bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of water distribution systems and head losses using the hardy-cross method
Authors: Silvia C S , Safriani M , Ikhsan M , Rauza U
Published: January 2022

Distribution services have not been running optimally at PDAM Tirta Meulaboh, that This study aims to determine the level of pressure loss in the PDAM’s clean water pipe network. The method used in this research is a quantitative descriptive survey method supported by primary data and secondary data. Calculation of the amount of pressure loss using the hardy cross method. The results showed that the observed value of discharge with the highest water consumption was at 18:00 WIB at 0.172 m3 / person, while for the lowest use was at 14:00 WIB at 0.119 m3 / person. It can be concluded that this time is the peak time for water consumption. High-pressure water where the maximum average is 0.00000599 m, because high pressure is not adequate. The maximum loss of high pressure is found in the loop (VII) of 2.57025 m or 0.257025 atm, for the minimum pressure there is in the loop (VI) of - 0.00024 m or -0.000024 atm. It is necessary to re-evaluate the distribution network system by PDAM such as surveys to find out the causes of high water pressure losses to customers such as surveys for water leaks in distribution pipes, replacing old pipes.
Potential of peat carbon storage in natural forests Tripa Peat Swamp at Aceh Barat Daya District
Authors: Wahid I , Djufri D , Supriatno S , Abdullah A , Samingan S , Zulfikar Z
Published: January 2022

Carbon storage is the total weight of carbon stored in the ecosystem at a certain time, especially in natural forests in the Tripa peat swamp area of Aceh Barat Daya. Peatlands are wetland ecosystems that are formed by the accumulation of organic matter on the forest floor from weathering of the vegetation on it over a long period of time. The research objectives were 1) to calculate peat soil carbon storage and 2) to measure the depth of peat soil in natural forest in the Tripa peat swamp area, Aceh Barat Daya Regency. The research activity was carried out from February to March 2021, in a natural forest in the Tripa Aceh Barat peat swamp area, divided into three stations and at each station, three sampling plots were made. Data collection using purposive sampling technique, Analysis of carbon stock was analyzed using the formula for calculating carbon stock by entering data on the percentage of soil organic carbon in the laboratory, and data on peat depth in a descriptive analysis. The results showed that the amount of peat soil carbon storage, especially in natural forest in the Tripa Aceh Barat Daya peat swamp area, was 2.556 tons/ha and the peat depth range was fibric with a depth of 0-95 cm, hemic 96-292 cm, and substance 293-310.
The structure community of zooplankton and environmental conditions of the Kalimireng River estuary, Gresik, East Java
Authors: Yanuhar U , Musa M , Oktaviana A , Junirahma N S , Caesar N R
Published: January 2022

Water quality monitoring is a key component in the management of these important water resources and ecosystems. Biological indicators can be monitored continuously and are easy instructions for monitoring the occurrence of pollution. One of the biological parameters that can be used as a marker of environmental conditions is plankton. zooplankton can be used as study material to determine the quality and water productivity. The method used in this research is descriptive to determine the water quality condition in the estuary of the Kalimireng river biologically through the identification and characterization of zooplankton. Observations of plankton identification, plankton abundance, dominance index, and characterization of zooplankton were analyzed by fluorescence microscope observation. Three species of zooplankton were found in the waters of the Kalimireng estuary, Leptodiaptomus sp., Canthocamptus staphylinus, and Diaphanosoma bracyurum. Zooplankton is more abundant in water conditions at high tide compared to water conditions at low tide. At high tide, the highest abundance value was obtained at the station I at week 3, 843 ind/mL. At low tide, the highest abundance value was obtained at the station I at week 2,251 ind/L. The highest Dominance Index (D) at tidal water conditions is shown at station 2. This indicates that there is a community that dominates at that station.
The addition of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) essential oil to intensify the aroma as a replacement of rum considering halal supply chain for cookies that use durian (Durio zibethinus) seeds waste-based flour to create sustainable advantages
Authors: Mahyiddin Z , Indani  , Suhairi L , Ulya Z , Munanda Z
Published: January 2022

The sources of aroma can be varied according to the food’s type and it is part of the ingredients that has an important role to increase people interest in certain foods. However, the most popular source of aroma is rum which is not halal for Muslim community. In this research, the researcher wanted to see the effect of adding essential oil from nutmeg seeds to the addition of the aroma of cookies made from durian seed flour to see the acceptance of customers of the product innovation using nutmeg essential oil to increase the aroma of cookies or food products that usually using rum or non-halal products and seeing the long-term impact that could possibly create sustainability advantages by occupying the waste of durian seed in to flour to substitute wheat flour. This study uses an organoleptic test. The science that uses the human senses to measure the texture, appearance, aroma, and taste of a food product is called sensory or organoleptic evaluation. Assessment of appearance, taste, and texture describes consumer acceptance of a product. The results show that consumers acceptance for this product innovation well so that the control prescription that can be given for this product innovation can be continued. The second experiment got the highest response compared to the first and third experiments.
Vegetation analysis of the Forest Park of Pocut Meurah Intan (THRPMI), Seulawah Subdistrict, Aceh Besar, Aceh Province
Authors: Djufri D , Hasanuddin H , Abdullah A , Puspa V R
Published: January 2022

