bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of antrophogenic noise on Sumatran Elephant’s anti-predator behavior in the Elephant Conservation Center
Authors: Abdullah  , Shabrina A , Khairil  , Saputri M , Syafrianti D , Ala N
Published: March 2020

The increase of human activity around forest area causes noise anthropogenic effect to animals. This long-term effect can lead to decrease behavior and impact on species composition and inter-species interactions. Sumatran Elephants are classified as endangered animal. This study aims to determine the effect of noise on the Sumatran elephant’s anti-predator behavior and the difference in behavioral response based on the difference noise exposure time. The observation was conducted to Sumatran Elephants in Elephant Conservation Center Saree, Aceh Besar District. Observation method was animal focal sampling technique. The data was analyzed using the chi square test with a significant level of 5%. Based on the results of the chi-square test, the value of sig is 0.000 or smaller than 0.05, indicate that there is an effect of noise toward anti-predator behavior. The observed Sumatran elephants also look more responsive to the noise that is sounded in the morning. Noise can interfere with prey perceptions of predators and correlate with increased energy use.
The effect of alkaline activation on the zeolite binding properties toward dissolved irons
Authors: Rahmayani R F I , Arryanto Y , Kartini I
Published: March 2020

This research aims to determine the effect of alkaline activation on the zeolite binding properties toward dissolved irons. Natural zeolite was activated by reflux using NaOH with various concentrations (2 N, 4 N, and 6 N). Furthermore, the activated zeolite was mixed into a solution of FeSO4.7H2O 0.5 M. Zeolite-Fe then characterised using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The optimum contact time and the adsorption of irons by activated zeolite were studied. The result shows that alkaline activation in zeolite caused a change in structure zeolite as evidenced by FTIR spectra. The data from XRD result have also identified diffraction patterns of alkaline activated zeolites run into differences in the peak characteristics of their constituent and changing the degree of crystallinity of the mineral structure in zeolites. Besides, it also observed that NaOH activation of zeolites increased the amount of Fe bound to zeolite as evidenced by changes in colour and SEM results. The optimum contact time is 2 minutes and the adsorption kinetics of irons were fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
The development of student worksheet based on predict observe explain to increase students’ conceptual understanding of the reaction rates
Authors: Sari G , Hasan M , Mahidin M
Published: March 2020

The objective of this research is to develop student worksheet based on POE strategy on the topic of reaction rate. The sequence of research methodology was to assess the feasibility of worksheet and to find out the effectiveness of learning by using POE-oriented worksheet on students’ conceptual understanding. The method used in this study was R&D and ADDIE development model with one group pretest-posttest design as its research design. The sample of the study was 30 students from XI science-3 class selected randomly selected.The data were collected from 20 multiple-choice items through pretest and posttest. The percentage of eligibility obtained from worksheet validator and chemistry teacher was 94.42% and 93.82% respectively showed POEoriented worksheet was highly feasible to use. The average score from pretest was 63.16, posttest was 85.16, and N-Gain was 0.59. The normality test for pretest showed that Ltest = 0.150, while posttest Ltest = 0.125. It can be concluded that the data to be normally distributed and the t-test result was ttest > ttable, 11.417 > 1.697. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the use of POE-based worksheet in chemistry learning process effectively increases students’ conceptual understanding.
The effect of discovery learning-based worksheet on students’ metacognition skill and learning outcomes
Authors: Junina I , Halim A , Mahidin
Published: March 2020

This research aims to improve metacognition skill and student learning outcomes by applying a discovery-learning-based student worksheet. The research method employed was the pretest-posttest with control group design. Samples of this research were class XI IPA 1 as the class of control and XI IPA 2 as the class of experiment selected using purposive sampling at MAN Banda Aceh. Aspects of metacognition skill assessed consist of planning skill, monitoring skill, and evaluation skills which were measured using a questionnaire of metacognition inventory. Learning outcomes were measured through the pretest and posttest. Data analysis using an independent sample t-test obtained the value of tcount > ttable (7.076 > 1.998) and showed that there is any significant difference in learning outcomes between the experimental and control. The test of N-gain for the experimental group showed the improvement of learning outcome with a score of 0.67 as a medium category, whereas the control group was in the same category with a score of 0.41. Data on the student’s metacognition skills were obtained through questionnaires by 82%. The result implies that the application of a discovery-learning worksheet can improve the student’s metacognition skills and learning outcomes.
The influence of scientific thinking and enterpreneurship toward enterpreneurship interest in physics education department students
Authors: Mahzum E , Farhan A , Mulia R
Published: March 2020

