bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DIFFERENCES IN VISUAL ACUITY, NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND MOTOR FUNCTION IN NEW ELEMENTARY STUDENTS IN RURAL AND URBAN AREA
Authors: Purnamasari Dyah Umiyarni , Kusnandar Kusnandar , Nurcahyo Panuwun Joko
Published: September 2020

School children in rural and urban areas need attention in terms of education and health. This study was aimed to analyze diff erences in visual acuity, nutritional status and motor function among school-age children in rural and urban areas. This was an analytic observational with cross-sectional design. As much as 57 students at SD Sokanegara and Kedungbanteng elementary school was recruited by purposive sampling method with inclusion criterias including fi rst grade of elementary school student in healthy condition. Visual acuity data was examined by using Snellen Chart, nutritional status data by anthropometric measurements of body weight and height was calculated using the BMI for age index, while motor function was obtained by Carpenter Motor Ability Test measurements. Data was analyze using the Mann Whitney test. The results showed there were diff erences in visual acuity (p= 0.001) and nutritional status (p= 0.027) in rural and urban school children, while motor function did not show any signifi cant diff erence (p= 0.783). It is recommended to increase outdoor activities as a protection against visual acuity
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANIMATION VIDEO TO INCREASE ADOLESCENTS’ NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Authors: Masitah Ravi , Pamungkasari Eti Poncorini , Suminah Suminah
Published: September 2020

Nutritional needs are important for adolescent to accelerate growth. Good nutritional knowledge in adolescent can help them to consume healthy foods and prevent nutritional problems. Nutrition education with animation video is a great eff ort to improve adolescent nutritional knowledge. The use of attractive, eff ective and effi cient media ease adolescent to understand the nutrition material delivered. The objective of this research was to analyzes adolescent nutritional knowledge after given animation video. This research was quasi experimental with a nonequivalent control group design. There were 84 eeadolescents as research subjects chosen with purposive sampling technique. Animation video was given one time every week for one month with the duration of each video for seven minutes. The data was analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank. The results of study showed that nutrition education using animation video gave a positive infl uence on nutritional knowledge of adolescent (p=0.000). Animation video can be used as educational media to improve adolescent nutritional knowledge.
Resíduos sólidos e crime de poluição: avanços e retrocessos na legislação e na jurisprudência italianas
Authors: Militello Vicenzo , Freitas Vladimir Passos de , Damacena Fernanda Dalla Libera , Palmisano Marta
Published: September 2020

O presente artigo apresenta a evolução normativa e jurisprudencial envolvendo crimes de poluição por resíduos sólidos na Itália, país que possui tradição no trato de condutas ilícitas ligadas à denominada Ecomáfia. A pesquisa foi orientada pelo método funcionalista e as técnicas de pesquisa utilizadas foram bibliográfica e jurisprudencial. Embora a evolução da legislação penal ambiental na Itália tenha focado mais a questão dos resíduos do que o Brasil, observam-se dificuldades em comum, como a deficiência na apuração dos crimes, a demora nos julgamentos com a consequente possibilidade de reconhecimento da prescrição e as falhas da legislação que permitem aos infratores evitar as condenações e o cumprimento de penas.
The Validity Ethnobotany Book of Jatropha gossypiifolia In The Coastal Forest Area Of Tabanio
Authors: Rahman Aulia , Dharmono Dharmono , Amintarti Sri
Published: September 2020

One of the urgent problems in Ethnobotany learning is the lack of learning resources. Jatropha gossypiifolia is one of the plants found in the Tabanio Coastal Forest Area, Tanah Laut Regency, and has the potential to be used as a learning resource. The potency of the Jatropha gossypiifolia plant as a learning resource, teaching materials are made in the form of a scientific book on the study of ethnobotany Jatropha gossypiifolia plants in the Tabanio coastal forest as supporting material for the Ethnobotany course. This study aims to describe the validity of scientific books has developed by plant ethnobotany Jatropha gossypiifolia. This as supporting material for Ethnobotany courses. This study uses a research development method with the Education Design Research (EDR) model with a formative evaluation of the Tessmer test. This scientific book "Study of Plant Ethnobotany Jatropha gossypiifolia Tabanio Beach Forest" has been stated by two valid validated validators with a validity score of 93.75%, and individual tests with a score of 92.11% were in the excellent category.AbstrakSalah satu masalah yang mendesak dalam pembelajaran Etnobotani adalah kurangnya sumber belajar. Jatropha gossypiifolia merupakan salah satu tanaman yang terdapat di Kawasan Hutan Pantai Tabanio, Kabupaten Tanah Laut, dan berpotensi untuk digunakan sebagai sumber belajar. Potensi tanaman jarak pagar sebagai sumber belajar, bahan ajar dibuat dalam bentuk buku ilmiah tentang kajian etnobotani tanaman jarak pagar di hutan pantai tabanio sebagai bahan pendukung mata kuliah etnobotani. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan validitas buku-buku ilmiah yang dikembangkan oleh etnobotani tumbuhan jarak pagar (Jatropha gossypiifolia). Ini sebagai bahan pendukung mata kuliah Etnobotani. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian pengembangan dengan model Education Design Research (EDR) dengan evaluasi formatif tes Tessmer. Buku ilmiah “Kajian Etnobotani Tanaman Jarak Pagar Hutan Pantai Tabanio” ini telah dinyatakan oleh dua validator tervalidasi dengan skor validitas 93,75%, dan uji individu dengan skor 92,11% termasuk dalam kategori sangat baik.
Practicality Pocketbook “Keanekaragaman Lepidoptera Di Hutan Mangrof”
Authors: Ramadhan Fadil , Soendjoto Mochamad Arief , Dharmono Dharmono
Published: September 2020

