bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of natural saferock mineral on soil micro-bilogical parameters under rice-wheat cropping system
Authors: Ranva Santosh , Singh YV , Jain Neelam , Bajiya Deva Ram
Published: June 2020

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of SafeRock Minerals (SRM) application on soil microbiological parameters in rice-wheat cropping system. The experiments consisted of two methods of rice and wheat establishment and six different levels of crop nutrition including SRM with mineral fertilizers and organic manure (FYM). The rice was grown in kharif (June to October) season through aerobic direct seeded condition and flooded transplanted system. During rabi (October to April) season wheat was cultivated by two establishment methods viz. system of wheat intensification (SWI) and conventional wheat. The high yielding varieties of Basmati rice (Pusa Basmati 1509) and wheat (HD 2967) were used in the experiment. The results revealed that the soils of rice and wheat crops showed significant improvement in available N, P and K and soil microbial parameters (enzymatic activities and microbial biomass carbon) due to the integrated application of 250 kg/ha SRM + 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and 250 kg/ha SRM + 50% RDF (chemical) + 25% RDF (organic) and 250 kg/ha SRM + 50% organic-FYM (10.0 t/ha) over the sole SRM application under both the methods of stand establishment of rice as well as wheat.
Response to short course androgenisation in late reported cases with micropenis
Authors: Huque Mahmudul , Tofail Tania , Ahmed Tofail
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives: Micropenis is an abnormally short penis and its treatment should begin in infancy or in very early childhood. The present study investigated the response of short term testosterone therapy in late reported cases of micropenis.

Methods: A total of 17 cases of micropenis between the age of 8 and 15 years were included in the study. Standard criteria for the diagnosis of micropenis were followed. All cases were treated with intramuscular testosterone 50 to 75 mg once every 21 days. Response to testosterone treatment was measured by the absolute and percent increment in stretched penile length (SPL). Response was considered adequate if final SPL crosses the average SPL for age. We also compared the response of treatment of cases reported before and after 11 years of age.

Result: A total of 17 micropenis cases were included in the study. Out of total 17 boys, 10 were between 8 to 11 years (Group 1) and 7 were between 12 to 15 years (Group 2) of age. The mean pre-treatment SPL of 17 micropenis cases was 3.1±0.2 cm (CI: 2.83, 3.43 cm). The mean initial SPL of Gr1 and Gr2 was not significantly different (3.2±0.3 cm vs 3.0±0.1 cm; p>0.248). The mean post treatment SPL of 17 cases increased significantly (p<0.001) compared to their initial SPL. The range of percentage increment in SPL was 100%-400%. Higher testosterone doses were required in Gr2 cases compared to Gr1 (360±20.8 mg vs 260.7±38.5 mg).

Conclusion: Micropenis in boys with palpable gonads responded to short term testosterone treatment in late reported cases and we termed these cases as simple micropenis.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2020; 14(1): 1-4
Association of visceral adiposity index with insulin resistance in adults with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Parveen Sultana , Ayub Tohfa E , Haq Tahniyah , Nahar Nazmun , Manbub Naureen , Islam Fahmida , Aktar Farjana , Aziz Murshida
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives: Visceral adiposity is linked to excess morbidity and mortality and positively correlates with the risk of insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and premature death. The study was conducted to find out the relationship between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on adult population with and without DM. Waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were measured. BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 and ≥30 kg/m2 was defined as overweight and obese respectively. HOMA-IR method was used to calculate insulin resistance (IR). Standard formula using BMI, WC, triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was used to calculate VAI. Blood was analyzed for fasting blood glucose (FBS), TG, HDL-c and insulin level.

Results: A total of 439 individuals were included in the study of which 269 had DM and 170 were healthy volunteers and the mean age was 41.47±6.82 and 36.16±7.44 years respectively. Compared to healthy controls, a greater number of diabetics had high VAI (86.5% vs. 98.9%) and high IR (43.5% vs. 85.1%). We found the highest sensitivity and specificity at a cut-off of 2.23 of VAI while at 3.65 had the highest specificity. Insulin resistance was observed significantly higher in those with diabetes compared to control, both in case of normal and high VAI at all cut-offs of VAI. Among anthropometric parameters (WC, BMI and VAI), VAI had positive (r=0.21, p<0.001) correlation with HOMA-IR than WC (r=0.10, p=0.043). Visceral fat was linearly related with insulin resistance (ß=0.18, p<0.001). Area under the curve (AUC) (0.66) showed that VAI can discriminate HOMA-IR.

Conclusion: There was a high rate of raised VAI in cases with DM. VAI had positive association with HOMA-IR in diabetes mellitus. Although weak, there was an acceptable discrimination between them.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2020; 14(1): 5-12
Detection of antibodies to recombinant truncated flagellin and sonicated whole cell antigen of Burkholderia pseudomallei in acute melioidosis and in healthy Bangladeshi individuals
Authors: Jilani Md Shariful Alam , Hock Tang Thean , Mazumder Sraboni , Rahman Fahmida , Md Mohiuddin - , Ahsan Chowdhury Rafiqul , Haq Jalaluddin Ashraful
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives: Several types of Burkholderia pseudomallei antigens have been used to determine the antibody response in acute and asymptomatic cases. In the present study, we have detected immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to recombinant truncated flagellin antigen (RTFA) of B. pseudomallei in the sera of acute melioidosis cases and healthy individuals from melioidosis endemic areas of Bangladesh by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In parallel, IgG antibody to sonicated whole cell antigen (SWCA) of B. pseudomallei was determined to compare with anti-RTFA antibody.

