bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Acute Kidney Injury is a Poor Prognosis Sign in Severe Burns: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: You Bo , Yang Zi Chen , Zhang Yu Long , Chen Yu , Shi Yun Long , Gong Ya Li , Chen Ya Jie , Chen Jing , Yuan Li Li , Luo Gao Xing , Peng Yi Zhi , Yuan Zhiqiang
Published: November 2020

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a morbid complication and the main cause of multiple organ failure and death in severely burned patients. The objective of this study was to explore the epidemiological characteristics, the risk factors, and impact of both early and late AKIs, respectively.MethodsThis retrospective study was performed with prospectively collected data of severely burned patients from the Institute of Burn Research in Southwest Hospital during 2011-2017. AKI was diagnosed according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria (2012), and it was divided into early and late AKIs depending on its onset time (within the first 3 days or >3 days post burn). The baseline characteristics, clinical data, and outcomes of the three groups (early AKI, late AKI and non-AKI) were compared using logistic regression analysis. Mortality predictors of patients with AKI were assessed.ResultsA total of 637 patients were included in analysis. The incidence of AKI was 36.9% (early AKI 29.4%, late AKI 10.0%). The mortality of patients with AKI was 32.3% (early AKI 25.7%, late AKI 56.3%), and that of patients without AKI was 2.5%. AKI was independently associated with obviously increased mortality of severely burned patients [early AKI, OR = 12.98 (6.08-27.72); late AKI, OR = 34.02 (15.69-73.75)]. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender, total burn surface area (TBSA), full-thickness burns of TBSA, chronic comorbidities (hypertension or/and diabetes), hypovolemic shock of early burn, and tracheotomy were independent risk factors for both early and late AKIs. However, sepsis was only a risk factor for late AKI. Decompression escharotomy was a protective factor for both AKIs. ConclusionsAKI remains prevalent and is associated with high mortality in severely burned patients. Compared with early AKI, late AKI has a lower occurrence rate, but greater severity and worse prognosis，is a devastating complication. Late AKI is a poor prognosis sign in severe burns.
Mechanically reconfigurable multi-functional meta-optics studied at microwave frequencies
Authors: Ballew Conner , Roberts Gregory , Camayd-Muñoz Philip , Debbas Maximilien , Faraon Andrei
Published: November 2020

Metasurfaces advanced the field of optics by reducing the thickness of optical components and merging multiple functionalities into a single layer device. However, this generally comes with a reduction in performance, especially for multi-functional and broadband applications. Three-dimensional metastructures can provide the necessary degrees of freedom for advanced applications, while maintaining minimal thickness. This work explores 3D mechanically reconfigurable devices that perform focusing, spectral demultiplexing, and polarization sorting based on mechanical configuration. As proof of concept, a rotatable device, auxetic device, and a shearing-based device are designed with adjoint-based topology optimization, 3D-printed, and measured at microwave frequencies (7.6-11.6 GHz) in an anechoic chamber.
Safflower Yellow a Attenuates Osteoarthritis via Regulating Inflammation and Cholesterol Metabolism
Authors: Ju Shaohua , Tan Lirong , Liu Panwang , Li Xiaohong , Tan Youli , Xia Yu , Wang Mingjian
Published: November 2020

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is known to be associated with inflammation and cholesterol metabolism disorder. As a chronic and complex disease, uncovering its molecular mechanism and finding effective therapy with low side effects are urgent. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L, which has extensive pharmacological effects. MethodsIn this study, Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) was used to establish the OA model in vitro, and the impacts of HSYA on the OA cell model were analyzed. We used CCK-8 to measure the cell viability and Flow Cytometry to test the apoptosis. ELISA was performed to calculate the release of inflammatory cytokines. And WB was carried out to measure the expression of collagen and cholesterol relevant proteins. We also measured the protein levels in NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. ResultsThe results showed that HSYA promoted cell viability and inhibited apoptosis. And it up-regulated the expression levels of collagen II (Col-II) and Sry related HMG box-9 (SOX9) while down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13). The IL-1β induced high levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were inhibited by HSYA. Also, HSYA regulated the expression of cholesterol relevant proteins. Compared with the model group, the levels of APT-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) and cholesterol transport gene (APOA-1) were significantly elevated. However, the levels of cholesterol-processing enzymes cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) and 25-hydroxy-cholesterol 7-alpha- hydroxylase (CYP7B1) were inhibited. Besides, HSYA inhibited the protein expression in NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Conclusions﻿HSYA was proved to regulate inflammatory response and cholesterol metabolism in vitro.
Analysis of Corneal Refractive Surgery in Soldiers from a Specific Region, China
Authors: Shao Wei-Yang , Jia Hong-Zhen , Cui Bei , Cao Li-Qun , Qin Li-Wei , Zang Gui-Ming , Tian Chun-Yu
Published: November 2020

