bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERLINDUNGAN DAN PENGELOLAAN LINGKUNGAN HIDUP TERKAIT PEMANFAATAN RUANG UNTUK TAMAN NASIONAL
Authors: Budhianti Meta Indah
Published: September 2020

Penataan ruang dalam perlindungan dan pengelolaan lingkungan hidup memiliki peranan yang sangat penting. Penataan Ruang pada dasarnya terdiri dari aspek perencanaan tata ruang, pemanfaatan ruang dan pengendalian pemanfaatan ruang. Permasalahan pokoknya: Bagaimana kesesuaian pengaturan perlindungan dan pengelolaan lingkungan hidup terkait pemanfaatan ruang untuk Taman Nasional dengan Undang-Undang Nomor 26 Tahun 2007 tentang Penataan Ruang (Undang-Undang Penataan Ruang); kendala apa yang ditemukan Pemerintah Daerah (Pemda) dalam pengelolaan Taman Nasional dan bagaimana pengaturan yang ideal mengenai pengelolaan Taman Nasional agar Pemda dapat berperan sesuai dengan amanat Undang-Undang Penataan Ruang. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah tipe penelitian normatif yang didukung oleh data empiris. Pengolahan data dilakukan secara kualitatif. Hasilnya adalah: Dalam praktek, kewenangan Pemda hanya bersifat koordinasi dengan Unit Pelaksana Tugas (UPT) Balai Taman Nasional, yaitu memelihara kelestarian hutan. Sedangkan dalam Undang-Undang Penataan Ruang, kewenangan kawasan strategis, dalam hal ini taman nasional, dilaksanakan Pemerintah Pusat dan Pemerintah Daerah. Pada dasarnya pengelolaan kawasan konservasi Taman Nasional, dalam penelitian ini di Bali Barat dan Bukit Baka Bukit Raya, menghadapi berbagai persoalan yang kompleks dan beragam. Persoalan dapat dikelompokkan ke dalam persoalan internal dan eksternal. Untuk meningkatkan manfaat wilayah atau kawasan yang maksimal diperlukan perhatian yang teliti terhadap perlindungan lingkungan, efisiensi, sinergi dan keserasian pada potensi ekonomi di lingkungan tersebut. Ini dapat diartikan bahwa pentingnya keterpaduan dalam perencanaan pembangunan adalah untuk mencapai peningkatan kesejahteraan yang maksimal.
PENEGAKAN HUKUM YANG DILAKUKAN PERSEORANGAN KEPADA ANAK DI BAWAH UMUR
Authors: Myranika Annie , . Daniel
Published: September 2020

Tindak Pidana Human Trafficking yang dilakukan perseorangan terhadap anak di bawah umur terjadi karena faktor-faktor seperti masalah keuangan, kurangnya pendidikan dan pengembangan anak yang mendorong anak tersebut turun ke jalan demi membantu perekonomian keluarga. Permasalahan dalam Penelitian ini adalah bagaimanakah Pertimbangan hakim terhadap Tindak Pidana Perdagangan Anak dibawah umur oleh perseorangan berdasarkan Putusan Nomor 1608/pid.sus/2016 /PN.Tng Tahun 2017 dan Apakah putusan Pengadilan Negeri Tangerang Nomor 1608/pid.sus/2016 /PN.Tng Tahun 2017 tentang Tindak Pidana Perdagangan Anak dibawah umur oleh perseorangan sudah memenuhi unsur keadilan. Adapun sifat penelitian deskriptif analistis serta landasan Hukumnya mengacu kepada Undang-Undang TPPO, Undang-Undang Perlindungan Anak, dan Undang-Undang ketenagakerjaan.
PENGEMBANGAN KAWASAN PARIWISATA YANG BERWAWASAN LINGKUNGAN DI SUMATERA BARAT
Authors: Indah Budhianti Meta
Published: September 2020

Dalam rangka pengembangan kawasan pariwisata yang berwawasan lingkungan maka pembangunan berkelanjutan. Perlindungan dan pengelolaan lingkungan hidup, dilakukan meningkatkan kualitas lingkungan melalui upaya pengembangan sistem hukum, instrumen hukum, penataan dan penegakan hukum, termasuk instrumen alternatif serta upaya rehabilitasi lingkungan. Pembangunan kepariwisataan dapat dijadikan sarana untuk menciptakan kesadaran akan identitas nasional dan kebersamaan dalam keragaman. Pembangunan kepariwisataan dikembangkan dengan pendekatan pertumbuhan dan pemerataan ekonomi untuk kesejaahteraan rakyat dan pembangunan yang berorientasi pada pengembangan wilayah, bertumpu kepada masyarakat, dan bersifat memberdayakan masyarakat yang mencukupi berbagai aspek, seperti sumber daya manusia, pemasaran, desintasi, ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi, keterkaitan lintas sektor, kerja sama antarnegara, pemberdayaan usaha kecil, serta tanggung jawab dalam pemanfaatan sumber kekayaan alam dan budaya.
PENGGUNAAN PENDEKATAN PERSE IlEGAL DAN RULE OF REASON DALAM PENYELESAIAN KASUS PRAKTEK MONOPOLI DALAM PELAYANAN REGULATED AGENT PADA PT ANGKASA PURA LOGISTIK DI BANDAR UDARA SULTAN HASANUDDIN
Authors: Ahmad Fajar Herlani Ahmad , Kharisma Septiana Awaliani
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini membahas mengenai adanya dugaan pelanggaran terhadap undang-undang nomor 5 tahun 1999 tentang larangan praktek monopoli dan persaingan usaha tidak sehat monopoli anatara PT Angkasa Pura Logistik (APLog) selaku anak perusahaan dari PT Angkasa Pura 1 (Persero) cabang Bandara Internasional Sultan Hasanuddin Makasar sehingga membuat Komisi Persaingan Usaha (KPPU) melakukan pemeriksaan terhadap PT Angkasa Pura Logistik Bandara Internasional Sultan Hasanuddin Makasar. Tipe penelitian ini adalah yuridis empiris dan data yang digunakan adalah data primer dan sekunder. berdasarkan pendekatan rule of reason PT Angkasa Pura Logistik telah terbukti melakukan pratek monopoli dalam pelayanan jasa regulated agent di Bandar Udara Sultan Hasanuddin Makasar sehingga mengakibatkan terjadinya persaingan usaha tidak sehat. Berdasarkan pendekatan rule of reason PT Angkasa Pura Logistik telah terbukti melakukan pratek monopoli dalam pelayanan jasa regulated agent di Bandar Udara Sultan Hasanuddin Makasar sehingga mengakibatkan terjadinya persaingan usaha tidak sehat.
PENGAWASAN TERINTEGRASI BERDASARKAN RISIKO ATAS KONGLOMERASI KEUANGAN DI BIDANG PERBANKAN
Authors: . Fitri
Published: September 2020

