This study proposed a comprehensive theoretical model by integrating additional variables into the theory of reasoned action (TRA) to understand consumer intention in adopting mobile shopping. Consistent with past literature, TRA served as a good predictive model in understanding the mobile shopping adoption among people of Vietnam. By integrating perceptions of promotion and barrier factors, the study increased the strength of TRA from 19% to 61% in terms of explaining the intention of Vietnamese consumers in adopting mobile shopping. The promotion factors taken into account in building this framework were attitude, norm, self-efficacy, and trust, which showed positive influence on mobile shopping adoption behavior. Perceived risk and cost are among the barriers that holds consumer back from using mobile technologies when shopping. Overall, the outcome of this study is beneficial for business managers and marketers to understand customer drive and concerns and better cater their mobile business strategies and investments.
[the_background] =>
Platforms such as Amazon.com and ebay have altered the way people shopping for almost 3 decades by bringing it online. In recent years, mobile shopping has become a trend mainly due to the mobile technology advancement and convenience. With that, many researchers have looked into the adoption of this mode of shopping through the lenses of technological driving factors which are mostly centered in developed countries. In developing countries like Vietnam, the technological infrastructure for electronic and mobile shopping are yet to mature up to the extend. Moreover, there are a number of cultural norms that comes into play when consumers consider adopting mobile shopping. Therefore, this study aims to explore and understand how and why Vietnamese consumers decide to use mobile shopping. Hopefully, these findings could contribute to the structuring of appropriate strategies that supports mobile shopping services either from the business perspective or policymaking.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The penetration rate of e-commerce in developing countries can be said as slow due to multiple factors, mainly in terms of infrastructure availability. Unlike developed countries, cultural norms and lack of awareness or understanding towards digital platforms can be a huge deal-breaker when consumers in developing countries consider adopting mobile app based services such as mobile shopping or even mobile banking, telehealth and online learning. Hence, the proposed framework in this study allows business owners and policymakers to better understand consumer concerns. This, as intended in UNSDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, promotes the development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
For the first time, this study provides a closer look on how the board governance quality (BGQ) mechanism of financial institutions can impact the risk disclosure compliance (RDC) in Uganda. The evidence collected from financial statement analysis and surveys showed that the overall RDC level in Ugandan financial institutions is low, thus, suggesting a weak BGQ in place. Among the factors identified to have a strong influence on RDC levels in the financial institutions are ownership type, firm size, and board size. In order to enhance the transparency levels in these institutions, especially in terms of risk communication, governance board activity, independence, communication, and expertise should be improved. The findings of this study could serve as a useful guideline for policymakers to improve risk information regulation and quality in the given country.
[the_background] =>
Transparency in disclosing risk information has huge implications, one of which is allowing investors to assess market returns and risk profiles prior to making essential financial decisions. Having said that, there are limited literature available that provides a clearer picture of such risk information management practices in developing countries like Uganda. Furthermore, an analysis on the Ugandan RDC suggested poor compliances with several of the country’s main governance board of the financial institutions. Therefore, this study aims to understand the BGQ mechanisms of Ugandan financial institutions in influencing RDC so that the policymakers could improve the existing board governance framework and policy structure.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In the chase towards sustainable finance, there are a number of indicators and standards to follow, such as ESG, SDG, Green Finance, etc. To fulfil these indicators, bank and financial institutions are required to develop and implement new frameworks and regulations. In addition, it is even more crucial for financial institutions to practice transparency when communicating risks and complying to the set rules. Therefore, in line with the notion of developing an effective, accountable and transparent institutions as suggested in UNSDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, policymakers of developing countries could utilize the findings of this study to enhance respective financial institutions and governance board quality.
This research provides better knowledge of the unique dynamic structure of the Japanese manufacturing industry by looking at the production structure and industrial policies. When the dynamic production structure is analyzed using the adjustment cost approach, it is proved that the adjustment coefficients for labor and capital are very low, about 0.2% annually only. Such is the consequence of lifetime employment contract and slow and carefully considered investment decision making. The results of the research also emphasized the influence of time horizon on short term output supply and factor demand elasticities, thus, urging policymakers to consider it as a factor to assess policy impacts accurately.
[the_background] =>
Japanese manufacturing industry, known for its continuous and relentless transformation, attracted the attention of many industrial leaders. Their unique practices in perfecting their products over the long haul includes a distinguished employment term and cautious investment strategy. Nevertheless, the industrial policies drafted by the government are also drivers of the manufacturing industry growth. Since there is lack of literature evidence on the implications of these practices, this study aims to explain the production structure and manufacturing investment patterns of the Japanese industry as well as the policies that complement the practices.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
One of the targets of the 8th United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal is to achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors. In Japan, the manufacturing industry is among the capital- and skilled labor-intensive sectors which has constantly gone through transformation to cope with economic setbacks and evolution. In order to continue such growth and to improve the decision-making process of the industrial owners as well as the government, it is crucial for the findings of this research to be considered. With that, better employment and investment efforts could be adopted. Apart from that, other countries could also learn the best practices to improve their respective manufacturing industries and economic productivity.
[article_url] => https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JABES-12-2019-0123/full/html
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-12-2019-012
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[publication_title] => Dynamic factor demand in the Japanese manufacturing industry
[journal_title] => Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies
[publisher] => Emerald Publishing
[year] => February 2020
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[post_date] => 2021-05-02 19:14:47
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[post_title] => Tax Reformation and Stock Market Index Volatility
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[researchers_name] => HARON, Razali
[researchers_position] => IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
[researchers_photo] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GST-3.png
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[researchers_name_2] => AYOJIMI, Salami Mansurat
[researchers_position_2] => Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
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[original_article_reference] =>
[research_footprints] => consumer price index; producer price index; European Union; federal fund rate; future market; Schwarz information criterion; arbitrage pricing theory; nonfarm payroll employment; unemployment rate; Akaike information; criterion; GARCH; market volatility; Federal Open Market Committee
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/gst-4.png
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study analyzed the impact of fiscal reform initiatives on stock market volatility throughout the pre-, during, and post-announcement processes. By taking the scenario of Good and Service Tax (GST) implementation announced by the Malaysian government in 2014, the study proved that macroeconomic news announcement increases market volatility. This is especially true during and after the announcement of GST implementation; thus, contradicting past literature that scheduled macroeconomic news reduces market volatility. In other terms, it shows that the Malaysian government’s effort on educating its people through GST awareness programs was inefficient in preparing its people for the change. The attempt to understand the effect of GST on Malaysian stock index return volatility while controlling factors such as PPI, CPI, and UNEMPR, to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, is novel and contributes significantly to the existing literature on market volatility triggers.
[the_background] =>
As Malaysians can recall, the announcement of a 6 percent GST tax to be imposed for about 1200 selected items took the nation by surprise and triggered a stream of public debates, concerns, and uncertainties. A major shift in buying behaviors for items such as cars, furniture, and electrical appliances was noticed following the announcement period before the implementation. At the same time, the Malaysian government has been actively introducing GST awareness programs to educate the public on the tax implementation implications. Following such unsettling event, this research intends to understand how the market would react to the shocks and concerns revolving around this new tax reform. By understanding the expectation of the market, the government and policymakers could make better decisions when it comes to planning the nation’s tax reform.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
A recent article by EY (2020) quotes that “a comprehensive and well-thought-out tax reform can help a nation boost its economy which growing its tax revenue in the long run.” The OECD report on Tax and Economic Growth stated that the effects of tax levels and tax structures on agents’ economic behavior are likely to be reflected in overall living standards. Therefore, the findings of this study provide insights on public reactions towards tax reforms and their impact on market volatility which would benefit the government in future fiscal reform initiatives, as well as to understand the people’s pain point. In extension, this contributes to the efforts in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth as envisioned in UNSDG 8: Decent work and economic growth.
[article_url] => https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JABES-06-2018-0027/full/html
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-06-2018-0027
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[publication_title] => The impact of GST implementation on the Malaysian stock market index volatility: An empirical approach
[journal_title] => Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies
[publisher] => Emerald Publishing
[year] => December 2018
[subject] => Business; Economics; Finance
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[post_date] => 2021-05-02 18:35:39
[post_date_gmt] => 2021-05-02 10:35:39
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[post_title] => Direct Measure on Information Asymmetry and Its Influence on Firm Capital Structure Decisions
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[researchers_name] => WONGCHOTI, Udomsak
[researchers_position] => School of Economics and Finance, Massey University, New Zealand
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[researchers_name_2] => WU, Fei
[researchers_position_2] => LLC Program Academic Director, Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, China
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[research_footprints] => explanatory power; debt ratio; asymmetric information; pecking order; debt financing; transition period; order theory; state-owned enterprises; capital structure; liquidity ratio; information asymmetry
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/asymmetry-2.png
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[the_novelty] =>
This microstructure-based study provides firm evidence that there is a positive association between information asymmetry of firms and new debt issuances on the direct prediction of the pecking order theory in the Chinese stock market during the non-tradable shares (NTS) Reform period. The higher the misalignment between firm management knowledge and investor awareness, the higher the levels of debt usage. The variation in debt usage among Chinese firms during the NTS Reform period (2005-2007) also proves that financial markets do play a significant role on real economic activity. Thus, the findings agree to the traditional pecking order theory and signify that asymmetric information issue in the capital market should be taken into consideration by corporate managers.
[the_background] =>
In corporate finance, the pecking order theory reflects the effect of informational disadvantage on cost of financing. Following the NTS Reform in China between 2005 and 2007, the capital market has been increasingly subjected to information asymmetry problems. The impact of such scenario on a firm’s capital structure decisions is hardly known as there is lack of a direct measure on information asymmetry. Thus, this study employs microstructure research techniques to detect the degree of influence information asymmetry has on the new debt issuances in China, and its consistency with the traditional pecking order theory.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The 8th United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal, Decent Work and Economic Growth, aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. The positive relation between information asymmetry and debt issuance as proved in this study during the NTS Reform period would benefit corporate managers and policymakers in making deciding fiscal reform initiatives. The new microstructure research techniques used could potentially be used for more capital market studies which traditionally lacked direct testing tools.
[article_url] => https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JABES-04-2018-0006/full/html
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-04-2018-0006
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[publication_title] => Does information asymmetry lead to higher debt financing? Evidence from China during the NTS Reform period
[journal_title] => Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies
[publisher] => Emerald Publishing
[year] => May 2018
[subject] => Business; Economics; Finance
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[post_date] => 2021-05-02 13:50:32
[post_date_gmt] => 2021-05-02 05:50:32
[post_content] =>
[post_title] => Factors Influence CSR Transparency in Developing Countries
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[researchers_name] => SALEHI, Mahdi
[researchers_position] => Department of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
[researchers_photo] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Empirical-.png
[researchers_profile] => https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mahdi-Salehi-2
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[researchers_name_2] => TARIGHI, Hossein
[researchers_position_2] => Department of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Attar Institute of Higher Education, Iran
[researchers_photo_2] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Empirical-2.png
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[research_footprints] => variance inflation factor; Tehran Stock Exchange; audit risk; financial leverage; corporate social responsibility
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Empirical-6.png
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study reflects upon some key factors affecting corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) practices of Iranian companies and the influence of varying levels of CSRD on audit risk. Among the key factors investigated based on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) list are firm size, financial leverage, profitability, firm age, and industry nature. According to the findings, the nature of the industry, firm size, and age could significantly influence companies' level of transparency in disclosing their CSR efforts, while financial leverage and profitability are the least of concern in this regard. Furthermore, companies are found to face higher audit risk when they are more open about their CSR practices.
[the_background] =>
Growingly, businesses are required to fulfill their social responsibilities through numerous CSR efforts and be transparent about it. By providing evidence of social and environmental responsibility practices, investors and other stakeholders are aware of the country’s economic sanctions to allow them to make informed decisions. CSRD, specifically on environmental disclosure, in annual reports are common practice among developed countries. However, there is close to no information available in the context of the Iranian market. Literature proved that there are a number of factors influencing companies’ decision to be transparent in terms of CSRD; in fact, managers are even seen to use it as an opportunity to address financial strains. Therefore, this study intends to provide policymakers with valuable information to align their monitoring efforts with auditors and corporations to enforce social obedience.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts are indicators of corporate contributions to society's well-being, mostly out of goodwill. It has also been used as an attraction for foreign investors. Other outcomes of a company investing in CSR practices are to create wealth, employment and innovation, and improve market competitiveness through branding and customer loyalty. Therefore, this study's findings prove beneficial to investors, auditors, corporates, and policymakers of developing countries to re-evaluate their CSR practices and transparency in reporting to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. (SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth)
[article_url] => https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JABES-06-2018-0028/full/html
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[publication_title] => Empirical study on the effective factors of social responsibility disclosure of Iranian companies
[journal_title] => Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies
[publisher] => Emerald Publishing
[year] => December 2018
[subject] => Economics
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[post_date] => 2021-04-25 16:06:15
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[post_title] => Factors Influencing Foreign Investment in Developing Countries
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[researchers_name] => ASIAMAH, Michael
[researchers_position] => School of Economics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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[researchers_profile] => https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael-Asiamah-2
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[researchers_name_2] => OFORI. Daniel
[researchers_position_2] => Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
[researchers_photo_2] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/FDI2.png
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[original_article_reference] =>
[research_footprints] => Sub-Saharan Africa; exchange rate; ordinary least square; cointegration; economy; electricity production; economic growth; foreign direct investment; interest rate; determinants; gigawatt hours; akaike information criterion
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/fdi6.png
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
With regards to Ghana’s goal of becoming a higher-income earning country, this study explored the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and macroeconomic variables. Based on the 1990-2015 data set analysis, it was found that GDP, electricity production, and telephone subscriptions positively impacted the FDI of the country for both short- and long-term growth, while inflation, interest rate, and exchange rate had the opposite effect. As a result, these findings led to the proposal of a number of policy recommendations for the government of Ghana to consider to improve its FDI inflows: 1-Need for exchange rate targeting strategy; 2-Ensure the maintenance of low inflationary rate; 3-Expand telephone subscriptions; 4-Expand electricity production through collaborative efforts; 5-Reduce interest rate by financial institutions; 6-Increase country’s per capita GDP.
[the_background] =>
In comparison to Eastern European and Asian markets, the African countries receive the least funds from bilateral and multilateral lending institutions. Moreover, debt services are viewed as a massive burden for African governments, thus, constraining the capacity to provide quality social services for the citizens. By looking into the determinants of FDI inflows, this study aims to provide the policymakers, investors, banking institutes, and even the public with functional strategies to boost the economy. In extension, this study also intends to be used as a reference to raise the living standards and provide improved social protection for the people of Ghana.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The primary goal of the United Nations is to reduce poverty and accelerate human development in developing countries, which has been made quite clear through its 1st Sustainable Development Goal: No Poverty. To do so, significant capital investment is required, and FDI behaves as an essential medium for capital inflows for many developing countries. By understanding the determining factors of FDI inflows, appropriate and strategic measures can be taken to improve the economic status of the country, creating more job opportunities, and eventually reducing the poverty rate of its people.
[article_url] => https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JABES-08-2018-0057/full/html
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-08-2018-0057
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[publication_title] => Analysis of the determinants of foreign direct investment in Ghana
[journal_title] => Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies
[publisher] => Emerald Publishing
[year] => January 2019
[subject] => Business; Economics; Finance
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[post_title] => Examining the Issue of High Current Account Deficit (CAD) of India from Various Perspectives
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[researchers_name] => BEHERA, Harendra Kumar
[researchers_position] => Department of Economics and Policy Research, Reserve Bank of India, India
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[researchers_profile] => https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harendra-Behera
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[researchers_name_2] => YADAV, Inder Sekhar
[researchers_position_2] => Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
[researchers_photo_2] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cad5.png
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[original_article_reference] =>
[research_footprints] => unit root; cointegration; terms of trade; likelihood ratio; current account deficit; twin deficit; Reserve Bank of India; capital flow; trade openness; consumer price index; fiscal deficit; current account balance
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[video] =>
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The outcome of this study suggests that the widening of CAD is due to a fall in household financial savings and corporate investments. Also, it is found that a large part of India’s CAD has been financed by FDI and portfolio investments which are partly replaced by short-term volatile flows. The unit root and cointegration tests indicated a sustainable current account for India. Further, econometric analysis revealed that India’s current account is driven by the fiscal deficit, trade growth, inflation, real deposit rate, trade openness, relative income growth, and the age dependency factor.
[the_background] =>
The central goal of a country’s macroeconomic policy is to achieve a simultaneous balance between internal and external sectors. Maintaining internal balance requires keeping inflation low and stable, and potential output or unemployment rate at desired levels. It is also important that the current account balance (CAB) (especially CAD) be kept at a sustainable level to achieve the external balance. However, CAD is neither an explicit policy variable such as money supply or fiscal position, nor an ultimate policy target like output growth, inflation, or unemployment rate. But, CAD is often viewed by policymakers as a necessary “intermediate target” that reflects the stance of a country’s macroeconomic policies and doubles as a source of information about the behavior of economic agents. Also, with a rising working-age and skilled population, India should focus more on high-value product exports than low-value manufactured items. Furthermore, it is important to correct fiscal deficit on the structural side as it is one of the essential factors contributing to large CAD.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
India’s CAD has widened in the last few years mainly because of the rise in gold and oil imports and increased investment income payments in conjunction with fall in investment income receipts, despite a large comfort provided by the services sector and private remittances. Given the large demand in India, it isn't easy to control import growth. Thus, policymakers should focus on achieving phenomenal export growth to maintain a sustainable current account. With a rising working-age and skilled population, India could focus more on high-value product exports than low-value manufactured items. All in all, this study aligns well with the financial targets of UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, especially in terms of encouraging and promoting effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships
[article_url] => https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JABES-11-2018-0089/full/html
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-11-2018-0089
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[publication_title] => Explaining India’s current account deficit: a time series perspective
[journal_title] => Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies
[publisher] => Emerald Publishing
[year] => March 2019
[subject] => Business; Economics; Finance
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[post_date] => 2021-04-25 14:50:10
[post_date_gmt] => 2021-04-25 06:50:10
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[post_title] => Ecotourism: How to be Customer’s No. 1 Choice?
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[researchers_name] => NGOC THUY, Vo Thi
[researchers_position] => Faculty of Business Administration, University of Economics and Law, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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[researchers_name_2] => PHUONG THAO, Hoang Doan
[researchers_position_2] => Faculty of Business Administration, University of Economics and Law, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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[research_footprints] => categorization; customer satisfaction; service quality; ecotourism; satisfaction; exploratory factor analysis; international tourism
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ecotourism4.png
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study proposed a new model for the ecotourism service quality index by modifying the existing models to include price-quality inference and experiential attributes. The findings suggested four additional dimensions, namely price-quality, interaction with locals, interaction with other customers, and sense of relaxation, to be taken into consideration when measuring service quality. In addition, it was highlighted that the influence of these service quality attributes on customer satisfaction can be categorized into four groups: one-dimensional, must-be, attractive, and indifferent. Hence, this new model promises to provide a highly satisfactory ecotourism experience by encouraging eco-site management to design and deliver services by integrating the identified factors and attributes. With that said, the study also emphasized that a customer’s lack of satisfaction does not equate to dissatisfaction; instead, the services could be improved for a better experience. Although this study focused on Vietnamese tourists, the findings could be useful to understand the source of satisfaction for ecotourists across the world.
[the_background] =>
Ecotourism is considered as the opportunity to experience and appreciate nature, local customs, and culture. Broadly, it encompasses natural tourism, cultural tourism, soft tourism, discoverable tourism, adventurous tourism, and responsible tourism. In this context, the two most commonly used service quality indicators are SERVQUAL and ECOSERV. These indicators paid more attention to factors like physical facilities and equipment and local recreational activities, with little emphasis on gauging the motivation and experience of ecotourists. Therefore, this study aims to incorporate new dimensions of service quality and attributes to better measure customer satisfaction. Ultimately, the findings are to be used to develop a new comprehensive model for ecotourism service quality measurement.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Ecotourism is a sub-component of sustainable tourism and is perceived as a potentially effective tool for sustainable development to be included in economic development and conservation strategies. Following the 2018 UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report, a growing awareness of climate change has been observed, and people are becoming more environmentally conscious. A 2020 survey even showed that one in ten (69%) travelers worldwide believe that green travel is important. With that being the case, eco-site management should ensure a better customer experience to keep the ecotourism industry flourishing. Such efforts would include strengthening protection and safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage through sustainable development planning, as proposed by UNSDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
This study spearheads the analysis on the impacts of cryptocurrencies on money, legal perspective, economic perspective, and Sharia perspectives. From the perspective of money, the findings suggest that selected cryptocurrencies are readily accepted as payment and become an alternative in this current internet-fuelled global market. However, some countries have issued a ban on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies due to bypassing central bank authorities. From an economic perspective, this paper analyses whether cryptocurrencies will fulfill the characteristic of a successful currency. In general, Sharia scholars have two different opinions. The first group argues that cryptocurrency is prohibited by Islamic Law (haram). Another group believes that it is permissible in Islamic Law (halal). Furthermore, this study also considers the opportunities and risks of cryptocurrency that may happen.
[the_background] =>
As mentioned above, being invented by using cryptography techniques and using distributed ledger has made cryptocurrency a popular alternative as a medium of exchange due to its safety, transparency, and cost-effectiveness. But its main feature cannot be separated from the activities of users who use cryptocurrency for their illegal transactions. Since the cryptocurrency is bypassing the central authority, it is not admitted as a legal tender. The following are some opportunities and risks of cryptocurrency:
1. Opportunities:
- strengthening global financial efficiency by reducing transaction and costs by facilitating peer-to-peer exchange;
- in the long term, the technologies have the potential in deepening financial inclusion by offering secure and low-cost payment options; and
- the implications can affect financial market infrastructures for the secure, accurate, and fast settlement transaction process.
2. Risks:
- misused for illegal activities;
- risky for financial stability because it is not backed with any assets; and
- lack of consumer protection because there are no central authorities behind it.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Cryptocurrency is a digital currency based on a peer-to-peer payment system managed by open-source software and characterized by lower transaction costs, greater security and scalability than fiat money, and no need for a central bank. This makes cryptocurrencies not only a truly independent archive of records, a virtual ledger, but also one of the safest and the most reliable data transportation systems available today. Despite criticisms about illegal uses and social consequences, it is attracting the interest of the scientific community. This work aims to define and evaluate the current trends of the literature concerned with the sustainability of cryptocurrency, considering the environmental impacts, social issues, and economic aspects. All in all, this study aligns well with UN Sustainable Development Goals 17: Partnerships for the Goals, especially in funding gap in fast and innovative ways by providing transparency and accountability without the need for costly intermediaries.
In order to enhance the key performance of a liquid-based detector used in the studies of particle and nuclear physics, this study has proposed a development which considered the impact of a liquid flow and non-uniformity on the detector’s accuracy. The development was based on geometry description markup language (GDML) and a tessellated detector description to share the detector geometry information between computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software and detector simulation software. The feasibility of this method was shown in a simulation with a non-uniform medium and with a deviation in the event of a vertex reconstruction. By applying it to analyze other dynamic geometry-related problems in particle and nuclear physics, its potential and performance could be further explored as well as optimized.
[the_background] =>
A large-scale liquid-based detector is an essential tool being utilized in particle and nuclear physics experiments, especially in neutrino experiments and dark matters studies. To fulfil the requirements of the studies, liquid-based detectors with larger size have been designed. As the size increases significantly, maintaining the uniformity in the liquid will be a challenge which directly affects the performance of the detector. Furthermore, the uniformity of the optical properties (e.g. refractive index) of the liquid also depends mainly on the liquid flow in the detector. To consider the implication of the liquid flow and non-uniformity on the performance of the detector, this study has proposed a development to exchange the detector geometry information between different software programs. The output of this study sets a milestone in the design of liquid-based detectors.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The new development and improvement of liquid-based detectors has contributed to a series of experimental and theoretical studies to assess the astrophysical- and geo-neutrinos. Neutrinos are one of the most abundant particles in the universe. They have very little interaction with matter and that explains they are incredibly difficult to detect. This development is a major step towards the study of neutrinos and dark matter, an innovation that potentially spins-off many other industrial and infrastructure applications (UNSDG 9: Industries, Innovation & Infrastructure).
This study provides insights on the development of unique craniofacial structures and taste buds of Amur catfish from a molecular perspective. By observing lab-grown catfish embryos, a number of signaling molecules were identified to influence the formation of catfish-specific morphology. The findings elaborate in exhaustive details on the roles of SHH and FGF8 as regulators for the development of craniofacial sensory structures in Amur catfish. Since these signaling molecules are common among all vertebrates, knowledge on the expression and regulation could be beneficial to understand the evolutionary novelty in catfish species as well as other fishes.
[the_background] =>
There are over 3730 living species of catfishes distributed across almost every saltwater and freshwater sources. Its unique morphologies include enlarged jaws with movable barbels and taste buds covering the entire body surface. These characteristics serve as a crucial evolutionary measure in their rapid diversification to survive in the freshwater ecosystem. With that said, little is known about the developmental processes and molecular mechanisms responsible of these characteristics. Therefore, this study uses comparative and experimental research models to comprehend the developmental processes between different species of catfish and identify the genes responsible for its unique morphology.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Aquaculture or fish farming are considered to be a more sustainable approach to meet the global demand for seafood. Catfish farming has been recognized as one of the easiest and most flexible business due to the high resilience and prolific nature of this freshwater fish. By understanding the fundamentals of the catfish development morphology, researchers could work alongside decision-makers and aquaculture practitioners to implement science-based management plans to restore fish stokes in the shortest time feasible for maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics. Essentially, such expansion of this study aligns well with the visions of UN SDG 14: Life Below Water, where scientific knowledge is leveraged to improve the sustainable management of marine resources.
The redescription of R. coronifer is a significant contribution in the tardigrade taxonomy, as it opens an array of hope for the exploration of species diversity. Recently, the species has become a popular model organism in physiological studies on cryptobiosis. Out of 13 analyzed populations, 8 were potentially identified as new species, thus, demonstrating that there is hidden species diversity within the genus Richtersius. The outdated and incomplete original description may now be replaced with detailed morphological and molecular data. To avoid future misidentifications and prevent taxonomic obstacles, it is strongly recommended that the new species in the genus be described by means of integrative taxonomy.
[the_background] =>
In the past, the limited availability of analytical tools along with the assumption that tardigrade species exhibit morphological variability led to underestimations of the species diversity. Many older species which were considered to have global distributions are now recognised as complexes of species comprising morphologically very similar taxa, possibly each with a limited geographic range. Out-dated descriptions and the lack of material for the type taxa are obstacles to species descriptions within a given group, such as the R. coronifer. The modern redescription of R. coronifer will allow for a correct identification of populations used as laboratory models.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Global diversity is losing its thrill due to human activities. Taxonomy provides fundamental understanding about the components of biodiversity which is necessary for effective decision-making about conservation and sustainable use. According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, misidentifications of a taxonomy can lead to many harmful outcomes. Therefore, it demands for crucial attention. The sustainable development goals are the blueprint towards a sustainable future, and this article shows Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, in terms of dealing and handling tools and data related to the taxonomical field.
The research article presents the handover performance metrics of video transmissions over a network-side known as Proxy Mobile IPv6. Data transmission undergoes horizontal and vertical handover while a user is on the move, for example, Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi and 3G or 4G → Wi-Fi network. Through network simulation software, the research compared the handover performance metrics of three different protocols by extracting information on handover latency, jitter, cumulative measured, and peak signal-noise ratio. The simulation data analysis notes that an optimal overall handover performance of video transmission requires a fast network connection prior to moving or relocating. The data and interpretation of this research would be useful for the enhancement of future telecommunication tools.
[the_background] =>
Have you ever noticed, as you switch from Wi-Fi network to mobile data or vice versa, the video you are streaming becomes distorted and pixelated for a few seconds before returning to the original quality? That is an example of handover performance. Among the major drawbacks experienced by users during video transmission are the prolonged latency or delay and quality of services in the flow of handover process caused by the network switching. The primary aim of this research is to provide handover data essential for the formulation, stimulation, and evaluation of mobility management protocols. Based on the performance metrics provided, the process of handover and quality of service could be improved, especially for mobile phones.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The increased usage of data has created a high demand for data quality. The mobile and wireless communication industries are constantly working on providing innovative solutions to smoothen the data transmission and improve the user experience when switching networks on their portable devices. In this case, the data article analyzed a potential protocol for a more seamless user experience, contributing to the realization of Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. By providing information essential to improve the quality of wireless network services, further exploration of these data could facilitate the development of transformative digital infrastructure, such as 5G systems.
