bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Moodle Acceptance for Students in SMPK2 PENABUR Using Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model
Authors: Fernando D.
Published: July 2021

The synergy of combining globalization with new technology has had dramatic learning impacts. Teachers and Students need to work together to successfully implement Moodle as one of learning technologies. Author needs to determine factors that are important to use Moodle. UTAUT was created based on the conceptual and empirical similarities across TAM, TAM2 and TAM3 models. UTAUT model attempts to explain how individual differences influence technology use. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is then used to assess the reliability and validity of the model measures. Exploratory Research is conducted in order to determine the nature of the problem and is not intended to provide conclusive evidence. With Uncontrolled Quota Sampling method, respondents filled Likert-scale questions. Analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS) is used analyse the data using SEM. All hypotheses is verified through different set of experiments. UTAUT is acceptable of analysing respondents' acceptance in using Moodle. Each construct uniquely affects the output, therefore different strategies can be implemented based on respondents' characteristics. Performance Expectancy is important for Students.
Determining Critical Factors Project Delay and Effecting Cost Overruns in Telecommunication Mobile Network Projects
Authors: Bakhtiar Deni , Mashudi Mulya R. , Galinium Maulahikmah
Published: July 2021

Telecommunication Industry has created numerous employment opportunities and playing a role model in economic growth of Indonesia. This industry is facing serious and critical problem of cost overruns in Telecommunication Mobile Network Projects, especially in implementation 4G-LTE Project in Jakarta, Depok, Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi (Jadebotabek) area. The purpose of this research is to identify and classify critical factors project delay and expound the effect of that critical factors to cost overruns. A structured questionnaire based on 38 factors project delay related to cost overruns (Ullah et al., 2017) was developed and distributed to 100 respondents from 35 selected Contractor Company in Jadebotabek area. The collected data was statistically analyzed with Factor Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression that processed using SPSS. As a result, 4 new Critical Factor Project Delay effect to Cost Overruns in sequence are Lack of cost plan and monitoring, Equipment failure, Extension of time, and Inadequate project preparations were identified.
Threat Hunting Early Experiment through Event Correlation and Memory Forensic
Authors: Purnomo Arif D. , Lim Charles , Noviansyah Burman
Published: July 2021

The cyber threat landscapes nowadays are dynamically evolving over time, the cyber security practitioner in corporations need to adapt with more sophisticated way with the latest cyber threat attacks are launched. Cyber Threat Intelligence is one of the tools that can be utilized as a cyber threat detection. Generally, CTI operates by integrating its directory with events collected from Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) to correlates all of the appliances logs within corporation and providing summarized and meaningful information that can be reviewed to identify legitimate malicious cyber threat activity. However, relying only CTI subscription that only contains blacklist domain and ip addresses integrated with SIEM will only provide passive detection for known cyber threats. The needs for proactive cyber threat detection is required to compete with the modern threat landscape. This research work will try to explore the possibility of detecting unknown or undetected cyber threats using network event correlation and memory forensic to validate its existence. Throughout this research time span, we’re able to discover malicious network pattern that is proven to be undetected within internal organization endpoint protection. Therefore, this research will provide baseline for threat hunting activity based on network behavioural pattern.
Analysis correlation of the Implementation Framework COBIT 5, ITIL V3 and ISO 27001 for ISO 10002 Customer satisfaction
Authors: Bawono Marastika Wicaksono Aji , Soetomo Mohammad Amin , Apriatin Thata
Published: July 2021

This study aims to determine and provide information about the corellation of COBIT 5, ITILV3 ,and ISO 27001 for customer satisfaction. This study uses a causal associative method with a quantitative approach. The population of this research is all customers of company Quota Broadband Internet. The sampling technique in this research is probability sampling technique through simple random sampling. The research sample was 135 customers. The results showed that there was an corellation of COBIT 5 (6.Customer-oriented service culture ), ITIL V3 (Service Operation 4.2 Incident management), and ISO 27001 (A.16 Information security incident management) for 10002 (3.4 customer satisfaction). The biggest influence is COBIT 5 on ISO 27001 with a T statistic of 6,960 and a P value of 0,000.
Tes dan Pengukuran Kondisi Fisik dan Keterampilan Atlet Bola Tangan Kota Palembang
Authors: Hidayat Arif , Hardiyono Bayu , Satria Muhamad Haris , Pratama Riyan
Published: July 2021

Kesegaran jasmani seseorang adalah kemampuan tubuh seseorang untuk melakukan tugas pekerjaan sehari-hari tanpa menimbulkan kelelahan yang berarti, untuk dapat mencapai kondisi kesegaran jasmani yang prima seseorang perlu melakukan latihan fisik yang melibatkan beberapa komponen kesegaran jasmani dengan metode latihan yang benar. Semakin tinggi tingkat kesegaran jasmani seseorang, semakin besar kemampuan fisiknya dan produktifitas kerjanya, khususnya dalam bidang olahraga. Sebagai Pelatih dan Guru olahraga, yang bertanggung jawab atas prestasi anak asuhannya. Perlu melengkapi dirinya dengan pengetahuan tentang cara-cara mengukur dan menilai status kondisi fisik tersebut.Cara evaluasi yang tepat yang harus dilakukan yaitu dengan cara Tes dan Pengukuran terhadap atlet ataupun siswa. Tes dan pengukuran dapat dilakukan dengan beberapa cara dan tahap yang mempunyai manfaat dan tujan dilakukannya tes tersebut. Dan tes tersebut dibagi menjadi bebrapa komponen kondisi fisik serta beberapa jenis tes yang sudah dikelompokan. Dengan melakukan tes dan pengukuran ini kita dapat mengambil beberapa manfaat, diantaranya kita dapat mengevaluasi tahap latihan yang telah dilakukan, dengan hal itu kita dapat mengetahui seberapa perkembangan kondisi fisik seseorang, selain kita bisa mengembangkan prestasi atlet, kita juga bisa menjadikan ini sebagai bahan perbaikan dalam pemebelajaran atau pelatihan.
Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Melalui Pelatihan Ergo-Entrepreneurship Untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Hidup dan Sikap Kewirausahaan Karyawan Pembuat Pempek PT Cita Rasa Palembang
Authors: Rinamurti Rinamurti , Setiawan Heri
Published: July 2021

