bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a Commercial Bentonite Clay (Smectite Clay) on Dairy Cows Fed Aflatoxin-Contaminated Feed
Authors: Gallo Antonio , Rocchetti Gabriele , Piccioli Cappelli Fiorenzo , Pavone Saverio , Mulazzi Anna , van Kuijk Sandra , Han Yanming , Trevisi Erminio
Published: August 2020

We evaluated the impact of dietary supplementation with a commercially available smectite clay (TOXO® MX, Trouw Nutrition, Amersfoort, The Netherlands), that binds to aflatoxins (AFs), on the performance and health status of multiparous lactating Holstein dairy cows that received dietary AFB1 (the main AF). The carry-over of AFB1 was determined by measuring AFM1 (the main metabolite) in dairy milk. Performance values, blood markers, and liver inflammatory markers were also measured. Nine multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows (parity: 2.67 ± 0.86; days in milk: 91 ± 15 days; milk yield: 40.4 ± 2.7 kg/cow/day) were assigned to one of three treatments in a 3 periods × 3 treatments Latin square design (n = 3). In particular, three cows each received the CTR-0 diet (total mixed ration (TMR) with normal corn meals), the CTR-AFLA diet (CTR-0 diet with 17.53 ± 6.55 µg/kg DM AFBI), or the TRT diet (CTR-AFLA diet with 100 ± 1 g/cow/day of smectite clay). The AFB1 level was 0.63 ± 0.50 µg/kg DM in the CTR-0 diet, 2.28 ± 1.42 µg/kg DM in the CTR-AFLA diet, and 2.13 ± 1.11 µg/kg DM in the TRT diet. The experiment consisted of an adaptation period (21 days) and three 17-day experimental periods, each consisting of a 10-day intoxication period and 7-day clearance period. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC, USA) with or without repeated measurements. Overall, the addition of AFB1 reduced the DM intake, but the groups had no significant differences in milk yields. The highest feed efficiency was in the TRT group. Measurement of AFM1 in milk indicated a “plateau” period, from day 4 to day 10 of the intoxication period, when the AFM1 level exceeded the guidelines of the European Union. The commercial smectite clay reduced milk AFM1 concentration by 64.8% and reduced the carry-over by 47.0%. The CTR-0 and TRT groups had similar carry-over levels of AFM1, although the absolute concentrations differed. The groups had no significant differences in plasma biomarkers. These results indicate that the commercially available smectite clay tested here was effective in adsorbing AFs in the gastro-intestinal tracts of cows, thus reducing the excretion of AFM1 into dairy milk.
Source of Knowledge Dynamics—Transition from High School to University
Authors: Hadad Shahrazad , Dinu Mihai , Bumbac Robert , Iorgulescu Maria-Cristina , Cantaragiu Ramona
Published: August 2020

The paper addresses the dynamics of education by using Markov chains, a powerful probabilistic model able to make predictions on how sources of knowledge either change or stabilize over adulthood. To this end, each student filled in a survey that rated, on a scale from 1 to 5, the utility of five different sources of knowledge. They completed this survey twice, once for their previous and once for their current education. The authors then fitted a Markov chain to these data—essentially, calculating transition probabilities from one ranking of sources of knowledge to another—and inferred the final maximum utility sources of knowledge via the stationary distribution. The overall conclusion is the following: even if the professor used to play a crucial role in early development, students have the tendency to become independent in their learning process, relying more on online materials and less on printed books and libraries.
Electrodeposition Fabrication of Chalcogenide Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Saha Sudipto , Johnson Michael , Altayaran Fadhilah , Wang Youli , Wang Danling , Zhang Qifeng
Published: August 2020

Electrodeposition, which features low cost, easy scale-up, good control in the composition and great flexible substrate compatibility, is a favorable technique for producing thin films. This paper reviews the use of the electrodeposition technique for the fabrication of several representative chalcogenides that have been widely used in photovoltaic devices. The review focuses on narrating the mechanisms for the formation of films and the key factors that affect the morphology, composition, crystal structure and electric and photovoltaic properties of the films. The review ends with a remark section addressing some of the key issues in the electrodeposition method towards creating high quality chalcogenide films.
A Survey of Multi-Task Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Vithayathil Varghese Nelson , Mahmoud Qusay H.
Published: August 2020

Driven by the recent technological advancements within the field of artificial intelligence research, deep learning has emerged as a promising representation learning technique across all of the machine learning classes, especially within the reinforcement learning arena. This new direction has given rise to the evolution of a new technological domain named deep reinforcement learning, which combines the representational learning power of deep learning with existing reinforcement learning methods. Undoubtedly, the inception of deep reinforcement learning has played a vital role in optimizing the performance of reinforcement learning-based intelligent agents with model-free based approaches. Although these methods could improve the performance of agents to a greater extent, they were mainly limited to systems that adopted reinforcement learning algorithms focused on learning a single task. At the same moment, the aforementioned approach was found to be relatively data-inefficient, particularly when reinforcement learning agents needed to interact with more complex and rich data environments. This is primarily due to the limited applicability of deep reinforcement learning algorithms to many scenarios across related tasks from the same environment. The objective of this paper is to survey the research challenges associated with multi-tasking within the deep reinforcement arena and present the state-of-the-art approaches by comparing and contrasting recent solutions, namely DISTRAL (DIStill & TRAnsfer Learning), IMPALA(Importance Weighted Actor-Learner Architecture) and PopArt that aim to address core challenges such as scalability, distraction dilemma, partial observability, catastrophic forgetting and negative knowledge transfer.
Implications of Oil Price Fluctuations for Tourism Receipts: The Case of Oil Exporting Countries
Authors: Hesami Siamand , Rustamov Bezhan , Rjoub Husam , Wong Wing-Keung
Published: August 2020

