bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BEHLÜL DÂNÂ’NIN MİZAHÎ HİKÂYELERİ BAĞLAMINDA MEZHEBİ KİMLİĞİ VE SOSYO-POLİTİK ELEŞTİRİSİ
Authors: SEVER Mehmet
Published: September 2020

Yaratılışında mizah yeteneği olan insan, bu özelliği hikâye ve anlatılarında ortaya koymaktadır. Düşünce ve inancın dile getirilmesi, karşı çıkılan din ve dünya tasavvurlarının olumsuz yönlerini göstermesi noktasında menkıbe ve mizahi hikâyeler önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Özellikle kişilerin kendi mezhep anlayışlarının aktarımı noktasında hikâye ve menkıbeler, tarihsel süreçte fikirlerin ve inançların sürekliliklerini sağlamak için en önemli malzemeyi oluşturmuştur. Tarihteki önemli şahsiyetlerin yaşadığı olaylar, hikâye formatında aktarılmış, zamanla yeni hikâyeler ve menkıbeler ile mezhebî aidiyetler yeniden inşâ edilmiştir. Bu bağlamda tarihi bir şahsiyet olan Behlûl Dânâ, Müslüman toplumların hafızasında latife ve hikâyeleri ile meşhur olmuş bir karakterdir. Ancak onun şakalarında ve hikâyelerinde görülen eleştiri, Şiîlik ile itham edilmesine sebep olmuştur. Onun Şiîliği hakkında ileri sürülen bazı rivayetlerin incelenmesi ve mezhebi kimliğini açığa çıkarılması, İslam düşüncesinde sosyo-politik eleştiri ve muhalefet geleneğinin anlaşılması noktasında önemlidir.
NİSYANIN (UNUTMANIN) USÛL VE FÜRÛ-İ FIKIH AÇISINDAN HÜKÜMLERE ETKİSİ
Authors: TEKİN Abdülkadir
Published: September 2020

Günlük hayatta sıkça karşılaşılan ve de usûl kaynaklarının çoğunda semavî nitelikteki avârız arasında değerlendirilen “nisyan/unutma”, son dönemlerde ehliyeti daraltan veya tamamen ortadan kaldıran bir unsur olarak görülmekten daha ziyade dinî ve hukukî yükümlülükler bağlamında geçerli bir mazeret kabul edilip edilmemesi yönüyle ele alınmıştır. Hz. Peygamber'in, ‘ümmetin üzerinden hata, unutma ve zorla yaptırılan şeylerin kaldırıldığı veya Allah’ın bunları bağışladığı’ şeklindeki hadisin yorumundaki farklılıklar nisyanla ilgili hükümlerin teorik temeliyle ilgili tartışmalarda öncelikli bir yere sahiptir. Hata, nisyan ve ikrah altında yapılan fiillerde ümmetten kaldırılan veya bağışlanan unsur sadece uhrevî sorumluluk mu yoksa hem uhrevî hem de dünyevî sonucun mu kaldırıldığı konusu fukahâ arasında ihtilaflıdır. Unutmanın hükümlere etkisiyle ilgili ihtilaflar sadece zikredilen durumla sınırlı olmayıp her bir olayın kendi özelliği ve o konu hakkındaki başkaca deliller de dikkate alınarak farklı yaklaşımlar ortaya konulmak suretiyle çözüme kavuşturulmaya çalışılmıştır. Ayrıca unutmanın hükümlere etkisi, fakihlerin ibadetlerin şartlarına ve bu durumların edâ ehliyetine yansımasına bakış açılarına göre de farklı şekillerde tezahür edebilmektedir. Bunun yanı sıra genellikle Allah veya kul hakkıyla ilintili olup-olmamasına göre ele alınan nisyanın belirli şartlar dahilinde Allah hakkı kapsamında mazeret sayılabileceği fakat kul hakkını ilgilendiren meselelerde dünyevî hüküm açısından etkisinin olmayacağı görülmektedir. Günlük hayatta özellikle ibadetlerle ilgili belli başlı konularda unutma sıkça karşılaşılabilen bir durum olup bazen bir mezhepte bulunmayan çözüm veya çıkış yolu diğer bir mezhep ya da fakihin görüşünde bulunabilmektedir. Bu farklı görüşlerin (hükümlerin) usûli zemin ve delilleriyle birlikte bilinmesi insanlar için daha rahatlatıcı düzenlemeler ortaya çıkaracağı gibi, farklı içtihatlar sonucu ortaya çıkan hükümlerden özellikle de ihtiyaç durumlarında faydalanılmasına imkân sağlayacaktır.
Spatial ecology of Nassau Grouper at home reef sites: using acoustic telemetry to track a large, long-lived epinephelid across multiple years (2005-2008)
Authors: Blincow KM , Bush PG , Heppell SA , McCoy CM , Johnson BC , Pattengill-Semmens CV , Heppell SS , Stevens-McGeever SJ , Whaylen L , Luke K , Semmens BX
Published: September 2020

