bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green spinach leather as a Fe source to increase nutritional intake
Authors: Kalengkongan A W P , Sihombing M , Wahyu F D
Published: March 2020

The basic health research data which has been released in 2013 shows that the anemia incidence number is still high, 21.7%. This is caused by the lack of micronutrition (fiber, folic acid, vitamin A or B12) as the result of the lack of green vegetable consumption. This research aims to reform the green spinach (Amaranthus spp.) into green spinach leather in a form of vegetable leather, to increase the perception of the vegetable reception and minimized the lost Fe content during processing to increase nutritional intake. This research uses experimental research design with the formulation of 85% green spinach leaf and 15% agar-agar as the binder. The Fe content measurement was conducted using Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The measurement of the green spinach vegetable leather product sensory acceptance is conducted using rating hedonic test. The sensory test result from 53 panelists states that the vegetable leather has a significantly better perception compared with the original spinach for the flavor attribute, aroma, and texture. The Fe content test results in the Vegetable Leather product is 3.3 mg/100 g. This result still has enough Fe content as the daily intake.
Minimum inhibitory concentration of leaf and fruit extract Ficus lyrata Warb against Salmonella thypi bacteria
Authors: Wira D W , Mardawati E , Hutauruk R O , Bangun D E M , Kamila H E
Published: March 2020

Ficus lyrata Warb is a part of the genus Ficus, which in its utilization is only limited as a shade plant on the roadside. The Ficus lyrata Warb leaves and fruits contain bioactive compounds, namely flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and tannins, which have the potential to be an antimicrobial. The antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Ficus lyrata Warb against Escherichia coli has already known in previous studies. However, the study about antimicrobial activity of leaf and fruit extracts of Ficus lyrata Warb tree against Salmonella typhi is still not known until now. This research aims to obtain the antimicrobial activity of leaf and fruit extracts of Ficus lyrata Warb and to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against Salmonella typhi. The method used for antibacterial activity testing was the disc diffusion method, and the determination of MIC was carried out by the microdilution method using spectrophotometric UV-Vis analysis. The inhibition zone data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Least Significant Differences (LSD). An independent t-test was used for pairwise comparison. The results showed that there were effects of fruit and leaf extracts on the growth of Salmonella typhi bacteria and each concentration of the extracts have a significant difference, compared to the positive control. The MIC test results using spectrophotometry with two replications showed that the fruit MIC value of 1.56% and the leaf MIC value was 6.25%.
Total β-carotene of β-carotene carrot powder (Daucus Carota L.) encapsulation result
Authors: Rifqi M , Setiasih I S , Cahayana Y
Published: March 2020

β-carotene is a compound that forms red, orange and yellow pigments in carrots. β- carotene compounds in the form of liquid extract have weaknesses that are unstable, impractical in terms of storage, and have a short shelf life so that further treatment is needed to produce β- carotene with better characteristics, one of method is encapsulation using maltodextrin. This study aims to determine the best concentration of maltodextrin β-carotene. The research method used was an experimental method with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a confidence level of 95% consisting of 3 treatments with 3 replications, namely the addition of 10%, 20%, and 30% (b/v). The results showed that β-carotene carrot powder with the addition of 20% maltodextrin produced the highest total β-carotene which was 29.160 ppm.
Optimization of gaseous ozone for decontamination process of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
Authors: Waldyani H , Zaida  , Andoyo R , Nugraha H
Published: March 2020

Indonesia is one of the largest pepper producers in the world with high export value. Processing of pepper in Indonesia oftenly does not meet the hygiene and quality standards that desired by importers, one of the standard quality required is total plate count (TPC) which shown total microorganism. In this study, whole black pepper exposed with gaseous ozone to reduce total microorganism. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum flow rate and exposure time of ozonation as a treatment for decontamination of black pepper to reduce maximum reduction of total microorganism with minimum changes in piperine content. The optimization is done by using Response Surface Method (RSM) with Central Composite Design (CCD) with flow rate of gaseous ozone (1–4 L/min) and exposure time of ozonation (10–40 minute). The responses of the ozonation process were total microorganism and piperine content. This research shown that ozonation process of black pepper reduced the total microorganism of 3–4 log CFU/g. The optimum condition of flow rate and exposure time provided by Design Expert were flow rate of 1 L/min and exposure time of 10 minutes that resulted a model validity value on the response of piperine levels with high to perfect accuracy.
The application of activated carbon from coconut shell and zeolite as adsorbents on coffee decaffeination using the Swiss Water Process (SWP)
Authors: Saloko S , Sulastri Y , Murad  , Wahyuni S
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of coconut shell activated carbon and zeolite as adsorbents with various concentrations in coffee decaffeination process using Swiss Water Process (SWP). This research used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 2 factors i.e. the type of adsorbent (coconut shell activated carbon and zeolite) and adsorbent concentration (5%, 10% and 15%) with three replications. The parameters tested were chemical quality (moisture content, ash content, antioxidant activity and caffeine content), physical quality parameter (colour) and organoleptic parameters (aroma and taste). The results showed that the interaction between the type of adsorbent and adsorbent concentration only contributed significantly to the caffeine content. Treatment using zeolite adsorbent with a concentration of 15% is the best treatment with the highest caffeine content reduction with moisture content 4.59%; ash content 4.77%; antioxidant activity 23.58%; the caffeine content 0.68%; ºHue value 47.06; L* value 10.34; aroma scoring 3.25 (a rather strong coffee aroma); aroma hedonic 3.35 (a bit like); taste scoring 3.05 (slightly bitter) and taste hedonic 3.2 (a bit like).
Optimation of microorganism level of semi-solid emergency food based on denaturated whey protein concentrate (WPC) with different mineral concentration and sterilization levels
Authors: Shalihah A N , Andoyo R , Wulandari E
Published: March 2020

