bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The addition of sorbitol and glycerol to improve the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of chocolate dodol
Authors: Nurhayati R , Herawati E R N , Putri A S , Adyana G P
Published: October 2019

Dodol is a traditional food from Indonesia which made from glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. Chocolate dodol is one variant of dodol that use cocoa powder on its formulation. Dodol has a sweet taste and chewy texture, but its shelf life is very short, i.e., 4-5 days only. Therefore it needs an additional humectant, such as glycerol and sorbitol, to decrease the water activity (aw) of the product and increase its shelf life. This research aimed to determine the effect of glycerol and sorbitol addition to the physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of chocolate dodol. The addition of glycerol and sorbitol to the chocolate dodol formulation were 0%, 6%, 8%, and 10%. The addition of sorbitol and glycerol to chocolate dodol product decreased water activity, increased texture characteristic, and have no significant difference in sensory preferences. In the same concentration, the addition of glycerol has a lower aw than sorbitol. Panelists most preferred chocolate dodol with 6% sorbitol addition. It have aw 0, 74; L*-a*-b* value 25, 47; 3, 66 and 0, 73.
Milk production of imported Holstein cows over different environment
Authors: Prastowo S , Nugroho T , Mahfudhoh N , Putra F Y , Subiakti  , Ratriyanto A , Susilowati A , Sutarno  , Widyas N
Published: October 2019

Indonesia is importing genetically superior Friesian Holstein (FH) cows as breeding stocks for domestic dairy cattle population. The milk production of these imported cows, however, are very much affected by temporary environmental effect due to the habitat changes and transportation. This study aimed to observe the consistency of milk production of imported cows viewed from the repeatability estimates. In total, milk yield records on lactation one (L1), two (L2) and three (L3) of 70 imported FH cattle were obtained from Baturaden Dairy Cattle Breeding Centre. The repeatability values were estimated with intraclass correlation method utilizing information from three lactation periods. Milk yield decreased over lactation periods which were 6077.55±1239; 4821.79±888 and 4374.6±1012 kg for L1, L2, and L3 respectively. The repeatability of milk yield trait in this population was 0.41. It indicates 59% of the variation in milk yield is controlled by the unknown error term, including temporary environmental effects. Imported cows undergone extreme adaptation processes to be able to live optimally in a new environment which would modify their physiology. We suspect environmental changes and resource differences between tropical and subtropical climates triggers different trait expression as the explanation of the phenomenon.
Yield and anthocyanin content of M1 generation of black rice induced by gamma rays
Authors: Purwanto E , Nahdhiana Z , Yunindanova M B , Nandariyah
Published: October 2019

Black rice is rice that has a dark purple to blackish pigment and has high antioxidant properties. The gamma rays can induce mutation in plant. The purpose of this research was to understand the yield and anthocyanin of black rice with gamma ray irradiation using M1 generation from Bantul and Boyolali varieties. This experiment employed 0, 100, 200 and 300 Gy gamma ray irradiation. The effects of gamma rays on Boyolali variety differed from Bantul variety. Bantul variety was more sensitive to gamma rays irradiation than Boyolali variety. The application of gamma rays did not significantly change the flowering age Boyolali variety. However, on Bantul variety, gamma rays reduced flowering age. Application 100 Gy irradiation yielded early maturing plant on Bantul variety. This result revealed that the gamma ray had potential for decreasing the harvest age in black rice. The application of irradiation could enhance the size of grain of black rice indicated by higher weight of 1000 seed in Boyolali variety. Irradiation 100 Gy also boosted yield per plant in Boyolali variety. In Boyolali variety, gamma ray boosted the yield per plant by producing bigger seed rather than increased the number of productive tillers. The increase of the irradiation doses did not always correlate with the changes of plant phenotype. To conclude, application 100 Gy was the most effective dose to produce higher anthocyanin content compared to another doses.
Zeolite and manure treatment on the increase of N soil, N absorption and soybean production in alfisols
Authors: Triatmoko V , Alvernia P , Haniati I L , Minardi S , Suntoro W , Ariyanto D P
Published: October 2019

Soybean production in Indonesia could be improved by utilizing Alfisols as potential land. Zeolites and manure are used in this study as slow release materials to reduce nitrogen losses from soil. The aim of this research is reviewing the effect of zeolites and manure in improving N total contents, N absorption, and growth and production of soybean in Alfisols. Factorial randomized complete block designed of two factors (zeolite doses; 0 ton / ha, 2.5 ton / ha, and 5 ton / ha, and type of manure; P0: 0 ton / ha, P1: cow manure, P2: quail manure) were used and field experiments were conducted in this study. Obtained results showing zeolite with dose of 5 ton/ha gave the highest influence indicated by the increase of N total 35.13% and the increase of N absorption up to 53.37%. Cow manure gave the highest efficiency with total N increase of 40.54% and an increase in N absorption of 48.93%. Zeolite 5 ton/ha with cow manure gave the highest yield with an increase of total pod content 129.41%, and the increase of seed weight 35.39 %. Finally, zeolite treatment with cow manure at dose 5 ton/ha is the best treatment in this research.
Functionality of xanthan and almond gum in colloidal shellac nanoparticles containing cinnamon
Authors: Muhammad D R A , Gupta V , Doost A S , Dewettinck K
Published: October 2019

