bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Immune Profile of Pituitary Adenomas and a Novel Immune Classification for Predicting Immunotherapy Responsiveness
Authors: Wang Zihao , Guo Xiaopeng , Gao Lu , Deng Kan , Lian Wei , Bao Xinjie , Feng Ming , Duan Lian , Zhu Huijuan , Xing Bing
Published: July 2020

Context

The tumor immune microenvironment is associated with clinical outcomes and immunotherapy responsiveness.

Objective

To investigate the intratumoral immune profile of pituitary adenomas (PAs) and its clinical relevance and to explore a novel immune classification for predicting immunotherapy responsiveness.

Design, Patients, and Methods

The transcriptomic data from 259 PAs and 20 normal pituitaries were included for analysis. The ImmuCellAI algorithm was used to estimate the abundance of 24 types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and the expression of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs).

Results

The distributions of TIICs differed between PAs and normal pituitaries and varied among PA subtypes. T cells dominated the immune microenvironment across all subtypes of PAs. The tumor size and patient age were correlated with the TIIC abundance, and the ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) mutation in corticotroph adenomas influenced the intratumoral TIIC distributions. Three immune clusters were identified across PAs based on the TIIC distributions. Each cluster of PAs showed unique features of ICM expression that were correlated with distinct pathways related to tumor development and progression. CTLA4/CD86 expression was upregulated in cluster 1, whereas programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (PD1/PD-L2) expression was upregulated in cluster 2. Clusters 1 and 2 exhibited a “hot” immune microenvironment and were predicted to exhibit higher immunotherapy responsiveness than cluster 3, which exhibited an overall “cold” immune microenvironment.

Conclusions

We summarized the immune profile of PAs and identified 3 novel immune clusters. These findings establish a foundation for further immune studies on PAs and provide new insights into immunotherapy strategies for PAs.
Improvement Parameters of Hydrogen Generation from Water under Stainless-Steel-Mediated Ball Milling Conditions
Authors: Itoh Miki , Sawama Yoshinari , Niikawa Miki , Ban Kazuho , Kawajiri Takahiro , Sajiki Hironao
Published: July 2020

Mechanochemical energy derived from the collision and friction among stainless-steel (SUS304) balls and a vessel by a planetary ball mill machine effectively facilitated H2 generation from H2O. The number and size of the balls significantly affected the H2 generation efficiency. Additionally, the change in the crystal structure of the stainless-steel between the austenite and martensite states was also an important factor in improving the H2 generation efficiency.
Research Roundup
Authors: McGloin Claudia
Published: July 2020

In this regular feature, aesthetic nurse Claudia McGloin presents a brief synopsis of a range of recently published articles on medical aesthetics. Research roundup aims to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided at the end of each study summary
Sustainability in aesthetics: it's easier than you think to be green
Authors: Hool Claire
Published: July 2020

With the worldwide focus on keeping our planet and ourselves safe from harm, it is particularly pertinent, now more than ever, to look to the ways this can be achieved. Claire Hool explores the possibilities of becoming sustainable in aesthetics and whether doing so will compromise standards
Inhaled therapy for asthma
Authors: Booth Andrew
Published: July 2020

Andrew Booth explains why this is the preferred − and more successful − method when managing asthma

Inhaled therapy is key to the successful treatment of asthma. National guidelines provide us with the aim of asthma management, which is to maintain control of the disease. The correct combination of drug and device can be individually tailored to the patient. Drugs consist of bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories. Devices consist of aerosol inhalers, also known as pressurised metered dose inhalers, and dry powder inhalers. Both the drug and the device need to be prescribed if the treatment is to be clinically effective. A combination of inhaled steroid with long-acting B2 agonist is one of the most clinically effective ways of delivering asthma treatment. This can be prescribed either as a fixed daily dose with a concomitant short-acting B2 agonist as a reliever, or as maintenance and reliever therapy, which has been shown to improve asthma control and reduce exacerbations.
The nurse leader as a coach: Is the tide turning?
Authors: Best Catherine
Published: July 2020

As the demographics of the nursing workforce change, attitudes to some kinds of workforce development are shifting. This article looks at how leaders of nursing teams can act as coaches, to improve their junior colleagues' practice

As a new generation of nurses enter the profession and take their rightful place as registered nurses and as new pre-registration nursing standards have now replaced old, the profession is perhaps uniquely poised to take a step further and embrace coaching as a viable form of academic and professional support, either working alongside or replacing the traditional model of mentorship. With the nursing literature continuing to highlight the importance of coaching, this paper will argue that ‘The Tide is indeed…Turning’ and that coaching with its emphasis on empowerment should be given a ‘strong seat at the table’ of nurse education, with nursing leaders in particular adopting this considered approach to responsible learning.
Effects of Students Attitudes towards Using E-Books on Their Self-efficacy and Academic Motivation
Authors: ElAdl Adel , Musawi Ali Al
Published: July 2020

