bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Physics Game Learning Based on Android in The Chapter of Momentum, Impulse, and Collisions
Authors: Purwandari P , Yusro Andista Candra , Styani Endah Dwi
Published: July 2020

This research is a research development which aims to 1) Develop a Physics game learning based on Android that is feasible to be used as a learning media on physics subjects. 2) Knowing students' responses to physics game learning based on Android as learning media 3) Knowing that physics game learning based on Android as learning media can improve students' ability to analyze in the chapter of momentum, impulse, and collision. This research uses the ADDIE development model. This research has been tested by 3 media experts and 3 material experts with the results of the assessment stating that the media is feasible to be used as a medium for physics learning. The subjects of this research were 11 students in class X of Industrial Chemistry at the Vocational School of Gula Rajawali Madiun. The results of this research development indicate that: 1) media physics game learning based on android meets the feasibility standard to be used as a learning medium on physics subjects. 2) The learning media of Physics game learning based on Android gets a very good response from students. 3) Physics game learning based on Android as learning media can improve students' analytical skills in the chapter of momentum, impulses, and collisions with an average N-Gain of 0.54 which is in the medium category.
Comparing Orphanges' Hope and Loneliness as Lifelong Learners in Tanjung Barat Orphanage South Jakarta
Authors: Anggraeni Anastasia Dewi
Published: July 2020

This research aims to compare the loneliness and hope among orphans in the Tanjung Barat orphanage, South Jakarta. The research method used a descriptive qualitative with a case study method. Data collection techniques were interviews, observations, and filling in a simple questionnaire. The sample used 36 children of Tanjung Barat orphanage consisting of elementary school, junior high school and senior high school students. This was done on site and compared to the literature that had been previously established.  Comparing loneliness and hope among orphans aimed to identify and find ways of mapping loneliness and hope among orphans who had been explored and investigated empirically, to find out the comparison and contrast with the mapping of loneliness and hope expressed among them, and to find examples of self-assessment to evaluate and encourage the mapping of their loneliness and expectations among them and present them to caregivers, parents and professionals. By comparing their loneliness and hopes they can actively engage in social interaction between themselves, others, and improve their personal, welfare and life skills.
Meningkatkan Motivasi Belajar Bahasa Indonesia Melalui Penerapan Model Discovery Learning dan Media Video Dalam Kondisi Pandemi Covid-19 bagi Siswa SMPN 2 Gangga
Authors: Susmiati Eri
Published: July 2020

This study aims to increase motivation to learn Indonesian with the discovery learning model and video recording media during the covid-19 pandemic. This research method uses classroom action research methods. The research subjects were students of class VII A Gangga 2 Junior High School, totaling 26 students. This research instrument uses a questionnaire, observation, and assignment. Research data analysis techniques using quantitative and qualitative descriptive analysis. The results of this study indicate that an increase in student responses to distance learning (PJJ) is proven in the first cycle the value is 0.47 with a positive category, while in the second cycle the value is 0.53 with a very positive category. From the appearance value in the video recording retelling the legend is also evidenced by the acquisition of the lowest value of 70 in cycle 1 and 80 in cycle 2, the highest in two cycles of 100 scores from 26 students, so it can be said that the discovery learning model and video recording media can improve student learning motivation during the co-19 pandemic. The positive thing that is obtained from the application of this method is the increase in motivation and activeness of student learning even from a distance which directly impacts on improving student learning outcomes.
Can we reverse the process of deterioration in a run down prairie grass pasture?
Authors: Dodd M.B. , Chu A.C.P. , Matthews P.N.P.
Published: July 2020

An experiment was designed to determine whether aerating soil with a seed drill coulter, or improving soil fertility through nitrogen application, could reverse the deterioration of a 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass pasture. A simple model outlining the changes in yield components characteristic of pasture deterioration is proposed, against which the effects of the treatments have been compared. The aeration treatment accelerated deterioration, probably because the technique caused plant damage and/or soil compaction. However, autumn nitrogen application was successful in reversing the early stages of pasture deterioration by improving plant size through increased tiller size. Keywords Matua prairie grass, Bromus willdenowii Kunth, soil aeration, nitrogen, model, yield components
Long term effects of withholding phosphate application on North Island hill country: Ballantrae
Authors: Lambert M.G. , Clark D.A. , Mackay A.D.
Published: July 2020

In a farmlet grazing trial at DSIR's Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station near Woodville the effect of withholding phosphate application was investigated. Soils are yellow-brown earths and related steepland soils with low phosphate retention, and average annual rainfall is 1200 mm. Four 10 ha farmlets, 2 each with histories of high (HF) or low (LF) superphosphate application, had annual applications continued at 125 (LF-LF) or 375 (HFHF) kg/ha; or discontinued on one farmlet in each case (LF-NF and HF-NF), starting in 1981. Soil Olsen P level decreased on the HF-NF area, but not on LF-NF and pasture production decreased by 4.6 and 1.7% p.a. respectively. Botanical composition was affected only on the HF-NF farmlet. Ewes were lighter as a result of not applying fertiliser. Ewe and lamb wool production, and lamb liveweight, were reduced by an average 1.2, 3.7 and 2.6% p.a., respectively, over the 7 years. A phosphate application trial suggested that reactive phosphate rock was as effective as superphosphate in stimulating legume responses in the 1st year after restarting phosphate application, and had greater residual activity. Keywords fertiliser, withholding, cessation, phosphate, superphosphate, hill country, pastures, soil fertility, wool, sheep
Effects of Concord ryegrass and nitrogen fertiliser on feed production on a seasonal dairy farm
Authors: Thom E.R. , Prestidge R.A.
Published: July 2020

