bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Costo de producción y competitividad en la Asociación de Mujeres indígenas “Mushuk Kawsay” Chimborazo, 2022
Authors: Parreño-Barahona Lilliam Patricia , Alejandro-Lindao María Fernanda
Published: August 2022

El objeto de la investigación es diseñar un control de costeo total de producción de yogurt de mashua, como estrategia de competitividad para el año 2022, acorde a la cualificación de las experiencias de las socias, requerimiento de la organización y cumplimiento de las normativas establecidas por los entes de control, por tal razón la entidad ha realizado procesos enfocados solo en la venta de su producto, sin considerar el control de costos fijos y variables de producción para la valuación de los inventarios terminados, para la recopilación de información se aplicó la metodología de campo, entrevistas con las socias encargadas del proceso productivo, verificación de procesos, análisis de documentación, la investigación ha sido cualitativa y cuantitativa, con el apoyo de fuentes bibliográficas permitió la identificación de la materia prima, mano de obra directa, y gastos generales de fabricación, para el análisis de forma clara y precisa los costos de distribución como los gastos administrativos, gastos de ventas, y los gastos financieros , que facilite las estrategias en la fijación de precios; por estos aspectos se considera que la aplicación de un sistema de costeo total o costeo absorbente se debe implementar en el proceso productivo, pues los costos de fabricación sean estos costos totales variables y costos totales fijos son parte de este, con ello facilitará el control contable, cumplir con el Servicios de rentas Internas (SRI), informes a las socias  y demás entes de control, administración financiera, y la aplicación de procesos de gestión de la calidad.
Merchandising visual y marketing digital: estrategias determinantes del mejoramiento de la rentabilidad turística del Cantón Baños
Authors: Chimborazo-Mazabanda Michelle Anahí , Gordon-Gamboa María José , Ballesteros-López Leonardo Gabriel
Published: August 2022

En la actualidad se visualiza una carencia de estrategias de merchandising visual y marketing digital enfocado en las empresas del sector turístico del cantón Baños. Por lo que surgió la necesidad de realizar una investigación cuantitativa con la finalidad de conocer claramente los negocios y empresas que implementan el uso de dichas estrategias se involucra en la rentabilidad de los negocios y de forma bibliográfica para el estudio de las variables. Como herramienta de recolección de datos se utilizó una encuesta validada por expertos en la materia, en la que se tomó como referencia información del catastro turístico del cantón Baños, obteniendo una muestra de 207 negocios para el estudio. El análisis de los resultados muestra que el 71% de los encuestados aplican las herramientas de marketing digital y merchandising visual logrando una fidelización de los clientes hacia la marca y, por ende, el nivel de ventas ha incrementado mejorando su rentabilidad. Mientras que el 29% aún se encuentra bajo el manejo de herramientas antiguas las cuales no favorece a la venta y consumo de servicios y productos. Se concluye que tanto el merchandising visual y el marketing digital son estrategias clave, que al implementarse de manera adecuada permitirán el crecimiento y desarrollo de las empresas, logrando la mejora de la rentabilidad.
Gestión pública y el servicio social del MIES Distrito San Lorenzo, provincia de Esmeraldas
Authors: Valencia-Cortez Marta Lucia
Published: August 2022

El objetivo del estudio es analizar la gestión pública y su incidencia en servicio social del MIES Distrito San Lorenzo. La metodología es bibliográfica-documental, de campo, el diseño es no experimental, la muestra fue 216 usuarios y 10 técnicos del MIES. Las técnicas utilizadas fueron la encuesta, también se implementaron grupos focales con la participación de 43 mujeres de las comunidades de 19 de Marzo de la parroquia Concepción, del Progreso de la parroquia Tambillo y de San Javier de Cachavi de la parroquia Cachavi. Los hallazgos establecen que los enfoques de gestión pública del MIES Distrito San Lorenzo, cumple con el accionar propuesto por el ente ministerial. En San Lorenzo el número de beneficiarios del bono de desarrollo humano (BDH) fueron 7.201. El 80,34% que representa 5.785 mujeres y el 19,66% que constituyen 1.416 hombres. El 52,83% viven en condiciones de pobreza y el 46,69% en extrema pobreza. La calidad del servicio social es adecuada, el servicio esperado recibido para un 38,9% siempre cumple con sus necesidades, aunque la insatisfacción se mantiene presenta en un nivel medio en el 18,1%. Los espacios de participación como grupos focales con la intervención de 43 mujeres evidencian que se requiere fortalecer las capacidades de los beneficiarios para un menor paternalismo y dependencia del Estado
Brecha digital y nuevas tecnologías de comunicación, en los estudiantes de la Universidad Estatal de Bolívar
Authors: Zambrano-Moreira Martha Lissette , Valle-Arellano Danilo Renato , Santillán-López Luis Gerardo , Barriga-Tamay Marcelo Gustavo
Published: August 2022

