bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UPAYA KONSERVASI INDONESIA ATAS SUMBER DAYA IKAN DI LAUT LEPAS
Authors: Tarigan Muhammad Insan
Published: May 2017

The principle of freedom of fishing on the high seas was recognized as one of the principles in customary international law, the Geneva Convention on the High Seas1958, and Part VII of UNCLOS 1982. Regarding to thehigh level of utilization of fish led to the crisis of fishery resources, then the responsible fisheries management becomes a common agenda of the international community. Thisresearch is a normative legal research, data collection was done through studyliterature and documentaries on the primary and secondarylegal materials related to this problem.After conductedthe identification and classification of the data, then data was analysed normatively. There are some international conventions as a basis for maintainingthe conservation of fish on the high seas. UNCLOS 1982, the 1993 FAO Compliance Agreement, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) in 1995, the IPOA-IUU Fishing, 2001. The result showed thatIndonesia has had several regulations concerning to fisheries, such as Law Number 31 of 2004 concerning to Fisheries and Law Number 45 of 2009 concerning to Fisheries, and the Minister of Marine and Fisheries Regulation Number PER.03/MEN/2009 on Fishing and/or Transporting Fish on the High Seas and the Ministerial Regulation Number Per.12/Men/2012 concerning toEnterprises Capture Fishery on the High Seas. The Government of Indonesia should be able to take advantage of such participation and to improve the exchange of information, data, research fisheries, combating illegal arrests, and other forms of cooperation.Keywords: High Seas, Fish Resources, Indonesia, conservation
PENETAPAN STATUS PENGGUNAAN BARANG MILIK NEGARA DALAM RANGKA OPTIMALISASI PENERIMAAN NEGARA
Authors: Hamdi Hamdi
Published: May 2017

AbstractSOA Usage Status Determination Regulation in line with those mandated by Government Regulation Number 27 of 2014 on Management of State and Regional Assets has been regulated in Minister of Finance Regulation Number 246/PMK.06/2014 on Procedures for the Implementation of State Assets Utilization and Minister of Finance Regulation Number 41/PMK.06/2015 on Delegation of Certain Authority and Responsibility From State Assets Manager To State Assets User. The implementation of SOA Usage Status Determination in Regional Office Directorate General of State Assets Lampung Province and Bengkulu Province is not yet optimal because a little number of SOA status been defined. SOA optimization through utilization in order to gain state’s revenue through non-tax revenue is not the main goal, but the optimal use of SOA in order to support the implementation of the tasks and functions of Ministry/Agency. The implementation of State Asset Management Information System application was expected to support SOA management, especially related to supervision and control in the implementation of SOA Usage Status Determination.Keywords: State-Owned Assets, Usage Status Determination, SOA Utilization. Abstrakabstrak Peraturan SOA Status Penggunaan Penentuan sejalan dengan yang diamanatkan oleh Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 27 2014 tentang Pengelolaan Barang Milik Negara dan Daerah telah diatur dalam Peraturan Menteri Keuangan Nomor 246/PMK.06/2014 tentang Tata Cara Pelaksanaan Penggunaan Barang Milik Negara dan Peraturan Menteri Keuangan Nomor 41/PMK.06/2015 tentang Pendelegasian Kewenangan dan Tanggung Jawab Tertentu dari Pengelola Barang Kkpada Pengguna Barang. Implementasi SOA Status Penggunaan Penentuan di Kanwil DJKN Provinsi Lampung dan Provinsi Bengkulu belum optimal karena sejumlah kecil status SOA telah ditetapkan. SOA optimasi melalui pemanfaatan untuk mendapatkan penerimaan negara melalui penerimaan negara bukan pajak bukanlah tujuan utama, tetapi penggunaan optimal dari SOA dalam rangka mendukung pelaksanaan tugas dan fungsi Kementerian/Lembaga. Penerapan aplikasi Sistem Informasi Negara Asset Management diharapkan untuk mendukung manajemen SOA, terutama terkait dengan pengawasan dan pengendalian dalam pelaksanaan SOA Status Penggunaan Penentuan.Kata Kunci: Aset Milik Negara, Penggunaan Status Penetapan, SOA Pemanfaatan
Feeding Response of Tree Fodder Bhimal (Grewia optiva) on Growth Performance of Castrated Male Goats
Authors: Pandey Luma Nidhi , Tiwari Megh Raj , KC Bishnu Bahadur , Baskota Niraj , Banjade Jagan Nath
Published: May 2017

