bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AP-1 Contributes to Chromatin Accessibility to Promote Sarcomere Disassembly and Cardiomyocyte Protrusion During Zebrafish Heart Regeneration
Authors: Beisaw Arica , Kuenne Carsten , Guenther Stefan , Dallmann Julia , Wu Chi-Chung , Bentsen Mette , Looso Mario , Stainier Didier Y.R.
Published: April 2020

Rationale:

The adult human heart is an organ with low regenerative potential. Heart failure following acute myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death due to the inability of cardiomyocytes to proliferate and replenish lost cardiac muscle. While the zebrafish has emerged as a powerful model to study endogenous cardiac regeneration, the molecular mechanisms by which cardiomyocytes respond to damage by disassembling sarcomeres, proliferating, and repopulating the injured area remain unclear. Furthermore, we are far from understanding the regulation of the chromatin landscape and epigenetic barriers that must be overcome for cardiac regeneration to occur.

Objective:

To identify transcription factor regulators of the chromatin landscape, which promote cardiomyocyte regeneration in zebrafish, and investigate their function.

Methods and Results:

Using the Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin coupled to high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-Seq), we first find that the regenerating cardiomyocyte chromatin accessibility landscape undergoes extensive changes following cryoinjury, and that activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding sites are the most highly enriched motifs in regions that gain accessibility during cardiac regeneration. Furthermore, using bioinformatic and gene expression analyses, we find that the AP-1 response in regenerating adult zebrafish cardiomyocytes is largely different from the response in adult mammalian cardiomyocytes. Using a cardiomyocyte-specific dominant negative approach, we show that blocking AP-1 function leads to defects in cardiomyocyte proliferation as well as decreased chromatin accessibility at the
fbxl22
and
ilk
loci, which regulate sarcomere disassembly and cardiomyocyte protrusion into the injured area, respectively. We further show that overexpression of the
AP-1
family members
Junb
and
Fosl1
can promote changes in mammalian cardiomyocyte behavior in vitro.

Conclusions:

AP-1 transcription factors play an essential role in the cardiomyocyte response to injury by regulating chromatin accessibility changes, thereby allowing the activation of gene expression programs that promote cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation, proliferation, and protrusion into the injured area.
Autoantibody Signature in Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Maguy Ange , Tardif Jean-Claude , Busseuil David , Ribi Camillo , Li Jin
Published: April 2020

Background:

Cardiac arrest is a tragic event that causes 1 death roughly every 90 seconds worldwide. Survivors generally undergo a workup to identify the cause of arrest. However, 5% to 10% of cardiac arrests remain unexplained. Because cardiac arrhythmias underlie most cardiac arrests and increasing evidence strongly supports the involvement of autoantibodies in arrhythmogenesis, a large-panel autoantibody screening was performed in patients with cardiac arrest.

Methods:

This is an observational, cross-sectional study of patients from the Montreal Heart Institute hospital cohort, a single-center registry of participants. A peptide microarray was designed to screen for immunoglobulin G targeting epitopes from all known cardiac ion channels with extracellular domains. Plasma samples from 23 patients with unexplained cardiac arrest were compared with those from 22 patients with cardiac arrest cases of ischemic origin and a group of 29 age-, sex-, and body mass index–matched healthy subjects. The false discovery rate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression, and random forest methods were carried out jointly to find significant differential immunoglobulin G responses.

Results:

The autoantibody against the pore domain of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel was consistently identified as a biomarker of idiopathic cardiac arrest (
P
=0.002; false discovery rate, 0.007; classification accuracies ≥0.83). Functional studies on human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes demonstrated that the anti–L-type voltage-gated calcium channel immunoglobulin G purified from patients with idiopathic cardiac arrest is proarrhythmogenic by reducing the action potential duration through calcium channel inhibition.

Conclusions:

The present report addresses the concept of autoimmunity and cardiac arrest. Hitherto unknown autoantibodies targeting extracellular sequences of cardiac ion channels were detected. Moreover, the study identified an autoantibody signature specific to patients with cardiac arrest.
The New Arab Bills of Rights: a Study on the Constitutions of Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia
Authors: Porras-Gómez Antonio-Martín
Published: April 2020

This article analyses the changes effected by the new constitutional bills of rights of Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. In the Introduction, the conceptual and empirical framework is presented, enunciating four descriptive hypotheses: (1) the new Arab bills of rights are longer and denser, (2) they take up the most recent catalogues of rights as expressed in the globalized constitutional models, (3) they recognize the international human rights law as a binding legal category, and (4) they grant a special importance to women, children and minorities’ rights. The testing of these hypotheses, by means of a descriptive statistical analysis and the study of the novelties introduced, constitutes the second section. The third section analyzes the evolution and functional rationale of these new constitutional provisions. Finally, a conclusion is provided, arguing that the new Arab bills of rights are situated within globalized constitutional trends, adjusted with certain regional particularities.
The Spiritual Exercises and Illuminism in Spain: Dominican Critics of the Early Society of Jesus
Authors: O’Reilly Terence
Published: April 2020