The seasonal production of autumn-sown Concord Italian ryegrass was compared with that of an existing perennial ryegrass pasture. Concord (10 kg/ha) was direct-drilled into large plots previously. sprayed with glyphosate or was undersown into the existing pasture. Nitrogen fertiliser (25 kg N/ha) was applied to half the area of each plot on 3 occasions during June and July. The major objective of the experiment was to examine the effects on pasture production in late winter-early spring (early lactation) when cows are often underfed. During late winter-early spring, direct-drilled and undersown plots accumulated 44 and 20% more dry matter (DM), respectively, than did the existing pasture (2.5 t DM/ha). Addition of N increased overall accumulation during early lactation by 18%. The direct influence of Concord on pasture accumulation was restricted to winter/spring, as was the pasture response to N. Argentine stem weevil populations were low and were not affected by winter applications of N. This work suggests Italian ryegrasses, like Concord, can be used to boost feed production during early lactation on dairy farms, and that winter N applications can be used to enhance their contributions. Further farmlet work is required to determine the milk production responses possible from the use of Italian ryegrasses. Keywords Lolium multifloru-m, ltalian ryegrass, direct drilling, seasonal herbage accumulation, early lactation period, pasture botanical composition, tiller density, major element composition, Argentine stem weevil populations
Testing the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) on high country white clover-based pastures
Authors: Jones M.B. , Sinclair A.G. , Floate M.J.S. , Boswell C.C.
Published: July 2020

Plant tissue analysis is useful to assay plant nutrient status, but has limitations due to changes in nutrient concentrations with physiological age, and variation between plant parts. The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) uses nutrient ratios calculated from plant tissue analyses to evaluate plant nutrient status. It calculates indices for each nutrient, and ranks them in order of their deficiency. An exploratory assessment of DRIS has been conducted for New Zealand high country pasture using chemical analysis and yield data from field trials. In this limited assessment, DRIS consistently ranked S and P deficiencies in the same order as indicated by yield responses to fertiliser treatments. It was generally successful in distinguishing between deficient and nondeficient conditions. Results are considered to justify a more comprehensive evaluation of DRIS for New Zealand pastures. Keywords DRIS, plant analysis, P deficiency, S deficiency
Setting and monitoring targets improves dairy farm performance
Authors: Macintosh Mark
Published: July 2020

The process of setting targets and intensively monitoring performance on an Opotiki dairy farm improved milkfat production over one season by 6% when compared to surrounding farms. By comparing actual results with performance targets a number of constraints to improved milk production were identified. The constraint given highest priorty was the extended calving spread. Management was implemented to overcome this constraint with the result of a mean calving date 19 days earlier. This improvement was the major reason for the 6% production increase. Keywords: Comparative Farm Programme, targets, monitoring, constraints, pasture growth, utilised pasture
Analysis of 10 years' production data within a discussion group. What factors are limiting production?
Authors: Hickson Andre
Published: July 2020

An analysis of 10 years' production records of a group of farms indicated that for all the improved management techniques employed, production had not increased. Kilograms of milkfat per hectare did notgiveameasureofresourceuseorthemanagement ability of the farmer. Farmers were surveyed. The following data were collected for the years 1978/79 to 1987/88: Keywords index, management performance, goal, objective.
Low cost overdrilling technology for pasture establishment
Authors: Horrell R.F. , Lowther W.L. , Keoghan J.M.
Published: July 2020

A prototype strip seeder was developed to establish grasses and legumes in the semi-arid and montane environments of the Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago. Specifications of the strip-seeder required for cost-effective performance were identified on the basis of previous direct drilling investigations in this environment, and included: (a) removal of a strip of existing vegetation to reduce competition; (b) creation of seed bed tilth; (c) controlled and separate placement of seed and fertiliser; and (d) compaction of the drilled seed bed to enhance contact between seed and soil. The prototype strip seeder was built around a modified Duncan 730 multi-seeder chassis, and was used to install spring and autumn trials at Eamscleugh in Central Otago and at Ohau Downs in the Mackenzie Basin. Mechanical improvements were made as the trials progressed. The experience gained, and results from the trials, confirm the suitability of the prototype strip seeder concept for successfully introducing grasses and legumes into this terrain. Keywords direct drilling, strip seeder, seed placement, seed depth, sowing depth
Fertiliser history is a useful predictor of soil fertility status
Authors: Mccall D.G. , Thorrold B.S.
Published: July 2020

