bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Agricultural Credit Programme Effective in Boro Cultivation? Evidence from State-owned Bank of Mymensingh District
Authors: Deb L , Sarkar MAR , Siddique MAB , Begum R 
Published: June 2021

High input-intensive Boro rice cultivation needs substantial agricultural credit for the resource-poor Bangladeshi farmers. An investigation was conducted at Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh district to assess loan attainment cost from Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and its utilization pattern; evaluate the effects of credit on Boro cultivation, and identify the major drivers of the agricultural credit programme. For the study, 140 farmers were divided into two groups: those who took a loan from BKB and those who did not. Results revealed that the borrowers had to pay Tk 10.23 for getting a hundred taka loan from BKB most of which was an unofficial cost. More than half of the obtained loan was used for Boro cultivation whereas 21% was used for family consumption and the rest (25%) was used for other purposes such as reimbursement of the previous loan from formal and informal sources, wedding and other income-generating activities including petty business. BKB credit borrowers obtained more benefits through Boro cultivation than non-borrowers. The major strengths of the BKB’s agricultural credit programme were well-established infrastructure, experienced manpower, country-wide network, and lower interest rate. Whereas complex and lengthy institutional procedures, the inevitability of collateral and poor institutional capacity were being revealed as the weaknesses of the programme. Prevalence of brokers or corrupt officials and political influence were identified as the major constraints for the loan acquirement. More advanced research is recommended, with an emphasis on agricultural credit programmes, to ensure their effectiveness.
Bangladesh Rice J. 24 (1): 85-95, 2020
The impact of job satisfaction on employee performance through organizational commitment as intervening variables: A survey on employees of Mitra Swalayan Kartasura
Authors: Suprayitno . , Lamidi . , Qomariah Jeane Rosalia 
Published: June 2021

Mitra Swalayan Kartasura is a private company engaged in the retail sector to fulfill basic needs. This objective is to address the impact of satisfaction on commitment to organizational commitment, to respond to the significance of the impact of the organization on employee performance, to indicate the significance of the impact of employee performance on satisfaction and whether the organization can mediate employee job satisfaction. This type of research uses the census method for Mitra Swalayan Kartasura employees. This research uses qualitative data and quantitative data. Meanwhile, the data source uses primary data and secondary data. The population is all employees of Mitra Swalayan Kartasura who assess 85 employees. The sample in this study were 85 employees with the census method. The data analysis technique used multiple regression test, t test, F test, indirect effect test, path analysis and coefficient of determination. The results of the study indicate that job satisfaction can have a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment, there is no positive and significant influence between organizational commitment on employee performance, job satisfaction can have a positive and significant effect on employee performance and in this study it cannot prove that organizational commitment. mediate job satisfaction on employee performance.
Prediction of Sensitivity and Efficacy of Clinical Chemotherapy Using Larval Zebrafish Patient-Derived Xenografts of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zhai Jing , Wu Jiaqi , Wang Yaohui , Fan Ruoyue , Xie Guiping , Wu Fangfang , He Yani , Qian Sitong , Tan Aimin , Yao Xuequan , He Mingfang , Shen Lizong 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundPerioperative chemotherapy has been accepted as one of the most common approaches for locally advanced gastric cancer. However, the efficacy of chemotherapy varies among patients, and there is no effective method to predict the chemotherapy efficacy currently. We previously established the first larval zebrafish patient-derived xenografts (zPDXs) of gastric cancer as a platform for the translational research and personalized treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of screening individualized chemotherapeutics using the zPDXs.MethodsWe further optimized this zPDXs platform including administration route, drug dosing, and rhythm to develop a stable and reliable protocol for chemotherapeutics screening. Using the novel platform, we investigated the chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, docetaxel, and doxorubicin for gastric cancer patients.ResultsWe showed that the engrafted zebrafish retained the original prominent cell components of the corresponding human tumor tissues, and we successfully obtained the results of chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, docetaxel, and doxorubicin for 28 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. These patients underwent radical gastrectomy for curative intent and 27 cases received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. We revealed that the chemosensitivity obtained from zPDXs was consistent with the clinical responses in these patients (P = 0.029). More importantly, the responder drug(s) from zPDXs used or not was the only risk factor for early-stage recurrence in these 27 patients (P = 0.003).ConclusionOur study with the largest sample size so far suggests that larval zPDXs help to predict the chemotherapeutics response and to achieve precise chemotherapy for gastric cancer.
Coronary Stent Healing in Cancer Patients—An Optical Coherence Tomography Perspective
Authors: Aziz Moez Karim , Herrmann Joerg , Marmagkiolis Konstantinos , Balanescu Dinu Valentin , Donisan Teodora , Pushparaji Bala , Lin Heather Y. , Tomakin Gerryross , Hoyt Taylor , Pham Martin , Dijkstra Jouke , Cilingiroglu Mehmet , Lopez-Mattei Juan , Zaha Vlad , Anderson H. Vernon , Feldman Marc D. , Molony Donald A. , Iliescu Cezar A. 
Published: June 2021