When post-disaster conditions occur, the problem of food procurement becomes a critical factor which able to disrupt the fulfillment of nutrition for the society, especially children. Procurement of emergency food products is one solution that can be offered to meet daily energy for the victims in need. The raw material for making emergency food products that can be used is denatured Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC), as a source of protein, sweet potato flour as a source of carbohydrates and mineral mix as a determinant of the texture and power of product acceptance. Emergency food products are also incidental, so they require a long shelf life, and sterilization is one way that can be done to extend the shelf life of food products. The factors tested in this study included protein levels, mineral levels, and the level of sterilization with the number of microorganisms as the response variable. The optimal combination of factors tested will produce the minimum number of microorganisms. This study aims to analyze and evaluate the combination of material formulations and sterilization rates using the analytical data from Response Surface Methode (RSM) with a validation of single objective optimization method in order to have a minimum number of microorganisms to meet the nutritional needs that are incidental. Based on the response surface analysis, the optimum formula of semi-emergency food was 11.6% protein content; added 4% mineral mix; and sterilized at 8.09 D log cycle.
Innovation on food product development for local commodity with design thinking approach (Case study: tengkawang fruit (Shorea stenoptera Burck.) Commodity in Bengkayang, West Kalimantan)
Authors: Bunyamin A , Purnomo D , Taofik S , Chuddin M , Sawitri I
Published: March 2020

Tengkawang (Shorea stenoptera Burck.) is a tropical flora that thrives and largely available in West Kalimantan. So far, the postharvest activity of the fruit is still not optimal and further utilization efforts is needed to result in a local commodity as local champion. The utilization was organized to gain high success with a more inclusive approach using Design Thinking. Tengkawang derived from a region with unique characteristics: 1) the natural environment that needs to be preserved, 2) grows among community areas with strong local culture, 3) very typical local commodity, and 4) located in remote areas. Through the process of observing, defining, ideation, prototyping, and storytelling or testing this research resulted in final product design derived from Tenkawang through the ideation process. The designed product developed to be a locomotive commodity-based economy for the community and also aimed to preserve the environment through the development of Tengkawang derivative products. The results of this study are action plans for the development of Tengkawang fruit food products, Tengkawang fruit post-harvest processing methods, food product formulations, packaging and branding designs of the local products that were developed, as also the marketing plan process.
Potential of beef and biogas from integration of beef cattle-oil palm in Indonesia
Authors: Silalahi F R L , Rauf A , Hanum C , Siahaan D
Published: March 2020

Beef is a national strategic commodity and has high economic value. The consumption needs per capita of beef increase every year, so that it is fulfilled through imports. While domestic production has not been able to meet the meat needs of the Indonesian people to date. In addition to beef needs, Indonesia is also experiencing obstacles to meeting national energy needs. With an estimate of GDP growth reaching an average of 6.04% per year for the 2017–2050 period, it will further encourage an increase in Indonesia’s energy needs in the future. The challenge of the world today is to develop renewable energy to overcome the minimum availability of fossil energy sources. To overcome this problem can be done by developing a bio-industrial farming system. One of them is the application of integration of beef cattle-oil palm. Based on the potential for oil palm area of 12.5 million ha, it can be used for the integration of beef cattle-oil palm. The integration of beef cattle-oil palm in Indonesia can produce as much as 2.7 million tons of beef and biogas as much as 172 million m3 or equivalent to 103 million litres of kerosene per day.
Moderate pretreatment strategies for improvement of reducing sugar production from oil palm empty fruit bunches
Authors: Harahap B M , Maulid M R , Dewantoro A I , Mardawati E , Huda S
Published: March 2020

