bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PEMODELAN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMEN PENGUATAN KARAKTER KERJA SISWA SMK PADA INDUSTRI BERBASIS WEB
Authors: Suwarto Suwarto , Kristiadi Dedy Prasetya , Rahayu Putri
Published: June 2020

This study aims to improve the character of industry-based work for vocational school with knowledge management methods. Knowledge management is an attempt to increase the knowledge that is useful in the team at the organization. Knowledge management is the management of an organization with a special focus on knowledge. Implementation of knowledge management with emphasis on strengthening the character of industry-based work using the web, is expected to be a solution of the character education needs for students in vocational high schools to be accepted to work according to their fields. This research will develop the model of knowledge management system and design prototype of model developed on the character of industry work to be shared to the teachers. The methodology used is to perform contingency factor analysis to get the knowledge management system model. The resulting knowledge management system model supports the Socialization, Externalization, Combination, Internalization (SECI) process.
APLIKASI MOBILE COMMERCE (M-COMMERCE) BERBASIS ANDROID HYBRID
Authors: Alfeno Sandro , Tiana Wury Intan
Published: June 2020

The number of uses of the Android operating system makes developers compete in making Android-based applications. One of them is in business, making a sales system that can run on Android-based smartphones is very popular with most people because it can facilitate buying and selling transactions. Based on the results of the research, the sales system at PT Gemanusa Sentra Teknologi still has some shortcomings. To solve this problem, a Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce) application is created by using the REST API as a communication method between Client and Server. With this application, it will be easier for users to make buying and selling transactions because they can be used anywhere and anytime.
EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM (EIS) KINERJA STUDY KASUS : CABIN BASE MAINTENANCE PT. GMF AEROASIA TBK
Authors: Wandanaya Anita B , Iskandar Dedy , Ariansah Gofar
Published: June 2020

Being a company with a high level of productivity is the goal of all companies. If a company or organization has high productivity, the company or organization can be called an advanced company. PT GMF AeroAsia is one that always tries to increase its productivity. PT GMF AeroAsia is a company engaged in aircraft maintenance or known as Maintenance Repair and Overhoul (MRO). PT GMF AeroAsia always strives to improve its performance through increased manpower productivity. If manhours productivity increases every year, the company's revenue or revenue can increase as well, thus the company will advance and develop to be equal with the world's top ten (10) Maintenance Repair and Overhoul (MRO) companies as PT GMF AeroAsia's vision is to become the top ten MRO in the World. Therefore research will be conducted by analyzing the performance through manhours productivity at each maintenance project in the base maintenance, especially in the cabin base maintenance In this study, an executive information system (EIS) will be designed and proposed in the form of a dashboard for decision makers such as managers, general managers and vice presidents. The goal is as a source of information to identify, control performance and can help and support as a source of information for leaders in deciding wise and strategic decisions on performance, especially the performance of the cabin base maintenance unit at PT GMF AeroAsia.
APLIKASI PELAYANAN PENGADUAN MAINTENANCE DIVISI TEKNIK BERBASIS ANDROID PADA PERGURUAN TINGGI RAHARJA
Authors: Aris Aris , Maryanih Maryanih , Arrianti Syinthia Ricka
Published: June 2020

Development of Service System for engineering section in the form of Application Maintenance Request System, which is used to improve services only to management, namely staf. Customer satisfaction is a specific evaluation of the overall services provided by the engineering department. so that the satisfaction of service users in the engineering division can only be judged based on the experience that has been experienced during the service delivery process. Customer satisfaction, especially in the area of maintenance services, is a must so that the service is developed more broadly for lecturers and students. With the development of an application system maintenance requests from websites are changed to mobile, that is based on Android which can make it easier for users to make complaints with Android-based smartphones, so it is very helpful for the engineering section to accommodate all user complaints. This Android-based Maintenance Request application can report quickly any maintenance requests that come from the user to the engineering officer, so that it gets a more effective and efficient response in measuring the level of time during maintenance.
SISTEM INFORMASI PROFIL MAHASISWA PADA PENILAIAN PENGUJI PESSTA+ DI PERGURUAN TINGGI
Authors: Ariessanti Hani Dewi , Martono Aris , Suprayogi Danang
Published: June 2020

Submission of information is an important thing in a system. A good system that is able to communicate to its users by conveying information correctly and clearly. In the examiner rating system found in Raharja College before the system still did not provide information about theprofile of the Thesis and Final Project students. Submitting the lack of information is felt to make the previously running system unable to communicate to its users. Therefore it is necessary to develop a student profile information system so that it can communicate to its usersclearly. After the examiner assessment system that has been developed becomes online, the student profile information system is also developed online by adding some information that can make the system more communicating to its users. Research to develop a student profile information system on the assessment of trial examiners using observational research methods, interviews and literature studies. The researcher made observations by looking at the shortcomings of the system, then conducting interviews with stakeholders, then the researchers sought similar research in order to solve the problems that had been obtained. It is expected that after being applied to the Testing Assessment system, the delivery of information regarding the profile of the Thesis trial and Final Project students can be better and clearer. Because information about student profiles is very important for examiners in providing trial scores to Thesis and Final Project students.
RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM INFORMASI PENEMPATAN AREA KERJA CLEANING SERVICE UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PELAYANAN BANDARA
Authors: Aisyah Euis Sitinur , Pramono Bayu , Munandar Haris
Published: June 2020

