bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF HUMOR IN THE BIG BANG THEORY BY USING RELEVANCE THEORY: A PRAGMATIC STUDY
Authors: Sartika Lilis Ade , Pranoto Budi Eko
Published: June 2022

Humor has been studied from different disciplinary viewpoints including philosophy, psychology, sociology, literature, rhetoric, linguistic and others by many scholars and experts. Thus, with the development of humor study, the linguistic perspective is becoming the mainstream of thoughts because it is more applicable and more systematic. In that case, to understand the pattern of communication in humor, the study of pragmatic is needed. Therefore, this research is aimed to analyze humor that are produced in The Big Bang Theory (a famous sitcom in America) from the perspective of cognition and communication. The analysis is done by applying descriptive method and using Sperber and Wilson’s theory of relevance theory. As the result of the analysis, it shows that there is a lot of humors that are based on relevance communication so that the application of relevance theory must be applied in order to understand the context of the humor. Further, the writer also noticed that the form of verbal humor used in The Big Bang Theory mostly showing about common problems and drama situation such friendship, job and daily life. In addition, regarding to the relevance theory of communication, the writer also noticed that the mechanism of humor in The Big Bang Theory is using the moment of optimal relevance of cognitive principle which means that when the audience has a common presumption of a context of conversation, the speaker or the characters in the sitcom is producing or uttering something unexpected in order to make the audience laugh or joy in humor.Keywords: context of humor, humor, pragmatic, relevance theory
IMAGERY ANALYSIS IN MATSUOKA’S CLOUD OF SPARROWS
Authors: Dharlie Kevin Arnando , Samanik Samanik
Published: June 2022

The research is entitled Imagery Analysis in Matsuoka’s Cloud of Sparrows. This study aims to reveal how imagery described through the dialogues and narratives of Cloud of Sparrows written by Takashi Matsuoka, by applying Perrine and Thomas’ theory regarding the seven types of imagery in literature. The analysis uses the dialogues of the characters and narrations included in the novel as its main data of study, then finding the contextual similarity to Perrine and Thomas’ imagery in literature. This research uses descriptive qualitative method as the study attempts to identify and describe its types of imagery in accordance Perrine and Thomas’ imagery. The result of the study shows that the narrative within Matsuoka’s Cloud of Sparrows contains all of Perrine and Thomas’ seven types of imagery; starting from visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, kinesthetic, and organic imagery. The novel contains all of the seven types of literature imagery found in the narratives within.Keywords: Auditory, cloud of sparrows, gustatory, imagery, kinesthetic, olfactory, organic, tactile, visual
CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS ON CHINESE AND AMERICAN NEWS WEBSITES REPORTING SOUTH CHINA SEA TERRITORIAL DISPUTE
Authors: Pradana Fawwaz Aldi , Suprayogi Suprayogi
Published: June 2022

This study focuses to understand the differences in reporting the same of The South China Seaterritorial dispute by two international news websites namely The New York Times and China Dailyand to exposed the hidden ideology behind the representation of those news websites. ThreeDimensional Framework by Fairclough in Critical Discourse Analysis were used in this study alongwith Systemic Functional Grammar particularly in transitivity analysis. The articles in this study werecollected from China Daily and The New York Times news website. The finding revealed that bothnews websites reported the issue of territorial dispute using material process and verbal processdominantly but The New York Times dominantly use material process more than China Daily. Next,the study found out that China Daily depicted the act of Beijing saying that territorial dispute as anormal thing due to the area of water are belong to China while The New York Times depicted the actof China as a violation of Sea rules of navigation in responding the territorial dispute. Last, the resultof this study found that China Daily stated in its news about how the US presence as meddling in thedisputed area of The South China Sea while The New York Times stated that the act of China inresponding the dispute is a harsh attitude and violating the rules. To sum up the study, thecombination of both theories is somehow useful in the discourse to expose the hidden meaning andideology.Keywords: Constrastive study, territorial dispute, three dimensional framework
THEMATIC PROGRESSION USED IN ZAKIR NAIK'S LECTURE
Authors: Susanti Ike Tri , Gulo Ingatan
Published: June 2022

One of the great importance of language is not only seen when it is applied on political speech, but it also represents as in the form of public speaking or public lecture. In that case, the objective of this research is to analyze the thematic progression of one of the public lectures in Oxford Union 2011, delivered by a famous lecturer and public speaker, Dr. Zakir Naik. In doing the analysis, there are many things that can be studied in a speech, especially when it is related with the analysis by using discourse analysis (DA). In doing the research, qualitative method is applied and the writers used Paltridge’s theory (2006) to analyze the thematic progression. As the result of the study, the writers found that from the total of 29 data, there are 11 data of reiteration or constant theme, 13 data of linear theme or zig-zag pattern and finally, 5 data that are categorized as multiple or split rheme. Therefore, the most dominant pattern expressed by Zakir Naik in his public lecturer is linear theme.
A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS: THE REPRESENTATION OF DONALD TRUMP IN THE REUTERS AND THE NEW YORK TIMES TOWARDS THE ISSUE OF #BLACKLIVESMATTER
Authors: Cahyaningsih Oka , Pranoto Budi Eko
Published: June 2022

