bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization Zakat for Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Baitul Mal Aceh
Authors: Riyaldi Muhammad Haris , Suriani Suriani , Nurdin Ridwan
Published: November 2020

Zakat as a wealth distribution mechanism has an impact on reducing poverty as the most important point in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). An important role can be played by zakat institutions in reducing poverty levels, especially zakat institutions in regions in Indonesia. This study aims to explain the mechanism of zakat as an instrument of Islamic economy in order to contribute to the achievement of SDGs in Aceh Province by optimizing the role of the Aceh Baitul Mal. With the grounded research method, this research is carried out by collecting data through interviews with academics of Islamic studies, Islamic boarding school scholars and zakat practitioners who are competent to assess the role of zakat in poverty alleviation in Aceh. The results showed that to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) Baitul Mal Aceh must optimize zakat as a transfer of wealth from muzakki to mustahik, both optimizing the collection and optimizing the distribution of zakat. Optimization of zakat collection is carried out by means of education, socialization, and good zakat services, while optimization of distribution is carried out by prioritizing zakat for poverty alleviation programs, ensuring the accuracy of zakat recipients, and distribution using consumptive and productive methods.

Keywords: zakat collection, zakat distribution, SDGs
BELLMAN'S MODEL - THE KEY TO EFFICIENT USE OF WORKING TIME
Authors: Semenkov Alexey , Kolotusha Anthony
Published: November 2020

The article presents a comparative analysis of cost effectiveness of labor activity with a short and long working day. The authors construct the theoretical model of a representative single labor choice, from which, without loss of generality, it follows that systematic overwork does not lead to an increase in aggregate output in comparison with the normal working regime. As a result from the model, the authors emphasize the recommendation to discourage overwork by strengthening relevant formal and informal institutions, such as a formal set of labor standards and rules and the company's corporate culture.
ECONOMICS OF RANDOMNESS: BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF DECISION MAKING UNDER RISK
Authors: Krasilnikov Alexander
Published: November 2020

The paper discusses evolution of the concept of risk in economics. History of probabilistic methods and approaches to risk and uncertainty analysis is considered. Expected utility theory, behavioral approaches, heuristic models and methods of neuroeconomics are analyzed. Author investigates stability of neoclassical program related to risk analysis and suggests further directions of development.
Theoretical Aspects of the Municipal Revenues Essence
Authors: Tretyakova Anna
Published: November 2020

Ensuring the balance of local budgets is one of the priorities of Russia's modern budget policy. Studying this issue initially requires a correct interpretation of the essence of municipal revenues. Comparative analysis of foreign and domestic experience in the formation of the local budgets revenues shows that municipal revenues are not identical to local budgets revenues if we consider their essence from the position of territorial affiliation, that is, as financial resources accumulated and used within the boundaries of the municipality.
Tax Harmonization in the Conditions of Development of International Economic Associations
Authors: Kadomtseva Svetlana , Zolotareva Yulia
Published: November 2020

The article deals with economic sovereignty, its constituent tax sovereignty and tendencies of their transformation in the conditions of formation of international regional associations. The expediency of tax harmonization in the conditions of formation of a single economic space and deepening of interstate economic integration is shown. The sequence of tax harmonization in the EU, the use of information technologies for improving tax administration are considered.
Assessment of the Impact of Environmental Pollution on Economic Growth
Authors: Kudryavtseva Olga , Ivanov E. . , Kolesnik D. . , Matveev E. . , Pechenkin S. . , Yakimova Yu. .
Published: November 2020

The work is devoted to testing the hypothesis of the existence of an inverted U-shaped dependence of economic growth on the level of environmental pollution, which was based on the concept of the ecological curve of Kuznets. The authors, using econometric methods and data from the World Bank, show that the hypothesis is correct: there is a turning point between the positive and negative nature of the dependence of economic growth on the level of CO2 emissions. The hypothesis is confirmed for low- and middle-income countries, and the dependence is linear negative for countries with a high level of income. Based on the results, the authors formulate recommendations on environmental regulation in accordance with the level of the country's economic development.
Tourism as one of the Directions of Socio-Economic Development of Small Cities in Russia
Authors: Kovalenko Vladimir V. , Davydova Lidiya A.
Published: November 2020

Socio-economic problems of small cities is a multi-factor phenomenon. One of the problems of small towns is the insufficient use of local resources, both natural and man-made. Possible points of growth of the socioeconomic situation of small cities is the development of various types of tourism with the attraction of unique tourist resources. One of the examples of the organization of tourism in some small cities can be medical tourism and its sanatorium-resort direction.
Remeasuring Aging (translation: Marina Beletskaya)
Authors: Sanderson Warren C. , Scherbov Sergei Ya.
Published: November 2020

.
New studies on modern Economic Theory of the West
Authors: Khudokormov A. G. , Bannikova A. V. , Litovchenko A. M. , Moskaleva A. A. , Danilenko E. A.
Published: November 2020