The airport is one of the entry gates of a country, in the airport there are many work divisions that support and facilitate all existing activities, one of which is a cleaning service that has a large enough function that is to improve cleanliness and comfort in the airport area, cleaning services that exist when This is managed by the company and works with companies that focus on cleaning service in each terminal. The placement of the cleaning service area is still manual and takes a lot of time and involves several parts in the process, and inhibits in terms of time in the process of cleaning the area at the airport so that it can reduce the quality of services that have an inconvenience, to overcome the problem. which is currently running to find out the components of the problem that exist. The results to be achieved in this study is the application of a system that facilitates the process, namely by making an information system placement of web-based cleaning service work areas that is used as a reference in the system development process later. The analytical method used in this study uses the PIECES method, to assist in the process of analyzing the system that has been running. The Programming Language used in building this system uses PHP, MySQL as a database to store master data, transactions and users.
DESAIN MEDIA PROMOSI DAN KOMUNIKASI VISUAL PADA YAYASAN SMK ISLAM BAIDHAUL AHKAM KOTA TANGERANG
Authors: Andriyanto Andriyanto , Muhyani Dianarti
Published: June 2020

Through media images, colors, and information texts become more clear and interesting. Especially in the field of publications, multimedia has become one of the supporting media in the delivery of effective, and more interesting information in its presentation. From time to time, people's needs for creative, efficient and effective designs are increasing. The development of the world of education is increasingly rapid, leading to the increasing number of facilities and advantages that must be promoted to compete with other schools, especially at the Baidhaul Ahkam Islamic Vocational School foundation. Current problems in the Baidhaul Ahkam Islamic Vocational School, in its promotional strategy, still use less informative designs for new prospective students, making them less interested in seeing Baidhaul Ahkam Islamic Vocational Schools. The research method used is observation, interview and literature study. Through a more attractive and up-to-date design design, it is expected that new students can find out updated information and are interested in attending Baidhaul Ahkam Islamic Vocational School and becoming more widely known to the wider audience.
Korzyści podatkowe jako element wspierający podmioty ekonomiczne w okresie walki z COVID-19: aspekt porównawczy i prawny
Authors: Shevchuk Oksana , Mentuh Nataliya
Published: June 2020

Niniejszy artykuł stanowi analizę porównawczą ukraińskiego systemu podatkowego oraz jego odpowiedników w innych krajach. Ma ona na celu ustalenie konkurencyjności Ukrainy na światowych rynkach towarowych i inwestycyjnych oraz wskazanie głównych kierunków reform systemu podatkowego w dobie kryzysu ekonomicznego wywołanego zastosowaniem środków związanych z kwarantanną. Rozważaniom oraz analizie poddano wpływ liberalizacji systemu podatkowego na rozwój społeczno-ekonomiczny Ukrainy oraz innych krajów. Dokonano porównań w następujących obszarach: poziom ogólnego ciężaru podatkowego, rozłożenie go pomiędzy główne rodzaje podatków i grup płatników oraz skuteczność fiskalna systemów podatkowych. Po przeanalizowaniu danych pochodzących z krajów europejskich autorki porównały je z kilkoma parametrami opisującymi duże gospodarki świata, takie jak Stany Zjednoczone, Chiny czy Singapur. Wykazano, iż UE nieco gorzej radzi sobie niż USA pod względem preferencyjnego administrowania wymiarem podatku oraz z procesami płatni czymi, a także w zakresie wypełniania zeznań podatkowych przez podatników. Jednakże w krajach UE są stosunkowo niskie stawki podatku od osób prawnych (w porównaniu do Chin i USA). Mimo iż Chiny oraz Singapur znacznie zmniejszyły stawki tego podatku, ich poziom nadal pozostał powyżej średniej w UE. Aby usprawnić funkcjonowanie systemu podatkowego na Ukrainie, autorki zalecają skoncentrować wysiłki na dynamicznej transformacji, którą można zaobserwować w nowych państwach członkowskich UE – stanowiących jednocześnie głównych konkurentów Ukrainy na światowych rynkach towarowych i kapitałowych – by opierając się na ich doświadczeniach, pracować nad poprawą warunków podatkowych, co przyczyni się do lepszego wypełniania obowiązków podatkowych w sensie regulacyjnym i fiskalnym. Autorki dochodzą do wniosku, że zmiany ustawodawstwa podatkowego na Ukrainie w obliczu konieczności ochrony podmiotów ekonomicznych w dobie pandemii COVID-19 są skuteczne, wystarczające i spójne ze światową praktyką prawną. Zatem liberalizacja systemu podatkowego jest jednym z decydujących czynników światowego rozwoju społeczno-ekonomicznego.
Nowhere and Everywhere
Authors: Myllys Riikka
Published: June 2020