Konglomerasi perbankan bukanlah sesuatu yang baru dalam dunia perbankan, sudah menjadi rahasia umum apabila suatu bank memiliki lebih dari satu anak perusahaan yang berasal dari Lembaga keuangan non bank. Ketika sisi negatif dari konglomerasi itu terjadi, maka hal tersebut dapat menimbulkan dampak sistemik yang tidak hanya terjadi pada sektor keuangan namun juga pada sektor lainnya. Hal ini dikarenakan aliran keuangan sangat berpengaruh terhadap stabilitas mata uang yang apabila tidak diawasi atau diatur maka akan dapat menimbulkan gangguan terhadap sistem keuangan yang akan mengarah pada terjadinya krisis. Oleh karena itu, Dalam rangka memberikan landasan hukum bagi pengawasan konglomerasi, OJK telah menerbitkan dua Peraturan OJK (POJK), yaitu POJK No. 17/POJK .03/2014 tentang Penerapan Manajemen Risiko Terintegrasi Bagi Konglomerasi Keuangan dan POJK No. 18 /POJK .03/2014 tentang Penerapan Tata Kelola Terintegrasi Bagi Konglomerasi Keuangan. Dengan menggunakan metode pendekatan yuridis normative dan penelitian yang bersifat deskriptif analitis, maka diketahui bahwa Risiko dan dampak negatif yang ditimbulkan oleh kegiatan konglomerasi keuangan ini sudah lama terjadi, hal tersebut dapat dilihat dari kasus Bank Summa yang terjadi pada tahun 1990-an. Sedangkan pengaturan mengenai konglomerasi keuangan ini baru dikeluarkandi tahun 2014. Hal tersebut terkesan sangat lamban karena dalam jangka waktu yang cukup lama seharusnya pemerintah sudah dari dulu mengeluarkan peraturan dan melakukan pengawasan terintegrasi terhadap konglomerassi keuangan ini. Karena dampak negatif yang ditimbulkan oleh konglomerasi keuangan ini tidak kecil, bahkan sampai dapat mengganggu perekonomian nasional.
PELAKSANAAN PENGAWASAAN TERHADAP PENGGUNAAN VISA KUNJUNGAN OLEH WARGA NEGARA ASING DI KANTOR IMIGRASI KLAS 1 TANGERANG
Authors: Hafidati Putri
Published: September 2020

Negara Indonesia merupakan Negara yang memiliki Kekayaan sumber daya alam yang melimpah yang mempunyai nilai ekonomi serta keindahan panoramanya menjadi daya tarik tersendiri bagi setiap orang, tidak mengherankan apabila Indonesia merupakan salah satu titik sentral perhatian negara-negara lain baik bidang politik maupun bidang lain seperti sosial, ekonomi dan keamanan. Kenyataan ini semakin lebih mudah bagi orang asing untuk datang ke Indonesia dengan diberikannya berbagai kemudahan prosedur terutama dengan adanya opendoor policy. Dengan banyaknya orang asing yang berkunjung ke Negara Indonesia maka warga Negara asing harus memenuhi dahulu yang mana telah dibuat dalam suatu peraturan perundang-undang keimigrasian. Pada sisi lain, dalam pelaksanaan pengawasan terhadap warga Negara asing akan ada suatu kendala- kendala dimana kurangnya Sumber Daya Manusia dalam penanganan warga Negara asing.
TINDAK PIDANA KEKERASAN TERHADAP ANAK YANG MENYEBABKAN KEMATIAN DILAKUKAN OLEH IBU KANDUNGNYA
Authors: Pratama Rommy , Rahmayanti Irma
Published: September 2020

