bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LEO STRAUSS AND THE CHARACTER OF CLASSICAL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Romeiro Richard
Published: September 2021

This paper aims to present Leo Strauss’s interpretation of the meaning of classical political philosophy. To this end, the paper will try to show how, for Strauss, classical political philosophy, emerging from the original conflict that opposes philosophic reason to the authorized opinions of the city, was organized as a fundamentally esoteric teaching that sought to make the practical and moral demands of political life, expressed exemplarily in the ideal of best regime, compatible with the defense of contemplative life as the most perfect and happy life for man.
Machine Learning Algorithms Provide Greater Prediction of Response to Scs Than Lead Screening Trial: A Predictive AI-Based Multicenter Study
Authors: Ounajim Amine , Billot Maxime , Goudman Lisa , Louis Pierre-Yves , Slaoui Yousri , Roulaud Manuel , Bouche Bénédicte , Page Philippe , Lorgeoux Bertille , Baron Sandrine , Adjali Nihel , Nivole Kevin , Naiditch Nicolas , Wood Chantal , Rigoard Raphael , David Romain , Moens Maarten , Rigoard Philippe
Published: September 2021

Persistent Pain after Spinal Surgery can be successfully addressed by Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). International guidelines strongly recommend that a lead trial be performed before any permanent implantation. Recent clinical data highlight some major limitations of this approach. First, it appears that patient outcomes, WITH OR WITHOUT lead trial, are similar. In contrast, during trialing, infection rate drops drastically within time and can compromise the therapy. Using composite pain assessment experience and previous research, we hypothesized that ma-chine learning models could be robust screening tools and reliable predictors of long-term SCS efficacy. We developed several algorithms including logistic regression, Regularized Logistic Regression (RLR), naive Bayes classifier, artificial neural networks, random forest and gradient boosted trees to test this hypothesis and to perform internal and external validations, the objec-tive being to confront model predictions with lead trial results using a 1-year composite out-come from 103 patients. While almost all models have demonstrated superiority on lead trial-ing, the RLR model appears to represent the best compromise between complexity and inter-pretability in prediction of SCS efficacy. These results underscore the need to use AI based-predictive medicine, as a synergistic mathematical approach, aimed at helping implanters to optimize their clinical choices on daily practice.
Construction of a Novel Chimeric Dextransucrase Fused to the Carbohydrate-Binding Module CBM2a
Authors: Fraga Vidal Reinaldo , Aristicas Ribalta Roberto Carlos , Martínez Valdés Lisandra Teresa , Lafargue Gámez Meinardo , Montes Alvarez Amanda , Rubio Sánchez Arianne , Dubreucq Eric , Moreau Benoit
Published: September 2021

The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have great potential to produce homoexopolysaccharides (HoPS), have been the subject of extensive research efforts, given their health benefits and physicochemical properties. The HoPS functional properties are determined by structural characteristics of varied molecular weights, types of glycosidic linkages, degrees of branching and chemical composition. The dextransucrases (DSases) are responsible of the synthesis of a kind of HoPS (dextran polymers), which are among the first biopolymers produced at industrial scale with applications in medicine and biotechnology. The concept of glycodiversification opens additional applications for DSases. In that sense the design and characterization of new DSases is of prime importance. Previously, we described the isolation and characterization of a novel extracellular dextransucrase (DSR-F) encoding gene. In this study, from DSR-F, we design a novel chimeric dextransucrase DSR-F-∆SP-∆GBD-CBM2a, where DSR-F-∆SP-∆GBD is fused to the carbohydrate-binding module (CBM2a) of the β-1-4 exoglucanase/xylanase Cex (Xyn10A) of Cellulomonas fimi ATCC 484. This dextransucrase variant is active and without alteration in its specificity. The DSR-F-∆SP-∆GBD-CBM2a is purified by cellulose affinity chromatography for the very first time. Our results indicate that new hybrids and chimeric DSases with novel binding capacity to cellulose can be designed to obtain glyco-biocatalysts from renewable lignocellulosic materials.
Chance-Constrained Optimization Dispatch and Demand Response Control of Thermostatically Controlled Loads and Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Hu Jianqiang , Cao Jinde
Published: September 2021

Demand response flexible loads can provide fast regulation and ancillary services as reserve capacity in power systems. This paper proposes a joint optimization dispatch control strategy for source-load system with stochastic renewable power injection and flexible thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). Specifically, the optimization model is characterized by a chance constraint look-ahead programming to maximal the social welfare of both units and load agents. By solving the chance constraint optimization with sample average approximation (SAA) method, the optimal power scheduling for units and TCL/PEV agents can be obtained. Secondly, two demand response control algorithms for TCLs and PEVs are proposed respectively based on the aggregate control models of the load agents. The TCLs are controlled by its temperature setpoints and PEVs are controlled by its charging power such that the DR control objective can be fulfilled. The effectiveness of the proposed dispatch and control algorithm has been demonstrated by the simulation studies on a modified IEEE 39 bus system with a wind farm, a photovoltaic power station, two TCL agents and two PEV agents.
Revisiting Statistics and Evidence-Based Medicine: On the Fallacy of the Effect Size Based on Correlation and Misconception of Contingency Tables
Authors: Roussakow Sergey
Published: September 2021

