bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic profiling and discovery of key genes involved in adventitious root formation from green cuttings of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)
Authors: An Haishan , Zhang Jiaying , Xu Fangjie , Jiang Shuang , Zhang Xueying
Published: November 2019

Background Propagation of cuttings was mostly used in various plant species including blueberry, the special root characteristics of blueberry usually resulted in a difficulty in adventitious root (AR) formation. The AR formation was influenced by various factors, of which auxin was considered to play a center role, however little is known of the related regulative mechanisms. In this study, transcriptome analysis using RNA_seq from the stem of green cuttings of southern highbush blueberry 'Biloxi' was performed to discover candidate genes associated with AR formation.Results Rooting phenotypes, especially rooting rate, was significantly promoted by exogenous auxin IBA application. The adventitious root primordium initiation (rpi) began to be formed at 14 day (d) after cutting, developed into root primordium (rp) at 21d, finally the rp further developed to mature AR at 28d. Higher IAA and lower ABA and zeatin might facilitate the AR formation and development. A time series transcriptome analysis indentified 14970 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during AR formation, of which there were 7467 up-regulated and 7503 down-regulated genes, respectively. Of these, about 35 candidate DEGs involved in auxin-induced pathway and AR formation were further identified, including 10 auxin respective genes ARFs and SAURs , 13 transcription factors LOB domain-containing protein ( LBD s), 6 auxin transporter AUX22 , LAX3/5 and PIN-like 6s ( PIL6s ) and 6 rooting-associated genes root meristem growth factor 9 ( RGF9 ), lateral root primordium 1 ( LRP1s ), dormancy-associated protein homolog 3 ( DRMH3 ). All these identified DEGs were highly up-regulated in certain AR developed stage, indicating their potential roles in blueberry AR formation.Conclusions The transcriptome profiling indicated candidate genes or major regulative factors that influence adventitious root formation in blueberry, and provided a comprehensive understanding of rooting mechanism of the auxin-induced AR formation from blueberry green cuttings.
Polymorphisms of ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 4 (rs560426 and rs481931) and non-syndromic cleft lip/palate: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Imani Mohammad Moslem , Safaei Mohsen , Lopez-Jornet Pia , López Eduardo Pons-Fuster , Sadeghi Masoud
Published: November 2019

Background A number of gene loci are closely associated with the incidence of non-syndromic cleft lip/palate (NSCL/P). Herein, this meta-analysis assessed the association between ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 4 (ABCA4) polymorphisms (rs560426 and rs481931) and the risk of NSCL/P by reviewing case-control studies.Methods Four databases including Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched for articles published up to December 2018. The Review Manager 5.3 software was used to calculate the crude odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).Results Of 82 retrieved studies, 12 were analyzed in this meta-analysis (2,859 NSCL/P patients and 3,792 controls for ABCA4 rs560426 polymorphism and 1,333 NSCL/P patients and 1,884 controls for ABCA4 rs481931 polymorphism). There was no significant association between the polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P, with the exception of the allelic model (OR=1.13; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.27; p=0.03), the homozygote model (OR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.31; p=0.04), and the recessive model (OR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.63; p=0.03) in the Asian ethnicity for rs560426 polymorphism.Conclusion The findings confirmed that G allele and GG genotype of rs560426 polymorphism were significantly associated with the risk of NSCL/P in the Asian population, but not for rs481931polymorphism. Also, there was no association between both polymorphisms (rs560426 and rs481931) with the risk of NSCL/P in the Caucasian and the mixed ethnicities, as well as the source of controls. Therefore, ethnicity may play a significant role in this association.
Identification and analysis of KLF13 variants in patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Li Baolei , Li Tingting , Zhang Ergeng , Wang Qingjie , Chen Sun , Kun Sun
Published: November 2019

Background: The protein Kruppel-like factor 13 (KLF13) is a member of the KLF family that has been identified as a novel cardiac transcription factor which is involved in heart development. However, the relationship between KLF13 variants and CHDs in humans remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to screen the KLF13 variants in CHDs patients and genetically analyze the function of these variants. Methods: KLF13 variants were sequenced in a cohort of 309 CHD patients and population-matched healthy controls (n = 200) using targeted sequencing. To investigate the effect of variants on the functional ability of the KLF13 protein, the expressions and subcellular localization of protein, as well as the transcriptional activities of downstream genes and physically interacted with other transcription factor were assessed. Results: Two novel heterozygous variants, c.487C>T (P163S) and c.467G>A (S156N), were identified in two out of 309 CHDs patients with Tricuspid-valve atresia and transposition of the great arteries, respectively. No variants were found among healthy controls. The variant c.467G>A (S156N) increased protein expression and enhanced functionality compared with that of wild-type, without affecting the subcellular localization. The other variant, c.487C>T (P163S), did not show any abnormalities in protein expression and subcellular localization, however it eliminated the transcriptional activities of downstream target genes and physically interacted with TBX5, another cardiac transcription factor. Conclusion: Our results show that the S156N and P163S variants contributed to CHD etiology. Additionally, our findings suggest that KLF13 may be a potential gene contributing to congenital heart disease.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Prevalent and Persistent Cervical High-Risk Human Papillomavirus(HPV) Infection
Authors: Adebamowo Sally N. , Adeyemo Adebowale A , Rotimi Charles N , Olaniyan Olayinka , Offiong Richard B. , Adebamowo Clement A
Published: November 2019