Characterizing the behavior of coral reef fishes at home reef sites can provide insight into the mechanisms of spatial ecology and provide a framework for spatial resource management. In the Caribbean, populations of Nassau grouperEpinephelus striatushave declined due to fishing impacts on spawning aggregations. Despite local and regional efforts by fisheries managers to implement regulations protecting spawning aggregations, few Nassau grouper populations appear to be recovering. In order to improve management strategies for this critically endangered species, it is necessary to understand the spatial ecology of the species across seasons and years. In the Cayman Islands, we used a multi-year, presence/absence, depth-coded acoustic tagging dataset of Nassau grouper to characterize patterns in the species’ behavior and vertical habitat use at home reef sites. Twenty acoustically tagged individuals (56-84 cm, 70.01 ± 7.40 cm; total length, mean ± SD) maintained consistent home reef sites, although some fish regularly shifted activity centers within the home site, often following a seasonal spawning migration. Seven fish with depth-coded tags showed a higher probability of vertical movement in the hours immediately following dawn and preceding dusk. We found evidence of a positive relationship between the fish condition factor and depth of home reef site. The finding of persistent home reef sites across years suggests that properly sized spatial reserves at home reef sites can be a useful complement to spawning aggregation protection when considering management strategies for Nassau grouper.
Tuturan Melarang dalam Film Spirited Away
Authors: Saputri Oktaviani
Published: September 2020

The Purpose of this study is to describe the use of directive speech acts of prohibition in the Spirited Away movie which are based on the pattern of prohibitions in Japanese. It also aims to find out the factors that influence the prohibition of speech based on the context of the conversation and categorized them into direct or indirect speech. The data of this research were taken from the utterance of the characters containing the directive speech acts of prohibition. The use of prohibition directive speech acts is analyzed based on the prohibition pattern in Japanese in accordance with the theory of Namatame. This type of research uses the qualitative descriptive research method with a pragmatic approach. From the results of data analysis it was found that the use of illocutionary speech forms directly prohibits,which are: the patterns of Â ~ V ru na, ~ te wa ikenai, ~ naide, ~ dame, and ~ janai. Ilocutionary forms are directly used by people who have strong authority over their partners. With his authority the speaker does not need to use indirect speech which usually emphasizes modesty.
Cost effectiveness of health expenditures: A macro level study for developing and developed countries
Authors: Fatima Rizvi Syeda Anam
Published: September 2020

Resource availability matters the most in health care system-based outcomes. But health spending is highly unequal across the world and presents varying outcomes. This study aims to investigate the missing part that why some countries failed to have reasonable outcomes despite spending more than those countries that spend less. This study intends to include all those factors that are responsible for improving the cost-effectiveness of health expenditures. The study took two data sets, one from the developing countries and second of developed countries as per World Bank classification. As anticipated, there are significant differences in health per capita expenditures. Determinants were also found to behave differently both in the short run and long run as well as across the two data sets.
Contemporary Hylomorphisms: On the Matter of Form
Authors: Austin Christopher J.
Published: September 2020

As there is currently a neo-Aristotelian revival currently taking place within contemporary metaphysics and dispositions, or causal powers are now being routinely utilised in theories of causality and modality, more attention is beginning to be paid to a central Aristotelian concern: the metaphysics of substantial unity, and the doctrine of hylomorphism. In this paper, I distinguish two strands of hylomorphism present in the contemporary literature and argue that not only does each engender unique conceptual difficulties, but neither adequately captures the metaphysics of Aristotelian hylomorphism. Thus both strands of contemporary hylomorphism, I argue, fundamentally misunderstand what substantial unity amounts to in the hylomorphic framework – namely, the metaphysical inseparability of matter and form.
An Exploration of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Success Measurement Model
Authors: Fathimatus Zahro Fazda Oktavia
Published: September 2020

The aim of this research is to explore and confirm whether the measurement instrument proposed by Ifinedo was a better fit for assessing ERP success in Indonesia using the factor analysis. Data analysis was performed using 6 dimensions with 47 variables tested. The results show that 4 dimensions do not match the evaluation. Elimination and retesting are needed to build a new assessment instrument. The results of this study are expected to help organizations choose the most ideal measurement model of their ERP systems.
Abstrak
Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengeksplorasi dan mengkonfirmasi apakah instrumen pengukuran yang diusulkan oleh Ifinedo lebih cocok untuk menilai keberhasilan ERP di Indonesia menggunakan analisis faktor. Analisis data dilakukan menggunakan 6 dimensi dengan 47 variabel diuji. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa 4 dimensi tidak sesuai dengan evaluasi. Eliminasi dan pengujian ulang diperlukan untuk membangun instrumen penilaian baru. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat membantu organisasi memilih model pengukuran paling ideal bagi sistem ERP mereka.
Value Relevance of Earnings and Book Value in Indonesian Exchange Listed Firms
Authors: Krismiaji -,  , Hermala Kusumadewi
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the value relevance of accounting information on manufacturing companies listed on the IDX for 2012-2017. This study uses the accounting-based Ohlson's (1995) model, which includes earnings (EPS) and book value (BVS) as variables. This study shows a direct relationship between financial statements and firm value. The value relevance does not increase, yet both the value relevance for EPS and BVS, although in specific years, does. The results show that individual BVS decreases with a better amount than EPS from 2012 to 2015. Meanwhile, in 2016-2017 BVS value decreased below EPS value.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini menginvestigasi relevansi nilai informasi akuntansi pada perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di BEI tahun 2012-2017. Model Ohlson (1995) berbasis akuntansi yang mencakup laba (EPS) dan nilai buku (BVS) sebagai variabel digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Studi ini menunjukkan adanya hubungan langsung antara laporan keuangan dan nilai perusahaan. Relevansi nilai pada perusahaan yang diteliti tidak meningkat, baik relevansi nilai EPS maupun BVS, walaupun pada tahun tertentu naik. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa nilai BVS menurun secara individual dengan besaran yang lebih baik dibanding EPS tahun 2012-2015, namun tahun 2016 dan 2017 besaran nilai BVS menurun di bawah besaran nilai EPS.
Menakar Potensi Penerimaan Negara atas Pajak E-Commerce, Tarik Ulur Regulasi dan Hambatan Penerimaan Pajak: Suatu Kajian Literatur
Authors: Bambang Haryadi  , Agus Sari
Published: September 2020

