HIV-1 infected individuals to develop TB and AIDS. However, -139G > A polymorphism may affect the response to treatment as measured by RNA viral load levels. Further investigations are needed for a better understanding of the role of DC-SIGN in HIV-1 infection to provide new therapeutic pathways.
Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Image-Guided System in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Retrospective Chart Review Study in China
Authors: Wang Zaixing , Liu Chunling , Tan Baoying , Sun Guoqing , Pang Poucheok , lv Kangchen , Xie Hui , Ou Xiong , Zeng Xianhai , Xuan Jianwei
Published: July 2022

Background: Image-guided system (IGS) has been gradually applied in the field of rhinology, making functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) a truly minimally invasive and precise surgery. This study was based on real-world data from China hospitals and aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the IGS navigation system in FESS.Methods: This was a two-center retrospective chart review of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent FESS, including open frontal sinus between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019 in China. The intervention group consisted of 100 patients who underwent FESS with the IGS navigation system (IGS group), and the control group consisted of 100 patients who underwent conventional FESS (Non-IGS group). Data were collected from surgical notes and hospital medical records. The primary endpoints for clinical effectiveness and safety were rehospitalization rate due to bleeding, reoperation rate due to bleeding, and reoperation rate due to recurrence.Results: There were no cases of rehospitalization due to bleeding, reoperation due to bleeding, and reoperation due to recurrence in the IGS group. In the non-IGS group, there were four cases of rehospitalization due to bleeding; all four patients underwent hemostasis surgery with an incidence of 4.00% (P=0.121). No cases of reoperation due to recurrence were in the non-IGS group. The total hospitalization cost was 17,391.51 CNY in the IGS group and 17,538.13 CNY in the non-IGS group per patient, with no statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.715). Compared with the non-IGS group, the IGS group had an overall cost saving of 146.62 CNY per patient. Although the procedure-related medical costs of IGS group were increased by 1,286.12 CNY compared with the non-IGS group, this was more than offset by other costs.Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that the IGS may reduce occurrence of rehospitalization and reoperation due to postoperative bleeding. Although the use of navigation technology increased the cost of surgery, its clinical effectiveness brought other medical cost savings, resulting in no significant difference in the overall cost of navigation surgery compared to conventional surgery. The IGS should be considered cost-effectiveness in the treatment of FESS.
Clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicinal preparations containing hawthorn on hyperlipidemia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zhou Xiao-Li , Chen Yang , He Ning , Miao Jun , qian Zhi-Yong
Published: July 2022

Background: In China, traditional Chinese medicinal preparations (TCMPs) containing hawthorn (crataegus) are widely recognized for their efficacy in treating hyperlipidemia (HLP). There has been no systematic study of the effects of TCMPs containing hawthorn on patients with HLP. The purpose of this study is to evaluate systematically the efficacy of TCMPs containing hawthorn for treating HLP through a clinical evidence-based study.Materials and methods: The meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-analyses. An extensive search of 8 electronic databases was conducted to locate relevant randomized controlled trials published between 2010 and 2021. Methodological quality and independent evaluation were conducted using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4. The primary outcome of the study was the Clinical Effective Rate (CER). Secondary outcomes included triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).Results: The results of the meta-analysis showed that, in comparison to conventional treatment alone, TCMPs containing hawthorn significantly decreased CER (RR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.13~1.24, P<0.05), TC (MD=-0.54, 95% CI: -0.84~-0.24 P<0.05) and LDL-C (MD=-0.25, 95% CI: -0.40~-0.11, P<0.05) and increased HDL-C (MD= 0.26, 95% CI :0.03~0.48, P<0.05). As a result of a varying baseline level of TG, a post-intervention meta-analysis was not possible.Conclusion: TCMPs containing hawthorn have been demonstrated to be superior to conventional treatments in clinical trials for HLP, indicating that they would be a useful addition to conventional treatment for HLP. To confirm the effectiveness and safety of TCMPs that contain hawthorn in the treatment of HLP, more rigorous, long-term randomized controlled clinical trials are required.
Line managers' perspectives and responses when employees burn out
Authors: Claeys Manon , Broeck Anja Van den , Houkes Inge , de Rijk Angelique
Published: July 2022

