bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity analysis of yardlong bean genotypes (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) based on IRAP marker
Authors: Widyawan Muhammad Habib , Wulandary Sri , Taryono
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Widyawan MH, Wulandary S, Taryono. 2020. Genetic diversity analysis of yardlong bean genotypes (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) based on IRAP marker. Biodiversitas 21: 1101-1107. Inter-Retrotransposon Amplified Polymorphism (IRAP) marker is a PCR-based molecular marker that detects polymorphism between retrotransposon sites. This marker has been utilized and successfully assessed genetic diversity in many crop species. Yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) was an important vegetable legume crop that grown mainly for its fresh pod that rich in nutritional benefits for humans, ultimately dietary fiber and protein. Trends of people awareness to nutritional content of food are increasing, therefore breeding for quality traits is important. Genetic diversity analysis is an important and elementary step in breeding programs in order to determine the breeding strategy. The aims of this research are to perform an optimization of IRAP marker and applied it for genetic diversity analysis in 16 yardlong bean genotypes. Seven primers were used as marker in a pair or single combination and resulted in 11 optimized markers that able to be used for genetic diversity analysis. Sixteen yardlong bean genotypes consisting of commercial cultivars and local genotypes from Indonesia were genotyped using eleven IRAP markers. Marker polymorphism and diversity parameters from each marker i.e. Percentage of Polymorphic Loci (PPL), Expected Heterozygosity (He), Polymorphic Information Content (PIC), Effective Multiplex Ratio (EMR), Marker Index (MI), Discriminating Power (D), and Resolving Power (RP) were calculated. Based on those values, several markers used in this study were considered as informative and efficient in terms of analyzing genetic diversity in yardlong bean. Jaccard's method was used to measure genetic similarity and it is revealed that there is high level of similarity between yardlong bean genotypes used in this study. Thus, it is implied that there is a narrow genetic diversity of yardlong bean genotypes used in this study. Cluster analysis was performed to construct dendrogram based on genetic similarity and classified 16 yardlong genotypes into 4 clusters. Interestingly, majority of the clusters formed were not able to classified genotypes based on their origin. The result of cluster analysis then confirmed by Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) that able to explain 47.76 % of total variation. The results of this study provide a foundation for the genetic diversity analysis based on IRAP marker and genetic improvement in yardlong bean.
Morphological diversity, total phenolic and flavonoid content of Echinacea purpurea cultivated in Karangpandan, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: Sidhiq Dwi Fajar , YULI WIDIYASTUTI  , DYAH SUBOSITI  , BAMBANG PUJIASMANTO  , Yunus Ahmad
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Sidhiq DF, Subositi D, Widiyastuti Y, Pujiasmanto B, Yunus A. 2020. Morphological diversity, total phenolic and flavonoid content of Echinacea purpurea cultivated in Karangpandan, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 1265-1271. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) is a medicinal plant introduced from North America. While it has been introduced to Indonesia long several decades ago. E. purpurea has not been developed as a raw material for herbal medicines in Indonesia as it faces constraints, namely non-uniform production and lack of information on the total phenolic and flavonoid content if cultivated in the country. This study aims to determine the morphological diversity, total phenolic and flavonoid content of three accession E. purpurea cultivated on lowland area (i.e. 493 m asl) in Tegalgede, Karangpandan, Central Java, Indonesia. This study used a Randomized Complete Group Design (RCBD) method with 1 factor, namely 3 accessions of E. Purpurea: A1, A2, A3 each with four replications. Morphological observations, as well as laboratory analysis, were done in this research to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS to test the difference. We found there is significantly different results E. Purpurea accession in term of plant height, wet stover weight, number of leaves, root weight, root length, number of branches. Quantitative observation in the form of extract yield, total phenol content and total flavonoid highest content of extract residue produced by Accession 3 with 7,655%, while the highest phenolic was produced by Accession 1 with 507,619 mg GAE.g -1 extract, and the highest flavonoid was produced by Accession 2 with 313,869 mg QE.g-1 extract. This study concludes that there is morphological diversity of E. purpurea cultivated in Karangpandan with a significant correlation of accession to residue extract, phenolic, and flavonoid content.
Towards low-power near-infrared modulators operating at telecom wavelengths: when graphene plasmons frustrate their metallic counterparts
Authors: Wood Thomas , Kemiche Malik , Lhuillier Jérémy , Demongodin Pierre , Vilquin Bertrand , Rojo-Romeo Pedro , Benamrouche Aziz , Régrény Philippe , Callard Ségolène , Letartre Xavier , Monat Christelle
Published: March 2020

