bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fuzzy BWM and MARCOS integrated framework with Heronian function for evaluating cryptocurrency exchanges: a case study of Türkiye
Authors: Ecer Fatih , Murat Tolga , Dinçer Hasan , Yüksel Serhat
Published: January 2024

Crypto assets have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their many advantages, such as low transaction costs and investment opportunities. The performance of crypto exchanges is an essential factor in developing crypto assets. Therefore, it is necessary to take adequate measures regarding the reliability, speed, user-friendliness, regulation, and supervision of crypto exchanges. However, each measure to be taken creates extra costs for businesses. Studies are needed to determine the factors that most affect the performance of crypto exchanges. This study develops an integrated framework, i.e., fuzzy best–worst method with the Heronian function—the fuzzy measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution with the Heronian function (FBWM’H–FMARCOS’H), to evaluate cryptocurrency exchanges. In this framework, the fuzzy best–worst method (FBWM) is used to decide the criteria’s importance, fuzzy measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution (FMARCOS) is used to prioritize the alternatives, and the Heronian function is used to aggregate the results. Integrating a modified FBWM and FMARCOS with Heronian functions is particularly appealing for group decision-making under vagueness. Through case studies, some well-known cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Türkiye are assessed based on seven critical factors in the cryptocurrency exchange evaluation process. The main contribution of this study is generating new priority strategies to increase the performance of crypto exchanges with a novel decision-making methodology. “Perception of security,” “reputation,” and “commission rate” are found as the foremost factors in choosing an appropriate cryptocurrency exchange for investment. Further, the best score is achieved by Coinbase, followed by Binance. The solidity and flexibility of the methodology are also supported by sensitivity and comparative analyses. The findings may pave the way for investors to take appropriate actions without incurring high costs.
Redefining doubt in cases of uncertainty: an analysis of the 2023 US DoD Law of War Manual revision to the presumption of civilian status in armed conflict
Authors: van Coller Arthur
Published: January 2024

The third edition of the United States (US) Department of Defense Law of War Manual, updated in December 2016 (2015 DoD Manual) states that “[u]nder customary international law, no legal presumption of civilian status exists for persons or objects”. The 2015 Manual received general support from military circles, but some experts believed that rejecting the customary international law (CIL) status of the presumption of civilian status in instances of doubt was an apparent mistake or important error. The 2023 US DoD Law of War Manual (2023 Manual) has now been promulgated with a revision to the doubt rule. Doubt regarding the character of persons or the nature of dedicated civilian objects results in a “presumption” of civilian status “unless the information available indicates that the persons or objects are military objectives”. The 2023 Manual attracted criticism, with some experts, especially those with military experience, arguing that it is counterproductive to incorporate exponentially legalistic or complex, nuanced judgements about status determinations, presumptions and the sufficiency of rebuttal evidence in practical matters such as targeting decisions. The article evaluates the substance and implications of the revision to the doubt rule in the 2023 Manual. The article further considers whether the doubt rule regarding the civilian character of persons and the nature of certain objects has acquired customary international humanitarian law status. Ultimately, the article concludes that is not realistic to include a presumption for application in targeting decisions due to the complexities of applying legalistic concepts during armed conflict.
Applicability of deep learning for blood pressure estimation during hemodialysis based on facial images
Authors: Oiwa Kosuke , Suzuki Satoshi , Maeda Yoshitaka , Jinnai Hikohiro
Published: January 2024

Back ground

In hemodialysis, hypotension occurs due to dehydration and solute removal. Conventional blood pressure monitoring during dialysis is intermittent and relies on staff experience and intuition to predict patient blood pressure trends based on the amount of water removed on the day and previous trends, which requires hemodialysis operations that do not lead to hypotension. Our research group has attempted to estimate blood pressure based on the spatial features of facial visible images, including information on facial color, and facial infrared images, including information on skin temperature. It is expected to realize early detection of blood pressure decrease during treatment if the blood pressure of dialysis patients can be estimated from their facial visible and infrared images measured continuously and remotely. In this study, we verified the applicability of deep learning algorithms in blood pressure estimation based on facial visible and infrared images of hemodialysis patients.

Methods

Measured facial visible and infrared images and mean blood pressure (MBP) of hemodialysis patients were applied to a convolutional neural network to construct an MBP estimation model based on the spatial features of the facial images.

Results

Average blood pressure could be estimated with an error of less than 20 mmHg based on the spatial features of the facial images, and the blood pressure estimation accuracy based on the spatial features of the facial infrared images was higher than that of the facial visible images.

Conclusion

We found the possibility of applying the deep learning algorithm to blood pressure estimation based on the spatial features of facial images.

Trial registration This study is not subject to enrollment in a clinical trial due to the absence of both intervention and invasion. The Ethics Review Committee of Jichi Medical University has approved the same interpretation.
Insecticidal activity and possible modes of action of secondary metabolites of some fungal strains and wild plants as natural pesticides against Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Abdullah Reda R. H. , Abd El-Wahab A. H. , Abd El-Salam Samira A.
Published: January 2024

Background

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is an invasive and destructive pest to certain strategic crops, especially maize in Egypt. This research was conducted mainly to obtain secondary metabolites from some wild plants and fungal strains, use them in controlling FAW, and investigate their mode of action.