Background: Increasing numbers of young people of the appropriate age are joining the army after vision improvement by refractive surgery. However, there is little research on the long-term influence of this population and the potential impact on mission capability. Methods: A cluster sampling survey was conducted. The respondents were soldiers who planned to apply for military academies in a specific region of China in 2020. According to the Physical Examination Standards for Citizens Eligible for Enlistment and the Physical Examination Law for Citizens Eligible for Enlistment, a medical history inquiry, vision examination, color vision examination, slit-lamp examination, and personal interview were performed to obtain information regarding the patients' preoperative myopia, corneal refractive surgery method used, operation time, and symptoms of postoperative discomfort. Results: Among the 1263 soldiers who underwent the physical examination, 435 soldiers (862 eyes) had a history of corneal refractive surgery, accounting for 34.44%. Among the soldiers with a history of corneal refractive surgery, the treatment of preoperative low-grade myopia accounted for 41.61%, moderate-grade myopia accounted for 43.68%, and high-grade myopia accounted for 14.71%. Regarding the surgical methods used, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) accounted for 23.44%, excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) accounted for 66.67%, and trans-epithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) accounted for 9.89%. The postoperative time was 2.76 ± 1.01 years. Soldiers with uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) ≤ 4.9 accounted for 3.94%, and soldiers with UCVA > 4.9 accounted for 96.06%. Slit-lamp examination found no surgical complications affecting visual function, such as dry eye syndrome, corneal infection, corneal haze (above grade 3), and corneal epithelial implantation. Conclusion: The proportion of soldiers who have undergone corneal refractive surgery has significantly increased, and LASIK is the main surgical method used. The impact of complications related to corneal refractive surgery on the army should be emphasized, and health education and reasonable training should be strengthened to avoid eye-related diseases.
Effect of Circhipk3 on Polarization of Microglial Cells in Nerve Injury Caused by Heat Radiation
Authors: Lei Wang , Yiming Shen , Baofeng Zhu , Chen Qian , Yi Zhang
Published: November 2020

Background: Circular RNAs play an important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of nerve damage and related diseases, but there is little research on non-coding RNAs in heat sickness, especially circRNAs, and there has been no report on the mechanism of fever progression.Methods: 1. Mice were randomly divided into a control group, a heat radiation disease 0.8 h group (HS 0.8), 8 h group (HS 8), 24 h group (HS 24). By establishing a mouse model of heat shock (HS), heat-damaged brain tissue was obtained, microglia were isolated. 2. QPCR was used to detect M1 and M2 marker molecules in microglia, and to evaluate the polarization direction and type of microglia. 3. The expression level of circhipk3 in microglial cells, and the effect of circhipk3 on microglial polarization was determined by determining the expression of circhipk3 in microglial cells.Results: The expressions of CD45 and CD11-b in the HS 8 group were significantly higher than those in the normal group, while the expressions of CD45 and CD11-b in the HS 24 group were significantly lower than those in the HS 8 group. At the same time, the expression of CD206, FIZZ, and Arg1 in the HS 8 group began to increase compared with the normal group, while CD206, FIZZ, and Arg1 in the HS 24 group significantly increased when compared with the normal group. Circhipk3 mimics significantly increased the expression of Arg1 and inhibited the expressions of CD45 and HO-1, while the circhipk3 inhibitor promoted the expressions of CD45 and HO-1 and inhibited the expression of Arg1. Conclusion: Microglial cells were the main M1-type in early neurological injury of heat radiation disease. HO-1 may be one of the microglial M1-type markers. The high expression of circhipk3 in microglial cells mainly promoted its transformation to the M2 type.
Primary Cutaneous Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, with Extensive Skin Lesions: A Case Report with Immune Cell Shift
Authors: Hongjian Xie , Yujie Shi , Lingfei Kong
Published: November 2020

Background: Primary cutaneous extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (PC-ENKTL), is a rare entity of malignancies of NK cells or cytotoxic T cells, characterized by an association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Despite its aggressive behavior, PC-ENKTL is mostly found as a localized disease. Data regarding PC-ENKTL with generalized skin lesions have only rarely been characterized in clinical studies so far. Case presentation: We present a case of PC-ENKTL, nasal type, in a 38-year–old female with a history of disseminated cutaneous plaques, ulcers and painful nodules that originated in her right leg skin as a small raised papule and expanded quickly over the entire body, ranging in diameter from 1 cm to 6 cm. The patient did not show any involvement of other sites except skin. Histologic, immunophenotypic, genetic and clinical features consistent with the diagnosis of primary cutaneous NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. The status of immune cells was analyzed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and revealed negative stain for CD163, CD68, programmed cell death (PD-1)/programmed cell death l ligand 1(PD-L1), and FoxP3. Chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy was planned but the patient was experienced disease progression and died at 3 months as a result of lymphoma.Conclusions: In contrast to NK/T-cell lymphoma with localized disease, PC-ENKTL with generalized skin lesions tend to be more aggressive, with short survival and extremely poor response to therapy. We propose that the immune cell shift may be related to the severity of the patient.
SWOT Analysis of Risk Communication during COVID-19 Responses in Ethiopian Higher Educations
Authors: Zikargae Mekonnen Hailemariam
Published: November 2020