This study investigates the influence of oil prices on tourism income in countries that heavily relied on crude oil exports from 2000 to 2017. We found that oil prices and tourism receipts are cointegrated, revealing the existence of their long-run equilibrium relationship. Another significant finding to emerge from this study is the presence of a unidirectional Granger causality that runs from the oil prices to the tourism receipts. The results of the current study are of particular importance for policymakers who operate in oil-exporting countries. The implications provide a systematic understanding of the effect of oil price fluctuations on tourism income which can benefit investors greatly by enabling them to hedge against oil price fluctuations and plan for their tourism business and policymakers by enabling them to set policies to stabilize oil price fluctuations and plan for tourism development, correspondingly.
Effect of Principal Stress Field on the Development of Plastic Zone ahead of the Gateroad
Authors: Liu Hongtao , Guo Linfeng , Zhao Xidong , Wang Pengfei
Published: August 2020

The distribution of a plastic zone ahead of a gateroad plays a significant role in maintaining the long-term stability of mining spaces. For a long time, the principal stress field such as the values, the direction, etc. have been observed to have impacts on plastic zone development, but has not been looked into deeply and systematically. To this end, the influence of principal stress field including the maximum principal stress (P1), the angle between the P1 direction and the Z-axis (α), the minimum principal stress (P3), and the ratio of maximum principal stress to minimum principal stress (P1/P3) on the expansion of the plastic zone ahead of the gateroad is investigated by the (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) FLAC3D models. The results show that: (1) The plastic zone volume increases first and then decreases with the increase of α, and the direction of butterfly-shaped plastic zone ahead of gateroad is rotating with the evolution of α. (2) The plastic zone volume ahead of excavation face increases gradually with the increase of P1/P3. Mutagenicity of butterfly-shaped plastic zone occurs ahead of the gateroad under a certain value of P1/P3. (3) With the increase of P1 and decrease of P3, the plastic zone volume is of exponential growth. The plastic zone volume approaches infinity when the critical value of maximum principal stress ([P1]) and the minimum principal stress ([P1]) is obtained. (4) The study of the effect of principal stress field on the expansion of plastic zone ahead of the gateroad is helpful for revealing the mechanisms of coal and gas outbursts. The critical stress state of butterfly-shaped plastic zone mutagenicity ahead of the gateroad can be used as an important indicator for assessing the risk of coal and gas outburst. The research can also guide the prevention of coal and gas outburst ahead of the gateroad.
A Study on the Development of Machine-Learning Based Load Transfer Detection Algorithm for Distribution Planning
Authors: Kim Jun-Hyeok , Lee Byung-Sung , Kim Chul-Hwan
Published: August 2020

Distribution planning refers to the act of estimating the risks of distribution systems that may arise in the future and establishing investment plans to cope with them. Forecasted loads are one of the most typical variables used to analyze the risk of the distribution system, thus the efficiency of distribution planning may vary depending on its accuracy. For these reasons, a lot of studies are also being conducted to perform load prediction by incorporating the latest methods, such as machine learning (ML). However, the unchangeable fact is that no matter what prediction method is used, the accuracy and reliability of the predicted load can vary depending on the reliability of the data used. In particular, the detection of temporary load increases, due to load transfer that can occur frequently in the distribution system are essential for securing high-quality data. Therefore, in this study, a LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) based load transfer detection model was proposed, and the appropriateness and reliability of the proposed method were analyzed by comparing actual planned load transfer data with the estimated load transfer results from the proposed model. It was also shown that the proposed model can improve the efficiency and reliability of the distribution planning by reasonably removing load variations, due to load transfer.
Optimal Eco-Driving Cycles for Conventional Vehicles Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Sankar Subramaniam Saravana , Xia Yiqun , Carmai Julaluk , Koetniyom Saiprasit
Published: August 2020

The goal of this work is to compute the eco-driving cycles for vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines by using a genetic algorithm (GA) with a focus on reducing energy consumption. The proposed GA-based optimization method uses an optimal control problem (OCP), which is framed considering both fuel consumption and driver comfort in the cost function formulation with the support of a tunable weight factor to enhance the overall performance of the algorithm. The results and functioning of the optimization algorithm are analyzed with several widely used standard driving cycles and a simulated real-world driving cycle. For the selected optimal weight factor, the simulation results show that an average reduction of eight percent in fuel consumption is achieved. The results of parallelization in computing the cost function indicates that the computational time required by the optimization algorithm is reduced based on the hardware used.
Scoring Model of the Financial Health of the Electrical Engineering Industry’s Non-Financial Corporations
Authors: Jenčová Sylvia , Štefko Róbert , Vašaničová Petra
Published: August 2020