Objective: This study assessed stent healing patterns and cardiovascular outcomes by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in cancer patients after drug-eluting stent (DES) placement.Background: Cancer treatment, owing to its cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects, could delay stent healing and increase stent thrombosis risk, especially when dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is discontinued early for oncological treatment. OCT can assess stent endothelialization and other healing parameters, which may provide clinical guidance in these challenging scenarios.Methods: This single-center retrospective study enrolled all cancer patients who underwent OCT for assessment of vascular healing patterns after prior DES placement from November 2009 to November 2018. Primary study endpoints were stent healing parameters, including stent coverage, apposition, degree of expansion, neointimal hyperplasia heterogeneity, in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis, and overall survival (OS).Results: A total of 67 patients were included in this study. Mean time between DES placement and OCT evaluation was 154 ± 82 days. Stent healing matched published values for DES in non-cancer patients (P ≥ 0.063). At 1 year, the OS was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78–96%) with 0% incidence of acute coronary syndrome. Advanced cancers and active chemotherapies were associated with inferior OS (P = 0.024, hazard ratio [HR]: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.18–10.42 and P = 0.026, HR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.13–6.22, respectively), while stent healing parameters were unassociated with OS. Forty-one patients (61%) had DAPT duration ≤6 months.Conclusions: Stent healing of contemporary DES appears similar in cancer and non-cancer patients. Cardiovascular risk of cancer patients after DES placement can be managed to facilitate timely cancer therapies, as the underlying malignancy and active chemotherapy ultimately determine survival.
Archaeological Investigation and Hazard Assessment Using Magnetic, Ground-Penetrating Radar, and GPS Tools at Dahshour Area, Giza, Egypt
Authors: El Emam A. E. , Lethy A. , Radwan Ali M. , Awad A. 
Published: June 2021

An archeological study using magnetic and ground-penetrating radar methods has been performed at the Dahshour region (Giza, Egypt), where various covered structures have not been found because of the long coercion of the zone under the military specialists. Dahshour is the southern extension of the Saqqara and Giza Pyramids plateau, around 25 km south of Cairo. The area is known for its colored pyramids—the white, red, and black pyramids, and the famous Bent Pyramid. Four investigation sites were chosen around the Bent Pyramid complex. The geophysical investigation has revealed the presence of some buried structures made up of mud bricks such as tombs, mud-brick walls, causeway, and remains of an ancient temple. Numerous limestone blocks were also detected. The study indicates the possible existence of an older valley temple made up of mud bricks and confirms the existence of another causeway that led to the Nile Valley. To protect the Egyptian heritage around this vital area, a detailed computation of the current crustal stress/strain state has been performed by taking into account all the available GPS observations. Achieved results indicated that the southern and the southeastern sectors of the investigated area are currently accumulating strain, and this means that there is a possibility for future earthquakes to occur around this vital archaeological area. Buried structures are preserved by confinement in the burial materials like a large mold. However, external load or stress can still cause damage. Therefore, during excavation, the stress should be reduced to avoid wall collapsing and structure damage. Therefore, it is recommended to start excavation from the stress direction from the southern side.
Satisfying Students’ Psychological Needs During the COVID-19 Outbreak in German Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Teuber Ziwen , Jia Hao , Niewöhner Thomas 
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 outbreak has been a worldwide challenge for the higher education community. Under lockdown measures, meeting students’ needs and encouraging their engagement in academic work have never been more urgent and challenging. In this study, we investigated the relationship between students’ satisfaction with institutional strategies, students’ optimism and pessimism, satisfaction with basic psychological needs, engagement in academic work, intention to drop out from studies, depression, and well-being. We conducted an online self-report study on N = 477 German college and university students (77.25% females, mean age = 23.96 years, SD = 4.78). The results of structural equation models showed that students’ satisfaction with institutional strategies was positively related to their basic psychological need satisfaction and engagement. Students’ optimism was positively associated with need satisfaction and engagement, whereas pessimism was negatively associated with them. Furthermore, students’ academic engagement was negatively linked to dropout intentions, whereas psychological need satisfaction was linked to depression and well-being. The findings of this study suggest that acknowledging students timely about the institutional strategies of examinations and courses and supporting students to engage academic activities are important institutional tasks during crisis.
Modelling of Epithelial Growth, Fission and Lumen Formation During Embryonic Thyroid Development: A Combination of Computational and Experimental Approaches
Authors: Gonay Leolo , Spourquet Catherine , Baudoin Matthieu , Lepers Ludovic , Lemoine Pascale , Fletcher Alexander G. , Hanert Emmanuel , Pierreux Christophe E. 
Published: June 2021