The recovery of important historical texts in the last half century has provoked a reevaluation of the features of Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises that have been described as “mystical” (especially their contemplative dimension and their implicit pneumatology), inviting us to reconsider the history of their composition and first reception, including the relationship between the spirituality of Ignatius to which they give expression, and the teachings of the illuminists or alumbrados. This article furthers this discussion by examining criticisms directed against the Spiritual Exercises during the last decade of Ignatius’s life by two Spanish Dominicans, Melchor Cano and Tomás de Pedroche, who found parallels between the Exercises and the theology of the illuminists. These criticisms were serious enough to affect the received interpretation of what we now call the mystical aspects of the Exercises leading up to its codification in the Official Directory of 1599, particularly regarding the place, if any, of contemplation in the lives of the laity, the role of consolation in prayer, and the experience of direct divine guidance.
Hetaerina calverti (Odonata: Zygoptera: Calopterygidae) sp. nov., a new cryptic species of the American Rubyspot complex
Authors: VEGA-SÁNCHEZ YESENIA MARGARITA , MENDOZA-CUENCA LUIS FELIPE , GONZÁLEZ-RODRÍGUEZ ANTONIO
Published: April 2020

Hetaerina americana Fabricius, 1798 has a long and irresolute taxonomic history. Several synonyms have been suggested (H. californica Hagen in Selys-Longchamps, 1859, H. basalis Hagen in Selys-Longchamps, 1859, H. texana Walsh, 1863, H. scelerata Walsh, 1863, etc.), related to the variation in the size of the wing spots as well as to the morphology of the male cerci. However, Calvert (1901) suggested that H. americana represents one variable species. Nevertheless, Vega-Sánchez et al. (2019) through a genetic and morphological analysis presented evidence to propose that H. americana represents a species complex. In the present work, we describe a new species that belongs to this complex: H. calverti sp. nov. The morphological characteristics by which males and females of H. calverti differ from H. americana are highlighted. The most important character for the differentiation of males is the shape of the cerci and the size of the individuals (when the two species are in sympatry). In females, the main differences are in the shape of the intersternites and the medio-dorsal carina of the last segment of the abdomen. Some generalities about the biology of the species are presented, including geographical distribution patterns and genetic divergence data. [urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F5C329AE-7A00-4979-8A0D-A13D869E54B1]
Homology of labial chaetae in Entomobryoidea (Collembola)
Authors: ZHANG FENG , PAN ZHI-XIANG
Published: April 2020

The labium in Collembola consists of three parts (Folsom 1899): labial palp, basomedian (submentum) and basolateral (mentum) fields. Labial chaetotaxy, i.e. number, nature and relative position of chaetae, has been one of the standard descriptive components for species diagnoses in Entomobryoidea. Labial palp, including labial papillae, guard chaetae and proximal chaetae, has been well investigated across major collembolan lineages by Fjellberg (1999). For the chaetae behind the labial palp (mentum and submentum, Figs 1‒2) in Entomobryoidea, Gisin (1964) introduced the nomenclature of a1‒a5 for the anterior row and M1M2rEL1L2 for the posterior row in Lepidocyrtus; the lowercase letter r represented a smaller chaeta between M and E. Later, Gisin (1967) applied this system to Pseudosinella but defined uppercase and lowercase letters as ciliate and smooth chaetae, respectively. Chen & Christiansen (1993) mostly followed Gisin’s nomenclature but named the anterior row as A, B, C, D and F. When there was more than one chaeta inner to R, M-series, they were designated as M1, M2, Ms (supplementary) etc. Smooth chaeta r was sometimes named as ‘v’ (vestigial) in Lepidocyrtinae when it was very tiny. Because the degree of plurichaetosis on submentum greatly differs among Entomobryoidea species, homology of basomedian chaetae may be incorrectly recognized in adults. In this study, we observed labial chaetotaxy (guard chaetae of labial palp excluded) of early instars in twenty species, clarified their homologies and unified the nomenclature systems.
Effect of SOX9 on Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through WNTβ/Catenin Pathway
Authors: Yang Qing , Li Cheng , Yan Manli , Fang Chunhua
Published: April 2020

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can be differentiated into different types of cells. SOX9 involves in the development and progression of various diseases. Our study aims to assess SOX9's effect on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and its related regulatory mechanisms.
Rat BMSCs were isolated and randomly divided into control group, SOX9 group and SOX9 siRNA group, which was transfected with pcDNA-SOX9 plasmid or SOX9 siRNA respectively followed by analysis of SOX9 expression by Real time PCR, cell proliferation by MTT assay, Caspase3 and ALP activity, GSK-3β
expression and Wntβ/Catenin Signaling pathway protein expression by Western blot, and expression of osteogenic genes Runx2 and BMP-2 by Real time PCR. Transfection of pcDNA-SOX9 plasmid into BMSCs significantly inhibited cell proliferation, promoted Caspase3 activity, decreased
ALP activity and downregulated Runx2 and BMP-2, increased GSK-3β expression and decreased Wntβ/Catenin expression protein expression (P< 0.05). SOX9 siRNA transfection significantly promoted cell proliferation, inhibited Caspase3 activity, increased ALP activity
and upregulated Runx2 and BMP-2, downregulated GSK-3β and increased Wntβ/Catenin expression. SOX9 regulates BMSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation through Wntβ/Catenin signaling pathway.
Effect of Renin–Angiotensin System on Proliferation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Its Interaction with AKT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Jiaxue , Cai Lei , Pan Lifeng , Zhou Feng , Guan Zhongning
Published: April 2020