This research discusses about the representation of social actor in news media. The social actor that becomes the focus of this research is the U.S. President Donald Trump. The news media chosen by the researcher are Reuters and New York Times (NYTimes). The issue that become the focus in this research is #blacklivesmatter. Which that issue become trending in social media, because that issue, there are many Americans who do demonstrations in some cities, which asked Mr. Trump to do something related with that national issue. In this research, the researcher uses social actor theory from Van Leeuwen (2008). This research applies descriptive qualitative method.
Los adolescentes frente a sus derechos laborales en el Ecuador, en tiempos de pandemia – Covid 19
Authors: Torres-Larco Ana , Barragán-García José
Published: June 2022

El derecho al trabajo constituye dignidad humana que debe garantizar un empleo adecuado a los trabajadores adolescentes, a fin de proporcionarles un desarrollo integral. Derecho que se encuentra contemplado en la Constitución del Ecuador, tratados internacionales, y entre ellos, los suscriptos con la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT). Por lo cual, tanto a nivel nacional e internacional se han tutelado varios derechos de los adolescentes trabajadores. Son múltiples los adolescentes, con el fin de satisfacer sus necesidades básicas, se han visto en la necesidad de salir de sus hogares, en busca de un empleo, que no ha garantizado su desarrollo integral. Con la crisis sanitaria la Covid-19, cada vez han sido más los adolescentes que se ven obligados a buscar un empleo. Siendo los principales puntos de análisis en el presente artículo: 1. Identificar la edad adecuada parar dar inicio a la relación laboral, 2. El derecho al trabajo frente a la dignidad humana, 3. Garantizar el desarrollo integral en el entorno laboral. El objetivo central de este trabajo es analizar la vulneración del derecho para los adolescentes trabajadores. Esta investigación tiene un enfoque cualitativo, que emplea el método exegético, para abordar el problema jurídico en base al órgano legislativo y, el método dogmático, a fin de analizar el problema al que se enfrentan los adolescentes al momento de conseguir un empleo que garantice su desarrollo integral
El contrato de trabajo especial emergente en Ecuador, ventajas y desventajas
Authors: Brito-Salazar Diego , López-Soria Yudith
Published: June 2022

La Ley Orgánica de Apoyo Humanitario, publicada en el Registro Oficial, Suplemento 229, de fecha 22 de junio de 2020, entre otras estipulaciones, instituyó medidas para afrontar las consecuencias derivadas de la crisis sanitaria producida por el coronavirus o también denominado, covid-19. Dentro de esta normativa, específicamente, en su artículo 19, se crea la figura del Contrato Especial Emergente de Trabajo, nueva modalidad de contrato que se suma a las ya existentes en el Código de Trabajo ecuatoriano. Su finalidad fue reactivar la economía, mejorar la producción en el país y garantizar el empleo, reconociendo derechos, tanto a los trabajadores, como a los empleadores. El objetivo general planteado es revisar críticamente la figura jurídica del contrato especial emergente de trabajo, a fin de evaluar si dicha figura contractual ha cumplido la finalidad para la cual, ha sido creada. Se analizaron puntos como el origen y necesidad del contrato especial emergente; sus características, su vulneración al principio de estabilidad laboral y sus ventajas y desventajas. Se ha aplicado un enfoque cualitativo con métodos científicos tales como, el histórico-lógico, el analítico y el inductivo, y, se concluyó este trabajo, estableciendo las ventajas y desventajas de esta nueva modalidad contractual en materia laboral.
Writers’ Awareness of Metadiscourse Features in Malaysian Business News
Authors: Hooi Chee Mei , Tan Helen , Lee Geok Imm , Victor Danarajan Sharon Sharmini
Published: June 2022

Metadiscourse is an important linguistic resource in business news because it guides readers throughout the text. Business news is vital to keep people abreast of how the economy affects job opportunities, how high or low interest rates may go, and whether layoffs are imminent in local industries. However, it is the news that people read the least because it is not engaging to them. The study aims to investigate The Star Online and Focus Malaysia business news writers’ awareness on the use of metadiscourse features. Metadiscourse Awareness Test was given to 10 business news writers from The Star Online and Focus Malaysia respectively. The findings showed that sequencers had the lowest mean score (M=2.334) for textual metadiscourse, while certainty markers had the lowest mean score (M=2.667) for interpersonal metadiscourse. Although The Star Online and Focus Malaysia writers exhibited the lowest mean score in identifying sequencers and certainty markers, they still demonstrated a high awareness in identifying all the categories of textual and interpersonal metadiscourse. The findings revealed the importance of metadiscourse features for the business news writers to fully utilise them in the news industry.
Effect of Pruritus on Sleep Quality in Individuals Undergoing Hemodialysis Effect of Pruritus on Sleep Quality
Authors: AYBEK Nesligül , ÖZKAN TUNCAY Fatma
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Although uremic pruritus is not a life-threatening problem itself, it affects the quality of life and daily life activities of the patients and negatively changes the patient's adaption to the disease.

Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was conducted with 219 patients who underwent hemodialysis in State Hospital, University Hospital hemodialysis units and a private dialysis center and met the study criteria. Research data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, 5-D Pruritus Scale and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. In the analysis of the data, t test, One - Way ANOVA test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis T test, Perason correlation analysis and Dunnet T3 Post Hoc test were used.

Results: In the study, the 5-D Pruritus Scale mean score of the patients was 12.70±3.35 points, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index score was 12.82±2.42. A positive, moderately significant (r=.509, p
Prevalence of Orthorexia Nervosa in Academicians and the Influencing Factors
Authors: BULUT Aliye , YİĞİTBAŞ Çağla
Published: June 2022

Objective: Orthorexia Nervosa/Healthy Eating Obsession is defined as a pathological obsession for consuming appropriate and healthy food. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in academicians working in a public university and the influencing factors.
Methods: This study was concluded between 01 January– 01 March 2020 to determine the prevalence of Orthorexia Nervosa and its correlation with influencing factors. The data of the study were collected using the Eating Attitude Test-40 (EAT-40) and the ORTO-11 along with the information form.
Results: In this study, it was observed that an advanced age caused a higher risk of eating disorder. In addition, the variables of being in the age range of 34-41 years, being female, and receiving undergraduate education were significant in terms of reducing the risk of Orthorexia Nervosa (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Factors such as industrialization, developments in the socio-economic structure, and mass media cause changes and new tendencies in dietary habits and food consumption. As it is believed that these conditions will become even more widespread in the future and affect all sections of society, including academicians who are accepted to be a risk group due to their perfectionist structure; it is of prime importance to raise awareness of society and inform individuals from a multidisciplinary approach including dieticians.
Effectiveness of Diabetes Nursing Course Designed With Hybrid Learning Pedagogy: A Pilot Study
Authors: OKUROĞLU Gülten , ALPAR ECEVİT Şule
Published: June 2022

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of hybrid learning pedagogy in a redesigned diabetes nursing course for senior nursing students in enhancing knowledge and skills related to diabetes education.

Methods: A single-group pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design were used. The study was conducted between January-June 2018 in a state university's nursing department in Istanbul, Turkey. Sixteen senior nursing students were included in the sample group of the study.

Results: It was detected that the Insülin Injection Skill Checklist (II-SC) post-test score, Blood Glucose Measurement Skill Checklist (BGM-SC) post-test score, and Educational Skills Checklist (ESC) post-test score were significantly higher than the pre-test scores. There was a significant difference between the Mini Exams (ME) pre-test and post-test scores of participants for each online lesson.

Conclusions: The study results showed that a hybrid learning-based diabetes nursing course effectively increases the knowledge and skills of students regarding diabetes education.
Theoretical fundamentals of determination
of recreational and tourist potential of rural areas
Authors: Samsonova Viktoriia , Kudinova Irina
Published: June 2022

The purpose of the article is to analyze the main interpretations of the concept
of “recreational and tourist potential” and to determine the recreational and tourist potential of rural areas.
The methodology of the survey consists of implementation of systematic approach to the researched problems and the use of various general scientific and
special research methods (tabular, grouping, comparison).
The scientific novelty of the obtained results stipulates modern scientific and
theoretical approaches and variety of interpretation approaches of the recreational and tourist potential of rural areas.
Conclusions. The study identified the recreational and tourist potential of rural areas as a set of natural, historical, cultural and other resources related to
rural areas, tourist infrastructure that help meet the needs of the population in
recreational and tourist activities. The main components of the recreational and
tourist potential of rural areas are also identified.
Key words: recreational potential, recreational and tourist potential, recreational
and tourist resources, rural areas, tourism, tourist potential.
AUDIT PROCEDURES OVER FIXED ASSETS
AT THE ENTERPRISE
Authors: Bunda Olga , Korzh Vladyslav
Published: June 2022

The purpose of the article is to study the audit procedures for fixed assets in
the enterprise in modern conditions of market relations. The methodology consists
in the use of the following methods: method of observation, methods of analysis
and synthesis, classification, induction and deduction, comparison, method of generalization.
The scientific novelty of the work is to improve the audit procedures for fixed
assets, which will improve the quality of the audit of fixed assets and, consequently, increase the efficiency of accounting and internal control at the enterprise.
Conclusions. The implementation of audit procedures for fixed assets involves
a multi-criteria approach, when the criteria form a single system that allows to
meet the requirements of the decision-making process during the audit of fixed
assets and to form a rational and effective decision. The audit of fixed assets of
the enterprise allows not only to influence the organization of the audit process,
but also to optimize the structural and logical parts of the methodology of audit
of fixed assets of the enterprise due to the use of modern information technology.
Key words: audit, audit procedures, modeling, fixed assets, assets.
Resource metering in economic comparable
assessments of minerals
Authors: Bodyuk Adam
Published: June 2022

