bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subjek Dakwah Islam Dalam Perspektif Al-Qurâ€™an
Authors: Ihsani A. Fikri Amiruddin
Published: July 2023

Islamic daâ€™wah subjects is person who conveys, teaches and practices Islamic teachings. Itâ€™s very important and interesting to study and learn more deeply. It can understand and deepen Islamic teachings are expected to be able to minimize message of preaching that isnâ€™t in accordance with Islamic teachings. Based on context, the purpose of this study is to answer the question of how Islamic daâ€™wah subjects in perspective of the Qurâ€™an. This study uses qualitative research methods using descriptive analytical. To be able to study this phenomenon in detail, researchers quote of the Qur'an verses that allude to issue of Islamic da'wah. To be able to understand these verses, researcher also studies harmonious interpretations including of al-Jalalain interpretations, al-Nukat wa al-Uyun interpretations, al-Muyassar interpretations, Shaykh Abdurrahman interpretations, Ibnu Katsir interpretations, Anwar al-Tanzil wa Asrar al Ta'wil interpretations, al-Misbah interpretations, Madarik al-Tanzil wa Haqoiq at-Ta'wil interpretations, and Religion Ministry interpretations. Based on perspective of the Qur'an, the results obtained that Islamic da'wah subjects is perpetrators of da'wah as the heirs of the prophets who carry out mission of broadcasting Islamic teachings, inviting acts of ma'ruf and preventing acts of munkar. Besides that, what is said or delivered Islamic da'wah subjects must be conveyed from attitudes and actions. Therefore, before they plunge into people to preaching, itâ€™s better to understand and study Islamic teachings well.

Keywords: Da'wah subjects, Da'i, al-Qur'an.
Strategi Komunikasi Guru Pembina OSIS dalam Menanamkan Sikap Nasionalisme Sebagai Benteng Radikalisme Siswa MA Al Khidmah Ngronggot
Authors: Badrus  , Aqib Mohammad Auzai
Published: July 2023

The emergence of radicalism has recently become increasingly widespread, if this harsh understanding is not immediately addressed, it will endanger the life of society and the state. The development of radicalism is not easy to prevent suddenly, therefore from an early age starting at the school level, especially at the high school level, fostering an attitude of nationalism and preventing radicalism needs to be instilled. This study reveals the teacher's communication strategy in instilling the attitude of nationalism in the students of MA Al Khidmah Ngronggot. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method, with data mining methods of observation, interviews, and documentation. Meanwhile, data analysis uses the theory of Miles and Hubbeman, namely, data reduction, data display and drawing conclusions. Finally, this paper can be concluded that the strategy of the OSIS coach in instilling an attitude of nationalism through several ways, among others, is to explain knowledge properly and correctly, build an understanding of living together, and provide achievement motivation to OSIS members. These three methods are carried out by the builder teacher with full affection and attention to students. These three methods are new findings in the field to enrich communication science in building the attitude of nationalism and at the same time fortify radicalism in this country.
Komunikasi Islam dalam Harmoni Keberagaman di Jawa Timur
Authors: Agoes Moh. Moefad  , Maulidatus Syahrotin Naqqiyah  , Barokatun Nuris Syah Riyah
Published: July 2023

This research reveals about Islamic communication in building harmony in the diversity of society. The harmony of diversity in this case is intended to neutralize phenomena in society that are "triggered" by problems of differences in understanding or belief in religion in the province of East Java. This research focuses on how the form of Islamic communication carried out by mosques in building harmony in the diversity of beliefs among fellow Muslims (different understandings) and how the process of building harmony in the diversity of people's beliefs (different religions) in the East Java region. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method with a constructivist approach. Research shows that in forming harmony for diversity in the province of East Java, mosques need a control system in managing mosque management. The management includes the secretariat, leadership aspects, and the ownership status of the mosque because this is none other than one of the triggers for the emergence of "conflict" within Islam itself. Apart from that, the mosque also held entrepreneur-based Rema's cadre training, as well as monitoring preachers and mosque labeling. This is intended to reduce the occurrence of conflicts due to negative stigma in society.
Rancang Bangun Desain Aquatec Hybrid Berbasis Ecoblue Guna Peningkatan Hasil Tangkap Ikan di Pesisir Madura
Authors: Risdianto Anauta Lungiding Angga , Irmiyana Triyanti , Okvitasari Astri Rino , Abdullah Mohammad
Published: July 2023

