bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal Aspects of COVID-19: A Review
Authors: Siregar Gontar Alamsyah , Siregar Ginanda Putra , Darmadi Darmadi
Published: July 2020

Coronaviruses commonly cause mild infections, but recently severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 caused a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 3,181,642 cases were confirmed globally. Gastrointestinal tract may be involved in COVID-19 due to the presence of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) in small intestine and colon which are mandatory for SARS-CoV-2 invasion. A proportion of patients with COVID-19 had gastrointestinal manifestation without respiratory symptoms. Viable virus can also be isolated from feces of patients. Fecal-oral transmission should be considered in controlling disease spreading. Fecal examination may also be considered to diagnose COVID-19, especially in areas with limited personal protective equipment.
A Survey of the Knowledge of Surveillance Officers and Outbreak Investigation Team toward COVID-19 in North Sumatera Province, Indonesia
Authors: Sitepu Frans Yosep , Depari Elpiani , Aditama Wiwit , Halim Rd , Isworo Adi , Lumbangaol Bangun Hot Pandapotan , Fathan Muhammad M , Aritonang Firman Apul , Sihotang Elinsa , Napitupulu Dormani Peronika , Nofri Arwan
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND: Our world is now facing the public health emergency situation. Since early December 2019, COVID-19 emerged the Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The disease is still continuing spread to more than 200 countries and territories globally.
AIM: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of COVID-19 among the surveillance officers and outbreak investigation team in North Sumatera, Indonesia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed between March 5, 2020 and April 20, 2020, among the surveillance officers and outbreak investigation team in North Sumatera province, Indonesia. A set of validated, pre-tested questionnaire was used to measure knowledge regarding COVID-19 infection and to collect a range of explanatory variables. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. A two-step logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association of participants’ demographic data, level of education, surveillance training, length of work, and location of workplace with the knowledge.
RESULTS: A total of 246 participants were collected. We found that 109 out of 246 (44.3%) participants were good knowledge of COVID-19. Multivariate model revealed that surveillance training was the most associated variable with knowledge of COVID-19 (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.09–4.27). In addition, as much as 27 participants (79.4%) have good knowledge and also have received surveillance training expressed a willingness to conduct surveillance (OR = 4.75, 95% CI = 1.98–11.39).
CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of surveillance officers and outbreak investigation team in North Sumatera regarding COVID-19 is relatively low. Participants who have good knowledge and have received surveillance training expressed a willingness to conduct surveillance of COVID-19 in the community. Therefore, training for surveillance and outbreak investigation team to improve the understanding and skill is a must.
Tourner la page de l’apartheid ? Les enjeux du salaire minimum national en Afrique du Sud
Authors: Pons-Vignon Nicolas , Isaacs Gilad
Published: July 2020

En janvier 2019, un salaire minimum national fixé à 20 rands par heure est entré en vigueur en Afrique du Sud ; environ un tiers des salariés formels gagnait moins de ce montant. Si la démocratisation s’est accompagnée de réformes du marché du travail, la structure des salaires n’avait pas changé. Les salaires minimaux, fixés par secteur, n’avaient pas réduit l’inégalité salariale. Lors des négociations tripartites, les syndicats ont convaincu les décideurs qu’augmenter le revenu des travailleurs pauvres aurait un impact positif sur le niveau de vie tout en stimulant la demande. Le salaire minimum reste confronté à des défis comme la faiblesse combinée de l’administration du travail et de la mobilisation des salariés précaires. Classification JEL : J08, J21, J31, J38, J41, K31, I32
Les rôles et fonctions réglementaires dans la réglementation basée sur l’information : analyse systématique
Authors: Bowen Frances , Panagiotopoulos Panos
Published: July 2020

On parle de réglementation basée sur l’information (IBR, pour « Information-based regulation ») lorsque les régulateurs utilisent l’information pour susciter des changements de comportement en vue d’atteindre des objectifs de politique publique. L’IBR est apparue comme une autre façon de réglementer les entreprises, par rapport aux instruments stratégiques plus traditionnels de commandement et de conduite des opérations directs et de marché dans l’État régulateur contemporain. Malgré un intérêt international croissant, des difficultés subsistent pour comprendre les rôles des régulateurs dans l’IBR, les fonctions des régulateurs dans la formation et l’exploitation des flux d’information, et les capacités administratives nécessaires pour les assumer. Dans le présent article, nous nous basons sur une méthodologie d’examen systématique pour synthétiser les conclusions de 130 articles évalués par un comité de lecture dans les domaines de la politique environnementale, énergétique et alimentaire. Nous développons une typologie des fonctions que peuvent assumer les régulateurs et décrivons les nouvelles capacités administratives requises dans l’État régulateur contemporain, notamment en matière de normalisation, d’assurance et d’intermédiation, ainsi que de gestion intelligente des données. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens La réglementation par l’information devient pratique courante dans de nombreuses régions du monde, dépassant ses frontières initiales aux États-Unis et dans d’autres pays développés. La conception et la mise en œuvre de ces systèmes créent de nouveaux défis pour les régulateurs. Notre étude intègre les recherches pertinentes dans trois domaines politiques (environnement, alimentation, énergie) et développe une nouvelle typologie des fonctions exercées par les régulateurs. Notre article est le premier à examiner la manière dont les rôles et les fonctions des régulateurs doivent changer dans l’environnement contemporain de l’information et de la réglementation. Il souligne également le fait qu’il est important que les régulateurs participent à l’IBR, une pratique traditionnellement considérée comme une approche en faveur de la déréglementation.
Indice de l’usage des technologies de l’information et de la communication dans l’administration du travail : nécessité, pertinence et utilisation potentielle
Authors: Galazka Anna M. , Beynon Malcolm , Edwards Tim
Published: July 2020

