bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Hermiticities even in quantum systems that are closed
Authors: Moulopoulos Konstantinos
Published: February 2023

Rarely noted paradoxes in applications of fundamental quantum relations are pointed out, with their resolution leading to emergent non-Hermitian behaviors due to boundary terms – even for closed systems and with real potentials. The role played by these non-Hermiticities on the consistency of quantum mechanical uncertainty relations is discussed, especially in multiply-connected spaces (more generally, for any system that satisfies the Bloch theorem of Solid State Physics). These subtleties – reflections of topological quantum anomalies – follow their own patterns (for any dimensionality, for both Schrödinger and Dirac/Weyl Hamiltonians and for either continuous or lattice (tight-binding) models): they can always be written as global fluxes of certain generalized current densities Jg. In continuous nonrelativistic models, these have the forms that had earlier been used by Chemists to describe atomic fragments of polyatomic molecules, while for Dirac/Weyl or other lattice models they have more interesting relativistic forms only recently worked out in graphene models. In spite of the deep mathematical origin as quantum anomalies examples are provided here, where such non-Hermiticities have a direct physical significance (for both conventional and topological materials). In all stationary state examples considered, these non-Hermitian boundary terms turn out to be quantized, this quantization being either of conventional or of a topological (Quantum Hall Effect (QHE)-type) origin. The latter claim is substantiated through direct application to a simple QHE arrangement (2D Landau system in an external in-plane electric field), where some particular Jg seems to be related to the well-known dissipationless edge currents. More generally, the non-Hermitian terms play a subtle role on Berry curvatures in solids and seem to be crucial for the consistent application of the so called Modern Theories of Polarization and Orbital Magnetization. It is emphasized that the above systems can be _closed_ (in multiply-connected space, so that the boundaries disappear, but the non-Hermiticity remains), a case in non-Hermitian physics that is not usually discussed in the literature; it is also stressed that a mapping between the above non-Hermiticity (for continuous systems) and the many recent available results in tight-binding solid state models (leading to the so-called exceptional points) is expected to promote enhanced understanding of quantum behavior at the most fundamental level.
DINAMIKA PARIWISATA RAMAH LINGKUNGAN/ GREEN TOURISM PASCA PANDEMI (SUATU TINJAUAN PUSTAKA)
Authors: ANDREA GARSIONE AGNI
Published: February 2023

C-19 sangat berdampak pada aktivitas sehari-hari dan salah satu sektor paling berdampak adalah pariwisata karena aktivitas pariwisata dapat dirasakan dan dinikmati secara langsung dengan cara mengunjungi destinasi pariwisata. Berbagai upaya pemerintah untuk mencegah penularan C-19 dan salah satu upayah pemerintah adalah mengubah situasi pandemi menjadi endemi dengan penerapan protokol kesehatan. Dampak positif dari C-19 dapat dirasakan melalui perbaikan kualitas cuaca yang terdegradasi oleh aktivitas masyarakat salah satunya adalah kepariwisataan. Dampak-dampak positif menjadi pendorong green tourism untuk mulai di terapkan pada pembanguan pariwisata berkelanjutan agar perbaikan lingkungan dapat tercapai. Penerapan green tourism dapat di buktikan melalui sertifikasi yang diselenggarakan oleh lembaga sertifikasi agar tercipta destinasi yang ramah lingkungan dan sebagai nilai tambah saat melakukan promosi destinasi pariwisata. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode diskriptif dengan cara menarasi dan mereviewkan hasil-hasil penelitian terdahulu, hingga kabar berita dengan tema pariwisata ramah lingkungan/ green tourism. Melalui review artikel terdahulu maka kajian pustaka mengenai green tourism dapat berkembang sebagai literatur kepariwisataan.
 
Kata kunci: Green tourism, C-19, Sertifikasi, Digitalisasi.
POTENSI DAN DAYA TARIK WISATA ARBORETUM FAKULTAS KEHUTANAN UNILAK
Authors: SADJATI EMY , YENRI ERVA , SUKMA DODI
Published: February 2023

