bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ENHANCEMENT OF DIGITAL BASED BATIK CRAFT PRODUCTS IN KEREK DISTRICT, TUBAN DISTRICT
Authors: Prasetyo Ratna Azis , Ariadi Septi , Asiyah Udji
Published: April 2021

Background: Gedog batik weaving in Kerek District to become one of the regional superior products that started local development. The MEA era and the industrial revolution 4.0 provide challenges for these creative economies to survive amid increasingly fierce global competition. One of them is by comparison with the shift of consumer tastes. UMKM are those who become Gedog batik weavers who do not understand customer satisfaction at present, which emphasizes the value of goods purchased according to the value used first. UMKM also specializes in mastering digital technology as a marketing medium. Purpose: For this reason, community adoption activities for training and mentoring for batik UMKM participants in making branding to respond to customer convenience and increasing marketing of digital-based products for solutions that support partnerships. Methods: Community service methods are carried out by providing training and practicum on product branding and digital-based marketing for business entrepreneurs or batik artisans. Results: The result of these activity participants who initially did not understand the transition of consumers became aware of the need to do the branding of a digital-based product and marketing. Conclusion: Partners get increased knowledge and skills in digital-based batik marketing to respond to shifting consumer tastes.
Correlation between Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Authors: Arbatov A.
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to the problem of nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear weapons reduction negotiations. Evaluation is made, to what extent nuclear states have performed their obligations under the first part of the Art.VI, the Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The author analyzes the influence of the Great Powers' policy aimed at nuclear arsenals curtailing and reduction of the nuclear weapons' role in national and international safety assurance, as well as at carrying of nuclear war concepts and plans far off stage in international military and political relations, at enhancement of the worldwide "taboo" against any use of nuclear weapons directly or as a threat, at lowering the popularity of nuclear weapons in inside politics of many countries.
International Scientific Cooperation of Russia
Authors: Dezhina I.
Published: April 2021

The aspects of Russia's international scientific cooperation are analyzed in the article from viewpoint of quality and quantity. The upscale of disciplinary and geographical frameworks of international cooperation, development of new interaction instruments and forms are documented. However, at ministerial level, there is still no sufficiently distinct stance on national priorities in the scientific and innovative development, and thus on priorities in the international cooperation sphere. The latter cannot develop beyond a broader economic and political context, and its success depends on what domestic conditions are created to perform the exploratory activity.
World Oil Market: Price-Setting Mechanism in the “Third Oil Shock” Period
Authors: Razumnova L. , Svetlov N.
Published: April 2021

The aim of the article is to conduct a brief analysis of the main supposals (both of scientific and publicistic character), which as a whole give an insight into the key factors of oil price changes in the last ten years, and to suggest a peculiar model to explain such changes. The developed model proves empirically: 1) close interrelation between the world oil prices dynamics and the extent of the U.S. portfolio outstanding; 2) the existence of a cyclic financial means spill-over from the American stock market to the oil futures segment, and backwards; 3) sophistication of the oil market structure, its transformation to the commodity derivatives market.
Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis and Economic Crisis in Russia
Authors: Stolbov M.
Published: April 2021

M. Stolbov’s article deals with the H.P. Minsky’s financial instability hypothesis. It is proved that this theory is relevant to analyze the internal causes of the crisis in Russian banking and non-financial sectors. To ensure stable post-crisis development of Russia's economy, it is proposed to take measures based on Minsky’s approach to corporate taxation. At the same time, some measures aimed at securing the balanced interrelation between financial and real sectors are suggested.
Economic Development Stages of Azerbaijan Republic
Authors: Rustamov E.
Published: April 2021

In the present article, the experience of market economy construction and macroeconomic management problem solving at different stages of Azerbaijan's development is considered. To assess effectiveness of the economic policy pursued, a comparative approach is used. Key economy characteristics are compared with typical or average criteria applied to groups of countries with economies resembling Azerbaijan in a certain way.
Gas Pipeline “Nabucco”: Project of Construction
Authors: Pashkovskaya I.
Published: April 2021

The Caspian Sea region is a place of competing energy interests and a focus of the world power centers' energy policies. In June 2006 in Wien, the Energy Ministers of Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and the European Commissioner for Energy agreed in principle to set up the project of the Transcaspian gas pipeline "Nabucco" construction. This article presents the analysis of the project development perspective, and the stance on it of different parties concerned.
Canada in New European Security System
Authors: Volodin D.
Published: April 2021

The article is dedicated to Canada–Europe relations in the security and defence sphere in 2000s. The main attention is paid to Canada’s reaction to the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), and the significance of this new European initiative for the overall complex of Canada’s transatlantic ties. NATO and its role in Canada's defence policy are also covered in this study.
BRASIL E CHINA E A DEPENDÊNCIA NA SEMIPERIFERIA
Authors: Bunde Altacir , Aguirre Marcia Luiza Cruz , Rizzi Kamilla Raquel , Carletti Anna
Published: April 2021