Methodology: Serum samples from culture confirmed melioidosis cases and from healthy individuals aged 21 years and above residing in melioidosis endemic rural areas were included in the study. Serum IgG antibody to RTFA and SWCA of B. pseudomallei was determined by indirect ELISA.

Results: Out of 8 culture confirmed acute melioidosis cases, 7 (87.5%) and 8 (100%) were positive for anti-B. pseudomallei IgG antibodies by RTFA and SWCA methods respectively. Among 361 healthy individuals, the rate of seropositivity by RTFA-ELISA was significantly less than that of SWCA-ELISA (16.1% versus 26.8%; p = 0.001). The mean optical density (OD) of RTFA-ELISA of positive cases was significantly less than that of SWCA-ELISA in both melioidosis and healthy individuals (0.79±0.11 versus 2.4±0.08, p = 0.0001; 0.67±0.01 versus 1.27±0.02, p = 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of RTFA-ELISA were 88.9% and 100% respectively.

Conclusion: Findings of the study suggest that multiple or combination of antigens should be used to study the seroprevalence of B. pseudomallei infection in a community. Also, prospective study is necessary to find out the duration of persistence of antibodies to different antigenic components of B. pseudomallei after exposure.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2020; 14(1): 47-52
Miten kaupungistuminen ja väestön ikääntyminen vaikuttavat vapaa-ajan asumisen suosioon?
Authors: Strandell Anna , Pitkänen Kati , Rehunen Antti
Published: June 2020

Mökkeily on keskeinen osa suomalaista elämäntapaa. Suomen yli puoleen miljoonaan kesämökkiin on infrastruktuureineen sitoutunut huomattava määrä kansallisvarallisuutta ja suomalaisten henkilökohtaista omaisuutta. Mökkeilyn tulevaisuudesta on kuitenkin esitetty huolta. Miten yhteiskunnan suuret trendit, kuten väestön ikääntyminen ja kaupungistuminen, vaikuttavat vapaa-ajan asumiseen? Väheneekö vai lisääntyykö vapaa-ajan asunnoilla vietetty aika? Tässä tutkimuksessa laadittiin vapaa-ajan asumisen skenaario vuodesta 2018 vuoteen 2040. Skenaario pohjautuu Tilastokeskuksen väestöennusteeseen, kaupunki-maaseutuluokitukseen sekä valtakunnalliseen vapaa-ajan asumisen kyselyyn. Skenaarion mukaan kaupungistuminen ja ikääntyminen lisäävät jonkin verran vapaa-ajan asuntojen käyttöä tulevaisuudessa. Kaupungistuminen lisää mökkeilyä enemmän kuin ikääntyminen. Kaupunkialueilla asuvat viettävät merkittävästi enemmän aikaa vapaa-ajan asunnoilla kuin maaseudulla asuvat. Keskimäärin eniten mökkeilevät 65–74-vuotiaat sisemmällä kaupunkialueella asuvat. Kaupungistumisen ja ikääntymisen lisäksi myös muut trendit, jotka eivät sisälly skenaarioon, voivat lisätä tai vähentää vapaa-ajan asunnoilla vietettävää aikaa. Tällaisia ovat muun muassa hyväkuntoisen eläkeiän pidentyminen, tulojen ja varallisuuden kasvu, tietoliikenneyhteyksien paraneminen vapaa-ajan asunnoilla, kasvava matkailu ja muut vapaa-ajanviettotavat, pidemmät mökkimatkat ja maahanmuutto.
Miten sääntelyä muuttamalla voitaisiin ohjata kalastusta enemmän taloudellista arvoa luovaan suuntaan?
Authors: Paukku Eelis
Published: June 2020

Kalastusmatkailu on yksi kasvava taloudenala Suomessa. Se tuottaa kalaa kohden merkittävästi enemmän taloudellista arvoa kuin kaupallinen kalastus. Kalastusmatkailu tuottaa myös enemmän arvoa harvaan asutuille ja syrjäisille alueille, joilla taloudellinen toiminta on muutenkin vähäisempää. Kalastusmatkailua lisäämällä voitaisiin lisätä kalastuksesta syntyvää arvoa. Kalastusmatkailua haittaavasta sääntelystä ei kuitenkaan ole olemassa kansallista tutkimusta. Tässä artikkelissa tarkastellaan kalastusmatkailun ja kaupallisen kalastuksen tuottamaa taloudellista arvoa kirjallisuuskatsauksen perusteella. Tämän jälkeen vertaillaan kaupalliseen kalastukseen ja kalastusmatkailuun vaikuttavaa sääntelyä näiden elinkeinojen kestävän edistämisen näkökulmasta. Tulosten mukaan nykyinen lupajärjestelmä suosii kaupallista kalastusta. Viranomaisluvalla tapahtuvaa kalastusmatkailua voitaisiin helpottaa merkittävästi ilman, että jouduttaisiin joustamaan sääntelyn tavoitteista. Joissakin tapauksissa kaupallista kalastusta voitaisiin myös rajoittaa kalastusmatkailun kustannuksella ja lisätä siitä huolimatta kalastuksesta syntyvää arvoa. Johtopäätöksenä voidaan todeta, että nykyinen kalastusmatkailuun liittyvä sääntely on tarpeettoman kireää verrattuna kaupallisen kalastuksen vastaavaan sääntelyyn. Lisäämällä viranomaisen harkintavaltaa kalastusmatkailun luvissa voitaisiin kasvattaa merkittävästi kalastusmatkailusta syntyvää arvoa yhteiskunnalle.
MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE MODEL OF HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS OF MUHAMMADIYAH IN SOUTH SUMATERA
Authors: Rulitawati Rulitawati , Ritonga Ahmad Husein , Hasibuan Lias
Published: June 2020