The Scientific Thinking and Entrepreneurship Course is one of the elective courses that provides entrepreneurial knowledge to students as entrepreneurship provision for students. This study aims to determine the influence of the Scientific Thinking and Entrepreneurship Course’s score with the interest in entrepreneurship in Physics Education students of Teacher Training and Education Faculty, Universitas Syiah Kuala. The research method used is a quantitative method with a descriptive approach and 33 students of Physics Education who had taken the Scientific Thinking and Entrepreneurship Course in the 2016/2017 academic year was chosen as sample by purposive sampling technique. Data collection used is documentation, questionnaires and interviews. Data obtained were analyzed using regression statistics and product moment correlation. Based on the analysis, the results show that the score of the subject of Scientific Thinking and Entrepreneurship Course has little effect on the interest in entrepreneurship, it is evident from the correlation value of 0.02 and classified as a low correlation.
The application of guided discovery learning model to improve students concepts understanding
Authors: Kasmiana  , Yusrizal  , Syukri M.
Published: March 2020

This study aims to determine the differences in understanding concepts of students between classes using guided discovery learning model and non-guided discovery in heat material and knowing the response of students in Public Junior High School 8 Banda Aceh. The populations in this study were all students in 7 year with the selection using purposive sampling, so student from grade seven-one and three were obtained as samples. Tests of understanding concepts students used multiple choice questions with five choices of answers. The test is used to determine the scores of students in the guided discovery and the non-guided discovery classes. The data of the research results were analyzed by t-test for understanding concepts and descriptive statistics for questionnaire responses. The results showed that: there were significant differences in increasing of understanding concepts between classes taught guided discovery and those taught with non-guided discovery model. The application of the guided discovery model improves student learning outcomes, especially in understanding the concept.
Model of Cocoaer as alternative learning to prevent the potential misconceptions of high school students
Authors: Zainuddin  , Mujakir  , Ibrahim M , Jatmiko B , Halim A , Yusrizal
Published: March 2020

The Cocoaer learning model was developed to prevent the emergence of Misconception Potential (FMD) of high school students (SMA). This study aims to develop a valid, practical cocoaer learning model to prevent the emergence of high school students’ PMK. Development of a cocoaer learning model based on needs analysis. R and D development research (Research and Development) refers to the Borg & Gall’s (1997) model, namely the development of models carried out through repetitive activities from starting to design to limited test models. The data was analyzed descriptively. The results of the study show that: (1) the cocoaer model and the supporting model are classified as valid and reliable, (2) the syntax implementation of the model and the observations of student activities in accordance with the design of the cocoaer model.
The analysis of how physics teachers comprehend the authentic assessment at senior high schools
Authors: Ma’arif M I , Yusrizal  , Hasan M
Published: March 2020

This research aims to find out the level of physics teachers’ understanding of authentic assessment. The research method used was descriptive analysis with a quantitative approach. The population in this research were 56 physics teachers at the State Senior High Schools in Banda Aceh. Thirty (30) physics teachers were selected as the sample in which two teachers were representing each school. This study used the questionnaire as the research instrument in which the reliability was 0.9 and documentation. The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistics technique. The results of the research showed that the understanding level of physics teachers on authentic assessment was; planning 74% (understanding), implementation 79% (understanding), analysis and reporting 70% (understanding), attitude assessment techniques and instruments 71% (understanding), knowledge assessment techniques and instruments 78% (understanding), and skills assessment techniques and instruments 77% (understanding).
Application of jigsaw type cooperative learning to improve student creative thinking skills
Authors: Nurmalia  , Halim A , Syahrun N
Published: March 2020

Based on the observation results at one of the senior high schools in Banda Aceh, it showed that the critical thinking of learners is not accustomed to train. This research aimed to investigate the enhancement of creative thinking skills of students of grade ten at senior high school in Banda Aceh by using jigsaw type cooperative learning on straight-motion material. The research method used was quasi experiment with the design of “control group pretest-posttest design” and it the research used purposive sampling technique. The sample in this study was the grade ten-two as the experimental class and grade ten-four as the control class with 60 students. Data collection was done by pretest-posttest to measure students’ creative learning skills. The result of the analysis in the experimental class showed that N-gain creative thinking skills were 0.74% while the control class was 0.68%. Significance testing is done using the t test after the data were normally distributed and became homogeneous. The results of the N-gain t test for creative thinking skills tcount>ttable(2.048>2.045), so that there were significant differences. The conclusion in this study is the application of jigsaw type cooperative learning can improve students’ creative thinking skills.
The use of space syntax method in mapping passive contacts in slum area of Semanggi, Surakarta
Authors: Putri D K , Marlina A , Purwani O
Published: March 2020