[article_url] => https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340919310911?via%3Dihub
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2019.104736
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[publication_title] => Data of vertical and horizontal handover on video transmission in Proxy Mobile IPv6
[journal_title] => Data in Brief
[publisher] => Elsevier
[year] => December 2019
[subject] => Computing and Informatics
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[post_date] => 2021-03-17 14:27:54
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[post_title] => Wired and Wireless Convergence Significantly Reduces Cost of 5G Roll-out
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[researchers_name] => YUSOFF, Zulfadzli
[researchers_position] => Faculty of Engineering, Multimedia University, Malaysia
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[researchers_profile] => https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zulfadzli-Yusoff
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[researchers_name_2] => DAHAWI, Taha Hussein
[researchers_position_2] => Department of Engineering, Multimedia University, Malaysia
[researchers_photo_2] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/taha.png
[researchers_profile_2] => https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Taha-Dahawi
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[research_footprints] => error vector magnitude; orthogonal frequency division multiplexing; band stop filter; capital expenditure; multiple-input multiple-output; digital signal processing; local oscillator; polarization division multiplexing; digital-to-analog conversion; passive optical network; fast Fourier transform; optical line terminal; optical network units; radio over fiber; optical amplifier; millimeter wave; cyclic prefix; bit error rate; remote radio heads; intermediate frequency; optical distribution network; access network; subcarrier multiplexing
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[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study combined wireless and fiber technologies to develop a simple new low-cost network architecture to support 5G network applications. The integration of radio over fiber (RoF) and passive optical network (PON) provided an affordable 5G network application, while the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technique, when associated with RoF-PON integration, improved the resource-utilization of PON system. The single-sideband frequency translation (SSB-FT) convergence technique resulted in a high spectrally efficient approach, significantly reducing the complexity of the architecture. The reuse of a remote optical local oscillator (LO) to downconvert the millimeter-wave (MMW) at the receiver further reduced the network design cost, potentially saving substantial capital expenditure. Thus, it is evident that this novel network design adopted integration to overcome the limitations of existing network technology to prepare for future 5G network requirements.
[the_background] =>
Terms such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G mobile networks are products of the rapid transformation of the communication system. Part of the expectations towards future 5G technology is improved capacity, low latency, user-friendly, and sync across multiple devices seamlessly. Designing a network that fulfills all demands using the conventional approach is costly and complicated. Therefore, this study adopted an innovative approach by integrating wireless and wired signal transmission over the RoF-PON network to develop a simplistic, cost-effective, and highly reliable solution.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
5G technology and smart networks are recognized as powerful tools for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Undeniably, this transformative development will shape the future of mobile networks and information and communication technology. To date, one of the major obstacles faced in the implementation of 5G mobile network is the need for high investment to construct the network. The low-cost and high-capacity next-generation mobile network proposed by this study provides means to support the upcoming development. Thus, contributing to the realization of UNSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by promoting an upgrade to infrastructure and technological capabilities through innovation.
This study spearheads the investigation on the impacts of financial development on environment, social, and governance (ESG) performance in Asia. A comprehensive assessment was conducted on 42 Asian countries to determine the relationship between different financial system segments and national ESG performances. The finding of the study indicates that the development of financial institutions and financial markets is vital for nations to pursue ESG goals in Asia. From the policymaking point of view, the study suggests the outlining of a standard ESG governance framework in the marketplace as a requirement for countries to support ESG goals. Therefore, governments need to maintain adequate monitoring and governance systems to ensure the functioning and development of the financial system.
[the_background] =>
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) serve as a set of standards used by companies and countries to screen for potential investment opportunities. The ESG frameworks have also been seen by companies and countries as means to achieving sustainable development. Based on past studies, the development of the finance system has the potential to mitigate environmental degradation by funding green initiatives, promote social welfare via strong economic growth, and stimulate firm corporate governance to protect investors’ interest. With that said, there is still lack of evidence which suggests the link between financial development and ESG performance in the Asian context. Apart from filling the knowledge gap mentioned, this study also aims to use a more reliable indicator of financial development compared to the conventional indexes such as stock market capitalization, bank credits, etc. The proposed financial development index would cover both the financial institutions and the financial markets.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
A large part of Asia is made up of developing and underdeveloped countries. The findings of this study will be useful to strengthen resource mobilization to improve the ESG performance. ESG based investment decisions are directed toward long-term value creation to explore market potential, fulfil societal demands, and implement policy action for a sustainable and inclusive economic growth and well-being. In that sense, financial development plays a prominent role in allocating capitals for sustainable investments, encouraging managerial monitoring to bridge information asymmetries, and facilitating ESG-related risks and opportunities identification and management. All in all, this study aligns well with the financial targets of UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, especially in terms of resource mobilization.
The fifth-generation wireless network, 5G, promises to refine cellular network technologies by improving the speed of data transfer, reduce network congestions, and ensure seamless transfer of calls from one cell to another. In an attempt to enhance network handover (HO) performance, this study proposed a novel distributed auto-tuning optimization (ATO) algorithm that automatically tunes handover control parameters (HCPs) on the basis of user speed and received signal. The simulation of the proposed algorithm showcased an improvement in the overall system performance by over 80% when compared with other existing algorithms. The improvement includes reduced number of frequent HOs and HO failure (HOF) ratio, lower call drop rate, and reduced HO delay and interruption time during user mobility. Thus, assuring a more efficient and effective mobility management in 4.5G and 5G heterogenous networks (Hetnets).
[the_background] =>
Hetnet is a network connecting mobile devices with different operating systems. Rapid digitalization and increased reliance on the internet have resulted in the proliferation of broadband services, crowding the network traffic with too many channels to navigate through. The need to frequently switch between network cells has led to signal distortions, causing major inconvenience for the users. In order to address such mobility-related network disruption, this study proposed an intelligent network handover algorithm for LTE-A and 5G Hetnets. The study aims to use the proposed algorithm to replace the traditional, manual channel switching mechanism to ensure better overall network performance of future wireless communication technology.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The UN predicts that 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. Smart cities are entering a new phase of Smart City 2.0 by integrating AI as well as Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into services. This transformation requires efficient transition of data with lower delay when communication networks are of concern. The outcome of this study is capable of improving existing information and communication technology to be more efficient and affordable. This would contribute to the realization of UNSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, where a significant increase in internet accessibility and connectivity could be achieved.
Digital learning has become the norm, and students require a specific set of skills to cope with it. This study proves that having structured self-management learning strategies enhanced digital literacy competencies among higher education students when performing digital learning tasks. When turned into a habit, these students are closer to becoming better lifelong learners. Based on a comprehensive analysis, three domains of self-management learning strategies were identified to influence digital learning efficiency, that is, metacognitive knowledge, resource management, and motivational belief. Contrary to some of the past literature, this study showed no positive relationship between cognitive engagement and digital literacy. Such in-depth understanding of learning strategies and their impact on digital skill mastery can improve the digital learning experience of students and prepare them to face future uncertainties.
[the_background] =>
Are you optimistic or skeptical about digital learning? As the pandemic abruptly forced schools, colleges, and universities to close down, it accelerated the digital transformation of education, particularly higher education. This new paradigm makes it crucial for graduates to equip themselves with digital learning best practices to help repurpose their career in case of need and solve work-related problems remotely and effectively. Taking such needs into account, this study aims to examine self-management learning strategies pivotal to improving digital learning attitudes and practices of university students. With a self-driven attitude, especially when learning in a digital setting, students are more likely to adopt sustainable lifelong learning.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The social repercussion of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital disruption, is visible in education and the global workforce. This study believes that higher education transformation is essential to address the challenges and uncertainties of the new paradigm. One way to strive is to equip graduates with the ability to deal with new technological opportunities. Likewise, the United Nations’ 4th Sustainable Development Goal, quality education, also emphasizes the need to provide the younger generation with relevant skills to secure employment and encourage entrepreneurship. Thus, the findings of this study would be useful for students and educators to structure learning habits and tasks in line with promoting skills of the future, digital literacy.
To better understand the dental plates of Harriotta raleighana (Rhinochimeridae, a type of long-nosed fish), this study discovered that the dental plates are made entirely of dentine tissue (mostly trabecular dentine). It was found that the arrangement of the hypermineralized dentine within the dental plate enabled the dentition of Harriotta to function without teeth. Throughout the study, dried specimens of Harriotta were examined and characterized using optical microscope and X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT). The non-replacing dentition is renewed by constant trabecular dentine growth, framing the initial ovoids and tritors within a shell of outer dentine. All hard tissues are continuously replaced deep to the functional oral surface, with unmineralized spaces pre-forming in the trabecular dentine prior to ovoid and tritor dentine deposition in them. In terms of mineralization, calcium density profiles and concentrations of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium ions reveal extreme differences in the level and type of mineralization. Early mineralization in ovoids and tritors has very high levels of magnesium. This was followed by a sudden increase in mineralization to high total mineral content. On the other hand, there was a gradual change of mineral in trabecular dentine in which its level remained low
[the_background] =>
Holocephalans (a taxon of cartilaginous fish in the class Chondrichthyes) have ovoids and tritors as their primary dentition. An ovoid is a rounded protrusion of the dental plate. A tritor is a slightly raised and rounded elevation of the dental plate. Before this study was conducted, there was limited work published to discuss in detail: 1) how holocephalans develop and maintain functional dentitions without the teeth that characterize other chondrichthyans such as sharks, skates, and rays; 2) how is this constantly growing dentition structured (statodont, all elements retained within the dentition rather than shed and lost) and how are the tissues continuously replaced; 3) how different types of dentine in these plates, including hypermineralized dentine, are arranged, and how this is renewed aborally; and 4) how the anatomy of the functional surface is dependent on the developmental growth and arrangement of dentine. Thus, this study was conducted to fill up the literature gap. The technique adopted in this study can be applied to other fishes to further expand the literature, which might provide new perspectives and research directions relevant to the organisms.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The UN highlights that over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. This implies that the marine life forms playa crucial role in keeping the ecosystems balanced for the sustainability of the earth and humans. Hence, the knowledge imparted from this research is vital to help humans know more about marine life forms. Since the UN aims to increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity, and transfer marine technology, this study is a step forward in achieving SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Intrigued by the feeding behavior of insects, this study concludes that a blowfly has distinct compartments in the olfactory system that react to different scents. Such observation was only possible due to the novel glomerular map of Phormia regina (blowfly) constructed in this study through a histochemical method using an anti-pERK antibody. As a result, the glomeruli activated in response to odors and the appetite-triggers were identified. The study on the brain activity of blowfly showed that glomeruli DA13 responds to D-limonene (nonappetitive odor) via antennae while glomeruli MxB1 responds to 1-octen-3-ol (appetitive odor) via maxillary palp. Since the experimental design of this study has been useful in determining the odor information transmission mechanism of blowflies, it could also be used to further explore the factors and appetite patterns of other insects.
[the_background] =>
Phormia regina, commonly known as blowflies, feed on nectar and serve as excellent pollinators. Scientists have always been in awe of the ability of this species as well as other insects in selecting nutritious substances to consume while successfully avoiding toxic substances. Extensive research has been carried out on insect feeding patterns based on the gustatory system, a taste-driven sensory system. However, very little information connects the sense of smell to the appetite of blowflies. As an extension of the previous study, the author of this study aims to understand and connect the olfactory system to the feeding motivation of P. regina species. Through this study, the author also seeks to link the stimuli generated through the sense of smell with the gustatory response and identify the parts in the brain responsible for such response.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Insects can serve as either pests or pollinators, but the large majority treats them as pests, especially when it comes to agriculture and farming. A catastrophe like a locust attack is a nightmare for many farmers, and so is selling insect-infested or aesthetically unpleasing produce, which has led to immense usage of pesticides and insecticides. The Food and Agriculture Organization has deliberately come up with a list to guide the users on the types of substances to protect the interest of the producers and the consumers. As mentioned in the United Nations 2nd Sustainable Development Goal, agricultural productivity must be protected and enhanced if zero hunger is to be achieved. Thus, understanding the insects’ feeding behavior and its mechanism would allow agriculture to flourish through effective insect repellent measures.
This study reports the latest developments of X-ray imaging methodology and new applications of the X-ray imaging and biomedical application beamline (BL13W1) in the past 5 years in the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). By equipping it with several sets of X-ray imaging detectors of different pixel sizes (0.19 – 24 m), the beamline (photon energy range of 8–72.5 keV) can realize X-ray micro-computed tomography (X-ray micro-CT) and X-ray in-line phase-contrast imaging. Based on these two basic methods, several x-ray imaging methods and image processing techniques were developed. Firstly, in vivo dynamic micro-CT experiments with living insects were successfully conducted in 0.5 s (sampling rate of 2 Hz, 2 tomograms/s) with a monochromatic beam and 40 ms (sampling rate of 25 Hz, 25 tomograms/s) with a white beam. Next, move contrast X-ray imaging (MCXI) was developed whereby the blood flow and moving tissues in raw images became distinguishable. Furthermore, the attempt to use X-ray speckle-tracking imaging with twice exposures to eliminate the edge enhancement effect was successfully developed. A high-precision quantification method via X-ray micro-CT to measure complex three-dimensional (3D) blood vessels was also developed. Besides, there was the development of an X-ray nano-CT with 100 nm spatial resolution too. By combining the X-ray micro-CT imaging method with other contrast mechanisms, three-dimensional X-ray diffraction (3DXRD) microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering CT (SAXS-CT), and X-ray fluorescence CT (XFCT) were developed. These x-ray imaging methods and image processing techniques have been proven to bring the studies of material science, biomedicine, paleontology, physics, chemistry, and environmental science to a whole new level. With continuous research and development, it is clear that more experimental methods and techniques will be developed and provided to users to achieve more high-level applications.
[the_background] =>
With rapid technological advancement, there is a demand for research and development sectors to keep expanding and evolving. As a result, researchers are constantly setting up facilities, developing new research methodologies, and exploring new applications of existing equipment. X-ray was discovered more than a century ago. With an in-depth understanding of its properties, new applications could be derived by including additional features or integrating different tools. This study has reported that, within five years, multiples X-ray imaging methodologies and applications have been newly developed at the SSRF. Up to this point, the development has managed to benefit research in various fields, including material science, biomedicine, paleontology, physics, chemistry, and environmental science. Thus, more advanced studies can be conducted to enhance the technology with further improvement and innovation in developing X-ray imaging methods and techniques.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Innovation and technological progress are key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges. Hence, scientific research and development play a crucial role in advancing technology and developing new methods to benefit our everyday routines. The X-ray imaging methodologies and techniques reported by this study have proven their respective potential in various fields of study. Since one of the United Nations’ main interests is to enhance scientific research, this study sets the path to realizing the objectives of UNSDG 9: Industries, Innovation & Infrastructure.
As an attempt to facilitate the expansion of the field of nuclear and particle physics, this study constructed a Compact Spectrometer for Heavy Ion Experiment (CSHINE). The CSHINE consists of silicon strip detector (SSD) telescopes and large-area parallel plate avalanche counters (PPAC), which measure the light charged particles and fission fragments, respectively. When CSHINE was mounted and operated in the 30 MeV/u 40Ar + 197Au reaction, hydrogen and helium isotopes can be identified by analyzing the data obtained from the SSD telescopes. Moreover, the Hanbury Brown−Twiss (HBT) correlation functions of light-charged particles could be constructed from the data retrieved. These results eventually contributed to the measurement of isospin chronology. By utilizing CSHINE, more quantitative studies on the reaction dynamics and thermodynamics of nuclear matter produced in heavy ion collisions can be carried in the future.
[the_background] =>
An isospin is a quantum number to differentiate to neutron and proton. In nuclear physics, isospin dynamics are very important for understanding the effect of nuclear symmetry energy in heavy ion collisions. Hence, it is necessary to investigate the emission time of light-charged particles with different N/Z values (neutron-proton ratio) from the reactions. While the measurement reveals the isospin chronology, it also requires high-resolution determination of both the position and energy to reconstruct the HBT correlation function, which must be done before the isospin-dependent emission time constant can be derived. In order to achieve that, position-sensitive detectors with high granularity, high energy resolution and particle identification, for example, SSDs, are needed. Using the SSD telescopes in CSHINE, the correlation functions of different particle pairs can be measured to extract the emission time constant and emission hierarchy of the species. Based on the output so far, CSHINE showed high potential in facilitating experimental studies of the collision dynamics and nuclear equation of state in heavy ion reactions at Fermi energies.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
It is agreeable that both economic and environmental challenges can be overcome with progressive innovation and technologies. To ensure such progression is possible, equipment and tools must be developed and upgraded regularly to support scientific research efficiently. The design, construction, and applications of the CSHINE reported by this study have shown its importance in studying nuclear and particle physics. Thus, this study contributes to the materialization of UNSDG 9: Industries, Innovation & Infrastructure, in which one of the goal’s main targets is to enhance scientific research.
[article_url] => https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41365-020-00842-2
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-020-00842-2
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[publication_title] => CSHINE for studies of HBT correlation in heavy ion reactions
[journal_title] => Nuclear Science and Techniques
[publisher] => Springer Nature
[year] => January 2021
[subject] => engineering; nuclear physics; nuclear technology; Applied Physics
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[post_date] => 2021-03-11 10:47:02
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[post_title] => Revolutionizing the Field of Nuclear Energy with Newly Developed White Neutron Source
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[researchers_name] => TANG, Jingyu
[researchers_position] => Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
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[research_footprints] => spallation neutron source; energy spectrum; proton beam; data acquisition system; China Institute of Atomic Energy; China Spallation Neutron Source
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[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
As part of an effort to come up with world-class neutron sources, this research has successfully built a white neutron beam facility known as the Back-n at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). A consortium of five institutions was formed to support the design and construction of the beamline and experimental setups. The Back-n neutron beam has a high intensity of approximately 2 × 107 n/cm2/s at 55 m away from its target with a wide energy spectrum spanning from 0.5 eV to 200 MeV. Along with good time resolution related to the time-of-flight measurements, the Back-n neutron beam serves as a useful tool in nuclear data measurements, irradiation tests, detectors calibration, as well as neutron imaging and element analysis.
[the_background] =>
In China, nuclear energy is a crucial component in the development of future energy resources. Therefore, studies on advanced nuclear energy technologies have been receiving attention and firm support. There are high demands for an enhanced nuclear database in which nuclear data measurements with neutrons are fundamental. This project, which focuses on designing and constructing a state-of-the-art white neutron beam facility at CSNS, mainly intends to contribute to the advancement of nuclear energy technologies. Since commissioning, this facility has been proven to deliver a high-reliability performance and is able to conduct high-precision experiments. By mastering advanced experimental methods and exploring new techniques, the Chinese domestic chances of growing nuclear energy technologies within a shorter time frame increase immensely.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the United Nations, energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, to overcome this, there is a need to develop an energy source that yields higher power efficiency with minimal waste. The groundbreaking output of this research will be facilitating a significant number of studies related to nuclear energy. In line with the UN’s vision, which is to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030, the outcome of this study has the potential to bring China a step closer to realizing the 7th Sustainable Development Goal – affordable and clean energy.
This highlight is a summary of the paper High diversity in species, reproductive modes and distribution within the Paramacrobiotus richtersi complex (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotidae), from Zoological Letters, January 2019, BMC.
In order to clarify the relationships of various populations of Paramacrobiotus richtersi (a species of tardigrade), this study has identified four new tardigrade species (i.e., Paramacrobiotus arduus sp. n., Paramacrobiotus celsus sp. n., Paramacrobiotus depressus sp. n., and Paramacrobiotus spatialis sp. n.) and two Unconfirmed Candidate Species (UCS) within the P. richtersi complex. On top of that, it has also redescribed two species (i.e., Paramacrobiotus richtersi and Paramacrobiotus fairbanksi). P. fairbanksi (asexual) displayed a wider distribution (found in Italy, Spain, Poland and Alaska) compared to P. richtersi (sexual) due to their different method of reproduction, which affects the dispersal potential. Samples in the type locality in Ireland and in several Italian localities containing animals morphologically similar to P. richtersi were collected. These specimens were investigated with an integrative approach, i.e., studying morphology, karyology, reproductive biology, and DNA sequences. A similar technique can be applied to clarify the diversity of other species to establish a more in-depth understanding of various microorganisms.
[the_background] =>
Paramacrobiotus richtersi was reported to consist of populations with different chromosome numbers and reproductive modes. Hence, an updated and precise description of P. richtersi is needed to understand the taxonomy of the richtersi group and to better define the genus Paramacrobiotus. Therefore, this study took the initiative to investigate and clarify the relationships among different populations by adopting an integrative approach that involved studies of the samples from multiple aspects. This combined approach has been proven to be useful for detecting an unexpectedly high species diversity characterized by a complex of very similar species like P. richtersi. By applying this approach, scientists stand a higher chance of identifying different species under a complex of other microorganisms.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
UN emphasizes that innovation and technological progress are key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges. This implies that scientific research and development are crucial to catching up with innovation and technology. The research methodology adopted by this study has shown great potential in taxonomy study. Since one of the UN’s main interests is to enhance scientific research, this study sets the path to realizing the objectives of UNSDG 9: Industries, Innovation & Infrastructure.
An in-depth understanding of the circadian clock of any animal or insect species would provide great insights into how these organisms function in terms of feeding or mating behavior, active or inactive phases, etc. By identifying biological markers or genes involved in controlling such functions, a fair comparison among different species could be made. With that, studies like this would aid in the planning and development process to not interfere with the daily activity of the insects crucial to an ecological and economic activity like pollination. Conversely, such knowledge could also be used to control or eradicate invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems. Therefore, this study could undoubtedly contribute to realizing the United Nations’ 15th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Life on land.
In general, the daily behavioral or physiological rhythms of insects are very much dependent on the circadian clock. Several clock genes, such as period (per), timeless (tim), Clock (Clk), and cycle (cyc), have been identified to play essential parts in regulating the circadian rhythms of insects. Extensive studies on the fruit fly (Drosophila) have proven the role of cwo in regulating the expression of the other clock genes. However, little is known of its influence on other insects. Therefore, this study aims to determine the role of cwo in the circadian clock of crickets and enrich the literature on the physiology of insects.
This study on the biological clock of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus is the first to prove the influence of clockwork orange (cwo) gene in insect circadian rhythms other than that of fruit flies. A comprehensive analysis of the RNA-sequencing data revealed that the cwo of crickets is a clock gene of the bHLH-ORANGE family rhythmically expressed in the part of the brain that is related to the vision (optic lobes). Such finding agrees with the previously established literature on the biological clock of insects being light-sensitive and controlled by the expression of period (per) and timeless (tim) genes. It was also evident that the cwo rhythmic expression peaks specifically in the middle of the night under a light/dark (LD) cycle. Among the methods used to observe the influence of cwo on the circadian rhythm of crickets was the gene-knockdown approach via RNA interference (RNAi). As a whole, the findings of this study are crucial to understanding the active and inactive phases of insects and the biological markers influencing such behaviors.
Studies on the environmental factors influencing animal behavior are crucial to maintain and improve ecological sustainability. The knowledge generated from this particular study could potentially influence the regulations on nutrient pollution or wastewater discharge into water sources to maintain the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. Hence, contributing to the realization of UN SDG 14: Life below water by providing scientific evidence highlighting the adverse environmental impacts. On the contrary, the evidence on planarian feeding and reproduction behavior would serve as a guideline to optimize research methodologies when studying its regenerative ability, by extension, contributing to UN SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, mainly on scientific research development.
The free-living flatworm (planarian Dugesia japonica) are commonly found in clear freshwaters, such as rivers and lakes. Its unique physiology makes it quite susceptible to toxins and pollutants in the aquatic environment; thus, making it a prime choice for the study of aquatic ecology and toxicology. Besides, the regenerative ability of these planarians makes them favorable laboratory specimens. Hence, past literature has extensively explored the ionic compositions of culture mediums suitable for planarian growth. However, how the ion concentration of the aquatic environment inhabited by the planarian affects its neural regulation remained unclear. Therefore, this study intends to explore the concentration-dependency of planarians in the natural aquatic environment. As a result, the findings would be beneficial to the feeding and breeding behavior of this species and its impact on the environment.
This study on free-living flatworm (Dugesia japonica) provided evidence that the concentration of ions in the environmental water affects its feeding behavior. It is identified that, to a certain extent, this phenomenon also influences its breeding pattern and population size. When compared between laboratory breeding waters and other natural sources, the findings show that calcium ion concentration significantly affects the free-living flatworms’ sensitivity of responsiveness to food. In this study, it is found that calcium ions in the environmental water activate the chemosensory neurons distributed in the body surface of the organism, not the brain neurons. These observations could be closely tied to the historical origin of the species where it once inhabited a calcium-ion rich environment. Noticeably, an improved food intake stimulated by the increase in calcium ion concentration also increases the reproduction rate of these flatworms. Due to its predatory nature, such increases could lead to devastating ecological impacts if the ionic composition of water sources is not kept in check.
This study lays out the details of the complex 3D structural development of the treehopper helmets through a series of experimental observations. The observations were conducted using micro-CT, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and paraffin sections on the treehopper species called Antianthe expansa, which possesses a roof-shaped helmet. The key developmental stage for the treehopper helmet formation is identified as the formation of the miniature taking place during the final instar nymph. Typically, the formation of the 3D helmet involves two prominent structural transitions. Firstly, the monolayer epithelial sheets fold into a miniature helmet, signifying the bi-layer structure formation. This transition is also said to be identical to the development of insect wings. Next, the miniature helmet expands to form the macro- and micro-furrows, which indicates the growth in helmet size. Ultimately, these features serve as a defense mechanism and camouflage tool for the treehoppers.
[the_background] =>
The 3D helmets of treehoppers come in different shapes and styles, and it is usually visible as the final instar nymphs shed their exoskeleton to become adults. The transformation from simple to complex helmet structure within a short period intrigued many researchers. As a result, past literature has provided evidence of the two-stage structural transition occurring during this period. However, there are still uncertainties to the actual development of the structure. Therefore, this study aims to map out the development trajectory of the 3D helmet structure of the treehoppers.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Studies on the structural development of insects, especially the evolution of the wings and horns, have led to a number of useful technological or architectural innovations. Similarly, the transition of the 3D helmet structure of treehopper through the folding-and-extension model observed in this study could inspire future innovations. Cross-application of such knowledge in terms of upgrading existing infrastructure and technological capabilities would certainly benefit society. Thus, contributing to the realization of UN SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure through the integration of nature, science, and community.
Clockwise-coiled (dextral) and counterclockwise-coiled (sinistral) snails are reversed in bilateral asymmetry as well as in coiling direction. The classical model of maternal inheritance, resulting from a maternal effect of the dextral or sinistral allele with complete dominance at a nuclear locus, predicts that a mother produces either dextral or sinistral offspring but not both. This led to a belief that the reversed phenotype represents mutation of the wild-type allele to the other for the opposite handedness. However, a mutant of a dextral land snail Bradybaena similaris generates both dextral and sinistral progeny instead of sinistrals only. This study discovered that this racemism results from a defect in maternal expression of one of the diaph gene duplicates encoding diaphanous related formins, with no causative mutation in the gene itself. This provides a crucial basis for identification of a gene that allows for handedness determination by controling diaph expression.
[the_background] =>
Most multicellular animals (Bilateria) possesses left-right polarity in body architechture. They are externally symmetric but internally asymmetric, for example in visceral structure. No reversal in this handedness is found between species, except in snails. Fertilized eggs of dextral and sinistral snails develop in reverse depending on a maternal substance present in egg cytoplasm. It has accordingly been believed that sibling eggs produced by the same mother could develop to be either dextral or sinistral. This study was conducted to identify a mechanism that is responsible for an extraordinary feature of producing both dextral and sinistral progeny against the classical model of genetics and development of snail handedness.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
This study resolves fundamental questions on the genetic diversity and mechanism of body archtecture evolution. The outcome thus provides a comprehensive knowledge basis that critically contributes to realization of both SDG 14: Life below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land focusing on the agenda to protect and restore sustainable biodiversity in marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The discovery of an Ice Age (Pleistocene) right whale fossil (NTUM-VP 190807) reported in this study provides the first evidence of biotic interchange between two hemispheres. Such distribution dynamics are hypothesized to be the result of glacial and interglacial periods during the Ice Age. The fossil was initially recovered by the fishermen from the shallow sea bed of the Taiwan Strait during the trawling operations. Based on the morphology, the specimen is said to match that of the Eubalaena spp. Looking at the region the specimen was found, the species most likely existed on the southern margin of the western North Pacific during the glacial period, or it might have existed during the interglaciation as an extra-limital occurrence. Currently, the specimen dredged is broadly dated to the Middle to Late Ice Age; however, further research is required for clarification due to the lack of existing evidence to date the exact age of fossils. Future research should focus on uncovering more fossils of the Ice Age to deepen the evolutionary knowledge of past biodiversity that is the key to deciphering the origin of present biodiversity.
