bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STUDY OF ANTHROPOMETRY AND ERGONOMICS OF DESK AND CHAIR DESIGN FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (CASE STUDY: PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 008 PURNAMA)
Authors: Fitra Fitra , Azmi Azmi , Marbun Novri Jenita , Fathurrozi Nur Arif
Published: July 2021

Desks and chairs are supporting facilities for learning activities at various school levels, especially elementary schools or mostly known as SD. The Government of Dumai City through the Education authorities provided desks and chairs for learning process. SD 008 Purnama is one of the schools that received desks and chairs as aid. However the desks and chairs provided are not ergonomic in terms of the size of desks and chairs compared to size of student’s body. Somehow the un-ergonomic desks and chairs generate uncomfortable during learning and teaching process. In order to have proper anthropometry data of student of SD 008 Purnama and to be recommended to determine the size of desks and chairs ergonomically is the main purpose of this study.This study discusses the ergonomics of the design of the desks and chairs in elementary schools by using anthropometric data of students in grade 1 and 6. The research method used is quantitative research using the anthropometric approach.  This research was conducted at SD 008 Purnama so that  it can be used as main reference for the size desks and chairs for All elementary schools in the city of Dumai.The results of this study were the recommended Desk and chair sizes based on anthropometric data of students at SD 008 Purnama. Anthropometric data obtained were the high of desk and chair which can be raised and lowered. The high of desk was obtained 42.40 cm-67.35 cm and chair 29.22 cm-42.94 cm. However also obtained the length of desk was 64,57 cm, width 59.02 cm, the high of desk surface from below was 37.72 cm, the length of chair was 43.16 cm, the width of seat base was 36.89 cm, chair back height was 38.55 cm, chair back width was 38.55 cm and the high of footrest for desk and chair was 7.17 cm
DESIGNING WAREHOUSE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT APPLICATION WEB-BASED ON BATIK SINUWUN SME WITH THE AGILE SCRUM DEVELOPMENT METHOD
Authors: Majdina Muhammad Yumna , Praptono Budi , Idawicaksa Maria Dellarosawati
Published: July 2021

In this era, technology develops rapidly. More adequate and modern technology displaced old technology and indicates high competition. This competition requires changes in the management of a particular business in order to keep up with developments and take advantages of the application of technology. Sinuwun Batik is SME engaged in the production of batik clothes and selling batik clothes. The increasing number of requests and various types of SME make Batik Sinuwun overwhelmed in regulating the supply of raw materials for production, because there is no warehouse record. This study aims to design a website-based application that can help Batik Sinuwun SME to manage warehouse inventory.This inventory application is designed using the Agile Scrum Development method. The stages of making the system begin with collecting the required data by eliciting user needs, this data is the basic data in determining the features of application. This application is made based on websites using the PHP framework CodeIgniter and MySQL as data storage. The application system is tested using the Blackbox Testing method and ISO: 9126.The result of this research is a website application to simplify the management of raw materials in and out of the warehouse so that the latest stock of raw materials can be found, but it can also minimize recording errors due to manual calculations.
APPLICATION OF PREDICTION TIME OF GRADUATION USING THE NAÏVE BAYES ALGORITHM WITH THE PYTHON PROGRAM
Authors: Rahayu Priskila Christine , Jobiliong Eric , Antonny Antonny
Published: July 2021

Accreditation is a process to ensure the quality of a university and study program. There are several factors that determine the quality standard of accreditation. One of them is the time of graduation. However, there is no means that can be used to predict early student graduation time. Therefore, this study aims to create a means that can predict early graduation time. In this study, data mining methods were used, namely the Naïve Bayes algorithm. After that, data processing and application development will be carried out using the Python program. The data used in the data mining process is three years of historical data and the data used for the trial are active student data for the second and third years. There are 5 types of patterns with an accuracy value of 81%, 87%, 92%, 92%, and 95%.
NOVELTY DOES MATTER: SLM IS A CONVENIENT WAY FINDING A RESEARCH ORIGINALITY
Authors: Cahyo Winda Nur
Published: July 2021

A good research is a research with a clear research novelty of research originality. However, finding the novelty or originality is one of the most challenging process in research in any field.  Although there are many proposed models to assist researchers and scholars to determine research novelty-such as Systematic Literature Review, K-Chart, Card System, Decision Tree, Mind Mapping- most of the tools or models fail to fulfill the need of some researcher to effectively present the complex result of literature review. To deal with this obstacle, a new tool named SLM (Systematic Literature Mapping) is proposed in this article in order to visually present the result of a complex literature review in the form of a decision tree that leads to an effective and efficient literature review process. The newly proposed model combines SLR (Systematic Literature Review), an established-well-known tool for literature review with a model named K-Chart. To verify the proposed model, a case study is discussed to accompany the example of the application of this new tool. The case study is finding the research opportunity of the application of big data in the industry.  The result shows that SLM is capable to serve its purpose in the process of literature review
ANALYSIS OF ZERO PLASTIC BAG POLICY EFFECT ON GREEN BEHAVIOUR WITH STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING (SEM) METHOD
Authors: Indah A.Besse Riyani , Syamsul Nadzirah Ikasari , Retnari Dian , Syamsul Nilda
Published: July 2021