Students are expecting to receive contextual material to make it easier for them to understand what they have learned. The solution to support this method is a teacher must make the teaching material with local wisdom. Booklet "Keanekaragaman Lepidoptera di Hutan Mangrof" is an example of a book containing material with insight into local potential. The existence of a pocketbook with local potential will expect to make students easier for learning because the small design makes the book practical for students to use. This study aims to evaluate the practicality of the Booklet "Keanekaragaman Lepidoptera di Hutan Mangrof." The research is development research with Tessmer's formative evaluation model that focuses on the practice of the developed Pocket Book. The technique of collecting data is with the practicality of pocketbook practicality tested by students in a small group test and the actual practicalities of data collection in a field test using a student response questionnaire. The data of the practicalities questionnaire instrument has filled in then analyzed quantitatively by calculating the total score for all indicators that then analyzed with a formula to find out the practicality value. Based on the results of the practicality test, it shows that the media developed are included in the category very practice.AbstrakSiswa diharapkan menerima materi yang bersifat kontekstual agar lebih memudahkan mereka memahami pembelajaran. Untuk menunjang materi diperlukan sebuah bahan ajar yang bermuatan potensi lokal. Buku saku Keanekaragaman Lepidoptera di Hutan Mangrof merupakan salah satu contoh buku yang berisikan materi berwawasan potensi lokal. Adanya buku saku yang bermuatan potensi lokal diharapkan dapat mempermudah siswa dalam belajar karena desainnya yang kecil akan membuat buku tersebut praktis digunakan siswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi kepraktisan Buku Saku Keanekragaman Lepidoptera di Hutan Mangrof. Penelitian ini merupakan peneltian pengembangan dengan model evaluasi formatif Tessmer yang berfokus pada kepraktisan Buku Saku yang dikembangkan. Untuk. Teknik pengumpulan data kepraktisan harapan melalui angket uji kepraktisan buku saku oleh siswa pada uji kelompok kecil dan pengumpulan data kepraktisan aktual pada uji lapangan dengan menggunakan angket respon siswa. Data pada instrumen angket uji kepraktisan yang telah diisi kemudian dianalisis secara kuantitatif dengan melakukan perhitungan skor total untuk seluruh indikator yang kemudian dianalisis dengan rumus untuk mengetahui nilai kepraktisannya. Berdasarkan hasil uji kepraktisan dapat diketahui bahwa media yang dikembangkan termasuk dalam kategori sangat Praktis.
ANALISIS KEANDALAN (RELIABILITY) PADA MESIN SCREW PRESS (STUDI KASUS : PT. PERKEBUNAN NUSANTARA XIII)
Authors: Kurniawan Shiddiq , Sholihah Qomariyatus
Published: September 2020

The machine is one of the main factors of production whose role is very important in order to produce a product that conforms to the specifications set by a machine, with the amount and capacity of the machine's production. Reliability is the design of a component so that components can work according to function, without any failure, in accordance with the process already set. Screw press is a fitting machine used to squeeze moss brondolan ripe with press system and used to separate crude oil from crushed flesh (mesocarp) by squeezing. Research done on Screw Press machine that its role is quite high in PT. Perkebunan Nusantara XIII. The method used is Reliability with MTTR Method. From the calculation results obtained reliability value Screw Press engine in 2015 has the highest reliability value of 1.6408 at the time of calculation of 383.75 hours and in 2016 has a reliability value of 0.7239 at the time of calculation 415.83 hours. Screw Press engine reliability value in 2016 is higher than 2015, it is proven that the life of Screw Press engine in 2016 is more dominant than in 2015. The higher the reliability value the better the machine used in the operation process.  Keywords : Reliability, Weibull, MTTR, Machine Screw Prees
PENGARUH QUENCHING DENGAN MEDIA PENDINGIN AIR DAN OLI TERHADAP MECHANICAL PROPERTIS BAJA S45C
Authors: Setiadi Deni , Samlawi Achmad Kusairi
Published: September 2020

The role of steel in the industrial world today is very important, especially in terms of making components related to violence such as gears, fly wheel, axe, and so forth.This steel has a high hardness for components that require hardness, to uletan and resistance to friction. get hardness and resistance to steel hence need heat treatment process using Quenching process. The material of this research is S45C carbon steel with specimen number 1 for hardness test before treatment and after treatment with rockwell test, this process is done in Central Laboratory of FMIPA UM, unfortunate. In this process heat treatment is carried out at temperatures of 800⁰C and 900⁰C with water and oil cooling medium, from the results of comparative analysis on S45C steel before and after the treatment obtained increased hardness. This can be seen from the test analysis in which 93 kgf of hardness n is for the untreated specimens. At a temperature of 800⁰C with a water cooling medium at a crude value of 94.6 kgf, and on oil cooling medium at a hardness value of 92.5 kgf. At a temperature of 900⁰C with a water cooling medium at a hardness value of 93.5 kgf and on the oil cooling medium at a value of 93 kgf. Can be concluded from all the cooling media is the highest media water with value of violence 94.6 kgf.Keywords: S45C Steel, Quenching, Cooling
PROSES MANUFAKTUR MESIN POLES DAN AMPELAS UNTUK PROSES METALOGRAFI
Authors: Almadani M. Ikhsan , Siswanto Rudi
Published: September 2020

