bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boletín Económico Regional: Centro, IV trimestre de 2020
Authors:   Sección de Sucursales Regionales de Estudios Económicos,   Departamento Técnico y de Información Económica
Published: March 2021

Durante el cuarto trimestre de 2020 la economía de la región Centro continuó registrando una baja dinámica en las actividades de seguimiento, debido en gran medida a la persistencia del covid-19 y las disposiciones tomadas para evitar su propagación. Disminuyó en el comparativo anual la dinámica de la construcción de edificaciones y el transporte de pasajeros terrestre y aéreo; así mismo hubo reducción en la comercialización de vehículos, la ocupación hotelera y el consumo de energía eléctrica y gas natural. Sin embargo, algunas actividades registraron un destacado aumento, en particular el sacrificio del ganado vacuno y porcino en la actividad pecuaria y del volumen de recursos crediticios que se orientó hacia el sector agropecuario. Por su parte, el mercado laboral continuó deteriorándose, con tasas de desempleo superiores a las de un año atrás, mientras la inflación anual registró cifras bajas en las capitales de la zona Centro.
Boletín Económico Regional: Eje Cafetero, IV trimestre de 2020
Authors:   Sección de Sucursales Regionales de Estudios Económicos,   Departamento Técnico y de Información Económica
Published: March 2021

La región Eje Cafetero tuvo un comportamiento favorable en la mayoría de las actividades económicas durante el cuarto trimestre de 2020. Se destacaron los incrementos anuales en la producción industrial y en comercio exterior, donde sobresalieron las ventas de otros productos diferentes a café. También es de resaltar el aumento en algunas de las variables relacionadas con la construcción y en el ingreso de remesas. Además, el transporte de pasajeros aéreo y terrestre, la ocupación hotelera y el comercio interno continuaron dando señales de reactivación, pese a tener resultados negativos. En el caso del comercio de vehículos, este continuó en descenso. Por su parte, el desempleo regional continuó en niveles históricamente altos, pese a reportar mejoría, mientras que la inflación se mantuvo dentro del rango meta establecido por el Banco de la República.
Boletín Económico Regional : Nororiente, IV trimestre de 2020
Authors:   Sección de Sucursales Regionales de Estudios Económicos,   Departamento Técnico y de Información Económica
Published: March 2021

Durante el cuarto trimestre de 2020, los indicadores de actividad económica de la región evidenciaron un mejor desempeño frente al observado en el trimestre anterior; sin embargo, la mayoría de actividades económicas aún mantienen tasas de crecimiento anual negativas. La demanda interna medida a través de las ventas minoristas, y la oferta, a través de la producción agrícola y de algunas industrias, dinamizaron esta recuperación. Dentro de los indicadores laborales, particularmente el número de ocupados continuó con resultados muy inferiores a aquellos previos de la pandemia, al tiempo que la inflación se ubicó por debajo de la meta fijada por el Banco de la República.
ANALISIS TIPE KEPRIBADIAN KONSUMEN PADA BISNIS ONLINE SELAMA PANDEMI
Authors: Marisa Maemunah
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Consumers are the most important factors in business. Every consumer has a different personality. Personality type is one that influences consumer behavior, especially in online businesses. Many new online businesses have sprung up in Indonesia during the pandemic. The pandemic has closed several places where people need them so that many people have switched to buying online businesses. The rise of this online business makes it easier for consumers to fulfill the desired product or service. This study aims to analyze the personality types (big five personality) of consumers in online businesses during the pandemic. The research method used is descriptive qualitative method. The author directly researched the people who became consumers of online businesses during this pandemic. Based on the results of the research conclusions, namely 1) Consumers in online business during the pandemic tend to be high; 2) The big five personality of consumers has a dominant tendency in every dimension which includes conformity, awareness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience; 3) The big five personality affects consumer behavior in online business during the pandemic, the personality personality that affects is greater than the agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience.

 

Keywords: personality type, consumer behavior, online business

 

Abstrak: Konsumen merupakan faktor terpenting pada bisnis.  Setiap konsumen memiliki tipe kepribadian yang berbeda-beda. Tipe kepribadian merupakan salah satu yang mempengaruhi perilaku konsumen terutama pada bisnis online. Banyak bisnis online baru bermunculan di Indonesia selama pandemi. Pandemi membuat beberapa tempat kebutuhan masyarakat tutup sehingga masyarakat banyak beralih untuk membeli pada bisnis online. Maraknya bisnis online ini memudahkan konsumen dalam memenuhi produk atau jasa yang diinginkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalis tipe kepribadian(big five personality) konsumen pada bisnis online selama pandemi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif deskriptif. Penulis langsung meneliti orang-orang yang menjadi konsumen pada bisnis online selama pandemi ini. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh  kesimpulan, yaitu 1) Konsumen pada bisnis online selama pandemi cenderung tinggi; 2) Kepribadian big five pada konsumen memiliki kecenderungan yang dominan pada setiap dimensi yang meliputi agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, dan openness to experience; 3) Kepribadian big five mempengaruhi perilaku konsumen pada bisnis online selama pandemi, kepribadian openness to experience merupakan kepribadian yang mempengaruhi lebih besar dibandingkan agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism, dan conscientiousness.

