bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pemilihan Pembiayaan KPR (Kredit Pemilikan Rumah) Dengan Akad Murabahah (Studi kasus di Bank Muamalat Tbk Cabang Pembantu Samarinda Seberang)
Authors: Sapi'i Sapi'i , Setiawan Agus
Published: May 2023

Having your own home is the dream of all people, even being the basic human needs that must be met. But most people cannot afford to buy with cash to buy in installments or credit and the bank Muamalat itself, provided a variety of KPRS that can be selected according to the needs and interest free. Having your own home is no longer a difficult one, because there are the housing loans granted by banks commonly called mortgage (KPR). Bank Muamalat was present meet the demand of people with the name Residential Syariah financing from Bank Muamalat is a financing facility for residential property in accordance with Islamic principles. Thatneeds with of the community in the ownership of the house in installment and in accordance with Islamic principles. The purpose of this study to determine Factors Influencing the Customer in choosing a mortgage with AkadMurabaha Financing. This study concluded that the factors Customers Choose AkadMurabaha Financing mortgages with Religion is a factor, Factor Location Factor, Friends, Ad Factors, Economic Factors, Care Factor.
Analisis Efektivitas Distribusi Zakat pada Baitulmal Bank Syariah Indonesia
Authors: Rifan Akhmad Arif , Wahyudi Rofiul , Nurani Oril Presti
Published: May 2023

The Zakat Management Organization is a non-profit organization that is expected to be managed to provide more comprehensive benefits to the community, one of which is Baitulmaal, which is managed by a sharia bank. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the distribution of zakat in baitulmaal Indonesian Islamic banks. The research method uses a quantitative approach with a descriptive design. The population of this research is all Baitulmal Islamic banks in Indonesia. The sample selection in this study used purposive sampling with the following criteria: limited to Baitulmal Islamic banks, including in the category of book banks 3 & 4, have published financial data, do not include other Baitulmal institutions or government national zakat institutions. Based on the criteria, the samples selected according to the requirements are Baitul Maal Muamalat (BMM) Bank Muamalat Indonesia, BSM Umat, BRI Baitul Maal Foundation (YBM), Hasanah Titik Foundation (YHT) BNI Syariah. Measurement of Baitulmal Islamic banks' effectiveness on the dimensions of the intermediation function in the Zakat Core Principle (ZCP) Model. This study's findings indicate that in 2016 the level of effectiveness was in the fairly significant category. Meanwhile, 2017 and 2018 showed an increase in the significant type. The effectiveness of baitulmaal during this research period indicates the importance of management to improve performance so that zakat funds can be more targeted and useful
Analisis Likuiditas Bank Umum Syariah dengan Pendekatan Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL)
Authors: Pertiwi Bintang Putri , Sudarsono Heri
Published: May 2023

This study aims to determine the influence of internal and external factors on the liquidity of Islamic banks. The research observation period was from January 2015 to April 2019 using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) data processing method. ARDL is used to determine the short-term and long-term independent variables on the liquidity variable. The results of data processing found that CAR has a significant negative effect on FDR, but it is not significant in the short term. Likewise, ROA has a significant positive effect on FDR only in the long term. NPF in the short and long term has a significant negative effect on FDR. Then BOPO has a significant positive effect on FDR only in the long term. The BI Rate has a short-term and long-term effect on FDR, but in the short term, the BI Rate has a significant positive effect, while in the long term, the BI Rate has a significant negative effect on FDR. Inflation has a negative effect but does not significantly affect FDR in the long and short term. IPI in the long and short term has a significant positive effect on FDR.
The Impact of Productive Waqf's Implementation to the Development of Sharia Economics in South Kalimantan
Authors: Aisyah Lisda , Noval Muhammad , Darmawati Darmawati
Published: May 2023

Waqf is one of the sources of Nation's income that can empower the sharia economy. The Implementation of waqf cannot be separated from the supervision of the Indonesian Waqf Board. Indonesian Waqf Board supervises at the provincial level as an independent institution tasked with empowering productive waqf. In this study, the supervisory process carried out by the Indonesian Waqf Board in South Kalimantan applies the empowerment of productive waqf by the Indonesian Waqf Board of South Kalimantan to the development of the sharia economy. This study aimed to determine how to implement the empowerment model applied by the Indonesian Waqf Board to the sharia economy. This research is a descriptive study with a sociological and normative approach. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews, documentation, and triangulation with the determination of informants through purposive snowball sampling. The results showed that from these results the implementation of (1) the waqf model for building construction in building facilities and infrastructure, and (2) the waqf model for business development covering agriculture, animal husbandry, and business units. The two models are then linked to management, including investment management and productive waqf distribution management. The management of the Indonesian Waqf Board in South Kalimantan implements the empowerment of Human Resources with the supervision of nazhir based on waqf law, sharia economic system, and waqf administration or entrepreneurship. The managerial process is inseparable from the leadership factor. Through direct supervision by South Kalimantan BWI staff and the Ministry of Religion, control is carried out to oversee productive waqf assets.
Analisis Pengaruh Faktor Eksternal dan Internal Terhadap Tingkat Permintaan Sukuk Ritel SR008
Authors: Anzal Cupian , Al Ayyubi Muhammad Ikhwan , Hasanah Alfiah
Published: May 2023