A study entitled “Vegetation Analysis of the Forest Park of Pocut Meurah Intan, Seulawah Subdistrict of Aceh Besar, Aceh Province” has been conducted since April 2019 until November 2019. A transect method and squares were used in this study. The transect method was used to record species composition throughout the observation stations (inventory of species), including stands of pine (Pinus merkusii) with ten stations transect, stands of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla), stands of cacao (Theobroma cacao), and natural forests within a radius of 2 km around the THRPMI office. The squares method was used to record the species in the same locations to replicate each station by ten squares of samples for vegetation analysis. The parameters measured in the field were frequency, density, and dominance of each species. Analysis of vegetation covered Importance Values (IV), Diversity Index (H ’), and the Similarity Index (SI). Results showed that there were 49 familia found with the composition of species in the entire observation stations comprising of 111 species with 58 species of trees, 12 species of shrubs, and 41 species of herbs. Additionally, the results showed that the species of vegetation with the highest IV were coarse grass (Imperata cylindrica), lawn pait (Axonopus compresus), and selasi (Vernonia cinerea) with IV of 72.01, 65.34, and 57.24, respectively. Results of analysis Species Diversity Index (H ’) showed that the Pinus merkusii had H’ of 2,134, whereas Eucalyptus urophylla had H ’of 1.965, and Theobroma cacao had H’ of 1,067. The results of the analysis of Community Similarity Index showed that all stations had the same relative SI of 75%. It can be concluded that the species composition of the study area dominated by tree species, species diversity index (H ’) in all observation stations varied ranging from 1.067 to 2.134, and the relative Community Similarity Index was 75%.
Identification of antioxidant components of Gayo Arabica Coffee Cascara using the GC-MS method
Authors: Lestari W , Hasballah K , Listiawan M Y , Sofia S
Published: January 2022

Approximately half of the coffee will become by-product in coffee processing. This by-product needs a special focus because of its content can be pollutant for nature. One of the coffee by product that underutilized is cascara, composed by pulp and husk. The major by-product of dry process is husk whereas pulp is the major by-product from wet process. Nowadays, there are various ways to utilize coffee by-product. Previous studies have shown that coffee has a potent antioxidant activity which can be a solution in dermatology problem. This research aims to identify the antioxidant component of coffee arabica husk and pulp of Gayo, Aceh Tengah, Aceh using GC-MS method. One of the compounds that identified in both coffee husk and pulp is caffeine. Caffeine is a potential natural antioxidant and it also has anticellulite effect to skin. The other compounds found in coffee husk and pulp also have benefit in dermatology. We conclude that coffee arabica husk and pulp can be a potential natural source to eradicate dermatologic problem.
Sensory evaluation of food combination products from banana and sweet potato flour as a healthy food
Authors: Safrida S , Heirina Y , Noviasyah N
Published: January 2022

Bananas and sweet potatoes are one of Indonesia’s horticultural commodities that have various functions and benefits. Young bananas and sweet potatoes can be processed into various kinds, one of which is shredded. The purpose of this study was to analyze the public’s knowledge about the combination product of banana flour and sweet potato and to determine the level of preference for food products made from banana flour and sweet potato flour as a substitute for flour edge. Design of the study was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 8 replications. Product preference was carried out by organoleptic test on a hedonic scale. Consumer acceptability with the organoleptic test was carried out by 25 panelists. The results show that the community already understands the knowledge about banana and sweet potato flour and their processed products after participating in the training by 98%. The hedonic test results obtained by the respondents like the products of sponge cake and pudding from banana flour, while the products of kastengel and plain bread that are preferred by the respondents are products made from a combination of banana flour and sweet potato flour. Innovation in creating preparations made from banana and sweet potato to be processed into healthy food products and have promising business opportunities to increase people’s economic income.
Biodiversity of commercially important groupers (Epinephelidae) in Aceh, Indonesia: A checklist
Authors: Fadli N , Damora A , Muchlisin Z A , Dewiyanti I , Ramadhaniaty M , Nur F M , Batubara A S , Razi N M , Macusi E D , Siti-Azizah M N
Published: January 2022

