bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Akuntabilitas, Transparansi Terhadap Kinerja Anggaran Pada Instansi Pemerintah Se-Kota Denpasar
Authors: Sukawati Dewa Nata Anak Agung Gede Dalem , Bayu Putra Cokorda Gde
Published: February 2023

A number of factors that can affect budget performance include accountability, transparency and participation in budgeting. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of accountability and transparency on financial performance in government agencies throughout the city of Denpasar. The number of samples taken were 105 respondents. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling, while the analysis technique used is descriptive statistical test, classical assumption test consisting of normality test, multicollinearity test, and heteroscedasticity test, instrument test consisting of validity and reliability test, feasibility test of the model used consists of coefficient of determination (adjusted R2), F test, and statistical test (t test), and multiple linear regression analysis. The test results show that there is a positive and significant effect between accountability on budget performance in Government agencies throughout the city of Denpasar. Judging from the results of the t test, the parameter coefficient value is 0.585 with a significance level of 0.000. There is an insignificant effect between transparency on budget performance in government agencies throughout the city of Denpasar. The parameter coefficient value is 0.119 with a significance level of 0.110.
Pengaruh Fee Audit, Independensi Dan Profesionalisme Auditor Terhadap Kualitas Audit Di KAP Provinsi Bali
Authors: Padma Wedari Desak Ayu Gita , Sumadi Ni Komang
Published: February 2023

Issues regarding audit quality related to the implementation of the correct application of audit standards by auditors have become a public discussion in recent years. The cause of this phenomenon is identified by the existence of a biased assessment of the independence and professionalism of the auditor which is not fully interpreted by the client as well as negotiations at the beginning of the employment contract regarding the amount of audit fee received by the auditor, which is also considered to have an effect on the quality of the audit process produced by the auditor. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of audit fees, independence and professionalism on the quality of the audit process. A public accounting firm in Bali that is registered as a member of IAPI was chosen as the research location with auditors as the sample. The number of samples used in the data analysis is 93 samples. Data collection using a questionnaire (questionnaire) and multiple linear regression analysis was used as an analytical technique. The results of data processing show that audit fees, independence, and professionalism have a positive and significant effect on the quality of the audit process either simultaneously or partially. Keywords: amount of audit fee, independence, professionalism, audit quality.
Pengaruh Kesesuaian Kompensasi Dan Efektivitas Pengendalian Internal Terhadap Kecenderungan Kecurangan Akuntansi
Authors: Ayu Rismayanti Luh Putu , Bayu Putra Cokorda Gde
Published: February 2023

The fact that accounting fraud is caused by several factors including weak internal control and inadequate compensation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of compensation and the effectiveness of internal control on accounting fraud. This research was conducted in village administrations in West Denpasar District. The number of samples taken was 31 respondents. The sampling technique used is saturated sampling, while the data analysis technique used is the descriptive test, classical assumption test consisting of normality test, multicollinearity, and heteroscedasticity test, instrument test consisting of validity and reliability test, test the right model that consists of coefficient of determination (adjusted R2), F test, and statistical test (t-test), and multiple linear regression analysis. The test results show that there is a positive and significant effect of Compensation Suitability on Accounting Fraud. Judging from the results of the t-test, the parameter coefficient value is 0.442 with a significance level of 0.001. There is a positive and significant effect on the Effectiveness of Internal Control on Accounting Fraud. Judging from the results of the t-test, the parameter coefficient value is 0.713 with a significance level of 0.000.
PENDIDIKAN ISLAM SEBAGAI SEBUAH SISTEM (Transformasi Input Menuju Output Yang Berkarakter)
Authors: Jamin Ahmad
Published: February 2023

The system is a unity or totality of a number of components or elements stand alone and work together and influence each other are focused on achieving a goal. As where education in general, Islamic education is a system or a totality that consists of several components that bersdiri own education, mutual cooperation and interplay focused on achieving the educational goals that have been set. The components of the educational system that work together and interplay that is the basis and purpose of education, Input learners, educators and education personnel, curriculum, administration, facilities, budget (instrumental input), parents and the community, natural conditions, sociocultural, political, economic and others are input environment (environmental input) which directly or indirectly affect the educational process. However it is important to underlinei Islamic education system based on the ideology of tawhid sourced to al-Quran and al-Sunnah and ijtihad. Islamic education system aimed at developing fitrah (base potential) human to human resources that embody the character. Sistem adalah suatu kesatuan atau totalitas dari sejumlah komponen atau unsur berdiri sendiri dan bekerja sama serta saling mempengaruhi satu sama lain yang terarah pada pencapaian suatu tujuan. Sebagai mana pendidikan pada umumnya, pendidikan Islam merupakan sebuah sistem atau satu totalitas yang terdiri dari beberapa komponen pendidikan yang bersdiri sendiri, saling berkerja sama dan saling mempengaruhi yang terarah pada pencapaian tujuan pendidikan yang telah ditetapkan. Adapun komponen sistem pendidikan yang saling bekerja sama dang saling mempengaruhi itu adalah dasar dan tujuan pendidikan, Input peserta didik, pendidik dan tenaga kependidikan, kurikulum, administrasi, sarana, anggaran (instrumental input),orang tua dan masyarakat, kondisi alam, sosial budaya, politik, ekonomi dan lain-lain merupakan masukan lingkungan (environmental input) yang secara langsung atau tidak langsung berpengaruh dalam proses pendidikan.Akan tetapi penting dgarisbawahi sistem pendidikan Islam berlandaskan kepada ideologi tawhid yang bersumber kepada al-Qur’an dan alsunnah dan ijtihad.Sistem pendidikan Islam diarahkan pada pengembangan fitrah (potensi dasar) manusia untuk mewujudkan SDM yang yang berkarakter.
The Recent Research Progress of CircRNA in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Liu Shuo , Xu Xin-liang
Published: February 2023