Background: Genetic factors may influence the susceptibility to high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection and persistence. We conducted the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify variants associated with cervical hrHPV infection and persistence. Methods: Participants were 517 Nigerian women evaluated at baseline and 6 months follow-up visits for HPV. HPV was characterized using SPF10/LiPA25. hrHPV infection was positive if at least one carcinogenic HPV genotype was detected in a sample provided at the baseline visit and persistent if at least one carcinogenic HPV genotype was detected in each of the samples provided at the baseline and follow-up visits. Genotyping was done using the Illumina Multi-Ethnic Genotyping Array (MEGA) and imputation was done using the African Genome Resources Haplotype Reference Panel. Association analysis was done under additive genetic models adjusted for age, HIV status and the first principal component (PC) of the genotypes. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the study participants was 38 (±8) years, 48% were HIV negative, 24% were hrHPV positive and 10% had persistent hrHPV infections. The top three variants associated with hrHPV infections were intronic variants clustered in KLF12 (all OR: 7.06, p=1.43 x 10-6). The top variants associated with cervical hrHPV persistence were in DAP(OR: 6.86, p=7.15 x 10-8), NR5A2(OR: 3.65, p=2.03 x 10-7) and MIR365-2(OR: 7.71, p=2.63 x 10-7) gene regions. Conclusions: This exploratory GWAS yielded novel candidate risk loci for cervical hrHPV infection and persistence. The identified loci have biological annotation and functional data supporting their role in hrHPV infection and persistence. Given our limited sample size, larger discovery and replication studies are warranted to further characterize the reported associations.
Detecting fitness epistasis in recent admixed populations with genome-wide data
Authors: Zhu Xiaofeng , Ni Xumin , Zhou Mengshi , Wang Heming , He Karen , Broeckel Uli , Hanis Craig , Kardia Sharon , Redline Susan , Cooper Richard , Tang Hua
Published: November 2019

Background: Fitness epistasis, the interaction effect of genes at different loci on fitness, has an important contribution for adaptive evolution. Although fitness interaction evidence has been observed in model organisms, it is less detectable and remains poorly understood in human populations owing to the limited statistical power and experimental constraints. Fitness epistasis is inferred from non-independence between unlinked loci. We previously observed ancestral block correlation between chromosomes 4 and 6 in African Americans. The same approach fails when examining ancestral blocks on the same chromosome due to strong confounding effect in a recently admixed population. Results: We developed a novel approach to eliminate the bias caused by admixture linkage disequilibrium when searching for fitness epistasis on the same chromosome. We applied this approach in 16,252 unrelated African Americans and identified significant ancestral correlations in two pairs of genomic regions (P-value<8.11×10 -7 ) on chromosomes 1 and 10. The ancestral correlations were not explained by population admixture. Historical African-European crossover events are reduced between pair of epistatic regions. We observed multiple pairs of co-expressed genes between the two regions on each chromosome, including ADAR being co-expressed with IFI44 in almost all tissues and DARC being co-expressed with VCAM1, S1PR1 and ELTD1 in multiple tissues in GTEx. Moreover, the co-expressed gene pairs are associated with the same diseases/traits in the GWAS Catalog, such as white blood cell count, blood pressure, lung function, inflammatory bowel disease and educational attainment. Conclusions: Our analyses revealed two instances of fitness epistasis on chromosomes 1 and 10, and the findings suggest a potential approach to better understand adaptive evolution.
Urinary continence outcomes of four years of follow-up and predictors of early and late urinary incontinence in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Li Xing , Zhang Huan , Jia Zhuo , Wang Yunpeng , Song Yong , Liao Limin , Zhang Xu
Published: November 2019

Background Although the wide application of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in recent years, studies about long urinary continence were few. In this study, we aimed to examine the outcomes of continence rates (CRs) and determine the predictive factors of early and late urinary incontinence (UI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing RARP.Methods This retrospective study included 650 patients treated with RARP who completed perioperative data and at least one year of follow-up from January 2009 to November 2017. We analyzed the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters of the patients. Continence was defined as no pad use. CRs from one to 48 months postoperatively were examined. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between the risk factors and UI in the early and late stages.Results CRs of the patients at one, three, six, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months postoperatively were 40.62%, 60.92%, 71.38%, 78.77%, 79.96%, 79.51%, and 76.50%, respectively. There were no significant differences in CR from 12 to 48 months postoperatively ( P =0.766). Logistic regression analysis proved that pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) was a significant predictor of UI at one month, while age was an independent predictor of UI at six and 12 months, respectively. Other variables were not statistically significant predictors.Conclusions Our results demonstrated that CR gradually improved with time within one year and stabilized one year after the surgery. PLND and age were significant determinants of continence in the early and late stages, respectively. These parameters could be used for preoperatively identifying patients at high risk for UI and counselling about postoperative expectations for urinary continence.
A multi-stakeholder approach to the co-production of the research agenda for medicines optimisation
Authors: Fellenor John , Britten Nicky , Courtenay Molly , Payne Rupert A , Valderas Jose , Denholm Rachel , Duncan Polly , McCahon Deborah , Tatnell Lynn , Fitzgerald Richard , Warmoth Krystal , Gillespie David , Turner Katrina , Watson Margaret
Published: November 2019