This article investigates the intergenerational transmission of craft making, including the role religion and spirituality play in this transmission. The theoretical approach is based on everyday religion and Bengtson’s theory of intergenerational solidarity. The data for this qualitative study was collected in interviews. The results show that warm relationships and closeness between generations are at the heart of transmission: craft making brings different generations together, creates space for intimate relationships, and serves as a way of showing care for children and grandchildren. What about religion? At first glance it seems absent. However, a closer look reveals multiple religious aspects of this process, such as transmitted values and shared craft-making moments associated with religious memories and experiences. Above all, craft making is a venue for warmth and closeness between generations, which is at the heart of religious transmission.
Ricœur’s Historical Intentionality and the Great Goddess Freyja
Authors: Aaro Ane Faugstad
Published: June 2020

The main question in this article concerns whether hermeneutic phenomenology as a methodology can address some of the problems and critiques raised in the study of religions. Inspired by Gilhus’s proposal in her article ‘The Phenomenology of Religion and Theories of Interpretation’, I investigate the possibilities in this strand of thought concerning interpretation and explanation from the perspective of Ricœur’s hermeneutic phenomenology and language theory, taking Norse mythology and the goddess Freyja as examples of how this method might work. I argue that Ricœur’s contribution to hermeneutic phenomenology is important to methodology in the study of religions, and that the historicity of the interpretation of religious phenomena is based on a lifeworldly intentionality. I also analyse the depth of understanding, the formation of ideas, and meaning in its historical context at the level of the historian’s process of interpretation, and I argue that the method may constitute a theoretical basis for an objective science.
Thematic Module Based on Groundwater Quality to Enhance Creative Thinking Abilities and Student Perceptions
Authors: Yanti Yarni Sri , Mayub Afrizal , Nirwana Nirwana
Published: June 2020

This study aims to (1) describe groundwater quality in terms of physical and chemical parameters; (2) Describe the improvement of the ability to think creatively using thematic modules on the impact of pollution on life; and (3) Describe the increase in students' perceptions of the importance of caring for the environment using the thematic modules on the material impacts of pollution on life. The type of research used is the Research and Development (R&D) development model of ADDIE (Analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation). The analysis phase is carried out on ground water quality using 7 parameters, namely temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, salinity, TDS, turbidity and Electrical Conductivity. The results of the analysis are packaged in a thematic module on the impact of pollution on life for class VII SMP / MTs to improve students' creative thinking abilities and perceptions of caring for the environment. The sample of the study was SMPN 18 Bengkulu Tengah students, for a limited scale there were 10 students of class VIII, while the broad scale were 21 students of class VII. Data analysis was performed using the N-Gain test. On a limited scale the results of the gain of creative thinking ability is 0.784 (high) with effective criteria and the gain of environmental care is 0.566 (moderate) with quite effective criteria. Whereas in the wide-scale test, the result of creative thinking ability gain was 0.66 (moderate) with quite effective criteria and the gain of environmental care was 0.562 (moderate) with quite effective criteria. Based on the analysis of the N-gain test it can be concluded that the thematic module of the impact of pollution on life can improve the ability to think creatively and students' perceptions of the importance of caring for the environment.
Establishment of Learning Module based on Research of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles to Improve Biology Understanding
Authors: Redo Redo , Sundaryono Agus
Published: June 2020

The goal of this study was to develop teaching materials for fat metabolism based on the effect of C. bonduc L extracted solid lipid nanoparticles on HDL and LDL levels of Mus musculus infected with malaria, and to improve understanding of the concept of fat metabolism of Biology Education students in animal physiology courses at Bung Hatta University, Padang. The development model used is Research and Development (R&D adapted from the stages (R&D) by Borg and Gall. Research begins by analyzing the needs of students in the learning process of animal physiology in obtaining information and knowledge to be used as learning resources in the form of modules. Modules in limited trials Biology Education students at Bung Hatta University, Padang, amounting to 18. Students The results showed that the understanding of the concept of fat metabolism of students using the fat metabolism module was very varied, the understanding of the concept of fat metabolism was mostly categorized as good (39%), Sufficient (36%) and less (25%) The ability to understand the concept of fat metabolism of students on the translational aspect has developed well, interpretation is sufficient while extrapolation has not developed well.This fat metabolism module is able to improve the ability to understand the metabolic fat concepts of students of Biology Education at Bung Hatta University viewed of value classically.
GENÇ YETİŞKİNLERDE SOSYAL MEDYA BAĞIMLILIĞI, YALNIZLIK VE YAŞAM DOYUMU ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: YUKAY YÜKSEL Müge , ÇİNİ Ayşe , YASAK Büşra
Published: June 2020

