bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Impact and Therapeutic Manipulation of the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Daliri Eric Banan-Mwine , Ofosu Fred Kwame , Chelliah Ramachandran , Lee Byong Hoon , Oh Deog-Hwan
Published: July 2020

Recent advances in microbiome studies have revealed much information about how the gut virome, mycobiome, and gut bacteria influence health and disease. Over the years, many studies have reported associations between the gut microflora under different pathological conditions. However, information about the role of gut metabolites and the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota affect health and disease does not provide enough evidence. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing and metabolomics coupled with large, randomized clinical trials are helping scientists to understand whether gut dysbiosis precedes pathology or gut dysbiosis is secondary to pathology. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge on the impact of gut bacteria, virome, and mycobiome interactions with the host and how they could be manipulated to promote health.
Exploring the Influences of Nurses’ Partnership with Parents, Attitude to Families’ Importance in Nursing Care, and Professional Self-Efficacy on Quality of Pediatric Nursing Care: A Path Model
Authors: Yoo So Yeon , Cho Haeryun
Published: July 2020

This study examined the effects of nurse–parent partnership, nurses’ attitude to families’ importance in nursing care, and nursing professional self-efficacy on the quality of pediatric nursing care. Background: The quality of pediatric nursing care based on family-centered care is defined by the qualitative care behavior of nurses from the perspective of hospitalized children and their families. Methods: The participants were 218 nurses in pediatric wards in hospitals. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and path analysis. Results: Among the factors influencing the perceived quality of respect, explanation, and skillfulness, nurse experience showed the greatest total effect. The nurse–parent partnership had the greatest direct effect on the quality of respect and the greatest total effect on kindness. Nursing professional self-efficacy showed the greatest direct effect on explanation and the largest total effect on nurse–parent partnership and nurses’ attitude to families’ importance in nursing care. Conclusions: To improve the quality of pediatric nursing care, it is necessary to provide a working environment in which pediatric nurses can work continuously. Hospitals should also develop a program that enables proper collaboration between nurses and parents of hospitalized children and improves nursing professional self-efficacy.
Stress Granule Formation Attenuates RACK1-Mediated Apoptotic Cell Death Induced by Morusin
Authors: Park Ye-Jin , Choi Dong Wook , Cho Sang Woo , Han Jaeseok , Yang Siyoung , Choi Cheol Yong
Published: July 2020

Stress granules are membraneless organelles composed of numerous components including ribonucleoproteins. The stress granules are characterized by a dynamic complex assembly in response to various environmental stressors, which has been implicated in the coordinated regulation of diverse biological pathways, to exert a protective role against stress-induced cell death. Here, we show that stress granule formation is induced by morusin, a novel phytochemical displaying antitumor capacity through barely known mechanisms. Morusin-mediated induction of stress granules requires activation of protein kinase R (PKR) and subsequent eIF2α phosphorylation. Notably, genetic inactivation of stress granule formation mediated by G3BP1 knockout sensitized cancer cells to morusin treatment. This protective function against morusin-mediated cell death can be attributed at least in part to the sequestration of receptors for activated C kinase-1 (RACK1) within the stress granules, which reduces caspase-3 activation. Collectively, our study provides biochemical evidence for the role of stress granules in suppressing the antitumor capacity of morusin, proposing that morusin treatment, together with pharmacological inhibition of stress granules, could be an efficient strategy for targeting cancer.
Bovine Follicular Fluid and Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Follicular Fluid Alter the Bovine Oviductal Epithelial Cells Transcriptome
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Mehedi , Viil Janeli , Lättekivi Freddy , Ord James , Reshi Qurat Ul Ain , Jääger Kersti , Velthut-Meikas Agne , Andronowska Aneta , Jaakma Ülle , Salumets Andres , Fazeli Alireza
Published: July 2020