Mesin poles dan amplas adalah salah satu alat yang bekerja menggunakan energi listrik. Sifat mekanik suatu logam atau paduan dapat diamati, salah satunya adalah dengan menganalisis struktur mikro material. Pengujian metalografi dilakukan untuk mengamati struktur mikro. Dalam proses pengerjaan sampel pengujian metalografi selalu melibatkan mesin poles dan amplas. Perumusan masalah dalam pembuatan mesin poles dan amplas ini adalah “Bagaimana proses pembuatan mesin poles dan amplas dan berapa biaya pembuatan mesin poles dan mesin abrasif”. Komponen pada mesin adalah rangka, motor, bantalan, katrol, cakram yang dipoles, reservoir, pompa air, dan keran air, sedangkan alat dan mesin yang digunakan dalam proses pembuatan adalah alat las listrik, penggiling listrik, penggiling duduk, mesin bor tangan, mesin bor duduk, tuas potong, tang sungai, pengelasan asetilena dan mesin bubut. The polishing and sandpaper machine is one of the tools that works using electrical energy. The mechanical properties of a metal or alloy can be observed, one of which is by analyzing the microstructure of the material. Metallographic testing is carried out aimed at observing the microstructure. in the process of working on metallographic testing samples involving a polishing machine and sandpaper. The formulation of the problem in making this polishing machines and sandpaper is “What is the process of manufacturing polishing machines and sandpaper and how much is the cost of manufacturing polishing and abrasive machines”. Components on the engine are frame, motor, bearing, pulleys, polished discs, reservoirs, water pumps, and water taps, while the tools and machines used in the manufacturing process are electric welding tools, electric grinders, sitting grinders, hand drill machines, sitting drill machines, cut levers, riverter pliers, acetylene welding and lathes.
ANALISIS KINERJA BOILER PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK TENAGA UAP ASAM ASAM UNIT II – KALIMANTAN SELATAN
Authors: Mohamad Asep , Subagyo Rachmat
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui nilai efisiensi boiler komisioning dibandingkan dengan nilai saat ini dan untuk mengetahui penyebab penurunan efisiensi pada Unit 2 Boiler Asam PLTU. Penelitian ini dimulai dengan mengumpulkan data Uji Kinerja selama commissioning dan data empat tahun saat ini dari 2014 hingga 2018. Selanjutnya, kehilangan panas yang dilakukan dihitung dan dibandingkan. Perhitungan dilakukan menggunakan ASME PTC 4-2008 Metode Kehilangan Panas Standar. Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan, dapat disimpulkan bahwa nilai Efisiensi Boiler base HHV tertinggi di Unit 2 PLTU Asam Asam adalah 86,23% pada Commissioning dan nilai Efisiensi Boiler Base HHV tertinggi kedua adalah 84,42% pada 9 Agustus 2017, sementara Efisiensi Boiler pangkalan HHV terendah adalah 82,12% pada 2 Oktober 2014. Kehilangan panas yang paling mempengaruhi efisiensi Boiler Unit 2 adalah Kehilangan Panas karena Panas dalam Gas Buang Kering (5,79% - 7,96%), Kehilangan Panas karena Kelembaban dalam Bahan Bakar (4,07% - 5,57)%) dan Kehilangan Panas karena Kelembaban dari Pembakaran Hidrogen dalam Bahan Bakar (3,85% - 5,04%). This study aims to determine the value of commissioning boiler efficiency compared with current value and to know the causes of efficiency decrease in Unit 2 Boiler of Asam Asam Coal Fired Steam Power Plant. This research begins with collecting data of Performance Test during commissioning and current four years data from 2014 until 2018. Furthermore, heat losses that carried out are calculated and compared. Calculations performed using ASME PTC 4-2008 Standard Heat Loss Method. Based on the calculation results, it can be conclude that the highest HHV base Boiler Efficiency value in Unit 2 of Asam Asam Power Plant is 86.23% at Commissioning and the second highest HHV Base Boiler Efficiency value is 84.42% on August 9, 2017, while the lowest HHV base Boiler Efficiency is 82.12% on October 2, 2014. Heat loss that most affects the efficiency of Unit 2 Boiler is Heat Loss due to Heat in Dry Flue Gas (5.79% - 7.96%), Heat Loss due to Moisture in Fuel (4.07% - 5.57) %) and the Heat Loss due to Moisture from Burning of Hydrogen in Fuel (3.85% - 5.04%).
PEMANFAATAN BIOGAS YANG TELAH DIMURNIKAN DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN ARANG BAMBU AKTIF SEBAGAI BAHAN BAKAR GENERATOR-SET MOTOR BENSIN
Authors: Tulus Tu’u Yepta Sintaku , Samlawi Achmad Kusairi
Published: September 2020