Apoiado na Teoria do Sistema-Mundo, na perspectiva de dependência na semiperiferia, este estudo aborda as relações sino-brasileiras de 2009 a 2018. Nesta lógica, Brasil e China são considerados semiperiferias e, por isso, questiona-se por meio da análise das relações econômico-comerciais entre esses países, a existência de uma dependência brasileira. Metodologicamente, a pesquisa é qualitativa, construída a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica e de levantamento e análise de dados secundários. O artigo ressalta que, atualmente, a China é a maior parceira comercial do Brasil.
CIRCULAÇÃO E LOGÍSTICA DO MODAL AÉREO
Authors: Felipe Junior Nelson Fernandes
Published: April 2021

Este artigo analisa a dinâmica recente do transporte aéreo de passageiros no Brasil. O modal aéreo é fundamental para a fluidez territorial, para a circulação de pessoas e mercadorias e para a acumulação de capital. As redes e os fluxos aéreos são influenciados pelas técnicas, modernizações, novas demandas, alterações logísticas e normativas, avanço dos transportes e comunicações, além da atividade econômica local, regional e nacional. Para a realização da pesquisa e elaboração do artigo, foram realizados trabalhos de campo, além de entrevistas com profissionais da Infraero e responsáveis pela gestão aeroportuária. Como resultado da pesquisa, confirmou-se a grande concentração dos fluxos aéreos de passageiros nos aeroportos da região Sudeste, sendo consequência da dinâmica econômica, do significativo mercado consumidor, das atividades corporativas, dos fixos existentes, das estratégias das companhias aéreas em estabelecer os hubs nesses aeroportos, entre outros. Ademais, a expansão do transporte aéreo de passageiros no Brasil gerou reflexos nas infraestruturas aeroviárias, nos fluxos e na logística, visando atender as demandas corporativas, econômicas, sociais e turísticas.
FEIRAS LIVRES E SEU PAPEL NA ORGANIZAÇÃO DO ESPAÇO URBANO
Authors: Mendes Paula Graziela
Published: April 2021

As feiras livres são fenômenos caracterizados por serem mercados periódicos realizados ao ar livre, geralmente em espaços públicos. São elementos importantes no abastecimento urbano como também em questões culturais e sociais sendo realizadas periodicamente em diversos bairros da cidade. Neste contexto é importante verificar: quais são os impactos das feiras livres no espaço público da cidade de Montes Claros? Este trabalho tem como recorte de pesquisa a feira que ocorre na Praça Doutor Chaves em que o objetivo central é refletir sobre o seu papel na organização do espaço urbano tendo como foco as mudanças sociais, políticas e econômicas.
NEXOS PARA PENSAR O DESENVOLVIMENTO LOCAL NO LUGAR RURAL - POTENCIALIDADES E DESAFIOS
Authors: Silva Cícero Bezerra da
Published: April 2021

O escrito tem como objetivo promover uma discussão de aprofundamento teórico enfocando o contexto atual que compreende os nexos entre a temática do desenvolvimento e do desenvolvimento local no lugar rural. Busca-se apresentar, também, as potencialidades e desafios inerentes à possibilidade de desenvolvimento local no lugar-rural, pensado como espaço de singularidades e de relações culturais produzidas historicamente. Na contemporaneidade, as espacialidades rurais e citadinas-urbanas, pensadas para além de suas diferenciações, compreendem espaços de relações complexas e de usos diversos, quase sempre determinados pelo modelo econômico dominante. O lugar, neste sentido, não está inseto desses determinantes e se faz e refaz pela relação escalar do lugar-mundo sem que, para tanto, perca suas singularidades, marcas comuns a estes e que os atribuem forma e sentido. Conclui-se considerando que essas formas e sentidos que se materializam em saberes e fazeres, historicamente amalgamadas à cultural e a identidade local, podem constituir-se em importante subsidio ao processo de desenvolvimento local.
IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE CLUSTER SOCIOECONÔMICO NO ESTADO DO TOCANTINS
Authors: Fonseca Samuel Ferreira da , Oliveira Nilton Marques de , Acácio Mariana Alves
Published: April 2021

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar cluster socioeconômico entre os municípios do Estado do Tocantins, Brasil. Para tanto foram aplicados métodos quantitativos, destacando o cálculo do índice de Moran. Além disso, utilizou-se revisão bibliográfica nas teorias do desenvolvimento, bem como, coletou-se dados secundários em fontes oficiais, com vistas ao tratamento da informação espacial. Obteve-se que a porção conhecida como Bico do Papagaio, é uma das áreas com clusters de dependência demográfica e percentual de vulneráveis à pobreza. O que sugere o desenho de políticas públicas que visem melhorar as condições de vida da população que ali reside. Além disso, observou-se que o desenvolvimento regional dos municípios tocantinenses não se apresentou de forma homogênea, nem no tempo e nem no espaço, levando em consideração os anos analisados. Ficou evidente a presença de desequilíbrios espaciais, tanto econômicos como sociais. Dadas as condições de aquisição dos dados analisados, torna-se necessária a realização de amostragem, para verificar as mudanças mais recentes nos municípios estudados em relação aos indicadores socioeconômicos propostos. Nota-se ainda, a necessidade de políticas públicas que visem promoção do desenvolvimento regional mais equitativo entre as regiões do Tocantins.
AMORIS LAETITIA: UN ETHOS PASTORAL
Authors: Mifsud Tony
Published: April 2021