Plastic bag is a product that is very often used in everyday life. Plastic bags are one of the biggest contributors to the volume of waste in Indonesia. Therefore, a policy related to the use of plastic bags is called a zero plastic bag. This policy requires plastic bag users to switch to using environmentally friendly bags. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of the zero platic bag policy on Makassar City community behavior related to the environment or green behavior if this policy is applied in the City of Makassar. To determine the effect of the zero plastic bag policy on people's behavior patterns about the environment using the SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) method. Initial identification was carried out by distributing questionnaires to respondents using plastic bags, especially retail consumers in Makassar City. The questionnaire contained green behavior variables which consisted of five variables. Then the results of data collection using a questionnaire are processed using descriptive analysis and then look for the effect of zero plastic bag policies on green behavior using the SEM method. The results of the identification of the influence of zero plastic bag policy based on four variables namely environmental knowledge, environmental attitude, green advertising, and green consumption on green behavior are that of the four variables that have a positive influence on green behavior are environmental attitude, green advertising, and green consumption . The results of this study can be used as policy input and see how effective this policy is when applied in Makassar City.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES IN FINANCIAL, LEARNING AND GROWTH PERSPECTIVES THROUGH IMPLEMENTING THE INTEGRATION OF LEAN WITH SIX SIGMA (DMAIC) CONCEPTS IN THE PACKAGING DRINKING WATER INDUSTRY IN MAKASSAR CITY
Authors: Ahmad Lamatinulu
Published: July 2021

The growth of bottled drinking water is currently growing in line with the increasing needs of the community, however, in its operational activities, several problems are still found. The problems are related to the problem of activities that are not useful (waste) in the aspects of finance, learning, and growth. Based on these problems, in this study, an analysis was carried out by applying the integration of the concept of Lean and Six Sigma. The research method approach is carried out by identifying the types of activities that are not useful (waste) and analyzed by the stages Define, Measure), Improve, and Control with the abbreviation DMAIC analysis. The method of data collection was carried out by direct survey, interview, and questionnaire instrument distribution. The results of this study identify activities that are not useful (waste) in the form of findings of the amount of non-productive work time, low work motivation, low frequency of employee education and training activities, loss of sales turnover due to consumer movement to buy other brands of products, it is still found that the lowest sales volume occurs. Based on the stages of DMAIC analysis, 10 root causes and strategies of waste are found from a financial perspective, and 8 on the aspects of growth and learning.
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CLEAN WATER DISTRIBUTION MACHINE USING OVERALL EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVENESS (OEE) METHOD
Authors: Mail Abdul , Dahlan Muhammad , Rauf Nurhayati , Chairany A Nurul , Ahmad Arfandi , Jufri Khhairunnisa
Published: July 2021

Clean water distribution machines are very important for local drinking water companies to be able to supply clean water to customers. The need for water continues to increase, so an analysis is needed to determine the decline in engine pump performance in the production process. Maintenance activities need to be carried out to maintain the reliability (realiability) of the machine so that it can operate properly. Therefore, a good strategy is needed to maintain the continuity of the production process. The purpose of this research is to measure the performance of the water distribution pump machine / equipment associated with the low level of clean water production, to identify the losses experienced by the company. The Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) value obtained before repairs were carried out in November 2019 for Lapi I was 69.38% and Lapi II was 69. 75% while in December 2019 for Lapi I it was 74.02% and Lapi II was 73.65% still below the JIPM standard, namely ≥85%. From the results of the six big losses, the clean water distribution pump machine as a whole still needs evaluation to make improvements in increasing effectiveness and productivity, especially in the problem of redeuced speed losses so that suggestions can be made to improve the clean water distribution machine. After repairs in January 2020 for Lapi I was 87.90% and Lapi II was 87.26% while in February 2020 for Lapi I it was 90.34% and Lapi II was 85.81%. From the results of the six big losses, the clean water distribution pump machine as a whole still needs evaluation to make improvements in increasing effectiveness and productivity, especially in the problem of redeuced speed losses so that suggestions can be made to improve the clean water distribution machine. After repairs in January 2020 for Lapi I was 87.90% and Lapi II was 87.26% while in February 2020 for Lapi I it was 90.34% and Lapi II was 85.81%. From the results of the six big losses, the clean water distribution pump machine as a whole still needs evaluation to make improvements in increasing effectiveness and productivity, especially in the problem of redeuced speed losses so that suggestions can be made to improve the clean water distribution machine. After repairs in January 2020 for Lapi I was 87.90% and Lapi II was 87.26% while in February 2020 for Lapi I it was 90.34% and Lapi II was 85.81%
DESIGN INFORMATION SYSTEMS OF PRODUCTION RESULTS IN THE RAJAWALI BROMO CONVECTION INDUSTRY, MAKASSAR
Authors: Lantara Dirgahayu , Pawennari Andi , Padhil Ahmad , Malik Rahmaniah , Afiah Irma Nur , Cahya Astin
Published: July 2021

