bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Supervisor Performance in The Implementation Aspect of Academic System in Elementary School
Authors: Sugimin Sugimin , Sumarsih Sumarsih
Published: May 2022

Performance appraisal is the process of evaluating how well employees do their work when compared to a set of standards, and also communicating with employees. Therefore, performance appraisal must be guided by the agreed upon standards in work standards. School supervisors are identical to the supervision of education which has a special meaning which is to help and participate in efforts to improve the quality of both personal and institutional. This study focused on the performance of supervisors in the aspects of implementing the academic system of teachers in public elementary schools throughout North Bengkulu. The method used was quantitative descriptive. The results of the supervisor's performance research in the aspects of implementing the academic system of teachers were in quite good category. Suggestions for supervisors should carry out all the main tasks of supervision properly including: preparing a program, implementing, evaluating the results of implementation, and reporting the evaluation results of program implementation.
STRATEGI PROMOSI INSTITUT AGAMA ISLAM NEGERI BENGKULU DALAM MENINGKATKAN JUMLAH CALON MAHASISWA PASCA PERALIHAN DARI SEKOLAH TINGGI MENJADI INSTITUT
Authors: Hasnolisastro Hasnolisastro
Published: May 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui strategi promosi IAIN Bengkulu dalam meningkatkan jumlah calon mahasiswa pasca peralihan dari Sekolah Tinggi menjadi Institut .Penelitian dilaksanakan di IAIN Bengkulu, dengan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif melalui observasi, wawancara dengan 3 informan, dan dokumentasI, menggunakan analisis data Daymon dan Holloway.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dalam melaksanakan strategi promosi, IAIN Bengkulu memperlihatkan langkah-langkah pokok terdiri atas pengidentifikasian audiens sasaran, perencanaan, penentuan anggaran, dan pemilihan saluran komunikasi.Bauran promosi IAIN Bengkulu meliputi kegiatan periklanan melalui media cetak, media elektronik, dan leaflet, melalui personal selling (penjualan perseorangan).Strategi promosi yang dilakukan IAIN Bengkulu sudah efektif, terbukti dari meningkatnya jumlah mahasiswa setiap tahunnya.
Komunikasi Pariwisata Desa Rindu Hati Kecamatan Taba Penanjung Kabupaten Bengkulu Tengah Provinsi Bengkulu
Authors: Risdiyanto Bayu , . Indria
Published: May 2022

Sasaran utama pengembangan kepariwisataan haruslah meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat setempat. Berdasarkan latar belakang tersebut, penelitian tindakan ini secara khusus bertujuan membangun Model Komunikasi Pariwisata di Desa Rindu Hati Kecamatan Taba Penanjung Kabupaten Bengkulu Tengah. Penelitian dilakukan melalui kegiatan-kegiatan partisipatif dalam bentuk loka karya dan penelusuran lokasi wisata. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengembangan masyarakat yang dilakukan ditujukan untuk membangun Rindu Hati sebagai Desa Ekowisata di Kabupaten Bengkulu Tengah, dengan produk wisata unggulan berupa kopi petik merah, yang didukung dengan ketersediaan kolam renang, serta kolam ikan di sebelah aliran sungai yang mengairi persawahan. Selain itu ada juga bumi perkemahan, air terjun, danau, perkebunan kopi dan bukit Endu, yang juga disertai kisah sejarah dan legenda Putri Gading Cempaka. Hasil kegiatan dalam penelitian ini meliputi profil pariwisata, brand destinasi pariwisata, manajemen pariwisata Desa Rindu Hati, dan kelompok masyarakat peduli pariwisata di Desa Rindu Hati.
Implementasi Metode Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) Dalam Penempatan Jurusan Siswa Kelas 2 Melalui Computer Assisted Test (CAT) (Studi Kasus SMK Negeri 1 Kota Bengkulu)
Authors: Efendi Rusdi , Alfajri Irvan , Andreswari Desi
Published: May 2022

SMKN 1 Kota Bengkulu adalah sekolah kejuruan di Kota Bengkulu. Setiap kenaikan kelas kedua untuk jurusan Teknik Komputer dan Informatika akan dilakukan penjurusan ketiga jurusan komputer yang ada yaitu Teknik Komputer Jaringan, Rekayasa Perangkat Lunak dan Multimedia. Penjurusan manual yang dilakukan sekolah selama ini menggunakan kriteria minat siswa dan nilai raport. Penelitian ini bertujuan membangun sistem rekomendasi jurusan kepada siswa dengan pengambilan nilai ujian berbasis Computer Assisted Test. Untuk memberikan rekomendasi jurusan kepada siswa digunakan enam kriteria yaitu nilai ujian jaringan dasar, nilai ujian web dasar, nilai ujian pemograman dasar, nilai ujian desain dasar, rata-rata raport tahun pertama dan nilai kepribadian siswa dengan  menggunakan metode Simple Additive Weighting. Luaran yang dihasilkan berupa hasil rekomendasi jurusan untuk setiap siswa dengan metode Simple Additive Weighting. Dari 97 siswa Teknik Komputer dan Informatika untuk rekomendasi jurusan Teknik Komputer Jaringan sebanyak 37 siswa, jurusan Rekayasa Perangkat Lunak sebanyak 11 siswa dan jurusan Multimedia sebanyak 49 siswa. Hasil pengujian menggunakan metode blackbox, fungsional sistem telah 100% berhasil berfungsi dengan baik, terdiri dari 21 halaman dan 14 skenario.
Clustering Data Titik Gempa Dengan Metode Fuzzy Possibilistic C-Means (Studi Kasus: Titik Gempa Pulau Sumatera Tahun 2013- 2018)
Authors: Putriana Sani , Ernawati Ernawati , Andreswari Desi
Published: May 2022