Instability of shellac nanoparticles at acidic pH is the main challenge of its use as an oral delivery system. This study aims to investigate the functionality of xanthan and almond gum in shellac nanoparticles containing cinnamon prepared by anti-solvent precipitation. The gums were added into the anti-solvent phase while the cinnamon extract was incorporated into the solvent phase. The results show that the minimum concentration of xanthan and almond gum to prevent shellac aggregation at simulated gastric pH (1.2) was 0.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Higher concentration of gums resulted in a bigger particle size and more negative ζ-potential, regardless the type of the gums. Cinnamon loading in the shellac-xanthan gum complex resulted in nanoscale sized particles, while the complex system consisted of shellac, almond gum 0.6% and cinnamon extract created a network entrapping the individual particle. In conclusion, xanthan gum incorporation was better than almond gum to stabilise shellac nanoparticle containing cinnamon in simulated gastric pH. This study confirms that shellac-xanthan gum complex can be potentially used for an oral delivery system of bioactive compounds.
Sensory, chemical, and nutritional characteristic of coffee-chocolate instant drink (chocomix-fee) from Nglanggeran, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta
Authors: Herawati E R N , Nurhayati R , Angwar M
Published: October 2019

Cocoa (Theobroma cocoa) is one of the potential commodities in Indonesia. There are many cocoa fields in Yogyakarta, and one of cocoa field is Nglanggeran, Gunungkidul. Diversification product must be done to increase the economy value of local chocolate from Nglanggeran. The aim of this research is to determine sensory, chemical, and nutritional characteristic of Chocomix-Fee. ‘Chocomix-Fee” is instant drink made from chocolate powder and coffee powder. Chocomix-Fee made with four different coffee powder addition (22%, 20%, 18%, 16%). Sensory test results indicated that the most preferred product was Chocomix-Fee that made from 16% coffee powder addition. The selected Chocomix-Fee contain water content about 2.11%, ash content about 1.41%, fat content 6.83%, protein content about 7.29%, and carbohydrate content about 82.37%. Chocomix-Fee contain polyphenol about 49.55 mg GAE/g sample and antioxidant activity about 56.35%. Chocomix-fee is packaged using metallized package with a weight about 25 grams per sachet. The energy obtained by consuming chocomix-fee drinks is 105 kcal / 25 g product
Physical and hedonic properties of cow milk yogurt containing different levels of avocado pulp (Perseaamericana, Mill)
Authors: Atmanaji  , Hertanto B S , Pramono A
Published: October 2019

The research aimed to analyze physical and hedonic properties of cow milk yogurt containing different levels of avocado pulp (Perseaamericana, Mill) and determine the best level of avocado pulp on cow’s milk yogurt. The material used were fresh milk of Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy cow, avocado pulp and commercial starter plain yogurt. The research design used a completely randomized design (CRD) of direct pattern with five treatments includingP0 = 100 ml yogurt + 0% avocado pulp, P1 = 97.5 ml yogurt + 2.5% avocado pulp, P2 = 95 ml yogurt + 5.0% avocado pulp, P3 = 92.5 ml yogurt + 7.5% avocado pulp, and each treatment consisted of five replications. The data were analyzed by variance analysis, and difference treatment was continued with Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that different levels of avocado pulp affected on viscosity adhesiveness and cohesiveness of yoghurt (P<0.05). However, the treatment did not affect hardness (P>0.05). Hedonic test showed that adding avocado pulp into yogurt did affect (P<0.05) color and flavor, and also taste of yogurt was high significanly effected (P<0.01). Overall, it can be seen that the different levels of avocado pulp in cow milk yogurt can increase physical properties of yogurt including viscosity and hedonic quality. The best level of avocado pulp added to cow milk yogurt was 7.5%.
Nutritional booklet and social media: Their effects on adolescents’ fattening-food knowledge and consumption
Authors: Firmansyah  , Tamtomo D G , Cilmiaty R
Published: October 2019

One cause of adolescents’ fat-consumption imbalance is inadequate knowledge of nutrition and socialization about good eating habits. Adolescents like searching for food information through social media like Facebook and Instagram before consuming. This study was to analyse the effect of nutrition booklet and social media on the adolescents’ fattening-food knowledge and consumptions. The sample of this quasi-experiment was 96 eleventh-grade Science students of SMAN 1, 3, and 5 Surakarta selected using probability proportional size sampling. This study was conducted in one month. Nutritional education intervention with social media and nutritional booklet was conducted six times in two weeks. The data were analysed using Wilcoxon, Kruskal Wallis, and Logistic Binary Regression with SPSS. Nutritional education with nutrition booklet influenced the fattening-food knowledge (p = 0.000) and consumption (p < 0.05). Nutritional education with social media influenced the fattening-food knowledge (p = 0.001) and consumption (p < 0.05). There were different scores of the fattening-food knowledge (p = 0.001) and consumption (p = 0.005) in the nutritional education group with nutritional booklet and social media. Nutritional booklet and social media influenced adolescents’ fattening-food knowledge and consumption. There were different fattening-food knowledge and consumption in the adolescents using nutritional booklet and social media.
Improvement in Machined Surface with the use of Powder and Magnetic Field Assisted on Machining Aluminium 6061 Alloy with EDM
Authors: Rouniyar Arun Kumar , Shandilya Pragya
Published: October 2019

