bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing Municipal Bond Markets in Malaysia : An Assessment of Present Market Characteristics
Authors: Harun Mukaramah , Hooi Ting Ding , Abdullah Hussin
Published: August 2020

In developed countries, urban growth has multiplied the demand for investment in basic infrastructure services such as water supply, waste removal, roads and mass transportation. At the same time, decentralization strategies have shifted the responsibility for much of these investments to the local governments. This decentralized investment requires the development of decentralized capital financing. No longer can a central government pay for local investment by raising national taxes or borrowings on international markets and using the funds simply to construct projects at the local level. The introduction of municipal bonds is one of the alternative source of funds to finance the escalating costs of financing local governments. This paper discusses the conditions underlying the development of municipal credit markets, which Malaysia can use to provide a vehicle to narrow the local government’s resource gap through debt funding.
The Association between Ethical Decision-Making, Job Satisfaction, Organisational Commitment and Selected Demographic Variables
Authors: Ahmad Kamarul Zaman , Syed Alwee Sharifah Haslinda , Mohd. Yusoff Zetty Zahureen , Osman Suzana Idayu Wati , Awang Tuah Siti Normah
Published: August 2020

Job satisfaction and organisational commitment are variables that have been frequently studied. However, the relationship between ethical decision-making and these two variables are seldom explored. This study conducted on 200 employees from public and private companies in various parts of Kuala Lumpur, aims to investigate the relationship between these three variables. Instruments were used from Paolillo & Vitell (2002), Hunt, Wood & Chonko (1989) and Dubinsky & Hartley (1986) to measure ethics, organisational commitment and job satisfaction respectively. Results show that there is a positive correlation between ethics and organisational commitment and between job satisfaction and organisational commitment. However, contrary to expectations, there is no significant correlation between ethics and job satisfaction. The negative correlation between organisational commitment and position r = -0.288, p< 0.1 suggests that people higher up in the hierarchy are less committed towards the organisation. The absence of any significant correlation between ethics and age, experience, and position is also contrary to previous studies conducted in the West. This suggests that, unlike the West, ethics does not increase or decrease with age, experience, and position.
A Cointegration Analysis on Trade Behaviour in Selected ASEAN Countries Using Dynamic OLS and Johansen Maximum Likelihood Approaches
Authors: Abu Bakar Nor' Aznin
Published: August 2020

This paper aims to analyse the trade behaviour of four selected ASEAN countries (based on their export/import products) by using a co-integration analysis. The demand for exports and imports are estimated for the period before the currency crisis erupted ( 1963 -1995 ), using the dynamic OLS (DOLS) method. The Johansen Maximum Likelihood (JML) approach is also employed to compare the results obtained. The results show that foreign income has a significant impact on export demand, suggesting that foreign disturbance in the form of economic activities is likely to be transmitted to these countries. The Marshall Lerner conditions are easily met for the case of Malaysia and Thailand (DOLS and JML). For Indonesia and the Philippines, the sum of the price elasticities of exports and imports demands are less than unity, this can be explained by the J-curve, in which the currency depreciation will first worsen the trade balance before it improves and it takes time to affect the trade balance.
Multi-Source Assessment - A Total Quality Management Driven Performance Appraisal System: The Issue of Fairness
Authors: Abdullah Zaini , Yusoff Rushami Zien
Published: August 2020

Performance Management and Total Quality Management are important factors of organizational life, it helps organizations to identify and manage the performance of highs achievers, as well as identify low and non-performers for intervention and development. Total Quality Management takes a system - oriented perspective in managing individuals and group performance and must be compatible with continuous improvement efforts and customer-based strategies. The TQM driven Multi-source Assessment provides an alternative to traditional supervisor only appraisal process. This study was under- taken to determine whether Total Quality Management (TQM) based multi-source assessment (MSA) appraisal is perceived as fairer than traditional supervisor only appraisal system. The study was con- ducted using multi-group experimental design in a field setting. The perceived fairness of the performance assessment system was tested using the combined pretest posttest data of the experimental and control group. The t-test results indicated that changes in agreement scores from pretest to posttest result were significant and respondents perceived the TQM driven MSA process to be fairer The results and discussion of the study show that the MSA process depicts a paradigm shift, not only to management process, but how employees see their changing roles in total quality management driven organization.
Key Risk Determinants of Listed Deposit-Taking Institutions in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Nor Hayati , Ariff Mohamed
Published: August 2020

Risk management is a critical function in banking operations in the wake of several banking crises. However, we find few studies on risk management and a lack of empirical investigation on factors affecting the risk of Malaysian banks. These gaps have motivated us to identify the main factors associated with the risk of locally listed deposit-taking institutions. The findings show that three factors were significantly associated with unsystematic risk, while the systematic risk and the total risk of these deposit-taking institutions were significantly affected by four main factors. These four factors namely non-performing loans, cost of funds, loan to deposit ratio and inter-bank offered rate however, were found to have a more profound effect on the total risk than on the systematic risk or the unsystematic risk of Malaysian deposit-taking institutions.
Preparers’ Perceptions Towards Quarterly Financial Reporting in Malaysia
Authors: Ku Ismail Ku Nor Izah , Chandler Roy
Published: August 2020

