bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
"Miscellaneous Beliefs." Some Points of View concerning the Informal Religious Sayings
Authors: HULTKRANTZ ÅKE
Published: November 2019

No abstract available.
"Gast" in Swedish Folk Tradition
Authors: AF KLINTBERG BENGT
Published: November 2019

No abstract available.
PERFIL SOCIODEMOGRÁFICO E FORMAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL DE AGENTES COMUNITÁRIOS DE SAÚDE
Authors: Cabral Juliana Fernandes , Gleriano Josué Souza , Do Nascimento Jakelline Débora Martins
Published: November 2019

O objetivo do estudo foi conhecer o perfil sociodemográfico e de formação profissional do Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS). Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo descritivo realizado através de um questionário estruturado, desenvolvido pelo Telessaúde Brasil e aplicado a 63 ACS. Os dados foram digitados duplamente no programa Epi-Info versão 3.5.4 e analisados de forma descritiva por meio do Epi-Info versão 7.0. O perfil sociodemográfico predominante é de ACS do sexo feminino, idade média de 35,51 (DP 7,9) anos, cor parda, casados, possuem filhos, estatutários, residem na área de abrangência da unidade de saúde que estão vinculados. Quanto à formação, ensino médio completo, última formação em instituição pública, conclusão ou previsão de conclusão da última formação entre 2011 a 2020 e um percentual considerável (11,63%) com pós-graduação em andamento, além de não possuírem experiência prévia na área de ACS. Em relação ao perfil profissional, o ingresso na função se deu entre 2011 e 2015, receberam treinamento introdutório, porém, sentem a necessidade de receber mais informações para a realização de seu trabalho e referem dificuldades para enfrentar problemas no trabalho. Ao identificar o perfil sociodemográfico e de formação profissional dos ACS, constatamos que são profissionais jovens, sem experiência e que, apesar de terem recebido o treinamento, ainda possuem muitas dificuldades para enfrentar os problemas que surgem no trabalho, com isso, pudemos compreender a relação ensino-serviço e auxiliar na avaliação dos serviços prestados, identificando a necessidade de capacitação desses profissionais a fim de contribuir para a qualidade da assistência prestada aos usuários.
PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DE TRANSTORNOS MENTAIS E SISTEMAS DE REMUNERAÇÃO EM POLICIAIS CIVIS DE SANTA CATARINA, BRASIL
Authors: Picchioni Soares Diogo , De Souza Miolla Soares Jéssica Carla , Trevisan Rafaela Luiza , Moraes Cruz Roberto , Ruppel da Rocha Ricelli Endrigo , Andreoni Solange
Published: November 2019

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o perfil epidemiológico de transtornos mentais (TM) e verificar associações com sistemas de remuneração em policiais civis do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. O método foi epidemiológico, seccional, documental, quantitativo e descritivo. A população estudada incluiu 3794 indivíduos. O desfecho de interesse foi a ocorrência de TM em diagnóstico médico pericial de afastamento do trabalho entre 2011 e 2015. Foram calculadas prevalências e a incidência nos totais de indivíduos e de afastamentos em séries temporais, assim como regressão logística para verificar a razão de chance entre os desfechos (afastamento por TM e outros diagnósticos) e sistemas de remuneração (p0,05). A prevalência de TM foi 35,5% nos afastamentos e 11,3% no total de indivíduos. Incidência de 26,1/1000 na população média anual. TM e outros diagnósticos foram associados aos sistemas de remuneração [χ²=13,859 (p=0,000)], aumentando a prevalência de TM em 56,9% [OR=1,569 (1,236-1,992)] no sistema de remuneração por subsídio. Os TM foram a categoria mais prevalente de agravos, predominando nos casos primários os neuróticos, relacionados ao estresse e somatoformes (49,9%) e os de humor (44,3%). Os resultados indicam expressivas prevalências de TM e associação a sistemas de remuneração.
REFORMA TRABALHISTA E TERCEIRIZAÇÃO: DA PRECARIZAÇÃO AOS ACIDENTES DE TRABALHO
Authors: Menegon Lizandra Da Silva , Silveira Andréa Luiza da , Menegon Fabrício Augusto
Published: November 2019

Para além do processo expropriação do trabalho vivido por conta do processo de reestruturação produtiva ocorrida desde o início do século passado, observa-se no Brasil um movimento em direção a políticas de ataque aos direitos dos trabalhadores. No país, estas iniciativas se aprofundaram em 2017 com a aprovação da Reforma Trabalhista e da Lei da Terceirização e contrato temporário. Este artigo apresenta as principais mudanças que estas leis trouxeram ao legitimar a precarização das condições e relações de trabalho no país; e discute os possíveis impactos destas medidas na saúde e segurança dos trabalhadores brasileiros. Para tanto, faz uma reflexão sob a ótica do processo de degradação do trabalho, partindo do pressuposto que a exploração tem se aprofundado em superexploração. As atuais mudanças nas leis trabalhistas deverão impactar negativamente nas relações de trabalho, levando a uma precarização ainda maior das condições de trabalho, intensificação do trabalho, flexibilização dos contratos de trabalho, diminuição do trabalho contratado e regulamentado, ampliação das “novas” formas de trabalho, e uma corrosão ainda maior das relações sociais. Portanto, vislumbra-se um cenário de aumento nas taxas de acidentes e adoecimentos relacionados ao trabalho, bem como, nos coeficientes de mortalidade decorrente de acidentes de trabalho.
Prospects for the Use of Medical Clays (Review)
Authors: Bondarev A. V. , Zhilyakova E. T. , Demina N. B. , Timoshenko E. Yu.
Published: November 2019

Introduction. The article deals with the aspects of the use of Medical Clays in Pharmaceutical Technology. A review of the traditional areas of application of Medical Clay, as well as highlighting new directions.

