bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Risk Assessment of Mount Merapi Eruption in Settlement Area of Sleman Regency
Authors: Nugraha A L , Hani’ah  , Firdaus H S , Haeriah S
Published: August 2019

Mount Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Seeing the status of Mount Merapi which until now is still quite active, disaster mitigation action efforts are needed. One of the disaster mitigation actions is by making the Risk Map. This study aims to provide an assessment of risk assessment of eruption of Mount Merapi in settlement areas so as to minimize losses that can occur. Mapping of eruption risk of Mount Merapi using two parameters, namely hazard and vulnerabilities. Risk assessment is derived from Matrix comparison of Risk Assessment. Making the risk map using processing method and spatial analysis of Geographic Information System (GIS) with scoring method, weighting, and overlay. The addition of settlement information was obtained using the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) method to know total settlement areas. This research will produce a risk settlement area map of Mount Merapi eruption and conclusion that there is still a large risk that occurs in Sleman regency. And Remote sensing technology and GIS can answer challenges in providing disaster analysis with a fast response and better accuracy so that the need for other implementations in building disaster maps in other regions with this technology.
Spatial Analysis of Flood and Landslide Vulnerable Areas (Case Study in Trenggalek Regency)
Authors: Riadi B , Windiastuti R , Suwarno y
Published: August 2019

Floods and landslides occurred almost every year in various regions in Indonesia, especially in hilly or bumpy areas. Floods and landslides as natural phenomena may cause severe disaster, due to high rainfall with small capacity of river cross section that resulted in water overflow through the dike and inundated lower areas. Flood and landslide risk mapping provides spatial information as initiation for mitigation purposes and is very beneficial in minimizing casualties and damages. To avoid landslide disaster, we need to reduce some causing factors, such as the factors that cause unstable slope conditions. The landslide distribution map contains information on geological maps, slope class maps, land cover maps and geomorphological maps; these maps are referred to as factor maps. Overlay method was implemented to analyse flood and landslide-prone areas. The purpose of this paper was to obtain information on areas in Trenggalek Regency that were vulnerable to flood and landslide. Risk analysis was done spatially with good accuracy, so that it can be used for disaster mitigation purposes.
Mapping of Road Network, Land Use, and Pedestrian Ways in CBD of Semarang
Authors: Rakhmatulloh A R , Dewi D I K
Published: August 2019

The more human activities in the city increase mobility, demand of circulation route and adequate transportation system. Semarang City Government has already provided the transportation facilities: BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and pedestrian ways. However, the connectivity of pedestrian ways (door to door service) is still not properly used according to the safety, convenience, and the needs of urban society. As a result, the travel cost becomes expensive and mobility activities from one place to another is not efficient. The purpose of this research is about the study of integrated road networks, land use, and pedestrian ways in the center of Semarang City. The method of this research, using GIS application for mapping and planning the connectivity of land use and pedestrian ways towards public transportation or BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) route in Semarang City. The aim of the research is mapping the connectivity of pedestrian ways in order to create easy access to public transportation.
Mapping of Space compatibility for Street Vendors in Urban Public Space, Taman Tirto Agung, Banyumanik, Semarang
Authors: Widjajanti R , Dewi S P , Khadiyanta P
Published: August 2019

The high competition to be able to work in the formal sector makes some people more absorbed in the informal sector, one of them in the field of commerce/service, namely as street vendors. The activity of street vendors occupying the public space is often considered as troublemakers because the government does not have a clear reference to arrange the location that can be used by them and in accordance with the characteristics of its activity. As well as street vendors in Taman Tirto Agung, Indonesia. who grow and develop to fill the park have degraded the visual quality of space and changed the function of the public space. The arrangement of street vendors should consider their space behaviors so that the space they use is compatible with their activities. The aim of this research is to identify the space that compatible with street vendors in Taman Tirto Agung. By using the GIS mapping and quantitative method with survey and questionnaire techniques, showed that street vendors choose compatible trade location in Taman Tirto Agung are determined by various activities around the park; activity time lasts for 24 hours; numbers of passing visitors; the flow of visitors; and settled space use.
Mapping community environmental sanitation issue using household spatial cognition: A case of Bulu Lor Subdistrict, Semarang, Indonesia
Authors: Artiningsih A , Nugroho P , Perdana S A J , Khairunisa M U
Published: August 2019

Recently, a community in cities has played a key role in practicing an inclusive sustainable development with other stakeholders. However, the city government has a limitation in data spatial collection and documentation of urban environmental sanitation services, for instance. At the local scale, this data particularly relates to the local community knowledge and experiences. Unfortunately, the role of community as spatial data resource has not been encouraged yet. Instead, this condition has got worsened due to the lack of community spatial literacy. Nevertheless, this strive is important for data input on the planning process which illustrated how community recognizes their environmental changes. This paper attempts to build a simple mapping method based on household spatial cognition on urban environmental sanitary problems using GIS. Inductive mapping method applied to capture the community knowledge and experiences with a case study approach. In-depth interview was conducted with several key informants on Bulu Lor Subdistrict, part of North Semarang District, Indonesia. The reconstruction of household spatial cognition demonstrates transformation phase on the sanitation improvement due to community knowledge elevation on their health awareness and creation on their communal sanitation governance.
Determining the Spatial Connectivity of Surabaya’s Peri-urban Area towards Urban Rural Linkage Framework Based on Population Movement Relation
Authors: Aulia B U , Santoso E B , Hapsari A D , Safitri E W
Published: August 2019

