bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN IMPACT OF RESOURCE PORTFOLIO ON NETWORKING TENDENCIES – EVIDENCE FROM BIOENERGY BUSINESS
Authors: Kokkonen Kirsi , Lehtovaara Matti , Rousku Petri , Kässi Tuomo
Published: July 2021

Indisputably, networking offers many benefits in business. However, at the same time, it may also restrict the freedom of its actors. The aim of the paper is to complement the knowledge on the benefits and delimitations of networking by a two-step process. Firstly, the actors’ aims for independency and associability in their business relations are examined and based on these aims, different tendencies for networking are found. Furthermore, the paper discusses the resource portfolios of actors, and searches linkages between the actors’ resources and their networking tendencies. The research question of the paper is: “How the resource portfolio of an actor correlates with its tendency to form networks?” Case study research is used as the research strategy. A group of Finnish biomass heating enterprises is studied as the case, and four groups with different networking tendencies are recognized and further assessed. The results provide evidence that the actors tend to form different networks which differ from each other by the power relations and the openness of sharing social capital. In addition, it is noted that the actors differ in their resource portfolios. That creates dissimilar motives for cooperation and networking which are well-reflected with the four networking types found in the study.
Key words: associability, bioenergy, independency,networking, resources.
PAVLIV SESSION CONTINUES: ANNIVERSARY OF SEVEN DECADES FOR PSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Boltivets Sergii
Published: July 2021

Seven decades have passed since the "Scientific Session on the Problems of the Physiological Teachings of Academician IP Pavlov" from June 28 to July 4, 1950. Its main direction was the assertion of the leading role of the cerebral cortex with the subordination of all physiological processes reflected in the conditioned reflexes defined by IP Pavlov. JV Stalin's interference in the session is reflected in his comment: "In my opinion, the greatest damage to Pavlov's teachings was caused by Academician Orbeli… The sooner Orbeli is exposed and the more thoroughly his monopoly is eliminated, the better. Beritov and Stern are not so dangerous, because they oppose Pavlov openly and thus facilitate the reprisal of science over these artisan artisans… Now something about the tactics of combating opponents of the theory of Academician Pavlov.
Factors and Effect of Social Assistance Information to Donor Decision for NGO Crowdfunding in Indonesia
Authors: Ali Husin , Salomo Roy Valiant
Published: July 2021

This research aims to find out the effect of social assistance information given by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) for donor decision to crowdfunding in Indonesia. Also find a relationship between the predicted factors (public trust, donor altruism, government participation) that related to the effectiveness of information that comes from the government and donor decision after social assistance information by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). The approach used in this research is a quantitative approach. The data used in this study are primary data, collected by using the interview method with a questionnaire. The sampling technique used is non-probability sampling with purposive sampling technique. The sample taken 200 respondents in various place in Indonesia.  Data analysis techniques of this study are descriptive analysis techniques and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis techniques. The scale used in this study is a Likert scale. The results showed that social assistance information given by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) has a positive effect on donor decision for crowdfunding in Indonesia.
An Inventory of Ferns (Pteridophyta) in Plantation PTPN Nusantara 3 Rantau Prapat District Labuhanbatu
Authors: Situmorang Jahot Tua , Hasibuan Rosmidah
Published: July 2021

PTPN Nusantara 3 is one of the Companies engaged in the field of Rubber plantations and Palm oil that has a wide 9.150,80 ha. Rubber plantation PTPN Nusantara 3 Rantau Prapat is one area that there are many ferns. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are most commonly found in the area of rubber Plantation PTPN Nusantara 3 Rantau Prapat District Labuhanbatu is a family Dryopteridaceaese lot of 6 species, namely Nephrolepisbiserrata, Nephrolepiscor difolia, Nephrolepi sexaltata, Nephrolepissp, Ploecnemia irregularis and Stenochlaenae palustris. Based on the results of research conducted by researchers on 03-May-11 May 2021 in the rubber Plantation PTPN Nusantara 3 Rantau Prapat District Labuhanbatu, researchers found 7 famili ferns (Pteridophyta), namely Aspleniaceae, Blechnaceae, Davalliaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Polypodiaceae, with 17 species of ferns (Pteridophyta). Abiotic factors that can affect the growth of the nail is different because according to his needs, namely air temperature 29C-32 C while the soil moisture that is up 7.9%-69% and the pH of the soil ranged from 8.00 8,90.
Analysis on ASEAN and European Union Policies Regarding Covid-19
Authors: Darmastuti Shanti , Juned Mansur , Widiastutie Sophiana
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 has impacted multiple sectors of life. Experts believe that regional cooperation is a key effort that should be done to deal the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional cooperation starts with common interests among parties and provides benefits for every country involved in it. This article provides an overview of the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 as well as a comparison of the forms of regional cooperation carried out by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) in responding COVID-19. This study uses literature studies in data collection. From the results of several studies that have been carried out before, both regions chose to conduct cooperation in the health and economic fields to respond to COVID-19. ASEAN's response in responding to the pandemic can be seen stronger in the principles of partnership that have been established with several partner countries. In addition, the principle of solidarity, exchange of information, knowledge, as well as strengthening institutional cooperation in ASEAN itself is an important point in the regional cooperation carried out. On the other hand, in addition to cooperation in the health sector, EU focuses on financial instruments among its collaborative approaches in the availability of aid packages to banking actors and institutions. The package of assistance provided by the EU to avoid market distortions and revive economic sectors is provided through the provision of credit and liquidity.
The Development of Electronic Football Teaching Materials (E-Book)
Authors: Supriadi Amir , Mesnan Mesnan , Azandi Filli , Kasih Indra
Published: July 2021