Surface characteristics are the major challenges faced by the manufacturing industry when materials are machined with electrical discharge machining. Magnetic Field assisted powder mixed electrical discharge machining (MFAPM-EDM) is hybrid machining process which has shown the good potential of improving the surface characteristics. In this present paper, machining of aluminium 6061 alloy was carried out with aluminium powder mixed in EDM oil and in presence of magnetic field using EDM process Magnetic field, spark on duration, spark off duration, pulse current and powder concentration were selected as variable machining parameters and surface roughness as a response. Box-Behnken design approach based on response surface methodology was used for performing the experiments. In the present analysis, current was observed as the most significant parameter followed by spark on duration, powder concentration and magnetic field on surface roughness. Improvement in surface roughness with lesser voids and craters were observed under the influence of magnetic field and aluminium powder mixed in EDM oil.
Preparation of Carbon Encapsulated Magnetic FeCo Alloy Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Microwave Absorption
Authors: Yuan Guanming , Su Yong , Cui Zhengwei , Dong Zhijun , Li Xuanke
Published: October 2019

A mixture of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in an ethanol solution of Fe(NO3)3.9H2O and Co(NO3)2.6H2O, were used to prepare an Fe2O3-CoO catalyst supported on carbon nanotubes by a supercritical fluid drying method. The carbon encapsulated FeCo nanoparticles were prepared by the catalytic decomposition of methane over the catalyst at 850°C for 30 mins. The morphology and microstructure of the catalyst and carbon encapsulated nanoparticles (CEP) were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS and TEM analyses. The electromagnetic characteristics and microwave absorption properties of the CEP product were also studied. Results show that the CEP product possesses high complex permittivity and good permeability in the microwave frequency range from 2 to 18 GHz. The maximum absorption peak was observed at 9.44 GHz for a large reflection loss (R) of 13.3 dB, with a band width of 7.4 GHz and 2.56 GHz, at R <- 5 dB and R <- 10 dB, respectively.
Scaling Behaviour, Optical and Photoluminescence Properties of La2Hf2O Films with Annealing Treatments
Authors: Li Z , Ma C Y , Zhang Q Y
Published: October 2019

The structure, optical and PL characteristics of La2Hf2O7 (LHO) films deposited by rf sputtering and subsequently annealed at 800-950°C are studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV/VIS spectrophotometry, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Structural studies indicate that LHO films with 37% atomic ratio of La/(La+Hf) have shown high crystallization temperature higher than 900°C. The scaling behaviors of AFM topographical profiles were analysed using one-dimensional power spectral density analysis (1DPSD). For as-grown films, only one growth exponent α is evidenced. For annealed films two different slopes α1 and α2 were observed, indicating distinct growth dynamic in LHO films. The estimated optical band gap was found to be in the range of 5.18-5.55 eV. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of LHO films in visible light range (i.e., at 412~435 nm and 468 nm, respectively) can be attributed to localized states at the band tails and oxygen vacancies, respectively. This PL can be diminished or decreased by adjusting structural properties i.e. the amount of oxygen vacancies or some other kind of structure defects in the films by thermal annealing processing.
Grinding Deviation Analysis of Offset Face Gear Based on Involute Disc Wheel
Authors: Zhong Yang , Wang Jie , Zhang Tingyu , Pei Tianhe , Gao Yuan , Yao Wenhao
Published: October 2019

Offset face gear drive has shown many unique advantages in the area of crossed-axes transmission. In this paper, deviation analysis of an offset face gear using a involute disc wheel as a cutting tool has been discussed to achieve precised machining.Firstly, equations of involute disc wheel and offset face gear are derived based on meshing theory.Then, a grinding machine tool is designed and equations of offset face gear containing machining deviation are derived.At last,figures of deviation cloud of face gear surface are created with MATLAB and importance of different machining deviation is discussed.The results show that the deviation Az along the axis of grinding wheel is the most influential deviation,while Ay along the axis of face gear is the least one.
Performance Analysis of by-pass Excitation Cable Force Sensor
Authors: Yishu Zhou , Jinning Zhang , Chang Liu , Jinjin Cao
Published: October 2019

The sleeve cable force sensor based on magnetoelastic effect has developed rapidly in recent years, and has been widely used in the field of bridge cable force measurement in China. Existing sleeve cable force sensor needs to be installed at the beginning of construction, so it is difficult to reinstall them later, and its long-term performance is also difficult to evaluate and measure online. To solve this problem, the tension measurement of the designed by-pass excitation cable force sensor is carried out, and the influence of signal line length and ambient temperature on the measurement results is analyzed. The results show that the designed by-pass excitation cable force sensor has high linearity, which is expected to solve the problem of the existing sleeve cable force sensor.
Age-friendliness of living environments from the older person’s viewpoint: development of the Age-Friendly Environment Assessment Tool
Authors: Garner Ian W , Holland Carol A
Published: October 2019

Background

according to the World Health Organisation, the role of the environment for older adults is to maintain and facilitate independence and promote quality of life. However, measures that examine the environment in terms of its potential impact on older people are either oriented towards specific aspects of the environment, specifically designed for community-level assessment rather than individually oriented, or are unwieldy for everyday use.

