bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening Anti-MRSA Activities of Indigenous Microbes and Prediction of The Biosynthetic Gene Clusters
Authors: Asnani A , Amaliyah R , Yuniaty A
Published: October 2020

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a species of S. Aureus, which shows resistance to the methicillin class of antibiotics. MRSA infection poses significant health problems because it causes severe disease in a vulnerable population and also because effective antibiotics are limited. Therefore, the research to find the new anti-MRSA compound is a necessity. The genome mining approach through Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGC) analysis can detect the ability of microbes to produce antibiotics. Thus, the study aimed to screen potential anti-MRSA microbes and predict their BGC. This study used ten microorganisms isolated from mangrove areas in Segara Anakan Cilacap and clinical MRSA 2983 from the Faculty of Medicine, UNSOED. All samples microorganisms were cultivated in starch casein nitrate agar. DNA isolation used Quick-DNA Fungal/Bacterial Miniprep Kit, 16S rRNA gene amplification used 27F and 1492R primers, and DNA amplicons were sequenced by the Sanger sequencing method. BCG prediction of the associated genes used antiSMASH 5.1.2. The results showed that W-5A, P-6B, and W-5B isolates have anti-MRSA activities with inhibition indexes of 0.58; 0.53; and 0.47, respectively. Species identification revealed similarity of W-5A with Streptomyces longisporoflavus strain Moghannam M1, P-6B with Ochrobactrum intermedium LMG 3301, and W-5B with Streptomyces cellulosae strain NBRC 13027. The results of BGC analysis showed that Streptomyces longisporoflavus has one region involved in the synthesis of tetronasin. Ochrobactrum intermedium has one region involved in the synthesis ambactin. Streptomyces cellulosae has eight gene clusters for tiacumicin B, actinorhodin, ulleungmycin, albaflavenone, desferrioxamine B/E, stenothricin, auricin, and prejadomycin productions. These results indicate that the microbes isolated from Segara Anakan Cilacap serve as promising antibacterial producers.
Smart Development of Big Data App for Determining the Modelling of Covid-19 Medicinal Compounds Using Deep AI Core Engine System
Authors: Cholissodin I , Sutrisno S , Santoso N , Soebroto A A , Hidayat N , Rochman N T
Published: October 2020

Smart Big Data App Using Deep Artificial Intelligence (AI) Core Engine System focuses on solving problems related to the difficulty in building a prototyping model computer simulation like in silico as a model initiation of the complex Covid-19 medicinal compound involving Big Data ecosystems such as Hadoop and Spark. The difficulty is for example, currently, it is still very arduous to measure the rate of mixture of a compound when combined with many other compounds, which can consider the trade-off in minimizing the negative effects but optimizing the positive effects. In addition, the computation time becomes very long when using a system that is not in the Big Data ecosystem since this is proportional to the large number of compounds that vary widely and also the number of different situations of Covid-19 patients with other congenital diseases (comorbid) or without congenital disease; thus, it can be considered to be included in a condition that requires a very complex computational process which is very difficult to model using a conventional mathematical approach because the calculations are certainly very complex when compared to approaches using meta-heuristics algorithms such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) which is much easier but requires a very large particle population space and iterative process to achieve global convergence. As a consequence, it requires fast computation processes based on distributed computing such as using the Big Data ecosystem. From the review of these problems, the system was created based on the Computational Intelligence; hence, the end-users, especially the developers, can build an application easier in spite of the complex computations, one of the which is in the meta-heuristic technique to minimize the negative effects and optimize the positive effects of the medicinal compounds by including a lot of data to get a better modeling. Therefore, the prototyping modeling project can be quick and robust, and achieve high performance measurements.
In vitro and In silico Analysis of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Fruit Powder as Pancreatic Lipase and α-Amylase Inhibitor
Authors: Dewi Andi Alfira Ratna F , Muntholib  , Subandi
Published: October 2020

This study aims are to produce pomegranate powder, then to extracted with boiling water and to find out the phytochemical compounds, total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoid compounds (TFC) and its inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase by in vitro analysed. Besides of that, a compound that exist in pomegranate will also be in silico analysed by docking technique, for its binding with the α-amylase enzyme compared to acarbose. In vitro inhibition tests were conducted by titrimetric method, using olive oil as substrate, pancreatic lipase as enzymes, and orlistat as a standard inhibitor; meanwhile the in silico test was conducted by molecular docking techniques using human α -amylase as a receptor and acarbose and a compound in pomegranate (quercetin) as ligand. The result has shown that hot water extracts of pomegranate fruits powder (1.5 gr/150 ml) contained flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids and TPC and TFC contents were 2.090 ppm and 2.058 ppm, respectively; had pancreatic lipase inhibition activity of 0.54 times compared to orlistat at the same mass (120 mg), and based on its molecular docking, quercetin, a compound in the pomegranate can bind to the α-amylase enzyme in a position that is relatively the same as acarbose, even with slightly larger affinity bindings.
The cyanidin-3-O-glucoside of Black Rice inhibits the interaction of HMG-CoA and HMG-CoA Reductase: three-and two-dimension structure
Authors: Fatchiyah Fatchiyah , Meidinna Hazna Noor , Suyanto Eko
Published: October 2020