Sukuk Retail SR008 was issued in 2016  as one of instrument to finance government  deficit in spending  . Sukuk Retail SR008 reported to have the  largest number of investors and total issuance in the history of retail sukuk in Indonesia. This study investigates  the effect of internal and external variables on the trading volume of retail sukuk SR008 in the short and long term. Using a montly data from  June 2016 to February 2019 and use the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), the independent variables used in this study are, retail sukuk SR008 price and yield, ORI013 retail bond price, mudhorabah profit sharing for one month, and GDP level. The results show that price sukuk retail SR008, yield sukuk retail SR008 and PDB have a positive and significant  effect on the trading volume of retail sukuk SR008 in the longrun however variable share rate of mudhorabah one-month  and price bond retail ORI013 have negative effect . In the short run,  all independent variables have no significant effect on the retail sukuk SR008 trading volume.
Islamic Rationality on the Influence of Global Consumerism Culture
Authors: Rusanti Ega , Syarifuddin Syarifuddin , Sofyan A. Syathir , Ridwan Muhammad
Published: May 2023

The culture of consumerism has expanded globally. Basically, this ideology is a derivative of investment capitalism which gives rise to a spirit of consumption to form "self-identity". As a result, consumerism causes new problems in the order of life, namely psychological and manipulative damage, the formation of new social constructs, as well as economic inequality and ecological damage. This study aims to examine the assumptions in Islamic rationality on the influence of consumerism. This research is a descriptive qualitative with systematic literature review (SLR) analysis tool to carry out studies, interpretations, extractions, and synthetic retrieval of previous studies. The results showed that the Islamic rationality described in the Al-Quran is able to answer the problems caused by consumerism that occur. The assumptions in Islamic consumption that are interpreted in the Qur'an are: Consuming halal and thayyib and avoiding haram consumption; consumption is balanced simply and in moderation; consuming by prioritizing priority needs and social consumption; conduct sustainable and responsible consumption.
Social Capital and Participation in Moslem Organizations
Authors: Hawari Muhammad Irsyad , Hasanah Alfiah , Adam Asep Muhammad
Published: May 2023

This study aims to address the impact of participation in Moslem organizations on social capital in a setting of a country with the biggest Moslem population in the world. A survey of members and non-members of Moslem organization Muhammadiyah in Bandar Lampung City was conducted. The quantitative approach is used to display the data on the degree to which Muhammadiyah Moslem organizations' involvement has impacted the social capital index. The data analysis technique used is propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. The findings demonstrated that members of Muhammadiyah and non-Muhammadiyah had different social capital indices. Additionally, a person's involvement in Muslim groups significantly affects social capital. It suggests that Moslem organizations are not only present to provide religious understanding for their members but also capable of providing added value for them, that is, the addition of social capital for each member.
Sharia Rural Banks in East Java: How Its Hazard Rate? (The Analysis Using Multiple Period Logit)
Authors: Oktaviana Ulfi Kartika , Miranti Titis
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to determine the susceptibility opportunities of each BPRS. The second objective is to find out the financial ratios that cause it. The financial sustainability measure is a measuring tool to calculate the chance of survival. Financial sustainability approximates the value of Financial Self-Sufficiency (FSS). The population used is BPRS in East Java. The analysis technique used survival analysis and multiple period logit models. The study results show that only 8 BPRS have a chance to sustain more than 30%. Research variables that invariably affect the sustainability of BPRS include NPF, ROA, Bank Size, PM, FR, GLP, WoR, and LDR. Financial sustainability is an excellent Early Warning System to determine financial institutions' financial health, so this research is a good contribution to them.
Strategi Pengelolaan Dana Infak (Program Koin NU) Di Lembaga Amil Zakat, Infak Dan Sedekah Nahdlatul Ulama Kota Samarinda
Authors: Hasbi Muhammad , . Darmawati , Mahrus Moh
Published: May 2023

The background of the problem in this study is departing from the lack of public knowledge about the potential of infak funds that we often offer in our daily lives. This is due to the obligation of a Muslim to commit tithe which has a complete guide in the Qur'an and Hadith. To overcome this. This research is to find out the LAZISNU Kota samarinda strategy in managing infak funds through the KOIN NU program and also the role of the institution in increasing the productive business of beneficiaries of infak funds. This research method is a type of field research with a descriptive qualitative approach. Data and data sources have 6 key informants and 2 main key informants. The research results obtained from this study are the first management strategies carried out by LAZISNU Kota Samarinda and MWCNU of Palaran Sub-District, Samarinda City, showing the effort to succeed the KOIU NU program, namely by collecting funds from NU congregations in Samarinda City coordinated by one person collectors in each of their assemblies and cooperation with food and food stalls to entrust KOIN NU cans, in management it cannot be said professionally because in reality only one of the management from LAZISNU Kota Samarinda and MWCNU in Palaran Sub-District who also collect, count and make monthly financial reports, while for the distribution of the four pillars of the central management program, namely the fields of education, health, economics and disaster preparedness and allans have been carried out according to ability.
Factors That Affect the Realization of MSME Financing at Sharia Bankaltimtara Samarinda
Authors: Iswanto Bambang , Ain Fitriah Rinna Ramadhan , AF Muh Shadiqul Fajri , Munir Misbahul
Published: May 2023