A free-space electro-optic modulator device exploiting graphene’s surface plasmon polariton (SPP) at near-infrared frequencies is proposed and theoretically studied. The device is made up of two resonant structures, the first being a metallic SPP displaying broadband absorption, and the second graphene’s own SPP, which is shown to frustrate the metallic plasmon when excited, leading to a narrow reflectance peak. Doping of the graphene to achieve Fermi-level tuning is shown to shift the wavelength of the frustration phenomenon, thereby enabling the use of the device as a modulator. A reduction of 20% in the switching energy is expected due to the unique principle of operation which, crucially and contrary to most work in this field, does not rely on electroabsorption but electrorefraction changes in graphene. This coupled SPP resonator geometry also permits efficient channeling of optical energy from free space into graphene’s SPP at near-infrared frequencies.
Intelligent gain flattening in wavelength and space domain for FMF Raman amplification by machine learning based inverse design
Authors: Chen Yufeng , Du Jiangbing , Huang Yuting , Xu Ke , He Zuyuan
Published: March 2020

We propose a machine learning based approach to design few-mode DRAs by using neural networks to optimize the pump wavelengths, powers and mode content in order to obtain flat gain spectrum with low mode-dependent gain (MDG). Based on the proposed intelligent inverse design method, amplification optimization for the random fiber laser based two-mode DRA can be achieved with gain flatness of 1.0 dB and MDG of 0.6 dB at 14.5 dB on-off gain level. For backward pumping four-mode DRA, gain flatness of 0.46 dB and MDG of 0.3 dB can be achieved at 12.5 dB on-off gain.
Efficient light coupling between an ultra-low loss lithium niobate waveguide and an adiabatically tapered single mode optical fiber
Authors: Yao Ni , Zhou Junxia , Gao Renhong , Lin Jintian , Wang Min , Cheng Ya , Fang Wei , Tong Limin
Published: March 2020

A lithium niobate on an insulator ridge waveguide allows constructing high-density photonic integrated circuits thanks to its small bending radius offered by the high index contrast. Meanwhile, the significant mode-field mismatch between an optical fiber and the single-mode lithium niobate waveguide leads to low coupling efficiencies. Here, we demonstrate, both numerically and experimentally, that the problem can be solved with a tapered single mode fiber of an optimized mode field profile. Numerical simulation shows that the minimum coupling losses for the TE and TM mode are 0.32 dB and 0.86 dB, respectively. Experimentally, though without anti-reflection coating, the measured coupling losses for TE and TM mode are 1.32 dB and 1.88 dB, respectively. Our technique paves a way for a broad range of on-chip lithium niobate applications.
Enhanced photon blockade in an optomechanical system with parametric amplification
Authors: Wang Dong-Yang , Bai Cheng-Hua , Han Xue , Liu Shutian , Zhang Shou , Wang Hong-Fu
Published: March 2020

We propose a scheme to enhance the single- and two-photon blockade effects significantly in a nonlinear hybrid optomechanical system with optical parametric amplification (OPA). The scheme does not rely on strong single-photon optomechanical coupling and can eliminate the disadvantages of suppressing multi-photon excitation incompletely. Through analyzing the single-photon blockade (1PB) mechanism and optimizing the system parameters, we obtain a perfect 1PB with a high occupancy probability of single-photon excitation, which means that a high-quality and efficient single-photon source can be generated. Moreover, we find that not only the two-photon blockade (2PB) effect is significantly enhanced, but also the region where 2PB occurs is widened when OPA exists, where we also derive the optimal parameter condition to maximize two-photon emission and higher photon excitations intensely suppressed at the same time.
The Impact of Firm Performance on Annual Report Readability: Evidence from Listed Firms in Ghana
Authors: Gu Shuibin , Dodoo Regina Naa Amua
Published: March 2020

Annual report readability is necessary to prevent the imbalanced flow of information and enhance stakeholdersâ€™ view of the firm. For that reason, it is crucial to examine the factors than can affect it. This study attempts to find the impact of firm performance on annual report readability. The study consists of 15 listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange within the period 2008 to 2017. By applying the fixed and random effect method, the Hausman test was conducted to select a suitable method, the result based on the random effect method states that firm performance positively relates to annual report readability. In addition, the study finds out that corporate governance exerted a negative influence on the readability of the annual report. Finally, the study adopts F-MOLS to test Robustness which confirms the main result. This result implies that there are other determinants and factors that influence annual report readability rather than firms or managers manipulating financial reports to win investor sentiment.
MICROWAVE HEATING IN THE SYSTEM OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF THE THERMOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS
Authors: Mordasov S. A. , Negulyaeva A. P. , Chernyshov V. N.
Published: March 2020

A new method is proposed for determining the thermophysical characteristics (thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity) of building materials and products according to the results of measurements at two points in time of the surface temperature of the object under study, which is subjected to pulsed thermal effect from a given power focused into the line of microwave radiation. In the proposed method, the number of pulses and their repetition rate are set adaptively when the steady-state excess temperature is reached at the control point with two predetermined values at two points in time, which allows non-destructive testing of the studied objects, since the preset temperature values are taken 20…30 % less temperature thermal decomposition of the studied materials, as well as receive information in the frequency-pulse form, which increases the accuracy of the control results and noise method To implement the proposed method, a microprocessor-based information-measuring system has been developed that has experimentally confirmed the efficiency of the method and the correctness of its theoretical conclusions.
IDENTIFICATION OF UNCERTAINTY FACTORS OF OPERATING CONDITIONS OF A ONE-CHANNEL ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEM
Authors: Kikin I. S.
Published: March 2020

