bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert clinical pharmacological advice may make an antimicrobial TDM program for emerging candidates more clinically useful in tailoring therapy of critically ill patients
Authors: Gatti Milo , Cojutti Pier Giorgio , Bartoletti Michele , Tonetti Tommaso , Bianchini Amedeo , Ramirez Stefania , Pizzilli Giacinto , Ambretti Simone , Giannella Maddalena , Mancini Rita , Siniscalchi Antonio , Viale Pierluigi , Pea Federico
Published: June 2022

Background

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may represent an invaluable tool for optimizing antimicrobial therapy in septic patients, but extensive use is burdened by barriers. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a newly established expert clinical pharmacological advice (ECPA) program in improving the clinical usefulness of an already existing TDM program for emerging candidates in tailoring antimicrobial therapy among critically ill patients.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included an organizational phase (OP) and an assessment phase (AP). During the OP (January–June 2021), specific actions were organized by MD clinical pharmacologists together with bioanalytical experts, clinical engineers, and ICU clinicians. During the AP (July–December 2021), the impact of these actions in optimizing antimicrobial treatment of the critically ill patients was assessed. Four indicators of performance of the TDM-guided real-time ECPA program were identified [total TDM-guided ECPAs July–December 2021/total TDM results July–December 2020; total ECPA dosing adjustments/total delivered ECPAs both at first assessment and overall; and turnaround time (TAT) of ECPAs, defined as optimal (< 12 h), quasi-optimal (12–24 h), acceptable (24–48 h), suboptimal (> 48 h)].

Results

The OP allowed to implement new organizational procedures, to create a dedicated pathway in the intranet system, to offer educational webinars on clinical pharmacology of antimicrobials, and to establish a multidisciplinary team at the morning bedside ICU meeting. In the AP, a total of 640 ECPAs were provided for optimizing 261 courses of antimicrobial therapy in 166 critically ill patients. ECPAs concerned mainly piperacillin–tazobactam (41.8%) and meropenem (24.9%), and also other antimicrobials had ≥ 10 ECPAs (ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, ganciclovir, levofloxacin, and linezolid). Overall, the pre–post-increase in TDM activity was of 13.3-fold. TDM-guided dosing adjustments were recommended at first assessment in 61.7% of ECPAs (10.7% increases and 51.0% decreases), and overall in 45.0% of ECPAs (10.0% increases and 35.0% decreases). The overall median TAT was optimal (7.7 h) and that of each single agent was always optimal or quasi-optimal.

Conclusions

Multidisciplinary approach and timely expert interpretation of TDM results by MD Clinical Pharmacologists could represent cornerstones in improving the cost-effectiveness of an antimicrobial TDM program for emerging TDM candidates.
Targeted genetic and epigenetic profiling of esophageal adenocarcinomas and non-dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Pinto Rita , Hauge Tobias , Jeanmougin Marine , Pharo Heidi D. , Kresse Stine H. , Honne Hilde , Winge Sara B. , Five May-Britt , Kumar Theresa , Mala Tom , Hauge Truls , Johnson Egil , Lind Guro E.
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite the efforts to describe the molecular landscape of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor lesion Barrett’s esophagus (BE), discrepant findings are reported. Here, we investigated the prevalence of selected genetic (TP53 mutations and microsatellite instability (MSI) status) and epigenetic (DNA promoter hypermethylation of APC, CDKN2A, MGMT, TIMP3 and MLH1) modifications in a series of 19 non-dysplastic BE and 145 EAC samples. Additional biopsies from adjacent normal tissue were also evaluated. State-of-the-art methodologies and well-defined scoring criteria were applied in all molecular analyses.

Results

Overall, we confirmed frequent TP53 mutations among EAC (28%) in contrast to BE, which harbored no mutations. We demonstrated that MSI and MLH1 promoter hypermethylation are rare events, both in EAC and in BE. Our findings further support that APC, CDKN2A, MGMT and TIMP3 promoter hypermethylation is frequently seen in both lesions (21–89%), as well as in a subset of adjacent normal samples (up to 12%).

Conclusions

Our study further enlightens the molecular background of BE and EAC. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest studies addressing a targeted analysis of genetic and epigenetic modifications simultaneously across a combined series of non-dysplastic BE and EAC samples.
Effects of dry needling on muscle spasticity of the upper limb in a survivor of traumatic brain injury: a case report
Authors: Sedighimehr Najmeh , Zafarshamspour Saber , Sadeghi Mohammadhassan
Published: June 2022

Background

Survivors of moderate and severe traumatic brain injury typically present with spasticity, an upper motor neuron lesion associated with hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex due to disinhibition of cortical influences on spinal cord circuits and structural and functional changes in skeletal muscle. There is growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of dry needling in abating spasticity.