This research aimed at analyzing school management which manages teachers’ management model that impacts the performance of High School teachers of Muhammadiyah in South-Sumatera Province. This field research applied a descriptive-qualitative approach. The technique for collecting the data was through observation, interview and documentation. The research subjects selected by using purposive sampling technique. The technique for analyzing the data was through data analysis by reducing, presenting, verifying and drawing conclusions, and also using reliable and extended participation techniques, careful observation, triangulation and consulting with advisors. The results showed that management performance model in Senior High School of Muhammadiyah was a successful management model which enables to improve teachers’ performance. The success of applying this model can be regarded on management performance model of teachers in line with POAC management, in which POAC was implemented to meet teachers’ success, and also other factors, such as humans’ competency and motivation in managing teachers’ performance, the effectiveness of managing performance starting from input, process and teachers’ performance objective, as well as the use of facilities and infrastructure, time, finance (capital) had supported the success of teacher's performance.
THE EFFECT OF CAPACITY BUILDING AND SCHOOL PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP TOWARDS TEACHERS’ PERFORMANCE
Authors: S Nur Eni , Arafat Yasir , Mulyadi Mulyadi
Published: June 2020

Capacity building is part of improving the quality of performance. This research aimed at determining the effect of capacity building and leadership of school principals on teachers’ performance in Primary School of Pulau Rimau. The population and sample in this study were teachers who taught at Primary School of Pulau Rimau, sampling was conducted using purposive sampling techniques. The results obtained there is positive and significant effect of capacity building on the performance of teachers; there is positive and significant influence of school leadership on the performance of teachers; and there is positive and significant influence of capacity building and leadership of school principals on the performance of teachers.
AN EVALUATION OF SCHOOL OPERATIONAL FUND PROGRAM
Authors: Haji Son , Lian Bukman , Fitriani Yessi
Published: June 2020

This study aimed at determining the planning and accountability as well as the benefits and impacts of the BOS funding program in SD Negeri 01 Pulau Rimau, Banyuasin. The data sources of this research were the principal, teachers and students of SD Negeri 01 Pulau Rimau. The method used qualitative and applied interviews, documentation and observation as instruments. The results showed that 1) BOS program planning was realized in the RAPBS; 2) the use of BOS funds has been carried out in accordance with the 2015 National Technical Guidelines used by schools; 3) accountability of BOS funds in the form of memorandum of purchase and maintenance of equipment as well as for payment of teacher honoraria at schools; 4) and the benefits and impacts of the BOS program for schools is that the learning process runs effectively by always improving the quality of facilities.
Global citizenship education and English as a lingua franca
Authors: Fang Fan (Gabriel)
Published: June 2020

Currently, how English is being used as a lingua franca (ELF) has caused linguistic and cultural norms to be revisited in relation to language use. The issue of global citizenship has emerged when English is used as the main medium of instruction in higher education; as achieving global citizenship is a main goal of international universities, the ELF paradigm has assisted in the realization of this goal because English is used in a fluid and dynamic perspective. This paper uses interview data (N=6), which was collected from Chinese students from the Chaoshan area who obtained their master’s degrees abroad, to analyze how these students developed their senses of global citizenship. Although their ELF experiences play an important role in understanding global citizenship, many did not receive a formal education regarding global citizenship at home or abroad. This paper concludes by emphasizing how the ELF paradigm can aid higher education institutions raise people’s awareness of global citizenship.
What’s in a flash?: Teaching reading and writing (and beyond) through flash fiction
Authors: Tarrayo Veronico N.
Published: June 2020

Literature teaching (and the teaching of reading, in general) is challenged by many rivals with which it competes for the attention and interest of the younger generation called the ‘digital natives.’ This article introduces flash fiction as one possible way to regain the interest of the young to journey and explore the interesting world of literature. Flash fiction as bite-sized stories may be a less intimidating yet challenging (because it requires rich language) venue for learners to develop their creative reading and writing skills.This article begins with a concise discussion on the problem of reading among young people nowadays, and then proceeds with an introduction of flash fiction as a literary genre. Most importantly, the paper discusses the place of flash fiction in the academe and offers practical knowledge on the use of the said literary genre in the teaching of reading and writing.
Urbanization impacts on production and recruitment of Fundulus heteroclitus in salt marsh creeks
Authors: Rudershausen PJ , Buckel JA
Published: June 2020