This research was motivated by the importance of financing the MSME sector based on syariah principles to overcome the problem of limited MSME business capital and avoid the element of usury. The research aims to determine what factors had a significant effect on the realization of MSME financing at the Sharia Bankaltimtara, Samarinda. To analyze the factors that influenced the realization of MSME financing, the used method was multiple linear regression analysis. The independent variables were estimated, namely the age of the customer, the level of education of the customer, the length of the business of the customer, the net income per month, the type of business, the composition of venture capital, collateral value, and type of financing contract. Multiple linear regression analysis was tested with the SPSS 23.0 statistical tool. This research finds that there are two factors that have a significant influence on the realization of MSME financing at Sharia Bankaltimtara, Samarinda, namely the customer's net profit per month and the value of the financing collateral.
Dampak Covid-19 terhadap Perekonomian Masyarakat Ditinjau dari Perspektif Ekonomi Syariah
Authors: Batubara Yennika , Yafiz Muhammad , Batubara Maryam
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study was to find out how big the impact of the covid-19 virus was on the economy of the people in the city of Medan, how did the people of the city of Medan anticipate being able to carry out their lives and how did the Medan city government take action to deal with the covid-19 virus. Data collection and retrieval was carried out by means of field research through observation and interviews with direct companies and obtained from respondents through questionnaires, focus groups, panels and also data from the results of direct interviews with researchers with informants and direct observation of the object or company where the author conducted the research. Economic growth which resulted in an almost recession and greatly decreased made all economic activists feel threatened by the spread of the pandemic, because it resulted in limited activities and also unusual economic activity. Islamic economics guarantees private ownership but also prioritizes common interests. So that private property can be used to help many people and be of benefit to others. The downturn in the Indonesian people's economy has also resulted in a number of outlets, or companies causing bankruptcy, and even dismissals have occurred in various companies which have also resulted in unemployment everywhere.
Surviving Deterrence: How US asylum deterrence policies normalize gender-based violence
Authors: Duvisac Sara , Sullivan Irena
Published: May 2023

Migrants and asylum seekers often flee unspeakable acts of gender-based violence (GBV) at home such as human trafficking, sexual assault, sexual slavery, kidnapping, harassment, and other trauma. In trying to seek safety in the US, many endure further atrocities and exploitation at the US-Mexico border. Drawing on interviews and surveys of social and legal service providers working at the US southern border, this report documents how migrants and asylum seekers experience gender-based harm in two different but related ways as a consequence of seeking safe haven in the US. This report focuses on the experiences of women, girls, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals.
Medication review with follow-up service by community pharmacists forpatients under treatment with coumarin anticoagulants in collaboration with Primary Care
Authors: Sáez-Benito Ana , Sáez-Benito Loreto , Oliván Bárbara , Magallón Rosa , Ezquerra Leyre , Berenguer Nuria
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Anticoagulation treatment with VKA presents an optimal risk-benefit balance in patients with a Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) >70%. Pharmacist integration in the primary health care team, using innovative tools such as the SAME-TT2R2 and pharmacogenetics information, could enhance the management of anticoagulated patients. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a medication review with follow up service by community pharmacists, in collaboration with Primary Care for patients treated with VKA.
Methods and analysis: A randomized controlled study with blinded outcome assessment will be conducted. Patients treated with VKA with TTR<70% from 2 health care centres will be included. Primary outcome is TTR during last 6 months. Secondary outcomes will be: adherence, vitamin K intake, patient’s knowledge, pharmacogenetics and SAME-TT2R2’s clinical utility, costs, quality of life and satisfaction. Potential clinical, economic, and humanistic impact of the interventions will be retrospectively analysed using CLEO tool. Intervention group will receive a medication review with follow up, physicians will receive an evidence-based report patient´s medicine-related problems, genetic and clinical limitations for the use of VKA. Patients will be followed for 6 months. Sample size: 130 patients will be recruited for 90% power based on the most conservative scenarios. Multivariate, cost-effectiveness analyses will be used.
Ethics and dissemination: The study design was approved by the ethical committee of Aragon. The trial is registered at Clinical Trials.gov dated 25/05/2017: NCT03154489. Trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences.
Postpartum uterine health, energy metabolism, and fertility of primiparous and multiparous crossbred dairy cows raised in the Amazon biome
Authors: Pfeifer Luiz , Andrade Jessica , Barbosa Ingrid , Gomes Leonardo , Silva Samira , Noleto Gabrielly , Silva Renata , Haridassa Felipe
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to compare the biological activity of the uterus and the metabolism between primiparous and multiparous crossbred dairy cows. Eighteen crossbred dairy cows (B. indicus x B. taurus) were divided by parity order into primiparous (n = 8), and multiparous (n = 10) cows. These cows were evaluated from parturition to 50 days in milk (DIM) for milk production, body weight, body condition score, subcutaneous fat thickness, seric β-hydroxybutyrate, and presence of purulent vaginal discharge. Also, uterine tissue was collected using the cytobrush technique to assess the proportion of polymorphonuclear cells and the abundance of IL-1B, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, PGR, ESR1, ESR2, and PTCH2 transcripts. By 50 DIM, the cows were included in a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol. Multiparous cows tended to have greater milk production (P < 0.08). Primiparous cows had a higher (P ≤ 0.05) relative abundance of IL6, PTCH2, and PGR mRNA. In contrast, Multiparous cows had a higher relative abundance of IL10 mRNA. All cows ovulated after the TAI protocol. The proportion of primiparous cows ovulating from calving to 50 DIM tended (P = 0.08) to be greater. Overall, the findings indicated that parity does not significantly affect energy metabolism and that multiparous cows have lower uterine inflammatory response associated with lower relative expression of IL6 and higher relative expression of IL10. These results led us to conclude that parity had little effect on puerperium, and according to the postpartum uterine condition, crossbred dairy cows can be considered healthy by 40 DIM.
Integrated Biomarker Responses: A Further Improvement of IBR and IBRv2 Indexes to Preserve Data Variability in Statistical Analyses.
Authors: Mattos Jaco Joaquim , Siebert Marília Nardelli , Bainy Afonso Celso Dias
Published: May 2023