This research aims to assess the tax potential for e-commerce, to assess the controversy about taxation rules; to assess the barriers to tax. The research approach employed was descriptive qualitative and this research can also be categorized as literary study. The research results show: (1) tax potential from digital trade is very large; (2) tax contribution is very significant; (3) the controversy over the determination of the e-commerce tax has caused losses, because the tax is only based on turnover and only for those who have an tax identity number (NPWP); (4) the barriers are low business awareness, weak law enforcement, no specific regulations, and lack of ability to identify online businesses.
Abstrak
Tujuan riset ini adalah untuk menilai potensi pajak e-commerce, mengurai kontroversi tentang aturan perpajakannya serta menilai hambatan penerimaan pajak transaksi digital. Pendekatan riset yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif dan jenis penelitian adalah studi kepustakaan. Studi diarahkan untuk analisis potensi pajak atas perdagangan digital. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: (1) potensi pajak atas perdagangan digital Indonesia sangat besar; (2) kontribusi pajak e-commerce sangat signifikan hasilnya; (3) tarik ulur penetapan pajak e-commerce menimbulkan kerugian, dikarenakan pengenaan pajak hanyaberdasarkan omzet dan dikenakan hanya bagi yang memiliki NPWP; (4) hambatan meliputi kesadaran pebisnis, lemahnya penegakan hukum, belum ada peraturan khusus, serta belum memiliki kemampuan mengidentifikasi pebisnis daring.
Exploring the Role of Awe in Architecture as a Pain Disruptor- A Call for New Research
Authors: Hoffman Miram
Published: September 2020

Chronic pain is a widespread and complex phenomenon, driven by a diverse range of factors. Pain management has become a significant concern over the past several decades in the United States as controversy has grown surrounding the use of opioids for chronic pain management, the use of which has led to abuse and addiction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 128 people die in the United States every day from an opioid overdose, whether obtained illicitly or by prescription. While opioids remain one of the frontline methods for pain management, their long term safety and efficacy has come under scrutiny. As with any complex systemic issue, there are many contributing factors to chronic pain and pain management. This paper proposes that the experience of awe – specifically elicited by design of the built environment – can serve as an innovative, non-pharmacological pain management tool. Awe is an emotional response to perceptually vast stimuli, precipitating accommodation or a shift in existing mental structures. The author hypothesizes that awe can be used as a form of the proven self-regulating pain management method known as reappraisal. Pain reappraisal is cognitive reframing of the context and meaning of pain, changing the value that pain is assigned and resulting in decreased pain perception. This paper explores the pertinent intersection of emotions, neuroscience, and the impact of the physical environment on our health and wellbeing. The intention of this paper is to call for a new line of research and does not attempt to address methods or results at this time.
De fem A’er: En evalueringsmodel for læreprocesser på erhvervsuddannelserne
Authors: Tanggaard Lene
Published: September 2020

This article develops the contours of a new Five A-model for assessment practices in vocational education. The model develops a combination of the Five A-model taken from creativity research with empirical studies of vocational education. The rationale is to create a basis for description, analysis and development of assessment in vocational education. The Five A-model presents a heuristic method used to describe and reflect on basic assessment practices in vocational education studying the simultaneously related and dynamically interacting role of respectively actors, action, audiences, artefacts and affordances for assessment. On this basis, the article asks not only how research on assessment developed vital distinctions between summative and formative assessment, but also how the idea of formative assessment can be a vehicle to further development of artefacts supporting boundary crossing between schools and learning in the workplace, and furthermore, how apprentices can take responsibility for their own assessment actions. Assessment practices are never neutral, but they contribute in themselves to the valorisation of particular practices, which is why researchers and practitioners in the field must continuously ask critical questions related to the consequences of assessment.
Fastighetsskötares erfarenheter av validering
Authors: Andersson Per
Published: September 2020

