bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Status Comparison of Blood Cockle (Tegillarca granosa) between Low and High Yield Farms in Selangor and Johor
Authors: Yusuff F M , Shari M A M , Joni A A M , Kusin F M , Mohamed K N , Zulkeflee Z , Asha’ari Z H , Zulkifli S Z , Ismail A , Arshad A
Published: December 2021

This study aims to provide insight knowledge on the potential reason for low blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa) production in Sungai Buloh Selangor by comparing the condition indices and histology of the gills and gonad with samples from a high yield farm at Sungai Ayam, Johor. Samples were collected in September 2020 and grouped for histological analysis and for condition indices. About 60% individuals from Sungai Buloh and 20% of samples from Sungai Ayam found with degenerated gill filaments. The sex ratio were found identical (50%:50% male to a female) in samples from Sungai Ayam, while 40%: 60% of male to female from Sungai Buloh. The gonad of males found at Stage 2 (developing) and Stage 3 (developed or ripe) and the ovaries at Stage 3 and Stage 4 (spawning) for Sungai Buloh, and between Stage 2 to Stage 4 from Sungai Ayam. The total condition index (CI Tot) was significantly differences between farms. Findings indicate sample from Sungai Buloh has low health status due to poor gill’s filaments condition, and ripe ovaries found in lightweight (2 g) T. granosa. Hence being the potential reason for low survival rate in the Sungai Buloh.
Nutrient Distribution in Eastern Indonesian Waters
Authors: Meirinawati H , Prayitno H B , Wahyudi A J
Published: December 2021

Nutrients are needed for the growth of phytoplankton as a basic component in the marine food web. The concentration of nutrients in waters relates to primary productivity and it will influence fisheries stocks. So far, research on nutrients in the deep sea is rarely carried out in Indonesia. This study aims to determine water quality, horizontal and vertical distribution of nutrients in eastern Indonesian waters, which can be used as baseline data for deep-sea nutrients in Indonesia. The study was conducted from October 29 to November 15, 2017. Sampling was carried out in 20 stations with seven layers. Nutrient measurements were conducted based on Strickland and Parsons (1972). Our results showed that the concentrations of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and silicate ranged from 0.000-0.060 mg/l, 0.001-0.321 mg/l, 0.000-0.009 mg/l, 0.004-0.024 mg/l and 0.085-1.090 mg/l, respectively. In general, the highest concentration of nutrients was found in Maluku Sea. The vertical distribution of nitrate, phosphate, and silicate shows that the increasing concentrations as increasing depth, except for nitrite and ammonium. The maximum nitrite concentration appears in the northern area, while the ammonium distribution has homogenous pattern.
Presence of Microplastics in Sea Cucumber Paracaudina sp from Karimun Island, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia
Authors: Amin B , Rukim M , Nurrachmi I
Published: December 2021

Karimun is one of islands located in the Kepulauan Riau Province that has high anthropogenic activities which produces a certain amount of wastes, including plastics. The plastic wastes will be degraded into small-particles called microplastics. Due to its small size and widespread distribution, microplastics could be consumed by marine organisms, such as deposit feeder organisms including sea cucumber Paracaudina sp. The aim of this research was to determine type and abundance of microplastic particles and its correlation with the sea cucumber body size. Samplings of sea cucumber for microplastic analysis were taken from two stations by digging the sediment from each station. Separation of microplastic particles from sea cucumber organs was carried out through 4 stages, (a) dissection, (b) separation of organ from its body (c) submersion using KOH 10% solution (d) incubation for 3 weeks and (e) sorting visually. The results of this research found only 3 types of microplastic (fibre, film and fragment). The abundance of microplastic in Paracaudina sp. was found between 289.40-1380.00 particles/individu with fibers being the dominant type. Fibers are the most abundant in both stations followed by films and fragments. Independent t-test analysis revealed that the abundance of microplastic between the two stations was significantly different (p<0.05). Possitive correlation between microplastic abundance and the body-size of Paracaudina sp were found, indicating that the larger the size of sea cucumber, the higher microplastic particles contained in the body of the organisms.
The Bottom Surface Sediment Transport Changes in Bathymetry in the Rupat Strait, Riau Province, Indonesia
Authors: Rifardi R
Published: December 2021

The Rupat Strait is located at the eastern coast of Sumatera Island, Riau Province,Indonesia, under the influence of the current system flowing from the Malacca Strait into the Strait.The primary purpose of this study is to identify the topographyof Rupat Strait prevailed by bathymetry changes, which was analyzed using oceanographic and satellite images.This study was conducted in the Rupat Strait in July 2018 through two steps of research: 1) oceanographic observation; 2) bathymetry measurement.The study of oceanographic observation was carried out along the coastal areas of Dumai City and Rupat Island. The depth of Rupat Strait (bathymetry) was measured using an echosounder at 60 stations in July 2018. The changes in the depth of the Strait were analyzed by comparing data between depth in 1990 by satellite images and the depth in 2018 by the measurement. The results of study indicate that dominantly, the depth of the Strait has increased by 1.5-2.7 meters for 28 years. The depth of the Rupat Strait, based on the interpretation of the satellite image data of MIKE C-MAP (1990) ranges from 0.9 to 29.4 meters, and of the measurement in 2018, ranging from 2.4 to 32.1 meters.The dominant factor causing the changes are the current system flowing from the Malacca Strait through the Strait during high and low tides, and the surface bottom sediments are transported out the Strait by the current, including the bottom current.
Analysis of Organic Matter Content in Water and Sediment in The Coastal Waters of Bengkalis Island, Riau Province
Authors: Yoswaty D , Amin B , Nursyirwani  , Winanda H , Sianturi D D , Lestari A
Published: December 2021

