bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Longitudinal Changes in the Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area Following Active Periodontal Treatment for Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Nomura Yoshiaki , Morozumi Toshiya , Saito Atsushi , Yoshimura Atsutoshi , Kakuta Erika , Suzuki Fumihiko , Nishimura Fusanori , Takai Hideki , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Noguchi Kazuyuki , Takahashi Keiso , Tabeta Koichi , Umeda Makoto , Minabe Masato , Fukuda Mitsuo , Sugano Naoyuki , Hanada Nobuhiro , Yoshinari Nobuo , Sekino Satoshi , Takashiba Shogo , Sato Soh , Nakamura Toshiaki , Sugaya Tsutomu , Nakayama Yohei , Ogata Yorimasa , Numabe Yukihiro , Nakagawa Taneaki
Published: March 2021

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissue. The periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) is a proposed index for quantifying the inflammatory burden resulting from periodontitis lesions. This study aimed to investigate longitudinal changes in the periodontal status as evaluated by the PISA following the active periodontal treatment. To elucidate the prognostic factors of PISA, mixed-effect modeling was performed for clinical parameters, tooth-type, and levels of periodontal pathogens as independent variables. One-hundred-twenty-five patients with chronic periodontitis who completed the active periodontal treatment were followed-up for 24 months, with evaluations conducted at 6-month intervals. Five-times repeated measures of mean PISA values were 130+/−173, 161+/−276, 184+/−320, 175+/−417, and 209+/−469 mm2. Changes in clinical parameters and salivary and subgingival periodontal pathogens were analyzed by mixed-effect modeling. Plaque index, clinical attachment level, and salivary levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis were associated with changes in PISA at the patient- and tooth-level. Subgingival levels of P. gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia were associated with changes in PISA at the sample site. For most patients, changes in PISA were within 10% of baseline during the 24-month follow-up. However, an increase in the number of bleeding sites in a tooth with a deep periodontal pocket increased the PISA value exponentially.
Exaggerated Cardiac Contractile Response to Hypoxia in Adults Born Preterm
Authors: Barton Gregory P. , Corrado Philip A. , Francois Christopher J. , Chesler Naomi C. , Eldridge Marlowe W. , Wieben Oliver , Goss Kara N.
Published: March 2021

Individuals born prematurely have smaller hearts, cardiac limitations to exercise, and increased overall cardiometabolic risk. The cardiac effects of acute hypoxia exposure as another physiologic stressor remain under explored. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hypoxia on ventricular function in adults born preterm. Adults born moderately to extremely preterm (≤32 weeks gestation or <1500 g, N = 32) and born at term (N = 18) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (12% O2) conditions to assess cardiovascular function. In normoxia, cardiac function parameters were similar between groups. During hypoxia, the right ventricular (RV) contractile response was significantly greater in participants born premature, demonstrated by greater increases in RV ejection fraction (EF) (p = 0.002), ventricular-vascular coupling (VVC) (p = 0.004), and strain (p < 0.0001) measures compared to term-born participants, respectively. Left ventricular contractile reserve was similar to term-born participants. Adults born preterm exhibit an exaggerated contractile response to acute hypoxia, particularly in the RV. This suggests that adults born preterm may have contractile reserve, despite the lack of volume reserve identified in previous exercise studies. However, this exaggerated and hyper-adapted response may also increase their risk for late RV failure.
A Review of Detection and Removal of Raindrops in Automotive Vision Systems
Authors: Hamzeh Yazan , Rawashdeh Samir A.
Published: March 2021

Research on the effect of adverse weather conditions on the performance of vision-based algorithms for automotive tasks has had significant interest. It is generally accepted that adverse weather conditions reduce the quality of captured images and have a detrimental effect on the performance of algorithms that rely on these images. Rain is a common and significant source of image quality degradation. Adherent rain on a vehicle’s windshield in the camera’s field of view causes distortion that affects a wide range of essential automotive perception tasks, such as object recognition, traffic sign recognition, localization, mapping, and other advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) and self-driving features. As rain is a common occurrence and as these systems are safety-critical, algorithm reliability in the presence of rain and potential countermeasures must be well understood. This survey paper describes the main techniques for detecting and removing adherent raindrops from images that accumulate on the protective cover of cameras.
Data from Digital Health Devices Informs Ideal Cardiovascular Health
Authors: Leopold Jane A. , Davis Roger B. , Antman Elliott M.
Published: March 2021

Ideal cardiovascular health is associated with a decrease in adverse cardiovascular events. The My Research Legacy study examined ideal cardiovascular health using the Life’s Simple 7 survey and data from digital health devices. We hypothesized that digital devices provide a more objective view of overall cardiovascular health status than self-reported measures. Therefore, we analyzed weight and activity data recorded by digital devices to recalculate the Life’s Simple 7 Health Score. All study participants (n = 1561) answered the survey, while a subgroup (n = 390) provided data from digital devices. Individuals with digital devices had a lower body mass index (BMI) and higher weekly minutes of vigorous exercise than participants without digital devices (p < 0.01). Baseline Health Scores were higher in individuals with digital devices compared to those without (7.0 ± 1.6 vs. 6.6 ± 1.6, p < 0.01). Data from digital devices reveal both increases and decreases in measured vs. self-reported BMI (p < 0.04) and weekly minutes of moderate and vigorous exercise activity (p < 0.01). Using these data, a significant difference was found between the recalculated and the self-reported Life’s Simple 7 Health Score (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that incorporation of digital health devices should be considered as part of a precision medicinal approach to assessing ideal cardiovascular health.
Plato as a Game Theorist towards an International Trade Policy
Authors: Halkos George E. , Kyriazis Nicholas C. , Economou Emmanouil M. L.
Published: March 2021

