bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modification and optimization of a microtiter plate (in-house plate coating) for immunoglobulin M (IgM) measles detection by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Authors: Annisa A F , Abinawanto  , Mursinah
Published: April 2020

Cases of measles infection in Indonesia are still widespread. Clinical measles infections can only be confirmed at the National Laboratory. The routinely used commercial testing kits are limited. This paper reports the development of a specific in-house plate coating with indirect ELISA. This method involves modifying and optimizing a microtiter plate with measles virus culture. Viral measles culture was obtained by growing it on the cell culture vero/hSLAM. The plate coating was optimized using a culture of measles virus with MO/2007/Jakarta and J/2010/Riau isolates in dilution of 1:1–1:2.048. The virus was inactivated at the time of coating. The indirect ELISA examination for the in-house plate coating was optimized for conjugate concentrations of 1:10, 1:25 and 1:50. The coating showed optimum results for detecting IgM measles at 1:16 dilution with MO/38/V/07 isolates in inactivation and examination of indirect ELISA using a 1:25 conjugate concentration.
Vegetation and carbon stock analysis of mangrove ecosystem in Pancer Cengkrong, Trenggalek, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Ashuri N M , Patria M P
Published: April 2020

Research has been conducted in March to July 2013 in the Mangrove Ecosystem Pancer Cengkrong, Trenggalek, East Java, Indonesia. The objective was to obtain composition of mangrove vegetation and potential carbon stocks. There were three stations for composition of vegetation analysis. Potential carbon stock was calculated by allometric equations. The total of 26 species were identified (17 true mangroves and 9 association mangroves). The vegetation dominated by Sonneratia alba with an average density of 596 trees/ha, followed by Rhizophora apiculata (221 trees/ha) and Avicennia alba (149 trees/ha). The Saplings and seedlings dominated by Ceriops tagal (with average density of 1,745 Saplings/ha; 34,745 seedlings/ha). More than 75 % stand structure of mangrove have tree diameter of 4–9.9 cm. Total biomass and carbon stocks were 400.45 ton/ha and 185.81 ton/ha (equivalent to the total amount of CO2 uptake by 681.91 ton/ha). Sonneratia alba was tree that contribute the largest carbon storage.
The effects of the fortificant NaFeEDTA in tofu flour on red blood cell counts in male Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus L.)
Authors: Safrina A , Anita N , Zulys A , Setiorini
Published: April 2020

The effects of the fortificant NaFeEDTA in tofu flour on red blood cell counts in male Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus L.) were examined. In total, 25 rats were divided into five groups as follows: normal control (NC), which was administered 0.5 % carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC); treatment control (TC), which was administered 0.5 % CMC and unfortified tofu flour; and three treatment groups, which were administered 0.5 % CMC and tofu flour containing 2.7 (T1), 5.4 (T2), or 10.8 mg Fe/kg bw NaFeEDTA (T3). All five groups were treated for 14 consecutive days. Red blood cell counts were measured using an automatic hematology analyzer (Nihon Kohden Celltac α MEK-6450). One-way ANOVA revealed significant effects (P < 0.05) of NaFeEDTA on red blood cell counts in all treatment groups. A least significant difference test illustrated that the red blood cell count was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the three treatment groups than in the NC and TC groups. The largest increase of the red blood cell count was detected in the T2 group at t14, and the change reflected increases of 22.26 % versus the NC group and 20.24 % versus the TC group.
Formation of lateral roots and root hairs of Ciherang rice as a result of Nostoc colonization
Authors: Salamah A , Purwanti D , Innaza S , Hendrayanti D , Saefumillah A
Published: April 2020

We performed an interaction study between the cyanobacteria Nostoc sp. CPG24 and GIA13a and the roots of Ciherang rice (Oryza sativa var. Ciherang) in a hydroponic system. For this purpose,14-day-old rice seedlings were cultivated in 10× BG11 N-free, aerated liquid medium. The plants were incubated at room temperature and grown in a 12:12 light–dark cycle. To better understand the role of Nostoc colonization on root growth, we exposed the rice samples to four different treatments: P1 (0.4 g Nostoc CPG24 strain inoculum), P2 (0.4 g Nostoc GIA13a strain inoculum), K1 (no inoculation of Nostoc and IAA), and K2 (addition of 15 ppm IAA). Regardless of the strain, we found that Nostoc filaments were attached to the root surface, particularly in the regions of formation and elongation of lateral roots and root hairs. The root elongation and number of lateral roots were high under the K2 and P2 treatments, whereas they were substantially reduced under the P1 treatment. We demonstrate that the Nostoc strain GIA13a induces the formation of new lateral roots, whereas the Nostoc strain CPG24 stimulates the formation of root hairs.
Effects of NaFeEDTA in tofu flour on blood hemoglobin levels in male Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus L.)
Authors: Ghaida R S , Anita N , Zulys A , Setiorini
Published: April 2020

