bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE VALUE OF BASAL EXPRESSION LEVEL OF HEMOXYGENASE-1 FOR SENSITIVITY OF HUMAN MELANOMA CELLS TO OXIDATIVE STRESS IN VITRO
Authors: Sidorova T. A. , Solomko E. Sh. , Khochenkova Yu. A. , Prokofieva A. A. , Khochenkov D. A.
Published: October 2020

Introduction.The molecular basis of radio- and photodynamic therapy (PDT), the mechanism of action of a number of antitumor chemotherapy drugs is oxidative stress (OS). The enzyme hemoxygenase-I (НO-1), a molecular marker of OS, is a key participant in the system of protection and adaptation of tumor cells under stress.

Objective.To find out whether the sensitivity of human melanoma tumor cells to OS depends on the basal and modulator-induced levels of НO-1 expression

Material and methods.Human melanoma cell lines were used in the study. The expression of mRNA НO-1 in cells was studied by real-time RT-PCR, the reactive oxygen species content in cells – by flow cytometry and the cytotoxicity of drugs – by MTT assay.

Results.According to our data, human melanoma cells have different basal levels of HO-1 transcription: high (3.0–3.5 o. u.) in lines MelIL, MelP, medium (1.5 o. u.) in lines MeWo, MelZ, MelIbr and low (0.5 o. e.) – MelMe, A375).There is no direct correlation between the level of basal cell expression of HO-1 and their sensitivity to the OS inducer – Н2О2. The hemin-induced increase in HO-1 expression in cells is accompanied by doubled resistance to Н2О2. It was found that HO-1 repression in the presence of apigenin was registered in melanoma cells with different basal levels, but sensitization to Н2О2 (2–4 times) was observed only for cells with medium (MeWo) and low (A375) levels of basal HO-1 expression. It was found that the decrease in basal expression of HO-1 induced by apigenin is accompanied by an increase in the reactive oxygen species content in cells.

Conclusions.The results of our research allow us to recommend natural flavon apigenin, a modulator of HO-1 expression, for inclusion in the chemotherapy and PDT regimens to increase the effectiveness of human melanoma treatment.
PRECLINICAL TOXICITY STUDY OF THE NEW ANTIFUNGAL DRUG AMPHAMID
Authors: Treschalin I. D. , Golibrodo V. A. , Treschalin M. I. , Tevyashova A. N. , Pereverzeva E. R.
Published: October 2020

Introduction.Amphotericin B remains the drug of first choice in the treatment of most severe systemic fungal infections. However, it is characterized by very low solubility and high toxicity. Amphamide – semisynthetic derivative of Amphotericin B – have been prepared at the Gause Institute of New Antibiotics. It showed several advantages over amphotericin B in vivo.

Objective.The aim of the study was to investigate the toxicological safety of amphamide drug formulation in chronic experiment on rats.

Materials and methods.The study was performed in male and female Wistar rats. Amphamide drug formulation was injected intraperitonealy at the total doses of MTD and LD50(30 × 0,07 mg/kg or 30 × 0,17 mg/kg with 24-h interval). During the experiment body weight, hematological parameters, blood biochemical parameters, electrocardiography and urinalysis were performed. Animals were sacrificed on 1st and 30th day after the end of treatment. At necropsy, the mass coefficients of heart, liver, kidneys, spleen and thymus were calculated. The internal organs were subjected to histological evaluation.

Results.It has been shown that the treatment with total dose of amphamide produces an increase of urea and creatinine level in serum, changes in urine composition and its specific gravity. Microscopic pathology observation showed dose-dependent structure abnormalities in kidneys, liver, lungs, stomach, and testes. Multiple administration of low dose of the drug produces transient toxic effects completely reversible within 30 days. When amphamide was used in a high dose, morphological signs of toxic cardiomyopathy were found.

Conclusion.The results of the clinical and laboratory studies and microscopic pathology observation of kidneys demonstrate that nephrotoxicity is the main limiting type of drug toxicity. Dose dependence and reversibility within a month of toxic effects of amphamide allows us to recommend it to further advance.
EFFECT OF HLA-DR ANTIBODY CONCENTRATION ON ESTIMATION OF THE NUMBER OF CD14+HLA-DRLOW /–-CELLS IN THE BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH B-CELL chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Ponomarev A. V. , Misyurin V. A. , Baryshnikova M. A.
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Immunoregulatory functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells have been extensively studied over the recent decades. Additionally, myeloid-derived suppressor cells have been investigated as a prognostic factor.

Objective. To optimize the measurement of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Materials and methods. The number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells with CD14+HLA-DRlow/–-phenotype was determined in the peripheral blood of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and healthy donors by flow cytometry. The measurement was carried out at two points, which differed in the concentration of anti-HLA-DR antibodies − 15 and 4 μl.

Results. The median amount of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the peripheral blood of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with 15 μl of anti-HLA-DR antibody was 1.9 %, and with 4 μl of antibody concentration – 7 %. Healthy donors had that median of 0.15 % with 15 μl of antibody and 0.3 % with 4 μl concentration.

Conclusion. The number of CD14+HLA-DRlow/–-cells in the blood of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia is sensitive to the concentration of the HLA-DR antibody.