Results

The ethyl acetate extracts of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Verticillium lecanii, as well as the alkaloid extracts of Ricinus communis and Nicotiana glauca, were extracted to obtain their secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolite contents were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and NMR. The toxicity of all extracts against the 3rd-instar larvae of FAW was evaluated. The possible mode of action of the extracts was studied via their effects on larval enzyme activities and larval tissue. The toxicity results illustrated that, the extract of C. cladosporioides was more effective with LC50 229 ppm, followed by the extract of V. lecanii with LC50 341 ppm and N. glauca with LC50 404 ppm, while the least effective extract was R. communis with LC50 1110 ppm after 72 h of treatment. While, the results of larval enzyme activities showed that C. cladosporioides, V. lecanii, and R. communis extracts led to significant activity of AST, ALT, ACP, and ALP enzymes, but GST and AchE were inhibited in treated larvae compared with control. While N. glauca alkaloid extract caused significant inhibition of AST, ALT, ACP, AchE, and GST enzymes, ALP was activated in the treated larvae compared with control. The results of larval tissue slides indicated that the most affected tissues were the cuticle layer and the membrane lining of the midgut, in addition to the fatty bodies.

Conclusion

Thus, natural pesticides would have a promising role in terms of controlling the FAW and according to this study, it was recommended that, alkaloid extracts of tested wild plants and ethyl acetate extracts of fungal strains be used as natural pesticides to control the fall armyworm, S. frugiperda.
Understanding post-pandemic spatiotemporal differences in the recovery of metro travel behavior among different groups by considering the built environment
Authors: Peng Jiandong , Luo Xue , Guo Shiyi , Hu Yiwen , Dai Qi , Yang Hong
Published: January 2024

Numerous studies have substantiated the substantial impact of COVID-19 on metro travel, which is expected to gradually recover once the pandemic is controlled. Given the potentially more severe repercussions of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups like the elderly and people with disabilities, recovery patterns may differ significantly among various demographic segments. However, limited research has addressed this notable disparity. To address this gap, we collected metro travel data in Wuhan from March 2019 to April 2021. We analyzed changes in travel characteristics among different groups, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, commuters, school students, and others, before and after the pandemic. By employing interrupted time series analysis, we explored the short-term impact of the pandemic on different groups and their long-term recovery trajectories. We also investigated the factors influencing the recovery of metro travel among diverse demographic groups. The findings indicate the following: (1) All groups experienced a sharp decline in travel ridership and frequency in the short term due to the pandemic. (2) There are distinct variations in long-term ridership recovery among different groups, with commuters and school students showing the quickest recovery. However, ridership among people with disabilities remained below pre-pandemic levels even a year after the pandemic. (3) Given the inherent spatiotemporal regularity in residents’ daily activities, post-pandemic metro travel patterns closely align with the pre-pandemic patterns. (4) Different built environment factors exert varying degrees of influence on the recovery of metro ridership among different groups, and distinctions are evident between weekdays and weekends. These findings enhance our comprehension of the pandemic’s impact on diverse demographic groups, which can guide government agencies and urban planners in formulating more resilient strategies for rail transit operations and land use optimization.
Acute Exercise Increases GDF15 and Unfolded Protein Response/Integrated Stress Response in Muscle in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sabaratnam Rugivan , Kristensen Jonas M , Pedersen Andreas J T , Kruse Rikke , Handberg Aase , Wojtaszewski Jørgen F P , Højlund Kurt
Published: January 2024

Context

Regular exercise is a key prevention strategy for obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Exerkines secreted in response to exercise or recovery may contribute to improved systemic metabolism. Conversely, an impaired exerkine response to exercise and recovery may contribute to cardiometabolic diseases.

Objective

We investigated if the exercise-induced regulation of the exerkine, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and its putative upstream regulators of the unfolded protein response (UPR)/integrated stress response (ISR) is impaired in skeletal muscle in patients with T2D compared with weight-matched glucose-tolerant men.

Methods

Thirteen male patients with T2D and 14 age- and weight-matched overweight/obese glucose-tolerant men exercised at 70% of VO2max for 1 hour. Blood and skeletal muscle biopsies were sampled before, immediately after, and 3 hours into recovery. Serum and muscle transcript levels of GDF15 and key markers of UPR/ISR were determined. Additionally, protein/phosphorylation levels of key regulators in UPR/ISR were investigated.

