bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGGUNAAN SISTEM MANAJEMEN BIAYA UNTUK PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN STRATEJIK – PELANGGAN
Authors: Fauziyah
Published: March 2024

Sistem activity based costing memberikan gambaran yang lebih akurat dan rinci mengenai keadaan perusahaan, seperti profitabilitas dari produk atau pelanggan perusahaan. Tolok ukur yang dipergunakan sebaiknya dilihat dari tiga sisi yaitu biaya, waktu dan kualitas.  Pada masa lalu, perusahaan hanya berfokus pada standar pengembangan produk dan standar mutu pelayanan. Tetapi pada saat ini banyak produk atau jasa yang  merupakan produk massal yang cocok untuk semua kalangan dan bersertifikasi-umum.  Maka agar mampu berkompetisi dengan pesaing maka saat ini yang lebih dipentingkan adalah servis kepada pelanggan, yang akan mengakibatkan pergesaran dari diferensiasi produk menuju diferensiasi servis kearah differensiai pelanggan micro-segment untuk menghasilkan keuntungan kompetitif. Dalam memprioritaskan pelanggan yang akan dilayani, banyak perusahaan saat ini yang memakai tolok ukur yang berkaitan dengan loyalitas pelanggan, seperti frequency of purchase, recency of purchase, value of purchase, share of purhase dan sebagainya.  Perusahaan-perusahaan tersebut mengasumsikan bahwa pelanggan yang loyal adalah pelanggan yang menguntungkan perusahaan. Bahkan konsep Customer Relationship Management (CRM) mengatakan daripada mencari produk maupun pelanggan baru, lebih baik bagi perusahaan untuk menjalin hubungan yang lebih erat lagi dengan pelanggan yang ada dan berusahan untuk menyediakan  produk atau jasa apapun yang mereka inginkan.  Namun yang menjadi masalah adalah apakah pelanggan yang loyal otomatis merupakan pelanggan yang menguntungkan perusahaan ? Jawabanya adalah tidak selalu, karena bisa saja pelanggan yang loyal justru merupakan pelanggan yang merugikan perusahaan.

         Activity Based Costing membantu perusahaan untuk mengidentifikasikan biaya yang dibutuhkan untuk melayani pelanggan.  Dari hasil perhitungan ABC tersebut akan ditemukan pelanggan yang pelayananya mahal (high-cost to service customer) dan pelanggan yang pelayananya murah (low-cost to serve). Terdapat beberapa cara yang dapat dilakukan perusahaan untuk meningkatkan profitabilitas pelanggan mereka, diantaranya adalah: (1) Memperbaiki proses, (2) Memberikan pilihan kepada pelanggan, (3) Mengelola hubungan dengan pelanggan, (4) Selektip dan disiplin dalam memberikan diskon dan allowance. Menghubungkan profitabilitas pelanggan dengan loyalitas pelanggan akan menghasilkan empat golongan pelanggan, yaitu : (1) Butterflies, (2) True Friends, (3) Strangers, (4) Barnacles.
ANALISIS PENDAPATAN UNTUK MENCAPAI LABA OPERASI DENGAN METODE BREAK EVEN POINT (BEP)
Authors: Diyah Arfiana
Published: March 2024

This study aims to understand and analyze the revenues to achieve operating profit by methods brake even point (BEP). This type of research is descriptive quantitative research, ie operating profit calculation is performed by means of documentation. The data used in this research is quantitative data. Sources of data in this research is secondary data. Secondary data in this study is a proof statement memorandum crop breeders along with the fees.

         According to analysis carried out can conclude that operating profit by using Break Even Point (BEP) achieve profits not so great of proceeds because of various natural factors that can affect the production of sales.
PENGARUH PROMOSI DAN HARGA TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN BATIK AULYA KEDIRI
Authors: Kukuh Harianto
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini merupakan jenis penelitian lapangan (field research). Dalam penelitian ini yang diamati adalah pengaruh promosi dan harga terhadap keputusan pembelian pada Batik Aulya Kediri serta menguji teori dengan pengujian hipotesis apakah diterima atau ditolak.

  Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis pengaruh promosi terhadap keputusan pembelian Batik Aulya Kediri, menganalisis pengaruh harga terhadap keputusan pembelian Batik Aulya Kediri, pengaruh promosi dan harga terhadap keputusan pembelian Batik Aulya Kediri

  Uji yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linier berganda yang menunjukkan hubungan signifikan (R = 0,64) antara promosi dan harga secara bersama – sama terhadap keputusan pembelian. Diperoleh nilai F hitung sebesar18,163 yang lebih besar dari nilai F tabel sebesar 3,18. Nilai R square sebesar 0,421 artinya variabel promosi dan harga dapat menjelaskan variabel keputusan pembelian sebesar 42,1% sedangkan sisanya sebesar 57,9% dijelaskan oleh variabel yang tidak disebutkan dalam penelitian ini.

