bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers to Implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Construction Industry: A Critical Review
Authors: Sriyolja Z. , Harwin N. , Yahya K.
Published: April 2021

Construction is a complex industry. A system like Building Information Modeling (BIM) has benefited many construction players in order to expedite their works effectively and efficiently in terms of design, implementation, and management of a project. As the construction industry involves many players such as clients, designers, contractors, and manufacturers, the existence of BIM can speed up planning time, minimizing resources, and even saving project costs. However, in some countries, the acceptance of BIM technology in the construction industry is still very low. This paper aims to explore and review the barriers associating with adopting BIM as a digital information tool in the construction industry. A systematic review was conducted of 26 journal articles and conference papers published between 2013 to 2019. The identified barriers were then classified and analyzed. The results of the study revealed that from the 26 selected articles, 15 categories of barriers have been successfully extracted and discussed. 15 categories of barriers are cost, law, experts, interoperability, awareness, culture, processes, management, demand, project scale, technology, skills, training, contract, and standard. The study offers significant insights for future research to overcome the barriers to the implementation of BIM.
The Characteristics of Secondary Skin Facade of Contemporary House by Indonesian Architects
Authors: Ramadhan Try , Estika Nita Dwi , Widiastuti Indah
Published: April 2021

In Indonesia, tropical climates force architects to elaborate their residential buildings’ design, especially those that need thermal comfort. As one of the thermal comfort strategies for indoor building, secondary skin technology is analyzed to examine various energy savings advantages. The secondary skin then becomes part of the building’s facade, which should blend into the architectural design itself and not become a separate component, unexplained or encoded, thus degrading the building’s architectural quality. Unfortunately, the study related to secondary skin building mostly only discusses the technical aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to study further the characteristics of the secondary skin in its context as a building facade. This paper will examine the secondary skin technology application in contemporary houses designed by several Andra Matin, Budi Pradono, Yu Sing, and Andy Rahman. This study shows that incorporating the secondary skin was quite varied, and they demonstrate a consistent local character display, advanced technology, and reflecting contextual issues. Each architect has its uniqueness in the design approach in using and exploring materials based on the design issues.
Adjustment Of Light Distribution In Auditorium Of Universitas Negeri Manado
Authors: Attaufiq M M , Suharto M F
Published: April 2021

This paper provides an overview about the visibility condition in an auditorium of Universitas Negeri Manado. As a place used for holding official meetings and numerous formal activities, it requires proportional light distribution. An experimental simulation about lighting system in auditorium is carried out based on data analysis using AutoCAD and Dialux. The simulation resulted paucity of light intensity and bleak radiance distribution which, based on Indonesian national standards, is noncompliance. Several methods of lighting adjustment are proposed: enlargement of exposure by replacing and setting glass material proportional to the incoming sunlight, adjustment of reflectance equipment in the vicinity, applying lightselves and setting light spots. Enlarging exposure and adjusting reflectance equipment permits 15% larger comfort area for user, based on DIALux simulation. Adjusting the use of solar control glass and lightselves at the aperture will reduce ablaze of light by up to 20%. Using LED reliably light offers magnificent brightness and providential low voltage.
Efficient Lighting Design for Multiuse Architecture Studio Classroom using Dialux Evo 9
Authors: Nurrohman Muhammad Lazuardy , Feros Putri , Wahyuning  , Madina Rizki Fitria , Pratiwi Novianthi
Published: April 2021

Both natural and artificial lighting plays an important role in everyday human activities. Natural lighting conditions are responsible for energy consumption in buildings, where lack of natural lighting can increase electricity consumption for artificial lighting. The architectural studio classroom at the Department of Architecture, Universitas Trisakti, requires sufficient illumination so that room users able to do hand drawing, digital drawing, and lecture activities comfortably. To achieve such visual comfort, illumination level of the dominant activity in the studio classroom has to meet the SNI 03-2396-2001 standards by using an effective and efficient natural and artificial lighting systems. In the green building criteria by the Green Building Council Indonesia, the minimum standard for the daylight area is 30% of the total space area. The purpose of this paper is to design a new lamp grouping of Universitas Trisakti’s Architectural Studio Room in order to reduce energy consumption for lighting while increase visual comfort. This study conducted using DIALux Evo 9. From the simulation results offered a more efficient lighting installation grouping.
Decoding space syntax on the translation of site cluster permeability into building courtyard
Authors: Samodra FXTB , Irvansyah
Published: April 2021