Anak merupakan tunas penerus bangsa yang harus dijaga dan dilindungi. Setiap anak yang lahir seharusnya mendapatkan perlindungan dan kasih sayang dari kedua orang tuanya. Namun pada kenyataannya tidak sedikit dari orang tua yang tidak peduli terhadap anak kandungnya sendiri. Banyak sekali kasus kekerasan dan pembunuhan anak yang dilakukan oleh orang tuanya sendiri. Tindak pidana kekerasan terhadap anak yang menyebabkan kematian dilakukan oleh ibu kandungnya merupakan suatu tindak pidana yang tidak berperikemanusiaan. Permasalahan dalam penelitian ini adalah apakah yang menyebabkan ibu kandung melakukan tindak pidana kekerasan terhadap anak baru lahir yang menyebabkan kematian dan bagaimana penerapan sanksi pidana terhadap pelaku tindak pidana kekerasan terhadap anak baru lahir yang menyebabkan kematian. Tipe penelitian yuridis empiris, sifat penelitian deskriptif analisis. Adapun hasil kesimpulan penulis ialah penyebab ibu kandung melakukan tindak pidana kekerasan terhadap anak baru lahir yang menyebabkan kematian karena faktor rasa malu karena mengandung dan melahirkan bayi diluar pernikahan dan rasa kesal terhadap ayah biologis korban yang tidak mau bertanggung jawab dan penerapan sanksi terhadap ibu kandung bayi tersebut sudah sesuai dengan unsur-unsur yang ada dalam pasal 80 ayat 3 dan 4 jo pasal 76C Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 tentang Perlindungan Anak. Adapun sarannya harus adanya sex education, harus adanya hubungan yang lebih erat dengan keluarga untuk saling mengingatkan akan hal baik dan hal buruk, harus adanya kesadaran dari diri masyarakat untuk berfikir terlebih dahulu sebelum bertindak.
ANALISIS PENDAPATAN USAHA TANAMAN HIAS (Studi Kasus UD. Rahma Nurseri di Desa Bangunsari Kabupaten Muna)
Authors: Supiani Supiani , Sinaini La
Published: September 2020

Perkembangan usaha tanaman hias di berbagai daerah di Indonesia telah menjadi sumber pendapatan pelaku usaha tanaman hias, sehingga turut berkontribusi terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi Bangsa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat pendapatan pada usaha tanaman hias UD. Rahma Nurseri di Kabupaten Muna. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Januari 2019 sampai bulan Maret 2019. Lokasi penelitian ini ditentukan secara purposive (sengaja) dengan pertimbangan satu-satunya usaha tanaman hias yang berkembang di Kota Kabupaten Muna. Analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan analisis pendapatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pendapatan usaha tanaman hias UD. Rahma Nurseri memberikan keuntungan sebesar Rp. 3.250.000 perbulan dengan biaya operasional usaha sebesar Rp. 7.680.000 perbulan. Tingkat keleyakan usaha ini yaitu sebesar (1,9) yang berarti setiap pengeluaran sebesar Rp 1 akan memberikan pendapatan sebesar Rp 0,9.
Does Radical-Right Success Make the Political Debate More Negative?
Authors: Valentim Vicente , Widmann Tobias
Published: September 2020

Political rhetoric has important effects on the quality of democracy, but we know very little about what causes variation in the tone of the political debate. We investigate how radical-right success affects the way the remaining politicians discuss political issues. Using an original dictionary, we measure different positive and negative emotions in a newly collected dataset of speeches in German state parliaments. Taking advantage of variation in the timing of elections when radical-right politicians enter these parliaments, we find that politicians of other parties respond to radical-right success by using more positive, instead of negative, emotions. A mix of quantitative and qualitative analyses suggest that the increase in positive emotions is used strategically for politicians to distance themselves from radical-right discourse. Our findings highlight how radical-right success can create incentives for other politicians to enforce norms that radical-right politicians breach.
Should Voters Care More about Policy than Character?
Authors: Lewis Verlan
Published: September 2020

The dominant political science models of voting portray rational voters as casting their votes based on which candidate is closest to the voter’s ideal policy preference points. This model assumes that voters care more about policy outcomes they think a candidate will enact while in office than a candidate’s character or leadership qualities (and that voters have, ex ante, ideal policy preference points that they can rationally compare with the ideal policy preference points signaled by the candidates). This article asks whether rational voters should behave this way or not by examining whether ideological signals provided in the presidential campaign are predictive of legislation enacted. Specifically, this article examines the important laws passed over the last thirty years to see if the content of this legislation moved public policy in the direction of the supposed policy preferences of the elected president.
Muscle Twitch Kinetics Are Dependent on Muscle Group, Disease State, and Age in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mouse Models
Authors: Peczkowski Kyra K. , Rastogi Neha , Lowe Jeovanna , Floyd Kyle T. , Schultz Eric J. , Karaze Tallib , Davis Jonathan P. , Rafael-Fortney Jill A. , Janssen Paul M. L.
Published: September 2020

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder caused by the lack of functional dystrophin protein. In muscular dystrophy preclinical research, it is pertinent to analyze the force of the muscles affected by the disease to assess pathology and potential effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Although muscles function at sub-maximal levels in vivo, maximal tetanic contractions are most commonly used to assess and report muscle function in muscular dystrophy studies. At submaximal activation, the kinetics of contraction and relaxation are heavily impacted by the kinetics of the single twitch. However, maximal tetanic force is often the main, if not sole, outcome measured in most studies, while contractile kinetics are rarely reported. To investigate the effect of muscle disease on twitch contraction kinetics, isolated diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of 10-, 20-week, “het” (dystrophin deficient and utrophin haplo-insufficient), and 52-week mdx (dystrophin deficient) mice were analyzed and compared to wild-type controls. We observed that twitch contractile kinetics are dependent on muscle type, age, and disease state. Specific findings include that diaphragm from wildtype mice has a greater time to 50% relaxation (RT50) than time to peak tension (TTP) compared to the het and mdx dystrophic models, where there is a similar TTP compared to RT50. Diaphragm twitch kinetics remain virtually unchanged with age, while the EDL from het and mdx mice initially has a greater RT50 than TTP, but the TTP increases with age. The difference between EDL contractile kinetics of dystrophic and wildtype mice is more prominent at young age. Differences in kinetics yielded greater statistical significance compared to previously published force measurements, thus, using kinetics as an outcome parameter could potentially allow for use of smaller experimental groups in future study designs. Although this study focused on DMD models, our findings may be applicable to other skeletal muscle conditions and diseases.
Walnut Shell Biochar Increases Seed Germination and Early Growth of Seedlings of Fodder Crops
Authors: Uslu Omer Suha , Babur Emre , Alma Mehmet Hakkı , Solaiman Zakaria M.
Published: September 2020

