bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paisajes del confín territorial. Las Relaciones Geográficas del siglo XVI como fuentes para la historia ambiental
Authors: Urquijo Torres Pedro
Published: April 2021

A través de un análisis contextual de la Real Cédula de 1577 de Felipe II, Instrucción y Memoria, conocida genéricamente como Relaciones Geográficas, se muestra la importancia de esta fuente como un insumo clave para la historia ambiental colonial, en la América hispánica. Se ponderan dos aspectos. El primero, en tanto texto oficial que transmite información de un momento específico –finales del siglo XVI y principios del XVII– en el que convergen diversas y disímiles formas de interpretar (de los europeos) o dar a conocer (de los americanos) sobre los lugares y paisajes. El segundo, en tanto forma de aproximación por parte de la Corona española, para reconocer geografías incógnitas (para ella) en las fronteras imperiales. Nos interesa, sobre esto último, la descripción de las posibles expresiones geográficas en la conectividad entre España y sus confines territoriales coloniales. El análisis de las Relaciones Geográficas, bajo estas perspectivas, son necesarias y pertinentes. En el marco de la historia ambiental latinoamericana, las investigaciones se han concentrado en los siglos XIX y XX. Sin embargo, el periodo colonial –y en particular el siglo XVI– resulta crucial en la comprensión de rupturas y transiciones, de imposiciones y adaptaciones, en los contextos culturales y ambientales radicalmente cambiantes de las Américas. Las Relaciones Geográficas son, así, una ventana a las formas de interpretar y vivir las naturalezas en este periodo histórico; una concepción representativa de los espacios fronterizos.
Paramedics’ Perceptions, Knowledge and Skills regarding Emergency Psychiatric Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlAbdali Abdullah , Aljerian Nawfal , Alrumayyan Tamara , Alwasel Joud , Alsayari Noura , Philip Winnie
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Mental healthcare experts worldwide have been calling for increased contributions from medical professionals and organisations to improve the skills of healthcare practitioners and their coordination with mentally ill patients. However, the contributions and roles of paramedics in treating the mentally ill are still considered limited, and few studies have been conducted on paramedics’ judgement and decision-making when caring for patients with mental illness. This study aimed to assess paramedics’ perceptions, knowledge and skills in dealing with psychiatric emergencies.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority; different hospitals in Riyadh were invited from September to October 2019 to complete a validated structured questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22 (SPSS 22) software was used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 124 participants were included in this study; their mean age was 29.93 years, 95.2% were male, 78.9% had a bachelor degree and 12.1% had higher education. The majority of participants agreed that it is important for paramedics to know about mental illness (91.1%) and stated that they were comfortable managing a person with mental illness (63.7%). Almost half (49.6%) disagreed with the statement that psychiatric disorders are caused by religious or supernatural factors, whereas 24% were unsure, and 26.4% agreed. On assessing paramedics’ knowledge and skills, 31.4% scored above average, 42% scored average (average defined as answering six to seven out of 10 questions correctly), and 26.6% scored below average. However, when asked if they carry out the mental status examination on mentally ill patients, 66.1% stated ‘no’.

Conclusion

This study indicated that the majority of paramedics have positive perceptions regarding mental illness; moreover, it was shown that paramedics are knowledgeable and trained in dealing with emergency psychiatric patients. Further investigation regarding the practice and role of paramedics is necessary.
Food Trucks Driving Gentrification in Austin, Texas
Authors: Lütke Petra , Lemon Robert D.
Published: April 2021

The text explores the implicit relationship between food practices and gentrification processes in a neoliberal city. Based on Bourdieu’s capital types, the text explores the ways in which one’s personal taste in food and urban space can lead to the transformation of whole neighbourhoods. In particular, it looks at the role food trucks played in the ways in which an East Austin neighbourhood gentrified from 2012-2020. The research finds that food trucks turn fallow lots into bustling urban spaces and places. Such convivial and vibrant urban settings attract the creative class and drive up property values. We argue that culinary practices, and food trucks in particular, are critical vehicles of the gentrification process.
Genel Aidiyet, Öz-Anlayış, Affetme ve Problem Alanları Gerçek ve Psikolojik Doğum Sırasına Göre Farklılaşır mı?
Authors: ÇAKIR Sinem , YAVUZ GÜLER Çiğdem
Published: April 2021