Organogenesis is the phase of embryonic development leading to the formation of fully functional organs. In the case of the thyroid, organogenesis starts from the endoderm and generates a multitude of closely packed independent spherical follicular units surrounded by a dense network of capillaries. Follicular organisation is unique and essential for thyroid function, i.e. thyroid hormone production. Previous in vivo studies showed that, besides their nutritive function, endothelial cells play a central role during thyroid gland morphogenesis. However, the precise mechanisms and biological parameters controlling the transformation of the multi-layered thyroid epithelial primordium into a multitude of single-layered follicles are mostly unknown. Animal studies used to improve understanding of organogenesis are costly and time-consuming, with recognised limitations. Here, we developed and used a 2-D vertex model of thyroid growth, angiogenesis and folliculogenesis, within the open-source Chaste framework. Our in silico model, based on in vivo images, correctly simulates the differential growth and proliferation of central and peripheral epithelial cells, as well as the morphogen-driven migration of endothelial cells, consistently with our experimental data. Our simulations further showed that reduced epithelial cell adhesion was critical to allow endothelial invasion and fission of the multi-layered epithelial mass. Finally, our model also allowed epithelial cell polarisation and follicular lumen formation by endothelial cell abundance and proximity. Our study illustrates how constant discussion between theoretical and experimental approaches can help us to better understand the roles of cellular movement, adhesion and polarisation during thyroid embryonic development. We anticipate that the use of in silico models like the one we describe can push forward the fields of developmental biology and regenerative medicine.
Glycolysis Inhibition Induces Functional and Metabolic Exhaustion of CD4+ T Cells in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Martins Christina P. , New Lee A. , O’Connor Erin C. , Previte Dana M. , Cargill Kasey R. , Tse Isabelle L. , Sims- Lucas Sunder , Piganelli Jon D. 
Published: June 2021

In Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), CD4+ T cells initiate autoimmune attack of pancreatic islet β cells. Importantly, bioenergetic programs dictate T cell function, with specific pathways required for progression through the T cell lifecycle. During activation, CD4+ T cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to the less efficient aerobic glycolysis, similarly to highly proliferative cancer cells. In an effort to limit tumor growth in cancer, use of glycolytic inhibitors have been successfully employed in preclinical and clinical studies. This strategy has also been utilized to suppress T cell responses in autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, modulating T cell metabolism in the context of T1D has remained an understudied therapeutic opportunity. In this study, we utilized the small molecule PFK15, a competitive inhibitor of the rate limiting glycolysis enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6- biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3). Our results confirmed PFK15 inhibited glycolysis utilization by diabetogenic CD4+ T cells and reduced T cell responses to β cell antigen in vitro. In an adoptive transfer model of T1D, PFK15 treatment delayed diabetes onset, with 57% of animals remaining euglycemic at the end of the study period. Protection was due to induction of a hyporesponsive T cell phenotype, characterized by increased and sustained expression of the checkpoint molecules PD-1 and LAG-3 and downstream functional and metabolic exhaustion. Glycolysis inhibition terminally exhausted diabetogenic CD4+ T cells, which was irreversible through restimulation or checkpoint blockade in vitro and in vivo. In sum, our results demonstrate a novel therapeutic strategy to control aberrant T cell responses by exploiting the metabolic reprogramming of these cells during T1D. Moreover, the data presented here highlight a key role for nutrient availability in fueling T cell function and has implications in our understanding of T cell biology in chronic infection, cancer, and autoimmunity.
Sole Excited-State InAs Quantum Dot Laser on Silicon With Strong Feedback Resistance
Authors: Chen Jia-Jian , Wang Zi-Hao , Wei Wen-Qi , Wang Ting , Zhang Jian-Jun 
Published: June 2021