This study examined the effects of the fortificant NaFeEDTA in tofu flour on blood hemoglobin levels in rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups, namely a normal control group (NC) fed standard chow, water, and 0.5 % carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC); a treatment control group (TC) given standard chow, water, 0.5 % CMC and 0.45 g of tofu flour without NaFeEDTA; and three treatment groups (T1, T2, T3) that were given standard chow, water, 0.5 % CMC, and 0.45 g of tofu flour containing 2.7, 5.4 or 10.8 mg Fe/kg bw of NaFeEDTA for 14 days. Hemoglobin levels were measured on days 0 and 4. One-way ANOVA illustrated that hemoglobin levels were higher in the treatment groups. A least significant different test revealed that blood hemoglobin levels in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the NC and TC groups, and those in the T2 group were also significantly different from those in groups T1 and T3.
The pattern of agricultural plant types based on cultivated land region and soil types in the Mount Patuha area
Authors: Sanjaya F R , Damayanti A , Semedi J M
Published: April 2020

Indonesia is an agrarian country with agrarian society producing and maintaining crops and farmland. Most of the agrarian society in Indonesia is concentrated in the Java island. The Mount Patuha Area in West Java is considered to be a suitable area for agriculture. In May 2017, there has been erosion and major flood lately due to annual crop changed to seasonal crops in the Mount Patuha Area. This study aims to analyze spatially the suitability of agricultural plant types based on the WTU concept and soil types to prevent environmental damage from happening again and maintaining the sustainability of the agricultural sector. The Cultivated Land Region concept is also known as “Wilayah Tanah Usaha” (WTU) in Indonesia is an approach to manage agricultural land properly and sustainably based on the land elevation and slope as limiting factor from soil damage. Soil type also determines the plant suitability. This study is utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) to overlay spatial data in the form of a DEM, soil types, and land use. The results show that WTU category in Patuha Mount Area is dominated by Second Main Area and Second Restricted Area, with soil type dominated by cambisol and the dominant plant type is tea plantation. This study concluded that there are still many agricultural plant types that are not in line with the WTU concept. The WTU concept is suitable to be applied in the Mount Patuha area as long as the farmers can adapt their land management by balancing with soil conservation technique such as make terracing on steep slopes and maintaining the second restricted area in permanent vegetation conditions.
Pseudo 3D seismic using biharmonic spline interpolation
Authors: Yulianto E , Abdullah F , Novrizal N , Riyanto A
Published: April 2020

Pseudo three dimensional (3D) seismic has been carried out to real seismic dataset using biharmonic spline interpolation. The dataset contains 11 two dimensional (2D) seismic lines with two-millisecond sampling rates and 2000 millisecond record length. Biharmonic spline interpolation was performed for each time sample using the gridding interval of 25 x 25 meter. The resulted interpolation for each time sample was combined to generate three-dimension matrix that called as pseudo-3D seismic. The results of pseudo-3D seismic data clearly showed the structural geological features, compared to 2D seismic data. The result can minimize the uncertainty of the subsurface interpretation and reduce the exploration risk.
Distribution of phytoplankton using remote sensing in Cimandiri Estuary, Sukabumi, West Java
Authors: Firdaus F , Pin T G , Supriatna
Published: April 2020

Estuaries are coastal ecosystems with highest productivities owing to the presence phytoplankton in water. Phytoplankton plays a key role in water as a primer for productivity, primarily by producing both organic and inorganic substances. In 2010, the construction of Pelabuhanratu Coal Power Plant (PLTU) along the banks of the Cimandiri estuary got completed and PLTU started operating. This study aims to analyze the changes and relation between the water’s physical characteristics and the phytoplankton distribution before and after the construction of the Pelabuhanratu PLTU. Variables used total suspended solids, salinity, sea surface temperature, currents, and chlorophyll-a concentration to describe the water’s physical characteristics as well as indicators for the presence of phytoplankton. These methods were combined with remote sensing data and validated by in-situ results. The results indicate that the amount of phytoplankton before the construction of PLTU was significantly higher in comparison with that after the completion of PLTU. Moreover, phytoplankton concentration is directly proportional to the total suspended solids and sea surface temperature but is inversely proportional to salinity, and has no effect on ocean currents.
Spatial pattern of carbon mangrove stock based on habitat characteristics in Bali Province
Authors: Meissarah P , Rokhmatuloh  , Shidiq I P A
Published: April 2020

Although climate change mitigation regarding mangrove forest management has been given significant international attention during the past decade, there are no sufficiently reliable data to quantify the availability of carbon stock in mangrove forests. The mangrove forest in the Bali Province is divided into three habitat types, namely an open bay located in the West Bali National Park, a semi-closed bay located in Tahura Ngurah Rai and a small island in the protected forest of Nusa Lembongan. The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between carbon stock characteristics of mangrove forests with the different types and morphologies of mangrove forest habitats. Biomass calculations were carried out by using the allometric formula. However, the similar allometric equations produced varying accuracies at different locations. Results revealed that the mangrove forest carbon stock for the semi-closed bay habitat has the highest estimation value of 51.35 tons/ha and a positive relationship pattern of 60 %. On the contrary, the lowest carbon stock value is the open bay beach with a value 26.28 tons/ha and positive relationship pattern of 48 %. This study reveals that each type of mangrove forest habitat has its own living ecosystem characteristics that affect the carbon stock value.
Model of paddy rice phenology using Sentinel 2-A imagery with NDVI algorithm in Subang Regency
Authors: Lestari E A P , Supriatna  , Damayanti A
Published: April 2020