Case presentation

The present case aims to quantify the effects of dry needling on upper limb spastic muscles in a survivor of severe traumatic brain injury in a 27-year-old Iranian man. The treated muscles were biceps brachii, brachialis, flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, opponens pollicis, and adductor pollicis. Outcome measures were evaluated before and 1 hour after the intervention. Our results showed that the patient’s upper limb recovery stage and hand function improved one grade according to Brunnstrom recovery stages. Spasticity assessed using the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale in all movements showed one-grade abatement, except in the forearm pronator. Passive resistance force decreased in all movements except in forearm supination. Active range of motion and passive range of motion increased in all movements except in active and passive forearm supination. Hand dexterity improved in both affected and unaffected hands.

Conclusions

Results shown that dry needling could be a favorable option for reducing spasticity.
Vector textures derived from higher order derivative domains for classification of colorectal polyps
Authors: Cao Weiguo , Pomeroy Marc J. , Liang Zhengrong , Abbasi Almas F. , Pickhardt Perry J. , Lu Hongbing
Published: June 2022

Textures have become widely adopted as an essential tool for lesion detection and classification through analysis of the lesion heterogeneities. In this study, higher order derivative images are being employed to combat the challenge of the poor contrast across similar tissue types among certain imaging modalities. To make good use of the derivative information, a novel concept of vector texture is firstly introduced to construct and extract several types of polyp descriptors. Two widely used differential operators, i.e., the gradient operator and Hessian operator, are utilized to generate the first and second order derivative images. These derivative volumetric images are used to produce two angle-based and two vector-based (including both angle and magnitude) textures. Next, a vector-based co-occurrence matrix is proposed to extract texture features which are fed to a random forest classifier to perform polyp classifications. To evaluate the performance of our method, experiments are implemented over a private colorectal polyp dataset obtained from computed tomographic colonography. We compare our method with four existing state-of-the-art methods and find that our method can outperform those competing methods over 4%-13% evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves.
Role of MRI in diagnosis of prostate cancer and correlation of results with transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy “TRUS”
Authors: Ahmed Islam Hussien Abd Elaziz , Mohamed Ali Hassan Hend Galal Eldeen , Abo ElMaaty Mohamed El Gharib , ElDaisty El Metwally Shaima El Metwally
Published: June 2022

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in elderly men, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in developed countries. For a long time, TRUS is used in screening, diagnosis of prostate lesions. Recently the implementation of multi parametric MRI into a screening program currently seems to be the most promising technique to improve the early detection of prostate cancer.

Results

Thirty Patients were referred from urological outpatient clinics complaining of urological symptoms (dysuria, frequency and urine retention). The study was carried, and the patients were submitted to Ultrasonography, conventional magnetic resonance, diffusion weighted images and MR spectroscopy techniques, these results were correlated with histopathological data. In this study Conventional MRI has moderate sensitivity 81.8% and low specificity 37.3% in diagnosing prostate malignancy. Using of mpMRI combination of diffusion-weighted, Dynamic contrast enhanced and MR spectroscopic imaging is a promising approach for discriminating between benign and malignant lesions in the PZ and increase sensitivity 100% and specificity 96.6% in diagnosing prostate malignancy.

Conclusions

The standard for the definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer is trans-rectal ultrasound biopsy. However, TRUS guided biopsy has a significant sampling error and can miss up to 30% of cancers and may show underestimation of Gleason grade, especially in anteriorly located tumors. It may lead to an increase in complications. MRI has an essential role to play in making safer in diagnosis. It can aid in staging also and surgery or radiation treatment planning. Although T2W MRI has been used widely for diagnosis on the basis of its excellent soft tissue resolution, but its accuracy for the detection and localization of cancer prostate is unsatisfactory. The implementation of multi parametric MRI: MR spectroscopy, Dynamic contrast enhanced and diffusion weighted imaging into a diagnosis program improve the diagnostic performance. These advances are beginning to translate into better treatment selection and more accurate image-guided therapies. In addition, early detection of local recurrence.
Obesity and bariatric surgery in adults living with severe mental illness: perceptions and clinical challenges
Authors: Pressanto Carolina , Scholtz Samantha , Ali Nasteha
Published: June 2022

Overweight and obesity are twice as likely to develop in people living with severe mental illness (SMI), compared with those without. Many factors contribute to this, such as reduced physical activity and the use of certain medications that induce weight gain. Obesity contributes to the premature mortality seen in people living with SMI, as it is one of the fundamental risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option, although patients living with SMI might face stigma when being considered for surgical intervention. This article proposes a discussion around obesity and bariatric surgery in patients living with SMI. It will also reflect on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and patients living with SMI and obesity, when considering appropriate treatments for weight loss. The paper utilises a fictional case, informed by contributions from a lived experience author, to explore bariatric surgery in people living with SMI.
The Feedback and Noise of Hiroko Komatsu's Photographic Materialities
Authors: Prichard Franz
Published: June 2022

This article explores the dynamic forms of positive feedback found in Hiroko Komatsu's 2017 photography installation, The Execution of Personal Autonomy. This article details how Komatsu's installation generates an intensive interface among photographed materials and photochemical materialities that constitute a noise-like interface akin to the creative production of feedback in Noise music. As a redistribution of affective attunements that inhere within the urban landscape, this article discusses how Komatsu's photographic forms of feedback offer an evolving site for grasping, and potentially reimagining, the reproductive processes of capitalist society. Komatsu's photographic praxis reveals a novel understanding of photography's own role as a material and affective “infrastructure” critical to the reproductive relations of neoliberal and state capitalism.
When the Archive Becomes a Movement
Authors: Chang Haely
Published: June 2022