The article presents the results of studies of modern economic theory. The views of the Nobel laureates are interpreted: D. MacFadden on the development of microeconomics, T. Schelling on economic conclusions from game theory, E. Prescott in the field of cycle theory, R. Thaler in the field of behavioral economics. The intention was expressed to turn the master's seminar into a platform for the study of the global economic thought of our time.
Role of Regulatory Contract in Control of Economic Concentration Transactions
Authors: Fedorov S. I. , Galimova N. R.
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the application of the regulatory contract in the practice of economic concentration regulation from the standpoint of the theory of incomplete contracts. Based on the identification of transaction costs that arise at different stages of the conclusion and implementation of the contract, the limited rationality of both parties (including the regulator) is found. That leads us to the incompleteness of the contract. The involvement of the trustee institution in the regulatory contract is associated with the regulator's desire to remove some of the problems caused by the incompleteness of the contract (to minimize errors of type I and II under conditions of limited rationality). The risks associated with the use of the institution of trustees in regulatory contracts are also identified. Theoretical conclusions are then demonstrated on the empirical examples from Russian and foreign antitrust regulation practices. Reviewed cases: Bayer/Monsanto (2018); Anheuser-Busch Inbev / SABMiller PLC (2015); BASF/Cognis (2010).
The Role of Consciousness and the Unconscious in the Economic Behavior of an Individual and an Organization
Authors: Frolova D. D. , Alexandrova P. A. , Kuznetsova E. S. , Korolev T. Yu.
Published: November 2020

Conscious and unconscious play a big role in the economic life of people. With the help of reflections and active thought processes, we determine the tactics and strategy of market behavior, influence the formation of supply and demand, make an alternative choice between goods and services, aim to maximize the utility of consumption, and also make important decisions. However, there are also irrational motives in the actions of the subject. It is very important to understand how conscious and unconscious neural processes affect people’s behavior both in everyday life and in times of crisis and other unstable situations. That is why, such interdisciplinary directions in science as behavioral economics and neuroeconomics, which study the process of economic decision-making, are of great popularity and interest.
New records of six moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lasiocampidae) species in south African countries, with comments on their distribution
Authors: Delabye Sylvain , Sedláček Ondřej , Maicher Vincent , Tropek Robert
Published: November 2020

Southern Africa hosts a high diversity of ecosystems and habitats with a tremendous diversity of Lepidoptera. Although it is one of the most studied parts of the Afrotropics, the knowledge on diversity and distribution of south African moth fauna remains insufficient. To partly fill this gap, we surveyed macromoths by automatic light traps in five localities in two relatively less sampled south African countries.

We reported six species and one genus (Remigioides) of moths which had not yet been recorded in Namibia or Zimbabwe. Although none of these records broadened the known distribution of individual species to a new biogeographical region, they still fill important gaps in their distributions. The known distributional ranges of two species have been substantially extended, although they are still within the same biogeographical regions: ca. 800 km southwards for Remigioides remigina (Mabille, 1884) and ca. 600 km westwards for Haplopacha cinerea Aurivillius, 1905.
Parahiraciini (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Issidae): one new genus, two new species and three new subtribes
Authors: Bourgoin Thierry , Wang Menglin
Published: November 2020

A new genusPusulissusgen. nov.with two new speciesP. phiaoacensissp. nov.andP. coronomensissp. nov.are described respectively from Vietnam and China in the tribe Parahiraciini of the family Issidae. A molecular phylogeny using combined genes (18S, 28S, COX1 and Cytb) confirms its placement in the tribe Parahiraciini. The tribe is divided into three subtribes: Scantiniinasubtribe nov.with the type genusScantiniusStål, 1866, and Vindilisinasubtribe nov.with type genusVindilisStål, 1870 plusNisoprincessaGnezdilov, 2017, and the nominal subtribe Parahiraciina Cheng & Yang, 1991subtribe nov.The characteristics of these subtribes are provided, with a key to identification. GenusFolifemurumChe, Zhang & Wang, 2013 is transferred to HemisphaeriiniMongolianina, and genusGelastyrellaYang, 1994 is maintained as a valid name.
Des mariages à tout prix ? Genèse, contestation et régulation du marché de la rencontre (1840-1940)
Authors: Gaillard Claire-Lise
Published: November 2020

Depuis le début du xix e  siècle jusqu’à la veille de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, la société française assiste à l’invention d’un marché de la rencontre. L’émergence de ce marché se heurte à une solide contestation morale : les agences matrimoniales sont perçues comme une dangereuse extension des activités marchandes à la sphère intime. L’article entreprend de montrer que cette critique de la marchandisation est profondément paradoxale pour la société du xix e  siècle, puisque l’émergence de ce marché ne s’accompagne pas d’une dérégulation des rencontres amoureuses et d’un désencastrement du choix du conjoint au sens où l’entendrait Eva Illouz, mais qu’il s’appuie, au contraire, sur un écosystème du choix du conjoint très largement dominé par les cadres sociaux, économiques et familiaux. Puisque le critère économique est la première règle d’appariement des couples bourgeois, les agences matrimoniales ne sont pas coupables de l’intrication de l’argent avec l’intimité, mais seulement de la rendre visible. Dès lors que cette exhibition nourrit la contestation du marché, elle conduit également marchands et clientèle à élaborer des stratégies diverses pour rendre acceptables aux yeux de la morale autant l’intrication économie/intime que le poids de l’économie dans les critères de choix du conjoint.
Les clients d’escortboys : les ambivalences d’une économie de la prostitution en ligne
Authors: Rubio Vincent
Published: November 2020