Validation, or recognition of prior learning, involves an idea of ‘making learning visible’ – of valuing knowledge irrespective of how, when and where it is learnt. This chapter presents a phenomenographic analysis of how a group of caretakers from a Swedish property management company experience participation in a validation initiative focusing on their vocational competence. The findings show how validation is experienced in various ways by the caretakers – as an opportunity for personal development, as a matter of assessment and control, or as ‘only scratching the surface’. The process is also experienced in different ways in terms of learning – with a focus on prior learning or new learning, or even no learning. Other benefits of validation are described in terms of exchange value or personal development. Through a contextual analysis, the findings are integrated in a model where the relationship between the individual and the validation process is described as a developmental, a credit-exchange or a critical relation. The conclusions put focus on the relevance of validation for groups like caretakers. This is a group where the vocational learning to a high extent is informal, which means a potential for recognition of their prior learning in terms of formal credentials.
Immunological Changes During Space Travel: A Ground-Based Evaluation of the Impact of Neutron Dose Rate on Plasma Cytokine Levels in Human Whole Blood Cultures
Authors: Fisher Randall , Baselet Bjorn , Vermeesen Randy , Moreels Marjan , Baatout Sarah , Rahiman Farzana , Miles Xanthene , Nair Shankari , du Plessis Peter , Engelbrecht Monique , Ndimba Roya J. , Bolcaen Julie , Nieto-Camero Jaime , de Kock Evan , Vandevoorde Charlot
Published: September 2020

A better understanding of the combined impact of different space stressors on human health is urgently warranted, considering the upcoming long-duration missions beyond lower Earth orbit. Therefore, a growing number of particle accelerator facilities implement ground-based set-ups to study the effect of simulated space radiation with simulated psychological or physical stressors. The immune system is highly sensitive to these types of stressors and limited information is currently available on the impact of the complex space radiation environment on the astronauts' immune function. This pilot study presents a first step in the implementation of a ground-based set-up with neutron irradiation, which is considered to be an important secondary component in space radiation fields. The effect of dose rate on immune alterations was studied using the in vitro cytokine release assay. Whole blood samples (n = 8) were exposed to 0.125 or 1 Gy of neutron irradiation (fluence-weighted average energy: 29.8 MeV) at a lower dose rate (LDR) of 0.015 Gy/min and a higher dose rate (HDR) of 0.400 Gy/min. Immediately post-irradiation, blood samples were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes (HKLM) or lectin pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and incubated for 24 h. Cell-mediated immunity was examined by analysing interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) plasma levels. Stimulants significantly increased all cytokine levels except IL-2, where only PWM induced a significant increase. In general, no statistically significant changes were observed in IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α concentrations at different neutron doses and dose rates when compared to their stimulated, sham-irradiated controls. After PWM-stimulation, IL-10 levels were significantly increased at 0.125 Gy HDR and 1 Gy LDR. In a pooled analysis, the HDR significantly increased IL-2 titres (under PWM-stimulation) and IFN-γ titres (with all stimulants), but significantly decreased TNF-α secretion in unstimulated cultures. Due to the limited sample number, no strong conclusions could be made in this pilot study on the effect of neutron radiation as a single stressor on cytokine secretion in response to different stimuli. However, some interesting trends and dose rate effects were observed, which pave the way for future investigations on the synergistic effects of multiple space stressors on immune cell function.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Protection by Vitamin E: A Matter of Treatment Strategy?
Authors: Ziegler Melanie , Wallert Maria , Lorkowski Stefan , Peter Karlheinz
Published: September 2020

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause about 1/3 of global deaths. Therefore, new strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events are highly sought-after. Vitamin E is known for significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been studied in the prevention of CVD, supported by findings that vitamin E deficiency is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, randomized controlled trials in humans reveal conflicting and ultimately disappointing results regarding the reduction of cardiovascular events with vitamin E supplementation. As we discuss in detail, this outcome is strongly affected by study design, cohort selection, co-morbidities, genetic variations, age, and gender. For effective chronic primary and secondary prevention by vitamin E, oxidative and inflammatory status might not have been sufficiently antagonized. In contrast, acute administration of vitamin E may be more translatable into positive clinical outcomes. In patients with myocardial infarction (MI), which is associated with severe oxidative and inflammatory reactions, decreased plasma levels of vitamin E have been found. The offsetting of this acute vitamin E deficiency via short-term treatment in MI has shown promising results, and, thus, acute medication, rather than chronic supplementation, with vitamin E might revitalize vitamin E therapy and even provide positive clinical outcomes.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in COVID-19-Associated Sepsis: The Potential Role of Anti-Oxidant Therapy in Avoiding Disease Progression
Authors: Beltrán-García Jesús , Osca-Verdegal Rebeca , Pallardó Federico V. , Ferreres José , Rodríguez María , Mulet Sandra , Sanchis-Gomar Fabian , Carbonell Nieves , García-Giménez José Luis
Published: September 2020

Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak emerged, countless efforts are being made worldwide to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in an attempt to identify the specific clinical characteristics of critically ill COVID-19 patients involved in its pathogenesis and provide therapeutic alternatives to minimize COVID-19 severity. Recently, COVID-19 has been closely related to sepsis, which suggests that most deceases in intensive care units (ICU) may be a direct consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced sepsis. Understanding oxidative stress and the molecular inflammation mechanisms contributing to COVID-19 progression to severe phenotypes such as sepsis is a current clinical need in the effort to improve therapies in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. This article aims to review the molecular pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and its relationship with oxidative stress and inflammation, which can contribute to sepsis progression. We also provide an overview of potential antioxidant therapies and active clinical trials that might prevent disease progression or reduce its severity.
Senescent Tumor CD8+ T Cells: Mechanisms of Induction and Challenges to Immunotherapy
Authors: Liu Wei , Stachura Paweł , Xu Haifeng C. , Bhatia Sanil , Borkhardt Arndt , Lang Philipp A. , Pandyra Aleksandra A.
Published: September 2020