A version of simulated mathematical model (SMM) of a one-channel attitude automatic control system (ACS) for a platform based on an angular velocity sensor (AVS) is presented that is capable to identify random factors defining conditions of ACS functioning: disturbance torque acting on the platform and initial measurement errors (additive and multiplicative AVS errors). Values of above-listed uncertainty factors of measurement data and external inputs on the observation interval are set as random numbers that stay constant on this interval. The presented model version allows to determine with high fidelity the temporal evolution of measurement errors of the platform state variables on the observation interval. The purpose of the parametrical identification algorithm – creating such a sequence of trial values of AVS errors to be found that would provide extremum adjustment of the identification performance functional. In the designed ACS model an estimate of the disturbance torque acting on the platform is calculated by the end of the above mentioned search. Thus the task of identification of all random parameters defining the conditions of the ACS is completed.
Preconditioned Subspace Descent Method for Nonlinear Systems of Equations
Authors: Kaporin Igor
Published: March 2020

Nonlinear least squares iterative solver is considered for real-valued sufficiently smooth functions. The algorithm is based on successive solution of orthogonal projections of the linearized equation on a sequence of appropriately chosen low-dimensional subspaces. The bases of the latter are constructed using only the first-order derivatives of the function. The technique based on the concept of the limiting stepsize along normalized direction (developed earlier by the author) is used to guarantee the monotone decrease of the nonlinear residual norm. Under rather mild conditions, the convergence to zero is proved for the gradient and residual norms. The results of numerical testing are presented, including not only small-sized standard test problems, but also larger and harder examples, such as algebraic problems associated with canonical decomposition of dense and sparse 3D tensors as well as finite-difference discretizations of 2D nonlinear boundary problems for 2nd order partial differential equations.
Enhancement of mechanical, thermal and water uptake performance of TPU/jute fiber green composites via chemical treatments on fiber surface
Authors: Salem Tuffaha Fathe , Tirkes Seha , Akar Alinda Oyku , Tayfun Umit
Published: March 2020

Chopped jute fiber (JF) surfaces were modified using alkaline, silane and eco-grade epoxy resin. Surface characteristics of jute fibers were confirmed by FTIR and EDX analyses. JF filled polyurethane elastomer (TPU) composites were prepared via extrusion process. The effect of surface modifications of JF on mechanical, thermo-mechanical, melt-flow, water uptake and morphological properties of TPU-based eco-composites were investigated by tensile and hardness tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), melt flow index (MFI) test, water absorption measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. Mechanical test results showed that silane and epoxy treated JF additions led to increase in tensile strength, modulus and hardness of TPU. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of TPU rose up to higher values after JF inclusions regardless of treatment type. Si-JF filled TPU exhibited the lowest water absorption among composites. Surface treated JFs displayed homogeneous dispersion into TPU and their surface were covered by TPU according to SEM micro-photographs.
An Overview of the Carbonatites from the Indian Subcontinent
Authors: Randive Kirtikumar , Meshram Tushar
Published: March 2020

Carbonatites are carbonate-rich rocks of igneous origin. They form the magmas of their own that are generated in the deep mantle by low degrees of partial melting of carbonated peridotite or eclogite source rocks. They are known to occur since the Archaean times till recent, the activity showing gradual increase from older to younger times. They are commonly associated with alkaline rocks and be genetically related with them. They often induce metasomatic alteration in the country rocks forming an aureole of fenitization around them. They are host for economically important mineral deposits including rare metals and REE. They are commonly associated with the continental rifts, but are also common in the orogenic belts; but not known to occur in the intra-plate regions. The carbonatites are known to occur all over the globe, majority of the occurrences located in Africa, Fenno-Scandinavia, Karelian-Kola, Mongolia, China, Australia, South America and India. In the Indian Subcontinent carbonatites occur in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka; but so far not known to occur in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. This paper takes an overview of the carbonatite occurrences in the Indian Subcontinent in the light of recent data. The localities being discussed in detail cover a considerable time range (>2400 Ma to <0.6 Ma) from India (Hogenakal, Newania, Sevathur, Sung Valley, Sarnu-Dandali and Mundwara, and Amba Dongar), Pakistan (Permian Koga and Tertiary Pehsawar Plain Alkaline Complex which includes Loe Shilman, Sillai Patti, Jambil and Jawar), Afghanistan (Khanneshin) and Sri Lanka (Eppawala). This review provide the comprehensive information about geochemical characteristics and evolution of carbonatites in Indian Subcontinent with respect to space and time.
Virtual Currencies: New Challenges to the Right to Privacy? An Assessment under the V AML Directive and the GDPR
Authors: De Vido Sara
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this article is to analyse virtual currencies, with specific regard to Bitcoins, in light of a specific human right, the right to privacy. In the first part, this contribution will reflect on the effectiveness of the Fifth European Union Anti-Money Laundering Directive (V AML Directive) in ‘regulating’ the exchange between fiat and virtual currencies for the purpose of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. In the second part, it will explore whether the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable or not to the virtual currencies network.
Effect of Cooling Rate on Crystallization Behavior of CaO-SiO2-MgO-Cr2O3 Based Slag
Authors: Zeng Qiang , Li Jianli , Yu Yue , Zhu Hangyu
Published: March 2020

