bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of environmental energy efficiency and its influencing factors: a prefecture-level analysis of Japanese manufacturing industries
Authors: Shimizu Masayuki , Tiku Oscar
Published: April 2023

This study evaluates the progress of efficient energy use and the control of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Japan between 1990 and 2012. A new indicator of energy performance is presented called environmental energy efficiency (EEE). The EEE of manufacturing industries was measured by each prefecture in Japan. We estimated the influencing factors of EEE for each industry by applying the pooled mean group (PMG) method. Our findings are as follows: First, the Japanese manufacturing industry has not been in line with the EEE improvement goals since the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. However, the progress of each industry was relatively consistent by region. Second, EEE tends to improve and then deteriorate or monotonically increase as economic development progresses. Third, EEE is raised by expanding industry share. Finally, EEE, which focuses on energy reduction, is likely to increase with the progress of energy-saving technology.
The application of knowledge graphs in the Chinese cultural field: the ancient capital culture of Beijing
Authors: Bai Bing , Hou Wenjun
Published: April 2023

A methodology is proposed to introduce knowledge graphs into the study of the Chinese cultural field for use in a newly designed, complete application. At present, the combination of culture and information technology has become a trend. Among various technologies, knowledge graphs are a very promising option. The contributions of this paper are as follows: it supplies for the first time a knowledge graph in the cultural field of the ancient capital of Beijing, establishes a domain knowledge base, and develops a platform for visual analysis and interactive question and answer. In this process, a framework for applying knowledge graphs to research in the cultural field is summarized, providing ideas for research in the cultural field.
Biomechanical comparison of different suture anchors used in rotator cuff repair surgery–all‐suture anchors are equivalent to other suture anchors: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Yi‐Shiuan , Shih Chien‐An , Fang Ching‐Ju , Huang Tzu‐Teng , Hsu Kai‐Lan , Kuan Fa‐Chuan , Su Wei‐Ren , Hong Chih‐Kai
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Suture anchors are commonly used to repair rotator cuff tendons in arthroscopy surgery, and several anchor materials have been created to maximize pull‐out strength and minimize iatrogenic damage. We hypothesized that all‐suture anchors have biomechanical properties equivalent to those of conventional anchors. Our purpose is to compare the biomechanical properties of different anchors used for rotator cuff repair.

Methods

The Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched for biomechanical studies on various suture anchors. The search keywords included rotator cuff tears and suture anchors, and two authors conducted study a selection, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction. The failure load, stiffness, and displacement were calculated using the mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Failure modes were estimated using summary odds ratios with 95% CIs. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve was used for the relative ranking probabilities. A sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding studies using synthetic bones.

Results

The polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (p < 0.001) and all‐suture anchors (p < 0.001) had higher failure loads than the biocomposite anchors, whereas no significant difference was observed in stiffness among the anchors. The all‐suture (p = 0.006) and biocomposite anchors (p < 0.001) had displacements higher than the metal anchors. The relative ranking of the included anchors in failure loads and displacement changed in sensitivity analysis. The meta‐analysis did not find significant differences, but the relative ranking probabilities suggested that all‐suture anchor had a higher rate of anchor pull‐out and a lower rate of eyelet or suture breakage. In contrast, the metal anchors were associated with a higher number of eyelet breakage episodes.

Conclusions

All‐suture anchors showed significantly higher failure loads than the biocomposite anchors and similar cyclic displacements to the biocomposite and PEEK anchors. There were no significant differences in stiffness between all‐suture and conventional suture anchors. The relative ranking of biomechanical properties changed in sensitivity analysis, suggesting the potential effect of bone marrow density.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Generalized topology and the family of monotonic maps $$\Gamma (X)$$
Authors: Kamel G. A. , Dib K. A.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, interesting properties of the generalized topological spaces, generated by the monotonic maps $$\sigma = (cl_{\delta }\circ int_{\delta }),$$

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Normalızatıon of masseter VEMP and comparıson wıth cervıcal VEMP ın normal ındıvıduals
Authors: Kılınç Ezgi , Gençtürk Ertuğrul , Taşcı Betül , Şerbetçioğlu Mustafa Bülent
Published: April 2023

Objectıve

The objective of this study is to obtain normative data of the masseter vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (mVEMP) test in healthy individuals without hearing loss and dizziness and to compare the responses with the cVEMP test.

Methods

Twenty healthy individuals (10 males and 10 females) aged 20–30 years without auditory and vestibular disorders participated in the study. First, mVEMP and then cVEMP tests were applied to the individuals who voluntarily participated in the study.

