bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postexposure Smallpox Vaccines - Can We Extend the Therapeutic Window?
Authors: Melamed Sharon , Israely Tomer , Paran Nir
Published: December 2017

Declaration of smallpox eradication by the WHO on 1980 led to discontinuation of the world-wide vaccination campaign. The increasing percentage of unvaccinated individuals, the existence of its causative infectious agent variola virus (VARV) and the recent synthetic achievements, increases the threat of intentional or accidental release and reemergence of smallpox. Control of smallpox would require an emergency vaccination campaign as no other protective measure has been approved to achieve eradication and ensure world-wide protection. Experimental data in surrogate animal models support the assumption, based on anecdotal, uncontrolled historical data, that vaccination up to 4 days postexposure, confers effective protection. The long incubation period and the uncertainty of the exposure status in the surrounding population calls for the development and evaluation of safe and effective methods that would allow to extend the therapeutic window and to reduce the disease manifestations and vaccine adverse reactions. To achieve these goals, we need to evaluate the efficacy of novel and already licensed vaccines as a sole treatment or in conjunction with immune modulators and antiviral drugs. In this review, we address the available data, recent achievements and open questions.
The Radiofrequency NMR Spectra of Lithium Salts in Water; Reevaluation of Nuclear Magnetic Moments for 6Li and 7Li Nuclei
Authors: Makulski Włodzimierz
Published: December 2017

The LiCl and LiNO3 water solutions in the presence of small amounts of 3-helium have been investigated by means of multinuclear resonance spectroscopy. The resulting concentration dependences of the 3He, 6,7Li+, 14NO3¯ and 35Cl¯ resonance radiofrequencies are reported in the infinite limit. This data along with new theoretical corrections of shielding lithium ions was analyzed by a known NMR relationship method. Consequently, the nuclear magnetic moments of 6Li and 7Li were established against that of the helium-3 dipole moment: μ(6Li)=+0.822046(5)μN and μ(7Li)=+3.256418(20)μN. The new results were shown to be very close to the previously obtained values of the (ABMR) atomic beam magnetic resonance method. This experiment proves that our helium method is well suited for establishing dipole moments from NMR measurements performed in water solutions. This technique is especially valuable when gaseous substances of the needed element are not available. All shielding constants of species present in water solutions are consistent with new nuclear magnetic moments and these taken as a reference. Both techniques – NMR and ABMR – give practically the same results providing that all shielding corrections are properly made.
Analysis of the Temperature Changes in the Aburrá Valley Between 1995 and 2015 and Modeling Based on Urban, Meteorological and Energetic Parameters
Authors: Posada Enrique , Cadavid Andrea
Published: December 2017

There is a perception among the inhabitants of the Aburrá Valley Region, that this heavily populated region, situated in the Andean mountains of Colombia, has been suffering large temperature raises in the last years, especially in the last decade. To give perspective about this issue, the authors have gone through the available information about temperature changes in three meteorological stations in the region and have correlated it with a set of variables of urban, climatic and energetic nature, with the intention of developing an approximate model to understand the temperature changes. Changes in the mean temperature, based on the linear tendencies, were estimated on 0.47ºC for the 20 years between 1995 and 2015; 60% of change was found to be related to local human activities and 40% was attributed to the impact of global warming.
Incidência de neoplasias malignas orais nas regiões brasileiras e capitais do Nordeste
Authors: Freire Julliana Cariry Palhano , Oliveira Carla Ramos de , Câmara Amanda de Oliveira , Valença Ana Maria Gondim , Santiago Bianca Marques
Published: December 2017

Introdução: O câncer oral é um problema de saúde pública e apresenta altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. Objetivo: Este estudo analisou a incidência de câncer bucal, segundo sexo, nas regiões brasileiras (2000-2013) e capitais nordestinas (2001-2013). Metodologia: Utilizou-se abordagem indutiva com procedimento comparativo-estatístico por meio de técnica de documentação indireta. Os dados foram obtidos mediante consulta ao DATASUS e analisados através de estatística descritiva e inferencial (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA e Tuckey p-valor<0,05). Resultados: A média de incidência do câncer bucal no sexo masculino nas regiões foi de 8,30 (±4,90) e 8,54 (±3,72) nas capitais do NE. Para as mulheres, a incidência foi de 2,93 (±1,51) e 3,69 (±1,71), nas regiões e capitais nordestinas respectivamente. O sexo masculino foi o mais acometido pelo câncer bucal. O Sudeste obteve os maiores valores de incidência, sendo estatisticamente superiores às demais regiões, e o Norte demonstrou ser estatisticamente inferior a todas as regiões. O Nordeste obteve taxa semelhante ao Centro-Oeste. Para o sexo masculino, Salvador foi estatisticamente superior às demais capitais, exceto para Natal e Recife. São Luiz apresentou-se estatisticamente inferior a todas as capitais, exceto para Teresina e Fortaleza. Para as mulheres, Natal mostrou-se estatisticamente superior a todas as capitais, exceto para Salvador. Conclusão: No Brasil, a incidência de câncer bucal difere substancialmente nas diferentes regiões e capitais nordestinas, assim como, entre os sexos.Descritores: Neoplasias Bucais; Indicadores; Saúde Pública.
CQESTR‐Simulated Response of Soil Organic Carbon to Management, Yield, and Climate Change in the Northern Great Plains Region
Authors: Nash P. R. , Gollany H. T. , Sainju U. M.
Published: December 2017

