bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Politics of Modern India and the World of Untouchables
Authors: Nikiforova E.
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the political performance of the Dalits - the former untouchables - on the political scene of modern India. Though the Dalits constitute a fourth of all population, until today they haven’t achieved great influence in Indian policy. There are only few Dalit party-players at the national level. A great success of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh several years ago is vanishing, and the Party's bad results in the last elections (national and regional) prove this negative tendency. In recent years, BSP faced internal divisions between its leader and party members as well as the lack of clear and constant strategy. The Party attempted to focus on broad layers of population from the Dalits to high castes, but started to lose the support of its core voters, i.e. the Dalits. The “Mody wave” during the last general elections in 2014 was able to catch Dalit voters practically in all states. Survey findings argue that the winner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the new charismatic prime-minister Narendra Modi challenged the Indian National Congress (INK), a traditional supporter of the Dalits, in most of issues. Dalit parties could hardly compose a strong alliance with other low castes parties, but their local leaders easily joined the current winner BJP. The Dalits face problems of their political identity, the lack of integration, and still act as “bank voters”, as usual.
PERAN SOCIAL SKILL TRAINING DALAM MENINGKATKAN KETERAMPILAN SOSIAL PASIEN SKIZOFRENIA KATATONIK
Authors: Febrian Al Amin Muhammad
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to determine the role of social skill training in improving social skills. Data collection methods used in this study are interviews, WAIS testing, projective test, and SSCT. The subject of the study was an 18 years old male who had a catatonic schizophrenic disorder who did not want to interact socially before entering Menur Psychiatric Hospital. The intervention given was Social Skill Training to improve social skills in 7 sessions. Through Social Skill Training, subjects are trained in various social skills, such as greeting, introducing themselves, communicating lightly and to make friends so that the subject is no longer to be silent and sculpting in the room and make the subject be able to go to school again. The results showed a number of changes, such as subjects who were able to greet, introduce themselves first, even able to have small conversations with people around the subject.
Why Ecological Footprint Calculators Should Move beyond Information Provision – An Empirical Study of the Relationship between Environmental Knowledge and Ecological Footprint
Authors: Kok Anne L. , Barendregt Wolmet
Published: February 2021

Ecological footprint calculators are digital tools that help individuals calculate their environmental or climate impact, with the aim of stimulating pro-environmental behaviour change. These footprint calculators typically take an information-provision approach, but this strategy assumes that increased levels of knowledge result in increased levels of pro-environmental behaviour (i.e., a reduced footprint). This is not a given – existing literature on the relationship between environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behaviour is inconclusive, and this relationship may be different from that of environmental knowledge and ecological footprint. As such, we investigated the relationship between environmental knowledge and ecological footprint as estimated by a footprint calculator. 448 Dutch participants completed an online survey, including an ecological footprint calculator. We found no evidence for a relationship between environmental knowledge and ecological footprint calculator outcome. Rather, an exploratory analysis of our data showed that environmental values were more important predictors of ecological footprint. The finding that increased levels of knowledge are not related to a reduced ecological footprint suggests that calculators would do well to move beyond information provision, and employ additional behaviour change strategies. Based on our exploratory analysis, we provide several concrete examples of potential strategies.
Quest for Novel Preventive and Therapeutic Options Against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Irum Sidra , Andleeb Saadia , Ali Amjad , Rashid Muhammad Ibrahim , Majid Mahnoor
Published: February 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical healthcare challenge due to its ability to cause persistent infections and the acquisition of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Lack of preventive vaccines and rampant drug resistance phenomenon has rendered patients vulnerable. As new antimicrobials are in the preclinical stages of development, mining for the unexploited drug targets is also crucial. Here, we designed a chimeric vaccine against P. aeruginosa using a subtractive proteomics approach and identified nine unique enzymes as novel drug targets in PAO1 proteome. A total of five unique proteins were selected as potential vaccine candidates based on essentiality, extracellular localization, virulence, antigenicity, pathway association, protein-protein interaction analysis, hydrophilicity, and low molecular weight. These include two outer membrane porins OprF (P13794) and OprD (P32722), a protein activator precursor pra (G3XDA9), a probable outer membrane protein precursor PA1288 (Q9I456), and a conserved hypothetical protein PA4874 (Q9HUT9). These proteins were further analyzed using a reverse vaccinology approach to identify immunogenic and antigenic T cell and B cell epitopes. The best scoring epitopes qualifying for all set criteria were then further subjected to the construction of a polypeptide multi-epitope vaccine construct with cholera toxin B (CtxB) subunit as an adjuvant. The identified drug targets qualifying the screening criteria were: UDP-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucuronic acid 3-dehydrogenase WbpB (G3XD23), aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (Q51344), 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyldihydropteridine pyrophosphokinase (Q9HV71), 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic-acid transferase (Q9HUH7), glycyl-tRNA synthetase alpha chain (Q9I7B7), riboflavin kinase/FAD synthase (Q9HVM3), aconitate hydratase 2 (Q9I2V5), probable glycosyltransferase WbpH (G3XD85) and UDP-3-O-[3-hydroxylauroyl] glucosamine N-acyltransferase (Q9HXY6). For druggability and pocketome analysis crystal and homology structures of these proteins were retrieved and developed. A sequence-based search was performed in different databases (ChEMBL, Drug Bank, PubChem and Pseudomonas database) for the availability of reported ligands and tested drugs for the screened targets. These predicted targets may provide a basis for the development of reliable antibacterial preventive and therapeutic options against P. aeruginosa.
Robotic Process Automation with Optoklik
Authors: Radošević Danijel , Mrvac Nikola , Bernik Andrija
Published: February 2021