Background: this study aimed to evaluate the risk communication regarding COVID-19 preventions in Ethiopian higher education institutions. Ethiopia is one of the 213 countries which affected by COVID-19. Since it appeared in the country different risk responses are underway to minimize the impacts in different sectors of the country. Ethiopian higher educations are among those sectors that are affected by the pandemic. Universities engaged as a task force in the response process. Universities are engaged in the national response scheme. Every attempt to risk communication is an endeavor to tackle the impact that transcends across the globe. Methods: the study used the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis on the experiences of Ethiopian higher education, task force, risk communication response to COVID-19 pandemic since the announcement of the outbreak by WHO as a pandemic. The government put a huge effort in risk communication to reduce the impact of COVID-19. The data sources include research conducted by the university staffs, risk communication working papers prepared to the Ethiopian contexts, different websites and media sources were used. Web-search approach used to gather most important performances and challenges of higher education. Results: the findings show that higher education as a task force contributed to the national efforts based on research, humanitarian assistance, online meetings, E-learning and conferences. Research conducted focused on KAP’s. There were no clinical based research. The research by academicians are almost nil. E-learning is developed to support disrupted higher education in Ethiopia. Thus, postgraduate could be facilitated out of the campus through E-learning. However, the E-learning has the weakest to support undergraduate and even the postgraduate programs. Internet infrastructure and acculturation of students’ E-Learning are problematic.Conclusion: the total effort of risk communication at Ethiopian higher education is minimal and not well organized. The challenges are the remaining home works to the universities. I suggest that risk communication strategies and research based solutions have to be evaluated and revisited to curb the impacts of COVID-19 in higher education.
Visual Pathway Alterations after Severe Acute Occupational Elemental Mercury Poisoning: Report of a Series of 29 Cases
Authors: Pastor-Idoate Salvador , Coco-Martin Rosa M , Zabalza Iratxe , Lantigua Yrvani , Fernández Itziar , Pérez-Castrillón Jose Luis , Cuadrado Ruben , Lazaro Jose Alberto de , Morejon Angela , Dueñas-Laita Antonio , Pastor Jose Carlos
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND: There are almost no available data on retinal involvement after acute exposure to high concentrations mercury and the available reports are on a small number of patients that suffered chronic expposure. The purpose of this paper is to report visual findings in 29 workers exposed to very high concentrations of mercury vapor in a factory in northern Spain in 2012.METHODS: Twenty-nine patients and 16 controls were evaluated in a comparative case series. Fifteen of the 29 workers underwent belated chelation for heavy metal intoxication, only 3 in a prompt way. The mercury levels in blood and urine samples, visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), visual field (VF), color discrimination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were recorded. The pattern reversal visual-evoked potentials (PRVEP), full-field and multifocal electroretinography (ffERG/mfERG), pattern electroretinography (PERG), systemic symptoms, presence of erethism, and electromyography (EMG) were also gathered. A descriptive analysis was performed. The evolution of patients who did not undergo chelation (group 1), those who underwent late chelation (group 2), and those with deep VF defects (group 3) were compared with a control group. The correlations between variables also were studied.RESULTS: The VA was affected slightly. The loss of CS in at least one of four spatial frequencies and color vision alterations occurred in 96.5% (n=28) and 44.8% (n=13), respectively, in the entire group. VF alterations were identified in 72.4% (n=21). No morphologic changes were seen in the OCT scans. Latencies over 100 milliseconds and reduced amplitudes of P100 were found in the PRVEP. The ffERG and PERG results suggested that both the outer and inner retinal processes were involved. The mfERG indicated reduced parafoveal retinal function. Twenty-six workers exhibited symptoms of erethism. The EMG showed sensorimotor polyneuropathy and multiple mononeuropathy alterations. Significant negative correlations among blood mercury levels, VA, and ffERG were observed.CONCLUSION: Advanced visual functions were impaired significantly independent of the mercury levels. Delayed chelation was not beneficial. Although neurologic and visual pathway involvement was clearly demonstrated, this study also showed clear functional retinal participation in impaired vision.
Ecological and Evolutionary Alterations in Graves’ Disease Gut Microbiome Reveal Specific Diagnostic Biomarkers
Authors: Zhu Qiyun , Hou Qiangchuan , Huang Shi , Ou Qianying , Vázquez-Baeza Yoshiki , Huo Dongxue , Cen Chaoping , Cantu Victor , Estaki Mehrbod , Chang Haibo , Belda-Ferre Pedro , Kim Ho-Cheol , Chen Kaining , Knight Rob , Zhang Jiachao
Published: November 2020