Text. One of the main problems of domestic industrial pharmacy is a narrow nomenclature of active pharmaceutical substances and excipients. Replenishment of the nomenclature occurs in two ways-through the synthesis of new chemical compounds or through the processing of natural raw materials of animal, plant or mineral origin. In the process of purification and processing of mineral raw materials, Medical Clays are obtained, which are now widely used as active pharmaceutical substances for the production of Enterosorbents, as well as auxiliary substances.

Conclusion. A review of perspectives and areas of use of Medicinal Clays have shown that at present, Medical Clays used in the three traditional areas: cutaneous application, application per os, application in pharmaceutical and food technology. A promising direction is the use of Medical Clays as transport drug systems. The study of this information array and its generalization has undoubted practical and scientific significance in modern pharmaceutical technology.
Comparison of cost, productivity and residue yield of cut-to-length and fuel-adapted harvesting in a Pinus radiata D.Don final harvest in Western Australia
Authors: Strandgard Martin , Mitchell Rick
Published: November 2019

Background: Forest biomass is a major global source of biofuel. To compete with other energy sources its delivered costs need to be reduced. Globally, logging residue (LR) is likely to be the cheapest, readily available forest biomass form. LR transport is a major cost component.

Methods: A harvester-forwarder harvest system was studied in two adjacent areas to compare Swedish “fuel-adapted harvesting” with conventional cut-to-length harvesting at the stump in a mature Pinus radiata D.Don plantation in Western Australia to assess the impact of fuel-adapted harvesting on costs and productivity of a harvester and forwarder producing logs and extracting LR and on LR yield.

Results: Harvester and forwarder productivities producing logs were significantly reduced in the fuel-adapted area compared with the conventional area which increased log production costs for the fuel-adapted site by 15%. Forwarder productivity extracting LR and LR yield were significantly greater in the fuel-adapted area which reduced LR extraction costs by approximately 28%. This was due to the ease of loading LR from residue piles created during fuel-adapted harvesting compared with loading scattered residue from conventional harvesting.

The cost reduction for LR extraction from the fuel-adapted area exceeded the increased log harvest and extraction costs. This resulted in the combined log and LR costs for the fuel-adapted area being approximately 12% lower than those for the conventional area. Increased forwarder productivity through adoption of larger load bunks and residue-specific grapples combined with increased operator experience with fuel-adapted harvesting would be likely to further decrease log and LR production costs.

Conclusions: The results show that adoption of fuel-adapted harvesting could reduce LR delivered costs, thus increasing its viability as a biofuel. However, primary transport cost is only one component of LR delivered costs and needs to be considered in combination with the reduction of other supply chain costs, particularly secondary transport costs which can make up a large proportion of LR delivered costs. Because removal of most LR from a site can reduce subsequent tree growth, guidelines specifying the proportion of LR retained should be considered.
Wilfred Bion's Annotations in The Way of Zen: An Investigation into His Practical Encounters with Buddhist Ideas
Authors: Zhang Yichi
Published: November 2019

Over the past three decades, several attempts have been made to juxtapose or connect Bionian theories with Buddhism. Previous studies have merely speculated on the associations between Bion and Buddhism – whether remarking on their similarities or drawing distinctions between them. In contrast, this article seeks to provide concrete evidence of Bion's deep interest in Zen Buddhism by analysing the annotations and underlinings in his personal copy of Alan Watts's The Way of Zen in order to shed further light on those aspects of Zen which most engaged Bion's attention. Five main themes are explored in detail – the ‘Four Noble Truths’; conventional knowledge versus spontaneity; non-verbal communication; ‘no memory no desire’; and ‘O’ (or ‘ultimate reality’) – in order to provide a clearer picture of the elements which attracted Bion's interest in Buddhism and the places where Buddhism resonated with his own psychoanalytic work.
KADAR FENOLIK DAN AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN EKSTRAK ETANOL RUMPUT LAUT COKLAT (Padina australis)
Authors: Saptari Tri , Triastinurmiatiningsih Triastinurmiatiningsih , Sari Bina Lohita , Sayyidah Indah Nur
Published: November 2019

Rumput laut coklat Padina australis merupakan salah satu sumber daya alam laut yang keberadaannya sangat melimpah di perairan pantai Bayah, Banten Indonesia. Kandungan senyawa fenolik dan turunannya (flavonoid) berhubungan dengan aktivitasnya sebagai antibakteri dan antioksidan. Fenolik dianggap sebagai molekul dengan potensi tertinggi untuk menetralkan radikal bebas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan kadar fenolik dan aktivitas antioksidan ekstrak etanol P. australis menggunakan pereaksi Follin-ciocalteu dan 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) ekstrak etanol P. australis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kadar fenolik sebesar 42,62 mg SAG/g serbuk dan pada konsentrasi 5000 ppm menghambat sebesar 66, 01 % radikal bebas DPPH.
PENILAIAN RASIONALITAS PENGOBATAN DIARE PADA BALITA DI PUSKESMAS BOGOR UTARA TAHUN 2016
Authors: Indriani Lusi , Fitriyanti Devi , Azzikri Amalul Ahli
Published: November 2019

