bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Development of Teaching Material Based on Science Literacy In Thermochemical Topic
Authors: Sutiani A , Zainuddin  , Darmana A , Panggabean F T M
Published: March 2020

Teaching materials are one of the components for improving students’ scientific literacy skills, but teaching materials that exist today, especially about thermochemical materials do not yet have the maximum content of scientific literacy. Through the research design of research and development, scientific literacy-based teaching materials have been developed in thermochemical material. The stages of research include needs-analysis, product design development, validation and analysis. Therefore, the product result and testing phase are limited to effectiveness testing. From the results of the study, it was found that science-based thermochemical teaching materials for general chemistry courses had been successfully developed with the existence of scientific literacy aspects. Moreover, the aspect are the knowledge of thermochemical material which is the aspect of science as a torso, thermochemistry in context which is an aspect of science as a process of inquiry, the high level of thinking skills which is science as a way of thinking, and attitude which is an aspect of interaction between science, technology and society. The overall feasibility validation result is 86.42%, which means the teaching material is in the valid category without revision. Moreover, the readability of teaching material products has an average readability percentage of about 83.79%, which means that teaching materials are included in the criteria to be easily understood.
Occurrence of Nematophagous Fungi in Freshwater Samples of Toba Lake, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Tarigan W E , Munir E , Hastuti L D S , Hartanto A
Published: March 2020

Root-knot nematodes are important agricultural pests causing serious economical loss to harvestable crops. Biological control using nematophagous fungi is one option to mitigate these infection through mechanism of physical or chemical killing methods. The present study tried to explore a possibility of finding native nematophagous fungal strains in the hope on discovery of novel and potential isolates originating from freshwater region of Toba Lake, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Isolation of nematophagous fungi was based on sprinkle and pour combination method on Chloramphenicol-Water Agar (CWA) incubated for 30 days. Freshwater samples of soil and sediments were collected from 28 sampling sites characterized by different anthropogenic activities as natural, fishery, residential, plantation and tourism area. Daily examination is conducted to obtain a single culture of nematophagous fungi sub-cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Eleven isolates were observed to initiate predatory activities against tested Caenorhabditis elegans based on qualitative screening. The isolates showed either mechanical killing or chemical killing of nematodes during co-inoculation with nematodes. Micromorphological and molecular analysis are currently being conducted to obtain species identity from each isolate.
PM3 Semi-Empirical Method on the Ring Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone Using Bis (Benzoyltrifluoroacetone)Zirconium(IV) Chloride as catalyst
Authors: Yusuf M , Dari N , Utama E
Published: March 2020

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an interesting polymer because of its biodegradability, good mechanical properties, and the excellent miscibility with a large range of other polymers. PCL can be obtained via ring opening polymerization (ROP) ofε-caprolactone (ε-CL) by using Lewis acid as catalyst. The purpose of this study was to focus on the study of the plausible mechanism of the ROP ofε-CL using bis-(benzoyltrifluoroacetone)zirconium(IV) chloride as a catalyst. In this research, PM3 semi-empirical method was conducted to optimize the polymer and complex structure. After that, HyperChem 8.0 program package was used to calculate and to visualize the geometry structure. This program run on a personal computer with Windows 07 operating system. The results of the computational calculation indicate that, to obtain PCL using bis(benzoyltrifluoroacetone)zirconium (IV) chloride catalyst needed several reaction steps, that is coordinationε-CL on the zirconium complex, deprotonation ofε-CL, theε-CL insertion, and the chain propagation.
Developing Analytic Geometry Module and Cooperative Learning Models to Improve Critical Thinking Ability
Authors: Syafari
Published: March 2020

The third phase of the planned three-year research objected to test and to justify the results of the development of the Analytic Geometry module and cooperative learning models assisted with Macromedia flash animation to improve students’ critical thinking skills. Research subjects were students of the Study Program: Mathematics and Mathematics Education, University of State Medan, and Mathematics Education at Muslim Nusantara University, Alwashliyah Medan. This study used developmental research oriented to product development that refers to the 4-D model, which was defining, designing, developing, and disseminating. This third stage produced analytic geometry modules and cooperative learning models supported by Macromedia flash animation as well as instruments of critical thinking skills and positive attitudes toward the justified learning modules and models. These learning modules and models were arranged in the form of lecturer manuals and student books (modules).
Mathematical Model Susceptible, Infected and Recovered with Therapy of Tuberculosis Transmission
Authors: Nasution H , Marlina S
Published: March 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of infectious disease caused by bacteria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis which most often attacks the bronchi. Tuberculosis spreads from person to person by direct contact or also through the air. TB is very dangerous and can attack anyone and if it is not seriously treated will cause death. But if TB given treatment seriously this TB will recover. One treatment of TB is with long-term therapy. This therapy is very influential for recovery of infected people of TB. This article discusses the dynamics of the spread of tuberculosis with therapy through mathematical modeling, the model of disease spread adopted is the SIR Model. From the results of the research showed that by giving therapy to TB patients had a positive and significant effect, especially on recovering, the greater the value of the therapy parameters, the higher the patient’s recovery rate
Modified Monte Carlo method for integral
Authors: Iskandar S
Published: March 2020