El objetivo de esta investigación se basa en explicar la influencia que tiene las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la disminución de la brecha digital en los estudiantes de la Universidad Estatal de Bolívar. La metodología aplicada en este estudio, se basa en un diseño bibliográfico de tipo documental. Esta investigación, surge de la necesidad de lograr que los estudiantes universitarios reduzcan los problemas relacionados con el uso de internet, esperando que alcancen los aprendizajes requeridos durante este periodo finalmente se concluye que reducir la brecha digital dentro de la educación no es un reto fácil pues no solo es a nivel educativo sino esto depende de diversos aspectos que el Estado es el encargado de poder subsanar esta brecha no solo digital sino de acceso producto de las desigualdades existentes, lo que se convierte en el reto principal para que el internet llegue en óptimas condiciones a todos los estudiantes, garantizando su libre acceso y la posibilidades de poder obtener una educación adecuada en cada uno de los estudiantes. Esta mejora permitirá que la educación tenga inclusión en los factores de enseñanza- aprendizaje e integración, formando un todo, sin dejar rezagado a ningún estudiante logrando que existan profesionales más competentes y capaces de enfrentar cualquier situación al tener adecuadas competencias digitales.
Aplicación del Social Media para la ampliación de los canales de venta en microempresas de productos cosméticos en la provincia de Manabí
Authors: Saldarriaga-López María José , Alvarez-Tituano Vicente Fabricio
Published: August 2022

En el presente trabajo se busca conocer las acciones, retos y limitantes en el manejo de social media para la captación de nuevos clientes y Asesoras/Consultoras garantizando la ampliación de los canales de venta de productos cosméticos de microempresarias Yanbal de la provincia de Manabí.  Para lo cual se realizó un análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo mediante la aplicación de entrevistas y encuestas, identificándose, que a la actualidad el uso de redes sociales forma parte importante de las estrategias y herramientas de marketing digital, y ha llevado a que los microempresarios eliminen barreras de zonificación, tomar acciones de autoeducación y capacitarse con profesionales; sobrepasar retos y alcanzar un alto nivel de seguidores. 
Concluyendo que el social media contribuye de manera efectiva en la captación de nuevos clientes, así como también al incremento de ventas para los microempresarios y para Yanbal.  Teniendo presente que aún conserva protagonismo la venta personalizada y presencial.
Análisis operativo y administrativo de la fabricación de chocolate en Ecuador
Authors: Hurtado-González Haylis Elizabeth , Lino-Yadaicela Elvys Jonnathan , Mora-Sánchez Norman Vinicio
Published: August 2022

El cacao ecuatoriano es uno de los principales activos biológicos que el mercado internacional demanda, especialmente el de Europa, producto de su ventajoso aroma y sabor; sin embargo, el desarrollo limitado de la transformación de la materia prima a producto final, el desgaste de las políticas de fomento, la falta de capital y recursos han sido un obstáculo para que el cacao ecuatoriano sea procesado y vendido como chocolate por los pequeños productores. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar un análisis del proceso administrativo y operativo de la fabricación de chocolate, a partir del estudio bibliográfico de los elementos y etapas que requieren un análisis administrativo-operativo orientado hacia la industrialización, cuya finalidad es promover una cultura de gestión administrativa con enfoque técnico y académico en emprendedores del sector agroindustrial cacaotero de la provincia de El Oro. La investigación es de carácter bibliográfico, con método analítico-sintético con un enfoque direccionado a la solución de un problema. Se obtuvo que muchos emprendimientos ligados a la naturaleza de esta actividad terminan fracasando en el corto plazo, debido a la ausencia de la planificación en los modelos de negocio y una inadecuada gestión operativa en el sector productivo agrícola. Por ello, los autores presentaron una propuesta integral basada en un flujograma del proceso de cultivo y producción de cacao e igualmente para la elaboración de chocolate de exportación, dirigido a pequeños emprendedores y empresas del sector agroindustrial.
Klasifikasi Penyakit Dengue Menggunakan Algoritma K-Nearest Neighbors Berbasis Flask
Authors: Rozaq Rozaq
Published: August 2022

Penanggulangan penyakit dengue merupakan salah satu elemen penting dalam memastikan masyarakat hidup sehat dan mendapatkan penanganan kesehatan yang baik. Penanggulangan penyakit dengue yang terlambat dapat mengakibatkan kematian. Berdasarkan permasalahan tersebut, maka diperlukan suatu sistem klasifikasi yang dapat mendiagnosis penyakit demam berdarah berdasarkan pemeriksaan kesehatan  pasien. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menerapkan algoritma k-nearest neighbor pada pembangunan sistem klasifikasi dengue. Algoritma K-Nearest Neighbors bekerja dengan menetapkan kelas dari suatu objek berdasarkan kesamaan atribut dari data yang sebelumnya dijadikan model. Data model yang dibangun menggunakan data kasus dengue yang terjadi di kota madiun dengan total data sebanyak 276 baris dengan kolom data sebanyak 7 kolom. Data model tersebut nantinya akan di pickle menggunakan library yang ada pada python. Setelah di pickle kemudian data di split menjadi data training sebanyak 70% dan data testing sebanyak 30% yang nantinya akan digunakan sebagai bahan untuk melakukan prediksi data. Metode pengembangan sistem untuk penelitian ini menggunakan metode extreme programming yang terdiri dari empat tahap yaitu: (1) perencanaan, (2) perancangan, (3) pengkodean, dan (4) pengujian. Pengembangan sistem dilakukan pada aplikasi berbasis web dengan menggunakan framework Flask menggunakan bahasa pemrograman Python, dengan akurasi rata-rata 0,72, akurasi  rata-rata  0,83, nilai recall rata-rata  0,59, dan nilai rata-rata f-1 0,64. Itu telah dibuat atau sebesar 64%.
Pembangunan Infastruktur Internet Murah (RT/RW Net) pada Masyarakat Santi Kota Bima
Authors: Rahmawan Ardi , Saitya Imaduddin , Putri Iin Arfani , Rahman Syahrul
Published: August 2022