Bhimal (Grewia optiva) is a fodder tree mostly found in mid hills of mid and far western region of Nepal. Bhimal could constitutes one of the main livestock green fodders, especially for goats when fresh green fodder become limited during the winter dry season. However, the feeding value of Bhimal leaves on growth performance of castrated goats probably has not been evaluated so far. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Bhimal leaves feeding on growth performance of castrated male goats for 90 days. Altogether 16 growing castrated male goats of same breed, age and body weight were selected and equally divided into four treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 with four replications by using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Four types of experimental diets were prepared having various levels (0 to 100%) of Bhimal leaves as fodder. Experimental animals of Treatment 1 were fed with seasonal fodder + 100 g concentrate mixture, Treatment 2 with 100% Bhimal fodder + 100 g concentrate mixture, Treatment 3with 75% Bhimal fodder + 25% seasonal fodder + 100 g concentrate mixture, while Treatment 4 with 50% Bhimal fodder + 50% season fodder + 100 g concentrate mixture. All diets were fed ad-lib and experimental animals had free access to drinking water. The diets offered and refusal was measured daily and weight change was observed fortnightly. The result showed that fodder intake (g/d/animal) and total dry matter intake (TDMI g/kg live weight) of goats differed significantly (P<0.01), but concentrate intake was not differed significantly (P<0.01) among treatments. The highest dry matter intake per animal /day was in Treatment 2 (52.75 g/kg live weight) followed by Treatment 4, Treatment 3 and Treatment 1 (51.7, 48.56 and 32.69 g/kg live weight, respectively).The average daily gain in body weight was observed highest in Treatment 2 (66.66 g/d) followed by Treatment 3 (31.66 g/d) and Treatment 4 (30.83 g). The growth rate was significantly (P<0.01) different among diet groups (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.01 for 60, 75 and 90 days, respectively). In case of the feed conversion ratio, Treatment 2 had best ratio (8.79:1) than Treatment 1 (14.21:1), T3 (17.03:1) and Treatment 4 (18.59:1). The present response study showed that body weight in castrated male goats can be increased significantly (P<0.05) implying that in winter season when other green forages are poorly available goat farming  can be supported by Bhimal fodder tree.Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Vol.3 2017: 1-11
Yield Evaluation of Nutrient-rich Potato Clones in High Hill of Nepal
Authors: Luitel Binod Prasad , Khatri Bhim Bahadur , Lama Laxmi , Dhakal Rajeev , Khadka Kamal , Choudhary Duryodhan , Aryal Sushma , Bonierbale Merideth , Kadian Mohinder Singh
Published: May 2017

A study was conducted to evaluate the yield of nutrient-rich potato clones in high-hill districts: Dolakha and Jumla of Nepal during the years 2013 and 2014, respectively. Fourteen potato clones were tested as on-station and on-farm experiments at both districts, and those fourteen clones were compared to ‘Lady Rosita’ and ‘Jumli Local’ respectively as the check varieties in the first year experiment, 2013. Eight promising clones were selected from the first year experiment, and were evaluated and compared with same local varieties in the consecutive year, 2014. Two clones namely; CIP 395112.32 (19.3 tha-1) and CIP 393073.179 (17.8 tha-1) exhibited superior marketable tuber yield than that of ‘Lady Rosita’(14.2 tha-1) in Dolakha and five CIP clones namely; 395112.32 (25.5 tha-1), 393073.179 (22.5 tha-1), 394611.112 (20.9 tha-1), 390478.9 (19.9 tha-1) and 395017.229 (17.0 tha-1) showed higher marketable tuber yield than ‘Jumli Local’(14.5 tha-1). Based on two years’ phenotypic and tuber yield result, clones CIP 395112.32 and CIP 393073.179 are recommended to potato growers at high hills of Nepal for commercial cultivation.Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Vol.3 2017: 6-14
Generic Pest Risk Analysis for Potato in Nepal
Authors: Mahto Baidya Nath
Published: May 2017

Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) is the process of evaluation for biological and economic evidences in order to determine whether a pest should be regulated under phyto-sanitary measures. The present mini review highlights the potential potato pathogen list recorded in Nepal harmful for potato production and productivity. At global scale altogether 135 potential quarantine pests (PQP) for potato has been recorded, while in Nepal only 92 PQP were recorded. Out of those 52, 13 and 27 were fungi, bacteria and viruses respectively. Among the 92 PQP, 34, 30 and 13 were considered at high, medium and lower risk type pathogens for potato. There was no information available on other 15 PQP.Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Vol.3 2017: 32-37
Cardiovascular Diseases in Bangladesh
Authors: Mohibullah AKM
Published: May 2017

Abstract not availableCardiovasc. j. 2017; 9(2): 75-76
Pre-Procedural Blood Glucose Level and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Non Diabetic Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Rahman Md Zillur , Majumder Abdullah Al Shafi , Chowdhury Nazir Ahmed , Ahmed Mesbauddin
Published: May 2017

Background: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is not an uncommon complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and it is more in diabetic patients. But we do not know the incidence and consequences of CIN of patients with high blood sugar but not known diabetic. We planned to find the relationship between level of admission blood glucose and contrast induced nephropathy after PCI in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in non-diabetic patients.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dhaka from January 2012 to June 2012. Total 120 patients were observed in two groups, group-I non-diabetic with normal blood glucose (?7.8 mmol/L) and group-II non-diabetic with high blood glucose (?7.8 mmol/L).Results: Results show increase in serum creatinine (0.1mg/dl vs. 0.3 mg/dl) and decrease in creatinine clearance rate (12.9 ml/min vs. 6.0ml/min) was more in hyperglycemic than normoglycemic. When most common definition of contrast induced nephropathy was used, the incidence of CIN was 24% in high blood glucose group and 4% in normal blood glucose group (p=0.004). The higher the admission blood glucose level there is more incidence of contrast induced nephropathy. Multivariate analysis of factors associated with CIN shows that patients with high blood glucose (>7.8 mmol/l) and > 150 ml of contrast exposure are independent predictors of contrast induced nephropathy. The patients subjected to PCI having high blood glucose were at 6 times higher risk of developing CIN than normal blood glucose and use of contrast >150 ml were more than 2 times higher risk of developing CIN.Conclusion: Patients with high blood sugar on admission of ACS patients have more chance of developing CIN after PCI.Cardiovasc. j. 2017; 9(2): 106-115
ST Segment Depression in 12 lead ECG and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Non-ST segment elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Miah Mohammad Emdadul Hoque , Chowdhury Abul Hussain Khan , Islam Khandaker Qamrul , Jamaluddin Mir , Ghafur Shakil , Khalequzzaman Md , Ullah Mohammad
Published: May 2017