The hypercholesterolemia condition is one metabolic disorder has affected to onset and prevalence of the dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. The cholesterol synthesized from HMG-CoA by co-enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. The research focus was to determine the effect of Cyanidin-O-glucose of black rice to prevent the HMG-CoA and HMG-CoA reductase interaction. The anthocyanins retrieved from the database of PubChem, is cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (CID: 12303221). We obtained HMG-CoA canonical SMILES (CID: 445127) from PubChem and reconstructed it using VEGAZZ software. RCSB Protein Data Bank (PDB) was used as a database to get the 3D structures of HMGR (PDB ID: 1DQ9). The water molecules and or previously existing ligands incorporated in their 3D structures were removed using Discovery Studio 2019. The docking results were visualized and analyzed by Discovery Studio, and Hex 8.0.0 software. This result determined that cyaniding-O-glucose of black rice prevented the interaction between HMG-CoA into HMG-CoA reductase respectively. This result indicates that the cyaniding-O-glucose of black rice has potential function as lowering cholesterol biosynthesis.
Effects of Dietary Brown Rice on Carcass Composition and Nitric Oxide (NOx) Metabolite Levels in High-Fat High-Fructose Diet-induced Sprague Dawley Rats as Obesity Model
Authors: Handayani Dian , Ramadhan Ahmad , Anindyanti Risma Debby , Innayah Alma Maghfirotun , Sulistyowati Etik , Kusumastuty Inggita
Published: October 2020

Obesity is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the body, which causes changes in body composition and endothelial dysfunction due to impaired production of nitric oxide (NO). The common means of managing obesity is through functional food, such as brown rice, which has high fiber and antioxidant content. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding brown rice to feed on carcass composition and NOx levels in obese rats. This was an experimental study involving male Sprague Dawley rats placed in 5 groups, in which 4 were allowed to turn to obese rats with the remaining one group as control. These 4 groups were allowed to later feed on high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet while the control fed on the normal AIN-93 diet, followed by 8 weeks of HFHF intervention and brown rice in feed with 3 different doses; 12.43%; 24.86%; and 37.29%. The serum NOx levels were analyzed by the Griess Reaction method, while the percentage of protein and fat was analyzed through Gravimetric Extraction. The results showed that the addition of brown rice resulted in changes in the Lee index (p = 0.000) and abdominal circumference (p = 0.000). Also, a correlation was observed between the Lee index and abdominal circumference (p = 0.001; r = 0.558) of rats. However, there was no significant difference between NOx and carcass protein levels, and there was an increase in carcass fat levels due to an increase in mitochondrial energy efficiency and resistance to protein synthesis in obese rats.
Immune Response of VNN (Viral Nervous Necrosis) Infected Grouper Utilizing Chlorella vulgaris Extract as an Anti-Virus Candidate
Authors: Junirahma Nur Sakinah , Yanuhar Uun
Published: October 2020

The quality and health of fish guarantee the success of aquaculture. However, grouper aquaculture are susceptible to diseases such as VNN (Viral Nervous Necrosis). It is necessary to determine the fish immune response system by observing the changes in the number of blood cells. Utilizing alternative substances,Chlorella vulgarisfor instance, may minimize infection. This study aims to determine the effect ofC. vulgarisextract treatment, as a candidate of VNN anti-virus, through hematological observations. The research method used qualitative experimental design by describing the fish immune response based on the number of blood cells. Fish blood was collected from each treated fish in the following treatments: (A) healthy fish, (B) VNN-infected fish, (C) VNN-infected fish treated with 17 µg / mLC. vulgarisextract, (D) VNN-infected fish treated with 33 µg / mLC. vulgarisextract, and (E) VNN-infected fish treated with 50 µg / mLC. vulgarisextract. The blood cells are observed using a light microscope. The water quality parameters analyzed were Temperature, pH, Salinity, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) as supporting data. The research results showed that healthy fish has a high number of erythrocytes (28 cells/field of view). Treatment (D) shows a value close to healthy conditions, namely 22 cells/field of view.C. vulgarisextract treatment on VNN-infected groupers improves the immune system as indicated by an increased number of erythrocytes and decreased number of basophils cells (11 cells/field of view) and neutrophils (16 cells/field of view). Examination of water quality parameters shows tolerable conditions for the growth of groupers based on quality standards.
Propolis Extraction Using Vacuum Resistive Heating Method
Authors: Kartika Annisa Aurora , Lastriyanto Anang
Published: October 2020

Indonesian raw propolis as herbal medicine is produced by many farms but the bioactive content is not yet known. An innovative propolis extractor based on vacuum ohmic heating emerged. Vacuum ohmic heating is an extraction technology that uses an electric current that is carried out in a vacuum. This study aims to determine the effect of the origin of propolis on chemical characteristics extract using propolis extractor machine and compared with commercial propolis. This study used completely randomized design method with the origin of propolis variations. The extraction process was carried out in two stages. The results were compared with commercial product. The highest total phenol and flavonoid in vacuum resistive heating method was obtained in Makassar propolis while the lowest was obtained from Bali. In conclusion, the origin of the propolis area affects the results of propolis extraction using vacuum resistive heating technology to the parameters of total phenol and total flavonoids. By knowing the difference in the yield of bioactive compounds in propolis, it can be seen which propolis is best for use in producing herbal medicine propolis as a source of antioxidants.
Innovation Of Propolis Extraction Machine Based On Vacuum Resistive Heating
Authors: Lastriyanto Anang , Kartika Annisa Aurora
Published: October 2020