Cet article met en lumière l’adhésion des clients d’escortboys à l’idée de l’incompatibilité de l’intime et de l’économique. Il souligne ainsi les tensions et les ambiguïtés qui jalonnent cette expérience. Le paiement en constitue un moment critique que les clients s’évertuent à invisibiliser. Cette pratique révèle comment ces derniers tentent d’infléchir le sens de la relation d’escorting.
Une ration contre un soir au cabaret : pratiques et représentations des « bienfaiteurs » et « sugar daddies » au Burundi
Authors: Courtois Anne-Claire
Published: November 2020

Cet article propose d’illustrer les pratiques et représentations d’une forme spécifique d’échange économico-sexuel au Burundi, celle des « bienfaiteurs », en la resituant dans la longue durée. Le recours aux « bienfaiteurs » se présente comme une stratégie de subsistance et de survie pour les femmes cheffes de ménage de la capitale. Cette pratique de sexe transactionnel, mise en regard avec celle, plus connue, des « sugar daddies », conforte et révèle un système global de domination masculine et de séniorité.
Heterotopic Ossification After Elbow Fractures
Authors: Herman Zachary J. , Edelman David G. , Ilyas Asif M.
Published: November 2020

Heterotopic ossification (HO), a complication after surgical repair of elbow fractures, can result in pain, decreased range of motion, or complete ankylosis of the joint. This updated systematic review focused on compiling incidence and prevalence rates of HO after surgical repair of various types of elbow fractures. The overall incidence of HO after surgical repair was calculated to be 28.7%, a result comparable with rates in the literature. Further analysis suggested that the odds of having HO may be less after distal humerus fractures than after proximal radius fractures, terrible triad injuries, and elbow fractures/dislocations. [
Orthopedics
. 2021;44(1):10–16.]
Une incertaine alliance
Authors: Mélandri Pierre
Published: November 2020

1973, l’« Année de l’Europe ». 1983, l’« Année des euromissiles ». Les deux dates délimitent une décennie cruciale pour l’Alliance atlanti­que. En 1973, elle tente de s’adapter aux changements profonds inter­venus depuis sa création. Mais doit-elle le taire selon la vision de Henry Kissinger ou celle de Michel Jobert ? Le débat est à peine entamé que le premier « choc » pétrolier détourne les démocraties vers d’autres prio­rités. Renforcée par l’esquisse d’une coopération trilatérale, leur solida­rité n’en est pas moins ébranlée par le retour des problèmes militaires et par leurs divergences sur la détente. Aussi, loin de les rapprocher, l’invasion de l’Afghanistan tend-elle plutôt à les diviser. En 1983, les grandes querelles se sont un peu apaisées et les Pershing-II et les mis­siles de croisière américaine ont pu être déployés. Mais rien n’est vrai­ment réglé. Et l’histoire de l’Occident est encore dominée par toutes sor­tes d’incertitudes (sur le leadership d’une Amérique en déclin relatif, sur la place de l’Allemagne, sur la stratégie atomique) apparues ou renfor­cées au cours de ces dix années.

Fondé sur le dépouillement des principales sources disponibles et sur plusieurs dizaines d’interviews (dont une grande partie réalisée lors d’un séjour, en juillet 1983, au Wilson Center de Washington), cet ouvrage recourt à une approche historique pour éclairer l’actualité.
Le port de New York et le commerce extérieur américain
Authors: Heffer Jean
Published: November 2020

Pendant la guerre de Sécession, le port de New York a atteint son apogée relatif dans le commerce extérieur américain. Cependant la fin de ces conditions exceptionnelles ne marque pas le retour au statu quo car, désormais, jusqu’à la fin du XIXe siècle, le roi-coton doit partager sa couronne avec les céréales. Si New York maintient son hégémonie aux importations, il voit sa suprématie contestée aux exportations, principalement de grains, par ses riveaux les plus proches, Boston, Philadelphie et Baltimore. L’objet de cet ouvrage est l’analyse de la rivalité entre ports pour la domination du commerce des États-Unis, à un moment où ce pays devient le grenier de l’Europe industrielle. Une fois établis les faits, est proposée une gamme d’interprétations, qui s’appuient sur des modèles partiels ou sur les arguments avancés par les contemporains, afin de jeter quelques lumières sur la hiérarchie des causes.
Teacher Perception of the Adoption and Implementation of DGBL in Their Classroom Teaching
Authors: Avidov-Ungar Orit , Hayak Merav
Published: November 2020

