bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a Novel Thermostable Alkaline Protease from Bacillus megaterium-TK1 for the Detergent and Leather Industry
Authors: Manavalan Tamilvendan , Manavalan Arulmani , Ramachandran Shiyamsundar , Heese Klaus
Published: December 2020

An increased need by the green industry for enzymes that can be exploited for eco-friendly industrial applications led us to isolate and identify a unique protease obtained from a proteolytic Bacillus megaterium-TK1 strain from a seawater source. The extracellular thermostable serine protease was processed by multiple chromatography steps. The isolated protease displayed a relative molecular weight (MW) of 33 kDa (confirmed by zymography), optimal enzyme performance at pH 8.0, and maximum enzyme performance at 70 °C with 100% substrate specificity towards casein. The proteolytic action was blocked by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), a serine hydrolase inactivator. Protease performance was augmented by several bivalent metal cations. The protease tolerance was studied under stringent conditions with different industrial dispersants and found to be stable with Surf Excel, Tide, or Rin detergents. Moreover, this protease could clean blood-stained fabrics and showed dehairing activity for cow skin with significantly reduced pollution loads. Our results suggest that this serine protease is a promising additive for various eco-friendly usages in both the detergent and leather industries.
Diosgenin Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles with Potential Anticancer Efficacy
Authors: Sharma Nikita , Singhal Monisha , Kumari R. Mankamna , Gupta Nidhi , Manchanda Romila , Syed Asad , Bahkali Ali H. , Nimesh Surendra
Published: December 2020

This study aims to determine the anticancer efficacy of diosgenin encapsulated poly-glycerol malate co-dodecanedioate (PGMD) nanoparticles. Diosgenin loaded PGMD nanoparticles (variants 7:3 and 6:4) were synthesized by the nanoprecipitation method. The synthesis of PGMD nanoparticles was systematically optimized employing the Box-Behnken design and taking into account the influence of various independent variables such as concentrations of each PGMD, diosgenin and PF-68 on the responses such as size and PDI of the particles. Mathematical modeling was done using the Quadratic second order modeling method and response surface analysis was undertaken to elucidate the factor-response relationship. The obtained size of PGMD 7:3 and PGMD 6:4 nanoparticles were 133.6 nm and 121.4 nm, respectively, as measured through dynamic light scattering (DLS). The entrapment efficiency was in the range of 77–83%. The in vitro drug release studies showed diffusion and dissolution controlled drug release pattern following Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. Furthermore, in vitro morphological and cytotoxic studies were performed to evaluate the toxicity of synthesized drug loaded nanoparticles in model cell lines. The IC50 after 48 h was observed to be 27.14 µM, 15.15 µM and 13.91 µM for free diosgenin, PGMD 7:3 and PGMD 6:4 nanoparticles, respectively, when administered in A549 lung carcinoma cell lines.
Porosity and Structure of Hierarchically Porous Ni/Al2O3 Catalysts for CO2 Methanation
Authors: Weber Sebastian , Abel Ken L. , Zimmermann Ronny T. , Huang Xiaohui , Bremer Jens , Rihko-Struckmann Liisa K. , Batey Darren , Cipiccia Silvia , Titus Juliane , Poppitz David , Kübel Christian , Sundmacher Kai , Gläser Roger , Sheppard Thomas L.
Published: December 2020

CO2 methanation is often performed on Ni/Al2O3 catalysts, which can suffer from mass transport limitations and, therefore, decreased efficiency. Here we show the application of a hierarchically porous Ni/Al2O3 catalyst for methanation of CO2. The material has a well-defined and connected meso- and macropore structure with a total porosity of 78%. The pore structure was thoroughly studied with conventional methods, i.e., N2 sorption, Hg porosimetry, and He pycnometry, and advanced imaging techniques, i.e., electron tomography and ptychographic X-ray computed tomography. Tomography can quantify the pore system in a manner that is not possible using conventional porosimetry. Macrokinetic simulations were performed based on the measures obtained by porosity analysis. These show the potential benefit of enhanced mass-transfer properties of the hierarchical pore system compared to a pure mesoporous catalyst at industrially relevant conditions. Besides the investigation of the pore system, the catalyst was studied by Rietveld refinement, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DRUV/vis) spectroscopy, and H2-temperature programmed reduction (TPR), showing a high reduction temperature required for activation due to structural incorporation of Ni into the transition alumina. The reduced hierarchically porous Ni/Al2O3 catalyst is highly active in CO2 methanation, showing comparable conversion and selectivity for CH4 to an industrial reference catalyst.
Optimization Strategies of Preparation of Biomass-Derived Carbon Electrocatalyst for Boosting Oxygen Reduction Reaction: A Minireview
Authors: Jiang Minhua , Yu Xiaofang , Yang Haoqi , Chen Shuiliang
Published: December 2020