Madura merupakan bagian dari provinsi Jawa Timur. Salah satu kabupaten yang memiliki potensi perikanan yaitu Sampang. Dengan luas wialayah 1233 , dimana 75% penduduk bekerja sebagai nelayan. Saat ini permasalahan yang dihadapi oleh nelayan berupa sarana alat tangkap ikan yang belum efektif. Melihat permasalahan yang ada perlu adanya suatu inovasi berupa desain sarana guna peningkatan hasil tangkap ikan. Metode pada penelitian ini berupa kualitatif dimana dengan mengumpulkan data melalui kegiatan survey untuk pembuatan konseptual desain agar sesuai dengan kondisi yang ada dengan bantuan aplikasi Autocad. Hasil dari penelitian ini berupa desain rencana umum dengan ukuran utama kapal loa: 9,22 m; B: 1,8; H: 0,8; T: 0,42. Serta kebutuhan panel surya untuk hybrid budidaya ikan yaitu 8 panel surya(200 wp) dan 1 baterai kering (12V/100 Ah).
Implementation of Education Game-Based Learning Media Kahoot! In Agribisnis at the University Of Bangka Belitung
Authors: Zaliman Iski , Juniawan Fransiskus Panca , Wafiqoh Risnina , Heryati Agustina , Andini Dwi Yana Ayu , Sylfania Dwi Yuny , Vista Umar Faruq
Published: July 2023

Education is a process of changing knowledge, increasing, skills, improving attitudes and behavior of humans or groups that are trying to educate the life of the nation and humans by carrying out learning and teaching process activities as well as guidance on training learning. Among the developments in science and technology (science technology), technology applications to websites are now widely available and can facilitate the student learning process in an interactive and active way, with the application of this technology it provides opportunities for students to review information and be able to practice knowledge, as well as student skills in the learning process by enjoying the game.
A Case of Inverted Papilloma in the False Vocal Fold Coexisting With Fungiform Papillomas of the True Vocal Fold
Authors: Moon Seong Kyu , Ko So Young , Lee Mi Ji , Kim Seung Woo
Published: July 2023

Inverted papilloma is a pathologic subtype of papilloma that mainly occurs in the sinonasal tract. Laryngeal inverted papilloma is extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported so far. A 78-year-old male visited our clinic complaining of voice change that lasted five months. The rigid laryngoscopy showed multiple exophytic papillomatous masses in both vocal folds, and the left false vocal fold showed slight protruding appearance without a definite mass shadow. We performed laryngeal microsurgery with CO2 laser. While the masses in both true vocal folds were pathologically diagnosed as fungiform papillomas, the left false vocal fold was diagnosed as an inverted type. We report this very rare and unique case of laryngeal papilloma with a relevant literature review.
Lattice Thermal Conductivities of Yb(Cd1-xMgx)2Sb2 Analyzed via Debye-Callaway Model
Authors: Heo Minsu , Kwon Seung-Hwan , Seo Won-Seon , Kim Sang-il , Kim Hyun-Sik
Published: July 2023

YbCd2Sb2-based Zintl phases have been identified as promising materials for thermoelectric applications due to their high Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. However, their high thermal conductivity limits their overall thermoelectric performance. To address this, Mg has recently been introduced as an alloying element at Cd atomic sites to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity of YbCd2Sb2 . Zhang et al. have reported a high zT (a figure-of-merit for the thermoelectric performance) of 1.4 at 700 K in Yb(Cd0.8Mg0.2)2Sb2. They have demonstrated that the high zT is due to significantly suppressed phonon transport, in other words, low lattice thermal conductivity. They attributed the significantly low lattice thermal conductivity to severely distorted lattices that could not be described even with the Debye-Callaway model. Here, the Debye-Callaway model and Callaway-von Baeyer model have been utilized to evaluate the effect of Mg alloying on the lattice thermal conductivity of Yb(Cd1-xMgx)2Sb2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2) by estimating their theoretical lattice thermal conductivities. We found that appropriately fitting the parameter included in the phonon relaxation rate (of the Debye-Callaway model), which represents a fractional change of bulk modulus to that of local bond length, could describe the significantly suppressed lattice thermal conductivities of Yb(Cd1-xMgx)2Sb2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2).
Electrochemical Characteristics of Elastic, Non-Polar Polyurethane-Based Polymer Gel Electrolyte for Separator-Less Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Gorospe Alloyssius E.G. , Kang Dongwoo , Lee Dongwook
Published: July 2023

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have undergone countless enhancements in the past decade, mainly improvements in the basic components: electrodes, electrolyte, and separator. The separator, which acts as a physical barrier between the two electrodes, does not directly participate in the charge and energy storage.However, it is involved in the safety, form factor, and packaging density of the LIBs. While it occupies relatively less internal space than other components, the separator can be replaced with active materials such as gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) which can serve as both the electrolyte and physical barrier between the electrodes. GPEs can potentially minimize the risks of liquid electrolytes, including flammability, electrolyte leakage, and explosion. Here we report the characteristics of polyurethane (PU)-based gel swollen in concentrated electrolyte solutions in separator-less cells. The poreless PU-based gel electrolyte conducts lithium ions, while preventing internal short-circuits. This is attributed to the presence of soft segments, which allow ion transport, and hard segments, which ensure mechanical integrity. Electrochemical measurements carried out in LFP half cells and symmetric Li cells revealed that the separator-less cells were operable between 0.2 C to 1 C rates, and that during long term cycling, the cells achieved stable Li electroplating overpotential, as the number of cycles increased.
Violent conflict and hostility towards ethno-religious outgroups in Nigeria
Authors: Tuki Daniel
Published: July 2023

