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Keberadaan sistem informasi bagi setiap perusahaan sangat penting dan menjadi salah satu bagian sumber daya yang dibutuhkan dalam menciptakan keunggulan bersaing. Oleh karena itu sistem informasi dapat dikembangkan sesuai dengan kebutuhan dan sejalan dengan upaya pencapaian tujuan perusahaan. Tujuan dari penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui efektivitas sistem informasi Rely On PGN dalam mengelola kegiatan administrasi pelanggan pada PT. Perusahaan Gas Negara, Tbk Area Batam. Hal ini didasarkan pada premis tentang sebagian besar keberhasilan suatu perusahaan didorong untuk dapat meningkatkan efektivitas kinerjanya, biasanya didukung oleh kecanggihan sistem informasi yang dimiliki perusahaan dalam memberikan kemudahan serta mengoptimalkan kegiatan operasional perusahaan. Model kesuksesan DeLone & McLean diterapkan pada penelitian ini untuk mengukur efektivitas sistem informasi, yang terdiri dari enam indikator yaitu kualitas informasi, kualitas sistem, kualitas layanan, penggunaan, kepuasan pengguna, dan manfaat bersih. Pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif digunakan pada penelitian ini yang bertujuan untuk mengungkapkan suatu keadaan atau peristiwa dalam menjawab pertanyaan penting penelitian. Oleh karena itu pengumpulan data kulitatif dilakukan dengan cara wawancara, observasi, maupun studi kepustakaan atau dokumen sekunder yang relevan. Hasil analisis terhadap data kualitatif yang terkumpul menunjukkan beberapa hal penting yakni penerapan sistem informasi Rely On PGN terbukti efektif dalam mendukung kegiatan administrasi atau pengelolaan pelanggan berdasarkan enam indikator pada Model Kesuksesan Delone & McLean. Selanjutnya sistem Rely On PGN diyakini mampu memberikan dampak positif bagi individual maupun perusahaan. Indikator kualitas layanan pada model kesuksesan Delone & McLean pada Rely On PGN perlu ditingkatkan, terutama fokus pada pengembangan sistem yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan pengguna.

In our research, we looked at how the interdependence of stock markets has changed over time. For this, we looked at three stock markets in Europe: one in Western Europe that is welldeveloped, one in Central Europe that is medium-sized, and one in Eastern Europe that is less well-developed. In the analysis, stock indices from these markets were used. For the western market, we examined the indices KAK40 for the French stock market, DAX for the German stock market, and FTSE100 for the British stock market. The PX index in the Czech Republic and the BUX index on the Hungarian stock exchange were examined for the average market in Central Europe, and the BET index in Romania and the LJSEX index in Slovenia were examined for the less developed market. The linear and nonlinear Granger tests conducted on the closing rates of the corresponding stock exchanges were correlated without the use of the conditionality clause. The first three stock markets (Germany, France, and Great Britain) were found to be more interdependent than the Romanian and Slovenian markets, which displayed a weaker connection. The Granger tests were used to come to the conclusion that there are various statistically calculated levels of stock market returns that result from the interdependencies between the three types of financial markets examined.

Abstract Background Segmentation of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) images is an essential step for evaluating dimensional and functional ventricular parameters as ejection fraction (EF) but may be limited by artifacts, which represent the major challenge to automatically derive clinical information. The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of a deep learning (DL) approach for automatic segmentation of cardiac structures from CMR images characterized by magnetic susceptibility artifact in patient with cardiac implanted electronic devices (CIED). Methods In this retrospective study, 230 patients (100 with CIED) who underwent clinically indicated CMR were used to developed and test a DL model. A novel convolutional neural network was proposed to extract the left ventricle (LV) and right (RV) ventricle endocardium and LV epicardium. In order to perform a successful segmentation, it is important the network learns to identify salient image regions even during local magnetic field inhomogeneities. The proposed network takes advantage from a spatial attention module to selectively process the most relevant information and focus on the structures of interest. To improve segmentation, especially for images with artifacts, multiple loss functions were minimized in unison. Segmentation results were assessed against manual tracings and commercial CMR analysis software cvi42(Circle Cardiovascular Imaging, Calgary, Alberta, Canada). An external dataset of 56 patients with CIED was used to assess model generalizability. Results In the internal datasets, on image with artifacts, the median Dice coefficients for end-diastolic LV cavity, LV myocardium and RV cavity, were 0.93, 0.77 and 0.87 and 0.91, 0.82, and 0.83 in end-systole, respectively. The proposed method reached higher segmentation accuracy than commercial software, with performance comparable to expert inter-observer variability (bias ± 95%LoA): LVEF 1 ± 8% vs 3 ± 9%, RVEF − 2 ± 15% vs 3 ± 21%. In the external cohort, EF well correlated with manual tracing (intraclass correlation coefficient: LVEF 0.98, RVEF 0.93). The automatic approach was significant faster than manual segmentation in providing cardiac parameters (approximately 1.5 s vs 450 s). Conclusions Experimental results show that the proposed method reached promising performance in cardiac segmentation from CMR images with susceptibility artifacts and alleviates time consuming expert physician contour segmentation.