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has attracted considerable attention for clean energy conversion technologies to reduce traditional fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Although platinum (Pt) metal is currently used as an electrocatalyst to accelerate sluggish ORR kinetics, the scarce resource and high cost still restrict its further scale-up applications. In this regard, biomass-derived carbon electrocatalysts have been widely adopted for ORR electrocatalysis in recent years owing to their tunable physical/chemical properties and cost-effective precursors. In this minireview, recent advances of the optimization strategies in biomass-derived carbon electrocatalysts towards ORR have been summarized, mainly focusing on the optimization of pore structure and active site. Besides, some current challenges and future perspectives of biomass-derived carbon as high-performance electrocatalysts for ORR have been also discussed in detail. Hopefully, this minireview will afford a guideline for better design of biomass-derived carbon electrocatalysts for ORR-related applications.
Heart Rate Influence on the QT Variability Risk Factors
Authors: Andršová Irena , Hnatkova Katerina , Šišáková Martina , Toman Ondřej , Smetana Peter , Huster Katharina M. , Barthel Petra , Novotný Tomáš , Schmidt Georg , Malik Marek
Published: December 2020

QT interval variability, mostly expressed by QT variability index (QTVi), has repeatedly been used in risk diagnostics. Physiologic correlates of QT variability expressions have been little researched especially when measured in short 10-second electrocardiograms (ECGs). This study investigated different QT variability indices, including QTVi and the standard deviation of QT interval durations (SDQT) in 657,287 10-second ECGs recorded in 523 healthy subjects (259 females). The indices were related to the underlying heart rate and to the 10-second standard deviation of RR intervals (SDRR). The analyses showed that both QTVi and SDQT (as well as other QT variability indices) were highly statistically significantly (p < 0.00001) influenced by heart rate and that QTVi showed poor intra-subject reproducibility (coefficient of variance approaching 200%). Furthermore, sequential analysis of regression variance showed that SDQT was more strongly related to the underlying heart rate than to SDRR, and that QTVi was influenced by the underlying heart rate and SDRR more strongly than by SDQT (p < 0.00001 for these comparisons of regression dependency). The study concludes that instead of QTVi, simpler expressions of QT interval variability, such as SDQT, appear preferable for future applications especially if multivariable combination with the underlying heart rate is used.
Three-Year Retrospective Comparative Study between Implants with Same Body-Design but Different Crest Module Configurations
Authors: Meloni Silvio Mario , Melis Luca , Xhanari Erta , Tallarico Marco , Spano Giovanni , Pisano Milena , Baldoni Edoardo , Cervino Gabriele , Tullio Antonio , Lumbau Aurea Immacolata
Published: December 2020

Crest module can be defined as the portion of a two-piece implant designed to retain the prosthetic components and to allows the maintenance of the peri-implant tissues in the transition zone. Aim: To evaluate the three-year after loading clinical and radiographic data, collected from patients that received a prosthetic rehabilitation on conical connection implants with partial machined collar (PMC; CC Group) and same body-designed implants, with flat-to-flat connection and groovy neck design (FC Group). Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of previously collected data, including documents, radiographs, and pictures of patients who received at least one implant-supported restoration on NobelReplace CC PMC or NobelReplace Tapered Groovy implants was performed. Patients with at least three years of follow-up after final loading were considered for this study. Outcomes measures were implant and prosthesis failures, any biological or technical complications, marginal bone loss. Results: Eight-two patients (44 women, 38 men; average age 55.6) with 152 implants were selected and divided in two groups with 77 (CC group) and 75 (FC group), respectively. Three years after final loading, one implant in CC group failed (98.7% survival rate), while no implants failed in FC group (100% survival rate). One restoration failed in CC group (98.7% survival rate) with no restoration failing in the FC one (100% survival rate). Differences were not statistically significant (p = 1.0). Three years after final loading, mean marginal bone loss was 0.22 ± 0.06 mm (95% CI 0.2–0.24) in CC group and 0.62 ± 0.30 mm (95% CI 0.52–0.72) in FC group. The difference was statistically significant (0.40 ± 0.13 mm; 95% CI 0.3–0.5; p = 0.003). Conclusion: with the limitation of this retrospective comparative study, implants with conical connection and partial machined collar seem to achieve a trend of superior outcomes if compared with implants with flat connection and groovy collar design.
An Efficient Deep-Learning-Based Detection and Classification System for Cyber-Attacks in IoT Communication Networks
Authors: Abu Al-Haija Qasem , Zein-Sabatto Saleh
Published: December 2020