In herbal medicine production, extraction technology is an important process because it determines the quality. The extraction of propolis is limited to conventional maceration method which the process is too long. New technology called vacuum resistive heating extraction is technology that utilizes electric current combine with vacuum condition, it has been applied to Makassar propolis extraction, dehydration, evaporation and distillation. This study used method as variations. The extraction process was carried out 20 minutes in two stages. The first process was at 16.6 KPa, 100V and 58 °C using water solvent. While the second process was using 70% ethanol solvent at 16.6 KPa, 220V, and 37 °C. The voltage gradient used in energy consumption analysis is 40 V/cm and 80 V/cm. The power delivered and temperature rate were analysed using 25V/cm, 30 V/cm, and 35V/cm. The results showed that the extraction machine ran well where the electric field affects heat rate of the material. Energy consumption in the process was 0.4225 kWh/L. The highest total phenol and flavonoid in VRH method were 45.72 mg GAE/g and 15.19 mg QE/g whereas higher than maceration method. Vacuum resistive heating as extraction machine is a promising way for aseptically producing herbal medicine especially propolis.
Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Cayratia trifolia on Histologically Kidney Mouse Model
Authors: Santoso Djoko , Ketut Sudiana I , Rahayu Anny Setijo , Yunus Muchammad
Published: October 2020

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Cayratia trifolia ethanolic extract on histological mouse kidney models. A total of 12 adult male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into two groups, comprising six mice in each group. The first group of 6 mice provided as the control group and received 25 ml/kg BW orally sodium carboxymethylcellulose during 6 days.The second group, 6 mice was administered 50 mg/kg BW of C. trifolia ethanolic extract in sodium carboxymethylcellulose orally during 6 days. The present study, we have performed histological kidney mice evaluation after 6 days of C. trifolia ethanolic extract administration. The histological mice kidney was quantified in term of tubular epithelium, glomerular and focal mononuclear infiltrate. The effect of administration of C. trifolia ethanolic extract on histological kidney of mice appeared normal tubular morphology in cortical and medullary regions of kidney in administered C. trifolia ethanolic extract mice, there was no kidney change histologically showed normal architecture of the glomerulus and tubules, while in control mice group, kidney histologically first marked with mononuclear cell infiltration, tubular necrosis, glomerular congestion and hyaline casts. The study results exhibit that relatively sufficient in histopathological changes in the corticomedullary junction of mice kidneys, including tubular epithelial damage, tubular dilatation and intratubular cast formation.
Smart Ammonia Analyzer for Detecting Nitrogen-Ammonium Content in Fertilizer
Authors: Sulistyarti Hermin , Putra Boyfannie Ifan , Sutrisno  , Sulistyo Erwin
Published: October 2020

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient required by majority of plants to enhance metabolic processes for growing. Insufficient supply of nitrogen leads to severe plant disorders in flowering and fruiting; however, there are many false fertilizers available in markets. This project is focused on developing a smart method as a means for quality detection of nitrogen fertilizer. The smart ammonia analyzer was constructed on a normal smartphone which filled with Qpython3 software functions as an information processing application to analyze the level of nitrogen-ammonium and Color Grab application to process the RGB image of coloured product reaction of nitrogen-ammonium to be measured. The image of blue indophenol as the coloured product of the nitrogen was developed on a paper containing phenate reagent by releasing nitrogen ammonia from sample. The measurement process using the constructed “Smart Ammonia Analyzer’ involving taking image by smartphone camera, measuring image intensity on position with RED readings, and analyzing process to change the RED-value to concentration of nitrogen-ammonium. The chemicals used for colour formation of blue indophenol were 0.2 M NaOCl, 0.5 M HCl, 0.003 M MnSO4 M, and 2 M phenate with 0.1 M of NaOH for releasing agent of nitrogen fertilizer as ammonia. The developed smart ammonia analyzer resulted linear relation between the absorbance of blue indophenol image to concentration of nitrogen ammonia (y = 0.0181x + 0.2834, R2 = 0.9726) and has been successfully applied to nitrogen fertilizer. Development of smart ammonia analyzer has been achieved to provide an easy, inexpensive, and fast device for detecting quality of nitrogen fertilizer with satisfactory results.
Bioactive Compound Impacting the Metabolism and Antibacterial Activity of Gadung Tuber (Dioscorea hispida Dennst)
Authors: Suryowati T , Sirait R H , Siagian F E , Nursyam M
Published: October 2020