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the essence and conceptual
apparatus of mineral resourcemetry, the practical application of geological, methodological, economic information to reflect the results of research of minerals
and products of their industrial processing.
The research methodology basis of the study is the application of a resource
approach to the definition of concepts, the use of abstract-logical, system-structural
and comparative analysis, ranking, generalization.
The scientific novelty of the results obtained is to substantiate the conceptual
apparatus of resourceometry as a science of measurement, evaluation and prediction
in quantitative and qualitative indicators of the super-level resources and their
economic use according to needs, substantiation of recommendations for improving
its effectiveness.
Conclusions. Thus, resourcemetry is logically interpreted as a science of
measuring, evaluating and predicting in quantitative and quantitative-qualitative
indicators of surface resources and their economic use according to needs,
substantiation of recommendations for improving its effectiveness, for the formation
of other managerial information. Management of Resurosometry is macroscale in
obtaining for management analysis of data logically developed on a special statistical
basis, using specific industry materials, in particular, energy, labor-consuming,
little studied in subsoil use.
Keywords: resources, management, information, minerals, hydrocarbons, uranium, iron ores, subsoil users.
Economy and management in the conditions of digitalization
Authors: Fokina-Mezentseva Katerina , Sayun Alla
Published: June 2022

Purpose of the article is to identify the methodological aspects of economics
and management in the context of the transformation of the national economy
under the influence of globalization processes.
The methodological basis of the research is the use of logical and systematic
approaches, general philosophical, general scientific and historical methods, analysis
and synthesis.
The scientific novelty of the results obtained consists in rethinking the
determinants of the state of the global economy, an attempt to philosophical and
economic understanding of the digital economy and defining its boundaries.
Conclusions. The digital economy is a system of economic relations based on
the realization of digital human potential through the use of information and
communication and end-to-end technologies, functioning in a sustainable innovationoriented institutional environment, aimed at increasing labor productivity and
improving the welfare of society in the process of production, distribution, exchange
and consumption of goods and services. The need for further research in the field
of economics and international management in the context of sufficient radical
transformation of the global economy, including from the perspective of the
coronavirus pandemic, as well as the importance of applying new management
methods and tools in the era of the digital economy.
Key words: electronic economy, digital economy, virtual economy, modern
information technologies, enterprise cloud infrastructure, coronavirus, opportunities
Events and local history events as a recreational resource
in resort and health institutions in the post-war period
Authors: Illiashenko Inna , Hromozdova Larysa , Shevchuk Oksana , Boiko Nataliia , Medvid Hanna
Published: June 2022

The purpose of the article is to study events and local history activities as a
recreational resource in health resorts in the postwar period.
The research methodology included the use of general scientific methods
(analysis, synthesis, specification, classification) and special (system-structural
research, economic analysis).
The scientific novelty of the results is the concretization of the concept of
«event tourism», which is considered a special type of tourism that has inexhaustiblepotential and successfully combines with other types of tourism and improves
recreational and health facilities in the postwar period.
Conclusions. It has been established that any event is based on an idea that
attracts tourists and is a determining factor in their choice among other tours.
Despite the prospects for the development of event tourism and local history
activities in our country, we can identify a number of factors that hinder the
development of this type of tourism in the regions of Ukraine. These include:
hostilities in Ukraine, insufficiently developed tourist infrastructure, shortage of
qualified personnel in the event industry, lack of proper attention to the development
of the event calendar, low business and investment activity of cities. Event tourism
in the post-war period is not only a promising segment of the world tourist market,
but also a bright, multifaceted, infinitely exciting tool for promoting a dynamically
developing territory. Thus, the concept of development of the regions of Ukraine
in the postwar period on the basis of event tourism and local history activities is
very promising, as it gives a relatively rapid and positive economic effect.
Key words: event-tourism, resort-health sphere, tourist-recreational branch, local
lore events, event-industry
A Review of Feature Selection Methods for Machine Learning-Based Disease Risk Prediction
Authors: Pudjihartono Nicholas , Fadason Tayaza , Kempa-Liehr Andreas W. , O'Sullivan Justin M.
Published: June 2022

Machine learning has shown utility in detecting patterns within large, unstructured, and complex datasets. One of the promising applications of machine learning is in precision medicine, where disease risk is predicted using patient genetic data. However, creating an accurate prediction model based on genotype data remains challenging due to the so-called “curse of dimensionality” (i.e., extensively larger number of features compared to the number of samples). Therefore, the generalizability of machine learning models benefits from feature selection, which aims to extract only the most “informative” features and remove noisy “non-informative,” irrelevant and redundant features. In this article, we provide a general overview of the different feature selection methods, their advantages, disadvantages, and use cases, focusing on the detection of relevant features (i.e., SNPs) for disease risk prediction.
An Augmented Method for Collecting PLGA Nanoparticles and the Fabrication of 1, 3, 4, 6-Tetra-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (Ac42AzGlc)-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Efficient and Prospective in Vivo Metabolic Processing
Authors: Parashar Shubham , Chauhan Charu , Rajasekharan Abhiraj , Rautela Jyoti , Jain Tanya , Raza Kaisar
Published: June 2022