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a fast growing field inside Business Process Automation (BPA). RPA deals with software robots that use human application interface to do some repetitive tasks like starting programs, filling the forms, clicking on buttons etc. Some RPA software tools like Blue Prism, Rapise and UiPath became popular during last years but there are still some problems with them starting with their high price and difficulties to adapt to the real use cases. On the other hand, Optoklik is a relatively small RPA tool developed to be highly adaptable to the real cases and still easy to use. This paper presents the main functions of Optoklik and discusses its usage in automation of different actions that use human application interface.
Building the Independence of Villages in Bandung Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Simangunsong Fernandes , Hutasoit Imelda
Published: February 2021

Village has a vital role in the national development efforts. The concept of development considered village as an object instead of a subject of development. This study focused on determining the important points in enabling a village to be independent by shifting the paradigm of “building the village” into “the building village”. This study was an exploratory research of public policies with qualitative legal studies. This study was conducted in 3 villages in Bandung regency with different characteristics, namely Neglawangi with urban characteristics, Cibiru Wetan with sub-urban characteristics, and Rancamanyar with plural characteristics. The results of this study showed that the wise step in building an independent village is through “the building village” road maps. First, encourage the inception of critical and care community and community organizations who dynamically interact in the policy making processes of village development. Second, implement a participative, accountable, and transparent planning and budgeting system within the limits of their authorities. Third, empower inclusive village economic institutions. The three road maps can succeed if they are supported by good implementation of participative, systematic, effective and efficient planning and budgeting system, as well as good monitoring.
Enhanced Optical Nonlinear Performance with Integrated 2D Graphene Oxide Thin Films in CMOS Compatible Devices
Authors: Zhang Yuning , Wu Jiayang , Moss David
Published: February 2021

We report enhanced nonlinear optics in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatible photonic platforms through the use of layered two-dimensional (2D) graphene oxide (GO) films. We integrate GO films with silicon-on-insulator nanowires (SOI), high index doped silica glass (Hydex) and silicon nitride (SiN) waveguides and ring resonators, to demonstrate an enhanced optical nonlinearity including Kerr nonlinearity and four-wave mixing (FWM). The GO films are integrated using a large-area, transfer-free, layer-by-layer method while the film placement and size are controlled by photolithography. In SOI nanowires we observe a dramatic enhancement in both the Kerr nonlinearity and nonlinear figure of merit (FOM) due to the highly nonlinear GO films. Self-phase modulation (SPM) measurements show significant spectral broadening enhancement for SOI nanowires coated with patterned films of GO. The dependence of GO’s Kerr nonlinearity on layer number and pulse energy shows trends of the layered GO films from 2D to quasi bulk-like behavior. The nonlinear parameter of GO coated SOI nanowires is increased 16 folds, with the nonlinear FOM increasing over 20 times to FOM > 5. We also observe an improved FWM efficiency in SiN waveguides integrated with 2D layered GO films. FWM measurements for samples with different numbers of GO layers and at different pump powers are performed, achieving up to ≈7.3 dB conversion efficiency (CE) enhancement for a uniformly coated device with 1 layer of GO and ≈9.1 dB for a patterned device with 5 layers of GO. These results reveal the strong potential of GO films to improve the nonlinear optics of silicon, Hydex and SiN photonic devices.
Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Discovery Learning Melalui Instagram untuk Meningkatkan Pembelajaran Daring pada Materi Globalisasi
Authors: Rindawati Vivin
Published: February 2021

Menerapkan konsep abstrak pada pembelajaran daring tidaklah mudah. Hal ini berdampak pada hasil pembelajaran yang tidak maksimal.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui partisipasi peserta didik dalam pembelajaran daring melalui jejaring social Instagram dengan model pembelajaran discovery learning. Subyek penelitian ini berjumlah 32 orang yaitu 26 perempuan dan 6 laki-laki. Peserta didik adalah kelas XII IPS 4 di SMA N 2 Cepu, Kabupaten Blora. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kualitatif  dari data yang diperoleh dalam siklus I dan siklus II Penelitian Tindakan Kelas. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dan hasil tes evaluasi di akhir pembelajaran. Hasil penelitian pada pra siklus melalui evaluasi pembelajaran menunjukkan peserta didik yang tidak tuntas adalah 22 peserta didik atau 68,75 % atau dari jumlah keseluruhan satu kelas yaitu 32. Pada siklus I jumlah peserta didik yang tidak tuntas sudah berkurang menjadi 53 % atau 17 orang dan pada siklus ke II peserta didik yang tidak tuntas berkurang hingga 18,75% atau 6 peserta didik . kesimpulan dari Penelitian Tindakan Kelas ini, dengan partisipasi penggunaan Instagram dalam pembelajaran daring materi globalisasi dapat mempermudah peserta didik dalam menemukan konsep sosiologi yang bersifat abstrak menjadi lebih konkret.
PENINGKATAN PRESTASI BELAJAR SOSIOLOGI MATERI PERMASALAH SOSIAL MENGGUNAKAN METODE PROBLEM SOLVING DENGAN BERBANTUAN APLIKASI GAME EDUKATIF QUIZZIZ PADA PEMBELAJARAN DARING
Authors: Prastyawati Lia
Published: February 2021