This study aims to investigate students’ attitudes towards e- book use, and its relationship to self-efficacy and academic motivation in Omani higher education institutions. The sample of the study, which was chosen based on the stratification random method, consisted of 200 students from both genders and different colleges and academic years. To achieve the aims of the study, a descriptive correlational approach was adopted using attitudes, academic motivation and self-efficacy scales developed by the researchers, and administered to the study sample after assessing their psychometric properties. Findings show generally a positive significant correlation between students’ attitudes towards e-book use, self-efficacy, and academic motivation.
Ethnic Differences in Students’ Attitudes to the Arts: Providing Validity Evidence to Make Comparisons
Authors: Asil Mustafa , Gilmore Alison , Yilmaz Haci Bayram
Published: July 2020

Previous research suggests that non-cognitive factors play an important role in promoting success at school and beyond, aligning with the multifaceted goals of education. Enhancing students’ attitudes to learning in school is expected to have positive impacts on various schooling outcomes. To date, very few studies have focused on measuring and understanding students’ attitude to the arts. This study aims to address a gap in current research in this area by introducing instruments designed to measure attitude to dance, drama, music and visual arts. Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance analyses are employed to examine the factorial validity and measurement equivalence of the scales of attitude to the arts disciplines for different ethnic groups in New Zealand. Findings support the utility of the scales as valid measures of attitude to dance, drama, music and visual arts. Noticeable differences are reported among New Zealand European, Maori, Pasifika and Asian students regarding their attitudes to dance, drama, music and visual arts.
Involving Stakeholders in Shaping Educational Legislation and Policy in Ukraine
Authors: Bobrytska Valentyna , Luzik Elvira , Reva Tatiana , Spitsin Yevheniy , Akmaldinova Victoria
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this research was to explore how effective the bottom-up approach to producing and shaping educational legislation is in Ukraine and to identify what observed changes take place in students if the bottom-up approach is simulated in the classroom. Qualitative instruments and observational data were used to yield the data. Those were a survey questionnaire, semi-structured interview questionnaire, and focus group discussion observation checklists and moderators’ and facilitators’ reports. The data were processed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0.0.1. Software. The results of the study suggest the bottom-up approach to shaping educational legislation can be considered an option or an alternative to the conventional law-making procedure, at least in the sphere of education, in Ukraine. The use of mock policymaking experience has proven to be an efficient teaching tool. The application of the simulation of the bottom-up approach in the courses entitled “Educational policy” and “National Education Policy” was found to have the potential to encourage students to participate in the processes of shaping education policy, legislation, and regulation. The approach accelerated the desire of the students to participate in the processes of shaping education policy, legislation, and regulation. It also brought a change to the students’ vision of the school structure, the content of education, and the way the teacher is motivated. The intervention also brought a positive change to the students’ behaviour as citizens and their motivation as teachers-to-be.
Students’ Approaches toward the Visual Arts Course Using Elements of Popular Culture
Authors: Erim Gonca , Aydin Derya
Published: July 2020

This study aims to identify students’ approaches toward courses lectured by visual arts teachers with elements of popular culture with a view to enabling students to attain 7th grade targeted achievements. To this end, the multiple-case design, one of the qualitative research methods, was utilized in the study. The sample of the study comprised 11 visual arts teachers working at secondary schools located in three central districts of the Bursa province of Turkey. As the data collection tools, two interview forms and document review were used. The obtained findings were evaluated through the thematic analysis technique and were compiled under the theme of ‘implications on students’. As per the research results, it was discerned that there were certain differences in the students’ approaches toward the course along with employment of elements of popular culture in the visual arts course. It may be alleged that, of these differences, the primary ones were attraction of students’ attention to the course, active participation into the course and facilitation of comprehension.
Reintegration Prospects for the Ex-Convicts in Pakistan: A Legal Perspective
Authors: Tariq Aisha
Published: July 2020

The idea of smooth reintegration of ex-convicts back into the society after completion of their punishments has got statutory acknowledgement in many Western states. However, Pakistani legal regime seems divided regarding the readjustment prospects of these convicts. Each of several perplexing provisions incorporated in different statutes discusses an exclusive post-conviction circumstance by leaving the residual rehabilitation aspects untouched. Thus, these provisions lack a principle-based mechanism of exoneration of the ex-convicts. The absence of uniformity and consistency of rules not only deprives the majority of ex-offenders from the right to secure respectable reintegration into the society but the entire social order sometimes suffers due to grant of clemency to the wrong cases. The findings of this study suggest that a policy-based stance is required for the effortless readjustment of the ex-convicts in Pakistan who have desisted from crime. This policy perspective needs to be strengthened through an exclusive statute which also includes trivial details of the process to extend a principled chance of exoneration for such offenders.
The algorithm and the city: platform labour and the urban environment
Authors: Huws Ursula
Published: July 2020