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kadar CO2 dan CH4 biogas setelah pemurnian menggunakan arang bambu aktif dan untuk mengetahui kinerja Generator-Set menggunakan biogas dengan kandungan CO2 terendah sebagai bahan bakar. Penelitian ini dilakukan di TPA Cahaya Kencana Kecamatan Karang Intan Kabupaten Banjar. Aktivasi yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini adalah aktivasi fisika pada suhu 275ºC, 300ºC dan 325ºC selama 1 jam kemudian direndam dalam larutan NaOH selama satu hari (24 jam). Dari pengujian didapatkan satu sampel arang yang paling baik menyerap CO2, yaitu sampel arang dengan aktivasi fisika-kimia pada suhu 325ºC. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of CO2 and CH4 biogas after purification using active bamboo charcoal and to find out the performance of the Generator-Set using biogas with the lowest CO2 content as fuel. This research was conducted at the TPA Cahaya Kencana Kecamatan Karang Intan, Kabupaten Banjar. Activation carried out in this study is physics activation at 275ºC, 300ºC and 325ºC for 1 hour and then immersed in NaOH solution for one day (24 hours). From the tests obtained one charcoal sample that best absorbs CO2, namely charcoal samples with physico-chemical activation at 325ºC.
O processo de transição política na pós-Primavera Árabe Líbia
Authors: Castro Santos Maria Helena , Mansur Vieira Rebeca
Published: September 2020

É possível exportar democracia pelo uso da força? Este artigo refere-se a essa questão, tomando como caso empírico a intervenção militar da OTAN/Estados Unidos no Líbano durante os levantes da Primavera Árabe  em 2011 e seu seguimento. Propomo-nos a testar e refinar o modelo da Foreign Imposed Regime Change- FIRC (quantitativo) utilizando os métodos qualitativos de estudo de caso e process tracing.  Tais métodos permitem identificar variáveis independentes não antecipadas pelo modelo FIRC, desvendando as reais e complexas clivagens sócio-políticas do país que inibem a democratização e abrem caminho para a guerra civil.
Direitos Humanos, empresas e a Agenda 2030
Authors: Alvarenga Marconi Cláudia , De Souza Nascimento Miranda Rafael
Published: September 2020

Este artigo se propõe a compreender, pela literatura construtivista de normas e de certa crítica a ela, um movimento pendular dos atores privados empresariais no processo de institucionalização da Norma de Empresas e Direitos Humanos e da Agenda 2030. Assumindo o caso Shell na Nigéria, são feitas considerações acerca da atuação desse ator e de suas (des)preocupações no tempo e no espaço com os direitos humanos e a justiça sócio-ambiental
Pengaruh Pemaparan Cuaca Terhadap Kekuatan Impak Komposit rHDPE Berpenguat Serat Pelepah Salak
Authors: Hanif Mas'ud Nur , Ariawan Dody , Raharjo Wijang Wisnu
Published: September 2020

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh pemaparan cuaca terhadap kekuatan impak dari komposit rHDPE - serat pelepah salak. Fraksi volume pada komposit adalah 30%. Spesimen dibuat menjadi 3 variasi, yaitu spesimen rHDPE murni sebagai spesimen kontrol, komposit rHDPE berpenguat serat pelepah salak dengan perlakuan alkali, dan komposit rHDPE berpenguat serat pelepah salak tanpa perlakuan alkali. Pemaparan cuaca dilakukan selama 6 bulan. Untuk mengetahui kerusakan mikroskopis spesimen, pengamatan menggunakan Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) dilakukan. Setelah 6 bulan pemaparan cuaca, hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan alkali hanya berpengaruh sebelum pemaparan cuaca. Sedangkan setelah dipaparkan cuaca, hasil antara komposit dengan perlakuan dan tanpa perlakuan alkali menunjukkan kesetaraan.
Rancang Bangun Alat Elliptical trainer Outdoor
Authors: Arifin Zainal , Prasetyo Singgih Dwi , Suyitno Suyitno , Tjahjana Dominicus Danardono Dwi Prija , Rachmanto Rendy Adhi , Juwana Wibawa Endra , Apribowo Chico Hermanu B. , Trismawati Trismawati
Published: September 2020

The placement of outdoor fitness equipment at tourist attractions is one of the attractions for tourists. Besides that, it can also be used as a means of health socialization for the community in public places. The elliptical trainer type air walker is a popular fitness tool because it is easy to use and has a small risk of injury. Elliptical trainer has a working principle like a walking person where movement is influenced by the force of the hand and leg movements. The design of an elliptical trainer fitness equipment that will be placed in a public place needs to be done to get a good level of security. This article discusses the design of an elliptical trainer device that is safe to place outdoors. The design process uses the Solidworks 2017a application. The elliptical trainer is divided into 4 parts, namely the main frame, drive shaft, hand handle, and leg handle. The manufacturing process is carried out based on Design Manufacture and Assembly and machinery to reduce the risk of manufacturing failure and make it easier to work on. The result of the elliptical trainer design has dimensions of 2,500 x 1,800 x 1,000 mm. The main frame has a safety factor of 3 with a displacement of 8,524e-7 mm.
CALL-BASED INSTRUCTION MODEL OF SPEAKING ENGLISH (A Developmental Research at the English Language Education Study Program of STKIP Kusuma Negara, Jakarta)
Authors: Harunasari Siti Yulidhar , Rahmat Aceng
Published: September 2020