Currently, biochars are produced from a wide range of feedstocks with a broad diversity in physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, a diverse agronomic response of crop plants to biochars application was expected. A preliminary ecotoxicological assessment is necessary before application of biochar to soil, even though biochar is a recalcitrant carbon considered as a promising soil amendment because of its ability to climate change mitigation by sequestration of carbon in the soil. Thus, a Petri dish germination test was conducted to assess the effects of six walnut shell biochar rates (i.e., 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 120 Mg ha−1) on seed germination and early growth of seedlings of fodder crops (Triticale cultivar X Triticasecale Wittmack and Pisum sativum sp. arvense L. varieties Taşkent and Özkaynak). A simple Petri dish bioassay method used to determine the effect of biochar rates on seed germination. Germination rate decreased with both higher and lower rate of biochar application. Results showed that the germination rate and growth indices were dependent on plant species. The seed germination rate of all three species was stimulated at the 40 Mg ha−1 rate, but Taşkent mung bean occurred at the highest rate of 120 Mg ha−1. Significantly higher germination rate and growth indices observed with the 40 and 80 Mg ha−1 biochar rates, respectively. Biochar application generally increased seed germination at rates ≤ 40 Mg ha−1 and seedling growth indices at rates ≤ 80 Mg ha−1. This rapid test can be used as the first indicator of biochar effects on seed germination rate and early growth of seedlings. Farmers could use this test before investing in biochar application.
Farmers’ Knowledge and Management Practices of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in Benin, West Africa
Authors: Houngbo Sidol , Zannou Afio , Aoudji Augustin , Sossou Hervé C. , Sinzogan Antonio , Sikirou Rachidatou , Zossou Espérance , Vodounon Henri S. Totin , Adomou Aristide , Ahanchédé Adam
Published: September 2020

Spodoptera frugiperda has caused significant losses of farmer income in sub-Saharan countries since 2016. This study assessed farmers’ knowledge of S. frugiperda, their perceptions and management practices in Benin. Data were collected through a national survey of 1237 maize farmers. Ninety-one point eight percent of farmers recognized S. frugiperda damage, 78.9% of them were able to identify its larvae, and 93.9% of the maize fields were infested. According to farmers, the perceived yield losses amounted to 797.2 kg/ha of maize, representing 49% of the average maize yield commonly obtained by farmers. Chi-square tests revealed that the severity of the pest attacks was significantly associated with cropping practices and types of grown maize varieties. About 16% of farmers identified francolin (Francolinus bicalcaratus), village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), and common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) as natural enemies and 5% of them identified yellow nutsedge, chan, shea tree, neem, tamarind, and soybean as repellent plants of S. frugiperda. Most farmers (91.4%) used synthetic pesticides and 1.9% of them used botanical pesticides, which they found more effective than synthetic pesticides. Significant relationships exist between farmers’ management practices, their knowledge, organization membership, and contact with research and extension services. More research is required to further understand the effectiveness of botanical pesticides made by farmers against S. frugiperda and to refine them for scaling-up.
Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Selected Marine Fish Species of Gadani Shipbreaking Area and Pakistan
Authors: Kakar Allauddin , Hayat Malik Tahir , Abbasi Arshad Mahmood , Pervez Arshid , Mahmood Qaisar , Farooq Umar , Akbar Tahir Ali , Ali Shafaqat , Rizwan Muhammad , El-Serehy Hamed A. , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M.
Published: September 2020

Gadani shipbreaking area, located on the coastline of Pakistan, is an important fish production area. In this study, levels of four metals (Ni, Pb, Cd, and Mn) in 148 muscle and gill samples of seven fish species (Small-scale terapon, Torpedo scade, Sicklefish, Saddle grunt, Gold silk seabream, Indian mackerel, Spotted sickle fish) and seawater samples, taken from 9 sampling sites in the shipbreaking area, were determined. In addition, multiple approaches were used to assess human health risks from fish consumption. Trace metal concentration in seawater ranged from 0.05 to 1.96 mg/L in shipbreaking vicinity and 0.03 to 0.97 mg/L in the reference site (Miani Hor). However, metal accumulations in fish species ranged from 1.33 to 5.26 μg/g. Among trace metals, the level of Pb in all fish species was highest, followed by Ni, Mn, and Cd. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for both gills and muscles displayed the order: Mn > Cd > Ni > Pb. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values were below the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Based on target hazard quotient (THQ), the investigated fish species were safe regarding Pb and Mn (THQ < 1), while they may cause potential risk regarding Cd and Ni (THQ > 1). After comparison with maximum permissible limits, heavy metal concentration in the edible muscle tissues of all the analyzed fish species from the Gadani coast were found safe for human consumption.
Environmental Investigations and Tissue Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Grey Mullet from the Black Sea (Bulgaria) and the Ionian Sea (Italy)
Authors: Fazio Francesco , D’Iglio Claudio , Capillo Gioele , Saoca Concetta , Peycheva Katya , Piccione Giuseppe , Makedonski Lubomir
Published: September 2020