This study aims to produce electronic soccer teaching materials (ebooks) in basic soccer subjects. This study uses research and development methods by developing electronic soccer teaching materials based on competency standards through needs analysis from lecturers and students. Based on the results of the needs analysis for soccer course lecturers, 90% and 95% of students taking basic soccer courses stated that it was necessary to develop electronic soccer teaching materials for the needs of basic soccer lectures. The results of the validation of the feasibility of content, media feasibility and material feasibility obtained an average of 77.7% (very good) for content feasibility: 81.7% (very good) for media feasibility: and 80.3 (very good) good) for the feasibility of the material. With the average validation result of the three components is 79.9% (very good). The results of the effectiveness test of electronic soccer teaching materials in small-scale trials obtained an average percentage of 89.6%. In testing the effectiveness of electronic soccer teaching materials in small-scale trials, an average percentage of 91.4% was obtained.The conclusion is that the electronic soccer teaching materials developed can be used in online and offline basic soccer lectures.
Improving the Quality of Inpatient Services with Lean Service and Six Sigma Methods at Eshmun Hospital
Authors: Cristanto Cristanto , Tarigan Uni Pratama Pebrina Br
Published: July 2021

Hospitals play an important role in the life of the nation and state, because every country has an obligation to meet all the physical and spiritual health needs of every citizen. The main focus of Eshmun Hospital is the accuracy of doctors in diagnosing diseases, responsive patient care, hospital security, hospital access roads, completeness of facilities, and medicines. The research method used in this research is six sigma, pareto diagram, failure mode effect analysis (FMEA), fishbone diagram, and value stream mapping. The conclusions obtained from this research are after repairs are made to the inpatient service activities of the hospital. Eshmun eats service activities which were originally 15 activities reduced to 11 activities, this can save time in carrying out services. Activities that are non-value add are very detrimental, including: the data collection service process is still done manually, patients are still waiting to receive treatment, there are some doctors who are not professional. The main cause of waste is usually caused by hospitals not keeping up with the times, human resources that are not optimal.
Exploring the Ability of Early Childhood Teachers to Carry Out Assessment
Authors: Yus Anita , Wulan Dwi Septi Anjas , Sari Winda Widya , Salim Salim
Published: July 2021

This study aims to determine how the application of authentic assessment in kindergarten by assessing the adequacy of aspects of assessment and implementation of assessment instruments. Research respondents are kindergarten teachers in North Sumatra Province, totaling 65 people. The data was collected using a questionnaire and document analysis, which consisted of lesson plans, children's work that had been analyzed by the teacher and the assessment instruments that had been used by the teacher. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques and qualitative analysis by linking existing data to obtain meaning. The results of the analysis showed that: (1) there were 100% of kindergarten teachers who stated that they had carried out an assessment every time they carried out the teaching process but most had difficulty indicating the assessment instrument used, (2) 97% of kindergarten teachers only used a checklist to collect developmental assessment data and children's learning activities by putting a check mark on one of the scales consisting of "developing very well", "developing as expected", "starting to develop", and "not developing", (3) 98% of kindergarten teachers use the instruments in the book assessment guide issued by the government and have never used an assessment rubric developed by the teacher to determine child development achievements, and (4) 89% of kindergarten teachers do not collect assessment data in the context of competencies being developed, (5) kindergarten teachers have difficulty using descriptive notes or class notes to record the child's behavior during the teaching process due to difficulties in to write down the child's behavior as seen by the teacher, and (6) as many as 89% of kindergarten teachers have not used an assessment instrument developed based on the principles of authentic assessment. The results of this study have implications for the need to develop an assessment model that is useful to help teachers conduct a valid and reliable assessment of child development.
The effect of barium sulfate as a filler on the physical and mechanical properties of nitrile rubber blends
Authors: Alhaidar Ali , Ali Ali , Shash Mayssa
Published: July 2021