Results

Acute exercise increased muscle gene expression and serum GDF15 levels in both groups. In recovery, muscle expression of GDF15 decreased toward baseline, whereas serum GDF15 remained elevated. In both groups, acute exercise increased the expression of UPR/ISR markers, including ATF4, CHOP, EIF2K3 (encoding PERK), and PPP1R15A (encoding GADD34), of which only CHOP remained elevated 3 hours into recovery. Downstream molecules of the UPR/ISR including XBP1-U, XBP1-S, and EDEM1 were increased with exercise and 3 hours into recovery in both groups. The phosphorylation levels of eIF2α-Ser51, a common marker of unfolded protein response (UPR) and ISR, increased immediately after exercise in controls, but decreased 3 hours into recovery in both groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exercise-induced regulation of GDF15 and key markers of UPR/ISR are not compromised in patients with T2D compared with weight-matched controls.
The Lipoprotein Profile Evaluated by 1H-NMR Improves the Performance of Genetic Testing in Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Ibarretxe Daiana , Llop Dídac , Rodríguez-Borjabad Cèlia , Andreychuk Natalia , Plana Núria , Scicali Roberto , González-Lleó Ana , Amigó Núria , Girona Josefa , Masana Lluís
Published: January 2024

Background

The familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) diagnosis is based on clinical and genetic criteria. A relevant proportion of FH patients fulfilling the criteria for definite FH have negative genetic testing. Increasing the identification of true genetic-based FH is a clinical challenge. Deepening the analysis of lipoprotein alterations could help increase the yield of genetic testing. We evaluated whether the number, size, and composition of lipoproteins assessed by 1H-NMR could increase the identification of FH patients with pathogenic gene variants.

Methods

We studied 294 clinically definite FH patients, 222 (75.5%) with positive genetic testing, as the discovery cohort. As an external validation cohort, we studied 88 children with FH, 72 (81%) with positive genetic testing. The advanced lipoprotein test based on 1H-NMR (Liposcale®) was performed at baseline after a lipid-lowering drug washout of at least 6 weeks. The association of variables with genetic variants was evaluated by random forest and logistic regression. Areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated. A predictive formula was developed and applied to the validation cohort.

Results

A formula derived from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lipoprotein analyses improved the identification of genetically positive FH patients beyond low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels (AUC = 0.87). The parameters contributing the most to the identification formula were LDL particle number, high-density lipoprotein size, and remnant cholesterol. The formula also increases the classification of FH children with a pathogenic genetic variation.

Conclusion

NMR lipoprotein profile analysis identifies differences beyond standard lipid parameters that help identify FH with a positive pathogenic gene variant, increasing the yield of genetic testing in FH patients.
FGF21 Induces Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Increases Amino Acids in Female Mice: A Potential Role for Glucocorticoids
Authors: Larson Karlton R , Jayakrishnan Devi , Soto Sauza Karla A , Goodson Michael L , Chaffin Aki T , Davidyan Arik , Pathak Suraj , Fang Yanbin , Gonzalez Magaña Diego , Miller Benjamin F , Ryan Karen K
Published: January 2024

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) is an intercellular signaling molecule secreted by metabolic organs, including skeletal muscle, in response to intracellular stress. FGF21 crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts via the nervous system to coordinate aspects of the adaptive starvation response, including increased lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Given its beneficial effects for hepatic lipid metabolism, pharmaceutical FGF21 analogues are used in clinical trials treatment of fatty liver disease. We predicted pharmacologic treatment with FGF21 increases HPA axis activity and skeletal muscle glucocorticoid signaling and induces skeletal muscle atrophy in mice. Here we found a short course of systemic FGF21 treatment decreased muscle protein synthesis and reduced tibialis anterior weight; this was driven primarily by its effect in female mice. Similarly, intracerebroventricular FGF21 reduced tibialis anterior muscle fiber cross-sectional area; this was more apparent among female mice than male littermates. In agreement with the reduced muscle mass, the topmost enriched metabolic pathways in plasma collected from FGF21-treated females were related to amino acid metabolism, and the relative abundance of plasma proteinogenic amino acids was increased up to 3-fold. FGF21 treatment increased hypothalamic Crh mRNA, plasma corticosterone, and adrenal weight, and increased expression of glucocorticoid receptor target genes known to reduce muscle protein synthesis and/or promote degradation. Given the proposed use of FGF21 analogues for the treatment of metabolic disease, the study is both physiologically relevant and may have important clinical implications.
The 20-Year Diagnostic Odyssey of a Milder Form of Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis
Authors: Guay Simon-Pierre , Paquette Martine , Poulin Valérie , Levtova Alina , Baass Alexis , Bernard Sophie
Published: January 2024

Tendinous xanthomas are usually a sign of genetic dyslipidemias and are said to be pathognomonic for familial hypercholesterolemia. However, the differential diagnosis must also include rarer forms of genetic dyslipidemias such as cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). In this report, we present the diagnostic odyssey of a French-Canadian patient presenting with Achilles tendon xanthomas and an unusual mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Comprehensive biochemical and genetic investigations confirmed the diagnosis of CTX, 20 years after the onset of her first symptoms. We also describe a new variant in the CYP27A1 gene associated with this atypical case and expand the clinical phenotype of this rare genetic condition. CTX is thought to be underdiagnosed, and early diagnosis and treatment of this disease is essential as it has been shown to greatly improve the patient's symptoms and prognosis.
Social and Metabolic Characteristics Associated With Multiple DKA Admissions at a Large County Hospital
Authors: Peedikayil Josh , Reddy Shrenika , Nair Rohit , Gunasekaran Uma , Nelson Carolyn , Shakoor Musa , Ahmad Zahid
Published: January 2024

Context

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a preventable, deadly, and costly complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Some individuals with T1DM have recurrent DKA admissions.