Bu araştırmada, genel aidiyet, öz-anlayış, kendini affetme ve problem alanlarının bireylerin gerçek ve psikolojik doğum sırasına göre incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini 18-73 yaş arasında ki katılımcılar oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu; 261’i (%64.8) kadın, 142’si (%35.2) erkek olmak üzere 403 birey oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın sonuçları Psikolojik doğum sırasına göre ortanca çocuk olan bireylerin, akademik, aile, arkadaşlık, romantik ilişki, cinsellik, uyum ve duygusal problemleri daha fazla yaşadığını göstermektedir. Psikolojik doğum sırasına göre tek çocuk olan bireylerin ise akademik, aile, romantik ilişki, sigara/alkol/madde kullanımı, kişilik ve cinsellik alanlarında daha fazla problem yaşadığı bulunmuştur. Araştırmada; öz anlayış, affetme ve genel aidiyetin gerçek doğum sırasına göre farklılaşmadığı bulunmuştur. Öte yandan Psikolojik doğum sırasına göre ortanca çocukların öz anlayış ortalamaları büyük ve küçük çocuklardan; tek çocukların ise öz anlayış puan ortalamaları küçük çocuklardan anlamlı düzeyde düşük bulunmuştur. Bununla birlikte affedicilik açısından Psikolojik Doğum Sırasına göre Büyük Çocukların affedicilik puanlarının tek çocuklardan anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Genel aidiyet açısından değerlendirildiğinde; Psikolojik Doğum Sırasına göre büyük çocukların genel aidiyet düzeylerinin, Ortanca ve tek çocuklardan anlamlı derecede daha yüksek küçük çocukların aidiyet düzeylerinin ise ortanca ve tek çocuklardan anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Araştırma sonuçları; problem alanları, öz anlayış, genel aidiyet ve affetme değişkenleri açısından psikolojik doğum sırasının, gerçek doğum sırasından daha ayırıcı bir değişken olduğunu göstermektedir.
Gelenekten Geleceğe Yöresel Kültürün Taşınmasında Festivallerin Rolü
Authors: GÜNDÜZ ALPTÜRKER İmran , ALPTÜRKER Hakan
Published: April 2021

Festivaller ulusal ya da yerel düzeyde organize edilen ve insanların beraber eğlenebildiği toplantılar, kutlamalar olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Kültür aktarımının yoğun bir şekilde gerçekleştiği bu organizasyonların düzenlenmesinde ise yerel yönetim birimlerinden olan belediyeler etkin bir şekilde rol almaktadır. Türkiye’nin değişik il ve ilçelerinde; adları, kültürel ve sanatsal yönleri veya yer yer içerikleri birbirinden farklı olsa da pek çok festival düzenlenmektedir. Pek çok amaca birden hizmet eden Uluslararası Silifke Müzik ve Folklor Festivali de bunlardan biridir. Bu çalışmada 1974 yılından bu yana düzenlenen Uluslararası Silifke Müzik ve Folklor Festivali’nin kültür aktarımında ve korunmasındaki işlevi ve önemi değerlendirilmiştir. Kırk altı yıllık yolculuğu olan bu festivalin gelenekle ilişkilendirilerek somut anlamda geleneğe ve tarihe yaslanan içeriğiyle “insanlar tarafından seyredilen bir gösteri olarak değil, herkesin katıldığı” bir etkinlik olduğu; kültürel belleğin sunumu ve icrasında -korunması bağlamında- uygulamalı halkbilimin amaçladığı teori ve pratiğin birbirini bütünlediği içeriğiyle “uygulayarak” ve “yayarak” yaşatmak anlayışının bilinçli ve sistemli örneklerini festival bağlamında ortaya koyduğu görülmektedir. Bu bağlamda da festivallerin kültür koruma sürecinde bir aktarım aracı olarak kullanılabileceği/kullanıldığı; “turistik” ve “ticari” bir etkinlikten daha fazlasına yer verdiği tespit edilmiştir.
Kaliteli Çeviri Sorunu Üzerine
Authors: BABATÜRK Leyla
Published: April 2021

Yabancı ülkelere seyahat etmek veya yabancı şirketlerle işbirliği yapmak gibi çağdaş dünyanın insanlara sunduğu fırsatlar, tercümanlık mesleğine karşı duyulan ilginin artmasına sebep olmuştur. Dünyanın her köşesinde faaliyet gösteren çok sayıda tercüme bürosu müşterilere çeviri hizmeti sunmaktadır. Fakat ne yazık ki yapılan çevirilerin kalitesi her zaman yüksek seviyede değildir. Mevcut makalede çeviri bilimde yaygın olarak çeviri değerlendirmesinde kullanılan “eşdeğerlilik” ve “yeterlilik” kavramı üzerinde durulmuştur. Bazı bilim insanları tarafından eşanlamlı olarak kullanılan kavramlar arasında farklılıklar mevcuttur. Bazı tercüme büroları ve şirketler tarafından oluşturulan sistemler çeviri kalitesini ölçmek için yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu sistemler çeviri metninde tespit edilen çeviri hataları üzerine kurulmuştur. Çünkü çeviri hatalarının sayısı, çeşitleri ve oranı çeviri kalitesini etkiler. Makalede çeviri kalitesinin neye göre ve ne açıdan değerlendirildiği hakkında bilgi verilmiştir. Ayrıca yukarıda belirtilen sistemler ve TQI (Çeviri Kalitesi İndeksi) gibi çeviri kalitesini etkileyen diğer hususlar hakkında bilgi içermektedir.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAMME AND ITS INFLUENCE IN DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURSHIP KEY COMPETENCIES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Authors: Edokpolor James Edomwonyi , Somorin Kayode
Published: April 2021