While follicular fluid (FF) is well known to provide an optimal environment for oogenesis, its functional roles following its release into the oviduct during ovulation are currently elusive. We hypothesized that FF and FF-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be conveyors of signals capable of inducing functionally-relevant transcriptional responses in oviductal cells. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the effect of FF and FF-derived EVs on the transcriptome of primary bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOECs). We examined the gene expression of BOECs in three conditions: BOECs cultured with FF, FF-derived EVs, and without supplementations. For each condition, cells were cultured for 6 and 24 h. RNA sequencing results revealed that FF had a stronger effect on BOECs gene expression compared to EVs. We detected 488 and 1998 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with FF treatment in 6 and 24 h, respectively, whereas only 41 DEGs were detected at 6 h following EV treatment. Pathway analysis of the FF-induced DEGs showed that several pathways were highly enriched, notably oxidative phosphorylation, thermogenesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Some of these pathways have a role in sperm survival, fertilization, and early embryo development. In conclusion, the findings of our study demonstrate for the first time that bovine FF and FF-derived EVs can induce changes in the gene expression of the bovine oviductal cells which, although observed in vitro, may be reflective of in vivo responses which may contribute to a favorable periconceptional microenvironment for sperm survival, fertilization, and early embryo development.
Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Able to Use bFGF Treatment and Represent a Superb Tool for Immunosuppressive Clinical Applications
Authors: Tesarova Lenka , Jaresova Klara , Simara Pavel , Koutna Irena
Published: July 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising tool in cellular therapy for restoring immune system haemostasis; however, the success of clinical trials has been impaired by the lack of standardized manufacturing processes. This study aims to determine the suitability of source tissues and culture media for the production of MSC-based advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and to define parameters to extend the set of release criteria. MSCs were isolated from umbilical cord (UC), bone marrow and lipoaspirate and expanded in three different culture media. MSC phenotype, proliferation capacity and immunosuppressive parameters were evaluated in normal MSCs compared to primed MSCs treated with cytokines mimicking an inflammatory environment. Compared to bone marrow and lipoaspirate, UC-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) showed the highest proliferative capacity, which was further enhanced by media supplemented with bFGF, while the cells maintained their immunosuppressive characteristics. Moreover, UC-MSCs expanded in the bFGF-enriched medium were the least sensitive to undesirable priming-induced changes in the MSC phenotype. Surface markers and secreted factors were identified to reflect the cell response to inflammatory priming and to be variable among MSCs from different source tissues. This study demonstrates that UC is a favorable cell source for manufacturing MSC-based ATMPs for immunosuppressive applications. UC-MSCs are able to use the bFGF-enriched medium for higher cell yields without the impairment of immunosuppressive parameters and undesirable phenotype changes after inflammatory preconditioning of MSCs before transplantation. Additionally, immunosuppressive parameters were identified to help finding predictors of clinically efficient MSCs in the following clinical trials.
Beneficial Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism on Myocardial Fibrosis in an Experimental Model of the Myxomatous Degeneration of the Mitral Valve
Authors: Ibarrola Jaime , Garaikoetxea Mattie , Garcia-Peña Amaia , Matilla Lara , Jover Eva , Bonnard Benjamin , Cuesta Maria , Fernández-Celis Amaya , Jaisser Frederic , López-Andrés Natalia
Published: July 2020

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) patients develop myocardial fibrosis that is not solely explained by volume overload, but the pathophysiology has not been defined. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) improve cardiac function by decreasing cardiac fibrosis in other heart diseases. We examined the role of MRA in myocardial fibrosis associated with myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve. Myocardial fibrosis has been analyzed in a mouse model of mitral valve myxomatous degeneration generated by pharmacological treatment with Nordexfenfluramine (NDF) in the presence of the MRA spironolactone. In vitro, adult human cardiac fibroblasts were treated with NDF and spironolactone. In an experimental mouse, MRA treatment reduced interstitial/perivascular fibrosis and collagen type I deposition. MRA administration blunted NDF-induced cardiac expression of vimentin and the profibrotic molecules galectin-3/cardiotrophin-1. In parallel, MRA blocked the increase in cardiac non-fibrillar proteins such as fibronectin, aggrecan, decorin, lumican and syndecan-4. The following effects are blocked by MRA: in vitro, in adult human cardiac fibroblasts, NDF-treatment-induced myofibroblast activation, collagen type I and proteoglycans secretion. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, the contribution of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) to the development of myocardial fibrosis associated with mitral valve myxomatous degeneration. MRA could be a therapeutic approach to reduce myocardial fibrosis associated with MVP.
Consumption of Wild Rice (Zizania latifolia) Prevents Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease through the Modulation of the Gut Microbiota in Mice Model
Authors: Hou Xiao-Dong , Yan Ning , Du Yong-Mei , Liang Hui , Zhang Zhong-Feng , Yuan Xiao-Long
Published: July 2020

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) due to excess weight and obesity threatens public health worldwide. Gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to obesity and related diseases. The cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of wild rice have been reported in several studies; however, whether it has beneficial effects on the gut microbiota is unknown. Here, we show that wild rice reduces body weight, liver steatosis, and low-grade inflammation, and improves insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. High-throughput 16S rRNA pyrosequencing demonstrated that wild rice treatment significantly changed the gut microbiota composition in mice fed an HFD. The richness and diversity of the gut microbiota were notably decreased upon wild rice consumption. Compared with a normal chow diet (NCD), HFD feeding altered 117 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and wild rice supplementation reversed 90 OTUs to the configuration in the NCD group. Overall, our results suggest that wild rice may be used as a probiotic agent to reverse HFD-induced MAFLD through the modulation of the gut microbiota.
miR-142-3p Expression Is Predictive for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Trauma Patients
Authors: Schindler Cora Rebecca , Woschek Mathias , Vollrath Jan Tilmann , Kontradowitz Kerstin , Lustenberger Thomas , Störmann Philipp , Marzi Ingo , Henrich Dirk
Published: July 2020

