bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Audit of Compliance of Public Procurement: Theoretical and Practical Aspects
Authors:   Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Zdyrko Nataliya
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to identify the main elements of the public procurement compliance audit and disclose the practical aspects of its implementation. It was determined that the control function is a priority in the management of public procurement in Ukraine among other functions (planning, organization, accounting, analysis, motivation, regulation). The problem of non-compliance of legislative provision of the state audit with international ISSAI standards due to the lack of compliance audit was identified. The main legislative requirements (general and specific) for conducting the compliance audit were considered. The proposed author's vision of the purpose, tasks, subject, objects and subjects of compliance audit which correlates with international ISSAI standards. The objects of the audit are the activities of the customer (participant) at different stages of the life cycle of procurement items, public resources and the activities of responsible state agencies. The main entities (in accordance with the requirements of international standards) are the state auditor, controlled entity and potential users. The main issues on the directions and objects of compliance audit are detailed. The main issues on the areas and objects of compliance audit were detailed. The stages of compliance audit (planning, carrying out and preparation of reporting documentation) with the definition of control actions at each of them were disclosed. The criteria of legality and validity in the compliance audit (relevance, completeness, reliability, neutrality, clarity, usefulness, compatibility, acceptability, accessibility) were characterized. The internal sources of state audit (including compliance audit) of public procurement at the stage of pre-contractual and contractual procedures in the electronic procurement system, as well as the use of procurement items were described. The methods of state audit of public procurement by the objects of inspection (observation, verification, research, confirmation, analytical procedures) are highlighted.
ARE ICT BEING USED CORRECTLY? SMALL REFLECTION ABOUT CORRECT USING OF ICT IN EDUCATION
Authors: Kubiatko Milan
Published: April 2021

Dear readers, I would like to thank for the space for writing a short reflection about one of the problems, which is occurring in education. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are considered a tool, which could help understanding of the curriculum by the pupils and also the attitude toward any school subject will be better, when ICT are used. The probability, that it is true is very high, but it depends on many facts, which are very often neglected. There are still existing teachers, who think, that using of computer and the preparation of power point presentation is sufficient. It can be appropriate at the beginning of ICT application in the schools. Nowadays the situation is different. In the digital world, many software, applications and other things connected with ICT are existing. And this fact can cause the problems on the side of pupils and also on the side of teachers. The persons, who are interested in the learning and teaching process (not teachers) want to use ICT from teachers, but the reason is only administrative “the using of ICT in the classes”. But this situation can be damaging and not effective for the teaching process.
THE ATTITUDE OF TEACHERS TOWARDS PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SERBIA
Authors: Jevtić Bisera S.
Published: April 2021

Analyzing the significance and the role of school and teachers in the encouragement of prosocial behaviour of the learners in secondary schools, the following problem appeared: the connection between the teachers’ encouragement of prosocial behaviour and the academic achievement in the secondary schools in Serbia through the following segments: procedures and activities used by teachers, and the interrelatedness of prosocial behaviour and academic achievement. A review of theoretical findings and a study conducted on the sample of 695 respondents are presented. The method of theoretical analysis and synthesis, the causal non-experimental method and the descriptive method are applied. The applied techniques include content analysis, scaling and evaluation. The results showed that teachers’ activities partly promoted prosocial behaviour. The results of the research pointed to certain pedagogical implications: the reform of the educational system in Serbia; a change of educational objectives and tasks; establishing a continuity between all levels of the educational system and raising cooperation with parents; educational professional services to teachers in the area of raising their interest in acquiring and applying strategies and skills directed at educating prosocially oriented personalities and improving the quality of their work.
Key words: school indicators, interrelatedness of predictors, encouragement of prosocial behaviour, academic achievement, comparative analysis.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT ON AN INDIVIDUAL AND AN INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL ON THE WAY TO QUALITY CULTURE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Koķe Tatjana , Jansone-Ratinika Nora , Koka Rudīte
Published: April 2021

Several issues are always on the agenda in higher education, most notably quality assessment methods and whether this methodology has a direct influence on teaching, and the improvement of teaching quality by including effectiveness, efficiency, reliability, responsiveness as well as empathy. On the one hand it is a logical and a justified movement towards the standardisation of quality assessment procedures, but on the other hand, integration of an individualised approach, which would allow assessing one’s performance in essence and providing solutions for different higher education practice specifics, which we can see both in higher education institutions internationally as well as locally.
The purpose of quality assessment is to define must-do and must-have things, so that higher education institutions would integrate emerging tendencies.
Transforming assessment is crucial for the performance of the entire institution, both in planning and in managing the everyday work of the institution, as well as by applying assessment methods to the academic staff and students individually. By acknowledging the results, additional decisions should be made, e.g., what strategies and methods should be used to promote teacher motivation, what should be done to achieve better study results, what do better performing students need, and how to approach those students who are performing poorly. This research aims to explore the formative assessment experience at the Rīga Stradiņš University (hereinafter RSU), which is crucial to nurture quality culture in higher education. The formative approach in quality allows you to build and strengthen the understanding of quality within the organisation showing that quality assessment is quality forming and altogether it is a continuous process.
Key words: quality assessment, quality assurance, quality culture, higher education, formative assessment.
Sistem Informasi Penyewaan Kapal Berbasis Web (Studi Kasus : PT. Servewell Offshore)
Authors: Husufa Nurullah , Yolanda Yessy , Puspitasari Yena , Lestari Novi
Published: April 2021