The intent of this research is to assess the implementation state of entrepreneurship programme and its influence in developing entrepreneurship key competencies among undergraduate students. The survey design was employed for the research. A total population of 8,101 undergraduate students from University of Benin was used. A sample of 382 undergraduate students was used for the research. A structured questionnaire, validated by two experts was used for the data collection. The Cronbach alpha statistical method was employed to determine the reliability of the instrument, which yielded the coefficient alpha value of 0.87. Twenty items questionnaire was administered to the respondents with the help of two trained research assistants. The data were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics. The research revealed that entrepreneurship programme is not properly implemented particularly at the university level. It also revealed that students are not well-equipped with entrepreneurship key competencies such as creative and innovative skills that would have helped them in starting and running their own business. It also revealed that there was no significant difference between the mean responses of Science and Arts/Humanity-based students regarding the implementation state of entrepreneurship programme. It further revealed that there was no significant difference between the mean responses of Science and Arts/Humanity-based students regarding the extent to which entrepreneurship programme has equipped students with creative and innovative skills. Consequently, the authors drew a useful conclusion for the subject matter. Providing sufficient amount of financial resources, involving employers of labour, sourcing for qualified teaching and non-teaching personnel, procuring the state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities, as well as utilizing appropriate instructional methods, that would help in equipping students with creative and innovative skills for starting and operating their own businesses were further recommended. Keywords: creative skills, entrepreneurship education, innovative skills, operating business, starting business, unemployment situation.
ON SYNERGIES AND CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (2016-2030) AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES FOR EDUCATION OF AND BY SUSTAINABILITY
Authors: Mika Janos , Farkas Andrea
Published: April 2021

In September 2015 the United Nations (UN) accepted the Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030) for mankind, including 17 Goals and 169 detailed Targets. Sustainability is understood in the wider sense by the document, considering society and economy not just as conditions for environmental sustainability, but as equally important pillar of the „building of sustainability”. Fulfilment of these goals and targets needs active participation of present and future generations, hence education of these tasks is inevitable. The aim of the research is to specify those goals and detailed targets in which renewable energy sources are involved. The latter is just one aspect for bringing the whole complex closer to the adults and youngsters to educate. This topic, however, is characterised by three features that make this aspect appealing: renewable energies are (i) fast developing, (ii) future oriented by saving the environment and (iii) they represent relatively new pieces of knowledge, so contemporary information should not fight with older learning. Before turning to these goals and targets, a reasonable classification of the 17 goals, listed without any systematic order in the UN document, is provided. The presented classification of the goals recommends the following groups: (i) Primary needs of humans (Goals 2, 3, 6 and 7) (ii) Equality between humans (1, 4, 5 and 10), (iii) Efficient, sustainable production (8, 9, 12 and 13), (iv) Landscapes in danger (11, 14 and 15) and (v) Worldwide cooperation (16, 17). From these Goals, No. 7 (affordable and clean energy) and No 13 (climate action) are in full synergy with the aim of extended renewable energy utilisation, but No 2 (zero hunger) might be in contradiction with extensive land use for bio-energy. If consumption of timber for bio-energy continues to be intense than No. 15 (life on land) may also contradict to other goals of sustainable development. Six further targets are identified as related to renewable energies without relatedness of the complete goals. So, we may consider 14 targets belonging to 9 goals to be related to energy sources. The recommended classification of the goals and quotations of the energy-relevant targets are illustrated by some world-wide and Hungarian indicators. Being acquainted with these objectives is useful for all youngsters, presented at their level of knowledge, and it provides a good basis to refresh one’s activity expressed in the environmental education.
Keywords: climate change, environmental education, renewable energy, sustainable development.
The Influence of CSR, the Size of the Board of Commissioners and Leverage on Profitability of Manufacturing Companies Listed in BEI
Authors: Goh Thomas Sumarsan , Henry Henry , Erika Erika
Published: April 2021

This research aims to know the impact of CSR, number of commissioners committee and leverage on profitability at manufacturing companies at Indonesian Stock Exchange. This study is quantitative descriptive. The data collection is from taking manufacturing companies’ financial statements that are listed at Indonesian Stock Exchange, according to the number of samples, selecting from purposive sampling. Data analysis method is multiple regression method at 5% of significant. The result of the study is the coefficient determination is 20.6%, means that the impact of independent variables is 20.6%, and the remaining is affected by other variables. The result of the study shows that leverage has impact on ROA, partially, and CSR and number of commissioner have no impact on ROA; however, simultaneously, CSR, number of commisioners and leverage has impacted significantly on ROA
Accountability of Cash-Intensive on Village Funds (Case study in Kendal Village, Sekaran District, Lamongan Regency)
Authors: Sari Dewi Kusmaya , Riharjo Ikhsan Budi , Priyadi Maswar Patuh
Published: April 2021

Accountability is an essential issue in scientific studies and practice in the field of public administration. Accountability in managing village funds has become a demand for the village government, as Law Number 6 of 2014 has been implemented concerning villages. Problems arise when the accountability of village funds’ labor- insentive cash is related to the new regulation. This policy requires village funds to be used for cash labor following SKB 4: the minimum wage must reach 30% of the total development sector sourced from the Village Fund. Therefore, this study aimed to describe and analyze cash accountability for labor in village funds (a case study in Kendal Village, Sekaran District, Lamongan Regency). Qualitative interpretive research was applied with interviews, observation, and documentation from official government documents. Furthermore, this study showed that the village fund accountability in Kendal Village, Sekaran District, Lamongan Regency has gradually implemented participation and transparency principles. The fund had met the wage requirements following SKB 4. The village had to reach 30% of the total development of the fund. Its implementation was carried out in a self-managed wanner involving workers from the poor, unemployed, and families with malnutrition, as evidenced by the ID card of Kendal villagers. Eventhough they experience obstacles in determining yhe poor’s criteria, the budget activity implementer (PKA) tries to apply accountability in the implementation of development based on the cash-insentive principle.
Analysis of Financial Performance Using Budget Absorption Indicators
Authors: Safriansah Safriansah , Zukhri Nizwan , Andriyansah Andriyansah
Published: April 2021