Bu araştırmada , genç yetişkinlerin sosyal medya bağımlılığı, yalnızlık ve yaşam doyumu düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi ve bu ilişkinin cinsiyet, yaş, medeni durum, sosyoekonomik düzey değişkenlerine göre farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığını ortaya koymak amaçlanmıştır.Araştırmada ilişkisel tarama yöntemi kullanılmıştır.Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 531 genç yetişkin oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcılara Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı Ölçeği, U.C.L.A. Yalnızlık Ölçeği, Yaşam Doyumu Ölçeği ve Kişisel Bilgi Formu uygulanmıştır.Verilerin analizinde Spearman Brown sıra farkları korelasyonu, bağımsız örneklem t testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) yapılmıştır.Araştırmada bulgularına göre katılımcıların sosyal medya bağımlılık, yaşam doyumu ve yalnızlık düzeylerinin cinsiyet ve medeni duruma göre manidar olarak farklılaştığı tespit edilmiştir. Yalnızlık ve yaşam doyumu arasında negatif yönde, sosyal medya arasında pozitif yönde manidar bir ilişki bulunmuştur. yaşam doyumu
Broiler Chicks’ Motivation for Different Wood Beddings and Amounts of Soiling
Authors: Monckton Valerie , van Staaveren Nienke , Harlander-Matauschek Alexandra
Published: June 2020

In the wild, excreta soiled surroundings can attract predators and spread disease. Yet, farmers rear broiler chicks in large barns with stocking densities that prevent excreta segregation. To measure chicks’ motivation to access unsoiled bedding or soiled litter (collectively, substrates) we used 40 16-day-old broiler chicks who were divided into six two-compartment pens. The ‘home’ compartment (H) contained soiled wood shavings, while the ‘treatment’ compartment (T) contained either aspen wood shavings, pine and spruce wood shavings, soiled pine and spruce wood shavings, ammonia reductant treated soiled pine and spruce wood shavings, or a feed treatment as a gold standard. The barrier separating the compartments had two one-way push-doors that chicks pushed to access a resource. The chicks’ motivation was measured by the average maximum weight pushed to access each resource. The door leading to T weighed 0% (raised), 10%, 20%, or 30% of the chicks’ body weight, and chicks could return to H via a raised (for 0%) or unweighted door. Our findings indicate that chicks worked hardest for feed, but paid a lower, equal price to access all substrates. With increasing door weight, chicks visited less and spent less time with the substrates. Therefore, as chicks themselves do not avoid litter that could have potential negative effects on their well-being, it is important that farmers diligently monitor litter conditions as their primary care-takers.
Genomic Structural Diversity in Local Goats: Analysis of Copy-Number Variations
Authors: Di Gerlando Rosalia , Mastrangelo Salvatore , Moscarelli Angelo , Tolone Marco , Sutera Anna Maria , Portolano Baldassare , Sardina Maria Teresa
Published: June 2020

Copy-number variations (CNVs) are one of the widely dispersed forms of structural variations in mammalian genomes, and are present as deletions, insertions, or duplications. Only few studies have been conducted in goats on CNVs derived from SNP array data, and many local breeds still remain uncharacterized, e.g., the Sicilian goat dairy breeds. In this study, CNV detection was performed, starting from the genotypic data of 120 individuals, belonging to four local breeds (Argentata dell’Etna, Derivata di Siria, Girgentana, and Messinese), genotyped with the Illumina GoatSNP50 BeadChip array. Overall, 702 CNVs were identified in 107 individuals using PennCNV software based on the hidden Markov model algorithm. These were merged in 75 CNV regions (CNVRs), i.e., regions containing CNVs overlapped by at least 1 base pair, while 85 CNVs remained unique. The part of the genome covered by CNV events was 35.21 Mb (1.2% of the goat genome length). Functional annotation of the CNVRs allowed the identification of 139 genes/loci within the most frequent CNVRs that are involved in local adaptations, such as coat colour (ADAMTS20 and EDNRA), mild behaviour (NR3C2), immune response (EXOC3L4 and TNFAIP2), reproduction (GBP1 and GBP6), and olfactory receptors (OR7E24). This study provides insights into the genomic variations for these Sicilian dairy goat breeds and should be of value for future studies to identify the relationships between this type of genetic variation and phenotypic traits.
Long-Term Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries on Multiple Functional Outcomes and Epigenetics: A Pilot Study with College Students
Authors: Lee Hyunhwa , Lee Sungchul , Black Ipuna , Salado Laura , Estrada Jonica , Isla Katrina
Published: June 2020

People who suffer a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have heterogeneous symptoms and disease trajectories, which make it difficult to precisely assess long-term complications. This pilot study assessed and compared deficits in cognitive, psychosocial, visual functions, and balance performance between college students with and without histories of mTBI. Global DNA methylation ratio (5-mC%) in blood was also compared as a peripheral epigenetic marker. Twenty-five volunteers participated, including 14 healthy controls (64.3% females; mean age of 22.0) and 11 mTBI cases (27.3% females; mean age of 28.7 years) who self-reported mTBI history (63.6% multiple; 2.5 ± 1.29 injuries) with 7.1 years on average elapsed following the last injury. Every participant was assessed for cognitive (executive function, memory, and processing speed), psychological (depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances), and visual function (by King–Devick and binocular accommodative tests); force-plate postural balance performance; and blood 5-mC% levels. Students with mTBI showed poorer episodic memory, severe anxiety, and higher blood 5-mC% ratio, compared to controls (all p’s < 0.05), which were still significant after adjusting for age. No differences were detected in sleep problems (after adjusting for age), visual function, and postural balance. These findings identified changes in multiple functions and peripheral epigenetics long after mTBI.
Chloro-Substituted Naphthyridine Derivative and Its Conjugate with Thiazole Orange for Highly Selective Fluorescence Sensing of an Orphan Cytosine in the AP Site-Containing Duplexes
Authors: Wang Chun-xia , Sato Yusuke , Sugimoto Takashi , Teramae Norio , Nishizawa Seiichi
Published: June 2020