An urban environment leads to tropical building adaptation by providing sufficient thermal comfort and energy efficiency. For generating the physiological cooling, interconnected attribute of site cluster permeability is translated into lower context such as building scale to provide optimal wind speed to restore thermal comfort. It will be expected to find the critical factor which most influences the performance. Meanwhile, the encoding of the space connectivity to accelerate air movement has been evaluated by previous studies. In this paper, the counter reading of visibility relationships analysis on computational fluid dynamics is conducted and decoded by DepthmapX simulation. The site clusters type of grid, cul-de-sac, and the open area plan of a loop represent housing estates in some tropical regions as the cases. The results highlighted that 50% or more translated air movement from the site to the building scale environment is determined by the dominated warmest connectivity of open space. The potency of energy efficiency is indicated by the capability of accommodating both social connectivity and environmental performance. Furthermore, the code of irregular building patterns by increasing air movement has low spatial and social connectivity because of space depthless. Providing open space for site planning encourages both environmental and social qualities.
Artificial Lighting Strategies On Campus Pedestrian Path In Increasing The Safety of Walking at Night (Case Study: University of Bengkulu)
Authors: Prihatiningrum Atik , Ramawangsa Panji Anom , Seftyarizki Debby
Published: April 2021

Pedestrian path in the campus is strategic route dominated by the movement of students and other users from 06.00 AM until 20.00 PM. The unavailability of artificial lighting at night on the pedestrian paths on the campus of the University of Bengkulu causes low visibility for pedestrian path users and have an impact on walking difficulties, negative behaviour and opportunities for criminal acts. The purpose of this study is identifying frequently used pedestrian paths and examines the principles of artificial lighting must be applied pedestrian users can walk safely and comfortably in the campus at night. These conditions can increasing liveability of pedestrian paths on the campus at night. The study sites were divided into 10 zones. Each zone will be analysed using combination method of field survey methods, online questionnaires, and simulation methods using Dialux evo 9.0. Data from questionnaire and field survey result will be used to decide the artificial lighting plan on the pedestrian path. While Dialux evo 9.0 simulation are to simulate the planned light points The results of the research are determining an artificial lighting strategy is evenly distributed along the pedestrian path.
Identifying Overtourism Impacts on the Informal Sector’s Livelihoods in Urban Heritage Area
Authors: Prabowo Bintang Noor , Salaj Alenka Temeljotov
Published: April 2021

Ever since UNESCO discussed the impact of revitalization on the urban environment and its heritage value, a new niche of urban heritage tourism has emerged. This niche of tourism was once a successful phenomenon before it reached a point where overtourism eventually produces volatility issues. The literature review has shown that research on the effect of overtourism on informal economies is inadequate. Many academics seem mostly interested in focusing on the economic aspects and the inhabitants, without addressing whether they are engaging in formal or informal sectors. Therefore, studies of overtourism on the informal sector in urban heritage areas are essential to bridge the knowledge gap. This article will identify the impact of overtourism on informal sectors’ livelihoods in the urban heritage area using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, with minor adjustments within the urban heritage context, as the primary tool to carefully understand the phenomenon and suggest a more suitable framework for this specific study. A qualitative data analysis software is used to conduct the necessary processes in this article. Informal markets and disadvantaged communities are seen to find ways to develop and merge the resources they already have innovatively to ensure their well-being. A modified framework to discuss the context of urban heritage is being developed by evaluating the informal sectors of urban heritage from the viewpoint of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach during the overtourism phenomenon. The proposed framework may potentially be used to address other issues relating to urban livelihoods in different contexts.
Defense discourse in Balinese Pura architecture
Authors: Martana S. P.
Published: April 2021

The Balinese architecture known today takes many patterns from the architecture of the Majapahit Kingdom in Java. Balinese architecture was built by Majapahit refugees, those pioneered by the priest Danghyang Nirartha in collaboration with Bali King Waturenggong. Nirartha built several important temples on the coast of Bali. Since the beginning, many thought that the Temple, which is now used as a place of worship, was not built for the function as it is known today. Worship that brings many people does not match the form of Pura design. On the other hand, some of the characteristics of a defensive fort are more appropriate and visible in the building and temple environment. Through an architectural survey method, this paper attempts to uncover the above phenomena. Several temples were chosen as objects of study, representing similar buildings in urban, rural, and coastal areas. In the end, it appears that Nirartha was designing the Temple he built with somehow a defensive function.
The Community-Owned Transit Improvement based on Local Business Project Model
Authors: Iamtrakul P , Hirunsalee S , Chayphong S
Published: April 2021