In order to improve the recycling efficiency of stainless-steel slag resources, the effect of different cooling rates on the crystallization behavior of CaO-SiO2-MgO-Cr2O3 based system was studied by using FactSage 7.1, XRD, SEM and IPP 6.0. The results indicated that the spinel is a high-temperature precipitated phase and the cooling rate had less effect on the final grain size of spinel crystals, but had greater influences on the nucleation of spinel crystals and the crystallization of silicates such as α-C2S.When the cooling rate was 12∘C/min, the spinel crystals was the unique precipitation. However, the spinel crystals and α-C2S could produce during the slag cooling process as the cooling rate was1∘C/min. Chromium in silicate phase is inclinable to leaching with the dissolution of silicate phase, so the formation of silicate phase should be controlled. According to the influence of the cooling rate on the formation of spinel crystals and the erosion of spinel crystals by α-C2S, it is suggested that the cooling rate of the stainless-steel slag in industrial treatment should not be lower than 12∘C/min.
Analysis of a New Class of Impulsive Implicit Sequential Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Zada Akbar , Ali Sartaj , Li Tongxing
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we study an implicit sequential fractional order differential equation with non-instantaneous impulses and multi-point boundary conditions. The article comprehensively elaborate four different types of Ulam’s stability in the lights of generalized Diaz Margolis’s fixed point theorem. Moreover, some sufficient conditions are constructed to observe the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the proposed model. The proposed model contains both the integer order and fractional order derivatives. Thus, the exponential function appearers in the solution of the proposed model which will lead researchers to study fractional differential equations with well known methods of integer order differential equations. In the last, few examples are provided to show the applicability of our main results.
Predicting displacement of bridge based on CEEMDAN-KELM model using GNSS monitoring data
Authors: Fan Qian , Meng Xiaolin , Nguyen Dinh Tung , Xie Yilin , Yu Jiayong
Published: March 2020

Bridges are critical to economic and social development of a country. In order to ensure the safe operation of bridges, it is of great significance to accurately predict displacement of monitoring points from bridge Structural Health System (SHM). In the paper, a CEEMDAN-KELM model is proposed to improve the accuracy of displacement prediction of bridge. Firstly, the original displacement monitoring time series of bridge is accurately and effectively decomposed into multiple components called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and one residual component using a method named complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN). Then, these components are forecasted by establishing appropriate kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) prediction models, respectively. At last, the prediction results of all components including residual component are summed as the final prediction results. A case study using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) monitoring data is used to illustrate the feasibility and validity of the proposed model. Practical results show that prediction accuracy using CEEMDAN-KELM model is superior to BP neural network model, EMD-ELM model and EMD-KELM model in terms of the same monitoring data.
Can measurements be physically conditioned by thought? Further observations following a focused intention experiment
Authors: Matos Luís Carlos , Santos Sara Cristina , Anderson Joel G. , Machado Jorge , Greten Henry Johannes , Monteiro Fernando Jorge
Published: March 2020

Background

The biofield is a controversial concept among the scientific community. Some aspects of this phenomenon relate to measurable factors of mainstream science such as electromagnetics, while others, involving nonlocal interventions, intention, and consciousness, seem to produce physical changes through mechanisms that are still unknown, making the outcomes of many studies not fully explained by our current state of scientific understanding. This study explored the hypothetical effects of intention on the conditioning of a pH system with continuous data acquisition for real-time measurements. As a follow-up study, those effects were related to changes in the physicochemical properties of water samples chosen as a target in a previous large-scale intervention of focused intention.

Methods

The intention experiments were conducted under controlled conditions from the 8th to September 11, 2015. During this period, 286 qualified biofield therapy practitioners meditated at a distance with the intention of changing the vibrational state of the water molecules contained in specific flasks. Several variables were evaluated, including the magnetic field and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) radiation from 175 to 954 nm near the experimental spot, as well as Raman spectra, pH, and electrical conductivity of all the water samples. After this period, real-time pH measurements of water samples were taken with the same equipment and under the same experimental conditions, except for the practitioners’ awareness of those experiments, and without their focused intention. Real-time pH, electrical conductivity and the concentration of cations and anions measured by ion chromatography in the water samples were used to test the proposed hypothesis.

Results

Real-time pH was responsive during the intention experiments and after this period. Further continuous measurements performed after the 11th September showed that the pH variations overtime kept a systematic and consistent tendency similar to the one observed during the experimental activities involving focused intention. After the replacement of the electrode internal electrolyte, this behavior was no longer verified, and the pH was stable as the initial tests to evaluate the equipment sensitivity.

