bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OPTIMASI PRODUKSI BAWANG MERAH UTUH (Allium AscAlonicum l) IN BRINE
Authors: Setyadjit, M.App.Sc NFN , Risfaheri NFN , Handayani Aisya Ayu
Published: November 2019

Bawang merah utuh in brine adalah bawang merah segar yang diawetkan dalam larutan garam, asam atau keduanya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan konsentrasi NaCl, asam sitrat, serta waktu pasteurisasi yang optimum dalam proses pembuatan bawang merah utuh in brine. Optimasi ini dilakukan dengan metode Response Surface Methodology (RSM), didapatkan 18 variasi konsentrasi NaCl, asam sitrat, dan lama pemanasan yang kemudian dihasilkan satu formula proses optimum. Parameter respon analisis meliputi aktivitas antioksidan metode DPPH, total antosianin, kecerahan warna, kadar keasaman (pH), angka lempeng total (ALT)), aktivitas air (Aw), volatile substances dan total padatan terlarut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dengan penambahan 10% NaCl, 1% asam sitrat, dan lama pemanasan 20 menit merupakan formula yang optimum.. Dengan perlakuan tersebut bawaang merah utuh in brine memiliki pH 3,38, aktivitas air 1,0, TPT 15,4 °Brix, ALT 45,45 x 10² CFU/g, chroma chromatic)15.9, aktivitas antioksidan 191,841 ppm dengan persentase inhibisi 66.905%, total antosianin 23.83 ppm, dan volatil Substance 4701 ppm.

Optimation of Producing Whole Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L) in Brine.

The whole shallot in brine is fresh shallot preserved in a salt solution. The purpose of this research was to determine the optimum concentration of NaCl, citric acid and time of pasteurisation to get the optimum product, This optimation was done using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) DX7 tool programme. DX7 formulated 18 variation of NaCl, citric acid, time of pasteurization, after processing data one optimum formula was obtained. Parameters measured were antioxidant as DPPH, anthocyanin content, color, pH, total plate count, water activity and total soluble solid. The results showed that the addition of 10% salt, 1% citric acid, and 20 minutes of heating time was the optimal formula,. With this treatment the whole shallot in brine has a pH value of 3.38, a water activity of 1.0 TPT 15.4 ° Brix, ALT 45.45 x 10² CFU / g, Chromameter (chromatic) 15.9, antioxidant activity 191.841 ppm with 66.905% inhibition percentage, 23.83 ppm anthocyanin and VS 4701
Deep-sea fans: tapping into Earth's changing landscapes
Authors: Hessler Angela M. , Fildani Andrea
Published: November 2019

Deep-sea fan sediments carry physical and chemical signatures that reflect the conditions under which their native landscapes evolved. Fans are long-lived, strongly net-depositional heaps of terrigenous debris, in some cases directly connected to a major river catchment. Here we use recent findings from deep-sea fans around the world to reason that modern fans might be our most continuous record of Cenozoic landscape change over large geographic scales. We opt for the use of multiple signatures that indicate major shifts in composition, because this approach avoids the problems inherent to measuring sediment flux alone. We emphasize the importance of looking across grain size, in particular at the clay fraction, the fastest carrier of sedimentary signals. Highlighted cases show the range of environmental signals preserved in deep-sea fans, observed over millennial and longer time scales, and how these signals help us understand the climate–surface interactions important to the carbon cycle. Revisiting legacy core with new techniques, in addition to future drilling campaigns, can provide the observational constraints needed to fill recognized gaps in climate models and landscape–erosion projections.
Abandonment & Decommission Practice of China Bohai Bay: Working Flow Optimized and Cost Reduction
Authors: Xu Hongfei , Li Xiaogang , Wang Chao , Deng He , Liu Zhan’ao , Ji Dawei , Miao Dianyuan , Sun Huiming , Xu Zhengrong , Zhang Jie
Published: November 2019

Although Bohai oilfield is still the main force of China offshore oilfield, some blocks had run out of production and need to be decommissioned. NB field which belonged to CNPC was in this state and has been decommission. In this job, most of procedure had been optimized. For pursued the best cutting performance, Abrasive Waterjet Cutting System (AWCS) had been used for multi-layer casing-strings and platforms cutting operation. Resistance force of casing-string pulled out and platform lifted had been calculated by using soil mechanics for choosing the suitable floating crane before the lifting operation. A numerical simulation was provided for checking the max displacement of platform after pile legs were cut. Moving sequence had been made based on the results of the simulation. The operation time of single casing-string had been reduced by using optimized working flow. With assistant of 150 tons class floating crane, 7-8 hours could be saved for each casing-string. Assemblage and dismantlement operation of casing-strings and pile legs cutting except the first and last casing-string or pile leg of the platform could be saved. The results of numerical simulation showed that platforms would have enough stability for decommission operation while all the pile legs had been cut. Based on the simulation results, all the platforms had been moved used one-stop operation after they had been cut and much time and money was saved. Based on the results of calculation of pulling out resistance force, 150 tons class and 500 tons class floating crane had been chosen for lifting casing-strings and platforms. During the job, the deviation of casing-strings was bigger than pile legs. The extra pulling loading was appeared for conductors. In order to find out the reason of that phenomenon, an experiment was conducted. The results of experiment could become a guidance for the next job.
Evaluation of an Ultra-High Performance Epoxy Resin Sealant for Wellbore Integrity Applications
Authors: Alkhamis Mohammed , Imqam Abdulmohsin , Milad Muhend
Published: November 2019

