bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) derived from nine regions in Indonesia based on SSR markers
Authors: Rinawati DIAN YUNITA , Reflinur Reflinur , Dinarti Diny , Sudarsono Sudarsono
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Rinawati DY, Reflinur, Dinarti D, Sudarsono. 2021. Genetic diversity of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) derived from nine regions in Indonesia based on SSR markers. Biodiversitas 22: 3749-3755. Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.) has an important economic and conservation value. Indonesia has genetic diversity potential of sugar palm, considering the widespread distribution of sugar palm in Indonesia which has variations in geographical type. This study aims to determine the diversity and relationship of sugar palm from nine regions in Indonesia based on SSR markers. The genetic material consists of 141 sugar palm accessions derived from Bangka, Lampung, Lebak, Bogor, Tasikmalaya, Brebes, Gowa, Bombana, and Muna. Nine pairs of SSR primers were used for genotyping. The highest and lowest genetic diversity was found in the Bangka and Muna populations, respectively. The genetic diversity within a population (79%) was higher than the genetic diversity between populations (21%). The genetic distance between Bangka and Lebak is the closest (0.033), while between Lampung and Muna is the farthest (0.283). The accession relationship is divided into three major clusters. Clusters 1 consisted of Bangka, Lampung, Bogor, Tasikmalaya, Brebes, Gowa, Bombana and Muna accessions. Cluster 2 consisted of Bangka, Lampung, Lebak, Bogor, Tasikmalaya, Brebes, and Gowa accessions. Cluster 3 consisted of Bangka, Lebak, Brebes, Tasikmalaya, and Gowa accessions. Accession clustering does not show a typical relationship pattern based on geographic location.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in rice cv. IPB3S results in a semi-dwarf phenotypic mutant
Authors: NURHAYATI NURHAYATI , Ardie Sintho Wahyuning , Santoso Tri Joko , Sudarsono Sudarsono
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Nurhayati, Ardie SW, Santoso TJ, Sudarsono. 2021. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in rice cv. IPB3S results in a semi-dwarf phenotypic mutant. Biodiversitas 22: 3792-3800. IPB3S is Indonesian lowland rice and high-yielding cultivar. However, plant height posture makes it prone to lodging which could reduce the yield. This study aimed to edit the GA20Ox2 gene by introducing CRISPR/Cas9 GA20Ox2 construct into IPB3S and developing the semidwarf rice mutants. Immature embryo explants of IPB3S were used for the transformation process mediated by EHA105 strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying pC1300-Cas9/GA20Ox2 and by changing the regeneration medium composition. PCR analysis showed that rice cv. IPB3S genetic transformation gained putative mutant T0 lines carrying the hpt gene (growth efficiency was 47.9%, while transformation efficiency was 19.3%). Using the developed regeneration medium, we have obtained 24 putative rice cv. IPB3S T0 mutant lines carrying hpt. The best medium for regenerating IPB3S was the A medium (regeneration efficiency 73.3%). IPB 8 and IPB 14 were potential to evaluate in the next generation. The shortest plant height for the T1 generation was observed in the IPB 8-3 mutant.
Short Communication: Morphological study of the scales of Barbodes cf. binotatus (Cyprinidae) from Toba Lake, Indonesia by using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS)
Authors: Lubis Khairiza , SUDIBYO MUFTI , SIREGAR ELIDA HAFNI , LAILI NURLAINI
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Lubis K, Sudibyo M, Siregar EH, Laili N. 2021. Short Communication: Morphological study of the scales of Barbodes cf. binotatus (Cyprinidae) from Toba Lake, Indonesia by using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Biodiversitas 22: 3821-3828. Spotted barb (Barbodes cf binotatus) is a freshwater fish of Sumatra Island, especially found in the Toba. The study of morphological characteristics of the scales of Spotted barb (B. cf binotatus) is necessary in fish taxonomy. Therefore, the present study investigated the morphology and the chemical elements of the scales located between the dorsal fin and lateral line and those on the lateral line using SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)- Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). We found that the scales of Spotted barb (B. cf binotatus) have the general morphological characteristics of cycloid scales. The morphologies of the scales between the dorsal fin and lateral line and those on the lateral line are slightly different. Lateral line scales of Spotted barb (B. cf binotatus) have no focus area, replaced by a lateral line canal located along the anterior-posterior axis of the scales with two openings. The anterior opening is bigger and wider in compared to the posterior opening. The circuli of the dorsal fin scale is orientated towards the focus. However, the circuli of the lateral scale faces the lateral line canal. The scales contain some elements such as Ca, K, O, Mg, Na, and P.
Short Communication: Silba adipata (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) parasitoids on cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) in Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Yuliadhi Ketut Ayu , SUPARTHA I WAYAN , DARMIATI NI NENGAH , BANGUN ALPREDO , YUDHA I KADEK WISMA , UTAMA I WAYAN EKA KARYA , WIRADANA PUTU ANGGA
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Yuliadhi KA, Supartha IW, Darmiati NN, Bangun A, Yudha IKW, Utama IWEK, Wiradana PA. 2021. Silba adipata (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) parasitoids on cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) in Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3929-3935. The black fig fly (Silba adipata) is newly emerging pests that attack cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) plants in Bali Province, Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the parasitoid type, community structure, distribution, and parasitization rate of the parasitoids of S. adipata on cayenne pepper in Bali. The sampling method employed in this study involves purposive sampling techniques on 100-150 pieces of cayenne pepper infested with S. adipata at each location point, with the emerging parasitoids identified morphologically. Three types of parasitoid species were associated with S. adipata, which include Asobara japonica Belokobylskij, Fopius arisanus (Sonan), and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead). The parasitoid community structure associated with S. adipata had a low abundance index, low diversity index, and a moderate dominance index. Based on the distribution of the three parasitoids, D. longicaudata is distributed evenly in Bali, whereas F. arisanus was not found in Jembrana . Conversely, A. japonica was only found in Badung, Bangli, Gianyar, and Klungkung. As summary, D. laungicaudata had the highest parasitization rate compared to the F. arisanus and A. japonica. D. longicaudata is a potential parasitoid, which can be studied for the future biological control of S. adipata.