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is in crisis, in part due to bad methods, which are understood as misuse of statistics that is considered correct in itself. This article exposes two related common misconceptions in statistics, the effect size (ES) based on correlation (CBES) and a misconception of contingency tables (MCT). CBES is a fallacy based on misunderstanding of correlation and ES and confusion with 2 × 2 tables, which makes no distinction between gross crosstabs (GCTs) and contingency tables (CTs). This leads to misapplication of Pearson’s Phi, designed for CTs, to GCTs and confusion of the resulting gross Pearson Phi, or mean-square effect half-size, with the implied Pearson mean square contingency coefficient. Generalizing this binary fallacy to continuous data and the correlation in general (Pearson’s r) resulted in flawed equations directly expressing ES in terms of the correlation coefficient, which is impossible without including covariance, so these equations and the whole CBES concept are fundamentally wrong. MCT is a series of related misconceptions due to confusion with 2 × 2 tables and misapplication of related statistics. The misconceptions are threatening because most of the findings from contingency tables, including CBES-based meta-analyses, can be misleading. Problems arising from these fallacies are discussed and the necessary changes to the corpus of statistics are proposed resolving the problem of correlation and ES in paired binary data. Since exposing these fallacies casts doubt on the reliability of the statistical foundations of EBM in general, we urgently need to revise them.
Effect of Sub-inhibitory Dose of Cefotaxime on Multidrug resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus Isolates
Authors: Chakraborty Madhurima , Bardhan Taniya , Basu Manjari , Bhattacharjee Bornali
Published: September 2021

Critical care of neonates involves substantial usage of antibiotics and exposure to multidrug resistant (MDR) nosocomial pathogens. These pathogens are often exposed to sub-MIC doses of antibiotics which might result in a range of physiological effects. Therefore, to understand the outcome of sub-inhibitory dosage of antibiotics on Staphylococcus populations, nasal swab specimens were collected from 34 neonates admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit between 2017-2018, a total of 41 non-repetitive isolates were included in this study. Staphylococcus haemolyticus was the prevalent species (58.54%) with high non-susceptibility to cefotaxime (CTX) (79.16%), gentamicin (87.50%), and meropenem (54.17%). Biofilm forming abilities of S. haemolyticus isolates in the presence of sub-optimal CTX (30μg/mL), the predominantly prescribed β-lactam antibiotic, were then determined by crystal violet assays and extracellular DNA (eDNA) quantitation. CTX was found to significantly enhance biofilm production among the non-susceptible isolates (p-valueWilcoxin test- 0.000008) with increase in eDNA levels (p-valueWilcoxin test- 0.000004). Additionally, no changes in non-susceptibility were observed among populations of two MDR isolates, JNM56C1 and JNM60C2 after >500 generations of growth in the absence of antibiotic selection in vitro. These findings demonstrate that sub-MIC concentration of CTX induces biofilm formation and short-term non-exposure to antibiotics does not alter non-susceptibility among S. haemolyticus isolates.
Heraldry in the Republic of Macedonia (1991-2019)
Authors: Jonovski Jovan
Published: September 2021

Every country has some specific heraldry. In this paper, we will consider heraldry in the Republic of Macedonia, understood by the multitude of coats of arms, and armorial knowledge and art. The paper covers the period from independence until the name change (1991-2019). It covers the state coat of arms of the Republic of Macedonia especially the 2009 change. Special attention is given to the development of the municipal heraldry, including the legal system covering the subject. Also personal heraldry developed in 21 century is considered. The paper covers the development of heraldry and the heraldic thought in the given period, including the role of the Macedonian Heraldic Society and its journal Macedonian Herald in development of theoretic and practical heraldry, as well as its Register of arms and the Macedonian Civic Heraldic System.
Effects of Glyphosate and Their Metabolite AMPA on Aquatic Organisms
Authors: Tresnakova Nikola , Stara Alzbeta , Velisek Josef
Published: September 2021

Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) is a herbicide used to kill broadleaf weeds and grass, developed in the early 1970s. The widely occurring degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) is a result of glyphosate and amino-polyphosphonate degradation. The massive use of the parent compounds leads to the ubiquity of AMPA in the environment, and particularly in water. Considering this, it can be assumed that glyphosate and its major metabolites could pose a potential risk to aquatic organisms. This review summarises current knowledge about residual glyphosate and their major metabolite AMPA in the aquatic environment, including status and toxic effects in aquatic organisms, mainly fish, are reviewed. Based on the above, we identify major gaps in the current knowledge and some directions for future research knowledge about the effects of worldwide use of herbicide glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA. The toxic effect of glyphosate and their major metabolite AMPA has mainly influenced growth, early development, oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, haematological, biochemical plasma indices, caused histopathological changes in the aquatic organism.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Antibiotic Efflux Pump Variants Exhibit Increased Virulence
Authors: Vaillancourt Mylene , Limsuwannarot Sam P. , Bresee Catherine , Poopalarajah Rahgavi , Jorth Peter
Published: September 2021

Antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are the primary cause of mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Yet it has only recently become appreciated that resistance mutations can also increase P. aeruginosa virulence, even in the absence of antibiotics. Moreover, the mechanisms by which resistance mutations increase virulence are poorly understood. In this study we tested the hypothesis that mutations affecting efflux pumps can directly increase P. aeruginosa virulence. Using genetics, physiological assays, and model infections, we show that efflux pump mutations can increase virulence. Mutations of the mexEF efflux pump system increased swarming, rhamnolipid production, and lethality in a mouse infection model, while mutations in mexR that increased expression of the mexAB-oprM efflux system increased virulence during an acute murine lung infection without affecting swarming or rhamnolipid gene expression. Finally, we show that an efflux pump inhibitor, which represents a proposed novel treatment approach for P. aeruginosa, increased rhamnolipid gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. This finding is important because rhamnolipids are key virulence factors involved in dissemination through epithelial barriers and cause neutrophil necrosis. Together, these data show how current and proposed future anti-Pseudomonal treatments may unintentionally make infections worse by increasing virulence. Therefore, treatments that target efflux should be pursued with caution.
Application of Explainable AI (Xai) For Anomaly Detection and Prognostic of Gas Turbines with Uncertainty Quantification.
Authors: Nor Ahmad Kamal Mohd , Pedapati Srinivasa Rao , Muhammad Masdi
Published: September 2021

XAI is presently in its early assimilation phase in Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) domain. However, the handful of PHM-XAI articles suffer from various deficiencies, amongst others, lack of uncertainty quantification and explanation evaluation metric. This paper proposes an anomaly detection and prognostic of gas turbines using Bayesian deep learning (DL) model with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). SHAP was not only applied to explain both tasks, but also to improve the prognostic performance, the latter trait being left undocumented in the previous PHM-XAI works. Uncertainty measure serves to broaden explanation scope and was also exploited as anomaly indicator. Real gas turbine data was tested for the anomaly detection task while NASA CMAPSS turbofan datasets were used for prognostic. The generated explanation was evaluated using two metrics: Local Accuracy and Consistency. All anomalies were successfully detected thanks to the uncertainty indicator. Meanwhile, the turbofan prognostic results show up to 9% improvement in RMSE and 43% enhancement in early prognostic due to SHAP, making it comparable to the best published methods in the problem. XAI and uncertainty quantification offer a comprehensive explanation package, assisting decision making. Additionally, SHAP ability in boosting PHM performance solidifies its worth in AI-based reliability research.
Analisis Karakteristik Kualitas Sus Kering Penambahan Ikan Patin
Authors: Putri Muthia , Yati Setiati  , Nur Riska
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The Characteristics of the dry choux pastry are small, lightweigh with a crispy texture and has distinctive savory flavor. This research aims to know and analyze the physical characteristics of dry choux pastry with the addition of pangasius in the aspects of development volume, cavity and outer diameter and weight. This research conducted at the Pastry and Bakery Laboratory of the Culinary Education Departement, Faculty of Engineering, State University of Jakarta. This reasearch used experimental method. Then do the direct analysis descriptively. This research used the addition of pangasius by 60%, 70% and 80%. The results showed that dry choux pastry with the addition of 60% pangasius had the highest value in all aspects. In the aspect of development volume, the value produced is 117% with an average volume after roasting 13 ml. In the aspect of the cavity the resulting average value is 19.37 mm and on the aspect of the outer diameter has an average value of 25.4 mm. The weight produced after the roasting process is 1.3 grams with a shrinkage value of 60.6%. The addition of 60% catfish is not much different from the control so it can be recommended to be developed.

Keywords: dry choux pastry, pangasius, physical characteristic

Abstrak

Karakteristik sus kering yaitu berukuran kecil, ringan dengan tekstur renyah dan memiliki rasa gurih yang khas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis karakteristik fisik sus kering penambahan ikan patin pada aspek volume pengembangan, rongga dan diameter luar serta berat. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Laboratorium Pastry dan Bakery Program Studi Pendidikan Tata Boga, Universitas Negeri Jakarta. Pada penelitian ini meggunakan metode eksperimen. Selanjutnya dilakukan analisis langsug secara deksriptif. Penelitian ini menggunakan penambahan ikan patin sebesar 60%, 70% dan 80%. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa sus kering dengan penambahan ikan patin 60% memiliki nilai tertinggi di semua aspek. Pada aspek volume pengembangan nilai yang dihasilkan  117% dengan rata-rata volume setelah pemanggangan 13 ml. Pada aspek rongga nilai rata-rata yang dihasilkan yaitu 19,37 mm dan pada aspek diameter luar memiliki nilai rata-rata 25,4 mm. Berat yang dihasilkan setelah proses pemanggangan yaitu 1,3 gr dengan nilai penyusutan 60,6%. Penambahan ikan patin 60% ini tidak berbeda jauh dengan kontrol sehingga dapat direkomendasikan untuk dikembangkan.