Pembelajaran jarak jauh (PJJ) dimasa pandemi covid-19 ternyata menimbulkan beberapa permasalahan, diantaranya adalah menurunnya prestasi akademik peserta didik dalam mata pelajaran sosiologi. Penelitian tindakan kelas ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan prestasi belajar sosiologi pada materi pemasalahan sosial kelas XI IPS jenjang SMA dengan menggunakan metode problem solving berbantuan quizziz. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam pembelajaran jarak jauh moda daring di masa pandemi covid-19. Pembelajaran moda daring menggunakan platform googleclassroom, whatsaapgroup, googlemeet dan quizziz. Metode problem solving mengarahkan peserta didik untuk aktif, kolaboratif, komunikatif dan kritis dalam menentukan alternatif penyelesaian suatu masalah. Responden penelitian berjumlah 35 peserta didik kelas XI IPS SMA N 7 Purworejo. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan teknik deskriptif kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian penerapan metode problem solving berbantuan quizziz dalam pembelajaran sosiologi menunjukkan peningkatan dalam aktivitas peserta didik dan perubahan prestasi yang positif dibuktikan dengan meningkatnya hasil belajar peserta didik dari prasiklus sampai siklus III. Dengan Kriteria Ketuntasan Minimal (KKM) sebesar 70. Pratindakan diperoleh rata-rata kelas 65 dengan 57% peserta didik belum tuntas KKM dan 43% peserta didik telah tuntas KKM. Siklus I rata-rata kelas meningkat menjadi 81 dengan capaian 6% peserta didik belum tuntas KKM dan 94% peserta didik telah tuntas KKM. Siklus II rata-rata kelas mengalami peningkatan menjadi 92 dengan capaian 100% peserta didik telah tuntas KKM. Penerapan metode problem solving berbantuan quizziz dalam prasiklus, siklus I dan siklus II mampu menaikkan prestasi belajar sosiologi, peningkatannya adalah 27 poin dengan presentasi peserta didik yang tuntas KKM adalah 100%.
UPAYA PENINGKATAN HASIL BELAJAR SOSIOLOGI MATERI PERBEDAAN, KESETARAAN, DAN HARMONI SOSIAL MELALUI MEDIA APLIKASI KAHOOT BAGI PESERTA DIDIK KELAS XI IPS 2 SEMESTER I SMA ISLAM HIDAYATULLAH SEMARANG TAHUN PELAJARAN 2020/2021
Authors: Yuliani Ria
Published: February 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui upaya peningkatan hasil belajar sosiologi materi perbedaan, kesetaraan, dan harmoni sosial melalui media aplikasi Kahoot. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada kelas XI IPS 2 yang berjumlah 27 peserta didik di SMA Islam Hidayatullah Semarang sejak bulan Oktober sampai bulan November 2020.

Jenis penelitian ini termasuk penelitian tindakan kelas. Berdasarkan siklus penelitian tindakan kelas (Arikunto, 2010:16) terdapat beberapa tindakan yaitu perencanaan tindakan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi, dan refleksi. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, dan tes hasil belajar. Analisis data menggunakan deskriptif kualitatif dan kuantitatif.

Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dari hasil belajar terjadi peningkatan setiap siklusnya. Pada siklus 1 sebesar 0% (0 peserta didik) mencapai nilai di atas KKM 74 dengan nilai tertinggi 70 dan nilai terendah 20, siklus ke II sebesar 83% (23 peserta didik) mencapai nilai di atas KKM 74 dengan nilai tertinggi 100 dan nilai terendah 40. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa penggunaan media kahoot! dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar peserta didik kelas XI IPS 2 SMA Islam Hiayatullah Semarang.
Kata Kunci: Hasil Belajar, Media Kahoot!, Penelitian Tindakan Kelas
PERUBAHAN POLA PENGELOLAAN HUTAN OLEH MASYARAKAT DI DESA KALIGUNTING (Studi Kasus PHBM di Desa Kaligunting, Kecamatan Mejayan, Kabupaten Madiun, Jawa Timur)
Authors: Annisa Winanda Rizky , Zunariyah Siti
Published: February 2021

Abstract : The existence of forest in Indonesia nowadays could be identified as under critical condition. It was not only caused by illegal logging phenomenon, but also the habit of forest village community which implicitly gives contribution towards the decay of forest ecosystem. This research used qualitative-descriptive method with approach case studies. The change that occurred in Kaligunting Village could be identified as two aspect, including physical aspect and non-physical aspect. Related to physical aspect, cultivating pattern that turned to 3m x 3m impacted on forest sustainability and level of society participation in tumpangsari. Whereas, non-physical aspect change, including social change, economics change, and cultural change. Social change could be seen by the emergence of LMDH Sumber Tani which made level of participation, interaction and social distance, and social network increased. Economic change is visible through the emergence of business opportunity such as cassava flour which became main product of the village, up to the existence of production sharing form Perum Perhutani. Then, in the cultural aspect, the change is occurred in cultivation and harvesting ritual.Keyword : Social change, forest management, Forestry Departmen, PHBM, civil institutions
 

