bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analisis Asuransi Pertanian di Indonesia : Konsep, Tantangan dan Prospek
Authors: Djunedi Praptono
Published: March 2017

Agriculture is one of the important sectorfor Indonesia. However, the sector is vulnerable to various risks that may impact on the fluctuation of the income of farmers. Related to this, through Law No. 19 of 2013, the government seeks to protect farmers, one of which is through agricultural insurance. As a start-up country, the problem faced is how to develop agricultural insurance in Indonesia. Related to that, this study aims to (1) describe the concept of agricultural insurance, (2) describe the challenges faced to develop agricultural insurance, and (3) explain how the prospect. Some of the challenges can be grouped into four challenges, namely institutional, financial, technical and operationalchallenges. For the good prospect in the future, implementation of agricultural insurance is proposed to (1) gradually increase the allocation in state budget, (2) develop technical rules which include agricultural insurance scheme in compulsory basis, (3) encourage the relevant parties to commit in developing agricultural insurance (4) assign to the state-owned insurance as providers and distributors of agricultural insurance as well as a role as reinsurance agency, (5) assess the integration between the agricultural insurance scheme and agricultural services received by farmers (subsidized fertilizer, subsidized seed, and social assistance).Keywords: farmer, risk, agricultural insurance, premium subsidySektor pertanian merupakan salah satu sektor yang penting bagi Indonesia. Namun, sektor ini rentan terhadap berbagai risiko yang dapat berdampak pada berfluktuasinya pendapatan para petani. Terkait dengan hal ini, melalui Undang Undang Nomor 19 Tahun 2013, pemerintah berupaya melindungi petani, salah satunya adalah melalui asuransi pertanian. Sebagai negara start-up, permasalahan yang dihadapi adalah bagaimana cara mengembangkan asuransi pertanian di Indonesia. Terkait hal itu, tujuan kajian ini adalah (1) memaparkan konsep asuransi pertanian, (2) memaparkan berbagai tantangan yang dihadapi untuk mengembangkan asuransi pertanian, dan (3) menjelaskan bagaimana prospeknya. Beberapa tantangan yang dihadapi bisa dikelompokkan menjadi empat tantangan yakni tantangan institusional, finansial, teknis dan operasional. Agar implementasi asuransi pertanian memiliki prospek yang baik, diusulkan agar (1) meningkatkan alokasi dana implementasi asuransi pertanian dalam APBN secara bertahap, (2) menyusun aturan teknis yang diantaranya mengatur kepesertaan asuransi pertanian bersifat wajib, (3) mendorong pihak terkait sesuai dengan perannya berkomitmen mengembangkan asuransi pertanian, (4) memberi penugasan kepada BUMN asuransi sebagai penyedia dan penyalur asuransi pertanian serta berperan sebagai lembaga reasuransi, (5) mengkaji pengintegrasian antara program asuransi pertanian dengan layanan sektor pertanian yang diterima petani (pupuk bersubsidi, benih bersubsidi, dan bantuan sosial).Kata kunci: petani, risiko, asuransi pertanian, subsidi premi.
Kebijakan Penetapan Bitung Sebagai Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus (KEK)
Authors: Pramoda Radityo , Apriliani Tenny
Published: March 2017

The Bitung Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a regional development policy specially devised to drive economic growth based on well-set-up infrastructures, and incentives. The role of central government in supervising the policy is very important in coping with each negative impact, both economic as well as social. The sole purpose of this qualitative research is to study the implementation of the regional development policy of Bitung as a Special Economic Zone. The analysis had been carried out with a case study approach, and then descriptively elaborated, and resulted in the finding of: (1) the previous development and infrastructure blueprint at the Bitung City level have so far been in line with the SEZ; (2) the SEZ has so far been attracting industry-based investment and creating work for the labors; (3) the formulated local regulations have been considered enough in giving legal security toward investment; (4) the establishment of Bitung as an SEZ has been considered as a sound strategic policy; and (5) the readiness of Bitung as an SEZ has been deemed adequate, despite the facts that it still needed minor adjustments in a few aspects, such as: better socialization, acceleration of land relinquishment, and increasing electricity/power.Keywords: Policy, Bitung Determination, Special Economic Zone (SEZ).Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus (KEK) Bitung merupakan kebijakan pengembangan wilayah dalam mendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi yang didukung infrastruktur berkualitas, serta pemberian kemudahan (insentif). Fungsi pemerintah pusat mengawal KEK Bitung, sangat penting untuk mencegah timbulnya dampak negatif secara ekonomi dan sosial. Penelitian kualitatif ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji implementasi pembangunan ekonomi dan penetapan kebijakan Bitung sebagai KEK. Analisis kajian dilakukan menggunakan pendekatan studi kasus, yang dipaparkan secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: (1) pembangunan yang telah ada maupun pengembangan rencana infrastruktur pada kawasan Kota Bitung sudah mendukung KEK; (2) KEK Bitung telah menciptakan investasi berbasis industri dan penyerapan tenaga kerja; (3) regulasi lokal yang dibentuk sudah memberikan kepastian hukum kepada investor; (4) Penetapan KEK Bitung merupakan kebijakan strategis pemerintah yang tepat; (5) kesiapan Bitung menjadi KEK secara umum sudah memadai, tetapi masih perlu untuk melaksanakan: sosialisasi kepada masyarakat, percepatan eksekusi pembebasan lahan, dan penambahan daya listrik.Kata kunci: Kebijakan, Penetapan Bitung, Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus (KEK).
Rock Physics Modeling and Seismic Interpretation to Estimate Shally Cemented Zone in Carbonate Reservoir Rock
Authors: Handoyo Handoyo , Sudarsana M Rizki , Almiati Restu
Published: March 2017