PURPOSE: Despite our knowledge of how to prevent burnout, we know little about whether burnout can be stopped at an early stage as it is emerging. In a first step to develop this knowledge, we focus on line managers’ perspectives and responses when an employee who seems to be heading for burnout is still at work. METHODS: We interviewed 17 line managers working in the educational and health care/local government sectors, who had been confronted with the sickness absence of at least one employee due to burnout in the past. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded in NVivo, and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: During the period that the employee seems to be developing burnout while still at work, line managers experienced three different, successive phases: picking up signals, role-taking, and re-evaluation. Line managers’ personal frame of reference (e.g., having experience with burnout) related to whether and how they picked up signals of burnout. When they picked up the signals, the participating managers generally took an active role: they started a conversation, changed work tasks, and - at a later stage - adapted the employee’s job description without consulting the employee. They felt powerless yet learned from the experience when subsequently re-evaluating the period during which employees developed symptoms of burnout. These re-evaluations resulted in intentions for taking a more active role when other employees start to show symptoms of burnout. CONCLUSION: This study shows that improving line managers’ frame of reference, e.g., by organizing meetings and/or training, may help them to detect early signals of burnout and take action. This is a first step to prevent the further development of early burnout symptoms.
Alterations and correlations of ileum microbiota and serum metabolites in Crohn's disease
Authors: Xia Kai , Wu Tianqi , Gao Renyuan , Yin Lu , Chen Chunqiu
Published: July 2022

Background: Gut microbial imbalance is one of the recognized factors that may lead to Crohn’s disease (CD). In addition, the disturbances of gut microbiota may further contribute to metabolic disorders. The present study investigated the alterations and correlations of ileum microbiota and serum metabolites in CD.Methods: Fecal samples from the ileal stoma and venous blood samples were collected from CD patients in the active and remission stages. The composition of ileum microbiota was evaluated by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing, and the alterations of serum metabolites including bile acids and amino acids were assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).Results: The alpha diversity of ileum microbiota in the active stage was higher than in the remission stage, the statistical difference was not significant. However, a significant difference was observed for the beta diversity. On the phylum level, the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Desulfobacterota, Myxococcota, and Unclassified_k__norank_d__Bacteria were statistically higher in the active stage of CD. On the genus level, lower relative abundances of Veillonella, Lactococcus, Klebsiella, Unclassified_f__Enterobacteriaceae, Blautia, and Streptococcus were found in the active stage, while the contrary were observed for Bacteroides, Ralstonia, Collinsella, and Ruminococcus_torques_group with statistical differences.In terms of the alterations of serum metabolites, the concentrations of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, serine, isoleucine and arginine were higher in the active stage with statistical differences, while the concentrations of taurocholic acid, glycocholic acid, glycinechenodeoxycholic acid, asparagine, tyrosine and glycine were higher in the remission stage with statistical differences. Additionally, CDAI score was positively associated with active stage enriched microbiota and metabolites, while prealbumin was positively correlated with remission stage enriched microbiota and metabolites.Conclusion: The results revealed the dysbiosis of ileum microbiota and metabolites in CD, which varied across disease stages. Studying microbiology and metabolomics may establish a foundation for subsequent mechanistic studies and lead to novel therapy.
Control of Aedes mosquito by targeting dengue fever virus in local mosquito population
Authors: Sarwar Imtiaz , Riaz Muhammad Asam , Iftikhar Sohaib , Baig Mirza Bilal , Ali Zulfiqar , Afzal Muhammad , Majeed Muhammad Zeeshan , Ullah Muhammad Irfan
Published: July 2022

Mosquitoes are causing plenty of diseases including dengue fever, malaria, japanese encephalitis. Mosquitoes were collected from 1006 sties of six tehsils of district Sargodha. Different containers were inspected for mosquito sampling. RNA was extracted from female mosquitoes and used for cDNA synthesis followed by detection of arbovirus using primer. The site index (SI) and tehsil container index (TCI) of district Sargodha was 28.3 and 12.2 respectively. Overall, the percentage of Aedes spp, Culex spp. and Anopheles spp was 79, 20 and 0.4% respectively, in the collected population. Highest positive containers for Aedes mosquitoes were discarded tires. Overall, 12.2% of containers were found positive for mosquito population. Maximum number of larvae and adults were recorded from urban area of district Sargodha (SgdU). Arboviruses, Flavivviruses, were found in 5 pools (almost 3%) of the samples, while, other viruses such as Alphaviruses and Bunyaviruses were not detected in any of the samples. Man-made habitats are the main contributors to dengue fever mosquito population. There is a dire need of proper environment management to reduce the breeding places of mosquito and detect the virus in local population for environmental friendly control of dengue fever mosquito.
Resection Cavity Dynamics and Optimal Timing of Adjuvant Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Resected Brain Metastases
Authors: Rajkumar Sujay , Liang Yun , Shepard Matthew J. , Williamson Richard , Yu Alexander , Karlovits Stephen M. , Wegner Rodney E.
Published: July 2022