Objective

We sought to characterize social factors that differ between patients with single vs multiple DKA admissions at an urban, safety-net hospital.

Methods

We queried the electronic health records for T1DM patients admitted for DKA from 2019 to 2021. Admission laboratory values, demographic information, and detailed social histories were collected and analyzed statistically, including logistical regression.

Results

A total of 243 patients were admitted for DKA, 64 of whom had multiple DKA admissions. There was no significant difference between the groups in their admission laboratory values, hospital length of stay, health-care payer status, history of homelessness, current employment, living alone, independence of activities of daily living, and barriers to discharge. T1DM patients with multiple DKA admissions had greater rates of substance use disorder (33.0% vs 60.9%; P < .001), especially with cannabis (6.7% vs 25.0%; P < .001), tobacco (26.3% vs 46.3%; P = .002), and psychoactive substance use (1.1% vs 6.3%; P = .043). Regression models of substance use showed increased risk with any substance use (odds ratio [CI] 3.17 [1.78-5.73]; P < .001) and cannabis (3.70 [1.55-8.83]; P = .003).

Conclusion

We identified substance use as a possible predictor of T1DM patients at risk for multiple DKA admissions. Our findings identify a group of T1DM patients for whom interventions may help to decrease recurrence of DKA episodes within similar community hospital populations.
Phenotype of Parathyroid-targeted Cdc73 Deletion in Mice Is Strain-dependent
Authors: Costa-Guda Jessica , Cohen Sarah T , Romano Robert , Acostamadiedo Jennifer , Clark Kevin , Bellizzi Justin , Arnold Andrew
Published: January 2024

Hyperparathyroidism jaw-tumor syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the CDC73/HRPT2 tumor suppressor gene, encoding parafibromin, and manifesting benign or malignant parathyroid tumors, ossifying jaw fibromas, uterine tumors, and kidney lesions. Sporadic parathyroid carcinomas also frequently exhibit inactivating CDC73 mutations and loss of parafibromin. To study the role of CDC73 in parathyroid cell proliferation in vivo, we generated mice with a parathyroid-specific deletion of Cdc73. Homozygous knockout mice on a mixed B6/129/CD1 background had decreased serum calcium and PTH and smaller parathyroid glands compared with heterozygous or wild-type littermates, whereas homozygous Cdc73-null mice on other backgrounds exhibited no abnormalities in parathyroid gland function or development. No hypercalcemia or parathyroid hypercellularity was observed in mice of any background examined at any age. Thus, although postnatally acquired complete loss of CDC73 causes parathyroid cell proliferation and hyperparathyroidism, such as seen in human hyperparathyroidism jaw-tumor syndrome, our results suggest that earlier, developmentally imposed complete loss of Cdc73 can cause a primary defect in parathyroid gland structure/function in a strain-dependent manner. This striking disparity in parathyroid phenotype related to genetic background offers a unique opportunity in an in vivo model system to precisely dissect and identify the responsible molecular mechanisms.
Mitral valve prolapse syndrome
Authors: Sanecki Miłosz , Jurasz Karolina , Podgórska Dominika , Tomczyk Karolina , Chojnacka Natalia , Rzeska Ewa , Klarycki Jakub , Cymer Radosław
Published: January 2024

Mitral valve prolapse is a common valvular defect. In its overt clinical form, the condition known as mitral valve leaflet prolapse syndrome, or also known as Barlow's syndrome or flaccid valve syndrome, is a significant clinical problem, worsening the quality of life of patients, and in its severe forms is a risk factor for diseases such as congestive heart failure, endocarditis or cardiac arrhythmias, or even lead to death from sudden cardiac death.  
The development of methods, as well as the increasing general availability of echocardiography methods, makes a specific diagnosis early enough to allow the right treatment strategy to be chosen. 
Thanks to reliable reports in recent years, it has been possible to identify a group of patients whose cardiovascular risk predisposes them to a more severe course of the disease and thus these patients require special observation and attention in the process of diagnosis and treatment. 
Recent years have allowed the development of a new method of interventional treatment in patients burdened with multimorbidity for whom conventional surgery would be associated with a significant risk of worsening of the general condition.
Anemia amongst patients with heart failure - a review
Authors: Burek Dawid , Paszkowska Aleksandra , Kujawa Aleksandra , Matuszewska Urszula , Nykowska Aleksandra , Beutler Katarzyna , Bijata Bartosz
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Anemia and iron deficiency are common comorbidities in population with heart failure. Their association with unfavorable prognostic outcomes and diminished quality of life underscores the imperative need for accurate diagnosis and efficacious treatment interventions. In recent years numerous treatment options have been explored in clinical trials, aimed at addressing the multifaced aspects of these concurrent conditions.