Penyakit diare masih menjadi masalah kesehatan masyarakat di negara-negara berkembang. Menurut WHO, diare mengakibatkan 2,5 juta kematian setiap tahun dimana 80% korban adalah balita. Penyakit ini sering menimbulkan Kejadian Luar Biasa (KLB) dengan kematian tinggi terutama di Indonesia Timur. Riskesdas tahun 2007 melaporkan bahwa diare masih merupakan penyebab kematian utama pada bayi usia 29 hari – 11 bulan (31,4%) dan anak balita usia 12 – 59 bulan (25,2%). Laporan Riskesdas 2013 menyatakan bahwa period prevalence diare di Indonesia adalah 7%, dan pada balita 12,2%. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai rasionalitas pengobatan diare pada balita di Puskesmas Bogor Utara Kota Bogor tahun 2016 berdasarkan kriteria tepat indikasi, tepat pemilihan obat, tepat dosis, tepat cara pemberian obat dan tepat lama pengobatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penilaian rasionalitas pengobatan diare pada balita di Puskesmas Bogor Utara Kota Bogor tahun 2016 antara lain berdasarkan tepat indikasi adalah 100 %, tepat pemilihan obat 97,93%, tepat dosis 91,73%, tepat cara pemberian 100%, dan tepat lama pengobatan 93,02%.
PENGEMBANGAN BAHAN AJAR IPS BERBASIS KERAGAMAN BUDAYA BATIK JENOGOROAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN BERPIKIR KRITIS SISWA
Authors: Hidayah Siti Nurul
Published: November 2019

AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan berpikir kritis melalui pengembangan bahan ajarIPS berbasis keragaman budaya batik jenogoroan pada siswa kelas VII di SMPN 2 Bojonegoro.Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam 3 tahap mengikuti rancangan Borg and Gall, yaitu tahap studipendahuluan, tahap merancang produk bahan ajar berbentuk modul, dan dilanjutkan dengantahap uji coba atau tahap pelaksanaan pembelajaran di kelas menggunakan rancangan one grouppretest-posttest design. Data dari hasil penelitian yang diperoleh sebagai berikut: (1) kelayakanmodul berbasis keragaman budaya batik jenogoroan layak digunakan melalui 3 uji validasiahli, kelayakan modul dilihat dari 3 komponen yaitu isi, penyajian, dan kebahasaan. Hasilvalidasi dari ketiga validator yaitu: skor rata-rata komponen isi 3,53, komponen kebahasaan3,40, dan komponen penyajian 3,55. Ketiga skor tersebut menunjukkan kategori baik/layakyang artinya modul berbasis keragaman budaya batik jenogoroan dapat digunakan dengansedikit revisi. (2) efektivitas modul berbasis keragaman budaya batik jenogoroan dapatmeningkatkan berpikir kritis siswa dapat dilihat dari hasil test antara pre test dan post test, hasiltersebut menunjukkan bahwa skor rata-rata pre test 72,13%, sedangkan skor rata-rata post test80,35%. Hasil pre test menuju post tets mengalami peningkatan 8,22. Berdasarkan hasil analisisdata, dapat disimpulkan bahwa bahan ajar berbasis keragaman budaya batik jenogoroan efektifdapat meningkatkan berpikir kritis siswa kelas VII pada mata pelajaran IPS khususnya padamateri keragaman budaya jika dilihat dari hasil test yang mengalami peningkatan. Kata Kunci: Bahan Ajar, Keragaman Budaya, Batik Jenogoroan, Berpikir Kritis
MENINGKATKAN KINERJA GURU MELALUI SUPERVISI PEMBELAJARAN
Authors: Ubabuddin
Published: November 2019

AbstrakSupervisi pada umumnya mengacu pada usaha perbaikan situasi pada proses belajar mengajar.Karena aspek utama adalah guru, maka layanan dan aktivitas kesupervisian harus lebihdiarahkan kepada upaya memperbaiki dan meningkatkan kemampuan guru dalam mengelolakegiatan belajar mengajar. Supervisi merupakan usaha pejabat sekolah dalam memimpin gurugurudantenagakependidikanlainnya,untukmemperbaikipengajarantermasukmenstimulasi,

menyeleksi

pertumbuhan dan perkembangan jabatan guru-guru, menyeleksi dan merevisitujuan-tujuan pendidikan, bahan pengajaran, dan metode-metode mengajar serta evaluasipengajaran. Supervisi di sekolah dilaksanakan oleh kepala sekolah yang bertindak sebagaisupervisor, maka ia harus mampu melakukan berbagai pengawasan dan pengendalian untukmeningkatkan kinerja guru. Dalam melakukan supervisi, seorang supervisor hendaknyamemperhatikan hal-hal penting, yaitu: (1) Proses pengawasan/supervisi meliputi dua hal, yaitumenetapkan standar-standar pelaksanaan pekerjaan dan pengukuran hasil/pelaksanaanpekerjaan, (2) informasi dan pengawasan, meliputi: (a) pengawasan sebagai suatu sisteminformasi, (b) jenis-jenis informasi pengawasan, (c) pendekatan sistem dalam pengawasan. (3)pengawasan yang efektif didasarkan pada sistem informasi manajemen yang efektif, (4)evaluasi program, yaitu pembuatan pertimbangan menurut suatu perangkat kriteria yangdisepakati dan dapat dipertanggung jawabkan, (5) prinsip-prinsip supervisi dengan suasanakemitraan, bersifat praktis, sistematis, objektif, realistis, bersifat bantuan, kreatif, antisipatif,konstruktif, dan kooperatif, (6) sasaran supervisi dapat mengenai kegiatan atau aspek yangdisupervisi maupun orang yang melakukannya.Kata Kunci: Supervisi Pembelajaran, Kinerja, Guru
KAJIAN IMBALAN ATAS PNBP ROYALTI PATEN BAGI INVENTOR
Authors: Sirat Achmad Fauzan
Published: November 2019