In the beginning of the second book of his Politeia (Republic) Plato in passage 2.358e–359a–c raises the issue of the administration of justice as a means of motivating people to behave fairly regarding their relationships and when cooperating with each other because, at the end, this is mutually beneficial for all of them. We argue that this particular passage could be seen as a part of a wider process of evolution and development of the institutions of the ancient Athenian economy during the Classical period (508–322 BCE) and could be interpreted through modern theoretical concepts, and more particularly, game theory. Plato argued that there are two players, each with two identical strategies, to treat the other justly or unjustly. In the beginning, each player chooses the “unjust” strategy, trying to cheat the other. In this context, which could be seen as a prisoner’s dilemma situation, both end with the worst possible outcome, that is, deceiving each other and this has severe financial consequences for both of them. Realizing this, in a repeated game situation, with increasing information on the outcome and on each other, they choose the “just” strategy so achieving the best outcome and transforming the game in a cooperative one. We analyze this, formulating a dynamic game which is related to international commercial transactions, after explaining how such a situation could really arise in Classical Athens. We argue that this is the optimal scenario for both parties because it minimizes the risk of deceiving each other and creates harmony while performing financial transactions.
Special Issue “Mental Health Issues and Quality of Life in Older Individuals”
Authors: Cauli Omar , Navarro-Martínez Rut , Fernández-Garrido Julio
Published: March 2021

There are numerous biological, psychological, and social factors that have a more or less prominent impact on the mental health of older adults [...]
Giant Vesicles Produced with Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and Phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) by Water-in-Oil Inverted Emulsions
Authors: Xu Boying , Ding Jinquan , Xu Jian , Yomo Tetsuya
Published: March 2021

(1) Background: giant vesicles (GVs) are widely employed as models for studying physicochemical properties of bio-membranes and artificial cell construction due to their similarities to natural cell membranes. Considering the critical roles of GVs, various methods have been developed to prepare them. Notably, the water-in-oil (w/o) inverted emulsion-transfer method is reported to be the most promising, owning to the relatively higher productivity and better encapsulation efficiency of biomolecules. Previously, we successfully established an improved approach to acquire detailed information of 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)-derived GVs with imaging flow cytometry (IFC); (2) Methods: we prepared GVs with different lipid compositions, including phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and PC/PE mixtures by w/o inverted emulsion methods. We comprehensively compared the yield, purity, size, and encapsulation efficiency of the resulting vesicles; (3) Results: the relatively higher productivities of GVs could be obtained from POPC, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DLPE), DOPC: DLPE (7:3), and POPC: DLPE (6:4) pools. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that these GVs are stable during long term preservation in 4 °C. (4) Conclusions: our results will be useful for the analytical study of GVs and GV-based applications.
Physical Abilities in Low Back Pain Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study with Exploratory Comparison of Patient Subgroups
Authors: Šarabon Nejc , Vreček Nace , Hofer Christian , Löfler Stefan , Kozinc Žiga , Kern Helmut
Published: March 2021

An abundance of literature has investigated the association between low back pain (LBP) and physical ability or function. It has been shown that LBP patients display reduced range of motion, decreased balance ability, impaired proprioception, and lower strength compared to asymptomatic persons. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between LBP patients and healthy controls in terms of several physical abilities. Based on the premised that different biomechanical and physiological causes and consequences could be related to different types of LBP, a secondary exploratory attempt of the study was to examine the differences between LBP subgroups based on the pain location (local or referred) or type of pathology (discogenic or degenerative) on the level of impairment of function and ability. Participants performed range of motion tests, trunk maximal voluntary contraction force tests, a sitting balance assessment, the timed up-and-go test, the chair rise test, and the trunk reposition error test. Compared to the control group, symptomatic patients on average showed 45.7% lower trunk extension (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.33) and 27.7 % lower trunk flexion force (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.37) during maximal voluntary contraction. LBP patients exhibited decreased sitting balance ability and lower scores in mobility tests (all p < 0.001). There were no differences between groups in Schober’s test and trunk repositioning error (p > 0.05). No differences were observed among the LBP subgroups. The exploratory analyses are limited by the sample size and uncertain validity of the diagnostic procedures within this study. Further studies with appropriate diagnostic procedures and perhaps a different subgrouping of the LBP patients are needed to elucidate if different types of LBP are related to altered biomechanics, physiology, and function.
A New Derivative-Free Method to Solve Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Neta Beny
Published: March 2021