Anthropogenic activities in the coastal waters of Bengkalis Island, Riau Province are thought to have increased due to human activities (settlements, ports, agriculture, households and industry). This caused an increase in organic matter in water and sediment in coastal waters. The content of organic matter in water and sediment can be used as an indicator of the quality of coastal waters. The research aimed to analyze the content of organic matter in water and sediment in the coastal waters of Bengkalis Island. The used purposive sampling. The research was carried out in April – July 2021, consisting of 4 research stations and each station consisted of 3 sampling points. Sampling was carried out in the intertidal zone in the north and south of Bengkalis Island, namely station I (Air Putih Village), Station II (Jangkang Village), station III (Selat Baru Village) and station IV (Liong Estuary). The results of the analysis of organic matter content in seawater ranged from 32.39-34.89 mg/l, the highest was at station I and the lowest was at station II. The results of the analysis of organic matter content in sediment of Bengkalis Island ranged from 0.01-0.31%, the highest was at station I and the lowest was at station II. A simple linear regression test showed that the relationship between the organic matter content of seawater and sediments in the coastal waters of Bengkalis Island was classified as a strong relationship with a correlation coefficient (r) 0.720 and a coefficient of determination (R2) 0.518. The results also show that the coastal waters of Bengkalis Island have a type of sediment fraction which is dominated by sandy mud.
Health Evaluation of Wader Fish (Puntius sp.) Caught from Brantas River, Malang City, Indonesia
Authors: Hertika A M S , Arfiati D , Lusiana E D , Putra R B D S , Wasti D R N
Published: December 2021

Anthropogenic activities along watershed area are often causing river pollution. This will affect the sustainability of aquatic resources, such as fish. One of the fish species in Brantas River that can be employed as bioindicator of water pollution is Wader fish (Puntius, sp.). The aim of this research was to analyze the health of Wader fish based on tits hematological profile. This study utilized descriptive method and conducted in three sites of Brantas River that located in Malang city, Indonesia. We took water quality parameters data to obtain Pollution Index of the river and blood samples to evaluate the hematological profile of wader fish caught in research area. Further analysis to evaluate relationship between water quality factors and hematological profile of Wader fish was performed by using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) with the support of PAST software version 4.06. The results showed that pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia and total suspended solid (TSS) of the study area were within the normal range, while the biological oxygen demand (BOD) value was above the standard. In addition, Pollution Index of this research suggested that Brantas River condition was low polluted. Meanwhile, the analysis of hematological profile of wader fish in terms of erythrocytes and hemoglobin were below than the recommended value, leukocytes were normal, and micronuclei were above the standard.
Reduction of River Pollutants with Raffia-Cord in Sail River Pekanbaru Indonesia
Authors: Budijono  , Sibagariang R D , Hasbi M
Published: December 2021

The Sail River has been polluted by various types of pollutants in Pekanbaru. Raffia-cord is shaped like a feather duster, made of raffia rope that has been smoothed and then woven like a feather duster. This research was conducted as an effort to reduce the river pollutants (nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, Pb, Cr, COD, and BOD5. The study was carried out in Sail River in March – April 2019 using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method with density variations: low density (P1), medium density (P2), and high density (P3). The average results showed that the decrease for nitrate was 0.075-0.117 mg/L (35-44%) from 0.136-0.347 mg/L; phosphate 0.205-0.267 mg/L (29-40%) from 0.339-0.381 mg/L; ammonia 0.027-0.076 mg/L (28-58%) from 0.093-0.108 mg/L. The decreasing effectiveness of P1, P2, and P3 for Pb were 67.146%, 70.465% and 67.242%; for Cr were 81.346%, 83.335% and 81.893%. The average COD reduction effectiveness were 38.7%; 46.9%; 42.5% while BOD5 were 71.4%, 74.1% and 69.5%. It was concluded that raffia-cord could be used to reducing nitrate, phosphate, and ammonia levels, raffia-cord was able to reduce the concentration of Pb and Cr but raffia-cord had no significant effect on decreasing COD and BOD5.
EEL (Anguilla bicolor bicolor) Rearing Techniques at the UPTD for Conservation and Supervision of Marine Fishery Resources of Sicincin, West Sumatra
Authors: Mulyani I , Rumondang R , Aryani D , Lesmana I
Published: December 2021