Compliance with patient rights and principles of bioethics. The study protocol No 3 of 13.02.2020 was approved by the biomedical ethics committee of Research Institute of Experimental Diagnostics and Therapy of Tumors N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. All patients gave written informed consent to participate in the study.
Discrimination of Small Earthquakes and Buried Single-Fired Chemical Explosions at Local Distances (<150  km) in the Western United States from Comparison of Local Magnitude (ML) and Coda Duration Magnitude (MC)
Authors: Koper Keith D. , Holt Monique M. , Voyles Jonathan R. , Burlacu Relu , Pyle Moira L. , Wang Ruijia , Schmandt Brandon
Published: October 2020

Seismologists distinguish underground nuclear explosions from more commonly occurring earthquakes using moment tensor inversion, high-frequency P/S amplitude ratios, mb:Ms comparisons, and P-pP differential travel times. These methods are generally successful for large seismic events (M>3–4) well recorded at regional-to-teleseismic distances (>150  km); however, it is unclear whether they can be modified to work for small events (M<3) well recorded only at local distances (<150  km). Here, we evaluate a recently proposed, local-distance seismic source discriminant—the difference between local magnitude (ML) and coda duration magnitude (MC)—using seismograms of earthquakes and buried, single-fired chemical explosions recorded in three regions of the western United States. The quantity ML–MC was previously found to be sensitive to source depth, effectively discriminating mine blasts, induced earthquakes, and very shallow tectonic earthquakes from deeper crustal earthquakes. In this study, we report the first evaluation of ML–MC as a depth discriminant using data from buried, single-fired explosions that, unlike the seismic sources studied earlier, are good analogs for underground nuclear explosions. We find that even when using generic, uncalibrated methods of assigning magnitudes, ML–MC separates single-fired explosions and earthquakes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is 0.92 for 19 explosions and 14 earthquakes in Washington, 0.90 for 22 explosions and 90 earthquakes in Wyoming, and 0.99 for three explosions and 149 earthquakes in Nevada. ML:MC comparisons have the potential to enhance discrimination based on high-frequency P/S amplitudes ratios—which perform less well at local than regional distances—because the two metrics have complementary sensitivities.
Preparedness for prevention and Mitigation guidelines of COVID -19 at Academic Medical institute
Authors: M Mohsen Dalia , E Saad Ibrahim , Alawm Khaled , Dogham Rawhia , Mohieeldin Hazem
Published: October 2020

The (n-COVID -19) novel coronavirus 2019 has been recognized as a highly pathogenic virus that infects the human respiratory tract and has high morbidity and mortality. The n-COVID -19 is an enormous burden on health-care facilities, causing approximately 2.1% mortality so far. Countries globally are at risk of developing pneumonia due to this novel Corona Virus. The surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reached over 100 countries with more than 100,000 cases. The disease is fast spread among human, due to the assessment of transmission methods still not clear. Infection prevention control measures are essential in medical institutes. A poor understanding of the disease among academic and non-academic employees may result in delayed treatment and the rapid spread of infection. This study aimed to investigate and assess the level of preparedness, knowledge, and perceptions of the medical institute employees about COVID-19.

A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among academic and non-academic employees about COVID19 during the period from July to August 2020. The actual preparedness level of medical institutes can be determined by examining academic and non-academic employees' perceptions. A 33-item questioner survey instrument was developed and distributed using employees' email; it required 5 minutes to complete. A questionnaire survey concerning the perceptions of risks and countermeasures and knowledge about novel coronavirus 2019 was distributed at different Medical institutes. A chi-square test was used to investigate the level of association among variables at the significance level of p<0.05.

All participants completed the survey. Seventy-five valid questionnaire responses were received and analyzed. After adjusting for sex, specialty, Qualification, and years of experience, knowledge of preventive measures (K-scores) in the medical institute, institutional measures (I-scores) were found to be more indicative of the level of preparedness across the institution.

As the global danger of COVID-19 continues to emerge, it is critical to improving the knowledge and perceptions of academic and non-academic employees. Educational interventions are urgently needed to reach academic and non-academic employees beyond borders. Substantial differences in emergency infection prevention and control measures, as perceived by academic and non-academic employees exist in a medical institute. Furthermore, to achieve a higher level of preparedness for prevention and mitigation for infectious diseases, Medical institutions should designate and implement effective mitigation guidelines of COVID -19 at Academic Medical institute.
Prevalence of inducible clindamycin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus isolates from a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Samal Badhuli , Padekar Hira , Dash Lona , Shastri Jayanthi
Published: October 2020

Clindamycin is an excellent drug for skin and soft tissue Staphylococcus aureus infections, but resistance mediated by inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (iMLS)phenotype leads to in vivo therapeutic failure even though they may be in vitro susceptible in Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method (KBDDM). Hence the study was undertaken to detect the prevalence of iMLS phenotype among Staphylococcus aureus isolates by double disk approximation test (D-test) in a tertiary care hospital.

A total of 100 consecutive Staphylococcus species isolates were identified by standard microbiological methods and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by KBDDM. Clindamycin-resistance either in the form of iMLSB or cMLSB was determined through double disk diffusion method or D-test by using erythromycin (2 μg) and clindamycin (15μg) as per the CLSI guidelines.

