bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abundance and characterization of microorganisms isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches waste under aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative anaerobic conditions
Authors: DERMIYATI DERMIYATI , SUHARJO RADIX , TELAUMBANUA MARELI , YOSITA RULLY , WINANDA SARI ANGGI , PUJI ANDAYANI ANIS
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Dermiyati, Suharjo R, Telaumbanua M, Yosita R, Sari AW, Andayani AP. 2020. Abundance and characterization of microorganisms isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches waste under aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative anaerobic conditions. Biodiversitas 21: 4213-4220. Increased production of palm oil causes an increase in oil palm empty fruit bunches waste, while the utilization of the waste has not been carried out optimally. Oil palm empty fruit bunches contain high cellulose content which promotes the development of various types of bacteria with different characteristics. This study was aimed to determine the abundance and the characterization of bacteria that were isolated from extract suspension of oil palm empty fruit bunches in the form of a local microorganism solution under aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative anaerobic conditions. For isolation, the oil palm empty fruit extract suspension was inoculated on media Plate Count Agar Peptone and bacterial abundance was determined. Various bacterial characterization test included bacterial morphology test in the form of color and shape of macroscopic isolates, gram test using KOH 3%, fermentative oxidative test, soft rot test on potato tubers, hypersensitivity test on tobacco plant leaves, and hypo virulent test which was indicated by the presence of symptoms of disease in cucumber sprouts and indicated in the disease severity index (DSI) was carried out. The results of local microorganism solution isolation from oil palm empty fruit bunches obtained as many as 220 bacterial isolates consisting of 84 isolates in aerobic condition, 68 isolates in anaerobic condition, and 68 isolates in facultative anaerobic condition. The highest bacterial abundance in aerobic conditions was equal to 285.60 x 1010 CFU mL-1. Each bacterial isolate had different characteristics. Most of the characteristics of bacteria were turbid white (34.55%), round (69.55%), gram-positive (76.36%), fermentative (89.55%), softrot negative (71.82%), hypersensitive negative (97.27%), and virulent (74.55%).
Exploring functional fungi on organic matter decomposition of oil palm empty bunches as bio-resource in land remediation
Authors: Rasyid Burhanuddin , ALA AMBO , KUSWINANTI TUTIK , SAPARENG SUKRIMING
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Rasyid B, Ala A, Kuswinanti T, Sapareng S. 2020. Exploring functional fungi on organic matter decomposition of oil palm empty bunches as bio-resource in land remediation. Biodiversitas 21: 4247-4252. Organic matter of oil palm by-product has the potential to be applied for land remediation. The objective of this experiment was to explore functional fungi on the decomposition effectivity of oil palm empty bunches. Samples were collected from oil palm plantation fields and oil palm factory. Isolated fungi from decomposed material (trunks and rod) were Penicillium sp., Pleurotus sp., Fusarium sp., Chrysosporium sp., and Aspergillus sp. Fungi in the empty fruit branches were identified as Absidia sp., Tremella sp., and Trichoderma sp., Phytophthora sp., Ulocladium sp., and Chaetomium sp. Within all collected fungal isolates, Pleurotus sp., Trichoderma sp., and Tremella sp. were selected as functional fungi based on the results of the highest lignocellulolytic ability (50-75%). The degradation rate of organic matter of each functional fungi was observed as Trichoderma sp. (24.0%), Tremella sp. (20.0%), and Pleurotus sp. (16.0%). Change of C/N ratio as a result of decomposition showed significant difference compared to control with 22.09 by Trichoderma sp., 24.26 by Pleurotus sp., 26.68 by Tremella sp. and 36.58 in control. This study could be concluded that exploring functional fungi can potentially be applied in the decomposition of oil palm by-product effectively.
Potentially lactic acid bacteria as an EPS producing starter from yellow sweet potato fermentation
Authors: YULIANA NETI , SUMARDI Sumardi , JATMIKO EDO , ROSALINE MENTARI , IQBAL MUHAMMAD
Published: September 2020

Potentially lactic acid bacteria as a starter for EPS production from yellow sweet potato fermentation were determined. The fermentation profile and partial characteristics of isolated lactic acid bacteria were used as considerations. The fermentation of yellow sweet potato was performed in the back-slopping and spontaneous procedure and was paid attention to the hours of 0, 24, 48, and 72.  The results showed that the 72 hours of fermentation was found to have the highest EPS metabolites, the number of a LAB, the total lactic acid, and the lowest pH. The 72 hours of fermentation also seemed to cause a significant change in the sweet potato starch granules morphology.   The potential starter, therefore, can be taken from the yellow sweet potato fermentation either spontaneously or by a back-slopping method, at 72 hours. From the sixty selected LAB, the 34 strains showed an ability to produce EPS. Among these, eight strains exhibited the potential high production of  EPS.  They were capable of growth on 28-45C and exhibited tolerance to 3-4% NaCl. The favorable carbon sources for the growth and production of EPS were isolated dependent.
Coral diversity on artificial reef from coconut shells in northern Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Ampou Eghbert Elvan , Setiabudi Gede Iwan , Widagti Nuryani , Prasetia I Nyoman Dodik
Published: September 2020