Fluorescent probes with the binding selectivity to specific structures in DNAs or RNAs have gained much attention as useful tools for the study of nucleic acid functions. Here, chloro-substituted 2-amino-5,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyridine (ClNaph) was developed as a strong and highly selective binder for target orphan cytosine opposite an abasic (AP) site in the DNA duplexes. ClNaph was then conjugated with thiazole orange (TO) via an alkyl spacer (ClNaph–TO) to design a light-up probe for the detection of cytosine-related mutations in target DNA. In addition, we found the useful binding and fluorescence signaling of the ClNaph–TO conjugate to target C in AP site-containing DNA/RNA hybrid duplexes with a view toward sequence analysis of microRNAs.
Eight Weeks Later—The Unprecedented Rise of 3D Printing during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Case Study, Lessons Learned, and Implications on the Future of Global Decentralized Manufacturing
Authors: Mueller Tobias , Elkaseer Ahmed , Charles Amal , Fauth Janin , Rabsch Dominik , Scholz Amon , Marquardt Clarissa , Nau Katja , Scholz Steffen G.
Published: June 2020

The eruption of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (corona virus disease, COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, and its global spread has led to an exponentially growing number of infected patients, currently exceeding over 6.6 million and over 390,000 deaths as of the 5th of June 2020. In this pandemic situation, health systems have been put under stress, and the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) exceeded the delivery capabilities of suppliers. To address this issue, 3D printing was identified as a possible solution to quickly produce PPE items such as face shields, mask straps, masks, valves, and ear savers. Around the world, companies, universities, research institutions, and private individuals/hobbyists stepped into the void, using their 3D printers to support hospitals, doctors, nursing homes, and even refugee camps by providing them with PPE. In Germany, the makervsvirus movement took up the challenge and connected thousands of end users, makers, companies, and logistic providers for the production and supply of face shields, protective masks, and ear savers. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) also joined the makervsvirus movement and used its facilities to print headbands for face shield assemblies and ear savers. Within this paper, the challenges and lessons learned from the quick ramp up of a research laboratory to a production site for medium-sized batches of PPE, the limitations in material supply, selection criteria for suitable models, quality measures, and future prospects are reported and conclusions drawn.
A Rapid Experimental Procedure to Assess Environmental Compatibility of Conditioning Mixtures Used in TBM-EPB Technology
Authors: Bavasso Irene , Vilardi Giorgio , Sebastiani Diego , Di Giulio Anita , Di Felice Marta , Di Biase Andrea , Miliziano Salvatore , Di Palma Luca
Published: June 2020

Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) are currently the most widely used machines to perform tunnel excavation, particularly in urban areas. This technology involves the injection of chemicals as conditioning mixtures, which commonly raises concerns limiting the reuse of soils after excavation. This study deals with the prospect of a simplified, rapid and replicable methodology for the evaluation of the biodegradability of these conditioning mixtures. For this purpose, the biodegradation of three commercial conditioning mixtures was investigated in closed bottle tests by investigating the effect of different mixtures dosages and two different inocula (soil humus and Bacillus Clausii). While using soil humus as inoculum, a comparative study of biodegradation of the three investigated mixtures was successfully carried out; in the case of Bacillus Clausii, it was not possible to make a comparison between the different formulations in a short time. The adoption of soil humus satisfied only the criteria of rapid test, while the Bacillus Clausii, as specific inoculum, can meet the criteria of replicable results. For this reason, in the second part of this experimental study, a rapid and replicable procedure was proposed and validated. A kinetic study of organic carbon removal was also carried out.
Soil Nitrogen Fractions, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield of Zea mays L. Grown on a Tropical Acid Soil Treated with Composts and Clinoptilolite Zeolite
Authors: Omar Latifah , Ahmed Osumanu Haruna , Jalloh Mohamadu Boyie , Nik Muhamad Abdul Majid
Published: June 2020

High nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is important for improving crop yield. There are many nitrogen (N) fractions in soil and their uptake by crops varies. Most of the N that is taken up by plants is not native to the soil but usually from fertilizer added to the soil. However, the unbalanced use of fertilizers is currently an important issue that needs to be addressed. The objectives of this work were to determine the effects of using the recommended chemical fertilizers together with inorganic and organic amendments on (i) soil organic and inorganic N fractions, (ii) N uptake and use efficiency, and (iii) maize (Zea mays L.) dry matter production and ear yield. A randomized complete block design field trial, using maize as a test crop, was done with seven fertilizer treatments, each replicated thrice for two crop cycles. The treatments included different combinations of urea N, clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ), rice straw compost, and paddy husk compost. The variables of the study were soil N fractions, ear yield, and N use efficiency. Generally, the combined use of the recommended chemical fertilizers with CZ and organic amendments resulted in significantly higher soil N fractions, N use efficiency, and ear yield of maize for both crops. The two treatments with a 50% reduction in recommended chemical fertilizers, CZ, and rice straw compost or paddy husk compost (treatments four and six) are recommended instead of the 100% recommended chemical fertilizer treatment (treatment one). The organic materials used for these two treatments are abundantly available and will reduce the economic and environmental costs of applying large quantities of chemical fertilizers alone.
Integral Aircraft Wing Panels with Penetration Cracks: The Influence of Structural Parameters on the Stress Intensity Factor
Authors: Hai Gong , Bin Yi , Yunxin Wu , Zhiqi Liao , Yaoqiong Liu , Fei Du
Published: June 2020