The History of Women in Korean Photography I exhibition, held at SeMA, Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, in Seoul, South Korea, from June 29 to September 26, 2021, sheds light on an overlooked history of Korean female photographers from the 1900s to the 1980s. The first section of the exhibition chronicles the emergence of female photographers at the dawn of the twentieth century through a timeline featuring women and a shelf with archival materials covering their works. The second section focuses on ten female photographers active during the 1980s. Although their activities were a part of a larger cultural “movement” of the era, the exhibited photographs suggest multiple readings of the term movement. The female photographers moved beyond the boundary of their nation by traveling abroad to expand their approaches to photography. Upon returning to Korea, they became part of a movement reconceptualizing postmodern photography. Lastly, the exhibition itself was a result of a curatorial movement, one which renders the categories of what can and cannot be reflected in histories of art malleable.
E-Health Applications and Data Protection: a comparison of selected European Union members’ national legal systems
Authors: Ferreira Tatiana
Published: June 2022

In a context of constant evolutions and digitalization of the world, the health industry is one of the most relevant areas of innovation, especially with the development of countless types of electronic health (e-health) applications such as electronic health records or health applications on mobile devices. Furthermore, as data is becoming increasingly valuable, patients’ health data, in particular, require the highest level of attention as it is vastly confidential and stored in massive amounts in e-health applications. Along with the development of new technologies, law is deemed to follow for regulating it. This implies that law must act as a protector for health data.Within the European Union, the issue of data protection has been dealt with by the European Commission notably through the General Data Protection Act (GDPR) in 2018, but it is each country’s responsibility to deal with new technologies in health, implement and apply data protection to health data.Thus, it is relevant to compare how European countries deal with health data managing issues in e-health applications from a legal perspective and evaluate how efficient they are. For the purpose of this research, only three types of health applications will be compared as a sample, including electronic health records, electronic prescriptions and mobile health applications.
STANDUP database of plantar foot thermal and RGB images for early ulcer detection
Authors: Bouallal Doha , Bougrine Asma , Harba Rachid , Canals Raphael , Douzi Hassan , Vilcahuaman Luis , Arbanil Hugo
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we provide details of a research database consisting of 415 multispectral images (thermal and RGB images) of plantar foot from healthy (125 images) and diabetic subjects (290 images). The healthy subjects were members of two research laboratories (PRISME in France and IRF-SIC in Morocco). The second group was composed of type II diabetic patients who participated in an acquisition campaign at the Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo in Lima, Peru, as part of a study on the early detection of ulcers in patients with diabetic foot. The purpose of this article is to describe the recruitment and acquisition protocols as well as the equipment used to help other units create similar databases. Our database was created in the context of the European STANDUP Horizon 2020 project #777661, in which eight scientific research entities and high-tech companies partnered.
Znaczenie i wartość w filozofii Johna McDowella i Barry’ego Strouda
Authors: Wawrzyniak Jan
Published: June 2022

The present book discusses John McDowell’s and Barry Stroud’s approaches to two questions: the question of the nature of linguistic meaning and the question of the nature of values. The author of this work juxtaposes these issues, as McDowell’s and Stroud’s analyses of both questions lead them to the same conclusion: that both linguistic meaning and values are not reducible to any more fundamental phenomena.
Technical Note—Data-Driven Newsvendor Problem: Performance of the Sample Average Approximation
Authors: Lin Meichun , Huh Woonghee Tim , Krishnan Harish , Uichanco Joline
Published: June 2022

Sample Average Approximation in Data-Driven Newsvendor

In the data-driven newsvendor problem, the manager makes sequential inventory decisions while learning the unknown demand distribution based on past demand samples. How does the widely used sample average approximation approach perform in this problem? In “Technical Note—Data-Driven Newsvendor Problem: Performance of the Sample Average Approximation,” Lin, Huh, Krishnan, and Uichanco analyze the performance of the sample average approximation as the time horizon grows, which turns out to be the best possible. The authors also examine how the local flatness of the demand distribution around the optimal order quantity affects the complexity of the problem. They show that the sample average approximation has the best achievable performance in terms of not only the time horizon, but also the local flatness of the demand distribution.
High rate of tibial debonding and failure in a popular knee replacement
Authors: Keohane David , Sheridan Gerard A. , Masterson Eric
Published: June 2022

Aims

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common and safe orthopaedic procedure. Zimmer Biomet's NexGen is the second most popular brand of implant used in the UK. The primary cause of revision after the first year is aseptic loosening. We present our experience of using this implant, with significant concerns around its performance with regards early aseptic loosening of the tibial component.

Methods

A retrospective, single-surgeon review was carried out of all of the NexGen Legacy Posterior Stabilized (LPS) TKAs performed in this institute. The specific model used for the index procedures was the NexGen Complete Knee System (Legacy Knee-Posterior Stabilized LPS-Flex Articular Surface, LPS-Flex Femoral Component Option, and Stemmed Nonaugmentable Tibial Component Option).