In this study, the effect of adding barium sulfate as a filler in the properties of NBR has been studied bypreparing blends of rubber containing different proportions of barium sulfate ( 20 0 phr) , ,1,3,5,10,15, on two roll millthen describe Physio - mechanical and chemical properties of the prepared blends were described by testing them fortensile strength and abrasion resistance, value of hardness and swelling in different solvents. The results showed anincrease in tensile strength by (6.1%) with an increase in the percentage of barium sulfate within the rubber mixturesuntil (1phr), then the tensile strength decreased with an increase in the ratio of barium sulfate in the rubbercompositions over (1phr). As for elongation at break, it gradually increased by (74.4%) at the rate of adding (1 phr)and then decreased with increasing the percentage of barium sulfate to (phr5) and then increased with the increase ofbarium sulfate. While the hardness values decreased by (14.9%) with the increase in the percentage of barium sulfateto the ratio of (phr20), friction resistance also decreased by (45.83%) with an increase in the percentage of bariumsulfate to (phr20). The results of the study also showed that the productivity of samples containing black carbon only(C45B0) was very low compared to samples containing barium sulfate.
Experience in establishing a high-risk biocontainment facility in response to COVID-19 pandemic under resource constrain settings
Authors: Islam SM Rashed Ul , Akther Tahmina , Sultana Sharmin , Deb Paroma , Ghosh Asish Kumar , Nasif Md Abdullah Omar , Bhuiyan Amirul Huda , Jahan Munira , Nessa Afzalun , Munshi Saif Ullah , Tabassum Shahina
Published: July 2021

The health care systems in resource limited countries are facing major challenges in dealing with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In Bangladesh, a steady increase in the number of COVID-19 cases since its first report on March 8, 2020, has led to an increased demand for COVID-19 detection facilities throughout the country. The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), the causative organism of COVID-19 and a highly infectious group 3(three) organism, requires a high biocontainment laboratory with a certain standard prerequisite infrastructure. This study describes the necessary steps for establishing and running a COVID-19 laboratory under resource constraint settings. Our experience indicates that, with collaborative efforts, funding, and technical support from locally available expertise, it is feasible to set up an optimally functional biocontainment facility with an acceptable quality performance despite several short comings.
BSMMU J 2021; 14 (COVID -19 Supplement): 45-50
Bayesian approach for predicting photogrammetric uncertainty in morphometric measurements derived from drones
Authors: Bierlich KC , Schick RS , Hewitt J , Dale J , Goldbogen JA , Friedlaender AS , Johnston DW
Published: July 2021

Increasingly, drone-based photogrammetry has been used to measure size and body condition changes in marine megafauna. A broad range of platforms, sensors, and altimeters are being applied for these purposes, but there is no unified way to predict photogrammetric uncertainty across this methodological spectrum. As such, it is difficult to make robust comparisons across studies, disrupting collaborations amongst researchers using platforms with varying levels of measurement accuracy. Here we built off previous studies quantifying uncertainty and used an experimental approach to train a Bayesian statistical model using a known-sized object floating at the water’s surface to quantify how measurement error scales with altitude for several different drones equipped with different cameras, focal length lenses, and altimeters. We then applied the fitted model to predict the length distributions and estimate age classes of unknown-sized humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae, as well as to predict the population-level morphological relationship between rostrum to blowhole distance and total body length of Antarctic minke whales Balaenoptera bonaerensis. This statistical framework jointly estimates errors from altitude and length measurements from multiple observations and accounts for altitudes measured with both barometers and laser altimeters while incorporating errors specific to each. This Bayesian model outputs a posterior predictive distribution of measurement uncertainty around length measurements and allows for the construction of highest posterior density intervals to define measurement uncertainty, which allows one to make probabilistic statements and stronger inferences pertaining to morphometric features critical for understanding life history patterns and potential impacts from anthropogenically altered habitats.
PENGARUH APLIKASI DISCORD DALAM PEMBELAJARAN DARING TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR PADA MATAKULIAH KOMPUTER
Authors: Ridho M.Rasyid , Muhaimin Muhaimin , Harjono Harry Soedarto
Published: July 2021

This study aims to explain the influence of Discord application in online learning on student learning outcomes and motivation. Quantitative method with quasi-experimental design with 40 samples. Data collection uses tests and questionnaires, analysis data using instrument tests, normality, homogeneity, while hypothetical tests use Wilcoxon, Mann-Whiteney (U), and Spearman tests. The results of post-test experiment class obtained an average score 83.5 higher than control class 61.25. Based on Wilcoxon Test Asymp.Sig (2-tailed) obtained 0.000 < 0.05, Ha1 received, Mann-Whiteney Test (U) High motivation obtained U= 1,500 Asymp.Sig (2-tailed) obtained 0.000 < 0.05, Ha2 Low motivation obtained U=0.000 Asymp.Sig (2-tailed) obtained 0.000 < 0.05, Ha3 received, there is a significant difference between the results of using discord application and using Whatsapp, Spearman Test Asymp.Sig (2-tailed) obtained 0.000 < 0.05, Ha4 received, correlation coefficient value of 0.973** means the relationship between learning motivation variables and learning outcomes is very strong.
THE INFLUENCE OF QUIZIZZ APPLICATION IN LEARNING EVALUATION TO IMPROVE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Authors: Nurani Dwi Cahaya , Adikara Fahmi Surya , Akhmad Yanuar , Faida Mar'atul
Published: July 2021