Purpose: Optimal timing of SRS after surgical resection of brain metastases (BMs) remains debated but is generally advocated to occur within four weeks of surgery to account for cavity remodeling. Our study assesses this recommendation by examining cavity dynamics and any downstream effects on outcome.Methods: Post-operative MRIs were used to compare target lesion volumes to target volume at time of SRS. Spearman’s analysis identified a relationship between the time to SRS (ttSRS) and target remodeling. The Mann-Whitney-U test compared median remodeling between groups receiving standard (£ 4 weeks) and late (> 4 weeks) adjuvant SRS. Kaplan Meier functions estimated probabilities of LR and survival (OS). A Cox proportional hazards model (CPH) identified predictors of OS, LR, and leptomeningeal disease (LMD).Results: Median ttSRS was 32 days (3 - 72). A positive correlation exists when comparing ttSRS to reduction in cavity volume (0-10 weeks; p = 0.01) with no difference in median cavity remodeling between standard and late SRS groups. OS and LR rates were respectively 53.3% and 70.2% at 12 months with no difference in OS (p = 0.16) or LR (p = 0.54) between standard and late SRS groups. Subtotal resection predicted LMD (HR: 6.37; p = 0.03). No grade 3 or higher toxicity was seen in follow-up.Conclusions: Resection cavities may continue to shrink well after resection. There is no significant difference in OS or LR based on ttSRS, however, treatment factors such as the extent of resection may account for outcomes such as LMD.
Clinicopathological and Immunological Profiles of Prostate Adenocarcinoma and Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: Huang Gang , Zhang Huaru , Shi Haoqing , Zhang Wenhui , Wang Tao , Wang Ziwei , Chen Qing , Lian Bijun , Li Jing , Yang Guosheng
Published: July 2022

Background: Biomarkers of DNA damage repair deficiency provide opportunities for personalized treatment with immunotherapy. However, there is limited research on the immune microenvironment of adeno-neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). In this study, we aimed to assess and describe the comprehensive clinicopathological manifestations of NEPC to improve diagnosis and predict prognosis. Methods: A retrospective medical record review of 66 patients with prostate cancer (PCa) was performed. PCa samples from the 66 patients were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining for the detection of chromogranin, neural cell adhesion molecule 1, and synaptophysin. For tumor-associated immune microenvironment analysis, PD-L1, CD3, and CD8 were labeled in tissue slides. The effect of clinicopathological factors on the survival of patients with Adeno-NEPC was analyzed.Results: Twenty patients presented with Adeno-NEPC, whereas 46 presented with Adeno-PCa. The median age of patients at PCa diagnosis was 67.86 ± 7.05 years (68.65 ± 7.23 years, Adeno-NEPC; 67.52 ± 7.02 years, Adeno-PCa). Eleven patients with Adeno-NEPC underwent prostatectomy, whereas nine received primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Additionally, 30 patients with Adeno-PCa underwent prostatectomy, whereas 16 (34.8%) received primary ADT. There was a significant difference in overall survival between patients with Adeno-NEPC and those with Adeno-PCa (46.0 months vs. 65.0 months). There was also a significant difference in time from prostatectomy to biochemical recurrence between the groups of patients who underwent prostatectomy. Prostatectomy and normal lactate dehydrogenase levels were clinical factors that were significantly associated with better outcomes in patients with Adeno-NEPC. Metastatic Adeno-NEPC was associated with a higher programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) score (2–4) than localized PCa. The data showed that PD-L1 expression in Adeno-NEPC may be negatively associated with that in CD8+ T cells. Conclusions: Our study revealed clinicopathological manifestations of Adeno-NEPC and some possible predictive factors significantly associated with better outcomes in patients with Adeno-NEPC. These findings might be beneficial in the development of diagnostic strategies and customized treatment plans.
WISNet: A Deep Neural Network based Human Activity Recognition System
Authors: Sharen H , Rukmani P , Anbarasi L Jani , Gandomi Amir H
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, human activity recognition (HAR) is a key component of many ubiquitous innovative solutions, where both accelerometer and gyroscope data provide information about an observed person's physical activity. HAR offers a diverse variety of important applications, including healthcare, burglary detection, workplace monitoring, and emergency detection. In this paper, we propose a custom 1D-CNN deep learning approach named WISNet to recognize complex human activity. The proposed model is compared with other time-series deep learning models, which include Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and recurrent neural network (SimpleRNN), to classify and detect the six class WISDM dataset. This dataset includes basic ambulation-related activities, like walking, jogging, and climbing stairs; having been retrieved from sensors in smartphones and smartwatches. The proposed WISNet architecture outperforms the other time series models in detecting the six classes; GRU, LSTM, and SimpleRNN attain an accuracy of 95.27%, 95.15%, and 91.8%, respectively. For HAR, the proposed trained WISNet model achieves enhanced an accuracy and F1-score of 96.41% and 0.95, respectively, surpassing the other models. The proposed WISNet architecture consists of a smaller number of convolutions, generating almost less than 10% features when compared to the GRU, LSTM, and SimpleRNN, presenting also better results.
Healthcare Predictive Analytics Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning Techniques: A Survey
Authors: Badawy Mohammed , Ramadan Nagy , Hefny Hesham Ahmed
Published: July 2022