Results

Between 2013 and 2016, 352 NexGen TKAs were carried out on 331 patients. A total of 62 TKAs have been revised to date, giving an all-cause revision rate of 17.6% at a minimum of five years. Three of these revisions were due to infection. Overall, 59 of the revisions were performed for aseptic loosening (16.7%) of the tibial component. The tibial component was removed intraoperatively without instrumentation due to significant tibial debonding between the implant-cement interface.

Conclusion

While overall, we believe that early aseptic loosening is multi-factorial in nature, the significantly high aseptic revision rate, as seen by an experienced fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeon, has led us to believe that there is a fundamental issue with this NexGen implant design. Continued implant surveillance and rigorous review across all regions using this particular implant is warranted based on the concerning findings described here. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(6):495–501.
Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds of Blumea balsamifera leaf extracts from South Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: MASYUDI MASYUDI , HANAFIAH MUHAMMAD , RINIDAR RINIDAR , USMAN SAID , MARLINA MARLINA
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Masyudi, Hanafiah M, Rinidar, Usman S, Marlina. 2022. Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds of Blumea balsamifera leaf extracts from South Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1344-1352. Blumea balsamifera is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used worldwide. It is also known as Capa leaf in Aceh, Indonesia. B. balsamifera has been used by the local community for wound healing, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammation. However, there is no study so far attempting to identify the chemical compounds of B. balsamifera leaves from Aceh. The present study thus aimed to analyze the chemical compounds of B. balsamifera leaves from Aceh. In this study, the B. balsamifera leaves were collected from Gunongpulo village, South Aceh, Indonesia. The extraction process was performed using the maceration method. The active chemical compounds in the B. balsamifera leaf extracts with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol solvents were analyzed through phytochemical screening, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy Analysis and GC-MS. The results showed that B. balsamifera leaf extracts with ethanol and ethyl acetate solvents contain saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and steroids, identified through the phytochemical screening. Meanwhile, the extract of B. balsamifera leaves with n-hexane solvent was found to contain steroids, phenolics, and tannins. Twenty-four chemical compounds in the B. balsamifera leaf extract with ethanol were identified using GC-MS. Twenty-eight and twenty-seven chemical compounds were also identified in the B. balsamifera leaf extracts with ethyl acetate and n-hexane solvents, respectively. The most abundant compounds found in the B. balsamifera leaf extracts with ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane solvents were 2,5-Dimethoxyacetophenone (11.61%), Borneol (14.48%), and Jasmoline (14.32%), respectively. These compounds are members of the flavonoid group which are effective for antibacterial, anti-inflammation, and wound healing applications.
Diversity and carbon sequestration capacity of naturally growth vegetation in ex-nickel mining area in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: PURNOMO DANANG WAHYU , PRASETYO LILIK BUDI , WIDYATMOKO DIDIK , RUSHAYATI SITI BADRIYAH , SUPRIYATNA IKAR , YANI AKHMAD
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Purnomo DW, Prasetyo LB, Widyatmoko D, Rushayati SB, Supriyatna I, Yani A. 2022. Diversity and carbon sequestration capacity of naturally growth vegetation in ex-nickel mining area in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1433-1442. Efforts to restore forest integrity on ex-mining lands are essential to improve environmental quality and sequester carbon. One such effort is through revegetation of post-mined land including in ex-nickel mining in Southeast Sulawesi. This research analyzes the diversity of naturally regenerating plant species in the ex-nickel mining area in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi and determines several local tree species with the potential for carbon sequestration. Vegetation survey was conducted using a systematic nested sampling method at the post-mined site with three vegetation types: secondary forest, shrubs and bushes, and a reference/control site (i.e., natural forest in the nearby Lamedai Nature Reserve). Different types of vegetation were analyzed based on factors using Discriminant Analysis. Vegetation composition was analyzed using the Importance Value Index. Furthermore, biodiversity indicators were analyzed using Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Species Evenness Index, and Sorensen Similarity Index. Carbon absorption was measured using the leaf sample method and carbohydrate test. The results showed that the condition of the research site had been disturbed, and the succession process was still ongoing. The species diversity at all plant levels was classified as moderate category and the distribution of the community was unstable. At the tree level, the undisturbed areas had higher diversity. Eradication of Chromolaena odorata was needed to preserve the native vegetation and accelerate forest succession. Tree species recommended for restoring the ex-nickel mining area and carbon sequestration as core plants include Vitex glabrata R.Br., Alstonia macrophylla Wall. ex G.Don, Lithocarpus celebicus (Miq.) Rehder, Callicarpa pentandra Roxb., Dacryodes rugosa (Blume) H.J.Lam, Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson, Glochidion rubrum Blume, Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., and Psychotria calocarpa Ruiz & Pav., and other pioneer plants of Mallotus paniculatus (Lam.) Müll.Arg., Macaranga peltata (Roxb.) Müll.Arg., and Macaranga hispida (Blume) Müll.Arg.
Foliar stomata characteristics of tree species in a university green open space
Authors: SUSILOWATI ARIDA , NOVRIYANTI EKA , RACHMAT HENTI HENDALASTUTI , RANGKUTI AHMAD BAIQUNI , HARAHAP MOEHAR MARAGHIY , GINTING IDA MALLIA , KABAN NARA SISILIA , ISWANTO APRI HERI