Abstrak : Keberadaan hutan di Indonesia saat ini dapat diidentifikasi karena berada dalam kondisi kritis. Bukan hanya disebabkan oleh fenomena illegal logging, tetapi juga kebiasaan masyarakat desa hutan yang secara implisit memberikan kontribusi terhadap kerusakan ekosistem hutan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif-deskriptif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Perubahan yang terjadi di Desa Kaligunting dapat diidentifikasi sebagai dua aspek, termasuk aspek fisik dan non-fisik. Terkait dengan aspek fisik, pola budidaya yang berubah menjadi 3m x 3m berdampak pada kelestarian hutan dan tingkat partisipasi masyarakat dalam tumpangsari. Sedangkan, aspek non fisik berubah, termasuk perubahan sosial, perubahan ekonomi, dan perubahan budaya. Perubahan sosial dapat dilihat dengan munculnya LMDH Sumber Tani yang membuat tingkat partisipasi, interaksi dan jarak sosial, dan jejaring sosial meningkat. Perubahan ekonomi terlihat melalui munculnya peluang bisnis seperti tepung ubi kayu yang menjadi produk utama desa, hingga adanya bentuk bagi hasil Perum Perhutani. Kemudian, dalam aspek budaya, perubahan itu terjadi dalam ritual kultivasi dan panen.

 Kata Kunci: Perubahan sosial, pengelolaan hutan, Departemen Kehutanan, PHBM, lembaga sipil
RISIKO DAN REFLEKSIVITAS GAY TERHADAP KEKERASAN (Studi Kasus pada Komunitas Gay di Surakarta)
Authors: Rahayu Vebrianti , Demartoto Argyo
Published: February 2021

Gay is a minority group the existence of which is still unacceptable to the society. It puts the gay into a group vulnerable to violence risk. The objective of research is to study the risk and the reflexivity of violence in gay community in Surakarta. This qualitative with case study approach took place in Surakarta. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling one. The informant of research consisted of chairperson and administrators of Surakarta Gaya Mahardhika Foundation, gays becoming the victim of violence, community fellow members, and administrators of Mitra Alam Surakarta NGO. Data was collected through observation, in-depth interview, and documentation. To validate data, source triangulation was used. Technique of analyzing data used was Miles and Huberman’s interactive model of analysis with Ulrich Beck’s Risk Society theory.     

The result of research showed that violence risk encountered by gay in Surakarta included physical violence such as being thrown with sharp weapon, being struck and slapped; physical/emotional violence such as cynical and disliking view, expulsion, threat and negative stigma intended to gay organization; sexual violence such as sexual abuse conducted by police officer by touching the victim’s body organ; economic violence such as money and product expropriation by sexual partner; and verbal violence such as being insulted and mocked by some people on the street. The effect of violence consisted of physical effect such as bruise, gash, and pain still felt until today, and physical effect such as fear, trauma, discomfort and fidget, disappointment, resentfulness, anger, pique, and regret. The reflectivity of gay in dealing with violence included interacting or looking for acquaintance or partner more alertly and selectively; adapting, comporting; building intimacy an self-image by conducting positive activities within society; conducting homosexual activity more carefully such as fulfilling their sexual need in their known place rather than doing it in opened space that has been known by mass organization; and providing advocacy to the gay becoming the victim of violence.     
RISIKO DAN REFLEKSIVITAS GAY TERHADAP KEKERASAN (Studi Kasus pada Komunitas Gay di Surakarta)
Authors: Rahayu Vebrianti , Demartoto Argyo
Published: February 2021

Gay is a minority group the existence of which is still unacceptable to the society. It puts the gay into a group vulnerable to violence risk. The objective of research is to study the risk and the reflexivity of violence in gay community in Surakarta. This qualitative with case study approach took place in Surakarta. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling one. The informant of research consisted of chairperson and administrators of Surakarta Gaya Mahardhika Foundation, gays becoming the victim of violence, community fellow members, and administrators of Mitra Alam Surakarta NGO. Data was collected through observation, in-depth interview, and documentation. To validate data, source triangulation was used. Technique of analyzing data used was Miles and Huberman’s interactive model of analysis with Ulrich Beck’s Risk Society theory.      
The result of research showed that violence risk encountered by gay in Surakarta included physical violence such as being thrown with sharp weapon, being struck and slapped; physical/emotional violence such as cynical and disliking view, expulsion, threat and negative stigma intended to gay organization; sexual violence such as sexual abuse conducted by police officer by touching the victim’s body organ; economic violence such as money and product expropriation by sexual partner; and verbal violence such as being insulted and mocked by some people on the street. The effect of violence consisted of physical effect such as bruise, gash, and pain still felt until today, and physical effect such as fear, trauma, discomfort and fidget, disappointment, resentfulness, anger, pique, and regret. The reflectivity of gay in dealing with violence included interacting or looking for acquaintance or partner more alertly and selectively; adapting, comporting; building intimacy an self-image by conducting positive activities within society; conducting homosexual activity more carefully such as fulfilling their sexual need in their known place rather than doing it in opened space that has been known by mass organization; and providing advocacy to the gay becoming the victim of violence.
Naval Integration: An Old Approach for a New Era
Authors: Erdelatz Scott , Canty J. D. , Desens Mark , Seneko Chris
Published: February 2021