This study examined the effect of exposure to violent conflict on hostility towards ethnic and religious outgroups among Nigeria’s population and among its two major religious groups (Christians and Muslims). Violent conflict had a robust positive effect on outgroup hostility among the Nigerian population and among Christians. A plausible mechanism behind this finding is that the threat posed by violent conflict strengthens ingroup cohesion, erodes trust in outgroup members, and makes intergroup boundaries salient. This is especially so when the opposite party to the conflict constitutes a distinct cultural outgroup. The main conflict affecting Christians involves nomadic pastoralists of Fulani ethnicity, who are Muslims. Among Muslims, violent conflict rather had a weak positive effect on outgroup hostility that was not robust to alternative model specifications. The null effect might be because the main conflict affecting Muslims – the Boko Haram insurgency – does not involve Christians.
The Seeds of Vandana Shiva (2021): A Credible Actor of Change
Authors: Futo Timija , Nasehi Elnaz
Published: July 2023

Dr. Vandana Shiva has a history of environmental activism and gained popularity in mainstream media specifically for Western audiences. She has established herself as an opposition against seed monopoly and a promoter of unity. This paper chooses The Seeds of Vandana Shiva (2021), a documentary about Vandana Shiva’s environmental activism from an ecofeminist perspective in order to introduce different concepts addressed by this film such as women empowerment, and reductionism. This article offers a discussion on the several persuasive strategies employed in this documentary film in order to promote change, appeal to emotions, and generate a sense of identification with the character and her cause.
Biotechnological advances and applications of human pluripotent stem cell-derived heart models
Authors: Muniyandi Priyadharshni , O’Hern Colin , Popa Mirel Adrian , Aguirre Aitor
Published: July 2023

In recent years, significant biotechnological advancements have been made in engineering human cardiac tissues and organ-like models. This field of research is crucial for both basic and translational research due to cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in the developed world. Additionally, drug-associated cardiotoxicity poses a major challenge for drug development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. Progress in three-dimensional cell culture and microfluidic devices has enabled the generation of human cardiac models that faithfully recapitulate key aspects of human physiology. In this review, we will discuss 3D pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-models of the human heart, such as engineered heart tissues and organoids, and their applications in disease modeling and drug screening.
In vivo efficacy proof of concept of a large-size bioprinted dermo-epidermal substitute for permanent wound coverage
Authors: Abellan Lopez Maxime , Hutter Laurence , Pagin Etienne , Vélier Mélanie , Véran Julie , Giraudo Laurent , Dumoulin Chloe , Arnaud Laurent , Macagno Nicolas , Appay Romain , Daniel Laurent , Guillet Benjamin , Balasse Laure , Caso Hugo , Casanova Dominique , Bertrand Baptiste , Dignat Françoise , Hermant Loïc , Riesterer Hélène , Guillemot Fabien , Sabatier Florence , Magalon Jérémy
Published: July 2023

Introduction: An autologous split-thickness skin graft (STSG) is a standard treatment for coverage of full-thickness skin defects. However, this technique has two major drawbacks: the use of general anesthesia for skin harvesting and scar sequelae on the donor site. In order to reduce morbidity associated with STSG harvesting, researchers have developed autologous dermo-epidermal substitutes (DESs) using cell culture, tissue engineering, and, more recently, bioprinting approaches. This study assessed the manufacturing reliability and in vivo efficacy of a large-size good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compatible bio-printed human DES, named Poieskin®, for acute wound healing treatment.

Methods: Two batches (40 cm2 each) of Poieskin® were produced, and their reliability and homogeneity were assessed using histological scoring. Immunosuppressed mice received either samples of Poieskin® (n = 8) or human STSG (n = 8) immediately after longitudinal acute full-thickness excision of size 1 × 1.5 cm, applied on the skeletal muscle plane. The engraftment rate was assessed through standardized photographs on day 16 of the follow-up. Moreover, wound contraction, superficial vascularization, and local inflammation were evaluated via standardized photographs, laser Doppler imaging, and PET imaging, respectively. Histological analysis was finally performed after euthanasia.

Results: Histological scoring reached 75% ± 8% and 73% ± 12%, respectively, displaying a robust and homogeneous construct. Engraftment was comparable for both groups: 91.8% (SD = 0.1152) for the Poieskin® group versus 100% (SD = 0) for the human STSG group. We did not record differences in either graft perfusion, PET imaging, or histological scoring on day 16.