The development of the era where everything is instantaneous and fast as it is today must be supported by the development of increasingly sophisticated information technology. One of the functions of this technological development is to obtain accurate and fast information. But in fact, there are still companies / organizations that have not used computer technology as a work aid, such as the Bromo Rajawali Convection which still uses the manual method of writing employee data, namely data storage still using books. Therefore, the design of an employee data management information system is carried out that can help companies control the production data of each tailor employee. The method used in this research is the Waterfall method. It is called a waterfall because the steps that are passed must wait for the completion of the previous stage and run sequentially, for example the design stage must wait for the completion of the previous stage, namely the requirements stage [1]. The Waterfall method consists of 5 stages, namely Analysis, Design, Coding, Testing and Maintenance. The purpose of this study is to design an information system that can make it easier for companies to write down employee production data accurately. From the design results, there are two factors that support the running of the system, namely administration and production data, the input form available on the system that has been designed, namely the login input form and the employee data input form, while the output form contains complete data related to employee personal data and employee production data. With the creation of a management information system in writing data on employee production, the Rajawali Bromo Convection can accelerate the search for more accurate data in the future, and applications made later by the company can be used properly as one of the employee production data systems
Lipid markers and compound-specific carbon isotopes as diet and biosynthesis reflectors in the northern Neptune whelk Neptunea heros
Authors: Harvey HR , McMahon R , Taylor KA
Published: July 2021

A suite of lipid biomarkers plus compound-specific carbon isotopes of major sterols were determined in muscle tissues across increasing sizes of northern Neptune whelks Neptunea heros, developing eggs and potential diets to link trophic patterns, metabolism and carbon sources on the Chukchi Sea shelf. Analysis of primary prey included the northern clam Astarte borealis, water column particulate organic matter (POM) and surface sediments near the collection sites. Sterols specific to major algal groups along with algal-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids (C20:5n-3, C20:4n-3, C22:6n-3) in whelk muscle tissue reflected the importance of algal primary production to benthic consumers and its direct incorporation. Compound-specific carbon isotope values of cholesterol and Δ5,7-sterols present in foot muscle of N. heros also suggest a transition from scavenging/detrital feeding in smaller juveniles to predatory consumption by larger adults. Sexually mature adult female N. heros (shell lengths >10 cm) contained lower sterol concentrations compared to smaller whelks, which may reflect reduced consumption rates or lipid translocation during the annual reproductive cycle. Analysis of N. heros eggs at 3 developmental stages ranging from internal egg masses to mature egg cases showed significant transfer of algal-derived sterols and fatty acids which were conserved during egg maturation. The suite of individual lipid signatures and δ13C sterol values observed in N. heros suggest that the northern Neptune whelk relies on both direct lipid incorporation as well as metabolic modification of algal-derived food sources for sterol requirements that transition as animals mature and become predatory consumers.
Environmental factors involved in breaching behavior of manta rays in estuarine waters
Authors: Medeiros AM , Ari C , Monteiro-Filho ELA
Published: July 2021

Improving our knowledge on the behavior of threatened species is essential for developing effective conservation actions. The Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (PEC), southern Brazil, is the only estuary in the world where manta rays have been observed performing breaches seasonally. The exact role of this breaching behavior and the environmental factors connected to it are unknown. Our goals were to determine the spatial distribution, and the temporal and environmental factors that influence the breaching behavior of this endangered group in a dynamic estuarine habitat for the first time. Manta rays were observed breaching in the PEC during austral summer and early autumn, when the sea surface temperature (SST) and precipitation were high. Generalized additive models revealed that the presence and frequency of the breaches were both influenced by the SST and hours of daily effort, while the breaching frequency was also influenced by the wind direction and speed, percentage of moon illumination, and year. The breaches were mainly concentrated near the mouth of a river. Likely these factors influenced not only the occurrence and behavior of manta rays, but also the distribution of their food source, potentially providing optimal conditions for foraging and reproduction. Based on the coloration pattern, it is possible that the observations were ofMobula cf. birostris.These results provide valuable insights into the breaching behavior of manta rays in estuarine waters that will assist future conservation initiatives and research on their behavioral ecology, to optimize fishery management and contribute to developing sustainable ecotourism in the PEC.
ANALYSIS OF DEMAND FOR COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE
STUDENTS
Authors: ADAMEC PETR , JANDERKOVÁ DITA
Published: July 2021