Imbalan atas PNBP Royalti Paten telah menjadi polemik selama bertahun-tahun pada inventor yang bernaung pada lembaga/institusi penelitian milik negara. Salah satu efek yang menjadi perhatian adalah hilangnya potensi temuan-temuan yang berefek pada perkembangan ekonomi dalam negeri karena para inventor lebih tertarik untuk "menjual" temuan dimaksud ke pihak luar dibawah tangan. Pemberian Imbalan merupakan pengembangan sistem pengakuan dan penghargaan di bidang HKI, pemberian insentif akan berbanding lurus dengan pengembangan inovasi berbasis IPTEK yang bermanfaat secara ekonomi bagi bangsa yang pada akhirnya akan meningkatkan penerimaan negara bukan pajak.

Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahwa berdasarkan pertimbangan dimaksud maka imbalan perlu diposisikan sebagai kebijakan tarik ulur bergantung pada situasi dan kondisi yang berlaku. Memperhatikan segala risiko atas potensi kehilangan bagi negara yang lebih besar maka kebijakan pemberian imbalan merupakan kebijakan yang layak direkomendasikan.

Agar kebijakan ini dapat berjalan, perlu disiapkan 3 buah produk hukum seperti disebutkan dalam surat DJA Nomor S-1765/AG/2012 tanggal 09 Juli 2012, yakni: PP Tarif, KMK Persetujuan Penggunaan, dan PMK Standar Biaya mengenai Imbalan.
METODE MONITORING DAN EVALUASI STANDAR BIAYA KELUARAN
Authors: Lestari Niken Ajeng
Published: November 2019

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The Effects of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) on Chemotaxis, Phagocytosis, and Oxidative Burst of Peripheral Blood Granulocytes and Monocytes in Goats
Authors: Wójcik Roman , Ząbek Katarzyna , Małaczewska Joanna , Milewski Stanisław , Kaczorek-Łukowska Edyta
Published: November 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on the chemotactic activity, phagocytic activity, and oxidative metabolism of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes in goats. Goat kids aged 30 ± 3 days were divided into two groups of 12 animals each: I—control, and II—experimental. Experimental group animals were fed a diet supplemented with HMB in the amount of 50 mg/Kg BW; whereas the diets of control goats were not supplemented. At the beginning of the experiment (day 0) and on experimental days 15, 30, and 60, blood was sampled from the jugular vein to determine and compare chemotactic activity (MIGRATEST® kit), phagocytic activity (PHAGOTEST® kit), and oxidative metabolism (BURSTTEST® kit) of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes by flow cytometry. The analyses of the chemotactic and phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes revealed statistically higher levels of phagocytic activity in the experimental group than in the control group, as expressed by the percentage of phagocytic cells and mean fluorescence intensity. HMB also enhanced the oxidative metabolism of both granulocytes and monocytes, expressed by the rate of oxidative metabolism and mean fluorescence intensity after stimulation with Escherichia coli bacteria and PMA (4-phorbol-12-β-myristate-13-acetate).
The Genus Allium as Poultry Feed Additive: A Review
Authors: Kothari Damini , Lee Woo-Do , Niu Kai-Min , Kim Soo-Ki
Published: November 2019

The genus Allium, belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae has been known since ancient times for their therapeutic potentials. As the number of multi-drug resistant infections has increased due to in-feed antibiotic usage in poultry, the relevance of alliums as feed additives has been critically assessed. Garlic and the other Allium species, such as onions, leek, shallot, scallion, and chives, have been characterized to contain a plethora of bioactive compounds such as organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, saponins, fructans, and fructo-oligosaccharides. Consequently, alliums have been validated to confer antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulatory, gut homeostasis, and lipid- as well as cholesterol-lowering properties in poultry. This review intends to summarize recent progress on the use of edible alliums as poultry feed additives, their beneficial effects, and the underlying mechanisms of their involvement in poultry nutrition. Perspectives for future research and limitations are also briefly discussed.
Whose Streets? Police Violence and the Recorded Image
Authors: Weissman Terri
Published: November 2019

This essay reframes street photography in terms of the images and videos taken by bystanders who find themselves witness to egregious acts of state-sanctioned police violence against black and brown bodies in the United States. Along the way, it challenges the belief that bystanders are “innocent” observers and investigates the meaning of “evidence” and the role of representation in order to argue for a model of seeing that can simultaneously reveal moments of ongoing racial debilitation and work to create new political subjects capable of transformative collective action. The goal is twofold: (1) to disrupt a history of photography—and more specifically a history of street photography—that emphasizes innovation, biography, and universal experience; and (2) to reorient what it means to discuss the politics of the image (in particular, the digital “documentary” image) away from a discourse that either privileges “uncertainty” or understands images as empty simulations, and toward one that acknowledges representation’s complexity but also its ongoing power. In the United States, we may never be able to tell a story in and about public space without replaying scenes of violence and targeted assault, but this essay argues that finding ways to let voices and images from the past—both tragic and redemptive—resonate in the present and speak to us in the future, may provide some way forward.
Recent Trends in the Daily Rainfall Regime in Southern West Africa
Authors: Nkrumah Francis , Vischel Théo , Panthou Geremy , Klutse Nana Ama Browne , Adukpo David C. , Diedhiou Arona
Published: November 2019