A Fertiliser index is described which consists of summing total superphosphate applied to a site after using an annual discount to past applications. This index is related to relative pasture yield for 3 major New Zealand super-phosphate withholding trials using a Mitscherlich function. A discount factor of 0.15 was chosen. Accuracy of relative pasture yield prediction was at least as good as for an Olsen P predictor and better where sulphur responses were implicated in the response to super-phosphate (r-$0.77 to 0.93). The effect on relative pasture yield predictions of measurement errors in Olsen P and Fertiliser index were similar using the Whatawhata site for comparison. A 20% error in predictor resulted in a 3 unit error in relative pasture yield estimation. Measurement errors in the Fertiliser index are minimal if the last 10 years' fertiliser history are known. Where this knowledge is not available, 5 years of known fertiliser history and use of national average fertiliser statistics beyond that may give acceptable estimates of relative yield. The advantage of the model for onfarm use is that intended fertiliser use directly affects the index and hence prediction of relative pasture yield. This facilitates economic analysis of options. An analysis using the model to investigate production consequences of fertiliser use at the industrylevelshowscontinuationofcurrentfertiliser levels on hill country farms will result in a drop in farm output of 13% in the next 10 years. Keywords super-phosphate, discount, Olsen P, policy, regional production, pasture yield, fertiliser strategy
Development and Validation of Attitude Towards Honour Killing Scale
Authors: Huda Sadia , Kamal Anila
Published: July 2020

The present study aimed at developing a valid and reliable scale for assessing attitudes towards honour killing in Pakistan. The scale was developed in three phases; item pool generation, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. The initial item pool was generated form in-depth interviews with professionals (i.e., lawyers, journalists, psychologists, religious scholars, police officials, and social activists) and perpetrators in jail. In order to validate the initial 19 item scale, 459 adults, within the age range of 18-60 years were recruited from the Federal capital city and other cities of Punjab by using convenient sampling technique. For validation of the factor structure, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was run using Maximum Likelihood (ML) extraction method and promax rotation method. The analysis yielded two factors (affirmation and deterrents of honour killing) that accounted for 32% variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was carried out to validate the factor structure explored through EFA. An independent sample of 695 adults was recruited for confirmatory study. Results of CFA indicated a good model fit for the final scale comprising 17 items. The Cronbach alpha coefficients for the two factors were .79 and .61, respectively. The convergent and discriminant validity of the final scale was also determined using the Gender Role Attitude Scale (Anila & Ansari, 1992) and Extremism Scale (Gilani & Altaf, 2005.
Research Self-Efficacy Among Students: Role of Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies, Research Anxiety, and Attitude Towards Research
Authors: Wajid Umamah , Jami Humaira
Published: July 2020

The present study aimed to explore the role of metacognitive awareness of reading strategies, research anxiety, and attitude towards research in research self-efficacy among students at university currently conducting research as part of their degree requirement. The role of perceived supervisor’s satisfaction from research and intensity of reading as moderators was also analyzed. Research Self-Efficacy Scale (Rezaei & Zamani-Miandashti, 2013), Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies (Mokhtari & Reichard, 2002), Research Anxiety Scale (Rezaei & Zamani-Miandashti, 2013), and Attitude towards Research Scale (Rezaei & Zamani-Miandashti, 2013) were used to collect data from purposively drawn sample of 300 university students who were conducting research as part of their degree requirement. Regression analysis revealed metacognitive awareness of reading strategies to be the strongest predictor of research self-efficacy, with research anxiety and attitude towards research being mediators. Further analysis revealed supervisor’s satisfaction for research anxiety and intensity of reading for metacognitive awareness of reading strategies to be significant moderators in effecting research self-efficacy. The study findings have been discussed in detail, alongside the implications of the study as well as suggestions for further research in the area.
Phenomenology of Retaliating to Workplace Ostracism in Academia
Authors: Fatima Tehreem , Raza Bilal Ahmad , Kashif Imran Muhammad
Published: July 2020

The present qualitative inquiry sheds light on the psychological ramifications and behavioral responses of workplace ostracism in Higher Educational Institutes of Pakistan. The data was collected from 20 ostracized teaching faculty members from public and private sector universities through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematic analysis was carried out by NVIVO 11 Plus software. This was supplemented by content analysis to find the strength of each theme in the form of relative frequencies. The findings revealed three major themes; (1) psychological ramifications manifested in threatened needs and negative emotional reactions, (2) behavioral responses (pro-social, antisocial, and avoidant), (3) the underlying causes of diverse behavioral responses. It was found that negative psychological impacts of ostracism were inevitable, but behavioral responses were primarily pro-social due to ostracized faculty’s future-orientation, high importance of maintaining relationships, absence of alternative relations, less exposure to ostracism, and re-inclusion expectations.
Impact of Polychronicity on Work-Related Quality of Life Among Bank Employees: Moderating Role of Time Management
Authors: Sehrish Javeria , Zubair Aisha
Published: July 2020

The present study intended to investigate the effect of polychronicity and time management on work-related quality of life among bank employees. It also attempted to examine the moderating role of time management in predicting work-related quality of life from polychronic tendencies. Gender differences were also investigated along the study variables. Purposive sample consisted of 300 bank employees including men and women with age range of 27 to 52 years (M = 32.5, SD = 4.26) was acquired. Measures of Polychronic Attitude Index (Kaufman, Lane, & Lindquist, 1991), Time Management Behavior Scale (Poposki, Oswald, & Chen, 2008), and Work-related Quality of Life Scale (Zeng et al., 2011) were used to assess study variables. Results showed that polychronicity was negatively associated with time management and work-related quality of life, while time management and work-related quality of life were positively aligned with each other. Findings also revealed that time management buffers the relationship between polychronicity and work-related quality of life and offered a cushioning effect against the repercussions of ploychronicity. Gender differences indicated that men reflected less polychronic tendencies, better time management, and elevated work-related quality of life as compared to their female counterparts. Findings of the present study would bear practical implications for job design and managing various tasks at workplace.
PROFIL PENDERITA HEMOROID DI RUMAH SAKIT ISLAM SITI RAHMAH PADANG SUMATERA BARAT PERIODE 2016-2017
Authors: Sekarlina Sindy , Nurhuda M , Wahyuni Sri
Published: July 2020