Pretreatment at mild condition is the strategy to minimize energy consumption, to reduce toxic compounds influencing to further process, and to obtain the high reducing sugar yield as fermentation substrate from cellulose and hemicellulose of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB). The yield still could be increased by optimizing pretreatment condition and varying several process alternatives. In this study, the effect of acetic acid addition and its corresponding concentration (5–15%), pretreatment temperature (115–125 °C), time (60–90 minutes), and two-stage pretreatment (0.01–1M NaOH pretreatment followed by autohydrolysis and autohydrolysis followed by 0.1–1% acetic acid pretreatment) were evaluated. The residual solid after pretreatment was then enzymatically hydrolyzed by Cellic CTec2. The result showed that the addition of acetic acid was able to increase the yield of reducing sugar. In addition, the reducing sugar yield could be still increased when the temperature was escalated, but the extended pretreatment time gave the decline of reducing sugar yield. This yield, however, was still lower than this from NaOH pretreatment followed by autohydrolysis. The maximum yield of this pretreatment could be attained by 1 M NaOH concentration at 125 °C for 60 minutes with solid loading 10% (0.71 g/g-OPEFB).
Effect of time and temperature sorghum germination on the fineness and color of sorghum sprout flour
Authors: Wulandari E , Sukarminah E , Rahayu G G
Published: March 2020

Sorghum is a local product that is quite prospective in providing local carbohydrate sources. Processing sorghum seeds into sorghum flour is one alternative to replace the consumption of wheat flour which continues to increase. However, sorghum flour used in composite flour will provide dry, sandy and crumb properties that are hard so fast, so that other processes need to be done to improve its characteristics. Soaking and germination can reduce antinutrient compounds and can also increase nutritional value. The purpose of this study was to obtain the time and temperature of germination and the interaction between the two to produce good sorghum sprout flour. The research method used was an experimental method using Factorial Randomized Group Design (RGD). The first factor is the germination temperature (A) with 2 levels, namely A1 = 25 °C and A2 = 35 °C. The second factor is the time of germination (B) with 3 levels, namely B1 = 12 hours, B2 = 24 hours and B3 = 36 hours. Combinations carried out there are 6, each combination is repeated 3 times. Germination with variations in the time and temperature of germination did not show a significant effect on the physical characteristics of sorghum sprout flour. The best rendement and color values were found in the germination treatment at 25C at 36 hours ie 98.02% and 72.36% while the best fineness modulus was found in the germination treatment at 35 °C for 36 hours ie 2.43.
Study the rate of drying and level of osmosis dehydration on physical properties of dried Mango Cengkir
Authors: Deliana Y , Wulandari E , Salam I M
Published: March 2020

Cengkir mango is an agricultural product of Indonesia, especially in Indramayu which is very abundant. But it is not offset by the high level of fruit consumption in Indonesian society. Further processing is carried out to obtain product diversity and shelf life. This can be overcome by processing the cengkir mango into a dried cengkir mango. In the processing, several things need to be observed the initial treatment of drying is osmosis dehydration, sugar solution concentration, drying time and drying rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the drying rate of dried cengkir mango at various levels of sugar solution concentration to produce the physical properties of good dried cengkir mango. The research method used is descriptive analysis. Descriptive method consisting of 9 treatments of 30 °brix sugar solution at 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C; 40 °brix sugar solution at 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C; and 50 °brix sugar solution at 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C. The treatment of 30 °brix sugar solution at a temperature of 60 °C has a good correlation to the decrease in water content with a value of r = 0.9483 and a low drying rate correlation of 0.2932 produces good physical properties with levels aw
0.56, colorsΔH 1.58 and texture 6030 gf/cm2.
Single-pixel 3D reconstruction via a high-speed LED array
Authors: Wang Ming , Sun Ming-jie , Huang Chao
Published: March 2020

Three-dimensional reconstruction can be performed in many ways, among which photometric stereo is an established and intensively investigated method. In photometric stereo, geometric alignment or pixel-matching between two-dimensional images under different illuminations is crucial to the accuracy of three-dimensional reconstruction, and the dynamic of the scene makes the task difficult. In this work, we propose a single-pixel three-dimensional reconstructioning system utilizing structured illumination, which is implemented via a high-speed LED array. By performing 500 kHz structured illumination and capturing the reflected light intensity with detectors at different spatical locations, two-dimensional images of different shadows with 64 × 64 pixel resolution are reconstructed at 122 frame per second. Three-dimensional profiles of the scene are further reconstructed using the surface gradients derived by photometric stereo algorithm, achieving a minimum accuracy of 0.50 mm. Chromatic three-dimensional imaging via an RGB LED array is also performed at 40 frame per second. The demonstrated system significantly improves the dynamic performance of the single-pixel three-dimensional reconstruction system, and offers potential solutions to many applications, such as fast three-dimensional inspection.
Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Deary Ian J.
Published: March 2020

Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction describes what psychologists have discovered about how and why people differ in their thinking powers. Drawing on large-scale data, it considers how many types of intelligence there are and how intelligence changes with age. It also tackles some of the most burning questions surrounding intelligence, such as whether larger brains are cleverer, and how genes and environments contribute to people’s intelligence differences. It considers the new field of cognitive epidemiology, which draws links between intelligence and better health, less illness, and longer life, and asks whether intelligence is increasing. In this new edition, the controversial question of whether men and women differ in intelligence is also addressed.
What happens to intelligence as we grow older?
Authors: Deary Ian J.
Published: March 2020