Carbonate rock are important hydrocarbon reservoir rocks with complex texture and petrophysical properties (porosity and permeability). These complexities make the prediction reservoir characteristics (e.g. porosity and permeability) from their seismic properties more difficult. The goal of this paper are to understanding the relationship of physical properties and to see the signature carbonate initial rock and shally-carbonate rock from the reservoir.

To understand the relationship between the seismic, petrophysical and geological properties, we used rock physics modeling from ultrasonic P- and S- wave velocity that measured from log data. The measurements obtained from carbonate reservoir field (gas production). X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope studies shown the reservoir rock are contain wackestone-packstone content. Effective medium theory to rock physics modeling are using Voigt, Reuss, and Hill.

 It is shown the elastic moduly proposionally decrease with increasing porosity. Elastic properties and wave velocity are decreasing proporsionally with increasing porosity and shally cemented on the carbonate rock give higher elastic properties than initial carbonate non-cemented. Rock physics modeling can separated zones which rich of shale and less of shale.
Stratigraphy Seismic and sedimentation Development of Middle Baong Sand, Aru Field, North Sumatera Basin
Authors: Natasia Nanda , Syafri Ildrem , Alfadli Muhammad Kurniawan , Arfiansyah Kurnia
Published: March 2017

This paper defines the stratigraphic sequence focused on Middle Baong Sand. The analyses aim to understand the sedimentation pattern regarding to sequence stratigraphy model including its lateral and vertical succession based on seismic and well data. The study can be used in ranking the prospect for new oil field. Based on the analyses in 39 seismic sections and 2 wireline log, the area are consist of three depositional sequences, namely sequence I (consist of HST I) Sequence II (consist of TST II and LST II), and Sequence III (consist of TST III).  Baong Formation are deposited when the sea level are rising regionally at Middle Miocene (N7-N15) makes the sediment deposited in deep water environment. while Middle Baong Sand are deposited in the minor falling stage placed at N13 (Middle of Middle Miocene). In this episode, there is a change in depositional setting from bathyal to middle neritic. Clastic origin of this deposits were interpreted came from South-South West direction or from Bukit Barisan where at that time is started to uplift.
Family History of Alzheimer’s Disease is Associated with Impaired Perceptual Discrimination of Novel Objects
Authors: Mason Emily J. , Hussey Erin P. , Molitor Robert J. , Ko Philip C. , Donahue Manus J. , Ally Brandon A.
Published: March 2017

Early detection may be the key to developing therapies that will combat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It has been consistently demonstrated that one of the main pathologies of AD, tau, is present in the brain decades before a clinical diagnosis. Tau pathology follows a stereotypical route through the medial temporal lobe beginning in the entorhinal and perirhinal cortices. If early pathology leads to very subtle changes in behavior, it may be possible to detect these changes in subjects years before a clinical diagnosis can currently be made. We aimed to discover if cognitively normal middle-aged adults (40–60 years old) at increased risk for AD due to family history would have impaired performance on a cognitive task known to challenge the perirhinal cortex. Using an oddity detection task, we found that subjects with a family history of AD had lowered accuracy without demonstrating differences in rate of acquisition. There were no differences between subjects’ medial temporal lobe volume or cortical thickness, indicating that the changes in behavior were not due to significant atrophy. These results demonstrate that subtle changes in perceptual processing are detectable years before a typical diagnosis even when there are no differences detectable in structural imaging data. Anatomically-targeted cognitive testing may be useful in identifying subjects in the earliest stages of AD.
PCSK9 Promotes oxLDL-Induced PC12 Cell Apoptosis Through the Bcl-2/Bax-Caspase 9/3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Lu-Shan , Bai Xue-Qin , Gao Ya , Wu Qi , Ren Zhong , Li Qing , Pan Li-Hong , He Ni-Ya , Peng Juan , Tang Zhi-Han
Published: March 2017

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Proprotein convertase subtilisin / Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) degrades hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) to regulate lipid metabolism. It is unclear if PCSK9 plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective: This study was designed to determine whether PCSK9 is crucial between hyperlipidemia and Alzheimer’s disease. The interrelationship between PCSK9 and neuronal apoptosis was explored in PC12 cells in response to treatment with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL).