In biomonitoring and laboratory studies, it is typical to measure a battery of molecular, biochemical and cytogenetic biomarkers to evaluate the effects of xenobiotics in biota. However, summarizing the results of several biomarkers to inform laypersons and environmental agencies is still a challenge for researchers and environmental specialists. To address this issue, researchers have developed indexes such as the Integrated Biomarker Responses (IBR) and Integrated Biomarker Response version 2 (IBRv2) to summarize all biomarkers responses into a single value. Unfortunately, these indexes do not preserve the original biological variability, which hampers subsequent statistical analyses. In this study, we created improved versions of IBR and IBRv2, which preserve individual data variability and can be used in typical statistical analyses. The new Integrated Biomarker Responses individual (IBRi), Integrated Biomarker Responses version 2 individual (IBRv2i) and Weighted Integrated Biomarker Responses version 2 individual (Weighted IBRv2i) indexes correlated with the original IBR and IBRv2 indexes and were able to detect differences among experimental groups in a simulated and case studies. Using the IBRi, IBRv2i, or Weighted IBRv2i indexes is advantageous because they maintain the data variability of the experimental groups and can be analyzed using hypothesis testing statistics like any other parameter. Additionally, this approach can help translate technical scientific terminology into a more accessible language suitable for environmental governmental agencies and decision-makers.
Strong and Tough Conductive Hydrogel with High Sensitivity via Self-Assembly-Induced Bridge Crosslinking
Authors: Li Tian , Qi Haobo , Zhao Yijing , Kumar Punit , Dong Xinyu , Guo Xiao , Zhao Miao , Li Xinwei , Ritchie Robert O. , Zhai Wei
Published: May 2023

Conductive hydrogels possess a remarkable potential for applications in soft electronics and robotics, owing to their unique combination of high electrical conductivity, stretchability, and impressive self-healing capabilities. However, the limited strength and toughness of these hydrogels have traditionally impeded their practical implementation. Inspired by the hierarchical architecture of high-performance biological composites found in Nature, in this study we successfully fabricate a novel type of strong and tough conductive hydrogel through self-assembly-induced bridge crosslinking of MgB2 nanosheets and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. By combining the micro- to nano-level hierarchical lamellar structures of the PVA hydrogels with the robust molecular-level B-O covalent bonds, the resulting conductive hydrogel exhibits an exceptional strength of 8.58 to 32.7 MPa and a high toughness of 27.56 to 123.3 MJ/m3. Moreover, the hydrogel demonstrates exceptional sensitivity (with a response/relaxation time of 20 ms and a detection lower limit of ~1Pa) under external deformation, due to its nanoscale MgB2 nanosheets/PVA lamellar structure and extremely low compressive modulus. These unique characteristics enable the conductive hydrogel to exhibit superior performance in advanced soft sensing applications, particularly in non-contact speaking detection. This study represents a major breakthrough, introducing a new class of conductive hydrogel that integrates exceptional strength, toughness, and sensitivity, thereby opening up exciting possibilities for the development of high-performance conductive hydrogels.
Cryo-EM structures of the cytochrome bc1 complex with metyltetraprole reveals the distinct mechanism of drug resistance
Authors: Yang Guang-Fu , Wang Yu-Xia , Ye Ying , Dong Jiangqing , Jiang Jia-Jia , Dong Ying , Wu Qiong-You , Zhu Xiao-Lei
Published: May 2023