Floristic composition and stand structure of mangrove forests with varying vegetation conditions in Sungai Apit, Siak, Riau, Indonesia
Authors: Fatonah Siti , HAMIDY RASOEL , MULYADI ARAS , EFRIYELDI EFRIYELDI
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Fatonah, Hamidy R, Mulyadi A, Efriyeldi. 2021. Floristic composition and stand structure of mangrove forests with varying vegetation conditions in Sungai Apit, Siak, Riau, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3972-3983. Mangrove forest in Sungai Apit Sub-district, Siak District, Riau is one of mangrove ecosystems that is still partly natural with some parts being damaged or rehabilitated. Degraded mangrove forest is a mangrove forest that has been disturbed by human activities and natural factors. This study aimed to investigate the floristic composition and stand structure of trees and seedlings in mangrove forests in Sungai Apit, Siak District, Riau Province, Indonesia in three vegetation conditions, i.e., natural, degraded, and rehabilitated forests. Line Transect Plot Method was used to collect data in three stations (i.e., Rawa Mekar Jaya, Sungai Rawa and Mengkapan villages) where each station consisted of three transects with a size of 10 x 100 m. A total of 20 species belonging 11 families were recorded in the studied sites with Rhizophora apiculata was the most dominant species in all forest conditions. The natural forest had the highest number of species followed by rehabilitated forest and the degraded forest. Stand structure in terms of tree density, mean diameter of mangrove trunks, and basal area differed significantly across the three vegetation conditions with the natural forest had the highest values followed by the rehabilitated forest, while the degraded forest was the lowest. For the seedling, the lowest number of species was observed in the degraded forest while the highest was in the rehabilitated forest, indicating the result of rehabilitation activities. Yet, seedling density in natural forests was lower than that in rehabilitated and degraded forests. This study provides information that differences in structure, species composition and recruitment of seedlings in mangrove forests in the three conditions and locations can be related to differences in recovery time and degradation levels which may be important for developing mangrove forest management and conservation strategies.
Home gardens in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A promising approach to enhance household food security and well-being
Authors: Ngcaba Pelisa , Maroyi Alfred
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Ngcaba P, Maroyi A. 2021. Home gardens in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A promising approach to enhance household food security and well-being. Biodiversitas 22: 4045-4053. The current study is aimed at documenting the diversity and composition of food plants cultivated and maintained in home gardens; and also assessing their role at enhancing household food security and well-being in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. This study was undertaken in six villages in the province, between June 2014 and March 2016. Information on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the respondents, home garden practices, food plants grown and maintained in home gardens were collected by means of questionnaires and guided field walks with 129 respondents. A total of 32 edible plants belonging to 27 genera and 18 families were recorded. The main uses of plants grown and managed in home gardens were edible fruits or seeds (56.3%), leaves cooked as leafy vegetables (28.1%), edible bulbs, roots and tubers (21.9%), beverage, cereal, and culinary herb or spice (3.1% each). The most preferred species were Zea mays (64.3%), followed by Brassica oleracea (59.7%), Solanum tuberosum (58.9%), Spinacia oleracea (52.7%), Allium cepa (51.9%), Cucurbita moschata (44.2%), Capsicum annuum (38.0%), Cucurbita maxima (31.8%) and Daucas carota (31.0%). This study showed that home gardens can provide alternative sources of diverse and nutritious food to households, making home gardens an important agricultural resource for increasing food security in the province.
Structure and biomass accumulation of natural mangrove forest at Gazi Bay, Kenya
Authors: KAIRO JAMES G. , GITHAIGA MICHAEL NJOROGE , KOTUT KIPLAGAT , KARIUKI FRANCIS
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Githaiga MN, Kotut K, Kariuki F, Kairo JG. 2019. Structure and biomass accumulation of natural mangrove forest at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Bonorowo Wetlands 9: 18-32. The goal of this study was to determine the forest structure and estimate biomass accumulation above and below ground in the mangrove forest of Gazi Bay. The western, middle, and eastern forest blocks of the Gazi Bay mangrove forest were investigated for forest structure, whereas the western forest block was determined for biomass accumulation. To calculate below-ground biomass accumulation, in-growth cores of 80 cm long, 20 cm broad, and 60 cm deep were employed. Above-ground biomass accumulation was calculated using data on tree height and stem diameter at breast height (DBH-130). Leaf phenology was observed by tagging shoots. At the start, environmental variables were measured every four months for a year across four mangrove species zones. The linear regeneration sampling approach was used to determine the composition and distribution pattern of natural regeneration (LRS). Salinity revealed a strong negative connection with above-ground biomass accumulation among the soil environment characteristics studied. Sonneratia alba had the highest biomass accretion rate of 10.5 1.9 t ha-1 yr-1 among the four forest zones. Rhizophora mucronata (8.5 0.8 t ha-1 yr-1), Avicennia marina (5.2 1.8 t ha-1 yr-1), and Ceriops tagal (2.6 1.5 t ha-1 yr-1) were the next most abundant species. Above-ground and below-ground biomass accumulation differed significantly among zones (F (3, 8) = 5.42, p = 0.025) and (F (3, 8) = 16.03, p = 0 001), respectively. There was a significant difference in total biomass accumulation across zones (F (3, 8) =15.56, p = 0.001). For the entire forest, a root : shoot biomass accumulation ratio of 2 : 5 was calculated. This study's findings provide more accurate estimates of mangrove carbon capture and storage, which can be used in carbon credit discussions in the emerging carbon market.
Fundamental-ray aberration analysis of off-axial optical systems: analytical formulae of first-order aberrations
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Hayasaki Yoshio , Araki Keisuke
Published: September 2021