Traditional dryland crop management includes fallow and intensive tillage, which have reduced soil organic carbon (SOC) over the past century, raising concerns regarding soil health and sustainability. The objectives of this study were: (i) to use CQESTR, a process‐based C model, to simulate SOC dynamics from 2006 to 2011 and to predict relative SOC trends in cropping sequences that included barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and fallow under conventional tillage or no‐till, and N fertilization rates through 2045; and (ii) to identify best dryland cropping systems to increase SOC and reduce CO2 emissions under projected climate change in eastern Montana. Cropping sequences were conventional‐till barley–fallow (CTB‐F), no‐till barley–fallow (NTB‐F), no‐till continuous barley (NTCB), and no‐till barley–pea (NTB‐P), with 0 and 80 kg N ha−1 applied to barley. Under current crop production, climatic conditions, and averaged N rates, SOC at the 0‐ to 10‐cm depth was predicted to increase by 1.74, 1.79, 2.96, and 4.57 Mg C ha−1 by 2045 for CTB‐F, NTB‐F, NTB‐P, and NTCB, respectively. When projected climate change and the current positive US barley yield trend were accounted for in the simulations, SOC accretion was projected to increase by 0.69 to 0.92 Mg C ha−1 and 0.41 to 0.47 Mg C ha−1, respectively. According to the model simulations, adoption of NT, elimination of fallow years, and N fertilizer management will likely have the greatest impact on SOC stocks in the top soil as of 2045 in the Northern Great Plains.

Core Ideas

Estimates of management impact on SOC are needed for the Northern Great Plains region.

CQESTR simulated measured SOC well, even with high temporal and spatial variability.

Continuous cropping and anticipated climate change increased SOC stocks through 2045.

Maintaining barley yield was predicted to reverse the trend in SOC loss through 2045.
Scale Effects on Plot Runoff and Soil Erosion in a Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Bagarello V. , Ferro V.
Published: December 2017

Core Ideas

Explaining plot‐scale effects improves our understanding of hydrological processes.

Scale effects for sediment concentration and runoff differed at the Sparacia site.

Establishing factors responsible for scale effects needs additional investigation.

Explaining scale effects for runoff and erosion improves our understanding of hydrological and erosion processes. In this investigation, plot‐scale effects on event runoff per unit area, Qe, sediment concentration, Ce, and soil loss per unit area, SLe, were checked at the Sparacia (Italy) site. Similar information on the scale effects was obtained with different dependent variables, i.e., individual values of Qe, Ce, and SLe for each plot or the mean of their replicated values, and scale indicators, i.e., plot length, l, or plot area, A. The most common result, occurring for 57 to 62% of the events depending on the considered variable, was the lack of any scale effect. When scale effects were detected, they indicated that longer plot lengths yielded smaller Qe and SLe values and larger Ce values. Scale effects were more variable for erosion than runoff. Rainfall characteristics did not explain the occurrence of significant scale effects nor were they able to describe changes in the scaling exponent for Ce and SLe. However, there was some sign that scale effects for plot runoff decreased as rainfall amount or its erosivity increased. The collected data were not always sufficient to support the description of scale effects by the theoretically based power relationship. Additional investigations on plot‐scale effects are advisable to both explain with more confidence what factors control the response of plots differing in length and establish the most appropriate way to summarize the data.
Flow Resistance in Step‐Pool Rills
Authors: Di Stefano Costanza , Ferro Vito , Palmeri Vincenzo , Pampalone Vincenzo
Published: December 2017

Core Ideas

A new theoretical flow resistance equation is proposed for step‐pool rills.

In step‐pool rills, total resistance is higher than grain resistance in rill flows.

Step pools in rills do not form as antidunes.

Rills evolve morphologically, and the adjustment of rill channel geometry to flow affects the relationships among velocity, discharge, and slope. The resistance to flow in step‐pool rills is mainly due to form‐induced mechanisms and, in comparison, grain resistance is of minor significance. Previous studies on rill flow resistance have been performed exclusively for grain‐resistance conditions and use a stream flow equation. In this study, a new flow resistance equation, deduced by applying dimensional analysis and self‐similarity theory, was applied to rill flow in step‐pool channels. First, the incomplete self‐similarity hypothesis was used for establishing a power flow velocity profile whose integration gives the theoretical expression of the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor. Then the deduced theoretical resistance equation was tested by measurements of flow velocity, water depth, channel width, and bed slope performed in 49 reaches of some rills having a step‐pool bed. A relationship between the velocity profile, the channel slope, and the flow Froude number was established. The analysis showed that the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor can be accurately estimated by the proposed theoretical approach based on a power‐velocity profile. The Darcy–Weisbach friction factor values related to rills with step‐pool sequences, on average, are higher than those related to rills without step pools, signifying that rills where step‐pool sequences occur are characterized by a total resistance (grain and morphological) that is higher than grain resistance. Finally, this investigation showed that step pools that maximize flow resistance may develop at Froude numbers below the range at which step pools may form as antidunes.
RUMD: A general purpose molecular dynamics package optimized to utilize GPU hardware down to a few thousand particles
Authors: Bailey Nicholas , Ingebrigtsen Trond , Hansen Jesper Schmidt , Veldhorst Arno , Bøhling Lasse , Lemarchand Claire , Olsen Andreas , Bacher Andreas , Costigliola Lorenzo , Pedersen Ulf , Larsen Heine , Dyre Jeppe , Schrøder Thomas
Published: December 2017