Methods: Cultured PC12 cells were serum-starved and incubated with different concentrations of oxLDL for 24 h. Intracytoplasmic lipid droplets were observed by oil red O staining. Morphological assessment of apoptotic cells was performed using Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry analysis. The expression of mRNA and protein was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analyses, respectively. Transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) into PC12 cells was conducted using HiperFect Transfection Reagent. Concentrations of Aβ40 and Aβ42 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

Results: Intracellular lipid content, the number of apoptotic cells, and PCSK9 expression were increased in PC12 cells after oxLDL treatment. Transfection with PCSK9 siRNA reduced the oxLDL-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells. We further confirmed the involvement of Bcl-2/Bax-Caspase (9, 3) signaling pathway in the regulation of PC12 cells apoptosis.β-Secretase 1, another target gene of PCSK9, was downregulated in PC12 cells in response to oxLDL treatment. Aβ40 and Aβ42 contents were also decreased.

Conclusion: PCSK9 promotes oxLDL-induced PC12 cell apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax-Caspase 9/3 signaling pathway.
Trends, Predictors, and Outcomes of Healthcare Resources Used in Patients Hospitalized with Alzheimer’s Disease with at Least One Procedure: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample
Authors: Beydoun May A. , Gamaldo Alyssa A. , Beydoun Hind A. , Shaked Danielle , Zonderman Alan B. , Eid Shaker M.
Published: March 2017

We assessed trends, predictors and outcomes of resource utilization in hospital inpatient discharges with a principal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with at least one procedure. Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample data (NIS, 2002–2012), discharges primarily diagnosed with AD, aged ≥60 y and with ≥1 procedure, were selected (Weighted N = 92,300). Hospital resource utilization were assessed using ICD-9-CM codes, while hospitalization outcomes included total charges (TC, 2012$), length of stay (LOS, days), and mortality risk (MR, %). Brain and respiratory/gastrointestinal procedure utilization both dropped annually by 3–7%, while cardiovascular procedures/evaluations, blood evaluations, blood transfusion, and resuscitation (“CVD/Blood”) as well as neurophysiological and psychological evaluation and treatment (“Neuro”) procedures increased by 5–8%. Total charges, length of stay, and mortality risk were all markedly higher with use of respiratory/gastrointestinal procedures as opposed to being reduced with use of “Brain” procedures. Procedure count was positively associated with all three hospitalization outcomes. In sum, patterns of hospital resources that were used among AD inpatients changed over-time, and were associated with hospitalization outcomes such as total charges, length of stay, and mortality risk.
Combined Dual-Task Gait Training and Aerobic Exercise to Improve Cognition, Mobility, and Vascular Health in Community-Dwelling Older Adults at Risk for Future Cognitive Decline
Authors: Gregory Michael A. , Boa Sorte Silva Narlon C. , Gill Dawn P. , McGowan Cheri L. , Liu-Ambrose Teresa , Shoemaker J. Kevin , Hachinski Vladimir , Holmes Jeff , Petrella Robert J.
Published: March 2017

This 6-month experimental case series study investigated the effects of a dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise intervention on cognition, mobility, and cardiovascular health in community-dwelling older adults without dementia. Participants exercised 40 min/day, 3 days/week for 26 weeks on a Biodex GaitTrainer2 treadmill. Participants were assessed at baseline (V0), interim (V1: 12-weeks), intervention endpoint (V2: 26-weeks), and study endpoint (V3: 52-weeks). The study outcomes included: cognition [executive function (EF), processing speed, verbal fluency, and memory]; mobility: usual & dual-task gait (speed, step length, and stride time variability); and vascular health: ambulatory blood pressure, carotid arterial compliance, and intima-media thickness (cIMT). Fifty-six participants [age: 70(6) years; 61% female] were included in this study. Significant improvements following the exercise program (V2) were observed in cognition: EF ( p = 0.002), processing speed ( p < 0.001), verbal fluency [digit symbol coding ( p < 0.001), phonemic verbal fluency ( p < 0.001)], and memory [immediate recall ( p < 0.001) and delayed recall ( p < 0.001)]; mobility: usual & dual-task gait speed ( p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively) and step length ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively); and vascular health: cIMT ( p = 0.002). No changes were seen in the remaining outcomes. In conclusion, 26 weeks of dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise improved performance on a number of cognitive outcomes, while increasing usual & dual-task gait speed and step length in a sample of older adults without dementia.
CABG - Challenging Cases in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka, A Decade of Experience
Authors: Zahangir NM , Ahmed ST , Ahmed F , Kabir M , Rayhan MN , Ahmed N , Ahmed S , Haider MZ
Published: March 2017