This is a case study of innovative teaching that examined how 28 elementary school teachers in Israel perceived their implementation of digital game-based learning (DGBL) in their classrooms. The study involved teachers in Israel, who implement DGBL into their classroom teaching. Qualitative analysis of semistructured in-depth interviews with the participants identified two dimensions in the teachers' narratives: the style of DGBL adoption (traditional/innovative), and the extent of DGBL implementation (high/medium/low). Based on these dimensions, four types of teachers were defined: the innovator and trailblazer, the implementer, the effort maker, and the struggler. The research findings can serve as an essential tool to help managers and decision-makers design professional development programs and tailor DGBL use to the four types of teachers identified in the study. Furthermore, once identified, trailblazer teachers could be recruited to serve as agents of change.
Effect of Gaming Mode Upon the Players' Cognitive Performance During Brain Games Play
Authors: Ahmad Faizan , Ahmed Zeeshan , Muneeb Sara
Published: November 2020

An improvement in cognitive performance through brain games play is implicit yet progressive. It is necessary to explore factors that potentially accelerate this improvement process. Like various other significant yet unexplored aspects, it is equally essential to establish a performative (fusion of accuracy and efficiency) insight about players' cognition (memory, vision, and analytics) among the different modes of brain games. This paper presents empirical research that investigates the impact of different modes of brain games (single vs. multiplayer) upon the players' cognitive performance. An accumulated result of the research revealed that the cognitive performance in memory stimulating and visual activity-oriented brain games play significantly boosts during multiplayer mode. Similarly, cognitive accuracy in analytical brain gameplay also increases during the multiplayer mode; however, it's rather inefficient. In addition, both the components of cognitive performance in single-player mode are reported as negatively correlated, while in the multiplayer mode it's rather contrary.
The Relationship of Modulus of Elasticity and Micro-Hardness of Denture Bases to Pressure Transmission under the Thermoplastic Nylon Denture Base
Authors: Andryas Ika , Nasution Hubban
Published: November 2020

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of modulus of elasticity and micro-hardness of denture bases to pressure transmission under the thermoplastic nylon denture base.Material and Methods: Mandibular first molar acrylic denture teeth (Bioeco) embedded on 15x15x3 mm3 thermoplastic nylon (TCS and BioTone) and poly methyl methacrylate denture bases were evaluated (n=9). A 100N force applied on the specimen using universal testing machine and the pressure transmitted under the specimen observed using pressure transducer. The modulus of the elasticity (n=16) measured on 64x10x3,3 mm3 specimens and micro-hardness (n=16) measured on 10x10x3 mm3 specimens. Data were statistically analyzed using One-way Anova followed by Tukey HSD post hoc test. Pearson correlation test used to evaluate the relationship of modulus of elasticity and micro-hardness on denture bases to pressure transmission (α ≥ 0,05).Results: The results showed that poly methyl methacrylate has the highest pressure transmission compared to others. There was a significant relationship between modulus of elasticity and micro-hardness to pressure transmission under the denture base.Discussion: This study can help dentists to determine the design of dentures, especially in the selection of denture base materials.
Effect of Coating Method on the Surface Characteristics of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Simsek Gorkem Muttalip , Ipekoglu Mehmet , Yapici Guney Guven
Published: November 2020

Metallic materials including stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloys, titanium and its alloys, and nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys have been used in biomedical applications since the 1940s due to their favorable mechanical properties. Classified as a smart material, NiTi alloy has gained noticeable popularity in biomedical fields such as orthopedic, dental, and cardiovascular applications as it retains reasonable corrosion resistance and biocompatibility along with unique shape memory properties. However, several studies have shown their limits in medical applications due to the risk of Ni ions release from the NiTi implant surface. In order to prevent Ni release, ceramic-based surface coatings such as hydroxyapatite, alumina, and titanium dioxide have been proposed applied by various methods such as electrophoretic deposition, sol-gel, biomimetic and dip coating. In this work, HA coatings on NiTi wire samples were obtained by using biomimetic and dip-coating methods. The biomimetic coating consisted of immersing the NiTi wire samples into simulated body fluid for 24 and 48 h periods, whereas dip coating was accomplished by placing the NiTi wire samples into the HA suspension and retracting the sample with a controlled speed. The effects of the two coating methods on coating quality, surface characteristics and corrosion behavior of NiTi wire samples were investigated. Dip coating method was shown to be a more favorable technique for the NiTi wire samples used throughout this study.
Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Thin Beams Built by Electron Beam Melting Technology and Ti6Al4V Material
Authors: Pham Minh Tuan , Yeo Song Huat , Teo Tat Joo , Wang Pan , Nai Mui Ling Sharon
Published: November 2020

Electron beam melting (EBM) technology has been popularly used to fabricate flexible devices that performance is directly determined by the elastic deformation of thin beams/flexures. This paper presents the experimental investigation on the effective thickness which determines the mechanical properties of beam-based flexures built by EBM method and Ti6Al4V material. The findings show that the effective thickness of EBM-printed beams is different from the designed value regarding to the building direction. A coefficient factor is proposed to compensate this difference. The experimental results suggest that with EBM-printed flexures having large thickness of ≥ 0.7 mm, the coefficient factors become consistent.
Surface Integrity Variations of Stainless Steel 304 upon Severe Shot Peening
Authors: Wei Yue Fan , Lee Jing Jun , Liu Hong Fei , Tan Cheng Cheh , Ardi Dennise Tanoko
Published: November 2020