Conclusions

After the experimental period involving focused intention, the pH system maintained a systematic and consistent behavior while measuring the pH of new water samples. An eventual intention-mediated conditioning of the pH measurement system occurred because of changes in the properties of the electrode internal electrolyte.
Protective effect of Matricaria chamomilla extract against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal cancer in mice
Authors: El Joumaa Manal M. , Taleb Robin I. , Rizk Sandra , Borjac Jamilah M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem, with almost 1.8 million newly diagnosed cases and about 881,000 deaths annually. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a well-documented medicinal herb that possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study aimed to unravel the effect of aqueous chamomile extract against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine(DMH)-induced CRC in mice.

Methods

Male Balb/c mice received a weekly intraperitoneal injection of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) for 12 weeks. Chamomile extract (150 mg/kg body weight/5 days/week p.o.) was administered at the initiation and post-initiation stages of carcinogenesis. Polyps count, histopathological analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of Wnt signaling genes, ELISA of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and enzyme assay for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were performed.

Results

Chamomile extract modulated the Wnt pathway in colonic tissues, where it significantly downregulated Wnt5a, β-catenin, T cell factor (Tcf4), lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (Lef1), c-Myc and Cyclin D1 expression levels, while it upregulated adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3β) expression levels. This extract significantly reduced COX-2 levels and iNOS activities. Polyps count and histopathological analysis provided supportive evidence for the biochemical and molecular analyses.

Conclusions

Chamomile can act as a potent dietary chemopreventive agent against DMH-induced CRC.
Effects of whole-body vibration training on bone density and turnover markers in adolescent swimmers
Authors: Marin-Puyalto Jorge , Gomez-Cabello Alba , Gonzalez-Aguero Alejandro , Matute-Llorente Angel , Gomez-Bruton Alejandro , Jürimäe Jaak , Casajus Jose Antonio , Vicente-Rodriguez German
Published: March 2020

Background

Whole-body vibration training has recently been proposed as a complementary training modality to improve the bone health of adolescent swimmers. However, there is no longitudinal study regarding the effects of this training combination on bone metabolism. Therefore, the main goal was to analyze the effects of swimming and vibration training on bone turnover markers during adolescence.

Methods

The present study included 68 adolescent swimmers and 41 normoactive controls (CON). Swimmers were randomly selected to either continue with their regular swimming training (SWI) or participate in an additional vibration protocol (VIB). Anthropometric measurements and serum level determinations of osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide crosslaps (CTX) were performed before and after the 6-month intervention.

Results

Statistically significant group by time interactions were found for both bone formation markers. VIB showed a decrease over time in OC (baseline: 101.4 μg/mL, follow-up: 82.8 μg/mL, p < 0.05) and P1NP (baseline: 528.4 μg/mL, follow-up: 389.0 μg/mL, p < 0.05) and SWI had analogous reductions in P1NP (baseline: 685.8 μg/mL, follow-up: 542.0 μg/mL, p < 0.05), whereas CON experienced an increase in OC levels (baseline: 94.4 μg/mL, follow-up: 103.4 μg/mL, p < 0.05). After stratifying the sample according to the pubertal status, similar interactions were observed.

Conclusions

The combination of swimming training and this particular vibration protocol led to a decrease in bone formation markers, especially during early puberty. Whole-body vibration might not induce an osteogenic stimulus in adolescent swimmers.
Hyperinsulinism hyperammonaemia (HI/HA) syndrome due to GLUD1 mutation: phenotypic variations ranging from late presentation to spontaneous resolution
Authors: Brandt Agnieszka , Agarwal Neha , Giri Dinesh , Yung Zoe , Didi Mohammad , Senniappan Senthil
Published: March 2020

Background

The hyperinsulinism/hyperammonaemia (HI/HA) syndrome is the second most common cause of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, caused by activating mutations in GLUD1. In this article, we report a series of three unrelated patients with HI/HA syndrome who demonstrated variable phenotypes, ranging from delayed presentation to spontaneous resolution of hypoglycaemia, thereby expanding the current knowledge and understanding of GLUD1 mutations.

Case presentation

This paper is a retrospective analysis of patients with HI/HA syndrome who demonstrated a variable disease course. Patient 1 presented with hypoglycaemic seizures at the age of 7 months and was diagnosed with HI/HA syndrome. Patient 2, a 5-year-old boy, on anti-convulsants since 8 months of age, was diagnosed with HI/HA at the age of 4 years. Patient 3, an 11-year-old girl with a history of transient neonatal hypoglycaemia, was diagnosed with HI/HA at the age of 12 months following evaluation for absence seizures. Patients 1 and 2 had raised ammonia levels, whilst patient 3 had normal ammonia level. The genetic analysis in all three patients confirmed GLUD1 mutation. Good glycaemic control was observed in all following diazoxide treatment. All patients have learning difficulties. Patient 1 demonstrated spontaneous resolution of hypoglycaemia at the age of 8 years, enabling discontinuation of diazoxide.