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are undifferentiated cells with self-replication and multi-directional differentiation potential, and can differentiate into various cells. In view of these special biological effects, BMSCs can be used as seed cells for transplantation therapy
and cell therapy. Therefore, exploring the proliferation process of BMSCs has become a hot topic in current research. In the present study, we evaluated RAS's effect on the proliferation of BMSCs. Rat primary BMSCs were extracted and treated with AngII followed by analysis of AKT and p-AKT
protein expression by immunoblotting, the cell proliferation activity by MTT assay, and the cell surface markers and cell cycle by flow cytometry. From the cell surface markers, the purity of cells was increased after passage. After treatment of AngII, AKT signaling was activated and cell
proliferation was increased. After knocking down AKT, the cell proliferation activity was significantly decreased compared with the control group. AngII can promote PI3K/AKT pathway activation and the proliferation of BMSCs. This study partially reveals the autocrine/paracrine regulation mechanism
of BMSCs, which can provide a scientific basis for the physiological research of BMSCs, and also provide experimental evidence for clinical cell transplantation therapy.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Medium Induces Differentiation of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Affects the Secretion of IL-6 and IL-1β in Inflammatory Environment
Authors: Pan Deyue , Bi Zhenggang
Published: April 2020

BMSCs can be an ideal tissue repair seed cell. Inflammation affects bone repair and bone damage. Our study evaluated the effects of mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium on BMSCs differentiation and IL-6 and IL-1β secretion in inflammatory environment in vitro.
Rat BMSCs were isolated and randomly divided into control group, inflammation group (treated with LPS) and induction group (mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium in the presence of LPS) followed by analysis of BMSCs proliferation by MTT assay, Caspase 3 activity, expression of type II collagen,
Runx2, OC and PPARγ 2 by real-time PCR, ALP activity, and secretion of IL-6 and IL-1β by ELISA. In inflammation group, BMSCs proliferation was significantly inhibited and Caspase 3 activity was significantly increased, along with decreased expression of type II collagen,
Runx2 and OC, reduced ALP activity of ALP, increased PPARγ2 and the secretion of IL-6 and IL-1β (P < 0.05). Induction group showed significantly promoted BMSCs proliferation, decreased Caspase 3 activity, upregulated type II collagen, Runx2 and OC, elevated
ALP activity, decreased PPARγ2 expression and IL-6 and IL-1β secretion compared to inflammation group (P < 0.05). Mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium induces proliferation of BMSCs in an inflammatory environment, inhibits apoptosis and adipogenic differentiation,
promotes osteogenic differentiation, and inhibits the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β.
Oroxylin A Shows Protective Effects on Biological Activity of Lipopolysaccharide Treated Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells
Authors: Wang Ting , Liu Xinqiang , Jiang Chunmiao , Ren Dapeng , Gao Yuli , Zhao Yang , Liu Dongxu
Published: April 2020

The abnormal proliferation and apoptosis of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) serves a crucial role in the development of periodontitis. Oroxylin A has shown protective effects in a variety of inflammatory diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects
of oroxylin A on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated hPDLSCs. In the present study, cells were exposed to different concentrations (10, 20, 40 uM) of oroxylin A for 24 h or 48 h, co-treated with LPS. The cell proliferation capacity was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the cell
apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. The Ki67 expression was measured using immunofluorescence and NO production was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. Western blot analyses were used to investigate the level of cell proliferation related proteins (PCNA,
CDK2 and p21) as well as NF-κB, I-κBα and downstream molecules iNOS, IL-6 and TNF-α. The results demonstrated that oroxylin A increased cell survival of LPS treated hPDLSCs in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. In addition, oroxylin
A treatment inhibited cell apoptosis in hPDLSCs. Furthermore, the levels of NO, NF-κB, iNOS, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced. And the expression of Ki67, I-κBα, PCNA and CDK2 were significantly increased. Taken together, these findings
indicate that oroxylin A promote proliferation and suppress apoptosis in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Oroxylin A may affects LPS induced biological activity via inhibiting NF-κB activation and proinflammatory cytokines expression in hPDLSCs.
Pulsatile Blood Flow Through a Constricted Porous Artery
Authors: Uddin Salah , Mehmood Obaid Ullah , Mohamad Mahathir , Mohmad Mahmod Abd Hakim , Jamil D. F. , Roslan Rozaini
Published: April 2020