 

Kata kunci: tipe kepribadian, perilaku konsumen, bisnis online
MENGAPA KEDISIPLINAN MEKANIK LEBIH PENTING DIBANDINGKAN KEPEMIMPINAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KINERJA BENGKEL?
Authors: Yogatama Ahmad Nizar , Pratama Hendra Leo
Published: March 2021

Kepemimpinan kepala bengkel disinyalir memiliki peran lebih penting dibandingkan kedisiplinan, padahal toleransi dalam sebuah kepemimpinan menjadi dasar munculnya kedisiplinan yang baik oleh mekanik di Bengkel Bunul Malang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui mengapa kedisiplinan mekanik menjadi lebih penting untuk diperhatikan oleh pihak manajemen dan kepala bengkel untuk meningkatkan kinerja. Penelitian ini menggunakan teknik analisis regresi linier berganda dengan populasi dan sampel yakni seluruh mekanik di bengkel bunul Malang yang berjumlah 37 orang. Hasil penelitian ini adalah kedisiplinan lebih penting dibandingkan kepemimpinan yang baik terhadap kinerja dari mekanik karena toleransi yang diberikan oleh kepala bengkel kepada mekanik menjadi dasar kedisiplinan oleh mekanik sehingga mampu meningkatkan kinerja secara efektif dan efisien.
Inhibitory effect of medicinal plants on in vitro human peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation, interleukin-2 secretion and antioxidant activity
Authors: Nguyen Thuan Thi Minh , Le Nguyen Thi Thao
Published: March 2021

Many plant parts have been widely used in the treatment of immune diseases in Vietnam, yet just few of them are known about their mechanism of action. The goal of this study was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of in vitro inhibitory effect of crude ethanol extracts and fractions of thirteen medicinal plants on proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), interleukin-2 secretion and antioxidant activity. PBMCs were extracted from the whole blood of healthy volunteers. The effects of thirteen crude extracts in ethanol and twenty four fractionated extracts in chloroform, ethyl acetate and water on in vitro proliferation of PBMCs were evaluated using MTT test. Interleukin - 2 (IL - 2) concentrations secreted by PBMC were determined by ELISA method. The antioxidant capacity of ethanol extracts and fractionated extracts were assessed using the DPPH method. The results showed that out of thirteen crude ethanol extracts, six extracts inhibited PBMC proliferation and two extracts stimulated PBMC proliferation and five extracts had no effect on PBMC proliferation. The inhibitory extracts reduced the amount of IL-2, while the stimulant extracts while the stimulant extracts had no effect on IL-2 secretion compared to the control. The chloroform extract of Wedelia chinesis showed the strongest inhibitory activity with an IC50 concentration 16.1 μg/ml. The chloroform extract of Piper betle showed the strongest DPPH capture capacity with DPPH50 1.94 μg/ml and 2.1 times stronger than vitamin C. In conclusion, the chloroform extract of Wedelia chinensis may be considered for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
THE GERMINATION OF INDOGOFERA ZOLLINGERIANA BY SOAKING IN LIQUID SMOKE WITH DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS
Authors: Mulik Yelly Magdalena , Vertygo Stormy , Se’u Vivin E. , Tang Basry Y.
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of immersion using liquid smoke with different concentrations on the germination viability of Indigofera zollingeriana. The design used was a completely randomized design with 4 treatments: A0 = 0% liquid smoke, A20 = 20% liquid smoke, A40 = 40% liquid smoke, A100 = 100% liquid smoke, each treatment with 4 replications. The parameters observed were the germination viability, mean germination time, and mean daily germination. ANOVA analysis showed that the treatment had a significant effect on germination viability but insignificant on the germination rate and mean germination time. Treatment A0 was the treatment with the highest germination viability (75%), but the highest germination rate (0.34 cm/day) was in treatment A20. The higher the concentration of liquid smoke, the lower the germination viability, the germination rate and the mean germination time.
" MENINGKATKAN AKTIFITAS BELAJAR PAI MATERI IBADAH PUASA RAMADHAN MELALUI PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF BERBANTUAN MEDIA GAMBAR PADA PESERTA DIDIK KELAS V DI SDN 1 SUNGAI KAPITAN TAHUN PELAJARAN 2019/2020"
Authors: Junaidi Muhamammad
Published: March 2021