Transportasi laut sebagai bagian dari sistem transportasi nasional perlu dikembangkan dalam rangka mewujudkan Wawasan Nusantara yang mempersatukan seluruh wilayah Indonesia, termasuk lautan nusantara sebagai kesatuan wilayah nasional. Sistem transportasi yang efektif dan efisien serta terpadu antar moda transportasi, merupakan hal yang penting untuk menciptakan pola distribusi nasional yang handal dan dinamis. Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa sarana transportasi laut di Negara kepulauan seperti Indonesia telah menjadi tulang punggung utama pergerakan distribusi barang dalam skala besar dengan menggunakan kapal laut dan semakin banyaknya peluang untuk menyewakan kapal laut kepada customer untuk pendistribusian barang atau jasa. Ketatnya persaingan bisnis mengharuskan perusahaan perlu meningkatkan pelayanan terhadap customer dengan memperbaiki permasalahan yang sering terjadi pada saat penyewaan. Menggunakan PHP,MYSQL dan framework Bootstrap dibuatlah sistem informasi penyewaan berbasis web. Sistem yang dibangun dapat membuat customer melakukan penyewaan kapal melalui website serta dapat melihat informasi kapal yang disediakan dan biaya sewa dari tiap kapal yang tersedia tanpa harus menghubungi bagian marketing perusahaan.
Analisis Text Clustering Masyarakat Di Twitter Mengenai Omnibus Law Menggunakan Orange Data Mining
Authors: Wiguna Ratu Aghnia raffaidy , Rifai Andri Irfan
Published: April 2021

Sosial media dengan platform twitter menjadi hal menarik untuk diteliti. Trending topik tersebut menghasilkan komentar masyarakat Indonesia yang mengandung opini berupa emosi. Penelitian ini mencoba menganalisis opini di twitter dengan metode analisis vader yang menghasilkan tweet profiler kemudian visualisasi distribution. Penelitian ini menggunakan tools orange data mining dengan mengaplikasikan Prepocess text yang meliputi transformation, tokenization, normalization, dan filtering yang bertujuan agar text bisa dianalisis. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu respon masyarakat terhadap UU Cipta Kerja Omnibus Law mendapat 6 respon dan yang paling tertinggi responnya adalah masyarakat merasa surprise.
Penerapan Knowledge Sistem Informasi Penjaminan Mutu Fakultas Berbasis Web Di FTI-UKSW
Authors: Christopher William , Widiasari Indrastanti Ratna
Published: April 2021

Information technology is one of the assets of a company or organization that is important for its development, with the rapid development of technology today, technology must always be updated. One of the roles of information technology is the application of knowledge management. Knowledge Management is a system that is able to improve and manage knowledge information in companies or agencies that apply knowledge management. In this study, it focuses on implementing a knowledge management system in the Quality Assurance of the Faculties at Satya Wacana Christian University. This research is based on the fact that PMF institutions still use manual methods in data archiving, the purpose of this study is to design a web application that is useful for archiving PMF data to make it more effective and efficient. In this study, the KMS (Knowledge Management System) is applied, and uses the Knowledge Management System Life Cycle method which consists of several process stages consisting of infrastructure evaluation, KMS design analysis and development, and evaluation at the final stage. The result of this research is a useful data archiving web application for PMF. It is hoped that PMF will be more efficient in data archiving.
Designing Web-Based Warehouse Information System at CV Ribka Furniture
Authors: Pradipta Jody Barata Dwi , Manuputty Augie David
Published: April 2021

CV Ribka Furniture merupakan salah satu perusahaan yang bergerak di bidang perdagangan dan pembuatan furniture. Dalam kegiatan operasional gudang merupakan bagian yang penting. Namun proses data transaksi masih dilakukan secara manual. Sehingga beberapa kendala masih dialami, seperti kesalahan penginputan saat transaksi pada alat / bahan, yang mengakibatkan perbedaan dalam penginputan data. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk membuat sistem informasi persediaan yaitu pengumpulan data alat dan transaksi material yang akan keluar masuk. Sistem informasi ini dibuat dengan menggunakan diagram UML (Unified Modeling Language) yaitu: use case diagram dan class diagram. Kemudian membuat desain antarmuka untuk proses implementasi dan pengujian sistem. Dengan pembuatan sistem informasi inventaris,
War on Terror and Its Implications for Global Peace and Security
Authors: Monir Rifah R.
Published: April 2021

