bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Na-P1 zeolite synthesized from pumice as low-cost materials and its ability for methylene blue adsorption
Authors: Prajaputra V , Abidin Z , Widiatmaka  , Suryaningtyas D T , Rizal H
Published: December 2019

Recently, many researchers have been applied zeolitic materials for dye wastewater treatment by adsorption method because of more practical and economical without requiring a lot of solvents. However, the presence of natural zeolite is limited and only available in a specific area. In this research, pumice stones containing the main components of silicate and aluminate were used as an alternative material to synthesize zeolite. The ability of pumice and zeolite was also tested for adsorbing one of cationic dyes, namely methylene blue (MB). Zeolites were synthesized through the hydrothermal method in high pH conditions and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The characterization results revealed that the addition of an alkaline solution changed the molecular structure of pumice into Na-P1 zeolite and caused differences in dye adsorption capacity. The adsorption efficiency of pumice was only achieved 65.83% with the MB uptake as much as 5.89 mg/g at the MB concentration of 50 mg/L for 24 hours, while the Na-P1 zeolite was able to adsorb MB molecules almost 100% with the uptake capacity up to 9.12 mg/g.
Multi-dimensions urban resilience index for sustainable city
Authors: Narieswari L , Sitorus S R P , Hardjomidjojo H , K Putri E I
Published: December 2019

In 2030, more than 73% of Indonesia’s population is predicted to live in cities. Under that massive population concentration, urban problems are becoming more difficult and complex to deal with. Besides chronic pressures of the existing problems, when disasters occur, urban areas and their population are also more prone to be exposed to shocks, leading to increased vulnerability, uncertainty, and risks of the cities. This situation demands the communities and whole urban systems to develop better urban resilience. This paper describes our quantitative study in Semarang City that aims to build an index using secondary data by considering 5 dimensions: social, economic, infrastructure, institutional, and hazard and shows resilience level in scores from 0 – 1 where 0 representing very low and 1 the best. The results shows here are only 3 sub-districts that are at the level of high resilience (Semarang Selatan, Banyumanik, Semarang Tengah) and the infrastructure dimension is a very influencing factor. The index allows for equal spatial and temporal comparisons of several regions, which is important when it comes to conducting further studies on the regional dynamics and making priorities of which areas should be resilience-increased towards sustainable urban development.
Sensitivity analysis of ecosystem services especially food provisioning due to the dynamics of land use change in Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Munajati S L , Kartodihardjo H , Saleh M B , Nurwadjedi
Published: December 2019

Land use changes greatly affect the value of ecosystem services. This study aims to analyse the sensitivity of ecosystem services especially food provisioning, affected by land use changes in Bogor Regency. The method used is visual interpretation and manual digitization of Indonesian Topographic Map (RBI) and the SPOT-7 with a resolution of 1.5 meters. The sensitivity assessment of ecosystem services is carried out through analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The results of the study showed that there was a changing in land use of 8.31% in the period 2000 to 2017. Forests area to be the most significant changes contribute 1.86%. Changes in land use are influenced by regional development and population growth, so that conversion of land use occurs massively at some point. Regulatory and supply functions are the most sensitive elements of ecosystem services to land use changes. Conversion of water catchment area causes a decrease in soil infiltration capacity and triggers erosion. This phenomenon leads to land degradation and natural disasters.
The Effect of Tin Mining on Soil Damage in Pedindang Sub-Watershed, Central Bangka Regency
Authors: Rachman L M , Baskoro D P T , Bayu H H
Published: December 2019

The practice of tin mining, especially in the Pedindang Sub-Watershed, Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Province was not carried out carefully and protectively because it produced soil damage or land degradation. The purpose of this study was to examine soil properties, particularly soil physical properties, and soil damage in the Pedindang Sub-Watershed with various land uses, namely tin mining, forests, dryland agriculture and thicket shrubs-bushes, on various slope classes. The properties of the soil studied were the content of organic matter, sand, silt, clay; bulk density; porosity, and soil permeability. Compared to other land use (forest, dryland agriculture and shrubs) in the Pedindang Sub-Watershed area, tin mining land use show the worst soil properties. Soils in tin mining land use were degraded, has very low organic matter content; the lowest clay content; the highest soil density as indicated by high bulk density and low soil porosity; and the highest sand content so that it can be understood if it has the highest and very fast soil permeability.
Diversity of plant species and the presence of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Sub-Montane Forest at Pakenjeng Region, Southern Part of Garut, West Java
Authors: Kusmana C , Suwandhi I
Published: December 2019