Background: Patients of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS) is a large group who gets admitted in coronary care units. 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) provides the simple available and earliest objective information for risk stratification of NSTEACS. We tried to find out the association between magnitude of ST segment depression and angiographic severity in NSTE ACS patients.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in patients with NSTE ACS patients admitted into and underwent coronary angiography. A total number of 105 consecutive patients were included in this study. ST segment depression was measured and categorized according to magnitude of ST segment depression into three groups as Group I: No (<1mm) ST segment depression, Group II: 1-2 mm ( e1 to <2mm) ST segment depression and Group III: e 2 mm ST segment depression. Cumulative sum of ST segment depression and number of leads in ST segment depression also measured in all ECG leads. Angiographic severity was assessed by vessel score and Friesinger index. Significant CAD was considered if Friesinger index was e 5. Magnitude of ST segment depression was correlated with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease.Results: According to Friesinger index 56(53.33%) patients had significant CAD and 49(46.66%) patients had insignificant CAD. Magnitude of ST segment depression found to have significant relationship with severity of coronary artery disease (p<0.001). Number of leads in ST segment depression also revealed positive correlation (r = 0.446; p<0.001). Positive correlation was also found between sum of the ST segment depression and Vessel score (r= 0.435; p<0.001).Conclusion: Magnitude of ST segment depression is positively correlated with the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in non- ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.Cardiovasc. j. 2017; 9(2): 116-121
Association of Left Coronary Dominance with In- Hospital Adverse Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Hossain Muhammad Azmol , Azam STM Abu , Khalequzzaman Md , Chowdhury Tariq Ahmed , Md Jafar Abul Hasnat , Roy Sharadindu Shekhar
Published: May 2017

Background: Coronary dominance affects on in-hospital outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome and also affects the outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention. Left dominant anatomy is believed to be associated with worse prognoses for patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary. This study evaluated the manner in which coronary dominance affects in-hospital adverse outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: Data were analyzed from 149 ACS patients who underwent PCI between November 2014 and October 2015 at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka. The patients were grouped based on diagnostic coronary angiograms performed prior to PCI; those with right dominant plus co-dominant anatomy (RD+Co group) and those with left dominant anatomy (LD group).Results: Total adverse in-hospital outcome is 8.7% patients. In LD group 23.1% patients were experienced adverse in-hospital outcome, on the contrary 5.7% of the patients with RD+Co group did have such experience. About 2.7% patients developed arrhythmia, 2.7% cardiogenic shock, 2% acute left ventricular failure and 0.7% ischaemic chest pain of the both groups. Among them arrhythmia, acute left ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock were more common in LD group than RD+Co (7.7% vs. 1.6%, 7.7% vs. 0.8% and 7.7% vs. 1.6%) group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking, diabetes mellitus and left coronary dominance were the independent predictors for developing adverse in-hospital outcome with ORs being 1.317, 1.074 and 6.553 respectively (p <0.05).Conclusion: Patients of left coronary dominant had higher in-hospital adverse outcome compared with patients of right dominant plus co-dominant in a population with acute coronary syndrome who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and left dominant anatomy was an independent predictor for developing adverse in-hospital outcome.Cardiovasc. j. 2017; 9(2): 129-134
Successful Resection of Lymphangioma of the Neck and Mediastinum Presenting as Stridor in a 12 Year Old Child
Authors: Irfan Babar , Tahir Maha , Irfan Omar , Khan Hamza Abdur Rahim , Fatimi Saulat H
Published: May 2017

Lymphangiomas are congenital malformations of lymphatic tissue. This benign condition is generally found in the neck region and is discovered by 2 years of age. Here we report the case of a 12 year old child who presented with a cervical and mediastinal cystic hygroma that had progressed to such a space occupying nature as to cause the shifting of the trachea. The entire mass was successfully resected with a lower neck incision. Our case suggests the necessity of considering cystic lymphangioma in the differential diagnosis of lateral neck masses and use of adequate imaging to substantiate the preoperative diagnosis.Cardiovasc. j. 2017; 9(2): 167-169
Development of Hollow Cathodes for Space Electric Propulsion at Sitael
Authors: Pedrini Daniela , Misuri Tommaso , Paganucci Fabrizio , Andrenucci Mariano
Published: May 2017