Introducing this special issue, the author starts by summarising the rapid development of algorithmic management in urban environments at the end of the second decade of the 21st century. There is a complex mutual interaction between the governance of cities and the spread of digital means for managing the delivery of goods and services to residents. This leads to a simultaneous reconfiguration of public spaces on the one hand, and a transformation of economic and social relationships on the other. The use of digital apps for service delivery, in particular, puts the platform at the centre of the relationship between the workers who deliver these services and the consumers who purchase them, in the process giving it access to a large body of data it can use to fuel its further expansion and control of labour. This development displaces not only work that was previously carried out within the scope of formal, regulated employment relationships (based on waged labour and with statutory rights and benefits) but also work previously carried out in the informal sector. The contributions to this special issue aim to explain and describe the rapidly evolving situation as it stood in 2019, at the brink of the global coronavirus epidemic. At the time of publication (after these articles were written) it is becoming clear that this epidemic is strengthening and accelerating some of these trends, while, in the short term, deflecting others. The analyses presented here provide a vital underpinning for any future research that seeks to understand the social, economic and political impacts of the coronavirus crisis on cities and their inhabitants.
The city as an algorithmic formation: insights from patent data
Authors: Hlongwa Lungani
Published: July 2020

Around the world, the idea of the smart city has captured the imagination of city governments and private industry. Both are thinking of ways to transform the city into a knowable and predictable space. Key to this transformation are algorithms whose work remains mostly invisible from the general public. However, algorithms are powerful entities that shape an ever-larger part of our lives. As a result, a growing body of research is focusing on how algorithms shape labour and general socio-economic life in the city. There is, therefore, a need to think more critically about how to research algorithms and the work they perform. This article makes use of patent data to show how algorithms shape urban citizenship and labour. Patent data are commonly used in business and technology environments to perform tasks such as innovation assessment, competitor analysis and tracking technological development. In this article, patent analysis is employed to address two interrelated objectives: to show the key players producing the algorithmically regimented city; and to investigate the key technologies they are working on and the evolutionary potential of these technologies. The aim of this article is twofold: first, to contribute to the various methods and perspectives for studying algorithms; second, to examine how patents and patenting facilitate the algorithmic governance of the city.
Manufacturing of a microlens array mold by a two-step method combining
microindentation and precision polishing
Authors: Zhang Lin , Yi Allen Y.
Published: July 2020

A novel two-step method for manufacturing microlens array molds by
combining microindentation and precision polishing is proposed.
Compared with conventional manufacturing methods, such as single-point
diamond turning, this two-step method, as an alternative method,
presents great advantages on cost and flexibility on spherical
microlens array mold fabrication. Various curvatures of radii and
arrangements for microlens array molds can be fabricated in the same
way. In this paper, a hexagonal microlens array with 1.58 mm curvature
radius was demonstrated to prove the feasibility of the proposed
method. First, a large number of precise steel balls were organized in
hexagonal arrangement and pressed into the mold’s surface to generate
multiple microdimples. Second, the pileups around the microdimples
were removed from the mold surface by precision polishing. The
geometrical accuracy and surface quality were investigated by an
optical surface profiler. The measurement indicated that, compared
with the initial surface, the surface inside the dimple had
significantly higher hardness and better surface quality than that of
the steel balls. Then the microlens array on the mold was further
replicated to poly(methyl methacrylate) substrates by a precision
compression molding process. The experimental results showed that the
fabricated mold and the polymer replicas have high fidelity, great
uniformity, and good surface roughness. The proposed two-step, low-cost
mold fabrication method can produce highly uniform microlens arrays
and is therefore suitable for high-volume fabrication of precise
optical elements such as integrated light-emitting diodes and other
similar micro-optics.
X-ray Zernike phase contrast tomography: 3D ROI visualization of mm-sized mice organ tissues down to sub-cellular components
Authors: Longo E. , Sancey L. , Flenner S. , Kubec A. , Bonnin A. , David C. , Müller M. , Greving I.
Published: July 2020

Thanks to its non-invasive nature, X-ray phase contrast tomography is a very versatile imaging tool for biomedical studies. In contrast, histology is a well-established method, though having its limitations: it requires extensive sample preparation and it is quite time consuming. Therefore, the development of nano-imaging techniques for studying anatomic details at the cellular level is gaining more and more importance. In this article, full field transmission X-ray nanotomography is used in combination with Zernike phase contrast to image millimeter sized unstained tissue samples at high spatial resolution. The regions of interest (ROI) scans of different tissues were obtained from mouse kidney, spleen and mammalian carcinoma. Thanks to the relatively large field of view and effective pixel sizes down to 36 nm, this 3D approach enabled the visualization of the specific morphology of each tissue type without staining or complex sample preparation. As a proof of concept technique, we show that the high-quality images even permitted the 3D segmentation of multiple structures down to a sub-cellular level. Using stitching techniques, volumes larger than the field of view are accessible. This method can lead to a deeper understanding of the organs’ nano-anatomy, filling the resolution gap between histology and transmission electron microscopy.
Remotely projecting states of photonic temporal modes
Authors: Ansari Vahid , Donohue John M. , Brecht Benjamin , Silberhorn Christine
Published: July 2020