Out of 100 Staphylococcus species studied, 50(50%) were methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, 30(30%) were Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and 20 (20%) were Coagulase negative Staphylococci. Out of 80 Staphylococcus aureus studied, iMLSB, cMLSB and MS phenotype were 32.5%, 1.25%, 5% respectively. Inducible resistance and MS phenotype were found to be higher in MRSA as compared to MSSA (60%, 6.66% and 16%, 4% respectively).

 The study revealed 32.5% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were inducible clindamycin resistant, which could be easily misidentified as clindamycin susceptible in Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Therefore, clinical microbiology laboratory should routinely perform D-test in all clinically isolated Staphylococcus aureus to guide clinicians for the appropriate use of clindamycin.
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Leaf and Flower Essential Oils of Origanum onites L. Growing in Mount Ida-Turkey
Authors: ÖZER Züleyha
Published: October 2020

The chemical composition of leaf and flower essential oils of Origanum onites L. were analyzed using Thermo Scientific TSQ GC-MS/MS. Also, antioxidant activities of the leaf and flower essential oils were investigated by using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity and β-carotene linoleic acid assays. BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) were used as standards. The essential oil yields of O. onites were 1.75 % for leaves, and 4.25 % for flowers. A total of twenty-three compounds representing 99.9 % of leaf oil and twenty-four compounds constituted 99.6 % of the flower oil were determined. Oxygenated monoterpenes were detected at a high percentage (69.2 %) in leaf essential oil and carvacrol (64.9 %) was determined as the main compound. Also, flower essential oil was dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (73.5 %) and α-cubebene (36.4 %) was determined as major compound. For leaf oil, a high antioxidant capacity was determined, primarily due to carvacrol and p-cymene.
ESCRITOS MÉDICOS SOBRE A INFÂNCIA NO BRASIL (1832-1882)
Authors: CINTRA MARIANA DE PAULA
Published: October 2020

No Brasil do século XIX, e mais proeminentemente no Rio de Janeiro, médicos e estudantes de medicina produziram uma série de trabalhos que tinham como propósito disseminar os saberes acadêmicos sobre as doenças, os tratamentos, a nutrição e a higiene da criança. Segundo esses escritos, estava em construção uma ciência médica nacional preocupada em moralizar as práticas cotidianas que diziam respeito à família: o parto, a higiene, a alimentação, a limpeza dos ambientes privados, entre outros. A partir de um movimento mais amplo de primazia dos seres frágeis na medicina portuguesa do século XVIII e, mais tarde, no Brasil, a proposta deste artigo é mapear quais foram os saberes veiculados sobre o trato infantil nos primeiros cinquenta anos da Faculdade de Medicina do Rio de Janeiro, com ênfase em dois aspectos amplamente difundidos nas teses médicas do período: a prevenção e a medicação.
 
Palavras-chave: Medicina. Crianças. Saúde. Prevenir. Medicar.
SERTÃO E MODERNIDADE NAS FOTOGRAFIAS DA REVISTA BRASÍLIA
Authors: ANDRADE RÔMULO DE PAULA
Published: October 2020

O presente artigo objetiva analisar as imagens produzidas para a revista Brasília, um dos principais meios de divulgação da construção da nova capital do país. Em meio a um intenso contexto de críticas às grandes obras do período, Brasília produziu um olhar oficial, positivo e moderno sobre aquela região. Produzidas pelos principais fotojornalistas da época, as fotografias trazem perspectivas características do neobandeirantismo dos anos JK. Nas fotografias, o padrão urbano-industrial tornara-se um signo do desenvolvimentismo, em oposição à ideia de atraso, identificada com um sertão idealizado pelos agentes políticos da época.
Palavras-chave: Desenvolvimento. História de Brasília. História e Fotografia.
Editorial
Authors: Fernández-Morales Flavio Humberto
Published: October 2020

Al iniciar su segunda década de existencia, la Revista de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (RIDI), ha decidido abandonar la versión impresa y mudar al formato digital. El papel, tan querido por quienes disfrutan la manipulación del texto de manera tangible, ha dejado de ser una opción viable para la divulgación de los contenidos. Ejemplo de ello, es que, por limitación de espacio, las bibliotecas universitarias ya no aceptan el canje en papel, sino que se hace de forma digital.

Igualmente, los costos ambientales y económicos asociados a la impresión y distribución de los ejemplares, se pueden reorientar a la mejora de los procesos editoriales, lo que redundará en la calidad de la revista.

En adelante, RIDI continuará difundiendo sus contenidos a través de su página web, la cual aprovecha las bondades de la plataforma Open Journal System (OJS), y en la que se encuentran disponibles todos los números de la revista.

Esperamos que este cambio redunde en beneficio de nuestros usuarios, a saber: autores, lectores y comunidad académica, al brindar mayor agilidad en la publicación de los artículos, junto a una mayor visibilidad de los contenidos.

 

En el presente fascículo, Vol. 11 No. 1, se incluyen catorce artículos, resultado del proceso investigativo en temáticas relacionadas con administración, educación e ingeniería, los cuales invitamos a consultar y utilizar en sus investigaciones. Asimismo, se invita a los interesados en publicar los resultados de sus trabajos de investigación, a que envíen sus manuscritos a la revista; los requisitos de forma se pueden consultar en nuestra página WEB, en las instrucciones para los autores.

