bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mitocentric View of the Main Bacterial and Parasitic Infectious Diseases in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Romero-Cordero Sonia , Kirwan Richard , Noguera-Julian Antoni , Cardellach Francesc , Fortuny Clàudia , Morén Constanza
Published: March 2021

Infectious diseases occur worldwide with great frequency in both adults and children. Both infections and their treatments trigger mitochondrial interactions at multiple levels: (i) incorporation of damaged or mutated proteins to the complexes of the electron transport chain, (ii) mitochondrial genome (depletion, deletions, and point mutations) and mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission), (iii) membrane potential, (iv) apoptotic regulation, (v) generation of reactive oxygen species, among others. Such alterations may result in serious adverse clinical events with great impact on children’s quality of life, even resulting in death. As such, bacterial agents are frequently associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release, ultimately leading to mitochondrial apoptosis by activation of caspases-3 and -9. Using Rayyan QCRI software for systematic reviews, we explore the association between mitochondrial alterations and pediatric infections including (i) bacterial: M. tuberculosis, E. cloacae, P. mirabilis, E. coli, S. enterica, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis and (ii) parasitic: P. falciparum. We analyze how these pediatric infections and their treatments may lead to mitochondrial deterioration in this especially vulnerable population, with the intention of improving both the understanding of these diseases and their management in clinical practice.
Ectopic Fat Accumulation in Pancreas and Heart
Authors: Kozawa Junji , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: March 2021

Ectopic fat is found in liver, muscle, and kidney and is known to accumulate as visceral fat. In recent years, ectopic fat has also been observed in the pancreas, and it has been said that pancreatic fat accumulation is related to the pathophysiology of diabetes and the onset of diabetes, but the relationship has not yet been determined. In the heart, epicardium fat is another ectopic fat, which is associated with the development of coronary artery disease. Ectopic fat is also observed in the myocardium, and diabetic patients have more fat accumulation in this tissue than nondiabetic patients. Myocardium fat is reported to be related to diastolic cardiac dysfunction, which is one of the characteristics of the complications observed in diabetic patients. We recently reported that ectopic fat accumulation was observed in coronary arteries of a type 2 diabetic patient with intractable coronary artery disease, and coronary artery is attracting attention as a new tissue of ectopic fat accumulation. Here, we summarize the latest findings focusing on the relationship between ectopic fat accumulation in these organs and diabetic pathophysiology and complications, then describe the possibility of future treatments targeting these ectopic fat accumulations.
A Novel Combination of Accelerometry and Ecological Momentary Assessment for Post-Stroke Paretic Arm/Hand Use: Feasibility and Validity
Authors: Chen Yi-An , Demers Marika , Lewthwaite Rebecca , Schweighofer Nicolas , Monterosso John R. , Fisher Beth E. , Winstein Carolee
Published: March 2021

Use of the paretic arm and hand is a key indicator of recovery and reintegration after stroke. A sound methodology is essential to comprehensively identify the possible factors impacting daily arm/hand use behavior. We combined ecological momentary assessment (EMA), a prompt methodology capturing real-time psycho-contextual factors, with accelerometry to investigate arm/hand behavior in the natural environment. Our aims were to determine (1) feasibility and (2) measurement validity of the combined methodology. We monitored 30 right-dominant, mild-moderately motor impaired chronic stroke survivors over 5 days (6 EMA prompts/day with accelerometers on each wrist). We observed high adherence for accelerometer wearing time (80.3%), EMA prompt response (84.6%), and generally positive user feedback upon exit interview. The customized prompt schedule and the self-triggered prompt option may have improved adherence. There was no evidence of EMA response bias nor immediate measurement reactivity. An unexpected small but significant increase in paretic arm/hand use was observed over days (12–14 min), which may be the accumulated effect of prompting that provided a reminder to choose the paretic limb. Further research that uses this combined methodology is needed to develop targeted interventions that effectively change behavior and enable reintegration post-stroke.
A Follow-Up Study of a European IgG4-Related Disease Cohort Treated with Rituximab
Authors: Backhus Johanna , Neumann Christian , Perkhofer Lukas , Schulte Lucas A , Mayer Benjamin , Seufferlein Thomas , Müller Martin , Kleger Alexander
Published: March 2021