Two-photon time-frequency entanglement is a valuable resource in quantum information. Resolving the wavepacket of ultrashort pulsed single-photons, however, is a challenge. Here, we demonstrate remote spectral shaping of single photon states and probe the coherence properties of two-photon quantum correlations in the time-frequency domain, using engineered parametric down-conversion (PDC) and a quantum pulse gate (QPG) in nonlinear waveguides. Through tailoring the joint spectral amplitude function of our PDC source we control the temporal mode structure between the generated photon pairs and show remote state-projections over a range of time-frequency mode superpositions.
Swimming force and behavior of optically trapped micro-organisms
Authors: Armstrong Declan J. , Nieminen Timo A. , Stilgoe Alexander B. , Kashchuk Anatolii V. , Lenton Isaac C. D. , Rubinsztein-Dunlop Halina
Published: July 2020

We demonstrate how optical tweezers combined with a three-dimensional force detection system and high-speed camera are used to study the swimming force and behavior of trapped micro-organisms. By utilizing position sensitive detection, we measure the motility force of trapped particles, regardless of orientation. This has the advantage of not requiring complex beam shaping or microfluidic controls for aligning trapped particles in a particular orientation, leading to unambiguous measurements of the propulsive force at any time. Correlating the direct force measurements with position data from a high-speed camera enables us to determine changes in the particle’s behavior. We demonstrate our technique by measuring the swimming force and observing distinctions between swimming and tumbling modes of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain MC4100. Our method shows promise for application in future studies of trappable but otherwise arbitrary-shaped biological swimmers and other active matter.
Nuevas tecnologías en los hogares: ¿Hay una recompensa educativa? Evidencias para Argentina
Authors: Formichella María Marta , Alderete María Verónica , Di Meglio Gisela
Published: July 2020

Las nuevas Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC) están actualmente arraigadas en los sistemas educativos de los países desarrollados y en desarrollo. Sin embargo, la investigación académica sobre el impacto de las TIC en el rendimiento educativo todavía no es concluyente. Por ello, este artículo examina si disponer de ordenador con acceso a Internet en los hogares de los estudiantes tiene una recompensa en las puntuaciones obtenidas en matemáticas, lectura y ciencia. Además, analiza el efecto de disponer de TIC en el hogar sobre el fracaso escolar. A tal fin, la investigación emplea un procedimiento de emparejamiento utilizando la base de datos PISA disponible para Argentina. Los resultados muestran que, entre el grupo de estudiantes con un ordenador doméstico con conexión a Internet, el rendimiento educativo aumenta entre el 2,5% por ciento y el 3,5%, dependiendo de la competencia considerada y del método de emparejamiento empleado. Además, el acceso a TIC en el hogar reduce el fracaso escolar entre el 8% y el 18%. Estos hallazgos podrían validar aquellas políticas públicas recientemente implementadas en la región con el objetivo de la universalización de las TIC.
Deleterious effect of short-term gavage of an ethanol extract of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L.) roots on testis and epididymal sperm quality
Authors: Widyastuti Rini , Prastowo Sigit , Sumarsono Sony H. , Lubis Alkaustariyah , Hartady Tyagita , Syamsunarno Mas R. A. A. , Sudiman Jaqueline
Published: July 2020

Background and Aim: Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L.) (CGG) is a herbal medicine that could be developed into a male antifertility agent. The present study aims to determine the effect of an ethanol extract of CGG roots on mice testicular activity, reproductive hormone levels, and epididymal sperm quality.

Materials and Methods: This study was designed as completely randomized with three different doses, such as an ethanol extract of CGG roots at 0 (control), 90, and 115 mg/kg body weight. In total, 21 male DDY mice strain were treated with the CGG extract (by gavage) for 14 days, followed by an evaluation of reproductive organs, epididymal sperm quality, testis histology, histomorphometry, and reproductive hormone assays. All quantitative data were analyzed by analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's post hoc test at α=0.05.

Results: The results showed that the administration of the CGG root ethanol extract disrupted the testis interstitial area and seminiferous tubules, resulting in decreased epididymal sperm quality as well as serum testosterone levels in a dose-dependent pattern.

Conclusion: Oral administration of a CGG root ethanol extract induced testicular damage, decreased epididymal sperm quality, and impaired testosterone secretion.
Tracing to the source of quantization
Authors: Hu Chang-Wei
Published: July 2020

The physical interpretation of quantum mechanics has always been controversial, which stems from the lack of understanding of vacuum. Vacuum is not empty, and modern physics is describing the world through physical vacuum. Macroscopic vacuum is relatively simple, and relativistic effect is the lens effect of macroscopic vacuum. Micro-vacuum is quite complex, it can be compared to the infinite distribution of micro-lens array or grid. The particles travel through such a vacuum, and there are many possible paths for each step forward, which is just like what path integrals describe. Under the action of micro vacuum, particles will deviate from the positive direction of the starting point to the end point anytime and anywhere. The i in quantum mechanical equations is a representation of deviation characteristic.The physical interpretation of quantum mechanics has always been controversial, which stems from the lack of understanding of vacuum. Vacuum is not empty, and modern physics is describing the world through physical vacuum. Macroscopic vacuum is relatively simple, and relativistic effect is the lens effect of macroscopic vacuum. Micro-vacuum is quite complex, it can be compared to the infinite distribution of micro-lens array or grid. The particles travel through such a vacuum, and there are many possible paths for each step forward, which is just like what path integrals describe. Under the action of micro vacuum, particles will deviate from the positive direction of the starting point to the end point anytime and anywhere. The i in quantum mechanical equations is a representation of deviation characteristic.
Chronology protection conjecture may not hold
Authors: Chen Wen-Xiang
Published: July 2020