Abstrak:Berdasarkan data yang dipublikasikan oleh Badan Geologi Amerika Serikat yaitu United States Geological Survey (USGS) dalam programnya memonitor aktivitas gempa di seluruh dunia, pada tahun 2013 hingga tahun 2018 tercatat telah terjadi gempa di pulau Sumatera  sebanyak 1.443 kali dengan berbagai magnitudo dan kedalaman. Dampak yang disebabkan oleh gempa bumi berbeda-beda bergantung pada magnitudo dan kedalamannnya. Untuk mengetahui pengelompokan  pola gempa bumi di wilayah pulau Sumatera dapat dilakukan dengan salah satu teknik data mining yaitu clustering. Sistem ini dibuat dengan bahasa pemrograman PHP, Tools Google Maps API dan metode pengembangan Waterfall. Pada penelitian ini dilakukan clustering data titik gempa menggunakan metode Fuzzy Possibilistic C-Means. Sistem ini berhasil mengelompokkan data titik gempa wilayah pulau Sumatera dari tahun 2013 hingga tahun 2018 menjadi 3 kluster. Kluster 1 memuat gempa dangkal dengan kedalaman 3.69 km – 50 km dan kekuatan 2.7 SR – 6.6 SR, kluster 2 memuat gempa dangkal dengan kedalaman 50.09 km – 56.15 km dan kekuatan 4 SR – 5.3 SR, dan kluster 3 memuat gempa dangkal, menengah, dan dalam dengan kedalaman 56.34 km - 365.24 km dan kekuatan 4 SR – 6 SR. Dari hasil clustering data titik gempa pulau Sumatera dari tahun 2013 hingga tahun 2018 dengan metode Fuzzy Possibilistic C-Means data terkluster berdasarkan kedalaman saja, sedangkan untuk kekuatan gempa bumi menyebar di setiap kluster.
PEMBUATAN PUPUK CAIR ORGANIK DARI RUMPUT LAUT UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN PEKARANGAN DI RT 03 KELURAHAN TANJUNG JAYA KOTA BENGKULU
Authors: Herliany Nurlaila Ervina , Zamdial Zamdial , Negara Bertoka Fajar SP , Maulana Alfiqi , Nurjanah Uswatun
Published: May 2022

Sektor pertanian menjadi salah satu yang terdampak pandemi COVID 19 sehingga dapat mengancam pemenuhan pangan di Indonesia. Pemerintah menggalakkan ketahanan pangan mandiri dengan cara memanfaatkan lahan pekarangan rumah untuk memenuhi kebutuhan pangan keluarga. Efisiensi biaya pemeliharaan tanaman dapat dilakukan dengan penggunaan pupuk cair buatan sendiri, salah satunya pupuk rumput laut. Pupuk rumput laut yang dihasilkan pada kegiatan ini berupa pupuk cair hasil ekstraksi rumput laut hijau dan cokelat. Metode ekstraksi menggunakan metode maserasi atau perendaman selama 14 hari. Metode yang sederhana dengan bahan yang mudah didapat berpotensi menjadikan pupuk cair rumput laut sebagai penyubur tanaman yang dapat meningkatkan hasil produksi tanaman. MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC LIQUID FERTILIZER FROM SEAWEEDS TO INCREASE PRODUCTION OF PLANTS IN RT 03 KELURAHAN TANJUNG JAYA KOTA BENGKULU. The agricultural sector is one of the areas affected by the COVID 19 pandemic and can threaten food fulfillment in Indonesia. The government promote independent food security by utilizing their home yards to fullfill the family food needs. The efficiency of plant maintenance costs can be done by using homemade liquid fertilizers, one of which is seaweeds fertilizer. The seaweeds fertilizer that produced in this activity is liquid fertilizer from the extraction of green and brown seaweeds. The extraction method uses the maceration method or soaking for 14 days. A simple method with abundant materials has the potential to make liquid seaweeds fertilizer as plant fertilizers that can increase crop production.
Aleaciones metálicas para aplicaciones ortopédicas: una revisión sobre su respuesta al estrés fisiológico y a los procesos de corrosión
Authors: Ríos-Puerta Katherine , Gutiérrez-Florez Omar Darío
Published: May 2022

El campo de los biomateriales y sus aplicaciones contribuyen significativamente a la salud y calidad de vida de las personas. Aunque existen varios grupos de biomateriales como cerámicos, polímeros, metales y todos en un determinado porcentaje se utilizan para diferentes procedimientos con objetivos específicos, este artículo de revisión se centra en los metales y sus aleaciones, la resistencia de estos a la corrosión en un entorno biológico y la protección contra el estrés fisiológico. Para esta revisión se seleccionaron artículos que permiten describir dichos aspectos de las aleaciones metálicas utilizadas en aplicaciones ortopédicas partiendo de una detallada búsqueda electrónica, a partir de ello, se concluye que la resistencia a la corrosión y el estrés fisiológico son dos aspectos tan neurálgicos que muchas de las investigaciones realizadas tienen como objetivo mejorarlos garantizando el éxito de la osteosíntesis y la recuperación satisfactoria del paciente.
The field of biomaterials and their applications contribute significantly to the health and quality of life of people. Although there are several groups of biomaterials such as ceramics, polymers, metals and all of them in a certain percentage are used for different procedures with specific objectives, this review article focuses on metals and their alloys, their resistance to corrosion in a biological environment and protection against physiological stress. For this review, articles were selected to describe these aspects of metal alloys used in orthopedic applications based on a detailed electronic search. From this, it is concluded that resistance to corrosion and physiological stress are two aspects so crucial that many of the researches carried out aim to improve them to ensure the success of osteosynthesis and the satisfactory recovery of the patient.
Estimación de las emisiones de CO2 de concretos con residuos de vidrio
Authors: Arbelaez-Perez Oscar Felipe , Buriticá-Cardona Yonathan , Cataño-Ramos William Andrés
Published: May 2022