Objectives: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic fibro-inflammatory disorder affecting virtually any organ. Type 1 autoimmune (type 1 AIP) is its pancreatic manifestation. To date, steroids are considered the first-line pancreatitis treatment. The CD20-binding antibody rituximab (RTX) appears a promising steroid-sparing therapy, although long-term data are lacking. We aimed to bridge this gap with a cohort of IgG4-RD patients treated with RTX and to assess the potential value of the Responder Index (RI) as a discriminatory score for disease activity. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 46 patients from a tertiary referral centre who were diagnosed with IgG4-RD and/or type 1 AIP according to the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria or Unifying-AIP criteria between June 2006 and August 2019. Results: Patients resembled previous cohorts in terms of characteristics, diagnosis, and therapeutic response. Thirteen of the 46 patients with IgG4-RD/type 1 AIP were treated with RTX pulse therapy due to relapse, adverse reactions to steroids, or high-risk constellations predicting a severe course of disease with multi-organ involvement. Median follow-up after diagnosis was 52 months for all subjects, and 71 months in IgG4-RD patients treated with RTX. While patients in the RTX group showed no significant response to an initial steroid pulse, clinical activity as measured by the RI significantly decreased in the short-term after RTX induction. Within 16 months, 61% of patients relapsed in the RTX group but responded well to re-induction. Clinical and laboratory parameters improved equally in response to RTX. Conclusion: RTX therapy in patients with IgG4-RD is an effective and safe treatment to induce treatment response and possible long-term remission. Repeated RTX administration after 6–9 months may be of value in reducing the risk of relapse. The RI appears to be a reasonable index to assess disease activity and to identify patients with IgG4-related disease who may benefit from B-cell-depleting therapy.
Aspects of Strength Testing of Tank Containers in Compliance with the Requirements of the UN Navigation Rules and Regulations
Authors: Sulym Andrii , Khozia Pavlo , Tretiak Eduard , Píštěk Václav , Fomin Oleksij , Kučera Pavel
Published: March 2021

This article deals with the method of computer-aided studies of the results of tank container impact tests to confirm the ability of portable tanks and multi-element gas containers to withstand the impact in the longitudinal direction on a specially equipped test rig or using a railway flat car by impacting a flat car with a striking car, in compliance with the requirements of the UN Navigation Rules and Regulations. It is shown that the main assessed characteristic of the UN requirements is the spectrum of the shock response (accelerations) for the interval natural frequencies of the shock pulse. The calculation of the points of the shock response spectrum curve based on the test results is reproduced in four stages. A test configuration of the impact testing of the railway flat car with a tank container is presented, and the impact is performed in such a way that, under a single impact, the shock spectrum curve obtained during the tests for both fittings subjected to impact repeats or exceeds the minimum shock spectrum curve for all frequencies in the range of 2 Hz to 100 Hz. Formulas for determining the relative displacements and accelerations for the interval natural frequencies of the shock wave are given. The research results are presented in graphical form, indicating that the experimental values of the shock response spectrum exceed the minimum permissible values; the equation of the experimental curve of the shock response spectrum in the frequency range 0–100 Hz is described by power-law dependence. The coefficients of the equation were determined by the statistical method of maximum likelihood with the determination factor being 0.897, which is a satisfactory value; a comparative analysis showed that the experimental curve of the impact response spectrum in the frequency range 0–100 Hz exceeds the normalized curve, which confirms compliance with regulatory requirements. A new test configuration is proposed using a tank car with a bulk liquid, the processes in which upon impact differ significantly from other freight wagons under longitudinal impact loads of the tank container. The hydraulic impact resulting from the impact on the tank container and the platform creates an overturning moment that causes the rear fittings to be unloaded.
Potato Importance for Development Focusing on Prices
Authors: Salmensuu Olli
Published: March 2021

This paper studies potato prices and consumption in the progress of economic development. Potato status tends to evolve from a luxury to a normal and, lastly, to an inferior good. In the developed world, where the potato thrived and became a food for the poor, prices of the inferior potato attract little interest due to general welfare, which further complicates discerning economic effects by computation. Contrarily, in many developing countries, due to supply constraints the potato is a relative expensive, non-staple, normal good, with little social significance. Whereas it is a common misconception that tastes in developing countries differ from advanced economies, low incomes, together with relatively high potato prices, present a real and obvious hindrance to wider potato use among the poor in the underdeveloped world. Local regressions on FAO data reveal empirical advantages favoring potato price system research in developing countries, more likely yielding predictable, statistically significant, unbiased results. Correct policies could increase potato importance in developing countries and stimulate sustainable and pro-poor growth where consumers receive affordable potatoes, while also producer incentives for greater productivity improve. Furthermore, potato-led research presents widening potential into also understanding general social structures of underdevelopment as similar factors explain both cross-border incomes and potato prices.
A Systematic Review of Drivers and Constraints on Agricultural Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Jellason Nugun P. , Robinson Elizabeth J. Z. , Chapman Abbie S. A. , Neina Dora , Devenish Adam J. M. , Po June Y. T. , Adolph Barbara
Published: March 2021

Understanding the dynamics of agricultural expansion, their drivers, and interactions is critical for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem-services provision, and the future sustainability of agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is limited understanding of the drivers of agricultural expansion. A systematic review of the drivers of agricultural expansion was conducted from 1970 to 2020 using Web of Science, Elsevier Scopus and Google Scholar. Two researchers reviewed the papers separately based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fifteen papers were included in the final systematic review. The paper proposed expansion pathways in a conceptual framework and identified proximate and underlying drivers. Population dynamics and government policies were found to be key underlying drivers of agricultural expansion. The proximate drivers include economic opportunities such as agriculture mechanisation and cash crops production, and more troubling trends such as soil fertility decline and climate change and variability. This paper further explores the constraints that have been found to slow down agricultural expansion, including strong land institutions and good governance.
Benefits of Binaural Integration in Cochlear Implant Patients with Single-Sided Deafness and Residual Hearing in the Implanted Ear
Authors: Lorens Artur , Obrycka Anita , Skarzynski Piotr Henryk , Skarzynski Henryk
Published: March 2021