Bladder cancer is a major public health problem in the world, and is one of the most common malignant tumors in the genito-urinary system. Due to its high incidence and mortality, it remains a serious threat to human health. In recent years, related researches on the occurrence of bladder cancer found a certain connection between the expression level of circRNA and development of bladder cancer. circRNA can accomplish the purpose of promoting or inhibiting the occurrence and progression of bladder cancer by affecting the expression of related miRNA and mRNA. Higher expression levels of some circRNAs such as circITCH, circACVR2A, circPICALM, and circZKSCAN1 demonstrate an improved prognostic survival of patients with bladder cancer. Higher expression of circBPTF and circPRMT5 correlated with worse prognosis in bladder cancer patients. This article highlights a relationship between CircRNA and bladder cancer.
РЕПРЕСІЇ РАДЯНСЬКОЇ ВЛАДИ ПРОТИ РИМО-КАТОЛИЦЬКОГО ДУХОВЕНСТВА ЗАХІДНОЇ УКРАЇНИ НА ПРИКЛАДІ СВЯЩЕННИКІВ ЛЬВІВСЬКОЇ АРХІДІЄЦЕЗІЇ (1939–1945 РР.)
Authors: Хом’як Павло Павлович
Published: February 2023

Мета та методологія дослідження. Мета наукового дослідження полягає в тому, щоб на підставі комплексного та об’єктивного аналізу архівних джерел та наукової літератури визначити особливості релігійної діяльності священників Римсько-Католицької Церкви та встановити причини та передумови їхньої трагічної загибелі на прикладі кількох священників Львівської архідієцезії. Під час наукового дослідження використовувались порівняльно-історичний метод, історико-систематичний метод, структурно-тематичний принцип історіографії, встановлювались причинно-наслідкові зв’язки та застосовувався метод аналізу та синтезу історичних джерел. Результати та висновки. На основі цих методів було досягнуто таких результатів: встановлено передумови жорстокої діяльності радянської влади стосовно римо-католицького духовенства; встановлено основні методи, за допомогою яких тоталітарний режим проводив політику ліквідації структури Церкви; встановлено та проаналізовано життєдіяльність кількох представників римо-католицького духовенства, які трагічно загинули від рук радянського режиму; досліджено основні причини арештів, ув’язнень та смертних вироків, які виголошувались священникам Львівської архідієцезії; проаналізовано джерельну базу, на основі якої здійснювалось дослідження біографічних даних священнослужителів. Під час аналізу літератури, яка використовувалась у процесі дослідження, у вітчизняній історіографії виявлено брак відомостей про життя та діяльність священників Львівської архідієцезії. Таким чином, одним із результатів дослідження є привернення уваги сучасного наукового світу та соціуму до такої проблематики, адже важливе завдання, яке стоїть перед вітчизняними дослідниками, полягає у відновленні історичної справедливості шляхом дослідження людських жертв, які трагічно загинули за вірність своїй діяльності та місії. Процес ліквідації структури Римсько-Католицької Церкви у досліджуваний період є одним із найжорстокіших методів боротьби із релігією у тогочасному комуністичному радянському союзі. Оскільки, на думку представників окупаційного тоталітарного режиму, саме Римсько-Католицька Церква становила найбільшу загрозу для радянського режиму, представники відповідних органів та структур проводили нишівну та безжальну політику стосовно римо-католицького духовенства. У статті на прикладі кількох людських доль розкрито методи, які використовувались тоталітарним окупаційним режимом задля досягнення мети атеїзації суспільства шляхом спроб ліквідації Церкви та її представників.
ОБРАЗ УКРАЇНЦІВ У ПОДОРОЖНІХ ПУТІВНИКАХ КІНЦЯ XVIII – ПЕРШОЇ ПОЛОВИНИ XIX СТ.
Authors: Черемісін Олександр Вікторович , Михайленко Галина Миколаївна
Published: February 2023

