bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Penumbuhan Dan Pengembangan Wirausaha Baru Pada Era Digital Bagi Generasi Muda Di Kelurahan Agrowisata Kecamatan Rumbai Kota Pekanbaru Provinsi Riau
Authors: Machasin Machasin , Taufiqurrahman Taufiqurrahman , Suryati Ningsih Dewita , Tiyasiningsih Ezky , Aprilina Tarigan Mida , Fitriani Arika
Published: May 2021

The role of universities in motivating their undergraduate graduates to become a young entrepreneur is very important in growing the number of new entrepreneurs. With the increase in youth entrepreneurship will reduce the increase in the number of unemployed even increase the number of jobs. Pekanbaru City is an area with abundant natural resource potential. For this reason the phenomenon of unemployment among young people, apart from being caused by limited employment, is also due to the synchronization of graduates' qualifications with the needs of the labor market / business (link and match). However, this also explains the low level of entrepreneurship that can be generated from the world of education. To that end, efforts to develop entrepreneurship, especially at the age of youth through training and community service activities must continue to be encouraged. This effort needs to be done as an effort to create young and strong young entrepreneurs. Based on this, a community service program was designed with the title "Growth and Development of New Entrepreneurs in the Digital Era for Young Generation in Agrowisata Village, Rumbai District, Pekanbaru City, Riau Province
Pengaruh Aplikasi Zoom Kuliah Daring Terhadap Minat Belajar Mahasiswa Program Studi Manajemen Fakultas Ekonomi – UMRAH Pada Masa Pandemi Covid 19
Authors: Akhirman Akhirman
Published: May 2021

Wabah Virus Corona Covid’19 telah merubah tatatan kehidupan masyarakat seluruh bangsa disegala penjuru. Termasuk salah satunya Indonesia. Penelitian ini khusus ditujukan pada aktivitas bidang pendidikan selama Covid’19, dengan judul “Pengaruh Aplikasi Zoom Kuliah Daring Terhadap Minat Belajar Mahasiswa Program Studi Manajemen Fakultas Ekonomi - UMRAH Pada Masa Pandemi Covid’19”. Peneltian dengan kesimpulan bahwa. Sebanyak 119 responden atau 55% responden menyatakan bahwa Perkuliahan daring menggunakan aplikasi Zoom, sebagai perkuliahan yang Lebih nyaman dalam berdiskusi dan tanya jawab antar mahasiswa dan dosen. Yang kedua sebanyak ada 118 responden atau 54,4%, mahasiwa pada umumnya memiliki perangkat/peralatan untuk mengikuti kuliah dari rumah sesuai dengan petunjuk yang diberikan, dan yang ke Tiga adalah untuk menggunakan aplikasi Zoom, sebanyak 115 atau 53 % responden menyatakan bahwa dosen selama kuliah daring, memberikan respon terhadap pertanyaan yang muncul selama kuliah daring dan dosen memiliki Kompetensi yang baik.
Denunciations of dependence
Authors: Danielsen Lotte
Published: May 2021

This article focuses on workers in a South African township who enter into relationships of hierarchical dependence due to a lack of alternatives in the context of high unemployment and neoliberal fiscal restraint. The relationships are characterized by a double bind: workers seek relations of dependence in order to be recognized as persons, yet within these relations they are often denied such recognition, which reproduces experiences of infantilization, paternalism, and dehumanization associated with the past. The article explores how racialized and gendered meanings condition how men and women navigate relationships of hierarchical dependence, what they can expect to get from them and how these bonds can potentially be drawn on in efforts to escape them.
Communication Leads to Illusion: A Conceptual Framework of Negotiators' Violation of Maxims of Conversation in the Light of Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Afzal Hanan , Saleem Hina , Zafran Fareha
Published: May 2021

Among the most powerful practical speculations that have caught the consideration of the linguists is the Grecian maxims of Conversational Implication. Grice contributes to draw line between what is said and what is implied. An observational examination introduced to explore the utilization of this hypothesis to the conversation in between managers from different electric automobile companies. Interviewer and managers involved in conversation with each other to pass on what they need to say either verifiably or unequivocally. The great point of this examination is to explore the Grecian Hypothesis of Conversational Implication in the light of TPB. Semi-coordinated meetings with administrators from four diverse Electric Vehicle (EV) organizations specifically: Karakorum Engines, Chongqing Changan Auto Restricted, Al-Pilgrimage Car Private Restricted, and BMW were led. Conversationalists can expect that when speakers deliberately ridicule an adage. Hence, the Grecian maxims fill a need both when they are followed and when they are mocked.
Emerging Role of Constructivism for Developing English Speaking Skills
Authors: Ullah Hafeez , Akram Muzammila , Shams Qurat-ul-ain
Published: May 2021

