bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain Assessment in Pediatric Patients with Primary Bone Cancer in a Single Site Cohort
Authors: Andrade Flavio Ferreira de , Valete Cristina Ortiz Sobrinho , Ferman Sima , Silva André Ricardo Araújo
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Pain is the main symptom described in cancer patients. Objective: To assess pain classification and management in pediatric patients with primary bone cancer over time: admission, during treatment and follow-up, and to investigate factors associated with pain classification at the last assessment. Method: Retrospective cohort study of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma cases in individuals <19 years old treated at a single cancer referral site and followed up by a multidisciplinary team. The primary endpoint was pain score at the last assessment. Secondary outcome: evolution of pharmacological treatment. Results: 142 patients were included. The frequency of pain assessment increased during the study period from 53.5% at admission to 68.3% during treatment and 85.9% in follow-up. Of the patients who had pain assessed, 65.8% had pain at admission and 26.2% at the end of the study. There was an increase in the use of strong opioids and antidepressants. In the last evaluation, 56 patients (39.4%) were at the end-of-life and this was not associated with more pain (p=0.68). Meanwhile, those who had more pain used strong opioids (p=0.01) or steroids (p=0.03). Conclusion: Pain management during treatment resulted in increased use of strong opioids and antidepressants with pain reduction, revealing that pain control is possible. In the last assessment, end-of-life patients no longer had pain and patients with pain were the ones who used strong opioids and steroids at the most, showing the difficulty of pain control in some patients.
Desafíos para la sostenibilidad en el siglo XXI: ambiente, virtualización, derechos, educación y empresa
Authors: Mina Ortega Jorge Iván , Sanipatín Ponce Luis Enrique , Realpe Delgado Beatriz Ofelia , Jiménez Montalvo Daniel Andrés
Published: February 2023

Este libro nos entrega cinco resultados de investigaciones sobre los pilares básicos de nuestra sociedad: el ambiente, la virtualización, los derechos, la educación y la empresa. En cada uno de esos artículos, se proponen aportes a la solución de problemáticas actuales en el contexto regional, específicamente en el Ecuador. Todos los textos nos muestran los grandes saltos que ha experimentado la humanidad con el desarrollo de la tecnología, situándonos en la era más próspera e increíble de todos los tiempos, pero también en el momento histórico que nos demanda mayores responsabilidades para la conservación de la vida en el planeta.
Cybercrime in the Developing World
Authors: Ghelerter David , Wilson John , Welch Noah , Rusk John-David
Published: February 2023

This paper attempts to discover the reasons behind the increase in cybercrime in developing nations over the past two decades. It discusses many examples and cases of projects to increase internet access in developing countries and how they enabled cybercrime. This paper examines how nations where many cybercrimes occurred, did not have the necessary resources or neglected to react appropriately. The other primary focus is how cybercrimes are not viewed the same as other crimes in many of these countries and how this perception allows cybercriminals to do as they please with no stigma from their neighbors. It concludes that laws and law enforcement, fund distribution, and ethics of these developing countries need to change to reduce the amount of cybercrime.
Authentication Based on Periocular Biometrics and Skin Tone
Authors: Marsh Kennedy , Wallace Clifton , Hernandez Jeffrey , Dejournett Rodney , Yuan Xiaohong , Roy Kaushik
Published: February 2023

Face images with masks have a major effect on the identification and authentication of people with masks covering key facial features such as noses and mouths. In this paper, we propose to use periocular region and skin tone for authenticating users with masked faces. We first extract the periocular region of faces with masks, then detect the skin tone for each face. We then train models using machine learning algorithms Random Forest, XGBoost, and Decision Trees using skin tone information and perform classification on two datasets. Experiment results show these models had good performance.
Using Experts for Improving Project Cybersecurity Risk Scenarios
Authors: Presley Steven , Landry Jeffrey , Shropshire Jordan , Menard Philip
Published: February 2023

This study implemented an expert panel to assess the content validity of hypothetical scenarios to be used in a survey of cybersecurity risk across project meta-phases. Six out of 10 experts solicited completed the expert panel exercise. Results indicate that although experts often disagreed with each other and on the expected mapping of scenario to project meta-phase, the experts generally found risk present in the scenarios and across all three project meta-phases, as hypothesized.
Fundamentos matemáticos da tecnologia blockchain aplicados ao bitcoin
Authors: Santana Maycon de Castro , Aleans Deimer Jose Julio
Published: February 2023

Visando estimular o desenvolvimento de pesquisas relacionadas com matemática e tecnologia, o presente artigo apresenta os resultados do estudo que tem como objetivo principal compreender a matemática que fundamenta a tecnologia blockchain, essencial no funcionamento do bitcoin. A fim de tornar a pesquisa viável, a primeira etapa consiste em uma revisão bibliográfica dos fundamentos criptográficos envolvidos no sistema blockchain-bitcoin, numa perspectiva tecnológica e histórica. Na etapa seguinte, são explorados conteúdos específicos da matemática que se relacionam com a blockchain: teoria de grupos e curvas elípticas. Por fim, buscou-se conhecer as aplicações desses elementos matemáticos na segurança computacional da rede bitcoin. Como principal resultado desta pesquisa, foi visto que os valores fornecidos pelo Algoritmo de Assinatura Digital de Curvas Elípticas (ECDSA) são impraticáveis por força bruta, o que explica o alto nível de segurança que o caracteriza.
ANALISIS SEMIOTIKA DALAM PESAN MORAL FILM THE EAST
Authors: Putri Sekar , Sulpajri Sukma
Published: February 2023