Arboretum merupakan suatu hutan dengan luasan yang tergolong kecil yang biasanya digunakan untuk berbagai macam bentuk kegiatan akademis kampus. Arboretum juga dapat digunakan sebagai tempat praktek dan penelitian bagi mahasiswa fakultas kehutanan. Arboretum memiliki potensi dan daya tarik wisata, yang terdiri dari keanekaragaman jenis flora seperti gaharu, kantong semar, serta berbagai macam jenis meranti ada disana. Untuk jenis fauna seperti monyet ekor panjang serta berbagai macam jenis burung banyak terdapat di Arboretum. Daya tarik wisata yang juga disebut obyek wisata merupakan potensi yang menjadi pendorong kehadiran wisatawan ke suatu daerah tujuan wisata. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengidentifikasi potensi dan daya tarik arboretum Fakultas Kehutanan Unilak. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode survei (survey methods) dengan teknik kuesioner yaitu pengukuran potensi dengan cara mengukur persepsi dengan menggunakan One Score-One Indicator System, yakni pemberian skor 1 (satu), untuk 1 (satu) indikator, dengan skala yang digunakan adalah 1-7 (merupakan pengembangan dari skala Likert 1-5). Penggunaan skala  1-7 diterapkan karena sesuai dengan karakter masyarakat Indonesia yang mengartikulasikan suatu nilai dengan sangat detail. Nilai skor 1-7 diberikan pernyataan sebagai berikut: (1) sangat tidak menarik (2) tidak menarik (3) agak tidak menarik (4) ragu-ragu (5) agak menarik (6) menarik, dan (7) sangat menarik. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Keunikan 4.79 agak menarik, Keindahan 5.83 menarik, Kelangkaan 4.38 cukup, Ketepatan Waktu 4.42 cukup, Aksesibilitas 5.00 agak menarik, Sensitifitas 4.56 agak menarik, Fungsi Sosial 4.50 agak menarik. Nilai rataan total Potensi dan Daya Tarik 4.78 artinya agak menarik dengan demikian arboretum Fakultas Kehutanan Unilak bisa menjadi salah satu objek daya tarik wisata di Kota Pekanbaru. Serta yang perlu ditambah adalah sarana dan prasarana pendukung wisata, promosi wisata.
 
Kata kunci: daya tarik, potensi, wisata
PENGARUH KUALITAS LAYANAN TIKET ELEKTRONIK TERHADAP KEPUASAN KONSUMEN DI APLIKASI TRAVELOKA
Authors: ROSALINDA ELVINA , SOFIANI SOFIANI
Published: February 2023

Berkembangnya pariwisata didukung oleh berkembangnya teknologi sehingga hal-hal yang biasa dilakukan secara manual menjadi serba digital dalam memudahkan masyarakat dalam berbagai hal guna untuk memasarkan dan menjual produknya. Kemunculan online travel agent didukung dan diminati oleh masyarakat khususnya Traveloka dengan jumlah pengguna yang terus meningkat. Namun sebagai perusahaan digital, Traveloka perlu meningkatkan kualitas layanan elektronik guna memuaskan konsumen yang memiliki tuntutan yang beragam. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana pengaruh dari kualitas layanan elektronik terhadap kepuasan konsumen di aplikasi Traveloka. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kuantitatif. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 100 responden. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan non probability sampling jenis purposive sampling dengan kriteria pernah membeli tiket penerbangan dan melakukan refund minimal 1 kali. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara parsial dimensi efisiensi (X1) tidak memiliki pengaruh, sedangkan dimensi pemenuhan (X2), ketersediaan sistem (X3), dan privasi (X4) berpengaruh secara positif terhadap kepuasan konsumen. Dan untuk hasil dari uji F menunjukkan hasil bahwa dimensi dari variabel kualitas layanan elektronik secara bersama-sama memberi pengaruh positif kepada variabel kepuasan konsumen. Dari hasil penelitian, diharapkan pihak Traveloka mengembangkan kualitas layanan elektronik dan memiliki penyelesaian yang cepat terhadap komplain yang diberikan oleh pengguna.
Kata kunci: kepuasan konsumen, kualitas layanan elektronik, tiket elektronik.
PENGEMBANGAN KEBIJAKAN DESA WISATA BERBASIS DIGITAL TOURISM DI PROVINSI JAWA BARAT: ISU DAN TANTANGAN
Authors: Herdiana Dian
Published: February 2023

Provinsi Jawa Barat memiliki banyak desa wisata yang sudah dikelola dengan baik, meskipun demikian desa wisata tersebut belum sepenuhnya diorientasikan untuk menjadi objek wisata berbasis digital tourism. Didasarkan kepada gambaran tersebut artikel ini mengkaji mengenai isu dan tantangan kebijakan pengelolaan desa wisata berbasis digital tourism di Provinsi Jawa Barat. Metode penelitian menggunakan penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kepustakaan. Hasil analisis menunjukan bahwa isu yang ada setidaknya mencakup tiga hal yaitu: Pertama, kesiapan infrastruktur teknologi informasi. Kedua, peningkatan kapasitas sumber daya lokal. Ketiga, dukungan pemerintah daerah. Adapun tantangan dalam pengembangan kebijakan yaitu sinergitas antar pemangku kepentingan, konsistensi kebijakan dan dukungan anggaran yang memadai. Isu dan tantangan tersebut harus disikapi sebagai peluang untuk mengembangkan desa wisata yang ada di Provinsi Jawa Barat berbasis kepada digital tourism.
Kata kunci: desa wisata, digital tourism, kebijakan pariwisata.
PENGARUH PERILAKU PENUMPANG UDARA DALAM MENGGUNAKAN INSTAGRAM TERHADAP PEMILIHAN DESTINASI DESA WISATA
Authors: SARI NANIK RIANANDITA , KUSUMA NUR MAKKIE PERDANA
Published: February 2023