The study starts with an attempt to outline terrorism conceptually. It then discusses the policy and operational background of the War on Terror. The study progresses with a brief review of the major processes of political decision-making and military atrocities resulting from the war. The main argument of this study suggests that the scale of global terrorism cannot be successfully combated through the sole application of military power that produces more terrorism. The study contributes to the critical academic literature that claims that by overstating the terrorist activities and adopting brutal military strategies, the War on Terror is actually inducing terrorism. As is evidenced, terrorist attacks are on the rise both in number and magnitude after the war. The study concludes that the War on Terror is leaving the world more at risk with adverse consequences on global peace and security by creating inefficient governments, malfunctioning institutions, cultural intrusion of the west, and degrading misconceptions like Islamophobia.
Contradictions and problems of harmonization of value added tax rates in the EU
Authors:   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, SOKOLOVSKA Alla
Published: April 2021

Despite the fact that today VAT is considered the most harmonized tax, the process of approximation of its various elements occurs at different pace and with different efficiency. Some of the most problematic in this context are such elements of the tax as rates and benefits. The purpose of this article is to analyze the contradictory process of harmonization of standard and preferential tax rates, the current level and prospects of their approximation. In the article the evolution of the harmonization process of standard and reduced VAT rates in the EU and the current state of their approximation is analyzed. It has been established that currently the structure of preferential tax rates is the least harmonized. Countries vary both by their number and size, with five EU countries continuing to use a third preferential rate below its minimum level determined by the directive, while a country like Luxembourg imposes a 3% rate on 14 categories of goods and services. The scope of application of preferential rates also differs significantly in different countries. If in Bulgaria only the supply of hotel accommodation services is taxed at a reduced rate, in many member states – 16-18 categories of goods and services. The analysis has shown that the most harmonized are the standard VAT rates of the EU member states, and the degree of their harmonization is characterized by a tendency to increase, as evidenced by the decrease in their coefficient of variation during 1994-2020. It was determined that their convergence took place under the influence of two processes – the introduction of the minimum level of the standard rate by the integration law norms and the natural convergence of these rates, which resulted in finding solutions to common problems for most Member States related to overcoming global economic crises and ensuring sustainable economic growth, one of the tax instruments which modern science considers is the transfer of the tax burden from income to consumption, which encourages an increase in standard VAT rates in countries with their initially low levels. It is concluded that in the future, providing more freedom for Member States to set VAT rates will be linked to the introduction of a definitive VAT system, which provides tax collection according to the principle of the country of destination and imposes less requirements on the harmonization of its rates.
The main principles of forming the priorities of the socio-economic development strategy of the country
Authors:   Accounting Chamber of Ukraine, RADIONOV Yurii
Published: April 2021

The article substantiates the need for the formation and implementation of the socio-economic development strategy of the country as a basis for sustainable and dynamic development. International and domestic experience, formation and approval of the strategy are analyzed. Based on the study and analysis of the situation, the author proposed a mechanism for determining the priorities of the strategy, the application of criteria of relevance and feasibility as a basis for setting priorities. Relevance criteria are divided into critical, important and desirable, where a critical priority is the event that must be carried out at a certain time despite the necessary resources; an important priority is one that has a positive effect on efficiency, but is determined by the resource limit, and a desirable priority is one that can have a positive effect on efficiency, but resources and deadlines depend on their availability after the implementation of other measures. The implementation criterion is divided into political, technical and financial. Political implementation involves the support of the government and the parliament in the adoption of relevant laws, regulations and more. The technical implementation of the strategy is based on the appropriate infrastructure, potential, complexity, timing, as well as the sequence of implementation of certain activities. The financial criterion is based on financial needs, capital and other expenditures, the need to increase efficiency or mobilize additional financial resources. The need to prepare an operational plan, which should be holistic, clear, specific, flexible, clear, controlled, easy to manage and interrelated with the budget, is justified. The operational plan should encourage executors to act without confusion or misinterpretation of what should be done, how and when.
Stabilisation policies in Ukraine in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:   Lviv University of Trade and Economics, POLYAKOVA Juliia POLYAKOVA Juliia , SOKURENKO Solomiya ,   Lviv University of Trade and Economics
Published: April 2021