Abstract : The East film is set in 1946 when the Netherlands entered the Indonesian national revolution period. A young soldier named Johan was fascinated by Army captain Raymond Westerling who led a counter-insurgency operation against Indonesian guerrillas and a clean-up operation in South Sulawesi, but gradually Johan began to question himself more and more about war. This type of research is descriptive qualitative research that uses data collection techniques, observation, documentation. While the data analysis technique is the content analysis model, by reducing data, displaying data, verifying or drawing conclusions. The results of the study show that the film The East has a hidden or visible moral message in every scan, both verbally and visually. The results are in accordance with Charles Sanders Pierce's semiotic signs in the form of Representament (Icon, Index, symbol), Object, Interpretant.

 

Keywords: moral message, semiotics, Object Representament, Interpretant.
MEDIA PEWARISAN PENGETAHUAN LOKAL MITIGASI GEMPA BERBASIS ARSITEKTUR BALE BELEQ SASAK SEGENTER DAN GUMANTER
Authors: Kariadi Dodik , Suprapto Wasis , Fitriyadi Slamat , M.Pd Gustin
Published: February 2023

The research departs from the fact that the level of knowledge and skills of students in dealing with the earthquake in Lombok is low. Meanwhile, social science learning in schools does not contribute to the formation of students' knowledge and skills in dealing with earthquakes. In fact, the island of Lombok is an area with a high level of vulnerability to earthquake disasters in Indonesia. Thus, in this study, the main objective is to develop earthquake mitigation media sourced from the Sasak indigenous people themselves and allotment for schools in Lombok. The research method used is a research and development approach. From the research and development process, several results were obtained including: First, the more effective the learning process for teachers and students because they used earthquake mitigation media based on values ​​that existed in the Sasak community themselves; Second, the results of both quantitative and qualitative analysis show that earthquake mitigation media based on the value of the bale beleq architecture are able to improve the school's mitigation capability against earthquake disasters. So with the architectural value-based mitigation media that exists in the Sasak community itself, teachers and students are more effective and efficient in order to improve the ability of earthquake disaster mitigation in schools.

Keywords: Media, Knowledge, Mitigation, Architecture.
REPRESENTASI PESAN ANTI NARKOBA DALAM LIRIK LAGU “LINTING DAUN” (ANALISIS SEMIOTIKA FERDINAND DE SAUSSARE)
Authors: Pratiwi Aisyah , Aisya Aisya , Haminudin Haminudin
Published: February 2023

This study aims to determine the representation of anti-drug messages in the lyrics of the song "Linting Daun". The song as a literary work is often used as a medium of communication to convey a certain message which usually has a correlation between the lyrics of the song and the reality that is happening. This research uses semiotic analysis from Ferdinand de Saussure. In this analysis, there are several stages carried out, namely: (1) determining the sign from the lyrics of the song "“Linting Daun”" as the object of research, (2) writing a signifier or physical form, namely the lyrics of the song "“Linting Daun”", (3) write a sign (signified), (4) see between signs, sign forms, and sign concepts with social reality in the form of references or external reality. This study explains how the anti-drug message is voiced through a song with a beautiful tone notation so that not only the meaning can be taken, but the beautiful song can also entertain everyone who listens to it so that the anti-drug message to be conveyed is more easily accepted by various groups.
Certainty and Uncertainty in the Abstract Section of Mechanical Engineering Research Articles
Authors: Khorina Mulyati
Published: February 2023

The study of epistemic modality in research articles (RAs) has been found in many papers. However, the investigation of epistemic modality in the abstract section of RAs viewed from Systemic Functional Linguistics is rarely conducted, especially in mechanical engineering RAs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of epistemic modality in the abstract section of mechanical engineering RAs. A number of 50 abstracts were collected from Scopus Q-1 journal of mechanical engineering entitled “International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture” in the period of 2016-2020. The data were analyzed using the Systemic Functional Linguistics framework focusing on epistemic modality markers in terms of orientation and values. The results reveal that the writers of mechanical engineering RAs tend to use epistemic modality markers as objective implicit and explicit orientation only since there is no subjective implicit or explicit orientation found in the data. Furthermore, the findings also show that the writers apply epistemic modality markers mostly with low values instead of median or high values. These results may be used to improve the academic writing ability of mechanical engineering writers, especially in writing abstract sections.
Editorial log book and review comments for Moving Arrows, Moving People: Towards an understanding...
Authors: Editorial committee
Published: February 2023

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PENGARUH PROFITABILITAS, UKURAN PERUSAHAAN, DAN UMUR PERUSAHAAN TERHADAP PENGUNGKAPAN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Authors: Indriyani Ai Desy , Yuliandhari Willy Sri
Published: February 2023

