bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Android Apps in EFL Classroom Environment: Improving Students’ Learning Outcomes in Translation
Authors: Andriani Refika , Kasriyati Destina
Published: April 2020

This research aimed at improving students’ learning outcome on translation by using android smartphone. The media is a kind of software namely Edmodo. This research was conducted from March to May at the fourth semester of English Department of Education and Teachers Training Faculty of Universitas Lancang Kuning, Academic Year 2017/2018. The method of this research was Classroom Action Research (CAR) with some stages: plan, action, observation, and reflection. The research was conducted in a cycle with four meetings and a test. The data was taken by using a test of translation in which the students had to translate a news item text about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Royal Wedding from English into bahasa Indonesia. After analysing the data, it is found that the students’ ability in translating the text from English into bahasa Indonesia was good. It is indicated that the students’ learning outcome on translation subject was improved.
Building Family’s Social Resilience through Batobo Culture: A community environment proposal
Authors: Maputra Yantri , Syafril Syafrimen , Wekke Ismail Suardi , Juli Sabiruddin , Anggreiny Nila , Sarry Septi Mayang , Engkizar
Published: April 2020

Building family resilience could be done by improving the quality of the family through group activities in the community environment. One of group activities in Minang society is called batobo. Batobo is one of activities of farmer groups in society that may have an impact on family resilience in, such as, economic, social and psychological aspects. This study aimed at seeing cultural values of batobo in building family's social resilience. A qualitative approach with descriptive phenomenology was used as a research methodology. Data were collected through group interviews to 2 batobo groups and in-depth interviews to 3 community leaders selected through purposive sampling technique. Furthermore, the data were analyzed qualitatively using Nvivo 10.0 software. The results showed that batobo cultural values obtained in building family's social resilience were; (i) social independence, (ii) strengthening contributions to the family, (iii) equality of life, and (iv) having open communication. The results of this study illustrated that the culture of batobo in Minang society could be used as an alternative to build family social resilience in the midst of society that had been starting to live individually.
Services and Participation in Public Hospital: Creating a Trusted Environment for Outpatient
Authors: Suroto Bambang , Hadiyati Hadiyati , Fatkhurahman Fatkhurahman
Published: April 2020

Public hospitals have become a spotlight for many layers of the society since the government has committed to provide them with good quality of health services. However, some emerging problems indicating the society’s dissatisfaction towards the government-owned hospitals has led to their low trust and confidence in using the health services. Some studies on the market distribution and the quality of hospital services have been conducted. However, this study focused more on the variables of services and patient participation in regards to building patient satisfaction and their impact towards patient trust. This study was conducted in the Regional Public Hospital of Arifin Ahmad in Pekanbaru by employing survey method involving 100 samples of the outpatients using the hospital health services. The data were accidentally collected through questionnaires and analyzed using SEM analytical instrument and WarpPLS software. The results of the study indicated that the hospital service and patient participation during the service have given a significant influence towards patient satisfaction. It was proven that patient satisfaction has significantly influenced patient trust towards public hospitals.
Learning Model Cooperative for Adiwiyata Purposes: Increasing knowledge in School Environment
Authors: Dinata Marta , Sembiring Al Khudri
Published: April 2020

Research was conducted to provide knowledge and understanding teachers able to conduct learning with learning model cooperative. The purpose of this research to increased knowledge about the importance of school management to adiwiyata in MTs. Ummi Fatima Rumbai pekanbaru. Research methodology this uses the approach descriptive through simulation, video, and demonstration. A subject in the event are all teacher and school principal MTs. ummi Fatimah rumbai Pekanbaru. Data collection use chief closed. Data analyzed by scale likert. The research can be concluded that the implementation of a movie simulation, and demonstration teachers MTs. ummi Fatimah can increase and increase information knowledge and understanding of adiwiyata to teachers about learning model cooperative this is proven of the value of chief pretest and postest increased, in pretest stating totally agree 68 % and 32 % disagree, in posstest said totally agree 82 % and 18 % disagree.
Accounting System Design for Riau Province Sports Assets: Measuring rent system and Environment
Authors: Salmiah Neneng , Oemar Fahmi , Farwitawati Reni
Published: April 2020

The study aimed at conducting an analysis towards the operation of Athlete Homestead for the National Sports Week in 2012 belonging to Riau Province. Regarding the Finance Operation System in the form of Sub-district Development Program-Regional Public Service Agency (PPK BLUD), the researcher designed the Accounting System for the Regional Public Service Agency of the Rental Flats and Sports Venue. The data analysis in this study used the descriptive qualitative method by describing the accounting system design for the operation of Rental Flats and Sports Venue through the Sub-district Development Program-Regional Public Service Agency (PPK BLUD) with the procedure comprising: designing the rent system and procedure of the Rental Flats and Sports Venue, designing the system of cash management from the rent income, implementing focused-group discussion with the related parties and the government, working on the policy improvement draft for the operation of the Rental Flats and Sports Venue belonging to Riau Province. Based on the result of the study and discussion, it can be concluded that in order to improve the effectiveness of the service and operation of Rental Flats and Sports Venue with sound business practice, it is necessary to implement the Finance Operation System in the form of Sub-district Development Program-Regional Public Service Agency (PPK BLUD). The design system of the Sub-district Development Program-Regional Public Service Agency (PPK BLUD) comprising the organization chart, the transaction proof document, and the financial management procedure.
Exploring Performance and Traceability Environment on Dept. of Housing Settlement and Lands
Authors: Yuslaini Yuslaini , Supeno Bambang
Published: April 2020