Eel has a savory meaty taste and contains high levels of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The purpose of this observation was to determine intensive rearing techniques for eel (Anguilla bicolor bicolor) at the UPTD KPSDKP for Conservation and Supervision of Marine Fishery Resources of Sicincin, West Sumatra. The preparations conducted for rearing the eel consist of providing seeds, pond preparation, water supply, feed management, water quality control, disease control, growth sampling, and harvesting eel for consumption size. The eel seeds were obtained from natural catches of glass eel in the Cimandiri river, Pelabuan Ratu, West Java. Preparation of the eel pond included cleaning the concrete pond, filling the water by observing the water input into the eel pond. The provision of water for eel rearing was obtained directly from the Kapalo Ilalang Sicincin irrigation channel to the holding tanks before flowing to the eel rearing pond. Feeding management was carried out 2 times a day, namely the percentages of feeding in the morning (35 %) and at night (55%) with a feeding rate of 3%-5%. The feed provided to these eels was in the form of a paste made of powdery pellets. Measurements of water quality for eel rearing during observations were temperature (27-29°C), pH (6-7), DO (5.9-7.8 ppm), salinity (3-4 ppt) and NH3 (0.02-0.07 mg/l). In our observations, parasites shaped like cotton were discovered, which attacked the eel body, causing death. In growth sampling, the measurement of the length and body weight of the eel once a month is necessary to be done.
Nutritional Characteristics of Berunok (Paracaudina australis) Flour
Authors: Karnila R , Haq M
Published: December 2021

Berunok has been a commodity with low economic value, so it is necessary to use Berunok which has high nutritional value. This study aims to determine the proximate content of P. australis. Parameters measured were yield value and proximate analysis of berunok flour. This study consisted of two stages, namely sample preparation and manufacture of berunok flour, analysis of the chemical composition of berunok flour. The research design used a completely randomized design (CRD). The results showed that berunok flour had a dry texture, very smooth, and brownish in color. While the chemical composition contained in Berunok flour is water content of 8.19%, ash content of 37.21% (db), protein content of 48.78% (db ), fat content of 3.44% (db), and carbohydrate content by a difference of 10.57% (db). The average yield value of 83.34%.
Characteristics of Composite Flour (Biang fish Ilisha elongata and Sago) For the Development of Good Nutritional Food Products
Authors: Sumarto S , Desmelati D , Karnila R , Dahlia D , Suparmi S , Hasan B
Published: December 2021

Composite flour is a mixture of fish flour and sago flour to increase nutrition in food products. This study aims to increase the nutritional value of food products with sago flour as raw material. Composite flour from fish and sago flour were 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% Biang fish to the amount of sago flour. The results of the research on fish flour Ilisha elongata showed a yellowish-white color with a whiteness degree of 75.8%. Fish flour has a yield of 28.9% with a fineness level on a 100-mesh sieve. The results show the characteristics of the composite flour of Biang fish and sago, respectively, the color of the flour was white-gray to cream color; having nutritional characteristics, respectively, the moisture content is 9.62%; 9.57%; 9.55%; 9.42%; 9.26%, and 9.20%. The protein content was 0.25%; 3.58%; 4.09%; 4.99%; 5.98%, and 6.39%. The fat content was 0.41%, 0.24%, 0.29%; 0.37%; 0.40%; 0.42%. The ash contained 0.27%, 0.34%, 0.50%, 0.57%, 0.69%, and 0.76%. The carbohydrates were 89.45%; 86.27%; 85.57%; 84.65%; 83.67%, and 83.23%. The calcium content was 1130 mg/kg; 1901 mg/kg; 2687 mg/kg; 2770 mg/kg; 2827 mg/kg and 2869 mg/kg. The addition of fish flour can increase the nutritional value of composite flour made from sago flour and has the potential to develop nutritious food products.
Effect of Pectin on the Characteristics of Edible Film from Pink Ear Emperor (Lethrinus lentjan) Gelatin
Authors: Nurdiani R , Yufidasari H S , Faturachma I D , Prihanto A A , Firdaus M , Huda N , Talib R A
Published: December 2021

Edible film is a thin layer used to coat food. One of the biopolymers that can be used as a base for the edible film is fish gelatin. Gelatin can be obtained from the skin of Lethrinus lentjan. However, edible film is usually brittle if only gelatin is used, so other materials, such as pectin, are needed to form an elastic film. This study aims to determine the effect of pectin addition on the characteristics of the edible film. The method used in this research was the experimental method with five treatments of pectin concentration (0%, 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.3%, 0.35%). Physical and chemical characteristics (thickness, tensile strength, elongation, water vapor transmission, and moisture content) of edible films were analyzed. The results showed that different concentrations of pectin significantly affected the characteristics of edible film. The best characteristics of edible film (0.12 mm thickness, 15.40 MPa tensile strength, 26.50% elongation, 6.99 gram/m2 24 h water vapor transmission rate, and 8.745% moisture content) were obtained as 0.2% pectin added in making the gelatin-based edible film.
The Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaves Addition on The Characteristic of Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Fishball
Authors: Herawati E R N , Ariani D , Khasanah Y , Nurhayati R , Kurniadi M , Indrianingsih AW , Laila U , Februanata N , Juligani B
Published: December 2021