This study examines the perceptions of preparers of financial reports towards the issues surrounding corporate quarterly financial reporting in Malaysia. Questionnaires were mailed to chief financial officers of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE)1 listed companies, from whom 106 usable responses were gathered. The findings provide evidence that some preparers are not keen of the idea of quarterly reporting, despite the enforcement of the requirement. However, a majority of preparers are content with the current allowable reporting lag of two months, satisfied with the current content of the quarterly reports, and agree that management should at least discuss the quarterly results with the auditors. With respect to other matters, preparers expressed the view that the quarterly reports are reliable. However, there is also evidence that the first three quarterly reports are perceived to be less reliable than the fourth quarterly reports. The findings serve as an avenue for more research on quarterly financial reporting in Malaysia and other jurisdictions.
COMPLIANCE TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE RULES: THE CASE OF MALAYSIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES
Authors: Shafiee Yanti Ahmad
Published: August 2020

An environmental protection measure will have an effect on international trade when it affects market access of goods and services. The objectives of this paper are to explore the international trade rules that need to be complied by the government of Malaysia with respect to invoking environmental protection measures and secondly, to look into the government’s compliance with international trade rules when invoking such measures. The international trade rules that need to be complied in this study are the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Malaysia’s environmental protection measures can be found in Malaysia’s domestic laws such as the Plant Quarantine Act 1976, Food Act 1983, Fisheries Act 1985 and national policies. The methodology employed in this study was by analyzing WTO and GATT agreements and decisions by the Dispute Settlement Bodies of the WTO in international dispute cases and also by analyzing Malaysia’s regulations in order to find out how far the government has complied with these international trade rules. The significance of this study is to recognize Malaysia’s efforts in dealing with international trade rules when invoking environmental protection measures.
THE ANOMALY OF CONTEMPT IN THE FACE OF THE COURT RECORD
Authors: Halili Hassan Kamal , Venugopal A. Vijayalakshmi
Published: August 2020

Categories and forms of contempt of court are not closed, whereby, judges have the discretion to use this power when they deem appropriate. However, there are a number of traditional categories that have been created and used by the courts in Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Contempt in the face of the court record has not been a traditional category of contempt in either country, and, thus far, has only been recognised in Malaysia in one case. The aims of this paper are to consider what the scope of contempt in the face of the court record is, when it should apply and whether this category is clearly distinct from the other existing categories of contempt of court. It is suggested that it may not have been necessary to create the category of contempt in the face of the court record as there appears to be an overlap between this category and the other categories of contempt of court. Keywords: contempt of court, contempt in the face of the court record.
THE IMPACT OF TRIPS AGREEMENT ON ACCESS TO MEDICINES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: LEGAL CHALLENGES FACED BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY PARTICULARLY IN INDIA
Authors: Shanmugaiah Kamini
Published: August 2020

The impact of intellectual property rights in particular patent relating to public health has posed numerous challenges faced by developing countries who are members of World Trade Organisation (WTO). This paper examines the impact of TRIPS Agreement (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) in relation to developing countries in general with specification made to India. Significant changes brought about by the TRIPS flexibilities in particular usage of compulsory licensing and Bolar provision have to a certain extent benefited the developing countries in the field of public health during national emergency. The TRIPS flexibilities by way of amendment have helped countries that (do not possess manufacturing capacities) to import medicines. Some developing countries even utilised TRIPS flexibilities in an aggressive manner to enforce their right to have access to medicines from other countries for the benefit of their citizens. Further, TRIPs flexibilities have helped developing countries to manufacture generic products to make it affordable to the people. This paper specifically examines the impact of the TRIPS Agreement on Indian generic pharmaceutical industry and the legal challenges faced by Indian pharmaceutical industry after the implementation of product patent regime effective from 1 January 2005. The Patent Amendment Act 2005(India) will be looked into especially on the controversy in respect of Section 3(d) of the Patent Amendment Act 2005(India) on the requirement of patentability. The new Section 92A of the Patent Amendment Act 2005(India) on the grounds to invoke compulsory licensing will be analysed to see whether Indian government has applied restrictive or broad approach, as compulsory licensing is certainly an important legal
FROD DALAM URUS NIAGA TANAH: SATU KAJIAN PERBANDINGAN DENGAN UNDANG-UNDANG TANAH AUSTRALIA
Authors: Harun Noraida
Published: August 2020