Aim
This paper aims to present a comprehensive survey of existing machine learning and deep learning approaches utilized in healthcare prediction, as well as identify inherent obstacles to applying these approaches in the healthcare prediction domain.
Background
Healthcare prediction has been a significant factor in saving human lives in recent years. In the domain of healthcare, there is a rapid development of intelligent systems for analyzing complicated relationships among data and transforming them into real information for use in the prediction process. Consequently, artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the healthcare industry. Thus comes the role of systems depending on machine learning as well as deep learning in the creation of steps that diagnose and predict diseases, whether from clinical data or based on images, that provide tremendous clinical support by simulating human perception and can even diagnose diseases that are difficult to detect by human intelligence.
Methods
The studies discussed in this paper have been presented in journals published by IEEE, Springer, and Elsevier. Machine learning, deep learning, healthcare, surgery, cardiology, radiology, hepatology, and nephrology are some of the terms used to search for these studies. The studies chosen for this survey are concerned with the use of machine learning as well as deep learning algorithms in healthcare prediction.
Results
A total of 40 working papers were selected and the methodology for each paper was clarified.
Conclusion
This paper presents a comprehensive survey as well as the current challenges in healthcare prediction. studies have shown that artificial intelligence plays a significant role in diseases diagnosing.
Frameless Robot-Assisted Stereotactic Biopsy is Superior to Microsurgical Biopsy for Pediatric Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas
Authors: Wang Min , Zhang Yi , Shi Wei , Zhu Renqing , Li Hao , Zhao Rui
Published: July 2022

Purpose: Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas are prone to high surgical risks , and they could even lead to death due to their specific sites. To determine the value of frameless robot-assisted stereotactic biopsies of DIPGs, when compared with microsurgical biopsies.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 71 pediatric patients who underwent biopsies from January 2016 to January 2021. (i) group 1: microsurgical biopsies, (ii) group 2: frameless robot-assisted stereotactic biopsies. Demographic information, neuroimaging characteristics, pathological diagnoses, operation time, postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay time, postoperative hospitalization time, complications, cost, and perioperative mortality rate (POMR) were collected for analysis.Results: 32 cases underwent microsurgical biopsies (group 1) and 39 cases underwent frameless robot-assisted stereotactic biopsies(group 2). All cases were accurately diagnosed after surgery. There was no significant difference in gender, age, symptom times and tumor volumes between the two groups (p > 0.05); operation time, postoperative ICU, stay time and postoperative hospitalization time were longer in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.001); the intraoperative bleeding volumes and cost were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.001). Group 1 patients required more perioperative blood transfusion than group 2 (p = 0.001), and the new neurological impairments were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.003). The POMR was 9.38% (3/32) in group 1 and 0 in group 2 (p = 0.087).Conclusions: Frameless robot-assisted stereotactic biopsy was superior to microsurgical biopsy for pediatric DIPGs.
Lab and field evaluation of tagging methods for the use of acoustic telemetry to observe sea urchin movement behaviour at ecologically relevant spatio-temporal scales
Authors: MacGregor Kathleen A. , Lavoie Marie-France , Robinson Shawn M. C. , Simard Émilie , McKindsey Christopher W.
Published: July 2022

Background
Acoustic telemetry allows detailed observations of the movement behaviour of many species and as tags get smaller, smaller organisms may be tagged. The number of studies using acoustic telemetry to evaluate marine invertebrate movement is growing, but novel attachment methods include unknowns about the effects of tagging procedures on individual survival and behaviour. This study compared methods of tag attachment on green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) to determine the feasibility of using acoustic transmitters to track urchin movement. Four tagging methods were compared in the lab and tag retention, urchin condition, and survival analyzed. Two tagging methods (Dyneema® fishing line and T-bar tags) were evaluated in the field using an existing acoustic telemetry array. Urchins were tagged and the study area revisited one week and two months post-release by scuba divers to estimate movement and tag retention.
Results
The best methods in the lab, with high tag retention, survival, and minimal effects on urchin condition, were fishing line methods. T-bar tags, although showing high tag retention, caused significant mortality and had deleterious long-term effects on urchin condition and behaviour. After two months in the field, as in the lab, fishing line was a more effective tagging method. Urchins tagged with fishing line showed increased estimates of space occupancy compared to T-bar-tagged urchins and a single fishing-line tagged individual was found by divers in good health after 80 days. Combined, these laboratory and field results demonstrate the feasibility of using acoustic telemetry to observe urchin movement.
Conclusions
Results strongly suggest that surgical attachment methods that minimize injuries at the attachment site should be prioritized for marine echinoderm tagging studies. Together, lab and field tests indicate that acoustic telemetry is a promising method to examine marine echinoderm movement over ecologically relevant spatial and temporal scales.
A bifunctional-iodine coordination bismuth crystallization material: excellent photocatalytic and adsorption properties as well as mechanism investigation
Authors: Wang Xue Min , Liu Min , Guan Qing Lin , Sun Qiao , Xing Yong Heng , Bai Feng Ying
Published: July 2022