After drilling each section of a well, cement is placed in the annulus of the casing and the formation. The cement integrity must be ensured during the life cycle of the well or after abandonment. If for any reason, the cement lost its integrity, the consequences could be severe for personnel, equipment, and the environment. When the cement fail, leakages may occur through the cement pathways and sealant materials are used to plug these pathways. This study investigates a temperature activated epoxy resin sealant to evaluate the potential use of this sealant as an alternative to Portland cement in oil and gas wells. This study focuses on analyzing the rheological behavior of the sealant, the effect of temperature on the rheology and the curing time of the sealant, the penetrability of the sealant into small voids, and the blocking efficiency of the sealant. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the epoxy resin sealant including rheological measurements, density, injectivity, blocking efficiency, and mechanical properties. The findings of this study show that this sealant has low viscosity and Newtonian rheological behavior, low density as low as water, high injectivity and penetrability even in small gaps, ability to resist differential pressure higher 1000 psi, and extremely high compressive strength. This work demonstrates that epoxy resin sealant can be used effectively and safely in sealing cement voids.
Emerging Decommissioning Trends in South East Asia:- Local Interpretation and Implementation of Recently Updated Legislative Framework and Guidelines.
Authors: Jagerroos Sylvia , Kayleigh Hughes
Published: November 2019

Decommissioning trends in South East Asia (SEA), demonstrate variation in approach between countries, despite local environmental conditions being somewhat similar. The best decommissioning option will vary subject to local aspects, such as key stakeholders, waste management and disposal facilities, available technologies and the application and interpretation of decommissioning guidelines. This paper will review case studies of the latest decommissioning projects conducted across the SEA region. The aim will be to provide an analysis of some of the latest trends and potential emerging decommissioning approach patterns. Furthermore, this study will discuss whether the emerging decommissioning trends are strategic, pragmatic in approach and add value to an already complex process.
Non-Destructive Testing Techniques for Offshore Underwater Decommissioning Projects through Cutting Detection: A State of Review
Authors: Zawawi Noor Amila , Liew M.S. S , Alaloul Wesam Salah , Shawn Lim Eu , Imran Muhammad , Toloue Iraj
Published: November 2019

Underwater decommissioning is a challenging and expensive job especially when a company is not getting any benefit. The efficient, economical and environmentally friendly technique is highly desirable. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the available techniques for the nondestructive test (NDT) that can be potentially used for the decommissioning project to identify clear cut during cutting. Therefore, this paper discusses the stat of the art techniques that can be used preferably underwater NDT for cut detection application. The approach will focus on existing methods available for NDT. There are various NDTs but the current study only focused on the techniques that can be used underwater monitoring. Therefore, review of past studies and techniques that are commonly used in industry for NDTs will be discussed, particularly for Alternative Current Field Measurement (ACFM), Magnetic Partial (MPI), Eddy-Current (EC), Ultrasonic testing (UT), Radiographic Testing (RT), Visual Testing (VT) and Acoustic Emission (AE) Testing techniques will be discussed with real application in O&G with selected case studies. In the end, the advantages and disadvantages will be discussed to compare the suitability for the decommissioning project. The matrix presented summarized the key elements that need to consider before selecting a system for decommissioning project for considering cut detection.
Subsurface Plug and Abandonment Disconnect Tool: Case History, Angola
Authors: Urdaneta Javier , Neto Antonio , Fontoura Dilson
Published: November 2019

After a well’s productive life, plug and abandonment (P&A) techniques are often used to secure wellbore isolation. Several challenges exist associated with placing cement plugs in open and cased holes, particularly in highly deviated wells. The primary factor for inadequate isolation is cement contamination resulting from intermixing of mud when placing cement plugs using conventional techniques. A solution to be able to place cement plugs during the first attempt and help prevent nonproductive time or additional rig costs was necessary; therefore, a tool was designed to address the challenges associated with setting cement plugs and has been used as a best practice to help ensure competent cement plugs.

The innovative disconnect tool was conceived as part of a solution for placing competent long-length cement plugs on the first attempt because of mechanical limitations faced when attempting to set multiple conventional cement plugs per interval. The tool connects drillable or nondrillable sacrificial tubing to the work string and provides the ability to disconnect the work string at the top of cement, leaving the sacrificial tubing in place. This process allows operators to place long cement volumes in one trip to cover the desired zones. While the tool leaves the sacrificial tubing in situ, the cement plug is undisturbed, minimizing possible contamination.