It is unclear how urbanization affects secondary biological production in estuaries in the southeastern USA. We estimated production of larval/juvenile Fundulus heteroclitus in salt marsh areas of North Carolina tidal creeks and tested for factors influencing production. F. heteroclitus were collected with a throw trap in salt marshes of 5 creeks subjected to a range of urbanization intensities. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) was used to reduce dimensionality of habitat and urbanization effects in the creeks and their watersheds. Production was then related to the first 2 dimensions of the MFA, month, and year. Lastly, we determined the relationship between creek-wide larval/juvenile production and abundance from spring and abundance of adults from autumn of the same year. Production in marsh (g m-2 d-1) varied between years and was negatively related to the MFA dimension that indexed salt marsh; higher rates of production were related to creeks with higher percentages of marsh. An asymptotic relationship was found between abundance of adults and creek-wide production of larvae/juveniles and an even stronger density-dependent relationship was found between abundance of adults and creek-wide larval/juvenile abundance. Results demonstrate (1) the ability of F. heteroclitus to maintain production within salt marsh in creeks with a lesser percentage of marsh as long as this habitat is not removed altogether and (2) a density-dependent link between age-0 production/abundance and subsequent adult recruitment. Given the relationship between production and marsh area, natural resource agencies should consider impacts of development on production when permitting construction in the southeastern USA.
Sn – Zn – Ga alloys for leadfree soldering obtained by rapid quenching
Authors: Shepelevich Vasiliy G. , Gusakova Olga V.
Published: June 2020

The paper presents the results of a study of the structural-phase state of the foil of eutectic near eutectic Sn – Zn alloys doped by Ga obtained by rapid melt quenching at a melt cooling rate of 105 K/s. Using the methods of X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray spectrometry, it was established that the foil solidifies with the formation of tin-based supersaturated solid solution and its microstructure is formed as a result of the decomposition of the solid solution by discontinuous mechanism at room temperature. The homogeneity of the composition and distribution of gallium and zinc inclusions over the volume of the foil was established. Using the electron backscatter diffraction technique, it was shown that the foils have a microcrystalline structure due to the deep supercooling of the melt, which leads to a high crystal nucleation rate. The grain size decreases depending on the distance to the mold. The increase in grain size is associated with a change in the solidification conditions over the thickness of the foil: deterioration of heat removal and a decrease in supercooling. There is no pronounced grain texture in the foils.
Spatial features of population family structure of Belarus during the period of socio-economic transformations
Authors: Губарева Юлия Анатольевна
Published: June 2020

The article is devoted to the modern tendencies of population family structure transformation in Belarus and their spatial heterogeneity. Spare-time trends of marriages, divorces and population family structure of Belarus during 1989‒2017 were determined. For researching period for population of Belarus marriage decline and divorce rate growth and general increasing of marriage and divorce from northern west to southern east are discovered. Marriage and divorce dynamics is influenced with demographic waves fluctuation. Reduction of number of families, simplification of structure of families, decreasing of family size and general regional degradation of family structure from south to north of Belarus were found out. Economic-geographical typology of administrative districts of Belarus on family structure character was worked through. Dividing approach of economic-geographical typology has double-component character and consider interests of national demographic policy which has pronatalistic aims. On the base of complex of marriage, divorce, family density, family size and family types structure with considering of features of demographic situation characterized with parameters of population natural movement and age structure 3 main economic-geographical types and 9 subtypes of Belarusian districts were distinguished by character of family structure of population. These types are demographic central with progressive family structure, demographic semi-peripheral with family structure of transit type, demographic peripheral with regressive family structure. Demographic central districts with progressive family structure are characterized with relatively preferable parameters of demographic situation and family-matrimonial situation. Demographic semi-peripheral districts with family structure of transit type are the most widespread in Belarus and are characterized with non-stable demographic situation and family structure. Belarusian districts with regressive type of family structure include demographic peripheral territories and are characterized with adverse family structure and demographic situation in general. Economic-geographical researching of population family structure directed on studying and explaining of its modern tendencies must be based on the detailed examination of socio-economic, demographic and spare aspects.
Osteogenesis and Histostructure of Femoral Muscles When Modeling a Femoral Fracture with Immediate or Delayed Osteosynthesis Using an Interlocking Intramedullary Antegrade Rod
Authors: Filimonova G. N. , Antonov N. I. , Emanov A. A.
Published: June 2020