Two types of crystalline solid materials [BiI4(phen)∙(Hphen)]2 (1) and Bi(phen)2(NO3)3 (2) have been synthesized by the solution volatilization method. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, as well as singe crystal, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Eg values (2.00 ev for 1 and 3.14 ev for 2) showed that compound 1 exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation of cationic dyes Rhodamine B (RhB), Methylene Blue (MB), Crystal Violet (CV) and neutral dye Rose Bengal sodium salt (RBS) under visible-light, and the degradation rate was in the range of 93.3–95.5%. The adsorption efficiency for the anionic dyes Eosin, Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) and Methyl Orange (MO) are between 80% and 99%. In the meantime, 1 also had outstanding degradation effects for mixed dye system. After adsorption of CBB, compound 1 still had nearly identical photocatalytic degradation effects for MB and CV, which can achieve 90-92.6%. By dynamic simulation study, it was found that the photocatalytic process is suitable to the pseudo-first-order kinetic equation, while the adsorption process belongs to the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. By capturing the experiment and solid fluorescence spectrum, it was demonstrated that the photocatalytic is a free radical reaction. The adsorption mechanism was further investigated through atomic force microscopy and theoretical calculation. In addition, compound 1 had preeminent recyclability, and the photocatalytic degradation efficiency after five cycles still keep above 90%. Therefore, compound 1 can be used as a splendid catalyst in dye wastewater treatment.
Macroeconomic Factors and the Prospects of Economic Prosperity in a Developing Economy: Evidence from Dynamic ARDL Simulations
Authors: Aladejare Samson Adeniyi
Published: July 2022

This study investigated the effects of inflation and exchange rates, deficit financing, foreign investment, and financial development on economic prosperity measured by GDP per capita for Nigeria from 1970 to 2020. Empirical inferences were derived by applying the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), dynamic ARDL (DYNARDL), and the Kernel-based least squares (KRLS) models. It was observed that inflation rate and deficit financing adversely impacted economic wealth in the short and long term. At the same time, the exchange rate and financial development only benefited economic prosperity in the long term. In contrast, foreign investment was reported to be prosperity-decelerating in the long term. Applying the DYNARDL and KRLS techniques enabled the response of economic prosperity to future counterfactual shocks to the inflation and exchange rate variables. While inflationary shocks may have long-term beneficial effects on economic prosperity, shocks to the exchange rate will slightly erode these benefits. The study proposed several policy measures.JEL Classifications: E6, O11, O47.
Dmrt2 promotes transition of endochondral bone formation by linking Sox9 and Runx2
Authors: Ono Koichiro , Hata Kenji , Nakamura Eriko , Ishihara Shota , Kobayashi Sachi , Nakanishi Masako , Yoshida Michiko , Takahata Yoshifumi , Murakami Tomohiko , Takenoshita Seiichi , Komori Toshihisa , Nishimura Riko , Yoneda Toshiyuki
Published: July 2022

Endochondral bone formation is fundamental for skeletal development. During this process, chondrocytes undergo multiple steps of differentiation and coordinated transition from a proliferating to a hypertrophic stage, which is critical to advance skeletal development. Here, we identified the transcription factor Dmrt2 (double-sex and mab-3 related transcription factor 2) as a Sox9-inducible gene that promotes chondrocyte hypertrophy in pre-hypertrophic chondrocytes. Epigenetic analysis further demonstrated that Sox9 regulates Dmrt2 expression through an active enhancer located 18 kb upstream of the Dmrt2 gene and that this enhancer’s chromatin status is progressively activated through chondrocyte differentiation. Dmrt2-knockout mice exhibited a dwarf phenotype with delayed initiation of chondrocyte hypertrophy. Dmrt2 augmented hypertrophic chondrocyte gene expression including Ihh through physical and functional interaction with Runx2. Furthermore, Dmrt2 deficiency reduced Runx2-dependent Ihh expression. Our findings suggest that Dmrt2 is critical for sequential chondrocyte differentiation during endochondral bone formation and coordinates the transcriptional network between Sox9 and Runx2.
Hemp Growth in Vitro and in Vivo: A Comparison of Growing Media and Growing Environments across 10 Accessions
Authors: Halstead Margaret A. , Garfinkel Andrea R. , Marcus Travis C. , Hayes Patrick M. , Carrijo Daniela R.
Published: July 2022

Micropropagation is a valuable production tool for the cultivation of hemp (Cannabis sativa), and development of optimal protocols is ongoing. The goal of this study was to evaluate a novel growing medium combination, consisting of Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut (DKW) medium as the nutrient source and glucose as the carbon source, and to investigate the link between in vitro and in vivo (i.e., greenhouse) plant performance. Among 10 accessions intended to represent a range of heterozygosity levels and various essential oil chemotypes, the DKW–glucose growing medium generally produced the most vigorous plantlets by all parameters evaluated in vitro (height, biomass, canopy area, vegetative growth rate, and regeneration rate). Across four growing media treatments, all of which included meta-topolin as the sole plant growth regulator, poor to no rooting was observed in vitro. Hybrids were more vigorous than nonhybrid selections in vitro, but not in vivo. No correlation was observed between in vitro and in vivo vigor, indicating that, with these media, plant performance in vitro is not predictive of that in vivo.
Küresel Isınmanın Etkisi Altında Sürdürülebilir Mimari Tasarım
Authors: ZENGİN Nihal , YAMAÇLI Ruşen
Published: July 2022