[the_background] =>
The right whales (Eubalaena spp.) are widely known as antitropical species largely inhabiting the temperate waters in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Yet, some of its existence has been traced closer to the Equator. The discovery and documentation of the fossil (NTUM-VP 190807) is substantial to fill the literature gap on Eubalaena in terms of morphology, geographical distribution, migration pattern, and precise age dating. Even though lack of proper evidence of geological dating of specimens retrieved from the Taiwan Straits, this discovery sheds new light on the great biotic interchange between two hemispheres. It should also pave the way for revealing more untold and uncertain evolutionary histories and ecological interactions in the Ice Age.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
By understanding the marine megafaunal evolution such as the right whales’ (reaching 18 m long), insights into the evolution of the ecological system and its service would be enriched. To a large extent, this improved knowledge would be essential to future policymaking and conservatory efforts in regards to the marine ecology, meeting the objectives of the 14th UN Sustainable Development Goal, Life below water. Similarly, this study on the geographical distribution of the marine megafauna could potentially shed some light on the climate change effect of the past. Thus, coinciding with the drafting of efforts to tackle climate change issues of the present to achieve the targets of the 13th UN Sustainable Development Goal, Climate Action.
This study reports the first successful artificial insemination in oarfish (Regalecus russelii) using eggs and sperms from a dead pair of matured fishes. The findings of this study also provide the first reliable development record of ray-finned fish (Lampridiformes) from the fertilization stage to the early larval stages. Based on the observation of the hatched larvae, the morphological features are identified to be similar to the previously documented features of other ray-finned fish larvae. Since the captive conditions vary significantly from the natural habitat and there is a lack of knowledge in terms of the larvae' feeding behavior, none survived past 4 days after the hatching. With that said, the progress achieved by this study in artificial insemination technique is a huge leap in the field of science. Furthermore, the data collected through the fertilization to the hatching of the oarfish larvae certainly provides valuable insights into the development of the rare species.
[the_background] =>
Oarfish, Regalecus russelii, is a rare species found in the deep seas from tropical to temperate zones. Little is known of the history and morphological features of this species. In fact, most of the currently available information is said to be inaccurate due to insufficient sampling, misidentification, and failure in preserving the specimens. This study intends to provide an accurate understanding of the fertilization mechanism and larvae development of oarfish by artificially inseminating the eggs and sperms of the dead mature male and female oarfish.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Apart from being naturally rare, studying the oarfish in its preferred natural habitat is also quite difficult. Thus, very little is known about its population, biological characteristics, feeding and mating patterns, etc. However, the findings of this study have shed some light on understanding the fertilization process and larvae morphology. This knowledge would potentially be useful in addressing marine environment degradation or fishing patterns that could harm the survival of this creature. Therefore, contributing well to the realization of the UN SDG 14: Life below water, which emphasizes the conservation and sustainable usage of the oceans and marine resources. Moreover, the successful attempt of the study in artificial insemination presents a promising future for aquaculture, indirectly contributing to the world hunger solution as envisioned in the targets of UN SDG 2: Zero hunger.
This study provides a thorough structural and pigmentation pattern analysis of the wings of the Japanese male Great Purple Emperor butterfly (Sasakia charonda). A range of optical and anatomical approaches was used, namely light and electron microscopy, imaging scatterometry, and (micro)spectrophotometry, to better understand the patterns of wing scales and their effect on the coloration. The findings showed the influence of 3-OH-kynurenine, ommochrome, and melanin pigments in determining the wing colors when present in different concentrations and locations on the wings. A comparison between the species from Japan with other subspecies found in China and Korea displayed significant variation in the wing coloration, thus indicating the influence of different habitats on the morphology of the butterflies. An in-depth understanding of the mating behavior and survival properties of S. charonda could be established by analyzing its wings' makeup and coloration. The methods used in this study, as well as the knowledge gathered, will serve as a useful reference for the study of other insect species around the world.
[the_background] =>
Sasakia charonda, also known as the Great Purple Emperor, is a widely admired butterfly species for its beautiful purple-hued wings. The colors of its wings are among the important traits used to distinguish the gender of the species, where the male displays a brilliant bluish-purple hue while the female is duller. Apart from that, insects generally rely on such aesthetics to mate and as a defense mechanism. Hence, this study aims to look at the anatomy and various pigmentation patterns of the Great Purple Emperor found in Japan and its subspecies from China and Korea more closely. The findings contribute to understanding the diversity of the wing structure and color and its influence on the species survival.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Butterflies are known for their colorfulness and are most welcomed into gardens compared to other insects. The variation in their wing patterns, their colors, and the structures that manipulate light has opened doors to inventions such as solar cell technologies among others. They can also play a significant role in ecology and economy by being pollinators of flowers and orchard crops. Therefore, a study on the structural makeup of the wings like this contributes to creative innovation and technological advancement as envisioned in the 9th United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal, which focuses on building resilient infrastructures and fostering innovation.
In an attempt to produce a comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the anatomy of tardigrades (water bears), this study managed to have the smallest whole animal imaged to-date using X-ray computed tomography (CT). The experiment was conducted using a nano-computed tomography device to image a 152 μm-long tardigrade at high resolution (200 – 270 nm pixel size). Upon visualizing the anatomy of the tardigrade in 3D, its internal structures were able to be mapped out accurately. The results allowed the direct measurement of volumes of the major structures and quantification of volume distribution of every storage cell without having to rely on geometrical approximations. With such a high-accuracy technique for volume measurement, this study proposed a future investigation to quantify the volume change of the midgut and to quantify how the volume of the ovary changes throughout the reproductive cycle.
[the_background] =>
Although the overall anatomy of tardigrades has been studied in detail for many decades, the literature lacked a comprehensive 3D visualization of the entire tardigrade anatomy, including volume measurements of individual structures. Thus, a reconstruction of such is essential to truly understand the spatial relationships of the tardigrade body structures. With the aid of a high-resolution X-ray nanoCT imaging instrument, the microscopic scale of tardigrades was no longer a hurdle to the 3D imaging process. As a result, the internal structures of the tardigrade can be examined in detail to measure their volume. The output of this study showed the increasing importance of tomographic imaging in morphological studies, especially in investigating microinvertebrates.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Computed Tomography (CT) technology has been extensively used in imaging studies of larger research animals such as dogs and nonhuman primates but hardly on micro-scaled organisms. However, this study proved otherwise through its innovative usage of high-resolution X-ray nanoCT to successfully produce a detailed 3D visualization of the entire tardigrade anatomy. Thus, the techniques and findings of this study could potentially unleash more innovations in the field of animal research (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
This research presents the findings of V50 ballistic performance and the penetration resistance of basalt-fiber laminated composites. Using threat Level II of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Standard-0101.04 as penetration velocity reference, an ideal number of layers of basalt fabric to be woven is determined. Based on the tensile test, three different combinations of ply orientations are established to provide the best tensile strength and bullet penetration resistance.
[the_background] =>
Ballistic fabrics made from high performance fibers such as para-aramid (synthetic) and basalt (natural) fibers, and composites utilizing these fabrics, are among the leading materials for soft body armor systems. Military and law enforcement operations need durable, lightweight, damage and moisture-resistant ballistic fabrics with superior energy absorbing capacity. Basalt fibers, which are extracted from igneous volcanic rocks, are natural fibers with mechanical and thermo-physical properties that are generally comparable or superior to glass and other synthetic fibers but at a lower cost. This gives basalt-based composites a performance edge over existing material systems for potential application as anti-ballistic body armor.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The demand of law enforcement protection is particularly high owing to a significant rise in crime rates and incidents of mass shooting in recent years. In line with the UN’s 16th SDG and taking into consideration the concerning rise of homicide rate, researchers are stepping in to protect the law enforcement personnel in the line of fire by working on a more cost-effective bulletproof vests with superior mechanical properties.
The wide bandgap within a zinc oxide (ZnO) compound makes it an ideal material to be used in semiconductor devices. This research provides experimental evidence of successful tailoring of oxygen vacancies in ZnO fine particles through a simple process. The spray pyrolysis technique was used to control the number of oxygen vacancies in ZnO. A correlation between the introduction of divalent and trivalent dopants into ZnO and its luminescence properties was established. The trivalent ions carry a higher rate of impurities; therefore, it is found to produce a stronger intensity of luminescence when introduced into ZnO. The results of this research also proved the possibility of altering the luminescence intensity of the compound by adjusting the light source even though under fixed oxygen vacancies.
[the_background] =>
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is easily found making up various electrical devices such as optoelectronic and spintronic devices, photovoltaic, gas sensors, photodetector, lighting displays, and many more due to its ideal chemical composition. Though commonly studied to improve the performance of semiconductors, no clear correlation has been established between the amount of oxygen vacancy and the luminescence spectra of ZnO. This research filled the gap by analyzing the luminescence properties of doped ZnO in terms of near band edge emission (NBE) and deep level emission (DLE), and the effects based on its oxygen vacancies.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
ZnO is largely regarded for its fascinating band structure and is being used in 50 to 60 percent of the industries today. Its function expands beyond semiconductors, proving its usefulness as nanoparticles as well as in the production of skin ointment and sunblock creams. The findings of this research contribute further in understanding this compound, encouraging future innovation and upgrades in the technological capabilities of industrial sectors worldwide. Hence, the research proves relevant to achieving UN SDG 9: Innovation and Infrastructure.
For the first time, this study documented that H. nusantara produces a marennine-like pigment that has almost similar traits to that of marennine pigment from H. ostrearia. Other than spectral characteristics, the effect of supernatant that contains the blue pigments (i.e., Blue Water, BW) from both species on several marine organisms and the bioactivity of BW was also investigated. By having these findings, future studies can be conducted to identify the optimal concentration of H. nusantara BW to be applied in the aquaculture field as a preventive or curative antipathogen without causing any adverse effect.
[the_background] =>
The commercial and industrial potential of microalgae has been gaining more attention in recent years. Studies have been carried out to discover their ability to synthesize secondary metabolites of interest (pigments, lipids, etc.) for biofuel, food, or pharmaceutical industry. Past studies have reported that the marennine pigment from H. ostrearia could bring advantages and also adverse effects in purified form and the form of BW. In other words, further studies are needed to connect the dots since the conclusion was difficult to be drawn based on the contradicting findings of different studies with different parameters. Besides aiming to contribute to the literature by further assessing the marennine from H. ostrearia, this study also examined the marennine-like pigment from H. nusantara as part of the effort to search for a prophylactic agent for tropical aquaculture by using a tropical species.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
As the current terrestrial resources are exhausting, it is necessary to discover alternatives to keep nature in balance. Microalgae are known to carry a certain level of commercial and industrial potential. Aligned with the UN’s target to improve ocean health and enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of a developing country like Indonesia, the findings from this study would help to achieve Goal 14: Life below water, of Sustainable Development Goals of UN.
[article_url] => https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513419305460?via%3Dihub
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2020.100389
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[publication_title] => Effect of the blue pigment produced by the tropical diatom Haslea nusantara on marine organisms from different trophic levels and its bioactivity
[journal_title] => Journal of Aquaculture Reports
[publisher] => Elsevier
[year] => July 2020
[subject] => Aquaculture; Marine Sciences
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[post_title] => Can Religion and Self-control be Used to Predict Antisocial Behaviors?
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[researchers_name] => PURWONO, Urip
[researchers_position] => Department of Psychology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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[research_footprints] => Bayesian information criterion; effortful control; muslim population; self regulation; Islam; theoretical model; religiosity; self control; antisocial behavior; self-control
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img-000-4.png
[video] =>
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Based on past research theories, this study provides an overview of the relationship between religiosity and adolescents’ self-control as well as antisocial behavior. Since most of the available literature focused heavily on the relations between religiosity and self-control among U.S. Christian populations, this study gives insights into the Muslim adolescent community. Thus, assessing the generalizability of the models relating religiosity and EC to a wider sample. Apart from that, two types of adolescent antisocial behaviors, namely problem behavior and aggressive behavior, were assessed. Furthermore, the study compared moderation and mediation models and their relative adequacy by assessing the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) values. The results indicated that the moderation models were superior to the mediation models. A negative association between both religiosity and self-control and antisocial behavior was established. However, religiosity and self-control were indeed found to be interrelated.
[the_background] =>
The relationship between religiosity and self-control has been widely discussed, and there are often contradicting perceptions of their relation. Some studies agreed that they are interrelated, while others argued that they are not. It is also found that some of the findings cannot be replicated across studies, and there is an unevenness in the results across different types of antisocial behavior. Hence, this study aims to provide additional constructs in models connecting religiosity and adjustments by exploring religiosity and self-control as predictors of antisocial behavior.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The United Nations have always been a strong advocate against violence and discrimination, especially in preserving equal rights across all religions. The rise in social unrest in recent years involving religion and culture serves as a strong indication that an in-depth understanding of the society and its principles are required to promote peace. The findings of this study could be beneficial in understanding the trigger of antisocial behaviors to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making when it comes to educating the people and policymakers. Thus, aligning well with the visions of UNSDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institution.
[article_url] => https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-27951-001
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000178
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[publication_title] => Religiosity and Effortful Control as Predictors of Antisocial Behavior in Muslim Indonesian Adolescents: Moderation and Mediation Models
[journal_title] => Journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
[publisher] => American Psychology Association
[year] => June 2018
[subject] => Psychology
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[post_date] => 2020-12-17 03:48:05
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[post_title] => Childhood Abuse History Triggers Depression in Adolescent
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[researchers_name] => DHAMAYANTI, Meita
[researchers_position] => Department of Child Health, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
[researchers_photo] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/48.jpg
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[research_footprints] => high school; sexual violence; Depression; mental health problem; Statistical Package for the Social Sciences; Adolescents; psychological violence; school student; junior high; meta analysis; Child abuse; indonesia
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img-000-3.png
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study provided evidence that a history of child abuse or another term violence against children (VAC) is associated with depression in adolescents of West Java, Indonesia. There were 5 dimensions of child abuse (VAC) history observed, namely psychological violence, exposure to violence, physical violence, neglect, and sexual abuse. Based on the outcome of this cross-sectional study, it was found that a history of psychological VAC had the highest risk of developing depression in later years. However, the other dimensions of VAC did portray significant influence in triggering depression. Therefore, it is crucial to implement early detection measures to prevent violence against children during the early years of a person and its consequences on mental health.
[the_background] =>
Depression is one of the common mental health problems observed during adolescence. If left unattended, it may cause dire consequences on themselves, their family, and even the nation. Previous studies have suggested a linkage between violence against children history and the prevalence of depression in later years. As this study proves a similarly strong correlation between the abuse history and depression in the Indonesian context, these findings could serve as a vital reference for practitioners when attending to such cases in the future.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Globally, there are more than 264 million people of all ages suffering from depression. WHO also shared that close to 800 000 people die every year from suicide as a consequence of depression, making it the 2nd leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year olds. By understanding the factors triggering depression among school-goers, and their childhood history, effective preventive measures could be implemented. This study aligns perfectly with UN SDG 3: Good health and well-being to promote mental well-being across all ages.
The findings of this study were to showcase the correlation between exposure of atmospheric pollutants called particulate matter (PM) during pre- and post-natal periods and the development of asthma. It used a comprehensive nationwide birth cohort database to evaluate the association of asthma with the PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) exposure during pregnancy and infancy in Taichung City. The results showed that the increased incidence of asthma in Taichung City was indeed associated with increased exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy and infancy. To be exact, the vulnerable time windows reported during pregnancy were weeks 6 to 22, and weeks 9 to 46 after birth. The precision of weekly vulnerable time windows observation was made possible with the usage of a novel satellite-based hybrid model used to monitor ground PM2.5 in their residential location of the study.
[the_background] =>
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors. Though the development of asthma has been associated with exposure to air pollutants during and after pregnancy, such prevalence remained unclear in the Asian context. By identifying the most vulnerable time windows for the development of asthma, this study contributed proof to the existing literature that indeed, the exposure of PM2.5 during pregnancy and infancy leads to asthmatic incidence in future. Since the direction of this study is to identify concerning risk factors on illnesses, the methodology employed could serve as a guide for future research of similar field or scale. The findings of this study are crucial in preventing and reducing the number of asthma cases not just locally but also globally. Besides, as asthma is not curable after its onset, knowing the vulnerable time windows is essential to mitigate the effect of environmental factors. Among suggestions to steer clear of the risk of developing asthma in later years are for pregnant women and children to stay indoors as well as avoid inhalation of toxicants and allergens during those periods.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
WHO estimated that approximately 300 million people are currently asthmatic, and the rising trend suggests an alarming 400 million people are to be affected by 2025. Furthermore, it is the most common chronic disease found in children, and yet it is mostly underdiagnosed and undertreated. The ultimate purpose of this study aligns perfectly with “Goal 3: Good health and well-being” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which is to prevent and reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, in this case, asthma. By identifying the harmful effects pollutants have on child health, this study could be used to emphasize the need to substantially reduce the fatality and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
This review highlights the use of more than 30 plant growth promoting (PGP) microbes as biofertilizers in agriculture. These diverse PGP microbes were categorized according to the types of nutrients supplied for plant growth, the different forms of commercial biofertilizers currently available, and their potential roles in expanding agrotechnology. As a chemical fertilizers substitute, PGP microbes' benefits goes beyond stimulating plant growth. These biofertilizers are also capable of bioremediating the surrounding ecosystem from pesticides and heavy metal pollution, increasing the nutritional values of the crops, and improving plants' abiotic stress coping mechanisms. Apart from the positive impacts on agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, the application process is both simple and inexpensive. Though promising, issues like public awareness and production beyond laboratories need to be addressed before implementing these alternative strategies widely. Therefore, future researches could further explore these issues to perfect modern agriculture.
[the_background] =>
Since the dawn of agriculture, fertilizers have been used to nourish the soil to promote crop growth and increase yield. The conventionally used chemical fertilizers, though produces the desired results in a short period, its negative impact on the environment and consumer health has driven scholars to explore safer alternatives. Lately, biofertilizers using plant growth promoting (PGP) microbes has been recognized as a promising substitute. These microbial cultures contain essential components for nutrient management without jeopardizing the soil fertility and the environment. Thus, this article provides a compilation of PGP microbes and their functions to highlight the importance of biofertilizers as well as their implementation in modern sustainable agriculture.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The continuous growth of the world population urges innovation efforts to be escalated to feed its people. With majority of the world's poor living in rural areas, agriculture becomes their central economic activity. Hence, there is a pressing need for knowledge and technological investment to both raise the incomes and increase sustainable food supply. Microbial biofertilizers are possibly the answer to eradicating hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture, as envisioned in United Nation's SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Such outcomes based on the implementation of this inexpensive modern technology in agriculture could also contribute to the realization of UNSDG 1: No Poverty via a secure food system. This eco-friendly method of nourishing the soil used for agriculture plays a huge role in reducing soil and water pollution, which has been caused by heavy usage of traditional chemical fertilizers. Thus, extending its impact to achieving the targets of SDG 6 and SDG 14 on protecting the water sources, SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production, and last but not least, SDG 15 on land use and ecosystem preservation, as reported by the OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate.
This research provides evidence that thrombin is indeed involved in triggering inflammation in human lung cells through a cascade of biological signals. The findings showed thrombin activates the Akt pathway, which led to the phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K proteins. Consequently, a complex is formed between p70S6K, p300 (coactivator) and p65, which binds to the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The activation of this NF-κB signaling pathway then induces the release of IL-8/CXCL8 in human lung epithelial cells, causing inflammation and thus confirming the critical role of mTOR and p70S6K in thrombin-induced human lung epithelial cell inflammation.
[the_background] =>
Although thrombin is commonly known for its function in blood clotting, studies have also shown that it plays an essential role in chronic lung inflammatory diseases. Previous studies have also reported that IL-8/CXCL8 (inflammatory chemokine) secretion is abundant in lung epithelial cells of asthmatic patients. However, the mechanism of thrombin stimulating the release of IL-8/CXCL8 was still unknown. Similarly, the roles of mTOR and p70S6K in the Akt pathway relating to the release of inflammatory chemokine when exposed to thrombin were also unclear. This research highlighted the pathway linking thrombin to the release of IL-8/CXCL8, in which, both mTOR and p70S6K were significantly involved. Hence, the findings provide a potential therapeutic target to treat chronic airway and lung inflammatory diseases.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
WHO reports over 339 million people are suffering from asthma globally, among which are mostly children. As of now, there isn’t any cure for it; instead, inhaled corticosteroids and appropriate management are commonly prescribed to control the progression of the disease. The research demonstrated the link between thrombin and the signaling pathways leading to lung inflammation. This could be used as a potential building ground for suitable drug development to control or even cure asthma. The significance of the findings complements the targets of the UN’s SDG 3: Good health and well-being, strengthening health research development to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases like asthma.
This study presents novel insight on the action of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), tuberculosis-causing bacteria on connective tissue growth factor (CGTF) in the lung and the signaling pathway involved leading towards pulmonary fibrosis. The pathway in which this occurs, as reported via in-vitro examination, involves the TLR2-JNK-AP-1 pathway, eventually leading to the expression of CGTF. The study also notes that the inducement of CGTF depends on time and concentration of M.tb. These promising findings open up avenues for treatment focused on inhibiting and preventing CGTF expression from causing lung fibrosis occurrence related to tuberculosis.
[the_background] =>
Pulmonary fibrosis is a known effect of tuberculosis characterized by scarring of the lung. Otherwise known as granuloma, this condition occurs over time, diminishes lung functions. Research has attributed this to the action of proinflammatory cytokine expression, a form of signaling protein activated via toll-like receptors (TLR), specifically TLR-2 and fibroblasts, a vital connective tissue cell where human tissue remodeling is a concern. CGTF is responsible for regulating production of the cell's skeletal component, the extracellular matrix (ECM), airway repair, and lung fibrosis progression via its key role in mediating these fibroblasts. Evidenced by animal model studies, excessive CGTF was found to be present in tissue fibrosis. The cell signaling mechanism by which CGTF is activated involves specific kinases (enzymes), such as Smad, ERK, and JNK-activator protein 1 (AP-1). Lack of understanding of how this pathway affects CGTF expression and ECM production fueled this study. This study specifies that M.tb activates a signaling cascade, beginning with TLR2 that activates JNK and c-Jun, causing AP-1 to be activated. As a result, CGTF and ECM protein fibronectin action were initiated and stimulated. This finding's significance is highly understated, given the potential of future tuberculosis intervention in inhibiting expression of CGTF while concurrently reducing lung fibrosis.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
A global report by the World Health Organization (WHO) stipulates a staggering 10 million deaths related to tuberculosis (TB). A large majority of 44% stemmed from the Southeast Asian region. United Nations member states have declared to end TB by 2030; however, tuberculosis's impact remains pressing among countries with high TB load, especially since the 2020 milestone could not be achieved. Nevertheless, novel findings and suggestions from this study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3): Good health and well-being, contributing to the target of treating 30 million people with TB preventive treatment by 2022.
In an effort to explore the characteristics of neural stem cells, this study discovered a new role of forkhead box protein C1 (FOXC1) in regulating the developmental processes in the skull and brain. The mechanism in which FOXC1 involvement was highlighted via in vitro experiments conducted on arachnoid-pia stem cells (APSCs) isolated from humans and mice. FOXC1 was found to cause direct induction of stress-inducible protein 1 (STI-1) in APSCs. Then, the STI-1 stimulates cellular prion protein (PrPC) to promote the growth and division of APSCs. Such novel insights on the newly identified APSCs secreting STI-1 bring to light alternate signaling mechanism to create neural stem cells. In vivo studies shall be carried out in the future to confirm the potential of FOXC1 in healing patients within a shorter time frame.
[the_background] =>
FOXC1 is a single exon gene encoding a 553 amino acid protein and a member of the forkhead box (FOX) family of transcription factors. The meningeal layer is membranous coverings (consist of arachnoid-pia cells) of the brain and spinal cord. FOXC1 is known to play a crucial role in regulating developmental processes, including somatic, cardiovascular and renal development. Past studies also showed that mice with FOXC1 gene mutations displayed severe brain and skull defects. Nonetheless, those observations merely highlighted the relationship between FOXC1 and the meningeal layer. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of FOXC1 in APSC proliferation and self-renewal. Understanding the mechanisms would contribute to advancing health technology, especially in developing procedures and systems for rapid healing purposes.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
WHO’s Global Initiative on Health Technologies aims to help make available the benefits of health technologies to effectively control health problems. The output of this study allows scientists to better understand how neural stem cells work. This opens up possibilities to develop technologies that treat and improve the condition of patients, especially those suffering from brain and skull defects. Therefore, this study provides foundational evidence to be further explored, ultimately contributing to the realization of UNSDG 3: Good Health & Well-being.
In attempt to establish an in-depth understanding of aging and organismal longevity, this study reported a novel signaling pathway that could extend life expectancy. The results showed that the longevity achieved in Caenorhabditis elegans (nematode worms) is largely due to the increase in histone H4 protein levels. The increase in histone H4 protein is induced by inhibiting the binding of heat shock factor binding protein 1 (HSB-1) to heat shock factor–1 (HSF-1). Consequently, the histone H4 proteins move from nucleus to mitochondrion and result in increased compaction of mitochondrial genome, subsequently inhibiting mitochondrial activity. Thus, contributing to the extension of lifespan. By leveraging the findings of this study, future research may be carried out in other multicellular organisms to explore its feasibility in terms of applications.
[the_background] =>
Multiple studies have shown that HSF-1 is actively involved in regulating the longevity of animals in non-stressed physiological conditions. It is found that the transcriptional activity of HSF-1 is inhibited by several regulatory mechanisms under normal conditions. One such negative regulator of HSF-1 is the HSB-1. Nonetheless, the longevity-promoting mechanisms of the HSB-1/HSF-1 signaling pathway remain uncertain to-date. Hence, this study investigated the signaling pathway, which also involves the crucial roles of H4. The outputs of the investigation would serve as a useful reference for future studies in longevity.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The UN estimates a global average life expectancy of 72.6 years for 2019. Would it be possible to increase it to achieve that of Japan in the future (i.e., 84.7 years for 2019)? In order to achieve that, extensive studies are needed to help researchers understand the pathways and mechanisms involved in the human lifespan and aging. The results of this study are essential to help realize UN SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being, possibly allowing the world population to age gracefully.
In order to curb obesity and diabetes, this study discovered a potential method using the CRISPR-SAM system to engineer human white adipose tissues (WAT) to exhibit the properties of brown adipose tissues (BAT). The reported findings were obtained from in vivo experiments conducted on obese mice. It was observed that, for both preventive and treatment models, the transplantation of human brown-like (HUMBLE) cells improved blood sugar regulation in mice with the aid of SNOs/nitrite activation. The unique effect of NO on BAT, when complemented with the HUMBLE cell-based therapy, could potentially be used as an alternate strategy to activate BAT by increasing NO bioactivity, in part, increasing eNOS activity in HUMBLE cells. The HUMBLE cell-based therapy suggested by this study promises a side-effect-free activation of BAT, sustainable improvement of metabolism for a prolonged period, and combat high-calorie diet-based metabolic disorders. To further solidify these findings, future experiments could focus on the effects of environmental factors, such as ambient temperature, diet, and housing condition.