The environmental monitoring of chemical toxicants has been a widely studied topic in the last few decades. The main aim of the present study was to determine the total concentration of nine elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in the fish species grey mullet (M. cephalus) and in the coastal marine waters collected from various sampling points along the Black Sea (Bulgaria) and the Ionian Sea (Italy). Further, those results were applied to predict the pollution degree in those coastal marine environments. The fish samples were subject to acid digestion followed by appropriate analytical determination. The metal concentrations in marine water samples collected from the Black Sea (Bulgaria) and the Ionian Sea (Italy) were also analyzed. Unpaired Student’s t-test and the one-way ANOVA were applied for the statistical analysis of the data. The statistical results revealed a significant variation (p < 0.0001) in the concentration of various fish tissues. The accumulation of toxic and essential elements differs significantly in grey mullet species caught from the Black Sea (Bulgaria) and the Ionian Sea (Italy). The results from this study may serve as a convenient approach during marine pollution programs set by both countries (Italy and Bulgaria).
The Impact of Producing Type and Dietary Crude Protein on Animal Performances and Microbiota Together with Greenhouse Gases Emissions in Growing Pigs
Authors: Seradj Ahmad Reza , Balcells Joaquim , Sarri Laura , Fraile Lorenzo José , de la Fuente Oliver Gabriel
Published: September 2020

In order to reduce dietary nitrogen and achieve an efficient protein deposition as well as decrease N wastage, we challenged the nutrient utilization efficiency of two different producing types in front of a dietary crude protein (CP) restriction and studied the role of the microbiota in such an adaptation process. Therefore, 32 pure castrated male Duroc (DU) and 32 entire male hybrid (F2) piglets were raised in a three-phase feeding regime. At each phase, two iso caloric diets differing in CP content, also known as normal protein (NP) and low protein (LP), were fed to the animals. LP diets had a fixed restriction (2%) in CP content in regards to NP ones throughout the phases of the experiment. At the end of third phase, fecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis purposes and greenhouse gases emissions, together with ammonia, were tested. No changes were found in average daily feed intake (ADFI) of animals of two producing types (Duroc vs. F2) or those consumed different experimental diets (NP vs. LP) throughout the course of study. However, at the end of each experimental phase the average body weight (BW) of hybrid animals were higher compared to Duroc pigs, whereas a reverse trend was observed for average daily gain (ADG), where Duroc pigs showed greater values with respect to hybrid ones. Despite, greater CH4 and ammonia emissions in Duroc pigs with respect to F2, no significant differences were found in contaminant gases emissions between diets. Moreover, LP diets did not alter the microbial community structure, in terms of diversity, although some genera were affected by the dietary challenge. Results suggest that the impact of reducing 2% of CP content was limited for reduction in contaminant gases emissions and highlight the hypothesis that moderate change in the dietary protein levels can be overcome by long-term adaptation of the gut microbiota. Overall, the influence of the producing type on performance and digestive microbiota composition was more pronounced than the dietary effect. However, both producing types responded differently to CP restriction. The use of fecal microbiota as biomarker for predicting feed efficiency has a great potential that should be completed with robust predictive models to achieve consistent and valid results.
A Novel Hardware Security Architecture for IoT Device: PD-CRP (PUF Database and Challenge–Response Pair) Bloom Filter on Memristor-Based PUF
Authors: Lee Jungwon , Choi Seoyeon , Kim Dayoung , Choi Yunyoung , Sun Wookyung
Published: September 2020

Because the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) requires technology that transfers information between objects without human intervention, the core of IoT security will be secure authentication between devices or between devices and servers. Software-based authentication may be a security vulnerability in IoT, but hardware-based security technology can provide a strong security environment. Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are hardware security element suitable for lightweight applications. PUFs can generate challenge–response pairs(CRPs) that cannot be controlled or predicted by utilizing inherent physical variations that occur in the manufacturing process. In particular, the pulsewidth-based memristive PUF (pm-PUF) improves security performance by applying different write pulse widths and bank structures. Bloom filters (BFs) are probabilistic data structures that answer membership queries using small memories. Bloom filters can improve search performance and reduce memory usage and are used in areas such as networking, security, big data, and IoT. In this paper, we propose a structure that applies Bloom filters based on the pm-PUF to reduce PUF data transmission errors. The proposed structure uses two different Bloom filter types that store different information and that are located in front of and behind the pm-PUF, reducing unnecessary access by removing challenges from attacker access. Simulation results show that the proposed structure decreases the data transmission error rate and reuse rate as the Bloom filter size increases; the simulation results also show that the proposed structure improves pm-PUF security with a very small Bloom filter memory.
An Enhanced Planar Linked Segment Model for Predicting Lumbar Spine Loads during Symmetric Lifting Tasks
Authors: Picerno Pietro
Published: September 2020

The present technical note aimed at enriching the planar linked segment model originally proposed by Chaffin with the prediction of the moment arm and of the orientation of the line of action of the back extensor muscles during symmetric lifting tasks. The prediction equations proposed by van Dieen and de Looze for their single equivalent muscle model were used for such a purpose. Their prediction was based on the thorax-to-pelvis flexion angle as computed from 3D video-based motion capture. In order to make these prediction equations compliant with a two-dimensional analysis, the planar angle formed by the segment joining L5/S1 to the shoulder with the longitudinal axis of the pelvis was introduced. This newly computed planar trunk flexion angle was used to feed van Dieen and de Looze’s equations, comparing the results with the original model. A full-body Plug-in-Gait model relative to 10 subjects performing manual lifting activities using a stoop and a squat technique was used for model validation. A strong association was found between the proposed planar trunk flexion angle and that used by van Dieen and de Looze (r = 0.970). A strong association and a high level of agreement were found between the back extensor muscle moment arm (r = 0.965; bias < 0.001 m; upper limit of agreement (LOA) = 0.002 m; lower LOA < 0.001 m) and the orientation of the line of action (r = 0.970; bias = 2.8°; upper LOA = 5.3°; lower LOA = 0.2°) as computed using the two methods. For both the considered variables, the prediction error fell within the model sensitivity.
A Long/Short-Term Memory Based Automated Testing Model to Quantitatively Evaluate Game Design
Authors: Chen Lin-Kung , Chen Yen-Hung , Chang Shu-Fang , Chang Shun-Chieh
Published: September 2020

