bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APLIKASI PENGELOLAAN DATA PENGUJIAN JELLY STRENGTH DAN WHITENES PADA INDUSTRI SURIMI PT.KELOLA MINA LAUT TUBAN
Authors: Arini Nur , Arifin Muhyiddin Zainul , Sifaunajah Agus
Published: September 2019

PT Manage Mina Seafood is a company working in the field of fisheries, particularly the freezing of fish that can be called by the term surimi , Grade is the emergence of a value of the test results together with the final result , RM or raw material or also called the raw material is bad it will display the grade with a low value , low value is impacting the sales price is very cheap , the testing manual systems are still so simple when compared with the progress of this company in this program I am using Java .Therefore I strive to create an effective new system more attractive and long term for the company , for my research this time I can give results in value can make progress on the company and accepted by the company PT.KML .Â Keywords : Surimi , Jelly strength , Grade , Java
ANALISIS EKOLOGIS VEGETASI POHON DI DAERAH TANGKAPAN AIR (DTA) MATA AIR GEGER KABUPATEN BANTUL YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Binsasi Remigius , Sancayaningsih Retno Peni , Murti Sigit Heru
Published: September 2019

Potensi sumber daya air di Indonesia sangat melimpah, tetapi ketersediaan air sangat bervariasi berdasarkan dimensi ruang dan waktu. Adanya perubahan iklim, kerusakan ekosistem dan perubahan penggunaan lahan di Daerah Tangkapan Air (DTA) mengakibatkan terjadinya krisis air di musim kemarau. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis komposisi dan struktur vegetasi pohon dalam peranannya sebagai salah satu bentuk konservasi air. Analisis vegetasi secara ekologis yaitu Jenis tumbuhan, Densitas, Frekuensi, Luas basal area, INP, dan Indeks Keanekaragaman. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan November 2015-April 2016 di DTA mata air Geger. Metode pengambilan sampel adalah metode kuadrat plot secara acak.Â  Penentuan DTA yaitu berdasarkan Citra Quikbird untuk pembagian kelas vegetasi. Selain itu, dilakukan pengukuran kadar lengas tanah dan fisiko kimia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa luas area DTA mata air Geger secara keseluruhan berdasarkan kelas vegetasi yaitu 9875.26 ha. Jumlah individu spesies terbanyak yang ditemukan dari masing-masing kelas vegetasi secara berturut-turut yaitu Swietania mahagoni, (L.) Jacq; Tectona grandis, L. Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn Ex Benth; Tectona grandis, L. dan Gnetum gnemon, L. Indeks Nilai Penting (INP) tertinggi dari masing-masing kelas vegetasi yaitu Swietania mahagoni, (L.) Jacq (110,84%) untuk kelas I; Tectona grandis, L. untuk kelas II, III, IV secara berturut-turut yaitu (85,71%), (72,52%), (115,19%); dan Gnetum gnemon, L. (182,21%) untuk kelas V. Hasil analisis indeks keanekaragaman jenis (Shanon winner) menunjukkan bahwa keanekaragaman spesies sangat berkorelasi dengan jumlah spesies dalam suatu wilayah DTA, sedangkan nilai indeks kemerataan atau evennes menunjukkan bahwa distribusi spesies termasuk dalam kategori tinggi.

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Kata kunci: Analisis Ekologis, vegetasi Pohon , DTA, Geger
KARAKTERISASI ASAL-USUL DAN TINGKAT KEMATANGAN BIOMARKA MINYAK MENTAH TARAKAN-KALIMANTAN UTARA
Authors: Edi Eduardus
Published: September 2019

Karakteristik geokimia organik (biomarker) memberikan informasi tentang asal usul, lingkungan pengendapan dan kematangan minyak. Karekterisasi Minyak mentah diekstrak dengan pelarut n-heksan dengan perbandingan n-heksan: minyak mentah (50: 2) selama 24 jam untuk memisahkan asphaltene dari minyak mentah. jika endapan tidak terpisah dengan sempurna maka disentrifugasi dengan kecepatan 2400 rpm dalam waktu 20 menit. Hasil ekstrak minyak mentah murni difraksinasi dengan menggunakan kromatografi kolom metode McCharty. Hasil ekstrak dari pengoloman diperoleh fraksi netral, fraksi asam dan fraksi polar. Fraksi netral dipisahkan dengan metode KLTP dan ekstrak difraksinasi menjadi komponen hidrokarbon yang terdiri dari fraksi alifatik dan fraksi aromatik, selanjutnya dianalisis fraksi aromatik dengan GCMS. Hasil analisis GCMS pada fraksi aromatik diperoleh senyawa alkil benzene, naftalena, Â fenanterna dan kadelan, senyawa â€“senyawa yang diperoleh dianggap sebagai informasi turunan dari produk alami tanaman tingkat tinggi, bakteri, penanda asal usul lingkungan pengendapan dan kematangan minyak.