Rice is a basic need for most Indonesians. Subang Regency is one of the food districts in West Java with high paddy rice production. Fluctuation in the value of paddy rice production over the past five years makes production conditions uncertain and difficult to predict. Monitoring the condition of paddy rice fields over a short period of time would improve crop size prediction. This study aims to explain the paddy rice phenology using Sentinel 2-A imagery with NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) algorithm in Subang Regency. The benefit of this study is to monitor the paddy rice phenology using remote sensing technology. Greenness values were recorded from Sentinel 2-A temporal 10 daily images with NDVI algorithm. Greenness values will be analysed descriptively according to CCTV recording on paddy rice fields. Based on the greenness value, NDVI can determine the beginning of the planting period and the end of the paddy rice planting period. The results show that Sentinel 2-A imagery can monitor the paddy rice phenology by measuring the value of NDVI vegetation index. The development of remote sensing technology can be used for estimating paddy rice phenology over short periods of time.
Socio-ecological forest landscape of Peleng Island, Central Sulawesi
Authors: Al-Husna R A F , Nurlambang T
Published: April 2020

Socio-ecological landscape is formed by human activities in the physical environment shows customary, familial, collectivity and capital structure for sustainability. There are 3 types of socio-ecological landscape based on altitude: local wisdom-based agricultural landscapes at altitude 0-100 MASL, traditional ecological knowledge-based agroforestry landscapes at altitude 101-600 MASL, and customary law-based forest landscapes at altitude 601-1000 MASL. This study documents sacred places protected by indigenous community, customary law relevancies, and the perception of forest tenure. Quantitative and qualitative methods result encroachment often found in agroforestry landscapes (altitudes of 100-600 MASL) where forest garden road wage mobilization from settlement to forest area and there is a dominance of private-owned garden within state forest areas.
Multicomponent Antifriction Composite Based on Extrudable Matrix “UHMWPE - HDPE-g-VTMS - PP” for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Panin S V , Buslovich D G , Kornienko L A , Dontsov Yu V
Published: April 2020

Tribomechanical properties of antifriction composites based on the extrudable matrix “UHMWPE + 17 wt. % HDPE-g-VTMS + 12 wt. % PP” with chopped fiberglass formed by three methods: Hot Pressing of Powders (HPP), Hot Pressing of Granules (HPG) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) was studied. It has been found that a composite fabricated by the FDM method possesses the highest strength properties (elastic modulus, yield strength and tensile strength). It is shown that tribological properties (friction coefficient, volumetric wear) of composites fabricated by the three methods are close to each other that is related to impact of the reinforcing filler (fiberglass). The latter takes on compressive and shearing loads during tribo-loading and improves wear resistance of the composite. The studied multicomponent UHMWPE based composite is recommended for use as a feedstock for the manufacturing antifriction products by additive manufacturing.
Size dependence of the dislocation segment vibration spectrum for various types of dislocations
Authors: Bataronov I L , Dezhin V V
Published: April 2020

The vibration spectra of the edge, mixed and screw dislocations, depending on the dislocation segment length, are considered. The value of Poisson’s ratio 1/3 is assumed. The normalized values of the eigenfrequencies and damping coefficients for different frequency numbers by equating the inverse matrix of dislocation oscillators generalized susceptibilities to zero were found. It is seen from the dependences obtained that in the case of a screw dislocation, the transformation of the dislocation oscillators generalized susceptibility poles occurs. For edge and mixed dislocations the transformation of the poles was not observed. This agrees with the results of the vibration spectrum orientation dependence study. The authors suggest that these differences are due to the presence of a screw dislocation quasilocal vibration branches.
Organization of Quality Control of Manufactured Products in Smart Factories of the Industry 4.0
Authors: Zakoldaev D A , Shukalov A V , Zharinov I O , Zharinov O O
Published: April 2020

The task is to design instrument means of quality control of the items being manufactured in the Industry 4.0 item designing company. Item designing components manufacturing in the Industry 4.0 company is done automatically and that why the traditional schemes of quality check being used now in the Industry 3.0 companies cannot be used to organize new productions. There is a review of technical solutions which are used now to verify item designing components quality. There is a scheme and components which are necessary to check item designing components in the Industry 3.0 company. The advantages and disadvantages of existing procedures and equipment are described. There is a scheme and components which are necessary to check item designing components in the Industry 4.0 company where the cyber and physical systems and perspective cloud technologies, industrial Internet of Things technology are used.
Influence of Wear-Resistant Coating on the Reliability of Replaceable Inserts in Cutting Steel
Authors: Zhang J , Kozlov V N , Liu S
Published: April 2020

Results of cutting tool life research of replaceable inserts (replaceable polyhedral plates) with wear-resistant coating and stressed-deformed condition of their cutting wedge are presented. Investigations have been executed in steel (0.40 % C, 1 % Cr) machining. Components of cutting force were measured by means of the dynamometer Kistler, magnitude and distribution of contact stresses have been defined according to earlier executed research in this area with use of a method of a sectional (split) cutting tool. Calculation of stresses in a cutting insert has been executed with use of program ANSYS which has displayed reduction of internal stresses in a base material of the insert with an antiwear coating in comparison with the insert without it. In the antiwear coating equivalent stresses more than in the insert without a coating and rich 1821 MPa. Experimental data on influence of various kinds of coats on cutting tool life and strength of replaceable inserts are presented.
Investigation of NiO film by sparking method under a magnetic field and NiO/ZnO heterojunction
Authors: Tippo Posak , Thongsuwan Wiradej , Wiranwetchayan Orawan , Kumpika Tewasin , Tuantranont Adisorn , Singjai Pisith
Published: April 2020

Nickel oxide (NiO) film receives attention from the field of optoelectronics due to its wide band gap and high transparency. By using a sparking method, the deposition of the NiO film is facile and unique. However, the NiO film made by the sparking method indicates a porous surface with an agglomeration of its particles. In order to reduce the porousness of the NiO film, the assistance of a permanent magnet in the sparking apparatus is presented. Here, we report the investigation of the NiO film and the p-NiO/n-ZnO heterojunction deposited by the sparking method under a magnetic field. Our results demonstrate that the porosity of the NiO film was reduced by increasing the magnitude of a magnetic field from 0 mT to 375 mT. Furthermore, the crystallinity and the electrical properties of the NiO film are improved by the influent of a magnetic field. For heterojunction, the best device shows the rectification ratio of 95 and the ideality factor of 4.92. This work provides an alternative method for the deposition of the NiO film with promising applications in optoelectronic devices.
Effect of ‘water-in-salt’ electrolytes in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Guha Anku , Narayanan Tharangattu N
Published: April 2020

Super-concentrated electrolytes based electrochemistry is an emerging trend in electrochemical processes (Borodin et al 2020 Joule
4 69–100), where unprecedented properties were reported recently. Such an ‘electrolyte engineered approach’ can find applicabilities in modern batteries and catalysis. Here we report the use of such high concentration lithium ions (Li+) containing electrolytes for enhancing the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution (HER) performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), contrary to that observed with platinum. Different types of CNTs, namely metallic multi-wall (MWCNTs) and semiconducting single wall (SWCNTs), are tested towards the Li+ effect in the HER performance and similar trends are obtained. Further, different lithium salts having counter ions such as TFSI−, OTf−, ClO4
−, Cl−, and OH− are also tested to verify the mechanism, and the role of Li+ in the HER augmentation of CNTs is established. The studies are conducted in different electrolytes having a range of pH values too (0–13), and the cation induced CNT’s HER enhancement is generalized. This study shows that even the sluggish HER kinetics of CNTs in alkaline medium can be augmented by such an electrolyte engineering approach where catalyst’s surface do not undergo any permanent modification. Further, such electrodes are found to be highly stable towards the long term HER performance.
Repairing Damage: The Slave Ship Marcelin and the Haiti Trade in the Age of Abolition
Authors: Lewis Mary Dewhurst
Published: April 2020

Between 1814 and 1831, French slave traders trafficked approximately 200,000 individuals. Among those, a small but still surprising number stopped over in Haiti on their return voyage after selling captives elsewhere in the Americas. Using the case of the brigantine the Marcelin as its prime example, this article shows how legitimate commodity trading with Haiti served as a cover for illicit French slaving in the era of slave-trade abolition. The article situates the Marcelin within a “second slave trade,” which emerged as European countries abolished the transatlantic trade on paper but continued it in practice. Because the second slave trade was illegal, it left a very limited historical trace. This article reconstructs its contours from fragmentary archival evidence, while arguing that, ultimately, the archive itself does violence to the history of the nineteenth-century slave trade.
Environmental Surveillance as a Tool for Identifying High-risk Settings for Typhoid Transmission
Authors: Andrews Jason R , Yu Alexander T , Saha Senjuti , Shakya Jivan , Aiemjoy Kristen , Horng Lily , Qamar Farah , Garrett Denise , Baker Stephen , Saha Samir , Luby Stephen P
Published: April 2020

Enteric fever remains a major cause of morbidity in developing countries with poor sanitation conditions that enable fecal contamination of water distribution systems. Historical evidence has shown that contamination of water systems used for household consumption or agriculture are key transmission routes for Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A. The World Health Organization now recommends that typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCV) be used in settings with high typhoid incidence; consequently, governments face a challenge regarding how to prioritize typhoid against other emerging diseases. A key issue is the lack of typhoid burden data in many low- and middle-income countries where TCV could be deployed. Here we present an argument for utilizing environmental sampling for the surveillance of enteric fever organisms to provide data on community-level typhoid risk. Such an approach could complement traditional blood culture-based surveillance or even replace it in settings where population-based clinical surveillance is not feasible. We review historical studies characterizing the transmission of enteric fever organisms through sewage and water, discuss recent advances in the molecular detection of typhoidal Salmonella in the environment, and outline challenges and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to establish environmental sampling as a tool for generating actionable data that can inform public health responses to enteric fever.
A tale of two countries: how decentralized organization and long-term investment build resilient healthcare systems
Authors: Kirchhof Paulus
Published: April 2020

Healthcare systems are faced with unique challenges during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This viewpoint compares the response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK and in Germany. Despite being two large European countries of comparable size with good healthcare systems and similar patterns of exposure to Covid-19, Covid-19 related deaths in the UK currently far outnumber those in Germany. This has several reasons, but two explanations stick out: 1. lower long-term investment into healthcare in the UK rendered the NHS more vulnerable to Covid-19; 2. the existence of a well-governed decentralised and partially redundant organisation of healthcare increased resilience in Germany’ s healthcare systems, enhancing the ability to adapt in response to unexpected challenges to healthcare. The response to the current pandemic also illustrates the power and the necessity to learn from each other through transparent communication of successes and mistakes.
Cubature rules from Hall–Littlewood polynomials
Authors: van Diejen J F , Emsiz E
Published: April 2020

Discrete orthogonality relations for Hall–Littlewood polynomials are employed so as to derive cubature rules for the integration of homogeneous symmetric functions with respect to the density of the circular unitary ensemble (which originates from the Haar measure on the special unitary group $SU(n;\mathbb{C})$). By passing to Macdonald’s hyperoctahedral Hall–Littlewood polynomials, we moreover find analogous cubature rules for the integration with respect to the density of the circular quaternion ensemble (which originates in turn from the Haar measure on the compact symplectic group $Sp (n;\mathbb{H})$). The cubature formulas under consideration are exact for a class of rational symmetric functions with simple poles supported on a prescribed complex hyperplane arrangement. In the planar situations (corresponding to $SU(3;\mathbb{C})$ and $Sp (2;\mathbb{H})$), a determinantal expression for the Christoffel weights enables us to write down compact cubature rules for the integration over the equilateral triangle and the isosceles right triangle, respectively.
Effect of Convalescent Plasma Therapy on Viral Shedding and Survival in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Zeng Qing-Lei , Yu Zu-Jiang , Gou Jian-Jun , Li Guang-Ming , Ma Shu-Huan , Zhang Guo-Fan , Xu Jiang-Hai , Lin Wan-Bao , Cui Guang-Lin , Zhang Min-Min , Li Cheng , Wang Ze-Shuai , Zhang Zhi-Hao , Liu Zhang-Suo
Published: April 2020

Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been reported in almost all countries globally. No effective therapy has been documented for COVID-19, and the role of convalescent plasma therapy is unknown. In the current study, 6 patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure received convalescent plasma a median of 21.5 days after viral shedding was first detected, all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 3 days after infusion, and 5 eventually died. In conclusion, convalescent plasma treatment can end SARS-CoV-2 shedding but cannot reduce the mortality rate in critically ill patients with end-stage COVID-19, and treatment should be initiated earlier.
Increased urinary exosomal SYT17 levels in chronic active antibody-mediated rejection after kidney transplantation via the IL-6 amplifier
Authors: Takada Yusuke , Kamimura Daisuke , Jiang Jing-Jing , Higuchi Haruka , Iwami Daiki , Hotta Kiyohiko , Tanaka Yuki , Ota Mitsutoshi , Higuchi Madoka , Nishio Saori , Atsumi Tatsuya , Shinohara Nobuo , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Tsuji Takahiro , Tanabe Tatsu , Sasaki Hajime , Iwahara Naoya , Murakami Masaaki
Published: April 2020

Chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (CAAMR) is a particular problem in kidney transplantation (KTx), and ~25% of grafts are lost by CAAMR. Further, the pathogenesis remains unclear, and there is no effective cure or marker. We previously found that a hyper NFκB-activating mechanism in non-immune cells, called the IL-6 amplifier, is induced by the co-activation of NFκB and STAT3, and that this activation can develop various chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we show that synaptotagmin-17 (SYT17) is increased in an exosomal fraction of the urine from CAAMR patients, and that this increase is associated with activation of the IL-6 amplifier. Immunohistochemistry showed that SYT17 protein expression was increased in renal tubule cells of the CAAMR group. While SYT17 protein was not detectable in whole-urine samples by western blotting, urinary exosomal SYT17 levels were significantly elevated in the CAAMR group compared to three other histology groups (normal, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, and calcineurin inhibitors toxicity) after KTx. On the other hand, current clinical laboratory data could not differentiate the CAAMR group from these groups. These data suggest that urinary exosomal SYT17 is a potential diagnostic marker for CAAMR.
Preferences and Civil War in Northern Uganda: Post-Traumatic Growth Reconsidered
Authors: Lowes Matthew , Carpenter Jeffrey , Hans Matthews Peter
Published: April 2020

We exploit the largely exogenous character of abduction and displacement in northern Uganda during the recent civil war to estimate the effects of each on experimental measures of risk tolerance, altruism, trust and trustworthiness, as well as a survey measure of patience. Our analysis reveals the limitations of the ‘post-traumatic growth’ hypothesis. In most cases preferences are unaffected by these traumas and in the one domain in which we identify a significant effect, it is contrary to the hypothesis—people who were both abducted and displaced are 21 percentage points less likely to take a risk.
Abundance interaction in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata mixed biofilms under diverse conditions
Authors: Li Qianqian , Liu Juanjuan , Chen Mengli , Ma Kelong , Wang Tianming , Wu Daqiang , Yan Guiming , Wang Changzhong , Shao Jing
Published: April 2020