Objective: To show outcome of challenging cases of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABO)Methods: A retrospective study, done in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka from 02-05-2005 to 13.12.2014. Total 1892 CABO cases were reviewed- Emergency: 22 cases, Off-pump: 1257 cases, Arrested heart: 554 cases, On-pump beating heart: 81 cases, MIDCAB: 2 cases. Female - 213 (11.25%), male -1679 (88.74%). Associated co-morbities: peripheral vascular disease: 19 cases, COPD: 78 cases, on dialysis: 17 cases, ventricular septal ruptures :10 cases, carotid occlusive disease: 88 cases, old stroke: 58 cases, permanent pacemaker: 4 cases, preoperative ventilator: 29 cases, left ventricular aneurysm: 58 cases, severe mitral regurgitation: 5 cases, EF: 31-50% =260 cases, 21-30% =147 cases, 15- 20% = 8 cases. Associated procedures -left ventricular aneurysm repair: 42 cases, mitral valve replacement: 30 cases, aortic valve replacement: 25 cases ,double valve replacement: 3 cases, RA myxoma removal: 1 case, LV aneurysm repair with mitral valve procedure: 5 cases , LV aneurysm repair with ventricular septal rupture repair: 5 cases, ventricular septal rupture repair: 10 cases, aorto-femoral bypass: 3 cases, ileo femoral bypass: 1 case, left aorto-axillary bypass: 1 case , Bentall procedure with Brachio-cephalic artery re-implantation: 1 case, Aorto-bifemoral bipopliteal bypass: 1 case, redo CABO-7, IABP preoperatively: 12 cases.Results: Overall mortality rate 2.12% (39 cases), emergency 9.09 % (2 cases) mortality, routine mortality 1.97% (37 cases).Conclusion: Challenging cases of CABO can be done with acceptable morbidity and mortality with good long term outcome.Pulse Vol.9 January-December 2016 p.6-14
Flow Cytometric Immunophenotyping of Acute Leukemia the Essential Considerations
Authors: Rahman MM , Rahim R
Published: March 2017

Objective: This article serves to promote the interest of participants involved in management of hematological malignancies in the efficacy of flow cytometry in the immunophenotypic characterization of leukemias and lymphomas. This well-defmed characterization plays a crucial role in diagnosis, classification, prognostic evaluation, and detection of minimal residual disease, in the context of clinical features and morphological diagnosis.Methodology: Relevant literature was retrieved to highlight the principles of operation of flow cytometly, applications, derivable clinical information, sources of errors, necessary antibodies and general considerations towards definitive diagnosis of acute leukemia.Conclusion: Hematological malignancy is an extremely heterogeneous disorder. Use of flow cytometric immunophenotyping in these disorders is already proven over two decades and allowed clinicians for proper classification along the latest WHO classification guidelines and will pave the way for targeted therapy and better patient management. The flow cytometric immunophenotyping services in the country will significantly outweigh the cost by reducing the duration of hospital stay and patient management in right way.Pulse Vol.9 January-December 2016 p.27-36
Robert Bolt (1924–1995) Et A Man for all Seasons
Authors: Marc’hadour Germain
Published: March 2017

Né dans la banlieue de Manchester, Boit inaugura sa carrière dramatique par des saynètes de Noël composées pour ses élèves. Sa pièce sur Thomas More, Un homme pour toutes les saisons, présentée d’abord à la BBC, connut un succès immédiat à Londres et à New York (1960). Paul Scofield, qui incarnait More au théâtre, conserva ce rôle dans le film de Fred Zinnemann (Hollywood, 1966), qui obtint six oscars et un accueil triomphal. Le texte de Boit, dans l’original écrit pour la scène aussi bien que dans le script adapté à 1’écran, est un classique, diffusé en éditions scolaires annotées et en vidéo-cassettes, profusément cité et commenté. La formule a man for all seasons, qui en est venue à désigner More, a généré d’ innombrables pastiches.
Fictional Remembrances of Sir Thomas More: Part II/II– Early Seventeenth Century
Authors: Bars Closel Régis Augustus
Published: March 2017

This article focuses on how artistic works such as plays and literature in 16th and 17th-century England dealt with the fictional presence of Sir Thomas More. Among Tudor statesmen, Thomas More had a special appeal as a topic of thought during the Elizabethan–Jacobean period, quite apart from his opposition to the marriage which led to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The range of works considered covers the Marian, Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. These works compose a heterogeneous and intriguing group in which every piece has its own particular way of remembering Thomas More. Six works are presented here: the dialogue Il Moro (1556) by Ellis Heywood; a late morality play, The Longer Thou Livest the More Fool Thou Art (1569), by William Wager; a novel, The Unfortunate Traveller (1594), by Thomas Nashe; and three plays, Cromwell (1602), by an unknown dramatist, Sir Thomas More (1600–1603/4), by five different dramatists, and Henry VIII (1613), by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher. Due to the scope of this research, the article is written in two parts. This part explores the last three seventeenth-century fictional works by John Fletcher and Shakespeare, an anonymous play and the collaborative play by Anthony Munday, Henry Chettle, with additions by Thomas Heywood, Thomas Dekker and William Shakespeare.
Locating More: The Dialogical Gardenscapes of Thomas More and Ellis Heywood’sIl Moro
Authors: Lucas Hannah
Published: March 2017

This essay explores the gardenscapes that Thomas More inhabited, and how these locations defined his writing and the critical canon. Through a study of both More’s works and the earliest posthumous recollections of the author in Ellis Heywood’s Il Moro, I consider how physical spaces and their respective environments of enclosure or exposure influenced More and posthumous remembrances of him.
Boethian Philosophy in Sir Thomas More’s Familial Portrait
Authors: Zhang Michael W.
Published: March 2017