Tujuan utama penelitian adalah mengetahui pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui pelatihan ergo-entrepreneurship dapat meningkatkan kualitas hidup yang dinilai dari penurunan keluhan muskuloskeletal, kelelahan dan beban kerja karyawan pembuat Pempek Belida PT Cita Rasa Palembang, dan meningkatkan sikap kewirausahaannya. Penelitian eksperimental ini menggunakan rancangan pre and posttest group design (treatment by subjects design) dan melibatkan 30 orang sampel yang dipilih secara acak bertingkat (multistage random sampling).Variabel bebasnya adalah implementasi hasil pelatihan pemberdayaan masyarakat berupa pelatihan ergo-entrepreneurship. Variabel tergantungnya adalah (1) kualitas hidup yang dinilai dari indikator keluhan muskuloskeletal, kelelahan, dan beban kerja serta (2) sikap kewirausahaan karyawan pembuat Pempek Belida PT Cita Rasa Palembang. Data yang diperoleh antara sebelum dan sesudah implementasi hasil pelatihan ergo-entrepreneurship akan dianalisis dengan uji t paired pada taraf signifikansi 5% (α = 0,05). Hasil penelitian pemberdayaan karyawan pembuat Pempek Belida PT Cita Rasa Palembang melalui pelatihan ergo-entrepreneurship yang meningkatkan prosentase kualitas hidup secara bermakna (p<0,05) dilihat dari: penurunan keluhan muskuloskeletal sebesar 25,02%; penurunan kelelahan karyawan sebesar 20,20%; dan penurunan beban kerja sebesar 21,30%; dan meningkatkan prosentase sikap kewirausahaan karyawan sebesar 31,42%.
PELATIHAN MANAJEMEN KOMITMEN DALAM BERORGANISASI PADA MAHASISWA
Authors: Hurriyati Dwi , Arisandy Desi
Published: July 2021

Organisasi adalah tempat dimana terdapat kumpulan individu yang mempunyai tujuan sama. Dalam berorganisasi individu saling berinteraksi dan bekerja sama dalam melakukan suatu kegiatan, sehingga perlunya komitmen. Komitmen yang ada dalam diri setiap individu tidak semuanya terikat kuat dalam berorganisasi. Komitmen berorganisasi sangat penting dalam pengembangan suatu organiasai. Perlu adanya kesadaran dalam komitmen organiasasi agar individu memiliki rasa tanggung jawab dalam mengembangan organiasi yang diikuti. Pengembangan organiasi itu akan mengembang bila individu memiliki manajemen diri yang baik. Pengembangan manajem komitmen adalag tahaoan dimana individu untuk mengatur tindakannya agar dapat hidup dengan terstruktur dan produktif. Metode penelitian ini dilakukan melalui skala TNA (Training Need Analysis), dengan aspek kepemimpinan, kerjasama, komitmen, teamwork, dan manajemen diri yang diikuti oleh 8 peseerta. Hasil perhitungan yang didapat melalui skala manajemen diri sebelum dan sesudah dilakukan dengan memberikan pretest dan posttest kepada subjek pelatihan diberikan. Pengukuran ini dilakukan dengan memberikan penilaian pada lembar observasi yang telah di buat peneliti dan membandingkan hasilnya. Pengujian hasil yang dilakukan dengan menggunakan teknik analisis uji statistik wilcoxon match pairs mendapatkan hasil Thitung=1,0 dengan nilai signifikansi 0,05 dan pada Ttabel=4. Hal ini menunjukkan Thitung < Ttabel sehingga ada pengaruh yang signifikan dari pelatihan manajemn diri dalam komitmen berorganisasi pada mahasiswa.
Pelatihan Prosedur Penanganan Dan Mitigasi Penyebaran Kasus Covid-19
Authors: Rahadi Dedi Rianto , Rusdianto Rusdianto , Suprayitno Hadi
Published: July 2021