Interlocked intramedullary osteosynthesis is the most common method for treating femoral shaft fractures. The aim — to reveal specifi c characteristics of the histostructure of canine femoral muscles when healing femoral fractures under osteosynthesis using interlocking intramedullary reinforcement with an antegrade metal rod. Femoral shaft fractures were modelled in 9 mongrel dogs. The fractures were fi xed with an intramedullary rod. In Group I (n=4), osteosynthesis was started immediately after bone injury. In Group II (n=5), osteosynthesis was started 4 days after fracture (delayed osteosynthesis). M. biceps femoris and M. quadriceps femoris were studied. In Group I and Group II, bone healing occurred following 42 and 70 days, respectively. A unifi ed bone marrow cavity and cortical layer had been formed by day 70 and day 100 in Group I and Group II, respectively. The histostructure of M. quadriceps femoris in Group I remained largely unchanged throughout the experiment, while M. biceps femoris underwent the process of structural reorganization on days 42 and 70 of the experiment. The Group of delayed osteosynthesis demonstrated changes in the histostructure of both muscles, including an increased diversity of fi bre diameters, an increased number of nuclei in myocytes, fi brosis of the interstitial space and perimysial arterial vessels. These changes were more pronounced in M. biceps femoris. Three months after injury, the histostructure of the muscles under study, even in the Group of delayed osteosynthesis, had no signifi cant differences and tended to the intact norm. In femoral fractures, the earliest possible fi xation of bone fragments with an inter locking antegrade intramedullary rod is recommended. A complete bone healing in such cases occurs a month earlier than in those with delayed osteosynthesis. The femoral muscles of the anterior group are injured to a lesser extent than those of the posterior group.
On the Margins or in the Mainstream? The History of Childhood in France
Authors: Heywood Colin
Published: June 2020

The aim of this article is to set the context for the studies that follow by assessing the historiography on children and childhood in modern France (including works produced by foreign as well as French authors). The first section identifies topics with the highest and lowest profiles in the existing literature. In particular, it focuses on the former, documenting the wealth of French studies of the infant welfare movement, education and the impact of revolution and warfare on the young. The second section questions the influence the history of childhood has had on historical studies overall in France. It argues that to date, ‘top-down’ studies, concerned with the role of adults in childhood matters, have been more prominent than those looking from the ‘bottom-up’, emphasizing the agency and voices of children.
Children as a Tool of Occupation in the French Zone of Occupation of Germany, from 1945 to 1949
Authors: Adler K. H.
Published: June 2020

This article explores the rather unusual establishment, by the French army of occupation in the French Zone of Occupation in south-west Germany, of holiday camps for French children, from 1945 to 1949. The camps catered for tens of thousands of French children who were brought from France to devastated Germany. The article argues that the army's major investment of time, personnel and material resources in these holiday camps, starting in the summer of 1945 immediately after the liberation of Nazi Germany, stemmed not only from concern for children's welfare, but from several ideological concerns that played out in occupied Germany and back in metropolitan France. It is based on extensive archival research in both France and Germany.
Fighting ‘On the Side of Little Girls’: Feminist Children's Book Publishing in France after 1968
Authors: Heywood Sophie
Published: June 2020

The publishing activities of the French second-wave feminist movement are well-documented. Less attention has been focused on its attempts to imagine childhood freed from sexism. In the mid-1970s, the Franco-Italian editorial partnership ‘Du côté des petites filles/Dalla Parte delle Bambine’ fought ‘on the side of the little girls’ by publishing a new kind of children's book: politically and aesthetically subversive, and engaged in the period's major feminist debates. Tracing relationships between the publishers involved, this article illustrates how feminist campaigns helped shape new ideas on children and their culture after 1968: child-rearing was both a major point névralgique of the movement as a whole, and an issue requiring action, to provide tools for the struggle. Examining publishing practices, creative artists and books, this study reveals both the intellectual impact of the MLF activists on ideas of childhood and children's literature, and the artistic visions and new poetics they helped nurture.
The First Substantiated Record of Blunthead Puffer Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller and Troschel, 1848), From the Coast of Northern Cyprus (Eastern Mediterranean)
Authors: AKBORA Hasan Deniz , SNAPE Robin , AYAS Deniz , ÇİÇEK Burak Ali
Published: June 2020

Blunthead puffer Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller and Troschel, 1848) is a circumglobally distributed Tetraodontid found in temperate and tropical waters. It is believed to have colonized the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. There are relatively few records of this fish in the Mediterranean Sea. On March 2020, a mature female individual was caught incidentally by a commercial fisher in Northern Cyprus. The fish was 520 mm in total length and 1200 grams in total weight. Detailed morphometrics and meristics were reported. This study is the first substantiated record of S. pachygaster from Cyprus waters, and the specimen is the largest blunthead puffer reported with a 455 mm standard length and 520 mm total length.
Mídia e fronteira: uma análise da fronteira a partir de reportagens na mídia digital na sub-região XII do Arco Central da Faixa de Fronteira
Authors: Moreira Junior Orlando
Published: June 2020

O tema da fronteira é abordado neste artigo, tendo como objetivo analisar a forma como ela vem sendo tratada pela mídia digital. O referencial empírico para análise compreende a sub-região XII do Arco Central da Faixa de Fronteira. Desse modo, procura-se desenvolver uma pesquisa qualitativa que permita identificar quais os principais temas são abordados pela mídia nesta região fronteiriça, a partir dos quais se podem compreender as principais problemáticas que envolvem a questão da fronteira. A metodologia corresponde ao levantamento do material midiático e na análise dos mesmos a partir de alguns conceitos das ciências sociais. Como resultados, foi possível identificar as principais questões que envolvem este cenário fronteiriço e a reprodução do discurso de fronteira como espaço de problemáticas diversas.
Effect of Controlled Atmosphere Storage Conditions on the Chemical Composition of Super Hardy Kiwifruit
Authors: Paulauskienė Aurelija , Tarasevičienė Živilė , Žebrauskienė Audronė , Pranckietienė Irena
Published: June 2020