The works of Boethius had a profound influence on Thomas More, both in his personal life and in his writings. The lives and circumstances of the two politicians/philosophers shared many similarities as well — the two men were trusted advisors to their kings, and both were eventually sentenced to death by the man whom they had served. Beyond coincidences, this connection is rendered visible following an analysis of the familial portrait of Thomas More and his family, originally painted by Hans Holbein, and locating the various Boethian themes that can be found within the work. David R. Smith has called this image a “counter-portrait” as the painting offers a set of intellectual parodies that are produced by contradicting certain pre-conceived expectations. My work will make a more specific claim that this familial portrait of the More household is not only immersed in Boethian themes, but this “counter-portrait” presents a series of active visual contradictions that run counter to Boethian reasoning, creating parodies in the process.
St. Thomas More and St. John Chrysostom
Authors: Mitjans Frank
Published: March 2017

In the introduction to Translations of Lucian, More wrote that “of all learned men” Chrysostom was “the most Christian and – at least in [his] opinion – of all Christians the most learned.” It is worth considering how much they were in tune. In 1499 More had access to a new manuscript of Chrysostom’s Commentary on the Gospel of St. Matthew, now in Corpus Christi College. In the first homily Chrysostom gives an overall view of his work and of the teaching of Christ and writes that the apostles brought us a “new principle of life, another manner of living: both in wealth and in poverty, in freedom and in slavery, in life and in death, changing all, our world and our polity. Not like Plato who composed that ridiculous Polis.” That reference to the Republic of Plato is echoed in the Hexastichon of Utopia, Nunc ciuitatis aemula Platonicae / Fortasse uictrix. More deliberately used the word civitas rather than respublica; for in this way he came closer to the word used by Plato and Chrysostom, πολιτεαν. The key theme of that first homily of Chrysostom, addressed to the citizens of Antioch, is that the teaching of Christ is to be practised in the “polis” and in the “agora.” Reference to both the city and market place is to be found also in the letter More addressed to Colet in October 1504. This essay will consider the influence of Chrysostom on More at the time of his writing Utopia.
Journalism, Caricature and Satirical Drawings in Early Picasso (1891–1895): The Awakening of Pablo Ruiz’s Critical Consciousness
Authors: Castro X. Antón
Published: March 2017

In Pablo Picasso’s formative period in A Coruña (1891–1895), where he was born as an artist, the child and pre-adolescent who at that time signed himself as Pablo Ruiz, already knowing he was a genius, pursued an intense programme of creative activity while devoting himself to drawing and painting. Making use of his facility for reproducing the world around him in images, he also proved to be an incipient devotee of journalism as an instrument of communication and social awareness, a satirical draughtsman and caricaturist, seeking to give his version of events, in line with the magazines and newspapers of the period, and displaying a critical ability unusual in a child, a committed gaze, not devoid of humour and sarcasm, which prefigures the later Picasso with his progressive views, acute intelligence, meta-ironic approach and support for great causes.
Incorporating Hypnosis into Pediatric Clinical Encounters
Authors: Pendergrast Robert
Published: March 2017

Increasing numbers of licensed health professionals who care for children have been trained in clinical hypnosis. The evidence base for the safety and efficacy of this therapeutic approach in a wide variety of conditions is also growing. Pediatricians and other health professionals who have received training may wish to apply these skills in appropriate clinical scenarios but still may be unsure of the practical matters of how to incorporate this skill-set into day to day practice. Moreover, the practical application of such skills will take very different forms depending on the practice setting, types of acute or chronic conditions, patient and family preferences, and the developmental stages of the child or teen. This article reviews the application of pediatric clinical hypnosis skills by describing the use of hypnotic language outside of formal trance induction, by describing natural trance states that occur in children and teens in healthcare settings, and by describing the process of planning a clinical hypnosis encounter. It is assumed that this article does not constitute training in hypnosis or qualify its readers for the application of such skills; rather, it may serve as a practical guide for those professionals who have been so trained, and may serve to inform other professionals what to expect when referring a patient for hypnotherapy. The reader is referred to specific training opportunities and organizations.
Age and Growth of An Outbreaking Acanthaster cf. solaris Population within the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: MacNeil M. , Chong-Seng Karen , Pratchett Deborah , Thompson Casssandra , Messmer Vanessa , Pratchett Morgan
Published: March 2017

Despite having been studied for more than 40 years, much about the basic life history of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS; Acanthaster spp.) remains poorly understood. Size at age—a key metric of productivity for any animal population—has yet to be clearly defined, primarily due to difficulties in obtaining validated ages and potentially indeterminate growth due to factors such as starvation; within-population variability is entirely unknown. Here we develop age and growth estimates for an outbreaking CoTS population in Australian waters by integrating prior information with data from CoTS collected from multiple outbreaking reefs. Age estimates were made from un-validated band counts of 2038 individual starfish. Results from our three-parameter von Bertalanffy Bayesian hierarchical model show that, under 2013–2014 outbreak conditions, CoTS on the GBR grew to a 349 (326, 380) mm (posterior median (95% uncertainty interval)) total diameter at a 0.54 (0.43, 0.66) intrinsic rate of increase. However, we also found substantial evidence (ΔDIC > 200) for inter-reef variability in both maximum size (SD 38 (19, 76)) and intrinsic rate of increase (SD 0.32 (0.20, 0.49)) within the CoTS outbreak initiation area. These results suggest that CoTS demography can vary widely with reef-scale environmental conditions, supporting location-based mechanisms for CoTS outbreaks generally. These findings should help improve population and metapopulation models of CoTS dynamics and better predict the potential damage they may cause in the future.
On Hölder Projective Divergences
Authors: Nielsen Frank , Sun Ke , Marchand-Maillet Stéphane
Published: March 2017