Berdasarkan Journal of the American Medical Assosiation, para peneliti menemukan bahwa banyaknya orang yang terjangkit Covid-19 hanya mengalami gejala ringan dan tidak sampai meninggal. Corona Virus disebabkan oleh virus Sars-CoV-2, gejala yang ditimbulkan dapat disertai dengan Flu, batuk, demam, sesak, anosmia, lemas, nyeri otot dan juga diare. Tujuan adanya pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah untuk mengetahui seberapa bahayanya virus corona dan bagaimana cara mengatasi diri di perkantoran agar tidak tertular. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dan juga metode survei. Metode kualitatif bertujuan untuk penulis mengetahui fakta fakta yang terjadi dilapangan dan metode survei dilakukan untuk mengetahui seberapa banyak orang yang mengetahui permasalahan ini. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian mengenai berapa lama virus tersebut hidup pada sebuah benda atau permukaan. Pada baja, virus dapat bertahan selama 4 jam. Pada alumunium, virus dapat bertahan selama 2 hingga 8 jam. Pada logam, virus dapat bertahan hingga 5 hari. Hal ini dapat diketahui bahwa rentannya tertular virus hanya dengan menyentuh benda seperti yang telah disebutkan. Tidak hanya melalui benda atau permukaan, virus corona juga dapat menyebar dan bisa tertular melalui cairan berupa batuk, bersin dan berjabat tangan.
Mencegah Kecelakaan Kerja Dengan Budaya 5R
Authors: Suprayitno Hadi , Rahadi Dedi Rianto , Rusdianto Rusdianto
Published: July 2021

Kecelakaan kerja tentu menjadi hal yang tidak diinginkan oleh setiap orang. Melalui 5R atau 5S kemudian diciptakan ruang untk mengatur penataan ruang kerja demi mengurangi kecelakaan kerja. 5R atau 5S ini juga memiliki konsep yang sederhana untuk memberikan efektivitas dan efisiensi dari ruang kerja yang ada. Melalui budaya ini pula masyarakat kemudian diharapkan mampu menciptakan produktivitas yang lebih baik. Penelitian ini sendiri menggunakan metode deskriptif naratif dengan interaksi langsung bersama narasumber. Konsep 5R dan 5S juga terdiri dari konsep yang sederhana dimana memudahkan pemahaman dan implementasi.
Pelatihan Pengelolaan Pembukuan Dan Pelaporan Keuangan Bagi Pelaku UMKM Di Desa Kutakarya Karawang
Authors: Selvi Evi
Published: July 2021

Kurangnya pengetahuan dan informasi pasar serta rendahnya kompetensi SDM para pelaku UMKM di Kabupaten Karawang, menjadi salah satu kelemahan UMKM, sebagaimana dikatakan  Kepala Dinas Perindustrian, Perdagangan, Pertambangan dan Energi setempat,   “Itu hanya salah satu kendala, masih ada permasalahan atau kelemahan UMKM lainnya yang cukup menghambat pengembangan UMKM di Karawang,” Menurut Kepala Dinas Perisdustrian Perdagangan Kabupeten Karawang, permasalahan lain yang menjadi kendala dalam mengembangkan UMKM di Karawang ialah rendahnya jiwa kewirausahaan para pelaku UMKM dan aksebilitas terhadap sumber permodalan yang masih rendah. Para pelaku UMKM di Karawang, lebih lanjut kepala dinas perindustrian mengatakan disamping kendala tersebut diatas kendala lain adalah UMKM  belum mampu menjalin kemitraan secara baik kepada industri besar, serta pelaku UMKM belum mampu menghasilkan produk yang berkualitas.Sehingga dampak dari permasalahan dan kelemahan tersebut, produk-produk UMKM di Karawang belum memiliki daya saing di pasaran. Sehubungan dengan permasalahan lemahnya pemasaran produk UMKM di Karawang dan bagi para konsumen saya harapkan dapat menerima atau mengkonsumsi produk produk hasil UMKM dari Karawang, sehingga diharapkan dengan meningkatnya omset penjualan maka para pelaku UMKM juga dapat melakukan penambahan investasi untuk memperbaiki qualitas maupun kuantitas dari produk yang mereka hasilkan, sehingga dimasa yang akan datang hasil produk dari para UMKM di Karawang dapat bersaing dengan produk produk luar kota maupun luar negeri.
B.S. Johnson's Scaffolding: Form, the City, Cancer, Weeds
Authors: Cassels Imogen
Published: July 2021

B.S. Johnson's fiction makes high demands both of its readers and itself. In his statement that ‘telling stories is telling lies’, and desire to ‘tell the truth’, Johnson involves his process in his writing, dismantling the novel form as he also continues to employ it. This committed slipperiness makes him difficult to write about: to pigeonhole him as a po-faced experimentalist or unorthodox social-realist would be a detrimental simplification of his work. A productive consideration of Johnson, then, might look to unusual places: for example, his writerly movements can be re-considered with Lisa Robertson's work on scaffolding in mind. Scaffolding as critical metaphor is both specific enough in its details, and flexible enough in its scope, to manage Johnson's self-effacing difficulty. Johnson's readers, I argue, are required to do their own scaffolding, whether encountering Albert Angelo's gaps, or piecing together The Unfortunates. Seen thus, reading Johnson's novels is a constructive, if messy, act, a collaboration between reader and writer.
¿Un trabajo ilegal? Análisis crítico del discurso sobre el narcotráfico en jóvenes de Mexicali, Baja California
Authors: Gómez San Luis Anel Hortensia , Almanza Avendaño Ariagor Manuel
Published: July 2021

This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of discourses on drug trafficking made by young people from Mexicali, Baja California. Drug trafficking generates various ethical positions that encompass its acceptance, rejection, or ambivalence. The construction of their discourses is influenced by speeches produced by the government and entertainment media and by the degree of closeness to drug trafficking in everyday life. Discussion groups were held, and critical discourse analysis was carried out. Discourses about drug trafficking have implications for the incorporation of young people into the activity and its normalization in local contexts. It is recommended to research personal processes that promote the rejection of drug trafficking at an individual level, despite pragmatic acceptance that normalizes it in the community.
Automated detection of hot-gas path defects by Support Vector Machine based analysis of exhaust density fields
Authors: Oettinger Marcel , Wein Lars , Mimic Dajan , Gilge Philipp , Hartmann Ulrich , Seume Joerg
Published: July 2021