With the rapid expansion of intelligent resource-constrained devices and high-speed communication technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) has earned wide recognition as the primary standard for low-power lossy networks (LLNs). Nevertheless, IoT infrastructures are vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the constraints in computation, storage, and communication capacity of the endpoint devices. From one side, the majority of newly developed cyber-attacks are formed by slightly mutating formerly established cyber-attacks to produce a new attack that tends to be treated as normal traffic through the IoT network. From the other side, the influence of coupling the deep learning techniques with the cybersecurity field has become a recent inclination of many security applications due to their impressive performance. In this paper, we provide the comprehensive development of a new intelligent and autonomous deep-learning-based detection and classification system for cyber-attacks in IoT communication networks that leverage the power of convolutional neural networks, abbreviated as IoT-IDCS-CNN (IoT based Intrusion Detection and Classification System using Convolutional Neural Network). The proposed IoT-IDCS-CNN makes use of high-performance computing that employs the robust Compute Unified Device Architectures (CUDA) based Nvidia GPUs (Graphical Processing Units) and parallel processing that employs high-speed I9-core-based Intel CPUs. In particular, the proposed system is composed of three subsystems: a feature engineering subsystem, a feature learning subsystem, and a traffic classification subsystem. All subsystems were developed, verified, integrated, and validated in this research. To evaluate the developed system, we employed the Network Security Laboratory-Knowledge Discovery Databases (NSL-KDD) dataset, which includes all the key attacks in IoT computing. The simulation results demonstrated a greater than 99.3% and 98.2% cyber-attack classification accuracy for the binary-class classifier (normal vs. anomaly) and the multiclass classifier (five categories), respectively. The proposed system was validated using a K-fold cross-validation method and was evaluated using the confusion matrix parameters (i.e., true negative (TN), true positive (TP), false negative (FN), false positive (FP)), along with other classification performance metrics, including precision, recall, F1-score, and false alarm rate. The test and evaluation results of the IoT-IDCS-CNN system outperformed many recent machine-learning-based IDCS systems in the same area of study.
Downlink Training Design for FDD Massive MIMO Systems in the Presence of Colored Noise
Authors: Naser Marwah Abdulrazzaq , Alsabah Muntadher , Mahmmod Basheera M. , Noordin Nor K. , Abdulhussain Sadiq H. , Baker Thar
Published: December 2020

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MaMi) systems have attracted much research attention during the last few years. This is because MaMi systems are able to achieve a remarkable improvement in data rate and thus meet the immensely ongoing traffic demands required by the future wireless networks. To date, the downlink training sequence (DTS) for the frequency division duplex (FDD) MaMi communications systems have been designed based on the idealistic assumption of white noise environments. However, it is essential and more practical to consider the colored noise environments when designing an efficient DTS for channel estimation. To this end, this paper proposes a new DTS design by exploring the joint use of spatial channel and noise covariance matrices, when the channel is not reciprocal but the coherence block length remains limited. We derive an analytical solution for the mean square error (MSE) based on the proposed training design with colored noise. In addition, this paper exploits the method of random matrix theory to provide an analytical solution for the downlink (DL) achievable sum rate of the regularized zero forcing beamforming (RZFBF) precoder. Numerical results demonstrate that using the proposed DTS design, the MSE of the channel estimate is significantly reduced compared with the conventional training designs with white noise. Furthermore, the results show that the proposed pilot design markedly improves the DL achievable SR over the conventional training designs, especially at relatively low signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) levels. This enables FDD MaMi systems to operate under more practical scenarios of colored noise and limited coherence time environments.
Lime Juice Enhances Calcium Bioaccessibility from Yogurt Snacks Formulated with Whey Minerals and Proteins
Authors: Wang Jing , Aalaei Kataneh , Skibsted Leif H. , Ahrné Lilia M.
Published: December 2020

Yogurt-based snacks originally with a calcium content between 0.10 and 0.17 mmol/g dry matter were enriched with a whey mineral concentrate and whey protein isolate or hydrolysate. Whey mineral concentrate was added to increase the total amount of calcium by 0.030 mmol/g dry matter. Calcium bioaccessibility was determined following an in vitro protocol including oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion, with special focus on the effect of lime juice quantifying calcium concentration and activity. Calcium bioaccessibility, defined as soluble calcium divided by total calcium after intestinal digestion amounted to between 17 and 25% for snacks without lime juice. For snacks with lime juice, the bioaccessibility increased to between 24 and 40%, an effect attributed to the presence of citric acid. Citric acid increased the calcium solubility both from whey mineral concentrate and yogurt, and the citrate anion kept supersaturated calcium soluble in the chyme. The binding of calcium in the chyme from snacks with or without lime juice was compared electrochemically, showing that citrate increased the amount of bound calcium but with lower affinity. The results indicated that whey minerals, a waste from cheese production, may be utilized in snacks enhancing calcium bioaccessibility when combined with lime juice.
Novel Prefrontal Synthesis Intervention Improves Language in Children with Autism
Authors: Vyshedskiy Andrey , Khokhlovich Edward , Dunn Rita , Faisman Alexander , Elgart Jonah , Lokshina Lisa , Gankin Yuriy , Ostrovsky Simone , deTorres Lauren , Edelson Stephen M. , Ilyinskii Petr O.
Published: December 2020

Prefrontal synthesis (PFS) is defined as the ability to juxtapose mental visuospatial objects at will. Paralysis of PFS may be responsible for the lack of comprehension of spatial prepositions, semantically-reversible sentences, and recursive sentences observed in 30 to 40% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this report we present data from a three-year-long clinical trial of 6454 ASD children age 2 to 12 years, which were administered a PFS-targeting intervention. Tablet-based verbal and nonverbal exercises emphasizing mental-juxtaposition-of-objects were organized into an application called Mental Imagery Therapy for Autism (MITA). The test group included participants who completed more than one thousand exercises and made no more than one error per exercise. The control group was selected from the rest of participants by a matching procedure. Each test group participant was matched to the control group participant by age, gender, expressive language, receptive language, sociability, cognitive awareness, and health score at first evaluation using propensity score analysis. The test group showed a 2.2-fold improvement in receptive language score vs. control group (p < 0.0001) and a 1.4-fold improvement in expressive language (p = 0.0144). No statistically significant change was detected in other subscales not targeted by the exercises. These findings show that language acquisition improves after training PFS and that a further investigation of the PFS-targeting intervention in a randomized controlled study is warranted.
Pietra Alberese: Building Material and Stone for Lime in the Florentine Territory (Tuscany, Italy)
Authors: Fratini Fabio , Cantisani Emma , Pecchioni Elena , Pandeli Enrico , Vettori Silvia
Published: December 2020