The rapid development and becoming the most dominant growing center at East Java Province, Surabaya City is affected by its periphery areas. This fact is shown by the core area act as an economic center and the periphery act as a settlement support, resulting in urban area widening, known as peri-urban area. This also indicate a domination of periphery area movement toward the core area in the form of people’s flow or population movement. However, the result of the observation shows a tendency of peri-urban problem occurrences such as traffic jam, flood, and slum area. Thus, it is necessary to determine its connectivity between the core area and its support area in urban-rural linkage framework for the aim of having a formulated anticipation effort to face those problems in the future. The analysis was done by quantitative and qualitative approach resulting Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI) of the year 2002 until 2018 which the conversion reach out 43,95% of non-built-up area to build up area due of the urban area widening. Also, the spatial interaction from the Gravity Model shows the strongest interaction force occurred at Sidoarjo Regency’s districts which directly adjacent with Surabaya City. It can be concluded that the peri-urban area at southern Surabaya have a significant urban rural linkage interaction strength from the population movement. This imply that prioritizing the infrastructure development is a step forward to solve the occurred problems. With a hope by understanding these facts will encourage the government to formulate the sectoral policies.
Mapping of Child Friendly Parks Availability for Supporting Child Friendly City in Semarang
Authors: Prihantini P. , Kurniawati W
Published: August 2019

Semarang is one of a city that gets an award as a child-friendly city. A child-friendly city is a city that has recognized the existence of children’s rights, which implements it in policy, including in the development of its city. The availability of service facilities that consider children’s needs such as children’s playgrounds can contribute to the realization of a child-friendly city. Semarang has 33 active parks in 2014 and continues to grow by approximately 20 parks now, but not all parks provide children’s ground. The purpose of this study is to know that the availability of child-friendly parks can support Semarang as a Child-Friendly City. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach, using a scoring analysis tool. The results of the analysis show that the availability of child-friendly parks is sufficient to influence the predicate of a child-friendly city because child-friendly parks are a representation of the attention and recognition of children’s rights.
Land Subsidence Monitoring in Semarang and Demak Coastal Areas 2016-2017 Using Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar
Authors: Azeriansyah R , Prasetyo Y , Yuwono B D
Published: August 2019

Land subsidence is a problem faced in coastal areas of Java Island especially coastal areas of Semarang and Demak that caused by various natural and human factors. One method that can be used for this is by utilizing the method of Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR). PS-InSAR is a remote sensing technique that is the development of the DInSAR method that can monitor the movement of the ground surface that allows users to perform regular measurements and monitoring of fixed objects on the surface of the earth. One of PS-InSAR method is Standford Method of Persistent Scatterers (StaMPS). StaMPS identify and extract the deformation signal even in the absence of bright scatterers. StaMPS is also applicable in areas undergoing non-steady deformation, with no prior knowledge of the variations in deformation rate. In addition, this method can also cover a large area. From the PS-InSAR method can be known the impact on the existing area in Semarang and Demak region per year from 2016 to 2017 by utilizing the image of Sentinel-1A. The result of PS-InSAR is done comparison of result from GNSS survey data.
Land Subsidence Of Semarang City Using Permanent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (Ps-Insar) Method In Sentinel 1a Between 2014-2017
Authors: Prasetyo Y , Firdaus H Sugiastu , Diyanah
Published: August 2019

Environmental changes resulting from the impact of land use and underwater changes that may occur is the land subsidence. The main idea of this study is to measure and analyse land subsidence in Bandung City by processing SENTINEL 1A satellite images using the PS-InSAR technique. PS-InSAR technique is an effective technique for measuring crustal deformation. We processed 7 pair imageries of SENTINEL 1A images (at level 1.0) acquired from September 2014 to 2017. For time series of interferogram analyse, we analysed 7 pairs possibility of PS-InSAR interferogram using SNAP open source program. To get better result, we computed the best baseline estimation to reduce fringes from baseline between master and slave data. The 1-arcsec (30 m) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) used to remove the topographic contribution as Digital Elevation Model (DEM) reference. Whereas for observing land subsidence using the PS-InSAR method. Overlapping method was used to correlate the effect of changes in land subsidence into land use region in Semarang City. Observations in the deep aquifer used correlation seen from the increase and decrease of the graph of the inner MAT aquifer and the average increase and decrease in ground surface of PS-InSAR. The result of PS- InSAR processing showed the average value of the decrease in the face of the soil with a range of -4.4 ± 3.4 cm up. +2,2 ± 3,4 cm and from result of processing got information of the biggest decrease in land surface is in Sub District Semarang Utara, Semarang Barat, Pedurungan and Genuk. To verify the result of PS-InSAR results, we used secondary data GPS observation[6] in 2013 and 2016 with a 3 observation benchmark points.
Estimation of Ecological Footprint for Sidoarjo Regency and its Implication towards Spatial Development
Authors: Santoso E B , Aulia B U , Aninditya D N
Published: August 2019