Artificial reef from natural product bioreeftek is very easy to apply and can be found in many tropical coastal areas namely coconut shells with natural coral recruitment. The purpose of this study was to calculate the percentages of coral cover, ratio and clustering. At the two research sites in North Bali, Pemuteran - Napoleon reef, depth 5-6m-reef slope found 13 species of live coral from 9 bioreeftek: Porites sp 32%, Pocillopora damicornis 13%, Seriatopora sp 10%, Acropora palifera, Acropora sp, Goniastrea sp, Favia sp, Pachyseris sp = 6%; Montipora sp - Echinopora sp - Favites sp - Fungia fungites and Leptoseris sp = 3%. At the Lovina - Adirama Temple, depth of 6m-reef flat was found in 14 species from 14 bioreeftek: Acropora palifera 24%, Pocillopora damicornis 21%, Porites sp 7%, Montipora sp 4% - Acropora sp - Pavona sp = 3%, Platygyra sp 2%, Acropora humilis - Millepora = 1%. Cluster Analysis showed all corals on two sites are correlated in percent cover, characteristics, influences and occurrences. Artificial reefs with natural materials such as coconut shells are necessary developed in addressing the degradation of coral reef ecosystem. The added value of bioreeftek is insertion/inserted method of coral.
Ethnoecology of paddy-fish integrative farming (minapadi) in Lampegan Village, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: FATIMAH IIK NURUL , ISKANDAR JOHAN , Partasasmita Ruhyat
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Fatimah IN, Iskandar J, Partasasmita R. 2020. Ethnoecology of paddy-fish integrative farming (minapadi) in Lampegan Village, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4419-4432. In the past, the traditional paddy-fish integrative farming (minapadi) was predominantly undertaken by rice farmers in West Java, particularly in the water abundant areas. Currently, however, the practice of the rice-fish system has been dramatically reduced due to the Green Revolution programs, including water pollution that may have affected fish farming in paddy fields. Although the rice-fish systems have rarely been practiced in West Java villages, some farmer groups of Lampegan Village, Ibun Sub-district, Bandung District are still practicing the rice-fish farming system. The purpose of this study is to collect and document the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of Lampegan Village about the rice-fish system farming managements, including data on various fish species that are widely cultivated in the community, cultural practices of the rice-fish farming management, and benefits of the rice-fish farming system. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, with an ethnoecological approach. Techniques of data collection, such as observation, semi-structured interviews, or deep interviews, and structured interviews were employed in this study. The results of the study show that the farmers of the rice-fish farming in Lampegan Village, Bandung District own rich and deep knowledge of fish species and practice of the minapadi system. The TEK of the rice-fish farming management system has been inherited from ancestors and is mixed with western scientific knowledge. The rice-fish farming systems have provided some ecological and socio-economic benefits for village people.
Camera-free three-dimensional dual photography
Authors: Kilcullen Patrick , Jiang Cheng , Ozaki Tsuneyuki , Liang Jinyang
Published: September 2020

We report camera-free three-dimensional (3D) dual photography. Inspired by the linkage between fringe projection profilometry (FPP) and dual photography, we propose to implement coordinate mapping to simultaneously sense the direct component of the light transport matrix and the surface profiles of 3D objects. By exploiting Helmholtz reciprocity, dual photography and scene relighting can thus be performed on 3D images. To verify the proposed imaging method, we have developed a single-pixel imaging system based on two digital micromirror devices (DMDs). Binary cyclic S-matrix patterns and binary sinusoidal fringe patterns are loaded on each DMD for scene encoding and virtual fringe projection, respectively. Using this system, we have demonstrated viewing and relighting 3D images at user-selectable perspectives. Our work extends the conceptual scope and the imaging capability of dual photography.
Ghosting the Castle: the case of (re)landscaping in a Northern place
Authors: Bird Nicky
Published: September 2020

Nicky Bird reflects on a recent project in Helmsdale, Northern Scotland which focused on layered histories and issues related to a medieval castle and the A9 bridge which replaced it. Bird discusses the role archival photographs played in local people's narratives. Largely »vernacular« in character, these photographs were located in public and private archives. The chapter asks how photography in its widest sense, prompts memories and knowledge, as well as what kinds of critical questions are provoked? Photographs triggered divergent community memories and viewpoints, from whether the castle could have been saved, to how the bridge would change the rhythm of village life. General knowledge of photography's uses within archaeological and planning practices shaped critical »what if« questions raised by the community. Consequently, the relationship between vernacular photography, unofficial knowledge and memory led to questions of heritage destruction and preservation. These significant insights were realised through the project's innovative »oral and walking framework« methodology, which in turn, led to the key contribution of Bird's chapter: photography and its relationship to forms of »intangible cultural heritage.«
Гендерные отношения в медиаотрасли России, Армении и Молдовы: занятость, перспективы карьерного роста и влияние на контент
Authors: Хоткина Зоя Александровна , Менжун Вероника , Александрова Ольга Аркадьевна , Бурдастова Юлия Владимировна , Ненахова Юлия Сергеевна , Виноградова Кристина Валерьевна
Published: September 2020