El interés de incluir residuos de vidrio en el hormigón se atribuye a la creciente necesidad para su disposición, además de minimizar el uso de las materias primas empleadas en la preparación del concreto tradicional. Los residuos de vidrio, tienen un efecto sobre las propiedades en estado fresco y endurecido, sin embargo, son escasos los reportes que dan cuenta de su efecto en las emisiones de CO2. En este trabajo, se presenta una revisión de diferentes reportes que incorporan residuos de vidrio en reemplazo de los agregados o el cemento y se realizó la estimación de las emisiones de CO2. Los resultados muestran que el reemplazo de cemento por residuos de vidrio genera un efecto positivo sobre la resistencia y disminuye las emisiones de CO2, siendo mayor cuanto mayor es el reemplazo de cemento, se encontró una reducción del 22% en las emisiones para un 20% de reemplazo.

Interest to include waste glass in concrete can be ascribed to the growing need for waste disposal, as well as to minimize traditional raw material usage in concrete preparation. Glass waste has a direct effect on the properties in a fresh and hardened state; however, there are few reports that account for its effect on CO2 emissions. In this paper, a review of different reports that incorporate glass waste in replacement of aggregates or cement is presented and the estimation of CO2 emissions was made. The results show that the replacement of cement by glass waste generates a positive effect on strength and decreases carbon dioxide emissions, being greater the greater the cement replacement, a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions was found for a 20% replacement.
Ophilitic rainforests syntaxa from altiplanicie de Nipe, Eastern Cuba
Authors: Joel-Reyes Orlando , Acosta-Cantillo Félix , Bergues-Garrido Pedro
Published: May 2022

Taking in account the neccesity to know the characteristics of rainforest developed over Nipeˈs plateau, the objective was to study the phytocoenoses by using Braun Blanquet method. One alliance and two associations besides their physiognomical, ecological and phytosociological characteristics are described which is too important for their floristic relations and ecological communities  analysis.
Siendo necesario conocer las características de las pluvisilvas sobre ofiolitas en la Altiplanicie de Nipe, el objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar las fitocenosis mediante el método de Braun Blanquet. Se describen por primera vez una alianza y dos asociaciones, así como sus condiciones fisionómicas, ecológicas y fitosociológicas, lo que tiene gran impacto para analizar sus relaciones florísticas y comunitarias.
Machine learning aplicado al análisis del rendimiento de desarrollos de software
Authors: Gil-Vera Victor Daniel , Seguro-Gallego Cristian
Published: May 2022

Las pruebas de rendimiento son determinantes para medir la calidad de los desarrollos de software, ya que permiten identificar aspectos que se deben mejorar en pro de alcanzar la satisfacción del cliente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar la técnica óptima de Machine Learning para predecir si un desarrollo de software cumple o no con los criterios de aceptación del cliente. Se empleó una base de datos de información obtenida en pruebas de rendimiento a servicios web y la métrica de calidad F1-score. Se concluye que, a pesar de que la técnica de Random Forest obtuvo el mejor puntaje, no es correcto afirmar que sea la mejor técnica de Machine Learning; la cantidad y la calidad de los datos empleados en el entrenamiento desempeñan un papel de gran importancia, al igual que un procesamiento adecuado de la información.

Performance tests are crucial to measure the quality of software developments, since they allow identifying aspects to be improved in order to achieve customer satisfaction. The objective of this research was to identify the optimal Machine Learning technique to predict whether or not a software development meets the customer's acceptance criteria. A dataset with information obtained from web services performance tests and the F1-score quality metric were used. This paper concludes that, although the Random Forest technique obtained the best score, it is not correct to state that it is the best Machine Learning technique; the quantity and quality of the data used in the training play a very important role, as well as an adequate processing of the information.
Carga cognitiva y control atencional en puertorriqueños con trastorno obsesivocompulsivo
Authors: Santiago-Mejias Stephanie , Martinez Karen G. , Centeno Frances , Sellas Carlos
Published: May 2022

Trasfondo:El control ejecutivo de la atención media la resolución de problemas y la acción voluntaria y está implicado en la regulación de las emociones. Se ha reportado que el control atencional está afectado en personas con trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC). Sin embargo, no se ha considerado la influencia de la carga cognitiva y la distracción en la ejecución de tareas, lo que pudiera tener un impacto en el control atencional. En este estudio evaluamos si la carga cognitiva alta y baja influyen en el control atencional de personas con TOC, en comparación con un grupo control. Método:Quince adultos puertorriqueños con TOC (M=31.60, DE=10.70) y 26 saludables (M=28.42, DE=10.73) participaron en el estudio. Se administró el Attention Network Test y una tarea de carga cognitiva para evaluar el control atencional. Resultados:No se observaron diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones de alerta, orientación y control atencional entre los grupos en ambas condiciones de carga cognitiva (p>0.05). Solo se observó una diferencia significativa en el control atencional de los participantes con TOC (z=1.99, p=0.047) y del grupo control (z=-2.83, p=0.005) durante tareas con carga cognitiva baja y alta. Conclusiones:Ambos grupos experimentaron menor interferencia de distractores bajo alta carga cognitiva, lo que sugiere un mayor control de la atención durante esta condición. Es posible que el aumento de carga cognitiva pueda reducir la distracción en puertorriqueños saludables y aquellos con TOC. Tomar en cuenta la carga cognitiva puede facilitar el entrenamiento cognitivo para el control atencional y aumentar la flexibilidad cognitiva, mejorando la respuesta al tratamiento.
Análisis cuantitativo de resiliencia y apoyo social en estudiantes universitarios de primero y último curso de Psicología
Authors: Castañeda-García Pedro Javier , Alejo-Trujillo Tamara , Cota-Bedoya María Rosario , García-Torres Marlon Fabián , Cruz-Santana Vanesa
Published: May 2022

En este trabajo hemos estudiado la percepción de resiliencia y apoyo social que tiene un grupo de alumnado universitario en su primer y último curso de estudios. Para ello se entrevistó a 100 jóvenes voluntarios de ambos sexos que contestaron a tres pruebas, un cuestionario sociodemográfico donde también se preguntaba por su atribución de resiliencia del entorno socio-familiar más cercano, la Escala de Resiliencia (Connor-Davidson, 2003) y la Escala de Apoyo Social Familiar y de Amigos (González & Landero, 2014). Se administró las tres partes de la entrevista de manera telemática. Los datos obtenidos se trataron mediante análisis descriptivos, pruebas paramétricas (correlación Pearson) como no-paramétricas (U de Mann Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis y Chi cuadrado). Los resultaron mostraron que la resiliencia y el apoyo social están relacionados positivamente entre sí, tanto al comienzo de su primer año académico como del último. Cuando las relaciones del alumnado son positivas con amistades puntúan más en resiliencia y apoyo social, tanto en primer curso como en cuarto; y cuando son positivas con familiares puntúan más en apoyo social, solo en alumnado de primer curso. La variable lugar de procedencia del alumnado ha revelado una relación destacada con el resto de variables analizadas. Se concluye que la resiliencia y el apoyo social son dos variables importantes relacionadas con el desempeño del nuevo rol del alumnado universitario, dentro de la complejidad que conlleva esta transición vital. Se necesita más investigación de este proceso para detectar aspectos mejorables y proponer intervenciones pedagógicas que optimicen entornos socioeducativos resilientes.
Las habilidades sociales y su relación con otras variables en la etapa de la adolescencia: una revisión sistemática
Authors: González Moreno Alba , Molero Jurado María del Mar
Published: May 2022

Las habilidades sociales hacen referencia a la capacidad que tienen las personas para establecer relaciones de calidad. El objetivo de este estudio implica identificar cuales son las habilidades sociales más relevantes dentro de la etapa de la adolescencia, así como, se relacionan dichas capacidades con otras variables. Se ha procedido a llevar a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura con la que se pretende dar respuesta al objetivo planteado mediante la búsqueda en las bases de datos de Web of Science, Scopus y PsycINFO. Estas búsquedas han sido ejecutadas a partir de unos descriptores y un operador booleano, que han proporcionado la siguiente fórmula de búsqueda: habilidades sociales AND adolescentes; dichas búsquedas han sido elaboradas tanto en español en inglés. Además, se han establecido unos criterios tanto de inclusión como de exclusión para poder cribar la muestra de estudios y seleccionar solo los más relevantes para la temática a abordar. Atendiendo a los resultados, se ha encontrado la diversidad de habilidades sociales existentes en la etapa de la adolescencia, así como, cuales son las variables y características más representativas de los jóvenes que tienen tanto un buen nivel de habilidades sociales como de los que poseen un déficit en estas aptitudes. Como conclusión, es preciso destacar como las habilidades sociales son un elemento que promueve el bienestar social y, por ello, es necesario educar a los jóvenes en habilidades sociales implementando en las escuelas una serie de estrategias que fomenten este tipo de competencias sociales.
The Delivery of the Recombinant Protein Cocktail Identified by Stem Cell-Derived Secretome Analysis Accelerates Kidney Repair After Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Kim Ji Hyun , Yang Heejo , Kim Michael W. , Cho Kang Su , Kim Doo Sang , Yim Hyung Eun , Atala Zachary , Ko In Kap , Yoo James J.
Published: May 2022

Recent advances in cell therapy have shown the potential to treat kidney diseases. As the treatment effects of the cell therapies are mainly attributed to secretomes released from the transplanted cells, the delivery of secretomes or conditioned medium (CM) has emerged as a promising treatment option for kidney disease. We previously demonstrated that the controlled delivery of human placental stem cells (hPSC)-derived CM using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) ameliorated renal damages and restored kidney function in an acute kidney injury (AKI) model in rats. The proteomics study of the hPSC-CM revealed that hPSC secrets several proteins that contribute to kidney tissue repair. Based on our results, this study proposed that the proteins expressed in the hPSC-CM and effective for kidney repair could be used as a recombinant protein cocktail to treat kidney diseases as an alternative to CM. In this study, we analyzed the secretome profile of hPSC-CM and identified five proteins (follistatin, uPAR, ANGPLT4, HGF, VEGF) that promote kidney repair. We investigated the feasibility of delivering the recombinant protein cocktail to improve structural and functional recovery after AKI. The pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of the protein cocktail on renal cells are demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. The intrarenal delivery of these proteins with PRP ameliorates the renal tubular damage and improved renal function in the AKI-induced rats, yielding similar therapeutic effects compared to the CM delivery. These results indicate that our strategy may provide a therapeutic solution to many challenges associated with kidney repair resulting from the lack of suitable off-the-shelf regenerative medicine products.
Spatial Learning Promotes Adult Neurogenesis in Specific Regions of the Zebrafish Pallium
Authors: Mazzitelli-Fuentes Laura S. , Román Fernanda R. , Castillo Elías Julio R. , Deleglise Emilia B. , Mongiat Lucas A.
Published: May 2022

Adult neurogenesis could be considered as a homeostatic mechanism that accompanies the continuous growth of teleost fish. As an alternative but not excluding hypothesis, adult neurogenesis would provide a form of plasticity necessary to adapt the brain to environmental challenges. The zebrafish pallium is a brain structure involved in the processing of various cognitive functions and exhibits extended neurogenic niches throughout the periventricular zone. The involvement of neuronal addition as a learning-related plastic mechanism has not been explored in this model, yet. In this work, we trained adult zebrafish in a spatial behavioral paradigm and evaluated the neurogenic dynamics in different pallial niches. We found that adult zebrafish improved their performance in a cue-guided rhomboid maze throughout five daily sessions, being the fish able to relearn the task after a rule change. This cognitive activity increased cell proliferation exclusively in two pallial regions: the caudal lateral pallium (cLP) and the rostral medial pallium (rMP). To assessed whether learning impinges on pallial adult neurogenesis, mitotic cells were labeled by BrdU administration, and then fish were trained at different periods of adult-born neuron maturation. Our results indicate that adult-born neurons are being produced on demand in rMP and cLP during the learning process, but with distinct critical periods among these regions. Next, we evaluated the time course of adult neurogenesis by pulse and chase experiments. We found that labeled cells decreased between 4 and 32 dpl in both learning-sensitive regions, whereas a fraction of them continues proliferating over time. By modeling the population dynamics of neural stem cells (NSC), we propose that learning increases adult neurogenesis by two mechanisms: driving a chained proliferation of labeled NSC and rescuing newborn neurons from death. Our findings highlight adult neurogenesis as a conserved source of brain plasticity and shed light on a rostro-caudal specialization of pallial neurogenic niches in adult zebrafish.
Combining Image Restoration and Traction Force Microscopy to Study Extracellular Matrix-Dependent Keratin Filament Network Plasticity
Authors: Yoon Sungjun , Windoffer Reinhard , Kozyrina Aleksandra N. , Piskova Teodora , Di Russo Jacopo , Leube Rudolf E.
Published: May 2022

Keratin intermediate filaments are dynamic cytoskeletal components that are responsible for tuning the mechanical properties of epithelial tissues. Although it is known that keratin filaments (KFs) are able to sense and respond to changes in the physicochemical properties of the local niche, a direct correlation of the dynamic three-dimensional network structure at the single filament level with the microenvironment has not been possible. Using conventional approaches, we find that keratin flow rates are dependent on extracellular matrix (ECM) composition but are unable to resolve KF network organization at the single filament level in relation to force patterns. We therefore developed a novel method that combines a machine learning-based image restoration technique and traction force microscopy to decipher the fine details of KF network properties in living cells grown on defined ECM patterns. Our approach utilizes Content-Aware Image Restoration (CARE) to enhance the temporal resolution of confocal fluorescence microscopy by at least five fold while preserving the spatial resolution required for accurate extraction of KF network structure at the single KF/KF bundle level. The restored images are used to segment the KF network, allowing numerical analyses of its local properties. We show that these tools can be used to study the impact of ECM composition and local mechanical perturbations on KF network properties and corresponding traction force patterns in size-controlled keratinocyte assemblies. We were thus able to detect increased curvature but not length of KFs on laminin-322 versus fibronectin. Photoablation of single cells in microprinted circular quadruplets revealed surprisingly little but still significant changes in KF segment length and curvature that were paralleled by an overall reduction in traction forces without affecting global network orientation in the modified cell groups irrespective of the ECM coating. Single cell analyses furthermore revealed differential responses to the photoablation that were less pronounced on laminin-332 than on fibronectin. The obtained results illustrate the feasibility of combining multiple techniques for multimodal monitoring and thereby provide, for the first time, a direct comparison between the changes in KF network organization at the single filament level and local force distribution in defined paradigms.
Multifunctional Anti-Alzheimer’s Disease Effects of Natural Xanthone Derivatives: A Primary Structure-Activity Evaluation
Authors: Hu Xiaoyu , Liu Chan , Wang Kaichun , Zhao Lanxue , Qiu Yu , Chen Hongzhuan , Hu Jiangmiao , Xu Jianrong
Published: May 2022

Background: A series of α-Mangostin (α-M) derivatives were designed and synthesized. α-M and four analogues were evaluated for their multifunctional anti-Alzheimer’s disease (anti-AD) effects on fibrillogenesis, microglial uptake, microglial degradation, and anti-neurotoxicity of Aβ, as well as LPS-induced neuroinflammation. The differences in bioactivities were analyzed to understand the structure-activity relationship for further modifications.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the anti-AD effects of α-M and elucidate its structure-activity relationship by comparing difference between α-M and several analogues.

Methods: Aβ fibrillogenesis was detected by Thioflavin T fluorometric assay. The levels of Aβ1-42 and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neuron viability was examined by the CCK-8 assay. The morphology of ZO-1 of bEnd.3 cultured in BV-2-conditioned medium was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining.

Results: Aβ fibrillogenesis was significantly inhibited by co-incubation with α-M, Zcbd-2 or Zcbd-3. α-M, Zcbd-2, Zcbd-3, and Zcbd-4 decreased the levels of Aβ1-42 and inflammatory cytokines, and promoted Aβ uptake, degradation and anti-inflammation effects inflammation in microglia. α-M and Zcbd-3 protected neuron viability from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity, and preserved tight junction integrity of bEnd.3 against LPS-induced neuroinflammation.

Conclusion: Zcbd-3 acted as α-M almost in all effects. The structure-activity analysis indicated that the 3-methyl-2-butenyl group at C-8 is essential for the bioactivity of α-M, while modifying the double hydroxylation at the C-2 position may improve the multifunctional anti-AD effects.
Recent Developments of Nanostructures for the Ocular Delivery of Natural Compounds
Authors: Razavi Malihe Sadat , Ebrahimnejad Pedram , Fatahi Yousef , D’Emanuele Antony , Dinarvand Rassoul
Published: May 2022

Graphical Abstract

Application of nanostructures in ocular delivery of natural products.
Aerosol-Assisted Deposition for TiO2 Immobilization on Photocatalytic Fibrous Filters for VOC Degradation
Authors: Drdova Sarka , Giannakou Marianna , Jiang Fuze , Lin Luchan , Sivaraman Deeptanshu , Toth Rita , Graule Thomas , Braun Artur , Ilavsky Jan , Kuzmenko Ivan , Wang Jing
Published: May 2022

Atomization and spraying are well-established methods for the production of submicrometer- and micrometer- sized powders. In addition, they could be of interest to the immobilization of photocatalytic nanoparticles onto supports because they enable the formation of microporous films with photocatalytic activity. Here, we provide a comparison of aerosol-assisted immobilization methods, such as spray-drying (SD), spray atomization (SA), and spray gun (SG), which were used for the deposition of TiO2 dispersions onto fibrous filter media. The morphology, microstructure, and electronic properties of the structures with deposited TiO2 were characterized by SEM and TEM, BET and USAXS, and UV-Vis spectrometry, respectively. The photocatalytic performances of the functionalized filters were evaluated and compared to the benchmark dip-coating method. Our results showed that the SG and SA immobilization methods led to the best photocatalytic and operational performance for the degradation of toluene, whereas the SD method showed the lowest degradation efficiency and poor stability of coating. We demonstrated that TiO2 sprays using the SG and SA methods with direct deposition onto filter media involving dispersed colloidal droplets revealed to be promising alternatives to the dip-coating method owing to the ability to uniformly cover the filter fibers. In addition, the SA method allowed for fast and simple control of the coating thickness as the dispersed particles were continuously directed onto the filter media without the need for repetitive coatings, which is common for the SG and dip-coating methods. Our study highlighted the importance of the proper immobilization method for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of VOCs.
Inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii Growth by Dihydroquinine and Its Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Huffman Aarin M. , Ayariga Joseph A. , Napier Audrey , Robertson Boakai K. , Abugri Daniel A.
Published: May 2022

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that infects the brain of humans and causes cerebral toxoplasmosis. The recommended drugs for the treatment or prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis are pyrimethamine (PY) and sulfadiazine (SZ), which have serious side effects. Other drugs available for toxoplasmosis are poorly tolerated. Dihydroquinine (DHQ) is a compound closely related to quinine-based drugs that have been shown to inhibit Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei in addition to its anti-arrhythmia properties. However, little is known about the effect of DHQ in T. gondii growth and its mechanism of action in vitro. In this study, we report the anti-Toxoplasma and anti-invasion properties of DHQ. DHQ significantly inhibited T. gondii tachyzoite growth with IC50s values of 0.63, 0.67, and 0.00137 µM at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Under similar conditions, SZ and PY, considered as the gold standard drugs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis, had IC50s values of 1.29, 1.55, and 0.95 and 3.19, 3.52, and 2.42 µM, respectively. The rapid dose-dependent inhibition of T. gondii tachyzoites by DHQ compared to the standard drugs (SZ and PY) indicates that DHQ has high selective parasiticidal effects against tachyzoite proliferation. Remarkably, DHQ had an excellent selectivity index (SI) of 149- and 357-fold compared to 24- and 143-fold for PY and SZ, respectively, using fibroblast cells. In addition, DHQ disrupted T. gondii tachyzoite mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and elicited high reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Taking all these findings together, DHQ promises to be an effective and safe lead for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
The Regulatory Protein ChuP Connects Heme and Siderophore-Mediated Iron Acquisition Systems Required for Chromobacterium violaceum Virulence
Authors: de Lima Vinicius M. , Batista Bianca B. , da Silva Neto José F.
Published: May 2022

Chromobacterium violaceum is an environmental Gram-negative beta-proteobacterium that causes systemic infections in humans. C. violaceum uses siderophore-based iron acquisition systems to overcome the host-imposed iron limitation, but its capacity to use other iron sources is unknown. In this work, we characterized ChuPRSTUV as a heme utilization system employed by C. violaceum to explore an important iron reservoir in mammalian hosts, free heme and hemoproteins. We demonstrate that the chuPRSTUV genes comprise a Fur-repressed operon that is expressed under iron limitation. The chu operon potentially encodes a small regulatory protein (ChuP), an outer membrane TonB-dependent receptor (ChuR), a heme degradation enzyme (ChuS), and an inner membrane ABC transporter (ChuTUV). Our nutrition growth experiments using C. violaceum chu deletion mutants revealed that, with the exception of chuS, all genes of the chu operon are required for heme and hemoglobin utilization in C. violaceum. The mutant strains without chuP displayed increased siderophore halos on CAS plate assays. Significantly, we demonstrate that ChuP connects heme and siderophore utilization by acting as a positive regulator of chuR and vbuA, which encode the TonB-dependent receptors for the uptake of heme (ChuR) and the siderophore viobactin (VbuA). Our data favor a model of ChuP as a heme-binding post-transcriptional regulator. Moreover, our virulence data in a mice model of acute infection demonstrate that C. violaceum uses both heme and siderophore for iron acquisition during infection, with a preference for siderophores over the Chu heme utilization system.
Is It Polite to Hiss?: Nonverbal Sound Objects as Markers of (Im)politeness in Korean
Authors: Brown Lucien , Kim Hyunji , Winter Bodo
Published: May 2022

This paper explores the politeness-related functions of an ingressive hissing-like sound that occurs frequently in Korean and which is typically transcribed asssup. This nonverbal sound is produced by drawing air alongside the tongue or between the teeth and may appear either before the production of a turn, or during turn production. Previous studies have shown that Korean speakers produce more frequent hisses when addressing status superiors. This suggests a politeness-related function, particularly given the importance of marking social distance toward elders and superiors in Korean culture. In the current paper, we explore the pragmatic functions of these hisses in three distinct datasets (oral discourse completion task, dyad recordings, drama interactions). Our analysis shows that hisses perform four types of social actions: displaying delicacy, activity shift, word search, and conveying skepticism. Hisses occur at interactional or relational trouble spots to delay the progression of talk, while allowing the speaker to initiate or maintain their turn. They co-occur with other verbal and multimodal markers of hesitation. We thus see the underlying core meaning of hisses as being related to difficulty, uncertainty and hesitation, and the conveyance of reluctance to perform the problematic talk. The increased frequency of hisses and multimodal hesitation in interactions with status superiors shows us that speakers are trying to show more care and effort when interacting in situations where social distance exists. These results contribute toward our understanding of politeness as a multimodal and holistic phenomenon that is expressed across multiple verbal and nonverbal dimensions.
Long Short-Term Memory Network for Development and Simulation of Warfarin Dosing Model Based on Time Series Anticoagulant Data
Authors: Kuang Yun , Liu Yaxin , Pei Qi , Ning Xiaoyi , Zou Yi , Liu Liming , Song Long , Guo Chengxian , Sun Yuanyuan , Deng Kunhong , Zou Chan , Cao Dongsheng , Cui Yimin , Wu Chengkun , Yang Guoping
Published: May 2022

Background

Warfarin is an effective treatment for thromboembolic disease but has a narrow therapeutic index, and dosage can differ tremendously among individuals. The study aimed to develop an individualized international normalized ratio (INR) model based on time series anticoagulant data and simulate individualized warfarin dosing.

Methods

We used a long short-term memory (LSTM) network to develop an individualized INR model based on data from 4,578 follow-up visits, including clinical and genetic factors from 624 patients whom we enrolled in our previous randomized controlled trial. The data of 158 patients who underwent valvular surgery and were included in a prospective registry study were used for external validation in the real world.

Results

The prediction accuracy of LSTM_INR was 70.0%, which was much higher than that of MAPB_INR (maximum posterior Bayesian, 53.9%). Temporal variables were significant for LSTM_INR performance (51.7 vs. 70.0%, P < 0.05). Genetic factors played an important role in predicting INR at the onset of therapy, while after 15 days of treatment, we found that it might unnecessary to detect genotypes for warfarin dosing. Using LSTM_INR, we successfully simulated individualized warfarin dosing and developed an application (AI-WAR) for individualized warfarin therapy.

Conclusion

The results indicate that temporal variables are necessary to be considered in warfarin therapy, except for clinical factors and genetic factors. LSTM network may have great potential for long-term drug individualized therapy.

Trial Registration

NCT02211326; www.chictr.org.cn:ChiCTR2100052089.
Fracture Characterization of Lower Cambrian Niutitang Shale in Cen’gong Block, Southern China
Authors: Wang Xinghua , Wang Ruyue , Guo Rongtao , Dahi Taleghani Arash , Su Shuaitao , Ding Wenlong , Gong Yue , Lai Fuqiang , Wu Zhonghu , Su Yushan , Cao Zhe
Published: May 2022

The marine shale of southern China is characterized by old sedimentary formations, multiple tectonic activities, and poor preservation conditions. The fracture system in this shale reservoir is extraordinarily complex, greatly adding to difficulties for shale gas exploration and development. Based on field surveys, drilling cores, seismic data interpretation, and experimental tests, we try to characterize the developmental characteristics of shale fractures at different scales and delineate the stages of fractures in the Cen’gong block. The results show that the Cen’gong block is a saddle-shaped structure formed by the northeast-oriented Banxi anticline and the southwest-oriented Lannigan anticline. There are four types of core fractures developed in the study area, namely, pyrite-filled fractures, fibrous veins, subvertical fractures, and slip fractures, and the forming time of these fractures are later in turn based on the intersecting relationships and analysis of filling minerals. The fracture rose diagram and the paleomagnetic orientation experiments indicate that the fracture direction is mainly NNE and partly NW, consistent with the direction of faults identified in the seismic data. Quantitative statistics have been conducted for fracture aperture, length, and density distribution. The fracture abundance has a close relationship with buried depth and regional faults in the study area.
A Generic User-Defined Modeling Method in PSS/E and Its Application in an MMC-HVDC System
Authors: Zhu Lin , Wu Zhigang , Chen Da , Chen Yuchuan , Xing Chao , Li Qing
Published: May 2022