The PietraAlberese is a marly limestone belonging to the Ligurian series (Monte Morello Formation of Eocene age). It is a material rarely mentioned in the historical Florentine architecture because the Pietraforte, the stone of the Medieval Florence and the Pietra Serena, the stone of the Renaissance, were the main lithotypes commonly used in those periods. Nevertheless, the Pietra Alberese has been widely utilized to build the town, because it is the only limestone cropping out in this part of Tuscany allowing the production of lime. In Prato and Pistoia, the Pietra Alberese was also used as stone (e.g., ashlars) in the structures and façades of many public and religious buildings. In this work, the geological setting and a mineralogical, petrographic and physical characterization of Pietra Alberese used as building stone are proposed together with a discussion about its durability. Moreover, the different compositional and macroscopic characteristics of two lithotypes (namely the sasso alberese and sasso porcino) utilized to produce the two types of lime used in the local traditional architecture (calcina dolce and calcina forte) are highlighted.
The Land Use Mapping Techniques (Including the Areas Used by Pedestrians) Based on Low-Level Aerial Imagery
Authors: Smaczyński Maciej , Medyńska-Gulij Beata , Halik Łukasz
Published: December 2020

Traditionally, chorochromatic maps with a qualitative measurement level are used for land use presentations. Along with the use of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), it became possible to register dynamic phenomena in a small space. We analyze the application of qualitative and quantitative mapping methods to visualize land use in a dynamic context thanks to cyclically obtained UAV imaging. The aim of the research is to produce thematic maps showing the actual land use of the small area urbanized by pedestrians. The research was based on low-level aerial imagery that recorded the movement of pedestrians in the research area. Additionally, based on the observation of pedestrian movement, researchers pointed out the areas of land that pedestrians used incorrectly. For this purpose, the author will present his own concept of the point-to-polygon transformation of pedestrians’ representation. The research was an opportunity to demonstrate suitable mapping techniques to effectively convey the information on land use by pedestrians. The results allowed the authors of this article to draw conclusions on the choice of suitable mapping techniques during the process of thematic land use map design and to specify further areas for research.
Effects of Different Neck Manual Lymphatic Drainage Maneuvers on the Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Musculoskeletal Systems in Healthy Students
Authors: Río-González Ángela , Cerezo-Téllez Ester , Gala-Guirao Cristina , González-Fernández Laura , Díaz-Meco Conde Raquel , de la Cueva-Reguera Mónica , Guitérrez-Ortega Carlos
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study is to describe the short-term effects of manual lymph drainage (MLD) isolated in supraclavicular area in healthy subjects. A 4-week cross-sectional, double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted. Participants: 24 healthy participants between 18 and 30 years old were recruited from Universidad Europea de Madrid from December 2018 to September 2019. A total of four groups were studied: control, placebo, Vodder, and Godoy. The order of the interventions was randomized. Resting Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation, blood pressure, pressure pain threshold of trapezius muscle, respiratory rate, range of active cervical movements were measured before and after every intervention. All the participants fulfilled four different interventions with a one-week-wash-out period. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in descriptive data; neither in saturation of oxygen, diastolic blood pressure and cervical range of motion. Significant differences were found in favor of Vodder (p = 0.026) in heart rate diminution and in cardiac-rate-reduction. A significant difference in respiratory rate diminution is found in favor of the Godoy group in comparison with the control group (p = 0.020). A significant difference is found in favor of the Godoy group in systolic blood pressure decrease (p = 0.015) even in pressure pain threshold (p < 0.05). MLD decreases systolic blood pressure in healthy participants. However, it does not produce any changes in other physiologic outcomes maintaining physiologic values, which may suggest the safety of the technique in patients suffering from other pathologies.
Investigation of Genetic Variations of IL6 and IL6R as Potential Prognostic and Pharmacogenetics Biomarkers: Implications for COVID-19 and Neuroinflammatory Disorders
Authors: Strafella Claudia , Caputo Valerio , Termine Andrea , Barati Shila , Caltagirone Carlo , Giardina Emiliano , Cascella Raffaella
Published: December 2020