The objective of this research is to develop a model of learning speaking English for students majoring in English Language Education in STKIP Kusuma Jakarta, and to examine the effectiveness of CALL-Based instruction the model in improving studentsâ€™ speaking skill. The research was conducted using system approach model of Dick and Carey, and was carried out from October 2012 to July 2014 in 3 stages i.e. preliminary stage; model development stage; validation, evaluation, and revision stage. The data were obtained through tests, questionnaires, interviews, observation, and expert judgments. The English speaking test was designed to measure students speaking skill before and after the implementation of the model. Then, the data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The research findings showed that the development of the model can improve the studentsâ€™ speaking skill through the increase in the mean score before the implementation of the model, 61 to 69 after implementation of the model. The testing of hypothesis using paired-samples t-test resulted in a probability value (sig) 0.000 < Î± = 0.05 which means that there is a significant difference on students speaking skill before and after implementing the CALL-based instruction model. It can be concluded that the model is effective in improving the students speaking skill in English Education Study Program of STKIP Kusuma Negara Jakarta.
Efeectivenes Of PQ4R Metacognitive Strategy Based Reading Learning Models in Junior High School
Authors: Sarimanah Eri
Published: September 2020

The objective of research is to find out the efectivenes of metacognitive Preview, Question, Read, Reflect, Recite, Review (PQ4R) strategy based reading learning model to improve SMP studentsâ€™ reading ability. The method applied in this study is research and development by using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research result shows that the ideal learning model needed by the students is metacognitive PQ4R strategy based reading learning model. Structurally, this learning model is viable, relevant, and suitable with the principles of learning model development, both from substantial view and the structural model. Based on the trial result with experimental research design (experimental and control groups), metacognitive PQ4R strategy based reading learning model is effective to be used to improve SMP studentsâ€™ reading ability. Even the learning outcome is better than the reading class done by the teacher who does not use metacognitive PQ4R strategy. learning metacognitive reading strategies based PQ4R junior high school students are more effective than learning to read that teachers without the use of metacognitive strategies PQ4R with the calculation results of test of 5.975 t test is greater than t table 1.67. So it can be concluded that the learning model based reading metacognitive strategies PQ4R effective and fit for use in secondary schools.
THE LIVE WITH NATURE HARMONIOUSLY BASED ON PEOPLE'S LOCUS OF CONTROL AND NATURALISTIC INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Yasin Asramid , Indah Pratiwi Dewi
Published: September 2020

Environmental damage is caused by people interference with nature. It has been assumed that people's personalities and intelligence influence the ecosystem. Research aims to find out the relationship between locus of control (LOC) and naturalistic intelligence (NI) with people's citizenship behavior (CB). A survey method has been applied by involving 80 people as a sample. Three instruments for measuring LOC, NI, and people’s CB. Regression and correlational analysis used to verify its relationship. Research results reveal that there is a positive and significant correlation between LOC and CB, NI, and CB, finally between LOC and NI with CB. Multiple regression and correlation used to predict people's CB in terms of how people live with nature harmoniously based on people's LOC and NI. The implications that LOC and NI is one part to improve wise behavior towards the environment in society is related to the LOC and NI of each individual
Early Detection and Estimation of Kick in Managed Pressure Drilling
Authors: Habib M. Musab , Imtiaz Syed , Khan Faisal , Ahmed Salim , Baker Justin
Published: September 2020

Drilling in the offshore environment involves high risk, mainly caused by uncertainties in the reservoir conditions. Unplanned events such as the influx of reservoir fluids (i.e., kick) can lead to catastrophic accidents. Therefore, mitigation of kick is extremely crucial to enhance the safety and efficiency of drilling. In the current study, an unscented-Kalman-filter (UKF)-based estimator is used to simultaneously estimate the bit-flow rate and kick in a managed-pressure-drilling (MPD) system. The proposed estimator uses sigma-point transformations to determine the true mean and covariance of the Gaussian random variable and captures the posterior mean and covariance accurately up to the third order (Taylor-series expansion) for any nonlinearity. In the proposed UKF formulation, hidden states and unknown inputs were concatenated to an augmented state vector. The magnitude of the kick is estimated using only available topside measurements. The applied method was validated by estimating the gas-kick magnitude in a laboratory-scale setup and data set from a field operation. The proposed estimation method was found robust for the MPD system under different noisy scenarios.
Determining Infracambrian Hormuz Salt and Basement Structures Offshore Abu Dhabi by Joint Analysis of Gravity and Magnetic Anomalies
Authors: Kabirzadeh Hojjat , Ali Mohammed Y. , Lee Gyoo Ho , Kim Jeong Woo
Published: September 2020

