bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alexandrite laser on-peak pumped by a frequency doubled Raman Yb-fiber laser at 589 nm
Authors: Guan Chen , Liu Zhaojun , Cong Zhenhua , Wang Shiwu , Nie Yi , Zhang Lei , Zhu Zhen , Qi Yunxuan , Zhang Xingyu , Zhao Zhigang
Published: April 2020

An Alexandrite laser on-peak pumped by a frequency doubled Raman Yb-fiber laser at 589 nm, which matches well with the absorption peak of Alexandrite crystal along b-axis, is demonstrated for the first time. With a pump power of 7.7 W, a maximum average output power of 2.51 W at 755 nm was achieved, with a beam quality factor better than 1.25. The slope efficiency was 41%, which is not the highest but moderate due to the experimentally confirmed high roundtrip loss of 2.3% resulting from the imperfect crystal coating quality and crystal quality. In addition, wide wavelength tuning from 727.2 nm to 787.3 nm was demonstrated by employing a 1 mm thick single plate birefringent filter (BRF). With the help of a 6 mm thick BRF, dual-wavelength operation was achieved at 755.2 nm and 764.2 nm, with a maximum average output power of 1.8 W. It is believed that much higher power Alexandrite laser with high beam quality and high efficiency could be expected considering the fact that 100-W level 589 nm laser is available now.
Rising Incidence of Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults Corresponds With Increasing Surgical Resections in Obese Patients
Authors: Hussan Hisham , Patel Arsheya , Le Roux Melissa , Cruz-Monserrate Zobeida , Porter Kyle , Clinton Steven K. , Carethers John M. , Courneya Kerry S.
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVES:

Strong evidence links obesity to esophageal cancer (EC), gastric cancer (GC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and pancreatic cancer (PC). However, national-level studies testing the link between obesity and recent temporal trends in the incidence of these cancers are lacking.

METHODS:

We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) to identify the incidence of EC, GC, CRC, and PC. Cancer surgeries stratified by obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). We quantified trends in cancer incidence and resections in 2002–2013, across age groups, using the average annual percent change (AAPC).

RESULTS:

The incidence of CRC and GC increased in the 20–49 year age group (AAPC +1.5% and +0.7%, respectively, P < 0.001) and across all ages for PC. Conversely, the incidence of CRC and GC decreased in patients 50 years or older and all adults for EC. According to the NIS, the number of patients with obesity undergoing CRC resections increased in all ages (highest AAPC was +15.3% in the 18–49 year age group with rectal cancer, P = 0.047). This trend was opposite to a general decrease in nonobese patients undergoing CRC resections. Furthermore, EC, GC, and PC resections only increased in adults 50 years or older with obesity.

DISCUSSION:

Despite a temporal rise in young-onset CRC, GC, and PC, we only identify a corresponding increase in young adults with obesity undergoing CRC resections. These data support a hypothesis that the early onset of obesity may be shifting the risk of CRC to a younger age.
Optimization of Bio-oil Production from Empty Palm Fruit Bunches by Pyrolysis using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Kusworo Tutuk Djoko , Pratama Bayu Aji , Safira Dhea Putri
Published: April 2020

The need for fuel oil continues to increase in line with the increasing number of human populations and the growth rate of dependence on fuel oil. Bio-oil is a condensed-liquid mixture that results from the thermal derivation of biomass containing hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose. This research developed an optimization of the operation condition of bio-oil from empty palm fruit bunches (OPEFB) using a modified pyrolysis reactor. The temperature and mass of empty palm fruit bunches were the two parameters considered in this study. Optimization was carried out on process parameters using the surface response methodology (RSM) and variance analysis (ANOVA). The significance of the different parameters and the effect of the relationship between parameters on the bio-oil yield is determined using a full factorial central composite design. The optimal operation condition of pyrolysis was found to be 570.71 oC, and the mass of empty palm fruit bunch 420.71 gr. Predictions from the optimum variable of operating conditions produce a bio-oil yield of 5.58%. The actual bio-oil yield on the optimum condition that was be validated is 5.6 %. The chemical composition of bio-oil obtained was evaluated by GCMS to ensure its characterization as a fuel.Keywords: Empty palm fruit bunches, Bio-oil, Pyrolysis, Response Surface Methodology, Optimization
Response Surface Approach for Optimization of Protein Hydrolysis from Reutealis trisperma Cake as Potential Animal Feedstock
Authors: Agustin Yuana Elly , Riadi Lieke - , Utami Titie Prapti
Published: April 2020

The conditions for protein hydrolysis were optimized to prepare Reutealis trisperma cake for potential animal feedstock. The cake’s content was 34.03 % protein, 6.32 % moisture, 18.56 % total sugar, 15.58 % lipid and 25.51% others. Other components in cake could be fibre and lignin. The cake is a byproduct of mechanical pressing process of the seeds and contains high protein content (34.03%). It was ground prior the hydrolysis process. A central composite design including concentration of NaOH, ratio of cake to NaOH, time and temperature were used to develop second order model to predict protein content under various experimental conditions. Protein yield was primarily affected by ratio pressed cake to NaOH and concentration of NaOH. Based on the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) model, maximum yield of protein was 11.33% which was obtained at cake/solvent ratio 1: 50; 1.5 % w/v NaOH; 15 minutes of hydrolysis at 40oC. The actual maximum protein yield from the experiment was obtained at cake/solvent ratio 1: 40; 1.5 % w/v NaOH; 20 minutes of hydrolysis at 45oC which was 21.28 %.Keywords: animal feedstock; protein hydrolysis; response surface; Reutealis trisperma
The Effects of Operational Conditions in Scaling Up of Xylanase Enzyme Production for Xylitol Production
Authors: Meilany Diah , Anugeraheni Dewinka , Aziz Abdul , Kresnowati Made Tri Ari Penia , Setiadi Tjandra
Published: April 2020