RT/RW NET merupakan jaringan dalam ruang lingkup Rukun Tetangga (RT)/RW Rukun Warga. RT/RW net yang di bangun merupakan suatu konsep dimana beberapa komputer dalam suatu lingkungan atau blok dapat saling terhubung dan berbagi data serta informasi, jaringan RT/RW net ini dibangun menggunakan sistem paraler dengan tepologi jaringan Lokal Are Network (LAN) yang dapat menghasilkan jaringan komputer dengan kecepata Tinggi.  Penarapan jaringan RT RW ini menggunakan kabel UTP, Fiber Optick, Coaxial dan Wareless untuk menyebarkan jaringan. Penelitian ini bertujuan membangun sebuah jaringan internet murah yang dapat di akses oleh warga santi. Subjek penelitian yaitu beberapa warga yang domisili santi kota bima. Data diperoleh melalui obsevasi, kajian dokumen dan wawancara. Observasi dilakukan untuk mengatahui masyarakat yang ingin di pasangkan internet (RT/RW NET) dirumahnya. Data tersebut didukung oleh kajian dokumen berupa KTP warga yang berdomisi santi guna mengatahui masyarakat tersebut asli beralamat di santi kota bima. Wawancara dilakukan untuk mengatahu kecepatan internet RT RW net saat di gunakan. Alur penelitian ini meliputi: melakukan studi litelatur dan penyusunan rencana, Melakukan obsevasi Awal, menyusul proposal dan instrumen penelitian yang dibutuhkan, Melakukan validasi instrumen penelitian, Melaksanakan penelitian yang terdiri dari obsevasi, kajian dokumen dan wawancara, Melakukan analisis dan penyusunan data, Melakukan penyusunan artikel dan luaran, Melakukan perancangan laporan akhir dan finalisasi laporan akhir.
International Dimensions of Authoritarian Persistence in the MENA Region: Revisiting US Foreign Aid to Egypt in the post-2011 Arab Uprisings Era
Authors: RATROUT Eman , KÖPRÜLÜ Nur
Published: August 2022

The majority of studies that examine political liberalization and democratization in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region concentrate on internal factors such as Islamic or patriarchal culture, oil rents, socio-economic structures and patrimonialism. This article argues instead that external factors under the cloak of aid represent one of the main dynamics impeding democratic transformation in the region, and precisely supports authoritarian regime consolidation. In this regard, Egypt can be described as a case of authoritarian stability in the post-2011 Arab Uprisings era in which politics and stability rather than democratization and/ or development agenda have become the main motive behind donor decisions hitherto. In this article, Egypt has been selected as a case study to illuminate how the increased hopes and dividends of democratic transition from the Arab Uprisings can swiftly turn into upholding authoritarian rule.
Analisis Tingkat Kepuasan Konsumen Jamur Krispy Cak Wan Magetan
Authors: Nareswari Widita , Utomo Angga Rendyantoni Puji
Published: August 2022

Pentingnya industri tidak hanya berperan dalam penyediaan lapangan kerja, tetapi juga berperan dalam pemberdayaan ekonomi salah satunya pada usaha Jamur Krispy Cak Wan. Penelitian ini bertujuan (1) untuk mengetahui tingkat kesesuaian antar tingkat kepentingan dan tingkat kinerja (2) tingkat kepentingan dan tingkat kinerja terhadap tingkat kepuasan konsumen. Penelitian ini menggunakan data sekunder dan data primer. Responden yang digunakan yaitu sebanyak 35 responden. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif kuantitatif dengan metode Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) dan Customer Statisfaction Index (CSI). Berdasarkan hasil penelitian didapatkan bahwa tingkat kesesuaian mendapat nilai tinggi pada variabel rasa sedangkan nilai terendah pada variabel tingkat kerenyahan. Sedangkan nilai kepuasan konsumen didapatkan nilai sebesar 62 persen hal ini diperlukannya perbaikan variabel ditingkat kinerja produk yang didapatkan dari hasil perhitungan nilai Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) untuk meningkatkan nilai CSI.
Semaglutide: Heart of the Matter (SUSTAIN-6 and PIONEER-6)
Authors: Khurana Rohit
Published: August 2022