Social interactions happen anytime and anywhere, started with human actions and/or movements. These movements lead to a meeting between people indicating opportunities to know and to admit the existence of each other and discover each other’s nature through observations and conversations. This is called `passive contact`. This research is conducted to test the passive contacts that happen in settlement using space syntax method and then compare it with direct observation. Space syntax works objectively without involving goals and motivation, assuming nothing about the individual and their cognitive capacity explicitly, despite human are moving and socializing to another directed by their cognition. Spatial configuration used in spatial layout of urban space or a settlement, analysed by space syntax methods producing an axial map that presents the degree of connectivity, integrity and intelligibility value. This research used case study method with Semanggi as the case. The results of this research show that space syntax method is not enough to explain how passive contact can be formed. Therefore, additional research needs to be done to cover the factors that can not be covered by space syntax analysis. Direct observation in certain periods is considered very effective to cover the gap of analysis that space syntax could not cover.
An evaluation of village funds spending to promote sustainable communities: The case Cihideung Village, West Java
Authors: Iskandar Z S , Aritenang A F
Published: March 2020

The Indonesian government initiated the Village Funds since 2015. This study looks at the Cihideung village classified under ‘Desa Maju’ based on the Indonesian village typology. The Building Villages Index of Cihideung Village is 0.733, which shows that it has high economic, social, and ecological resilience. Thus, the development impact from the government’s Village Funds program the village is expected to be large. This paper provides a frontier study on the evaluation of the Village Fund’s effectiveness on rural development. In the first two years of Village Fund implementation, the law directs that Village Funds should be prioritized for village development programs and empowering rural communities with the aim to improve the village economy. In the case of Cihideung Village, most of the funds are deployed for road construction. Considering the recent implementation of the law, this study conducted statistics path analysis to evaluate the immediate impact of Village Funds spending on accelerating the village economy. This paper shows that Village Funds has accelerated the economy through harnessing local economic potential, i.e., providing an increase in income and of employment as well as reduced transportation costs. Study found that Village Funds have a positive impact on rural and community development.
Locality and globality: The production of new space in maintaining the identity of urban areas
Authors: Siagian M
Published: March 2020

Globalization has brought modernity to big cities but this led to a contradiction between abstract spaces (quantity) and social spaces (quality). The modern environment tends to disrupt the daily life of local communities with its cultural diversity and eliminates social relations. Moreover, modernity which offers uniformity does not consider local identity and cities are planned similar everywhere. This paper uses Lefebvre’s trialectics of spatiality comprising ‘spatial practice’, ‘representation of space’ (abstract space), and ‘space of representations’ (lived space) to study the spatial phenomena in Medan city. The research used qualitative methodology via in-depth interviews with respondents from various societal groups. The study focused on the phenomenon of space according to each group. The findings show that there are unique dynamic relationships between the local community and the newcomer communitythat brings modernity. The Tamil communitylives in the periphery area while their presence in the modern commercial center strengthens the identity of the area as a “home town” for the local community in the modern city.
Waterfront concept development with community-based tourism
Authors: Sushanti I R , Abednego I A , Septanti D , Santosa H R , Kisnarini R
Published: March 2020

To achieve sustainable development in urban areas requires the active cooperation of all parties, especially the people. The informal settlements in the Kalisari area of Surabaya are still not optimally handled and organized through community participation. This study was conducted to identify the role of the local community, determine the direction of the development concept and assess whether the proposed design suits the Kalisari waterfront development concept as sustainable ecotourism based on Community-Based Tourism (CBT).Literature study and empirical findings contribute to the theory of CBT for economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and life satisfaction aspects. The research method is descriptive-qualitative using both primary and secondary data. The results showed that people support the concept of the CBT-based waterfront development in Kalisari. By producing the relevant design concepts based on CBT, the areas can develop from unproductive into productive areas in terms of economic, socio-cultural, environmental aspects and life satisfaction.
The role of pondok pesantren to develop sustainable muslim settlements in Indonesia
Authors: Yuli N G
Published: March 2020

In the vernacular design method, almost every general building standard cannot apply because of its unique condition. There was not any consideration about building design standards in Pondok Pesantren. They developed the group of buildings only based on the fund and land availability, and then the neighbor duplicated their method. The purpose of this paper is to assess the chances and challenges of Pondok Pesantrens in Indonesia, to develop sustainable Muslim settlements with Mlangi Muslim Settlement in Yogyakarta as a case study. Sustainable Construction Assessment Tool (SCAT) by the Holcim is used as the assessment tool to calculate sustainability. Three aspects are assessed from the economy, environmental and social to draw the existing conditions. The major findings of this research are stated in the environmental aspect; Pondok Pesantren is in a bad state regarding the terrible condition of water, energy, waste and site by the lack of condition of the settlement layout. Pondok Pesantren has chances to improve their environment using some strategies that would encourage the community to take the same action for its improvement as well. Socio-culture challenges need to be solved; the Pondok Pesantren has vowed to prioritize their significant role to make better quality Muslim settlements in Indonesia.
An adaptation of the malay kampongs or villages concept on modern housing schemes development in Malaysia
Authors: Samsudin N A , Misnan S H , Astuti W , Mokhtar S N , Rashid M F
Published: March 2020