In this paper a speculative study of an incompressible Newtonian blood flow through a constricted porous channel and pulsatile nature is inspected. Porosity parameter λ is incorporated in the momentum equation. Governing nonlinear differential equations are numerically
evaluated by employing the perturbation method technique for a very small perturbation parameter ε 1 such that ε ≠ 0 and with conformable boundary conditions. Numerical results of the flow velocity profile and volumetric flow rate have been derived numerically and
detailed graphical analysis for different physical parameters porosity, Reynolds number and stenosis has been presented. It is found that arterial blood velocity is dependent upon all of these factors and that the relationship of fluid velocity and flow is more complex and nonlinear than heretofore
generally believe. Furthermore the flow velocity enhanced with Reynolds number, porosity parameter and at maximum position of the stenosis/constriction.
Rula and Reba Analysis on Work Postures: A Case Study at Poultry Feed Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Mahmood Salwa , Aziz Syed Abd.Hafiz Syed Abdul , Zulkifli Mohd Zakwan , Marsi Noraini
Published: April 2020

Ergonomics in working industries play an important role which make any task being done easier, thus improving the company production quality. By applying the ergonomics systematically in working life, the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) can be reduced. WMSDs generally
affect human body by working in awkward posture which gives discomfort and pain. The main objective of this study is to analyze the working postures. Next is to suggest the good working position for workers at poultry feed manufacturing industry by proposing standard operating procedure (SOP).
The purpose is to reduce fatigue among workers with repetitive tasks. This study is carried out at poultry feed company located in Tanjung Langsat, Johor. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) are the methodologies used to analyze the working postures of
the workers. Videos and figures of the working postures will be recorded and being analyzed. Three selected workers are divided into three different tasks. From the analysis had been done, the score obtain for RULA method is 7, 6 and 7 for Workers 1, Workers 2 and Workers 3 respectively. Meanwhile
for REBA method, the score is 12, 6 and 5 for workers respectively. Results show that the working postures is in high-risk level, which need to be considered. It is expected that this research will help by proposing proper SOP and work position for reducing the risk of WMSDs in industry. In
regards, this research is expected to increase the awareness regarding on the good working postures among workers.
Mathematical Modelling of Coexistence of Two Dengue Virus Serotypes with Seasonality Effect
Authors: Abidemi Afeez , Aziz Mohd Ismail Abd , Ahmad Rohanin
Published: April 2020

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease which is endemic, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions across the globe. Most of these regions have strong seasonal patterns in climatic factors such as rainfall and temperature, which are directly linked to dengue disease transmission
through the mosquito population. These climatic factors have great influence on the mosquito survival, propagation and abundance. Several mathematical models have been used to forecast dengue burden in Madeira Island if two dengue virus serotypes coexist, but do not capture the seasonality
effects on the dynamics of mosquito population. Hence, this study proposes a two-strain compartmental model to forecast the impact of seasonal variation on the transmission dynamics of dengue disease if two virus serotypes coexist in the Island. We derive the basic reproduction number, 0
= max{√01,√0j}, related to the model through the Next Generation Matrix operator. The diseasefree and boundary equilibrium points of the model are obtained, and we discuss the local and global stability of the disease-free equilibrium in terms of 0.
It is found that the disease free-equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable whenever both 01,0j < 1, and unstable otherwise. The Comparison Theorem is used to prove the global asymptotic stability of the disease-free equilibrium. The results of our numerical
simulation show that the presence of seasonal effect influences a high number of dengue infections in both human and mosquito populations.
Artificial Intelligence Based Risk Management in Global Software Development: A Proposed Architecture to Reduce Risk by Using Time, Budget and Resources Constraints
Authors: Iftikhar Asim , Musa Shahrulniza , Alam Muhammad , Su’ud Mazliham Mohd
Published: April 2020

In today’s competitive world software organizations are moving towards global software development environment where experts in teams from different geographical locations and different cultures are working on their roles and responsibilities to deliver a quality and cost-effective
product. These teams are distributed in nature and work on same set of goals and objectives. They are undertaking their assignments to get multiple advantages like global exposure, new software world to explore, learning environment, etc. This change is having a significant effect on marketing
and distribution as well as on the way software products are perceived, designed, developed, tested, and delivered to customers. Software experts in Global Software Development environment are also facing many challenges like as well. Moreover, risk is a big challenge out of other challenges
but not many researchers addressed risk related to Time, Budget and Resources. Developing software projects to address business needs and requirements is so exceedingly complex and troublesome that it is common for software projects to overrun budgets and exceed scheduled completion dates.
Business managers need the whole development process streamlined and more manageable, with projected cost and timings and for better decision making. The utilization of artificial intelligence techniques to manage risk is helpful when taking care of and assessing unstructured information because
of the self-learning and self-healing nature of artificial intelligence-based algorithms. In this paper an Artificial Intelligence based architecture has been proposed that reduces risk by using Time, Budget and Resource constraints that will help decision maker to take decisions and get optimal
solutions.
Optimum Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) Volume for Hydrothermal Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanostructure Direct Growth on Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide (FTO)/rGO Substrate
Authors: Talib A. , Ahmad M. K. , Ahmad N. , Nafarizal N. , Mohamad F. , Soon C. F. , Suriani A. B. , H.Mamat M. , Murakami K. , Shimomura M.
Published: April 2020