Cytochrome bc1 complex (complex Ⅲ) is one of the most important targets for drug and fungicide discovery. Metyltetraprole (MET) is a novel inhibitor of complex Ⅲ, which has activity against the major reported mutations G143A and F129L of quinone site inhibitor (QoI)-resistant isolates. However, the anti-resistance mechanism of MET is still elusive and very intriguing to be explored. Here, we determined the near-atomic resolution structures of isolated complex III (2.88 Å) and MET-bound complex III (3.26 Å) by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), showing that MET exhibited a different binding mode from azoxystrobin, a typical QoI. MET could bind to the G143A or F129L mutated complex as well as to the wild-type complex III, whereas the binding affinity of azoxystrobin to the G143A or F129L mutants decreased significantly compared to the wild-type. This work provided a structural basis for the design of the next generation of inhibitors to overcome the resistance.
Organic electronics circuitry for in situ real-time processing of electrophysiological signals
Authors: Lauro Michele Di , De Salvo Anna , Rondelli Federico , Tomassini Alice , Greco Pierpaolo , Stieglitz Thomas , Fadiga Luciano , Biscarini Fabio
Published: May 2023

The next generation of brain-machine interfaces are envisioned to couple signal transduction, filtering, and sorting on board with minimum power consumption and maximum bio-integrability. These functional needs shall be mandatorily met in order to design efficient closed-loop brain-machine interfaces aimed at treating and monitoring various disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. Here, we highlight the pivotal role organic bioelectronics may have in the contextual development of all these three desiderata, by demonstrating a modular organic-electronics circuit towards real-time signal filtering. The inherent filtering capabilities of electrolyte-gated organic transistor are tuned via adjustment of operational conditions and benchmarked in an electromyography experiment. Additionally, a whole-organic signal processing circuitry is presented, coupling such transistors with ad hoc designed organic passive components. This provides the possibility to sort complex signals into their constitutive frequency components in real time, thereby delineating innovative strategies to devise organic-based functional building-blocks for brain-machine interfaces.
Enacted Phronesis (Practical Wisdom) in Medical Practitioners: An Empirical Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Jameel S.Y , Jones J.
Published: May 2023

BackgroundPhronesis (Practical Wisdom) is a useful way of conceptualising professional knowledge in the field of Medicine. Phronesis is one of five intellectual virtues described by Aristotle. Two of these intellectual virtues are well embedded in Medical Education; scientific knowledge (episteme) and technical skill (techne). The remaining two intellectual virtues are philosophical wisdom (sophia) and intellectual insight (nous). A critical interpretive literature review identified a lack of empirical work on the characteristics of phronemoi (wisdom exemplars). This paper is based on mixed-method PhD research which sought to determine the constituents of enacted phronesis in a population of family medicine practitioners in the UK. The work is positioned in a constructivist paradigm.MethodsA validated wisdom questionnaire (Ardelt 3D wisdom scale) was administered to 211 General Practitioners (GPs) at five training events. Outlier scoring doctors were invited to participate in biographic narrative interviews. 18 doctors were interviewed, 16 of which met Ardelt’s criterion for high levels of wisdom. Individual transcripts were analysed using the Wengraf biographic narrative interpretive method (BNIM), this looked at the lived life and told story of the exemplar and resulted in the generation of vignette statements which have been used for teaching. All transcripts were analysed using corpus linguistic frequency analysis, this enabled a conceptual framework to be produced which facilitated comparison of narratives and reflected the expressed thought-processes of the exemplars.Results34 constituents of enacted phronesis were identified in 5 key areas: their personal qualities, contexts, mental habits, knowledge-of-self and relational aspects. The 34 constituents inform practical action through wise deliberation. Comfort in dealing with uncertainty differentiated the wisdom exemplars from lower scoring participants.ConclusionsThis work has made explicit what is ordinarily tacit in relation to the process of phronesis. It has the potential to impact undergraduate medical education, continuing professional development and educational policy. The work also relates the concept of phronesis to flourishing (eudaimonia), and demonstrates that wiser doctors are happier doctors.
Carbon price prediction based on multiple decomposition and XGBoost algorithm
Authors: Xu Ke , Xia Zhanguo , Cheng Miao , Tan Xiawei
Published: May 2023

Carbon trading is an effective way to limit global carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon pricing mechanisms play an essential role in the decision of the market participants and policymakers. This study proposes a carbon price prediction model, Multi-Decomposition-XGBOOST, which is based on Sample Entropy and a new multiple decomposition algorithm. The main steps of the proposed model are as follows: (1) decompose the price series into multiple intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by using Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN); (2) decompose the IMF with the highest Sample Entropy by Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD); (3) select and recombine some IMFs based on their Sample Entropy, and then decompose them again via CEEMDAN; (4) predict IMFs by XGBoost model. The model has demonstrated reliable predictive performance in the evaluation of carbon price prediction in the Beijing market with significant price fluctuations. The proposed model achieves improvements of 30.437%, 44.543%, and 42.895% in RMSE, MAE, and MAPE, when compared to the individual models. The conclusion indicates that the proposed model has better predictive performance in carbon prices with higher volatility.
CO2 emissions of constructing China’s power grid towards carbon-neutral target: Based on top-down and bottom-up integrated model
Authors: Liu Yan
Published: May 2023