Hydrocarbon fields that are located offshore Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), are known to be associated with undulating thick sedimentary sequences. These undulations are mostly influenced by variations in the depth of Infracambrian Hormuz salts that generate negative gravity anomalies. Nonetheless, a few known oil fields are uncorrelated with the airborne gravity observations. This is attributed to the interference from large positive gravity anomalies from basement highs. To filter out the effect of basement, we calculate the pseudogravity effect of the airborne magnetic anomalies and subtract it from the gravity anomalies. The resultant gravity anomalies mainly represent the effect of the salt domes. The results uncover deep salt structures and introduce potential traps for hydrocarbons that have proved difficult to map accurately with current seismic techniques. A nonlinear 3D inversion modeling of corrected magnetic and decreased gravity data is also used to determine the depth to basement and the Infracambrian Hormuz salts over two regions. Our findings demonstrate that the depth to basement in these regions changes from 7100 to 9700 m, and the depth to Infracambrian Hormuz salt changes from 5800 to 9400 m, with a variable thickness with a maximum of 2700 m.
Quality and women’s satisfaction with maternal referral practices in sub-Saharan African low and lower-middle income countries: A systematic review 
Authors: Ameyaw Edward Kwabena , Njue Carolyne , Tran Nguyen Toan , Dawson Angela
Published: September 2020

Background: sub-Saharan African Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries (sSA LLMICs) have the highest burden of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in the world. Timely and appropriate maternal referral to a suitable health facility is an indicator of effective health systems. In this systematic review we aimed to identify which referral practices are delivered according to accepted standards for pregnant women and newborns in sSA LLMICs by competent healthcare providers in line with the needs of pregnant women.Methods: Six electronic databases were systematically searched for primary data studies (2009-2018) in English reporting on maternal referral practices and their effectiveness. We conducted a content analysis guided by a framework for assessing the quality of maternal referral. Quality referral was defined as: timely identification of signal functions, established guidelines or standards, adequate documentation, staff accompaniment and prompt care by competent healthcare providers in the receiving facility.Results: Seventeen articles were included in the study. Most studies were quantitative (n=11). Two studies reported that women were dissatisfied due to delays in referral processes that affected their health. Most articles (10) reported that women were not accompanied to higher levels of care, delays in referral processes, transport challenges and poor referral documentation. Some healthcare providers administered essential drugs such as misoprostol prior to referral.Conclusions: Efforts to improve maternal health in LLMICs should aim to enhance maternity care providers’ ability to identify conditions that demand referral. Low cost transport is needed to mitigate barriers of referral. To ensure quality maternal referral, district level health managers should be trained and equipped with the skills needed to monitor and evaluate referral documentation, including quality and efficiency of maternal referrals. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration CRD42018114261
Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in testes of Duroc and Meishan boars
Authors: Ding Haisheng , Liu Min , zhou Changfan , You Xiangbin , Su Tao , Yang Youbing , Xu Dequan
Published: September 2020

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs playing vital roles in regulating posttranscriptional gene expression. Elucidating the expression regulation of miRNAs underlying pig testis development will contribute to a better understanding of boar fertility and spermatogenesis. Results: In this study, miRNA expression profile was investigated in testes of Duroc and Meishan boars at 20, 75, and 270 days of age by high-throughput sequencing. Forty-five differentially expressed miRNAs were identified from testes of Duroc and Meishan boars before and after puberty. Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA profiles predicted many miRNA-mRNA pairs. Gene ontology and biological pathway analyses revealed that predicted target genes of ssc-mir-423-5p, ssc-mir-34c, ssc-mir-107, ssc-165 mir-196b-5p, ssc-mir-92a, ssc-mir-320, ssc-mir-10a-5p, and ssc-mir-181b were involved in sexual reproduction, male gamete generation, and spermatogenesis, and GnRH, Wnt, and MAPK signaling pathway. Four significantly differentially expressed miRNAs and their predicted target genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and phospholipase C beta 1 (PLCβ1) gene was verified to be a target of ssc-mir-423-5p. Conclusions: This study provides an insight into the functional roles of miRNAs in testis development and spermatogenesis and offers useful resources for understanding differences in sexual function development caused by the change in miRNAs expression between Duroc and Meishan boars.
Do the human gut metagenomic species possess the minimal set of core functionalities necessary for life?
Authors: Soverini Matteo , Rampelli Simone , Turroni Silvia , Brigidi Patrizia , Biagi Elena , Candela Marco
Published: September 2020

Background: Advances in bioinformatics recently allowed for the recovery of ‘metagenomes assembled genomes’ from human microbiome studies carried on with shotgun sequencing techniques. Such approach is used as a mean to discover new unclassified metagenomic species, putative biological entities having distinct metabolic traits. Results: In the present analysis we compare 400 genomes from isolates available on NCBI database and 10,000 human gut metagenomic species, screening all of them for the presence of a minimal set of core functionalities necessary, but not sufficient, for life. As a result, the metagenome-assembled genomes resulted systematically depleted in genes encoding for essential functions apparently needed to support autonomous bacterial life.Conclusions: The relevant degree of lacking core functionalities that we observed in metagenome-assembled genomes raises some concerns about the effective completeness of metagenome-assembled genomes, suggesting caution in extrapolating biological information about their metabolic propensity and ecology in a complex environment like the human gastrointestinal tract.
Perceptions of Education Quality and Influence of Language Barrier: Graduation Survey of International Medical Students at Four Universities in China
Authors: Li Wen , Liu Chang , Liu Shenjun , Zhang Xin , Shi Rong-gen , Jiang Hailan , Ling Yi , Sun Hong
Published: September 2020