Results

Latency values of the air-conducted mVEMP were 15.90 ± 1.68 ms for P1 and 25.86 ± 1.48 ms for N1 and 9.96 ± 1.50 ms for interpeak latencies. P1N1 amplitude value was 97.89 ± 37.34 μV and asymmetry ratio (AR) was 0.13 ± 0.07. The normative data for the mVEMP threshold was found 84 dB nHL. According to the gender difference in mVEMP measurement parameters, the P1 latency of women was found shorter than the P1 latency of men at all stimulus intensities except 90 dB nHL. There was no statistically significant difference between mVEMP and cVEMP test results in all other severity and all parameters except P1 latency at 100 dB and interpeak latency at 100 dB (p > 0.05).

Conclusıon

In conclusion, it was the study findings suggest that obtaining normative data on mVEMP could be used as an auxiliary test in the evaluation of the vestibular and trigeminal pathway and the evaluation of patients with various peripheral and central vestibular disorders.
The relationship between personal and interpersonal mental health experiences and stigma-related outcomes in Hong Kong
Authors: Ng Stephanie , Reidy Hannah , Wong Paul Wai-Ching , Zayts-Spence Olga
Published: April 2023

Background

Previous research indicates that personal mental health experiences (e.g. one's current mental health status) and interpersonal mental health experiences (e.g. one's familiarity with someone with mental illness) are associated with stigma-related outcomes. These outcomes include knowledge, attitudes and desire for social distance from people with mental illness.

Aims

To explore the extent to which current personal mental health status and familiarity with mental illness predict stigma-related outcomes in Hong Kong.

Method

Data were drawn from a larger research project examining mental well-being in Hong Kong citizens. Citizens (N = 1010) aged ≥18 years were surveyed between August and September 2021.

Results

Multiple regression analyses revealed that immediate family and friends showed better attitudinal outcomes and lower desire for social distance compared with people who did not know anyone with mental illness (all β > 1.00, all P < 0.05), whereas people with personal experience of mental illness showed higher prejudicial attitudes compared with people who did not know anyone with mental illness (β = −0.744, P = 0.016). Better current personal mental health predicted lower prejudicial attitudes (β = 0.488, P < 0.001) and mixed outcomes on different realms of mental health knowledge.

Conclusions

Cultural concerns surrounding ‘saving face’ and emphasis on collectivistic values may explain the nonlinear relationship between personal and interpersonal mental health experiences and stigma-related outcomes. Future anti-stigma interventions should tailor their approaches to the needs of people with different levels of familiarity with mental illness and include efforts to support the mental health of the overall population.
Current Trends in the Utilization of Preoperative Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Among Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer
Authors: Pan I-Wen , Yen Tina W.F. , Bedrosian Isabelle , Shih Ya-Chen Tina
Published: April 2023

PURPOSE

The clinical benefit of preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for early-stage breast cancer (BC) remains controversial. We examined trends and the associated factors of preoperative breast MRI use.

METHODS

This study cohort, constructed from Optum Clinformatics database, included women with early-stage BC who had a cancer surgery between March 1, 2008, and December 31, 2020. Preoperative breast MRI was performed between the date of BC diagnosis and index surgery. Multivariable logistic regressions, one for elderly (65 years and older) and the other for non-elderly patients (younger than 65 years), were performed to examine factors associated with the use of preoperative MRI.

RESULTS

Among 92,077 women with early-stage BC, the crude rate of preoperative breast MRI increased from 48% in 2008 to 60% in 2020 for nonelderly and from 27% to 34% for elderly women. For both age groups, non-Hispanic Blacks were less likely (odds ratio [OR]; 95% CI, younger than 65 years: 0.75, 0.70 to 0.81; 65 years and older: 0.77, 0.72 to 0.83) to receive preoperative MRI than non-Hispanic White patients. Across Census divisions, the highest adjusted rate was observed in Mountain division (OR compared with New England; 95% CI, younger than 65 years: 1.45, 1.27 to 1.65; 65 years and older: 2.42, 2.16 to 2.72). Other factors included younger age, fewer comorbidities, family history of BC, axillary node involvement, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for both age groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of preoperative breast MRI has steadily increased. Aside from clinical factors, age, race/ethnicity, and geographic location were associated with preoperative MRI use. This information is important for future implementation or deimplementation strategies of preoperative MRI.
Actively tunable nonreciprocal thermal emitter with SiC grating and anisotropy InAs film
Authors: Tang Qiaoqi , Fan Chunzhen
Published: April 2023

Under the external magnetic field, a novel design consisting of SiC grating on a magneto-optical InAs film is proposed to realize tunable nonreciprocal thermal radiation. In combination with low-loss dielectric InAs, the electric field distribution of the guided resonance broke the time-reversal symmetry and reciprocity. The nonreciprocity demonstrates a blue shift with an increased magnetic field and a perfect emission has been achieved at a low magnetic field of 1 T. The influence of the height, period, and width of gratings as well as the thickness and volume fraction of the SiC film on the performance of nonreciprocal emission are fully examined. Finally, tunable emission with different incident angles is investigated. This work may assist the application of nonreciprocal thermal emitters to convert and store energy within a wide frequency band.
Understanding Vogel-Fulcher–like equilibration times through the partial equilibration scenario
Authors: Shankaraiah N. , Murthy K. P. N. , Shenoy S. R.
Published: April 2023