Kata-kata kunci: sus kering, ikan patin, karakteristik fisik
Penambahan Bubuk Angkak Pada Pembuatan Bolu Kukus Merekah
Authors: Khairun Nisa Fatimah , Nur Riska  , Singamurni I Gusti Ayu Ngurah
Published: September 2021

Abstract

This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of the addition of angkak powder in the making of steamed sponge cake on consumer acceptability. This research was conducted at Culinary Education’s Pastry and Bakery Laboratory in State University of Jakarta from February 2019 to January 2020, by using an experimental method. The results of the validity test by expert lecturers showed that the steamed sponge cake with the addition of Angkak powder of 5%, 10% and 15% were feasible and could be continued with hedonic tests. Results of analysis using Friedman test with significance level α = 0.05 proves there was no influence on the aroma and texture aspects, whereas the Friedman test result on the color and taste aspect there is an influence of adding angkak powder. Tuckey test results show that in the color aspect steamed sponge cake with the addition of angkak powder by 10% and 15%, along on the taste aspect 10% addition of angkak powder were the most preferred sample by consumers. Making steamed sponge cake with the addition of angkak powder by 10% is the most preferred formula from all aspects and it is recommended formula related to maximizing the use of angkak as a natural coloring agent in food.

Keywords: Addition, Angkak Powder, Steamed Sponge Cake, Consumer Acceptance.

Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh penambahan bubuk angkak pada pembuatan bolu kukus merekah terhadap daya terima konsumen. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Laboratorium Pastry dan Bakery Universitas Negeri Jakarta, sejak Februari 2019 hingga Januari 2020, dengan menggunakan metode eksperimen. Hasil uji validitas kepada dosen ahli menunjukkan bahwa bolu kukus merekah dengan penambahan bubuk angkak sebesar 5%, 10% dan 15% sudah layak dan dapat dilanjutkan dengan uji hedonik. Hasil analisis dengan menggunakan uji friedman dengan taraf signifikansi α = 0,05 membuktikan tidak terdapat pengaruh penambahan bubuk angkak pada pembuatan bolu kukus merekah terhadap daya terima konsumen pada aspek aroma dan tekstur, sedangkan hasil uji Friedman pada aspek warna dan rasa terdapat pengaruh penambahan bubuk angkak, sehingga pada aspek warna dan rasa dilanjutkan dengan uji Tuckey. Hasil uji Tuckey menunjukkan bahwa pada aspek warna bolu kukus merekah dengan penambahan angkak sebesar 10% dan 15%, serta pada aspek rasa penambahan bubuk angkak sebesar 10% merupakan sampel yang paling disukai konsumen. Pembuatan bolu kukus merekah dengan penambahan bubuk angkak sebesar 10% merupakan formula yang paling disukai dari keseluruhan aspek serta direkomendasikan terkait memaksimalkan pemanfaatan angkak sebagai pewarna alami pada makanan.

Kata-kata kunci: Penambahan, Bubuk Angkak, Bolu Kukus Merekah, Daya Terima Konsumen.
The Effect of Cooling Techniques on The Making Of Tofu And Fish Menchi Katsu Against Consumers Acceptance
Authors: Pinta Wirantomo Dewo , Yati Setiati  , Mahdiyah
Published: September 2021

This research aims to determine and analyze the effect of cooling technique in the making of tofu and fish menchi katsu to the acceptence of costumers based on aspects of color, flavor, aroma, and texture. This research was conducted in the laboratory of pastry and bakery processing at the culinary education study program of State University of Jakarta. This research started from the begining of May 2019 until December 2019. The method used is using experimental method. The sample in this study were tofu and fish menchi katsu with the additional cooling technique of 30°C, 8°C and -9°C, which were then given to 30 rather skilled panelists whis assessed all of the aspects. Based on the results of hypothesis test by using friedman test and tuckey test of aspect of color, flavor, and aroma it was proven there was an effect of cooling technique in the making of tofu and fish menchi katsu. Whereas in aspect of texture that there was the only one with effect. Generally, the conclusion of the results of the result of organoleptic assessment that tofu and fish menchi katsu with the most preffered cooling technique of tofu and fish menchi katsu from the aspect of color, flavor, aroma, and texture was with freezer temperature of -9°C.
State-Level Sexism and Women’s Health Care Access in the United States: Differences by Race/Ethnicity, 2014–2019
Authors: Rapp Kristen Schorpp , Volpe Vanessa V. , Neukrug Hannah
Published: September 2021

Objectives. To quantify racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic women in the United States.

Methods. We merged a multidimensional state-level sexism index compiled from administrative data with the national Consumer Survey of Health Care Access (2014–2019; n = 10 898) to test associations between exposure to state-level sexism and barriers to access, availability, and affordability of health care.

Results. Greater exposure to state-level sexism was associated with more barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women, but not non-Hispanic White women. Affordability barriers (cost of medical bills, health insurance, prescriptions, and tests) appeared to drive these associations. More frequent need for care exacerbated the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to care for Hispanic women.

Conclusions. The relationship between state-level sexism and women’s barriers to health care access differs by race/ethnicity and frequency of needing care.