The purpose of the study is to gauge the benefits of binaural integration effects (redundancy and squelch) due to preserved low-frequency residual hearing in the implanted ear of cochlear implant users with single-sided deafness. There were 11 cochlear implant users (age 18–61 years old) who had preserved low-frequency hearing in the implanted ear; they had a normal hearing or mild hearing loss in the contralateral ear. Patients were tested with monosyllabic words, under different spatial locations of speech and noise and with the cochlear implant activated and deactivated, in two listening configurations—one in which low frequencies in the implanted ear were masked and another in which they were unmasked. We also investigated how cochlear implant benefit due to binaural integration depended on unaided sound localization ability. Patients benefited from the binaural integration effects of redundancy and squelch only in the unmasked condition. Pearson correlations between binaural integration effects and unaided sound localization error showed significance only for squelch (r = −0.67; p = 0.02). Hearing preservation after cochlear implantation has considerable benefits because the preserved low-frequency hearing in the implanted ear contributes to binaural integration, presumably through the preserved temporal fine structure.
Boscovich Fuzzy Regression Line
Authors: Škrabánek Pavel , Marek Jaroslav , Pozdílková Alena
Published: March 2021

We introduce a new fuzzy linear regression method. The method is capable of approximating fuzzy relationships between an independent and a dependent variable. The independent and dependent variables are expected to be a real value and triangular fuzzy numbers, respectively. We demonstrate on twenty datasets that the method is reliable, and it is less sensitive to outliers, compare with possibilistic-based fuzzy regression methods. Unlike other commonly used fuzzy regression methods, the presented method is simple for implementation and it has linear time-complexity. The method guarantees non-negativity of model parameter spreads.
Effective Algorithms for the Economic Lot-Sizing Problem with Bounded Inventory and Linear Fixed-Charge Cost Structure
Authors: Gutiérrez José M. , Abdul-Jalbar Beatriz , Sicilia Joaquín , Rodríguez-Martín Inmaculada
Published: March 2021

Efficient algorithms for the economic lot-sizing problem with storage capacity are proposed. On the one hand, for the cost structure consisting of general linear holding and ordering costs and fixed setup costs, an OT2 dynamic programming algorithm is introduced, where T is the number of time periods. The new approach induces an accurate partition of the planning horizon, discarding most of the infeasible solutions. Moreover, although there are several algorithms based on dynamic programming in the literature also running in quadratic time, even considering more general cost structures and assumptions, the new solution uses a geometric technique to speed up the algorithm for a class of subproblems generated by dynamic programming, which can now be solved in linearithmic time. To be precise, the computational results show that the average occurrence percentage of this class of subproblems ranges between 13% and 45%, depending on both the total number of periods and the percentage of storage capacity availability. Furthermore, this percentage significantly increases from 13% to 35% as the capacity availability decreases. This reveals that the usage of the geometric technique is predominant under restrictive storage capacities. Specifically, when the percentage of capacity availability is below 50%, the average running times are on average 100 times faster than those when this percentage is above 50%. On the other hand, an OT on-line array searching method in Monge arrays can be used when the costs are non-speculative costs.
Performance Assessment of Supervised Classifiers for Designing Intrusion Detection Systems: A Comprehensive Review and Recommendations for Future Research
Authors: Panigrahi Ranjit , Borah Samarjeet , Bhoi Akash Kumar , Ijaz Muhammad Fazal , Pramanik Moumita , Jhaveri Rutvij H. , Chowdhary Chiranji Lal
Published: March 2021

Supervised learning and pattern recognition is a crucial area of research in information retrieval, knowledge engineering, image processing, medical imaging, and intrusion detection. Numerous algorithms have been designed to address such complex application domains. Despite an enormous array of supervised classifiers, researchers are yet to recognize a robust classification mechanism that accurately and quickly classifies the target dataset, especially in the field of intrusion detection systems (IDSs). Most of the existing literature considers the accuracy and false-positive rate for assessing the performance of classification algorithms. The absence of other performance measures, such as model build time, misclassification rate, and precision, should be considered the main limitation for classifier performance evaluation. This paper’s main contribution is to analyze the current literature status in the field of network intrusion detection, highlighting the number of classifiers used, dataset size, performance outputs, inferences, and research gaps. Therefore, fifty-four state-of-the-art classifiers of various different groups, i.e., Bayes, functions, lazy, rule-based, and decision tree, have been analyzed and explored in detail, considering the sixteen most popular performance measures. This research work aims to recognize a robust classifier, which is suitable for consideration as the base learner, while designing a host-based or network-based intrusion detection system. The NSLKDD, ISCXIDS2012, and CICIDS2017 datasets have been used for training and testing purposes. Furthermore, a widespread decision-making algorithm, referred to as Techniques for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), allocated ranks to the classifiers based on observed performance reading on the concern datasets. The J48Consolidated provided the highest accuracy of 99.868%, a misclassification rate of 0.1319%, and a Kappa value of 0.998. Therefore, this classifier has been proposed as the ideal classifier for designing IDSs.
Grading Investment Diversification Options in Presence of Non-Historical Financial Information
Authors: Calvo Clara , Ivorra Carlos , Liern Vicente , Pérez-Gladish Blanca
Published: March 2021

