bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment Processes for Microbial Resistance Mitigation: The Technological Contribution to Tackle the Problem of Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Bairán Gabriela , Rebollar-Pérez Georgette , Chávez-Bravo Edith , Torres Eduardo
Published: November 2020

Advances generated in medicine, science, and technology have contributed to a better quality of life in recent years; however, antimicrobial resistance has also benefited from these advances, creating various environmental and health problems. Several determinants may explain the problem of antimicrobial resistance, such as wastewater treatment plants that represent a powerful agent for the promotion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG), and are an important factor in mitigating the problem. This article focuses on reviewing current technologies for ARB and ARG removal treatments, which include disinfection, constructed wetlands, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), anaerobic, aerobic, or combined treatments, and nanomaterial-based treatments. Some of these technologies are highly intensive, such as AOP; however, other technologies require long treatment times or high doses of oxidizing agents. From this review, it can be concluded that treatment technologies must be significantly enhanced before the environmental and heath problems associated with antimicrobial resistance can be effectively solved. In either case, it is necessary to achieve total removal of bacteria and genes to avoid the possibility of regrowth given by the favorable environmental conditions at treatment plant facilities.
Resilience and Anti-Stress during COVID-19 Isolation in Spain: An Analysis through Audiovisual Spots
Authors: Olivares-Delgado Fernando , Iglesias-Sánchez Patricia P. , Benlloch-Osuna María Teresa , Heras-Pedrosa Carlos de las , Jambrino-Maldonado Carmen
Published: November 2020

This study analyses broadcasted advertising spots during the COVID-19 isolation period in Spain. It aims to identify the narrative communicative resources and messages spread by companies/brands under the background of a global pandemic, where a common pattern highlighting the social function of brands is supposed, specifically regarding stress and resilience. We propose a mixed method based on the combination of qualitative analysis of the content of a compendium of 71 commercials and statistical analysis to group and test the correlations between some key variables, thus incorporating multivariate analysis with a quantitative method. Our main finding is the collective trend and communicative behaviour in the advertising of companies/brands during isolation, in which a change in the traditional role of advertising communication has occurred, where advertisers have become a key support in combatting the disease and a key support for health and psychological management in the Spanish population. In fact, they act as guardians of resilience and promoters for alleviating stress.
Needs Assessment for a VR-Based Adult Nursing Simulation Training Program for Korean Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study Using Focus Group Interviews
Authors: Jeon Jaehee , Kim Jin Hee , Choi Eun Hee
Published: November 2020

Virtual reality programs are being actively utilized in various education fields, but not many have been developed/used in nursing. This study aimed to explore the essential components and improvements needed in an adult nursing VR-based simulation training program for nursing students through focus group interviews (FGIs). This was a qualitative study. Fourteen nursing students from three cities in Korea who had experienced clinical practice and simulation training participated. They were divided into three FGIs. Data were collected from February–March 2020. We analyzed the data from the FGIs using Colaizzi’s phenomenological methodology. In total, 40 themes emerged, divided into 13 theme clusters and the following four categories. When developing an adult nursing VR-based simulation training program, the development should focus on addressing the limitations of conventional clinical practice, and these should be analyzed; it should also reflect students’ needs, including the following: provide an array of scenarios/skills to be trained; difficulty-specific learning scenarios; immediate feedback (e.g., those in computerized games); simulate emergency situations; simulate clinical cases that are difficult to experience in clinical practice; and allow for the training of patient–nurse communication skills.
Reliability and Validity of a Stress Scale in Public Employees from Murcia (Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez-González-Moro María Teresa , Gallego-Gómez Juana Inés , Rodríguez-González-Moro José Miguel , Cano María Consolación Campillo , Rivera-Caravaca José Miguel , Simonelli-Muñoz Agustín Javier
Published: November 2020