Метою дослідження є характеристика образу українців на території Півдня України на основі травелерів іноземних та російських мандрівників кінця XVIII – першої половини XIX ст. Методологічною основою дослідження стали методи аналізу, синтезу, фронтиру, локальної історії. Основні результати дослідження. Саме у визначений період часу на території південноукраїнського регіону відбулись значущі геополітичні зміни у зв’язку з інкорпорацією краю до складу російської імперії. Ця подія призвела до руху українського населення Полтавщини, Чернігівщини, Подільщини, Волині та інших українських земель з метою колонізації Півдня України. У результаті цих процесів українцями були заселені значні території південноукраїнського регіону. Ці зміни призвели до того, що з’явилось багато бажаючих як серед росіян, так і у середовищі іноземців на власні очі оцінити такі епохальні події і описати у власних мандрівних записках. Наприкінці XVIII – у першій половині XIX ст. край відвідали аристократи, купці, науковці. Мандрівники залишили по собі подорожні путівники (травелери), які виступають цінним джерелом формування образу українців досліджуваного часу на Півдні України. Висновки. У своїх путівниках візитери ділилися побаченими враженнями, які неможливо знайти в інших видах історичних джерел. Однією з провідних тем записок мандрівників став опис побуту українського народу. Центральне місце в їхніх характеристиках посідав характер українців, які проживали на Півдні України. Завдяки мандрівним травелерам удалося презентувати образ життя, заняття, мрії та сподівання місцевого населення, комерційні та лихварські справи тощо. У результаті проведеного дослідження встановлено розбіжності в характеристиках і оцінках іноземних та російських мандрівників щодо характеру і способу життя українців у досліджуваний період часу.
Kant and Revolution
Authors: Wonicki Rafał
Published: February 2023

Based on Kant’s political thought, this article deals with the relationship between a ruler’s power and freedom, law and morality. The assumed external freedom is to be guaranteed to individuals by a valid political authority (sovereign); however, the authorities do not have to obey the law, which means that the freedom of citizens is threatened. Thus, a tension appears between the freedom of the individual and obedience to an unjust law. From an authority’s perspective, peace is more important than moral development, and from a moral perspective, the rule of law is less important than ethical perfection. This leads to the question of whether revolutionary changes to the system can be justified on the basis of Kant’s assumptions, as some liberal interpretations of Kant’s thought propose. In this article, I argue that although the revolutionary moment is possible within Kant’s political philosophy, it is in a different place than most liberal authors point out and has no link to the common understanding of revolution.
Peningkatan Literasi Digital Guru Dalam Pembelajaran Blended Learning
Authors: Fitriani Fitriani , Yulis Putri Ade Rahma , Nurhuda Nurhuda , Sukarni Sukarni , Gunita Affriyani , Cholijah Siti
Published: February 2023

This service activity aims to increase teacher digital literacy in blended learning. The method used in service activities was the assistance carried out by observation, preparation, implementation, and evaluation. The dedication partner was Rumbio Jaya State Senior High School 4. The instrument for evaluating this activity used a questionnaire which was analyzed descriptively. The results of the community service that had been carried out and evaluated showed an increase in teacher digital literacy. This increase was shown by the teacher's understanding before the activity, from an average score of 3.11 to an average of 3.30 after the activity was carried out. However, even though there has been an increase, teachers still need to maximize their ability to use technology to support the implementation of blended learning better.
Analisa Penjadwalan Proyek Pembangunan Gudang 2 dan 3 Di PT. XYZ
Authors: Salsabila Adinda Alafiyah , Kusnadi Kusnadi
Published: February 2023

XYZ adalah perusahaan yang bergerak di bidang pendistribusian dan pengolahan bahan-bahan kimia yang meliputi bahan kimia dasar, bahan kimia khusus, dan jenis kimono lainnya, seperti asam sulfat, klorin, air aki, dan lain-lain, oleh sebab itu perusahaan ini perlu menggunakan gudang untuk memproduksi dan menyimpan barang atau produk terkait. Perusahaan memiliki standar khusus yang selalu diikuti dalam proses pembangunan dan konstruksinya, walaupun perusahaan telah mengikuti standar yang ada, beberapa kegiatan tersebut terkadang terhambat oleh berbagai alasan, oleh karena itu untuk meminimalisir keterlambatan yang ada dapat digunakan Gantt chart dan metode kurva s untuk mengetahui penyebab keterlambatan pembangunan proyek gudang 2 dan 3 di PT. XYZ agar pembangunan proyek gudang 2 dan 3 dapat berjalan efektif dan efisien sehingga dapat memberikan keuntungan baik waktu maupun finansial.
Avaliação do perfil dos exames citopatológicos do colo do útero no Brasil: um estudo descritivo
Authors: Almeida Berila Beatriz Dias de , Ferreira Maria Adriely Cunha , Santos Laura Teresa Reis dos , Sobral Neto José Francisco , Souza Eduardo Paulo de , Monteiro Marina Schuster , Oliveira Halley Ferraro
Published: February 2023

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil epidemiológico do exame citopatológico e suas principais alterações realizado no Brasil nos últimos 5 anos. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo epidemiológico descritivo quantitativo, no qual os dados foram obtidos através do Sistema de Informação do Câncer (SISCAN) entre 2017 e 2022. Resultados: No período estudado, foram realizados 37.020.409 exames citopatológicos do colo de útero no Brasil. Referente a idade, aproximadamente, 90% dos exames foram na faixa etária preconizada para rastreamento de câncer cervical, salienta-se a queda de cerca de 44% no número de citopatológicos realizados em 2020, sendo possível correlacionar com o período da pandemia pelo SARS-CoV-2. A maioria dos exames avaliados (85%) apresentavam alguma alteração benigna ou maligna, contudo apenas 2,9% tinham alteração, após excluir as benignas. Conclusão: A maioria das alterações nos exames citopatológicos foram benignas, já as malignas apresentaram prevalência similar aos da literatura, sendo mais comum o carcinoma de células escamosas, seguido pelo adenocarcinoma.
The Typewritten Archives of Cornell Woolrich
Authors: King Rob
Published: February 2023