RUMD is a general purpose, high-performance molecular dynamics (MD)
simulation package running on graphical processing units (GPU’s). RUMD
addresses the challenge of utilizing the many-core nature of modern GPU
hardware when simulating small to medium system sizes (roughly from a
few thousand up to hundred thousand particles). It has a performance
that is comparable to other GPU-MD codes at large system sizes and
substantially better at smaller sizes. RUMD is open-source and consists
of a library written in C++ and the CUDA extension to C, an easy-to-use
Python interface, and a set of tools for set-up and post-simulation data
analysis. The paper describes RUMD’s main features, optimizations and
performance benchmarks.
Disorders of Mechanisms of Calcium Metabolism Control as Potential Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Skrajnowska Dorota , Bobrowska-Korczak Barbara , Tokarz Andrzej
Published: December 2017

Prostate cancer significantly affects the overall morbidity and mortality of malignant
tumours in highly developed countries. Important risk factors include family predisposition
and regional, racial and dietary determinants. The scientific literature contains
a great deal of data on the role of calcium and dairy products in general in the process of
neoplastic transformation of the prostate. This is most likely linked to the fact that
changes in the concentration of calcium ions control such varied life processes as secretion
of hormones and neurotransmitters, the level of cyclic nucleotides, and cell growth,
division and differentiation. Research is conducted to demonstrate that disorders of cell
cycle control due to differences in calcium ion concentrations may be crucial for the development
and prevention of cancer.

Disturbances of calcium homeostasis in the body can be caused by various mechanisms,
such as excessive calcium intake in the diet, vitamin D deficiency, structural and functional
changes in vitamin D receptor (VDR), Calcium-Sensing Receptor (CaSR), and
parathyroid hormone receptor (PTH-1-R), changes in calcium ion channels, phosphate
metabolism disorders (phosphatonin and the Klotho protein), changes in the level of parathyroid
hormone-related protein (PTHrP), and others.

The article presents data on the mechanisms maintaining calcium homeostasis at the molecular
level and genetic aspects playing a role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.

The data cited on the occurrence of abnormal mechanisms of calcium metabolism in prostate
cancer suggest the need for individualized intake of this element in the diet, especially
in the case of patients with a family history of PCa.
mazE Antitoxin of Toxin Antitoxin System and fbpA as Reliable Targets to Eradication of Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Maleki Abbas , Ghafourian Sobhan , Pakzad Iraj , Badakhsh Behzad , Sadeghifard Nourkhoda
Published: December 2017

Background:

Neisseria meningitidis is considered as a dangerous pathogen threatening human health.
Nowadays, the new drug target is focused. Toxin antitoxin (TA) system is recently identified as an antimicrobial
drug target. Also, in N. meningitidis, iron-uptake system could be an interesting target for drug discovery.

Methods:

In this study, fbpA and mazE genes were chosen as new antimicrobial targets and treated with antisense
peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Firstly, they were evaluated by bioinformatics and then analyzed by experimental
procedures. Secondly, the functionality was evaluated by stress conditions.

Results:

Our results interestingly demonstrated that when fbpA and mazE loci of N. meningitidis were targeted by
antisense PNA, 8 µM concentration of fbpA-PNA as well as 30 µM concentration of mazE-PNA inhibited the
growth of N. meningitides and were found to be bacteriostatic, whereas 10 μM concentration of fbpA-PNA
showed bacteriocidal activity.

Conclusion:

Our findings demonstrated the bactriocidal activity of fbpA-PNA and bacteriostatic activity of mazEPNA.
Therefore, mazE and fbpA genes should be potent antimicrobial targets but further analysis including in
vivo analysis should be performed.
Diet and Brain Health: Which Role for Polyphenols?
Authors: Castelli Vanessa , Grassi Davide , Bocale Raffaella , d'Angelo Michele , Antonosante Andrea , Cimini Annamaria , Ferri Claudio , Desideri Giovambattista
Published: December 2017

Background:

The aging of western societies is leading to a dramatic increase in the prevalence of
chronic conditions, threatening the health status and then the sustainability of our healthcare systems. In particular,
dementia is being increasingly recognized as a public health priority, given its enormous socioeconomic burdens
further amplified by the absence of treatments really effective in improving the clinical course of the disease.

Methods:

The question of whether some degree of cognitive deterioration is an inevitable part of aging or should
be considered as a pathological pre-stage of dementia is currently debated. This is a field in need of research
because accelerated brain aging as well as further decline in cognition might be preventable in the early stages of
cognitive impairment. Herein, we discuss evidence from clinical and experimental studies on the role of polyphenols
in preserving cognitive performance across life.

Results:

In recent years, the possibility of favorably influencing the cognitive trajectory through promotion of
lifestyle modifications has been increasingly investigated. In particular, the relationship between nutritional habits
and brain health has attracted special attention. Dietary polyphenols exhibit a strong potential to promote brain
due to their efficacy in protecting neurons against oxidative stress-induced injury, suppressing neuroinflammation
and in ameliorating cardiovascular risk factor control and cardiovascular function thus counteracting neurotoxicity
and neurodegeneration.