Stress is common in all work environments. Technostress and the difficulty of separating the family arena from the work environment are some of the new and emerging risks faced by companies, employees and society in general. Most of the available instruments for measuring stress in workers have been focused on education professionals and healthcare workers. Therefore, it is necessary to validate simple and friendly-use tools to detect stress levels in public workers. The aim of this study was to determine the internal consistency of an adapted version of the Student Stress Inventory-Stress Manifestations (SSI-SM) for public employees and to determine if high-stress levels are related to personal and work-related factors. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted from October 2016 to February 2019 including 468 Spanish public workers based in Murcia. An adapted version of the SSI-SM was administered and data on personal and work-related factors were collected. Results showed that all of the factors had Cronbach’s α over 0.700, and no items need to be deleted due to correlations with the factor exceeding 0.300. Factor 1, “Self-concept”, has a Cronbach’s α of 0.868, with values of 15.62 ± 4.99; factor 2, “Sociability”, Cronbach’s α: 0.853, with mean values of 13.33 ± 4.17; factor 3, “Somatization”, Cronbach’s α: 0.704, mean value of 5.35 ± 1.90 and: factor 4, “Uncertainty”, Cronbach’s α: 0.746, with a mean value of 8.19 ± 2.51. In conclusion, the internal consistency of the adapted SSI-SM for public employees with different work positions and shifts has been validated and determined. This study provides a useful tool for the early detection of stress in public employees and may be potentially useful for preventing the harmful consequences of stress.
Satisfaction, Enjoyment and Boredom with Physical Education as Mediator between Autonomy Support and Academic Performance in Physical Education
Authors: Baños Raúl , Fuentesal Julio , Conte Luis , Ortiz-Camacho María del Mar , Zamarripa Jorge
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating effect of satisfaction/enjoyment and boredom between the perception of autonomy support and academic performance in physical education. The sample consisted of 374 girls (Mage = 13.99; SD = 0.30) and 374 boys (Mage = 14.02; SD = 0.33) from the state of Nuevo León, Mexico. The instruments used were the Questionnaire for Autonomy Support in Physical Education (CAA-EF), Sport Satisfaction Intrinsic in Physical Education (SSI-EF) and the physical education performance of the students. The instrument’s validity tests were analyzed using confirmatory procedures. Descriptive, reliability, and validity analyses were carried out for each instrument, and the mediating effect was examined; a mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS V.3.5 macro. The main results revealed that autonomy support is not a direct indicator of physical education performance, but rather that students must feel satisfied with physical education for there to exist a forecast for a positive physical education performance. Satisfaction with physical education was found to have a mediating effect between autonomy support and physical education performance. However, boredom did not have a mediating effect between autonomy support and the student’s performance in physical education class.
Human-Elephant Conflicts and Villagers’ Attitudes and Knowledge in the Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve, China
Authors: Su Kaiwen , Ren Jie , Yang Jie , Hou Yilei , Wen Yali
Published: November 2020

In this study, we analyzed the accidents associated with the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus Linnaeus) and issues pertaining to compensation in Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve from 2011 to 2018. We conducted interviews and a questionnaire survey with 217 villagers. The results show that: (1) the main Asian elephants damage is crop loss (more than 95% of the total damage), and the villagers suffer economic losses; (2) through the influence of traditional culture and natural education, the majority of local villagers still have a favorable impression of Asian elephants; (3) female respondents, those engaged in agricultural production, those who had experienced crop loss and those who had never seen Asian elephants had more negative attitudes toward Asian elephants; (4) most villagers believe that the Asian elephant population has increased in the past decade; and (5) the villagers are quite passive in the human–elephant conflict, and most of them do not take action. Finally, based on the research results, this paper discusses the causes of human elephant conflict and proposes targeted mitigation measures.
Effects of Plyometric Jump Training in Female Soccer Player’s Physical Fitness: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sánchez Mario , Sanchez-Sanchez Javier , Nakamura Fabio Y. , Clemente Filipe M. , Romero-Moraleda Blanca , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo
Published: November 2020

We aimed to assess the effects of plyometric jump training (PJT) on female soccer player’s physical fitness. To this aim, a systematic review with meta-analysis (SRMA) was conducted. The electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS were used. To qualify for inclusion, peer-reviewed studies must have included (i) a PJT programme of ≥2 weeks, (ii) healthy athletes, (iii) a control group, and (iv) physical fitness outcomes (e.g., jump; sprint). Studies were excluded if (i) they incorporated injuried female soccer players, (ii) did not involve PJT or an active control group, (iv) lack of baseline and/or follow-up data. Data was meta-analyzed using the inverse variance random-effects model. Ten moderate-to-high quality studies were included in the analyses, comprising 13 training groups (n = 140) and 10 control groups (n = 110). Small to large (ES = 0.60–2.24; p = 0.040 to <0.001) effects were noted for countermovement jump, drop jump, kicking performance, linear sprint, change of direction speed, and endurance. The moderator analyses (i.e., PJT duration, age groups, competitive level, and soccer experience) revealed no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, PJT may improve the physical fitness of female soccer players. Such improvements might be expected after PJT interventions with six or more weeks of duration, and in players with different chronological ages, competitive levels and soccer experience.
Bacterial Persister-Cells and Spores in the Food Chain: Their Potential Inactivation by Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs)
Authors: Liu Shiqi , Brul Stanley , Zaat Sebastian A. J.
Published: November 2020