Plant species diversity is an important ecological characteristic, especially to observe the complexity of forest ecosystems. The research is carried out to elaborate on the species composition, species diversity and the forest structure, and to identify the presence of invasive alien species (IAS) in the sub-montane forests at the Pakenjeng region, the southern part of Garut, West Java. The vegetation survey method used was a stratified sampling technique with the transects and line plots as sampling units for inventorying the trees, forest regenerations, and ground cover. These data are further analyzed to obtain information on abundance, dominance, importance value index (IVI), species diversity and evenness. Based on the species composition, the forest formation was categorized as a primary sub-montane forest with high species diversity characterized by the presence of tree species such as Altingia excelsa, Lithocarpus sundaicus, Castanopsis spp. and Podocarpus spp. showing the curve of inversed-J for horizontal structure with A, B and C canopy layers. The species of Eupatorium inulifolium, Musa zebrina, Piper aduncum and Lantana camara are categorized as IAS.
Characteristics of pekarangan in organic settlement and planned settlement along Ciliwung River riparian, Bogor Municipality, Indonesia
Authors: Jesica J , Kaswanto R L , Arifin H S
Published: December 2019

Riparian is part of the river that contributes to ecosystem preservation. There are green spaces in riparian that have many functions. One of the greens spaces in riparian is pekarangan. The purpose of this paper is to show the result of analyse characteristics of pekarangan in the organic settlements and planned settlements along the Ciliwung River riparian. The study area consists of three riparian zones in two types of settlements, organic settlements and planned settlements, i.e. the upper part (Kelurahan Katulampa); the middle part (Kelurahan Babakan Pasar and Kelurahan Sempur); and the lower part (Kelurahan Kedunghalang). Characteristics of pekarangan were analysed through the approach of size and zoning of pekarangan; vertical and horizontal diversity of plants; plant biodiversity; and types of pekarangan utilization. The results showed that the orientation of organic settlements tends to turn away from the river, while planned settlements face the river. The organic settlements and planned settlements, both have small pekarangan (<120 m2). The pekarangan productivity average of the Shannon-Wiener index in organic settlements was 3.76, while planned settlements were 4.11. The result of the study of all sites are typology of pekarangan in organic settlement and planned settlement.
Water infrastructure development using water infrastructure and planning model
Authors: Taufik Isvan , Purwanto M J , Pramudya B , Saptomo S K
Published: December 2019

WEAP is one of the hydrological software in evaluating and planning the water balance of a region. The WEAP approach method operates with the basic principle of water balance and allows the creation of scenarios based on existing conditions to investigate the impact of policies or alternative assumptions in the use and availability of water in the future. The purpose of this study is to develop water infrastructure in the Ciliman watershed - the second largest watershed in Banten Province and a part of the Ciliman-Cibungur River Region with the main river length of 112.83 km, crossing the Lebak and Pandeglang Regencies. The types of data used in this study are secondary data including : (1) hydrological data at the year 1998 - 2015, (2) water use data (3) maps of the Ciliman watershed. The results of the analysis show that the scenario of dam development with 4 alternatives can reduce the number of water supply failures until the year 2036. In August and September, the water needs of Tanjung Lesung SEZ water requirements were only met (5.03% and 53.76%) and South Banten Airport (3.67% and 54.21%). The water needs of the Ciliman Irrigation can not be fulfilled in July to September. It only fulfilled 35.91%, 2.43% and 33.54%.
Application of linear programming (LP) for optimal use of raw water in Cidanau watershed, Banten
Authors: Waspodo R S B , Sahana M I
Published: December 2019

Cidanau watershed area has an important role in fulfilling water needs, especially for industrial, settlements (population), and agricultural needs. However, along with the increasing development of the Cilegon area, the need for clean water also increased. In 1984, the water demand for the Cilegon region for industrial and settlements was only 0.36 m3/second. But, in 1989 it increased to 1102 m3/second and in 2000 it was 2.200 m3/second. One of the ways to optimize the utilization of limited water resources while the community’s need for water is increasing was watershed management using linear programming (LP) method which supports optimal water distribution. Optimization discharge was carried out to determine water requirements. The optimal discharge for domestic needs was 16.50 liters/second to fulfill the water needs of the population of 47,519 people. The optimum discharge for the industrial sector was 27 liters/second with a total industry of 46 (small industries). When it was added with Krakatau Tirta Industri (KTI) discharge, the total industrial discharge became 1,527 liters/second. The optimum agricultural discharge with an area of 4,689.29 ha was 1,219 liters/second.
Mapping of tenure status of paddy field and their relation to rice farming
Authors: Munibah K , Barus B , Tjahjono B , Mandalika T
Published: December 2019