Extreme climate events, either being linked to dry spells or extreme precipitation, are of major concern in Africa, a region in which the economy and population are highly vulnerable to climate hazards. However, recent trends in climate events are not often documented in this poorly surveyed continent. This study makes use of a large set of daily rain gauge data covering Southern West Africa (extending from 10° W to 10° E and from 4° N to 12° N) from 1950 to 2014. The evolution of the number and the intensity of daily rainfall events, especially the most extremes, were analyzed at the annual and seasonal scales. During the first rainy season (April–July), mean annual rainfall is observed to have a minor trend due to less frequent but more intense rainfall mainly along the coast of Southern West Africa (SWA) over the last two decades. The north–south seasonal changes exhibit an increase in mean annual rainfall over the last decade during the second rainy season (September–November) linked by both an increase in the frequency of occurrence of rainy days as well as an increase in the mean intensity and extreme events over the last decade. The study also provides evidence of a disparity that exists between the west and east of SWA, with the east recording a stronger increase in the mean intensity of wet days and extreme rainfall during the second rainy season (September–November).
An IoT Integrated Tool to Enhance User Awareness on Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings
Authors: Dell’Isola Marco , Ficco Giorgio , Canale Laura , Palella Boris , Puglisi Giovanni
Published: November 2019

Unaware behaviors of occupants can affect energy consumption even more than incorrect installations and building envelope inefficiencies, with significant overconsumptions widely documented. Real time data and an effective and frequent billing of actual consumptions are required to reach an adequate awareness of energy consumption. From this point of view, the European Directive 2012/27/EU already imposed the use of metering and sub-metering systems, setting the minimum criteria for billing and related information based on real energy consumption data. To assess the ability of buildings to exploit new information and communication technologies (ICT) and sensitize both landlords and tenants to related savings, the new European Directive 2018/844/EU promotes the use of a smart readiness indicator. At the same time, basic information about indoor thermal comfort should be also gathered, aimed at avoiding that an excessive saving tendency can determine the onset of issues related to excessively low internal temperatures. In this paper, the authors address the problem of gathering, processing, and transmitting energy consumption and basic indoor air temperature data in the framework of an Internet of Things (IoT) integrated tool aimed at increasing residential user awareness through the use of consumption and benchmark indexes. Two case-studies in which thermal and electrical energy monitoring systems have been tested are presented and discussed. Finally, the suitability of the communication of energy consumption in terms of temporal, spatial, and typological aggregation has been evaluated.
Gender-Related Differences on Polyamine Metabolome in Liquid Biopsies by a Simple and Sensitive Two-Step Liquid-Liquid Extraction and LC-MS/MS
Authors: Samarra Iris , Ramos-Molina Bruno , Queipo-Ortuño M Isabel , Tinahones Francisco J , Arola Lluís , Delpino-Rius Antoni , Herrero Pol , Canela Núria
Published: November 2019

Polyamines are involved in the regulation of many cellular functions and are promising biomarkers of numerous physiological conditions. Since the concentrations of these compounds in biological fluids are low, sample extraction is one of the most critical steps of their analysis. Here, we developed a comprehensive, sensitive, robust, and high-throughput LC-MS/MS stable-isotope dilution method for the simultaneous determination of 19 metabolites related to polyamine metabolism, including polyamines, acetylated and diacetylated polyamines, precursors, and catabolites from liquid biopsies. The sample extraction was optimized to remove interfering compounds and to reduce matrix effects, thus being useful for large clinical studies. The method consists of two-step liquid-liquid extraction with a Folch extraction and ethyl acetate partitioning combined with dansyl chloride derivatization. The developed method was applied to a small gender-related trial concerning human serum and urine samples from 40 obese subjects. Sex differences were found for cadaverine, putrescine, 1,3-diaminopropane, γ-aminobutyric acid, N8-acetylspermidine, and N-acetylcadaverine in urine; N1-acetylspermine in serum; and spermine in both serum and urine. The results demonstrate that the developed method can be used to analyze biological samples for the study of polyamine metabolism and its association with human diseases.
Genetic Mouse Models as In Vivo Tools for Cholangiocarcinoma Research
Authors: Erice Oihane , Vallejo Adrian , Ponz-Sarvise Mariano , Saborowski Michael , Vogel Arndt , Calvisi Diego F. , Saborowski Anna , Vicent Silvestre
Published: November 2019