The occurrence of bacterial pathogens in the food chain has caused a severe impact on public health and welfare in both developing and developed countries. Moreover, the existence of antimicrobial-tolerant persisting morphotypes of these pathogens including both persister-cells as well as bacterial spores contributes to difficulty in elimination and in recurrent infection. Therefore, comprehensive understanding of the behavior of these persisting bacterial forms in their environmental niche and upon infection of humans is necessary. Since traditional antimicrobials fail to kill persisters and spores due to their (extremely) low metabolic activities, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been intensively investigated as one of the most promising strategies against these persisting bacterial forms, showing high efficacy of inactivation. In addition, AMP-based foodborne pathogen detection and prevention of infection has made significant progress. This review focuses on recent research on common bacterial pathogens in the food chain, their persisting morphotypes, and on AMP-based solutions. Challenges in research and application of AMPs are described.
Application of the RBBP9 Serine Hydrolase Inhibitor, ML114, Decouples Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation
Authors: Lim Seakcheng , Shparberg Rachel A. , Coorssen Jens R. , O’Connor Michael D.
Published: November 2020

Retinoblastoma binding protein 9 (RBBP9) is required for maintaining the expression of both pluripotency and cell cycle genes in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). An siRNA-based study from our group showed it does so by influencing cell cycle progression through the RB/E2F pathway. In non-pluripotent cells, RBBP9 is also known to have serine hydrolase (SH) activity, acting on currently undefined target proteins. The role of RBBP9 SH activity in hPSCs, and during normal development, is currently unknown. To begin assessing whether RBBP9 SH activity might contribute to hPSC maintenance, hPSCs were treated with ML114—a selective chemical inhibitor of RBBP9 SH activity. Stem cells treated with ML114 showed significantly reduced population growth rate, colony size and progression through the cell cycle, with no observable change in cell morphology or decrease in pluripotency antigen expression—suggesting no initiation of hPSC differentiation. Consistent with this, hPSCs treated with ML114 retained the capacity for tri-lineage differentiation, as seen through teratoma formation. Subsequent microarray and Western blot analyses of ML114-treated hPSCs suggest the nuclear transcription factor Y subunit A (NFYA) may be a candidate effector of RBBP9 SH activity in hPSCs. These data support a role for RBBP9 in regulating hPSC proliferation independent of differentiation, whereby inhibition of RBBP9 SH activity de-couples decreased hPSC proliferation from initiation of differentiation.
The Function of Transthyretin Complexes with Metallothionein in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Zaręba Natalia , Kepinska Marta
Published: November 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed types of dementia in the elderly. An important pathological feature in AD is the aggregation and deposition of the β-amyloid (Aβ) in extracellular plaques. Transthyretin (TTR) can cleave Aβ, resulting in the formation of short peptides with less activity of amyloid plaques formation, as well as being able to degrade Aβ peptides that have already been aggregated. In the presence of TTR, Aβ aggregation decreases and toxicity of Aβ is abolished. This may prevent amyloidosis but the malfunction of this process leads to the development of AD. In the context of Aβplaque formation in AD, we discuss metallothionein (MT) interaction with TTR, the effects of which depend on the type of MT isoform. In the brains of patients with AD, the loss of MT-3 occurs. On the contrary, MT-1/2 level has been consistently reported to be increased. Through interaction with TTR, MT-2 reduces the ability of TTR to bind to Aβ, while MT-3 causes the opposite effect. It increases TTR-Aβ binding, providing inhibition of Aβ aggregation. The protective effect, assigned to MT-3 against the deposition of Aβ, relies also on this mechanism. Additionally, both Zn7MT-2 and Zn7MT-3, decrease Aβ neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons probably because of a metal swap between Zn7MT and Cu(II)Aβ. Understanding the molecular mechanism of metals transfer between MT and other proteins as well as cognition of the significance of TTR interaction with different MT isoforms can help in AD treatment and prevention.
Mechanisms of Anticancer Therapy Resistance: The Role of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Kazi Julhash U.
Published: November 2020

Despite incredible progress in anticancer therapy development, resistance to therapy is the major factor limiting the cure of cancer patients [...]
Impact of AHR Ligand TCDD on Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Early Differentiation
Authors: Teino Indrek , Matvere Antti , Pook Martin , Varik Inge , Pajusaar Laura , Uudeküll Keyt , Vaher Helen , Trei Annika , Kristjuhan Arnold , Org Tõnis , Maimets Toivo
Published: November 2020