The community-owned transit improvement program aims to study the socio-economic aspects of developing community-owned enterprises. It is based on the context of developmental work of a selected case in Lat Phrao communities. Developing a sustainable program will not only be beneficial to achieving accessible transportation system, but could also be beneficial in terms of community development and local economy improvement as well. This study utilized the financial feasibility analysis tools for the decision-making process like benefit-cost ratio (BCR), payback period, net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR) to analyze each project. The result of this research showed that Lat Phrao communities’ return on investment is faster and better after the communities’ expression of interest in long term investment with emphasis on IRR result. There are several alternatives for transferring rights, which includes: 1) transferring rights between lands of a single owner, and 2) transferring rights among the different landowners. Additionally, within each of these alternatives, there can also be 2 types of transactions: 1) private transaction and 2) normal transaction through authorized facilitator.
Text Mining by Social Network Data towards Developing Attractiveness of Urban Park. Case Study: Thematic Parks in Bandung City, Indonesia
Authors: Munawir  , Fujianti Lia Nurbanillah , Koerniawan M D , Dewancker Bart
Published: April 2021

The existence of a thematic green open space in Bandung is one of the pioneers in the urban landscape of Indonesian cities. In addition, the thematic park in Bandung is also one of the efforts to realize the concept of a green city besides its function as a medium of channelling citizens’ aspirations. Furthermore, the thematic park concept is to make a difference between one park and other parks and to define its own uniqueness. As public spaces, such as parks, can also be functioned as a place to express an opinion, visitor’s opinion plays an important role. Recently, the online reviews data particularly has been considered as an important factor to influence consumers’ decision and are valued as assets based on valued information. In this research, we used the online reviews method from google maps to collect all information from reviewers about the thematic parks and to analyse the attractiveness of the thematic parks in Bandung City. Our approach is to evaluate visitor’s perceptions by identifying sentences from opinions or reviews regarding the fulfilment of thematic park functions based on its user or visitor, facilities, community activities, and atmosphere of the park. Social network data towards developing urban park attractiveness. The result shows the dominant factor attractiveness of thematic parks is the user or community factor. Moreover, user-oriented thematic park concept generates a special attraction for visitors to visit thematic parks.
Traditional Concept Toward The Sustainable Built Design in Bali
Authors: Yudantini Ni Made
Published: April 2021

The spatial patterns of traditional Balinese houses in both Bali Apanaga for the urban area and Bali Apanaga for the traditional village in Bali, have concepts which both always adapt to nature. The composition of buildings, the concept of structure and construction, and outdoor spaces with traditional landscapes have the goal of being environmentally friendly while maintaining comfort for its residents, regulating the flow of air entering the room, and adjusting lighting according to its function, and acoustic function that can be found in outdoor of the housing. The research aims to explore the traditional concept that uses in both urban and traditional areas in Bali to maintain the quality of life toward sustainable built design and environment. The method of this research conducted qualitative research with a case study through observation in two different areas as a comparison to the sustainability of the traditional concept of built design, especially for housing. The depth literature review was used to gain an understanding of the quality of the environment, to deepen the understanding of Balinese traditional concept of housing and understanding of the differentiation between Bali Apanaga and Bali Aga and its characteristics. The research result shows that there is a similarity between traditional concepts in two different areas that adaptable for future sustainable built design.
Community Architecture: Synergizing Public Space and Community Education
Authors: Widaningsih L , Sari A R
Published: April 2021

Architecture is not just about the physical entities of buildings; it is also about the space of human life and all its activities. This paper is a lesson-learned gathered from field experience in assisting rural communities in building physical facilities and initiating various community activities. The method used was Participatory Action Research (PAR), which is oriented to the community’s needs. The research is conducted in Cibeureum Wetan Village in Sumedang Regency, Indonesia. Mentoring begins with the planning process, design, and construction of public spaces, i.e., buildings for children’s learning activities, which gradually being developed into various community activities from all age groups, especially children, women, and adolescents. The participatory concept developed shows an increase in activities, strengthening social capital, productive economic activities, and collective awareness to optimize public space as a joint activity space. The value of architecture in a broader meaning is indicated by the positive connectivity between space and its users.
Architecture Students Experience on Optimizing Building Design using BPS – Lesson Learned
Authors: Madina R F , Pratiwi S N , Tundono S
Published: April 2021

Including BPS in learning design processes in architectural colleges has been widely practiced. However, the use of BPS for undergraduate students is still very minimal because it is often considered too complex for undergraduate students. In an effort to introduce BPS to undergraduate students, in the Building and Environment Simulation course, an elective course offered by Architecture Department of Universitas Trisakti, students are asked to simulate natural lighting and provide design improvements to initial conditions using lighting passive design strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate students’ theoretical knowledge of passive lighting design strategies and experience using Dialux as a lighting simulation tools and to determine the relationship between theoretical knowledge and selected lighting passive design approaches. From the result of this study, there are important notes that can be used for the development of BPS and Building Physics learning in undergraduate level.
Prevention through Design: Architecture Student Cognizance
Authors: Samsudin Nor Syamimi , Abidin Mohammad Nazrin Zainal , Mohammad Mazlina Zaira , Yusof Ahmad Faisol , Salehan Muhammad Hasif Mohamad
Published: April 2021