Public Health Implications. State-level policies may be used strategically to promote health care equity at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(10):1796–1805. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306455 )
Shear and tensile delamination of ice from surfaces : The Ice Adhesion Peel Test (IAPT)
Authors: Lovell Alexis , Hoch Garrett , Donnelly Christopher , Hodge Jordan , Haehnel Robert , Asenath-Smith Emily
Published: September 2021

For decades, researchers have sought to understand the adhesion of ice to surfaces so that low-cost ice mitigation strategies can be developed. Presently, the field of ice adhesion is still without formal standards for performing ice adhesion tests. The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (ERDC-CRREL) has a longstanding history as an independent third party for ice adhesion testing services. Most notably, CRREL’s Zero-Degree Cone Test (ZDCT) has been an industry favorite for more than 30 years. Despite its wide acceptance, the ZDCT contains some shortcomings, namely that freshwater ice is formed on the surface of interest within the confines of an annular gap. To address this limitation, CRREL developed and uses the Ice Adhesion Peel Test (IAPT) for testing ice adhesion. This test employs an open planar substrate from which the ice can be removed under either tensile or shear loading, thereby allowing ice to be grown directly on the target substrate without the use of molds. The IAPT configuration is therefore amenable to different ice types and geometries and will provide utility to research studies that aim to develop surface treatments to mitigate ice in a wide range of environments. This report describes the IAPT and its use for characterizing the ice adhesion properties of materials.
Perceptions of Motivational Climate and Association with Musculoskeletal Injuries in Ballet Dancers
Authors: Kaufmann Judith-Elisa , Nelissen Rob GHH , Appleton Paul R , Gademan Maaike GJ
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE: Sports science has identified the trainer–athlete relationship in the etiology of injuries. We aimed to investigate: 1) the association between empowering (EMC) and disempowering (DMC) motivational-climate and musculoskeletal injuries in ballet, and 2) if EMC moderates
the association between DMC and injuries. METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort survey-study was conducted online among ballet dancers (>18 yrs old) reporting acute and overuse injuries of the previous 2 years. Motivational climate was assessed with the Empowering-and-Disempowering Motivational
Climate Questionnaire (5-point Likert scale). The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire assessed severity of overuse injuries. Linear regression was performed adjusted for the confounders age, sex, expertise, experience, and initiation-age with an interaction term
between EMC and DMC to assess effect modification. RESULTS: An international sample of 189 dancers (26.7±7.9 yrs; 130 professionals) reported 197 acute and 465 overuse injuries (in the previous 2 years). Mean EMC was 3.1±1.07, DMC 3.3±1.08. EMC was associated with less
acute (b=–0.22; 95%CI –0.40 to –0.04) and overuse injuries (b=–0.74; 95%CI –0.99 to –0.50), while DMC was associated with more injuries (acute: b=0.30; 95%CI 0.13 to 0.47; overuse: b=0.74; 95%CI 0.50 to 0.98). When tested together and adjusted for confounders,
EMC lost its protective effect (acute: b=–0.15; 95%CI –0.19 to 0.49; overuse: b=–0.34; 95%CI –0.81 to 0.13). DMC was positively associated with injuries throughout all settings (acute: b=0.43; 95%CI 0.10 to 0.76; overuse: b=0.46; 95%CI 0.00 to 0.91). EMC showed no moderating
effects on DMC in the adjusted models. CONCLUSION: To avoid injuries, it is not enough to create an EMC, because any disempowering nuances may negatively affect empowering climates. Teachers should avoid DMC altogether to prevent injuries in dancers.
IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT OF HALAL FOOD STANDARD: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Jaswir Irwandi , Sari Dian Permata , Haji Che Daud Mohd. Radzi Bin
Published: September 2021

As a Malaysian Halal Food Standard, MS1500 is established to strengthen Malaysian role in the global halal market. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the implementation of MS1500, the positive impact of this implementation and the relationship between the implementation and its impact. Food and Beverages Industry in Malaysia which already got Halal Certificate and Halal Logo was chosen as scope of population. This study applied Covariance-Based Structural-Equation-Modelling (CB-SEM) method with 212 sample companies. The results showed that Perception-On-Implementation, Halal-Control-System-Activity and Owner-Management-Employee-Limitation are the factors affecting the Implementation of MS1500. It is also found four Positive Impact of Implementation of this MS:  Trade & Free Movement, Innovation, Clean & Save Production-Process and Consumer & Corporate Image. Additionally, this study discovered that the better the implementation of MS 1500, the higher the positive impact that can be accomplished by the industry. It is also found that in Malaysia, finance and regulation were not the factors that cause the limitation on implementation of Halal Food Standard.  Finding of this study can be used as an input for Malaysian government in planning any suitable programme to promote the implementation of this standard. Additionally, the extent of the positive impacts of this implementation for the industry is expected to be able to encourage all food industry in Malaysia to apply and fully implement this MS1500 in their daily operations.
Forecasting the Domestic Utilization of Natural Gas in Nigeria (2015-2020)
Authors: Adaji J. J. , Onolemhemhen R. U. , Isehunwa S. O. , Adenikinju A.
Published: September 2021

Domestic utilization of natural gas in Nigeria is being hampered by the poor developments in the natural gas sector over the years, with low level of electricity (generation) consumption per capital, weak legal, commercial and regulatory framework amidst poor infrastructural developments in natural gas as compared to that which exists for oil. Nigeria ranks the second in gas flaring and shows low volumes of domestic gas utilization, consuming only about 11% out of the 8.25 billion cubic feet produced per day in 2014 despite its natural gas resource endowment.