We describe a framework to build distances by measuring the tightness of inequalities and introduce the notion of proper statistical divergences and improper pseudo-divergences. We then consider the Hölder ordinary and reverse inequalities and present two novel classes of Hölder divergences and pseudo-divergences that both encapsulate the special case of the Cauchy–Schwarz divergence. We report closed-form formulas for those statistical dissimilarities when considering distributions belonging to the same exponential family provided that the natural parameter space is a cone (e.g., multivariate Gaussians) or affine (e.g., categorical distributions). Those new classes of Hölder distances are invariant to rescaling and thus do not require distributions to be normalized. Finally, we show how to compute statistical Hölder centroids with respect to those divergences and carry out center-based clustering toy experiments on a set of Gaussian distributions which demonstrate empirically that symmetrized Hölder divergences outperform the symmetric Cauchy–Schwarz divergence.
Lithium-ion Battery Electrothermal Model, Parameter Estimation, and Simulation Environment
Authors: Orcioni Simone , Buccolini Luca , Ricci Adriana , Conti Massimo
Published: March 2017

The market for lithium-ion batteries is growing exponentially. The performance of battery cells is growing due to improving production technology, but market request is growing even more rapidly. Modeling and characterization of single cells and an efficient simulation environment is fundamental for the development of an efficient battery management system. The present work is devoted to defining a novel lumped electrothermal circuit of a single battery cell, the extraction procedure of the parameters of the single cell from experiments, and a simulation environment in SystemC-WMS for the simulation of a battery pack. The electrothermal model of the cell was validated against experimental measurements obtained in a climatic chamber. The model is then used to simulate a 48-cell battery, allowing statistical variations among parameters. The different behaviors of the cells in terms of state of charge, current, voltage, or heat flow rate can be observed in the results of the simulation environment.
A Novel High Step-Up DC-DC Converter with Coupled Inductor and Switched Clamp Capacitor Techniques for Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Wong Yong-Seng , Chen Jiann-Fuh , Liu Kuo-Bin , Hsieh Yi-Ping
Published: March 2017

In this study, a novel high step-up DC-DC converter was successfully integrated using coupled inductor and switched capacitor techniques. High step-up DC-DC gain was achieved using a coupled inductor when capacitors charged and discharged energy, respectively. In addition, energy was recovered from the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor by using a passive clamp circuit. Therefore, the voltage stress of the main power switch was almost reduced to 1/7 Vo (output voltage). Moreover, the coupled inductor alleviated the reverse-recovery problem of the diode. The proposed circuit efficiency can be further improved and high voltage gain can be achieved. The operation principle and steady-state analysis of the proposed converter were discussed. Finally, a hardware prototype circuit with input voltage of 24 V, output voltage of up to 400 V, and maximum power of 150 W was constructed in a laboratory; the maximum efficiency was almost 96.2%.
HIV Education and Welfare Services in Primary Care: An Empirical Model of Integration in Brazil’s Unified Health System
Authors: Rahman Rahbel , Pinto Rogério , Wall Melanie
Published: March 2017

Integration of health education and welfare services in primary care systems is a key strategy to solve the multiple determinants of chronic diseases, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). However, there is a scarcity of conceptual models from which to build integration strategies. We provide a model based on cross-sectional data from 168 Community Health Agents, 62 nurses, and 32 physicians in two municipalities in Brazil’s Unified Health System (UHS). The outcome, service integration, comprised HIV education, community activities (e.g., health walks and workshops), and documentation services (e.g., obtainment of working papers and birth certificates). Predictors included individual factors (provider confidence, knowledge/skills, perseverance, efficacy); job characteristics (interprofessional collaboration, work-autonomy, decision-making autonomy, skill variety); and organizational factors (work conditions and work resources). Structural equation modeling was used to identify factors associated with service integration. Knowledge and skills, skill variety, confidence, and perseverance predicted greater integration of HIV education alongside community activities and documentation services. Job characteristics and organizational factors did not predict integration. Our study offers an explanatory model that can be adapted to examine other variables that may influence integration of different services in global primary healthcare systems. Findings suggest that practitioner trainings to improve integration should focus on cognitive constructs—confidence, perseverance, knowledge, and skills.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Responses to Clopidogrel: Evidences and Perspectives
Authors: Zhang Yan-Jiao , Li Mu-Peng , Tang Jie , Chen Xiao-Ping
Published: March 2017

Clopidogrel has significantly reduced the incidence of recurrent atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and in those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, recurrence events still remain, which may be partly due to inadequate platelet inhibition by standard clopidogrel therapy. Genetic polymorphisms involved in clopidogrel’s absorption, metabolism, and the P2Y12 receptor may interfere with its antiplatelet activity. Recent evidence indicated that epigenetic modification may also affect clopidogrel response. In addition, non-genetic factors such as demographics, disease complications, and drug-drug interactions can impair the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. The identification of factors contributing to the variation in clopidogrel response is needed to improve platelet inhibition and to reduce risk for cardiovascular events. This review encompasses the most recent updates on factors influencing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses to clopidogrel.
Vertical Handover Algorithm for WBANs in Ubiquitous Healthcare with Quality of Service Guarantees
Authors: Van Dong , Ai Qingsong , Liu Quan
Published: March 2017