The mobile casual game application lifespan is getting shorter. A company has to shorten the game testing procedure to avoid being squeezed out of the game market share. There is no sufficient testing indicator to objectively evaluate the operability of different game designs. Many automated testing methodologies are proposed, but they adopt rule-based approaches and cannot provide quantitative analysis to statistically evaluate gameplay experience. This study suggests applying “Learning Time” as a testing indicator and using the learning curve to identify the operability of different game designs. This study also proposes a Long/Short-Term Memory based automated testing model (called LSTM-Testing) to statistically testing game experience through end-to-end functionality (Input: game image; Output: game action) without any manual intervention. The experiment results demonstrate LSTM-Testing can provide quantitative testing data by using learning time as the control variable, game design as the independent variable, and time to complete game as the dependent variable. This study also demonstrates how LSTM-Testing evaluates the effectiveness of different gameplay learning strategies, e.g., reviewing the newest decisions, reviewing the correct decision, or reviewing the wrong decisions. The contributions of LSTM-Testing are (1) providing an objective and quantitative analytical game-testing framework, (2) reducing the labor cost of inefficient and subjective manual game testing, and (3) allowing game company boosts software development by focusing on game intellectual property and leaves game testing to artificial intelligence (AI).
Biosorption of Heavy Metals by the Bacterial Exopolysaccharide FucoPol
Authors: Concórdio-Reis Patrícia , Reis Maria A. M. , Freitas Filomena
Published: September 2020

Despite the efforts for minimizing the usage of heavy metals, anthropogenic activities still generate high amounts of wastewater containing these contaminants that cause significant health and environmental problems. Given the drawbacks of the conventional physical and chemical methods currently used, natural biosorbents (microbial cells or their products) arise as promising environmentally friendly alternatives. In this study, the binding efficiency of the polysaccharide secreted by Enterobacter A47, FucoPol, towards lead (Pb2+), cobalt (Co2+), copper (Cu2+) and zinc (Zn2+) cations was demonstrated. FucoPol revealed a higher performance for the biosorption of Pb2+, with a maximum overall metal removal of 93.9 ± 5.3% and a specific metal uptake of 41.1 ± 2.3 mg/gEPS, from a Pb2+ solution with an initial concentration of 10 mg/L, by a 5 g/L FucoPol solution. The overall metal removal decreased considerably (≤31.3 ± 1.6%) for higher Pb2+ concentrations (48 and 100 mg/L) probably due to the saturation of FucoPol’s binding sites. Pb2+ removal was also less efficient (66.0 ± 8.2%) when a higher FucoPol concentration (10 g/L) was tested. Pb2+ removal efficiency of FucoPol was maximized at pH 4.3, however, it was affected by lower pH values (2.5–3.3). Moreover, the FucoPol’s sorption performance was unaffected (overall metal removal: 91.6–93.9%) in the temperature range of 5–40 °C. These findings demonstrate FucoPol’s great potential for utilization as a biodegradable and safe biosorbent for treating waters and wastewaters contaminated with Pb2+.
Major Consequences of Land-Use Changes for Ecosystems in the Future in the Agro-Pastoral Transitional Zone of Northern China
Authors: Xu Xia , Jiang Honglei , Wang Lingfei , Guan Mengxi , Zhang Tong , Qiao Shirong
Published: September 2020

Assessing the effects of future land use and land cover change (LULC) on ecological processes and functions is crucial for improving regional sustainability in arid and semiarid areas. Taking the Agro-Pastoral Transitional Zone of Northern China (APTZNC) as an example, four IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios scenarios (Scenario of economic emphasis on a regional scale (A1B), Scenario of economic emphasis on a global scale (A2), Scenario of environmental protection on a regional scale (B1), Scenario of environmental protection on a global scale (B2)) were adopted in the study to analyze the influence of the future land use and land cover change on the net primary production (NPP), soil organic matter (SOM), soil total nitrogen (TN), and soil erosion (ERO) using the model of Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator-Land use/land cover model (TES-LUC) linking ecological processes and land-use change dynamics. The results were analyzed from the perspectives of LULC components, LULC conversions, and landscape patterns under the four scenarios. The main results include the following: (1) Environmentally oriented scenarios (A1B and B1) experienced the conservation of forest and grassland; economically oriented scenarios (A2 and B2) were characterized by significant loss of natural land covers and expansion of agricultural and urban land uses. (2) The NPP and soil nutrients are the highest while the ERO is the lowest in the woodland; the trend in cultivated land is opposite to that in woodland; the grassland ecosystem function is relatively stable and could make an important contribution to effectively mitigate global climate change. (3) The general trend in NPP, SOM, and TN under the four scenarios is B1 > A1B > baseline (2010) > B2 > A2, and that in ERO is A2 > B2 > baseline (2010) > A1B > B1. (4) Trade-offs between ecosystem functions and the ecological effects of LULC can be evaluated and formulated into decision-making.
Finite Element-Based Simulation for Edgewise Compression Behavior of Corrugated Paperboard for Packaging of Agricultural Products
Authors: Park Jongmin , Park Minjung , Choi Dong Soo , Jung Hyun Mo , Hwang Sung Wook
Published: September 2020