Mengajarkan puasa kepada anak mungkin susah-susah gampang, kadang ada anak yang ingin sekali puasa bersama anggota keluarga lainnya. Ada pula yang tidak ingin, salah satu materi yang di pelajari di kelas V adalah ibadah puasa ramadhan, puasa ramadhan menurut syariat Islam adalah suatu amalan ibadah yang dilakukan dengan menahan diri dari segala sesuatu seperti makan, minum, perbuatan buruk maupun dari yang membatalkan puasa mulai dari terbitnya fajar hingga terbenamnya matahari yang disertai dengan niat karena Allah SWT, dengan syarat dan rukun tertentu. Jadi melaksanakan puasa Ramadhan adalah wajib hukumnya, di mana hal tersebut adalah bentuk pertanggungjawaban manusia kepada penciptanya secara langsung serta kegiatan yang menyangkut hablum minallah. Bulan suci Ramadhan merupakan kesempatan bagi setiap hamba Allah untuk lebih meningkatkan ketakwaan, dikarenakan bulan ini memiliki beberapa keutamaan atau manfaat. Selanjutnya guru melakukan wawancara terhadap beberapa siswa, yang hasilnya adalah siswa jenuh dan merasa bosan dengan pembelajaran di kelas. Dari hasil wawancara itulah, guru berinisiatif menggunakan model pembelajaran yang tidak biasa di pakai di kelas, yakni menggunakan pembelajaran kooperatif berbantuan media gambar. Metode pembelajaran kooperatif merupakan metode pembelajaran dengan kelompok kecil siswa dan membangun kondisi belajar yang kondusif. Sedangkan media gambar adalah segala sesuatu yang diwujudkan secara visual kedalam bentuk dua dimensi sebagai curahan ataupun pikiran yang bentuknya bermacam-macam seperti lukisan, potret, slide, film, strip, opaque projektor. "Meningkatkan Aktifitas belajar PAI Materi Ibadah Puasa Ramadhan Melalui Pembelajaran Kooperatif Berbantuan Media Gambar Pada Peserta Didik Kelas V di SDN 1 Sungai Kapitan Tahun Pelajaran 2019/2020"
Cover, Content, and Editorial Note from Pengabdianmu J Pengabdian Masyarakat Vol. 6 No. 2 February 2021
Authors: PengabdianMu J Pengabdian Masyarakat Chief Editor Of
Published: March 2021

Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.

Dear reader, now PengabdianMu: Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat re-published on Volume 6 Issue 2 February 2021. This edition marks a change in publication frequency from four times to six times a year.

The publication of PengabdianMu: Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat certainly participates in disseminating the results of community services in science and technology development conducted by lecturers and researchers especially from UM Palangkaraya and other universities.

This edition contains 16 articles consisting of Education, Social and Political, Agriculture, and Health Science topics. Editorial boards are fully aware that there are still room for improvement in this edition, hence with all humility willing to accept constructive suggestions and feedback for improvements to the publication for the next editions.

The editorial board would like to thank the University, all editors and reviewers, and contributors of the scientific articles who have provided the repetoire in this issue. We hope that all parties, especially the contributors of the articles, could re-participate for the success of the publication in the next edition on April 2021.

Wassalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.
Identification of Factors that Impact on Syariah Bank Asset Growth in West Java Province
Authors: Destiana Rina , Tri Neliana
Published: March 2021

The syariah banking industry in Indonesia is experiencing various growth in accordance with national economic growth. One indicator of the growth of syariah banks can be seen from the growth in assets. The phenomenon of decreasing asset growth that occurs in syariah banks encourages the need for further research. This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of the number of office networks, Non Performing Financing, Financing to Deposit Ratio, returns on third party funds and the BI rate on the growth of syariah bank assets in West Java Province. This study uses secondary data published by the Financial Services Authority and Bank Indonesia. The research period is January 2016 to December 2019. The data analysis method used in this study is multiple linear regression analysis, which previously tested the classical assumptions and then tested the hypothesis. The results showed that only the return on third party funds had an effect on asset growth, while the number of office networks, Non-Performing Financing, Financing to Deposit Ratio and BI rate had no effect on the growth of syariah bank assets in West Java Province.
Políticas públicas de educação inclusiva no Brasil e na Bahia: avanços e recuos
Authors: Mendes Luciana Canário , Reis Deyse Almeida dos
Published: March 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a trajetória das políticas educacionais da educação especial/inclusiva no Brasil, bem como apontar as perspectivas desta modalidade de ensino no Estado da Bahia. Para isso, adotamos como procedimentos metodológicos a pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter bibliográfico e documental. No que concerne a revisão bibliográfica recorremos aos estudos de Jannuzzi & Caiado (2013), Mazzota (1996), Mantoan (2002), Cruz & Monteiro (2019), Oliveira & Glat (2003), dentre outros; dentre as fontes documentais, utilizamos a Declaração de Salamanca e algumas legislações educacionais, como a Leis de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional, nº 4.024/1961 e nº 9394/1996 e, em âmbito regional, as Diretrizes da Educação Inclusiva para pessoas com Deficiências, Transtornos Globais do Desenvolvimento e Altas Habilidades/Superdotação (2017), documento elaborado pelo Estado da Bahia. Pela observação dos aspectos analisados, destacamos a necessidade de uma ação conjunta de todos os segmentos da sociedade no intuito de minimizar a distância entre os dispositivos legais e o cotidiano escolar.
SELF-CONTROL SEBAGAI PREDIKTOR TERHADAP PERILAKU AGRESIF PADA REMAJA
Authors: Siregar Rina Rahayu
Published: March 2021

elf-control is one of the individual internal factors that influence aggressive behavior in adolescents. This study aims to examine the effect of self-control on aggressive behavior in adolescents. This study uses a quantitative approach with an ex-post facto type. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The research subjects were adolescents who were in high school (SMA) who had a history of committing violence. This research was conducted in D.I Yogyakarta with a total sample of 52 adolescents (27 boys and 25 girls) with an age range of 15-17 years. The data technique uses a scale of aggressive behavior and a scale of self-control. The instrument validation technique uses content validation and reliability uses the Alpha Cronbach formula. The data analysis technique used simple regression analysis. The results showed that there was a significant effect of self-control on aggressive behavior with α = 0.001 (p <0.05). Therefore, it can be ignored that self-control can be aggressive behavior among adolescents
‘A mere sandbank of no possible use for the Empire?’ Heligoland under British Rule
Authors: Asmussen Jan
Published: March 2021

Heligoland (Helgoland) was one of the smallest possessions of the British Empire. Occupied during the Napoleonic Wars in 1807, it remained under British rule for 83 years. In 1890, the island became part of a deal that lead to German acceptance of British sovereignty over Uganda, Kenya and Zanzibar. In exchange, Germany received Heligoland. This article sheds light on the developments that transformed the island from a bustling base for smugglers and blockade runners/breakers, through a period of economic decay, to a burgeoning/booming bathing resort that hosted central Europe's haute voleé. Finally, the reasons and rationales behind the developments that led to the islands secession to Germany are explored against the backdrop of British imperialism.
Hirtelen halál – EKG-jellemzők – hypertonia
Authors: Kékes Ede
Published: March 2021

A hirtelen halál nemcsak coronariabetegséghez (CAB) vagy szívelégtelenséghez társul, hanem hypertoniában is jelen van, elsősorban a balkamra-hypertrophiával, a szisztolés nyomás nagyságával és az életkorral függ össze. A hypertonia társbetegségei (diabetes, CAB, szívelégtelenség és veseelégtelenség) nagyban elősegítik kialakulását. A hirtelen halál kamrafibrilláció vagy asystolia miatt következik be. A szerző a hirtelen halálhoz vezető és az EKG-n észlelhető depolarizációs és repolarizációs kóros jelenségeket és azok jellemző EKG-képeit demonstrálja. Hangsúlyozza a nyugalmi szívfrekencia és a szívfrekvencia-variabilitás jelentőségét is
Masking Tape Art-Work May Provide Beneficial Positive Effects
Authors: Nagahiro Shinji , Tanaka Kei , Bando Hiroshi , Bando Masahiro , Nishizaki Maki , Goto Satoko
Published: March 2021

Background: The authors and colleagues have been involved in treatment and care for the elderly with rehabilitation, Integrative Medicine (IM), art in hospitals for artworks using masking tape. Combined together, we conducted a pilot study for medical application of masking tape art-work for elderly subjects. Subjects and Methods: Subjects enrolled were 12 elderly patients with dementia regularly coming to day care center for rehabilitation (M/F 3/9, 78-100 years, 88.3±6.0 years). As methods, masking tape has been known as Washi Tape (wa=Japanese and shi=paper), which is adhesive tape easily to stick and peel off for decorative work. Protocol included i) working 2-3 times a week, ii) sticking masking tape on a rough sketch paper, iii) evaluation of several biomarkers before and after the intervention. Results: i) Artworks were performed satisfactory for each case, ii) grasping power (right) showed increasing tendency from 13.5±7.7kg to 14.8±6.8kg (p=0.11), iii) vitality test showed significantly increase (p=0.02). Discussion and Conclusion: Artworks of masking tape seem to be beneficial for improving grasping power and psychological condition. This study included other biomarkers such as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), pinch power, language word test and Barthel index. We plan to develop further detail analyses in the future research.
KARAKTERISTIK MATRIKS SOFT
Authors: Abdurrahman Saman , Thresye Thresye
Published: March 2021

A soft set is a concept of the set that plays an essential role in overcoming vagueness. The soft set is an extension of the fuzzy set concept. One of the products of the soft set is a soft matrix. A soft matrix is a matrix formed into a soft set's membership value whose entries are elements at {0,1}. This paper aims to introduce operations on soft matrices, i.e., intersection, union, and complements. Further, algebraic properties of soft matrix operations were investigated, commutative, associative, distributive laws, De Morgan’s laws, and absorption.

Himpunan soft merupakan suatu konsep himpunan yang berperan penting dalam mengatasi ketidakpastian. Himpunan soft merupakan perluasan dari konsep himpunan fuzzy. Salah satu produk dari himpunan soft adalah matriks soft. Matriks soft adalah matriks yang dibentuk dari nilai keanggotaan himpunan soft yang entri-entrinya elemen di {0,1}. Paper ini, bertujuan memperkenalkan operasi-operasi pada matriks soft, yaitu irisan, gabungan, dan komplemen. Lebih lanjut, diselidiki sifat-sifat aljabar operasi matriks soft, yaitu komutatif, asosiatif, hukum distributive, hukum De Morgan’s, dan absorpsi.
The Female Sex Confers Different Prognosis in Heart Failure: Same Mortality but More Readmissions
Authors: López-Vilella Raquel , Marqués-Sulé Elena , Laymito Quispe Rocío del Pilar , Sánchez-Lázaro Ignacio , Donoso Trenado Víctor , Martínez Dolz Luis , Almenar Bonet Luis
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbimortality both in men and women. Differences between sex in etiopathogenesis, response to treatment, and quality of care have been found in patients with HF. Females are usually under-represented in clinical trials and there is no solid evidence demonstrating the influence of sex in the prognostic of chronic HF. The primary objective of this study was to analyse the differences in mortality and probability of hospital readmission between males and females with HF. The secondary objective was to compare mortality and probability of hospital readmission by ejection fraction (reduced vs. preserved).

Methods: Patients with decompensated HF that were consecutively admitted to a Cardiology Service of a tertiary hospital for 4 years were recruited. De novo HF, death during hospitalization, programmed admissions and those patients with moderate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (40–50%) were discarded. Finally, 1,291 patients were included. Clinical profiles, clinical history, functional status, treatment at admission, first blood analysis performed, readmissions and mortality at follow-up were analyzed and compared. All patients underwent an echocardiographic study at admission. HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) was considered when left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was <40%, whilst HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was considered when LVEF was ≥50%.

Results: 716 participants were male (55%). Basal characteristics showed differences in some outcomes. No differences were found in probability of survival among patients with decompensated HF by sex and ejection fraction (p = 0.25), whereas there was a clear tend to a major survival in females with HFrEF (p < 0.1). Females presented more readmissions when compared to males, independently from the LVEF (females = 33.5% vs. males = 26.8%; p = 0.009). Adjusted multivariate analysis showed no association between sex and mortality (HR = 0.97, IC 95% = 0.73–1.30, p = 0.86), although there was association between female sex and probability of readmission (OR = 1.37, IC 95% = 1.04–1.82, p = 0.02).

Conclusions: Sex does not influence mid-term mortality in patients admitted for decompensated HF. Nevertheless, probability of readmission is higher in females independently from LVEF. Thus, it should be considered whether healthcare may be different depending on sex, and a more personalized and frequent care may be recommended in females.
A Method of Containment Leakage Rate Estimation Based on Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Wang Hao , Liu Jingquan , Xie Guangyao , Zhong Xianping , Fan Xiangqi
Published: March 2021

As the nuclear power plant containment is the third barrier to nuclear safety, real-time monitoring of containment leakage rate is very important in addition to the overall leakage test before an operation. At present, most of the containment leakage rate monitoring systems calculate the standard volume of moist air in the containment through monitoring parameters and calculate the daily leakage rate by the least square method. This method requires several days of data accumulation to accurately calculate. In this article, a new leakage rate modeling technique is proposed using a convolutional neural network based on data of the monitoring system. Use the daily monitoring parameters of nuclear power plants to construct inputs of the model and train the convolutional neural network with daily leakage rates as labels. This model makes use of the powerful nonlinear fitting ability of the convolutional neural network. It can use 1-day data to accurately calculate the containment leakage rate during the reactor start-up phase and can timely determine whether the containment leak has occurred during the start-up phase and deal with it in time, to ensure the integrity of the third barrier.
Correlation of Frontal Atrophy and CSF Tau Levels With Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients With Cognitive Impairment: A Memory Clinic Experience
Authors: Cotta Ramusino Matteo , Perini Giulia , Vaghi Gloria , Dal Fabbro Beatrice , Capelli Marco , Picascia Marta , Franciotta Diego , Farina Lisa , Ballante Elena , Costa Alfredo
Published: March 2021

Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a distressful condition. We aimed to investigate the BPSD distribution in subjects with cognitive impairment, and the potential correlations between BPSD and neurodegeneration in terms of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau and brain atrophy.

Methods: One-hundred patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, AD; Lewy-body disease, LBD; frontotemporal dementia, FTD; vascular dementia, VD) underwent a complete diagnostic workup, including 3T-MRI and/or CT and CSF. Cortical atrophy was assessed with medial temporal atrophy (MTA), posterior atrophy (PA), and global cortical atrophy-frontal lobe (GCA-F) scales. BPSD were rated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and BPSD clusters were defined according to the European Alzheimer Disease Consortium.

Results: Delusions, hallucinations, and psychosis cluster were differently distributed among the diagnostic groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, and p < 0.05), with LBD patients showing higher scores for hallucinations (vs. MCI, p < 0.001, and AD, p < 0.05) and psychosis cluster (vs. MCI, p < 0.05). In primary dementias, we found a negative correlation between NPI total score and tau levels (p = 0.08), confirmed by beta regression (p < 0.01), while a positive non-significant relationship was observed in MCI. Higher GCA-F scores were associated with delusions and apathy (p < 0.05, on both hemispheres) and hallucinations (left: p < 0.01, right: p < 0.05). GCA-F scores were positively correlated with psychosis cluster (right: p < 0.05), and agitation/aggression (left: p < 0.05). Conversely, nighttime disturbances were positively correlated with both GCA-F and MTA scores (left: p < 0.01; right: p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that psychotic symptoms are significantly more represented in LBD patients and that CSF tau and frontal atrophy are associated with the occurrence and severity of BPSD in clinical practice. Longitudinal studies are however required to ascertain their actual predictive value.
Association Between Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Platelet Distribution Width in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yuan Jian , Cai Jian , Zhao Pei , Zhao Nan , Hong Rong-Hua , Ding Jie , Yang Jin , Fan Qing-Lei , Zhu Jian , Zhou Xia-Jun , Li Ze-Zhi , Zhu De-Sheng , Guan Yang-Tai
Published: March 2021

Objective: Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an established risk factor for ischemic stroke; however, whether LDL-C affects the platelet deformation function in the peripheral blood circulation in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between LDL-C and platelet distribution width (PDW) in AIS patients.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional hospitalized-based study of consecutive 438 patients with AIS within 24 h. Blood samples were collected upon admission and prior to drug administration, and LDL-C and PDW (a parameter that reflects the heterogeneity of platelet volume) were assessed. The relationship between LDL-C and PDW were analyzed by linear curve fitting analyses. Crude and adjusted beta coefficients of LDL-C for PDW with 95% confidence intervals were analyzed using multivariate-adjusted linear regression models.