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Susilowati A, Novriyanti E, Rachmat HH, Rangkuti AB, Harahap MM, Ginting IM, Kaban NS, Iswanto AH. 2022. Foliar stomata characteristics of tree species in a university green open space. Biodiversitas 23: 1482-1489. Stomata, a gas regulatory system of leaves, provide a great chance to investigate the interaction between plants and their environment. Stomata consist of surrounded by two guard cells. Stomata are found in all parts of the plant that are exposed to the air, especially the leaves. In identifying a plant species, it is necessary to have epidermal characteristics such as stomata to complete the taxonomic data. Several studies have been conducted on the type of stomata on the leaves of some dicotyledonous and monocot plants, but not many have reported similar studies on green space. Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) campus also plays an important function as green space (GS) in Medan City due to its richness in tree collection number and species. In line with the effort in o maximizing the role of trees as the core element of green space, exploring the characteristics of stomata is important to conduct. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the leaf stomata characteristics of several tree species in the green open space of the USU campus. A total of 83 tree species were taken for their leaves to investigate the stomata characters. Three healthy mature leaves on the lower part of newly grown branches were collected from each plant. The replica and the nail polish method were employed for stomata slice making. The stomata type, length, wide, density and distribution were observed. The result showed that 83 tree species in the USU campus have varied stomata types, with the percentage were highest characteristic found in paracytic (91.46%), followed by anomocytic (6.02%), anisocytic (1.20%), and diacytic (1.20%). The longest stomata were observed in Antidesma bunius (32.04 ????????). The widest stomata were noticed in Garcinia mangostana (37.62 ????????). Meanwhile, the shortest and narrowest stomata were found in Shorea laevis, which were 5.43 ???????? and 3.72 ????????, respectively. The species with the highest stomatal density was Schleichera oleosa (4294 mm-2). According to the study, the tree species at USU generally have high stomata density, length, and width, making them more suitable for green space. Species with a high number and density of stomata and a large size are much more likely to adsorb pollutants such as carbon monoxide.
Production and characterization of Imperata cylindrica paper using potassium hydroxide as pulping agent
Authors: Madung Zuliana , Soloi Sabrina , Abdul majid Mohd hafiz , SARJADI MOHD SANI
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Madung Z, Soloi S, Majid MHA, Sarjadi MS. 2022. Production and characterization of Imperata cylindrica paper using potassium hydroxide as pulping agent. Biodiversitas 23: 1490-1494. Non-woody plants have become an alternative fiber in paper production as woods, the primary sources of papers have become limited due to increasing demand of paper year by year. Imperata cylindrica or cogon grass as the source of fiber for the pulp and paper industry in replacing the wood fiber because it has high cellulose and low lignin content.  In this study, cogon grasses were treated with various concentrations of potassium hydroxide, KOH (5%, 8%, 10% and 12%). The effects of alkali treatment on the properties of the papers were investigated in the present study. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of the paper sheet indicates that the amount of cellulose fiber and other materials were lessening toward a higher concentration of KOH treatment. This explained that most of the lignin was entirely removed and some cellulose probably degraded at higher KOH concentrations. Fourier Transform Infa-Red (FTIR) analysis showed that the peaks at range 1650 cm-1-1630 cm-1 attributed to the presence of v(C=C) aromatic ring of lignin disappeared at 10% and 12% of KOH. The mechanical strength of the papers decreased with an increasing concentration of KOH, while 5% of KOH produced the highest value of tensile strength.
Type and size of pollen collected by Tetragonula laeviceps at various altitudes
Authors: Abbas Muachiroh , Sukarsa Sukarsa
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Abbas M, Sukarsa. 2022. Type and size of pollen collected by Tetragonula laeviceps at various altitudes. Biodiversitas 23: 1567-1575. Pollen’s type and size are affected by altitude. No study about pollen types and sizes collected Tetragonula laeviceps at various altitudes in Banyumas District, Central Java, Indonesia. This study was aimed to analyze pollen types and sizes collected at various altitudes in Banyumas District. The pollen samples were collected using a random sampling technique at each altitude, namely 46.7 m asl, 317 m asl, and 912 m asl. The pollen samples were collected from flowers around and inside the nest, then prepared using acetolysis. The parameters include pollen morphology, pollen’s polar (P) diameter, and the pollen's equatorial (E) diameter. The morphological characteristics and pollen diameter were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance. Pollens’ type was not affected by altitudes. However, pollen’s diameter was significantly different among altitudes, with the largest pollen size was observed at the highest altitude and the smallest were observed at the lowest altitude. The data are vital for meliponid culture at various altitudes.
Species density and morphometric variation of species belonging to Conus (Gastropoda: Conidae) genera in the coastal waters of Ambon Island, Indonesia
Authors: TEBIARY LILIAN ANGRIANI , LEIWAKABESSY FREDY , RUMAHLATU DOMINGGUS
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Tebiary LA, Leiwakabessy F, Rumahlatu D. 2022. Species density and morphometric variation of species belonging to Conus (Gastropoda: Conidae) genera in the coastal waters of Ambon Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1664-1676. Genus Conus Linnaeus, 1758 belongs to the class Gastropods, order Neogastropoda, family Conidae, and its presence in marine ecosystem is influenced by multiple environmental factors. Therefore, this study aims to determine the density and morphometric variations of Conus species in the coastal waters of Ambon Island, Indonesia. This study was carried out from March-April 2021 using the purposive sampling method. The environmental parameters: temperature, salinity, pH, and DO of seawater were measured in-situ, the Conus species were identified at the Central Marine Research Laboratory, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Ambon, Indonesia while the density data and morphometric variation were determined quantitatively. The results of environmental physico-chemical parameters showed varying values; temperatures ranged from 25.00-29.50oC, salinity 34.00-35.00‰, pH 6.00-7.53, and dissolved oxygen (DO) 4.00-8.00 mg/L. Meanwhile, 7 Conus species was recorded with the density ranging from C. ebraeus with 0.16-0.18 ind/m2, C. rattus, C. sponsalis, and C. lividus ranging from 0.13-0.11 ind/m2, C. monachus, C. muriculatus, and C. coronatus ranging from 0.10 ind/m2. The results of morphometric measurements including shell length (SL), width (SW), thickness (ST), spire height (SH), shell aperture length (SAL), and aperture width (SAW) showed varying values, while the regression analysis results showed that there was a varied relationship between environmental physicochemical parameters and morphometric variations in Conus species. Furthermore, the physico-chemical parameters such as temperature and DO provided the most effective contribution to all morphometric variables.