Objectives

this article describes the development and validation of the Age-Friendly Environment Assessment Tool (AFEAT), assessing whether individual function and frailty impact on perceptions of environmental age-friendliness. The extent to which such perceptions may have moderate impacts of frailty on outcomes such as need for care support, quality of life and loneliness is examined.

Methods

a total of 132 participants aged 58–96 were recruited from retirement villages and local communities in the Midlands of the UK. Participants completed the AFEAT, and a series of measures designed to assess frailty and assessments of quality of life, loneliness and perceptions of functional limitations.

Results

internal reliability assessment indicated that the AFEAT possesses a Cronbach’s Alpha score of 0.745. The AFEAT significantly predicted quality of life and loneliness, accounting for 17.1% and 5.8% of variance respectively, indicating high concurrent and predictive validity. Furthermore, the AFEAT moderated the predictive strength of frailty in predicting the amount of formal care an individual receives, but not quality of life or loneliness.

Discussion

the AFEAT is a valid and reliable tool, and analyses highlight the need for an individual-oriented Age-Friendly environment tool.
Martinite: An Alternative to Asbestos Insulation Available Since the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Silvestri Stefano , Angelini Alessia
Published: October 2019

The asbestos industry has always claimed that asbestos is a ‘magic mineral’, which is not replaceable. New findings, however, contradict this because asbestos-free alternatives, with excellent insulating properties, have been available since the end of the nineteenth century. The aim of this current research is to gather evidence of the potential of ‘Martinite’ to replace asbestos. We identified references to ‘Martinite’ in documents and brochures pertaining to insulation of ships, dating back as far as possible by acquiring recent interviews, utilizing records in public libraries and in archives, and conducting web searches. Martinite was produced by a small company called ‘Manifatture Martiny’, founded at the end of the nineteenth century in Turin, Italy. This company was specialized in insulation materials production, such as cork, rubber, foams, and even asbestos. In the early twentieth century, Martinite was utilized in warships of the Royal Italian Navy. During this time, it was patented in Italy and in many other industrialized nations. It was also utilized in construction of civilian power plants and was approved by the Architects Corporation in 1940. Furthermore, it was licenced in 1950 by the Italian National Naval Certification Body (UNAV) to be used on ships. We argue that had Martinite been properly advertised and distributed, it could have been used worldwide in place of asbestos for some applications, resulting in a lower incidence of serious and fatal diseases. The small scale of the company, compared to those of the asbestos multinationals, contributed to the lack of commercial development of the product.
Studying 3D genome evolution using genomic sequence
Authors: Mourad Raphaël
Published: October 2019

Motivation

The three dimensions (3D) genome is essential to numerous key processes such as the regulation of gene expression and the replication-timing program. In vertebrates, chromatin looping is often mediated by CTCF, and marked by CTCF motif pairs in convergent orientation. Comparative high-throughput sequencing technique (Hi-C) recently revealed that chromatin looping evolves across species. However, Hi-C experiments are complex and costly, which currently limits their use for evolutionary studies over a large number of species.

Results

Here, we propose a novel approach to study the 3D genome evolution in vertebrates using the genomic sequence only, e.g. without the need for Hi-C data. The approach is simple and relies on comparing the distances between convergent and divergent CTCF motifs by computing a ratio we named the 3D ratio or ‘3DR’. We show that 3DR is a powerful statistic to detect CTCF looping encoded in the human genome sequence, thus reflecting strong evolutionary constraints encoded in DNA and associated with the 3D genome. When comparing vertebrate genomes, our results reveal that 3DR which underlies CTCF looping and topologically associating domain organization evolves over time and suggest that ancestral character reconstruction can be used to infer 3DR in ancestral genomes.

Availability and implementation

The R code is available at https://github.com/morphos30/PhyloCTCFLooping.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dwarf geckos and giant rivers: the role of the São Francisco River in the evolution of Lygodactylus klugei (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in the semi-arid Caatinga of north-eastern Brazil
Authors: Lanna Flávia M , Gehara Marcelo , Werneck Fernanda P , Fonseca Emanuel M , Colli Guarino R , Sites Jack W , Rodrigues Miguel T , Garda Adrian A
Published: October 2019