Background
Over one billion prescription items are dispensed in the United Kingdom annually. Up to 50% of medicines are not used as intended, resulting in sub-optimal health outcomes and harm. Medicines optimisation is ‘a person-centred approach to safe and effective medicines use, to ensure people obtain the best possible outcomes from their medicines’. The purpose of this study was to co-produce a prioritised research agenda for medicines optimisation using a multi-stakeholder (patient, public and health professionals) approach.
Methods
A three-stage, multiple method process was used including: generation of preliminary research questions (Stage 1) using a modified Nominal Group Technique; electronic consultation and ranking with a wider multi-stakeholder group (Stage 2); a face-to-face, one-day consensus meeting involving representatives from all stakeholder groups (Stage 3).
Results
In total, 92 research questions were identified during Stages 1 and 2 and ranked in order of priority during stage 3. Questions were categorised into four areas: ‘Patient Concerns’ [e.g. is there a shared decision (with patients) about using each medicine?], ‘Polypharmacy’ [e.g. how to design health services to cope with the challenge of multiple medicines use?], ‘Non-Medical Prescribing’ [e.g. how can the contribution of non-medical prescribers be optimised in primary care?], and ‘Deprescribing’ [e.g. what support is needed by prescribers to deprescribe?]. A significant number of the 92 questions were generated by Patient and Public Involvement representatives, which demonstrates the importance of including this stakeholder group when identifying research priorities.
Conclusions
A wide range of research questions was generated reflecting concerns which affect patients, practitioners, the health service, as well the ethical and philosophical aspects of the prescribing and deprescribing of medicines. These questions should be used to set future research agendas and funding commissions.
LipoDDx: a mobile application for identification of rare lipodystrophy syndromes
Authors: Araujo-Vilar David , Fernández-Pombo Antia , Rodríguez-Carnero Gemma , Martínez-Olmos Miguel Angel , Cantón Ana , Villar-Taibo Rocio , Hermida-Ameijeiras Alvaro , Santamaría-Nieto Alicia , Díaz-Ortega Carmen , Martínez-Rey Carmen , Antela Antonio , Losada Elena , Muy-Pérez Andrés , González-Méndez Blanca , Sánchez-Iglesias Sofía
Published: November 2019

Lipodystrophy syndromes are a group of disorders characterized by a loss of adipose tissue once other situations of nutritional deprivation or exacerbated catabolism have been ruled out. With the exception of the HIV-associated lipodystrophy, they have a very low prevalence, which together with their large phenotypic heterogeneity makes their identification difficult, even for endocrinologists and pediatricians. This leads to significant delays in diagnosis or even to misdiagnosis. Objective: Our group has developed an algorithm that identifies the more than 40 rare lipodystrophy subtypes described to date. This algorithm has been implemented in a free mobile application, LipoDDx®. Our aim was to establish the effectiveness of LipoDDx®.Design and participants: 40 clinical records of patients with a diagnosis of certainty of most lipodystrophy subtypes were analyzed, including subjects without lipodystrophy. The medical records, blinded for diagnosis, were evaluated by 15 people. Each evaluator first gave his/her results based on his/her own criteria. Then, a second diagnosis was given using LipoDDx®. The results were analysed based on a score table according to the complexity of each case and the prevalence of the disease.Results: LipoDDx® provides a user-friendly environment, based on usually dichotomous questions or choice of clinical signs from drop-down menus. The final result provided by this app for a particular case can be a low/high probability of suffering a particular lipodystrophy subtype. Without using LipoDDx® the success rate was 17 ± 20%, while with LipoDDx® the success rate was 79 ± 20% (p <0.01).Conclusions: LipoDDx® is a free app that enables the identification of subtypes of rare lipodystrophies with around 80% effectiveness, which will be of help to doctors who are not experts in this field.
Health-related quality of life in children and adults with X-linked hypophoshatemia
Authors: Yanes María Isabel Luis , Díaz-Curiel Manuel , Peris Pilar , Calderón Carmen , Marín Silvia , Ramon-Krauel Marta , Hernández Julio , Broseta José Jesús , Espinosa Laura , Mendizábal Santiago , Pérez-Sukia Leyre , Martínez Víctor , Palazón Cristina , Piñero Juan Antonio , Calleja Miguel Ángel , Espín Jaime , Ariceta Gema , Nieto-Vázquez Iria , Jiménez Antonio
Published: November 2019