This research aims to know the effect of Quizizz Application in learning evaluation on the learing outcomes of elementary school teacher education students. This research type is a quasi-experimental research. This research was conducted by categorizing experimental groups through Quizizz Application and control groups through googleform. In this research, the population was all students of Elementary School Teacher Education STKIP Muhammadiyah Batang (20 students). The sample determination was done through cluster random sampling. The techniques of data collection were tests and observations. The techniques of data analysis were descriptive statistics and t-test. The calculation result shows that t result is 4.156 with the significance level at less than 0.05 i.e., 0.000. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of Quizizz application in learning evaluation affect the learning outcomes of elementary school education students.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Carbon Dot – Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Fluorescence Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Chung Seokhwan , Zhang Miqin
Published: July 2021

Fluorescence microscopy is commonly used to image specific parts of a biological system, and is applicable for early diagnosis of cancer. Current fluorescent probes, such as organic dyes and quantum dots, suffer from poor solubility and high toxicity, respectively, demonstrating a need for a colloidal stable and non-toxic fluorescent probe. Here we present an iron oxide and carbon dot (CD) based nanoparticle (CNPCP) that displays optical properties similar to those of conventional fluorescent probe and also exhibits good biocompatibility. Fluorescent CDs were synthesized from glucosamine onto chitosan – polyethylene glycol (PEG) graft copolymer using microwave irradiation. These NPs were monodispersed in aqueous environments and displayed excitation-dependent fluorescence; they demonstrated good size stability and fluorescence intensity in biological media. In vitro evaluation of CNP as fluorescent probes in cancer cell lines showed that these NPs caused little toxicity, and allowed fast and quantitative imaging. Model therapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) was conjugated onto the NPs (CNPCP-DOX) to demonstrate the multifunctionality of the NPs, and in vitro studies showed that CNPCP-DOX was able to kill cancer cells in a dose dependent manner. These results indicate the potential of using CNPCPs as fluorescent probes capable of delivering chemotherapeutics.
PARK Genes Link Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Alpha-Synuclein Pathology in Sporadic Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Li Wen , Fu YuHong , Halliday Glenda M. , Sue Carolyn M.
Published: July 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and spread of Lewy pathology (α-synuclein aggregates) in the brain but the pathogenesis remains elusive. PD presents substantial clinical and genetic variability. Although its complex etiology and pathogenesis has hampered the breakthrough in targeting disease modification, recent genetic tools advanced our approaches. As such, mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a major pathogenic hub for both familial and sporadic PD. In this review, we summarize the effect of mutations in 11PARKgenes (SNCA, PRKN, PINK1, DJ-1, LRRK2, ATP13A2, PLA2G6, FBXO7, VPS35, CHCHD2, andVPS13C) on mitochondrial function as well as their relevance in the formation of Lewy pathology. Overall, these genes play key roles in mitochondrial homeostatic control (biogenesis and mitophagy) and functions (e.g., energy production and oxidative stress), which may crosstalk with the autophagy pathway, induce proinflammatory immune responses, and increase oxidative stress that facilitate the aggregation of α-synuclein. Thus, rectifying mitochondrial dysregulation represents a promising therapeutic approach for neuroprotection in PD.
DeepGP: An Integrated Deep Learning Method for Endocrine Disease Gene Prediction Using Omics Data
Authors: Zhang Ningyi , Wang Haoyan , Xu Chen , Zhang Liyuan , Zang Tianyi
Published: July 2021

Endocrinology is the study focusing on hormones and their actions. Hormones are known as chemical messengers, released into the blood, that exert functions through receptors to make an influence in the target cell. The capacity of the mammalian organism to perform as a whole unit is made possible based on two principal control mechanisms, the nervous system and the endocrine system. The endocrine system is essential in regulating growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, and reproductive processes. Endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, Grave’s disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, and insulin-like growth factor I deficiency (IGFI deficiency) are classical endocrine diseases. Endocrine dysfunction is also an increasing factor of morbidity in cancer and other dangerous diseases in humans. Thus, it is essential to understand the diseases from their genetic level in order to recognize more pathogenic genes and make a great effort in understanding the pathologies of endocrine diseases. In this study, we proposed a deep learning method named DeepGP based on graph convolutional network and convolutional neural network for prioritizing susceptible genes of five endocrine diseases. To test the performance of our method, we performed 10-cross-validations on an integrated reported dataset; DeepGP obtained a performance of the area under the curve of ∼83% and area under the precision-recall curve of ∼65%. We found that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) share most of their associated genes; therefore, we should pay more attention to the rest of the genes related to T1DM and T2DM, respectively, which could help in understanding the pathogenesis and pathologies of these diseases.
Topologically Associating Domains and Regulatory Landscapes in Development, Evolution and Disease
Authors: Tena Juan J. , Santos-Pereira José M.
Published: July 2021

