bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender inequalities in matters of drug addiction: how does alcoholism really affect women?
Authors: Calderón Calvo Claudia , Ruiz-Narezo Marta , Iglesias-López Nerea , González de Audikana de la Hera Manuel
Published: February 2021

Alcoholism is the most widespread addiction in developed countries, given that alcohol is deeply rooted in their societies. However, the link between women and alcohol abuse is a neglected area of research, particularly in view of the social changes that have taken place in the last few decades, with more and more women joining public life, working outside the home and involved in political decision-making. The University of Deusto’s Institute of Drug Dependencies has taken the opportunity offered by research commissioned by the stakeholder Alcoholics Anonymous to examine that link with a view to providing a more up-to-date view. This means acknowledging a clear increase in alcoholism among women, which may be linked to social and economic changes in our society that have affected women.
Claves para la atención y acompañamiento a mujeres víctimas y supervivientes1 de trata con fines de explotación sexual
Authors: Gandarias Goikoetxea Itziar , Urrutikoetxea Lekanda Oihane , Navarro Lashayas Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2021

La Trata con fines de explotación sexual es un fenómenos complejo y muy cambiante que necesita un abordaje multidimensional e interdisciplinar entre diferentes agentes sociales: entidades sociales, cuerpos policiales e instituciones públicas ya que además de violencia de género la trata con fines de explotación sexual viene acompañada de un entramado de otras violaciones graves de derechos humanos. Este briefing “Claves para la atención y acompañamiento a mujeres víctimas y supervivientes de trata con fines de explotación sexual” pretende ser una guía para profesionales de entidades sociales, perfil técnico de la administración e instituciones públicas que trabajan en la prevención, atención y acompañamiento a víctimas. En un primer momento, se presenta una aproximación al perfil y características de las mujeres víctimas de trata atendidas en el territorio histórico de Bizkaia en los últimos años (2015-2017). En segundo lugar, se recogen los vacíos y necesidades que las personas profesionales de las entidades sociales manifiestan. Por último, se apuntan recomendaciones que inciden en la importancia de colocar en el centro las necesidades de las mujeres, evitar su-revictimización y mejorar la coordinación y el trabajo en red de las entidades sociales e instituciones públicas involucradas.
¿Cómo sería la publicidad de apuestas deportivas si fuera más responsable?
Authors: López-González Hibai , Estévez Gutiérrez Ana , Jauregui Bilbao Paula
Published: February 2021

Este briefing tiene como objetivo el análisis de la estructura de la publicidad de apuestas deportivas para entender cómo la publicidad supone un riesgo de salud pública. En este texto se examinan diferentes trabajos que han dado lugar a publicaciones científicas presentándose las principales conclusiones de los mismos. Asimismo, se muestran algunas de las principales recomendaciones tanto para las casas de apuestas como para las entidades reguladoras.
¿Cómo puede la inteligencia artificial reducir los accidentes de tráfico y evitar atascos?
Authors: Serrano Leire , Onieva Enrique , Landaluce Hugo , D. Masegosa Antonio , Moreno Asier
Published: February 2021

Los problemas persistentes relacionados con la congestión del tráfico, la seguridad vial y los problemas ambientales podrían resolverse si las personas, los vehículos, las infraestructuras y las empresas estuvieran conectadas en un ecosistema cooperativo. La creación de un ecosistema de este tipo ha sido clave en el proyecto TIMON de Horizonte 2020, donde es la base de referencia para la prestación de servicios de información relacionados con el tráfico y el transporte multimodal a los usuarios vulnerables de la red viaria y las personas responsables de la administración pública en materia de movilidad. El principal objetivo de TIMON es aumentar la seguridad, la sostenibilidad, la flexibilidad y la eficiencia de los sistemas de transporte por carretera aprovechando la comunicación cooperativa y procesando datos abiertos relacionados con la movilidad a través de una plataforma cooperativa abierta basada en la web y aplicación móvil desarrollada para ofrecer información y servicios a conductores, empresas y usuarios vulnerables de la red viaria en tiempo real. TIMON ha construido una comunidad grande y solida de más de 100 personas usuarias en la ciudad de Liubliana y ha beneficiado directamente su movilidad y transporte diarios en la ciudad, aumentando su seguridad, reduciendo las emisiones contaminantes y aminorando la congestión. TIMON ha contado con el apoyo de al menos 23 empresas proveedoras de servicios en Sistemas Inteligentes de Transporte (STI), 31 gestores de infraestructuras viarias y administradores de transporte urbano, y asociaciones de transporte, todos ellos pertenecientes al Comité de Usuarios del proyecto. El presente briefing pretende presentar los beneficios del sistema TIMON para optimizar la gestión del tráfico y las operaciones de la red de transporte urbano en las ciudades, apoyando directamente a las personas responsables del área de transporte en sus procesos de toma de decisiones para las operaciones de transporte. El informe también explica cómo se ha implementado la solución TIMON en las ciudades y los requisitos mínimos para que funcione.
How can artificial intelligence reduce road traffic accidents and prevent congestion?
Authors: Serrano Leire , Onieva Enrique , Landaluce Hugo , D. Masegosa Antonio , Moreno Asier
Published: February 2021