Budget absorption is one indicator in measuring the performance of the state revenue and expenditure budget. Most of the budget realization occurred in the fourth quarter. The absorption of the budget, especially expenditure on goods and services, has a significant effect in driving economic growth. The research objective was to analyze the effect of budget planning, budget execution, government internal control systems on budget absorption, financial performance at the "Forest Area Consolidation Hall in Sumatra Region with budget absorption as a mediating relationship. This research uses descriptive quantitative method. The number of samples in this study were 215 respondents. The sampling technique in this research is saturated sampling. The research results show that there is an effect of budget planning, budget execution and government internal control systems on budget absorption at the Forest Area Consolidation Center in Sumatra Region. In addition, budget absorption also affects financial performance at the Forest Area Consolidation Center in Sumatra Region. Budget Absorption Mediates the Relationship between Budget Planning and Financial Performance at the Forest Area Consolidation Center in Sumatra Region. Absorption of Budget Mediates the Relationship between Budget Implementation and Financial Performance at the Forest Area Consolidation Center in Sumatra Region. Absorption of Budget Mediates the Relationship between the Government's Internal Control System and Financial Performance at the Forest Area Consolidation Center in Sumatra Region.
Penerapan Metode Clustering Dengan Algoritma K-Means Tindak Kejahatan Pencurian di Kabupaten Asahan
Authors: Syahpitri Damanik Nur Afni , Irianto Irianto , Dahriansah Dahriansah
Published: April 2021

Abstract:Theft is the illegal taking of property or belongings of another person without the permission of the owner. The most common crime problem in Asahan District is theft, so that the POLRES is still having trouble determining which areas are often the crime of theft. With this problem, we need to do a grouping for areas where theft often occurs, so the process used  is the data mining process. Data mining is one of the processes of Knowledge Discovery from Databases (KDD). KDD is an activity that includes collecting, using historical data to find regularities, patterns or relationships in large data sets. One of the techniques known in data mining is clustering technique. The K-Means method is a method for clustering techniques, K- Means is a method that partitions data into groups so that data with the same characteristics are entered into the same set of groups and data with different characteristics are grouped into other groups. The attributes used in grouping this data are annual data, namely 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. A case study of 9 POLSEK in the Asahan. Keywords: Data Mining, Clustering, K-Means Algorithm, Theft Crimes Grouping.  Abstrak: Pencurian merupakan pengambilan properti atau barang milik orang lain secara tidak sah tanpa ijin dari pemilik. Masalah tindak kejahatan yang paling banyak terjadi di Kabupaten Asahan adalah tindak kejahatan pencurian sehingga pihak POLRES masih kesulitan untuk menentukan daerah mana saja yang sering terjadi tindak kejahatan pencuriaan. Dengan adanya masalah ini kita perlu melakukan pengelompokan untuk daerah mana saja yang sering terjadi tindak pencurian maka proses yang digunakan adalah proses data mining. Data mining adalah salah satu proses dari Knowledge Discovery from Databases (KDD). KDD adalah kegiatan yang meliputi pengumpulan, pemakaian data, historis untuk menemukan keteraturan, pola atau hubungan dalam set data besar. Salah satu teknik yang di kenal dalam data mining adalah teknik clustering. Metode K-Means merupakan metode untuk teknik clustering, K-Means adalah metode yang mempartisi data kedalam kelompok sehingga data berkarakteristik sama dimasukan kedalam set kelompok yang sama dan data yang berkerakteristik berbeda dikelompokkan ke dalam kelompok yang lain. Atribut yang di gunakan dalam pengelomokan data ini adalah data pertahun yaitu tahun 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. Studi kasus pada 9 POLSEK yang ada di daerah kabupaten Asahan. Kata kunci: Data Mining, Clustering, Algoritma K-Means, Pengelompokan Tindak Kejahatan  Pencurian.
Metode SAW dalam Penentuan Pemberian Kredit Calon Konsumen pada PT. Interyasa Mitra Mandiri
Authors: Prasetio Agung , Mulyani Neni , Yuma Febby Madonna
Published: April 2021