Recently, Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have become an emerging technology in healthcare, where patients are equipped withwearable and implantable body sensor nodes to gather sensory information for remote monitoring. The increasing development of coordinator devices on patients enables the internetworking of WBANs in heterogeneous wireless networks to deliver physiological information that is collected at remote terminals in a timely fashion. However, in this type of network, providing a seamless handover with a guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS), especially emergency services, is a challenging task. In this paper, we proposed an effective Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) handover algorithm that guarantees seamless connectivity. A patient’s mobile devices automatically connect to the best network that fulfills the QoS requirements of different types of applications. Additionally, we integrated a Content-Centric Networking (CCN) processing module into different wireless networks to reduce packet loss, enhance QoS and avoid unnecessary handovers by leveraging in-network caching to achieve efficient content dissemination for ubiquitous healthcare. Simulation results proved that our proposed approach forthe model with CCN outperforms the model without CCN and Received Signal Strength Vertical Handoff (RSS-VHD) in terms of the number of handovers, enhancing QoS, packet loss, and energy efficiency.
Cytotoxicity of Light-Cured Dental Materials according to Different Sample Preparation Methods
Authors: Lee Myung-Jin , Kim Mi-Joo , Kwon Jae-Sung , Lee Sang-Bae , Kim Kwang-Mahn
Published: March 2017

Dental light-cured resins can undergo different degrees of polymerization when applied in vivo. When polymerization is incomplete, toxic monomers may be released into the oral cavity. The present study assessed the cytotoxicity of different materials, using sample preparation methods that mirror clinical conditions. Composite and bonding resins were used and divided into four groups according to sample preparation method: uncured; directly cured samples, which were cured after being placed on solidified agar; post-cured samples were polymerized before being placed on agar; and “removed unreacted layer” samples had their oxygen-inhibition layer removed after polymerization. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using an agar diffusion test, MTT assay, and confocal microscopy. Uncured samples were the most cytotoxic, while removed unreacted layer samples were the least cytotoxic (p < 0.05). In the MTT assay, cell viability increased significantly in every group as the concentration of the extracts decreased (p < 0.05). Extracts from post-cured and removed unreacted layer samples of bonding resin were less toxic than post-cured and removed unreacted layer samples of composite resin. Removal of the oxygen-inhibition layer resulted in the lowest cytotoxicity. Clinicians should remove unreacted monomers on the resin surface immediately after restoring teeth with light-curing resin to improve the restoration biocompatibility.
Investigation of Quasi-Static Indentation Response of Inkjet Printed Sandwich Structures under Various Indenter Geometries
Authors: Dikshit Vishwesh , Nagalingam Arun , Yap Yee , Sing Swee , Yeong Wai , Wei Jun
Published: March 2017

The objective of this investigation was to determine the quasi-static indentation response and failure mode in three-dimensional (3D) printed trapezoidal core structures, and to characterize the energy absorbed by the structures. In this work, the trapezoidal sandwich structure was designed in the following two ways. Firstly, the trapezoidal core along with its facesheet was 3D printed as a single element comprising a single material for both core and facesheet (type A); Secondly, the trapezoidal core along with facesheet was 3D printed, but with variation in facesheet materials (type B). Quasi-static indentation was carried out using three different indenters, namely standard hemispherical, conical, and flat indenters. Acoustic emission (AE) technique was used to capture brittle cracking in the specimens during indentation. The major failure modes were found to be brittle failure and quasi-brittle fractures. The measured indentation energy was at a maximum when using a conical indenter at 9.40 J and 9.66 J and was at a minimum when using a hemispherical indenter at 6.87 J and 8.82 J for type A and type B series specimens respectively. The observed maximum indenter displacements at failure were the effect of material variations and composite configurations in the facesheet.
Fabrication and Cytotoxicity of Fucoidan-Cisplatin Nanoparticles for Macrophage and Tumor Cells
Authors: Hwang Pai-An , Lin Xiao-Zhen , Kuo Ko-Liang , Hsu Fu-Yin
Published: March 2017

Fucoidan, an anionic, sulfated polysaccharide from brown seaweed, is known to exhibit antitumor and immunomodulatory functions. To develop an immune protection and chemotherapeutic agent, fucoidan-cisplatin nanoparticles (FCNPs) were designed. FCNPs were prepared by mixing cisplatin with fucoidan solution or fucoidan with cisplatin solution, followed by dialysis to remove trace elements. The nanoparticles, comprising 10 mg of fucoidan and 2 mg of cisplatin, which exhibited the highest cisplatin content and loading efficiency during the production process, were named as Fu100Cis20. The cisplatin content, cisplatin loading efficiency, nanoparticle size, and zeta potential of Fu100Cis20 were 18.9% ± 2.7%, 93.3% ± 7.8%, 181.2 ± 21.0 nm, and −67.4 ± 2.3 mV, respectively. Immune protection assay revealed that Fu100Cis20-treated RAW264.7 cells were protected from the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. Furthermore, antitumor assay indicated that Fu100Cis20-treated HCT-8 cells showed stronger cytotoxicity than those treated with cisplatin alone. These results suggested that fucoidan-based nanoparticles exhibited suitable particle size and high drug encapsulation, and that Fu100Cis20 has potential application in both immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Dietary Intake of Individual (Free and Intrinsic) Sugars and Food Sources in the Spanish Population: Findings from the ANIBES Study
Authors: Ruiz Emma , Rodriguez Paula , Valero Teresa , Ávila José , Aranceta-Bartrina Javier , Gil Ángel , González-Gross Marcela , Ortega Rosa , Serra-Majem Lluis , Varela-Moreiras Gregorio
Published: March 2017