The growth and yield responses of two bean cultivars to organic and inorganic nitrogen sources
Authors: PANGARIBUAN DARWIN H. , ERMAWATI ERMAWATI , SURYANI NI MADE WIDI , MARIA WAHYU SARA
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Pangaribuan DH, Ermawati, Suryani NMW, Maria WS. 2022. The growth and yield responses of two bean cultivars to organic and inorganic nitrogen sources. Biodiversitas 23: 1677-1682.The productivity of beans is increased by selecting the best cultivar and applying fertilizers according to the needs of the plant. In addition,the application of high-yielding cultivar and N fertilizers with the right dosage could be used to increase the yield. Therefore, the objective of thisstudy is to determine the effect of nitrogensources on the growth and yieldof two bean cultivars. A5×2 factorial treatment was usedin a randomized block design with three replications. The first factor is the Perkasa and Lebat-3 cultivar, the second is organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, namely control, urea 100kgha-1, as well as 10, 20, and 30% concentrationsof liquid organic fertilizer from leucaena leaves. The results showed that the use of liquid organic fertilizers derived from leucaena could be used as an alternative to nitrogenfertilization. Furthermore,the 20% concentrationtreatment producedthe highest number of trifoliate leaves (8.81 leaves) and dry weight (4.52 g). Based on the results,the use of 20% liquid organic fertilizer withPerkasa cultivar showed the best effect on the number of pods per plant (13.38),and yield(846.67 kg ha-1). The technology of liquid organic fertilizers from leucaena leaves could be recommended for bean organic production.
Vetiver root cohesion at different growth sites in Bogor, Indonesia
Authors: FATA YULIA AMIRUL , HENDRAYANTO HENDRAYANTO , ERIZAL ERIZAL , TARIGAN SURIA DARMA , WIBOWO CAHYO
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Fata YA, Hendrayanto, Erizal, Tarigan SD, Wibowo C. 2022. Vetiver root cohesion at different growth sites in Bogor, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1683-1692.The plant root system, including the root system of vetiver grass, plays a critical role in enhancing soil cohesion, shear strength, and vegetated slope stability. Numerous studies on mechanical reinforcement of vetiver grass-roots have been conducted, with the majority of studies focusing on ground-planted vetiver with good maintainedor naturally grown vetiver, while mechanical reinforcement of vetiver grass roots planted in landslide areas at various growth sites with less maintenance is still uncommon.The purpose of this study was to examine the vetiver grass-roots cohesion that grew in the different growth sites that had been affected by landslides. Vetiver grass root samples were collected in January 2021, at the age of 8 months. Vetiver grass roots were collected from vetiver plants growing in the affected landslide areas of (a) bareland, (b) shrubland, and (c) bushland. The root tensile strength of root samples was determined using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) with a capacity of 3 tons, and the measurement accuracy of the load cell was 1/10000. The test was conducted in accordance with ASTM D638-14 guidelines. Three repetitions were performed on roots representing the root length class of 10 cm. The results indicated that the growth sites influenced the morphological and architectural properties of the vetiver grass-roots. The vetiver grass that grew in bushland exhibited a higher root density than bareland or shrubland. The roots were denser and had a greater range of lengths. Short roots less than 10 cm in length were the most prevalent, and the majority of them were found near the soil surface. The greater the soil depth, the less the quantity of roots.The tensile strength (TR) tends to get smaller with longer roots, and vetiver grass rootsgrew in bareland have the highestTR(15-59 MPa) relative to their growth in bushland (9-37 MPa) and shrubland (16-29 MPa). The ratio of root fiber area to root growth area (RAR) also tends to get smaller with deeper roots. Likewise, is the tensile strength increasing caused by roots (tR) and root cohesion (CR) which are a function of RAR. The CR??of vetiver roots growing in bushland (0.015-0.275 kPa) were relatively higher than those growing in bareland (0.02-0.168 kPa) and shrubland (0.002-0.028 kPa) in the same root length class, at the same depth.
Several local food plants with the potential as hosts for Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Nelly Novri , Hamid Hasmiandy , Lina Eka Candra , Yunisman Yunisman , Hidrayani Hidrayani , Sari Dwi Monica Widya
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Nelly N, Hamid H, Lina EC, Yunisman, Hidrayani, Widyasari DM. 2022. Several local food plants with the potential as hosts for Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Biodiversitas 23: 1693-1699. Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) or abbreviated as FAW is a major invasive pest of corn crops in America, its native country. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of several plant types as hosts on FAW biology and reproduction. It was conducted at the Insect Bioecology Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Andalas University using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 4 replications. The FAW larvae from the field were fed with different plant leaves, namely corn (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), soybeans (Glycine max), and reared until the second generation. Meanwhile, the larvae in the second generation were used as test insects with different feed treatments. Observations were made on the morphology and life parameters of FAW, including the length of the stadia, egg, larvae, pupae, and adult, as well as the laying time and pattern, with the number of eggs produced. The results showed that there were no morphological differences in S. frugiperda, except for the size. Moreover, the body size of the adult-derived from larvae fed with soybean leaves, namely 25.95 mm, was the smallest compared to corn and rice, while the shortest time for larvae development from instar I to VI was obtained with corn leaf feed for 13.55 days. The life span of females derived from larvae fed on soybean leaves was shorter than the others. Larvae fed on soybeans, female life span was 26.00, rice was 34.00 and corn was 31.44 days. Adult females of larvae given soybean leaves produced the highest number of eggs (879.44 eggs) compared to rice (505.00 eggs) and maize (546.33 eggs). Local food crops other than corn, namely rice and soybeans, can be potential hosts for S. frugiperda.
Local approaches to climate-sensitive peacebuilding: lessons from Afghanistan
Authors: Abdenur Adriana E. , Tripathi Siddharth
Published: June 2022