Sidoarjo Regency is one of buffer zones of Surabaya City in which directly adjacent with Surabaya at the south part of it. The highly economic growth of Surabaya has many direct y for Sidoarjo regency, mainly due to population growth and urban sprawl that bring negative impacts on sustainability. Decreasing of the productivity because of conversion of agricultural land into settlements and air pollution are major issues that occur in Sidoarjo regency. Regional development should be in line by efforts to conserve the environment so that take environmental carrying capacity into account is a must. Ecological footprint is one of approaches in the calculation of sustainability by identifying the components of consumption and emissions resulting from human activities for subsequent comparison with the availability of natural resources (biocapacity). Biocapacity consists of components of land productivity, ie agricultural land, forestry land, terrestrial fisheries, and constructed land that is processed using satellite imagery as resource. The difference between the ecological footprint calculation and the biocapacity indicates the sustainability of the Sidoarjo Regency. In conclusion, Sidoarjo regency has experienced ecological deficit level 1 with biocapacity value of 25,665 and ecological footprint value of 111,962. It is resulted that natural resources in Sidoarjo Regency are only able to accommodate approximately one-fourth of total consumption in Sidoarjo regency. This prediction could be used as consideration on spatial planning as well as spatial policies in terms of sustainability.
Investigation of Crude Palm Oil as an Alternative Processing Oils in Natural Rubber : Effect of the Unsaturated Fatty Acid
Authors: Abbas Khaliesah , Ong S.K.
Published: August 2019

Petroleum based processing oils is the hydrocarbon oils derived from petroleum refining process and commonly used as extender or processing oils to improve the rubber processability. Hydrocarbon oils can be classified as paraffins, aromatics, naphthene and olefins oil based on their molecular structure. The studies on replacement of hydrocarbon oils with natural processing oils had been studied by vast number of researchers due to finite resources and the toxicity of the hydrocarbon oils which enhanced awareness in using natural based oils. These natural processing oils are from vegetable or animal. The vegetable oils contain mainly unsaturated fatty acids. Studies showed that the unsaturated fatty acids affect the cure characteristics and the mechanical properties of the filled vulcanizates as these fatty acids took part during the vulcanization and promote the filler-rubber interaction. In this study, natural rubber (NR) of grade Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) with the loadings of paraffin oil (PO) and crude palm oil (CPO) between 1 to 5 phr was investigated. Within the loadings of PO and CPO studied, the unsaturated fatty acid in CPOs were reported to results in plasticizing effect which results in lower minimum and maximum torques. Though that the unsaturated fatty acid which took part during the vulcanization prolonged the cure time, it resulted in higher CB-SMR 20 interaction. The tensile properties, tear strength, hardness and abrasion resistance of the CPO recipes were affected by combination of plasticizing effect and better CB-SMR 20 interaction.
Generation Method of Air Defense Missile Weapon Interception Scheme
Authors: Guibao Song , Jiaming Song , Runa Jia , Zijie Jiang , Zhan Liu
Published: August 2019

The research on the generation method of the anti-aircraft missile interception scheme before the war can lay the foundation for the rational allocation of the next air defense missile. In this paper, the clustering algorithm based on fuzzy C-means is used to cluster anti-ship missiles. Based on this, the number of anti-aircraft missiles launched during the first interception is determined. Then, by analyzing the depth of the launching area and the interception process, the number of interception of each layer of air defense missiles in the air defense interception operation is calculated. Finally, the anti-aircraft interception scheme that can achieve the expected damage probability of anti-ship missiles can be solved. The case is verified by the case that the calculation efficiency is relatively high and has certain application value.
A comparison and assessment of computational method for identifying recombination hotspots inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Yang Hui , Yang Wuritu , Dao Fu-Ying , Lv Hao , Ding Hui , Chen Wei , Lin Hao
Published: August 2019

Meiotic recombination is one of the most important driving forces of biological evolution, which is initiated by double-strand DNA breaks. Recombination has important roles in genome diversity and evolution. This review firstly provides a comprehensive survey of the 15 computational methods developed for identifying recombination hotspots in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These computational methods were discussed and compared in terms of underlying algorithms, extracted features, predictive capability and practical utility. Subsequently, a more objective benchmark data set was constructed to develop a new predictor iRSpot-Pse6NC2.0 (http://lin-group.cn/server/iRSpot-Pse6NC2.0). To further demonstrate the generalization ability of these methods, we compared iRSpot-Pse6NC2.0 with existing methods on the chromosome XVI of S. cerevisiae. The results of the independent data set test demonstrated that the new predictor is superior to existing tools in the identification of recombination hotspots. The iRSpot-Pse6NC2.0 will become an important tool for identifying recombination hotspot.
ChaperISM: improved chaperone binding prediction using position-independent scoring matrices
Authors: Gutierres M B B , Bonorino C B C , Rigo M M
Published: August 2019

