bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The formulation of white oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm) as natural flavoring and the quality test in temperature and drying time variations
Authors: Sadli S , Saleha S , Fiana D , Misrahanum M
Published: December 2021

The determination of the drying temperature and time depends to the characteristic of the mushrooms. The use of low temperatures causes the mushrooms to not fully ripen, if the temperature is too high the protein contained in the mushrooms can be denatured and drying too long will change the color of the mushrooms to brown and change its taste. Research on the processing of oyster mushrooms as a raw material for natural flavoring, it is carried out to determine the quality flavoring produced through a descriptive test of the test parameters, color, aroma, taste and texture by variations the temperature 60¼C and 70¼C in drying time 6, 7 and 8 hours. The results of descriptive test of the sixth color of the flavoring have an intensity of attractive colors are light brown; Descriptive taste test F1, F2 and F5 have the intensity of the taste is rather pleasant, the umami is weak while F3, F4 and F6 have taste is quite good, umami tastes; Descriptive test of the six flavoring textures has a good intensity and; Descriptive test of the sixth aroma of flavoring has a slightly fragrant aroma intensity, the aroma of the material is not too smelly. The conclusion of the research is that temperature and drying time do not affect quality of color, aroma and texture. However, they affect the taste where the temperature 60¼C for 8 hours and a temperature of 70¼C within 7 and 8 hours have enough delicious taste with tasteful umami.
Ergonomics study on pivot-type trailer operation for two-wheel tractor on sloping land
Authors: Dhafir M , Idkham M , Safrizal  , Mulyadi I A
Published: December 2021

The operation of the pivot type trailer on a two-wheeled tractor on flat land shows that it is more ergonomic than conventional trailers, but for testing on sloping land it has never been tested. Therefore, this study aims to analyze ergonomics, especially the operator’s workload on the operation of a pivot-type trailer on a two-wheel tractor on a sloping land. The calculation of the operator’s workload is based on heart rate measurements, where three operators have their heart rate data taken during the activity of operating a two-wheeled tractor in pulling a trailer. The workloads analyzed are qualitative and quantitative workloads. The results showed that the operation of conventional trailers for land slopes of 0°, 10°, and 30° respectively showed IRHR values of 1.23, 1.24, and 1.31 or the level of work “light”, “light”, and “light”. While using a pivot type trailer, the IRHR values are 1.20, 1.27, and 1.55 or the work levels are “light”, “light”, and “medium”. The average energy consumption rate of operating a conventional trailer is 2.54 kcal/hour.kg-bb (kilocalories per hour per operator’s weight), while using a pivot type trailer 2.60 kcal/hour.kg-bb. The high level of operator workload is largely determined by the skill of the operator in operating the trailer, which requires training in its operation. This causes the operator’s workload to operate on pivot type trailers higher than conventional trailers. However, from the aspect of operator comfort and safety, pivot-type trailers are superior, especially when turning.
Indonesian hydro energy potential map with run-off river system
Authors: Pranoto B , Soekarno H , Cendrawati D G , Akrom I F , Irsyad M I A , Hesty N W , Aminuddin  , Adilla I , Putriyana L , Ladiba A F , Widhiatmaka  , Darmawan R , Fithri S R , Isdiyanto R , Wargadalam V J , Magdalena M , Aman M
Published: December 2021

Indonesia aims to decarbonize the energy sector by accelerating the use of new and renewable energy, expected to reach 31% of total energy supply in 2050. One of important tools to achieve the target is renewable energy potential maps including hydro energy potential maps. Yet, existing hydro energy potential maps have several weaknesses such as sites coordinate not on the river network. This study aims to update and to improve the run-off river system energy hydro maps by using a novel method considering multiple factors that are head values, discharge river, gravity, and the efficiency of the hydro system. In calculating the head value, we use DEM data from SRTM 1 arc second to estimate difference between upstream and downstream elevations. We also did Q90 modeling using WFLOW software as generate the discharge value. In the end, we verified the maps by using field measurement data in 776 sites from previous study. As a result, we estimate the total potential of hydro energy with the run-off river system in Indonesia reaches 94,627 MW distributed in 52,566 sites.
Forecasting East Belitung Regency Rainfall Data by Reviewing Heteroscedasticity
Authors: Kustiawan E , Adriyansyah
Published: December 2021

East Belitung Regency is one of the regencies located on Belitung Island. East Belitung Regency has a tropical and wet climate with a fairly high variation of rainfall. Rainfall forecasting is an important thing to model because of the many uses of rainfall forecasting results such as irrigation planning, flood prediction, erosion prediction and others. This study aims to predict rainfall for the next 5 years by using a time series model by reviewing the heteroscedasticity of the data. From the results of the analysis of rainfall in East Belitung Regency with a seasonal pattern. The best model used is ARIMA (0, l, l)(2, l, l)12 with insignificant heteroscedasticity.
The planning rain water harvestingintegrated wells in public facilities in the village of Kayu Besi
Authors: Puspitasari W , Hisyam E S , Gunawan I
Published: December 2021