Hollow cathodes are electron sources used for the gas ionization and the beam neutralization in both ion and Hall effect thrusters (HETs). A reduction of power and propellant consumption from the cathode is particularly needed in small satellite applications, where power and mass budgets are inherently limited. Concurrently, the interest in high-power HETs is increasingly fostered for a number of space applications, including final positioning and station-keeping of Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, spacecraft transfers from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to GEO, and deep-space exploration missions. As such, several hollow cathodes have been developed and tested at Sitael, each conceived for a specific power class of thrusters. A numerical model was used during the cathode design to define the geometry, in accordance with the thruster unit specifications in terms of discharge current, mass flow rate, and lifetime. Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) hollow cathodes were successfully developed for HETs with discharge power ranging from 100 W to 20 kW. Experimental campaigns were carried out in both stand-alone and coupled configurations, to verify the operation of the cathodes and validate the numerical model. The comparison between experimental and theoretical results are presented, offering a sound framework to drive the design of future hollow cathodes.
Good Code Sets from Complementary Pairs via Discrete Frequency Chips
Authors: Kadlimatti Ravi , Fam Adly T.
Published: May 2017

It is shown that replacing the sinusoidal chip in Golay complementary code pairs by special classes of waveforms that satisfy two conditions, symmetry/anti-symmetry and quazi-orthogonality in the convolution sense, renders the complementary codes immune to frequency selective fading and also allows for concatenating them in time using one frequency band/channel. This results in a zero-sidelobe region around the mainlobe and an adjacent region of small cross-correlation sidelobes. The symmetry/anti-symmetry property results in the zero-sidelobe region on either side of the mainlobe, while quasi-orthogonality of the two chips keeps the adjacent region of cross-correlations small. Such codes are constructed using discrete frequency-coding waveforms (DFCW) based on linear frequency modulation (LFM) and piecewise LFM (PLFM) waveforms as chips for the complementary code pair, as they satisfy both the symmetry/anti-symmetry and quasi-orthogonality conditions. It is also shown that changing the slopes/chirp rates of the DFCW waveforms (based on LFM and PLFM waveforms) used as chips with the same complementary code pair results in good code sets with a zero-sidelobe region. It is also shown that a second good code set with a zero-sidelobe region could be constructed from the mates of the complementary code pair, while using the same DFCW waveforms as their chips. The cross-correlation between the two sets is shown to contain a zero-sidelobe region and an adjacent region of small cross-correlation sidelobes. Thus, the two sets are quasi-orthogonal and could be combined to form a good code set with twice the number of codes without affecting their cross-correlation properties. Or a better good code set with the same number codes could be constructed by choosing the best candidates form the two sets. Such code sets find utility in multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) radar applications.
Numerical Simulation of Red Blood Cell-Induced Platelet Transport in Saccular Aneurysms
Authors: Wu Wei-Tao , Li Yubai , Aubry Nadine , Massoudi Mehrdad , Antaki James F.
Published: May 2017

We present a numerical simulation of blood flow in two aneurysmal vessels. Using a multicomponent continuum approach, called mixture theory, the velocity fields and spatial distribution of the red blood cells (RBCs) and the plasma are predicted. Platelet migration is described by a convection-diffusion equation, coupled to the RBC concentration field. The model is applied to study a two-dimensional straight vessel and multiple two-dimensional aneurysm vessels with different neck sizes. The model accurately predicts the enrichment of the platelets near the wall in the straight vessel, agreeing with the experimental measurement quantitatively. The numerical results also show that the near-wall enrichment of the platelets in the parent vessel highly influences the platelet concentration within the aneurysm. The results also indicate that the platelet concentration within the aneurysm increases with Reynolds number and decreases with a smaller neck size. This might have significance on the formation of thrombus (blood clot) within the aneurysm, which in turn may have a protective effect on preventing ruptures. Based on the success with the problems studied, we believe the current model can be a useful tool for analyzing the blood flow and platelets transport within patient specific aneurysms in the future.
Characterisation of Arctic Bacterial Communities in the Air above Svalbard
Authors: Cuthbertson Lewis , Amores-Arrocha Herminia , Malard Lucie , Els Nora , Sattler Birgit , Pearce David
Published: May 2017

Atmospheric dispersal of bacteria is increasingly acknowledged as an important factor influencing bacterial community biodiversity, biogeography and bacteria–human interactions, including those linked to human health. However, knowledge about patterns in microbial aerobiology is still relatively scarce, and this can be attributed, in part, to a lack of consensus on appropriate sampling and analytical methodology. In this study, three different methods were used to investigate aerial biodiversity over Svalbard: impaction, membrane filtration and drop plates. Sites around Svalbard were selected due to their relatively remote location, low human population, geographical location with respect to air movement and the tradition and history of scientific investigation on the archipelago, ensuring the presence of existing research infrastructure. The aerial bacterial biodiversity found was similar to that described in other aerobiological studies from both polar and non-polar environments, with Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes being the predominant groups. Twelve different phyla were detected in the air collected above Svalbard, although the diversity was considerably lower than in urban environments elsewhere. However, only 58 of 196 bacterial genera detected were consistently present, suggesting potentially higher levels of heterogeneity. Viable bacteria were present at all sampling locations, showing that living bacteria are ubiquitous in the air around Svalbard. Sampling location influenced the results obtained, as did sampling method. Specifically, impaction with a Sartorius MD8 produced a significantly higher number of viable colony forming units (CFUs) than drop plates alone.
Are Directed Evolution Approaches Efficient in Exploring Nature’s Potential to Stabilize a Lipase in Organic Cosolvents?
Authors: Markel Ulrich , Zhu Leilei , Frauenkron-Machedjou Victorine , Zhao Jing , Bocola Marco , Davari Mehdi , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: May 2017