In our previous paper [Appl. Opt. 59, 4466 (2020)10.1364/AO.389600], we presented a fundamental-ray aberration analysis that extends ray matrix analysis to the third-order aberration region. The analysis results shown in that paper were applicable to coaxial rotationally symmetric optical systems. This time, we have extended the fundamental-ray aberration analysis so that it can be applied to off-axial optical systems. Here we present new analysis formulae for fundamental-ray aberration analysis of the first-order aberration region. In addition, we newly present first-order aberration expansion formulae for four-element fundamental-ray aberrations and calculation formulae for the fundamental-ray aberration coefficients of the first order, which are necessary for this extension.
Metal-insulator-metal waveguide-based optical pressure sensor embedded with arrays of silver nanorods
Authors: Tathfif Infiter , Yaseer Ahmad Azuad , Rashid Kazi Sharmeen , Sagor Rakibul Hasan
Published: September 2021

An optical Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) pressure sensor loaded with arrays of silver nanorods (NRs) is proposed in this article. The illustrated sensor contains a straight waveguide coupled with a ladder-shaped resonator. The spectral profile of the proposed schematic is numerically analyzed utilizing the 2D Finite Element Method (FEM). When pressure is exerted upon the silver layer, the resonating area deforms and shifts the resonant wavelength. Extensive computations demonstrate that increasing the deformation shifts the resonant wavelength to the right, establishing a linear relationship. The suggested structure reports maximum pressure sensitivity of 25.4 nm/MPa. Moreover, the impact of NRs on pressure sensitivity is extensively investigated and the results indicate that the designed layout is sensitive to the size and radius of NRs, making it highly tunable. All these features make the modeled prototype a promising nanoscale solution in different fields of engineering.
High-quality 3D display system for an integral imaging microscope using a simplified direction-inversed computation based on user interaction
Authors: Kwon Ki-Chul , Erdenebat Munkh-Uchral , Khuderchuluun Anar , Kwon Ki Hoon , Kim Min Young , Kim Nam
Published: September 2021

We propose and implement a high-quality three-dimensional (3D) display system for an integral imaging microscope using a simplified direction-inversed computation method based on user interaction. A model of the specimen is generated from the estimated depth information (via the convolutional neural network-based algorithm), the quality of the model is defined by the high-resolution two-dimensional image. The new elemental image arrays are generated from the models via a simplified direction-inversed computation method according to the user interaction and directly displayed on the display device. A high-quality 3D visualization of the specimen is reconstructed and displayed while the lens array is placed in front of the display device. The user interaction enables more viewpoints of the specimen to be reconstructed by the proposed system, within the basic viewing zone. Remarkable quality improvement is confirmed through quantitative evaluations of the experimental results.
Required warfarin dose and time in therapeutic range in patients with diagnosed Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) or Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Authors: Wen Xuerong , Wang Shuang , Taveira Tracey H. , Akhlaghi Fatemeh
Published: September 2021