  Hasil analisa data menunjukkan bahwa promosi dan harga berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian. Sehingga disarankan untuk menambah intensitas dalam promosi dan diperlukan ketepatan dalam penetapan harga yang harus disesuaikan dengan daya beli & kualitas produk.
FLAT DAN SLIDING DALAM PROFITABILITAS BANK
Authors: Dion Yanuarmawan
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this study Analyze and conclude the calculation of flat and sliding using flase

method in bank profitability, Studies at PT. BPR Gunung Ringgit Malang. Data analysis

technique using Interview, directly PT. BPR Gunung Ringgit Malang Credit Section. Sampling

in this research purposive sampling technique is income statement, customer data of flat and

sleding credit, and cash flow statement. Based on the Income Statement in 2015, interest income

with flat interest payment system is Rp. 2,918,666,748 whereas effective sliding interest payment

system is Rp. 2,743,609,937. based on the Income Statement of 2015, interest income with a flat

rate payment system of Rp. 3,780,543,752 while the effective sliding payment system is Rp.

3,540,814,991. the results of the above research from the income statement in 2015 and 2016

shows that PT. BPR Gunung Ringgit Malang greatly benefited from the use of installment

payment system flat. Payments with a flat interest calculation system may be considered

profitable for the bank, it can be seen in the income statement. Payments with the sliding interest

calculation system, the amount of the interest installment will decrease according to the loan

balance, except on the type of loan that is repayable at the end of the loan term.
Advances in understanding the reproductive toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in women
Authors: Wang Jinguang , Zhao Chunwu , Feng Jie , Sun Pingping , Zhang Yuhua , Han Ailing , Zhang Yuemin , Ma Huagang
Published: March 2024

Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in disorders of the female reproductive system, accompanied by a rise in adverse pregnancy outcomes. This trend is increasingly being linked to environmental pollution, particularly through the lens of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). These external agents disrupt natural processes of hormones, including synthesis, metabolism, secretion, transport, binding, as well as elimination. These disruptions can significantly impair human reproductive functions. A wealth of animal studies and epidemiological research indicates that exposure to toxic environmental factors can interfere with the endocrine system’s normal functioning, resulting in negative reproductive outcomes. However, the mechanisms of these adverse effects are largely unknown. This work reviews the reproductive toxicity of five major environmental EDCs—Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates (PAEs), Triclocarban Triclosan and Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)—to lay a foundational theoretical basis for further toxicological study of EDCs. Additionally, it aims to spark advancements in the prevention and treatment of female reproductive toxicity caused by these chemicals.
A minireview on covalent organic frameworks as stationary phases in chromatography
Authors: Gavara Raquel , Royuela Sergio , Zamora Félix
Published: March 2024

Advances in the design of novel porous materials open new avenues for the development of chromatographic solid stationary phases. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising candidates in this context due to their remarkable structural versatility and exceptional chemical and textural properties. In this minireview, we summarize the main strategies followed in recent years to apply these materials as stationary phases for chromatographic separations. We also comment on the perspectives of this new research field and potential directions to expand the applicability and implementation of COF stationary phases in analytical systems.
Dyslexia in higher education – teacher’s perspective: scoping review
Authors: Černickaja Karin , Sokolová Lenka
Published: March 2024

The experience of dyslexic students is influenced by the beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of their teachers at all levels of education, including the university. The purpose of this review is to explore the empirical knowledge of dyslexic university students from the point of view of their teachers. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 12 studies (out of the 771 retrieved from 5 main relevant databases) met the inclusion criteria. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the included studies. Three main themes were identified: dyslexia = gray area; “inclusive university”; and practical training is necessary. In conclusion, awareness of dyslexia among university teachers is sufficient, and their attitudes toward dyslexic students are mostly positive, while expressing some concerns, which would deserve closer examination directly in practice. Higher education teachers would appreciate practical training to acquire skills to work with students with dyslexia. These trainings have the potential to increase the self-efficacy of teachers and thus overall support the well-being not only of teachers but also of dyslexic students. This study advances the existing literature on dyslexia in higher education by adding the point of view of higher education teachers. Based on the results of this study, it is clear that universities should provide more support to their teaching staff, including guidance and practical training, so that their courses could become inclusive and welcoming for all students (including students with dyslexia).
Association of circulating inflammatory proteins with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liang Ying-Chao , Jia Ming-Jie , Li Ling , Liu De-Liang , Chu Shu-Fang , Li Hui-Lin
Published: March 2024

Background

Increasing evidence indicates that immune response underlies the pathology of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Nevertheless, the specific inflammatory regulators involved in this pathogenesis remain unclear.

Methods

We systematically explored circulating inflammatory proteins that are causally associated with T2D via a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study and further investigated them in prevalent complications of T2D. Genetic instruments for 91 circulating inflammatory proteins were derived from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that enrolled 14,824 predominantly European participants. Regarding the summary-level GWASs of type 2 diabetes, we adopted the largest meta-analysis of European population (74,124 cases vs. 824,006 controls) and a prospective nested case-cohort study in Europe (9,978 cases vs. 12,348 controls). Summary statistics for five complications of T2D were acquired from the FinnGen R9 repository. The inverse variance-weighted method was applied as the primary method for causal inference. MR-Egger, weighted median and maximum likelihood methods were employed as supplementary analyses. Results from the two T2D studies were combined in a meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses and phenotype-wide association studies (PheWAS) were performed to detect heterogeneity and potential horizontal pleiotropy in the study.