Seven deepwater wells were abandoned during a recent campaign in Angola using the high-performance disconnect tool. Using this tool provided more than USD 4 million in savings attributed to reduced rig time, which helped address the overall challenge of reducing well abandonment time. The tool performed successfully in all wells on the first attempt and passed the necessary isolation tests.

The engineered procedure, lessons learned, and quality assurance/procedure created during the preparation stage are presented, along with the engineering methodology and full analysis of potential challenges. This case study is an addition to the growing number of successful projects within the region that are helping achieve the planned objective with significantly reduced rig time.
Stakeholder Engagement in the Decommissioning Process
Authors: Genter Sabrina
Published: November 2019

The influence of an oil or gas operation on its host communities continues beyond the decommissioning of assets. The extent of influence and/ or impact will vary depending on the nature of the operations, in particular the proximity of sensitive receptors (e.g. communities, commercial and recreational fisheries).

When done well, planning for closure serves as a foundation for sustained socio-economic well-being, beneficial reuse of project assets, and accountable decision-making. This ultimately contributes to an operator's social license.

However, without effective planning, stakeholders often find themselves unable to adapt to the changes brought about through decommissioning. The outcome is an operator with undue expectations and stakeholder grievances. This has been shown to impact an operator's social license to operate, which, in recent times, has been amplified by the transparency created through avenues like social media.

Social license to operate is not a new concept for the industry. To date, much of the focus has been on obtaining a social license to operate in the early stages of a project, and maintaining it during the operation phase.

What is emerging is the need to obtain and maintain a social license during the decommissioning process (and beyond). This requires good planning and extensive engagement with stakeholders, including affected communities and regulators.
Automated Marine Biomass Recognition in Uncontrolled Underwater Environment for Marine Biomass Evaluations in Decommissioning Options Assessment
Authors: Mohd Thiyahuddin Mohd Izzat , Ithnin Ghazali , Samsuddin M Ismail , M Sulaiman M Zhafran , M Ros M Ikhranizam , Abdul Rahman M Redzuan
Published: November 2019

Each topside structure due to be decommissioned requires a thorough case-by-case evaluation for best abandonment options. With the prospect of conducting decommissioning campaigns to reduce cost, decommissioning engineers still need to conduct multiple individual decommissioning options assessments (DOA) ahead of the bundled campaigns. Hence, it is necessary to equip decommissioning engineers with new technologies to expedite comparative assessments and evaluations.

With more decommissioning being completed in campaigns, engineers require a fast automated technique to quantify and categorize marine biomass surrounding offshore structures for DOA evaluations. This tool aims to provide accurate count for marine biomass to support the decision-making processes of fisheries, marine conservation proponents and scientists in decommissioning option assessments. Researcher from PETRONAS utilizes of available ROV inspection videos from PETRONAS assets and employ image processing to detect and track marine biomass along the jackets.

In this paper, a method of biomass tracking using automated scanning of video data is presented. The approach describes the initial research carried out to detect fish in the deep-sea environment video. The sequence used in this project consist of three components which is preprocess, detect and track marine lives. The tool employed produces encouraging results of detecting medium-large marine biomass from the video. Smaller minnows proved to be a challenge due to the quality of video and existence of marine snow. Once detected, the algorithm creates bounding boxes to monitor the marine surrounding the jacket leg. Results from the study showed that the precision rated at between 63% to 75% compared to manual tracking. Further improvement to this tool will include image processing alongside deep learning to increase its accuracy. The outcome of this tool will be useful during regulatory compliance & permitting phase as well as during the post remediation phase in the decommissioning value chain.
Managing Offshore Deepwater Decommissioning: Subsea and FPSO Decommissioning and Abandonment in West Africa
Authors: Zainal Abidin Suzaini , Mahasan Suhaimi
Published: November 2019

An oil field located about 80km west of the African coast at the water depth of 818m had reached its end of economic life. The facilities and wells would need to be Decommissioned and Abandoned (D&A). The Floating Production Storage & Offloading (FPSO), which was the key component of the facilities, would need to undergo the Disconnection and Demobilization (D&D) phase. The objective of this campaign was to restore the field back to its safe condition whilst minimising the environmental impact, complying with local and international legislative and at the same time delivering the Abandonment & Decommissioning (A&D) in line with good industry decommissioning practices at the most optimize cost. Upon completion of the D&D, the FPSO would require to return to her original base in the South East Asia (SEA).

This paper discusses a case study for a D&D campaign and activities of the FPSO which includes the Subsea, Umbilical, Riser and Flowline (SURF) and mooring system. One of the crucial areas during the execution phase was pertinent to the management and disposal of the hazardous waste that is subjected to transboundary movement as per the relevant convention. Amongst the hazardous waste were Natural Radioactive Occurrence Material (NORM), low specific activity (LSA) material, hydrocarbon sludge and contaminated water. It is necessary for the FPSO to be free from the above said hazardous waste for her to be accepted by the receiving base country.