T2 diabetes has long been recognised as a major and exponentially growing global public health concern. Asia is no exception. Cardiovascular adverse events remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in T2 diabetics. There is an urgent need for effective therapies to improve cardiovascular outcomes and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Semaglutide is a potent glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue with the exclusive advantage of being available in both subcutaneous and oral formulations. The cardiovascular safety of each of these formulations was assessed in the SUSTAIN-6 and PIONEER-6 trials and the observed benefits has led to the approval of both the subcutaneous and oral formulations as an adjunct to diet and lifestyle measures in high-risk patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Can He Ever Be Cared For at Home?” Discharge Care Planning for a New Bedbound Elderly
Authors: Wong Wong Peng Yong
Published: August 2022

This is a case of an elderly gentleman who sufferedna sudden intracranial haemorrhage, rendering himnseverely disabled and dependent with high care needs. The attending family physician in the community hospital coordinated multidisciplinary support and facilitated discharge care planning. He also managed venous thromboembolism and enteral feeding and formulated care plans for subsequent medical crises. This illustrates the importance of good generalist care in supporting such patients, their family, and caregivers in the transition from hospital to home and sustaining them in the community.
Addressing Behaviours of Concern: The Interplay of Health, Communication Limitations, and Psycho-social Factors
Authors: Chen Shiling
Published: August 2022

Persons with intellectual disability commonly present to healthcare professionals with behaviours of concern, which have a significant impact on their quality of life, as well as that of their caregivers. These behaviours often result from a combination of complex factors, which includes physical and mental health conditions, psycho-emotional issues, and social-environmental difficulties, all of which are made more challenging by their inherent cognitive and communication difficulties. A comprehensive assessment is essential, and the objective will be to determine the underlying reason(s) for the behaviour. Depending on the underlying cause(s) ascertained, pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological treatment needs to be implemented promptly and appropriately in a person-centred manner. The impact of these behaviours on caregivers cannot be overlooked and they must be supported and engaged actively throughout the process. Regular review and monitoring of the effectiveness as well as adverse effects of the interventions will need to be carried out. This article aims to outline an approach to the assessment and management of these behaviours.
Agatha Christie: Evil, Love and Desire
Authors: Peters Fiona
Published: August 2022

References to the concept of evil can be found scattered throughout Agatha Christie’s novels. It is, however, rare to encounter this as a prevalent theme, especially in the novels which feature her private detectives Poirot, Marple and Tommy and Tuppence. It is my contention in this article that it is not until two of her late novels Endless Night (1967) and The Pale Horse (1961) that Christie foregrounds the issue of evil and concurrent themes of psychotic and obsessive love and desire. Of course, there are multiple examples of the intersections between love and evil, involving betrayal, trickery and duplicity throughout her work, but these are generally secondary to plot structure and, in the case of love, romantic and often neat endings. The article contends that a ‘new’ Christie starts to emerge late in her work, one who has, however obliquely still, begun to engage with evil as a fundamental question, post-WW2 and the Holocaust.
True Crime and Contemporary Crime Fiction
Authors: Stewart Victoria
Published: August 2022

The incorporation of thematic and formal references to true-crime texts in recent British and Irish crime novels shows fiction authors acknowledging that they share an audience with true-crime podcasts, documentaries and books. At the same time, these authors assert the particular contribution that fiction makes to the raising of awareness of both real-world crime and its representations. Examples considered include novels by Ruth Rendell, Denise Mina and Catherine Ryan Howard.
Subcommander Marcos and Detective Fiction: The Case of Mexico’s Mysterious Masked Man
Authors: Henck Nick
Published: August 2022

The paper focuses on Mexican guerrilla leader and global rebel icon Subcommander Marcos, and in particular on his acquaintance with and affinity for detective fiction. More specifically, it explores his exposure to the genre and the influence it had upon him; his references to it in his communiqués; and his relationship with the detective novelists Manuel Vázquez Montalbán from Spain and Paco Ignacio Taibo II from Mexico. This study examines numerous communiqués and oral presentations by the Subcommander that mention Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories as well as Marcos and Taibo II’s co-authored highly-political crime novel, The Uncomfortable Dead. This novel, which represents Marcos’s longest piece of unified prose-writing and features his literary creation, the indigenous detective Elías Contreras, exhibits certain shared preoccupations on the part of Marcos, Montalbán and Taibo: namely, the detrimental impact of neoliberal globalisation, and the importance of historical memory in combatting it. Finally, the paper explores the factors that led Marcos to employ a crime novel as a major vehicle for conveying his socially inclusive, pro-indigenous, pro-ecology, pro-democracy, pro-female empowerment, pro-LGBTQ, anti-capitalist and anti-neoliberal globalisation political philosophy.
Physical factors that differentiate body kinematics between treadmill and overground walking
Authors: Jung Mingi , Koo Seungbum
Published: August 2022