Current debates on naval integration mostly focus on whether the naval Services’ warfighting concepts are on target—the why of naval integration—or whether integration efforts are jeopardizing the Marine Corps’ ability to fulfill longstanding roles and missions. An underappreciated aspect of this topic is the process, or the how, of naval integration. The actions of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during the interwar period are a positive example of naval integration and indicative of the long-term effects that can follow. Many current developments, in particular the growing partnership of the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and fleet commands, are examples of effective naval integration and will help ensure that the Services arrive at the proper end state.
Losing the Initiative in the First Island Chain: How Organizational Inefficiencies Can Yield Mismatched Arsenals
Authors: Ludlow Matthew
Published: February 2021

Much has been written of renewed great power competition and the characteristics of a potential armed conflict with the People’s Republic of China. This article surveys the strategic environment and the features of the current military strategies, detailing how such a conflict might be waged. In preparation for a potential conflict with China in which defense of the first island chain is required, the Joint force, and in particular the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, have invested heavily in technology intended for amphibious expeditionary operations. However, most of the investment has centered on intricate and expensive aviation technology. Meanwhile, surface expeditionary technology has continued to age and now significantly lags its aviation counterparts such as the MV-22 Osprey and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. As a result, a strategic gap in capabilities has emerged that could dramatically impact the ability to execute an island-defense strategy.
Comments: Rolling Into 2021 - Take the Time To Adjust Your Worldview
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: February 2021

We enter the new year together as an industry and as SPE members, but also as individuals who have traveled on varying roads and experienced personal detours. While this also can be said of years past, 2020 brought with it unanticipated upheavals within the oil and gas industry, global societies, and our personal and professional lives (and livelihoods).

Outlooks for the coming year depend in large part on your own worldview: Are you generally an optimist or a pessimist? An optimist believes that problems are temporary and will get better. A pessimist is convinced that the problem is here to stay and can only get worse. Optimists go into new situations with high expectations, while pessimists hang onto low expectations to prepare for negative outcomes.

Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

The objective truth is that the water in the glass is at the halfway mark. The rest is up to our interpretation of that truth. The truth itself doesn’t change, but how we interpret it can have a huge effect on our actions.

In his column this month, SPE President Tom Blasingame, a self-described optimist, wrote, “It’s time to look at the horizon” and “open our sails.” The metaphor describes taking action after the worst of a storm has passed or is passing and to make adjustments to get back on course.

None of us are continuously optimistic or pessimistic. Life happens and moves the needle in either direction, but opening our sails may help us recover our optimism when it falters. Tapping into our resources is critical to our worldview.

Am I consistently a cheerleader with a rosy view, no matter what happens? Certainly not, but I tap into my resources and mightily try to move the needle back toward optimism. (Warning: Success in doing so may not be immediate.)

Your personal resources vary, and this is a reminder that SPE is one of those resources.

This list is intended to serve as an “SPE Guide to Optimism.” These offerings can help to move the needle for you. Best wishes for 2021 from the JPT editorial team.
Combination and Improvement of Conventional DNA Extraction Methods in Actinobacteria
Authors: babadi Zahra Khosravi , Narmani Abolfazl , Ebrahimipour Gholam Hossein , Wink Joachim
Published: February 2021

I. Background: DNA extraction is an important step of any molecular experiment, in conjunction with the members of Actinomycetes, DNA couldn’t be quickly extracted by the usual methods of lysis. Due to the low efficiency of most of the conventional DNA extraction techniques, development of an effective techniques for DNA extraction of Actinobacteria in emergency case seems to be necessary. Since, most of the known DNA extraction techniques and commercial kits do not have sufficient efficiency in the extraction of DNA from a different group of Actinobacteria, the objective of this study was to improvement an efficient method from conventional methods for DNA extraction from Actinobacteria. II. Methods and Results: For this purpose, DNA extraction was performed by five methods (an improvedmethod, Invisorb Spin Plant Mini Kit, EZ-10 Spin Column, phenol-chloroform method and Kirby Bauer's method). To evaluate the quantity and quality of extracted genomic DNA, UV absorbance of all samples and efficiency of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were evaluated. Overall, the results showed the highest quantity of DNA (up to 4000 ng/µl) was obtained by employing introduced DNA extraction method, also yielding good quality. III. These results indicate the recently introduced improved method is more efficient for extraction of DNA from Actinobacteria for DDH (DNA–DNA hybridization) test and for those they require the high concentration of DNA.
Cold storage induces rat liver pyroptosis by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress response through the ATF6-CHOP pathway
Authors: liu jiang , Liang Tiancheng , Ni Yong , Luo De , Li Bo , Gan Yu , Fang Cheng , Ou Santao , Su Song
Published: February 2021