Falsafah sistem Torrens ialah ia merupakan satu sistem pentadbiran tanah berasaskan pendaftaran. Sebagai asas sistem Torrens, pendaftaran adalah prasyarat hak milik yang tidak boleh disangkal. Kesan daripada pendaftaran ialah undang-undang mengurniakan kepada penerima pindah milik, pemajak atau pemegang gadaian atau penerima isemen, hak milik yang tidak boleh disangkal. Tetapi sejak mutakhir ini banyak kejadian jenayah kes frod dalam urus niaga tanah menunjukkan peningkatan dari masa ke semasa. Peningkatan kes-kes ini menimbulkan rasa bimbang oleh pemilik-pemilik tanah di atas keselamatan harta mereka kerana tanah mereka boleh bertukar milik tanpa disedari. Sehubungan dengan itu, artikel ini dibuat bagi membincangkan kes frod yang berlaku dalam konteks urus niaga tanah di Malaysia dan membuat perbandingan dengan undang-undang tanah Australia serta mengenal pasti apakah jenis-jenis frod yang berlaku dan seterusnya mencadangkan jalan penyelesaian yang difikirkan sesuai bagi menjamin kepentingan dan hak-hak semua pihak yang terlibat. Katakunci: frod, urus niaga tanah, jenis-jenis frod, cadangan dan penyelesaian, kajian Perbandingan
DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA: TWO DECADES AFTER APARTHEID
Authors: Budeli Mpfariseni
Published: August 2020

South Africa was under the apartheid rule for around fifty years. Apartheid was formally established by the National Party when it came to power in 1948. In terms of the apartheid policy, the government belonged to the White people who enjoyed all human rights and were entitled to rule the country to the detriment of the Black people despite the latter constituting the overwhelming majority of the population. The apartheid regime eventually came to an end in the early 1990s. Following the ending of the dictatorial regime, a new Constitution was adopted and the first democratic elections were held in South Africa. [T]his paper reflects on the road that South Africans have gone from Apartheid to democracy and good political governance, on what they have achieved as well as the challenges and prospects for democratic governance in the country. Keywords: South Africa; apartheid; Constitution; governance; democracy and human rights.
THE RIGHT OF SUIT UNDER THE CONTRACT OF AFFREIGHTMENT
Authors: Haji Megat Latif Haji Hairuddin
Published: August 2020

In carriage of goods by sea, usually parties involved in the transaction are composed of a seller of goods (exporter), buyer (importer), forwarding agent, ship owner, carrier and port authority. When the contract of carriage is entered, basically it involves the shipper of goods (not necessarily the seller of goods) and the ship owner. The question normally arises are as follows: Who is the right or proper person to bring action should a breach of contract occur?; If the goods damage or loss in transit, who should claim damages for the loss or damage?; What are the laws applicable in Malaysia after 1992?. All these questions become very important due to the changes of law in England in 1992, relating to the right of suit. This paper attempts to answer all the above questions based on The Civil Law Act 1956 (The Malaysian Act), The Bill of Lading Act 1855 (The English Act) and The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992 (The English Act).
INTERNET CENSORSHIP BY LAW: A CHALLENGE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THAILAND
Authors: Pitaksantayothin Jompon
Published: August 2020

In Thailand, at present, content on the Internet is subject to a legal regulatory framework. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) takes a leading role in enforcing the Computer-Related Crime Act 2007 to censor content on the Internet which is deemed ‘illegal’. In this article, it is contended that the legal regulation of Internet content which Thailand adopts is problematic in several aspects. This could pose a serious threat to the constitutional right to freedom of expression of Internet users in Thailand. Keywords: Internet censorship, freedom of expression, Thailand.
REFUGEE CHILDREN UNDER THE MALAYSIAN LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Imam Supaat Dina
Published: August 2020

This study will delve into the Malaysian legal framework for the protection of refugee children; their legal status under the law; and guarantee to their rights. It will first identify the general protection under various Malaysian statutes relevant to refugee children. Discussion will continue to emphasise on any adverse effect of the legal provisions on refugee children. This will then followed by analysing Malaysia’s international commitment and obligation relating to children in general with some reference to refugee children. Discussion will touch on the role and mandate of the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugee’s (UNHCR) office, to protect refugee, Malaysia’s commitment as a state party to the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and it’s refusal to ratify the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugee (CRSR). Other dimension of this paper is the highlight of the adverse effects of inconsistent domestic legal provisions on the enjoyment of rights by refugee children. Finding of this study will show the extent of protection offered to refugee children under domestic laws and the reasons why Malaysia should fulfill its international obligation towards refugee children and further effort that must be initiated to ensure compliance to protection under international law. Keywords: Refugee children, Malaysian law, rights of the child.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHT LAW-BASIS FOR THE RIGHT TO LIFE OF THE UNBORN CHILD
Authors: Olatokun Ganiat Mobolaji , Ahmad Rusniah
Published: August 2020

The contention that an unborn child has the right to life has been visited with several oppositions from all works of life, all over the world. Most people do not accept the view that an unborn child possesses any form of human right which is to be protected because, that child is yet to be born into the world. It is however an established fact that, the fundamental principle of international human right instrument is to uphold the dignity and sanctity of all human persons, whether born or unborn. This shows that international human right instruments are founded on the basis of natural law. This study set out to investigate the core principle of international human right law. By so doing, the actual values and tenents of international human right law will be revealed. This is a doctrinal research, wherein the authors set out on a fact finding mission using selected articles, books and periodicals to bring out the objective of the study. At the end of the exercise, it was revealed that no international human right law will perpetrate a principle in opposition to natural law. This being the case, the unborn child, like any other living being is vested with the inalienable right to life. Keywords: Natural law, international human right law, right to life, unborn child.
Kontrak Tukaran Matawang Asing Melalui Internet: Satu Tinjauan Hukum
Authors: Azhar Alias , Zainol Mohd Zaki , Abdul Rahman Mohd. Nizho
Published: August 2020