Persistent problems related to traffic congestion, road safety and environmental challenges could be solved if people, vehicles, infrastructure and businesses were connected in a cooperative ecosystem. The creation of such an ecosystem has been key in the Horizon 2020 TIMON project, where it is the baseline for delivering information services related to traffic and multimodal transport to road users and administration drivers. The main objective of TIMON is to increase the safety, sustainability, flexibility and efficiency of road transport systems by taking advantage of cooperative communication and by processing open data related to mobility through a cooperative, open web-based platform and mobile app developed to deliver information and services to drivers, businesses and Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) in real time. TIMON has built up a large, strong community of more than 100 users (citizens) in the city of Ljubljana and has directly benefited their daily mobility and transport in the city, increasing their safety, cutting down pollutant emissions and curbing congestion. It has also impacted on at least 23 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) services companies, 31 road infrastructure managers & city administration and transport associations belonging to the Users’ Board of the project. This briefing seeks to present the benefits of the TIMON system for optimising traffic management and urban transport network operations in cities, directly supporting transport managers in their decision-making processes for transport operations. The briefing also explains how the TIMON solution has been deployed in the cities and the minimum requirements for it to work.
Physicians’ attitudes on the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program in Lebanese hospitals
Authors: Sayegh Nathalie , Hallit Souheil , Hallit Rabih , Saleh Nadine , Zeidan Rouba K.
Published: February 2021

Background: Misuse of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance are global concerns. Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) are advocated to reduce pathogens resistance by ensuring appropriate antimicrobial use. Several factors affect the implementation of ASPs in hospitals. The size and types of care provided, as well as the complexity of antibiotic prescription, are all issues that are considered in designing an effective hospital-based program.

Objectives: To examine physicians’ attitude on implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program in Lebanese hospitals.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out using an online questionnaire. Survey items assessed ASP implementations, physicians’ attitudes, usefulness of the tools, and barriers of implementation. The questionnaire was based on the Center for Disease Control core-elements.

Results: 158 physicians completed the survey with a response rate of 4%. Our results showed that the majority (66%) of physicians were familiar with the ASP concept. Most respondents reported a lack of regular educational programs (41%), as well as a lack of support from the medical staff (76%). This study demonstrated positive attitudes and support for ASP implementation. However, ASPs were reported as affecting physicians’ autonomy by 34 % of the participants. Antibiotic rounds and prospective audit and feedback were rated as most useful interaction methods with the ASPs. A minimal support of the Ministry Of Public Health, as well as the absence of regulation and of national guidelines, were reported as barriers to ASPs. The shortage of Infectious Disease physicians was seen as a barrier by half of the respondents.

Conclusions: Physicians are supportive of ASP, with preference for interventions that provide information and education rather than restrictive ones. Additional research is needed on a larger sample of physicians.
Effect of Al2O3 Doping on Antibacterial Activity of 45S5 Bioactive Glass
Authors: ELALMIŞ Yeliz
Published: February 2021

45S5 bioactive glasses (BGs) are special class of glasses that form chemical bonds with surrounding bone tissue, which is due to the dissolution behavior of these glass materials. Furthermore, BG shows an antibacterial effect since the dissolution of BG results with high aqueous pH that affect bacterial viability. In this study, the antibacterial activity of Al2O3 doped bioactive glasses (AGs) was evaluated. AGs were produced via the melt quenching method. Functional groups of glasses were evaluated with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, and glassy structure was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Specific surface area, particle size information and density of milled BG and AGs were obtained using surface area and porosity instrument, laser scattering particle size distribution analyzer and He pycnometer, respectively. Antibacterial activity of bioactive glasses was investigated on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli via Standard Colony Count Method at 50 mg/ml concentration and different time points, pH change of the media in the presence of BG and AGs at 50 mg/ml concentration was also measured at identical time points. XRD analysis revealed amorphous structure of BG and AGs. Similar specific surface area, particle size and density values were obtained for BG and produced AGs. Antibacterial test results showed that Al2O3 doped 45S5 bioactive glasses had decreased antibacterial activity compared to 45S5 bioactive glass for both bacteria studied.
Tibial pilon fractures: Single center experience
Authors: ALTUN Erkan , CİVAN Osman , ÜRGÜDEN Mustafa
Published: February 2021

Aim: This study aims to investigate the mid-term clinical outcomes of surgically treated Pilon Fractures (PF).

Material and Methods: Twenty patients, surgically treated for PF between 2002 and 2012 were included in the study. Patients were evaluated functionally based on the Weber and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) protocols.

Results: Mean follow-up period was 31.55 (20–48) months. Nine (45%) of the 20 patients had open fractures. According to the Rüedi–Allgöwer Classification: type 1 in nine, type 2 in nine (45%) and type 3 fractures were observed in two patients. A comparison of the duration of union between closed and open fractures revealed that the union of open fractures took a significantly longer time (p= 0.004). Moreover, soft tissue complications developed to a proportionally lesser extent in patients who were applied staged fixation compared with those were applied direct fixation, although the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.999).