We test a post-quench Partial Equilibration Scenario (PES) of Ritort and colleagues, through Monte Carlo quench simulations, of a vector-spin model for a cubic-to-tetragonal, martensitic structural transition. We confirm the PES signature distribution of an exponential tail in heat releases, scaled in an effective search temperature that regulates energy-lowering passages between fixed-energy shells. Our simulations find that this effective temperature vanishes linearly in the deviation of the quench temperature from a divergence temperature, where passage bottlenecks in phase space segment their topology, and entropy barriers diverge. Equilibration delay times, exponential in the inverse effective temperature, are thus predicted to show singular Vogel-Fulcher behaviour, understood here as an arrest of PES heat releases to the bath, and confirmed by experimental data on martensitic alloys.
IGF-1 and Risk of Morbidity and Mortality From Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, and All Causes in EPIC-Heidelberg
Authors: Mukama Trasias , Srour Bernard , Johnson Theron , Katzke Verena , Kaaks Rudolf
Published: April 2023

Context

The functional status of organs, such as the liver, involved in IGF-1 signaling pathways influences circulating levels of IGF-1 and hence its relationship to risk of chronic disease and mortality, yet this has received limited attention.

Objective

To examine the relationship between IGF-1 and risk of morbidity and mortality from cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and all causes, accounting for liver function.

Methods

This study was a case-cohort design nested within EPIC-Heidelberg. IGF-1 was measured in 7461 stored serum samples collected from 1994 to 1998. Median follow-up for incident mortality events was 17.5 years. The case-cohort included a subcohort of 1810 men and 1890 women, in addition to 1668 incident cases of cancer (623 breast, 577 prostate, 202 lung, and 268 colorectal), and 1428 cases of CVD (707 myocardial infarctions and 723 strokes) and 2441 cases of death.

Results

Higher IGF-1 levels showed direct associations with risks of breast (1.25; 95% CI [1.06-1.47]) and prostate (1.31; [1.09-1.57]) cancers. Restricted cubic splines plots and models including IGF-1 as quintiles revealed a U-shaped relationship between the biomarker and mortality. Participants with the lowest and the highest levels of IGF-1 experienced higher hazards of mortality from cancer, CVD, and all causes. The U-shaped form of the relationship persisted but was attenuated in analyses including only participants without any indications of liver dysfunction.

Conclusion

This large population-based prospective study showed that both individuals with lowest and highest levels of circulating IGF-1 were at increased risk of deaths from cancer, CVD, and all causes. For individuals with low IGF-1, the excess risks of death were more pronounced among individuals with liver cancer and cirrhosis but were also present among individuals without elevated liver enzymes.
Azimuthal invariance to looming stimuli in the Drosophila giant fiber escape circuit
Authors: Jang HyoJong , Goodman David P. , Ausborn Jessica , von Reyn Catherine R.
Published: April 2023

Spatially invariant feature detection is a property of many visual systems that rely on visual information provided by two eyes. However, how information across both eyes is integrated for invariant feature detection is not fully understood. Here, we investigated spatial invariance of looming responses in descending neurons (DNs) of Drosophila melanogaster. We found that multiple looming responsive DNs integrate looming information across both eyes, even though their dendrites are restricted to a single visual hemisphere. One DN, the giant fiber (GF), responds invariantly to looming stimuli across tested azimuthal locations. We confirmed visual information propagates to the GF from the contralateral eye, through an unidentified pathway, and demonstrated that the absence of this pathway alters GF responses to looming stimuli presented to the ipsilateral eye. Our data highlight a role for bilateral visual integration in generating consistent, looming-evoked escape responses that are robust across different stimulus locations and parameters.
Lessons from natural flight for aviation: then, now and tomorrow
Authors: Harvey Christina , de Croon Guido , Taylor Graham K. , Bomphrey Richard J.
Published: April 2023

Powered flight was once a capability limited only to animals, but by identifying useful attributes of animal flight and building on these with technological advances, engineers have pushed the frontiers of flight beyond our predecessors’ wildest imaginations. Yet, there remain many key characteristics of biological flight that elude current aircraft design, motivating a careful re-analysis of what we have learned from animals already, and how this has been revealed experimentally, as well as a specific focus on identifying what remains unknown. Here, we review the literature to identify key contributions that began in biology and have since been translated into aeronautical devices or capabilities. We identify central areas for future research and highlight the importance of maintaining an open line of two-way communication between biologists and engineers. Such interdisciplinary, bio-informed analyses continue to push forward the frontiers of aeronautics and experimental biology alike.
Oxidative Decomposition Mechanism of Ethylene Carbonate on Positive Electrodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Qiu Yi-Fei , Murayama Haruno , Fujitomo Chisaki , Kawai Seiya , Haruta Asahi , Hiasa Takumi , Mita Hiroki , Motohashi Kazunari , Yamamoto Eiji , Tokunaga Makoto
Published: April 2023

For extending the lifetime and improving the safety of lithium-ion batteries, the decomposition mechanism of electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries was kinetically and stereospecifically investigated in simplified reaction systems, which were in contact with the charged positive electrodes including Li1−xCoO2 as an active material removed from batteries. By identifying the products, mainly vinylene carbonate (VC) was detected by gas chromatography as an oxidation product of ethylene carbonate (EC). The kinetic isotope effects of the reaction were examined using EC and deuterium-labeled EC-D4. The kH/kD was found to be 2.9 suggesting the C–H bond cleavage step was irreversible and corresponds to the rate-determining step of the overall process in the reaction. Moreover, Arrhenius and Eyring plots and stereospecific studies using syn-substituted EC-D2 indicated that the transition state has a rigid structure and that the elimination of hydrogens from EC proceeds mainly via syn stereochemistry. Upon a change in the charge potential of Li1−xCoO2 from 4.5 V to 4.1 V, the rate of formation of VC decreased. PF6−, PO3F2−, and PO2F2− relating to LiPF6 promoted the generation of VC.
An evaluation of the practice of image-guided lumbar puncture
Authors: Dempsey Philip J. , Yates Andrew , Power Jack W , MacMahon Peter J. , Kavanagh Eoin C.
Published: April 2023

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical success and complication rates of image-guided lumbar puncture (IGLP) and to evaluate for differences in approach employed to help establish the optimum technique.

Methods:

A retrospective search of the hospital picture archiving and communications system was performed to identify all IGLPs that had taken place over a 5-year period. Radiology reports and the electronic medical record were examined to identify technical parameters and complications associated with each procedure.

Results:

The technical success rate was 96% (219/228). 69.4% (n = 161) had a previously failed bedside attempt. The rate of complications was 0.01% (n = 2). No major complications were observed. There was no difference in the rates of failure (2.4% vs  3.6%, p = 0.68) or complications (0.008% vs  0.012%, p = 1) between interlaminar and interspinous approaches.

Conclusion:

IGLP is a safe procedure with a high rate of technical success. Where a difficult bedside attempt is anticipated, it is reasonable to forego this and proceed directly to IGLP.

Advances in knowledge: :

This paper helps to confirm what is already assumed about a common radiological procedure. This is important as there has been a shift from bedside technique to most lumbar punctures being performed via image guidance.
A prolonged wait: The impact of COVID-19 on elective surgeries in India, a prospective study
Authors: Islam Heraa , Muhammed Mohsin Nazeer , Kapoor Aditi , Ehsan Muhammed , Shankar Gowri , Agrawal Raadhika
Published: April 2023

Background: The continuing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a massive impact on healthcare systems all around the globe. There is no exception in the demographics of elective surgery also. Like any other medical professionals, surgeons and post-graduates are redirected to the management of patients with COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected elective surgeries, surgeon skills, and post-graduate training.

Methods: This prospective study was done among 320 participants through a 15-question online cross-sectional survey sent primarily to surgeons practicing in six states of India that were most affected by the pandemic according to recent statistics and also to surgeons in other states via email or other online messaging services.

Results: In our study, the following observations were made: Patient/ patient attendant dissatisfaction in a reduction in the availability of hospital beds, shortage of medical oxygen and lack of availability of surgical implants.

Conclusions: All these factors showed significant p-values with statistical significance, thereby indicating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system and healthcare delivery. The pandemic also had a significant impact on post-graduate training.
A Lorentz variant theory that passes fundamental tests of special relativity and makes diverging, testable but as of yet untested predictions
Authors: Bischoff van Heemskerck Daniël
Published: April 2023

Background: Tests of special relativity have been conducted over the past century with increasing accuracy and none have showed violations of Lorentz invariance. In this paper we will examine whether these tests are together sufficient to rule out theories that violate observational symmetry.

Methods: A variant theory is outlined where relativistic effects such as length contraction and time dilation are purely local consequences of the relative velocity between a system and its medium. The outlined theory is tested against the fundamental tests of special relativity.

Results: It is found that although this alteration does not align with the principle of relativity, it quantitatively aligns with the experimental results of the fundamental tests of special relativity and their modern variations, and makes diverging, testable but as of yet untested predictions concerning Doppler shift and time dilation.

Conclusions: These results warrant a closer theoretical inspection of the outlined theory, and could provide a direction to test for new physics. A modified Ives-Stilwell experiment is proposed to test between this model and special relativity.
Functional tic-like presentations differ strikingly from Provisional Tic Disorder
Authors: Arbuckle Amanda L. , Bihun Emily C. , Schlaggar Bradley L. , Black Kevin J.
Published: April 2023

Background: Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in new “tic” cases in teens and young adults. These individuals often present with fulminant onset of symptoms not commonly seen in Tourette syndrome (TS) and are often diagnosed with Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FND-tic). However, some authors have questioned whether this illness truly differs from typical Provisional Tic Disorder (PTD) and TS. Previous studies have compared FND-tic, usually a few months after symptom onset, to patients with TS, usually years after symptom onset. We sought to test whether the presenting symptoms of FND-tic differ substantially from those in patients at a similar duration of symptoms who are later diagnosed with TS.