Background: Predictive biomarkers in biofluids are the most commonly used diagnostic method, but established markers in trauma diagnostics lack accuracy. This study investigates promising microRNAs (miRNA) released from affected tissue after severe trauma that have predictive values for the effects of the injury. Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data and blood samples of n = 33 trauma patients (ISS ≥ 16) is provided. Levels of miR-9-5p, -124-3p, -142-3p, -219a-5p, -338-3p and -423-3p in severely injured patients (PT) without traumatic brain injury (TBI) or with severe TBI (PT + TBI) and patients with isolated TBI (isTBI) were measured within 6 h after trauma. Results: The highest miR-423-3p expression was detected in patients with severe isTBI, followed by patients with PT + TBI, and lowest levels were found in PT patients without TBI (2−∆∆Ct, p = 0.009). A positive correlation between miR-423-3p level and increasing AIShead (p = 0.001) and risk of mortality (RISC II, p = 0.062) in trauma patients (n = 33) was found. ROC analysis of miR-423-3p levels revealed them as statistically significant to predict the severity of brain injury in trauma patients (p = 0.006). miR-124-3p was only found in patients with severe TBI, miR-338-3p was shown in all trauma groups. miR-9-5p, miR-142-3p and miR-219a-5p could not be detected in any of the four groups. Conclusion: miR-423-3p expression is significantly elevated after isolated traumatic brain injury and predictable for severe TBI in the first hours after trauma. miR-423-3p could represent a promising new biomarker to identify severe isolated TBI.
Bacteroides fragilis Enterotoxin Induces Sulfiredoxin-1 Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cell Lines Through a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases- and Nrf2-Dependent Pathway, Leading to the Suppression of Apoptosis
Authors: Jeon Jong Ik , Choi Jun Ho , Lee Keun Hwa , Kim Jung Mogg
Published: July 2020

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis is a causative agent of colitis and secrets enterotoxin (BFT), leading to the disease. Sulfiredoxin (Srx)-1 serves to protect from oxidative damages. Although BFT can generate reactive oxygen species in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), no Srx-1 expression has been reported in ETBF infection. In this study, we explored the effects of ETBF-produced BFT on Srx-1 induction in IECs. Treatment of IECs with BFT resulted in increased expression of Srx-1 in a time-dependent manner. BFT treatment also activated transcriptional signals including Nrf2, AP-1 and NF-κB, and the Srx-1 induction was dependent on the activation of Nrf2 signals. Nrf2 activation was assessed using immunoblot and Nrf2-DNA binding activity and the specificity was confirmed by supershift and competition assays. Suppression of NF-κB or AP-1 signals did not affect the upregulation of Srx-1 expression. Nrf2-dependent Srx-1 expression was associated with the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in IECs. Furthermore, suppression of Srx-1 significantly enhanced apoptosis while overexpression of Srx-1 significantly attenuated apoptosis during exposure to BFT. These results imply that a signaling cascade involving p38 and Nrf2 is essential for Srx-1 upregulation in IECs stimulated with BFT. Following this upregulation, Srx-1 may control the apoptosis in BFT-exposed IECs.
Exosomal MicroRNAs in Pregnancy Provides Insight into a Possible Cure for Cancer
Authors: Pillay Preenan , Moodley Kogi , Vatish Manu , Moodley Jagidesa
Published: July 2020

The biological links between cancer and pregnancy are of recent interest due to parallel proliferative, immunosuppressive and invasive mechanisms between tumour and trophoblast development. Therefore, understanding “cancer-like” mechanisms in pregnancy could lead to the development of novel cancer therapeutics, however, little is understood on how tumour and trophoblast cells recapitulate similar molecular mechanisms. Based on our observations from a previous study, it was not only evident that exosomal miRNAs are involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia but also contained cancer-specific miRNAs, which suggested that “pseudo-malignant-like” exosomal-mediated mechanisms exist in pregnancy. The presented study therefore aimed to identify exosomal miRNAs (exomiR) in pregnancy which can be repurposed towards preventing tumour metastasis and immunosuppression. It was identified that exomiR-302d-3p, exomiR-223-3p and exomiR-451a, commonly associated with cancer metastasis, were found to be highly expressed in pregnancy. Furthermore, computational merging and meta-analytical pathway analysis (DIANA miRPath) of significantly expressed exomiRs between 38 ± 1.9 vs. 30 ± 1.11 weeks of gestation indicated controlled regulation of biological pathways associated with cancer metastasis and immunosuppression. Therefore, the observations made in this study provide the experimental framework for the repurposing of exosomal miRNA molecular mechanisms in pregnancy towards treating and preventing cancer.
Synthesis of a New [3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-5-ylidene]acetic Acid Derivative
Authors: Szczepański Jacek , Tuszewska Helena , Trotsko Nazar
Published: July 2020

The new methyl [3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-{[(2,4-dichloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methylidene]hydrazinylidene}-4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-5-ylidene]acetate was synthesized from 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methylidene-3-thiosemicarbazide using dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate as thia-Michael reaction acceptor. New compounds (3 and 4) were characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy methods.
Genetic Alterations in Renal Cancers: Identification of The Mechanisms Underlying Cancer Initiation and Progression and of Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Testa Ugo , Pelosi Elvira , Castelli Germana
Published: July 2020