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a genetically and histologically complex disease with a highly dismal prognosis. A deeper understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of human CCA will increase our current knowledge of the disease and expedite the eventual development of novel therapeutic strategies for this fatal cancer. This endeavor is effectively supported by genetic mouse models, which serve as sophisticated tools to systematically investigate CCA pathobiology and treatment response. These in vivo models feature many of the genetic alterations found in humans, recapitulate multiple hallmarks of cholangiocarcinogenesis (encompassing cell transformation, preneoplastic lesions, established tumors and metastatic disease) and provide an ideal experimental setting to study the interplay between tumor cells and the surrounding stroma. This review is intended to serve as a compendium of CCA mouse models, including traditional transgenic models but also genetically flexible approaches based on either the direct introduction of DNA into liver cells or transplantation of pre-malignant cells, and is meant as a resource for CCA researchers to aid in the selection of the most appropriate in vivo model system.
Dissecting the Anticancer Mechanism of Trifluoperazine on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Huang Can , Lan Wenjun , Fraunhoffer Nicolas , Meilerman Analía , Iovanna Juan , Santofimia-Castaño Patricia
Published: November 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers with almost no curative chemotherapeutic treatment. Besides the development of new compounds, repurposing of approved drugs to treat cancer, alone or in combination, has become an attractive strategy, showing many therapeutic and economic advantages. However, it is necessary to improve our knowledge about the mechanism of cell death elicited by approved drugs itself, but also to rationally develop more powerful multidrug treatments. In this work, we focus our attention on determining the mechanism promoting cell death following trifluoperazine (TFP) treatment, which is an antipsychotic drug with strong anticancer activity in PDAC. We demonstrate that TFP induces cell death by apoptosis and necroptosis, which can be partially inhibited by Z-VAD-FMK as well as necrostatin-1, respectively. This cell death promotion is triggered by a poor ATP content, observed in TFP-treated cells as a consequence of a dramatic decrease in OXPHOS metabolism due to mitochondrial stress. Remarkably, mitochondrial homeostasis was seriously affected, and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS overproduction was observed. Moreover, this mitochondrial stress was coupled with an ER stress and the activation of the endoplasmic-reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD) and the unf olded protein response (UPR) pathways. We took advantage of this information and inhibited this process by using the proteasome inhibitors MG-132 or bortezomib compounds in combination with TFP and found a significant improvement of the anticancer effect of the TFP on primary PDAC-derived cells. In conclusion, this study not only uncovers the molecular mechanisms that are triggered upon TFP-treatment but also its possible combination with bortezomib for the future development of therapies for pancreatic cancer.
Autophagy-Dependent Reactivation of Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Cycle and Combinatorial Effects of Autophagy-Dependent and Independent Lytic Inducers in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Yiu Stephanie Pei Tung , Hui Kwai Fung , Münz Christian , Lo Kwok-Wai , Tsao Sai Wah , Kao Richard Yi Tsun , Yang Dan , Chiang Alan Kwok Shing
Published: November 2019

Autophagy, a conserved cellular mechanism, is manipulated by a number of viruses for different purposes. We previously demonstrated that an iron-chelator-like small compound, C7, reactivates Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic cycle by activating the ERK1/2-autophagy axis in epithelial cancers. Here, we aim to identify the specific stage of autophagy required for EBV lytic reactivation, determine the autophagy dependency of EBV lytic inducers including histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and C7/iron chelators, for EBV lytic reactivation and measure the combinatorial effects of these types of lytic inducers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Inhibition of autophagy initiation by 3-MA and autolysosome formation by chloroquine demonstrated that only autophagy initiation is required for EBV lytic reactivation. Gene knockdown of various autophagic proteins such as beclin-1, ATG5, ATG12, ATG7, LC3B, ATG10, ATG3 and Rab9, revealed the importance of ATG5 in EBV lytic reactivation. 3-MA could only abrogate lytic cycle induction by C7/iron chelators but not by HDACi, providing evidence for autophagy-dependent and independent mechanisms in EBV lytic reactivation. Finally, the combination of C7 and SAHA at their corresponding reactivation kinetics enhanced EBV lytic reactivation. These findings render new insights in the mechanisms of EBV lytic cycle reactivation and stimulate a rational design of combination drug therapy against EBV-associated cancers.
Machine Learning Approaches for the Prioritization of Genomic Variants Impacting Pre-mRNA Splicing
Authors: Rowlands Charlie F , Baralle Diana , Ellingford Jamie M
Published: November 2019

Defects in pre-mRNA splicing are frequently a cause of Mendelian disease. Despite the advent of next-generation sequencing, allowing a deeper insight into a patient’s variant landscape, the ability to characterize variants causing splicing defects has not progressed with the same speed. To address this, recent years have seen a sharp spike in the number of splice prediction tools leveraging machine learning approaches, leaving clinical geneticists with a plethora of choices for in silico analysis. In this review, some basic principles of machine learning are introduced in the context of genomics and splicing analysis. A critical comparative approach is then used to describe seven recent machine learning-based splice prediction tools, revealing highly diverse approaches and common caveats. We find that, although great progress has been made in producing specific and sensitive tools, there is still much scope for personalized approaches to prediction of variant impact on splicing. Such approaches may increase diagnostic yields and underpin improvements to patient care.
Rapid Hydrolysis of Organophosphates Induced by U(IV) Nanoparticles: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study using Spectroscopic Analysis
Authors: Cho Hyejin , Cha Wansik
Published: November 2019