Some important government programs, such as Sustainable Agriculture Food Protection, in its implementation need to be supported by tenure status of paddy field map. High resolution satellite imagery is data source that can be used for mapping of that data. The rice is a staple food for Indonesian people, however the conversion of paddy field into built-up area increase due to population growth and economic activity. This study aims to map the tenure status of paddy field and rice farming. Mapping of the tenure status is based on paddy fields parcel resulting from visual interpretation of high-resolution satellite imagery and field verification. The tenure status of paddy fields were obtained from fieldwork with the census method on each parcel. Analysis of rice farming was assessed based on the area and tenure status of paddy fields. The results showed that the mapping accuracy of the parcel number was 96.72%. The spatial pattern of parcel based on owner and sharecropping categories show all have cluster patterns (NNI <1). Rice farming of paddy managed by owner or sharecropping are both still feasible (R/C ratio> 1) and the highest profit is >2 hectare, but those managed by owner is more profitable (R2 = 0.71).
Impact of ASEAN-China free trade agreement in CO2 emission of marine transportation
Authors: Mulatsih S
Published: December 2019

World Summit and Sustainable Development (WSSD) agreed to link international trade with the environment from two aspects to realize sustainable development, namely, mutual support between trade, environment and development; and mutually beneficial between the multilateral trading system and multilateral environmental agreements. In the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) that has been running since 2010, research was mostly focused on trade aspect. This study aims to evaluate CO2 emission from the marine transportation of trade, before and during ACFTA. The data was taken from the UNCTADSTAT, WITS, CEPII. By using the IATA standard of CO2 emissions i.e. 985.97g/ton-km from air transport, and 9.53g/ton-km of sea transport, the results showed that there was an increase 1.6 time in CO2 emissions from ASEAN-China trade transportation from period 2001-2009 (before ACFTA 2009) to period 2010-2018 during ACFTA.
Anatomical feature of royal palm leaf sheath
Authors: Adzkia U , Nugroho N , Karlinasari L
Published: December 2019

Royal palm (Roystonea regia) is an ornamental plant species which are copiously planted in many landscapes in the urban area. At the end of their life cycle, the palm fall naturally and it becomes waste. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomical characteristics of both macroscopic and microscopic features to explore some potential uses. This study found that the length average of the leaf sheath of royal palm was 161.60 cm with the width of 53.47 cm, and the thickness was about 3.54 mm which was decreasing from the center or core to the edge. The percentage of vascular bundle was increasing from edge to core at the width-radial direction and was followed by the increasing of diameter of vascular bundle toward core of the leaf sheath. The type of vascular bundle was type I with the majority component of the vascular bundle at the positon in the center part in the leaf sheath cell structure. Based on its properties the leaf sheath has the potential to be used as the particle component for composite boards.
Soil and regional characteristics of paddy field in Ngoro Sub- district, Mojokerto, Indonesia: Understanding Land Use Change
Authors: Fakhiroh Z , Mulya S P , Suryaningtyas D T , Mulyanto B
Published: December 2019

The Ngoro sub-district has an extensive and productive agricultural land. The rice production of the studied area formerly was 6.02 ton MDG/ha, but recently only 0.70 ton MDG/ha. The study aims to characterize the soil and regional aspects of the studied area. The study was conducted in three villages: Sedati, Kembangsri and Candiharjo. There were three sample points determined based on differences in depth used for physical and chemical analysis of soil. Based on the laboratory analysis, the soils were considered as fertile and there were no problems in terms of physics or soil chemistry. Problems that can be identified were regional aspects. Based on the analysis of the alignment of land use with the Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW) shows that 39.8% were aligned, 59.4% transitions, and 0.8% were out of alignment. Although inconsistency was very small, what needs to be considered is the transition. Transition is land whose use is still possible to be adjusted to the RTRW. The area of transitional land can be indicated as an opportunity for changes in current land use due to adjusting to the RTRW. The agricultural sector is the widest sector that has the opportunity to convert into industry and settlements. High land values due to adequate infrastructure also trigger changes in land use.
Utilization of geothermal drill cutting into bricks and concrete roads for reducing drilling waste
Authors: Hidajat R A , Utomo S W , Garniwa I , Karuniasa M
Published: December 2019

In the process of geothermal power plants, it is necessary to drill wells to take hot steam from inside the earth to rotate the power plant turbines. In its operation, these steam wells need to be maintained through workover activities. From drilling and workover activities resulting in drill cutting which becomes a problem because it cannot be disposed into the environment. In one drilling campaign program, 200-300 tons of drill cutting were produced which could not be disposed into the environment. For this reason, the best way to manage drill cutting waste is to use it for its own needs, so that the volume of waste is reduced. Based on the results of the study, the appropriate use of drill cutting is to use it as raw material for making bricks and concrete roads, because the processing is low cost, absorbs quite a lot of local manpower and the results can be used for internal purposes such as buildings, roads, drainage, and other infrastructure projects, so that economic, social and environmental benefits can be obtained at the same time. The drill cutting processing method is very simple starting with the drying process by drying it to reduce the water content, then drill cutting that has been dried mixed with cement in a certain formula, then printed into bricks and concrete roads which are then dried for the hardening process. Based on the use of drill cutting in the Gunung Salak geothermal power plant, this drill cutting utilization method has succeeded in reducing drill cutting to 100% so that it is not a problem for the environment. During the running time monitoring is done by monitoring wells, especially along concrete roads and the results show good parameters. From the results of the strength test, the brick and concrete roads produced from drill cutting have a strength that meets Indonesia National Standards (SNI).
Vegetative growth of vanilla cuttings after addition of weed clippings mulch under 2 climatic condition, wet and dry seasons
Authors: Adiputra I G K , Winaja I W , Sumarya I M
Published: December 2019