Background: As the number of Asian and African students studying medicine in China increases, it is imperative to evaluate the educational experiences of these international medical students (IMSs). This study was intended to investigate opinions of China-educated IMSs towards the medical curriculum and the impact of Chinese language capability on their clinical studies.Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was circulated to the final-year IMSs during the graduation time from May 2019 to July 2019 in 4 universities in China. The questionnaire asked IMSs to assess the quality of medical education and provide a self-evaluation of their Chinese language capability. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether IMSs’ Chinese language capability was associated with their clinical experiences and clinical competence.Results: Overall, we received 209 valid responses, of which 76.1% were satisfied with the quality of medical education. Genetics, physics, and mathematics were perceived as the least relevant basic courses for medical practice, and 21.5% of student reported that community-oriented medicine was a neglected subject. Notably, 58.9% of students had positive views about discussions on ethical topics during their clerkships, and 71.3% believed they had acquired sufficient clinical skills to begin a residency program. Chinese speaking skills and communication initiatives were found to be critical factors in influencing students’ clinical experiences and competence. Conclusion: This study presents the perceptions of China-educated IMSs towards medical curriculum from various aspects. Results show that language influences the education experiences of IMSs. Collectively, these results indicate that the curriculum for IMSs in China should be more problem-based and community-engaged to improve IMSs’ learning experiences and preparation for community deployment. Furthermore, training curriculum for the oral Chinese should be improved to equip IMSs with sufficient language competence to enable them to efficiently carry out clinical clerkship and rotations. Our findings provide evidence for benchmarking medical curricular codifications tailored for Asian and African students.
Mitochondrial DNAs provide insight into trypanosome phylogeny and molecular evolution
Authors: Kay Christopher , Williams Tom A , Gibson Wendy
Published: September 2020

Background: Trypanosomes are single-celled eukaryotic parasites characterised by the unique biology of their mitochondrial DNA. African livestock trypanosomes impose a major burden on agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa, but are poorly understood compared to those that cause sleeping sickness and Chagas disease in humans. Here we explore the potential of the maxicircle, a component of trypanosome mitochondrial DNA to study the evolutionary history of trypanosomes.Results: We used long-read sequencing to completely assemble maxicircle mitochondrial DNA from four previously uncharacterized African trypanosomes, and leveraged these assemblies to scaffold and assemble a further 103 trypanosome maxicircle gene coding regions from published short-read data. While synteny was largely conserved, there were repeated, independent losses of Complex I genes. Comparison of pre-edited and non-edited genes revealed the impact of RNA editing on nucleotide composition, with non-edited genes approaching the limits of GC loss. African tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes showed high levels of RNA editing compared to other trypanosomes. The gene coding regions of maxicircle mitochondrial DNAswere used to construct time-resolved phylogenetic trees, revealing deep divergence events among isolates of the pathogens Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense. Conclusions: Our data represents a new resource for experimental and evolutionary analyses of trypanosome phylogeny, molecular evolution and function. Molecular clock analyses yielded a timescale for trypanosome evolution congruent with major biogeographical events in Africa and revealed the recent emergence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. equiperdum, major human and animal pathogens.
Can Climatic Factors Explain the Differences in COVID-19 Incidence and Severity Across the Spanish Regions?: An Ecological Study
Authors: Muñoz-Cacho Pedro , Hernandez Jose Luis , Lopez-Hoyos Marcos , Martínez-Taboada Víctor M.
Published: September 2020

Background: Environmental factors play a central role in seasonal epidemics. SARS-CoV-2 infection in Spain has shown a heterogeneous geographical pattern This study aimed to assess the influence of several climatic factors on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-19 among the Spanish Autonomous Communities (AA.CC.).Methods: Data on coronavirus infectivity and severity of COVID-19 disease, as well as the climatic variables were obtained from official sources (Ministry of Health and Spanish Meteorological Agency, respectively). To assess the possible influence of climate on the development of the disease, data on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) were collected during the months before the start of the pandemic. To analyze its influence on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, data on UVR, temperature, and humidity were obtained from the months of highest contagiousness to the peak of the pandemic.Results: From October 2019 to January 2020, mean UVR was significantly related not only to SARS-CoV-2 infection (cumulative incidence -previous 14 days- x105 habitants, rho=-0.0,666; p=0.009), but also with COVID-19 severity, assessed as hospital admissions (rho=-0.626; p=0.017) and ICU admissions (rho=-0.565; p=0.035). Besides, temperature (February: rho=-0.832; p<0.001 and March: rho=-0.904; p<0.001), was the main climatic factor responsible for the infectivity of the coronavirus and directly contributed to a different spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the Spanish regions.Conclusions: Climatic factors may partially explain the differences in COVID-19 incidence and severity across the different Spanish regions. The knowledge of these factors could help to develop preventive and public health actions against upcoming outbreaks of the disease.
Possibility of Live Birth in Patients with Low Serum β -hCG 14 Days After Blastocyst Transfer
Authors: Wu Yixuan , Liu Haiying
Published: September 2020