El artículo comienza haciendo memoria del proceso sinodal que condujo a la elaboración de la exhortación apostólica Amoris laetitia, pasando, en un segundo momento, a recordar las distracciones y críticas que recibió por parte de un grupo, pequeño pero vociferante. En una tercera sección, se reflexiona sobre la evolución disciplinar, destacando la relación existente entre la experiencia de la fe y el compromiso de la ética, como también la importância de una ética capaz de asumir la realidad y dirigirla hacia el ideal cristiano. La gran contribución de Amoris laetitia, en el campo de la Teología Moral, es haber fundamentado oficialmente un ethos de acompañamiento que respeta la adultez del auténtico cristiano.
Methodology for Addressing Infectious Aerosol Persistence in Real-Time Using Sensor Network
Authors: Makhsous Sepehr , Segovia Joelle M. , He Jiayang , Chan Daniel , Lee Larry , Novosselov Igor V , Mamishev Alexander V
Published: April 2021

Human exposure to infectious aerosols results a transmission of diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. Most dental procedures generate a significant number of aerosolized particles, increasing transmission risk in dental settings. Since the generation of aerosols in dentistry is unavoidable, many clinics started using intervention strategies such as area-filtration units and extraoral evacuation equipment, especially under the relatively recent constraints of the pandemics. However, the effectiveness of these devices in dental operatories has not been studied. Therefore, the dental personnel's ability to position and operate such instruments efficiently is also limited. To address these challenges, we utilized a real-time sensor network for assessment of aerosol dynamics during dental restoration and cleaning producers with and without intervention. The strategies tested during the procedures were (i) local area high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filters and (ii) extra-oral suction device (EOSD). The study was conducted at the University of Washington School of Dentistry using a network of thirteen fixed sensors positioned within the operatory and one wearable sensor worn by the dental operator. The sensor network provides time and space-resolved particulate matter (PM) data. Three-dimensional (3D) visualization informs aerosol persistence in the operatory. It was found that area filters did not improve the overall aerosol concentration in dental offices significantly. An average of 16% decrease in PM concentration was observed when EOSD equipment was used during the procedures. The combination of real-time sensors and 3D visualization can provide dental personnel and facility mangers with actionable feedback to effectively assess aerosol transmission in medical settings and develop evidence-based intervention strategies.
Having an Old Friend For Dinner: The Interplay between Apoptotic Cells and Efferocytes
Authors: Lam Austin Le , Heit Bryan
Published: April 2021

Apoptosis, the programmed and intentional death of senescent, damaged, or otherwise superfluous cells, is the natural end-point for most cells within multicellular organisms. Apoptotic cells are not inherently damaging, but if left unattended they can lyse through secondary necrosis. The resulting release of intracellular contents drives inflammation in the surrounding tissue and can lead to autoimmunity. These negative consequences of secondary necrosis are avoided by efferocytosis—the phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells. Efferocytosis is a product of both apoptotic cell and efferocyte mechanisms, which cooperate to ensure the rapid and complete removal of apoptotic cells. Herein, the processes used by apoptotic cells to ensure their timely removal, and the receptors, signaling, and cellular processes used by efferocytes to identify, remove, and process the apoptotic cells, are reviewed.
Convolutional Extreme Learning Machines: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rodrigues Iago Richard , Rogério Sebastião , Kelner Judith , Sadok Djamel , Endo Patricia Takako
Published: April 2021

Many works have recently identified the need to combine deep learning with extreme learning to strike a performance balance with accuracy especially in the domain of multimedia applications. Considering this new paradigm, namely convolutional extreme learning machine (CELM), we present a systematic review that investigates alternative deep learning architectures that use extreme learning machine (ELM) for a faster training to solve problems based on image analysis. We detail each of the architectures found in the literature, application scenarios, benchmark datasets, main results, advantages, and present the open challenges for CELM. We follow a well structured methodology and establish relevant research questions that guide our findings. We hope that the observation and classification of such works can leverage the CELM research area providing a good starting point to cope with some of the current problems in the image-based computer vision analysis.
RimJump*: Tangent Based Shortest Path Planning for Cluttered 3D Environment
Authors: Yao Zhuo
Published: April 2021

Path planning in 3D environment is a fundamental research area for robots and autonomous vehicles. Based on the principle ``the shortest path consists of tangents'', RimJump* is proposed as a tangent-based path planning method suitable for finding the shortest path (both off-ground and on-ground) in 3D space (e.g., octomap and point cloud) for mobile platform to follow. RimJump* searches the tangent graph in the form of a path tree and considers the geometrical properties of the locally shortest path. Therefore, the method can provide all of the locally shortest paths that connect the starting point and the target, including the globally shortest path. And the time cost of RimJump* is insensitive to map scale increases in comparison to methods that search the whole passable space rather than the surface of the obstacle, e.g., Dijkstra and A*. In the Results, RimJump* is compared with other methods in terms of path length and time cost.
U.S. Potential of Sustainable Backyard Distributed Animal and Plant Protein Production During & After Pandemics
Authors: Meyer Theresa K. , Pascaris Alexis , Denkenberger David , Pearce Joshua M.
Published: April 2021