The biological route to produce xylitol from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFBs) comprises of EFBs pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and downstream separation of the produced xylitol. Due to the specificity in the hemicellulose composition of EFBs, a xylanase enzyme that has a high affinity to EFBs is required to hydrolyze the EFBs into xylose. In this research, the influences of aeration, humidity, and mixing in xylanase production were mapped. The xylanase production was performed by Aspergillus fumigatus ITBCCL170 in a solid-state fermentation using a tray fermenter with EFBs as the substrate. The optimal configuration was further scaled up into xylanase production using 1000 g of EFBs as the substrate. The results showed that the highest enzyme activity was 236.3 U/g EFB, obtained from the use of humid air airflow of 0.1 LPM, and mixing was performed once a day. The scaling up resulted in a lower xylanase activity and call for a better design of the fermenter.Keywords: aeration, humidity, mixing, OPEFBs, tray fermenter, xylanase, xylitol
Characterization of Antimicrobial Edible Films with Single and Double Emulsions from Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Oil
Authors: Natania Kam , Setiawan Giovani Fransisca
Published: April 2020

Clove oil as a potent antimicrobial agent was added to enhance the properties of edible films. Clove oil was converted to single and double emulsion emulsions for homogenous dispersion in a starch based edible film suspension. Double emulsion was made with two steps emulsification with CaCl2 as inner water phase and guar gum as outer water phase. Single emulsion was prepared similarly without inner water phase. The physico-chemical characteristics and the antimicrobial activity of the of starch-based edible film added with the emulsion were observed. MBC/MFC of clove oil was determined against E. coli, S. aureus, R. stolonifer, and A. niger which gives value of 1.95, 1.46, 0.52, and 0.35 mg/ml respectively.  Incorporation of different emulsions on starch-based edible films affect the properties of resulting edible films by increasing thickness, opacity, elongation at break, water vapor transmission rate, and swelling index. Both emulsions showed comparable physicochemical characteristics such as thickness, WVTR, and swelling index value. However, double emulsion produced more superior edible films in terms of tensile strength and antimicrobial activity. 15% addition of double emulsion were able to show strong antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone of more than 8.0 mm for E. coli and 24.0 mm for R. stolonifer.Keywords: clove oil; edible film; single and double emulsion
Intrarater Reliability and Agreement of Recommended Performance-Based Tests and Common Muscle Function Tests in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Holm Pætur Mikal , Nyberg Mette , Wernbom Mathias , Schrøder Henrik Morville , Skou Søren Thorgaard
Published: April 2020

Background and Purpose:

Some uncertainty persists regarding the reproducibility of the recommended core set of performance-based tests, as well as common muscle function tests, when applied in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the intrarater reliability and agreement of the recommended core set of performance-based tests and common muscle function tests in KOA.

Methods:

Participants (N=40) with radiographic and/or symptomatic KOA were evaluated twice with a 3-day interval between test sessions using the following tests: Leg extensor (LE) maximal muscle power measured in a Nottingham Power Rig; knee extensor (KE) peak isometric strength measured with a handheld dynamometer; 40-m walk test; 30-second chair-stand test; and 9-step stair climb test. Reliability was assessed using a 2-way, mixed-effects, single-measures model (3,1), absolute agreement-type intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement was assessed using 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and LOA relative to the mean score from test and retest (LOA-%).

Results:

Reliability for all tests was very high (ICC ≥ 0.97). LOA (LOA-%) was ±32.3 watt (W) (±22%) for LE power; ±22.7 N·m (±24%) for KE strength; ±0.2 m/s (±10%) for 40-m walk test; ±2.4 repetitions (±14%) for 30-second chair-stand test; and ±2 second (±20%) for stair climb test. A potential participant learning effect was found for all 3 performance-based tests, indicated by the significantly better scores at retest.

Discussion:

The very high reliability found for the performance-based tests supports findings from previous studies and confirms discriminate reliability of these tests on a group level. Also, very high reliability estimates were demonstrated for both muscle function tests. This study also provided estimates of agreement for both performance-based and muscle function tests, which are important to consider when using these tests on an individual level in clinical practice.

Conclusion:

When using these tests to monitor changes over time in the clinic, depending on the test, improvements of less than 10% to 24% could be a result of measurement error alone and therefore may not be considered an actual improvement after treatment.
Developing a Strength and Conditioning Technical Framework: An Example From a Canoe Slalom National Performance Program
Authors: Rawlley-Singh Ishan , King Ryan
Published: April 2020

Canoe slalom requires technical ability, well-developed energetics, a high level of maximum force production, and range of movement to perform a variety of complex paddle stokes, while maneuvering through a challenging whitewater course. The strength and conditioning (S&C) coach should provide strategic direction across a network or department including S&C coaches working toward identified outcomes and measures. S&C coaches should collaborate with a multidisciplinary support team (i.e., sport coaches, physiotherapists, physiologists, etc.) to develop a technical framework. The technical framework may allow for development of training strategies that provide a clear breakdown of the outcomes, adaptations, exercises, and testing methods. The current article articulates this process related to a canoe slalom national performance program.
Experimental Response of Nonwoven Waste Cellulose Fabric–Reinforced Epoxy Composites for High Toughness and Coating Applications
Authors: Rastogi Shweta , Verma Akarsh , Singh V. K.
Published: April 2020