Species diversification can be strongly influenced by geomorphological features, such as mountains, valleys and rivers. Rivers can act as hard or soft barriers to gene flow depending on their size, speed of flow, historical dynamics and regional topographical characteristics. The São Francisco River (SFR) is the largest perennial river in the Caatinga biome in north-eastern Brazil and has been considered a barrier to gene flow and dispersal. Herein, we evaluated the role of the SFR on the evolution of Lygodactylus klugei, a small gecko from the Caatinga. Using a single-locus species delimitation method (generalized mixed Yule coalescent), we defined lineages (haploclades). Subsequently, we evaluated the role of the SFR in structuring genetic diversity in this species using a multilocus approach to quantify migration across margins. We also evaluated genetic structure based on nuclear markers, testing the number of populations found through an assignment test (STRUCTURE) across the species distribution. We recovered two mitochondrial lineages structured with respect to the SFR, but only a single population was inferred from nuclear markers. Given that we detected an influence of the SFR only on mitochondrial markers, we suggest that the current river course has acted as a relatively recent geographical barrier for L. klugei, for ~450 000 years.
Tumour-associated macrophage-derived interleukin-1 mediates glioblastoma-associated cerebral oedema
Authors: Herting Cameron J , Chen Zhihong , Maximov Victor , Duffy Alyssa , Szulzewsky Frank , Shayakhmetov Dmitry M , Hambardzumyan Dolores
Published: October 2019

Dexamethasone is used to manage cerebral oedema in patients with glioblastoma, despite significant drawbacks. Herting et al. show that dexamethasone reduces oedema via inhibition of interleukin-1 signalling. They highlight a likely interaction between dexamethasone and immunotherapy, and propose that specific interleukin-1 inhibition may be preferable to dexamethasone for managing oedema.
Potential usefulness and clinical relevance of a novel left atrial filling index to estimate left ventricular filling pressures in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Braunauer Kerstin , Düngen Hans-Dirk , Belyavskiy Evgeny , Aravind-Kumar Radhakrishnan , Frydas Athanasios , Kropf Martin , Huang Feiqiong , Marquez Esteban , Tadic Marijana , Osmanoglou Engin , Edelmann Frank , Tschöpe Carsten , Boldt Leif-Hendrik , Pieske Burkert , Pieske-Kraigher Elisabeth , Morris Daniel A
Published: October 2019

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the potential usefulness and clinical relevance of a novel left atrial (LA) filling index using 2D speckle-tracking transthoracic echocardiography to estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressures in patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods and results

The LA filling index was calculated as the ratio of the mitral early-diastolic inflow peak velocity (E) over LA reservoir strain (i.e. E/LA strain ratio). This index showed a good diagnostic performance to determine elevated LV filling pressures in a test-cohort (n = 31) using invasive measurements of LV end-diastolic pressure (area under the curve 0.82, cut-off > 3.27 = sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 78.9%), which was confirmed in a validation-cohort (patients with cardiovascular risk factors; n = 486) using the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging criteria (cut-off > 3.27 = sensitivity 88.1%, specificity 77.6%) and in a specificity-validation cohort (patients free of cardiovascular risk factors, n = 120; cut-off > 3.27 = specificity 98.3%). Regarding the clinical relevance of the LA filling index, an elevated E/LA strain ratio (>3.27) was significantly associated with the risk of heart failure hospitalization at 2 years (odds ratio 4.3, 95% confidence interval 1.8–10.5), even adjusting this analysis by age, sex, renal failure, LV hypertrophy, or abnormal LV global longitudinal systolic strain.

Conclusion

The findings from this study suggest that a novel LA filling index using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography could be of potential usefulness and clinical relevance in estimating LV filling pressures in patients with preserved LVEF.
Newborn girl with coarctation of the aorta and anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery, with retrograde perfusion of left circumflex artery: a case report
Authors: Hölscher Martin , Knirsch Walter , Dave Hitendu , Burkhardt Barbara E U
Published: October 2019

Background

Anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare coronary abnormality. Although it exists usually as an isolated abnormality, ALCAPA has been described with aortic pathologies like coarctation or aortopulmonary window.

Case summary

An 18-day-old female was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit because of a heart murmur and weak femoral pulses. A transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography was performed and confirmed suspected diagnosis of aortic coarctation. In addition, a total retrograde perfusion of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) was found, without visible flow through the ostium of the left coronary artery (LCA) into the aorta. A coronary angiography was performed, showing a single right coronary artery with a normal right posterior descending artery (RPD). Supplied by collaterals from the RPD, the LCX was perfused retrogradely, passing by the lateral wall of the ascending aorta without flowing into it, but into the right pulmonary artery. At 23 days of age, surgery was performed with resection of the aortic coarctation and reimplantation of the LCA into the posterior aortic wall.

Discussion

This case demonstrates that coronary artery anomalies like ALCAPA may occur together with other cardiac malformations. Despite concomitant cardiac lesions, careful assessment of the coronary arteries is mandatory, including cardiac catheterization in case of doubt.
Bail-out unexpanded stent implantation in acute left main dissection treated with intra coronary lithotripsy: a case report
Authors: Tumminello Gabriele , Cavallino Chiara , Demarchi Andrea , Rametta Francesco
Published: October 2019

Background

The percutaneous treatment of heavily calcified coronary lesions is challenging and presents high rate of complications. Unexpandable stent is one of the most serious complication. Both of these conditions may benefit from the intracoronary lithotripsy (ICL-Shockwave®), a new coronary percutaneous technique.