 

Cordialmente,

 

FLAVIO HUMBERTO FERNÁNDEZ MORALES

Editor

Revista de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación

ISSN: 2027-8306 - ISSN-e: 2389-9417

Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia
STUDI PENAMBAHAN SERAI (Cymbopogon citratus) DAN TEMU MANGGA (Curcuma mangga) TERHADAP KARAKTERISTIK FISIKOKIMIA DAN ORGANOLEPTIK MINUMAN SARI UMBI BIT (Beta vulagris L.)
Authors: Datuyanan Inten Sharon , Simanjuntak Bistok Hasiholan , Setiawan Andree Wijaya , Handoko Yoga Aji
Published: October 2020

As food contains vitamin, mineral and antioxidant, beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) had beneficial for health. Although beetroot contains a lot of nutritional value, beetroot is less liked by the public because of an earthy taste. For this reason, it needs innovation of the beetroot processing into products that can be accepted by the public, such as beverage fruit drink with food additives. In this study, beetroot juice with food additives, i.e. lemongrass, and turmeric mango was expected to improve taste and acceptable consumer. This study were aimed to analyze the effect of lemongrass and turmeric mango on physicochemical characteristics and determine the organoleptic quality of beetroot juice. This study used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with the addition of lemongrass and turmeric mango respectively 1%, 3%, 5% concentration in the beetroot juice. Negative control used beetroot juice plain and the positive control used beet juice plus honey. Data were analyzed by variance (ANOVA), if the results obtained were significantly different, the DMRT continuing with 5% significant level. The results showed that the addition of lemongrass and turmeric mango with the concentration of each 1%, 3%, 5% effect on the physicochemical characteristics and organoleptic beet juice. The highest total dissolved solids was 6.92oBrix and the highest betacyanin content of 10.26 mg/L occurred at the addition of 5% turmeric mango. The highest pH value was shown in the negative control (beetroot juice plain) with an average of 6.52. The highest vitamin C content found in the addition of 1% lemongrass about 6.16 mg/100g. The results also showed that the organoleptic beet juice with the addition of 1% lemongrass and the positive control (beet juice plus honey) as a sample that it the most preferred by the panelists.

Keywords: beetroot juice, lemongrass, physical-chemistry, organoleptic, turmeric mango
SİYASET, SEKTE, SİYASAL: RANCIÈRE VE WOLIN
Authors: ÖZMAKAS Utku
Published: October 2020

Çağdaş siyaset felsefesinin temel tartışma alanlarından biri “radikal demokrasi” kavramıdır. Bu yaklaşımın temsilcisi sayılan isimler arasında belli müştereklikler olmasına karşın ciddi farklılıklar da vardır. Ne var ki, özellikle iki kuramcının düşünsel verimleri arasındaki benzerlikler bir hayli dikkat çekicidir: Jacques Rancière ve Sheldon S. Wolin. İki isim de, sahih siyasal ilişkinin mevcut siyaset düzenini sekteye uğratması gerektiğini; demokrasinin yalnızca hukuki-politik bir biçimden ibaret olmadığını ileri sürmüştür. Ayrıca her ikisi de siyasetin öznesini “demos” kavramı çerçevesinde tartışmaktadır. Düşünsel hatları oldukça benzeyen ama birbirinin çalışmalarına hiç referans vermemiş bu iki düşünür arasındaki benzerlikler hayli çarpıcıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, iki kuramcının görüşlerini özetleyerek paralelliklere dikkat çekmek ve nasıl benzer kavramsal tertibatlara yaslanarak düşündüklerini gözler önüne sermektir.
REDAÇÃO ESCOLAR
Authors: Herênio Kerlly Karine Pereira , Silva dos Santos Janete
Published: October 2020

Neste texto, de caráter ensaístico, problematizamos as referências à redação escolar como um mero tipo de texto. Nosso objetivo é questionar por que não a assumir, sem receios, como um gênero textual pleno, mesmo considerando as críticas a essa prática coercitiva no ambiente onde circula. A discussão aqui empreendida, pelo viés do linguista aplicado, destaca alguns posicionamentos de estudiosos da linguagem e de pesquisadores do ensino de língua materna, bem como dialoga teoricamente com categorias de duas vertentes discursivas, a bakhtiniana (responsividade) e a pêcheutiana (posição-sujeito e interdiscuso), observando a fronteira de cada escopo, a fim de deslocar definições que não mais respondem ao funcionamento desse tipo de comunicação, isto é, o mediado pela redação escolar.
Scholarship Suppression: Theoretical Perspectives and Emerging Trends
Authors: Stevens Sean , Jussim Lee , Honeycutt Nathan
Published: October 2020

This paper explores the suppression of ideas within academic scholarship by academics, either by self-suppression or because of the efforts of other academics. Legal, moral, and social issues distinguishing freedom of speech, freedom of inquiry, and academic freedom are reviewed. How these freedoms and protections can come into tension is then explored by an analysis of denunciation mobs who exercise their legal free speech rights to call for punishing scholars who express ideas they disapprove of and condemn. When successful, these efforts, which constitute legally protected speech, will suppress certain ideas. Real-world examples over the past five years of academics who have been sanctioned or terminated for scholarship targeted by a denunciation mob are then explored.
A Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Models for Prediction of Insurance Uptake in Kenya
Authors: Yego Nelson , Kasozi Juma , Nkrunziza Joseph
Published: October 2020