Conclusion: The surgical treatment phase of PF should comply with maximum care provided and attention paid to soft tissue. It should be remembered that the fate/outcome of certain fractures is determined at the time of the incident and that certain negative outcomes are inevitable in some patients despite the best efforts.
Izzivi kadrovskega managementa v XXI. stoletju
Authors: Ferjan Marko
Published: February 2021

Marko Ferjan obravnava fenomene: zadovoljstva pri delu, organizacijske klima in zavzetosti. Koncept zadovoljstva pri delu izhaja iz paradigme organizacijskega vedenja. Konec 20. stoletja se je že zdelo, da v teoriji in praksi kadrovskega managementa koncept zadovoljstva ni več aktualen. Vendar v zadnjem obdobju merjenje zadovoljstva v povezavi z merjenjem zavzetosti spet postaja aktualno. Marsikatera današnja anketa zadovoljstva pa ne upošteva spoznanj znanosti, ni pa zanemarljivo, da je pri uporabi anket o zadovoljstvu vačsih prihajalo tudi do zlorab. Zato se je avtor odločil za ponovno obravnavo te teme. Iztok Podbregar, Antonia Novak in Polona Šprajc obravnavajo prepoznavanje, spodbujanje in vključevanje raznolikosti talentov. Eva Jereb v prispevku poda značilnosti trenutno najbolj zastopanih generacij na delovnih mestih v organizacijah. Vesna Novak obravnava razširjenost prekarnega dela. nameni posledicam prekarnosti. Eva Jereb in Marko Urh se ukvarjata s spremembami in tranzicijo v času krize ter vloga vodstva organizacij pri tem.
Othello in the Balkans: Performing Race Rhetoric on the Albanian Stage
Authors: Golemi Marinela
Published: February 2021

This essay examines the racialized rhetoric in Fan Noli’s 1916 Othello translation and the racialized performance techniques employed in A.J. Ricko’s 1953 National Theatre of Albania production. Hoping to combat racial discrimination in Albania, Noli’s translation of Othello renders the Moor an exceptional Turk whose alienation in Venice was designed to mirror the Albanophobic experiences of Albanian immigrants. Moreover, the Albanian Othello can serve as a platform for addressing ethno-racial tensions between Albanians and Turks, northern and southern Albanians, and Albanians of color and white Albanians. Both Noli and Ricko believed there was an anti-racist power inherent within Shakespeare’s play. In the end, however, the race-based rhetoric in the Albanian language, the use of blackface make-up in performance, and the logic and rhetoric of Shakespeare’s play itself challenged these lofty goals for race-healing.
Development of the Social Acceptance of Wife Abuse Scale in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Karim Rabiul , Swahnberg Katarina
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to develop and validate the Social Acceptance of Wife Abuse Scale (SAWAS) in a Bangladeshi context. A total of 18 initial items were generated through literature review and focus group interviews with 16 university students. After meetings with 3 experts and 4 research students having extensive fieldwork experiences on domestic violence issues in rural Bangladesh, 12 items remained. These 12 items were subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with a sample of 186 university students. This produced a 2-factor, 6-item scale. We labeled the two factors, the circumstances where wife abuse is socially accepted: “disobeying family obligations” and “challenging male-authority.” Using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the factor solution was further tested with another sample of 1,929 rural citizens. The SAWAS showed very good internal consistency and validity. The SAWAS can serve as a protocol to direct measures in the effective prevention of widespread wife abuse in Bangladesh.
Anti-Chinese Sentiments in Kazakhstan: Domestic Sinophobia, Interests of the Elites, External Influence
Authors: Titarenko A.
Published: February 2021

In recent years there has been an increase in China's influence on the economic, political and humanitarian life in Kazakhstan. It leads to an increase of Sinophobia in the country. The author analyzes the reasons and dynamics of anti-Chinese sentiments in Kazakhstan, coming to the conclusion that hostility to the Chinese is often irrational and serves as a marker of the population's distrust of the ruling elites. In the author’s opinion, everyday dissatisfaction with the dominance of “aliens” is complemented by the desire of the elites to use the image of an external enemy in the clan interests in the struggle for power. This is taken into account and is actively used by external forces, primarily by the United States, as to strengthen their positions in the region.
Ukraine: Significance of the Local Elections – 2020
Authors: Tsedilina E.
Published: February 2021

The local elections held in Ukraine were far from being of local significance. They showed the real balance of political forces in the country: significant reduction in ranking of the “Servant of the People” and strengthening of the parliamentary opposition represented by the “Opposition Platform – For Life” and “European Solidarity”. These three parties each received approximately the same number of votes. This shows that the President’s political force has been unable to fulfill the role of a unifying center for the country. Ukraine has returned to a state of polarization, when the population votes for diametrically opposed political projects. However, despite the obvious loss of confidence of many voters, Zelensky’s party still retains a leading position. And what is especially important for the “Servant of the People”, as a result of the vote, it received representation at the local level thus making the President power vertical finally completed. The elections also showed a significant increase in the role of regional elites, who became the main winners of the vote. The strengthening of local authorities against the backdrop of a weakening center threatens to regionalize the country – splitting it not only politically, but also geographically.
Renminbi and Rouble in the Central Asia Economies
Authors: Polivach A.
Published: February 2021