This paper offers a media-archaeological inquiry into Cornell Woolrich’s fiction by looking at the media technology from which it sprang: his typewriter. In his 1986 study, Gramophone, Film, Typewriter, media theorist Friedrich Kittler identified the innovative characteristics of the typewriter with a shift from the handwritten word as flowing image to the typewritten word as disembodied and anonymised. This paper uses the case study of Cornell Woolrich to build upon and qualify these observations. It shows how Woolrich’s typewriter worked to decenter the notion of an authorial self, opening instead onto possibilities for pseudonymity and anonymity that would inform both his crime fiction and his own life. These themes are then explored through three Woolrich short stories in which typewriters play a prominent role – ‘Murder Story’, ‘The Girl Next Door’ (both 1937), and ‘The Penny-a-Worder’ (1958) – in each of which the typewriter becomes a vehicle for fears and fantasies about the relations between words and their authors. Finally, the paper explores how Woolrich’s work exemplifies the typewriter as a writing technology governed by a dialectic of presence and absence, in contradistinction to the pervasive virtualization of digital word processing.
reCAPTCHA Challenges and the Production of the Ideal Web User
Authors: Pettis Ben
Published: February 2023

The CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is found throughout many websites. By challenging users to read a line of scrambled letters, identify crosswalks in an image, or some complete another task that is difficult for a computer to do, but comparatively trivial for a human user, a CAPTCHA verifies that the user is an actual human, and not software meant to interact maliciously with the website. This mundane and easily overlooked interface element is an important site where corporate interests and priorities act upon the people who encounter it. CAPTCHAs operate under the assumptions that difference can be detected and that it should be enforced. Because not all humans are able to solve a CAPTCHA, the test additionally enforces a boundary between humans and users. In this article, I analyze the discourses of Google’s reCAPTCHA and argue that this common interface element is a multi-faceted site of production where user labor is extracted every time they solve a reCAPTCHA. The products of this labor are threefold: (1) spam reduction, (2) artificial intelligence and machine learning training data and (3) an ideal of a normative web user. This last product is often overlooked but has wide-reaching implications. Users who solve reCAPTCHAs are producers but simultaneously are produced as users by the reCAPTCHA. The only humans who qualify as ‘authentic’ users are those who can perform this productive labor. Because Google’s reCAPTCHA operates as a site of invisible digital labor, this article works toward making such labor more visible so that users can become more aware of the work they are being asked to perform, and to what ends.
Being the Supreme Court: Teaching Constitutional Law to Undergraduates as a Semester-Long Simulation
Authors: King Brian
Published: February 2023

This paper surveys these various approaches to simulation in constitutional law courses, then introduces an immersive, semester-long approach. The structure of the course mimics that of the Supreme Court itself. As each new topic arises students gather in conference to select cases for oral arguments. The cases are argued by students with the class as the Court. This is followed by a conference in which students debate and take preliminary votes. Each topic area is bracketed by introductory and concluding class sessions. This cycle repeats for each topic throughout the term. The writing assignments are majority and dissenting opinions, with students navigating the various interpersonal dynamics of that process.
Novelty during rearing increased inquisitive exploration but was not related to early ranging behavior of laying hens
Authors: Taylor Peta S. , Campbell Dana L. M. , Jurecky Emma , Devine Natalie , Lee Caroline , Hemsworth Paul H.
Published: February 2023

Range use by free-range laying hen flocks is heterogeneous. We hypothesized that ranging behaviour may be motivated by curiosity and thwarted by fearfulness. This project aimed to increase a hen’s motivation to explore by enriching the rearing environment and identify relationships between exploration, fear and ranging. Day-old Hy-Line chicks (n = 1700) were reared in environments that provided novel items, structures for perching or an industry standard floor rearing environment. Prior to range access, fear and exploratory behaviors were assessed at 18 weeks of age (cohort 1; n = 30 hens/treatment) via novel arena and novel object tests and at 22 weeks of age (cohort 2; n = 30 hens/treatment) using an 8-arm radial maze choice paradigm adapted from previous rodent research. Hens were trained to expect success in two arms (reward) and failure in two arms (mild punishment), the remaining four arms (ambiguous arms) were not available during training. After training, all hens were retested for 8 minutes with access to the four familiar arms only, then for four minutes with access to the ambiguous arms for the first time, in addition to the success and failure arms. Latency to enter the ambiguous arms and the number of ambiguous arms entered were assessed as an indicator of a hen’s willingness to forgo reward and risk punishment to explore a novel area. At 25 weeks of age, hens were provided with range access and individual range access was monitored for three weeks. Latency to access the range and the number of days the range was accessed was not related to rearing treatment (p > 0.05) and was only weakly correlated with behavior during the novel arena, novel object and 8-arm radial maze tests (r < 0.3). However, hens reared in the novelty rearing environment were more willing to forgo reward to explore the ambiguous arms than hens reared in the control environment (p = 0.004). We did not identify strong evidence that exploration or fearfulness was related to early ranging behavior. However, we show that motivation to explore increases when hens are reared in an enriched environment.
A glucose-blue light AND gate-controlled chemi-optogenetic cell-implanted therapy for treating type-1 diabetes in mice
Authors: Li Chi-Yu , Wu Ting , Zhao Xing-Jun , Yu Cheng-Ping , Wang Zi-Xue , Zhou Xiao-Fang , Li Shan-Ni , Li Jia-Da
Published: February 2023