The groupers, locally known as “kerapu” in Indonesia, are commercially valuable fish in Indonesia, including Aceh. The groupers are the first fish family to be plundered in most countries’ fisheries industries. However, the biodiversity information of the groupers fished in Aceh is limited. This study was aimed to inventories the grouper species landed in Aceh fish landing sites. The data collection was performed in some fish landing locations (TPI) located in Aceh. In general, this study revealed that Aceh has high grouper diversity. In total, 35 species of the Epinephelidae family were recorded. Epinephelus was the dominant genus found, followed by Cephalopholis, Plectropomus, Variola, Aethaloperca, Anyperodon, and Hyporthodus. Simeulue, Weh island, and Banda Aceh were the locations with the highest diversity of grouper in Aceh. Overall, the data collected from this study would be beneficial for the future management plan of grouper in Aceh and Indonesia.
Histopathological of the hepatopancreas of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected by white feces disease
Authors: Damora A , Salsabila C , Muhammadar A A , Arisa I I , Iskandar C D , Simanjuntak D G , Fadli N
Published: January 2022

The high production of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in Pidie Jaya impacts water quality decline around the ponds due to aquaculture waste. This condition causes shrimp to be susceptible to diseases, one of which is white feces disease (WFD). The objective of the study is to determine the level of hepatopancreatic damage caused by WFD through histopathological performance. Four shrimp samples were taken randomly from two semi-intensive ponds in Meurah Dua District, Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh, Indonesia. The results showed that the histopathology in the hepatopancreas was severely damaged. The damages include vacuolization, fat degeneration, and necrosis in ponds with higher ammonia concentrations. According to pH, temperature, salinity, and ammonia concentrations, ponds near residential areas were more polluted than ponds far from residential areas. This condition is projected by the more damaged histopathological obstruction of the shrimp’s hepatopancreas.
The identification of optimal operating parameters under high energy efficiency conditions for a single polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell
Authors: Bratu I G , Ene R F , Vulpe M , Uleanu F , Giosanu D
Published: January 2022

The performance of PEM fuel cells is influenced by several factors such as: the operating temperature of the cell, the reactant gas flow, work pressures, the reaction gas humidity. In the present work we aimed to identify the optimal values of these parameters for operation of a PEM cell to achieve maximum power in conditions of high efficiency; the technological possibilities of its use in a portable energy application have been evaluated. Experimental measurements regarding the integrating polymeric membrane in three different fuel cell construction designed were performed. The influence of the mechanical compression of the GDL diffusion layer on the total internal resistance of the cell was achieved by comparative analysis of the polarization curves. It was found that as the deformation level of the MEA increases, the power generated by the battery increases progressively. The resulting experimental data subsequently allowed the design and implementation of a PEM fuel cell assembly, fully functional at power level, corresponding to the number of constituent elements.
Entropy analysis in spray cooling for dosing water injection
Authors: Lacour S.O.L. , Feidt M.
Published: January 2022

Spraying water in air improves air-cooling capacity, which then relies on the evaporation of water. Even for small drop sizes, literature reports that the evaporation remains limited inside the spray and below saturation limits. In this article, we describe the evolution of thermodynamic quantities in a mixture of air and evaporating liquid water. A complete and coherent formulation is used to express enthalpy, entropy and chemical potential. At constant enthalpy, we show that the chemical equilibrium corresponds to an intermediate state in which droplet evaporation is not complete and entropy is maximum under certain conditions. Results are compared with some experimental values measured in a wind tunnel downstream of a spray. The calculated values are consistent with observations. Cooling efficiency is discussed for the various parameters, which are the amount of water, air temperature and ambient humidity. Then, the numerical approach is inverted in order to forecast the amount of water needed to reach a target cooling temperature. This numerical approach is used to set water flow depending on inlet flow conditions and cooling objectives.
Innovative energy efficient thermal insulation to ensure indoor comfort in nZEB buildings
Authors: Mladin Emilia-Cerna , Calbureanu Madalina , Malciu Raluca , Calbureanu Diana
Published: January 2022

The paper presents the analysis of water and heat transfer through walls being thermally insulated with vegetal materials. The analysis identifies the risk for condense accumulation in the outer layers of external walls of a common residential building located in the coldest climatic regions of Romania. Different wall structures and insulation thicknesses are systematically considered with statistical extreme temperature and humidity outdoor values. Results are useful in designing nZEB individual houses with green and sustainable technologies that also provide energy savings and indoor conditions for good comfort and health in these desired building concept.
Composite materials based on natural fibres applied for structural reinforcement
Authors: Bou Abdallah G , Ivanova I , Assih J , Diagana C , Dontchev D
Published: January 2022