Plant extracts continue to represent an untapped source of renewable therapeutic compounds for the prevention of illnesses including metabolic disorders such as antihyperglycemia. This study was to determine and identify the chemical compounds in leaves and gadung tuber (Dioscorea hispida Dennst), a-glucosidase inhibitory effects of leaves and to test antibacterial activity of tuber against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (Gram positive) and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (Gram negative). Identification of the chemical compounds was conducted using GC-MS technique, a-glucosidase inhibitory effects test was measured with spectrophotometric and antibacterial activity test was performed in vitro using agar disc diffusion assay. The bioactive compound evaluation of leaves confirmed the presence of dl-chimyl alcohol (11.82%); 10 (E), 12(Z)-conjugated linoleic acid (10.84%); stigmasterol (9.55%); heptadecane (5.94%); campesterol (5.91%). The analysis of gadung tuber revealed the presence of 7-Azabicyclo [4.1.0] heptane, 1-methgyl- (23.16%); n-Hexadecanoic acid (18.85%); 10E, 12(Z)-Conjugated linoleic acid (13.73%); 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 -hexaoxacyclooctadecane (4.34%); 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (4.07%). IC50 values inhibition of a-glucosidase extract was >300 ppm and glucobay standard was 0.210 ppm. The antimicrobial activity was performed against bacteria, its inhibitory effect. The results concluded that gadung tuber has great potential to invade some human pathogenic bacteria as it showed zone inhibition. Results from this research show that the concentration of gadung tuber compound has a low inhibition of alpha glucosidase activity. Further research is required to fully elucidate the bioactive compounds in this plant using vigorous analytical methods to be potentially responsible for health benefits
Evaluation of Total Phenolic, Total Flavonoid, and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Syzygium cumini Extract in Cervical Cancer Cell
Authors: Fiqri Hairil , Arda Adzani Gaisani , Adrebi Khodijah , Proborini Wahyu Diah , Widyanto Rahma Micho
Published: October 2020

Side effect of conventional cancer terapy has driven researches to find alternative therapy. People in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, especially the Sasak tribe, perform medical treatments that refer to the traditional Lontar Usada manuscript. One of the plants mentioned in this manuscript was jamblang plant (Syzygium cumini). This study aims to explore and determine the potential of S. cumini leaves extract as an anti-cervical cancer. Extraction was carried out by the Soxhlet method using ethyl acetate, methanol, and water as solvents. The extract obtained was tested for Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), FTIR test, and cytotoxicity test for the MTT method using HeLa cells. TLC exhibited that the extract contain phenol and flavonoid. FTIR analyzed that the extract had functional groups O-H phenols, C-H alkanes, C=C alkenes, C=0 ketone, C=C aromatic ring, NO2 nitro compound, and C=C alkenes. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of ethyl acetate, methanolic and water extract were 443.80 + 0.33; 305.80 + 0.28; and 45.80 + 0.11 mg GAE / g, and 74 + 0.12; 70 + 0.28; and 34 + 0.21 mg QE / g. Ethyl acetate extract showed highest cytotoxicity with IC50 value 330.50 + 1.59, followed by methanol extract 378.35 + 2.84 and water extract 3608.84 + 0.85.
The Status of VNN (Viral Nervous Necrosis)-lnfected Grouper Fish Tissue with Chlorella vulgaris Extract as Anti-Virus Candidate
Authors: Yanuhar Uun , Arfiati Diana , Musa Muhamad , Kusriani  , Junirahma Nur Sakinah , Caesar Nico Rahman
Published: October 2020

To date, the most common problem in Grouper fish cultivation is VNN(Viral Nervous Necrosis)virus attack. Visual and histological observations on the fish behavior can be done to diagnose the presence of VNN.Chlorella vulgarisis believed to be one of the natural alternative ingredients that have the potential to be a VNN anti-virus. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential use ofC. vulgarisextract as a candidate for VNN antivirus by conducting histological observations on the organ tissue of Grouper fish. The method used in this study was a qualitative approach with histopathological techniques examining the fish organs such as brain, kidney and eyes from each treated fish. The clinical symptom observation was carried out for 14 days. Then, the harvested organs were brought for tissue preparation and observed again with a light microscope. In this case, the histopathological changes can be assessed using a semiquantitative scoring method. The results reveal that the Grouper fish had several symptoms such as darkening body-color, abdominal bloating, abnormal swimming behavior, and decreased appetite. It is also found that there was a change in the histological picture between the infected fish without treatment and the infected fish with the administration ofC. vulgarisextract. There were a number of lesions such as vacuolization, hemorrhagic, hypertrophy, and necrosis in the kidney, eye, and brain of the infected fish. Of all the treatments given, treatment (D) shows a little damage to the fish kidney, eye, and brain respectively by 26.7%, 33.3% and 33.3%. Therefore, it can be said that the administration ofC. vulgarisas an alternative feed and antivirus candidate can be used as a natural immune-stimulant to enhance the immune system of Grouper fish.
Evaluating cross-sectoral impacts of climate change and adaptations on the energy-water nexus: a framework and California case study
Authors: Szinai Julia K , Deshmukh Ranjit , Kammen Daniel M , Jones Andrew D
Published: October 2020