In the present study, we investigated the distribution of genetic variations in IL6 and IL6R genes, which may be employed as prognostic and pharmacogenetic biomarkers for COVID-19 and neurodegenerative diseases. The study was performed on 271 samples representative of the Italian general population and identified seven variants (rs140764737, rs142164099, rs2069849, rs142759801, rs190436077, rs148171375, rs13306435) in IL6 and five variants (rs2228144, rs2229237, rs2228145, rs28730735, rs143810642) within IL6R, respectively. These variants have been predicted to affect the expression and binding ability of IL6 and IL6R. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) showed that IL6 and IL6R appeared to be implicated in several pathogenetic mechanisms associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality as well as with neurodegenerative diseases mediated by neuroinflammation. Thus, the availability of IL6-IL6R-related biomarkers for COVID-19 may be helpful to counteract harmful complications and prevent multiorgan failure. At the same time, IL6-IL6R-related biomarkers could also be useful for assessing the susceptibility and progression of neuroinflammatory disorders and undertake the most suitable treatment strategies to improve patients’ prognosis and quality of life. In conclusion, this study showed how IL6 pleiotropic activity could be exploited to meet different clinical needs and realize personalized medicine protocols for chronic, age-related and modern public health emergencies.
A Multivariate Hybrid Stochastic Differential Equation Model for Whole-Stand Dynamics
Authors: Rupšys Petras , Narmontas Martynas , Petrauskas Edmundas
Published: December 2020

The growth and yield modeling of a forest stand has progressed rapidly, starting from the generalized nonlinear regression models of uneven/even-aged stands, and continuing to stochastic differential equation (SDE) models. We focus on the adaptation of the SDEs for the modeling of forest stand dynamics, and relate the tree and stand size variables to the age dimension (time). Two different types of diffusion processes are incorporated into a hybrid model in which the shortcomings of each variable types can be overcome to some extent. This paper presents the hybrid multivariate SDE regarding stand basal area and volume models in a forest stand. We estimate the fixed- and mixed-effect parameters for the multivariate hybrid stochastic differential equation using a maximum likelihood procedure. The results are illustrated using a dataset of measurements from Mountain pine tree (Pinus mugo Turra).
Effects of Sn and Sb on the Hot Ductility of Nb+Ti Microalloyed Steels
Authors: He Chunyu , Wang Jianguang , Chen Yulai , Yu Wei , Tang Di
Published: December 2020

Referencing the composition of a typical Nb+Ti microalloyed steel (Q345B), two kinds of steels, one microalloyed with Sn and Sb, and the other one only microalloyed with Sb were designed to study the effects of Sn and Sb on the hot ductility of Nb+Ti microalloyed steels. The Gleeble-3500 tester was adopted to determine the high-temperature mechanical properties of the two test steels. Fracture morphologies, microstructures and interior precipitation status were analyzed by SEM, CLSM (Confocal laser scanning microscope) and EDS, respectively. Results revealed that within the range of 950–650 °C, there existed the ductility trough for the two steels, which were mainly attributed to the precipitation of TiN and Nb (C, N). Additionally, precipitation of Sn and Sb were not observed in this research and the hot ductility was not affected by the addition of Sn and Sb, as compared with the Nb+Ti microalloyed steel. Therefore, addition of a small amount of Sn and Sb (≤0.05 wt.%) to the Nb+Ti microalloyed steel is favorable due to the improvement on corrosion resistance.
Characterization of High-Strength Packaging Steels: Obtaining Material Data for Precise Finite Element Process Modelling
Authors: Knieps Fabian , Liebscher Benjamin , Moldovan Ioana , Köhl Manuel , Lohmar Johannes
Published: December 2020

The steadily increasing demand for downgauging to reduce costs in packaging steel applications requires the development of high-strength packaging steel grades to meet strength requirements. At the same time, the demand for a simulative, computer-aided layout of industrial forming processes is growing to reduce costs in tool constructions for downgauging manners. As part of this work, different high-strength packaging steels were characterized for use in a finite element based process layout and validated using application-oriented experiments. Due to a low hardening rate and the occurrence of Lüders bands, high-strength packaging steels show a low amount of elongation in tensile tests, while for other stress states higher degrees of deformation are possible. Thus, common extrapolation methods fail to reproduce the flow curve of high-strength packaging steels. Therefore, a new approach to extrapolate the flow curve of high-strength packaging steels is presented using the tensile test and bulge test data together with a combined Swift–Voce hardening law. Furthermore, it is shown that the use of complex anisotropic yield locus models such as Yld2000-2d is necessary for high-strength packaging steels in order to be able to precisely simulate application-oriented loads in between plane strain and biaxial tension in validation experiments. Finally, the benefit of a material selection process for packaging steel applications guided by finite element simulations based on precisely characterized material behaviour is demonstrated.
Current Status and Challenges Associated with CNS-Targeted Gene Delivery across the BBB
Authors: Kimura Seigo , Harashima Hideyoshi
Published: December 2020

The era of the aging society has arrived, and this is accompanied by an increase in the absolute numbers of patients with neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Such neurological disorders are serious costly diseases that have a significant impact on society, both globally and socially. Gene therapy has great promise for the treatment of neurological disorders, but only a few gene therapy drugs are currently available. Delivery to the brain is the biggest hurdle in developing new drugs for the central nervous system (CNS) diseases and this is especially true in the case of gene delivery. Nanotechnologies such as viral and non-viral vectors allow efficient brain-targeted gene delivery systems to be created. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of the current status of the development of successful drug delivery to the CNS for the treatment of CNS-related disorders especially by gene therapy. We mainly address three aspects of this situation: (1) blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions; (2) adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, currently the most advanced gene delivery vector; (3) non-viral brain targeting by non-invasive methods.
Decoding Heavy Metal Stress Signalling in Plants: Towards Improved Food Security and Safety
Authors: Keyster Marshall , Niekerk Lee-Ann , Basson Gerhard , Carelse Mogamat , Bakare Olalekan , Ludidi Ndiko , Klein Ashwil , Mekuto Lukhanyo , Gokul Arun
Published: December 2020

