bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflexiones sobre la expansión y legalidad del campo peyotero en México
Authors: Genet Guzmán Mauricio , Labate Beatriz
Published: November 2019

This paper presents a reflection on the implications of the use and trade of peyote (Lophophora williamsii) and the challenges associated with its conservation in a religious and binational (Mexico and the United States) context. Our main focus is on a controversy raised by the Native American Church before the Mexican government, via an application submitted to the General Directorate of Religious Associations of the Secretariat of the Interior, demanding the registration of organizations that use the cactus in their rituals. This case is unique because it represents a paradigmatic illustration of the drug policy and religious rights frameworks currently in place in Mexico.
HUBUNGAN KESESUAIAN ANTIBIOTIK DEFINITIF DENGAN CLINICAL OUTCOME PADA PASIEN ULKUS DIABETIK DI RSUD KOTA YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Sugiyono Sugiyono , Padmasari Padmasari
Published: November 2019

Ulkus diabetik yang mengalami infeksi memerlukan terapi antibiotik yang tepat. Pemberian terapi antibiotik sebaiknya berdasarkan hasil uji kultur bakteri dan sensitivitas antibiotik. Fakta-fakta di lapangan menunjukkan bahwa pola bakteri penyebab ulkus diabetik dan sensitivitas antibiotiknya berbeda-beda di setiap rumah sakit. Hal ini menjadi perhatian penting karena pemilihan antibiotik yang tidak tepat dapat menyebabkan outcome yang buruk pada pasien dan mempengaruhi resistensi antibiotik. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kesesuaian antibiotik definitif yang digunakan dalam pengobatan ulkus diabetik terhadap hasil uji kultur bakteri dan sensitivitas antibiotik serta mengetahui hubungan kesesuaian penggunaan antibiotik definitif dengan clinical outcome. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan observasional deskriptif-analitik dengan desain kohort retrospektif pada pasien ulkus diabetik di RSUD Kota Yogyakarta periode 1 Januari 2017 - 31 Desember 2017. Data diambil dari rekam medik pasien yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Data yang diperoleh kemudian dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis bivariat dengan software SPSS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kesesuaian antibiotik definitif terhadap uji kultur bakteri dan sensitivitas antibiotik yaitu sebesar 61,54% (16 pasien) sesuai dan 38,46% (10 pasien) tidak sesuai. Berdasarkan analisis Chi-square hubungan antara kesesuaian antibiotik definitif dengan clinical outcome didapatkan nilai p= 0,014 dan nilai RR= 1,667. Penggunaan antibiotik definitif yang sesuai dengan hasil uji kultur bakteri dan sensitivitas antibiotik lebih besar dari pada yang tidak sesuai. Terdapat adanya hubungan yang bermakna antara kesesuaian antibiotik definitif dengan clinical outcome.
PERBANDINGAN STRATEGI INKUIRI TERBIMBING DENGAN PROBLEM SOLVING TERHADAP PEMAHAMAN KONSEPTUAL DAN ALGORITMA SISWA DENGAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR ILMIAH RENDAH
Authors: Priyasmika Rendy
Published: November 2019

AbstrakSalah satu materi kimia SMA yang berisi konsep konkrit, abstrak dan melibatkan perhitunganmatematika adalah kelarutan dan hasil kali kelarutan (Ksp). Pemahaman konseptual dinyatakandengan kalimat pendek sedangkan pemahaman algoritma dinyatakan dengan persamaanmatematika. Keduasaling barkaitan, sehingga untuk pembelajaran perlu strategi yang tepat.Strategi pembelajaran inkuiri terbimbing dan Problem Solving diduga ampu tingkatkankonseptual dan pemahaman algoritma siswa dengan Kemampuan Berpikir Ilmiah Rendah(KBIR). Tujuan penelitian ini mengetahui perbedaan dan pemahaman algoritma siswa denganKBIR yang dibelajarkan dengan strategi inkuiri terbimbing dan Problem Solving. Rancanganyang digunakan ialah eksperimen semu dengan posttest only control group design. Data hasiltes pemahaman konseptual dan algoritma diperoleh dari tes menggunakan 20 soal pilihan gandadengan nilai koefisien reliabilitas sebesar 0,71 dan validitas isi sebesar 93,17%. Analisis datamenggunakan uji t dan korelasi Product Moment pada taraf signifikansi 5%. Hasil penelitianmenunjukkan bahwa hasil belajar siswa KBIR yang menggunakan strategi inkuiri terbimbinglebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan siswa yang menggunakan strategi Problem Solving danpemahaman algoritma siswa dengan KBIR lebih tinggi dibandingkan pemahamankonseptualnya baik menggunakan strategi inkuiri terbimbing maupun dengan strategi ProblemSolving.Kata Kunci: inkuiri terbimbing, problem solving, pemahaman konseptual, pemahaman algoritma, kemampuan berpikir ilmiah
COMPLEX COMPETENCE-ORIENTED TASKS ON DISCIPLINE «METROLOGY, STANDARDIZATION AND CERTIFICATION IN GEODESY AND CADASTRE»
Authors: Kalyuzhin Victor , Shchukina Vera , Ilyin Alexander
Published: November 2019