Foreign currency exchange contracts or foreign exchange (forex) began to arise when there is an international trade transaction involves two countries using different currencies. The legal assessment of the said issue should apply methods of interpretation and understanding of the terms to be applied in the contract. Terms such as leverage, hedging (hedging) and swap are thoroughly evaluated based on a practical modus operandi allowing for the precise legal assessment. This article discusses the contractual issues and modus operandi of foreign currency transactions and its application from the practical aspects using the Internet. Discussion on the legal assessment is based on the Islamic law of transactions on applied type of contract ('akad), the use of hedging and leverage in foreign exchange contracts via the Internet. Keywords: Contract, Foreign Exchange, Islamic Transaction, Leverage, Muamalat
Suhakam's Recommendations and Its Application In The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012
Authors: Mohamed Mazita , Mohd Anuar Haslinda , Mohd Ali Azlin Namili , Bidin Muhammad Firdaus , Abdul Rahman Rohana , Ahmad Rusniah
Published: August 2020

In Malaysia, a provision on peaceful assembly is stipulated under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which combines the freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and association. However, these freedoms have restrictions which are usually justified under the broad stroke of maintaining racial harmony and public order. Prior to 23 April 2012, section 27 of the Police Act was implemented to govern a public assembly, and the enactment of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA 2012), then, gives some light to the right of assemble peacefully. The objective of this article is to examine by comparing SUHAKAM’s recommendations with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. To achieve the objective, the doctrinal legal research has been used, specifically the analytical and comparative methods. Keywords: Peaceful Assembly, Act, Police, SUHAKAM, Recommendation
THE PROVISIONS OF WATER AND GARBAGE POLLUTION IN STREET, DRAINAGE AND BUILDING ACT, 1974: A VIEW IN ISLAMIC LAW
Authors: Mohamad Abdul Basir
Published: August 2020

The statute relating to environmental conservation plays an important role to protect water and garbage pollution. The establishment and enforcement of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 is to protect the people’s rights and interests in order to safeguard the environment from being polluted. There are a few provisions in this Act relating to water and garbage pollution and protection of water resources from any pollution. Therefore, this article will examine the provisions in relation to water and garbage pollution in the Act and then identify similar discussions in Islamic law, which deal with the protection of water and garbage pollution. A qualitative method is used to obtain data for this paper. Analysis of documents from primary and secondary sources was executed inductively, deductively and comparatively using the Act and Islamic reference sources which was then documented in a descriptive report.
AN APPRAISAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY MECHANISMS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS IN NIGERIA AND ASSOCIATED CHALLENGES
Authors: Aliyu Musa Adamu , Abdullah Nor Anita , Muhd Anuar Haslinda
Published: August 2020

The institution to settle the dispute between individuals is a court of law manned by Judges. To nominate and appoint the judges are herculean tasks which involve processes to ensure only fit and proper persons occupy Judicial Offices. This paper examined the constitutional and regulatory procedures for the appointment of Judicial Officers in Nigeria. The study identified the problems associated with the processes of the appointment of the Judicial Officers in Nigeria. The work adopted the socio-legal research method by using the qualitative approach. There is a dearth of literature in Nigeria on how the procedure for the appointment of Judicial Officers operates practically and the real problems associated with the operation of the procedural laws. To achieve the research objectives, a semi-structured interview was used. Three specialists in the Nigerian legal profession were interviewed to find out the actual issues on the ground. The study discovered that lobbying has been entrenched in the process of the appointment of Judicial Officers in Nigeria. The research further found that the powers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to appoint the majority of members of the recommendation body threatens the independence of the Judiciary.
ENSURING THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY: REVISITING THE ROLE AND ADEQUACY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION SCHEMES IN MALAYSIA AND THE PHILIPPINES
Authors: Taher Mohammad Abu , Jamaluddin Siti Zaharah , Mohd. Yusoff Jal Zabdi , Tahir Zulazhar , Thambapillay Sridevi
Published: August 2020

Globally, social protection schemes are considered as effective tools in ensuring the well-being of the poor, disempowered and otherwise marginalised people of society. It is applicable in cases of elderly people who are comparatively vulnerable due to their old age, and at times poverty or the lack of financial security.The proportion of elderly people in poverty is higher than that in the working age population, indicating the increasing likelihood of people falling into poverty as they leave or retire from the workforce. Therefore, one way of addressing poverty among the elderly is through social protection mechanisms. Malaysia and the Philippines are two Southeast Asian countries on their way to becoming ageing nations. As such, both these countries have already adopted numerous social protection schemes to ensure the well-being of the marginalised segments of society, including the elderly. Thus, based on existing literature, this paper is an attempt to revisit and re-examine the role and adequacy of existing social protection schemes available in Malaysia and the Philippines.
RIGHT OF ONLINE INFORMATIONAL PRIVACY OF CHILDREN IN MALAYSIA: A STATUTORY PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Ayub Zainal Amin , Mohamed Yusoff Zuryati
Published: August 2020