Conclusions

The cases highlight the diagnostic challenges in HI/HA syndrome due to a highly variable presentation. Knowledge of variable phenotypes would enable early diagnosis, thereby decreasing the risk of long-term neurological damage. Spontaneous resolution of hyperinsulinism could occur, and it is important to consider a trial off diazoxide therapy especially if the patients are on a small dose of diazoxide.
Estimations of total serum testosterone levels in Nigerian term neonates at birth using anogenital distance measurements
Authors: Kareem Abiodun John , Owa Joshua Aderinsola , Elusiyan Jerome Boluwaji Elutayo
Published: March 2020

Background

In genital anomalies, measurement of total testosterone is required but is expensive and technically difficult to assay. Therefore, the measurement of anogenital distance, which is non-invasive and cheap, could be used to estimate total serum testosterone in neonates. The objective if this study is to determine the relationship between total serum testosterone and anogenital distance and estimate total serum testosterone levels in term neonates using measurements of anogenital distance.

Methods

This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Consecutive healthy term neonates were recruited in the first 72 h of postnatal life. Anogenital distance was measured with a digital vernier calliper. Total serum testosterone was determined using enzyme linked immunoassay.

Results

A total of 240 term neonates comprising 124 (51.7%) males and 116 (48.3%) females were studied. The overall mean anogenital distance was 19.7 (7.7) mm and 26.5 (3.7) mm for males which was more than twice 12.4 (2.3) mm for females (t = 35.3, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI], 13–14). The overall mean total serum testosterone level was 267.1 (204.8) ng/dL; and 357.4 (241.7) ng/dL in males which was more than twice of 170.6 (80.7) ng/dL for females (t = 7.9, p < 0.001, 95% CI, 144–221). There was positive correlation between total serum testosterone and anogenital distance (r = 0.425, p < 0.001). The correlation was stronger in males than in females. The linear regression equation was as follows: total serum testosterone (ng/dL) = 44.3 + 11.3*AGD (mm) with 95% CI, 8–14.

Conclusions

The known value of anogenital distance could be used to estimate total serum testosterone levels in term neonates.
Functional identities on upper triangular matrix rings
Authors: Yuan He , Chen Liangyun
Published: March 2020

Let R be a subset of a unital ring Q such that 0 ∈ R. Let us fix an element t ∈ Q. If R is a (t; d)-free subset of Q, then Tn(R) is a (t′; d)-free subset of Tn(Q), where t′ ∈ Tn(Q),
$\begin{array}{}
t_{ll}'
\end{array} $ = t, l = 1, 2, …, n, for any n ∈ N.
Hyperspectral Image Classification Based on Mathematical Morphology and Tensor Decomposition
Authors: Jouni Mohamad , Mura Mauro Dalla , Comon Pierre
Published: March 2020

Hyperspectral Image (HSI) classification refers to classifying hyperspectral data into features, where labels are given to pixels sharing the same features, distinguishing the present materials of the scene from one another. Naturally a HSI acquires spectral features of pixels, but spatial features based on neighborhood information are also important, which results in the problem of spectral-spatial classification. There are various ways to account to spatial information, one of which is through Mathematical Morphology, which is explored in this work. A HSI is a third-order data block, and building new spatial diversities may increase this order. In many cases, since pixel-wise classification requires a matrix of pixels and features, HSI data are reshaped as matrices which causes high dimensionality and ignores the multi-modal structure of the features. This work deals with HSI classification by modeling the data as tensors of high order. More precisely, multi-modal hyperspectral data is built and dealt with using tensor Canonical Polyadic (CP) decomposition. Experiments on real HSI show the effectiveness of the CP decomposition as a candidate for classification thanks to its properties of representing the pixel data in a matrix compact form with a low dimensional feature space while maintaining the multi-modality of the data.
microRNA-204-5p participates in atherosclerosis via targeting MMP-9
Authors: Wang Na , Yuan Yuliang , Sun Shipeng , Liu Guijian
Published: March 2020

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and mechanism of microRNA-204-5p (miR-204-5p) in atherosclerosis (AS)-related abnormal human vascular smooth muscle cells (hVSMCs) function. Firstly, we analyzed the expression of miR-204-5p and found that the miR-204-5p expression level was clearly downregulated in atherosclerotic plaque tissues and blood samples compared to the normal controls. Then, matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) was predicted to be the potential target of miR-204-5p by TargetScan and this prediction was confirmed by luciferase assays. Besides, we observed that miR-204-5p could negatively regulate the expression of MMP-9 in hVSMCs. Subsequently, Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of hVSMCs. Down-expression of miR-204-5p led to the promotion of proliferation and migration accompanied with the suppression of apoptosis in hVSMCs, and these effects were reversed by MMP-9-siRNA. In addition, overexpressed miR-204-5p could inhibit hVSMC proliferation and migration and promote the apoptosis of hVSMCs. However, the effects were also abrogated by overexpressed MMP-9. Together, our findings showed that miR-204-5p plays an important role in the growth and migration of hVSMCs by targeting MMP-9, which might be a novel biomarker and promising therapeutic target for AS.
Advances in modelling and analysis of nano structures: a review
Authors: Chandel Vikram Singh , Wang Guannan , Talha Mohammad
Published: March 2020