Traditionally, villager’s houses organised in groups, surrounded by green nature, landscape, each space connected by informal pathways to form a settlement known as village, kampong or ‘kampung’. The kampong setting grow harmoniously and evolved over the years. Indirectly the culture and values of the Malay community in the village are slowly influenced by the atmosphere and living environment that tested through many years. Today, the existence of a traditional Malay village as an early settlement pattern of the Malay community threatened by the process of urbanisation and modernisation of the country. The kampong setting has replaced by mass production of housing schemes called ‘taman perumahan’. As a result, the existence of traditional Malay kampongs in urban areas has been replaced by a planned housing schemes that is considered modern and well-planned. However, there is an effort to re-adapt the traditional village concept ideally into modern urban housing either through architectural design, landscape and neighbourhood planning at different level. This paper is written based on qualitative approach by collecting and structuring field data through several methods such as observation, and fieldwork study. This paper explores such effort in modern housing schemes at the Precinct 8 (Putrajaya) and Nong Chik Height (Johor Bahru).
Spatial negotiations in domestic space of the home-based garment industry in Kampung Tambora, Jakarta
Authors: Lirenzsa F , Ellisa E , Paramitha A
Published: March 2020

With a population of around 260.100 and covering an area of 5.4 km2, Kampung Tambora is one of the densest urban areas in Jakarta. The area is well known for its home-based garment industry, which supports the livelihood of the community. Typically, several houses in one alley run the garment industry business, where both men and women work and live under the same roof. The study aims to understand how all actors in the home-based garment industry negotiate with the limited space to fulfill domestic and working needs. Three houses were selected for observation to understand how all involved actors maximize the use of the limited space through spatial interruption in domestic space. The study found that the actors define the activities through the utilization of space, the allocation of spatial functions, and symbolizing objects. Multi-story houses were built to expand space and enable the owners to work without disrupting the privacy of domestic activities. Although the actors of the home-based enterprises found ways to cope with the issues of crowding, alternative ideas are needed to increase their well-being and improve the environmental quality of similar high-density urban settlements in many parts of Jakarta.
What are the most enduring elements in the traditional city of Surakarta? A case study of Kampong Baluwarti within the Surakarta Sunanate Palace
Authors: Marlina A
Published: March 2020

The traditional city of Surakarta is located in Kampong Baluwarti of Surakarta Sunanate Palace. This traditional city is experiencing rapid development in line with the development of its surrounding areas. However, it is believed that this city still maintains the authenticity of the elements forming traditional urban layout structures. This article focuses on the exploration related to the discovery of the elements which form spatial structures of a city. These elements are the ones able to survive as the embodiment of the authority concept for sustainable synergy with city development. This study employed a qualitative research method namely, the descriptive qualitative with a case study approach. The finding revealed that the most endured forming elements were the kedhaton (palace) as the center, roads as the paths, settlements surrounded by beteng walls and both the north square and south square as the domains. These findings contribute to the ability to overcome conflicts related to urban layout structure in the context of urban development.
Municipal solid waste management in small and metropolitan cities in Indonesia: A review of Surabaya and Mojokerto
Authors: Wibisono H , Firdausi F , Kusuma M E
Published: March 2020

The increasing urban population has triggered a complex waste problem in Indonesian cities. Since the 1960s, waste generation in Indonesian urban areas has increased exponentially. Considering that municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is a case-by-case issue, MWSM practices vary on the municipal level. This article aims to explore the implementation of MSWM in small and metropolitan cities. By distinguishing cities by their typology, this article hopes to understand the similarities and differences of MSWM characteristics. This study uses a case study approach in which Surabaya represents metropolitan cities and Mojokerto represents small cities. The paper compares the current conditions and challenges of MSWM. This study is based on a literature review but also includes simple statistical analysis to strengthen the arguments in this paper. The review found that there are differences in the implementation of MSWM in Surabaya and Mojokerto in almost all aspects. Surabaya faces more complex problems and challenges and comes up with several solutions such as cooperation with a Japanese city and it is tackling human resources issues. On the other side, MSWM in Mojokerto is mostly government-centered and the city still has to handle institutional limitations such as regulatory issues, limited resources, and lack of participation.
Rural development strategies in Indonesia: Managing villages to achieve sustainable development
Authors: Tarlani  , Sirajuddin T
Published: March 2020