Indonesia has many potential marine source, such as tuna (Thunnus albacares) fish, and supported with rich biodiversity including Moringa oleifera leaves. Tuna fish is a very potential protein source which can be develop in many potential food product, such as fishball. This research was conducted to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves addition on the characteristic of tuna fishball. The fishball were made from tuna fish, mixed with local flour, i.e. modified cassava flour (mocaf) flour, tapioca flour, and sago flour. Fresh moringa leaves was added to fishball with three different concentration (10%,20%,30%) and followed by the evaluation of chemical characteristic, including water content, ash content, protein content, fat content, carbohydrate content, antioxidant activity, and sensory characteristic, including hedonic test and descriptive test. The chemical analysis of the fishball showed that the addition of moringa leaves increased the water content to 4.84%, protein content to 7.25%, antioxidant activity to 3.03% and decreased the fat content to 0.18%. The most preferred fishball product from the sensory analysis was the fishball with 10% moringa leaves addition. The hedonic sensory test showed that the overall acceptance of the fishball with 10% moringa leaves addition was not significantly different with the fishball without moringa leaves addition. This study indicated that a healthy fishball could be made from tuna fish mixed with local flour and moringa leaves.
Preliminary extraction of catechin in cashew testa
Authors: Le H Q V , Tong T D , Luu X C , Le X T
Published: December 2021

The water extraction procedure (WE) was critically selected to extract (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin in cashew testa. The effects of different extracting factors, including multiple extraction, extracting temperature, extracting duration, and solvent-material ratio, on catechin amounts were evaluated. Under optimal conditions, a gram of water extract (WE’) contained 151.2±4.7 mg of (+)-catechin and 85.2±2.3 mg of (-)-epicatechin. These values were nearly three-folded compared to raw material, 55.0±1.4 and 31.0±0.6 mg, respectively. By using fractional extraction with ethyl acetate, the amounts of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin per gram of ethyl acetate extract (WE2) in the present extracts respectively increased to 219.4±16.5 and 123.6±8.9 mg.
Preparation and characterization of PVA thin-film composite membrane for pervaporation dehydration of ethanol solution
Authors: Thai Phuong Thanh Ngoc , Pham Xuan Minh , Nguyen Thuc Ba , Le Thu Minh , Viet Tran Chau Bao , Phong Mai Thanh , Tran Le-Hai
Published: December 2021

These days, ethanol fuel has been widely consumed worldwide to replace gasoline due to its possible environmental and long-term economic advantages. In detail, the ethanol fuel (purity ≥ 99.5 wt%) has been produced by traditional separation processes such as azeotropic distillation or molecular sieve adsorption, which excessively employs energy and capital cost. The pervaporation has already been considered as an effective alternative to conventional methods because of its high separation efficiency and low power consumption. Pervaporation separation of ethanol/water solution using hydrophilic membranes has been extensively studied owing to their superior perm-selectivity. In this present work, the polyvinyl alcohol thin-film composite membrane is prepared by casting a thin crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film on the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) porous substrate. The effect of PVA concentration on the pervaporation performance of the fabricated membrane is studied. The physicochemical properties of the prepared membrane are characterized using FTIR, SEM images, and contact angle measurements. The separation performance in terms of permeation flux and selectivity is simultaneously evaluated through a pervaporation dehydration of ethanol/water mixture of 80/20 wt.% at 60°C. The results show that the increase in PVA concentration leads to the decline in the hydrophilicity and the growth of the thickness and swelling degree of the membrane. Therefore, the selectivity of the membrane is found to improve significantly, while the permeation flux decreased with the PVA concentration ranging from 2.5 to 15 wt.%. Based on the results, the PVA membrane prepared from the 10 wt.% concentration is likely to provide high separation performance.
Photodegradation of acetone vapor by carbon dots decorated TiO2 catalyst: effects of experimental conditions
Authors: Tu Le Nguyen Quang , Ngan Le Thi Kim , Nhan Nguyen Vu Hanh , Long Nguyen Quang
Published: December 2021

Being one of the most common volatile organic compounds (VOCs), acetone can be found in everyday products and high doses of acetone pose harmful effects on human health. Photocatalytic oxidation has captured the attention as an alternative feasible and cost-effective technology in treating VOCs. This study mainly focused on the photocatalytic performance of carbon dots (CDs) decorated TiO2 prepared using the microwave-assisted method in degrading acetone in a continuous flow under UVA irradiation at room temperature with various experimental conditions (initial concentrations, water contents and flow rates). The presence of carbon dots on the surface of TiO2 had improved the removal efficiency of the photocatalyst and maintained a good overall performance throughout the experiments. Significantly, the prepared CDs/TiO2 exhibited sustainable performance under the change of water contents which usually significantly impacts the performance of photocatalysts in general.
Fabrication of electrospun BaTiO3/chitosan/PVA nanofibers and application for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Van-Pham Dan-Thuy , Phat Vien Vinh , Hoa Nguyen Thi Quynh , Ngoc Nguyen Hong , Thao Ngan Duong Thi , Don Ta Ngoc , Mai Ngo Truong Ngoc , Quyen Tran Thi Bich , Thien Doan Van Hong
Published: December 2021