Proses pengembangan dan promosi destinasi desa wisata di Yogyakarta yang mengundang wisatawan untuk datang dan berkunjung ke Yogyakarta dilakukan dengan bantuan Instagram melalui unggahan yang ada di dalamnya. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui perilaku penumpang udara dalam menggunakan Instagram untuk memutuskan pemilihan destinasi desa wisata. Data yang digunakan yaitu data primer tentang variabel perilaku penumpang udara pengguna Instagram (15 item), variabel pemilihan destinasi desa wisata (6 item). Semua item pernyataan tersebut di atas telah diukur menggunakan Skala Likert. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian sebanyak 267 penumpang udara yang berkunjung ke desa wisata.Data dianalisis dengan deskriptif kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil analisis data menunjukkan bahwa perilaku penumpang udara dalam menggunakan Instagram mempengaruhi dalam memilih destinasi desa wisata sebesar 0,715 atau 71,5%, sedangkan 28,5% adalah sumbangan dari variabel lain yang tidak diketahui dari penelitian ini. Wisatawan melakukan pencarian informasi melalui media sosial Instagram untuk mengetahui berbagai aktivitas dan wisata, seperti wisata alam, sejarah, budaya, edukasi, kuliner yang dapat ditemukan di destinasi desa wisata. Instagram merupakan media yang ideal dalam mempromosikan industri pariwisata di Yogyakarta, karena banyak digunkanan oleh masyarakat luas. Daya tarik dari unggahan di akun Instagram desa wisata mempunyai pengaruh yang kuat terhadap pemilihan destinasi desa wisata.
Kata kunci: desa wisata, instagram, perilaku, wisatawan.
MODEL PENGEMBANGAN EKOWISATA BERBASIS MASYARAKAT DALAM MENDUKUNG KEMANDIRIAN EKONOMI DESA KINDANG KABUPATEN BULUKUMBA
Authors: Amin MT Nur , AZIS IHZATUL ADRIFA , LANONGBUKA DORISMAWATI NOVI , ANISA NUR
Published: February 2023

Pengembangan potensi desa berbasis wisata saat ini mulai menjadi program unggulan dalam pembangunan suatu daerah. Pembangunan danpengembangan wisata tersebut diharapkan mampu memberikan kontribusi terhadap kemandirian ekonomi daerah. Salah satu desa yang memilikipotensi wisata adalah Desa Kindang Kabupaten Bulukumba. Desa Kindang dianugerahi sumber daya alam yang potensial dan menarik untukdikembangkan sebagai tujuan wisata seperti sungai batu, pengolahan gula merah, dan perkebunan serta kawasan gunung dan perbukitan. Selain itu,Desa Kindang juga didukung dengan jumlah penduduk usia produktif. Namun, pengembangan sumber daya tersebut belum optimal sehinggapendapatan masyarakat masih tergolong rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi kekuatan, kelemahan, peluang dan ancaman (SWOT)Desa Kindang, kemudian merumuskan model pengembangan pariwisata berbasis masyarakat (CBT) dengan konsep ekowisata. Adapun pendekatanyang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif. Hasil analisis dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan Desa Kindang memiliki potensi internal dan eksternalpariwisata yang dapat dikembangkan dengan konsep ekowisata. Melihat potensi masyarakatnya, pendekatan non-direktif (merujuk pada budayapariwisata yang telah tertanam di masyarakat) dipilih sebagai dasar pengembangan ekowisata Desa Kidang. Pendekatan ini menekankan pelibatanpenuh masyarakat dalam proses pengembangan pariwisatanya.
Kata kunci: analisis SWOT, community based tourism, desa wisata, ekowisata, kemandirian ekonomi.
Social Justice in the National Football League: How an Internal Initiative Could Help Dismantle Racism and Promote Player Activism
Authors: Emily Laff
Published: February 2023

Social injustice remains a painfully present issue in American society. The evidence of inequality for people of color in the United States of America is woven throughout history--and is still present today. Despite years of grassroots movements fighting for civil rights and policy reform that have shaped change, there is still an undeniably volatile racial climate in America ignited by years of injustice. Most recently, this injustice can be seen through the lens of iPhones-which have captured the vexing reality of police brutality experienced by people of color, and the absence of justice for those responsible. What should be considered a humanitarian issue has been warped into a divisive political controversy. Though the racial tension is palpable, and arguably inescapable, Americans continuously turn to sports as a reprieve from the world’s problems. Yet, a fair percentage of those athletes and coaches providing the sports entertainment are also living in a reality steeped with racism and social injustice that awaits them outside the bounds of their playing surface. This article presents in detail the history of social justice and civil rights within the confines of sports, offering an internal training initiative aimed at dismantling racism and promoting player activism in the NFL. By dismantling racism and unconscious bias internally team by team, the NFL could support their staff and players of color. In turn, this would allow for more autonomy for players in the realm of social justice advocacy, and utilizing player platforms more effectively through community engagement.
When the Game Stands Tall
Authors: Bennett Marion
Published: February 2023

The current discussion reviews the extant literature on student-athlete mental and advocates for a social work perspective in addressing the needs of this uniquely at-risk, and vulnerable population. Sports social work practitioners focus on the personal and contextual influences that potentially affect athlete mental health and well-being. In this way, social work is uniquely qualified to address challenges of the athletic experience and provide athletes with the resources and support needed both on and off the field to thrive in all areas of life.
Behavioral Care: An International Approach to Student-Athlete Mental Health
Authors: Watson Ronnie , Walker Khirey
Published: February 2023