Continuous and excessive use of groundwater causes a decrease in the water table, as well as drought during the dry season. Land use change causes reduced water infiltration, leading to flooding and inundation during the rainy season. This happened in KayuBesi Village, which is located in PudingBesar District, Bangka Regency. The purpose of this planning is to determine the dimensions of the rain water harvesting pool integrated with infiltration wells in the village office as the center of the village government and the mosque as the center of worship. The method used to calculate the volume of rainwater collected in a rain water harvesting pond is the result of substitution and modification made by Maryono from the relationship between discharge, volume of rainwater, and duration of rain with the relationship between discharge, speed of rainwater, and the cross-sectional area of the gutter pipe. The method used to calculate the depth of the infiltration well is the Sunjoto method. The results of the planning for the KayuBesi Village Office obtained the dimensions of the rain water harvesting pool with a pool length of 5 m, a pool width of 4 m and a pool height of 1.5 m, as well as an infiltration well with a diameter of 1 m and a depth of 2.5 m, while for the KayuBesi Village Mosque obtained the dimensions of the rain water harvesting pond with a pool length of 6 m, a pool width of 5.5 m, and a pool height of 1.6 m, as well as an infiltration well with a diameter of 1 m and a depth of 4.5 m.
Empowering Society in Waste Management System with the Reduce Reuse and Recycle Approach in Pagarawan Bangka
Authors: Sujadmi  , Hayati L , Saputri R A
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, community needs have drastically increased. It can lead to an increase in waste. It makes things worse when waste mismanagement occurs. Reduce, reuse, and recycle can help waste management successfully. The waste management in Desa Pagarawan is being implemented. It requires evaluating the implementation. The study aims to analyze reduce, reuse, and recycle in waste management through social empowerment in Desa Pagarawan, Bangka. Descriptive qualitative was applied as the research method. Observation, focus group discussion, and in-depth interviews were applied as the data collection technique. The head of a village, village-owned enterprise, and village organization staffs were the informant of the study. It was discovered that reduce, reuse, and recycle were far from being implemented in the waste management system in Desa Pagarawan. The people remained hoarding, burning, and littering trash improperly. It suggested that the local government and society as a whole should be more participative in implementing reduce, reuse, and recycle to achieve sustainable waste management.
Design and testing of 1 phase semi-controlled rectifier circuit (experiment scale): a part of green laboratory project
Authors: Yusran  , Armanda A D
Published: December 2021

This paper discussed design and testing of one (1) phase semi-controlled full wave rectifier circuit (experiment scale) as a part of green laboratory project. The research method was divided by two stages: design and testing. The design stage included: component selection and calculation, conceptual design and circuit physical implementation. The three main components included 2 diodes, 2 thyristors (SCR), resistive (R) and inductive (L) load with varying values. The testing stage was physical rectifier circuit operation with R (220; 580; 1,500 ohm) and R-L (L=2.37 H) load. The voltage waveform, voltage and current were observed during this stage. The testing results (voltage and current) in rms value were compared with theoretical calculation for validation. The testing results showed that the rectifier circuit working optimally. The testing results were differed by small percentage with theoretical calculation. The output voltage was differed by 1.085%. The output current for R and R-L load were differed by 4.590% and 6.457%, respectively.
Aquifer Susceptibility to Groundwater Pumping in Kediri City, East Java Province, Indonesia
Authors: Widodo T , Wilopo W , Setianto A
Published: December 2021

The development of Kediri City in various sectors, such as industry, agriculture, and population growth, also increases water. The utilization of groundwater is still a major mainstay in this area. The utilization of groundwater includes the construction of production wells for irrigation and raw water. The aquifer susceptibility should be considered during groundwater exploitation to minimize a negative impact on the environment. This research aims to analyze the susceptibility of the aquifer to pumping in Kediri City, which is helpful for planning and making decisions in the management of groundwater resources. The determination of aquifer susceptibility is based on aquifer response characteristics, aquifer storage characteristics, allowable subsidence of groundwater level, and depth to the groundwater table. Based on those parameters, it can be concluded that the aquifer susceptibility on groundwater utilization in Kediri City is at moderate and high levels. Areas with moderate aquifer susceptibility are located on the west side of Kediri City, and high aquifer susceptibility is in the middle to the eastern side of Kediri City.
Application of the APLIS Method for Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment in Rote Island Karst Areas
Authors: Syafarini H , Hendrayana H , Winardi S
Published: December 2021