The finite element model of integral wing panels with central penetration cracks under bending load was established, and the crack propagation process of the aircraft panel was simulated. The stress intensity factor (SIF) of the crack tip during crack propagation under varying conditions of crack length and panel structural parameters was determined. The effects of the panel structure parameters and crack size on the crack tip SIF were obtained. The regression analysis of the finite simulation element results has been performed and a regression model of SIF at the crack tip of the integral panel has been established, the determination coefficient of the regression model is 0.955.
The Future of Protein Secondary Structure Prediction Was Invented by Oleg Ptitsyn
Authors: Rademaker Daniel , van Dijk Jarek , Titulaer Willem , Lange Joanna , Vriend Gert , Xue Li
Published: June 2020

When Oleg Ptitsyn and his group published the first secondary structure prediction for a protein sequence, they started a research field that is still active today. Oleg Ptitsyn combined fundamental rules of physics with human understanding of protein structures. Most followers in this field, however, use machine learning methods and aim at the highest (average) percentage correctly predicted residues in a set of proteins that were not used to train the prediction method. We show that one single method is unlikely to predict the secondary structure of all protein sequences, with the exception, perhaps, of future deep learning methods based on very large neural networks, and we suggest that some concepts pioneered by Oleg Ptitsyn and his group in the 70s of the previous century likely are today’s best way forward in the protein secondary structure prediction field.
Does the Therapist’s Sex Affect the Psychological Effects of Sports Massage?—A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Reichert Bernhard
Published: June 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the sex of the therapist and of the athlete on the athlete’s current emotional state after a sports massage. The assumption was that the effect of a massage on the current mood was independent of the sex of the therapists or athletes. Background: Sports massages are an integral part of the support given to athletes during training or competition and are a commonly used method for promoting athletes’ physical and mental recovery. Few studies have measured the mental characteristics or even the nonspecific effects of sports massages. Sexual attraction or dislike are among the nonspecific effects of a treatment. Materials and methods: One hundred and sixty-eight high-performance male and female amateur athletes received a sports massage from 15 male and female trained therapists. The current emotional state of the athletes was measured before and after intervention using the BSKE-EA17 adjective scale, whose items can be assigned to five categories of the current emotional state. ANOVAs (analysis of covariances) were carried out to calculate the interactions between the sexes. Cohen’s d for similar group sizes and similar group variances were determined. Results: Neither the sex of the therapist nor the sex of the athlete had any influence on the mental effect of a sports massage. The only exception was when male athletes were treated by female therapists, where an increase in “elevated mood” was observed. Sports massages resulted in an increase in the responses in the categories “elevated mood” (d = 1.1) and “level of activation” (d = 0.3) and a decrease in the responses for “low mood” (d = 0.3), “level of deactivation” (d = 0.6) and “level of excitation” after the massage compared to before the massage (d = 0.9). Conclusions: Sports massages appear to increase the positive dimensions of the athletes’ current emotional state and reduce the negative dimensions. The self-reported mood changes from before the massage to after the massage were not influenced by other prognostic variables, including wait time, age of the athlete or the duration of the run. The results suggest that the specific effects of sports massages on the mental status are supported. Disregarding the aspect of the therapists’ sex, sports officials, trainers and athletes therefore can be more independent in the personnel planning of sports therapists.
Technical Evaluation of Commercial Mutation Analysis Platforms and Reference Materials for Liquid Biopsy Profiling
Authors: Weber Sabrina , Spiegl Benjamin , Perakis Samantha O. , Ulz Christine M. , Abuja Peter M. , Kashofer Karl , van der Leest Paul , Azpurua Maria Aguirre , Tamminga Menno , Brudzewsky Dan , Rothwell Dominic G. , Mohan Sumitra , Sartori Alexander , Lampignano Rita , Konigshofer Yves , Sprenger-Haussels Markus , Wikman Harriet , Bergheim Inger R. , Kloten Vera , Schuuring Ed , Speicher Michael R. , Heitzer Ellen
Published: June 2020