Since the early 2010s, academic and policy debates about the interlinkages between climate and security have expanded and deepened. Climate is now widely acknowledged to magnify security risks especially in conflict or post-conflict contexts. This relationship is viewed as complex, dynamic and indirect, involving a wide range of intermediate variables. However, this discussion – and hence, related policy efforts – have tended to occur at highly aggregate levels of analysis, especially national, regional and global ones. Instead, this paper addresses climate-sensitive peacebuilding at the local level. What does local climate-sensitive peacebuilding look like on the ground? What are the promising areas for research and policy responses in fragile and conflict-affected settings? After offering a broad overview of climate-sensitive peacebuilding, we focus on the case of Afghanistan, drawing on specific examples that were in place prior to the 2021 return to power of the Taliban. We find that the traditional Western approach in the country – top-down, focused on hard security rather than human security and highly state-centric – tends to ignore the impacts of climate change. In addition, the dominant security paradigm overlooks the potential of local peacebuilding initiatives that address adaptation and resilience. We argue that climate-sensitive peacebuilding offers a bottom-up alternative to addressing the intersection of these risks in conflict-affected settings.
Photonic Moiré lattice waveguide with a large slow light bandwidth and delay-bandwidth product
Authors: Nasidi Ibrahim , Hao Ran , Chen Jun , Li Erping , Jin ShangZhong
Published: June 2022