Rural development is an appealing phenomenon to be explored. After the Village Law was established in 2014, each village must manage its own village funds. This significantly impacts the spatial and a-spatial aspects of rural development, either creating opportunities in rural areas or even creating new problems. Currently, many villages carry out development without prudently considering spatial aspects. Villages as the main suppliers of various staple foods are unable to achieve self-sufficiency as part of sustainable development. Therefore, it is important to discuss governance aspects. This paper explains rural issues and problems and relates these to the development management framework. The paper uses a literature review and secondary data to identify issues and problems in villages. The paper found that each village can formulate strategic solutions by planning to increase information and public communication, organizing to strengthen systems and internal supervision, actuating to optimize the role of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) as well as controlling to strengthen spatial control.
Studies on the stress and thermal properties of Mo/B4C and MoxC1-x/B4C multilayers
Authors: Zhu Jingtao , Ji Bin , Zhu Jie , Jiang Hui , Zhu Shengming , Li Miao , Zhang Jiayi
Published: March 2020

A comparative study of Mo/B4C and MoxC1-x/B4C multilayers deposited by DC magnetron sputtering technology was presented in this paper. Using a homemade real-time stress measure instrument, the stress of two kinds of multilayers was investigated. Characterizations of the multilayers before and after annealing were performed by grazing incident and at-wavelength near-normal incident x-ray reflectivity. Experimental results show that after replacing Mo by MoxC1-x, MoxC1-x/B4C multilayers obtain relatively smaller compressive stress compared with Mo/B4C multilayers. The corresponding stress value changes from −0.99 GPa to −0.36 Gpa. MoxC1-x/B4C multilayers have also proven to have better thermal stability up to 600 °C. After repeatedly annealing from 100 °C to 600 °C, Mo/B4C multilayers had a ∼2% decrease in near-normal incident reflectivity, while MoxC1-x/B4C multilayers had a smaller 1.4% loss of reflectivity and a higher stability temperature.
On the finiteness and periodicity of the 𝑝-adic Jacobi–Perron algorithm
Authors: Murru Nadir , Terracini Lea
Published: March 2020

Multidimensional continued fractions (MCFs) were introduced by Jacobi and Perron to obtain periodic representations for algebraic irrationals, analogous to the case of simple continued fractions and quadratic irrationals. Continued fractions have been studied in the field ofpp-adic numbersQp\mathbb {Q}_p. MCFs have also been recently introduced inQp\mathbb {Q}_p, including, in particular, app-adic Jacobi–Perron algorithm. In this paper, we address two of the main features of this algorithm, namely its finiteness and periodicity. Regarding the finiteness of thepp-adic Jacobi–Perron algorithm, our results are obtained by exploiting properties of some auxiliary integer sequences. It is known that a finitepp-adic MCF representsQ\mathbb Q-linearly dependent numbers. However, we see that the converse is not always true and we prove that in this case infinitely many partial quotients of the MCF havepp-adic valuations equal to−1-1. Finally, we show that a periodic MCF of dimensionmmconverges to an algebraic irrational of degree less than or equal tom+1m+1; for the casem=2m=2, we are able to give some more detailed results.
Using Boolean cumulants to study multiplication and anti-commutators of free random variables
Authors: Fevrier Maxime , Mastnak Mitja , Nica Alexandru , Szpojankowski Kamil
Published: March 2020

We study how Boolean cumulants can be used in order to address operations with freely independent random variables, particularly in connection to the

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-distribution of the product of two selfadjoint freely independent random variables, and in connection to the distribution of the anti-commutator of such random variables. A key instrument in our considerations is a new combinatorial object, coloured noncrossing partitions with a structural property which we call vertical no-repeat property. As a byproduct, we obtain several results concerning enumeration of some special sets of noncrossing partitions.
Characteristics of the endometrium in menstruating species: lessons learned from the animal kingdom†
Authors: Catalini Laura , Fedder Jens
Published: March 2020

Here we have summarized what is currently known about menstruating animal species with special emphasis on non-primate species: length of their menstrual cycle, ovulation, implantation, placentation, decidualization, and endometrial characteristics. Having an overview of all the possible animal models that can be used to study menstruation and the menstrual cycle could be useful to select the one that better matches the needs of the individual research projects. The most promising species to study menstruation seems to be the spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus. It is a rodent that could be easily held in the existing laboratory facilities for rats and mice but with the great advantage of having spontaneous menstruation and several human-like menstrual cycle characteristics. Among the species of menstruating bats, the black mastiff bat Molossus ater and wild fulvous fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultii are the ones presenting the most human-like characteristics. The elephant shrew seems to be the less suitable species among the ones analyzed. The induced mouse model of menstruation is also presented as an adaptable alternative to study menstruation.
Outside Options, Coercion, and Wages: Removing the Sugar Coating
Authors: Dippel Christian , Greif Avner , Trefler Daniel
Published: March 2020