Defects in the hot-gas path of aero engines have been shown to leave typical signatures in the density distribution of the exhaust jet. These signatures are superposed when several defects are present. For improved maintenance and monitoring applications, it is important to not only detect that there are defects present but to also identify the individual classes of defects. This diagnostic approach benefits both, the analysis of prototype or acceptance test and the preparation of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul.
Recent advances in the analysis of tomographic Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) data have enabled the technique to be automated such that typical defects in the hot-gas path of gas turbines can be detected and distinguished automatically. This automation is achieved by using Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms. Choosing suitable identification parameters is critical and can enable SVM algorithms to distinguish between different defect types. The results show that the SVM can be trained such that almost no defects are missed and that false attributions of defect classes can be minimized.
Characterization of Particle Size Distribution of Plasma Lipoproteins in Dairy Cattle Using High-Resolution Polyacrylamide Electrophoresis
Authors: Duran Marcos Jofree , Kannampuzha-Francis Jasmine , Nydam Daryl , Behling-Kelly Erica
Published: July 2021

Plasma lipoproteins play critical roles in energy metabolism and inflammation. Concentrations of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are linked to reproductive outcomes and milk yields in dairy cattle. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which are enzymatically formed in the blood from very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) following secretion by the liver, have been used as a surrogate marker of liver function due to the rapid influx of circulating VLDL into the lactating mammary gland. In humans, the composition of plasma lipoproteins is reflected in lipoprotein particle size distribution, and both of these parameters are highly predictive of disease development and related health outcomes. Bovine HDL are overall larger, less dense particles compared to human HDL. Lipoprotein particle size distribution in both health and disease is understudied in the bovine. We hypothesize that a more detailed analysis of lipoproteins could hold diagnostic and/or prognostic value in the study of dairy cattle health and production. In this study, we took the first steps in this characterization and used a high-resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic assay to better define LDL and HDL at the subfraction level in Holstein cows at different stages of lactation. We extensively characterized the lipoprotein particle size distribution in healthy lactating dairy cattle. We identified subfractions of LDL that were prominent only in the dry period and subfractions of HDL that were highest in cows during mid-lactation. Use of this method could be informative in the study of multiple herds and management strategies, including longitudinal evaluation of animals and production parameters.
Candida Extracellular Nucleotide Metabolism Promotes Neutrophils Extracellular Traps Escape
Authors: Afonso Mariana , Mestre Ana Rita , Silva Guilherme , Almeida Ana Catarina , Cunha Rodrigo A. , Meyer-Fernandes José Roberto , Gonçalves Teresa , Rodrigues Lisa
Published: July 2021

Host innate immunity is fundamental to the resistance against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata infection, two of the most important agents contributing to human fungal infections. Phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, constitute the first line of host defense mechanisms, and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) represent an important strategy to immobilize and to kill invading microorganisms, arresting the establishment of infection. The purinergic system operates an important role in the homeostasis of immunity and inflammation, and ectophosphatase and ectonucleotidase activities are recognized as essential for survival strategies and infectious potential of several pathogens. The expression and unique activity of a 3′-nucleotidase/nuclease (3′NT/NU), able to hydrolyze not only AMP but also nucleic acids, has been considered as part of a possible mechanism of microbes to escape from NETs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if yeasts escape from the NET-mediated killing through their 3′NT/NU enzymatic activity contributing to NET-hydrolysis. After demonstrating the presence of 3′NT/NU activity in C. albicans, C. glabrata, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that, during neutrophils-Candida interaction, when NETs formation and release are triggered, NETs digestion occurs and this process of NETs disruption promoted by yeast cells was prevented by ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (TTM), a 3′NT/NU inhibitor. In conclusion, although the exact nature and specificity of yeasts ectonucleotidases are not completely unraveled, we highlight the importance of these enzymes in the context of infection, helping yeasts to overcome host defenses, whereby C. albicans and C. glabrata can escape NET-mediate killing through their 3′NT/NU activity.
Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Producing CTX-M, MCR-1, and FosA in Retail Food From Egypt
Authors: Ramadan Hazem , Soliman Ahmed M. , Hiott Lari M. , Elbediwi Mohammed , Woodley Tiffanie A. , Chattaway Marie A. , Jenkins Claire , Frye Jonathan G. , Jackson Charlene R.
Published: July 2021

In this study, multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli isolates from retail food and humans assigned into similar Multilocus Sequence Types (MLST) were analyzed using whole genome sequencing (WGS). In silico analysis of assembled sequences revealed the existence of multiple resistance genes among the examined E. coli isolates. Of the six CTX-M-producing isolates from retail food, blaCTX-M-14 was the prevalent variant identified (83.3%, 5/6). Two plasmid-mediated fosfomycin resistance genes, fosA3, and fosA4, were detected from retail food isolates (one each from chicken and beef), where fosA4 was identified in the chicken isolate 82CH that also carried the colistin resistance gene mcr-1. The blaCTX-M-14 and fosA genes in retail food isolates were located adjacent to insertion sequences ISEcp1 and IS26, respectively. Sequence analysis of the reconstructed mcr-1 plasmid (p82CH) showed 96–97% identity to mcr-1-carrying IncI2 plasmids previously identified in human and food E. coli isolates from Egypt. Hierarchical clustering of core genome MLST (HierCC) revealed clustering of chicken isolate 82CH, co-harboring mcr-1 and fosA4 genes, with a chicken E. coli isolate from China at the HC200 level (≤200 core genome allelic differences). As E. coli co-harboring mcr-1 and fosA4 genes has only been recently reported, this study shows rapid spread of this genotype that shares similar genetic structures with regional and international E. coli lineages originating from both humans and food animals. Adopting WGS-based surveillance system is warranted to facilitate monitoring the international spread of MDR pathogens.
The Neurocognitive Study for the Aging: Longitudinal Analysis on the Contribution of Sex, Age, Education and APOE ɛ4 on Cognitive Performance
Authors: Chadjikyprianou Andreas , Hadjivassiliou Marilena , Papacostas Savvas , Constantinidou Fofi
Published: July 2021