The high-velocity impact of powder particles in cold-spray additively manufactured (CSAM) parts creates intersplat boundaries with regions of high dislocation densities and sub-grain structures. Upon microstructure and mechanical characterization, CSAM Aluminum 6061 showed non-uniformity with spatial variation in the microstructure and mechanical properties, affecting the overall response of the additively manufactured parts. Post-processing treatments are conducted in as-printed samples to improve particle bonding, relieve residual stresses, and improve mechanical properties. In this work, we attempt to implement the effects of grain size and distribution of smaller grains along the intersplat boundaries using the grain size distribution function and powder size information to accurately predict the deformation response of cold-sprayed material using a mean-field viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) model. The incorporation of an intersplat boundary term in the VPSC model resulted in a stress–strain response closely matching the experimental findings, preventing the superficially high stresses observed due to Hall–Petch effects from ultra-fine-grain structures. Likewise, the results from the grain analysis showed the combined effects of grain size, orientation, and intersplat mechanisms that captured the stresses experienced and strain accommodated by individual grains.

Many plants engage in protective mutualisms, offering resources such as extrafloral nectar and shelters to predatory arthropods in exchange for protection against herbivores. Recent work indicates that sticky plants catch small insects and provide this carrion to predators who defend the plants against herbivores. In this study, we investigated whether wild tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata, fits this sticky plant defense syndrome that has been described for other sticky plants. We developed a bioassay for stickiness involving the number of flies that adhered to flowers, the stickiest tissues. In surveys conducted over three field seasons at four sites, we found that the number of carrion that adhered to a plant was positively correlated with the number of predators that we observed foraging over its surfaces. The number of predators was positively correlated with the number of seed capsules that the plant produced, a measure of lifetime female reproductive success. Structural equation modeling indicated strong support for the causal path linking carrion numbers to predator numbers to capsule production. We investigated whether stickiness was an inducible trait and examined two potential cues. We found that experimental clipping of rosette leaves induced greater stickiness, although clipping of neighboring sagebrush leaves did not. Damage to leaf tissue is likely to be a more reliable predictor of risk than is damage to a neighboring plant. The sticky plant defense syndrome is a widespread protective mutualism; its strength and ecological relevance can adjust as risk of herbivory changes.

Our research is based on an examination of capital market dynamics in four European countries, namely Poland, Romania, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, during the pandemic crisis. The paper is divided into two parts and examines the relationship between macro-financial variables and the major stock market indices of Western European (UK, Germany, and Austria) and Eastern European markets. The analysis is based on the use of the autoregressive vector model (VAR), which shows that during the global pandemic crisis, macroeconomic factors had a significant impact on the financial performance of Eastern European countries' financial markets. In the second part, the correlation of the yields of the stock indices from the countries of Western and Eastern European countries is analyzed, using the multivariate GARCH model.