Environmental problems and environmental protection triggered a rapid development of natural fibres as sustainable materials for the reinforcement of reinforced concrete structures. Synthetic fibre polymer composite materials have been widely accepted by the construction industries as an effective external reinforcement material to rehabilitate deficiencies in existing structures. These materials have exceptional performance such as high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance and lightness. However, the disadvantages include high costs during manufacturing and end-of-life services, less environmentally friendly and causing adverse effects on human health. This article presents an experimental program on the use of natural fibres as reinforcement in composite materials for structural strengthening. Different types of natural fibre fabrics (hemp, flax, mixed hemp and cotton) in terms of their mechanical properties were studied. The fibre and fibre fabric sheets were tested in tension test and compared with carbon and glass fibre fabric sheet as reference. So, this study carries out the effect of natural hemp and flax fibre fabric thickness on ultimate loads of specimens. In addition, the ultimate load and stiffness of strengthened beams were investigated. In fact, the results show that the reinforcement technique allows to increase the load-bearing of strengthened structure by 8% to 35% in bending tests.
Domestic peat pots biodegradation
Authors: Uleanu F , Giosanu D , Vulpe M , Bratu G , Vîjan L
Published: January 2022

Biodegradable nutrient media based on cellulose fibers and peat with added protective materials and stimulating represent the higher form of transplant used in current technologies for producing plant seedlings. Worldwide intensive development of the pots production industry (the effect of increasing demands from agriculture and their quality level in terms of degradability and operational sustainability, with outstanding results in reducing stress factors) led to fast expansion of their use with a high economic efficiency. Determination of potential and effective degradation was achieved by the method for determining cellulolytic activity in soil. Biodegradation potential recorded differences during the course of experience in the sense that it increases as the pots exposure time to treatment is higher. In conclusion, the pots treatment (planted/without plant) has a great influence on the effective biodegradation.
Opportunities to improve road traffic on short-length road connections by correlating intersection traffic lights
Authors: Boroiu A , Neagu E , Boroiu A A
Published: January 2022

The paper aims to explore the possibilities of improving road traffic in the central area of cities characterized by a longitudinal arrangement of the street network, with application for the case of Pitesti, where the road network in the central area consists of two main roads arranged longitudinally, having one-way regulated traffic, interconnected by several streets. A special traffic problem is reported in the city center: on the main road connecting the two boulevards, the vehicle storage space is insufficient - because the distance between the two road intersections is too small and there is no correlation between the Green phases of traffic lights in the two intersections. The research, based on traffic measurements performed with DataFromSky software and micro-simulation traffic analyses performed with Vissim PTV software, indicated that the best solution is the partial or total correlation of the green time from the traffic light intersections that delimit the connecting road artery. As, almost exclusively, the works dedicated to the correlation of green light of traffic lights treat the problem only along the road arteries, this paper raises a special issue and reveals the possibility of simple solutions, by correlating the traffic lights at the intersections connecting the main arteries.
Emergent Intelligence and Distributed Stochastic Optimization
Authors: Granichin O.N. , Granichina O.A. , Erofeeva V.A. , Leonova A.V. , Senov A.A.
Published: January 2022

Emergent intelligence is a property of a system of elements that is not inherent in each element individually. This behavior is based on local communications. This behavior helps to adapt to emerging uncertainties and achieve a global goal. This behavior exists in the natural world. A simplified example of emergent intelligence from the natural world is given. The repetition of natural behavior with the help of simple technical devices, which are limited in resources and cheap in construction, and the use of multi-agent approaches is considered. Distributed algorithms using local communications are considered. Such algorithms are more robust to noise.
Compensation for the Temperature Dependence of the Fog Output Signal
Authors: Gontar D.A. , Dranitsyna E.V.
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes a method for compensating the temperature error in the FOG output signal using neural networks. One of the main advantages of the method lies in possibility for identification of complex dependencies without losing compensation accuracy at the boundaries of the temperature range.
Test Results of the Long Baseline Navigation Solutions under a Large a Priori Position Uncertainty
Authors: Bogomolov V.V.
Published: January 2022

A method is proposed for long baseline navigation of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) to be used in the case of a large a priori position uncertainty. The new modified method is based on the iterated Kalman filter (IKF) working with different initial linearization points. The final solution is calculated by clustering and weighting the IKF results. This approach allows position estimates to be determined in accordance with the global maximum of posteriori probability density of coordinates. The test results obtained with the use of three beacons and an underwater vehicle are presented.
Formation of an Additional Motion Control Loop for the Nanosatellite to Adapt its Onboard Model to the Current Operating Conditions
Authors: Lomaka I. A.
Published: January 2022

The paper presents the formation of additional feedback in the loop of the attitude control system of a nanosatellite. Feedback is based on the assessment of the inertial characteristics of the nanosatellite. The influence of the accuracy of knowledge of the inertial characteristics of a nanosatellite on the formation of an optimal control law in the problem of reorientation was estimated. Statistical modelling has been carried out to assess the effectiveness of nanosatellite on-board sensors in the problem of identifying the inertial characteristics of a nanosatellite. Recommendations for the selection of sensor’s characteristics and time interval of data collection have been formulated.
Model of Signal Mark Detection in a Passive Sonar System
Authors: Prokopovich V.V. , Shafranyuk A.V.
Published: January 2022