Shot peening is one of the most powerful mechanical peening techniques applied in surface engineering to improve the mechanical properties of metal alloys by introducing compressive residual stresses. During shot peening process, surface integrity, such as microstructures, surface roughness, hardness and residual stress can be varied by adjusting the operating parameters of shot peening. To facilitate the understanding of the microstructure and properties variation, in our latest work, shot peening with high coverage percentage has been employed to create severe plastic deformation on stainless steel 304 (SUS304). Morphological and topological study on the shot peened coupons were carried out using microscopes and 3D optical profiler. Residual stress depth profiling was evaluated using X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructures, phase distribution and crystal orientation were analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction technique. The results show that phase transition γ - α’ and grain refinement occur during this mechanical peening process. A nanocrystalline layer with preferred orientation formed near the surface, and dislocations accumulated within sub-surface area, which can be attributed to the high energy input from the peening process. The maximum compressive residual stress, which is around 1000-1200 MPa, occurred beneath the top surface. All these findings will provide guideline for surface engineering at various scales and designing of the surface enhancement process via mechanical peening for achieving optimum surface integrity of metallic alloys.
Systematic Review of Powder Metallurgy: Current Overview of Manufactured Materials and Challenges for Future Research
Authors: Ortega-Jimenez Cesar Humberto , Andino Giovany David Luque , Segura Walter Alfonso Amador , Andino Gerardo Efraín Villalobos , Pavón Carlos Eduardo Díaz , Valladares Selvin Alejandro Baca , Donaire Herbert Daniel Chavarría , Flores Luis Fernando Chandias , Padilla Carlos Humberto Aguilar
Published: November 2020

The journey toward foundry and the increasing implementation of Powder Metallurgy are evoking replacing traditional Sand Casting, thus, creating new challenges and opportunities. To take advantage of these opportunities and deal with the challenges, we must gain a holistic understanding of the emerging technical interactions and apply new approaches and methods when introducing new technologies and designing Powder Metallurgy. In this paper, we present the findings of a systematic literature review, consisting of quantitative and qualitative data, focusing on investigating Powder Metallurgy, as an alternative to traditional Sand Casting, by comparing certain characteristics of either process to synthesize the existing information of each method and to present an overview of manufactured materials. Although results indicate an increasing current trend in research publications, showing Powder Metallurgy with many advantages over traditional casting, the latter continues to be implemented as the preferred option in industries with low-level casting production. Given that the studies indicate greater advances in Powder Metallurgy methods over traditional casting, we identified the need for more research on the former under different contexts and therefore recommend it as an approach for future studies of metal casting. This review both reorganizes the available knowledge on Powder Metallurgy, as well as it makes an important methodological contribution by applying a review in Materials science, where there is little to no systematic research, which often means failure to provide sufficient help to implement Powder Metallurgy. Based on these findings, we point to future research needs, highlighting the need for further empirical evidence and improved collaboration between the topics of Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, and Materials science, as well as with practitioners.
Analysis on the Influence of O-MMT in the Properties and Bacterial Count of PVDF Nanocomposite Membrane
Authors: Castillo Acelle Pearl T. , Pasela Bianca Rae , Tabucan Kyrien Jewel Janeena L. , Aquino Ruth R.
Published: November 2020

Polymer nanocomposites have become an exciting field of research and have attracted interest in both academia and industry. In this study, the addition of Organo-Montmorillonite (O-MMT),an ideal polymer filler due to its non-toxicity, large availability, well-known intercalation/exfoliation chemistry, and reactivity in Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane, a widely used polymer in separation fields owing to its remarkable mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties produced via non-solvent induced phased separation is observed. Presence of both polymers were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These membranes were subjected to Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) which revealed addition of the filler reduced the porosity and further increasing O-MMT’s concentration led to a relatively smoother membrane. Influence of O-MMT in the porosity made no uniform trend however reduction in pore sizes was observed. Membranes were able to elongate at an average of 80% of its original length however tensile strength of the membranes all showed brittleness behavior of the films. Sterility Bacterial count also revealed that there are no infiltration colonies in the membranes. Analysis of the study further showed other factors that needs to be accounted since they were observed to highly affect the structure and properties of the membranes.
PRMT1 Modulates Processing of Asthma-Related Primary MicroRNAs (Pri-miRNAs) into Mature miRNAs in Lung Epithelial Cells
Authors: Zhai Weiqi , Sun Haoming , Li Zhi , Li Li , Jin Ai , Li Yuwen , Chen Jian , Yang Xiaojun , Sun Qingzhu , Lu Shemin , Roth Michael
Published: November 2020