China is faced with huge pressure for achieving carbon-neutral target. Power sector is the largest industrial emitter in China, and renewable energy development would contribute to the large-scale construction of power grid. This study, based on top-down and bottom-up integrated models, aims to investigate carbon emissions of power grid construction, through identifying the key driving factors and forecasting their embodied emissions under the carbon neutrality target. Our results showed that, the increase of GDP dominated the increase in embodied carbon emissions of power grid construction, while energy efficiency and energy structure improvement contributed to the decrease. Large scale renewable energy development promotes the power grid construction. In 2060, total embodied carbon emissions would increase to 1105.7 Mt under the carbon neutrality target. However, the cost and key carbon-neutral technologies should be re-considered to ensure the sustainable electricity supply.
Long-term efficacy and safety of adjunctive perampanel in pediatric patients aged 4 – 19 years with drug-resistant epilepsy: a real-world study
Authors: Youn Song Ee , Kang Hoon-Chul , Lee Joon Soo , Kim Heung Dong , Kim Se Hee
Published: May 2023

This study determined a 24-month outcome of perampanel (PER) treatment in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy. The percentage of ≥50% responders was 47.3% at 12 months and 49.0% at 24 months. A 100% reduction in seizures for more than 12 months was observed in 36 patients (12.2%). Discontinuation occurred in 117 patients (39.8%). The most common reason for discontinuation was adverse events (34/117 patients, 11.6%). Baseline seizure frequency was higher in children aged <12 years than patients aged ≥12 years, however, the percentage of seizure reduction and ≥50% responders did not significantly differ between the two groups. The rate of early discontinuation was higher (p=<.001), and the duration of PER treatment was shorter in children aged <12 years (p=.001). The most common reason for discontinuation was significantly different. Most children aged < 12 years discontinued PER because of inadequate effectiveness, while the adverse event was the most common reason in patients aged ≥12 years (p=.045). Only the slow titration was significantly associated with ≥50% of the responder. PER is an effective anti-seizure drug that can be used safely on a long-term basis for pediatric patients aged 4 to <12 years and for patients aged ≥12 years.
Woody Species Population Structure and Regeneration Status in Hereje Natural Forest, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mammo Siraj , Anamo Abera , Bohnett Eve
Published: May 2023

Finding potential management interventions to lessen the negative effects of deforestation and forest degradation requires understanding the population structure and regeneration status of woody species in Ethiopia’s Hereje Natural Forest. The local population relies on the forest for ecosystem services, which in turn, alters the plant diversity and age structure of the forest and the regeneration status for future generations is uncertain. Hence, this study was conducted with the objective of determining the Woody Species population structure and regeneration status of woody species in Hereje Natural Forest in Southwest Ethiopia Three parallel transect lines (every 100 m) were established along altitudinal gradients, and 45 plots of 20 m x 20 m were used to collect vegetation data. Living woody species were counted and measured using diameter at breast height (DBH) measurements for DBH>2.5cm in each plot. Each main plot had five 2mx2m (4m2) subplots, one in the center and four at the corners. The regeneration status of each subplot was assessed by the species of woody plants present (seedlings, saplings, and mature trees/shrubs).On the studied plots, a total of 44 plant species were identified and classified into 28 families and 41 genera. The most relatively dominant species in the Hereje forest were Syzygium guineense (24.47%), Ficus sur (20%), Combretum molle (18.58%), Croton macrostachyus (18.11%), and Terminalia schimperiana (9.29%). According to the results, the density of tree species in the forest decreases as DBH classes increase. The predominance of small DBH classes is a result of excessive cutting for certain size classes by the local community, indicating extensive changes in the woody plant diversity and age structure. Overall, the forest's regeneration status was fair. Urgent interventions and enforced regulations are required to halt the major cause of forest deterioration, namely human-induced activities such as cattle grazing, illegal timber harvesting, and firewood collection. For long-term forest stability and biodiversity conservation, additional in-depth ecological studies are recommended regarding potential management interventions, monitoring protocols, and other ecological factors that contribute to the sustainable use of the forest and its products.
Automatic measurement of the Cobb angle for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using convolutional neural network
Authors: Maeda Yoshihiro , Nagura Takeo , Nakamura Masaya , Watanabe Kota
Published: May 2023

This study proposes a convolutional neural network method for automatic vertebrae detection and Cobb angle (CA) measurement on X-ray images for scoliosis. 1021 full-length X-ray images of the whole spine of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) were used for training and segmentation. The proposed AI algorithm's results were compared with those of the manual method by six doctors using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The ICCs recorded by six doctors and AI were excellent or good, with a value of 0.973 for the major curve in the standing position. The mean error between AI and doctors was not affected by the angle size, with AI tending to measure 1.7°–2.2° smaller than that measured by the doctors. The proposed method showed a high correlation with the doctors’ measurements, regardless of the CA size, doctors’ experience, and patient posture. The proposed method showed excellent reliability, indicating that it is a promising automated method for measuring CA in patients with AIS.
Feasibility Study of a Powder-Based Supplement Intervention for a future Synbiotic Trial in Breastfed Children from South Africa
Authors: Shivakoti Rupak , Laughton Barbara , Shafiq Mehr , Schoeman Elisma , Glashoff Richard H , Barnabas Shaun , Fry Samantha , Leu Cheng-Shiun , Wang Shuang , Bode Lars , Aldrovandi Grace , Kuhn Louise , Slogrove Amy L
Published: May 2023

Background Children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU), i.e., born to mothers living with HIV despite not acquiring HIV infection themselves, have increased morbidity and mortality. Data suggests that the breastmilk profile, and more specifically human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) composition, differ by maternal HIV status and may partly help explain this increased risk. We are currently conducting an HMO-based synbiotic randomized trial in breastfed children HEU, the MIGH-T MO study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05282485), to assess the impact on health outcomes of children HEU. Here, we report our experience from a study of the feasibility and acceptability of a powder-based intervention given to breastfeeding children, conducted prior to the initiation of MIGH-T MO.Methods 10 mothers living with HIV and their breastfeeding children HEU accessing care at Tygerberg Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa were enrolled. A powder-based product, potato maltodextrin, was mixed with expressed breast milk and administered to the infants daily for 4 weeks. Data on feasibility, acceptability, adherence, and health outcomes were assessed at the enrollment visit and at the 4 week visit, along with weekly telephone calls.Results 10 mother-infant pairs were enrolled in this study, with infant age ranging from 6–20 months of age. Among the mothers who met the eligibility criteria, all of them enrolled into the study suggesting high acceptability. While there was some loss-to-follow-up after the first visit, among the mothers who remained, there were no major feasibility concerns related to study procedures, product administration, adherence, tolerance, and health outcome assessment.Conclusion Our pilot study demonstrated that a powder-based intervention for breastfeeding children HEU in South Africa is acceptable and feasible. This suggests potential feasibility and acceptability for other larger studies, including our ongoing MIGH-T MO study, that use similar powder-based interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics, in breastfed infants from similar settings.
Identification of osteoarthritis-characteristic genes and immunological micro-environment features by bioinformatics and machine learning
Authors: Da Zheng , Guo Rui , Sun Jianjian , Wang Ai
Published: May 2023

Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a mechanistically complex chronic joint disease which will reduce the life quality of middle-aged and elderly people as well as increase the socioeconomic burden. Currently, the pathophysiology of OA is not entirely clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genes, functional pathways, as well as characteristics of immune infiltration, that are involved in the genesis and progression of osteoarthritis.
Methods
The GEO database was used to obtain gene expression profiles. R software was used for the screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enrichment analysis of these genes. OA characteristic genes were screened by WGCNA and the Lasso algorithm. Using ssGSEA, we evaluated the infiltration levels of immune cells in cartilage, followed by correlation analysis between immune cells and OA characteristic genes.
Results
We identified 80 DEGs in total. Results of the functional enrichment indicated that these DEGs were associated with chondrocyte metabolism, apoptosis, and inflammation. Three OA characteristic genes were identified by WGCNA analysis and the lasso algorithm, and then their expression levels were verified by the verification set. Finally, immune cells infiltration analysis revealed that T cells and B cells were mainly associated with OA. In addition, Tspan2, HtrA1 showed correlation with some of the infiltrating immune cells.
Conclusions
The results of a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis showed OA is associated with a number of characteristic genes, functional pathways, immune cell infiltration processes. Characteristic genes and functional pathways identified in this study can be used as biomarkers to guide drug treatment and molecular-level research on OA.
The effect of arterial spin labeling MR angiography (ASL-MRA) in visualizing the branches of external carotid artery
Authors: Yogi Akira , Ito Junji , Ishikawa Kazuki , Heianna Joichi , Sakugawa Satoshi , Aguni Narihisa , Obara Makoto , Maeda Hiroyuki , Nishie Akihiro
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to assess the performance of arterial-spin labeling MRA (ASL-MRA) for visualizing the external carotid artery (ECA) branches in comparison with time-of-flight MRA (TOF-MRA) and CT angiography (CTA). We retrospectively selected 31 consecutive patients, who underwent both MRAs and CTA, prior to the intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy (IACRT) for head and neck cancer. Four patients underwent IACRT bilaterally, so we analyzed 35 ECAs. Pseudo-continuous, three-dimensional ASL using a turbo field echo sequence was acquired. For the TOF-MRA and CTA, clinically used parameters were applied. Two observers evaluated each ECA branch with reference to the angiogram at the IACRT, using five-point scale, in consensus. Friedman test for multiple comparisons was applied. ASL-MRA and CTA better visualized the superior thyroid, lingual, facial, submental, transverse facial, and internal maxillary arteries (IMAs) better than TOF-MRA (p < 0.05). In addition, CTA was superior to ASL-MRA in visualizing only submental artery among these arteries (p = 0.0005). Alternatively, the ASL-MRA was superior for visualizing the middle meningeal artery (MMA) and IMA, compared to the CTA (p = 0.0001 and 0.0007, respectively). ASL-MRA was superior to the TOF-MRA and similar to the CTA in visualizing most of ECA branches. Furthermore, ASL-MRA can better visualize the periphery of MMA and IMA than CTA.
Development of a potency assay for CD34+ cell-based therapy for post-acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Aries Anne , Vignon Christine , Zanetti Céline , Goubaud Aurélien , Cormier Arthur , Diederichs Anne , Lahlil Rachid , Hénon Philippe , Garitaonandia Ibon
Published: May 2023