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor, which mediates the effects of a variety of environmental stimuli in multiple tissues. Recent advances in AHR biology have underlined its importance in cells with high developmental potency, including pluripotent stem cells. Nonetheless, there is little data on AHR expression and its role during the initial stages of stem cell differentiation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the temporal pattern of AHR expression during directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) into neural progenitor, early mesoderm and definitive endoderm cells. Additionally, we investigated the effect of the AHR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the gene expression profile in hESCs and differentiated cells by RNA-seq, accompanied by identification of AHR binding sites by ChIP-seq and epigenetic landscape analysis by ATAC-seq. We showed that AHR is differentially regulated in distinct lineages. We provided evidence that TCDD alters gene expression patterns in hESCs and during early differentiation. Additionally, we identified novel potential AHR target genes, which expand our understanding on the role of this protein in different cell types.
Effects of Biological Therapies on Molecular Features of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Lopez-Pedrera Chary , Barbarroja Nuria , Patiño-Trives Alejandra M. , Luque-Tévar Maria , Collantes-Estevez Eduardo , Escudero-Contreras Alejandro , Pérez-Sánchez Carlos
Published: November 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the joints, and closely related to specific autoantibodies that mostly target modified self-epitopes. Relevant findings in the field of RA pathogenesis have been described. In particular, new insights come from studies on synovial fibroblasts and cells belonging to the innate and adaptive immune system, which documented the aberrant production of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and NETosis, along with relevant alterations of the genome and on the regulatory epigenetic mechanisms. In recent years, the advances in the understanding of RA pathogenesis by identifying key cells and cytokines allowed the development of new targeted disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs considerably improved treatment outcomes for the majority of patients. Moreover, numerous studies demonstrated that the pharmacological therapy with biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) promotes, in parallel to their clinical efficacy, significant improvement in all these altered molecular mechanisms. Thus, continuous updating of the knowledge of molecular processes associated with the pathogenesis of RA, and on the specific effects of bDMARDs in the correction of their dysregulation, are essential in the early and correct approach to the treatment of this complex autoimmune disorder. The present review details basic mechanisms related to the physiopathology of RA, along with the core mechanisms of response to bDMARDs.
Nanoliposomes and Nanoemulsions Based on Chia Seed Lipids: Preparation and Characterization
Authors: Kuznetcova Daria V. , Linder Michel , Jeandel Carole , Paris Cedric , Desor Frederic , Baranenko Denis A. , Nadtochii Liudmila A. , Arab-Tehrany Elmira , Yen Frances T.
Published: November 2020

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are important in reducing the risk for cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds contain high levels of omega-3 PUFA, α-linolenic acid (ALA) in particular, and are a potential source for development of omega-3 PUFA-based products. Our objective was to obtain and characterize chia seed lipids, focusing on phospholipid fraction, and to investigate their use in the formulation of nanoemulsions (NE) and nanoliposomes (NL). Solvent-based lipid extraction was performed on the ORURO variety of chia seeds, followed by lipid composition analysis using GC and LC-MS and physico-chemical characterization of chia NL and NE. Folch extraction led to a slightly higher yield of ALA as compared to Soxhlet extraction. Lipid, phospholipid, and fatty acid composition analysis of the oil and residue revealed that the residue was rich in phospholipids; these were used to prepare NE and NL. Physico-chemical characterization showed that NE and NL were generally spherical (transmission electron microscopy), with a size of <120 nm under hydrated conditions that remained stable over 5 days. In conclusion, chia oil and phospholipid-rich residue can be used to obtain stable NL or NE using a simple method that involves spontaneous emulsification during lipid hydration, which potentially may be useful in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and other health applications.
Tn Antigen Expression Defines an Immune Cold Subset of Mismatch-Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Matsumoto Takuro , Okayama Hirokazu , Nakajima Shotaro , Saito Katsuharu , Nakano Hiroshi , Endo Eisei , Kase Koji , Ito Misato , Yamauchi Naoto , Yamada Leo , Kanke Yasuyuki , Onozawa Hisashi , Fujita Shotaro , Sakamoto Wataru , Saito Motonobu , Saze Zenichiro , Momma Tomoyuki , Mimura Kosaku , Kono Koji
Published: November 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells often express Tn antigen, a tumor-associated truncated immature O-glycan (GalNAcα-O-Ser/Thr) that can promote tumor progression. Immunotherapies against Tn antigen have been developed and are being evaluated in clinical trials. Tn antigen can also be considered a novel immune checkpoint that induces immunosuppressive signaling through glycan-biding lectins to lead effector T cell apoptosis. We evaluated the correlation of Tn antigen expression by immunohistochemistry with mismatch-repair (MMR) status, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor cell PD-L1 expression, and clinicopathological characteristics in 507 CRC patients. Although 91.9% of CRCs showed negative or weak Tn antigen staining (Tn-negative/weak), we identified a small subset of CRCs (8.1%) that displayed particularly intense and diffuse distribution of Tn antigen immunoreactivity (Tn-strong) that closely related to deficient MMR (dMMR). Moreover, 40 dMMR CRCs were stratified into 24 Tn-negative/weak dMMR tumors (60.0%) exhibiting dense CD8+ lymphocyte infiltrate concomitant with a high rate of PD-L1 positivity, and 16 Tn-strong dMMR tumors (40.0%) that demonstrated CD8+ T cell exclusion and a lack of PD-L1 expression, which was comparable to those of proficient MMR. Our finding suggests that the immune cold subset of patients with Tn-strong dMMR CRC may be effectively treated with immune checkpoint blockade therapy or cellular immunotherapy targeting Tn antigen.
2-Phenylethylamine (PEA) Ameliorates Corticosterone-Induced Depression-Like Phenotype via the BDNF/TrkB/CREB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lee Young-Ju , Kim Hye Ryeong , Lee Chang Youn , Hyun Sung-Ae , Ko Moon Yi , Lee Byoung-Seok , Hwang Dae Youn , Ka Minhan
Published: November 2020