To safeguard against meat supply shortages during pandemics or other catastrophes, this study analyzed the potential to provide the average household’s entire protein consumption using either soybean production or distributed meat production at the household level in the U.S. with: 1) pasture-fed rabbits, 2) pellet and hay-fed rabbits, or 3) pellet-fed chickens. Only using the average backyard resources, soybean cultivation can provide 80%-160% of household protein and 0%-50% of a household’s protein needs can be provided by pasture-fed rabbits using only the yard grass as feed. If external supplementation of feed is available, raising 52 chickens while also harvesting the concomitant eggs or alternately 107 grain-fed rabbits can meet 100% of an average household’s protein requirements. These results show that resilience to future pandemics and challenges associated with growing meat demands can be incrementally addressed through backyard distributed protein production. Backyard production of chicken meat, eggs, and rabbit meat reduces environmental costs of protein due to savings in production, transportation, and refrigeration of meat products and even more so with soybeans. Generally, distributed production of protein was found to be economically competitive with centralized production of meat if distributed labor costs were ignored.
Neuropsychological Sequelae in Attention and Memory in Women Victims of Gender-Based Violence and Their Implication in Depression. A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Torres García Ana Victoria , Pérez-Fernández Miguel , Vega Hernández Maria Concepción , Anón Rubio Concha
Published: April 2021

Abstract Women victims of abuse can suffer neuropsychological sequelae that affect memory and attention, as well psychopathological disorders such as depression. These consequences affect their daily life and physical and psychological health. Objective: To analyze sequelae that affect attention and memory, as well a possible association of these sequelae to depression. Method: A total of 68 women victims of gender-based violence participated in the study. The participants were between 15 and 62 years of age and resided in Spain at the time of data collection. The Luria DNA Battery (Neuropsychological Diagnosis of Adults) by Manga and Ramos (2000); and the Beck Depression Inventory were applied. Results: Women victims of gender-based violence suffer neuropsychological sequelae, presenting low short-term memory and attentional control; and score low on the Luria-DNA battery. Of these women, 60% suffer from some relevant type of depression, and there are significant differences according to their degree of memory. Through the HJ-Biplot, a direct relationship was found between memory and attentional control with the total score of the Luria battery. On the other hand, an inverse relationship was found between short-term memory and depression. Lastly, three well-differentiated gender clusters of women victims of gender-based violence were identified. Conclusions: A lower rate of depression is observed in women victims of abuse when they have a more intact short-term memory.
Healthy Lifestyles in Italian and Latvian University Students, According to Demographics, Study Course, and Nationality
Authors: CICCHELLA ANTONIO , Usca Svetlana , Vecenane Helena
Published: April 2021

This study compares lifestyles behaviour in Italian and Latvian university students, to assess if there are differences for sex, age, university or studies specialties. An online questionnaire investigating 8 lifestyle dimensions has been compiled by 156 (43,6 % females) from Italy and 105 from Latvia (82,9% females). Answers were collected between April and December 2020. Presence of smokers are negligible. The questionnaire showed to have a good internal consistency (Cronbach α =.929). On the total group, significant statistically differences were found for all the dimensions regarding age, sex, study specialty and university. Physical activity was associated with healthier lifestyles choices. Geographical-induced differences were found (eating and sleep behaviours, alcohol awareness) as well as socio-economic differences. Female students shown to be more stressed than males. Occupational wellness increased by age. Sport students shown more health awareness. Many of the differences found in the total group disappeared when comparing only sport students of the two university, showing females increasing their scores. This result can be explained by a masculinization effect of sport.
A Novel Model for the RNase MRP-Induced Switch Between Different Forms of 5.8S rRNA
Authors: Li Xiao , Zengel Janice M , Lindahl Lasse
Published: April 2021

Processing of the RNA polymerase I pre-rRNA transcript into the mature 18S, 5.8S, and 25S rRNAs requires removing the “spacer” sequences. The canonical pathway for the removal of the ITS1 spacer, located between 18S and 5.8S rRNAs in the primary transcript, involves cleavages at the 3’ end of 18S rRNA and at two sites inside ITS1. The process generates a long and a short 5.8S rRNA that differ in the number of ITS1 nucleotides retained at the 5.8S 5’ end. Here we document a novel pathway that generates the long 5.8S for ITS1 while bypassing cleavage within ITS1. It entails a single endonuclease cut at the 3’-end of 18S rRNA followed by exonuclease Xrn1 degradation of ITS1. Mutations in RNase MRP increase the accumulation of long relative to short 5.8S rRNA; traditionally this is attributed to a decreased rate of RNase MRP cleavage at its target in ITS1, called A3. In contrast, we report here that the MRP induced switch between long and short 5.8S rRNA formation occurs even when the A3 site is deleted. Based on this and our published data, we propose that the switch may depend on RNase MRP processing RNA molecules other than pre-rRNA.
On the Importance of Passive Acoustic Monitoring Filters
Authors: Aguiar Rafael , Maguolo Gianluca , Nanni Loris , Costa Yandre , Silla Carlos
Published: April 2021