Despite the significant advances in the field of protein engineering, general design principles to improve organic cosolvent resistance of enzymes still remain undiscovered. Previous studies drew conclusions to engineer enzymes for their use in water-miscible organic solvents based on few amino acid substitutions. In this study, we conduct a comparison of a Bacillus subtilis lipase A (BSLA) library—covering the full natural diversity of single amino acid substitutions at all 181 positions of BSLA—with three state of the art random mutagenesis methods: error-prone PCR (epPCR) with low and high mutagenesis frequency (epPCR-low and high) as well as a transversion-enriched Sequence Saturation Mutagenesis (SeSaM-Tv P/P) method. Libraries were searched for amino acid substitutions that increase the enzyme’s resistance to the water-miscible organic cosolvents 1,4-dioxane (DOX), 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Our analysis revealed that 5%–11% of all possible single substitutions (BSLA site-saturation mutagenesis (SSM) library) contribute to improved cosolvent resistance. However, only a fraction of these substitutions (7%–12%) could be detected in the three random mutagenesis libraries. To our knowledge, this is the first study that quantifies the capability of these diversity generation methods generally employed in directed evolution campaigns and compares them to the entire natural diversity with a single substitution. Additionally, the investigation of the BSLA SSM library revealed only few common beneficial substitutions for all three cosolvents as well as the importance of introducing surface charges for organic cosolvent resistance—most likely due to a stronger attraction of water molecules.
Process Development for Enhanced 2,3-Butanediol Production by Paenibacillus polymyxa DSM 365
Authors: Okonkwo Christopher , Ujor Victor , Mishra Pankaj , Ezeji Thaddeus
Published: May 2017

While chiral 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD) is currently receiving remarkable attention because of its numerous industrial applications in the synthetic rubber, bioplastics, cosmetics, and flavor industries, 2,3-BD-mediated feedback inhibition of Paenibacillus polymyxa DSM 365 limits the accumulation of higher concentrations of 2,3-BD in the bioreactor during fermentation. The Box-Behnken design, Plackett-Burman design (PBD), and response surface methodology were employed to evaluate the impacts of seven factors including tryptone, yeast extract, ammonium acetate, ammonium sulfate, glycerol concentrations, temperature, and inoculum size on 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) production by Paenibacillus polymyxa DSM 365. Results showed that three factors; tryptone, temperature, and inoculum size significantly influence 2,3-BD production (p < 0.05) by P. polymyxa. The optimal levels of tryptone, inoculum size, and temperature as determined by the Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology were 3.5 g/L, 9.5%, and 35 °C, respectively. The optimized process was validated in batch and fed-batch fermentations in a 5-L Bioflo 3000 Bioreactor, and 51.10 and 68.54 g/L 2,3-BD were obtained, respectively. Interestingly, the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), an undesirable co-product, was reduced by 19% when compared to the control. These results underscore an interplay between medium components and fermentation conditions, leading to increased 2,3-BD production and decreased EPS production by P. polymyxa. Collectively, our findings demonstrate both increased 2,3-BD titer, a fundamental prerequisite to the potential commercialization of fermentative 2,3-BD production using renewable feedstocks, and reduced flux of carbons towards undesirable EPS production.
Kinetics of Bioethanol Production from Waste Sorghum Leaves Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4743
Authors: Rorke Daneal , Gueguim Kana Evariste
Published: May 2017

Kinetic models for bioethanol production from waste sorghum leaves by Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4743 are presented. Fermentation processes were carried out at varied initial glucose concentrations (12.5–30.0 g/L). Experimental data on cell growth and substrate utilisation fit the Monod kinetic model with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.95. A maximum specific growth rate (μmax) and Monod constant (KS) of 0.176 h−1 and 10.11 g/L, respectively, were obtained. The bioethanol production data fit the modified Gompertz model with an R2 value of 0.98. A maximum bioethanol production rate (rp,m) of 0.52 g/L/h, maximum potential bioethanol concentration (Pm) of 17.15 g/L, and a bioethanol production lag time (tL) of 6.31 h were observed. The obtained Monod and modified Gompertz coefficients indicated that waste sorghum leaves can serve as an efficient substrate for bioethanol production. These models with high accuracy are suitable for the scale-up development of bioethanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks such as sorghum leaves.
The Potential of Stimuli-Responsive Nanogels in Drug and Active Molecule Delivery for Targeted Therapy
Authors: Vicario-de-la-Torre Marta , Forcada Jacqueline
Published: May 2017