Kentleşme, birçok faktörün etkisi altında kalarak artmakta ve barınma ihtiyacı karşılanamamaktadır. Oluşan bina stoku, kentsel alanlarda yığılmaya sebep olmaktadır. Kentsel yığılmanın sebep olduğu iklim değişikliği, küresel anlamda sıcaklık değişiminin yaşanmasına yol açmaktadır. Gizli ısı üreten kentleşmeyle sıcaklık artışları yaşanmaktadır. Küresel ısınmayla birlikte iklim değişikliği ortaya çıkmaktadır. Değişen iklimde, yapıların bugün ve gelecekteki termal performansları mimari tasarım sürecinde ele alınmalıdır. Sürdürülebilir mimari tasarım, planlama ve malzeme seçiminde gelecek kuşakları düşünerek mevcut kaynakları etkin ve verimli kullanarak küresel ısınmada etkin rol oynayan bina sektörünün ortaya çıkardığı CO2 emisyon oranının olumlu yönde değişmesini sağlayacaktır. Bu araştırma makalesinde, küresel ısınmanın etkisi altında mimari tasarımın nasıl bir süreç olması gerektiği ve yapılan tasarımın sürdürülebilirliğinin nasıl sağlanabileceği sorularına cevap aranmaktadır. Bu sebeple Biyofilik Tasarım önerilerek, iklimlendirme ihtiyacının ve enerji tüketiminin azalacağının ve bu sayede sera gazı ve gaz halindeki reaktif nitrojen bileşikleri emisyonlarının düşürülerek daha sürdürülebilir kentlerin ortaya çıkacağı belirlenmiştir. Bu araştırma makalesinin sonucunda, sürdürülebilir bir mimari tasarım modeli ile birlikte iklim sorunları için acil eylem planlarının ve uzun vadeli stratejilerin önemi ortaya konmaktadır.
Low-temperature crystallography and vibrational properties of rozenite (FeSO4·4H2O), a candidate mineral component of the polyhydrated sulfate deposits on Mars
Authors: Meusburger Johannes M. , Hudson-Edwards Karen A. , Tang Chiu C. , Connolly Eamonn T. , Crane Rich A. , Fortes A. Dominic
Published: July 2022

Rozenite (FeSO4·4H2O) is a candidate mineral component of the polyhydrated sulfate deposits on the surface and in the subsurface of Mars. To better understand its behavior at temperature conditions prevailing on the Martian surface and aid its identification in ongoing and future Rover missions, we have carried out a combined experimental and computational study of the mineral’s structure and properties. We collected neutron powder diffraction data at temperatures ranging from 21–290 K, room-temperature synchrotron X-ray data and Raman spectra. Moreover, first-principles calculations of the vibrational properties of rozenite were carried out to aid the interpretation of the Raman spectra. We found, in contrast to a recent Raman spectroscopic study, that there are no phase transitions between 21 and 290 K. We confirm the heavy atom structure reported in the literature (space group P21/n) to be correct and present, for the first time, an unconstrained determination of the H atom positions by means of high-resolution neutron powder diffraction, and report the complete crystal structure at 290 and 21 K. The anisotropy of the thermal expansion of the lattice vectors is αa:αb:αc = 1.00:2.19:1.60 at 285 K. Subsequent analysis of the thermal expansion tensor revealed highly anisotropic behavior as reflected in negative thermal expansion approximately ||〈101〉 and ratios of the tensor eigenvalues of α1:α2:α3 = −1:3.74:5.40 at 285 K. Lastly, we demonstrated how combining Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction of the same sample sealed inside a capillary with complementary first-principles calculations yields accurate reference Raman spectra. This workflow enables the construction of a reliable Raman spectroscopic database for planetary exploration, which will be invaluable to shed light on the geological past as well as in identifying resources for the future colonization of planetary bodies throughout the solar system.
Diverse effect of in ovo treatment with metaloestrogen: selenium on chick testis histology and estrogen signaling
Authors: PARDYAK LAURA , CHMURSKA-GASOWSKA MARIA , JASZCZA KLAUDIA , LONC GRZEGORZ , PAWLUS ADAM , TRELA MAGDALENA , LIS MARCIN W. , BOJARSKI BARTOSZ , KRAKOWSKA IZABELA , KOTULA-BALAK MALGORZATA
Published: July 2022