Treadmills are widely used in rehabilitation and gait analysis. However, previous studies have reported differences in terms of kinematics and kinetics between treadmill and overground walking due to physical and psychological factors. The aim of this study was to analyze gait differences due to only the physical factors of treadmill walking. Walking motions of a male participant were captured at 0.63, 1.05, 1.33, and 3.91 m/s. A gait controller of a virtual subject (63 kg) was trained for ground walking at each walking speed via a reinforcement learning method. Additionally, the gait controllers of virtual subjects with different body masses of 47, 79, and 94 kg were trained for ground walking at 1.05 m/s. The gait controllers and virtual subjects were tested for treadmill walking, and their lower-limb joint kinematics were compared with those for ground walking. Treadmill conditions of maximum allowable belt force and feedback control frequency of belt speed were set between 100 and 500 N and between 10 and 50 Hz, respectively. The lower-limb kinematics were identical between the two conditions regardless of the body mass and walking speed when the belt could provide a constant speed regardless of external perturbation in the ideal treadmill. However, kinematic differences were observed when simulation was performed on a non-ideal treadmill with a relatively low belt force and control frequency of belt speed. The root-mean-square differences of the hip, knee, and ankle flexion angles between treadmill and overground running at 3.91 m/s increased by 3.76°, 3.73°, and 4.91°, respectively, when the maximum belt force and control frequency decreased from infinity to 100 N and 10 Hz, respectively. At a maximum belt force exceeding 400 N or a control frequency exceeding 25 Hz, the root-mean-square difference of the joint kinematics was less than 3° for all body masses and walking speeds. Virtual subjects walking on non-ideal treadmills showed different joint kinematics from ground walking. The study identified physical factors that differentiate treadmill walking from overground walking, and suggested the belt forces and control frequencies of a treadmill to achieve the desired limit of kinematic differences.
Effect of temperature change on the performance of the hybrid linear flow channel reactor and its implications on sulphate-reducing and sulphide-oxidising microbial community dynamics
Authors: Marais T. S. , Huddy R. J. , Van Hille R. P. , Harrison S. T. L.
Published: August 2022

Semi-passive bioremediation is a promising strategy to mitigate persistent low volume mine-impacted wastewater containing high sulphate concentrations. Building on the proof of concept demonstration of the hybrid linear flow channel reactor (LFCR), capable of simultaneous biological sulphate reduction and partial sulphide oxidation with elemental sulphur recovery, the impact of key operating parameters, such as temperature, on process performance is critical to real-world application. Temperature fluctuates seasonally and across the diurnal cycle, impacting biological sulphate reduction (BSR) and partial sulphide oxidation. The process is reliant on the metabolic activity and synergistic interactions between sulphate-reducing (SRB) and sulphide-oxidising (SOB) microbial communities that develop within discrete oxic and anoxic microenvironments within the hybrid LFCR. In this study, the impact of operating temperature on process performance was evaluated by decreasing temperature with time from 30 to 10°C in each of three laboratory-scaled hybrid LFCR units operating in pseudo-steady state at 1 g/L sulphate. Using lactate as a carbon source, two reactor sizes (2 and 8 L) were considered, while the impact of lactate vs. acetate as carbon source was evaluated in the 2 L reactors. On incremental decrease in temperature from 30 to 10°C, a decrease in volumetric sulphate reduction rate was observed: from 0.144 to 0.059 mmol/L.h in the 2 L lactate-fed reactor; from 0.128 to 0.042 mmol/L.h in the 8 L lactate-fed reactor; and from 0.127 to 0.010 mmol/L.h in the 2 L acetate-fed reactor. Similarly, sulphate conversion efficiency decreased (2 L lactate-fed: 66% to 27%; 8 L lactate-fed: 61% to 20%; 2 L acetate-fed: 61% to 5%). A decrease in temperature below the critical value (15°C) led to considerable loss in metabolic activity and overall BSR performance. Sessile and planktonic microbial communities were represented by bacterial phyla including Proteobacteria, Synergistetes, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. A diverse group of putative SRB (Deltaproteobacteria) and SOB, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Epsilonproteobacteria phylotypes, were prevalent and shifted in relative abundance and community composition in response to decreasing temperature. Specifically, the decrease in the relative abundance of Deltaproteobacteria with decreasing temperature below 15°C corresponded with a loss of BSR performance across all three reactors. This study demonstrated the impact of low temperature on the physiological selection and ecological differentiation of SRB and SOB communities within the hybrid LFCR and its implications for real-world process performance.
Safety and biodistribution of exosomes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Gu Zhewei , Yin Zhiyu , Song Pengbo , Wu Ying , He Ying , Zhu Maoshu , Wu Zhengxin , Zhao Sicheng , Huang Hongri , Wang Huihuang , Tong Cailing , Qi Zhongquan
Published: August 2022

As a new cell-free therapy, exosomes have provided new ideas for the treatment of various diseases. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) cannot be used in clinical trials because of tumorigenicity, but the exosomes derived from hiPSCs may combine the advantages of iPSC pluripotency and the nanoscale size of exosomes while avoiding tumorigenicity. Currently, the safety and biodistribution of hiPSC-exosomes in vivo are unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of hiPSC-exosomes on hemolysis, DNA damage, and cytotoxicity through cell experiments. We also explored the safety of vein injection of hiPSC-exosomes in rabbits and rats. Differences in organ distribution after nasal administration were compared in normal and Parkinson’s disease model mice. This study may provide support for clinical therapy and research of intravenous and nasal administration of hiPSC-exosomes.
The promising roles of macrophages in geriatric hip fracture
Authors: Lu Yi-ning , Wang Ling , Zhang Ying-ze
Published: August 2022