Modern portfolio theory deals with the problem of selecting a portfolio of financial assets such that the expected return is maximized for a given level of risk. The forecast of the expected individual assets’ returns and risk is usually based on their historical returns. In this work, we consider a situation in which the investor has non-historical additional information that is used for the forecast of the expected returns. This implies that there is no obvious statistical risk measure any more, and it poses the problem of selecting an adequate set of diversification constraints to mitigate the risk of the selected portfolio without losing the value of the non-statistical information owned by the investor. To address this problem, we introduce an indicator, the historical reduction index, measuring the expected reduction of the expected return due to a given set of diversification constraints. We show that it can be used to grade the impact of each possible set of diversification constraints. Hence, the investor can choose from this gradation, the set better fitting his subjective risk-aversion level.
Counting Hamiltonian Cycles in 2-Tiled Graphs
Authors: Vegi Kalamar Alen , Žerak Tadej , Bokal Drago
Published: March 2021

In 1930, Kuratowski showed that K3,3 and K5 are the only two minor-minimal nonplanar graphs. Robertson and Seymour extended finiteness of the set of forbidden minors for any surface. Širáň and Kochol showed that there are infinitely many k-crossing-critical graphs for any k≥2, even if restricted to simple 3-connected graphs. Recently, 2-crossing-critical graphs have been completely characterized by Bokal, Oporowski, Richter, and Salazar. We present a simplified description of large 2-crossing-critical graphs and use this simplification to count Hamiltonian cycles in such graphs. We generalize this approach to an algorithm counting Hamiltonian cycles in all 2-tiled graphs, thus extending the results of Bodroža-Pantić, Kwong, Doroslovački, and Pantić.
Geometrically Constructed Family of the Simple Fixed Point Iteration Method
Authors: Kanwar Vinay , Sharma Puneet , Argyros Ioannis K. , Behl Ramandeep , Argyros Christopher , Ahmadian Ali , Salimi Mehdi
Published: March 2021

This study presents a new one-parameter family of the well-known fixed point iteration method for solving nonlinear equations numerically. The proposed family is derived by implementing approximation through a straight line. The presence of an arbitrary parameter in the proposed family improves convergence characteristic of the simple fixed point iteration as it has a wider domain of convergence. Furthermore, we propose many two-step predictor–corrector iterative schemes for finding fixed points, which inherit the advantages of the proposed fixed point iterative schemes. Finally, several examples are given to further illustrate their efficiency.
Variability in Bacteriophage and Antibiotic Sensitivity in Serial Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Airway Cultures over 12 Months
Authors: Martin Isaac , Kenna Dervla T. D. , Morales Sandra , Alton Eric W. F. W. , Davies Jane C.
Published: March 2021

Antibiotic treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) in cystic fibrosis is limited in efficacy and may lead to multi-drug resistance (MDR). Alternatives such as bacteriophages are being explored but well designed, and controlled trials are crucial. The rational selection of patients with bacteriophage susceptible infections is required for both safety and efficacy monitoring. We questioned whether bacteriophage susceptibility profiles were constant or variable over time, variability having been reported with antibiotics. Serial Pa isolates (n = 102) from 24 chronically infected cystic fibrosis (CF) patients over one year were investigated with plaque and antibiotic disc diffusion assays. Variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis identified those patients with >1 isolate. A median (range) of 4 (3–6) isolates/patient were studied. Twenty-one (87.5%) individuals had a single VNTR type; three (12.5%) had two VNTR types at different times. Seventy-five percent of isolates were sensitive to bacteriophage at ≥ 1 concentration; 50% of isolates were antibiotic multidrug resistant. Serial isolates, even when representing a single VNTR type, varied in sensitivity to both bacteriophages and antibiotics. The rates of sensitivity to bacteriophage supports the development of this therapy; however, the variability in response has implications for the selection of patients in future trials which must be on the basis of current, not past, isolate testing.
Rapid Classification of Clostridioides difficile Strains Using MALDI-TOF MS Peak-Based Assay in Comparison with PCR-Ribotyping
Authors: Calderaro Adriana , Buttrini Mirko , Martinelli Monica , Farina Benedetta , Moro Tiziano , Montecchini Sara , Arcangeletti Maria Cristina , Chezzi Carlo , De Conto Flora
Published: March 2021

Typing methods are needed for epidemiological tracking of new emerging and hypervirulent strains because of the growing incidence, severity and mortality of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI). The aim of this study was the evaluation of a typing Matrix-Assisted Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS (T-MALDI)) method for the rapid classification of the circulating C. difficile strains in comparison with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-ribotyping results. Among 95 C. difficile strains, 10 ribotypes (PR1–PR10) were identified by PCR-ribotyping. In particular, 93.7% of the isolates (89/95) were grouped in five ribotypes (PR1–PR5). For T-MALDI, two classifying algorithm models (CAM) were tested: the first CAM involved all 10 ribotypes whereas the second one only the PR1–PR5 ribotypes. Better performance was obtained using the second CAM: recognition capability of 100%, cross-validation of 96.6% and agreement of 98.4% (60 correctly typed strains, limited to PR1–PR5 classification, out of 61 examined strains) with PCR-ribotyping results. T-MALDI seems to represent an alternative to PCR-ribotyping in terms of reproducibility, set up time and costs, as well as a useful tool in epidemiological investigation for the detection of C. difficile clusters (either among CAM included ribotypes or out-of-CAM ribotypes) involved in outbreaks.
The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition-Like Process Induced by TGF-β1 Enhances Rubella Virus Binding and Infection in A549 Cells via the Smad Pathway
Authors: Pham Ngan Thi Kim , Trinh Quang Duy , Takada Kazuhide , Takano Chika , Sasano Mari , Okitsu Shoko , Ushijima Hiroshi , Komine-Aizawa Shihoko , Hayakawa Satoshi
Published: March 2021