Modeling of broadband and narrowband signal mark detection is widely used for sonar and radar systems. In this work, the problem is considered in relation to hydroacoustics. The paper describes the formation of a stream of correctly detected and false signal marks and calculation of estimates of their parameters, taking into account the antenna characteristics as well as the processing parameters of the system being simulated. Also considered are the realistic distribution of false signal marks by heading angles and the influence of the Doppler effect on the estimation of the mark parameters. The resulting model can be used in simulation systems, in the formation of a stream of detected signal marks, and the development of tracking algorithms. The model can be also used for predictive calculations that determine the probability of detecting signal sources and their characteristics
Design of the Capacitive Dual-Mass Micromechanical Gyroscope
Authors: Styazhkina A.V. , Belogurov A.A. , Belyaev Ya.V. , Tulaev A.T.
Published: January 2022

Development of micromechanical inertial sensors have made it possible to use them in the navigation and motion control systems. This application area imposes strict requirements on sensors. One of the ways to meet the requirements and to improve the gyroscope characteristics is to apply a dual- or multi-mass architecture of a gyroscope sensing element. This paper presents the results of dual-mass micromechanical gyroscope with a measurement range of ±450°/s design. The complex design method, including simulation at the system level, model refinement based on the results of finite element modelling, and modelling of individual electronic blocks at the circuit level, is described.
Floquet band engineering and topological phase transitions in 1T’ transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Kong Xiangru , Luo Wei , Li Linyang , Yoon Mina , Berlijn Tom , Liang Liangbo
Published: January 2022

Using ab initio tight-binding approaches, we investigate Floquet band engineering of the 1T’ phase of transition metal dichalcogenides (MX2, M = W, Mo and X = Te, Se, S) monolayers under the irradiation with circularly polarized light. Our first principles calculations demonstrate that light can induce important transitions in the topological phases of this emerging materials family. For example, upon irradiation, Te-based MX2 undergoes a phase transition from quantum spin Hall (QSH) semimetal to time-reversal symmetry broken QSH insulator with a nontrivial band gap of up to 92.5 meV. On the other hand, Se- and S-based MX2 undergoes the topological phase transition from the QSH effect to the quantum anomalous Hall effect and into trivial phases with increasing light intensity. From a general perspective, this theoretical work brings further insight into non-equilibrium topological systems.
Spatial variation of geometry, binding, and electronic properties in the moiré superstructure of MoS2 on Au(111)
Authors: Silva Caio C , Dombrowski Daniela , Atodiresei Nicolae , Jolie Wouter , Farwick zum Hagen Ferdinand , Cai Jiaqi , Ryan Paul T P , Thakur Pardeep K , Caciuc Vasile , Blügel Stefan , Duncan David A , Michely Thomas , Lee Tien-Lin , Busse Carsten
Published: January 2022

The lattice mismatch between a monolayer of MoS2 and its Au(111) substrate induces a moiré superstructure. The local variation of the registry between sulfur and gold atoms at the interface leads to a periodic pattern of strongly and weakly interacting regions. In consequence, also the electronic bands show a spatial variation. We use scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray standing wave (XSW) for a determination of the geometric and electronic structure. The experimental results are corroborated by density functional theory. We obtain the geometric structure of the supercell with high precision, identify the fraction of interfacial atoms that are strongly interacting with the substrate, and analyze the variation of the electronic structure in dependence of the location within the moiré unit cell and the nature of the band.
Ultra-thin foldable transparent electrodes composed of stacked silver nanowires embedded in polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Yan Xingzhen , Li Bo , Song Kaian , Yang Fan , Wang Yanjie , Wang Chao , Chi Yaodan , Yang Xiaotian
Published: January 2022

We have prepared an ultra-thin flexible transparent conductive electrode with high folding endurance composed of randomly arranged silver nanowires (AgNWs) embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A simple preparation method was performed to connect a glass substrate coated with a AgNW network and a glass substrate coated with PDMS. The glass substrate was then removed after the PDMS solidified, and the AgNW–PDMS composite film was peeled off. Moreover, the problem of the high contact resistance caused by the random arrangement of AgNWs was solved by the local joule heat generated by applying voltage to both sides of the AgNW–PDMS composite structure to weld the overlapping AgNWs. The sheet resistance (R
s) of AgNW–PDMS composite films with different AgNW deposition concentrations decreased by 46.4%–75.8% through this electro-sintering treatment. The embedded structure of the AgNW–PDMS composite ensures better voltage resistance and environmental stability under high temperature and humidity conditions compared with a AgNW network attached to a glass substrate. Additionally, the substrate-free, excellent elasticity and high resilience characteristics resulted in the R
s value of the same composite electrode only increasing by 2.9 ohm sq−1 after folding four times. The advantage of the metal thermal conductivity makes the joule heat generated by electric injection rapidly diffuse and dissipate in the AgNW-based transparent heater with faster response time and smaller voltage drive than indium tin oxide.
Musical Affordances and the Transformation Into Structure: How Gadamer can Complement Enactivist Perspectives on Music
Authors: Solli Mattias
Published: January 2022