Dans le présent article, nous examinons la variation dans le niveau d’utilisation des technologies de l’information et de la communication par les organes nationaux des administrations du travail dans 81 pays différents. Nous poussons plus loin la recherche empirique sur la situation de l’usage des technologies de l’information et de la communication pour présenter un prototype d’indice de l’usage des technologies de l’information et de la communication au niveau national. Cet indice permet de faire apparaître les contributions des sous-dimensions de l’usage des technologies de l’information et de la communication, comme l’inspection du travail, les services publics pour l’emploi et la prévention et le règlement des conflits du travail. Nous présentons des graphiques montrant les formulations des sous-indices et de l’indice final pour chaque pays, ainsi que des données graphiques montrant le classement par pays et les variations géographiques de l’usage des technologies de l’information et de la communication (y compris les sous-dimensions de cet usage). Nous illustrons le potentiel futur de l’approche prescrite en proposant des explications possibles des résultats sur la base d’un échantillon de pays. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens En ces temps où les administrations publiques du monde entier sont poussées à proposer aux citoyens davantage de produits et services basés sur les technologies de l’information et de la communication, les décideurs politiques, les acheteurs publics de solutions technologiques et les fournisseurs de programmes d’assistance en matière de technologies de l’information et de la communication devraient avoir accès à des boîtes à outils leur permettant d’évaluer et de comparer l’utilisation des nouvelles technologies dans les organisations publiques et entre celles-ci. Dans le présent article, nous offrons aux praticiens une telle perspective en proposant cet outil. En utilisant des données mondiales sur l’utilisation des technologies de l’information et de la communication dans le domaine de l’administration du travail, nous mettons en évidence son potentiel pour construire des indices de l’usage des technologies de l’information et de la communication dans certains domaines du service public.
Défense faubourienne et nouvelle marque territoriale : les fausses-portes et les maisons-fortes à Liège à la fin du Moyen Âge
Authors: Mora-Dieu Guillaume
Published: July 2020

Comme dans de nombreuses autres villes d’Europe, les xiii e et xiv e  siècles à Liège sont le théâtre de luttes sociales et économiques, parfois extrêmement féroces. Dans la capitale principautaire, une puissante reconfiguration « aristocratique » est alors en cours, remodelant les divers corps sociaux et leur rapport de force. Dans le même temps, deux phénomènes (dont l’apparentement semble avoir été peu, voire jamais, étudié) commencent à se manifester dans le paysage urbain. Il s’agit de l’éclosion simultanée des fausses-portes fortifiées, barrant les accès des faubourgs, et de la multiplication, dans la périphérie de la cité, des maisons-fortes familiales. Cet essai tente de mettre en lumière, à travers tout le spectre urbain, les mécanismes principaux qui ont présidé à la création de ces petites fortifications collectives. La contribution, évidemment, n’a rien de définitif, ni d’exhaustif. L’enjeu est bien de proposer un autre angle d’attaque, une autre approche, d’un phénomène qui frappa beaucoup de grandes villes médiévales.
Quand enseigner l’éthique devient un geste politique. Peut-il en être autrement ?
Authors: Quintin Jacques
Published: July 2020

Le professionnel de la santé ne peut pas soigner le mal-être sans développer un sentiment de révolte contre les injustices que subissent les personnes malades et rendues vulnérables. Dans ce contexte, l’enseignement de l’éthique, pour un étudiant, c’est beaucoup plus que d’apprendre à se conformer aux bonnes pratiques, aux normes légales et déontologiques en vigueur. Pour le professeur, cela implique un questionnement éthique : est-il permis d’induire chez les étudiants une prise de conscience qui peut générer son lot de souffrances ? Nous proposons alors une éthique faible qui met en conflit différentes interprétations possibles et qui montre le caractère contingent des valeurs.
« Qui est là ? » ou « donnez-moi un corps ». Du détail. Une remarque pour la formation éthique
Authors: Théodoropoulou Elena K.
Published: July 2020