Motivation

Understanding the mechanisms of client protein interaction with Hsp70 chaperones is essential to analyze the complex dynamics in the context of normal or dysregulated metabolism. Because Hsp70 can bind millions of proteins, including key molecules involved in processes of stemness, tumorigenesis and survival, in silico prediction of Hsp70 interactions has great value in validating possible new clients. Currently, two algorithms are available to predict binding to DnaK—the bacterial Hsp70—but both are based on amino acid sequence and energy calculations of qualitative information—binders and non-binders.

Results

We introduce a new algorithm to identify Hsp70 binding sequences in proteins—ChaperISM—a position-independent scoring matrix trained on either qualitative or quantitative chemiluminescence data previously published, which were obtained from the interaction between DnaK and different ligands. Both versions of ChaperISM, qualitative or quantitative, resulted in an improved performance in comparison to other state-of-the-art chaperone binding predictors.

Availability and implementation

ChaperISM is implemented in Python version 3. The source code of ChaperISM is freely available for download at https://github.com/BioinfLab/ChaperISM.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Accurate and efficient cell lineage tree inference from noisy single cell data: the maximum likelihood perfect phylogeny approach
Authors: Wu Yufeng
Published: August 2019

Motivation

Cells in an organism share a common evolutionary history, called cell lineage tree. Cell lineage tree can be inferred from single cell genotypes at genomic variation sites. Cell lineage tree inference from noisy single cell data is a challenging computational problem. Most existing methods for cell lineage tree inference assume uniform uncertainty in genotypes. A key missing aspect is that real single cell data usually has non-uniform uncertainty in individual genotypes. Moreover, existing methods are often sampling based and can be very slow for large data.

Results

In this article, we propose a new method called ScisTree, which infers cell lineage tree and calls genotypes from noisy single cell genotype data. Different from most existing approaches, ScisTree works with genotype probabilities of individual genotypes (which can be computed by existing single cell genotype callers). ScisTree assumes the infinite sites model. Given uncertain genotypes with individualized probabilities, ScisTree implements a fast heuristic for inferring cell lineage tree and calling the genotypes that allow the so-called perfect phylogeny and maximize the likelihood of the genotypes. Through simulation, we show that ScisTree performs well on the accuracy of inferred trees, and is much more efficient than existing methods. The efficiency of ScisTree enables new applications including imputation of the so-called doublets.

Availability and implementation

The program ScisTree is available for download at: https://github.com/yufengwudcs/ScisTree.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
MALDI-TOF MS protein fingerprinting of mixed samples
Authors: Reeve Michael A , Bachmann Denise
Published: August 2019

Analytical techniques currently available for the characterization of mixtures of microorganisms are generally based on next-generation sequencing. Motivated to develop practical and less-expensive methods for characterizing such mixtures, we propose, as an alternative or complement, the use of matrix-assisted laser-desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which is capable of high-resolution discrimination between species and even between biotypes within species. Potential approaches employing this technique for such characterization are discussed along with impediments to their successful employment. As a consequence, our rationale has been to capitalize on the powerful algorithms currently available for spectral comparison. Following this rationale, the first priority is to ensure the generation of MALDI-TOF MS spectra from mixtures of microorganisms that contain manageable peak complexities and that can be handled by the existing spectral comparison algorithms, preferably with the option to archive and re-run sample preparations and to pipette replicates of these onto MALDI-TOF MS sample plates. The second priority is to ensure that database entry is comparably facile to sample preparation so that large databases of known microorganism mixture MALDI-TOF MS spectra could be readily prepared for comparison with the spectra of unknown mixtures. In this article, we address the above priorities and generate illustrative MALDI-TOF MS spectra to demonstrate the utility of this approach. In addition, we investigate methods aimed at chemically modulating the peak complexity of the obtained MALDI-TOF MS spectra.
Citywide Transmission of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Under China’s Rapid Urbanization: A Retrospective Population-based Genomic Spatial Epidemiological Study
Authors: Jiang Qi , Liu Qingyun , Ji Lecai , Li Jinli , Zeng Yaling , Meng Liangguang , Luo Geyang , Yang Chongguang , Takiff Howard E , Yang Zheng , Tan Weiguo , Yu Weiye , Gao Qian
Published: August 2019

Background

Population movement could extend multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) transmission and complicate its global prevalence. We sought to identify the high-risk populations and geographic sites of MDR-TB transmission in Shenzhen, the most common destination for internal migrants in China.