We investigated two ways for fabricating 1, 3, 4, 6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (Ac42AzGlc)-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA nanoparticles in this article : 1) single emulsion solvent evaporation and 2) the nanoprecipitation method. Among the available methods of collecting nanoparticles using an ultra-high-speed centrifuge, we improvised a less-known method for collecting synthesized nanoparticles without a high-speed centrifuge, based on molecular weight (MW)-dependent centrifugal filters. These nanoparticles were collected in a tabletop centrifuge at a meager centrifugal force in the range of 200–300 xg whereas the conventional high-speed centrifuge method for nanoparticle recovery results in a hard nanoparticle pellet with poor resuspendability which hampers the yield and outcomes of the product. The Ac42AzGlc-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were spherical in shape with consistent and reliable nanometric particle size. The polydispersity indices were well within the acceptable limits. The preliminary studies in RAW 264.7 cell and C57BL/6 mice advocated efficient engineering in the former; however, the latter needs further confirmatory investigations. Preliminary in vivo studies with un-encapsulated Ac42AzGlc showed poor engineering of cardiac glycoproteins, opening up avenues for Ac42AzGlc-loaded nanoparticles for improved bioavailability and efficient metabolic engineering.
Accuracy and Validity of a Single Inertial Measurement Unit-Based System to Determine Upper Limb Kinematics for Medically Underserved Populations
Authors: Hughes Charmayne Mary Lee , Tran Bao , Modan Amir , Zhang Xiaorong
Published: June 2022

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with a disproportionate burden represented by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To improve post-stroke outcomes in LMICs, researchers have sought to leverage emerging technologies that overcome traditional barriers associated with stroke management. One such technology, inertial measurement units (IMUs), exhibit great potential as a low-cost, portable means to evaluate and monitor patient progress during decentralized rehabilitation protocols. As such, the aim of the present study was to determine the ability of a low-cost single IMU sensor-based wearable system (named the T’ena sensor) to reliably and accurately assess movement quality and efficiency in physically and neurologically healthy adults. Upper limb movement kinematics measured by the T’ena sensor were compared to the gold standard reference system during three functional tasks, and root mean square errors, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients, and the Bland Altman method were used to compare kinematic variables of interest between the two systems for absolute accuracy and equivalency. The T’ena sensor and the gold standard reference system were significantly correlated for all tasks and measures (rrange = 0.648—0.947), although less so for the Finger to Nose task (rrange = 0.648—0.894). Results demonstrate that single IMU systems are a valid, reliable, and objective method by which to measure movement kinematics during functional tasks. Context-appropriate enabling technologies specifically designed to address barriers to quality health services in LMICs can accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Bio-Inspired New Hydraulic Actuator Imitating the Human Muscles for Mobile Robots
Authors: Bai Xiangjuan , Xue Yong , Xu Yuze , Shang Jianzhong , Luo Zirong , Yang Junhong
Published: June 2022

Limited load capacity is the bottleneck for the practical application of mobile multi-joint legged robots. And improving the efficiency of the drive system is a key factor in improving the load capacity. To improve the efficiency of mobile robots, in this paper, a new kind of actuator that imitates the driving mechanism of human muscles is innovatively designed and validated through experiments. The proposed actuator consists of a single power source and multiple plunger pistons, and imitates the configuration of a human muscle, to improve the efficiency and load capacities. The design proposed here represents a new class of driving methods. The actuator selects the most appropriate combination of the effective areas of plunger pistons like the human muscles, to ensure that the maximal output force aligns with the load force. To validate that the new actuator can improve the efficiency of hydraulic systems of mobile robots, a robotic arm incorporating a prototype of the new actuator was designed. The proposed system was validated through a series of experiments. The experiments show that the bionic actuator can adjust the flow rate of the system input by adjusting the number and size of the motion units involved in the work, and with the change in load force, it changes the output force by recruiting different motion units, which indicates good controllability. The results reported herein reveal that the application of bionics to the design of robotic actuator can significantly improve the efficiency and overall performance of the robots, and this biomimetic approach can be applied to a variety of robots.
Rnd3 Expression is Necessary to Maintain Mitochondrial Homeostasis but Dispensable for Autophagy
Authors: Cueto-Ureña Cristina , Mocholí Enric , Escrivá-Fernández Josep , González-Granero Susana , Sánchez-Hernández Sabina , Solana-Orts Amalia , Ballester-Lurbe Begoña , Benabdellah Karim , Guasch Rosa M. , García-Verdugo José Manuel , Martín Francisco , Coffer Paul J. , Pérez-Roger Ignacio , Poch Enric
Published: June 2022