L’histoire du détail nous révèle un concept paradoxal à l’égard duquel on doit développer une certaine vigilance et attention. Il s’agit de la reconnaissance du moindre différent pouvant être associée au moment délicat de la formation éthique où ce qui rend la question éthique d’une certaine manière apparente émerge, au fur et à mesure qu’une fois le détail perçu, il devient un geste en déclenchant une interrogation sur le sens (de l’éthique).
New series for powers of $ \pi $ and related congruences
Authors: Sun Zhi-Wei
Published: July 2020

Via symbolic computation we deduce 97 new type series for powers of $ \pi $ related to Ramanujan-type series. Here are three typical examples:

   $ \sum\limits_{k = 0}^\infty\frac{P(k)\binom{2k}k\binom{3k}k\binom{6k}{3k}}{(k+1)(2k-1)(6k-1)(-640320)^{3k}} = \frac{18\times557403^3\sqrt{10005}}{5\pi} $

with

   $ \begin{align*} P(k) = &637379600041024803108 k^2 + 657229991696087780968 k \\&+ 19850391655004126179, \end{align*} $

   $ \sum\limits_{k = 1}^\infty \frac{(3k+1)16^k}{(2k+1)^2k^3 \binom{2k}k^3} = \frac{\pi^2-8}2, $

and

   $ \sum\limits_{n = 0}^\infty\frac{3n+1}{(-100)^n}\sum\limits_{k = 0}^n{n\choose k}^2T_k(1,25)T_{n-k}(1,25) = \frac{25}{8\pi}, $

where the generalized central trinomial coefficient $ T_k(b,c) $ denotes the coefficient of $ x^k $ in the expansion of $ (x^2+bx+c)^k $. We also formulate a general characterization of rational Ramanujan-type series for $ 1/\pi $ via congruences, and pose 117 new conjectural series for powers of $ \pi $ via looking for corresponding congruences. For example, we conjecture that

   $ \sum\limits_{k = 0}^\infty\frac{39480k+7321}{(-29700)^k}T_k(14,1)T_k(11,-11)^2 = \frac{6795\sqrt5}{\pi}. $

Eighteen of the new series in this paper involve some imaginary quadratic fields with class number $ 8 $.
Model of Carriage Movement on Plane with Dry Friction Forces
Authors: Rosenblat Grigory , Tishkin Vladimir , Yashin Vladimir
Published: July 2020

Wheel slip model is an important aspect of vehicle driving stability and safety control. However, in most of the carriage movement models friction forces and wheel slip effect are being neglected. This paper raises the problem of wheel slip in dangerous driving and autonomous vehicles under critical driving modes, then tasks the modeling of movement of an individual vehicle is considered. These are two tasks of nonholonomic mechanics: 1) the movement of a wheelset without wheel slip (two disks freely mounted on an axis) along an inclined plane in the field of gravity, and 2) the movement of a flat wheel model, which, under certain assumptions, can be a four-wheeled carriage. In these tasks, in addition to the standard dynamics (continuous motion without wheel slip), critical situations can also be observed associated with wheel sleep and separation of wheels from plane.
Educational Games as Software Through the Lens of Designing Process
Authors: Ahmad Mifrah
Published: July 2020

Educational games (EG) as learning software have become more dominant in the educational industry and have gained immense popularity. However, a constant battle between designing an EG that combines fun and educational content in delivering learning objective is a prominent challenge through the designing phase for various stakeholders involved, especially game designers. This chapter discusses three major contributions to game design fundamentals and principles and unpacks their concepts on designing EG. Moreover, an in-depth discussion of game design models/frameworks is understood. This analysis highlights issues and problems raised through the gaps existing between models/frameworks against them. This chapter proposes a combined prototyping process adopted from the discussion and emphasizes aspects required in documenting game design. With the process documented and aligned, game designers will be able to reflect a better understanding of a game design process in the industry.
Main Features and Types of Educational Use of Wiki Technology
Authors: Karipidis Nikolaos , Prentzas Jim
Published: July 2020

Wiki technology has become very popular during the last years and is used in many fields. It enables the collaborative creation and management of content retaining the history of changes. There is abundant wiki-based content on the web covering a large number of subjects. A significant contribution of wikis involves education. Under certain conditions, technology may enhance the learning process due to the unique features it encompasses. In this context, wikis may prove very helpful as they provide the infrastructure for collaborative learning approaches and the development of online learning communities. This chapter discusses main features of wikis, wiki features specifically required in education, and typical uses of wikis in education. Representative examples of successful wikis are presented. Future research directions are also outlined.
A Survey of Recent Approaches Integrating Blogs in School Education
Authors: Tsetsos Stavros , Prentzas Jim
Published: July 2020