This paper examines the determinants of domestic utilization of natural gas in Nigeria from 1990-2013. It investigates its relationship as a function of price of natural gas, price of alternative fuels, foreign direct investment, volumes of gas flared, electricity generated from natural gas sources and per capital real GDP. Going further, it forecasts its likely growth rate for a short-term period, using an econometric methodology of ordinary least squares and an ARIMA model, it estimates the relationship between the variables and uses the historical trend to forecast into the future.

The result of the study showed that the determinants jointly explain the pattern of domestic gas utilization in Nigeria by 98%. Individually, per capital real GDP, electricity generated from natural gas sources and changes in the volume of domestic utilization of natural gas was found to have a positive and significant effect on domestic gas utilization. Further, the forecast values show evidence of a slow but gradual increase in utilization pattern in the near future from 2015-2020. A best-case scenario of an increase of 0.15% and a worst-case scenario of a decrease of 0.14% was presented.

In conclusion, having identified significant influences on domestic gas utilization patterns in Nigeria it is imperative that the government uses economic instrument to enhance the utilization patterns in Nigeria by improving economic activities and developing the power sector which shows significant influence in domestic natural gas utilization patterns.
Genome-wide Polygenic Scores for Multiple Psychiatric and Common Traits Identify Preadolescent Youth with Risk for Suicide
Authors: Joo Yoonjung Yoonie , Moon Seo-Yoon , Wang Hee-Hwan , Kim Hyeonjin , Lee Eun-Ji , Posner Jonathan , Ahn Woo-Young , Choi Incheol , Kim Jae-Won , Cha Jiook
Published: September 2021

Importance.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in children worldwide but no available means exist to identify the risk in youth.
Objective.

To predict the risk of suicide in children and to investigate whether and to what extents genetic factors and a major environmental risk factor, early life stress(ELS), influence youth suicide.
Design, Setting and Participants.

We analyzed the genotype-phenotype data of 11,869 preadolescent children ages 9- to 10-year-old from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. We estimated genome-wide polygenic scores (GPSs) of 25 complex traits to investigate their phenome-wide associations and predictive utility with suicidality (suicidal ideation and attempt) with machine learning approaches.
Predictors.

GPSs of 25 traits including psychiatric disorders, personality, cognitive capacity, and psychological traits. Parent Child Behavior Checklist to measure ELS in youth and Youth Family Environment Scale to assess family environment.
Main outcomes and Measures.

Records of suicidal ideation and attempt of the participants were derived from the computerized version of Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS).
Results.

We identified three GPSs associated with youth suicidality in multiethnic (n = 7,206) and European-ancestry (n = 5,749) participants: ADHD (P = 3.48x10− 4; odds ratio = 1.13 in multiethnic participants, P = 5.60x10− 5, OR = 1.25 in European-ancestry participants), general happiness (P = 1.43x10− 3; OR = 0.89 in multiethnic, P = 8.61x10− 4, OR = 0.89 in European) and autism spectrum disorder(ASD) (P = 1.81x10− 3; OR = 1.15 in multiethnic, P = 1.26x10− 3, OR = 1.18 in European). We also found a significant GPS-by-environment interaction between the effects of genetic risk factors for ASD and the level of ELS in increasing the risk for suicidal ideation (P = 1.36x10− 2, OR = 1.12 in multiethnic, P = 1.39x10− 3, OR = 1.19 in European). A machine learning model trained on the same data showed moderately accurate prediction of children with overall suicidal ideation with a test ROC-AUC of 0.727 (0.746 in European), and with suicidal attempts with a test ROC-AUC of 0.641 (0.975 in European) in held-out samples.
Conclusions and Relevance.

This study provides the first quantitative account of polygenic and environmental factors of suicidality in a large, representative population of preadolescent youth. It thus shows the potential utility of the GPSs in identifying a child with high risk for suicidality for early screening, intervention, and prevention.
What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You: Cost Variations for Fecal Immunochemical Tests in Primary Care Practices
Authors: Coury Jennifer , Ramsey Katrina , Gunn Rose , Judkins Jon , Davis Melinda
Published: September 2021

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) screening can improve health outcomes, but screening rates remain low across the US. Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is an effective way to screen more people for colorectal cancer, but barriers exist to implementation in clinical practice. Little research examines the impacts of cost on FIT selection and implementation. MethodsWe administered a multi-modal, cross-sectional survey to 252 primary care practices to assess readiness and implementation of direct mail fecal testing programs, including the cost and types of FIT used. We analyzed the range of costs for the tests, and identified practice and test procurement factors. We examined the distributions of practice characteristics for FIT use and costs answers using the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test. We used Pearson's chi-squared test of association and interpreted a low p-value (e.g. <0.05) as evidence of association between a given practice characteristic and knowing the cost of FIT or fecal occult blood test (FOBT). ResultsAmong the 84 practice survey responses, more than 10 different types of FIT/FOBTs were in use; 76% of practices used one of the five most common FIT types. Only 40 practices (48%) provided information on the cost of their FIT/FOBTs. Thirteen (32%) of these practices received the tests for free while 27 (68%) paid for their tests; median reported cost of a FIT was $3.04, with a range from $0.83 to $6.41 per test. Costs were not statistically significant different by FIT type. However, practices who received FITs from vendors were more likely to know the cost (p=0.0002) and, if known, report a higher cost (p=0.0002).Conclusions﻿Our findings indicate that most practices without lab or health system supplied FITs are spending more to procure tests. Cost of FIT may impact the willingness of practices to distribute FITs in clinic-based encounters as well as through population outreach strategies, such as mailed FIT. Differences in the ability to obtain FIT tests in a cost-effective manner could have far reaching consequences for addressing colorectal cancer screening disparities in primary care practices.
Theory of Lehmer Transform and Its Applications in Identifying the Electroencephalographic Signature of Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Ataei Masoud , Wang Xiaogang
Published: September 2021