This paper also describes the actual experiences and lessons learnt which can be applied in future projects.
Alternative Method for Mercury Detection Using Square Wave Anodic Striping Voltammetry
Authors: Silakorn Passaworn , Chanvanichskul Chatawut , Siangproh Weena , Chailapakul Orawon , Boonyongmaneerat Yuttanant
Published: November 2019

By the time the pipelines and other facilities reach their service lives and are to be decommissioned, Mercury (Hg) shall be assessed and monitored as per regulations and for the sake of health and environment care. Company and research institute partners have been therefore developing innovative method to prove the cleanliness of the pipelines and other facilities especially for on-site works.

In general, spectrophotometry such as cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed to be as standard technique to measure Hg level in samples. Even though this method is sensitive for lowconcentration detection, to meet the sensitivity requirement, it needs extensive sample preparation and long analysis time. Consequently, this technique is not suitable for analysis at worksites. Therefore, a sensitive, selective, rapid and portable Square Wave Anodic Striping Voltammetry (SWASV) has been developed for the determination of ultra-trace levels of Hg in samples.

Hg is contaminant and inherently found in Oil and Gas production and operation assets, especially in the Gulf of Thailand. It may interact and remain in pipelines and other facilities in the production and operation conditions. The level of Hg contamination is normally so low that some specific methodologies based on chemical laboratory are required to confirm such low concentration level (ppb to ppm level). However, it is not common to set-up laboratory station for Hg detection such as cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry at worksites especially at offshore remote well head platforms. SWASV could be therefore an alternative method to detect and screen Hg-contaminated pipelines and facilities. The method does not require any separation or pre-concentration steps and is directly applied to determine levels of Hg in environmental or retreived samples. The comparison between the proposed SWASV and ICP-OES standard method was performed on the samples, the concentrations obtained by both methods were in agreement with the certified values of Hg, according to the paired t-test at 95% confidence level.

SWASV is therefore being developed further to put into mobile lab (poratbale tool). The proposed method is capable of analyzing Hg on-site, reducing total analysis time and monitoring very low concentration of Hg (even down to ppb level) with simple preparation and operation. It could be therefore recommended as an alternative option or as screening method to analyze various samples contaminated with Hg as part of decommissioning activities.
A prospective study of erectile dysfunction in men after pelvic surgical procedures and its association with non - modifiable risk factors
Authors: Artemi Sofia , Vassiliu Panteleimon , Arkadopoulos Nikolaos , Smyrnioti Maria - Eleni , Sarafis Pavlos , Smyrniotis Vasileios
Published: November 2019

Objective: A pelvic surgery can cause erectile dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate erectile function at various times after pelvic surgery in male patients; to search the non-modifiable risk factors associated with the presence and intensity of sexuality in these patients. This prospective study used the erectile dysfunction IIEF scale.
Results: The study population comprised of 106 male patients who had undergone minor pelvic surgery at least 9 months before and during the 2010–2016 period in the 4th Surgical Clinic. A control group of healthy males (N=106) who underwent no pelvic surgery matched for age was also used for reference values. The main age of the participants was 66.16 ±13.07 years old. A history of colectomy was present in 36.8%, 18.9% had undergone sigmoidectomy, and 33% inguinal hernia repair. The percentage of severe erectile function increased from 38.7% before surgery to 48.1% (25% increase) after surgery, at the end of the follow-up period (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis model, age emerged as an independent predictor of erectile function (p<0.001). Age was the most important determinant of the IIEF score, which was aggravated by 25% from the first to the last assessment of patients.
Analgesic efficacy of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block for thyroid surgery under general anesthesia; a prospective cohort study
Authors: Woldegerima Yophtahe , Hailekiros Amare G. , Fitwi Girmay L.
Published: November 2019

Objective: Uses of simple analgesics were found insufficient to manage pain after thyroid surgery. We hypothesized that using bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) might influence the pattern of immediate postoperative pain and analgesic consumption. The general objective of the study was to assess the analgesic efficacy of bilateral superficial plexus block for thyroid surgery under general anesthesia. Results: A total of 74 willing patients involved. Half of them had received BSCPB with 10 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine just before induction and the remaining half did not. Postoperatively, patients were assessed at immediate, 2nd, 6th, 12th and 24th hours. At all endpoints, NRS-11 scores for pain were significantly lower in the block group. Time to first analgesic requirement was significantly longer 132.3 ± 71.5 min vs 71.4 ± 60.0 min, p = 0.009. Opioid and total analgesic consumption were reduced by BSCPB in the first 24 postoperative hours. There was low but non-significant rate of PONV in the block group. No clinically important adverse event was noted related to BSCPB.
Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets retain bio-efficacy after five years of storage: implications for malaria control programmes
Authors: Musa Jeremiah John , Moore Sarah , Moore Jason , Mbuba Emmanuel , Mbeyela Edgar , Kobe Dickson , Swai Johnson K. , Odufuwa Olukayode G.
Published: November 2019