The study of cognitive ageing is arguably one of the most lively, exciting, and important in the field of human intelligence, as the proportion of older people in the population grows larger and as people live longer. ‘What happens to intelligence as we grow older?’ considers Salthouse’s Virginia studies and the Scottish Mental Surveys of 1932 and 1947. People differ in how much their intelligence changes from youth to older age, but why does some people’s intelligence age better than others? Age wears away at some cognitive domains and leaves others largely intact. With ageing, an important distinction emerges between those stratum II abilities that are part of so-called ‘fluid’ and ‘crystallized’ intelligence.
Are there sex differences in intelligence?
Authors: Deary Ian J.
Published: March 2020

‘Are there sex differences in intelligence?’ considers the data sets from the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth from 1979, and the Cognitive Abilities Test 3 sample from 2001–3. All three studies show that there is little evidence of any average difference in intelligence between boys and girls, or young adults. However, for overall general intelligence, there are slightly more girls than boys in these samples around the average scores, and proportionately more males than females at the higher and lower extremes. Among the cognitive domains, a different pattern occurred for verbal reasoning: there were more girls at the higher scores.
What are the contributions of environments and genes to intelligence differences?
Authors: Deary Ian J.
Published: March 2020

‘What are the contributions of environments and genes to intelligence differences?’ asks whether genetic inheritance and the environments people experience affect intelligence differences. Researchers use two main resources to answer this question: twins and samples of DNA. Studies of identical and non-identical twins are used to show the contributions of genes, shared environment, and non-shared environment to people’s differences in traits. Twin studies tell us that by adulthood, about two-thirds of intelligence differences are caused by how people vary in their genetic inheritance, and that both shared and non-shared environments make significant contributions to intelligence differences. The introduction of genome-wide association studies in 2011 has provided a new method of estimating the heritability of intelligence.
Are smarter people faster?
Authors: Deary Ian J.
Published: March 2020

A long-standing idea is that people who do well on intelligence tests might be better at some basic psychological processes, such as mental speed, which is also called processing speed. Smarter people might have faster brains, and their intelligence might follow from that. ‘Are smarter people faster?’ considers the West of Scotland Twenty-07 study, which reported on the correlation between reaction time and intelligence, and the Lothian Birth Cohort of 1936, which measured processing speed using inspection time. These studies show medium to strong levels of correlation between choice reaction time and general intelligence and that people with higher intelligence tended to make more correct decisions about the inspection time stimuli.
Does intelligence matter for health and longer life?
Authors: Deary Ian J.
Published: March 2020

The new field of cognitive epidemiology looks at whether intelligence tests might have some predictive power in health, and even for death. ‘Does intelligence matter for good health and long life?’ discusses the results of various studies that link the results of intelligence tests at age 11 with medical records in later life. The results show that there is a robust association between higher intelligence test scores in early life and living longer, and having a lower risk of dying from several causes. They also show that, on average, people with higher childhood intelligence have a lower risk of developing various illnesses and are more likely to adopt healthier behaviours as adults.
Do psychologists agree about intelligence differences?
Authors: Deary Ian J.
Published: March 2020

In 1994, The Bell Curve by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray was published. It provoked the Western world and the psychological research community into turmoil over the impact that mental ability differences have on people’s destinies. The American Psychological Association (APA) decided that they had a responsibility to put on record some findings about human intelligence differences that attracted broad consensus among psychologists. ‘Do psychologists agree about intelligence differences?’ discusses the report that was drawn up by the APA Task Force, which addressed conceptions of intelligence, intelligence tests and their correlates, the genetic and environmental contributions to intelligence, and group differences in intelligence. The conclusions presented some challenges for future research.
3. Theory and practice
Authors: Ledwidge Frank
Published: March 2020

The years after WW1 saw theorists looking at how this promising new military dimension might be deployed most effectively. ‘Theory and practice: the interwar years 1919–1939’ considers the new structures, the ideas that informed them, and technical developments, and how all were brought together in the Spanish Civil War. It describes how theorists thought air power could win wars alone, either by terrorizing citizens in order to force their governments to capitulate, or through demolishing a state’s industrial capability to sustain a war. This was, and is, termed ‘strategic bombing’. Most importantly, air power offered the possibility that future conflict might be cheaper than the ‘old’ wars, in both lives and money.
5. The Second World War
Authors: Ledwidge Frank
Published: March 2020

‘The Second World War: the air war in the Pacific’ describes the maritime and air operations in the Pacific that were truly epic in scale. It outlines the strategic bombing in the Far East as well as the two atomic raids carried out on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Prior to the atomic strikes on Japan, strategic bombing to coerce capitulation had failed in the combined operations against Germany. Even then, it seems likely now that the atomic raids contributed to rather than caused Japanese surrender. Command of the air was indispensable. However, air power alone could not deliver success. When used as a component of an integrated pragmatically founded strategy, it was nonetheless vital.
7. The apotheosis of air power 1983–2001
Authors: Ledwidge Frank
Published: March 2020