Results

Genetic evidence indicated that elevated levels of TGF-α (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.15-1.17) and CX3CL1 (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.04-1.63) promoted the occurrence of T2D, and increased concentrations of FGF-21 (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81-0.93) and hGDNF (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.95-0.98) mitigated the risk of developing T2D, while type 2 diabetes did not exert a significant influence on said proteins. Elevated levels of TGF-α were associated with an increased risk of ketoacidosis, neurological complications, and ocular complications in patients with T2D, and increased concentrations of FGF-21 were potentially correlated with a diminished risk of T2D with neurological complications. Higher levels of hGDNF were associated with an increased risk of T2D with peripheral vascular complications, while CX3CL1 did not demonstrate a significant association with T2D complications. Sensitivity analyses and PheWAS further ensure the robustness of our findings.

Conclusion

This study determined four circulating inflammatory proteins that affected the occurrence of T2D, providing opportunities for the early prevention and innovative therapy of type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Evaluating cardiovascular disease risk stratification using multiple-polygenic risk scores and pooled cohort equations: insights from a 17-year longitudinal Korean cohort study
Authors: Park Yi Seul , Jang Hye-Mi , Park Ji Hye , Kim Bong-Jo , Park Hyun-Young , Kim Young Jin
Published: March 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of multi-polygenic risk scores and pooled cohort equations (PCE) for predicting future CVD risks in the Korean population. In this longitudinal study, 7,612 individuals from the Ansan and Ansung cohorts were analyzed over a 17-year follow-up period. The participants were genotyped using the Korea Biobank Array, and quality-controlled genetic data were subjected to imputation analysis. The weighted sum of the PRSs (wPRSsum) was calculated using PRS-CS with summary statistics from myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease, and hypertension genome-wide association studies. The recalibrated PCE was used to assess clinical risk, and the participants were stratified into risk groups based on the wPRSsum and PCE. Associations between these risk scores and incident CVD were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier analysis. The wPRSsum approach showed a significant association with incident CVD (HR = 1.15, p = 7.49 × 10−5), and the top 20% high-risk genetic group had an HR of 1.50 (p = 5.04 × 10−4). The recalibrated PCE effectively differentiated between the low and high 10-year CVD risk groups, with a marked difference in survival rates. The predictive models constructed using the wPRSsum and PCE demonstrated a slight improvement in prediction accuracy, particularly among males aged <55 years (C-index = 0.640). We demonstrated that while the integration of wPRSsum with PCE did not significantly outperform the PCE-only model (C-index: 0.703 for combined and 0.704 for PCE-only), it provided enhanced stratification of CVD risk. The highest risk group, identified through the combination of high wPRSsum and PCE scores, exhibited an HR of 4.99 for incident CVD (p = 1.45 × 10−15). These findings highlight the potential of integrating genetic risk assessments with traditional clinical tools for effective CVD risk stratification. Although the addition of wPRSsum to the PCE provided a marginal predictive improvement, it proved valuable in identifying high-risk individuals and supporting personalized treatment strategies. This study reinforces the utility of multi-PRS in conjunction with clinical risk assessment tools, paving the way for more tailored approaches for CVD prevention and management in diverse populations.
Programmed cell death-ligand 2: new insights in cancer
Authors: Yang Yukang , Yan Xia , Bai Xueqi , Yang Jiayang , Song Jianbo
Published: March 2024

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, with the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 axis therapy demonstrating significant clinical efficacy across various tumor types. However, it should be noted that this therapy is not universally effective for all PD-L1-positive patients, highlighting the need to expedite research on the second ligand of PD-1, known as Programmed Cell Death Receptor Ligand 2 (PD-L2). As an immune checkpoint molecule, PD-L2 was reported to be associated with patient’s prognosis and plays a pivotal role in cancer cell immune escape. An in-depth understanding of the regulatory process of PD-L2 expression may stratify patients to benefit from anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Our review focuses on exploring PD-L2 expression in different tumors, its correlation with prognosis, regulatory factors, and the interplay between PD-L2 and tumor treatment, which may provide a notable avenue in developing immune combination therapy and improving the clinical efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapies.
Crosstalk between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and short-chain fatty acids in inflammatory bowel disease: key clues toward unraveling the mystery
Authors: Xiao Jinyin , Guo Xiajun , Wang Zhenquan
Published: March 2024