Autophagy is a highly conserved process that mediates the targeting and degradation of intracellular components to lysosomes, contributing to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and to obtaining energy, which ensures viability under stress conditions. Therefore, autophagy defects are common to different neurodegenerative disorders. Rnd3 belongs to the family of Rho GTPases, involved in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and important in the modulation of cellular processes such as migration and proliferation. Murine models have shown that Rnd3 is relevant for the correct development and function of the Central Nervous System and lack of its expression produces several motor alterations and neural development impairment. However, little is known about the molecular events through which Rnd3 produces these phenotypes. Interestingly we have observed that Rnd3 deficiency correlates with the appearance of autophagy impairment profiles and irregular mitochondria. In this work, we have explored the impact of Rnd3 loss of expression in mitochondrial function and autophagy, using a Rnd3 KO CRISPR cell model. Rnd3 deficient cells show no alterations in autophagy and mitochondria turnover is not impaired. However, Rnd3 KO cells have an altered mitochondria oxidative metabolism, resembling the effect caused by oxidative stress. In fact, lack of Rnd3 expression makes these cells strictly dependent on glycolysis to obtain energy. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Rnd3 is relevant to maintain mitochondria function, suggesting a possible relationship with neurodegenerative diseases.
Regulation of Heme Synthesis by Mitochondrial Homeostasis Proteins
Authors: Yien Yvette Y. , Perfetto Mark
Published: June 2022

Heme plays a central role in diverse, life-essential processes that range from ubiquitous, housekeeping pathways such as respiration, to highly cell-specific ones such as oxygen transport by hemoglobin. The regulation of heme synthesis and its utilization is highly regulated and cell-specific. In this review, we have attempted to describe how the heme synthesis machinery is regulated by mitochondrial homeostasis as a means of coupling heme synthesis to its utilization and to the metabolic requirements of the cell. We have focused on discussing the regulation of mitochondrial heme synthesis enzymes by housekeeping proteins, transport of heme intermediates, and regulation of heme synthesis by macromolecular complex formation and mitochondrial metabolism. Recently discovered mechanisms are discussed in the context of the model organisms in which they were identified, while more established work is discussed in light of technological advancements.
Divalent Metal Uptake and the Role of ZIP8 in Host Defense Against Pathogens
Authors: Samuelson Derrick R. , Haq Sabah , Knoell Daren L.
Published: June 2022

Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients whose concentration and location within cells are tightly regulated at the onset of infection. Two families of Zn transporters (ZIPs and ZnTs) are largely responsible for regulation of cytosolic Zn levels and to a certain extent, Mn levels, although much less is known regarding Mn. The capacity of pathogens to persevere also depends on access to micronutrients, yet a fundamental gap in knowledge remains regarding the importance of metal exchange at the host interface, often referred to as nutritional immunity. ZIP8, one of 14 ZIPs, is a pivotal importer of both Zn and Mn, yet much remains to be known. Dietary Zn deficiency is common and commonly occurring polymorphic variants of ZIP8 that decrease cellular metal uptake (Zn and Mn), are associated with increased susceptibility to infection. Strikingly, ZIP8 is the only Zn transporter that is highly induced following bacterial exposure in key immune cells involved with host defense against leading pathogens. We postulate that mobilization of Zn and Mn into key cells orchestrates the innate immune response through regulation of fundamental defense mechanisms that include phagocytosis, signal transduction, and production of soluble host defense factors including cytokines and chemokines. New evidence also suggests that host metal uptake may have long-term consequences by influencing the adaptive immune response. Given that activation of ZIP8 expression by pathogens has been shown to influence parenchymal, myeloid, and lymphoid cells, the impact applies to all mucosal surfaces and tissue compartments that are vulnerable to infection. We also predict that perturbations in metal homeostasis, either genetic- or dietary-induced, has the potential to impact bacterial communities in the host thereby adversely impacting microbiome composition. This review will focus on Zn and Mn transportviaZIP8, and how this vital metal transporter serves as a “go to” conductor of metal uptake that bolsters host defense against pathogens. We will also leverage past studies to underscore areas for future research to better understand the Zn-, Mn- and ZIP8-dependent host response to infection to foster new micronutrient-based intervention strategies to improve our ability to prevent or treat commonly occurring infectious disease.
Findings on the Relationship Between Intestinal Microbiome and Vasculitis
Authors: Sun Boyuan , He Xin , Zhang Wen
Published: June 2022

The microbiome has been implicated in small-, medium-, large-, and variable-vessel vasculitis. Dysbiosis can frequently be found in vasculitis patients with altered microbial diversity and abundance, compared with those with other diseases and healthy controls. Dominant bacteria discovered in different studies vary greatly, but in general, the intestinal microbiome in vasculitis patients tends to contain more pathogenic and less beneficial bacteria. Improvement or resolution of dysbiosis has been observed after treatment in a few longitudinal studies. In addition, some molecular changes in intestinal permeability and immune response have been found in animal models of vasculitis diseases.
Misapplication of Conventional Economic Analysis to Climate Change From the Post-normal Science Perspective: The “Social Cost of Carbon” Myth
Authors: Mayumi Kozo , Renner Ansel
Published: June 2022