The cosmic censorship hypothesis has not been directly verified, and some physicists also question the validity of the cosmological censorship hypothesis. Through theoretical prediction, it pointed out that the existence of naked singularities is possible.This article puts forward a point that, under the quantum gravity equation, although there is no concept of wormholes, the chronology protection conjecture may not be true.
Gas exchanges and water-use efficiency of Nopalea cochenillifera intercropped under edaphic practices
Authors: Souza José Thyago Aires , Ribeiro João Everthon da Silva , Araújo Jucilene Silva , Ramos João Paulo de Farias , Nascimento José Pereira do , Medeiros Leonardo Torreão Villarim de
Published: July 2020

The Nopalea forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera) is the main xerophilic species cultivated in Brazil, highlighted as a compatible biological element with the semiarid environment. However, studies on its physiological aspects are still scarce. In this context, an experiment was performed in the Pendência Experimental Station, belonging to the State Company of Agricultural Research of Paraíba (EMEPA-PB), municipality of Soledade, state of Paraíba, Brazil, aiming to evaluate the gas exchanges and the water-use efficiency of intercropped Nopalea Cochenillifera plants in the soil under different edaphic managements. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks, with three replications in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to the soil without and with mulch and five types of cultivation of Nopalea forage cactus, in monoculture and intercropped with forage watermelon, millet, sorghum, and buffelgrass. The analyzed variables were: stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, net photosynthesis rate, and internal CO2 concentration, besides the instantaneous water-use efficiency, intrinsic water-use efficiency, and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency. The use of soil mulch satisfactorily increased the photosynthetic rate of the forage cactus; this type of practice can aid in the productive development of the crop in semiarid zones, whereas the intercropping with buffelgrass and forage watermelon stimulated photosynthesis and the water-use efficiency.
Desiccation tolerance of cambuci seeds
Authors: Santoro Marcelo Brossi , Brogio Bruna do Amaral , Forti Victor Augusto , Novembre Ana Dionísia da Luz Coelho , Silva Simone Rodrigues da
Published: July 2020

This work aimed to evaluate the interference of seed desiccation on the occurrence of root protrusion and the formation of normal cambuci seedlings. Seeds were obtained from mature fruits collected from adult plants and submitted to oven drying with forced air circulation at 30±2°C in order to obtain different water contents. The seeds were then submitted to the germination test in a completely randomized design at 25°C and 12 hours photoperiod, and were weekly evaluated for a period of 90 days, regarding the number of seeds with root protrusion, the number of dead seeds and normal seedlings. At the end the germination speed index (GSI) the mean germination time (MGT) and the average speed of germination (ASG) were calculated. Any of these variables were significantly affected until the water content decreased to 14.9%, whereas at 9.1% and 6.6% water contents, there was a significant reduction of root protrusion and GSI, and a higher percentage of dead seeds. Cambuci seeds tolerate desiccation down to 15% water content without losing viability.
Chemical and mineral characteristics, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of blackberries grown in an organic system
Authors: Souza Rafaela Schmidt , Martins Carlos Roberto , Antunes Luis Eduardo Corrêa , Vizzotto Márcia , Krolow Ana Cristina Richter , Malgarim Marcelo Barbosa
Published: July 2020

Blackberry bushes have increasingly drawn producers’ and consumers’ interest since they find their cultivation characteristics, production and nutraceutical qualities advantageous. Both chemical and mineral characteristics, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity found in blackberries are extremely relevant factors to be considered when cultivars are chosen. Chemical analyses of the nutritional composition of fruit is important, since they can help studies of quality genotypes. Besides, fruit with high nutritional values contribute to human health when they are often consumed. This study aimed at evaluating chemical and mineral characteristics, besides bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, of different blackberry bush genotypes grown in an organic farming system in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. Production, soluble solid content, hydrogenionic potential, total titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio, minerals, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of six blackberry bush genotypes – ‘Tupy’, ‘BRS Xingu’, Selection Black 178, Selection Black 128, Selection Black 112 and Selection Black 145 – were evaluated. It was a randomized block design with three replicates of every plant. Selection Black 178 yielded fruits with the highest value of SS/TA ratio and had the highest accumulated production. The highest anthocyanin content was found in ‘BRS Xingu’. Selection Black 112 had the highest total contents of phenolic compounds and the highest antioxidant activity, whereas ‘Tupy’ exhibited their lowest values. Selection Black 178 adapted well to the organic farming system, a fact that did not happen to Selection Black 128.
Diagnosa Penyakit Demam Berdarah Dengue (DBD) menggunakan Metode Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ)
Authors: Tawakal Firman , Azkiya Ahmedika
Published: July 2020