With the observed in the last years increasing disruption of poultry males’ fertility, there is a need to improve knowledge on the morphology and functioning of the avian reproductive system. A number of molecular and endocrine interrelationships indicate that testicular dysfunction may be one of the reasons for the production of poor semen quality. Because selenium (Se) is known to be an essential element for spermatogenesis, thus the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Se treatment in ovo on cellular and molecular status (expression of aromatase, estrogen receptors and estrogen level) of testes of chicks. The study was performed on chick embryons exposed to Se at a dose of 0.6 µg/egg. We revealed diverse changes in testis histology after Se-treatment including developmental changes reflected by cell migration or vacuolization of the marginal stroma. We showed for the first time the expression of GPER in the testes of chicks and changes in the expression of aromatase, GPER, ERα and ERβ after treatment with Se. Simultaneously with these, decreased testicular estradiol concentration indicated an altered receptor protein and/or binding by Se only to GPER, ERα that in turn affects hormone concentration and action. Further studies are needed to evaluate other effects of Se supplementation especially of immature birds or mature ones and eggs laying by them per se.
Effectiveness of accrual basis accounting system in state budget and treasury system in TAM 3 framework
Authors: Kusumastuti Ratih , Touriano Derist , Rosita Sry , Fatricia Raja Sharah
Published: July 2022

Purpose - This study establishes a basic theoretical model developed using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM 3) with several critical factors on the effectiveness of accrual basis accounting systems in the State Budget and the Treasury System.Method - This basic research uses a causal model with primary data collected quantitatively and presented descriptively. The study population was users of the State Budget and Treasury System in the Regional Office V of Jambi Province using the convenience sampling method.Result - The results of this study stated that all TAM variables were correlated with each other and TAM 3 variables were correlated with the effectiveness of the accrual-based accounting system in SPAN. It was proven that there was a significant relationship between all variables. However, the accrual-based accounting system in SPAN practically does not provide convenience and tends to have low intensity of use and low effectiveness.Implication - The result of this research states that all variables of TAM are correlated to each other and TAM 3 variables are correlated to the effectiveness of accrual basis accounting system in SPAN.Originality - This study focuses on the effectiveness of accrual basis accounting system in State Budget and Treasury System: migration of the Indonesian Islamic banking system of BSI.
Nanoclay-based Polymer Nanocomposites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
Authors: Nigil M.R.
Published: July 2022

In the past decade, there has been rapid growth in the miniaturization of electronic devices without compromising their performance for a particular application. Due to electromagnetic interference, the performance of those devices can be affected very seriously and hence there is a requirement to develop electromagnetic interference shielding materials. Compared to metals, conducting polymer nanocomposites can be developed as an efficient EMI shielding material. Thus, this chapter presents a detailed review of the research developments on nanocomposites formed by meticulous mixing of conducting polymer and nanoclay in appropriate proportions, specifically applied as microwave absorption materials. Employing nanoclay into the conducting polymers is found to improve the overall EMI shielding material’s mechanical strength, dielectric properties, thermal stability, barrier properties and most importantly the shielding efficiency.
Micro Clay/Nano Clay Polymer Composite Flame Retardant Applications
Authors: Momina
Published: July 2022

The discovery of fire is one of the earliest and most significant achievements of man. However, it is a lethal power that has mostly stayed uncontrollable. Big fires occur practically daily and result in significant loss of life and property. The majority of the contents in the houses are flammable. Clothes, blankets, furniture, paper, synthetic polymeric materials, automobile and plane interiors, etc., all burn when the conditions are favorable. The addition of flame retardant to polymeric materials improves their flame retardancy and thermal stability. In this chapter, we will study the addition of micro clay/ nano clay to improve the flame retardancy of polymeric composites to make them feasible to be used in various potential applications.
Early Detection of Congenital Heart Disease in Pregnant Young Women at Risk
Authors: Yogibuana Swastika Putri Valerinna
Published: July 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the non-communicable diseases in which the leading cause of death worldwide at 48%1. CVD contains a spectrum of diseases, one of which is Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). CHD is one of the contributors to morbidity from young until adulthood. The advancement of surgical correction and medical therapy made it possible for early structural correction, as uncorrected CHD while patients were still young posed a risk of health outcome deterioration later in life. CHD affected especially pregnant individuals. A pregnant woman diagnosed with CHD would often complain of significantly significant deterioration of health condition and quality of life as they have a higher susceptibility to cardiovascular complications than women in general. Pregnant women diagnosed with CHD in developing countries more often presented with signs indicating complications of CHD, such as Eisenmenger syndrome, signs of heart failure, Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), cyanosis, and NYHA functional classes II and III, which indicate later diagnosis and treatment further into adulthood in these patients. Lack of expertise and facility for diagnosis of CHD posed a major challenge in reducing mortality related to CHD in these countries. Therefore the need for a screening method at least for directing further referral to major health centers is still in high demand.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Premature Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Ayu Ikeningrum Dyah , Sargowo Djanggan , Kurnianingsih Novi , Fuji Rahimah Anna
Published: July 2022