Since most goods are transported and stored in a unit-load form in today’s global supply chain, there has been a growing concern regarding the compression strength of corrugated paperboard boxes for packaging of agricultural products. The best predictor of the compression strength of corrugated boxes is the edgewise compression test (ECT) value; therefore, its efficient measurement or prediction is crucial for the design of more efficient corrugated boxes for food and agricultural and industrial products. This study investigated the edgewise compression behavior (load vs. displacement plot, ECT, and failure mechanism) of corrugated paperboard based on different types of testing standards and flute types using finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental analysis. The results of this study showed that the magnitude of the ECT values produced by the FEA was different from the values produced by the experiment. The difference in the ECT can be possibly explained by layer thickness approximations, together with glue line width assumptions between fluting and the liners in the numerical models. However, the trends of the values were the same. If the material properties of corrugated paperboard components and modeling methods of the corrugated paperboard are further studied, the FE (finite element)-based simulation technique will be a useful alternative tool that can replace the edgewise compression test.
Impact of the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool on the Hadley, Walker, and Monsoon Circulations
Authors: Kim Hye-Ryeom , Ha Kyung-Ja , Moon Suyeon , Oh Hyoeun , Sharma Sahil
Published: September 2020

The Indo-Pacific warm pool (IPWP) is enclosed by a 28 °C isotherm and plays a vital role in controlling atmospheric circulations. However, the effects of changes in regional warm pool sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remain unexplored. We divided the IPWP into the Indian and Pacific sectors and distinguished their responses to natural variability and global warming. Furthermore, we examined the impacts of the interannual variability (IAV) in warm pool SST on the tropical Hadley, Walker, and monsoon circulations. The Hadley circulation was affected by warm pool SST warming, i.e., warmer SSTs over the warm pool strengthened the upward branch of Hadley circulation, whereas the downward branch was respectively weakened and strengthened in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Walker circulation was strengthened (weakened) in the warming (natural) mode. Consequently, the Walker circulation is weakened since the natural variability of warm pool SST plays a more dominant role rather than the warming trend of SSTs over the warm pool. Furthermore, our analysis displays that warm pool warming has little impact on the monsoon circulation. Our findings highlight the different roles of the IAV of warm pool regions in each tropical circulation as part of the warming trend and natural variability.
Human Serum Albumin Binds Native Insulin and Aggregable Insulin Fragments and Inhibits Their Aggregation
Authors: Wasko Joanna , Wolszczak Marian , Kaminski Zbigniew , Steblecka Malgorzata , Kolesinska Beata
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Human Serum Albumin (HSA) can bind native human insulin and its A13–A19 and B12–B17 fragments, which are responsible for the aggregation of the whole hormone. To label the hormone and both hot spots, so that their binding positions within the HSA could be identified, 4-(1-pyrenyl)butyric acid was used as a fluorophore. Triazine coupling reagent was used to attach the 4-(1-pyrenyl)butyric acid to the N-terminus of the peptides. When attached to the peptides, the fluorophore showed extended fluorescence lifetimes in the excited state in the presence of HSA, compared to the samples in buffer solution. We also analyzed the interactions of unlabeled native insulin and its hot spots with HSA, using circular dichroism (CD), the microscale thermophoresis technique (MST), and three independent methods recommended for aggregating peptides. The CD spectra indicated increased amounts of the α-helical secondary structure in all analyzed samples after incubation. Moreover, for each of the two unlabeled hot spots, it was possible to determine the dissociation constant in the presence of HSA, as 14.4 µM (A13–A19) and 246 nM (B12–B17). Congo Red, Thioflavin T, and microscopy assays revealed significant differences between typical amyloids formed by the native hormone or its hot-spots and the secondary structures formed by the complexes of HSA with insulin and A13–A19 and B12–B17 fragments. All results show that the tested peptide-probe conjugates and their unlabeled analogues interact with HSA, which inhibits their aggregation.
Effects of Curcumin in a Mouse Model of Very High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Koboziev Iurii , Scoggin Shane , Gong Xiaoxia , Mirzaei Parvin , Zabet-Moghaddam Masoud , Yosofvand Mohammad , Moussa Hanna , Jones-Hall Yava , Moustaid-Moussa Naima
Published: September 2020

Worldwide rates of Western-diet-induced obesity epidemics are growing dramatically. Being linked with numerous comorbidities and complications, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic inflammation, and osteoarthritis (OA), obesity represents one of the most threatening challenges for modern healthcare. Mouse models are an invaluable tool for investigating the effects of diets and their bioactive components against high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its comorbidities. During recent years, very high fat diets (VHFDs), providing 58–60% kcal fat, have become a popular alternative to more traditional HFDs, providing 40–45% total kcal fat, due to the faster induction of obesity and stronger metabolic responses. This project aims to investigate if the 60% fat VHFD is suitable to evaluate the protective effects of curcumin in diet-induced obesity and osteoarthritis. B6 male mice, prone to diet-induced metabolic dysfunction, were supplemented with VHFD without or with curcumin for 13 weeks. Under these experimental conditions, feeding mice a VHFD for 13 weeks did not result in expected robust manifestations of the targeted pathophysiologic conditions. Supplementing the diet with curcumin, in turn, protected the animals against obesity without significant changes in white adipocyte size, glucose clearance, and knee cartilage integrity. Additional research is needed to optimize diet composition, curcumin dosage, and duration of dietary interventions to establish the VHFD-induced obesity for evaluating the effects of curcumin on metabolic dysfunctions related to obesity and osteoarthritis.
A Self-Referenced Diffraction-Based Optical Leaky Waveguide Biosensor Using Photofunctionalised Hydrogels
Authors: Pal Anil K. , Goddard Nicholas J. , Dixon Hazel J. , Gupta Ruchi
Published: September 2020