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is a disease that is carried and transmitted through the mosquito Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus which is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions such as in Indonesia to Northern Australia. in 2013 there are 2.35 million reported cases, which is 37,687 case is heavy cases of DHF. DHF’s symthoms have a similarity with typhoid fever, it often occur wrong handling. Therefore we need a system that is able to diagnose the disease suffered by patients, so that they can recognize whether the patient has DHF or Typhoid. The system will be built using Neural Network Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) based on the best training results. This research is to diagnose Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever using LVQ with input parameters are hemoglobin, leukocytes, platelets, and heritrocytes. Based on result, the best accuracy is 97,14% with Mean Square Error (MSE) is 0.028571 with 84 train data and 36 test data. Conclution from the research is LVQ method can diagnose DHF Keywords: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever; Learning Vector Quantization; classification; Neural Network;
Pengaruh Penambahan Enzim Bromelin pada Pakan terhadap Kecernaan Protein, Efisiensi Pemanfaatan Pakan dan Pertumbuhan Udang Windu Penaeus monodon, Fabricius 1798 (Malacostraca: Penaeidae)
Authors: Rachmawati Diana , Hutabarat Johannes , Dewi Eko Nurcahya , Windarto Seto
Published: July 2020

Feed utilization efficiency is one of the problems that often faced by tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fabricus) farmers, which is 40-60% of production costs used for feed. The efficiency of feed can be improved by the addition of the bromelains in the feed, which can hydrolyze proteins into simpler compounds to increase the digestibility of the feed protein. This study aims to examine the effect of bromelains in feed on protein digestibility (ADCp), feed utilization efficiency (EPP), and growth (RGR) of tiger shrimp. Tiger shrimp with an average weight of 2.8 ± 0.26 g / individual was obtained from the Brackish Water Aquaculture Development Centre (BBPBAP), Jepara. There were 6 treatments adding bromelains in the feed, A (0%), B (0.2%), C (0.4%), D (0.6%) and E (0.8%). Observation parameters, including ADCp, EPP, PER, RGR, SR, and water quality parameters. The results showed that the addition of the bromelains in feed increased ADCp, EPP, PER, RGR, but had no effect on the SR of tiger shrimp. Bromelains (0.4% / kg) of feed is the optimal dose of ADCp, EPP, and RGR, resulting in a maximum value of 82.59%, 88.17%, and 5.24% / day.   Permasalahan yang sering dihadapi pembudidaya udang windu (Penaeus monodon Fabricius) adalah efisiensi pemanfaatan pakan yang belum maksimal sehingga hampir 40-60% dari total biaya produksi untuk biaya pakan. Efisiensi pemanfaatan pakan dapat ditingkatkan dengan penambahan enzim bromelin dalam pakan yang mampu menghidrolisis protein menjadi senyawa yang lebih sederhana sehingga dapat meningkatkan daya cerna protein pakan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengkaji pengaruh enzim bromelin dalam pakan terhadap kecernaan protein (ADCp), efisiensi pemanfaatan pakan (EPP) dan pertumbuhan (RGR) udang windu. Hewan uji berupa udang windu dengan bobot rata-rata 2,8±0,26 g/ekor diperoleh dari Balai Besar Perikanan Budidaya Air Payau (BBPBAP), Jepara sebagai tempat penelitian. Terdapat 6 perlakuan penambahan enzim bromelin dalam pakan yaitu A (0 %), B (0,2 %), C (0,4 %), D (0,6 %) dan E (0,8 %). Pengamatan parameter meliputi ADCp, EPP, PER, RGR, SR dan parameter kualitas air. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan enzim bromelin dalam pakan meningkatkan ADCp, EPP, PER, RGR, namun tidak berpengaruh pada SR udang windu. Enzim bromelin 0,4%/kg pakan merupakan dosis optimal pada ADCp, EPP dan RGR menghasilkan nilai maksimal sebesar 82,59%, 88,17% dan 5,24%/hari.
Proses Pembuatan Minyak Kelapa Murni dengan Menggunakan Rhizopus Oligosporus
Authors: Moehady Bintang Iwhan , Hidayatulloh Irwan
Published: July 2020