The integral value of a function will be determined by the result of the function of the integral function. In fact many integral functions that are difficult to solve sometimes cannot be solved by exact sciences. There are several ways such as by changing its function toThe approach to the Monte Carlo method uses the principle of generating random numbers to test a function. The use of randoms is very closely related to the value of the error obtained. This study aims to minimize the error value of integration by using the Monte Carlo method. The initial integration of the Monte Carlo method with 10000 random points has a fairly large average error value of 0.078, so that the follow-up is done using pias in the Monte Carlo integration.
Analysis of the Quality of Local Potential-Based Invertebrate Preservation Media for Invertebrate Taxonomy Course
Authors: Sitompul A F , Siregar E H
Published: March 2020

Instructional media play a vital role in improving the quality of a learning process, especially in helping the students to learn. Local-potential instructional media are expected to be able to motivate university students to learn preservation methods of invertebrates. However, the quality of the media should be number one priority. This study aimed to examine the quality of instructional media developed in the form of fluid-preserved or wet specimens which were stored in alcohol and formalin. This study used a descriptive approach to data analysis. A comparative analysis of experimental results was performed in this study. The media were evaluated based on the following aspects: compliance with the curriculum standard, quality of the materials, language use, presentation, intelligibility, and benefits of the media. The data were collected using a documentation method and analyzed using a qualitative data analysis technique. The result of the analysis showed that the media complied with the Indonesian National Qualification Framework (KKNI) curriculum standard competencies. In addition, the media also obtained high scores in the quality of the materials, language use, presentation, intelligibility, and benefits (95.78%, 98%, 96.20%, 95.40%, and 97.60%, respectively). Overall, the invertebrate preservation media analyzed in this study have been qualified as proper media to support learning in the classroom.
Setiment Analysis of Public Opinion on The Go-Jek Indonesia Through Twitter Using Algorithm Support Vector Machine
Authors: Syahputra H , Basyar L K , Tamba A A S
Published: March 2020

The development of technology and information, especially in Indonesia is very rapid so that social media is the most popular communication tool by the people of Indonesia today. One of these social media is Twitter. This also causes the public to tend to give opinions and assessments in the form of tweets to service companies, one of which is Go-Jek Indonesia. Public opinion and judgment on Twitter can be classified into 3 classes: negative, neutral, and positive. The purpose of this study is to analyze the sentiment of public opinion on Go-jek Indonesia on twitter using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm. The approach used were Multiclass One Vs Rest SVM with Univariate Chi Square feature selection to classify community tweets on Go-Jek Indonesia’s services. Using testing data of 170 tweets, 31.2% of people with negative opinions were obtained, 24.1% were neutral and 36.5% were positive opinions and 5.9% failed to be classified. The results of sentiment analysis testing conducted provide a classification accuracy of 91.8%.
Ethnomathematical Study: Creating Math to Students with Gayo Culture
Authors: Hakim H , Rahmadhani E , Wahyuni S
Published: March 2020

This article is one of the writer’s efforts to help answer the question from the teacher namely what should we do to make students enjoy learning mathematics in class? This study aims to describe the local cultural wisdom of the Gayo tribe which is related to ethnomathematics. Cultural elements that can be developed and used in mathematics learning one of which is "Kerawang Gayo". This type of research is descriptive research with qualitative methods. Research subjects are communities leaders, cultural and Gayo tribal community. The instruments in this research were 1) literature study, 2) observation, 3) Interview, and 4) documentation. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively, followed by concepts provided by Miles and Huberman. Based on the results of the analysis of the research data it was found that the motives contained in the Kerawang Gayo are emun beriring, puter tali, pucuk rebung, sarak opat and tekukur. Mathematical concepts contained in the "Kerawang Gayo" motif can be used to understand mathematics through local culture. Mathematical concepts contained in the "Kerawang Gayo" motif are curved lines, circles, concordance, triangles, angles, congruence, straight lines, parallel lines, reflection, and rotation. Besides recognizing the mathematical concepts of Kerawang Gayo, students also get knowledge about the meaning contained in each of the Kerawang Gayo motifs.
Prospective Science Teachers’ Learning Independency Level on Blended Learning
Authors: Brata WWW , Suriani C , Simatupang H , Siswanto S , Panggabean FTM
Published: March 2020

This study aims to measure the level of self-directed learning readiness of prospective science teacher students studying with blended learning. This study also investigates the relationship of self-directed learning readiness with students’ perceptions of blended learning. This research uses a quantitative method involving 28 students of prospective science teachers in the mathematics faculty and natural sciences at Medan State University. Data were collected using a learning independence questionnaire, which was first validated by two learning experts. Measurement of learning independence is done after students undergo one semester of blended learning. In general, student learning independence is at a moderate level. Analysis based on gender shows that there are no statistically significant differences between men and women in learning independence. This study also revealed that differences in learning outcomes are influenced by the level of learning independence, especially in the "selfcontrol" aspect.
Effectiveness of The Antibacterial Activity of n-Hexane Andaliman (Zanthoxylum Acanthopodium DC) Extract Against Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Susanti N , Situmorang E , Fitri W
Published: March 2020