Renal cell cancer (RCC) involves three most recurrent sporadic types: clear-cell RCC (70–75%, CCRCC), papillary RCCC (10–15%, PRCC), and chromophobe RCC (5%, CHRCC). Hereditary cases account for about 5% of all cases of RCC and are caused by germline pathogenic variants. Herein, we review how a better understanding of the molecular biology of RCCs has driven the inception of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Genomic research has identified relevant genetic alterations associated with each RCC subtype. Molecular studies have clearly shown that CCRCC is universally initiated by Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene dysregulation, followed by different types of additional genetic events involving epigenetic regulatory genes, dictating disease progression, aggressiveness, and differential response to treatments. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and progression of RCC has considerably expanded treatment options; genomic data might guide treatment options by enabling patients to be matched with therapeutics that specifically target the genetic alterations present in their tumors. These new targeted treatments have led to a moderate improvement of the survival of metastatic RCC patients. Ongoing studies based on the combination of immunotherapeutic agents (immune check inhibitors) with VEGF inhibitors are expected to further improve the survival of these patients.
Immunomodulatory Effect of a Salvia plebeia R. Aqueous Extract in Forced Swimming Exercise-induced Mice
Authors: Shin Jinseop , Kim Ok-kyung , Kim Shintae , Bae Donghyuck , Lee Jeongmin , Park Jeongjin , Jun Woojin
Published: July 2020

This study investigated the immunomodulatory effect of Salvia plebeia R. aqueous extract (FIE-SP, SPW) in forced swimming exercise-induced mice and the immunostimulatory effects on Raw264.7 cells. Mice were randomly assigned to four groups: the control group (CON), the forced swimming test group (FST), and two FIE-SP groups (low and high dose of FIE-SP). Compared with the control group, the FIE-SP groups showed significantly increased ratios of T lymphocyte surface markers CD4+/CD8+ and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)I/MHCII, as well as increased concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG. FIE-SP groups significantly increased Th1 cytokines and decreased Th2 cytokines compared with negative control exercise-induced mice. Conversely, the immunostimulatory effects of FIE-SP significantly increased phagocytic activities, nitric oxide (NO) production, and pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β in Raw264.7 cells. Furthermore, FIE-SP increased natural killer (NK) cell activities and cytokines (IL-12) in splenocytes compared with the CON group. These results indicated that FIE-SP supplementation could prevent imbalanced immune states and produce immunostimulatory effects to support innate immunity.
Identifying Precipitation and Reference Evapotranspiration Trends in West Africa to Support Drought Insurance
Authors: Blakeley S. Lucille , Sweeney Stuart , Husak Gregory , Harrison Laura , Funk Chris , Peterson Pete , Osgood Daniel E.
Published: July 2020

West Africa represents a wide gradient of climates, extending from tropical conditions along the Guinea Coast to the dry deserts of the south Sahara, and it has some of the lowest income, most vulnerable populations on the planet, which increases catastrophic impacts of low and high frequency climate variability. This paper investigates low and high frequency climate variability in West African monthly and seasonal precipitation and reference evapotranspiration from the early 1980s to 2016. We examine the impact of those trends and how they interact with payouts from index insurance products. Understanding low and high frequency variability in precipitation and reference evapotranspiration at these scales can provide insight into trends during periods critical to agricultural performance across the region. For index insurance, it is important to identify low-frequency variability, which can result in radical departures between designed/planned and actual insurance payouts, especially in the later part of a 30-year period, a common climate analysis period. We find that evaporative demand and precipitation are not perfect substitutes for monitoring crop deficits and that there may be space to use both for index insurance design. We also show that low yields—aligned with the need for insurance payouts—can be predicted using classification trees that include both precipitation and reference evapotranspiration.
Research on Image Reconstruction of Compressed Sensing Based on a Multi-Feature Residual Network
Authors: Nan Ruili , Sun Guiling , Wang Zhihong , Ren Xiangnan
Published: July 2020

In order to solve the problem of how to quickly and accurately obtain crop images during crop growth monitoring, this paper proposes a deep compressed sensing image reconstruction method based on a multi-feature residual network. In this method, the initial reconstructed image obtained by linear mapping is input to a multi-feature residual reconstruction network, and multi-scale convolution is used to autonomously learn different features of the crop image to realize deep reconstruction of the image, and complete the inverse solution of compressed sensing. Compared with traditional image reconstruction methods, the deep learning-based method relaxes the assumptions about the sparsity of the original crop image and converts multiple iterations into deep neural network calculations to obtain higher accuracy. The experimental results show that the compressed sensing image reconstruction method based on the multi-feature residual network proposed in this paper can improve the quality of crop image reconstruction.
TumorGAN: A Multi-Modal Data Augmentation Framework for Brain Tumor Segmentation
Authors: Li Qingyun , Yu Zhibin , Wang Yubo , Zheng Haiyong
Published: July 2020

The high human labor demand involved in collecting paired medical imaging data severely impedes the application of deep learning methods to medical image processing tasks such as tumor segmentation. The situation is further worsened when collecting multi-modal image pairs. However, this issue can be resolved through the help of generative adversarial networks, which can be used to generate realistic images. In this work, we propose a novel framework, named TumorGAN, to generate image segmentation pairs based on unpaired adversarial training. To improve the quality of the generated images, we introduce a regional perceptual loss to enhance the performance of the discriminator. We also develop a regional L1 loss to constrain the color of the imaged brain tissue. Finally, we verify the performance of TumorGAN on a public brain tumor data set, BraTS 2017. The experimental results demonstrate that the synthetic data pairs generated by our proposed method can practically improve tumor segmentation performance when applied to segmentation network training.
Girls4STEM: Gender Diversity in STEM for a Sustainable Future
Authors: Benavent Xaro , de Ves Esther , Forte Anabel , Botella-Mascarell Carmen , López-Iñesta Emilia , Rueda Silvia , Roger Sandra , Perez Joaquin , Portalés Cristina , Dura Esther , Garcia-Costa Daniel , Marzal Paula
Published: July 2020