Methods

We performed a population-based, retrospective study in patients diagnosed with MDR-TB in Shenzhen during 2013–2017. By defining genomic clusters with a threshold of 12–single-nucleotide polymorphism distance based on whole-genome sequencing of their clinical strains, the clustering rate was calculated to evaluate the level of recent transmission. Risk factors were identified by multivariable logistic regression. To further delineate the epidemiological links, we invited the genomic-clustered patients to an in-depth social network investigation.

Results

In total, 105 (25.2%) of the 417 enrolled patients with MDR-TB were grouped into 40 genome clusters, suggesting recent transmission of MDR strains. The adjusted risk for student to have a clustered strain was 4.05 (95% confidence interval, 1.06–17.0) times greater than other patients. The majority (70%, 28/40) of the genomic clusters involved patients who lived in different districts, with residences separated by an average of 8.76 kilometers. Other than household members, confirmed epidemiological links were also identified among classmates and workplace colleagues.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that local transmission of MDR-TB is a serious problem in Shenzhen. While most transmission occurred between people who lived distant from each other, there was clear evidence that transmission occurred in schools and workplaces, which should be included as targeted sites for active case finding.

The average residential distance between genomic-clustered cases was more than 8 kilometers, while schools and workplaces, identified as sites of transmission in this study, deserve increased vigilance for targeted case finding of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Human iPSC modelling of a familial form of atrial fibrillation reveals a gain of function of If and ICaL in patient-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Benzoni Patrizia , Campostrini Giulia , Landi Sara , Bertini Valeria , Marchina Eleonora , Iascone Maria , Ahlberg Gustav , Olesen Morten Salling , Crescini Elisabetta , Mora Cristina , Bisleri Gianluigi , Muneretto Claudio , Ronca Roberto , Presta Marco , Poliani Pier Luigi , Piovani Giovanna , Verardi Rosanna , Di Pasquale Elisa , Consiglio Antonella , Raya Angel , Torre Eleonora , Lodrini Alessandra Maria , Milanesi Raffaella , Rocchetti Marcella , Baruscotti Mirko , DiFrancesco Dario , Memo Maurizio , Barbuti Andrea , Dell’Era Patrizia
Published: August 2019

Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmias, whose incidence is likely to increase with the aging of the population. It is considered a progressive condition, frequently observed as a complication of other cardiovascular disorders. However, recent genetic studies revealed the presence of several mutations and variants linked to AF, findings that define AF as a multifactorial disease. Due to the complex genetics and paucity of models, molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of AF are still poorly understood. Here we investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of a familial form of AF, with particular attention to the identification of putative triggering cellular mechanisms, using patient’s derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Methods and results

Here we report the clinical case of three siblings with untreatable persistent AF whose whole-exome sequence analysis revealed several mutated genes. To understand the pathophysiology of this multifactorial form of AF we generated three iPSC clones from two of these patients and differentiated these cells towards the cardiac lineage. Electrophysiological characterization of patient-derived CMs (AF-CMs) revealed that they have higher beating rates compared to control (CTRL)-CMs. The analysis showed an increased contribution of the If and ICaL currents. No differences were observed in the repolarizing current IKr and in the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling. Paced AF-CMs presented significantly prolonged action potentials and, under stressful conditions, generated both delayed after-depolarizations of bigger amplitude and more ectopic beats than CTRL cells.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the common genetic background of the patients induces functional alterations of If and ICaL currents leading to a cardiac substrate more prone to develop arrhythmias under demanding conditions. To our knowledge this is the first report that, using patient-derived CMs differentiated from iPSC, suggests a plausible cellular mechanism underlying this complex familial form of AF.
To share or not to share: a behavioral perspective on human participation in security information sharing
Authors: Mermoud Alain , Keupp Marcus Matthias , Huguenin Kévin , Palmié Maximilian , Percia David Dimitri
Published: August 2019

Security information sharing (SIS) is an activity whereby individuals exchange information that is relevant to analyze or prevent cybersecurity incidents. However, despite technological advances and increased regulatory pressure, individuals still seem reluctant to share security information. Few contributions have addressed this conundrum to date. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, our study proposes a behavioral framework that theorizes how and why human behavior and SIS may be associated. We use psychometric methods to test these associations, analyzing a unique sample of human Information Sharing and Analysis Center members who share real security information. We also provide a dual empirical operationalization of SIS by introducing the measures of SIS frequency and intensity. We find significant associations between human behavior and SIS. Thus, the study contributes to clarifying why SIS, while beneficial, is underutilized by pointing to the pivotal role of human behavior for economic outcomes. It therefore extends the growing field of the economics of information security. By the same token, it informs managers and regulators about the significance of human behavior as they propagate goal alignment and shape institutions. Finally, the study defines a broad agenda for future research on SIS.
How to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the HFA–PEFF diagnostic algorithm: a consensus recommendation from the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
Authors: Pieske Burkert , Tschöpe Carsten , de Boer Rudolf A , Fraser Alan G , Anker Stefan D , Donal Erwan , Edelmann Frank , Fu Michael , Guazzi Marco , Lam Carolyn S P , Lancellotti Patrizio , Melenovsky Vojtech , Morris Daniel A , Nagel Eike , Pieske-Kraigher Elisabeth , Ponikowski Piotr , Solomon Scott D , Vasan Ramachandran S , Rutten Frans H , Voors Adriaan A , Ruschitzka Frank , Paulus Walter J , Seferovic Petar , Filippatos Gerasimos
Published: August 2019