Hemoroid (wasir) merupakan pelebaran pleksus vaskular arteri vena yang mengelilingi bagian distal rectum dan kanal anal. Namun, kebanyakan  masyarakat kurang tahu mengenai gejala-gejalanya. Data Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Sumatera Selatan menyatakan penderita penyakit Hemoroid pada tahun 2009 sebanyak 424 orang, tahun 2010 sebanyak 427 penderita dan tahun 2011 sebanyak 436 orang penderita. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui profil penderita hemoroid di rumah Sakit Islam Siti Rahmah Padang periode 2016 - 2017 dengan menggunakan penelitian deskriptif dengan menggunakan data sekunder yang berasal dari rekam medis dan data primer dari wawancara pasien. Sampel dari penelitian ini diambil dari data rekam medis seluruh pasien hemoroid yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Data diambil dengan menggunakan metode “Simple Random Sampling”. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa kelompok usia tertinggi adalah kelompok usia 15-44 tahun (60%), jenis kelamin terbanyak laki laki (57,8%), klasifikasi hemoroid interna (88,9%), derajat III dan IV yang masing-masingnya (32,2%), keluhan nyeri (100%) diikuti benjolan (97,77%), posisi defekasi duduk (55,5%), riwayat konstipasi (95,6%). Kata kunci: Usia, jenis kelamin, klasifikasi, derajat, riwayat, posisi defekasi dan konstipiasi
PENGARUH CANGKANG KEONG SAWAH (PILA AMPULLACEA) TERHADAP PEMBENTUKAN TULANG BARU (REMODELING TULANG)
Authors: Edrizal Edrizal , Desnita Eka
Published: July 2020

Keong sawah dipercaya oleh masyarakat sebagai obat alternatif yang mampu mengobati banyak penyakit, seperti diabetes, penyakit kuning, liver, maag, kolesterol, dan mencegah osteoporosis, kajian ilmiah lebih mendalam mengenai khasiat keong sawah bagi kesehatan manusia masih belum banyak dilakukan. Semuanya ini masih merupakan data empiris dari pengalaman para pengguna keong sawah. Sehingga perlu dilakukan pengujian ilmiah lebih lanjut. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui apakah kandungan dalam cangkang keong sawah (Pila ampullacea) dapat mempengaruhi proses remodeling tulang. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah eksperimental laboratorium dengan rancangan control group post test only design. Populasi penelitian ini menggunakan tikus putih Galur Wistar (Rattus norvegicus L.), dengan jumlah sampel minimal yang diperlukan adalah 4 ekor tikus dari setiap kelompok. Sehingga besar sampel yang digunakan adalah 20 ekor tikus Galur Wistar (Rattus Norvegicus). Penelitian dilakukan di Laboratorium Farmakologi Universitas Andalas, Laboratorium Patologi Anatomi RSI Siti Rahmah dan Laboratorium Patologi Anatomi Universitas Andalas. Menggunakan uji Oneway ANOVA. Hasil penelitian diperoleh jumlah rata-rata osteoblas pada kelompok kontrol (-) dengan rata-rata jumlah osteoblas terendah yaitu 14,3 per lima lapang pandang. Peningkatan rata-rata paling tinggi terjadi pada pemberian pilla ampullacea 100 mg yaitu 36,6 per lima lapang pandang. Jumlah rata-rata osteoklas kelompok kontrol (-) juga terlihat paling rendah yaitu 1,55 per lima lapang pandang dan peningkatan rata-rata osteoklas paling tinggi pada pemberian pilla ampullacea 100 mg yaitu 3,25 per lima lapang pandang dan terbukti pemberian sediaan serbuk cangkang keong sawah (Pila ampullacea) dapat mempengaruhi proses remodeling tulang dengan p<0,05.
EEG Biomarkers Related With the Functional State of Stroke Patients
Authors: Sebastián-Romagosa Marc , Udina Esther , Ortner Rupert , Dinarès-Ferran Josep , Cho Woosang , Murovec Nensi , Matencio-Peralba Clara , Sieghartsleitner Sebastian , Allison Brendan Z. , Guger Christoph
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Recent studies explored promising new quantitative methods to analyze electroencephalography (EEG) signals. This paper analyzes the correlation of two EEG parameters, Brain Symmetry Index (BSI) and Laterality Coefficient (LC), with established functional scales for the stroke assessment.