In economies with a large informal sector firms can increase profits by reducing workers’ outside options in that informal sector. We formalise this idea in a simple model of an agricultural economy with plantation owners who lobby the government to enact coercive policies—e.g., the eviction and incarceration of squatting smallhold farmers—that reduce the value to working outside the formal sector. Using unique data for 14 British West Indies ‘sugar islands’ from 1838 (the year of slave emancipation) until 1913, we examine the impact of plantation owners’ power on wages and coercion-related incarceration. To gain identification, we utilise exogenous variation in the strength of the plantation system in the different islands over time. Where planter power declined we see that incarceration rates dropped, and agricultural wages rose, accompanied by a decline in formal agricultural employment.
The Effects of Graded Levels of Calorie Restriction XV: Phase Space Attractors Reveal Distinct Behavioral Phenotypes
Authors: Sun Deshun , Liu Fei , Mitchell Sharon E , Ma Huanfei , Derous Davina , Wang Yingchun , Han Jackie J D , Promislow Daniel E L , Lusseau David , Douglas Alex , Speakman John R , Chen Luonan
Published: March 2020

Calorie restriction (CR) has a positive impact on health and life span. Previous work, however, does not reveal the whole underlying mechanism of behavioral phenotypes under CR. We propose a new approach based on phase space reconstruction (PSR) to analyze the behavioral responses of mice to graded CR. This involved reconstructing high-dimensional attractors which topologically represent the intrinsic dynamics of mice based on low-dimensional time series of movement counts observed during the 90-day time course of restriction. PSR together with correlation dimensions (CD), Kolmogorov entropy (KE), and multifractal spectra builds a map from internal attractors to the phenotype of mice and reveals the mice with increasing CR levels undergo significant changes from a normal to a new state. Features of the attractors (CD and KE) were significantly associated with gene expression profiles in the hypothalamus of the same individuals.
Metformin Reduces Aging-Related Leaky Gut and Improves Cognitive Function by Beneficially Modulating Gut Microbiome/Goblet Cell/Mucin Axis
Authors: Ahmadi Shokouh , Razazan Atefeh , Nagpal Ravinder , Jain Shalini , Wang Bo , Mishra Sidharth P , Wang Shaohua , Justice Jamie , Ding Jingzhong , McClain Donald A , Kritchevsky Stephen B , Kitzman Dalane , Yadav Hariom
Published: March 2020

Aging-related illnesses are increasing and effective strategies to prevent and/or treat them are lacking. This is because of a poor understanding of therapeutic targets. Low-grade inflammation is often higher in older adults and remains a key risk factor of aging-related morbidities and mortalities. Emerging evidence indicates that abnormal (dysbiotic) gut microbiome and dysfunctional gut permeability (leaky gut) are linked with increased inflammation in older adults. However, currently available drugs do not treat aging-related microbiome dysbiosis and leaky gut, and little is known about the cellular and molecular processes that can be targeted to reduce leaky gut in older adults. Here, we demonstrated that metformin, a safe Food and Drug Administration-approved antidiabetic drug, decreased leaky gut and inflammation in high-fat diet-fed older obese mice, by beneficially modulating the gut microbiota. In addition, metformin increased goblet cell mass and mucin production in the obese older gut, thereby decreasing leaky gut and inflammation. Mechanistically, metformin increased the goblet cell differentiation markers by suppressing Wnt signaling. Our results suggest that metformin can be used as a regimen to prevent and treat aging-related leaky gut and inflammation, especially in obese individuals and people with western-style high-fat dietary lifestyle, by beneficially modulating gut microbiome/goblet cell/mucin biology.
The politics of hope: privilege, despair and political theology
Authors: Gentry Caron E
Published: March 2020

Situated within feminist Christian Realism, this article looks at what political theology is and its relevance to International Relations. Hope is a central theme to political theology, underpinning the necessity to be witness to and to work against oppressive structures. Simply put, hope is the desire to make life better. For Christians, this hope stems from a belief in resurrection of Christ and the faith that such redemption is offered to all of humanity. Hope, however, is not limited to Christianity and, therefore, Christian theology. Thus, taking an intersectional approach, the article looks for similarities in how hope is articulated in three personal narratives: theologian Jürgen Moltmann, UK Muslim advocate Asim Qureshi, and Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors. Across all three personal narratives, the need for hope begins in a place of despair, signalling a need to recognize that hope and privilege are in tension with one another. Feminist Christian Realism acknowledges and embraces this tension, recognizing that hope cannot function if the pain, oppression and harm caused by privilege are erased or minimized.
T1 Top Line Results of the DETECT Enzymatic Debridement Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hickerson William L , Goverman Jeremy , Blome-Eberwein Sigrid A , Singer Adam , Wibbenmeyer Lucy
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Bromelain Based Debridement (BBD) of deep burns is approved for use in Europe, Argentina, Russia, South Korea, Peru and Israel. In the United States it is an investigational product and currently there are 2 multicenter RCTs (DETECT – adults, CIDS – children). Patient enrollment in the DETECT adult trial has been completed. The aim of this abstract is to present the acute stage top line results of the DETECT trial.