Experiments were performed to determine the effect of allelochemicals released by weed clipping on the growth of vanilla cuttings. The objective of these experiments was to find out safe plant material for mulching vanilla plantation. The first experiment was conducted in the wet season, where two nodes cuttings were transplanted into 5 groups of pots containing topsoil and mulched with grass (G), fern (F), taro (T), dry leaf (DL) and without mulch as control cuttings (C). The second experiment was under dry season but using a similar procedure like that in the first experiment except dry leaf was replaced with coconut husk (CH). These two experiments were using 8 replicates and grown in a shaded greenhouse. Phenolic compounds in weed clippings were examined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. This study found that fern and taro clipping decreased soil pH, delayed emergence of new root and bud burst in vanilla cutting. By contrast, grass clipping, dry leaf and coconut husk did not decrease soil pH and did not delay root emergence and bud burst. The growth rate of the new stem in grass added plant was 1.4 folds relative control but only 0.4 fold in taro added plants. It is concluded that vanilla plant resistant to phenolic compound released by grass clipping, but susceptible to phenolic compound released by taro clipping.
Building energy efficiency and conservation on air conditioning loads (Case study: residential and building development information center in Makassar)
Authors: Sandi R Y , Garniwa I , Panjaitan T H , Pratiwi D M
Published: December 2019

Environmental problems are a concern of the world today, considering the exploitation of energy sources from natural resources such as coal and oil causing damage to the environment, humans and ecosystems. Sustainable development programs are strategies to meet current human needs without reducing future needs. Reducing energy consumption is one that can be done in various ways to meet sustainable development programs. 50% of energy consumption is dominated by the building sector, while 50% of building energy consumption is charged by air conditioning. Conservation and energy efficiency of the building load is carried out to achieve the target of potential energy savings of 10-30%. This study aims to analyze the air conditioning loads and conservation and efficiency strategies in the building of Information and Settlement Information Center in Makassar with a target of 10-30% energy savings. This method uses thermal balance analysis by calculating heat energy from external, internal and human heat that will be charged by AC (Air Conditioner). The Conservation Strategy by planning microclimate control with vegetation and the use of materials in building envelopes that can reduce heat and efficiency strategies on thermal comfort by raising the maximum temperature from the comfort standard can save energy from 17-19% energy. the burden on the building sector to reduce the total overall energy consumption of 8-9%.
Corrosion of carbon steel in synthetic freshwater for water distribution systems
Authors: Royani A , Prifiharni S , Priyotomo G , Triwardono J , Sundjono
Published: December 2019

Corrosion is one of the most common problems in water distribution systems. The purpose of this research is to investigate the corrosion rate of carbon steel in synthetic freshwater. The influence of a variety of time exposure that represents the actual conditions in practice was performed. Research conducted by weight loss methods using immersion test. The parameters of water quality were measured by using a multimeter portable (Hach HQ40d). From the experiments obtained that the corrosion rate of carbon steel in freshwater ranged between 0.41 - 0.76 mpy. The results of this study are expected as a first step, as input for prevention, to prevent leakage flow and pipe due to corrosion by the life that has been designed.
Daily behavior Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinos sumatrensis) in Sumatran Rhino sanctuary Way Kambas National Park
Authors: Awaliah A T S , Dewi B S , Winarno G D , Harianto S P , Koike S , Tokita N
Published: December 2019

The Sumatran rhino is one of Indonesia’s endemic species. The decreasing number of its population made the sanctuary project become more important to maintain the population’s existence. Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary is one of the breeding projects to keep the existence of Sumatran rhinoceros. For successful management in a sanctuary, it is necessary to understand how wildlife daily behavior so it can be adjusted with any management steps that will be applied. The purpose of this research is to understand and to analyze the daily behavior of Sumatran rhinoceros in Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary at Way Kambas National Park. This research was conducted in July 2017. The data was collected by using Focal Animal Sampling and was analyzed with quantitative descriptive technique. The result showed that Sumatran rhinoceros behavior in the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary was not significantly different from their natural behavior. The dominant behavior in the morning was feeding and at noon was resting, while the moving behavior constantly occurred between that behavior.
Study on application of SMART for HCV and environment monitoring by the private sector in South Sumatra
Authors: Hermawan E , Zulkifli Z , Pradana E W
Published: December 2019