This paper aims at both theoretical and empirical assessment of stabilization policies in Ukraine in the wake of a contractionary macroeconomic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various aspects of fiscal and monetary policies are analyzed within the theoretical framework of a dynamic AD–AS model with a focus on the exchange rate effects. It is demonstrated that output effects of fiscal and monetary policies depend on inflationary inertia measured as the correlation between present and lagged inflation. Depreciation of the exchange rate is inflationary and can be contractionary under both low and high inflationary inertia. For Ukraine, it is found that the supply-side recovery is of priority, in contrast to the majority of industrial countries where insufficient demand is the biggest problem. Using the 2SLS estimator, it is obtained that a non-inflationary increase in the GDP growth rate is expected under a decrease in the excessive money supply combined with the exchange rate appreciation. As the exchange rate is still undervalued due to effects of the large devaluation of 2014–2015, a combination of conservative monetary policy and moderate exchange rate appreciation should not raise any concerns. Our results reject frequent speculations that a local appreciation of the hryvna has been responsible for the GDP slowdown since the middle of 2019. Fiscal policy seems to be neutral in respect to both inflation and GDP. Among other results, it is found that an increase of the Euro area output by 1% contributes to the GDP growth rate in Ukraine by 0,6-0,7 percentage points. As suggested by a dummy variable, a deep economic slump of 2014-2015 was not caused by structural shifts in the Ukraine’s economy, with a large depreciation of the hryvna and excessive money supply being the most relevant explanatory factors.
Invitation to Write Book Reviews and Library Research
Authors: Acob Joel Rey Ugsang , Sillehu Sahrir
Published: April 2021

EDITORIAL

We need to inform you again that the Aloha International Journal of Multidisciplinary Advancement (AIJMU) has a mission to publish research results and ideas from various disciplines of science and technology. In this editorial, we constantly invite researchers and academics around the world to share their best papers in this journal. In April 2021, we invite authors to publish scientific papers which are a form of document study. In this case, we can accept articles from document studies in short form such as book reviews, but we also look forward to the presence of articles and long forms, such as library research.

Book review is a type of short paper (usually contains 1000 to 200 words), which contains a review of a book that the author considers interesting or important. In addition to the title, author and affiliation, this article consists of at least 4 important parts, namely an introduction, a review (a summary of the book's contents, strengths, weaknesses and suggestions if any), conclusions and references. However, authors may write in a different systematics as long as they do not go outside the principles of writing a book review.

Meanwhile, library research is one type of qualitative research that emphasizes data sources in the form of documents, although it can be strengthened by other data sources, for example the results of interviews. This type of paper is usually written in a large number of words, for example 4000 to 10000 words, depending on the rules of the journal. There are three main types of literature research: historical studies, biographical studies and document studies.

We hope that articles based on document studies will further enrich the database of scientific papers in this journal, which in turn can contribute to the development and advancement of science and technology.
Current Aspects of the Role of Autoantibodies Directed Against Appetite-Regulating Hormones and the Gut Microbiome in Eating Disorders
Authors: Smitka Kvido , Prochazkova Petra , Roubalova Radka , Dvorak Jiri , Papezova Hana , Hill Martin , Pokorny Jaroslav , Kittnar Otomar , Bilej Martin , Tlaskalova-Hogenova Helena
Published: April 2021

The equilibrium and reciprocal actions among appetite-stimulating (orexigenic) and appetite-suppressing (anorexigenic) signals synthesized in the gut, brain, microbiome and adipose tissue (AT), seems to play a pivotal role in the regulation of food intake and feeding behavior, anxiety, and depression. A dysregulation of mechanisms controlling the energy balance may result in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). AN is a psychiatric disease defined by chronic self-induced extreme dietary restriction leading to an extremely low body weight and adiposity. BN is defined as out-of-control binge eating, which is compensated by self-induced vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Certain gut microbiota-related compounds, like bacterial chaperone protein Escherichia coli caseinolytic protease B (ClpB) and food-derived antigens were recently described to trigger the production of autoantibodies cross-reacting with appetite-regulating hormones and neurotransmitters. Gut microbiome may be a potential manipulator for AT and energy homeostasis. Thus, the regulation of appetite, emotion, mood, and nutritional status is also under the control of neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms by secretion of autoantibodies directed against neuropeptides, neuroactive metabolites, and peptides. In AN and BN, altered cholinergic, dopaminergic, adrenergic, and serotonergic relays may lead to abnormal AT, gut, and brain hormone secretion. The present review summarizes updated knowledge regarding the gut dysbiosis, gut-barrier permeability, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), blood-brain barrier permeability, and autoantibodies within the ghrelin and melanocortin systems in eating disorders. We expect that the new knowledge may be used for the development of a novel preventive and therapeutic approach for treatment of AN and BN.
Melatonin: Multi-Target Mechanism Against Diminished Ovarian Reserve Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Yang Liuqing , Xu Hongbin , Chen Yun , Miao Chenyun , Zhao Ying , Xing Yu , Zhang Qin
Published: April 2021

Background

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) significantly increases the risk of female infertility and contributes to reproductive technology failure. Recently, the role of melatonin in improving ovarian reserve (OR) has attracted widespread attention. However, details on the pharmacological targets and mechanisms of melatonin-improved OR remain unclear.

Objective

A systems pharmacology strategy was proposed to elucidate the potential therapeutic mechanism of melatonin on DOR at the molecular, pathway, and network levels.

Methods

The systems pharmacological approach consisted of target identification, data integration, network construction, bioinformatics analysis, and molecular docking.