Web 2.0 tools are frequently integrated in education. The main goal of this integration is to provide enhanced learning experiences to students. Among other Web 2.0 tools, blogs are often used. Many approaches have been presented that successfully exploited blogs in all levels of education. An aspect of interest is to outline main directions of the corresponding research work that will provide insight to researchers, teachers, students, developers, and policymakers. This chapter provides a brief survey of approaches integrating blogs in primary and secondary education. Initially, main concepts regarding blogs as Web 2.0 tools and educational blogs are briefly discussed. Then, 16 approaches concerning the use of blogs in primary and secondary education are surveyed. The results derived from these approaches are analyzed. The analysis shows that the results are positive, and blogs turn out to be useful tools for school education. It is likely that more such approaches will be presented in the future. The chapter also outlines future research directions.
Essential Features and Critical Issues With Educational Chatbots
Authors: Riel Jeremy
Published: July 2020

Conversational agents, also known as chatbots, are automated systems for engaging in two-way dialogue with human users. These systems have existed in one form or another for at least 60 years but have recently demonstrated significant potential with advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies. The use of conversational agents or chatbots for education can potentially reduce costs and supplement teacher instruction in transformative ways for formal learning. This chapter examines the design and status of chatbots and conversational agents for educational purposes. Common design functions and goals of educational chatbots are described, along with current practical applications of chatbots for educational purposes. Finally, this chapter considers issues about pedagogical commitments, ethics, and equity to suggest future work in the field.
Design, New Media, and Human-Computer Interactions
Authors: Gibbs William J.
Published: July 2020

In higher education design-oriented programs, collaborations with industry can be challenging to establish because of the time demands and work priories of professionals working in the field. Education should foster these relationships to enhance the overall educational experience for students. A common form of collaboration is projects in which students are given “real-world” design problems for which they propose a solution. These types of endeavors are very much practice-based and can be especially valuable in digital media and interactive design academic programs. When education partners with industry on such practice-based projects, education can add value and potentially help sustain these collaborations by ensuring that student methods and solutions are rooted in theory and call upon the rich research and theoretical bases of these disciplines. This chapter reviews approaches that educators can use to enhance educational projects with industry partners and ultimately enrich student learning outcomes.
Ushering Change in 21st Century Schools and Who Should Lead
Authors: Amzat Ismail Hussein
Published: July 2020

In the fast-paced field of education, change in school settings has reached its momentum and the debate on who is supposed to lead the change in school settings has been intensified. Leading change in a 21st century school engages the school principal, teachers, students, the community, and the government. In driving the change, a learner's achievement should be the ultimate goal for every school leader, since learning is the core business of every educational institution. Beyond the school community, parents and people in the community have a major role to play in their child's education, success of implementing change in school, as well as government providing sponsorship/strategic support to facilitate teaching and learning. In light of this collaboration in making schools better, this research has chosen qualitative methods to explore teacher's understanding in Northern State Malaysia of the role of school principals, teachers, students, the community, and the government in leading change in 21st century school settings.
Constructivism in 21st Century Online Learning
Authors: Reid-Martinez Kathaleen , Grooms Linda D.
Published: July 2020

Augmenting communication in and among those in the academic, business, and military communities, the exponential advancement of science and technology has availed vast amounts of information to virtually millions of people around the globe. In conjunction with this knowledge explosion has been a growing concern for the democratization of the learning process, with constructivism driving much of the educational agenda, most particularly in areas such as online distance education. This chapter examines the resurgence of the constructivist approach to teaching and learning, its convergence with rapidly changing technological advances, and its relationship to future trends in online pedagogy and andragogy.
Creativity and Impactful Learning Through Implicit Cognitive Vulnerability
Authors: Crawford Caroline M. , Newsum Janice Moore , White Sharon Andrews , Wallace Jennifer Young
Published: July 2020

Creating an instructional environment in which the learners can be cognitively vulnerable with the information learned, with learner colleagues, as well as with the instructional facilitator is vitally important towards information attainment and actively evaluating and revising one's own conceptual frameworking of information. The instructional engagement of the learner within the instructional environment is vitally important, towards knowledge acquisition as well as the learner's creativity towards understanding and working with the information, while emphasizing the strengths associated with impactful learning. Creativity is understood within implicit cognitive vulnerability, articulated as value, effectiveness. Further, impactful learning is understood as relationships and community, as well as respect and consciousness.
A Case Study on Extensive Online Reading in Higher Education
Authors: Presadă Diana , Badea Mihaela
Published: July 2020

The authors have noticed that students tend to focus exclusively on syllabus reading materials, ignoring reading for pleasure outside the classroom. Rarely taught in ordinary university classes, extensive reading skills may play an important part in the foreign language teaching and learning process. Given these facts, the authors decided to pilot an extensive reading program at the academic level, the ultimate aim being to implement it in the future. In addition, the pilot was continued with postgraduate students two years later. Therefore, the purposes of the chapter are to discover students' attitudes towards extensive reading and to assess the results of the pilot as reflected in their opinions with a view to conceiving a large-scale future reading program. The study attempts to shed light on the issues triggered by the introduction of such a program into the curriculum of Humanities students, being mainly concerned with the practical side of the phenomenon and highlighting the interdependence between the findings and the latest theories in the field.
On Using Multiple Disabilities Profiles to Adapt Multimedia Documents
Authors: Saighi Asma , Laboudi Zakaria , Roose Philippe , Laborie Sébastien , Ghoualmi-Zine Nassira
Published: July 2020