Molecular profiling from liquid biopsy, in particular cell-free DNA (cfDNA), represents an attractive alternative to tissue biopsies for the detection of actionable targets and tumor monitoring. In addition to PCR-based assays, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based cfDNA assays are now commercially available and are being increasingly adopted in clinical practice. However, the validity of these products as well as the clinical utility of cfDNA in the management of patients with cancer has yet to be proven. Within framework of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) program CANCER-ID we evaluated the use of commercially available reference materials designed for ctDNA testing and cfDNA derived from Diagnostic Leukaphereses (DLA) for inter- and intra-assay as well as intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons. In three experimental setups, a broad range of assays including ddPCR, MassARRAY and various NGS-based assays were tested. We demonstrate that both reference materials with predetermined VAFs and DLA samples are extremely useful for the performance assessment of mutation analysis platforms. Moreover, our data indicate a substantial variability of NGS assays with respect to sensitivity and specificity highlighting the importance of extensive validation of the test performance before offering these tests in clinical routine practice.
Applying Tissue Slice Culture in Cancer Research—Insights from Preclinical Proton Radiotherapy
Authors: Suckert Theresa , Rassamegevanon Treewut , Müller Johannes , Dietrich Antje , Graja Antonia , Reiche Michael , Löck Steffen , Krause Mechthild , Beyreuther Elke , von Neubeck Cläre
Published: June 2020

A challenge in cancer research is the definition of reproducible, reliable, and practical models, which reflect the effects of complex treatment modalities and the heterogeneous response of patients. Proton beam radiotherapy (PBRT), relative to conventional photon-based radiotherapy, offers the potential for iso-effective tumor control, while protecting the normal tissue surrounding the tumor. However, the effects of PBRT on the tumor microenvironment and the interplay with newly developed chemo- and immunotherapeutic approaches are still open for investigation. This work evaluated thin-cut tumor slice cultures (TSC) of head and neck cancer and organotypic brain slice cultures (OBSC) of adult mice brain, regarding their relevance for translational radiooncology research. TSC and OBSC were treated with PBRT and investigated for cell survival with a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, DNA repair via the DNA double strand break marker γH2AX, as well as histology with regards to morphology. Adult OBSC failed to be an appropriate model for radiobiological research questions. However, histological analysis of TSC showed DNA damage and tumor morphological results, comparable to known in vivo and in vitro data, making them a promising model to study novel treatment approaches in patient-derived xenografts or primary tumor material.
The Impact of the Ubiquitin System in the Pathogenesis of Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Gatti Veronica , Bernassola Francesca , Talora Claudio , Melino Gerry , Peschiaroli Angelo
Published: June 2020

The ubiquitin system is a dynamic regulatory pathway controlling the activity, subcellular localization and stability of a myriad of cellular proteins, which in turn affects cellular homeostasis through the regulation of a variety of signaling cascades. Aberrant activity of key components of the ubiquitin system has been functionally linked with numerous human diseases including the initiation and progression of human tumors. In this review, we will contextualize the importance of the two main components of the ubiquitin system, the E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), in the etiology of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). We will discuss the signaling pathways regulated by these enzymes, emphasizing the genetic and molecular determinants underlying their deregulation in SCCs.
Quantum-Based Modeling of Dephosphorylation in the Catalytic Site of Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatase-5 (PPP5C)
Authors: Salter E. Alan , Wierzbicki Andrzej , Honkanen Richard E.
Published: June 2020

Serine/threonine protein phosphatase-5 (PP5; PPP5C) is a member of the phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP) gene family. The PPP catalytic domains feature a bimetal system (M1/M2), an associated bridge hydroxide (W1(OH−)), an M1-bound water/hydroxide (W2), and a highly conserved core sequence. The PPPs are presumed to share a common mechanism: The seryl/threonyl phosphoryl group of the phosphoprotein coordinates the metal ions, W1(OH−) attacks the central phosphorous atom, rupturing the antipodal phosphoester bond and releasing the phosphate-free protein. Also, a histidine/aspartate tandem is responsible for protonating the exiting seryl/threonyl alkoxide. Here, we employed quantum-based computations on a large section of the PP5 catalytic site. A 33-residue, ONIOM(UB3LYP/6-31G(d):UPM7) model was built to perform computations using methylphosphate dianion as a stand-in substrate for phosphoserine/phosphothreonine. We present a concerted transition state (TS) in which W1(OH−) attacks the phosphate center at the same time that the exiting seryl/threonyl alkoxide is protonated directly by the His304/Asp274 tandem, with W2 assigned as a water molecule: W2(H2O). Arg275, proximal to M1, stabilizes the substrate and TS by binding both the ester oxygen (Oγ) and a phosphoryl oxygen (O1) in a bidentate fashion; in the product state, Tyr451 aids in decoupling Arg275 from O1 of the product phosphate ion. The reaction is exothermic (ΔH = −2.0 kcal/mol), occurs in a single step, and has a low activation barrier (ΔH‡ = +10.0 kcal/mol). Our work is an improvement over an earlier computational study that also found bond rupture and alkoxide protonation to be concerted, but concluded that Arg275 is deprotonated during the reactant and TS stages of the pathway. In that earlier study, the critical electron-withdrawal role that Arg275 plays during the hydroxide attack was not correctly accounted for.
High Content Screening Using New U2OS Reporter Cell Models Identifies Harmol Hydrochloride as a Selective and Competitive Antagonist of the Androgen Receptor
Authors: Dellal Hadjer , Boulahtouf Abdelhay , Alaterre Elina , Cuenant Alice , Grimaldi Marina , Bourguet William , Gongora Céline , Balaguer Patrick , Pourquier Philippe
Published: June 2020

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men. Its growth mainly relies on the activity of the androgen receptor (AR), justifying the use of androgen deprivation therapy as a gold standard treatment for the metastatic disease. Inhibition of the androgen axis using second generation antagonists has improved patients’ survival, but is systematically confronted to resistance mechanisms, leading to a median survival that does not exceed 5 years. Counteracting this resistance has been the object of a large number of investigations, with a particular emphasis towards the identification of new AR inhibitors, whether they antagonize the receptor by a competitive or a non-competitive binding. To this end, many high content screens have been performed, to identify new non-steroidal AR antagonists, using a variety of approaches, but reported somewhat controversial results, depending on the approach and on the cell model that was used for screening. In our study, we used the U2OS osteosarcoma cells stably transfected with AR or ARv7 and a luciferase reporter as a previously validated model to screen the Prestwick Phytochemical library. The results of our screen identified ellipticine, harmol, and harmine hydrochloride as confirmed hits. Surprisingly, we could demonstrate that harmol hydrochloride, previously identified as a non-competitive inhibitor of AR or a weak inhibitor of androgen signaling, was actually a competitive antagonist of AR, which inhibits the growth of VCaP prostate cancer line, at concentrations for which it did not affect the growth of the AR negative DU145 and PC3 cells. Interestingly, we also report for the first time that harmol hydrochloride was selective for AR, as it could not alter the activity of other nuclear receptors, such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), the progesterone receptor (PR), or the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Additionally, we demonstrate that, conversely to enzalutamide, harmol hydrochloride did not show any agonistic activity towards the pregnane X receptor (PXR), a master regulator of drug metabolism. Together, our results shed light on the importance of the cellular context for the screening of new AR antagonists. They further indicate that some of the potential hits that were previously identified may have been overlooked.
Characterizing the Motility of Chemotherapeutics-Treated Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells by Time-Lapse Imaging
Authors: Liu Hsiao-Chuan , Gang Eun Ji , Kim Hye Na , Ruan Yongsheng , Ogana Heather , Wan Zesheng , Bönig Halvard , Shung K. Kirk , Kim Yong-Mi
Published: June 2020

Drug resistance is an obstacle in the therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Whether the physical properties such as the motility of the cells contribute to the survival of ALL cells after drug treatment has recently been of increasing interest, as they could potentially allow the metastasis of solid tumor cells and the migration of leukemia cells. We hypothesized that chemotherapeutic treatment may alter these physical cellular properties. To investigate the motility of chemotherapeutics-treated B-cell ALL (B-ALL) cells, patient-derived B-ALL cells were treated with chemotherapy for 7 days and left for 12 h without chemotherapeutic treatment. Two parameters of motility were studied, velocity and migration distance, using a time-lapse imaging system. The study revealed that compared to non-chemotherapeutically treated B-ALL cells, B-ALL cells that survived chemotherapy treatment after 7 days showed reduced motility. We had previously shown that Tysabri and P5G10, antibodies against the adhesion molecules integrins α4 and α6, respectively, may overcome drug resistance mediated through leukemia cell adhesion to bone marrow stromal cells. Therefore, we tested the effect of integrin α4 or α6 blockade on the motility of chemotherapeutics-treated ALL cells. Only integrin α4 blockade decreased the motility and velocity of two chemotherapeutics-treated ALL cell lines. Interestingly, integrin α6 blockade did not affect the velocity of chemoresistant ALL cells. This study explores the physical properties of the movements of chemoresistant B-ALL cells and highlights a potential link to integrins. Further studies to investigate the underlying mechanism are warranted.
Blood Serum Stimulates p38-Mediated Proliferation and Changes in Global Gene Expression of Adult Human Cardiac Stem Cells
Authors: Höving Anna L. , Schmidt Kazuko E. , Merten Madlen , Hamidi Jassin , Rott Ann-Katrin , Faust Isabel , Greiner Johannes F. W. , Gummert Jan , Kaltschmidt Barbara , Kaltschmidt Christian , Knabbe Cornelius
Published: June 2020

During aging, senescent cells accumulate in various tissues accompanied by decreased regenerative capacities of quiescent stem cells, resulting in deteriorated organ function and overall degeneration. In this regard, the adult human heart with a generally low regenerative potential is of extreme interest as a target for rejuvenating strategies with blood borne factors that might be able to activate endogenous stem cell populations. Here, we investigated for the first time the effects of human blood plasma and serum on adult human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs) and showed significantly increased proliferation capacities and metabolism accompanied by a significant decrease of senescent cells, demonstrating a beneficial serum-mediated effect that seemed to be independent of age and sex. However, RNA-seq analysis of serum-treated hCSCs revealed profound effects on gene expression depending on the age and sex of the plasma donor. We further successfully identified key pathways that are affected by serum treatment with p38-MAPK playing a regulatory role in protection from senescence and in the promotion of proliferation in a serum-dependent manner. Inhibition of p38-MAPK resulted in a decline of these serum-mediated beneficial effects on hCSCs in terms of decreased proliferation and accelerated senescence. In summary, we provide new insights in the regulatory networks behind serum-mediated protective effects on adult human cardiac stem cells.