Results: The PDW was significantly higher in the high LDL-C group compared with those in the normal LDL-C group (16.28 ± 0.37 fl vs. 16.08 ± 0.37 fl, p < 0.001). Adjusted smoothed plots suggested that there are linear relationships between LDL-C and PDW, and the Pearson's correlation coefficient (95%) was 0.387 (0.304–0.464, p < 0.001). The beta coefficients (95% CI) between LDL-C and PDW were 0.15 (0.12–0.18, p < 0.001) and 0.14 (0.11–0.18, p < 0.001), respectively, in AIS patients before and after adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusion: Our study suggested that the elevated LDL-C level was related to increased PDW among AIS patients.
Grx2 Regulates Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Structure and Autophagy
Authors: Liaghati Ava , Pileggi Chantal A. , Parmar Gaganvir , Patten David A. , Hadzimustafic Nina , Cuillerier Alexanne , Menzies Keir J. , Burelle Yan , Harper Mary-Ellen
Published: March 2021

Glutathione is an important antioxidant that regulates cellular redox status and is disordered in many disease states. Glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) is a glutathione-dependent oxidoreductase that plays a pivotal role in redox control by catalyzing reversible protein deglutathionylation. As oxidized glutathione (GSSG) can stimulate mitochondrial fusion, we hypothesized thatGrx2may contribute to the maintenance of mitochondrial dynamics and ultrastructure. Here, we demonstrate thatGrx2deletion results in decreased GSH:GSSG, with a marked increase of GSSG in primary muscle cells isolated from C57BL/6Grx2−/−mice. The altered glutathione redox was accompanied by increased mitochondrial length, consistent with a more fused mitochondrial reticulum. Electron microscopy ofGrx2−/−skeletal muscle fibers revealed decreased mitochondrial surface area, profoundly disordered ultrastructure, and the appearance of multi-lamellar structures. Immunoblot analysis revealed that autophagic flux was augmented inGrx2−/−muscle as demonstrated by an increase in the ratio of LC3II/I expression. These molecular changes resulted in impaired complex I respiration and complex IV activity, a smaller diameter oftibialis anteriormuscle, and decreased body weight inGrx2deficient mice. Together, these are the first results to show thatGrx2regulates skeletal muscle mitochondrial structure, and autophagy.
Mood Responses and Regulation Strategies Used During COVID-19 Among Boxers and Coaches
Authors: Roberts Reece J. , Lane Andrew M.
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to daily life and in the first wave in the UK, it led to a societal shutdown including playing sport and concern was placed for the mental health of athletes. Identifying mood states experienced in lockdown and self-regulating strategies is useful for the development of interventions to help mood management. Whilst this can be done on a general level, examination of sport-specific effects and the experience of athletes and coaches can help develop interventions grounded in real world experiences. The present study investigated perceived differences in mood states of boxers before and during COVID-19 isolation in the first lockdown among boxers. Boxing is an individual and high-contact sport where training tends to form a key aspect of their identity. Boxers develop close relationships with their coach and boxing. Hence boxers were vulnerable to experiencing negative mood, and support via the coach was potentially unavailable. Participants were 58 experienced participants (44 boxers, male n = 33, female n = 11; 14 boxing coaches, male n = 11, female n = 3). Boxers completed the Brunel Mood Scale to assess mood before COVID-19 using a retrospective approach and during COVID-19 using a “right now” time frame. Boxers responded to open-ended questions to capture mood regulation strategies used. Coaches responded to open ended questions to capture how they helped regulate boxer’s mood. MANOVA results indicated a large significant increase in the intensity of unpleasant moods (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension) and reduction in vigor during COVID-19 (d = 0.93). Using Lane and Terry (2000) conceptual framework, results showed participants reporting depressed mood also reported an extremely negative mood profile as hypothesized. Qualitative data indicated that effective mood-regulation strategies used included maintaining close coach-athlete contact and helping create a sense of making progress in training. When seen collectively, findings illustrate that mood state responses to COVID-19 were severe. It is suggested that that active self-regulation and self-care should be a feature of training programmes to aid coaches and boxers in regulating mood when faced with severe situational changes.
Skeleton Growth in Guinea Pigs and Humans
Authors: Skinner Zoe , Clark Natasha , Rutland Sharon , Dawkins Andrew , Rutland Catrin Sian
Published: March 2021

Every animal has a skeleton made up of many different bones. Bones are vital. Without bones we would not be able to move, protect our internal organs, store important minerals, or even make some cell types! When we are young, in addition to growing, our bones must develop into specific shapes. This article describes how and why bones grow and heal in humans and guinea pigs. Using a special imaging technique called micro-computed tomography, we will show you the unique structure of some guinea pig bones and how animals of different ages have important bone variations. We will also discuss how the fascinating discovery of a hole in a bone, called a supratrochlear foramen, was described for the first time in a species. We will also answer questions, such as “how can you keep your bones healthy” and “what happens to astronauts’ skeletons in space?”
System Responsiveness to the Psychosocial and Mental Health Needs of Children in Ethiopian Primary Schools: The Case of Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia Needs
Authors: Wondie Yemataw , Tadele Tesfaye
Published: March 2021