Exogenous insulin therapy is the mainstay treatment for Type-1 diabetes (T1D) caused by insulin deficiency. A fine-tuned insulin supply system is important to maintain the glucose homeostasis. In this study, we present a designed cell system that produces insulin under an AND gate control, which is triggered only in the presence of both high glucose and blue light illumination. The glucose-sensitive GIP promoter induces the expression of GI-Gal4 protein, which forms a complex with LOV-VP16 in the presence of blue light. The GI-Gal4:LOV-VP16 complex then promotes the expression of UAS-promoter-driven insulin. We transfected these components into HEK293T cells, and demonstrated the insulin was secreted under the AND gate control. Furthermore, we showed the capacity of the engineered cells to improve the blood glucose homeostasis through implantation subcutaneously into Type-1 diabetes mice.
Current landscape and future directions of synthetic biology in South America
Authors: Gomez-Hinostroza E. Sebastian , Gurdo Nicolás , Alvan Vargas María Victoria Gracia , Nikel Pablo I. , Guazzaroni María-Eugenia , Guaman Linda P. , Castillo Cornejo David J. , Platero Raúl , Barba-Ostria Carlos
Published: February 2023

Synthetic biology (SynBio) is a rapidly advancing multidisciplinary field in which South American countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Brazil have made notable contributions and have established leadership positions in the region. In recent years, efforts have strengthened SynBio in the rest of the countries, and although progress is significant, growth has not matched that of the aforementioned countries. Initiatives such as iGEM and TECNOx have introduced students and researchers from various countries to the foundations of SynBio. Several factors have hindered progress in the field, including scarce funding from both public and private sources for synthetic biology projects, an underdeveloped biotech industry, and a lack of policies to promote bio-innovation. However, open science initiatives such as the DIY movement and OSHW have helped to alleviate some of these challenges. Similarly, the abundance of natural resources and biodiversity make South America an attractive location to invest in and develop SynBio projects.
A machine learning-derived gene signature for assessing rupture risk and circulatory immunopathologic landscape in patients with intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Lu Taoyuan , He Yanyan , Liu Zaoqu , Ma Chi , Chen Song , Jia Rufeng , Duan Lin , Guo Chunguang , Liu Yiying , Guo Dehua , Li Tianxiao , He Yingkun
Published: February 2023

Background

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is an uncommon but severe subtype of cerebrovascular disease, with high mortality after aneurysm rupture. Current risk assessments are mainly based on clinical and imaging data. This study aimed to develop a molecular assay tool for optimizing the IA risk monitoring system.

Methods

Peripheral blood gene expression datasets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus were integrated into a discovery cohort. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning integrative approaches were utilized to construct a risk signature. QRT-PCR assay was performed to validate the model in an in-house cohort. Immunopathological features were estimated using bioinformatics methods.

Results

A four-gene machine learning-derived gene signature (MLDGS) was constructed for identifying patients with IA rupture. The AUC of MLDGS was 1.00 and 0.88 in discovery and validation cohorts, respectively. Calibration curve and decision curve analysis also confirmed the good performance of the MLDGS model. MLDGS was remarkably correlated with the circulating immunopathologic landscape. Higher MLDGS scores may represent higher abundance of innate immune cells, lower abundance of adaptive immune cells, and worse vascular stability.

Conclusions

The MLDGS provides a promising molecular assay panel for identifying patients with adverse immunopathological features and high risk of aneurysm rupture, contributing to advances in IA precision medicine.
Physical self-concept in Peruvian adolescent schoolchildren: Validity, reliability, and proposal of percentiles for its evaluation
Authors: Fuentes-Lopez Jose , Vidal-Espinoza Rubén , Limachi-Flores Mary , Callata-Gallegos Zaida , Quispe-Cruz Henry , Gomez-Campos Rossana , Cossio-Bolaños Marco
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The period of adolescence is characterized by marked changes relevant to adult life. The goals of this study were (a) to analyze the psychometric properties of the physical self-concept questionnaire (PSC) in adolescents and (b) to develop percentiles for evaluation by age and sex.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in adolescents aged 11 to 17 years from an altitude region of Peru (3,812 m above sea level). The sample size was 1,263 schoolchildren (609 males and 654 females). The PSC was measured through the survey technique. The questionnaire proposed by Fox and Corbin (1989), composed of five dimensions (totaling 30 questions), was applied. Validity was assessed by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability by means of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Percentiles were calculated using the LMS method (lambda: skewness, median; M and S: coefficient of variation).