Objective: The effects of normal cognitive aging on executive functions (EF), Verbal Episodic Memory (VEM) and the contribution of age, sex, education, and APOΕ ε4 in a group of old Greek Cypriots across a five-year period were investigated.

Design: NEUROAGE, the first project on cognitive aging in Cyprus, is a prospective longitudinal study with a rolling admission process. Participants are assessed at baseline and retested every 24–30 months.

Subjects: 170 participants completed all three testing cycles; 86 men and 84 women with ages ranging between 60 and 88 years (mean = 73.21, SD = 5.84); education, 2–20 years (mean = 9.07, SD = 4.27).

Results: Α Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Covariance was conducted with one between-subject factor: sex; two covariates: age and education, while Time (time 1, time 2, time 3) served as a within – subject factor. Time did not have an effect on mini mental status examination in Greek (MMSE), EF or VEM. Also, sex had no effect on MMSE, EF and VEM. There was no time by sex interaction. Age and Education significantly predicted the EF performance, F(1, 168) = 11.23, p < 0.05; F(1, 158) = 90.03, p < 0.001 and VEM performance, F(1, 171) = 17.22, p < 0.001; F(1, 171) = 61.25, p < 0.001. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction effect between time and education, for EF, F(2, 167) = 7.02, p < 0.001. Performance of the APOE ε4 carriers did not differ on any of the above measures as compared to performance of non-carriers in this older adult group.

Conclusion: Cognitively healthy adults maintained overall cognitive performance across the five-year period. Male and female participants performed similarly and the pattern of change over time was similar across the two sexes. Education was predictive of VEM and EF performance across time. Furthermore, those with higher education maintained higher levels of EF performance. APOE results did not differentiate performance at baseline. Implications of findings are discussed.
A Large-Scale and Serverless Computational Approach for Improving Quality of NGS Data Supporting Big Multi-Omics Data Analyses
Authors: Mrozek Dariusz , Stępień Krzysztof , Grzesik Piotr , Małysiak-Mrozek Bożena
Published: July 2021

Various types of analyses performed over multi-omics data are driven today by next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques that produce large volumes of DNA/RNA sequences. Although many tools allow for parallel processing of NGS data in a Big Data distributed environment, they do not facilitate the improvement of the quality of NGS data for a large scale in a simple declarative manner. Meanwhile, large sequencing projects and routine DNA/RNA sequencing associated with molecular profiling of diseases for personalized treatment require both good quality data and appropriate infrastructure for efficient storing and processing of the data. To solve the problems, we adapt the concept of Data Lake for storing and processing big NGS data. We also propose a dedicated library that allows cleaning the DNA/RNA sequences obtained with single-read and paired-end sequencing techniques. To accommodate the growth of NGS data, our solution is largely scalable on the Cloud and may rapidly and flexibly adjust to the amount of data that should be processed. Moreover, to simplify the utilization of the data cleaning methods and implementation of other phases of data analysis workflows, our library extends the declarative U-SQL query language providing a set of capabilities for data extraction, processing, and storing. The results of our experiments prove that the whole solution supports requirements for ample storage and highly parallel, scalable processing that accompanies NGS-based multi-omics data analyses.
Early Elevation of Complement Factor Ba Is a Predictive Biomarker for Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Authors: Okamura Hiroshi , Nakamae Hirohisa , Shindo Takero , Ohtani Katsuki , Hidaka Yoshihiko , Ohtsuka Yasufumi , Makuuchi Yosuke , Kuno Masatomo , Takakuwa Teruhito , Harada Naonori , Nishimoto Mitsutaka , Nakashima Yasuhiro , Koh Hideo , Hirose Asao , Nakamae Mika , Wakamiya Nobutaka , Hino Masayuki , Inoue Norimitsu
Published: July 2021