Perovskite BaTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. BaTiO3/chitosan (CS)/Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers with an average diameter of 265.3 ± 52 nm were fabricated via an electrospinning method. The nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis method (TGA). The photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated based on the BaTiO3/CS/PVA nanofibers. The photovoltaic properties of the cells were calculated based on the current density – voltage curves. The maximum power conversion efficiency of DSSC with CS/PVA/BaTiO3 nanofibers was 0.49% with the natural dye sensitizer extracted from the leaf of the magenta plant.
Study on antibacterial papermaking for food packaging using rice straw nanocellulose and nanochitosan
Authors: Cuong Thai Dinh , Linh Nguyen Viet , Chung Nguyen Hoang , Dien Le Quang
Published: December 2021

In this study, the antibacterial bleached hardwood kraft pulp-based paper sheets with a base weight of around 125 g/m2 were made with surface sizing by a mixture of oxidated starch and additives from acetic acid-treated nanochitosan and nanocellulose prepared from limited hydrolysis of rice straw by dilute sulfuric acid with added hydrogen peroxide. The characteristics of nanomaterials were analyzed by SEM and XRD. The barrier and antibacterial properties of paper were investigated to assess their ability to contain liquid and food products. Using the sizing mixture which has a solids content of 8% with additives improved the mechanical strength of the paper. The best value of tearing strength of 18.94 mN.m2/g was obtained with adding of 0.5% of nanocellulose and 1.5% of nanochitosan. The burst index of paper reached its highest value of 5.07 kP.m2/g when both nanocellulose and nanochitosan were used at the dosages of 1.0%. The antibacterial features on E. coli clearly showed in papers with 2% of nanochitosan or with the mixture of 1% nanocellulose and 1% nanochitosan addition.
Synthesis of nano zinc oxide and its effect on the cure characteristic and properties of natural rubber vulcanizates
Authors: Thuong Nghiem Thi , Tu Pham Ho Anh , Trung Nguyen Hoang , Hung Dang Viet , Long Nguyen Han
Published: December 2021

In this work, nano ZnO was synthesized by a simple method using a polymeric substance as a dispersing agent. Characterization of the synthesized ZnO by XRD and SEM confirmed the ZnO was nanometric in size and had a wurtzite structure. The synthesized nano ZnO was used as an activator for natural rubber vulcanization. Different amount of ZnO, 1, 2 and 3 phr, was investigated in the rubber formulation and compared to convention ZnO at a typical amount (6 phr). The sample with 3 phr nano ZnO showed the lowest curing induction time with the highest (ML-MH) at all studied temperatures. Furthermore, the rubber sample with 3 phr ZnO achieved the best properties, i.e., crosslink density, rebound resilience, and hardness compared to the rubber sample with 6 phr conventional ZnO. Interestingly, the properties of rubber sample with 2 phr nano ZnO were probably equivalent and comparable to that of 6 phr conventional ZnO. Thus, it suggested that the synthesized nano ZnO could replace the convention ZnO as an activator for rubber vulcanization even at a lower amount.
Assessment of methyl ester as a green carrier solvent in pesticide emulsifiable concentrate formulation
Authors: Tran Nguyen Hoc , Hieu Thai Van Trung , Dang-Bao Trung , Anh Tran Thi Kieu
Published: December 2021

The conventional pesticide emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations usually contain a large amount of aromatic solvents. This causes adverse effects to environment and human health due to the toxicity of such organic solvents. In this study, a cypermethrine 25EC formulation was developed using methyl ester as a green solvent. The physicochemical characterizations, emulsion properties and storage stabilities of the methyl ester EC formulations were investigated and compared with those of the EC formulation using naphtha A100 as a solvent, evidencing excellent emulsion properties and storage stabilities of such methyl ester EC formulations.
Kronecker positivity and 2-modular representation theory
Authors: Bessenrodt C. , Bowman C. , Sutton L.
Published: December 2021

This paper consists of two prongs. Firstly, we prove that any Specht module labelled by a 2-separated partition is semisimple and we completely determine its decomposition as a direct sum of graded simple modules. Secondly, we apply these results and other modular representation theoretic techniques on the study of Kronecker coefficients and hence verify Saxl’s conjecture for several large new families of partitions. In particular, we verify Saxl’s conjecture for all irreducible characters of

S

n

\mathfrak {S}_n

which are of 2-height zero.
For which functions are 𝑓(𝑋_{𝑡})-𝔼𝕗(𝕏_{𝕥}) and 𝕘(𝕏_{𝕥})/𝔼𝕘(𝕏_{𝕥}) martingales?
Authors: Kühn F. , Schilling R.
Published: December 2021

Let

X
=
(

X
t

)

t
≥
0

X=(X_t)_{t\geq 0}

be a one-dimensional Lévy process such that each

X
t

X_t

has a

C
b
1

C^1_b

-density w. r. t. Lebesgue measure and certain polynomial or exponential moments. We characterize all polynomially bounded functions

f
:

R

→

R

f\colon \mathbb {R}\to \mathbb {R}

, and exponentially bounded functions

g
:

R

→
(
0
,
∞
)

g\colon \mathbb {R}\to (0,\infty )

, such that

f
(

X
t

)
−

E

f
(

X
t

)

f(X_t)-\mathbb {E} f(X_t)

, resp.

g
(

X
t

)

/

E

g
(

X
t

)

g(X_t)/\mathbb {E} g(X_t)