A feedback insensitive laser is a prerequisite for a desirable laser source for silicon photonic integration, as it is not possible to include an on-chip optical isolator. This work investigates the feedback insensitivity of an InAs/GaAs quantum dot laser epitaxially grown on an Si (001) substrate by operating in a sole excited state. The experimental results show that the sole excited-state lasing InAs quantum dot lasers on Si are less sensitive to external optical feedback than both Fabry-Perot and distributed-feedback quantum-well lasers. By comparing the laser behavior under different feedback levels, sole excited-state InAs quantum dot lasers on Si exhibit at least a 28 dB stronger feedback tolerance than quantum-well lasers. This result proposes a possible route for a high feedback insensitive laser as an on-chip light source towards Si waveguide integration with the absence of an optical isolator.
Impaired Executive Function and Depression as Independent Risk Factors for Reported Delirium Symptoms: An Observational Cohort Study Over 8 Years
Authors: Mychajliw Christian , Herrmann Matthias L. , Suenkel Ulrike , Brand Katharina , von Thaler Anna-Katharina , Wurster Isabel , Yilmaz Rezzak , Eschweiler Gerhard W. , Metzger Florian G. 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAcute medical illnesses, surgical interventions, or admissions to hospital in older individuals are frequently associated with a delirium. In this cohort study, we investigated the impact of specific cognitive domains and depression before the occurrence of delirium symptoms in an 8-year observation of older non-hospitalized individuals.MethodsIn total, we included 807 participants (48–83 years). Deficits in specific cognitive domains were measured using the CERAD test battery, and depressive symptoms were measured using Beck Depression Inventory and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) before the onset of a delirium. Delirium symptoms were retrospectively assessed by a questionnaire based on the established Nursing Delirium Screening Scale.ResultsFifty-eight of eight hundred seven participants (7.2%) reported delirium symptoms over the 8-year course of the study. Sixty-nine percent (n = 40) of reported delirium symptoms were related to surgeries. In multivariate regression analysis, impaired executive function was an independent risk factor (p = 0.034) for the occurrence of delirium symptoms. Furthermore, age (p = 0.014), comorbidities [captured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)] (p &lt; 0.001), and depression (p = 0.012) were significantly associated with reported delirium symptoms.ConclusionEspecially prior to elective surgery or medical interventions, screening for impaired executive function and depression could be helpful to identify patients who are at risk to develop delirium symptoms.
Gene and Phenotype Expansion of Unexplained Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Liu Xianyu , Shen Qiyang , Zheng Guo , Guo Hu , Lu Xiaopeng , Wang Xiaoyu , Yang Xiao , Cao Zixuan , Chen Jing 
Published: June 2021

Objective: The genetic aetiology of epileptic encephalopathy (EE) is growing rapidly based on next generation sequencing (NGS) results. In this single-centre study, we aimed to investigate a cohort of Chinese children with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE).Methods: NGS was performed on 50 children with unexplained EIEE. The clinical profiles of children with pathogenic variants were characterised and analysed in detail. Conservation analysis and homology modelling were performed to predict the impact of STXBP1 variant on the protein structure.Results: Pathogenic variants were identified in 17 (34%) of 50 children. Sixteen variants including STXBP1 (n = 2), CDKL5 (n = 2), PAFAH1B1, SCN1A (n = 9), SCN2A, and KCNQ2 were de novo, and one (PIGN) was a compound heterozygous variant. The phenotypes of the identified genes were broadened. PIGN phenotypic spectrum may include EIEE. The STXBP1 variants were predicted to affect protein stability.Significance: NGS is a useful diagnostic tool for EIEE and contributes to expanding the EIEE-associated genotypes. Early diagnosis may lead to precise therapeutic interventions and can improve the developmental outcome.
Novel Volumetric and Surface-Based Magnetic Resonance Indices of the Aging Brain – Does Male and Female Brain Age in the Same Way?
Authors: Podgórski Przemysław , Bladowska Joanna , Sasiadek Marek , Zimny Anna 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Novel post-processing methods allow not only for assessment of brain volumetry or cortical thickness based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but also for more detailed analysis of cortical shape and complexity using parameters such as sulcal depth, gyrification index, or fractal dimension. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in brain volumetry and other cortical indices during aging in men and women.Material and Methods: Material consisted of 697 healthy volunteers (aged 38–80 years; M/F, 264/443) who underwent brain MRI using a 1.5-T scanner. Voxel-based volumetry of total gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was performed followed by assessment of cortical parameters [cortical thickness (CT), sulcal depth (SD), gyrification index (GI), and fractal dimension (FD)] in 150 atlas locations using surface-based morphometry with a region-based approach. All parameters were compared among seven age groups (grouped every 5 years) separately for men and women. Additionally, percentile curves for men and women were provided for total volumes of GM, WM, and CSF.Results: In men and women, a decrease in GM and WM volumes and an increase in CSF volume seem to progress slowly since the age of 45. In men, significant GM and WM loss as well as CSF increase start above 55 years of age, while in women, significant GM loss starts above 50 and significant WM loss as well as CSF increase above 60. CT was found to significantly decrease with aging in 39% of locations in women and in 36% of locations in men, SD was found to increase in 13.5% of locations in women and in 1.3% of locations in men, GI was decreased in 3.4% of locations in women and in 2.0% of locations in men, and FD was changed in 2.7% of locations in women compared to 2.0% in men.Conclusions: Male and female brains start aging at the similar age of 45. Compared to men, in women, the cortex is affected earlier and in the more complex pattern regarding not only cortical loss but also other alterations within the cortical shape, with relatively longer sparing of WM volume.