The human intestinal tract constitutes a complex ecosystem, made up of countless gut microbiota, metabolites, and immune cells, with hypoxia being a fundamental environmental characteristic of this ecology. Under normal physiological conditions, a delicate balance exists among these complex “residents”, with disruptions potentially leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The core pathology of IBD features a disrupted intestinal epithelial barrier, alongside evident immune and microecological disturbances. Central to these interconnected networks is hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which is a key regulator in gut cells for adapting to hypoxic conditions and maintaining gut homeostasis. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as pivotal gut metabolites, serve as vital mediators between the host and microbiota, and significantly influence intestinal ecosystem. Recent years have seen a surge in research on the roles and therapeutic potential of HIF-1α and SCFAs in IBD independently, yet reviews on HIF-1α-mediated SCFAs regulation of IBD under hypoxic conditions are scarce. This article summarizes evidence of the interplay and regulatory relationship between SCFAs and HIF-1α in IBD, pivotal for elucidating the disease’s pathogenesis and offering promising therapeutic strategies.
The role of protists, nematodes and mites as natural control agents of sandfly populations
Authors: Vaselek Slavica
Published: March 2024

The Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) are hematophagous insects of immense medical and veterinary importance. Since World War II, the intensive use of chemicals to suppress and control sandfly populations resulted in development of insecticide resistance and resurgence among the sandfly populations worldwide. The use of chemicals also negatively impacted diverse non-target organisms, overall agroecosystem, crop productivity, human health etc. Due to the multiple adverse effects of the chemical compounds, more eco-friendly approaches have been evaluated. The application of entomopathogenic organisms such as nematodes, protists or mites as biocontrol agents has been vastly explored and applied in the field of forestry and agriculture. In comparison, only a little attention was given to blood-sucking insects such as sandflies. This review summarizes the findings related to the detection and use of entomopathogenic protists, nematodes, and mites in the field of biological control of sandflies. It highlights the potential of these organisms to be further explored and used for biocontrol of immature and adult stages of sandflies.
Optical tweezers to measure the elasticity of red blood cells: a tool to study the erythrocyte response to antimalarials
Authors: Dorta Doriana , Padmore Patrick , Correa Ricardo , Pineda Laura , Spadafora Carmenza , Sarmiento-Gómez Erick , Coronado Lorena M.
Published: March 2024

The Plasmodium falciparum parasite infected more than 240 million people and killed around 600,000 patients last year alone. A key aspect of the pathophysiology of P. falciparum is the increased rigidity and adhesiveness of the membrane of infected red blood cells (iRBC). Optical tweezers (OT) have been proposed as a tool to evaluate and screen potential drugs because they can provide valuable information to determine a drug’s mechanism of action. The OT experimental design of this study was used to compare the plasma membrane stiffness of uninfected RBCs (uRBCs) and iRBCs, showing that the iRBCs were four times more rigid. The increased rigidity was more evident in those RBCs infected by the P. falciparum schizont stage. We also characterized the membrane deformability of iRBCs in vitro under the active concentration of common antimalarials on drug-resistant and non-drug-resistant P. falciparum strains. In addition, we also determined that the increased membrane rigidity of uRBCs during P. falciparum infection, known as the bystander effect, is partially reversed by antimalarial drugs. These findings suggest that single-cell mechanical measurements have potential uses in personalized medicine by characterizing the response to malaria treatment.
Integration of spatial justice into navigating the combat on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in ocean and coastal areas
Authors: He Yuru , Li Yan , Li Yanan , Zhu Jiangfeng
Published: March 2024

As a geographical dimension of justice, spatial justice is characterized by the interplay of social justice and heterogeneous spaces, including the ocean. Despite the generous contribution of ocean to humankind, concerns over aquatic spatial justice are disproportionately lacking. Among the core disruptors of ocean justice, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing imposes a major threat to global fisheries governance. The synthesis of spatial analysis and justice perspective can generate new insights to help understand and potentially address IUU fishing. To examine the spatial (in)justices concerning IUU fishing, we first propose a novel tripartite framework that envisions space as a form of opportunity, society and rights to externalize its socio-environmental implications. Then we integrate productive, distributive and consumptive justices to examine the spatial variations of IUU stakeholders along the fish value chain, and use stakeholder analysis to investigate spatial powers and conflicts regarding both a micro scale of fish communities, and a macro scale of states (coastal state, flag state, port state and market state) and supernational players (regional fisheries management organizations and marine protected areas). It is discovered that certain regions provide greater spatial benefits that stimulate IUU behaviors; IUU misconducts cause spatial differentiation and spatial deprivation that disrupt social orders in fish communities; space can empower stakeholders’ inclusive and proper engagement into the place-based management process against IUU fishing. Since the spatialized vision has been increasingly highlighted in marine fisheries management, it is suggested to intervene in the world ocean by leveraging spatial knowledge, managing spatial conflicts and facilitating spatial action, in order to promote spatial justice and better combat IUU fishing globally.
Pollen and spore records constrained by millennial prodelta evolution: a case study of the Huanghe (Yellow River) delta
Authors: Hu Weifen , Liu Shihao , Liu Yan , Feng Aiping , Feng Wei , Wang Xiuhang , Chen Shenliang
Published: March 2024