Background: Graves’ Disease (GD) is the most common organ-specific autoimmune disease and has been linked in small pilot studies to taxonomic markers within the gut microbiome. However, the small sample size and limited resolution of the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technology limited the universality and significance of these studies. Larger cohorts and integration of different levels of analysis from high-resolution shotgun metagenomics data were therefore needed to explore the GD patients’ alteration in gut microbial taxonomy, genes, pathways and functions, metabolites, and mutational spectra, to establish robust microbial biomarkers at these levels for GD diagnosis.Results: Here, we studied 162 gut microbiomes of mild and severe Graves’ disease (GD) patients and healthy controls. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing and inferred metabolomics were applied to describe the intestinal microbial characteristics and microbial mutations of GD patients. Then, combined biomarkers were identified from machine learning. Finally, we performed a meta-analysis to confirm the specificity of these biomarkers across different metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Taxonomic and functional analyses based on metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and MAG-annotated genes, together with predicted metabolic functions and metabolite profiles, revealed a bipartite co-occurrence network of MAGs, genes and clinical indexes separating healthy from GD subjects. A supervised classification model identified a combination of biomarkers including microbial species, MAGs, genes and SNPs, with predictive power superior to models from any single biomarker type (AUC=0.98). Global, cross-disease meta-analysis of gut microbiomes revealed high specificity of these GD biomarkers, notably discriminating against Parkinson’s Disease, and suggesting that non-invasive stool-based diagnostics will be useful for these diseases.Conclusions: This work extended our understanding of the microbial ecology and evolution of GD pathogenesis, and developed a useful predictive model for GD diagnosis based on intestinal microbial biomarkers.
Systematic Analysis of the Function and Prognostic Value of RNA-Binding Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: WU TONG , Yang Zhiyun , Yang Yuying , Jiang Yuyong , Meng Peipei , Liu Huimin , Zhang Qiaoli
Published: November 2020

Background: RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are abnormally expressed in a variety of malignant tumors and are closely related to tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and prognosis. The role of RBPs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database, we conducted a systematic bioinformatics analysis of abnormally expressed RBPs in HCC, with the aim of identifying the prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets.Methods: HCC RNA sequencing data downloaded from TCGA database were used to determine the differentially expressed RBPs in livery cancer and normal tissues, followed by performing functional enrichment analysis and visualization of interaction relationships. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were subsequently used to identify RBPs that were significantly related to the prognosis to construct a prognostic model. The predictive performance of the prognostic model was evaluated by survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and verified in the test cohort. Human protein atlas online database was used to verify the expression level of RBPs in the prognostic model.Results: In total, 82 differentially expressed RBPs were identified, including 55 upregulated and 27 downregulated RBPs. Further functional enrichment and interaction analyses showed that the differentially expressed RBPs were mainly related to regulating of mRNA metabolic process, RNA catabolic, mRNA catabolic process, and macromolecule methylation. Five RBP genes, LIN28B, SMG5, PPARGC1A, LARP1B, and ANG were identified as prognostic-related genes and used to construct the prognostic model. The predictive ability of the prognostic model was verified in the test cohort. ROC curve analysis showed that the prognostic model had good sensitivity and specificity. Independent prognostic analysis showed that the risk score may be an independent prognostic factor for HCC.Conclusion: This study constructed a reliable prognostic prediction model by analyzing the differentially expressed RBPs of HCC, facilitating the identification of HCC prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Risk Perception of COVID-19 in the German Internet Media and its epidemiological consequences during first wave of infections - exploration of possible research topic
Authors: Jarynowski Andrzej
Published: November 2020

Due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and COVID-19 disease, there is an urgent need to analyze epidemic perception in Germany. This would enable authorities for preparation of specific actions minimizing public health and economic risks. The aim of this article is to singal possible research activities for future research.The aim of this study is to quantitatively investigate perception of COVID-19 in German Media (Twitter, Google, Youtube and selection of news articles) in the Internet by infodemiological approach. We proposed quantitative Media analysis as Retrospective and for future Prospective observatory analysis of secondary data. We attempt to analyze main discourses via natural language processing tools (such as topic modelling and sentiment analysis), multilayer and temporal network analysis of accounts/words/topics and time series analysis.There were just a few previous works quantitatively linking Internet activities and risk perception of infectious diseases in Germany. Traditional and social media do not only reflect reality, but also create it. German authorities, having a reliable analysis of the perception of the problem, could optimally prepare and manage the social dimension of the epidemic.The analysis of electronic media makes it possible to analyze the problem perception in Germany and early detect possible behavioral changes (e.g. fear, anxiety) associated with the epidemic, which is crucial for a targeted response and tailored containment scenarios to minimize public health risks. Mistrust of governmental measures implementation has fulled Querdenken movement - an unlikely alliance of far-right and left-wing, as well as conspiracy theorists.Being aware of many shortcomings of computational/digital epidemiology and its exploratory approach, it provides us with an opportunity to analyze a huge amount of digital footprint data at low cost and in a short time.There is no confict of interest.
Characteristic of mutant sequences in human cancers
Authors: Hongchen Ji , Junjie Li , Qiong Zhang , Jingyue Yang , Xiaowen Wang , Shuang Bai , Fei Tian , Hongmei Zhang
Published: November 2020