Titanium dioxide or titania shows a great interest in solar cell application due to its morphology and crystalline structure. Moreover, it is an affordable compound that could make solar cells more cost economical than traditional silicon solar cells. In this study, the influence of
rutile Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) deposit on reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) as photoanode through one-step hydrothermal technique is demonstrated to synthesis rutile TiO2 nanorods (NRs) and nanoflowers (NFs) morphology in nanoscale dimension with different rGO volume for Dye-sensitized
solar cells (DSSCs) application. The successful synthesis of TiO2 on FTO/rGO was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry and incident
photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra. The performance of dye-sensitized solar cells as outcome of rGO contents in solar cell was also examined. The optimal performance result in contrast with liquid electrolyte based solar cell has been approved over photovoltaic performance
study in terms characteristics of open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Jsc) and solar conversion efficiency.
Review Building Information Modelling for Infrastructure: Benefits for Constructor
Authors: Zaid Nur-ul Balqes Md , Hamzah Noraini , Khoiry Muhamad Azry
Published: April 2020

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a major transformation in the building industry. The construction is seen among the best solutions to overcome too many problems faced in conventional industry construction. Conventional construction is associated with two-dimensional (2D) drawing
technology while BIM used three-dimensional (3D) model and each component in the construction process contains detail information. Therefore this study is to collect the earlier investigations on the use of BIM in infrastructure in the perspective of the constructor to view and analyze the
current status for adopting this technique. The basic development of BIM for infrastructure is emphasized in this observation. Benefits for the constructor for Building Information Modelling for infrastructure will be analysed from past research. Through this observation, we have found many
benefits for construction on BIM for infrastructure, especially for the design and construction phase. Selected for phases design and construct is by most collected themes on review of BIM uses throughout an infrastructure lifecycle. However, the listed benefits are the most stated in past
research. These benefits show that this technology of BIM is the most effective method that been applied in the infrastructure construction industry, especially for the constructor.
Effect of Liquid Flow Rate on Carbon Dioxide Absorption Performance Using Aqueous Potassium Carbonate Promoted with Glycine at Elevated Pressure Condition of Packed Absorption Column
Authors: Mustafa Nur Farhana Ajua , Shariff Azmi Mohd , Tay WeeHorng , Abdul Halim Hairul Nazirah , Yusof Siti Munirah Mhd , Hermansyah Heri
Published: April 2020

This paper presented the absorption removal efficiency for carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from natural gas using an environmental friendly solvent, potassium carbonate promoted with glycine. Recently, CO2 capture using this solvent (with precipitating) was studied
by previous researchers. However, the precipitates of the solvent increase the potential of blockage in the packing and piping thus result failure in absorption processes. Therefore, this study focused to assess the CO2 removal efficiency of non-precipitating potassium carbonate
promoted with glycine. This green solvent contains aqueous blend of 20 wt% potassium carbonate and 8 wt% glycine. The absorption performance of the solvent was obtained by demonstrated a few experimental works using a bench scale packed absorption column. The packing type was Sulzer metal
gauze and the column consisted of six sampling point which located equidistance along the packing. The effect of liquid flow rate was assessed in term of its CO2 removal efficiency and concentration profile along the packing. The study shows the increasing trend of CO2
removal as liquid flow rate increases. Higher liquid/molar flow rate gas (L/G) offers a better absorption performance compared to lower L/G ratio. The results demonstrated the efficient absorption up to 77% using non-precipitating potassium carbonate promoted with glycine.
Problem Solving Skills Among Graduate Engineers: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Subramaniam Murugan , Azmi Aini Najwa , Noordin Muhammad Khair
Published: April 2020

Industrial Revolution 4.0 has been one of the most popular topics discussed among engineers. In the near future the non-technical skills will be equally or more important than technical skills. Moreover, IR4.0 will incur job displacement and majority of the task will be taken over by
robots and Artificial Intelligent (Tapsir, S.H. and Puteh, M., 2018. Framing Malaysian Higher Education 4.0). Therefore, priority will be given to non-technical skills which cannot be done completely by the robots and Artificial Intelligent at the moment. NACE Job Outlook 2019 (To, F., et
al., 2019. Job Outlook 2019, (November 2018)) shows Problem Solving Skills is the second most important skill sought by employers; Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC), 8-Disciplinary and Plan- Do-Check-Act (PDCA) are the very common systematic approaches used by the industries
to solve the problem arose in the industrial environment. The studies show that the problems cannot be solved by using the same kind of thinking approach applied at the moment it was created. Therefore, a systematic analytical skill is required to handle the engineering related problems happening
at manufacturing environment or engineering workplace. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the existing literature about Problem Solving skills for graduate engineers through a systematic literature review. This paper analyses literature through electronic databases mainly from Scopus
and Web of Science. This paper summarizes types of problem-solving skills applied in the engineering field as of now. Based on that, engineers can differentiate and understand the approach of the problemsolving skills in the industrial environment to improve the failures and increase productivity.
Investigation with Gifted Students in Learning Physics Concept Based on Cognitive Structure
Authors: Rajman Najwa Huda , Zahanis Zahir Hariz , Mohd Siti Munirah , Idris Fadzidah Mohd , Shafinah Kamarudin , Zulkefly Nor Raihan , Jan Nurhidaya Mohamad , Kaco Hatika , Zainuddin Mohamad Faiz
Published: April 2020