Background: Ethiopia is the second most populous nation in Africa with children and adolescents constituting more than 40% of the population. Evidence shows the onset of significant degrees of mental illnesses is detectable in this age range. For such early identification to be made there should be a system responding to those needs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the extent to which the education system is responsive to the psychosocial and mental health needs of children in primary schools through putting appropriate professionals in place, raising teachers’ awareness and putting in place viable policies and guidelines.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in public and private primary schools in Gondar city Data was collected through focus group discussions from seventeen participants drawn from both schools and key informant interviews with two experts from the zonal Department of Education. A thematic qualitative data analysis was employed. Themes were identified with the help of the Nvivo 12 plus software.

Results: We found teachers’ mental health awareness is very low with parameters such as magnitude, case identification and support. There is an exception in terms of causal attributions of mental illness that matches with scientific literature. Psychosocial support and mental health resources are not available and schools do not provide capacity building mental health trainings for teachers which might help them to identify, handle and make referrals of mental health cases. We also found the Ethiopian education policy and other guidelines do not address the issue of mental health at primary school level.

Conclusion: The Ethiopian education system is not responsive to the psychosocial and mental health needs of children in primary schools.

Implications: Arresting minor impairments before they become major disabilities is vital. Investing in childhood mental health enables a healthy and productive society to be cultivated. The Ethiopian education system should therefore respond to the psychosocial and mental health needs of children in primary schools.
Tephra4D: A Python-Based Model for High-Resolution Tephra Transport and Deposition Simulations—Applications at Sakurajima Volcano, Japan
Authors: Takishita Kosei , Poulidis Alexandros P. , Iguchi Masato
Published: March 2021

Vulcanian eruptions (short-lived explosions consisting of a rising thermal) occur daily in volcanoes around the world. Such small-scale eruptions represent a challenge in numerical modeling due to local-scale effects, such as the volcano’s topography impact on atmospheric circulation and near-vent plume dynamics, that need to be accounted for. In an effort to improve the applicability of Tephra2, a commonly-used advection-diffusion model, in the case of vulcanian eruptions, a number of key modifications were carried out: (i) the ability to solve the equations over bending plume, (ii) temporally-evolving three-dimensional meteorological fields, (iii) the replacement of the particle diameter distribution with observed particle terminal velocity distribution which provides a simple way to account for the settling velocity variation due to particle shape and density. We verified the advantage of our modified model (Tephra4D) in the tephra dispersion from vulcanian eruptions by comparing the calculations and disdrometer observations of tephra sedimentation from four eruptions at Sakurajima volcano, Japan. The simulations of the eruptions show that Tephra4D is useful for eruptions in which small-scale movement contributes significantly to ash transport mainly due to the consideration for orographic winds in advection.
Changes in Representation of Thalamic Projection Neurons within Prefrontal-Thalamic-Hippocampal Circuitry in a Rat Model of Third Trimester Binge Drinking
Authors: Gursky Zachary H. , Klintsova Anna Y.
Published: March 2021

Alcohol exposure (AE) during the third trimester of pregnancy—a period known as the brain growth spurt (BGS)—could result in a diagnosis of a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a hallmark of which is impaired executive functioning (EF). Coordinated activity between prefrontal cortex and hippocampus is necessary for EF and thalamic nucleus reuniens (Re), which is required for prefrontal-hippocampal coordination, is damaged following high-dose AE during the BGS. The current experiment utilized high-dose AE (5.25 g/kg/day) during the BGS (i.e., postnatal days 4–9) of Long-Evans rat pups. AE reduces the number of neurons in Re into adulthood and selectively alters the proportion of Re neurons that simultaneously innervate both medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and ventral hippocampus (vHPC). The AE-induced change unique to Re→(mPFC + vHPC) projection neurons (neuron populations that innervate either mPFC or vHPC individually were unchanged) is not mediated by reduction in neuron number. These data are the first to examine mPFC-Re-HPC circuit connectivity in a rodent model of FASD, and suggest that both short-term AE-induced neuron loss and long-term changes in thalamic connectivity may be two distinct (but synergistic) mechanisms by which developmental AE can alter mPFC-Re-vHPC circuitry and impair EF throughout the lifespan.
Obstacles to Developing Net-Zero Energy (NZE) Homes in Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Makvandia Ghazal , Safiuddin Md.
Published: March 2021