Cardiovascular disease, which affects more than half of all diabetics, is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Around 55% of diabetes patients are thought to have it, in comparison to 2-4% of the general population. A significant risk factor for the development of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) exists in people with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). However, it is worth noting that the present Models of risk prediction for T1DM have a variety of flaws. CAD risk is expected to double or quadruple over the next two to four decades, and diabetes mellitus is the third most significant risk factor for the etiology of illness. As a result, diabetes increases the chance of developing Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), whose incidence surpasses 20% after seven years, compared to a rate of 3.5 percent in non-diabetics – a rate comparable to individuals who have already experienced an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). Additionally, it is crucial to identify any well-defined specific risk factors for T1DM as well as any extra subclinical atherosclerosis that may influence these patients at an advanced stage of disease progression. T1DM patients have more severe lesions, a lower left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction, a higher risk of cardiac events, and a higher rate of silent ischemia when compared to non-diabetics. They continue to have impaired microcirculation and endothelial function, both of which contribute to tissue perfusion problems.
Cell Phone Availability and Usage for mHealth and Intervention Delivery to Persons Living With HIV in a Low-Resource Setting: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Adong Julian , Fatch Robin , Emenyonu Nneka , Muyindike Winnie , Ngabirano Christine , Cheng Debbie , Hahn Judith
Published: July 2022

Background

HIV/AIDS is now a manageable chronic illness owing to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), which involves routine follow-up care, including regular physical visits to the clinic. In the recent past, and in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increased need for virtual care and intervention delivery, a modality known as mobile health (mHealth), which includes cell phone–delivered services for medical and public health practice.

Objective

Here we describe cell phone use and its relationship with alcohol use in a cohort of persons living with HIV and latent tuberculosis (TB).

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a cohort of persons living with HIV and latent TB in HIV care in southwestern Uganda. We estimated proportions of cell phone and text message use and evaluated their associations with alcohol use—a common modifiable behavior among persons living with HIV. Cell phone use (primary outcome) was defined as owning a cell phone that is turned on at least half of the day. Any alcohol use was defined as any self-reported alcohol use in the prior 3 months or a phosphatidylethanol (an alcohol biomarker) level of ≥8 ng/mL.

Results

A total of 300 participants (median age 40 years; n=146, 48.7% male) were included in the analysis. Most (n=267, 89.0%) participants had access to a phone and of them, 26 (9.7%) shared the phone with someone else. In total, 262/300 (87.3%) of participants owned a cell phone that is turned on at least half of the time; the majority (n=269, 89.7%) rarely or never sent text messages, and over two-thirds (n=200, 66.9%) rarely or never received text messages. Most (n=214, 71.3%) had any alcohol use in the prior 3 months. In adjusted analyses, any alcohol use was not significantly associated with cell phone use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.48, 95% CI 0.18-1.25; P=.13) or sending (aOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.28-2.37; P=.71) or receiving (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 0.70-2.47; P=.40) text messages.

Conclusions

There is hope that mHealth interventions in this population can be carried out using cell phones owing to their popularity; however, the interventions may need to employ methods that do not rely on the sending and receiving of text messages only.
Illness representation of COVID-19 affected responses to the Living with the Virus Policy: A cross-sectional study in a Chinese general population (Preprint)
Authors: Yu Yanqiu , Ling Rachel Hau Yin , Ng Joyce Hoi Yuk , Lau Mason M.C. , Ip Tsun Kwan Mary , Lau Joseph Tak Fai
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

There is a global trend for countries to adopt the Living with the Virus (LWV) policy regarding COVID-19. Little is known about the public’s supportiveness and emotional responses (e.g., anticipated panic) related to this policy. Such responses may be associated with illness representations of COVID-19 (i.e., how people think and feel about COVID-19). This novel topic was investigated in this study to facilitate policy making and health communication.

OBJECTIVE

This novel topic was investigated in this study to facilitate policy making and health communication.

METHODS

A random, population-based telephone survey interviewed 500 adults aged ≥18 of the Hong Kong general adult population from March to April 2022.

RESULTS

The prevalence of the public’s support and anticipated panic regarding the LWV policy, which were negatively correlated with each other, was 39.6% and 24.2%, respectively. The illness perception constructs of consequences, timeline, identity, illness concern, and emotional representations were negatively associated with supportiveness and positively associated with anticipated panic regarding the LWV policy. Illness coherence (comprehensiveness) was significantly associated with policy support but not with anticipated panic. Moderation analyses showed that the above significant associations were invariant between those with and without previous COVID-19 infection. The associations between personal control/treatment control and supportiveness/anticipated panic were statistically non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Policy makers need to be sensitized about the public’s supportive/unsupportive attitude and potential worry (panic) when adopting the LWV policy. Such attitudes/emotional responses may be affected by people’s illness representations on COVID-19. In general, those who found COVID-19 involving a milder nature and less negative emotions would be more supportive and anticipated less panic under the LWV policy.

CLINICALTRIAL

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