Infection caused by bacteria is a problem found in various countries, including Indonesia. Different pathogenic bacteria become resistant to some antibiotics. One way to inhibit the activity of these bacteria is to study natural materials that have antibacterial activity. One of the natural ingredients that have these activities is andaliman. It evidenced by the results of the analysis that the diffusion test of Andaliman extract discs uses two types of solvents: n-hexane and ethyl acetate. In the inhibition zone diameter of three types of bacteria, namely: Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and for the antibacterial test several variations of concentration of andaliman extract were used, namely: 12.5 25, 50, and 75%, the best results for n extract -hexane at a level of 50%, namely: 26.7 mm for the best ethyl acetate extract at a concentration of 75%, 21.5 mm, both of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. These results indicate that andaliman extract is useful as an antibacterial.
Identifying the spatiotemporal changes of annual harvesting areas for three staple crops in China by integrating multi-data sources
Authors: Luo Yuchuan , Zhang Zhao , Li Ziyue , Chen Yi , Zhang Liangliang , Cao Juan , Tao Fulu
Published: March 2020

Reliable and continuous information on major crop harvesting areas is fundamental to investigate land surface dynamics and make policies affecting agricultural production, land use, and sustainable development. However, there is currently no spatially explicit and time-continuous crop harvesting area information with a high resolution for China. The spatiotemporal patterns of major crop harvesting areas at a national scale have rarely been investigated. In this study, we proposed a new crop phenology-based crop mapping approach to generate a 1 km harvesting area dataset for three staple crops (i.e. rice, wheat, and maize) in China from 2000 to 2015 based on GLASS leaf area index (LAI) products. First, we retrieved key phenological dates of the three staple crops by combining the inflexion- and threshold-based methods. Then, we determined the grids cultivated for a certain crop if its three key phenological dates could be simultaneously identified. Finally, we developed crop classification maps and a dataset of annual harvesting areas (ChinaCropArea1 km), comprehensively considering the characteristics of crop phenology and the references of drylands and paddy fields. Compared with the county-level agricultural statistical data, the crop classification had a high accuracy, with R2 values consistently greater than 0.8. The spatiotemporal patterns of major crop harvesting areas during the period were further analyzed. The results showed that paddy rice harvesting areas had expanded aggressively in northeastern China but decreased in southern China. Maize harvesting areas expanded substantially in major maize cultivation areas across China. Wheat harvesting areas declined overall, although they increased notably in their major production areas. The spatiotemporal patterns could be ascribed to various anthropogenic, biophysical, and social-economic drivers, including urbanization, reduced cropping intensity in southern China, frequent disasters from climate change, and large areas of abandoned farmland in northern and southwestern China. The resultant dataset can be applied for many purposes, including land surface modeling, agro-ecosystem modeling, agricultural production and land use policy-making.
Highly flexible graphene nanoplatelet-polydimethylsiloxane strain sensors with proximity-sensing capability
Authors: Lee Hyokeun , Kim Min Jung , Kim Jong Hun , Lee Jong-Young , Ji Eunji , Capasso Andrea , Choi Heon-Jin , Shim Wooyoung , Lee Gwan-Hyoung
Published: March 2020

Flexible strain sensors are essential for providing electronic skin with the ability to detect motions and pressure, enabling their use in health applications and robotics. In this context, strain sensors should simultaneously guarantee a high sensitivity and flexibility, with a fast response when applied to the detection of various human motions. Here, we demonstrate a flexible strain sensor made of graphene nanoplatelets encapsulated between two elastomer films with a high sensitivity and stretchability. The liquid-exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets were spray-coated on the first elastomer film and then encapsulated by the second elastomer film. The encapsulated graphene sensor exhibited a high gauge factor, fast responsivity, and high durability. It proved stretchable up to 290% and highly bendable (operating at almost zero bending radius). As an additional key feature, proximity sensing to detect remote motions of a distant object was demonstrated, owing to the unique characteristic of graphene, i.e., variations in its electrostatic in response to the interaction between the surface charges of the elastomer and the electrostatic charges of the remote object. Our work introduces a novel route for the fabrication of flexible graphene sensors with proximity-sensing capability, which are useful for wearable smart devices and human motion detection.
Commonality in Abnormality: “Abnormal” Neuropsychological Scores Are Common in Baseline Testing of Youth Athletes
Authors: Watson Jessica , Brown Colin , Hirst Rayna B , Thompson Ryan C
Published: March 2020

Objective

Although research shows that abnormal scores are common in adults, fewer studies examine the frequency of abnormal scores within children. The present study assessed how specific tests, cognitive domains, and patient factors affect the likelihood of abnormally low scores among healthy youth athletes.