This paper investigates the phenomenological status of musical affordances through a Gadamerian focus on human communication. With an extra emphasis on Reybrouck’s much-cited affordance-driven theory, I locate fundamental premises in the affordance concept. By initiating a dialogue with Gadamer’s perspective, I suggest a slight yet important shift of perspective that allows us to see an autonomous, transformative, and intrinsically active ‘ideality’ potentially emerging in music. In the final section, I try to demonstrate how Gadamer’s perspective is supported by recent empirical studies on communicative musicality and child development, and allows us to see how protoversions of the transformative ‘ideality’ are already present at the beginning of human life.
Bi-directional associations of epilepsy with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Authors: Dun Changchang , Zhang Yaqi , Yin Jiawei , Su Binbin , Peng Xiaobo , Liu Liegang
Published: January 2022

Objective

To assess the bi-directional associations of epilepsy with dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for longitudinal studies assessing the associations of epilepsy with dementia and AD up to 4 August 2021. Two authors independently extracted study characteristics, exposures, outcomes and covariates. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random effects model.

Results

From 8,545 articles identified in the initial research, 27 publications describing 20 longitudinal studies were included in the final analyses. There were 10 studies on epilepsy predicting risk of dementia, 5 studies on epilepsy predicting risk of AD, 11 studies on dementia predicting risk of epilepsy, and 6 studies on AD predicting risk of epilepsy. Baseline epilepsy was associated with higher risk of dementia (pooled HR 2.00; 95% CI 1.73–2.33) and AD (pooled HR 1.81; 95% CI 1.19–2.75). The pooled HRs for epilepsy associated with baseline dementia and AD were 2.91 (95% CI) 2.11–4.01) and 3.11 (95% CI 2.47–3.90), respectively. These positive associations persisted in sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

Conclusions

Our findings suggested positive and bi-directional associations of epilepsy with dementia and AD. However, these associations should be carefully interpreted due to the presence of substantial heterogeneity, and they need to be verified in additional high-quality studies.
Artificial Stone Silicosis: Need for Improved Controls
Authors: Jones Rachael M
Published: January 2022

Silicosis is emerging as a rapidly progressing occupational disease among young workers who fabricate and install artificial stone. Artificial stone is a composite material characterized by high levels of crystalline silica. Recent research has demonstrated high levels of crystalline silica exposures, particularly during dry cutting and finishing tasks, and an association between exposure intensity and duration and adverse respiratory outcomes. Occupational hygienists must move forward with development and implementation of control strategies, with consideration for the conditions of artificial stone work that may make control implementation challenging.
Comparing the contents, functions and neonicotinoid take-up between floral and extrafloral nectar within a single species (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni)
Authors: Zhou Hong-Xia , Milne Richard I , Cui Peng , Gu Wen-Jing , Hu Meng-Fang , Liu Xin-Yue , Song Yue-Qin , Cao Jun , Zha Hong-Guang
Published: January 2022

Background and Aims

Many angiosperms can secrete both floral (FN) and extrafloral (EFN) nectar. However, much remains unclear about how EFN and FN differ in secretion, composition and ecological function, especially when both FN and EFN are secreted on flowers of the same species.

Methods

Hemerocallis citrina flowers secrete both FN and EFN. The FN and EFN traits including volume, presentation pattern and temporal rhythms of secretion were compared by field observation. Sugar and amino acid contents were analysed using regular biochemical methods, whereas the proteome was investigated by combined gel-based and gel-free approaches. Animal feeders on FN and EFN were investigated by field observation. Hemerocallis citrina plants were exposed by soil drenching to two systemic insecticides, acetamiprid and imidacloprid, and the concentration of these in FN and EFN was measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Key Results

Hemerocallis citrina FN was concentrated and sucrose dominant, secreted in the mature flower tube and served as a reward for pollinators. Conversely, EFN was hexose rich, more dilute and less rich in sugar and amino acids. EFN was secreted on the outside of developing floral buds, and was likely to attract predatory animals for defence. EFN had fewer phenolics, but more pathogenesis-related components, such as chitinase and glucanase. A significantly different proteomic profile and enzymatic activities between FN and EFN suggest that they had different biosynthesis mechanisms. Both neonicotinoid insecticides examined became present in both nectar types soon after application, but in greater concentration within EFN; EFN also attracted a wider range of insect species than FN.