In this article, the authors have fabricated (using the manual hand lay-up method) and characterized in detail the nonwoven waste cellulose fabric (with varying weight percentages of 0, 7, 9, and 11) reinforced epoxy resin composites. The methodology to develop in conjunction with various physical (density, water absorption, and thickness swelling), mechanical (tensile, compression, flexural, hardness, and impact), thermal (differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and derivative thermogravimetric analysis), morphological (scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction), and electrical characterization tests were performed to give complete insight into the mechanics of epoxy fabric laminates. It was predicted from these tests that with an increasing weight percentage of fabric, most of the mechanical properties improved and were complemented through the microstructural morphological tests. Enhanced mechanical strength and thermal stability of the developed composite (relative to the neat epoxy resin) pave its way for high toughness and coating applications in various engineering fields.
Representation as Responsiveness in China
Authors: Wang Zhongyuan , Liu Jianjun
Published: April 2020

Studies of political representation have focused on responsiveness driven by electoral mechanisms in liberal-democratic regimes. In a single-party system like China’s, how does the government respond to citizens’ service requests? Whose and what interests are being represented in governmental responsiveness, and to what extent? This article explores these questions through the lens of “representation as responsiveness” by analyzing an exclusive data set from the city public service hotline in Shanghai. Data analyses show that Chinese municipalities have good responsiveness to citizens’ practical concerns, and the quality of responsive representation has been improving in recent years. However, some groups of residents tend to be underserved for multiple reasons. This article argues that a responsive model of authoritarian representation will become a significant source of resilience for the party regime.
The Woman of Tomorrow
Authors: Ramirez Pablo A.
Published: April 2020

Pablo A. Ramirez, “The Woman of Tomorrow: Gertrude Atherton and the Latina Foremother of the Californian New Woman” (pp. 502–534)

Throughout the 1890s, Gertrude Atherton employs the figure of the aristocratic Californiana (Mexican Californian woman) to extend classical liberalism’s economic model of individualism to include women. By joining the aristocratic Californiana with American liberalism, Atherton transforms California’s history of capitalist development into a romance in which the creation of new markets generates not only profits, but the New Woman as well. In Atherton’s stories of Alta California, which I call “tales of romantic liberalism,” the history and evolution of California and the New Woman is narrated through the promises (or contracts) that a Californiana character makes and the obligations she accepts or rejects. The Californiana in The Doomswoman (1893) and Before the Gringo Came (1894) becomes the foundation for the New Woman, whose personal development and advancement promises to perfect liberal capitalism through her consensual romantic unions. As the decade drew to a close and the war with Spain became imminent, however, one can see in Atherton’s The Californians (1898) her growing fear that the massification of politics and culture imperiled not only liberal capitalism and democracy, but the evolution of women’s individuality as well. As a result, the evolution of the Californiana character is no longer reliant on a union with a capitalist contractarian partner but on the reaffirmation of her aristocratic individualism. Through her Californiana heroines, Atherton engages the Californio past in order to imagine the evolution of women’s individuality as the United States undergoes a shift from classical liberalism to modern liberalism and from republic to overseas empire.
La sémiotique poétique de Gytis Norvilas
Authors: Nastopka Kęstutis
Published: April 2020

Cet article traite des stratégies génératives de signification utilisées dans le recueil de poésie Išlydžių zonos (Les zones des fulgurations) de Gytis Norvilas. Dans ce livre, les images de la réalité empirique se transforment en figures de la réalité mentale. Tout comme Stéphane Mallarmé, l'auteur du recueil nie l'illusion que l'expression externe de l'individu cache l'intériorité profonde. Son point de départ est une conception alternative du zéro en tant que vide et du zéro orienté vers l'infini.Dans le recueil en question, les poèmes alternent avec des formations graphiques composées d'images et d'inscriptions. Dans le poème « autoportrait », la figure d'un homme-vélo est construite de roues de vélo, d’une chaîne de bicyclette démontée et d’une béquille cassée. La figure d'un escargot avec l'inscription « abbaye vignoble » et les paroles « moi nu 0 » inscrites sur la coquille de l'escargot correspondent aux configurations plastiques du vélo. Dans le poème « radiographie », l'image graphique fait penser à la symétrie d'une épreuve radiographique du torse. Dans le plan verbal, on développe l'opposition entre la vie et la mort, la statique et la dynamique, l'eau et le feu, le haut et le bas.Le chapitre intitulé « géographie des corps » porte sur les relations actantielles entre l'homme et la femme. On fait ressortir trois aspects de la passion de l'amour : le désir, la jalousie et la béatitude.De même que dans les croyances anciennes lithuaniennes, dans la mythologie poétique de Norvilas le terme marqué est l'eau qui signifie aussi bien la mort que la résurrection. C'est le regard d'un enfant qui renvoie au temps des origines des mythes. Dans le poème « abattoir Nº XX : près de Krekenava, janvier » l'enfant, confronté au carnage massif du bétail, qu'on localise dans l'enfer, fait ses adieux à l'enfance. L'auteur transforme aussi les mythes contemporains du sport.La dimension polémique de l'énonciation est accentuée grâce à la prise de distance par rapport aux territoires « privatisés » par d'autres poètes. Tout en changeant de masques, le poète nie la possibilité d'un seul point de vue. Les images d'un monde renversé affirment la possibilité d'une poésie impossible.
Heidi Toelle. Essai d’analyse sémiotique de la passion amoureuse telle que lexicalisée et perçue par les Arabes à l’époque classique. Transl. by Kęstutis Nastopka
Authors: Toelle Heidi , Nastopka Kęstutis
Published: April 2020