Aims :Liver injury is a common complication of cold storage (CS), and often constitutes a direct cause for liver transplantation failure. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying CS-induced liver injury remain unclear. Recent evidence indicates that pyroptosis plays an important role in multiple pathophysiological processes. Using rat liver tissue and cells as a model, we identified a novel mechanism by which inflammasome-dependent interleukin-1β (IL-1β) activation and hepatocyte pyroptosis mediate CS-induced liver injury.Methods :To induce CS, liver tissue and cells were subjected to storage at 4ºC for 12 and 24 h. Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was achieved by RNA silencing. Measurements of caspase-1, caspase-11, and IL-1β were performed.Results: Pyroptosis was activated in CS-treated livers, as evidenced by increased levels of caspase-1 and caspase-11 activity, and the elevated expression of IL-1β. ER stress response was activated as well. Inhibition of ER stress response prevented CS-induced liver pyroptosis and inflammation.Conclusion : Our findings suggest that pyroptosis might be playing an important role in the development of liver injury induced by CS. Overactivated ER stress response, followed by activation of the ATF6-CHOP signaling pathway, might be a novel molecular mechanism involved in CS-induced pyroptosis of liver tissue and cells.
Inhibition of Morusin From Mulberry Branches As An Agro-Waste to MDA-MB-453 and HCT116 Cancer Cells By Inducing Cell Apoptosis and Disturbing The Cell Cycle
Authors: Zhong Zhi-Hao , Zhang Yu-Qing
Published: February 2021

Mulberry tree branches are one of the largest agro-wastes produced in silk industry. How to make full use of this waste has always been one of the most important issues for the silk industry and even the entire biological industry. The paper has first reported that the inhibition of morusin recovered from mulberry branch barks, a prenylated flavonoid, on 20 kinds of tumour cells, of which the IC50 values of the 80% cells reaches about 15 µM. Second, effects on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of two cancer cells were investigated in detail. The experimental results showed that the apoptotic ratio of the high concentration was 77.73% in MDA-MB-453 cells. Western blotting displayed that morusin upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated vimentin and N-cadherin in a dose-dependent manner, and thus reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It could upregulate cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax and downregulate Caspase-3 and Bcl-2, which indicate that the cell apoptosis is induced by morusin. These cancer cells, MDA-MB-453, were blocked in G2 phase, and HCT116 were arrested in S phase when treated with morusin, which is possible that the cell cycle is disturbed. Therefore, morusin could inhibit cancer migration and growth and promote cancer cell apoptosis.
A Proteogenomic Atlas of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Chinese Population
Authors: Ding Chen , Qu Yuan-Yuan , Feng Jinwen , Wu Xiaohui , Bai Lin , Xu Wenhao , Zhu Lingli , Liu Yang , Xu Fujiang , Zhang Xuan , Yang Guojian , Lv Jiacheng , Chen Xiuping , Shi Guohai , Wang Hongkai , Cao Dalong , Xiang Hang , Li Lingling , Tan Subei , Gan Hualei , Sun Menghong , Zhang Hailiang , Zhao Jian-Yuan , Ye Dingwei
Published: February 2021

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the top 10 malignant carcinomas1. Clear cell (cc)RCC, accounting for ~ 75% of RCC cases, is an aggressive histological RCC subtype. In the last decade, large-scale multiomics studies have profoundly enhanced our understanding of this disease2,3. However, despite the differences of genomic alterations between Western and Eastern ccRCC4,5, these studies mostly focused on patients in Western populations. Here we conducted a comprehensive proteogenomic analysis of 232 tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissue pairs from Chinese ccRCC patients. Genomic analysis revealed unique genetic features of Chinese ccRCC and distinct mutation patterns associated with copy number alterations. Based on proteomic profiles, ccRCC showed extensive metabolic dysregulation, especially in one-carbon metabolism. We classified ccRCC into three subtypes (GP1–3), among which the most aggressive GP1 exhibited dominant immune response, metastasis, and metabolic imbalance, linking the proteomic features, genomic alterations, and clinical outcomes of ccRCC. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) and NNMT mediated protein homocysteinylation were identified as a poor prognosis indicator and a drug target for GP1, respectively. We demonstrated that NNMT induces DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) homocysteinylation, increases DNA repair, and promotes tumor growth in ccRCC. Treatment of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), an inhibitor of homocysteinylation, markedly reduced the NNMT overexpression induced radioresistance of tumor cells. This study provided valuable insights into the biological underpinnings and prognosis assessment of ccRCC, revealing a targetable metabolic vulnerability.
A web-based survey of contact lens-related adverse events among Japanese female population: Are decorative contact lenses dangerous?
Authors: Ono Koichi , Murakami Akira , Haishima Yuji
Published: February 2021

Objectives:To compare the frequency of contact lens (CL)-related complications and to identify the risk factors for transparent and decorative CL users. Methods:A web-based, cross-sectional, observational survey of adverse events related to CL use was performed. The frequencies of complications were compared between two groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate an odds ratio (OR) for each metric. Age, replacement schedule, total experience, daily wear time, location of purchase, stacking of CLs, CL exchange with friends, compliance to hygiene procedure, replacement of CLs at intervals longer than recommended, and CL wear overnight were considered as confounders. Results:A total of 3,803 Japanese females were surveyed. The frequency of adverse events was 33.35% (95%CI: 31.27%-35.43%) and 35.73% (95%CI: 33.53%-37.98%) for transparent and decorative CLs, respectively. In a multivariate model, statistically significant factors associated with complications included the following: quarterly schedule lenses, replacement of CLs at intervals longer than recommended, compliance to hygiene procedure, CL wear overnight, CL purchase at physical shops and on the internet, and longer daily wearing time.Conclusions:Most of the risk-increasing behaviors are preventable. The role of public health ophthalmology is to increase awareness and to improve CL use behaviors.
Optimized Administration of Voriconazole and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Children and Adolescents: A Single-Centre Retrospective Experience from China
Authors: Zhao Yi-Chang , Zou Yang , Tang Dan , Xiao Chen-Lin , Xiao Yi-Wen , Wang Feng , Zhang Bi-Kui , Xiang Da-Xiong , Yu Feng , Yan Miao
Published: February 2021