Results

From the molecular perspective, 26 potential therapeutic targets were identified. They participate in biological processes related to DOR development, such as reproductive structure development, epithelial cell proliferation, extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway, PI3K signaling, among others. Eight hub targets (MAPK1, AKT1, EGFR, HRAS, SRC, ESR1, AR, and ALB) were identified. From the pathway level, 17 significant pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the estrogen signaling pathway, were identified. In addition, the 17 signaling pathways interacted with the 26 potential therapeutic targets to form 4 functional modules. From the network point of view, by regulating five target subnetworks (aging, cell growth and death, development and regeneration, endocrine and immune systems), melatonin could exhibit anti-aging, anti-apoptosis, endocrine, and immune system regulation effects. The molecular docking results showed that melatonin bound well to all hub targets.

Conclusion

This study systematically and intuitively illustrated the possible pharmacological mechanisms of OR improvement by melatonin through anti-aging, anti-apoptosis, endocrine, and immune system regulation effects.
Hemodynamic and Non-Hemodynamic Components of Cardiac Remodeling in Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Pan Chien-Ting , Wu Xue-Ming , Tsai Cheng-Hsuan , Chang Yi-Yao , Chen Zheng-Wei , Chang Chin-Chen , Lee Bo-Ching , Liao Che-Wei , Chen Ya-Li , Lin Lung-Chun , Chang Yi-Ru , Hung Chi-Sheng , Lin Yen-Hung
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) have cardiac remodeling due to hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic causes. However, component analysis of cardiac remodeling and reversal in PA patients is lacking. We investigated components of cardiac remodeling and reversal after adrenalectomy in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA).

Methods

This study prospectively enrolled 304 APA patients who received adrenalectomy and 271 with essential hypertension (EH). Clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic data were collected in both groups and 1 year after surgery in the APA patients. The hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic components of left ventricular (LV) remodeling were represented by predicted left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (pLVMI) and inappropriately excessive LVMI (ieLVMI, defined as LVMI-pLVMI).

Results

After propensity score matching, 213 APA and 213 EH patients were selected. APA patients had higher hemodynamic (pLVMI) and non-hemodynamic (ieLVMI) components of LV remodeling than EH patients. In multivariate analysis, baseline pLVMI was correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and serum potassium, whereas ieLVMI was correlated with log plasma aldosterone concentration but not blood pressure. Post-operative echocardiography was available in 207 patents and showed significant decreases in both pLVMI and ieLVMI after adrenalectomy. In multivariate analysis, ΔpLVMI was correlated with SBP, ΔSBP, and pre-operative pLVMI, whereas ΔieLVMI was correlated with Δlog aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) and pre-operative ieLVMI.

Conclusions

This study concluded that extensive cardiac remodeling in APA patients occurs through hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic causes. Adrenalectomy can improve both hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic components of LV remodeling. Regressions of pLVMI and ieLVMI were correlated with decreases in blood pressure and ARR, respectively.
Thyroid Stem Cells But Not Differentiated Thyrocytes Are Sensitive to Slightly Increased Concentrations of Heavy Metals
Authors: Gianì Fiorenza , Masto Roberta , Trovato Maria Antonietta , Franco Annarita , Pandini Giuseppe , Vigneri Riccardo
Published: April 2021

Thyroid cancer incidence is markedly increased in volcanic areas where residents are biocontaminated by chronic lifelong exposure to slightly increased metals in the environment. Metals can influence the biology of living cells by a variety of mechanisms, depending not only on the dose and length of exposure but also on the type and stage of differentiation of target cells. We explored the effect of five heavy metals (Cu, Hg, Pd, W and Zn) at nanomolar concentrations (the biocontamination level in residents of the volcanic area in Sicily where thyroid cancer is increased) on stimulating the proliferation of undifferentiated (thyrospheres) and differentiated human thyroid cells. Thyrosphere proliferation was significantly increased after exposure to each individual metal and a greater stimulating effect was observed when a mixture of the examined metals was used. No effect was seen in differentiated thyrocytes. For all metals, the dose-response curve followed a biphasic pattern that is typical of hormesis. Thyrosphere growth concerned the size rather than number, except with the metal mixture. An altered morphology was also observed in metal-treated thyrospheres. Metal-induced proliferation was due to activation of the ERK1/2 pathway, as confirmed by growth inhibition when ERK1/2 signaling was blocked. These studies show that stem/precursor thyroid cells are sensitive to small increases in environmental metal concentrations that are harmless for differentiated thyrocytes.
Exenatide Attenuates Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis by Inhibiting the Pyroptosis Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Da-Wei , Wang Dan , Duan Bin-Hong , Kuang Hong-Yu
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims

Exenatide is a glucagon-like polypeptide-1 analog, whose main clinical use is to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism of exenatide in mitigating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effect of exenatide on NASH.