The mining of heavy metals from the environment leads to an increase in soil pollution, leading to the uptake of heavy metals into plant tissue. The build-up of toxic metals in plant cells often leads to cellular damage and senescence. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to produce plants with improved tolerance to heavy metals for food security, as well as to limit heavy metal uptake for improved food safety purposes. To achieve this goal, our understanding of the signaling mechanisms which regulate toxic heavy metal uptake and tolerance in plants requires extensive improvement. In this review, we summarize recent literature and data on heavy metal toxicity (oral reference doses) and the impact of the metals on food safety and food security. Furthermore, we discuss some of the key events (reception, transduction, and response) in the heavy metal signaling cascades in the cell wall, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm. Our future perspectives provide an outlook of the exciting advances that will shape the plant heavy metal signaling field in the near future.
COVID-19 and Social Sciences
Authors: Miguel Ferreira Carlos , Serpa Sandro
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) is having profound effects on all dimensions of life, such as the individual, social, cultural, public health, and economic dimensions [...]
Vaccination Criteria Based on Factors Influencing COVID-19 Diffusion and Mortality
Authors: Spassiani Ilaria , Gubian Lorenzo , Palù Giorgio , Sebastiani Giovanni
Published: December 2020

SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious, rapidly turned into a pandemic, and is causing a relevant number of critical to severe life-threatening COVID-19 patients. However, robust statistical studies of a large cohort of patients, potentially useful to implement a vaccination campaign, are rare. We analyzed public data of about 19,000 patients for the period 28 February to 15 May 2020 by several mathematical methods. Precisely, we describe the COVID-19 evolution of a number of variables that include age, gender, patient’s care location, and comorbidities. It prompts consideration of special preventive and therapeutic measures for subjects more prone to developing life-threatening conditions while affording quantitative parameters for predicting the effects of an outburst of the pandemic on public health structures and facilities adopted in response. We propose a mathematical way to use these results as a powerful tool to face the pandemic and implement a mass vaccination campaign. This is done by means of priority criteria based on the influence of the considered variables on the probability of both death and infection.
Potentially inappropriate primary care prescribing in people with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional analysis of a large population cohort
Authors: MacRae Clare , Mercer Stewart , Guthrie Bruce
Published: December 2020

Background

Many drugs should be avoided or require dose-adjustment in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous estimates of potentially inappropriate prescribing rates have been based on data on a limited number of drugs, and mainly in secondary care settings.

Aim

To determine the prevalence of contraindicated and potentially inappropriate primary care prescribing in a complete population of people with known CKD.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional study of prescribing patterns in a complete geographical population of people with CKD, defined using laboratory data.

Method

Drugs were organised by British National Formulary advice — contraindicated drugs: ‘avoid’; potentially high-risk (PHR) drugs: ‘avoid if possible’; and dose-inappropriate (DI) drugs: ‘dose exceeded recommended maximums’. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤60 ml/min/1.73 m2 for >3 months.

Results

In total, 28 489 people with CKD were included in the analysis, of whom 70.1% had CKD stage 3a, 22.4% CKD stage 3b, 5.9% CKD stage 4, and 1.5% CKD stage 5. A total of 3.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.7 to 4.1) of people with CKD stages 3a–5 were prescribed ≥1 contraindicated drug, 24.3% (95% CI = 23.8 to 24.8) ≥1 PHR drug, and 15.2% (95% CI = 14.8 to 15.6) ≥1 DI drug. Contraindicated drugs differed in prevalence by CKD stage and were most commonly prescribed in CKD stage 4, with a prevalence of 36.0% (95% CI = 33.7 to 38.2). PHR drugs were commonly prescribed in all CKD stages, ranging from 19.4% (95% CI = 17.6 to 21.3) in CKD stage 4 to 25.1% (95% CI = 24.5 to 25.7) in CKD stage 3a. DI drugs were most commonly prescribed in CKD stage 4 (26.4%, 95% CI = 24.3 to 28.6).

Conclusion

Potentially inappropriate prescribing is common at all stages of CKD. Development and evaluation of interventions to improve prescribing safety in this high-risk population are needed.
Ağrı Balık Gölü Balıkçılığının Genel Durumu
Authors: BOZAOĞLU Adem Sezai
Published: December 2020