Warfarin has been widely used to treat thromboembolism. The effect of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), on warfarin dosing remains unknown. This study aims to examine the effects of NAFLD/NASH on the average daily dose (ADD) of warfarin and the time in therapeutic range (TTR). This is a retrospective study utilizing an administrative data. We included patients with at least 2 months of warfarin dispensing and two subsequent consecutive INR measures. The ADD of warfarin to achieve therapeutic range INR levels, and TTR were compared between patients with and without NAFLD/NASH in four subgroups of patients accounting for the presence of obesity and diabetes. Generalized linear models (GLM) with Propensity score (PS) fine stratification were applied to evaluate the relative differences (RD) of warfarin ADD and TTR (>60%) in four subgroups. A total of 430 NAFLD/NASH patients and 38,887 patients without NAFLD/NASH were included. The ADD and TTR, were not significant in the overall cohort between those with and without NAFLD/NASH. However, GLM results in patients without diabetes or obesity (N = 26,685) showed a significantly lower warfarin ADD (RD: -0.38; 95%CI: -0.74–-0.02) and shorter TTR (OR: 0.71; 95%CI: 0.52–0.97) in patients diagnosed with NAFLD/NASH. The effects of NAFLD/NASH on warfarin dose or TTR were observed in patients without obesity and diabetes. Obesity and diabetes appear to be significant modifiers for the effects of NAFLD/NASH on warfarin dose and TTR.
Addressing the issue of bias in observational studies: Using instrumental variables and a quasi-randomization trial in an ESME research project
Authors: Ezzalfani Monia , Porcher Raphaël , Savignoni Alexia , Delaloge Suzette , Filleron Thomas , Robain Mathieu , Pérol David ,   ESME Group
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Observational studies using routinely collected data are faced with a number of potential shortcomings that can bias their results. Many methods rely on controlling for measured and unmeasured confounders. In this work, we investigate the use of instrumental variables (IV) and quasi-trial analysis to control for unmeasured confounders in the context of a study based on the retrospective Epidemiological Strategy and Medical Economics (ESME) database, which compared overall survival (OS) with paclitaxel plus bevacizumab or paclitaxel alone as first-line treatment in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Patients and methods

Causal interpretations and estimates can be made from observation data using IV and quasi-trial analysis. Quasi-trial analysis has the same conceptual basis as IV, however, instead of using IV in the analysis, a “superficial” or “pseudo” randomized trial is used in a Cox model. For instance, in a multicenter trial, instead of using the treatment variable, quasi-trial analysis can consider the treatment preference in each center, which can be informative, and then comparisons of results between centers or clinicians can be informative.

Results

In the original analysis, the OS adjusted for major factors was significantly longer with paclitaxel and bevacizumab than with paclitaxel alone. Using the center-treatment preference as an instrument yielded to concordant results. For the quasi-trial analysis, a Cox model was used, adjusted on all factors initially used. The results consolidate those obtained with a conventional multivariate Cox model.

Conclusion

Unmeasured confounding is a major concern in observational studies, and IV or quasi-trial analysis can be helpful to complement analysis of studies of this nature.
Changes in values and well-being amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
Authors: Bojanowska Agnieszka , Kaczmarek Łukasz D. , Koscielniak Maciej , Urbańska Beata
Published: September 2021

COVID-19 caused a global change in the lifestyles of people around the world. It provided a unique opportunity to examine how external circumstances impact two crucial aspects of functioning relating to "who I am" (values) and "how I feel" (well-being). Participants (N = 215) reported their values and subjective and eudaimonic well-being, nine months before the first lockdown in Poland and two weeks and four weeks into the first lockdown. We observed increased valuing of self-direction, security, conformity, humility, caring, and universalism and a decrease in valuing hedonism. Individuals experienced decreased subjective and eudaimonic well-being, with women responding with stronger negative affect intensity relative to men. Finally, we identified that individuals who were more open to change before the COVID-19 pandemic responded with higher eudaimonic well-being two weeks into lockdown relative to their less open to change peers. This study is unique in that it shows that well-being and individually held values are flexible and adaptive systems that react to external circumstances such as global critical events.
Speeding-up while growing-up: Synchronous functional development of motor and non-motor processes across childhood and adolescence
Authors: Śmigasiewicz Kamila , Servant Mathieu , Ambrosi Solène , Blaye Agnès , Burle Borís
Published: September 2021

Describing the maturation of information processing in children is fundamental for developmental science. Although non-linear changes in reaction times have been well-documented, direct measurement of the development of the different processing components is lacking. In this study, electromyography was used to quantify the maturation of premotor and motor processes on a sample of 114 children (6–14 years-old) and 15 adults. Using a model-based approach, we show that the development of these two components is well-described by an exponential decrease in duration, with the decay rate being equal for the two components. These findings provide the first unbiased evidence in favour of the common developmental rate of nonmotor and motor processes by directly confronting rates of development of different processing components within the same task. This common developmental rate contrasts with the differential physical maturation of region-specific cerebral gray and white matter. Tentative paths of interpretation are proposed in the discussion.
Spousal emotional support and relationship quality buffers pupillary response to horror movies
Authors: Graff Tyler C. , Fitzgerald Joseph R. , Luke Steven G. , Birmingham Wendy C.
Published: September 2021