The inability of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes to eradicate tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major obstacle to successful immunotherapeutic treatments. Understanding the immunosuppressive mechanisms within the TME is paramount to overcoming these obstacles. T cell senescence is a critical dysfunctional state present in the TME that differs from T cell exhaustion currently targeted by many immunotherapies. This review focuses on the physiological, molecular, metabolic and cellular processes that drive CD8+ T cell senescence. Evidence showing that senescent T cells hinder immunotherapies is discussed, as are therapeutic options to reverse T cell senescence.
Visual Analytics Approach to Comprehensive Meteorological Time-Series Analysis
Authors: Vuckovic Milena , Schmidt Johanna
Published: September 2020

In some of the domain-specific sectors, such as the climate domain, the provision of publicly available present-day high-resolution meteorological time series is often quite limited or completely lacking. This repeatedly leads to excessive deployment of synthetically generated (historical) meteorological time series (TMY) to support thermal performance assessments on both building and urban scale. These datasets are generally a misrepresentation of current weather variability, which may lead to erroneous inferences drawn from modelling results. In this regard, we outline the application potential of a visual analytics approach in the context of data quality assessment and validation of TMYs. For this purpose, we deployed a standalone visual analytics tool Visplore, enriched with interlinked dashboards, customizable visualizations, and intuitive workflows, to support continuous interaction and early visual feedback. Driven by such integrated visual representations and visual interactions to enhance the analytical reasoning process, we were able to detect critical multifaceted discrepancies, on different levels of granularity, between TMY and present-day meteorological time series and synthetize them into cohesive patterns and insights. These mainly entailed diverging temporal trends and event time lags, under- and overestimation of warming and cooling regimes, respectively, and seasonal discrepancies, in particular meteorological parameters, to name a few.
Assessment of Polysaccharide and Biomass Production from Three White-Rot Fungi by Solid-State Fermentation Using Wood and Agro-Industrial Residues: A Kinetic Approach
Authors: Sánchez Óscar J. , Montoya Sandra
Published: September 2020

Research Highlights: For the first time, a model was developed and applied for polysaccharide production from Trametes versicolor grown in agro-industrial and woody residues under solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions. Background and Objectives: Fungal biomass is an important biological resource for biotechnological applications. Basidiomycetes fungi can be grown and developed on lignocellulosic materials such as forestry, wood, and agro-industrial residues in order to produce value-added products like bioactive polysaccharides. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the C/N ratio and copper concentration on biomass and polysaccharide production during solid state fermentation (SSF), as well as on the consumption of cellulose and hemicellulose, and lignin degradation, and to propose and validate a mathematical model to describe the overall SSF process. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out by growing three Basidiomycetes species (T. versicolor, Lentinula edodes, and Pleurotus ostreatus) on twelve formulations of solid substrates using mixtures of different inexpensive lignocellulosic residues such as oak sawdust, coconut fiber (hairs), coffee husks, and corn bran plus soybean oil, calcium carbonate, and two levels of copper(II) sulfate. Results: The three fungal species grew well on all substrate formulations. The statistical analysis of experimental data showed no significant effects on polysaccharide production, in the range of C/N and copper concentrations evaluated. Taking into account that the best polysaccharide production was obtained with T. versicolor (96.09 mg/g solid substrate), a mathematical model was proposed for this fungus to describe the behavior of the fermentation system from the obtained data of all the resulting combinations to reach the highest polysaccharide production by the fungus. Conclusions: The mathematical model disclosed in this work enabled to describe the growth and development of a higher basidiomycete under solid-state fermentation conditions on lignocellulosic substrates as well as the production of value-added products like polysaccharides with medicinal properties.
Autonomic Nervous System: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Tobaldini Eleonora
Published: September 2020

In recent decades, new evidence has suggested that the role of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is not marginal and not only limited to controlling vegetative functions [...]
Burst Pressure Prediction of API 5L X-Grade Dented Pipelines Using Deep Neural Network
Authors: Oh Dohan , Race Julia , Oterkus Selda , Koo Bonguk
Published: September 2020

Mechanical damage is recognized as a problem that reduces the performance of oil and gas pipelines and has been the subject of continuous research. The artificial neural network in the spotlight recently is expected to be another solution to solve the problems relating to the pipelines. The deep neural network, which is on the basis of artificial neural network algorithm and is a method amongst various machine learning methods, is applied in this study. The applicability of machine learning techniques such as deep neural network for the prediction of burst pressure has been investigated for dented API 5L X-grade pipelines. To this end, supervised learning is employed, and the deep neural network model has four layers with three hidden layers, and the neural network uses the fully connected layer. The burst pressure computed by deep neural network model has been compared with the results of finite element analysis based parametric study, and the burst pressure calculated by the experimental results. According to the comparison results, it showed good agreement. Therefore, it is concluded that deep neural networks can be another solution for predicting the burst pressure of API 5L X-grade dented pipelines.
Veno-Arterial-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Critically Ill Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Byun Joung Hun , Kang Dong Hoon , Kim Jong Woo , Kim Sung Hwan , Moon Seong Ho , Yang Jun Ho , Jung Jae Jun , Cho Oh-Hyun , Hong Sun In , Ryu Byung-Han , Park Hyun Oh , Choi Jun Young , Jang In Seok , Kim Jong Duk , Lee Chung Eun
Published: September 2020