Making a firm diagnosis of chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a challenge. We recommend a new stepwise diagnostic process, the ‘HFA–PEFF diagnostic algorithm’. Step 1 (P=Pre-test assessment) is typically performed in the ambulatory setting and includes assessment for HF symptoms and signs, typical clinical demographics (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, elderly, atrial fibrillation), and diagnostic laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography. In the absence of overt non-cardiac causes of breathlessness, HFpEF can be suspected if there is a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, no significant heart valve disease or cardiac ischaemia, and at least one typical risk factor. Elevated natriuretic peptides support, but normal levels do not exclude a diagnosis of HFpEF. The second step (E: Echocardiography and Natriuretic Peptide Score) requires comprehensive echocardiography and is typically performed by a cardiologist. Measures include mitral annular early diastolic velocity (e′), left ventricular (LV) filling pressure estimated using E/e′, left atrial volume index, LV mass index, LV relative wall thickness, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, LV global longitudinal systolic strain, and serum natriuretic peptide levels. Major (2 points) and Minor (1 point) criteria were defined from these measures. A score ≥5 points implies definite HFpEF; ≤1 point makes HFpEF unlikely. An intermediate score (2–4 points) implies diagnostic uncertainty, in which case Step 3 (F1: Functional testing) is recommended with echocardiographic or invasive haemodynamic exercise stress tests. Step 4 (F2: Final aetiology) is recommended to establish a possible specific cause of HFpEF or alternative explanations. Further research is needed for a better classification of HFpEF.
The political economy of health financing reform in Malaysia
Authors: Croke Kevin , Mohd Yusoff Mariana Binti , Abdullah Zalilah , Mohd Hanafiah Ainul Nadziha , Mokhtaruddin Khairiah , Ramli Emira Soleha , Borhan Nor Filzatun , Almodovar-Diaz Yadira , Atun Rifat , Virk Amrit Kaur
Published: August 2019

There is growing evidence that political economy factors are central to whether or not proposed health financing reforms are adopted, but there is little consensus about which political and institutional factors determine the fate of reform proposals. One set of scholars see the relative strength of interest groups in favour of and opposed to reform as the determining factor. An alternative literature identifies aspects of a country’s political institutions–specifically the number and strength of formal ‘veto gates’ in the political decision-making process—as a key predictor of reform’s prospects. A third group of scholars highlight path dependence and ‘policy feedback’ effects, stressing that the sequence in which health policies are implemented determines the set of feasible reform paths, since successive policy regimes bring into existence patterns of public opinion and interest group mobilization which can lock in the status quo. We examine these theories in the context of Malaysia, a successful health system which has experienced several instances of proposed, but ultimately blocked, health financing reforms. We argue that policy feedback effects on public opinion were the most important factor inhibiting changes to Malaysia’s health financing system. Interest group opposition was a closely related factor; this opposition was particularly powerful because political leaders perceived that it had strong public support. Institutional veto gates, by contrast, played a minimal role in preventing health financing reform in Malaysia. Malaysia’s dramatic early success at achieving near-universal access to public sector healthcare at low cost created public opinion resistant to any change which could threaten the status quo. We conclude by analysing the implications of these dynamics for future attempts at health financing reform in Malaysia.
Professional football clubs’ involvement in health promotion in Spain: an audit of current practices
Authors: Lozano-Sufrategui Lorena , Pringle Andy , Zwolinsky Stephen , Drew Kevin J
Published: August 2019

The implementation of effective community-based health interventions within Spanish football clubs has the potential to positively influence the public health agenda and enable the healthcare system in Spain to be more successful and sustainable. This paper aims to explore the involvement of Spanish football clubs in health promotion activities, their potential for future involvement and what that would require. A mixed methods explanatory sequential design, with a purposive sample of La Liga clubs. Data collection included online questionnaires and phone interviews. Quantitative methods enabled us to describe the number and types of programmes the clubs are currently involved in. Qualitative data was useful to further unpick the processes followed by the clubs in planning and developing health promotion programmes, while identifying any determinants to change. Seventeen clubs completed questionnaires and 11 participated in interviews. Clubs generally support inclusive programmes that target disadvantaged groups. Health-related programmes focus on healthy eating, physical activity and blood donation. Thematic analysis of interviews with 11 representatives of La Liga clubs resulted in three-key themes. These related to: (i) Diversity of programmes; (ii) (Lack of) evidence-based approaches to intervention design and evaluation and (iii) Contrasting views about a club’s role in health promotion interventions. Spanish football clubs have potential to reach into communities that are currently underserved. However, there is limited infrastructure and understanding within the clubs to do this. Nevertheless, there is huge opportunity for organizations with public health responsibility in Spain to implement translational approaches within football-based settings.
Neuronal over-expression of Oxr1 is protective against ALS-associated mutant TDP-43 mislocalisation in motor neurons and neuromuscular defects in vivo
Authors: Williamson Matthew G , Finelli Mattéa J , Sleigh James N , Reddington Amy , Gordon David , Talbot Kevin , Davies Kay E , Oliver Peter L
Published: August 2019