Minyak kelapa murni merupakan bahan makanan yang banyak digunakan sebagai bahan konsumsi dan bahan tambahan untuk proses industri. Minyak kelapa murni diproduksi dari bahan baku krim santan yang merupakan hasil pelindihan antara air dengan buah kelapa. Pemecahan emulsi pada santan menggunakan teknik ekstraksi kering (dry extraction) dan teknik ekstraksi basah (wet extraction). Penelitian yang dilakukan menggunakan proses ekstraksi basah, yaitu secara fermentasi menggunakan inokulum padat berupa mikroba atau ragi yang dikembangkan pada media padat. Proses tersebut dipilih untuk menyesuaikan dengan situasi masyarakat daerah di Indonesia yang banyak menghasilkan kelapa serta menyesuaikan dengan keberadaan ragi tempe yang telah memasyarakat. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan minyak kelapa dari bahan baku santan (coconut milk) dengan menggunakan inokulum ragi tempe yang mengandung Rhizopus oligosporus. Hasil minyak kelapa murni akan dianalisa parameternya berdasarkan Standar Nasional Indonesia. Dari data percobaan di peroleh hasil analisa produk minyak kelapa murni yang paling optimum sesuai dengan SNI adalah percobaan pada variasi jumlah ragi tempe 0.5 gram dengan jumlah minyak yang dihasilkan 91.35 gram dan nilai kekeruhan 1,8 NTU. Hasil analisis kimia dan fisik: Indeks bias: 1,451, Kadar air: 0,3%, Kadar kotoran: 0,023%, Kadar bebas asam lemak: 0,96%, Kadar minyak Pelikan: 1,82%, angka saponifikasi: 262,969 mgKOH / g lemak. Virgin coconut oil is a food ingredient that is widely used as a consumption material and as an additive for industrial processes. The oil produced from coconut milk cream which was the result of leaching between water and coconut. The emulsion in coconut milk then broken by dry extraction method and wet extraction method. In this research the method carried out by a wet extraction process, which used fermentation using microbes or yeast that was developed on solid media. This process was chosen to adapt to the Indonesian people who produced ton coconut each year and in the same time, the tempeh yeast that has been popular in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to obtain virgin coconut oil from coconut milk using yeast inoculum containing Rhizopus oligosporus. The parameters of virgin coconut oil analyzed based on the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). The experimental data obtained from the results of the most optimal analysis of virgin coconut oil in accordance with SNI experiments on the variation of the amount of tempeh yeast 0.5 grams with the amount of oil produced 91.35 grams and turbidity value 1.8 NTU. Chemical and physical analysis results: Refractive index: 1,451, Air content: 0,3%, Dirt content: 0,023%, Free fatty acid level: 0,96%, Pelicans oil content: 1,82%, saponification rate: 262,969 mg KOH /g fat.
Pengaruh Blanching terhadap Karakteristik Daun Ubi Kayu Instan
Authors: Kamsiati Elmi , Rahayu Eka , Herawati Heny
Published: July 2020

Daun ubikayu merupakan salah satu jenis sayuran yang memiliki kandungan gizi cukup lengkap. Selain vitamin dan mineral, daun ubikayu juga mengandung protein tinggi. Namun, karena memiliki kandungan air tinggi daun ubikayu rentan terhadap kerusakan sehingga tidak dapat disimpan dalam waktu lama. Teknologi pengeringan merupakan salah satu metode pengolahan yang dapat meningkatkan umur simpan sayuran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh jenis garam (NaCl dan natrium bikarbonat) dan lama blanching terhadap karakteristik daun ubikayu instan serta menentukan perlakuan untuk menghasilkan daun singkong instan dengan karakteristik terbaik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan jenis garam dan lama blanching berpengaruh terhadap warna daun kering sebelum dan setelah rehidrasi, tekstur, serta daya rehidrasi. Daun ubikayu instan terbaik diperoleh dari perlakuan penggunaan NaCl 1% dengan lama blanching 15 detik. Karakteristik warna daun sebelum rehidrasi L 47,19; a -4,52; b 8,15 dan setelah rehidrasi L 36,40; a -6,97; b 13,84 dengan daya rehidrasi 760%, tekstur 11,5 g, kadar air 8,38%, kadar abu 8,56%, lemak 5,17%, protein 36,68%, dan karbohidrat 41,21%. Hasil uji statistik menunjukkan bahwa karakteristik daun ubikayu yang dihasilkan tidak berbeda nyata dengan kontrol ditinjau dari parameter proksimat, namun berbeda nyata ditinjau dari parameter kecerahan warna, daya rehidrasi, dan nilai b setelah rehidrasi.
Building natural language processing tools for Runyakitara
Authors: Katushemererwe Fridah , Caines Andrew , Buttery Paula
Published: July 2020

This paper describes an endeavour to build natural language processing (NLP) tools for Runyakitara, a group of four closely related Bantu languages spoken in western Uganda. In contrast with major world languages such as English, for which corpora are comparatively abundant and NLP tools are well developed, computational linguistic resources for Runyakitara are in short supply. First therefore, we need to collect corpora for these languages, before we can proceed to the design of a spell-checker, grammar-checker and applications for computer-assisted language learning (CALL). We explain how we are collecting primary data for a new Runya Corpus of speech and writing, we outline the design of a morphological analyser, and discuss how we can use these new resources to build NLP tools. We are initially working with Runyankore–Rukiga, a closely-related pair of Runyakitara languages, and we frame our project in the context of NLP for low-resource languages, as well as CALL for the preservation of endangered languages. We put our project forward as a test case for the revitalization of endangered languages through education and technology.
Construction grammar and creativity: Evolution, psychology, and cognitive science
Authors: Hoffmann Thomas
Published: July 2020