As aging becomes a global burden, the incidence of hip fracture (HF), which is the most common fracture in the elderly population and can be fatal, is rapidly increasing, and its extremely high fatality rate places significant medical and financial burdens on patients. Fractures trigger a complex set of immune responses, and recent studies have shown that with aging, the immune system shows decreased activity or malfunctions in a process known as immune senescence, leading to disease and death. These phenomena are the reasons why elderly individuals typically exhibit chronically low levels of inflammation and increased rates of infection and chronic disease. Macrophages, which are key players in the inflammatory response, are critical in initiating the inflammatory response, clearing pathogens, controlling the innate and adaptive immune responses and repairing damaged tissues. Tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs) are widely present in tissues and perform immune sentinel and homeostatic functions. TRMs are combinations of macrophages with different functions and phenotypes that can be directly influenced by neighboring cells and the microenvironment. They form a critical component of the first line of defense in all tissues of the body. Immune system disorders caused by aging could affect the biology of macrophages and thus the cascaded immune response after fracture in various ways. In this review, we outline recent studies and discuss the potential link between monocytes and macrophages and their potential roles in HF in elderly individuals.
Baohe pill decoction for diarrhea induced by high-fat and high-protein diet is associated with the structure of lactase-producing bacterial community
Authors: Zhou Kang , Deng Na , Yi Xin , Cai Ying , Peng Maijiao , Xiao Nenqun
Published: August 2022

Background

This study investigated the effects of Baohe pill decoction on the diversity and community composition of lactase-producing bacteria in the intestinal contents of mice with diarrhea induced by high-fat and high-protein diet, which provided an experimental basis for the study on the therapeutic mechanism of Baohe pill decoction.

Materials and methods

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), DisGeNET, UniProt, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and GeneCards databases were used to collect the potential targets with active ingredients of Baohe pill decoction, diarrhea, and lactase, and then construct correlation networks. Fifteen Kunming mice were randomly divided into the control group (CN), natural recovery group (NR), and Baohe pill decoction treatment group (BHP), with five mice in each group. After constructing a mouse diarrhea model by HFHPD induction, BHP was gavaged with Baohe pill decoction, and the other groups were gavaged with distilled water of equal. The intestinal contents were collected from ileal to jejunal and analyzed using metagenomic sequencing to characterize the intestinal content of lactase-producing bacteria in mice.

Results

The core active ingredients related to diarrhea in Baohe pill decoction were quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, forsythin, and wogonin. And there was no intersection between the potential targets with the active ingredient of Baohe pill, lactase, and diarrhea. After the intervention of Baohe pill decoction, the Observed species, Chao1 index, and Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) number increased in BHP (P > 0.05), while the Pielous evenness and Shannon index decreased (P > 0.05). In Beta diversity, the community structure of the NR was significantly different from CN and BHP (P < 0.05), and the community structure of the CN was not significant difference from BHP (P > 0.05). Compared to NR, the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Amycolatopsis increased, while the relative abundance of Lachnoclostridium, Sinorhizobium, Cedecea, and Escherichia decreased in BHP, but none of the significant differences (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The therapeutic effect of Baohe pill decoction on diarrhea induced by HFHPD does not appear to involve the body’s lactase gene targets directly, but is associated with the change of the construction of lactase-producing bacterial communities.
Gut microbiota: Linking nutrition and perinatal depression
Authors: Song Jia , Zhou Bi , Kan Juntao , Liu Guangya , Zhang Sheng , Si Liang , Zhang Xianping , Yang Xue , Ma Junhua , Cheng Junrui , Liu Xiaobo , Yang Yongde
Published: August 2022

Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that is reported in women during pregnancy (prenatal) and after childbirth (postnatal). The onset of perinatal depression is associated with changes in reproductive hormones, stress hormones and neurosteroids. These chemical compounds can be modulated by the gut microbiota, which may affect maternal mental health during the perinatal period via the gut-brain-axis. Recent studies suggest that nutritional and dietary interventions (vitamin D, ω-3 fatty acids, iron, and fiber) effectively prevent or mitigate maternal depression and anxiety, but their efficacy is confounded by various factors, including the gut microbiota. Probiotics are efficacious in maintaining microbiota homeostasis, and thus, have the potential to modulate the development of perinatal mood disorders, despite no evidence in human. Therefore, clinical trials are warranted to investigate the role of probiotic supplementation in perinatal depression and behavioral changes. This article reviews the interplay between nutrition, gut microbiota and mood and cognition, and the evidence suggesting that probiotics affect the onset and development of perinatal depression.
The challenges and opportunities for the development of COVID-19 therapeutics and preparing for the next pandemic
Authors: Ogbadoyi Emmanuel O , Umar Ndagi
Published: August 2022