Methods

Youth athletes (n = 85, Mage = 11.72, SD = 2.23) completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery (N = 23 tests) during baseline testing for a sport-related concussion clinical research program. “Abnormal” scores were defined using cutoffs at 1, 1.5, and 2 standard deviations (SDs) below the population mean. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression models examined abnormal test scores as a function of age, sex, ethnicity, and Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ).

Results

Using cutoffs of 1, 1.5, and 2 SDs, the percent of healthy participants with at least one abnormal test score was 61.2, 36.5, and 22.4%, respectively, indicating a high proportion of healthy participants with abnormal scores and low specificity for tests using these cutoffs. In univariate Poisson regression analyses, FSIQ and abnormal score were negatively correlated (p < .001), wherein lower FSIQ was associated with more abnormal scores. In multivariate regression analyses, lower performance on executive function, memory, and processing speed tests was significantly associated with an increased frequency of abnormal scores.

Conclusions

Abnormally low scores in healthy youth occur frequently and do not necessarily represent functional deficits. Cutoffs of 2 SDs should be considered for many tests to increase specificity and reduce the risk of false positive errors that could lead to negative clinical outcomes.
Correlates of Poor Sleep and Subsequent Risk of Misdiagnosis in College Students Presenting with Cognitive Complaints
Authors: Gloger Elana M , Suhr Julie A
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To examine the relationships of poor sleep to both subjective and objective cognitive functioning, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms, and mental health variables in college students, controlling for noncredible symptom reporting and noncredible performance.

Methods

99 undergraduate students (Mage = 19.9, SD = 1.1), 60% female and 72% first-year students, completed a neuropsychological battery and self-report questionnaires at a single lab visit. 56% of the sample identified as “poor sleepers” (>5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]).

Results

Poor sleepers reported worse current (college grade point average [GPA]) but not past (high school GPA, American college test [ACT] score) academic performance. Additionally, they reported more mental health concerns, including depression and stress, but not anxiety. Poor sleepers reported more functional impairment and subjective cognitive concerns, including more Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, more SCT symptoms, and more executive dysfunction, even when controlling for depressive symptoms. However, poor sleepers did not differ from good sleepers on measures of objective cognition.

Conclusions

ADHD and SCT symptoms and concerns in college students may be related to poor sleep, which can lead to misdiagnosis for individuals presenting with ADHD-like complaints for the first time in college. Sleep difficulties may be modifiable with empirically supported sleep interventions; thus, in assessment for either of these presentations, a careful sleep history should be taken.
Advanced MRI techniques for transcranial high intensity focused ultrasound targeting
Authors: Shah Bhavya R , Lehman Vance T , Kaufmann Timothy J , Blezek Daniel , Waugh Jeff , Imphean Darren , Yu Frank F , Patel Toral R , Chitnis Shilpa , Dewey Richard B , Maldjian Joseph A , Chopra Rajiv
Published: March 2020

Magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound is a novel, non-invasive, image-guided procedure that is able to ablate intracranial tissue with submillimetre precision. It is currently FDA approved for essential tremor and tremor dominant Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this update is to review the limitations of current landmark-based targeting techniques of the ventral intermediate nucleus and demonstrate the role of emerging imaging techniques that are relevant for both magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound and deep brain stimulation. A significant limitation of standard MRI sequences is that the ventral intermediate nucleus, dentatorubrothalamic tract, and other deep brain nuclei cannot be clearly identified. This paper provides original, annotated images demarcating the ventral intermediate nucleus, dentatorubrothalamic tract, and other deep brain nuclei on advanced MRI sequences such as fast grey matter acquisition T1 inversion recovery, quantitative susceptibility mapping, susceptibility weighted imaging, and diffusion tensor imaging tractography. Additionally, the paper reviews clinical efficacy of targeting with these novel MRI techniques when compared to current established landmark-based targeting techniques. The paper has widespread applicability to both deep brain stimulation and magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound.
Syphilis Laboratory Guidelines: Performance Characteristics of Nontreponemal Antibody Tests
Authors: Tuddenham Susan , Katz Samantha S , Ghanem Khalil G
Published: March 2020