Methods

175 adult patients suffering from deep burns were included in a phase III multicenter, multinational, randomized, controlled, assessor blinded trial. Patients were randomized to 3 arms – BBD, Standard of Care (SOC), or Gel vehicle (Placebo control) in a 3:3:1 ratio (75 BBD, 75 SOC, 25 Gel). The primary endpoint was the incidence of complete eschar removal (BBD vs Gel). Additional acute stage endpoints included the time to complete eschar removal, incidence of surgical eschar removal and eschar removal associated blood loss.Time to complete wound closure (BBD vs SOC) was assessed as a safety endpoint. Following the acute stage, a long-term follow up period of 2 years is being conducted.

Results

Patient demographics and wound baseline characteristics were comparable across study arms.The incidence of complete eschar removal was significantly higher for BBD vs Gel patients (93.3% vs 4%, p< 0.0001). The incidence of surgical eschar removal was significantly lower for BBD vs SOC patients (4% vs 72%, p< 0.0001). The median time to complete eschar removal was significantly shorter for BBD vs SOC patients (1 day vs 3.8 days, p< 0.0001). Calculated eschar removal associated blood loss was significantly lower for BBD vs SOC patients (14ml vs 815ml, p< 0.0001). The median time to complete wound closure was similar for BBD and SOC patients (27 and 28 days). The overall safety profile of BBD treated patients was good and consistent with the safety data known from previous studies.The results of the long term follow up period are not yet available.

Conclusions

The acute stage results of this robust phase III RCT demonstrate the safety and efficacy of BBD and are in line with previous trial results.

Applicability of Research to Practice

The results of this trial may help pave the way for US approval of BBD.
3 Early Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Following Major Burns
Authors: Ho George , Rogers Alan D , Cartotto Robert
Published: March 2020

Introduction

AKI is increasingly recognized as a major complication of burn injury. No studies have specifically examined early AKI in burn patients. The purpose of this study was to examine AKI that develops within the first 7 days of burn injury.

Methods

Retrospective review of adults with burns > 20% TBSA admitted within 24 hours of injury to an adult regional ABA-verified burn center from 24/11/15 to 1/7/19. We excluded patients that died or who received palliation in the 1st 24 hours following the burn. AKI was defined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) urine and serum creatinine (s-Cr)-based criteria. The day of burn was defined as day 0. The intake to output ratio in the 1st 24 hours (I:O) was defined as total fluid Intake (mL/kg/%TBSA burn) / urine output (mL/kg). Sepsis was defined using the ABA criteria. Values are presented as median (1st-3rd IQR).

Results

We included 85 patients with age 46 (31.5–57) yrs., %TBSA burn 30 (23.5–46.9), and 34% with bronchoscopy-confirmed inhalation injury. AKI developed in 53 cases (62.4%) at 0 (0–1) days (range 0–6 days) post burn. Baseline s-Cr was 0.94 mg/dL (0.78–1.24), and peaked at 1.33 mg/dL (1.08–2.24), (P< 0.001). Distribution of AKI severity was 55% Stage I, 19% Stage II, 9% Stage III, and 17% Stage III requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). No AKI cases had high voltage electrical burns, while 5 (9%) had sepsis and 5 (9%) were receiving vancomycin or an aminoglycoside prior to AKI onset. Comparison of AKI patients to NO AKI patients is shown in the table. High dose vitamin C resuscitation (HDVCR) had been utilized in 78% of the Stage III cases that required RRT. Compared to resuscitation using Ringers Lactate with or without 5% albumin (N= 61), HDVCR was used in 20 (38%) of AKI cases Vs. 4 (13%) of NO AKI cases (p=0.01). The I:O was 0.25 (0.16–0.46) in AKI and 0.19 (0.1–0.33) in NO AKI (p=0.04). Mortality was significantly higher in AKI than NO AKI (38% Vs. 9%, p=0.004)

Conclusions

Early AKI is highly prevalent following a major burn injury. Patients developing early AKI had significantly greater age, need for mechanical ventilation, and admission SOFA scores. HDVCR may be implicated in the development of early AKI.

Applicability of Research to Practice

Further study is required on HDVCR’s relationship to AKI.
9 The Potential for Mitochondrial Respiration and Circulating mtDNA Levels for Early Diagnosis of Sepsis in Burn Patients
Authors: Burmeister David M , Gomez Belinda , Heard Tiffany , Chao Tony , Akers Kevin , Dubick Michael , Cancio Leopoldo C
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Sepsis is a common consequence of burns associated with greater morbidity. While early treatment of sepsis in burn patients improves outcomes identifying sensitive biomarkers has proven difficult. In burns, sepsis often occurs in the absence of positive blood cultures, and associated inflammation precludes the use of inflammatory markers. We hypothesized that lymphocyte mitochondrial bioenergetics and/or circulating mtDNA (a Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern) may serve as novel sepsis biomarkers in burn patients.