The karst area on Rote Island dominates more than 60% of the Island. The land surface conditions in karst areas are generally dry, while below the subsurface is the potential for abundant water resources. This study aims to assess groundwater vulnerability using the APLIS (Altitude, Pendiete/Slope, Lithology, Infiltration, and Soils) method that will integrate with Geographic Information System (GIS) technique. The parameters used are elevation, slope, lithology, infiltration zone, and soil type. Slope and elevation are obtained from DEM maps, the soil is obtained from soil type maps, while lithology and infiltration zone are obtained from geological maps. The lithology and the infiltration zone in APLIS method analysis have a high role in determining the level of groundwater vulnerability. The groundwater vulnerability in Rote Island was divided into four classes: very low in the Northeast, low in the South, moderate in the East and North, and high in the East and West part of the Island. It explains that a high level of groundwater vulnerability in Rote Island needs to be used as a groundwater protection zone.
Hydrogeological Conceptual Model in the Middle of Randublatung Groundwater Basin
Authors: Setyaningsih D L , Setyawan K D , Putra D P E , Salahuddin
Published: December 2021

Randublatung groundwater basin is one of the groundwaters basins with massive utilization of groundwater pumping. However, the knowledge of the comprehensive hydrogeological system in this groundwater basin is limited, so this research aims to determine a comprehensive hydrogeological conceptual model of the Randublatung groundwater basin. The methodology was conducted by collecting secondary and primary data of deep and shallow wells to evaluate boundaries of pattern and direction of groundwater flow and develop the aquifer system’s geometry. The result shows that the groundwater flow boundaries are Grogol River in the west, Wado River in the East, Bengawan Solo river in the South as a river boundary, and Rembang Mountains in the North as a constant head boundary. Therefore, groundwater flows from the hills area to the Bengawan Solo River and the north as the river’s flow. Based on the log bor evaluation, the aquifer system of the study area consist of an unconfined aquifer with a maximum thickness of 20 m and three layers of confined aquifers with thickness vary between 8 to 60 m. the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifers depends on the aquifer’s lithology range from sand, gravel, limestone, and sandstone. This hydrogeological conceptual model provides essential information for numerical groundwater models in the middle of the Randublatung groundwater basin.
Nitrate contamination level in groundwater of the randublatung basin and its surroundings
Authors: Tantama E E , Kumara M A , Putra D P E , Marliyani G I
Published: December 2021

The community of Randublatung basin and its surroundings (Grobogan, Blora, and Bojonegoro Regencies) using groundwater for agricultural, farming, and daily needs. However, these activities can contaminate the groundwater through nitrate and chloride in fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and household waste. Therefore, it is crucial to know the amount of nitrate and chloride content in the groundwater of The Randublatung basin and its surroundings. This research aims to analyze nitrate and chloride content and the ratio between ions in the groundwater of The Randublatung basin and its surroundings to find contaminant resources. The method to analyze the nitrate and chloride content is using Ion Chromatography. The analysis result from 35 samples of groundwater shows that the average nitrate content in dug wells samples is 10.06 mg/L, while the average from pump wells is 6.31 mg/L. The average chloride in dug wells samples is 43.65 mg/L, and the average from pump wells is 54.57 mg/L. These nitrate and chloride level are still in safe category based on Health Ministry Indonesia and WHO. The nitrate: chloride ratio in dug wells is 1:5, 1:9 from pump wells. The ratios indicate that the nitrate’s resource is associated with the on-site sanitation and will increase if there is no mitigation action to the contaminant resource.
Utilization of electric vehicles as an energy alternative to reduce carbon emissions
Authors: Sudjoko C , Sasongko N A , Utami I , Maghfuri A
Published: December 2021

Energy has an important role in achieving social, economic and environmental goals, with energy being a driving force for the economy and a form of defense against the state. Because energy supports the supply of fuel, electricity and infrastructure so as to support a stable defense. The increasing needs of the community in the transportation sector and the decreasing availability of fossil energy. The Indonesian government is trying to find alternative energy as a substitute for fuel oil, namely by using electric vehicles. With the development of electric vehicles in Indonesia, it is expected to be a solution and can support the achievement of clean and environmentally friendly energy. Electric vehicles can reduce pollution and exhaust emissions due to the use of fuel oil in two or four-wheeled vehicles. In addition, using electric-fueled vehicles will certainly reduce the energy crisis and import fuel oil. In support of clean and environmentally friendly energy, Indonesia has supported the Paris Agreement policy to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. The author tries to discuss the use of electric vehicles through current policies and applications and is associated with reducing carbon emissions through the use of electric cars. At the end the researcher will provide strategic recommendations related to the use and development of environmentally friendly electric vehicles to be developed in Indonesia in order to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
Synthetic criticality in cellular brains
Authors: Solé Ricard , Conde-Pueyo Nuria , Guillamon Antoni , Maull Victor , Pla Jordi , Sardanyés Josep , Vidiella Blai
Published: December 2021

Cognitive networks have evolved to cope with uncertain environments in order to make reliable decisions. Such decision making circuits need to respond to the external world in efficient and flexible ways, and one potentially general mechanism of achieving this is grounded in critical states. Mounting evidence has shown that brains operate close to such critical boundaries consistent with self-organized criticality (SOC). Is this also taking place in small-scale living systems, such as cells? Here, we explore a recent model of engineered gene networks that have been shown to exploit the feedback between order and control parameters (as defined by expression levels of two coupled genes) to achieve an SOC state. We suggest that such SOC motif could be exploited to generate adaptive behavioral patterns and might help design fast responses in synthetic cellular and multicellular organisms.
EnGRaiN: a supervised ensemble learning method for recovery of large-scale gene regulatory networks
Authors: Aluru Maneesha , Shrivastava Harsh , Chockalingam Sriram P , Shivakumar Shruti , Aluru Srinivas
Published: December 2021

Motivation

Reconstruction of genome-scale networks from gene expression data is an actively studied problem. A wide range of methods that differ between the types of interactions they uncover with varying trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity have been proposed. To leverage benefits of multiple such methods, ensemble network methods that combine predictions from resulting networks have been developed, promising results better than or as good as the individual networks. Perhaps owing to the difficulty in obtaining accurate training examples, these ensemble methods hitherto are unsupervised.

Results

In this article, we introduce EnGRaiN, the first supervised ensemble learning method to construct gene networks. The supervision for training is provided by small training datasets of true edge connections (positives) and edges known to be absent (negatives) among gene pairs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of EnGRaiN using simulated datasets as well as a curated collection of Arabidopsis thaliana datasets we created from microarray datasets available from public repositories. EnGRaiN shows better results not only in terms of receiver operating characteristic and PR characteristics for both real and simulated datasets compared with unsupervised methods for ensemble network construction, but also generates networks that can be mined for elucidating complex biological interactions.

Availability and implementation

EnGRaiN software and the datasets used in the study are publicly available at the github repository: https://github.com/AluruLab/EnGRaiN.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Structural feature-driven pattern analysis for multitarget modulator landscapes
Authors: Namasivayam Vigneshwaran , Stefan Katja , Silbermann Katja , Pahnke Jens , Wiese Michael , Stefan Sven Marcel
Published: December 2021

Motivation

Multitargeting features of small molecules have been of increasing interest in recent years. Polypharmacological drugs that address several therapeutic targets may provide greater therapeutic benefits for patients. Furthermore, multitarget compounds can be used to address proteins of the same (or similar) protein families for their exploration as potential pharmacological targets. In addition, the knowledge of multitargeting features is of major importance in the drug selection process; particularly in ultra-large virtual screening procedures to gain high-quality compound collections. However, large-scale multitarget modulator landscapes are almost non-existent.

Results

We implemented a specific feature-driven computer-aided pattern analysis (C@PA) to extract molecular-structural features of inhibitors of the model protein family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. New molecular-structural features have been identified that successfully expanded the known multitarget modulator landscape of pan-ABC transporter inhibitors. The prediction capability was biologically confirmed by the successful discovery of pan-ABC transporter inhibitors with a distinct inhibitory activity profile.

Availability and implementation

The multitarget dataset is available on the PANABC web page (http://www.panabc.info) and its use is free of charge.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Ethics and antibiotic resistance
Authors: Jamrozik Euzebiusz , Heriot George S
Published: December 2021

Introduction or background

Antibiotic resistance raises ethical issues due to the severe and inequitably distributed consequences caused by individual actions and policies.

Sources of data

Synthesis of ethical, scientific and clinical literature.

Areas of agreement

Ethical analyses have focused on the moral responsibilities of patients to complete antibiotic courses, resistance as a tragedy of the commons and attempts to limit use through antibiotic stewardship.

Areas of controversy

Each of these analyses has significant limitations and can result in self-defeating or overly narrow implications for policy.

Growing points

More complex analyses focus on ethical implications of ubiquitous asymptomatic carriage of resistant bacteria, non-linear outcomes within and between patients over time and global variation in resistant disease burdens.

Areas timely for developing research

Neglected topics include the harms of antibiotic use, including off-target effects on the human microbiome, and the lack of evidence guiding most antibiotic prescription decisions.
A clinical primer for the glymphatic system
Authors: Carlstrom Lucas P , Eltanahy Ahmed , Perry Avital , Rabinstein Alejandro A , Elder Benjamin D , Morris Jonathan M , Meyer Fredric B , Graffeo Christopher S , Lundgaard Iben , Burns Terry C
Published: December 2021

The complex and dynamic system of fluid flow through the perivascular and interstitial spaces of the CNS has new-found implications for neurological diseases. CSF movement throughout the CNS parenchyma is more dynamic than could be explained via passive diffusion mechanisms alone. Indeed, a semistructured glial-lymphatic (glymphatic) system of astrocyte-supported extracellular perivascular channels serves to directionally channel extracellular fluid, clearing metabolites and peptides to optimize neurological function. Clinical studies of the glymphatic network have to date proven challenging, with most data gleaned from rodent models and post-mortem investigations. However, increasing evidence suggests that disordered glymphatic function contributes to the pathophysiology of CNS ageing, neurodegenerative disease and CNS injuries, as well as normal pressure hydrocephalus. Unlocking such pathophysiology could provide important avenues towards novel therapeutics. We here provide a multidisciplinary overview of glymphatics and critically review accumulating evidence regarding its structure, function and hypothesized relevance to neurological disease. We highlight emerging technologies of relevance to the longitudinal evaluation of glymphatic function in health and disease. Finally, we discuss the translational opportunities and challenges of studying glymphatic science.
What matters more for employees’ mental health: job quality or job quantity?
Authors: Wang Senhu , Kamerāde Daiga , Burchell Brendan , Coutts Adam , Balderson Sarah Ursula
Published: December 2021

Recent debates about whether the standard full-time working week (35–40 h) can be replaced by a shorter working week have received extensive attention. Using 2015 European Working Conditions Survey data, this study contributes to these debates by exploring the relationships between job quantity, job quality and employees’ mental health. Overall, we find that a job’s quality matters more than its quantity as measured in hours per week. The results show that actual working hours are hardly related to employees’ mental health but job quality, especially intrinsically meaningful work, less intensified work and having a favourable social environment, has positive effects on employee mental health, even in jobs with short working hours. Moreover, although working less than one prefers (under-employment) has negative effects, these negative effects become much smaller in size and non-significant in good quality jobs, especially in jobs with skill discretion and good job prospects. These findings develop the debates about a shorter standard working week by emphasising the continued and crucial importance of job quality in debates on the future of work. These results also suggest that policymakers should pay particular attention to job quality when addressing the dramatic reduction in total hours of employment in Europe following the COVID-19 crisis.
A new fastening system for temporary pacing with active-fixation leads: effectiveness and safety
Authors: Vicente-Miralles Raimundo , Martín-Langerwerf David Alejandro , Núñez-Martínez José María , Marco-Juan Ana , Sangio-Ferreyros Antonio Domenico , Dávila-Arias Adriana , Montes-Jacobo Laura , Barrios Vivencio , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco , Bertomeu-Gonzalez Vicente
Published: December 2021

Aims

Temporary cardiac pacing with active-fixation leads (TPAFL) using a reusable permanent pacemaker generator has been shown to be safer than lead systems without fixation. However, TPAFL requires the off-label use of pacemaker leads and generators. We designed a fastening system to ensure the safety and efficacy of the procedure: the KronoSafe System®. To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the KronoSafe System® for temporary pacing in a series of patients receiving TPAFL.

Methods and results

A prospective cohort of 20 patients undergoing TPAFL between August 2019 and June 2020 was recruited in a Spanish region. The temporary pacemaker was implanted through jugular access and secured with the KronoSafe System®. R-wave detection, lead impedance, and capture threshold were assessed every 48 h. Complications associated with the procedure or occurring during TPAFL were recorded. There were no complications associated with temporary pacing, and the therapy was effective in all cases. TPAFL was used for a mean of 7.6 days (maximum 25 days), and 84.56% of the time in a cardiology ward.

Conclusion

TPAFL secured using the KronoSafe system® provides safe and stable cardiac stimulation for patients requiring temporary cardiac pacing.
A soft functional mitral valve model prepared by three-dimensional printing as an aid for an advanced mitral valve operation
Authors: Yang Yuanting , Wang Hao , Song Hongning , Hu Xiaoping , Hu Rui , Cao Sheng , Guo Juan , Zhou Qing
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to build a soft mitral valve (MV) model for surgical simulation to aid with an advanced MV operation.

METHODS

Soft three-dimensional models of the MV were constructed by the mould-modelling method using silicone. The properties of the material used were tested and compared with those of the valve tissue. Then, the accuracy of the three-dimensional model was assessed from the perspectives of the pathological and morphological parameters. Thereafter, surgical simulation of MV repair, closure of the perforation and transcatheter MV replacement were simulated using our model. Two experienced surgeons were invited to perform and evaluate the fidelity and softness of the model. Morphological changes in the MV and the potential compression of the device on surrounding cardiac tissue were also measured after simulation.

RESULTS

The soft MV model was successfully constructed by the mould-modelling method. The property of the material used was closer to that of valve tissue than to that of the rigid model. In addition, the pathological details and morphological measurements of the three-dimensional model were consistent with the surgical findings. The simulated surgical procedure was successful using our model. Morphological changes, including the ratio of the leaflet/annulus area and the coaptation depth, were closely correlated with the regurgitation left after MV repair, which might be an indicator of the surgical effects. The results of this study demonstrated the great advantages of our constructed soft model in exploring the interaction of the device with the surrounding tissue. These advantages were not obtained using the rigid model in a previous study.

CONCLUSIONS

The soft MV model was successfully constructed using the mould-modelling method, and its physical properties were similar to those of heart tissue. In addition, the constructed model exhibited great advantages in surgical simulation and clinical application compared with the anatomical model.
Does Increasing the Minimum School-Leaving Age Affect the Intergenerational Transmission of Education? Evidence from Four European Countries
Authors: Grätz Michael
Published: December 2021

Reforms in the minimum school-leaving age are candidates for policies that affect the intergenerational transmission of education. I propose that the societal contexts in which these reforms occur may moderate their effects on educational mobility. To test this hypothesis, I estimate the cross-country variation in the effects of increases in the minimum school-leaving age on educational mobility in four European countries. I employ a regression discontinuity design and data from the European Social Survey and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe on Austria, Denmark, France, and the Netherlands. The findings provide no evidence to the hypothesis that the reforms in the minimum school-leaving age changed the association between the education of parents and the education of their children in any of the four countries. These findings are robust to measuring educational attainment in a multitude of ways, and they do not vary between men and women. The results are at odds with rational choice theories that expect reforms in the minimum school-leaving age to increase educational mobility.
(Meta)Physical Homelessness In Behrouz Boochani’s No Friend But The Mountains
Authors: Baldi Elio Attilio
Published: December 2021

Behrouz Boochani is a Kurdish-Iranian writer who was detained on Manus Island, in northern Papua New Guinea, for more than four years. During these years of detention, he wrote a book in WhatsApp messages on his phone: No Friend but the Mountains (2018). Although understandably sold as non-fiction and therefore marketed mostly as a testimony, Boochani’s interweaving of different genres renders the book resistant to classification, just as its author is difficult to define and ‘categorize’ in our world of nation states and borders. This article explores an important nucleus of Boochani’s book, a motif that runs through his narrative, both explicitly and figuratively: home and homelessness. I argue that the loss of home is normatively and performatively repeated in Manus Prison, presenting the prisoners with a form of discipline and violence both physical and metaphysical. After losing the right to their place, the detainees gradually lose their ability to conceive of a different world that includes the homeless.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Highlights Conservative Genomic Strategies of a Stress-Tolerant, Long-Lived Scleractinian Coral, Porites australiensis Vaughan, 1918
Authors: Shinzato Chuya , Takeuchi Takeshi , Yoshioka Yuki , Tada Ipputa , Kanda Miyuki , Broussard Cédric , Iguchi Akira , Kusakabe Makoto , Marin Frédéric , Satoh Noriyuki , Inoue Mayuri
Published: December 2021

Massive corals of the genus Porites, common, keystone reef builders in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, are distinguished by their relative stress tolerance and longevity. In order to identify genetic bases of these attributes, we sequenced the complete genome of a massive coral, Porites australiensis. We developed a genome assembly and gene models of comparable quality to those of other coral genomes. Proteome analysis identified 60 Porites skeletal matrix protein genes, all of which show significant similarities to genes from other corals and even to those from a sea anemone, which has no skeleton. Nonetheless, 30% of its skeletal matrix proteins were unique to Porites and were not present in the skeletons of other corals. Comparative genomic analyses showed that genes widely conserved among other organisms are selectively expanded in Porites. Specifically, comparisons of transcriptomic responses of P. australiensis and Acropora digitifera, a stress-sensitive coral, reveal significant differences in regard to genes that respond to increased water temperature, and some of the genes expanded exclusively in Porites may account for the different thermal tolerances of these corals. Taken together, widely shared genes may have given rise to unique biological characteristics of Porites, massive skeletons and stress tolerance.
Dynamic streaming potential coupling coefficient in porous media with different pore size distributions
Authors: Thanh Luong Duy , Jougnot Damien , Solazzi Santiago G , Van Nghia Nguyen , Van Do Phan
Published: December 2021

Seismoelectric signals are generated by electrokinetic coupling from seismic wave propagation in fluid-filled porous media. This process is directly related to the existence of an electrical double layer at the interface between the pore fluid and minerals composing the pore walls. The seismoelectric method attracts the interest of researchers in different areas, from oil and gas reservoir characterization to hydrogeophysics, due to the sensitivity of the seismoelectric signals to medium and fluid properties. In this work, we propose a physically based model for the dynamic streaming potential coupling coefficient (SPCC) by conceptualizing a porous medium as a bundle of tortuous capillaries characterized by presenting different pore size distributions (PSD). The results show that the dynamic streaming potential coupling coefficient is a complex function depending on the properties of pore fluid, mineral–pore fluid interfaces, microstructural parameters of porous media and frequency. Parameters influencing the dynamic SPCC are investigated and explained. In particular, we show that the PSD affects the transition frequency as well as the shape of the SPCC response as a function of frequency. The proposed model is then compared with published data and previous models. It is found that the approach using the lognormal distribution is in very good agreement with experimental data as well as with previous models. Conversely, the approach that uses the fractal distribution provides a good match with published data for sandstone samples but not for sand samples. This result implies that the fractal PSD may not be pertinent for the considered sand samples, which exhibit a relatively narrow distribution of pore sizes. Our proposed approach can work for any PSD, for example, including complex ones such as double porosity or inferred from direct measurements. This makes the proposed models more versatile than models available in literature.
WNT11, a new gene associated with early onset osteoporosis, is required for osteoblastogenesis
Authors: Caetano da Silva Caroline , Edouard Thomas , Fradin Melanie , Aubert-Mucca Marion , Ricquebourg Manon , Raman Ratish , Salles Jean Pierre , Charon Valérie , Guggenbuhl Pascal , Muller Marc , Cohen-Solal Martine , Collet Corinne
Published: December 2021