Electricity and water systems are inextricably linked through water demands for energy generation, and through energy demands for using, moving, and treating water and wastewater. Climate change may stress these interdependencies, together referred to as the energy-water nexus, by reducing water availability for hydropower generation and by increasing irrigation and electricity demand for groundwater pumping, among other feedbacks. Further, many climate adaptation measures to augment water supplies—such as water recycling and desalination—are energy-intensive. However, water and electricity system climate vulnerabilities and adaptations are often studied in isolation, without considering how multiple interactive risks may compound. This paper reviews the fragmented literature and develops a generalized framework for understanding these implications of climate change on the energy-water nexus. We apply this framework in a case study to quantify end-century direct climate impacts on California’s water and electricity resources and estimate the magnitude of the indirect cross-sectoral feedback of electricity demand from various water adaptation strategies. Our results show that increased space cooling demand and decreased hydropower generation are the most significant direct climate change impacts on California’s electricity sector by end-century. In California’s water sector, climate change impacts directly on surface water availability exceed demand changes, but have considerable uncertainty, both in direction and magnitude. Additionally, we find that the energy demands of water sector climate adaptations could significantly affect California’s future electricity system needs. If the worst-case water shortage occurs under climate change, water-conserving adaptation measures can provide large energy savings co-benefits, but other energy-intensive water adaptations may double the direct impacts of climate change on the state’s electricity resource requirement. These results highlight the value of coordinated adaptation planning between the energy and water sectors to achieve mutually beneficial solutions for climate resilience.
Wind amplifies the polar sea ice retreat
Authors: Alkama Ramdane , Koffi Ernest N , Vavrus Stephen J , Diehl Thomas , Francis Jennifer Ann , Stroeve Julienne , Forzieri Giovanni , Vihma Timo , Cescatti Alessandro
Published: October 2020

The rapid polar sea ice retreat and its drivers are challenging and still unresolved questions in climate change research. In particular, the relationship between near-surface wind speed and sea ice extent remains unclear for two main reasons: (1) observed wind speeds over Polar Regions are very sparse, and (2) simulated winds by climate models are dependent on subjective parameterizations of boundary layer stratification, ultimately leading to large uncertainty. Here, we use observation-based data (passive microwave sea ice concentration and six different reanalysis datasets) together with output from 26 climate models (from the CMIP5 archive) to quantify the relationships between near-surface wind speed and sea ice concentration over the past 40 years. We find strong inverse relationships between near-surface wind speed and sea ice concentration that are consistent among the six reanalysis datasets. The poleward wind component is particularly increasing in years of reduced sea ice concentration, which contributes to the enhancement of the atmospheric (surface oceanic) poleward heat flux by up to 24 ± 1% (29 ± 2%) in the Arctic and 37 ± 3% (51 ± 3%) in the Antarctic seas, therefore boosting the impact of polar sea ice loss and contributing to polar amplification of climate warming. In addition, our results show a marginal contribution of the dynamical (pushing/opening/compacting) effects of wind on sea ice compared to the thermodynamic effects which in turn play a lower role than the associated change in local surface Autumn–Winter turbulent and Spring–Summer radiative fluxes. Climate models generally produce similar results but with lower magnitude, and one model even simulates the opposite relationship wind/sea-ice. Given the rapid changes in polar climate and the potential impacts on the mid-latitudes, it is urgent that model developments make use of evidence from satellite observations and reanalysis datasets to reduce uncertainties in the representation of relationships between polar winds and sea ice.
Improved accuracy and precision of bioprinting through progressive cavity pump-controlled extrusion
Authors: Fisch Philipp , Holub Martin , Zenobi-Wong Marcy
Published: October 2020

3D bioprinting has seen a tremendous growth in recent years in a variety of fields such as tissue engineering, drug testing and regenerative medicine, which has led researchers and manufacturers to continuously advance and develop novel bioprinting techniques and materials. Although new bioprinting methods are emerging (e.g. contactless and volumetric bioprinting), micro-extrusion bioprinting remains the most widely used method. Micro-extrusion bioprinting, however, is still largely dependent on the conventional pneumatic extrusion process, which relies heavily on homogenous biomaterial inks and bioinks to maintain a constant material flow rate. Augmenting the functionality of the bioink with the addition of nanoparticles, cells or biopolymers can induce inhomogeneities resulting in uneven material flow during printing and/or clogging of the nozzle, leading to defects in the printed construct. In this work, we evaluated a novel extrusion technique based on a miniaturized progressive cavity pump (PCP) which allows precise control over the volumetric flow rate by positive displacement. We compared the accuracy and precision of this system to the pneumatic extrusion system and tested both systems for their effect on cell viability after extrusion. The PCP achieved a significantly higher accuracy and precision compared to the pneumatic system, while maintaining good viability. These improvements were independent of the bioink composition, printing speed or nozzle size. This study demonstrates the merit of precise extrusion-process control in bioprinting by PCPs and investigates their influence on process-induced cell damage. PCPs are a promising tool for bioprinting and could help provide standardized and validated bioprinted constructs while leaving the researcher more freedom in the design of the bioinks.
Antibacterial Ti-Cu alloy with enhanced mechanical properties as implant applications
Authors: Yi ChangBo , Ke ZunYun , Zhang Lei , Tan Jun , Jiang YeHua , He ZhengYuan
Published: October 2020

The service life as hard tissue implantation for clinical application needs compatible mechanical properties, e.g. strength, modulus, etc, and certain self-healing in case of internal infection. Therefore, for sake of improving the properties of Ti-Cu alloy, the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties of Ti-xCu alloy (x = 2, 5, 7 and 10 wt.%) prepared by Ar-arc melting followed by heat treatment were studied. The results show that the Ti-Cu alloy was mainly composed of α-Ti matrix and precipitated Ti2Cu phase. The Cu element mainly accumulates in the lamellar structure and forms the precipitated Ti2Cu phase. As the increase of Cu content, the lamellar Ti2Cu phase increases, the compressive strength and elastic modulus also were altered. The Ti-7Cu alloy exhibited the higher compressive strength (2169 MPa) and the lower elastic modulus (108 GPa) compared with other Ti-Cu alloys. The corrosion resistance of Ti-xCu alloys increases with the increase of Cu content. When the Cu content was greater than 5 wt.%, the value of corrosion current density for Ti-Cu alloy was less than 1 μA·cm−2, which is also significantly lower than that of CP-Ti. The antibacterial test revealed that only the Ti-Cu alloy with 5 wt.% or greater Cu content could display a strong antibacterial rate against E. coli and S. aureus. Therefore, the prepared Ti-7Cu alloy via heat treatment showed excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and antibacterial properties, which would meet the replacement of human hard tissue and clinical applications.
Study on corrosion mechanism of high-nitrogen steel laser-arc hybrid welded joints
Authors: Bai Di , Yang Zhikun , Chen Mingying , Zhang Hong , Liu Fengde , Huang Genzhe , Yang Li
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the electrochemical microcorrosion behavior of High-nitrogen steel hybrid weld joints with different wires addition were investigated. Polarization curves measurement was conducted to evaluate the corrosion feature in 3.5% NaCl solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the specific corrosion behavior and pitting deepening mechanism induced by precipitated ferrite-dendrites. The experimental results showed that the addition of nitrogen-containing welding wire improved the corrosion resistance of whole weld joint. As a transitional region, the HAZ exhibited relative weak pitting resistance and severe shedding behavior. The coherent dendrites and similar complex geometries led to the accumulation of continuous corrosion channels. The XPS spectra results indicated that the additional nitrogen in the welding wire optimized oxide composition of the surface passive film.
Preparation of nano spherical bioglass by alkali-catalyzed mixed template
Authors: Mao Yanrui , Liao Jianguo , Wu Minhang , Wen Jing , Xu Junhua , Li Yuqing , Xie Yufen , Ying Qiwei
Published: October 2020

Nano bioactive glasses (NBGs) were fabricated by alkali-catalyzed sol-gel combined with self-assembly template technique using ammonia and dodecylamine as dual-alkali catalysts. Its effect of the addition of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) in NBGs on its morphology and bioactivity were characterized. It is found that the incorporation of CTAB can adjust the diameter of particles from 23 nm to 48 nm and the NBGs can induce hydroxyapatite deposition on the surface. With the increase of CTAB, the size of particle decreased while its mineralization activity in vitro was enhanced. Thus, this study provides an available method to synthesize spherical nano bioglass with controllable particle size.
Time-reversed water waves generated from an instantaneous time mirror
Authors: Peng Danming , Fan Yiyang , Liu Ruochen , Guo Xiasheng , Wang Sihui
Published: October 2020

An instantaneous time mirror (ITM) is an interesting approach to manipulate wave propagation from the time boundaries. In the time domain, the reversed waveform is previously proven to be the temporal derivative of the original pattern. Here, we further investigate into the relationship between the wave patterns in the spatial domain both theoretically and experimentally. The refraction of a square array of laser beams is used to determine the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the water surface. The experimental results verify the theoretical prediction that the reversed pattern is related to the Laplacian of the initial wave field. Based on these findings, the behaviors of the ITM activated in an inhomogeneous medium are discussed, and the phenomenon of total energy change is explained.
Tropical curves, graph complexes, and top weight cohomology of ℳ_{ℊ}
Authors: Chan Melody , Galatius Søren , Payne Sam
Published: October 2020

We study the topology of a space

Δ

g

\Delta _{g}

parametrizing stable tropical curves of genus

g
g

with volume

1
1

, showing that its reduced rational homology is canonically identified with both the top weight cohomology of

M

g

\mathcal {M}_g

and also with the genus

g
g

part of the homology of Kontsevich’s graph complex. Using a theorem of Willwacher relating this graph complex to the Grothendieck–Teichmüller Lie algebra, we deduce that

H

4
g
−
6

(

M

g

;

Q

)

H^{4g-6}(\mathcal {M}_g;\mathbb {Q})

is nonzero for

g
=
3

g=3

,

g
=
5

g=5

, and

g
≥
7

g \geq 7

, and in fact its dimension grows at least exponentially in

g
g

. This disproves a recent conjecture of Church, Farb, and Putman as well as an older, more general conjecture of Kontsevich. We also give an independent proof of another theorem of Willwacher, that homology of the graph complex vanishes in negative degrees.
On the constant scalar curvature Kähler metrics (I)—A priori estimates
Authors: Chen Xiuxiong , Cheng Jingrui
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we derive apriori estimates for constant scalar curvature Kähler metrics on a compact Kähler manifold. We show that higher order derivatives can be estimated in terms of aC0C^0bound for the Kähler potential.
The isoperimetric inequality for a minimal submanifold in Euclidean space
Authors: Brendle Simon
Published: October 2020

We prove a Sobolev inequality which holds on submanifolds in Euclidean space of arbitrary dimension and codimension. This inequality is sharp if the codimension is at most

2
2

. As a special case, we obtain a sharp isoperimetric inequality for minimal submanifolds in Euclidean space of codimension at most

2
2

.
Lymphocytic Esophagitis With Predominance of CD4 T Cells and Expansion of Th1 Cells Is Associated With Achalasia
Authors: Muller Kristen , Xiao Jenny , Putra Juan , Rothstein Richard , McCourt Collin , Konnikova Liza , Lisovsky Mikhail
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Although histologic features in biopsies suggesting a possibility of achalasia would be helpful diagnostically, such features remain unknown. The goal of this study was to explore the prevalence, histologic features, and immunophenotype of lymphocytic esophagitis (LyE) in achalasia biopsies.

Methods

The study group consisted of 57 patients with achalasia. Controls comprised 52 patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and normal esophageal motility. CD4/CD8 immunophenotype of lymphocytes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry

Results

LyE was identified in 30% (17/57) of patients with achalasia and 6% (3/52) of patients with GERD, indicating a strong association with achalasia (odds ratio, 6.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.90-25.38). LyE was focal in 59% (10/17) of the cases and diffuse in 41% (7/17). CD4 T-cell predominance over CD8 T cells was observed in 88% of patients with achalasia and LyE. T helper 1 (Th1) cells, but not T helper 2 cells, were expanded in CD4 T cells; in the absence of evident infection, this was compatible with the role of Th1 cells in organ-specific autoimmunity.

Conclusions

Achalasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of clinical entities associated with CD4-predominant LyE. Additional studies to explore the significance of Th1 cells in achalasia-associated LyE are warranted.
A systematic analysis of miRNA markers and classification algorithms for forensic body fluid identification
Authors: Liu Yang , He Hongxia , Xiao Zhi-Xiong , Ji Anquan , Ye Jian , Sun Qifan , Cao Yang
Published: October 2020

Identifying the types of body fluids left at the crime scene can be essential to reconstructing the crime scene and inferring criminal behavior. MicroRNA (miRNA) molecule extracted from the trace of body fluids is one of the most promising biomarkers for the identification due to its high expression, extreme stability and tissue specificity. However, the detection of miRNA markers is not the answer to a yes–no question but the probability of an assumption. Therefore, it is a crucial task to develop complicated methods combining multi-miRNAs as well as computational algorithms to achieve the goal. In this study, we systematically analyzed the expression of 10 most probable body fluid-specific miRNA markers (miR-451a, miR-205-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-214-3p, miR-144-3p, miR-144-5p, miR-654-5p, miR-888-5p, miR-891a-5p and miR-124-3p) in 605 body fluids-related samples, including peripheral blood, menstrual blood, saliva, semen and vaginal secretion. We introduced the kernel density estimation (KDE) method and six well-established methods to classify the body fluids in order to find the most optimal combinations of miRNA markers as well as the corresponding classifying method. The results show that the combination of miR-451a, miR-891a-5p, miR-144-5p and miR-203a-3p together with KDE can achieve the most accurate and robust performance according to the cross-validation, independent tests and random perturbation tests. This systematic analysis suggests a reference scheme for the identification of body fluids in an accurate and stable manner.
‘Daily I sit | with the Language’: Solmaz Sharif’s and Philip Metres’s Documentary Poetics of War
Authors: Anderson Lauryn
Published: October 2020

The Cambridge Quarterly endows a prize for the dissertation gaining the highest mark in the Cambridge University final examination in English. The article printed here is the Prize Essay for 2020

The documentary poem is a genre increasingly associated with providing a ‘second life’ for voices excluded from or misrepresented in official documents. Solmaz Sharif and Philip Metres enact such a poetic extension of archival memory; through scarred and redacted textual bodies, their poetry re-examines documents relating to recent US military operations, reflecting the insidious ways through which ‘truth’ is rendered a casualty in the official discourses of war. In these wounded texts, the reader is subsequently faced with a position of failed witnessing. This dissertation proposes that an affective and self-aware position of ‘with-ness’ must be taken in response, which makes no claim to completeness or authority. By validating personal acts of ‘with-ness’ rather than giving any stamp of authority to an official record, such poetry therefore constitutes an alternative archive. This, however, must be one that mirrors the act of ‘with-nessing’, continuously adopting a self-reflective and interrogative stance.
Financialization, real estate and COVID-19 in the UK
Authors: Blakeley Grace
Published: October 2020