[the_background] =>
In mammals, both WAT and BAT play crucial roles in systemic energy homeostasis. WAT is the main site for storing excess fuel containing unilocular lipid droplets, while BAT is specific for energy dissipation and has multilocular lipid droplets. BAT generates heat in response to cold exposure, and the activation of BAT increases energy expenditure. Meanwhile, the activity of BAT is inversely correlated with body mass index and fat mass, making BAT an appealing target for anti-obesity therapies. On the other hand, WAT is more easily reachable and manipulatable considering its abundance and location. Therefore, aiming for induced browning of WAT may hold great potential for preventing or treating obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. Even though some clinical studies have demonstrated that BAT can be activated effectively via cold exposure, therapeutic cold exposure is uncomfortable for patients. Furthermore, sympathomimetics drugs were reported to activate BAT but have unwanted cardiovascular side effects. This study was conducted to create human brown-like (HUMBLE) cells by engineering human white preadipocytes using the CRISPR genome editing approach
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to WHO, over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016. Besides that, most of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kill more people than underweight. Hence, establishing preventive and therapeutic methods to combat obesity and its complications is of great importance to the healthcare community. The output of this study provides a potential cell-based therapeutic strategy to combat obesity and metabolic syndrome. Its hand in reducing the overall health risk aids the realization of UN SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being.
In efforts to improve the current pain management approach, this study has proven that median nerve stimulation (MNS) through acupuncture needles at the PC6 acupoint (MNS-PC6) induced a pain-relieving effect. This opioid-independent pain relief strategy was tested using mice models to understand the analgesic mechanism thoroughly. The findings revealed that electrical stimulation at PC6 acupoint (MNS-PC6) released neuropeptide orexin from the hypothalamus to inhibit pain responses in mice through an endocannabinoid. This neurotransmitter then reduced the GABAergic, an inhibitory control, in the periaqueductal gray (midbrain pain control region), effectively suppressing the pain intensity. Thus, introducing an alternate pain-management strategy, especially in opioid-tolerant patients. The effectiveness of the MNS shall be further confirmed by conducting tests on other pain models, such as pain associated with cancer, arthritis, or chronic inflammation.
[the_background] =>
Despite the fact that peripheral nerve stimulation (including MNS) and acupuncture have been applied in pain relief for over fifty years and thousands of years, respectively, their mechanisms remain uncertain to-date. There were also arguments stating that the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture is just a placebo effect. Meanwhile, on top of the potential risk of drug misuse, the current painkillers are known to cause significant adverse effects and limitations. These are the reasons for the inadequate treatment of pain, especially neuropathic pain and cancer pain. Hence, this study was conducted to not only demonstrate the efficiency of MNS-PC6, but also to outline the mechanism of pain relief effect induced in detail. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the mechanism would help practitioners improve the current state of pain management.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
WHO is concerned about the opioid overdose crisis and the potential hazards of drug abuse in the name pain management. Furthermore, people in low- and middle-income countries have minimal access to medication for moderate and severe pain control. Therefore, apart from improving the well-being of patients, the results of this study in inducing pain relief effectively via a nonopioid mechanism have high potential in strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. Essentially, the findings of this study set the path to realizing the objectives of UNSDG 3: Good Health & Well-being, especially in the healthcare industry
As an effort to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, this study identified curcuminoid derivatives that are capable of binding to 3C-like protease (3CLpro) and block the activity in SARS-CoV-2. The study was conducted using computer simulations (in silico) and the compound library of Natural Products Research Laboratories (NPRL). The curcuminoid derivatives identified to have a strong binding affinity to 3C-like protease (3CLpro) include NPRL334, NPRL339, NPRL342, NPRL346, NPRL407, NPRL415, NPRL420, NPRL472, and NPRL473, among which NPRL342 showed the strongest binding affinity. By leveraging these promising results, in vitro and in vivo experiments are being carried out to verify the anti-SARS-CoV-2 viral activity of the potential compounds followed by clinical trials.
[the_background] =>
On March 23, 2020, remdesivir was designated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for compassionate use to treat COVID-19. Since remdesivir is one of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP) inhibitors, they were reported to appear nonspecific, display low potency, and cause common adverse reactions in patients. Meanwhile, Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir; a protease inhibitor) was administered to some COVID-19 patients, and health improvement was observed. This implies the potential of the main protease (3C-like protease; 3CLpro) as an essential target in COVID-19 therapy. Recently, curcumin has been demonstrated to have the ability to block the entry of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate whether 3CLpro can be a major target protein with strong binding affinities to lopinavir, curcumin, and compounds from the compound library of NPRL, via molecular docking techniques.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
As of the fourth quarter of the year 2020, the death toll of Covid-19 touches nearly 1 million worldwide, with over 30 million reported cases. Besides causing fatalities, this pandemic is severely affecting the global economy and increased the rate of unemployment. By conducting this study to discover an effective therapy for COVID-19, it contributes to the research and development of vaccines and medicines which improve the health and well-being of people (UNSDG 3).
In an attempt to improve the efficiency of the cerium doped lanthanum (III) bromide (LaBr3(Ce)) detector, this study, for the first time, showcased the decoupling activities of thallium-207, polonium-211, polonium-215, francium-223, and actinium-227. It provided a complete picture of the detector’s intrinsic background through the α- and β-decay chain. This resulted from conducting a coincidence measurement using a Clover detector to identify the internal radioactive isotopes of the Ø3”×3” Saint-Gobain B380 detector. The combination of coincidence spectra with Geant4 simulations allowed the determination of accurate lanthanum-138, bismuth-211, radon-219, radium-223, and thorium-227 activities. Therefore, the findings of this study ultimately provided insights into the radioactive contaminants present in the detector and its influences on the detection sensitivity.
[the_background] =>
The LaBr3(Ce) crystal is a new inorganic scintillator that is ideal for being widely used in environmental monitoring, oil well logging, nuclear safeguards, and medical imaging. Its superior characteristics in terms of density, light output, temperature response, and decay time make it a favorable substitute for the widely used thallium doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) when high performance is required. However, the LaBr3(Ce) detector is also known to have a relatively high intrinsic background radiation due to lanthanum-138 and actinium-227 impurities. As a result, it limits the application of this detector, especially in low-count rate experiments. Therefore, this study is crucial to understand and enhance the performance of the LaBr3(Ce) detector as well as maximize its potential across various fields.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Innovation and technological advancement are known to be the key drivers of growth, whether it involves societal, economic, or environmental well-being. By encouraging new or improved technologies through research and development, as projected in UNSDG 9: Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure, a significant influence on global resource management, international trades, economic development, etc. would be feasible. Hence, the aim of this study, which is to improve the efficiency of the LaBr3(Ce) detector, is a step towards adopting innovation to overcome the limitations of existing technologies. The findings could be used to provide important parameters when laboratory-based systems are employed under open field environment. Thus, it will improve the on-field application of the scintillating material in terms of addressing radioactive contaminations or for medical purposes.
This innovation focuses on creating energy-efficient LEDs by improving its material preparation and structure. Results indicate that the use of AlN/GaN ML significantly reduces the defect on the surface of the nitride film. In addition, the increase of AlN/GaN pairs also enhances the crystal quality by 10-20% dues to the reduction of defect density. Hence, it can be concluded that the AlN/GaN ML plays a significant role in growing improved semi-polar thin films of LEDs.
[the_background] =>
The production of LED materials has always been challenging due to defect densities, high production costs and complex production processes. This study offers a convenient, cost-effective technique of preparing (growing) better materials by significantly enhancing the surface and structure of these materials. The production of better materials for LEDs will in turn make clean energy available and affordable to everyone.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
LEDs are widely used all over the world. However, the most common material used to LEDs proved challenging to prepare due to various factors from high defect rates to high manufacturing costs. In Malaysia, these factors are reinforced by the public’s perception of no cost-benefit to migrate from common fluorescent lightings to LED. The production of energy-efficient LEDs which are also cost effective will encourage consumers to opt for the obviously better choice. This will also inevitably generate public interest on sustainable energy usage contributing to achieving the UN’s seventh Sustainable Development Goal of creating affordable and clean energy.
This study provided evidence that the oceanographic variable indeed influenced the skipjack tuna catches in eastern Indonesia. Among the oceanographic characteristics studied at the Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) locations were sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll-a (chl-a), salinity (sal), wave height (wav), wind (win), and current (cur). Furthermore, the data collected also showed that the tuna pole-and-line fishing grounds heavily depend on the deployment of the FADs in eastern Indonesia. However, further studies on the relationships between the tuna fishing and other biotic and abiotic factors are suggested to strengthen the significance of this finding.
[the_background] =>
Catch-per-trip (CPT) or catch rate plays a highly significant role in fishery management. Literature mentioned that fishing operation relying strongly on the FADs deployment to minimize the operation cost as well as time spent locating populated tuna areas. Also, the local oceanographic characteristics affects the migration patterns of tuna schools, ultimately impacting the fishing outcome. This study aims to explore the relationships between the oceanographic variables at different FAD sites and the fishing outcome. The data collected could then be used to create a more sustainable fishery development.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Based on a report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the total global marine catches reached 84.4 million tonnes in 2018. There was, in fact, a notable increase, over 6.7 million tonnes, in the marine catches in Indonesia alone. The UN has put forth intentions, in SDG 14: Life below water, to regulate the harvesting effectively, and end overfishing or destructive fishing practices by implementing research-based management plans. The results of this study could benefit the nation’s policymakers in restoring the fish stocks within a short timeframe and sustainably managing the tuna resources.
This research developed a novel multi-strain dengue mathematical model by considering the same strain reinfection probability. The outcomes were then used to understand its effects on the dengue transmission dynamics and predict potential outbreaks. A global sensitivity analysis was also conducted to determine the most influential parameters causing dengue transmission. Results suggested that same dengue strain reinfection does affect the dynamics of primary and secondary infections, and likely to be the factor causing increased secondary infection incidence. However, further validation of the model against real-world data is still needed.
[the_background] =>
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection commonly prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Generally, it is known that there are four dengue strains, and those infected by certain strains of dengue become immune to that particular strain for life. Having said that, some studies showed reinfection by the same strain is possible. Although there are existing mathematical models developed to understand dengue transmission dynamics, none of which were built to investigate the effects of reinfection with the same strain on dengue transmission behavior. By developing a mathematical model that considers such factor, this research provides new insights into dengue infection rate and predict causes of potential dengue outbreaks.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the WHO records, there are approximately 100 to 400 million dengue infections reported all over the world yearly. The drastic increase in the global incidence in recent decades threatens almost half of the world’s population. In an attempt to end dengue epidemics, this research aligns with UN SDG 3: Good health and well-being, to understand the factors influencing dengue transmission dynamics using mathematics. The findings could be expanded in the future to develop effective dengue prevention and vector control measures. Also, the proposed mathematical model could be further modified to analyze the transmission of other infectious diseases.
This research contributes to the literature in understanding the Indonesian consumer buying behavior towards the vegetable factory. The results identified 5 major factors influencing the customer purchasing decision – price, branding and packaging, product access, surface texture, and physical appearance of the vegetables. The data obtained from this research could be used for marketing purposes to promote the purchase of products from the vegetable factory. Apart from that, the practical implication of the research results serves as a guideline to develop vegetable factories in Indonesia, as well as other developing countries with strong agricultural dependency.
[the_background] =>
There is a growing demand for quality and healthy food supplies among consumers worldwide. Indonesia has also been experiencing a surge in national demand for fruits and vegetables to accommodate healthy lifestyle practice needs. The concept of vegetable factory promises to overcome the uncertainty surrounding conventional vegetable productions in terms of availability and quality. This research intends to align customer expectations and the practicality of having a vegetable factory. It also helps to gauge the readiness of customers to accept the concept of buying vegetable factory-processed products.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Food security depends strongly on the agricultural strength of the nation to maintain the well-being of its people. The UN recognized the importance of going beyond hunger when they announced the targets for SDG 2: Zero hunger to ensure access safe, nutritious and sufficient food by all people throughout the year. This research sheds some light on how the agricultural industry, especially the fruit and vegetable production, could be upscaled via a vegetable factory. It also highlights the fact that vegetable factories are independent of the external factors, like weather or diseases, which could affect its production quantity and quality. Hence, providing a practical solution to overcome food insecurity in countries more prone to natural disasters.
[article_url] => http://ijaseit.insightsociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=1&article_id=10087
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.18517/ijaseit.9.6.10087
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[publication_title] => Customer Readiness in Emerging Market towards Vegetable Factories
[journal_title] => Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
[publisher] => International Journal on Advance Science Engineering Information Technology
[year] => September 201
[subject] => Agriculture; Biological Sciences
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[post_date] => 2020-10-22 15:47:21
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[post_title] => Why Women with Breast Cancer Refuse Treatment?
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[researchers_name] => ISKANDARSYAH, Aulia
[researchers_position] => Department of Clinical Psychology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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[research_footprints] => medical help; nonadherence; breast cancer; psychosocial factor; Hasan Sadikin Hospital; World Health Organization; breast cancer awareness
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
Researchers have successfully constructed a theoretical model to describe the factors related to delayed medical help-seeking and non-compliance to treatment among Indonesian women with breast cancer. Eight major factors were identified based on this qualitative survey – lack of awareness and knowledge, cancer beliefs, treatment beliefs, financial constraints, emotional burden, severe treatment side effects, unable to communicate with healthcare providers, and unmet information needs. These psychosocial and culture-related barriers identified could be used to improve patient experience and acceptance towards acquiring continuous treatment for the disease. Some of the actionable initiatives suggested by the researchers are extensive financial support, disease and treatment awareness through media campaigns, as well as communication training for both patients and healthcare providers.
[the_background] =>
Data from past studies have shown that delayed medical help-seeking and inconsistent or refusal to receiving treatment leads to poor survival rate among breast cancer patients. To date, there are no general data available on the cancer care adherence rate among adult Indonesian women. Studies have also shown the impact of culture and belief system, illness awareness and misconceptions to be influencing factors of people’s behavior towards seeking medical attention. This study aims to explore the reasons for the delay in seeking medical help and nonadherence to treatment, specifically among Indonesian women with breast cancer. The findings serve as future intervention guidelines to increase medical attention-seeking and acceptance behavior in Indonesia.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Reports have shown that patients with cancer located only at the breast has a 99% 5-year survival rate, but if cancer has spread to distant body parts, the 5-year survival rate reduces drastically to only 27%. Hence, women with breast cancer should get diagnosed and treated as early as possible to improve their survival rate. The outcome of this research could be used to encourage breast cancer patients to seek treatment better, reducing the chances of premature mortality rate not only in Indonesia, potentially in other countries too. This fits the aim of the UN SDG3: Good health and well-being.
[article_url] => https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-01793-001
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031060
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[publication_title] => Psychosocial and cultural reasons for delay in seeking help and nonadherence to treatment in Indonesian women with breast cancer: A qualitative study
[journal_title] => Journal of Health Psychology
[publisher] => American Psychological Association
[year] => January 2013
[subject] => Clinical Psychology
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[post_title] => Whole-genome Sequencing (WGS) for TB Strain
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[researchers_name] => CHAIDIR, Lidya
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[research_footprints] => drug susceptibility testing; tuberculosis; genome sequencing; m. tuberculosis; Whole-genome sequencing; Drug resistance; Resistance mutations; mycobacterium tuberculosis; indonesia; phenotypic dst
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This pilot study used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to screen for drug resistance in different Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in the Indonesia population. The outcome of this study offers WGS as a rapid, affordable and comprehensive diagnostic tool that is also portable, improving the chances of being diagnosed and be given more appropriate treatment. It was also observed that drug-resistant TB strains are more common among those with Indo-Oceanic lineage compared to those with Euro-American and East-Asian lineages. That being said, those of East-Asian lineages are more susceptible to host multiple mutated strains. Therefore, WGS is a promising computational method used to understand the influence of genetic data and mutation consequences of all M. tuberculosis strains with drug resistance. It serves as a good starting point to improve clinical management and TB control efforts in developing countries like Indonesia.
[the_background] =>
There is a huge gap between multidrug-resistant TB incidence and treatment in Indonesia, leading to delayed detection and inappropriate treatment administration. Existing conventional methods, such as culture-based drug susceptibility testing (DST) and molecular-based DST, are tedious, time-consuming, inconsistent, and has incomplete sensitivity to determine multidrug-resistant TB. WGS is gradually gaining reputation as a reliable tool to predict drug resistance of different Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, and it is yet to be explored in high-endemic settings. This study provides the first evidential data of M. tuberculosis strains resistant to first- and second-line TB drugs in Indonesia predicted using WGS. It also examines the effectiveness of phenotypic DST when cross-referenced with WGS data of different M. tuberculosis strains.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to a 2017 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a constant increase of anti-TB drug resistance cases globally, despite increased testing. It was also reported that close to 230 000 people died of TB in that year, mostly in India and China, due to ineffective TB care/treatment. To address the global multidrug-resistant TB crisis, this study contributes evidence to scale up rapid testing and detection procedures by introducing WGS as a reliable diagnostic tool. Proper diagnosis improves effectiveness of treatment, which aligns with the visions of UN SDG 3: Good health and well-being, to end the epidemics of tuberculosis by 2030.
In an attempt to understand the agricultural waste disposal landscape of Indonesia, this study showed that the best substrate in producing ß-glucan from Saccharomyces cereviseae was papaya waste, compared to the banana waste and napa cabbage waste. The ß-glucan yielded from Saccharomyces cereviseae that be grown at the papaya waste reported to display radical scavenging activity of 20.71% and a globular diameter of 533μm. The experiment was conducted by growing S. cerevisieae on the three different organic wastes, followed by the extraction of ß-glucan from the S. cerevisieae cell walls. The positive results proved that papaya waste is a potential substrate for producing ß-glucan, in which its feasibility in various applications as a scavenger of free-radical can be further explored.
[the_background] =>
It is a norm for a large-population country like Indonesia to produce a significant tonnage of organic waste daily. Besides increasing the cost of waste disposal and causing odor, organic waste also gives rise to CO2 and CH4 when under anaerobic conditions. These gases will deplete the ozone layer, which, in turn, allows the penetration of ultraviolet rays to yield more free radicals. Hence, to overcome those issues concurrently, organic wastes such as vegetable and fruit waste can be used as a substrate to produce free radical scavenger. The local Central Bureau of Statistics had reported that the three highest amounts of vegetable and fruit wastes comprised banana waste, papaya waste, and napa cabbage waste. That was the reason for these wastes to be used in this study. These high carbohydrate substrates, which are abundant in Indonesia, are good candidates for such an effort even though they are yet to be widely studied or used globally. The findings showed that ß-glucan could be produced using these substrates. β–glucan is a soluble fiber found in the cell walls of cereals, bacteria, and fungi. Nevertheless, other than improving the yield of ß-glucan, the biological potential of ß-glucan as an antioxidant should be determined.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In Indonesia, the organic waste amounts up to 60% of total waste. If there is no effort taken to deal with this scenario, it is very likely to cause severe pollutions. Improving the environment brings about a chain effect that involves the realization of multiple UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Since the UN aims to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination by 2030, this study contributes to the realization of Goal 3: Good Health & Well-Being.
This study has successfully developed α-mangostin hydrogel film based chitosan–alginate (ChAlg/α-M HF) to be used in the therapy of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The samples were prepared using the solvent evaporation method. Other than physicochemical characterizations, computational, in vitro and mucoadhesive studies were also carried out to determine the potential of ChAlg/α-M HF as a carrier for α-mangostin (α-M). Based on the promising results, the study should be expanded to animal models in the future to determine its feasibility and efficiency.
[the_background] =>
RAS is the most common ulcerative disease in the oral mucosa (i.e., the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth) in humans. To date, there is no effective RAS therapy yet. The use of existing drugs in RAS targets to accelerate the regeneration of tissue cells. Antiseptic drugs, local anesthetics, and corticosteroids are often used for RAS therapy, but they are also known to cause harmful side effects if being used too frequently and over a long period. Meanwhile, α-mangostin (α-M) is the main compound of mangosteen peel, and it has been known as an agent for oral cavity therapy. However, α-M is difficult to be delivered directly to the site because of its insolubility in water. Thus, a carrier is needed to deliver α-M, and this study has aimed to develop a potential carrier to deliver α-M for RAS therapy.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
RAS is one of the most common oral disorders. Since there is no effective therapy for RAS yet, developing a cure for it would be a breakthrough. The outcome of this study has a high potential in synthesizing an effective cure for RAS. This would minimize the exposure to the harmful side effects caused by the drugs being used in RAS therapy. As the UN aims to support the research and development of medicines, this study contributes to the realization of Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of Sustainable Development Goals.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Endothelial replicative senescence delayed by the inhibition of MTORC1 signaling involves MicroRNA-107’ from the International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, August 2018, Elsevier.
This study investigates the role of microRNAs in premature deterioration of endothelial cells. It was proven in this study that the downregulation of the MTORC1 pathway can delay the onset of cell deterioration. The specific miRNA which is involved in the inhibition of this pathway is identified as miRNA-107. The increase in miRNA-107 expression leads to the rise of MTORC1 activities which prompts cell senescence. On the other hand, the decrease of miRNA-107 via long-term low dose rapamycin delays senescence. Thus, through further applied and translational studies, this discover could benefit global aging population by reducing risks of aging-related diseases.
[the_background] =>
By understanding the mechanism of endothelial senescence, age-related vascular diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis can also be prevented. The discovery of this study can also help in developing RNA-based therapies besides the identification of new targets in disease intervention. This is especially beneficial as age-related diseases are on the rise alongside the increasing numbers of aging population all over the world due to medical and technological advancement.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Cellular senescence can be defined as the biological aging of the cell where the cell’s functionality gradually deteriorates. Cellular senescence affects the ability of cells to divide and proliferate. Numerous studies have been done to investigate the process of aging. At the cellular level, aging can be prevented by the inhibition of MTORC1 pathway. The mechanism of this process involves microRNA which regulates cell functions. In line with UN’s third Sustainable Development Goal, an in-depth comprehension of this process can contribute in innovative strategies that can counter premature senescence aiding the aging population in preserving not just good health but also good well-being.
This study demonstrated synthetic glycans (sugar cholestanols) as promising novel anticancer agents against glioblastoma cells in both animal and human cancer cell models. For the first time, it was evidenced that these synthetic glycans could trigger not only cellular apoptosis, but also the autophagic (self-consuming) mechanism of the naturally death-resistant glioblastoma cells. This programmed cell death induced is followed by a series of continuous activation and suppression of several molecular expressions. When treated with the sugar cholestanols, there were increased expression of p53 in ser46, downregulated activation of glutamate-AMPA receptors–Akt/mTOR pathway, and decreased expression of Rho GTPases (RhoA and RhoC), all of which contributed to glioblastoma cell apoptosis and autophagy. Therefore, this synthetic glycans proved its potential as a reliable anticancer agent against this malignant brain cancer. However, further clinical experiments are still needed.
[the_background] =>
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of cancer of the central nervous system, mainly attacking the brain. The poor survival rate and ineffectiveness of existing surgical and radiation therapies urge neuroscience experts to improve the treatment for this lethal brain cancer. Previous studies on chemically synthesized glycans have shown promising anticancer properties in animal and human cancer cells of the digestive system. This study aimed to further explore the clinical potential of synthetic glycans to induce programmed cell death in human glioblastoma cells and mouse models. By understanding the biological mechanism causing the termination of glioblastoma cell growth, novel strategies and anticancer drugs could be designed to improve the prognosis.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
It is part of the vision of the United Nations, stated explicitly under its SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, to reduce premature mortality rate and support the development of drug discovery against diseases like cancer. Since the brain and other nervous system cancer is the 10th leading cause of fatality among men and women worldwide, new strategies and treatments must be developed to increase survival rates. As glycotherapy continues to inspire numerous advancements in cancer therapy, this study revealed the potential role of synthetic glycans in the fight against glioblastoma.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Melatonin attenuates TNF-α and IL-1β expression in synovial fibroblasts and diminishes cartilage degradation: Implications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis from the Journal of Pineal Research, January 2019, Wiley.
This research provided evidence that melatonin improves rheumatoid arthritis (RA) conditions when tested on the CIA mouse model. Depending on the dose administered, melatonin was able to inhibit cytokines, specifically tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β expression, which causes inflammation. This attributes to the melatonin’s ability to downregulate three different signaling pathways, mainly, PI3K/AKT, ERK, and NF-κB. Through computational prediction software, this study identified that melatonin was also capable of upregulating the miR-3150s-3p expression. The increased expression of this microRNA led to the reduction of TNF-α and IL-1β production, eventually portraying anti-inflammatory properties in RA-induced CIA mice.
[the_background] =>
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory joint disorder caused by an auto-immune condition that leads to joint destruction and disability if left untreated. The existing RA drugs in the market, though target cytokines responsible for inflammation and progression of RA, are still not beneficial to some RA patients, while many eventually experience ineffectiveness in treatment over time. A hormone called melatonin exhibited promising traits in suppressing inflammatory biological pathways, intriguing many researchers to explore its properties as potential RA treatment further. This study was able to justify the positive effects of melatonin in inhibiting cartilage degradation and bone erosion at a molecular level. Apart from that, this study also established a positive connection between a specific microRNA expression induced by melatonin and the signaling pathways causing RA progression. The outcome of this study proved that melatonin has the potential to be used as adjuvant therapy for RA treatment. However, further clinical investigations are required.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study, in 2017, approximately 20 million patients were said to be living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with an annual diagnosis of over a million new cases. WHO categorizes rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a chronic musculoskeletal disease, which could lead to immense pain, deformity, and disability. Alarmingly, if left untreated, almost 50% of the RA patients are unable to maintain employment. In alignment with Goal 3 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Good health and well-being, this study provides an opportunity to improve the healthcare services by providing adequate medical treatment for those suffering from RA. Also, this study could potentially reduce the prevalence of disability and discomfort caused by RA, thus promoting a better quality of life and mental well-being.
This highlight is a summary of the paper HLA-B27–mediated activation of TNAP phosphatase promotes pathogenic syndesmophyte formation in ankylosing spondylitis from the Journal of Clinical Investivation, November 2019, JCI.
[research_footprints] => Spliced X-box–binding Protein 1; RARBtissue-nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase; Spondylitis; Bone-specific TNAP; Human Leukocyte Antigen-B27; Ankylosing Spondylitis; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Bone Marrow; as msc
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[video] => https://www.youtube.com/embed/HwW7rcy4mPQ
[the_novelty] =>
This research reveals that human leukocyte antigen-B27 (HLA-B27) misfolding activates pathways such as p-IRE1/sXBP1/RARB/TNAP within the enthesis (ligament and bone connective tissue) that lead to the development of syndesmophyte (bone) formation in ankylosing spondylitis mesenchymal stem cells (AS MSCs). Targeting these pathways helps identify strategies to block unfavorable bone formation. The dual effect of pamidronate, which blocks mineralization and inhibits bony placement, could potentially be used in drug therapies to prevent spinal fusion and osteoporosis. A novel animal-based model that mimics the bony placement developed in this research is suggested as a more suitable platform for future drug testing. Furthermore, it is proven that serum BAP levels are potential biomarkers for the identification of high-risk AS patients predisposed to radiography progression, and TNAP inhibitors could be utilized in bony outgrowth prevention.
[the_background] =>
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease that causes the fusion of small bones in the spine resulting in a forward-hunched posture. The association of the development of AS ties closely with HLA-B27. Treatment options available currently treat inflammation but do not entirely stop unfavorable bone formation. Factors such as minimal understanding of stromal activation, limited access to drug screening, and unavailability of biomarkers to identify high-risk patients are reasons for the limited treatment options available in the market. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from the connective tissues of ligaments and bones of AS patients reveal a pathway relevant to the syndesmophyte growth in AS patients, which could be explored to determine drug treatment options. In a clinical setting, by working on the serum from AS patients, this study explores the possibility of utilizing serum TNAP levels as a biomarker to identify high-risk patients. Findings of the research show HLA-B27 as a mediator of AS, opening up new strategies to further develop novel and effective AS therapy.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to data published in BMC Rheumatology, the prevalence rate for AS doubled from the year 2006 to 2016. Its prevalence is higher among men compared to women and is said to show signs and symptoms during early adulthood. The progression of this illness clearly poses a threat to presume a normal lifestyle, especially concerning employment and mobility. The establishment of the role of HLA-B27 associated with ankylosing spondylitis aligns with Goal 3: Good health and well-being of Sustainable Development Goals. By studying the genome-wide association, more effective treatments and prevention methods could be developed through bioengineering, ultimately improving the quality of life of those suffering from AS.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Glutathione peroxidase 8 negatively regulates caspase‐4/11 to protect against colitis from Embo Molecular Medicine, January 2020, Embo Press.