Cet article reprend en partie celui que nous avons publié dans Metai 2014. Nous y procédons tout d’abord, après avoir indiqué nos sources, à une analyse sémantique des vingt-deux lexèmes qui, en arabe classique, désignent divers degrés d’amour. Nous montrons ensuite que, selon nos sources, l’amour, quelqu’en soit l’intensité, suppose une interaction permanente entre le somatique, le cognitif et le passionnel, tant et si bien qu’on passe, au fur et à mesure que la passion investit le corps et l’esprit, du règne de la raison à celui de la passion, puis à celui de la folie amoureuse, ce qui nous permet de proposer un premier carré sémiotique. La passion amoureuse étant considérée à l’époque classique, tantôt comme une maladie grave qui conduit progressivement à des comportements immoraux, tantôt comme une vertu suprême qui amène l’amoureux à s’exclure peu à peu de la société, tout en instaurant sa propre morale laquelle consiste à s’en tenir à une stricte chasteté qui finit par le faire mourir d’amour, nous proposons pour ces parcours trois autres carrés sémiotiques : de la morale sociale à l’immoralité ou à la morale individuelle, de la socialisation à la réclusion. Pour finir, nous reviendrons brièvement sur le parcours du mystique dont l’amour vise, lui, l’extase résultant de son anéantissement en Dieu et de sa fusion avec ce dernier.
The Mixed Category of Human/Animal in Greimas’ Mythologies. Transl. by Ramunė Brundzaitė
Authors: Migliore Tiziana , Brundzaitė Ramunė
Published: April 2020

Translated from Tiziana Migliore, „L’interspecie umano-animale nelle Mitologiche di Greimas“, in: Algirdas Julien Greimas, Mitologiche. La semiosfera lituana, a cura di Paolo Fabbri, Roma: Aracne editrice, 2007, p.187–195. Transl. by Ramunė Brundzaitė.
Le dialogue des étoiles
Authors: Nastopka Kęstutis
Published: April 2020

Le présent article offre l’aperçu des documents de communication entre Algirdas Julius Greimas et Juozas Miltinis : notes marginales de Miltinis dans les livres de Greimas, inscriptions de Greimas dans les livres envoyés à Miltinis, lettres et cartes postales.Le lien étroit avec la culture française était ce que les deux créateurs avaient en commun. Beaucoup des auteurs auxquels référait Greimas dans ses travaux faisaient l’objet de l’intérêt de Miltinis. Cela constituait la base de leur dialogue indirect.Dans la Sémantique structurale, Miltinis souligne la thèse méthodologique fondamentale de Greimas: « Le monde humain nous paraît se définir essentiellement comme le monde de la signification ». Dans l’introduction de l’ouvrage Du sens, il prête attention, entre autres, à la conclusion stipulant que le sens n’est pas l’enchaînement linéaire et uniplane des significations, qu’il est aussi une direction, c’est-à-dire une intentionnalité et une finalité.En envoyant à Miltinis son étude sur la nouvelle de Maupassant Deux amis, Greimas l’a caractérisée comme un texte qui parle de Paris, d’amitié, de liberté. Paris et l’amitié constituaient l’axe sémantique de communication entre ces amis indirects. Quant au « texte sur la liberté », c’est une allusion à la biographie politique de Greimas.Dans le deuxième recueil d’essais sémiotiques de Greimas Du sens II, on trouve une dédicace impressionnante : « À J. Miltinis – une étoile à une étoile – A. J. Greimas ».Après la parution du recueil des travaux de Greimas en lithuanien, Miltinis a lu attentivement l’article introductif du rédacteur du livre Rolandas Pavilionis. Outre l’information encyclopédique sur le contexte linguistique et philosophique de Greimas, ce sont les citations des interviews de Greimas dans la presse française et la présentation du « livre probablement le plus philosophique et le plus émotionnel » De l’imperfection qui ont attiré son attention.Dans la correspondance de Greimas et Miltinis, la distance entre le destinateur et le destinataire s’efface. Pour paraphraser Greimas, deux créateurs égaux se sont rencontrés « sous la couverture de l’enveloppe ».
‘Will the real writer please stand up’
Authors: Iyer Sreedhevi
Published: April 2020

As we enter the era of bullshitology, methods of evaluating ‘authenticity’ become even more necessary. Celebrity writers of color, like all writers, have to present themselves as themselves in literary discourse. However, due to the discursive tendency to pigeonhole authors of color, such authors instead construct a public persona to negotiate the paradoxical position they inhabit within the discourse. Junot Diaz, author of Pulitzer Prize-winning The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, presents himself differently across different communicative contexts, by indexing existing metapragmatic stereotypes regarding the ‘authentic’ author. The results emerge as demonstrating Diaz’s style-shifts that occur according to the size of the communicative contexts. The smaller the communicative platform, the more Diaz assuredly resists pigeonholing. Similarly, the larger the platform, the more Diaz capitulates towards pre-determined discursive labels. Such an outcome underlines the challenge contemporary authors face in order to remain viable and exert influence over prevailing cultural conversations.
First report of lepidopteran insects from the Trang An Landscape Complex, Ninh Binh Province, with two new country records
Authors: Nhi Pham Thi , Tru Hoang Vu , Nam Nguyen Hai
Published: April 2020

Based on the material collected from the field surveys in 2017–2018, we report the first list of lepidopteran insects from the Trang An Landscape Complex, Ninh Binh Province. A total of 167 species including 62 butterflies and 105 moths have been recorded, in that two species, Celerena signata Warren, 1898 and Nygmia plana (Walker, 1856) are recorded for the first time from Vietnam.
Studies on the disinfection efficiency of hoa sen medical instrument sterilizing equipment at the general, obstetrics and paediatrics hospitals in TraVinh Province
Authors: Long Pham Hoang , Chau Nguyen Hoai , Thanh Nguyen Chi , Buu Ngo Quoc
Published: April 2020

This research aims to study on the disinfection efficiency of Hoa Sen medical instrument sterilizing equipment based on the application of ECA technology at General Hospital and Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospitals in Tra Vinh. Disinfection using ECA technology is a method that does not require the introduction of special oxidizing agents except of water and salt. ECA solution - Anolyte solution has very strong oxidants, which oxidize components such as protein, lipid, etc. (usually of the bacterial cell membrane) that make the cell membrane decomposed, reducing 77−93% of the respiratory ability of bacterial cells, weakening them and eventually being destroyed. Hoa Sen medical instrument sterilizing equipment has a similar construction form as a regular double washing table with two wash basins, wherein one sink with a faucet which produces purified water, while other one has a faucet that gives anolyte solution for sterilization. Both faucets are based on a touch support. At the bottom of the sink an anolyte solution production system was installed. Valorization of the disinfection ability of the Hoa Sen medical instrument sterilizing equipment was based on the determination of the number of microorganisms on the surface of the instrument before and after being soaked with an antiseptic washing table. Microbiological criteria are the number of aerobic bacteria, E. Coli and Coliforms. Analytical samples were quantified by culture method on agar plates. Analysis of total aerobic bacteria, E. Coli and Coliforms bacteria according to Vietnam Standard TCVN 4884:2015, TCVN 6846:2007 and TCVN 6848:2007, respectively. The results showed that bacterial removal efficiency was elevated with a novel Hoa Sen sterilizing equipment anolyte. In laboratory scale, E. Coli and Coliforms bacteria with a density of 105 CFU/mL were completely removed in 30 sec contact with an anolyte solution of 300 mg/L active chlorine concentration. In hospital scale, the removal efficiency of total aerobic bacteria on the surface of medical instruments after surgery was 99% for one minute disinfection time. For E. Coli and Coliforms bacteria, the results of the analysis were not detected in both cases before and after sterilization.
New records of rare genera of the subfamily Cheloninae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with description of two new species from Vietnam
Authors: Long Khuat Dang , Duong Nguyen Van , Hoa Dang Thi
Published: April 2020

New species of subgenus Areselonus Braet, 1999 and genus Odontosphaeropyx Cameron, 1910, viz. Chelonus (Areselonus) intermedius Long, sp. n. and Odontosphaeropyx plesius Long, sp. n. (Braconidae: Cheloninae) are described and illustrated. Additionally, these two rare taxa are newly recorded for Vietnam’s braconid fauna. The checklist and distribution of the already known species of the genera are also provided.
Infection status and molecular identification of digenean cercariae in snails in Kim Son district, Ninh Binh Province and Ba Vi district, Ha Noi
Authors: Doanh Pham Ngoc , Hien Hoang Van , Dung Bui Thi , Loan Ho Thi
Published: April 2020

In this study, the molecular method was used to identify digenean cercariae from freshwater snails in Kim Son District (Ninh Binh Province) and Ba Vi District Ha Noi. A total of 9 snail species were collected and examined for cercarial infection. Three snail species (Radix swinhoei, Angulyagra polyzonata and Pomacea canaliculata) were not infected, while the other 6 species (Austropeplea viridis, Gyraulus convexiusculus, Parafossarulus striatulus, Bithynia fuchsiana, Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera) were infected with digenean cercariae at low infection rates, ranging from 2.3% to 6.3%. Seven cercarial groups were identified: Echinostome, Monostome, Parapleurophocercaria, Xiphidiocercaria, Fucocercaria, Gymnocephalous and Megalurous. Snails M. tuberculata and P. striatulus were infected with 4 cercarial groups, A. viridis and G. convexiusculus snails were infected with 2 groups, 2 snail species B. fuchsiana and T. granifera were infected with one group of cercaria. The results of ITS2 sequences analyses of the cercarial groups identified the larvae of 9 trematode species, namely Echinostoma revolutum, Echinochasmus japonicus, Notocotylus intestinalis, Philophthalmus gralli, Haplorchis pumilio, Procerovum cheni, Fasciola gigantica, Australapatemon burti and Cyathocotyle prussica. Among them the last three species, P. cheni, A. burti and C. prussica, were found for the first time in Vietnam. In addition, the ITS-2 sequence of Gymnocephalous cercariae which was previously identified as Sphaeridiotrema monorchis, from P. striatulus snail was 97% similar to that of Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus. Likewise, ITS-2 sequence of Echinostome cercaria from B. fuchsiana snail was 93% similar to that of E. japonicus and that of Xiphidiocercaria cercaria from M. tuberculata snail was 93% similar to Lecithodendrium spathulatum.
Provitamin a biofortification in maize through genetic engineering and marker-assisted selection
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Duc
Published: April 2020

Maize is an important cereal in the global economy, which feeds one-third of the world’s population and is the third largest food crop after wheat and rice. Nutritional quality of most maize varieties is very low due to the lack of lysine and tryptophan and extremely low provitamin A carotenoids including α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin. Therefore, one of the solutions to improve nutritional value in maize is to improve provitamin A carotenoids contents. Many eﬀorts have been made to produce maize plants with enhanced provitamin A carotenoids, especially, β -carotene. This article aims to review the research towards provitamin A biofortification through genetic engineering and marker-assisted selection. The published results and our recent achievements open the window for the improvement of provitamin A carotenoids in maize as well as the issues that need the further investigation.
Effects of nano mineral-supplemented diet on sow productivity
Authors: Son Hoang Nghia
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nano mineral-supplemented diet on sow productivity. The data were estimated by several parameters consisting of piglet live ratio at newborn stage and weaning stage, piglet weight at newborn stage and weaning stage, metal content in piglet livers. The results showed that live ratio of newborn piglets in group III was highest (93.44 ± 2.83%) comparing with other groups. However, there was no significant difference of live ratio in piglets at weaning stage between nano mineral-supplemented groups with control. The birth weight of piglets in nano mineral-supplemented groups was similar to control group. The birth weight of piglets in nano mineral-supplemented groups was ranged from 1,361.61 ± 47.37 grams (group II) to 1,410.48 ± 44.28 grams (group I). However, the average weight of weaned pigs in groups III and IV was higher than other groups (6,772.92 ± 105.47 grams and 6,818.87 ± 89.59 grams). Moreover, the amount of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn in piglet liver from nano mineral-supplemented groups have been found to be lower than those in control group. These results revealed that the supplement of nano minerals for sows promoted the reproductive performance of sows and reduced mineral content in the liver of piglets.
New records and morphological assessments of long-nosed fruit bats (chiroptera: pteropodidae:  Macroglossus  spp.) from Vietnam
Authors: Thanh Hoang Trung , Son Nguyen Truong , Duong Vu Thuy , Luong Nguyen Thanh , Loi Dao Nhan , Thong Vu Dinh
Published: April 2020

Long-nosed fruit bat is a common name of the genus Macroglossus which comprises two species: Dagger-toothed long-nosed fruit bat (M. minimus) and Greater long-nosed fruit bat (M. sobrinus). These two species were rarely recorded from Vietnam or neighboring countries. Within Vietnam, M. minimus has been recorded only from two localities in southern Vietnam while M. sobrinus was known from all northern, central and southern regions of the country. Morphological features of these species in Vietnam were poorly documented in previous publications. With results from a rapid examination of all specimens and recently captured individuals, we here confirm that M. sobrinus is distinctively larger than M. minimus in all external and craniodental measurements. Two species are also distinguishable by their nostril shapes and mandible symphyses. This paper provides new distributional records of both M. sobrinus and M. minimus from Vietnam with remarks on their ecology and habitats.
Taking the Longer View of COVID-19
Authors: Chabner Bruce A.
Published: April 2020

What are the prospects for dealing with COVID-19 more effectively in the future? This editorial addresses the question from the perspective of long-term control of coronavirus infection.
Social Distancing and Supply Disruptions in a Pandemic
Authors: Bodenstein Martin , Corsetti Giancarlo , Guerrieri Luca
Published: April 2020

Drastic public health measures such as social distancing or lockdowns can reduce the loss of human life by keeping the number of infected individuals from exceeding the capacity of the health care system but are often criticized because of the social and the economic cost they entail. We question this view by combining an epidemiological model, calibrated to capture the spread of the COVID-19 virus, with a multisector model, designed to capture key characteristics of the U.S. Input Output Tables. Our two-sector model features a core sector that produces intermediate inputs not easily replaced by inputs from the other sector, subject to minimum-scale requirements. We show that, by affecting workers in this core sector, the high peak of an infection not mitigated by social distancing may cause very large upfront economic costs in terms of output, consumption and investment. Social distancing measures can reduce these costs, especially if skewed towards non-core industries and occupations with tasks that can be performed from home, helping to smooth the surge in infections among workers in the core sector.
Monetary Policy Uncertainty and Monetary Policy Surprises
Authors: De Pooter Michiel , Favara Giovanni , Modugno Michele , Wu Jason
Published: April 2020

Monetary policy uncertainty affects the transmission of monetary policy shocks to longer-term nominal and real yields. For a given monetary policy shock, the reaction of yields is more pronounced when the level of monetary policy uncertainty is low. Primary dealers and other investors adjust their interest rate positions more when monetary policy uncertainty is low than when uncertainty is high. These portfolio adjustments likely explain the larger pass-through of a monetary policy shock to bond yields when uncertainty is low. These findings shed new light on the role that monetary policy uncertainty plays in the transmission of monetary policy to financial markets.
Türkiye’de 1974-2016 Döneminde Yapısal Kırılma Altında Kişi Başına Reel Gelir, Doğrudan Yabancı Yatırımlar, Ticari Açıklık ve Karbon Emisyonları Arasındaki İlişki
Authors: ÖZTÜRK Salih , SAYGIN Selin
Published: April 2020

Çalışma, Türkiye’de kişi başına reel gelir, doğrudan yabancı yatırımlar, ticari açıklık ve karbon emisyonları arasındaki ilişkiyi 1974-2016 döneminde incelemektedir. Yapısal kırılmanın dikkate alındığı bir birim kök testi kullanılarak söz konusu ilişkinin çözümlenmesinde ARDL sınır testi ve Toda-Yamamoto nedensellik testlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Bulgular, uzun dönemde tüm değişkenlerin karbon emisyonları üzerinde pozitif etkileri olduğunu kanıtlamaktadır. Doğrudan yabancı yatırımların karbon emisyonlarını pozitif yönde etkilemesi, Türkiye’de Kirlilik Sığınağı Hipotezi’nin geçerli olduğunu göstermektedir. Nedensellik testi sonuçları, tüm değişkenler ve karbon emisyonları arasında çift yönlü nedensellik ilişkilerinin varlığını ortaya koymaktadır.
The Effect of International Trade on Employment in Turkey
Authors: SAVACI Seren , SEYMEN Dilek
Published: April 2020

The final goods export and import analysis for employment explains the relationship between international trade and employment in a limited way; because a significant part of international trade occurs within international production chains. The international trade structure is based on international production chains, so the effects of international trade on employment are complicated. In addition to the effect on employment of exports and imports; the import content of exports, the export content of imports and the intermediates within imports from a third country have to be considered. The aim of this paper is to reveal the effect of international trade on employment in Turkey through five components, using the World Input Output Table (WIOT) for 2014. The methods proposed in Stehrer et al. (2012) and Xiang (2013) used to decompose the employment effect of the international trade of Turkey’s trading partners and also by sector. The analysis shows that in 2014, exports led to a demand for about 3 million jobs in Turkey. International trade in textiles had the highest employment demand, both in Turkey and abroad at the same time. With regard to the analysis by country; international trade with China, India and Indonesia created more employment in those countries than in Turkey.
Endüstri 4.0 ve Kamu Maliyesinde Dönüşüm: Kamu Harcamaları Açısından Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: İLGÜN Miraç Fatih
Published: April 2020

Dördüncü sanayi devrimi (Endüstri 4.0) ekonomiler ve toplumların dönüşümü için büyük bir potansiyel sunmaktadır. Hükümetler Endüstri 4.0 ve temelini oluşturan teknolojilere sadece ayak uydurmakla değil aynı zamanda bu dönüşümü yönetmekle yükümlüdür. Bu çalışmanın amacı söz konusu olgunun kamu maliyesi üzerindeki olası etkilerinin, kamu politikalarında karar alma süreci ile kamu harcamalarının miktar ve bileşimi açısından değerlendirilmesidir. Sanayi devriminin önceki aşamaları ve yeni dönemin ayırt edici özellikleri dikkate alınarak yapılan değerlendirmeler ışığında Endüstri 4.0 olgusunun kamu harcamalarının ekonomik sınıflandırmasında; cari harcamaların toplam kamu harcamaları içerisindeki oranında azalma, sosyal ve iktisadi transfer harcamalarının payında artışa neden olacağı, yatırım harcamalarının ise bileşimini değiştirme potansiyeli olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Unique insights from ClinicalTrials.gov by mining protein mutations and RSids in addition to applying the Human Phenotype Ontology v1
Authors: Alag Shray
Published: April 2020

Researchers and clinicians face a significant challenge in keeping up-to-date with the rapid rate of new associations between genetic mutations and diseases. To remedy this problem, this research mined the ClinicalTrials.gov corpus to extract relevant biological insights, produce unique reports to summarize findings, and make the meta-data available via APIs. An automated text-analysis pipeline performed the following features: parsing the ClinicalTrials.gov files, extracting and analyzing mutations from the corpus, mapping clinical trials to Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), and finding associations between clinical trials and HPO nodes. Unique reports were created for each mutation (SNPs and protein mutations) mentioned in the corpus, as well as for each clinical trial that references a mutation. These reports, which have been run over multiple time points, along with APIs to access meta-data, are freely available on http://snpminertrials.com. Additionally, HPO was used to normalize disease terms and associate clinical trials with relevant genes. The creation of the pipeline and reports, the association of clinical trials with HPO terms, and the insights, public repository, and APIs produced are all novel in this work. The freely-available resources present relevant biological information and novel insights between biomedical entities in a robust and accessible manner, mitigating the challenge of being informed about new associations between mutations, genes, and diseases.
Reflexiones en torno a la valoración de la prueba de reconocimiento judicial en el proceso civil
Authors: De Miranda Vázquez Carlos
Published: April 2020

El presente estudio aborda la espinosa cuestión de la valoración de la prueba de reconocimiento judicial. La falta de una norma que siente criterios valorativos ha alimentado toda suerte de especulaciones sobre si hay tal valoración y si la hubiera si se trata de un acto de decisión judicial libérrimo. La incertidumbre sobre dicho aspecto se acrecienta cuando se aprecia que tan siquiera es pacífico cuál sea el concreto objeto de la actividad valorativa, si es que la hay. Toda esta polémica tiene repercusiones prácticas, entre las que destaca la posibilidad efectiva de sujetar su valoración a algún tipo de control en sede de recursos. Finalmente, todo se complica cuando el juez perceptor y el sentenciador son distintos.
La política ambiental de Grecia
Authors: Maniatis Antonio , Ntavrí Aretí , Tsipouriari Vasilikí
Published: April 2020

Grecia entró por primera vez en 2010 en la lista de los Estados con primera o segunda posición, en el período 2007-2018, por lo que se refiere al incumplimiento del derecho ambiental europeo. Este período se caracteriza por la presencia continua de España en la posición segunda o, sobre todo, en la primera. Grecia es el “paraíso” de las bolsas de plástico, constituyendo uno de los Estados miembros de la Unión Europea con mayor índice per cápita de consumo de bolsas de plástico desechables, pero recientemente ha podido disminuir el número de las bolsas ligeras de plástico mediante una tasa ambiental. Además, ha hecho frente a varios problemas en su política para contener el cambio climático mientras España es un país más avanzado al tomar e implementar medidas en la materia
La coautoría con imprudencia desde la teoría de la determinación objetiva y positiva del hecho. Una reinterpretación del papel del acuerdo para reforzar el carácter objetivo de la teoría
Authors: Rodríguez Vázquez Virgilio
Published: April 2020

Desde la teoría de la determinación objetiva y positiva del hecho se ha propuesto un concepto de coautoría aplicable tanto al delito doloso como imprudente, que se diferencia de los defendidos desde otros sectores doctrinales no tanto por los requisitos que se exigen para constatar la coautoría (objetivo y subjetivo), sino por el contenido que dichos elementos deben poseer. En este trabajo expongo los conceptos de coautoría y de autoría accesoria desde la perspectiva de la teoría de la determinación objetiva y positiva del hecho para cuestionar el papel que se le otorga al “acuerdo” en esta postura, haciendo un análisis crítico. Finalmente, realizo una propuesta para un entendimiento distinto del elemento subjetivo “acuerdo” que, a mi modo de ver, resulta más coherente con las bases conceptuales de esta teoría y que, por tanto, la refuerza.
In Memoriam, Gonzalo Diéguez Cuervo
Authors: Martínez Girón Jesús
Published: April 2020

En este trabajo se rinde homenaje a Gonzalo Diéguez Cuervo, catedrático de Derecho del Trabajo, fallecido n la primavera del pasado curso académico 2018-2019. A tal fin se recuerdan los hitos de su vida personal y profesional y se repasa su carrera universitaria.
Effects of Melatonin and IAA on Adventitious Root Formation in Rootstock 5BB and cv. Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: GÖKBAYRAK Zeliha , ENGİN Hakan , KİRAZ Hatice
Published: April 2020

Both derived from tryptophan, melatonin (MEL) and indole acetic acid (IAA) were tested for their influence on rooting in the cuttings of two Vitis species, the 5BB rootstock and the cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2-bud cuttings were grown in a growth chamber after the basal ends were dipped in the following treatments; for 5 seconds in IAA solutions at 0 (the control), 5.7, 11.4 and 16.1 µM concentrations, and for 10 minutes in the melatonin solutions at 0 (the control), 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 µM. The results indicated that percentages of rooting, shooting and healthy plants in both species were not statistically significant under the influence of the treatments. However, increasing concentrations of IAA resulted in increasing rooting percentages in 5BB rootstock. On the other hand, 0.1 and 0.5 µM MEL also induced rooting. In the cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.4 µM IAA provided the highest percentage (100%). Melatonin caused a relative decrease in rooting compared to the IAA. The action of melatonin on rooting seems to be independent of IAA. Hormone treatments caused significant differences in the root number per cutting and fresh root weight in 5BB. Effects of the hormones were important on all the rooting features, including root number, root length, root distribution pattern, and weight of fresh and dry roots in Cabernet Sauvignon. Results indicate that extensive research is needed to extrapolate the influence of melatonin on rooting in grapevine with a possibility in practical use since it is inexpensive and easy to obtain in pure form.
Assessment of Multidrug Resistance Tuberclosis Treatment Outcome in St. Petre’s Tuberclosis Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Tulu Tsegaye , Kahissay Mesfin Haile
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study is to assess the treatment outcome of MDR-TB among patients who are treated in St. Peter’s TB Specialized Hospital from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. A periodic retrospective cross sectional study was conducted on MDR-TB patient who were followed up to check their treatment out come. The study was utilized quantitative method for data collection by using patient registration book from MDR-TB clinic retrospectively. Using data collecting format, cure rate, failure rate, death rate, card number, sex, address, and co-morbid illness was be collected. The association with the patient treatment outcome was assessed using SPSS version 15 for window using chi-square and odds ratio and Epi info for data entry. In this study the treatment outcome was measured by cure rate, death rate, failure rate and default rate. Base on this study that was done in St. Peter’s TB specialized hospital from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010 cohort study, out of 166 MDR-TB patients, the treatment completion and cure rate was 7(4.2%). Regarding to sex more female 6(7.1%) of the treated patients were cured than male 1(1.23%) from the total females and males patients respectively. While 143(83.5%) were still on treatment, 1(0.6%) patient was defaulted from treatment for more than two months and the outcome was not traced. Treatment failure was not reported in this study. This finding indicates that from the study population, no treatment failure and one treatment interruption (default) was observed. In conclusion patients in this cross sectional study were found in good follow up and DOTS program. On the other hand the cure rate 7(4.2%) of this study showed that encouraging treatment outcome was obtained from the MDR-TB treatment plan. The result that was obtained from this study showed that the majority of MDR-TB patients in this retrospective study were found still on treatment.