This article reviews usage of Russian and Chinese currencies in the economies of the five Central Asia countries (CA5) – for trade payments, intergovernmental and commercial loans and also in the official foreign exchange reserves. Information on these matters, unfortunately, is non-regular and very fragmented. However, based on the analysis of available data the author makes the following conclusions. Both the Renminbi and the Rouble are used in the CA5 economies in small scale, while the US Dollar absolutely dominates. Currently the Rouble is more popular than the Renminbi. It is especially visible in those countries, which are the members of the Eurasian Economic Union. Most likely relationship between the US Dollar, the Rouble and the Renminbi in the CA5 economies will not significantly change in the near future. However the usage of the Renminbi may substantially increase, if China removes all restrictions for trans-border capital movements. Also the usage of the Rouble may significantly increase, if Russia takes actions transforming its currency into a regional reserve currency.
Influence of curettage on Esca-diseased Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon blanc plants on the quality of musts and wines
Authors: Bruez Émilie , Cholet Céline , Thibon Cécile , Redon Pascaline , Lacampagne Soizic , Martignon Tommaso , Giudici Massimo , Darriet Philippe , Gény Laurence
Published: February 2021

Aim: A study on Sauvignon blanc (SB) cultivar in France showed that curettage had an effect on the resilience of GTD grapevines. No experiments, however, have been conducted on its effects on wine quality, particularly on white Sauvignon blanc cultivar wines.Methods and results: Grapevines from Sauvignon blanc cultivar that had expressed Esca-foliar symptoms were used for the study, with some of them having been curetted in 2014. Subsequently, bunches from Control (asymptomatic), Curetted and Esca-symptomatic vines were harvested in 2017 and 2018 in order to produce white wine. Technical and chemical results on both must and wine showed that wines from curetted plants were similar to those from asymptomatic vines. There were differences, however, for Esca-diseased vines, where the alcoholic fermentation of musts was faster than for the other modalities. Olfactometry results showed that, for the one-year-old 2017 vintage wines, no differences were detected, although they were for the 2018 vintage.Conclusion: The results of the chemical analyses and wine tasting showed that the wines from curetted and asymptomatic grapevines were similar, and that their quality was the same.Significance of the study: The quality of wines from curetted vines compared to asymptomatic ones was confirmed and validated through chemical and sensory analyses of the must and the one-year-old wines.
Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty in Online Food Delivery Service during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Developing Country: An Extended Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Prasetyo Yogi Tri , Tanto Hans , Mariyanto Martinus , Hanjaya Christopher , Persada Satria Fadil , Miraja Bobby Ardiansyah , Redi A.A.N. Perwira
Published: February 2021

Online food delivery service (OFDS) has been widely utilized during the new normal of COVID-19 pandemic especially in a developing country such as Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing customer satisfaction & loyalty in OFDS during the new normal of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia by utilizing an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) approach. 253 respondents voluntarily participated and answered 65 questions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that Hedonic Motivation (HM) was found to have the highest effect on customer satisfaction, followed by Price (P), Information Quality (IQ), and Promotion (PRO). Interestingly, this study found out that usability factors such as Navigational Design (ND) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) were not significant to customer satisfaction and loyalty in OFDS during the new normal of COVID-19. This study can be the theoretical foundation that could be very beneficial for OFDS investors, IT engineers, and even academicians. Finally, this study can be applied and extended to determine factors influencing customer satisfaction and loyalty in OFDS during the new normal of COVID-19 in other countries.
A Seasonal Field Investigation to Perceive Outdoor Thermal Comfort and Thermal Adaption at Malacca Tourist Area- A Pilot Test
Authors: Manteghi Golnoosh
Published: February 2021

Season plays a key role in the development of outdoor spaces for pedestrians in hot humid cities. This research studies the influence of seasonal variations on pedestrian thermal comfort on the pedestrian level by means of meteorology and field observations of selected footpaths in the major tourist area of Malacca. This experiment was carried out on selected clear calm days indicative of each season during the development of a research project, and hourly meteorological transects from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and questioned 200 respondents on their thermal awareness, comfort, and preferences were conducted. Adaptation, thermal comfort vote, thermal preference, age, season and hour of the day were significant non-meteorological factors, apart from meteorological information. The findings of analyzes showed that the thermal experience and expectation existed and in different seasons people changed perceptions for the outside thermal environment. Almost 80% local tourist and 55 % international tourist was accepted Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) range affected by the local climate and thermal adaptation. The subjective thermal sensation on physiological equivalent temperature generated an acceptable physiological equivalent temperature of 32.6°C to 36.8°C based on the seasonal variations for Malacca tourist zone in Malaysia. These findings shed light on the optimal design of outdoor spaces for increasing the utilization rate. The seasonal variation must be taken into account so that the outdoor landscape design provides more opportunities for different seasons to communicate with the atmosphere and so enhance thermal comfort and utilization.
El Blog como herramienta del futuro desarrollo profesional en el Grado de Educación Infantil
Authors: Al-Halabí Susana , E. Gómez Laura , López Navarro Emilio , López Núñez Carla , García Trinidad
Published: February 2021