Protein arginine methyltransferase-1 (PRMT1) is an important epigenetic regulator of cell function and contributes to inflammation and remodeling in asthma in a cell type–specific manner. Disease-specific expression patterns of microRNAs (miRNA) are associated with chronic inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma. The de novo synthesis of miRNA depends on the transcription of primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) transcript. This study assessed the role of PRMT1 on pri-miRNA to mature miRNA process in lung epithelial cells. Human airway epithelial cells, BEAS-2B, were transfected with the PRMT1 expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-PRMT1 for 48 h. Expression profiles of miRNA were determined by small RNA deep sequencing. Comparing these miRNAs with datasets of microarrays from five asthma patients (Gene Expression Omnibus dataset), 12 miRNAs were identified that related to PRMT1 overexpression and to asthma. The overexpression or knockdown of PRMT1 modulated the expression of the asthma-related miRNAs and their pri-miRNAs. Coimmunoprecipitation showed that PRMT1 formed a complex with STAT1 or RUNX1 and thus acted as a coactivator, stimulating the transcription of pri-miRNAs. Stimulation with TGF-β1 promoted the interaction of PRMT1 with STAT1 or RUNX1, thereby upregulating the transcription of two miRNAs: let-7i and miR-423. Subsequent chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that the binding of the PRMT1/STAT1 or PRMT1/RUNX1 coactivators to primary let-7i (pri-let-7i) and primary miR (pri-miR) 423 promoter was critical for pri-let-7i and pri-miR-423 transcription. This study describes a novel role of PRMT1 as a coactivator for STAT1 or RUNX1, which is essential for the transcription of pri-let-7i and pri-miR-423 in epithelial cells and might be relevant to epithelium dysfunction in asthma.
A Whole Blood Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay for Functional Immune Endotyping of Septic Patients
Authors: Mazer Monty B , C. Caldwell Charles , Hanson Jodi , Mannion Daniel , Turnbull Isaiah R , Drewry Anne , Osborne Dale , Walton Andrew , Blood Tessa , Moldawer Lyle L , Brakenridge Scott , Remy Kenneth E , Hotchkiss Richard S
Published: November 2020

Sepsis initiates simultaneous pro- and anti-inflammatory processes, the pattern and intensity of which vary over time. The inability to evaluate the immune status of patients with sepsis in a rapid and quantifiable manner has undoubtedly been a major reason for the failure of many therapeutic trials. Although there has been considerable effort to immunophenotype septic patients, these methods have often not accurately assessed the functional state of host immunity, lack dynamic range, and are more reflective of molecular processes rather than host immunity. In contrast, ELISpot assay measures the number and intensity of cytokine-secreting cells and has excellent dynamic range with rapid turnaround. We investigated the ability of a (to our knowledge) novel whole blood ELISpot assay and compared it with a more traditional ELISpot assay using PBMCs in sepsis. IFN-γ and TNF-α ELISpot assays on whole blood and PBMCs were undertaken in control, critically ill nonseptic, and septic patients. Whole blood ELISpot was easy to perform, and results were generally comparable to PBMC-based ELISpot. However, the whole blood ELISpot assay revealed that nonmonocyte, myeloid populations are a significant source of ex vivo TNF-α production. Septic patients who died had early, profound, and sustained suppression of innate and adaptive immunity. A cohort of septic patients had increased cytokine production compared with controls consistent with either an appropriate or excessive immune response. IL-7 restored ex vivo IFN-γ production in septic patients. The whole blood ELISpot assay offers a significant advance in the ability to immunophenotype patients with sepsis and to guide potential new immunotherapies.
Il servizio di bioetica dell’azienda ospedaliera di Padova: un’esperienza italiana di consulenza e formazione etico-clinica
Authors: Benciolini P. , Pegoraro R. , Cadelli F.
Published: November 2020

L’articolo presenta il Servizio di Bioetica dell’Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova collocandolo nel contesto internazionale della consulenza etico-clinica, della quale fornisce un quadro generale e sintetico.

La consulenza etico-clinica, sviluppatasi soprattutto nel Nord America a partire dalla fine degli anni Sessanta, può essere definita come un servizio fornito da un consulente singolo, da un team o da un comitato avente come oggetto le questioni etiche coinvolte in uno specifico caso clinico.

La storia della consulenza etico-clinica è strettamente connessa con quella dei Comitati Etici Ospedalieri, anche nel senso che essa costituisce in parte un tentativo di superamento di alcuni limiti ravvisati in tale forma di comitati e di ridefinizione delle loro funzioni. In quest’ottica, alcuni propongono la presenza, negli ospedali, sia di servizi di consulenza che di comitati, con ruoli complementari focalizzati rispettivamente sulla consulenza e sull’elaborazione di linee guida, e con ruoli formativi distinti.

Il Servizio di Bioetica di Padova, che è attivo dal settembre 1996, è unico nel suo genere in Italia, soprattutto con riferimento al fatto di non riportare ad un comitato etico. Le sue finalità principali sono: consulenza etica sui casi clinici rivolta agli operatori sanitari; formazione etica degli operatori sanitari; elaborazione di linee guida in collaborazione con i comitati etici presenti nel contesto sanitario padovano; definizione di un progetto per la costituzione di un Comitato etico dell’Azienda.