Background

Voriconazole (VRC) is a triazole anti-fungal agent and a first-line treatment for invasive fungal infection (IFI) generally. The purpose of our study was performed to explore the factors affecting voriconazole trough concentration (Ctrough) and to show VRC dose adjustment experience in children.
Methods

The demographic information, concentration data, CYP2C19 genotypes and clinical outcomes of eligible children from January 1th, 2016 to December 31th, 2018 were collected. Factors affecting the voriconazole trough concentration were statistically analyzed.
Results

A total of 145 trough concentrations in 94 patients were included in this study, 54.5% of which achieved the target concentrations; however, 35.9% and 9.6% of which were sub-therapeutic and super-therapeutic post-multiple dosing. For children ≤ 2, 2–6, 6–12, and 12–18 years, the median VRC maintenance doses of 5.7, 6.7, 5.0 and 3.3 mg/kg twice daily respectively had been required in order to achieve therapeutic level (P < 0.001). Co-administration of proton pump inhibitors affected VRC target trough concentration significantly (P = 0.001).
Conclusion

Younger pediatric patients might need a higher dosage regime to achieve therapeutic trough concentration. In order to ensure the effectiveness and safety of voriconazole in children, early and repeat monitoring of voriconazole is a powerful tool.
Therapeutic method for early-stage second primary non-small lung cancer: analysis of a population-based database
Authors: Chen Congcong , Wu Zixiang , Wu Ziheng , Wu Chuanqiang , Wang Qi , Zhan Tianwei , Dong Lingjun , Fang Shuai , Wu Ming
Published: February 2021

Background Early-stage non-small lung cancer patients may survive long enough to develop second primary lung cancers. However, few studies have accurately described the therapeutic method, evaluation or prognostic factors for long-term survival in this complex clinical scenario.Methods Patients who had first and second primary non-small lung cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2004 and 2015 were evaluated. The patients were included when their tumors were pathologically diagnosed as non-small lung cancer and in the early-stage (less than 3 cm and with no lymph node metastasis). Therapeutic methods were categorized as lobectomy, sublobectomy or no surgery. The influence of different therapeutic methods on the overall survival rate was compared. Results For the first primary tumor, patients who underwent lobectomy achieved superior survival benefits compared with patients who underwent sublobectomy. For the second primary tumor, long-term survival was similar in patients who underwent lobectomy and those who underwent sublobectomy treatment. The multivariate analysis indicated that age, disease-free time interval, sex, first and second type of surgery were independent prognostic factors for long-term survival. Our results showed that the 5-year overall survival rate was 91.9% when the disease-free interval exceeded 24 months.Conclusion Lobectomy for the first primary tumor followed by sublobectomy for the second primary tumor may be a beneficial therapeutic method for patients. If the disease-free interval exceeds 24 months, the second primary tumor will have no influence on the natural course for patients diagnosed with a first primary non-small lung cancer.
Annonaceous acetogenins mimic AA005 targets mitochondrial trifunctional enzyme a subunit to treat obesity
Authors: Wang Li-Shun , Han Bing , Li Zhan-Ming , Mao Yu-Qin , Zhang Shi-Long , Huang Li-Ying , Wu Zhao-Xia , Chen Hui-Ling , Kong Chao-Yue , Zhang Zheng-Yan , Yao Zhu-Jun , Chen Guoqiang
Published: February 2021

Obesity and related disease is a serious threat to people's health. However, currently available anti-obesity drugs couldn’t fully meet the clinic needs. We found annonaceous acetogenin mimic AA005 treatment could resist obesity in diet-induced obese mice and leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice at non-cytotoxic dose. Then, with a bait of biotin labeled AA005, 44 proteins were captured as AA005 binding proteins using chemical proteomics. Alpha subunit of mitochondrial trifunctional protein (HADHA) showed the strongest affinity and its knockdown suppressed the fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells, identical to the effect of AA005. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that AA005 were mainly distributed in liver and fat tissue, and thus we constructed tissue-specific HADHA knockout mice of liver and fat. The obesities induced by high fat diet in these mice were significantly inhibited. Intriguingly, elevating energy expenditure and activated thermogenesis pathway were detected in AA005-treated as well as HADHA knockout mice. Thus, AA005 targeting HADHA may serve as novel therapeutic strategy for obesity.
Production, characterization and mechanical properties of Solid form geopolymeric binder- via mechanochemical route using class-F fly ash.
Authors: KUSHWAH SHAILESH , Mudgal Manish , Chouhan Ramesh Kumar , Srivast Avanish Kumar
Published: February 2021