Being satisfied in marriage provides protective stress buffering benefits to various health complications but the causal mechanisms and speed at which this is accomplished is less well understood. Much of the research on health and marriage has conceptualized marital quality in a unidimensional way, with high levels of either positivity or negativity. This conceptualization may not fully capture the nuanced benefits of marital relationships. Pupillometry is an innovative method which captures the effects of marital stress buffering on the body’s autonomic nervous system in real time; pupil dilation occurs within 200ms to stress exposure. Additionally, this method records hundreds of readings per second, providing precision and sensitivity. This preregistered experiment aimed to conceptually replicate previous pupillometry stress buffering results and extend the previous findings by including a generalizable, real-life stressor—viewing a horror movie—and multidimensional relationship quality effects. Eighty-three couples (166 participants) were quasi-grouped, based on a self-reported multidimensional relationship quality scale, to either supportive or ambivalent marital relationship conditions. They were then randomly assigned to either a spousal support (i.e., handholding) or non-support (spousal absence) condition and watched clips from both horror and nature movies while pupil dilation was measured. Tonic pupillary response results revealed that the horror video clips elicited a stress response and there were significant differences between the support and non-support conditions, as well as marital relationship quality conditions. These results frame the precision, speed, and sensitivity of pupillometry as a potentially fruitful method to investigate the causal mechanisms linking stress buffering and supportive marital relationships.
Is we they? A cross-cultural study of responses to COVID-19 updates in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda
Authors: Nasaba Robert Madoi , Sembatya Nakiwala Aisha
Published: September 2021

This article delineates the material relations, routines and sensorial responses inhabited by people in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. It grounds views on a discourse of behavioural change while exploring how Ugandans, Kenyans and Rwandans responded to COVID-19 messages populated on selected official government Twitter accounts. The article is a mixed methods study that employs a numeric and discursive analytic approach, with the nudge theory proving particularly congenial. Findings show that a civic nationalism was enunciated in the hinterland. The nomenclature evoked in the wake of enforcing pandemic restrictive measures is both politically and socially repressive. Far from presuming fixed identities, the conceptual thread that is knit together during the pandemic oscillates from broad support to a problem of behavioural fatigue.
West African-diasporic social media users facing COVID-19: Care, emotions and power during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Hasenöhrl Syntia
Published: September 2021

The arrival of the coronavirus pandemic in (West) Africa announced a health crisis that required increasing levels of care, on the physical as well as on the emotional level. At the same time, societies had to respect social distancing rules that impeded regular care relationships. This article analysed social media as one means for West African-diasporic actors to practice care in this situation of physical immobility. It is based on a critical discourse analysis of postings on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and WhatsApp. This analysis showed that West African-diasporic actors used social media to perform emotional practices of care through informing on COVID-19-related issues, raising awareness and encouraging compliance with anti-COVID-19 measures. In addition, these practices of care unveil negotiations of sociopolitical power relations that oscillate between opportunities for solidarity and sociopolitical change, on the one hand, and intersectional exclusions, on the other hand.
A minőség forradalmának lehetőségei a magyar társadalomfejlődésbenn
Authors: Bognár Bulcsu
Published: September 2021

The study examines the concept of László Németh’s high-impact „Garden Hungary”. The article seeks to answer the question of how successful Németh’s third-way vision was in formulating an alternative to solving the problems of modern Hungarian social development. In doing so, the work discusses how the idea of a quality revolution, which is at a distance from the development of both Western and Eastern European societies, was intended to transform Hungarian society. In addition, the study analyzes the virtues and pitfalls of the approach built on agriculture and focusing on the intellectuals. At the end of writing, the paper compares László Németh’s concept with the contemporary reform proposals, so that we can judge the approach more realistically by interpreting it in his own social context.
Nutritional Status of Inmates in the Central Prison of Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Kalonji Muasa Patoka Guillaume , Coninck Gérard De , Ngongo Léon Okenge , Ilunga Félicien Ilunga , Albert Adelin , Giet Didier
Published: September 2021

Background
The nutritional situation in prisons of developing countries and the health status of inmates remain a major human rights concern. The objective of the study was to assess the nutritional status of inmates jailed in a prison of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted over a 4-month period in the Central Prison of Mbuji-Mayi, DRC. Three hundred inmates were selected according to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Severe malnutrition was defined according to Buzby index and Nutritional Risk Index (NRI). Data were analyzed by Stata™ (version12.0).

Results
The inmates were aged between 18 and 70 years and primarily males (88.7%). Of them, 24% were suffering from severe malnutrition and 62% of moderate malnutrition as based on the NRI. At the time of study, 88% of inmates were incarcerated for more than 6 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors independently associated with severe malnutrition were incarceration of more than 6 months (OR=5.1; 95% CI (1.5-17.4)), origin of food (prison vs. family or NGO) (OR=4.7; 95% CI (1.6-13.8)) presence of tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus and/or intestinal infections (OR=2.6; 95% CI (1.4-4.7)).

Conclusions
The nutritional situation in the Central Prison of Mbuji-Mayi is precarious. There is urgent need to supply enough nutrient-rich food to improve health of inmates.
Extraction, Phenolic Content and Hydrogen Peroxide Scavenging Capacity of Extracts from Some Honey Samples, Propolis and Bee Pollen
Authors: Mohammedi Zohra
Published: September 2021

Honey and propolis is natural food, produced by honey bees (Apis mellifera) and largely used by the local population for its medicinal properties. Our work aims to extract and evaluate the hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity of different phenolic extracts from some bee products. Phenolic compounds from honey samples, propolis, and bee pollen were extracted by methanol and subjected to radical scavenging activity towards hydrogen peroxide. The results showed the highest values for the total phenolic and total flavonoïd contents in propolis and bee pollen, and a great hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inhibition (IC50: 0.205 - 2.210 µg/mL) with honey extracts, while sample “multiflower” is the better antioxidant, more than ascorbic acid used as control. The less scavenging activity was observed with the extract from bee pollen (IC50: 39.383 µg/mL). To combat the harmful effects of free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species including hydrogen peroxide, it is important to use phenolic extracts instead of using honey as it is, and extracts from the honey of different types are excellent antioxidants compared to other bee products.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (red Hibiscus) Tea, Can It Be Used as A Home-Remedy to Control Diabetes and Hypercholesterolemia?
Authors: Sanadheera Subhashinie , Subasinghe Deepanjana , Solangaarachchi Melissa Nethmi , Suraweera Manju , Suraweera Noshara Yushanthi , Tharangika Nadeesha
Published: September 2021

According to traditional medicine, Hibiscus is used to treat hypertension, heart diseases and many other ailments. Commercially available Hibiscus tea is prepared with H. sabdariffa and is expensive. H. rosasinensis is the common variety which is abundant in tropical home-gardens, however the scientific data are lacking on the effects. The present review focuses on the available scientific data on the effects of H. rosasinensis on controlling diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. The endeavour was to identify whether H. rosasinensis flower petals as a ‘tea’ is effective for diabetic and hypercholesterolemic patients. Medical databases such as MEDLINE, BMC, BMJ, research gate, Mendelay literature search database, Google scholar and the general engine Google were searched from November 2018 to April 2019. Search was carried out using keywords such as “Hibiscus rosasinensis”, “antidiabetic effects”, “antihyperlipidemic effects”, “toxic effects”, “anti-inflammatory effects”, “phytochemicals in Hibiscus” etc. Data were critically analyzed to assess whether the effective doses of the research studies on a par with the doses present in H. rosasinensis teas. We found thirty-nine journal articles fulfilled the criteria. The data were categorized and extracted on uses of H. rosasinensis, anti-diabetic effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-hypercholesterolemic effects and its phytochemicals. The review revealed that the dose of H. rosasinensis petals present in a home-made Hibiscus tea is theoretically sufficient to elicit anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. Home-made Hibiscus tea is effective in controlling diabetes and hypercholesterolemia without causing acute toxicity.
Compliance Level of Textual Therapeutic Usage of Kshirakakoli Containing Formulations with a Serial Ethnomedicinal Survey and Modern System of Medicine
Authors: Kaur Gunpreet , Gupta Vikas , Sharma Ravinder , Kumar Sanjiv , Singhal R G , Singh Ranjit , Bansal Parveen
Published: September 2021

Fritillaria roylei (Kshirakakoli) is a primal plant used in ancient times. But nowadays, due to biotic and abiotic stress the plant has entered in the list of threatened medicinal plant. In ancient texts effective uses of formulations containing kshirakakoli are well mentioned but the information is not written in simple language due to which the therapeutic value of the plant is not well understood by scientific fraternity. So, there is a major need to perform ethno medicinal survey for the formulations containing kshirakakoli and compare their therapeutic uses as mentioned in text with the modern system of medicine. In this study, a field survey was performed in 4 states i.e., Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh where the conversation regarding usage of this plant or formulation was done with 24 local medical practitioners, 18 shopkeepers and 4 traditional healers. The information thus obtained were recorded and then compared. Results showed that the usage of kshirakakoli containing formulations was highest in Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand. Only few clinical studies have been done on these formulations. The effectiveness of the formulations against remedies alluded by the trado-medical practitioners claimed was found accurate as per ayurvedic textual literature. Hence, the ethno medicinal survey provides a precise guidance to scientists for future research on these kshirakakoli containing formulations that are useful in plethora of disorders.
Classical Islamic Historiography in Early Moslem and Orientalist Historiographical Works
Authors: Hak Nurul
Published: September 2021