Феминизация занятости в медиасфере произошла относительно недавно, и теперь в этой отрасли работают преимущественно женщины. Исследование, результаты которого представлены в статье, было задумано и реализовано как сравнительное и проводилось по единой методике в России, Армении и Молдове, что позволило выявить и проанализировать общее и особенное как в развитии массмедиа этих стран, так и в положении занятых в отрасли женщин и мужчин. В качестве методов исследования использовались (1) массовый анкетный опрос работников медиаотрасли, занимающих руководящие и творческие должности (N = 625), (2) глубинные структурированные интервью с экспертами (N = 11), имеющими опыт работы в СМИ в качестве профессиональных журналистов, главных редакторов, руководителей журналистских ассоциаций, собственников и учредителей интернет-изданий, (3) анализ документов — информации, представленной в «Атласе муниципальной прессы Российской Федерации», на интернет-сайтах СМИ и данных исследований, проведенных по аналогичной тематике другими авторами.
Исследование позволило подтвердить наличие феминизации массмедиа и выявить обусловившие его факторы, а также обнаружить ряд проблем, касающихся гендерного неравенства в оплате труда, оформлении трудоустройства, возможности занимать руководящие должности, выбирать тематику публикаций и др. Несмотря на наличие дискриминационных практик в отношении женщин, на вопрос о существовании гендерной дискриминации в медиаиндустрии большинство опрошенных работников СМИ ответили отрицательно. В определенной мере это объясняется тем, что достаточно большое число журналистов воспринимают гендерную сегрегацию скорее как норму, нежели как нарушение социальных и трудовых прав.
Благодарность. Статья подготовлена по результатам научных исследований, проведенных в 2016—2020 гг. при поддержке Fojo Media Institute of Linnaeus University (Швеция), а также «АНРИ-Медиа» (Россия). Авторы выражают глубокую признательность за помощь и поддержку в реализации исследований.
Особенности этничности и межэтнических отношений в городской и сельской среде Хакасии
Authors: Тиникова Елена Евгеньевна
Published: September 2020

В статье представлен анализ влияния городского образа жизни на происходящие в республике Хакасия этнические процессы: этническую консолидацию, мобилизацию и размывание этнической идентичности хакасов. Автор исследует этническую трансформацию хакасов-горожан на основе сопоставления их с русским городским населением региона, а также с хакасами, проживающими в сельской местности. Эмпирическую базу исследования составили материалы опроса, проведенного в 2018 г. в Республике Хакасия. Совокупный размер выборки — 1500 человек. Исходя из задач исследования, выборка формировалась из двух частей. Для изучения адаптационных процессов было опрошено 1000 бывших сельских жителей (русской и хакасской национальностей), проживающих в городских поселениях Хакасии; для сравнения уровня этнического самосознания среди городских и сельских хакасов было опрошено 500 хакасов, проживающих в сельской местности. Основной метод опроса — формализованное интервью. Проведенный анализ подтвердил наличие различий в развитии этничности и межэтнических отношений в городской и сельской средах региона. Это связано с влиянием урбанизации на национальную хакасскую культуру, традиции и мировоззрение коренного народа республики. В городе процесс этнической консолидации хакасов выражен более отчетливо, это своего рода реакция на «агрессивную» полиэтническую городскую среду, в которой хакасы вынуждены быстрее интегрироваться, забывая о существующих субэтнических различиях. Этномобилизационные процессы в городе выражаются также в форме актуализации этнической идентичности для городских жителей: в городе она более значима для хакасов, чем в сельской местности.
Благодарность. Работа выполнена при поддержке гранта Президента Российской Федерации для государственной поддержки молодых российских ученых — кандидатов наук (№ МК-6401.2018.6).
Профилактика гендерного насилия: множество точек зрения, единый дискурс? / пер. с исп. Н. Дормидонтовой, А. Кашина, К. Персовой, Е. Яниной
Authors: Оласиреги Родригес Мария Пас
Published: September 2020

Органический закон 1/2004 о комплексных мерах защиты от гендерного насилия (LO 1/2004) предполагает формальное признание мужского шовинизма и связанного с ним насилия вопросом государственной важности в Испании, так как речь идет о нарушении прав человека. Такой вид насилия можно расценивать как результат исторически сложившегося неравноправия мужчин и женщин и постоянной дискриминации женщин, поэтому необходимо предпринимать комплексные меры и сделать ставку на профилактику. Спустя годы после принятия LO 1/2004 наше общество все еще страдает от последствий гендерного насилия. Задача по профилактике остается нерешенной на всех этапах, равно как отсутствует и исчерпывающая оценка применения этого закона. Цель настоящей работы заключается в формулировании критических замечаний о так называемой вторичной профилактике гендерного насилия, о трактовке этого понятия и его применении в различных сферах: социальной, правоохранительной и юридической.
Embedded Digital Twins in future energy management systems: paving the way for automated grid control
Authors: Brosinsky Christoph , Krebs Rainer , Westermann Dirk
Published: September 2020