The heterogeneous interactions of colloidal U particles with organophosphates, leading to the formation of U-phosphate minerals, can retard the migration of U in contaminated sites. Here, we studied the hydrolytic mechanism of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) on the surfaces of tetravalent uranium nanoparticles (U(IV)NPs), resulting in the formation of U-phosphate precipitates. Our study shows that the reaction rate of NPP hydrolysis is significantly enhanced by U(IV)NPs through a multi-step heterogeneous reaction on the particle surfaces. The end products of the reaction were identified as U(IV)NPs-aggregates with surface-bound phosphates. Colloidal properties, such as high positive values of the zeta-potential (>+30 mV) and large surface areas of U(IV)NPs due to their unique cluster structures consisting of relatively small primary UO2(cr)-particles, are correlated with their reactivity towards hydrolysis reaction. Reaction kinetic modeling studies using spectrophotometric data indicated the presence of two distinct reaction intermediates as the surface complexes of NPP on U(IV)NPs. We suggest the involvement of the NPP inner-sphere complexes in the rate-determining step based on the results obtained by analyzing the ATR-FTIR spectra and the surface-enhanced infrared absorption of NPP bound to substrate surfaces.
A Long-Term Demographic Analysis of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) in Illinois Using Matrix Models
Authors: Feng Christina Y. , Ross Jason P. , Mauger David , Dreslik Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Matrix models and perturbation analyses provide a useful framework for evaluating demographic vital rates crucial to maintaining population growth. Determining which vital rates most influence population growth is necessary for effective management of long-lived organisms facing population declines. In Illinois, the state-endangered Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) occurs in two distinct populations, and management can benefit from an understanding of its demographic behavior. We conducted a mark–recapture study on both populations in 2015 and 2016 and used historical mark–recapture data from 1988 to 2010 to determine female age-specific survival and fecundity rates. Survival increased significantly with age, and age-specific reproductive output and fecundity were >1.0. However, both populations exhibited net reproductive rates below replacement levels, and one population had a negative growth rate. Summed elasticities for all adult age classes indicate adult survival has the highest proportional impact on population growth. We found evidence of demographic divergence between the two populations, and thus the prioritization of vital rates varied somewhat between sites, with a relatively higher emphasis on juvenile and young adult survival for one population. We recommend conservation actions such as habitat management and predator control, which will have positive impacts across stage classes.
Linguistic Laws in Speech: The Case of Catalan and Spanish
Authors: Hernández-Fernández Antoni , G. Torre Iván , Garrido Juan-María , Lacasa Lucas
Published: November 2019

In this work we consider Glissando Corpus—an oral corpus of Catalan and Spanish—and empirically analyze the presence of the four classical linguistic laws (Zipf’s law, Herdan’s law, Brevity law, and Menzerath–Altmann’s law) in oral communication, and further complement this with the analysis of two recently formulated laws: lognormality law and size-rank law. By aligning the acoustic signal of speech production with the speech transcriptions, we are able to measure and compare the agreement of each of these laws when measured in both physical and symbolic units. Our results show that these six laws are recovered in both languages but considerably more emphatically so when these are examined in physical units, hence reinforcing the so-called ‘physical hypothesis’ according to which linguistic laws might indeed have a physical origin and the patterns recovered in written texts would, therefore, be just a byproduct of the regularities already present in the acoustic signals of oral communication.
An Improved Constrained Order Optimization Algorithm for Uncertain SCUC Problem Solving
Authors: Jia Junjie , Yang Nan , Xing Chao , Chen Haoze , Liu Songkai , Huang Yuehua , Zhu Binxin
Published: November 2019

Studying the faster and more efficient method of solving the uncertain security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC) problem is an urgent need for the development of power systems under the background of large-scale wind power access and power dispatching. This study proposes an improved constrained order optimization (COO) algorithm to solve the uncertain SCUC problem. First, the data-driven discrete variable identification strategy is incorporated into the COO rough model, and then, the invalid security constraints identification strategy is incorporated into the COO accurate model. Finally, the improved COO algorithm combines the discrete variable identification with the invalid security constraint identification to make the uncertain SCUC decision. The results of the IEEE 118-bus test system showed that, compared with the traditional COO algorithm, the improved COO algorithm proposed has higher accuracy and better efficiency.
Autoregressive Modeling of Forest Dynamics
Authors: Rumyantseva Olga , Sarantsev Andrey , Strigul Nikolay
Published: November 2019

In this work, we employ autoregressive models developed in financial engineering for modeling of forest dynamics. Autoregressive models have some theoretical advantage over currently employed forest modeling approaches such as Markov chains and individual-based models, as autoregressive models are both analytically tractable and operate with continuous state space. We performed a time series statistical analysis of forest biomass and basal areas recorded in Quebec provincial forest inventories from 1970 to 2007. The geometric random walk model adequately describes the yearly average dynamics. For individual patches, we fit an autoregressive process (AR) of order 1 capable to model negative feedback (mean-reversion). Overall, the best fit also turned out to be geometric random walk; however, the normality tests for residuals failed. In contrast, yearly means were adequately described by normal fluctuations, with annual growth on average of 2.3%, but with a standard deviation of order of 40%. We used a Bayesian analysis to account for the uneven number of observations per year. This work demonstrates that autoregressive models represent a valuable tool for the modeling of forest dynamics. In particular, they quantify the stochastic effects of environmental disturbances and develop predictive empirical models on short and intermediate temporal scales.
Performance Analysis of On-Demand Scheduling with and without Network Coding in Wireless Broadcast
Authors: Ali G. G. Md. Nawaz , Lee Victor C. S. , Meng Yuxuan , Chong Peter H. J. , Chen Jun
Published: November 2019

On-demand broadcast is a scalable approach to disseminating information to a large population of clients while satisfying dynamic needs of clients, such as in vehicular networks. However, in conventional broadcast approaches, only one data item can be retrieved by clients in one broadcast tick. To further improve the efficiency of wireless bandwidth, in this work, we conduct a comprehensive study on incorporating network coding with representative on-demand scheduling algorithms while preserving their original scheduling criteria. In particular, a graph model is derived to maximize the coding benefit based on the clients’ requested and cached data items. Furthermore, we propose a heuristic coding-based approach, which is applicable for all the on-demand scheduling algorithms with low computational complexity. In addition, based on various application requirements, we classify the existing on-demand scheduling algorithms into three groups—real-time, non-real-time and stretch optimal. In view of different application-specific objectives, we implement the coding versions of representative algorithms in each group. Extensive simulation results conclusively demonstrate the superiority of coding versions of algorithms against their non-coding versions on achieving their respective scheduling objectives.
Can Genetic Testing Identify Talent for Sport?
Authors: Pickering Craig , Kiely John , Grgic Jozo , Lucia Alejandro , Del Coso Juan
Published: November 2019

Elite athlete status is a partially heritable trait, as are many of the underpinning physiological, anthropometrical, and psychological traits that contribute to elite performance. In recent years, our understanding of the specific genetic variants that contribute to these traits has grown, such that there is considerable interest in attempting to utilise genetic information as a tool to predict future elite athlete status. In this review, we explore the extent of the genetic influence on the making of a sporting champion and we describe issues which, at present, hamper the utility of genetic testing in identifying future elite performers. We build on this by exploring what further knowledge is required to enhance this process, including a reflection on the potential learnings from the use of genetics as a disease prediction tool. Finally, we discuss ways in which genetic information may hold utility within elite sport in the future, including guiding nutritional and training recommendations, and assisting in the prevention of injury. Whilst genetic testing has the potential to assist in the identification of future talented performers, genetic tests should be combined with other tools to obtain an accurate identification of those athletes predisposed to succeed in sport. The use of total genotype scores, composed of a high number of performance-enhancing polymorphisms, will likely be one of the best strategies in the utilisation of genetic information to identify talent in sport.
Parent Engagement and Support, Physical Activity, and Academic Performance (PESPAAP): A Proposed Theoretical Model
Authors: Burns Ryan D. , Bai Yang , Fu You , Pfledderer Christopher  D. , Brusseau Timothy A.
Published: November 2019

An emerging area of research within public health is the interaction between parents and their children for the promotion of physical activity. Higher levels of daily physical activity may not only improve physical health but also yield better academic performance by improving cognitive skills, classroom behavior, and academic achievement within the pediatric population. However, no theoretical model has yet been proposed to interrelate constructs of parental engagement and support, physical activity, and academic performance within the pediatric population. Here, we: 1) summarize salient research related to pediatric physical activity and academic performance, parents’ physical activity engagement with their children, and the role of parental support in child academic performance; 2) propose a theoretical model interrelating parent physical activity engagement and support, physical activity, and academic performance (PESPAAP); 3) identify features of the proposed model that support its potential merit; and 4) provide potential future research directions and potential analyses that can be undertaken to support, modify, or disprove the proposed theoretical model. The proposed PESPAAP model provides a logically sound model that can be modified or expanded upon to improve applicability and generalizability and can be used as a framework to help align testable hypotheses for studies examining these interrelationships.
Optimal Strategies of Product Price, Quality, and Corporate Environmental Responsibility
Authors: Peng Wei , Xin Baogui , Kwon Yekyung
Published: November 2019

With the awakening of environmental consciousness, more and more firms desire to go “green” by shifting their focus of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from charitable contributions to environmental actions called corporate environmental responsibility (CER). We develop a monopoly differential game to depict optimal corporate strategies of product price, quality, and CER. Using the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation, we analyze optimal feedback equilibrium strategies for pricing and investing in both quality and CER with/without government subsidies. Numerical simulations show that government subsidy can improve CER and profit.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Dengue Fever among Pediatric and Adult In-Patients in Metro Manila, Philippines
Authors: Herbuela Von Ralph Dane M. , de Guzman Ferdinand S. , Sobrepeña Girly D. , Claudio Andrew Benedict F. , Tomas Angelica Cecilia V. , Arriola-delos Reyes Carmina M. , Regalado Rachele A. , Teodoro Mariama M. , Watanabe Kozo
Published: November 2019

Background: Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of in-patients with dengue fever (DF) through hospital-based surveillance has not been done. This study aimed to assess and compare the KAP, identify its predictors, correlation, and protective factors among pediatric and adult patients with DF and community-based controls to structure proactive community-wide DF prevention and control programs. Methods: This case-control study involved clinically or serologically confirmed patients (pediatrics n = 233; adults n = 17) with DF admitted in three public hospitals and community-based controls in Metro Manila, Philippines. A pretested structured KAP questionnaire was administered to participants to assess their KAP. Results: Pediatric and adult patients had significantly lower mean scores in the practice (p < 0.001) domain compared with the pediatric and adult controls. Being in senior high school, having had days in hospital, and rash were predictors of KAP among pediatric patients. Knowledge and attitude of patients with DF did not correlate with their practices against DF. Use of mosquito-eating fish, screen windows, and dengue vaccine were protective factors against DF. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of behavioral change for knowledge and attitude to have significant effect to practices against DF. Thus, we recommend two comprehensive health programs, Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) and Health Belief Model (HBM).