Mutation processes leave different signatures in genes. Previous studies suggested that both the mutated and flanking bases influence somatic mutation characteristics. However, the understanding of how flanking sequences influence somatic mutation characteristics is limited. Here, we constructed A long short-term memory – self organizing map (LSTM-SOM) unsupervised neural network. By extracting mutated sequence features via LSTM and clustering similar features with SOM, we obtained 10 classes of mutant sequences (named mutation blots, MBs) from 2,141,527 somatic mutations in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differences features were revealed among MBs. MBs were related to clinical features, including age, sex, and cancer stage. Different kinds of MBs for specific genes may affect patient survival. Finally, we clustered the patients into 7 classes by MB composition. Significant differences in survival and clinical features were observed among different patient classes. This study provides a novel method for understanding mutant sequences and revealing the extensive relationships among mutant sequences, clinical features, and cancer patient survival.
Dynamic changes in the rhizosphere bacterial community in monoculture and intercropping maize and soybean during various crop growth stages 
Authors: Li Han , Luo Luyun , Tang Bin , Guo Huanle , Cao Zhongyang , Zeng Qiang , Chen Songlin , Chen Zhihui
Published: November 2020

Although rhizosphere microorganisms have been studied for a long time, rhizosphere microbial communities based on monoculture and intercropping soybean and maize have rarely been studied. To define the effect of crop monoculture and intercropping on soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere bacterial communities, field experiments were conducted using maize and soybean cultivars at five different crop growth stages, including monoculture maize, monoculture soybean and maize-soybean intercropping. The rhizosphere bacterial communities were analyzed by using the 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing. The pH and soil organic matter (SOM) were the key factors affecting crop rhizosphere soil bacterial communities. The intercropping soybean-maize increased the available phosphorus (AP) content at five different crop growth stages. And the available potassium (AK) content in the intercropping soybean soil samples was higher than corresponding monoculture soil samples. The content of available cadmium (ACd) in monoculture soybean rhizosphere soil samples decreased and then increased, but the intercropping soybean soil samples indicated an opposite trend. Proteobacteria, Chloroﬂexi, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in the soybean and maize rhizosphere soil samples. Crops of the same plant species showed little difference in the bacterial community diversity under the two planting modes. The results indicated the intercropping planting pattern altered the absorption of ACd in the maize and soybean soil since the S2 stage and showed a different change in different crop growth stages. And the maize-soybean intercropping system also changed the bacterial community and soil physicochemical properties.
Longevity risk management through Machine Learning: state of the art
Authors: Levantesi Susanna , Nigri Andrea , Piscopo Gabriella
Published: November 2020

Longevity risk management is an area of the life insurance business where the use of Artificial Intelligence is still underdeveloped. The paper retraces the main results of the recent actuarial literature on the topic to draw attention to the potential of Machine Learning in predicting mortality and consequently improving the longevity risk quantification and management, with practical implication on the pricing of life products with long-term duration and lifelong guaranteed options embedded in pension contracts or health insurance products. The application of AI methodologies to mortality forecasts improves both fitting and forecasting of the models traditionally used. In particular, the paper presents the Classification and the Regression Tree framework and the Neural Network algorithm applied to mortality data. The literature results are discussed, focusing on the forecasting performance of the Machine Learning techniques concerning the classical model. Finally, a reflection on both the great potentials of using Machine Learning in longevity management and its drawbacks is offered.
The Internet communication in the perspective of personalism of E. Mounier
Authors: Więckowski Robert
Published: November 2020

In the paper, it is discussed the communicative role of the Internet in the view of Mounier’s conception of personal communication. E. Mounier distinguishes two aspects of human communication: objective and subjective. The first one is reduced to the function of giving information, the second one . is specific for a man as a person. It is presented the most essential features of subjective, existential communication, that after all requires an understanding of other people. This attitude, according to Mounier, is not possible without opening to transcendence. In the view, the Internet is regarded as an objective tool of communication. It is briefly discussed the main ways of using the Internet in keeping up human relationships, the specific features of the tool, its advantages and disadvantages for personal contact. Finally, the development of the Internet is understood as a symptom of the need of passing on thoughts, considerations, and love to others as a human special privilege.
Environmental Virtue Ethics and the Sources of Normativity
Authors: Piekarski Michał
Published: November 2020