The period immediately after Vietnam saw little new thinking in the application of air power. ‘The apotheosis of air power 1983–2001’ looks at how this changed. After examining briefly the new ideas encapsulated by the term ‘manoeuvre warfare’, it looks at some of the capabilities that made it happen, particularly precision and stealth. It then considers several campaigns that saw air power used as the main military instrument in the Gulf Wars (1980–91) and the Balkan Wars (1991–9). Many commentators see this period as the age when air power truly came into its own as an instrument of state power and indeed coercion.
5. The twenty-first century
Authors: Mulholland Marc
Published: March 2020

‘The twenty-first century’ explains how the Good Friday Agreement saw considerable institutional restructuring in Northern Ireland. An Assembly was elected in 1998, with a power-sharing government, with David Trimble of the UUP as First Minister and Seamus Mallon of the SDLP as Deputy First Minister operating between 1998 and 2001. Between 2001 and 2007, the power-sharing government collapsed and the DUP and Sinn Féin succeeded in becoming the main political parties for their respective communities. The 2006 St Andrews Agreement brought the extremes together. The power-sharing government collapsed once more in 2017 when Sinn Féin withdrew. Identity politics in Northern Ireland and the impact of Brexit on the Northern Ireland question are also discussed.
Wind power
Authors: Jelley Nick
Published: March 2020

‘Wind power’ focuses on wind-based power and its potential as a renewable energy source. Single wind turbines, both large and small, can be used to provide power to homes or a community. Wind turbines for large power generation are usually deployed in wind farms, which are arrays of turbines. These are located in regions where the wind conditions are good, such as exposed ridges, high-altitude plains, mountain passes, coastal areas, and out at sea. Wind power produces essentially no global warming nor any pollution; only a small amount of associated carbon dioxide emissions from the fossil fuels used in the construction and operation of the wind farms. And it takes less than a year for a wind farm to generate the same amount of energy used in its manufacture. The sharp fall in the cost of electricity from wind farms, corresponding to a 20 per cent learning rate over the last decade, is such that onshore wind farms have now achieved cost competitiveness (grid-parity) with fossil-fuel-fired generators. By 2050, it is estimated that about a seventh of the world’s energy demand could be met by wind power.
Decarbonizing heat and transport
Authors: Jelley Nick
Published: March 2020

‘Decarbonizing heat and transport’ describes methods for decarbonizing heat and transport. Using renewable electricity directly to produce heat, as in an electric oven, is currently more expensive than burning gas, or other fossil fuels, to generate heat. Capturing the carbon dioxide emissions from existing industrial processes is difficult, and the chapter addresses the challenges of meeting the large heat demand with renewable electricity, particularly for industrial processes that require high temperatures, such as in the manufacture of steel and cement. There, using electricity to produce combustible fuels (power-to-gas), such as hydrogen, could be effective. For heating buildings, electrically driven heat pumps are promising. Transportation also presents challenges. While the performance of electric cars is good, currently the main hurdle to switching is their cost. However, battery costs are falling fast, and new and traditional car manufacturers are already investing a considerable amount of money in developing electric cars. For heavy transport, fuel cells and power from ammonia are being considered.
6. Simulators
Authors: Voit Eberhard O.
Published: March 2020

Computational models can serve many purposes, but a particularly powerful application of a model is its use as a system simulator. An emerging branch of computational systems biology strives to develop simulators for complex systems in biology and medicine, the premier example being a disease simulator. ‘Simulators’ discusses the nascent efforts towards the development of simulators for practical applications. Disease simulators will deepen our understanding of the physiology of human diseases and their treatment. Simulators in metabolic engineering have the goal of improving the microbial production of bulk materials and of valuable organic compounds. Relatively simple simulators for the production of biofuels and for crop development, such as the Soybean Growth Simulation Model (SoySim), are already in use.
2. Imperialism, genocide, and the ‘science’ of race
Authors: Rattansi Ali
Published: March 2020

The term ‘race’ entered English early in the 16th century, referring to family, lineage, and breed. In the 18th-century Enlightenment, the idea of race became incorporated into more systematic meditations on the nature of the world. ‘Imperialism, genocide, and the “science” of race’ explains how doctrines of race gained considerable strength with the growing slave trade, and how, in the 19th century, a range of theories emerged that explained all human variation on the basis of innate racial characteristics. The idea of nation also played a crucial role in the origins and development of racial thinking. The impact of imperialism, the rise of eugenics, social Darwinism, and the racial genocide of the Nazis are also outlined.
Genetic dissection of the shoot and root ionomes of Brassica napus grown with contrasting phosphate supplies
Authors: Wang Wei , Ding Guangda , White Philip J , Wang Meng , Zou Jun , Xu Fangsen , Hammond John P , Shi Lei
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims

Mineral elements have many essential and beneficial functions in plants. Phosphorus (P) deficiency can result in changes in the ionomes of plant organs. The aims of this study were to characterize the effects of P supply on the ionomes of shoots and roots, and to identify chromosomal quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for shoot and root ionomic traits, as well as those affecting the partitioning of mineral elements between shoot and root in Brassica napus grown with contrasting P supplies.