Summary

In patients with heart failure effective treatment of anemia and iron deficiency has demonstrated enhancements in quality of life and exercise capacity. Findings from IRONMAN clinical study have prompted revisions in the latest guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology. The imminent release of results from two ongoing trials holds the potential to reshape the therapeutic landscape for treating individuals with heart failure and iron deficiency. Nevertheless, there is no explicit evidence that studied interventions could improve morbidity or risk of hospitalizations.
Rhinophyma - the end-stage of rosacea
Authors: Stencel Katarzyna , Stelmaszak Karina , Wojtasik Monika , Ogiegło-Kowalczyk Aleksandra , Samborska Julia , Więckowiak Paweł , Głodzik Michał , Miśkiewicz Marek , Łęcka Martyna , Żak Katarzyna
Published: January 2024

Rhinophyma is defined as a progressive, deforming, nodular enlargement of the sebaceous glands caused by hypertrophy of the sebaceous follicles. It is assumed to be the final phase of chronic rosacea occurring mainly in Caucasian men. This disease negatively affects the quality of life of patients due to decreased self-esteem and depressive disorders. Nasal deformation by narrowing the nostrils impairs the physical performance of patients and even leads to the development of sleep apnea. Treatment is mainly based on surgery to remove pathological tissue. The literature also provides the possibility of therapy using ablative techniques and laser therapy.
International nurse collaborations to improve cardiometabolic health: a professional visit report
Authors: Richardson Janice
Published: January 2024

Janice Richardson describes her professional visit to the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait to provide support for a collaborative research project, known as KUDOS, exploring the relationship between excess liver fat and diabetes in different age groups.
Chinese Consumers’ Attitudes Toward Certified Wood Products
Authors: Liu Lijun , Sun Xiufang , Hammett A. L.
Published: January 2024

While environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been active in China in promoting forest certification, Chinese consumers’ perceptions of certified wood products in the marketplace are unclear. A survey focused on consumers’ wood-product consumption patterns was conducted in three cities—Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai—from July to August 2015. This study used data from the survey to assess urban Chinese consumers’ attitudes toward certified wood products and the demographic differences affecting these attitudes. Regression analysis was conducted to test whether consumers’ social-economic characteristics link with their attitudes toward certified wood. We found mixed correlations between these consumers’ attitudes and their demographics and positive correlations between their attitudes and exposure to environmental campaigns and environmental education. The results from this study will improve the understanding of Chinese consumers’ attitudes toward certified wood products and help producers and marketers better understand the market potential for certified products and more efficiently meet consumers’ needs. This study will also help NGOs interested in conservation to develop their future programs in China.
A scientometric analysis of fairness in health AI literature
Authors: Alberto Isabelle Rose I. , Alberto Nicole Rose I. , Altinel Yuksel , Blacker Sarah , Binotti William Warr , Celi Leo Anthony , Chua Tiffany , Fiske Amelia , Griffin Molly , Karaca Gulce , Mokolo Nkiruka , Naawu David Kojo N , Patscheider Jonathan , Petushkov Anton , Quion Justin Michael , Senteio Charles , Taisbak Simon , Tırnova İsmail , Tokashiki Harumi , Velasquez Adrian , Yaghy Antonio , Yap Keagan
Published: January 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are central components of today’s medical environment. The fairness of AI, i.e. the ability of AI to be free from bias, has repeatedly come into question. This study investigates the diversity of members of academia whose scholarship poses questions about the fairness of AI. The articles that combine the topics of fairness, artificial intelligence, and medicine were selected from Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Embase using keywords. Eligibility and data extraction from the articles were done manually and cross-checked by another author for accuracy. Articles were selected for further analysis, cleaned, and organized in Microsoft Excel; spatial diagrams were generated using Public Tableau. Additional graphs were generated using Matplotlib and Seaborn. Linear and logistic regressions were conducted using Python to measure the relationship between funding status, number of citations, and the gender demographics of the authorship team. We identified 375 eligible publications, including research and review articles concerning AI and fairness in healthcare. Analysis of the bibliographic data revealed that there is an overrepresentation of authors that are white, male, and are from high-income countries, especially in the roles of first and last author. Additionally, analysis showed that papers whose authors are based in higher-income countries were more likely to be cited more often and published in higher impact journals. These findings highlight the lack of diversity among the authors in the AI fairness community whose work gains the largest readership, potentially compromising the very impartiality that the AI fairness community is working towards.
The Behavioral Analysis of Media Social Utilization and Its Implications on the Adolescent Based on an Islamic Perspective
Authors: Nafisah Syifaun
Published: January 2024