Methods: This comparative study examines clinical features summarized from published reports of FND-tic with novel data from a longitudinal study of PTD. This study came from a referral center for TS and tic disorders and included 89 children with tics whose first tic occurred a median of 3.6 months earlier, nearly all of whom were diagnosed with a chronic tic disorder at follow-up. Specifically, we examine clinical features identified in a recent literature review as supporting a diagnosis of FND-tic, including symptom characteristics, course, severity and comorbidity.

Results: Several clinical features dramatically distinguish the patients diagnosed with FND-tic from those diagnosed with typical PTD. For example, coprophenomena are reported at or shortly after symptom onset in over half of FND-tic patients, whereas even several months after onset, coprophenomena had occurred in only 1 of 89 children with PTD. Six clinical features each have a positive predictive value over 90% for FND-tic diagnosis if prior probability is 50%.

Conclusions: These new data provide strong evidence supporting the diagnostic validity of FND-tic as distinct from TS.
Addressing the contraceptive needs of young people
Authors: Kipps Sarah
Published: April 2023

Sarah Kipps looks at what nurses need to know when advising young people on sexual health
Machine learning-assisted high-accuracy and large dynamic range thermometer in high-Q microbubble resonators
Authors: Chen Hao , Wang Zhengyu , Wang Yan , Yu Changqiu , Niu Rui , Zou Chang-Ling , Lu Jin , Dong Chun-Hua , Ren Hongliang
Published: April 2023

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators provide an important platform for fine measurement thanks to their small size, high sensitivity, and fast response time. Nevertheless, traditional methods focus on tracking single-mode changes for measurement, and a great deal of information from other resonances is ignored and wasted. Here, we demonstrate that the proposed multimode sensing contains more Fisher information than single mode tracking and has great potential to achieve better performance. Based on a microbubble resonator, a temperature detection system has been built to systematically investigate the proposed multimode sensing method. After the multimode spectral signals are collected by the automated experimental setup, a machine learning algorithm is used to predict the unknown temperature by taking full advantage of multiple resonances. The results show the average error of 3.8 × 10−3°C within the range from 25.00°C to 40.00°C by employing a generalized regression neural network (GRNN). In addition, we have also discussed the influence of the consumed data resource on its predicted performance, such as the amount of training data and the case of different temperate ranges between the training and test data. With high accuracy and large dynamic range, this work paves the way for WGM resonator-based intelligent optical sensing.
Phase retrieval for arbitrary complex-valued objects using structured illumination
Authors: Kuzmenko Alexander , Butok Oleksandr
Published: April 2023

A method to solve of the phase retrieval problem in the non-convex formulation has been proposed for complex-valued objects with the support constraint. It has been shown that two coded diffraction patterns (CDPs) obtained in the same Fresnel or Fraunhofer diffraction plane by masking the object with two, direct and inverse, random binary amplitude masks are sufficient to reconstruct an arbitrary complex-valued object with an accuracy to the global phase. The general solution of the problem was found as the sum of two mutually phase-consistent partial solutions obtained by applying the modified error-reduction or hybrid input-output algorithm to each of two “mask+CDP” pairs. The results of model experiments confirmed the possibility of noise-resistant and high-accuracy retrieval of complex-valued objects of various types with the oversampling ratio σ ≥ 2 making use of a small number of iterations. The method is applicable to coherent radiation of any kind.
A fast machine-learning-guided primer design pipeline for selective whole genome amplification
Authors: Dwivedi-Yu Jane A. , Oppler Zachary J. , Mitchell Matthew W. , Song Yun S. , Brisson Dustin
Published: April 2023

Addressing many of the major outstanding questions in the fields of microbial evolution and pathogenesis will require analyses of populations of microbial genomes. Although population genomic studies provide the analytical resolution to investigate evolutionary and mechanistic processes at fine spatial and temporal scales—precisely the scales at which these processes occur—microbial population genomic research is currently hindered by the practicalities of obtaining sufficient quantities of the relatively pure microbial genomic DNA necessary for next-generation sequencing. Here we present swga2.0, an optimized and parallelized pipeline to design selective whole genome amplification (SWGA) primer sets. Unlike previous methods, swga2.0 incorporates active and machine learning methods to evaluate the amplification efficacy of individual primers and primer sets. Additionally, swga2.0 optimizes primer set search and evaluation strategies, including parallelization at each stage of the pipeline, to dramatically decrease program runtime. Here we describe the swga2.0 pipeline, including the empirical data used to identify primer and primer set characteristics, that improve amplification performance. Additionally, we evaluate the novel swga2.0 pipeline by designing primer sets that successfully amplify Prevotella melaninogenica, an important component of the lung microbiome in cystic fibrosis patients, from samples dominated by human DNA.
Rare-event sampling analysis uncovers the fitness landscape of the genetic code
Authors: Omachi Yuji , Saito Nen , Furusawa Chikara
Published: April 2023