Currently, advanced technological hardware can offer mobile devices which fits in the hand with a capacity to consult documents at anytime and anywhere. Multiple user context constraints as well as mobile device capabilities may involve the adaptation of multimedia content. In this article, the authors propose a new graph-based method for adapting multimedia documents in complex situations. Each contextual situation could correspond to a physical handicap and therefore triggers an adaptation action using ontological reasoning. Consequently, when several contextual situations are identified, this leads to multiple disabilities and may give rise to inconsistency between triggered actions. Their method allows modeling relations between adaptation-actions to select the compatible triggerable ones. In order to evaluate the feasibility and the performance of their proposal, an experimental study has been made on some real scenarios. When tested and compared with some existing approaches, their proposal showed improvements according to various criteria.
Modeling Deep Learning Neural Networks With Denotational Mathematics in UbiHealth Environment
Authors: Sarivougioukas John , Vagelatos Aristides
Published: July 2020

Ubiquitous computing environments that are involved in healthcare applications are typically characterized by dynamically changing contexts. The contextual information must be efficiently processed in order to support medical decision making. The ubiquitous computing healthcare ecosystem must be capable of extracting medically valuable characteristics, making precise decisions, and taking medically appropriate actions. In this framework, deep learning networks can be used for data fusion of large and complex sets of information in order to make the appropriate medical diagnoses. The quality of decisions depends on the selection of appropriate network weights, which define a transformation of the given input into a diagnosis. Denotational mathematics provide a promising framework for modeling deep learning networks and adjusting their behavior by adapting their weights for the given input. Furthermore, the fidelity of the network's output can be controlled by applying a regulator to the weights values. The authors show that Denotational Mathematics can serve as a rigorous framework for modeling and controlling deep learning networks, thereby enhancing the quality of medical decision making.
Social and Existential Threats to Personal Security in Virtual Communities
Authors: Baeva Liudmila Vladimirovna
Published: July 2020

The article is devoted to the problem of destructive cyber influence. The objects of the study are “death groups” calling on young people to commit suicide, as well as the “Columbine communities,” which are associated with acts of aggression and murder in educational institutions. The problem of virtual youth communities of destructive type is presented from the positions of philosophical, anthropological, existential, and axiological analysis.
Regulations and Standards in Public Cloud
Authors: Singh Jitendra , Raghuvanshi Kamlesh Kumar
Published: July 2020

Security is a critical issue particularly in public cloud as it rests with the cloud providers. During security implementation, prevailing security threats and regulatory standards are borne in mind. Regulatory compliance varies from one cloud provider to another according to their maturity and location of the data center. Thus, subscribers need to verify the security requirement meeting their objective and the one implemented by the public cloud provider. To this end, subscribers need to visit each cloud provider's site to view the compliance. This is a time-consuming activity at the same time difficult to locate on a website. This work presents the prominent security standards suggested by the leading security institutions including NIST, CSA, ENISA, ISO, etc., that are applicable to the public cloud. A centrally-driven scheme is proposed in order to empower the subscriber to know the regulation and standards applicable according to their services need. The availability of an exhaustive list at one place will lower the users hassle at subscription time.
Dense Disparity Computing Method Based on Mesh Aggregation and Snake Optimization for Stereo Vision
Authors: Shuang Liu , Shuchun Yu
Published: July 2020

In order to generate continuous and dense disparity images, a stereo matching method based on mesh aggregation and Snake optimization is proposed in this article. First, the reference pixels are obtained, so as to improve the suppression effect of the brightness difference in Census transform and improve the accuracy of initial matching cost calculation. Second, the image is divided by SLIC super pixel segmentation method, and the neighborhood pixels are searched according to the mesh search in the region, and the matching cost of these pixels are aggregated together according to the corresponding weight to complete cost aggregation of the pixels to be matched. Third, the Snake algorithm is used in optimizing the boundary of the disparity region. Eight classes of images on the Middlebury platform are selected as the test images, and the four algorithms on the Middlebury platform are selected as reference algorithms to carry out the experimental research. The experimental results show that proportion to bad pixels is low and disparity is continuous and dense on the disparity image calculated by the algorithm proposed in this article. Performance of the proposed method is close to LocalExp algorithm which is the best on the Middlebury platform, and the proposed method can be better applied in the stereo vision.
Bounding Selmer Groups for the Rankin–Selberg Convolution of Coleman Families
Authors: Graham Andrew , Gulotta Daniel R. , Xu Yujie
Published: July 2020

Let f and g be two cuspidal modular forms and let
${\mathcal {F}}$
be a Coleman family passing through f, defined over an open affinoid subdomain V of weight space
$\mathcal {W}$
. Using ideas of Pottharst, under certain hypotheses on f and
$g,$
we construct a coherent sheaf over
$V \times \mathcal {W}$
that interpolates the Bloch–Kato Selmer group of the Rankin–Selberg convolution of two modular forms in the critical range (i.e, the range where the p-adic L-function
$L_p$
interpolates critical values of the global L-function). We show that the support of this sheaf is contained in the vanishing locus of
$L_p$
.
Isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles in Candida albicans
Authors: Pérez-Doñate Virginia , Pérez-Giménez Facundo , Del Castillo Agudo Lucas , Castillo-Garit Juan Alberto , Soria-Merino Mar , Valentín Gómez Eulogio
Published: July 2020

Background: The occurrence of systemic infections due to C. albicans has increased especially in critically ill patients. In fungal infections, secretory mechanisms are key events for disease establishment. Recent findings demonstrate that fungal organisms release many molecular components to the extracellular space in extracellular vesicles.Aims: We develop a method to obtain exosomes from yeast cultures of the Candida albicans.Methods: Yeast strains used in this work were C. albicans SC5314, C. parapsilosis (ATCC 22019) and C. krusei (ATCC 6258). Yeasts were grown at 37.º in liquid YPD medium. The cell cultures were centrifuged and the supernatant filtered through sterile nitrocellulose. Filtrates were concentrated and centrifuged using an ultracentrifuge. The sediment was analyzed by electron microscopy of transmission.Results: The transmission of electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis confirmed the presence of extracellular vesicles (exosomes) of sizes between 100 and 200 nm and the absence of cellular contaminants. This was ratified by the characterization of proteins performed through the western blot technique, where the absence of cell contamination in the preparations was assessed.Conclusions: The method proves to be highly effective due to the homogeneity and purity of the obtained microvesicles. The protocol developed in this paper proves to be effective for obtaining exosomes of other Candida species, which will allow future studies to determine its protein composition and the role that these vesicles can play.
Color stability of denture acrylic base after cleaning with rosella flower extract toothpaste
Authors: Utama Mohammad Dharma , Jubhari Eri Hendra , Thalib Bahruddin , Habar Ike Damayanti , Irfany Irfany
Published: July 2020

Background: The efficacy of rosella flowers as an antibacterial contains anthocyanin pigment which acts as an antioxidant, vitamins and minerals that are useful for the body so it needs to develop products other than drinks and food; one of them as herbal disinfectant for complete denture acrylic base. Objective: To determine the color stability of the complete denture base after cleaning with various concentrations of rosella flower extract. Method: This time series study with pre and post with control group design was carried out using 5 complete dentures cleaned with rosella flower extract toothpaste with a concentration of 2.5%, 5%, 10% and control, and assessed its color on the surface of the polished and intaglio surface. The value is processed into the formula ∆E * ab = [(∆L *) 2 + (∆a *) 2 + (∆b *) 2] 1/2 then analyzed using the Kolmorogrov test and t-test. Result: Rosella flower extract toothpaste at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% did not show significant differences in color changes (p> 0.05). Conclusion: There were no significant differences in color changes at all concentrations after the acrylic base was cleaned with rosella flower extract.
Manggaraian Idea Of “Moral-Self”: Study Of Manggaraian Traditional Texts
Authors: Borgias Fransiskus
Published: July 2020

Western philosophers called the idea of “individual-self” a “modern project”. Charles Taylor traced its historical development back to great philosophers of European rationalism (Kant, Hegel, Rousseau, J. G. Herder) with the birth of modern awareness of “individual-self” connected to western-modern individualistic society. Based on a study of “ethical-texts” preserved in Manggaraian oral-tradition, however, I postulate that indigenous tribes have their own way-of-thinking about individual-self, particularly individual-moral-self. Manggaraian people, though mainstream anthropology categorize it communal-traditional society, have some basic knowledge of the idea of moral-self, in the philosophical terminology of Taylor. Strong awareness of moral-self endorses people to have courage to make a personal-individual moral decision (Tillich). Traditional-ethical texts endorse individuals to have their own opinion on important issues of social-moral life, though they will different from the mainstream. Individuals do not depend upon social-communal values. Also in traditional community individuals are endorsed to make their own moral considerations though it means they contradict society. In moral issues individuals should make their own decision. This study traces such tendency in one of traditional community, Manggarai, in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. It is based on several field research conducted in Manggarai for a project of doctoral dissertation.
Implementasi Algoritma k-Nearest Neighbor untuk Penjurusan Siswa SMA
Authors: Rahayuningtyas Christiandita , Winarso Dedy Satrio
Published: July 2020

SMA Negeri 5 Kediri merupakan sebuah lembaga pendidikan yang berada di Kediri. Pada SMA Negeri 5 Kediri terdapat 2 jurusan yaitu IPA dan IPS yang dilakukan pada saat kelas X dimana para siswa sering kali mengalami kesulitan dalam menetukan jurusan yang sesuai. Hal ini disebabkan oleh sistem dari penjurusan yang masih tidak sesuai dengan kemampuan siswa yang dimiliki. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menghasilkan model data untuk sistem pendukung keputusan penentuan jurusan dengan memadukan sebuah algoritma k-NN (k-Nearest Neighbor). k-NN merupakan algoritma yang melakukan klasifikasi terhadap suatu objek yang dijadikan training untuk diolah hingga menemukan tingkat kevalidannya berdasarkan data pembelajaran dimana data tersebut merupakan data terdekat untuk diolah kedalam data uji. Sistem pendukung keputusan ini merupakan salah satu sistem yang cukup efisien karena sistem tersebut sudah terkomputerisasi, tidak lagi secara manual sehingga dapat mengatasi masalah dalam menentukan jurusan. Kata Kunci— Sistem Pendukung Keputusan, k-Nearest Neighbor, Penjurusan Siswa
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Penilaian Kinerja Guru Menggunakan Metode Simple Additive Weighting
Authors: Mustofa Ali Faul , Majaruni Maryo Indra
Published: July 2020

Penilaian kinerja guru merupakan proses analisis untuk menghasilkan pengajaran yang lebih baik. Proses penilaian terhadap kinerja guru kelas di Sekolah Dasar Negeri Kampung Dalem 3, Sekolah Dasar Negeri Kampung Dalem 4 dan Sekolah Dasar Negeri Kampung Dalem 5 Kediri masih manual dan belum begitu detail (terperinci). Dengan penilaian yang tidak terperinci tersebut, dikhawatirkan akan adanya penilaian yang bersifat subjektif (berdasarkan kepentingan pribadi), dapat menimbulkan kecemburuan sosial bagi guru yang belum menerima rekomendasi. Untuk mengatasi permasalahan tersebut maka dirancang sebuah sistem pendukung keputusan menggunakan Metode Simple Additive Weighting. Adapun dalam penelitian ini menggunakan 14 kriteria. Dalam penelitian ini aplikasi menggunakan bahasa pemrograman PHP, sedangkan basisdata nya menggunakan MySQL. Hasil akhir dari penelitian ini didapatkan bahwa sistem pendukung keputusan dengan metode SAW mampu mengatasi permasalahan dalam melakukan penilaian kinerja guru kelas.  Kata Kunci -  MySQL, Penilaian Kinerja Guru Kelas, PHP,  SAW.
Pik Döküm ve Kompozit Fren Pabucu Kullanılan Yük Vagonunda Uzun Süreli Frenlenme Sonucu Tekerlekte Açığa Çıkan Isı Dağılımının Sayısal Analiz Metodu ile İncelenmesi
Authors: KARAGÖZ Nail , ACAR Halil İbrahim , SELÇUK Burhan
Published: July 2020

Yük vagonlarında frenleme, fren pabuçları (sabo) ile tekerlek yuvarlanma yüzeyi arasında oluşan sürtünme kuvvetiyle sağlanmaktadır. Türkiye’de birçok büyük eğim değerlerine sahip uzun demiryolu güzergahı bulunmaktadır. Bu güzergahlarda, vagonun aşağı yönlü hareketinde, vagon hızının kontrol altında tutulabilmesi için uzun süreli fren yapılması gerekmektedir. Frenleme sonrası tekerlek yuvarlanma yüzeyinde oluşan yüksek sıcaklıklar çok çeşitli tekerlek hasarlarına sebebiyet vermekte ve bu durum demiryolu güvenliğini azaltmaktadır. Lokomotiflerde bulunan dinamik fren, yük vagonlarında bulunan hava frenine yardımcı bir ek frendir. Bu tip güzergahlarda, dinamik freni olan lokomotiflerin kullanılması, tekerleklere uygulanan ısıl yükü önemli oranda azaltabilmektedir. Ancak Türkiye’de bu tip güzergahlarda dinamik fren sistemi olmayan lokomotiflerin de kullanıldığı ve bu lokomotiflerin sayısının tüm lokomotiflerin yaklaşık % 42'si olduğu bilinmektedir. Bu çalışmada, vagonların uzun süreli frenlenmesi sonrası tekerlekte oluşan maksimum sıcaklık değerleri, sayısal analiz yöntemi kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Yapılan analizde, dört dingilli 90 ton ağırlığındaki, 70 km/h sabit hızla giden bir vagonun, eğimi ‰ 21 olan bir yolda, 40 km boyunca frenleme yaparak aşağı yönde ilerlemesi, frenleme senaryosu olarak alınmıştır. Tekerleğin yeni (çap 920 mm ) veya son kullanım sınırında (çap 840 mm) olma durumu ve fren sabosu olarak pik veya kompozit sabo kullanımı durumu ayrı ayrı ele alınmıştır.
Prenatal Supplementation with Curcuma longa Ameliorates Oxidative Stress, Improves Behaviour and Hippocampal Alterations in Valproic Acid-Induced Autism in Sprague-Dawley Rat
Authors:   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Gbotolorun Stella , Okoh Comfort ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Oshodi Yewande ,   Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria
Published: July 2020

There is growing global number of persons affected with autism, and teratogenic influences arising from several epigenetic factors have been implicated. This study aimed to determine the effect of prenatal supplementation of extract of Curcuma longa on valproic acid-induced model of autism in Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats divided into five groups (n=6) were used. Valproic acid (500 mg/kg body weight) induced autism on gestation day 12.5. The groups were designated as control, valproic acid, and valproic acid with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weights Curcuma longa respectively, (Curcuma longa was administered from day 1-21 of gestation). On postnatal day 21, five male pups were randomly selected from each group, and neurobehavioral tests were performed until postnatal day 28. The pups were sacrificed on postnatal day 28, and the hippocampus was dissected for histology and biochemical assays. Treated groups showed improvement in anxiety and social behaviour. The histological sections showed fewer atrophied cells, reduced degree of chromatolysis with better delineation of the cells within the pyramidal layer compared with valproic acid group. Dopamine, lL-6 and TGF β1 levels were not significantly different from control. Malondialdehyde and glutathione values of the treated groups were significantly different from valproic acid groups. Superoxide dismutase and catalase showed no significant difference when treated groups were compared to valproic acid group except the medium dose for catalase. This study shows that prenatal supplementation with Curcuma longa is a potential ameliorative agent against teratogenic epigenetic agents that may lead to autism.
Histological and Anti-oxidative Effects of Eugenol on Aluminium Chloride-Induced Neurotoxicity in Wistar Rats
Authors:   Department of Human Anatomy. School of Medicine, Texila American University, Zambia, Mesole Samuel , Oseluka Ibegbu ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekueme University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Nigeria, Musa Sunday ,   Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, Bauchi Zainab ,   Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, Agbon Abel ,   Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, Okpanachi Omachonu ,   Department of Physiology, Kampala International University, Uganda, Yusuf Uthman ,   Department of Anatomy, Mulungushi University, Zambia
Published: July 2020

Accumulation of aluminium chloride results in damage to different brain regions, and has been used to model damage to the hippocampus which can be associated with various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effects of eugenol on aluminium induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of adult Wistar rats. 30 adult Wistar rats were procured and divided into six groups with five animals in each group, namely: EGH (300 mg/kg eugenol), EGL (150 mg/kg eugenol), EGH+AL (300 mg/kg eugenol and 100 mg/kg AlCl3), EGL+AL (150 mg/kg eugenol and 100 mg/kg AlCl3), AL (100 mg/kg AlCl3) and CTRL (2 mL/kg distilled water). All Groups were treated orally for 21 days after which they were humanely sacrificed under 0.8 mL/kg ketamine as an anaesthetizing agent. Thereafter, brain tissues were removed and processed for histological demonstration, while the frontal lobe was homogenized and the resultant homogenate obtained was used to assay the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Rat body weights were measured before and after treatment. Aluminium resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction in SOD activities. There was alteration in the histology of hippocampal neurons (CA1) and a significant (p<0.01) reduction in body weight of animals. However, the administration of Eugenol was able to restore the activity of SOD. The use of Eugenol offers a promising prospect in the management of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aluminium toxicity.
Ameliorative Effects of the Lyophilized Aqueous Seed Extract of Buchholzia coriacea on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors:   Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Abraham Abigail , Shonekan Omonike ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Orabueze Ifeoma ,   Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Faniyan Oluwatomisin ,   Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Jimoh Habeebat ,   Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Oremosu Ademola ,   Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria, Osinubi Abraham ,   Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria
Published: July 2020

This study investigated the protective effects of lyophilized aqueous seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea (B. coriacea) in enhancing memory and neuroprotection in scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment using Morris water maze and Y maze. Thirty-five adult male Sprague Dawley were divided into five groups (n=7) according to extract/drug administered. 14 days administration of two different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) of lyophilized extract of B. coriacea seeds, donepezil (5 mg/kg) concomitantly with scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p) was carried out. Assessment of Morris water and Y- maze tests, oxidative stress markers and histology demonstration (H and E stain) were carried out during and after administration to evaluate the memory enhancing activity of the lyophilized extract of B. coriacea seeds on scopolamine-induced memory impairment. The two doses of lyophilized extract of B. coriacea seeds, and especially the 200 mg/kg significantly decreased escape latency and increased number of crossing for Morris water maze, while spontaneous alternation was also increased in the Y maze compared to scopolamine only treated group. The extract increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase while decreasing malondialdehyde. The extract mitigated the histological evidence of neurodegeneration observed induced by the use of scopolamine. In conclusion, lyophilized aqueous seed extract of B. coriacea poses to be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in addition to its already established medicinal properties.
Peter Davies, Witness between Languages: The Translation of Holocaust Testimonies in Context. Rochester, NY: Camden House, 2018, 266 p.
Authors: Sepp Arvi
Published: July 2020

Peter Davies, Witness between Languages: The Translation of Holocaust Testimonies in Context. Rochester, NY: Camden House, 2018, 266 p.