Methods

Thirty-two healthy subjects and thirty-six stroke patients with upper extremity hemiparesis were recruited for this study. The stroke patients where subdivided in three groups according to the stroke location: Cortical, Subcortical, and Cortical + Subcortical. The participants performed assessment visits to record the EEG in the resting state and perform functional tests using rehabilitation scales. Then, stroke patients performed 25 sessions using a motor-imagery based Brain Computer Interface system (BCI). BSI was calculated with the EEG data in resting state and LC was calculated with the Event-Related Synchronization maps.

Results

The results of this study demonstrated significant differences in the BSI between the healthy group and Subcortical group (P = 0.001), and also between the healthy and Cortical+Subcortical group (P = 0.019). No significant differences were found between the healthy group and the Cortical group (P = 0.505). Furthermore, the BSI analysis in the healthy group based on gender showed statistical differences (P = 0.027). In the stroke group, the correlation between the BSI and the functional state of the upper extremity assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was also significant, ρ = −0.430 and P = 0.046. The correlation between the BSI and the FMA-Lower extremity was not significant (ρ = −0.063, P = 0.852). Similarly, the LC calculated in the alpha band has significative correlation with FMA of upper extremity (ρ = −0.623 and P < 0.001) and FMA of lower extremity (ρ = −0.509 and P = 0.026). Other important significant correlations between LC and functional scales were observed. In addition, the patients showed an improvement in the FMA-upper extremity after the BCI therapy (ΔFMA = 1 median [IQR: 0–8], P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The quantitative EEG tools used here may help support our understanding of stroke and how the brain changes during rehabilitation therapy. These tools can help identify changes in EEG biomarkers and parameters during therapy that might lead to improved therapy methods and functional prognoses.
Potent and Specific Antibacterial Activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of G17 and G19 Peptides Encapsulated into Poly-Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) Nanoparticles
Authors: Gómez-Sequeda Nicolás , Ruiz Jennifer , Ortiz Claudia , Urquiza Mauricio , Torres Rodrigo
Published: July 2020

Antimicrobial peptides constitute an excellent alternative against conventional antibiotics because of their potent antimicrobial spectrum, unspecific action mechanism and low capacity to produce antibiotic resistance. However, a potential use of these biological molecules as therapeutic agents is threatened by their low stability and susceptibility to proteases. In order to overcome these limitations, encapsulation in biocompatible polymers as poly-lactic-glycolic-acid (PLGA) is a promising alternative for increasing their stability and bioavailability. In this work, the effect of new synthetic antimicrobial peptides GIBIM-P5S9K (G17) and GAM019 (G19) encapsulated on PLGA and acting against methicillin resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 was studied. PLGA encapsulation allowed us to load around 7 µg AMPs/mg PLGA with an efficiency of 90.5%, capsule sizes around 290 nm and positive charges. Encapsulation improved antimicrobial activity, decreasing MIC50 from 1.5 to 0.2 (G17NP) and 0.7 (G19NP) µM against MRSA, and from 12.5 to 3.13 µM for E. coli O157:H7. Peptide loaded nanoparticles could be a bacteriostatic drug with potential application to treat these bacterial E. coli O157:H7 and MRSA infections, with a slow and gradual release.
Calmangafodipir Reduces Sensory Alterations and Prevents Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers Loss in a Mouse Model of Oxaliplatin Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity
Authors: Canta Annalisa , Chiorazzi Alessia , Pozzi Eleonora , Fumagalli Giulia , Monza Laura , Meregalli Cristina , Carozzi Valentina A. , Rodriguez-Menendez Virginia , Oggioni Norberto , Näsström Jacques , Marmiroli Paola , Cavaletti Guido
Published: July 2020

Oxaliplatin (OHP) is an antineoplastic compound able to induce peripheral neurotoxicity. Oxidative stress has been suggested to be a key factor in the development of OHP-related peripheral neurotoxicity. Mangafodipir, a contrast agent possessing mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)-mimetic activity, has been tested as a cytoprotector in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN). Calmangafodipir (PledOx®) has even better therapeutic activity. We investigated a BALB/c mouse model of OHP-related CIPN and the effects of the pre-treatment of calmangafodipir (2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg intravenously) on sensory perception, and we performed a pathological study on skin biopsies to assess intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density. At the end of the treatments, OHP alone or in pre-treatment with calmangafodipir 2.5 and 10 mg/kg, induced mechanical allodynia and cold thermal hyperalgesia, but calmangafodipir 5 mg/kg prevented these effects. Accordingly, OHP alone or in pre-treatment with calmangafodipir 2.5 and 10 mg/kg, induced a significant reduction in IENF density, but calmangafodipir 5 mg/kg prevented this reduction. These results confirm a protective effect of calmangafodipir against OHP-induced small fiber neuropathy. Interestingly, these results are in agreement with previous observations suggesting a U-shaped effect of calmangafodipir, with the 10 mg/kg dose less effective than the lower doses.
A Smart Parking Solution Architecture Based on LoRaWAN and Kubernetes
Authors: Barriga Jhonattan J. , Sulca Juan , León José , Ulloa Alejandro , Portero Diego , García José , Yoo Sang Guun
Published: July 2020