Animal genomes are folded in topologically associating domains (TADs) that have been linked to the regulation of the genes they contain by constraining regulatory interactions between cis-regulatory elements and promoters. Therefore, TADs are proposed as structural scaffolds for the establishment of regulatory landscapes (RLs). In this review, we discuss recent advances in the connection between TADs and gene regulation, their relationship with gene RLs and their dynamics during development and differentiation. Moreover, we describe how restructuring TADs may lead to pathological conditions, which explains their high evolutionary conservation, but at the same time it provides a substrate for the emergence of evolutionary innovations that lay at the origin of vertebrates and other phylogenetic clades.
New Genes Born-In or Invading Vertebrate Genomes
Authors: Herrera-Úbeda Carlos , Garcia-Fernàndez Jordi
Published: July 2021

Which is the origin of genes is a fundamental question in Biology, indeed a question older than the discovery of genes itself. For more than a century, it was uneven to think in origins other than duplication and divergence from a previous gene. In recent years, however, the intersection of genetics, embryonic development, and bioinformatics, has brought to light that de novo generation from non-genic DNA, horizontal gene transfer and, noticeably, virus and transposon invasions, have shaped current genomes, by integrating those newcomers into old gene networks, helping to shape morphological and physiological innovations. We here summarized some of the recent research in the field, mostly in the vertebrate lineage with a focus on protein-coding novelties, showing that the placenta, the adaptative immune system, or the highly developed neocortex, among other innovations, are linked to de novo gene creation or domestication of virus and transposons. We provocatively suggest that the high tolerance to virus infections by bats may also be related to previous virus and transposon invasions in the bat lineage.
Gut Microbiota in NSAID Enteropathy: New Insights From Inside
Authors: Wang Xianglu , Tang Qiang , Hou Huiqin , Zhang Wanru , Li Mengfan , Chen Danfeng , Gu Yu , Wang Bangmao , Hou Jingli , Liu Yangping , Cao Hailong
Published: July 2021

As a class of the commonly used drugs in clinical practice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause a series of adverse events including gastrointestinal injuries. Besides upper gastrointestinal injuries, NSAID enteropathy also attracts attention with the introduction of capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy. However, the pathogenesis of NSAID enteropathy remains to be entirely clarified. Growing evidence from basic and clinical studies presents that gut microbiota is a critical factor in NSAID enteropathy progress. We have reviewed the recent data about the interplay between gut microbiota dysbiosis and NSAID enteropathy. The chronic medication of NSAIDs could change the composition of the intestinal bacteria and aggravate bile acids cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, NSAIDs impair the intestinal barrier by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and destroying mitochondria. Subsequently, intestinal bacteria translocate into the mucosa, and then lipopolysaccharide released from gut microbiota combines to Toll-like receptor 4 and induce excessive production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Intestinal injuries present in the condition of intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress. In this paper, we also have reviewed the possible strategies of regulating gut microbiota for the management of NSAID enteropathy, including antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, mucosal protective agents, and fecal microbiota transplant, and we emphasized the adverse effects of proton pump inhibitors on NSAID enteropathy. Therefore, this review will provide new insights into a better understanding of gut microbiota in NSAID enteropathy.
The Vaginal Microbiome: A Long Urogenital Colonization Throughout Woman Life
Authors: Auriemma Renata S. , Scairati Roberta , del Vecchio Guendalina , Liccardi Alessia , Verde Nunzia , Pirchio Rosa , Pivonello Rosario , Ercolini Danilo , Colao Annamaria
Published: July 2021

Vaginal microbial niche is a dynamic ecosystem, composed by more than 200 bacterial species which are influenced by genes, ethnic background and environmental-behavioral factors. Several lines of evidence have well documented that vaginal microbiome constantly changes over the course of woman’s life, so to exert an important impact on woman quality of life, from newborn to post-menopausal ages. This review aims at analyzing the role of vaginal microbiome in the maintenance of woman’s homeostasis and at tracking critical changes that commonly occur across woman’s lifetime. The role of hormone replacement therapy in the modulation of vaginal microbiome composition and in the improvement of vaginal wellness in postmenopausal women with decreasing levels of circulating estrogen is discussed.
Perspective: The Power (Dynamics) of Open Data in Citizen Science
Authors: Cooper Caren B. , Rasmussen Lisa M. , Jones Elizabeth D.
Published: July 2021

In citizen science, data stewards and data producers are often not the same people. When those who have labored on data collection are not in control of the data, ethical problems could arise from this basic structural feature. In this Perspective, we advance the proposition that stewarding data sets generated by volunteers involves the typical technical decisions in conventional research plus a suite of ethical decisions stemming from the relationship between professionals and volunteers. Differences in power, priorities, values, and vulnerabilities are features of the relationship between professionals and volunteers. Thus, ethical decisions about open data practices in citizen science include, but are not limited to, questions grounded in respect for volunteers: who decides data governance structures, who receives attribution for a data set, which data are accessible and to whom, and whose interests are served by the data use/re-use. We highlight ethical issues that citizen science practitioners should consider when making data governance decisions, particularly with respect to open data.
Marginalizing the Mainstream: How Social Media Privilege Political Information
Authors: Rogers Richard
Published: July 2021