A new high-order derivative-free method for the solution of a nonlinear equation is developed. The novelty is the use of Traub’s method as a first step. The order is proven and demonstrated. It is also shown that the method has much fewer divergent points and runs faster than an optimal eighth-order derivative-free method.
Roles and Research Trends of Artificial Intelligence in Mathematics Education: A Bibliometric Mapping Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Hwang Gwo-Jen , Tu Yun-Fang
Published: March 2021

Learning mathematics has been considered as a great challenge for many students. The advancement of computer technologies, in particular, artificial intelligence (AI), provides an opportunity to cope with this problem by diagnosing individual students’ learning problems and providing personalized supports to maximize their learning performances in mathematics courses. However, there is a lack of reviews from diverse perspectives to help researchers, especially novices, gain a whole picture of the research of AI in mathematics education. To this end, this research aims to conduct a bibliometric mapping analysis and systematic review to explore the role and research trends of AI in mathematics education by searching for the relevant articles published in the quality journals indexed by the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Moreover, by referring to the technology-based learning model, several dimensions of AI in mathematics education research, such as the application domains, participants, research methods, adopted technologies, research issues and the roles of AI as well as the citation and co-citation relationships, are taken into account. Accordingly, the advancements of AI in mathematics education research are reported, and potential research topics for future research are recommended.
Effects of Multi-Axial Compression on the Mechanical and Fretting Wear Properties of Ti-45Nb Alloys
Authors: Xu Zhuoqing , Hu Nan , Lu Yuan , Xu Xiaochang
Published: March 2021

Biocompatible β-type Ti-45Nb alloy with a low elastic modulus is promising in alleviating the stress shielding effect of Ti-based hard-tissue replacement implants. In this work, the ultra-fine-grained (UFG) microstructures with different grain sizes were prepared by multi-axial compression (MAC) processing of Ti-45Nb alloys, and the mechanical properties and the fretting wear properties of Ti-45Nb alloys in different grain sizes were investigated. The results show that the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the sample processed by 27 passes MAC increase by 76% and 91%, respectively, with an elongation of more than 9%. After MAC processing, the friction coefficient and volume wear rate gradually decrease. In addition, before MAC processing, the Ti-45Nb sample shows a wear mechanism of severe adhesive wear, oxidative wear and fatigue delamination; while after MAC processing, the wear mechanism switches to abrasive wear and slight adhesive wear with slight oxidative wear, indicating that grain refinement helps to improve the anti-fretting properties of Ti-45Nb alloys.
Microbial Metabolites in Colorectal Cancer: Basic and Clinical Implications
Authors: Peng Yao , Nie Yuqiang , Yu Jun , Wong Chi Chun
Published: March 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers that cause cancer-related deaths worldwide. The gut microbiota has been proved to show relevance with colorectal tumorigenesis through microbial metabolites. By decomposing various dietary residues in the intestinal tract, gut microbiota harvest energy and produce a variety of metabolites to affect the host physiology. However, some of these metabolites are oncogenic factors for CRC. With the advent of metabolomics technology, studies profiling microbiota-derived metabolites have greatly accelerated the progress in our understanding of the host-microbiota metabolism interactions in CRC. In this review, we briefly summarize the present metabolomics techniques in microbial metabolites researches and the mechanisms of microbial metabolites in CRC pathogenesis, furthermore, we discuss the potential clinical applications of microbial metabolites in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Unidirectional Operation of p-GaN Gate AlGaN/GaN Heterojunction FET Using Rectifying Drain Electrode
Authors: Kim Tae-Hyeon , Jang Won-Ho , Yim Jun-Hyeok , Cha Ho-Young
Published: March 2021

In this study, we proposed a rectifying drain electrode that was embedded in a p-GaN gate AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field-effect transistor to achieve the unidirectional switching characteristics, without the need for a separate reverse blocking device or an additional process step. The rectifying drain electrode was implemented while using an embedded p-GaN gating electrode that was placed in front of the ohmic drain electrode. The embedded p-GaN gating electrode and the ohmic drain electrode are electrically shorted to each other. The concept was validated by technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulation along with an equivalent circuit, and the proposed device was demonstrated experimentally. The fabricated device exhibited the unidirectional characteristics successfully, with a threshold voltage of ~2 V, a maximum current density of ~100 mA/mm, and a forward drain turn-on voltage of ~2 V.
Generation of Photopolymerized Microparticles Based on PEGDA Using Microfluidic Devices. Part 1. Initial Gelation Time and Mechanical Properties of the Material
Authors: Acosta-Cuevas José M. , González-García José , García-Ramírez Mario , Pérez-Luna Víctor H. , Cisneros-López Erick Omar , González-Nuñez Rubén , González-Reynoso Orfil
Published: March 2021