Patients with cardiopulmonary failure may not be fully supported with typical configurations of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), either veno-arterial (VA) or veno-venous (VV). Veno-arterial-venous (VAV)-ECMO is a technique used to support the cardiopulmonary systems during periods of inadequate gas exchange and perfusion. In the severe case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which simultaneously affects the heart and lung, VAV-ECMO may improve a patient’s recovery potential. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman with acute respiratory distress syndrome and circulatory failure following COVID-19, who was treated with VAV-ECMO.
G Protein-Coupled Receptor Genes, PTGDR1, PTGDR2, and PTGIR, Are Candidate Epigenetic Biomarkers and Predictors for Treated Patients with HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Misawa Kiyoshi , Imai Atsushi , Kanazawa Takeharu , Mima Masato , Yamada Satoshi , Mochizuki Daiki , Yamada Taiki , Shinmura Daichi , Ishikawa Ryuji , Kita Jyunya , Yamaguchi Yuki , Misawa Yuki , Mineta Hiroyuki
Published: September 2020

Differences in the biology of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) and HPV-negative OPCs may have implications in patient management. Early detection is imperative to reduce HPV-associated OPC mortality. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can potentially serve as a biomarker for monitoring clinically relevant cancer-related genetic and epigenetic modifications. We analyzed the methylation status of 24 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) genes in verification (85 OPC primary samples) and validation (8 OPC ctDNA samples) studies using quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (Q-MSP). The Q-MSP-based verification study with 85 OPC primary samples revealed the GPCR genes that were significantly associated with recurrence in high methylation groups (≥14 methylated genes) with OPC and HPV-associated OPC (p < 0.001). In the Kaplan–Meier estimate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses, 13 GPCR genes were significantly related to increased recurrence in the methylation group. Furthermore, the validation study on ctDNA showed that three of these genes (Prostaglandin D2 receptor 1: PTGDR1, Prostaglandin D2 receptor 2: PTGDR2, and Prostaglandin I2 Receptor: PTGIR) had a prediction performance as emerging biomarkers. We characterized the relationship between the methylation status of GPCR genes and outcomes in HPV-associated OPC. Our results highlight the potential utility of ctDNA methylation-based detection for the clinical management of HPV-associated OPC.
Treponema spp. Isolated from Bovine Digital Dermatitis Display Different Pathogenicity in a Murine Abscess Model
Authors: Arrazuria Rakel , Knight Cameron G. , Lahiri Priyoshi , Cobo Eduardo R. , Barkema Herman W. , De Buck Jeroen
Published: September 2020

Digital dermatitis (DD) causes lameness in cattle with substantial negative impact on sustainability and animal welfare. Although several species of Treponema bacteria have been isolated from various DD stages, their individual or synergistic roles in the initiation or development of lesions remain largely unknown. The objective of this study was to compare effects of the three most common Treponema species isolated from DD lesions in cattle (T. phagedenis, T. medium and T. pedis), both as individual and as mixed inoculations, in a murine abscess model. A total of 109 or 5 × 108Treponema spp. were inoculated subcutaneously, and produced abscess was studied after 7 days post infection. There were no synergistic effects when two or three species were inoculated together; however, T. medium produced the largest abscesses, whereas those produced by T. phagedenis were the smallest and least severe. Treponema species were cultured from skin lesions at 7 days post infection and, additionally, from the kidneys of some mice (2/5), confirming systemic infection may occur. Taken together, these findings suggest that T. medium and T. pedis may have more important roles in DD lesion initiation and development than T. phagedenis.
Discovery of a Novel Simian Pegivirus in Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with Lymphocytic Enterocolitis
Authors: Heffron Anna S. , Lauck Michael , Somsen Elizabeth D. , Townsend Elizabeth C. , Bailey Adam L. , Sosa Megan , Eickhoff Jens , Capuano III Saverio , Newman Christina M. , Kuhn Jens H. , Mejia Andres , Simmons Heather A. , O’Connor David H.
Published: September 2020

From 2010 to 2015, 73 common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) housed at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) were diagnosed postmortem with lymphocytic enterocolitis. We used unbiased deep-sequencing to screen the blood of deceased enterocolitis-positive marmosets for viruses. In five out of eight common marmosets with lymphocytic enterocolitis, we discovered a novel pegivirus not present in ten matched, clinically normal controls. The novel virus, which we named Southwest bike trail virus (SOBV), is most closely related (68% nucleotide identity) to a strain of simian pegivirus A isolated from a three-striped night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus). We screened 146 living WNPRC common marmosets for SOBV, finding an overall prevalence of 34% (50/146). Over four years, 85 of these 146 animals died or were euthanized. Histological examination revealed 27 SOBV-positive marmosets from this cohort had lymphocytic enterocolitis, compared to 42 SOBV-negative marmosets, indicating no association between SOBV and disease in this cohort (p = 0.0798). We also detected SOBV in two of 33 (6%) clinically normal marmosets screened during transfer from the New England Primate Research Center, suggesting SOBV could be exerting confounding influences on comparisons of common marmoset studies from multiple colonies.
Preparation of Beebread Caviar from Buckwheat Honey through Immobilization with Sodium Alginate
Authors: Smuga-Kogut Małgorzata , Pabiszczak Agnieszka , Dymkowska-Malesa Maria , Szymanowska Daria , Kobus-Cisowska Joanna , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: September 2020

