A Severe Acute Pancreatitis Mouse Model Transited from Mild Symptoms Induced by a “Two-Hit” Strategy with L-Arginine

To develop a severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) model transited from mild symptoms, we investigated a “two-hit” strategy with L-arginine in mice. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with ice-cold L-arginine (4 g/kg) twice at an interval of 1 h on the first day and subjected to the repeated operation 72 h afterwards. The results showed the “two-hit” strategy resulted in the destructive damage and extensive necrosis of acinar cells in the pancreas compared with the “one-hit” model. Meanwhile, excessive levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, namely IL-6 and TNF-α, were released in the serum. Remarkably, additional deleterious effects on multiple organs were observed, including high intestinal permeability, kidney injury, and severe acute lung injury. Therefore, we confirmed that the SAP animal model triggered by a “two-hit” strategy with L-arginine was successfully established, providing a solid foundation for a deeper understanding of SAP initiation and therapy research to prevent worsening of the disease.

PSYCHOGEOGRAPHICAL EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE SELF AND THE PLACE

Background and Purpose: The absence of psychogeographical awareness is a critical factor contributing to the lackadaisical attitudes towards the place and its environment. As a result, it enables an individual to fully experience a location, both physically and intellectually, while also gaining a feeling of self-discovery and self-realisation. Methodology: The purpose of this study was to examine the responses of a group of individuals who participated in a field observation. 40 participants from a Malaysian university's foundation level were brought to Malacca to experience the environment's geographical scenery at their own leisure. The survey data was then manually transcribed and analysed in accordance with the study's aim. Findings: Interactions with individuals and observation of features in the countryside and urban surroundings enabled participants to go on a psychogeographical journey that influenced their way of thinking and behaving. All participants felt that the journey had influenced their experiences and perspectives on their thinking and behaviour, highlighting the critical role of this notion in establishing the connection between place and self. Contributions: The findings of this study provide a solid foundation for future research in the field of psychogeography. The data may be used as a baseline for future studies to determine whether a comparable impact exists in other locations, with or without significant features like those found in Malacca. Keywords: Psychogeography, place attachment, place meaning, self-discovery, Malacca. Cite as: Khaidzir, M. F. S., Hashim, R. S., & Md. Yusof, N. (2022). Psychogeographical experience between the self and the place. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(1), 243-263. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss1pp243-263

The Unified Combatant Command System: Centerpiece of the 1986 U.S. Armed Forces Reforms

This article highlights the pivotal nature of the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 regarding reforms made in the armed forces of the United States. The unified combatant command system is often seen as the centerpiece of these reforms. The goal of this study is to examine whether the unified combatant command system, which consists of 11 Joint combatant commands within the U.S. Department of Defense, indeed constitutes the centerpiece of these reforms. To fully answer this research question, the study presented here first examines the modern reforms of the U.S. armed forces to provide a solid foundation for subsequent research. It will be concluded that Goldwater-Nichols was the reform most directly relevant to this study. The majority of the article is then devoted to an examination of the 11 combatant commands, identifying how each contributes to the achievement of the goals laid out by Goldwater-Nichols. The author concludes that these 11 unified combatant commands constitute the centerpiece of, and provide the most essential toolset for, the achievement of Goldwater-Nichols.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Multiple Organellar RNA Editing Factor (MORF) Family in Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) Reveals Its Roles in Chloroplast RNA Editing and Pathogens Stress

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) is well known for its high vitamin C content and good taste. Various diseases, especially bacterial canker, are a serious threat to the yield of kiwifruit. Multiple organellar RNA editing factor (MORF) genes are pivotal factors in the RNA editosome that mediates Cytosine-to-Uracil RNA editing, and they are also indispensable for the regulation of chloroplast development, plant growth, and response to stresses. Although the kiwifruit genome has been released, little is known about MORF genes in kiwifruit at the genome-wide level, especially those involved in the response to pathogens stress. In this study, we identified ten MORF genes in the kiwifruit genome. The genomic structures and chromosomal locations analysis indicated that all the MORF genes consisted of three conserved motifs, and they were distributed widely across the seven linkage groups and one contig of the kiwifruit genome. Based on the structural features of MORF proteins and the topology of the phylogenetic tree, the kiwifruit MORF gene family members were classified into six groups (Groups A–F). A synteny analysis indicated that two pairs of MORF genes were tandemly duplicated and five pairs of MORF genes were segmentally duplicated. Moreover, based on analysis of RNA-seq data from five tissues of kiwifruit, we found that both expressions of MORF genes and chloroplast RNA editing exhibited tissue-specific patterns. MORF2 and MORF9 were highly expressed in leaf and shoot, and may be responsible for chloroplast RNA editing, especially the ndhB genes. We also observed different MORF expression and chloroplast RNA editing profiles between resistant and susceptible kiwifruits after pathogen infection, indicating the roles of MORF genes in stress response by modulating the editing extend of mRNA. These results provide a solid foundation for further analyses of the functions and molecular evolution of MORF genes, in particular, for clarifying the resistance mechanisms in kiwifruits and breeding new cultivars with high resistance.

Application of Machine Learning Algorithms in the Mitigation Phase of Disaster Management - A review

The Mitigation phase in disaster management (DM) is a widely researched subject, and rightly so due to its invaluable role in dampening the consequences of disasters on life and property. A successful mitigation phase serves to be a solid foundation for the smooth execution of the subsequent phases in DM. This paper looks at some of the recent studies and developments pertinent to the mitigation phase in DM, in an attempt to deduce the prevalent Machine Learning (ML) Techniques that are employed across various disaster scenarios. The paper also looks into some of the key factors that have to be considered to ensure a sustainable plan for mitigation.

Simply equipped ε-Ga2O3 film/ZnO nanoparticle heterojunction for self-powered deep UV sensor

In this paper, a ε-Ga2O3 film/ZnO nanoparticle hybrid heterojunction deep ultraviolet (UV) photodetector is described for 254 nm wavelength sensing application. The constructed ε-Ga2O3/ZnO heterojunction photodetector can operate in dual modes which are power supply mode and self-powered mode. Under reverse 5 V bias with 254 nm light intensity of 500 μW/cm2, the photoresponsivity, specific detectivity and external quantum efficiency are 59.7 mA/W, 7.83×1012 Jones and 29.2%. At zero bias, the advanced ε-Ga2O3/ZnO photodetector performs decent self-powered photoelectrical properties with photo-to-dark current ratio of 1.28×105, on/off switching ratio of 3.22×104, rise/decay times of 523.1/31.7 ms, responsivity of 4.12 mA/W and detectivity of 2.24×1012 Jones. The prominent photodetection performance lays a solid foundation for ε-Ga2O3/ZnO heterojunction in deep UV sensor application.

Validation and usability of AIDMED - telemedical system for cardiological and pulmonary diseases

Aim: The aim of this paper is to present the results of the validation of AIDMED as a telemedical system, i.e. its capability in faithful registration of biomedical signals, its acquisition in a telemedical scenario and its representation in online application. Usability of sucha tool for a dedicated population was also assessed.Methods: We describe and discuss functionalities provided by AIDMED. We perform a series of experiments where we measure biological signals with AIDMED and with a reference device. We provide statistical analysis of experiments. We also compare the functionality of AIDMED with other similar solutions. We discuss the usability of AIDMED in tele observation of COVID-19 patients.Results: We show diagnostic equivalence of AIDMED device and reference devices.Moreover, we indicate advantages of AIDMED system (as task management and patient’s feedback via mobile app) for at home telemonitoring in comparison to standard of care.Conclusions: AIDMED system provides an integrated platform which enables observation of COVID-19, cardiological and pulmonary patients and many more. Thus, an opportunity for both better quality of care and better subjective patient satisfaction with use of AIDMED has got a solid foundation.

Research on the Connotation and Teaching Strategies of Chinese Reading Teaching

Chinese reading teaching is one of the important parts of reading and plays an important role in teaching. The purpose of reading teaching is not only to let students learn and master language knowledge, but also to obtain information, learn culture, develop reading skills and strategies through reading, so as to lay a solid foundation for further learning and lifelong development in the future.

Resistance to Opportunities of Plastic Recycling

Plastics present a vast and pressing issue in modern society. Currently recycling efforts fall dangerously short of dealing with even a small percent of the millions of tons of plastic waste produced yearly across the globe. This article investigates resistance toward plastic recycling in three areas from both a contemporary and a historical context, highlighting the magnitude of the problem and the insufficient nature of current solutions. The three primary areas covered are the plastics problem from (1) a design perspective, (2) a material science perspective, and (3) a systems perspective. Solutions are proposed that emphasize a synergistic collaboration across disciplines and research modes. Ultimately, the conclusions point to a need for stronger engagement at the level of people (both consumers and decision makers) and reintegrating reused and recycled plastics into everyday life to build a solid foundation for success.

Conflict capability e mediazione: un approccio preventivo alla radicalizzazione e ai comportamenti antisociali in contesti familiari e microsociali

Understanding conflict dynamics among individuals and within society, and devising appropriate intervention strategies offer a relevant perspective for the prevention of radicalization processes. The article outlines an overview of some concrete instruments of analysis and intervention in microsocial conflicts, with special reference to family. We choose as a starting point the notion of “conflict capability”, the ability of human beings of appropriately handling conflict.The model presented here is based on a systemic understanding of social conflict and a transformative approach to foster human capabilities, and specifically women, of dealing with conflict. Friedrich Glasl’s “escalation model” offers a solid foundation in order to define conflict dynamics which is crucial for devising appropriate, context-specific interventions. For the family and microsocial context, we propose as intervention tools empathic communication and “problem solving without losers” proposed by Thomas Gordon, as well as a “systemic transformative” approach to mediation. The article also reflects on the importance of conflict capability in order to reinforce the practice of democracy, building on the contribution of authors such as Chantal Mouffe and Axel Honneth.