Conclusions

Hemerocallis citrina FN and EFN differed in production, composition and ecological function. The EFN pathway could be a significant way for neonicotinoids to enter the wild food chain, and must be considered when evaluating the risks to the environment of other systemic insecticides.
No signs of behavioral evolution of threespine stickleback following northern pike invasion
Authors: Stevens Dale R , Bardjis Christina I , Baker John A , Foster Susan A , Wund Matthew A
Published: January 2022

Invasive predators often impose devastating selection pressures on native prey species. However, their effects can be regionally dependent and influenced by the local ecological conditions of their invaded habitats. Evolved behavioral phenotypes are important mechanisms by which prey adapt to the presence of novel predators. Here, we asked how behavior and behavioral plasticity of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations have evolved following the introduction of the invasive predator, northern pike (Esox lucius). We examined the behavior of F1 offspring generated from three pike-free and three pike-invaded populations and measured how stickleback activity and plant use behaviors, and their plasticity, have evolved following pike introduction. To evaluate plasticity, we exposed juvenile stickleback to predator cues during their first year of development and then evaluated how this repeated exposure influenced behavioral responses to an artificial predation event. We found no overarching effect of pike in either evolved behaviors or behavioral plasticity, and no evidence for the presence of developmental plasticity. Furthermore, we found that depending on the phenotype, pike-invaded stickleback populations have either more or less among-population variation than pike-free populations. Our results suggest that evolution in response to invasive predators may be hidden by local adaptation when enough populations are studied.
ProSynAR: a reference aware read merger
Authors: Crysup Benjamin , Budowle Bruce , Woerner August E
Published: January 2022

Motivation

Read-merging algorithms that look solely at the reads can misalign and mis-merge the reads (especially near repetitive sequences).

Results

The C++ program ProSynAR has been written to take the reads’ position in the reference into account when performing (and deciding whether to perform) a merge.

Availability

*Nix users can retrieve the source from GitHub (https://github.com/Benjamin-Crysup/prosynar). Windows binary available at https://github.com/Benjamin-Crysup/prosynar/releases/download/1.0/prosynar.zip.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Unrealistic optimism about treatment risks for acute appendicitis
Authors: Rosen Joshua E , Agrawal Nidhi , Flum David R , Liao Joshua M
Published: January 2022

Unrealistic optimism is a cognitive bias that causes people to think they are at lower risk of a negative outcome than they actually are. This study identified significant unrealistic optimism towards the risks of appendicitis treatment complications.
Mapping the human praxis network: an investigation of white matter disconnection in limb apraxia of gesture production
Authors: Rosenzopf Hannah , Wiesen Daniel , Basilakos Alexandra , Yourganov Grigori , Bonilha Leonardo , Rorden Christopher , Fridriksson Julius , Karnath Hans-Otto , Sperber Christoph
Published: January 2022

Left hemispheric cerebral stroke can cause apraxia, a motor cognitive disorder characterized by deficits of higher-order motor skills such as the failure to accurately produce meaningful gestures. This disorder provides unique insights into the anatomical and cognitive architecture of the human praxis system. The present study aimed to map the structural brain network that is damaged in apraxia. We assessed the ability to perform meaningful gestures with the hand in 101 patients with chronic left hemisphere stroke. Structural white matter fibre damage was directly assessed by diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy mapping. We used multivariate topographical inference on tract-based fractional anisotropy topographies to identify white matter disconnection associated with apraxia. We found relevant pathological white matter alterations in a densely connected fronto-temporo-parietal network of short and long association fibres. Hence, the findings suggest that heterogeneous topographical results in previous lesion mapping studies might not only result from differences in study design, but also from the general methodological limitations of univariate topographical mapping in uncovering the structural praxis network. A striking role of middle and superior temporal lobe disconnection, including temporo-temporal short association fibres, was found, suggesting strong involvement of the temporal lobe in the praxis network. Further, the results stressed the importance of subcortical disconnections for the emergence of apractic symptoms. Our study provides a fine-grain view into the structural connectivity of the human praxis network and suggests a potential value of disconnection measures in the clinical prediction of behavioural post-stroke outcome.
Mortality salience enhances neural activities related to guilt and shame when recalling the past
Authors: Xu Zhenhua , Zhu Ruida , Zhang Shen , Zhang Sihui , Liang Zilu , Mai Xiaoqin , Liu Chao
Published: January 2022