High Conservation Value (HCV) mean values of conservation also being maintained inside companies’ concession area, protected, managed and monitored. As for the private sector, how to improve the implementation of management and monitoring of HCV and environment are questioned. The study aims to understand how Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool (SMART) can support the management of HCV and the environment for the private sector. The method used was an observation of the supervision process of HCV and environmental monitoring using SMART conducted in the project boundary of KELOLA Sendang in Musi Banyuasin and Banyuasin Districts of South Sumatra Province; as part of activity to promote SMART Approach usage for private sector. The results show challenges during the process of introducing SMART, also in adapting a recent company’s monitoring system to SMART based. However, by supervision in the implementation of HCV and environment monitoring using SMART, showing companies gain better planning, monitoring, and easier making reports for internal and related agencies. SMART can be applied not only within the conservation area but also for concessions. This is useful for conservation efforts outside the conservation area and supports the improvement of management and monitoring of HCV and environment, using SMART as a tool for helping in planning, database, analysis, and reporting.
Prevalence and distribution of Anisakis sp worms in internal organs of Tuna (Euthynnus affinis) at fish auction in Pekalongan city
Authors: Linayati Linayati , Madusari B D
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this paper was to determine and show the result of the prevalence of the presence of Anisakis worms as well as the distribution of Anisakis worms in parts of the body in Tuna. This research was conducted in May 2017 at the Fish auction in Pekalongan City. The tuna used in this study are grouped into 2 sizes, group I with sizes 20 - 26 cm and group II with sizes 27-33 cm. The number of fish used was 60. Furthermore, observations were made on internal organs, The research method is a cross-section or one sampling. Data were then tabulated and analyzed by t-test to test the differences between the two groups. The results showed that the fish size group gave a significant effect on the number of Anisakis in the body of fish (p <0.05). The prevalence of fish in group II was 85% while the group I was 70%. The intestine becomes the most internal organ found as much as 120 Anisakis, followed by 75 stomachs, muscle 20 and abdominal cavity 45 in group II. While group I found 70 of Anisakis sp in the intestine, 50 in the stomach and 40 abdominal cavity and 30 muscle tissue.
Pyrolysis of polystyrene plastic waste using bentonite catalyst
Authors: Dewangga P B , Rochmadi  , Purnomo C W
Published: December 2019

Polystyrene is one type of plastic that is widely used in industrially and daily life. Polystyrene properties are difficult to be degraded by nature. Hence it produces a problem for the environment. Pyrolysis of polystyrene waste is one of methods for plastic recycling. Pyrolysis polystyrene in a batch reactor for the recovery of styrene monomers (C8H8). This study aims to investigate the effect of bentonite in catalytic pyrolysis of polystyrene waste. Pyrolysis was carried out at a temperature of 300-550°C in a batch reactor with a mixture of polystyrene waste and catalyst of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% of polystyrene. The liquid product was analyzed using GC-MS to determine the components. The maximum yield of liquid product was obtained at 88.78% (wt%), using 25% of catalyst. The result of liquid analysis by GC-MS contains styrene compounds (C8H8), Toluene, Benzene, were the major components. Pyrolysis with a catalyst weight of 25% and temperature of 400°C obtained the maximum yield of styrene compounds (C8H8) at 32.34%.
Farmer’s behavior in using pesticides on shallots cultivation in Solok Highlands, West Sumatera
Authors: Puspitasari  , Kiloes A M , Hardiyanto  , Sulistyaningrum A
Published: December 2019

Pesticides are one of the main production factors needed in shallots cultivation. The appropriate use of pesticides can increase productivity, but inappropriate use of pesticides can harm farmers, contaminate crops and polluting the surrounding environment. This study aimed to describe the use of pesticides on shallot cultivation in Solok Regency, West Sumatra. Data was collected by interviewing 95 respondents of shallot farmers. Data parameters were obtained regarding pesticide technical application, pesticide application time, brand and amounts of pesticides used, and knowledge of the active ingredients used. Data was processed quantitatively descriptively, and it showed that most of the farmers mix two or more chemical pesticides for each application, and generally, farmers did not know the names and functions of the active ingredients in the pesticides, but they did not mix pesticides with the same active ingredients. In the dry season, most farmers spray every three days, while in the rainy season it increases to once every two days. This study is expected to be a reference for policymakers to be able to provide an extension program to use appropriate and correct pesticides according to the function and content of active ingredients to create a balanced agroecosystem. The government needs to conduct technical guidance on integrated pest and disease control, and disseminate environmentally friendly pest control technology.
Maintaining the sustainability of fertile agricultural soil using bamboo biochar in tropical volcano area
Authors: Purnomo E , Argarini S , Wahyudiningsih T S
Published: December 2019