Pollen and spore records in prodeltaic sediments hold significant potential for reconstructing paleoecologic and paleoclimatic evolution. However, uncertainties in these reconstructions arise from millennial-scale prodelta evolution, which dominates stratigraphic development and consequently influences sedimentary processes and/or pollen provenance. Here we explore the intricate relationship between pollen/spore records and prodelta stratigraphic evolution, using established seismic stratigraphy and ten sediment cores (five new, five from literature) within both the proximal and distal (mud belt) parts of the Huanghe (Yellow River) prodelta. In the proximal region, dominant lobate stratigraphic development, accompanied by shifts in river mouth and depocenter, leads to variations in pollen assemblages and contents within individual cores and differences in vertical pollen distribution across core sites. Transport distance appears to be a key factor, with arboreal pollens, particularly saccate ones (e.g., Pinus), positively correlating with the distance from the river mouth in their percentages within a single delta lobe, while non-arboreal and non-saccate arboreal pollens show higher percentages within shorter transport distances, despite longer distances leading to decreased total pollen concentrations. Likely due to the total pollen concentration after extended long-distance transport, this pattern is not observable in the distal mud belt. Subsurface stratigraphy in this mud belt reveals a complex pollen provenance characterized by Artemisia-Ulmus-Chenopodiaceae-Pinus, with non-arboreal pollens in dominance. Therein, non-arboreal pollens are not consistent with deposition from long-distance transport, and Ulmus pollens are uncommon in the western Bohai Sea. Interestingly, surface sediments in the mud belt display a different assemblage, characterized by Pinus-Artemisia-Quercus, consistent with the nearby Luanhe River prodelta, suggesting recent pollen supply from nearby sources, possibly due to the recent abandonment of the mud belt. Additionally, an energetic longshore transport/erosional regime reduces pollen content at the mud-belt margins and create pollen sinks (with the highest concentration) in the mud patch (accumulation area) within the erosion-dominated region adjacent to the mud belt. Our findings confirm that stratigraphic evolution, alongside hydrodynamic conditions and pollen provenance, governs pollen assemblages in deltaic/prodeltaic sediments. They can provide insights for palynological and pollen-based paleoclimatic and paleoecologic studies in other deltas.
Semi-active inerters: a review of the literature
Authors: Tran Kim Thach , Jin Shida , Deng Lei , Du Haiping , Nguyen Hung Quoc , Li Weihua
Published: March 2024

The inerter was introduced as a mechanical counterpart to the electrical capacitor, completing the force-current analogy. This is a one-port, two-terminal device in which the equal and opposite forces exerted at its terminals are proportional to the relative acceleration between them. Within this relationship, the “inertance” is the coefficient of proportionality and carries the unit of mass. This implies that the inerter can exert an inertial force at its terminals, effectively representing a virtual mass. Due to these properties, inerters have gained popularity, finding applications as components of vibration control systems and energy harvesters. Derived from passive inerters, semi-active inerters are integrated with active control systems to regulate their inertance. Since their introduction, semi-active inerters have been pivotal in situations demanding active monitoring of natural frequency or control force, generally outperforming their passive counterparts. While numerous significant reviews on passive inerters and their applications have been published in respected journals, dedicated literature reviews on semi-active inerters remain scarce. This review seeks to bridge this gap, offering a comprehensive literature review on semi-active inerters and highlighting research challenges and opportunities. Given the novelty of semi-active inerters, they present a fascinating area of study.
The coordinated activities of collagen VI and XII in maintenance of tissue structure, function and repair: evidence for a physical interaction
Authors: Gregory Carl A. , Ma Jocelyn , Lomeli Sebastian
Published: March 2024

Collagen VI and collagen XII are structurally complex collagens of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Like all collagens, type VI and XII both possess triple-helical components that facilitate participation in the ECM network, but collagen VI and XII are distinct from the more abundant fibrillar collagens in that they also possess arrays of structurally globular modules with the capacity to propagate signaling to attached cells. Cell attachment to collagen VI and XII is known to regulate protective, proliferative or developmental processes through a variety of mechanisms, but a growing body of genetic and biochemical evidence suggests that at least some of these phenomena may be potentiated through mechanisms that require coordinated interaction between the two collagens. For example, genetic studies in humans have identified forms of myopathic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with overlapping phenotypes that result from mutations in either collagen VI or XII, and biochemical and cell-based studies have identified accessory molecules that could form bridging interactions between the two collagens. However, the demonstration of a direct or ternary structural interaction between collagen VI or XII has not yet been reported. This Hypothesis and Theory review article examines the evidence that supports the existence of a functional complex between type VI and XII collagen in the ECM and discusses potential biological implications.
Music emotion recognition based on temporal convolutional attention network using EEG
Authors: Qiao Yinghao , Mu Jiajia , Xie Jialan , Hu Binghui , Liu Guangyuan
Published: March 2024