Mortality salience (MS) influences cognition and behavior. However, its effect on emotion (especially moral emotions) and the underlying neural correlates are unclear. We investigated how MS priming modulated guilt and shame in a later recall task using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The behavioral results indicated that MS increased self-reported guilt but not shame. The neural results showed that MS strengthened neural activities related to the psychological processes of guilt and shame. Specifically, for both guilt and shame, MS increased activation in a region associated with self-referential processing (ventral medial prefrontal cortex). For guilt but not shame, MS increased the activation of regions associated with cognitive control (orbitofrontal cortex) and emotion processing (amygdala). For shame but not guilt, MS decreased brain functional connectivity related to self-referential processing. A direct comparison showed that MS more strongly decreased a functional connectivity related to self-referential processing in the shame than in the guilt condition. Additionally, the activation of insula during MS priming was partly predictive of neural activities related to guilt and shame in the subsequent recall task. Our study sheds light on the psychological and neural mechanisms of MS effects on moral emotions and provides theoretical insights for enriching terror management theory.
Ulk1-dependent alternative mitophagy plays a protective role during pressure overload in the heart
Authors: Nah Jihoon , Shirakabe Akihiro , Mukai Risa , Zhai Peiyong , Sung Eun Ah , Ivessa Andreas , Mizushima Wataru , Nakada Yasuki , Saito Toshiro , Hu Chengchen , Jung Yong Keun , Sadoshima Junichi
Published: January 2022

Aims

Well-controlled mitochondrial homeostasis, including a mitochondria-specific form of autophagy (hereafter referred to as mitophagy), is essential for maintaining cardiac function. The molecular mechanism mediating mitophagy during pressure overload (PO) is poorly understood. We have shown previously that mitophagy in the heart is mediated primarily by Atg5/Atg7-independent mechanisms, including Unc-51-like kinase 1 (Ulk1)-dependent alternative mitophagy, during myocardial ischaemia. Here, we investigated the role of alternative mitophagy in the heart during PO-induced hypertrophy.

Methods and results

Mitophagy was observed in the heart in response to transverse aortic constriction (TAC), peaking at 3–5 days. Whereas mitophagy is transiently up-regulated by TAC through an Atg7-dependent mechanism in the heart, peaking at 1 day, it is also activated more strongly and with a delayed time course through an Ulk1-dependent mechanism. TAC induced more severe cardiac dysfunction, hypertrophy, and fibrosis in ulk1 cardiac-specific knock-out (cKO) mice than in wild-type mice. Delayed activation of mitophagy was characterized by the co-localization of Rab9 dots and mitochondria and phosphorylation of Rab9 at Ser179, major features of alternative mitophagy. Furthermore, TAC-induced decreases in the mitochondrial aspect ratio were abolished and the irregularity of mitochondrial cristae was exacerbated, suggesting that mitochondrial quality control mechanisms are impaired in ulk1 cKO mice in response to TAC. TAT-Beclin 1 activates mitophagy even in Ulk1-deficient conditions. TAT-Beclin 1 treatment rescued mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction in ulk1 cKO mice during PO.

Conclusion

Ulk1-mediated alternative mitophagy is a major mechanism mediating mitophagy in response to PO and plays an important role in mediating mitochondrial quality control mechanisms and protecting the heart against cardiac dysfunction.
MetaCOXI: an integrated collection of metazoan mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit-I DNA sequences
Authors: Balech Bachir , Sandionigi Anna , Marzano Marinella , Pesole Graziano , Santamaria Monica
Published: January 2022

Nucleotide sequences reference collections or databases are fundamental components in DNA barcoding and metabarcoding data analyses pipelines. In such analyses, the accurate taxonomic assignment is a crucial aspect, relying directly on the availability of comprehensive and curated reference sequence collection and its taxonomy information. The currently wide use of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit-I (COXI) as a standard DNA barcode marker in metazoan biodiversity studies highlights the need to shed light on the availability of the related relevant information from different data sources and their eventual integration. To adequately address data integration process, many aspects should be markedly considered starting from DNA sequence curation followed by taxonomy alignment with solid reference backbone and metadata harmonization according to universal standards. Here, we present MetaCOXI, an integrated collection of curated metazoan COXI DNA sequences with their associated harmonized taxonomy and metadata. This collection was built on the two most extensive available data resources, namely the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) and the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). The current release contains more than 5.6 million entries (39.1% unique to BOLD, 3.6% unique to ENA, and 57.2% shared between both), their related taxonomic classification based on NCBI reference taxonomy, and their available main metadata relevant to environmental DNA studies, such as geographical coordinates, sampling country and host species. MetaCOXI is available in standard universal formats (‘fasta’ for sequences & ‘tsv’ for taxonomy and metadata), which can be easily incorporated in standard or specific DNA barcoding and/or metabarcoding data analysis pipelines.

Database URL: https://github.com/bachob5/MetaCOXI