Disclosure for CSR is an action taken by a company in order to contribute to economic sustainability that benefits the company, government and society. CSR Activities Serving the form of sustainability reports, however, many companies are still classified as low in their CSR disclosures and have not yet presented them in the form of a sustainability report (sustainability report).The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the effect of profitability, company size, and company age simultaneously and partially on non-financial LQ 45 Index companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2015-2018.In this study the population consists of non-financial LQ 45 Index companies. The sample selection technique in this study used purposive sampling and obtained 44 total samples. The data used are obtained from sustainability reports and company annual reports. This study uses panel data regression analysis using Eviews version 9.The results showed that profitability, company size, and company age simultaneously affected CSR disclosure with adjusted R2 of 0.307093. Partial profit has a positive effect, while company size and company age have no effect on CSR disclosure.Based on the research results, it is hoped that the disclosure of social responsibility will increase to get the best from investors and the public. Companies with a high level of profitability are expected to be more concerned with CSR activities and their disclosures in the form of company sustainability reports.
Evaluasi Sistem Kelistrikan Ruangan Rawat Inap Kelas Terpadu RSUD DR Muhammad Zein Painan
Authors: Juni Susanto Trino , Zulkarnaini
Published: February 2023

Setiap ruangan memeiliki fungsi yang berbeda baik itu ruangan umum mapun khusus, Begitupun ruangan rawat inap kelas terpadu di RSUD Dr Muhammad Zein Painan yang berada didaerah Pesisir Selatan di Provinsi Sumatera Barat. Oleh karena itu perlu pembaruan mengevaluasi dan menganalisa kembali pada Gedung rawat inap RS, terutama pada sistem kelistrikan, penerangan dan pembumian. Penelitian ini untuk mengetahui apakah sesuai SNI  dan  PUIL 2011  atau tidak yang akan bisa membahayakan orang sekitar serta kenyamanan dan perangkat elektromedis di dalamnya. Hasil penelitian kualitas instalasi listrik menunjukkan dokumen gambar instalasi, rekapitulasi daya dan denah gedung tidak ada sehingga penulis membuat analisa gambar denah instalasi dan rekapitulasi daya, serta untuk pencahayaan ruangan pasien inap berkisar sebesar 250 lux dan toilet dari 100-200 lux berstandar SNI 6197:2011, dengan pengukuran digital lux meter mendapat data lux bervariasi setiap ruangan dan secara umum belum memenuhi standar yang ditentukan sehingga perlu di normalisasikan kembali, jika dibandingkan metode software DIALUX 11.0 versi tahun 2022 untuk mendapatkan nilai 250 lux, membutuhkan 3 titik lampu dengan 2000 lumen setiap lampunya sedangkan perhitungan manual tetap mendapatkan 2 titik lampu akan tetapi nilai lumennya diatas 2000 maka ruangan  ruangan inap kelas terpadu memenuhi standar. Pengukuran pentanahan dinyatakan tidak baik yaitu 43,8 dalam range 200 ohm maka  diperlukan penambahan elekroda batang sehingga nilai pentanahan kecil dibawah <5 ohm yaitu 2.28 Ω.
Design of Biodiesel Reactor Using Nanocatalyst ZnO From Castor Oil
Authors: Al-Ghani Ranggaweny , Nandiyanto Asep Bayu Dani , Kurniawan Teguh
Published: February 2023

Mass transfer during the reaction process is limited in industrial biodiesel manufacture. Therefore, to overcome this problem, a reactor from castor oil transesterified using ZnO nanocatalyst was designed. ZnO can be used as a catalyst for biodiesel production due to the nature of ZnO which has high catalytic activity, low material costs and is environmentally friendly. This study aims to design a design for the manufacture of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals using a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) reactor. By giving data on incoming feedstock and product flow produced by the reactor, mass balance calculations were used in this study as a benchmark to determine whether the reactor was operating appropriately. Additionally, using Microsoft Excel, manual calculations were done for the reactor design and agitator design employed in the reactor. According to calculations used in reactor design, the reactor has a volume of 1967.78 liters, a vessel diameter of 44.77 inches, a height of 19.25 inches, and a thickness of 44.98 inches. The reactor is equipped in one stirrer with a power on a typical 10 hp agitator motor, turbulent agitator flow conditions exist.
Desain Turbin Angin Sumbu Horisontal Sudu Airfoil NREL S823 dan NREL S823 Sebagai Energi Alternative Di Kabupaten Malang
Authors: Kurniawan Muhammad Helmi , Ayuningtiyas Khusnul Khotimah , Syahrial Ridho Dwi
Published: February 2023

Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Angin (PLTA) merupakan salah satu sumber energi alternatif terbarukan yang ramah lingkungan. Pada penelitian ini dilakukan pembuatan rancangan sistem pembangkit listrik mandiri dengan menggunakan turbin angin sumbu horizontal. Penelitian ini bertujuan membuat beberapa perencanaan yang komprehensif untuk meningkatkan efikasi dan efisiensi pembangkit listrik di beberapa daerah, antara lain pemilihan turbin angin berdasarkan kondisi setempat, pemilihan material, dan optimalisasi daya, tanaman untuk instalasi. Kecepatan angin rata-rata yang diperoleh sekitar 10 m/s. Bilah sudu yang digunakan yaitu kategori thick-airfoil family for small blades dengan tipe NREL S822 dan NREL S823. Berat turbin yang didapatkan dari hasil perhitungan sebesar 12,759 kgm/s2. Turbin ini terdapat generatorarus bolak-balik, yang dapat mengubah energi potensial angin menjadi energi mekanik untuk menghasilkan energi listrik searah (DC), digerakkan oleh poros dan katrol turbin angin, yang merupakan penerus putaran angin yang mengalir. Kepadatan bahan yang digunakan memiliki dampak yang signifikan pada bagaimana turbin angin berputar. Karena kekuatan dan ketahanan cuacanya, bahan kincir angin resin lebih efisien daripada bahan lainnya.
Защита арматуры от коррозии специальными покрытиями
Authors: СТЕПАНОВА Валентина Федоровна , КУРГУЗОВ Константин Владимирович , ФОМЕНКО Игорь Константинович , БАРАНКОВА Алина Михайловна , КОРОЛЕВА Елена Никитична
Published: February 2023

Одна из основных причин разрушения железобетона - коррозия арматуры. В этой связи цель исследования - изучение методов активной защиты арматурной стали специальными покрытиями в строительных конструкциях. Изложена природа возникновения коррозии и причины протекания коррозионных процессов в железобетонных конструкциях. Показано, что не во всех случаях применения бетона низкой проницаемости может быть обеспечена защита арматурной стали от коррозии. В ряде конструкций, эксплуатируемых при воздействии агрессивных хлорсодержащих сред, требуется защита арматуры специальными покрытиями. Уточняется, что в России сегодня практически не используют методы активной защиты арматуры строительных конструкций от агентов коррозии (непосредственное покрытие арматуры эпоксидными или полимерэпоксидными составами). Проанализированы разработки антикоррозионных покрытий в России и за рубежом за прошлые годы. Представлены методы активной защиты арматурной стали в строительных конструкциях: горячее цинкование, покрытие эпоксидными и полимер-эпоксидными составами, использование арматуры из нержавеющей стали. Приведены результаты исследования физико-механических параметров железобетонных элементов, подверженных воздействию агрессивных сред. Сделан вывод об актуальности применения и внедрения данных технологий защиты арматуры в российскую строительную практику.
Методы снижения сварочных напряжений в резервуарных конструкциях
Authors: КАРАВАЙЧЕНКО Михаил Георгиевич , ЛЕТУНОВСКИЙ Алексей Петрович , ДОРОШЕНКО Федор Евгеньевич
Published: February 2023

Нормативные документы на сооружение крупных вертикальных стальных резервуаров содержат требование о необходимости выполнения термообработки крупногабаритных конструктивных узлов врезок люков и патрубков в листы стенки. Данная технологическая операция предполагает большие затраты и вместе с тем она характеризуется рядом недостатков. Кроме того, в резервуарах есть напряженные узлы, в которых для снятия напряжений практически невозможно применять термообработку. Предложено при изготовлении и монтаже резервуаров использовать альтернативные методы снижения остаточных сварочных напряжений, а также технологии сварочных работ, обеспечивающие низкий уровень остаточных напряжений. Изложен опыт применения ультразвуковой ударной обработки и низкочастотной виброобработки различных видов сварных конструкций. Специально разработанные технологии выполнения сварочных работ, которые обеспечивают низкий уровень остаточных напряжений без термообработки, должны пройти аттестацию с измерением фактических остаточных сварочных напряжений в сварных соединениях конструктивных узлов резервуаров. В свидетельстве об аттестации такой технологии следует указывать область ее распространения по классам прочности стали, толщинам свариваемых элементов и типам сварных соединений. Разработаны предложения для корректировки нормативных документов, направленные на повышение надежности и долговечности вертикальных стальных резервуаров.
Оценка прочности кирпичной кладки, усиленной инъекционным составом
Authors: ГРАНОВСКИЙ Аркадий Вульфович , КУНИН Юрий Саулович , ЛЕГЕЦКИЙ Олег Евгеньевич
Published: February 2023

Изложены результаты экспериментальных исследований по оценке прочности кладки при сжатии с учетом введения в трещины инъекционных составов Макфлоу, Микродур R-X/Е и цементного раствора на основе портландцемента марки М500 в сочетании с элементами косвенного армирования стальными шпильками. Дана методика усиления кладки с трещинами с использованием инъекционных растворов. Опытные образцы кирпичных столбов были изготовлены из кирпичей, взятых из реконструируемого объекта - Политехнического музея в Москве. Девять образцов столбов были испытаны на центральное и внецентренное сжатие до момента появления в них вертикальных и наклонных трещин, соответствующих третьей стадии работы кирпичной кладки. После этого по специальной методике было проведено инъектирование трещин в трех сериях образцов с использованием названных инъекционных составов (по три образца в каждой серии) с последующим испытанием образцов на сжатие. Кроме того, было выполнено сравнение несущей способности не усиленных и усиленных инъекционными составами образцов кладки столбов, которое позволило установить степень эффективности применения инъекций при усилении поврежденной кладки. Отмечается, что при этом прочность кладки в зависимости от вида раствора увеличивается от 25-30 % (растворная смесь Макфлоу) до 80 % (растворная смесь Микродур R-X/E).
Evaluation of Acute Stress Disorder After Pregnancy Loss
Authors: BÜYÜK Musa , SUMAN Kamuran , KARACAR BÜYÜK Nagihan , GÖK Ebru , SUMAN Murat , KUŞCU Havva
Published: February 2023

Aim: Our study aimed to assess and prevent acute stress disorder in women with pregnancy loss.