This research paper draws attention to the literature for developing English speaking skills through instructional approaches of constructivism. It provides guideline for the teachers of Pakistan in teaching speaking skills. This research paper first analyzes constructivists model and then validates the implementation of the creative teacher teaching model in the speaking skills. Expectantly this model can contribute meaningfully to educate students in speaking English language. The five-point rating scale was utilized as research device for data collection. The three hundred and fifty-Eight (358) second language learners of Government and Private college students of District Muzaffargarh were selected randomly. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS. It was founded that constructivism paves the way for the learners in learning English as a second Language. Therefore, this research study suggested that the teachers should use constructivist approach in classroom rather than traditional approach
English for Bankers: An Investigation into Bank Managers' English Language Needs
Authors: Afzal Maria , Riaz Fakhira , Akhtar Yasmin
Published: May 2021

The study aims to explore the written English language needs and practices of bank managers of Askari Bank Limited, Pakistan. This research focuses only on the written English language needs of bank managers as they must be proficient while using English in their writings. The data are collected by means of interviews which provided in-depth views of the participants. The purposive sampling technique is used to collect data from bank managers to evaluate their current written English practices and their target the English language needs in the light of their experience. Thematic analysis is used to analyze the data. The themes were deducted from the interview guide and analysed under the objectives of the current study. The findings reveal that English is an important tool for written English communications for bank managers, and a large number of written tasks are conducted in the English language. The investigation of interviews also helped to find out the demands of bank professionals with respect to needs, lacks and wants.
Analysis of Classroom Questions in EFL Context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Undergraduate Level
Authors: Ullah Zaheer , Ali Shaukat , Ali Iftikhar
Published: May 2021

This paper examines different kinds of questions utilized by EFL teachers in the context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the undergraduate level. The study was conducted on the EFL teachers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to determine what kinds of questions and why a particular set of questions are utilized during classroom interaction. The results showed that the majority of the EFL teachers employ Yes/No questions for confirmation or negation and short answers questions for the elicitation of information from the learners. Display questions, open-ended questions, referential questions and none retrieval questions are also utilized in their classrooms. They integrate all types of questions to stimulate the curiosity of learners, develop an active approach to learning, diagnose students' weak areas, get students' attention and involve them in actual language learning. The study recommends that these questions should be integrated into the EFL classroom for better interaction and producing a positive impact on the learners' language skills.
Postmodern Deconstruction of Grand Narratives in Post-Cyberpunk Fiction through Thematic Analysis
Authors: Zaidi Saba , Ashraf Ayesha
Published: May 2021

The issue of identity and its representation is a constant phenomenon since the advent of humanity. Progressive waves of technological advancement in information technology have made the contemporary culture bombastic and dynamic, due to which identity and its representation have become complex. Identity and representation are no more inert; rather, they have become fluid and arbitrary phenomenon. Postmodernist literature does not only represent life and its related issue but also simultaneously deconstructs them to the core; hence there remain no center/margin dichotomies. This study is an analysis of different themes under the theoretical framework of Deconstruction of Metanarratives (1984) and Cybernetics (1948). The method of analysis is Deconstruction by Derrida (1967), from which the tool of intertextuality has helped the researchers to answer the research questions. Analysis of various themes such as Artificial Intelligence, Techno/Globalization, Cyborg, and Posthuman conclude that transition of identity is a repetitive facet of todays individual. Hence, there are no grand narratives of representations. Different identities such as race, gender, religion, human/machine, natural/artificial, physical/nonphysical, real/virtual, life/death have become contestable. This research proves that the deconstruction of metanarratives has given vent to the mini narratives.
The Rediscovery of Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie: An Analysis from New Historicist, Historical Reception and Feminist Perspectives
Authors: Ali Imran , Shah Bahramand
Published: May 2021

A social documentary of Dreiser's milieu and own life, Sister Carrie (1900) portrays American women from multiple angles. As a genuine criticism of debased American values, the text describes women's social, personal, sexual, marital, and economic sides of contemporary American women through Carrie. Having a poor critical reception in the 1910s, the novel was rediscovered worldwide with new vigor since the mid-20th-century for its potent feminist message. Like in other countries, its importance has been felt Pakistani academia, where it is psychologically preparing the emerging woman for the forthcoming SocialDarwinist challenges. This study rediscovers Sister Carrie through the lenses of New Historicism, Historical Reception, and Feminism: why Dreiser wrote it; how the public/critics received it; how it contributed a change to the women's position; and how it could strengthen women's role in Pakistan.
Oil Price Fluctuations and Volatility of Firm Risk
Authors: Rahman Asif , Malik Muhammad Faizan , Khan Shehzad
Published: May 2021

Prior literature reports that macro-economic factors of a country affect stock exchange performance and thus firm performance. Recent strands of literature and the fluctuations in currency have a substantive effect on countries' economies. These fluctuations are also a cause of price fluctuations of imports and exports. One such factor which directly affects firm performance is the oil price fluctuations. Thus, this thesis empirically investigates the effect of oil price fluctuations on firm risk for the firms listed on PSX for the period 2012-2017. Secondary data is taken from SBP, Balance Sheet Analysis Database, Pakistan Stock Exchange and the company's website in some cases. Using Panel data, results show that oil prices increase firm risk (beta), which indicates that market participants react to change in oil prices and thus increases risks. The study indicates that policymakers need to control oil prices to keep firm risk in control and thus manage the market towards a better investment environment.
Autism Spectrum in Classroom and Special Educationist: A Panorama of Challenges in Facilitating Teaching-Learning Process
Authors: Azeem Asmaa , Shoaib Almas , Naheed Fauzia
Published: May 2021