Background: Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) are the most sustainable and effective malaria control tool currently available. Global targets are for 80% of the population living in malaria endemic areas to have access to (own) and use a LLIN. However, current access to LLINs in endemic areas is 56% due to system inefficiencies and budget limitations. Thus, cost-effective approaches to maximize access of effective LLINs in endemic areas are required. This study evaluated whether LLINs that had been stored for five years under manufacturer’s recommended conditions may be optimally effective against Anopheles mosquitoes, to inform malaria control programs and governments on the periods over which LLINs may be stored between distributions, in an effort to maximise use of available LLINs. Methods: Standard World Health Organization (WHO) bioassays (cone and tunnel test) were used to evaluate the bio-efficacy and wash resistance of Olyset® and DawaPlus® 2.0 (rebranded Tsara® Soft) LLINs after five years of storage at 25°C - 33.4°C and 40% - 100% relative humidity. In addition a small scale, Ifakara Ambient Chamber tests (I-ACT) were conducted to compare the bio-efficacy of one long stored LLINs to one new LLIN of the same brand, washed or unwashed. LLINs were evaluated using laboratory reared fully susceptible Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Ifakara) and pyrethroid resistant Anopheles arabiensis (Kingani). Results: After five years of storage, both unwashed and washed, Olyset® and DawaPlus® 2.0 LLINs passed WHO bio-efficacy criteria on knockdown (KD60) ≥95%, 24-hour mortality ≥80% and ≥90% blood-feeding inhibition in WHO assays against susceptible An. gambiae s.s. DawaPlus® 2.0 LLINs also passed combined WHO bioassay criteria against resistant An. arabiensis. Confirmatory I-ACT tests using whole nets demonstrated that long stored LLINs showed higher efficacy than new LLINs on both feeding inhibition and mortality endpoints against resistant strains. Conclusions: Even after long-term storage of around 5 years, Olyset® and DawaPlus® 2.0 LLINs remain efficacious against susceptible Anopheles mosquitoes at optimal storage range of 25°C - 33.4°C for temperature and 40% - 100% relative humidity measured by standard WHO methods.
A large-scale analysis of seed natural aging revealed stronger aging resistance in weedy rice than coexisting cultivated rice for continuous 4 years across China
Authors: dai weimin , Wang Yuan , Zhang Yu-Jie , Sun Xi-Xi , Yang Jin-Ling , Chen Xiao-Feng , Shi Zhi-Hua , Song Xiao-Ling , Qiang Sheng
Published: November 2019

Increasing resistance to aging is conducive to seed storage and germination rate of crop. Meanwhile, the resistance to aging is one of the important adaptive mechanisms of weed to thrive in farmland. Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) and cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) provide a unique pair demonstrating a weed and conspecific model crop that can be used to study the aging resistance of plants across a diverse geographical range. Chinese weedy rice derived from de-domestication of cultivated rice has rapidly risen to malignant weeds, though the hazard has only been reported for about 20 years. Whether weedy rice rapidly evolves higher seed aging resistance than cultivated rice during the process of dedomestication, which is conducive to its persistence in rice fields, is still unclear. In this experiment, the seeds of weed rice populations and their co-existing rice varieties were collected from 61 regions of China and germinated under normal and high temperatures for consecutive four years (2013–2016). Our study found that the aging resistance of weedy rice was higher than that of the co-existing rice cultivars, and weedy rice may have evolved a different aging resistance mechanism than rice cultivars and could be used as a germplasm resource to cultivate aging-resistant rice. The indica-type has strong aging resistance and no dormancy, while the japonica type has weak aging resistance and a little weak dormancy. Thus, by introducing indica-type aging-resistant alleles into japonica rice, cultivation of aging-resistant japonica rice could be possible.
Identification of the regulatory networks and hub genes controlling alfalfa floral pigmentation variation using RNA-sequencing analysis
Authors: Duan Hui-Rong , Wang Li-Rong , Cui Guang-Xin , Zhou Xue-Hui , Duan Xiao-Rong , Yang Hongshan
Published: November 2019

Background: To understand the gene expression networks controlling flower color formation in alfalfa, transcriptome analyses of PacBio full-length sequencing combined with RNA sequencing were performed using two materials with contrasting flower colors, namely Defu and Zhongtian No. 3, across four flower developmental stages. Results: The two datasets provided a comprehensive and systems-level view on the dynamic gene expression networks underpinning alfalfa flower color formation. By weighted gene coexpression network analyses, we identified candidate genes and hub genes from the modules closely related to floral developmental stages. PAL, 4CL, CHS, CHR, F3’H, DFR, and UFGT were enriched in the important modules. Additionally, PAL6, PAL9, 4CL18, CHS2, 4 and 8 were identified as hub genes. Thus, a hypothesis explaining the lack of purple color in the flower of Zhongtian No. 3 was proposed. Conclusions: These analyses identified a large number of potential key regulators controlling flower color pigmentation, thereby providing new insights into the molecular networks underlying alfalfa flower development.
Tissue-specific de novo transcriptome analysis in kiwifruit [Actinidia deliciosa (A Chev) Liang et Ferguson]
Authors: SALAZAR JUAN , Vergara Cristian , Jorquera Claudia , Zapata Patricio , Gómez Pedro Martínez , Infante Rodrigo , Meneses Claudio
Published: November 2019