Honeys have a pleasant taste and a wide range of use. They are characterized by a relatively high consumption compared to bee pollen or beebread. Honeys are the most popular bee products. Considering health reasons, beebread exhibits the strongest properties as it has the highest nutritional value as well as strong detoxifying, antioxidant, and antiradical properties. Despite having such valuable properties, consumption of beebread is negligible; sometimes, it is limited only to supplementation in case of diseases. This paper proposes a new food product, that is, beebread caviar made from buckwheat honey. The expiry date and sensory and physicochemical quality of beebread caviar have been determined in this study. Beebread caviar, obtained by immobilization on alginate carrier, contained 0.34 mg GAE/mL extract. It remained stable until five days after preparation. Its total acidity was 33.7 mval/kg. Its extract content was 22.53%. Caviar had a high overall sensory score of 4.8 points on a 5-point scale. Beebread caviar can be successfully classified as probiotic food because beebread contains a large amount of lactic acid. In the form of caviar, a new, attractive, and convenient form of beebread consumption could become one of the products of comfortable and functional food.
Mononuclear Perfluoroalkyl-Heterocyclic Complexes of Pd(II): Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Rubino Simona , Alduina Rosa , Cancemi Patrizia , Girasolo Maria Assunta , Di Stefano Vita , Orecchio Santino , Buscemi Silvestre , Pibiri Ivana
Published: September 2020

Two mononuclear Pd(II) complexes [PdCl2(pfptp)] (1) and [PdCl2(pfhtp)] (2), with ligands 2-(3-perfluoropropyl-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-5yl)-pyridine (pfptp) and 2-(3-perfluoroheptyl-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-5yl)-pyridine (pfhtp), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The two complexes showed a bidentate coordination of the ligand occurring through N atom of pyridine ring and N4 atom of 1,2,4-triazole. Both complexes showed antimicrobial activity when tested against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains.
Dendrimers as Modulators of Brain Cells
Authors: Maysinger Dusica , Zhang Qiaochu , Kakkar Ashok
Published: September 2020

Nanostructured hyperbranched macromolecules have been extensively studied at the chemical, physical and morphological levels. The cellular structural and functional complexity of neural cells and their cross-talk have made it rather difficult to evaluate dendrimer effects in a mixed population of glial cells and neurons. Thus, we are at a relatively early stage of bench-to-bedside translation, and this is due mainly to the lack of data valuable for clinical investigations. It is only recently that techniques have become available that allow for analyses of biological processes inside the living cells, at the nanoscale, in real time. This review summarizes the essential properties of neural cells and dendrimers, and provides a cross-section of biological, pre-clinical and early clinical studies, where dendrimers were used as nanocarriers. It also highlights some examples of biological studies employing dendritic polyglycerol sulfates and their effects on glia and neurons. It is the aim of this review to encourage young scientists to advance mechanistic and technological approaches in dendrimer research so that these extremely versatile and attractive nanostructures gain even greater recognition in translational medicine.
Bio-Based Nanoparticles as a Carrier of β-Carotene: Production, Characterisation and In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion
Authors: Afonso Beatriz S. , Azevedo Ana G. , Gonçalves Catarina , Amado Isabel R. , Ferreira Eugénio C. , Pastrana Lorenzo M. , Cerqueira Miguel A.
Published: September 2020

β-carotene loaded bio-based nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by the solvent-displacement method using two polymers: zein and ethylcellulose. The production of NPs was optimised through an experimental design and characterised in terms of average size and polydispersity index. The processing conditions that allowed to obtain NPs (<100 nm) were used for β-carotene encapsulation. Then β-carotene loaded NPs were characterised in terms of zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed for further morphological and chemical characterisation. In the end, a static in vitro digestion following the INFOGEST protocol was performed and the bioaccessibility of β-carotene encapsulated in both NPs was determined. Results show that the best conditions for a size-controlled production with a narrow size distribution are lower polymer concentrations and higher antisolvent concentrations. The encapsulation of β-carotene in ethylcellulose NPs resulted in nanoparticles with a mean average size of 60 ± 9 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 74 ± 2%. β-carotene loaded zein-based NPs resulted in a mean size of 83 ± 8 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 93 ± 4%. Results obtained from the in vitro digestion showed that β-carotene bioaccessibility when encapsulated in zein NPs is 37 ± 1%, which is higher than the value of 8.3 ± 0.1% obtained for the ethylcellulose NPs.
Race, Ethnicity, and the Functional Use of Religion When Faced with Imminent Death
Authors: Smith Ryan A.
Published: September 2020