The role of insurance in financial inclusion as well as in economic growth is immense. However, low uptake seems to impede the growth of the sector hence the need for a model that robustly predicts uptake of insurance among potential clients. In this research, we compared the performances of eight (8) machine learning models in predicting the uptake of insurance. The classifiers considered were Logistic Regression, Gaussian Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machines, K Nearest Neighbors, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting Machines and Extreme Gradient boosting. The data used in the classification was from the 2016 Kenya FinAccess Household Survey. Comparison of performance was done for both upsampled and downsampled data due to data imbalance. For upsampled data, Random Forest classifier showed highest accuracy and precision compared to other classifiers but for down sampled data, gradient boosting was optimal. It is noteworthy that for both upsampled and downsampled data, tree-based classifiers were more robust than others in insurance uptake prediction. However, in spite of hyper-parameter optimization, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve remained highest for Random Forest as compared to other tree-based models. Also, the confusion matrix for Random Forest showed least false positives, and highest true positives hence could be construed as the most robust model for predicting the insurance uptake. Finally, the most important feature in predicting uptake was having a bank product hence bancassurance could be said to be a plausible channel of distribution of insurance products.
ARIMA-GARCH Model and ARIMA-GARCH Ensemble for Value-at-Risk Prediction on Stocks Portfolio
Authors: Tarno Tarno , Maruddani Di Asih I , Rahmawati Rita , Hoyyi Abdul , Trimono Trimono , Munawar Munawar
Published: October 2020

Stocks portfolio is a form of investment that can be used to minimize the risk of loss. In a stock portfolio, the value at risk (VaR) can be predicted through the portfolio return. If portfolio return variance is heteroscedastic risk prediction can be done by using VaR with ARIMA-GARCH or Ensemble ARIMA-GARCH model approach. Furthermore, the accuracy of VaR is tested through backtesting test. In this study, the portfolio formed from Astra Agro Lestari Ltd (AALI) and Indofood Ltd (INDF) stocks from 10/02/2012 to 10/01/2019. The results showed that the best model is ARIMA(0,0,[3])-GARCH(1,2) with AIC of -5.604 and MSE 1.874e-07.At confidence level of 95% and 1 day holding period, the VaR of the ARIMA(0,0,[3])-GARCH(1,2) was -0.3464. Based on the backtesting test, it is proven to be very accurate to predict the value of loss risk because the value of the violation ratio (VR) is equal to 0.
A Four-Dimensional Computational Model of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurement of Subtle Blood-Brain Barrier Leakage
Authors: Bernal Jose , Valdés-Hernández Maria , Escudero Javier , Heye Anna , Sakka Eleni , Armitage Paul , Makin Stephen , Touyz Rhian , Wardlaw Joanna , Thrippleton Michael
Published: October 2020

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is increasingly used to quantify and map the spatial distribution of blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage in neurodegenerative disease, including cerebral small vessel disease and dementia. However, the subtle nature of leakage and resulting small signal changes make quantification challenging. While simplified one-dimensional simulations have probed the impact of noise, scanner drift, and model assumptions, the impact of spatio-temporal effects such as gross motion, k-space sampling and motion artefacts on parametric leakage maps has been overlooked. Moreover, evidence on which to base the design of imaging protocols is lacking due to practical difficulties and the lack of a reference method. To address these problems, we present an open-source computational model of the DCE-MRI acquisition process for generating four-dimensional Digital Reference Objects (DROs), using a high-resolution brain atlas and incorporating realistic patient motion, extra-cerebral signals, noise and k-space sampling. Simulations using the DROs demonstrated a dominant influence of spatio-temporal effects on both the visual appearance of parameter maps and on measured tissue leakage rates. The computational model permits a greater understanding of the sensitivity and limitations of subtle BBB leakage measurement and provides a non-invasive means of testing and optimising imaging protocols for future studies.
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Water Literacy: A Case Study of Semende and Palembang Students
Authors: meilinda meilinda , Nazip Khoiron , Anggraini Nike , Riyanto Riyanto
Published: October 2020

Water literacy is the ability to feel familiar with and get actively involved in water to face issues about it. This study aims to analyze the water literacy of students who come from areas that have indigenous knowledge related to water conservation and do not have indigenous knowledge but have come from the same province with a similar abundance of water. The samples of this study were 439 people consisting of 184 boys and 255 girls aged 11-18 years from junior and senior high school students in Palembang Municipality and three sub-districts in Muara Enim Regency, namely Semende Darat Laut, Semende Darat Tengah, and Darat Ulu and both are indonesian. There were 39 questions for measuring water literacy in the form of a Likert scale (1-5) to measure practical and living literacy with Cronbach alpha values of 0.692 and 0.773, respectively, and were analyzed with SPSS version 21 through the Mann-Whitney (u) and Cronbach alpha statistical tests. The total alpha was 0.838. Social literacy was measured in the open-ended question instrument and analyzed descriptively. The results showed that practical water literacy in Palembang was significantly different from Semende's but not with living water literacy. Students' social water literacy in the Semende had two different answer patterns, while, in Palembang, it was more diverse with six different response patterns. Meanwhile, when asked to describe a diagram of the flow of water in nature in Semende, no students think that it is the neglect of customs that results in reduced water in Semende as understood by some students in Palembang who are not involved with these customs.
Legendre-Gould Hopper Based Sheffer Polynomials: Properties and Applications
Authors: Yasmin Ghazala , Muhyi Abdulghani
Published: October 2020