L’attività del Servizio di Bioetica ha finora interessato le funzioni di consulenza e formazione, volutamente scelte come prioritarie, ed il bilancio è positivo sotto entrambi i profili.
Cost and Treatment Characteristics of Sport-Related Knee Injuries Managed by Athletic Trainers: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network
Authors: Lam Kenneth C. , Marshall Ashley N. , Welch Bacon Cailee E. , Valovich McLeod Tamara C.
Published: November 2020

Context

Knee injuries are common during sport participation. However, little is known about the overall management and estimated direct costs of care associated with these injuries when under the care of athletic trainers.

Objective

To describe the treatment characteristics and direct costs of care for athletic training services provided for patients with knee injuries.

Design

Descriptive study.

Setting

Ninety-five athletic training facilities across 24 states.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 117 athletic trainers (females = 56.4%, age = 29.4 ± 8.7 years, years certified = 4.7 ± 6.0, years employed at site = 1.6 ± 4.1).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Complete patient cases were identified using International Classification of Disease-10 diagnostic codes between 2009 and 2020. Summary statistics were calculated for patient demographics, treatment characteristics, and direct costs of care. Treatment characteristics included the type of athletic training service, duration, amount (eg, number of visits), and direct costs of care.

Results

A total of 441 patient cases were included. The most common injuries reported were cruciate ligament sprain (18.1%, n = 80), medial collateral ligament sprain (15.4%, n = 68), and knee pain (14.1%, n = 62). Injuries occurred most frequently during football (35.4%, n = 156), basketball (14.7%, n = 65), and soccer (12.7%, n = 56). A total of 8484 athletic training services were recorded over 4254 visits, with therapeutic exercise (29.8%, n = 2530), hot or cold pack (25.8%, n = 2189), and therapeutic activities (11.2%, n = 954) being the most frequently reported services. The median duration of care was 23 days and number of visits was 8. The median total cost of care was $564 per injury and $73 per visit.

Conclusions

Patients with knee injuries demonstrated greater time loss than those with other lower extremity injuries. Thus, it is unsurprising that knee injuries were associated with a longer duration and higher cost of care than other lower extremity injuries such as ankle sprains. Future researchers should examine the effectiveness of common treatment strategies and aim to identify treatments that can reduce costs and improve patient outcomes.
Anchored Minimal Clinically Important Difference Metrics: Considerations for Bias and Regression to the Mean
Authors: Tenan Matthew S. , Simon Janet E. , Robins Richard J. , Lee Ian , Sheean Andrew J. , Dickens Jonathan F.
Published: November 2020

Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) are used to understand clinical relevance. However, repeated observations produce biased analyses unless one accounts for baseline observation, known as regression to the mean (RTM). Using an International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) survey dataset, we can demonstrate the effect of RTM on MCID values by (1) MCID-estimate dependence on baseline observation and (2) MCID-estimate bias being higher when the posttest-pretest data correlation is lower. We created 10 IKDC datasets with 5000 patients and a specific correlation under both equal and unequal variances. For each 10-point increase in baseline IKDC, MCID decreased by 3.5, 2.7, 1.9, 1.2, and 0.7 points when posttest-pretest correlations were 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 0.90, respectively, under equal variances. Not accounting for RTM resulted in a static 20-point MCID. Minimal clinically important difference estimates may be unreliable. Minimal clinically important difference calculations should include the correlation and variances between posttest and pretest data, and researchers should consider using a baseline covariate-adjusted receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to calculate MCID.
Effects of etomidate use in ICU patients on ventilator therapy: a study of 12,526 patients in an open database from a single center
Authors: Park Ha Yeon , Lee Younsuk , Lim Chi-Yeon , Kim Mina , Park Jieun , Lee Teakseon
Published: November 2020

Background: There is a debate regarding the safety of etomidate. We evaluated the effects of etomidate on mortality in a large cohort of critical care patients.Methods: This retrospective matched-cohort study was performed using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care version 3 (MIMIC-III) database. Among 12,526 adult patients who were prescribed etomidate or propofol on the first day of mechanical ventilation, 625 patients administered etomidate were statistically matched with 6,250 patients administered propofol. The primary outcome measures were all-cause in-hospital mortality, 48-hour survival, cardiovascular morbidity, and infectious morbidity. Logistic regression analysis with stepwise selection of variables was performed to examine the dose–mortality relationship of etomidate.Results: All-cause in-hospital mortality was 1.84 times higher in the etomidate cohort (OR, 1.84; 98.75% CI, 1.42, 2.37). Compared to the propofol cohort, the etomidate cohort showed 57% lower odds of 48-hour survival (0.43 [0.27, 0.73]), no difference in odds of cardiovascular morbidity (0.86 [0.66, 1.12]), and 1.77 times higher odds of infectious morbidity (1.77 [1.35, 2.31]). Additionally, the odds of mortality increased by 1.36 times per 0.1 mg/kg of etomidate (1.36 [95% CI: 1.23, 1.49]).Conclusions: Etomidate is a poor choice as a hypnotic drug on the first day of mechanical ventilation, as it is associated with a dose-dependent increase in all-cause mortality, and does not improve survival for the first 48 h.
Quasihyperbolic metric universal covers
Authors: Herron David A.
Published: November 2020