Autism spectrum disorders are lifelong developmental disabilities that can impact how students understand, what they see, hear and otherwise sense. This can result in difficulties with learning, communication, and behavior in their classroom. To execute this phenomenological research study in private schools of autism, the researchers were keen to dig out and try to listen to the perspectives of the special educationists regarding challenges in facilitating the teaching-learning process. Through semi-structured interviews, data were collected from twenty (20) special educationists working with children diagnosed on the spectrum of autism disorder. The majority of the special educationists reported that during teaching, they must execute various intervention strategies by incorporating different tools provided by the school. Their one major issue was time management because they have to handle every kind of issues arouse by the child and environment, alone during teaching. It was reported that the general education curriculum is also difficult to teach alone because they have not received any kind of specialized curriculum for such kids.
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN QUANTUM TEACHING TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KREATIF DAN HASIL BELAJAR FISIKA PESERTA DIDIK KELAS XI MIA SMA NEGERI 2 LABUAPI
Authors: Nurlaela Nurlaela , Doyan Aris , Gunada I Wayan
Published: May 2021

ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh model pembelajaran Quantum Teaching terhadap kemampuan berpikir kreatif dan hasil belajar fisika peserta didik kelas XI MIA SMAN 2 Labuapi. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen dengan desain post test only control group design. Populasi terdiri dari seluruh peserta didik kelas XI SMAN 2 Labuapi. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah sampling jenuh, dengan kelas XI MIA 1 sebagai kelas eksperimen dan kelas XI MIA 2 sebagai kelas kontrol. Kelas eksperimen diberi perlakuan dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran quantum teaching dan kelas kontrol diberi perlakuan menggunakan model pembelajaran kovensional. Hipotesis penelitian diuji menggunakan uji manova, hasilnya menunjukkan nilai  dengan sig yang artinya H0 ditolak dan Ha diterima, sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh model pembelajaran quantum teaching terhadap kemampuan berpikir kreatif dan hasil belajar fisika peserta didik kelas XI MIA SMAN 2 Labuapi.                                                     Kata kunci: quantum teaching; kemampuan berpikir kreatif; hasil belajar ABSTRACTThe aim of this research is to know the effect of quantum teaching learning model toward the creative thinking skill and physics learning result. The type of research used was experimental with post test only control group design. The population was all student of grade XI in senior high school 2 of  Labuapi. The sampling technique used saturation sampling, while the sample are class XI MIA 1 as the experimental  class and the XI MIA 2 as control class. Experimental class was treated with quantum teaching learning model and control class was treated with conventional learning model. The research hypothesis was tested using manova-test, analysis shows that  with sig < 0,05 which mean that H0 was rejected and Ha accepted. Thus, it can be concluded that there are effect of the quantum teaching learning model on student’s creative thinking skill and physics learning results of class XI MIA SMAN 2 Labuapi. Keywords: quantum teaching; creative thinking skill; physics learning result
Student Participation in University Governance: Experience of Ukraine
Authors: Chervona Lesya
Published: May 2021

The article analyses the management structures and studying the experience of involving students into governance in Ukraine's universities. The processes of democratization in higher education have led to an increased student voice in university governance. Therefore, student participation is considered as an important and necessary condition (as stated in the official documents of the Bologna Process) of effective governance in higher education. This article considers student participation in university governance in the context of higher education development in Ukraine, namely as one of the mechanisms for improving university governance. In the public consciousness there is a gradual change in the understanding of the role of students in the educational process. The «subject-object» paradigm in the relationship between student and university, in which students are assigned the role of passive «object», is transferring to «subject-subject» relations where students are considered as a full partner in the educational field.

The article conceptually clarifies the key concepts used by European researchers when studying the topic of student participation. First of all, these are such terms as: «student engagement» and «voise student». The official documents posted on the official sites of Ukrainian universities such as: University Development Strategies, Charters, Regulations, Teaching and Teaching Strategies, Student Self-Government Pages, etc., i.e. all those documents that can specify the idea of partnering with students within the university environment and whether student partnership is  formulated in the university-level policies.  To construct the scheme of the analysed materials on the websites of the universities, we have distinguished directions of student involvement: partnership with students in the university environment and involvement of students in the processes of governance; mechanisms for responding to student voice; the decision-making process at the university (transparency, accessibility, openness); mechanisms and tools aimed at intensifying student participation (information work, education, etc.).
Technology for academics’ research competence development
Authors: Yaroshenko Olha
Published: May 2021

Based on the best domestic and foreign practices of professional development of academic and pedagogical workers, the expediency of applying a technological approach to the development of research competence of academic and pedagogical workers is specified in the article as well as the technological matrix of this process is defined. A retrospective analysis of the concept of «pedagogical technology» is carried out and on this basis the concept of «technology of academics’ research competence development»  is formulated.