The disease which is today known as COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory. Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The disease has claimed well over six million lives from over 500 million cases. Vaccine hesitancy militates against successful mass vaccination. There is the rapid emergence of new SARS-COV-2 variants, constituting a challenge to the effectiveness of vaccines. Moreover, none of the available vaccines offers 100% protection and even the protection offered is of short duration necessitating booster doses to be taken. Moving forward, the development of plant-based edible vaccines will be a remarkable strategic approach to overcome vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake. So far only about nine drugs for COVID-19 treatment have approvals by either or both the European Medicines Agency and the FDA. While drug repurposing to address the emerging need in the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic has been contextually very useful, investment in it remains relatively low for commercial reasons arising from patenting issues. Embarking on new drug discovery and development strategies targeting both the virus and host factors is a very appealing option. Targeting druggable targets that are present across viruses, particularly the coronaviruses, for drug discovery and development represents an important strategy for pandemic preparedness. Natural products are an important reservoir of chemical scaffolds with huge potential for the discovery of novel chemical entities for development of novel therapeutics. Phytopharming is an available technology that can be used for mass and accelerated production of therapeutic molecules that will be required within short periods of time as is the case in pandemic outbreaks. Nanotechnology provides excellent platforms for formulating multivalent vaccines and pan-viral medicines for the treatment of COVID-19. Taken together, this review discusses the potential for the development of therapeutics by using the tools of biocomputing, nanotechnology, and phytopharming for accelerated therapeutic development to achieve effective COVID-19 treatment and associated complications, including new and emerging variants of SARS-COV-2 and other viral pandemics that may emerge or re-emerge.
Research on a hydrate saturation prediction method based on an analysis of factors that influence the prediction accuracy of sea area hydrate saturation
Authors: Bao Xiangsheng , Luo Tianyu , Li Huadong , Li Jiusheng , Chen Guomin , Mi Fang , Cai Zhanhu , Chen Huapeng
Published: August 2022

It has been predicted that China has about 80 billion tons of oil equivalent of natural gas hydrate resources in its sea. China has conducted at least six drilling and two trial exploitations in the South China Sea, achieving good results. However, these achievements do not necessarily mean that the research area can support commercial exploitation. Only when the natural gas hydrate resources in the research area reach a certain scale will it be valuable for commercial exploitation. A reliable quantitative prediction method is necessary to clarify the scale of gas hydrate in the research area. However, the classical Wood method’s application to the prediction of suspended hydrate saturation in the Shenhu maritime area of China results in a large prediction error; the analysis shows that an unreliable measurement of reservoir parameters is the main reason for the large prediction error. In order to clarify the influence of reservoir parameters, this paper—by analyzing the measurement sources of the parameters of reservoir parameters, firstly indicates that the inaccurate measurement of three reservoir parameters—matrix composition, porosity, and density—is the main cause of prediction error. Then, using the design of different reservoir parameter measurement schemes to conduct comparative analysis, this paper points out that unreliable porosity and density measurement may lead to large prediction errors, while unreliable measurements of matrix composition have a relatively small impact on prediction accuracy. Further analysis shows that the absolute value of the prediction error caused by uncertainty in synthetic reservoir parameter measurement is sometimes larger than the sum of the absolute prediction error caused by the single parameter measurement uncertainty. In addressing the problem of large prediction errors caused by the inaccurate measurement of reservoir parameters, this paper proposes a hydrate saturation prediction method based on non-hydrate correction—called the “Wood-Bao method”. Simulation and actual data studies show that the prediction effect of this method is superior to that of the Wood method.
Large-Scale Learning for Local Change: The Challenge of Massive Open Online Courses as Educator Professional Learning
Authors: Littenberg-Tobias Joshua , Slama Rachel
Published: August 2022

How can large-scale open online learning serve the professional learning needs of educators which are often highly localized? In this mixed-methods study, we examine this question through studying the learning experiences of participants in four massive open online courses (MOOCs) that we developed on educational change leadership (N = 1,712). We observed that educators were able to integrate their learning from the online courses across a variety of educational settings. We argue that a key factor in this process was that the design of online courses was attentive to various levels in which participants processed and applied their learning. We therefore propose the “Content-Collaboration-Context Model” (C-C-C) as a design model for designing and researching open online learning experiences for professional learning settings where participants’ work is highly localized. In analyzing learner experiences in our MOOCs, we apply this model to illustrate how individuals integrated the de-contextualized content of the online courses into their context-specific practices. We conclude with implications for the design and research on open online professional learning experiences.
Alterations in Oral Microbiota of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Patients With Xerostomia After Radioiodine Therapy
Authors: Lin Baiqiang , Zhao Fuya , Liu Yang , Sun Jiayu , Feng Jing , Zhao Lei , Wang Haoran , Chen Hongye , Yan Wei , Guo Xiao , Shi Shang , Li Zhiyong , Wang Shuang , Lu Yu , Zheng Jianjun , Wei Yunwei
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims

Oral xerostomia remains one of the most common complications of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients (DTC) after radioiodine therapy (RAI). Environmental factors in the etiology of xerostomia are largely unknown. We aimed to characterize the oral microbiota signatures and related biological functions associated with xerostomia and identify environmental factors affecting them.

Methods

Saliva was collected from 30 DTC patients with xerostomia (XAs), 32 patients without xerostomia (indicated as non-XAs) following RAI after total thyroidectomy, and 40 healthy people (HCs) for 16S rRNA sequencing analysis.