Nanogels (NGs) are currently under extensive investigation due to their unique properties, such as small particle size, high encapsulation efficiency and protection of active agents from degradation, which make them ideal candidates as drug delivery systems (DDS). Stimuli-responsive NGs are cross-linked nanoparticles (NPs), composed of polymers, natural, synthetic, or a combination thereof that can swell by absorption (uptake) of large amounts of solvent, but not dissolve due to the constituent structure of the polymeric network. NGs can undergo change from a polymeric solution (swell form) to a hard particle (collapsed form) in response to (i) physical stimuli such as temperature, ionic strength, magnetic or electric fields; (ii) chemical stimuli such as pH, ions, specific molecules or (iii) biochemical stimuli such as enzymatic substrates or affinity ligands. The interest in NGs comes from their multi-stimuli nature involving reversible phase transitions in response to changes in the external media in a faster way than macroscopic gels or hydrogels due to their nanometric size. NGs have a porous structure able to encapsulate small molecules such as drugs and genes, then releasing them by changing their volume when external stimuli are applied.
Nanoparticulate Poly(glucaramide)-Based Hydrogels for Controlled Release Applications
Authors: Johnston Erik R. , Smith Tyler N. , Serban Monica A.
Published: May 2017

In 2004, D-Glucaric acid (GA) was identified as one of the top value-added chemicals from renewable feedstocks. For this study, a patented synthetic method was used to obtain gel forming polymers through the polycondensation of GA and several aliphatic diamines. The first time characterization and a potential practical application of such hydrogels is reported herein. Our findings indicate that the physical properties and gelling abilities of these materials correlate with the chemical structure of the precursor diamines used for polymerization. The hydrogels appear to have nanoparticulate nature, form via aggregation, are thermoresponsive, and appear suitable as controlled release systems for small molecules. Overall, this study further highlights the versatility of GA as a building block for the synthesis of sustainable materials, with potential for a wide array of applications.
Inhibiting HDAC1 Enhances the Anti-Cancer Effects of Statins through Downregulation of GGTase-Iβ Expression
Authors: Li Ran , Gan Ye-Hua
Published: May 2017

Hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, namely statins, are potential anti-tumor agents. Previously, we showed that a pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor enhances the anti-tumor effects of the HMG-CoA inhibitor. However, the underlying mechanisms were not fully understood. Cancer cell lines (CAL-27 and SACC-83) were exposed to pan-HDAC inhibitor, or HDAC1 inhibitor, or geranylgeranyl transferase type I (GGTase-I) inhibitor alone or in combination with statin. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed by Cell Count Kit-8, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, and transwell assay, respectively. A xenograft model was used for assessing tumor growth in vivo. Western blot and real-time PCR were used to assess the expression of genes. We observed that inhibiting HDAC1 could enhance the anti-tumor effects of statins both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibiting HDAC1 blocked the statin-induced upregulation of geranylgeranyl transferase type Iβ subunit (GGTase-Iβ), resulting in an enhancement of the anti-cancer effects of statin. Overexpression of GGTase-Iβ or constitutively active RhoA abolished the enhancement by inhibiting HDAC1 on anti-tumor effects of statins. The HDAC1 inhibitor failed to enhance cytotoxicity in non-tumor primary cells treated with statin. Inhibiting HDAC1 enhanced the anti-cancer effects of statins through downregulation of GGTase-Iβ expression, and thus further inactivation of RhoA. A combination of statin with HDAC1 or GGTase-I inhibitor would be a new strategy for cancer chemotherapy.
Salinity Response in Chloroplasts: Insights from Gene Characterization
Authors: Suo Jinwei , Zhao Qi , David Lisa , Chen Sixue , Dai Shaojun
Published: May 2017

Salinity is a severe abiotic stress limiting agricultural yield and productivity. Plants have evolved various strategies to cope with salt stress. Chloroplasts are important photosynthesis organelles, which are sensitive to salinity. An understanding of molecular mechanisms in chloroplast tolerance to salinity is of great importance for genetic modification and plant breeding. Previous studies have characterized more than 53 salt-responsive genes encoding important chloroplast-localized proteins, which imply multiple vital pathways in chloroplasts in response to salt stress, such as thylakoid membrane organization, the modulation of photosystem II (PS II) activity, carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation, photorespiration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, osmotic and ion homeostasis, abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signaling, and gene expression regulation, as well as protein synthesis and turnover. This review presents an overview of salt response in chloroplasts revealed by gene characterization efforts.
Ecotoxicity of Concretes with Granulated Slag from Gray Iron Pilot Production as Filler
Authors: Hybská Helena , Hroncová Emília , Ladomerský Juraj , Balco Karol , Mitterpach Jozef
Published: May 2017

This paper focuses on research concerning the ecotoxicological properties of granulated slag from the pilot production of gray iron with red mud addition and concrete composites with the application of this slag. Red mud is a hazardous waste generated in the production of aluminium oxide. Negative ecotoxicological tests are, therefore, one of the basic prerequisites for the ability to use granulated slag from gray iron pilot production. Granulated slag and concrete composite samples with various ratios of granulated slag have been subject to ecotoxicity tests: determining root growth inhibition in the highly-cultivated plant Sinapis alba, and determining acute toxicity in Daphnia magna. The results of ecotoxicological testing of granulated slag from gray iron standard production and gray iron pilot production with the additive were, according to the standard (STN 83 8303), negative. Additionally, the results of ecotoxicological tests of concrete composites were negative, with the exception of a 50% substitution of fine aggregate with slag from gray iron pilot production.
Quercetin from Polygonum capitatum Protects against Gastric Inflammation and Apoptosis Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection by Affecting the Levels of p38MAPK, BCL-2 and BAX
Authors: Zhang Shu , Huang Jian , Xie Xiaoqin , He Yun , Mo Fei , Luo Zhaoxun
Published: May 2017