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are key disciplines towards tackling the challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals. However, evidence shows that women are enrolling in these disciplines in a smaller percentage than men, especially in Engineering related fields. As stated by the United Nations Women section, increasing the number of women studying and working in STEM fields is fundamental towards achieving better solutions to the global challenges, since the potential for innovation is larger. In this paper, we present the Girls4STEM project, which started in 2019 at the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria de la Universitat de València, Spain. This project works towards breaking the stereotypes linked to STEM fields, addressing both boys and girls aged from 6 to 18, but especially trying to open the range of career options for young girls through interaction with female STEM experts. The goal is to spark girls’ interest in STEM disciplines from childhood, so that they become more self-confident in these areas. To achieve this goal, the project is built over three main actions: the Girls4STEM Family Talks, where students, families, and teachers participate; the Girls4STEM Professional Talks, where the target is a general audience; and the Initial Training Seminars for teachers. Short-term results are here presented, showing that aspects related to self-perception and perception from others (family, teachers) play a significant role. Moreover, these results also indicate that there may not be a general understanding of which disciplines are included in STEM.
Social Representations of Flooding of Future Teachers of Primary Education (Social Sciences): A Geographical Approach in the Spanish Mediterranean Region
Authors: Morote Álvaro-Francisco , Hernández María
Published: July 2020

The risk of flooding is the main natural hazard that affects the European Mediterranean region. This hazard has worsened in recent decades due to the occupation of flood areas and the effects of climate change. Therefore, understanding and gaining a more in-depth knowledge of social representations of flooding is important. In addition, interest in this subject is accentuated in the case of future teachers. This is because it is mandatory to teach this subject in Primary Education (Grades 1–6; Social Sciences subject). The aims of this research are: (1) To explore the instruction about flooding received by future teachers during their school period, and (2) to examine their perception about factors influencing flood risk. Methodologically, a questionnaire was distributed among future teachers of Primary Education (Faculty of Teaching Training, University of Valencia, Spain). The results regarding the respondents’ perception show that only 21.3% of the future teachers received instruction about floods during their school period. With reference to factors that influence floods, they mostly believe that the main factors are climate change and the spatial land management. Furthermore, 51.3% believe that this phenomenon has been increasing over the last few years, and 82.5% think that it rains heavier today.
Cross-National Study on the Perception of the Korean Wave and Cultural Hybridity in Indonesia and Malaysia Using Discourse on Social Media
Authors: Lee Yu Lim , Jung Minji , Nathan Robert Jeyakumar , Chung Jae-Eun
Published: July 2020

In the era of globalization, due to the prevalent cultural exchange between countries, inflows of foreign cultural products can enrich local culture by hybridizing local and global culture together. Although there have been numerous studies on cultural hybridity using qualitative interviews with recipients of foreign cultural products in single countries, cross-national studies that examine the national characteristics that facilitate or impede cultural hybridity remain scarce. The purpose of the present study is to identify the factors that promote or hinder cultural hybridity between the Korean Wave and Muslim culture by probing the similarities and differences in social media data on Korean cultural products between Indonesia and Malaysia using a semantic network analysis. The results of the study uncovered the three factors that promote cultural hybridity (‘Asian identity’, policies emphasizing ‘unity in ethnic diversity’, and ‘local consumers xenocentrism’) and the two hindering elements (‘a conservative nature of religion’ and ‘discrimination between ethnic groups’). Theoretical contributions and practical implications are also provided for promoting cultural hybridity.
Life Cycle Assessment of Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Sherry Jesse , Koester Jennifer
Published: July 2020

Salmon aquaculture has grown rapidly and is expected to continue to grow to meet consumer demand. Due to concerns about the environmental impacts associated with salmon aquaculture, eco-labeling groups have developed standards intended to hold salmon producers accountable and provide a more sustainable option to consumers. This study utilized life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impacts of salmon raised to Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification standards in order to determine if ASC certification achieves the intended reductions in impact. We find that environmental impacts, such as global warming potential, do not decrease with certification. We also find that salmon feed, in contrast to the on-site aquaculture practices, dominates the environmental impacts of salmon aquaculture and contributes to over 80% of impacts in ozone depletion, global warming potential, acidification, and ecotoxicity. Based on these findings, we recommend that eco-labeling groups prioritize reducing the environmental impacts of the feed supply chain.
The Use of Drones in Disaster Aerial Needs Reconnaissance and Damage Assessment – Three-Dimensional Modeling and Orthophoto Map Study
Authors: Zwęgliński Tomasz
Published: July 2020