Case summary

This case report describes a man treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a left main (LM) severe calcified lesion. The PCI was complicated by a huge dissection of LM in a not completely expandable lesion. A bail-out stent implantation was performed with residual unexpansion. The ICL permitted to expand acutely the stent and obtain an optimal final result.

Discussion

Familiarity with dedicated techniques and devices to treat calcified coronary lesions is fundamental to perform high-risk complex PCI. This case emphasizes the potential usefulness of the new ICL technique to treat calcified lesions or related complications like unexpandable stent.
Work-relatedness of the presented health problem and sickness absence
Authors: de Kock Cornelis A , Lucassen Peter L , Akkermans Reinier P , Knottnerus J André , Buijs Peter C , Steenbeek Romy , Lagro-Janssen Antoine L
Published: October 2019

Background

Perception by workers of their health problems as work-related is possibly associated with sickness absence (SA). The aim of this study was to to study the relationship between perceived work-relatedness of health problems and SA among workers who visit their GP, taking the influence of other potential determinants into account and to study the influence of these determinants on SA. Design and setting prospective cohort study in 32 Dutch GP practices.

Methods

A secondary analysis of RCT data among workers, aged 18–63 years, who visited their GP. We measured self-reported SA days in 12 months and high SA (>20 days in 12 months) and compared workers who perceived work-relatedness (WR+) with workers who did not (WR−). With multivariable linear and logistic regression models, we analyzed the influence of age, gender, experienced health, chronic illness, prior SA, number of GP consultations and perceived work ability.

Results

We analyzed data of 209 workers, 31% perceived work-relatedness. Geometric mean of SA days was 1.6 (95% CI: 0.9–3.0) for WR+− workers and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.8–1.8) for WR− workers (P = 0.42). Incidence of high SA was 21.5 and 13.3%, respectively (odds ratio 1.79; 95% CI: 0.84–3.84). SA was positively associated with chronic illness, prior SA, low perceived work ability and age over 50.

Conclusions

Perceived work-relatedness was not associated with SA. SA was associated with chronic illness, prior SA, low perceived work ability and age over 50.
Ambient-noise tomography of the Greater Geneva Basin in a geothermal exploration context
Authors: Planès Thomas , Obermann Anne , Antunes Verónica , Lupi Matteo
Published: October 2019

The Greater Geneva Basin is one of the key targets for geothermal exploration in Switzerland. Until recently, information about the subsurface structure of this region was mostly composed of well-logs, seismic reflection lines, and gravity measurements. As part of the current effort to further reduce subsurface uncertainty, and to test passive seismic methods for exploration purposes, we performed an ambient-noise tomography of the Greater Geneva Basin. We used ∼1.5 yr of continuous data collected on a temporary seismic network composed of 28 broad-band stations deployed within and around the basin. From the vertical component of the continuous noise recordings, we computed cross-correlation functions and retrieved Rayleigh-wave group-velocity dispersion curves. We then inverted the dispersion curves to obtain 2-D group-velocity maps and proceeded to a subsequent inversion step to retrieve a large-scale 3-D shear-wave velocity model of the basin. We discuss the retrieved features of the basin in the light of local geology, previously acquired geophysical data sets, and ongoing geothermal exploration. The Greater Geneva Basin is an ideal natural laboratory to test innovative geothermal exploration methods because of the substantial geophysical data sets available for comparison. While we point out the limits of ambient-noise exploration with sparse networks and current methodology, we also discuss possible ways to develop ambient-noise tomography as an affordable and efficient subsurface exploration method.
Expanding the use of community health workers in urban settings: a potential strategy for progress towards universal health coverage
Authors: Wahl Brian , Lehtimaki Susanna , Germann Stefan , Schwalbe Nina
Published: October 2019

Community health worker (CHW) programmes have been used for decades to improve access to health services in rural settings in low- and middle-income countries. With more than half of the world’s population currently living in urban areas and this population expected to grow, equitable access to health services in urban areas is critically important. To understand the extent to which CHW programmes have been successfully deployed in low-income urban settings, we conducted a review of the literature between 2000 and 2018 to identify studies evaluating and describing CHW programmes implemented fully or partially in urban or peri-urban settings. We identified 32 peer-reviewed articles that met our inclusion criteria. Benefits have been documented in several urban settings in low- and middle-income countries including those to address TB/HIV, child health, maternal health and non-communicable diseases through a variety of study designs.
Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic machinery: postnatal malleability and therapeutic prospects
Authors: Fahrner Jill A , Bjornsson Hans T
Published: October 2019