Emerging real-time applications in information technology, and operational technology enable new innovative concepts to design and operate cyber-physical systems. A promising approach, which has been discovered recently as key technology by several industries is the Digital Twin (DT) concept. A DT connects the virtual representation of a physical object, system or process by available information and sensor data streams, which allows to gather new information about the system it mirrors by applying analytic functions. Thereby the DT technology can help to fill sensor data gaps, e. g., to support anomaly detection, and to predict future operating conditions and system states. This paper discusses a dynamic power system DT as a cornerstone instance of a new generation of EMS, and a prospective new EMS architecture, to support the increasingly complex operation of electric power systems. Unlike in traditional offline power system models, the parameters are updated dynamically using measurement information from the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and a wide area monitoring system (WAMS) to tune the model. This allows to derive a highly accurate virtual representation of the mirrored physical objects. A simulation engine, the Digital Dynamic Mirror (DDM) is introduced, in order to be able to reproduce the state of a reference network in real-time. The validation of the approach is carried out by a case study. In a closed loop within EMS applications, the DDM can help to assess contingency mitigation strategies, thus it can support the decision-making process under variable system conditions. The next generation of control centre Energy Management System (EMS) can benefit from this development by augmentation of the dynamic observability, and the rise of operator situation awareness.
Minimum retesting intervals in practice: 10 years experience
Authors: Lang Tim
Published: September 2020

Background

Minimum retesting intervals (MRI) are a popular demand management solution for the identification and reduction of over-utilized tests. In 2011 Association of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicines (ACB) published evidence-based recommendations for the use of MRI.

Aim

The aim of the paper was to review the use of MRI over the period since the introduction of these recommendations in 2011 to 2020 and compare it to previous published data between 2000-2010.

Methods

A multi-source literature search was performed to identify studies that reported the use of a MRI in the management or identification of inappropriate testing between the years prior to (2000–2010) and after implementation (2011–2020) of these recommendations.

Results

31 studies were identified which met the acceptance criteria (2000–2010 n=4, 2011–2020 n=27). Between 2000 and 2010 4.6% of tests (203,104/4,425,311) were identified as failing a defined MRI which rose to 11.8% of tests (2,691,591/22,777,288) in the 2011–2020 period. For those studies between 2011 and 2020 reporting predicted savings (n=20), 14.3% of tests (1,079,972/750,580) were cancelled, representing a total saving of 2.9 M Euros or 2.77 Euro/test. The most popular rejected test was Haemoglobin A1c which accounted for nearly a quarter of the total number of rejected tests. 13 out 27 studies used the ACB recommendations.

Conclusions

MRI are now an established, safe and sustainable demand management tool for the identification and management of inappropriate testing. Evidence based consensus recommendations have supported the adoption of this demand management tool into practice across multiple healthcare settings globally and harmonizing laboratory practice.
Comparison of acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel non-responsiveness assessed by light transmittance aggregometry and PFA-100® in patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures
Authors: Rolling Christina C. , Tomada Julia , Frölich Andreas M. , Holst Brigitte , Holstein Katharina , Voigtländer Minna , Janjetovic Snjezana , Haddad Munif , Renné Thomas , Fiehler Jens , Bokemeyer Carsten , Rolling Thierry , Langer Florian
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Dual platelet inhibition is commonly used for prevention of cardiovascular events in patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures. Non-responsiveness to platelet inhibitors may be associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the platelet function analyzer PFA-100® in comparison to light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) for monitoring clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) non-responsiveness in a cohort of patients treated for intracranial aneurysm or cranial artery stenosis.

Methods

Non-responsiveness to clopidogrel and ASA was assessed by LTA using adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid and by PFA-100® with the ADP/prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and collagen/epinephrine cartridges, respectively.

Results

A total of 203 patients (145 females; median age, 57 years) were analyzed. Agreement between the two tests was poor for clopidogrel non-responsiveness (ƙ=0.19) and not better than chance for ASA non-responsiveness (ƙ=0.01). Clopidogrel non-responsiveness by LTA and PFA-100® was associated with higher von Willebrand factor antigen and activity levels. ADP-induced platelet disaggregation was lower in patients with clopidogrel non-responsiveness as assessed by PFA-100®. Clopidogrel non-responsiveness by LTA was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes and a higher body mass index (BMI). Adverse outcomes (death, thromboembolism, or in-stent thrombosis) occurred in 13% (n=26) of all patients independently of ASA and clopidogrel non-responsiveness as assessed by both devices.