The article discusses the experience of using competence-oriented tasks in of the educational process of the discipline "Metrology, Standardization and Certification in Geodesy and Cadastre". The advantages and problems of the competence-based approach, the need to develop didactic and methodological support, and the importance of competence-oriented tasks in the formation of students' competencies are noted. From the position of a systematic approach, the activities of students in the framework of competence-oriented tasks are reviewed. As a result, it was revealed that the current level of competence formation depends on the correctness of the comparison of the basic elements (levels) of competencies with the substantive part of the discipline. This creates the problem of choosing competencies for the discipline. To solve this problem, an approach was proposed within which the following concepts were introduced: the indirect and direct influence of the discipline on the formation of competence and criteria values are proposed.
Based on the analysis of the experience of organizing and conducting practical classes in the discipline "Metrology, Standardization and Certification in Geodesy and Cadastre", the effectiveness of complex competence-oriented tasks was proved. Recommendations on the improvement of methodological support and organization of independent work of students are given.
The proposed criterion values in justifying the choice of competence for the discipline and complex competence-oriented tasks will allow achieving a high level of competence formation at the undergraduate degree, i.e. the ability and readiness of students to be efficient and productive in various professional situations.
Further research in this area may be related to the search for an optimal combination of types of tasks in a complex competence-oriented task.
Unique Physical and Chemical Properties of Kian Sand Worm (Siphonosoma ur-pulau) Traditional Medicine: Electrical, Optical and Chemical Response of Edible Powder with Different Sizes
Authors: Masrikat Amrosius , Elim Hendry Izaac
Published: November 2019

Sea worms or sand worms were widely spread on earth generally in beach areas with a series of different taxonomy sizes. There made a variety of the genus as well as species of such interesting worms. This study explores that traditional medicines fabricated using Kian sand worm (Siphonosoma ur-pulau) with two types of grain sizes. Our significant findings show an attractive potential of it as toxic absorption based traditional medicine besides its normal use as daily foods in the Tual region of Maluku province in the eastern part of Indonesia. Such noteworthy identification was tested and identified in the grain rough size medicine with low concentration related to its integrated multitasking response of electrical, optical and chemical characters such as its lowest absorbance at a moderate transparency of 0.271a.u (T~53.528%) pH~5.09, and stable voltage under thermal effect ~0.7V. This invention unlocks a various opportunity of the use of Kian sand worm as a multitasking traditional medicine.
MEMADUKAN KONSEP STANDAR BIAYA KELUARAN UMUM RISET DENGAN FLEKSIBILITAS PERTANGGUNGJAWABAN PENGGUNAAN DANA
Authors: Lestari Niken Ajeng
Published: November 2019

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KAJIAN DAMPAK PERUBAHAN ASUMSI DASAR EKONOMI MAKRO TERHADAP SENSITIVITAS PEMBAYARAN BUNGA UTANG
Authors: Wibowo Heru , Lukasanto Wido , Pujiastuti Pujiastuti , Widito Hardaning Tyas
Published: November 2019

The state budget has strategic roles due to its capability in setting fiscal policy, the amount of the government’s budget and national fiscal capacity, as well as maintaining fiscal sustainability, and enhancing accountability of the government. This study is aimed to analyze the impact of the change of basic macroeconomic assumptions towards the sensitivity of interest payment expenditure. By employing regression analysis, some conclusions can be drawn as follows: (1) the raise of 3 month SPN interest rates and the depreciation of Indonesian Rupiah to US Dollar lead to an increase of interest payment, (2) the raise of economic growth leads to a decrease of interest payment, (3) by employing a trend analysis, it can be concluded that the increase of domestic interest payment is predicted to grow more rapidly and dominate the portion of interest payment than foreign interest payment is.

Abstrak

Terkait dengan politik anggaran, Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara (APBN) menduduki posisi strategis, karena memuat gambaran kebijakan fiskal dan besarnya anggaran, kemampuan keuangan negara, menjaga kesinambungan fiskal, dan meningkatkan akuntabilitas pemerintah. Kajian ini dimaksudkan untuk menganalisis dampak perubahan asumsi dasar ekonomi makro terhadap sensitivitas pembayaran bunga utang. Hasil kajian dengan menggunakan analisis regresi menyimpulkan bahwa (1) peningkatan tingkat suku bunga SPN 3 bulan dan pelemahan nilai tukar rupiah terhadap dolar AS dapat berdampak pada peningkatan pembayaran bunga utang, (2) peningkatan pertumbuhan ekonomi berdampak pada penurunan pembayaran bunga utang. Melalui analisis tren didapati kesimpulan bahwa kenaikan bunga utang dalam negeri diperkirakan tumbuh lebih cepat dan mendominasi pembayaran bunga utang jika dibandingkan dengan bunga utang luar negeri.
”Där är vi inblandade allihop”: Samverkan mellan lärare i fritidshem, förskoleklass och grundskola
Authors: Lago Lina , Elvstrand Helene
Published: November 2019