The aim of this research is to provide disaster managers with the results of testing three-dimensional modeling and orthophoto mapping, so as to add value to aerial assessments of flood-related needs and damages. The relevant testing of solutions concerning the real needs of disaster managers is an essential part of the pre-disaster phase. As such, providing evidence-based results of the solutions’ performance is critical with regard to purchasing them and their successful implementation for disaster management purposes. Since disaster response is mostly realized in complex and dynamic, rather than repetitive, environments, it requires pertinent testing methods. A quasi-experimental approach, applied in a form of a full-scale trial meets disaster manager’s requirements as well as addressing limitations resulting from the disaster environment’s characteristics. Three-dimensional modeling and orthophoto mapping have already proven their potential in many professional fields; however, they have not yet been broadly tested for disaster response purposes. Therefore, the objective here is to verify the technologies regarding their applicability in aerial reconnaissance in sudden-onset disasters. The hypothesis assumes that they will improve the efficiency (e.g., time) and effectiveness (e.g., accuracy of revealed data) of this process. The research verifies that the technologies have a potential to facilitate disaster managers with more precise damage assessment; however, their effectivity was less than expected in terms of needs reconnaissance. Secondly, the overall assessment process is heavily burdened by data processing time, however, the technologies allow a reduction of analytical work.
Will Businesses and Business Schools Meet the Grand Challenges of the Era?
Authors: Waddock Sandra
Published: July 2020

Meeting today’s grand challenges means changing the economics paradigm that informs both business practice and business/management education. This paper asks whether business schools meet the challenges of the 21st century and argues not without shifting away from the core—neoliberal—paradigm of economics. This essay makes the following argument. Paradigms shape narratives. Changing core narratives is a powerful lever for transformation. Narratives are constructed of core ideas (memes) that replicate readily from mind to mind. Neoliberalism’s memes are pervasive and highly resonant in business schools. To move towards sustainability, the fundamentals taught in business school need to shift away from neoliberalism’s tenets towards what gives life to economic systems. From a theory perspective, neoliberalism’s lack of attention to social and ecological consequences of economic activity plays a large part in shaping today’s crises, including the pandemic, climate change, and biodiversity loss. A new/next economics paradigm is needed that shifts away from an emphasis on only financial wealth and constant economic growth on a finite plant towards life-centered economies that foster wellbeing and flourishing for all, creating what scholars call collective value. The result of this analysis is a conceptualization supporting new memes that include collaboration and competition, stewardship of the whole system, a cosmopolitan to local sensibility, and recognition of humanity’s deep embeddedness and connection with other people, other beings, and nature. The article concludes that business schools need to meet this challenge head on, changing the fundamentals of what is taught and why.
Policy Design and Implementation of a New Public Rental Housing Management Scheme in China: A Step Forward or an Uncertain Fate?
Authors: Luo Dan , van der Heijden Harry , Boelhouwer Peter J.
Published: July 2020

The management of the public rental sector has undergone tremendous change worldwide. Especially in China, given the large supply of public rental housing (PRH) in the short term, the management of PRH (PRHM) has been faced with a series of problems. The existing PRHM is unsustainable and a new scheme has been proposed. In this study we analyze whether this new scheme can solve the former management problems and achieve the reform objectives, so as to explore whether the new scheme can really improve the PRHM. We analyzed the new policy, contracts and bidding documents of 19 pilot projects and interviewed some implementation staffs. We found that the well-intended policy mainly proposed three measures: government procurement, new financial arrangement and guided service contents; but that these measures lack specific financial support. Furthermore, there are very few projects that involve full implementation; most of the projects employed a compromise strategy. In general, the new scheme made progress towards solving some of the existing problems, so even if it is selectively implemented, it is still likely to achieve the reform objectives.
Identification of a Continuously Stable and Commercially Available Cell Line for the Identification of Infectious African Swine Fever Virus in Clinical Samples
Authors: Rai Ayushi , Pruitt Sarah , Ramirez-Medina Elizabeth , Vuono Elizabeth A. , Silva Ediane , Velazquez-Salinas Lauro , Carrillo Consuelo , Borca Manuel V. , Gladue Douglas P.
Published: July 2020

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is causing outbreaks both in domestic pigs and wild boar in Europe and Asia. In 2018, the largest pig producing country, China, reported its first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). Since then, the disease has quickly spread to all provinces in China and to other countries in southeast Asia, and most recently to India. Outbreaks of the disease occur in Europe as far west as Poland, and one isolated outbreak has been reported in Belgium. The current outbreak strain is highly contagious and can cause a high degree of lethality in domestic pigs, leading to widespread and costly losses to the industry. Currently, detection of infectious ASFV in field clinical samples requires accessibility to primary swine macrophage cultures, which are infrequently available in most regional veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Here, we report the identification of a commercially available cell line, MA-104, as a suitable substrate for virus isolation of African swine fever virus.
TARİHÎ RİVAYETERE GÖRE HZ. HASAN'IN HALİFELİĞİ
Authors: Hançabay Halil İbrahim
Published: July 2020

Hz. Peygamber’in vefatından sonra Hulefâ-yi Râşidîn olarak isimlendirilen
dönem birçok açıdan önem taşımaktadır. Bu dönemde İslâm toplumunun kendi içinde
yaşadığı değişimlerin yanında fetihler neticesinde farklı medeniyetlere mensup
topluluklarla karşılaşmalar sonucu ortaya çıkan sorunlara yönelik çözüm
arayışları müslümanları en fazla meşgul eden meseleler olmuştur. Bu noktada Hz.
Osman’ın şehit edilmesiyle başlayan ve Hz Ali döneminde devam gelen hadiseler
sonuçları itibariyle her zaman önemini muhafaza etmiştir. Özellikle Cemel ve
Sıffîn savaşlarında temel mesele Hz. Osman’ın katillerinin bulunup
cezalandırılması talebiydi, ancak Tahkim olayıyla birlikte bu talep daha farklı
bir soruna dönüştü. Bir başka ifadeyle Tahkim olayında mesele Hz. Osman’ın
katillerinin cezalandırılmasını istemekten ziyade hilafeti kimin üstleneceğinde
düğümlendi. Nihayet Hz. Ali’nin vefatından sonra Hz. Hasan müslümanların
halifesi oldu ve yaklaşık altı ay sonra görevini Muâviye’ye devretti. Böylece
uzun yıllar müslümanlar arasında meydana gelen fitne hadiseleri sona erdi. Hz.
Hasan’ın halifeliğini mercek altına almayı hedefleyen bu çalışmada öncelikle
Hz. Hasan’ın halifelik öncesi hayatı ve halife olması üzerinde duruldu. Daha
sonra halifelikten ayrılması ve görevi Muâviye’ye devretmesiyle sonuçlanan
gelişmeler ele alındı. Son olarak vefat etmeden önce zehirlendiğine dair
iddialar değerlendirildi ve şahsiyetiyle ilgili bazı temel hususlara işaret
edildi.
SOSYAL MEDYADA KULLANILAN CAPS’LERİN TELİF HUKUKU BOYUTU VE YASAL DÜZENLEMELERİN YETERLİLİĞİ
Authors: KARAASLAN Pelin
Published: July 2020

Resim, fotoğraf, film kesiti veya karikatür çizimlerinin esprili bir yazıyla tamamlanmış hali olarak tanımlayabileceğimiz caps’ler hem iletişimin hem de mizahın yeni bir türü olarak dijital kültürdeki yerini çoktan almıştır ve kullanımı özellikle de sosyal medyada yaygınlaşmaktadır. Pek çok yeni olgu gibi caps’ler de bir takım hukuki sorunları beraberinde getirmektedir. Bu makalede, tek başına değerlendirildiğinde Fikir ve Sanat Eserleri Kanunu (FSEK) kapsamında korunan ve başkalarınca izinsiz kullanılması yasaklanan görsellerin, caps görünümünü aldığında telif hukukundaki yerinin ne olacağı tartışılacaktır. Bazı sanat tarihçilerinin sanatın yeni bir formu olarak değerlendirdikleri caps’lerin FSEK kapsamında başlı başına bir “eser” olarak görülüp görülemeyeceği ve caps’e konu olan görsellerin izin almaksızın kullanımının hangi hallerde mümkün olabileceği, çalışmada cevap aranacak sorulardır. Bu bağlamda özellikle, caps’lerin “parodi” ya da “alıntı” niteliğine sahip olup olmadığı tartışılacak ve yeri geldikçe de FSEK’in, başta internet ortamında olmak üzere dünya genelinde hızla değişmekte olan kültür anlayışına cevap vermekte ne kadar yeterli olduğuna değinilecektir.
188 SAYILI ILO BALIKÇILIK İSTİHDAM SÖZLEŞMESİ IŞIĞINDA İŞ HUKUKUNDA BALIKÇILIK
Authors: ÖZER Hatice Duygu
Published: July 2020

Balıkçılar, iş sözleşmesiyle çalışan ancak diğer çalışanlara göre farklı çalışma ortamı ve koşullarına tabi olan işçilerdir. Yapmakta oldukları işin doğası gereği ortaya çıkan farklılık, bu grupta çalışanların hangi iş mevzuatına tabi olacaklarını belirlemede güçlük arz edebilmektedir. Çalışmamızda öncelikle balıkçılık faaliyetinin sınırları çizilerek, balıkçıların tabi olduğu hükümler değerlendirilecektir. Ardından uluslararası hukuk metinlerinde özellikle de ILO‘nun 188 sayılı Balıkçılık İstihdam Sözleşmesi’nde balıkçılık faaliyetini yürüten işçilerin çalışma yaşamından doğan haklarını düzenlemek için getirilen kurallar ele alınacaktır. Henüz ülkemizin taraf olmadığı yeni tarihli sözleşmede yer alan hükümlerle iç hukukumuzdaki balıkçılara ilişkin düzenlemeler kıyaslanarak 188 sayılı ILO Sözleşmesinin ülkemiz mevzuatına olası katkıları değerlendirilecektir. Çalışmamızın kapsamını çok genişletmemek için balıkçı gemilerinde çalışmak için aranan asgari koşullar konusu ile sınırlı tutulacaktır.
Graph Management Systems: A Qualitative Survey
Authors: Nolé Maurizio , Sartiani Carlo
Published: July 2020