This article is an attempt to identify the sources of normativity in virtue ethics. The starting point for the analyzes presented here is the book by Dominika Dzwonkowska Environmental virtue ethics. In § 1, I present the basic theses and assumptions of this approach to ethics. Then, with reference to the concept of the moral subject proposed by Dzwonkowska, I ask whether it constitutes the primary source of normativity (§ 2). I argue that environmental virtue ethics can be ascribed to arguments shared by supporters of the so-called constitutive arguments in metaethics (§ 3). Their position is based on the recognition that moral norms, obligations, etc., derive from the constitutive features of the subject. I call such an approach internalist and contrast it with the non-internalist approach, the outline of which I propose in § 4. In the Conclusion, I suggest that the pragmatic considerations and conservatism of researchers speak in favor of the internalist approach.
Electrochemical Immunosensors Based on Nanostructured Materials for Sensing of Prostate-Specific Antigen: A Review
Authors: Filik Hayati , Avan Asiye Aslıhan , Özyürek Mustafa
Published: November 2020

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been considered a crucial serological
marker for distinguishing prostate based cancer. This survey shows recent progress in the
construction of nanomaterial-based electrochemical immunosensors for a PSA. This review
(from 2015 to 2020) reports the latest progress in PSA sensing based on the employ
of different types of nanostructured materials. The most popular used nanostructured materials
are metal, metal oxide, carbon-based nanomaterials, and their hybrid architectures
utilized for distinct amplification protocols. In this review, the electrochemical immunosensors
for prostate-specific antigen sensing are classified into three categories
such as sandwich type@labeled, label free@nonlabeled and aptamer-based electrochemical
immunosensor.
Bioluminescent:Fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi Reporter Strains as Tools for Exploring Chagas Disease Pathogenesis and Drug Activity
Authors: Taylor Martin C. , Ward Alexander I. , Olmo Francisco , Francisco Amanda F. , Jayawardhana Shiromani , Costa Fernanda C. , Lewis Michael D. , Kelly John M.
Published: November 2020

Chagas disease results from infection with the trypanosomatid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Progress
in developing new drugs has been hampered by the long term and complex nature of the condition and by our
limited understanding of parasite biology. Technical difficulties in assessing the parasite burden during the
chronic stage of infection have also proven to be a particular challenge. In this context, the development of noninvasive,
highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging procedures based on parasites that express a red-shifted luciferase
has greatly enhanced our ability to monitor infections in experimental models. Applications of this
methodology have led to new insights into tissue tropism and infection dynamics and have been a major driver
in drug development. The system has been further modified by the generation of parasite reporter lines that express
bioluminescent:fluorescent fusion proteins, an advancement that has allowed chronic infections in mice to
be examined at a cellular level. By exploiting bioluminescence, to identify the rare sites of tissue infection, and
fluorescence to detect T. cruzi at the level of individual host cells in histological sections, it has been possible to
investigate the replication and differentiation status of parasites in vivo and to examine the cellular environment
of infection foci. In combination, these data provide a framework for the detailed dissection of disease pathogenesis
and drug activity.
THE TRANSFORMATION FROM RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL SPACE TOWARDS DYNAMIC SPACE FORMATION IN CENTRAL JAKARTA
Authors: Haryanto Ragil , Indriastjario Indriastjario , Saidah Khuruin , Sugiri Agung
Published: November 2020

This research was conducted to examine dynamic space formation using urban space converts from housing to Small and Medium-size Enterprise (SME) commercial space in the street corridors of major cities in Indonesia. The study is necessary due to the rapid increase in population, observed to be affecting the urban socio-economic and physical aspects as evident with the sporadic growth of small and medium businesses in potential locations of urban street corridors where many plots of land for residential space have converted for commercial activities. The driving factors include business climate change, global economic crisis, democratic development, and decentralization of the economic sector. In depth field research was conducted concerning the changes in space use in Bendungan Hilir area of Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta as a sample. Deductive thinking with purposive strata area sampling and natural settings without manipulating the subjects studied were applied as the methods. Meanwhile, data were collected quantitatively and qualitatively from one collector street corridor in the residential area observed to have shifted and changed to an SME commercial area. The results, therefore, showed a dynamic pattern of commercial activity leading to a "spatial democracy" pattern.
EXTERNAL CONDITION TO ECO-BEHAVIOURS IN MELAKA GREEN CITY
Authors: Abu Bakar Aisyah , Mustapa Siti Indati , Mohammad Norsyahida
Published: November 2020

External Condition [EC] to eco-behaviours relates to the macro context of a person representing the person’s façade towards his context. EC manifests in the perception and attitude towards surrounding circumstances such as the accessibility to conducive natural surroundings, encouragement to pro environmental behaviours, convenience to be environmentally responsible and favourable law enforcement. Issue: 10 years has passed since the Green City Action Plan [MGCAP] and Sustainable Urban Development Framework [SUDF] were introduced. The Melaka EC to eco-behaviours needs to be assessed to determine the impact of the MGCAP and SUDF to EC of eco-behaviours. Purpose: This paper aims to compare the EC of Melaka residents to residents of other states in Malaysia. Approach: One-Way MANOVA was generated to determine the mean distribution of 10 EC items, across Malaysia States. Findings: There were significant differences within subjects of the 10 EC items between-subjects of Malaysia States. The Post-Hoc Test indicated almost all of the means of EC items for Melaka were higher than other states. The MGCAP and the SUDF shows a positive impact on the EC to a sustainable community.
CHALLENGES OF SMART TOURISM IN MALAYSIA ECO-TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Authors: Ab. Rahman Syakir Amir , Dura Nur’Hidayah , Yusof Muhamad Asrah , Nakamura Hitoshi , Abu Nong Rahmat
Published: November 2020