Prevention through Design (PtD) is a process to prevent and control any potential injury occurrences, illnesses, and fatalities by “designing out” or minimizing hazards and risks early in the designing building. It is a process that incorporates related safety-design strategies during the design phase. Due to an overwhelming number of construction industry accidents in recent years, early attention to safety precautions in the design process has been of very deep concern. The lack of PtD knowledge among designers could be a barrier to implement the PtD concept, from improving the life-cycle of the project to considering safety matters that start from the design stage. Especially in Malaysia, architecture-based programs are generally focused on their design goals at the institutional level, and they aim towards accomodating end-user safety. However, there is no space for a new PtD-centric course to be introduced. Although there have been previous studies on the introduction of PtD, specific studies on the presence of PtD education in architecture programs are still lacking. This paper, therefore, seeks to obtain constructive feedback on prevention through design and its awareness among architecture students. The ideal period of PtD exposure is by scholastic interference to further express the importance of safety concerns in an early design process. Thus, a total of 60 respondents were selected among third-year to fourth-year architecture students in Universiti Teknologi MARA Seri Iskandar Campus in Perak. The findings showed that educational engagement strengthened students’ views on the causality of accidents and promoted safe design thought at the initial design process. However, in the design course, insufficient emphasis on PtD proves to be a challenge for students to consider in the design project application. Further studies are therefore deemed necessary to identify the method of incorporating PtD sentience through scholastic intervention as an initiative to promote PtD in university degree programs to enhance awareness of safety issues.
Impact of the Pandemic COVID-19 on the Implementation of Construction Contracts
Authors: Larasati Dewi , Ekawati Novya , Triyadi Sugeng , Muchlis Aulia Fikriarini , Wardhani Anedya
Published: April 2021

The COVID 19 pandemic has affected various sectors in the world, including the construction sector in Indonesia. The biggest impact is the impact on the health sector and the economy. The government budget for the construction sector has been cut very significantly, which has a negative impact on stakeholders, especially causing financial problems for business actors in construction. In this study, the identification of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic was carried out on the construction sector, especially in the implementation of contracts. The research method used is through a quantitative analysis with questionnaire data which is distributed to stakeholders involved in the implementation of construction contracts. The results of identification study through questionnaires show that 80% of construction projects are still running in the current COVID 19 pandemic condition. However, pandemic conditions affect project performance, especially at the time of project completion. In addition, in implementing the health protocol, assistance, additional costs, improvement of human resource capacity, and special equipment are required, so that the health protocol can be implemented properly. On the other hand, most stakeholders stated that the online coordination system during the pandemic for the implementation of construction projects tends to be less effective. Hopefully, the research results can provide direction in finding the best strategy to reduce the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the construction sector, both in terms of health and project performance.
The Study of Connectivity and Network Degree toward Mitigation Strategy for Resilient Kampung in Indonesia (Case Study: Kampung Taman Sari, Bandung)
Authors: Tambunan Lily , Donny Koerniawan M , Asriana Nova , Fathina Izmi N
Published: April 2021

This study investigates the resilience of kampung settlement based on connectivity for developing mitigation strategy in urban context. Kampung Taman Sari, Bandung, is chosen as a case study of this paper. Kampung, the main urban settlement type of every city in Indonesia, is an informal settlement, with minimum urban services and facilities, therefore inhabitants who living there are more vulnerable in the response of disaster evacuation. This paper studies a deep understanding of the morphological configuration of Kampung based on connectivity and networks which define and show the degree of capability to prepare, respond, recover, and survive in the face of disaster. Depth map simulation and Space Syntax is used to analyze the degree of connectivity and network. The result shows the key relation of connectivity and accessibility of movement evacuation, not only for human movement but also rescue team, including the transportation.
Performance analysis of two-dimensional section of partially textured piston ring with cavitation boundary conditions
Authors: Atulkar A , Pandey R K , Subbarao P M V
Published: April 2021

The lubrication problems for cavitation are solved using the Elrod algorithm/its modifications, which are extremely nonlinear in nature due to binary switch function, lead to convergence issues, consequently, prone to numerical instabilities. In the present study, a continuous switch function is used to avoid these issues, which has not been explored yet for investigating performance behaviours (minimum film thickness, friction force, and power-loss) of piston ring/cylinder liner pair. The modified Reynolds equation is discretized using the Finite Difference Method (FDM). The algebraic equations have been solved by employing the Elrod and Vijayaraghavan-Keith algorithm with a modified switch function proposed by Fesanghary-Khonsari, which satisfies the mass-conservative cavitation. On the other hand, the total computational domain plays a significant role in predicting accurate numerical results. Therefore, in the present investigation, a piston ring segment of 3 mm × 1.20 mm has been investigated, which comprises larger computational domains ever considered in previous studies. The textures are cylindrical and situated at both ends of the piston ring, leaving the center portion untextured in the axial direction. The minimum film thickness change with time (squeeze film action) and lubricant’s (SAE 20W-40 engine oil) viscosity change with operating temperature have been incorporated in the spectrum of this study. The textured piston ring demonstrated an increase up to 7.2% of the minimum film thickness, friction reduction up to 30%, and reduction in power-loss up to 11% compared to the conventional (un-textured) piston ring.
Surface form analysis on complex freeform organic structures – measuring erosive wear on human teeth in vitro
Authors: Mylonas P , Moazzez R , Joiner A , Bartlett D , Bull T , McBride J
Published: April 2021