The epigenetic machinery in conjunction with the transcriptional machinery is responsible for maintaining genome-wide chromatin states and dynamically regulating gene expression. Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic machinery (MDEMs) are genetic disorders resulting from mutations in components of the epigenetic apparatus. Though individually rare, MDEMs have emerged as a collectively common etiology for intellectual disability (ID) and growth disruption. Studies in model organisms and humans have demonstrated dosage sensitivity of this gene group with haploinsufficiency as a predominant disease mechanism. The epigenetic machinery consists of three enzymatic components (writers, erasers and chromatin remodelers) as well as one non-enzymatic group (readers). A tally of the entire census of such factors revealed that although multiple enzymatic activities never coexist within a single component, individual enzymatic activities often coexist with a reader domain. This group of disorders disrupts both the chromatin and transcription states of target genes downstream of the given component but also DNA methylation on a global scale. Elucidation of these global epigenetic changes may inform our understanding of disease pathogenesis and have diagnostic utility. Moreover, many therapies targeting epigenetic marks already exist, and some have proven successful in treating cancer. This, along with the recent observation that neurological dysfunction in these disorders may in fact be treatable in postnatal life, suggests that the scientific community should prioritize this group as a potentially treatable cause of ID. Here we summarize the recent expansion and major characteristics of MDEMs, as well as the unique therapeutic prospects for this group of disorders.
Automatic segmentation of fish using deep learning with application to fish size measurement
Authors: Garcia Rafael , Prados Ricard , Quintana Josep , Tempelaar Alexander , Gracias Nuno , Rosen Shale , Vågstøl Håvard , Løvall Kristoffer
Published: October 2019

One of the leading causes of overfishing is the catch of unwanted fish and marine life in commercial fishing gears. Echosounders are nowadays routinely used to detect fish schools and make qualitative estimates of the amount of fish and species present. However, the problem of estimating sizes using acoustic systems is still largely unsolved, with only a few attempts at real-time operation and only at demonstration level. This paper proposes a novel image-based method for individual fish detection, targeted at drastically reducing catches of undersized fish in commercial trawling. The proposal is based on the processing of stereo images acquired by the Deep Vision imaging system, directly placed in the trawl. The images are pre-processed to correct for nonlinearities of the camera response. Then, a Mask R-CNN architecture is used to localize and segment each individual fish in the images. This segmentation is subsequently refined using local gradients to obtain an accurate estimate of the boundary of every fish. Testing was conducted with two representative datasets, containing in excess of 2600 manually annotated individual fish, and acquired using distinct artificial illumination setups. A distinctive advantage of this proposal is the ability to successfully deal with cluttered images containing overlapping fish.
Balancing conservation and utilization in spawning aggregation fisheries: a trade-off analysis of an overexploited marine fish
Authors: Erisman Brad E , Grüss Arnaud , Mascareñas-Osorio Ismael , Lícon-González Hector , Johnson Andrew F , López-Sagástegui Catalina
Published: October 2019

Although the management of fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) often requires a precautionary approach that initially emphasizes conservation, understanding the dynamics of spawning and interactions with fishing activities can help identify long-term management solutions that balance conservation with utilization. We designed a parsimonious, per-recruit model to evaluate the potential effects of seven time-closure scenarios implemented during the spawning season on egg production per recruit (EPR; a conservation metric) and yield per recruit (YPR; a fisheries metric) of Gulf corvina (Cynoscion othonopterus), a vulnerable marine fish that experiences persistent overfishing at its only known spawning grounds in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Three of the seven scenarios provided small-to-large increases in EPR (8–43%) accompanied by only small decreases in YPR (3–11%) that resulted in a sustainable fishery. Increased mortality of juveniles and small adults through targeted fishing or as bycatch in other fisheries, however, would erode the fisheries and conservation benefits of time closures. Our results demonstrate that information on spawning and fishing activities can be combined with stakeholder input to identify regulations that permit the sustainable harvesting of FSAs. Furthermore, the implementation of brief, temporal fishing effort restrictions can represent a viable, less restrictive alternative to marine protected areas for the management of FSAs.
African States, Investor–State Arbitration and the ICSID Dispute Resolution System: Continuities, Changes and Challenges
Authors: Ofodile Uché Ewelukwa
Published: October 2019

Against the backdrop of growing public discourse about the usefulness, legitimacy and effectiveness of the investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) system, this article reviews the participation of African States in international investment arbitration and analyzes some of the cases involving African States in claims initiated under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals of Other States (the “ICSID Convention”). Specifically, the article reviews ICSID cases involving African States in which decisions were reached on the merit [i.e. the tribunal determined whether the challenged measure breached any substantive obligation in an international investment agreement (IIA)]. Focus is on cases where claimants alleged violation of the fair and equitable treatment (FET) obligation and cases where expropriation, both direct and indirect were alleged. A review of cases involving African States suggests that there is no African peculiarity or specialty in terms of the awards and analysis of arbitral tribunals. In cases involving African States, ICSID tribunals appear to be guided primarily by the provisions of applicable texts (IIAs, contracts, and legislation) and ICSID case law rather than by the status of a Respondent State as developing or least developed. The paper raises important questions about the development dimension of the ISDS system or the lack thereof, and could contribute to current debates about ISDS reform and the need for sustainable development-oriented reform of IIAs more broadly. The paper also sheds light on the risks that broad and vague provisions in IIAs pose for host States and calls attention to the capacity constraints that limit meaningful IIA reform in Africa.
Adjunctive Host-Directed Therapy With Statins Improves Tuberculosis-Related Outcomes in Mice
Authors: Dutta Noton K , Bruiners Natalie , Zimmerman Matthew D , Tan Shumin , Dartois Véronique , Gennaro Maria L , Karakousis Petros C
Published: October 2019

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment is lengthy and complicated and patients often develop chronic lung disease. Recent attention has focused on host-directed therapies aimed at optimizing immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), as adjunctive treatment given with antitubercular drugs. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering properties, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have broad anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.