Smartness helps in transferring and sharing information to facilitate tourism industry optimizing performance and competitiveness, generating solution for asset evaluation and shaping tourism products and services in a real-time. In Malaysia, tourism industry is moving forwards to acknowledge smart tourism concept as Malaysia Smart Tourism 4.0 initiatives is launched recently. Therefore, this study aims to identify challenges of smart tourism application in Malaysia. 400 respondents among domestic and international tourists were recruited for the study, using questionnaire survey in two eco-tourism destination, Pulau Langkawi and Cameron Highland. Chi-square test was used to assess the challenges. Awareness, security and privacy, and implementation mechanism of smart tourism are among the highest challenges were observed. This study extends for a new establishment of proper and comprehensive framework of smart tourism in Malaysia.
A Comprehensive Overview of the COVID-19 Literature: Machine Learning–Based Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Abd-Alrazaq Alaa , Schneider Jens , Mifsud Borbala , Alam Tanvir , Househ Mowafa , Hamdi Mounir , Shah Zubair
Published: November 2020

Background

Shortly after the emergence of COVID-19, researchers rapidly mobilized to study numerous aspects of the disease such as its evolution, clinical manifestations, effects, treatments, and vaccinations. This led to a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19–related publications. Identifying trends and areas of interest using traditional review methods (eg, scoping and systematic reviews) for such a large domain area is challenging.

Objective

We aimed to conduct an extensive bibliometric analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of the COVID-19 literature.

Methods

We used the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19) that consists of a large number of research articles related to all coronaviruses. We used a machine learning–based method to analyze the most relevant COVID-19–related articles and extracted the most prominent topics. Specifically, we used a clustering algorithm to group published articles based on the similarity of their abstracts to identify research hotspots and current research directions. We have made our software accessible to the community via GitHub.

Results

Of the 196,630 publications retrieved from the database, we included 28,904 in our analysis. The mean number of weekly publications was 990 (SD 789.3). The country that published the highest number of COVID-19–related articles was China (2950/17,270, 17.08%). The highest number of articles were published in bioRxiv. Lei Liu affiliated with the Southern University of Science and Technology in China published the highest number of articles (n=46). Based on titles and abstracts alone, we were able to identify 1515 surveys, 733 systematic reviews, 512 cohort studies, 480 meta-analyses, and 362 randomized control trials. We identified 19 different topics covered among the publications reviewed. The most dominant topic was public health response, followed by clinical care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical characteristics and risk factors, and epidemic models for its spread.

Conclusions

We provide an overview of the COVID-19 literature and have identified current hotspots and research directions. Our findings can be useful for the research community to help prioritize research needs and recognize leading COVID-19 researchers, institutes, countries, and publishers. Our study shows that an AI-based bibliometric analysis has the potential to rapidly explore a large corpus of academic publications during a public health crisis. We believe that this work can be used to analyze other eHealth-related literature to help clinicians, administrators, and policy makers to obtain a holistic view of the literature and be able to categorize different topics of the existing research for further analyses. It can be further scaled (for instance, in time) to clinical summary documentation. Publishers should avoid noise in the data by developing a way to trace the evolution of individual publications and unique authors.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Traceability System Based on Lightweight Blockchain (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Zhengfei , Wang Lai , Xiao Fu'an , Chen Qingsong , Lu Liming , Hong Jiaming
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Recently, the problem of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) safety has attracted attention worldwide. To prevent the spread of counterfeit drugs, it is necessary to establish a drug traceability system. A traditional drug traceability system can record the whole circulation process of drugs, from planting, production, processing, and warehousing to use by hospitals and patients. Once counterfeit drugs are found, they can be traced back to the source. However, traditional drug traceability systems have some drawbacks, such as failure to prevent tampering and facilitation of sensitive disclosure. Blockchain (including Bitcoin and Ethernet Square) is an effective technology to address the problems of traditional drug traceability systems. However, some risks impact the reliability of blockchain, such as information explosion, sensitive information leakage, and poor scalability.

OBJECTIVE

To avoid the risks associated with the application of blockchain, we propose a lightweight block chain framework.