Nanostructures are widely used in nano and micro-sized systems and devices such as biosensors, nano actuators, nano-probes, and nano-electro-mechanical systems. The complete understanding of the mechanical behavior of nanostructures is crucial for the design of nanodevices and systems. Therefore, the flexural, stability and vibration analysis of various nanostructures such as nanowires, nanotubes, nanobeams, nanoplates, graphene sheets and nanoshells has received a great attention in recent years. The focus has been made, to present the structural analysis of nanostructures under thermo-magneto-electro-mechanical loadings under various boundary and environmental conditions. This paper also provides an overview of analytical modeling methods, fabrication procedures, key challenges and future scopes of development in the direction of analysis of such structures, which will be helpful for appropriate design and analysis of nanodevices for the application in the various fields of nanotechnology.
Mechanical properties of nanomaterials: A review
Authors: Wu Qiong , Miao Wei-shou , Zhang Yi-du , Gao Han-jun , Hui David
Published: March 2020

As an emerging material, nanomaterials have attracted extensive attention due to their small size, surface effect and quantum tunneling effect, as well as potential applications in traditional materials, medical devices, electronic devices, coatings and other industries. Herein, the influence of nanoparticle selection, production process, grain size, and grain boundary structures on the mechanical properties of nanomaterials is introduced. The current research progress and application range of nano-materials are presented. The unique properties of nano-materials make them superior over traditional materials. Therefore, nanomaterials will have a broader application prospect in the future. Research on nanomaterials is significant for the development and application of materials science.
Expressing the quantity of urinary analytes: a discussion of some issues arising from the monitoring of the menstrual cycle
Authors: Brown Simon , Cooke Delwyn G. , Blackwell Leonard F.
Published: March 2020

Practical domestic monitoring of the menstrual cycle requires measurements of urinary metabolites of reproductive hormones: oestrone glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG). Data reported in the literature are expressed as (i) concentration, without or with either creatinine- or specific gravity correction, or (ii) excretion rates. This variation in such a fundamental issue prompts consideration of the relationships between the four measures. Because the menstrual cycle kinetics of E1G and PdG are complex, we consider measurements of urinary creatinine, urea, galactose, xylose and inulin which tend to be more stable. We show that uncorrected concentration measurements of these urinary analytes can be positively correlated, negatively correlated or uncorrelated with the serum concentration. Based on measurements of urinary creatinine concentrations, urinary specific gravity and creatinine excretion rates, we conclude that urinary analyte concentration are likely to be more reliable when creatinine-corrected rather than corrected using specific gravity, but that both are less reliable than measurements of the excretion rate. This has implications for the quantitation of any urinary analyte, but especially for the monitoring of the menstrual cycle in which changes in E1G and PdG from one day to the next can be physiologically significant for a woman monitoring her fertility.
The Only Exit From Modern Philosophy
Authors: Harman Graham
Published: March 2020

This article contends that the central principle of modern philosophy is obscured by a side-debate between two opposed camps that are united in accepting a deeper flawed premise. Consider the powerful critiques of Kantian philosophy offered by Quentin Meillassoux and Bruno Latour, respectively. These two thinkers criticize Kant for opposite reasons: Meillassoux because Kant collapses thought and world into a permanent “correlate” without isolated terms, and Latour because Kant tries to purify thought and world from each other rather than realizing that they are always combined in “hybrid” form. What both critiques tacitly accept is the notion that “thought” and “world” are the two major poles of the universe. I claim that this stems from the post-Cartesian assumption that thought and world are the two basic kinds of things that exist. The name “onto-taxonomy” is introduced for this view.
Sicherheitsverantwortung zwischen Staat und Markt – eine institutionenökonomische Analyse
Authors: Bretschneider Wolfgang , Freytag Andreas , Rieckmann Johannes P. , Stuchtey Tim H.
Published: March 2020

In der öffentlichen Wahrnehmung wird weithin davon ausgegangen, dass der Staat für die Sicherheit zuständig ist. In der Praxis aber beobachtet man eine Kombination aus staatlicher und privater Sicherheitsverantwortung. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag wird aus institutionenökonomischer Perspektive eine normative Begründung für die Verantwortungszuweisung zwischen drei Akteursgruppen vorgestellt: dem Staat, den private Haushalten bzw. Unternehmen sowie den privaten Sicherheitsdienstleistern. Konzeptionelle Grundlage ist dabei die bekannte Unterscheidung von Bereitstellung und Herstellung vor dem Hintergrund der Annahme, dass die Debatte um die „Privatisierung von Sicherheit“ nur mit Hilfe dieser Unterscheidung sachlich geführt werden kann. Zudem wird in dem Beitrag das Problem der Repressivität als Besonderheit von Schutzleistungen mehr Aufmerksamkeit zuteil, als es bislang in der sicherheitsökonomischen Literatur der Fall ist.
Eigenplagiate aus ökonomischer Sicht
Authors: Emrich Eike , Follert Florian
Published: March 2020