A common pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the related neurodegenerative disorder frontotemporal dementia, is the cellular mislocalization of transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43). Additionally, multiple mutations in the TARDBP gene (encoding TDP-43) are associated with familial forms of ALS. While the exact role for TDP-43 in the onset and progression of ALS remains unclear, the identification of factors that can prevent aberrant TDP-43 localization and function could be clinically beneficial. Previously, we discovered that the oxidation resistance 1 (Oxr1) protein could alleviate cellular mislocalization phenotypes associated with TDP-43 mutations, and that over-expression of Oxr1 was able to delay neuromuscular abnormalities in the hSOD1G93A ALS mouse model. Here, to determine whether Oxr1 can protect against TDP-43-associated phenotypes in vitro and in vivo, we used the same genetic approach in a newly described transgenic mouse expressing the human TDP-43 locus harbouring an ALS disease mutation (TDP-43M337V). We show in primary motor neurons from TDP-43M337V mice that genetically-driven Oxr1 over-expression significantly alleviates cytoplasmic mislocalization of mutant TDP-43. We also further quantified newly-identified, late-onset neuromuscular phenotypes of this mutant line, and demonstrate that neuronal Oxr1 over-expression causes a significant reduction in muscle denervation and neuromuscular junction degeneration in homozygous mutants in parallel with improved motor function and a reduction in neuroinflammation. Together these data support the application of Oxr1 as a viable and safe modifier of TDP-43-associated ALS phenotypes.
The Association of Medications and Vaccination with Risk of Pneumonia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Gregory Martin H , Ciorba Matthew A , Wiitala Wyndy L , Stidham Ryan W , Higgins Peter , Morley S Celeste , Hou Jason K , Feagins Linda A , Govani Shail M , Cohen-Mekelburg Shirley A , Waljee Akbar K
Published: August 2019

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for pneumonia, and corticosteroids are reported to amplify this risk. Less is known about the impact of corticosteroid-sparing IBD therapies on pneumonia risk or the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination in reducing all-cause pneumonia in real-world IBD cohorts.

Methods

We performed a population-based study using an established Veterans Health Administration cohort of 29,957 IBD patients. We identified all patients who developed bacterial pneumonia. Cox survival analysis was used to determine the association of corticosteroids at study entry and as a time-varying covariate, corticosteroid-sparing agents (immunomodulators and antitumor necrosis-alpha [TNF] inhibitors), and pneumococcal vaccination with the development of all-cause pneumonia.

Results

Patients with IBD who received corticosteroids had a greater risk of pneumonia when controlling for age, gender, and comorbidities (hazard ratio [HR] 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90–2.57 for prior use; HR = 3.42; 95% CI, 2.92–4.01 for use during follow-up). Anti-TNF inhibitors (HR 1.52; 95% CI, 1.02–2.26), but not immunomodulators (HR 0.91; 95% CI, 0.77–1.07), were associated with a small increase in pneumonia. A history of pneumonia was strongly associated with subsequent pneumonia (HR = 4.41; 95% CI, 3.70–5.27). Less than 15% of patients were vaccinated against pneumococcus, and this was not associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.80–1.30) in this cohort.

Conclusion

In a large US cohort, corticosteroids were confirmed to increase pneumonia risk. Tumor necrosis-alpha inhibitors were associated with a smaller increase in the risk of pneumonia. Surprisingly, pneumococcal vaccination did not reduce all-cause pneumonia in this population, though few patients were vaccinated.
On the Pronunciation Dictionaries of Contemporary German: Lexicographic Construction and Multimedia Components
Authors: Nycz Krzysztof , Tęcza Zygmunt
Published: August 2019

The aim of the following paper is to discuss some significant differences between four modern pronunciation dictionaries of the German language, namely: the Großes Wörterbuch der deutschen Aussprache of 1982, DUDEN Aussprachewörterbuch of 2000, Deutsches Aussprachewörterbuch of 2009, and DUDEN Aussprachewörterbuch of 2015. To start with, a brief review of the history of the dictionaries in question is presented. After that, their formal or editorial characteristics and the structures of their lemma lists are discussed. Finally, due attention is paid to the proportion and properties of the multimedia components included in the two most recent works.
Nocturnal Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Reduces Cortisol-Awakening Response and Morning Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Dornbierer D A , Boxler M , Voegel C D , Stucky B , Steuer A E , Binz T M , Baumgartner M R , Baur D M , Quednow B B , Kraemer T , Seifritz E , Landolt H P , Bosch O G
Published: August 2019

Background

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB; or sodium oxybate) is an endogenous GHB-/gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist. It is approved for application in narcolepsy and has been proposed for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, and depression, all of which involve neuro-immunological processes. Tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs), the cortisol-awakening response (CAR), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been suggested as peripheral biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders. GHB has been shown to induce a delayed reduction of T helper and natural killer cell counts and alter basal cortisol levels, but GHB’s effects on TRYCATs, CAR, and BDNF are unknown.