Worldwide, mental illness affects a variety of student-athletes. 41% of student-athletes were frequently overwhelmed. Nearly a quarter of student-athletes reported exhaustion from the mental demands of their sport. 10-21% of student-athletes reported depressive symptoms but did not know how to handle them. With mental illness affecting many student-athletes, the purpose of this study was to analyze a student-athlete’s access to both psychological services and resources between the United States Ivy League Conference and Japan’s Kansai Big Six League. Results confirmed that the United States focused on performance; whereas, Japan focused on holistic health. Furthermore, young adulthood is a period of heightened susceptibility for mental health disorders, making college an important setting for a student-athlete’s early identification and management. Early identification is critical, yet diagnosed student-athletes rarely seek help as 19.4% of student athletes experience some form of mental health disorder, 360,000 student-athletes struggle with depression, and only 18% of student-athletes seek treatment when struggling with poor mental health.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT EFFECT AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE STUDY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Authors: Softa Valbona
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate scientifically the impact that the learning environment has in learning foreign languages, with the main focus English language. This study was based on both qualitative and quantitative techniques of research, by using as instruments of research the case study in a non public language institution and the application of a questionnaire for a number of 230 students. The results revealed that the learning environment in the form of language labs rather traditional classrooms affected the student cooperative skills, interpersonal attitudes of the respondents and also the level of motivation in learning English.
The results revealed that for each of two scales measured in the motivation test, the average score is approximately 56 out 70, which stands for the fifth alternative in answer choices, a moderate agreement to the statements of importance for use of technology and motivation from learning environment (LE). The students reflected a more positive attitude and a feeling of relief while performing in a technologically advanced environment, like not getting emotional or anxious when expressing in English or making a question in English to the teacher. They would often look around the classroom to find hints for what they had to perform in class or check computers, play the CDs as practical means of operating in the English class.
Key words: enhanced learning classrooms, feeling of relief positive attitudes, language learning, motivation of language learning, technologically advanced environment.
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF ICT IN EDUCATION: DO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS RECOGNISE THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY TEACHERS WHEN USING TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Suriá Martínez Raquel
Published: February 2023

The Information and Communication Technologies are a decisive element to normalize the conditions of the students' life with special needs, and in some cases, one of the options for the access to a school curriculum. However, in the context academic, the development of the new technologies has favored the appearance in new ways of social exclusion.
In presented study it was analysed the availability of the necessary resources to these students, checks the usage of the available technology and examines up to what point the students recognise the support of the teachers using information and communication technologies - ICT, to help them succeed in their studies.
Thirty-seven students with special needs participated in this study, coming from a secondary school in Alicante and from the University of Alicante. Was prepared a questionnaire to investigate the use, experience and recognition of the support given by the teachers using ICT with these students.
The results indicated that these students felt ready to use the technology resources in their studies. However, they did not receive support by the teachers and they noticed differences in approach, depending on the stage of the educational course and the type of disability.
There still exist important obstacles in obtaining a total integration for disabled students; in particular making the role of the teacher a vital issue to provide an educational answer to such diversity.
Key words: students with disabilities, teaching and learning, ICT use, teacher preparation, formative stages.
Predicting eider predation potentials on mussels in Danish coastal areas—implications for mussel farming site-selection
Authors: Tjørnløv RS , Holbach AM , Timmermann K
Published: February 2023

Selecting optimal locations for mussel farming is vital for the optimization of production yield and for the minimization of environmental impact. Although predation by sea ducks may induce large stock losses and hence severe economic loss for mussel farmers, predation potential is rarely included in site-selection tools. In this paper we present a GIS-based spatial model predicting the potential of eider predation on blue mussel farms in Danish coastal waters. The model incorporates national survey data on eiders, as well as knowledge of eider behavior and habitat preferences, and was calibrated with predated/non-predated observations of eiders from 9 experimental mussel farms or test lines in Danish coastal waters. Except for 1 case study area, our model successfully confirmed a higher predation potential at test sites where predation had been observed. Our resulting predation potential map revealed potentials ranging from very low in inner parts of narrow estuaries to very high in more open coastal areas. Integration of the predation map into an existing site-selection tool showed that areas optimal for mussel growth were also associated with the highest modelled predation potential. Nonetheless, it was possible to identify areas having a very low potential of predation and only a 10% lower mussel production potential. These results underpin the potential for reducing production loss and increasing income by including predation potential in site-selection tools. In addition, the eider predation model can be used to identify and subsequently protect key foraging areas to support eider conservation.
Challenges and Considerations in the Management of Hyperkalaemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chang Maxwell
Published: February 2023

rof David Goldsmith opened the symposium by highlighting the objectives of the meeting. The education objectives of the symposium were to summarise the mechanisms that regulate potassium balance, specifically highlighting how these mechanisms are affected by inhibition of the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS); to examine the pathophysiology of hyperkalaemia and illustrate the impact on clinical outcomes; to evaluate current clinical evidence and outline key considerations that help determine the urgency; and to describe recent clinical trial data on investigational oral ion exchangers and the potential future role of these emerging therapies in clinical practice.