Methods

Leptin receptor-deficient C57BL/KsJ- db/db male mice were fed with methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks to induce NASH, while oleic acid/LPS-treated HepG2 cells were used as an in vitro cell model. Exenatide (20 µg/kg/day, subcutaneous) and specific exenatide inhibitors (20 µg/kg/day, intraperitoneal) were used to determine the effects of exenatide on NASH.

Results

Exenatide treatment inhibited the pyroptosis signaling pathway to attenuate NASH.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this report provides the first evidence showing that exenatide attenuated NASH by inhibiting the pyroptosis signaling pathway. Exenatide thus has important pathophysiological functions in NASH and may represent a useful new therapeutic target.
Integrated Analysis Reveals Prognostic Value and Immune Correlates of CD86 Expression in Lower Grade Glioma
Authors: Qiu Huaide , Tian Wei , He Yikang , Li Jiahui , He Chuan , Li Yongqiang , Liu Ning , Li Jianan
Published: April 2021

Background

CD86 has great potential to be a new target of immunotherapy by regulating cancer immune response. However, it remains unclear whether CD86 is a friend or foe in lower-grade glioma (LGG).

Methods

The prognostic value of CD86 expression in pan-cancer was analyzed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis with data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). Cancer types where CD86 showed prognostic value in overall survival and disease-specific survival were identified for further analyses. The Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) dataset were utilized for external validation. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot (WB), and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) were conducted for further validation using surgical samples from Jiangsu Province hospital. The correlations between CD86 expression and tumor immunity were analyzed using the Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumours using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm, Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, and expressions of immune checkpoint molecules. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed using clusterprofiler r package to reveal potential pathways.

Results

Pan-cancer survival analysis established CD86 expression as an unfavorable prognostic factor in tumor progression and survival for LGG. CD86 expression between Grade-II and Grade-III LGG was validated using qRT-PCR and WB. Additionally, CD86 expression in LGG with unmethylated O(6)-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter was significantly higher than those with methylated MGMT (P<0.05), while in LGG with codeletion of 1p/19q it was significantly downregulated as opposed to those with non-codeletion (P<2.2*10-16). IHC staining validated that CD86 expression was correlated with MGMT status and X1p/19q subtypes, which was independent of tumor grade. Multivariate regression validated that CD86 expression acts as an unfavorable prognostic factor independent of clinicopathological factors in overall survival of LGG patients. Analysis of tumor immunity and GSEA revealed pivotal role of CD86 in immune response for LGG.

Conclusions

Integrated analysis shows that CD86 is an unfavorable prognostic biomarker in LGG patients. Targeting CD86 may become a novel approach for immunotherapy of LGG.
Efficacy of PSMA PET-Guided Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Henkenberens Christoph , Derlin Thorsten , Bengel Frank , Ross Tobias L. , Kuczyk Markus A. , Giordano Frank A. , Sarria Gustavo R. , Schmeel Leonard Christopher , Christiansen Hans , von Klot Christoph A. J.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To assess the outcome of radiotherapy (RT) to all PSMA ligand positive metastases for patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Patients and methods

A total of 42 patients developed oligometastatic mCRPC and received PSMA PET-guided RT of all metastases. The main outcome parameters were biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS), and second-line systemic treatment free survival (SST-FS).

Results

A total of 141 PSMA ligand-positive metastases were irradiated. The median follow-up time was 39.0 months (12-58 months). During the follow-up five out of 42 (11.9%) patients died of progressive mPCa. Five out of 42 (11.9%) patients showed no biochemical responses and presented with a PSA level ≥10% of the baseline PSA at first PSA level measurement after RT and were classified as non-responders. The median PSA level before RT was 4.79 ng/mL (range, 0.4-46.1), which decreased significantly to a median PSA nadir level of 0.39 ng/mL (range, <0.07-32.8; p=0.002). The median PSA level at biochemical progression after PSMA ligand-based RT was 2.75 ng/mL (range, 0.27-53.0; p=0.24) and was not significantly different (p=0.29) from the median PSA level (4.79 ng/mL, range, 0.4-46.1) before the PSMA ligand-based RT. The median bPFS was 12.0 months after PSMA ligand PET-based RT (95% CI, 11.2-15.8) and the median SST-FS was 15.0 months (95% CI, 14.0-21.5).