Conclusion:

Emerging evidence suggest that dietary polyphenols, in particular flavonoids, may exert beneficial
effects on the central nervous system thus representing a potential tool to preserve cognitive performance
throught senescence.
Targeting FGFR with BGJ398 in Breast Cancer: Effect on Tumor Growth and Metastasis
Authors: Sahores Ana , May María , Sequeira Gonzalo R. , Fuentes Cynthia , Jacobsen Britta , Lanari Claudia , Lamb Caroline A.
Published: December 2017

Background:

Endocrine resistance and metastatic dissemination comprise major clinical
challenges for breast cancer treatment. The fibroblast growth factor receptor family (FGFR) consists
of four tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptors, involved in key biological processes. Genomic alterations
in FGFR have been identified in advanced breast cancer and thus, FGFR are an attractive
therapeutic target. However, the efficacy of FGFR inhibitors on in vivo tumor growth is still controversial.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of FGFR in tumor growth and breast
cancer progression.

Methods:

Cell proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine uptake and cell counting in primary
cultures of endocrine resistant mammary carcinomas and a human cell line, respectively. Tumor
transplants and cell injections were used to determine in vivo growth and spontaneous metastasis.
FGFR1-3 and αSMA expression were evaluated on primary tumors by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

Antiprogestin resistant murine transplants and a human xenograft express high levels of
total FGFR1-3. In vitro treatment with the FGFR inhibitor, BGJ398, impaired cell proliferation of
resistant variants versus vehicle. In vivo, versus control, BGJ398 treatment decreased one out of
four resistant tumors, however all tumors showed a decreased epithelial/stromal ratio. Finally, in a
model of hormone resistant mammary cancer that spontaneously metastasizes to the lung, BGJ398
decreased the number of mice with lung metastasis.

Conclusion:

FGFR inhibitors are promising tools that require further investigation to identify sensitive
tumors. These studies suggest that targeting FGFR combined with other targeted therapies will
be useful to impair breast cancer progression.
Phenotype Instance Verification and Evaluation Tool (PIVET): A Scaled Phenotype Evidence Generation Framework Using Web-Based Medical Literature (Preprint)
Authors: Henderson Jette , Ke Junyuan , Ho Joyce C , Ghosh Joydeep , Wallace Byron C
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Researchers are developing methods to automatically extract clinically relevant and useful patient characteristics from raw healthcare datasets. These characteristics, often capturing essential properties of patients with common medical conditions, are called computational phenotypes. Being generated by automated or semiautomated, data-driven methods, such potential phenotypes need to be validated as clinically meaningful (or not) before they are acceptable for use in decision making.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to present Phenotype Instance Verification and Evaluation Tool (PIVET), a framework that uses co-occurrence analysis on an online corpus of publically available medical journal articles to build clinical relevance evidence sets for user-supplied phenotypes. PIVET adopts a conceptual framework similar to the pioneering prototype tool PheKnow-Cloud that was developed for the phenotype validation task. PIVET completely refactors each part of the PheKnow-Cloud pipeline to deliver vast improvements in speed without sacrificing the quality of the insights PheKnow-Cloud achieved.

METHODS

PIVET leverages indexing in NoSQL databases to efficiently generate evidence sets. Specifically, PIVET uses a succinct representation of the phenotypes that corresponds to the index on the corpus database and an optimized co-occurrence algorithm inspired by the Aho-Corasick algorithm. We compare PIVET’s phenotype representation with PheKnow-Cloud’s by using PheKnow-Cloud’s experimental setup. In PIVET’s framework, we also introduce a statistical model trained on domain expert–verified phenotypes to automatically classify phenotypes as clinically relevant or not. Additionally, we show how the classification model can be used to examine user-supplied phenotypes in an online, rather than batch, manner.

RESULTS

PIVET maintains the discriminative power of PheKnow-Cloud in terms of identifying clinically relevant phenotypes for the same corpus with which PheKnow-Cloud was originally developed, but PIVET’s analysis is an order of magnitude faster than that of PheKnow-Cloud. Not only is PIVET much faster, it can be scaled to a larger corpus and still retain speed. We evaluated multiple classification models on top of the PIVET framework and found ridge regression to perform best, realizing an average F1 score of 0.91 when predicting clinically relevant phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that PIVET improves on the most notable existing computational tool for phenotype validation in terms of speed and automation and is comparable in terms of accuracy.
Medical Correctness and User Friendliness of Available Apps for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Systematic Search Combined With Guideline Adherence and Usability Evaluation (Preprint)
Authors: Metelmann Bibiana , Metelmann Camilla , Schuffert Louisa , Hahnenkamp Klaus , Brinkrolf Peter
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

In case of a cardiac arrest, start of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a bystander before the arrival of the emergency personnel increases the probability of survival. However, the steps of high-quality resuscitation are not known by every bystander or might be forgotten in this complex and time-critical situation. Mobile phone apps offering real-time step-by-step instructions might be a valuable source of information.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine mobile phone apps offering real-time instructions in German or English in case of a cardiac arrest, to evaluate their adherence to current resuscitation guidelines, and to test their usability.

METHODS

Our 3-step approach combines a systematic review of currently available apps guiding a medical layperson through a resuscitation situation, an adherence testing to medical guidelines, and a usability evaluation of the determined apps. The systematic review followed an adapted preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses flow diagram, the guideline adherence was tested by applying a conformity checklist, and the usability was evaluated by a group of mobile phone frequent users and emergency physicians with the system usability scale (SUS) tool.