Depression is a serious medical illness that is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Corticosterone (CORT) increases depression-like behavior, with some effects on anxiety-like behavior. 2-Phenethylamine (PEA) is a monoamine alkaloid that acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. Here, we show that PEA exerts antidepressant effects by modulating the Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in CORT-induced depression. To investigate the potential effects of PEA on CORT-induced depression, we first treated CORT (50 μM)-induced hippocampal neurons with 100 μM PEA for 24 h. We found that treatment with CORT altered dendritic spine architecture; however, treatment with PEA rescued dendritic spine formation via regulation of BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling. Next, we used a mouse model of CORT-induced depression. Mice were treated with CORT (20 mg/kg) for 21 days, followed by assessments of a battery of depression-like behaviors. During the final four days of CORT exposure, the mice were treated with PEA (50 mg/kg). We found that CORT injection promoted depression-like behavior and significantly decreased BDNF and TrkB expression in the hippocampus. However, treatment with PEA significantly ameliorated the behavioral and biochemical changes induced by CORT. Our findings reveal that PEA exerts antidepressant effects by modulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway in a mouse model of CORT-induced depression.
Astrocytoma: A Hormone-Sensitive Tumor?
Authors: Hirtz Alex , Rech Fabien , Dubois-Pot-Schneider Hélène , Dumond Hélène
Published: November 2020

Astrocytomas and, in particular, their most severe form, glioblastoma, are the most aggressive primary brain tumors and those with the poorest vital prognosis. Standard treatment only slightly improves patient survival. Therefore, new therapies are needed. Very few risk factors have been clearly identified but many epidemiological studies have reported a higher incidence in men than women with a sex ratio of 1:4. Based on these observations, it has been proposed that the neurosteroids and especially the estrogens found in higher concentrations in women’s brains could, in part, explain this difference. Estrogens can bind to nuclear or membrane receptors and potentially stimulate many different interconnected signaling pathways. The study of these receptors is even more complex since many isoforms are produced from each estrogen receptor encoding gene through alternative promoter usage or splicing, with each of them potentially having a specific role in the cell. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent data supporting the involvement of steroids during gliomagenesis and to focus on the potential neuroprotective role as well as the mechanisms of action of estrogens in gliomas.
Factors Associated with Changes in Retinal Layers Following Acute Optic Neuritis: A Longitudinal Study Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Lee Yumi , Park Kyung-Ah , Oh Sei Yeul , Min Ju-Hong , Kim Byoung Joon
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to analyze longitudinal changes in retinal microstructures following acute optic neuritis and to identify the factors that affect those changes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Forty-eight eyes of 37 patients with a first episode of optic neuritis and 48 eyes of 48 healthy controls were enrolled. Patients underwent serial OCT and visual function testing for more than six months. Individual layers from macular OCT were segmented with an automated algorithm. The total retinal layer (TRL), nerve fiber layer (NFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) of optic neuritis eyes showed significant thinning with time over 6–15 months (p < 0.001 for all). The outer nuclear layer (ONL) showed a later decrease in thickness (p = 0.007). The outer retinal layer (ORL) showed an increase (p = 0.007) in thickness at two to five months which was sustained over time. Low visual acuity and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) immunoglobulin (Ig) G were associated with changes in the thickness of the GCL, IPL, and ONL over time (p < 0.05 for all). Low visual acuity was also associated with changes in the thickness of the NFL over time (p = 0.033). Dynamic changes of retinal microstructures varied according to the retinal layer examined after an optic neuritis attack. Initial visual acuity and NMO-IgG were found to be significant factors affecting the changes in thickness of each retinal layer. These results will lead to a better understanding of the pathologic changes that occur in eyes with optic neuritis.
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Post Tuberculosis Patients in Indonesia and the Role of LDBio Aspergillus ICT as Part of the Diagnosis Scheme
Authors: Rozaliyani Anna , Rosianawati Harmi , Handayani Diah , Agustin Heidy , Zaini Jamal , Syam Ridhawati , Adawiyah Robiatul , Tugiran Mulyati , Setianingrum Findra , Burhan Erlina , Kosmidis Chris , Wahyuningsih Retno
Published: November 2020