Photopolymerized microparticles are made of biocompatible hydrogels like Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) by using microfluidic devices are a good option for encapsulation, transport and retention of biological or toxic agents. Due to the different applications of these microparticles, it is important to investigate the formulation and the mechanical properties of the material of which they are made of. Therefore, in the present study, mechanical tests were carried out to determine the swelling, drying, soluble fraction, compression, cross-linking density (Mc) and mesh size (ξ) properties of different hydrogel formulations. Tests provided sufficient data to select the best formulation for the future generation of microparticles using microfluidic devices. The initial gelation times of the hydrogels formulations were estimated for their use in the photopolymerization process inside a microfluidic device. Obtained results showed a close relationship between the amount of PEGDA used in the hydrogel and its mechanical properties as well as its initial gelation time. Consequently, it is of considerable importance to know the mechanical properties of the hydrogels made in this research for their proper manipulation and application. On the other hand, the initial gelation time is crucial in photopolymerizable hydrogels and their use in continuous systems such as microfluidic devices.
Development of Skin-On-A-Chip Platforms for Different Utilizations: Factors to Be Considered
Authors: Ponmozhi J. , Dhinakaran S. , Varga-Medveczky Zsófia , Fónagy Katalin , Bors Luca Anna , Iván Kristóf , Erdő Franciska
Published: March 2021

There is increasing interest in miniaturized technologies in diagnostics, therapeutic testing, and biomedicinal fundamental research. The same is true for the dermal studies in topical drug development, dermatological disease pathology testing, and cosmetic science. This review aims to collect the recent scientific literature and knowledge about the application of skin-on-a-chip technology in drug diffusion studies, in pharmacological and toxicological experiments, in wound healing, and in fields of cosmetic science (ageing or repair). The basic mathematical models are also presented in the article to predict physical phenomena, such as fluid movement, drug diffusion, and heat transfer taking place across the dermal layers in the chip using Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques. Soon, it can be envisioned that animal studies might be at least in part replaced with skin-on-a-chip technology leading to more reliable results close to study on humans. The new technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods used in research institutes, university labs, and industry. With this article, the authors would like to call attention to a new investigational family of platforms to refresh the researchers’ theranostics and preclinical, experimental toolbox.
A Block Aggregation Method for Short-Term Planning of Open Pit Mining with Multiple Processing Destinations
Authors: Salman Saad , Muhammad Khan , Khan Asif , Glass Hylke J.
Published: March 2021

Clustering approaches are widely used to group similar objects and facilitate problem analysis and decision-making in many fields. During short-term planning of open-pit mines, clustering aims to aggregate similar blocks based on their attributes (e.g., geochemical grades, rock types, geometallurgical parameters) while honoring various constraints: i.e., cluster shapes, size, alignment with mining direction, destination, and rock type homogeneity. This approach helps to reduce the computational cost of optimizing short-term mine plans. Previous studies have presented ways to perform clustering without honoring constraints specific to mining. This paper presents a novel block clustering heuristic capable of considering and honoring a set of mining block aggregation requirements and constraints. Constraints can relate to the clustering adjacent blocks, achieving higher destination homogeneities, controlled cluster size, consistency with mining direction, and achieving clusters with mineable shapes and rock types’ homogeneity. The proposed algorithm’s application on two different datasets demonstrates its efficiency and capability in generating reasonable block clusters while meeting different predefined aggregation requirements and constraints.
RNA In Situ Hybridization for Detecting Gene Expression Patterns in the Abdomens and Wings of Drosophila Species
Authors: Shittu Mujeeb , Steenwinkel Tessa , Dion William , Ostlund Nathan , Raja Komal , Werner Thomas
Published: March 2021

RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) is used to visualize spatio-temporal gene expression patterns with broad applications in biology and biomedicine. Here we provide a protocol for mRNA ISH in developing pupal wings and abdomens for model and non-model Drosophila species. We describe best practices in pupal staging, tissue preparation, probe design and synthesis, imaging of gene expression patterns, and image-editing techniques. This protocol has been successfully used to investigate the roles of genes underlying the evolution of novel color patterns in non-model Drosophila species.
MicroRNA-Regulated Signaling Pathways: Potential Biomarkers for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mortoglou Maria , Wallace David , Buha Djordjevic Aleksandra , Djordjevic Vladimir , Arisan E. Damla , Uysal-Onganer Pinar
Published: March 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most aggressive and invasive type of pancreatic cancer (PCa) and is expected to be the second most common cause of cancer-associated deaths. The high mortality rate is due to the asymptomatic progression of the clinical features until the advanced stages of the disease and the limited effectiveness of the current therapeutics. Aberrant expression of several microRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) has been related to PDAC progression and thus they could be potential early diagnostic, prognostic, and/or therapeutic predictors for PDAC. miRs are small (18 to 24 nucleotides long) non-coding RNAs, which regulate the expression of key genes by targeting their 3′-untranslated mRNA region. Increased evidence has also suggested that the chemoresistance of PDAC cells is associated with metabolic alterations. Metabolic stress and the dysfunctionality of systems to compensate for the altered metabolic status of PDAC cells is the foundation for cellular damage. Current data have implicated multiple systems as hallmarks of PDAC development, such as glutamine redox imbalance, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hence, both the aberrant expression of miRs and dysregulation in metabolism can have unfavorable effects in several biological processes, such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, growth, survival, stress response, angiogenesis, chemoresistance, invasion, and migration. Therefore, due to these dismal statistics, it is crucial to develop beneficial therapeutic strategies based on an improved understanding of the biology of both miRs and metabolic mediators. This review focuses on miR-mediated pathways and therapeutic resistance mechanisms in PDAC and evaluates the impact of metabolic alterations in the progression of PDAC.
Food Gap Optimization for Sustainability Concerns, the Case of Egypt
Authors: Alobid Mohannad , Derardja Bilal , Szűcs István
Published: March 2021