Conclusions

Our results show that LTA and PFA-100® are not interchangeable in the assessment of ASA and clopidogrel non-responsiveness in patients undergoing neuroendovascular interventions.
Sulfur application alleviates chromium stress in maize and wheat
Authors: Kulczycki Grzegorz , Sacała Elżbieta
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to examine the influence of increasing doses of chromium (Cr) (26, 39, and 52 mg kg−1soil) and elemental sulfur (S) (60 mg kg−1soil) on growth, yield, and mineral nutrition in wheat and maize. Macro- and micronutrients and Cr concentrations were determined in the aboveground parts of plants. All examined doses of Cr caused a marked decrease in the fresh and dry weight of maize. Wheat was more tolerant than maize, and lower Cr doses caused a small but statistically significant increase in the total yield. Wheat accumulated more than twofold Cr than maize, and the concentrations increased with higher Cr concentrations in the soil. The application of S significantly improved the total biomass production and lowered the Cr content in both plants. Cr changed the mineral nutrition in both cereals, but the pattern of changes observed was not the same. Applying S alleviated some adverse effects caused by the Cr. Hence, it is concluded that the application of elemental S may be an effective strategy to reduce adverse effects in plants grown on soil contaminated by heavy metals, especially Cr.
Note on Dolbeault cohomology and Hodge structures up to bimeromorphisms
Authors: Angella Daniele , Suwa Tatsuo , Tardini Nicoletta , Tomassini Adriano
Published: September 2020

We construct a simply-connected compact complex non-Kähler manifold satisfying the ∂ ̅∂ -Lemma, and endowed with a balanced metric. To this aim, we were initially aimed at investigating the stability of the property of satisfying the ∂ ̅∂-Lemma under modifications of compact complex manifolds and orbifolds. This question has been recently addressed and answered in [34, 39, 40, 50] with different techniques. Here, we provide a different approach using Čech cohomology theory to study the Dolbeault cohomology of the blowup ̃XZ of a compact complex manifold X along a submanifold Z admitting a holomorphically contractible neighbourhood.
Age differences in preferences for emotionally-meaningful versus knowledge-related appeals
Authors: van der Goot Margot J. , Bol Nadine , Weert Julia C. M. van
Published: September 2020

Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST), an influential life-span theory, suggests that older adults prefer persuasive messages that appeal to emotionally-meaningful goals over messages that appeal to knowledge-related goals, whereas younger adults do not show this preference. A mixed-factorial experiment was conducted to test whether older adults (≥65 years) differ from younger adults (25–45 years) in their preference for emotionally-meaningful appeals over knowledge-related appeals, when appeals are clearly developed in line with SST. For older adults we found the expected preference for emotionally-meaningful appeals for cancer centers but not for grocery stores and travel organizations. As expected, in most cases, younger adults did not show a preference. Implications for SST-based communication research and for practice are discussed.
Brazilian laboratory indicators benchmarking program: three-year experience on pre-analytical quality indicators
Authors: Shcolnik Wilson , Berlitz Fernando , Galoro Cesar Alex de O. , Biasoli Vinicius , Lopes Rafael , Jerônimo Diogo , Balli Luiza Bottino , Bernardes Leticia H.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

In the laboratory medicine segment, benchmarking is the process in which institutions seek to compare with the macro environment (performance comparison and best practices with different laboratories) and improve their results based on quality indicators. The literature has highlighted the vulnerability of the pre-analytical phase in terms of risks and failures and the use of interlaboratory comparison as an opportunity to define a strategic performance benchmark aligned with the laboratory medicine sector, which has been a promising strategy to ensure continuous improvement, identifying within the pre-analytical process the critical activities to guarantee patient safety. In this context, this paper aims to present the three-year experience (2016–2018) of the Benchmarking Program and Laboratory Indicators – in Portuguese, Programa de Benchmarking e Indicadores Laboratoriais (PBIL) – with emphasis on pre-analytical indicators and their comparison against literature references and other programs of benchmarking in the area of laboratory medicine. PBIL is organized by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine (SBPC/ML) in conjunction with Controllab and coordinated by a Brazilian group with representatives from different countries.

Methods

The data presented in this paper involving the performance results of 180 laboratories with active participation. Results are presented in percentage (%, boxplot graphical in quartiles) and Sigma metric, recognized as the metric that best indicates the magnitude of failures in a process. The Pareto Chart was used to facilitate ordering and to identify the main errors in the pre-analytical phase. The Radar Chart was made available in this work for the purpose of comparing the results obtained in Sigma by the PBIL and IFCC Working Group Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety (WG LEPS).

Results

In the study period, just over 80% of the pre-analytical failures are related to Blood culture contamination (hospital-based and non-hospital-based laboratories), Recollect and Non-registered exams, with failure rates of 2.70, 1.05 and 0.63%, respectively. The performance of the PBIL program participants was in line with the literature references, and allowed to identify benchmarks in the laboratory medicine market, target of PBIL, with best practices were observed for some indicators.