Conclusion: Poieskin® presents consistent bioengineering manufacturing characteristics to treat full-thickness cutaneous defects as an alternative to STSG in clinical applications. Manufacturing of Poieskin® is reliable and homogeneous, leading to a clinically satisfying rate of graft take compared to the reference human STSG in a mouse model. These results encourage the use of Poieskin® in phase I clinical trials as its manufacturing procedure is compatible with pharmaceutical guidelines.
Cyberbiosecurity in high-containment laboratories
Authors: Crawford Elizabeth , Bobrow Adam , Sun Landy , Joshi Sridevi , Vijayan Viji , Blacksell Stuart , Venugopalan Gautham , Tensmeyer Nicole
Published: July 2023

High-containment laboratories (HCLs) conduct critical research on infectious diseases, provide diagnostic services, and produce vaccines for the world’s most dangerous pathogens, often called high-consequence pathogens (HCPs). The modernization of HCLs has led to an increasingly cyber-connected laboratory infrastructure. The unique cyberphysical elements of these laboratories and the critical data they generate pose cybersecurity concerns specific to these laboratories. Cyberbiosecurity, the discipline devoted to the study of cybersecurity risks in conjunction with biological risks, is a relatively new field for which few approaches have been developed to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber risks in biological research and diagnostic environments. This study provides a novel approach for cybersecurity risk assessment and identification of risk mitigation measures by applying an asset-impact analysis to the unique environment of HCLs. First, we identified the common cyber and cyberphysical systems in HCLs, summarizing the typical cyber-workflow. We then analyzed the potential adverse outcomes arising from a compromise of these cyber and cyberphysical systems, broadly categorizing potential consequences as relevant to scientific advancement, public health, worker safety, security, and the financial wellbeing of these laboratories. Finally, we discussed potential risk mitigation strategies, leaning heavily on the cybersecurity materials produced by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), including the CIS Controls®, that can serve as a guide for HCL operators to begin the process of implementing risk mitigation measures to reduce their cyberbiorisk and considering the integration of cyber risk management into existing biorisk management practices. This paper provides a discussion to raise awareness among laboratory decision-makers of these critical risks to safety and security within HCLs. Furthermore, this paper can serve as a guide for evaluating cyberbiorisks specific to a laboratory by identifying cyber-connected assets and the impacts associated with a compromise of those assets.
Surface-induced vibrational energy redistribution in methane/surface scattering depends on catalytic activity
Authors: Floß Patrick , Reilly Christopher S. , Auerbach Daniel J. , Beck Rainer D.
Published: July 2023

Recent state-to-state experiments of methane scattering from Ni(111) and graphene-covered Ni(111) combined with quantum mechanical simulations suggest an intriguing correlation between the surface-induced vibrational energy redistribution (SIVR) during the molecule/surface scattering event and the catalytic activity for methane dissociation of the target surface (Werdecker, Phys. Rev. Res., 2020, 2, 043251). Herein, we report new quantum state and angle-resolved measurements for methane scattering from Ni(111) and Au(111) probing the extent of ν3→ν1 antisymmetric-to-symmetric conversion of methane stretching motion for two surfaces with different catalytic activities. Consistent with the expectations, the extent of SIVR occurring on the more catalytically active Ni(111) surface, as measured by the ν1:ν3 scattered population ratio, is found to be several times stronger than that on the more inert Au(111) surface. We also present additional insights on the rovibrational scattering dynamics contained in the angle- and state-resolved data. The results together highlight the power of state-resolved scattering measurements as a tool for investigating methane–surface interactions.
Case report: Recovery of long-term delayed complete atrioventricular block after minimally invasive transthoracic closure of ventricular septal defect
Authors: Lu Jin , Lian Xingchen , Wen Ping , Liu Yuhang
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Long-term delayed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a serious complication of ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure treatment. Thus, cardiac surgeons have made significant efforts to explore its causes and reduce its incidence. In recent years, minimally invasive transthoracic closure (MITC) of VSD has been used widely and successfully in China as it is easy to repeat, ensures individualized closure, and can be debugged repeatedly. Theoretically, the possibility of the recurrence of CAVB is lower than that with transcatheter closure. Although the incidence of CAVB after MITC of VSD is inevitable, long-term delayed CAVB has rarely been reported.

Case description

Herein, we report a case of delayed CAVB that occurred 2 years and 5 months after performing MITC of a perimembranous VSD. The cardiac rhythm recovered after the occluder was removed surgically.

Conclusion

The findings of our case report emphasize that since delayed CAVB may occur in the long term after MITC of VSD, the safety of MITC of VSD should be reassessed, the indications for MITC should be strictly followed, and long-term follow-up, including lifelong follow-up, is recommended for patients postoperatively. In addition, the occluder should be removed surgically in patients with CAVB as it may restore normal heart rhythm.
Lunar ore geology and feasibility of ore mineral detection using a far-IR spectrometer
Authors: Ciazela Jakub , Bakala Jaroslaw , Kowalinski Miroslaw , Pieterek Bartosz , Steslicki Marek , Ciazela Marta , Paslawski Grzegorz , Zalewska Natalia , Sterczewski Lukasz , Szaforz Zaneta , Jozefowicz Mateusz , Marciniak Dariusz , Fitt Maciej , Sniadkowski Adam , Rataj Miroslaw , Mrozek Tomasz
Published: July 2023