Natural human enamel (NHE) is a complex freeform surface which has presented significant difficulties in measuring surface form change using non-contacting laser profilometry (NCLP). Measuring surface form change on NHE is a metrology proxy for measuring dental tooth structure loss, and characterising this using non-ISO parameters (volume, surface area, and normalised lesion depth) has been seldom studied due surface complexity and undetermined measurement errors. This study determines NCLP measurement errors (instrument repeatability and method reproducibility) for non-ISO parameters, characterises change in surface form on NHE following a dietary pH-cycling model. NHE (n = 1) was scanned consecutively twenty-times using NCLP with/without sample replacement producing consecutive surface profile data. Residual data was created after subtracting consecutive filtered profile data (80 μm, Gaussian filter), and mean (SD) volume, surface area, and normalised lesion depth was determined within a 1.5 mm circular region of interest (ROI). Volume error (expressed as height variation across ROI surface area) was 0.022 μm (instrument repeatability) and 0.149 μm (method reproducibility), whilst surface area error (expressed as percentage change of the surface area deviation across the entire surface area) was 0.034% (repeatability error) and 0.081% (reproducibility error). Sixty-four natural enamel surfaces taped with polyvinyl-chloride tape leaving 1.5 mm exposed ROI underwent dietary erosion cycling (three 5-min cycles, 0.3% citric acid w/v, pH 3.2) generating artificial erosion lesions. Samples were scanned with NCLP before/after each erosion cycle, scans filtered for microtexture, and after-erosion scans were subtracted from before-erosion scans. NCLP results show mean (SD) volume, surface area, normalised depth, and 3D step-height of the eroded area increased significantly after each erosion cycle, with no significant difference in calcium and phosphate release after each cycle. We demonstrate a robust and valid dental model with analysis workflow to measure surface form change in NHE using NCLP, improving understanding of measuring surface form change in complex freeform surfaces.
Influence of interface anisotropy on ferromagnetic resonance in CoP/(NiP)am/CoP films
Authors: Patrin G S , Shiyan Ya G , Chzhan A V , Podorozhnyak S A
Published: April 2021

The paper presents the results of ferromagnetic resonance studies of three-layer magnetic films, where the magnetic layers are amorphous magnetically soft CoP layers, and the intermediate non-magnetic spacer is amorphous NiP layer. We found that, regardless of the nonmagnetic layer thickness, the interlayer interaction is ferromagnetic. Perpendicular anisotropy forms at the interface between the CoP and NiP layers. It is reasonable to suppose that the interlayer interaction is long-range, what is not typical for systems with metallic non-magnetic spacers.
Hospital admission as a deprescribing triage point for patients discharged to Residential Aged Care Facilities
Authors: Roberts Greg , Pegoli Matthew , Grzeskowiak Luke , Benger Sophie , Forbes Heather , Hunt Kathryn , Jafari Shabnam , Koeper Ivanka , McDonald Cameron , Nguyen Hanh , Rawther Khadeeja , Taeuber Lauren , Tran Evelyn , Vu Peter , Wisdom Alice , Russell Patrick
Published: April 2021

Background

Deprescribing may benefit older frail patients experiencing polypharmacy. We investigated the scope for deprescribing in acutely hospitalised patients and the long-term implications of continuation of medications that could potentially be deprescribed.

Methods

Acutely hospitalised patients (n = 170) discharged to Residential Aged Care Facilities, ≥75 years and receiving ≥5 regular medications were assessed during admission to determine eligibility for deprescribing of key drug classes, along with the actual incidence of deprescribing. The impact of continuation of nominated drug classes (anticoagulants, antidiabetics, antiplatelets, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), statins) on a combined endpoint (death/readmission) was determined.

Results

Hyperpolypharmacy (>10 regular medications) was common (49.4%) at admission. Varying rates of deprescribing occurred during hospitalisation for the nominated drug classes (8–53%), with considerable potential for further deprescribing (34–90%). PPI use was prevalent (56%) and 89.5% of these had no clear indication. Of the drug classes studied, only continued PPI use at discharge was associated with increased mortality/readmission at 1 year (hazard ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval (1.06–2.26), P = 0.025), driven largely by readmission.