Super hardy kiwifruit [Actinidia kolomikta (Maxim. & Rupr.) Maxim.] accumulate large amounts of biologically active compounds, but it is possible to store ripe fruit for a very short time, only 2 weeks at 0–5 °C. Therefore, it is necessary to determine optimal storage conditions to prolong fruit storage time. The aim of this research was to analyse changes in the basic chemical composition of fruit during ripening in controlled atmosphere chambers. Fruit was stored for 6 weeks at a constant temperature (0 °C) and humidity (90%) in different air compositions (No. 1—21% O2, 78% N2; No. 2—0.5% O2, 98.5% N2, 1% CO2; No. 3—1.5% O2, 95.5% N2, 3% CO2; No. 4—2% O2, 93% N2, 5% CO2). The chemical composition of the fruit was determined at harvest, after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of storage. Dry matter, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were analysed. The greatest increase in the contents of dry matter and soluble solids after 6 weeks of storage was found in the chamber where O2 was 2% and CO2 was 5%. The ascorbic acid content decreased during the fruit ripening process regardless of the air composition. Most of the ascorbic acid remained in fruit stored in the chamber with 1.5% O2 and 3% CO2. The concentration of total chlorophyll and total carotenoids in the fruit increased as development progressed. The different air parameters in the storage chambers had different effects on the synthesis of pigments in fruit, but the content of pigments increased most in fruit stored in the chamber with atmospheric parameters 0.5% O2 + 1% CO2.
Delineation of Soil Texture Suitability Zones for Soybean Cultivation: A Case Study in Continental Croatia
Authors: Radočaj Dorijan , Jurišić Mladen , Zebec Vladimir , Plaščak Ivan
Published: June 2020

Soil texture is a vital criterion in most cropland suitability analyses, so an accurate method for the delineation of soil texture suitability zones is necessary. In this study, an automated method was developed and evaluated for the delineation of these zones for soybean cultivation. A total of 255 soil samples were collected in the Continental biogeoregion of Croatia. Three methods for interpolation of clay, silt and sand soil content were evaluated using the split-sample method in five independent random repetitions. An automated algorithm for soil texture classification based on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 12 classes was performed using Python script. Suitability classes for soybean cultivation per soil texture class were determined according to previous agronomic and soybean land suitability studies. Ordinary kriging produced the highest accuracy of tested interpolation methods for clay, silt and sand. Highly suitable soil texture classes for soybean cultivation, loam and clay loam, were detected in the northern part of the study area, covering 5.73% of the study area. The analysis of classification results per interpolation method indicated a necessity of the evaluation of interpolation methods as their performance depended on the normality and stationarity of input samples.
3D Printing in COVID-19: Productivity Estimation of the Most Promising Open Source Solutions in Emergency Situations
Authors: Salmi Mika , Akmal Jan Sher , Pei Eujin , Wolff Jan , Jaribion Alireza , Khajavi Siavash H.
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge of demand for medical supplies and spare parts, which has put pressure on the manufacturing sector. As a result, 3D printing communities and companies are currently operating to ease the breakdown in the medical supply chain. If no parts are available, 3D printing can potentially be used to produce time-critical parts on demand such as nasal swabs, face shields, respirators, and spares for ventilators. A structured search using online sources and feedback from key experts in the 3D printing area was applied to highlight critical issues and to suggest potential solutions. The prescribed outcomes were estimated in terms of cost and productivity at a small and large scale. This study analyzes the number and costs of parts that can be manufactured with a single machine within 24 h. It extrapolates this potential with the number of identical 3D printers in the world to estimate the global potential that can help practitioners, frontline workers, and those most vulnerable during the pandemic. It also proposes alternative 3D printing processes and materials that can be applicable. This new unregulated supply chain has also opened new questions concerning medical certification and Intellectual property rights (IPR). There is also a pressing need to develop new standards for 3D printing of medical parts for the current pandemic, and to ensure better national resilience.
First-Principles Study of the Stabilization and Mechanical Properties of Rare-Earth Ferritic Perovskites (RFeO3, R = La, Eu, Gd)
Authors: Faghihnasiri Mahdi , Najafi Vahid , Shayeganfar Farzaneh , Ramazani Ali
Published: June 2020

Current research aims to investigate the mechanical properties of rare earth perovskite ferrites (RFeO3, R = La, Eu, Gd) utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Using the revised Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof approximation for solids (PBEsol) approximation, the elastic constants, bulk, Young’s, and shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and anisotropic properties are calculated. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) is employed to analyze the stability of chemical bonds in the structures subjected to an external loading. Based on these calculations, Fe-O and R-O bonds can be considered as nearly ionic, which is due to the large difference in electronegativity of R and Fe with O. Additionally, our results reveal that the charge density values of the Fe-O bonds in both structures remain largely outside of the ionic range. Finally, the mechanical response of LaFeO3, EuFeO3, and GdFeO3 compounds to various cubic strains is investigated. The results show that in RFeO3 by increasing the radius of the lanthanide atom, the mechanical properties of the material including Young’s and bulk modulus increase.
A Three-Step Process for the Bioconversion of Whey Permeate into a Glucose-Free D-Tagatose Syrup
Authors: Cervantes Fadia V. , Neifar Sawssan , Merdzo Zoran , Viña-Gonzalez Javier , Fernandez-Arrojo Lucia , Ballesteros Antonio O. , Fernandez-Lobato Maria , Bejar Samir , Plou Francisco J.
Published: June 2020