The genetic code refers to a rule that maps 64 codons to 20 amino acids. Nearly all organisms, with few exceptions, share the same genetic code, the standard genetic code (SGC). While it remains unclear why this universal code has arisen and been maintained during evolution, it may have been preserved under selection pressure. Theoretical studies comparing the SGC and numerically created hypothetical random genetic codes have suggested that the SGC has been subject to strong selection pressure for being robust against translation errors. However, these prior studies have searched for random genetic codes in only a small subspace of the possible code space due to limitations in computation time. Thus, how the genetic code has evolved, and the characteristics of the genetic code fitness landscape, remain unclear. By applying multicanonical Monte Carlo, an efficient rare-event sampling method, we efficiently sampled random codes from a much broader random ensemble of genetic codes than in previous studies, estimating that only one out of every 1020 random codes is more robust than the SGC. This estimate is significantly smaller than the previous estimate, one in a million. We also characterized the fitness landscape of the genetic code that has four major fitness peaks, one of which includes the SGC. Furthermore, genetic algorithm analysis revealed that evolution under such a multi-peaked fitness landscape could be strongly biased toward a narrow peak, in an evolutionary path-dependent manner.
How synaptic strength, short-term plasticity, and input synchrony contribute to neuronal spike output
Authors: Buchholz Moritz O. , Gastone Guilabert Alexandra , Ehret Benjamin , Schuhknecht Gregor F. P.
Published: April 2023

Neurons integrate from thousands of synapses whose strengths span an order of magnitude. Intriguingly, in mouse neocortex, the few ‘strong’ synapses are formed between similarly tuned cells, suggesting they determine spiking output. This raises the question of how other computational primitives, including ‘background’ activity from the many ‘weak’ synapses, short-term plasticity, and temporal factors contribute to spiking. We used paired recordings and extracellular stimulation experiments to map excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitudes and paired-pulse ratios of synaptic connections formed between pyramidal neurons in layer 2/3 (L2/3) of barrel cortex. While net short-term plasticity was weak, strong synaptic connections were exclusively depressing. Importantly, we found no evidence for clustering of synaptic properties on individual neurons. Instead, EPSPs and paired-pulse ratios of connections converging onto the same cells spanned the full range observed across L2/3, which critically constrains theoretical models of cortical filtering. To investigate how different computational primitives of synaptic information processing interact to shape spiking, we developed a computational model of a pyramidal neuron in the excitatory L2/3 circuitry, which was constrained by our experiments and published in vivo data. We found that strong synapses were substantially depressed during ongoing activation and their ability to evoke correlated spiking primarily depended on their high temporal synchrony and high firing rates observed in vivo. However, despite this depression, their larger EPSP amplitudes strongly amplified information transfer and responsiveness. Thus, our results contribute to a nuanced framework of how cortical neurons exploit synergies between temporal coding, synaptic properties, and noise to transform synaptic inputs into spikes.
A digitalized program to improve antenatal health care in a rural setting in North-Western Burundi: Early evidence-based lessons
Authors: Misago Nadine , Habonimana Desire , Ciza Roger , Ndayizeye Jean Paul , Kimaro Joyce Kevin Abalo
Published: April 2023

In Burundi, the north-western region continues to grapple with the lowest level of antenatal care (ANC) attendance rate which is constantly about half the national average of 49% ANC4 coverage. Despite a dearth of empirical evidence to understand the determinants of this suboptimal attendance of ANC, widespread evidence informs that women forget scheduled ANC appointments. We designed and tested a digital intervention that uses a reminder model aimed at increasing the number of women who attend at least 4 ANC visits in this region. We enrolled a cohort of 132 pregnant women who were followed until childbirth using a single arm pre- and post-test design. The digital model builds on the collaboration between midwives or nurses, community health workers (CHWs), and pregnant women who are centrally connected through regular automated communications generated by the cPanel of the digital intervention. In addition to ANC attendances, we nested a cross-sectional survey to understand mothers’ perceptions and acceptability of the digital intervention using the acceptability framework by Sekhon et al. (2017). Descriptive analyses were performed to observe the trend in ANC attendance and logistic regressions fitted to seize determinants affecting mothers’ acceptability of the intervention. Of 132 enrolled pregnant women, 1 (0.76%) dropped out. From a baseline of 23%, nearly 73.7% of mothers attended their subsequent ANC visits after the start of the intervention. From the third month of intervention, about 80% of mothers constantly attended ANC appointments; which corresponds to greater than 200% increase from the baseline. Findings showed that 96.2% of mothers expressed satisfaction, 77.1% positively reacted to automated reminders (attitudes), 70.2% expressed willingness to participate, and 86.3% had the ability to actively participate to the intervention. Conversely, half of mothers confirmed that participation to this programme somewhat affected their time management. A key learning is that digital interventions have a lot of promise to improve pregnancy monitoring in rural settings. However, the overall user acceptability was low especially among mothers lacking personal mobile phone.
T cell subsets, regulatory T, regulatory B cells and proinflammatory cytokine profile in Schistosoma haematobium associated bladder cancer: First report from Upper Egypt
Authors: Mohammed Sara Abdelal , Hetta Helal F. , Zahran Asmaa M. , Tolba Mohammed E. M. , Attia Rasha A. H. , Behnsawy Hosny M. , Algammal Abdelazeem M. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Mohammed Ahmed Qasem , Ahmad Alzahraa Abdelraouf
Published: April 2023

Background

The function of different populations of the immune system in bladder cancer (BCa) is well established. However, the cohesive role of the immune cell profile of schistosomal BCa at systemic and tissue levels is still lacking, especially in endemic countries. The balance hypothesized between protumorigenic and antitumor molecules determines the prognosis of tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of T cell subsets at both blood and tumor tissue, regulatory T(Treg), regulatory B cells (Breg) and proinflammatory cytokines in S. haematobium-related BCa patients in Egypt.

Methodology/Principal findings

The frequency of T cell subsets at both blood and tumor tissue, regulatory T(Treg), regulatory B cells (Breg) were studied by flow cytometry and proinflammatory cytokines by ELISA in S. haematobium-related BCa patients in Egypt. The results indicated a significant increase in the activity of T-cell populations, particularly CD3+, CD4+, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and a decrease in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in the patient group. An increased proportion of CD19+CD24+CD38+ Bregs and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) was also observed. However, T-cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment showed a significant reduction in cancer patients compared to controls. Moreover, positive correlations were observed between the frequencies of Bregs and Tregs, suggesting the promotion of cancer progression besides their relation to the intensity of schistosomal infection.

Conclusions/Significance

Trapped Schistosoma haematobium eggs in bladder tissue might lead to persistent inflammation that contributes to immunomodulation and promotes tumor progression, as evidenced by the increase in peripheral T helper, Tregs, Bregs and serum tumor-promoting cytokines. Considering the role and integrated functions of specific immune responses in BCa could help future diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
Correction of endocrine complications of oncoimmunotherapy
Authors: Pigarova E. A. , Shutova A. S. , Dzeranova L. K.
Published: April 2023

Over the years, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has become an effective treatment for malignant neoplasms. However, checkpoints play a crucial role in immunological tolerance and prevention of autoimmune diseases. Interfering with this mechanism can cause immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) that affect multiple organs in the body. Endocrinopathies are among the most common IRAES associated with ICI therapy. Given the unique nature of adverse events caused by the use of ICI drugs, a multidisciplinary team approach is required to effectively manage patients, minimize complications associated with drug toxicity, and fully realize the therapeutic potential of this treatment method. Taking into account the difficulty of detecting nonspecific symptoms, the importance of follow-up and timely intervention in case of toxicity detection, regular clinical and laboratory monitoring is necessary, as well as informing patients and doctors about the variants of endocrine adverse events and their treatment. While non-endocrine IRAES often require discontinuation of immunotherapy and are usually resolved by immunosuppressive therapy with high doses of glucocorticoids, endocrine IRAES usually do not need discontinuation of ICI treatment and rarely require immunosuppressive therapy, but seldomly regress and therefore demand a long-term treatment.
Soluble endoglin as a perspective marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: a pilot study
Authors: Gorbacheva A. M. , Bibik E. E. , Dobreva E. A. , Elfimova A. R. , Eremkina A. K. , Mokrysheva N. G.
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism  (PHPT), one of the most common endocrine pathologies, is associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases, in particular, those caused by endothelial dysfunction. Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction in patients with PHPT will predict the development of cardiovascular pathology and determine the optimal tactics for PHPT management.

AIM: To evaluate the concentration  of soluble endoglin  and photoplethysmographic parameters as potential markers of endothelial dysfunction in patients with PHPT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:  A single-center interventional single-stage study was carried out. 2 groups were formed. The first group included 50 patients with verified PHPT who did not have cardiovascular or other concomitant somatic pathologies in anamnesis. The comparison group included 21 healthy volunteers comparable in sex and age. All participants underwent a biochemical blood test (total calcium, ionized, albumin, lipidogram, urea, uricacid, glucose, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase), parathyroid hormone, 25 (OH) D and endoglin concentrations were evaluated. In addition, echocardiography, ultrasound of the brachiocephalic arteries and arteries of the lower extremities, as well as photoplethysmography were performed.