The aims of this present study try to explore and reveal the performance and traceability environment i.e., motivation, leadership and job satisfaction on Department of Housing Settlement and Lands in Riau Province. This study conducted in October 2017 until December 2017 involving all the 91 civil servants in the department as it employs the total sampling technique excluding the head of the department. This descriptive analysis study employ, validity and reliability testing, linear regression test, classical assumption test, normality test, autocorrelation test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test, linearity test, and autocorrelation test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test, and hypothesis testing, namely t, Test F and test coefficient of determination. The series of the test were considered needed to ensure this study can answer the research questions. The analysis showing an interesting result was Sub Structure 1 shows directly motivation (X1) and leadership (X2) job satisfaction (X3) has a significant positive effect on employee performance (Y1).
Company Value on Corporate Social Responsibility: Moderating Variable on Society Environment
Authors: Mela Nanda Fito , Putra Adhitya Agri
Published: April 2020

This research examined on Managerial Ownership affect to the Company's Value; Does Constitutional Ownership effect to the value of the company; Does leverage impact to the value of the company; Does Profitability affect the value of the company; Whether Corporate Social Responsibility can moderate the influence of Company Size on Company Value; Can Corporate Social Responsibility moderate the influence of Managerial Ownership on Company Value; Can Corporate Social Responsibility moderate the influence of Institutional Ownership on Company Value; Can Corporate Social Responsibility moderate the influence of leverage on corporate value; Whether Corporate Social Responsibility can moderate the influence of Capital Intensity on Company Value; Whether Corporate Social Responsibility can moderate the influence of Profitability on Company Value. The sample of this study is 29 mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The data analysis tool uses multiple linear regression analysis assisted by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer program. The results of this study are size of company, institutional ownership, and profitability do not have an influence on firm value, managerial ownership and capital structure have an influence on firm value, corporate social responsibility as moderating variables can strengthen the influence of company size, managerial ownership, and institutional ownership on value company, corporate social responsibility as moderating variable is not able to moderate the influence of capital structure and profitability on firm value.
Raising Water and River Sustainability Issues: An Effort to Preserve the Nature through Children’s Stories
Authors: Sri Lestari Nanny
Published: April 2020

Indonesian have many various tradition ways to preserve and protect the nature around them. One of the ways is by telling stories which brings a message of nature sustainability. Ancestors passed the message, moral lesson and the issues of the environment through generations from time to time through a tradition of oral story. Giving moral lessons in environmental issues in the pass was usually done by telling fairy tales of particular objects, i.e., of water and rivers due to its essential to human life sustainability. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the important role and function of water and rivers that are passed using fairy tales to preserve the natural environment around humans. The exploration and analysis at first glance from this present study found that the fairy tales are very simple for them however it contains a lot of, messages, moral lessons and issues of environmental sustainability. It served as a carrier of a moral message to maintain, conserve and preserve the natural environment in which they live. This result of this study also showed that teachings about moral and messages of environmental issues had been known for a long time in Javanese tradition.
Proposing a Healthy Environment for Elderly People with Hypertension: Taichi gymnastic against blood pressure
Authors: Nasrullah Dede , Aisyah Siti , Fitri Azkiyatul
Published: April 2020

Hypertension is a problem which is often undergone by elderly people and become an important factor caused heart trouble. Hypertension prevalence is 32.4%, and in the place of this study, hypertension prevalence numbers 50 from 80 elderly people. The design of this study used was quasi experimental non equivalent control group design. The populations were all of elderly people with hypertension as much as 50 elderly people, the samples were 46 elderly people, who was divided into experimental and control groups, each of them were 23 elderly people. The data were obtained through observation analyzed with Wilcoxon signed ranks test, whereas to understand the difference between before after Tai Chi gymnastics used Mann Whitney test. The result of analysis with Wilcoxon signed ranks test was p=0,000 < α=0.05 which meant that there is the effect of Tai Chi gymnastics towards the decrease of blood pressure, while by using Mann Whitney test was gained p=0,016 < α=0.05, that there was the difference between before and after Tai Chi gymnastics. From the result of the study, it proved that Tai Chi gymnastics can lower the blood pressure if it was undertook three times a week to elderly people with hypertension.
Evaluation of Probabilistic Slope Stability Due to Updating of Indonesia Seismic Hazard Maps
Authors: Hutama Dio Alif , Farichah Himatul
Published: April 2020

This paper presents an evaluation of probabilistic slope stability due to updating of Indonesia seismic hazard maps from 2010 to 2017 edition. The evaluation is conducted by presenting case study to compare the probability of failure of slope which subjected to seismic load determined from those seismic hazard maps. At first, simple slope models are built and the horizontal seismic coefficients are selected. Then, the probabilistic slope stability analysis is conducted using Monte Carlo simulation in LEM-based software so called Rocscience Slide 6.0. The simulation results indicate that the revision of Indonesia seismic hazard maps causes increasing of probability of failure of slope in the study area. These results show that the slope models become more prone to failure subjected to seismic load obtained from the seismic hazard maps.
Beyond Salt Industries and Environment in Sumenep: Effective Partnership for People Welfare
Authors: Fatmawati  , Kurdi Moh.
Published: April 2020

This study aims at describing how a pattern relationship with the People's Business Group Garam Garam Cooperative in Sumenep and Knowing pole effective partnership for the salt business folk groups and cooperatives in order to improve welfare salt business group, This study was conducted in Sumenep, the data collected and obtained from interviews with cooperatives in Sumenep, and the Department of Marine and Fisheries and the salt farmers population consisted of 60 respondents. Data analyzed using Qualitative Descriptive Analysis. The results showed that the partnership between the People's Salt Business Group (KUGAR) and Cooperative salt is not effective, so it is necessary to apply a partnership intermediary consisting of three parties partnership that large traders, cooperatives and farmers salt.
Bayesian Hierachical Clustering for Bidikmisi Environment: Results of successful and unsuccessful scholarship cluster
Authors: Suryaningtyas W , Iriawan N , Kuswanto H , Zain I
Published: April 2020

This research focuses on conducting Bidikmisi data clusters. Group analysis or cluster analysis is one of the multivariate techniques used with the aim of classifying an observation that has certain characteristics. This analysis groups observations into a group so that in one group there are similarities or homogeneity with each other. In contrast, intergroup is expected to have differences or heterogeneity. The clustering process uses the Bayesian Hierachical Clustering (BHC) approach, aiming to present a complete taxonomy of grouping evaluation measurements that will be used for empirical studies.
The Correlation Between CBR (California Bearing Ratio) and UCS (Unconfined Compression Strength) Laterite Soils in Palangka Raya as Heap Material
Authors: Saputra Norseta Ajie , Putra Rizky
Published: April 2020

In road construction activities, the use of soil as heap material is commonly practiced. Soils are heaping above soft soils aiming to increase the carrying capacity of the soft soils layer. The parameters for reference are the CBR (California Bearing Ratio) and UCS (Unconfined Compression Strength) scores. But, the test of CBR and UCS takes a long time in the process. Therefore, an approach is needed to obtain the score of CBR and UCS. Then by find out one of the parameters score, will also find out the others parameter scores. Aim to obtain the correlation between CBR and UCS scores, firstly, need to perform test in laboratory. The test conducted to soil samples from Tangkiling village, Bukit Batu district, Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan Province. The results showed that the correlation between UCS and CBR scores were, UCS = 0.2416, CBR – 1.2389, with R score was 0.9193. This data showed a very high correlation between UCS and CBR.
Technology Era, Global English, CLIL: Influence and its Impact on English Teaching for Young Learners in Indonesia
Authors: Lestari Sri , Setiyawan Radius
Published: April 2020

The field of English teaching is a complex domain. The issues of English in the world affect all aspects. These issues are related to the emergence of technology, the existence of English as a global language, and the introduction of CLIL. The practice of teaching English especially for young learners cannot be separated from those issues. The English teaching practices discussed in the article cover aspects of instruction ranging from the level of language knowledge (such as grammar and vocabulary) to the comprehension of language proficiency (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). This article discusses how these issues have a good effect on the macro or micro level in the field of English language teaching. The method used in this study was a qualitative descriptive. The data collection technique was conducted by using literature review and observation. Macro level was related to the influence of technology on the teaching policy of English in the world and a country. Meanwhile, the micro level discusses the use of technology in teaching and learning activities in the classroom. In addition, this article will also discuss the extent to which issues affect the English class in Indonesia and how they are followed up.
The Use of Information Technology among Journalists in Madura: WhatsApp applications
Authors: Aziz Abd , Wardi Moh. , Ismail
Published: April 2020

The discovery of the internet by American professor Leonard Kleinrock in the 1960s had a major driver in the world of communication and information, the cause of the development of communication, both in the form of correspondence, and digital applications in the form of short messages from cell phones. Communication applications on this technology only in the form of short messages (SMS), but in the end also find data-based applications, namely blacberry messenger whatsapp, to various types of messenger on other social media, such as facebook and twitter. This study aims to find out what applications are done by mediamadura.com in communicating media coverage and agenda by using qualitative methods using phenomenology. Generate highly effective applications in communicating the performance of journalists at mediamadura.com, as this app can not only send information but also images or photos, including video content for media content. Even the editor of mediamadura.com also sends the media coverage agenda through whatsapp, and utilizes the app to hold daily meetings, between editors and journalists.
Maintain Sustainable Development Environment: Exports of Crude Petroleum, Coal, Natural Gas and Gross Domestic Product in Indonesia
Authors: Sujianto Agus Eko , Mashudi
Published: April 2020

The utilization of crude petroleum, coal and natural gas becomes an interesting topic because it does not only imply the national sustainable development goals (SDGs) but also becomes a source of state revenue in the form of exports to finance the state budget (in Indonesian, APBN), as in Indonesia. The objectives of the research are: (1) to examine the contribution of crude petroleum export value to GDP; (2) to examine the contribution of coal export value to GDP and (3) to examine the contribution of natural gas export value to Indonesia's GDP. This study uses quantitative approach under the type of associative research. The main data source of the study used in this research is secondary data published annually by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1981-2014. To test the contribution of independent variable to the dependent variable, multiple linear regression analysis tools is used based on the value of Standardized Coefficients Beta. The results showed that with One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test, the data was normally distributed. The classical autocorrelation assumption test obtained the result of Durbin-Watson that was 1,275 so that there is no autocorrelation in the data. The VIF value of each independent variable was less than 10 with tolerance value bigger than 0.01 so it did not contain multicollinearity problems. Heteroskedasticity test using Spearman's rho obtained result that data free from assumption of heteroscedasticity. The Heteroskedasticity test using Spearman's rho resulted that the data was free from the assumption of heteroscedasticity. Meanwhile, the results of the hypothesis testing are: (1) there is a positive contribution of export value of crude petroleum to GDP, but not significant; (2) there is a positive and significant contribution of coal exports to GDP and (3) natural gas has an insignificant negative contribution to GDP. These results indicate that Indonesian coal has a comparative and competitive advantage, and the opportunity to meet the international market remains wide open. In contrast to crude petroleum, crude petroleum exporting countries incorporated in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) limit the amount of production to maintain international price stability.
Economic Environment Effect: Foreign Investment Variables, Exports and Dollar Exchange Rates
Authors: Hariyani Diyah Santi , Liliek Nur S , Rezawati Helda
Published: April 2020

The increase of foreign debt can be affected by inter-state trade in which there are foreign investment, exports, and imports. The value of foreign investment, exports, and imports of a country is affected by the dollar exchange rate. This study aims to test empirically the influence of foreign investment, exports and imports of foreign debt with the dollar exchange rate as an intervening variable. The data used in this study are secondary data which is available at Bank of Indonesia (BI), The Ministry of Finance, UNCTAD FDI / TNC database and BPS data from 1986 to 2017. The data analysis technique used is path analysis. Based on the results of the analysis, foreign investment variables, exports and dollar exchange rates do not directly affect foreign debt, but imports directly affect foreign debt. Dollar exchange rate as an intervening variable for export and import variables has an indirect influence on foreign debt in Indonesia in from 1986 to 2017, while foreign investment variable on foreign debt of dollar rate does not become an intervening variable.
Critical Philosophical Study on Policy in Educational Institution: Response to the global competitive environment
Authors: Sathasivan  , Dodi Limas
Published: April 2020

This article explores the development of compensation and rewards policies in educational institution. The global era with its systematized characteristics makes educational institutions have to reformulate how they should appreciate the performance of their employees. The performance of an organization or institution, including educational institution, always strongly associated with the welfare of its employees. Basically, educational institutions need the same stimulation as other institutions, especially in terms of financial administration. the concept of compensation and reward becomes an aspect that must be pursued because it can motivate employee performance to improve over time. However, it will always be associated with compensation and rewards given to them. This article compiled by using literature study of qualitative approach. This article will also be fitted with some discussion about the essence of compensation and rewards, the Islamic viewpoint of it, and the types of each, by reviewing some of literature on human resources. Providing adequate compensation and rewards will greatly help improve employee performance, even though the amount is not so large. However, the essence of providing compensation and the award is as a form of empathy shown by the management of the educational institution to its employees. Compensation and rewards management is absolutely necessary in order to maintain optimum performance of all members in an educational institution. The policies should be determined equally and wisely so that the performance of all parties are always in a good condition and it will surely increasing day after day. Therefore, the development of compensation and rewards policies must be carried out continuously.
Perspective of Constitutional Law: The Right of Inquiry of People’s Representative Environment
Authors: Fahmi Sudi
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this research is to examine the authority of the Parliament in the use of the right of inquiry according to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and to explore the legal consequences of the implementation of right of inquiry within Indonesian system. This normative legal research employs a qualitative approach, i.e. legislation, concept, historical, philosophy and case. The sources of legal material consist of primary, secondary and tertiary legal sources based on literature research. The descriptive analysis on the legal material is presented in interpretative, evaluative and argumentative analyses. The results of the research reveals the authority of People’s Representative Council, alternatively called the House of Representatives (DPR) uses the right of inquiry according to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia as part of carrying out the function of supervision and the balance of the executive power. The meaning of the right of inquiry of the DPR of the Republic of Indonesia as a form or an implementation of the supervisory function of other branches of power and in accordance with the principle of check and balance for the realization of balanced power. Furthermore, the legal consequences of the right of inquiry in Indonesia’s constitutional system can provide a reason for the DPR to deliver opinions about violations committed by the government or the President.
Increasing Sweet Corn Production: Fertilizing Zea Mays Saccharata, Sturt Context in Pekanbaru. Indonesia
Authors: Surtinah Surtinah
Published: April 2020

Sweet corn production in Pekanbaru is still low when compared with national production. This is due to environmental factors dominated by the Red Yellow Podsolik lands (PMK). The data were analyzed by qualitative descriptive by comparing between fertilized and untreated fertilizers and compared with descriptions of sweet corn yields that can be achieved. Fertilization in the cultivation of sweet corn proved to increase the yield of sweet corn in various regions. The soil for sweet corn cultivation in Pekanbaru should be given organic or inorganic fertilizers and organizer substances. The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers is recommended to be tested, this is related to the efficient use of inorganic fertilizers. Biological organic fertilizers are recommended to be tested on sweet corn cultivation in locations with PMK type of soil.
Electricity Used in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Negeri (MIN) 1 Pekanbaru: Saving or Wasteful Situation?
Authors: Halilintar Masnur Putera , Arlenny  , Kurniawan  , Zondra Elvira
Published: April 2020

This research was conducted at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Negeri I (MIN 1), a state Islamic elementary school in Pekanbaru. The school is located on Jalan Sumatra Pekanbaru. The school consists of 21 classrooms, one teacher’s room, one administration' room. 1 Principal's office, 1 Vice Principal room, and one emergency room. The buildings use electricity as the source of energy for daily activities, such as for lighting, computer, printers, scanners, water pump, air conditioners and many more. From the data of the research, the electricity is not become a problem for schools, because of the fewer uses of power in educational activities — the use of electrical energy only for lighting the classrooms if the weather not good. The electricity mostly used for office and administration activities such as for the computer, printers, air conditioning, and teaching activities. From the data and the electrical used by MIN 1 Pekanbaru are not too high.
Level Subgroup Homomorphism in Fuzzy Subgroup
Authors: Rahmawati Miftah Sigit , Kahar Muhammad Syahrul , Amri Irman , Soekarta Rendra
Published: April 2020

For all arbitrary set X with characteristic functions is known as fuzzy subsets. On group X, fuzzy subgroups can be formed appropriate with some axioms. In fuzzy subgroup there is sub set with some properties that known as level subgroups of fuzzy subgroup. This paper investigated the properties that exist on fuzzy subgroups. The properties associated with the image and pre-image homomorphism of fuzzy subgroups. Furthermore, investigated some properties associated with image and pre-image an level subgroup homomorphism on fuzzy subgroup
Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumors of the Ovary
Authors: Ye Yuhong , Lv Chengyu , Xu Songhua , Chen Yupeng , Qian Ru , Wang Pengcheng , Wang Shie
Published: April 2020

Objective

To explore the clinical and pathologic features of ovarian juvenile granulosa cell tumors (JGCTs).

Methods

Clinical data, histopathologic observations, immunohistochemical results, FOXL2 mutation status, and follow-up information of 7 JGCT cases were studied.

Results

The patients most commonly presented with abdominal distension and pain (5 cases), followed by precocious puberty (1 case) and a pelvic mass (1 case). Six patients had stage I disease, and 1 had stage IV disease. The microscopic examinations typically showed lobular growth punctuated by variably sized and shaped follicles. Rare features included a reticular-cystic appearance mimicking a yolk sac tumor (2 cases), a lobular appearance similar to a sclerosing stromal tumor (1 case), strands and cords (1 case), pseudopapillary appearance (2 cases), spindle cell appearance (1 case), microcystic appearance (1 case), hobnail cells (1 case), and rhabdomyoid cells (1 case). No FOXL2 mutation was encountered. After a median follow-up of 53 months, only 1 patient with a strongly diffuse TP53-positive tumor died of the disease, and 2 successfully had babies.

Conclusions

JGCT is a rare neoplasm with a wide morphologic spectrum and is easily confused with other tumors. Familiarity with the characteristics, rare atypical appearances, and immunohistochemical results may aid in obtaining a correct diagnosis.
Predicting the stability of mutant proteins by computational approaches: an overview
Authors: Marabotti Anna , Scafuri Bernardina , Facchiano Angelo
Published: April 2020

A very large number of computational methods to predict the change in thermodynamic stability of proteins due to mutations have been developed during the last 30 years, and many different web servers are currently available. Nevertheless, most of them suffer from severe drawbacks that decrease their general reliability and, consequently, their applicability to different goals such as protein engineering or the predictions of the effects of mutations in genetic diseases. In this review, we have summarized all the main approaches used to develop these tools, with a survey of the web servers currently available. Moreover, we have also reviewed the different assessments made during the years, in order to allow the reader to check directly the different performances of these tools, to select the one that best fits his/her needs, and to help naïve users in finding the best option for their needs.
Influence of Processing Pipeline on Cortical Thickness Measurement
Authors: Kharabian Masouleh Shahrzad , Eickhoff Simon B , Zeighami Yashar , Lewis Lindsay B , Dahnke Robert , Gaser Christian , Chouinard-Decorte Francois , Lepage Claude , Scholtens Lianne H , Hoffstaedter Felix , Glahn David C , Blangero John , Evans Alan C , Genon Sarah , Valk Sofie L
Published: April 2020

In recent years, replicability of neuroscientific findings, specifically those concerning correlates of morphological properties of gray matter (GM), have been subject of major scrutiny. Use of different processing pipelines and differences in their estimates of the macroscale GM may play an important role in this context. To address this issue, here, we investigated the cortical thickness estimates of three widely used pipelines. Based on analyses in two independent large-scale cohorts, we report high levels of within-pipeline reliability of the absolute cortical thickness-estimates and comparable spatial patterns of cortical thickness-estimates across all pipelines. Within each individual, absolute regional thickness differed between pipelines, indicating that in-vivo thickness measurements are only a proxy of actual thickness of the cortex, which shall only be compared within the same software package and thickness estimation technique. However, at group level, cortical thickness-estimates correlated strongly between pipelines, in most brain regions. The smallest between-pipeline correlations were observed in para-limbic areas and insula. These regions also demonstrated the highest interindividual variability and the lowest reliability of cortical thickness-estimates within each pipeline, suggesting that structural variations within these regions should be interpreted with caution.
Resistance-Conferring Mutations on Whole-Genome Sequencing of Fluoroquinolone-resistant and -Susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates: A Proposed Threshold for Identifying Resistance
Authors: Maruri Fernanda , Guo Yan , Blackman Amondrea , van der Heijden Yuri F , Rebeiro Peter F , Sterling Timothy R
Published: April 2020

Background

Fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is conferred by DNA gyrase mutations, but not all fluoroquinolone-resistant Mtb isolates have mutations detected. The optimal allele frequency threshold to identify resistance-conferring mutations by whole-genome sequencing is unknown.

Methods

Phenotypically ofloxacin-resistant and lineage-matched ofloxacin-susceptible Mtb isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing at an average coverage depth of 868 reads. Polymorphisms within the quinolone-resistance–determining region (QRDR) of gyrA and gyrB were identified. The allele frequency threshold using the Genome Analysis Toolkit pipeline was ~8%; allele-level data identified the predominant variant allele frequency and mutational burden (ie, sum of all variant allele frequencies in the QRDR) in gyrA, gyrB, and gyrA + gyrB for each isolate. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the optimal measure of allele frequency and potential thresholds for identifying phenotypically resistant isolates.

Results

Of 42 ofloxacin-resistant Mtb isolates, area under the ROC curve (AUC) was highest for predominant variant allele frequency, so that measure was used to evaluate optimal mutation detection thresholds. AUCs for 8%, 2.5%, and 0.8% thresholds were 0.8452, 0.9286, and 0.9069, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 69% and 100% for 8%, 86% and 100% for 2.5%, 91% and 91% for 0.8%. The sensitivity of the 2.5% and 0.8% thresholds were significantly higher than the 8% threshold (P = .016 and .004, respectively) but not significantly different between one another (P = .5).

Conclusions

A predominant mutation allele frequency threshold of 2.5% had the highest AUC for detecting DNA gyrase mutations that confer ofloxacin resistance, and was therefore the optimal threshold.
Urbanising climate justice: constructing scales and politicising difference
Authors: Goh Kian
Published: April 2020

Central debates in urban studies often appear to neglect the most urgent issues confronting cities and regions. Discourses on generalised urban processes, historical difference and planetary urbanisation rarely take, as a primary object of analysis, intertwined global climate change and urban change. Climate change is often considered generalised, affecting everyone everywhere. But its impacts are unevenly distributed and experienced. It links generalised processes and particular impacts and actions with implications for urban theory. This article builds on theories of multiscalar research and the politics of location to develop a conceptual framework of urban change through the lens of climate justice.
Technical Validity of a Customized Assay of Sensitivity to Endocrine Therapy Using Sections from Fixed Breast Cancer Tissue
Authors: Lau Rosanna , Du Lili , Chen Eveline , Fu Chunxiao , Gould Rebekah , Marczyk Michal , Sinn Bruno V , Layman Rachel , Bedrosian Isabelle , Valero Vicente , Symmans W Fraser
Published: April 2020

Background

We translated a multigene expression index to predict sensitivity to endocrine therapy for Stage II–III breast cancer (SET2,3) to hybridization-based expression assays of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections. Here we report the technical validity with FFPE samples, including preanalytical and analytical performance.

Methods

We calibrated SET2,3 from microarrays (Affymetrix U133A) of frozen samples to hybridization-based assays of FFPE tissue, using bead-based QuantiGene Plex (QGP) and slide-based NanoString (NS). The following preanalytical and analytical conditions were tested in controlled studies: replicates within and between frozen and fixed samples, age of paraffin blocks, homogenization of fixed sections versus extracted RNA, core biopsy versus surgically resected tumor, technical replicates, precision over 20 weeks, limiting dilution, linear range, and analytical sensitivity. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used to measure concordance between measurements.

Results

SET2,3 index was calibrated to use with QGP (CCC 0.94) and NS (CCC 0.93) technical platforms, and was validated in two cohorts of older fixed samples using QGP (CCC 0.72, 0.85) and NS (CCC 0.78, 0.78). QGP assay was concordant using direct homogenization of fixed sections versus purified RNA (CCC 0.97) and between core and surgical sample types (CCC 0.90), with 100% accuracy in technical replicates, 1–9% coefficient of variation over 20 weekly tests, linear range 3.0–11.5 (log2 counts), and analytical sensitivity ≥2.0 (log2 counts).

Conclusions

Measurement of the novel SET2,3 assay was technically valid from fixed tumor sections of biopsy or resection samples using simple, inexpensive, hybridization methods, without the need for RNA purification.
Can Consumers Distinguish Persistent from Transitory Income Shocks?
Authors: Druedahl Jeppe , Jørgensen Thomas H
Published: April 2020

The degree to which consumers can distinguish persistent from transitory income shocks is paramount for consumption-saving dynamics. In particular, even a small amount of imperfect information causes a severe bias in conventional estimators of the marginal propensity to consume. We provide a novel method that can identify consumers’ degree of information by using panel data on income and consumption, even allowing for measurement error. Employing our method to data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we find that households have almost perfect information. This robust result indicates that the conventional estimators of the marginal propensity to consume are on firm ground.
An autoantibody profile detects Brugada syndrome and identifies abnormally expressed myocardial proteins
Authors: Chatterjee Diptendu , Pieroni Maurizio , Fatah Meena , Charpentier Flavien , Cunningham Kristopher S , Spears Danna A , Chatterjee Dipashree , Suna Gonca , Bos J Martjin , Ackerman Michael J , Schulze-Bahr Eric , Dittmann Sven , Notarstefano Pasquale G , Bolognese Leonardo , Duru Firat , Saguner Ardan M , Hamilton Robert M
Published: April 2020

Aims

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is characterized by a unique electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and life-threatening arrhythmias. However, the Type 1 Brugada ECG pattern is often transient, and a genetic cause is only identified in <25% of patients. We sought to identify an additional biomarker for this rare condition. As myocardial inflammation may be present in BrS, we evaluated whether myocardial autoantibodies can be detected in these patients.

Methods and results

For antibody (Ab) discovery, normal human ventricular myocardial proteins were solubilized and separated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and molecular weight on two-dimensional (2D) gels and used to discover Abs by plating with sera from patients with BrS and control subjects. Target proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Brugada syndrome subjects were defined based on a consensus clinical scoring system. We assessed discovery and validation cohorts by 2D gels, western blots, and ELISA. We performed immunohistochemistry on myocardium from BrS subjects (vs. control). All (3/3) 2D gels exposed to sera from BrS patients demonstrated specific Abs to four proteins, confirmed by MS to be α-cardiac actin, α-skeletal actin, keratin, and connexin-43, vs. 0/8 control subjects. All (18/18) BrS subjects from our validation cohorts demonstrated the same Abs, confirmed by western blots, vs. 0/24 additional controls. ELISA optical densities for all Abs were elevated in all BrS subjects compared to controls. In myocardium obtained from BrS subjects, each protein, as well as SCN5A, demonstrated abnormal protein expression in aggregates.

Conclusion

A biomarker profile of autoantibodies against four cardiac proteins, namely α-cardiac actin, α-skeletal actin, keratin, and connexin-43, can be identified from sera of BrS patients and is highly sensitive and specific, irrespective of genetic cause for BrS. The four involved proteins, along with the SCN5A-encoded Nav1.5 alpha subunit are expressed abnormally in the myocardium of patients with BrS.
A refined slip distribution of the 2013 Mw 6.7 Lushan, China earthquake constrained by GPS and levelling data
Authors: Chen Yunguo , Ding Kaihua , Wang Qi , He Ping , Li Shuiping , Qiao Xuejun
Published: April 2020

The 2013 Lushan Mw 6.7 earthquake is the largest blind thrust event ever occurred on the southern segment of the Longmen Shan fault system. It has attracted extensive attention since it occurred 5 yr later following the 2008 Mw 7.8 Wenchuan destructive earthquake in this region. However, its slip distribution is still on debate due to the complex tectonic settings and limited near-field observations. In this study, we added some near-field GPS data, together with previously published GPS data and levelling data, and take consideration of possible coseismic and post-seismic effects caused by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, to construct a more accurate horizontal and vertical coseismic surface displacement field associated with the 2013 Lushan earthquake with a better spatial coverage. Then we invert for a refined slip distribution based on a flat-ramp-flat fault suggested by the relocated aftershock sequence and seismic imaging. Our preferred fault plane is striking southwest with 211° and dipping at varying angles of 4°, 35° and 12° separately for such a flat-ramp-flat geometry. The main rupture is roughly characterized by two asperities, including a round disk on the ramp with larger slips and an adjoining oval asperity on the shallow flat with smaller slips. The maximum slip is 1.2 m at 14.3 km focal depth, located at ∼20 km to the northwest of the GCMT epicentre. The released geodetic moment is 1.50 $\ \times $ 1019 Nm, equivalent to a Mw 6.7 earthquake. The slips on the fault plane clearly illustrate that this event is dominated by the thrusting and minor striking, which is consistent with its tectonic settings. Furthermore, if we assume the 2013 Mw 6.7 Lushan event to be the characteristic earthquake on the southern section of the Longmen Shan thrust zone, the accumulated strain should not be fully released by this strong event, and a potential seismic risk still exists in this region.
An affinity chromatography and glycoproteomics workflow to profile the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans that interact with malarial VAR2CSA in the placenta and in cancer
Authors: Toledo Alejandro Gómez , Pihl Jessica , Spliid Charlotte B , Persson Andrea , Nilsson Jonas , Pereira Marina Ayres , Gustavsson Tobias , Choudhary Swati , Zarni Oo Htoo , Black Peter C , Daugaard Mads , Esko Jeffrey D , Larson Göran , Salanti Ali , Clausen Thomas Mandel
Published: April 2020

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is the placental receptor for the VAR2CSA malaria protein, expressed at the surface of infected erythrocytes during Plasmodium falciparum infection. Infected cells adhere to syncytiotrophoblasts or get trapped within the intervillous space by binding to a determinant in a 4-O-sulfated CS chains. However, the exact structure of these glycan sequences remains unclear. VAR2CSA-reactive CS is also expressed by tumor cells, making it an attractive target for cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. The identities of the proteoglycans carrying these modifications in placental and cancer tissues remain poorly characterized. This information is clinically relevant since presentation of the glycan chains may be mediated by novel core proteins or by a limited subset of established proteoglycans. To address this question, VAR2CSA-binding proteoglycans were affinity-purified from the human placenta, tumor tissues and cancer cells and analyzed through a specialized glycoproteomics workflow. We show that VAR2CSA-reactive CS chains associate with a heterogenous group of proteoglycans, including novel core proteins. Additionally, this work demonstrates how affinity purification in combination with glycoproteomics analysis can facilitate the characterization of CSPGs with distinct CS epitopes. A similar workflow can be applied to investigate the interaction of CSPGs with other CS binding lectins as well.
Hearing in 3D: Directional Auditory Sensitivity of Northern Saw-Whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus)
Authors: de Koning Megan , Beatini Julia R , Proudfoot Glenn A , Gall Megan D
Published: April 2020

Northern saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus) are nocturnal predators that are able to acoustically localize prey with great accuracy; an ability that is attributed to their unique asymmetrical ear structure. While a great deal of research has focused on open loop sound localization prior to flight in owls (primarily barn owls), directional sensitivity of the ears may also be important in locating moving prey on the wing. Furthermore, directionally sensitive ears may also reduce the effects of masking noise, either from the owls’ wings during flight or environmental noise (e.g., wind and leaf rustling), by enhancing spatial segregation of target sounds and noise sources. Here, we investigated auditory processing of Northern saw-whet owls in three-dimensional space using auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). We simultaneously evoked auditory responses in two channels (right and left ear) with broadband clicks from a sound source that could be manipulated in space. Responses were evoked from 66 spatial locations, separated by 30° increments in both azimuth and elevation. We found that Northern saw-whet owls had increased sensitivity to sound sources directly in front of and above their beaks and decreased sensitivity to sound sources below and behind their heads. The spatial region of highest sensitivity extends from the lower beak to the crown of the head and 30° left or right of the median plane, dropping off beyond those margins. Directional sensitivity is undoubtedly useful during foraging and predator evasion, and may also reduce the effect of masking noise from the wings during flight due to the spatial segregation of the noise and targets of interest.
A PDE model for bleb formation and interaction with linker proteins
Authors: Werner Philipp , Burger Martin , Pietschmann Jan-Frederik
Published: April 2020

The aim of this paper is to further develop mathematical models for bleb formation in cells, including cell membrane interactions with linker proteins. This leads to nonlinear reaction–diffusion equations on a surface coupled to fluid dynamics in the bulk. We provide a detailed mathematical analysis and investigate some singular limits of the model, connecting it to previous literature. Moreover, we provide numerical simulations in different scenarios, confirming that the model can reproduce experimental results on bleb initiation.