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results from obstruction of a coronary artery and affects around 126 million individuals globally. We have shown in a small pilot study that intracardiac delivery of autologous CD34+ cells after myocardial infarction is safe and leads to long term improvement. The improvement was such that three patients initially recommended for early heart transplantation in this study, no longer required it years after the cell injection. After the successful results of this pilot study, we started a multicenter, randomized, controlled Phase I/IIb study in post-AMI to investigate the safety and efficacy of intramyocardial injection of expanded autologous CD34+ cells (ProtheraCytes®) (NCT02669810). While patient recruitment is ongoing, we have developed a potency assay for the batch release of ProtheraCytes®.
Methods: The proposed mechanisms of action by which ProtheraCytes® promote cardiac regeneration and revascularisation of damaged myocardial tissue is via the secretion of angiogenic factors and endothelial differentiation. We conducted a series of in vitro studies characterizing the growth factor secretion, exosome secretion, gene expression, cell surface markers, differentiation potential, and angiogenic potential of ProtheraCytes® clinical batches to develop a potency assay.
Results: Here we show that ProtheraCytes® secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its concentration is significantly correlated with the number of CD34+ cells obtained after expansion (Pearson r = 0.7484; p-value = 0.0009). ProtheraCytes® also secrete exosomes containing proangiogenic miRNAs (126, 130a, 378, 26a), antiapoptotic miRNAs (21 and 146a), antifibrotic miRNAs (133a, 24, 29b, 132), and miRNAs promoting myocardial regeneration (199a and 590). We also show that ProtheraCytes® have in vitro angiogenic activity, express surface markers of endothelial and cardiomyocyte progenitor cells, and can differentiate in vitro into endothelial cells.
Conclusions: The potency assay should represent the product's mechanism of action, quantitatively measure the relevant biological product attribute, and have lot to lot consistency. Developing a potency assay is a required step before commencing the pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies. After the in vitro characterization of multiple ProtheraCytes® clinical batches, we established that measuring the concentration of VEGF provided the most practical, reliable, and consistent potency assay.
Carbon System State Determines Warming Potential of Emissions
Authors: Winkler Alexander J. , Myneni Ranga B. , Reimers Christian , Reichstein Markus , Brovkin Victor
Published: May 2023

Current strategies to hold surface warming below a certain level, e.g., 1.5 or 2 °C, advocate limiting total anthropogenic carbon emissions to ∼0.9 or ∼1.25 Eg C (1018 grams carbon), respectively1,2. These allowable emission budgets are based on a near-linear relationship between cumulative emissions and warming identified in various modeling efforts3–7. The IPCC assesses this near-linear relationship with high confidence in its Summary for Policymakers8 (§D1.1 and Figure SPM.10). Here we test this proportionality in specially designed simulations with a latest-generation Earth system model that includes an interactive carbon cycle with updated terrestrial ecosystem processes, and a suite of CMIP simulations. We find that atmospheric CO2 concentrations differ by ∼100 ppmv and surface warming by ∼0.3 °C (0.46 °C over land) for the same cumulated emissions (∼1.2 Eg C, 2 °C approximate carbon budget1). CO2 concentration and warming per 1 Eg of emitted carbon (Transient Climate Response to Cumulative Carbon Emissions6,9,10; TCRE) depend not just on total emissions, but also on the duration and time sequence of emissions, which heretofore have been ignored. The time dependency clearly arises due to lagged carbon sequestration processes on land, viz., ecological succession, land-cover, and demographic changes, etc., which are still poorly represented in most ESMs. This implies a temporally evolving state of the carbon system, but one which surprisingly apportions carbon into land and ocean sinks in a manner that is independent of the emission pathway. Therefore, even though TCRE differs for different pathways with the same total emissions, it is roughly constant when related to the state of the carbon system, i.e., the amount of carbon stored in surface sinks. Efforts to better understand the state of the carbon system with observations and refined models are needed to accurately project the impact of future emissions.