Methods

Shoot and root concentrations of 11 mineral elements (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S and Zn) were investigated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in a Brassica napus double haploid population grown at an optimal (OP) and a low phosphorus supply (LP) in an agar system. Shoot, root and plant contents, and the partitioning of mineral elements between shoot and root were calculated.

Key Results

The tissue concentrations of B, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P and Zn were reduced by P starvation, while the concentration of Fe was increased by P starvation in the BnaTNDH population. A total of 133 and 123 QTLs for shoot and root ionomic traits were identified at OP and LP, respectively. A major QTL cluster on chromosome C07 had a significant effect on shoot Mg and S concentrations at LP and was narrowed down to a 2.1 Mb region using an advanced backcross population.

Conclusions

The tissue concentration and partitioning of each mineral element was affected differently by P starvation. There was a significant difference in mineral element composition between shoots and roots. Identification of the genes underlying these QTLs will enhance our understanding of processes affecting the uptake and partitioning of mineral elements in Brassica napus.
Leaf cuticle analyses: implications for the existence of cutan/non-ester cutin and its biosynthetic origin
Authors: Leide Jana , Nierop Klaas G J , Deininger Ann-Christin , Staiger Simona , Riederer Markus , de Leeuw Jan W
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims

The cuticle of a limited number of plant species contains cutan, a chemically highly resistant biopolymer. As yet, the biosynthesis of cutan is not fully understood. Attempting to further unravel the origin of cutan, we analysed the chemical composition of enzymatically isolated cuticular membranes of Agave americana leaves.

Methods

Cuticular waxes were extracted with organic solvents. Subsequently, the dewaxed cuticular membrane was depolymerized by acid-catalysed transesterification yielding cutin monomers and cutan, a non-hydrolysable, cuticular membrane residue. The cutan matrix was analysed by thermal extraction, flash pyrolysis and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation to elucidate the monomeric composition and deduce a putative biosynthetic origin.

Key Results

According to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses, the cuticular waxes of A. americana contained primarily very-long-chain alkanoic acids and primary alkanols dominated by C32, whereas the cutin biopolyester of A. americana mainly consisted of 9,10-epoxy ω-hydroxy and 9,10,ω-trihydroxy C18 alkanoic acids. The main aliphatic cutan monomers were alkanoic acids, primary alkanols, ω-hydroxy alkanoic acids and alkane-α,ω-diols ranging predominantly from C28 to C34 and maximizing at C32. Minor contributions of benzene-1,3,5-triol and derivatives suggested that these aromatic moieties form the polymeric core of cutan, to which the aliphatic moieties are linked via ester and possibly ether bonds.

Conclusions

High similarity of aliphatic moieties in the cutan and the cuticular wax component indicated a common biosynthetic origin. In order to exclude species-specific peculiarities of A. americana and to place our results in a broader context, cuticular waxes, cutin and cutan of Clivia miniata, Ficus elastica and Prunus laurocerasus leaves were also investigated. A detailed comparison showed compositional and structural differences, indicated that cutan was only found in leaves of perennial evergreen A. americana and C. miniata, and made clear that the phenomenon of cutan is possibly less present in plant species than suggested in the literature.
Cooperation of genes in HPV16 E6/E7-dependent cervicovaginal carcinogenesis trackable by endoscopy and independent of exogenous estrogens or carcinogens
Authors: Böttinger Paula , Schreiber Karin , Hyjek Elizabeth , Krausz Thomas , Spiotto Michael T , Steiner Madeline , Idel Christian , Booras Heather , Beck-Engeser Gabriele , Riederer Jessie , Willimsky Gerald , Wolf Steven P , Karrison Theodore , Jensen Elizabeth , Weichselbaum Ralph R , Nakamura Yusuke , Yew Poh Yin , Lambert Paul F , Kurita Takeshi , Kiyotani Kazuma , Leisegang Matthias , Schreiber Hans
Published: March 2020

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is necessary but insufficient for progression of epithelial cells from dysplasia to carcinoma-in situ (CIS) to invasive cancer. The combination of mutant cellular and viral oncogenes that regulate progression of cervical cancer (CC) remains unclear. Using combinations of HPV16 E6/E7 (E+), mutant Kras (mKras) (K+) and/or loss of Pten (P−/−), we generated autochthonous models of CC without exogenous estrogen, carcinogen or promoters. Furthermore, intravaginal instillation of adenoCre virus enabled focal activation of the oncogenes/inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene. In P+/+ mice, E6/E7 alone (P+/+E+K−) failed to cause premalignant changes, while mKras alone (P+/+E−K+) caused persistent mucosal abnormalities in about one-third of mice, but no cancers. To develop cancer, P+/+ mice needed both E6/E7 and mKras expression. Longitudinal endoscopies of P+/+E+K+ mice predicted carcinoma development by detection of mucosal lesions, found on an average of 23 weeks prior to death, unlike longitudinal quantitative PCRs of vaginal lavage samples from the same mice. Endoscopy revealed that individual mice differed widely in the time required for mucosal lesions to appear after adenoCre and in the time required for these lesions to progress to cancer. These cancers developed in the transition zone that extends, unlike in women, from the murine cervix to the distal vagina. The P−/−E+K+ genotype led to precipitous cancer development within a few weeks and E6/E7-independent cancer development occurred in the P−/−E−K+ genotype. In the P−/−E+K− genotype, mice only developed CIS. Thus, distinct combinations of viral and cellular oncogenes are involved in distinct steps in cervical carcinogenesis.
Pilot testing of CO2 capture from a coal-fired power plant—Part 2: Results from 1-MWe pilot tests
Authors: Sjostrom Sharon , Senior Constance
Published: March 2020