Virus–host cell interactions in rubella virus (RuV) are of great interest in current research in the field, as their mechanism is not yet well understood. By hypothesizing that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may play a role in RuV infection, this study aimed to investigate the influence of TGF-β1-induced EMT of human lung epithelial A549 cells on the infectivity of RuV. A549 cells were cultured and treated with TGF-β1 for 1 to 2 days prior to virus infection (with a clinical strain). Viral infectivity was determined by flow cytometry analysis of cells harvested at 24 and 48 h post-infection (hpi) and by titration of supernatants collected at 48 hpi. The results showed that the percentages of the TGF-β1-treated A549 cells that were positive for RuV were at least twofold higher than those of the control, and the viral progeny titers in the supernatants collected at 48 hpi were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group. In addition, the virus binding assay showed a strong increase (more than threefold) in the percentages of RuV-positive cells, as determined by flow cytometry analysis and further confirmed by real-time PCR. Such an enhancement effect on RuV infectivity was abolished using LY364947 or SB431542, inhibitors of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. The findings suggest that the TGF-β1-induced EMT-like process enhances RuV binding and infection in A549 cells via the Smad pathway. Further studies are necessary to identify possible proteins that facilitate viral binding and entry into treated cells.
Are Faecal Microbiota Analyses on Species-Level Suitable Clinical Biomarkers? A Pilot Study in Subjects with Morbid Obesity
Authors: Farup Per G. , Maseng Maria G.
Published: March 2021

Background: An abnormal faecal microbiota could be a causal factor for disease. This study evaluated a new method for faecal microbiota analysis in subjects with obesity and irritable bowel syndrome. Methods: The study had a matched case-control design. Forty-six subjects with morbid obesity (defined as BMI > 40 or >35 kg/m2 with obesity-related complications) of whom 23 had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), were compared with 46 healthy volunteers. The faecal microbiota was analysed with Precision Microbiome Profiling (PMP™) which quantified 104 bacteria species. The primary aim was comparisons between the cases and controls. Results: Two men and 44 women with a mean age of 43.6 years were included in each of the groups; BMI in the groups was (mean and SD) 41.9 (3.5) and 22.5 (1.5) kg/m2, respectively. Seventeen bacterial species showed statistically significant differences between the groups after adjusting for multiple testing. In a post hoc analysis, the sensitivity and specificity were 78%. Alpha diversity was lower in the group with obesity. In subjects with morbid obesity, no clinically significant differences were seen between subjects with and without IBS or from before to six months after bariatric surgery. Conclusions: The results encourage further evaluation of the new microbiome profiling tool.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Host miRNAs Correlated with Immune Gene Dysregulation during Fatal Disease Progression in the Ebola Virus Cynomolgus Macaque Disease Model
Authors: Stefan Christopher P. , Arnold Catherine E. , Shoemaker Charles J. , Zumbrun Elizabeth E. , Altamura Louis A. , Douglas Christina E. , Taylor-Howell Cheryl L. , Graham Amanda S. , Delp Korey L. , Blancett Candace D. , Ricks Keersten M. , Olschner Scott P. , Shamblin Joshua D. , Wollen Suzanne E. , Zelko Justine M. , Bloomfield Holly A. , Sprague Thomas R. , Esham Heather L. , Minogue Timothy D.
Published: March 2021

Ebola virus is a continuing threat to human populations, causing a virulent hemorrhagic fever disease characterized by dysregulation of both the innate and adaptive host immune responses. Severe cases are distinguished by an early, elevated pro-inflammatory response followed by a pronounced lymphopenia with B and T cells unable to mount an effective anti-viral response. The precise mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of the host immune system are poorly understood. In recent years, focus on host-derived miRNAs showed these molecules to play an important role in the host gene regulation arsenal. Here, we describe an investigation of RNA biomarkers in the fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD) cynomolgus macaque model. We monitored both host mRNA and miRNA responses in whole blood longitudinally over the disease course in these non-human primates (NHPs). Analysis of the interactions between these classes of RNAs revealed several miRNA markers significantly correlated with downregulation of genes; specifically, the analysis revealed those involved in dysregulated immune pathways associated with EVD. In particular, we noted strong interactions between the miRNAs hsa-miR-122-5p and hsa-miR-125b-5p with immunological genes regulating both B and T-cell activation. This promising set of biomarkers will be useful in future studies of severe EVD pathogenesis in both NHPs and humans and may serve as potential prognostic targets.
Nanochitosan: Commemorating the Metamorphosis of an ExoSkeletal Waste to a Versatile Nutraceutical
Authors: Sivanesan Iyyakkannu , Muthu Manikandan , Gopal Judy , Hasan Nazim , Kashif Ali Syed , Shin Juhyun , Oh Jae-Wook
Published: March 2021