This research provided evidence that glutathione peroxidase 8 (GPx8) protects the colon lining from inflammation by inhibiting caspase-4/11 activity in mice. The disulfide bonding of GPx8 onto the caspase-4/11 restrains the non-canonical inflammasome pathway during increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in cells. In the absence of GPx8, colitis and endotoxic shock were observed along with a mass depletion of the gut microbiome as a result of caspase 4/11 over-expression. By treating the GPx8-deficient mice with a strong antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or a caspase-4 inhibitor, VX-765, the progression of colitis was suppressed. Since samples from patients with colitis showed a decreased level of GPx8 in their macrophages and increased expression of caspase-4, the results of this research could be used to develop an effective drug to treat colitis.
[the_background] =>
Colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the colon lining. It is a result of an excessive expression of caspase-4/11 by the host in which the primary target should be against bacterial infection. With that being said, the association of caspase-4/11 activation in the progression of IBD remained unknown. This study showed the correlation between GPx8, an antioxidant gene, and the caspase-4/11 signaling pathway in response to ROS that contributed to the development of the disease. Though NAC has shown positive results in inhibiting ROS generation, the complexity of ROS functional mechanisms makes it an impossible choice to combat IBD. However, the establishment of the link between GPx8 and caspase-4/11 promises a therapeutic breakthrough that solely targets the non-canonical inflammasome pathway in patients with colitis.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, an estimated 1.6 to 3.1 million Americans suffer from IBD, a disease commonly found in western and developed nations. With such concerning prevalence rate, the actual cause or even cure to this disease is yet to be found. The effects, however, threaten the quality of life as a whole, including reduced ability to work, social stigmatization, difficulty with physical intimacy, etc. In line with Goal 3 of Sustainable Development Goal, Good health and well-being, this research provides an insight into the molecular cause of colitis and a potential treatment targeting the biological pathways involved in the development of the disease. Thus, reducing the chances of premature mortality and promoting mental health and well-being for those suffering from this disease.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Proliferation of Endometrial Cancer Cells’ from PLoS ONE, July 2013, Public Library of Science (PLoS).
This is a preliminary study to prove that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) increase the growth of endometrial cancer cells. Unlike normal fibroblasts, it is identified that PI3K/Akt and MAPK/Erk pathways in endometrial cancer cells are significantly activated in the presence of CAFs-treated cells. The activation of communication pathways between cancerous cells indirectly encouraging the growth of these cancerous cells. Results show that the inhibition of these CAFs disrupt cell growth and may eventually restrain the spread of cancerous cells. This benefits scientists and clinicians worldwide in improving therapies not only for uterine cancer but also for other types of cancer.
[the_background] =>
The focus of drug development in cancer treatment has always been on the eradication of cancer cells in the body. However, little research is being done on preventing the spread of cancer cells. The discovery of the role of fibroblasts in the survival and growth of endometrial cancer cells enables the development of drugs that inhibits the metastasis of cancer cells. Unlike current available treatment, drugs can be developed to target only malignant cells while preserving normal tissues and the womb indirectly increasing survival rate.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Endometrial cancer has been on the rise due to various factors such as obesity and unopposed hormone usage. Being the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally, the treatment for early detection is usually surgery. Current treatments are focused on reducing the chances of surgery and preserving the womb. The understanding of the interaction and cellular processes between cancer cells is important as it can guide new development of therapy which minimizes the negative effects of surgery and existing treatments. In line with UN’s third Sustainable Development Goal, this finding could drastically improve the quality of life for many patients as the possibility of non-invasive treatments not only aids in the cure of the disease but also maintains their general well-being.
This research provided the first evidence of the role of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression in lineage commitment and tumor development in human adult stem cells. It revealed that the regulation of G9a/DNMT3B/PTEN/AKT pathways contributed to the reprogramming of human adult stem cell differentiation potential. A higher PTEN expression in dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DP-MSCs) than in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) potentially improved bone formation, and reduced fats and tumor formation. This is a result of IGF-2-mediated signals inhibition, which in turn modulates insulin signaling and AKT activation. Besides, this study also proved that by reducing the expression of DNA-methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B), BM-MSCs could be converted into DP-MSCs. Thus, improving the chances of clinical application when it comes to dental regeneration.
[the_background] =>
Adult stem cells regulated by genetic and microenvironment factors are cellular sources of cancer. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), though isolated from different tissues, like bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and dental pulp (DP-MSCs), are known to exhibit cellular and molecular similarities. Though there has been proof from recent studies that these cells do have varied differentiation and tumor formation potentials, the system that regulates these processes remain unclear. PTEN, formerly known as a tumor suppressor and recently claimed to drive bone malignancy, modulates cell functions, including cell differentiation and proliferation. However, its roles in regulating the lineage commitment and tumor formation in DP-MSCs and BM-MSCs are largely unknown. This research was able to establish novel functional signatures between both DP-MSCs and BM-MSCs by studying the fat formation mechanism and tumor development potential in DP-MSCs. By providing an in-depth understanding of such biological behaviors, this research proves to be of great value in exploring regenerative medicine, dentistry, tissue engineering, and future therapeutic stem cell technology development.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
With so many controversies surrounding the usage of embryonic stem cells in the development of regenerative medicine, research on adult stem cells could be the healthcare future that we seek. Nevertheless, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) extraction of the dental pulp is less invasive than that of bone marrow. The role of DP-MSCs in suppressing tumor growth that has been proven in this research aligns perfectly with the objectives of Goal 3: Good health and well-being of Sustainable Development Goal. By providing the evidence and insight into the biological mechanisms involved in reducing the potential of bone malignancy, this research could potentially reduce the premature mortality rate among cancer patients by advancing stem cell therapy. Therefore, paving a pathway to revolutionize regenerative medicine and improve the quality of life for those seeking treatment.
A potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer (PC) metastasis was found using hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and its enzyme, cystathionine 𝛾-lyase (CTH). The study showed CTH expression stimulated cell invasion and migration, but treatment with H₂S resulted in only cell invasion. The enzyme activity of CTH also resulted in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-𝜅B) translocation causing an increase in interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b) expression and H₂S-induced cell invasion. The study identified the role of H₂S in blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). In some cells, CTH knockdown controlled tumor growth and spread from the primary location, whereas CTH overexpression increased tumor growth and spread to the lymph nodes in mouse models. The study suggests potential mechanisms where CTH/H₂S assists PC metastasis by promoting lymphatic vessels formation from existing lymphatic vessels. Overall, results show evidence of CTH and H₂S involvement in PC progression and metastasis through different channels.
[the_background] =>
Prostate cancer (PC) is most prevalent among men and occurs in the prostate. Most deaths from PC are linked with bone metastasis when the cancer spreads to the bone. Current treatments only prevent pain and complications. H₂S is a signaling molecule produced from enzymes such as CTH that contribute to tumor maturation in various cancers through a series of processes. NF-𝜅B activation has shown positive results suggesting a dominant role in PC metastasis development. The study investigated the relationship between CTH and H₂S in PC progression and metastasis and found that H₂S levels increased with the expression of CTH, causing activation of NF-𝜅B mediated signaling on cysteine-38 of the NF-𝜅B subunit. It was seen that the H₂S-producing enzyme, CTH level, was increased in bone metastatic PC cells. The presence of CTH and H₂S contributes to therapeutic mechanisms to intervene in PC progression and metastasis.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the sixth leading cause of death by cancer in men worldwide. In the United States, an estimated 191,930 men are to be diagnosed with it in 2020 alone. Although the death rate has decreased over the past few years, the cancer is incurable. By identifying mechanisms and signaling molecules that could produce more advanced treatment options, it aligns with goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of Sustainable Development Goal. The study improves the chances of reducing the mortality rate from a non-communicable disease like prostate cancer through treatment and prevention strategies.
This preliminary study identified polypharmacy as one of the main factors leading to potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) among the Indonesian elderly population. A 52.2% prevalence rate was observed within the elderly community seeking medical attention in 25 selected primary healthcare facilities in Karawang District, Indonesia. By referring to the updated Beers and McLeod criteria, a thorough analysis was conducted on both acute and chronic medical prescription records of the past. As a result, the first set of criteria of Beers and the McLeod guideline adopted provided insights on categories of drugs and dosages to be avoided by the geriatric population. By determining the factors contributing to PIM, better intervention could be practiced to prevent complications among the elderly.
[the_background] =>
It is common for older people to have multiple, co-existing medical conditions that make them susceptible to the risk of PIM. Though several evaluation techniques have been used to detect PIM, there is still a lack of clear and updated guidelines for prescribing medications for the elderly population in Indonesia. Most healthcare services acquired by the elderly start from community clinics and local dispensaries. This study aims to improve the quality of drug prescription in these facilities by assessing the prevalence and determining the factors leading to PIM among the older population. By integrating internationally accepted criteria listed under the Beers and McLeod guidelines, this study provided an up-to-date safety reference to prevent inappropriate prescribing within the subject groups.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The United Nations, in its 2019 World Population Prospect data, projected that 1 in 6 people worldwide would be over the age of 65 by 2050. With Indonesia having the 8th largest aged population in the world, there is a dire need to improve the welfare and medical care of its elderly population. By educating the healthcare providers on safe prescription practices of drugs and the elderly on proper management of their medications, risks associated with adverse drug reactions, hospitalization, and mortality could be reduced as envisioned in Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of the UN SDG.
This research provides evidence that diabetic patients are 1.16 times more likely to suffer from hip disorders than non-diabetics. As the first nationwide population-based cohort study, this research leverages on the National Health Insurance database of Taiwan to determine the incidence rate of hip disorders among diabetic patients in the country. It was observed that diabetic patients have a higher tendency to experience avascular necrosis (death of bone tissues due to the lack of blood supply) at the joints of the hip over a specified period. Thus, adding to the list of potential blood vessels related diseases developed in those with diabetes.
[the_background] =>
Past researches have established that patients with diabetes are prone to develop a number of illnesses post-diagnosis, many of which are caused by defects in blood vessels. However, there is a lack of evidence to associate diabetes with hip disorders resulting from the death of blood vessels around the femoral head. By measuring the incidence of blood supply defects at joints of the hip reported clinically in Taiwan, a positive correlation was established, proving diabetic patients are of higher risk than non-diabetic patients. The findings of this research serve as literature evidence to further examine the link between diabetes and the risk of developing avascular necrosis of the hip joints, as well as the effect controlling diabetes could have on this risk.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
It was reported by WHO that approximately 422 million people worldwide are diagnosed with diabetes, and a devastating 1.6 million die each year as an effect of this disease. Apart from death, diabetes also contributes to numerous forms of health complications, disabilities, and activity limitations if poorly controlled. By examining the prevalence rate of avascular necrosis of the hip joints among diabetic patients, this research provides healthcare policymakers the evidence to start working on the treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation measures to address this issue. This aligns perfectly with targets of Goal 3: Good health and well-being of Sustainable Development Goals, to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and to promote well-being for all persons with disabilities.
[article_url] => https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/42/1/39
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.2337/dc18-1258
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[publication_title] => Real-World Database Examining the Association Between Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head and Diabetes in Taiwan
[journal_title] => Diabetes Care
[publisher] => American Diabetes Association
[year] => January 2019
[subject] => Medical; Diabetes
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[post_date] => 2020-10-22 14:55:28
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[post_title] => Religious Intolerance: The Socio-Economic Variables Behind It
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[researchers_name] => YUSUF, Arief
[researchers_position] => Department of Economics, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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[research_footprints] => religious freedom; socio economic; Lembaga Survei Indonesia; Indonesian Family Life Survey; individual income; regression analysis; Indonesia; religious intolerance; conservatism individual level
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
To curb religious intolerance, this study investigated several socio-economic variables affecting the individual-level religious intolerance in Indonesia. It found out that the rapid rise of income inequality and the increasing trend of Islamic conservatism were among the most robust variables of religious intolerance. Meanwhile, higher individual income and educational attainment were positively correlated with the tolerance level of different faith. On the other hand, a higher level of self-declared religiosity was negatively correlated with a tolerant attitude. Panel data from 2007 and 2014 of more than 20,000 adult individuals were analyzed using fixed-effect regression analysis. The scope of this study can be expanded by assessing the causation of religious intolerance based on the reported socio-economic variables.
[the_background] =>
Religious tensions and violence have risen globally over the last decade. It has been reported that Indonesia is one of the top five populous countries with the highest levels of religious freedom restriction. Furthermore, according to several micro-level surveys, religious intolerance among Indonesians has also been on the rise. To address such an alarming state, this study was conducted to identify the socio-economic variables affecting religious intolerance. Based on the results, the study also proposed several policies to be established so as to reduce religious intolerance in Indonesia.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In 2018, the Minority Rights Group International recorded that mass killings and other atrocities involving religious minorities have been increasing in many countries. By carrying out this study, policies can be made to overcome the socio-economic variables affecting religious intolerance. Such an effort is important to maintain harmony and safety among the Indonesians. Since the UN targets to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere, these findings will help to achieve Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
This study is the first to report that a probiotics-based diet improved the immune system of juvenile New Zealand black-footed abalone. Based on the observation of total haemocyte count, cell growth and death rate, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it was evident that the abalones fed with probiotics developed stronger immunity. Metabolic profiling also revealed improved growth and survival rates of the probiotics-fed abalones. These findings are intended to strengthen future development and application of probiotics in aquaculture of, not only New Zealand black-footed abalone, but also other shellfish.
[the_background] =>
Haliotis iris (H. iris), commonly known as New Zealand black-footed abalone, is a type of shellfish that contributes to the aquaculture sector in New Zealand. Although past studies have reported optimal nutritional and environmental parameters for the growth of juvenile H. iris, disease outbreaks caused by pathogenic bacteria and viruses continue to threaten this farmed shellfish industry. The administration of antibiotics only serves as a short-term treatment, which also poses safety concerns in terms of antibiotic-resistant infection as well as undesirable environmental impacts. Therefore, as a follow up of the research group’s previous findings, the application of probiotics in the dietary plan was introduced as a more environmentally friendly and effective solution in this study.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Haliotis iris (H. iris) is one of the largest blackfoot abalones, and it is found only in New Zealand water. The flesh of this shellfish is a delicacy in New Zealand, France, East Asia, and parts of Latin America, thus, creating a demand for it in the aquaculture sector. The huge capital needed to sustain these shellfish farms is mostly due to its vulnerability to diseases caused by bacteria or viruses. In alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below water, this study provides scientific evidence to maintaining the population of the abalone as well as improving the restoration process of the stock by improving its immunity and growth rate.
This research established the first international consensus-based practice guideline for prescribing Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). An advisory panel consisting of experts from the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research (ISNPR) centered the practice guideline on 5 major themes. A set of 12 comprehensive clinical recommendations were drafted based on these key areas identified through systematic literature review, survey, and expert sharing. This research emphasized that prior to prescribing n-3 PUFAs as an alternative treatment for MDD, accurate clinical diagnosis and measurement-based psychopathological assessments should be carried out.
[the_background] =>
Existing antidepressants used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of MDD are effective for only a small group of patients and is said to have various side effects. Past researches have shown n-3 PUFA to be a promising preventive and treatment method for MDD. However, despite the findings, there is a lack of clinical practice guidelines to aid clinicians in prescribing n-3 PUFA. In order to provide an effective practice guideline, this research gathered the consensus from experts of ISNPR, identified the need to personalize MDD treatment according to subgroups, and encouraged the adoption of a transparent communication system between clinicians and patients.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to WHO, more than 264 million people suffer from depression, one of the most common illness and the leading cause of disability worldwide. In the United States alone, approximately 17.3 million adults aged 18 and above have experienced episodes of major depressive disorder in 2017. Although effective treatment options are available, there are still 76% to 85% of patients from low- or middle-income countries who are deprived of these treatments. With that said, the aim of this research aligns well with “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As one of the targets under this goal is to “reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being,” the guidelines provided in this article will help clinicians worldwide to get a step closer to achieving this target successfully.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Assessment of GHG Emission Reduction Potential from Source-separated Organic Waste (SOW) Management: Case Study in a Higher Educational Institution in Malaysia’ from Sains Malaysiana, February 2015, Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM Press).
This study shares an innovative approach to transform the existing linear economy into a circular economy through the improvement of waste management system. The greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission reduction potential is evaluated via composting of source-separated organic waste (SOW) in municipal solid waste within University of Malaya (UM) vicinity. The results are intended to increase awareness on the benefits of integrated solid waste management system and the reduction of global warming through waste prevention strategies worldwide. This study could also serve as a guideline for policymakers in enforcing a better waste management system.
[the_background] =>
In response to the issues of solid waste management in campus, the initiation of the Zero Waste Campaign aims to divert and reduce waste generated from going to the landfills. The adaptation of an integrated waste management system includes recycling, waste treatment and waste to energy conversion. Ultimately, this approach intends to contribute to the improvement of resource conservation, protection of environment and human health.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
A research in 2016 concluded that 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste was generated in cities worldwide. With the rate of urbanization and population growth the world is experiencing, the annual waste generated is expected to see no reduction. The threats of unsustainable waste management are real especially in developing countries and low-income countries due to unregulated waste disposal methods and open burning. Thus, it is believed that by noticing the importance of integrated waste management system, it will lead to an awareness of how environmental burden can be reduced and ways to promote responsible waste disposal. This is also in line with UN’s twelfth Sustainable Development Goal which is ensuring sustainable consumption and production pattern in the long run.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Bayesian spatiotemporal mapping of relative dengue disease risk in Bandung, Indonesia from the Journal of Geographical Systems, August 2019, Springer Nature.
This study suggested a potential early warning system for dengue outbreaks using the Bayesian spatiotemporal random effects (pure) model and continuous isopleth mapping. When dengue incidence data from 30 districts of Bandung, Indonesia, was analyzed in terms of geographical positioning and seasons, results showed a decrease in disease risk from 2014 onwards. However, the forecast for certain districts, based on their socio-economic status, weather conditions and geographical landscapes, still predicts a higher risk of the outbreak for the year 2017. Thus, enabling further research on the association between relative risk and potential risk factors through region and time pattern analysis.
[the_background] =>
Dengue fever, a common vector-borne disease transmitted through mosquito bites in tropical and sub-tropical regions, tends to cause severe health issues and fatality. Due to the costly vaccination and antiviral therapies, the most desirable measure is prevention. For effective preventive and control measures to be implemented, an early warning system is needed. Several previous studies have neglected the weather patterns based on the time of the year when it comes to forecasting the relative risk of infectious diseases. By analyzing the incidence rate of the disease based on the regions and across different timelines, this study provides a more accurate forecast tool to predict the next dengue outbreak. Besides, it also allows potential disease risk factors to be identified, which encourages specific actions to be initiated to control the transmission.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Dengue is a form of infectious disease that is currently terrorizing half of the world’s population. According to WHO, an estimated 100 to 400 million dengue cases are reported worldwide every year. This study aligns with the UN’s SDG 3: Good health and well-being by providing a reliable and accurate early warning system to detect potential dengue rise. Hence, it allows the authorities and the people sufficient time to practice preventive measures. Similarly, the suggested model could also be further explored to forecast and control other infectious diseases.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Water corrosivity of polluted reservoir and hydropower sustainability from the Scientific Reports, July 2020, Springer Nature.
[research_footprints] => hydro mechanical equipment; cirata reservoirl water corrosivityl water qualityl water corrosiveness; saturation indexl calcium; energy supply; corrosive; langelier saturation index
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
By assessing 10 years’ worth of water quality data of the Cirata Reservoir, this study concludes that the corrosiveness of its water is a threat to the continuity of the hydropower operations powering Java and Bali. Records from 20 sampling stations in the reservoir showed increased efforts on maintaining the hydro-mechanical equipment as a result of the worsening water quality. External factors, like agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities, taking place surrounding the catchment, and internal factors, like excessive aquaculture food residuals from floating cages, were identified as the cause of this severe water pollution. Hence, the findings on the sources intensifying water corrosiveness, which damaged the hydropower operations, could be used to develop sustainable strategies to overcome such issues in the future.
[the_background] =>
The roles of water reservoirs extend from merely supplying water to cities to the development of aquaculture, flood control, and powering hydroelectricity. The Cirata Reservoir is made from 9 rivers flowing into it with various human activities taking place around and within its catchment area. These socioeconomic activities have been causing a bloom in microalgae growth due to the excessive flow of organic matters into the water source, along with dissolved and suspended solids. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of these activities on the integrity of the concrete structures of the hydropower plant. The findings are expected to provide vital insights into how water quality could affect the sustainability of hydropower.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In 2019, the World Bank reported that the deteriorating water quality worldwide is severely jeopardizing the economic potential of the heavily polluted areas. It warns that in case no recovery and preventive actions are taken, this crisis could eventually threaten the human and environmental well-being. This study elaborates on water pollution could also affect the operations of hydropower plants. By identifying the root causes of water quality degradation and its impact on hydropower operations, strategic plans could be adopted to improve the situation. As mentioned in UN SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, appropriate upgrading of the hydropower technology could be implemented for sustainability, as well as in UN SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, effective water pollution control measures could be put in place to overcome this concerning water crisis.
In an attempt to understand the role of setting atmosphere on apatite cement resorption, this study reported that the amount of replacement of apatite cement with bone was greater in the order of 100% CO2 and 5% CO2, followed by 0% CO2. The presence of CO2 in setting atmosphere induced the formation of carbonate apatite that came into contact with body environments. The effect of setting atmosphere was studied using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Since carbonate apatite was also formed at 0% CO2, future studies can be carried out to investigate the root cause as there is still no proper explanation for it.
[the_background] =>
Apatite cement has been used in bone reconstruction for its superior tissue response and good osteoconductivity. Despite many studies reported that the apatite cement implant can eventually be replaced with bone completely, some studies have also reported otherwise. Meanwhile, studies showed that carbonate apatite was replaced with a bone when implanted into bony defects. Hence, it was hypothesized that the apatite cement might have transformed to carbonate apatite (when coming in contact with the body environment) prior to being replaced with bone. To establish a better understanding of the transformation that takes place after implantation, this study was conducted to examine the effect of setting atmosphere on apatite cement resorption.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
One of the most common methods to treat bone defects is by using apatite cement implant. The results of this study have shown how apatite cement can be transformed into carbonate apatite effectively by controlling the setting atmosphere. With the higher rate of transformation, the duration needed for bone repair is shortened. Since the UN aims to support domestic technology development, research and innovation, this study carries significance in achieving UNSDG 9: Industrial, Innovation and Infrastructure, as well as mildly contributes to UNSDG 3: Good health and well-being.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Facile Intramolecular Cyclization of N -(2-Hydroxybenzoyl)hydrazones to N ,N′ -Diacetyl Benzo-1,3,4-oxadiazepine Derivatives’ from Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry, February 2018, Wiley.
Benzoxadiazepines have been reported to bring valuable medical and industrial benefits. Nonetheless, there are not many remarkable published studies on the synthesis of benzoxadiazepines. To be more specific, the rare seven-member benzo-1,3,4-oxadiazepine is known to be a biologically active compound. Hence, this research focuses on the synthesis of this rare compound via simple steps. In the study, the effects of different reaction conditions, substituent and mixing protocols on the synthesis were examined. As a result, a series of benzo-1,3,4-oxadiazepine derivatives were successfully prepared with a yield of 83 % via a set of facile procedures.
[the_background] =>
Benzoxadiazepines are gaining attention for their significant activities as antibacterial, muscle relaxant, stimulant to the central nervous system, tranquilizer, anticonvulsant, and pesticides. The full potential of this compound to human’s well-being is yet to be fully understood. In order to contribute to the continuity of such studies, the synthesis of benzo-1,3,4-oxadiazepine has been established. The reported synthesis method can achieve a yield of 83 %. Such high efficiency in the synthesis is vital in facilitating scientists in the exploration of the real potential of benzoxadiazepines.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
This study aims to achieve “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The outcome of the research proves the ease with which this rare compound could be synthesized and transformed into various derivatives. Further exploration of the biological potentials of these compounds, such as anti-viral and anti-cancer properties, would indeed primarily benefit the medical industries to improve the quality of life.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Correlation between CT Number shift and tissue temperature change during radiofrequency ablation: an ex-vivo study using bovine liver’ from Journal of Physics Conference Series, June 2019, Institute of Physics Publishing.
This study aims to reduce or possibly eliminate the use of contrast medium needed for CT imaging to identify the target region for surgical removal in the organ by using non-invasive CT thermometry. Through the experimentation on bovine liver samples, the association between tissue temperature and CT number counts are observed. Cancer patients, particularly those with liver cancer receiving hyperthermia treatment, are to benefit through this research. Support and more comprehensive data on CT images and tumour conditions are required from physicians/radiologist/radiographer/medical physicist for further investigation and perfecting this research.
[the_background] =>
The existing procedure used in the evaluation of unresectable liver tumours relies heavily on visual inspection of contrasted CT image. Though widely practiced, this procedure has shown cases of patients being allergic to the medium, and the process tends to cause patient discomfort. Hence, the development of a CT-tissue temperature conversion model as an alternative tool could provide attending physicians the additional information of the target region as well as expedite patient recovery due to its non-invasive nature. The outcome of this research could potentially alter the current hyperthermia treatment procedures for cancer patients.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and the fourth most common cause of death in Malaysia. Iodinated contrast used in CT scan has mild side effects including nausea and vomiting, headache, itching, flushing, mild skin rash or hives and can also trigger a life-threatening reaction in a few cases. A new approach is required to improve the diagnosis and to reduce the reliance of drug with side effects for cancer patients as well as improving treatment efficacy. This research will further need to engage with radiologists to acquire more real patient data for analysis and proof of concept and also with CT-scanner manufacturer for collaboration, which may benefit the study and treatment outcome. In compliance with the UN’s third Sustainable Development Goal, this study aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages through the improvement of existing medical procedures.
The benefits of homegardens are such as serving as a buffer against food price shocks, a source of fresh food, and a space of self-determination. Moreover, the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides is significantly lower for homegardens. This study reported the current state of homegardens commercialization to highlight its negative effect on food security and food sovereignty. In turn, this helps to ensure policies are made to help avoid food price shocks and to maintain sufficient food supply to the locals, especially for poor rural households. As the UN targets to end poverty and hunger, the effort of this study is important to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty and Goal 2: Zero Hunger in which people can easily have access to food supply without overpaying for it.
[the_background] =>
Agriculture has become increasingly commercialized and industrialized. To keep up with these developments, policies and markets encourage farmers to manage farming activities according to buyer–driver commodity chains. Due to this phenomenon, homegarden owners are also pressured to transform the land around their dwellings into an income-generating space by planting commercial crops for sale in urban and processing markets. Thus, this study was conducted to provide insights into the current state of homegarden commercialization and its effects on food security and food sovereignty. Food security is a measure of the availability of food and individuals’ ability to access it. Food sovereignty asserts that the people who produce, distribute, and consume food should control the mechanisms and policies of food production and distribution.
[the_novelty] =>
To provide a better understanding of the current status of homegarden commercialization, this study has reported that homegarden commercialization is proceeding rapidly in the Upper Citarum Watershed in West Java, Indonesia. On the other hand, this has created negative effects on household food security and food sovereignty, as well as contributed to the spread of monocultural production in the region. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied to survey 81 village households involved in agricultural production there. For future studies, in-depth investigations should be carried out to redesign homegardens to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; strengthening local social cohesion; and in reducing pollution caused by agrochemicals to ensure healthy lives for sustainable rural development.
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[publication_title] => Homegarden commercialization: extent, household characteristics, and effect on food security and food sovereignty in Rural Indonesia
[journal_title] => Journal of Sustainable Production and Consumption
[publisher] => Springer Nature
[year] => March 2020
[subject] => Anthropology; Food Science
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[post_title] => Nation’s First Health-status Measuring Instrument Value Set
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[researchers_name] => PURBA, Fedrick Dermawan
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[research_footprints] => value set; EQ-5D; health technology assessment; eq 5d 5l value; hybrid model; discrete choice experiments; quality control; Time trade-off; composite time trade-off
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study has successfully created the first EQ-5D-5L value set to measure the health status of Indonesians. The respondents selected for the study were similar to those of the diverse Indonesian population in terms of residence, gender, age, level of education, ethnicity, and religion. Hence, making this instrument suitable for health economic evaluations that will benefit the national health insurance scheme. The reliability of the study outcome was justified by arranging local experts to engage with the respondents to overcome the language and belief system barriers.