Using a 1-MWe slipstream pilot plant, solid-sorbent-based post-combustion CO2 capture was tested at a coal-fired power plant. Results from pilot testing were used to develop a preliminary full-scale commercial design. The sorbent selected for pilot-scale evaluation during this project consisted of an ion-exchange resin that incorporated amines covalently bonded to the substrate. A unique temperature-swing-absorption (TSA) process was developed that incorporated a three-stage fluidized-bed adsorber integrated with a single-stage fluidized-bed regenerator. Overall, following start-up and commissioning challenges that are often associated with first-of-a-kind pilots, the pilot plant operated as designed and expected, with a few key exceptions. The two primary exceptions were associated with: (i) handling characteristics of the sorbent, which were sufficiently different at operating temperature than at ambient temperature when design specifications were established with lab-scale testing; and (ii) CO2 adsorption in the transport line between the regenerator and adsorber that preloaded the sorbent with CO2 prior to entering the adsorber. Results from the pilot programme demonstrate that solid-sorbent-based post-combustion capture can be utilized to achieve 90% CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants.
Integration of Eye-Centered and Landmark-Centered Codes in Frontal Eye Field Gaze Responses
Authors: Bharmauria Vishal , Sajad Amirsaman , Li Jirui , Yan Xiaogang , Wang Hongying , Crawford John Douglas
Published: March 2020

The visual system is thought to separate egocentric and allocentric representations, but behavioral experiments show that these codes are optimally integrated to influence goal-directed movements. To test if frontal cortex participates in this integration, we recorded primate frontal eye field activity during a cue-conflict memory delay saccade task. To dissociate egocentric and allocentric coordinates, we surreptitiously shifted a visual landmark during the delay period, causing saccades to deviate by 37% in the same direction. To assess the cellular mechanisms, we fit neural response fields against an egocentric (eye-centered target-to-gaze) continuum, and an allocentric shift (eye-to-landmark-centered) continuum. Initial visual responses best-fit target position. Motor responses (after the landmark shift) predicted future gaze position but embedded within the motor code was a 29% shift toward allocentric coordinates. This shift appeared transiently in memory-related visuomotor activity, and then reappeared in motor activity before saccades. Notably, fits along the egocentric and allocentric shift continua were initially independent, but became correlated across neurons just before the motor burst. Overall, these results implicate frontal cortex in the integration of egocentric and allocentric visual information for goal-directed action, and demonstrate the cell-specific, temporal progression of signal multiplexing for this process in the gaze system.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of 99DOTS, a Novel Cellphone-based Strategy for Monitoring Adherence to Tuberculosis Medications: Comparison of DigitalAdherence Data With Urine Isoniazid Testing
Authors: Thomas Beena E , Kumar J Vignesh , Chiranjeevi M , Shah Daksha , Khandewale Amit , Thiruvengadam Kannan , Haberer Jessica E , Mayer Kenneth H , Subbaraman Ramnath
Published: March 2020

99DOTS is a cellphone-based strategy for monitoring tuberculosis medication adherence. In a sample of 597 Indian patients with tuberculosis, we compared 99DOTS’ adherence assessments against results of urine isoniazid tests collected during unannounced home visits. 99DOTS had suboptimal accuracy for measuring adherence, partly due to poor patient engagement with 99DOTS.
Vulnerable plaques and patients: state-of-the-art
Authors: Tomaniak Mariusz , Katagiri Yuki , Modolo Rodrigo , de Silva Ranil , Khamis Ramzi Y , Bourantas Christos V , Torii Ryo , Wentzel Jolanda J , Gijsen Frank J H , van Soest Gijs , Stone Peter H , West Nick E J , Maehara Akiko , Lerman Amir , van der Steen Antonius F W , Lüscher Thomas F , Virmani Renu , Koenig Wolfgang , Stone Gregg W , Muller James E , Wijns William , Serruys Patrick W , Onuma Yoshinobu
Published: March 2020