Background
X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is an inherited type of severe rickets leading to deformities and can sometimes become a debilitating condition. Its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been extensively studied.
Results
Using standardized questionnaires in 21 children and 29 adults with confirmed XLH, we observed significant impaired HRQoL.
Children had moderate problems in walking about (61.9%), washing or dressing themselves (9.52%), and performing their usual activities (33.33%). They also felt moderate pain or discomfort (61.9%) and were moderately anxious or depressed (23.81%). The mean EQ-5D-3L/EQ-5D-3L proxy index was 0.79 ± 0.15 and the mean VAS score was 68.33 ± 16.61.
Adults had lower HRQoL, particularly with problems in walking (93%, with 3.45% unable to walk independently) and pain (86%, with 3.45% experiencing extreme pain). They also reported problems when carrying out their usual activities (80%) and washing or dressing themselves (>50%), and 65% of adult patients reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. The differences compared with the general Spanish population were significant, especially in the mobility and pain/discomfort dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L instrument.
Caregivers and parents showed mild reduction in HRQoL, with a mean EQ-5D-5L index value (0.82 ± 0.16) and a mean VAS score (75.48 ± 17.24) smaller than that found in the general Spanish population.
Conclusions
X-linked hypophosphatemia reduced health-related quality of life despite treatment. These results evidenced limitations of conventional treatment in preventing disease complications, which in turn impaired quality of life in pediatric and adult patients.
Disease progression modeling of Alzheimer’s disease according to education level
Authors: Kim Ko Woon , Woo Sook Young , Kim Seonwoo , Kim Yeshin , Jang Hyemin , Cho Soo Hyun , Kim Si Eun , Kim Seung Joo , Kim Hee Jin , Na Duk L. , Seo Sang Won
Published: November 2019

Background
To develop a disease progression model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that shows cognitive decline from subjective cognitive impairments (SCI) to dementia and to investigate the effect of education level on the whole disease spectrum.
Methods
We enrolled 565 patients who were followed up more than three times and had a clinical dementia rating sum of boxes (CDR-SB) score. Three cohorts, SCI (n=85), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (AMCI, n=240), and AD dementia (ADD, n=240), were overlapped in two consecutive cohorts (SCI and AMCI, AMCI and ADD) to construct a model of disease course, and a model with multiple single-cohorts was estimated using a mixed-effect model. To examine the effect of education level on disease progression, the disease progression model was developed with data from lower (≤12) and higher (>12) education groups.
Results
Disease progression takes 277.0 months (23.1 years) to advance from 0 to 18 points using the CDR-SB score. Based on our predictive equation, it takes 101.9 months to progress from SCI to AMCI and 71.1 months to progress from AMCI to ADD. The rate of CDR-SB progression was different according to education level. The lower-education group showed faster CDR-SB progression from SCI to AMCI compared to the higher-education group, and this trend disappeared from AMCI to ADD.
Conclusion
In the present study, we developed a disease progression model of AD spectrum from preclinical to the end stage of the disease. Our findings suggest that the contribution of education to cognitive decline varies depending on disease stage.
Secular trend analysis of antibiotic consumption in China’s hospitals 2011-2018, a retrospective analysis of sales data
Authors: Wushouer Haishaerjiang , Zhou Yue , Zhang Xi , Fu Mengyuan , Fan Daiming , Shi Luwen , Guan Xiaodong
Published: November 2019

Background: This study was aimed to explore the secular trends of antibiotic consumption over an 8-year period. Methods: We retrospectively analysed aggregated monthly surveillance data on antibiotic sales to 586 hospitals from 28 provinces in China from January 2011 to December 2018. Information including generic name, sales amount, dosage form, strength, the route of administration, and geographical data were collected. Population weighted Antibiotic consumption was expressed in DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID). WHO’s ‘Access, Watch, Reserve’ categorization was also adopted to analyse antibiotic consumption. Results: Between 2011 and 2018, total antibiotic consumption in China’s hospitals increased by 38.2% (from 4.8 DID in 2010 to 6.7 DID in 2018). Antibiotic consumption was stable or had moderately decreased in 13 provinces, while the other 15 provinces had substantially increased. Cephalosporins were the most consumed antibiotics, accounted for 26.9% of the total antibiotic consumption. In 2018, antibiotics in the Access category comprised 20.0% of total consumption, where antibiotics in the Watch category consumed the most with 72.2%. Population-weighted antibiotic consumption was larger in secondary hospitals than tertiary hospitals (7.3 DID VS 6.6 DID). The antibiotics consumption of oral form was almost two times the consumption of parenteral forms in secondary hospitals, whereas the proportion of tertiary hospitals was about the same. Conclusions: Although efforts were made towards restricting antibiotics in the past decade by Chinese government, antibiotic consumption demonstrated an upward trend during the study period. More efforts are needed to explore the quality of antibiotic usage in terms of rationality.
Effects of Perioperative Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Monocytic HLA-DR Expression in Patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting with Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Study Protocol for a Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chen Wen-ting , Wei Jin-feng , Wang Lan , Zhang Deng-wen , Tang Wei , Wang Jian , Yong Yue , Wang Jing , Zhou Ya-lan , Yuan Lan , Fu Guo-qiang , Wang Sheng , Song Jian-gang
Published: November 2019

Background: Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to be associated with a transient postoperative immunosuppression. When severe and persistent, this immune dysfunction predisposes patients to infectious complications, which contributes to a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), even mortality. The effective prevention and treatment methods are still lacking. Recent studies revealed that acupuncture related techniques, such as electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), are able to produce effective cardioprotection and immunomodulation in adult and pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, which leads to enhanced recovery. However, whether perioperative application of TEAS, a non-invasive technique, is able to improve immunosuppression of the patients with post cardiosurgical conditions is unknown. Thus, as a preliminary study, the main objective is to evaluate the effects of TEAS on the postoperative expression of monocytic human leukocyte antigen (-D related) (mHLA-DR), a standardized “global” biomarker of injury or sepsis-associated immunosuppression, in patients receiving on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Methods: This clinical study was a single-center clinical trial. The 88 patients scheduled to receive CABG under CPB will be randomized into 2 groups: the group of TEAS, and the group of transcutaneous acupoint pseudo - electric stimulation (Sham TEAS). Monocytic HLA-DR expression serves as a primary endpoint, and other laboratory parameters (e.g. IL-6, IL-10) and clinical outcomes (e.g. postoperative infectious complications, ICU stay time, and mortality) as the secondary endpoints. In addition, immune indicators, such as high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) and regulatory T cell (Treg) will also be measured. Discussion: The current study is a preliminary mono-centric clinical trial with a non-clinical primary endpoint, expression of mHLA-DR, aiming at determining whether perioperative application of TEAS has a potential to reverse CABG-associated immunosuppression. Although the immediate clinical impact of this study is limited, its results would inform further large sample clinical trial with using relevant patient-centered clinical outcomes as primary endpoints.
Cooking up Diverse Diets: Advancing Biodiversity in Food and Agriculture through Collaborations with Chefs
Authors: Moreau Tara , Speight David
Published: November 2019

Biodiversity in and across food and agriculture systems provides tremendous value to present and future generations. However, across the world we are losing genes, species, and ecosystems faster than we can account for them. With one million plant and animal species at risk of extinction, our society is challenged to address the drivers of ecosystem degradation and species loss. Increasingly, the negative impacts of agriculture and food systems on biodiversity are being raised as well as the global risks to health associated with unhealthy diets. Recent efforts in North America to raise awareness of crop diversity and coordinate plant conservation efforts culminated in a symposium with botanic gardens, agricultural researchers, wild land managers, conservation organizations, academics, and government bodies. The gathering focused primarily on production‐side solutions such as crop diversity, crop wild relative conservation, and agricultural education. Although not present at the symposium, chefs were commonly highlighted and discussed as key collaborators in plant conservation through their important role in connecting consumers to agriculture production and new food plants. This paper shares examples of chefs and culinary programs working to impact agriculture, diets, and plant diversity. To critically assess which chef and culinary programs are having the greatest impact future researched is needed, but as we race to save plant species from extinction, it is clear that chefs connect to consumers in unique ways and are important potential allies in cooking up new sustainable consumption and production patterns that support biodiversity in food systems.
A Macroscopic Analytical Model for Pressure Wave Propagation in the Water of a Variably Saturated Porous Medium
Authors: Kalisman Doron , Sorek Shaul , Yakirevich Alexander , Kamai Tamir
Published: November 2019

Core Ideas

Pressure waves in pore water can affect transport phenomena.

A macroscopic analytical model follows pressure waves traveling in the pore water.

Pressure attenuation is predicted through soil hydraulic and mechanical properties.

Soil water pressure measurements indicate that soil texture impacts the attenuation.

A macroscopic one‐dimensional analytical model has been developed for the attenuation of low‐frequency pressure waves in the water of a variably saturated porous medium. The developed model associates pressure amplitude attenuation with pore scales. Pressure propagation in a single pore size is described by a linear wave equation, and the composition of characteristic pore sizes are combined for representing the porous medium. The capillary bundle approach allows for a geometrical abstraction of the pore sizes and the definition of the water‐filled capillaries under different water content states. This approach allows the pore water pressure attenuation to be addressed directly with readily available soil properties and parameters. Theoretical findings backed by experimental observations in three soils under saturated conditions indicate that the pressure wave attenuates more rapidly in the water of fine‐textured soils than coarser ones. Furthermore, the results indicate that the effect of larger pores on pressure attenuation is significant at high water contents, but the pore‐size distribution and the smaller pores dominantly control the pressure attenuation as the water content decreases. The developed model is consistent with previous studies and with the theory of Biot for waves in composite media.
Seismic detectability of carbonates in the deep Earth: A nuclear inelastic scattering study
Authors: Chariton Stella , McCammon Catherine , Vasiukov Denis M. , Stekiel Michal , Kantor Anastasia , Cerantola Valerio , Kupenko Ilya , Fedotenko Timofey , Koemets Egor , Hanfland Michael , Chumakov Alexandr I. , Dubrovinsky Leonid
Published: November 2019

Carbonates play an important role in the transport and storage of carbon in the Earth’s mantle. However, the abundance of carbon and carbonates in subduction zones is still an unknown quantity. To determine the most abundant accessory phases and how they influence the dynamical processes that operate within the Earth, investigations on the vibrational, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of these phases are crucial for interpreting seismological observations. Recently, the nuclear inelastic scattering (NIS) method has proved to be a useful tool to access information on the lattice dynamics, as well as to determine Debye sound velocities of Fe-bearing materials. Here we derive the acoustic velocities from two carbonate compositions in the FeCO3-MgCO3 binary system up to ~70 GPa using the NIS method. We conclude that more Mg-rich samples, in this case (Fe0.26Mg0.74)CO3, have ~19% higher sound velocities than the pure end-member Fe composition. In addition, we observed a significant velocity increase after the Fe2+ spin transition was complete. After laser heating of FeCO3 at lower mantle conditions, we observed a dramatic velocity drop, which is probably associated with thermal decomposition to another phase. Parallel to our NIS experiments, we conducted a single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) study to derive the equation of states of FeCO3 and (Fe0.26Mg0.74)CO3. The combined information from NIS (i.e., Debye velocities) and SCXRD (i.e., densities and bulk moduli) experiments enabled us to derive the primary and shear wave velocities of our samples. Our results are consistent with results obtained by other methods in previous studies, including Brillouin spectroscopy, inelastic X-ray scattering, and DFT calculations, supporting NIS as a reliable alternative method for studying the elastic properties of Fe-bearing systems at high pressures and temperatures. Finally, we discuss the seismic detectability of carbonates. We determine that nearly 22 wt% CO2 must be present in the subduction slab to detect a 1% shear wave velocity decrease compared to non-carbonated lithologies at the transition zone to lower mantle boundary depths.
Activation of PI3K/Akt/NF-kB Signaling Mediates Swedish Snus Induced Proliferation and Apoptosis Evasion in the Rat Forestomach: Modulation by Blueberry
Authors: Ranjani Singaraj , Kowshik Jaganathan , Sophia Josephraj , Nivetha Ramesh , Baba Abdul B. , Veeravarmal Veeran , Joksić Gordana , Rutqvist Lars E. , Nilsson Robert , Nagini Siddavaram
Published: November 2019

Background and Objective:

The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether the modulatory
effects of blueberries on cell proliferation induced by Swedish snus in the rat forestomach epithelium is mediated
via abrogation of the PI3K/Akt/NFκB signaling axis that regulates cell fate decision.

Methods:

The transcript and protein expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression and apoptosis, as
well as canonical PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathways, were analyzed by qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and
ELISA. Expression profiling of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that influence PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling was
undertaken. TUNEL assay was performed using flow cytometry.

Results:

Administration of snus induced basal cell hyperplasia in the rat forestomach with increased cell proliferation
and inhibition of apoptosis. This was associated with the activation of PI3K/Akt/NFκB signaling. Coadministration
of blueberries significantly suppressed snus-induced hyperplasia. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms
revealed that blueberries suppress the phosphorylation of Akt, NF-κB and IKKβ, prevent nuclear translocation
of NF-κB and modulate the expression of microRNAs that influence PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling.

Conclusion:

Taken together, the results of the current study provide compelling evidence that blueberries exert
significant protective effects against snus-induced soft tissue changes in the rat forestomach epithelium mediated
by inhibiting key molecular players in the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling axis. Long-term studies on the impact
of snus exposure on various cellular processes, signaling pathways, and the interplay between genetic and epigenetic
mechanisms are however warranted. The results of this investigation may contribute to the development
of protection against soft tissue changes induced by smokeless tobacco in the human oral cavity.
Recent Patents Concerning the use of Nanotechnology-based Delivery Systems as Skin Penetration Enhancers
Authors: Medeiros-Neves Bruna , Nemitz Marina Cardoso , Silveira Fachel Flávia Nathiely , Teixeira Helder Ferreira
Published: November 2019

:

Nanotechnology-based delivery systems have been considered a promising approach for
topical application, considering their characteristics of penetration into/across the skin. The present
review aimed to evaluate the recent international scenario of patents concerning the use of nanotechnology-
based delivery systems as skin penetration enhancers. A survey of recent patent documents was
conducted by using the Espacenet patent database including the terms “skin” in the title and “promot*
or enhanc* and penetrat* or absorp* or permeat*” and “nano*” with the truncation symbol (*) in the
abstract of documents. A total of 110 patents were published from 2008 to 2018, with 94 technologies
being considered. The results demonstrated an increase in innovations concerning nanotechnologybased
delivery systems as skin penetration enhancers in recent years. Most patent applicants are from
China (60.6%) and Korea (21.3%), and companies (68%) were the most prominent owners. The majority
of patent applications (76%) were intended for cosmetic purposes; the types of products and nanostructures
were also investigated. Overall results demonstrated the increased interest around the world
in patenting products involving skin permeation promotion and nanotechnology for pharmaceutical
and, mainly, for cosmetics purposes.
Unintended Demographic Bias in GPA/DAT‐Based Pre‐Admission Screening: An Argument for Holistic Admissions in Dental Schools
Authors: Chaviano‐Moran Rosa , Chuck Emil , Perez Herminio
Published: November 2019

Screening of applicants for admission to dental school often relies on metrics such as overall undergraduate grade point average (oGPA) and Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores to identify desirable prospective students. The aim of this study was to assess unintended selection bias that may be overlooked or mitigated with holistic review and the influence of metrics at one U.S. dental school. Descriptive range analysis of oGPA and science GPA (sGPA), DAT scores, and total experience hours was performed for the 2017‐18 application cycle for all applicants, those who self‐identified as underrepresented minorities (URM), non‐traditional applicants (with postbaccalaureate or master's coursework), and socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) applicants reporting low parental employment‐occupation scores. The results showed that, in screening this school's applicant pool, metrics‐based candidate selection would favor those candidates in the 80th percentile of GPA and DAT Academic Average (AA) scores. Unless mitigated by other screening factors, reliance on these metrics tended to favor majority, traditional, and non‐URM SED applicants. These findings suggested that the new admitted class would likely have fewer dental experience and employment hours than in the overall applicant pool. Interestingly, more non‐traditional, SED, and URM applicants could be considered if higher general employment and dental experience hours had more impact in the screening process. These results illustrate the importance of deliberately considering non‐cognitive metrics and characteristics to admit a more diverse student body.
Potencial productivo de Cedrela odorata L.: estimación mediante el modelo 3-PG
Authors: Montero-Solís Flor María , Álvarez-Muñóz José , López-López Miguel Ángel
Published: November 2019

La productividad de los sistemas forestales en el trópico mexicano ha tenido serias restricciones por la carencia de prácticas silvícolas que promuevan su competitividad. Cedrela odorata L. (cedro rojo) es una especie económicamente importante en el trópico mexicano y se conoce poco acerca de sus rendimientos y de cómo mejorar su productividad. El modelo 3-PG (Principios fisiológicos de predicción del crecimiento) permite predecir el crecimiento de un rodal, incluso en áreas donde no ha crecido la especie, estimando la productividad del sitio. En el presente trabajo se estimó, mediante el modelo 3-PG, el crecimiento de C. odorata y el efecto que tiene la nutrición sobre la especie a partir de variables fisiológicas de esta y de especies similares. La biomasa de follaje y el diámetro promedio a la altura del pecho fueron mayores en la condición con fertilización. En el año cinco se registró el mayor volumen en la condición con fertilización (FR = 0.6): 66.9 m3 ha-1; en ese mismo año, el incremento en volumen sin fertilización (FR = 0.3) fue 51.9 m3 ha-1. Además, el volumen del rodal, la biomasa de tronco y la altura también incrementaron con la edad del rodal en el tratamiento con fertilización. El modelo 3-PG se aplica por vez primera en esta especie y en México, por lo que se requiere continuar con estudios ecofisiológicos de la especie y aspectos de nutrición, para lograr una mejor predicción del crecimiento y, de ese modo, que este modelo sea una herramienta útil en la toma de decisiones de manejo forestal.
The contribution of technopreneurship scientific learning and learning readiness towards the entrepreneurship learning outcomes in higher vocational education
Authors: Hidayat Hendra , Tamin Boy Yendra , Herawati Susi , Khairul Khairul , Syahmaidi Eril
Published: November 2019

This research was motivated by the entrepreneurship learning outcomes in vocational education which is still poor. Technopreneurship scientific learning and learning readiness are assumed to be factors affecting entrepreneurship learning outcomes. The purpose of this study is to describe and test the contribution of technopreneurship scientific learning and readiness to learning of entrepreneurship learning outcomes. This research used the quantitative method with correlation descriptive. The population was all students who follow the general course of entrepreneurship in Higher Education for 1100 people. While the samples are 217 students who were selected by using proportional stratified random sampling. This research tool was a Likert scale and a valid and reliable reading comprehension test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple regression and multiple regressions. The research findings show that there is a contribution of both technopreneurship scientific learning and learning readiness to entrepreneurship learning outcomes.
Need of vocational high school based on local potential for regional development in Cilacap District
Authors: Lesmana Widi , Pardjono Pardjono
Published: November 2019

This study intends to: (1) describe regional development programs, (2) determine local potential, (3) describe the level of alignment of the current spectrum of expertise and make a spectrum of expertise Vocational High Schools based local potential in the Cilacap District. Descriptive research was used in this study. The research site was carried out in the Cilacap Regency area. The data sources used are secondary data sources, namely the use of data through official documents such as the Rencana Tata Ruang Wilayah (RTRW), Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Daerah (RPJMD), Cilacap Regency in the 2017 Figures and the Cilacap Regency Economic Census in 2016. Analysis of official documents are used to achieve the research objectives. The validity of the documents carried out is the provision of a wet stamp from the related agency. The results of this study include: (1) the development program planned for the development of local potential in the Cilacap Regency area is listed on the 4th mission of regional development, namely "developing an economy that relies on local and regional potential"; (2) existing local potential includes the manufacturing sector; agriculture, forestry and fisheries; wholesale and retail trade, car and motorcycle repair; and the construction sector; (3) the level of alignment of the expertise spectrum of SMK with local potential in corridor 1 amounting to 35.7%; corridor 2 of 28.6%; corridor 3 is 43% while corridor 4 is 28.5%; areas of expertise that are in harmony with local potential include: Technology and Engineering; Agribusiness and Agrotechnology; Maritime; Business and management. The needs of local potential vocational schools are 36 schools, 465 classes and 887 teachers. It is necessary to close and increase the areas of expertise, expertise programs and expertise competencies to be in harmony with local potential in the Cilacap Regency and its surrounding areas.
Use of the Delphy Technique: a case for the development of ecotourism in western Lombok
Authors: Rahmawati Rahmawati , Soenarto Soenarto
Published: November 2019