En la actualidad persiste un modelo de evaluación en las aulas universitarias que sigue poniendo el énfasis en el trabajo del profesorado antes que en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Sin embargo, estamos asistiendo a la introducción de cambios e innovaciones en los sistemas y procedimientos de evaluación que conceden un mayor protagonismo a los estudiantes. En este contexto, el objetivo de este proyecto es introducir el uso de blogs en la asignatura de “Trastornos del Comportamiento Infantil” en el Grado en Maestro de Educación Infantil de la Universidad de Oviedo, lo que favorecerá competencias relacionadas con su futuro profesional y el uso de nuevas tecnologías. En este trabajo se presentan una serie de contribuciones didácticas asociadas al uso de blogs en la educación universitaria. Tanto el profesorado como el alumnado lo valoran como un recurso útil para conformar entornos virtuales de enseñanza y aprendizaje gracias a las múltiples potencialidades que ofrece. Los alumnos informaron de una alta satisfacción con la experiencia docente y sus blogs fueron evaluados de forma muy positiva por los profesores participantes en el proyecto.
Facilidad y utilidad del uso de Internet: implicaciones para la innovación educativa
Authors: García Lirios Cruz , Espinosa Morales Francisco , Zallas Esquer Lidia Amalia , González Velázquez Leticia Mª , Bermúdez Ruiz Gilberto
Published: February 2021

El uso de Internet, indicado por el grado de percepción de utilidad y facilidad, se ha observado como un antecedente de innovación educativa. Al tratarse de una secuencia significativa de enseñanza-aprendizaje, la adopción de tecnología, dispositivos y redes implica accesibilidad y diversidad de contenidos que determinan las dimensiones perceptivas. En consecuencia, se realizó un estudio confirmatorio, psicométrico y correlacional con una muestra de 340 estudiantes, considerando su participación en redes sociales y plataformas educativas. Se encontró una estructura que explicaba el 29% de la varianza total, sugiriendo la extensión del estudio a otros escenarios y muestras.
El teatro como recurso didáctico para el aprendizaje de la Historia Medieval de España
Authors: López Ríder Javier , Córdoba de la Llave Ricardo , Conde González Mª Trinidad
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo recoge el desarrollo de un proyecto de innovación docente basado en el uso del teatro como recurso de aprendizaje para la enseñanza de la Historia, aplicado en la asignatura Historia Medieval de España, de 3er curso del Grado de Historia de la Universidad de Córdoba, durante el curso 2019-2020. El proyecto se basa en la conocida idea de que lo que se aprende de memoria se olvida, pero lo que se trabaja se aprende para siempre. El diseño ha consistido en la realización de un trabajo de investigación de carácter grupal, sobre un hecho de relieve acaecido en los reinos cristianos de la España medieval, que los estudiantes debían entregar por escrito incluyendo cuanta información pudieran recopilar sobre el mismo, así como la elaboración de un guion en forma de diálogo que permitiera su puesta en escena. A continuación, todos los grupos de trabajo desarrollaron la representación teatral del suceso estudiado en el aula universitaria, y algunos ante público infantil (alumnado de 3-5 años de la Escuela Infantil Margaritas) y ante público general (en el marco del programa del IMTUR Córdoba en Púrpura 2020). Con su desarrollo se ha conseguido que el estudiante aprenda Historia Medieval realizando un trabajo autónomo, colaborativo y motivador.
AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN DAN TOTAL FENOL COKLAT YANG DIPERKAYA DENGAN KAYU MANIS (Cinnamomum verum) DAN JAHE (Zingiber officinale)
Authors: Nurhayati Rifa , Agustin Ika , Herawati Ervika Rahayu Novita
Published: February 2021

Coklat adalah produk yang diformulasi dari massa kakao, dicampur dengan atau tanpa penambahan gula, susu, atau bahan makanan lain yang diizinkan. Kakao kaya akan polifenol, terutama katekin dan procyanidin. Kakao juga mengandung berbagai mineral seperti magnesium dan zat besi. Berbagai manfaat kakao membuat coklat tidak hanya menjadi makanan pilihan tetapi juga memiliki nilai fungsional bagi mereka yang mengkonsumsinya. Salah satu diversifikasi coklat olahan adalah fortifikasi dengan jahe atau bubuk kayu manis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik fisik, kimia, dan mikrobiologis coklat yang difortifikasi dengan jahe dan kayu manis. Analisis fisik yang dilakukan adalah uji tekstur dan warna, analisis kimia dengan uji proksimat (kadar air, kadar abu, kadar lemak, kadar protein dan kadar karbohidrat by different), uji kadar fenol total dan uji antioksidan (DPPH) sedangkan analisis mikrobiologis dilakukan dengan total plate count. Hasilnya menyebutkan bahwa penambahan jahe dan kayu manis meningkatkan nilai kekerasan, cohesiveness dan gumminess dalam coklat. Kadar fenol meningkat dari 4,83 mg GAE/mg di coklat original menjadi 6,77 mg GAE/mg di coklat kayu manis dan 6,83 mg GAE/mg di coklat jahe.