Social media users show a number that continues to grow. The use of social media has both positive and negative impacts. According to various studies, social media can affect mental health for long-term use. For this reason, research on the effects that arise due to the use of social media needs to be carried out continuously to minimize the harmful effects of using this media. This study aims to determine the impact of social media on changes in adolescent behavior. This study analyzes changes in adolescent behavior based on patterns of access to information. Furthermore, this study investigates the practice of adolescents in accessing and using information sources using Burhuss Skinner's theory and Social Islamic perspective. The results showed that adolescents tend to imitate behavior or Tasyabbuh. If it is not balanced with adequate literacy skills, changes in adolescent behavior have a destructive tendency. Study results show this harmful effect, which offers a negative correlation. Assistance and improvement of adolescent literacy competence will help adolescents reduce the adverse effects of using technology.
Defending Islam Action and Its Impact on the Local Islamic Conservatism Movement in West Sumatra
Authors: Zulfadli Zulfadli
Published: January 2024

The massive demonstrations as part of the Defending Islam Action against Ahok in 2016 have had a broad impact on the dynamics of contemporary Indonesian politics. The event has not only created socio-political polarization in society but also seeped into local political dynamics in West Sumatra. So far, most studies have focused on the motives and causal factors of the Islamic defense action with its various implications, but there are still few studies that explain the influence of this action on the local Islamic conservatism movement in West Sumatra. Specifically, this study answers the question of how the influence of the Defending Islam Action on the local Islamic conservatism movement in West Sumatra after the 212 rally. A deep understanding of the development of Islamic conservatism in the local context can develop theories of Islamic conservatism in explaining the Islamic revival movement in Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative method by interviewing a number of actors of the local Islamic conservatism movement in West Sumatra.  The results of this study show that the transformation of national politics in the issues of the Defending Islam Action has a significant impact on the local Islamic conservatism movement. The national political factor not only affects the local Islamic conservatism movement but also the proliferation of such movements locally, that are active in responding to social, political and religious issues. The national political factor followed by local political decentralization is a political opportunity for local Islamic conservatism groups to carry out conservative Islamic agendas in West Sumatra.
The Synergy of Islam and Local Tradition: A Study of Social Sufism Values Within the Sambelien Tradition in Malangsari, Banyuwangi, Indonesia
Authors: Azisi Ali Mursyid , Syarifudin Syarifudin , Yazid Muhammad Afiq bin Mohd
Published: January 2024

This study delves into the synergy of Islam and local culture, particularly the "sambelien" tradition observed by the Malangsari community. This tradition serves as a poignant expression of welcome for Eid al-Fitr, encapsulating profound social Sufism values. Rooted in the community's collective aspiration for forgiveness and joy during this significant Islamic celebration, sambelien yields substantial social benefits. Employing a qualitative approach with a phenomenological orientation, the researcher conducted a thorough investigation, gathering primary and secondary data. The study draws upon Berger & Luckman's social construction theory, encompassing subjective reality, symbolic reality, and objective reality, as well as the processes of externalization, objectification, and internalization. The article aims to unravel the core values embedded within the sambelien tradition through descriptive exploratory analysis. The findings illuminate the tradition as a cherished practice among rural communities in the Malangsari region, where joint prayers in mosques or langgar symbolize communal celebration. The act of seeking forgiveness from Allah SWT, following the fasting period of Ramadan, underscores the spiritual significance of this tradition. The local community acknowledges the presence of Sufism and social values, viewing the tradition as a reflection of maintaining habl min Allah (connection with God) and habl min al-Nass (connection with others). The values inherent in this tradition align with the realms of insaniyah (humanitarian) and Ilahiyah (divine). By shedding light on the intricate interplay between Islam and local customs, particularly within the context of the sambelien tradition, this study enriches our understanding of the cultural tapestry that defines communities in the Malangsari area and beyond.
Islamist Extremism, Propaganda, And New Media: A Case Study of @Mutiaradabiq During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Suheri Suheri
Published: January 2024

The activities of Islamist extremist actors are increasingly intensive during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which they are progressively active in producing Islamist narratives in cyberspace. Strategic communication is one of the techniques for Islamist extremist groups to perpetuate their influences on society through social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus this research aims to study propaganda as part of strategic communication in Islamist extremist activities during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), primarily through Facebook @MutiaraDabiq. This research considers that strategic communication and propaganda are two interrelated communication entities. This study is qualitative research and uses critical discourse analysis (CDA) as a method of data analysis. This research argues that propaganda on social media worked significantly through verbal and visual discourse uploaded by Islamist extremist actor, who reveals rational connections between language use and social reality. This study found how the existences propaganda of this Facebook account can exist during the COVID-19 pandemic by; first, strategic communication emerges into instrumental propaganda at the @MutiaraDabiq performance, and second, strategic communication flourish in discourse logic at the @MutiaraDabiq account.
Divide et Impera in the Banten Sultanate: The Political Succession of Sultan Haji and VOC's Pepper Monopoly in the 17th and 18th Centuries
Authors: Aziz Mukhamad Rafidah , Prabaswara Sandya Sahisnu
Published: January 2024