We propose a novel transform called Lehmer transform and establish theoretical results which are used to compress and characterize large volumes of highly volatile time series data. It will be shown that our proposed method could be used as a practical data-driven approach for analyzing extreme events in nonstationary and highly oscillatory stochastic processes such as biological signals. We demonstrate the advantage of the proposed transform in comparison with traditional methods such as Fourier and Wavelets transforms through an example of devising a classifier to discern the patients with major depressive disorder from the healthy subjects using their recorded EEG signals and provide the computational results. We show that the proposed transform can be used for building better and more robust classifiers with significant accuracy.
Changes in Inflammatory Biomarkers Related to C-reactive Protein and Albumin in Patients With Terminal Cancer Receiving Palliative Care: a Longitudinal Study
Authors: WIEGERT EMANUELLY VAREA MARIA , CALIXTO-LIMA LARISSA , CUNHA GABRIELLA DA COSTA , Fonseca Tais Saint Martin , SILVA GEISIANE ALVES DA , DE OLIVEIRA LIVIA COSTA
Published: September 2021

Background: Evidence about how inflammatory biomarkers vary during the end-stage cancer trajectory is lacking. This study investigates the longitudinal changes in albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and CRP/albumin ratio (CAR) in patients with terminal cancer receiving palliative care in the last three months of life.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of variables extracted from a prospective cohort study that included admitted patients to the exclusive Palliative Care Unit of the National Cancer Institute in Brazil. Routine blood examination results of albumin and CRP were recorded at 0-15 (T1), 16-30 (T2), 31-45 (T3), 46-60 (T4), 61-75 (T5), and 76-90 (T6) days before death and only patients with at least two measurements were included. Crude and adjusted linear mixed-effects regression models were performed to verify the relationships between the longitudinal trajectories of biomarkers and death. Results: A total of 1,635 patients were included. Median albumin was 3.00g/dL across the whole time-period analyzed (interquartile range, IQR: 2.50-3.60) and decreased with the approach of death, while median CRP was 9.31mg/L (IQR: 4.42-17.30) and CAR was 3.20 (IQR: 1.40-6.60), and both increased. The albumin (slope: 0.01 to 0.02; p <0.001), CRP (slope: -0.10 to -0.12; p <0.001), and CAR (slope: -0.06; p <0.001) showed a linear dose-response relationship with death in crude and adjusted models tested. Conclusions: The longitudinal change levels of inflammatory biomarkers worsen with the approach of death and could be used to predict end-stage in patients with terminal cancer.
Photocatalytic Treatment of Different Types of High−Concentration Ammonia Wastewater by Cu/TiO2 Film and its Mechanism Study
Authors: Feng Jianpei , Zhang Guan , Zhang Xiaolei , Li Ji
Published: September 2021

Photocatalytic oxidation of ammonia in wastewater has been abundantly investigated in lab − scale, but there are still many issues to be solved towards practical application. Herein, we have immobilized Cu/TiO2 photocatalyst on different solid substrates in order to practically utilize and recycle the photocatalyst during wastewater treatment, on the basis of exploring the effects of different influencing factors such as pH, temperature and salinity on the photocatalytic oxidation of ammonia in this work. The performance of Cu/TiO2 films was evaluated by circulated treatment of different types of wastewater including high salinity ammonia wastewater, copper − ammonia wastewater and liquid − ammonia mercerization wastewater. The characters of wastewater matrices significantly influence the performance for ammonia oxidation. Different from the slurry test of photocatalyst power that operated in a closed reactor, it is importantly found that oxygen in air plays significant role in photocatalytic oxidation of ammonia into dinitrogen in the aerobic oxidation process, when the Cu/TiO2 films were employed. The possible oxidation mechanism has been proposed to elucidate the ammonia oxidation process.
Silver Nanoparticles from Tabernaemontana Divaricate leaf extract: Mechanism of action and Bio-application for photo degradation of 4-Aminopyridine.
Authors: Attri Pratibha , Garg Sangeeta , Ratan Jatinder Kumar , Giri Ardhendu Sekhar
Published: September 2021