Conclusion

In well-informed and closely followed-up patients, PSMA PET-guided RT represents a viable treatment option for patients with oligometastatic mCRPC to delay further systemic therapies.
Anti-Sway and Positioning Adaptive Control of a Double-Pendulum Effect Crane System With Neural Network Compensation
Authors: Qiang Hai-yan , Sun You-gang , Lyu Jin-chao , Dong Da-shan
Published: April 2021

Cranes are widely used in the field of construction, logistics, and the manufacturing industry. Cranes that use wire ropes as the main lifting mechanism are deeply troubled by the swaying of heavy objects, which seriously restricts the working efficiency of the crane and even cause accidents. Compared with the single-pendulum crane, the double-pendulum effect crane model has stronger nonlinearity, and its controller design is challenging. In this paper, cranes with a double-pendulum effect are considered, and their nonlinear dynamical models are established. Then, a controller based on the radial basis function (RBF) neural network compensation adaptive method is designed, and a stability analysis is also presented. Finally, the hardware-in-the-loop experimental results show that the neural network compensation control can effectively improve the control performance of the controller in practice.
Fatigue Analysis of Actuators with Teflon Impregnated Coating—Challenges in Numerical Simulation
Authors: Bi Zhuming , Kang Bongsu , Ouyang Puren
Published: April 2021

Actuators are essential components for motion in machines, and warranty service lives are basic specifications of actuators. However, fatigue damage or wear of actuators are very complex and related to many design factors, such as materials properties, surface conditions, loads, and operating temperature. Actuator manufacturers still rely heavily on physical experiments to determine the fatigue lives of actuators. This paper investigates the state-of-the-art of using numerical simulations for fatigue analysis of mechanical actuators. Failure criteria of machine elements are discussed extensively; existing works on using finite element methods for machine element designs are examined to (1) explore the feasibility of using a numerical simulation for fatigue analysis and (2) discuss the technical challenges in practice. Moreover, a systematic procedure is suggested to predict fatigue lives of mechanical actuators with Teflon impregnated hard coatings. A virtual fatigue analysis allows for optimizing a mechanical structure, reducing design verification costs, and shortening the development time of actuators.
Extraction of Arecanut Planting Distribution Based on the Feature Space Optimization of PlanetScope Imagery
Authors: Jin Yu , Guo Jiawei , Ye Huichun , Zhao Jinling , Huang Wenjiang , Cui Bei
Published: April 2021

The remote sensing extraction of large areas of arecanut (Areca catechu L.) planting plays an important role in investigating the distribution of arecanut planting area and the subsequent adjustment and optimization of regional planting structures. Satellite imagery has previously been used to investigate and monitor the agricultural and forestry vegetation in Hainan. However, the monitoring accuracy is affected by the cloudy and rainy climate of this region, as well as the high level of land fragmentation. In this paper, we used PlanetScope imagery at a 3 m spatial resolution over the Hainan arecanut planting area to investigate the high-precision extraction of the arecanut planting distribution based on feature space optimization. First, spectral and textural feature variables were selected to form the initial feature space, followed by the implementation of the random forest algorithm to optimize the feature space. Arecanut planting area extraction models based on the support vector machine (SVM), BP neural network (BPNN), and random forest (RF) classification algorithms were then constructed. The overall classification accuracies of the SVM, BPNN, and RF models optimized by the RF features were determined as 74.82%, 83.67%, and 88.30%, with Kappa coefficients of 0.680, 0.795, and 0.853, respectively. The RF model with optimized features exhibited the highest overall classification accuracy and kappa coefficient. The overall accuracy of the SVM, BPNN, and RF models following feature optimization was improved by 3.90%, 7.77%, and 7.45%, respectively, compared with the corresponding unoptimized classification model. The kappa coefficient also improved. The results demonstrate the ability of PlanetScope satellite imagery to extract the planting distribution of arecanut. Furthermore, the RF is proven to effectively optimize the initial feature space, composed of spectral and textural feature variables, further improving the extraction accuracy of the arecanut planting distribution. This work can act as a theoretical and technical reference for the agricultural and forestry industries.
Combining QTL Mapping and Gene Expression Analysis to Elucidate the Genetic Control of ‘Crumbly’ Fruit in Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)
Authors: Scolari Luca M. , Hancock Robert D. , Hedley Pete E. , Morris Jenny , Smith Kay , Graham Julie
Published: April 2021

‘Crumbly’ fruit is a developmental disorder in raspberry that results in malformed and unsaleable fruits. For the first time, we define two distinct crumbly phenotypes as part of this work. A consistent crumbly fruit phenotype affecting the majority of fruits every season, which we refer to as crumbly fruit disorder (CFD) and a second phenotype where symptoms vary across seasons as malformed fruit disorder (MFD). Here, segregation of crumbly fruit of the MFD phenotype was examined in a full-sib family and three QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) were identified on a high density GbS (Genotype by Sequencing) linkage map. This included a new QTL and more accurate location of two previously identified QTLs. A microarray experiment using normal and crumbly fruit at three different developmental stages identified several genes that were differentially expressed between the crumbly and non-crumbly phenotypes within the three QTL. Analysis of gene function highlighted the importance of processes that compromise ovule fertilization as triggers of crumbly fruit. These candidate genes provided insights regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the genetic control of crumbly fruit in red raspberry. This study will contribute to new breeding strategies and diagnostics through the selection of molecular markers associated with the crumbly trait.
Allometric Individual Leaf Area Estimation in Chrysanthemum
Authors: Fanourakis Dimitrios , Kazakos Filippos , Nektarios Panayiotis A.
Published: April 2021