We report a novel self-referenced diffraction-based leaky waveguide (LW) comprising a thin (~2 µm) film of a photofunctionalisable hydrogel created by covalent attachment of a biotinylated photocleavable linker to chitosan. Streptavidin attached to the chitosan via the photocleavable linker was selectively removed by shining 365 nm light through a photomask to create an array of strips with high and low loading of the protein, which served as sensor and reference regions respectively. The differential measurements between sensor and reference regions were used for measuring analytes (i.e., biotin protein A and IgG) while reducing environmental and non-specific effects. These include changes in temperature and sample composition caused by non-adsorbing and adsorbing species, leading to reduction in effects by ~98%, ~99%, and ~97% respectively compared to the absolute measurements. The novelty of this work lies in combining photofunctionalisable hydrogels with diffraction-based LWs for referencing. This is needed to realise the full potential of label-free optical biosensors to measure analyte concentrations in real samples that are complex mixtures, and to allow for sample analysis outside of laboratories where drifts and fluctuations in temperature are observed.
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Modulates EEG Microstates and Delta Activity in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Ricci Lorenzo , Croce Pierpaolo , Lanzone Jacopo , Boscarino Marilisa , Zappasodi Filippo , Tombini Mario , Di Lazzaro Vincenzo , Assenza Giovanni
Published: September 2020

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is an alternative non-invasive method for the electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve with the goal of treating several neuropsychiatric disorders. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of tVNS on cerebral cortex activity in healthy volunteers using resting-state microstates and power spectrum electroencephalography (EEG) analysis. Eight male subjects aged 25–45 years were recruited in this randomized sham-controlled double-blind study with cross-over design. Real tVNS was administered at the left external acoustic meatus, while sham stimulation was performed at the left ear lobe, both of them for 60 min. The EEG recording lasted 5 min and was performed before and 60 min following the tVNS experimental session. We observed that real tVNS induced an increase in the metrics of microstate A mean duration (p = 0.039) and an increase in EEG power spectrum activity in the delta frequency band (p < 0.01). This study confirms that tVNS is an effective way to stimulate the vagus nerve, and the mechanisms of action of this activation can be successfully studied using scalp EEG quantitative metrics. Future studies are warranted to explore the clinical implications of these findings and to focus the research of the prognostic biomarkers of tVNS therapy for neuropsychiatric diseases.
Independent Components of EEG Activity Correlating with Emotional State
Authors: Maruyama Yasuhisa , Ogata Yousuke , Martínez-Tejada Laura A. , Koike Yasuharu , Yoshimura Natsue
Published: September 2020

Among brain-computer interface studies, electroencephalography (EEG)-based emotion recognition is receiving attention and some studies have performed regression analyses to recognize small-scale emotional changes; however, effective brain regions in emotion regression analyses have not been identified yet. Accordingly, this study sought to identify neural activities correlating with emotional states in the source space. We employed independent component analysis, followed by a source localization method, to obtain distinct neural activities from EEG signals. After the identification of seven independent component (IC) clusters in a k-means clustering analysis, group-level regression analyses using frequency band power of the ICs were performed based on Russell’s valence–arousal model. As a result, in the regression of the valence level, an IC cluster located in the cuneus predicted both high- and low-valence states and two other IC clusters located in the left precentral gyrus and the precuneus predicted the low-valence state. In the regression of the arousal level, the IC cluster located in the cuneus predicted both high- and low-arousal states and two posterior IC clusters located in the cingulate gyrus and the precuneus predicted the high-arousal state. In this proof-of-concept study, we revealed neural activities correlating with specific emotional states across participants, despite individual differences in emotional processing.
PD-1 Expression by Lymph Node and Intratumoral Regulatory T Cells Is Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Seifert Adrian M. , Eymer Annabel , Heiduk Max , Wehner Rebekka , Tunger Antje , von Renesse Janusz , Decker Rahel , Aust Daniela E. , Welsch Thilo , Reissfelder Christoph , Weitz Jürgen , Schmitz Marc , Seifert Lena
Published: September 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a mostly immunosuppressive microenvironment. Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) are a major site for priming of tumor-reactive T cells and also tumor metastasis. However, the phenotype and function of T cells in TDLNs from PDAC patients is unknown. In this study, lymph nodes from the pancreatic head (PH), the hepatoduodenal ligament (HDL) and the interaortocaval (IAC) region were obtained from 25 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Additionally, tumors and matched blood were analyzed from 16 PDAC patients. Using multicolor flow cytometry, we performed a comprehensive analysis of T cells. CD4+ T cells were the predominant T cell subset in PDAC-draining lymph nodes. Overall, lymph node CD4+ and CD8+ T cells had a similar degree of activation, as measured by CD69, inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS) and CD137 (4-1BB) expression and interferon-γ (IFNγ) secretion. Expression of the inhibitory receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1) by lymph node and tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) correlated with lymph node metastasis. Collectively, Treg cells and PD-1 are two relevant components of the immunosuppressive network in PDAC-draining lymph nodes and may be particularly attractive targets for combinatorial immunotherapeutic strategies in selected patients with node-positive PDAC.