Chitin (poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) is the second (after cellulose) most abundant organic polymer. In its deacetylated form—chitosan—becomes a very interesting material for medical use. The chitosan nano-structures whose preparation is described in this article shows unique biomedical value. The preparation of nanochitosan, as well as the most vital biomedical applications (antitumor, drug delivery and other medical uses), have been discussed in this review. The challenges confronting the progress of nanochitosan from benchtop to bedside clinical settings have been evaluated. The need for inclusion of nano aspects into chitosan research, with improvisation from nanotechnological inputs has been prescribed for breaking down the limitations. Future perspectives of nanochitosan and the challenges facing nanochitosan applications and the areas needing research focus have been highlighted.
Characterization of Pelvic Floor Activity in Healthy Subjects and with Chronic Pelvic Pain: Diagnostic Potential of Surface Electromyography
Authors: Albaladejo-Belmonte Monica , Tarazona-Motes Marta , Nohales-Alfonso Francisco J. , De-Arriba Maria , Alberola-Rubio Jose , Garcia-Casado Javier
Published: March 2021

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a highly disabling disorder in women usually associated with hypertonic dysfunction of the pelvic floor musculature (PFM). The literature on the subject is not conclusive about the diagnostic potential of surface electromyography (sEMG), which could be due to poor signal characterization. In this study, we characterized the PFM activity of three groups of 24 subjects each: CPP patients with deep dyspareunia associated with a myofascial syndrome (CPP group), healthy women over 35 and/or parous (>35/P group, i.e., CPP counterparts) and under 35 and nulliparous (<35&NP). sEMG signals of the right and left PFM were recorded during contractions and relaxations. The signals were characterized by their root mean square (RMS), median frequency (MDF), Dimitrov index (DI), sample entropy (SampEn), and cross-correlation (CC). The PFM activity showed a higher power (>RMS), a predominance of low-frequency components (DI), greater complexity (>SampEn) and lower synchronization on the same side (35/P group. The same trend in differences was found between healthy women (<35&NP vs. >35/P) associated with aging and parity. These results show that sEMG can reveal alterations in PFM electrophysiology and provide clinicians with objective information for CPP diagnosis.
White Laser Realized via Synergic Second- and Third-Order Nonlinearities
Authors: Chen Baoqin , Hong Lihong , Hu Chenyang , Li Zhiyuan
Published: March 2021

White laser with balanced performance of broad bandwidth, high average and peak power, large pulse energy, high spatial and temporal coherence, controllable spectrum profile, and overall chroma are highly desirable in various fields of modern science. Here, for the first time, we report an innovative scheme of harnessing the synergic action of both the second-order nonlinearity (2
nd
-NL) and the third-order nonlinearity (3
rd
-NL) in a single chirped periodically poled lithium niobate (CPPLN) nonlinear photonic crystal driven by a high-peak-power near-infrared (NIR) (central wavelength~1400 nm, energy~100 
μ
J per pulse) femtosecond pump laser to produce visible to near infrared (vis-NIR, 400-900 nm) supercontinuum white laser. The CPPLN involves a series of reciprocal-lattice bands that can be exploited to support quasiphase matching for simultaneous broadband second- and third-harmonic generations (SHG and THG) with considerable conversion efficiency. Due to the remarkable 3
rd
-NL which is due to the high energy density of the pump, SHG and THG laser pulses will induce significant spectral broadening in them and eventually generate bright vis-NIR white laser with high conversion efficiency up to 30%. Moreover, the spectral profile and overall chroma of output white laser can be widely modulated by adjusting the pump laser intensity, wavelength, and polarization. Our work indicates that one can deeply engineer the synergic and collective action of 2
nd
-NL and 3
rd
-NL in nonlinear crystals to accomplish high peak power, ultrabroadband vis-NIR white laser and hopefully realize the even greater but much more challenging dream of ultraviolet-visible-infrared full-spectrum laser.
DESIGN AND BUILT AN EXPERT SYSTEM APPLICATION FIR DIAGNOSING HUMAN EYE DISEASES BY USING FORWARD CAHINING METODH WEB-BASED
Authors: Andrianof Harkamsyah
Published: March 2021

The eye is one of the five senses that has a very important role in human life, namely as the organ of vision. If there is interference with the eye or there is a disease, it is very influential on human vision. Its mean that we can conclude that eye is very important in our lie and must be keep for our body.  The purpose of this research to planning and develop the diagnose of expert system about diagnosing of diseases in the eye which include disease information about symptoms or the solution and have role to replace and imitate the process of the reason from an expert in solve the specification problem. the method used for reasoning is forward chaining method. The result of this research is expert system of diagnosing eyes diseases in humans which computerized who can be used for giving information and have benefit in diagnosing disease.
DAMPAK MENGGUNAKAN GAME ONLINE TERHADAP KREATIVITAS BERPIKIR
Authors: Indan Robino , Kurniawan Harri
Published: March 2021