The present paper elaborates some problems of classical Islamic historiography found in early and modern Islamic historiographical works. I found three problems concerning the historiography, i.e., epistemology, contents and methodology. This is an attempt to reconstruct the said problems by presenting some responses from various perspectives. The result of this study shows that the problems of classical Islamic historiography could be classified into three categories: Political history of classical Islamic historiography was mainly caused by historian biases through their interpretation to the historiography. Methodology of transmission of the prophet tradition employed by the early Moslem historians has not explained the problems yet. Last but not least, the problems must be comprehensively approached by applying a holistic perspective.
Jerzy Grotowski a chiński teatr poszukujący i tajwański teatr tańca
Authors: Łabędzka Izabella
Published: September 2021

This paper is devoted to the reception of Jerzy Grotowski’s ideas of theatre and actors’ training system in China and Taiwan at the end of the twentieth century. The author analyses the scope of Grotowski’s influence on Chinese and Taiwanese theatre reformers, stage directors and actors/dancers at a specific moment of deep social, cultural and political transformations in Asia. She also tries to determine the main reasons for Grotowski’s popularity in mainland China and Taiwan in the 80s and 90s.
Literatura polska w Chinach i wymiana kulturalna między Polską a Chinami. Zapiski tłumacza
Authors: Zhenhui Zhang
Published: September 2021

The article is an introduction into the presence of Polish literature in China from the perspective of one of its most active researchers and translators. The author describes his fascination with Bolesław Prus’s work that resulted in the Chinese translation of Lalka (The Doll) and his work on two-volume Historia literatury polskiej (The history of Polish literature) aimed at Chinese readers.
The First (and Second) Coming of David Foster Wallace’sInfinite Jest
Authors: Andersen Tore Rye
Published: September 2021

Before the publication ofInfinite Jestin 1996, no less than a dozen excerpts from Wallace’s novel had already been published in various journals and magazines. The essay presents the first complete overview of these previously neglected excerpts and analyzes how they frameInfinite Jest. Drawing on theories by Bryant, McGann and Bhaskar, the analysis shows that the excerpts function as ‘paracontent’ that occupies a gray area between self-contained content and marketing. The essay then considers the sum of excerpts, which exhibits a surprising bias in favor of certain parts of Wallace’s novel, and discusses the implications of this imbalance.
“All business as usual”: Richard Powers’Gainand the Complicities of (Re-)Incorporation
Authors: Liste Noya José
Published: September 2021

Renowned for his thoroughly researched ‘discursive narratives’ that trace in near-encyclopedic mode the complex interconnectivity of life in our (post-)postmodern period, Richard Powers’Gainambivalently raises the stakes of politics in the novel of late capitalism by asserting the imaginative agency of fiction itself. But how does one employ fiction to redress the simulacral hollowing out of everyday life in a corporate culture that fabricates reality by molding consumer desire to its own ends, specifically the end of financial profit? Can the ethical acknowledgement of complicity do away with its inevitability and even willingness within the unmappable totality which is our late capitalist moment?Gainconfronts this problematic in ways that both resist and embrace it. The novel’s seemingly intentional ambivalence that mimics, yet strives to invert, the unashamed cynicism of late capitalist ideology finds a point of obdurate insistence in the ‘corpo-reality’ of the human body itself. At the same time, it imagines a vehicle of transcendence in the re-incorporation of that body or, more specifically, that body’s agential possibilities in a sphere beyond mere economic interest. Yet the asymmetry patent between the body’s death and the deathless corporation, despite the narrative parallelisms that the novel damningly establishes, returns us to the ambivalence of fictional ambivalence itself and the ethical dilemma of imagining ourselves beyond the currently unimaginable real.1
Alchemy in an age of disclosure: the case of an Arabic Pseudo-Aristotelian treatise and its Syriac Christian “translator”
Authors: Rassi Salam
Published: September 2021

This article examines a little-known and unstudied alchemical treatise, The Epistle on Alchemy (al-Risāla fī l-ṣināʿa) attributed to Aristotle, purportedly translated from Syriac into Arabic by the Nestorian bishop ʿAbdīshōʿ bar Brīkhā (d. 1318). In particular, I investigate the Epistle’s discourse on the concealment and revelation of alchemical knowledge. Like other occult sciences, alchemy was characterised by a marked concern for secrecy and frequently employed codes, or Decknamen, when discussing the “Noble Art.” Yet the author of the Epistle consciously avoids such conventions, choosing instead to disclose its mysteries in an open and accessible manner, while making clear that secrecy would otherwise be necessary were the reader deemed unworthy. By engaging with scholarship in Islamic and Jewish occult science and esotericism, I show that the author of the Epistle navigates the boundaries between concealment and disclosure by framing his treatise as a private exchange between two foundational figures of philosophy and kingship: Aristotle and Alexander the Great. Based on a study of the Epistle’s sources and genre, I consider it possible that the work was not a translation of any Syriac original but a composition by ʿAbdīshōʿ himself and a product of the Arabic-speaking, Islamicate environment in which he lived.
The Mechanics of Individually- and Socially-Optimal Decisions during an Epidemic
Authors: Vandenbroucke Guillaume
Published: September 2021

