bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased visceral adipose tissue in clear cell renal cell carcinoma with and without peritumoral collateral vessels
Authors: Greco Federico , Quarta Luigi Giuseppe , Grasso Rosario Francesco , Beomonte Zobel Bruno , Mallio Carlo Augusto
Published: June 2020

Objective:

The excessive amount of adipose tissue, mainly visceral, determines adiposopathy. With respect to oncogenesis, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) releases secretes adipokines, proinflammatory citokines and growth factors, considered mediating molecules in the development of obesity-related tumors. In this study, we quantify VAT in male patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) subgrouped according to the presence or absence of peritumoral collateral vessels.

Methods:

in this retrospective study, we enrolled 141 male caucasian patients divided into 2 groups: the ccRCC group (n = 106) composed of patients with ccRCC and control group (n = 35). The ccRCC group was further divided into two subgroups: the ccRCCa subgroup which showed absence of collateral vessels (n = 48) and ccRCCp subgroup with collateral vessels (n = 58).

Total adipose tissue (TAT) area, VAT area and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area were measured in the groups and subgroups. VAT/SAT ratio was calculated for each subject.

Results:

Statistically significant differences were obtained between ccRCC group and control group for TAT area (p < 0.005), VAT area (p < 0.005) and SAT area (p = 0.01). Between ccRCCa subgroup and control group for TAT area (p < 0.001), VAT area (p = 0.005) and SAT area (p = 0.001). Between ccRCCp subgroup and control group for TAT area (p = 0.01) and VAT area (p = 0.01).

Conclusion:

This study confirms the increase of abdominal, especially visceral, adipose tissue in ccRCC patients and demonstrates a significant VAT accumulation in both categories of patients with and without peritumoral collateral vessels.

Advances in knowledge:

Visceral adiposity is present in patients with ccRCC regardless the presence of peritumoral collateral vessels, with surprisingly stronger results in the ccRCCa subgroup.
Perception of effective access to health services in Territorial Spaces for Training and Reincorporation, one year after the peace accords in Colombia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fernández-Niño Julián Alfredo , Chavarro Lud Magdy , Vásquez-Rodríguez Ana Beatriz , Rojas-Botero Maylen Liseth , Hernández-Neuta Ginna Esmeralda , Peñuela-Poveda Ana Maria , Rodríguez David Alejandro
Published: June 2020

Backgrounds: The signing of the peace accords in Colombia created challenges that are inherent to post-conflict transitions. One of those is the process of reintegrating ex-combatants into society, in which ensuring their rights to health is a particularly significant challenge in rural areas affected by armed conflict. These areas, known as Territorial Spaces for Training and ReintegrationReincorporation (ETCR, in Spanish), are geographically dispersed throughout 24 municipalities and 13 departments in Colombia. This study aimed to describe how ex-combatants in ETCR regions perceived access to health services one year after the signing of the peace accords.

Methods:A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed between September and October 2018. It included 591 adults and their families, from 23 ETCRs. The study was designed, culturally validated, and piloted. Interviewers were trained and a structured survey was administered containing five dimensions that characterized the perception of effective access to health services.

Results: The majority of interviewees were women, heads of household, young adults, ex-combatants, and residents in an ETCR. In total of 96.4% were enrolled in Colombia’s subsidized health system, and 20.8% indicated that a member of their household required emergency health services. The regional health center provided the majority of the services. Most of those surveyed (96.0%) reported that they did not have to pay for the services, and that they received respectful (91.6%) and good quality (66.6%) care. There were few referrals to disease prevention and health promotion activities, and only 19.0% of households reported having been visited by extramural health care teams, whose activities were highly valued (80%). Lastly, there was little knowledge about community health activities.

Conclusions: While residents of ETCR regions have a favorable perception of their access to health services, they need to be made aware of extramural and public health activities.
Topical ozonated virgin coconut oil improves wound healing and increases HSP90α, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 in diabetic ulcer mouse model of wound healing
Authors: Yuniati Renni , Subchan Prasetyowati , Riawan Wibi , Khrisna Matthew Brian , Restiwijaya Maryam , Dyan Kusumaningrum Niken Safitri , Nur Muhammad
Published: June 2020

Background: Diabetes is a disease that affects people worldwide, including in Indonesia. The prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia is increasing from year to year. One of the most devastating complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ulcers, which is a limb-threatening complication. Over the past few decades, ozone generated using plasma medical technology has been investigated as an agent that helps wound healing. This study aims to evaluate the effects of topical ozonated virgin coconut oil (VCO) in a diabetic wound mouse model.

Methods: This study was an experimental study with a post-test control design. An ulcer wound model was made in 50 diabetic male Wistar mice, divided into five groups, and a control group of 10 non-diabetic mice. The control groups were given conventional therapy only and the treatment groups were also given topical ozonated VCO with different flow durations (0 min, 90 min, 7 h, 14 h). Macroscopic appearance and wound contraction were observed. HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 levels were measured from the immunostained slices of wound margins.

Results: The reduction of wound length was proportionally related to the duration of ozone flow. Ozonated VCO with a longer duration of ozone flow healed the wound more quickly and had the shortest wound length. VCO with ozone flow for 14 hours (16837.10 µm) had the biggest reduction in wound length compared to other groups. The wounds treated with ozonated VCO showed an increase in HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 levels that correlated to improved wound healing. A longer period of treatment resulted in higher levels of wound healing biomarkers compared to shorter therapeutic durations.