The advantage of digital era with unlimited access to the Internet is enjoyed by most people globally including the young and children. However, policy-makers concern with the advancement of Internet and propagate the idea of shielding and segregating the children from the harm that may cause from access to the Internet, including breach of online privacy of the children. Children are not sensitive with their online privacy or do not know how to protect their online privacy. Hence, some countries have enacted specific legislation to protect the privacy of the children such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States of America or introduced self-regulatory initiatives on online child privacy like in the European Union. At the international level, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was introduced in 1989 by the United Nation to protect the children. In Malaysia, the government introduces the Child Act 2001 and the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 to protect the children. However, how far these two Acts protect the online privacy of the children in Malaysia? Thus, the article seeks to examine the legal protection of children online informational privacy in Malaysia. The article adopts doctrinal research methodology which is mainly library research approach. The article finds that the current regimes of laws do not adequately protect the online privacy of the children in Malaysia. It is suggested that amendment or enactment of the laws to that effect be made.
Kierkegaard’s Critique of Hegel. Existentialist Ethics versus Hegel’s Sittlichkeit in the Institutions of Civil Society of the State
Authors: Larsen Øjvind
Published: August 2020

Kierkegaard and Hegel are in agreement that Socrates is the founder of morality; insofar as Socrates, through irony, creates a distanced relationship to the substantive ethical order in the Athenian city-state, and they both ascribe this as having a world-historical significance. However, their assessment is different.
城市绿色交通发展对策研究
Authors: 陈 倩
Published: August 2020

围绕如何实现城市绿色交通的问题，首先辨析了绿色交通、低碳交通、慢行交通等相关概念和内涵，相互联系与区别。从理论层面总结了绿色交通的基本特征；从实践层面在通过分析城市绿色交通现状的基础上梳理出问题。最后系统提出从完善绿色交通基础设施、加强文化培养、规划有效引导、政策保障措施等方面推进绿色交通的措施建议。
建设企业级云计算数据中心基础架构的探讨
Authors: 周 平春
Published: August 2020

信息化建设是各大企业立足自身发展的研究重点。基于云计算、大数据等技术的引进，企业信息化建设得到进一步提高。文章主要以某烟草公司为例，对其信息化发展现状进行分析，总结其在基础构架中的问题所在，根据行业实际发展展开探索，提出了有效的基础架构方案。
Interleukin-1 receptor inhibition reduces stroke size in a murine model of sickle cell disease
Authors: Jessica Venugopal  , Jintao Wang  , Jalal Mawri  , Chiao Guo  , Daniel Eitzman
Published: August 2020

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with chronic hemolytic anemia and a heightened inflammatory state. The causal role of inflammatory pathways in stroke associated with SCD is unclear. Therefore, the hypothesis that deletion of the non-hematopoietic interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) pool may be beneficial in SCD was pursued. Since potential deleterious effects of IL-1R signaling in SCD could be mediated via downstream production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), the role of the non-hematopoietic IL-6 pool was also addressed. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from SCD to wild-type (WT) recipient mice was used to generate SCD mice (Wt,SCDbmt). To generate mice with non-hematopoietic deficiency of IL-1R or IL-6, SCD marrow was transplanted into IL-1R deficient (IL1R-/-,SCDbmt) or IL-6 deficient recipients (IL6-/-,SCDbmt). Blood counts, reticulocytes, soluble E-selectin (Esel), and IL-6 levels were analyzed 14-15 weeks post-BMT. Ischemic stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) photothrombosis at 16 weeks post-BMT. A separate group of Wt,SCDbmt mice was given the IL-1R inhibitor, anakinra, following stroke induction. Seventy-two hours after MCA occlusion, stroke volume was assessed by staining brain sections with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Formalin-fixed brain sections were also stained for macrophages with MAC3, for endothelial activation with ICAM-1, and for loss of blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity with fibrin(ogen) staining. All SCD mice generated by BMT were anemic and the severity of anemia was not different between Wt,SCDbmt, IL1R-/-,SCDbmt, and IL6-/-,SCDbmt mice. Three days following MCA occlusion, stroke volume was significantly reduced in IL1R-/-,SCDbmt mice compared to Wt,SCDbmt mice and IL6-/-,SCDbmt mice. Plasma levels of sE-sel were lower in IL1R-/-,SCDbmt compared to Wt,SCDbmt and IL-6-/-,SCDbmt mice. Post-stroke treatment of Wt,SCDbmt mice with anakinra decreased stroke size, leukocyte infiltration, ICAM-1 expression, and fibrin(ogen) accumulation compared to vehicle-treated mice. Deficiency of non-hematopoietic IL-1R or treatment with an IL-1R antagonist is sufficient to confer protection against the increased stroke size associated with SCD. These effects of IL1R deficiency are associated with reduced endothelial activation, leukocyte infiltration, and blood brain barrier disruption, and are independent of non-hematopoietic IL-6 signaling.
Emapalumab treatment in an ADA-SCID patient with refractory hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis- related graft failure and disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guérin infection
Authors: Francesca Tucci  , Vera Gallo  , Federica Barzaghi  , Francesca Ferrua  , Maddalena Migliavacca  , Valeria Calbi  , Matteo Doglio  , Elena Sophia Fratini  , Zeynep Karakas  , Sukru Guner  , Matilde Zambelli  , Cristina Parisi  , Raffaella Milani  , Salvatore Gattillo  , Benedetta Mazzi  , Chiara Oltolini  , Maurizio Barbera  , Cristina Baldoli  , Daniela Maria Cirillo  , Veronica Asnaghi  , Cristina De Min  , Maria Pia Cicalese  , Fabio Ciceri  , Alessandro Aiuti  , Maria Ester Bernardo
Published: August 2020