Nowadays, even with the growth and progress of the agricultural sector, the food gap (FG) is still wide, particularly for strategic crops, affecting the national economy and compromising the food security. The realization of self-sufficiency can be fulfilled only by achieving the highest production efficiency along with preserving the natural resources currently available, especially arable land and irrigation water. In this analysis, the FG in Egypt was modeled for 13 crops between the years 2000 and 2018. The linear model applied suggested a redistribution of crops in terms of production, food demand and land reallocation, in order to find the best solution to minimize the FG on the basis of crop value and under a set of constraints. It was found that the value of the modelled FG increased steadily from 2005 to 2017, then it started to decline slightly, probably due to the steady increase in the population growth rate which is a crucial factor in enlarging the FG. Furthermore, important water loss was noticed through the analysis period. In fact, there was a huge difference, reaching around 25 billion m3 between the water consumed for the studied crops and the total amount of renewable water. The main reason for this loss can be linked to the traditional irrigation methods used, such as surface irrigation. Moreover, the calculation of food demand with the estimated production and the redistribution of crop land reallocations were performed to achieve the best model fit between the crops in terms of minimizing the FG in Egypt. So far, the current agricultural policy has reaped limited gains and a steep decline of food economic balance. Hence, significant interest on rising productivity should be given by the government to achieve the food self-sufficiency in Egypt.
Hardware-in-the-Loop to Test an MPPT Technique of Solar Photovoltaic System: A Support Vector Machine Approach
Authors: González-Castaño Catalina , Marulanda James , Restrepo Carlos , Kouro Samir , Alzate Alfonso , Rodriguez Jose
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes a new method for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the photovoltaic (PV) system while using a DC-DC boost converter. The conventional perturb and observe (P&O) method has a fast tracking response, but it presents oscillation around the maximum power point (MPP) in steady state. Therefore, to satisfy transient and steady-state responses, this paper presents a MPPT method using support vector machines (SVMs). The use of SVM will help to improve the tracking speed of maximum power point of the PV system without oscillations near MPP. A boost converter is used to implement the MPPT method, where the input voltage of the DC-DC converter is regulated using a double loop where the inner loop is a current control that is based on passivity. The MPPT structure is validated by hardware in the loop, a real time and high-speed simulator (PLECS RT Box 1), and a digital signal controller (DSC) are used to model the PV system and implement the control strategies, respectively. The proposed strategy presents low complexity and it is implemented in a commercial low-cost DSC (TI 28069M). The performance of the MPPT proposed is presented under challenging experimental profiles with solar irradiance and temperature variations across the panel. In addition, the performance of the proposed method is compared with the P&O method, which is traditionally most often used in MPPT under demanding tests, in order to demonstrate the superiority of the strategy presented.
The Picornavirus Precursor 3CD Has Different Conformational Dynamics Compared to 3Cpro and 3Dpol in Functionally Relevant Regions
Authors: Winston Dennis S. , Boehr David D.
Published: March 2021

Viruses have evolved numerous strategies to maximize the use of their limited genetic material, including proteolytic cleavage of polyproteins to yield products with different functions. The poliovirus polyprotein 3CD is involved in important protein-protein, protein-RNA and protein-lipid interactions in viral replication and infection. It is a precursor to the 3C protease and 3D RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, but has different protease specificity, is not an active polymerase, and participates in other interactions differently than its processed products. These functional differences are poorly explained by the known X-ray crystal structures. It has been proposed that functional differences might be due to differences in conformational dynamics between 3C, 3D and 3CD. To address this possibility, we conducted nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments, including multiple quantum relaxation dispersion, chemical exchange saturation transfer and methyl spin-spin relaxation, to probe conformational dynamics across multiple timescales. Indeed, these studies identified differences in conformational dynamics in functionally important regions, including enzyme active sites, and RNA and lipid binding sites. Expansion of the conformational ensemble available to 3CD may allow it to perform additional functions not observed in 3C and 3D alone despite having nearly identical lowest-energy structures.
Identification of partially coherent sound sources for centrifugal fan
Authors: Wang Chenguang , Jiang Weikang
Published: March 2021

The signal model with multiple inputs and single output (MISO) is often used for investigating sound sources of vehicles and mechanical equipment, in which transfer path analysis (TPA) and operational transfer path analysis (OTPA) procedure are well known in industry. Sources are completely
coherent, as well as completely incoherent in TPA and OTPA models. However, some mechanical devices like centrifugal fans contain not only structure-borne and air-borne sound but also vibrational source and acoustical source. The sources may be partially coherent and cannot be calculated using
traditional method. In order to understand the origination of sound from the partially coherent sources of the fan, a MISO model with partially coherent inputs was developed, in which the partially coherent sources were identified by partial singular value decomposition (PSVD) method. Vibration,
pressure pulsation and sound signals were measured, and partially coherent sources contribution analysis were used to calculate the contribution of sources quantitatively. A test model was built, and an experiment was conducted to verify that this method is feasible. This method is also suitable
for the identification and contribution analysis of sources with partially coherent characteristics, such as automobile exhaust system. This method can calculate the contribution of partially coherent sources, which is not available in other noise source identification methods.
Antimicrobial stewardship in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cohort study and interrupted time-series analysis
Authors: Rezel-Potts Emma , L’Esperance Veline , Gulliford Martin C
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the context for antimicrobial stewardship in primary care.

Aim

To assess the effect of the pandemic on antibiotic prescribing, accounting for changes in consultations for respiratory and urinary tract infections (RTIs/UTIs).

Design and setting

Population-based cohort study using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD database from January 2017 to September 2020.

Method

Interrupted time-series analysis evaluated changes in antibiotic prescribing and RTI/UTI consultations adjusting for age, sex, season, and secular trends. The authors assessed the proportion of COVID-19 episodes associated with antibiotic prescribing.

Results

There were 253 655 registered patients in 2017 and 232 218 in 2020, with 559 461 antibiotic prescriptions, 216 110 RTI consultations, and 36 402 UTI consultations. Compared with prepandemic months, March 2020 was associated with higher antibiotic prescribing (adjusted rate ratio [ARR] 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11 to 1.16). Antibiotic prescribing fell below predicted rates between April and August 2020, reaching a minimum in May (ARR 0.73; 95% CI = 0.71 to 0.75). Pandemic months were associated with lower rates of RTI/UTI consultations, particularly in April for RTIs (ARR 0.23; 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.25). There were small reductions in the proportion of RTI consultations with antibiotic prescribed and no reduction for UTIs. Among 25 889 COVID-19 patients, 2942 (11%) had antibiotics within a COVID-19 episode.

Conclusion

Pandemic months were initially associated with increased antibiotic prescribing, which then fell below expected levels during the national lockdown. Findings are reassuring that antibiotic stewardship priorities have not been neglected because of COVID-19. Research is required into the effects of reduced RTI/UTI consultations on incidence of serious bacterial infections.
ANALISIS KANDUNGAN GIZI EKSTRAK KULIT SALAK PRODUKSI KELOMPOK TANI ABIAN SALAK DESA SIBETAN SEBAGAI UPAYA PENGEMBANGAN POTENSI PRODUK PANGAN LOKAL
Authors: Putri Dhyana
Published: March 2021

BackgroundSnakefruit more technically known as ‘Salak’ (Salacca sp) is native fruit of Indonesia regarded as exotic fruit that can consumed not only its flesh fruit but also its skin in the form of extract as it has an efficacy. Extract of snakefruit rind can be proceed into a healthy beverages that contains phenolic compounds which known as natural antioxidants.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the content of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and antioxidants in the extract of snakefruit rind products. This data will be useful as information material to local food industryas well as further research on the processed products for health.

Methods This research is a descriptive study that examines the content of carbohydrates, protein, and antioxidants in the extract of snakefruit rind products. Samples were rind of snakefruit with various concentration masses, in water ratio 1%, 5%, 10%, and non compositions.

ResultCarbohydrate, protein, antioxidant capacity and IC50 respectively for each composition, are (1) the composition of the 1%: -0.04%; 0.21%; 20.70 ppm, 426.58 ppm; (2) the composition of 5%: 0.82%; 0.20%; 73.40 ppm; 151.41 ppm; (3) the composition of 10%: 0.93%; 0.20%; 110.29 ppm; 87.11 ppm; (4) non composition: 28.14%; 44.90%; 215.10 ppm; 56.10 ppm, and non composition: 1.00%; 0.00%; 25.73 ppm; 92.18 ppm.

The most potential nutrient compound in extract of snakefruit rind is the antioxidant, which produced as beverages like tea product. The composition of 10% is the most active category of antioxidant activity, whereas 5% in medium category, and composition of 1% in weak category. Carbohydrates and proteins compound are gradually lower in each composition, caused by boiling process due to the process of water dilution.

ConclusionsThis study revealed that extract of snakefruit rind can produced as healthy beverages (such as tea), as it is a potential wastes treatment for local food products. The extract of snakefruit rind consist of nutrition just like proteins, carbohydrates which are great for health and also contains lots of a powerful antioxidant and works well to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and even cancer, prevent allergies, increase fertility, and boost immunity.