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a fatal complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Previous reports suggest that TA-TMA is caused by complement activation by complement-related genetic variants; however, this needs to be verified, especially in adults. Here, we performed a nested case-control study of allo-HSCT-treated adults at a single center. Fifteen TA-TMA patients and 15 non-TA-TMA patients, matched according to the propensity score, were enrolled. Based on a previous report showing an association between complement-related genes and development of TA-TMA, we first sequenced these 17 genes. Both cohorts harbored several genetic variants with rare allele frequencies; however, there was no difference in the percentage of patients in the TA-TMA and non-TA-TMA groups with the rare variants, or in the average number of rare variants per patient. Second, we measured plasma concentrations of complement proteins. Notably, levels of Ba protein on Day 7 following allo-HSCT were abnormally and significantly higher in TA-TMA than in non-TA-TMA cases, suggesting that complement activation via the alternative pathway contributes to TA-TMA. All other parameters, including soluble C5b-9, on Day 7 were similar between the groups. The levels of C3, C4, CH50, and complement factors H and I in the TA-TMA group after Day 28 were significantly lower than those in the non-TA-TMA group. Complement-related genetic variants did not predict TA-TMA development. By contrast, abnormally high levels of Ba on Day 7 did predict development of TA-TMA and non-relapse mortality. Thus, Ba levels on Day 7 after allo-HSCT are a sensitive and prognostic biomarker of TA-TMA.
Regional Reef Fish Survey Design and Scaling Using High-Resolution Mapping and Analysis
Authors: Asner Gregory P. , Vaughn Nicholas , Grady Bryant W. , Foo Shawna A. , Anand Harish , Carlson Rachel R. , Shafron Ethan , Teague Christopher , Martin Roberta E.
Published: July 2021

Coral reefs are undergoing changes caused by coastal development, resource use, and climate change. The extent and rate of reef change demand robust and spatially explicit monitoring to support management and conservation decision-making. We developed and demonstrated an airborne-assisted approach to design and upscale field surveys of reef fish over an ecologically complex reef ecosystem along Hawai‘i Island. We also determined the minimal set of mapped variables, mapped reef strata, and field survey sites needed to meet three goals: (i) increase field survey efficiency, (ii) reduce field sampling costs, and (iii) ensure field sampling is geostatistically robust for upscaling to regional estimates of reef fish composition. Variability in reef habitat was best described by a combination of water depth, live coral and macroalgal cover, fine-scale reef rugosity, reef curvature, and latitude as a proxy for a regional climate-ecosystem gradient. In combination, these factors yielded 18 distinct reef habitats, or strata, throughout the study region, which subsequently required 117 field survey sites to quantify fish diversity and biomass with minimal uncertainty. The distribution of field sites was proportional to stratum size and the variation in benthic habitat properties within each stratum. Upscaled maps of reef survey data indicated that fish diversity is spatially more uniform than fish biomass, which was lowest in embayments and near land-based access points. Decreasing the number of field sites from 117 to 45 and 75 sites for diversity and biomass, respectively, resulted in a manageable increase of statistical uncertainty, but would still yield actionable trend data over time for the 60 km reef study region on Hawai‘i Island. Our findings suggest that high-resolution benthic mapping can be combined with stratified-random field sampling to generate spatially explicit estimates of fish diversity and biomass. Future expansions of the methodology can also incorporate temporal shifts in benthic composition to drive continuously evolving fish monitoring for sampling and upscaling. Doing so reduces field-based labor and costs while increasing the geostatistical power and ecological representativeness of field work.
Damping Control and Experiment on Active Hydro-Pneumatic Suspension of Sprayer Based on Genetic Algorithm Optimization
Authors: Qiao Chaofan , Wen Haojun , Liu Xinyue , Wang Guangyan
Published: July 2021

High ground clearance self-propelled sprayers usually work in complex road conditions. Due to the large body mass, wide spray boom breath and high center of gravity, the body and spray boom swing sharply during work, which affects operation quality and even endangers safety. This paper proposes a control plan for timely-started active hydro-pneumatic suspension, and designs a fuzzy PID control system based on genetic algorithm optimization. First, MATLAB software is used to simulate and analyze the model, so that the fuzzy PID control optimized by genetic algorithm is obtained. When the sprayer drives on D-grade road, as the speed increases, in comparison between the damping effect of the active suspension and traditional passive suspension, the corresponding root mean square value of vehicle body vibration acceleration decreases by 11.36 and 12.36%, respectively. On the E-grade road surface, with the increase of speed, the corresponding root mean square value of vehicle body vibration acceleration decreases by 13.25 and 14.89%, respectively. Based on indoor bench experiments, the proposed control strategy was verified. Under field road excitation, when the sprayer traveled at 5 km/h, the root mean square acceleration values of the passive and active suspensions were 1.080 and 0.847 m/s2, respectively; when the sprayer traveled at 8 km/h, the root mean square acceleration values of the passive and active suspensions were 1.412 and 1.125 m/s2, respectively, with the root mean square values of vibration acceleration reduced by 21.57 and 20.33%, respectively. Under sand-gravel road condition, when the sprayer traveled at 5 km/h, the root mean square acceleration values of the passive and active suspensions were 1.149 and 0.891 m/s2, respectively; when the sprayer traveled at 8 km/h, the root-mean-square acceleration values of the passive and active suspensions were 1.572 and 1.229 m/s2, respectively, with the root mean square values of vibration acceleration reduced by 22.45 and 21.82%, respectively. During the active control process, the suspension displacement is always kept within the limited range, and as the vehicle speed and road surface level increase, the active suspension has a significantly better damping effect than the passive suspension, which proves effectiveness of the active damping scheme.
Effects of 12-Week Multivitamin and Omega-3 Supplementation on Micronutrient Levels and Red Blood Cell Fatty Acids in Pre-menopausal Women
Authors: Osburn Shelby C. , Roberson Paul A. , Medler Jessica A. , Shake Jacob , Arnold Robert D. , Alamdari Nima , Bucci Luke R. , Vance Arianne , Sharafi Mastaneh , Young Kaelin C. , Roberts Michael D.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy of a customized vitamin-mineral supplement on blood biomarkers in pre-menopausal females. Women (21–40 years old) who were apparently healthy were recruited from the local community (ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration NCT03828097). Pretesting (PRE) occurred in the morning 5 ± 2 days following each participant's menses and involved a fasted blood draw, body mass assessment, and blood pressure assessment. Participants were then randomly assigned in a double-blinded fashion to either the multivitamins (MV) (n = 43) or placebo group (n = 51). Participants consumed two capsules per day with breakfast for 12 weeks. Following the trial, participants reported to the laboratory for POST assessments, which replicated PRE procedures. Red blood cell fatty acid and serum micronutrient analyses were performed in a blinded fashion at hematology laboratories. A group × time interaction was observed for serum vitamin D levels (p < 0.001). MV increased levels from PRE to POST (+43.7%, p < 0.001), whereas no change occurred in the placebo group. Additionally, 78% of MV participants at PRE exhibited inadequate vitamin D levels (<40 ng/dl), whereas only 30% exhibited levels below this threshold at POST. An interaction was also observed for serum folate levels (p < 0.001). MV increased serum folate from PRE to POST (p < 0.001), whereas no change occurred in the placebo group. Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid content increased from PRE to POST in the MV group (p < 0.001) and placebo group (p < 0.05), although POST values were greater in the MV group (p < 0.001). An interaction was observed for serum HDL cholesterol levels (p = 0.047), and a non-significant increase in this variable from PRE to POST occurred in the MV group (p = 0.060). Four-day food recalls indicated MV increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, folate, and other micronutrients. In summary, MV supplementation increased serum vitamin D, serum folate, and red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels. However, these data are limited to healthy females, and more research is needed to examine if MV can affect metabolic disturbances in individuals with micronutrient deficiencies.
Excessive Dietary Lipid Affecting Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Lipid Deposition, and Hepatopancreas Lipometabolism of Large-Sized Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Fan Ze , Li Jinnan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wu Di , Zheng Xianhu , Wang Chang'an , Wang Liansheng
Published: July 2021