In this article, the Legendre-Gould Hopper polynomials are combined with Sheffer sequences to introduce certain mixed type special polynomials. Generating functions, differential equations and certain other properties of Legendre-Gould Hopper based Sheffer polynomials are derived. Further, operational and integral representations providing connections between these polynomials and known special polynomials are established. Certain identities and results for some members of these new mixed polynomials are also obtained. Finally, the determinantal definitions of Legendre-Gould Hopper based Sheffer polynomials are also given.
Hydroa Vacciniforme and Hydroa Vacciniforme-like Lymphoproliferative Disorder: A Spectrum of Disease Phenotypes Associated with Ultraviolet Irradiation and Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Authors: Chen Chien-Chin , Chang Kung-Chao , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Lee Julia Yu-Yun
Published: October 2020

Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a rare form of photosensitivity disorders in children and is frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, whereas HV-like lymphoproliferative disorders (HVLPD) describe a spectrum of EBV-associated T-cell or NK-cell lymphoproliferations with HV-like cutaneous manifestations, including EBV-positive HV, atypical HV, and HV-like lymphoma. Classic HV occurs in childhood with vesiculopapules on sun-exposed areas, which is usually induced by sunlight and ultraviolet irradiation, and mostly resolves by early adult life. Unlike classic HV, atypical or severe HV manifests itself as recurrent papulovesicular eruptions in sun-exposed and sun-protected areas associated occasionally with facial edema, fever, lymphadenopathy, oculomucosal lesions, gastrointestinal involvement, and hepatosplenomegaly. Notably, atypical or severe HV may progress to EBV-associated systemic T-cell or natural killer (NK)-cell lymphoma after a chronic course. Although rare in the United States and Europe, atypical or severe HV and HV-like lymphoma are predominantly reported in children from Asia and Latin America with high EBV DNA levels, low numbers of NK cells, and T cell clones in the blood. In comparison with the conservative treatment used for patients with classic HV, systemic therapy such as immunomodulatory therapy is recommended as the first-line therapy for patients with atypical or severe HV. This review aims to provide an integrated, overview of current evidence and knowledge of HV and HVLPD to elucidate the pathophysiology, practical issues, environmental factors, and the impact of EBV infection.
RPAS Automatic ADS-B based Separation Assurance and Collision Avoidance System Real Time Simulation Results
Authors: Di Vito Vittorio , Torrano Giulia
Published: October 2020

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are increasingly becoming relevant actors flying through the airspace and will assume much more importance in the future perspective. In order to allow their safe integration with manned conventional traffic in non-segregated airspaces, in accordance with the overall Air Traffic Management (ATM) paradigm, specific enabling technologies are needed. As well known, among the enabling technologies identified as crucial for RPAS integration into the overall ATM system, the Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology is fundamental. In the meantime, to support extended surveillance, the universal introduction on-board of aircraft of cooperative Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) is increasingly implemented, having the potential to allow coverage of the whole airspace also in remote areas not usually covered by conventional radar surveillance. In this paper, the experimental results are presented and discussed that have been obtained through the real-time validation, with hardware and human in the loop (RTS-HIL) simulations, of an automatic ADS-B based Separation Assurance and Collision Avoidance System aimed to support RPAS automatic operations as well as remote pilot decision making. In the paper, after an introductory outline of the Concept of Operations (ConOps) of the system and of its architectural organization, while also providing basic information about the main system functionalities, the description is reported of the tests that have been carried out and the obtained results are described and discussed, in order to emphasize the performances and limitations of the proposed system. In particular, not only the quantitative performances obtained are reported and commented but also the feedbacks received by the pilots in order to improve the system are described, for instance in terms of preferred typology of conflict resolution manoeuver elaborated by the system.
Three-Dimensional Biofabrication Models of Endometriosis and the Endometriotic Microenvironment
Authors: Wendel Jillian R. H. , Wang Xiyin , Smith Lester J. , Hawkins Shannon M.
Published: October 2020

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterine cavity, leading to pelvic pain, infertility, and increased risk of ovarian cancer. The present study describes the optimization and characterization of cellular spheroids as building blocks for Kenzan scaffold-free method biofabrication and proof-of-concept models of endometriosis and the endometriotic microenvironment. The spheroid building blocks must be a specific diameter (~500 m), compact, round, and smooth to withstand Kenzan biofabrication. Under optimized spheroid conditions for biofabrication, the endometriotic epithelial-like cell line, 12Z, expressed high levels of estrogen-related genes and secreted high amounts of endometriotic inflammatory factors that were independent of TNF stimulation. Heterotypic spheroids, composed of 12Z and T-HESC, an immortalized endometrial stromal cell line, self-assembled into a biologically relevant pattern, consisting of epithelial cells on the outside of the spheroids and stromal cells in the core. 12Z spheroids were biofabricated into large three-dimensional constructs alone, with HEYA8 spheroids, or as heterotypic spheroids with T-HESC. These three-dimensional biofabricated constructs containing multiple monotypic or heterotypic spheroids represent the first scaffold-free biofabricated in vitro models of endometriosis and the endometriotic microenvironment. These efficient and innovative models will allow us to study the complex interactions of multiple cell types within a biologically relevant microenvironment.
Mechanistic Study of Synergistic Antimicrobial Effects between Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) Oligomer and Polyethylene Glycol
Authors: Zhang Ziheng , Li Jun , Ma Linlin , Yang Xingxing , Fei Bin , Leung Polly H.M. , Tao Xiaoming
Published: October 2020