Keywords: Rind of snakefruit. Antioxidant, Tea
IDENTIFIKASI TELUR CACING NEMATODA USUS PADA KUKU TANGAN PENGRAJIN GENTENG DI DESA PEJATEN, KEDIRI, TABANAN Ni Luh Gede Mulan Tirtayanti1, Cok. Dewi Widhya H.S.2, IGA. Sri Dhyanaputri3.
Authors: Dewi Cok
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Backgrounds: Workers have a risk of getting a disease caused by their job. Groups of workers while do their jobs are always in direct contact with soil as a medium of transmission of the worm eggs like roof tile maker. Based on data from health worm infection at Puskesmas I Kediri in the last three years there are three persons from Pejaten village who check worm infection and two of them showed positive result that they were infected by intestinal worm eggs. Objective: This study aims to find out the existence of the worm eggs Intestinal Nematode on the roof tile maker’s fingernails in Pejaten village, Kediri, Tabanan. Methods: This research did on January until June 2016. This research use descriptive study. Sample are taken with purposive sampling technique and researcher take 26 samples. The examination is searching for worm eggs at 26 fingernails specimens had done by floating methods using a solution of 2% eosin. Results: From this results, as much as 50% samples contained worm eggs. The infection rate of each worm eggs type is Ascaris lumbricoides 53,8%, Hookworm 23,1%, mix of Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworm 15,4% and 7,7% of the sample identified containing worm eggs from the mix of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. Based on the characteristics of the respondents, high presence of worm eggs found in the range age 26-45 years 34,6%, male gender 30,8% and respondents who don’t attend school 23,1%. Based on the personal hygiene, high presence of worm eggs found in respondents who have bad habits of cutting nails 46,2%, bad handwashing habits 42,3%, respondents who don’t use hand gloves 50% and bad footwear usage habits 34,6%. Recommended: Suggestion for a roof tile maker are to maintain the cleanliness of nails, washing hands after contact with soil, and also using hand gloves and footwear while they working.

Keyword : roof tile maker; fingernails; worm eggs.
PEMERIKSAAN KLINIK BERBASIS BIOSENSOR BAGIAN 2: Biosensor Virus Untuk Deteksi Penyakit Patogen
Authors: HABIBAH NUR
Published: March 2021

Nowadays, rapid determination of several viruses which caused pathogen diseases is really important. Most of rapid detection of human pathogen viruses was developed by using biosensor technology. Biosensor technology offers several advantages, such as simple, efficient, low cost, fast response, easy to operate, and reliable. Viral detection by using biosensor can also avoid the delay of diagnosis, so the doctor can determine the type of drugs quickly and also can decide the type of patient care, properly.

Most of biosensor for virus detection was exploited by using electrochemical principle, with amperometric and volumetric transducer. Almost of virus biosensor used immobilized antibody onto electrode surface as a biorecognition element. Some of viruses that could be detected by using electrochemical biosensor are HCV, HBV, HIV and influenza virus.

However, quality control of the biosensor result is important, so the biosensor could be selected as an alternative method for on-site determination, especially in clinical determination.

Keywords: biosensor, virus biosensor, virus detection, pathogen diseases detection
TINJAUAN TENTANG KOLESTEROL DARAH PADA SOPIR BUS PARIWISATA DI KABUPATEN BADUNG
Authors: Mastra Nyoman
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT

Background The lifestyle of consuming high fatty foods, smoking and drinking coffee frequently in the work place could be expected to cause high cholesterol that affects the health of the tourism bus driver.

Objective The aims study to determine a cholesterol levels in tourism bus driver at Badung regency.

Methods This research is a descriptive study. Tourism bus driver who works at Indah Putra Transport.

Result Of the 39 respondents obtained 18% had normal cholesterol levels and 82% had high cholesterol levels. Based on the frequency of smoking every day, the highest frequency indicated by smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day by 25 respondents (64%). The frequency of coffee consumption < 5 cups per day, 41% had high cholesterol levels, consume coffee > 5 cups of coffee per day, 41% have cholesterol levels high. Based on Physical activity habits 3˗4 times a week indicated 5% had high cholesterol levels and physical activity < 3 times a week indicated 77% had high cholesterol levels. 1˗5 year working period earned as much as 8% had high cholesterol levels, 6˗10 year working period earned 3% had normal cholesterol levels and 23% had high cholesterol and the rest of the respondents were 51% in working period above of 11 years have high cholesterol levels.

Conclution It can be conceded that bad lifestyle of tourism bus drivers can affect the level of cholesterol.

Keywords : driver, cholesterol, lifestyle
GAMBARAN GLUKOSA DARAH DAN KOLESTEROL PADA PEDAGANG DI OBYEK WISATA SANGEH KECAMATAN ABIANSEMAL KABUPATEN BADUNG
Authors: Arjani Ida
Published: March 2021

Bacground The level of glucose in the blood must be kept in a sufficient concentration to provide nutrition for body organs. But on the contrary, the concentration of glucose that is too high can have a negative impact as osmotic diuresis and cellsdehydration. Therefore, blood glucose should be maintained in a constant concentration.

Objective The purpose of this study is to describe the levels of blood glucose and cholesterol in traders at Sangeh tourist attraction, Abiansema, District of Badung.

Methods This study is a descriptive study. Population of this research was all traders at Sangeh Tourist attraction or about 132 traders. 50 sample was selected by random sampling.