Background Kiwifruit [Actinidia deliciosa (A Chev) Liang et Ferguson] is a sub-tropical vine from the Actinidiaceae family native from China. This specie has an allohexaploid genome (from a diploid and autotetraploid parents) contained in 174 chromosomes producing a climacteric and fleshy fruit called kiwifruit. Currently there's no too much genomic and transcriptomic information about this species. In this low molecular knowledge context, the main goal of this work is to construct a tissue-specific de novo transcriptome assembly generating a differential expression analysis among these specific tissues to obtain new useful database for a better knowledge of vegetative, floral and fruit growth in different phenological states of Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Hayward’. Results In the present study we have analyzed different whole transcriptomes from shoot, leaf, flower bud, flower and fruit at 4 development stages (7,50,120 and 160 days after flowering; DAF) in kiwifruit by using RNA-seq. We sequenced twenty-four libraries, obtaining 604,735,364 reads which were assembled using Trinity software. The first version of Actinidia deliciosa de novo transcriptome contained 142,025 contigs (x̅=1,044bp, N50=1,133bp). CEGMA and BUSCO were used for assembly quality assessment, obtaining close to 90.0% (35.1% partial) and over 85.0% (18.3% partial) of the ultra-conserved genes for eukaryote and plants, respectively. Annotation was performed with BLASTx against TAIR10 protein database and we found an annotation proportion of 35.6% (50,508), leaving 64.4% (91,517) of the contigs assembly without annotation. Conclusions These results represent a reference transcriptome for allohexaploid kiwifruit generating a database of Actinidia deliciosa genes related to leaf, flower and fruit development. Thus, the present study provides a high valuable information, identifying over 20,000 exclusive genes including all tissue comparisons, which are associated with the proteins involved in different biological processes and molecular functions. Transcriptome assembly and refining as well as the assembly metric assessment, has implied an enough quality to be a putative database of this specie and high number of ultra-conserved proteins were found. With respect to transcriptome close to 65% of contigs did not match with any protein. Therefore, future functional annotation will be required in order to obtain a better knowledge of the tissue-specific development.
Patterns of self-medication among university students in San Jose, Costa Rica
Authors: Norori Natalia
Published: November 2019

Background: Self-medication is defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed symptoms without the supervision of healthcare physicians. Self-medication is a growing public health phenomenon and is associated with risks such as misdiagnosis and drug toxicity. This study aimed to identify the patterns associated with the practice of self-medication among university students in San José, Costa Rica. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed and conducted to identify variables associated. Information was collected on the conditions treated, medications used and their sources. Results: The study found that self-medication is highly prevalent among Costa Rican university students. 91.4% of the sample reported self-medicating, with each student consuming an average of 2.15, ± 1,08 drugs. The most Frequently used active ingredients were paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Results also show a relation between the most consumed types of drugs and the principal causes of drug intoxication reported by Costa Rica’s National Poison Center. 77.8% of the participants considered self-medication a risky practice. Conclusions: Self-medication is common among Costa Rican university students. The prevalence found is higher than that reported in previous studies conducted in the country. These findings suggest the need to implement prevention campaigns and regulatory policies to ensure the safe consumption of medical drugs.
Alpha-enolase in viral target cells suppresses the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integration.
Authors: Kishimoto Naoki , Yamamoto Kengo , Iga Nozomi , Kirihara Chie , Takamune Nobutoki , Misumi Shogo
Published: November 2019

Background A protein exhibiting more than one biochemical function is termed a moonlighting protein. Glycolytic enzymes are typical moonlighting proteins, and these enzymes control the infection of various viruses. Previously, we reported that glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and alpha-enolase (ENO1) are incorporated into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles from viral producer cells and suppress viral reverse transcription independently each other. However, it remains unclear whether these proteins expressed in viral target cells affect the early phase of HIV-1 replication. Results Here we show that the GAPDH expression level in viral target cells does not affect the early phase of HIV-1 replication, but ENO1 has a capacity to suppress viral integration in viral target cells. In contrast to GAPDH, suppression of ENO1 expression by RNA interference in the target cells increased viral infectivity, but had no effect on the expression levels of the HIV-1 receptors CD4, CCR5 and CXCR4 and on the level of HIV-1 entry. Quantitative analysis of HIV-1 reverse transcription products showed that the number of copies of the late products (R/gag) and two-long-terminal-repeat circular forms of viral cDNAs did not change but that of the integrated (Alu-gag) form increased. In contrast, overexpression of ENO1 in viral target cells decreased viral infectivity owing to the low viral integration efficiency. Results of subcellular fractionation experiments suggest that the HIV integration at the nucleus was negatively regulated by ENO1 localized in the nucleus. In addition, the overexpression of ENO1 in both viral producer cells and target cells most markedly suppressed the viral replication. Conclusions These results indicate that ENO1 in the viral target cells prevents HIV-1 integration. Importantly, ENO1, but not GAPDH, has the bifunctional inhibitory activity against HIV-1 replication. The results provide and new insights into the function of ENO1 as a moonlighting protein in HIV-1 infection.
Transcriptomic basis for salt tolerance and disease resistance of silverleaf sunflower revealed by Iso-seq and RNA-seq
Authors: Bing Jing , Ling Yunhe , An Peipei , Xiao Enshi , Li Chunlian , Song Bo , Wang Zhonghua
Published: November 2019