RESULTS

The structured search in Google Play Store and Apple App Store resulted in 3890 hits. After removing redundant ones, 2640 hits were checked for fulfilling the inclusion criteria. As a result, 34 apps meeting all inclusion criteria were identified. These included apps were analyzed to determine medical accuracy as defined by the European Resuscitation Council’s guidelines. Only 5 out of 34 apps (15%, 5/34) fulfilled all criteria chosen to determine guideline adherence. All other apps provided no or wrong information on at least one relevant topic. The usability of 3 apps was evaluated by 10 mobile phone frequent users and 9 emergency physicians. Of these 3 apps, solely the app “HELP Notfall” (median=87.5) was ranked with an SUS score above the published average of 68. This app was rated significantly superior to “HAMBURG SCHOCKT” (median=55; asymptotic Wilcoxon test: z=−3.63, P<.01, n=19) and “Mein DRK” (median=32.5; asymptotic Wilcoxon test: z=−3.83, P<.01, n=19).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing a systematic quality control for health-related apps should be enforced to ensure that all products provide medically accurate content and sufficient usability in complex situations. This is of exceptional importance for apps dealing with the treatment of life-threatening events such as cardiac arrest.
Gaukang and White Coup: Dismantling of Traditional Power
Authors: Sastrawati Nila
Published: December 2017

This paper discusses the concept of power adhered to by the South Sulawesi community and explains the power struggle which had occurred both in the past and present. The South Sulawesi community’s conceptiontraditional power on power signifies a strong, transcendental relationship between themselves and supernatural powers, wherein all objects possessing certain peculiarities are inseparable from the stable and unchanging cosmic world. Thus, gaukang holds a significant position in the life of the South Sulawesi community, particularly pertaining to matters of power struggle. The waxing and waning of traditional power in South Sulawesi is determined by at least three factors: firstly, a change in power patterns with the emergence of new elites having a commoner background; secondly, incessant resistance to feudalistic rule; and lastly, the application of modern bureaucratic model. The general conclusion of this paper emphasizes the position of gaukang as a central point affecting the various power struggles that occurred throughout the history of the South Sulawesi community. The enactment of Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 5 year 2016 on the Organization of Gowa Regency Local Cultural and Customary Institution provides a peek at how bureaucratic power had dismantled traditional power in Gowa Regency, which included, consequently, the transfer of authority over the royal heirlooms or gaukang of the Gowa Kingdom.
Mainland Non-English-Major Students’ Perceptions of English Academic Writing in the Taught Postgraduate Program in Hong Kong: A Needs Analysis
Authors: Chen Jiangping
Published: December 2017

As higher education is being internationalized globally, it is also not rare to find degree programs delivered in English, the world’s lingua franca, in countries where English is learned as a foreign language. In mainland China, such courses are available for bachelor and master’s degrees. Accordingly, students in those programs have to meet the academic English requirements, by which writing is assumed to be the most challenging. This small-scale research was conducted among 81 mainland non-English-major students studying in the taught postgraduate program in Hong Kong, with the instruments of questionnaires and follow-up interviews. Within the framework of needs analysis, it reports their detailed perceptions of English academic writing. Results indicate that those upper-intermediate language learners are generally able to get accustomed to academic writing in English, but some writing skills, and particularly language issues (academic lexis, grammar, and style) pose challenges to their studies. The article concludes with some feasible pedagogical implications for updating the university English education system in mainland China.
EFEKTIVITAS PEMUNGUTAN PAJAK PBB P2 OLEH PEMERINTAH KOTA MAKASAR DAN SUMBANGANNYA TERHADAP PENDAPATAN DAERAH
Authors: Harefa, S.E., M.E. Mandala
Published: December 2017

Melalui implementasi undang-undang Nomor 28 Tahun 2009 tentang Pajak Daerah dan Retribusi, kewenangan pemungutan pajak dari Pajak Bumi Bangunan Sektor Pedesaan dan Perkotaan (PBB-P2) Sdialihkan kepada Pemerintah Daerah dalam hal ini Pemerintah kota dan Pemerintah Kabupaten. Dalam pelaksanaan, diharapakan penerimaan daerah akan meningkatkan realisasi pajak, terutama tentang PBB-P2. Kondisi ini akan mendorong Pemerintah Daerah untuk lebih berupaya keras untuk mencari potensi pendapatan PAD dari sektor PBB-P2 pada wilayah kewenangannya. Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatif dengan memperoleh data dari wawancara dan FGD. Penelitian ini mengidentifikasi bahwa pengalihan pemungutan PBB-P2 dilakukan oleh Dispenda Pemerintah Kota Makassar hanya mencakup daerah perkotaan. Beberapa upaya sosialisasi dalam meningkatkan pemungutan PBB P2 ,antara lain dengan merevisi basis data yang dipeoleh dari KPP, merevitalisasi pemungutan, meningkatkan pengawasan hasil pajak, meningkatkan efisiensi administrasi, koordinasi dengan lembaga yang terkait, untuk pembayaran PBB. Efektivitas pemungutan PBB P2 yang telah dilaksanakan oleh Dispenda melalui UPT khusus PBB Makassar menunjukkan kriteria "sangat Efektif". Sedangkan sumbangan PBB 2012-2014 menunjukkan bahwa peran penerimaan PBB terhadap realisasi PAD Makassar termasuk dalam kriteria masih rendah.
KONSOLIDASI DESENTRALISASI FISKAL MELALUI REFORMASI KEBIJAKAN BELANJA DAERAH BERKUALITAS
Authors: Juanda Bambang , Heriwibowo Dedy
Published: December 2017