Bu çalışma Balık Gölü’nde balıkçılığın genel durumunun belirlenebilmesi için Temmuz-Ekim 2019 tarihleri arasında, 28 balıkçı ile yüz yüze anket görüşmesi yapılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. 0,4 donam faktörü ile donatılmış 140, 150 ve 160 mm ağ göz açıklığına sahip multifilament fanyalı uzatma ağları ile 0,4 donam faktörü ile donatılmış 80 ve 100 mm ağ göz aralığına sahip monofilament uzatma ağlarının kullanıldığı saptanmıştır. Bu ağları kullanan teknelerin ortalama yaşı 11,14±5,03 yıl, ortalama boyu 5,54±0,34 m, ortalama motor yaşı 11,61±3,97 yıl ve ortalama motor gücü 9,50±1,80 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Gölde yıllık 6326 kg balık avladığı belirlenmiştir. Teknelerde ortalama 1,10±0,31 tayfanın sürekli olarak, pay karşılığında çalıştığı saptanmıştır. Balıkçıların %68’inin ilkokul, % 18’inin ortaokul ve % 14’ünün lise mezunu olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Balıkçıların ortalama yaşının 36.03±8.16 olduğu, %93’ünün evli ve ortalama çocuk sayısının 3,89±1,77 olduğu saptanmıştır. Balıkçıların hepsinin ev sahibi olduğu belirlenmiştir. Hiçbirinin sağlık sigortasının olmadığı, bunun yerine hepsinin yeşil kartının olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ankete katılan balıkçıların %59’u çocuklarının bu işi yapmasını istemediğini belirtmişlerdir. Ayrıca tamamının balıkçılığı bırakmayı düşünmedikleri tespit edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucuna göre balıkçıların hepsinin ikinci bir işinin olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çoğunluğunun inşaatta işçi olarak çalıştığı, bunun yanında hayvancılık ile de uğraştıkları saptanmıştır. Balıkçıların karşılaştıkları en önemli sorun ise bilinçsiz ve aşırı avcılık olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
ANALISIS PERBANDINGAN PUTUSAN PEMIDANAAN TERHADAP PELAKU TINDAK PIDANA PERDAGANGAN ORANG (T.P.P.O) (STUDI PUTUSAN NOMOR 632 K/PID.SUS/2016 DAN PUTUSAN NOMOR 1447K/ PID.SUS/ 2016)
Authors: Sulistyawati Saras
Published: December 2020

Human Trafficking is an act of recruitment, shelter, sending, transferring, or accepting someone with the threat of violence, using violence, kidnapping, confinement, counterfeiting, fraud, abuse of power or vulnerable positions, debt bondage or paying or benefits, so obtain approval from the person who holds control over the other person, whether carried out within the state or between countries, for the purpose of exploitation or to result in exploitation (Law Number 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of Crimes in Trafficking in Persons).

          This study aims to analyze aspects of judges' consideration of the criminal termination of perpetrators of trafficking in persons in Decision Number 632.K / PID.SUS / 2016 and Decisions Number 1447.K / PID.SUS / 2016, covering juridical, philosophical, and sociological aspects. Juridical aspects are based on the existing legal umbrella and judge as the applicator, sociological aspects, namely the application of the law concerning the values ​​of society in order to create legal justice, and philosophical aspects that are based on the value of truth and justice.

          This research is a type of normative juridical research that focuses on studying the application of positive legal norms or norms.

          The problem in this study regarding the basis of the judge's consideration in imposing criminal sanctions against perpetrators of trafficking in persons and the comparison of judges' considerations related to criminal imposition of perpetrators of human trafficking in decisions No. 632.K / PID.SUS / 2016 and Decisions Number 1447.K / PID.SUS / 2016.

          From the results of this study indicate that, the application of the law where the judge as the applicator is in accordance with the values ​​of the law, and the community, but still very minimal or the need for more policies on victims of trafficking, namely the right to restitution (restoration of the rights of victims from trafficking).
PERJANJIAN JUAL BELI MELALUI INTERNET (E-COMMERCE) DITINJAU DARI ASPEK HUKUM PERDATA
Authors: Rusviana Zuni , Suliantoro Adi
Published: December 2020

Internet development causes the formation of a new world, every individual has the right and ability to interact with everyone who can prevent him. Perfect globalization connects the entire digital community, one of which is a business sector called E-COMMERCE.E-COMMERCE has a difference from conventional sale and purchase agreements and brings different legal consequences and there are also some problems that are not yet commonly describedthis is a problem that is not immediately anticipated to cause problems in the future. Based on the description, the research is carried out with the title: “SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT VIA INTERNET E-COMMERCE IN TERMS OF CIVIL LAW ASPECTS”.

               The formulation of the problem in this study is: (1) What is the validity of the SELLING BUY agreement through the internet if it is involved with Article 1320 of the Civil Code? (2) What is the legal consequence if there is a default in the purchase agreement through the internet (E-COMMERCE)? (3) Solution if there is a default in buying transactions through the internet (E-COMMERCE)?

The method used is a normative juridical approach. To approach the problem in this study the author uses descriptive analytical research specifications. Data collection uses secondary data. The method of presenting data in this study was carried out in a descriptive manner. The analysis used in this sketch is qualitative descriptive.