Results showed blood glucose levels at any of the 50 samples, 84% normal and 16% higher. Blood glucose levels> 140 mg / dL by age group most in the age range 55 years and over is 12%, the blood glucose levels 140 mg / dL by gender be obtained at most in the female sex is as much as 10%. Test results cholesterol levels of 50 samples of 24% normal and 76% high cholesterol levels> 200 mg / dL based on age in range 55 years and over 36% whereas cholesterol levels 200 mg / dL highs also in the female sex is as much as 60%.

Keywords : Blood glucose, cholesterol, traders
MAKROFAG DAN ATEROSKLEROSIS
Authors: Sarihati IGA Dewi
Published: March 2021

Abstrak

Inflamasi dalam aterogenesis terjadi oleh karena adanya interaksi antara leukosit, trombosit dan sel-sel dari dinding pembuluh darah. Rangsangan dari faktor risiko aterosklerosis yaitu hiperkolesterolemi akan meningkatkan produksi monosit di sumsum tulang . Monosit masuk ke arteria dan menempel pada sel endotel serta berubah jadi makrofag setelah sampai di ruang subendotel. LDL yang tinggi pada hiperkolerolemia akan mengakibatkan teradinya oksidasi LDL yang akan difagosit oleh makrofag sehingga berubah menjadi sel busa (foam cell) yang merupakan tahap awal dari aterogenesis. Peningkatan aktivitas dari makrofag M1 akan mendorong terjadinya aterogenesis sementara peningkatan aktivitas makrofag M2 akan mengakibatkan perbaikan dari lesi pada arteri. Untuk mengurangi terjadinya aterosklerosis adalah salah satunya dengan mencegah terjadinya inflamasi pada dindimg pembuluh darah karena hiperkolesterolemia.

Kata Kunci: makrofag; aterosklerosis, inflamasi

Abstract

Inflammation in atherogenesis occurs because of the interaction between leukocytes, platelets and cells of the blood vessel wall. Stimulation of atherosclerosis risk factors as well as hypercholesterolemia will increase the production of monocytes in the bone marrow. Monocytes enter the arteria and attach to the endothelial cells and turn into macrophages after arriving at the subendotel space. High LDL in hypercholerolemia will result in the occurrence of LDL oxidation to be phagocytosed by macrophages and thus transform into foam cells that are the early stages of atherogenesis. Increased activity of M1 macrophages will promote atherogenesis while increased M2 macrophage activity will result in improvement of lesions in the arteries. To reduce the occurrence of atherosclerosis is one of them by preventing the occurrence of inflammation in the walls of blood vesselst due to hypercholesterolaemia.

Keywords: macrophages; atherosclerosis, inflammation
KAJIAN KARAKTERISTIK OBJEKTIF DAN SUBJEKTIF TUAK AREN (Arenga pinnata) BERDASARKAN LAMA WAKTU PENYIMPANAN
Authors: Putri Dhyana
Published: March 2021

Palm tuak is one of the traditional drink that is usually consumed by majority people in Bali. Tuak palm is produced from fermented palm juice. The fermentation process makes sucrose contained in palm juice will turn into alcohol and continues to acetic acid. The aim of this research is to know the characteristic objective and subjective palm tuak (Arenga pinnata) based on the storage time. The method in this research was quasi experiment design. The samples of palm tuak were stored at room temperature (24-30°C) on the first day to fifth day. This research was conducted by measuring characteristics objective and subjective at palm tuak, determination of ethanol's concentration by gas chromatography (GC), determination of the pH by pH stick, determination of total acid by titration method, and organoleptic test by acceptance test method. The results showed that the ethanol content obtained during time storage of first to fifth day are 8,1512%, 8,234%, 9,117%, 10,6214%, dan 11,615% respectively. The pH was determined is 4. While total acid obtained during time storage of first to fifth day are 0,321%, 0,421%, 0,433%, 0,472%, dan 0,480%. The result of organoleptic test palm tuak showed that palm tuak that were stored on the first day are the most preferred among the others in terms of taste, color, and aroma.
GAMBARAN KADAR KALSIUM DARAH PADA WANITA MENOPAUSE DI DESA SINABUN, KECAMATAN SAWAN, KABUPATEN BULELENG
Authors: Widhya Cok Dewi
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTBackground: Menopause women will get a decrease in estrogen hormones that cause decreases of blood calcium level. If the calcium level in the blood is low then the body will take calcium from the bone to perform body functions, this causes calcium levels in the bones decreased so it caused osteoporosis.Methode: This study is a descriptive study which describes blood calcium levels in menopause women in Sinabun Village, Sawan District, Buleleng Regency. The study was conducted from February until June 2017 with a population of 186 people and sample of 30 people selected by systematic random sampling technique. Measurement of blood calcium level using NM-BAPTA method.Result: The results showed that 17% of respondents had low blood calcium levels and 83% of respondents had normal blood calcium levels with an average blood calcium level is 9.20 mg/dL.Conclusion: The decrease of blood calcium levels occurred in respondents of age ≥60 years old, the respondents with the old menopause period 10 years, the respondents who work as housewife and traders, the respondents who never consumed high calcium milk, and the respondents who didn’t have history of hypoparathyroidism and kidney disorders.Keyword: blood calcium, menopause.