Background Silverleaf sunflower, Helianthus argophyllus , is one of the most important wild species that have been usually used for the improvement of cultivated sunflower. Although a reference genome is now available for the cultivated species, H. annuus , its effect in helping understanding the mechanisms underlying the traits of H. argophyllus is limited by the substantial genomic variance between these two species.Results In this study, we generated a high-quality reference transcriptome of H. argophyllus using Iso-seq strategy. This assembly contains 50,153 unique genes covering more than 91% of the whole genes. Among them, we find 205 genes that are absent in the cultivated species and 475 fusion genes containing components of coding or non-coding sequences from the genome of H. annuus . It is interesting that in line with the strong disease resistance observed for H. argophyllus , these H. argophyllus -specific genes are predominantly related to functions of resistance. We have also profiled the gene expressions in leaf and root under normal or salt stressed conditions and, as a result, find distinct transcriptomic responses to salt stress in leaf and root. Particularly, genes involved in several critical processes including the synthesis and metabolism of glutamate and carbohydrate transport are reversely regulated in leaf and root.Conclusions Overall, this study provided insights into the genomic mechanisms underlying the disease resistance and salt tolerance of silverleaf sunflower and the transcriptome assembly and the genes identified in this study can serve as a complement data resources for future research and breeding programs of sunflowers.
Supervised exercise protocol for lower limbs in subjects with chronic venous disease: an evaluator-blinded randomized clinical trial
Authors: Volpe Esther Tinoco , Resqueti Vanessa Regiane , Silva Ana Aline Marcelino , Gualdi Lucien Peroni , Fregonezi Guilherme Augusto de Freitas
Published: November 2019

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) causes pathophysiological changes in lower limb muscles, particularly calf muscles, and limits ankle range of motion (ROM). These changes reduce functional activities and decreases quality of life (QOL). Although several studies have shown benefits of exercise (strengthening the calf muscles to improve calf muscle pumping and QOL) in patients with CVI, few studies are randomized controlled trials. This has led to a weak indication of exercise for the treatment of patients with CVI. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of a supervised exercise program to improve calf muscle endurance as well as QOL in patients with CVI. Methods: This is an evaluator-blind, randomized clinical trial with an 8-week duration and a follow-up evaluation at week 16. A pilot study with subjects with CVI diagnosis will be performed to calculate sample size. The participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) into a treatment or control group (usual care/no intervention). The treatment intervention consists of a bi-weekly supervised exercise program of the lower limbs that will include aerobic training, strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises. The participants from both groups will participate in a health education lecture. Primary outcomes are changes in calf muscle endurance and QOL score. Secondary outcomes are changes in exercise capacity, ankle ROM, electrical muscle activity and cardiac output. Discussion: Patients with CVI may have an impaired calf muscle pump and decreased exercise capacity. A randomized controlled trial evaluating a supervised exercise program will provide much needed information on the management of CVI to promote health and independence. Trial registration: This study was registered on the Brazilian Clinical Trials Database (REBEC) (RBR-57xtk7). The results will be disseminated at scientific events, presentations, and publications in peer reviewed journals. Keywords: Exercise, Resistance Training, Exercise Therapy, Venous Insufficiency, Randomized Controlled Trial, Rehabilitation
The foundations of an inclusive paradigm for contemporary education
Authors: Alekhina Svetlana V. , Samsonova Elena V. , Yudina Tatiana A.
Published: November 2019

The aim of the article is a theoretical modeling of the inclusive paradigm of contemporary education. The study was based on a literature study and secondary data analysis. The article presents the data collected in Russia in 2014-2017. Based on an analysis of the inclusive paradigm conceptual framework, the statements of culturalhistorical theory and system-activity methodology as well as the results of empirical studies on inclusive education, the authors come to conclusions on the conditions of an inclusive paradigm development. The evolution of the inclusive paradigm in contemporary education requires the implementation of various models of professional cooperation, as well as new technologies and methods based on the theory of joint activities.
Mechanical and Physical Properties of Polyester Reinforced Glass Fibre/Orange Peel Particulate Hybrid Composite
Authors: Mamman Rabiu Onoruoiza , Ramalan Aliyu Mohammed
Published: November 2019