, are martingales.
Stochastic elliptic operators defined by non-Gaussian random fields with uncertain spectrum
Authors: Soize C.
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a construction and the analysis of a class of non-Gaussian positive-definite matrix-valued homogeneous random fields with uncertain spectral measure for stochastic elliptic operators. Then the stochastic elliptic boundary value problem in a bounded domain of the 3D-space is introduced and analyzed for stochastic homogenization.
‘Who Is My Research for?’: Researcher Perceptions of the Research–Practice Relationship
Authors: Sato Masatoshi , Loewen Shawn , Pastushenkov Dmitrii
Published: December 2021

This study investigated second language (L2) researchers’ perceptions of the research–practice relationship. While research use (or lack thereof) in the classroom has been debated by researchers for decades, researchers have rarely investigated themselves as stakeholders in the relationship. However, it is vital to know researchers’ approaches to the issue so that collaborative researcher-practitioner relationships may be fostered. Hence, the current survey study explored: (a) L2 researchers’ identities; (b) their perceptions of the research–practice relationship; and (c) predictors of their perceptions. Participants were 217 researchers from 25 countries with 31 different first-language backgrounds. The results showed that L2 researchers’ identities often crossed multiple boundaries, as L2 learners, teachers, as well as researchers. A factor analysis showed that researchers held distinct beliefs for their own research (individual self) and for researchers in general (collective self). The regression models revealed that L2 teaching experience, pre-service teacher training experience, and institutional rewards positively predicted researchers’ perceptions of L2 practice. We argue that it is largely researchers’ responsibility to facilitate the research–practice dialogue.
GDF10 inhibits cell proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by the transforming growth factor-β/Smad and NF-κB pathways
Authors: He Feng , Feng Guofei , Ma Ning , Midorikawa Kaoru , Oikawa Shinji , Kobayashi Hatasu , Zhang Zhe , Huang Guangwu , Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Murata Mariko
Published: December 2021

Growth differentiation factor-10 (GDF10) belongs to a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Dysfunction of the TGF-β pathway can lead to carcinoma progression. Previous studies have shown that GDF10 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in some cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms of the association between GDF10 and cell functions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unclear. In this study, the expression and methylation levels of GDF10 were studied in human subjects and cell lines. Furthermore, overexpression of GDF10 was used to explore its biological function and potential mechanism in NPC cell lines. GDF10 was downregulated in NPC owing to its aberrant promoter methylation. After treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, the expression of GDF10 in NPC cells was reversed. We also confirmed that the overexpression of GDF10 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Additionally, GDF10 overexpression in NPC cells attenuated migration and invasion and inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition with a decrease in nuclear Smad2 and NF-κB protein accumulation. GDF10 was silenced owing to its promoter hypermethylation, and it might originally act as a functional tumor suppressor via TGF-β/Smad and NF-κB signaling pathways in NPC.
Maladaptive changes in delay discounting in males during the COVID-19 pandemic: the predictive role of functional connectome
Authors: Xiao Zhibing , Chen Zhiyi , Chen Wanting , Gao Wei , He Li , Wang Qiang , Lei Xu , Qiu Jiang , Feng Tingyong , Chen Hong , Turel Ofir , Bechara Antoine , He Qinghua
Published: December 2021

The Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and measures to curb it created population-level changes in male-dominant impulsive and risky behaviors such as violent crimes and gambling. One possible explanation for this is that the pandemic has been stressful, and males, more so than females, tend to respond to stress by altering their focus on immediate versus delayed rewards, as reflected in their delay discounting rates. Delay discounting rates from healthy undergraduate students were collected twice during the pandemic. Discounting rates of males (n=190) but not of females (n=493) increased during the pandemic. Using machine learning, we show that prepandemic functional connectome predict increased discounting rates in males (n=88). Moreover, considering that delay discounting is associated with multiple psychiatric disorders, we found the same neural pattern that predicted increased discounting rates in this study, in secondary datasets of patients with major depression and schizophrenia. The findings point to sex-based differences in maladaptive delay discounting under real-world stress events, and to connectome-based neuromarkers of such effects. They can explain why there was a population-level increase in several impulsive and risky behaviors during the pandemic and point to intriguing questions about the shared underlying mechanisms of stress responses, psychiatric disorders and delay discounting.
Judicial Quality, Input Customisation, and Trade Margins: The Role of Product Quality
Authors: Cui Xiaomin , Yu Miaojie , Zhang Rui
Published: December 2021

We study how the contracting environment affects the quality of trade. A better contracting environment not only induces specialisations in industries intensively using customised inputs, but also causes quality upgrading of domestic varieties and tougher competition in these industries. We incorporate these effects into a Ricardian model with customised input and product quality. Our model predicts that better judicial quality raises a country’s import prices and quality more in contract-intensive products, but has no impacts on its export prices or quality. We empirically confirm these predictions and find that rising judicial quality is associated with increasing specialisations in contract-intensive industries.
Molecular mechanisms for environmentally induced and evolutionarily rapid redistribution (plasticity) of meiotic recombination
Authors: Protacio Reine U , Mukiza Tresor O , Davidson Mari K , Wahls Wayne P
Published: December 2021