The aim of this paper is to estimate the probability of bankruptcy of the companies from the Slovak electrical engineering industry based on data obtained from financial statements. Parameters of the predictive model were estimated using binary logistic regression. This model is able to predict the probability of a company’s bankruptcy based on values of significant explanatory variables (accounts payable turnover ratio (APTR), return on sales (ROS), quick ratio (QR), financial leverage (FL), net working capital/assets (NWC/A)). The model is constructed using the financial data of a large sample of electrical engineering companies from 2017. Resulting estimated odds ratios show that, in the electrical engineering industry, ROS, QR, and NWC/A significantly reduce the likelihood of bankruptcy. In other words, if these financial indicators increase, the probability of bankruptcy decreases. Our results are also applicable to other industries connected with industrial production, especially the mechanical engineering industry.
The Circular Economy and Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Strategies
Authors: Rolewicz-Kalińska Anna , Lelicińska-Serafin Krystyna , Manczarski Piotr
Published: August 2020

Densely populated areas with large incoming populations have difficulty achieving high separate collection rates of municipal solid waste. The manuscript analyzes the link between biowaste collection and circular economy requirements as a fulfilment of the recycling rates and using biogas as a sustainable energy source. Three biowaste collection scenarios and three technical scenarios for its treatment are considered. The first scenario assumes only composting for biowaste treatment, the next includes also anaerobic digestion. In the years 2020–2050, the separate biowaste collection level will increase, depending on the scenario, from 26.9 kg/inh. up to 148.1kg/inh. By 2030, the quantity of biogas generated from biowaste can grow to almost 9 million m3/year, enabling the production of renewable energy at annual levels of almost 17 GWh and 69 TJ. Using the third scenario, the quantity of biogas generated grows more than twice (in 2035). If the capture rate of biowaste increases from 15% to 20% and then to 25%, the quantity of biogas generated grows by, respectively, 65% and more than 100%. Unfortunately, none of the scenarios enables the required municipal solid waste recycling rates in 2030 (60%) and 2035 (65%), which demonstrates the significant need to develop more effective separate collection systems, including biowaste. Methodology applied in the paper can be used for other cities and regions trying to meet circular economy demands.
Effects of Temperature Factors on Resistance against Pine Wood Nematodes in Pinus thunbergii, Based on Multiple Location Sites Nematode Inoculation Tests
Authors: Iki Taiichi , Matsunaga Koji , Hirao Tomonori , Ohira Mineko , Yamanobe Taro , Iwaizumi Masakazu G , Miura Masahiro , Isoda Keiya , Kurita Manabu , Takahashi Makoto , Watanabe Atsushi
Published: August 2020

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pinewood nematode (PWN) (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle) is a worldwide issue. Infection is considered to be promoted mainly by the increased air temperature, but it is important to investigate whether the effect of high temperature similarly influences the different ranks of resistant clone. In the present study, we conducted PWN inoculation tests using six common open-pollinated families of resistant Pinus thunbergii Parl. The tests were conducted at nurseries of five test sites across Japanese archipelago between 2015 and 2017. Our analysis focused specifically on temperature. Firstly, we examined the effects of test sites, inoculation year, and their interaction on unaffected seedling rate and found that the unaffected seedling rate of all tested pine families decreased as the cumulative temperature increased. We found that the unaffected seedling rate decreased as the cumulative temperature increased for all tested pine families. In general, higher cumulative temperatures were required for having an effect on the unaffected seedling rates of higher PWN-resistant families. Typically, early cumulative temperatures, i.e., 19 days after inoculation, had the greatest effect on the unaffected seedling rates of PWN-resistant pines. However, the relationship between cumulative temperature and predicted unaffected seedling rate follow similar rate for all families. Thus, the order of resistance level is maintained in terms of the cumulative temperature required for having an effect.
Chemical Characterization and Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds from Saponin-Rich Extracts and Their Acid-Hydrolysates Obtained from Fenugreek and Quinoa
Authors: Navarro del Hierro Joaquín , Reglero Guillermo , Martin Diana
Published: August 2020

Saponin-rich extracts from edible seeds have gained increasing interest and their hydrolysis to sapogenin-rich extracts may be an effective strategy to enhance their potential bioactivity. However, it remains necessary to study the resulting chemical modifications of the extracts after hydrolysis as well as their impact on the subsequent bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds. The chemical composition of non-hydrolyzed and hydrolyzed extracts from fenugreek (FE, HFE) and quinoa (QE, HQE), and the bioaccessibility of saponins, sapogenins and other bioactive compounds after an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was assessed. In general, FE mainly contained saponins (31%), amino acids (6%) and glycerides (5.9%), followed by carbohydrates (3.4%), fatty acids (FFA) (2.3%), phytosterols (0.8%), tocols (0.1%) and phenolics (0.05%). HFE consisted of FFA (35%), sapogenins (8%) and partial glycerides (7%), and were richer in phytosterols (1.9%) and tocols (0.3%). QE mainly contained glycerides (33%), FFA (19%), carbohydrates (16%) and saponins (7.9%), and to a lesser extent alkylresorcinols (1.8%), phytosterols (1.5%), amino acids (1.1%), tocols (0.5%) and phenolics (0.5%). HQE mainly consisted of FFA (57%), partial glycerides (23%) and sapogenins (5.4%), were richer in phytosterols (2.4%), phenolics (1.2%) and tocols (0.7%) but poorer in alkylresorcinols (1%). After in vitro digestion, saponins from FE and QE were fully bioaccessible, sapogenins from HFE displayed a good bioaccessibility (76%) and the sapogenin from HQE was moderately bioaccesible (38%). Digestion of saponin and sapogenin standards suggested that other components of the extracts were enhancing the bioaccessibility. Other minor bioactive compounds (phytosterols, alkylresorcinols, tocols and some phenolics) also displayed optimal bioaccessibility values (70–100%).
Wine Aging Technology: Fundamental Role of Wood Barrels
Authors: Carpena Maria , Pereira Antia G. , Prieto Miguel A. , Simal-Gandara Jesus
Published: August 2020

The aging of wines is a process used to preserve wine but also to enhance its properties. It is a process of great interest, mainly because of the additional properties it adds to wines and because of its economic implications. Historically, barrels have been employed for centuries for preserving and aging wine due to their resistance and relative impermeability. In general terms, the wine aging process can be divided into two phases: oxidative and reductive aging. Oxidative aging traditionally takes place in barrels while reductive phase occurs in the bottle. During both processes, oxygen plays a fundamental role as well as other factors, for instance: temperature, light, bottle position, microbial growth or storage time. Likewise, during the aging process, a series of chemical reactions take place influencing the composition and organoleptic profile of wine. At this point, oxidative aging in barrels is a fundamental step. Barrels are directly involved in the produced changes on wine’s composition due to the transference of oxygen and phenolic and aromatic compounds from wood to wine. This way, barrels act as an active vessel capable of releasing compounds that affect and improve wine’s characteristics. Regarding, the importance of barrels during aging process, some attention must be given to the species most used in cooperage. These species are conventionally oak species, either French or American. However, other non-conventional species are currently being studied as possible wood sources for the production of wines, such as chestnut robinia or other oak species. In the last decades, new approaches have been developed for barrel aging to find new alternatives more suitable, affordable and feasible to sanitize the process, such as other materials different from wood or the use of wood chips, which is regulated since 2006 by the EU. However, even though some of them have shown promising data, barrels are currently the most used technology for the oxidative stage of table wines aging.
Effect of Sunlight Exposure on Anthocyanin and Non-Anthocyanin Phenolic Levels in Pomegranate Juices by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Approach
Authors: Di Stefano Vita , Scandurra Salvatore , Pagliaro Antonella , Di Martino Vincenzo , Melilli Maria Grazia
Published: August 2020

Quali-quantitative analyses of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds performed with the use of liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry, were evaluated in juice of pomegranate fruits (‘Dente di Cavallo’), in relation to different light exposures (North, South, West and East). A total of 16 compounds were identified, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, and anthocyanins, known for their health-promoting effects. Striking differences were observed about the total phenolic content, which was high in juices from fruits with east- and north-facing position, while it was lower in juices facing south. The greatest contents of total flavonoids and anthocyanins were recorded in fruit juices with southern exposure; however, there are no great differences in the content in phenolic acids. Tannins were mainly synthesized in fruit juices with West exposure. The results showed that the position within the tree had no significant effects on color juice, however, it significantly (p < 0.05) affected data on fruit weight, soluble sugars and juice yield. Remarkable synergies existed among polyphenols and phytochemicals in pomegranate juice, but collecting fruits with different solar exposure could enhance different health benefits, i.e., the juices with higher polyphenols content could have more anticancer effect or those with higher tannins content could have more antimicrobial effect.
Development of a Multifunction Set Yogurt Using Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Chinese Sweet Tea) Extract
Authors: Abdel-Hamid Mahmoud , Huang Zizhen , Suzuki Takuya , Enomoto Toshiki , Hamed Ahmed M. , Li Ling , Romeih Ehab
Published: August 2020

Rubus suavissimus S. Lee leaves, also known as Chinese sweet tea or Tiancha, are used in folk medicine in southern China. This study evaluated the impact of the addition of Chinese sweet tea extract (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%) on the chemical composition, organoleptic properties, yogurt culture viability, and biological activities (i.e., antioxidant, anticancer, and antihypertensive activities) of yogurt. Seven phenolic compounds were reported in Chinese sweet tea for the first time. The numbers of the yogurt culture were similar across all yogurt treatments. The yogurt supernatant with 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% Chinese sweet tea extract had a total phenolic content that was 3.6-, 6.1-, and 11.2-fold higher, respectively, than that of the control yogurt. The biological activities were significantly increased by the addition of Chinese sweet tea extract: Yogurt with the addition of 1% Chinese sweet tea extract had the highest biological activities in terms of the antioxidant activity (92.43%), antihypertensive activity (82.03%), and inhibition of the Caco-2 cell line (67.46%). Yogurt with the addition of 0.5% Chinese sweet tea extract received the highest aroma and overall acceptability scores. Overall, Chinese sweet tea extract is a promising food ingredient for producing functional yogurt products that may substantially contribute to reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Sensory and Physicochemical Characterization of Sourdough Bread Prepared with a Coconut Water Kefir Starter
Authors: Limbad Mansi , Gutierrez Maddox Noemi , Hamid Nazimah , Kantono Kevin
Published: August 2020

There is a recognized need for formulating functional food products using selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starter cultures from various sources such as kefir, yoghurt or kombucha that have health benefits. The principle objective of this study was to investigate the use of a coconut water kefir-based fermentation starter culture using Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus plantarum to develop a sourdough bread. Check-all-that-apply (CATA) sensory profiling was used in this study to evaluate the sensory profile of sourdough breads that varied with culture type, culture concentrations, with and without added yeast, and with fermentation for 18 and 24 h. Based on correspondence analysis (CA) of the CATA results, bread samples with positive sensory attributes were chosen for further physicochemical analysis. Physicochemical analyses (texture, proximate composition, shelf life, carboxylic acid analysis and amino acid analysis) were carried out on breads formulated with starter culture concentrations of 8.30 log CFU/mL of L. fermentum, 4.90 log CFU/mL of L. fermentum and 9.60 log CFU/mL of L. plantarum, each fermented for 24 h without baker’s yeast. The bread sample that was formulated with a coconut water kefir (CWK) starter culture containing 9.60 log CFU/mL of L. plantarum, without dry yeast and fermented for 24 h, had significantly higher values for almost all amino acids and a lower protein content compared to samples formulated using CWK cultures containing 8.30 log CFU/mL of L. fermentum and 4.90 log CFU/mL of L. fermentum, both without dry yeast and fermented for 24 h. The bread sample formulated with CWK starter culture containing 9.60 log CFU/mL of L. plantarum, without dry yeast and fermented for 24 h, also produced significant quantities of organic acids (pyruvic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid and succinic acid). These changes in the physicochemical properties can improve overall bread quality in terms of flavor, shelf life, texture and nutritional value.
Rhizobium laguerreae Improves Productivity and Phenolic Compound Content of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under Saline Stress Conditions
Authors: Ayuso-Calles Miguel , García-Estévez Ignacio , Jiménez-Gómez Alejandro , Flores-Félix José D. , Escribano-Bailón M. Teresa , Rivas Raúl
Published: August 2020

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a widely consumed horticultural species. Its significance lies in a high polyphenolic compound content, including phenolic acids and flavonols. In this work, we have probed the ability of Rhizobium laguerreae HUTR05 to promote lettuce growth, under in vitro and greenhouse conditions (both non-saline and saline conditions). This strain has shown several in vitro plant growth promotion mechanisms, as well as capacity to colonize lettuce seedlings roots. We have analyzed the effect of the rhizobacterium inoculation on mineral and bioactive compounds in lettuce, under greenhouse conditions, and found a rise in the content of certain phenolic acids and flavonoids, such as derivatives of caffeoyl acid and quercetin. The genome analysis of the strain has shown the presence of genes related to plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mechanisms, defense from saline stress, and phenolic compound metabolism (such as naringenin-chalcone synthase or phenylalanine aminotransferase).
A 24-Week Physical Activity Intervention Increases Bone Mineral Content without Changes in Bone Markers in Youth with PWS
Authors: Rubin Daniela A. , Wilson Kathleen S. , Orsso Camila E. , Gertz Erik R. , Haqq Andrea M. , Castner Diobel M. , Dumont-Driscoll Marilyn
Published: August 2020

Bone mineral density (BMD) is of concern in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This study compared responses to a physical activity intervention in bone parameters and remodeling markers in youth with PWS (n = 45) and youth with non-syndromic obesity (NSO; n = 66). Measurements occurred at baseline (PRE) and after 24 weeks (POST) of a home-based active games intervention with strengthening and jumping exercises (intervention group = I) or after a no-intervention period (control group = C). Dual x-ray absorptiometry scans of the hip and lumbar spine (L1-L4) determined BMD and bone mineral content (BMC). Bone markers included fasting bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx). Both I and C groups increased their hip BMD and BMC (p < 0.001). Youth with PWS-I increased their spine BMC from PRE to POST (p < 0.001) but not youth with PWS-C (p = 1.000). Youth with NSO (I and C) increased their spine BMC between PRE and POST (all p < 0.001). Youth with PWS showed lower BAP (108.28 ± 9.19 vs. 139.07 ± 6.41 U/L; p = 0.006) and similar CTx (2.07 ± 0.11 vs.1.84 ± 0.14 ng/dL; p = 0.193) than those with NSO regardless of time. Likely, the novelty of the intervention exercises for those with PWS contributed to gains in spine BMC beyond growth. Bone remodeling markers were unaltered by the intervention.
The Making of the “Malay Pirate” in Early Modern European Thought
Authors: Amirell Stefan Eklöf
Published: August 2020

This article traces the long historical background of the nineteenth-century European notion of the Malay as a human “race” with an inherent addiction to piracy. For most of the early modern period, European observers of the Malay Archipelago associated the Malays with the people and diaspora of the Sultanate of Melaka, who were seen as commercially and culturally accomplished. This image changed in the course of the eighteenth century. First, the European understanding of the Malay was expanded to encompass most of the indigenous population of maritime Southeast Asia. Second, more negative assessments gained influence after the mid-eighteenth century, and the Malays were increasingly associated with piracy, treachery, and rapaciousness. In part, the change was due to the rise in maritime raiding on the part of certain indigenous seafaring peoples of Southeast Asia combined with increasing European commercial interests in Southeast Asia, but it was also part of a generally more negative view in Europe of non-settled and non-agricultural populations. This development preceded the notion of the Malays as one of humanity’s principle races, which emerged toward the end of the eighteenth century. The idea that Malays were natural pirates also paved the way for several brutal colonial anti-piracy campaigns in the Malay Archipelago during the nineteenth century.
How Should the Social Service Quality Evaluation in South Korea Be Verified? Focusing on Community Care Services
Authors: Yoon Kichan , Park Gyubeom , Lee Munjae
Published: August 2020

The quality evaluation (QE) of social services tends to have a large variation in results depending on the object and method of service measurement. To overcome these limitations, an analysis of the internal consistency or validity of the social service QE index is necessary, but meta-research on this is insufficient. This study analyzes the internal consistency and validity of evaluation indexes based on the results of social service QE. We utilized the social services QE manual of the Social Security Information Service’s Facility Evaluation Department. The social service QE indexes implemented in 2013 and 2016 were coded and analyzed. We found that there was internal consistency between the results of the care services evaluation in 2013 and 2016. In addition, there were differences between the care services QE indexes by service type in 2013 and 2016. It is necessary to construct effective indexes by simplifying, diversifying, and differentiating social service QE indexes. In addition, control devices for external factors (region, composition of the evaluation team, etc.) must be prepared to maintain the consistency of evaluation scores, and in the long term, standardization of social service QE indexes is necessary.
A Perspective from a Case Conference on Comparing the Diagnostic Process: Human Diagnostic Thinking vs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Decision Support Tools
Authors: Harada Taku , Shimizu Taro , Kaji Yuki , Suyama Yasuhiro , Matsumoto Tomohiro , Kosaka Chintaro , Shimizu Hidefumi , Nei Takatoshi , Watanuki Satoshi
Published: August 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made great contributions to the healthcare industry. However, its effect on medical diagnosis has not been well explored. Here, we examined a trial comparing the thinking process between a computer and a master in diagnosis at a clinical conference in Japan, with a focus on general diagnosis. Consequently, not only was AI unable to exhibit its thinking process, it also failed to include the final diagnosis. The following issues were highlighted: (1) input information to AI could not be weighted in order of importance for diagnosis; (2) AI could not deal with comorbidities (see Hickam’s dictum); (3) AI was unable to consider the timeline of the illness (depending on the tool); (4) AI was unable to consider patient context; (5) AI could not obtain input information by themselves. This comparison of the thinking process uncovered a future perspective on the use of diagnostic support tools.
Exploring the Perceived Risks and Benefits of Heroin Use among Young People (18–24 Years) in Mauritius: Economic Insights from an Exploratory Qualitative Study
Authors: White Gareth , Luczak Susan E. , Mundia Bernard , Goorah Smita
Published: August 2020

The decreasing age of young people injecting illicit drugs is an under-reported challenge for the prevention of HIV transmission worldwide. Young people aged 15–24 years represent 1 in 5 persons living with HIV in Mauritius where the epidemic is driven by injecting drug use and risky sexual behaviours. We recruited 22 heroin users aged 18–24 and 5 service providers working in harm reduction (HR) for the present study. Qualitative data were collected through unstructured interviews. We adopted an economic framework and an inductive approach to the analysis, which implied revising codes and themes. The risks heroin users described as consumers of illicit drugs and as clients of HR services could not be analyzed in isolation. Polydrug use emerged as a recurrent coping mechanism resulting from the changing dynamics within the heroin market. The risks faced by women went beyond addiction and infection with HIV. How participants viewed the risks and benefits linked to using heroin was greatly influenced by gaps in knowledge that left room for uncertainty and reinforcing mechanisms such as peer influence. The study shows that qualitative research can produce in-depth socio-behavioural insights required to produce more effective services for young people.
Structural Validity of an ICF-Based Measure of Activity and Participation for Children in Taiwan’s Disability Eligibility Determination System
Authors: Hwang Ai-Wen , Yen Chia-Feng , Liao Hua-Fang , Chi Wen-Chou , Liou Tsan-Hon , Chang Ben-Sheng , Wu Ting-Fang , Kang Lin-Ju , Lu Shu-Jen , Simeonsson Rune J. , Wang Tze-Hsuan , Bedell Gary
Published: August 2020

To assess activity and participation for children in Taiwan’s Disability Eligibility Determination System (DEDS), we developed a questionnaire, the Functioning Disability Evaluation Scale (FUNDES-Child), based on the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP). The study follows a methodology research design to investigate the construct validity of the frequency and independence dimensions of FUNDES-Child 7.0. Two samples were randomly stratified from the databank of 13,835 children and youth with disabilities aged 6.0–17.9 years to examine structural validity by exploratory factor analysis (EFA, n = 4111, mean age of 11.3 ± 3.5) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, n = 4823, mean age of 11.4 ± 3.5)). EFA indicated a 4-factor structure for the frequency dimension (51.3% variance explained) and a 2-factor structure for the independence dimension (53.6% variance explained). The CFA indicated that the second-order factor structures of both dimensions were more parsimonious with adequate fit indices (Goodness fit Index, GFI; Normed Fit Index, NFI; Comparative Fit Index, CFI; and Tucker-Lewis Index, TLI ≥ 0.95, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, RMSEA < 0.06). Results provide evidence that the participation part of FUNDES-Child 7.0 has acceptable structural validity for use in Taiwan’s DEDS. Utility of FUNDES-Child 7.0 in rehabilitation, welfare, and educational services needs further study.
Agreement between the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Accelerometry in Adults with Orthopaedic Injury
Authors: Veitch William G. , Climie Rachel E. , Gabbe Belinda J. , Dunstan David W. , Owen Neville , Ekegren Christina L.
Published: August 2020

Orthopaedic injury can lead to decreased physical activity. Valid measures for assessing physical activity are therefore needed in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the agreement and concordance between the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ) and device-measured physical activity and sitting time in orthopaedic injury patients. Adults with isolated upper or lower limb fracture (n = 46; mean age of 40.5 years) wore two activity monitors (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT and activPAL) for 10 days, from 2 weeks post-discharge. The IPAQ was also completed for a concurrent 7-day period. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman plots were calculated to compare walking/stepping time, total METmins, and sitting time. The IPAQ overestimated device-derived walking time (mean difference = 2.34 ± 7.33 h/week) and total METmins (mean difference = 767 ± 1659 METmins/week) and underestimated sitting time (mean difference = −2.26 ± 3.87 h/day). There was fair concordance between IPAQ-reported and device-measured walking (ρ = 0.34) and sitting time (ρ = 0.38) and moderate concordance between IPAQ-reported and device-measured METmins (ρ = 0.43). In patients with orthopaedic injury, the IPAQ overestimates physical activity and underestimates sitting time. Higher agreement was observed in the forms of activity (walking, total PA and sitting) commonly performed by this patient group.
The Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network: Setting a Mental Health Agenda for the Region
Authors: Newnham Elizabeth A. , Dzidic Peta L. , Mergelsberg Enrique L.P. , Guragain Bhushan , Chan Emily Ying Yang , Kim Yoshiharu , Leaning Jennifer , Kayano Ryoma , Wright Michael , Kaththiriarachchi Lalindra , Kato Hiroshi , Osawa Tomoko , Gibbs Lisa
Published: August 2020

Addressing the psychological mechanisms and structural inequalities that underpin mental health issues is critical to recovery following disasters and pandemics. The Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network was established in June 2020 in response to the current disaster climate and to foster advancements in disaster-oriented mental health research, practice and policy across the region. Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Thematic Platform for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM), the network brings together leading disaster psychiatry, psychology and public health experts. Our aim is to advance policy, research and targeted translation of the evidence so that communities are better informed in preparation and response to disasters, pandemics and mass trauma. The first meetings of the network resulted in the development of a regional disaster mental health agenda focused on the current context, with five priority areas: (1) Strengthening community engagement and the integration of diverse perspectives in planning, implementing and evaluating mental health and psychosocial response in disasters; (2) Supporting and assessing the capacity of mental health systems to respond to disasters; (3) Optimising emerging technologies in mental healthcare; (4) Understanding and responding appropriately to addressing the mental health impacts of climate change; (5) Prioritising mental health and psychosocial support for high-risk groups. Consideration of these priority areas in future research, practice and policy will support nuanced and effective psychosocial initiatives for disaster-affected populations within the Asia Pacific region.
Activating Telomerase TERT Promoter Mutations and Their Application for the Detection of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Zvereva Maria , Pisarev Eduard , Hosen Ismail , Kisil Olga , Matskeplishvili Simon , Kubareva Elena , Kamalov David , Tivtikyan Alexander , Manel Arnaud , Vian Emmanuel , Kamalov Armais , Ecke Thorsten , Calvez-Kelm Florence Le
Published: August 2020

This review summarizes state-of-the-art knowledge in early-generation and novel urine biomarkers targeting the telomerase pathway for the detection and follow-up of bladder cancer (BC). The limitations of the assays detecting telomerase reactivation are discussed and the potential of transcription-activating mutations in the promoter of the TERT gene detected in the urine as promising simple non-invasive BC biomarkers is highlighted. Studies have shown good sensitivity and specificity of the urinary TERT promoter mutations in case-control studies and, more recently, in a pilot prospective cohort study, where the marker was detected up to 10 years prior to clinical diagnosis. However, large prospective cohort studies and intervention studies are required to fully validate their robustness and assess their clinical utility. Furthermore, it may be interesting to evaluate whether the clinical performance of urinary TERT promoter mutations could increase when combined with other simple urinary biomarkers. Finally, different approaches for assessment of TERT promoter mutations in urine samples are presented together with technical challenges, thus highlighting the need of careful technological validation and standardization of laboratory methods prior to translation into clinical practice.
D-Chiro-Inositol Treatment Affects Oocyte and Embryo Quality and Improves Glucose Intolerance in Both Aged Mice and Mouse Models of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Authors: Pericuesta Eva , Laguna-Barraza Ricardo , Ramos-Ibeas Priscila , Gutierrez-Arroyo Julia L. , Navarro Juan A. , Vera Katia , Sanjuan Carlos , Baixeras Elena , de Fonseca Fernando Rodríguez , Gutierrez-Adan Alfonso
Published: August 2020

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the main cause of female infertility. It is a multifactorial disorder with varying clinical manifestations including metabolic/endocrine abnormalities, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian cysts, among other conditions. D-Chiro-inositol (DCI) is the main treatment available for PCOS in humans. To address some of the mechanisms of this complex disorder and its treatment, this study examines the effect of DCI on reproduction during the development of different PCOS-associated phenotypes in aged females and two mouse models of PCOS. Aged females (8 months old) were treated or not (control) with DCI for 2 months. PCOS models were generated by treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on Days 16, 17, and 18 of gestation, or by testosterone propionate (TP) treatment on the first day of life. At two months of age, PCOS mice were treated with DCI for 2 months and their reproductive parameters analyzed. No effects of DCI treatment were produced on body weight or ovary/body weight ratio. However, treatment reduced the number of follicles with an atretic cyst-like appearance and improved embryo development in the PCOS models, and also increased implantation rates in both aged and PCOS mice. DCI modified the expression of genes related to oocyte quality, oxidative stress, and luteal sufficiency in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained from the aged and PCOS models. Further, the phosphorylation of AKT, a main metabolic sensor activated by insulin in the liver, was enhanced only in the DHT group, which was the only PCOS model showing glucose intolerance and AKT dephosphorylation. The effect of DCI in the TP model seemed mediated by its influence on oxidative stress and follicle insufficiency. Our results indicate that DCI works in preclinical models of PCOS and offer insight into its mechanism of action when used to treat this infertility-associated syndrome.
In Vitro Maturation of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Is Essential for Maintaining High Expression of Key Functional Genes
Authors: Al-Ani Abdullah , Sunba Saud , Hafeez Bilal , Toms Derek , Ungrin Mark
Published: August 2020

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the industrialized world. AMD is associated with dysfunction and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which provides critical support for photoreceptor survival and function. RPE transplantation is a promising avenue towards a potentially curative treatment for early stage AMD patients, with encouraging reports from animal trials supporting recent progression toward clinical treatments. Mature RPE cells have been reported to be superior, but a detailed investigation of the specific changes in the expression pattern of key RPE genes during maturation is lacking. To understand the effect of maturity on RPE, we investigated transcript levels of 19 key RPE genes using ARPE-19 cell line and human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cultures. Mature RPE cultures upregulated PEDF, IGF-1, CNTF and BDNF—genes that code for trophic factors known to enhance the survival and function of photoreceptors. Moreover, the mRNA levels of these genes are maximized after 42 days of maturation in culture and lost upon dissociation to single cells. Our findings will help to inform future animal and human RPE transplantation efforts.
Nanoparticle-Based Technology Approaches to the Management of Neurological Disorders
Authors: Sim Tao Ming , Tarini Dinesh , Dheen S. Thameem , Bay Boon Huat , Srinivasan Dinesh Kumar
Published: August 2020

Neurological disorders are the most devastating and challenging diseases associated with the central nervous system (CNS). The blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintains homeostasis of the brain and contributes towards the maintenance of a very delicate microenvironment, impairing the transport of many therapeutics into the CNS and making the management of common neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), exceptionally complicated. Nanoparticle (NP) technology offers a platform for the design of tissue-specific drug carrying systems owing to its versatile and modifiable nature. The prospect of being able to design NPs capable of successfully crossing the BBB, and maintaining a high drug bioavailability in neural parenchyma, has spurred much interest in the field of nanomedicine. NPs, which also come in an array of forms including polymeric NPs, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), quantum dots and liposomes, have the flexibility of being conjugated with various macromolecules, such as surfactants to confer the physical or chemical property desired. These nanodelivery strategies represent potential novel and minimally invasive approaches to the treatment and diagnosis of these neurological disorders. Most of the strategies revolve around the ability of the NPs to cross the BBB via various influx mechanisms, such as adsorptive-mediated transcytosis (AMT) and receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT), targeting specific biomarkers or lesions unique to that pathological condition, thereby ensuring high tissue-specific targeting and minimizing off-target side effects. In this article, insights into common neurological disorders and challenges of delivering CNS drugs due to the presence of BBB is provided, before an in-depth review of nanoparticle-based theranostic strategies.