Creativity is an important evolutionary adaptation that allows humans to think original thoughts, to find solutions to problems that have never been encountered before, and to fundamentally change the way we live. Recently, one important area of creativity, namely verbal creativity, has attracted considerable interest from constructionist approaches to language. The present issue builds on this emerging field of study and adds an interdisciplinary perspective to it by also presenting the view from cognitive literary studies as well as psychology. First, however, this introduction surveys the recent issues arising in constructionist studies of verbal creativity.
Austerity and fragmentation: Dynamics of Europeanization of media discourses in Greece and Italy
Authors: Bee Cristiano , Chrona Stavroula
Published: July 2020

This article investigates media representations of the European financial crisis in Greece and Italy. We study the Euro crisis as an ‘emergency situation’ with domino effects, where media played a central role in shaping communication practices at the national level as well as between the two countries. Drawing upon vertical and horizontal dynamics of Europeanization, we map the convergences and divergences in media discourses that surround the period 2011–2015. In doing so, we elaborate a qualitative analysis of newspaper articles focusing, in particular, on the themes of austerity and the fragmentation of Europe. Our argument suggests that national public spheres in times of transnational crisis become increasingly nationalized; yet under certain circumstances such as when the supranational infrastructure is the target of blame, they converge, opening the path toward a transnational discursive dialogue.
PubChem Periodic Table and Element pages: improving access to information on chemical elements from authoritative sources
Authors: Kim Sunghwan , Gindulyte Asta , Zhang Jian , Thiessen Paul A. , Bolton Evan E.
Published: July 2020

PubChem (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) is one of the top five most visited chemistry web sites in the world, with more than five million unique users per month (as of March 2020). Many of these users are educators, undergraduate students, and graduate students at academic institutions. Therefore, PubChem has a great potential as an online resource for chemical education. This paper describes the PubChem Periodic Table and Element pages, which were recently introduced to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the periodic table. These services help users navigate the abundant chemical element data available within PubChem, while providing a convenient entry point to explore additional chemical content, such as biological activities and health and safety data available in PubChem Compound pages for specific elements and their isotopes. The PubChem Periodic Table and Element pages are also available as widgets, which enable web developers to display PubChem’s element data on web pages they design. The elemental data can be downloaded in common file formats and imported into data analysis programs (e.g., spreadsheet software, like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, and computer scripts, such as python and R). Overall, the PubChem Periodic Table and Element pages improve access to chemical element data from authoritative sources.
A grain size auto-classification of Baikouquan Formation, Mahu Depression, Junggar Basin, China
Authors: Yuan Rui , Zhu Rui , Guo Xuguang , Zhang Lei , An Zhiyuan , Wu Jun , Zhao Kang
Published: July 2020

The borehole electrical imaging log offers general visual borehole wall, leaving no doubt that the conductivity contrast is sufficient to obtain a qualitative gain-size distribution of rocks. In this study, an automatic grain-size classification method is proposed using gray values of borehole electrical images from Baikouquan Formation in Mahu Depression. The first stage is comparing electrical images with cores. Gravels, sands, silts and clays are all discovered in the cores. The gravels are “mottled” in electrical images, and the bigger the spots, the coarser the gravels. The images of sands are homogeneous bright colored, and the coarser the sandy grains, the brighter the images. The electrical images of silts and clays are homogeneous brown and dark-brown colored. The second stage is auto-discriminating four categories of grain sizes roughly using averages and variances of gray values. The variances of gray values of gravels are high, whereas those of sands are medium. The gray averages of silts are between 160 and 220, whereas those of clays are larger than 200. The third stage is auto-classifying three kinds of gravels or sands finely using frequency distribution of gray values. The gray values of frequency peaks of cobbles are less than 50 and frequencies are larger than 15%, whereas those of pebbles are less than 50 or larger than 200 and frequencies are between 10% and 20%; almost gray frequencies of granules are less than 10%. The dominated gray values of coarse sandstones, medium sandstones and fine sandstones are less than 50, between 50 and 160 and ranged from 160 to 240, respectively. The proposed method is demonstrated to be useful and fast to auto-classify grain size of various rocks in conglomeratic environments.
Power quality problem and key improvement technology for regional power grids
Authors: Kang Peng , Guo Wei , Huang Weigang , Le Jian , Mao Tao
Published: July 2020

In this paper, the status quo, analytical methods, and treatment technologies of steady-state power quality problem with the largest influential degree and range are reviewed. Typical harmonic sources in regional power grids and their characteristics are investigated, the influence of harmonics on a regional power grid is described, and the main harmonic control measures including active and passive types are introduced. The sources, status quo, and adverse effect of the three-phase imbalance problem of regional power grids are examined. Meanwhile, relevant standards and imbalance calculation methods are introduced. The operation measures and treatment equipment for solving the three-phase imbalance problem are also presented. The status quo, mechanism, and danger of low voltage (LV) in regional grids are analyzed as well as the LV monitoring methods, and the corresponding treatment technologies are summarized. Finally, the key to treating the steady-state power quality of regional power grids is proposed.