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a common sequela of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The diagnosis of CPA is difficult and often misdiagnosed as smear-negative TB in endemic settings. Aspergillus IgG detection is the cornerstone of CPA diagnosis. There are a lack of studies on the prevalence of CPA in GeneXpert/smear-negative TB patients in Indonesia, despite a high number of TB cases. This study aims to determine the CPA rate in HIV-negative, GeneXpert-negative patients presenting with symptoms following completion of TB therapy and to evaluate the performance of LDBio Aspergillus immunochromatographic technology (ICT) lateral flow assay in the diagnosis of CPA. CPA was diagnosed on the basis of symptoms for ≥3 months, characteristic chest imaging and positive Aspergillus culture. Twenty (22%) out of 90 patients met the criteria for CPA. The LDBio test was positive in 16 (80%) CPA patients and in 21 (30%) non-CPA patients (p < 0.001) with 80% sensitivity and 70% specificity. Logistic regression revealed a positive LDBio Aspergillus ICT result, smoking history and diabetes to be important predictors of CPA diagnosis. Although CPA is an unrecognised disease in Indonesia, this study suggests that more than one in five GeneXpert negative patients with persistent symptoms following completion of TB therapy may have CPA.
Welcome
Authors: Cerpa Narciso
Published: November 2020

We welcome all of you to the first volume and issue of the Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research (JTAER) (ISSN 0718-1876). [...]
An Empirical Study of Factors That Influence the Extent of Deployment of Electronic Commerce for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Australia
Authors: Chong Sandy
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this paper is to present the perceptions and experiences of Electronic Commerce (EC) implementation in Australia. The study is investigated from the perspective of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the framework of implementation is represented by the extent of deployment. Based on the sample of about 115 small businesses in Australia, this paper uses regression modelling to explore and establish the factors that are related to the extent of deployment in EC. A multiple regression analysis shows that seven factors: perceived relative advantage, trialability, observability, variety of information sources, communication amount, competitive pressure, and non-trading institutional influences, significantly influence the extent of EC deployment by SMEs in Australia. The results and interpretations have some implications for managers in determining the appropriateness of deploying EC strategies to achieve profitability and operational efficiency.
Taking Care of (E)-Business?: Australian IT Professionals’ Views of Wireless Network Vulnerability Assessments
Authors: Dyce Keir , Barrett Mary
Published: November 2020

M-commerce, a growing sub-category of E-business, allows business to be done ‘anywhere, anytime’. However security of wireless devices remains problematic. It is unclear whether protocols to alleviate security problems, such as wireless vulnerability assessments (WNVAs), are being used or are effective. The paper reports on a survey-based study of Australian computer security professionals’ use of and opinions about two types of WNVA: wireless monitoring and penetration testing. An initially surprising finding was how little both types are used, despite the ease with which wireless networks can be attacked and the fact that penetration testing is fairly well understood. In the light of organizational culture the survey findings become more explicable. Senior management, and even IT staff, may still hold a traditional, ‘wired network’ view of their organization. Aspects of organizational culture also appear to limit the way WNVA users go about the assessment process. A cultural shift could help change users’ perceptions about the risks and rewards of WNVAs. This could threaten IT staff’s professional identity, however, and needs further research.
gCitizen: A Grid Middleware for a Transparent Management of the Information about Citizens in the Public Administration
Authors: de Alfonso Carlos , Caballer Miguel , Carrión José V. , Hernández Vicente
Published: November 2020

This paper proposes the Grid technology as an integration method of information, existing procedures and resources in the Public Administration. The exposed work supposes, from the point of view of the electronic government, an advance of future trends by means of the usage of Grid technology. On the other hand, from the perspective of Grid technology, the electronic government opens a non-evident field of application for this emergent paradigm of distributed computing. This paper explains gCitizen, which is a Grid middleware based on the GT4 components and WSRF implementation (which are the state-of-the-art in middleware for Grid computing), incorporating new protocols and services which cover the requirements for the integration purposes in the eGovernment frameworks. The system architecture has been designed to enable using the services deployed without a specific a priori knowledge of them. The gCitizen middleware also defines a data model to provide interoperability in the exchange of the information among the different gCitizen services.
Enabling Knowledge Sharing within e-Government Back-Office through Ontological Engineering
Authors: Brusa Graciela , Caliusco María Laura , Chiotti Omar
Published: November 2020