Emapalumab, a fully human anti-IFNγ monoclonal antibody, has been approved in the US as second-line treatment of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) patients and has shown promise in patients with graft failure (GF) requiring a second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The blockade of IFNγ activity may increase the risk of severe infections, including fatal mycobacteriosis. We report a case of secondary HLH-related GF in the context of HLA-haploidentical HSCT successfully treated with emapalumab in the presence of concomitant life-threatening infections, including disseminated tuberculosis (TB). A 4 years old girl with Adenosine Deaminase-Severe Combined Immunodeficiency complicated by disseminated TB came to our attention for ex-vivo hematopoietic stem cell-gene therapy. After engraftment failure of gene corrected cells, she received two HLA-haploidentical T-cell depleted HSCT from the father, both failed due to GF related to concomitant multiple infections and secondary HLH. Emapalumab administration allowed to control HLH, as well as to prevent GF after a third haplo-HSCT from the mother. Remarkably, all infections improved with antimicrobial medications and disseminated TB did not show any reactivation. This seminal case supports emapalumab use for treatment of secondary HLH and prevention of GF in patients undergoing haplo-HSCT even in the presence of multiple infections, including TB.
Efficacy, safety and immunological profile of combining rituximab with belimumab for adults with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia: results from a prospective phase 2b trial
Authors: Matthieu Mahévas  , Imane Azzaoui  , Etienne Crickx  , Florence Canoui-Poitrine  , Delphine Gobert  , Laetitia Languille  , Nicolas Limal  , Constance Guillaud  , Laure Croisille  , Mohamed Jeljeli  , Fréderic Batteux  , Samia Baloul  , Olivier Fain  , France Pirenne  , Jean-Claude Weill  , Claude-Agnès Reynaud  , Bertrand Godeau  , Marc Michel
Published: August 2020

B-cell activating factor may be involved in the failure of B-cell depleting therapy with rituximab in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) by promoting the emergence of splenic long-lived plasma cells. From results obtained in mouse models, we hypothesized that combining rituximab with sequential injections of belimumab could increase the rate of response at one year in patients with persistent or chronic ITP by preventing the emergence of these long-lived plasma cells. The study was a single-center, single arm, prospective phase 2b trial (RITUX-PLUS, NCT03154385) investigating the safety and efficacy of rituximab given at a fixed dose of 1,000 mg, two weeks apart, combined with five infusions of belimumab, 10 mg/kg at week 0 (W0)+2 days, W2+2 days, W4, W8 and W12 for adults with primary persistent or chronic ITP. The primary endpoint was the total number of patients achieving an overall response (complete response + response) at W52 according to a standard definition. In total, 15 non-splenectomized adults, nine (60%) with persistent IPT and six (40%) with chronic ITP, were included. No severe adverse event, infection, or severe hypogammaglobulinemia was observed. Thirteen patients achieved an initial overall response. At W52, 12 (80%) patients achieved an overall response, including ten (66.7%) with complete response. When compared with a cohort of patients receiving rituximab alone, the kinetics of B-cell repopulation appeared similar, but the number of circulating T follicular helper cells was significantly decreased with belimumab combination therapy. Combining rituximab and belimumab seems a promising strategy in ITP, with high efficacy and acceptable safety.
Adverse Maternal and Fetal Outcome in Patients with Eclampsia
Authors: Pradhan Tarun , Rijal Pappu , Rai Rubina , Bhatta Rabindra Dev , Thapa Baburam Dixit , Regmi Mohan Chandra
Published: August 2020