Results

The oral microbiota of XAs and non-XAs exhibited significant differences in α and β diversities and bacterial taxa. The abundance of porphyromonas, fusobacterium, and treponema_2 were significantly higher in XAs, while the abundance of the streptococcus was lower in the microbiota of non-XAs. Fusobacterium, and porphyromonas were negatively correlated with unstimulated/stimulated whole salivary secretion (USW)/(SWS), while fusobacterium, porphyromonas, and treponema_2 genera levels were positively associated with cumulative radioiodine dose. PICRUSt2 and BugBase suggested a significant difference in the expression of potentially_pathogenic, anaerobic, gram_negative, the arachidonic acid metabolism, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis between XAs and non-XAs, possibly interdependent on radioiodine-induced inflammation. NetShift analysis revealed that porphyromonas genus might play as a key driver during the process of xerostomia. Five genera effectively distinguished XAs from non-XAs (AUC = 0.87).

Conclusion

Our study suggests for the first time that DTC patients with xerostomia after RAI display microbiota profiles and associated functional changes that may promote a pro-inflammatory environment. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiota may contribute to exacerbating the severity of xerostomia. Our results provide a research direction of the interaction mechanism between oral microbiota alteration and the progress of xerostomia.
Negative emissions at negative cost-an opportunity for a scalable niche
Authors: Aravind P. V. , Champatan Vipin , Gopi Girigan , Vijay Vandit , Smit C. , Pande S. , van den Broeke L. J. P. , John T. D. , Illathukandy Biju , Sukesh A. , Shreedhar Sowmya , Nandakishor T. M. , Purushothaman Sachin J. , Posada John , Lindeboom R. E. F. , Nampoothiri K. U. K.
Published: August 2022

In the face of the rapidly dwindling carbon budgets, negative emission technologies are widely suggested as required to stabilize the Earth’s climate. However, finding cost-effective, socially acceptable, and politically achievable means to enable such technologies remains a challenge. We propose solutions based on negative emission technologies to facilitate wealth creation for the stakeholders while helping to mitigate climate change. This paper comes up with suggestions and guidelines on significantly increasing carbon sequestration in coffee farms. A coffee and jackfruit agroforestry-based case study is presented along with an array of technical interventions, having a special focus on bioenergy and biochar, potentially leading to “negative emissions at negative cost.” The strategies for integrating food production with soil and water management, fuel production, adoption of renewable energy systems and timber management are outlined. The emphasis is on combining biological and engineering sciences to devise a practically viable niche that is easy to adopt, adapt and scale up for the communities and regions to achieve net negative emissions. The concerns expressed in the recent literature on the implementation of emission reduction and negative emission technologies are briefly presented. The novel opportunities to alleviate these concerns arising from our proposed interventions are then pointed out. Our analysis indicates that 1 ha coffee jackfruit-based agroforestry can additionally sequester around 10 tonnes of CO2-eq and lead to an income enhancement of up to 3,000–4,000 Euros in comparison to unshaded coffee. Finally, the global outlook for an easily adoptable nature-based approach is presented, suggesting an opportunity to implement revenue-generating negative emission technologies on a gigatonne scale. We anticipate that our approach presented in the paper results in increased attention to the development of practically viable science and technology-based interventions in order to support the speeding up of climate change mitigation efforts.
A feeder link planning method for total supply capability improvement of distribution network
Authors: Xiao Jun , Lv Zihan , Zu Guoqiang , Song Chenhui
Published: August 2022

This study proposes a new feeder link planning method for the distribution network, which can improve total supply capability (TSC). Feeder links are the key component of distribution networks. They are of great significance to the TSC of the distribution network. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal the influence rules of feeder links on TSC and then apply the rules in distribution network planning. First, the indices describing the position, scale, and efficiency of feeder links are defined. Second, the influence rules of feeder links on TSC are revealed. 1) When the feeder geometrical distribution is more balanced, the TSC is higher. 2) When the feeder link scale is larger, the TSC is higher. While for both (1) and (2), the TSC will remain unchanged after reaching a certain value. 3) There always exists an optimal construction order of feeder links, which can ensure the TSC is as high as possible in each planning stage. Third, based on the rules, a model and an algorithm of the feeder link planning are proposed. The method can find an optimal construction order of feeder links, which can ensure that the value of TSC is as high as possible in each feeder link planning stage. Finally, the proposed method is verified on an 8-substation-transformer case grid, which has shown that the proposed method has advantages in feeder link efficiency and feeder-distribution balancing, and especially the TSC can be improved in each planning stage than the traditional methods.
State-of-charge estimation method for lithium-ion batteries based on competitive SIR model
Authors: Xu Guimin
Published: August 2022

In order to meet the needs of life and production and ensure the battery is stable when using the battery, a scheme for reckoning the state of charge of lithium-ion batteries derived from the competitive SIR model is proposed. During the charging process of the battery, the electrolyte and the diaphragm reach the negative electrode of the battery, and the electrolyte escapes from the graphite of the negative electrode to the positive electrode in the case of discharge. The analysis shows that the SIR model belongs to the internal information evolution process, which can infect the surrounding data and evaluate the state of charge better. Through experiments, it is substantiated that the scheme is able to better estimate the state of lithium-ion batteries, the error value is 0.0189, the accuracy is good, and the battery usage can be predicted in time.