Nowadays, organizational innovation constitutes the government challenges for providing better and more efficient services to citizens, enterprises or other public offices. E–government seems to be an excellent opportunity to work on this way. The applications that support front-end services delivered to users have to access information systems of multiple government areas. This is a significant problem for e-government back-office since multiple platforms and technologies coexist. Moreover, in the back-office there is a great volume of data that is implicit in the software applications that support administration activities. In this context, the main requirement is to make available the data managed in the back-office for the e-government users in a fast and precise way, without misunderstanding. To this aim, it is necessary to provide an infrastructure that make explicit the knowledge stored in different government areas and deliver this knowledge to the users. This paper presents an approach on how ontological engineering techniques can be applied to solving the problems of content discovery, aggregation, and sharing in the e-government back-office. This approach is constituted by a specific process to develop an ontology in the public sector and an ontology-based architecture. In order to present the process characteristics, a case study applied to a local government domain is analyzed. This domain is the budget and financial information of Santa Fe Province (Argentine).
Editorial: Special Issue on M-Commerce
Authors: Cerpa Narciso
Published: November 2020

Today, mobile networks serve approximately three billion subscribers worldwide [...]
Revenue Logics of Mobile Entertainment Software – Observations from Companies Producing Mobile Games
Authors: Rajala Risto , Rossi, Matti , Tuunainen Virpi , Vihinen Janne
Published: November 2020

While growing at a fast phase, mobile gaming industry is facing a transformation both in terms of technical infrastructures as well as business models. At the users’ end, formerly preferred specific game consoles are increasingly being replaced by mobile phone platforms. From the game developers’ perspective, the new possibilities to distribute games over mobile phone networks as well as over the Internet, affect both the viable partner relationships and possible revenue stream options. In this paper we introduce analytical tools to evaluate business models of software companies producing mobile games. With the help of these tools, we explore and analyze the revenue logics and related product distribution models of four companies producing mobile games to the international market. The results indicate that even though the fast growing market offers a plethora of opportunities to agile software companies, the revenue models are governed by telecom-operators, who are currently reaping the largest benefits from the business.
The Future of Radio Frequency Identification
Authors: Viehland Dennis , Wong Aaron
Published: November 2020

This study identifies the most important and unsolved issues that will determine the future of radio frequency identification (RFID). A review of the RFID business-oriented literature identified twelve issues related to the future of RFID. In the first round of the Delphi Method, a panel of RFID experts narrowed this list to the seven issues considered to be most critical to the future of RFID. In round two, the panel ranked the seven issues in terms of importance and likelihood of being solved within the next two years. A third round, with feedback from round two, was conducted to insure there was a consensus within the panel. Results indicate that standardization is the most important issue and standardization is also the issue most likely to be solved within the next two years. System costs, business process reengineering, and integration also ranked high in importance. Privacy, lack of RFID-skilled professionals, and data warehousing were viewed as of less importance to the future of RFID.
A System for Locating Mobile Terminals with Tunable Privacy
Authors: Bessler Sandford
Published: November 2020

A number of approaches for capturing and processing location information of mobile users have been proposed in the past; however, only with the latest advances in the handset technology, a terminal-based positioning approach, using overlay SIP signaling on top of a packet switched bearer and area notification as basic functionality becomes feasible for mass applications. Especially in electronic commerce scenarios, in which users often interact with non-trusted services and shops, any location-based solution has to consider privacy aspects as well. The terminal-centric model presented in the paper leads to a simple and efficient way to achieve tunable privacy: mobile users define own "zones" and selectively disclose them to their buddies and to external services. As a result, localization can be performed only in the allowed places and by the allowed watchers, both parameters being configured by the user herself on her mobile terminal. We describe the system architecture, protocols and present representative technical scenarios.
Editorial
Authors: Cerpa Narciso
Published: November 2020

We have met most of the goals set two year [...]
Privacy-Respecting Location-Based Service Infrastructures: A Socio-Technical Approach to Requirements Engineering
Authors: Fritsch Lothar
Published: November 2020

This article presents an approach for the design of location-based information systems that support privacy functionality. Privacy-enhancing technology (PET) has been available for a considerable amount of time. New online applications and infrastructures for mobile and ubiquitous use have been installed. This has been done without usage of available PET, although they are favored by data protection experts. Designers of locationbased services (LBS) create infrastructures for business or application specific purposes. They have profitoriented views on the rationale for PET deployment. Finally, users have requirements that might be neither on the PET community’s nor on the business people's agenda. Many disciplines provide knowledge about the construction of community-spanning information systems. The challenge for designers of infrastructures and applications is to find a consensus that models all stakeholders’ interests – and takes advantage all involved community’s knowledge. This paper groups LBS stakeholders into a framework based onto a sociological knowledge construct called “boundary object”. For this purpose, a taxonomical analysis of publications in the stakeholder communities is performed. Then the paper proposes a socio-technical approach. Its goal is to find a suitable privacy design for a LBS infrastructure based on the boundary object. Topics for further interdisciplinary research efforts are identified and proposed for discussion.
One-Size E-Business Adoption Model Does Not Fit All
Authors: Roberts Barbara , Toleman Mark
Published: November 2020