Methods

Therefore, TRYCAT and BDNF serum levels, as well as CAR and the affective state (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule [PANAS]) were measured in the morning after a single nocturnal dose of GHB (50 mg/kg body weight) in 20 healthy male volunteers in a placebo-controlled, balanced, randomized, double-blind, cross-over design.

Results

In the morning after nocturnal GHB administration, the TRYCATs indolelactic acid, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and quinolinic acid; the 3-hydroxykynurenine to kynurenic acid ratio; and the CAR were significantly reduced (P < 0.05–0.001, Benjamini-Hochberg corrected). The quinolinic acid to kynurenic acid ratio was reduced by trend. Serotonin, tryptophan, and BDNF levels, as well as PANAS scores in the morning, remained unchanged after a nocturnal GHB challenge.

Conclusions

GHB has post-acute effects on peripheral biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders, which might be a model to explain some of its therapeutic effects in disorders involving neuro-immunological pathologies. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02342366.
A Recombinant Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP Vaccine Elicits Cross-serogroup Protection in Mice Against Vaginal Shedding and Infertility
Authors: Tifrea Delia F , Pal Sukumar , de la Maza Luis M
Published: August 2019

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. Here, we determined the ability of a C. trachomatis recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) vaccine to elicit cross-serogroup protection.

Methods

Female C3H/HeN mice were vaccinated by mucosal and systemic routes with C. trachomatis serovar D (UW-3/Cx) rMOMP and challenged in the ovarian bursa with serovars D (UW-3/Cx), D (UCI-96/Cx), E (IOL-43), or F (N.I.1). CpG-1826 and Montanide ISA 720 were used as adjuvants.

Results

Immune responses following vaccination were more robust against the most closely related serovars. Following a genital challenge (as determined by number of mice with positive vaginal cultures, number of positive cultures, number of inclusion forming units recovered, and number of days with positive cultures) mice challenged with C. trachomatis serovars of the same complex were protected but not those challenged with serovar F (N.I.1) from a different subcomplex. Females were caged with male mice. Based on fertility rates, number of embryos, and hydrosalpinx formation, vaccinated mice were protected against challenges with serovars D (UW-3/Cx), D (UCI-96/Cx), and E (IOL-43) but not F (N.I.1).

Conclusions

This is the first subunit vaccine shown to protect mice against infection, pathology, and infertility caused by different C. trachomatis serovars.
Indonesia’s South–South cooperation: when normative and material interests converged
Authors: Winanti Poppy S , Alvian Rizky Alif
Published: August 2019

This article analyzes how and why contemporary Global South countries’ South–South cooperation (SSC) exhibits a convergence between normative and material interests. The normative approach underlines that SSC is driven by a country’s experience with colonialism and underdevelopment. SSC is perceived as a mechanism to alter the Global South’s asymmetrical relations with the dominant Global North. The material approach highlights the strategic values of SSC for Southern powers. Through SSC, Southern countries desire to improve their reputation, garner support from other South countries in international fora, and pursue their own broader economic agendas. By utilizing domestic politics analysis, Indonesia’s experience shows that a more pragmatic approach to SSC reflects a broader transformation of Indonesia’s domestic political configuration. While Indonesia’s early practices of SSC prefer normative over material interests, the country’s current policies display a convergence of its material and normative interests, which signifies the emergence of ‘interest-based Third World solidarity’.
The Relationship between Contributors’ Domestic Abuses and Peacekeeper Misconduct in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations
Authors: Horne Cale , Robinson Kellan , Lloyd Megan
Published: August 2019

Recent research has begun to examine patterns of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) perpetrated by peacekeepers deployed in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations (PKOs). Yet, SEA makes up only a fraction of credible allegations of misconduct by peacekeepers. In this article we explore the contours of misconduct in UN PKOs beyond SEA allegations. We argue that the behavior of military forces in their own countries should easily predict their behavior when deployed as part of UN PKOs, which are typically set in fragile, postconflict countries where civilians have minimal protections or legal recourse. Using an original dataset of misconduct in PKOs from 2009 to 2016, we find the behavior of PKO contributor states toward their own populations strongly and consistently predicts the behavior of these states’ military forces in UN PKOs. These findings have implications for the vetting, supervision, and composition of PKOs.