Conclusion

There is considerable scope for acute hospitalisation to act as a triage point for deprescribing in older patients. PPIs in particular appeared overprescribed in this susceptible patient group, and this was associated with earlier readmission. Polypharmacy in older hospitalised patients should be targeted for possible deprescribing during hospitalisation, especially PPIs.
Association of life satisfaction with disability-free survival: role of chronic diseases and healthy lifestyle
Authors: Wu Wei , Shang Ying , Calderón-Larrañaga Amaia , Rizzuto Debora , Saadeh Marguerita , Dove Abigail , Pan Kuan-Yu , Xu Weili
Published: April 2021

Background

this article investigates the association between life satisfaction and disability-free survival, and explores the roles of chronic diseases and healthy lifestyle in this association.

Method

a cohort of 2,116 functionally independent adults aged ≥60 was followed up to 12 years. At baseline, life satisfaction was assessed with the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSI-A). Disability-free survival was defined as the survival till the first occurrence of either death, dementia or physical disability. Information on lifestyle factors was collected via questionnaire. Chronic diseases were ascertained through clinical examinations at baseline and each follow-up. Data were analysed using Cox proportional hazard regression models and Laplace regression.

Results

over follow-up, 1,121 participants died, developed dementia, or became disabled. High LSI-A versus Low LSI-A had a lower risk of death, dementia and physical disability (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.67–0.94), and had a longer disability-free period by 1.73 (95% CI 0.18–3.32) years. In mediation analysis, accumulation of chronic diseases mediated 17.8% of the association between LSI-A and disability-free survival. In joint effect analysis, participants with high LSI-A and a favourable lifestyle profile had a HR of 0.53 (95% CI 0.41–0.69) for the composite endpoint, and lived 3.2 (95% CI 1.35–5.11) disability-free years longer than those with low life satisfaction and an unfavourable lifestyle profile.

Discussion

high life satisfaction is independently associated with longer disability-free survival. This association is partially mediated by a lower burden of chronic diseases and is reinforced by healthy lifestyle.
Informal Institutional Elements as Both Preconditions and Consequences of Effective Formal Legal Rules: The Failure of Constitutional Institution Building in Hungary
Authors: Jakab András
Published: April 2021

Institutions are made up of the interplay of three components: (i) formal rules, (ii) actual practices, and (iii) narratives (the last two are referred to jointly as informal institutional elements). However, lawyers in post-socialist countries do not see law through institutionalist lenses, but often nurture a false and simplistic idea of the law: they consider it to be the sum of rules, often disregarding the actual practices of the rules’ addressees and the narratives attached to the law (encompassing everything from the raison d’être and goal of the institution, its symbolism, the public discourse surrounding it, to social attitudes toward the institution). This restricted view makes Hungarian lawyers blind and to a certain extent also defenceless against recent authoritarian tendencies. Institution building has been a moderately successful feat in Hungary. To put it more pessimistically, it has partially failed since the end of socialism, in particular when it comes to actual practices and narratives. In the Hungarian context, consideration of the problems of institution building suggests two general conclusions: on the one hand, the lack of unison among the individual elements (rules, practices, narratives) renders institutions less stable and consequently less capable of inducing compliance with the law; on the other, the institutions that have been established have failed to deliver prosperity to the political community. This Article describes the constitution making of 2010–2011 from the perspective of institution building. This institutionalist view of the law yields two main specific findings: First, historical experience shows that in addition to honest determination, a swift, radical institutional overhaul of a complete legal system can only be sustainable in the presence of an external pressure, the effect of which has unfortunately decreased with Hungary’s accession to the European Union. That is, institution building should go hand in hand with effective international and EU obligations undertaken in more sober political moments to guarantee that the political community will not later enter into a self-destructive mode. Second, if they took more consciously into account elements beyond mere rules, such as actual practices and narratives in the realm of legislation, the application of the law and legal training would ideally result in the gradual reinforcement of substantive cultural elements. This, however, requires political action, more precisely the adjustment of formal rules. Since this is not in the interest of the incumbent decision makers, overcoming the impasse seems unlikely for the time being.
Adipose-derived stem cells inhibit dermal fibroblast growth and induce apoptosis in keloids through the arachidonic acid-derived cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E2 cascade by paracrine
Authors: Yang Jinxiu , Li Shiyi , He Leren , Chen Minliang
Published: April 2021

Background

The clinical features of keloids consist of aberrant proliferation, secretion, differentiation and apoptosis of keloid dermis-derived fibroblasts (KFBs). Notably, the apoptosis rate of KFBs is lower than the proliferation rate. Though the anti-fibrotic effect of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on keloids has become a hot topic of research, the exact anti-fibrotic mechanism of the paracrine effect remains unclear. This study aimed to find out how the conditioned medium of ADSCs (ADSC-CM) exerts an anti-fibrotic effect in KFBs.