We have developed a sustainable three-stage process for the revaluation of cheese whey permeate into D-tagatose, a rare sugar with functional properties used as sweetener. The experimental conditions (pH, temperature, cofactors, etc.) for each step were independently optimized. In the first step, concentrated whey containing 180–200 g/L of lactose was fully hydrolyzed by β-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium bifidum (Saphera®) in 3 h at 45 °C. Secondly, glucose was selectively removed by treatment with Pichia pastoris cells for 3 h at 30 °C. The best results were obtained with 350 mg of cells (previously grown for 16 h) per mL of solution. Finally, L-arabinose isomerase US100 from Bacillus stearothermophilus was employed to isomerize D-galactose into D-tagatose at pH 7.5 and 65 °C, in presence of 0.5 mM MnSO4. After 7 h, the concentration of D-tagatose was approximately 30 g/L (33.3% yield, referred to the initial D-galactose present in whey). The proposed integrated process takes place under mild conditions (neutral pH, moderate temperatures) in a short time (13 h), yielding a glucose-free syrup containing D-tagatose and galactose in a ratio 1:2 (w/w).
Facile Direct Seed-Mediated Growth of AuPt Bimetallic Shell on the Surface of Pd Nanocubes and Application for Direct H2O2 Synthesis
Authors: Han Geun-Ho , Kim Ki Yoon , Nam Hyunji , Kim Hyeonjin , Yoon Jihwan , Lee Jung-Hyun , Kim Hong-Kyu , Ahn Jae-Pyoung , Lee Seung Yong , Lee Kwan-Young , Yu Taekyung
Published: June 2020

The selective enhancement of catalytic activity is a challenging task, as catalyst modification is generally accompanied by both desirable and undesirable properties. For example, in the case of the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, Pt on Pd improves hydrogen conversion, but lowers hydrogen peroxide selectivity, whereas Au on Pd enhances hydrogen peroxide selectivity but decreases hydrogen conversion. Toward an ideal catalytic property, the development of a catalyst that is capable of improving H-H dissociation for increasing H2 conversion, whilst suppressing O-O dissociation for high H2O2 selectivity would be highly beneficial. Pd-core AuPt-bimetallic shell nanoparticles with a nano-sized bimetallic layer composed of Au-rich or Pt-rich content with Pd cubes were readily prepared via the direct seed-mediated growth method. In the Pd-core AuPt-bimetallic shell nanoparticles, Au was predominantly located on the {100} facets of the Pd nanocubes, whereas Pt was deposited on the corners of the Pd nanocubes. The evaluation of Pd-core AuPt-bimetallic shell nanoparticles with varying Au and Pt contents revealed that Pd-core AuPt-bimetallic shell that was composed of 2.5 mol% Au and 5 mol% Pt, in relation to Pd, exhibited the highest H2O2 production rate (914 mmol H2O2 gmetal−1 h−1), due to the improvement of both H2O2 selectivity and H2 conversion.
Symmetry Breaking and Emergence of Directional Flows in Minimal Actomyosin Cortices
Authors: Vogel Sven K. , Wölfer Christian , Ramirez-Diaz Diego A. , Flassig Robert J. , Sundmacher Kai , Schwille Petra
Published: June 2020

Cortical actomyosin flows, among other mechanisms, scale up spontaneous symmetry breaking and thus play pivotal roles in cell differentiation, division, and motility. According to many model systems, myosin motor-induced local contractions of initially isotropic actomyosin cortices are nucleation points for generating cortical flows. However, the positive feedback mechanisms by which spontaneous contractions can be amplified towards large-scale directed flows remain mostly speculative. To investigate such a process on spherical surfaces, we reconstituted and confined initially isotropic minimal actomyosin cortices to the interfaces of emulsion droplets. The presence of ATP leads to myosin-induced local contractions that self-organize and amplify into directed large-scale actomyosin flows. By combining our experiments with theory, we found that the feedback mechanism leading to a coordinated directional motion of actomyosin clusters can be described as asymmetric cluster vibrations, caused by intrinsic non-isotropic ATP consumption with spatial confinement. We identified fingerprints of vibrational states as the basis of directed motions by tracking individual actomyosin clusters. These vibrations may represent a generic key driver of directed actomyosin flows under spatial confinement in vitro and in living systems.
An Update on the Molecular Basis of Phosphoantigen Recognition by Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells
Authors: Herrmann Thomas , Fichtner Alina Suzann , Karunakaran Mohindar Murugesh
Published: June 2020