Revisi UU No. 33 Tahun 2004 diharapkan dapat mempercepat tercapainya tujuan desentralisasi di Indonesia yaitu meningkatnya pelayanan publik, partisipasi masyarakat dan daya saing daerah.Tujuan tersebut hendak dicapai melalui konsistensi alokasi dana transfer dalam APBN yang terus meningkat. Namun sumber daya yang langka tersebut akan sia-sia bila pemerintah daerah menggunakannya secara tidak berkualitas. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk memperjelas apa yang dimaksud kebijakan belanja berkualitas, mengidentifikasi regulasi mana yang mempengaruhi belanja berkualitas, dan mengemukakan usulan perbaikan kebijakan. Kebijakan belanja berkualitas menyangkut hulu-hilir pengelolaan keuangan daerah. Kebijakan belanja berkualitas merupakan upaya yang dilakukan pemerintah agar belanja daerah dialokasikan sesuai dengan prioritas pembangunan daerah, yang digunakan secara efisien dan efektif, tepat waktu, transparan dan akuntabel. Namun masih terdapat berbagai regulasi saat ini yang cenderung belum singkron dan menghambat terwujudnya belanja berkualitas. Regulasi yang menghambat belanja berkualitas terutama pada mekanisme penyusunan dan pembahasan anggaran yang mendistorsi rencana prioritas, pendanaan pendidikan, penganggaran hibah dan bansos dan sistem pelaporan.Kebijakan pengelolaan keuangan daerah perlu ditekankan pada aspek penguatan daerah dalam menyusun dan melaksanakan prioritas anggaran. Disamping itu, diperlukan penyederhanaan mekanisme pembahasan anggaran, penerapan kerangka pengeluaran jangka menengah seperti urusan wajib pendidikan agar dapat mengatasi masalah juklak/juknis DAK yang setiap tahun selalu terlambat,dan perlupengembangan formulasi alokasi DAK berdasarkan proposal kegiatan untuk mendukung pencapaian Standa Pelayanan Minimal dan prioritas nasional (seperti yang mulai diterapkan tahun anggaran 2016). Perencanaan penganggaran hibah dan bansos juga penting diperbaiki agar lebih transparan dan akuntabel. Pada akhirnya, penyederhanaan sistem pelaporan pemerintah daerah sangat penting dalam memberikan umpan balik penganggaran belanja berkualitas.
PAJAK EKSPOR, PRODUKSI DOMESTIK, TENAGA KERJA, DAN PENDAPATAN RUMAH TANGGA: STUDI EMPIRIS AGROINDUSTRI INDONESIA
Authors: Agusalim Lestari
Published: December 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis apakah pajak ekpsor dan peningkatan produktivitas komoditas pertanian utama dapat meningkatkan GDP riil, output agroindustri, penyerapan tenaga kerja, dan pendapatan rumah tangga. Model yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah model CGE comparative static. Data yang digunakan adalah Tabel Input-Output 2008 dan Tabel Sistem Necara Sosial Ekonomi (SNSE) 2008, serta data pendukung lainnya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kebijakan pajak ekspor berdampak negatif terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi (PDB riil), terutama dalam jangka panjang. Tetapi, apabila kebijakan ekspor tersebut disertai oleh peningkatan produktivitas pada sektor yang dikenai pajak, maka akan berdampak positif terhadap PDB riil. Secara sektoral, kebijakan pajak ekspor mampu meningkatkan output domestik agroindustri dalam jangka panjang, tetapi berdampak negatif dalam jangka pendek dengan atau tanpa disertai peningkatan produktivitas. Kebijakan tersebut juga berpengaruh terhadap penyerapan tenaga kerja sektoral, di mana secara umum terjadi penurunan permintaan tenaga kerja dalam jangka pendek. Sementara itu, dalam jangka panjang terjadi peningkatan penyerapan tenaga kerja pada sebagian besar sektor ekonomi. Kebijakan pajak dalam jangka pendek akan menurunkan pendapatan riil pada seluruh kelompok rumah tangga, terutama kelompok rumah tangga yang berpenghasilan tinggi. Ketika kebijakan tersebut disertai oleh peningkatan produktivitas maka akan berdampak positif terhadap redistribusi pendapatan dan kesejahteraan rumah tangga. Dalam jangka panjang, kebijakan pajak ekspor mengakibatkan peningkatan pendapatan pada rumah tangga berpenghasilan tinggi, dan penurunan pendapatan pada kelompok rumah tangga berpenghasilan rendah dengan atau tanpa peningkatan produktivitas.
Genuinely multipartite noncausality
Authors: Abbott Alastair A. , Wechs Julian , Costa Fabio , Branciard Cyril
Published: December 2017

The study of correlations with no definite causal order has revealed a rich structure emerging when more than two parties are involved. This motivates the consideration of multipartite "noncausal" correlations that cannot be realised even if noncausal resources are made available to a smaller number of parties. Here we formalise this notion: genuinely N-partite noncausal correlations are those that cannot be produced by grouping N parties into two or more subsets, where a causal order between the subsets exists. We prove that such correlations can be characterised as lying outside a polytope, whose vertices correspond to deterministic strategies and whose facets define what we call "2-causal" inequalities. We show that genuinely multipartite noncausal correlations arise within the process matrix formalism, where quantum mechanics holds locally but no global causal structure is assumed, although for some inequalities no violation was found. We further introduce two refined definitions that allow one to quantify, in different ways, to what extent noncausal correlations correspond to a genuinely multipartite resource.
No Buybacks Guidance in Corporate Governance Principles
Authors: Grove Hugh , Clouse Maclyn
Published: December 2017