We prove that the natural metric universal cover of a quasihyperbolic plane domain is a Hadamard metric space with injectivity radius

\pi

. This in turn provides sharp constants for several conjectures by Väisälä.
INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMEs: BETWEEN GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS AND E-COMMERCE
Authors: Houssaini Mohammed Sqalli , Decossa Jean Jeaslin , Slaoui Aya
Published: November 2020

Throughout the lines of this article, we tend to expose the different theoretical approaches to the internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). In particular, this paper aims to present the main approaches proposed not only in the literature but also in the shadow of the new international behaviors of SMEs, to question their scope. Moreover, this contribution seeks to draw attention to new types of internationalization among SMEs, in this case, participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs) and electronic commerce (e-commerce).
Running a Collaborative Research Website and Blog with Jekyll and GitHub
Authors: Visconti Amanda , Walsh Brandon , Community Scholars' Lab
Published: November 2020

In this lesson you will be introduced to the challenges and opportunities that Jekyll, a popular, static site generator, offers for publishing collaborative, ongoing research online.
Influence of Tool Pin Profile on Mechanical
Properties and Microstructure of Friction Stir
Welded Aluminium AA7075 Alloy
Authors: G.Venkateswarlu
Published: November 2020

The present investigation describes the effect of different tool pin profiles on microstructure and mechanical
properties of friction stir welded aluminium AA-7075 alloy. The tool pin profiles namely taper cylindrical
threaded (TT), cylindrical (CT), square (SQ), triangular (TR), pentagonal (PT), hexagonal (HX) with constant
shoulder diameter have been selected to make joints. The friction stir welding was done at constant tool
rotational speed and traverse speed. From this study, it is noted that the weld joints prepared using taper
cylindrical threaded pin profile exhibited good mechanical properties when compared to other pin profiles. It
is due to more surface contact of tool pin and production of equiaxed fine grain structure in the weld region.
An Improved Power Factor Correction with
Control of Leakage Inductance
Authors: V Divyasri Sudharani and K Sabarinath
Published: November 2020

Nowadays the use of electronic equipment finds a progressive development in the modern world. Hence it
becomes a mandate to check whether the harmonic content of line current of any electronic device which is
connected to the ac supply meets the appropriate standards. This demand is satisfied by implementing the
Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit in order to make the input current to be in sinusoidal in nature and
in-phase with the input voltage. Numerous solutions are available to make the line current almost sinusoidal.
This paper describes an isolated power factor corrected power supply that utilizes the leakage inductance of
the isolation transformer to provide boost inductor functionality. The bulk capacitor is in the isolated part of
the power supply allowing for controlled startup without dedicated surge limiting components. A control
method based on switch timing and input/output voltage measurements is developed to jointly achieve
voltage regulation and input power factor control.
Hybrid Instruction: Post COVID-19 Solution for
Higher Education in Bangladesh
Authors: Md Shafiqul Alam Helal and Nayan Banik Ikbal Ahmed, Md Eunus Mia Bhuiyan
Published: November 2020

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has tremendously affected every aspect of global structures with its fast
and lethal reach. Originating from Wuhan, a Chinese city, this highly infectious virus has forced to impose
nationwide closures in many countries impacting onsite educational systems to shut down. Considering the
safety of students and following other infected countries, the Bangladesh government has closed all the
educational institutions until further notice. Although online teaching-learning is promoted for educators and
students to streamline their educational activities from home, it has several drawbacks from different
perspectives. Post pandemic scenarios in higher-level education system pose some questions and doubts
which requires scholarly works for a thorough investigation. To analyze these scenarios and describe the
trends towards effective teaching-learning, in this research work, we have proposed a model by interviewing
students from the university level. Our proposed Model provides some rationale and guidelines for its
post-pandemic implementation in the higher-level education system in Bangladesh.
A Novel Drug from Endophytic Microbes from
Indian Medicinal Plants
Authors: Ruban and Vivetha Aravindh S
Published: November 2020

Endophytic microbes normally present in the intracellular space of plants especially stems, petioles, roots
and leaves of plants causing no external appearance of their presence and have typically unnoticed. In this
present study, six endophytic bacterial and three endophytic fungal isolates were isolated from different
medicinal plants. From the isolates, active secondary metabolites were screened. The compounds showed
broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative organisms and showed a minimum zone of
inhibition. Based on the antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance pattern the metabolites (ethyl acetate and
methanol solvent) from Bacillus sp. Fusarium sp. were analysed by GC-MS. In this major compounds
reported in ethyl acetate extract of bacillus sp. include 1, 1-dimethylethyl and methanol extract of fusarium
sp. have a large amount of dotriaconate present. Both these compounds have been used as antimicrobial and
antioxidant activity against various microbes. The result concluded that the endophytes could be potential for
the development as pharmaceutical agents.