Abstract: Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a non-invasive technique to supervise the wildlife. Acoustic surveillance is preferable in some situation such as in the case of marine mammals, when the animals spend most of their time underwater, making it hard to obtain their images. Machine learning is very useful for PAM, for example, to identify species based on audio recordings. But some care should be taken to evaluate the capability of a system. We deﬁne PAM-ﬁlters as the creation of the experimental protocols according to the dates and locations of the recordings, aiming to avoid the use of the same individuals, noise and recording devices in both training and test sets. A random division of a database present accuracies much higher than accuracies obtained with protocols generated with PAM-ﬁlter. Although we use the animal vocalizations, in our method we convert the audio into spectrogram images, after that, we describe the images using the texture. Those are well-known techniques for audio classiﬁcation, and they have already been used for species classiﬁcation. Also, we perform statistical tests to demonstrate the signiﬁcant difference between accuracies generated with and without PAM-ﬁlters with several well-known classiﬁers. The conﬁguration of our experimental protocols and the database were made available online.
Стохастическая модель боевых действий Ланчестера
Authors: Задорожний Владимир Григорьевич , Zadorozhnii Vladimir Grigoryevich , Чеботарев Андрей Сергеевич , Chebotarev Andrei Sergeevich , Дикарев Егор Евгеньевич , Dikarev Egor Evgen'evich
Published: April 2021

Рассматривается математическая модель взаимодействия двух противодействующих сторон в виде системы дифференциальных уравнений (Ланчестера), коэффициенты которой являются случайными процессами, заданными характеристическим функционалом. Ставится задача нахождения первых моментных функций решения. Эта задача сводится к детерминированной системе дифференциальных уравнений с обычными и вариационными производными. Получены явные формулы для первых двух моментных функций решения стохастической системы. Рассмотрены задачи с гауссовыми и равномерно распределенными случайными коэффициентами. Приведены численные расчеты и графики поведения математического ожидания и дисперсионной функции.
On the Prager-Synge method for a posteriori error
Authors: Alexeev Alexey Kirillovich , Bondarev Alexander Evgenyevich
Published: April 2021

The classic method by Prager and Synge ("hypercircle" method) for a posteriori error estimation in addressed from the viewpoint of the extension of the applicability domain (the range of analyzed problems and methods of the realization). The nonintrusive version of the approximation error estimation that implements the method by Prager and Synge for the arbitrary PDE system is presented. The semiheuristical variant of the Prager and Synge method may be related with the modern approaches for approximation error estimation on the ensemble of solutions obtained by the algorithms of different inner structure.
Gamification in EFL classroom to support teaching and learning in 21st century
Authors: Redjeki Indah Sri , Muhajir R.
Published: April 2021

In the 21st century, the use of games becomes a trend within adults and youngsters and has recently obtained a massive notice of academics, educators, and practitioners. Gamification is a term used in learning with games that can be used to improve English since it reflects an innovative and captivating learning activity. Several studies on gamification show that it can make students feel more excited and motivated during their effort to elevate their English language skills. In this research, one medium of gamification called Duolingo was explored in grammar learning activities for the second-year students in the subject of “Grammar for Written Discourse”. They used Duolingo from their smartphones to support their grammar learning. This research employed an action research design in which observations, questionnaires, and documentation were used to collect the data. By the end of the result, it can be concluded that Duolingo is a medium that can be effectively used to implement gamification in language learning. It is also confirmed that students gave positive attitudes and results in the implementation of Duolingo in grammar lesson. The results of the research can be used as a reference in facilitating the students with innovative and captivating English learning.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Duolingo provides some language skills that students can improve: grammar, writing, translating, listening, and pronunciation.

However, all respondents assumed that the application was more suitable for grammar since Duolingo gives the right answers and repetitions for the wrong answers.

Duolingo understands Indonesian words and automatically correct the wrong words.
Cultivation of Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis oculata for nutrient removal from municipal wastewater
Authors: Sofiyah Evi Siti , Suryawan I Wayan Koko
Published: April 2021