Nusantara's spice commodities became one of the determining factors of the global spice trade in the 17th and 18th centuries. There were three types of superior spices produced by the Nusantara such as cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. In the 17th century AD, Banten Sultanate was known as a pepper producer, and its pepper trade significantly influenced the economic and political development of the region. Apart from improving the economy, this commodity was also used to establish diplomatic relations between foreign nations. However, the pepper trade also became one of the factors that caused conflict in the Banten Sultanate. The implementation of the divide et impera strategy by the VOC caused an internal conflict between Sultan Haji and Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. The conflict occurred when Sultan Haji allied with the VOC to succeed his father, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. Sultan Haji made an agreement with the VOC in 1684, allowing the company to monopolize the pepper trade. This research examines this issue by looking at the overall condition of the pepper trade before and after the VOC's presence in the Banten Sultanate and the succession of Sultan Haji through the 1684 pepper trade agreement. This qualitative research uses historical research methods with a political approach. The theory used in this research is political economy theory, which includes understanding power, economic system, and public policy. The historical research method comprises heuristics, verification, interpretation, and historiography stages. The analysis using a political approach reveals the extent to which the Banten Sultanate's pepper trade policy influenced the succession of Sultan Haji and the monopolization of the pepper trade by the VOC.
Ideological Perlocutions of Palestinian and Israeli News on CNN Arabic Instagram (Pragmatic Cyber Study)
Authors: Khairunnisa Annisa
Published: January 2024

The Palestine-Israel conflict has long been a deeply scrutinized subject, with social media playing a pivotal role in amplifying discussions around this complex issue. However, this dominant phenomenon has only been studied in aspects of discourse with a theoretical purpose. The concrete implications seen from perlocutions in the virtual realm have yet to be reviewed related to this phenomenon. Therefore, this research will reveal it with a pragmatic cyber approach. The research data included language features in the narrative of CNN Arabic Instagram posted throughout January 2022-May 2023. Data were collected using simak and sadap techniques and supplemented by descriptive and reflective notes. The data were analyzed with a pragmatic cyber perspective with a padan method correlating the comparison between lingual and extra-lingual elements. The results showed that in 17 posts throughout 2022-2023 with 40 data. 13 data (30%) found perlocutions to attract attention; 11 data (27%) perlocutions to arouse curiosity; 8 data (20%) perlocutions to distract; 5 data (10%) perlocutions to encourage; 2 data (5%) perlocutions to embarrass; and 1 data (2%) perlocution to frighten. This result indicates CNN Arabic's tendency to maintain Israel's image most subtly and tactically possible: to "attract attention".
Mass Rearing of Foliar Nematode Aphlenchoides fragariae on Fungal Culture
Authors: Kurniawati Fitrianingrum , Supramana  , Hidayat Sri Hendrastuti , Tondok Efi Toding , Syafutra Heriyanto
Published: January 2024

Nematoda daun Aphelenchoides fragariae mempunyai inang yang luas dan dapat berperan sebagai parasit tumbuhan maupun pemakan cendawan. Belum ada informasi terkait teknik perbanyakan A. fragariae di Indonesia. Penelitian untuk memperoleh jumlah nematoda A. fragariae yang murni perlu dilakukan untuk mendukung penelitian di masa mendatang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperbanyak A. fragariae menggunakan biakan cendawan pada tiga suhu yang berbeda dan menghitung jumlah nematoda. Biakan cendawan yang digunakan ialah, Alternaria porri, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae, Pythium sp., dan Rhizopus sp. Lima spesies cendawan tersebut diinkubasikan pada tiga suhu. Untuk memperoleh kondisi yang sesuai, biakan cendawan diinkubasi pada tiga suhu yang berbeda. Sebelum ditumbuhkan dalam biakan cendawan, nematoda dicelupkan ke dalam larutan streptomisin sulfat 0.1%, kemudian dicuci menggunakan air steril. Selanjutnya, 20 nematoda steril diinfestasikan pada biakan cendawan berumur 7 hari dan diinkubasi pada suhu 16, 28, dan 37 ℃. Setelah 28 hari, nematoda dipanen dan dihitung jumlahnya. Di antara spesies cendawan yang diuji sebagai media pemeliharaan, biakan terbaik untuk reproduksi A. fragariae ialah Alternaria porri pada suhu 28 ℃,  dengan jumlah nematoda akhir rata-rata hingga 407.8 per cawan petri Pada suhu 37 ℃ A. fragariae gagal bereproduksi di semua biakan cendawan yang diuji. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa di antara ketiga suhu tersebut, yang paling mendukung pertumbuhan dan perkembangan nematoda ialah 16 dan 28 ℃, yang paling tidak mendukung adalah 37 ℃.
Citrus for wellness: Exploring the bioactive properties of Citrus medica fruit peel with emphasis on its anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anthelmintic properties
Authors: Jayaram Saranya , Sarojini Suma , Anand Sriganesh Bangalore , Raj Anto Akil Irudaya , Parakadan Anju , Philip Indhu , Biswas Soma
Published: January 2024