A critical reflection over the latest comprehensive reporting efforts of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that applications of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to climate change, acts which importantly include the monetary calculation of the social cost of carbon (SCC), do not bring about the avoidance or mitigation of pervasive and irreversible climate change issues, issues which could likely continue on a multi-century to millennial time scale. This paper presents, first, a consideration of the most recent IPCC reports that indicated various contemporary problems and threats both to socioeconomic systems and ecosystems on this planet if and when CBA is uncritically applied to climate change issues. Following, a critical reexamination of three crucial concepts, namely, scarcity, discounting and substitution, is made in view of the roles they play in the theoretical foundation of conventional economics. Climate change is shown to be far beyond the scope of these concepts, hence far beyond the scope of CBA and the SCC approach. A discussion of a general alternative approach to addressing climate change issues is presented—one grounded in post-normal science that acknowledges the critical role deep uncertainty plays in many aspects of climate change issues. Reflecting on the need for such an approach and the shortcomings of past, conventional approaches suggests that establishing a process of social resolution of fundamental problems, including participation and mutual learning among relevant stakeholders, rather than a definite solution or technological implementation, is absolutely necessary. A critical study on many aspects of uncertainty is required for reaching constructive disagreement among stakeholders
Perception of Intonation on Neutral Tone in Mandarin
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Schmidt Elaine , Post Brechtje
Published: June 2022

In Mandarin, lexical tone has been found to interact with intonational tone to influence intonation perception, with the falling T4 facilitating the perception of the statement/question contrast the most, and the rising T2 the least. However, in addition to the four citation tones T1-T4, Mandarin has “neutral tone” which marks weak, non-initial syllables that do not carry a citation tone. The prevailing view is that neutral tone is, in fact, phonologically toneless. It is unknown whether neutral tone can also affect intonation perception. However, it is reasonable to hypothesize that if neutral tone is indeed toneless, it cannot interact with intonational tone in the same way as citation tones do. We investigated this novel hypothesis with a perception experiment in which 22 Mandarin speakers had to determine whether disyllabic citation tone and neutral tone words were a question or statement. Results show that the identification of intonation contours is more accurate for neutral tone than for T2, and similarly accurate for neutral tone and T4, regardless of whether the neutral tone is intrinsic or derived. Furthermore, both T4 and neutral tone are realized with a reduced pitch range at a higher pitch level in questions, unlike T2, which is characterized by a slightly expanded pitch range and a higher pitch level. It is possible that intonation perception in Mandarin is facilitated by changes in the phonetic shapes of lexical tones brought by intonation rather than the phonological interaction between lexical tones and intonation. The importance of pitch changes to the intonation perception in Mandarin was further tested in a second perception experiment with the same 22 participants and disyllabic stimuli with manipulated pitch level and range. Results indicate that the use of pitch cues in intonation perception shows tone-specific differences, namely, pitch range is more important in signaling the question/statement contrast in utterances ending with T4 or neutral tone, while pitch level is the only perceptual cue to interrogativity for utterances ending in T2.
Case Report: Challenging Treatment of an AorticParavalvular Leak: How We Avoided Interference With Mechanical Valve Function?
Authors: Onorato Eustaquio Maria , Vercellino Matteo , Costante Annamaria , Bartorelli Antonio L.
Published: June 2022

Background

Aortic paravalvular leak (APVL) after surgical valve replacement (AVR) is an ominous complication with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Approximately 1–5% of PVLs can lead to serious clinical consequences, including congestive heart failure and/or hemolytic anemia.

Case Summary

A 69-year-old man with multiple comorbidities underwent surgical replacement of the aortic valve with a mechanical tilting disc prosthetic valve (Medtronic Starlight 27 mm). Several years later, recurrent episodes of congestive heart failure and hemolytic anemia developed due to a large crescent-shaped aortic PVL located at non coronary cusp (NCC) 9–12 o'clock, with moderate-to-severe regurgitation. The patient was deemed at prohibitive surgical risk due to significant multiple comorbidities and a transcatheter PVL closure (TPVLc) was planned. The huge PVL was partially closed by a first specifically designed paravalvular leak device (PLD). The procedure was complicated by transient interference of the second PLD with mechanical prosthetic valve function. This issue has however been solved with correct manipulation, orientation and downsizing of the second device implanted. At 3-month and 13-month follow-up, the patient showed a relevant clinical improvement and good quality of life. 2D TTE color Doppler confirmed the stable position of the two PLDs with trace residual leak.