Physics concept is an understanding of natural occurrence. Physics is one of the natural science subjects that involves the study of matter and motion through space and time, along with related concepts. The concepts of physics explained everything involving the environment and human
relation that happened in our daily life. Physics is one of the toughest subjects. Many students have difficulty to understand the subject properly. The factor of difficulty in learning physics concept come from many aspects, which is subject matter, materials for learning, the environment
in class, and teaching style. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the main factor affecting the understanding of student performance in physics subject. This study has been done by given question paper that is designed based on taxonomy bloom. The question paper consists of 10 questions
divided into three stages of taxonomy bloom, which are C1 (remembering), C2 (understanding), and C3 (applying). The test has been conducted among 17 years old students in Kolej PERMATA Insan. The result of the test has been analyzed. Based on the test that has been held, the results showed
that most students did not reach the minimum mark of for the three stages in taxonomy bloom mainly stage C3 questions that apply the physics concept in daily life. The results from the test showed that physic is a tough subject to be learned.
Blacktip Reefshark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) Movement Displays During Interaction with Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus Diver in Morotai Waters, Maluku Utara, Indonesia
Authors: Mukharror Darmawan Ahmad , Susiloningtyas Dewi , Handayani Tuty
Published: April 2020

Shark diving tourism as one of the conservation tools has been growing progressively in the recent decades. Shark diving is among the popular attraction for the marine tourism in Indonesia that plays major role—as rank fourth in the shark tourism world-for the coastal development
in the eastern part of Indonesia. Morotai, as well as Derawan, Gorontalo, Biak, Raja Ampat, Nabire and Teluk Cenderawasih, Lombok, Komodo, and Banda Sea, is well known for its shark diving site. Despite its prominent status as a tourism appeal, little is known about the behavior of blacktip
reefshark during the interaction with SCUBA diver. The knowledge of shark behavior during interaction with Self- Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diver is important for developing safer diving practice, ecological assessment, and shark tourism carrying capacity. This research
involves DOV (Diver Operated Video) to capture the movement patterns of shark while interacting with SCUBA Diver. Analysis of hundreds of movement displays of the Carcharhinus melanopterus during SCUBA diving shows that this shark is having a specific and consistent movement displays
while engaging with SCUBA divers.
Fraud Detection for Metered Costumers in Power Distribution Companies Using C5.0 Decision Tree Algorithm
Authors: Saeed Muhammad Salman , Mustafa Mohd. Wazir Bin , Sheikh Usman Ullah , Salisu Sani , Mohammed Olatunji Obalowu
Published: April 2020

Non-technical Losses mainly Electricity theft has been a main concern for power utilities from last many years. Power utilities are estimated to lose billion dollars annually because of illegal usage of electricity by fraudulent consumers. Researchers are trying different methods for
proficiently recognizing fraudster costumers. This research suggests a new approach based on C5 algorithm for efficiently identifying consumers involved in electricity theft. The C5.0 algorithm is a modified form of the C4.5 algorithm. It is also one of the decision tree algorithms but with
a much-improved classification rate. The C5.0 algorithm relies on monthly energy consumption data to identify any anomaly in consumer energy usage data associated with NTL behavior. There are many types of fraud committed by fraudulent consumers but this research is focused on fraudulent consumers
who have a unexpected deviation from their usual load profile. The motivation of this research is to aid Power distribution companies in Pakistan to decrease there NTL’s due to pilfering in energy consumption by fraudulent consumers. The accuracy of the C5.0 algorithm is 94.61% which
is much higher when compared to some state of the art machine learning algorithms like Random forest, Support Vector Machine, K-NN and other decision trees.
Adaptation from Flooring Level of Stilt House in Sustainable Settlement Musi Riverside Palembang
Authors: Wicaksono Bambang , Siswanto Ari , Kusdiwanggo Susilo , Febriati Anwar Widya Fransiska
Published: April 2020