Domestic wastewater contains a high average nutrient ammonia-N (NH3-N) and total phosphate (PO43--P). This nutrient content has the potential to cause eutropication in water bodies. To prevent this eutropication, it is necessary to treat domestic wastewater. Currently, processing technology is needed that is useful for improving the quality of processed wastewater and a small amount of byproduct. One of these technologies is processing with a microalgae system, where the algae can be used to become biodiesel. Two types of microalgae that have the potential to produce biodiesel are Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis oculate. The cultivation of the two types of microalgae was carried out in the domestic wastewater media of Jakarta City by providing 24-hour lighting with UV-A and UV-B. The specific growth rates of Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis oculate were not much different, namely 0.0279 h-1 and 0.0282 h-1. The microalgae Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis oculate respectively reduced NH3-N nutrients by 82% and 80%, while PO43-P was 65.2% and 63.7%. The pH value during processing shows in the normal pH range. Total dissolved solids (TDS) in the processing process also decreased in a span of 48 hours.
Association of Preoperative Cone Biopsy With Recurrences After Radical Hysterectomy
Authors: Klapdor Rüdiger , Hertel Hermann , Delebinski Laura , Hillemanns Peter
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate association of preoperative cone biopsy with the probability of recurrent disease after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.MethodsThis is a retrospective single-center study. Patients with cervical cancer stage IA1 with LVSI to IIA2 and squamous, adenosquamous and adenocarcinoma subtype were included. Patients were analyzed for general characteristics and recurrence-free survival (RFS). ResultsIn total, of 480 patients with cervical cancer 183 patients met the inclusion criteria (117 with laparoscopic and 66 with open surgery). The median tumor diameter was 25.0 mm (range 4.6-70.0 mm) with 66 (36.2%) patients having tumors smaller than 2 cm. During median follow-up of 54.0 months (range 0-166.0 months) the RFS for the laparoscopic cohort was 93.2% and 87.5% at 3 and 4.5 years, and 79.3% for the open cohort after 3 and 4.5 years, respectively. In total, 17 (9.3%) patients developed recurrent disease, 9 (7.3%) after laparoscopic, and 8 (12.1%) after open surgery. No preoperative cone biopsy (OR 9.60, 95%CI 2.14-43.09) as well as tumor diameter >2cm (OR 5.39, 95%CI 1.20-24.25) were significantly associated with increased risk for recurrence. In multivariate analysis only missing preoperative cone biopsy was significantly associated with increased risk for recurrence (OR 5.90, 95% CI 1.11-31.29)ConclusionThere appears to be a subgroup of patients (preoperative cone biopsy, tumor diameter <2cm) with excellent survival and low risk for recurrence after radical hysterectomy which might benefit from the advantages of laparoscopic surgery.
Qigesan Reduced the Migration and Invasion of Esophageal Cancer Cells via Inhibiting TGF-β1 Pathway
Authors: Shang Yin-wan , Zhu Rui , Meng Dan-hua , Wu Ying-shuo , Chen Xing , Zhou Zhe-xu , WU Yao-song , Ren Shan-shan , Chen Yu -long , Yang Lian-he
Published: April 2021

Background: The present study aim to investigate the mechanism of Qigesan (QGS) on migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells. Methods: First, we detected the cells in the normal group and the QGS group using microarray, and analyzed the ontology function and signaling pathway of target genes, and screened out TGF-β as one of the important targets of QGS. The subsequent verification experiments were divided into four groups: control group, model group (TGF-β1 stimulation group), QGS group (TGF-β1+QGS group) and positive control group (TGF-β1+TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor group). The migration and invasion abilities, as well as the expressions of related proteins and mRNA of each experimental group were detected. The migration and invasion ability of cells were detected by cell scratch test, and the Gene expression levels of E-cadherin, Vimentin, Smad2 and Smad7 mRNA in TGF-β1/Smad pathway were detected by RT-qPCR. The expression of E-cadherin, Vimentin, p-Smad2/3, Smad2/3 and Smad7 were detected by WB. Results: The results showed that TE-1 cells were reversed from fibroblast induced by TGF-β1 to epithelial cells after being treated QGS with the concentration of 20ug/mL for 36 h. Besides, QGS inhibited the migration and invasion of TE-1 cells and down-regulated the Gene and protein expression of Vimentin, Smad2 mRNA and Vimentin, p-Smad2/3 and Smad2/3. Meanwhile, The gene and protein overexpression E-cadherin and Smad7 was observed in QGS-treated cells. Conclusions: Together, these data indicated that QGS interfered with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of TE-1 cells and reduced the migration and invasion of TE-1 cells via regulating TGF-β pathway, which maybe provided idea for the treatment of esophageal cancer.
CuO-Decorated ZnO Nanotube-based Sensor for Detecting CO Gas: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Tohidi Somayeh , Tohidi Tavakkol , Mohammadabad Parvin Hamdi
Published: April 2021

Understanding the effect of decorating of copper oxide (CuO) on Carbon monoxide (CO) adsorption at zinc oxide nanotube is crucial for designing a high performance CO gas sensor. In this work, CO sensing properties of copper oxide-decorated zinc oxide (CuO-ZnO) nanotube is studied theoretically by employing first-principles density functional theory for the first time. The stability, adsorption mechanism, density of states, and change in electrical conductivity are studied. The results of calculating the adsorption energy show strong chemical adsorption of CO on CuO-ZnO nanotubes. The adsorption energy of CO on CuO-ZnO nanotube is calculated as 7.5 times higher than that on ZnO nanotube. The results of the Mulliken charge analysis reveal that electron transfer occurs from CO molecules to CuO-ZnO nanotubes. Additionally, the electrical conductivity of CuO-ZnO nanotubes significantly changes after adsorption of CO at room temperature. According to these studies, CuO-ZnO nanotube sensors can be used for the detection of CO gas. The results are in excellent agreement with the reported experimental results.
Modification of an Engineered Escherichia Coli by a Combinatorial Strategy to Improve 3,4-Dihydroxybutyric Acid Production
Authors: Liu Yidi , Mao Xinlei , Zhang Baoqi , Lin Jinping , Wei Dongzhi
Published: April 2021

Objectives: 3,4-Dihydroxybutyric acid (3,4-DHBA) is a multi-functional C4 platform compound with wide applications in the synthesis of materials and pharmaceuticals. Currently, although the biosynthetic pathway for the production of 3,4-DHBA has been developed, low productivity still hampers its use on large scales. Here, a non-natural four-steps biosynthetic pathway was established in recombinant E. coli with a combinatorial strategy.Results: Firstly, several aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) were screened and characterized for catalyzing the dehydrogenation of 3,4-dihydroxybutanal (3,4-DHB) to 3,4-DHBA through in vitro enzyme assays. Secondly, a recombinant E. coli was successfully constructed to generate 3,4-DHBA from D-xylose by introducing the pathway containing BsGDH, YagF, PpMdlC and ALDH into E. coli with 3.04 g/L 3,4-DHBA obtained. Then, disruption of competing pathways by deleting xylA, ghrA, ghrB and adhP genes contributed to increase the accumulation of 3,4-DHBA by 87%. Final, fusion expression of PpMdlC and YagF resulted in an enhancement of 3,4-DHBA titer (7.71 g/L), as the highest titer reported so far.Conclusions: These results showed that deleting competing pathways and constructing fusion protein could significantly improve the 3,4-DHBA titer in engineered E. coli.
Regional Variation of Avoidable Hospitalisations: An Observational Study
Authors: Gygli Niklaus , Zúñiga Franziska , Simon Michael
Published: April 2021

Background Primary health care is subject to regional variation, which may be due to unequal and inefficient distribution of services. One key measure of such variation are avoidable hospitalisations, i.e., hospitalisations for conditions that could have been dealt with in situ by sufficient primary health care provision. Particularly, avoidable hospitalisations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are a substantial and growing burden for health care systems that require targeting in health care policy. Aims Using data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) from 2017, we applied small area analysis to visualize regional variation to comprehensively map avoidable hospitalisations for five ACSCs from Swiss nursing homes, home care organisations and the general population. Methods This retrospective observational study used data on all Swiss hospitalisations in 2017 to assess regional variations of avoidable hospitalisations for angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , diabetes complications and hypertension. We used small areas (MedStat), utilisation-based hospital service areas (HSAs), and administrative districts (Cantons) as geographic zones. The outcomes of interest were age and sex standardised rates of avoidable hospitalisations for ACSCs in adults (>15years). Our inferential analyses used linear mixed models with Gaussian distribution. Results We identified 46,479 hospitalisations for ACSC, or 4.3% of all hospitalisations. Most of these occurred in the elderly population for congestive heart failure and COPD. The median rate of avoidable hospitalisation for ACSC was 1,080 (IQR 893 – 1,274) per 100.000 inhabitants. We found substantial regional variation for HSAs and administrative districts as well as disease-specific regional patterns. Conclusions Differences in continuity of care might be key drivers for regional variation of avoidable hospitalisations for ACSCs. These results provide a new perspective on the functioning of primary care structures in Switzerland and call for novel approaches in effective primary care delivery.
Effect of Alkali-Treated Birch Sawdust on the Lignocellulase Secretion and Exo-Polysaccharide Production by Inonotus Obliquus Under Submerged Fermentation and its Lignocellulose Degradation Patterns
Authors: Zhang Jiaming , Lu Xiaohong , Zhao Zhezhen , Wang Mengya , Liu Ping
Published: April 2021

The objectives of this study were to investigate the medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus on the production of polysaccharides and changes of extracellular lignocellulolytic enzymes during submerged fermentation using alkali-treated birch sawdust as substrate. Meanwhile, in order to explore the degradation mode of lignocellulose in alkali-treated birch sawdust, degradation analysis of three components of lignocellulose was carried out. The fungus process in alkali-treated birch sawdust medium resulted in a higher degradation rate of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin of 39.24%, 51.00% and 31.3% after 11 days of submerged fermentation by the mycelium of I. obliquus, respectively. Maximal polysaccharide production and α-glucosidase inhibition rate determined in the alkali-treated birch sawdust medium were 6.93 mg/mL and 55.80%,while they were 4.98 mg/mL and 27.89% in the control. Moreover, high activities of Laccase (51.95 IU/mL) , CMCase (1.35 IU/mL) , FPA (0.50 IU/mL) and β-glucosidase (0.55 IU/mL) were observed in alkali-treated birch sawdust medium, respectively. The results demonstrated that the addition of alkali-treated birch sawdust could promote the yield of active polysaccharides and induce the production of cellulase and xylanase, indicating that alkali pretreatment was conducive to utilization of birch sawdust by I. obliquus.
Arrhythmic Heartbeat Classification Using 2D Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Degirmenci Murside , Ozdemir Mehmet Akif , Izci Elif , Akan Aydin
Published: April 2021

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a method of recording the electrical activity of the heart and it provides a diagnostic means for heart-related diseases. Arrhythmia is any irregularity of the heartbeat that causes an abnormality in the heart rhythm. Early detection of arrhythmia has great importance to prevent many diseases. Manual analysis of ECG recordings is not practical for quickly identifying arrhythmias that may cause sudden deaths. Hence, many studies have been presented to develop computer-aided-diagnosis (CAD) systems to automatically identify arrhythmias.Methods: This paper proposes a novel deep learning approach to identify arrhythmias in ECG signals. The proposed approach identifies arrhythmia classes using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) trained by two-dimensional (2D) ECG beat images. Firstly, ECG signals, which consist of 5 different arrhythmias, are segmented into heartbeats which are transformed into 2D grayscale images. Afterward, the images are used as input for training a new CNN architecture to classify heartbeats. Results: The experimental results show that the classification performance of the proposed approach reaches an overall accuracy of 99.7%, sensitivity of 99.7%, and specificity of 99.22% in the classification of five different ECG arrhythmias. Further, the proposed CNN architecture is compared to other popular CNN architectures such as LeNet and ResNet-50 to evaluate the performance of the study.Conclusions: Test results demonstrate that the deep network trained by ECG images provides outstanding classification performance of arrhythmic ECG signals and outperforms similar network architectures. Moreover, the proposed method has lower computational costs compared to existing methods and is more suitable for mobile device-based diagnosis systems as it does not involve any complex preprocessing process. Hence, the proposed approach provides a simple and robust automatic cardiac arrhythmia detection scheme for the classification of ECG arrhythmias.
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 19 Upregulation Correlates With Unfavorable Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cai Xiaopeng , Deng Jingwen , zhou Jiaming , Cai Huiqiang , Chen Zhi
Published: April 2021

Objectives: Cyclin dependent kinase 19 (CDK19) is a component of the Mediator co-activator complex, which is required for transcriptional activation. In this study, we will utilize the public data and combine it with wet-bench experiments in hepatic cell lines to elucidate the potential roles of CDK19 in hepatocellular cancer (HCC).Materials and Methods: We studied the relationships between CDK19 expression and several clinical features related with HCC by consulting Oncomine and UALCAN. The prognostic value of CDK19 was tested using the Kaplan‐Meier Plotter database. We presented the mutations of CDK19 and addressed its relations with immune cells with the use of cBioPortal, and COSMIC and TIMER database. Hub genes were obtained and further analysed using the STRING database. To test the in silico findings, we knocked down CDK19 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology in two hepatic cell lines, and then several functional characterization experiments were conducted. Results: A remarkably higher level of CDK19 expression was found in HCC tissues than normal liver tissues, and CDK19 mRNA expression has high diagnostic value in HCC patients. Subgroup analysis showed that CDK19 overexpression were associated with gender, tumor stage and TP53 mutant. Prognostic values of CDK19 upregulation for overall survival (OS) were significant in patients with stage 2-3, stage 3-4, grade 2 and etc. 1% of the patients have mutations at CDK19, and we did not observe a potential relationship between CDK19 mutation and prognosis. CDK19 showed positive correlations with the abundances of CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. We identified 10 genes that correlated with CDK19, 8 of which presented excellent prognostic value in HCC. Besides, these hub genes were directly involved in cell division and regulation of G2/M transition of mitotic cell cycle. PPI and pathway predictions indicated that CDK19 should have a high possibility to be involved with several cellular functions, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. These functions were strongly interfered in two independent hepatic cell lines, after knocking down CDK19. Conclusions: CDK19 could serve as a prognostic marker in HCC and it deserves further work to test its therapeutic potential to HCC.
The Prognostic Multivariate Models For Severe Complications After Heart Valve Surgery
Authors: Liu Yunqi , Xiao Jiefei , Duan Xiaoying , Lu Xingwei , gong Xin , Chen Jiantao , Xiong Mai , Yin Shengli , Guo Xiaobo , Wu Zhongkai
Published: April 2021

Background: To provide prognostic multivariate models for severe complications prediction after heart valvular surgery, such as low cardiac output syndrome (LOCS), acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis (AKI-rH) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).Methods: We developed multivariate logistic regression models to predict the severe complications after heart valvular surgery using 930 patients collected retrospectively from the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2014 to December 2015. The validation was conducted using a retrospective dataset of 713 patients from the same hospital from January 2016 to March 2017. We considered two kinds of prognostic models: the PRF models which were built by using the preoperative risk factors only, and the PIRF models which were built by using both of the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. The Least absolute shrinkage selector operator was used for developing the models. We assessed and compared the discriminative abilities for both of the PRF and PIRF models via the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Compared with the PRF models, the PIRF modes selected additional intraoperative factors, such as auxiliary cardiopulmonary bypass time and combined tricuspid valve replacement. The area under the curves (AUCs) of the PRF models for predicting LOCS, AKI-rH and MODS are 0.565 (0.466, 0.664), 0.688 (0.62, 0.757) and 0.657 (0.563, 0.751), respectively. As a comparison, the AUCs of the PIRF models for predicting LOCS, AKI-rH and MODS are 0.821 (0.747, 0.896), 0.78 (0.717, 0.843) and 0.774 (0.7, 0.847), respectively. Conclusions: Adding the intraoperative factors can increase the predictive power of the prognostic models for severe complications prediction after heart valvular surgery.