Music is one of the primary ways to evoke human emotions. However, the feeling of music is subjective, making it difficult to determine which emotions music triggers in a given individual. In order to correctly identify emotional problems caused by different types of music, we first created an electroencephalogram (EEG) data set stimulated by four different types of music (fear, happiness, calm, and sadness). Secondly, the differential entropy features of EEG were extracted, and then the emotion recognition model CNN-SA-BiLSTM was established to extract the temporal features of EEG, and the recognition performance of the model was improved by using the global perception ability of the self-attention mechanism. The effectiveness of the model was further verified by the ablation experiment. The classification accuracy of this method in the valence and arousal dimensions is 93.45% and 96.36%, respectively. By applying our method to a publicly available EEG dataset DEAP, we evaluated the generalization and reliability of our method. In addition, we further investigate the effects of different EEG bands and multi-band combinations on music emotion recognition, and the results confirm relevant neuroscience studies. Compared with other representative music emotion recognition works, this method has better classification performance, and provides a promising framework for the future research of emotion recognition system based on brain computer interface.
Activity quantification and dosimetry in radiopharmaceutical therapy with reference to 177Lutetium
Authors: Ramonaheng Keamogetswe , Qebetu Milani , Ndlovu Honest , Swanepoel Cecile , Smith Liani , Mdanda Sipho , Mdlophane Amanda , Sathekge Mike
Published: March 2024

Radiopharmaceutical therapy has been widely adopted owing primarily to the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals. To fully utilize the potential of these RPTs in the era of precision medicine, therapy must be optimized to the patient's tumor characteristics. The vastly disparate dosimetry methodologies need to be harmonized as the first step towards this. Multiple factors play a crucial role in the shift from empirical activity administration to patient-specific dosimetry-based administrations from RPT. Factors such as variable responses seen in patients with presumably similar clinical characteristics underscore the need to standardize and validate dosimetry calculations. These efforts combined with ongoing initiatives to streamline the dosimetry process facilitate the implementation of radiomolecular precision oncology. However, various challenges hinder the widespread adoption of personalized dosimetry-based activity administration, particularly when compared to the more convenient and resource-efficient approach of empiric activity administration. This review outlines the fundamental principles, procedures, and methodologies related to image activity quantification and dosimetry with a specific focus on 177Lutetium-based radiopharmaceuticals.
Feasibility of an MR-based digital specimen for tongue cancer resection specimens: a novel approach for margin evaluation
Authors: de Koning Klijs Jacob , Dankbaar Jan Willem , de Keizer Bart , Willemsen Koen , van der Toorn Annette , Breimer Gerben Eise , van Es Robert Jelle Johan , de Bree Remco , Noorlag Rob , Philippens Marielle Emile Petronella
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study explores the feasibility of ex-vivo high-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to create digital a three-dimensional (3D) representations of tongue cancer specimens, referred to as the “MR-based digital specimen” (MR-DS). The aim was to create a method to assist surgeons in identifying and localizing inadequate resection margins during surgery, a critical factor in achieving locoregional control.

Methods

Fresh resection specimens of nine tongue cancer patients were imaged in a 7 Tesla small-bore MR, using a high-resolution multislice and 3D T2-weighted Turbo Spin Echo. Two independent radiologists (R1 and R2) outlined the tumor and mucosa on the MR-images whereafter the outlines were configured to an MR-DS. A color map was projected on the MR-DS, mapping the inadequate margins according to R1 and R2. We compared the hematoxylin-eosin-based digital specimen (HE-DS), which is a histopathological 3D representation derived from HE stained sections, with its corresponding MR-images. In line with conventional histopathological assessment, all digital specimens were divided into five anatomical regions (anterior, posterior, craniomedial, caudolateral and deep central). Over- and underestimation 95th-percentile Hausdorff-distances were calculated between the radiologist- and histopathologist-determined tumor outlines. The MR-DS’ diagnostic accuracy for inadequate margin detection (i.e. sensitivity and specificity) was determined in two ways: with conventional histopathology and HE-DS as reference.

Results

Using conventional histopathology as a reference, R1 achieved 77% sensitivity and 50% specificity, while R2 achieved 65% sensitivity and 57% specificity. When referencing to the HE-DS, R1 achieved 94% sensitivity and 61% specificity, while R2 achieved 88% sensitivity and 71% specificity. Range of over- and underestimation 95HD was 0.9 mm - 11.8 mm and 0.0 mm - 5.3 mm, respectively.