The development of the Musi River edge house was influenced by the role of the river. The form of a house on the banks of the Musi river is a riverbank house and a stilt house. The choice to build a stilt house is inseparable from the land conditions in South Sumatra, which are generally
wetlands. The level/height of the stage of the riverbank house is influenced by the condition of the house in the settlement layer, given the higher volume of water due to the denser density of the riverside houses. The high pole of the house is a form of adaptation to the high volume/tide
of river water in the rainy season. One form of vernacular architecture on the banks of the Musi River is a sustainable home in the face of climate and weather in Palembang. The house on stilts or pillar houses is a sustainable alternative to the Musi Palembang riverbank community. The purpose
of this study was to determine the trend of the adaptation of the stage floor height to the volume of water at the tidal currents of the Palembang Musi River. In achieving this goal, a study was conducted to identify architectural traces, explore activities and ideas of the Musi coastal communities.
Data collection is done through field observations, in-depth interviews, and literature studies. Analysis was carried out qualitatively on variables, process characteristics, and products from identification of riverbank settlements. The results show that most of the houses on the banks of
the river experience physical changes in buildings, both in terms of functions and building materials. Changes in the constituent elements of the house from wood material to permanent material occurred in most of the stilt houses on the Musi riverside settlement, resulting in riverside houses
characterized by land houses.
Factors Influencing Consumer’s Attitudes to Continuously Use Mobile Shopping Applications
Authors: Abdul Aziz Nor Azah , Zin Ling Hung , Azman Hartini , Sufian Atirah
Published: April 2020

This research aims to identify the factors influencing consumer’s attitudes to continuously use mobile shopping applications. The primary data were collected by distributing online questionnaire to 384 respondents who had previous experience on using mobile shopping applications
to purchase products. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0. The findings show that perceived usefulness, privacy and security, electronic words of mouth, and perceived ease of use have positive relationship, whereas the design aesthetics
has no positive relationship with the consumer’s attitudes to continuously use the mobile shopping application. This study enhances the researcher’s understanding on how the perceived usefulness, privacy and security, electronic words of mouth and perceived ease of use in influencing
the consumer’s attitudes to continuously use the mobile shopping applications. This study extend the application of expectation-confirmationmodel (ECM) and technology acceptance model (TAM) which can provides the theoretical understanding on the various factors that influencing consumer’s
attitudes to continuously use the mobile shopping applications. The managers should focus on those factors in order to encourage more people for using the mobile shopping application to purchase the products.
A Review of Multimode Interference Polymer Thermo-Optic Switch from the Fundamental Perspective
Authors: Ahmad N. S. , Yaacob M. , Othman M. B. , Ngajikin N. H.
Published: April 2020

Although extensive research has been carried out in optical communication, optical devices based on polymer material have a great interest due to its pertinent advantages which include versatility and reduction fabrication cost. Amongst all-optical devices, there has been a growing
requirement for optical switches. In order to implement them efficiently, the combination of MMI structure with a polymer material produced an optical switch with ultra-compact size, low loss, and easiness of fabrication. Therefore, a comprehensive overview of structural properties, material
specification and switching mechanisms of multimode interference (MMI) focusing on thermo optic switch base polymer material are briefly described in this paper. We believe, this review paper can provide good information for future switch development in optical networking.
Continuous Flow Treatment Chamber for Liquid Food Processing Through Pulsed Electric Field
Authors: Arshad Rai Naveed , Buntat Zolkafle B. , Dastgheib Ali M. , Jusoh Yanti M. M. , Munir Abdullah , Aadil Rana Muhammad , Ahmad Mohd Hafizi
Published: April 2020

In pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment, non-uniform distributions of the electric field and temperature are problematic within a treatment chamber. The helical shape has a favorable feature of flow that facilitates to resolve these issues. This work was performed to determine the
optimal design of the helically shaped treatment chamber and its proficiency in the quality and stability of liquid foods. The uniformity of the electric field was evaluated using numerical simulation. The simulations were validated through three different designs of the helical chambers to
treat the liquid samples of mango, pineapple, and coconut milk. The consequence of the treatments and the storage time were monitored through physicochemical and microbial analysis of the treated samples. This treatment process causes a temperature rise of less than 10%. The beverages treated
inside the helical treatment chamber were stable up to 7 days of storage at ambient storage condition (25 °C) by minimizing quality changes and reducing microbial growth.
The Influence of a Submarine Canyon on the Circulation and Cross-Shore Exchanges around an Upwelling Front
Authors: Saldías Gonzalo S. , Allen Susan E.
Published: April 2020

The response of a coastal ocean numerical model, typical of eastern boundaries, is investigated under upwelling-favorable wind forcing and with/without the presence of a submarine canyon. Experiments were run over three contrasting shelf depth/slope bathymetries and forced by an upwelling-favorable alongshore wind. Random noise in the wind stress field was used to trigger the onset of frontal instabilities, which formed around the upwelling front. Their development and evolution are enhanced over deeper (and less inclined) shelves. Experiments without a submarine canyon agree well with previous studies of upwelling frontal instabilities; baroclinic instabilities grow along the front in time. The addition of a submarine canyon incising the continental shelf dramatically changes the circulation and frontal characteristics. Intensified upwelling is channeled through the downstream side of the canyon in all depth/slope configurations. Farther downstream a downwelling area is generated, being larger and stronger on a shallow shelf. The canyon affects mainly the location of the southward upwelling jet, which is deflected inshore and accelerated after passing over the canyon. This process is accompanied by a break in the alongshore scale of the instabilities on either side of the canyon. Term balances of the depth-averaged cross-shore momentum equation reaffirm the downstream acceleration of the jet and the increased wavelength of the instabilities, and clarify the dominant balance between the advection and ageostrophic terms around the canyon.
Age‐Related Central Auditory Processing Disorder, MCI, and Dementia in an Older Population of Southern Italy
Authors: Sardone Rodolfo , Battista Petronilla , Donghia Rossella , Lozupone Madia , Tortelli Rosanna , Guerra Vito , Grasso Alessandra , Griseta Chiara , Castellana Fabio , Zupo Roberta , Lampignano Luisa , Sborgia Giancarlo , Capozzo Rosa , Bortone Ilaria , Stallone Roberta , Fiorella Maria Luisa , Passantino Andrea , Giannelli Gianluigi , Seripa Davide , Panza Francesco , Logroscino Giancarlo , Quaranta Nicola
Published: April 2020