In the recent years many real-world applications have been modeled by graph structures (e.g., social networks, mobile phone networks, web graphs, etc.), and many systems have been developed to manage, query, and analyze these datasets. These systems could be divided into specialized graph database systems and large-scale graph analytics systems. The first ones consider end-to-end data management issues including storage representations, transactions, and query languages, whereas the second ones focus on processing specific tasks over large data graphs. In this paper we provide an overview of several  graph database systems and graph processing systems, with the aim of assisting the reader in identifying the best-suited solution for her application scenario.
Integration of Local Chan Vase Along with Optimization Techniques for Segmentation
Authors: Jyothula Hari , Rao S. Koteswara , Kumari V. Valli
Published: July 2020

image is a two dimensional capacity f(x, y). The way toward dividing an image into numerous parts or questions is named as Segmentation. There are two noteworthy deterrents in sectioning an image i.e., Intensity Inhomogeneity and Noise. As a result of these challenges, precise division comes about can't be acquired. This paper presents Local Chan-Vese (LCV) alongside some enhancement methods for minimization of vitality capacities to defeat power inhomogeneity and commotion. By consolidating this implanted approach, the images with force inhomogeneity can be effectively divided.
Online Command Area Water Resource Management System
Authors: Pallavi P. , Salam Shaik
Published: July 2020

Water is an important, but often ignored element in sustainable development by now it has been clear that urgent action is needed to avoid global water crisis. Water resource management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources. Successful management of water resources requires accurate knowledge of their resource distribution to meet up the competing demands and mechanisms to make good decisions using advanced recent technologies.Towards evolving comprehensive management plan in suitable conservation and utilization of water resources space technology plays a crucial role in managing country’s available water resources. Systematic approaches involving judicious combination of conventional server side scripting programming and remote sensing techniques pave way for achieving optimum planning and operational of water resources projects.   new methodologies and 24/7 accessible system need to be built, these by reducing the dependency on complex infrastructure an specialist domain Open source web GIS systems have proven their rich in application of server side scripting and easy to use client application tools. Present study and implementation aims to provide wizard based or easily driven tools online for command area management practices. In this large endeavour modules for handling remote sensing data, online raster processing, statistics and indices generation will be developed.
Transmission of Data in Secure Manner With DNA Sequence
Authors: Paspula Ravinder , Chiranjeevi K. , Kumar S. Laxman
Published: July 2020

A new-promising technology called DNA-Cryptography is emerged in the area of DNA- Computing field.DNA useful for store, sending the data and also to perform computation. Even it is under primal level, DNA-Based molecular Cryptography system is shows extremely efficient. This technique offers a unique cipher-text generation process and a new key generation practice. This method used to implement a procedure which includes two stages. First stage generates a session key and encryption key and it uses cipher block chaining mode-CBC, the secrete number(s) and incorporate plain-text M into level-1 cipher-text. The last stage converts the level-1 cipher-text into level-2 cipher-text (s). The level-2 cipher-text is again transformed into human made DNA-sequence (S’) and is given to the receiver along with many other DNA-sequence. By this process it will become a more complicated for un-authorized user to gain original information. The receiver will apply the process to identify the human made DNA sequence with M hidden in it and extract the original message M.
Analysis Aryabhata Remainder Theorem On Rivest Shamir Adleman (RSA) Cryptography
Authors: Hariyanto Eko Hariyanto , Zarlis Muhammad , Nasution Darmeli Nasution , Wahyuni Sri
Published: July 2020

Security of RSA cryptography lied in the difficulty of factoring the number p and q bacame the prime factor. The greater the value of p and q used, the better the security level was. However, this could result in a very slow decryption process. The most commonly used and discussed method of speeding up the encryption and decryption process in RSA was the Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT). Beside that method, there was another method with the same concept with CRT namely Aryabhata Remainder Theorem which was also relevant used in public key cryptography such as RSA. The purpose of this study was to obtain an effective method to RSA especially in the decryption process based on the calculation of the time complexity of computing.
Uma análise sociolinguística sobre a concordância verbal de terceira pessoa do plural e o contato linguístico no Português L2 da variedade moçambicana
Authors: Pissurno Karen Cristina da Silva
Published: July 2020

Seguindo os pressupostos da Teoria da Variação e Mudança (WEINREICH; LABOV; HERZOG, 1968), observou-se o comportamento dos moçambicanos, falantes de português como segunda língua, em relação a alternância das marcas de plural, e, assim, constatou-se o estatuto de uma regra variável de concordância na variedade em estudo, nos limites de uma semicategórica, consoante Labov (2003). Verificou-se a atuação do contato linguístico com as línguas Bantu faladas no país em relação à outras variáveis linguísticas, como a escolaridade e o conhecimento de português propriamente dito. Para realizar o tratamento estatístico dos dados, utilizou-se o pacote de programas Goldvarb X. Por meio do controle estatísticos de condicionamentos linguísticos e extralinguísticos, as variáveis que se mostraram relevantes para amostra foram a escolaridade, a(s) língua(s) dominada(s) pelo informante,  a transitividade verbal e a animacidade do sujeito. Notou-se também que os grupos de fatores sociais podem influenciar o grau de realização das marcas e que os dados de não marcação são de naturezas distintas daqueles contextos tidos como universais para o cancelamento das marcas de número. A partir das discussões levantadas, identificou-se que o Português de Moçambique ainda seria uma variedade em formação.