An 82-day study was conducted to assess the effect of the dietary lipid levels on growth performance, feed utilization, lipid deposition, and hepatopancreas lipometabolism of large-sized common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Six isonitrogenous (300 g/kg protein) pelletized diets with different dietary lipid levels (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 g/kg) were fed in triplicate to fish groups with 75 individuals (with an initial mean weight of 247.00 ± 16.67 g). The results showed that there was a significant increase in weight gain (WG) rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) as dietary lipid levels increased from 30 to 60 g/kg (p < 0.05) and then there was a decline. Feed conversion rate (FCR) was observed to be significantly lower in 60 g/kg lipid treatments (p < 0.05). Muscle crude protein contents were obtained to be significantly higher in 60 and 90 g/kg treatments (p < 0.05). The crude lipid content in the hepatopancreas increased significantly with an increase in dietary lipid levels (p < 0.05). The expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) in the hepatopancreas was significantly downregulated with an increase in dietary lipid levels while the expression of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 (ACC-1), and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) was upregulated first in 30 and 60 g/kg lipid treatments and then downregulated significantly in other treatments. The results revealed that excess dietary lipid supplements (more than 60 g/kg) would inhibit WG and would aggravate the lipid decomposition in the hepatopancreas. Based on WGR and FCR, the dietary lipid levels of 59.5 and 70.4 g/kg were optimal for growth performance and feed utilization of large-sized common carp.
Targeted Glucose or Glutamine Metabolic Therapy Combined With PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Tumors - Mechanisms and Strategies
Authors: Ma Guofeng , Li Chun , Zhang Zhilei , Liang Ye , Liang Zhijuan , Chen Yuanbin , Wang Liping , Li Dan , Zeng Manqin , Shan Wenhong , Niu Haitao
Published: July 2021

Immunotherapy, especially PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapy, has led tumor therapy into a new era. However, the vast majority of patients do not benefit from immunotherapy. One possible reason for this lack of response is that the association between tumors, immune cells and metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment affect tumor immune escape. Generally, the limited amount of metabolites in the tumor microenvironment leads to nutritional competition between tumors and immune cells. Metabolism regulates tumor cell expression of PD-L1, and the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint regulates the metabolism of tumor and T cells, which suggests that targeted tumor metabolism may have a synergistic therapeutic effect together with immunotherapy. However, the targeting of different metabolic pathways in different tumors may have different effects on tumor immune escape. Herein, we discuss the influence of glucose metabolism and glutamine metabolism on tumor immune escape and describe the theoretical basis for strategies targeting glucose or glutamine metabolism in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.
Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation in Neonates: A 10-Year Overview and Predictive Model
Authors: Sauthier Michaël , Sauthier Nicolas , Bergeron Gallant Krystale , Lodygensky Gregory A. , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Emeriaud Guillaume , Jouvet Philippe
Published: July 2021

Objectives: Significant resources are devoted to neonatal prolonged mechanical ventilation (NPMV), but little is known about the outcomes in those children. Our primary objective was to describe the NPMV respiratory, digestive, and neurological outcomes at 18 months corrected age. Our second objective was on the early identification of which patients, among the NPMV cohort, will need to be ventilated for ≥125 days, which corresponded to the 75th percentile in the preliminary data, and to describe that subgroup.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included all children born between 2004 and 2013 who had a NPMV (≥21 days of invasive or noninvasive respiratory support reached between 40 and 44 weeks of postconceptional age). We used random forests, logistic regression with penalization, naive Bayes, and XGBoost to predict which patients will need ≥125 days of ventilation. We used a Monte Carlo cross validation.