Game online pada saat sekarang ini bukan hanya sekedar pengisi waktu luang tetapi sudah masuk kategori kebutuhan, seiring perkembangan teknologi dan mudahnya mendapatkan akses internet membuat game online menjadi sebuah hiburan yang wajib dimiliki oleh Mahasiswa – Mahasiswa, remaja bahkan orang tua. Pemikiran kebanyakan orang game online mepunyai dampak negatif, kecanduan game online bisa membuat seseorang menjadi antipati terhadap lingkungan sekitar yang sebenarnya, Tetapi dibalik dampak negatif terdapat beberapa dampak positif yang dihasilkan oleh game online yaitu para pemain akan mendapatkan cara berfikir yang cepat dan kreatif yang bisa didapat dari game strategi, tidak hanya itu pemain juga bisa belajar team work dari sebuah permainan game. Para pemain game online bisa memanfaatkan hobi tersebut untuk membuka peluang usaha seperti youtube, jual beli aset di karakter game online, sampai membuat game online sendiri. Teknik pengumpulan sampel pada penelitian ini memakai metode korelasional, jumlah sample yang di teliti 45 orang yang tediri dari 82% laki – laki dan 18% perempuan dangan usia 40% di bawah 20 tahun dan 60% diatas 20 Tahun. Dengan analisa data menggunakan metode Servqual di dapatkan hasil Game Online dapat meningkatkan pikiran kreatif yang berdampak pada kreatifitas dalam berwirausaha.
Audit Infrastruktur IT Dalam Memenuhi Kebutuhan Bisnis
Authors: Gusrion Deval
Published: March 2021

The audit of the Information Technology infrastructure in this journal uses the ISO 27001 standard which iscarried out at a company engaged in the service sector in West Sumatra Province. As a company that is quitedeveloped and already has an adequate IT infrastructure in running its business, it is felt necessary to carryout an IT audit to ensure whether the IT devices they have already have adequate internal controls and at thesame time as preventive measures for business risks such as: operational, reputation , legal, compliance andstrategic. Given that IT is an important asset in operations that can increase the added value andcompetitiveness of a company while its implementation contains various risks, companies need toimplement IT Governance.
Formación en competencias informacionales y digitales para el fortalecimiento a los procesos de titulación en los posgrados del Centro Universitario del Norte
Authors: Cárdenas-Gándara Teresa de Jesús , Cornejo-Álvarez Juan Fidel , Ceballos-Macías Jorge Daniel , García-Cruz Luis Gerardo
Published: March 2021

This research report is intended to give evidence of the work done by the members of the UDG-CA-919 innovation, technology and education, given the concern of the low degree rates in postgraduate courses offered at the University Center of the North (CUNorte) of the University of Guadalajara, through the design, development and implementation of the Diploma in Informational and Digital Competencies. The dynamic that was carried out for the realization of this study was the description and analysis of three stages of work: definition of the program, design and development of the diploma (hosted on the Moodle learning platform). The contribution of this report reflects the results of the design of a program that provides adequate informational and digital competencies to foment the construction of research projects for students and graduates of CUNorte postgraduates through the integration of an instructional design (ADDIE model), teaching strategies and use of technological tools through the design of the diploma that provides significant skills and learning; and its development for its implementation.
Fronteras de la teatralidad en la obra de Copi: identidades, cuerpos, géneros
Authors:   , Lucia Ignacio Rodrigo
Published: March 2021

La obra de Copi (Raúl Damonte, 1939-1987) se encuentra atravesada por una problematización constante de la identidad, especialmente desde el punto de vista de las configuraciones corporales y de los géneros sexuales. La descomposición subjetiva, sostenida estéticamente por esa inestabilidad identitaria, depende en gran medida del teatro, que, si bien no fue la única actividad que Copi llevó a cabo, encuentra un lugar central en su producción. Por eso se habla aquí del concepto de teatralidad, cuyas “fronteras” determinan la desestabilización identitaria: esto se verifica en una ficción (teatral y narrativa) que pone el énfasis en elementos relacionados con los mecanismos, procedimientos y recursos teatrales; de este modo, las identidades (y con ellas los cuerpos y los géneros), se transforman siguiendo una mecánica que es propia del teatro y, viceversa, ellas resultan imprescindibles en la elaboración de esa poética “teatral”. De un modo lateral en la tesis, se aborda el problema identitario relacionado con la nacionalidad, cuyas “fronteras” también son problematizadas artísticamente por este autor.
Moderation and al-Ghazali in Turkey
Authors: Wilkinson Taraneh
Published: March 2021

Turkish theology faculties are an important but understudied source of moderate Muslim responses to the challenges of modernity. Although it is strongly associated with questions of such Enlightenment values as tolerance and freedom of thought, modernity is also tied to skepticism, atheism, and pluralism. Thus one way to examine whether the label of “moderate” applies to a given case is to examine how such a position reflects both the positive values of modernity in addition to how it addresses modernity’s challenges. This paper deals with the resources for religious moderation found in the thought of al-Ghazali and how they are used and analyzed in modern Turkish theology faculties. By focusing on two recent works by Turkish theologians Mehmet Bayrakdar and Adnan Aslan, this paper explores skepticism, atheism, and religious pluralism. I argue that not only are both thinkers “moderate,” but that they also engage this label by using their own theological interests and interpretations of al-Ghazali. Both theologians were trained in Turkish theology faculties and did significant graduate study in Europe. Their work reflects an active engagement with the western intellectual tradition. Al-Ghazali plays a crucial – but not final – role in each of their responses to modernity and the western intellectual tradition. For Bayrakdar he functions as a symbol of Muslim intellectual independence, whereas for Aslan he serves as a fundamental resource for making sense of the religious “other.” Thus, a case is presented for the increasing relevance of Turkish theological responses to debates outside Turkey.
Moderation and the Performing Arts in Contemporary Muslim Societies
Authors: Alagha Joseph
Published: March 2021