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis is a major threat to public health and Polygonum capitatum (PC) may have beneficial effects on the disease. However, the molecular mechanism remains unknown. Quercetin was isolated from PC and found to be a main bioactive compound. The effects of quercetin on human gastric cancer cells GES-1 were determined by xCELLigence. H. pylori-infected mouse models were established. All mice were divided into three groups: control (CG, healthy mice), model (MG, H. pylori infection) and quercetin (QG, mouse model treated by quercetin) groups. IL-8 (interleukin-8) levels were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western Blot were used to detect the levels of p38MAPK (38-kD tyrosine phosphorylated protein kinase), apoptosis regulator BCL-2-associated protein X (BAX) and B cell lymphoma gene 2 (BCL-2). The levels of IL-8 were increased by 8.1-fold in a MG group and 4.3-fold in a QG group when compared with a CG group. In a MG group, G0–G1(phases of the cell cycle)% ratio was higher than a CG group while S phase fraction was lower in a model group than in a control group (p < 0.01). After quercetin treatment, G0–G1% ratio was lower in a QG group than a MG group while S phase fraction was higher than a MG group (p < 0.01). Quercetin treatment reduced the levels of p38MAPK and BAX, and increased the levels of BCL-2 when compared with a MG group (p < 0.05). Quercetin regulates the balance of gastric cell proliferation and apoptosis to protect against gastritis. Quercetin protects against gastric inflammation and apoptosis associated with H. pylori infection by affecting the levels of p38MAPK, BCL-2 and BAX.
Roles of Glycoproteins in the Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Chronic and Latent Keshan Disease
Authors: Wang Sen , Fan Zheng , Zhou Bing , Wang Yingting , Du Peiru , Tan Wuhong , Lammi Mikko , Guo Xiong
Published: May 2017

We aimed to explore the roles of glycoproteins in the pathogenesis of chronic and latent Keshan disease (CKD and LKD), and screen the lectins as indicators of significant differences in glycoproteins of KD saliva and serum. Blood and saliva were collected from 50 CKD, 50 LKD patients and 54 normal individuals. Saliva and serum lectin microarrays and saliva and serum microarrays were used to screen and verify the differences in the levels of lectin among the three groups. In the male saliva lectin microarray, Solanum tuberosum (potato) lectin (STL) and other 9 lectins showed differences between CKD and normal; STL and other 9 lectins showed differences between LKD and normal; Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL) and other 15 lectins showed differences between CKD and LKD. In the female saliva microarray, Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia lectin I (GSL-I) and other 9 lectins showed differences between CKD and normal; STL and other 7 lectins showed differences between LKD and normal; Maackia amurensis lectin I (MAL-I) and Triticum vulgaris (WGA) showed difference between CKD and LKD. In the male serum lectin microarray, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus lectin I (PTL-I) and other 16 lectins showed differences between CKD and normal; Ulexeuropaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) and other 9 lectins showed differences between LKD and normal; AAL and other 13 lectins showed differences between CKD and LKD. In the female serum lectin microarray, WGA and other 13 lectins showed differences between CKD and normal; Euonymus europaeus lectin (EEL) and other 6 lectins showed differences between LKD and normal; MAL-I and other 14 lectins showed differences between CKD and LKD. Carbohydrate chain GlcNAc and α-Gal may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of KD. STL may be considered the diagnostic biomarker for male CKD and LKD, while WGA may be useful in distinguishing between the two stages. STL may be considered the diagnostic biomarker for female LKD.
Moral Bioenhancement through An Intersectional Theo-Ethical Lens: Refocusing on Divine Image-Bearing and Interdependence
Authors: Trothen Tracy
Published: May 2017

This article begins with a brief interrogation of the meanings of moral and virtue. Next, an intersectional Christian theo-ethical lens focusing on humans as divine image-bearers is used to generate critical insights regarding the influence of extreme individualism on approaches to moral bioenhancement. This alternative lens emphasizes the interdependence of life, and the contextual character of moral dispositions. The questions of what it means to be creatures bearing the imago dei and making moral choices, is at the center of this exploration. The author concludes that while there may be justifiable exceptions, for now moral bioenhancements are unwarranted. Moral improvement will be better achieved through more effective educational strategies, and possibly spiritual enhancements, that are geared toward appreciation for the interdependence of all life.
Study on the Correlation between Humidity and Material Strains in Separable Micro Humidity Sensor Design
Authors: Chang Chih-Yuan
Published: May 2017

Incidents of injuries caused by tiles falling from building exterior walls are frequently reported in Taiwan. Humidity is an influential factor in tile deterioration but it is more difficult to measure the humidity inside a building structure than the humidity in an indoor environment. Therefore, a separable microsensor was developed in this study to measure the humidity of the cement mortar layer with a thickness of 1.5–2 cm inside the external wall of a building. 3D printing technology is used to produce an encapsulation box that can protect the sensor from damage caused by the concrete and cement mortar. The sensor is proven in this study to be capable of measuring temperature and humidity simultaneously and the measurement results are then used to analyze the influence of humidity on external wall tile deterioration.
Determination of Posaconazole in Plasma/Serum by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Tang Peter
Published: May 2017