In the UK, financialization has transformed many areas of the economy, including the housing market. The deregulation of financial markets that took place from the 1980s onwards, combined with the privatization of social housing, has transformed UK real estate from an ordinary good, insulated to some extent from consumer and financial markets, into a valuable financial asset. The financialization of real estate has had a largely negative impact on the UK’s housing market, the wider economy and individual communities; wealth inequality, financial instability, gentrification and homelessness have all increased as the role of the financial sector in UK property has increased. The financial crisis only accelerated many of these trends as distressed real estate was bought up by investors in its wake, and as loose monetary policy pushed up house prices in the period after the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is only likely to exacerbate these issues; the UK is sleepwalking into a potential evictions crisis, and ongoing loose monetary policy is likely to prevent a significant and necessary correction in house prices over the long term.
Real-world management of hyperphosphataemia with sucroferric oxyhydroxide: the VELREAL multicentre study
Authors: Navarro-González Juan F , Arenas María Dolores , Henríquez-Palop Fernando , Lloret María Jesús , Molina Pablo , Ríos Moreno Francisco , Macia-Lagier María Asunción , Espinel Laura , Sánchez Emilio , Lago Mar , Crespo Antonio , Bover Jordi
Published: October 2020

Background

The efficacy and safety of sucroferric oxyhydroxide (SO) have been reported in clinical trials. However, real-life data are scarce. This study presents data on the use, efficacy and safety of SO in real clinical practice.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multicentre study, without any influence on the prescription decisions, that included 220 patients from 11 Spanish centres. Demographic, treatment, analytical and nutritional parameters and adherence, side effects and dropout rates were collected during 6 months.

Results

SO was initiated due to inadequate control of serum phosphate (P) in 70% of participants and in 24.5% to reduce the number of tablets. Monotherapy with SO increased from 44% to 74.1%, with a reduction in the average daily number of sachets/tablets from six to two. Serum P decreased by 20% (4.6 ± 1.2 versus 5.8 ± 1.3 mg/dL; P < 0.001), with a significant reduction in intact parathyroid hormone levels (P < 0.01). The percentage of patients with adequate serum P control at threshold levels of 5 and 4.5 mg/dL increased by 45.4% and 35.9%, respectively. Serum ferritin was not modified, while the transferrin saturation index increased significantly (P = 0.04). Serum albumin and normalized protein catabolic rate, when normalized by serum P, increased, averaging 37% and 39%, respectively (P < 0.001). Adherent patients increased from 28.2% to 52.7%. Adverse effects were reported by 14.1% of participants, with abandonment of treatment in 9.5%.

Conclusions

The use of SO in real-life results in better control of serum P, a reduction in the number of tablets and an improvement in therapeutic adherence. In addition, it may be beneficial with regards to secondary hyperparathyroidism and nutritional status.
Biology of Mushroom Phorid Flies,Megaselia halterata(Diptera: Phoridae): Effects of Temperature, Humidity, Crowding, and Compost Stage
Authors: Shikano Ikkei , Woolcott Jason , Cloonan Kevin , Andreadis Stefanos , Jenkins Nina E
Published: October 2020

The mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is a common pest of mushroom production in many parts of the world. Due to the reduced availability of conventional insecticides for mushroom production, M. halterata has recently developed into a major pest in the top mushroom-producing county in the United States (Chester County, PA). Mushrooms are grown entirely indoors, and though larval development of M. halterata occurs in the mushroom-growing substrate, adult flies have been captured both inside and outside of the facilities. Here, we investigated three factors that might contribute to their growth and development. 1) The effects of ambient temperature (15–30°C) and relative humidity (RH; 21–98%) on adult M. halterata lifespan, 2) the effect of spawned compost stage (freshly inoculated with spawn vs 14-d spawned compost) on reproductive output, and 3) the effect of population density on reproductive output. The longevity of adult M. halterata increased under cooler temperatures and more humid conditions (>75% RH), which reflect the conditions inside mushroom-growing facilities. Similar numbers of flies emerged from freshly inoculated and 14-d spawned compost, but flies emerged earlier from 14-d spawned compost. The higher the parental fly density, the more offspring emerged from spawned compost, but the positive relationship reached a plateau beyond 40 parental mating pairs per 100 g of compost. Our findings highlight relevant abiotic and biotic factors that may contribute to M. halterata population dynamics.
Temperature and Humidity Interact to Influence Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Survival
Authors: Fisher Joanna J , Rijal Jhalendra P , Zalom Frank G
Published: October 2020

High-temperature events can influence insect population dynamics and could be especially important for predicting the potential spread and establishment of invasive insects. The interaction between temperature and environmental humidity on insect populations is not well understood but can be a key factor that determines habitat range and population size. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is an invasive agricultural pest in the United States and Europe, which causes serious economic damage to a wide range of crops. This insect’s range continues to expand. It has recently invaded the Central Valley of California, which has a hotter and drier climate compared with the Eastern United States where this insect is established. We investigated how high-temperature events and relative humidity would impact the survival and reproduction of H. halys. Using incubators and humidity chambers, we evaluated the impact of humidity and short-term (2 d) high-temperature exposure on the survival and development of H. halys eggs, nymphs, and adults. We found that high temperatures significantly reduced H. halys survival. The impact of humidity on H. halys survival was dependent on temperature and life stage. Low humidity decreased first-instar survival but not third- to fourth-instar survival. High humidity increased first instar survival but decreased third- to fourth-instar survival. Humidity did not influence adult or egg survival. We also found that high temperatures decreased H. halys reproduction. Our findings have important implications for understanding the invasive ecology of H. halys and may be used to improve models predicting H. halys range expansion.