Discussion

Surgical redo has been considered the treatment of choice for symptomatic patients with PVLs. Notwithstanding, TPVLc is a less invasive alternative, particularly in patients at high surgical risk in whom early diagnosis and prompt interventional treatment are crucial for improving expectancy and quality of life. Dedicated devices, appropriate procedural techniques, and the close interaction between imaging modalities, allowed to deal successfully with a challenging case of severe symptomatic aortic PVL.
A New Classification Method of Mine Goaf Ground Activation Considering High-Speed Railway Influence
Authors: Ren Lian-wei , He Peng-fei , Zou You-Feng , Dun Zhi-Lin , Zou Zheng-sheng , Wang Shu-ren
Published: June 2022

With the rapid development of high-speed railways in China, it is inevitable that some of the lines will have to traverse through the mine goaf ground, and there is little research on whether the “activation” of the foundation of the mine goaf ground occurs under the influence of train loads. In order to provide a safe and reliable basis for the construction of high-speed railway in mine goaf ground, a new classification method of mine goaf ground activation is proposed considering the stability and railway influence. First, the stability evaluation system of the mine goaf site is established with 3 primary indexes and 12 secondary indexes. The 47 groups’ data of the mine goaf ground site are collected as learning samples. Five machine learning methods including decision tree, discriminant analysis, support vector machine, and classifier ensemble are used to learn and test the data. The optimal algorithm is selected and the stability evaluation model is established to classify the stability of the mine goaf site. Second, influencing factors of railway are graded to establish an extension comprehensive evaluation model. Finally, based on the above two models, a new classification method of high-speed railway goaf ground activation considering the two factors and five sub-factors is proposed. Through the verification of two engineering examples, the prediction result of this method is “easily activation” and the need to treat the goaf area, and the actual construction is also taken to grouting treatment, proving that the method has certain guiding significance for the project.
Analysis on the Shear Stress Propagation Mechanism in the Rock Reinforcement System
Authors: Chen Jianhang , Li Hui , Zhao Shankun , Zhao Hongbao , Zhang Cun , Zhang Junwen , Li Danqi
Published: June 2022

Rock reinforcement is significant in maintaining the stability of excavated structures, such as tunnels and underground roadways. However, shear failure in the rock reinforcement system, especially the shear failure at the rock reinforcement bolt surface, induces a threat to the rock reinforcement system. To reveal the shear stress (SS) propagation mechanism in the rock reinforcement system, this article conducted a literature review. First, the investigation approaches that were used by previous researchers to study the SS propagation were summarized. The advantages and disadvantages of experimental tests, analytical simulation, and numerical simulation were compared and analyzed. Then, the SS propagation process in the rock reinforcement system was presented. Two typical SS propagation modes were explained. More attention was given to the SS propagation mode in which the maximum SS propagates from the external end of rock reinforcement bolts to the internal end of rock reinforcement bolts. After that, a discussion section was given. In the discussion section, the significance of the SS propagation was further emphasized. Moreover, the limitations in the analytical simulation and numerical simulation were indicated. It is concluded that when studying the SS propagation mechanism of rock reinforcement bolts, combining experimental tests, analytical simulation, and numerical simulation is a better choice. This study is beneficial for revealing the SS propagation mechanism of the rock reinforcement system.
Synoptic Features of August Heavy Rainfall Episodes Accompanied By a Quasi-Stationary Front Over the Korean Peninsula and Its Relationship With the Western Pacific Subtropical High
Authors: Shin Uju , Park Sang-Hun , Yun Yong-Ro , Oh Chimook
Published: June 2022

In this study, we investigated the synoptic features of the August 26–27, 2018 heavy rainfall episode, which was accompanied by a quasi-stationary front over the Korean peninsula, as well as its relationship with the climatological characteristics of the Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH), using reanalysis and observational data. Through a case study, we analyzed the synoptic environment and frontal structure of the heavy rainfall event by comparing it with a heavy rainfall event associated with a quasi-stationary front that occurred on June 26–27, 2018 (during the Changma period). The case study indicates that the environment and structure of the quasi-stationary fronts in both events exhibited common characteristic features: an extended WPSH and strong low-level winds along the western or northwestern edge of the WPSH and a northward tilted frontal structure. Although differences in the moisture transport path were observed (southwesterly for the Changma event and southerly for the August event), their contributions to maintaining the quasi-stationary fronts were comparable around the Korean peninsula. We further investigated the climatological characteristics of these two heavy rainfall episodes for a 30 year period (1990–2019). We identified heavy rainfall days similar to those of the case study using pattern correlations of the 850 hPa geopotential height anomaly. The occurrence frequencies for each period indicate that the environmental features of the Changma event can be regarded as the typical heavy rainfall environment during the Changma period, whereas the environmental features of the August event were not typical for heavy rainfall during August. The main difference between similar and different cases to the August event is the expansion of the WPSH. Analysis of the relationship between annual variations in the WPSH indices and the occurrence frequency of heavy rainfall days during each August period also indicates that heavy rainfall with a quasi-stationary front similar to the August event is closely related to WPSH expansion.