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described for the determination of posaconazole in human plasma/serum. The method is based on a single dilution step by treating the sample with methanol, and followed by the direct injection of the sample into the HPLC system. Posaconazole and internal standard ketoconazole in the methanol extract are subsequently analyzed by using a fluorescence (FL) detector at optimized wavelengths (excitation 245 nm and emission 380 nm). The method achieves a linear detector response for peak height measurements over the concentration range of 0.1–10 µg/mL which adequately covers the therapeutic range for appropriate patient monitoring. The chromatographic time is less than 8 min per injection, an improvement over most published HPLC/FL or HPLC/UV methods. The method’s limit of quantitation, linearity, imprecision, and accuracy met all criteria required by the Guidance for Industry Bioanalytical Method Validation. In comparison to other published methods, the current method would be of interest to analytical and clinical laboratories because it employs simple, rapid, and cost-effective procedures.
Histopathological Effects of Bt and TcdA Insecticidal Proteins on the Midgut Epithelium of Western Corn Rootworm Larvae (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera)
Authors: Bowling Andrew , Pence Heather , Li Huarong , Tan Sek , Evans Steven , Narva Kenneth
Published: May 2017

Western corn rootworm (WCR, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) is a major corn pest in the United States, causing annual losses of over $1 billion. One approach to protect against crop loss by this insect is the use of transgenic corn hybrids expressing one or more crystal (Cry) proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis. Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 together comprise a binary insecticidal toxin with specific activity against WCR. These proteins have been developed as insect resistance traits in commercialized corn hybrids resistant to WCR feeding damage. Cry34/35Ab1 is a pore forming toxin, but the specific effects of Cry34/35Ab1 on WCR cells and tissues have not been well characterized microscopically, and the overall histopathology is poorly understood. Using high-resolution resin-based histopathology methods, the effects of Cry34/35Ab1 as well as Cry3Aa1, Cry6Aa1, and the Photorhabdus toxin complex protein TcdA have been directly visualized and documented. Clear symptoms of intoxication were observed for all insecticidal proteins tested, including swelling and sloughing of enterocytes, constriction of midgut circular muscles, stem cell activation, and obstruction of the midgut lumen. These data demonstrate the effects of these insecticidal proteins on WCR midgut cells, and the collective response of the midgut to intoxication. Taken together, these results advance our understanding of the insect cell biology and pathology of these insecticidal proteins, which should further the field of insect resistance traits and corn rootworm management.
Target Type Modulates the Effect of Task Demand on Reflexive Focal Attention
Authors: Albonico Andrea , Malaspina Manuela , Daini Roberta
Published: May 2017

Focusing attention on a limited space within the environment allows us to concentrate our resources selectively on that location while ignoring the rest of the space. In this study we investigated how the deployment of the focal attention in foveal vision can be affected by task and stimuli specificity. In particular, we measured the cue-size effect in four experiments: shape detection (Experiment 1), shape discrimination (Experiment 2), letter detection (Experiment 3), and letter discrimination (Experiment 4). Our results highlight that, although the focal component can be elicited by different tasks (i.e., detection or discrimination) and by using different types of stimuli (i.e., shapes or letters), those effects interact with each other. Specifically, the effect of focal attention is more noticeable when letter stimuli are used in the case of a detection task, while no difference between letters and geometrical shapes is observed in the discrimination task. Furthermore, the analysis of the cue-size effect across the four experiments confirmed that the deployment of focal attention in foveal vision is mainly reflexive.
Photometric and Spectroscopic Observations of the Algol Type Binary V Triangle
Authors: Ren A. B. , Zhang X. B. , Fu J. N. , Zhang Y. P. , Cang T. Q. , Fox-Machado L. , Li C. Q. , Khokhuntod P. , Luo Y. P.
Published: May 2017

Time-series, multi-color photometry and high-resolution spectra of the short-period eclipsing binary V Tri were obtained through observation. The completely covered light and radial velocity (RV) curves of the binary system are presented. All times of light minima derived from both photoelectric and CCD photometry were used to calculate the orbital period and new ephemerides of the eclipsing system. The analysis of the O − C diagram reveals that the orbital period is 0.58520481 days, decreasing at a rate of dP/dt = −7.80 × 10−8 day yr−1. The mass transfer between the two components and the light-time-travel effect due to a third body could be used to explain the period decrease. However, a semi-detached configuration with the lower-mass component filling and the primary nearly filling each of their Roche lobes was derived from the synthesis of the light and RV curves by using the 2015 version of the Wilson–Devinney code. We consider the period decrease to be the nonconservative mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary and the mass loss of the system, which was thought to be an EB type, while it should be an EA type (semi-detached Algol-type) from our study. The masses, radii, and luminosities of the primary and secondary are 1.60 ± 0.07 M
⊙, 1.64 ± 0.02 R
⊙, and 14.14 ± 0.73 L
⊙ and 0.74 ± 0.02 M
⊙, 1.23 ± 0.02 R
⊙, and 1.65 ± 0.05 L
⊙, respectively.