The offer for counselling services at universities and colleges is nowadays their standard component. University counselling focuses on learning, psychological, social, special-pedagogical and career issues. The aim of the paper is to acquaint with the results of the demand analysis for counselling services among students of all grades of the selected university in the Czech Republic. The results identified specific areas where students would need guidance or their further development (e. g. soft skills) while gender and student preference differences at different stages of study were found for most indicators. The results of such investigations are the core basis for reflection, innovation and improvement of the university counselling services status quo.
IN SILICO PREDICTION AND MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDIES OF BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF HYDROACRIDINE (QUINOLINE) DERIVATIVES
Authors: Smetanin Nikolay , Tokarieva Sofia , Varenichenko Svetlana , Farat Oleg , Markov Victor
Published: July 2021

To find biological activity among easily available 2-[(4S,4’S/4R,4’R)-2’,5’-dioxo-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-spiro[acridine-4,3’-pyrrolidin]-4’-yl]-N-aryl-acetamide, (4S/4R)-4-[(3R/3S)-1-(2-aryl)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-3-yl]-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroacridine-4-carbonitrile, (3S/4R)-3-[(3R/4S)-9-chloroacridine(quinoline)-4-yl]-1-N-aryl)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones. Methods: Organic synthesis, spectral methods, and molecular docking. We investigated by molecular docking the potential biological activity of previously synthesized compounds containing acridine and pyrrolidine-2,5-diones fragments in their structure, as well as synthesized in this work N’-hydroxy-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroacridine-4-carboximidamide. Based on the literature data, 3 directions of searching for the biological activity of the synthesized compounds have been chosen: cholinesterase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant agents. As inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and butylcholinesterase, substances with good binding free energy and hydrogen bonds with the desired amino acid residues of the Glu-His-Ser triad have been found among the tested compounds. The indicators of synthesized products have exceeded the literature data. The docking data for anti-inflammatory activity has revealed compounds with values above the docking data of the reference drugs - celecoxib and indomethacin. The compounds tested have shown moderate activity as anticonvulsant agents. 3-(7-bromo-9-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-4-yl)-1-(3-nitrophenyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione is potentially promising as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor due to its high binding free energy (-13.7 kcal/mol) and hydrogen bonds with two amino acid residues Ser200, His440. Compound (4S/4R)-4-[(3R/3S)-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-3-yl]-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroacridine-4-carbonitrile has proved to be the best as an anti-inflammatory agent. The presence of a pyrrolidine-2,5-diones fragment increases the indicators of the biological activity of the synthesized compounds in comparison with just acridine derivatives.
Motores de la emigración venezolana a España 1998-2015: logros de una estrategia de reproducción social
Authors: Dekocker Katrien , Valbuena Martínez Consuelo , Fernández Mercedes
Published: July 2021

This article focuses on the profile and satisfaction level of the migration project of the Venezuelan community that arrived in Spain between 1998 and 2015. The empirical analysis of a survey conducted to 383 Venezuelans illustrates the expulsion factors that activated emigration, the achievement of the expectations, and the integration in the country of destination, focusing on the theory of social reproduction as an emigration strategy. This first stage of migration marks the slow reaction of Spanish authorities to the arrival of a significant number of migrants as of 2016.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF INCIDENCE OF MIXED UROGENITAL INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH SYPHILIS IN THE SOUTH REGION OF UKRAINE
Authors:   Odessa National Medical University, Kovalyova L.M.
Published: July 2021

The objective. The analysis of the social-epidemiological situation and the incidence of mixed urogenital infection (MUI) in patients with syphilis in the southern region of Ukraine for the period 2015–2019 has been carried out. Materials and Methods. The structure of the incidence of syphilis in 1785 patients was studied and analyzed taking into account their social and epidemiological characteristics, of which – 1049 (58.8%) patients were diagnosed with mixed urogenital infection. A variety of combinations of association of urogenital microorganisms in mixed infections in patients with syphilis has been established. Results. The data obtained showed that the infection with syphilis with MUI was the highest in early latent syphilis. Analysis of the identified variants of the disease in patients with syphilis and patients with syphilis with MUI showed a low level of education on the issues of individual protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI) in both groups of patients. Conclusion. A high incidence of lesions of the genitourinary tract damage (58.8%) was established in patients with syphilis in the southern region of Ukraine. The presence of various associations of microorganisms in MUI in patients with syphilis is characteristic, which explains the complicated course of lesions of the urogenital system. The clinic of syphilis on the background of Sugi in patients was more severe. The clinical picture of syphilis against the background of SUGI in patients proceeded with more severe manifestations. The results obtained will serve as the basis for the development of targeted preventive measures, taking into account the epidemiological situation in the marine region.
CLINICAL PICTURE AND DIAGNOSTIC ALGORITHM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MELANOACANTHOMA
Authors:   Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Makurina G.I.
Published: July 2021