The complex (combining three stages) technology of development of research competence of academic and pedagogical staff and its matrix structure (motivational component, subject basis, procedural part, result and time chronotope) is substantiated.

Unlike spontaneous technology for academics’ research competence development that is used within self-educational activities carried out by the teachers, complex technology is planned as a three-stage process with clearly defined tasks and predicted results for each technological stage: A (postgraduate study) – B (doctoral studies), SS (scientific school). Conditions for implementation of the technology as well as the results of each stage realization have been described. The conditions for the implementation of technology and the results of each stage (preparation and defence of PhD thesis, establishment of scientific school or joining scientific school) are specified.

It is argued that an academic’s scientific school is the highest stage of technology of development of research competence of both the founder of the school and its representatives. The scientific school is revealed not only as a centre of scientific activities carried out by the founder and the followers, students of followers, but also pedagogical activity. This combination creates an environment conducive to the integration of higher education and science at the institutional level, and the scientific school acquires the characteristics of a scientific and pedagogical phenomenon.

It is substantiated that an academic’s scientific school is the focus for not only on the scientific activity of the school founder, his followers, students of the followers, but on the pedagogical activity as well. This combination creates an enabling environment for the higher education and science integration at the institutional level.
In search of a Ukrainian term for Bologna process acquis
Authors: Orzhel Olena
Published: May 2021

The purpose of article is to justify the rationale for applying the term «Bologna acquis» to nominate the corps of documents generated in the course of Bologna process that resulted in the formation of European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and community of higher education stakeholders who share and operate by Bologna values, principles, norms and guidelines.

The author compares «Bologna acquis» with acquis communautaire, Council of Europe acquis, Schengen acquis, proves that all four have a lot of in common and draws a conclusion that the use of term «Bologna acquis» is acceptable and reasonable.

The article demonstrates that Bologna acquis - similar to acquis communautaire and Council of Europe acquis - is divided into two large types: those that have a binding character and those of a non-binding nature. Nevertheless, non-binding Bologna acquis cannot be ignored by the community to whom it is addressed and is to be considered in the course of reforms and modernization of national systems of higher education and higher education institutions as its constituents.

Comparison of Bologna acquis with acquis communautaire, Council of Europe acquis, Schengen acquis is the novelty of the article, as well as delineation of similar features between the four above mentioned acquis. The author mentions that the purpose of all four (among other things) is the formation of a community that voluntarily participates in the generation of acquis and agrees to live by its rules and norms.

One of conclusions has practical significance: while formation of EHEA and its community simultaneously takes place at the supranational, national and institutional levels, the speed of integration of each separate higher education institution may differ; accordingly different scenarios could emerge: a certain higher education institution may integrate with EHEA faster than the national system of higher education in general, and vice versa: while the national systems of higher education has advanced in integration with EHEA, some higher education institutions will be lagging behind reforms at the national level.
GÖÇ VE GİRİŞİMCİLİK: ERZURUM İLİ ÜZERİNE DEĞERLENDİRME
Authors: ARICI Fatih
Published: May 2021

Girişimcilik ile kalkınma arasında doğru yönde bir ilişki bulunmaktadır. Girişim faaliyetlerinin artması ekonomik kalkınmayı sağlayarak, ekonomik temelli göçleri azaltmaktadır. Bu çalışmada da Erzurum ilinin göç ve girişimcilik yapısı ele alınmıştır. İlden son dönemlerde kaynaklanan göçlerin; nedenleri ve sonuçları irdelenerek, göçlerin azaltılmasına dair ilin girişimcilik yapısı üzerine değerlendirmeler yapılmıştır. Göç nedenlerinin tespitinde TÜİK tarafından hazırlanan “illerde yaşam endeksi” veri seti kullanılmıştır. Bu veri setinde yer alan değişkenlerden verilen göçler üzerinde etkisi olanlarının tespiti regresyon analizi ile yapılmıştır. Analiz sonucunda; göçler üzerinde %95 güven aralığında ve 0.05 anlamlılık düzeyinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olan değişkenin “gelir ve servet” olduğuna dayalı bir modele ulaşılmıştır. Bu sonuç, ilin verdiği göçlerin temelinde ekonomik nedenlerin en önemli göç nedeni olarak önemini koruduğunu göstermektedir. İlden kaynaklanan göçlerin azaltılması adına yapılacak iyileştirmeler de bu yön üzerinde olmalıdır. Bu doğrultuda kalkınmayı pozitif yönde etkileyen girişim sayılarının artırılması çözüm yollarından birisi olacaktır. Toplam girişim sayısı bakımından 81 il içerisinde 42. sırada yer alan ilde girişim sayıları yetersizdir. Kalkınma için önemi vurgulanan; “imalat”, “tarım”, “mesleki, bilimsel ve teknik faaliyetler” üzerine girişim sayıları ise süreç içerisinde istenilen düzeyde artış yakalayamamıştır. Bu sebeple ilinin ekonomik yönden kalkınması ve ekonomik nedenlere bağlı göçlerin azaltılması için bu faaliyet alanlarındaki yenilikçi girişim sayılarının artırılması önem taşımaktadır.
Integral Transpersonal Journal
Authors: Lattuada Pier Luigi , Bogzaran Fariba , Taylor Steve , Buyens Hanneke , Curti Cristina , Gentili Andrea , McMahon Sheena Necole , Bertelsen Isabel
Published: May 2021

Epistemic Uncertainty and Personal Incertitude, Something to Deal with: the Challenge of Healing
Coincidence? Synchronicity In Art Therapy
Authors: Kohanovitch Yael Ben Zion
Published: May 2021

In the course of treating mental health disorders, there are coincidences which can be beneficial to the therapeutic process. This article presents conclusions from qualitative research that examined coincidences in art therapy and therapists’ beliefs about them. The research examines the way art therapists interpret the phenomenon of coincidences (synchronicities) in therapy. The objective of this research is to highlight these coincidences and to encourage therapists to examine their potential benefits. KEYWORDS Jung, coincidences, synchronicities, art therapy
Flow Cytometry Analysis of Type IIB Procollagen as Quality Control of Chondrogenic Commitment of MSCs
Authors: Perrier-Groult Emeline , Aubert-Foucher Elisabeth , Pasdeloup Marielle , Lafont Jérôme , Fabre Hugo , Mallein-Gerin Frédéric
Published: May 2021

Type II collagen is the major collagen protein in cartilage, synthesized as precursor forms (procollagens). Several splice variants of the gene encoding type II procollagen have been identified such as IIA and IIB isoforms. Interestingly, a shift from IIA to IIB transcripts has been reported to occur during cartilage development and during chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Thus, type IIB procollagen represents a reliable marker of chondrocyte differentiation. We characterized previously the first antibody (referred as anti-pNIIB52) able to selectively detect the IIB form of human type II procollagen in Western-blot or immunohistochemistry analysis. More recently, we used anti-pNIIB52 in flow cytometry to quantify chondrogenic induction of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells cultivated in agarose hydrogel, after release of the cells from the gel. Here, we use imaging flow cytometry and anti-pNIIB52 to visualize directly intracellular accumulation of type IIB procollagen in cells undergoing chondrogenesis. Our data together show that flow cytometry analysis using anti-pNIIB52 represents an efficient and rapid diagnostic tool of good chondrogenic conversion, at the cellular level.
Mechanical Characterization of Orthodontic Archwires in a Pseudo In-Vivo Context
Authors: Wagner Delphine , Remond Yves , Bolender Yves , Laheurte Pascal , George Daniel
Published: May 2021

Orthodontic fixed appliances are used to correct dental malocclusions by optimizing tooth movement and associated bone remodelling. Currently, orthodontic archwires made of shape memory alloys (SMAs) are widely used to initiate these treatments. We conduct experiments on SMA wires in pseudo in-vivo conditions, complementary to ISO standards, to assess the influence of temperature and humidity and to highlight their expected mechanical behaviour for clinical use. For this, an in-house built measurement device was developed to carry out experiments at controlled temperatures (21°C and 35°C) and in dry or wet conditions (artificial saliva). The dental arch was reproduced by 3D printing. The results show that the temperature has a major influence on the delivered forces whereas wet or dry conditions seem to have less impact. Also, we emphasize that at 35°C (in mouth conditions), in wet or dry conditions, SMAs superelasticity is only effective for displacements up to about 3 mm when an entire dental arch is considered.
Magnetic Resonance Elastography and Portal Hypertension: Influence of the Portal Venous Flow on the Liver Stiffness
Authors: Chatelin Simon , Pop Raoul , Giraudeau Céline , Ambarki Khalid , Jin Ning , Severac François , Breton Elodie , Vappou Jonathan
Published: May 2021

The invasive measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient is still considered as the reference method to assess the severity of portal hypertension. Even though previous studies have shown that the liver stiffness measured by elastography could predict portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease, the mechanisms behind remain today poorly understood. The main reason is that the liver stiffness is not specific to portal hypertension and is also influenced by concomitant pathologies, such as cirrhosis. Portal hypertension is also source of a vascular incidence, with a substantial diversion of portal venous blood to the systemic circulation, bypassing the liver. This study focuses on this vascular effect of portal hypertension. We propose to generate and control the portal venous flow (to isolate the modifications in the portal venous flow as single effect of portal hypertension) in an anesthetized pig and then to quantify its implications on liver stiffness by an original combination of MRE and 4D-Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A catheter balloon is progressively inflated in the portal vein and the peak flow, peak velocity magnitude and liver stiffness are quantified in a 1.5T MRI scanner (AREA, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). A strong correlation is observed between the portal peak velocity magnitude, the portal peak flow or the liver stiffness and the portal vein intraluminal obstruction. Moreover, the comparison of mechanical and flow parameters highlights a correlation with the possibility of identifying linear relationships. These results give preliminary indications about how liver stiffness can be affected by portal venous flow and, by extension, by hypertension.
Control of Inflammation by a Thermosensitive Lovastatin-Loaded Hydrogel
Authors: Petit Catherine , Batool Fareeha , Jacob Louise , Benkirane-Jessel Nadia , Huck Olivier
Published: May 2021

Objectives: Statins have been proposed as interesting pharmacological treatment for periodontal diseases because of their pleiotropic effect. Statins modulate bone metabolism, immuno-inflammatory complex and bacterial clearance. However, their systemic administration is associated to side effects. Therefore, their local administration has been suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential pro-regenerative effects of a thermosensitive gel functionalized by lovastatin on Porphyromonas gingivalis elicited inflammation in vitro and bone regeneration in vivo. Methods: Physical and chemical properties of a thermosensitive lovastatin loaded chitosan gel were evaluated. The anti-inflammatory effect of lovastatin was assessed in vitro by RT-qPCR and Elisa. In vivo, a model of calvarial defect was used to confirm the pro-regenerative effect on periodontal wound healing. Results: In vitro, lovastatin was able to decrease TNF-α secretion in P.gingivalis stimulated cells (p<0.05). In vivo, local application of chitosan gel functionalized with lovastatin improved wound healing at calvarial site in comparison with untreated controls and mice treated with systemic statin administration. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential regenerative effects of local application of a thermosensitive gel functionalized by lovastatin.
The Healing Process in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: Cell Therapy for Reducing Foot Wound Cicatrization Time
Authors: Dosda A. , Lehalle B. , Jan P. , Caillet R. , Zhang F.
Published: May 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endemic disease with a high prevalence and leads to many complications, including peripheral artery disease (PAD). Furthermore, PAD is, like hyperglycemia, an obstacle to the cicatrization process, and increases the risk of foot infections. Therefore, foot wounds in diabetic patients with PAD need more time for cicatrization. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the length and conditions of cicatrization in diabetic patients with PAD with foot wounds, who were dealt with in multidisciplinary care by the authors in 2017 and 2018. Despite optimal care, our study points out that for some patients with PAD, the healing process is long and is a real medical challenge.
Clinical Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma Gel (PRP) in Trauma Wounds of Extremities
Authors: Zhang Jie , Feng Xiaolin , Wang Yuxia , Chen Dakang , Zhang Bo
Published: May 2021

Research purposes: Autologous platelet-rich plasma gel (Platelet-Rich Plasma, PRP) was prepared and used for transplantation for the treatment of traumatic trauma wounds of extremities. Explore platelet-rich plasma gel (PRP) to promote the healing of exposed bone and tendon wounds. Methods: Fifteen patients with extremity bone and tendon exposed wounds were treated with autologous platelet-rich plasma gel (PRP) transplantation to observe the wound healing rate and wound healing time. Results: Among the 15 patients, 8 cases healed directly, 7 cases had active granulation growth, and second-stage skin graft wound healing; the wound healing rate was 100%, and the average wound healing time was 36 days. Conclusion: Autologous platelet-rich plasma gel (PRP) transplantation for the treatment of traumatic trauma hard wounds of the extremities, can inhibit the bacterial growth of the wounds, effectively promote the repair of soft tissue defects and accelerate the healing of bone and tendon wounds of the extremities.
Investigation of the Stem Cells Used in Modeling Human Placental Trophoblast
Authors: Ji Lulu , Wang Lin
Published: May 2021

Human placenta is vital for fetal development, and act as an interface between the fetus and the expecting mother. Abnormal placentati on underpins various pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Despite the important role of placenta, the molecular mechanisms governing placental formation and trophoblast cell lineage specification is poorly understand. It is mostly due to the lack of appropriate model system. The great various in placental types across mammals make it limit for the use of laboratory animals in studying human placental development. However, over the past few years, alternative methods have been employed, including human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, human trophoblast stem cell, and 3-dimensional organoids. Herein, we summarize the present knowledge about human development, differentiated cell types in the trophoblast epithelium and current human placental trophoblast model systems.
In-Situ Forming Implants Loaded with Chlorhexidine and Ibuprofen for Periodontal Treatment: Proof of Concept Study In Vivo
Authors: Batool Fareeha , Agossa Kevimy , Lizambard Martin , Petit Catherine , Bugueno Isaac Maximiliano , Delcourt-Debruyne Elisabeth , Benkirane-Jessel Nadia , Tenenbaum Henri , Siepmann Juergen , Siepmann Florence , Huck Olivier
Published: May 2021