About 1–5% of human blood T cells are Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. Their hallmark is the expression of T cell antigen receptors (TCR) whose γ-chains contain a rearrangement of Vγ9 with JP (TRGV9JP or Vγ2Jγ1.2) and are paired with Vδ2 (TRDV2)-containing δ-chains. These TCRs respond to phosphoantigens (PAg) such as (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP), which is found in many pathogens, and isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), which accumulates in certain tumors or cells treated with aminobisphosphonates such as zoledronate. Until recently, these cells were believed to be restricted to primates, while no such cells are found in rodents. The identification of three genes pivotal for PAg recognition encoding for Vγ9, Vδ2, and butyrophilin (BTN) 3 in various non-primate species identified candidate species possessing PAg-reactive Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. Here, we review the current knowledge of the molecular basis of PAg recognition. This not only includes human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and the recent discovery of BTN2A1 as Vγ9-binding protein mandatory for the PAg response but also insights gained from the identification of functional PAg-reactive Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and BTN3 in the alpaca and phylogenetic comparisons. Finally, we discuss models of the molecular basis of PAg recognition and implications for the development of transgenic mouse models for PAg-reactive Vγ9Vδ2 T cells.
Mechanical Adaptations of Epithelial Cells on Various Protruded Convex Geometries
Authors: Yu Sun-Min , Li Bo , Granick Steve , Cho Yoon-Kyoung
Published: June 2020

The shape of epithelial tissue supports physiological functions of organs such as intestinal villi and corneal epithelium. Despite the mounting evidence showing the importance of geometry in tissue microenvironments, the current understanding on how it affects biophysical behaviors of cells is still elusive. Here, we cultured cells on various protruded convex structure such as triangle, square, and circle shape fabricated using two-photon laser lithography and quantitatively analyzed individual cells. Morphological data indicates that epithelial cells can sense the sharpness of the corner by showing the characteristic cell alignments, which was caused by actin contractility. Cell area was mainly influenced by surface convexity, and Rho-activation increased cell area on circle shape. Moreover, we found that intermediate filaments, vimentin, and cytokeratin 8/18, play important roles in growth and adaptation of epithelial cells by enhancing expression level on convex structure depending on the shape. In addition, microtubule building blocks, α-tubulin, was also responded on geometric structure, which indicates that intermediate filaments and microtubule can cooperatively secure mechanical stability of epithelial cells on convex surface. Altogether, the current study will expand our understanding of mechanical adaptations of cells on out-of-plane geometry.
Altered Transcription Factor Binding and Gene Bivalency in Islets of Intrauterine Growth Retarded Rats
Authors: Lien Yu-Chin , Wang Paul Zhiping , Lu Xueqing Maggie , Simmons Rebecca A.
Published: June 2020

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), which induces epigenetic modifications and permanent changes in gene expression, has been associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Using a rat model of IUGR, we performed ChIP-Seq to identify and map genome-wide histone modifications and gene dysregulation in islets from 2- and 10-week rats. IUGR induced significant changes in the enrichment of H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and H3K27Ac marks in both 2-wk and 10-wk islets, which were correlated with expression changes of multiple genes critical for islet function in IUGR islets. ChIP-Seq analysis showed that IUGR-induced histone mark changes were enriched at critical transcription factor binding motifs, such as C/EBPs, Ets1, Bcl6, Thrb, Ebf1, Sox9, and Mitf. These transcription factors were also identified as top upstream regulators in our previously published transcriptome study. In addition, our ChIP-seq data revealed more than 1000 potential bivalent genes as identified by enrichment of both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3. The poised state of many potential bivalent genes was altered by IUGR, particularly Acod1, Fgf21, Serpina11, Cdh16, Lrrc27, and Lrrc66, key islet genes. Collectively, our findings suggest alterations of histone modification in key transcription factors and genes that may contribute to long-term gene dysregulation and an abnormal islet phenotype in IUGR rats.
Cuprizone Affects Hypothermia-Induced Neuroprotection and Enhanced Neuroblast Differentiation in the Gerbil Hippocampus after Ischemia
Authors: Kim Woosuk , Hahn Kyu Ri , Jung Hyo Young , Kwon Hyun Jung , Nam Sung Min , Kim Tae Hyeong , Kim Jong Whi , Yoo Dae Young , Kim Dae Won , Choi Jung Hoon , Yoon Yeo Sung , Hwang In Koo
Published: June 2020

In the present study, we investigated the effects of cuprizone on cell death, glial activation, and neuronal plasticity induced by hypothermia after ischemia in gerbils. Food was supplemented with cuprizone at 0.2% ad libitum for eight weeks. At six weeks after diet feeing, gerbils received transient forebrain ischemia with or without hypothermic preconditioning. Cuprizone treatment for 8 weeks increased the number of astrocytes, microglia, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the hippocampus. In addition, cuprizone treatment significantly decreased the number of proliferating cells and neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus. Brain ischemia caused cell death, disruption of myelin basic proteins, and reactive gliosis in CA1. In addition, ischemia significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and the number of proliferating cells and differentiating neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus. In contrast, hypothermic conditioning attenuated these changes in CA1 and the dentate gyrus. However, cuprizone treatment decreased cell survival induced by hypothermic preconditioning after ischemia and increased the number of reactive microglia and astrocytes in CA1 as well as that of macrophages in the subcallosal zone. These changes occurred because the protective effect of hypothermia in ischemic damage was disrupted by cuprizone administration. Furthermore, cuprizone decreased ischemia-induced proliferating cells and neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus.