bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peningkatan Pemahaman dan Keaktifan Siswa Melalui Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe TAI (Teams Assisted Individualization) di SMA Negeri 6 Surakarta
Authors: Kismanto Kismanto
Published: November 2019

This study aims to improve the understanding and active learning of students of opportunity material using cooperative learning models of the TAI (Teams Assisted Individualization). This research is a Classroom Action Research conducted in 2 cycles. Each cycle consists of 4 stages, namely planning, action, observation, and reflection. The research subjects were students of class XII IPA 2 of SMA Negeri 6 Surakarta in the academic year of 2018/2019. The results of the study concluded that the implementation of classroom action through the use of the TAI (Teams Assisted Individualization) type of cooperative learning model on the opportunity material can improve students' understanding and activeness in mathematics learning. This is based on test results and observations. From the test results in the first cycle, the percentage of students who completed was 62.96% and in the second cycle the percentage of students who completed experienced an increase of 33.33% to 96.29%. While the observations of the two observers, in the first cycle produced an average percentage of students' activeness reached 66.35% with a visual activity percentage of 83.2% and writing activity 61.22% and in the second cycle an increase in the average percentage of student activity by 20.92% to 87.27 % with the percentage of visual activity 85.88%, writing activities and activities 88.68%. These results it can be concluded that the application of the TAI (Teams Assisted Individualization) type of cooperative learning model can improve the understanding and activeness of learning in class XII Science 2 SMA Negeri 6 Surakarta odd semester 2018/2019
Kesiapan Penerimaan Kepala Sekolah terhadap Teknologi Google Docs: Studi Kasus Pelatihan Calon Kepala Sekolah Dasar Kabupaten Ngaawi
Authors: Nurjaningsih S T
Published: November 2019

One of the technology-based applications cloud computing introduced to the participants of primary school principals education training is theapplication Google Docs. Use ofapp technology Google Docs or known Google Docs is causing a reaction on the user himself, namely in the form of acceptance and rejection. The acceptance of a technology is strongly influenced by the readiness of the users of the technology. This study aims to examine whether the participants of the candidate head sekolaj SD Kabupaten Ngawi already have the readiness and acceptapplication technology Google Docs for individual task completion when On The Job Learning in school alone and a second internship. The model used to describe the relationship that factors affect the readiness and usage of theapplication Google Docs is the Technology Readness Index (TRI) on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by the method research using factor analysis on SPSS software version 18.0. The result variable self-ability to computer and variable of readiness that is optimistic and innovation have an effect on signifikan to variable of acceptance.
TESTING THE DAPTOCEPHALUS AND LYSTROSAURUS ASSEMBLAGE ZONES IN A LITHOSTRATOGRAPHIC, MAGNETOSTRATIGRAPHIC, AND PALYNOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK IN THE FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: GASTALDO ROBERT A. , NEVELING JOHANN , GEISSMAN JOHN W. , LOOY CINDY V.
Published: November 2019

The vertebrate-fossil record in the Karoo Basin has served as the accepted model for how terrestrial ecosystems responded to the end-Permian extinction event. A database of several hundred specimens, placed into generalized stratigraphies, has formed the basis of a step-wise extinction scenario interpreted by other workers as spanning the upper Daptocephalus (=Dicynodon) to Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zones (AZ). Seventy-three percent of specimens used to construct the published model originate from three farms in the Free State: Bethel, Heldenmoed, and Donald 207 (Fairydale). The current contribution empirically tests: (1) the stratigraphic resolution of the vertebrate record on these farms; (2) whether a sharp boundary exists that delimits the vertebrate assemblage zones in these classic localities; and (3) if the Lystrosaurus AZ is of early Triassic age. We have used a multi-disciplinary approach, combining lithostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, vertebrate biostratigraphy, and palynology, to test these long-held assumptions.

Previously reported vertebrate-collection sites have been physically placed into a litho- and magnetostratigraphic framework on the Bethel and Heldenmoed farms. The reported assemblage-zone boundary is used as the datum against which the stratigraphic position of vertebrates is compared and a preliminary magnetostratigraphy constructed. We find specimens of the Daptocephalus AZ originate in the Lystrosaurus AZ (as currently defined) and vice versa, and discrepancies between reported and field-checked stratigraphic positions below or above the assemblage-zone boundary often exceed 30 m. Hence, the utility of the data set in defining a sharp or abrupt biozone boundary is questionable. We further demonstrate the presence of a stratigraphically thick reverse polarity magnetozone that encompasses the reported assemblage-zone boundary, implying that these rocks are not correlative with the end-Permian event, which is reported to lie in a normal polarity chron. A latest Permian age is supported by palynological data from the Lystrosaurus AZ on the Donald 207 (Fairydale) farm, with equivalence to Australian (APP602) and Eastern Cape Province assemblages. We conclude that the turnover from the Daptocephalus to Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zones is more protracted than envisioned, it is not coincident with the end-Permian event as recognized in the marine realm, and little evidence exists in support of a three-phased extinction model based on vertebrate assemblages in the Karoo Basin.
Analisis Preferensi Konsumen Terhadap Garam Fortifikasi Kelor
Authors: Maflahah Iffan
Published: November 2019

Garam fortifikasi kelor merupakan garam baru, dilakukan penambahan ekstrak kelor sebagai fortifikan. Tujuan penelitian: 1) mengetahui atribut yang menjadi preferensi konsumen terhadap garam fortifikasi kelor. 2) mengetahui urutan kepentingan atribut yang menjadi pertimbangan konsumen dalam melakukan pembelian. Metode yang digunakan adalah analisis chi square dan multiatribut fishbein. Hasilnya bahwa yang menjadi preferensi konsumen terhadap garam fortifikasi kelor dilihat dari produknya adalah rasa berbeda dengan garam iodium, warna hijau manarik, tekstur kasar, harga garam murah, dan masa simpan lebih lama. Sedangkan dari kemasan garam fortifikasi kelor preferensi konsumen adalah bahan kemasan yang sesuai keinginan konsumen, desain menarik, informasi lengkap, kemasan tidak mudah rusak/ tahan lama dan dicantumkan berat bersih sesuai isinya. Atribut yang paling dipertimbangkan dalam melakukan pembelian terhadap garam fortifikasi kelor dari produk garam fortifikasi kelor adalah masa simpan, harga, rasa, tekstur dan warna. Sedangkan dari kemasan garam fortifikasi adalah berat bersih, kelengkapan informasi, bahan kemasan, desain dan ketahanan kemasan.
PERAN DAN MODEL INKUBATOR BISNIS TEKNOLOGI TERHADAP PENGEMBANGAN UMKM DI MADURA
Authors: Hayati Mardiyah , Wijayanti Dian Eswin
Published: November 2019

Peran UMKM (Usaha Mikro, Kecil dan Menengah) dalam perekonomian domestik semakin meningkat. UMKM yang merupakan bagian integral dunia usaha nasional mempunyai kedudukan, potensi dan peranan yang sangat penting dan strategis dalam mewujudkan struktur perekonomian nasional yang makin seimbang berdasarkan demokrasi ekonomi. Inkubator bisnis sebagai suatu wadah yang efektif untuk menumbuhkembangkan jiwa kewirausahaan bagi wirausaha baru yang kreatif, inovatif, tangguh dan profesional sehingga mampu mengembangkan UMKM. Penelitian ini bertujuan 1) mengidentifikasi lembaga-lembaga yang berperan sebagai inkubator bisnis di Madura, 2) mengetahui peran dan model yang dijalankan oleh masing-masing inkubator bisnis. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitain menunjukkan bahwa di Kabupaten Pamekasan dan Kabupaten Bangkalan belum ada incubator bisnis. Meskipun demikian, lembaga-lembaga yang ada di Kabupaten Pamekasan dan Kabupaten Bangkalan tetap memberikan peran dalam peningkatan mutu UMKM. Beberapa cara yang dilakukan oleh lembaga–lembaga tersebut diantaranya; memberikan pelatihan, pendampingan dan memberikan akses modal terhadap UMKM di Kabupaten Pamekasan dan Kabupaten Bangkalan.
SPE Strong: Strengthening Our Core: Strengthening the Quality of SPE’s Technical Content
Authors: Noonan Shauna
Published: November 2019

President's column

Our Society has a wealth of technical content, and it is rapidly growing. The value of that technical content derives from the quality of it. Having high-quality content will continue to strengthen SPE’s professional reputation, which is critical when entering new and emerging markets, attracting new members, and, most importantly, maintaining and engaging our current members and corporate sponsors. Our technical content that is consumed daily by our members is also the source of knowledge for the incoming generation, and we need to ensure that it is of the highest quality for our future innovators and leaders to excel.

To strengthen the quality of SPE’s technical content, I have outlined the following objectives:

1) Increase the awareness and use of all the tools and methods provided to authors to create high-quality papers

2) Educate program committees about their roles and responsibilities toward working with authors to ensure technical quality

3) Establish methods by which to track technical quality within SPE’s published and presented content

4) Support and develop a better process for formal peer review.

When I started as a professional member, there was a strong sense of pride around getting an abstract selected and having the final paper worthy of the SPE logo appearing on it. Companies took pride in having their employees become authors and got very involved in the writing of the manuscript, as their name would also appear on it. Some of the more involved companies garnered an industry reputation of publishing very high-quality papers, and those presentation rooms would be standing room only as a result.• As SPE has expanded the number of conferences globally, more members have the opportunity to have their work included as an SPE paper.

I remember submitting my first abstract and getting it accepted. This was in 1997, and it was for a section event that had papered proceedings: The Gulf Coast Section Electric Submersible Pump Workshop. When I informed my management at Chevron that I had an accepted abstract, they rallied mentors to guide me as I wrote the technical paper. They wanted to ensure that the final manuscript was a good one because not only was my name on it, so was theirs. There was a lot of work put into that paper and many rehearsals for the presentation itself. It was a huge learning experience for me not only writing the paper but also enduring the critiques of my peers/mentors, but the result was a paper that I was proud to have my name on and the confidence to present it.•

Since my first paper in 1997, SPE membership and events that offer a call for papers have grown substantially. As global membership has increased dramatically, the number of papers from SPE conferences has more than doubled.
Surface Treatment Improves Flow Assurance and Throughput in Corroded Pipe
Authors: Feder Judy
Published: November 2019

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Judy Feder, contains highlights of paper SPE 193109, “Flow Assurance and Improved Pipeline Efficiency Through Use of Low Surface Roughness Treatment,” by Matthew Nakatsuka, Vinod Veedu, Erika Brown, Sumil Thapa, and Ganesh Arumugam, Oceanit, prepared for the 2018 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, 12–15 November, Abu•Dhabi. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

This paper describes a material designed to interact specifically with highly corroded and weathered pipe to enable in-place application and refurbishment. The material is applied extremely thinly on the pipeline interior, such that it might be considered a surface treatment, yet it is designed for permanence and for strong adhesion to even severely corroded surfaces. The water- and oil-compatible, chemically resistant material shows extreme resistance to corrosion, particle abrasion, and delamination under operational conditions, and is designed to reduce surface roughness by several orders of magnitude. The study of the practical effects of using a low-surface-energy, low-surface-roughness coating that can be applied effectively to severely corroded pipelines with a minimum of surface preparation demonstrates how material breakthroughs can allow for revitalization of previously mature intervention techniques.

Introduction

Improving flow efficiency within transport pipeline systems has always been an appealing and seemingly straightforward method of reducing operating expenses, improving product throughput, and significantly reducing the risk of catastrophic pipeline failure. It is believed universally by pipeline operators that regular cleaning by mechanical and chemical pigging; adoption of preventative methods such as application of factory-applied, internally applied flow coats; or pipelines made of corrosion-resistant-alloy (CRA) materials would improve pipeline performance demonstrably. In practice, however, such innovations have been relegated to niche application because of two inherent fundamental constraints placed upon most major transport pipelines: They must operate continuously to turn a profit, and they are judged on delivering the minimum required flow at the lowest operating and capital investment.

These two principles have led to a general practice of resorting to mitigation measures once corrosion or adhered deposits become a problem that cannot be addressed easily. It is common to hear of operators waiting more than 30 years between interventions. Periodic maintenance techniques, such as introducing wire-brush pigs to mechanically dislodge such internal deposits, can result in impressive initial returns—reportedly more than $1•million per annum, and 5% improved throughput. However, these benefits are decidedly temporary because the treatments do not provide permanent protection against further corrosion or deposit, and much of the benefit is derived from the macroscopic effect of widening the cross-sectional area of the pipeline.
Software System Enables Effective Flow-Assurance Management
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: November 2019

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 191951, “A Smart Software System for Flow-Assurance Management,” by Akanksha Jain, SPE, Nilay Patel, SPE, Paul Hammonds, and Shirish Pandey, Cairn Oil and Gas, prepared for the 2018 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, Australia, 23–25 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Access to real-time production and injection data is of great benefit to the production optimization engineer. This paper describes a smart management system used for retrieving and evaluating all flow-assurance-related data for more than 700 of the operator’s onshore and offshore wells. The paper discusses system architecture, interface details, design, functionality, visualization, application, and benefits.

Introduction

Cairn Oil and Gas is the operator of three major blocks currently producing in India: Block RJ-ON-90/1 (Rajas-than), CB/OS-2 (Cambay Basin), and PKGM-1 (Ravva) constituting more than 700 wells, operated on behalf of its joint venture partners. These wells are either self-flowing or use a variety of•• artificial-lift systems. Waterflooding provides pressure maintenance in most fields. Injectivity of water injectors is, therefore, critical in maintaining levels of water injection required to achieve the stipulated recovery factor. Formation fluids have physical and chemical properties that have posed several flow-assurance challenges over time with regard to outflow performance and processing in surface facilities. These flow-assurance issues include inorganic scaling, organic scaling, corrosion, sand production, injectivity decline, and injector conformance, all of which can affect productivity and injectivity of the fields and thus lead to relatively inefficient waterflood.

The Challenge

Various software products are currently in use for management of operations requiring production- and injection-enhancement treatments in different fields. To ensure that wells are operating optimally, an integrated approach combining robust monitoring and data analysis of parameters affecting well performance is ideal. This was previously achieved through the cumbersome process of data retrieval from different sources, which was then compiled in different Excel spreadsheets. This time-consuming process delayed analysis and permitted errors in data input. As the importance of improving the quality of data management and analysis became clear, the need arose for automation of flow-assurance management across all assets.

The platform described in this paper was intended to help design, evaluate, and monitor all chemical-intervention jobs, and monitor corrosion levels and scale-inhibitor squeeze performance by incorporating data from various sources within the production system. The analysis of the data enabled by this fully automated Web-based software helps in the execution of cost-effective treatments and well-production optimization. The same software system is also being used for well-integrity management for•all assets.
Application of Artificial Intelligence Methods to Underground Gas Storage Control
Authors: Kuk Edyta
Published: November 2019

The idea of this paper is to improve the techno-economic efficiency of underground gas storage by automatic determination of its optimal control using novel IT methods. Modeling of storage dynamics with the use of reservoir simulators causes that its control optimization is a black-box problem with a high evaluation time. As a result, the applicability of traditional optimal control methods is limited what makes the optimization of underground gas storage control a complex and complicated problem. An alternative solution is to use artificial intelligence methods, which have a great potential in solving complex engineering problems. Hence, a novel control optimization algorithm that provides a self-improving automatic control of the underground gas storage has been created in this work. It is based on the artificial intelligence combined with control theory and reservoir simulation.

The aim of this work is to determine such control of underground gas storage, which maximizes the total amount of energy that can be obtained from gas extracted during the production cycle. The original solution proposed in this paper is to use the coupling of a parameterized decision tree with the optimization tool and the reservoir simulator. Storage control defined on the basis of a decision tree allows its unambiguous physical interpretation, while tree parameterization consisting in replacing the limit values assigned to the tree branches by parameters allows optimization of decision conditions. Due to the high reservoir simulation evaluation time the innovative machine-learning type optimization method intended for problems whose computational cost is large was used to optimize the tree parameters. This method is learned which parameter values have a better chance of improving the quality of the solution on the basis of the results collected during optimization. The combination of the optimization tool and the reservoir simulator has been implemented with the use of the Python programming language. While internal programming in the reservoir simulator allowed direct declaration of the parameterized decision tree in the simulation input file. Hence the created algorithm enables full automation of the underground gas storage optimal control determination.

This paper presents the detailed explanation of the developed algorithm and includes its exemplary application which illustrates its effectiveness. The obtained results indicate that the proposed algorithm determines underground gas storage control that maximizes its energetic efficiency and allows to achieve additional financial income without any extra investment because only wells control is changed.
Genome sequence of the model rice variety KitaakeX
Authors: Jain Rashmi , Jenkins Jerry , Shu Shengqiang , Chern Mawsheng , Martin Joel A. , Copetti Dario , Duong Phat Q. , Pham Nikki T. , Kudrna David A. , Talag Jayson , Schackwitz Wendy S. , Lipzen Anna M. , Dilworth David , Bauer Diane , Grimwood Jane , Nelson Catherine R. , Xing Feng , Xie Weibo , Barry Kerrie W. , Wing Rod A. , Schmutz Jeremy , Li Guotian , Ronald Pamela C.
Published: November 2019

Background: The availability of thousands of complete rice genome sequences from diverse varieties and accessions has laid the foundation for in-depth exploration of the rice genome. One drawback to these collections is that most of these rice varieties have long life cycles, and/or low transformation efficiencies, which limits their usefulness as model organisms for functional genomics studies. In contrast, the rice variety Kitaake has a rapid life cycle (9 weeks seed to seed) and is easy to propagate. For these reasons, Kitaake has emerged as a model for studies of diverse monocotyledonous species. Results: Here, we report the de novo genome sequencing and analysis of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica variety KitaakeX, a Kitaake plant carrying the rice XA21 immune receptor. Our KitaakeX sequence assembly contains 377.6 Mb, consisting of 33 scaffolds (476 contigs) with a contig N50 of 1.4 Mb. Complementing the assembly are detailed gene annotations of 35,594 protein coding genes. We identified 331,335 genomic variations between KitaakeX and Nipponbare (ssp. japonica), and 2,785,991 variations between KitaakeX and Zhenshan97 (ssp. indica). We also compared Kitaake resequencing reads to the KitaakeX assembly and identified 219 small variations. The high-quality genome of the model rice plant KitaakeX will accelerate rice functional genomics. Conclusions: The high quality, de novo assembly of the KitaakeX genome will serve as a useful reference genome for rice and will accelerate functional genomics studies of rice and other species.
The Burden Of Unrecognized Chronic Kidney Disease In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes At A County Hospital Clinic In Kenya: Implications To Care And Need For Screening
Authors: Otieno Frederick C. F. , Ogola Elijah N , Kimando Mercy W , Mutai Ken K
Published: November 2019

Background : Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes enhances the risk of cardiovascular events and a strong predictor of progression to end-stage kidney disease. Early diagnosis is encouraged for referral to specialist kidney care for active management that would optimize outcomes including forestalling progression to end-stage kidney disease. This study was conducted in a regional public health facility in Central Kenya with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes. It was aimed at determining the burden of undiagnosed chronic kidney disease in their clinic of ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes who dwell mainly in the rural area. Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted at the out-patient of Nyeri County hospital. A total of 385 patients were enrolled over five months. Informed consent was obtained and clinical evaluation was done, a spot sample of urine obtained for albuminuria and venous blood drawn for HbA1c, Lipids and serum creatinine. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockroft-Gault equation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was classified on KDIGO scale. Albuminuria was reported as either positive or negative. Main outcomes measure: Estimated Glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria as markers of chronic kidney disease. Results : A total of 385 participants were included in the study, 252 (65.5%) were females. There were 39.0 % (95%CI 34.3-44.2) patients in CKD/KDIGO stages 3, 4 and 5 and 32.7% (95%CI, 27.8-37.4) had Albuminuria. The risk factors that were significantly associated with chronic kidney disease/KDIGO stages 3, 4 and 5 were: age >50years, long duration with diabetes >5years and hypertension. Employment and paradoxically, obesity reduced the odds of having CKD, probably as markers of better socio-economic status. Conclusion : Previously unrecognized CKD of KDIGO stages 3,4 and 5 occurred in over thirty percent of the study patients. They were at high risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular events. The risk factors of hypertension, age above 50, long duration of diabetes should help identify those at high risk of developing CKD, for screening and linkage to care. The imperative of screening for chronic kidney disease is availing care in publicly-funded hospitals.
A National Survey of Private-Sector Outpatient Care of Sick Infants and Young Children in Nepal
Authors: Ban Bharat , Hodgins Steve , Thapa Pranita , Thapa Surakschha , Joshi Deepak , Dhungana Adhish , KC Anjana , Guenther Tanya , Adhikari Shilu , Scudder Elaine , Ram Pavani
Published: November 2019

Background: Previous research has documented that across South Asia, as well as in some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the private sector is the primary source of outpatient care for sick infants and children and, in many settings, informal providers play a bigger role than credentialed health professionals (particularly for the poorer segments of the population). This is the case in Nepal. This study sought to characterize medicine shop-based service providers in rural areas and small urban centers in Nepal, their role in the care and treatment of sick infants and children (with a particular focus on infants aged <2 months), and the quality of the care provided. A secondary objective was to characterize availability and quality of such care provided by physicians in these settings. Methods: A nationally representative sample of medicine shops was drawn, in rural settings and small urban centers in Nepal, from 25 of the 75 districts in Nepal, using multi-stage cluster methodology, with a final sample of 501 shops and 82 physician-run clinics. Face-to-face interviews were conducted. Results: Most medicine shops outside urban areas were not registered with the Department of Drug Administration (DDA). Most functioned as de facto clinics, with credentialed paramedical workers (having 2-3 years of training) diagnosing patients and making treatment decisions. Such a role falls outside their formally sanctioned scope of practice. Quality of care problems were identified among medicine shop-based providers and physicians, including over-use of antibiotics for treating diarrhea, inaccurate weighing technique to determine antibiotic dose, and inappropriate use of injectable steroids for treating potentially severe infections in young infants. Conclusions : Medicine shop-based practitioners in Nepal represent a particular type of informal provider; although most have recognized paramedical credentials, they offer services falling outside their formal scope of practice. Nevertheless, given the large proportion of the population served by these practitioners, engagement to strengthen quality of care by these providers and referral to the formal health sector is warranted.
Short-term Outcomes of Robotic- versus Laparoscopic-Assisted Total Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Study
Authors: Yang Changdong , Shi Yan , Xie Shaohui , Chen Jun , Zhao Yongliang , Qian Feng , Hao Yingxue , Tang Bo , Yu Pei-Wu
Published: November 2019

Background Few studies have been designed to evaluate the short-term outcomes for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) between robotic-assisted total gastrectomy (RATG) and laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) alone. The purpose of this study was to assess short-term outcomes of RATG compared with LATG for AGC.Methods We retrospectively evaluated 116 and 244 patients who underwent RATG or LATG respectively. Besides, we performed a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis between RATG and LATG for clinicopathological characteristics to reduce bias and compared short-term surgical outcomes.Results After PSM, the RTAG group had longer mean operation time (291.09±58.41 vs. 271.99±48.41min, p=0.007), less intraoperative bleeding (151.98±92.83 vs. 172.59±97.01ml, p=0.032) and more N2 tier RLNs (9.33±5.46 vs. 7.50±3.86, p=0.018) than the LATG group. Besides, the total RLNs of RATG was at the brink of significance compared to LATG (35.09±12.93 vs.32.34±12.05, p=0.062). However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of length of incision, proximal resection margin, distal resection margin, postoperative hospital stay. The conversion rate was 4.92% and 8.61% in the RATG and LATG groups, respectively, with no significant difference. The ratio of splenectomy was 1.7% and 0.4% respectively. There was no significant difference in overall complication rate between RATG and LATG groups before PSM (24.1% vs. 28.7%; p=0.341) and after PSM (24.1% vs. 33.6%; p=0.102). The grade II complications accounted for most of all complications in the two cohorts both before and after PSM.Conclusion This study demonstrates that RATG is comparable to LATG in terms of short-term surgical outcomes.
Efficacy of nano-carbonate apatite dentifrice in relief from dentin hypersensitivity following non-surgical periodontal therapy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ding Pei-Hui , Dai Anna , Hu Hua-Jiao , Huang Jia-Ping , Liu Jia-Mei , Chen Li-Li
Published: November 2019

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) could occur or intensify after non-surgical periodontal therapy because of the exposure of dentine tubules. It has been demonstrated that nano-sized particles could seal these the dentine tubules. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of dentifrice containing nano-carbonate apatite (n-CAP) in reducing dentine hypersensitivity (DH) after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Methods: 48 periodontitis patients with DH were included in this clinical trial. After non-surgical periodontal therapy, patients included were randomized to test and control group and the respective dentifrices were applied at chairside, after which they were instructed to brush teeth with the allocated dentifrices twice a day at home. Periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline and the last follow-up. DH was measured by air-blast test and recorded by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Schiff sensitivity scale at baseline, after polishing (0 week) and 2/4/6 weeks. Results: 45 participants completed the follow-up. Periodontal parameters were improved and comparable between groups. Significant reduction in DH was observed in both groups at all time-points compared to baseline in terms of VAS and Schiff score. The test group achieved significantly greater relief from hypersensitivity compared with the control group after 4-week at-home use (for VAS, test group: 0.66 ± 0.68 versus control group: 0.84 ± 0.78, p = 0.005; for Schiff score, test group: 0.69 ± 0.71 versus control group: 0.97 ± 0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Home-use of n-CAP based dentifrice provided a significantly better alleviation of DH following non-surgical periodontal therapy after 4 weeks compared to the control product. Trail registration: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (No. ChiCTR-IPR-17011678, http://www.chictr.org.cn/, registered 16 June, 2017)
Comparative analysis of the oral microbiota between iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) patients and healthy individuals by high throughput sequencing
Authors: Xi Ranhui , Wang Renke , Wang Yuan , Xiang Zhenting , Su Zhifei , Cao Zaiqiang , Xu Xin , Zheng Xin , Li Jiyao
Published: November 2019

Background: The relationship between oral microbiota and IE (infective endocarditis) is well established. Opportunistic pathogens in normal oral flora enter the bloodstream through daily oral cleaning or invasive dental procedures, leading to the occurrence of infective endocarditis. An in vitro iron-deficient condition leads to a drastic community shift in oral microbiota with increasing proportion of taxa related to infective endocarditis. To investigate the relationship among insufficient iron supply, oral microbiota and the risk of IE and to conduct a population amplification study, iron-deficiency anaemia is used as an in vivo model. Results: High-throughput sequencing compared the dental plaque microbiota of 24 IDA(iron-deficiency anaemia) patients and 24 healthy controls. Sequences were classified into 12 phyla, 28 classes, 50 orders, 161 genera and 497 OTUs (the IDA and control groups shared the same 384 OTUs). Iron deficiency leads to lower internal diversity in the oral flora. The abundances of genera Corynebacterium, Neisseria, Cardiobacterium, Capnocytophaga, and Aggregatibacter were significantly higher in healthy controls, while genera Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas and Moraxella showed higher proportions in the IDA group (P<0.05). The relative abundances of genera Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas and Moraxella were significantly negatively correlated with the concentration of serum ferritin (P<0.05). Conclusions：Without an increase of oral streptococci, the main pathogen of IE, it is difficult to determine whether IDA can increase the risk of IE. However, the iron-deficient condition did lead to changes in the oral microbiota community structure. The genera that showed higher proportions in the IDA group were frequently reported as antibiotic resistant. As antibiotics are commonly recommended to prevent IE before dental procedures, this study offers new ideas of personalized prevention of IE.
Successful Infection Control of an Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST307 Outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Baek Eun-Hwa , Kim Se-Eun , Kim Sunjoo , Lee Seungjun , Cho Oh-Hyun , Hong Sun In , Do Hyun Jeong , Park Chan-Hoo , Shin Jeong Hwan , Hwang Inyeong , Park Eunhee
Published: November 2019