Methods

Whole blood was obtained from adult patients (19–73 years of age) with 34–75% total body surface area burns admitted to the Burn Intensive Care Unit or healthy volunteers. Samples were categorized into one of three groups: 1) Healthy control, 2) Non-septic, or 3) Septic. The amount of mtDNA (NADH dehydrogenase 3 gene) was assessed by real-time PCR. Lymphocyte mitochondrial respiration was measured in a closed-chamber high-resolution respirometry Oxygraph-2k (Oroboros Instruments) with the addition of substrates to measure routine, leak, and maximum oxidative flux (MOF).

Results

Routine respiration was not different between non-septic and septic (27.0±30.0 and 27.2±10.8 pmol O2/mg/s) samples however, both were greater than healthy (13.1±5.00 pmol O2/mg/s; P≤0.05). Leak respiration was not different amongst groups. MOF (maximum capacity of the electron transport chain when not limited by ATP synthase/uncoupling) was different (P≤0.05) between populations with healthy (12.0±2.6 pmol O2/mg/s) having the lowest values, followed by septic (26.3±13.9 pmol O2/mg/s) and non-septic patients (34.7±23.1 pmol O2/mg/s). mtDNA levels were elevated in septic patients (70,061±65,975 copies/µL) when compared with non-septic and healthy patients (3,738±1,701 and 6,848±5,893 copies/µL, respectively; P=0.017). Levels of bacterial 16S DNA were not detected.

Conclusions

Taken together, increases in lymphocyte mitochondrial respiration may represent a compensatory response. Moreover, these data support the notion that mtDNA may trigger the onset of sepsis in burn patients in the absence of bacterial DNA. Investigating mitochondrial function/circulating DNA levels as they correlate with the onset/progression of sepsis in burn patients may beget useful biomarkers for early sepsis diagnosis.

Applicability of Research to Practice

Markers of mitochondrial function and damage in the burn patient may reveal powerful diagnostic targets to allow for interventions to stop sepsis before it occurs.
32 Major Psychiatric Illness and Drug Dependence Both Influence Burn Outcomes, but Not in the Same Way
Authors: Romanowski Kathleen S , Palmieri Tina L , Sen Soman , Greenhalgh David G
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Studies of trauma patients indicated that as many as 17% of patients have major mental illness. The prevalence of mental illness in burns is not well known, but is thought to be similar to that seen in trauma. In this study we aim to examine the effect of mental health on outcomes following burns less than 20% total body surface area (%TBSA). We hypothesize that mental illness is associated with longer length of stay (LOS), length of stay per % TBSA (LOS/TBSA), and number of readmissions.

Methods

Following IRB approval, a 2-year (2016–2018) retrospective chart review was conducted of burn patients with burns less than 20% admitted to the burn center. Data collected include: age, sex, % TBSA, LOS, LOS/TBSA, discharge disposition, mortality, presence of mental health diagnoses (Drug Dependence, and Major Psychiatric Illness). Statistical analysis with chi-square for categorical variables and student’s t-test for continuous variables was conducted. Values expressed as mean ± standard deviation.

Results

A total of 961 patients with a mean age of 46.2±17.4 years, 717 men and 244 women, were analyzed. Mean total body surface area burn (TBSA) was 6.72±5.5%, and 6.14% had inhalation injury. In this study population 27.6% had drug dependence, and 15.4% had major psychiatric illness. The mean length of stay was 11.4±16.7 days, and 12 patients (1.25%) died. In examining the effects of major psychiatric illness, there was no difference in age (46.4 vs. 46.2 years, p=0.87), no difference in %TBSA (6.30% vs. 6.77%, p=0.328). Length of stay (LOS) (15.2 vs. 10.7 days, p=0.0009) and LOS/TBSA (4.03 vs. 2.90 days, p = 0.03) were increased in patients with major psychiatric illness. There was no difference in the rate of readmissions (8.11% vs. 6.56%, p=0.49). In examining the effects of drug dependence, patients were younger (40.4 vs. 48.4 years, p< 0.0001), suffered a larger %TBSA (7.70% vs. 6.31%, p=0.0008), and had a longer length of stay (13.7 vs. 10.5 days, p=0.04). There were no differences in LOS/TBSA (2.94 vs. 3.12 days, p = 0.66), and rate of readmissions (6.04% vs. 7.09%, p=0.56).

Conclusions

In burns < 20% TBSA, both major psychiatric illness and drug dependence influence patient’s outcomes. Major psychiatric illness does not affect burn size but does increase length of stay. Drug dependence leads to larger burn size which secondarily increases length of stay. Based on these increases in length of stay, it is likely that hospital costs are also higher for these patients. Further work must be done to mitigate the effects of mental illness on burn outcomes, even in small burns.

Applicability of Research to Practice

Many burn patients have mental health problems. These can influence their recovery from burn injury. We should work to minimize the effects of their mental illness on their outcomes.