Results and Discussion

In the CFA, factor loadings (communalities) were satisfactory for the model. Values ranged from (0.30 to 0.60), in addition, the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin sample adequacy test was 0.89, X2 = 3401.086 (gl: 395, p<0.00), CFI (0.898), RMSEA (0.078) and % variation 47%. The reliability values (Cronbach’s alpha) per question evidenced values from r = 0.80 to 0.81 and the total scale r = 0.81. Percentiles were calculated: p3, p5, p10, p15, p25, p50, p75, p80, p85, p90, and p95. This study concludes that the psychometric properties of the PSC questionnaire applied to adolescents living in an altitude region of Peru were valid and reliable. The proposed percentiles can be used to categorize and monitor PSC by age and sex. These results suggest their use and application in the school system.
UFL1, a UFMylation E3 ligase, plays a crucial role in multiple cellular stress responses
Authors: Jiang Qiang , Wang Yongsheng , Xiang Minghui , Hua Jiamin , Zhou Tianci , Chen Fanghui , Lv Xiaoyang , Huang Jinming , Cai Yafei
Published: February 2023

The UFM1 conjugation system(UFMylation)is a novel type of ubiquitin-like system that plays an indispensable role in maintaining cell homeostasis under various cellular stress. Similar to ubiquitination, UFMylation consists of a three-step enzymatic reaction with E1-like enzymes ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme5 (UBA5), E2-like enzymes ubiquitin-fold modifier-conjugating enzyme 1(UFC1), and E3-like ligase UFM1-specific ligase 1 (UFL1). As the only identified E3 ligase, UFL1 is responsible for specific binding and modification of the substrates to mediate numerous hormone signaling pathways and endocrine regulation under different physiological or pathological stress, such as ER stress, genotoxic stress, oncogenic stress, and inflammation. Further elucidation of the UFL1 working mechanism in multiple cellular stress responses is essential for revealing the disease pathogenesis and providing novel potential therapeutic targets. In this short review, we summarize the recent advances in novel UFL1 functions and shed light on the potential challenges ahead, thus hopefully providing a better understanding of UFMylation-mediated cellular stress.
The interactions between urban heat island and heat waves amplify urban warming in Guangzhou, China: Roles of urban ventilation and local climate zones
Authors: Luo Fu , Yang Yuanjian , Zong Lian , Bi Xueyan
Published: February 2023

Under the background of global warming, interaction between heat waves (HWs) and urban heat island (UHI) has led to trends of increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of extreme heat events in urban areas, seriously threatening the health of urban populations. Taking Guangzhou (a tropical megacity in China) as an example, this study used automatic weather station data and ERA5 reanalysis data to explore the interaction between HWs and UHI, and to elucidate the effects of wind speed and local climate zones (LCZs) on such interaction. Results revealed obvious HWs–UHI interaction in Guangzhou, whereby HWs induces an amplification effect on UHI intensity (UHII) that was most significant at night. In the main urban area, UHII and HWs both weakened with increasing wind speed, indicating that low wind speeds contribute to increased occurrence of HWs and enhancement of UHII. Differently, in some areas peripheral to the main urban area, the UHII at medium wind speeds was stronger than that at low wind speeds, which reflect the impact of heat advection from the urban center. For different LCZs in the main urban area, the strongest UHII, highest risk of HW occurrence, and most significant HWs–UHI interaction were found in the compact mid-rise buildings and compact low-rise buildings (LCZ2 and LCZ3, respectively), followed by the compact high-rise buildings (LCZ1), which was mainly affected by the shading effect of high-rise buildings. The weakest UHII and lowest risk of HW occurrence were found in open high-rise buildings and open mid-rise buildings (LCZ4 and LCZ5, respectively), which generally have good ventilation conditions. Our findings will help to understand urban warming and its association with UHI and HW events in tropical urban regions, which has implications for rational improvement of the urban thermal environment in other tropical urban regions globally.
Foreign experience of CEO and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Dong Liping
Published: February 2023

Foreign experience is a mechanism through which personal cognitions can be shaped into idiosyncratic characteristics. Under the unique institutional background of China, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether CEOs’ foreign experience will affect the performance of CSR and whether the influences of CEOs’ foreign experience on CSR vary from the categories of foreign experience or from the governance environments. We find that firms with returnee CEOs show better CSR performance. Moreover, the longer the CEO’s foreign experience, the better is the CSR performance. Our results are robust to endogeneity concerns, inclusion of additional control, and alternative measures of key variables. Further analyses indicate that foreign working and integrated experiences have important impacts on CSR performance; and the positive effect of foreign experience on CSR is more pronounced for firms located in better legal environment and for those audited by reputable auditor. Our findings highlight foreign experience of CEO as an important driver of CSR performance.
Modelling soil moisture using climate data and normalized difference vegetation index based on nine algorithms in alpine grasslands
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Fu Gang
Published: February 2023