Kata kunci - Biomarka, Juwata, minyak mentah, GCMS.
ISOLASI DAN PENAPISAN AKTINOMISET PENGHASIL SENYAWA ANTIMOKROB ISOLATION AND SCREENING AKTINOMISETES TO PRODUCE ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS
Authors: Fallo Gergonius
Published: September 2019

Telah dilakukan isolasi dan penapisan aktinomisetÂ  yang mampu menghasilkan senyawa antimikroba. IsolasiÂ  dan penapisan dilakukan di laboratorium Mikrobiologi Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB). Isolasi dilakukan dengan metode pengenceran berseri dan disebar pada media HV agar. Dari hasil isolasi diperoleh total isolat sebanyakÂ  6 isolat. Setelah dilakukan penapisan diperoleh 3 isolat yang mampu menghambat bakteri patogen E. coli, S. aureus, dan cendawan patogen Aspergillus sp, Penicillium sp, dan Fusarium sp. Hasil uji antagonisÂ  isolat AK1 mampu menghambat E. coli dengan indek zona hambat tertinggi yaitu 1.3 cm. Sedangkan uji antagonis terhadap cendawan patogen isolat AK2 mampu menghambat Penicillium sp dengan indek zona hambat tertinggi yaitu 1.7 cm. Isolat AK1 dan AK2 merupakan isolat yang potensial sebagai penghasil senyawa antimikrob. Hasil identifikasi koloni, isolat AK1 warna koloninya kuning putih dengan karakteristi koloni rata dan tidak berlendir. Sedangkan isolat AK2 warna koloninya putih gelap dengan karakteristik koloninya rata dan tidak berlendir.

Kata kunci: Aktinomiset, penapisan, antibiotik, mikroba patogen
Transportation and Physical Distribution Managements on Profitability of Livestock Dealers in Selected Livestock Markets in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: C. A. Dr. Onu , B. H. Dr. Akinlabi , M. N. Dr.  Kabuoh , A. A. Odunmbaku
Published: September 2019

Transportation and physical distribution are elements of logistics management which organizations realized that improvement in logistics would enable them to gain competitive advantage and achieved higher profitability around the world. Transportation of livestock (sheep, rams, cattle, goats) from the north to the south in Nigeria is very expensive and risky business among illiterate livestock dealers. Also, the livestock are kept standing, and some cases lying in the vehicles throughout the long journey of between 2-3 days with bad shape of most Nigerian roads which trucks and vehicles are prone to accidents. This study examined the effect of transportation and physical distribution management on profitability of livestock dealers in selected livestock markets in Ogun State, Nigeria. This study adopted survey research design. The population of the study comprised 1678 livestock dealers across four main divisions (Remo, Ijebu, Yewa, Egba) of Ogun State. The sample size estimated through raosoft sample size calculator was 407 selected through a multi-stage sampling technique.This sampling technique was used because livestock dealers are scattered across the four main divisions of Ogun State. A structured and adapted survey questionnaire was validated and used for collecting of data for the study. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the constructs, ranged from 0.782 to 0.838. The response rate was 79.7%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Partial Least Square Structural equation modeling). Findings revealed significant influence of transportation management activities on the profitability of livestock dealers in selected markets in Ogun State β=.495, t=11.814, p<0.05). Physical distribution management had effect on profitability of livestock dealers in selected livestock markets in Ogun State (β=.839, t=41.453, p<0.05). The study concluded that logistics management has the opportunity to increase the profitability of livestock dealers and to be recognized for that contribution by implementing initiatives in the areas of transportation management activities and physical distribution management. It recommended a channel that enables faster distribution of livestock and at lower cost should be put in place. Also, it is necessary because physical distribution of livestock is essential for livestock dealers to realize their potential revenue and achieve customer satisfaction.
Some Guidelines for Reporting National Regulations on Clinical Psychology for Papers in the Section “Politics and Education” of CPE
Authors: Laireiter Anton-Rupert , Rief Winfried , Weise Cornelia
Published: September 2019

No Abstract necessary
Metacognitive Ability Effect on Leadership Development
Authors: Mango Emmanuel , Koshal Jeremiah , Ouma Caren
Published: September 2019

Leadership is the single most important element for the success of an organization. This explains why leadership skill is one of the most sought after skills. The only challenge is that effective leaders are few. Leadership development is meant to eradicate the shortage of leaders but there is a widespread outcry about the effectiveness of the current leadership interventions. Despite the huge expenditure in developing leaders, the outcomes are not comparable to the resources invested. Beyond the traditional elements (content, context, program length and delivery) of leadership development, the boundaries of research and practices have to be extended to the neglected elements of learning like metacognitive ability, hence this study examines the effect metacognitive ability on leadership development. The study was conducted among MBA students within private universities in Kenya. The sample size was 314 students, with a response rate of 92 percent. The results reveal that metacognitive ability significantly predicts leadership developments. The results imply that the higher the levels of metacognitive ability that leadership development participants have, the better they are at acquiring leadership skills.
A Gothic-Folktale Interface
Authors: Aguirre Manuel
Published: September 2019

This article offers a study of a now forgotten tale published in 1765, ‘The Adventure of Count Beaumont’. It begins by showing that, in terms of motifs and techniques, the tale displays all the marks of eighteenth-century Gothic fiction; it then applies tools familiar to folklore scholars to argue that the tale in question is directly indebted to folktale type AT326. The argument eschews intuitive approximations and builds instead on an in-depth analysis of plot, structure and motifs and a survey of its publication history to show that the story blends two poetics, those of literature and folk narrative. The article argues that in consequence of this analysis it is legitimate to question the conventional demarcation – both geographical and historical – of eighteenth-century Gothic.
Gothic Truths in the Asylum
Authors: Noad Benjamin E.
Published: September 2019