Monogenic early onset osteoporosis (EOOP) is a rare disease defined by low bone mineral density (BMD) that results in increased risk of fracture in children and young adults. Although several causative genes have been identified, some of the EOOP causation remains unresolved. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous loss-of-function mutation in Wnt family member 11 (WNT11) (NM_004626.2:c.677_678dup p.Leu227Glyfs*22) in a 4-year-old boy with low BMD and fractures. We identified two heterozygous WNT11 missense variants (NM_004626.2:c.217G > A p.Ala73Thr) and (NM_004626.2:c.865G > A p.Val289Met) in a 51-year-old woman and in a 61-year-old woman, respectively, both with bone fragility. U2OS cells with heterozygous WNT11 mutation (NM_004626.2:c.690_721delfs*40) generated by CRISPR-Cas9 showed reduced cell proliferation (30%) and osteoblast differentiation (80%) as compared with wild-type U2OS cells. The expression of genes in the Wnt canonical and non-canonical pathways was inhibited in these mutant cells, but recombinant WNT11 treatment rescued the expression of Wnt pathway target genes. Furthermore, the expression of RSPO2, a WNT11 target involved in bone cell differentiation, and its receptor leucine-rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), was decreased in WNT11 mutant cells. Treatment with WNT5A and WNT11 recombinant proteins reversed LGR5 expression, but Wnt family member 3A (WNT3A) recombinant protein treatment had no effect on LGR5 expression in mutant cells. Moreover, treatment with recombinant RSPO2 but not WNT11 or WNT3A activated the canonical pathway in mutant cells. In conclusion, we have identified WNT11 as a new gene responsible for EOOP, with loss-of-function variant inhibiting bone formation via Wnt canonical and non-canonical pathways. WNT11 may activate Wnt signaling by inducing the RSPO2–LGR5 complex via the non-canonical Wnt pathway.
Racemic Ketamine as an Alternative to Electroconvulsive Therapy for Unipolar Depression: A Randomized, Open-Label, Non-Inferiority Trial (KetECT)
Authors: Ekstrand Joakim , Fattah Christian , Persson Marcus , Cheng Tony , Nordanskog Pia , Åkeson Jonas , Tingström Anders , Lindström Mats B , Nordenskjöld Axel , Movahed Rad Pouya
Published: December 2021

Background

Ketamine has emerged as a fast-acting and powerful antidepressant, but no head to head trial has been performed, Here, ketamine is compared with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the most effective therapy for depression.

Methods

Hospitalized patients with unipolar depression were randomized (1:1) to thrice-weekly racemic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) infusions or ECT in a parallel, open-label, non-inferiority study. The primary outcome was remission (Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score ≤10). Secondary outcomes included adverse events (AEs), time to remission, and relapse. Treatment sessions (maximum of 12) were administered until remission or maximal effect was achieved. Remitters were followed for 12 months after the final treatment session.

Results

In total 186 inpatients were included and received treatment. Among patients receiving ECT, 63% remitted compared with 46% receiving ketamine infusions (P = .026; difference 95% CI 2%, 30%). Both ketamine and ECT required a median of 6 treatment sessions to induce remission. Distinct AEs were associated with each treatment. Serious and long-lasting AEs, including cases of persisting amnesia, were more common with ECT, while treatment-emergent AEs led to more dropouts in the ketamine group. Among remitters, 70% and 63%, with 57 and 61 median days in remission, relapsed within 12 months in the ketamine and ECT groups, respectively (P = .52).

Conclusion

Remission and cumulative symptom reduction following multiple racemic ketamine infusions in severely ill patients (age 18–85 years) in an authentic clinical setting suggest that ketamine, despite being inferior to ECT, can be a safe and valuable tool in treating unipolar depression.
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of twice-a-week micafungin for prophylaxis of invasive fungal disease in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Bury Didi , Wolfs Tom F W , ter Heine Rob , Muilwijk Eline W , Tissing Wim J E , Brüggemann Roger J
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To determine the pharmacokinetics of twice-a-week micafungin prophylaxis in paediatric leukaemic patients to provide the rationale for this approach.

Methods

Twice-a-week micafungin at a dose of 9 mg/kg (maximum 300 mg) was given during the leukaemic induction treatment with at least one pharmacokinetic assessment. Non-linear mixed-effects modelling was used for analysis. For model building, our paediatric data were strengthened with existing adult data. Monte Carlo simulations were performed with twice-a-week dosing regimens of 5, 7 and 9 mg/kg and flat dosing per weight band. Simulated paediatric exposures were compared with the exposure in adults after a once-daily 100 mg regimen.