It has long been known (circa 1917) that environmental conditions, as well as speciation, can affect dramatically the frequency distribution of Spo11/Rec12-dependent meiotic recombination. Here, by analyzing DNA sequence-dependent meiotic recombination hotspots in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we reveal a molecular basis for these phenomena. The impacts of changing environmental conditions (temperature, nutrients, and osmolarity) on local rates of recombination are mediated directly by DNA site-dependent hotspots (M26, CCAAT, and Oligo-C). This control is exerted through environmental condition-responsive signal transduction networks (involving Atf1, Pcr1, Php2, Php3, Php5, and Rst2). Strikingly, individual hotspots modulate rates of recombination over a very broad dynamic range in response to changing conditions. They can range from being quiescent to being highly proficient at promoting activity of the basal recombination machinery (Spo11/Rec12 complex). Moreover, each different class of hotspot functions as an independently controlled rheostat; a condition that increases the activity of one class can decrease the activity of another class. Together, the independent modulation of recombination rates by each different class of DNA site-dependent hotspots (of which there are many) provides a molecular mechanism for highly dynamic, large-scale changes in the global frequency distribution of meiotic recombination. Because hotspot-activating DNA sites discovered in fission yeast are conserved functionally in other species, this process can also explain the previously enigmatic, Prdm9-independent, evolutionarily rapid changes in hotspot usage between closely related species, subspecies, and isolated populations of the same species.
Characterization of the novel optrA-carrying pseudo-compound transposon Tn7363 and an Inc18 plasmid carrying cfr(D) in Vagococcus lutrae
Authors: Zhu Yao , Yang Wenlin , Schwarz Stefan , Xu Qiu , Yang Qin , Wang Lingli , Liu Siguo , Zhang Wanjiang
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To investigate the genetic context and transferability of the oxazolidinone resistance genes cfr(D) and optrA in a porcine Vagococcus lutrae isolate.

Methods

V. lutrae isolate BN31 was screened for the presence of known oxazolidinone resistance genes via PCR assays. Conjugation experiments were carried out to assess horizontal transferability of resistance genes. WGS was performed using a combination of Nanopore MinION and Illumina HiSeq platforms. Detection of a translocatable unit (TU) was conducted by PCR.

Results

V. lutrae isolate BN31 harboured the oxazolidinone resistance genes cfr(D) and optrA. The optrA gene, together with the phenicol resistance gene fexA, was located on a novel pseudo-compound transposon, designated Tn7363. Tn7363 was bounded by two copies of the new insertion sequence ISVlu1, which represented a new member of the ISL3 family. A TU, comprising one copy of ISVlu1 and the segment between the two IS elements including the optrA gene, was detected. The cfr(D) gene and an erm(B) gene were identified on the broad-host-range Inc18 plasmid pBN31-cfrD, a pAMβ1-like plasmid. Similar to plasmid pAMβ1, plasmid pBN31-cfrD was conjugative.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, we report the first identification of the cfr(D) and optrA in Vagococcus. Two novel oxazolidinone resistance gene-carrying mobile genetic elements, Tn7363 and pBN31-cfrD, were identified in V. lutrae BN31. Considering their transmission potential, attention should be paid to the risk of transfer of the optrA and cfr(D) genes from V. lutrae to clinically more important bacterial pathogens.
Nanoforms of essential metals: from hormetic phytoeffects to agricultural potential
Authors: Kolbert Zsuzsanna , Szőllősi Réka , Rónavári Andrea , Molnár Árpád
Published: December 2021

Vital plant functions require at least six metals (copper, iron, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, and nickel), which function as enzyme cofactors or inducers. In recent decades, rapidly evolving nanotechnology has created nanoforms of essential metals and their compounds (e.g. nZnO, nFe2O3) with a number of favourable properties over the bulk materials. The effects of nanometals on plants are concentration-dependent (hormesis) but also depend on the properties of the nanometals, the plant species, and the treatment conditions. Here, we review studies examining plant responses to essential nanometal treatments using a (multi)omics approach and emphasize the importance of gaining a holistic view of the diverse effects. Furthermore, we discuss the beneficial effects of essential nanometals on plants, which provide the basis for their application in crop production as, for example, nanopriming or nanostimulator agents, or nanofertilizers. As lower environmental impact and increased yield can be achieved by the application of essential nanometals, they support sustainable agriculture. Recent studies have actively examined the utilization of green-synthesized metal nanoparticles, which perfectly fit into the environmentally friendly trend of future agriculture. Further knowledge is required before essential nanometals can be safely applied in agriculture, but it is a promising direction that is timely to investigate.
Is the molecular KS relationship universal down to low metallicities?
Authors: Whitworth David J , Smith Rowan J , Tress Robin , Kay Scott T , Glover Simon C O , Sormani Mattia C , Klessen Ralf S
Published: December 2021

In recent years, it has been speculated that in extreme low-metallicity galactic environments, stars form in regions that lack H2. In this paper, we investigate how changing the metallicity and ultraviolet (UV) field strength of a galaxy affects the star formation within, and the molecular gas Kennicutt–Schmidt (KS) relation. Using extremely high-resolution arepo simulations of isolated dwarf galaxies, we independently vary the metallicity and UV field to between 1 per cent and 10 per cent solar neighbourhood values. We include a non-equilibrium, time-dependent chemical network to model the molecular composition of the interstellar medium and include the effects of gas shielding from an ambient UV field. Crucially, our simulations directly model the gravitational collapse of gas into star-forming clumps and cores and their subsequent accretion using sink particles. In this first publication, we find that reducing the metallicity and UV field by a factor of 10 has no effect on star formation and minimal effect on the cold, dense star-forming gas. The cold gas depletion times are almost an order of magnitude longer than the molecular gas depletion time due to the presence of star formation in H i dominated cold gas. We study the H2 KS relationship that arises naturally within the simulations and find a near-linear power-law index of N = 1.09 ± 0.014 in our fiducial $10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ solar metallicity model. As the metallicity and UV field are reduced, this becomes moderately steeper, with a slope of N = 1.24 ± 0.022 for our $1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ solar metallicity and $1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ solar UV field model.
Absolute and Relative Reliability of a Comprehensive Quantitative Sensory Testing Protocol in Women Treated for Breast Cancer
Authors: Dams Lore , Haenen Vincent , Van der Gucht Elien , Devoogdt Nele , Smeets Ann , Bernar Koen , De Vrieze Tessa , De Groef An , Meeus Mira
Published: December 2021

Objective

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) consists of noninvasive psychophysical assessment techniques to evaluate the functioning of the somatosensory nervous system. Despite the importance of reliability for the correct use of QST results in research and clinical practice, the relative and absolute intra- and inter-rater reliability of a comprehensive QST protocol to evaluate the functioning of both the peripheral and central somatosensory nervous system in a breast cancer population has not yet been investigated.

Setting

University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.

Subjects

Thirty women at least 6 months after unilateral breast cancer surgery.

Methods

The protocol included nine static and dynamic QST methods (mechanical pain-detection thresholds, pressure pain thresholds, thermal pain-detection thresholds for heat and cold, temporal summation, and conditioned pain modulation [CPM]) performed in the surgical area and in more distant regions. Absolute and relative intra-rater reliability (60-minute interval) and inter-rater reliabilty (1-week interval) were evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients, standard error of measurement, and Bland-Altman plots.

Results

Moderate to excellent relative intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability were found for the evaluation of mechanical thresholds, pressure pain thresholds, and temporal summation. The reliability of the CPM paradigm was considered weak. Systematic bias between raters was noticed for the detection of mechanical and cold stimuli at the non-affected trunk and for CPM.

Conclusions

Except for the evaluation of CPM, the QST protocol was found suitable for identifying differences between subjects (relative reliability) and for individual follow-up after breast cancer surgery (limited systematic bias) during a 1-week time frame. Additional research is required to determine the measurement properties that influence CPM test stability to establish a more reliable CPM test paradigm.
Designing a business intelligence system to support industry analysis and innovation policy
Authors: Lee Seonjae , Lim Daehyeon , Moon Youngsu , Lee Hoshin , Lee Sungjoo
Published: December 2021

Thanks to advances in data analytics, the data on industry can now be processed in ways that provide valuable insights. Although there have been numerous studies on industry analysis, few have focused on identifying data sources and finding an effective way to use them for industry analysis and innovation policymaking. To fill the research gap, this study designed a business intelligence system for industry analysis, linking three data sources that include company profiles, trademarks, and value-chain information for further investigations. The first step in the system design was identifying the potential users of the proposed system and then assessing their needs to define main system functions. Next, several indices were developed to analyze industry characteristics in terms of the overall industry status and trends. The proposed system makes it possible to understand the rapidly changing business landscape and establish business strategies and industry policies.
Association of magnesium intake with sleep duration and sleep quality: findings from the CARDIA study
Authors: Zhang Yijia , Chen Cheng , Lu Liping , Knutson Kristen L , Carnethon Mercedes R , Fly Alyce D , Luo Juhua , Haas David M , Shikany James M , Kahe Ka
Published: December 2021

Study Objectives

As an antagonist of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) has been implicated in the regulation of sleep. We aimed to examine the longitudinal associations of Mg intake and Ca-to-Mg intake ratio (Ca:Mg) with sleep quality and duration.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 3,964 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary and supplementary intake of Mg were obtained using the CARDIA Dietary History at baseline (1985–1986), exam years 7 and 20. Self-reported sleep outcomes were measured at years 15 and 20. Sleep quality was rating from 1 (very good) to 5 (very bad). We categorized sleep duration to <7, 7–9, and >9 h. Generalized estimating equation was used to examine the associations of interest as repeated measures at the two time points.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, Mg intake was borderline associated with better sleep quality [highest quartile (Q4) vs. intake quartile (Q1): odds ratio (OR) = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.999, 1.50, ptrend = 0.051]. Participants in Q4 were also less likely to have short sleep (<7 h) compared to those in Q1 (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.51, 0.81, ptrend = 0.012). The observed association with short sleep persisted among participants without depressive disorders (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.49, 0.82, ptrend < 0.001), but not among individuals with depressive disorder. Ca:Mg was not associated with either outcomes, regardless of depression status.

Conclusions

Mg intake was associated with both sleep outcomes in this longitudinal analysis. Randomized controlled trials with objective measures of sleep are warranted to establish the potential causal inference.