RESULTS: The groups differed in mineral parameters associated with PHPT; no differences were found in parameters of lipid, uric acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Serum levels of endoglin  were lower in PHPT patients (p=0.002). We found a negative correlation between the concentration of albumin-corrected calcium and PTH with endoglin (r1=-0.370, p1=0.003 and r2=-0.475, p2<0.001, respectively) and a positive correlation between the concentration of endoglin  and phosphorus (r=0.363, p=0.003). These associations s were accompanied by changes in photoplethysmographic parameters that indicate an increase in the vascular wall stiffness.

CONCLUSION: The serum level of soluble endoglin  is lower in patients with PHPT than in healthy volunteers, negatively correlates with calcium and PTH concentrations and positively with serum phosphorus concentrations. Further studies will make it possible to establish the pathogenetic mechanism of the identified relationships and evaluate the role of endoglin as a potential predictor of cardiovascular pathology in PHPT population.
Analisis Social Return On Investment (SROI) dalam Penerapan Program Ketahanan Ekonomi dan Pangan Rumah Tangga Desa Dendang
Authors: Septasawitri Dayang , Prabawani Bulan , Nugraha Hari Susanta
Published: April 2023

Business activities in the current era are not only profit-oriented but highlight the value of sustainability. Due to global problems such as poverty and limited availability of resources, a sustainable company means that the company can maintain and improve the environmental life around the company. One of the company's efforts to create business sustainability is through a corporate sustainability strategy or the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and a form of business ethics and social investment. To determine the effectiveness of a program, carried out an evaluation. This study aims to analyze the CSR program of PT SMM by using the Social Return On Investment (SROI) method. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach to describe the implementation of PT SMM's CSR program and analyze the success of the program through the results of the SROI value. The results of the SROI calculation in this program show a ratio of 7.84, meaning that every investment made by PT SMM is Rp. 1,- getting a benefit of Rp. 7.8,-. This program can be categorized as successful because it can exceed the ratio of 1 in the SROI. If viewed from the economic, social, and environmental aspects, this program has good sustainability potential and deserves to be continued.
Pengaruh Kualitas Pelayanan melalui Citra Perusahaan Terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan PT. Perkebunan Nusantara V Pekanbaru
Authors: Fadli Mashur , Augustin Jeneva , Zahara Fatimah
Published: April 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of service quality through a corporate image on customer loyalty at PT Perkebunan Nusantara V Pekanbaru. This study uses a quantitative method in the type of explanatory research and uses primary data. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire consisting of 26 questions and a sample consisting of 50 respondents using the census method. Research data was collected using a questionnaire that was measured using a Likert scale and processed using SEM PLS 3.2.9 to process data and test hypotheses. The results showed that service quality significantly impacts corporate image and customer loyalty, both direct and indirect effects through the mediation of corporate image variables. In addition, the corporate image variable shows a significant direct impact on customer loyalty variables.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengukur kualitas pelayanan dan citra perusahaan sebagai variabel mediasi dalam meningkatkan loyalitas pelanggan pada PT. Perkebunan Nusantara V Pekanbaru. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kuantitatif. Data primer dikumpulkan melalui survei terhadap 50 responden dengan sampel sensus dan teknik statistik Partial Least Square (PLS) untuk mengolah data dan menguji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya pengaruh signifikan kualitas pelayanan terhadap citra perusahaan dan loyalitas pelanggan, baik pengaruh langsung maupun tidak langsung melalui mediasi variabel citra perusahaan. Variabel citra perusahaan menunjukkan pengaruh langsung signifikan terhadap variabel loyalitas pelanggan
Green Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility: Study of Community Responses to CSR Activities PT. Pertamina Fuel Terminal Boyolali
Authors: Widiartanto Widiartanto , Wahyudi Fendy Eko , Pradika Bayu , Adistya Bima , Rahman Amni Z. , Paramasatya Satwika
Published: April 2023

This research is motivated by the phenomenon that in order to strengthen corporate sustainability, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Sustainability prioritizes corporate responsibility to society with the concept of sustainable development. Means that companies need to pay attention to environmental, community, and stakeholders that emphasize the implementation of sustainable programs. This study aims to determine the implementation of green leadership in the company and determine the satisfaction and independence of the beneficiaries of PT. Pertamina Fuel Terminal Boyolali. The research locations are in the villages of Tawangsari, Mojolegi, Teras, and Blumbang which are assisted villages. This type of research is descriptive quantitative with a sample of 146 people spread across 12 CSR programs. The results of the study show that the implementation of green leadership in companies has been going well, both within the company and community through CSR activities. Overall, it can be seen that the Community Satisfaction Index Score from 2017 to 2020 is a very good category, between the intervals of 81.26 to 100. Meanwhile, in terms of independence, 12 CSR programs in 2018 have produced a good level of independence. Proof that 70% of CSR programs are at high independence.