Conclusions

The results of the program demonstrate the importance of an ongoing program comparative performance-monitoring program for setting more robust goals and consequently reducing laboratory process failures. Even with these promising premises and results, the contextualized analysis of the program indicators, point to a still significant number of failures in our market, with possibilities for improvement in order aiming to ensure more robust and effective processes.
Modeling the incidence and death rates of COVID-19 pandemic in different regions of the world
Authors: de Oliveira Ricardo Puziol , Achcar Jorge Alberto , Nunes Altacílio Aparecido
Published: September 2020

This paper reports a broad study using epidemic-related counting data of COVID-19 disease caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The considered dataset refers to 119 countries’ daily counts of reported cases and deaths in a fixed period. For the data analysis, it has been adopted a beta regression model assuming different regions of the world where it was possible to discover important economic, health and social factors affecting the behavior of the pandemic in different countries. The Bayesian method was applied to fit the proposed model. Some interesting conclusions were obtained in this study, which could be of great interest to epidemiologists, health authorities, and the general public in the face of the forthcoming hard times of the global pandemic.
Improved high-temperature damping performance of nitrile-butadiene rubber/phenolic resin composites by introducing different hindered amine molecules
Authors: Song Meng , Yue Xiulin , Wang Xiujuan , Huang Mengjie , Ma Mingxing , Pan Wei , Qin Qi
Published: September 2020

By introducing hindered amine GW-622 or GW-944 into nitrile-butadiene rubber/phenolic resin (NBR/PR, abbreviated as NBPR) matrix, we have prepared different hindered amine/NBR/PR ternary hybrid damping materials with high-temperature damping performance, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA) were used to research the microstructure, compatibility, and damping properties of the hindered amine/NBPR composites. FTIR results indicate that hydrogen bonds are formed between the hindered amine and the NBPR matrix. Both DSC and SEM results show that hindered amine has partial compatibility with the NBPR matrix. DMA results show that two loss peaks appear in the hindered amine/NBPR composite. Thereby, the composites show better damping performance at a higher temperature, and the temperature domain of high-temperature damping becomes wider with the increase in the addition of hindered amine. This study provides a theoretical support for the preparation of high-temperature damping materials.
A novel biofabrication of gold nanoparticles using Erythrina senegalensis leaf extract and their ameliorative effect on mycoplasmal pneumonia for treating lung infection in nursing care
Authors: Yu Hong , Mu Yingmei , Mu Lianzhi
Published: September 2020

This study showed the fabrication of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) utilizing Erythrina senegalensis leaf extract as an effective, low-cost and eco-friendly approach. The bioconstituents existing in the E. senegalensis leaf extract are accountable for reducing and stabilization of NPs. The produced AuNPs were studied by using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In addition, this study also showed that the prepared AuNPs exhibited very good antipneumonial activity against mycoplasmal pneumonia in the investigational animals, indicating their potential for the development of new therapeutic drugs for the lung injury treatments in in the future.
Enhancing the mechanical and water resistance performances of bamboo particle reinforced polypropylene composite through cell separation
Authors: Ren Dan , Zhang Xuexia , Yu Zixuan , Wang Hankun , Yu Yan
Published: September 2020

It is frequently observed that bamboo particle composites (BPCs) do not show higher mechanical performances than the corresponding wood particles composites (WPCs), although bulk bamboo is much stronger than wood in mechanical performances. Herein this phenomenon was demonstrated from the cell compositions in the applied bamboo particles. To address that, a simple method to physically separate bamboo fibers (BFs) and bamboo parenchyma cells (BPs) from a bamboo particle mixture was developed. Polypropylene (PP) composites with pure BFs, BPs, a mixture of BFs and BPs (BFs + BPs), wood particles (WPs) as fillers were prepared. The flexural and dynamic mechanical properties, water absorption, and thermal properties were determined. The BF/PP composites showed the best mechanical performances (MOR at 35 MPa, MOE at 2.4 GPa), followed by WP/PP, (BF + BP)/PP, and BP/PP. They also exhibited the lowest water absorption and thickness swelling. Little difference was found for the thermal decomposition properties. However, a lower activation energy of BF/PP compared with BP/PP implied an uneven dispersion of BFs and weaker interfacial interaction between BF and PP. The results suggest that the mechanical performances and water resistance of bamboo particle/polymer composites can be significantly improved through cell separation. However, interface modification should be applied if higher performances of BF/PP composites are required.
Decay, insect, and termite resistance of wood modified with epoxidized vegetable oils
Authors: Kose Demirel Gaye , Temiz Ali , Palanti Sabrina , Terziev Nasko
Published: September 2020

Samples of Scots pine sapwood were treated with epoxidized linseed and soybean oils to improve decay, insect and termite resistance of wood. Non-epoxidized (raw) linseed and soybean oils were included as reference treatment in the study. In the epoxidation process, hydrogen peroxide was used to open double bounds, and acetic acid was added as a catalyst. Two retention levels, Ret A (80–140 kg m−3) and Ret B (170–270 kg m−3), two impregnation methods (full cell and empty cell) and emulsion technique were used. Samples treated with epoxidized oils had significantly lower mass losses than untreated samples while epoxidized oils showed higher mass losses than unepoxidized oils for Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor according to EN 113 for decay test. By adding boron, fungicidal properties were introduced to the treatment. All the vegetable oils showed 100% the mortality rate against larvae of Hylotrupes bajulus according to EN 47. Moreover, leached wood samples treated with oils also showed 100% larvae mortality. Additionally, termite testing based on EN 117 revealed 100% Reticulitermes lucifugus mortality for all leached oil treated samples.
Taking a joke seriously: When does humor affect responses to the slurring of people with intellectual disabilities?
Authors: Katz Jennifer , Wing-Paul Dimitri
Published: September 2020