13 high profile CEOs of U.S. companies secretly worked for one year to develop corporate governance principles that would serve as a future pathway. They advocated their resulting document as being detailed and tough-minded with commonsense recommendations and guidelines about the roles and responsibilities of boards, companies, and shareholders. However, these corporate governance principles did not provide any specific guidance or perspective on the use of common share buybacks to improve earnings per share, which has become a popular form of earnings management by U.S. public companies. This paper analyzes the buyback strategy of these CEOs’ own public companies plus a sample of their major competitors. For these well-known major U.S. companies, the common stock buyback strategy to improve the profitability performance of net income growth to a larger EPS growth occurred 61% of the time for annual growth periods and 100% of the time for the four-year growth period. Accordingly, this paper recommends buybacks guidance for corporate governance, consistent with public reporting and management compensation guidelines.
An analysis of when the merger price is the best representation of fair value in an appraisal action
Authors: Kephart Christopher
Published: December 2017

Delaware’s statutorily afforded right of appraisal is once again a hot topic. In an appraisal action, the Delaware Court of Chancery is charged with the task of determining the fair value of recently acquired Delaware corporations. However, the appraisal process is not an easy one, in no small part, to the inflexible statute guiding the appraisal procedure. The process is further complicated by the Delaware Supreme Court’s mandate that the Court of Chancery not to employ a bright line test in determining the fair value even for those transactions that were the result of a free and open market process. As a result, the courts are often left second-guessing a merger value that was the product of a fair merger process. I propose that in an arms-length third-party cash-out merger, the entire fairness standard of review is the appropriate standard to determine fair value within an appraisal action. A statutory safe harbor allowing the judiciary the opportunity to examine the process by which the target company and acquiring company arrived at the final merger value versus questioning the substance of the merger would serve the M&A and shareholder community well. In the absence of a legislative fix, the Court of Chancery has, at the least, provided buyers, sellers, and arbitrageurs alike, with scenarios that will likely result in the court determining that the merger rice is, in fact, the best representation of fair value. Essentially, when the inputs typically used by the court for determining fair value are in some way flawed, the court will likely conclude that the merger price is the best representation of fair value.
Seleksi dan Kemajuan Seleksi Karakter Komponen Hasil pada Persilangan Cabai Keriting dan Cabai Besar
Authors: , Yunandra , Syukur Muhamad , Maharijaya Dan Awang
Published: December 2017

Selection is very important activity in plant breeding program. The purpose of this study was to obtain genetic information, heritability and expected genetic advance, and to compare the genetic advance expectations with the selection advance. The research was conducted from September 2013 to November 2015 at Research Station of Leuwikopo, Dramaga, Bogor. Distribution of F2 population data in this study was broader than that of F3 populations. Broad sense heritability estimated by F3 populations showed in agreement to that estimated by F2 population. Character of fruit weight, fruit length, pedicel length and yield had positive value of selection advance appropriate to the genetic advance expectations in F2 populations. The value of heritability estimate and genetic advance were high indicating that the phenotypic variances were controlled by action of additive genes.

Keywords: genetic advance, heritability, selection advance
Keragaan Agronomi dan Potensi Hasil Genotipe Jagung (Zea mays L.) Generasi S1 dan S2 di Dua Lokasi
Authors: Salamah Umi , Suwarno Willy Bayuardi , Aswidinnoor Hajrial , Nindita Dan Anggi
Published: December 2017

Hybrid maize breeding relies on the availability of good performing inbred lines with superior combining ability. The objectives of this study were to: (1) estimate genetic paramters and heritability for agronomic and yield traits, (2) estimate correlations among traits, and (3) estimate selection-balanced inbreeding depression level from S1 to S2 generations. The S1 trial was planted from June to September 2014 at two locations, followed by the S2 trial from January to May 2015 at the same locations. Each trials was arranged in an augmented design with three blocks consisting of 72 unreplicated test genotypes, 3 unreplicated inbred lines, and 5 replicated commercial hybrid varieties as checks. The results showed that the heritability estimates were medium to high for most observed traits. Best yielding genotypes in S1 and S2 generations were derived from P27xNK6326, Pertiwi3xP31, NK6326xP31, P31xNK6326, and P31xNK33 populations. Grain yield was positively correlated with plant height, ear height, ear length, and ear diameter in S1 and S2 generations. The S2 generation exhibited inbreeding depression for grain yield. The estimates of heritability, correlations, and inbreeding depression obtained from this study could be useful for selection in corn breeding programs.