The objective of this study is to describe a clinical case of melanoacanthoma, as a rare variant of seborrheic keratosis, which hides the ability to mimic melanoma and determine the diagnostic algorithm for patient management, further doctor’s tactics, based on clinical-dermatoscopy-pathomorphological features. Materials and methods. Visual assessment of the neoplasm using the ABCDE algorithm, dermatoscopic examination to determine characteristic patterns and the use of a scale of 11 criteria according to S. Menzies, pathomorphological and immunohistochemical studies. Results. A 32-year-old woman has a neoplasia suspicious for melanoma on the basis of a comprehensive visual and dermatoscopy examination. As a result of excisional removal and pathomorphological conclusion, it is legitimate to formulate the final diagnosis in the context of variation of seborrheic keratosis. Conclusions. Melanoacanthoma is a rare variant of seborrheic keratosis that clinically resembles melanoma and requires an individualized diagnostic algorithm.
Modelling semantic change from Ancient Greek to emoji
Authors: McGillivray Barbara
Published: July 2021

Over time, new words enter the language, others become obsolete, and existing words acquire new meanings. The recent digitization efforts have now made it possible to access and mine digital collections of historical texts using automatic methods and investigate the question of semantic change over centuries. Easy access to very large born-digital collections from the web also allows us to study changes in contemporary language data spanning short time periods. In this talk I will present my research on developing models for semantic change drawing on state-of-the-art computational linguistics methods relying on distributional semantics principles, Bayesian learning and embedding technologies. I will share my experience of working at different scales and in a range of interdisciplinary projects, from Ancient Greek and Latin to Charles Darwin’s letters, web archives, Twitter and emoji.
Genome Instability-Derived Genes Are Novel Prognostic Biomarkers for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Guo Maoni , Wang San Ming
Published: July 2021

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease. Recent studies have identified genome instability-derived genes for patient outcomes. However, most of the studies mainly focused on only one or a few genome instability-related genes. Prognostic potential and clinical significance of genome instability-associated genes in TNBC have not been well explored.

Methods

In this study, we developed a computational approach to identify TNBC prognostic signature. It consisted of (1) using somatic mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) in TNBC to build a binary matrix and identifying the top and bottom 25% mutated samples, (2) comparing the gene expression between the top and bottom 25% samples to identify genome instability-related genes, and (3) performing univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to identify survival-associated gene signature, and Kaplan–Meier, log-rank test, and multivariate Cox regression analyses to obtain overall survival (OS) information for TNBC outcome prediction.

Results

From the identified 111 genome instability-related genes, we extracted a genome instability-derived gene signature (GIGenSig) of 11 genes. Through survival analysis, we were able to classify TNBC cases into high- and low-risk groups by the signature in the training dataset (log-rank test p = 2.66e−04), validated its prognostic performance in the testing (log-rank test p = 2.45e−02) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) (log-rank test p = 2.57e−05) datasets, and further validated the predictive power of the signature in five independent datasets.

Conclusion

The identified novel signature provides a better understanding of genome instability in TNBC and can be applied as prognostic markers for clinical TNBC management.
Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Pyrimidine Derivatives Containing an Amide Moiety
Authors: Wu Wenneng , Lan Wenjun , Wu Chenyan , Fei Qiang
Published: July 2021

In this study, 17 novel pyrimidine derivatives containing an amide moiety were synthesized. Then their in vitro antifungal activities against Botryosphaeria dothidea (B. dothidea), Phomopsis sp., and Botrytis cinereal (B. cinereal) were determined. A preliminary biological test showed that compounds 5-bromo-2-fluoro-N-(2-((2-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)phenyl)benzamide (5f) and 5-bromo-2-fluoro-N-(3-((2-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)phenyl)benzamide (5o) exhibited higher antifungal activity against Phomopsis sp., with an inhibition rate of 100% compared to that of Pyrimethanil at 85.1%. In particular, compound 5o exhibited excellent antifungal activity against Phompsis sp., with the EC50 value of 10.5 μg/ml, which was even better than that of Pyrimethanil (32.1 μg/ml). As far as we know, this is the first report on the antifungal activities against B. dothidea, Phomopsis sp., and B. cinereal of this series of pyrimidine derivatives containing an amide moiety.
A Multi-Catalytic Sensing for Hydrogen Peroxide, Glucose, and Organophosphorus Pesticides Based on Carbon Dots
Authors: Li Ping , Sun Xiang-Ying , Shen Jiang-Shan
Published: July 2021