Abstract: PT. Interyasa Mitra Mandiri Kisaran is a company whose products are engaged in trade that sells electronics and furniture in cash or credit. Granting crdit can provide relief to consumers, giving rise to the level of consumer interest in buying, which means the company’s sales turnover is higher and the company’s cash receipts will increase. Determining which consumers deserve credit is not easy. Companies need a Decision Support System (DSS) that can help determine the creditwhorthiness of potential customers. The decision making calculation method used in this study is a simple additive weighting method with 5 criteria, namely discipline, down payment, monthly income, credit guarantee, and residence of status. The system was built using the PHP MySQL language and Sublime Text as the programming code. And the object-oriented system modeling language used is UML (Unifed Modelling Language). By using this SAW Method, it is hoped that the final result will be obtained as a tool to determine the credit extension to potential consumers who are eligible to be given. Keywords :Credit, DSS, Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), UML.  Abstrak :PT. Interyasa Mitra Mandiri Kisaran merupakan perusahaan yang produknya bergerak di bidang perdagangan yang menjual barang elektronik dan furniture secara cash maupun kredit. Pemberian kredit dapat memberikan keringanan kepada konsumen, sehingga menimbulkan besarnya minat konsumen untuk membeli, yang berarti omset penjualan perusahaan menjadi lebih tinggi dan penerimaan kas perusahaan akan meningkat. Menentukan konsumen yang layak diberikan kredit bukanlah hal yang mudah.Perusahaan membutuhkan sebuah Sistem Pendukung Keputusan (SPK) yang dapat membantu dalam menentukan kelayakan pemberian kredit untuk calon konsumen. Metode perhitungan pengambilan keputusan yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah Metode Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) dengan 5 kriteria yaitu kedisiplinan, uang muka, penghasilan perbulan, jaminan kredit dan status tempat tinggal. Sistem ini dibangun menggunakan bahasa PHP MySQL dan Sublime Text sebagai koding pemrogramannya.Serta bahasa pemodelan sistem berorientasi objek yang digunakan adalah UML (Unifed Modelling Language). Dengan menggunakan metode SAW ini, diharapkan mendapatkan hasil akhir sebagai alat bantu untuk menentukan pemberian kredit kepada calon konsumen yang layak diberikan. Kata Kunci :Kredit, SPK, Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), UML.
Reflexión con respecto al cambio en el arte urbano: del delito al reconocimiento
Authors: Resta Serrano Paula
Published: April 2021

En este artículo haremos una reflexión sobre cómo ha cambiado la percepción del arte urbano a lo largo de los últimos años. Se va a hacer hincapié en dos cuestiones muy relacionadas con la disciplina del arte urbano , su relación con la comunidad y  la identidad a través de la creación de este arte. Y además se tratará la polémica o la excentricidad que se crea en la misma.  Finalmente se hablará brevemente de un problema importante como es el de la perdurabilidad.
(RETRACTED) MAXIMS IN JOHN GREEN’S THE FAULT IN OUR STARS: A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Saragih Sasmi
Published: April 2021

This article has been retracted because the author violated KLAUSA's publication ethics.
FLOUTING MAXIMS IN WHITE HOUSE DOWN
Authors: Sinaga Rebekka
Published: April 2021

Cooperative principles theorized by Grice (1975) explaines the way people use the language well and efficiently. There are four maxims in order to achieve connection during conversation, i.e. the maxims of quality, quantity, relation, and manner. However, people do not always follow and obey the Cooperative principle and instead flout maxim. The aim of this research was to discuss about the types of maxim which were flouted in the movie White House Down written by James Vand Erbilt. As a result, the researcher found 15 samples of flouted maxim, maxim of quantity 4 data, maxim of quality 2 data, maxim of manner 5 data, and 4 data maxim of relation.
Comparative analysis of tryptophan oxygenase activity and glucocorticoid receptor under the influence of insulin
Authors: Isenović ER , Zakula Z , Koricanac G , Stepić NR
Published: April 2021

This investigation addresses the interaction of insulin (INS) and
glucocorticoid (GC) signaling in the hepatic regulation of
tryptophan oxygenase (TO) enzyme activity in the rat. Male
Wistar rats (200-250 g b.w) received an injection of the different
doses of INS (10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 μg/200 g b.w., i.p.) and
were used for experiments 3 h and 18 h after INS administration.
This study shows that maximum of TO activity was found at dose
of 50 μg of INS with peak increases observed at 3 h and 18 h
after injection of INS, while INS had no effect on TO activity in
adrenalectomized rats. The analysis of INS effects on
glucocorticoid receptor-complex (GC/GR complex) stability shows
that complexes from INS-treated rats are less stable than those
from control animals. In addition, INS-stimulated stability of
glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein was significantly increased
from the controls. Furthermore, the results show that GC/GR
complexes from INS-treated rats could be activated and
accumulated at higher rate in cell nuclei of control animals.
These data support the involvement of INS in modulation of GC
signaling pathway which mediates, in part, the activity of TO.
Band 3 protein function in teleost fish erythrocytes: effect of oxygenation-deoxygenation
Authors: Russo A , Tellone E , Ficarra S , Giardina B , Bellocco E , Lagana G , Leuzzi U , Kotyk A , Galtieri A
Published: April 2021

During vertebrate evolution, structural changes in red blood cells
(RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb), have probably resulted in the
importance of blood carbon dioxide transport. The
chloride/bicarbonate exchange across the RBC membrane, which
is an integral part of the blood CO2 transport process in
vertebrates, has been examined on two different species of
teleost fish, Euthynnus alletteratus and Thunnus thynnus, at
several oxygenation states of erythrocyte HOS (high-oxygenation
state, about 90 % of saturation) and LOS (low-oxygenation state,
about 15 % of saturation). The results were compared with those
observed in human RBC under the same experimental conditions
and with the chicken (Gallus gallus) erythrocytes, which have
particular modifications at the N-terminus of the band 3 protein
(B3). In fish the kinetic measurements have shown a different
anion transport in several oxygenation states of erythrocytes,
indicating that also at lower levels of vertebrate evolution there
exists a modulation of the anionic flow affected by oxygen. The
functional correlation of anion transport to changes of parts of
the hemoglobin sequence responsible for alterations in the
interactions with the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 protein
(cdb3) allowed us to suggest a hypothesis about fish physiology.
The highest values of kinetic measurements observed in fish
have been attributed to the metabolic need of the RBC in
response to the removal of CO2 that in teleosts is also of
endogenous origin.
The circular economy in the agro-zootechnical industry
Authors: Hălmaciu Ancuța Ioana , Ionel Ioana , Wächter Mihail Reinhold
Published: April 2021