Here, we developed Solid form geopolymeric binder, the reaction between aluminosilicate material and dry chemicals i.e. fly ash with sodium hydroxide and sodium metasilicate by ball milling for 6 hrs. to make in solid form.. Mechanochemical ball milling of raw material causes a solid-state reaction between raw materials and form solid form geopolymeric precursor which requires the addition of water to make Solid form geopolymeric binder. This geopolymer has been characterized by different characterizing techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and EDAX, and evaluated for compressive, flexure, and split tensile strength. In our results, we had achieved a compressive strength of 55.4 MPa, flexure strength of 5.38 MPa, and split tensile strength of 3.9 MPa after 28 days of testing. Solid form geopolymers have overcome the handling and hazards difficulties, which is associated with the conventional route. So now it is possible to use Solid form geopolymeric binder as general building construction and in-situ application for construction industry, which were limited to precast construction work by conventional geopolymer route.
Evaluation of the severe preeclampsia classification criterion for antiphospholipid syndrome in a study of 40 patients
Authors: Larosa Maddalena , Guern Veronique Le , Morel Nathalie , Belhocine Mériem , Ruffatti Amelia , Martin-Silva Nicolas , Paule Romain , Mouthon Luc , Dreyfus Michel , Piette Jean-Charles , Souchaud-Debouverie Odile , Deneux-Tharaux Catherine , Guettrot-Imbert Gaelle , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Pannier-Metzger Emmanuelle , Murarasu Anne , Doria Andrea , Costedoat-Chalumeau Nathalie
Published: February 2021

Background

The criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) include severe preeclampsia and/or placental insufficiency leading to preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, but this APS manifestation has been rarely studied. Thus, we reported a large series of severe preeclampsia occurred in patients with APS.
Methods

We retrospectively analysed data of APS women (Sydney criteria) who experienced severe preeclampsia with delivery before 34 weeks' gestation between 2000 and 2017 at five French internal medicine departments and one Italian rheumatology unit.
Results

The 40 women had a mean age of 30.5 ± 4.6 years at their first episode of preeclampsia; 21 were nulligravid (52.5%), 12 (30%) had already been diagnosed with APS, and 21 (52.5%) had a triple-positive antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody test.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Gold Nanoparticles Supported on Metal Oxides 
Authors: Fujita Takeshi , ZYSMAN Maéva , Elgrabli Dan , Murayama Toru , Haruta Masatake , Lanone Sophie , Ishida Tamao , Boczkowski Jorge
Published: February 2021

Gold (Au) can be deposited as nanoparticles (NPs) smaller than 10 nm in diameter on a variety of metal oxide (MOx) NPs. Au/MOx NPs have high catalytic performance and selective oxidation capacity which could have implications in terms of biological activity, and more specifically in modulation of the inflammatory reaction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of Au/TiO2, Au/ZrO2 and Au/Ce/O2 on viability, phagocytic capacity and inflammatory profile (TNF-α and IL-1β secretion) of murine macrophages. The most important result of this study is an anti-inflammatory effect of Au/MOx NPs depending on the MOx nature with particle internalization and no alteration of cell viability and phagocytosis. The effect was dependent on the MOx NPs chemical nature (Au/TiO2> Au/ZrO2> Au/CeO2 if we consider the number of cytokines whose concentration was reduced by the NPs), and on the inflammatory mediator considered. The effect of Au/TiO2 NPs was not related to Au NPs size (at least in the case of Au/TiO2 NPs in the range of 3-8 nm). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an anti-inflammatory effect of Au/MOx NPs.
Decision-Support Systems For Ambulatory Care, Including Pandemic Requirements: Using Mathematically Optimized Solutions
Authors: Leithäuser Neele , Adelhütte Dennis , Braun Kristin , Büsing Christina , Comis Martin , Gersing Timo , Johann Sebastian , Koster Arie M.C.A. , Krumke Sven O. , Liers Frauke , Schmidt Eva , Schneider Johanna , Streicher Manuel , Tschuppik Sebastian , Wrede Sophia
Published: February 2021

Background: The healthcare sector poses many strategic, tactic and operational planning questions. Due to the historically grown structures, planning is often locally confined and much optimization potential is foregone. Methods: We implemented optimized decision-support systems for ambulatory care for four different real-world case studies that cover a variety of aspects in terms of planning scope and decision support tools. All are based on interactive cartographic representations and are being developed in cooperation with domain experts. The planning problems that we present are the problem of positioning centers for vaccination against Covid-19 (strategical) and emergency doctors (strategical/tactical), the out-of-hours pharmacy planning problem (tactical), and the route planning of patient transport services (operational). For each problem, we describe the planning question, give an overview of the mathematical model and present the implemented decision support application. Results: Mathematical optimization can be used to model and solve these planning problems. However, in order to convince decision-makers of an alternative solution structure, mathematical solutions must be comprehensible and tangible. Appealing and interactive decision-support tools can be used in practice to convince public health experts of the benefits of an alternative solution. The more strategic the problem and the less sensitive the data, the easier it is to put a tool into practice. Conclusions: Exploring solutions interactively is rarely supported in existing planning tools. However, in order to bring new innovative tools into productive use, many hurdles must be overcome.