In this work, a facile one-pot hydrothermal route was employed to synthesize a series of fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) by using 20 natural amino acids, respectively, as the starting materials. It was found that the CDs synthesized using phenylalanine could possess the intrinsic peroxidase-like activity that could effectively catalyze a traditional peroxidase substrate like 3, 3’, 5, 5’- tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2 to produce a blue solution; thereby, a catalytic sensing system for H2O2 has been developed. On the basis of this catalytic reaction, together with the fact that glucose oxidase (GOx) can catalyze the hydrolysis of glucose to generate H2O2, a sensitive catalytic sensing system for glucose could be further established. Furthermore, based on this catalytic reaction, taken together with the two enzymatic catalytic systems of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline oxidase (CHO), a highly sensitive multi-catalytic sensing system could be successfully developed for organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides such as dimethoate, DDVP, and parathion-methyl. Limit of detections (LODs) of H2O2 and glucose were estimated to be 6.5 and 0.84 μM, respectively. The limit of detection of the sub-nM level could be obtained for tested dimethoate, DDVP, and parathion-methyl OPs pesticides. The established sensing systems can exhibit good practical application performance in serum and several fruit samples.
Recent Seismicity in the Area of the Major, 1908 Messina Straits Earthquake, South Italy
Authors: Neri Giancarlo , Orecchio Barbara , Presti Debora , Scolaro Silvia , Totaro Cristina
Published: July 2021

High-quality non-linear hypocenter locations and waveform inversion focal mechanisms of recent, shallow earthquakes of the Messina Straits have allowed us to obtain the following main results: 1) seismicity has occurred below the east-dipping north-striking fault proposed by most investigators as the source of the 1908, magnitude 7.1 Messina earthquake, while it has been substantially absent in correspondence of the fault and above it; 2) earthquake locations and related strain space distributions do not exhibit well defined trends reflecting specific faults but they mark the existence of seismogenic rock volumes below the 1908 fault representing primary weakness zones of a quite fractured medium; 3) focal mechanisms reveal normal and right-lateral faulting in the Straits, reverse faulting at the southern border of it (Ionian sea south of the Ionian fault), and normal faulting at the northern border (southeastern Tyrrhenian sea offshore southern Calabria); 4) these faulting regimes are compatible with the transitional character of the Messina Straits between the zone of rollback of the in-depth continuous Ionian subducting slab (southern Calabria) and the collisional zone where the subduction slab did already undergo detachment (southwest of the Ionian fault); 5) the whole seismicity of the study area, including also the less recent earthquakes analyzed by previous workers, is compared to patterns of geodetic horizontal strain and uplift rates available from the literature. We believe that the joint action of Africa-Europe plate convergence and rollback of the Ionian subducting slab plays a primary role as regard to the local dynamics and seismicity of the Messina Straits area. At the same time, low horizontal strain rates and large spatial variations of uplift rate observed in this area of strong normal-faulting earthquakes lead us to include a new preliminary hypothesis of deep-seated sources concurring to local vertical dynamics into the current debate on the geodynamics of the study region.
Variation in the Evolution and Sequences of Proglucagon and the Receptors for Proglucagon-Derived Peptides in Mammals
Authors: Irwin David M.
Published: July 2021

The mammalian proglucagon gene (Gcg) encodes three glucagon like sequences, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and glucagon-like peptide-2 that are of similar length and share sequence similarity, with these hormones having cell surface receptors, glucagon receptor (Gcgr), GLP-1 receptor (Glp1r), and GLP-2 receptor (Glp2r), respectively. Gcgr, Glp1r, and Glp2r are all class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Despite their sequence and structural similarity, analyses of sequences from rodents have found differences in patterns of sequence conservation and evolution. To determine whether these were rodent-specific traits or general features of these genes in mammals I analyzed coding and protein sequences for proglucagon and the receptors for proglucagon-derived peptides from the genomes of 168 mammalian species. Single copy genes for each gene were found in almost all genomes. In addition to glucagon sequences within Hystricognath rodents (e.g., guinea pig), glucagon sequences from a few other groups (e.g., pangolins and some bats) as well as changes in the proteolytic processing of GLP-1 in some bats are suggested to have functional effects. GLP-2 sequences display increased variability but accepted few substitutions that are predicted to have functional consequences. In parallel, Glp2r sequences display the most rapid protein sequence evolution, and show greater variability in amino acids at sites involved in ligand interaction, however most were not predicted to have a functional consequence. These observations suggest that a greater diversity in biological functions for proglucagon-derived peptides might exist in mammals.
Study on Flow Boiling Characteristics in Rectangle Channel After Formation of Blisters
Authors: Huang Huijian , Chen Chong , Liu Luguo , Liu Yu , Li Linfeng , Yu Hao , Wang Mingjun , Qiu Suizheng
Published: July 2021