A model for estimating the area of individual leaves (LA) by employing their dimensions was developed for chrysanthemum. Further hypotheses were tested: (a) LA estimation is improved by considering blade length (Lb) rather than leaf length (L), and (b) a reasonable LA estimation can be attainable by considering L in conjunction to a shape trait, which is cultivar dependent. For the model development, six cultivars were employed (1500 leaves in total), while for model validation, an independent set of nine cultivars was utilized (1125 leaves in total). Several characteristics were digitally assessed in fully expanded leaves which included petiole length, leaf L, width (W), perimeter, shape traits (aspect ratio, circularity, roundness, solidity), together with LA. LA estimation was more accurate by considering both L and W, as compared to a single dimension. A linear model, employing the product of L by W as independent variable, provided the most accurate LA estimation (R2 = 0.84). The model validation indicated a highly significant correlation between computed and measured LA (R2 = 0.88). Replacing L by Lb reasonably predicted LA (R2 = 0.832) but at some expense of accuracy. Contrary to expectation, considering L (or W) and a cultivar-specific shape trait generally led to poor LA estimations.
Date of Planting and Nitrogen Management for Winter Malt Barley Production in the Northeast, USA
Authors: Siller Arthur , Hashemi Masoud , Wise Caroline , Smychkovich Alexandra , Darby Heather
Published: April 2021

There is an increasing market for locally grown malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the Northeast US. Malting barley must meet certain quality standards for acceptability in the brewing market. Up-to-date recommendations are needed regionally for adaptation to ongoing climate change. A two-year field experiment was conducted to assess the interactive influence of three dates of planting (5 September, 15 September, and 25 September), two levels of fall N (0 or 28 kg ha−1), and three levels of spring N (28, 50.5, and 73 kg ha−1). No significant difference was detected in grain yield amongst the treatments. The date of planting and fall N application mainly affected crop growth while spring N impacted grain quality. Delayed planting led to better winter survival and reduced lodging and foliar disease. Fall N application reduced winter survival for the early September planting but had minimal other agronomic impacts. An increased spring N application rate increased grain protein and lowered falling number, but there were no treatment differences in other quality parameters. Results indicated that late September planting, application of no fall N, and moderate spring N (28 kg ha−1) resulted in the highest agronomic N efficiency and grain quality for malting barley in Northeast.
Physicochemical Characterization and Functional Potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Phaseolus coccineus L. Landrace Green Beans
Authors: Aquino-Bolaños Elia Nora , Garzón-García Alma Karina , Alba-Jiménez Jimena Esther , Chávez-Servia José Luis , Vera-Guzmán Araceli Minerva , Carrillo-Rodríguez José Cruz , Santos-Basurto Manuel Alberto
Published: April 2021

The green bean is an important crop worldwide, because it is rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds that provide it with important functional properties; however, the composition of many landraces is still unknown. The purpose of this project was to characterize Phaselus vulgaris and coccineus L. landrace green beans on pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total sugars, color parameters, total phenols, monomeric anthocyanins, and in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP). Regarding the content of total sugars, differences were registered between both species, as opposed to results observed in total soluble solids. Color parameters showed higher reddish tones for P. vulgaris landraces, though P. coccineus had a higher total phenolic content, especially the reddish landraces, which correlated directly to a higher antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP. In the protein content, the species P. vulgaris registered the highest content. These results could contribute to a greater use and even promote the genetic improvement of the outstanding pods that serve as one of the main food products in rural regions for higher benefits.
Multi-Scale Evaluation on Two Locations and Digital Fruit Imaging Highlight Morpho-Agronomic Performances and Antioxidant Properties in Chilli Pepper Hybrids
Authors: Tripodi Pasquale , Schiavi Massimo , Lo Scalzo Roberto
Published: April 2021

Chilli pepper is a vegetable crop widely consumed mostly as fresh food or dried as a spice. The nutritional contribution due to the presence of beneficial healthy-related compounds and the versatility of uses have increased its cultivation over the last decade. In Southern European countries chilli production uses established cultivars and/or landraces that are well adapted to specific environments but do not often meet the requirements of the industry, particularly for packaging and processing. In this study, 10 commercial hybrids were evaluated in two diverse environment sites for their productivity and the content of phytochemicals including, carotenoids, capsaicinoids, ascorbic acid and tocopherols. Fruits were assessed using automated tools for the analysis of size, shape and colour parameters. The pepper materials were promising in terms of productivity, whereas a lower level of capsaicinoids and ascorbic acid were detected. Genotype by environment analysis indicated minimal environmental influence on yield, fruit shape, and capsaicinoids. The integration of different sources of phenomics data demonstrates how breeding activities of hybrids have focused on yield and morphology rather than quality linked to phytochemicals content.