Methods

KFBs and ADSCs were extracted and cultured. Then, ADSC-CM was prepared. Whether ADSC-CM could inhibit KFB growth and induce apoptosis was verified by the use of a cell counting kit-8, an 5-Ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (Edu) kit and flow cytometry. The expressions of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, caspase 3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in ADSC-CM-cultured KFBs were tested by real-time PCR and western blotting. To clarify the role of COX-2 in ADSC-CM-induced KFB apoptosis, a specific COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, was applied to KFBs cultured in ADSC-CM. Moreover, we tested the production of arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by ELISA. Then, we established a keloid transplantation model in a nude mouse to validate the therapeutic effect in vivo.

Results

The proliferation ability of KFBs cultured in ADSC-CM was found to be weakened and apoptosis was significantly increased. Caspase 3 expression was significantly upregulated and Bcl-2 was downregulated in ADSC-CM-cultured KFBs. Furthermore, ADSC-CM strikingly elevated COX-2 mRNA and protein expressions, but COX-1 expression was unaltered. COX-2 inhibitors reduced ADSC-CM-induced apoptosis. Additionally, COX-2 inhibition blocked the elevation of caspase 3 and reversed the decrease in Bcl-2 expression. ADSC-CM increased PGE2 levels by 1.5-fold and this effect was restrained by COX-2 inhibition. In the nude mouse model, expressions of AA, COX-2 and PGE2 were higher in the translated keloid tissues after ADSC-CM injection than in the controls.

Conclusions

We showed activation of the COX-2/PGE2 cascade in KFBs in response to ADSC-CM. By employing a specific COX-2 inhibitor, COX-2/PGE2 cascade activation played a crucial role in mediating the ADSC-CM-induced KFB apoptosis and anti-proliferation effects.
In Vivo Brain Glutathione is Higher in Older Age and Correlates with Mobility
Authors: Hupfeld K E , Hyatt H W , Alvarez Jerez P , Mikkelsen M , Hass C J , Edden R A E , Seidler R D , Porges E C
Published: April 2021

Brain markers of oxidative damage increase with advancing age. In response, brain antioxidant levels may also increase with age, although this has not been well investigated. Here, we used edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify endogenous levels of glutathione (GSH, one of the most abundant brain antioxidants) in 37 young [mean: 21.8 (2.5) years; 19 female] and 23 older adults [mean: 72.8 (8.9) years; 19 female]. Accounting for age-related atrophy, we identified higher frontal and sensorimotor GSH levels for the older compared with the younger adults. For the older adults only, higher sensorimotor (but not frontal) GSH was correlated with poorer balance and gait. This suggests a regionally specific relationship between higher brain oxidative stress levels and motor performance declines with age. We suggest these findings reflect an upregulation of GSH in response to increasing brain oxidative stress with normal aging. Together, these results provide insight into age differences in brain antioxidant levels and implications for motor function.
Oligodendrocyte Secreted Factors Shape Hippocampal GABAergic Neuron Transcriptome and Physiology
Authors: Mazuir Elisa , Richevaux Louis , Nassar Merie , Robil Noémie , de la Grange Pierre , Lubetzki Catherine , Fricker Desdemona , Sol-Foulon Nathalie
Published: April 2021

Oligodendrocytes form myelin for central nervous system axons and release factors which signal to neurons during myelination. Here, we ask how oligodendroglial factors influence hippocampal GABAergic neuron physiology. In mixed hippocampal cultures, GABAergic neurons fired action potentials (APs) of short duration and received high frequencies of excitatory synaptic events. In purified neuronal cultures without glial cells, GABAergic neuron excitability increased and the frequency of synaptic events decreased. These effects were largely reversed by adding oligodendrocyte conditioned medium (OCM). We compared the transcriptomic signature with the electrophysiological phenotype of single neurons in these three culture conditions. Genes expressed by single pyramidal or GABAergic neurons largely conformed to expected cell-type specific patterns. Multiple genes of GABAergic neurons were significantly downregulated by the transition from mixed cultures containing glial cells to purified neuronal cultures. Levels of these genes were restored by the addition of OCM to purified cultures. Clustering genes with similar changes in expression between different culture conditions revealed processes affected by oligodendroglial factors. Enriched genes are linked to roles in synapse assembly, AP generation, and transmembrane ion transport, including of zinc. These results provide new insight into the molecular targets by which oligodendrocytes influence neuron excitability and synaptic function.
Research on Unexpected DNS Response from Open DNS Resolvers
Authors: Lu Keyu , Chai Tingting , Xu Haiyan , Prasad Shitala , Yan Jianen , Zhang Zhaoxin
Published: April 2021