Hur förstår och beskriver lärare i fritidshem, förskoleklass och grundskolans årskurs 1-3 förutsättningarna för samverkan? Detta är utgångspunkten förd denna artikel som bygger på ett pågående forsknings- och utvecklingsprojekt om samverkan i skolans tidiga år.
A Tug of War: DNA-Sensing Antiviral Innate Immunity and Herpes Simplex Virus Type I Infection
Authors: Lin Yingying , Zheng Chunfu
Published: November 2019

Cytosolic DNA sensors are the most recently described class of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which induce the production of type I interferons (IFN-I) and trigger the induction of a rapid and efficient innate immune response. Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1), a typical DNA virus, has displayed the ability to manipulate and evade host antiviral innate immune responses. Therefore, with an aim to highlight IFN-I-mediated innate immune response in a battle against viral infection, we have summarized the current understandings of DNA-sensing signal pathways and the most recent findings on the molecular mechanisms utilized by HSV-1 to counteract antiviral immune responses. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between HSV-1 and host early antiviral immune responses will contribute to the development of novel therapies and vaccines in the future.
Walking Gait Phase Detection Based on Acceleration Signals Using LSTM-DNN Algorithm
Authors: Zhen Tao , Yan Lei , Yuan Peng
Published: November 2019

Gait phase detection is a new biometric method which is of great significance in gait correction, disease diagnosis, and exoskeleton assisted robots. Especially for the development of bone assisted robots, gait phase recognition is an indispensable key technology. In this study, the main characteristics of the gait phases were determined to identify each gait phase. A long short-term memory-deep neural network (LSTM-DNN) algorithm is proposed for gate detection. Compared with the traditional threshold algorithm and the LSTM, the proposed algorithm has higher detection accuracy for different walking speeds and different test subjects. During the identification process, the acceleration signals obtained from the acceleration sensors were normalized to ensure that the different features had the same scale. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the data dimensionality and the processed data were used to create the input feature vector of the LSTM-DNN algorithm. Finally, the data set was classified using the Softmax classifier in the full connection layer. Different algorithms were applied to the gait phase detection of multiple male and female subjects. The experimental results showed that the gait-phase recognition accuracy and F-score of the LSTM-DNN algorithm are over 91.8% and 92%, respectively, which is better than the other three algorithms and also verifies the effectiveness of the LSTM-DNN algorithm in practice.
Floral Biology Studies in Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) to Implement in a Cross-Breeding Program
Authors: Peña-Yam Laura P. , Muñoz-Ramírez Liliana S. , Avilés-Viñas Susana A. , Canto-Flick Adriana , Guzmán-Antonio Adolfo , Santana-Buzzy Nancy
Published: November 2019

Knowledge of the reproductive biology of a species is fundamental in order to develop an efficient program of genetic improvement by hybridization. The viability of the pollen, anther dehiscence, receptivity of the stigma and the anthesis of 12 improved lines of Habanero pepper were studied to develop a cross-breeding program. Among the results, the greatest number of flowers in anthesis was quantified at 8:00 a.m. for most genotypes. The dehiscence of the anther differed significantly in stages evaluated, observing in flower buds 100% of the closed anthers. The receptivity was positive in all the stages evaluated (before, during and after anthesis) and in all the genotypes, the most outstanding being the genotype AKN-08, which presented 100% of receptivity in the three stages evaluated. The viability of the pollen varied among the different conservation times evaluated (0, 24 and 48 h) while the highest percentage of viability (80%) and the largest number of seeds per fruit (56) were obtained when recently collected pollen was used (0 time). These results will have an important repercussion on the improvement of the Habanero pepper by increasing the efficiency of the programs to obtain hybrids and/or improved varieties.
Nutraceutical Uses of Traditional Leafy Vegetables and Transmission of Local Knowledge from Parents to Children in Southern Benin
Authors: Akakpo Amandine D. M. , Achigan-Dako Enoch G.
Published: November 2019

This study assessed differences on the uses and transmission of traditional knowledge (TK) about three traditional leafy vegetables (Crassocephalum crepidioides (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moor, Launaea taraxacifolia (Willd.) Amin ex C. Jeffrey, and Vernonia amygdalina Del.) of the Asteraceae family over two generations in three villages: Adjohoun, Dangbo, and Pobè (southern Benin). Individual semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews of 360 respondents were conducted in the villages with young girls, boys, and their two parents. The relative frequency of citation, use value, and Jaccard similarity index were used for data analyses. Vernonia amygdalina was the most commonly known and used vegetable in all villages, while L. taraxacifolia was confined to Pobè. Factors such as village of survey, generation, and gender affected the use value of the species, but the patterns of recognition and cultivation were species-specific. Leaves were the most used plant part. Traditional knowledge was largely acquired from parents (90% of citation), and both mothers and fathers transmitted a similar amount of knowledge to their progenies. The knowledge on V. amygdalina was transmitted to a larger scale than knowledge of C. crepidioides and L. taraxacifolia. Irrespective of the species, transmission of TK was higher in Pobè. Gender and generation knowledge dynamic hypothesis is species-specific. TK transmission was species-specific too and may be linked to the local importance and use of those resources. These findings will inform strategies and programs for the sustainable use and conservation of leafy vegetables in local communities and national research and development institutions.
Emotional Transfer in Human–Horse Interaction: New Perspectives on Equine Assisted Interventions
Authors: Scopa Chiara , Contalbrigo Laura , Greco Alberto , Lanatà Antonio , Scilingo Enzo Pasquale , Baragli Paolo
Published: November 2019

Equine assisted interventions (EAIs) include all therapeutic interventions aimed at improving human wellbeing through the involvement of horses. Due to the prominent emotional involvement traditionally characterizing their relation with humans, horses developed sophisticated communicative skills, which fostered their ability to respond to human emotional states. In this review, we hypothesize that the proximate causation of successful interventions could be human–animal mutual coordination, through which the subjects bodily and, most importantly, emotionally come into contact. We propose that detecting emotions of other individuals and developing the capacity to fine-tune one’s own emotional states accordingly (emotional transfer mechanism), could represent the key engine triggering the positive effects of EAIs. We provide a comprehensive analysis of horses’ socio-emotional competences according to recent literature and we propose a multidisciplinary approach to investigate this inter-specific match. By considering human and horse as a unique coupling system during the interaction, it would be possible to objectively measure the degree of coordination through the analysis of physiological variables of both human and animal. Merging the state of art on human–horse relationship with the application of novel methodologies, could help to improve standardized protocols for animal assisted interventions, with particular regard to the emotional states of subjects involved.
Salivary Vasopressin as a Potential Non–Invasive Biomarker of Anxiety in Dogs Diagnosed with Separation–Related Problems
Authors: Pirrone Federica , Pierantoni Ludovica , Bossetti Andrea , Uccheddu Stefania , Albertini Mariangela
Published: November 2019

Physiological biomarkers of canine anxiety have not been extensively investigated to date. To identify new biomarkers in dogs, we compared behaviorally normal dogs (Control group, N = 13) to dogs diagnosed with separation problems (Case group, N = 13) as they were introduced into a novel environment in the presence of two strangers and subjected to a short episode of separation and reunion with the owner. During the separation phase, dogs in the Case group explored significantly less than controls and were significantly more persistent in expressing passive stress-coping strategies aimed at seeking proximity to their owners. When the owners returned, dogs with separation distress spent significantly more time jumping up on the strangers than control dogs did. Salivary oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations did not differ between samples taken before and after the separation. However, vasopressin concentrations immediately after separation were significantly higher in the Case than in the Control group and remained higher, although not significantly so, 10 min later. These results indicated that dogs with separation distress became more anxious than typical dogs when separated from their owner in an unfamiliar environment and provided preliminary support for the use of salivary vasopressin as a possible biomarker for anxiety-related responses in dogs.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Controller for DC-DC Flyback Converter
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Arslan , Abbas Ghulam , Hussain Mohammad Rashid , Asad Muhammad Usman , Farooq Umar , Gu Jason , Balas Valentina E. , Uzair Muhammad , Awan Ahmed Bilal , Yazdan Tanveer
Published: November 2019

This paper presents an intelligent voltage controller designed on the basis of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for a flyback converter (FC) working in continuous conduction mode (CCM). The union of fuzzy logic (FL) and adaptive neural networks (ANN) makes ANFIS more robust against model parameters’ uncertainties and perturbations in input voltage or load current. ANFIS inherits the advantages of structured knowledge representation from FL and learning capability from NN. Comparative analysis showed that the ANFIS controller offers not only the superior transient response characteristics, but also excellent steady-state characteristics compared to those of the FL controller (FLC) and proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers, thus validating its superiority over these traditional controllers. For this purpose, MATLAB/Simulink environment-based simulation results are presented for validation of the proposed converter compensated system under all operating conditions.
Process Optimization and Modeling of Methylene Blue Adsorption Using Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles Synthesized from Sweet Lime Pulp
Authors: Sahu Naincy , Rawat Shalu , Singh Jiwan , Karri Rama Rao , Lee Suhyun , Choi Jong-Soo , Koduru Janardhan Reddy
Published: November 2019

The presence of dyes in waterbodies poses severe problems in human and aquatic creatures, and the development of treatment methods for the removal of these pollutants is of utmost importance. This research study investigates the elimination of methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution using zero-valent iron nanoparticles synthesized from sweet lime pulp waste (nZVISLP). The purity, chemical composition, and crystalline size of nZVISLP were investigated using microscopic and spectroscopic studies. A maximum MB removal efficiency of 98.9% was obtained at the following optimal conditions: C0: 10 mg/L, dosage: 1.2 g/L, and temperature: 25 °C. To understand the adsorptive removal characteristics of nZVISLP, the investigational adsorption data were tested with conventional kinetic and isotherm models. Furthermore, a differential evolution optimization (DEO) technique was used to estimate the optimal intrinsic parameters in the isotherm and kinetic models. For the various evaluated isotherms, the correlation coefficient (R2) values for the Freundlich and Sips isotherm models were ~0.98, thus confirming the aptness of these isotherms to represent MB adsorption onto nZVISLP. The robustness of non-linear models was verified by statistical metrics, thus validating the performance of the optimization technique. The results derived from this study affirm the potential of an ecofriendly biogenic nanomaterial, nZVISLP, for MB adsorptive removal.
Healing Effects of Photobiomodulation on Diabetic Wounds
Authors: Houreld Nicolette
Published: November 2019

Diabetic patients frequently develop chronic ulcers of the lower extremities, which are a frequent cause for hospitalization and amputation, placing strain on patients, their families, and healthcare systems. Present therapies remain a challenge, with high recurrence rates. Photobiomodulation (PBM), which is the non-invasive application of light at specific wavelengths, has been shown to speed up healing of chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). PBM produces photophysical and photochemical changes within cells without eliciting thermal damage. It has been shown to promote tissue regeneration and speed up wound repair by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerating cell migration and proliferation, and promoting extracellular matrix production and release of essential growth factors. The shortage of rigorous, well-designed clinical trials makes it challenging to assess the scientific impact of PBM on DFUs, and lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms also hinders the conventional use of this therapy. This review gives a glimpse into diabetic wound healing and PBM, and the effects of PBM on diabetic wound healing.
Time-Varying Reliability Evaluation of Concrete Based on Carbonation Depth
Authors: Wang Jiao , Zheng Weiji , Zhao Yangang , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: November 2019

When studying concrete impairment, the carbonation depth of concrete is regarded to be variable. Therefore, a time-varying reliability evaluation is important to perform a structural safety assessment. By analyzing 13,198 data on the carbonation depth of concrete, we propose a time-varying reliability evaluation based on the third-moment (TM) method to predict the service life of concrete. Validated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, the errors of the calculated results using time-varying reliability evaluation were within 4%. It is shown that the TM method proposed in this paper is more practical than traditional approaches such as MC simulation and second-moment (SM) methods in probability analysis. In this paper, exponential distribution was used to characterize the distribution of carbonation depths. Since paint was present on the concrete surface, numerous uncarbonized concrete components were found in the experiments; to develop a time-varying model considering the uncarbonized components, a function for evaluating the ratio of carbonized concretes is proposed. Overall, the time-varying TM method provided in this paper can act as a foundation for other investigations on probabilistic analysis, e.g., of compressive strength, deflection, and crack of concrete, which can be used to evaluate the reliability of concrete.
Development of Practical Design Approaches for Water Distribution Systems
Authors: Choi Young Hwan , Lee Ho Min , Choi Jiho , Yoo Do Guen , Kim Joong Hoon
Published: November 2019

The optimal design of water distribution systems (WDSs) should be economical, consider practical field applicability, and satisfy hydraulic constraints such as nodal pressure and flow velocity. However, the general optimal design of a WDSs approach using a metaheuristic algorithm was difficult to apply for achieving pipe size continuity at the confluence point. Although some studies developed the design approaches considering the pipe continuity, these approaches took many simulation times. For these reasons, this study improves the existing pipe continuity search method by reducing the computation time and enhancing the ability to handle pipe size continuity at complex joints that have more than three nodes. In addition to more practical WDSs designs, the approach considers various system design factors simultaneously in a multi-objective framework. To verify the proposed approach, the three well-known WDSs to apply WDS design problems are applied, and the results are compared with the previous design method, which used a pipe continuity research algorithm. This study can reduce the computation time by 87% and shows an ability to handle complex joints. Finally, the application of this practical design technique, which considers pipe continuity and multiple design factors, can reduce the gap between the theoretical design and the real world because it considers construction conditions and abnormal situations.
A Thermopile Device with Subwavelength Structure by CMOS-MEMS Technology
Authors: Shen Chih-Hsiung , Yeh Yun-Ying , Chen Chi-Feng
Published: November 2019

Besides the application of the photonic crystal for the photodetector in the visible range, the infrared devices proposed with subwavelength structure are numerically and experimentally investigated thoroughly for infrared radiation sensing in this research. Several complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible thermopiles with subwavelength structure (SWS) are proposed and simulated by the FDTD method. The proposed thermopiles are fabricated by the 0.35 μm 2P4M CMOS-MEMS process in TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). The measurement and simulation results show that the response of these devices with SWS is higher than for those without SWS. The trend of the measurement results is consistent with that of the simulation results. Obviously, the absorption efficiency of the CMOS compatible thermopile can be enhanced when the subwavelength structure exists.
Application Potential Analysis of Enhanced Oil Recovery by Biopolymer-Producing Bacteria and Biosurfactant-Producing Bacteria Compound Flooding
Authors: Bi Yongqiang , Xiu Jianlong , Ma Ting
Published: November 2019

To study the feasibility of polymer-producing bacteria Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) FY-07 and surfactant-producing bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa WJ-1 combined profile control and flooding, the compatibility of FY-07 and WJ-1 was evaluated using laboratory experiments. The results showed that the growth and metabolism of WJ-1 was not significantly affected by the FY-07 in the degradation medium, and the surface tension of fermentation broth was reduced from 70 mN/m to 30 mN/m. FY-07 enhanced the degradation of WJ-1, increasing the ratio of C14- to C15+ from 0.37 to 0.67. The core-flooding experiments indicated the oil recovery of 17.4% when both FY-07 and WJ-1 were injected into the system, as against to 10.4% and 7.9% for FY-07 and WJ-1, respectively, when injected alone. The results demonstrate a good compatibility between the FY-07 and WJ-1 strains and highlight the application potential of stain FY-07 and strain WJ-1 compound flooding for enhancing the oil recovery in heterogeneous reservoirs.
Low Threshold Optical Bistability in Aperiodic PT-Symmetric Lattices Composited with Fibonacci Sequence Dielectrics and Graphene
Authors: Zhao Dong , Xu Bin , Guo Huang , Xu Wuxiong , Zhong Dong , Ke Shaolin
Published: November 2019

We explore the optical bistability in aperiodic parity–time-symmetric (PT-symmetric) photonic lattices that are composed of Fibonacci sequence dielectrics and graphene at terahertz frequencies. Two Fibonacci sequence dielectrics, viz. aperiodic photonic lattices, are utilized for enhancing band-edge resonances and achieving the electric field localization that can enhance the nonlinearity of graphene. Modulating the gain-loss factor of dielectrics in the PT symmetry lattices further strengthens the nonlinearity effect and, consequently, low threshold bistability is realized. The interval between the upper and lower bistability thresholds enlarges as the momentum relaxation time of graphene changes. Moreover, we show that the bistability threshold can also be flexibly tuned by modulating the graphene chemical potential. The study might be applied in photomemories and optical switches.
Efficiency and Eco-Costs of Air Purifiers in Terms of Improving Microbiological Indoor Air Quality in Dwellings—A Case Study
Authors: Brągoszewska Ewa , Bogacka Magdalena , Pikoń Krzysztof
Published: November 2019

Air pollution, a by-product of economic growth, generates an enormous environmental cost in Poland. The issue of healthy living spaces and indoor air quality (IAQ) is a global concern because people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. An increasingly popular method to improve IAQ is to use air purifiers (APs). Indoor air is often polluted by bioaerosols (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi), which are a major concern for public health. This work presents research on culturable bacterial aerosol (CBA) samples collected from dwellings with or without active APs during the 2019 summer season. The CBA samples were collected using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor (ACI). The CBA concentrations were expressed as Colony Forming Units (CFU) per cubic metre of air. The average concentration of CBA in dwellings when the AP was active was 450–570 CFU/m3, whereas the average concentration when the AP was not active was 920–1000 CFU/m3. IAQ, when the APs were active, was on average almost 50% better than in cases where there were no procedures to decrease the concentration of air pollutants. Moreover, the obtained results of the particle size distribution (PSD) of CBA indicate that the use of APs reduced the proportion of the respirable fraction (the particles < 3.3 µm) by about 16%. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to assess the ecological cost of air purification. Our conceptual approach addresses the impact of indoor air pollution on human health and estimates the ecological cost of APs and air pollution prevention policies.
Endo-β-1,3-glucanase (GH16 Family) from Trichoderma harzianum Participates in Cell Wall Biogenesis but Is Not Essential for Antagonism Against Plant Pathogens
Authors: Suriani Ribeiro Marcela , Graciano de Paula Renato , Raquel Voltan Aline , de Castro Raphaela Georg , Carraro Cláudia Batista , José de Assis Leandro , Stecca Steindorff Andrei , Goldman Gustavo Henrique , Silva Roberto Nascimento , Ulhoa Cirano José , Neves Monteiro Valdirene
Published: November 2019

Trichoderma species are known for their ability to produce lytic enzymes, such as exoglucanases, endoglucanases, chitinases, and proteases, which play important roles in cell wall degradation of phytopathogens. β-glucanases play crucial roles in the morphogenetic-morphological process during the development and differentiation processes in Trichoderma species, which have β-glucans as the primary components of their cell walls. Despite the importance of glucanases in the mycoparasitism of Trichoderma spp., only a few functional analysis studies have been conducted on glucanases. In the present study, we used a functional genomics approach to investigate the functional role of the gluc31 gene, which encodes an endo-β-1,3-glucanase belonging to the GH16 family in Trichoderma harzianum ALL42. We demonstrated that the absence of the gluc31 gene did not affect the in vivo mycoparasitism ability of mutant T. harzianum ALL42; however, gluc31 evidently influenced cell wall organization. Polymer measurements and fluorescence microscopy analyses indicated that the lack of the gluc31 gene induced a compensatory response by increasing the production of chitin and glucan polymers on the cell walls of the mutant hyphae. The mutant strain became more resistant to the fungicide benomyl compared to the parental strain. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis showed that the absence of gluc31 in T. harzianum resulted in the differential expression of other glycosyl hydrolases belonging to the GH16 family, because of functional redundancy among the glucanases.
Molecular Characterization of a Novel Family VIII Esterase with β-Lactamase Activity (PsEstA) from Paenibacillus sp.
Authors: Kwon Sena , Yoo Wanki , Kim Young-Ok , Kim Kyeong Kyu , Kim T. Doohun
Published: November 2019

Molecular information about family VIII esterases, which have similarities with class C β-lactamases and penicillin-binding proteins, remains largely unknown. In this study, a novel family VIII esterase with β-lactamase activity (PsEstA) from Paenibacillus sp. was characterized using several biochemical and biophysical methods. PsEstA was effective on a broad range of substrates including tertiary butyl acetate, glyceryl tributyrate, glucose pentaacetate, olive oil, and p-nitrophenyl esters. Additionally, PsEstA hydrolyzed nitrocefin, cefotaxime, and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid. Interestingly, two forms of immobilized PsEstA (CLEAs-PsEstA and mCLEAs-PsEstA) showed high recycling property and enhanced stability, but hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs) of PsEstA require improvement. This study provides a molecular understanding of substrate specificities, catalytic regulation, and immobilization of PsEstA, which can be efficiently used in biotechnological applications.
Betulinic Acid Attenuates T-2-Toxin-Induced Testis Oxidative Damage Through Regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Mice
Authors: Wu Jing , Yang Chenglin , Liu Juan , Chen Jiaxin , Huang Chao , Wang Ji , Liang Zengenni , Wen Lixin , Yi Jin-e , Yuan Zhihang
Published: November 2019

T-2 toxin is one of the most toxic type A trichothecene mycotoxins in nature, and it exhibits reproductive toxicity. Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpene compound found in species of Betula, and it has been reported to have antioxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of BA on T-2-toxin-induced testicular injury in mice and explore its molecular mechanism. Sixty adult male mice were randomly divided into groups. The mice were pretreated orally with BA (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) daily for 14 days, and the T-2 toxin (4 mg/kg body weight) was administered via intraperitoneal injection to induce oxidative stress after the last administration of BA. BA pretreatment significantly increased the secreted levels of testosterone and sperm motility. Moreover, BA pretreatment significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the activity of SOD and CAT, and the content of GSH, and it reduced the content of MDA. Furthermore, BA relieved testicular injury and reduced the number of apoptotic cells, and it significantly decreased the protein expression of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), caspsae-3, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). BA also increased the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). We suggest that BA reduced the oxidative damage induced by T-2 toxin, and that these protective effects may be partially mediated by the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
Paternal—but Not Maternal—Autistic Traits Predict Frontal EEG Alpha Asymmetry in Infants with Later Symptoms of Autism
Authors: Riva Valentina , Marino Cecilia , Piazza Caterina , Riboldi Elena M , Mornati Giulia , Molteni Massimo , Cantiani Chiara
Published: November 2019

Previous research found that the parental autism phenotype is associated with child autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even if the pathway between autistic traits in parents and child ASD is still largely unknown. Several studies investigated frontal asymmetry in alpha oscillation (FAA) as an early marker for ASD. However, no study has examined the mediational effect of FAA between parental autistic traits and child ASD symptoms in the general population. We carried out a prospective study of 103 typically developing infants and measured FAA as a mediator between both maternal and paternal autistic traits and child ASD traits. We recorded infant baseline electroencephalogram (EEG) at 6 months of age. Child ASD symptoms were measured at age 24 months by the Child Behavior Checklist 1½–5 Pervasive Developmental Problems Scale, and parental autistic traits were scored by the Autism spectrum Quotient questionnaire. The mediation model showed that paternal vs. maternal autistic traits are associated with greater left FAA which, in turn, is associated with more child ASD traits with a significant indirect effect only in female infants vs. male infants. Our findings show a potential cascade of effects whereby paternal autistic traits drive EEG markers contributing to ASD risk.
Effects of Metacognitive Strategies on the Self-Regulated Learning Process: The Mediating Effects of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Akamatsu Daisuke , Nakaya Motoyuki , Koizumi Ryuhei
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of metacognitive strategies on self-regulated learning processes, focusing on the mediating effects of self-efficacy. The surveys were conducted in December 2016 (Time 1) and January 2017 (Time 2). One hundred and five undergraduates enrolled at a Japanese university participated in this survey study, consisting of two surveys conducted one month apart. The questionnaires measured the use of metacognitive strategies (i.e., planning strategy and monitoring strategy), self-efficacy, general learning behaviors (behavioral engagement and persistence), and the use of cognitive strategies (i.e., writing-repetition strategy and deep-processing strategy). First, cross-lagged structure equation modeling revealed that the use of planning strategy enhanced self-efficacy. Second, path analysis examined relationships between metacognitive strategies, general learning behaviors, and cognitive strategies. It revealed that (a) general learning behaviors were promoted by metacognitive strategies mediated by self-efficacy and (b) cognitive strategies were almost directly affected by the monitoring strategy. The current study reveals that general learning behaviors and cognitive strategies involve different processes than metacognitive strategies.
Recent Advances in Structured Catalysts Preparation and Use in Water-Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Palma Vincenzo , Ruocco Concetta , Cortese Marta , Martino Marco
Published: November 2019

The water-gas shift reaction plays a key role in hydrogen production processes from fossil sources and renewable biomass feedstock and can be considered as the first purification process of syngas. The water gas shift process is normally carried out in two adiabatic stages, of high and low temperature with an intersystem cooling. The two stages use two different catalytic systems, which present some critical issues, thus making extremely attractive the designing and implementing of new configurations. Innovative and highly active catalytic formulations along with more efficient reactor systems could provide the basis for the design of a single-stage process, resulting in a noticeable process intensification. In the last decades, much attention has been paid to the use of structured catalysts, which have numerous advantages, related to both fluid dynamics and heat transfer phenomena. Numerous papers have been published in which the competitive performances of structured catalysts have been shown with respect to conventional catalytic systems. In this brief review, we provide an overview of the most recent developments in the preparation of structured catalysts and use in the water gas shift reaction.
Fibronectin and Its Role in Human Infective Diseases
Authors: Speziale Pietro , Arciola Carla Renata , Pietrocola Giampiero
Published: November 2019

Fibronectin is a multidomain glycoprotein ubiquitously detected in extracellular fluids and matrices of a variety of animal and human tissues where it functions as a key link between matrices and cells. Fibronectin has also emerged as the target for a large number of microorganisms, particularly bacteria. There are clear indications that the binding of microorganism’ receptors to fibronectin promotes attachment to and infection of host cells. Each bacterium may use different receptors which recognize specific fibronectin domains, mostly the N-terminal domain and the central cell-binding domain. In many cases, fibronectin receptors have actions over and above that of simple adhesion: In fact, adhesion is often the prerequisite for invasion and internalization of microorganisms in the cells of colonized tissues. This review updates the current understanding of fibronectin receptors of several microorganisms with emphasis on their biochemical and structural properties and the role they can play in the onset and progression of host infection diseases. Furthermore, we describe the antigenic profile and discuss the possibility of designing adhesion inhibitors based on the structure of the fibronectin-binding site in the receptor or the receptor-binding site in fibronectin.
Therapeutic Opportunities with Pharmacological Inhibition of CD38 with Isatuximab
Authors: Martin Thomas G. , Corzo Kathryn , Chiron Marielle , van de Velde Helgi , Abbadessa Giovanni , Campana Frank , Solanki Malini , Meng Robin , Lee Helen , Wiederschain Dmitri , Zhu Chen , Rak Alexey , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: November 2019

CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with ectoenzymatic activity involved in regulation of migration, signal transduction, and receptor-mediated adhesion. CD38 is highly expressed on various malignant cells, including multiple myeloma (MM), and at relatively low levels in other tissues, making it a suitable target for therapeutic antibodies. Several anti-CD38 therapies have been, or are being, developed for the treatment of MM, including daratumumab and isatuximab (SAR650984), respectively. Studies have shown that anti-CD38 therapies are effective in the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM and are well tolerated, with infusion reactions being the most common side effects. They can be used as monotherapy or in combination with immunomodulatory agents, such as pomalidomide, or proteasome inhibitors to potentiate their activity. Here we examine isatuximab and several anti-CD38 agents in development that were generated using new antibody engineering techniques and that may lead to more effective CD38 targeting. We also summarize trials assessing these antibodies in MM, other malignancies, and solid organ transplantation. Finally, we propose that further research on the mechanisms of resistance to anti-CD38 therapy and the development of biomarkers and new backbone regimens with CD38 antibodies will be important steps in building more personalized treatment for patients with MM.
Investigation of High Voltage Anodic Plasma (HVAP) Ag-DLC Coatings on Ti50Zr with Different Ag Amounts
Authors: Stoian Andrei Bogdan , Surdu-Bob Cristina , Anghel Alexandru , Ionita Daniela , Demetrescu Ioana
Published: November 2019

The paper presents the investigation of a series of silver-incorporated diamond-like carbon (Ag-DLC) coatings with increasing Ag content on Ti50Zr and deposited using high voltage anodic plasma (HVAP). The coatings surface properties were analyzed with scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and contact angle determinations. Electrochemical tests were performed in Afnor artificial saliva and evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Based on these properties, comparisons of coatings performance were linked with the amount of deposited Ag. Increasing the Ag content led to the increase of the corrosion resistance and to the decrease of the forces exhibited on the surface. The hydrophobic character of the coating with the highest Ag amount could prevent thrombosis, thus suggesting its possible use for medical implants.
Influence of Molybdenum Back Contact on the PID Effect for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells
Authors: Salomon Oliver , Hempel Wolfram , Kiowski Oliver , Lotter Erwin , Witte Wolfram , Ferati Artan , Schneikart Anja , Kaune Gunar , Schäffler Raymund , Becker Maximilian , Schröppel Birgit , Vidal Lorbada Ricardo , Mücke Dennis , Walter Thomas
Published: November 2019

The authors investigated the effect of an applied high voltage (1 kV) across the thickness of a soda-lime glass substrate of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells. Two types of CIGS cells were tested, differing only in the deposition process of the molybdenum (Mo) back contact. Whilst one cell type was susceptible to potential induced degradation (PID), the other exhibited highly increased stability against PID. PID occurs for PID-susceptible cells after the transfer of a certain amount of charge through the soda-lime glass substrate when the Mo back contact of the cell operates as a cathode (negatively biased versus backside of the substrate). Capacitance–voltage and electron-beam-induced current measurements showed an enlarged space charge region expanding to the Mo back contact and a lowered doping density by a negative potential for PID-susceptible cells. Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) revealed an accumulation of sodium (Na) in the solution-grown CdS buffer layer and a segregation on the surface of the ZnO:Al window layer for higher charges for PID-susceptible cells. Cells with increased PID immunity did not show an increase of Na for charges up to around 9 mC/cm². We demonstrate that it is possible to improve the PID stability of CIGS solar cells by modification of the molybdenum back contact.