I present a model where work implies social interactions and the spread of a disease is described by an SIR-type framework. Upon the outbreak of a disease reduced social contacts are decided at the cost of lower consumption. Private individuals do not internalize the effects of their decisions on the evolution of the epidemic while the planner does. Specifically, the planner internalizes that an early reduction in contacts implies fewer infectious in the future and, therefore, a lower risk of infection. This additional (relative to private individuals) benefit of reduced contacts implies that the planner’s solution feature more social distancing early in the epidemics. The planner also internalizes that some infectious eventually recover and contribute further to a lower risk of infection. These mechanisms imply that the planner obtains a flatter infection curve than that generated by private individuals’ responses.
Effect of Introducing Long Chain Branching on Fiber Diameter and Fiber Diameter Distribution in Melt Blowing Process of Polypropylene
Authors: Iiba K. , Takarada W. , Kikutani T.
Published: September 2021

In the melt blowing process, the molten polymers extruded from nozzles are elongated by high-velocity and high-temperature air flow. In this study, with the aim of stabilizing the melt blowing process for producing nonwoven webs with fine diameter fibers, the effect of the control of polymer rheology by the introduction of either low melt flow rate (MFR) polypropylene (PP) or long chain branched PP (LCB-PP) to regular high MFR PP was investigated. Introduction of low MFR PP into regular PP increased shear viscosity and fibers of larger diameter were produced in the melt blowing process, while introduction of low MFR LCB-PP suppressed the elongational viscosity reduction with the increase of strain rate, and eventually spinning was stabilized. It was found that the blending of an optimum amount of LCB-PP to regular PP caused the stabilization of the melt blowing process. As a result, the formation of nonwoven webs consisting of fine fibers of rather uniform diameter distribution could be achieved.
Preparation and Photo-Oxidation Aging Behavior of Oriented Polylactic Acid
Authors: Li Z.-Q. , Ran L.-C. , Lang Y. , Wu T. , Chen Y. L. , Chen B. S.
Published: September 2021

This study employed solid hot stretching technology to produce successfully specifically oriented polylactic acid (PLA) while investigating the impact of orientation structure on its photo-oxidation aging properties. After orientation, the molecular weight and mechanical properties retention rate of PLA were improved, and the crystallinity (Xc) increased in conjunction with prolonged aging time, while the molecular orientation failed to modify the mechanism responsible for PLA deterioration. Furthermore, an examination regarding the way in which the photo-oxidation stability of PLA was enhanced, demonstrated that the increased Xcand structural orientation were beneficial for delaying the photo-oxidation aging of PLA.
Novel Design and Comparison of Structural and Modal Analyses of Auxetic Geometry versus Honeycomb Geometry
Authors: Kemiklioğlu U.
Published: September 2021

Auxetic structures are popular, since they have many applications in defense, textile and sport industries. The advantages of providing comfort and protection to people for the impact energy increase the usability of auxetic structures in these areas. Within the scope of this study, two structures were designed as honeycomb and auxtetic structures with lateral displacements in opposite directions. The auxetic and honeycomb structures were modeled in Ansys software by keeping the boundaries of these two structures close to each other. Structural and modal analysis were applied to these structures and the auxetic structure gave better results in terms of the tensile strength.
Reframing Risk in the Wake of COVID-19
Authors: Blackburn Christine Crudo , Shelke Sayali , Alatorre Sharon Zaldivar
Published: September 2021

Concerns about infectious disease in mega-shelters following hurricanes should be a top priority. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the challenge of implementing standard evacuation and sheltering procedures for hurricanes during an outbreak of a respiratory disease and the lessons learned from the 2020 hurricane season must be applied to future response efforts. In this article, we examine the current risk framing for hurricane preparedness and response utilizing Prospect Theory. We also examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated this traditional framing and offer a new framework for which to provide adequate sheltering following a hurricane, while minimizing the risk of respiratory disease to those seeking shelter. We argue that such a framework is necessary to protect American citizens in future hurricane seasons.
Functional evaluation of the diaphragm with a noninvasive test
Authors: Bordoni Bruno , Escher Allan R.
Published: September 2021

Cardiac surgery with median sternotomy causes iatrogenic damage to the function of the diaphragm muscle that is both temporary and permanent. Myocardial infarction itself causes diaphragmatic genetic alterations, which lead the muscle to nonphysiological adaptation. The respiratory muscle area plays several roles in maintaining both physical and mental health, as well as in maximizing recovery after a cardiac event. The evaluation of the diaphragm is a fundamental step in the therapeutic process, including the use of instruments such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed axial tomography (CT). This article reviews the neurophysiological relationships of the diaphragm muscle and the symptoms of diaphragmatic contractile dysfunction. The authors discuss a scientific basis for the use of a new noninstrumental diaphragmatic test in the hope of stimulating research.