Background : We experienced an outbreak of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KPN) bacteremia in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) starting in August 2017. We implemented an active countermeasure to control the outbreak of ESBL-KPN successfully.
Methods: The incidence of ESBL-KPN based on clinical specimens and healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rate were evaluated before and after the initiation of enhanced infection control (IC) practices initiated in January, 2018. Surveillance cultures were carried out for neonates, medical personnel, and NICU environmental samples. Molecular analyses, including pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), sequence typing, and ESBL genotyping, were performed for the isolated KPN strains.
Results: The incidence of ESBL-KPN in clinical specimens decreased from 2.84 to 0.49 per 1,000 patient-days and the HAI rate decreased from 2.43 to 0.0 per 1,000 patient-days after the implementation of enhanced IC procedures. Eleven neonates (11/15, 73.3%), one (1/41, 2.4%) of the medical personnel, and six (6/181, 3.3%) samples from the surroundings and medical devices were positive for ESBL-KPN in the surveillance cultures. All isolates demonstrated the same antibiotic resistance pattern and similar PFGE patterns and were identified as ST307 containing CTX-M-15.
Conclusions: Contaminated neonate surroundings and medical devices as well as spreading by medical personnel appeared to be the source of the outbreak of ESBL-KPN. We used an enhanced IC strategy for 3 months and successfully resolved the clonal outbreak of CTX-M-15-producing KPN. ST307 has emerged as an important bacteremia-causing pathogen in the NICU and should be monitored carefully.
enChIP systems with MSCV-based retroviral plasmids expressing 3xFLAG-Sp-dCas9
Authors: Yuno Miyuki , Fujita Toshitsugu , Fujii Hodaka
Published: November 2019

Objective: Engineered DNA-binding molecule–mediated chromatin immunoprecipitation (enChIP) is a technology for purifying specific genomic regions to facilitate identification of their associated molecules, including proteins, RNAs, and other genomic regions. In enChIP, the target genomic region is tagged with engineered DNA-binding molecules, e.g., a variant of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system consisting of a guide RNA (gRNA) and a catalytically inactive form of Cas9 (dCas9). In this study, to increase the flexibility of enChIP and expand the range of target cells, we generated murine stem cell virus (MSCV)-based retroviral plasmids for expressing dCas9.
Results: We constructed MSCV-based retroviral plasmids expressing Streptococcus pyogenes dCas9 fused to a 3xFLAG-tag (3xFLAG-Sp-dCas9) and various drug resistance genes. We showed that it is feasible to purify target genomic regions with high yields using these plasmids. These systems might give enChIP users greater flexibility in choosing optimal systems for drug selection of transduced cells. In addition, they could be used to analyze different types of target cells.
The anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in rats
Authors: Guo Jie , Cao Xiaolu , Hu Xianmin , Li Shulan , Wang Jun
Published: November 2019

Background: As a chemical extensively used in industrial areas as well as formed during heating of carbohydrate-rich food and tobacco, acrylamide (ACR) has been known as well-established neurotoxic pollutant. Although the precise mechanism is unclear, enhanced apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation have been demonstrated to contribute to the ACR-induced neurotoxicity. In this study, we assessed the possible anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, the most active component in a popular spice known as turmeric, on the neurotoxicity caused by ACR in rats. Methods: Curcumin at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg was orally given to ACR- intoxicated Sprague-Dawley rats exposed by ACR at 40mg/kg for 4 weeks. All rats were subjected to behavioral analysis. The HE staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining were used to detect histopathological changes and apoptotic cells, respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of apoptosis-related molecule telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) were detected using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured as the indicators for evaluating the level of oxidative stress in brain. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokinestumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in cerebral homogenates were detected using ELISA assay. Results: Concurrent administration of curcumin at the oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg with ACR significantly protected the rats from ACR-induced weigh loss and motor function deficits, and improved the pathological alterations in the ACR-intoxicated brains. Curcumin treatment especially at a high dose enhanced the TERT mRNA expression level and increased the number of TERT-positive nerve cells in cortex tissues of ACR intoxicated rats. The levels of MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β in the cerebral homogenates were reduced, the contents of GSH as well as the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased by curcumin treatment, compared to ACR control group. Conclusions: These data suggested the anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on ACR-induced neurotoxicity in rats. And maintaining TERT-related anti-apoptotic function might be one mechanism underlying the protective effect of curcumin on ACR-intoxicated brains.
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals evolutionary divergence and shared network of cold and salt stress response in diploid D-genome cotton
Authors: Xu Yanchao , Magwanga Richard , Jin Dingsha , Cai Xiaoyan , Hou Yuqing , Zhou Zhongli , Wang Kunbo , Liu Fang
Published: November 2019

Background Wild species of cotton are excellent resistance to abiotic stress. Diploid D-genome cotton shown abundant phenotypic diversity and was the putative donor species of allotetraploid cotton which produce largest textile natural fiber.Results A total of 41,053 genes were expressed in all samples by mapping RNA-seq Illumina reads of G. thurberi (D 1 ), G. klotzschianum (D 3-k ), G. raimondii (D 5 ) and G. trilobum (D 8 ) to reference genome. The number of differently expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly higher under cold stress than salt stress. However, 34.1% DEGs under salt stress were overlapped with cold stress in four species. Notably, a potential shared network (cold and salt response, including 16 genes) was digged out by gene co-expression analysis. Totally, 47,180- 55,548 unique genes were identified in four diploid species by De novo assembly. Furtherly, 163, 344, 330 and 161 positive selected genes (PSGs) were detected in thurberi , G. klotzschianum , G. raimondii and G. trilobum by evolutionary analysis, respectively, and 9.5% - 17% PSGs of four species were DEGs in corresponding species under cold or salt stress. What’s more, most of PSGs were enriched GO term related to response to stimulation. G. klotzschianum shown best tolerance under both cold and salt stress. Interestingly, we found that a RALF-like protein coding gene not only is PSGs of G. klotzschianum, but also belongs to the potential shared network.Conclusion Our study provided a new evidence that gene expression variations of evolution by natural selection were essential drivers of the morphological variations related to environmental adaption during evolution. Additionally, there exist shared regulated networks under cold and salt stress, such as Ca 2+ signal transduction and oxidation reduction processes. Our work establishes a transcriptomic selection mechanism for altering gene expression of four diploid D-genome cotton, and provides available gene resource underlying multi-abiotic resistant cotton breeding strategy.
Molecular characterization and transcriptional profiling suggested structural and functional divergence in ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and APX-related (APX-R) genes in Triticum aestivum L.
Authors: Tyagi Shivi , . Shumayla , Verma Praveen Chandra , Singh Kashmir , Upadhyay Santosh Kumar
Published: November 2019

Background: Ascorbate peroxidases (APXs) are heme-dependent H2O2 scavenging enzymes providing the antioxidant defense and regulating myriad biological processes. APX-related (APX-R) is an additional form of APX protein which lacks peroxidase activity but form dimer with the chloroplastic APX (chlAPX). Despite of tremendous their functions, a systematic and comparative study of these genes is limited in Triticum aestivum L.
Results: Herein, a total of 21 TaAPX and six TaAPX-R genes were identified from the A, B and D sub genomes of Triticum aestivum, which form nine homeologous groups. These identified genes consisted of three pairs of paralogous genes which confronted pre-hybridization gene duplication under purifying selection. An unequal evolutionary rate after gene duplication suggested functional divergence between paralogous genes. The phylogenetic study classified TaAPXs into four distinct clades, where TaAPX-R proteins were clustered in clade I. The members of each clade showed similarity in gene and protein architecture, motifs distribution, sub-cellular localization that suggested their conserved nature. The tertiary structure analysis of three TaAPXs and one TaAPX-R revealed the presence of helices and coils, and residues involved in ligand binding. Transcriptional profiling of TaAPX and TaAPX-R genes suggested their specific role during development and abiotic and biotic stress response. Modulated transcript expression and APX enzyme activity during heat, drought and salt stress confirmed their role in these stress conditions. Co-expression analyses predicted interaction of these genes with the other genes involved in numerous biological processes. These genes were also found to be regulated by miRNAs associated with various developmental pathways and/or stress response. Further, they also exhibited interaction with the mediator compounds of Halliwell-Asada cycle.
Conclusions: Overall, the present study reported numerous molecular and structural features of TaAPXs and TaAPX-Rs, and their role in plant development and stress response. It provides a platform for detailed functional characterization of TaAPX and TaAPX-R genes in future studies.
Aberrant Functional Connectivity in Resting State Networks of ADHD Patients Revealed by Independent Component Analysis(ICA)
Authors: Zhang Huayu , Zhao Yue , Cao Weifang , Cui Dong , Jiao Qing , Lu Weizhao , Li Hongyu , Qiu Jianfeng
Published: November 2019

Background：ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Altered functional connectivity has been associated with ADHD symptoms. This study aimed to investigate abnormal changes in the functional connectivity of resting-state brain networks (RSNs) among adolescent patients with different subtypes of ADHD.
Methods: The data were obtained from the ADHD-200 Global Competition, including fMRI data from 88 ADHD patients (56 patients of ADHD-Combined，ADHD-C and 32 patients of ADHD-Inattentive, ADHD-I) and 67 Typically-Developing Controls (TD-C). Group ICA was utilized to research aberrant brain functional connectivity within different subtypes of ADHD.
Results: Compared with TD-C group, the clusters of decreased functional connectivity were located in the left inferior occipital gyrus (p=0.0041) and right superior occipital gyrus (p=0.0011) of DAN, supplementary motor area (p=0.0036) of ECN, left supramarginal gyrus (p=0.0081) of SN, middle temporal gyrus (p=0.0041) and superior medial frontal gyrus (p=0.0055) of DMN in ADHD-C group. In the ADHD-I group, decreased functional connectivity was found in the right superior parietal gyrus (p=0.0017) of DAN and left middle temporal gyrus (p=0.0105) of DMN. The decreased functional connectivity of ADHD-C group was found in superior temporal gyrus (p=0.0062) of AN, inferior temporal gyrus (p=0.0016) of DAN, dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (p=0.0082) of DMN compared to ADHD-I group. All the clusters surviving at p<0.05 (AlphaSim correction).
Conclusion: The results suggested that decreased functional connectivity within the DMN and DAN was responsible, at least in part, for the symptom of inattention in ADHD-I patients. Similarly, we believed that the impaired functional connectivity within networks may contribute to the manifestations of ADHD-C patients, including inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and unconscious movements.