The use of humor may affect how bystanders respond to slurs. Undergraduates (N = 192) completed a measure of prejudice towards people with intellectual disabilities and were randomly assigned to read a scenario in which a peer uses a slur either as part of a joke (humor condition) or a statement (control condition). Participants responded to measures of intent to assertively respond and their evaluation of the speaker. Humor inhibited intent to nonverbally disagree and to verbally confront. Bystanders’ own prejudicial attitudes moderated the effects of humor on intent to verbally confront and negative evaluation. In the humor condition, compared to those with lower prejudice, those with higher prejudice showed less intent to confront and less negative evaluations. In the control condition, intent to confront, and negative evaluation were high, regardless of prejudice. These results suggest that humor inhibits assertive responses to slurs, particularly among people without highly favorable attitudes about the targeted social group.
Determinants of waterpipe smoking among high school students in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Fauzi Ridhwan , Areesantichai Chitlada
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The study aimed to examine factors associated with past 30 days waterpipe use among high school students in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Methods

We surveyed a multistage cluster random sample of 1,318 students of grade 10th and 11th from 14 schools in Jakarta. Multiple logistic regressions were employed to examine the association between past 30 days waterpipe use with sociodemographic characteristics, cigarettes smoking status, parental and peer use, availability and affordability.

Results

Of 1,318 participants, 3.3% of female and 8.4% of male currently smoked waterpipe. Multivariate analysis revealed that current waterpipe use was significantly associated with family use (AOR: 4.844, 95% CI: 1.225–19.151), friend use (AOR: 2.554, 95% CI: 1.424–4.582), and availability (AOR: 2.143, 95% CI: 1.127–4.076). Being current smokers were six times more likely (AOR: 6.055, 95% CI: 3.123–11.739) to use waterpipe in the past 30 days.

Conclusions

The finding suggests that smoking by a family member, friends, use of conventional cigarettes, and availability are significantly associated with increased probability of current waterpipe used among adolescents.
Lifestyle factors influencing the academic performance among the secondary school students in an urban area of south India
Authors: Kavi Avinash , Walvekar Padmaja R.
Published: September 2020

Objective

School children are exposed to various social, environmental, nutritional and cultural changes which will influence their lifestyle and can impose behavioral change. This study was formulated to assess the lifestyle factors influencing the academic performance among secondary school students in an urban area of south India.

Materials and Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted among secondary school students of grade 8, 9 and 10 in public and private schools of an urban area. Data was collected using a pre-designed, pretested, questionnaire. Demographic data and socio-economic status was assessed. Lifestyle assessment included the dietary habits, physical activity, tobacco and other substance use and anthropometric measurements. Academic performance was assessed by attendance, past annual examination grades. Results were expressed in percentages and analysis was done using Chi-square test and Fischer exact test.

Results

Study participants included were 613. Overall prevalence of tobacco use 14.0%. Skipping breakfast was associated with poor performance (p=0.002) among public school students. Private school students’ academic performance was significantly associated with the BMI (p=0.03). Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 70.5, 5.0 and 5.5% respectively. Physical activity didn’t show any significant influence on academic performance (p=0.69, 0.76).

Conclusion

Academic performance of secondary school students is influenced by various factors including, regularity of attendance, socio-economic status, skipping breakfast and consumption of tobacco and other substances. Study establishes the need for proper motivation and reinforcement of safe healthy lifestyle practices to achieve complete academic excellence.
Design optimization of micromixer with circular mixing chambers (M-CMC) using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis
Authors: Gidde Ranjitsinha R.
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present study is to optimize the micromixer with circular mixing chambers (M-CMC) using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis approach. Simulations are performed to investigate the effect of design parameters viz. chamber diameter, transverse offset and width of constriction channel on performance characteristics for parameter sets corresponding to Orthogonal Array (OA) L9. Further, grey relational grade is used to identify the optimal set of design parameters. In depth study of flow and mixing dynamics are carried out to visualize the mixing mechanism for optimal and other two cases of proposed micromixer design configuration for Re in the range from 0.1 to 50. In order to assess the response of each design variable at each level, analysis of variance (ANOVA) is also performed to analyse influence of design parameters on mixing index and pressure drop.
Study on critical speed of vortex rupture and gas-liquid two-phase flow in rotating soybean milk machine
Authors: Li Longhai , Dou Hua-Shu , Du Yu , Guo Hongwei , Huang Hao
Published: September 2020

The gas-liquid two-phase flow field inside a soybean milk machine is simulated with the Navier–Stokes equations, Renormalization group (RNG) k-ɛ turbulence model and the particle two-phase flow model. The critical speed of vortex breakdown in the container and the influence of the characteristics of the two-phase flow on the soybean crushing effect at different speeds are investigated. The results show that there is a critical value of rotating speed of 1500 rpm for the vortex breakdown in the studied machine. At this rotational speed, the turbulent eddy dissipation (TED) reaches the maximum, and the position where the vortex first rupture is near the central axis and with a distance of 0.01 m from the central axis. It is also found that with the increase of rotating speed, the pressure difference around the blade varies significantly. The research in this study has important implication for the design of the soybean milk machine.
Understanding hormones in terms of humours (Akhlat) in Unani system of medicine
Authors: Alam Md Anzar , Quamri Mohd. Aleemuddin , Sofi Ghulamuddin
Published: September 2020