We reviewed the relevant syphilis diagnostic literature to address the following question: what are the performance characteristics, stratified by the stage of syphilis, for nontreponemal serologic tests? The database search included key terms related to syphilis and nontreponemal tests from 1960–2017, and for data related to the venereal disease research laboratory test from 1940–1960. Based on this review, we report the sensitivity and specificity for each stage of syphilis (primary, secondary, early latent, late latent, or unknown duration; tertiary as well as neurosyphilis, ocular syphilis, and otic syphilis). We also report on reactive nontreponemal tests in conditions other than syphilis, false negatives, and automated nontreponemal tests. Overall, many studies were limited by their sample size, lack of clearly documented clinical staging, and lack of well-defined gold standards. There is a need to better define the performance characteristics of nontreponemal tests, particularly in the late stages of syphilis, with clinically well-characterized samples. Published data are needed on automated nontreponemal tests. Evidence-based guidelines are needed for optimal prozone titrations. Finally, improved criteria and diagnostics for neurosyphilis (as well as ocular and otic syphilis) are needed.
The ERA-EDTA Registry Annual Report 2017: a summary
Authors: Kramer Anneke , Boenink Rianne , Noordzij Marlies , Bosdriesz Jizzo R , Stel Vianda S , Beltrán Palma , Ruiz Juan C , Seyahi Nurhan , Comas Farnés Jordi , Stendahl Maria , Garneata Liliana , Winzeler Rebecca , Golan Eliezer , Lopot František , Korejwo Grzegorz , Bonthuis Marjolein , Lassalle Mathilde , Slon Roblero Maria F , Kuzema Viktorija , Hommel Kristine , Stojceva-Taneva Olivera , Asberg Anders , Kramar Reinhard , Hemmelder Marc H , De Meester Johan , Vazelov Evgueniy , Andrusev Anton , Castro de la Nuez Pablo , Helve Jaakko , Komissarov Kirill , Casula Anna , Magaz Ángela , Santiuste de Pablos Carmen , Bubić Ivan , Traynor Jamie P , Ioannou Kyriakos , Idrizi Alma , Palsson Runolfur , des Grottes Jean-Marin , Spustova Viera , Tolaj-Avdiu Miloreta , Jarraya Faical , Nordio Maurizio , Ziginskiene Edita , Massy Ziad A , Jager Kitty J
Published: March 2020

Background

This article presents a summary of the 2017 Annual Report of the European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry and describes the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 37 countries.

Methods

The ERA-EDTA Registry received individual patient data on patients undergoing RRT for ESRD in 2017 from 32 national or regional renal registries and aggregated data from 21 registries. The incidence and prevalence of RRT, kidney transplantation activity and survival probabilities of these patients were calculated.

Results

In 2017, the ERA-EDTA Registry covered a general population of 694 million people. The incidence of RRT for ESRD was 127 per million population (pmp), ranging from 37 pmp in Ukraine to 252 pmp in Greece. A total of 62% of patients were men, 52% were ≥65 years of age and 23% had diabetes mellitus as the primary renal disease. The treatment modality at the onset of RRT was haemodialysis for 85% of patients. On 31 December 2017, the prevalence of RRT was 854 pmp, ranging from 210 pmp in Ukraine to 1965 pmp in Portugal. The transplant rate in 2017 was 33 pmp, ranging from 3 pmp in Ukraine to 103 pmp in the Spanish region of Catalonia. For patients commencing RRT during 2008–12, the unadjusted 5-year patient survival probability for all RRT modalities combined was 50.8%.
Thyroid function, renal events and mortality in chronic kidney disease patients: the German Chronic Kidney Disease study
Authors: Schultheiss Ulla T , Steinbrenner Inga , Nauck Matthias , Schneider Markus P , Kotsis Fruzsina , Baid-Agrawal Seema , Schaeffner Elke , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Köttgen Anna , Sekula Peggy ,   the GCKD investigators
Published: March 2020

Background

Hypothyroidism and low free triiodothyronine (FT3) syndrome [low FT3 levels with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)] have been associated with reduced kidney function cross-sectionally in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with severely reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Results on the prospective effects of impaired thyroid function on renal events and mortality for patients with severely reduced eGFR or from population-based cohorts are conflicting. Here we evaluated the association between thyroid and kidney function with eGFR (cross-sectionally) as well as renal events and mortality (prospectively) in a large, prospective cohort of CKD patients with mild to moderately reduced kidney function.

Methods

Thyroid markers were measured among CKD patients from the German Chronic Kidney Disease study. Incident renal endpoints (combined ESKD, acute kidney injury and renal death) and all-cause mortality were abstracted from hospital records and death certificates. Time to first event analysis of complete data from baseline to the 4-year follow-up (median follow-up time 4.04 years) of 4600 patients was conducted. Multivariable linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models were fitted for single and combined continuous thyroid markers [TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), FT3] and thyroid status.

Results

Cross-sectionally, the presence of low-FT3 syndrome showed a significant inverse association with eGFR and continuous FT3 levels alone showed a significant positive association with eGFR; in combination with FT4 and TSH, FT3 levels also showed a positive association and FT4 levels showed a negative association with eGFR. Prospectively, higher FT4 and lower FT3 levels were significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (Nevents = 297). Per picomole per litre higher FT3 levels the risk of reaching the composite renal endpoint was 0.73-fold lower (95% confidence interval 0.65–0.82; Nevents = 615). Compared with euthyroid patients, patients with low-FT3 syndrome had a 2.2-fold higher risk and patients with hypothyroidism had a 1.6-fold higher risk of experiencing the composite renal endpoint.

Conclusions

Patients with mild to moderate CKD suffering from thyroid function abnormalities are at an increased risk of adverse renal events and all-cause mortality over time.
Continued follow-up of the free margin running suture technique for mitral repair
Authors: Agnino Alfonso , Graniero Ascanio , Roscitano Claudio , Villari Nicola , Marvelli Antonino , Verhoye Jean-Philippe , Anselmi Amedeo
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES

The free margin running suture (FMRS) technique was recently proposed to treat complex degenerative mitral lesions. Limited follow-up data are available. We evaluated the midterm reliability of this technique and the associated mitral valve parameters using rest/stress echocardiography.