The excessive acquisition and the careless usage of the food and non-food products
in the recent years have led to the result of a huge amount of waste, which in time has become a real problem at a global level. In order to solve this issue rapidly and efficiently, the researchers have been forced to find prompt, vast, efficient and inexpensive solutions.
The aim of this paper is to emphasise the importance and the benefits of the circular economy as a possibility to be applied in the agro-zootechnical sector. Opposing the linear economy and the recycling economy, the circular economy has the main objective of reducing the waste to minimum, expecting even a `zero waste`.
Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition Kinetics of Poly(4-aminostyrene)
Authors: Khlyustova Alexandra , Yang Rong
Published: April 2021

Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition (iCVD) is a free-radical polymerization technique used to synthesize functional polymer thin films. In the context of drug delivery, the conformality of iCVD coatings and the variety of functional chemical moieties make them excellent materials for encapsulating pharmaceutics. Poly(4-aminostyrene) (PAS) belongs to a class of functionalizable materials, whose primary amine allows decoration of the delivery vehicles with biomolecules that enable targeted delivery or biocompatibility. Understanding kinetics of PAS polymerization in iCVD is crucial for such deployments because drug release kinetics in thin-film encapsulation have been shown to be determined by the film thickness. Nevertheless, the effects of deposition conditions on PAS growth kinetics have not been studied systematically. To bridge that knowledge gap, we report the kinetics of iCVD polymerization as a function of fractional saturation pressure of the monomer (i.e., Pm/Psat) in a dual-regime fashion, with quadratic dependence under low Pm/Psat and linear dependence under high Pm/Psat. We uncovered the critical Pm/Psat value of 0.2, around which the transition also occurs for many other iCVD monomers. Because existing theoretical models for the iCVD process cannot fully explain the dual-regime polymerization kinetics, we drew inspiration from solution-phase polymerization and proposed updated termination mechanisms that account for the transition between two regimes. The reported model builds upon existing iCVD theories and allows the synthesis of PAS thin films with precisely controlled growth rates, which has the potential to accelerate the deployment of iCVD PAS as a novel biomaterial in controlled and targeted drug delivery with designed pharmacokinetics.
L-Carnitine Production Through Biosensor-Guided Construction of the Neurospora crassa Biosynthesis Pathway in Escherichia coli
Authors: Kugler Pierre , Trumm Marika , Frese Marcel , Wendisch Volker F.
Published: April 2021

L-Carnitine is a bioactive compound derived from L-lysine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine, which is closely associated with the transport of long-chain fatty acids in the intermediary metabolism of eukaryotes and sought after in the pharmaceutical, food, and feed industries. The L-carnitine biosynthesis pathway has not been observed in prokaryotes, and the use of eukaryotic microorganisms as natural L-carnitine producers lacks economic viability due to complex cultivation and low titers. While biotransformation processes based on petrochemical achiral precursors have been described for bacterial hosts, fermentative de novo synthesis has not been established although it holds the potential for a sustainable and economical one-pot process using renewable feedstocks. This study describes the metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for L-carnitine production. L-carnitine biosynthesis enzymes from the fungus Neurospora crassa that were functionally active in E. coli were identified and applied individually or in cascades to assemble and optimize a four-step L-carnitine biosynthesis pathway in this host. Pathway performance was monitored by a transcription factor-based L-carnitine biosensor. The engineered E. coli strain produced L-carnitine from supplemented L-Nε-trimethyllysine in a whole cell biotransformation, resulting in 15.9 μM carnitine found in the supernatant. Notably, this strain also produced 1.7 μM L-carnitine de novo from glycerol and ammonium as carbon and nitrogen sources through endogenous Nε-trimethyllysine. This work provides a proof of concept for the de novoL-carnitine production in E. coli, which does not depend on petrochemical synthesis of achiral precursors, but makes use of renewable feedstocks instead. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of L-carnitine de novo synthesis using an engineered bacterium.
Detecting Gene-Environment Interaction for Maternal Exposures Using Case-Parent Trios Ascertained Through a Case With Non-Syndromic Orofacial Cleft
Authors: Zhang Wanying , Venkataraghavan Sowmya , Hetmanski Jacqueline B. , Leslie Elizabeth J. , Marazita Mary L. , Feingold Eleanor , Weinberg Seth M. , Ruczinski Ingo , Taub Margaret A. , Scott Alan F. , Ray Debashree , Beaty Terri H.
Published: April 2021

Two large studies of case–parent trios ascertained through a proband with a non-syndromic orofacial cleft (OFC, which includes cleft lip and palate, cleft lip alone, or cleft palate alone) were used to test for possible gene–environment (G × E) interaction between genome-wide markers (both observed and imputed) and self-reported maternal exposure to smoking, alcohol consumption, and multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy. The parent studies were as follows: GENEVA, which included 1,939 case–parent trios recruited largely through treatment centers in Europe, the United States, and Asia, and 1,443 case–parent trios from the Pittsburgh Orofacial Cleft Study (POFC) also ascertained through a proband with an OFC including three major racial/ethnic groups (European, Asian, and Latin American). Exposure rates to these environmental risk factors (maternal smoking, alcohol consumption, and multivitamin supplementation) varied across studies and among racial/ethnic groups, creating substantial differences in power to detect G × E interaction, but the trio design should minimize spurious results due to population stratification. The GENEVA and POFC studies were analyzed separately, and a meta-analysis was conducted across both studies to test for G × E interaction using the 2 df test of gene and G × E interaction and the 1 df test for G × E interaction alone. The 2 df test confirmed effects for several recognized risk genes, suggesting modest G × E effects. This analysis did reveal suggestive evidence for G × Vitamin interaction for CASP9 on 1p36 located about 3 Mb from PAX7, a recognized risk gene. Several regions gave suggestive evidence of G × E interaction in the 1 df test. For example, for G × Smoking interaction, the 1 df test suggested markers in MUSK on 9q31.3 from meta-analysis. Markers near SLCO3A1 also showed suggestive evidence in the 1 df test for G × Alcohol interaction, and rs41117 near RETREG1 (a.k.a. FAM134B) also gave suggestive significance in the meta-analysis of the 1 df test for G × Vitamin interaction. While it remains quite difficult to obtain definitive evidence for G × E interaction in genome-wide studies, perhaps due to small effect sizes of individual genes combined with low exposure rates, this analysis of two large case–parent trio studies argues for considering possible G × E interaction in any comprehensive study of complex and heterogeneous disorders such as OFC.
Melatonin Alleviates the Suppressive Effect of Hypoxanthine on Oocyte Nuclear Maturation and Restores Meiosis via the Melatonin Receptor 1 (MT1)-Mediated Pathway
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhuo Zhiyong , Ma Xiao , Liu Yunjie , Xu Jing , He Changjiu , Fu Yao , Wang Feng , Ji Pengyun , Zhang Lu , Liu Guoshi
Published: April 2021

It is well known that hypoxanthine (HX) inhibits nuclear maturation of oocytes by elevating the intracellular cAMP level, while melatonin (MT) is a molecule that reduces cAMP production, which may physiologically antagonize this inhibition and restore the meiosis process. We conducted in vitro and in vivo studies to examine this hypothesis. The results showed that 10–3 M MT potentiated the inhibitory effect of HX on mouse oocyte meiosis by lowering the rate of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and the first polar body (PB1). However, 10–5 M and 10–7 M MT significantly alleviated the nuclear suppression induced by HX and restored meiosis in 3- and 6-week-old mouse oocytes, respectively. We identified that the rate-limiting melatonin synthetic enzyme AANAT and melatonin membrane receptor MT1 were both expressed in oocytes and cumulus cells at the GV and MII stages. Luzindole, a non-selective melatonin membrane receptor antagonist, blocked the activity of MT on oocyte meiotic recovery (P < 0.05). This observation indicated that the activity of melatonin was mediated by the MT1 receptor. To understand the molecular mechanism further, MT1 knockout (KO) mice were constructed. In this MT1 KO animal model, the PB1 rate was significantly reduced with the excessive expression of cAPM synthases (Adcy2, Adcy6, Adcy7, and Adcy9) in the ovaries of these animals. The mRNA levels of Nppc and Npr2 were upregulated while the genes related to progesterone synthesis (Cyp11a11), cholesterol biosynthesis (Insig1), and feedback (Lhcgr, Prlr, and Atg7) were downregulated in the granulosa cells of MT1 KO mice (P < 0.05). The altered gene expression may be attributed to the suppression of oocyte maturation. In summary, melatonin protects against nuclear inhibition caused by HX and restores oocyte meiosis via MT1 by reducing the intracellular concentration of cAMP.
Wallenda-Nmo Axis Regulates Growth via Hippo Signaling
Authors: Wang Xianping , Liang Hui , Xu Wenyan , Ma Xianjue
Published: April 2021

Both Hippo signaling pathways and cell polarity regulation are critical for cell proliferation and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, despite the well-established connections between cell polarity disruption and Hippo inactivation, the molecular mechanism by which aberrant cell polarity induces Hippo-mediated overgrowth remains underexplored. Here we useDrosophilawing discs as a model and identify the Wnd-Nmo axis as an important molecular link that bridges loss-of-cell polarity-triggered Hippo inactivation and overgrowth. We show that Wallenda (Wnd), a MAPKKK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase) family member, is a novel regulator of Hippo pathways inDrosophilaand that overexpression of Wnd promotes growth via Nemo (Nmo)- mediated Hippo pathway inactivation. We further demonstrate that both Wnd and Nmo are required for loss-of-cell polarity-induced overgrowth and Hippo inactivation. In summary, our findings provide a novel insight on how cell polarity loss contributes to overgrowth and uncover the Wnd-Nmo axis as an essential additional branch that regulates Hippo pathways inDrosophila.
Role of Hyperglycemia in the Senescence of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Yin Min , Zhang Yan , Yu Haibo , Li Xia
Published: April 2021

The regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have laid a sound foundation for their clinical application in various diseases. However, the clinical efficiency of MSC treatments varies depending on certain cell characteristics. Among these, the roles of cell aging or senescence cannot be excluded. Despite their stemness, evidence of senescence in MSCs has recently gained attention. Many factors may contribute to the senescence of MSCs, including MSC origin (biological niche), donor conditions (age, obesity, diseases, or unknown factors), and culture conditions in vitro. With the rapidly increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the effects of hyperglycemia on the senescence of MSCs should be evaluated to improve the application of autologous MSCs. This review aims to present the available data on the senescence of MSCs, its relationship with hyperglycemia, and the strategies to suppress the senescence of MSCs in a hyperglycemic environment.
Platelets, Constant and Cooperative Companions of Sessile and Disseminating Tumor Cells, Crucially Contribute to the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Obermann Wolfgang M. J. , Brockhaus Katrin , Eble Johannes A.
Published: April 2021

Although platelets and the coagulation factors are components of the blood system, they become part of and contribute to the tumor microenvironment (TME) not only within a solid tumor mass, but also within a hematogenous micrometastasis on its way through the blood stream to the metastatic niche. The latter basically consists of blood-borne cancer cells which are in close association with platelets. At the site of the primary tumor, the blood components reach the TME via leaky blood vessels, whose permeability is increased by tumor-secreted growth factors, by incomplete angiogenic sprouts or by vasculogenic mimicry (VM) vessels. As a consequence, platelets reach the primary tumor via several cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Moreover, clotting factor VII from the blood associates with tissue factor (TF) that is abundantly expressed on cancer cells. This extrinsic tenase complex turns on the coagulation cascade, which encompasses the activation of thrombin and conversion of soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin. The presence of platelets and their release of growth factors, as well as fibrin deposition changes the TME of a solid tumor mass substantially, thereby promoting tumor progression. Disseminating cancer cells that circulate in the blood stream also recruit platelets, primarily by direct cell-cell interactions via different receptor-counterreceptor pairs and indirectly by fibrin, which bridges the two cell types via different integrin receptors. These tumor cell-platelet aggregates are hematogenous micrometastases, in which platelets and fibrin constitute a particular TME in favor of the cancer cells. Even at the distant site of settlement, the accompanying platelets help the tumor cell to attach and to grow into metastases. Understanding the close liaison of cancer cells with platelets and coagulation factors that change the TME during tumor progression and spreading will help to curb different steps of the metastatic cascade and may help to reduce tumor-induced thrombosis.
Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility for Operando Study of Redox Processes on Lithium ion Battery Electrodes
Authors: Legerstee W. J. , Boekel M. , Boonstra S. , Kelder E. M.
Published: April 2021

An Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is combined with a special designed glovebox system and coupled to a Galvanostat/Potentiostat to allow measurements on electrochemical properties for battery research. An open cell design with electrical contacts makes it possible to reach the electrode surface with the cantilever so as to perform measurements during battery operation. A combined AFM-Scanning Electro-Chemical Microscopy (AFM-SECM) approach makes it possible to simultaneously obtain topological information and electrochemical activity. Several methods have been explored to provide the probe tip with an amount of lithium so that it can be used as an active element in a measurement. The “wet methods” that use liquid electrolyte appear to have significant drawbacks compared to dry methods, in which no electrolyte is used. Two dry methods were found to be best applicable, with one method applying metallic lithium to the tip and the second method forming an alloy with the silicon of the tip. The amount of lithium applied to the tip was measured by determining the shift of the resonance frequency which makes it possible to follow the lithiation process. A FEM-based probe model has been used to simulate this shift due to mass change. The AFM-Galvanostat/Potentiostat set-up is used to perform electrochemical measurements. Initial measurements with lithiated probes show that we are able to follow ion currents between tip and sample and perform an electrochemical impedance analysis in absence of an interfering Redox-probe. The active probe method developed in this way can be extended to techniques in which AFM measurements can be combined with mapping electrochemical processes with a spatial resolution.
Microbial Nano-Factories: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Ghosh Shubhrima , Ahmad Razi , Zeyaullah Md. , Khare Sunil Kumar
Published: April 2021

In the recent times, nanomaterials have emerged in the field of biology, medicine, electronics, and agriculture due to their immense applications. Owing to their nanoscale sizes, they present large surface/volume ratio, characteristic structures, and similar dimensions to biomolecules resulting in unique properties for biomedical applications. The chemical and physical methods to synthesize nanoparticles have their own limitations which can be overcome using biological methods for the synthesis. Moreover, through the biogenic synthesis route, the usage of microorganisms has offered a reliable, sustainable, safe, and environmental friendly technique for nanosynthesis. Bacterial, algal, fungal, and yeast cells are known to transport metals from their environment and convert them to elemental nanoparticle forms which are either accumulated or secreted. Additionally, robust nanocarriers have also been developed using viruses. In order to prevent aggregation and promote stabilization of the nanoparticles, capping agents are often secreted during biosynthesis. Microbial nanoparticles find biomedical applications in rapid diagnostics, imaging, biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery systems, antimicrobials, biomaterials for tissue regeneration as well as biosensors. The major challenges in therapeutic applications of microbial nanoparticles include biocompatibility, bioavailability, stability, degradation in the gastro-intestinal tract, and immune response. Thus, the current review article is focused on the microbe-mediated synthesis of various nanoparticles, the different microbial strains explored for such synthesis along with their current and future biomedical applications.