Lunar sulfides and oxides are a significant source of noble and base metals and will be vital for future human colonies’ self-sustainability. Sulfide detection (pyrite and troilite) applies to many technological fields and use cases, for example, as a raw material source (available in situ on the Lunar surface) for new solar panel production methods. Ilmenite is the primary iron and titanium ore on the Moon and can provide helium-3 for nuclear fusion and oxygen for rocket fuel. The most important ore minerals have prominent absorption peaks in a narrow far-infrared (FIR) wavelength range of 20–40 μm, much stronger than the spectral features of other common minerals, including significant silicates, sulfates, and carbonates. Our simulations based on the linear mixing of pyrite with the silicates mentioned above indicated that areas containing at least 10%–20% pyrite could be detected from the orbit in the FIR range. MIRORES, Multiplanetary far-IR ORE Spectrometer, proposed here, would operate with a resolution down to <5 m, enabling the detection of areas covered by 2–3 m2 of pyrite (or ilmenite) on a surface of ∼17 m2 from an altitude of 50 km, creating possibilities for detecting large and local smaller orebodies along with their stockworks. The use of the Cassegrain optical system achieves this capability. MIRORES will measure radiation in eight narrow bands (0.3 µm in width) that can include up to five bands centered on the ore mineral absorption bands, for example, 24.3, 24.9, 27.6, 34.2, and 38.8 µm for pyrite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, ilmenite, and troilite, respectively. The instrument size is 32 x 32 x 42 cm, and the mass is <10 kg, which fits the standard microsatellite requirements.
Association between contralateral adrenal and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in benign adrenocortical tumors
Authors: Zhu Hongyuan , Wu Luming , Su Tingwei , Jiang Lei , Zhou Weiwei , Jiang Yiran , Zhang Cui , Zhong Xu , Wang Weiqing
Published: July 2023

Context

Adrenal incidentaloma (AI) is commonly discovered on cross-sectional imaging. Mild autonomous cortisol secretion is the most common functional disorder detected in AI.

Objective

To delineate the association between radiological characteristics of benign adrenocortical tumors and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Methods

In the study, 494 patients diagnosed with benign unilateral adrenocortical tumors were included. Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) was diagnosed when cortisol after 1mg-dexamethasone suppression test (1-mg DST) was in the range of 1.8-5ug/dl. Non-functional adrenocortical tumor (NFAT) was diagnosed as cortisol following 1-mg DST less than 1.8ug/dL. We performed Logistics regression and causal mediation analyses, looking for associations between radiological characteristics and the HPA axis.

Results

Of 494 patients, 352 (71.3%) with NFAT and 142 (28.7%) with MACS were included. Patients with MACS had a higher tumor diameter, thinner contralateral adrenal gland, and lower plasma ACTH and serum DHEAS than those with NFAT. ACTH (OR 0.978, 0.962-0.993) and tumor diameter (OR 1.857, 95%CI, 1.357-2.540) were independent factors associated with decreased serum DHEAS (all P<0.05). ACTH was also associated with decreased contralateral adrenal diameter significantly (OR 0.973, 95%CI, 0.957-0.988, P=0.001). Causal mediation analysis showed ACTH mediated the effect significantly for the association between 1-mg DST results and DHEAS level (Pmediation<0.001, proportion=22.3%). Meanwhile, we found ACTH mediated 39.7% of the effects of 1-mg DST on contralateral adrenal diameter (Pmediation=0.012).

Conclusions

Patients with MACS had thinner contralateral adrenal glands and disturbed HPA axes compared with NFAT. ACTH may partially be involved in mediating the mild autonomous cortisol secretion to DHEAS and the contralateral adrenal gland.
A fast linearized AC power flow-constrained robust unit commitment approach with customized redundant constraint identification method
Authors: Li Zhiyuan , Yin Hongrui , Wang Peng , Gu Chenjia , Wang Kaikai , Hu Yingying
Published: July 2023

The large-scale integration of renewable energy resources in the power system challenges its economic and secure operation. Particularly, the increasing penetration of renewable energy will result in insufficient system voltage regulation and reactive power support capabilities, and may cause high risks of nodal voltage and branch flow violations. Therefore, to hedge the operational risks under the worst realization of uncertainties of renewable energy sources, a two-stage robust unit commitment (UC) model is developed. Meanwhile, the convexified AC power flow model is incorporated in the robust UC model to more accurately characterize the real-time operating status of power systems. On this basis, an AC power flow-constrained robust unit commitment (ACRUC) model is formulated. A circular linearization method is then adopted to handle the quadratic constraints in the original AC power flow model, transforming them into tractable linear constraints. Furthermore, to reduce the computational complexity caused by the large-scale newly-added constraints after the linearization process, a customized redundant constraint identification (RCI) method is developed, in which two different modes (i.e., cold and warm start modes) are designed considering the difference in base case system operating condition for linearizing branch losses. Then, the redundant network security constraints could be identified by solving a series of relatively simple optimization subproblems. Numerical results on the modified NERL-118 test system indicate that the proposed model could accurately depict actual operation and scheduling conditions, and also verify that the proposed customized RCI method could effectively reduce the problem scale and improve the solution efficiency.
Determination of forest priority levels for wild boar by analysis of habitat suitability and landscape connectivity
Authors: Tang Tao , Li Jiping , Velázquez Javier
Published: July 2023