As the backbone of the domain name system (DNS), DNS resolvers are essential to the Internet. Nowadays, the measurement of DNS resolvers, especially open DNS resolvers, has become a research focus. Previous research works show that DNS responses returned from some open DNS resolvers are not expected for clients and the Internet. We call these DNS responses ‘unexpected DNS responses’. Research on unexpected DNS responses is beneficial to the research, usage and management of open DNS resolvers. This paper explores unexpected DNS responses returned from open DNS resolvers in terms of identification and classification to better understand the behaviours of open DNS resolvers. First, an identification method is proposed to identify all kinds of DNS responses from each section of DNS messages. Second, a classification method is proposed to classify unexpected DNS responses by their influences on clients and the Internet. Furthermore, an efficient identification and classification method is proposed to simplify the above process. Among about 9 million responding open DNS resolvers in the experiments on the IPv4 address space, about 40% return unexpected DNS responses. Experimental results show that the proposed methods can identify and classify all kinds of DNS responses returned from open DNS resolvers.
Prevalence and factors related to psychological distress among ethnic minority adults in a semi-modern village in rural Vietnam: an evolutionary mismatch framework
Authors: Speciale Alex C
Published: April 2021

Background and objectives

Psychological distress is one of the greatest health threats facing humanity and has been hypothesized to represent an evolutionary mismatch. This hypothesis can be tested in semi-traditional societies that are undergoing transitions to modern lifestyles. This study used an evolutionary medicine framework to examine the predictors of psychological distress symptomology in a semi-modern ethnic minority village in rural Vietnam that is transitioning into a developing economy.

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Chieng Sai Village among White Thai ethnic minority adults aged 18–75. The DASS-21 scale was used to measure the prevalence of psychological distress symptoms (depression and stress), and a closed format questionnaire was used to collect data on independent variables within an evolutionary mismatch framework. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine associated factors of psychological distress symptomology.

Results

The prevalence of psychological distress symptoms was 22% (depression = 16.9%, stress = 16.3%). Common features of modernity, such as low levels of exercise, boredom, and low income, showed positive associations with psychological distress, while lifestyle features that were more similar to those expected in the evolutionary past and that fulfill evolutionary adaptations, such as getting enough sleep, adequate physical exertion, and access to resources (earning a sufficient income), showed negative associations with psychological distress.

Conclusions and implications

This study suggests that modern lifestyles might have generated evolutionary mismatches that are negatively impacting mental health in Chieng Sai Village. Further investigations on mental health in rural Vietnam are warrented. Future research should focus on determining the causal relationship between psychological distress and evolutionary mismatches. Evolutionary medicine approaches to understanding and preventing psychological distress are potential forces of insight to be considered in public health and educational policy.

Lay summary

Approximately 22% of White Thai ethnic minority adults in the village of Cheing Sai reported psychological distress symptoms. I found that lifestyle factors prevalent in modern society had positive associations with psychological distress symptomology, while lifestyle factors that mimic aspects of the human evolutionary past, such as adequate physical exertion, had negative associations with psychological distress symptoms.
Population and comparative genetics of thermotolerance divergence between yeast species
Authors: Abrams Melanie B , Dubin Claire A , AlZaben Faisal , Bravo Juan , Joubert Pierre M , Weiss Carly V , Brem Rachel B
Published: April 2021

Many familiar traits in the natural world—from lions’ manes to the longevity of bristlecone pine trees—arose in the distant past, and have long since fixed in their respective species. A key challenge in evolutionary genetics is to figure out how and why species-defining traits have come to be. We used the thermotolerance growth advantage of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae over its sister species Saccharomyces paradoxus as a model for addressing these questions. Analyzing loci at which the S. cerevisiae allele promotes thermotolerance, we detected robust evidence for positive selection, including amino acid divergence between the species and conservation within S. cerevisiae populations. Because such signatures were particularly strong at the chromosome segregation gene ESP1, we used this locus as a case study for focused mechanistic follow-up. Experiments revealed that, in culture at high temperature, the S. paradoxus ESP1 allele conferred a qualitative defect in biomass accumulation and cell division relative to the S. cerevisiae allele. Only genetic divergence in the ESP1 coding region mattered phenotypically, with no functional impact detectable from the promoter. Our data support a model in which an ancient ancestor of S. cerevisiae, under selection to boost viability at high temperature, acquired amino acid variants at ESP1 and many other loci, which have been constrained since then. Complex adaptations of this type hold promise as a paradigm for interspecies genetics, especially in deeply diverged traits that may have taken millions of years to evolve.