METHODS

One-hundred-eight consecutive patients at 2 European centres were included. Prospective follow-up was performed (266.1 patient-years, average duration 2.5 ± 2.5 years). Echocardiographic scans at rest were obtained for all patients at hospital discharge and at follow-up. Stress echocardiography was also performed in 17 patients.

RESULTS

There were no operative deaths. FMRS was performed through a right minithoracotomy in 86.1% of patients, with a robotic-assisted technique in 5.6% and through a sternotomy in 8.3%. Bileaflet disease was noted in 31.4%. One patient (0.9%) presented a 2+/4+ residual mitral regurgitation at discharge; lower-degree or no residual regurgitation was noted in the remaining patients. At the follow-up examination, 1 patient (0.9%) presented with a 2+/4+ mitral regurgitation. Coaptation length at discharge versus that at follow-up was 1.3 ± 0.2 vs 1.3 ± 0.1 cm (P = 0.13); the average transmitral gradient was 4.8 ± 1.5 vs 3.5 ± 0.9 mmHg (P < 0.001). In a subpopulation, follow-up echocardiography indicated that the average transmitral gradient at rest versus that at peak effort was 3.2 ± 0.7 vs 5.1 ± 1.3 mmHg (P < 0.001), with no appearance of significant mitral regurgitation and marginally significant increases in pulmonary artery systolic pressures (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Data indicate effectiveness and reproducibility of FMRS, with stability of valve function at midterm. FMRS was also associated with promising outcomes in diastolic performance both at rest and during exercise.
Guiding Principles on Shared Responsibility in International Law
Authors: Nollkaemper André , d’Aspremont Jean , Ahlborn Christiane , Boutin Berenice , Nedeski Nataša , Plakokefalos Ilias ,   collaboration of Dov Jacobs
Published: March 2020

It is common in international practice that several states and/or international organizations contribute together to the indivisible injury of a third party. Examples thereof are aplenty in relation to climate change and other environmental disasters, joint military activities and cooperative actions aimed at stemming migration. Such situations are hardly captured by the existing rules of the law of international responsibility. In particular, the work of the International Law Commission, which is widely considered to provide authoritative guidance for legal questions of international responsibility, has little to offer. As a result, it is often very difficult, according to the existing rules of the law of international responsibility, to share responsibility and apportion reparation between the states and/or international organizations that contribute together to the indivisible injury of a third party. The Guiding Principles on Shared Responsibility in International Law seek to provide guidance to judges, practitioners and researchers when confronted with legal questions of shared responsibility of states and international organizations for their contribution to an indivisible injury of third parties. The Guiding Principles identify the conditions of shared responsibility (including questions of multiple attribution of conduct), the consequences of shared responsibility (notably, the possibility of joint and several liability) and the modes of implementation of shared responsibility. The Guiding Principles are of an interpretive nature. They build on the existing rules of the law of international responsibility and sometimes offer novel interpretations thereof. They also expand on those existing rules, backed by authoritative practice and scholarship, to address complex questions of shared responsibility.
High-polyphenol extracts from Sorghum bicolor attenuate replication of Legionella pneumophila within RAW 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Gilchrist Aubrey K , Smolensky Dmitriy , Ngwaga Tshegofatso , Chauhan Deepika , Cox Sarah , Perumal Ramasamy , Noronha Leela E , Shames Stephanie R
Published: March 2020

Polyphenols derived from a variety of plants have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against diverse microbial pathogens. Legionella pneumophila is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that opportunistically causes a severe inflammatory pneumonia in humans, called Legionnaires’ Disease, via replication within macrophages. Previous studies demonstrated that tea polyphenols attenuate L. pneumophila intracellular replication within mouse macrophages via increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. Sorghum bicolor is a sustainable cereal crop that thrives in arid environments and is well-suited to continued production in warming climates. Sorghum polyphenols have anticancer and antioxidant properties, but their antimicrobial activity has not been evaluated. Here, we investigated the impact of sorghum polyphenols on L. pneumophila intracellular replication within RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Sorghum high-polyphenol extract (HPE) attenuated L. pneumophila intracellular replication in a dose-dependent manner but did not impair either bacterial replication in rich media or macrophage viability. Moreover, HPE treatment enhanced both TNF and IL-6 secretion from L. pneumophila infected macrophages. Thus, polyphenols derived from sorghum enhance macrophage restriction of L. pneumophila, likely via increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This work reveals commonalities between plant polyphenol-mediated antimicrobial activity and provides a foundation for future evaluation of sorghum as an antimicrobial agent.
A new weathering indicator from high-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in an Argon atmosphere
Authors: Liu Caicai , Wang Wei , Deng Chenglong
Published: March 2020