Art plays an important role for politically engaged Muslims and promotes moderation (wasaṭīyah). Moderation has a civilizational mission: to buttress an open society that recognizes its inhabitants’ diversity so that they can freely and skillfully express their own cultural identity and thus contribute to enhancing the overall Islamic cultural sphere by endorsing the performing arts. The wasaṭīyah authors discussed below reject the notion of “art for art’s sake” and employ a specific genre of Islamic art commonly referred to as “purposeful art” or “art with a noble mission.” Purposeful art is “clean art” that portrays good deeds, as distinguished from bad deeds that characterize indecent or “lowbrow art.” It deals with socio-political issues as well as the themes of justice, jihad, sacrifice, and patriotism. Moderation is the norm, since “Islam is the religion of the golden mean” between excess and deficiency. From the stance of graduality, moderation affords a novel reading of the maxims of Islamic jurisprudence (qawā‘id al-fiqh), whereby the performing arts promote benefits (maṣāliḥ) and avoids harm (mafāsid).
Late Ottoman Discourses on Nationalism and Islam and the Contributions of Russia’s Muslims
Authors: Gökçek Mustafa
Published: March 2021

This study focuses on the early twentieth-century nationalist and Islamist discourses in the Ottoman Empire. Particularly after the 1908 coup, Turkish and Arab nationalism spread among the intellectuals. Under the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) party’s leadership, Turkish nationalists received tremendous support to spread their views through associations and publications. Some of them defended the compatibility of Turkish nationalism with Islam. In response, traditional Islamist intellectuals argued that Islam was opposed to nationalism and tribalism and pointed out the potential dangers of pursuing nationalism in a multiethnic society. This article mostly focuses on the nationalist and traditionalist intellectuals. Among the first group was Halim Sabit, a Kazan Tatar who moved to Istanbul from Russia to pursue religious studies at a madrasa. He eventually became heavily involved in nationalist circles and published articles in Sırat-i Mustakım and İslam Mecmuası on how Islam allowed nationalism and how Turkish nationalism could serve Islam. At the same time, he participated in a trip to the Middle East to convince the Arabs of the need for Islamic unity. In contrast to Musa Kazım, Said Nursi, and other intellectuals, Sabit emphasized the unity of Muslim nations within the empire.
Mapping Mazrui’s Mind
Authors: Haron Muhammed
Published: March 2021

Ali Mazrui has left his enormous intellectual footprint in politicalscience in general and African studies in particular. By the beginningof the 1990s, his output had been impressive enough to bringabout Abdul Bemath’s 1998 compilation The Mazruiana Collection(1962-1997).1 As the years unfolded, Bemath saw the need toupdate his earlier compilation, which he renamed The MazruianaCollection Revisited. The 2005 annotated bibliographical text thathe painstakingly put together continues to generously serve the socialsciences and humanities. This compilation’s latest edition isabout to be concluded and will include all of Mazrui’s publicationsbetween 2005 and 2014, as well as other edited texts that containMazrui’s writings that were compiled posthumously.This article essentially returns to Bemath’s invaluable compilationas well as to Mazrui’s updated resume to study and review froma bibliometric perspective Mazrui’s substantial contribution to thesocial sciences and the humanities. Put differently, it sets itself thetask of undertaking a bibliometric approach that will help map outthis scholar’s “mind” by reflecting upon the numbers of peer reviewedarticles alongside his long list of books and book chapter publications. It graphically depicts and analyzes Mazrui’s outputin order to show the extent of his contributions toward the knowledgeproduction process related to the above-mentioned disciplinesand in particular to that of African studies.
Who Am I? The Social Identities of Muslim-American Adolescents
Authors: Tahseen Madiha , Cheah Charissa S.L.
Published: March 2021

Muslim-American adolescents face unique developmental challenges, due to the national and global negative spotlight on Islam, as they navigate identity formation in the mainstream American setting. However, the intersection of various social identities (SI) in the navigation of these challenges has been ignored in much social-scientific literature. We examined the SI of Muslim-American adolescents using the multidimensional cluster analysis technique. Correlates of adolescents’ SI were also explored, specifically adolescents’ self-reported psychological well-being. One hundred and fifty Muslim adolescents were recruited from schools, mosques, and community organizations throughout Maryland. Follow-up analyses indicated that the High-Muslim/High-American adolescents reported the highest well-being and Moderate-Muslim/Undifferentiated-American cluster reported poorer well-being than the other clusters. Findings highlighted the importance of simultaneously assessing Muslim and American SIs, and the differential psychological benefits based on adolescents’ SI profiles. The article concludes by discussing implications for future research on Muslim adolescents’ successful adjustment.