The reduction and fragmentation of forests due to human activities are two primary factors that have led to forest biodiversity losses. The lack of forest continuation may prevent organisms from escaping areas that are no longer habitable due to altered environmental conditions and the reduction in size of habitat regions. Therefore, protecting and promoting forest connectivity has become one of the important objectives of forest management. The forests were regarded as independent elements, and the connectivity of the forest itself was directly evaluated in previous studies. However, this approach ignores the maintenance of forest connectivity, while requiring the participation of other landscape elements. In this study, we indirectly determine the forest priority by evaluating the landscape priority by integrating analysis with the habitat suitability (HS) model, MSPA and and BCkPC and dPCk index. We studied the wild boar (Sus scrofa) habitats in and around Hupingshan and Houhe National Nature Reserves to illustrate the indirect evaluation method of forest priority. The results showed that forests with high priority, medium priority, low priority, and non-priority comprised 596, 64, 58 and 105 km2, respectively, accounting for the 41.2, 2.7, 3.0, and 11.9% of the total forest area. Our research revealed that evaluating the forest priority by analysing the landscape priority was an effective method for forest priority identification, and this strategy can be used to other regions or species for the goal of identifying the forest priority for biodiversity conservation.
Red palm weevil olfactory proteins annotated from the rostrum provide insights into the essential role in chemosensation and chemoreception
Authors: Venthur Herbert , Arias Ignacio , Lizana Paula , Jakše Jernej , Alharbi Hatten A. , Alsaleh Mohammed Ali , Pain Arnab , Antony Binu
Published: July 2023

Red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is rapidly infesting palm trees (Arecaceae) in several countries, threatening coconut, date, and oil cultivations. The male-produced aggregation pheromone in palm weevils has been reported to be secreted through the mouth to the rostrum, a snout-like projection key for pheromone emission and dispersion. The olfactory mechanisms that underlie peripheral odorant detection in RPW have been addressed at the antennal level. However, the rostrum remains unexplored. Through RNA-seq, 27 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 6 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 4 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), 21 gustatory receptors (GRs), 25 odorant receptors (ORs) (including one odorant receptor coreceptor, Orco) and 10 ionotropic receptors (IRs), were identified. We reported 27 novel rostrum-specific olfactory proteins (4 IRs, 11 GRs, 2 CSPs, 3 OBPs, and 7 ORs) in R. ferrugineus (Rfer). The OBPs (RferSOBPs) [Rfer with “S” indicating “snout” (rostrum)] were the most abundant transcripts compared with the rest of the olfactory proteins. We identified several rostrum OBPs, which predominately emerged through gene duplication, and were found expressed in both rostrum and antennae. Noticeably, we found R. ferrugineus pheromone-binding protein (RferOBP1768) paralog in the rostrum (RferOBP14) and mapped it in the same scaffold at a different position on the RPW genome as a recent duplicate. We found that an OR (RferSOR1) was the most abundant for both field-collected and lab-reared RPWs, in the rostrum and antennae. Likewise, up-regulated olfactory-related proteins were established in field conditions compared with those from laboratory-reared. We found a rostrum-specific, highly expressing RferSIR1 in IR93a-clade related to hygrosensation. The role of these olfactory proteins as targets for identifying more specific and powerful semiochemicals is discussed in the context of pest management.
Research on the impact path of ecological civilization construction on carbon emission based on fsQCA method
Authors: Cao Ping , Chen Ruilin
Published: July 2023

From a theoretical point of view, promoting the construction of ecological civilization has a positive effect on reducing carbon emissions. However, ecological civilization construction has rich connotations, and the mechanism of its impact on carbon emissions is relatively complex, with regional differences. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore the influence mechanism of ecological civilization construction on carbon emissions. In order to investigate the mechanism of the effect of the construction of ecological civilization on carbon emissions. 30 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in China were used as research objects. Based on the perspective of configuration, use the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method (fsQCA), from the six dimensions of ecological civilization construction to study the configuration path of ecological civilization construction affecting carbon emissions. The findings show that the antecedent variables are related to each other and there are three types of paths to achieve low-carbon emissions, eco-economy-driven type with eco-economic construction as a key factor; eco-environmental protection type with a focus on eco-environmental protection; and land space optimization type that enhances the rational use of land resources. Comparing the low-carbon emission group pathway with the non-low-carbon emission group pathway illustrates that eco-logical management alone cannot effectively curb carbon emissions. The study explores how to promote the construction of ecological civilization and help reduce carbon emissions accordingly. To provide direction for the direction of ecological civilization construction in different regions.
Spatio-temporal variability in the strength, directionality, and relative importance of climate on occupancy and population densities in a philopatric mammal, the American pika (Ochotona princeps)
Authors: Billman Peter D. , Beever Erik A. , Westover Marie L. , Ryals Dylan K.
Published: July 2023