Environmental magnetism has become more and more popular because it is inexpensive, rapid and non-destructive. However, the environmental implication of traditional magnetic parameters is changed as the weathering intensity is contrasting. For example, magnetic susceptibility cannot be used as pedogenic index for strongly weathered red soils. Thermal magnetic measurement is a common way to identify magnetic minerals in rocks and sediments. Susceptibility enhancement after a 700 °C heating cycle in an argon atmosphere usually happened for various rocks and sediments. The increase is caused by formation of new magnetite from iron derived from paramagnetic iron-containing minerals. This is similar to pedogenesis or weathering process. The heating process in lab released the residual iron in weatherable iron-containing silicates which has not yet been depleted by contemporary pedogenesis or weathering. This residual iron can be quantified by the amount of susceptibility increase after a heating cycle. A negative correlation between the susceptibility increase after heating and the weathering intensity has been found in high-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of several sequences located in different climate zones. Results suggest that the degree of weathering can be estimated for intensely weathered red soils as well as for scarcely weathered loess using the amount of susceptibility change after a 700 °C heating cycle. This study provides new perspectives for developing new weathering and pedoclimate proxies using environmental magnetism.
3-D numerical modelling of crustal polydiapirs with volume-of-fluid methods
Authors: Louis-Napoléon Aurélie , Gerbault Muriel , Bonometti Thomas , Thieulot Cédric , Martin Roland , Vanderhaeghe Olivier
Published: March 2020

Gravitational instabilities exert a crucial role on the Earth dynamics and in particular on its differentiation. The Earth’s crust can be considered as a multilayered fluid with different densities and viscosities, which may become unstable in particular with variations in temperature. With the specific aim to quantify crustal scale polydiapiric instabilities, we test here two codes, JADIM and OpenFOAM, which use a volume-of-fluid (VOF) method without interface reconstruction, and compare them with the geodynamics community code ASPECT, which uses a tracking algorithm based on compositional fields. The VOF method is well-known to preserve strongly deforming interfaces. Both JADIM and OpenFOAM are first tested against documented two and three-layer Rayleigh–Taylor instability configurations in 2-D and 3-D. 2-D and 3-D results show diapiric growth rates that fit the analytical theory and are found to be slightly more accurate than those obtained with ASPECT. We subsequently compare the results from VOF simulations with previously published Rayleigh–Bénard analogue and numerical experiments. We show that the VOF method is a robust method adapted to the study of diapirism and convection in the Earth’s crust, although it is not computationally as fast as ASPECT. OpenFOAM is found to run faster than, and conserve mass as well as JADIM. Finally, we provide a preliminary application to the polydiapiric dynamics of the orogenic crust of Naxos Island (Greece) at about 16 Myr, and propose a two-stages scenario of convection and diapirism. The timing and dimensions of the modelled gravitational instabilities not only corroborate previous estimates of timing and dimensions associated to the dynamics of this hot crustal domain, but also bring preliminary insight on its rheological and tectonic contexts.
Mitochondrial genetic variation is enriched in G-quadruplex regions that stall DNA synthesis in vitro
Authors: Butler Thomas J , Estep Katrina N , Sommers Joshua A , Maul Robert W , Moore Ann Zenobia , Bandinelli Stefania , Cucca Francesco , Tuke Marcus A , Wood Andrew R , Bharti Sanjay Kumar , Bogenhagen Daniel F , Yakubovskaya Elena , Garcia-Diaz Miguel , Guilliam Thomas A , Byrd Alicia K , Raney Kevin D , Doherty Aidan J , Ferrucci Luigi , Schlessinger David , Ding Jun , Brosh Robert M
Published: March 2020

As the powerhouses of the eukaryotic cell, mitochondria must maintain their genomes which encode proteins essential for energy production. Mitochondria are characterized by guanine-rich DNA sequences that spontaneously form unusual three-dimensional structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4). G4 structures can be problematic for the essential processes of DNA replication and transcription because they deter normal progression of the enzymatic-driven processes. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that mitochondrial G4 is a source of mutagenesis leading to base-pair substitutions. Our computational analysis of 2757 individual genomes from two Italian population cohorts (SardiNIA and InCHIANTI) revealed a statistically significant enrichment of mitochondrial mutations within sequences corresponding to stable G4 DNA structures. Guided by the computational analysis results, we designed biochemical reconstitution experiments and demonstrated that DNA synthesis by two known mitochondrial DNA polymerases (Pol γ, PrimPol) in vitro was strongly blocked by representative stable G4 mitochondrial DNA structures, which could be overcome in a specific manner by the ATP-dependent G4-resolving helicase Pif1. However, error-prone DNA synthesis by PrimPol using the G4 template sequence persisted even in the presence of Pif1. Altogether, our results suggest that genetic variation is enriched in G-quadruplex regions that impede mitochondrial DNA replication.
The Natural History, Treatments, and Outcomes of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Naymagon Leonard , Tremblay Douglas , Zubizarreta Nicole , Moshier Erin , Naymagon Steven , Mascarenhas John , Schiano Thomas
Published: March 2020

Background

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a poorly described complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We sought to better characterize presentations, compare treatments, and assess outcomes in IBD-related PVT.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective investigation of IBD-related PVT at our institution. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios across treatments.

Results

Sixty-three patients with IBD-related PVT (26 with Crohn disease, 37 with ulcerative colitis) were followed for a median 21 months (interquartile ratio [IQR] = 9-52). Major risk factors included intra-abdominal surgery (60%), IBD flare (33%), and intra-abdominal infection (13%). Primary hematologic thrombophilias were rare and did not impact management. Presentations were generally nonspecific, and diagnosis was incidental. Ninety-two percent of patients (58/63) received anticoagulation (AC), including 23 who received direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), 22 who received warfarin, and 13 who received enoxaparin. All anticoagulated patients started AC within 3 days of diagnosis. Complete radiographic resolution (CRR) of PVT occurred in 71% of patients. We found that DOACs were associated with higher CRR rates (22/23; 96%) relative to warfarin (12/22; 55%): the hazard ratio of DOACs to warfarin was 4.04 (1.83-8.93; P = 0.0006)). Patients receiving DOACs required shorter courses of AC (median 3.9 months; IQR = 2.7-6.1) than those receiving warfarin (median 8.5 months; IQR = 3.9-NA; P = 0.0190). Incidence of gut ischemia (n = 3), symptomatic portal hypertension (n = 3), major bleeding (n = 4), and death (n = 2) were rare, and no patients receiving DOACs experienced these adverse outcomes.

Conclusions

We show that early and aggressive use of AC can lead to excellent outcomes in IBD-associated PVT and that DOACs are associated with particularly favorable outcomes in this setting.
Host-Range Shift Between Emerging P[8]-4 Rotavirus and Common P[8] and P[4] Strains
Authors: Khachou Amira , Le Moullac-Vaidye Béatrice , Peltier Cécile , Breiman Adrien , Imbert-Marcille Berthe-Marie , Ruvoen-Clouet Nathalie , Aouni Mahjoub , Mastouri Maha , Chouchane Slaheddine , Le Pendu Jacques
Published: March 2020

In Tunisia, we observed that rotavirus P[8]-3 and P[4] strains in young children with gastroenteritis associate with secretor histo-blood group phenotype. In contrast, the emerging P[8]-4 strain, representing 10% of cases, was exclusively found in nonsecretor patients. Unlike VP8* from P[8]-3 and P[4] strains, the P[8]-4 VP8* protein attached to glycans from saliva samples regardless of the donor’s secretor status. Interestingly, a high frequency of FUT2 enzyme deficiency (nonsecretor phenotype) was observed in the population. This may allow cocirculation of P[8]-3 and P[8]-4 strains in secretor and nonsecretor children, respectively.
Modification of the content of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid, chemical composition, and lipid nutritional indices in the meat of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fed alfalfa (Medicago sativa) pellets
Authors: Montenegro Luciano F , Descalzo Adriana M , Cunzolo Sebastián A , Pérez Carolina D
Published: March 2020

A 120-d feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) feeding on growth and chemical composition, fatty acid content, and nutritional and lipid indices of the meat of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Two experimental diets were used: alfalfa pellet (AP) diet and artificial grain diet (GD). Final weight, feed conversion rate, and protein efficiency ratio were significantly greater in the GD group (P < 0.05). However, no differences in the length and condition factor were observed. The composition of the meat differed between treatments. The protein content was significantly greater in the AP group (P < 0.05), while the lipid and cholesterol contents were significantly greater in the GD group (P < 0.05). A greater proportion of saturated, n-6 polyunsaturated, and n-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids was obtained in the GD group. The AP group accumulated a greater concentration of eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosapentaenoic (DPA), and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids (P < 0.05). The fatty acid composition of the meat determined a significant decrease in the thrombogenicity index and saturation index (S/P) in the AP group (P < 0.05). The Elongase index was greater in the GD group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the AP group had a greater index of Δ9 Desaturase and Δ5 + Δ6 Desaturase for n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (P < 0.05). These results suggest that alfalfa feeding decreases the growth of C. idella but improves the quality of meat by increasing the protein, EPA, and DHA contents. It also reduces cholesterol content and improves nutritional indices.
Integration and Disintegration: Trade and Labor Market Integration
Authors: Peters Margaret E
Published: March 2020

After World War II, the victors—the USA and the UK—created a liberal international order (LIO) based on integrating markets for goods and capital but not labor. The decision to remove barriers to trade in goods and capital flows have had profound effects on immigration. Trade has meant the closure of businesses in developed countries that rely on low-skill labor. When these firms closed, they took their support for low-skill immigration with them. The ability of capital to move intensified this trend: whereas once firms needed to bring labor to their capital, they can now take their capital to labor. Once these firms move, they have little incentive to fight for immigration at home. Finally, increased productivity, as both a product of and response to globalization, has meant that firms can do more with fewer workers, again decreasing demands for immigration. Together, these changes have led to less business support for immigration, allowing politicians to move to the right on immigration and pass restrictions to appease anti-immigration forces. The recent backlash to the LIO, then, has implicated the very flow—the movement of labor—that was never part of it.