In Unani System of Medicine, humours (Akhlat) play a vital role in maintenance of health; imbalance of their proportion either qualitative or quantitative can cause disease. Akhlat refers to the body fluids under a wider perspective in the Unani Medicine, which also encompasses fluids designated as hormones by the Modern Medicine. Akhlat (humours) are those moist and fluid parts of the body which are produced after transformation and metabolism of the nutrition; they serve the function of growth, repair, produce energy, preservation of individual and the species. It is concerned with growth, multiplication, differentiation, and metabolic activities of different tissues and systems, and thereby maintains a correct physiological balance between them. Present paper is a review on the concept of Akhlat and an attempt to understand hormones.
Regularization with metric double integrals for vector tomography
Authors: Melching Melanie , Scherzer Otmar
Published: September 2020

We present a family ofnon-localvariational regularization methods for solvingtomographicproblems, where the solutions are functions with range in a closed subset of the Euclidean space, for example if the solution only attains values in an embedded sub-manifold. Recently, in [R. Ciak, M. Melching and O. Scherzer, Regularization with metric double integrals of functions with values in a set of vectors, J. Math. Imaging Vision 61 2019, 6, 824–848], such regularization methods have been investigated analytically and their efficiency has been tested for basic imaging tasks such as denoising and inpainting. In this paper we investigate solving complex vector tomography problems with non-local variational methods both analytically and numerically.
Differential evolution algorithm of solving an inverse problem for the spatial Solow mathematical model
Authors: Kabanikhin Sergey , Krivorotko Olga , Bektemessov Zholaman , Bektemessov Maktagali , Zhang Shuhua
Published: September 2020

The differential evolution algorithm is applied to solve the optimization problem to reconstruct the production function (inverse problem) for the spatial Solow mathematical model using additional measurements of the gross domestic product for the fixed points. Since the inverse problem is ill-posed the regularized differential evolution is applied. For getting the optimized solution of the inverse problem the differential evolution algorithm is paralleled to 32 kernels. Numerical results for different technological levels and errors in measured data are presented and discussed.
Land Use Land Cover map segmentation using Remote Sensing: A Case study of Ajoy river watershed, India
Authors: Mahata Kalyan , Das Rajib , Das Subhasish , Sarkar Anasua
Published: September 2020

Image segmentation in land cover regions which are overlapping in satellite imagery, is one crucial challenge. To detect true belonging of one pixel becomes a challenging problem while classifying mixed pixels in overlapping regions. In current work, we propose one new approach for image segmentation using a hybrid algorithm of K-Means and Cellular Automata algorithms. This newly implemented unsupervised model can detect cluster groups using hybrid 2-Dimensional Cellular-Automata model based on K-Means segmentation approach. This approach detects different land use land cover areas in satellite imagery by existing K-Means algorithm. Since it is a discrete dynamical system, cellular automaton realizes uniform interconnecting cells containing states. In the second stage of current model, we experiment with a 2-dimensional cellular automata to rank allocations of pixels among different land-cover regions. The method is experimented on the watershed area of Ajoy river (India) and Salinas (California) data set with true class labels using two internal and four external validity indices. The segmented areas are then compared with existing FCM, DBSCAN and K-Means methods and verified with the ground truth. The statistical analysis results also show the superiority of the new method.
Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia: mutations in SLC34A1 and CYP24A1 in two siblings and fathers
Authors: Güven Ayla , Konrad Martin , Schlingmann Karl P.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Both CYP24A1 and SLC34A1 gene mutations are responsible for idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia, whereas loss-of-function mutations in CYP24A1 (25-OH-vitamin D-24-hydroxylase) lead to a defect in the inactivation of active 1.25(OH)2D; mutations in SLC34A1 encoding renal sodium phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIa lead to primary renal phosphate wasting combined with an inappropriate activation of vitamin D. The presence of mutations in both genes has not been reported in the same patient until today.

Case presentation

Hypercalcemia was incidentally detected when a 13-month-old boy was being examined for urinary tract infection. After 21 months, hypercalcemia was detected in his six-month-old sister. High dose of vitamin D was not given to both siblings. Both of them also had hypophosphatemia and decreased tubular phosphate reabsorption. Intensive hydration, furosemide and oral phosphorus treatment were given. Bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis was detected in both siblings and their father. Serum Ca and P levels were within normal limits at follow-up in both siblings. Siblings and their parents all carry a homozygous stop codon mutation (p.R466*) in CYP24A1. Interestingly, both siblings and the father also have a heterozygous splice-site mutation (IVS6(+1)G>A) in SLC34A1. The father has nephrocalcinosis.

Conclusions

A biallelic loss-of-function mutation in the CYP24A1 gene was identified as responsible for hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. In addition, a heterozygous mutation in the SLC34A1 gene, although not being the main pathogenic factor, might contribute to the severe phenotype of both patients.