Species distribution models (SDMs) have been widely employed to evaluate species–environment relationships. However, when extrapolated over broad spatial scales or through time, these models decline in their predictive ability due to variation in how species respond to their environment. Many models assume species–environment relationships remain constant over space and time, hindering their ability to accurately forecast distributions. Therefore, there is growing recognition that models could be improved by accounting for spatio-temporal nonstationarity – a phenomenon wherein the factors governing ecological processes change over space or time. Here, we investigated nonstationarity in American pika (Ochotona princeps) relationships with climatic variables in the Rocky Mountains (USA). We first compared broad-scale differences in pika–climate patterns for occupancy and population density across the Southern, Central, and Northern Rockies. Next, we investigated within-ecoregion variation across four mountain ranges nested within the Northern Rockies. Lastly, we tested whether species–climate relationships changed over time within the Central Rockies ecoregion. Across all analyses, we found varying levels of nonstationarity among the climate metrics for both occupancy and density. Although we found general congruence in temperature metrics, which consistently had negative coefficients, and moisture metrics (e.g., relative humidity), which had positive coefficients, nonstationarity was greatest for summer and winter precipitation over both space and time. These results suggest that interpretations from one ecoregion should not be applied to other regions universally – especially when using precipitation metrics. The within-ecoregion analysis found much greater variation in the strength-of-relationship coefficients among the four mountain ranges, relative to the inter-regional analysis, possibly attributable to smaller sample sizes per mountain range. Lastly, the importance of several variables shifted through time from significant to insignificant in the temporal analysis. Our results collectively reveal the overall complexity underlying species–environment relationships. With rapidly shifting conditions globally, this work adds to the growing body of literature highlighting how issues of spatio-temporal nonstationarity can limit the accuracy, transferability, and reliability of models and that interpretations will likely be most robust at local to regional scales. Diagnosing, describing, and incorporating nonstationarity of species–climate relationships into models over space and time could serve as a pivotal step in creating more informative models.
Whole genome doubling-induced the enrichment of H3K27me3 in genes carrying specific TEs in Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Guo Hongwei , Zhang Guoyan , Zhou Min , Wan Min , Zhu Bo , Yang Zujun , Zeng Deying , Zeng Zixian
Published: July 2023

Polyploidization plays important roles in the evolution and breeding of the common wheat. Aegilops tauschii, the D-genome progenitor of the common wheat, provides a valuable pool of resistance genes to multiple diseases. Extensive studies focus on the exploration of these genes for wheat improvement. However, few studies have unveiled alternations on genome-wide expression pattern and histone modifications induced by whole-genome doubling (WGD) process. In this study, we conducted transcriptome analysis for the diploid and tetraploid Ae. taushcii lines using the leaf and root tissues. Both lines tend to display similar tissue-specific pattern. Interestingly, we found that TEs located in genic regions were depleted of the repressive histone mark H3K27me3, whereas their adjacent chromatin was enriched with H3K27me3. The tetraploid line exhibited higher levels of H3K27me3 in those regions than the diploid line, particularly for genic regions associated with TEs of the long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), CACTA, PIF/Harbinger, Tc1/Mariner and unclassed DNA transposon. Surprisingly, the expression levels of these TEs cognate genes were negatively associated with the levels of H3K27me3 between the tetraploid and diploid lines, suggesting the five types of TEs located within genic regions might be involved in the regulation of the ploidy-related gene expression, possibly through differential enrichment of H3K27me3 in the genic regions. These findings will help to understand the potential role of specific types of TEs on transcription in response to WGD.
T cell intrinsic STAT1 signaling prevents aberrant Th1 responses during acute toxoplasmosis
Authors: Schultz Aaron B. , Kugler David G. , Nivelo Luis , Vitari Nicolas , Doyle Laura P. , Ristin Svetlana , Hennighausen Lothar , O’Shea John J. , Jankovic Dragana , Villarino Alejandro V.
Published: July 2023

Infection-induced T cell responses must be properly tempered and terminated to prevent immuno-pathology. Using transgenic mice, we demonstrate that T cell intrinsic STAT1 signaling is required to curb inflammation during acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Specifically, we report that mice lacking STAT1 selectively in T cells expel parasites but ultimately succumb to lethal immuno-pathology characterized by aberrant Th1-type responses with reduced IL-10 and increased IL-13 production. We also find that, unlike STAT1, STAT3 is not required for induction of IL-10 or suppression of IL-13 during acute toxoplasmosis. Each of these findings was confirmed in vitro and ChIP-seq data mining showed that STAT1 and STAT3 co-localize at the Il10 locus, as well as loci encoding other transcription factors that regulate IL-10 production, most notably Maf and Irf4. These data advance basic understanding of how infection-induced T cell responses are managed to prevent immuno-pathology and provide specific insights on the anti-inflammatory properties of STAT1, highlighting its role in shaping the character of Th1-type responses.
Malaria mitochondrial diagnosis: challenges and pitfalls
Authors: Costa Gabriel Luíz , Alvarenga Denise Anete Madureira de , Assis Gabriela Maíra Pereira de , Aguiar Anna Caroline Campos , Louzada Jaime , Pereira Dhélio Batista , Pina-Costa Anielle de , Hirano Zelinda Maria Braga , Moreira Sílvia Bahadian , Pissinatti Alcides , Brasil Patrícia , Daniel-Ribeiro Cláudio Tadeu , Sousa Taís Nóbrega de , Alves de Brito Cristiana Ferreira
Published: July 2023

Background

High-copy genomic sequences could be used as PCR targets for the detection of Plasmodium infections, providing increased sensitivity over single- or low-copy genes. Mitochondrial genomes of malaria parasites are present in multiple copies in a single mitochondrion, and each parasite has many mitochondria. Here, we describe the development of seven species-specific qPCR assays for the diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, targeting coding and non-coding mitochondrial genomic regions.