In the first presentation, Prof Johannes F. E. Mann discussed the predisposing factors of hyperkalaemia by presenting a case of a heart failure (HF) patient with Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD), and also discussed the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hyperkalaemia. Dr Martin H. de Borst then discussed the current therapeutic options available for the outpatient treatment of hyperkalaemia, along with recent clinical data on novel treatments, in particular patiromer and zirconium cyclosilicate (known as ZS-9).
The Quest for a Medical Treatment of Aortic Stenosis: Putative Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Bäck Magnus
Published: February 2023

Aortic stenosis (AS), i.e. calcification and obstruction of the aortic valve (AV), is the most common type of valvular heart disease. The therapeutic options for AS are currently limited to either AV replacement surgery or transcatheter AV implantation. In contrast, no medical treatment has proven effective in slowing the process of valve calcification. The molecular and cellular pathophysiology of AS is an active and complex process, with components of inflammation, lipid accumulation, valvular remodelling, dystrophic calcification, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and heterotopic ossification. These pathways contain several potential targets for medical treatment, which are discussed in the present review. These include the targeting of lipids and lipoproteins, inflammation, and calcification pathways, which have been explored in experimental, epidemiological, and prospective studies. However, further mechanistic studies and prospective trials are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of AS and to lead to new therapeutic strategies for the prevention, or at least the delay, of either surgical or transcatheter valve implantations.
Navigating (Post-)Anthropocenic Times of Crisis: A Critical Cartography of Hope
Authors: Geerts Evelien
Published: February 2023

Departing from the (post-)Anthropocenic crisis state of today’s world, fuelled by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, various post-truth populist follies, and an apocalyptic WW3-scenario that has been hanging in the air since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, this article argues for the possibility – and necessity – of an affirmative posthumanist-materialist mapping of hope. Embedded in the Deleuzoguattarian-Braidottian (see Deleuze and Guattari 2005 [1980]; Braidotti 2011 [1994]) methodology of critical cartography, and infused with critical posthumanist, new materialist, and queer theoretical perspectives, this cartography of hope is sketched out against two permacrisis-infused positionalities: nostalgic humanism and tragic (post-)humanism. Forced to navigate between these two extremes, the critical cartography of hope presented here explores hope in numerous historico-philosophical (re-)configurations: from the premodern ‘hope-as-all-too-human’, to a more politicised early modern ‘hope-as-(politically-)human’ – representing hope’s first paradigm shift (politicisation), and from a four decades-long neoliberal redrawing of hope as ‘no-more-hope’ – hope’s second shift (depoliticisation) – to a critical (new) materialist plea to de-anthropocentrise and re-politicise hope – hope’s third and final post-Anthropocenic shift (re-politicisation). By mapping these (re-)configurations of hope, a philosophical plea is made for hope as a material(ist) praxis that can help us better understand – and counter – these extractive late capitalist, neoliberal more-than-human crisis times.
Are Pashtuns the Lost Tribe of Israel?
Authors: Stanizai Zaman
Published: February 2023

The recently resurfaced rumors propped up by certain Israeli circles that the Pashtuns are the lost tribe of Israel has given academic circles a lingering pause. Its biblical claims are anecdotal, its historical documentation is inconsistent, its geographic claims are incoherent, and its linguistic assertions are implausible. The claim doesn’t stand a chance of DNA verification. Politically, the claim has hit a raw nerve in Afghanistan where the legitimacy of Pashtun power as an ethnic majority is challenged while in Pakistan the Pashtun cultural identity is threatened. Amidst this hyped ethnolinguistic strife that threatens regional stability, the ‘why now’ of the resurfaced controversy is as unnerving as the ‘why then’ of its origins is disconcerting. This article examines the claim from historical, cultural, linguistic, and genetic perspectives as it explores the root causes of how the rumors may have started in the first place and the reasons for its persistence.
Recent advances in tendon tissue engineering strategy
Authors: Ning Chao , Li Pinxue , Gao Cangjian , Fu Liwei , Liao Zhiyao , Tian Guangzhao , Yin Han , Li Muzhe , Sui Xiang , Yuan Zhiguo , Liu Shuyun , Guo Quanyi
Published: February 2023

Tendon injuries often result in significant pain and disability and impose severe clinical and financial burdens on our society. Despite considerable achievements in the field of regenerative medicine in the past several decades, effective treatments remain a challenge due to the limited natural healing capacity of tendons caused by poor cell density and vascularization. The development of tissue engineering has provided more promising results in regenerating tendon-like tissues with compositional, structural and functional characteristics comparable to those of native tendon tissues. Tissue engineering is the discipline of regenerative medicine that aims to restore the physiological functions of tissues by using a combination of cells and materials, as well as suitable biochemical and physicochemical factors. In this review, following a discussion of tendon structure, injury and healing, we aim to elucidate the current strategies (biomaterials, scaffold fabrication techniques, cells, biological adjuncts, mechanical loading and bioreactors, and the role of macrophage polarization in tendon regeneration), challenges and future directions in the field of tendon tissue engineering.
Unblocking recognition: A token system for acknowledging academic contribution
Authors: Lee James , Moroso Mario , Mackey Tim K.
Published: February 2023