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesised by the reduction of Ag+ to Ag0 in the presence of enol form of flavonoids present in plant extract of Tabernaemontana Divaricate (T. Divaricate). Prepared Ag NPs were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, HR-TEM with EDX and XPS techniques. XPS spectra exhibited peaks at 366 eV and 373 eV, which specified spin orbits for Ag 3d3/2, and Ag 3d5/2 that confirmed the formation of Ag NPs. Ag NPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 30 nm as revealed by HR-TEM and FE-SEM techniques. EDX studies verified the high purity of Ag NPs with silver 46.96 %, carbon 16.35 %, oxygen 16.22 %, nitrogen 20.25 % and sulphur 0.21%. LC-MS analysis of plant extract confirmed the qualitative presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and carbohydrates. Prepared Ag NPs showed good photocatalytic activity towards degradation of 4-Amniopyridine with 61% degradation efficiency at optimum conditions in 2 hrs of reaction time under visible light. The number of intermediates were found were ten within the mass number of 0–450. Ag NPs synthesized using bio-extract have also showed good inactivation against Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) and Bacillus Subtilis (B. Subtilis) bacteria due to availability of free radicals.
Computational Method Using Heterogeneous Graph Convolutional Network Model Combined With Reinforcement Layer For MiRNA-Disease Association Prediction
Authors: Huang Dang , An JiYong , Zhang Lei , Liu BaiLong
Published: September 2021

Background: A large number of evidences from biological experiments have confirmed that miRNAs play an important role in the progression and development of various human complex diseases. However, the traditional experiment methods are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it is a challenging task that how to develop more accurate and efficient methods for predicting potential associations between miRNA and disease. Results: In the study, we developed a computational model that combined Heterogeneous Graph Convolutional Network with Enhanced Layer for miRNA-Disease Association prediction (HGCNELMDA). The major improvement of our method lies in through restarting the random walk optimized the original features of nodes and adding a Reinforcement layer to the hidden layer of graph convolutional network retained similar information between nodes in the feature space. In addition, the proposed approach recalculated the influence of neighborhood nodes on target nodes by introducing the attention mechanism. The reliable performance of the HGCNELMDA was certified by the AUC of 93.47% in global leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV), and the average AUCs of 93.01% in fivefold cross-validation. Meanwhile, we compared the HGCNELMDA with the state‑of‑the‑art methods. Comparative results indicated that o the HGCNELMDA is very promising and may provide a cost‑effective alternative for miRNA-Disease Association prediction. Moreover, we applied HGCNELMDA to 3 different case studies to predict potential miRNAs related to lung cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Results showed that 48, 50, and 50 of the top 50 predicted miRNAs were supported by experimental association evidence. Therefore, the HGCNELMDA is a reliable method for predicting disease-related miRNAs. Conclusions: The results of the HGCNELMDA method in the LOOCV (leave-one-out cross validation, LOOCV) and 5-cross validations were 93.47% and 93.01%, respectively. Compared with other typical methods, the performance of HGGCNMA is higher. Three cases of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer were studied. Among the predicted top 50 candidate miRNAs, 48, 50, and 50 were verified in the biological database HDMMV2.0.Therefore; this further confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of our method. To facilitate extensive studies for future disease-related miRNAs research, we developed a freely available web server called HGCNELMDA is available at http://132.232.17.50:8080/HGCNELMDA.jsp.
Transient Current in Graphene Transistors Under Single- Proton Irradiation
Authors: He Wanzhen , Yam ChiYung , Xu Zhiping
Published: September 2021

Two-dimensional materials and their multilayers or heterostructures are promising candidates for optoelectronic devices. Their performance such as the transient current can be remarkably modified under irradiation since the atoms are extremely exposed. This effect, however, still lacks theoretical understanding. Using real-time time-dependent density functional theory extended to open systems for electrons and Ehrenfest dynamics for the moving ion, we explore the single-ion irradiation effects on graphene electronics. Perturbed electronic transport is identified in a field-effect transistor setup. The peak transient current is calculated as the key indicator to quantify the irradiation effects, the irradiation-energy dependence of which shows distinction from the stopping power that was well understood in recent studies. We find that the perturbation in transient current is driven by delocalized plasmonic excitation, in contrast to the localized electronic excitation that has a strong impact on the stopping power. The site dependence of transient current is determined by the local electron density and ionic charge, which highlights the roles of the lattice and electronic structures of materials. Following these understandings and the database developed for typical space-irradiation conditions, the device responses of graphene nanoelectronics can be modeled. These results and methods lay the ground for the material-informed design of nanoelectronics in, for example, space applications.
Genetic evidence for the invasion of Cymbella janischii (A. Schmidt) De Toni in Japan
Authors: Kato-Unoki Yoko , Kurihara Akira , Kuge Toshihiro , Shimasaki Yohei , Suzawa Yuzuru , Mayama Shigeki
Published: September 2021

Cymbella janischii (A. Schmidt) De Toni, an endemic diatom of the Pacific Northwest, was found in 2006 in Japan, and since then, its distribution has been expanding. It was identified on the basis of morphology in Japan, however, molecular analyses have not yet been performed, with no sequences known of genes derived from the Japanese isolate. Here, we analyzed rbcL, psaB, psbA, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA gene sequences (6526 bp in total) of the C. janischii specimens from several locations in Japan and explored their genetic relatedness with C. janischii from its country of origin (the United States) and its closely related species. We showed that all Japanese specimens had the same sequences, regardless of geographical distance, and formed a clade with the US C. janischii. The identities and the pairwise distance between the sequences of the Japanese and the US diatoms were 99.937% and 0.0003, respectively, indicating that these diatoms are extremely similar. These results provide potential genetic evidence of the recent invasion and rapid spread of C. janischii from the US in Japan.