Soil moisture (SM) is closely correlated with ecosystem structure and function. Examining whether climate data (temperature, precipitation and radiation) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) can be used to estimate SM variation could benefit research related to SM under climate change and human activities. In this study, we evaluated the ability of nine algorithms to explain potential SM (SMp) variation using climate data and actual SM (SMa) variation using climate data and NDVI. Overall, climate data and the NDVI based on the constructed random forest models led to the best estimated SM (R2 ≥ 94%, RMSE ≤ 2.98, absolute value of relative bias: ≤ 3.45%). Randomness, and the setting values of the two key parameters (mtry and ntree), may explain why the random forest models obtained the highest accuracy in predicating SM. Therefore, the constructed random forest models of SMp and SMa in this study can be thus be applied to estimate spatiotemporal variations in SM and for other related scientific research (e.g., differentiating the relative effects of climate change and human activities on SM), at least for Tibetan grassland region.
Delineating origins of cheetah cubs in the illegal wildlife trade: Improvements based on the use of hair δ18O measurements
Authors: Koehler Geoff , Schmidt-Küntzel Anne , Marker Laurie , Hobson Keith A.
Published: February 2023

All African felids are listed as vulnerable or endangered according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in particular have declined rapidly as a result of human impacts so that development of effective strategies and tools for conservation of this highly vulnerable species, as well as African felids in general, are essential for their survival in the wild. Here we use the oxygen stable isotopic compositions of cheetah hair to determine origins of cheetah cubs destined for the illegal exotic pet trade by associating individual cubs with predicted δ18O isoscape locations. We found that cheetah cubs most likely originated in East Africa, close to the corridors responsible for this aspect of the illegal wildlife trade to the Middle East. Further refinement of these assignments using a two isotope analysis (δ18O and δ13C values) indicate that these cubs were likely sourced in Southern Ethiopia or possibly as far as Tanzania. We also demonstrate that δ18O values in tissues can provide provenance information in cases where results of δ2H analyses may be obscured by the effects of metabolic routing of nutrients during nursing, starvation, or dehydration. This study demonstrates the utility of stable isotopic tools for conservation and forensic uses for endangered mammalian species.
Climate change may increase Quebec boreal forest productivity in high latitudes by shifting its current composition
Authors: Ameray Abderrahmane , Cavard Xavier , Bergeron Yves
Published: February 2023

Several recent studies point out that climate change is expected to influence boreal forest succession, disturbances, productivity, and mortality. However, the effect of climate change on those processes and their interactions is poorly understood. We used an ecophysiological-based mechanistic landscape model to study those processes and their interactions and predict the future productivity and composition under climate change scenarios (RCP) for 300 years (2010–2310). The effects of climate change and wildfires on forest composition, biomass carbon sequestration and storage, and mortality were assessed in three management units of Quebec boreal forest, distributed along a longitudinal gradient from west to east: North-of-Quebec (MU1), Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (MU2), and Côte-Nord region (MU3). Coniferous mortality variation was explained by competitive exclusion and wildfires, which are related to climate change. In the studied MU, we found a decrease in coniferous pure occupancy at the landscape scale and an increase in mixed deciduous forests in MU1 and MU2, and an increase in mixed coniferous, mainly black spruce and balsam fir in MU3. On the other hand, for extreme scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), in the absence of broadleaves dispersal, the open woodland occupancy could increase to more than 8, 22, and 10% in MU1, MU2, and MU3 respectively. Also, climate change might increase overall biomass carbon stock two times for RCP2.6 and RCP4.5 scenarios compared to the baseline this may be explained by the extension of the growing season and the reduction of potential cold-temperature injuries. Generally, western regions were more sensitive to climate changes than the eastern regions (MU3), in fact under RCP8.5 biomass carbon stock will be decreasing in the long-term for MU1 compared to the current climate. This study provides a good starting point to support future research on the multiple factors affecting forest C budget under global change.
A cross-tissue transcriptome association study identifies key genes in essential hypertension
Authors: Huang Sihui , Wang Jie , Liu Nannan , Li Ping , Wu Sha , Qi Luming , Xia Lina
Published: February 2023

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) have identified over 1,000 loci associated with blood pressure. However, these loci only explain 6% of heritability. Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) combine GWAS summary data with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) to provide a better approach to finding genes associated with complex traits. GWAS summary data (N = 450,584) for essential hypertension originating from European samples were subjected to Post-GWAS analysis using FUMA software and then combined with eQTL data from Genotype-Tissues Expression Project (GTEx) v8 for TWAS analysis using UTMOST, FUSION software, and then validated the results with SMR. FUMA identified 346 significant genes associated with hypertension, FUSION identified 461, and UTMOST cross-tissue analysis identified 34, of which 5 were common. SMR validation identified 3 key genes: ENPEP, USP38, and KCNK3. In previous GWAS studies on blood pressure regulation, the association of ENPEP and KCNK3 with hypertension has been established, and the association between USP38 and blood pressure regulation still needs further validation.
NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to metals
Authors: Huang Wanyi , Zhang Ziqi , Qiu Yueyang , Gao Yuan , Fan Yongqiang , Wang Qiang , Zhou Qing
Published: February 2023