This article suggests that Victorian Gothic prose fictions privilege the voices of madness, where, operating in the historical lunatic asylum, truth is encrypted. It begins by expanding upon the relevant background contexts of the nineteenth century, with focus upon the medicalisation of madness, and goes on to offer fresh critical interpretations of false confinement in two pinnacles of nineteenth-century Gothic fiction: the penny dreadful, The String of Pearls (1846–7), and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897). The article argues that Gothic writing simultaneously registers and articulates the silence of a madness that has been perceived to threaten rational speech; Gothic subverts the view of the mental asylum as guarantor of truth by demonstrating that this functional site is, by contrast, the generator of falsehoods.
Nationalism, Alliances, and Geopolitics: US-China-Taiwan Ties under Trump and Xi
Authors: Wang Vincent
Published: September 2019

This paper employs a three-step analytical framework to examine the prospects of U.S.-China-Taiwan relations under Trump, Xi, and Tsai. By identifying the “first move” by Taiwan (changing national identity and quest for recognition because of democratization), the “second move” by China (more forceful policy), and the “third move” by the U.S. (to restore the “status quo”), this framework has successfully explained this triangular relationship from 1996-2016. However, with the rise of populist leader such as Trump and Xi, either could make the first move, with the other making the second move, new uncertainty is introduced that previous policy may be ill-suited to dealt with. This paper engages on certain policy adjustments.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Sexual Function, and the Quality of Life of Married Women with Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Kim Seon Hwa , Kim Hye Young
Published: September 2019

The purpose of the study was to identify the level of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), sexual function, and quality of life (QoL) and its correlates in married women with urinary incontinence (UI). Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires that included items on general and UI-related characteristics, and tools to measure LUTS (Scored Form of the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire, BFLUTS-SF), Sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI), and QOL (The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Version 2 Standard, SF-36v2). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. About 55% of the participants were identified as women with UI. Stress UI was 54.7% and the proportions of urge UI and mixed UI were 13.3% and 32.0%, respectively. The average score for LUTS, sexual function, physical QoL, and mental QoL in married women with UI were found to be 7.55±4.27 points, 14.67±10.52 points, 72.21±18.51 points, and 77.78±15.98 points, respectively. LUTS has a statistically significant negative correlation with sexual function, physical QOL, and mental QoL, respectively, r=-.234, r=-.486, and r=-.445. Sexual function has a statistically significant positive correlation with physical and mental QoL, respectively, r=.322 and r=.360. The results of this study are expected to provide basic data for therapeutic nursing intervention in LUTS management, sexual dysfunction, and low QoL in women with UI, and help to identify and understand the disease of UI.
Problems with Home Care of Low-birth-weight Infants: “Use of Little Baby Handbook” to Support Low-birth-weight Infants and Families (Mothers)
Authors: Tomoyasu Yukiko , Sobue Ikuko
Published: September 2019

Low-birth-weight infants may have various health problems, such as physical growth delay or cerebral palsy, and their mothers may be very anxious or exhausted while rearing them at home. However, public services of the Japanese government for home care of these children and their families are insufficient both in quality and quantity and do not meet their needs. For that reason, 'Little Baby Handbook' was developed for the mothers of low-birth-weight infants. It complements the mother's knowledge and the insufficiency of public assistance for low-birth-weight infants by including information on the growth, development, and childcare of low-birth-weight infants.
Fairness in Algorithmic Decision-Making: Applications in Multi-Winner Voting, Machine Learning, and Recommender Systems
Authors: Shrestha Yash Raj , Yang Yongjie
Published: September 2019

Algorithmic decision-making has become ubiquitous in our societal and economic lives. With more and more decisions being delegated to algorithms, we have also encountered increasing evidence of ethical issues with respect to biases and lack of fairness pertaining to algorithmic decision-making outcomes. Such outcomes may lead to detrimental consequences to minority groups in terms of gender, ethnicity, and race. As a response, recent research has shifted from design of algorithms that merely pursue purely optimal outcomes with respect to a fixed objective function into ones that also ensure additional fairness properties. In this study, we aim to provide a broad and accessible overview of the recent research endeavor aimed at introducing fairness into algorithms used in automated decision-making in three principle domains, namely, multi-winner voting, machine learning, and recommender systems. Even though these domains have developed separately from each other, they share commonality with respect to decision-making as an application, which requires evaluation of a given set of alternatives that needs to be ranked with respect to a clearly defined objective function. More specifically, these relate to tasks such as (1) collectively selecting a fixed number of winner (or potentially high valued) alternatives from a given initial set of alternatives; (2) clustering a given set of alternatives into disjoint groups based on various similarity measures; or (3) finding a consensus ranking of entire or a subset of given alternatives. To this end, we illustrate a multitude of fairness properties studied in these three streams of literature, discuss their commonalities and interrelationships, synthesize what we know so far, and provide a useful perspective for future research.
Water–Nitrogen Coupling Effect on Drip-Irrigated Dense Planting of Dwarf Jujube in an Extremely Arid Area
Authors: Lin En , Liu Hongguang , He Xinlin , Li Xinxin , Gong Ping , Li Ling
Published: September 2019