This paper studies the user-defined modeling (UDM) method in PSS/E and applies it to a modular multilevel converter high-voltage direct current (MMC-HVDC) system. First, the mechanism of PSS/E UDM is discussed, including the requirements of the model call, storage space allocation, and flows of dynamic simulation. Then, a generic UDM method applicable to various objects is proposed in PSS/E, considering both the internal structures of models and their interfaces with the PSS/E main program. Next, the design of multiple time scales of UDM is presented for hybrid step size simulation. Accordingly, a user-defined MMC-HVDC system model is built in PSS/E considering the converter, DC-line, control system, and system interface. Finally, the model is compared with a PSCAD electromagnetic transient MMC-HVDC model in a modified two-area-four-generator system. The simulation results demonstrate the proposed UDM method.
Ecological Constraints on the Evolution of Consumer Functional Responses
Authors: Amarasekare Priyanga
Published: May 2022

Intrinsically generated oscillations are a defining feature of consumer-resource interactions. They can have important consequences for the evolution of consumer functional responses. Functional response traits that maximize resource fitness (low attack rate and long handling time) and consumer fitness (high attack rate and short handling time) generate high-amplitude oscillations that can predispose species to extinction during periods of low abundances. This suggests that the ecological consequences of consumer-resource oscillations may impede evolutionary outcomes that maximize fitness. Data suggest this to be a strong possibility. Time series analyses reveal consumer-resource cycles to be infrequent in real communities, and functional response studies show a preponderance of low attack rates and/or short handling times that preclude oscillations but maximize neither species' fitness. Here I present a mathematical model to address this tension between ecological dynamics and the evolution of functional response traits. I show that the empirically observed attack rate-handling time distributions emerge naturally from the interplay between individual-level selection and the population-level constraint of oscillation-induced extinction. Extinction at low abundances curtails stabilizing selection toward trait values that maximize fitness but induce large-amplitude oscillations. As a result, persistent interactions are those in which the mean attack rate is low and/or the mean handling time is short. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating oscillation-induced extinction into models that link food web topology to community persistence.
Microorganisms of the Phyllosphere: Origin, Transport, and Ecological Functions
Authors: Warren Steven D.
Published: May 2022

Microbes are ubiquitous residents of the atmosphere, including the air that we breathe. They are also widely present in terrestrial, marine, and aquatic environments. Typical microbes include viruses, fungi, archaea, bacteria, algae, and bryophytes. Many are of edaphic origin and play significant ecological roles in the soil. Propagules are exceedingly lightweight and small, generally measured in microns (millionths of a meter). Propagules achieve airborne status in the wind, where they may travel from a few millimeters to thousands of kilometers. Most have been recorded at least as high as the stratosphere. While airborne, microbes may pass through multiple generations. Microbes in the atmosphere are often accompanied by vast clouds of dust. They perform a variety of essential functions such as raindrop and snowflake condensation nuclei, without which there would be little or no precipitation. It is important to realize that all solid things that are carried up into the atmosphere must eventually fall back down to the Earth. When precipitated or deposited back onto the Earth, they may land on and occupy any surface, including trees and other plants where they become epiphytic residents. They have been documented on broad-leaved and needle-leaved trees from deserts to tropical rainforests. If they land on bare soil, they often participate in biological soil crusts that are important for soil stabilization and for water and nutrient cycling.
Hybrid Assembly and Annotation of the Genome of the Indian Punica granatum, a Superfood
Authors: Usha Talambedu , Middha Sushil Kumar , Babu Dinesh , Goyal Arvind Kumar , Das Anupam J. , Saini Deepti , Sarangi Aditya , Krishnamurthy Venkatesh , Prasannakumar Mothukapalli Krishnareddy , Saini Deepak Kumar , Sidhalinghamurthy Kora Rudraiah
Published: May 2022

The wonder fruit pomegranate (Punica granatum, family Lythraceae) is one of India’s economically important fruit crops that can grow in different agro-climatic conditions ranging from tropical to temperate regions. This study reports high-quality de novo draft hybrid genome assembly of diploid Punica cultivar “Bhagwa” and identifies its genomic features. This cultivar is most common among the farmers due to its high sustainability, glossy red color, soft seed, and nutraceutical properties with high market value. The draft genome assembly is about 361.76 Mb (N50 = 40 Mb), ∼9.0 Mb more than the genome size estimated by flow cytometry. The genome is 90.9% complete, and only 26.68% of the genome is occupied by transposable elements and has a relative abundance of 369.93 SSRs/Mb of the genome. A total of 30,803 proteins and their putative functions were predicted. Comparative whole-genome analysis revealed Eucalyptus grandis as the nearest neighbor. KEGG-KASS annotations indicated an abundance of genes involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and secondary metabolites, which are responsible for various medicinal properties of pomegranate, including anticancer, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The genome and gene annotations provide new insights into the pharmacological properties of the secondary metabolites synthesized in pomegranate. They will also serve as a valuable resource in mining biosynthetic pathways for key metabolites, novel genes, and variations associated with disease resistance, which can facilitate the breeding of new varieties with high yield and superior quality.