We reported previously that poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) oligomer is an effective antimicrobial agent against gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, fungi and multi-drug resistant bacteria. In this work, it was further found that polyethylene glycol (PEG) can promote the antimicrobial effect of PHB oligomer synergistically. Three hypothetic mechanisms were proposed, that is, generation of new antimicrobial components, degradation of PHB macromolecules and dissolution/dispersion of PHB oligomer by PEG. With a series of systematic experiments and characterizations of HPLC-MS, it was deducted that dissolution/dispersion of PHB oligomer dominated the synergistic antimicrobial effect between PHB oligomer and PEG. This work demonstrates a way for promoting antimicrobial effect of PHB oligomer and other antimicrobial agents through improving hydrophilicity.
The Failed Clinical Story of Myostatin Inhibitors Against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Exploring the Biology Behind the Battle
Authors: Rybalka Emma , Timpani Cara , Debruin Danielle , Bagaric Ryan , Campelj Dean , Hayes Alan
Published: October 2020

Myostatin inhibition therapy has held much promise for the treatment of muscle wasting disorders. This is particularly true for the fatal myopathy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Following on from promising pre-clinical data in dystrophin-deficient mice and dogs, several clinical trials were initiated in DMD patients using different modality myostatin inhibition therapies. All failed to show modification of disease course as dictated by the primary and secondary outcomes measures selected: the myostatin inhibition story thus far, is a failed clinical story. These trials have recently been extensively reviewed and reasons why pre-clinical data collected in animal models has failed to translate into clinical benefit to patients has been purported. However, the biological mechanisms underlying translational failure need to be examined to ensure future myostatin inhibitor development endeavors do not meet with the same fate. Here, we explore the biology which could explain the failed translation of myostatin inhibitors in the treatment of DMD.
Influence of Cholesterol on the Orientation of the Farnesylated GTP-bound KRas-4B Binding with Anionic Model Membranes
Authors: Lu Huixia , Martí Jordi
Published: October 2020

The Ras family of proteins is tethered to the inner leaflet of the cell membranes which play an essential role in signal transduction pathways that promote cellular proliferation, survival, growth, and differentiation. KRas-4B, the most mutated Ras isoform in different cancers, has been under extensive study for more than two decades. Here we have focused our interest on the influence of cholesterol on the orientations that KRas-4B adopts with respect to the plane of the anionic model membranes. How cholesterol in the bilayer might modulate preferences for specific orientation states is far from clear. Herein, after analyzing data from in total 4000 ns-long MD simulations for four KRas-4B systems, properties such as the area per lipid and thickness of the membrane as well as selected radial distribution functions, penetration of different moieties of KRas-4B, and internal conformational fluctuations of flexible moieties in KRas-4B have been calculated. It has been shown that high cholesterol content in the PM favors OS1, exposing the effector-binding loop for signal transduction in the cell from the atomic level. We confirm that high cholesterol in the PM helps KRas-4B mutant stay in its constitutively active state, which suggests that high cholesterol intake can increase mortality and may promote cancer progression for cancer patients. We propose that during the treatment of KRas-4B-related cancers, reducing the cholesterol level in the PM and sustaining cancer progression by controlling the plasma cholesterol intake might be taken into account in anti-cancer therapies.
The Terminology of Survival Modeling: An Insight and Alternative Modeling of Student Retention
Authors: Ratnaningsih Dewi Juliah , Saefuddin Asep , Kurnia Anang , Mangku I Wayan
Published: October 2020

Student retention is one indicator of accountability in the implementation of educational programs. Achievement of student retention rates indicates the performance of the quality objectives of an institution or college. To get an accurate picture of the factors related to retention, we need to do modeling. The retention variable is the time response variable measured in semester units. One of the statistical analyzes that can be used to analyze response data in time is survival analysis. The selection of an accurate analytical method in modeling will produce valid conclusions and impact making policies that are right and on target. This paper presents alternative modeling of student retention in distance education using survival analysis. The method used is a literature review. This paper also briefly describes distance education, open and distance education, distance education students' characteristics, distance education student retention, and survival models for modeling student retention in distance education.
Thermodynamic Formalism in Neuronal Dynamics and Spike Train Statistics
Authors: Cofré Rodrigo , Maldonado Cesar , Cessac Bruno
Published: October 2020

The Thermodynamic Formalism provides a rigorous mathematical framework to study quantitative and qualitative aspects of dynamical systems. At its core there is a variational principle and corresponding, in its simplest form, to the Maximum Entropy principle, used as a statistical inference procedure to represent, by specific probability measures (Gibbs measures), the collective behaviour of complex systems. This framework has found applications in different domains of scienThe Thermodynamic Formalism provides a rigorous mathematical framework to study quantitative and qualitative aspects of dynamical systems. At its core there is a variational principle and corresponding, in its simplest form, to the Maximum Entropy principle, used as a statistical inference procedure to represent, by specific probability measures (Gibbs measures), the collective behaviour of complex systems. This framework has found applications in different domains of science, in particular, has been fruitful and influential in neurosciences. In this article, we review how the Thermodynamic Formalism can be exploited in the field of theoretical neuroscience, as a conceptual and operational tool, to link the dynamics of interacting neurons and the statistics of action potentials from either experimental data or mathematical models. We comment on perspectives and open problems in theoretical neuroscience that could be addressed within this formalism.ce, in particular, has been fruitful and influential in neurosciences. In this article, we review how the Thermodynamic Formalism can be exploited in the field of theoretical neuroscience, as a conceptual and operational tool, to link the dynamics of interacting neurons and the statistics of action potentials from either experimental data or mathematical models. We comment on perspectives and open problems in theoretical neuroscience that could be addressed within this formalism.
Multi-Scale Digital Image Correlation Analysis of In Situ Deformation of Open-Cell UHMWPE Foam
Authors: Statnik Eugene S. , Dragu Codrutza , Besnard Cyril , Lunt Alexander J.G. , Salimon Alexey I. , Maksimkin Aleksey , Korsunsky Alexander M.
Published: October 2020

Porous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a high performance bioinert polymer used in cranio-facial reconstructive surgery in procedures where relatively low mechanical stresses arise. As an alternative to much stiffer and costly polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) polymer, UHMWPE finds further wide application in hierarchically structured hybrids for advanced implants mimicking cartilage, cortical and trabecular bone tissues within a single component. The mechanical behaviour of open-cell UHMWPE sponges obtained through sacrificial desalination of hot compression-moulded UHMWPE-NaCl powder mixtures shows a complex dependence on the fabrication parameters and microstructural features. In particular, similarly to other porous media it displays significant inhomogeneity of strain that readily localises within deformation bands that govern the overall response. In this article, we report advances in the development of accurate experimental techniques for operando studies of the structure-performance relationship applied to the porous UHMWPE medium with pore sizes of about 250 µm that are most well-suited for live cell proliferation and fast vascularization of implants. Samples of UHMWPE sponges were subjected to in situ compression using a micromechanical testing device within Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) chamber, allowing the acquisition of high-resolution image sequences for Digital Image Correlation (DIC) analysis. Special masking and image processing algorithms were developed and applied to reveal the evolution of pore size and aspect ratio. Key structural evolution and deformation localisation phenomena were identified at both macro- and micro-structural levels in the elastic and plastic regimes. The motion of pore walls was quantitatively described, and the presence and influence of strain localisation zones were revealed and analysed using DIC technique.
Testing Different Membrane Filters for 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding in Karstic Springs
Authors: Moldovan Oana Teodora , Baricz Andreea , Szekeres Edina , Kenesz Marius , Hoaghia Maria-Alexandra , Levei Erika Andrea , Mirea Ionut Cornel , Nastase-Bucur Ruxandra , Brad Traian , Banciu Horia , Chiciudean Iulia
Published: October 2020

(1) Introduction: Karstic springs are used worldwide by rural communities as sources of fresh water for human use and livestock survival. In Romania, 1/3 of the population has no direct access to the public water supply. The present study is part of a country-wide project on developing simple, quick and cheap methods for seasonal environmental and microbiological monitoring of karstic springs used as drinking water supply by rural populations. Critical steps for the monitoring workflow consist in the evaluation of water quality and choosing of suitable membrane filters to efficiently capture environmental DNA for further microbial diversity estimation by 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding; (2) Methods: Several commercial membrane filters of different composition and pore sizes were tested on the water sampled from three karstic springs in Romania, followed by water chemistry and whole community 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding analysis; (3) Results: We found that the different types of applied membrane filters provide a varying recovery of diversities and abundances of both overall and pathogenic bacteria; and (4) Conclusions: The result of the experiment with different filters shows which are the best for amplicon-based metabarcoding monitoring of karst springs.
Data Science in Economics: Comprehensive Review of Advanced Machine Learning and Deep Learning Methods
Authors: Nosratabadi Saeed , Mosavi Amir , Duan Puhong , Ghamisi Pedram , Ferdinand Filip , Band Shahab S. , Reuter Uwe , Gama Joao , Gandomi Amir H.
Published: October 2020

This paper provides the state of the art of data science in economics. Through a novel taxonomy of applications and methods advances in data science are investigated. The data science advances are investigated in three individual classes of deep learning models, ensemble models, and hybrid models. Application domains include stock market, marketing, E-commerce, corporate banking, and cryptocurrency. Prisma method, a systematic literature review methodology is used to ensure the quality of the survey. The findings revealed that the trends are on advancement of hybrid models as more than 51% of the reviewed articles applied hybrid model. On the other hand, it is found that based on the RMSE accuracy metric, hybrid models had higher prediction accuracy than other algorithms. While it is expected the trends go toward the advancements of deep learning models.