            The results of the study indicate: (1) The validity of the agreement through the internet must have the same validity as the agreement that can be proven and in accordance with the provisions in Article 1320 BW. (2) The legal consequences of wanprestasi are compensation. the wanprestasi can be in the form of agreement fulfillment, contract fulfillment and compensation, ordinary compensation, cancellation of the agreement.(3) Solution if there is a wanprestasi in the sale and purchase agreement through: Litigation, Non Litigation, online site (kredibel.co.id, lapor.go.id, cek rekening.id), report directly to the police station and report to the bank.
The New Institutionalism: A tool for analysing defence and security institutions
Authors: Bodnieks Valerijs
Published: December 2020

The aim of this paper is to investigate new institutionalism, its trends and their application in the analysis of security and defence institutions. The research is based on an analysis of theoretical literature to explore a system of assumptions about new institutionalism. Different approaches have been examined, including historical, rational choice, and sociological approaches. Historical institutionalism can be applied to identify the usefulness of past decisions, policy choices, appropriate strategy choices, and specific acquisitions for future policymakers, whereas rational choice institutionalism allows us to determine the influence of security and defence institutions on actors and their choices, how actors use the institutional framework for their own benefit, and how actors’ choices influence the state policy. Finally, sociological institutionalism focuses on recognising actors’ cognitive scripts and the changes they undergo, as well as causes that influence and determine cognitive scripts. Defence institutions are based on a precise regulative and normative framework and cognitive scripts of the highest authorities. Therefore, the external framework and the particular political impact on the supranational level can cause changes on the national level. New institutionalism provides an important perspective on the specifics of security and defence policy, actors’ individual and collective goals, their strategies and interests as well as cognitive scripts.
THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHER’S ATTITUDE, READINESS AND SELF- EFFICACY ON PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY (PLC)
Authors: Muhamad Akhir Adriana , Taat Muhamad Suhaimi , Salam Syahrul Nizam
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of teacher’s attitude, readiness, and self-efficacy on the implementation of the Professional Learning Community (PLC) at urban secondary school teachers in Sabah. Quantitative studies using the survey method were used in this study which involved the total number of 360 teachers as the respondents in this study. Questionnaires were used as the instrument to collect the data. The data obtained were analyzed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0 and AMOS. The statistical analysis used were descriptive statistics involving frequency and percentage while inferential statistics involving multiple regression and SEM (path analysis) were used. The results of the structural model of path analysis showed that all three predictor variables were significantly affected by the criterion variable with 18.8%. Teacher’s self-efficacy was found to have the greatest direct impact on the implementation of PLC with the beta value of 0.30. The implications of this study are to increase the level of attitude and readiness of teachers towards the implementation of PLC so that the teachers will possess a high level of self-efficacy. It is hoped that this study will help to formulate new policies related to teacher professionalism development.
GENDERS PATTERNS ON FACEBOOK: A JORDANIAN SOCIOLINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Al-Sad Hythem Wanas , Yunus Kamariah
Published: December 2020

The emergence of social media has demonstrated impacts on Jordanian males' and females' culture and language. These impacts highlighted the differences between women's and men's usage patterns on social media that have been a subject of interest to scholars. Jordanian culture is bounded by values, traditions, and norms from Islam and Arabic values. Thus, the present study aims to figure out gender prototypes on social networking sites, namely Facebook, taking Jordan society as the norm. It also investigates how much Fakebook’s use has changed males' and females' social, cultural, and linguistic behaviors. The study is a mixture of sociolinguistic and anthropological research as both language and culture are studied. Discourse and thematic analysis were performed to analyze the collected data from 80 Facebook active users whose ages range from 19 to 45 (40 male and 40 female). The results showed the differences between males and females users at different levels. Females tend to use informal language to comment on females' posts and formal language to comment on males' posts. Further, most males explicitly use their real images as profile pictures, while females hide their real pictures. Females disclose their real names on their profiles just as males, but females tend to hide their contact information due to privacy concerns. Females and males are almost the same in using Facebook for social purposes, either in topics or groups. The results can be interpreted as reflections of Jordanian culture and social values that shape women's and men's positions and attitudes in Jordanian communities. This study recommends further research on social networks, considering other social variables such as education, age, and geography to pinpoint the exact patterns of users that are relatively diverse according to the speech communities.
PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS TOWARDS ELEMENTS OF FIQH IKHTILAF IN IPGM'S FIQH CURRICULUM
Authors: Taha Ahmad Khairudin , Hj. Abdullah Atikullah
Published: December 2020

In general, the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) (2015) reported that the curriculum of Islamic Education PISMP has weaknesses and needs to be improved and corrective action is taken. While the elements of fiqh ikhtilaf is an important current need that should be applied in the fiqh curriculum at IPGM. However, so far, no specific study has been conducted to study the scope of the elements of fiqh ikhtilaf in this fiqh curriculum. This article will discuss the initial overview of the perception of students of Islamic Education in the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Tun Abdul Razak Campus on the elements of fiqh ikhtilaf found in the fiqh curriculum. This study is a survey study. Questionnaires were used to see the perceptions of students on the elements of fiqh ikhtilaf found in fiqh courses. The findings of the study found that the elements of fiqh ikhtilaf are less applied in the fiqh curriculum. Students also expressed their views on their inability to interact with the issues of disagreement in fiqh that arose. They also agreed to say the importance of the element of fiqh ikhtilaf applied in the curriculum of fiqh studies at IPGM. To further strengthen this fiqh curriculum, this study suggests that the IPGM fiqh curriculum be re-examined. The elements of fiqh ikhtilaf should also be applied better and more organized.