Citrus medica (Citron) is an underutilised plant consisting of various bioactive elements with numerous medicinal benefits. The present study aimed to evaluate the bioactive properties, including anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities, of chloroform extract obtained from the of fruit peel of C. medica. The different types of phytochemicals present in the chloroform extract were analysed using GC-MS. The major components detected included n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, t-tetradecenal, 1-nonadecene etc. Anthelmintic study was conducted using Eisenia fetida as a test organism, revealing a significant anthelmintic effect in the C. medica fruit peel extract compared to the standard drug. Antimicrobial properties were assessed against five test bacterial and fungal strains. Antibacterial tests showed zones of inhibition ranging from 8 to 11 mm, while no prominent zones of inhibition were observed in antifungal tests. The DPPH assay demonstrated significant antioxidant properties of Citron fruit peel extract compared to the standard ascorbic acid. The Chloroform extract of citron fruit peel exhibited significant cytotoxic properties against FaDu (human hypopharyngeal tumour) cell line. The present study indicates the potential of the chloroform extract of C. medica fruit peel to be employed as an anthelmintic, antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer agent. Hence, it emphasises the prominence that can be given to the dietary consumption of citrus fruit peel in various forms, such as dried peel, powder etc.
Confidence Intervals for Private Query Processing
Authors: Sun Dajun , Dong Wei , Yi Ke
Published: January 2024

Whenever randomness is involved in query processing, confidence intervals are commonly returned to the user to indicate the statistical significance of the query answer. However, this problem has not been explicitly addressed under differential privacy, which must use randomness by definition. For some classical mechanisms whose noise distribution does not depend on the input, such as the Laplace and the Gaussian mechanism, deriving confidence intervals is easy. But the problem becomes nontrivial for queries whose global sensitivity is large or unbounded, for which these classical mechanisms cannot be applied. There are three main techniques in the literature for dealing with such queries: the exponential mechanism, the sparse vector technique, and the smooth sensitivity. In this paper, for each of the three techniques we design mechanisms to produce confidence intervals that are (1) differentially private; (2) correct, i.e., the interval contains the true query answer with the specified confidence level; and (3) have a utility guarantee matching that of the original mechanism, up to constant factors. Then we show how to apply our techniques to a variety of problems ranging from simple statistics (e.g., mean, median, maximum) to graph pattern counting and conjunctive queries.
Demystifying Graph Sparsification Algorithms in Graph Properties Preservation
Authors: Chen Yuhan , Ye Haojie , Vedula Sanketh , Bronstein Alex , Dreslinski Ronald , Mudge Trevor , Talati Nishil
Published: January 2024

Graph sparsification is a technique that approximates a given graph by a sparse graph with a subset of vertices and/or edges. The goal of an effective sparsification algorithm is to maintain specific graph properties relevant to the downstream task while minimizing the graph's size. Graph algorithms often suffer from long execution time due to the irregularity and the large real-world graph size. Graph sparsification can be applied to greatly reduce the run time of graph algorithms by substituting the full graph with a much smaller sparsified graph, without significantly degrading the output quality. However, the interaction between numerous sparsifiers and graph properties is not widely explored, and the potential of graph sparsification is not fully understood.

In this work, we cover 16 widely-used graph metrics, 12 representative graph sparsification algorithms, and 14 real-world input graphs spanning various categories, exhibiting diverse characteristics, sizes, and densities. We developed a framework to extensively assess the performance of these sparsification algorithms against graph metrics, and provide insights to the results. Our study shows that there is no one sparsifier that performs the best in preserving all graph properties, e.g. sparsifiers that preserve distance-related graph properties (eccentricity) struggle to perform well on Graph Neural Networks (GNN). This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study evaluating the performance of sparsification algorithms in preserving essential graph metrics. The insights inform future research in incorporating matching graph sparsification to graph algorithms to maximize benefits while minimizing quality degradation. Furthermore, we provide a framework to facilitate the future evaluation of evolving sparsification algorithms, graph metrics, and ever-growing graph data.
GPU Database Systems Characterization and Optimization
Authors: Cao Jiashen , Sen Rathijit , Interlandi Matteo , Arulraj Joy , Kim Hyesoon
Published: January 2024

GPUs offer massive parallelism and high-bandwidth memory access, making them an attractive option for accelerating data analytics in database systems. However, while modern GPUs possess more resources than ever before (e.g., higher DRAM bandwidth), efficient system implementations and judicious resource allocations for query processing are still necessary for optimal performance. Database systems can save GPU runtime costs through just-enough resource allocation or improve query throughput with concurrent query processing by leveraging new GPU resource-allocation capabilities, such as Multi-Instance GPU (MIG).

In this paper, we do a cross-stack performance and resource-utilization analysis of four GPU database systems, including Crystal (the state-of-the-art GPU database, performance-wise) and TQP (the latest entry in the GPU database space). We evaluate the bottlenecks of each system through an in-depth microarchitectural study and identify resource underutilization by leveraging the classic roofline model. Based on the insights gained from our investigation, we propose optimizations for both system implementation and resource allocation, using which we are able to achieve 1.9x lower latency for single-query execution and up to 6.5x throughput improvement for concurrent query execution.