 

Antioxidant Activity And Total Phenolic Content of Chocolate Enriched With Cinnamomum verum And Zingiber officinale

Chocolate is a product that is produced from the cocoa mass, mixed with or without the addition of sugar, milk or other food ingredients that are permitted. Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, especially catechins and procyanidins. Cocoa also contains various minerals such as magnesium and iron. The various benefits of cocoa make chocolate not only a preferred food but also has functional value for those who consume it. One diversification of processed chocolate bars is fortification with ginger or cinnamon powder. This study aims to determine the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of chocolate bars added with ginger and cinnamon. Physical analysis performed was texture and color test, chemical analysis with proximate test (water content, ash content, fat content, protein content and carbohydrate content by difference), total phenol content test and antioxidant test (DPPH) while microbiological analysis was carried out with total plate count. The results mentioned that the addition of ginger and cinnamon increased the value of hardness, cohesiveness and gumminess parameter in chocolate. However, phenol levels increased from 4.83 mg GAE/mg in original chocolate to 6.77 mg GAE/mg in cinnamon chocolate and 6.83 mg GAE/mg in ginger chocolate.
Assessment of mosquito collection methods for dengue surveillance
Authors: Garjito Triwibowo Ambar , Susanti Lulus , Mujiyono Mujiyono , Prihatin Mega Tyas , Susilo Dwi , Nugroho Sidiq Setyo , Mujiyanto Mujiyanto , Wigati Raden Ajeng , Satoto Tri Baskoro Tunggul , Manguin Sylvie , Gavotte Laurent , Frutos Roger
Published: February 2021

Background
Several methods exist to collect and assess the abundance of dengue vector mosquitoes, i.e. morning adult collection using an aspirator, pupal collection, various ovitraps, whole night collection using human landing methods, and larval collection. Several of these methods are officially implemented to monitor mosquito density and make decisions on treatments for dengue control. This monitoring is also constrained by the need to conduct this assessment on a “one point/one day” process. This diversity of methods might be a source of variability and lack of statistical significance. There is also a lack of published data regarding the effectiveness of these methods
Methods
A mosquito survey was conducted in 39 locations corresponding to 15 dengue endemic provinces in Indonesia. The larval surveys were performed by collecting at least one single Aedes larva from each container, and then reared up until hatching. Three adult mosquito sampling methods were also used, including morning resting collection, human landing collection, animal baited trap. All field samples were tested for dengue. Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD) was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the collection methods against mosquito species and dengue incidence.
Results
A total of 44,675 mosquitoes were collected. The single larva method was the most efficient method. Out of a total of 89 dengue-positive pools, the most frequently encountered virus was DENV2, which made up half of the positive samples, followed by DENV3 and DENV1, respectively. FAMD showed that no correlation could be found between any methods and the presence of dengue virus in mosquitoes. Moreover, no correlation could be found between any methods and with the incidence.
Conclusions
There was no consistency in the efficacy of a given method and the incidence of dengue in the human population. There was no correlation between any of the parameters considered, i.e. method, incidence of dengue, location and presence of dengue virus in mosquitoes.
Clinical verification of body mass index and tumor immune response in patients with breast cancer receiving preoperative chemotherapy
Authors: Takada Koji , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Asano Yuka , Goto Wataru , Kouhashi Rika , Yabumoto Akimichi , Ishihara Sae , Morisaki Tamami , Shibutani Masatsune , Tanaka Hiroaki , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The body mass index (BMI) is commonly used as a simple indicator of obesity; patients with early-stage breast cancer who are obese (OB) per BMI measurements have been shown to have high postoperative recurrence and low survival rates. On the other hand, it has been shown that lymphocytes present in the vicinity of malignant growths that are involved in the tumors’ immune responses influence the efficacy chemotherapy. Therefore, we hypothesized that OB patients with breast cancer have a lower density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which may influence the therapeutic effect of preoperative chemotherapy (POC). In this study, we measured pretreatment BMI and TILs in patients with breast cancer who underwent POC, examined the correlations between these two factors, and retrospectively analyzed their therapeutic outcomes and prognoses.Methods: The participants in this study were 421 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgical treatment after POC between February 2007 and January 2019. The patient’s height and weight were measured before POC to calculate the BMI (weight [kg] divided by the square of the height [m2]). According to the World Health Organization categorization, patients who weighed under 18.5 kg/m2 were classified as underweight (UW), those ≥18.5 kg/m2 and >25 kg/m2 were considered normal weight (NW), those ≥25 kg/m2 and <30 kg/m2 were overweight (OW), and those ≥30 kg/m2 were OB. The TILs were those lymphocytes that infiltrated the tumor stroma according to the definition of the International TILs Working Group 2014.Results: The median BMI was 21.9 kg/m2 (range, 14.3–38.5 kg/m2); most patients (244; 64.5%) were NW. Among all 378 patients with breast cancer, the TIL density was significantly lower in OB than in NW and OW patients (vs. NW: p=0.001; vs. OW: p=0.003). Furthermore, when examining patients with each breast cancer type individually, the OS of those with TNBC who had low BMIs was significantly poorer than that of their high-BMI counterparts (log rank p=0.031).Conclusions: Our data did not support the hypothesis that obesity affects the tumor immune microenvironment; however, we showed that being UW does affect the tumor immune microenvironment.
A prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on apoptosis-related genes
Authors: Liu Renjie , Wang Guifu , Zhang Chi , Bai Dousheng
Published: February 2021