Here we present a blockchain-backed token recognition system to reward the contributions that academics make to the scientific ecosystem. Recognition is important in science but current methods, systems and incentives are limited. Specifically, the traditional focus on narrow publication metrics means diverse contributions are not captured, while bias toward senior, established scientists is common. To tackle this challenge, we explore the potential of harnessing blockchain’s collaborative, decentralised and trust-brokering properties to develop a token reward system for use by research funders. Academics would be awarded tokens for undertaking common but vital tasks such as peer review, sitting on funding committees and submitting reports. These tokens would not be tradable or specifically monetisable but would serve as a validated record of scientific contribution. They would have value in professional recruitment and job placement, support grant and award applications, and inform performance appraisals and file reviews. Coordination and cooperation across multiple funding agencies in developing the platform would provide an opportunity to aggregate and standardise recognition, given academics often work with several funders. This system’s goals are to expand recognition metrics, promote efficiencies, improve the robustness of professional assessments and enable cross-funder collaboration, thereby optimising research processes and practices in a decentralised and democratised manner.
Identification of protein candidates in spermatozoa of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls helps in predicting their fertility status
Authors: Karanwal Seema , Pal Ankit , Chera Jatinder Singh , Batra Vipul , Kumaresan Arumugam , Datta Tirtha K. , Kumar Rakesh
Published: February 2023

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an indispensable part of the Indian dairy sector and in several instances, the farmers incur economic losses due to failed pregnancy after artificial insemination (AI). One of the key factors for the failure of conception is the use of semen from the bulls of low fertilizing potential and hence, it becomes important to predict the fertility status before performing AI. In this study, the global proteomic profile of high fertile (HF) and low fertile (LF) buffalo bull spermatozoa was established using a high-throughput LC-MS/MS technique. A total of 1,385 proteins (≥1 high-quality PSM/s, ≥1 unique peptides, p < 0.05, FDR < 0.01) were identified out of which, 1,002 were common between both the HF and LF groups while 288 and 95 proteins were unique to HF and LF groups respectively. We observed 211 and 342 proteins were significantly high (log Fc ≥ 2) and low abundant (log Fc ≤ 0.5) in HF spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the fertility associated high abundant proteins in HF were involved in spermatogenesis, sperm motility, acrosome integrity, zona pellucida binding and other associated sperm functions. Besides this, the low abundant proteins in HF were involved in glycolysis, fatty acid degradation and inflammation. Furthermore, fertility related differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) on sperm viz., AKAP3, Sp17, and DLD were validated through Western blotting and immunocytochemistry which was in coherence with the LC-MS/MS data. The DAPs identified in this study may be used as potential protein candidates for predicting fertility in buffaloes. Our findings provide an opportunity in mitigating the economic losses that farmers incur due to male infertility.
Extracellular matrix proteins in construction and function of in vitro blood-brain barrier models
Authors: Du Feifan , Shusta Eric V. , Palecek Sean P.
Published: February 2023

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly impermeable barrier separating circulating blood and brain tissue. A functional BBB is critical for brain health, and BBB dysfunction has been linked to the pathophysiology of diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. A variety of models have been developed to study the formation and maintenance of the BBB, ranging from in vivo animal models to in vitro models consisting of primary cells or cells differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). These models must consider the composition and source of the cellular components of the neurovascular unit (NVU), including brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), brain pericytes, astrocytes, and neurons, and how these cell types interact. In addition, the non-cellular components of the BBB microenvironment, such as the brain vascular basement membrane (BM) that is in direct contact with the NVU, also play key roles in BBB function. Here, we review how extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the brain vascular BM affect the BBB, with a particular focus on studies using hPSC-derived in vitro BBB models, and discuss how future studies are needed to advance our understanding of how the ECM affects BBB models to improve model performance and expand our knowledge on the formation and maintenance of the BBB.
Highly ordered CaO from cuttlefish bone calcination for the efficient adsorption of methylene blue from water
Authors: Tagar Uroosa , Volpe Maurizio , Messineo Antonio , Volpe Roberto
Published: February 2023

Graphical Abstract

Schematic illustration of the proposed work.
Plerixafor and resatorvid inhibit hepatitis B virus in vitro by upregulating elongation factor Tu GTP-binding domain containing 2
Authors: Cai Jinyuan , Li Yuwen , Hu Pingping , Xu Ruirui , Yuan Hui , Zhang Wen , Feng Tiantong , Liu Rui , Li Wenting , Zhu Chuanlong
Published: February 2023

Background

An increase in the demand for a functional cure has accelerated research on new methods of therapy for chronic hepatitis B, which is mainly focused on restoring antiviral immunity for controlling viral infections. Previously, we had described elongation factor Tu GTP-binding domain containing 2 (EFTUD2) as an innate immune regulator and suggested that it might be an antiviral target.

Methods

In this study, we generated the Epro-LUC-HepG2 cell model for screening compounds that target EFTUD2. Plerixafor and resatorvid were screened from 261 immunity and inflammation-related compounds due to their ability to highly upregulate EFTUD2. The effects of plerixafor and resatorvid on hepatitis B virus (HBV) were examined in HepAD38 cells and HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells.