Background: Eclampsia is a multisystem disorder that may lead to deterioration of maternal condition, hypoxia and acidosis of fetus. Objective was to evaluate the risk factors associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcome in patients with eclampsia. Methods: All patients with eclampsia were enrolled after informed consent from February 2013 to February 2014. Questions as per per-forma were asked to the patients and attendants about antenatal visits, parity, number of episodes of seizures, duration from onset of seizure to magnesium sulfate, then the patients were followed as per the hospital protocol, the mode of delivery, outcome of baby, post partum maternal condition and mortality were then noted. Results: Fifty-two patients with eclampsia were admitted in the study period. Thirty-one patients required mechanical ventilator support. Twenty-five (48.07%) patients were delivered by emergency cesarean section and 30(57.6%) babies were low birth weight and there were 11(21.1%) stillbirths. There was one maternal mortality and 45(86.5%) patients were discharged with improvement but 6(11.5%) patients had neurological impairment. Mortality was significantly related with number of seizure episodes and time interval between seizure onset and administration of magnesium sulphate. Conclusions: Early detection of hypertension and management with magnesium sulphate for eclampsia can help to minimize the maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. Keywords: Eclampsia; maternal mortality; risk factors.
Perlindungan Masyarakat Hukum Adat dalam Konstitusi sebagai Perwujudan Asas Equality Before The Law
Authors: Barora Siti
Published: August 2020

Pengakuan dan perlindungan masyarakat hukum adat dalam UUD NRI Tahun 1945 yang dirumuskan dalam Pasal 18B ayat (2) jo Pasal 28I ayat (3) mencerminkan pengakuan konstitusionalitas bersyarat yang secara empiris belum mencapai titik optimal perlindungan dimana kepastian pengakuan dan perlindungan hak masyarakat hukum adat bergantung pada komitmen pemerintah daerah. Dalam mewujudkan keadilan bagi masyarakat hukum adat yang cenderung terdiskriminasi diperlukan komitmen menerapkan “equality before the law” sebagai salah satu manifestasi dari Negara hukum
Observed and expected changes in wildfire-conducive weather and fire events in peri-urban zones and key nature reserves of the Czech Republic
Authors: Trnka M , Balek J , Možný M , Cienciala E , Čermák P , Semerádová D , Jurečka F , Hlavinka P , Štěpánek P , Farda A , Skalák P , Beranová J , Chuchma F , Zahradníček P , Janouš D , Žalud Z , Dubrovský M , Kindlmann P , Křenová Z , Fischer M , Hruška J , Brázdil R
Published: August 2020

Recent drought and a surge in days with weather conditions conducive to wildfire occurrence during 2015-2019 reminded the Czech Republic that it is not immune to this type of natural hazard. Although Central Europe has not been at the center of such events, observed climate data and climate projections suggest a tendency toward more years with wet and mild winters and dry and hot summers. To fill the existing knowledge gap, we used an ensemble of 9 fuel aridity metrics, including 3 dedicated fire weather indices, and evaluated their level of agreement with actual fire occurrence and their temporal trends. The analysis included peri-urban zones of the 36 largest cities and towns in the Czech Republic (home of 3.8 million inhabitants) and the 29 largest protected areas (covering 13.7% of the territory). Fire weather climatology, based on both the Fire Weather Index and the Forest Fire Danger Index, agreed well with the long-term frequency of fires both in peri-urban zones and within protected areas. Future projections based on regional and global model ensembles indicated a significant increase in fuel aridity and an increase in the area affected by fire-conducive conditions both around urban areas and within protected regions. In particular, the area affected by days with very high risk fire weather conditions is likely to increase significantly relative to the past 60 yr. However, the magnitude of the projected change depends to a large degree on the selected fire weather metric and whether RCM- or GCM-based scenarios are used.
Validation of an eDNA-based method for the detection of wildlife pathogens in water
Authors: Sieber N , Hartikainen H , Vorburger C
Published: August 2020

Monitoring the occurrence and density of parasites and pathogens can identify high infection-risk areas and facilitates disease control and eradication measures. Environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques are increasingly used for pathogen detection due to their relative ease of application. Since many factors affect the reliability and efficacy of eDNA-based detection, rigorous validation and assessment of method limitations is a crucial first step. We evaluated an eDNA detection method usingin situfiltration of large-volume water samples, developed to detect and quantify aquatic wildlife parasites by quantitative PCR (qPCR). We assessed method reliability usingBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis,a pathogenic fungus of amphibians and the myxozoanTetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, causative agent of salmonid proliferative kidney disease, in a controlled experimental setup. Different amounts of parasite spores were added to tanks containing either clean tap water or water from a semi-natural mesocosm community. Overall detection rates were higher than 80%, but detection was not consistent among replicate samples. Within-tank variation in detection emphasises the need for increased site-level replication when dealing with parasites and pathogens. Estimated parasite DNA concentrations in water samples were highly variable, and a significant increase with higher spore concentrations was observed only forB. dendrobatidis. Despite evidence for PCR inhibition in DNA extractions from mesocosm water samples, the type of water did not affect detection rates significantly. Direct spiking controls revealed that the filtration step reduced detection sensitivity. Our study identifies sensitive quantification and sufficient replication as major remaining challenges for the eDNA-based methods for detection of parasites in water.
«Nomenclature embryo»: the birth of the Soviet nomenclature system in SSRB – BSSR (1920–1924)
Authors: Elizarov Sergey A.
Published: August 2020