Conclusion

This proof of concept for volumetric assessment of resection margins using MR-DSs, demonstrates promising potential for further development. Overall, sensitivity is higher than specificity for inadequate margin detection, because of the radiologist’s tendency to overestimate tumor size.
Therapeutic prospects of nectin-4 in cancer: applications and value
Authors: Li Kaiyue , Zhou Yujing , Zang Maolin , Jin Xin , Li Xin
Published: March 2024

Nectin-4 is a Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like protein that exhibits significantly elevated expression in malignant tumors while maintaining extremely low levels in healthy adult tissues. In recent years, overexpression of Nectin-4 has been implicated in tumor occurrence and development of various cancers, including breast cancer, urothelial cancer, and lung cancer. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved enfortumab vedotin, the first antibody–drug conjugate targeting Nectin-4, for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma. This has emphasized the value of Nectin-4 in tumor targeted therapy and promoted the implementation of more clinical trials of enfortumab vedotin. In addition, many new drugs targeting Nectin-4 for the treatment of malignant tumors have entered clinical trials, with the aim of exploring potential new indications. However, the exact mechanisms by which Nectin-4 affects tumorigenesis and progression are still unclear, and the emergence of drug resistance and treatment-related adverse reactions poses challenges. This article reviews the diagnostic potential, prognostic significance, and molecular role of Nectin-4 in tumors, with a focus on clinical trials in the field of Nectin-4-related tumor treatment and the development of new drugs targeting Nectin-4.
Early life phenobarbital exposure dysregulates the hippocampal transcriptome
Authors: Quinlan Seán , Khan Tahiyana , McFall David , Campos-Rodriguez Carolina , Forcelli Patrick A.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Phenobarbital (PB) and levetiracetam (LEV) are the first-line therapies for neonates with diagnosed seizures, however, a growing body of evidence shows that these drugs given during critical developmental windows trigger lasting molecular changes in the brain. While the targets and mechanism of action of these drugs are well understood-what is not known is how these drugs alter the transcriptomic landscape, and therefore molecular profile/gene expression during these critical windows of neurodevelopment. PB is associated with a range of neurotoxic effects in developing animals, from cell death to altered synaptic development to lasting behavioral impairment. LEV does not produce these effects.

Methods: Here we evaluated the effects of PB and Lev on the hippocampal transcriptome by RNA sequencing. Neonatal rat pups were given a single dose of PB, Lev or vehicle and sacrificed 72 h later-at time at which drug is expected to be cleared.

Results: We found PB induces broad changes in the transcriptomic profile (124 differentially expressed transcripts), as compared to relatively small changes in LEV-treated animals (15 transcripts). PB exposure decreased GABAergic and oligodendrocyte markers pvalb and opalin, and increased the marker of activated microglia, cd68 and the astrocyte- associated gene vegfa. These data are consistent with the existing literature showing developmental neurotoxicity associated with PB, but not LEV.

Discussion: The widespread change in gene expression after PB, which affected transcripts reflective of multiple cell types, may provide a link between acute drug administration and lasting drug toxicity.
Gut microbes combined with metabolomics reveal the protective effects of Qijia Rougan decoction against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Li Xue , Xu Xinyi , Tao Sian , Su Yue , Wen Li , Wang Dong , Liu Jibin , Feng Quansheng
Published: March 2024

Background: The occurrence and development of Hepatic fibrosis (HF) are closely related to the gut microbial composition and alterations in host metabolism. Qijia Rougan decoction (QJ) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound utilized clinically for the treatment of HF with remarkable clinical efficacy. However, its effect on the gut microbiota and metabolite alterations is unknown. Therefore, our objective was to examine the impact of QJ on the gut microbiota and metabolism in Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced HF.

Methods: 40% CCl4 was used to induce HF, followed by QJ administration for 6 weeks. Serum biochemical analyses, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and non-targeted metabolomics techniques were employed in this study to investigate the interventional effects of QJ on a CCl4-induced HF model in rats.

Results: This study demonstrated that QJ could effectively ameliorate CCl4-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, QJ upregulated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (TJPs) and notably altered the abundance of some gut microbes, for example, 10 genera closely associated with HF-related indicators and TJPs. In addition, metabolomics found 37 key metabolites responded to QJ treatment and strongly associated with HF-related indices and TJPs. Furthermore, a tight relation between 10 genera and 37 metabolites was found post correlation analysis. Among them, Turicibacter, Faecalibaculum, Prevotellaceae UCG 001, and unclassified Peptococcaceae may serve as the core gut microbes of QJ that inhibit HF.

Conclusion: These results suggest that QJ ameliorates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, which may be achieved by improving intestinal tight junctions and modulating gut microbiota composition as well as modulating host metabolism.
Deep learning-powered malware detection in cyberspace: a contemporary review
Authors: Redhu Ananya , Choudhary Prince , Srinivasan Kathiravan , Das Tapan Kumar
Published: March 2024