Methods

The optimization of the qPCR protocols involved a gradient of annealing temperatures and concentrations of primers and probes, as well as the inclusion of PCR additives/enhancers [e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, bovine serum albumin (BSA)] to improve the specificity of qPCR amplification.

Results

Non-specific amplification of other Plasmodium species and of human targets was observed in different levels for all assays. Regardless of the late Cq values for most non-specific amplifications, the application of a cutoff value did not completely exclude false-positive amplification, compromising the specificity and also the sensitivity of the assays.

Conclusions

Therefore, although mitochondrial targets have higher sensitivity, they frequently lose specificity due to their high levels of sequence conservation. A screening to evaluate the cross-reaction between Plasmodium species and the non-specific amplification of human malaria-free samples must be performed for Plasmodium mitochondrial assays.
Human-centred health-care environments: a new framework for biophilic design
Authors: Tekin Bekir Huseyin , Urbano Gutiérrez Rosa
Published: July 2023

Increasing research corroborates that the qualities of the setting in which a patient receives healthcare positively influence health outcomes. Therefore, it has become progressively important to review the concept of therapeutic environments, as places where patients are treated with the most advanced medicine and technology, but also support their users in psychological, emotional and social terms. This quest for the optimal healing environment brings to the forefront the need to include other parameters in our design briefs, where the application of biophilic design proves to be paramount, as exposure to nature is associated with multiple health benefits. However, current biophilic design frameworks fail to provide efficient guidance, as their design recommendations don’t differentiate the level of value of each design parameter for each building programme and context. Our position is that a biophilic design framework can only be efficient if it is adapted to specific building functions and is geographically and culturally contextualized. This study assessed the application of biophilic design in therapeutic environments for cancer patients in the UK, and provided a revised conceptual framework that can more efficiently guide designers and policies in future interventions. This framework was informed by synthesised analyses from healthcare environments on the user's experiences, and primary data obtained from semi-structured interviews with architects and managers, which was then benchmarked against scientific data about the impact of biophilic design on humans. This comprehensive approach helped to identify and rank those biophilic design parameters that appear the most critical for promoting and supporting health and wellbeing in cancer healthcare settings and provided an up-to-date compilation of crucial design actions to enact the necessary change in future research and design practice.
An independent evaluation in a CRC patient cohort of microbiome 16S rRNA sequence analysis methods: OTU clustering, DADA2, and Deblur
Authors: Liu Guang , Li Tong , Zhu Xiaoyan , Zhang Xuanping , Wang Jiayin
Published: July 2023

16S rRNA is the universal gene of microbes, and it is often used as a target gene to obtain profiles of microbial communities via next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Traditionally, sequences are clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at a 97% threshold based on the taxonomic standard using 16S rRNA, and methods for the reduction of sequencing errors are bypassed, which may lead to false classification units. Several denoising algorithms have been published to solve this problem, such as DADA2 and Deblur, which can correct sequencing errors at single-nucleotide resolution by generating amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). As high-resolution ASVs are becoming more popular than OTUs and only one analysis method is usually selected in a particular study, there is a need for a thorough comparison of OTU clustering and denoising pipelines. In this study, three of the most widely used 16S rRNA methods (two denoising algorithms, DADA2 and Deblur, along with de novo OTU clustering) were thoroughly compared using 16S rRNA amplification sequencing data generated from 358 clinical stool samples from the Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Cohort. Our findings indicated that all approaches led to similar taxonomic profiles (with P > 0.05 in PERMNAOVA and P <0.001 in the Mantel test), although the number of ASVs/OTUs and the alpha-diversity indices varied considerably. Despite considerable differences in disease-related markers identified, disease-related analysis showed that all methods could result in similar conclusions. Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Parvimonas, Gemella, and Haemophilus were identified by all three methods as enriched in the CRC group, while Roseburia, Faecalibacterium, Butyricicoccus, and Blautia were identified by all three methods as enriched in the healthy group. In addition, disease-diagnostic models generated using machine learning algorithms based on the data from these different methods all achieved good diagnostic efficiency (AUC: 0.87–0.89), with the model based on DADA2 producing the highest AUC (0.8944 and 0.8907 in the training set and test set, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in performance between the models (P >0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that DADA2, Deblur, and de novo OTU clustering display similar power levels in taxa assignment and can produce similar conclusions in the case of the CRC cohort.