Plate-type fuel elements is one of the first fuel structure choice for the novel integrated PWR, however, blisters will appear on the cladding induced by irradiation and fission. In this work CFD method was used to investigate the subcooled boiling characteristic of the water in rectangle channel with round and pillow blisters, the modified RPI model was also proposed, we can draw conclusions as follows: In the channel with round blister, as the blisters will increase the local flow resistance and more fluid will flow through center of the channel. Boiling occurred only in the area near the edges, nearly no vapor appeared at the center of the channel. The boiling region in channel with pillow shape blisters is wider and concentrated between two pillow blisters and downstream of the non-blisters side. The dry out area are both in the downstream region of blisters for the two types of channels.
Techno-Economic Analysis of Candidate Oxide Materials for Thermochemical Storage in Concentrating Solar Power Systems
Authors: Buck Reiner , Agrafiotis Christos , Tescari Stefania , Neumann Nicole , Schmücker Martin
Published: July 2021

The thermal storage capability is an important asset of state-of-the-art concentrating solar power plants. The use of thermochemical materials, such as redox oxides, for hybrid sensible/thermochemical storage in solar power plants offers the potential for higher specific volume and mass storage capacity and as a consequence reduced levelized cost of electricity making such plants more competitive. For the techno-economic system analysis, three candidate redox materials were analyzed for their cost reduction potential: cobalt-based, manganese–iron–based, and perovskite-based oxide materials. As a reference process the use of inert commercial bauxite particles (sensible-only storage) was considered. A solar thermal power plant with a nominal power of 125 MWe and a storage capacity of 12 h was assumed for the analysis. For each storage material a plant layout was made, taking the specific thermophysical properties of the material into account. Based on this layout a particle break-even cost for the specific material was determined, at which levelized cost of electricity parity is achieved with the reference system. Cost factors mainly influenced by the material selection are storage cost and steam generator cost. The particle transport system cost has only a minor impact. The results show differences in the characteristics of the materials, for example, regarding the impact on storage size and cost and the steam generator cost. Regarding the economic potential of the candidate redox materials, the perovskite-based particles promise to have advantages, as they might be produced from inexpensive raw materials.
Efficiency Evaluation and Projection Improvement of the Industrial Water–Energy Nexus in China Based on Network Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Liang Shizhi , Huang Yufei , Ding Tao
Published: July 2021

Water and energy are critical resources for human well-being. The quantification and explanation of the water–energy nexus is important to enrich our understanding of sustainable utilization of water and energy resources in a unified framework. Herein, from the perspective of production efficiency, this study investigates the water–energy nexus in China’s industrial sector by developing a network data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. Under two practical principles, we evaluate the water and energy usage efficiencies as well as give projection points in terms of industrial production and wastewater treatment processes for 30 provinces or urban areas in China during 2011–2015. The results show that the overall efficiency values of most provinces in the industrial water–energy nexus system are high although the efficiency value of each province fluctuates up and down in the sample period. When comparing two subsystems, for most provinces, the sub-efficiencies of the industrial production subsystem are relatively higher than those of the wastewater treatment subsystem under the economic priority principle or environment priority principle. Considering the projection points, the potential improvement space of the environment priority strategy is higher than that of the economic priority strategy. Based on the empirical results, relevant policy suggestions are provided to improve the provincial or urban industrial water–energy nexus system in reality.
Targeted Sequencing Suggests Wild-Crop Gene Flow Is Central to Different Genetic Consequences of Two Independent Pumpkin Domestications
Authors: Kates Heather R. , Anido Fernando López , Sánchez-de la Vega Guillermo , Eguiarte Luis E. , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E.
Published: July 2021

Studies of domestication genetics enrich our understanding of how domestication shapes genetic and morphological diversity. We characterized patterns of genetic variation in two independently domesticated pumpkins and their wild progenitors to assess and compare genetic consequences of domestication. To compare genetic diversity pre- and post-domestication and to identify genes targeted by selection during domestication, we analyzed ∼15,000 SNPs of 48 unrelated accessions, including wild, landrace, and improved lines for each of two pumpkin species, Cucurbita argyrosperma and Cucurbita maxima. Genetic diversity relative to its wild progenitor was reduced in only one domesticated subspecies, C. argyrosperma ssp. argyrosperma. The two species have different patterns of genetic structure across domestication status. Only 1.5% of the domestication features identified for both species were shared between species. These findings suggest that ancestral genetic diversity, wild-crop gene flow, and domestication practices shaped the genetic diversity of two similar Cucurbita crops in different ways, adding to our understanding of how genetic diversity changes during the processes of domestication and how trait improvement impacts the breeding potential of modern crops.
Hsa_circ_0002062 Promotes the Proliferation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells by Regulating the Hsa-miR-942-5p/CDK6 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Yali , Tan Xiaoming , Wu Yunjiang , Cao Sipei , Lou Yueyan , Zhang Liyan , Hu Feng
Published: July 2021