[the_background] =>
The EQ-5D is a standard tool used by many countries to evaluate the population’s health-related quality of life. It is measured based on 5 health dimensions, namely mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. In the context of Indonesia, there isn’t any EQ-5D value set that based on national preferences that can be used as a reference by the government to improve the nation’s healthcare facilities. However, the government has introduced universal health insurance to improve healthcare accessibility for its people. This study showed that in measuring and valuing the quality of life based on health and economic consideration, Indonesia could set up a proper health technology assessment (HTA) like other leading countries too. The findings could also be used to drive appropriate policy implementations to improve the quality of life of the Indonesian population.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The UN global goals for sustainable development, specifically SDG 3: Good health and well-being, addressed the need for universal health coverage, including financial risk, protection, and access to quality essential healthcare services. The significance of this study in providing Indonesia its first reliable health-status measurement tool proved to be very much aligned with the UN’s aims. The results could be referred by the government to promote and facilitate health economic evaluations in Indonesia, eventually making an informed decision on the resource allocations.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Identification of Variants in RET and IHH Pathway Members in a Large Family With History of Hirschsprung Disease from the Journal of Gastroenterology, July 2018, Elsevier.
[research_footprints] => glial cell–derived neurotrophic factor; Indian hedgehog gene; GLI family zinc finger 3; lipopolysaccharide responsive beige-like anchor; enteric neuron; enteric nervous system; ret proto-oncogene; mab-21 like gene; human embryonic kidney cells; Hirschsprung disease
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study provided evidence that Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) inheritance is indeed linked to the mutation of Rearranged during Transfection (RET) gene and Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) gene. A novel attempt to delete the GDNF gene along with 2 other inherited variants, IHH and GLI3, which in turn, reduced the RET activation, proved the major role these variants played in the development of HSCR disease. This study was based on a large Dutch family with a history of HSCR, and the genetic nature of the disease was identified using human embryonic kidney cell cultures and zebrafish models.
[the_background] =>
Though some of the Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is known to be an inherited disorder, its exact genetic cause is unknown in about 40 – 50% of the cases. GDNF mutations have been previously reported in past cases of HSCR, yet they are said to be insufficient to cause the disease on their own; thus, the variants identified in IHH and GL13, in this case, are predicted to be the accompanying factors. This newly discovered GDNF mutation, in combination with the 2 inherited variants in the member of the Hh pathway (IHH and GLI3), had also changed genetic counseling, highlighting the high genetic complexity of this disorder. Hence, there is a need to consider other unrelated HSCR gene in both areas of research and clinical diagnosis. This study could potentially serve as a reference for any future similar research of this rather rare disease.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
This study further reinforced that HSCR is not only a complex genetic disorder that could be caused by a mutation in several genes, but also, despite that in some cases HSCR is inheritable, there is still high genetic complexity unknown in familial cases. In most cases, the absence of ganglion cells in the biopsy of rectum confirms the diagnosis. However, if there is the presence of other abnormalities, genetic counseling would be required to establish the underlying diagnosis further. This study proves to be an excellent source of reference to greater insights on the genetic mutations involved in HSCR, giving future genetic counseling and genetic tests more accuracy, given the rarity of this disease. This is very much in alignment with the aims of UN SDG 3: Good health and well-being, to improve the quality of life by promoting medical researches.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Alteration of nutritional and antioxidant level of ethylene receptor tomato mutants, Sletr1-1 and Sletr1-2 from the Journal of Scientia Horticulturae, Oct 2019, Elsevier.
[research_footprints] => fruit shelf life; Antioxidant; tomato fruit; Mutation; total soluble solids; Fruit ripening; Duncan Multiple Range Test; fruit maturation; titratable acidity; water content
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study proved that Sletr-1 and Sletr-2 mutations on ethylene receptor gene (SlETR1) have significant impacts on the nutritional and antioxidant contents of tomato fruits. The results of this study were based on the evaluation of mutant lines, maturation stage and their interactions. Among the traits affected were the water content, total soluble solids (TSS), total sugar, acidity level, lycopene, β-carotene, chlorophyll-a and -b, and total flavonoid. When compared between Sletr-1 and Sletr-2 mutant lines, the latter showed promising results in improving the postharvest shelf life, quality and nutritional values of tomato fruits.
[the_background] =>
Ethylene is a plant hormone responsible for fruit ripening in tomatoes. The presence of it during postharvest handling causes the shelf life of the fruits to be shortened. Previous studies have shown that certain mutations on the ethylene receptor genes have successfully prolonged the shelf life of tomato fruits. However, there is a concern that the nutritional and antioxidant content of the produce might be negatively affected. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Sletr-1 and Sletr-2 mutations on the nutritional and antioxidant levels of tomatoes, apart from its role in delaying the fruit ripening period.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The World Food Programme reports that there are approximately 800 million people in the world without access to enough food to lead a healthy life. As world leaders, policymakers and the agriculture industry gather to solve this pressing issue, mutation technique on agricultural crops might be a reasonable solution to consider. This study, to lengthen the shelf life of the crops without jeopardizing the nutritional content, could very well align with the UN global goals for sustainable development which addresses world hunger in SDG 2: Zero hunger. With the right set of food safety policy, the aim to end hunger, to achieve food security and improved nutrition, and to promote sustainable agriculture could be accomplished.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Mechanomyography-based muscle fatigue detection during electrically elicited cycling in patients with spinal cord injury’ from Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, January 2019, Springer Science + Business Media.
[research_footprints] => Functional Electrical Stimulation; Muscle fatigue; Spinal Cord Injury; Mechanomyography; Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC)
Support Vector Machine; Muscle Contraction; Short-time Fourier Transform; Motor Unit; Root Mean Square; Wavelet Transform
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[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
The study is about the validation of mechanomyography (MMG) to identify muscle fatigue in neurological conditions such as spinal cord or skeletal muscles injuries. The intended outcome provides insight into the suitability of MMG application as a muscle monitoring tool for spinal cord injury rehabilitation using electrical stimulation. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy practitioners can now effectively optimize patients’ training sessions due to the sensor’s easy accessibility and technique replicability. The promising nature of this method has gained attention from institutions practicing rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury worldwide. Clinical trials must be conducted using a larger patient sample with varying conditions, and different mode of training before including it as part of daily training prescription.
[the_background] =>
The existing electrical stimulation training in hospitals do not have reliable feedback about the muscle states and conditions. The identification of a dependable and validated tool to detect muscle fatigue or fatigue point transition is crucial to optimize training protocols and set benchmarks for electrical simulation training. 97.0% accuracy of non-fatigued and fatigued muscle classification proves MMG signals could serve as viable muscle fatigue prediction tool.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the CDC, spinal cord injury (SPI) costs nations like the US, an estimated 9.7 billion dollars each year. The risk of patients with SPI to develop preventable secondary conditions, which could turn life-threatening is higher in low-income countries. In line with the UN’s third Sustainable Development Goal, Good Health and Well-being, researchers believe that personalized rehabilitation training session will help patients with SPI in improving their physical functionality and quality of life. A valid monitoring technique needs to be implemented in rehabilitation protocols to optimize patient safety and enhance training effectiveness since there are existing monitors to-date for muscle state at its best condition.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Ore–microscopy and Geochemistry of Gold–Silver Telluride Mineralization in Southwestern Hokkaido, Japan from the Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Science, December 2018, J-stage.
Minerals are classified as polymetallic ore of fissure filling type in the Late Miocene to Pliocene age. Some tellurides found were native tellurium, hessite, stutzite, petzite, sylvanite, calaverite, tellurobismuthite, tetradymite, Se–bearing tetradymite, tellurantimony, goldfieldite, altaite, coloradoite, tellurite, teineite, and poughite. A primary mineral found was native tellurium, and its initial deposition followed by deposition of tellurides with lower tellurium level showed a decrease in tellurium fugacity. This would indicate a reduction in tellurium activity. Analysis conducted provides evidence of metal and semimetal substitution during the telluride deposition. A decline in sulfur fugacity and temperature and a rise in fugacity of tellurium is seen. A further decline in tellurium fugacity along with the sulfur fugacity caused the deposition of silver, gold, and other tellurides.
[the_background] =>
A southwestern district of Hokkaido provides many mineral resources such as gold, silver, lead, and zinc metals. Gold (Au) and silver (Ag) have been found in tellurides/selenides form in hydrothermal deposits. Previous research proved a correlation between gold-silver and tellurium, but the lack of information on the aqueous tellurium species acting and its property in hydrothermal environments makes it unclear. Sulfur fugacity has been identified to control gold and silver transport and solubility in forming metals. The current study provides mineralogy characterization, compositional variation, and defines telluride mineralization in silver and gold deposits to understand their relationship and coerce the thermochemical environments for ore formation.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Mining in Japan is very limited as there are limited resources; thus, the mining reserves are small. Conducting more research on Japan’s mining activity will help improve the economy along with the resources. This aligns with Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. By understanding how mineralogy and geochemistry can be utilized in bringing the mining industry forward, Japan has the ability to thrive in producing minerals with high quality.
This highlight is a summary of the paper A systematic review finds inconsistency in the measures used to estimate adherence and persistence to multiple cardiometabolic medications, April 2019, Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.
The review helps in selecting measures to estimate medication adherence and persistence to multiple cardiometabolic medications from pharmacy data. Five different measures were linked to assess adherence, while three were linked to assess persistence in patients using several medications. Based on the literature reviewed, the ‘‘any medication’’ measure is found to be helpful in monitoring adherence and persistence and to identify patients in need of an intervention. The ‘‘all medication’’ measure is more useful for assessing the effect of interventions. However, a substantial number of studies were flawed because of inconsistent and inadequate description of the methods or how medications switching or additions were dealt with. More attention is needed for providing adequate measurement definitions in reporting on adherence or persistence to multiple medications. Furthermore, future studies are needed to validate the various multiple medications adherence and persistence measures with clinical outcomes.
[the_background] =>
Medication adherence and persistence is associated with being a public health issue because nonadherence can result in poor health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. However, the majority of the measures were of reduced quality, which affects the accuracy and precision of the adherence and persistence rates. The study systematically reviews the techniques to calculate adherence and persistence to various preventive medications from pharmacy data, mainly cardiometabolic medication, and provides guidance on when and why one should choose one measure over another. The study also evaluates if the studies explain the measures used, mainly focusing on adding or changing of medication at drug type or therapeutic stages.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Adherence is when patients take their prescribed medications while persistence is if they continue with the course of the prescribed medication. It is crucial to identify the adherence and persistence rates among patients as it helps in the treatment process. This aligns with Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of Sustainable Development Goal. Researchers can be more aware of the measures used for patients using multiple medications and target interventions to enhance the usage of medication. This would, in turn, provide better healthcare options for the patients in the future.
The research discovered catechin compound found in the leaves of Garcinia celebica (a mangosteen plant species) as a potential inhibitor of influenza virus replication. Among the four enzymes isolated from the G. celebica leaves, catechin showed the highest inhibition activity against neuraminidase enzyme (NA) present in influence virus. This study was primarily conducted using an in vitro approach. Though the other 2 enzymes from the extraction displayed strong binding to NA, their inhibition activities were relatively low. This could be due to either the limitations in the assay type used or insufficient observation period before these enzymes even start to react. Nevertheless, the study results suggest exploring catechin in the development of anti-influenza drugs or vaccines, as well as enhancing its inhibition activity through structural modification.
[the_background] =>
Influenza viruses have distinct neuraminidase enzyme (NA) responsible for the infection and replication of the virus in hosts. Though there are several new NA inhibitors developed through synthetic chemistry, researchers are still attempting to identify bioactive compounds in natural products with similar functions. In terms of plant species, there is limited evidence on the anti-viral properties of Garnicia celebica leaves (GCL). Despite past reports on the anti-influenza properties of catechin, there wasn’t any evidence to show the presence of catechin compounds in GCL. Therefore, this study served as proof of the presence of catechin compounds in GCL and highlighted its anti-viral properties against the influenza virus. Also, it provides an opportunity to explore the integration of natural and synthetic compounds in drug discovery processes.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Late 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that a total of 250 000 to 500 000 deaths worldwide were caused by seasonal influenza. In early 2020, the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there had been 13 million influenza illnesses, 120 000 hospitalizations, and 6600 flu-related deaths in the US alone during the influenza season. By exploring the anti-influenza properties of natural products, this study supports the aims of UN SDG 3: Good health and well-being in the development of vaccines and medicines for influenza virus infections.
Teenagers these days, also known as Generation Z, are digital natives born in the world of internet, social networks and advance mobile systems. The internet dominates daily life activities in so many ways, be it communication, education, business dealing, etc. This study primarily focuses on understanding internet usage habits among teenage students with visual disabilities. It was conducted by distributing an open questionnaire to students of Special School for Blind, in Bandung, Indonesia. The data collected showed that visually impaired students do benefit from the internet. Their usage centered significantly around communication and social media platforms with the aid of applications like screen reader. However, there are websites or e-files incompatible to the assisting applications, making it harder for these students to access to all information.
[the_background] =>
In this digital era, the majority of information is accessed through the internet in the form of text and images. This poses a challenge for those with visual impairment, especially when it comes to equality in information consumption. Apart from knowledge-seeking, students with visual disabilities also leverage the internet to communicate and socialize like every other normal person. Though there are tools invented to assist them in using the internet, a few glitches are still observed, restricting the accessibility of the content. Thus, unconsciously making these students feel socially excluded and potentially create a digital divide. Therefore, this study suggests to the developers of communication technology to build products that could accommodate the special needs people.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The recent WHO report states that there are approximately 2.2 billion people with visual impairment or blindness globally. This makes up almost one-third of the current world population. With Industry 4.0 and the internet evolving rapidly, it is only fair to improve communication technology and information accessibility to feed the needs of those with visual difficulty, to promote inclusivity. As envisioned in the UN SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, the findings of this study prove that all technological advancement hereafter should take into consideration the challenges faced by those visually impaired.
[article_url] => https://online-journals.org/index.php/i-jet/article/view/10057
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i10.10057
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[publication_title] => Internet Utilization by the Students with Visual Impairment Disabilities
[journal_title] => International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning
[publisher] => iJET
[year] => May 2019
[subject] => Corporate Communication
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[post_date] => 2020-10-10 15:49:30
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[post_title] => Information Representation and Its Influence of Job Efficiency
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[researchers_name] => RITCHI, Hamzah
[researchers_position] => Department of Accounting, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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[research_footprints] => Procure-to-pay process; textual representation; BPMN; process model; Goods receipt handling process; representation format; task type; Business Process Model and Notation; visual representation; process representation
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This research established a positive correlation between the representation format of business process models and their influence on task performance. With that said, there isn’t one format that is superior to the other. Instead, the performance and representation format are equally effective when matched appropriately based on the nature of the task. The findings showed that for tasks involving search or recognition or inference, both experts and novices would perform efficiently if the business process models were visual. On the other hand, for tasks involving problem-solving by experts or recollection, the textual models will be better suited. The research could be further expanded to other fields, such as software engineering and information systems research.
[the_background] =>
Business process analysis is an essential part of the risk assessment procedures and audit methodology. With the right models, the quality of business operations could be improved, and the process is made more time-efficient as well as cost-effective. To date, there was no substantial evidence on the pros and cons of visual and textual representation format of business process analysis was compared to account for efficiency. Therefore, this study aims to distinguish between the nature of tasks based on textual/visual and deep/surface learning dimensions to evaluate the effectiveness of the task accordingly.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The importance of information representation has long been established in Accounting Information Systems (AIS). Effective information representation would improve the productivity of the system and have potential effects on the decision-making process. The outcome of this study provides new insights into identifying the most suitable format for information representation for tasks of different nature. It is also in line with the idea of the United Nations’ SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth to promote sustained, inclusive, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
[article_url] => https://meridian.allenpress.com/jis/article-abstract/34/1/167/10586/The-Influence-of-Business-Process-Representation?redirectedFrom=fulltext
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.2308/isys-52385
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[publication_title] => The influence of business process representation on performance of different task types
[journal_title] => Journal of Information Systems
[publisher] => American Accounting Association (AAA)
[year] => November 2018
[subject] => Accounting
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[post_date] => 2020-10-10 15:46:20
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[post_title] => Including Cultural Equality Into the Nation’s Legal System
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[researchers_name] => PALAR, Miranda Risang Ayu
[researchers_position] => Department of Intellectual Property, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
[researchers_photo] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/3-1.jpg
[researchers_profile] => https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Miranda_Palar
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[research_footprints] => Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights; Universal Declaration of Human Rights; cultural equality; public order; World Trade Organization; Integrated Circuit Lay-Out; ten principles; buddha bar; indonesia; intellectual property rights
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study demonstrated how the Indonesian legal system evolved by adopting the community belief system and cultural practices. Such was observed by reviewing the verdicts in a number of local cases that aligned between the Indonesian Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), its original constitute, and cultural equality. The outcome of the review also emphasized the universal principles of the non-aligned framework which were capable of accommodating the nation’s diverse cultural practices without violating the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
[the_background] =>
Indonesia has shown that the Ten Principles of Bandung framework that came from the non-aligned movement has shaped the evolution of Indonesia IPRs. The alignment between these two was only possible as the basis of the principles was centered around the universal principles of humanity. Therefore, by referring to the Indonesian experience, this study aims to inspire other nations to include the cultural factor when attempting to harmonize their IPRs with the TRIPS agreement.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
When equality is of concern, the subject matter is not restricted to just freedom, gender, and disability, but also in terms of culture and religion. Aligned with the United Nations’ SDG 10: Reduced inequality, this study highlights effective ways to shape a nation’s legal system by taking into consideration both international standards and the diverse cultural belief system. With that, lawmakers would be able to ensure equal opportunity is given to defend the rights of religious and spiritual minorities by promoting appropriate legislations.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Conformational and energy evaluations of novel peptides binding to dengue virus envelope protein’ from Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, June 2017, Elsevier
This study suggests DN58opt, a novel synthetic peptide, as one of the effective inhibitors of dengue virus (DENV) entry into target cells. This study is supported by the previously established role of E-glycoprotein in the DENV attachment to host cell receptors and target cells entry. By describing the binding mechanisms of the complexes to the target proteins and understanding important structural information, new compounds with potential anti-dengue therapeutic could be designed. Implementation of this study will bring changes in the treatment of diseases and has the ability to influence pharmaceutical companies, including researchers in the drug development field.
[the_background] =>
Local and global statistics reveal an alarming rise in annual dengue infection cases. Unfortunately, there is a lack of drugs and vaccines available in treating illnesses related to dengue infections. While existing treatment approach is symptomatic only and carries adverse side effects. Hence, continuous efforts should be engaged to address this problem, in particular, to develop drugs as therapeutics. This study also proves that computational tools expedite the early stage of the drug development process by leveraging on the information which is yet to be made available from lab experiments. The availability of big data of chemicals should be exploited for the benefit of humankind.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Computational drug discovery and design are gaining popularity among researchers and pharmaceutical companies due to its promising contribution in understanding molecular structures as well as biomedical applications. As the process of designing and discovering new therapeutics are on-going processes, new information gathered will eventually be translated into better solutions or treatments for various ailments. By doing so, this study aims to achieve the UN’s third Sustainable Development Goal by ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
This research highlighted the role of the PCK 1 enzymatic pathway in cancer cell growth. An in vivo study (using mice) was conducted to understand the pathway leading to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), commonly known as liver cancer. The number of cancer cells is found to increase rapidly when the cells speed up its metabolic formation of fat, lipogenesis. This process is initiated by the activation of SREBPs, the binding proteins in cells. The activity of SREBPs can be inhibited by a complex consisting of INSIG proteins, SCAP, and sterols. The research demonstrated that AKT in HCC cells when activated by oncogenes, creates a chain of biochemical reactions starting with the PCK 1 enzyme. The alteration of PCK1 causes the binding of sterols to INSIG to reduce and disrupts the interaction between INSIG and SCAP. As a result, the complex that inhibits SREBP is incomplete, leaving only SCAP to bind to the SREBPs. As the SREBPs move on to the Golgi apparatus, it will lead to an increase in the formation of lipogenesis-related genes and tumor cells, eventually leading to HCC in mice.
[the_background] =>
In the cancer cell development pathways, interactions between enzymes and proteins play a crucial role. This research attempts to highlight the interaction between INSIG proteins and the SREBP-SCAP complex independent of sterols that potentially triggers tumor cell growth. The findings outlined a detailed pathway led by the activated AKT altering the PCK 1 enzyme, which led to increased tumor cell growth. By understanding the pathway, the opportunity for more refined research directions for various cancer therapies can be explored.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The disadvantages of chemotherapy are widely known and feared by many. In recent years, alternative treatment methods like immunotherapy, molecular therapy, etc., have been actively explored. The ultimate purpose of this research is to learn the biological pathways of cancer formation to prevent or cure cancer effectively through such therapeutic methods. This aligns perfectly with “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. One of the targets to achieve this goal is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third through prevention and treatment. With discoveries providing a molecular-level understanding of the tumor development, chances of early-stage detection or treatment are improved. Consequently, people will stand a better chance to prevent or battle cancer.
Besides identifying the genetic profile of Familial Short Stature (FSS), also known as the inherited shortness trait, this study aimed to predict the probability of this trait influencing the height pattern in the general population using polygenic risk predisposition score. Being the first comprehensive FSS genetic profile, 10 novel genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 9 reported genome-wide association study (GWAS) human height-related SNPs associated with FSS risk were identified. The 10 novel SNPs are genetic-markers (served as a polygenic risk predisposition score) for FSS risk prediction. The molecular influence, which involves hormone and bone metabolisms, was explained in relation to the FSS genetic traits and height-reduction effect.
[the_background] =>
Familial Short Stature (FSS) is commonly associated with a family history of shortness due to genetic factors. The body height of an individual highly depends on bone metabolism. This study had found the genetic characteristics of FSS, along with their bone metabolic that causes shortness. Such findings contribute significantly to a better understanding of FSS genetically. Although most traits are complex and involve numerous genes, such a study is necessary for guiding and inspiring any relevant research in the future. To a certain extent, this can be one of the starting points to overcome FSS from the perspective of human genetic engineering.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The height of humans has always been a primary criterion of some occupations. Often, it is associated with the level of physical attractiveness. Some studies proved a large number of short people, regardless of their gender, are victims of stigmatization and prejudice. Thus, exposing them to the risk of psychological stress and societal pressure, eventually affecting their quality of life. The results of this study, in line with “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), could serve as a stepping stone for future researches to either alter the negative perception towards shorter people through education or to expand genetic engineering to overcome shortness.
To guide the public in taking care of their oral health, this study has reported that consumption of either 200 g guava/day or 200 mg synthetic vitamin C/day has a preventive effect on the development of gingivitis. 48 non-smoking students were selected as the subjects of the study in which the students were randomly assigned to three groups supplemented daily with either 200 g guava, 200 mg synthetic vitamin C or water for 14 days. Future studies can be conducted by extending the experiment period to make firm conclusions regarding the greater inflammatory preventive effect of guava compared to vitamin C alone.
[the_background] =>
Past studies had reported that the degree of gingival inflammation is directly related to plasma vitamin C and that gingival bleeding can be reduced by vitamin C supplementation, either by diet or supplements. Guava fruit is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiarrheal and antimutagenic properties. Besides that, guava fruit contains almost four times the amount of vitamin C compared to oranges. Hence, this research was conducted to study the effect of guava fruit and synthetic vitamin C on the development of gingival inflammation during experimental gingivitis.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
WHO states that severe periodontal diseases are estimated to affect nearly 10% of the global population. Since gingivitis is one of the leading root causes of periodontal diseases, knowing how to prevent it would maintain one’s oral health. The findings from this study have clearly outlined that consuming guava fruits is a feasible way to reduce the development of gingivitis. Since the UN is aiming to support the research and development of medicines, the findings of this study are important to realize Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of UNSDG.
Intending to improve the properties of banana starch, this study has reported the effect of heat moisture treatment (HMT), annealing (ANN), and dual retrogradation (DR) on the functional properties, pasting properties, and digestibility of starch components of banana flour. HMT and ANN increased the relative crystallinity, but DR decreased it. HMT and DR altered the XRD patterns, while ANN did not cause any change. These effects proved that the properties of starch could be improved for its application in the food industry. In future studies, the parameters of the treatment may be optimized to enhance the value of banana starch further.
[the_background] =>
There are limitations in native starch application because of its poor thermal, shear, and acid stability, as well as the high rate and extent of retrogradation during storage. In order to enhance such properties, physical modification is preferred rather than chemical or enzymatic modification due to the absence of residues of any chemical reagents. Apart from the conflicting conclusions drawn by past reviews, a detailed study comparing different thermal treatment effects on banana flour properties has not been reported. Hence, it is necessary to examine the effects of the three commonly applied thermal modifications, i.e., HMT, ANN and DR in a simultaneous study. The outcome of this study sets a clear direction for the food industry on improving the properties of banana starch.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Although the consumption of banana flour is much lower than that of wheat flour, the global consumption of banana flour is forecast to surpass 400,000 MT by the end of 2027 (Source: Future Market Insights). Looking at the growing market demand, it is important to explore ways to improve the properties of banana flour. Aligned with the UN’s target to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030, the output of this study shows high potential in realizing the Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
This highlight is a summary of the paper Effect of high fibre food mix on lipid profile and body weight in obese subjects from Biomedical Research, May 2019, Allied Academics.
[research_footprints] => Obesity; high fibre food mix; waist circumference; body mass index; dietary intervention; biochemical parameter; body weight; hip circumference; Dietary fibre; Fasting Blood Sugar
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
By altering the nutritional composition of meals consumed by obese rural women, this study recorded positive impacts on weight control measures and body metabolic functions. Researchers developed a low fat, high protein and fibre food mix using locally available ingredients, such as millets, legumes, vegetables and oilseeds. At the end of the dietary implementation, significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) levels were recorded. The increased proportion of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre in the developed meal plan also reduced the quantity of food intake among the subjects; thus, contributing to their weight loss. This study proved that modification of daily diet, by including more fibre, not only helps in weight loss, but also aids in preventing secondary complications.
[the_background] =>
The increasingly convenient lifestyle has altered the daily routine and activities of many. More people are leading a sedentary lifestyle, lacking proper physical activities, and consuming unhealthy meals. As a result, a rise in the statistics of people with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., are observable. From a nutritional perspective, dietary fibre plays an important role in maintaining a healthy diet, especially in managing bodyweight issues. Therefore, this study aims to develop a high fibre-based meal using locally available ingredients to control weight and improve blood test results.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
More than 1.9 billion adults, aged 18 years and above, were reported to be overweight by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016. It was also reported that close to 400 million children and adolescents were either overweight or obese in 2019. Such a scenario gave way to numerous non-communicable diseases, which led to decreased quality of life, or worse, premature fatality. This study initiates dietary interventions as part of a solution to this global concern. By providing data on successful weight control and improved body metabolic functions due to diet plan alteration, this study contributes to the realization of UN SDG 3: Good health and well-being.
[article_url] => https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/effect-of-high-fibre-food-mix-on-lipid-profile-and-body-weight-in-obesesubjects-11469.html
[main_image] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/diet2-1024x576-1.jpg
[podcast] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Geetha_1028662_1597115527.mp3
[doi] => https://doi.org/10.35841/biomedicalresearch.30-19-257
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[post_date] => 2020-10-10 15:23:47
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[post_title] => Higher Risk of Bone fracture among People Living with HIV
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[researchers_name] => PRAMUKTI, Iqbal
[researchers_position] => Department of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
[researchers_photo] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/13.jpg
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[research_footprints] => risk factor; Joanna Briggs Institute; systematic review; general population; incidence rate; bone fracture; osteoporosis; highly active antiretroviral therapy; bone mineral density; people living with HIV
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This study revealed a higher prevalence and incidence rate of bone fracture among people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to the general population. Besides that, it also reported that smoking, older age, osteoporosis, and HIV/HCV coinfection are the significant risk factors for bone fracture among PLWH. The investigation had applied various statistical analysis methods on the relevant researches published up to August 2019. PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL with Full Text, and Medline databases were used as the sources of information for this investigation. With a more accurate and complete report, the healthcare providers will be able to provide better services for the health benefits of PLWH.
[the_background] =>
Among the PLWH, a reliable prevention and treatment program is needed to minimize the consequence of bone loss and morbidity associated with bone fractures. Such a program can be developed and improved by identifying the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for fractures among PLWH. However, the prevalence and incidence rate data reported by the past studies were inconsistent, mainly due to the difference in methodology. Hence, by reviewing the past studies, this study conducted a systematic review and meta-regression to determine the pooled prevalence, incidence rate of fracture and fracture risk factors among PLWH. Other than contributing to the healthcare sector, these findings serve as an important addition to the literature for other future studies to be carried out more successfully.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to WHO, 38 million people were living with HIV globally at end-2019. Thus, accurate pooled prevalence, the incidence rate of fracture and fracture risk factors among the PLWH are important to maintain the health and well-being of the PLWH. While the United Nations aims to strengthen the capacity of all countries for the management of national and global health risks, this study provides meaningful data to achieve Goal 3: Good Health & Well-Being of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
As an effort to help patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM), this study reported that high-dose oral rifampin (up to 30 mg/kg) was save and potentially beneficial to improve survival of patients with (TBM). Sixty adult TBM patients were assigned to 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg oral rifampicin combined with other TB drugs for 30 days. To ensure the well-being of the TBM patients who survived due to the higher dosage, the research team suggested evaluated the efficacy of this dose in the next phase and larger study.
[the_background] =>
The reported high mortality rate in TBM patients with resistance to rifampin had proven that rifampin is an important tuberculosis (TB) drug. However, rifampin has low penetration ability to the brain, site of infection in TBM. Doses up to 20 mg/kg orally still inadequate to reach the target plasma concentration that give survival benefit. Oral rifampin is affordable and developing new drugs takes too long to be useful for treating TB and TBM. Therefore, it is necessary to make the best possible use of existing drugs, i.e., rifampin. In order to address these hurdles, this study was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety/tolerability, and efficacy of higher (up to 30 mg/ kg) doses of oral rifampin as a TBM treatment. The promising result obtained using higher dose oral rifampin is a significant improvement in the treatment of TB and TBM. Such findings implied that there could also be other, more effective methods of using rifampin for such treatment.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In 2018, the WHO estimated 10 million new TB cases worldwide, and there were 205 000 child deaths due to TB. Since TB is one of the top 10 causes of death, the prevention and treatment of TB should be one of the top priorities in medical science. As the UN aims to end the epidemics like tuberculosis by 2030, the objective of this study is very well-aligned with Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of the UNSDG.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Interventions to improve medication adherence in tuberculosis patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled studies, from Nature Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, May 2020, SpringerNature.
[research_footprints] => LTBI; tuberculosis; ltbi patient; synthesis; World Health Organization; active tb patient; treatment completion; secondary outcome; tb patient; sms reminder
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
The findings of this study revealed that some intervention improves medication adherence among Tuberculosis (TB) patients. The study was conducted by analyzing previous articles on TB treatment and carrying out randomized studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the various interventions. Observation of healthcare professionals on tuberculosis (TB) patients during the consumption of the medication is the most common intervention for most TB patients. Other intervention methods, such as Short Message Service (SMS) reminder, health education on TB, behavioral counseling, and shorter regimen, were found to improve medication adherence. However, the various effect of the intervention was identified across the studies. It shows that individual intervention is needed as an impact of the differences in adherence problems among TB patients. Since multiple factors can cause medication adherence, future research on intervention studies should be carried out based on individual problems. Moreover, the intervention should be concentrated on the effectiveness of personalized TB medication adherence programs.
[the_background] =>
The degree in which a patient takes medication as prescribed by the doctors, medication adherence, can be improved through an intervention that results in enhanced effectiveness of treatment on TB patients. So is the goal of this study. The existing studies on TB medication adherence demonstrated various effects, and some provided insufficient information regarding the interventions and their impacts on medication adherence. As a result, articles focusing on possible interventions and medication adherence should be reviewed in future studies. By doing so, more accurate results could be generated, and interventions that can aid in improving the treatment of TB patients could be determined.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. It is one of the leading causes of death, as nearly 1.5 million people died due to TB, as reported by the World Health Organization in 2018. Researchers are carrying out various studies to determine an effective treatment for TB to reduce the deaths and infections of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the future. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) addressed by this study is “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being”. Possible interventions to enhance the effectiveness of existing TB treatments is substantial to attain the “The End TB Strategy” and produce a solution for multidrug-resistant TB, which is a public health crisis. Further studies based on this study are essential in developing new strategies or enhancing existing strategies to treat TB.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Tectonic Geomorphology of Upper Cimanuk Drainage Basin, West Java, Indonesia from the International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering Information Technology, June 2018, Insights Society.
This study provided evidence that the degree of tectonic activity occurring in the Cimanuk drainage basin, where the reservoir is, can be identified by studying the area’s surface and geographical structures. It was observed that in areas controlled by active faults, drainage basins have relatively higher density values compared to the more stable areas. Apart from that, the drainage basin patterns can also be used as an indicator of active tectonics. Some of the other landscape changes visible were the lineament of the ridge, valley and stream, angle of river curvature, etc. This study suggested continuous monitoring and engineering due to the existence of a reservoir to minimize disaster risk if any faults in the vicinity are reactivated.
[the_background] =>
The Cimanuk drainage basin was selected as a strategic study area due to the construction of a reservoir in this region. Understanding the degree of tectonic activity in this region allows easy prediction of potential disasters, like landslides, could occur. The geomorphological analysis also provides information on the extent of damage the area has experienced, thus, allowing proper monitoring and restoration processes to be implemented.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Indonesia is known for volcanic eruptions and earthquake vulnerability due to its location between 3 active tectonic plates. In alignment with the aim of UN SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, to achieve reduced death tolls and number of people affected by natural disasters, this study could potentially be used in developing early warning systems. This would be particularly useful in regions with similar geographical makeup.
This is the first study that evaluates past evidence of pharmacological interventions for delirium treatment and prevention using network meta-analysis (NMA) method. Through a systematic review of randomized clinical trials, haloperidol with lorazepam was identified to provide the highest response rate among the other treatments for delirium. This effectiveness may be due to the reduced side effects associated with this combination drug. Furthermore, ramelteon was found to be the best antipsychotic drug to prevent the emergence of delirium. This is due to its readily binding property to melatonin receptors 1 and 2, which are hormone receptors associated with the development of delirium. Moreover, olanzapine was associated with the lowest occurrence rate of delirium. This study also proves that the treatment and preventive medications examined do not have lethal side-effects.
[the_background] =>
Despite the availability of numerous medications and treatments for delirium, the benefit and harm these interventions pose remained unclear. There have been some concerns about pharmacological interventions increasing mortality in this high-risk population. This study was to determine which medications provide the best delirium response rate, the lowest delirium occurrence rate, and the best tolerability for the treatment and prevention of delirium. By comparing different drugs commonly used in delirium treatment, the data narrowed down haloperidol combined with lorazepam as the best treatment, and ramelteon as the most suitable antipsychotics for prevention.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Delirium is relatively common among elderly patients typically aged 60 years and older, with the prevalence between 9% and 87% among older people undergoing surgery. The goal of this study aligns with the third goal of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which is “Good Health and Well-Being.” In 2018, a study by WHO stated that in the years to come, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years would nearly double. As the number of people aged 60 years and older already outnumbers children younger than 5 years in 2020, a better understanding of which pharmacological interventions for delirium treatment and prevention are most suited will only prove beneficial to society. Since it was estimated that 30% to 40% of delirium cases are potentially preventable, with further studies based on the results of this research, there may be even better chances of its prevention in the future.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Thyroid Hormone Stimulation of Autophagy Is Essential for Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Activity in Skeletal Muscle from the Journal of Endocrinology, January 2016, Oxford Academic.
While trying to exploring more about thyroid hormone (TH), this study showed that TH-mediated autophagy was essential for the stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and activity in skeletal muscle. Besides that, its pathway has been outlined clearly. Consistently results were observed in both in vitro and in vivo tests. The results indicate the presence of a huge room for future studies in investigating the roles of TH.
[the_background] =>
Numerous past studies were conducted to examine the roles and importance of TH. However, there was no information about the role of TH on autophagy in skeletal muscle. By conducting this study, it has been confirmed that TH stimulates skeletal muscle autophagy both in vitro and in vivo. This process is important in regulating skeletal muscle growth, regeneration, and differentiation. New findings like these play a critical role in paving the research path for more in-depth studies regarding TH. By gaining more knowledge, a better context of the human body can be established to improve our health in the future.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The advancement of medical science and the health care sector relies mainly on the level of knowledge of how the human body works. With the findings of this study, a more complete understanding of TH has been established. Aligned with the UN’s aim to reduce premature mortality caused by preventable illnesses by 2030, the study aids in achieving Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of the UNSDG.
To further understand the properties of aluminium (Al), this study has demonstrated that oxygen helped to increase the ductility of Al nanowires. When under tension, a reorganization of the structure of the oxide layer has led to bond healing and preventing fracture and decreasing significantly the number of crystal defects during tension and compression. The results were obtained using molecular dynamics simulation and computational analytic methods. Future studies can be carried out to optimize the toughness of nanodevices by making use of these results.
[the_background] =>
High-strength materials with lightweight are highly sought after in most of the mechanical designs nowadays. Al is well-known for its lightweight and superior mechanical properties. When Al is in the form of a nanowire, it has a higher surface-to-volume ratio and higher oxygen affinity. Hence, the oxide layer can form in seconds and it will change the properties of Al significantly. Meanwhile, the relations between the thickness of the oxidized layer, the strain rate and the mechanical response of nanowires to compression and tension have not been investigated intensively. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the modification of mechanical properties induced by the oxide layer at the surface of Al nanowires.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In this era where nanotechnology is growing rapidly, mechanical designs at nanoscale must be able to keep up with the growth in order to optimize any nano-tech applications. The results of this study are important to the development and enhancement of nanodevices. As the UN strives to upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, this study contributes directly to achieving the UNSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
This study used a computational model to improve the binding stability of the enzyme Saccharomycopsis fibuligera R64 α-amylase (Sfamy R64) for better raw starch digestion. By introducing a mutation at the surface binding site (SBS) of the enzyme through computer-aided molecular designing, results showed a longer binding time between the enzyme and the starch. Such was observed when compared between the original structure and the mutated structure of Sfamy R64 enzyme. Out of the three mutants used, the computational model predicted mutant 3 (MT3) to have significantly improved the starch binding stability of Sfamy R64.
[the_background] =>
Starch is widely used in the manufacturing of both food and non-food products, as well as extending its applications to important pharmaceutical products. Such extensive applications are impossible with raw starch; instead, proper processing and modification of the raw material are needed. However, starch processing is quite expensive due to the high temperature required to breakdown the complex molecules of starch. One of the most desired enzymes for starch digestion in Indonesia is Sfamy R64, but its raw starch adsorptivity is relatively low. Therefore, this study proposed a computer-aided molecular design of Sfamy R64 to improve its performance and stability. Ultimately, suggesting the potential of computational model approach in the development of manufacturing sectors involving enzymes.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
One of the beliefs of the United Nations is that the food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is a necessity to eradicate hunger and poverty. Since the starch processing industry overlaps with a number of food and agriculture industries, this study provides a basis for improving the starch digestion process and its affordability. Apart from that, with the aid of software to perfect the raw material structures, material wastage could also be reduced. Therefore, the extended benefits of this study go along well with the targets of SDG 2: Zero hunger and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production.
This study provides a novel insight on the significance of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) structure in T-cells and its role as a potential target site for immunotherapy. It is reported that the PD-1 glycosylation at N58 in T-cell is important to mediate the interaction between PD-1 and programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1). This finding had led to the synthesis of an antibody, STM418. Upon performing tests on mice, the STM418 was found to display higher potential in enhancing the anti-tumor immunity compared to the FDA-approved nivolumab and pembrolizumab PD-1 antibodies. The STM418 was able to achieve this due to its higher binding affinity to PD-1, leveraging on the glycosylated site, followed by the neutralization of PD-L1/PD-1 binding. By preventing such binding, the T-cell will be more effective in its anti-tumor immune responses, hence, improving the overall efficacy of the immunotherapy.
[the_background] =>
In immunotherapy, T-cell is often the main subject as it plays a central role in the immune response. The PD-1 on T-cell is a protein known as an inhibitory receptor. Though the structure of glycosylated PD-1 is recognized, it’s functional significance, especially on the regulatory mechanism of T-cell activation was largely unknown. This study had established a better characteristic and mechanistic understanding of the interaction between T-cells and tumor cells. The findings showed the engagement of PD-1 with PD-L1 found on the surface of tumor cells led to the suppression of T-cell immune defense, creating an inefficacy in the anti-tumor immunity. That gave rise to the successful synthesis of the antibody, STM418, which showed a promising therapeutic blockade of tumor progression. The results of this study proved a significant breakthrough in immunotherapy, which could potentially serve as a remarkable reference for any future anti-cancer research.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Oncology has always been a crucial area of study in medical science. The types of cancer treatment include (but not limited to) chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and surgery. In an attempt to improve the survival chance of cancer patients, researches are being conducted extensively in each type of treatment. The goal of this study shows good alignment with the “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). With an approximate 9.6 million global deaths reported by WHO in 2018, imagine if there is an effective way to treat cancer. This will restore not only the human’s physical wellness but also mental wellness. By conducting further studies based on the results of this research, it is optimistic that humans stand a better chance of battling cancer.
This article as a whole helps us see how a mother-daughter relationship becomes more apparent with feminist mothering. Through the autobiographies of Krisdayanti, this article highlights how motherhood and mother-daughter relationship plays a vital role in enabling the development of feminist agency and subjectivity in a mother and daughter. The act of “mothering” does not only apply for mothers towards their daughters but vice versa as well. In the biographies, the relationship that Krisdayanti shared with her mother and later on with her children, shows that they viewed the feminine traits of motherhood as empowering, openly accepted and carried out despite the fixed identity roles that have been set by society.
[the_background] =>
Feminine agency and subjectivity can be briefly described as how women strive to live and rise in a male-dominated society and how these women view their roles as a factor that contributes to their identity. As for autobiographies, especially on Indonesian female celebrities, motherhood is something that is often focused on, as seen in Krisdayanti’s. The importance of motherhood and how it contributes to their daughter’s female empowerment/feminine strength is widely discussed in this article, especially as Krisdayanti’s mother openly embraced the role of providing a livelihood for her family, which is usually seen as a masculine trait. Overall, her mother has portrayed feminine traits that empowered her daughters to be independent and develop their own agency and subjectivity.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to a report by the World Economic Forum on the global gender gap, it will take approximately 108 years to reach gender parity and gender equality. With this rate, it will be long before the future generation of daughters can experience equal treatment and opportunities that go against society’s stereotypes against women. The message behind this article can be related to “Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). One of the targets under this goal is to “ensure women have full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life.” The example set by Krisdayanti’s mother clearly shows feminine empowerment and leadership. This is important as her daughters were exposed to these traits hence preparing them to take on leadership roles in the future, which can help in the process of closing the gender gap.
[article_url] => https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/kk/article/view/KK2020.03310
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.13185/KK2020.03310
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[publication_title] => Mothering Celebrities: Feminine/Feminist Agency and Subjectivity in the Auto/biographies of an Indonesian Female Celebrity
[journal_title] => International Electronic Journal of Literary, Language, and Cultural Studies
[publisher] => Ateneo de Manila University
[year] => May 2018
[subject] => Literature and Cultural Studies
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[post_title] => Factors Affecting the Motivation and Performance of Forensic Examiners
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[researchers_name] => MOHAMMAD, Benny Alexandri
[researchers_position] => Department of Business Administration, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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This highlight is a summary of the paper The Effect of Competence and Discipline of Work on Motivation and its Impact on Performance of Forensic Checkers at Puslabfor Bareskrim Indonesia National Police (POLRI) from the Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 2019.
DOI: –
[research_footprints] => forensic examiner; table value of 0.222; central forensic laboratory; work discipline; POLRI; Performance of Forensic Examiner; Motivation; Competence
[graphic_abstract] =>
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[the_novelty] =>
As an effort to overcome the decline in work performance, this study reported the effect of work competence and discipline on motivation and its impact on the performance of forensic examiners for the National Police Bareskrim. It was conducted via data collection through questionnaires distributed to 78 respondents, followed by the application of analytical methods, including multiple linear regressions with path analysis and Sobel test. For a more in-depth study in the near future, scientists may include variables such as job satisfaction variables, organizational climate, compensation, and organizational culture, to have a better understanding of factors affecting performance.
[the_background] =>
There had been a decline in the completion of examination cases of evidence by the Center for Forensic Laboratory of the National Police Bareskrim (Puslabfor Bareskrim POLRI) from 2012 to 2016. Besides that, the forensic examiners who were present in full during working hours only ranged from 40% -55%. In order to increase the overall performance, this study had been carried out to investigate how competence, discipline, motivation, and performance influence one another. By leveraging the output of this investigation, initiatives and strategies can be established to improve the performance of various departments.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In 2017, McKinsey Global Institute reported that 75 to 375 million people might need to switch occupations due to the adoption of automation. This implied that if the work performance of humans is not up to expectation, humans can be easily replaced by computers and machines. Since the UN targets to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men by 2030, this study was conducted to enhance the performance of the workforce to meet the Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth of UNSDG.
This study showed that the Indonesian food and beverages (F&B) industry has a high dynamic technical inefficiency. Besides that, industrial concentration has a positive correlation with the dynamic technical inefficiency. Panel data of 44 subsectors in the Indonesian food and beverage industry for the period 1980-2014 had been analyzed using various statistic analytical tools. This study raises an issue about the inaccurate measure of the technical inefficiency using static approach by providing a measure of dynamic technical inefficiency. The modeling approach applied in this study can also be applied to evaluate other industries (other than F&B) accurately in any future studies.
[the_background] =>
Industrial concentration refers to the extent to which production is concentrated among firms in an industry. Technical efficiency is the effectiveness with which a given set of inputs is used to produce an output. Past research that studied the relation between industrial concentration and performance relies on static measures of performance, including technical efficiency. However, static measures provide an inaccurate metric of the firms’ performance in the presence of adjustment costs associated with the investment. Such inaccuracy will, in turn, affect the decision-making process of policymakers negatively. Thus, this research aimed to enhance the data reliability and accuracy by measuring the dynamic technical inefficiency accounting for the presence of the adjustment cost as well as its relation with an industrial concentration in the Indonesian F&B industry.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The economic growth of a country depends a lot on the awareness of policymakers. Therefore, an in-depth report like this one is crucial as it not only highlights the current state of the economy, but also gives practical suggestions for improvement. The UN aims to promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities. Hence, by using these findings as a reference in making or amending economic and industrial policy, it will be a great effort towards materializing Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure of UNSDG.
This study aims to improve diabetes care management strategies and to decrease the risk of diabetes-related complications in patients. It is the first largest population study that focused on identifying the correlation between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and the development of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The results of this observation proved that fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HBA1C) were significant in the prevalence of AD among diabetes patients. A shared pathophysiological link between blood glucose level variation and AD was determined. By monitoring the FPG and HBA1C coefficient of variation based on every visit, a more sensitive and efficient clinical management of TD2M could be established, and the risk of AD could be reduced.
[the_background] =>
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated mainly with poor lifestyle and diet system, which, if left unchecked, could lead to a range of severe clinical complications. Past studies have linked diabetes to the development of vascular dementia and as a risk factor of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, there is still a lack of evidence relating current T2DM clinical management strategies with cognitive dysfunction. This study addressed an association between blood glucose level variation and its potential in increasing the risk of AD. The results provide new insights into glucose control and AD prevention in diabetes care, which could be used to initiate lifestyle modification intervention for secondary prevention by healthcare personnel.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In 2016, WHO estimated diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death, with about 1.6 million fatalities reported due to high blood glucose. Those above 18 years old who were diagnosed with diabetes increased from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014, and the incident rate has been rising ever since. As life expectancy continues to extend, more and more people are living with diabetes with deteriorating cognitive function and other chronic diseases. This study offers an efficient screening and management approach to monitor the development of Alzheimer’s Disease among diabetes patients. Such early detection and prevention intervention align well with the UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being in improving the mortality rate and quality of life.
While trying to improve pediatric pain management in Indonesia, this study aimed to identify several organizational structural and cultural factors that were thought to hinder the nurses’ provision of effective pain care to pediatric patients. A qualitative study was conducted via in-depth interviews to record 37 Indonesian nurses’ perceptions of barriers to pediatric pain management in two hospitals. By making use of these findings, the relevant departments and authorities could have a clearer picture of how to improve clinical nurses’ performance and capability in providing pain care to pediatric patients. Future studies can be conducted to examine physicians’ perceptions and experiences regarding the subject matter.
[the_background] =>
Despite the fact that various research and clinical studies on all aspects of pain have been carried out globally, children continue to experience moderate to severe pain during hospitalization. Furthermore, practices remain unable to achieve the ideal scenario, and the factors affecting pain management, as well as its implementation, have not been well identified. Hence, this study was conducted to help eliminate the barriers impeding effective practice in pediatric pain management. Besides nurse-related barriers, past studies also reported that the barriers to pain assessment and management include patient-related barriers, physician-related barriers and system-related barriers. By making an effort to overcome each of these, the well-being of hospitalized children can be further improved.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Every day, children are being admitted to hospitals for medical attention and are exposed to pain during treatment. Uncontrolled pain might impair the physical, social and psychological functions of pediatric patients. This might also lead to chronic pain in adulthood. For the sake of the well-being of pediatric patients, the current study shows potential to achieve Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of the UNSDG.
In the process of creating a more viable encapsulant, this study reported that the higher amount of gum arabic used in encapsulant materials had contributed better protection to the stability of bioactive compounds of the red ginger extract powder during storage. Compared to maltodextrin: gum arabic ratio 10:0 and 8:2, ratio 5:5 showed the best stability. The powders were characterized using up to eight methods to determine the results. Based on literature, there are possibilities to further improve the overall effectiveness of the encapsulant materials by introducing modified starch or other potential materials. This could be a future direction to be explored.
[the_background] =>
In comparison to the raw form, ginger extract has more advantages, including more practical for food processing, lower transportation cost, lower chance of microbial contamination, and longer shelf life. However, its viscous and sticky textures make it less feasible to be processed for industrial applications. More importantly, the unstable bioactive compounds in ginger extract might undergo destructive chemical changes during storage. That is why coming up with suitable encapsulant materials is necessary to protect the stability of the bioactive compounds and to extend the overall shelf life of ginger extract. Apart from being low cost and has high availability, maltodextrin is a glass former which can prevent the core material from oxidation. When combined with gum arabic, the combination could form a high-potential encapsulant. To date, there is insufficient literature regarding the characteristics of red ginger extract powder during storage and the effect of encapsulant materials (specifically maltodextrin and gum arabic) on the characteristics. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the optimal ratio of maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulant materials, as well as their effects on the characteristics of ginger extract. By having a reliable encapsulant, the shelf life of various substances, including medicines, can be extended.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The global volume of food wastage is estimated at 1.6 billion tonnes (Source: FAO of the UN). With the established transportation modes, transporting goods is no longer a hassle. Nevertheless, the lead time and storage conditions during transit might be a limitation, especially for food-related goods. Hence, it is necessary to come up with methods to extend the shelf life of these goods. This study had reported a promising formulation to create an encapsulant which maintains the stability of the bioactive compounds in ginger abstract. Since the UN aims to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030, the outcome of this study is a significant step towards realizing the Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
[article_url] => https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814620313522?via%3Dihub
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127490
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[publication_title] => The role of encapsulant materials on the stability of bioactive compounds of red ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe. var. Rubrum) extract powder during storage
[journal_title] => Journal of Food Chemistry
[publisher] => Elsevier
[year] => December 2020
[subject] => Food Science
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[post_title] => Effect of Milking Practices and Diet on Dairy Cow Health
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[researchers_name] => MAYASARI, Novi
[researchers_position] => Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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This highlight is a summary of the paper Effects of dry period length and dietary energy source on inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress in dairy cows, March 2017, Journal of Dairy Science.
Researchers attempt to study the effect of milking schedule and dietary supplies on improving the energy balance and metabolic status of dairy cows within the first month of calving. The results showed that cows undergoing continuous milking until delivery led to high levels of cholesterol, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) in plasma. Lower liver functionality index along with lower bilirubin and paraoxonase levels were also observed in cows with a 0-day dry period. These findings proved that by omitting the dry period prior to the delivery improved the energy balance and metabolic status of the dairy cows. Furthermore, the reduced production of milk during early lactation due to continuous milking before birthing reduced inflammation and oxidative stress too. However, such practice, independent of the feed, was found to trigger extended health complications, especially with the increase in haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin levels.
[the_background] =>
Past studies have proven that cows regularly milked throughout the pregnancy period show better energy balance and metabolic health in the next lactation. However, controversies were surrounding such claims as there was still a lack of evidence in terms of inflammatory biomarkers in dairy cow plasma and liver functionality. This research intended to fill in the knowledge void related to the milking patterns of dairy cows and the type of ration fed, and the effect on the energy balance and metabolic health of postpartum dairy cows.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the statistics shared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, worldwide milk production has increased by more than 59% over the past 3 decades. That said, animal diseases leading to increased death rate or reduced productivity in dairy animals are causing substantial economic losses. This research provides an in-depth understanding of the effects of milking practices on the health and longevity of the dairy cows. With that, diary farmers could protect livestock accordingly and ultimately maintain economic growth, and fight hunger, malnutrition and poverty. All of which could contribute to the realization of SDG 1: No poverty, and SDG 2: Zero hunger.
As part of the oral and facial pain management, this current study reported that curcumin was effective in treating acute inflammation pain in the post-surgical removal of impacted third molars (also known as wisdom teeth) patients. With ninety patients that were recruited, randomly assigned, and evaluated for this study, the intensity of pain experienced by these patients at several time intervals was evaluated by using a numeric rating scale. Hopefully, the findings of this study can be used as scientific evidence for future studies that are aiming to explore the therapeutic potentials of natural remedies.
[the_background] =>
Surgical removal of impacted third molars is one of the dental procedures that have the potential to induce acute post-surgery inflammation pain in the oral region. Past studies have reported that curcumin possesses the ability to reduce or better yet eliminate acute inflammation pain, including the one that arises after surgical procedures. Nonetheless, no study has ever evaluated the efficacy of curcumin in managing acute inflammation pain due to the third-molar removal procedure. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of curcumin in managing acute inflammation pain on post-surgical removal of impacted third molars patients.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Although acute post-surgical inflammation pain is common and expected, pain management is still a priority in medical science to ensure the well-being of patients. This study has successfully proven the efficacy of curcumin as a natural ingredient in relieving acute post-surgical inflammation pain. Aligned with the UN’s target to support the research and development of medicines, this could contribute to achieving the UNSDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
This research provided an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing urban consumers’ willingness to pay for electricity service. Among the four factors identified were geographical accessibility, quality of access, source of electricity, and tariffs. This research was also the first to use a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in Indonesia to gauge the consumer preferences of the electricity sector. The results of the analysis indicated that consumers are willing to pay a higher tariff for electricity if the quality and accessibility can be improved. Therefore, policymakers can now make informed decisions on financial allocations without compromising social welfare. With that said, further research considering the opinions of industrial and commercial users is suggested for a better overview of consumer preferences towards improving electricity service.
[the_background] =>
The Indonesian government aims to improve electricity supply and achieve 99.7% of electricity coverage nationwide while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by the year 2025. The existing flaws in the current electricity service are the frequent power shortages, lack of proper facilities in rural areas, and the over-reliance on coal as an energy source. In order to improve the current electricity service, a substantial amount of investment is required, which would directly affect the cost paid by the consumers. The findings of this study, therefore, provides the policymakers real-time data to base their decisions upon.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
As reported in the Global Energy Statistical Yearbook 2020, there was a slight increase in global electricity consumption in the year 2019, while a significant decline in global and Indonesian coal consumption was observed. In line with the aims of the UN SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, this study could be used as a reference to implement affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
[article_url] => https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352484719303191
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.02.018
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[publication_title] => Consumers’ willingness to pay for electricity service attributes: A discrete choice experiment in urban Indonesia
[journal_title] => Journal of Energy Reports
[publisher] => Elsevier
[year] => November 2020
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[post_title] => Cost and Challenges of Establishing Maternity Protection at Workplace
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[researchers_name] => SIREGAR, Adiatma
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[research_footprints] => World Development Indicators; Maternity leave; International Labour Organization; maternity protection program; United Nation’s Children Fund; breast milk substitutes; indonesia; Maternity protection; lactation room; Breastfeeding
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Maternity protection poses various benefits to breastfeeding mothers and their children. The costs of maternity protection were estimated through the calculation of existing information regarding population growth, estimated cost of paid maternity leave, and the cost of setting up private space for breastfeeding mothers to use breast pumps. The challenges faced in establishing maternity protection programs were determined by asking sets of open-ended questions to workers from different work sectors and organizations. Maternity protection, such as 6 months paid maternity leave, and private space for breastfeeding mothers allow breastfeeding mothers to practice the recommended breastfeeding practice set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This practice benefits both the mothers and their children as it reduces infant and maternal death rates, cancer rates in pregnant mothers, and loss of mental processes in infants as well as improves the country’s economy. The study shows that such practice is economically feasible and well below the costs of not breastfeeding. Future studies could investigate the association between maternity protection and the employment of women.