Results: We included 164 patients. Of which, 40% (n = 66) were female, and the median gestational age was 29 weeks [interquartile range (IQR): 26–36 weeks] with a bimodal distribution. Median ventilation days were 104 (IQR: 66–139 days). The most frequently associated diagnoses were pulmonary hypertension (43%), early pulmonary dysplasia (41%), and lobar emphysema (37%). At 18 months corrected age, 29% (n = 47) had died, 59% (n = 97) were free of any respiratory support, and 45% (n = 74) were exclusively orally fed. A moderate area under the ROC curve of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.54–0.72) for identifying patients in need of ≥125 days of ventilation at inclusion was achieved by random forests classifiers. Among the 26 measured at inclusion, the most contributive ones were PCO2, inspired O2 concentration, and gestational age. At 18 months corrected age, patients ventilated for ≥125 days had a lower respiratory weaning success (76 vs. 87%, P = 0.05), lower exclusive oral feeding proportion (51 vs. 84%, P < 0.001), and a higher neurological impairment (median Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score 3 vs. 2, P = 0.008) than patients ventilated for < 125 days.

Conclusion: NPMV is a severe condition with a high risk of mortality, neurological impairment, and oral feed delay at 18 months. Most survivors are weaned of any respiratory support. We identified the risk factors that allow for the early identification of the most at-risk children of long-term ventilation with a moderate discrimination.
Real-Life Experience of mTOR Inhibitors in Liver Transplant Recipients in a Region Where Living Donation Is Predominant
Authors: Sung Pil Soo , Han Ji Won , Seo Changho , Ahn Joseph , Lee Soon Kyu , Nam Hee Chul , Choi Ho Joong , You Young Kyoung , Jang Jeong Won , Choi Jong Young , Yoon Seung Kew
Published: July 2021

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, such as everolimus and sirolimus, may be efficacious in preserving renal function in liver transplantation (LT) recipients while preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the safety, efficacy, and renoprotective effects of mTOR inhibitors in LT recipients. Among the 84 patients enrolled, mTOR inhibitor was commenced during the first year after LT. Renal function was measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.

Results: Regarding the type of mTOR inhibitor, everolimus was used in 71 patients and sirolimus in 13 patients. Concomitant tacrolimus was used in 63 patients (75.0%). For total enrolled patients, kidney function did not significantly change during 12 months after initiation of mTOR inhibitors, although tacrolimus-withdrawn patients (n = 21) showed better kidney function compared to tacrolimus-minimized patients (n = 63) after conversion. However, a significant improvement in kidney function was observed in the eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 group (n = 19) 12 months after initiation of mTOR inhibitors, for both patient groups with early + mid starters (n = 7, stating within 1 year after LT) and late starters (n = 12, starting over 1 year after LT). mTOR inhibitors were safely administered without serious adverse events that led to drug discontinuation.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that patients with renal impairment showed significant improvement in renal function regardless of the timing of mTOR inhibitor start, suggesting that switch to mTOR inhibitors may be beneficial when renal function declines.
Pharmacokinetics, Urinary Excretion, and Pharmaco-Metabolomic Study of Tebipenem Pivoxil Granules After Single Escalating Oral Dose in Healthy Chinese Volunteers
Authors: Li Zeyun , Su Mei , Cheng Weiyan , Xia Jueyu , Liu Shuaibing , Liu Ruijuan , Sun Suke , Feng Luyao , Zhu Xueya , Zhang Xiaojian , Tian Xin , Qu Lingbo
Published: July 2021

Tebipenem pivoxil (TBPM-PI), an oral carbapenem antibiotic, has shown special advantages in pediatric infections and was in urgent need in China. Although pharmacokinetics, urinary excretion, and metabolite information of its active form tebipenem (TBPM) has been reported, ethnic differences may exist among the Chinese and Japanese population. By now, no systematic pharmacokinetics, urinary excretion, metabolites, or safety information has been revealed to the Chinese population. The purpose of the present work was to investigate abovementioned information of TBPM-PI granules after oral single ascending doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg in Chinese volunteers. Based on the pharmacokinetic study, the urine pharmaco-metabolomic analysis was conducted to reveal metabolomic interruptions and metabolite information. The study design was a single-center, open-label, randomized, single-dose pharmacokinetic study of 36 healthy volunteers (with half of them being male and the other half female). Time to maximum concentration (Tmax) was reached at 0.50, 0.50, or 0.67 h for 100, 200, or 400 mg, respectively. The linear pharmacokinetic characteristic of maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was detected over 100–200 mg. The area under the concentration time curve (AUC) was proportional to the dose in the range of 100–400 mg. The maximum urinary excretion rate was detected at 0–1 or 1–2 h for dose of 100 or 200–400 mg. Cumulative amount of TBPM excreted in urine by 24 h accounted up to 90, 95, and 80% of dose administered for three groups, respectively. The pharmaco-metabolomic analysis revealed urine metabolic trajectory of deviation at 0–1 or 1–2 h and gradually regressing back to the pre-dose group at the following time periods. Urine metabolites from M1 to M4 were identified, indicating ethnic difference in metabolites among the Chinese or Japanese population. The current work proved safety and tolerance of single-dose administration of oral TBPM-PI in Chinese healthy volunteers over doses of 100–400 mg. All these results provide pharmacokinetics, urine excretion, urine metabolomics, urine metabolites, and safety information in healthy Chinese volunteers after oral single ascending doses of TBPM-PI, benefitting further development and clinical utilities.