Currently, new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) are urgently required. The unique features of circRNAs have unveiled a novel perspective for understanding the biological mechanisms underlying HPH and the possibility for innovative strategies for treatment of HPH. CircRNAs function as competing endogenous RNAs (CeRNA) to sequester miRNAs and regulate the expression of target genes. This study aimed to explore the roles of hsa_circ_0002062 on the biological behaviors of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in hypoxic conditions. A number of in vitro assays, such as RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, and dual-luciferase assays were performed to evaluate the interrelationship between hsa_circ_0002062, hsa-miR-942-5P, and CDK6. The potential physiological functions of hsa_circ_0002062, hsa-miR-942-5P, and CDK6 in hypoxic PASMCs were investigated through expression modulation. Our experiments demonstrated that hsa_circ_0002062 functions as a ceRNA, acts as a sponge for hsa-miR-942-5P, and consequently activates CDK6, which further promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling. Therefore, we speculate that hsa_circ_0002062 could serve as a candidate diagnostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for HPH.
Cystatin M/E Variant Causes Autosomal Dominant Keratosis Follicularis Spinulosa Decalvans by Dysregulating Cathepsins L and V
Authors: Eckl Katja M. , Gruber Robert , Brennan Louise , Marriott Andrew , Plank Roswitha , Moosbrugger-Martinz Verena , Blunder Stefan , Schossig Anna , Altmüller Janine , Thiele Holger , Nürnberg Peter , Zschocke Johannes , Hennies Hans Christian , Schmuth Matthias
Published: July 2021

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD) is a rare cornification disorder with an X-linked recessive inheritance in most cases. Pathogenic variants causing X-linked KFSD have been described in MBTPS2, the gene for a membrane-bound zinc metalloprotease that is involved in the cleavage of sterol regulatory element binding proteins important for the control of transcription. Few families have been identified with an autosomal dominant inheritance of KFSD. We present two members of an Austrian family with a phenotype of KFSD, a mother and her son. The disease was not observed in her parents, pointing to a dominant inheritance with a de novo mutation in the index patient. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a heterozygous missense variant in CST6 in DNA samples from the index patient and her affected son. In line with family history, the variant was not present in samples from her parents. CST6 codes for cystatin M/E, a cysteine protease inhibitor. Patient keratinocytes showed increased expression of cathepsin genes CTSL and CTSV and reduced expression of transglutaminase genes TGM1 and TGM3. A relative gain of active, cleaved transglutaminases was found in patient keratinocytes compared to control cells. The variant found in CST6 is expected to affect protein targeting and results in marked disruption of the balance between cystatin M/E activity and its target proteases and eventually transglutaminases 1 and 3. This disturbance leads to an impairment of terminal epidermal differentiation and proper hair shaft formation seen in KFSD.
Identification of the Immunological Changes Appearing in the CSF During the Early Immunosenescence Process Occurring in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Picón Carmen , Tejeda-Velarde Amalia , Fernández-Velasco José Ignacio , Comabella Manuel , Álvarez-Lafuente Roberto , Quintana Ester , Sainz de la Maza Susana , Monreal Enric , Villarrubia Noelia , Álvarez-Cermeño José Carlos , Domínguez-Mozo María Inmaculada , Ramió-Torrentà Lluís , Rodríguez-Martín Eulalia , Roldán Ernesto , Aladro Yolanda , Medina Silvia , Espiño Mercedes , Masjuan Jaime , Matute-Blanch Clara , Muñoz-San Martín Marta , Espejo Carmen , Guaza Carmen , Muriel Alfonso , Costa-Frossard Lucienne , Villar Luisa María
Published: July 2021

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer with age an early immunosenescence process, which influence the treatment response and increase the risk of infections. We explored whether lipid-specific oligoclonal IgM bands (LS-OCMB) associated with highly inflammatory MS modify the immunological profile induced by age in MS. This cross-sectional study included 263 MS patients who were classified according to the presence (M+, n=72) and absence (M-, n=191) of LS-OCMB. CSF cellular subsets and molecules implicated in immunosenescence were explored. In M- patients, aging induced remarkable decreases in absolute CSF counts of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, including Th1 and Th17 cells, and of B cells, including those secreting TNF-alpha. It also increased serum anti-CMV IgG antibody titers (indicative of immunosenescence) and CSF CHI3L1 levels (related to astrocyte activation). In contrast, M+ patients showed an age-associated increase of TIM-3 (a biomarker of T cell exhaustion) and increased values of CHI3L1, independently of age. Finally, in both groups, age induced an increase in CSF levels of PD-L1 (an inductor of T cell tolerance) and activin A (part of the senescence-associated secretome and related to inflammaging). These changes were independent of the disease duration. Finally, this resulted in augmented disability. In summary, all MS patients experience with age a modest induction of T-cell tolerance and an activation of the innate immunity, resulting in increased disability. Additionally, M- patients show clear decreases in CSF lymphocyte numbers, which could increase the risk of infections. Thus, age and immunological status are important for tailoring effective therapies in MS.