This empirical study of organisational e-business adoption, utilising both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, examines four major factors influencing adoption in multiple e-business process domains. Support is found for the proposition that factors influencing e-business adoption behaviour have different levels of impact across different e-business process domains. Different combinations of factors influence different ebusiness processes and for the most part this occurs independently of organisation size/resource capacity. For example, governments and powerful supply chain organisations have strong influence over some organisational e-business strategy. In particular, e-government influence is strong with regard to use of e-mail and external web sites due to government’s legislative and regulatory compliance power. However, government influence is weak with regard to operation of an organisation’s own web sites. A conceptual model of antecedents and performance outcomes of e-business adoption is modified to take account of findings from this study.
Changes in the Editorial Board
Authors: Cerpa Narciso
Published: November 2020

Thanking Co-Editors. […]
RFID and Supply Chain Management: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Coltman Tim , Gadh Rajit , Michael Katina
Published: November 2020

As markets become more global and competition intensifies, [...]
Impact of Position and Orientation of RFID Tags on Real Time Asset Tracking in a Supply Chain
Authors: D’Mello Sidney , Mathews Eric , McCauley Lee , Markham James
Published: November 2020

We studied the characteristics of four commercially available RFID tags such as their orientation on an asset and their position in a three dimensional real world environment to obtain comprehensive data to substantiate a baseline for the use of RFID technology in a diverse supply chain management setting. Using RFID tags manufactured by four different vendors and a GHz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell, in which an approximately constant electromagnetic (EM) field was maintained, we characterized the tags based on horizontal and vertical orientation on a simulated asset. With these baseline characteristics determined, we moved two of the four tags through a real world environment in three dimensions using an industrial robotic system to determine the effect of asset position in relation to the reader on tag readability. Combining the data collected over these two studies, we provide a rich analysis of the feasibility of asset tracking in a real world supply chain, where there would likely be multiple tag types. We offer fine grained analyses of the tag types and make recommendations for diverse supply chain asset tracking.
The Impact of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Investment Announcements on the Market Value of the Firm
Authors: Jeong Bong-Keun , Lu Ying
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the impact of RFID investment announcements on the market value of the firms and explores industry effects of the positive abnormal returns to firms making the announcements. Drawing upon the efficient market theory, market signaling hypothesis, and prior empirical studies, we employ event study methodology to analyze RFID investment announcements over a six-year period from 2001 to 2006. In this paper, we present preliminary results that demonstrate an overall positive abnormal return to RFID investment announcements over the three-day event window. In addition, industry differences in market returns to RFID investment announcements are observed with a greater return realized in the manufacturing sector and specifically in the information technology industry segment and for technology vendors’ investment initiatives. These preliminary findings provide useful implications for a better understanding of the benefits of RFID adoption and for making decisions in RFID investment and adoption to create value for the firms.
What Role(s) Do Village Committees Play in the Withdrawal from Rural Homesteads? Evidence from Sichuan Province in Western China
Authors: Tang Peng , Chen Jing , Gao Jinlong , Li Min , Wang Jinshuo
Published: November 2020

Village committees, as grassroots spontaneously formed by rural collective members in China’s hierarchy system, play an irreplaceable role in the management of rural public affairs. Based on the filed survey dataset taken from three pilot counties/districts in Sichuan province, we explored the significant role that village committees played in farmers’ withdrawal from rural homesteads (WRH). Our empirical results, according to binary logistic regression (BLR) modelling, indicated that the WRH was significantly affected by the triple roles of village committees, among which information intermediary was the most effective followed by the trust builder and then the coordinated manager. Firstly, village committees’ involvement facilitated the WRH by improving policy transparency and decreasing information cost. Secondly, the depth of village committees’ participation (i.e., being involved in multiple phases) positively affected the WRH given its signification of the participation of farmers. Whereas the breadth of participation (i.e., considering various demands of different participants) negatively affected the process of WRH by reducing the decision-making efficiency. Thirdly, farmers’ trust in institutions played a positive role in the WRH, but their confidence in village cadres had limited impact. We therefore argue that promising village committees should act as “all-round stewards” in the decision-making of rural households, which not only includes the transmit of information between those above and those below, but also needs to actively strive for farmers’ trust by letting their voice heard. Based on our empirical findings, this paper finally proposed some policy suggestions, such as strengthening mutual communication, empowerment of rural grassroots, encouraging farmers’ participation and improving formal institutions.
Bioluminescence-Driven Optogenetics
Authors: Sureda-Vives Macià , Sarkisyan Karen S.
Published: November 2020

Bioluminescence-based technologies are among the most commonly used methods to quantify and visualise physiology at the cellular and organismal levels. However, the potential of bioluminescence beyond reporter technologies remains largely unexplored. Here, we provide an overview of the emerging approaches employing bioluminescence as a biological light source that triggers physiological events and controls cell behaviour and discuss its possible future application in synthetic biology.