Background: Dysregulation of the balance between proliferation and apoptosis is the basis for human hepatocarcinogenesis. In many malignant tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is a correlation between apoptotic dysregulation and poor prognosis. However, the prognostic values of apoptosis-related genes (ARGs) in HCC have not been elucidated. Methods: To screen for differentially expressed ARGs, the expression levels of 161 ARGs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database(https://cancergenome.nih.gov/) were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to evaluate the underlying molecular mechanisms of differentially expressed ARGs in HCC. The prognostic values of ARGs were established using Cox regression, and subsequently, a prognostic risk model for scoring patients was developed. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine the prognostic value of the model. Results: Compared to normal tissues, 43 highly up-regulated and 8 down-regulated ARGs in HCC tissues were screened. GO analysis results revealed that these 51 genes are indeed related to the apoptosis function. KEGG analysis revealed that these 51 genes were correlated with MAPK, P53, TNF, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways, while Cox regression revealed that 5 ARGs (PPP2R5B, SQSTM1, TOP2A, BMF, and LGALS3) were associated with prognosis and were, therefore, obtained to develop the prognostic model. Based on the median risk scores, patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups. Patients in the low-risk groups exhibited significantly elevated two-year or five-year survival probabilities (p < 0.0001). The risk model had a better clinical potency than the other clinical characteristics, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.741). The prognosis of HCC patients was established from a plotted nomogram. Conclusion: Based on the differential expression of ARGs, we established a novel risk model for predicting HCC prognosis. This model can also be used to inform the individualized treatment of HCC patients.
Discovery and Characterization of a Hidden Retroviral Enhancer
by Viral DNA-capture-seq Approach
Authors: Matsuo Misaki , Ueno Takaharu , Monde Kazuaki , Tan Benjy Jek Yang , Miyazato Paola , Uchiyama Kyosuke , Islam Saiful , Katsuya Hiroo , Nakajima Shinsuke , Tokunaga Masahito , Nosaka Kisato , Hata Hiroyuki , Utsunomiya Atae , Fujisawa Jun-ichi , Satou Yorifumi
Published: February 2021

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that causes a cancer of infected cells called adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). There is both sense and antisense transcription from the integrated provirus. Sense transcription tends to be suppressed, but antisense transcription is constitutively active in vivo even in proviruses lacking the 5’ long terminal repeat (LTR), a known viral enhancer and promoter. Various efforts have been made to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of HTLV-1 provirus for several decades; however, it remains unknown how HTLV-1 antisense transcription is maintained. Here, using proviral DNA-capture followed by high-throughput sequencing, we found a previously unidentified viral enhancer not in the LTR but in the middle of the HTLV-1 provirus. The host transcription factors, SRF and ELK-1, bind to this enhancer region both in cell lines and in freshly isolated ATL cells. HTLV-1 containing mutations in the SRF- and ELK-1-binding sites markedly decreased chromatin openness at the viral enhancer, viral gene transcription, and enhancing effects on host gene transcription near the viral integration site. Aberrant host genome transcription was observed at nearby integration sites in defective proviruses containing the enhancer in ATL cells. This finding reveals how the exogenous retrovirus achieves persistent infection in the host via the internal viral enhancer and resolves certain long-standing questions concerning HTLV-1 infection. We anticipate that the DNA-capture-seq approach can be applied to analyze regulatory mechanisms of other oncogenic viruses integrated into the host cellular genome.
W246G Mutant ELOVL4 Impairs Synaptic Plasticity in Parallel and Climbing Fibers and Causes Motor Defects in a Rat Model of SCA34
Authors: Nagaraja Raghavendra , Sherry David , Fessler Jennifer , Stiles Megan , Li Feng , Multani Karanpreet , Orock Albert , Ahmad Mohiuddin , Brush Richard , Anderson Robert E , Agbaga Martin-Paul Gameli , Deak Ferenc
Published: February 2021

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders caused by a number of different mutations the leads to loss of motor coordination with characteristic ages of onset, symptomatology, and rates of progression. SCA type 34 (SCA34) is an age-related cerebellar neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the Fatty Acid Elongase-4 (ELOVL4). The ELOVL4 is an essential enzyme that mediates biosynthesis of Very Long Chain Saturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-SFA and VLC-PUFA, resp., ≥28 carbons) that are critical for the normal function of brain, skin, retina, Meibomian glands, and testes in which ELOVL4 is expressed. Global deletion or homozygous expression of truncated mutant ELOVL4 that lack VLC-SFA and VLC-PUFA biosynthesis cause severe skin disorders, seizures and neonatal mortality in rodents and humans. To understand the consequences of ELOVL4 mutations in pathogenesis of SCA34, we generated a rat model of SCA34 by knock-in of the SCA34-causing 736T>G (p.W246G) ELOVL4 mutation. We show that heterozygous and homozygous rats carrying the W246G mutation developed impaired motor deficits by two months of age. Our electrophysiological studies using cerebellar slices found marked reduction of long-term potentiation at parallel fiber synapses and long-term depression at climbing fiber synapses onto Purkinje cells in the homozygous W246G mutant rats. Our results further point to ELOVL4 products as being essential for motor function and cerebellar synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that in SCA34 patients, ataxia likely arises from primary impairment of synaptic plasticity and cerebellar network desynchronization that precedes cerebellar degeneration and loss of motor coordination with aging.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Treatment and Relative Survival Among Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Hong Kong Population-Based Study
Authors: Lee Shing Fung , Evens Andrew , Ng Andrea , Luque-Fernandez Miguel-Angel
Published: February 2021

The influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on access to standard chemotherapy and/or monoclonal antibody therapy, and associated secular trends, relative survival, and excess mortality, among diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients is not clear. We conducted a Hong Kong population-based cohort study and identified adult patients with histologically diagnosed DLBCL between 2000 and 2018. We examined the association of SES levels with the odds and the secular trends of receipt of chemotherapy and/or rituximab. Additionally, we estimated the long-term relative survival by SES utilizing Hong Kong life tables. Among 4,017 patients with DLBCL, 2,363 (58.8%) patients received both chemotherapy and rituximab and 740 (18.4%) patients received chemotherapy alone, while 1,612 (40.1%) and 914 (22.8%) patients received no rituximab or chemotherapy, respectively. On multivariable analysis, low SES was associated with lesser use of chemotherapy (odd ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% CI 0.34–0.57) and rituximab (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.32–0.52). The socioeconomic disparity for either treatment showed no secular trend of change. Additionally, patients with low SES showed increased excess mortality, with a hazard ratio of 2.34 (95% CI, 1.67–3.28). Improving survival outcomes for patients with DLBCL requires provision of best available medical care and securing access to treatment regardless of patients’ SES.
Promoting healthy foods among urban school children in Bangladesh: A qualitative inquiry of the challenges and opportunities
Authors: Hasan A M Rumayan , Smith George , Rashid Md Harunor , Selim Mohammad Abdus , Rasheed Sabrina
Published: February 2021

Background Food habits are directly associated with overweight and obesity in adolescence and adulthood. Urban Bangladeshi school children tend to consume foods dense in calories and few fruits and vegetables. The current study explored the barriers and opportunities for promoting healthy diets in households and schools from the perspective of teachers and parents in urban Bangladesh.Methods We conducted 14 key informant interviews with school teachers and 6 focus group interviews with mothers of school children. We used inductive thematic analysis manually.Results Schools were important for development of food preferences, however, most school cafeterias provided foods based on profit rather than health considerations. Mothers were generally concerned about chemicals added to raw foods in markets which led to limited fruit and vegetable consumption. Mothers, especially those who were employed, struggled to have time to prepare healthy foods for their children. Foods prepared outside home have acquired many meanings beyond convenience.Conclusions There were social, cultural, and environmental challenges to promoting healthy foods to children. It is important to formulate policies and guidance to create a supportive environment for healthy foods in schools. As processed foods and foods prepared outside the home have become an important part of the urban food culture, it is also important to develop and implement strict regulations and guidelines for production, processing, and distribution. It is also important to educate consumers about identifying and choosing healthy foods. Implementing existing laws related to food safety should also boost the population’s confidence in the food system.
Health Care Seeking Behavior of Elderly People in Rural Part of Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia
Authors: Teyib Abdi , Alemayehu Dereje , Tufa Tilahun , Birhanu Negalign
Published: February 2021

Background: Aging is the process of becoming older. Old age comprises age group of 60 year and above. Health care seeking behavior is any activity undertaken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate therapy. Though health care seeking behavior of peoples have significant role for their health, limited number of studies were done so far in Ethiopia particularly among elderly peoples. To the best of our knowledge health seeking behavior of elderly people in Ethiopia haven’t been addressed well by previous researchers. Hence, the objective of this study was to measure health care seeking behavior and associated factors among elderly people in rural parts of Jimma zone, south west Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly peoples living in rural parts of Jimma Zone from March 10 to30, 2020. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select study participants. A total of 590 elderly peoples were included in the study. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with health seeking behavior. P – Value ≤ 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.Result: The level of health care seeking behavior of elderly peoples in rural part of Jimma zone was 89.2%. Being female [AOR= 0.422(95%CI: 0.204–0.874)], good perception towards health facility[AOR= 20.676(95%CI: 5.077–84.205)], service option availability [AOR=8.597(95%CI: 1.998 – 36.989)], affordable price of modern health service [AOR=3.589(95%CI:1.631–7.900)], awareness about the cause of their sickness[AOR=6.060(95%CI:1.539–23.866)], and having good housing condition[AOR=5.017(95%CI=1.924–13.082) were predictors of health care seeking behavior. Conclusion: Health care seeking behavior of elderly people in rural part of Jimma zone was higher than what was reported in many other studies. Special attention is need from government and concerned stakeholders to take action on the identified factors of health care seeking behavior of elderly people.