Background: Although prior work has attempted to predict pregnancy outcomes by assaying serum β-hCG levels after blastocyst transfer, no study has focused on pregnancy outcomes in those with initially low serum β-hCG levels. This study sought to investigate pregnancy outcomes of patients with low serum β-hCG levels 14 days after blastocyst transfer.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University to study patients whose serum β-hCG levels were at 5-299 mIU/ml 14 days after frozen blastocyst transfer. Rates of live birth, early miscarriage, biochemical pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy were analyzed according to the female patients’ age by Chi-squared analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to explore the threshold of predicting clinical pregnancy and live births. Results: 312 patients had serum β-hCG levels <300 mIU/ml at 14 days after frozen blastocyst transfer, among which, 18.6% were live births, 47.4% were early miscarriages, 22.8% were biochemical pregnancies and 9.6% were ectopic pregnancies. ROC curve analysis showed that a predicted value of β-hCG for clinical pregnancy was 58.8 mIU/ml with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.752, a sensitivity of 95.0% and specificity of 53.5%. The threshold for live births was 108.6 mIU/ml with an AUC of 0.649, a sensitivity of 93.1% and a specificity of 37.0%. For the β-hCG fold increase over 48 hours, the cut-off for clinical pregnancy was 1.4 with an AUC of 0.899, a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 77.8%. The threshold for live birth was 1.9 with an AUC of 0.808, a sensitivity of 88.5% and specificity of 64.5%.Conclusions: Initially low serum β-hCG levels 14 days after frozen blastocyst transfer indicated minimal chances of live birth. For patients having an initial β-hCG >58.8 mIU/ml, luteal phase support should continue. Another serum β-hCG test and ultrasound should be performed one week later. When an initial serum β-hCG is < 58.8 mIU/ml, luteal phase support should be discontinued and serum β-hCG measured with ultrasound one week later.
Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal flora of Harighal, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Amjad Muhammad Shoaib , Zahoor Ujala , Bussmann Rainer W. , Altaf Muhammad , Gardazi Syed Mubashar Hussain , Abbasi Arshad Mehmood
Published: September 2020

Background: The present study is the first quantitative ethnobotanical evaluation of Harighal, an inaccessible and unexplored area of District Bagh Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The exploration, quantification and comparison of ethnobotanical knowledge among different rural communities of the study area were mainly focused during field survey.Methodology: In total, 79 informants (49 men and 34 women) were selected randomly to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Various quantitative indices, including use value, relative frequency of citation, relative importance, fidelity level and informant consent factor were employed to evaluate the gathered information. Furthermore, primary data were also compared with twenty-two papers published from adjoining areas.Result: A total of 150 medicinal plants belonging to 98 genera and 60 families were documented. Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae were the dominant families having 15 species each. Of these 76 species were indigenous, 74 exotic, 136 were collected in the wild, 10 cultivated and 4 both wild-collected and cultivated. Herbaceous taxa were the most used life form, and leaves were the most exploited plant part. Decoctions were the most preferred method used in preparation of herbal recipes. Three species viz. Mentha longifolia, Berberis lycium and Galium aparine had the highest use value (1.05), relative frequency of citation (0.81) and relative importance value (96), respectively. The highest informant consensus factor (ICF) was reported for digestive disorders. Mentha longifolia, Punica granatum, Zanthoxylum alatum and Olea ferruginea had 100% fidelity values. The Jaccard index revealed that uses of plants were more similar in two neighboring areas i.e. Pearl Valley and Toli Peer.Conclusion: Local inhabitants still prioritize herbal medicines as an effective way to treat a wide variety of ailments. Elders and health practitioners of the study area are well aware of indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants, but young people are not much interested in herbal practices. Thus, valuable knowledge about the use of plants is on the verge of decline.
De novo transcriptome assembly from the gonads of a scleractinian coral, Euphyllia ancora: Molecular mechanisms underlying scleractinian gametogenesis
Authors: Chiu Yi-Ling , Shikina Shinya , Yoshioka Yuki , Shinzato Chuya , Chang Ching-Fong
Published: September 2020

Background: Sexual reproduction of scleractinians has captured the attention of researchers and the general public for decades. Although extensive ecological data has been acquired, underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, to better understand mechanisms underlying gametogenesis, we isolated ovaries and testes at different developmental phases from a gonochoric coral, Euphyllia ancora, and adopted a transcriptomic approach to reveal sex- and phase-specific gene expression profiles. In particular, we explored genes associated with oocyte development and maturation, spermiogenesis, sperm motility / capacitation, and fertilization.Results: 1.6 billion raw reads were obtained from 24 gonadal samples. De novo assembly of trimmed reads, and elimination of contigs derived from symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodiniaceae) and other organisms yielded a reference E. ancora gonadal transcriptome of 35,802 contigs. Analysis of 4 developmental phases identified 2,023 genes that were differentially expressed during oogenesis and 678 during spermatogenesis. In premature/mature ovaries, 631 genes were specifically upregulated, with 538 in mature testes. Upregulated genes included those involved in gametogenesis, gamete maturation, sperm motility / capacitation, and fertilization in other metazoans, including humans. Meanwhile, a large number of genes without homology to sequences in the SWISS-PROT database were also observed among upregulated genes in premature / mature ovaries and mature testes.Conclusions: Our findings show that scleractinian gametogenesis shares many molecular characteristics with that of other metazoans, but it also possesses unique characteristics developed during cnidarian and/or scleractinian evolution. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to create a gonadal transcriptome assembly from any scleractinian. This study and associated datasets provide a foundation for future studies regarding gametogenesis and differences between male and female colonies from molecular and cellular perspectives. Furthermore, our transcriptome assembly will be a useful reference for future development of sex-specific and/or stage-specific germ cell markers that can be used in coral aquaculture and ecological studies.