There has been massive information on the success of biochar application in increasing agricultural productivity marginal soil. It is generally believed that biochar improves soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, consequently, increase crop yield. There was almost no information on the use of biochar for fertile soils. On the other hand, Magelang Regency the agricultural lands lay in the area of the volcano. These areas are the main supplier of agricultural products for Central Jawa and other places. Therefore, a strategy is needed to maintain the sustainability of agricultural land productivity. The aim of the present experiment was to introduce the use of biochar to maintaining the fertility of the soil in this area. Our first experiment dealing with the use of bamboo biochar in reducing the use of phosphorus (P) fertilizer in fertile soil. The experiment was carried out in the Bandongan District of Magelang Regency. An area which is surrounded volcanoes. The experiment involved a series of P applied, namely, 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 kg of SP3 ha-1. They were applied with and without biochar. Mung bean (Vigna radiata) was used as an indicator plant. The results showed that the presence of biochar (1) reduces the use of P fertilizer up zero, (2) decrease in the need of P fertilizer from 50 kg SP36 ha-1 to obtain the optimum yield of Mung bean. and (3) the optimum yield of Mung bean was consistently higher in bamboo biochar treated soil than without biochar. The decrease of Mung bean yields due to application bamboo biochar without P applied. Moreover, the reduction P application in bamboo biochar treated soil than without biochar to obtain optimum yield, indicating, that bamboo biochar may be able to dissolve insoluble P residue from the previously applied P. It may be presumbaly that the increase of P availability of P to plants due to the rise soil pH caused the increases in soil soluble P and activity of P solubilizing bacteria.
The trialist’s perspective: what do you need to prove for remote monitoring devices to be approved?
Authors: Angermann Christiane E
Published: December 2019

Due to contrasting results from clinical trials, remote monitoring devices have so far rarely been approved for heart failure (HF) management in European countries. Implementation of telemedicine into clinical practice of heart failure outpatient care is still limited. As part of an expert meeting on physiological monitoring in the complex mutimorbid HF patient, the needs to establish evidence supporting the use of devices in heart failure outpatient care was discussed according to a trialist’s perspective. This document reflects the key points debated by a multidisciplinary panel of leading international experts on this topic.
Monitoring of biomarkers in heart failure
Authors: Spoletini Ilaria , Coats Andrew J S , Senni Michele , Rosano Giuseppe M C
Published: December 2019

The role of biomarkers is increasingly recognized in heart failure (HF) management, for diagnosis, prognostication, and screening of high-risk patients. Beyond natriuretic peptides and troponins, the utility of novel, emerging biomarkers is less established. This document reflects the key points of a Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) consensus meeting on biomarker monitoring in HF.
Monitoring functional capacity in heart failure
Authors: Piepoli Massimo F , Spoletini Ilaria , Rosano Giuseppe
Published: December 2019

This document reflects the key points of a consensus meeting of the Heart Failure Association of European Society of Cardiology (ESC) held to provide an overview the role of physiological monitoring in the complex multimorbid heart failure (HF) patient. This article reviews assessments of the functional ability of patients with HF. The gold standard measurement of cardiovascular functional capacity is peak oxygen consumption obtained from a cardiopulmonary exercise test. The 6-min walk test provides an indirect measure of cardiovascular functional capacity. Muscular functional capacity is assessed using either a 1−repetition maximum test of the upper and lower body or other methods, such as handgrip measurement. The short physical performance battery may provide a helpful, indirect indication of muscular functional capacity.
Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring in heart failure
Authors: Ponikowski Piotr , Spoletini Ilaria , Coats Andrew J S , Piepoli Massimo F , Rosano Giuseppe M C
Published: December 2019

It has been long known that incessant tachycardia and severe hypertension can cause heart failure (HF). In recent years, it has also been recognized that more modest elevations in either heart rate (HR) or blood pressure (BP), if sustained, can be a risk factor both for the development of HF and for mortality in patients with established HF. Heart rate and BP are thus both modifiable risk factors in the setting of HF. What is less clear is the question whether routine systematic monitoring of these simple physiological parameters to a target value can offer clinical benefits. Measuring these parameters clinically during patient review is recommended in HF management in most HF guidelines, both in the acute and chronic phases of the disease. More sophisticated systems now allow long-term automatic or remote monitoring of HR and BP and whether this more detailed patient information can improve clinical outcomes will require prospective RCTs to evaluate. In addition, analysis of patterns of both HR and BP variability can give insights into autonomic function, which is also frequently abnormal in HF. This window into autonomic dysfunction in our HF patients can also provide further independent prognostic information and may in itself be target for future interventional therapies. This article, developed during a consensus meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC concerning the role of physiological monitoring in the complex multi-morbid HF patient, highlights the importance of repeated assessment of HR and BP in HF, and reviews gaps in our knowledge and potential future directions.
Monitoring the heart during cancer therapy
Authors: Habibian Mohsen , Lyon Alexander R
Published: December 2019

A growing number of effective cancer therapies is associated with cardiovascular (CV) toxicities including myocardial injury or dysfunction, leading to reduced ventricular function, and increased risk of heart failure. As the timing of administration of cancer treatment is known, the potential for risk stratification pre-treatment, and appropriate surveillance and monitoring during treatment, and intervention with cardio-protective treatment strategies in patients exhibiting early evidence of CV toxicity is an appealing clinical strategy. The field of cardio-oncology has developed, and the application of monitoring strategies using CV biomarkers and CV imaging has been to focus of many studies and is now implemented in dedicated cardio-oncology services supporting oncology centres. In this article, we review the background and rationale for monitoring, the different options and their strengths, weaknesses and where they are helpful in specific cardiotoxic cancer therapies, and the impact in cardio-oncology care.
Monitoring of iron status in patients with heart failure
Authors: Jankowska Ewa A , Tkaczyszyn Michał , Drozd Marcin , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: December 2019

The 2016 ESC/HFA heart failure (HF) guidelines emphasize the importance of identifying and treating iron deficiency (ID) in patients with HF. Iron deficiency can occur in half or more of HF sufferers, depending on age and the phase of the disease. Iron deficiency can be a cause of anaemia, but it is also common even without anaemia, meaning that ID is a separate entity, which should be screened for within the HF population. Although assessment of iron stores in bone marrow samples is the most accurate method to investigate iron status, it is not practical in most HF patients. Levels of circulating iron biomarkers are an easily available alternative; especially, ferritin and transferrin saturation (Tsat). In patients with HF serum ferritin level <100 µg/L (regardless of Tsat value) or between 100 and 299 µg/L with Tsat <20% are considered as recommended criteria for the diagnosis of ID, criteria which have been used in the clinical trials in HF that have led to a recommendation to treat ID with intravenous iron. We discuss the optimal measures of iron biomarkers in patients with HF in order to screen and monitor iron status and introduce some novel ways to assess iron status.
Short- and Long-Term Results of Alternative Silviculture in Peatland Black Spruce in Minnesota, USA
Authors: Anderson Brian D , Windmuller-Campione Marcella A , Russell Matthew B , Palik Brian J , Kastendick Douglas N
Published: December 2019

Across the boreal forest in North America, the black spruce (Picea mariana) cover type is ecologically and economically important, occupying roughly 10 percent of Minnesota’s, USA 17.4 million acres (7.0 million hectares) of forestland. Traditionally managed through clearcut regeneration harvests, alternative silvicultural systems are being increasingly used in Canada. Here, we examine the 10- and 57-year effects of six silvicultural treatments (clearcut strips, clearcut patches, thinning, group selection, single-tree selection, shelterwood) on stand structure and dynamics in lowland black spruce. Treatments were installed in 1948 in northern Minnesota, and remeasured and re-treated 10 years later. A subset of the clearcut strips, clearcut patches, and shelterwood treatments were remeasured in 2017. After 10 years, diameter growth of residual stems varied by treatment, with the shelterwood experiencing the greatest growth, and basal area increased in all but the shelterwood treatment. Over the long term, the shelterwood exhibited larger diameters and heights and greater crown ratios, basal area, structural complexity, and compositional diversity than the clearcuts. Our results suggest that managers may consider using a shelterwood instead of traditional large clearcuts to achieve increased structural and compositional diversity, particularly when eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum) does not necessitate a traditional clearcut.
Seismic moment tensor event screening
Authors: Ford Sean R , Kraft Gordon D , Ichinose Gene A
Published: December 2019

Event screening is an explosion monitoring practice that aims to identify an event as an explosion (‘screened in’) or not (‘screened out’). Confidence in event screening can be increased if multiple independent approaches are used. We describe a new approach to event screening using the seismic moment tensor and its representation on the hypersphere, specifically the 5-sphere of 6-degree unit vectors representing the normalized symmetric moment tensor. The sample of moment tensors from an explosion data set is unimodal on the 5-sphere and can be parametrized by the Langevin distribution, which is sometimes referred to as the Normal distribution on the hypersphere. Screening is then accomplished by finding the angle from the explosion population mean to any newly measured moment tensor and testing if that angle is in the tail of the Langevin distribution (conservatively quantified as greater than 99.9 per cent of the cumulative density). We apply the screen to a sample of earthquakes from the Western USA and the September 2017 explosion and subsequent collapse at the Pungyye-Ri Test Site in North Korea. All the earthquakes and the collapse screen out, but the explosion does not.
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation for the Acute Treatment of Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Nikolin Stevan , Alonzo Angelo , Martin Donel , Gálvez Veronica , Buten Sara , Taylor Rohan , Goldstein James , Oxley Cristal , Hadzi-Pavlovic Dusan , Loo Colleen K
Published: December 2019

Background

Transcranial electrical stimulation has broad potential as a treatment for depression. Transcranial random noise stimulation, which delivers randomly fluctuating current intensities, may have greater cortical excitatory effects compared with other forms of transcranial electrical stimulation. We therefore aimed to investigate the antidepressant efficacy of transcranial random noise stimulation.

Methods

Depressed participants were randomly assigned by computer number generator to receive 20 sessions of either active or sham transcranial random noise stimulation over 4 weeks in a double-blinded, parallel group randomized-controlled trial. Transcranial random noise stimulation was delivered for 30 minutes with a direct current offset of 2 mA and a random noise range of 2 mA. Primary analyses assessed changes in depression severity using the Montgomery-Asperg Depression Rating Scale. Neuroplasticity, neuropsychological, and safety outcomes were analyzed as secondary measures.

Results

Sixty-nine participants were randomized, of which 3 discontinued treatment early, leaving 66 (sham n = 34, active n = 32) for per-protocol analysis. Depression severity scores reduced in both groups (Montgomery-Asperg Depression Rating Scale reduction in sham = 7.0 [95% CI = 5.0–8.9]; and active = 5.2 [95% CI = 3.2–7.3]). However, there were no differences between active and sham groups in the reduction of depressive symptoms or the number of participants meeting response (sham = 14.7%; active = 3.1%) and remission criteria (sham = 5.9%; active = 0%). Erythema, paresthesia, fatigue, and dizziness/light-headedness occurred more frequently in the active transcranial random noise stimulation group. Neuroplasticity, neuropsychological, and acute cognitive effects were comparable between groups.

Conclusion

Our results do not support the use of transcranial random noise stimulation with the current stimulation parameters as a therapeutic intervention for the treatment of depression.

Clinical trial registration at clinicaltrials

gov/NCT01792414.
Desmoid tumor at the gastrointestinal anastomosis after a one-anastomosis gastric bypass (mini-gastric bypass): a case report
Authors: Mahnashi Yasir , Alotaibi Atheer S , Aldakhail Mohammad , Alshahrani Amer
Published: December 2019

Desmoid tumors of the small bowel wall are rare tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The signs and symptoms ranging from non-specific to severe abdominal pain to the sensation of a mass and abdominal fullness. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who presented 3 years post-one-anastomosis gastric bypass (mini-gastric bypass) with vague abdominal pain and early satiety of one-month duration. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a well-defined compressive mass in the left hypochondrium. A laparoscopic exploration was performed, but it was converted into a laparotomy due to the huge size of the mass. The desmoid tumor at the gastrojejunal anastomosis was resected, followed by a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged on the seventh day post-operation. He did not show any signs or symptoms suggestive of complications or recurrence during his follow-up.
Mental Health Outcomes Among Military Service Members After Severe Injury in Combat and TBI
Authors: Chin David L , Zeber John E
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Studies examining the mental health outcomes of military personnel deployed into combat zones have focused on the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder conferred by mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, other mental health outcomes among veterans who sustained critical combat injuries have not been described.

Materials and Method

We examined the associations of moderate and severe TBI and combat injury with the risk for anxiety and mood disorders, adjustment reactions, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, cognitive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of U.S. military service members critically injured in combat during military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from February 1, 2002, to February 1, 2011. Health care encounters from (1) the Department of Defense (DoD) Trauma Registry (TR), (2) acute and ambulatory care in military facilities, and (3) civilian facilities are reimbursed by Tricare. Service members who sustained severe combat injury require critical care. We estimated the risk of mental health outcomes using risk-adjusted logit models for demographic and clinical factors. We explored the relationship between TBI and the total number of mental health diagnoses.

Results

Of the 4,980 subjects who met inclusion criteria, most injuries occurred among members of the Army (72%) or Marines (25%), with mean (SD) age of 25.5(6.1) years. The prevalence of moderate or severe TBI was 31.6% with explosion as the most common mechanism of injury (78%). We found 71% of the cohort was diagnosed with at least one poor mental health condition, and the adjusted risk conferred by TBI ranged from a modest increase for anxiety disorder (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.45) to a large increase for cognitive disorder (odds ratio, 3.24; 95% CI, 2.78–3.77). We found TBI was associated with an increased number of mental health diagnoses (incidence rate ratio, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.42–1.63).

Conclusions

Combat-associated TBI may have a broad effect on several mental health conditions among critically injured combat casualties. Early recognition and treatment for trauma-associated mental health are crucial to improving outcomes among service personnel as they transition to post-deployment care in the DoD, Department of Veterans Affairs, or community health systems.