Delphi technique was developed in 1950 by researchers at the Rand Corporation led by Norman Delkey and Olaf Helmer and has since been used in hundreds of businesses forecasting in the public and private sectors. Delphi technique is a judgmental forecasting procedure for obtaining, exchanging, and developing an informed opinion about future events. Therefore, the Delphi technique is a systematic way to get a consensus of opinion among the experts who have related interests through a panel discussion. The objective of most Delphi is the reliable and creative exploration of ideas or the production of suitable information for decision making. The key features of the Delphi technique, namely: (1) systematic, (2) questionnaire, (3) expert judgment, (4) iteration process, and (5) feedback. Baseline characteristics of the Delphi technique (conventional) there are five, namely: (1) anonymity, (2) iteration, (3) controlled feedback, (4) statistical group response, and (5) expert consensus. While the characteristics of a policy Delphi also five, namely: (1) selective anonymity, (2) informed multiple advocacies, (3) polarized statistical response, (4) structured conflict, and (5) computer conferencing. Steps in the application of policy Delphi there are seven, namely: (1) issue specification, (2) selection advocates, (3) questionnaire design, (4) analysis of first-round results, (5) development of subsequent questionnaires, (6) organization of group meetings, and (7) preparation of final report.
Implementation of creative economy entrepreneurial character development through the culture of sustainable development and vocational stakeholders partnership
Authors: Siladana I Gusti Kade , Sudira Putu
Published: November 2019

This ethnography research aims to find the concepts and implementation in developing creative economic entrepreneur characters through sustainable development culture and stakeholder partnership in vocational high school (VHS). Research data were collected inductively through in-depth interviews, participant observation, documentation study, and internet site tracing based on research questions in the data generation manual. The data from the finding were interpreted deductively through coding process, and crystallization to produce informants shared cultural pattern and values, including (a) three sequences of life-based learning; (b) taksu’s entity of creative economy; (c) seven perspectives for developing entrepreneurial characters (SEMESTA); (d) catur guru’s essential enculturation for sustainable development and stakeholders partnership in vocational high school (VHS).
MAKSI for ICT-based accounting learning at vocational high schools
Authors: Pratiwi Vivi , Bahtiar Moh. Danang , Hardini Han Tantri
Published: November 2019

This study aims to produce ICT-based learning media for Vocational High Schools (VHS) in the form of ICT-based accounting multimedia application, named “Multimedia Akuntansi” (MAKSI) on bank reconciliation material. The development of learning media is done because of the limited number of innovative learning media available for VHS students, especially in the accounting field. The condition is influential on the students' low level of understanding. This research was research and development using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) model. The use of the ADDIE model is because the model is flexible, so it can be used for learning instrument development. At each phase of development, evaluation and revision were conducted so that the resulting product became a valid and reliable product. This development resulted in MAKSI proven to be suitable for use in accounting learning. The feasibility of MAKSI was evaluated from the average score of product feasibility validation from the material expert by 87%, from the media expert of 96%, and the result of the students' evaluation by 88.7%. MAKSI can help the learning process more enjoyable so that the media is interesting and proven to improve students' understanding significantly. MAKSI can be a complement, alternative, and variation of learning media in VHS. This product can be operated via laptops/computers as well as smartphones through free downloads in Play Store. The utilization of MAKSI is in accordance with the curriculum demand on the utilization of ICT in the learning process to support independent and student-centered learning.
Graduates’ perception on the importance of special job market in state vocational high schools in Langsa City
Authors: Fatahillah Al , Triyono Mochamad Bruri
Published: November 2019

This study aims to determine the perceptions of graduates of state vocational high schools in Langsa City on the performance of Special Job Market in vocational high schools based on the aspects of (1) Special Job Market performance; (2) role of Special Job Market; (3) Special Job Market service; and (4) the success of the Special Job Market. This study is quantitative research employing a descriptive approach. The population of the research is 365 graduates tracked through the Special Job Market of four vocational schools in Langsa City in 2007/2008. From the population, 15% were taken for the samples of the study, so the number of respondents is 55 graduates. The result of the research shows that: (1) the percentage of Special Job Market performance aspect is 58.54% with “quite satisfied” criteria; (2) the percentage of role of Special Job Market aspect is 59.14% with “quite satisfied” criteria; (3)  the percentage of Special Job Market service aspect is 51.02% with “quite satisfied” criteria; and (4) the percentage of the success of the Special Job Market aspect is 51.17% with “quite satisfied” criteria.