Candida albicans and Candida glabrata are frequently coisolated from the oral cavity in immunosuppressive or immunocompromised individuals. Their relationship is usually defined as competition as C. glabrata can inhibit growth of C. albicans in cohabitation. In this study, eight C. albicans isolates as well as two C. glabrata strains were used to investigate the effects of culture medium (Roswell Park Memorial Institute [RPMI]-1640, YPD, YND), incubation time (24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h), initial inoculum (C. glabrata: C. albicans = 2:1, 1:1, 1:2), and medium state (static and dynamic states) on viable cell enumeration and relative abundance in both Candida SB and MB. The results showed that in most cases, C. glabrata and C. albicans SB and MB flourished in RPMI-1640 at 24 h under dynamic state compared with other conditions. Except YPD medium, there were high proportions of preponderance of C. albicans over C. glabrata in MB compared with SB. High initial inoculum promoted corresponding Candida number in both SB and MB and its abundance in MB relative to SB. This study revealed an impact of several environmental conditions on the formation of C. albicans and C. glabrata SB and MB and their abundance in MB in comparison with SB, deepening our understanding of both Candida interaction and their resistance mechanism in MB.

Lay Summary

This study described the effects of diverse experimental conditions on the numbers of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata single biofilms and mixed biofilms and their abundance.
Hypercompact stellar clusters: morphological renditions and spectrophotometric models
Authors: Lena D , Jonker P G , Rauer J P , Hernandez S , Kostrzewa-Rutkowska Z
Published: April 2020

Numerical relativity predicts that the coalescence of a black hole (BH) binary causes the newly formed BH to recoil, and evidence for such recoils has been found in the gravitational waves observed during the merger of stellar-mass BHs. Recoiling (super)massive BHs are expected to reside in hypercompact stellar clusters (HCSCs). Simulations of galaxy assembly predict that hundreds of HCSCs should be present in the halo of a Milky Way (MW)-type galaxy, and a fraction of those around the MW should have magnitudes within the sensitivity limit of existing surveys. However, recoiling BHs and their HCSCs are still waiting to be securely identified. With the goal of enabling searches through recent and forthcoming data bases, we improve over existing literature to produce realistic renditions of HCSCs bound to BHs with a mass of 105 M⊙. Including the effects of a population of blue stragglers, we simulate their appearance in Pan-STARRS and in forthcoming Euclid images. We also derive broad-band spectra and the corresponding multiwavelength colours, finding that the great majority of the simulated HCSCs fall on the colour–colour loci defined by stars and galaxies, with their spectra resembling those of giant K-type stars. We discuss the clusters properties, search strategies, and possible interlopers.
A new radio catalogue for M83: supernova remnants and H ii regions
Authors: Russell Thomas D , White Richard L , Long Knox S , Blair William P , Soria Roberto , Winkler P Frank
Published: April 2020

We present a new catalogue of radio sources in the face-on spiral galaxy M83. Radio observations taken in 2011, 2015, and 2017 with the Australia Telescope Compact Array at 5.5 and 9 GHz have detected 270 radio sources. Although a small number of these sources are background extragalactic sources, most are either H ii regions or supernova remnants (SNRs) within M83 itself. Three of the six historical supernovae are detected, as is the very young remnant that had been identified in a recent study, which is likely the result of a supernova that exploded in the last ∼100 yr but was missed. All of these objects are generally fading with time. Confusion limits our ability to measure the radio emission from a number of the SNRs in M83, but 64 were detected in unconfused regions, and these have the approximate power-law luminosity function that has been observed in other galaxies. The SNRs in M83 are systematically smaller in diameter and brighter than those that have been detected at radio wavelengths in M33. A number of the radio sources are coincident with X-ray sources in M83; most of these coincident sources turn out to be SNRs. Our dual frequency observations are among the most sensitive to date for a spiral galaxy outside the Local Group; despite this we were not able to place realistic constraints on the spectral indices, and as a result, it was not possible to search for SNRs based on their radio properties alone.
Neutron star mergers and rare core-collapse supernovae as sources of r-process enrichment in simulated galaxies
Authors: van de Voort Freeke , Pakmor Rüdiger , Grand Robert J J , Springel Volker , Gómez Facundo A , Marinacci Federico
Published: April 2020

We use cosmological, magnetohydrodynamical simulations of Milky Way-mass galaxies from the Auriga project to study their enrichment with rapid neutron capture (r-process) elements. We implement a variety of enrichment models from both binary neutron star mergers and rare core-collapse supernovae. We focus on the abundances of (extremely) metal-poor stars, most of which were formed during the first ∼Gyr of the Universe in external galaxies and later accreted on to the main galaxy. We find that the majority of metal-poor stars are r-process enriched in all our enrichment models. Neutron star merger models result in a median r-process abundance ratio, which increases with metallicity, whereas the median trend in rare core-collapse supernova models is approximately flat. The scatter in r-process abundance increases for models with longer delay times or lower rates of r-process-producing events. Our results are nearly perfectly converged, in part due to the mixing of gas between mesh cells in the simulations. Additionally, different Milky Way-mass galaxies show only small variation in their respective r-process abundance ratios. Current (sparse and potentially biased) observations of metal-poor stars in the Milky Way seem to prefer rare core-collapse supernovae over neutron star mergers as the dominant source of r-process elements at low metallicity, but we discuss possible caveats to our models. Dwarf galaxies that experience a single r-process event early in their history show highly enhanced r-process abundances at low metallicity, which is seen both in observations and in our simulations. We also find that the elements produced in a single event are mixed with ≈108 M⊙ of gas relatively quickly, distributing the r-process elements over a large region.
Gene expression dynamics are a proxy for selective pressures on alternatively polyadenylated isoforms
Authors: Levin Michal , Zalts Harel , Mostov Natalia , Hashimshony Tamar , Yanai Itai
Published: April 2020

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) produces isoforms with distinct 3′-ends, yet their functional differences remain largely unknown. Here, we introduce the APA-seq method to detect the expression levels of APA isoforms from 3′-end RNA-Seq data by exploiting both paired-end reads for gene isoform identification and quantification. We detected the expression levels of APA isoforms in individual Caenorhabditis elegans embryos at different stages throughout embryogenesis. Examining the correlation between the temporal profiles of isoforms led us to distinguish two classes of genes: those with highly correlated isoforms (HCI) and those with lowly correlated isoforms (LCI) across time. We hypothesized that variants with similar expression profiles may be the product of biological noise, while the LCI variants may be under tighter selection and consequently their distinct 3′ UTR isoforms are more likely to have functional consequences. Supporting this notion, we found that LCI genes have significantly more miRNA binding sites, more correlated expression profiles with those of their targeting miRNAs and a relative lack of correspondence between their transcription and protein abundances. Collectively, our results suggest that a lack of coherence among the regulation of 3′ UTR isoforms is a proxy for selective pressures acting upon APA usage and consequently for their functional relevance.
Protamine loops DNA in multiple steps
Authors: Ukogu Obinna A , Smith Adam D , Devenica Luka M , Bediako Hilary , McMillan Ryan B , Ma Yuxing , Balaji Ashwin , Schwab Robert D , Anwar Shahzad , Dasgupta Moumita , Carter Ashley R
Published: April 2020

Protamine proteins dramatically condense DNA in sperm to almost crystalline packing levels. Here, we measure the first step in the in vitro pathway, the folding of DNA into a single loop. Current models for DNA loop formation are one-step, all-or-nothing models with a looped state and an unlooped state. However, when we use a Tethered Particle Motion (TPM) assay to measure the dynamic, real-time looping of DNA by protamine, we observe the presence of multiple folded states that are long-lived (∼100 s) and reversible. In addition, we measure folding on DNA molecules that are too short to form loops. This suggests that protamine is using a multi-step process to loop the DNA rather than a one-step process. To visualize the DNA structures, we used an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) assay. We see that some folded DNA molecules are loops with a ∼10-nm radius and some of the folded molecules are partial loops—c-shapes or s-shapes—that have a radius of curvature of ∼10 nm. Further analysis of these structures suggest that protamine is bending the DNA to achieve this curvature rather than increasing the flexibility of the DNA. We therefore conclude that protamine loops DNA in multiple steps, bending it into a loop.
Visualizing ’omic feature rankings and log-ratios using Qurro
Authors: Fedarko Marcus W , Martino Cameron , Morton James T , González Antonio , Rahman Gibraan , Marotz Clarisse A , Minich Jeremiah J , Allen Eric E , Knight Rob
Published: April 2020

Many tools for dealing with compositional ‘ ’omics’ data produce feature-wise values that can be ranked in order to describe features’ associations with some sort of variation. These values include differentials (which describe features’ associations with specified covariates) and feature loadings (which describe features’ associations with variation along a given axis in a biplot). Although prior work has discussed the use of these ‘rankings’ as a starting point for exploring the log-ratios of particularly high- or low-ranked features, such exploratory analyses have previously been done using custom code to visualize feature rankings and the log-ratios of interest. This approach is laborious, prone to errors and raises questions about reproducibility. To address these problems we introduce Qurro, a tool that interactively visualizes a plot of feature rankings (a ‘rank plot’) alongside a plot of selected features’ log-ratios within samples (a ‘sample plot’). Qurro’s interface includes various controls that allow users to select features from along the rank plot to compute a log-ratio; this action updates both the rank plot (through highlighting selected features) and the sample plot (through displaying the current log-ratios of samples). Here, we demonstrate how this unique interface helps users explore feature rankings and log-ratios simply and effectively.
Expression profiling of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor GPR133 (ADGRD1) in glioma subtypes
Authors: Frenster Joshua D , Kader Michael , Kamen Scott , Sun James , Chiriboga Luis , Serrano Jonathan , Bready Devin , Golub Danielle , Ravn-Boess Niklas , Stephan Gabriele , Chi Andrew S , Kurz Sylvia C , Jain Rajan , Park Christopher Y , Fenyo David , Liebscher Ines , Schöneberg Torsten , Wiggin Giselle , Newman Robert , Barnes Matt , Dickson John K , MacNeil Douglas J , Huang Xinyan , Shohdy Nadim , Snuderl Matija , Zagzag David , Placantonakis Dimitris G
Published: April 2020

Background

Glioma is a family of primary brain malignancies with limited treatment options and in need of novel therapies. We previously demonstrated that the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor GPR133 (ADGRD1) is necessary for tumor growth in adult glioblastoma, the most advanced malignancy within the glioma family. However, the expression pattern of GPR133 in other types of adult glioma is unknown.

Methods

We used immunohistochemistry in tumor specimens and non-neoplastic cadaveric brain tissue to profile GPR133 expression in adult gliomas.

Results

We show that GPR133 expression increases as a function of WHO grade and peaks in glioblastoma, where all tumors ubiquitously express it. Importantly, GPR133 is expressed within the tumor bulk, as well as in the brain-infiltrating tumor margin. Furthermore, GPR133 is expressed in both isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type and mutant gliomas, albeit at higher levels in IDH wild-type tumors.

Conclusion

The fact that GPR133 is absent from non-neoplastic brain tissue but de novo expressed in glioma suggests that it may be exploited therapeutically.
A Systematic Review on Balance Performance in Patients With Bilateral Vestibulopathy
Authors: Herssens Nolan , Verbecque Evi , McCrum Christopher , Meijer Kenneth , van de Berg Raymond , Saeys Wim , Vereeck Luc , Van Rompaey Vincent , Hallemans Ann
Published: April 2020

Objective

Patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) have severe balance deficits, but it is unclear which balance measures are best suited to quantify their deficits and approximate the diversity of their self-reports. The purpose of this study was to explore measures of balance control for quantifying the performance of patients with BVP related to different balance domains, allowing targeted assessment of response to intervention.

Methods

MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched on October 9, 2019. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist for case-control studies was applied to assess each individual study’s risk of bias. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated based on the extracted numeric data and reported according to the type of sensory perturbation in the balance tasks.

Results

Twelve studies (1.3%) met the eligibility criteria and were analyzed, including data of 176 patients with BVP, 196 patients with unilateral vestibulopathy, and 205 healthy controls between 18 and 92 years old. In general, patients with BVP were either unable to maintain (or had reduced) balance during tasks with multisensory perturbations compared with healthy controls (range of mean SMD = 1.52–6.92) and patients with unilateral vestibulopathy (range of absolute mean SMD = 0.86–1.66).

Conclusions

During clinical assessment to quantify balance control in patients with BVP, tasks involving multisensory perturbations should be implemented in the test protocol.

Impact

As patients with BVP show difficulties with movement strategies, control of dynamics, orientation in space, and cognitive processing, clinicians should implement these aspects of balance control in their assessment protocol to fully comprehend the balance deficits in these patients.
The Influence of Early Exercise Postpartum on Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction 12 Months Postpartum
Authors: Tennfjord Merete Kolberg , Engh Marie Ellström , Bø Kari
Published: April 2020

Objective

There is limited knowledge on how exercise impacts the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) postpartum. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether early onset of general exercise postpartum negatively affects the PFM and/or increases the risk of SUI and POP 12 months postpartum.

Methods

This study used a prospective cohort design. At 6 weeks postpartum, 57 women classified as exercisers (exercising ≥3 times at ≥30 min/wk) were compared with 120 nonexercisers (mean age = 29 years, SD = 4.3). Manometry was used to measure vaginal resting pressure, PFM strength, and PFM endurance, and symptoms of SUI and POP were assessed using questionnaires. Data were presented as standardized beta coefficients (B) and odds ratios (OR).

Results

No differences were found between exercisers (n = 57) and non-exercisers (n = 120) at 6 weeks postpartum on vaginal resting pressure (B = −0.04 [95% CI = −3.4 to 2.1]), PFM strength (B = 0.03 [95% CI = −4.7 to 7.4]), PFM endurance (B = −0.02 [95% CI = −59 to 46]), or symptoms of SUI (OR = 0.51 [95% CI = 0.25 to 1.1]) or POP (OR = 0.62 [95% CI = 0.26 to 1.5]) measured at 12 months postpartum. Adjusting for covariates, women with body mass index between 25 and 29.9 and >30 were more likely to report SUI 12 months postpartum (OR = 2.2 [95% CI = 1.0 to 4.7] and OR = 3.3 [95% CI = 1.2 to 9.4], respectively). Women with physically strenuous occupations were more likely to report POP 12 months postpartum (OR = 3.0 [95% CI = 1.2 to 7.3]).

Conclusions

This study suggests that regular exercise 6 weeks postpartum has no negative effect on PFM function or on SUI or POP. Being overweight, however, was associated with more SUI, and women with physically strenuous occupations reported more POP.

Impact

Results from this study suggest that first-time mothers should be encouraged to start general exercise within the first 6 weeks after giving birth. Women at risk for PFD should be advised accordingly and potentially modifiable risk factors should be addressed prior to delivery.

Lay Summary

First-time mothers are encouraged to talk with a physical therapist about starting regular general exercise in the early postpartum weeks. Health care providers should advise patients on possible preventive measures for women at risk for PFD.