METHODS

In this framework, both horizontal and vertical segmentations are performed when designing the blocks, and effective strategies are provided for both segmentations. For horizontal segmentation operations, the header and body of the blockchain are separated and stored in the blockchain, and the body is stored in the InterPlanetary File System. For vertical segmentation operations, the blockchain is cut off according to time or size. For the addition of new blocks, miners only need to copy the latest part of the blockchain and append the tail and vertical segmentation of the block through the consensus mechanism.

RESULTS

Our framework could greatly reduce the size of the blockchain and improve the verification efficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental results have shown that the efficiency improves compared with ethernet when a new block is added to the blockchain and a search is conducted.
Perbandingan Ketelitian Posisi Tiga Dimensi dari Perangkat Lunak Pengolahan Data GNSS Komersial
Authors: Ramadhon Syafril , Miko Wahyu Widiat , Nugraha Gian
Published: November 2020

Pasar receiver GNSS di Indonesia sudah semakin berkembang dan bergerak ke arah positif, yang ditandai dengan penjualan yang semakin meningkat serta semakin beragamnya merk receiver GNSS dan perangkat lunak pengolahan data yang ada di pasaran. Atas dasar banyaknya perangkat lunak pengolahan data GNSS yang beredar di Indonesia, maka rumusan masalah yang dikedepankan dalam penelitian ini adalah apakah setiap perangkat lunak pengolahan data GNSS dapat memberikan hasil koordinat tiga dimensi yang sama dari suatu data pengukuran. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan koordinat tiga dimensi hasil survey GNSS menggunakan tiga perangkat lunak pengolahan data GNSS komersial. Metode yang digunakan adalah dengan membandingkan data survey GNSS menggunakan metode relatif diferensial static pada moda radial pada delapan titik pengamatan dengan panjang baseline < 300 m dan lama pengukuran > 30 menit menggunakan tiga perangkat lunak pengolahan data GNSS komersial, yaitu Trimble Business Center (TBC), Leica Geo Office (LGO), dan MAGNET Tools (MT). Hasil penelitian memberikan kesimpulan bahwa terdapat perbedaan hasil pengolahan data pada tiga perangkat lunak pengolahan data GNSS komersial di delapan titik pengamatan dengan perbedaan maksimum kisaran 5 mm pada sumbu northing, 9 mm pada sumbu easting, dan 68 mm pada data tinggi.
KRA Second University Symposium, 9th October 2020—Impact of Technology on Tax Administration
Authors: N. Kirori Dr. Gabriel
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the theoretical basis for revenue mobilization and the role of technology in tax administration. Public finance theory supports the growth of the share of government expenditures to GDP with implications of constraints for public investment financing. The equilibrium predicted in the theory of loanable funds is no longer sustainable because of shortage of domestic savings creating a situation of excess demand for funds to finance public investments. Leveraging on technology can be an important administrative policy for boosting revenue mobilization. The study concludes that both tax administration reforms and quality of governance are complementary to technology in tax revenue mobilization in the developing economies.
STUDIES ON THE NUMEROUS MEDICINAL UTILITIES OF THE PLANT URGINEA INDICA: A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW
Authors: NATH JUNMONI
Published: November 2020

Urginea indica, is an essential indigenous plant belonging to the family Liliaceae found in all parts of India on rocky and hilly areas. It is commonly known as Indian squill, True squill or Sea onion and popularly known as Bon Pollundu. A methodical literature survey from various scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of science and Google Scholar was conducted and it has been reported that the plant, mainly its bulb contains varieties of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, phytosterols, phenols, saponins, alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids and tannins. The bulb and the rhizome also contains calcium, iron, commercial compounds, such as Bufadienolides, Quercetin, Allose, Mindererus spirit, Tartronic acid and Paraldehyde, which have a variety of health functional properties. Various scientific studies have proven that the plant has anticancer, antidiabetic, anthelmintic, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-angiogenic, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, spasmodic and cardiac stimulant activities. It also finds its use as an analgesic and in wound healing. Thus, the current review gives a comprehensive overview of the various medicinal activity of the plant Urginea indica.
AN OVERVIEW ON INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRACTICES AND BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT (BMWM) IN COVID-19 ERA
Authors: SHARMA RAVI PRAKASH , DUTTA SIDDHARTHA , MISHRA GOVIND , LAL HINA , KUMAR TARUN , SHARMA ANU
Published: November 2020

The ongoing Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the almost entire world and has hit the healthcare and economic sector with a hard blow. The Government imposed lockdowns in almost all part of the world has not only affected the global economy but also has harsh effects on physical and mental health of people around the world. To date, there is no specific and defined treatment or vaccine available for its prophylaxis and treatment; hence preventive strategies like Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices and proper disposal of biomedical waste (BMW) play key role in preventing transmission of the infection in the healthcare sector among healthcare professionals. Ethically, we all should follow the IPC and BMW guidelines soulfully to prevent ourselves and fellow workers from getting infected. The review highlights the salient features of the IPC and BMWM (Biomedical waste management) practices in concise manner for better understanding and implementation at this crucial period of COVID-19 pandemic.