Methods

In the current study, we screened 8 commercially available statins for cytotoxic effect, anti-TB activity, synergy with first-line drugs in macrophages, pharmacokinetics and adjunctive bactericidal activity, and, in 2 different mouse models, as adjunctive therapy to first-line TB drugs.

Results

Pravastatin showed the least toxicity in THP-1 and Vero cells. At nontoxic doses, atorvastatin and mevastatin were unable to inhibit Mtb growth in THP-1 cells. Simvastatin, fluvastatin, and pravastatin showed the most favorable therapeutic index and enhanced the antitubercular activity of the first-line drugs isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide in THP-1 cells. Pravastatin modulated phagosomal maturation characteristics in macrophages, phenocopying macrophage activation, and exhibited potent adjunctive activity in the standard mouse model of TB chemotherapy and in a mouse model of human-like necrotic TB lung granulomas.

Conclusions

These data provide compelling evidence for clinical evaluation of pravastatin as adjunctive, host-directed therapy for TB.
Bringing North Korea to the negotiating table: unstable foundations of Kim Jong-un’s North Korean regime
Authors: Daekwon Son
Published: October 2019

This article investigates the linkage between Kim Jong-un’s power consolidation and Pyongyang’s abrupt return to the denuclearization negotiation table in 2018. It argues that behind Pyongyang’s turnabout lie the three unstable pillars of the Kim family’s rule: a faithful winning coalition, the juche ideology, and Chinese patronage. Upon taking office in 2011, Kim had to debilitate his father’s winning coalition to consolidate his power. With the winning coalition enervated, Kim could not expect its willingness to suppress the masses were they to develop into an ejectorate, and therefore introduced market reforms to secure the people’s support. The reforms, in return, inevitably eroded the ideological appeal of the Kim family, thereby rendering his hold on power more vulnerable to economic pressure. Under such circumstances, Chinese patronage increasingly faltered. It is due to the instability of these three pillars that Kim Jong-un returned to the negotiating table.
Explicating Cues: A Typology for Understanding Emerging Media Technologies
Authors: Xu Kun , Liao Tony
Published: October 2019

Cues have long been an important concept in computer-mediated communication (CMC), as several core theories have utilized cues to explain how they get filtered and interpreted through technologies. As computing technologies evolved, other related fields have also adopted cues as a concept for understanding technological interaction. Given the pervasive nature of cues, this article first explicates the concept and creates a typology of cues based on how different fields have studied them. It then examines key differences in how existing theories approach cues and their assumptions behind cues, and further pulls apart the relationship between different cue categories and their potential effects on social presence. Lastly, we explain how researchers could draw on this typology to understand the increasingly multifaceted ways that emerging media technologies present cues and evoke social presence. A clear typology of cues is necessary both to clarify the term and help guide future evolutions of CMC.
Authenticity Model of (Mass-Oriented) Computer-Mediated Communication: Conceptual Explorations and Testable Propositions
Authors: Lee Eun-Ju
Published: October 2019

While several major theories and models have emerged and guided research on computer-mediated communication (CMC) in the interpersonal context, equivalent theoretical development seems to be lacking in the study of mass-oriented CMC, despite a large volume of amassed research. This article aims to propose an integrative conceptual framework for the study of mass-oriented, including mass-personal CMC, with (perceived) authenticity as its core unifying construct. A range of theoretical constructs independently developed in various subdisciplines and pertinent research findings are reviewed in light of the authenticity of source, message, and interaction. Several testable propositions are derived concerning antecedents to and consequences of authenticity judgments, with a view to stimulating programmatic empirical investigations on the role of authenticity in CMC.
Representingn-ary relations in the Semantic Web
Authors: Giunti Marco , Sergioli Giuseppe , Vivanet Giuliano , Pinna Simone
Published: October 2019

Knowledge representation is a central issue for Artificial Intelligence and the Semantic Web. In particular, the problem of representing n-ary relations in RDF-based languages such as RDFS or OWL by no means is an obvious one. With respect to previous attempts, we show why the solutions proposed by the well known W3C Working Group Note on n-ary relations are not satisfactory on several scores. We then present our abstract model for representing n-ary relations as directed labeled graphs, and we show how this model gives rise to a new ontological pattern (parametric pattern) for the representation of such relations in the Semantic Web. To this end, we define PROL (Parametric Relational Ontology Language). PROL is an ontological language designed to express any n-ary fact as a parametric pattern, which turns out to be a special RDF graph. The vocabulary of PROL is defined by a simple RDFS ontology. We argue that the parametric pattern may be particularly beneficial in the context of the Semantic Web, in virtue of its high expressive power, technical simplicity, and faithful meaning rendition. Examples are also provided.