Control of infection and inflammation is crucial for the success of periodontal treatment. In this study, in-situ forming implants (ISFI) loaded with chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (CHX) and ibuprofen (IBU) were developed and tested to optimize periodontal treatment outcomes. Release profiles were promising. Exposure to 1.5% and 5.3% CHX-IBU loaded ISFI’s release media decreased significantly the P. gingivalis growth up to 20-fold and 35-fold, respectively, after 48 h (p<0.05). The metabolic activity assay of gingival epithelial cells (EC) demonstrated 1.5% CHX-IBU-loaded ISFI to be non-toxic, therefore, it was selected for further experimentation. Furthermore, significant down-regulation of TNF-α release (34% at 6 h and 43% at 24 h, p<0.05) in P.gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) stimulated EC exposed to 1.5% CHX-IBU ISFI release medium was demonstrated by ELISA. In vivo, 1.5% CHX-IBU ISFI was injected into the periodontal pocket in an experimental periodontitis mouse model and the reduction in inflammation and improvement in periodontal wound healing was evaluated through inflammatory cell scoring and histomorphometry at 7- and 15-days post-treatment. The results indicate that CHX-IBU loaded ISFI could be efficient as adjuvant to periodontal therapy for the control of infection and inflammation. Moreover, other (e.g., pro-regenerative) drugs could be incorporated into ISFI to further improve periodontal treatment outcomes.
Changes in Biothiol Levels Are Closely Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Han Hui , Wang Feng , Chen Juanjuan , Li Xingxing , Fu Gaoqing , Zhou Jiawei , Zhou Dongsheng , Wu Wei , Chen Haimin
Published: May 2021

Background: Serum homocysteine (Hcy) level is considered to be an important biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the status of Hcy in brain tissue, and the association between brain and serum levels of Hcy in AD patients remain unclear. Objective: We aimed to examine whether the changes of three thiols are consistent in serum of AD patients and the brain of APP/PS1 mice, and to verify the effectiveness of Hcy as a biomarker for early AD detection. Methods: The levels of Hcy, cysteine (Cys), and glutathione (GSH) in Aβ1–42-treated PC12 cells, the brain and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mouse, and the serum of AD patients were evaluated using ethyl (E)-3-(9-chloro-11-oxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H,5H,11H-pyrano[2,3-f] pyrido [3,2,1 -ij] quinolin-10-yl)-2-cyanoacrylate (Probe 1) and ELISA assay or LC-MS. Results: Measurement by Probe 1 revealed a significant increase in Hcy level, and a decrease in Cys and GSH levels in Aβ1–42-treated PC12 cells and the serum of AD patients. The hippocampus and whole brain of APP/PS1 mice also showed a significant increase in Hcy level alongside the accumulation of age-related AD symptoms. The upregulation of Hcy and the downregulation of Cys and GSH were reversed in the Aβ1–42-treated PC12 cells and the brain of APP/PS1 mice when supplemented with VB6. Conclusion: Changes in Hcy, Cys, and GSH levels in the brain of APP/PS1 mice and Aβ1–42-treated PC12 cells were observed in situ with a new fluorescent probe, which were consistent with the abnormal changes in Hcy, Cys, and GSH levels in the serum of AD patients. VB6 supplementation was successful in ameliorating abnormal increases in Hcy levels.
Bioreactor for the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis under controlled conditions
Authors: Jung C.G.H. , Waldeck P. , Petrick I. , Braune S. , Küpper J.-H. , Jung F.
Published: May 2021

A vertical flat-type bioreactor consisting of transparent polyethylene (food safe) was constructed, which is characterized by a flexible design and allows the adjustment of a light path of 1 cm – 8.5 cm and a working volume of 1.5 l – 4 l. To characterize the performance of the bioreactor, cultivation experiments were performed with the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis (AP). The growth was assessed continuously by monitoring optical density and intermittently by measuring the dry weight of the AP biomass. An on-line measurement technique for estimating biomass production rate in a photosynthetic microalgae culture was developed. The oxygen produced by AP in the culture medium was flushed out sparging using a mixture of air and CO2 (1%). Factors which might influence the AP growth were monitored: pH, temperature, oxygen concentration and the filling level were corrected automatically to compensate evaporation losses. As an example, the huge influence of the light intensity on the AP growth was tested. The increase of the photon flux density of 15 to 1200μmol/(l · d) led to a 22-fold increase of the productivity and a 3.1-fold shorter doubling time. Using an online measurement technique - together with the control of the growth process via a wireless local area network (WLAN) router and virtual private network - allows monitoring the growth of Arthrospira platensis remotely.
Multi-gene genetic programming to building up fuzzy rule-base in Neo-Fuzzy-Neuron networks
Authors: Brás Glender , Silva Alisson Marques , Wanner Elizabeth Fialho
Published: May 2021