Results

The dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that the EFTUD2 promoter hEFTUD2pro-0.5 kb had the strongest activity. In Epro-LUC-HepG2 cells, plerixafor and resatorvid significantly upregulated the activity of the EFTUD2 promoter and the expression of the gene and protein. In HepAD38 cells and HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, treatment with plerixafor and resatorvid strongly inhibited HBsAg, HBV DNA, HBV RNAs, and cccDNA in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the anti-HBV effect was enhanced when entecavir was administered along with either of the previous two compounds, and the effect could be blocked by knocking down EFTUD2.

Conclusion

We established a convenient model for screening compounds that target EFTUD2 and further identified plerixafor and resatorvid as novel HBV inhibitors in vitro. Our findings provided information on the development of a new class of anti-HBV agents that act on host factors rather than viral enzymes.
The value of next-generation metagenomic sequencing in pathogen detection of pleural effusions and ascites from children with sepsis
Authors: Liu Gang , Wang Lijuan , Li Xuming , Zhang Ye , Long Hu , Wang Yi , Gao Hengmiao , Xia Han , Qian Suyun
Published: February 2023

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) using pleural effusion and ascites from children with sepsis.

Methods

In this study, children with sepsis or severe sepsis and appeared pleural or peritoneal effusions were enrolled, of whom the pleural effusions or ascites and blood samples were conducted pathogen detection using both conventional and mNGS methods. The samples were divided into pathogen-consistent and pathogen-inconsistent groups based on the consistency of mNGS results from different sample types, and into exudate and transudate groups based on their pleural effusion and ascites properties. The pathogen positive rates, pathogen spectrum, consistency between different sample types, and clinical diagnosis consistency were compared between mNGS and conventional pathogen tests.

Results

A total of 42 pleural effusions or ascites and 50 other type samples were collected from 32 children. The pathogen positive rate of the mNGS test was significantly higher than that of traditional methods (78.57% vs. 14.29%, P < 0.001) in pleural effusion and ascites samples, with a consistent rate of 66.67% between the two methods. Nearly 78.79% (26/33) of mNGS positive results of the pleural effusions and ascites samples were consistent with clinical evaluation, and 81.82% (27/33) of these positive samples reported 1-3 pathogens. The pathogen-consistent group outperformed the pathogen-inconsistent group in terms of consistency with respect to clinical evaluation (88.46% vs. 57.14%, P = 0.093), while there was no significant difference between the exudate and transudate groups (66.67% vs. 50.00%, P = 0.483).

Conclusion

Compared to conventional methods, mNGS has great advantages in pathogen detection of pleural effusion and ascites samples. Moreover, consistent results of mNGS tests with different sample types provide more reference values in clinical diagnosis.
A typology of the sources of mental health precarity among migrant workers in India during the COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Mookerjee Devalina , Roy Shubhabrata
Published: February 2023

When urban workplaces shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India, a very large number of migrant workers were forced to reverse-migrate to their largely rural points of origin. This article looks at the mental health implications of the period migrants spent without work, back at the low-resource places from which they had out-migrated, in hopes of a better life. Based on qualitative interviews conducted with reverse migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, this article has a two-fold aim. The first aim is to reach the experiences and voiced concerns of precarious and vulnerable migrants to those who may be in a position to ameliorate their distress. Since policy-makers tend to lack time, findings from the qualitative data have been summarized in the form of a multi-dimensional typology, open to expansion by further research. The typology sees themes in money, health, information, and isolation. Second, the article follows the issues in the typology to suggest that acknowledgment of the significant role of migrant workers in India's economy, via sensitive enumeration, would be a first, and essential step to address the multiple concerns raised by migrant workers themselves. This baseline information could then be used to build subsequent dependent steps addressing the myriad causes of mental health distress among migrant workers in India.
Preliminary findings on left atrial appendage occlusion simulations applying different endocardial devices
Authors: D’Alessandro Nadia , Falanga Matteo , Masci Alessandro , Severi Stefano , Corsi Cristiana
Published: February 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most investigated arrhythmias since it is associated with a five-fold increase in the risk of strokes. Left atrium dilation and unbalanced and irregular contraction caused by AF favour blood stasis and, consequently, stroke risk. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the site of the highest clots formation, increasing the incidence of stroke in AF population. For many years oral anticoagulation therapy has been the most used AF treatment option available to decrease stroke risk. Unfortunately, several contraindications including bleeding risk increase, interference with other drugs and with multiorgan functioning, might outweigh its remarkable benefits on thromboembolic events. For these reasons, in recent years, other approaches have been designed, including LAA percutaneous closure. Unfortunately, nowadays, LAA occlusion (LAAO) is restricted to small subgroups of patients and require a certain level of expertise and training to successfully complete the procedure without complications. The most critical clinical problems associated with LAAO are represented by peri-device leaks and device related thrombus (DRT). The anatomical variability of the LAA plays a key role in the choice of the correct LAA occlusion device and in its correct positioning with respect to the LAA ostium during the implant. In this scenario, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations could have a crucial role in improving LAAO intervention. The aim of this study was to simulate the fluid dynamics effects of LAAO in AF patients to predict hemodynamic changes due to the occlusion. LAAO was simulated by applying two different types of closure devices based on the plug and the pacifier principles on 3D LA anatomical models derived from real clinical data in five AF patients. CFD simulations were performed on the left atrium model before and after the LAAO intervention with each device. Blood velocity, particle washout and endothelial damage were computed to quantify flow pattern changes after the occlusion in relation to the thrombogenic risk. Our preliminary results confirmed an improved blood washout after the simulated implants and the capability of foreseeing thrombogenic risk based on endothelial damage and maximum blood velocities in different scenarios. This tool may help to identify effective device configurations in limiting stroke risk for patient-specific LA morphologies.
Infective endocarditis: Do we have an effective risk score model? A systematic review
Authors: Rizzo Victoria , Salmasi Mohammad Yousuf , Sabetai Michael , Primus Christopher , Sandoe Jonathan , Lewis Michael , Woldman Simon , Athanasiou Thanos
Published: February 2023