We proposed an effective approach to enlarge the slow light bandwidth and normalized-delay-bandwidth product in an optimized moiré lattice-based photonic crystal waveguide that exhibits intrinsic mid-band characteristics. A flatband corresponding to a nearly constant group index of 34 over a wide bandwidth of 82 nm centered at 1550 nm with near-zero group velocity dispersion was achieved. A large normalized-delay-bandwidth product of 0.5712 with a relative dispersion of 0.114%/µm was obtained, which is a significant improvement if compared with previous results. Our results indicate that the photonic moiré lattice waveguide could advance slow light applications.
Climate variability and Aedes vector indices in the southern Philippines: An empirical analysis
Authors: Murphy Amanda K. , Salazar Ferdinand V. , Bonsato Ryan , Uy Gemma , Ebol Antonietta P. , Boholst Royfrextopher P. , Davis Callan , Frentiu Francesca D. , Bambrick Hilary , Devine Gregor J. , Hu Wenbiao
Published: June 2022

Background

Vector surveillance is an essential public health tool to aid in the prediction and prevention of mosquito borne diseases. This study compared spatial and temporal trends of vector surveillance indices for Aedes vectors in the southern Philippines, and assessed potential links between vector indices and climate factors.

Methods

We analysed routinely collected larval and pupal surveillance data from residential areas of 14 cities and 51 municipalities during 2013–2018 (House, Container, Breteau and Pupal Indices), and used linear regression to explore potential relationships between vector indices and climate variables (minimum temperature, maximum temperature and precipitation).

Results

We found substantial spatial and temporal variation in monthly Aedes vector indices between cities during the study period, and no seasonal trend apparent. The House (HI), Container (CI) and Breteau (BI) Indices remained at comparable levels across most surveys (mean HI = 15, mean CI = 16, mean BI = 24), while the Pupal Productivity Index (PPI) was relatively lower in most months (usually below 5) except for two main peak periods (mean = 49 overall). A small proportion of locations recorded high values across all entomological indices in multiple surveys. Each of the vector indices were significantly correlated with one or more climate variables when matched to data from the same month or the previous 1 or 2 months, although the effect sizes were small. Significant associations were identified between minimum temperature and HI, CI and BI in the same month (R2 = 0.038, p = 0.007; R2 = 0.029, p = 0.018; and R2 = 0.034, p = 0.011, respectively), maximum temperature and PPI with a 2-month lag (R2 = 0.031, p = 0.032), and precipitation and HI in the same month (R2 = 0.023, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that larval and pupal surveillance indices were highly variable, were regularly above the threshold for triggering vector control responses, and that vector indices based on household surveys were weakly yet significantly correlated with city-level climate variables. We suggest that more detailed spatial and temporal analyses of entomological, climate, socio-environmental and Aedes-borne disease incidence data are necessary to ascertain the most effective use of entomological indices in guiding vector control responses, and reduction of human disease risk.
Senna makki and other active phytochemicals: Myths and realities behind covid19 therapeutic interventions
Authors: Zaman Naila , Parvaiz Nousheen , Farid Rabia , Navid Afifa , Abbas Ghulam , Azam Syed Sikander
Published: June 2022

This study aims to investigate the binding potential of chemical compounds of Senna in comparison with the experimentally tested active phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2 protein targets to assist in prevention of infection by exploring multiple treatment options. The entire set of phytochemicals from both the groups were subjected to advanced computational analysis that explored functional molecular descriptors from a set of known medicinal-based active therapeutics followed by MD simulations on multiple SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. Our findings manifest the importance of hydrophobic substituents in chemical structures of potential inhibitors through cross-validation with the FDA-approved anti-3CLpro drugs. Noteworthy improvement in end-point binding free energies and pharmacokinetic profiles of the proposed compounds was perceived in comparison to the control drug, vizimpro. Moreover, the identification of common drug targets namely; AKT1, PTGS1, TNF, and DPP4 between proposed active phytochemicals and Covid19 using network pharmacological analysis further substantiate the importance of medicinal scaffolds. The structural dynamics and binding affinities of phytochemical compounds xanthoangelol_E, hesperetin, and beta-sitosterol reported as highly potential against 3CLpro in cell-based and cell-free assays are consistent with the computational analysis. Whereas, the secondary metabolites such as sennosides A, B, C, D present in higher amount in Senna exhibited weak binding affinity and instability against the spike protein, helicase nsp13, RdRp nsp12, and 3CLpro. In conclusion, the results contravene fallacious efficacy claims of Senna tea interventions circulating on electronic/social media as Covid19 cure; thus emphasizing the importance of well-examined standardized data of the natural products in hand; thereby preventing unnecessary deaths under pandemic hit situations worldwide.
Weiszfeld, tree-seed, and whale optimization algorithms comparison via locating transportation facilities with weightings considering the vulnerability and uncertainty
Authors: Demir Emre
Published: June 2022

Searching for an optimum transportation facility location with emergency equipment and staff is essential for a specific region or a country. In this direction, this study addresses the following problems. First, the performances of the Weiszfeld, tree–seed, and whale optimization algorithms are compared, which is the first of its kind in the literature. Second, a new approach that tests the importance parameters’ effectiveness in searching for an optimum transportation facility location with emergency equipment and staff is proposed. The Weiszfeld algorithm finds viable solutions with compact data, but it may not handle big data. In contrast, the flexibility of the tree–seed and whale optimization algorithm is literally an advantage when the number of parameters and variables increases. Therefore, there is a notable need to directly compare those algorithms’ performances. If we do, the significance of extending the number of parameters with multiple weightings is appraised. According to the results, the Weiszfeld algorithm can be an almost flexible technique in continuous networks; however, it has reasonable drawbacks with discrete networks, while the tree–seed and whale optimization algorithms fit such conditions. On the other hand, these three methods do not show a fluctuating performance compared to one another based on the locating transportation facilities, and thus they deliver similar performance. Besides, although the value of accuracy is high with the application of the conventional technique Weiszfeld algorithm, it does not provide a significant performance accuracy advantage over the meta-heuristic methods.