Hami, Xinjiang, is located in an extremely arid region and jujube is the main economic crop. It is important to adopt dwarf and close-planting technology under drip irrigation and to optimize water and fertilizer management to improve jujube yield and quality. Local 12-year-old jujube trees were treated using two factors of irrigation and fertilization. Three irrigation amounts (520, 700, and 880 mm) and three fertilization levels (248, 318, and 388 kg/hm2) were set up in plot experiments. The root system, yield, and quality of jujube were monitored under different irrigation and nitrogen application combinations. The effects on water use efficiency (WUE), nitrogen partial factor productivity (PNP), and economic benefit were analyzed. The water and fertilizer coupling effect of dwarf closely planted jujube was studied by combining multiple regression and spatial analyses. The yield, quality, economic benefits, WUE, and PNP of jujube were significantly affected by irrigation and fertilization. Multiple regression and spatial analyses showed that the highest yield was for irrigation of 700 mm and a nitrogen rate of 340 kg/hm2. For the maximum net benefit, irrigation was 806 mm and nitrogen was 388 kg/hm2; correspondingly, for the highest total sugar, values were 688 mm and 362 kg/hm2; for vitamin C, they were 622 mm and 376 kg/hm2; for PNP, they were 880 mm and 256.57 kg/hm2; and for WUE, they were 520 mm and 388 kg/hm2. A comprehensive evaluation of each index showed that the acceptable irrigation amount for yield, quality, WUE, and net benefit of ≥85% of the maximum value was 600–628 mm, and the nitrogen application rate was 360–372 kg/hm2. This study provides guidance for the scientific management of water and fertilizer in the drip irrigation and fertilization process of local jujube trees.
Isolation and Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria Probiotic Culture Candidates for the Treatment of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis in Neonatal Turkey Poults
Authors: Arreguin-Nava Margarita A. , Hernández-Patlán Daniel , Solis-Cruz Bruno , Latorre Juan D. , Hernandez-Velasco Xochitl , Tellez Guillermo , El-Ashram Saeed , Hargis Billy M. , Tellez-Isaias Guillermo
Published: September 2019

The effect of Lactobacillus spp.-based probiotic candidates on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) colonization was evaluated in two separate experiments. In each experiment, sixty-one day-of-hatch female turkey poults were obtained from a local hatchery. In both experiments, poults were challenged via oral gavage with 104 cfu/poult of SE and randomly allocated to one of two groups (n = 30 poults): (1) the positive control group and (2) the probiotic treated group. Heated brooder batteries were used for housing each group separately and poults were allowed ad libitum access to water and unmedicated turkey starter feed. 1 h following the SE challenge, poults were treated with 106 cfu/poult of probiotic culture via oral gavage or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to control groups. A total of 24 h post-treatment, poults were euthanized and the ceca and cecal tonsils from twenty poults were collected aseptically for SE recovery. In both trials, a significant reduction in the incidence and log10 cfu/g of SE were observed in poults treated with the probiotic when compared with control poults (p ≤ 0.05). The results of the present study suggest that the administration of this lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB)-based probiotic 1 h after an SE challenge can be useful in reducing the cecal colonization of this pathogen in neonatal poults.
Endogenous and Exogenous Melatonin Exposure Attenuates Hepatic MT1 Melatonin Receptor Protein Expression in Rat
Authors: Mathes Alexander M. , Heymann Paul , Ruf Christian , Huhn Ragnar , Hinkelbein Jochen , Volk Thomas , Fink Tobias
Published: September 2019

Melatonin receptors are highly relevant for the hepatoprotective effects of the pineal hormone melatonin after experimental hemorrhagic shock in rats. In this study, we sought to determine the spatial expression pattern and a putative regulation of two melatonin receptors, membrane bound type 1 and 2 (MT1 and MT2), in the liver of rats. In a male rat model (Sprague Dawley) of hemorrhage and resuscitation, we investigated the gene expression and protein of MT1 and MT2 in rat liver by utilizing real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, a western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Plasma melatonin content was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Male rats underwent hemorrhage and were resuscitated with shed blood and a Ringer’s solution (n = 8 per group). After 90 min of hemorrhage, animals were given vehicle, melatonin, or ramelteon (each 1.0 mg/kg intravenously). Sham-operated controls did not undergo hemorrhage but were treated likewise. Plasma melatonin was significantly increased in all groups treated with melatonin and also after hemorrhagic shock. Only MT1, but not the MT2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein, was detected in the rat liver. The MT1 protein was located in pericentral fields of liver lobules in sham-operated animals. After hemorrhagic shock and treatment with melatonin or ramelteon, the hepatic MT1 protein amount was significantly attenuated in all groups compared to sham controls (50% reduction; p < 0.001). With respect to MT1 mRNA, no significant changes were observed between groups (p = 0.264). Our results indicate that both endogenous melatonin exposure from hemorrhagic shock, as well as exogenous melatonin and ramelteon exposure, may attenuate melatonin receptors in rat hepatocytes, possibly by means of desensitization.
Diallyl Trisulfide Protects Rat Brain Tissue against the Damage Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion through the Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Silva-Islas Carlos A. , Chánez-Cárdenas María E. , Barrera-Oviedo Diana , Ortiz-Plata Alma , Pedraza-Chaverri José , Maldonado Perla D.
Published: September 2019

Stroke is a public health problem due to its high mortality and disability rates; despite these, the pharmacological treatments are limited. Oxidative stress plays an important role in cerebral damage in stroke and the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) confers protection against oxidative stress. Different compounds, such as diallyl trisulfide (DATS), have the ability to activate Nrf2. DATS protects against the damage induced in oxygen-glucose deprivation in neuronal cells; however, in in vivo models of cerebral ischemia, DATS has not been evaluated. Male Wistar rats were subjected to 1 h of ischemia and seven days of reperfusion and the protective effect of DATS was evaluated. DATS administration (IR + DATS) decreased the infarct area and brain damage in the striatum and cortex; improved neurological function; decreased malondialdehyde and metalloproteinase-9 levels; increased Nrf2 activation in the cortex and the expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in the nucleus, SOD2 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the striatum and cortex; and increased the activity of catalase (CAT) in the striatum and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the cortex. Our results demonstrate the protective effect of DATS in an in vivo model of cerebral ischemia that involves Nrf2 activation.
d-Cysteine-Induced Rapid Root Abscission in the Water Fern Azolla Pinnata: Implications for the Linkage between d-Amino Acid and Reactive Sulfur Species (RSS) in Plant Environmental Responses
Authors: Yamasaki Hideo , Ogura Masahiro P. , Kingjoe Katsumi A. , Cohen Michael F.
Published: September 2019

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) have been proposed as universal signaling molecules in plant stress responses. There are a growing number of studies suggesting that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or Reactive Sulfur Species (RSS) are also involved in plant abiotic as well as biotic stress responses. However, it is still a matter of debate as to how plants utilize those RSS in their signaling cascades. Here, we demonstrate that d-cysteine is a novel candidate for bridging our gap in understanding. In the genus of the tiny water-floating fern Azolla, a rapid root abscission occurs in response to a wide variety of environmental stimuli as well as chemical inducers. We tested five H2S chemical donors, Na2S, GYY4137, 5a, 8l, and 8o, and found that 5a showed a significant abscission activity. Root abscission also occurred with the polysulfides Na2S2, Na2S3, and Na2S4. Rapid root abscission comparable to other known chemical inducers was observed in the presence of d-cysteine, whereas l-cysteine showed no effect. We suggest that d-cysteine is a physiologically relevant substrate to induce root abscission in the water fern Azolla.
Metabolic Profiling of Buddleia indica Leaves using LC/MS and Evidence of their Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity Using Different In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Models
Authors: Youssef Fadia S. , Ashour Mohamed L. , El-Beshbishy Hesham A. , Singab Abdel Nasser B. , Wink Michael
Published: September 2019

LC-ESI-MS (Liquid Chromatography coupled with Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry profiling of a methanol extract from Buddleia indica (BIM) leaves revealed 12 main peaks in which verbascoside and buddlenoid B represent the major compounds. The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of BIM were investigated using different in vitro and in vivo experimental models. BIM exhibited substantial in vitro antioxidant properties in DPPH· and HepG2 assays. Regarding CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride) induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model, oxidative stress markers became significantly ameliorated after oral administration of BIM. Lipid peroxide levels showed a 51.85% decline relative to CCl4-treated rats. Super oxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant status (TAS), and catalase (CAT) revealed a marked increase by 132.48%, 187.18%, and 114.94% relative to the CCl4 group. In a tamoxifen-induced hepatotoxicity model, BIM showed a considerable alleviation in liver stress markers manifested by a 46.06% and 40% decline in ALT (Alanine Transaminase) and AST (Aspartate Transaminase) respectively. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were reduced by 28.57% and the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level by 50%. A virtual screening of major secondary metabolites of BIM to TNF-alpha employing the C-docker protocol showed that gmelinoside H caused the most potent TNF- α inhibition as indicated from their high fitting scores. Thus, BIM exhibited a potent hepatoprotective activity owing to its richness in antioxidant metabolites.
Glutathione Induced Immune-Stimulatory Activity by Promoting M1-Like Macrophages Polarization via Potential ROS Scavenging Capacity
Authors: Kwon Da Hye , Lee Hyesook , Park Cheol , Hong Su-Hyun , Hong Sang Hoon , Kim Gi-Young , Cha Hee-Jae , Kim Suhkmann , Kim Heui-Soo , Hwang Hye-Jin , Choi Yung Hyun
Published: September 2019

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory activity of reduced glutathione (GSH) by assessment of the macrophage polarization (MP)-mediated immune response in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, we identified the signal pathway associated with immune regulation by GSH. The expressions of MP-associated cytokines and chemokines were assessed using cytokine array, nCounter Sprit platform, ELISA and immunoblotting. Phagocytosis activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were measured using fluorescence-activated cell sorter. As results of the cytokine array and nCounter gene array, GSH not only up-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-α, but also overexpressed neutrophil-attracting chemokines. Furthermore, GSH significantly stimulated the production of immune mediators, including nitric oxide and PGE2, as well as phagocytosis activity through nuclear factor kappa B activation. In addition, GSH significantly decreased LPS-induced ROS generation, which was associated with an activation of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ heme oxygenease-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. Our results suggest that GSH has potential ROS scavenging capacity via the induction of Nrf2-mediated HO-1, and immune-enhancing activity by regulation of M1-like macrophage polarization, indicating that GSH may be a useful strategy to increase the human defense system.
Catalase-Like Antioxidant Activity is Unaltered in Hypochlorous Acid Oxidized Horse Heart Myoglobin
Authors: Ahmad Gulfam , Chami Belal , El Kazzi Mary , Wang Xiaosuo , Moreira Maria Tereza S. , Hamilton Natasha , Maw Aung Min , Hambly Thomas W. , Witting Paul K.
Published: September 2019

Activated neutrophils release myeloperoxidase that produces the potent oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Exposure of the oxygen transport protein horse heart myoglobin (hhMb) to HOCl inhibits Iron III (Fe(III))-heme reduction by cytochrome b5 to oxygen-binding Iron II (Fe(II))Mb. Pathological concentrations of HOCl yielded myoglobin oxidation products of increased electrophoretic mobility and markedly different UV/Vis absorbance. Mass analysis indicated HOCl caused successive mass increases of 16 a.m.u., consistent serial addition of molecular oxygen to the protein. By contrast, parallel analysis of protein chlorination by quantitative mass spectrometry revealed a comparatively minor increase in the 3-chlorotyrosine/tyrosine ratio. Pre-treatment of hhMb with HOCl affected the peroxidase reaction between the hemoprotein and H2O2 as judged by a HOCl dose-dependent decrease in spin-trapped tyrosyl radical detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the rate constant of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) oxidation. By contrast, Mb catalase-like antioxidant activity remained unchanged under the same conditions. Notably, HOCl-modification of Mb decreased the rate of ferric-to-ferrous Mb reduction by a cytochrome b5 reductase system. Taken together, these data indicate oxidizing HOCl promotes Mb oxidation but not chlorination and that oxidized Mb shows altered Mb peroxidase-like activity and diminished rates of one-electron reduction by cytochrome b5 reductase, possibly affecting oxygen storage and transport however, Mb-catalase-like antioxidant activity remains unchanged.
The Complex Dynamic Locomotive Control and Experimental Research of a Quadruped-Robot Based on the Robot Trunk
Authors: Ren Dongyi , Shao Junpeng , Sun Guitao , Shao Xuan
Published: September 2019

The research of quadruped robots is fundamentally motivated by their excellent performance in complex terrain. Maintaining the trunk moving smoothly is the basis of assuring the stable locomotion of the robot. In this paper we propose a planning and control strategy for the pacing gait of hydraulic quadruped robots based on the centroid. Initially, the kinematic model between the single leg and the robot trunk was established. The coupling of trunk motion and leg motion was elaborated on in detail. Then, the real-time attitude feedback information of the trunk was considered, the motion trajectory of the trunk centroid was planned, and the foot trajectory of the robot was carried out. Further, the joint torques were calculated that fulfillment minimization of the contact forces. The position and attitude of the robot trunk were adjusted by the presented controller. Finally, the performance of the proposed control framework was tested in simulations and on a robot platform. By comparing the attitude of the robot trunk, the experimental results show that the trunk moved smoothly with small-magnitude by the proposed controller. The stable dynamic motion of the hydraulic quadruped robot was accomplished, which verified the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed control strategy.
The Identification and Assessment of Rail Corrugation Based on Computer Vision
Authors: Wei Dehua , Wei Xiukun , Liu Yuxin , Jia Limin , Zhang Wenqiang
Published: September 2019

The identification and assessment of rail corrugation are two of the essential tasks of daily railway inspection to guarantee the safety of train operation and promote the development of an efficient maintenance strategy. In view of the requirements for automatic identification and smart decision-making, computer vision-based rail corrugation identification and assessment methods are presented in this paper. Firstly, an improved Spatial Pyramid Matching (SPM) model, integrating multi-features and locality-constrained linear coding (IMFLLC), is proposed for rail corrugation identification. After that, an innovative period estimation method for rail corrugation is proposed based on the frequency domain analysis of each column in the corrugation region. Finally, the severity of the rail corrugation is assessed with the help of the wear saliency calculation and fuzzy theory. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed corrugation identification method achieves a higher precision rate and recall rate than those of traditional methods, reaching 99.67% and 98.34%, respectively. Besides, the validity and feasibility of the proposed methods for the rail corrugation period estimation and severity assessment are also investigated.
A Comparative Study of Regression Model and the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Conjecture Systems for Predicting Energy Consumption for Jaw Crusher
Authors: Abuhasel Khaled Ali
Published: September 2019

Crushing is a vital process for different industrial applications where a significant portion of power is consumed to properly blast rocks into a predefined size of fragmented rock. An accurate prediction of the energy needed to control this process rarely exists in the literature, hence there have been limited efforts to optimize the power consumption at the crushing stage by a jaw crusher; which is the most widely used type of crusher. The existence of accurate power prediction as well as optimizing the steps for primary crushing will offer vital tools in selecting a suitable crusher for a specific application. In this work, the specific power consumption of a jaw crusher is predicted with the help of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy interference system (ANFIS). The investigation included, aside from the power required for rock comminution, an optimization of the crushing process to reduce this estimated power. Results revealed the success of the model to accurately predict comminution power with an accuracy of more than 96% in comparison with the corresponding real data. The obtained results introduce good knowledge that may be used in future academic and industrial research.
Influence of Weld Parameters on the Fatigue Life of Deck-Rib Welding Details in Orthotropic Steel Decks Based on the Improved Stress Integration Approach
Authors: Cao Baoya , Ding Youliang , Fang Zhao , Geng Fangfang , Song Yongsheng
Published: September 2019

Fatigue cracks in orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) have been a serious problem of steel bridges for a long time. The structural stress approach is an important approach for fatigue life evaluation of welded structures. Firstly, two parameters and the mesh sensitivity of the stress-based integration equivalent structural stress approach (stress integration approach for short) are analyzed in this paper. Then, the applicability of the master S-N curve is verified based on experimental data of the deck-rib welding details in OSDs. Finally, the multi-scale finite element model (FEM) of Jiangyin Bridge is established, and the bridge fatigue life calculation steps based on the stress integration approach are given. The influence of the slope of the master S-N curve at high cycles on the bridge fatigue life is discussed. Further, the weld parameter influences on the bridge fatigue life are analyzed, as including the following: (1) The determination of the influence of the weld size changes caused by weld manufacturing errors on the bridge fatigue life; (2) the proposal of a new grinding treatment type, and the analysis of influence of the grinding radius on fatigue life; and (3) a comparison of the fatigue life of the deck-rib welding details under 80% partial penetration and 100% full penetration. The results show that the structural stress calculated by the stress integration approach does not change significantly with the parameters of the isolation body width w and the distance δ between the crack propagation surface and the reference surface. To simplify the calculation, δ is set as 0, and w can be set as the mesh size along the weld length direction. The mesh size of the stress integration approach is recommended as 0.25 times the deck thickness. The slope of the master S-N curve at high cycles significantly affects the bridge fatigue life, and a slope of 5 is reasonable. The weld parameter studies for the deck-rib welding details in the OSD of Jiangyin Bridge show that the change of weld size caused by manufacturing errors can obviously affect the bridge fatigue life, and the fatigue life of five different weld types varies from 51 years to 113 years. The new grinding treatment type, without weakening the deck, is beneficial to improving the bridge fatigue life. The fatigue life increases by approximately 5% with an increase of the grinding radius of 2 mm. The fatigue life of 80% partial penetration is slightly higher than that of 100% full penetration.
Combined Model for IAQ Assessment: Part 1—Morphology of the Model and Selection of Substantial Air Quality Impact Sub-Models
Authors: Piasecki Michał , Kostyrko Krystyna Barbara
Published: September 2019

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the most important elements affecting a building user’s comfort and satisfaction. Currently, many methods of assessing the quality of indoor air have been described in the literature. In the authors’ opinion, the methods presented have not been collected, systematized, and organized into one multi-component model. The application purpose of the assessment is extremely important when choosing IAQ model. This article provides the state-of-the-art overview on IAQ methodology and attempts to systematize approach. Sub-models of the processes that impact indoor air quality, which can be distinguished as components of the IAQ model, are selected and presented based on sensory satisfaction functions. Subcomponents of three potential IAQ models were classified according to their application potential: IAQ quality index, IAQ comfort index, and an overall health and comfort index. The authors provide a method for using the combined IAQ index to determine the indoor environmental quality index, IEQ. In addition, the article presents a method for adjusting the weights of particular subcomponents and a practical case study which provides IAQ and IEQ model implementation for a large office building assessment (with a BREEAM rating of excellent).
Spore Viability and Cell Wall Integrity of Cordyceps pruinosa Treated with an Electric Shock-Free, Atmospheric-Pressure Air Plasma Jet
Authors: Noh Hyeongjin , Kim Ji Eun , Kim Jun Young , Kim Seong Hwan , Han Ihn , Lim Jun Sup , Ki Se Hoon , Choi Eun Ha , Lee Geon Joon
Published: September 2019

Atmospheric-pressure A r plasma jets are known to be detrimental to Cordyceps pruinosa spores. However, it is not clear what kinds of reactive species are more effective with regard to fungal cell death. Herein, we study which reactive species plays pivotal roles in the death of fungal spores using an electric shock-free, atmospheric-pressure air plasma jet, simply called soft plasma jet. Plasma treatment significantly reduced the spore viability and damaged fungal DNA. As observed from the circular dichroism spectra, scanning electron microscope images, and flow cytometric measurements, cell wall integrity was decreased by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) from the plasma itself and the plasma-activated water. Consequently, degradation of the spore cell wall allows RONS from the plasma to reach the intracellular components. Such plasma-induced intracellular RONS can attack spore DNA and other intracellular components, as confirmed by electrophoresis analysis and phosphorylated histone measurement. In addition, weakening of the spore cell wall allowed for the loss of intracellular components, which can lead to cell death. Plasma radicals were investigated by measuring the optical emission spectrum of the soft plasma jet, and intracellular reactive oxygen species were confirmed by measuring the fluorescence of 2′, 7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate ( H 2 D C F - D A )-stained spores. The soft plasma jet generated considerable amounts of H 2 O 2 and N O x but a very small number of O H radicals as compared to the atmospheric-pressure A r plasma jet; this indicates that plasma-induced long-lived reactive species ( H 2 O 2 and N O x ) play an important role in the weakening of spore cell walls and cell death.
Biomass and Astaxanthin Productivities of Haematococcus pluvialis in an Angled Twin-Layer Porous Substrate Photobioreactor: Effect of Inoculum Density and Storage Time
Authors: Do Thanh-Tri , Ong Binh-Nguyen , Nguyen Tran Minh-Ly , Nguyen Doan , Melkonian Michael , Tran Hoang-Dung
Published: September 2019

The microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is mainly cultivated in suspended systems for astaxanthin production. Immobilized cultivation on a Twin-Layer porous substrate photobioreactor (TL-PSBR) has recently shown promise as an alternative approach. In Vietnam, a TL-PSBR was constructed as a low-angle (15 °) horizontal system to study the cultivation of H. pluvialis for astaxanthin production. In this study, the biomass and astaxanthin productivities and astaxanthin content in the dry biomass were determined using different initial biomass (inoculum) densities (from 2.5 to 10 g dry weight m−2), different storage times of the initial biomass at 4 °C (24, 72, 120 and 168 h) and different light intensities (300–1000 µmol photons m−2 s−1). The optimal initial biomass density at light intensities between 400–600 µmol photons−2 s−1 was 5–7.5 g m−2. Algae stored for 24 h after harvest from suspension for immobilization on the TL-PSBR yielded the highest biomass and astaxanthin productivities, 8.7 g m−2 d−1 and 170 mg m−2 d−1, respectively; longer storage periods decreased productivity. Biomass and astaxanthin productivities were largely independent of light intensity between 300–1000 µmol photons m−2 s−1 but the efficiency of light use per mole photons was highest between 300–500 µmol photons m−2 s−1. The astaxanthin content in the dry biomass varied between 2–3% (w/w). Efficient supply of CO2 to the culture medium remains a task for future improvements of angled TL-PSBRs.
Mental Imagery and Acute Exercise on Episodic Memory Function
Authors: Johnson Lauren , Yao Jie , Zou Liye , Xiao Tao , Loprinzi Paul D.
Published: September 2019

Mental imagery is used extensively in the sporting domain. It is used for performance-enhancement purposes, arousal regulation, affective and cognitive modification, and rehabilitation purposes. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate whether acute exercise and mental imagery of acute exercise have similar effects on cognitive performance, specifically memory function. A within-subject randomized controlled experiment was employed. Participants (N = 24; Mage = 21.5 years) completed two exercise-related visits (i.e., actual exercise and mental imagery of exercise), in a counterbalanced order. The acute-exercise session involved 10 min of intermittent sprints. The mental-imagery session involved a time-matched period of mental imagery. After each manipulation (i.e., acute exercise or mental imagery of acute exercise), memory was evaluated from a paired-associative learning task and a comprehensive evaluation of memory, involving spatial–temporal integration (i.e., what, where, and when aspects of memory). Bayesian analyses were computed to evaluate the effects of actual exercise and mental imagery of exercise on memory function. For the paired-associative learning task, there was moderate evidence in favor of the null hypothesis for a main effect for condition (BF01 = 2.85) and time by condition interaction (BF01 = 3.30). Similarly, there was moderate evidence in favor of the null hypothesis for overall (what-where-when) memory integration (BF01 = 3.37), what-loop (BF01 = 2.34), where-loop (BF01 = 3.45), and when-loop (BF01 = 3.46). This experiment provides moderate evidence in support of the null hypothesis. That is, there was moderate evidence to support a non-differential effect of acute exercise and mental imagery of acute exercise on memory function.
BRAF Inhibitors in Thyroid Cancer: Clinical Impact, Mechanisms of Resistance and Future Perspectives
Authors: Crispo Fabiana , Notarangelo Tiziana , Pietrafesa Michele , Lettini Giacomo , Storto Giovanni , Sgambato Alessandro , Maddalena Francesca , Landriscina Matteo
Published: September 2019

The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (RAS)/v-raf-1 murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (RAF)/mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK) signaling cascade is the most important oncogenic pathway in human cancers. Tumors leading mutations in the gene encoding for v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) serine-threonine kinase are reliant on the MAPK signaling pathway for their growth and survival. Indeed, the constitutive activation of MAPK pathway results in continuous stimulation of cell proliferation, enhancement of the apoptotic threshold and induction of a migratory and metastatic phenotype. In a clinical perspective, this scenario opens to the possibility of targeting BRAF pathway for therapy. Thyroid carcinomas (TCs) bearing BRAF mutations represent approximately 29–83% of human thyroid malignancies and, differently from melanomas, are less sensitive to BRAF inhibitors and develop primary or acquired resistance due to mutational events or activation of alternative signaling pathways able to reactivate ERK signaling. In this review, we provide an overview on the current knowledge concerning the mechanisms leading to resistance to BRAF inhibitors in human thyroid carcinomas and discuss the potential therapeutic strategies, including combinations of BRAF inhibitors with other targeted agents, which might be employed to overcome drug resistance and potentiate the activity of single agent BRAF inhibitors.