The consumption of total and individual sugars is controversial and little is known about consumption and dietary sources in Spain. The purpose was to examine free and intrinsic sugar intake and food and beverage sources. The ANIBES Study (Anthropometry, Intake and Energy Balance in Spain), a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the Spanish population (9–75 years old; n = 2009) carried out in 2013, was used. Food and beverage records were obtained by a three-day dietary record by using a tablet device. The median total sugar intake was 71.5 g/day (17% Total Energy, TE), the intrinsic sugar intake was 38.3 g/day (9.6% TE), and the free sugar was 28.8 g/day (7.3% TE). Total sugar intake (free and intrinsic) was higher in men than in women for all age groups, although in terms of the contribution to total energy intake, the opposite was observed. Differences were observed for free sugar consumption dependent on age and marked differences (up to two-fold) were observed when considering the percent TE, which was much higher in children and adolescents. For the intrinsic sugar, however, a higher contribution to TE was observed in the elderly. The major sources of intrinsic sugars were fruits (31.8%), milks (19.6%), juices and nectars (11.1%), vegetables (9.89%), yogurt and fermented milk (7.18%), low-alcohol-content beverages (4,94%), bread (2.91%), and sugar soft drinks (2.24%), greater than 90% from diet contribution. As for free sugars, sources were sugar soft drinks (25.5%), sugar (17.8%), bakery and pastry items (15.2%), chocolates (11.4%), yogurt and fermented milk (6.44%), other dairy products (5.99%), jams (3.58%), juices and nectars (2.91%), and breakfast cereals and cereal bars (2.78%), summing up to 90% of the contribution. The present study demonstrates that only a moderate percentage of the Spanish population adhered to the present recommendations for total sugar intake, and urgent efforts are needed to improve diet quality in the youngest populations.
Association between Coffee Consumption and Its Polyphenols with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Miranda Andreia , Steluti Josiane , Fisberg Regina , Marchioni Dirce
Published: March 2017

Epidemiological studies have examined the effect of coffee intake on cardiovascular disease, but the benefits and risks for the cardiovascular system remain controversial. Our objective was to evaluate the association between coffee consumption and its polyphenols on cardiovascular risk factors. Data came from the “Health Survey of São Paulo (ISA-Capital)” among 557 individuals, in São Paulo, Brazil. Diet was assessed by two 24-h dietary recalls. Coffee consumption was categorized into <1, 1–3, and ≥3 cups/day. Polyphenol intake was calculated by matching food consumption data with the Phenol-Explorer database. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides, fasting glucose, and homocysteine) and usual coffee intake. The odds were lower among individuals who drank 1–3 cups of coffee/day to elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.45; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 0.26, 0.78), elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.98), and hyperhomocysteinemia (OR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.93). Furthermore, significant inverse associations were also observed between moderate intake of coffee polyphenols and elevated SBP (OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.87), elevated DBP (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.98), and hyperhomocysteinemia (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.78). In conclusion, coffee intake of 1–3 cups/day and its polyphenols were associated with lower odds of elevated SBP, DBP, and hyperhomocysteinemia. Thus, the moderate consumption of coffee, a polyphenol-rich beverage, could exert a protective effect against some cardiovascular risk factors.
Elevated Serum Hepcidin Levels during an Intensified Training Period in Well-Trained Female Long-Distance Runners
Authors: Ishibashi Aya , Maeda Naho , Sumi Daichi , Goto Kazushige
Published: March 2017

Iron is essential for providing oxygen to working muscles during exercise, and iron deficiency leads to decreased exercise capacity during endurance events. However, the mechanism of iron deficiency among endurance athletes remains unclear. In this study, we compared iron status between two periods involving different training regimens. Sixteen female long-distance runners participated. Over a seven-month period, fasting blood samples were collected during their regular training period (LOW; middle of February) and during an intensified training period (INT; late of August) to determine blood hematological, iron, and inflammatory parameters. Three-day food diaries were also assessed. Body weight and lean body mass did not differ significantly between LOW and INT, while body fat and body fat percentage were significantly lower in INT (p < 0.05). Blood hemoglobin, serum ferritin, total protein, and iron levels, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation did not differ significantly between the two periods. Serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher during INT than LOW (p < 0.05). Carbohydrate and iron intakes from the daily diet were significantly higher during INT than LOW (p < 0.05). In conclusion, an elevated hepcidin level was observed during an intensified training period in long-distance runners, despite an apparently adequate daily intake of iron.