This study was focused on the development of hybrid composed using orange peel particulate dispersed in an unsaturated polyester resin reinforced with chopped strands of E-glass fibers. Orange peel particulate of about 350µm sieve size, of varying weight percentage (3, 6, 9,12 and 15) wt.% and E-glass fiber of constant weight percentage 25.1wt% was used as reinforcements in a polyester matrix. The effect of the orange peel particulate on the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting composite such as tensile strength, bending strength, impact strength and hardness strength was investigated. The results showed remarkable improvement in mechanical properties with increase in percentage of particulate reinforcement. Tensile strength varies from 50.0 to 62.6 MPa, Hardness values varies between 28.6 and 40.8HRB, Impact energy at room temperature, varies between 5.0 to 7.4 Joules, as a function of fiber weight fractions and the flexural strength varies from 74.0 to 85.2 MPa. The best mechanical properties were obtained at 15 Wt.% particulate reinforcements. The results of the physical tests show that the water absorption increases as the weight percentage of the particulate reinforcement increases and the same condition also holds for the density.
Plasmonics: A Path to Replace Electronics and Photonics by Scalable Ultra-fast Technology
Authors: Hudedmani Mallikarjun G , Pagad Bindu Suresh
Published: November 2019

Semiconductor devices, circuits, and components are dependent upon miniaturization for transporting huge amounts of data at a high speed these provide the ability to control the transport and storage of electrons. Current communication systems are based on either electrons or photonics. These modern electronic devices for information processing and sensing are functioning almost close to their fundamental speed and bandwidth limitations which a serious problem. The performance of electronic circuits, as well as photonics, is now becoming rather limited when digital information needs to be sent from one point to another. Plasmonics is a new technology a kind of photonics-based on surface plasmons viable. Surface plasmons are a way of guiding light. Surface Plasmon (SP) based circuits, which merge electronics and photonics at the nanoscale, may offer a solution to the size-compatibility problem. Optical fiber communication (OFC) is a well-known light enabled information transmission mechanism communicates very effectively over large distance. Surface plasmons, on the other hand, can guide light only over distances of tens or hundreds of microns. Surface plasmons are the electromagnetic (optical) waves get generated from the interaction between light and the mobile conduction electrons on the surface of a metal. The surface plasmons created by the interaction of light near the surface possess unique advantages like the high speed of communication which is very essential for the current generation of electrical and medical fields.
Flight to Light Response of Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora africana Weise) to Differently Coloured Light-emitting Diode and Incandescent Bulb Lights
Authors: Timothy Chukwu Alexander , Samiala Nuhu , Okrikata Emmanuel
Published: November 2019

Red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora africana Weise) is an important defoliator and vector of pathogens to its numerous crop hosts. Control had largely been by synthetic insecticides with their attendant consequences on man and the environment thus necessitating scientific studies on environmental-friendly management strategies. The experiment was conducted in the Research Farm of Federal University Wukari in the month of May 2019 with the aim of evaluating the attractiveness of A. africana to Light-emitting diode (LED) and Incandescent Light bulb colours. Five colours (red, yellow, green, blue and white) were used for the study. Each colour light was properly projected on 2 metre vertical screen (made of white polyethene) placed one meter above the ground. A setup without bulb served as the control. The light traps were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) in 6 replicates and ran simultaneously for six hours (1800 to 2400hrs). The pumpkin beetles attracted were collected in tubs containing soapy water. A. africana collected were counted and recorded according to bulb type and colour. Samples were identified at the Insect Museum of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Among the Incandescent bulbs, White colour was most attractive to A. africana (4.30±0.38) while red attracted the least (0.71±0.01). Among LED bulbs, Blue was most attractive (3.99±1.01) while Red also attracted the least (0.78±0.03). Overall, LED attracted more pumpkin beetles than Incandescent bulb even though Student Newman Keul’s test indicates that the difference between them was due to random variation (p = 0.16). Correlation and regression analyses indicated increase in insect attraction with increased light intensity. The results therefore suggest that white Incandescent or blue LED bulb colours can be incorporated into insecticidal light traps to suppress their population/attract them away from host plants or fixed into ordinary light traps to harvest the insect for scientific studies.
From "weak" to "strong" hole confinement in a Mott insulator
Authors: Bieniasz Krzysztof , Wrzosek Piotr , Oles Andrzej M. , Wohlfeld Krzysztof
Published: November 2019

We study the problem of a single hole in an Ising antiferromagnet
and, using the magnon expansion and analytical methods, determine the
expansion coefficients of its wave function in the magnon basis. In the
1D case, the hole is “weakly” confined in a potential well and the
magnon coefficients decay exponentially in the absence of a string
potential. This behavior is in sharp contrast to the 2D square lattice
where the hole is “strongly” confined by a string potential and the
magnon coefficients decay superexponentially. The latter is identified
here to be a fingerprint of the strings in doped antiferromagnets that
can be recognized in the numerical or cold atom simulations of the 2D
doped Hubbard model. Finally, we attribute the differences between the
1D and 2D cases to the magnon-magnon interactions being crucially
important in a 1D spin system.