Despite advanced understanding of the biology of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Progress has been challenging as half of the individuals who suffer sudden cardiac death do not experience premonitory symptoms. Furthermore, it is well-recognized that also a plaque that does not cause a haemodynamically significant stenosis can trigger a sudden cardiac event, yet the majority of ruptured or eroded plaques remain clinically silent. In the past 30 years since the term ‘vulnerable plaque’ was introduced, there have been major advances in the understanding of plaque pathogenesis and pathophysiology, shifting from pursuing features of ‘vulnerability’ of a specific lesion to the more comprehensive goal of identifying patient ‘cardiovascular vulnerability’. It has been also recognized that aside a thin-capped, lipid-rich plaque associated with plaque rupture, acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are also caused by plaque erosion underlying between 25% and 60% of ACS nowadays, by calcified nodule or by functional coronary alterations. While there have been advances in preventive strategies and in pharmacotherapy, with improved agents to reduce cholesterol, thrombosis, and inflammation, events continue to occur in patients receiving optimal medical treatment. Although at present the positive predictive value of imaging precursors of the culprit plaques remains too low for clinical relevance, improving coronary plaque imaging may be instrumental in guiding pharmacotherapy intensity and could facilitate optimal allocation of novel, more aggressive, and costly treatment strategies. Recent technical and diagnostic advances justify continuation of interdisciplinary research efforts to improve cardiovascular prognosis by both systemic and ‘local’ diagnostics and therapies. The present state-of-the-art document aims to present and critically appraise the latest evidence, developments, and future perspectives in detection, prevention, and treatment of ‘high-risk’ plaques occurring in ‘vulnerable’ patients.
Estonia advances on SDG achievement by tackling high alcohol consumption through a multi-pronged approach
Authors: Täht Triinu , Köhler Kristina , Ohov Elen , Menne Bettina , Zambon Francesco , Nemer Leda
Published: March 2020

Estonia has implemented a comprehensive, multipronged approach to the reduction of alcohol consumption in the population, comprising a series of successful policy responses. The Estonian alcohol strategy (2014) builds on the Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2010. It aims to decrease the overall yearly consumption of alcohol among the adult population to less than 8 litres of absolute alcohol per capita. Gathering support across society from a range of stakeholders, including policy-makers, researchers, parents and advocates, has been one of the key elements in the implementation of the policy. High-level political commitment and strategic timing of efforts have maintained the issue of alcohol control on the political agenda and in the public’s mind.
Individual and regional determinants of long-term care expenditure in Japan: evidence from national long-term care claims
Authors: Jin Xueying , Mori Takahiro , Sato Mikiya , Watanabe Taeko , Noguchi Haruko , Tamiya Nanako
Published: March 2020

Background

Japan, with the oldest population in the world, faces a financial challenge caused by rising long-term care (LTC) expenditure. For policymakers to address this, it is important that we have a better understanding of how individual and regional characteristics affect LTC expenditure.

Methods

We linked national LTC insurance (LTCI) claim data, covering the entire population who used LTCI services in Japan, with municipality data on an individual level. Individuals 65 years and older (n=3 876 068) who had used LTCI benefits at least once in the fiscal year (FY) 2016 were included. We examined the associations of individual and municipality characteristics regarding supply and demand of healthcare with the LTC expenditures on facility care, home and community care, and total care (the sum of both types of care), after adjusting for regional differences in LTC extra charges.

Results

The following variables were associated with higher total expenditure; at the individual level: female, a higher care-need level, a lower income (0% co-payments) or a facility service user; at the municipality level: municipalities locating in metropolitan areas, with a higher proportion of single elderly households, more doctors per 1000 citizens, more nursing homes per 100 000 LTC benefit users or more outpatient medical spending per citizen ≥75 years old.

Conclusions

As we are able to identify several individual and municipality characteristics associated with higher LTC expenditure in Japan, the study offers insights into dealing with the rapidly growing LTC expenditure.
A decline in patient disclosure of heterosexuality in the English General Practice Patient Survey: a longitudinal analysis of cross-sectional data
Authors: Cross Harry , Llewellyn Carrie D
Published: March 2020

Background

Persistent health inequalities in relation to both health care experiences and health outcomes continue to exist among patients identifying with a marginalized sexual orientation (MSO).

Objective

To compare the patterns of sexual orientation disclosure within primary care in England over a 5-year period.

Methods

Descriptive analysis of cross-sectional, repeat measure, fully anonymized survey data of adults responding to the General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS) January 2012 to 2017. Participants from each year varied between 808 332 (2017) and 1 037 946 (2011/2012).

Results

The analysis samples comprised between 396 963 and 770 091 individuals with valid sexual orientation data depending on the year. For males, heterosexual disclosure decreased consistently from 92.3% to 91.2% from 2012 to 2017. Male patients reporting gay, bisexual and/or ‘other’ sexual orientations increased from 3.1% to 3.9%. For females, a larger reduction in heterosexual disclosure was recorded from 94% to 92.5%. Those reporting as lesbian, bisexual and/or ‘other’ increased from 1.82% to 2.68%, with the largest increase seen in the reporting of bisexuality, which nearly doubled from 2012 until 2017 (0.56–0.99%).

Conclusion

We found a year-on-year decline in patients reporting a heterosexual identity and an increase in the proportions of people reporting being either gay, bisexual, ‘other sexual orientation’ or preferring not to say. Heteronormative environments extend to health care settings, which may put increased stress on MSO individuals attending a GP practice. The introduction of environmental signs/symbols to show that a practice is inclusive of MSOs could reduce the potential stress experienced by patients.