Keywords: correlation, heritability, inbreeding depression
Adaptabilitas Varietas Inpara di Lahan Rawa Pasang Surut Tipe Luapan Air B pada Musim Kemarau
Authors: , Koesrini , Saleh Muhammad , Nurzakiah Dan Siti
Published: December 2017

Tidal swamp lands are marginal lands with considerable potentials for rice farming. The key solution to overcome swampy lands constraints are nutrient and water managements as well as the use of adaptive rice varieties. Inpara (inbred swampy land rices) varieties have been released by the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) which are adaptive to swampy land conditions. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the adaptability of Inpara varieties in tidal swamp lands with type B overflow. The field experiment was carried out in Karang Bunga village, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan Province, in the  dry season  from April to August 2016. The research was arranged in randomized complete block design, with 3 replicates. The varieties tested, i.e., Inpara 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and check varieties Margasari, Ciherang, and Mekongga. The results showed that the adaptability varied among varieties tested. Inpara 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 had high yield and good adaptation on tidal swamp land yielded 3.475-4.299 ton ha-1. These varieties produced between 38.5 to 71.3% higher than Margasari and 51.4 to 87.2% higher than Mekongga. Inpara 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 could be used as a main varieties in the tidal swamp lands.

Keywords: rice, swampy land, variety
Halk Elinde Yetiştirilen Pekin Ördeklerinde Matematiksel Formüller İle Yumurta Kalite Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: Çopur Akpınar Gülşen , Alaşahan Sema , Canoğulları Doğan Sibel
Published: December 2017

Bu çalışma, Hatay ili kırsalında halk elinde yetiştirilen pekin ördeklerine ait yumurtaların matematiksel formüller kullanılarak bazı iç ve dış kalite özelliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada 417 adet pekin ördeği yumurtası kullanılmış ve tartımla bireysel yumurta ağırlık değerleri baz alınarak matematiksel formüller yardımıyla yumurta boyu ve eni, yumurta yüzey alanı, yumurta kabuk ağırlığı ve kalınlığı, gözenek sayısı, yumurta sarı oranı değerleri hesaplanmıştır. Yumurta ağırlığına göre hesaplanan ortalama yumurta boyu 62,48 mm, yumurta eni 43,76 mm, kabuk kalınlığı 0,358 mm, kabuk ağırlığı 6,03 g, yumurta yüzey alanı 81,23 cm2, gözenek sayısı-1 8.915,29 adet, gözenek sayısı-2 7.993,13 adet, gözenek sayısı-3 8.934,70 adet ve sarı oranı %37,68 olarak belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca yumurta dış kalite özelliklerinden şekil indeksi %69,69, elongasyon 1,436, yumurta hacmi 66,38 cm3, gözenek yoğunluğu-1 109,89, gözenek yoğunluğu-2 98,34, gözenek yoğunluğu-3 109,74 gözenek sayısı/cm2 ve kabuk oranı değeri %8,48, yumurta iç kalite özelliklerinden sarı ağırlığı 26,78 g, ak ağırlığı 38,26 g ve ak oranı %53,85 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Sonuç olarak Hatay ilinde halk elinde yetişen pekin ördeklerine ait yumurtaların dış ve iç kalite özellikleri yumurta bütünlüğü bozulmadan ortaya konulmuştur.
Determination of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) Levels in Kangal Dogs with Maternal Cannibalism
Authors: Ercan Nazlı , Koçkaya Mustafa
Published: December 2017

Oxidative stress, which plays an active role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, continues to be relevant in assessing the condition changes such as aggression. Some of Kangal dogs have been found to eat their own puppies during their first 24 hours following birth, as a case called maternal cannibalism. The present study aims to determine the levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a product of lipid peroxidation, and serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, which are the parameters of antioxidant defense system, and total protein and albumin levels and to show their relationship with cannibalism. The study material consists of blood and blood serum of 30 Kangal dog breed in total, 15 of which have maternal cannibalism and 15 haven‘t observed maternal cannibalism as a control group. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde levels were investigated by means of spectrophotometric method in blood serum of these animals. The difference between the mean values of total protein, GPx, SOD, MDA and albumin was statistically significant in the results obtained. These findings conclude that oxidative stress and antioxidative metabolism plays a role in the pathogenesis of cannibalism in dogs.
Diversity Assessment and Cultivar Identification in Date Palm through Molecular Markers- A Review
Authors: Faqir Nadia , Muhammad Aish , Hyder Muhammad Zeeshan
Published: December 2017

Date palm has a long history of cultivation and a valuable germplasm with little knowledge about its genetic makeup and variation among the most cultivated cultivars. Diversity is the variability of a species. Plants show variation in yield, vegetative traits and morphological properties of fruits and seeds in response to environmental changes. Molecular markers or DNA markers have been in use since past three decades. The DNA profiles give information about the genotype, screen the whole genome and show variation in both the coding and noncoding region and hence give information about polymorphism. Since plastid genes are transferred mostly from the mother line, the identification of maternal lines is possible by the sequencing of plastid genes. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) can detect length variation with the help of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and may be used as highly informative genetic markers. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) are the third generation of molecular markers. SNPs are more stable and have high fidelity of inheritance as compared to other marker systems. Molecular markers have been developed but they are not enough for sufficient diversity assessment. Therefore there is a need to increase the number of DNA markers in date palm. Previously, there are several studies to type various commercially important germplasm based on morphological or yield parameters. Morphological and biochemical markers are limited in number and are affected by environmental factors and growth stage of the plant which reduce their reliability in the assessment of diversity and characterization of the germplasm. This necessitates the use of genetic characterization, utilizing DNA markers, gene sequencing or SNP genotyping which can work independent of the plant growth stage and are not affected by environmental factors. A combination of morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization of the date palm cultivars can better assess the level of diversity and relationship among the cultivars.