[the_background] =>
The outcome of this study can be used by people involved in developing policies (policymakers) to understand that establishing maternity protection affects not only the working mother but also the workplace culture and the economy of the country. The goal of this study is to provide policymakers with sufficient knowledge of the cost and challenges involved in establishing the recommended maternity protection. The limitations of existing policies in Indonesia are that maternity leave given is only at the minimum recommended maternity leave, and not all women are cared for under these policies as the implementation differs in each company. A possible solution to overcome the limitations is recommended maternity protection policies should be implemented in all companies throughout the country. Another possible modification is to increase the length of maternity leave from 13 weeks to a minimum of six months. Such is only possible through the collaboration of government, private sectors and companies in sharing the cost in establishing policies.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Maternity protection is a form of women’s rights entitled to working females to secure their job and earn a minimum salary while being pregnant. The policy provides a form of protection towards the health of pregnant mothers and their children. The “Goal 10: Reduce Inequalities” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is the focus of this study. The provision of proper maternity protection promotes the empowerment of women in various work sectors. It also prevents pregnancy and motherhood from being a hurdle for women to complete their tasks at the workplace and explore different types of jobs. Establishing maternity protection creates a workplace culture that cares for the needs of women, which is essential in producing a society that treats men and women as equals.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Are fishermen happier? Evidence from a large-scale subjective well-being survey in a lower-middle-income country from the Journal of Marine Policy, August 2019, PLOS.
[research_footprints] => demographics; life survey; subjective economic ladder; life satisfaction; non fisherman; regional characteristics; Corresponding; Authors; Indonesian Family Life Survey; positive attitude
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
To resolve questions about the happiness associated with being a fisherman, this study has reported that fishers, who are self-employed with workers, are happier than non-fishers. Also, fishers are generally more optimistic in life, especially towards the future change in economic status. The findings were obtained by applying statistical analysis methods on a database of a survey of almost 20,000 individuals from which fishers and non-fishers can be identified. Further studies can be conducted to investigate the causation of these findings.
[the_background] =>
Various studies have reported that fishers derived considerable satisfaction from their work, regardless of whether they were full- or part-timers. However, the literature on life satisfaction among fishers does not represent whether being fishermen is generally associated with either higher or lower life satisfaction. That is because the former focuses on the well-being among fishers but the latter is a comparison between being fishermen and non-fishermen. Hence, this study, which aimed to assess the happiness of fishers, has involved non-fishers as controls in its investigation to come up with a more reasonable and relevant comparison.
The SDG Impact
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Happiness is a crucial indication of the well-being of humans. Constant exposure to unhappiness can lead to negative implications, such as depression and suicidal tendencies. This study has developed a methodology to study the life satisfaction of humans based on occupation. It will be useful to measure the well-being of a worker and, therefore, able to reduce unwanted incidents that arise from unhappiness at the workplace. Through promoting mental health and well-being, this study contributes towards the achievement of UNSDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.
With the intention to reduce cases of dengue infection, this study confirmed that vaccination combined with a Wolbachia program was the most cost-effective intervention of dengue infection, compared to two other strategies, i.e., vaccination only, and vaccination combined with health education. The study has developed an age-structured decision tree model to assess the cost-effectiveness of each of the strategies. Nonetheless, a more comprehensive study can be carried out in the future by considering the country-specific data on vaccine efficacy.
[the_background] =>
In Indonesia, there is no dengue vaccination being introduced yet despite the high morbidity and mortality rates due to dengue infection. Vaccination is potentially the most effective control strategy against dengue. Meanwhile, a Wolbachia program piloted in Yogyakarta has shown promising results. Health education is also important in increasing people’s knowledge and cultivating positive attitudes as well as good practices in preventing dengue. By conducting this study, the output served as valuable information for the government to develop the next initiatives to prevent dengue infection efficiently. Nonetheless, the budget for vaccination has to be ready prior to implementing the findings from this study.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The outbreak of the recent COVID-19 pandemic has proven that public health is one of the most critical factors in determining the economic growth and sustainability of a country. Thus, it is of utmost importance for the government to prioritize all efforts related to public health. The output of this study has made the calculations easier for the government to plan the next step for preventing and fighting dengue infection. Since the UN aims to strengthen the capacity of all countries for risk reduction of national and global health risks, this study helps to achieve Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of the UNSDG.
[article_url] => https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4217
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124217
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[publication_title] => Cost-Effectiveness of Dengue Vaccination in Indonesia: Considering Integrated Programs with Wolbachia-Infected Mosquitos and Health Education
[journal_title] => International Journal of Enviromental Research and Public Health
[publisher] => MDPI
[year] => June 2020
[subject] => Pharmacology; Clinical
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[post_date] => 2020-10-07 04:45:56
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[post_title] => Evolution of Feathers: Inspiration for Future Industrial Material Construction
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[researchers_name] => CHUONG, Cheng-Ming (鍾正明)
[researchers_position] => Senior Scientific Advisor, Integrative Stem Cell Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
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[researchers_name_2] => JUAN, Wen-Tau (阮文滔)
[researchers_position_2] => Integrative Stem Cell Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
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[research_footprints] => Evolution; Development; Stem Cells; Dermal Papilla; Keratin; Composite Biomaterials; Morphogenesis; Branching Morphogenesis; Aamber; Feathered Dinosaurs
[graphic_abstract] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ga-3.png
[video] => https://www.youtube.com/embed/j80o5RL_cM0
[the_novelty] =>
This research studies the structures of flight feathers via a multi-disciplinary approach focusing on the biological build (bio-architecture) and molecular control of bird feathers. By comparing the evolution of feathers of the past and the present, the advancement of feathers from a simple filamentous appendage into a three-level structure with multi-dimension functionality was observed. Such evolution of the flight mode adaptation displayed both complexification and simplification of structural and material changes. Though contradicting, the transformation was necessary to develop a balanced feather structure for optimum flight performance of different bird groups. The study also summarized bio-architectural principles that have allowed flight feathers to be flexible, adaptable, and functional versatility.
[the_background] =>
Since feathers are crucial for a considerable number of organisms to adapt different flight modes under various eco-space, understanding the bio-architecture principles of different feathers will help in designing flight-based materials with optimal functionality. This study used a newly developed quantitative morphology field analysis (QMorF) to evaluate the biophysical properties of feathers used for different flight characteristics. These quantitative results serve as an important resource to inspire the designs and fabrication of composite materials used for various applications, such as jets, drones, satellites, missiles, and wind turbines.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
The purpose and results of this study contribute significantly to “Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As a requirement for fulfilling this goal, there is a need to upgrade infrastructures and industries to be more sustainable with increased resource-use efficiency. Since efficiency, safety, and automation are the few of the top priorities, the future designs of industrial equipment must not just be advanced but also innovative to meet these priorities. With the in-depth quantitative results and the revealed bio-architectural development from this study, numerous design possibilities offered by nature could be used as inspiration for engineers and innovation experts to rethink flight-based structural builds.
Original Article Reference
This highlight is a summary of the paper New cytotoxic limonoids from the stem bark of Chisocheton pentandrus (Blanco) Merr from the Journal of Phytochemistry Letters, February 2020, Elsevier.
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
The structural diversity of limonoids extracted from genus Chisocheton has been reported to bring about valuable medical benefits. Intrigued by the richness of compounds found in the stem bark of C. pentandrus plant and their potential therapeutic applications, this study isolated seven limonoids. Each of these compounds was screened for their anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Out of the seven compounds isolated, three new limonoids were identified (pentandricines B-D), and their chemical structures were determined. When all seven compounds were tested against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, nimonol showed the most promising results of anticancer activity. This is due to its structural uniqueness, which consists of furan ring and acetyl groups.
[the_background] =>
Limonoids from genus Chisocheton are known for their significant biological properties as insecticides, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antiviral, and anticancer. However, many more compounds naturally present in Chisocheton plants remain undiscovered along with their healing potentials. Therefore, the findings of this study contribute to the growing understanding of the chemical diversity in C. pentandrus extracts, specifically those found in the stem bark. By identifying the structures of the newly discovered pentandricines B-D, future research on the characterization of their functions is made possible. Furthermore, the anticancer activity demonstrated by nimonol against breast cancer provides potential pharmaceutical expansion in treating the disease.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with breast cancer being the most commonly diagnosed. As much as chemically synthesized drugs are relied upon, naturally occurring compounds from tropical plants, especially from Meliaceae family are recognized as novel sources for many cancer drugs. In line with the UN SDG 3: Good health and well-being targets, this study lays the foundation for developing new and affordable cancer drugs as well as reducing the premature mortality rate caused by cancer.
This study successfully synthesized amorphous silica nanoparticles through a simple solution method by manipulating the concentration of sodium silicate. By using the beads milling technique and SND 504 dispersing agent, the particle dispersion size and stability were optimized. It was observed that with a 10 wt% SND 504 dispersing agent, the highest water resistance with low critical surface tension was achieved. Also, when tested against Staphylococcus aureus, these dispersed silica nanoparticles showed positive anti-bacterial activity. This study is the first of its kind for using dispersants used in painting applications as an anti-bacterial agent as well. In conclusion, these characterizations proved the potential of the synthesized amorphous silica as an effective filler for painting applications.
[the_background] =>
Silica nanoparticles have gathered the attention of many in recent years due to its wide range of applications, for instance, as catalysts, functional coatings, ceramics, drug delivery and nanomedicine, etc. There is a growing need for a more cost-effective and easier preparation method to mass produce this material without compromising its quality or functions. This study provides proof of cost-effective synthesis of amorphous silica using an economical raw material, sodium silicate, and through an easy technique of optimizing the solution concentration. It also characterizes the material and dispersant to be used to have a better performance in terms of anti-bacterial properties and hydrophobicity. The findings could be used as a foundation of further exploring potential modifications to fit specific requirements in painting applications, or even to improve existing antibiotics delivery in the field of medicine.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Nanotechnology is the buzzword of this era, with a lot of research and development invested in improving industries like manufacturing, medical, agricultural, etc. This study provides insights into silica nanoparticle synthesis and its functions, which is deemed to be beneficial to enhancing the technological capabilities of industrial sectors worldwide. Hence, aligning its impact along with the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Original Reference
This highlight is a summary of the paper Identity Exhibition in Batik Motifs of Ebeg and Pataruman, April 2019, Sage Publishing.
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
As an effort to preserve cultural identity and values, this research has put together a very comprehensive study on how Banjar City in West Java, Indonesia, is exhibiting its identity through batik motifs of Ebeg and Pataruman. Via library research, site visit, interviews and qualitative analysis, an in-depth qualitative discussion was done on the significance behind Ebeg and Pataruman. By applying a similar methodology to study other cultural heritage, the output can be presented in various forms of media to promote culture and tourism extensively.
[the_background] =>
The popularity of batik in Indonesia (esp. in Java) had declined in the 1970s due to several reasons, including the breakdown of a feudal society and the fact that Javanese women sought other careers apart from batik-making. Other than that, the competition caused by batiks from Malaysia and Singapore had also led to such decline. Although Indonesian batik has been acknowledged as an intangible cultural heritage since 2nd October 2009, an effort has to be made to ensure that the values of batik in Indonesia are preserved and developed perpetually. By carrying out this study, the historical and cultural values of the batik motifs of Ebeg and Pataruman could be documented officially and be shared widely.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
According to UNESCO, there are 53 properties (worldwide) listed in the List of World Heritage in Danger as of year 2020, and the list is still expanding each year. With a proper marketing plan, the findings of this research can be used to further improve the tourism sector of Indonesia. By doing so, more job opportunities can be created. Aligned with the UN’s target to devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products by 2030, this study helps to realize the Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth of UNSDG.
Through in vitro and in vivo experimentation, this study presents a novel strategy to treat human papillomavirus (HPV) associated tumors using a peptide-based vaccine supplemented with a Chinese herb extract. Results from this study proved that Hedyotis diffusa Willd (Bai Hua She She Cao, BHSSC) largely improved the peptide vaccine-induced antitumor by enhancing T-cell memory response. The study demonstrated that BHSSC increased activation of mouse and human dendritic cells (DC) and strengthened antigen presentation in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, which triggered antigen-specific CD8 T-cell immunity. Rutin, an active compound from BHSSC, was found to trigger DC activation and slow down tumor growth, suggesting an involvement in therapeutic and antitumor responses against HPV-related tumors. Results confirmed the combination of BHSSC extract and peptide-based vaccine treatment on HPV-associated cancer could improve specific immune responses, and its independence of the toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and immunosuppressive factors.
[the_background] =>
Though HPV is widely known as a sexually transmitted infection and, it may also account for certain cancer development. Current vaccines contain capsid protein that blocks specific HPV type viral infection but are useless against virus-infected or cancerous cells. In Asian countries, Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) can treat diseases such as tumors, infections, and autoimmune diseases. BHSSC is commonly used and is linked with a range of safe and effective cancer treatment options. However, the role of BHSSC on immune response and healing effect on HPV related cancer is still unclear. Certain vaccines, when combined with an appropriate supplement, can improve immunity and increase vaccine effectiveness. CHM extracts are potential supplementary compounds in vaccines to generate cellular/humoral immune response. As peptide-based vaccination increases vaccine effectiveness and reduces toxicity, the application of CHM may be a safe option. The study found the effectiveness of BHSSC extract as an immune stimulant, and the combination with vaccines increased immunologic activity.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
In the field of cancer research, immunotherapy is a promising and growing field. Cancer vaccines show potential in immunotherapeutic treatments, and the main concern is the ability of the dendritic cells to generate T-cell responses. The combination of herbal adjuvant and the peptide-based vaccine aligns with the goals of goal 3: Good Health and Well-being of Sustainable Development Goal. This novel strategy against virus-associated tumors provides a chance for a better lifestyle and better health for the population.
[research_footprints] => Chinese Herbal Medicine; BHS SC; Dendritic Cells; Bone Marrow-derived Dendritic Cells; Incomplete Freund’s Adjuvant; Immunized with long Peptide; Human Papillomavirus; Polymyxin B; Antigen-presenting Cell
[article_url] => https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00062/full
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[doi] => https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00062
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[publication_title] => A Potential Herbal Adjuvant Combined With a Peptide-Based Vaccine Acts Against HPV-Related Tumors Through Enhancing Effector and Memory T-Cell Immune Responses
[journal_title] => Journal of Frontiers in Immunology
[publisher] => Frontier
[year] => August 2019
[subject] => Medical
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[post_date] => 2020-10-07 03:38:08
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[post_title] => Adopting Social Media into Local Media Business Model
[post_excerpt] =>
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[researchers_name] => MARYANI, Eni
[researchers_position] => Department of Communication, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
[researchers_photo] => https://iesresearch.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ebu-Nartabu.jpg
[researchers_profile] => https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eni_Maryani
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This highlight is a summary of the paper The Implications of Social Media on Local Media Business: Case Studies in Palembang, Manado, and Bandung, March 2020, Malaysian Journal of Communications.
[graphic_abstract] =>
[video] =>
[the_novelty] =>
This case study revealed that local media businesses are starting to adopt and integrate social media platforms as part of their operating model. However, the awareness and ability from their managers to utilize social media is still limited. A few challenges were identified while observing three local media businesses in Indonesia, among which were poor investment of effort, awareness and expectation gap, lack of strategy and leadership, and lack of urgency. By addressing these challenges, this study suggested solutions to how the local media business could leverage social media to expand their audience, strategically utilize the data of their digital audience, and in turn offer these data to the advertisers to increased their revenue.
[the_background] =>
Social media platforms are no more just an avenue for communication; instead, it has also become one of the prominent sources of information, especially for the younger generation. This technological advancement extends its impact on the development of media business. Part of the revenue of media businesses comes from advertisements. But in the Indonesian context, this opportunity is highly dependent on Nielsen’s rating, which often favors the national media. Using social media platforms to disseminate content is one of the ways for local media businesses to level the playing field. Therefore, this study aimed to observe how local media businesses adopt social media into their operations.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
As technology and social media become fully integrated into daily life activities, media businesses, whether local, national, or international, have to improve their information disseminate techniques. By accepting and adapting to the change, companies could effectively engage with the customers or audiences. In this context, local media business could use multiple social media platforms to strengthen their relationships with their existing markets, and simultaneously reach new potential markets. The findings of this case study could be used to create awareness among local media to encourage innovation. Thus, aligning with the aims of UN SDG9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, to foster innovation, and promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Assessment of GHG Emission Reduction Potential from Source-separated Organic Waste (SOW) Management: Case Study in a Higher Educational Institution in Malaysia’ from Sains Malaysiana, February 2015, Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM Press).
This study shares an innovative approach to transform the existing linear economy into a circular economy through the improvement of waste management system. The greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission reduction potential is evaluated via composting of source-separated organic waste (SOW) in municipal solid waste within University of Malaya (UM) vicinity. The results are intended to increase awareness on the benefits of integrated solid waste management system and the reduction of global warming through waste prevention strategies worldwide. This study could also serve as a guideline for policymakers in enforcing a better waste management system.
[the_background] =>
In response to the issues of solid waste management in campus, the initiation of the Zero Waste Campaign aims to divert and reduce waste generated from going to the landfills. The adaptation of an integrated waste management system includes recycling, waste treatment and waste to energy conversion. Ultimately, this approach intends to contribute to the improvement of resource conservation, protection of environment and human health.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
A research in 2016 concluded that 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste was generated in cities worldwide. With the rate of urbanization and population growth the world is experiencing, the annual waste generated is expected to see no reduction. The threats of unsustainable waste management are real especially in developing countries and low-income countries due to unregulated waste disposal methods and open burning. Thus, it is believed that by noticing the importance of integrated waste management system, it will lead to an awareness of how environmental burden can be reduced and ways to promote responsible waste disposal. This is also in line with UN’s twelfth Sustainable Development Goal which is ensuring sustainable consumption and production pattern in the long run.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘Lignin Extraction from Coconut Shell Using Aprotic Ionic Liquids’ from BioResources, June 2017, BioResources.
This study emphasises on introducing a greener lignin extraction process from coconut shell through the usage of aprotic ionic liquids. By manipulating the cations and anions ratio of [Emim][Ace], 10% of regenerating lignin was obtained from a two-hour treatment at 150oC, proving a higher yield production compared to other ionic liquids tested. The unique ability of the solvent to be recycled up to four times and to enhance the biomass pre-treatment processes serve as a game-changer in biowaste management system.
[the_background] =>
Existing lignin extraction processes are known to use harsh solvents and harsh conditions, leading to low-value product conversion and worse still, environmental pollution. The tuneable nature of ionic liquids and known capacity in dissolving organic biomass makes it a desirable solvent media in bio-transformations. By extracting lignin from biomass using ionic liquids proves to be inexpensive, greener and cleaner with no toxic or odorous gases emission as a byproduct of the process.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Introduction of aprotic ionic liquids into biomass treatment is important to the sustainability of chemical industry to due the potential generation of a number of valuable chemical feedstock. In line with UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7, the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into bioproducts could potentially reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, allowing access to affordable and sustainable energy, especially for developing countries like Brazil, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
This highlight is a summary of the paper ‘UASFF start-up for biohydrogen and biomethane production from treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent’ from the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, August 2019, Elsevier.
This is a start-up study examining the behaviour and performance of palm oil mill effluent in the production of biohydrogen and biomethane gases. Factors such as process stability and biogas production are considered in the conversion of palm oil discharge using a two-stage up-flow anaerobic sludge fixed film (UASFF) bioreactor. In addition to the conventional methane production, this research provides an efficient method of palm oil wastewater treatment with a higher value output of hydrogen gas production. With the support of industries and government, this research could serve as a golden standard in palm oil waste treatment as well as be implemented as part of a sustainable approach in various industrial organic waste management system.
[the_background] =>
The rapidly diminishing energy source has imposed a growing demand on resource conservation and green energy production initiatives. Apart from utilizing methane as an organic byproduct to generate energy, hydrogen gas production via industrial wastewater treatment promises a cleaner energy source. The outcome of this research could be used as a technical basis for the development of larger-scale prototype design of UASFF to produce biohydrogen and biomethane gases from palm oil discharge treatment.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
Anaerobic treatment is a well-established technology for treatment of wastes and wastewaters as it is technologically simple with a low energy consumption workflow. Moreover, it is an efficient, economical and environmental-friendly method. The final product of anaerobic digestion is biogas, a mixture of methane and hydrogen, which could potentially be leveraged in the form of renewable energy source. In compliance to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, this research aims to fulfil the following:
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
This study aims to introduce a viable alternative training technique in the drilling of aerospace-grade CFRP panels by developing a virtual reality (VR) system. The traditional training system in the drilling of aerospace-grade CFRP panels requires many resources, including time, materials, tools, and instructors. The proposed VR system mainly consists of a Realistic Human Ergonomics Analysis (RHEA), a 6D haptic device, motion trackers, a 3D Power Wall system, and 3D projectors. Based on several critical parameters involved in the actual drilling, the VR system can accurately rate the performance of a particular technician. Hence, the system is statically proven to be feasible in training beginners to master the essential skills in the drilling of aerospace-grade CFRP.
[the_background] =>
In the aerospace industry, precision is crucial as failure means loss of precious lives and costly equipment. Despite having automated drilling systems to perform precise drilling, human expertise is still irreplaceable, especially in performing a proper angled drilling on irregular-shaped larger aircraft panels. Therefore, training is still needed to help technicians to master proper drilling techniques, especially to drill with the right thrust force. It is essential to stay within the acceptable range of several critical parameters like maximum overshoot, time taken to penetrate, and maximum opening of blocks. In order to enhance the skill set of the technicians while keeping the cost at bay, a VR system has been developed through this study. It is capable of training a beginner driller to become an expert.
[the_sdg_impact] =>
This study aims to achieve “Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Air travel is becoming more common than ever in order to cater to the increase in demand for both commercial and non-commercial. This implies that keeping up with the quality and maintenance of aircraft is bound to be a challenge. To address this matter practically, improvements have to be done to increase the efficiency of the manufacturing line of aircraft. The studied VR system shows promising results in producing highly-qualified drilling technicians, and the same concept can be implemented in the necessary part of the manufacturing line.
This study aims to upscale the production of superior quality banana plants through embryogenic cell cultures using modern bioreactors. The utilization of bioreactor showed a prominent increase in cell suspension cultures within 14 days compared to the conventional shake flask culturing technique. The flexibility in manipulating a wide range of parameters to optimize plant growth conditions is more convenient with the adaptation of bioreactor culturing techniques. This new method introduced promises an efficient and less labor-intensive mass production of banana plants, suitable for commercial laboratories.
[the_background] =>
Conventional banana propagation technique using field-collected suckers or corms are not just slow in production but are also susceptible to transmission of numerous diseases from the original plant. The yield also lacks consistency in growth traits and quality depending on the individual suckers propagated. Embryogenic cell culture as an alternative ensures a low percentage of genetic variation, allowing the superior quality of plant and fruit to be retained from the mother plant. This research focuses on mass-producing prime banana plants through the adaptation of bioreactor, overcoming the limitations of conventional plant tissue culture methods.
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Banana is the world’s most popular fruit, and in Malaysia, banana accounts for 24% of the total fruit production. In line with the UN’s second Sustainable Development Goal, to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture, agricultural productivity could be raised through the innovation of new plantation techniques. Superior and disease-free planting materials are obtained through tissue culture technique, but the current practice is inefficient and fails to meet the market demand. Hence, the embryogenic culture is a promising alternative to increase and improve the production of not just bananas, but also has the potential for other plant species.
This highlight is a summary of the paper Fine particulate matter exposure during pregnancy and infancy and incident asthma from the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, June 2019, Elsevier.
The findings of this study were to showcase the correlation between exposure of atmospheric pollutants called particulate matter (PM) during pre- and post-natal periods and the development of asthma. It used a comprehensive nationwide birth cohort database to evaluate the association of asthma with the PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) exposure during pregnancy and infancy in Taichung City. The results showed that the increased incidence of asthma in Taichung City was indeed associated with increased exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy and infancy. To be exact, the vulnerable time windows reported during pregnancy were weeks 6 to 22, and weeks 9 to 46 after birth. The precision of weekly vulnerable time windows observation was made possible with the usage of a novel satellite-based hybrid model used to monitor ground PM2.5 in their residential location of the study.
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Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors. Though the development of asthma has been associated with exposure to air pollutants during and after pregnancy, such prevalence remained unclear in the Asian context. By identifying the most vulnerable time windows for the development of asthma, this study contributed proof to the existing literature that indeed, the exposure of PM2.5 during pregnancy and infancy leads to asthmatic incidence in future. Since the direction of this study is to identify concerning risk factors on illnesses, the methodology employed could serve as a guide for future research of similar field or scale. The findings of this study are crucial in preventing and reducing the number of asthma cases not just locally but also globally. Besides, as asthma is not curable after its onset, knowing the vulnerable time windows is essential to mitigate the effect of environmental factors. Among suggestions to steer clear of the risk of developing asthma in later years are for pregnant women and children to stay indoors as well as avoid inhalation of toxicants and allergens during those periods.
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WHO estimated that approximately 300 million people are currently asthmatic, and the rising trend suggests an alarming 400 million people are to be affected by 2025. Furthermore, it is the most common chronic disease found in children, and yet it is mostly underdiagnosed and undertreated. The ultimate purpose of this study aligns perfectly with “Goal 3: Good health and well-being” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which is to prevent and reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, in this case, asthma. By identifying the harmful effects pollutants have on child health, this study could be used to emphasize the need to substantially reduce the fatality and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
This research highlighted the role of the PCK 1 enzymatic pathway in cancer cell growth. An in vivo study (using mice) was conducted to understand the pathway leading to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), commonly known as liver cancer. The number of cancer cells is found to increase rapidly when the cells speed up its metabolic formation of fat, lipogenesis. This process is initiated by the activation of SREBPs, the binding proteins in cells. The activity of SREBPs can be inhibited by a complex consisting of INSIG proteins, SCAP, and sterols. The research demonstrated that AKT in HCC cells when activated by oncogenes, creates a chain of biochemical reactions starting with the PCK 1 enzyme. The alteration of PCK1 causes the binding of sterols to INSIG to reduce and disrupts the interaction between INSIG and SCAP. As a result, the complex that inhibits SREBP is incomplete, leaving only SCAP to bind to the SREBPs. As the SREBPs move on to the Golgi apparatus, it will lead to an increase in the formation of lipogenesis-related genes and tumor cells, eventually leading to HCC in mice.
The Background
In the cancer cell development pathways, interactions between enzymes and proteins play a crucial role. This research attempts to highlight the interaction between INSIG proteins and the SREBP-SCAP complex independent of sterols that potentially triggers tumor cell growth. The findings outlined a detailed pathway led by the activated AKT altering the PCK 1 enzyme, which led to increased tumor cell growth. By understanding the pathway, the opportunity for more refined research directions for various cancer therapies can be explored.
The SDG Impact
The disadvantages of chemotherapy are widely known and feared by many. In recent years, alternative treatment methods like immunotherapy, molecular therapy, etc., have been actively explored. The ultimate purpose of this research is to learn the biological pathways of cancer formation to prevent or cure cancer effectively through such therapeutic methods. This aligns perfectly with “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. One of the targets to achieve this goal is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third through prevention and treatment. With discoveries providing a molecular-level understanding of the tumor development, chances of early-stage detection or treatment are improved. Consequently, people will stand a better chance to prevent or battle cancer.