Efforts have been put in place to minimize the effects of construction activities and occupancy, but the problem of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continues to have detrimental effects on the environment. As an effort to reduce GHG emissions, particularly carbon emissions, countable commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential net-zero energy (NZE) buildings were built around the globe during the past few years, and they are still operating. But there exist many challenges and barriers for the construction of NZE buildings. This study identifies the obstacles to developing NZE buildings, with a focus on single-family homes, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The study sought to identify the technical, organizational, and social challenges of constructing NZE buildings, realize the importance of the public awareness in making NZE homes, and provide recommendations on how to raise public knowledge. A qualitative approach was employed to collect the primary data through survey and interviews. The secondary data obtained from the literature review were also used to realize the benefits, challenges, and current situation of NZE buildings. Research results indicate that the construction of NZE buildings is faced with a myriad of challenges, including technical issues, the lack of governmental and institutional supports, and the lack of standardized measures. The public awareness of NZE homes has been found to be very low, thus limiting the uptake and adoption of the new technologies used in this type of homes. The present study also recommends that the government and the academic institutions should strive to support the NZE building technology through curriculum changes, technological uptake, and financial incentives to buyers and developers. The implementation of these recommendations may enhance the success and popularity of NZE homes in the GTA.
Assessing the Energy Resilience of Office Buildings: Development and Testing of a Simplified Metric for Real Estate Stakeholders
Authors: Mathew Paul , Sanchez Lino , Lee Sang , Walter Travis
Published: March 2021

Increasing concern over higher frequency extreme weather events is driving a push towards a more resilient built environment. In recent years there has been growing interest in understanding how to evaluate, measure, and improve building energy resilience, i.e., the ability of a building to provide energy-related services in the event of a local or regional power outage. In addition to human health and safety, many stakeholders are keenly interested in the ability of a building to allow continuity of operations and minimize business disruption. Office buildings are subject to significant economic losses when building operations are disrupted due to a power outage. We propose “occupant hours lost” (OHL) as a means to measure the business productivity lost as the result of a power outage in office buildings. OHL is determined based on indoor conditions in each space for each hour during a power outage, and then aggregated spatially and temporally to determine the whole building OHL. We used quasi-Monte Carlo parametric energy simulations to demonstrate how the OHL metric varies due to different building characteristics across different climate zones and seasons. The simulation dataset was then used to develop simple regression models for assessing the impact of ten key building characteristics on OHL. The most impactful were window-to-wall ratio and window characteristics. The regression models show promise as a simple means to assess and screen for resilience using basic building characteristics, especially for non-critical facilities where it may not be viable to conduct detailed engineering analysis.
Parking CAR T Cells in Tumours: Oncolytic Viruses as Valets or Vandals?
Authors: Evgin Laura , Vile Richard G.
Published: March 2021

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) and adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) each possess direct tumour cytolytic capabilities, and their combination potentially seems like a match made in heaven to complement the strengths and weakness of each modality. While providing strong innate immune stimulation that can mobilize adaptive responses, the magnitude of anti-tumour T cell priming induced by OVs is often modest. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells bypass conventional T cell education through introduction of a synthetic receptor; however, realization of their full therapeutic properties can be stunted by the heavily immune-suppressive nature of the tumour microenvironment (TME). Oncolytic viruses have thus been seen as a natural ally to overcome immunosuppressive mechanisms in the TME which limit CAR T cell infiltration and functionality. Engineering has further endowed viruses with the ability to express transgenes in situ to relieve T cell tumour-intrinsic resistance mechanisms and decorate the tumour with antigen to overcome antigen heterogeneity or loss. Despite this helpful remodeling of the tumour microenvironment, it has simultaneously become clear that not all virus induced effects are favourable for CAR T, begging the question whether viruses act as valets ushering CAR T into their active site, or vandals which cause chaos leading to both tumour and T cell death. Herein, we summarize recent studies combining these two therapeutic modalities and seek to place them within the broader context of viral T cell immunology which will help to overcome the current limitations of effective CAR T therapy to make the most of combinatorial strategies.
ARMCX3 Mediates Susceptibility to Hepatic Tumorigenesis Promoted by Dietary Lipotoxicity
Authors: Mirra Serena , Gavaldà-Navarro Aleix , Manso Yasmina , Higuera Mónica , Serrat Román , Salcedo María Teresa , Burgaya Ferran , Balibrea José Maria , Santamaría Eva , Uriarte Iker , Berasain Carmen , Avila Matias A. , Mínguez Beatriz , Soriano Eduardo , Villarroya Francesc
Published: March 2021

ARMCX3 is encoded by a member of the Armcx gene family and is known to be involved in nervous system development and function. We found that ARMCX3 is markedly upregulated in mouse liver in response to high lipid availability, and that hepatic ARMCX3 is upregulated in patients with NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mice were subjected to ARMCX3 invalidation (inducible ARMCX3 knockout) and then exposed to a high-fat diet and diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. The effects of experimental ARMCX3 knockdown or overexpression in HCC cell lines were also analyzed. ARMCX3 invalidation protected mice against high-fat-diet-induced NAFLD and chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis. ARMCX3 invalidation promoted apoptotic cell death and macrophage infiltration in livers of diethylnitrosamine-treated mice maintained on a high-fat diet. ARMCX3 downregulation reduced the viability, clonality and migration of HCC cell lines, whereas ARMCX3 overexpression caused the reciprocal effects. SOX9 was found to mediate the effects of ARMCX3 in hepatic cells, with the SOX9 interaction required for the effects of ARMCX3 on hepatic cell proliferation. In conclusion, ARMCX3 is identified as a novel molecular actor in liver physiopathology and carcinogenesis. ARMCX3 downregulation appears to protect against hepatocarcinogenesis, especially under conditions of high dietary lipid-mediated hepatic insult.