This article uses religious coping theory to theorize about how and why race and ethnic groups on death row frame religious last statements at the moment of imminent death. Unique data (N = 269) drawn from death row inmates in Texas between December 1982 and April 2016 reveal uniformity in the dominance that black, white, and Hispanic inmates assign to relational forms of expressions that draw them closer to God and expressions that facilitate spiritual intimacy with others, over self-focused expressions that represent efforts to gain control over the imminent death experience or signal a transformed life. There is a hierarchy of preferred religious coping methods that changes for each group following the implementation of a new policy allowing the family and friends of murder victims (co-victims) to witness the execution of inmates. It is concluded that race and ethnic groups differ in the premium they place on preferred religious coping strategies when faced with imminent death, and a change in social context, such as the sudden presence of co-victims at executions, increases the religious content of last statements for all groups.
The Zika Virus Individual Participant Data Consortium: A Global Initiative to Estimate the Effects of Exposure to Zika Virus during Pregnancy on Adverse Fetal, Infant, and Child Health Outcomes
Authors:   Zika Virus Individual Participant Data Consortium
Published: September 2020

This commentary describes the creation of the Zika Virus Individual Participant Data Consortium, a global collaboration to address outstanding questions in Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemiology through conducting an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA). The aims of the IPD-MA are to (1) estimate the absolute and relative risks of miscarriage, fetal loss, and short- and long-term sequelae of fetal exposure; (2) identify and quantify the relative importance of different sources of heterogeneity (e.g., immune profiles, concurrent flavivirus infection) for the risk of adverse fetal, infant, and child outcomes among infants exposed to ZIKV in utero; and (3) develop and validate a prognostic model for the early identification of high-risk pregnancies and inform communication between health care providers and their patients and public health interventions (e.g., vector control strategies, antenatal care, and family planning programs). By leveraging data from a diversity of populations across the world, the IPD-MA will provide a more precise estimate of the risk of adverse ZIKV-related outcomes within clinically relevant subgroups and a quantitative assessment of the generalizability of these estimates across populations and settings. The ZIKV IPD Consortium effort is indicative of the growing recognition that data sharing is a central component of global health security and outbreak response.
Geno-Spatial Distribution of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Drug Resistance Profiles in Myanmar–Thai Border Area
Authors: Maung Htet Myat Win , Palittapongarnpim Prasit , Aung Htin Lin , Surachat Komwit , Nyunt Wint Wint , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi
Published: September 2020

Worldwide, studies investigating the relationship between the lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) across geographic areas has empowered the “End TB” program and understand transmission across national boundaries. Genomic diversity of MTB varies with geographical locations and ethnicity. Genomic diversity can also affect the emergence of drug resistance. In Myanmar, we still have limited genetic information about geographical, ethnicity, and drug resistance linkage to MTB genetic information. This study aimed to describe the geno-spatial distribution of MTB and drug resistance profiles in Myanmar–Thailand border areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 109 sequenced isolates. The lineages of MTB and the potential associated socio-demographic, geographic and clinical factors were analyzed using Fisher’s exact tests. p value of statistically significance was set at < 0.05. We found that 67% of the isolates were lineage 1 (L1)/East-African-Indian (EAI) (n = 73), followed by lineage 2 (L2)/Beijing (n = 26), lineage 4 (L4)/European American (n = 6) and lineage 3 (L3)/Delhi/Central Asian (n = 4). “Gender”, “type of TB patient”, “sputum smear grading” and “streptomycin resistance” were significantly different with the lineages of MTB. Sublineages of L1, which had never been reported elsewhere in Myanmar, were detected in this study area. Moreover, both ethnicity and lineage of MTB significantly differed in distribution by patient location. Diversity of the lineage of MTB and detection of new sublineages suggested that this small area had been resided by a heterogeneous population group who actively transmitted the disease. This information on distribution of lineage of MTB can be linked in the future with those on the other side of the border to evaluate cross-border transmission.
Refined Heuristic Swarm Intelligence Algorithm
Authors: Aina I. I. , Ejieji C. N.
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a new metaheuristic algorithm named refined heuristic intelligence swarm (RHIS) algorithm is developed from an existing particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm by introducing a disturbing term to the velocity of PSO and modifying the inertia weight, in which the comparison between the two algorithms is also addressed.
Biochemical and Functional Characteristics of Elderly Female Residents in the Rural and Urban Sectors of Yumbe, Chile
Authors: Abarca Molina Andrés , Fernandes da Silva Sandro , Campolina Duarte Rocha Cintia , Fernandes Filho José
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to evaluate and compare functional capacity and biochemical factors among elderly women living in the urban and rural sectors of Yumbe, Chile. The sample consisted of 2 groups of elderly women from the province of Ñuble, from the eighth region of Chile, divided into urban elderly (UE) (n = 20) with a mean age of 67.57 ± 3.4 years, and rural elderly (RE) (n = 20), with a mean age of 71.25 ± 2.2 years. The following biochemical variables were analyzed: glycemic index a, and triglycerides levels and cholesterol levels. The test battery used to assess functional capacity was the Senior Fitness Test. It was found that the UE group presented better indices than the RE group for all variables except glycemia, for which the RE group presented better indices. In the functional capacity, in particular, the upper and lower body strength is significantly lower in the RE. The functional capacity and the biochemical parameters studied have shown that the elderly women of different social conditions in the Yumbe-Chile region do not present a good degree of functionality, and also show high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, which might be the cause of the increased prevalence of health problems in this population.