Der Begriff des Plagiats ist spätestens seit der Causa zu Guttenberg einer breiten Bevölkerung bekannt. Auch in der Wissenschaft mehren sich Fälle von Plagiaten sowie von Eigenplagiaten. Für letztere stellt sich die Frage nach der Beurteilung aus der Perspektive der Institutionenökonomik im Allgemeinen und der Theorie des Urheberrechts und der Verfügungsrechte im Besonderen. Der vorliegende Beitrag analysiert aus dieser Perspektive, warum Wissenschaftler Eigenplagiate begehen und welche Effekte damit verbunden sind. Damit wird versucht, einen Beitrag zur Versachlichung der Diskussion zu liefern.
Soziale Marktwirtschaft im Grundgesetz? Eine gefährliche Verlockung
Authors: Voigt Stefan
Published: March 2020

In diesem Beitrag wird der Vorschlag, die soziale Marktwirtschaft im Grundgesetz zu verankern kritisch diskutiert. Nachdem kurz an die zentralen Funktionen von Verfassungen erinnert wird, werden drei Fragen diskutiert: (1) Kann die Aufnahme der sozialen Marktwirtschaft in das Grundgesetz zu einer wirksamen Beschränkung der relevanten Verfassungsakteure führen? (2) Inwieweit würde ein zusätzlicher Verfassungsartikel zu einer zusätzlichen Handlungsbeschränkung der relevanten Akteure führen? (3) Würde ein solcher Artikel dazu beitragen, die zentrale Funktion von Verfassungen besser zu erfüllen? Alle drei Fragen werden mit nein beantwortet und der Vorschlag wird somit abgelehnt.
Highly efficient separation of ruthenium from alkaline radioactive feeds using an anion exchange resin
Authors: Verma Parveen Kumar , Mohapatra Prasanta Kumar
Published: March 2020

Ruthenium recovery from the alkaline media was attempted using solid phase extraction. UV-Vis and X-ray absorption studies were performed to understand the ruthenium speciation under different conditions relevant to its extraction from alkaline medium. Since Ru forms anionic complex in the alkaline solution, an anion exchange resin (Dowex 1x8) was selected for its recovery from alkaline media. The precipitation of black RuO2 at the resin surface hinders its back exaction. Experimental conditions were optimized for the quantitative uptake of Ru from alkaline feed and its subsequent back extraction by a series of batch studies. About 90 % of the Ruthenium was back extracted from the resin using alkaline hypochlorite solution and nitric acid solution at different stages in the Ru back extraction cycle. The column studies were done under the optimized condition and showed ~80 % Ru recovery with 5 mL of the eluent (8 M HNO3) and ~90 % recovery in 10 mL including the tailing. The mechanism for the ruthenium extraction from alkaline medium and its back extraction from the resin was proposed.
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration – An underdeveloped diplomatic tool in Yemen
Authors: Jachnik Clive Vincent
Published: March 2020

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) is the process of removing weapons from members of armed groups, detaching those ex-combatants from their groups and helping them to safely return to normal society. DDR has great potential to deliver significant peace benefits to communities undergoing conflict. As it has evolved, UN DDR has broadened in scope and now has the committed aim of ensuring linkages with political processes as one of its strategic priorities. With regard to the situation in Yemen, however, the earliest UN Yemen DDR advisory forums singularly misunderstood the breadth of UN DDR and indeed advocated for a halt to any DDR initiatives taking place in Yemen prior to the signing of a peace accord. In addition, there was a lack of sensitization of other UN agencies or key stakeholders to the possibilities of Pre-DDR, PDR or CVR. This has therefore led to the near absent or inadequate planning by the UN for both DDR and related stabilization efforts in Yemen. This is seemingly a missed opportunity and at odds with bringing the benefits of DDR to the people of Yemen as the UN has in other countries experiencing protracted conflict.
Transreligiosität im Kontext von Spiritual Care
Authors: Maidl Lydia
Published: March 2020

Religiöse und spirituelle Identität bildet sich heute in vielschichtiger Weise, immer weniger durch eine ausschließliche Sozialisation in einem einzigen religiösen oder konfessionellen Bezugssystem. Die Begegnung mit Menschen unterschiedlicher Religionen aufgrund von Migration und Globalisierung und in einer pluralen Gesellschaft hat Rückwirkung auf das eigene Selbstverständnis. In der Gesundheitsversorgung ist das Thema kultur- und religionssensibler Pflege schon lange etabliert. Gefragt wird dabei nach den Voraussetzungen bei den Pflegenden, um Patient/-innen angemessen begleiten zu können, wenig kommt in den Blick, welche Rückwirkungen dies für die Pflegenden selbst und für alle in der Gesundheitsversorgung Tätigen in ihrem religiösen/spirituellen Selbstverständnis hat. Der vorliegende Beitrag will Impulse geben, indem er den Begriff „transreligiös“ aus der aktuellen Diskussion aufgreift und in Verbindung setzt zum Breitbandbegriff „spirituell“ von Spiritual Care. Die Diskussionen um Räume für Religion(en) und Spiritualität in Krankenhäusern und deren Gestaltung werden gezeigt als aktuelles Laboratorium für Prozesse und Ausdrucksformen des Inter- und Transreligiösen in unserer postsäkularen Gesellschaft. Die transreligiöse Perspektive bringt sowohl eine Schärfung des Containerbegriffs „Spiritualität“ als auch Impulse für Spezifika von Spiritual Care.