This article explores deep learning models in the field of malware detection in cyberspace, aiming to provide insights into their relevance and contributions. The primary objective of the study is to investigate the practical applications and effectiveness of deep learning models in detecting malware. By carefully analyzing the characteristics of malware samples, these models gain the ability to accurately categorize them into distinct families or types, enabling security researchers to swiftly identify and counter emerging threats. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were used for paper selection and the time range of review study is January 2015 to Dec 2023. In the review, various deep learning models such as Recurrent Neural Networks, Deep Autoencoders, LSTM, Deep Neural Networks, Deep Belief Networks, Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Deep Generative Models, Deep Boltzmann Machines, Deep Reinforcement Learning, Extreme Learning Machine, and others are thoroughly evaluated. It highlights their individual strengths and real-world applications in the domain of malware detection in cyberspace. The review also emphasizes that deep learning algorithms consistently demonstrate exceptional performance, exhibiting high accuracy and low false positive rates in real-world scenarios. Thus, this article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the capabilities and potential of deep learning models in enhancing cybersecurity efforts.
Response of cotton growth, yield, and water and nitrogen use efficiency to nitrogen application rate and ionized brackish water irrigation under film-mulched drip fertigation
Authors: Wei Kai , Wang Quanjiu , Deng Mingjiang , Lin Shudong , Guo Yi
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The presence of brackish water resources is significant in addressing the scarcity of freshwater resources, particularly in the Xinjiang region. Studies focused on reducing adverse effect of brackish water irrigation based on using ionized brackish water, as well as on investigating its effects on fibre and oil plant production processes, remain incipient in the literature. Some benefits of this technique are the optimization of the quality and quantity of irrigation water, economy of water absorbed by the plants, improvement in the vegetative growth and productivity compared to irrigation using conventional brackish water. Thus, the aim of the current study is to assess the effect of different nitrogen application rates on soil water and salinity, cotton growth and water and nitrogen use efficiency.

Methods

The experimental design consisted of completely randomized design with two water types (ionized and non-ionized) and six nitrogen application rates with four replications.

Results

Irrigation conducted with ionized brackish water and different nitrogen application rates had significant effect on the plant height, leaf area index, shoot dry matter, boll number per plant and chlorophyll content. The study also demonstrated significant effects of ionized brackish water on soil water content and soil salinity accumulation. The highest cotton production was achieved with the use of 350 kg·ha-1 of ionized brackish water for irrigation, resulting in an average increase of 11.5% compared to the use of non-ionized brackish water. The nitrogen application exhibits a quadratic relationship with nitrogen agronomic use efficiency and apparent nitrogen use efficiency, while it shows a liner relationship with nitrogen physiological use efficiency and nitrogen partial productivity. After taking into account soil salinity, cotton yield, water and nitrogen use efficiency, the optimal nitrogen application rate for ionized brackish water was determined to be 300 kg·ha-1.

Discussion

It is hoped that this study can contribute to improving water management, reducing the environmental impact without implying great costs for the producer.
Silicon nanoparticles in sustainable agriculture: synthesis, absorption, and plant stress alleviation
Authors: Yan Guochao , Huang Qingying , Zhao Shuaijing , Xu Yunmin , He Yong , Nikolic Miroslav , Nikolic Nina , Liang Yongchao , Zhu Zhujun
Published: March 2024

Silicon (Si) is a widely recognized beneficial element in plants. With the emergence of nanotechnology in agriculture, silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) demonstrate promising applicability in sustainable agriculture. Particularly, the application of SiNPs has proven to be a high-efficiency and cost-effective strategy for protecting plant against various biotic and abiotic stresses such as insect pests, pathogen diseases, metal stress, drought stress, and salt stress. To date, rapid progress has been made in unveiling the multiple functions and related mechanisms of SiNPs in promoting the sustainability of agricultural production in the recent decade, while a comprehensive summary is still lacking. Here, the review provides an up-to-date overview of the synthesis, uptake and translocation, and application of SiNPs in alleviating stresses aiming for the reasonable usage of SiNPs in nano-enabled agriculture. The major points are listed as following: (1) SiNPs can be synthesized by using physical, chemical, and biological (green synthesis) approaches, while green synthesis using agricultural wastes as raw materials is more suitable for large-scale production and recycling agriculture. (2) The uptake and translocation of SiNPs in plants differs significantly from that of Si, which is determined by plant factors and the properties of SiNPs. (3) Under stressful conditions, SiNPs can regulate plant stress acclimation at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels as growth stimulator; as well as deliver pesticides and plant growth regulating chemicals as nanocarrier, thereby enhancing plant growth and yield. (4) Several key issues deserve further investigation including effective approaches of SiNPs synthesis and modification, molecular basis of SiNPs-induced plant stress resistance, and systematic effects of SiNPs on agricultural ecosystem.
Does presenting perpetrator and innocent suspect faces from different facial angles influence the susceptibility of eyewitness memory? An investigation into the misinformation effect and eyewitness misidentification
Authors: Deering Kara , Colloff Melissa F. , Bennett Tia C. , Flowe Heather D.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

This study investigated the effects of face angle congruency across stages of a misinformation paradigm on lineup discrimination accuracy.

Methods

In a between-subjects design, participants viewed a mock crime with the perpetrator’s face from the front or profile angle. They then read a news report featuring an innocent suspect’s image from the same or different angle as the perpetrator had been shown. A subsequent lineup manipulated perpetrator presence and viewing angle of the lineup members, who were all shown either from the front or in profile.

Results

No significant difference emerged in identification errors based on angle congruency between stages. However, accuracy was higher when faces were shown from the front angle, both during the initial event and the lineup, compared to the profile angle.

Discussion

The results of this research underscore the importance of considering viewing angles in the construction of lineups.