Materials And Methods: Pregnant women presenting to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at level 2 centers between March 2019 and March 2021 were included in the study. Women with pregnancy loss of fewer than 21 weeks were assigned to the "pregnancy loss group" and women with healthy pregnancies were assigned to the "control group." Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions about pregnancy history, sociodemographic data, and medical history. After the questionnaire, patients were asked to complete the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scale. Of the patients who participated in the study, 91 (35%) were in the pregnancy loss group and 156 (65%) were in the control group. Statistically, p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean age of the patients with pregnancy loss was 27.52±5.60 years, whereas the pregnant women in the control group were 26.43±5.44 years old. The mean age of the two groups was similar (p=0.656). The PTSD score of the participants was 33.10±9.3 (min=15, max=49). The mean PTSD score of the cases who suffered pregnancy loss was 36.23±9.49 and 31.12±7.34 in the control group. The PTSD score of the group with pregnancy loss was significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.003).

Conclusion: In our study, symptoms of acute stress disorder were found to be more common in women who experienced pregnancy loss. Couples who have suffered pregnancy loss should receive social and psychological support. Psychological support and counseling are very important for the couple's psyche. In this way, the woman's disorder can be prevented from developing into post-traumatic stress disorder.
Magnetostratigraphy, K–Ar dating and erosion history of the Hafrafell volcanics, SE-Iceland
Authors: Helgason Jóhann , Duncan Robert A.
Published: February 2023

Glacial erosion in volcanic terrain just west of the Öræfajökull stratovolcano, SE Iceland, has carved \>2-km-deep valleys. The ca. 2.8-km-thick stratigraphic sequence preserved in the mountain Hafrafell records evolution of landscape relief from relatively flat land at 4 Ma to a deeply dissected valley network today. Through geological mapping, magnetostratigraphy and K-Ar geochronology we establish that the area was first built up by lavas during the Gilbert chron, about 4 Ma. From about the same time we find the earliest evidence of glaciation. A 739-m-thick lava sequence formed, into which glaciers carved a ≥260-m-deep incision, the Hafrafell valley, during Matuyama time, \>2 Ma. The incision was subsequently filled with lava flows during upper Matuyama time, \<2 Ma. Mapping reveals 12 erosion surfaces, HR1–HR12, that formed during the last 4 Myr. The landscape evolution and erosion history of Hafrafell is divided into 6 stages with the first two occurring during the late Neogene, the Gilbert and Gauss magnetic chrons, when lava accumulation was slow and the landscape relatively flat. During stage 3, in lower Matuyama time, lava production increased by a factor of 2. During stage 4 the Hafrafell valley formed in upper Matuyama time. This stage marked clear development of more than 260-m-deep valleys. In stage 5 the Hafrafell valley was filled with subaerial and subglacial volcanic products. Finally, during Brunhes time, in stage 6, intense subglacial volcanism occurred near Hafrafell together with further valley network deepening to some 2-km-depth.
Review of Women in International and Universal Exhibitions, 1876-1937 edited by Myriam Boussahba-Bravard and Rebecca Rogers
Authors: Litwicki Ellen
Published: February 2023

Book review
A mixed effects changepoint quantile regression model for longitudinal data with application on COVID-19 data
Authors: Ibrahim Wafaa I. M. , Gad Ahmed M. , Abd-Rabou Abd-Elnaser S.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Longitudinal individual response profiles could exhibit a mixture of two or more phases of increase or decrease in trend throughout the follow-up period, with one or more unknown transition points (changepoints). The detection and estimation of these changepoints is crucial. Most of the proposed statistical methods for detecting and estimating changepoints in literature rely on distributional assumptions that may not hold. In this case, a good alternative is to use a robust approach; the quantile regression model. There are methods in the literature to deal with quantile regression models with a changepoint. These methods ignore the within-subject dependence of longitudinal data.

Methods

We propose a mixed effects quantile regression model with changepoints to account for dependence structure in the longitudinal data. Fixed effects parameters, in addition to the location of the changepoint, are estimated using the profile estimation method. The stochastic approximation EM algorithm is proposed to estimate the fixed effects parameters exploiting the link between an asymmetric Laplace distribution and the quantile regression. In addition, the location of the changepoint is estimated using the usual optimization methods.