Finding a parking space in a city is one of the most common activities of a driver. This becomes more difficult when the city is unknown or has huge vehicular congestion. A solution to address this issue is called smart parking. Smart parking solutions rely on Internet of Things (IoT) and several technologies to achieve their purpose. This paper proposes an architecture for deploying a smart parking solution based on Long-Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) sensors, LoRaWAN and a cluster of Kubernetes. This approach provides an open architecture able to share information with other parties through a REST API interface. Likewise, it contains a mobile and a web application for user interaction. This solution provides an administration interface for managing parking lots. The user interface lets a user to find, view information, display available spaces and rate a parking lot in real time. This solution could be used as an application as service parking system. The proposed architecture is fully portable and scalable due to the use of Kubernetes.
Cryobiotechnology of Plants: A Hot Topic Not Only for Gene Banks
Authors: Jiroutová Petra , Sedlák Jiří
Published: July 2020

Agriculture has always been an important part of human evolution. Traditionally, farming is changing and developing with regard to challenges it faces. The major challenges of modern agriculture are food and nutrition safety for the growing world population. Promoting species and genetic diversity in agriculture appears to be an important approach to dealing with those challenges. Gene banks all around the world play a crucial role in preserving plant genetic resources for future crop improvements. The plant germplasm can be preserved in different ways, depending on the species or form of stored plant tissue. This review focuses on a special preservation method—cryopreservation. Cryopreservation is an effective technique for storing living systems at ultra-low temperatures, usually in liquid nitrogen or its vapor phase. This conservation method is crucial for plants that do not produce seeds or that produce non germinating seeds, as well as for plants that propagate vegetatively. Moreover, based on the cryopreservation method, a novel plant biotechnology tool for pathogen eradication called cryotherapy has been developed. The use of liquid nitrogen eliminates plant pathogens such as viruses, phytoplasmas, and bacteria. Our article reviews recent advances in cryo-biotechnologies such as cryopreservation and cryotherapy, with special focus on studies concerning fruit plants.
Polyphenols in Dental Applications
Authors: Kharouf Naji , Haikel Youssef , Ball Vincent
Published: July 2020

(1) Background: polyphenols are a broad class of molecules extracted from plants and have a large repertoire of biological activities. Biomimetic inspiration from the effects of tea or red wine on the surface of cups or glass lead to the emergence of versatile surface chemistry with polyphenols. Owing to their hydrogen bonding abilities, coordination chemistry with metallic cations and redox properties, polyphenols are able to interact, covalently or not, with a large repertoire of chemical moieties, and can hence be used to modify the surface chemistry of almost all classes of materials. (2) Methods: the use of polyphenols to modify the surface properties of dental materials, mostly enamel and dentin, to afford them with better adhesion to resins and improved biological properties, such as antimicrobial activity, started more than 20 years ago, but no general overview has been written to our knowledge. (3) Results: the present review is aimed to show that molecules from all the major classes of polyphenolics allow for low coast improvements of dental materials and engineering of dental tissues.
Ten-Year Research Update Review: Antiviral Activities from Marine Organisms
Authors: Riccio Gennaro , Ruocco Nadia , Mutalipassi Mirko , Costantini Maria , Zupo Valerio , Coppola Daniela , de Pascale Donatella , Lauritano Chiara
Published: July 2020

Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the surface of our planet and are characterized by huge taxonomic and chemical diversity of marine organisms. Several studies have shown that marine organisms produce a variety of compounds, derived from primary or secondary metabolism, which may have antiviral activities. In particular, certain marine metabolites are active towards a plethora of viruses. Multiple mechanisms of action have been found, as well as different targets. This review gives an overview of the marine-derived compounds discovered in the last 10 years. Even if marine organisms produce a wide variety of different compounds, there is only one compound available on the market, Ara-A, and only another one is in phase I clinical trials, named Griffithsin. The recent pandemic emergency caused by SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19, highlights the need to further invest in this field, in order to shed light on marine compound potentiality and discover new drugs from the sea.
DrugSniper, a Tool to Exploit Loss-Of-Function Screens, Identifies CREBBP as a Predictive Biomarker of VOLASERTIB in Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC)
Authors: Carazo Fernando , Bértolo Cristina , Castilla Carlos , Cendoya Xabier , Campuzano Lucía , Serrano Diego , Gimeno Marian , Planes Francisco J. , Pio Ruben , Montuenga Luis M. , Rubio Angel
Published: July 2020

The development of predictive biomarkers of response to targeted therapies is an unmet clinical need for many antitumoral agents. Recent genome-wide loss-of-function screens, such as RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR-Cas9 libraries, are an unprecedented resource to identify novel drug targets, reposition drugs and associate predictive biomarkers in the context of precision oncology. In this work, we have developed and validated a large-scale bioinformatics tool named DrugSniper, which exploits loss-of-function experiments to model the sensitivity of 6237 inhibitors and predict their corresponding biomarkers of sensitivity in 30 tumor types. Applying DrugSniper to small cell lung cancer (SCLC), we identified genes extensively explored in SCLC, such as Aurora kinases or epigenetic agents. Interestingly, the analysis suggested a remarkable vulnerability to polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibition in CREBBP-mutant SCLC cells. We validated this association in vitro using four mutated and four wild-type SCLC cell lines and two PLK1 inhibitors (Volasertib and BI2536), confirming that the effect of PLK1 inhibitors depended on the mutational status of CREBBP. Besides, DrugSniper was validated in-silico with several known clinically-used treatments, including the sensitivity of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) and Vemurafenib to FLT3 and BRAF mutant cells, respectively. These findings show the potential of genome-wide loss-of-function screens to identify new personalized therapeutic hypotheses in SCLC and potentially in other tumors, which is a valuable starting point for further drug development and drug repositioning projects.
Unique Spatial Immune Profiling in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma with Enrichment of Exhausted and Senescent T Cells and Diffused CD47-SIRPα Expression
Authors: Papalampros Alexandros , Vailas Michail , Ntostoglou Konstantinos , Chiloeches Maria Lopez , Sakellariou Stratigoula , Chouliari Niki V. , Samaras Menelaos G. , Veltsista Paraskevi D. , Theodorou Sofia D. P. , Margetis Aggelos T. , Bergonzini Anna , Karydakis Lysandros , Hasemaki Natasha , Havaki Sophia , Moustakas Ioannis I. , Chatzigeorgiou Antonios , Karamitros Timokratis , Patsea Eleni , Kittas Christos , Lazaris Andreas C. , Felekouras Evangelos , Gorgoulis Vassilis G. , Frisan Teresa , Pateras Ioannis S.
Published: July 2020

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is resistant to single-agent immunotherapies. To understand the mechanisms leading to the poor response to this treatment, a better understanding of the PDAC immune landscape is required. The present work aims to study the immune profile in PDAC in relationship to spatial heterogeneity of the tissue microenvironment (TME) in intact tissues. Methods: Serial section and multiplex in situ analysis were performed in 42 PDAC samples to assess gene and protein expression at single-cell resolution in the: (a) tumor center (TC), (b) invasive front (IF), (c) normal parenchyma adjacent to the tumor, and (d) tumor positive and negative draining lymph nodes (LNs). Results: We observed: (a) enrichment of T cell subpopulations with exhausted and senescent phenotype in the TC, IF and tumor positive LNs; (b) a dominant type 2 immune response in the TME, which is more pronounced in the TC; (c) an emerging role of CD47-SIRPα axis; and (d) a similar immune cell topography independently of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study reveals the existence of dysfunctional T lymphocytes with specific spatial distribution, thus opening a new dimension both conceptually and mechanistically in tumor-stroma interaction in PDAC with potential impact on the efficacy of immune-regulatory therapeutic modalities.
Advances in Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy: Car-T Cell, Checkpoint Inhibitors, Dendritic Cell Vaccines, and Oncolytic Viruses, and Emerging Cellular and Molecular Targets
Authors: Alard Emilie , Butnariu Aura-Bianca , Grillo Marta , Kirkham Charlotte , Zinovkin Dmitry Aleksandrovich , Newnham Louise , Macciochi Jenna , Pranjol Md Zahidul Islam
Published: July 2020

Unlike traditional cancer therapies, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that are typically non-specific, cancer immunotherapy harnesses the high specificity of a patient’s own immune system to selectively kill cancer cells. The immune system is the body’s main cancer surveillance system, but cancers may evade destruction thanks to various immune-suppressing mechanisms. We therefore need to deploy various immunotherapy-based strategies to help bolster the anti-tumour immune responses. These include engineering T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to specifically recognise tumour neoantigens, inactivating immune checkpoints, oncolytic viruses and dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, which have all shown clinical benefit in certain cancers. However, treatment efficacy remains poor due to drug-induced adverse events and immunosuppressive tendencies of the tumour microenvironment. Recent preclinical studies have unveiled novel therapies such as anti-cathepsin antibodies, galectin-1 blockade and anti-OX40 agonistic antibodies, which may be utilised as adjuvant therapies to modulate the tumour microenvironment and permit more ferocious anti-tumour immune response.
High Degradation of Trichloroethylene in Water by Nanostructured MeNPs@CALB Biohybrid Catalysts
Authors: Losada-Garcia Noelia , Rodriguez-Otero Alba , Palomo Jose M.
Published: July 2020

In this study, a methodology was developed for the rapid degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) in distilled water and room temperature without the production of toxic chlorinated by-products. This process was carried out using bionanohybrids of different metals (Pd, Fe, Cu and Zn) obtained by enzyme–metal coordination called MeNPs@CALB, which present different metal species and nanoparticle sizes. The Cu2O@CALB biohybrid, which contained Cu2O nanoparticles, showed excellent catalytic performance in TCE degradation by removing 95% (>125 ppm) in 10 min using 1.5 g/L of catalyst. On the other hand, in the degradation reaction of 1,1-DCE, Cu2O@CALB eliminated 94% (93 ppm) in 1 min. Cu2O@CALB exhibited excellent stability and recyclability under sustainable conditions, maintaining its effectiveness in more than 90% for three cycles.
Pythagorean Triples before and after Pythagoras
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P.
Published: July 2020

Following the corrected chronology of ancient Hindu scientists/mathematicians, in this article, a sincere effort is made to report the origin of Pythagorean triples. We shall account for the development of these triples from the period of their origin and list some known astonishing directions. Although for researchers in this field, there is not much that is new in this article, we genuinely hope students and teachers of mathematics will enjoy this article and search for new directions/patterns.
Analyzing the Effects of Tactical Dependence for Business Process Reengineering and Optimization
Authors: Khan Md Ashikul Alam , Butt Javaid , Mebrahtu Habtom , Shirvani Hassan
Published: July 2020

Implementing business and manufacturing process reengineering is challenging and poses major issues. The dependence issues between process functions during the implementation phase are the main reason for the high failure rate of process reengineering. The incompetence in identifying the dependence makes existing business process reengineering approaches static for modern business and manufacturing process structures. This paper has implemented a new process reengineering approach called the Khan–Hassan–Butt (KHB) methodology that incorporates the process interdependence algorithm to identify the dependence issues. The KHB method is a hybrid process reengineering approach to identify dependence issues before implementing changes; thus significantly reducing the failure rate of implementing business process reengineering. The KHB method has been implemented in a Bangladesh fabric manufacturing facility. The mapping and verification of the process have been completed using the WITNESS Horizon 22.5 simulation package. The case study has investigated the fabric production process and identified the dependence issues between each function and suggested changes to optimize the process. The outcome has shown significant improvement in production output and process efficiency.
Bile Acids Quantification by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Method Validation, Reference Range, and Interference Study
Authors: Danese Elisa , Negrini Davide , Pucci Mairi , De Nitto Simone , Ambrogi Davide , Donzelli Simone , Lievens Patricia M.-J. , Salvagno Gian Luca , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: July 2020

Bile acids (BA) play a pivotal role in cholesterol metabolism. Their blood concentration has also been proposed as new prognostic and diagnostic indicator of hepatobiliary, intestinal, and cardiovascular disease. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) currently represents the gold standard for analysis of BA profile in biological samples. We report here development and validation of a LC–MS/MS technique for simultaneously quantifying 15 BA species in serum samples. We also established a reference range for adult healthy subjects (n = 130) and performed a preliminary evaluation of in vitro and in vivo interference. The method displayed good linearity, with high regression coefficients (>0.99) over a range of 5 ng/mL (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) and 5000 ng/mL for all analytes tested. The accuracies were between 85–115%. Both intra- and inter-assay imprecision was <10%. The recoveries ranged between 92–110%. Each of the tested BA species (assessed on three concentrations) were stable for 15 days at room temperature, 4 °C, and −20 °C. The in vitro study did not reveal any interference from triglycerides, bilirubin, or cell-free hemoglobin. The in vivo interference study showed that pools obtained from hyper-cholesterolemic patients and hyper-bilirubinemic patients due to post-hepatic jaundice for benign cholestasis, cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic head tumors had clearly distinct patterns of BA concentrations compared with a pool obtained from samples of healthy subjects. In conclusion, this study proposes a new suitable candidate method for identification and quantitation of BA in biological samples and provides new insight into a number of variables that should be taken into account when investigating pathophysiological changes of BA in human diseases.
Adaptive Weighted High Frequency Iterative Algorithm for Fractional-Order Total Variation with Nonlocal Regularization for Image Reconstruction
Authors: Chen Hui , Qin Yali , Ren Hongliang , Chang Liping , Hu Yingtian , Zheng Huan
Published: July 2020

We propose an adaptive weighted high frequency iterative algorithm for a fractional-order total variation (FrTV) approach with nonlocal regularization to alleviate image deterioration and to eliminate staircase artifacts, which result from the total variation (TV) method. The high frequency gradients are reweighted in iterations adaptively when we decompose the image into high and low frequency components using the pre-processing technique. The nonlocal regularization is introduced into our method based on nonlocal means (NLM) filtering, which contains prior image structural information to suppress staircase artifacts. An alternating direction multiplier method (ADMM) is used to solve the problem combining reweighted FrTV and nonlocal regularization. Experimental results show that both the peak signal-to-noise ratios (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) of reconstructed images are higher than those achieved by the other four methods at various sampling ratios less than 25%. At 5% sampling ratios, the gains of PSNR and SSIM are up to 1.63 dB and 0.0114 from ten images compared with reweighted total variation with nuclear norm regularization (RTV-NNR). The improved approach preserves more texture details and has better visual effects, especially at low sampling ratios, at the cost of taking more time.
A 2.45 GHz High Efficiency CMOS RF Energy Harvester with Adaptive Path Control
Authors: Khan Danial , Basim Muhammad , Shehzad Khuram , Ain Qurat Ul , Verma Deeksha , Asif Muhammad , Oh Seong Jin , Pu Young Gun , Yoo Sang-Sun , Hwang Keum Cheol , Yang Youngoo , Lee Kang-Yoon
Published: July 2020

In this research work, a reconfigurable 2.45-GHz RF-DC converter realized in a 180-nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology is proposed to efficiently harvest electromagnetic energy. The proposed circuit is composed of a low-power path rectifier, a high-power path rectifier, and an adaptive path control (APC) circuit. The APC circuit is made-up of a comparator, two switches, and an inverter. The APC circuit senses the output voltages of the low-power path and the high-power path rectifiers and generates a control signal to automatically switch the proposed circuit between the lower-power path and the high-power path operation depending upon RF input power level. The proposed circuit obtains more than 20% measured power conversion efficiency (PCE) from −6 dBm to 11 dBm input power range with maximum efficiencies of 41% and 45% at 1 and 6 dBm input powers, respectively, for 5 kΩ load resistance. In addition, the proposed circuit shows excellent performance at 900 MHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies.