bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers to Covid-19 RT-PCR Testing in Indonesia: A Health Policy Perspective
Authors: Sucahya Purwa Kurnia
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Indonesia has been facing a hard time accelerating the number of laboratory capacity. This study provides an overview of the data on daily tests, confirmed cases, and the challenge of Covid-19 control associated with government policy. This study utilizes data reported from 2 March to 29 April 2020 by online official sources and regulations. Initially, the government only trusted one lab for the Covid-19 test. As the number of cases increased, referral labs were increased, until 29 April 2020, there were 89 officially appointed laboratories. The daily number of testing results fluctuated and unstable, although the number of reference labs increases. This reflects implementation challenges from different factors: readiness and capacity between labs; availability of swab collection officers; availability of reagents in the lab; rules for lab officers and swab collection officers; and transportation for a specimen from health facility to the referral lab. This study recommends to ensure the lab readiness in terms of human resources, tools, and reagents when appointed; ensure the adequacy and quality of qualified laboratory staff & swab collectors; ensure adequate reagents for RT-PCR, and rearrangement of shift rules for lab & swab collection officers, and improve handling procedures and transport specimen delivery mechanisms. Abstrak. Indonesia kesulitan melakukan percepatan jumlah kapasitas laboratorium (Lab). Tujuan studi mereview hasil testing harian, kasus terkonfirmasi, dan tantangan imlementasi penanganan Covid-19 dikaitkan dengan kebijakan pemerintah. Analisis studi memanfaatkan data sekunder, periode 2 Maret sampai 29 April 2020, yang dilaporkan berbagai website resmi dan kajian regulasi. Awalnya pemerintah hanya percaya satu lab untuk testing Covid-19. Seiring bertambahnya kasus, jumlah lab rujukan ditambah, sampai tanggal 29 April 2020 sudah 89 lab yang ditunjuk resmi. Hasil testing harian memperlihatkan angka yang berfluktuasi. Ini mencerminkan tantangan implementasi dari berbagai faktor: kesiapan dan kapasitas antar laboratorium; ketersediaan & kemampuan petugas pengumpul swab; ketersediaan reagen di laboratorium; aturan untuk petugas lab dan petugas pengumpul swab; dan transportasi untuk spesimen dari fasilitas kesehatan ke laboratorium rujukan. Studi ini merekomendasikan untuk memastikan kesiapan laboratorium dalam hal sumber daya manusia, alat, dan reagen ketika ditunjuk; memastikan kecukupan dan kualitas petugas lab & pengambil swab mumpuni; memastikan kecukupan logistik reagen untuk RT-PCR; dan penataan ulang aturan shift untuk petugas lab & pengumpul swab, dan meningkatkan prosedur penanganan dan mekanisme transportasi pengiriman specimen.
Post-tetanic potentiation lowers the energy barrier for synaptic vesicle fusion independently of Synaptotagmin-1
Authors: Huson Vincent , Meijer Marieke , Dekker Rien , ter Veer Mirelle , Ruiter Marvin , van Weering Jan RT , Verhage Matthijs , Cornelisse Lennart Niels
Published: August 2020

Previously, we showed that modulation of the energy barrier for synaptic vesicle fusion boosts release rates supralinearly (Schotten, 2015). Here we show that mouse hippocampal synapses employ this principle to trigger Ca2+-dependent vesicle release and post-tetanic potentiation (PTP). We assess energy barrier changes by fitting release kinetics in response to hypertonic sucrose. Mimicking activation of the C2A domain of the Ca2+-sensor Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1), by adding a positive charge (Syt1D232N) or increasing its hydrophobicity (Syt14W), lowers the energy barrier. Removing Syt1 or impairing its release inhibitory function (Syt19Pro) increases spontaneous release without affecting the fusion barrier. Both phorbol esters and tetanic stimulation potentiate synaptic strength, and lower the energy barrier equally well in the presence and absence of Syt1. We propose a model where tetanic stimulation activates Syt1-independent mechanisms that lower the energy barrier and act additively with Syt1-dependent mechanisms to produce PTP by exerting multiplicative effects on release rates.
An improved zebrafish transcriptome annotation for sensitive and comprehensive detection of cell type-specific genes
Authors: Lawson Nathan D , Li Rui , Shin Masahiro , Grosse Ann , Yukselen Onur , Stone Oliver A , Kucukural Alper , Zhu Lihua
Published: August 2020

The zebrafish is ideal for studying embryogenesis and is increasingly applied to model human disease. In these contexts, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) provides mechanistic insights by identifying transcriptome changes between experimental conditions. Application of RNA-seq relies on accurate transcript annotation for a genome of interest. Here, we find discrepancies in analysis from RNA-seq datasets quantified using Ensembl and RefSeq zebrafish annotations. These issues were due, in part, to variably annotated 3' untranslated regions and thousands of gene models missing from each annotation. Since these discrepancies could compromise downstream analyses and biological reproducibility, we built a more comprehensive zebrafish transcriptome annotation that addresses these deficiencies. Our annotation improves detection of cell type-specific genes in both bulk and single cell RNA-seq datasets, where it also improves resolution of cell clustering. Thus, we demonstrate that our new transcriptome annotation can outperform existing annotations, providing an important resource for zebrafish researchers.
Identification of specific Tie2 cleavage sites and therapeutic modulation in experimental sepsis
Authors: Idowu Temitayo O , Etzrodt Valerie , Seeliger Benjamin , Bolanos-Palmieri Patricia , Thamm Kristina , Haller Hermann , David Sascha
Published: August 2020

Endothelial Tie2 signaling plays a pivotal role in vascular barrier maintenance at baseline and after injury. We previously demonstrated that a sharp drop in Tie2 expression observed across various murine models of critical illnesses is associated with increased vascular permeability and mortality. Matrix metalloprotease (MMP)−14-mediated Tie2 ectodomain shedding has recently been recognized as a possible mechanism for Tie2 downregulation in sepsis. Here, we identified the exact MMP14-mediated Tie2 ectodomain cleavage sites and could show that pharmacological MMP14 blockade in experimental murine sepsis exerts barrier protective and anti-inflammatory effects predominantly through the attenuation of Tie2 cleavage to improve survival both in a pre-treatment and rescue approach. Overall, we show that protecting Tie2 shedding might offer a new therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of septic vascular leakage.
A new ophiacanthid brittle star (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) from sublittoral crinoid and seagrass communities of late Maastrichtian age in the southeast Netherlands
Authors: Thuy Ben , Numberger-Thuy Lea , Jagt John W.M.
Published: August 2020

A new species of brittle star,Ophiomitrella floorae, is recorded from the lower two meters of the Gronsveld Member (Maastricht Formation), of late Maastrichtian age (c. 66.7 Ma). These relatively fine-grained biocalcarenites reflect shallow-water deposition in a sheltered setting with a relatively firm sea floor and clear waters, under middle sublittoral and subtropical conditions. Associated echinoderm taxa comprise more robust, sturdy-plated ophiomusaid and ophiodermatid brittle stars and numerous bourgueticrinine sea lilies. The new brittle star described herein belongs to a family whose present-day members are predominantly restricted to bathyal depths. Its small size and the exceptional preservation of a single articulated specimen partially wrapped around the stalk of a bourgueticrinine suggest thatO. flooraen. sp. was probably epizoic and specifically associated with stalked crinoids.
Effects of 12-week cadence retraining on impact peak, load rates and lower extremity biomechanics in running
Authors: Wang Junqing , Luo Zhen , Dai Boyi , Fu Weijie
Published: August 2020

Background

Excessive impact peak forces and vertical load rates are associated with running injuries and have been targeted in gait retraining studies. This study aimed to determine the effects of 12-week cadence retraining on impact peak, vertical load rates and lower extremity biomechanics during running.

Methods

Twenty-four healthy male recreational runners were randomised into either a 12-week cadence retraining group (n = 12), which included those who ran with a 7.5% increase in preferred cadence, or a control group (n = 12), which included those who ran without any changes in cadence. Kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded simultaneously to quantify impact force variables and lower extremity kinematics and kinetics.

Results

Significantly decreased impact peak (1.86 ± 0.30 BW vs. 1.67 ± 0.27 BW, P = 0.003), vertical average load rates (91.59 ± 18.91 BW/s vs. 77.31 ± 15.12 BW/s, P = 0.001) and vertical instantaneous load rates (108.8 ± 24.5 BW/s vs. 92.8 ± 18.5 BW/s, P = 0.001) were observed in the cadence retraining group, while no significant differences were observed in the control group. Foot angles (18.27° ± 5.59° vs. 13.74° ± 2.82°, P = 0.003) and vertical velocities of the centre of gravity (CoG) (0.706 ± 0.115 m/s vs. 0.652 ± 0.091 m/s, P = 0.002) significantly decreased in the cadence retraining group at initial contact, but not in the control group. In addition, vertical excursions of the CoG (0.077 ± 0.01 m vs. 0.069 ± 0.008 m, P = 0.002) and peak knee flexion angles (38.6° ± 5.0° vs. 36.5° ± 5.5°, P < 0.001) significantly decreased whilst lower extremity stiffness significantly increased (34.34 ± 7.08 kN/m vs. 38.61 ± 6.51 kN/m, P = 0.048) in the cadence retraining group. However, no significant differences were observed for those variables in the control group.

Conclusion

Twelve-week cadence retraining significantly increased the cadence of the cadence retraining group by 5.7%. This increased cadence effectively reduced impact peak and vertical average/instantaneous load rates. Given the close relationship between impact force variables and running injuries, increasing the cadence as a retraining method may potentially reduce the risk of impact-related running injuries.
Prevalence of Peripheral Vestibular Impairment in Adults with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Millar Alison , Joubert Karin , Naude Alida
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives: Globally, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is responsible for one of the most serious pandemics to date. The vulnerability of the vestibular system in individuals with HIV has been confirmed, and central vestibular impairments have been frequently reported. However, there are disagreements on the impact of HIV on peripheral vestibular function. Thus, the current study aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral vestibular impairment, specifically related to the semi-circular canals (SCCs), in HIV-positive individuals receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.Subjects and Methods: A total of 92 adults between the ages of 18 and 50 years (divided into two groups) participated in the study. The first group comprised HIV-positive individuals receiving ARV treatment (n1=60), and the second group comprised HIV-negative participants (n2=32). The video head impulse test was used to conduct the head impulse paradigm (HIMP).Results: Bilateral normal HIMP results were obtained in 95% of the HIV-positive participants and all HIV-negative participants. The gain of the left posterior SCCs was significantly lower in the HIV-positive group, while the gains of all other canals between the two groups were comparable.Conclusions: The prevalence of peripheral vestibular impairment in the HIV-positive group was not significantly different from that of the HIV-negative group. The reduced prevalence in the current study may be attributed to participant characteristics, the test battery employed, and the central compensation of the vestibular dysfunctions at the later stages of infection.
Foundation of Addis Ababa and the Emergence of Safars
Authors: Fayisa Endalew Djirata
Published: August 2020

The main purpose of this study was to reveal the impact of the eviction of the Oromo from their hereditary land of Finfinne and their possession by Menilek in the late 19th century. The study deals with the history of the transformation of Finfinne to Addis Ababa and the eviction of the Oromo from the area which followed by the emergence of different Safars. In this study, the socio-economic and political conditions of Finfinne Oromo and the surrounding are explored. After the eviction of the Oromo from Finfinne area, the settlement of different ethnic groups in the areas was also discussed. In this study the researcher attempted to employ both primary and secondary sources. The secondary data sources were collected through a brief review of related literatures by assessing published materials. The primary and unpublished data sources were collected through oral interview based on focused group and questionnaire. All these data were carefully analyzed and critically interpreted qualitatively according to the standardized rules and disciplines of social sciences. Even though some earlier attempts have been made by scholars to write the history of Finfinne, most of the areas have received only very minimal attention. Therefore, this article is an attempt to fill the gap that has been created so far by other scholars and something to contribute to the history of the foundation of Safars in Addis Ababa. The study, hence, tried to highlight the history of the foundation of different Safars until the dawn fall of the imperial regime. Certainly this study is far from being exhaustive. However, the researcher hopes it can at least serve as an introduction to give clue to the study of Finfinne history and the eviction of Oromo from the area which later on its name was changed by the imperial rule unjustifiably to Addis Ababa “New Flower”.
Analysis of Effects of House Rodents among Farmers in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Kughur P. G. , Yanjoh E. T. , Ogbu T. E.
Published: August 2020

The study analyzed the effects of house rodents among farmers in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Data were collected from primary source through the administration of structured questionnaire on 190 farmers' selected using a purposive random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Logit regression. Results revealed that females were 66.3%, 61.6% aged 20-30 years, 51.1% were married, 47.7% had the household size of 6-10 people, 53.3% had an estimated annual income of < ₦100,000.0. The results further indicated that 46.3% were civil servants, 49.5% occupied 4 rooms apartment, 84.2% furniture was destroyed, 76.3% used rodent glue pad for control, inconveniences (  = 3.04) was one of the major factors that influenced the method used for control of rodents and lack of finance (  = 3.15) was one of the major constraints faced in controlling house rodents. The results of Logit regression showed that sex (4.216) and major occupation (3.328) positively and significantly influenced the choice of method used for control at p < 0.005 and p < 0.010. It is recommended that public  enlightenment on proper sanitation and methods of control should be carried out regularly to reduce the menace.
African Psychology or Psychology in Africa: Conceptualising Education and African Cultural Imperialism, Implications for Emerging African Psychologists
Authors: Lukong Tani Emmanuel
Published: August 2020

The debates and anguish expressed by emerging Africentric thoughts such as (Tani, 2015), indicates the continuous negligence of culturally relevant curriculum which meets and fits the contextual needs of Africans. The spat in this conceptual yet analytical paper is that the advent of modern type western education has resulted in the drought of the importance of indigenous forms of knowledge in Cameroon in particular and Africa in general. The paper unfolds by highlighting some of the areas in which the modern Eurocentric philosophy of education has alienated and affected some of Africa’s indigenous education systems. Using the modernization paradigm as the framework, the paper’s contention is that following missionary excursions in Africa and the subsequent colonisation, modern forms of schooling were introduced and expanded phenomenally and with it came notions of cultural imperialism, which tended to denigrate many if not all forms of indigenous knowledge education systems. Some indigenous knowledge systems were regarded as primitive, pagan and heathenish. Some forms of such indigenous knowledge were even de-campaigned as non-knowledge. The research question the paper seeks to address is how can indigenous knowledge education systems be used to foster an Afro centric philosophy of Education? Pursuant to this question, the modernization theory is examined, unpacked and critiqued for equating modernisation with Westernization culminating in the promotion of cultural imperialist sentiments that had an alienating effect on some African institutions and practices. This article Situates views of European enlightenment and epistemic solipsism, ignite and sustained debates of globalizing African thoughts into mainstream psychological inquiry, negotiate the incompatible murky particularism of some African psychologists, and also disabuse modernist psychology of its false spectra.
Character Association Studies in Lowland Rice Cultivars of Bihar
Authors: Kushwaha Nitesh , Kant Ravi , Kumar Rajesh , Nilanjaya .` , Singh Digvijay , Chhaya Ruchika , Sinha Naincy , Mohanty Tushar Arun
Published: August 2020

The present investigation was carried out with aim to deduce the association among different characters with grain yield, i.e. their mutual relation with help of correlation analysis as well as to identify the component trait which are directly or indirectly contributing to the yield. The experiment was carried out at Rice Breeding Section, Pusa, Samastipur in kharif, 2018 from June, 26 to December 28. Total of twenty-two lowland rice accessions were sown in Randomized complete Block design Fashion (R.C.B.D.), with three replications. Fifteen characters including grain yield were observed for the experiment and data was collected at respective stages. The correlation coefficient analysis revealed that grain length, root volume, panicle length of main axis, number of panicles per hill, showed positive significant correlation with grain yield per plant. Hence, emphasis should be given to these traits in selection process during yield improvement programs. Grain length, root volume, panicle length of main axis and leaf length showed high direct effect on grain yield per plant. Hence, selection based on these characters would be more effective for yield improvement.
Optimum Time of Pollination and Number of Fruit Pickings and Its Effect on Seed Yield in CGMS Based Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Hybrid
Authors: Thakur Neha , Vasudevan S. N. , Doddagoudar S. R. , Tembhurne B. V. , Macha Sangeeta I. , Patil M. G.
Published: August 2020

This study proposed standardization of best time of pollination and stage of picking fruits in newly released chilli CGMS hybrid. As optimum pollination time can result in better fruit set and thus produce seeds with superior yield. Another purpose of conducting the experiment was selection of a fruit picking stage that positively influence the seed yield parameters as under matured or over matured fruits often cause losses. In present investigation during kharif season of  2016 and 2017stigma of A line (male sterile line) was pollinated at six different times with pollens from R line (male fertile/restorer line) starting from 9 am to 5 pm. Fruits labeled with different coloured threads were harvested 60 days after pollination in three different pickings. Pollination time 10 to 11 am yielded hybrid with higher fruit set (40 %), dry fruit weight (1.50g), seed weight per fruit (0.451 g), number of seeds per fruit (76) and test weight (6.26 g) as compared to late afternoon timings. Also second picking fruits were better in these seed yield parameters when compared to early and late pickings. The interaction effect was also significant for these two objectives.
Application of Weighted Fuzzy Time Series Model to Forecast Epidemic Injuries
Authors: Moneim Hala Ahmed Abdul-
Published: August 2020

Aims: It is important to predict the amount of COVID-19 injuries. Since the first suspected case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on December 1st, 2019, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, a total of 40,235 confirmed cases and 909 deaths have been reported in China up to February 10, 2020, evoking fear locally and internationally. Here, based on the large amounts of daily publicly available epidemiological data and the need to make an accurate prediction of future behavior requires the definition of powerful and effective techniques capable of inferring random dependency between the past and the future from observations. In this paper, we apply a rewarding model to predict injuries in areas where COVID-19 is, especially in the Arab region. This forecast uses epidemic injuries data from   March 2nd, 2020 to   July 20th, 2020 in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: We propose the use of weighted fuzzy time series techniques (WFTS) and weighted non-stationary fuzzy time series techniques (WNSFTS) to be compared with the classical Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) statistical method. The available data is not a stationary and should therefore be converted first to stationary to forecast it with (ARIMA) and (WFTS) techniques. We do a log transform and differencing on our injuries dataset.

Results: When we examine the original data by Dickey-Fuller Test (DFT) to get p-value, we find it is equal to 0.646, it is more than 0.05 which implies the non-stationarity. The mean square error (MSE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and normalization root mean square error (NRMSE), are applied to compare the accuracy of the methods. The results show that WFTS methods give good services for predicting epidemic injuries in the territory by COVID-19.

Conclusion: The use of Weighted Non Stationary Fuzzy Time Series (WNSFTS) in forecasting epidemic injuries problem can provide significantly better results because it is able to predict the infected cases at the next time and achieve great predictive accuracy.
The Staining Interactions of Aqueous Extract of Skin Allium cepa (Red Onion) on Some Selected Histological Tissues
Authors: Mohammed M. O. , Hali A. A. , Okechi O. O. , Muhammad A. T. , Tsamiya R. I. , Abubakar U. , Mohammed I. , Umar A. , Sani S. M. , Dallatu M. K. , Bunza J. M. , Kabir H. , Tambuwal H. M. , Slisu A. , Bello B. A. , Dogondaji F. A. , Okorie N. , Ma’aruf S. Y. , Isah D. , Ngaski A. A. , Idris N. A. , Ajayi A. S. , Isah M. , Sirajo M. , Abdulazeez A. , Abullahi H.
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Histological stains are biological dyes which colour tissue in order to aid optical differentiation of tissue component. Dyes are coloured substance which impact colour for material such as textile, cosmetic, food, drugs, rubber plastics, hair, fur and tissues. There are two types of dyes namely; natural dyes and synthetic dyes. Allium cepa is an imperative, evergreen plant, which belongs to the family Amaryllidaceace commonly called bulb onion.

Aim: This research work aimed at evaluating the staining capability of onion extract as counter stain when haematoxylin was used as primary stain.

Methods: Tissue blocks sections of liver and kidney organs were made from the Wistar rat. Serial sections labelled A to M were made from each block and stained with Harris haematoxylin. Section A was counterstained with eosin, as control. Different preparations of extracts of the onion skin were used to counter stain sections of kidney and liver tissues. Group B to Mwere kidney and liver tissues stained as follows: B, E, H and K (5% aqueous and ethanolic extract with ferric chloride, 5% aqueous and ethanolic extract with potassium aluminium alum, and 5% aqueous and ethanolic extract without mordant, for 10 and 20 minutes). C, D, F, G, I, J, L and M (5% aqueous and ethanolic extract with ferric chloride, 5% aqueous and ethanolic extract with potassium aluminium alum and 5% aqueous and ethanolic extract without mordant for 10 and 20 minutes).

Results: The skin extract of Allium cepa stained the cytoplasm of cells and connective tissues in shades of reddish brown to yellowish brown. The study established the cytoplasmic counter-staining ability of the extract of Allium cepa.

Conclusion: It is therefore suggested that onion skin extract solution can be substituted for eosin due to its domestic availability, ease of preparation and above all, its good cytoplasm contrast with the nuclear stain.
Evaluation of Nematicidal Activity of Fluensulfone against Meloidogyne incognita in Bell Pepper Crop
Authors: Araya José Alonso Calvo- , Montes Nery Zapata-
Published: August 2020

The evaluation of nematicidal activity of the non- fumigant nematicide (fluensulfone) was evaluated for the control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in bell pepper crop (Capsicum annuum L.) under field conditions. The experiment was set up under a randomized complete block design with four replications. Six treatments were assessed for control of M. incognita: four doses of fluensulfone, one of the nematicide oxamyl and a control without application of nematicides. Ten days before transplanting, nematicides were applied in a single application via irrigation systems. The lowest final population densities of M. incognita in bell pepper crop were recorded in plots treated with fluensulfone at the dose of 2.75 L.ha-1, with an average of 25 juveniles. The higher percentage of efficacy was obtained with the application of fluensulfone at a dose of 2.75 L.ha-1. Fluensulfone showed a more efficient nematicidal activity as compared with oxamyl, which is the most used nematicide in horticultural crops in Mexico. Our results indicated that fluensulfone can be used as an alternative nematicide for the control of M. incognita in horticultural crops.
Ergonomic Checkpoint in Agriculture, Postural Analysis, and Prevalence of Work Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Indonesian Farmers: Road to Safety and Health in Agriculture
Authors: Widyanti Ari
Published: August 2020

Agriculture is one of the most crucial and hazardous sectors in both the developing and the developed countries. The agriculture area has a various problem related to safety and health, calling an urgent research to solve the problem. The purpose of this study is to apply ergonomics checkpoint in agriculture (developed by ILO) in Indonesian as well as to observe the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among Indonesian farmers.251 Indonesian farmers participate voluntarily in this study. “Ergonomic checkpoint in agriculture” as a tool to reduce agriculture-related accident and increase productivity is assessed by student researcher. Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) is assessed using Nordic body map that is filling out by participants. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and postural analysis using 3 dimension Static Prediction Program (3D SSPP) are applied to observe the risk activities of Indonesian farmers including the manual hoe for land clearing, grass cutting for land clearing, planting the rice, manual plow, giving fertilizer, harvesting, threshing, cleaning the rice from the straw, and sun-drying of rice. According to ergonomics checkpoints, material handling and storage are the worst in Indonesian agriculture, coupled with minimum safety information, toilet and washing facilities, and first aid. The high-risk activities are manual hoe for land clearing, manual plow, grass cutting for land clearing and threshing. The reported MSS mainly found in the shoulder and lower back.In conclusion, Indonesian agriculture is in a poor ergonomics condition and is associated with high musculoskeletal symptoms. The postural analysis also reveals a high risk of farmer activities.
Optimal Retention for a Quota-Share Reinsurance
Authors: Noviyanti Lienda , Soleh Achmad Zanbar , Chadidjah Anna , Rusyda Hasna Afifah
Published: August 2020

The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) has instructed all insurance providers in Indonesia to apply a mandatory tariff for property insurance. The tariff has to be uniformly applied and the rule of set the maximum and minimum premium rates for protection against losses. Furthermore, the OJK issued the new rule regarding self-retention and domestic reinsurance. Insurance companies are obliged to have and implement self-retention for each risk in accordance with the self-retention limits. Fluctuations of total premium income and claims may lead the insurance company cannot fulfil the obligation to the insured, thus the company needs to conduct reinsurance. Reinsurance helps protect insurers against unforeseen or extraordinary losses by allowing them to spread their risks. Because reinsurer chargers premium to the insurance company, a properly calculated optimal retention would be nearly as high as the insurer financial ability.  This paper is aimed at determining optimal retentions indicated by the risk measure Value at Risk (VaR), Expected Shortfall (ES) and Minimum Variance (MV). Here we use the expectation premium principle which minimizes individual risks based on their quota share reinsurance. Regarding to the data in an insurance property, we use a bivariate lognormal distribution to obtain VaR, ES and MV, and a bivariate exponential distribution to obtain MV. The bivariate distributions are required to derive the conditional probability of the amount of claim occurs given the benefit has occurred.
The Impact of After-sales Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty of Middle-upper Class Landed Housings
Authors: Wahjudi Didik , Kwanda Timoticin , Sulis Rianthi
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, good products are not sufficient. Market competition requires a good after-sales service. After-sales service quality has been identified as a source of revenue and competitive advantage. While other industry sectors have readily paid attention to after-sales service quality, little study has been done on the effectiveness of after-sales service quality in the field of real estate. This study aims to explore the relationship among after-sales service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. Especially, we want to confirm the impact of after-sales service quality on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty of middle-upper class real estate in Surabaya. This research was conducted by survey on 170 respondents from four housing complexes in Surabaya, i.e. Pakuwon City, Citraland, Bukit Darmo Golf, and Graha Family. The data was examined by using structural equation modeling (SEM). Through data analysis we confirm the positive correlation between after-sales service quality and customer satisfaction, the positive correlation between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty, and the direct and indirect relationships between after-sales service quality and customer loyalty. The practical implication of this study provides assurance to real estate management on the effectiveness of after-sales service quality in maintaining old customers and encouraging new consumers.
A non‐micellar mode of cholesterol transport in human bile
Authors: Somjen G.J. , Gilat T.
Published: July 2002

Quasi‐elastic light scattering (QELS) was used to measure particle size in fresh human hepatic bile of 14 subjects. Particles with an approximate diameter of 700 Å were found in all biles. The particles were almost unchanged after the bile salt concentration was reduced to 0.06 mM by dilution or dialysis against 150 mM NaCl. During dialysis bile salts were removed, while cholesterol and phospholipids remained in solution apparently in the large particles—vesicles. These experiments suggest the presence of a novel, bile salt‐independent, mode of cholesterol transport in saturated human bile.
Biochemical studies on muscaranic receptors in the salamander olfactory epithelium
Authors: Hedlund Britta , Shepherd Gordon M.
Published: July 2002

Muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the olfactory epithelium of the salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, were studied via binding of 3‐[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. The receptors are present on the olfactory receptor cells in the epithelium to an amount of 0.08 pmol/mg homogenate protein. Both choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine esterase are present in the salamander olfactory epithelium.
ADP‐ribosylation regulates the phosphorylation of histones by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase
Authors: Tanigawa Yoshinori , Mikako Tsuchiya , Yasuki Imai , Makoto Shimoyama
Published: July 2002

Phosphorylation of whole histones from calf thymus by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase was markedly reduced when the histones were ADP‐ribosylated. NAD, nicotinamide or free ADP‐ribose molecule did not suppress the phosphorylation. Urea gel electrophoretic analyses of the phosphorylated histones which had already been ADP‐ribosylated revealed that the suppression of phosphorylation occurred in both H1 and core histones. Therefore, the possibility that ADP‐ribosylation may regulate the phosphorylation of histones phosphorylation in nuclei warrants further investigation.
Increase in the level of thylakoid protein phosphorylation in maize mesophyll chloroplasts by decrease in the transthylakoid pH gradient
Authors: Fernyhough P. , Foyer C.H. , Horton P.
Published: July 2002

Phosphorylation of the light‐harvesting chlorophyll protein (LHCP) has been measured in intact chloroplasts prepared from maize mesophyll protoplasts. Maximum levels of phosphorylation were obtained in the absence of added reducible photosynthetic substrate and the presence of low concentrations of the ΔpH dissipating ionophore, nigericin. Assays of chlorophyll fluorescence indicated a high reduction level of plastoquinone under these conditions. It is suggested that the size of the transthylakoid pH gradient exerts control over the redox activation of the protein kinase and that protein phosphorylation is involved in the regulation of cyclic and non‐cyclic electron flow. Further evidence for this view was obtained from stimulation of protein phosphorylation by pyruvate which lowers ΔpH by ATP consumption and by inhibition of phosphorylation in strong light and by low levels of DCMU.
Kinetics of the action of chymosin (rennin) on a peptide bond of bovine αs1‐casein
Authors: Carles Christophe , Dumas Bruno Ribadeau
Published: July 2002

Casein
Chymosin
Kinetic study
Reversed‐phase HPLC
The family of human Na+,K+‐ATPase genes No less than five genes and/or pseudogenes related to the α‐subunit
Authors: Sverdlov E.D. , Monastyrskaya G.S. , Broude N.E. , Ushkaryov Yu.A. , Allikmets R.L. , Melkov A.M. , Smirnov Yu.V. , Malyshev I.V. , Dulobova I.E. , Petrukhin K.E. , Grishin A.V. , Kijatkin N.I. , Kostina M.B. , Sverdlov V.E. , Modyanov N.N. , Ovchnikov Yu.A.
Published: July 2002

Five different nucleotide sequences have been found in the human genome homologous to the gene of the α‐subunit of Na+,K+‐ATPase. A comparative analysis of the primary structure of these genes in the region 749–1328 (in coordinates of cDNA from the pig α‐subunit) is presented.
A structural model for the α‐subunit of transducin Implications of its role as a molecular switch in the visual signal transduction mechanism
Authors: Hingorani Vijay N. , Ho Yee-Kin
Published: July 2002

Transducin is a GTP‐binding protein which mediates the light activation signal from photolyzed rhodopsin to cGMP phosphodiesterase and is pivotal in the visual excitation process. Biochemical studies suggest that the Tα subunit of transducin is composed of three functional domains, one for rhodopsin/Tβγ interaction, another for guanine nucleotide binding, and a third for the activation of phosphodiesterase. The integration of the primary sequence of Tα along with secondary structure, hydropathy and folding topology predictions, and a comparison with homologous proteins have led to the construction of a three‐dimensional model of the Tα subunit. A molecular mechanism which underlies the coupling action of Tα is suggested on the basis of this model.
A ribosome‐associated inhibitor of in vitro nonsense suppression in [psi−] strains of yeast
Authors: Tuite Mick F. , Cox Brain S. , McLaughlin Calvin S.
Published: July 2002

All classes of tRNA‐mediated nonsense suppression are much more efficient in yeast cell‐free lysates prepared from a [psi
+] strain than in those prepared from an isogenic [psi
−] strain. Mixed [psi
+]/[psi
−] lysates do not support efficient suppression. Fractionation of the [psi
−] lysate demonstrated the presence of an inhibitor of in vitro suppression that is loosely associated with the 80 S ribosome. The data indicate that the inhibitor is a factor involved in the termination of translation in this simple eukaryote.
CD4 receptor binding peptides that block HIV infectivity cause human monocyte chemotaxis
Authors: Ruff Michael R. , Martin Brian M. , Ginns Edward I. , Farrar William L. , Pert Candace B.
Published: July 2002

The octapeptide Ala‐Ser‐Thr‐Thr‐Thr‐Asn‐Tyr‐Thr (peptide T) and two structural analogs are potent agonists of human monocyte chemotaxis, evincing identical rank potency orders as was previously shown for their inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope binding and T cell infectivity. Chemotactic activity could be inhibited by anti‐CD4 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), but not other mononuclear cell Mabs. The core peptide required for chemotactic activity is a pentapeptide related to the sequence Thr‐Thr‐Asn‐Tyr‐Thr. Homologous pentapeptides, identified by computer search, were detected in several other non‐HIV‐related viruses as well as the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). The CD4 molecule, therefore, appears to be a recognition molecule for a small signal peptide ligand whose active sequence is a homolog of peptide T [4–8] and which may be the neuropeptide VIP.
Susceptibility of human glial cells to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Authors: Dewhurst Stephen , Bresser Joel , Stevenson Mario , Sakai Koji , Evinger-Hodges Mary Jean , Volsky David J.
Published: July 2002

Three human brain‐derived cell lines (including two of astrocytic origin) were exposed in vitro to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of immunodeficiency in AIDS. In all three lines, HIV transcripts were detected by in situ hybridisation in 20–30% of cells 48 h afterinfection. Synthesis of virus gag gene products p24 and p55 was demonstrated by immunoblotting. No cytopathic effects typical of HIV‐infected human T lymphocytes were observed. Our data indicate that HIV is neurotropic, and support the hypothesis that this virus may infect astrocytes in the brain.
Recognition of envelope and tat protein synthetic peptide analogs by HIV positive sera or plasma
Authors: McPhee Dale A. , Kemp Bruce E. , Cumming Simon , Stapleton David , Gust Ian D. , Doherty Richard R.
Published: July 2002

A series of synthetic peptides corresponding to segments of HIV encoded proteins were selected using criteria described by Welling et al. [(1985) FEBS Lett. 188, 215]. Synthetic peptide analogs to gpl20 (2–13), (55–65), gp41 (582–596) (659–670) and tatIII (71–83) were recognized by 41–67% of sera or plasma from individuals known to be infected with HIV on the basis of virus isolation or Western blot screening. The peptide which reacted with most sera or plasma was gp41 (582–596), a conserved region in the transmembrane glycoprotein. An extended peptide analog, gp41 (579–599), tested against the same samples showed almost 100% reactivity, confirming independent studies identifying a highly immunodominant region of gp41. There was an unexpected high prevalence of antibodies (52%) to the tatIII peptide.
Iodinated melatonin mimics melatonin action and reveals discrete binding sites in fetal brain
Authors: Weaver David R. , Namboodiri M.A.Aryan , Reppert Steven M.
Published: July 2002

Iodinated melatonin was used to study melatonin sites of action in brain. Iodomelatonin mimicked the effects of melatonin on reproductive development in Djungarian hamster fetuses. 125I‐melatonin injected into the dam was recovered from fetal brain. In vitro autoradiographic studies revealed a remarkably discrete distribution of competitive 125I‐melatonin‐binding sites in the fetal brain, with binding in median eminence/arcuate nucleus area > suprachiasmatic nucleus > pineal gland ⪢ anterior pituitary gland ⪢ preoptic area. 125I‐melatonin promises to be a useful tool for understanding the sites and mechanism of action of melatonin.
Identification of a conserved protein motif in a group of growth factor receptors
Authors: Feinstein Douglas L. , Larhammar Dan
Published: July 2002

Residues 370–383 (helix C) of the human nerve growth factor receptor (NGF‐R) are highly similar to the sequence of the 14 residue wasp toxin, mastoparan. Both regions are predicted to form amphiphilic α‐helices, as is the amino‐terminal region of the third intracytoplasmic loop (i3) of the β2‐adrenergic receptor (β2AR). As both mastoparan and the β2AR i3 interact with G‐proteins, it is suggested that helix C of the NGF‐R may facilitate interactions with a cytoplasmic protein. A similar structural motif was identified in the cytoplasmic domains of a number of other growth factor receptors, suggesting an important role for this motif in signal transduction mechanisms.
The structural elements of hirudin which bind to the fibrinogen recognition site of thrombin are exclusively located within its acidic C‐terminal tail
Authors: Chang Jui-Yoa , Ngai Philip K. , Rink Hans , Dennis Stanley , Schlaeppi Jean-Marc
Published: July 2002

Six lysyl residues of human thrombin (LysB21, LysB52, LysB65, LysB106, LysB107 and LysB154) have been previously shown to participate in the binding site of hirudin, a thrombin‐specific inhibitor [(1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 7141‐7146]. In this report, we attempted to delineate the region of hirudin which binds to these basic amino acids of thrombin. Using the N‐terminal core domains (r‐Hir1–43 and r‐Hir1–52) derived from recombinant hirudins and synthetic C‐terminal peptides (Hir45–65 and Hir52–65) ‐ all fragments form complexes with thrombin — we are able to demonstrate that the structural elements of hirudin which account for the shielding of these 6 lysyl residues are exclusively located within the acidic C‐terminal region. Since hirudin C‐terminal peptides were shown to bind to a non‐catalytic site of thrombin and inhibit its interaction with fibrinogen [(1987) FEBS Lett. 211, 10‐16], our data consequently imply that these 6 lysyl residues are constituents of the fibrinogen recognition site of thrombin.
Exercise training increases glucose transporter protein GLUT‐4 in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats
Authors: Friedman Jacob E. , Sherman William M. , Reed Michael J. , Eiton Charles W. , Dohm G.Lynis
Published: July 2002

The present study examined the level of GLUT‐4 glucose transporter protein in gastrocnemius muscles of 36 week old genetically obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats and their lean (Fa/‐) littermates, and in obese Zucker rats following 18 or 30 weeks of treadmill exercise training. Despite skeletal muscle insulin resistance, the level of GLUT‐4 glucose transporter protein was similar in lean and obese Zucker rats. In contrast, exercise training increased GLUT‐4 protein levels by 1.7 and 2.3 fold above sedentary obese rats. These findings suggest endurance training stimulates expression of skeletal muscle GLUT‐4 protein which may be responsible for the previously observed increase in insulin sensitivity with training.
A novel magnesium‐dependent mechanism for the activation of transducin by fluoride
Authors: Antonny Bruno , Bigay Joelle , Chabre Marc
Published: July 2002

Activation of transducin‐GDP by NaF is mainly mediated by aluminofluoride or beryllofluoride complexes acting as GTP γ‐phosphate analogs. In millimolar magnesium, NaF at concentrations above 3 mM is active even in the absence of aluminium or beryllium. This activation has a Hill coefficient of 3 with respect to F−, and its rate is linear with respect to Mg2+ concentrations above 2 mM. Upon fluoride dilution, inactivation rate is hundreds of times faster than for aluminofluoride‐activated TαGDP. We propose that at high NaF concentrations, 3 hydrogen‐bonded fluorides in the γ‐phosphate site of TαGDP entrap a magnesium counterion and this induces the transconformation to the TαGTP form.
Identification and characterization of two dermorphins from skin extracts of the Amazonian frog Phyllomedusa bicolor
Authors: Mignogna Giuseppina , Severini Cinzia , Simmaco Maurizio , Negri Lucia , Erspamer Giuliana Falconieri , Kreil Günther , Barra Donatella
Published: July 2002

Skin extracts of South American hylid frogs of the subfamily Phyllomedusinae contain dermorphins and deltorphins, opioid heptapeptides highly selective for either μ or δ receptors. In all these peptides, a d‐amino acid is present in the second position. The structure of the precursors for Ala‐deltorphins was recently deduced from cloned cDNAs derived from skin of Phyllomedusa bicolor (Richter et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 4836–4839). From the amino acid sequence of these precursors, the existence of three peptides related to dermorphin could be predicted. From methanol extracts of skin of Ph. bicolor we have isolated two of these peptides. [Lys7]dermorphin‐OH and [Trp4,Asn7]dermorphin‐OH. The biological activity of these new dermorphins and their amidated counterparts is presented.
Regulation of gastric mucosal diamine oxidase activity by gastrin
Authors: Hougaard David M. , Houen Gunnar , Larsson Lars-Inge
Published: July 2002

The polyamines spermidine and spermine are essential for cell proliferation. Most growth factors stimulate polyamine synthesis by inducing ornithine decarboxylase activity, which catalyzes the formation of putrescine from ornithine. Putrescine can then be utilized either for polyamine biosynthesis or may serve as a substrate for diamine oxidase (DAO), leading to formation of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Growth of the oxyntic mucosa of the stomach is stimulated by feeding, by trophic hormones such as gastrin and by exogenous administration of putrescine. Conversely, fasting, as well as ornithine decarboxylase inhibition decrease oxyntic mucosal DNA synthesis. We now demonstrate that fasted rats show a high degree of [3H]GABA formation from [3H]putrescine in the oxyntic mucosa and that feeding or injections of gastrin, caerulein or the DAO‐inhibitor aminoguanidine decrease such [3H]GABA formation and, instead, stimulate formation of [3H]spermidine. Moreover, gastrin injections reduced oxyntic mucosal DAO activity. Thus, oxyntic mucosal DAO activity is regulated by tropic factors and may be involved in growth regulation by controlling intramucosal putrescine metabolism.