This paper introduces a new approach to build the rule-base on Neo-Fuzzy-Neuron (NFN) Networks. The NFN is a Neuro-Fuzzy network composed by a set of n decoupled zero-order Takagi-Sugeno models, one for each input variable, each one containing m rules. Employing Multi-Gene Genetic Programming (MG-GP) to create and adjust Gaussian membership functions and a Gradient-based method to update the network parameters, the proposed model is dubbed NFN-MG-GP. In the proposed model, each individual of MG-GP represents a complete rule-base of NFN. The rule-base is adjusted by genetic operators (Crossover, Reproduction, Mutation), and the consequent parameters are updated by a predetermined number of Gradient method epochs, every generation. The algorithm uses Elitism to ensure that the best rule-base is not lost between generations. The performance of the NFN-MG-GP is evaluated using instances of time series forecasting and non-linear system identification problems. Computational experiments and comparisons against state-of-the-art alternative models show that the proposed algorithms are efficient and competitive. Furthermore, experimental results show that it is possible to obtain models with good accuracy applying Multi-Gene Genetic Programming to construct the rule-base on NFN Networks.
Visualization and performance measure to determine number of topics in twitter data clustering using hybrid topic modeling
Authors: Noorullah R.M. , Mohammed Moulana
Published: May 2021

Topic models are widely used in building clusters of documents for more than a decade, yet problems occurring in choosing the optimal number of topics. The main problem is the lack of a stable metric of the quality of topics obtained during the construction of topic models. The authors analyzed from previous works, most of the models used in determining the number of topics are non-parametric and the quality of topics determined by using perplexity and coherence measures and concluded that they are not applicable in solving this problem. In this paper, we used the parametric method, which is an extension of the traditional topic model with visual access tendency for visualization of the number of topics (clusters) to complement clustering and to choose the optimal number of topics based on results of cluster validity indices. Developed hybrid topic models are demonstrated with different Twitter datasets on various topics in obtaining the optimal number of topics and in measuring the quality of clusters. The experimental results showed that the Visual Non-negative Matrix Factorization (VNMF) topic model performs well in determining the optimal number of topics with interactive visualization and in performance measure of the quality of clusters with validity indices.
A new validity function of FCM clustering algorithm based on intra-class compactness and inter-class separation
Authors: Wang H.Y. , Wang J.S. , Zhu L.F.
Published: May 2021

Fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering algorithm is a widely used method in data mining. However, there is a big limitation that the predefined number of clustering must be given. So it is very important to find an optimal number of clusters. Therefore, a new validity function of FCM clustering algorithm is proposed to verify the validity of the clustering results. This function is defined based on the intra-class compactness and inter-class separation from the fuzzy membership matrix, the data similarity between classes and the geometric structure of the data set, whose minimum value represents the optimal clustering partition result. The proposed clustering validity function and seven traditional clustering validity functions are experimentally verified on four artificial data sets and six UCI data sets. The simulation results show that the proposed validity function can obtain the optimal clustering number of the data set more accurately, and can still find the more accurate clustering number under the condition of changing the fuzzy weighted index, which has strong adaptability and robustness.
Prediction of air particulate matter in Beijing, China, based on the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm and long short-term memory neural network
Authors: Wang Shengwei , Li Ping , Ji Hao , Zhan Yulin , Li Honghong
Published: May 2021

Intelligent algorithms using deep learning can help learn feature data with nonlinearity and uncertainty, such as time-series particle concentration data. This paper proposes an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm using nonlinear decreasing weights to optimize the hyperparameters, such as the number of hidden layer neurons, learning rate, and maximum number of iterations of the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, to predict the time series for air particulate concentration and capture its data dependence. The IPSO algorithm uses nonlinear decreasing weights to make the inertia weights nonlinearly decreasing during the iteration process to improve the convergence speed and capability of finding the global optimization of the PSO. This study addresses the limitations of the traditional method and exhibits accurate predictions. The results of the improved algorithm reveal that the root means square, mean absolute percentage error, and mean absolute error of the IPSO-LSTM model predicted changes in six particle concentrations, which decreased by 1.59% to 5.35%, 0.25% to 3.82%, 7.82% to 13.65%, 0.7% to 3.62%, 0.01% to 3.55%, and 1.06% to 17.21%, respectively, compared with the LSTM and PSO-LSTM models. The IPSO-LSTM prediction model has higher accuracy than the other models, and its accurate prediction model is suitable for regional air quality management and effective control of the adverse effects of air pollution.
Application of game theory non-cooperative equilibrium method in construction project management informationization
Authors: Zhang Qi
Published: May 2021

Based on the comprehensive application and bibliometrical analysis of the non-cooperative equilibrium theory of game theory, this paper takes the construction project group as the research background, analyzes the obstacles to the application of management informatization in the construction project, and conducts a pair game study on the application of management informatization by single or group subjects. Aims to provide a valuable reference for the application of management information in construction projects, in line with the policy orientation, and has a certain practical significance. On the basis of combing the relevant literature on the application of management information in the field of construction industry and game analysis, this paper first analyzes the appeal, current situation and obstacles of the application of management information in construction projects. The game results show that there are specific management inspirations for different subjects: the designer should change the way of thinking, control the cost of management information application, and carry out in-depth communication with other subjects on building information to ensure consistency; Contractors need to improve their own ability to apply management information, but also to coordinate and control the relative importance of the three objectives, so that efforts can be more easily converted into positive results.