Results and discussion

A simulation study shows that the proposed estimation and inferential procedures perform reasonably well in finite samples. The practical use of the proposed model is illustrated using COVID-19 data. The data focus on the effect of global economic and health factors on the monthly death rate due to COVID-19 from 1 April 2020 to 30th April 2021. the results show a positive effect on the monthly number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units (ICUs) for both 0.5th and 0.8th quantiles of new monthly deaths per million. The stringency index, hospital beds, and diabetes prevalence have no significant effect on both 0.5th and 0.8th quantiles of new monthly deaths per million.
Transposable element and host silencing activity in gigantic genomes
Authors: Wang Jie , Yuan Liang , Tang Jiaxing , Liu Jiongyu , Sun Cheng , Itgen Michael W. , Chen Guiying , Sessions Stanley K. , Zhang Guangpu , Mueller Rachel Lockridge
Published: February 2023

Transposable elements (TEs) and the silencing machinery of their hosts are engaged in a germline arms-race dynamic that shapes TE accumulation and, therefore, genome size. In animal species with extremely large genomes (>10 Gb), TE accumulation has been pushed to the extreme, prompting the question of whether TE silencing also deviates from typical conditions. To address this question, we characterize TE silencing via two pathways—the piRNA pathway and KRAB-ZFP transcriptional repression—in the male and female gonads of Ranodon sibiricus, a salamander species with a ∼21 Gb genome. We quantify 1) genomic TE diversity, 2) TE expression, and 3) small RNA expression and find a significant relationship between the expression of piRNAs and TEs they target for silencing in both ovaries and testes. We also quantified TE silencing pathway gene expression in R. sibiricus and 14 other vertebrates with genome sizes ranging from 1 to 130 Gb and find no association between pathway expression and genome size. Taken together, our results reveal that the gigantic R. sibiricus genome includes at least 19 putatively active TE superfamilies, all of which are targeted by the piRNA pathway in proportion to their expression levels, suggesting comprehensive piRNA-mediated silencing. Testes have higher TE expression than ovaries, suggesting that they may contribute more to the species’ high genomic TE load. We posit that apparently conflicting interpretations of TE silencing and genomic gigantism in the literature, as well as the absence of a correlation between TE silencing pathway gene expression and genome size, can be reconciled by considering whether the TE community or the host is currently “on the attack” in the arms race dynamic.
Experimental study on sand production of depleted oil and gas reservoirs
Authors: Zhang Yuda , Yuan Guangjie , Dong Jingnan , Liu Tianen , Qiu Yiwang , Wu Qiubo , Zang Chunyang , Ding Jiajie
Published: February 2023

With the increasing demand for natural gas, the emergency peak shaving capacity of gas storage is facing great challenges. The operation of gas storage converted from depleted oil and gas reservoir has the characteristics of strong injection and production, and alternate injection and production. However, the sand production of the reservoir makes the major gas storages face the dilemma that the injection and production capacity cannot be enhanced. In this study, the impact factors of sand production in injection-production wells of gas storage converted from depleted oil and gas reservoir were analyzed, and the sand production simulation device of gas storage was developed. Aiming at the two main controlling factors of alternating load and flow, the experimental study of quantitative sand production was conducted. The experimental results show that the alternating load has a significant weakening effect on the reservoir, and the sand production is positively correlated with the number, size and span of the alternating load exerted on the reservoir. By the method of multiple regression analysis, the parameters affecting the sand production degree of the core were obtained as follows: the upper and lower limit pressure of the alternating load, the flow rate and the number of alternating loads. The sand production map was obtained by combining the sand production amount of the core and the upper limit pressure of the alternating load to evaluate the sand production degree of the injection-production wells. In addition, at the same flow rate, the ratio of sand yield of two alternating loads stages is approximately equal to the constant, which provides a reference for the prediction of sand production in gas storage. The indoor simulation experiment of sand production in gas storage provides technical ideas and theoretical basis for the reconstruction of gas storage in Nanpu 1–29 block, and guides the selection of sand control completion methods in gas storage.
Enhancing topic-specific prior knowledge of students impacts their outcomes in mathematics
Authors: Alreshidi Nawaf Awadh Khallaf
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate how enhancing topic-specific prior mathematical knowledge of students before introducing new topics impacts their outcomes in mathematics achievements.

Methods

A quasi-experimental design was applied to two groups: a control group [students who did not receive enhancement for their topic-specific prior mathematical knowledge (N= 37)] and an experimental group [students who received enhancement for their topic-specific prior mathematical knowledge (N= 36)].

Results

The results revealed that there were no significant differences between the students’ average scores in ‘conceptual knowledge’ in the immediate post-test for groups; however, the difference was significant in the delayed post-test in favor of the experimental group. The results also showed that there were significant differences between the students’ average scores in ‘procedural knowledge’ in both the immediate and delayed post-tests in favor of the experimental group.

Discussion

The results showed the importance of this strategy in improving students’ outcomes.
Differences in metabonomic profiles of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Di Fangfang , Gao Danfeng , Yao Lihua , Zhang Runjie , Qiu Jin , Song Liwen
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder that often coexists with a metabolic disorder. Studies have demonstrated that the malfunction of adipose tissue, particularly abdominal adipose tissue, could exacerbate reproductive and metabolic problems in PCOS patients. Adipose tissue-secreted signaling mediators (e.g., lipids and metabolites) would then interact with other body organs, including the ovary, to maintain the systemic equilibrium.

Methods

In this study, we examined adipose samples from PCOS patients and unaffected individuals using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based metabonomics approach (LC–MS/MS). PCOS biomarkers were selected using multivariate statistical analysis.

Results

Our pathway analysis revealed that these differential metabolites could be engaged in inflammatory diseases and mitochondrial beta-oxidation. We further developed an in vitro PCOS cell model to examine the effects of hyperandrogenism on granulosa cells and related metabolic disorders. We noted that isoleucine recovered the promotive effect on cell apoptosis, inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, sex hormone secretion, and mitochondrial function induced by dehydroepiandrosterone. Our gas chromatography–mass spectrometry targeted analysis (GC–MS/MS) revealed that isoleucine was significantly decreased in PCOS patients.