The following reports on research undertaken concerning the “misinformation problem” on social media during the run-up to the U.S. presidential elections in 2020. Employing techniques borrowed from data journalism, it develops a form of cross-platform analysis that is attuned to both commensurability as well as platform specificity. It analyses the most engaged-with or top-ranked political content on seven online platforms: TikTok, 4chan, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google Web Search. Discussing the extent to which social media platforms marginalize mainstream media and mainstream the fringe, the analyses found that TikTok parodies mainstream media, 4chan and Reddit dismiss it and direct users to alternative influencer networks and extreme YouTube content. Twitter prefers the hyperpartisan over it. Facebook’s “fake news” problem also concerns declining amounts of mainstream media referenced. Instagram has influencers (rather than, say, experts) dominating user engagement. By comparison, Google Web Search buoys the liberal mainstream (and sinks conservative sites), but generally gives special interest sources, as they were termed in the study, the privilege to provide information rather than official sources. The piece concludes with a discussion of source and “platform criticism”, concerning how online platforms are seeking to filter the content that is posted or found there through increasing editorial intervention. These “editorial epistemologies”, applied especially around COVID-19 keywords, are part of an expansion of so-called content moderation to what I call “serious queries”, or keywords that return official information. Other epistemological strategies for editorially moderating the misinformation problem are also treated.
A Critical Review of Ground Based Observations of Earthquake Precursors
Authors: Conti Livio , Picozza Piergiorgio , Sotgiu Alessandro
Published: July 2021

We aim at giving a short review of the seismo-associated phenomena detected on ground that in recent years have been investigated as possible earthquake precursors. The paper comes together with a companion article–published on this same volume by Picozza et al., 2021–devoted to summarize the space-based observation of earthquake–precursors by satellites missions. In the present work, we give an overview of the observations carried out on ground in order to identify earthquake precursors by distinguishing them from the large background constituted by both natural non-seismic and artificial sources. We start discussing the measurements of mechanical parameters and variations of geochemical fluids detected before earthquakes; then we review thermal and atmospheric oscillations; finally, observations of electromagnetic and ionospheric parameters possibly related to the occurrence of impeding earthquakes are discussed. In order to introduce a so large field of research, we focus only on some main case studies and statistical analyses together with the main hypotheses and models proposed in literature in order to explain the observed phenomenology.
Mercury Anomalies Link to Extensive Volcanism Across the Late Devonian Frasnian–Famennian Boundary in South China
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Deng Changzhou , Liu Weipeng , Tang Zuoqi , Wang Yue , Ye Taiping , Liang Weian , Liu Lingyun
Published: July 2021

The Late Devonian Frasnian–Famennian (F–F) mass extinction has been long-time debated by non-volcanic causes, extra-terrestrial impacts, and large igneous province (LIP) eruptions. To better understand the ultimate cause of the F–F mass extinction, here we investigate the chemostratigraphy of mercury (Hg) and total organic carbon (TOC) on two marine F–F strata in the Dushan area, South China. In both sections, high Hg and Hg/TOC anomalies were observed near the F–F boundary. These anomalies are in line with those recently observed in Morocco, Germany, Poland, and north Russia, suggesting a global Hg flux. The Late Devonian LIP eruptions, which are believed to have emitted massive amounts of Hg, could be responsible for the global Hg and Hg/TOC anomalies around the F–F boundary. The observed Hg and Hg/TOC anomalies coincide with the extinction of Frasnian fauna in the Dushan area, implying a causal link between the Viluy, Kola, and Pripyat-Dnieper-Donets LIP eruptions and the F–F mass extinction.
Performance Evaluation of an Earthquake Early Warning System in the 2019–2020 M6.0 Changning, Sichuan, China, Seismic Sequence
Authors: Peng Chaoyong , Jiang Peng , Ma Qiang , Wu Peng , Su Jingrong , Zheng Yu , Yang Jiansi
Published: July 2021

China is currently building a nationwide earthquake early warning system (EEWS) which will be completed in June 2023. Several regions have been selected as pilot areas for instrumentation, software system and dissemination verification. For these regions, their construction tasks will be completed in advance with trial runs being carried out in June 2021. Before the trial operation, we need to understand the actual processing capabilities of different EEWSs. In this work, we focus on the system deployed in Sichuan province and evaluate its real-time performance during the 2019–2020 M6.0 Changning seismic sequence. This period was divided into two stages. The first stage was the time from the occurrence of the M6.0 (Mw5.7) mainshock (June 17, 2019) to the end of October 2019 with no MEMS-based stations around the Changning seismic sequence deployed and most of the broadband and short period seismic stations not upgraded to low latency streaming, and the second one was from the beginning of November 2019 to March 2021 with deployments of more than 700 MEMS-based stations and low latency upgrades of ∼30 seismic stations. Median errors for the epicentral locations, depths and magnitude estimations were almost the same for both stages, 1.5 ± 6.0 km, 0.0 ± 3.6 km and −0.1 ± 0.46 for the first stage and 2.3 ± 3.0 km, −3.0 ± 3.6 km and −0.2 ± 0.32 for the second one. However, an obvious underestimation of the magnitude for earthquakes with M 5.0 + occurring in the first stage was observed, which would be caused by the clipped waveforms, sensors deployed in short period seismic stations and MEMS-based stations, the adopted magnitude estimation method, and the method used to computer the network magnitude. The median reporting time was significantly improved from 10.5 ± 3.0 s after origin time for the first stage to 6.3 ± 3.5 s for the second stage because of introduction of newly deployed MEMS-based stations. The results obtained from the second stage indicate that the system has entered a stable operating stage and we can officially launch the trial operation in the pilot areas for public early warning services.
Covid, the Environment and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better
Authors: Markandya Anil , Salcone Jacob , Hussain Salman , Mueller Alexander , Thambi Simi
Published: July 2021

The objective of this paper is to analyse impacts of COVID-19 on the nexus of food systems, the environment and sustainable development and propose ways for governments and international agencies to mitigate impacts in the short and medium term. It covers the historic period from early 2020 to early 2021 and also makes an assessment on future prospects. Although evidence is collected from all around the world, the focus is primarily on developing countries. The methods used are a review of the announced actions and preliminary findings in the academic and grey literature as well as on reliable websites from global and international institutions. By October 2020, governments around the world had invested about $12 trillion to counteract the economic effects of COVID-19. This investment could contribute to progress on the SDGs and global climate targets insofar as it was invested within a framework that supports both socio-economic recovery and sustainability. Initial analysis indicates that investments for economic recovery did not sufficiently address food security and sustainability, concentrating instead on immediate economic risk management. The global sustainable development agenda must promote the resilience and sustainability of food systems through policies and measures that: i) account for environmental thresholds and trade-offs; ii) promote food security and healthy diets; iii) enhance and protect rural livelihoods; and iv) address the inequalities and injustices that have emerged and will prevail during a post-COVID transition. National stimulus programs and the actions of international agencies must be assessed and monitored to deliver multiple benefits simultaneously and guide building back better.
Biosynthesis of Fusapyrone Depends on the H3K9 Methyltransferase, FmKmt1, in Fusarium mangiferae
Authors: Atanasoff-Kardjalieff Anna K. , Lünne Friederike , Kalinina Svetlana , Strauss Joseph , Humpf Hans-Ulrich , Studt Lena
Published: July 2021

The phytopathogenic fungusFusarium mangiferaebelongs to theFusarium fujikuroispecies complex (FFSC). Members of this group cause a wide spectrum of devastating diseases on diverse agricultural crops.F. mangiferaeis the causal agent of the mango malformation disease (MMD) and as such detrimental for agriculture in the southern hemisphere. During plant infection, the fungus produces a plethora of bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs), which most often lead to severe adverse defects on plants health. Changes in chromatin structure achieved by posttranslational modifications (PTM) of histones play a key role in regulation of fungal SM biosynthesis. Posttranslational tri-methylation of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9me3) is considered a hallmark of heterochromatin and established by the SET-domain protein Kmt1. Here, we show that FmKmt1 is involved in H3K9me3 inF. mangiferae. Loss of FmKmt1 only slightly though significantly affected fungal hyphal growth and stress response and is required for wild type-like conidiation. While FmKmt1 is largely dispensable for the biosynthesis of most known SMs, removal ofFmKMT1resulted in an almost complete loss of fusapyrone and deoxyfusapyrone, γ-pyrones previously only known fromFusarium semitectum. Here, we identified the polyketide synthase (PKS) FmPKS40 to be involved in fusapyrone biosynthesis, delineate putative cluster borders by co-expression studies and provide insights into its regulation.
Integrative Identification of Crucial Genes Associated With Plant Hormone-Mediated Bud Dormancy in Prunus mume
Authors: Li Ping , Zheng Tangchun , Zhang Zhiyong , Liu Weichao , Qiu Like , Wang Jia , Cheng Tangren , Zhang Qixiang
Published: July 2021

Prunus mume is an important ornamental woody plant with winter-flowering property, which is closely related to bud dormancy. Despite recent scientific headway in deciphering the mechanism of bud dormancy in P. mume, the overall picture of gene co-expression regulating P. mume bud dormancy is still unclear. Here a total of 23 modules were screened by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), of which 12 modules were significantly associated with heteroauxin, abscisic acid (ABA), and gibberellin (GA), including GA1, GA3, and GA4. The yellow module, which was positively correlated with the content of ABA and negatively correlated with the content of GA, was composed of 1,426 genes, among which 156 transcription factors (TFs) were annotated with transcriptional regulation function. An enrichment analysis revealed that these genes are related to the dormancy process and plant hormone signal transduction. Interestingly, the expression trends of PmABF2 and PmABF4 genes, the core members of ABA signal transduction, were positively correlated with P. mume bud dormancy. Additionally, the PmSVP gene had attracted lots of attention because of its co-expression, function enrichment, and expression level. PmABF2, PmABF4, and PmSVP were the genes with a high degree of expression in the co-expression network, which was upregulated by ABA treatment. Our results provide insights into the underlying molecular mechanism of plant hormone-regulated dormancy and screen the hub genes involved in bud dormancy in P. mume.
Renal Delivery of Pharmacologic Agents During Machine Perfusion to Prevent Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury: From Murine Model to Clinical Trials
Authors: Franzin Rossana , Stasi Alessandra , Fiorentino Marco , Simone Simona , Oberbauer Rainer , Castellano Giuseppe , Gesualdo Loreto
Published: July 2021

Donor organ shortage still remains a serious obstacle for the access of wait-list patients to kidney transplantation, the best treatment for End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). To expand the number of transplants, the use of lower quality organs from older ECD or DCD donors has become an established routine but at the price of increased incidence of Primary Non-Function, Delay Graft Function and lower-long term graft survival. In the last years, several improvements have been made in the field of renal transplantation from surgical procedure to preservation strategies. To improve renal outcomes, research has focused on development of innovative and dynamic preservation techniques, in order to assess graft function and promote regeneration by pharmacological intervention before transplantation. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of these new preservation strategies by machine perfusions and pharmacological interventions at different timing possibilities: in the organ donor, ex-vivo during perfusion machine reconditioning or after implementation in the recipient. We will report therapies as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, senolytics agents, complement inhibitors, HDL, siRNA and H2S supplementation. Renal delivery of pharmacologic agents during preservation state provides a window of opportunity to treat the organ in an isolated manner and a crucial route of administration. Even if few studies have been reported of transplantation after ex-vivo drugs administration, targeting the biological pathway associated to kidney failure (i.e. oxidative stress, complement system, fibrosis) might be a promising therapeutic strategy to improve the quality of various donor organs and expand organ availability.
A Liquid-Metal-Based Freestanding Triboelectric Generator for Low-Frequency and Multidirectional Vibration
Authors: Deng Huaxia , Zhao Zizheng , Jiao Chong , Ye Jingchang , Zhao Shiyu , Ma Mengchao , Zhong Xiang
Published: July 2021

There are a lot of vibrational energies, which are low frequency, multidirectional, and broadband, in the nature. This creates difficulties for devices that aim at harvesting vibration energy. Here, we present a liquid-metal-based freestanding triboelectric generator (LM-FTG) for vibration energy harvesting. In this device, the fluidity of liquid is used to increase sensitivity to vibration for better low-frequency response and multidirectional vibration energy harvesting capability. The freestanding power generation mode is able to increase power generation stability. Experiments show that the bandwidth of LM-FTG can almost cover the entire sweep frequency range, and a 10 μF capacitor can be charged to 6.46 V at 7.5 Hz in 60 s by LM-FTG. In particular, 100 LEDs are illuminated in the low-frequency environmental experiment successfully. The proposed LM-FTG can work in low frequency with large working bandwidth, which provides an effective method for energy harvesting of low-frequency and multidirectional vibrations.
Oxidation Behavior of Quaternary Co-20Re-25Cr-3Si Alloy at Laboratory Air
Authors: Liu Mingfeng , Xiang Junhuai , Wei Hua , Pan Xiuhong , Xu Xunhu , Wang Ling , Zhang Shuai
Published: July 2021

The iso-thermal oxidation of the quaternary Co-20Re-25Cr-3Si alloy at 1,000–1,200 C under laboratory air for 24 h has been studied. The oxidation kinetics at 1,000–1,200 C follow parabolic law perfectly and the value of oxidation activation energy is 220.74 kJ/mol. Unlike the experimental condition of 0.1 MPa pure oxygen, under laboratory air Co-20Re-25Cr-3Si alloy presents a good oxidation resistance due to the formation of a dense and continuous layer of Cr2O3 in contact with the alloy. A 79% drop in oxygen pressure has changed the oxidation mode from catastrophic oxidation to mild oxidation. The thickness of the protective Cr2O3 layer decreases when temperature increases. Therefore, Co-20Re-25Cr-3Si alloy shows the best oxidation resistance at 1,000 C. Moreover, from another perspective, compared with Co-17Re-23Cr-3Si alloy, the addition of about 2% Cr can also improve the oxidation resistance of the alloy greatly by forming the protective Cr2O3 layer.
METTL3 Promotes Activation and Inflammation of FLSs Through the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Shi Wen , Zheng Yan , Luo Shuai , Li Xiaofeng , Zhang Yilong , Meng Xiaoming , Huang Cheng , Li Jun
Published: July 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a common autoimmune disease, is extremely damaging to human health. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) have a vital role in the occurrence and development of RA. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), which is a crucial component of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase complex, is involved in the progression of many diseases. In this study, we explored the role of METTL3 in the inflammatory response and proliferation, invasion, and migration of FLSs. We used human RA synovial tissues and the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) animal model of RA. Experimental results revealed that METTL3 expression was significantly upregulated in human RA synovial tissues and in the rat AIA model. METTL3 knockdown suppressed interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, and MMP-9 levels in human RA-FLSs and rat AIA-FLSs. In contrast, they were increased by METTL3 overexpression. Additionally, we found that, in FLSs, METTL3 may activate the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that METTL3 may promote FLS activation and inflammatory response via the NF-κB signaling pathway.