Objective

We explored the associations of age‐related central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in an older population‐based cohort in Apulia, Southern Italy (GreatAGE Study).

Study Design

Cross‐sectional data from a population‐based study.

Setting

Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.

Subjects and Methods

Between 2013 and 2018, MCI, dementia, age‐related CAPD (no disabling hearing loss and <50% score on the SSI‐ICM test [Synthetic Sentence Identification–Ipsilateral Competing Message]), neurologic and neuropsychological examinations, and serum metabolic biomarkers assays were investigated on 1647 healthy volunteers aged >65 years.

Results

The prevalences of age‐related CAPD, MCI, and dementia were 14.15%, 15.79%, and 3.58%, respectively. Among the subjects with MCI and dementia, 19.61% and 42.37% had age‐related CAPD. In the regressive models, age‐related CAPD was associated with MCI (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.01‐2.21) and dementia (odds ratio, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.12‐4.42). Global cognition scores were positively associated with increasing SSI‐ICM scores in linear models. All models were adjusted for demographics and metabolic serum biomarkers.

Conclusion

The tight association of age‐related CAPD with MCI and dementia suggests the involvement of central auditory pathways in neurodegeneration, but it is not clear which is the real direction of this association. However, CAPD is a possible diagnostic marker of cognitive dysfunction in older patients.
Vitamin D Status as a Predictor of Postoperative Hypocalcemia after Thyroidectomy
Authors: Rubin Samuel J. , Park Jong H. , Pearce Elizabeth N. , Holick Michael F. , McAneny David , Noordzij J. Pieter
Published: April 2020

Objective

To determine whether perioperative vitamin D levels are predictive of postoperative hypocalcemia in patients receiving thyroidectomy.

Study Design

Single center retrospective study.

Subjects and Methods

This study included all patients receiving total or completion thyroidectomy between January 2007 and March 2017 at a single tertiary care hospital. 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured within 42 days prior to surgery or 1 day postoperatively. Hypocalcemia was defined as an adjusted serum calcium <8.0 mg/dL (based on albumin levels) or symptomatic hypocalcemia. Univariate analysis was performed with a 2‐sample t test and chi‐square test, while multivariate analysis was performed with logistic regression analysis to determine whether perioperative 25(OH)D level is a predictor of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Results

A total of 517 subjects were included in the study, 15.7% (n = 81) of whom experienced postoperative hypocalcemia with a mean ± SD serum calcium level of 7.6 ± 0.5 mg/dL as compared with 8.9 ± 0.5 mg/dL in the normocalcemic population (P <. 01). The mean 25(OH)D level for patients with hypocalcemia was 24.4 ± 12.0 ng/mL as compared with 27.5 ± 12.2 ng/mL in patients with normocalcemia (P =. 038). Subjects who were hypocalcemic experienced a significantly longer hospital stay (2.9 ± 2.5 vs 1.4 ± 1.1 days, P <. 01). After adjusting for preoperative calcium, age, and performance of a neck dissection, subjects with a 25(OH)D level <30 ng/mL were significantly associated with postoperative hypocalcemia (odds ratio, 1.9; P =. 041; 95% CI, 1.0‐3.3).

Conclusion

Using a single‐center retrospective study design, we demonstrated that 25(OH)D level is a significant predictor of postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy.
Does using outpatient room air for bleomycin foam preparation increase the risk of infection?
Authors: Zhang Hao , Xu Ming Pei , Dong Zuo Qing , Liu Shao Hua , Yang Ai Jun
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate whether the risk of infections is increased with the use of air from outpatient rooms to prepare bleomycin foam.

Methods

Settling plates were adopted to collect bacteria from outpatient room air, operating theatre air, human serum albumin, bleomycin solution and bleomycin foam prepared with both outpatient room and operating theatre air. The plates were placed in an incubator at 37°C for 48 h, and the number of bacterial colonies was recorded using colony-forming units. The results were analysed by the t-test. A retrospective study was then performed to evaluate the outpatient safety of bleomycin foam.

Results

The number of colony-forming units in the bleomycin foam produced using both operating and outpatient room air was very low, with no statistic difference. No infection cases were reported in clinical evaluation.

Conclusion

Using the air from outpatient treatment rooms for bleomycin foam preparation does not increase the risk of infections.