Purpose Spontaneous cervicocephalic dissection (SCAD) is an important cause of stroke and shows various lesion locations and clinical features. The purpose of this study was to analyze the location of SCAD and its clinical and radiologic patterns in Korean patients. Materials and Methods Patients with SCAD who were evaluated between 2013 and 2018 at a tertiary center in Korea were reviewed. We classified and compared the morphological (aneurysm or steno-occlusion) and presenting (hemorrhage or infarction) patterns according to the lesion locations (anterior circulation [AC] vs. posterior circulation [PC]; intradural [ID] vs. extradural [ED]). Results A total of 166 patients were included in this study. The SCAD most commonly occurred in the PC-ID location (65.1%), followed by AC-ID (13.3%), AC-ED (13.3%), and PC-ED (8.4%). Aneurysm and steno-occlusion patterns were observed in 66.9% and 57.8% of the cases, respectively. The aneurysm pattern was significantly more common in the PC-ID location (78.7%) than in other locations. As for the presenting pattern, cerebral infarction was the most common pattern (39.8%), and intracranial hemorrhage was observed only in the ID location (7.2%). Conclusion In Korean patients, PC-ID, especially ID vertebral artery, was the most common location of SCAD, and most cases were accompanied by an aneurysm. It also suggested that these location trends differ by population or ethnicity.

AimsDiagnosis of myocardial fibrosis is commonly performed with late gadolinium contrast-enhanced (CE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), which might be contraindicated or unavailable. Coronary computed tomography (CCT) is emerging as an alternative to CMR. We sought to evaluate whether a deep learning (DL) model could allow identification of myocardial fibrosis from routine early CE-CCT images.Methods and resultsFifty consecutive patients with known left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LVD) underwent both CE-CMR and (early and late) CE-CCT. According to the CE-CMR patterns, patients were classified as ischemic (n = 15, 30%) or non-ischemic (n = 35, 70%) LVD. Delayed enhancement regions were manually traced on late CE-CCT using CE-CMR as reference. On early CE-CCT images, the myocardial sectors were extracted according to AHA 16-segment model and labeled as with scar or not, based on the late CE-CCT manual tracing. A DL model was developed to classify each segment. A total of 44,187 LV segments were analyzed, resulting in accuracy of 71% and area under the ROC curve of 76% (95% CI: 72%−81%), while, with the bull’s eye segmental comparison of CE-CMR and respective early CE-CCT findings, an 89% agreement was achieved.ConclusionsDL on early CE-CCT acquisition may allow detection of LV sectors affected with myocardial fibrosis, thus without additional contrast-agent administration or radiational dose. Such tool might reduce the user interaction and visual inspection with benefit in both efforts and time.

Background: Disasters are severely impactful events with the potential to provide injuries or death, destroy properties, and put in danger the mental health of people exposed to them. People who are particularly involved in disasters are first responders. In this work, we will focus on a specific type of first responder, i.e., cultural heritage clinicians who have the responsibility to preserve, protect, and recover cultural heritage from damage. Aims: This review aims to discuss the mental health risks for first responders after disasters, with a specific focus on cultural heritage first responders. Methods: Studies had to be: 1) in English; 2) on adults; 3) original studies or clinical trials; 4) related to the mental health of participants; 5) published in peer-reviewed journals. Exclusion criteria were: 1) being written in languages different from English; 2) being conducted on adolescents/children; 3) not being related to the mental health of participants; 4) being a book/report/summary; 5) not being a clinical trial; 6) not being peer-reviewed. The search was run throughout PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and Medline on the 1st of April 2022 on articles published between 2012 and 2022 by using these keywords: natural disasters or tsunamis or floods or drought or wildfire or earthquake or tornado or hurricane or snowstorm AND first responders or firefighters or paramedics or police or emergency services or emergency medical services AND mental health or mental illness or mental disorder or psychiatric illness. Results: First responders are at risk of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, alcohol/substance abuse, and suicide ideation. Currently, there are no studies on mental health risks for cultural heritage first responders. There are some training programs designed for first responders in emergencies. Recent results seem to confirm their usefulness for first responders, leading us to suggest their application also for cultural heritage first responders. Conclusion: Further studies should explore the psychological impact of cultural heritage first responders, as well as the effect that psychological training can have on them.

Structured motor tasks may affect cognitive development by creating a cognitively challenging "enriched environment', giving opportunity for social cooperation, increasing the joy to learn through play, improving the sense of mastery and competence. The study investigated the association between motor and cognitive exercises, through a teacher-led programme, to provide kindergarten children with the skills necessary for school literacy. Using a cluster-randomized trial design with an intervention group (N = 110) and a control group (N = 64), we examined the effects of a 3-month teacher-led motor programme enriched by executive function tasks. In the intervention group, significant gains were found from pre-test to post-test in scores on general literacy prerequisites subscales such as behaviour, motor, linguistic comprehension, oral expression, metacognition. Results suggest the need to implement new and enjoyable ways of teaching to enhance children's school readiness through motor activities.

The gas-phase reactivity of vanadium-containing dianions, NaV3O92− and its hydrated form H2NaV3O102−, were probed towards sulphur dioxide at room temperature by ion-molecule reaction (IMR) experiments in the collision cell of an ion trap mass spectrometer. The sequential addition of two SO2 molecules to the NaV3O92− dianion leads to the breakage of the stable V3O9 backbone, resulting in a charge separation process with the formation of new V-O and S-O bonds. On the contrary, the H2NaV3O102− hydroxide species reacts with SO2, promoting regioselective hydrolysis and bond-forming processes, the latter similar to that observed for the NaV3O92− reactant anion. Kinetic analysis shows that these reactions are fast and efficient with rate constants of the 10−9 (±30) cm3 s−1 molecule−1 order of magnitude.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a dysregulated immune system, being at high risk of opportunistic infections. Low vaccination rates hinder the prevention of such diseases. Therefore, we implemented an intervention to increase vaccination rates, and we aimed to evaluate the effect. We determined the change in professionals and the change in the vaccination rates after the intervention. A quasi-experimental study was carried out using data from 31 December 2016 to 31 December 2021. First, healthcare professionals specializing in IBD agreed on a vaccination protocol; then, this protocol was passed on to the professionals involved in vaccination. We evaluated the perception of knowledge, capacity, and intention to vaccinate patients with IBD among the professionals before and after the intervention with a survey. We also described the effectiveness of the intervention for already diagnosed patients and compared the vaccination rates between patients diagnosed prior to the intervention and newly diagnosed patients. The intervention resulted in an improved perception of knowledge, capacity, and intention to vaccinate patients with IBD among the professionals (p < 0.05). Moreover, during the post-intervention period, in the 315 patients, the vaccination rate increased for all immune-preventable diseases (p < 0.05). The professionals positively valued the intervention, and compliance with the recommended vaccination protocol in patients with IBD improved significantly.

ABSTRACT Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multisystem, autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome in which epilepsy is the most common of several neurological and psychiatric manifestations. Around two thirds of patients develop drug‐resistant epilepsy for whom surgical resection of epileptogenic foci is indicated when seizures remain inadequately controlled following trial of two antiseizure medications. The challenge with presurgical and surgical approaches with patients with TSC is overcoming the complexity from the number of tubers and the multiplex epileptogenic network forming the epileptogenic zone. Data suggest that seizure freedom is achieved by 55%–60% of patients, but predictive factors for success have remained elusive, which makes for unconfident selection of surgical candidates. This article presents three different cases as illustrations of the potential challenges faced when assessing the suitability of TSC patients for epilepsy surgery.

Abstract The response of root growth to various osmotic potentials is quite important in assessing the drought resistance of rice. This study modeled seminal root growth by applying consecutive polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatments (from 0 to 25%, 1% step), mathematical equations and noncontact image analysis to quantitatively evaluate the root response. Treatment began after seeds were germinated, and root growth was recorded by a digital camera every day from 7 to 20 days after seeding (DAS). Although the seminal root length (SRL) measured by image analysis slightly varied with DAS, the equations explained the differences in SRL increases under each PEG concentration relatively well (R2 = 0.774). The equations also suggested that the maximum seminal root length was observed at 5.9% PEG. This numerical characterization of root growth is an effective means of evaluating drought resistance.

Disability is one of a person's physical and mental conditions that can inhibit normal daily activities. One of the disabilities that can be found in disability is speech without fingers. Persons with disabilities have obstacles in communicating with people around both verbally and in writing. Communication tools to help people with disabilities without finger fingers continue to be developed, one of them is by creating a virtual keyboard using a Leap Motion sensor. The hand gestures are captured using the Leap Motion sensor so that the direction of the hand gesture in the form of pitch, yaw, and roll is obtained. The direction values are grouped into normal, right, left, up, down, and rotating gestures to control the virtual keyboard. The amount of data used for gesture recognition in this study was 5400 data consisting of 3780 training data and 1620 test data. The results of data testing conducted using the Artificial Neural Network method obtained an accuracy value of 98.82%. This study also performed a virtual keyboard performance test directly by typing 20 types of characters conducted by 15 respondents three times. The average time needed by respondents in typing is 5.45 seconds per character.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the leading cause of mitral valve surgery. Echocardiography is the principal imaging modality used to diagnose MVP, assess the mitral valve morphology and mitral annulus dynamics, and quantify mitral regurgitation. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic (3DE) imaging represents a consistent innovation in cardiovascular ultrasound in the last decades, and it has been implemented in routine clinical practice for the evaluation of mitral valve diseases. The focus of this review is the role and the advantages of 3DE in the comprehensive evaluation of MVP, intraoperative and intraprocedural monitoring.

Climate change can have strong effects on species interactions and community structure. Temperature-dependent effects on predator-prey interactions are a major mechanism through which these effects occur. To understand the net effects of predator attack rates and dynamic windows of prey vulnerability, we examined the impacts of temperature on the interaction of a caterpillar (Arctia virginalis) and its ant predator (Formica lasioides). We conducted field experiments to examine attack rates on caterpillars relative to temperature, ant abundance, and body size, and laboratory experiments to determine the effects of temperature on caterpillar growth. We modeled temperature-dependent survival based on the integrated effects of temperature-dependent growth and temperature- and size-dependent predation. Attack rates on caterpillars increased with warming and ant recruitment, but decreased with caterpillar size. Caterpillar growth rates increased with temperature, narrowing the window of vulnerability. The model predicted that net caterpillar survival would decrease with temperature, suggesting that A. virginalis populations could be depressed with future climate warming. Theoretical work suggests that the net outcome of predator-prey interactions with increasing temperature depends on the respective responses of interacting species in terms of velocity across space, whereas the present study suggests the importance of effects of temperature on prey window of vulnerability, or "velocity" across time.

Abstract Aims Changes in peak exercise oxygen uptake (VO2) and cardiac output (CO) 6 months after successful percutaneous edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (pMVR) in severe primary (PMR) and functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) patients are unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of pMVR at rest by echocardiography, VO2 and CO (inert gas rebreathing) measurement and during cardiopulmonary exercise test with CO measurement. Methods and results We evaluated 145 and 115 patients at rest and 98 and 66 during exercise before and after pMVR, respectively. After successful pMVR, significant reductions in MR and NYHA class were observed in FMR and PMR patients. Cardiac ultrasound showed reverse remodelling (left ventricular end‐diastolic volume from 158 ± 63 mL to 147 ± 64, P

This paper presents the results of the analysis of three state programs implemented in a sprawling poor neighborhood in Mar del Plata city. It arises in the context of broader research on social technologies and popular habitat in highly excluded territories, where the research group actively participates in the processes it studies. Three axes are linked: the analysis of public policies, alternative management and popular urbanization with the aim of investigating the different forms of management of each experience. For this purpose, the different actors involved, their interactions and the ways of linking with civil society are characterized. Reflecting on this issue contributes to thinking about socio-urban integration policies in contexts of poverty with greater anchorage in local territorialities. The techniques and methods used for work in the territory are based on the identification of problematic situations and alliances between social actors to co-construct problem-solution strategies.

Objective: Quran memorization is familiar in Indonesia since early childhood (EC) education level and it is reported to have a positive effect on children’s emotional state. This study investigates how Quran memorization influences children’s emotions in a certain condition using Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA) index. Method: The participants were 4 children aged 5-7 years, studying at Islamic-based schools in Surakarta. The tasks included three methods of Quran learning: visual, by watching videos; auditory, by listening to murattal recitations of the Quran; and memory, by repeating rote. The FAA index measurement used absolute power data obtained from Electroencephalography (EEG) by calculating the natural logarithm (ln [right alpha power] – ln [left alpha power]) from channel F8 and channel F7 respectively. Results: The majority of participants showed a positive FAA index in almost all tasks. The FAA index of various tasks were not significantly different from each other, with P = 0.592 based on Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. The post hoc Mann-Whitney U test does not find any intervention that stands out among the others. Conclusion: Learning the Quran with methods that involve visual, auditory, and memory activities results in positive, happy, motivated and excited feelings in children’s emotional state based on the FAA index assessment.

The existence of the Covid-19 pandemic has become one of the causes of changes in the health service order system, including one of the activities for pregnant women classes at health service facilities at the Puskesmas. The use of the internet has become a necessity in the last decade. Several studies also prove that the use of internet technology in social networking is effective in increasing knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, awareness and compliance in health. Therefore, the researchers tried to make the GEMBIL (Pregnant Mother Game) application. This study aims to produce a product in the form of the GEMBIL application (pregnant mother game) as an educational medium in the class of pregnant women, and to analyze the effect of using GEMBIL in increasing the knowledge of pregnant women about pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborns. This is an analytical study with a quasi-experimental approach, using one group pre and post design. The research location is in the working area of ​​the Majasem Public Health Center, Cirebon City. The sample uses purposive sampling. Bivariate analysis using Wilcoxon. the feasibility test of material experts showed a value of 84.7% and media experts showed a value of 83.3%. The relationship between the use of the GEMBIL application and knowledge, shows a significance value of 0.005 (p

AimsCOVID-19 has dramatically impacted the healthcare system. Evidence from previous studies suggests a decline in in-hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the pandemic. However, the effect of the pandemic on mechanical complications (MC) in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of the pandemic on MC and in-hospital outcomes in STEMI during the second wave, in which there was a huge SARS-CoV-2 diffusion in Italy.Methods and resultsBased on a single center cohort of AMI patients admitted with STEMI between February 1, 2019, and February 28, 2021, we compared the characteristics and outcomes of STEMI patients treated during the pandemic vs. those treated before the pandemic. In total, 479 STEMI patients were included, of which 64.5% were during the pandemic. Relative to before the pandemic, primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) declined (87.7 vs. 94.7%, p = 0.014) during the pandemic. Compared to those admitted before the pandemic (10/2019 to 2/2020), STEMI patients admitted during the second wave (10/2020 to 2/2021) presented with a symptom onset-to-door time greater than 24 h (26.1 vs. 10.3%, p = 0.009) and a reduction of primary PCI (85.2 vs. 97.1%, p = 0.009). MC occurred more often in patients admitted during the second wave of the pandemic than in those admitted before the pandemic (7.0 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.032). In-hospital mortality increased during the second wave (10.6 vs. 2.9%, p = 0.058).ConclusionAlthough the experience gained during the first wave and a more advanced hub-and-spoke system for cardiovascular emergencies persists, late hospitalizations and a high incidence of mechanical complications in STEMI were observed even in the second wave.

Principles of quality by design and design of experiments are acquiring more importance in the discovery and application of new drug carriers, such as solid lipid nanoparticles. In this work, an optimized synthesis of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with Triamcinolone Acetonide is presented using an approach that involves Stearic Acid as a lipid, soy PC as an ionic surfactant, and Tween 80 as a nonionic surfactant. The constructed circumscribed Central Composite Design considers the lipid and nonionic surfactant quantities and the sonication amplitude in order to optimize particle size and Zeta potential, both measured by means of Dynamic Light Scattering, while the separation of unentrapped drug from the optimized Triamcinolone Acetonide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles formulation is performed by Size Exclusion Chromatography and, subsequently, the encapsulation efficiency is determined by HPLC-DAD. The proposed optimized formulation—with the goal of maximizing Zeta potential and minimizing particle size—has shown good accordance with predicted values of Zeta potential and dimensions, as well as a high value of encapsulated Triamcinolone Acetonide. Experimental values obtained from the optimized synthesis reports a dimension of 683 ± 5 nm, which differs by 3% from the predicted value, and a Zeta potential of −38.0 ± 7.6 mV (12% difference from the predicted value).

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease designated as a global pandemic by the WHO that can manifest clinically as neurological disorders that can occur in the acute phase or after the acute phase (long COVID-19), such as headache, myalgia, anosmia, and cognitive impairment. These neurological disorders as symptoms of long COVID-19 are presumably caused by hypercoagulable conditions characterized by an increase in D-dimer level. This study aims to determine the correlation of long COVID-19 neurological symptoms with hypercoagulable conditions and the role of D-dimer as a biomarker of long COVID-19 neurological symptoms. Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving 31 patients with long COVID-19 symptoms. Admitted long COVID-19 cases with recorded D-dimer levels and definitive outcomes were included consecutively. Long COVID-19 neurological symptoms were collected. D-dimer level was measured using immunofluorescence assay and reported in fibrinogen equivalent units (ìg/mL). The correlation between D-dimer levels and neurological clinical manifestations was assessed by using ordinal regression analysis. The p-value of

Red blood cells (RBCs) have unique properties that have been exploited for therapeutic uses. Here the authors engineer RBCs to co-express tumor associated antigens on MHC I, 4-1BBL and IL-12, generating artificial antigen presenting cells that can induce antigen-specific T cell responses and antitumor immune responses in preclinical models.

Executive functioning (EF) is a key cognitive process for development. Little is known about EF in Kindergarten children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD), despite this age being one of the most critical and intensive period of motor and cognitive development. In our investigation we compared EF in kindergarten children at risk for DCD with Typically Developing (TD) children. Participants were 36 Italian children, 18 at risk for DCD (9 boys and 9 girls) who had a mean age of 4.6 years and 18 TD (9 boys and 9 girls) who had a mean age of 4.6. Executive functions were measured by tasks targeting cold executive functioning (working memory, fluency, inhibitory control) and two assessments of hot executive functioning (Snack Delay and Gift Wrap). Significant differences were found between children at risk for DCD and TD children on cold EF tasks of visuo-spatial working memory abilities, fluency and inhibitory control, but not on hot EF tasks. The findings suggest that it is advisable to implement preschool cognitively challenging physical activities programmes.

Fruit seeds belonging to the pomegranate cultivar “Granata” were subjected to extraction and oily component analysis, with the aim of obtaining information about their composition. The presence of conjugated isomers of linolenic acid (CLNA isomers) in the oily phase extracted from the seeds gives a high added value to this part of the fruit, which is too often considered and treated as waste. The separated seeds were subjected to a classic Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane or extraction with supercritical CO2, assisted by ethanol. The resulting oils were evaluated by 1H and 13C-NMR and AP-MALDI-MS techniques. Differences in the triacylglycerols composition, with particular regard to punicic acid and other CLNA content, were studied in depth. Results showed the prevalence of punicic acid in the triacylglycerol mixture up to the 75%, with clear preponderance in the extract by supercritical fluids. Consequently, other CLNA isomers are, altogether, two-fold less represented in the supercritical extract than in the Soxhlet one. The two oily residues were subjected to solid phase extraction (SPE) and to HPLC-DAD analysis for the polyphenolic isolation and characterization. In addition to HPLC analysis, which showed different content and composition, DPPH analysis to evaluate the antiradical potential showed that the extract obtained with supercritical CO2 was much more active.

Atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) are frequent in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. A decrease in device-detected P-wave amplitude may be an indicator of periods of increased risk of AHRE. The objective of this study was to assess the association between P-wave amplitude and AHRE incidence. Remote monitoring data from 2579 patients with no history of atrial fibrillation (23% pacemakers and 77% implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, of which 40% provided cardiac resynchronization therapy) were used to calculate the mean P-wave amplitude during 1 month after implantation. The association with AHRE incidence according to 4 strata of daily burden duration (≥15 minutes, ≥6 hours, ≥24 hours, ≥7 days) was investigated by adjusting the hazard ratio with the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. The adjusted hazard ratio for 1-mV lower mean P-wave amplitude during the first month increased from 1.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.15; P <.001) to 1.18 (CI, 1.09–1.28; P <.001) with AHRE duration strata from ≥15 minutes to ≥7 days independent of the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. Of 871 patients with AHREs, those with 1-month P-wave amplitude <2.45 mV had an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.51 (CI, 1.19–1.91; P =.001) for progression of AHREs from ≥15 minutes to ≥7 days compared with those with 1-month P-wave amplitude ≥2.45 mV. Device-detected P-wave amplitudes decreased linearly during the 1 year before the first AHRE by 7.3% (CI, 5.1%–9.5%; P <.001 vs patients without AHRE). Device-detected P-wave amplitudes <2.45 mV were associated with an increased risk of AHRE onset and progression to persistent forms of AHRE independent of the patient's risk profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Climate change can affect biotic interactions, and the impacts of climate on biotic interactions may vary across climate gradients. Climate affects biotic interactions through multiple drivers, although few studies have investigated multiple climate drivers in experiments. We examined the effects of experimental watering, warming, and predator access on leaf water content and herbivory rates of woolly bear caterpillars (Arctia virginalis) on a native perennial plant, pacific silverweed (Argentina anserina ssp. pacifica), at two sites across a gradient of precipitation in coastal California. Based on theory, we predicted that watering should increase herbivory at the drier end of the gradient, predation should decrease herbivory, and watering and warming should have positive interacting effects on herbivory. Consistent with our predictions, we found that watering only increased herbivory under drier conditions. However, watering increased leaf water content at both wetter and drier sites. Warming increased herbivory irrespective of local climate and did not interact with watering. Predation did not affect herbivory rates. Given predictions that the study locales will become warmer and drier with climate change, our results suggest that the effects of future warming and drying on herbivory may counteract each other in drier regions of the range of Argentina anserina. Our findings suggest a useful role for range‐limit theory and the stress‐gradient hypothesis in predicting climate change effects on herbivory across stress gradients. Specifically, if climate change decreases stress, herbivory may increase, and vice versa for increasing stress. In addition, our work supports previous suggestions that multiple climate drivers are likely to have dampening effects on biotic interactions due to effects in different directions, though this is context‐dependent.

This paper reports the synthesis of hydroxyapatite from Geloina coaxans shell and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as precursors by facile and simple method. Firstly, Geloina coaxans shell calcined at 1000 oC for 12 hours to produce lime or CaO. The chemical composition of Geloina coaxans shell calcined was analyzed using the XRF technique, and the result shows that the main component of Geloina coaxans shell calcined was calcium. Synthesis of hydroxyapatite has been done with stirring and aging time parameters and molar ratio of precursors was 1.67. The XRD patterns showed a specific peak of hydroxyapatite that appeared at 2θ=31.8 o and based on the XRD results on the aging time indicated that the rate of growth of HAp crystals was better and faster at aging for 12 hours. The crystal size of HAp obtained was 37 nm. The FTIR spectra of hydroxyapatite showed characteristics of hydroxyl and phosphate bands in sample spectra. The morphology of hydroxyapatite synthesized also was examined by SEM and the results showed spherical morphology.

Pendidikan seksual masih dianggap tabu oleh masyarakat, yang berdampak pada remaja memiliki pengetahuan tentang pendidikan seksual yang kurang. Akibatnya, remaja melakukan pencarian tentang “seks” dari sumber yang tidak dapat dipertanggung jawabkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kebutuhan pendidikan seksual remaja berdasarkan hasil survei persepsi pendidikan seksual remaja. Pendekatan yang digunakan yaitu pendekatan kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas IX SMA dan SMK di Bandung. Sampel penelitian diambil menggunakan sampel non-probabilitas dengan teknik random sampling, sehingga didapatkan 618 responden. Pengumpulan data didapatkan dari penyebaran instrumen persepsi pendidikan seksual pada remaja dan Focus Group Discussion (FGD) bersama guru-guru pada sekolah yang dijadikan responden. Analisis pengolahan data dilakukan dengan penentuan kelompok siswa dengan kategori dimulai dengan konversi skor mentah menjadi skor matang dan menggunakan batas ideal yang ditentukan serta berdasarkan hasil Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Hasil dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa remaja SMA dan SMK di kota Bandung telah memiliki persepsi pendidikan seksual pada kategori sehat. Artinya, remaja memiliki persepsi yang positif terhadap pendidikan seksual. Sehingga remaja seyogyanya orang yang dianggap lebih dewasa mampu memberikan pendidikan seksual yang tepat guna memfasilitasi peningkatan dorongan atau hasrat seksual untuk disalurkan pada kegiatan yang lebih positif dalam pengembangan diri remaja. Pendidikan seksual sehat harus berjalan beriringan dengan pertumbuhan, perkembangan remaja, nilai dan norama yang berlaku di masyarakat atau pendidikan sexsual secara konprehensif.

The era of the industrial revolution 4.0 or the era of disruption requires new literacy which includes data literacy, technological literacy and human literacy. HOTS-based statistical literacy training at SMA Negeri 8 Bengkulu City aims to foster and guide Class XII students in understanding and analyzing HOTS-based statistical literacy. The method used to achieve these objectives is coaching and training. The results obtained based on this activity are the coaching and training conducted that gives positive results and significantly influences students' knowledge and abilities regarding Statistics Literacy. In addition, students get an overview of statistical data understanding that is very important and continues to grow in the revolutionary 4.0 era.