Results

Sixty-one paediatric patients were included with a median age and weight of 4.0 years (range 1.0–17) and 19.5 kg (range 8.60–182), respectively. A two-compartment model best fitted the data. CL and central Vd were lower (P < 0.01) in paediatric patients compared with adults. Predicted exposures (AUC0–168 h) for the 5, 7 and 9 mg/kg and flat dosing per weight band regimens exceeded the adult reference exposure.

Conclusions

All twice-a-week regimens appeared to result in adequate exposure for Candida therapy, with simulated exposures well above the adult reference exposure. These findings provide the rationale for the pharmacokinetic equivalence of twice-a-week and once-daily micafungin regimens. The greater micafungin exposures seem to be caused by a slower-than-anticipated CL in our paediatric leukaemic patients. The generalizability of our results for Aspergillus prophylaxis cannot be provided without assumptions on target concentrations and within-class identical efficacy.
Evaluating Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for Young African American Men With Cancer
Authors: Qiao Edmund M , Lynch Julie A , Lee Kyung M , Kotha Nikhil V , Nalawade Vinit , Voora Rohith S , Qian Alexander S , Nelson Tyler J , Yamoah Kosj , Garraway Isla P , Stewart Tyler F , Parsons J Kellogg , Rose Brent S
Published: December 2021

Background

Despite higher risks associated with prostate cancer, young African American men are poorly represented in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) trials, which limits proper evidence-based guidance. We evaluated the impact of PSA screening, alongside primary care provider utilization, on prostate cancer outcomes for these patients.

Methods

We identified African American men aged 40-55 years, diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2004 and 2017 within the Veterans Health Administration. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted propensity scores were used in multivariable models to assess PSA screening on PSA levels higher than 20, Gleason score of 8 or higher, and metastatic disease at diagnosis. Lead-time adjusted Fine-Gray regression evaluated PSA screening on prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM), with noncancer death as competing events. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

The cohort included 4726 patients. Mean age was 51.8 years, with 84-month median follow-up. There were 1057 (22.4%) with no PSA screening prior to diagnosis. Compared with no screening, PSA screening was associated with statistically significantly reduced odds of PSA levels higher than 20 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.49 to 0.63; P < .001), Gleason score of 8 or higher (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69 to 0.88; P < .001), and metastatic disease at diagnosis (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.64; P < .001), and decreased PCSM (subdistribution hazard ratio = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.36 to 0.76; P  < .001). Primary care provider visits displayed similar effects.

Conclusions

Among young African American men diagnosed with prostate cancer, PSA screening was associated with statistically significantly lower risk of PSA levels higher than 20, Gleason score of 8 or higher, and metastatic disease at diagnosis and statistically significantly reduced risk of PCSM. However, the retrospective design limits precise estimation of screening effects. Prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.
Straightening the crooked: intraspecific divergence of stem posture control and associated trade-offs in a model conifer
Authors: Sierra-de-Grado Rosario , Pando Valentin , Voltas Jordi , Zas Rafael , Majada Juan , Climent Jose
Published: December 2021

Although the straightening capacity of the stem is key for light capture and mechanical stability in forest trees, little is known about its adaptive implications. Assuming that stem straightening is costly, trade-offs are expected with competing processes such as growth, maintenance, and defence. We established a manipulative experiment in a common garden of Pinus pinaster including provenances typically showing either straight-stemmed or crooked-stemmed phenotypes. We imposed a bending up to 35º on plants aged 9 years of both provenance groups and followed the straightening kinetics and shoot elongation after releasing. Eight months later, we destructively assessed biomass partitioning, reaction wood, wood microdensity, xylem reserve carbohydrates, and phloem secondary metabolites. The experimental bending and release caused significant, complex changes with a marked difference between straight- and crooked-type plants. The straight-type recovered verticality faster and to a higher degree and developed more compression wood, while displaying a transitory delay in shoot elongation, reducing resource allocation to defence and maintaining the levels of non-structural carbohydrates compared with the crooked type. This combination of responses indicates the existence of intraspecific divergence in the reaction to mechanical stresses that may be related to different adaptive phenotypic plasticity.
Braided Challah
Authors: Ron Zvi
Published: December 2021

Braided bread for Shabbat, commonly referred to as challah (plural: challot), is the familiar and traditional form known to Ashkenazic Jews. While the challah itself takes on various shapes, and the number of strands varies, the braided appearance remains an essential and distinctive component of this bread. This defining characteristic of challah was adopted from the baking styles of the communities among which Ashkenazic Jews lived. This article will explore the origins of this particular custom.
On the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy condition for numerical solvers of the coagulation equation
Authors: Laibe Guillaume , Lombart Maxime
Published: December 2021

Evolving the size distribution of solid aggregates challenges simulations of young stellar objects. Among other difficulties, generic formulae for stability conditions of explicit solvers provide severe constraints when integrating the coagulation equation for astrophysical objects. Recent numerical experiments have reported that these generic conditions may be much too stringent. By analysing the coagulation equation in the Laplace space, we explain why this is indeed the case and provide a novel stability condition that avoids time oversampling.