The article considers the process of origin in 1920–1924 of the nomenclature system in the Soviet Belarus as an immanent phenomenon of the Soviet model of modernization of society with its inherent monopolization of power of the monopolistically ruling Communist party. These issues are considered in more detail in relation to public authorities and management, where the nomenclature principle of substitution of elections by appointment is most clearly implemented. The party nomenclature, on the one hand, was a logical product of this model; on the other hand, it allowed it not only to persist for a long time, but also to solve both strategic and tactical development tasks with varying degrees of efficiency. The author comes to the conclusion that by the end of 1924, all the basic prerequisites for the organizational design of the classical Soviet nomenclature system were created. Firstly, during this period, the principle of monopoly of the Bolshevik party in determining the personnel composition of state authorities and management, including the occupation of elected positions, was consolidated. Secondly, a system of accounting and distribution bodies for all party cadres is being formed and this mechanism is actually being extended to all power structures. Third, a list of positions is being formed that, from the point of view of the highest party and Soviet leadership, enable it to manage and control all spheres of societyʼs life in its movement towards the socialist ideal.
Combined algorithm for bone age determination based on hand X-rays analysis
Authors: Nedzved Alexander M. , Kosik Ivan I. , Karapetsian Ryhor M.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we investigate the urgent problem associated with bone age determination using hand X-rays. A combined algorithm for the recognition of radiographs is proposed, which uses simultaneous two neural network models, based on Xception and DenseNet169. The method allows to generalize the knowledge of different medical experts and increases the accuracy of bone age prediction in general.
Generic BCH codes. Polynomial-norm error decoding
Authors: Kushnerov Alexander V. , Lipnitski Valery A.
Published: August 2020

The classic Bose – Chaudhuri – Hocquenghem (BCH) codes is famous and well-studied part in the theory of error-correcting codes. Generalization of BCH codes allows us to expand the range of activities in the practical correction of errors. Some generic BCH codes are able to correct more errors than classic BCH code in one message block. So it is important to provide appropriate method of error correction. After our investigation it was found that polynomial-norm method is most convenient and effective for that task. The result of the study was a model of a polynomial-norm decoder for a generic BCH code at length 65.
Estimation of the mechanical properties for bone – titanium biocomposite based on computed tomography data and finite element modeling
Authors: Nikitsin Andrei V.
Published: August 2020

The goal of this work is to study the effect of bone ingrowth into open pores of the implant and estimate of the mechanical characteristics for obtained biocomposite. Reconstruction of the isotropic model based on data acquired from computed tomography allows us to study the metallic and bone components integration under compressive load. Results are compared to performed mechanical tests of the porous specimen. The finite element modeling allows obtaining a stress-stain curve for the bone – titanium biocomposite. Young’s modulus of the metallic specimen is increased by 29 % after pores is filled with bone tissues. The conditional yield strength of the bone – titanium biocomposite is 2 times higher than that of porous open-pore titanium.
MOBILISASI DINI DAN PEMBELAJARAN MOTORIK PADA PASIEN STROKE (SEBUAH KAJIAN PUSTAKA)
Authors: Nugraha Made Hendra Satria
Published: August 2020

Stroke merupakan suatu kelainan neurologis yang terjadi ketika pasokan darah ke otak terganggu atau berkurang akibat penyumbatan atau pecahnya pembululuh darah. Stroke menjadi penyebab kecacatan utama di dunia. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk melakukan kajian pustaka mengenai mobilisasi dini dan pembelajaran motorik pada pasien stroke. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah studi kajian pustaka (narrative review) dengan mengakses artikel journal databse, seperti: PubMed Central (PMC) NCBI dan google scholar. Prosedur mobilisasi dini pada pasien stroke iskemik, perdarahan intraserebral, dan perdarahan aneurisma subaraknoid, memiliki manajemen yang berbeda. Hal ini berkaitan dengan waktu pertama kali diberikan mobilisasi, tipe dan jenis intensitas pelatihan, serta efek dari pengobatan dan prosedur operasi yang dilakukan. Sementara untuk penerapan pembelajaran motorik memperhatikan enam indikator diantaranya: (1) teori dasar dari pembelajaran motorik, (2) prinsip pembelajaran motorik, (3) tahapan pembelajaran motorik, (4) dosis/durasi pelatihan, (5) tipe pelatihan yang dapat diberikan, dan (6) waktu awal untuk memulai pembelajaran motorik.
Scattering theory of strongly refracting microwaves in turbulent inhomogeneous plasma. Applications of the theory to the description of fluctuation reflectometry in thermonuclear fusion devices
Authors: Gusakov E Z , Popov A Yu
Published: August 2020

We present the theory of propagation and scattering of strongly refracting microwaves in turbulent inhomogeneous plasmas. We calculate the scattered signal amplitude in the case of a linear scattering regime in the Born approximation and in the case of multiple small-angle scattering. We discuss the possibility of an analytic description of multiple Bragg backscattering in a closed form. Based on the results of a theoretical analysis of microwave scattering regimes in inhomogeneous turbulent plasmas, we discuss the main fluctuation reflectometry schemes that are broadly used in toroidal thermonuclear fusion devices to analyze turbulence characteristics. We describe the methods for interpreting experimental data and the experimental approaches relying on reflectometry diagnostics that enhance the locality of measurements and their resolution with respect to the wave vectors of fluctuations.