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare, highly morbid condition with 17% in-hospital mortality. A total of 25–30% require surgery and there is ongoing debate with regard to markers predicting patient outcomes and guiding intervention. This systematic review aims to evaluate all IE risk scores currently available.

Methods

Standard methodology (PRISMA guideline) was used. Papers with risk score analysis for IE patients were included, with attention to studies reporting area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC/ROC). Qualitative analysis was carried out, including assessment of validation processes and comparison of these results to original derivation cohorts where available. Risk-of-bias analysis illustrated according to PROBAST guidelines.

Results

Of 75 articles initially identified, 32 papers were analyzed for a total of 20 proposed scores (range 66–13,000 patients), 14 of which were specific for IE. The number of variables per score ranged from 3 to 14 with only 50% including microbiological variables and 15% including biomarkers. The following scores had good performance (AUC > 0.8) in studies proposing the score (often the derivation cohort); however fared poorly when applied to a new cohort: PALSUSE, DeFeo, ANCLA, RISK-E, EndoSCORE, MELD-XI, COSTA, and SHARPEN. DeFeo score demonstrated the largest discrepancy with initial AUC of 0.88, compared to 0.58 when applied to different cohorts. The inflammatory response in IE has been well documented and CRP has been found to be an independent predictor for worse outcomes. There is ongoing investigation on alternate inflammatory biomarkers which may assist in IE management. Of the scores identified in this review, only three have included a biomarker as a predictor.

Conclusion

Despite the variety of available scores, their development has been limited by small sample size, retrospective collection of data and short-term outcomes, with lack of external validation, limiting their transportability. Future population studies and large comprehensive registries are required to address this unmet clinical need.
Stratigraphic expression of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum climate event during long-lived transient uplift—An example from a shallow to deep-marine clastic system in the Norwegian Sea
Authors: Sømme Tor O. , Huwe Simone Isabelle , Martinsen Ole J. , Sandbakken Pål Trygve , Skogseid Jakob , Valore Lucas A.
Published: February 2023

Seismic geomorphology and stratigraphic analysis can reveal how source-to-sink systems dynamically respond to climatic and tectonic forcing. This study uses seismic reflection data from the Norwegian Sea to investigate the stratigraphic response to a short-lived (0.2 Myr) period of climate change during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), superimposed on a long-lived (∼8 Myr) period of hinterland uplift. The data show that long-term uplift resulted in ∼300 m of relative sea-level fall, forced regression and formation of incised valleys during the latest Paleocene-earliest Eocene. The short-lived PETM climate perturbation at ∼56 Ma changed the transport dynamics of the system, allowing sediment to be bypassed to wide channel complexes on the basin floor, feeding a large mud-rich basin-floor fan more than 50 km into the basin. Our analysis also suggest that sediment supply was up to four times higher during the PETM compared to earlier and later periods. Maximum regression at ∼55.5 Ma resulted in the formation of a subaerial unconformity. The style of subaerial incision was dictated by shelf accommodation and proximity to the area of direct sediment input. Out-of-grade shelves and slopes sourced by littoral drift were prone to incision, but direct-fed and graded shelves and slopes were not. Despite maximum regression, sediments were not transported significantly beyond the toe-of-slope aprons, suggesting that rapid climate change was more efficient in bypassing sediment to the deep-water than low stands of sea level. As long-term accommodation increased after the PETM, deltas were still able to reach shelf edge, but periods of maximum regression were not associated with deep incisions along the outer shelf and only smaller canyons and gullies formed. The shelf-slope wedge was finally transgressed at ∼51 Ma. The age of deep valley incisions overlaps with the time of subaerial erosion in the East Shetland and Faroe-Shetland basins, suggesting a common mechanism for North Atlantic uplift around 55–56 Ma. Other seismic stratigraphic surfaces do not seem to be regionally time-equivalent, highlighting the importance of local controls on internal architecture of shelf-slope wedges. This study demonstrates the high-resolution stratigraphic response to long- and short-term external forcing together with intrinsic processes and can help identify similar relationships in other areas.