Implant surgery is followed by a series of inflammatory reactions that directly affect its postoperative results. The inflammasome plays a vital role in the inflammatory response by inducing pyroptosis and producing interleukin-1β, which plays a critical role in inflammation and tissue damage. Therefore, it is essential to study the activation of the inflammasome in the bone healing process after implant surgery. As metals are the primary implant materials, metal-induced local inflammatory reactions have received significant attention, and there has been more and more research on the activation of the NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor protein-3) inflammasome caused by these metals. In this review, we consolidate the basic knowledge on the NLRP3 inflammasome structures, the present knowledge on the mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the studies of metal-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Rickettsia parkeri hijacks tick hemocytes to manipulate cellular and humoral transcriptional responses
Authors: Adegoke Abdulsalam , Ribeiro Jose M. C. , Brown Sidney , Smith Ryan C. , Karim Shahid
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Blood-feeding arthropods rely on robust cellular and humoral immunity to control pathogen invasion and replication. Tick hemocytes produce factors that can facilitate or suppress microbial infection and pathogenesis. Despite the importance of hemocytes in regulating microbial infection, understanding of their basic biology and molecular mechanisms remains limited.

Methods

Here we combined histomorphology and functional analysis to identify five distinct phagocytic and non-phagocytic hemocyte populations circulating within the Gulf Coast tick Amblyomma maculatum.

Results and discussion

Depletion of phagocytic hemocytes using clodronate liposomes revealed their function in eliminating bacterial infection. We provide the first direct evidence that an intracellular tick-borne pathogen, Rickettsia parkeri, infects phagocytic hemocytes in Am. maculatum to modify tick cellular immune responses. A hemocyte-specific RNA-seq dataset generated from hemocytes isolated from uninfected and R. parkeri-infected partially blood-fed ticks generated ~40,000 differentially regulated transcripts, >11,000 of which were immune genes. Silencing two differentially regulated phagocytic immune marker genes (nimrod B2 and eater-two Drosophila homologs), significantly reduced hemocyte phagocytosis.

Conclusion

Together, these findings represent a significant step forward in understanding how hemocytes regulate microbial homeostasis and vector competence.
Identifying neutrophil-associated subtypes in ulcerative colitis and confirming neutrophils promote colitis-associated colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Chen , Zhang Jiantao , Zhang Yanli , Song Zian , Bian Jing , Yi Huanfa , Ma Zhanchuan
Published: February 2023

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestinal mucosa, the incidence of which has increased worldwide. There is still a lack of clear understanding of the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis that ultimately leads to colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Method

We download UC transcriptome data from the GEO database and pass the limma package in order to identify differentially expressed genes. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to identify potential biological pathways. We identified immune cells associated with UC by CIBERSORT and Weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We used validation cohorts and mouse models to verify the expression of the hub genes and the role of neutrophils.

Result

We identified 65 differentially expressed genes in UC samples and healthy controls. GSEA, KEGG, and GO analyses displayed that DEGs were enriched in immune-related pathways. CIBERSORT analysis revealed increased infiltration of neutrophils in UC tissues. The red module, obtained by WGCNA analysis, was considered to be the most relevant module for neutrophils.Based on neutrophil-associated differentially expressed genes, UC patients were classified into two subtypes of neutrophil infiltration. We discovered that the highly neutrophil-infiltrated subtype B of UC patients had a higher risk of developing CAC. Five genes were identified as biomarkers by searching for DEGs between distinct subtypes. Finally, using the mouse model, we determined the expression of these five genes in the control, DSS, and AOM/DSS groups. The degree of neutrophil infiltration in mice and the percentage of MPO and pSTAT3 expression in neutrophils were analyzed by flow cytometry. In the AOM/DSS model, MPO and pSTAT3 expressions were significantly increased.

Conclusions

These findings suggested neutrophils might promote the conversion of UC into CAC. These findings improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of CAC and provide new and more effective insights into the prevention and treatment of CAC.
Construction of IL-1 signalling pathway correlation model in lung adenocarcinoma and association with immune microenvironment prognosis and immunotherapy: Multi-data validation
Authors: He Ningning , Xi Yong , Yu Dongyue , Yu Chaoqun , Shen Weiyu
Published: February 2023

Numerous studies have confirmed the inextricable link between inflammation and malignancy, which is also involved in developing lung adenocarcinoma, where IL-1 signalling is crucial. However, the predictive role of single gene biomarkers is insufficient, and more accurate prognostic models are needed. We downloaded data related to lung adenocarcinoma patients from the GDC, GEO, TISCH2 and TCGA databases for data analysis, model construction and differential gene expression analysis. The genes of IL-1 signalling-related factors were screened from published papers for subgroup typing and predictive correlation analysis. Five prognostic genes associated with IL-1 signalling were finally identified to construct prognostic prediction models. The K-M curves indicated that the prognostic models had significant predictive efficacy. Further immune infiltration scores showed that IL-1 signalling was mainly associated with enhanced immune cells, drug sensitivity of model genes was analysed using the GDSC database, and correlation of critical memories with cell subpopulation components was observed using single-cell analysis. In conclusion, we propose a predictive model based on IL-1 signalling-related factors, a non-invasive predictive approach for genomic characterisation, in predicting patients’ survival outcomes. The therapeutic response has shown satisfactory and effective performance. More interdisciplinary areas combining medicine and electronics will be explored in the future.