Discussion

Based on these results, we speculate that metabolome alterations are vital in ameliorating PCOS symptoms. This may be a novel therapeutic target for PCOS treatment. Our study provides preliminary evidence that these findings will enhance our ability to accurately diagnose and intervene in PCOS.
Laser ablation strontium isotopes and spatial assignment show seasonal mobility in red deer (Cervus elaphus) at Lazaret Cave, France (MIS 6)
Authors: Barakat Sarah , Le Corre Mael , Willmes Malte , Cohen Jessica , Vuillien Manon , Desclaux Emmanuel , Britton Kate
Published: February 2023

Zooarchaeological analysis is a useful means of exploring faunal palaeoecology, paleoclimate and past human behaviours. The Middle Pleistocene archaeological site Lazaret Cave, located in modern-day Nice, France, features a vast assemblage of faunal remains pertinent to the understanding of early Neanderthal subsistence behaviours as well as red deer (Cervus elaphus) ecology during MIS 6. This pilot study examines materials from archaeological layer UA25, a short-term occupation layer at Lazaret dating to ~150,000 years ka, which has revealed 28 early Neanderthal remains as well as thousands of faunal bones, of which red deer and ibex (Capra ibex) are most abundant. Molars from three red deer mandibles and a single ibex were analysed for strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopic analysis using laser ablation mass spectrometry to determine animal movements during tooth formation, combined with intra-tooth oxygen (δ18O) isotope analysis to determine seasonality. The isotope data was modelled within a local 87Sr/86Sr isoscape and computational spatial assignment was undertaken to reconstruct potential summer and winter ranges of red deer. Results from this pilot study show seasonal mobility within 20 km of Lazaret, identifying two possible summer and winter ranges for the red deer excavated from UA25. Both possible summer ranges are located at higher elevations further from Lazaret while winter ranges have been assigned to lower elevations closer to the coastline and closer to Lazaret. The ibex shows no 87Sr/86Sr variation throughout the first, second and third molar and the spatial assignment indicates it lived proximal to the site during the period of tooth formation. In addition to providing the first evidence of red deer spatial ecology in southern France during MIS 6, we also infer from the faunal isotope data that hominins at Lazaret Cave were likely hunting red deer in autumn and winter when they were closer to the cave site, while hunting in summer would have required up to 20 km of travel.
Wide-area sound speed profile estimation based on a pre-classification scheme for sound speed perturbation modes
Authors: Liu Chen , Qu Ke
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The trend of sound speed profile (SSP) inversion is towards wide-area sound speed estimation. However, the traditional inversion method of dividing the latitude and longitude grids has limitations in terms of significantly lower accuracy when samples are lacking. k-means clustering algorithm (K-means) can divide the training class to achieve high accuracy estimation.

Method

This paper proposes a grid-free pre-classification inversion scheme based on empirical orthogonal function (EOF) vectors. The scheme is based on the K-means to classify the samples according to the perturbation mode of the SSP. After classification, the SSP inversion is carried out using the self-organizing map algorithm (SOM). The experimental sea area is selected from the South China Sea, and the inversion results are evaluated using root mean square error (RMSE) as the criterion.

Result

The inversion results show that the inversion error is 2.1 m/s for the pre-classification solution and 2.7 m/s for the solution without pre-classification, a steady improvement of more than 20% in the inversion error. Accuracy is also improved by 2.14 m/s in the depth range where the sound speed perturbance is greatest.

Discussion

This pre-classification scheme has smaller inversion errors and the classification results are reasonable in terms of distribution in time and space. It provides a feasible solution for SSP inversion in sea areas where samples are lacking.
Effect of post-processing methods on the surface quality of Ti6Al4V fabricated by laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Lu Dong , Liu Zhenyu , Wei Xiongmian , Chen Chen , Wang Di
Published: February 2023

Ti6Al4V is widely used in aerospace and medical applications, where high demands on dimensional accuracy and surface quality require the application of post-processing to achieve optimal performance. However, the surface quality of parts fabricated by LPBF is inferior due to the inherent defects of LPBF. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effect of post-processing on the surface quality of Ti6A14V parts fabricated by LPBF. In this work, the effect of post-processing methods (i.e., sandblasting, electrolytic polishing, chemical polishing, and abrasive flow polishing) on the surface quality of Ti6Al4V fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing was investigated. The changes in surface roughness and morphology of the 45° inclined square and curved pipe Ti6Al4V samples processed with post-processing were observed, and the weight and elemental changes of the parts were also analyzed. The result reveals that sandblasting, electrolytic polishing, chemical polishing, and abrasive flow polishing are all effective in improving the surface quality of Ti6Al4V parts fabricated by LPBF. The effect of sandblasting is mainly caused by sharp-edged grit driven by high-speed airflow, resulting in the lowest surface roughness and the least influence on the weight, but may contaminate the surface with residual brown corundum. Electrolytic polishing and chemical polishing achieve surface quality improvement through different corrosion patterns without changing the surface composition. The surface smoothness of parts processed with chemical polishing is the best, while the weight loss rate of the sample processed with electrolytic polishing is the most at about 7.47%. Abrasive flow polishing presents a remarkable effect on polishing the internal surface of the Ti6Al4V sample by the extrusion scratching, extrusion deformation, and micro-cutting effects of abrasive on the surface. The findings can provide important engineering references for the post-processing of precision Ti6Al4V parts fabricated by LPBF and further promote the engineering applications of Ti6Al4V parts.
Peginterferon lambda for the treatment of hospitalized patients with mild COVID-19: A pilot phase 2 randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Kim Myung-Ho , Elbaz Josh , Jilg Nikolaus , Gustafson Jenna L. , Xu Min , Hatipoglu Dilara , Nohelty Eric , Kim Arthur Y. , Chung Raymond T.
Published: February 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous injection of peginterferon lambda in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods

In this study (NCT04343976), patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR from nasopharyngeal swab were randomly assigned within 48 h to receive peginterferon lambda or placebo in a 1:1 ratio. Participants were subcutaneously injected with a peginterferon lambda or saline placebo at baseline and day 7 and were followed up until day 14.

Results

We enrolled 14 participants; 6 participants (85.7%) in the peginterferon lambda group and 1 participant (14.3%) in the placebo group were treated with remdesivir prior to enrollment. Fifty percent of participants were SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative at baseline although they tested SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive within 48 h of randomization. Among participants who were SARS-CoV-2 positive at baseline, 2 out of 5 participants (40%) in the peginterferon lambda group became negative at day 14, while 0 out of 2 participants (0%) in the placebo group achieved negativity for SARS-CoV-2 by day 14 (p > 0.05). The median change in viral load (log copies per ml) was +1.72 (IQR −2.78 to 3.19) in the placebo group and −2.22 (IQR −3.24 to 0.55) in the peginterferon lambda group at day 14 (p = 0.24). Symptomatic changes did not differ between the two groups. Peginterferon lambda was well tolerated with a few treatment-related adverse effects.

Conclusion

Peginterferon lambda appears to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 viral load decline and improve plasma disease progression markers in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
The first dog-origin porcine circovirus type 4 complete genomic sequence have high homology with that of pig-derived strains
Authors: Xu Tong , Chen Lan , Huang Bing-Zhou , Zhu Ling , Sun Xian-Gang , Lai Si-Yuan , Ai Yan-Ru , Zhou Yuan-Cheng , Xu Zhi-Wen
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) was discovered in 2019 and then proved to be pathogenic to piglets. Nevertheless, few studies were currently available about PCV4 infection in species other than pigs and there is no information about the prevalence of PCV4 in dogs.

Methods: To fill this gap, 264 dog samples were collected from animal hospitals in the Southwest of China from 2021 to 2022 and screened for PCV4. Moreover, the complete genome of one PCV4 strain (SCABTC-Dog2022) were obtained successfully and shared a high identity (97.9-99.0%) with other PCV4 strains derived from pigs, dairy cows, raccoon dogs and foxes. The SCABTC-Dog2022 were analyzed together with 51 reference sequences.

Results and Discussion: The detected results showed a low percentage of PCV-4 DNA (1.14%, 3/264), indicating that PCV4 could be identified in dogs in southwest China. Phylogenetic tree showed that SCABTC-Dog2022 strain derived from dog were clustered in a closed relative and geographically coherent branch with other PCV4 strains collected from four provinces (Sichuan, Fujian, Hunan and Inner Mongolia) of China. To our knowledge, it is the first detection of PCV4 in dogs globally. The association between PCV4 status and clinical syndromes in dogs deserves additional investigations.
Is foliar spectrum predictive of belowground bacterial diversity? A case study in a peach orchard
Authors: Sun Na , Zhang Weiwei , Liao Shangqiang , Li Hong
Published: February 2023

Rhizosphere bacteria can have wide-ranging effects on their host plants, influencing plant biochemical and structural characteristics, and overall productivity. The implications of plant-microbe interactions provides an opportunity to interfere agriculture ecosystem with exogenous regulation of soil microbial community. Therefore, how to efficiently predict soil bacterial community at low cost is becoming a practical demand. Here, we hypothesize that foliar spectral traits can predict the diversity of bacterial community in orchard ecosystem. We tested this hypothesis by studying the ecological linkages between foliar spectral traits and soil bacterial community in a peach orchard in Yanqing, Beijing in 2020. Foliar spectral indexes were strongly correlated with alpha bacterial diversity and abundant genera that can promote soil nutrient conversion and utilization, such as Blastococcus, Solirubrobacter, and Sphingomonas at fruit mature stage. Certain unidentified or relative abundance <1% genera were also associated with foliar spectral traits. We selected specific indicators (photochemical reflectance index, normalized difference vegetable index, greenness index, and optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index) of foliar spectral indexes, alpha and beta diversities of bacterial community, and quantified the relations between foliar spectral traits and belowground bacterial community via SEM. The results of this study indicated that foliar spectral traits could powerfully predict belowground bacterial diversity. Characterizing plant attributes with easy-accessed foliar spectral indexes provides a new thinking in untangling the complex plant-microbe relationship, which could better cope with the decreased functional attributes (physiological, ecological, and productive traits) in orchard ecosystem.