Conclusions: Topical ozonated VCO improved the wound healing process in a diabetic ulcer mouse model by improving macroscopic wound appearance and increasing levels of wound healing biomarkers.
Seqpare: a self-consistent metric of similarity between genomic interval sets
Authors: Feng Selena C. , Sheffield Nathan C. , Feng Jianglin
Published: June 2020

Searching genomic interval sets produced by sequencing methods has been widely and routinely performed; however, existing metrics for quantifying similarities among interval sets are inconsistent. Here we introduce Seqpare, a self-consistent and effective metric of similarity and tool for comparing sequences based on their interval sets. With this metric, the similarity of two interval sets is quantified by a single index, the ratio of their effective overlap over the union: an index of zero indicates unrelated interval sets, and an index of one means that the interval sets are identical. Analysis and tests confirm the effectiveness and self-consistency of the Seqpare metric.
Enclosing a pen to improve response rate to postal questionnaire: an embedded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cunningham-Burley Rachel , Roche Jenny , Fairhurst Caroline , Cockayne Sarah , Hewitt Catherine , Iles-Smith Heather , Torgerson David J. ,   SSHeW Study Team
Published: June 2020

Background: Poor response to questionnaires collecting outcome data in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) can affect the validity of trial results. The aim of this study within a trial (SWAT) was to evaluate the effectiveness of including a pen with a follow-up postal questionnaire on response rate.

Methods: A two-armed RCT was embedded within SSHeW (Stopping Slips among Healthcare Workers), a trial of slip-resistant footwear to reduce slips in NHS staff.  Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive a pen or no pen with their follow-up questionnaire. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who returned the questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were: time to response, completeness of response, and whether a postal reminder notice was required. Data were analysed using logistic regression, linear regression and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results: Overall, 1466 SSHEW trial participants were randomised into the SWAT. In total, 13 withdrew from the host trial before they were due to be sent their follow-up questionnaire, 728 participants received a pen with their questionnaire, and 725 did not receive a pen.  A questionnaire was returned from 67.7% of the pen group and 64.7% of the group who did not receive a pen. There was no significant difference in return rates between the two groups (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.43, p=0.22), nor level of completeness of the questionnaires (AMD -0.01, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.05, p=0.77).  There was weak evidence of a reduction in the proportion of participants requiring a reminder and in time to response in the pen group.

Conclusion: Inclusion of a pen with the follow-up postal questionnaire sent to participants in the SSHeW trial did not statistically significantly increase the response rate. These results add to the body of evidence around improving response rates in trials.

Trial registration: ISRCTN 33051393 (for SSHEW). Registered on 14/03/2017.
Potential chimeric peptides to block the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain
Authors: Barh Debmalya , Tiwari Sandeep , Silva Andrade Bruno , Giovanetti Marta , Almeida Costa Eduardo , Kumavath Ranjith , Ghosh Preetam , Góes-Neto Aristóteles , Carlos Junior Alcantara Luiz , Azevedo Vasco
Published: June 2020

Background:There are no known medicines or vaccines to control the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (nCoV). Antiviral peptides are superior to conventional drugs and may also be effective against COVID-19. Hence, we investigated the SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor-binding domain (nCoV-RBD) that interacts with hACE2 for viral attachment and entry.

Methods:Three strategies and bioinformatics approaches were employed to design potential nCoV-RBD - hACE2 interaction-blocking peptides that may restrict viral attachment and entry. Firstly, the key residues interacting with nCoV-RBD - hACE2 are identified and hACE2 sequence-based peptides are designed. Second, peptides from five antibacterial peptide databases that block nCoV-RBD are identified; finally, a chimeric peptide design approach is used to design peptides that can bind to key nCoV-RBD residues. The final peptides are selected based on their physiochemical properties, numbers and positions of key residues binding, binding energy, and antiviral properties.

Results:We found that: (i) three amino acid stretches in hACE2 interact with nCoV-RBD; (ii) effective peptides must bind to three key positions of nCoV-RBD (Gly485/Phe486/Asn487, Gln493, and Gln498/Thr500/Asn501); (iii) Phe486, Gln493, and Asn501 are critical residues; (iv) AC20 and AC23 derived from hACE2 may block two key critical positions; (iv) DBP6 identified from databases can block the three sites of the nCoV-RBD and interacts with one critical position, Gln498; (v) seven chimeric peptides were considered promising, among which cnCoVP-3, cnCoVP-4, and cnCoVP-7 are the top three; and (vi) cnCoVP-4 meets all the criteria and is the best peptide.

Conclusions:To conclude, using three different bioinformatics approaches, we identified 17 peptides that can potentially bind to the nCoV-RBD that interacts with hACE2. Binding these peptides to nCoV-RBD may potentially inhibit the virus to access hACE2 and thereby may prevent the infection. Out of 17, 10 peptides have promising potential and need further experimental validation.
CUPID COVID-19: emergency department attendance by paediatric patients during COVID-19 - project protocol
Authors: McDonnell Thérèse , McAuliffe Eilish , Barrett Michael , Conlon Ciara , Cummins Fergal , Deasy Conor , Hensey Conor , Martin Ciara , Nicholson Emma
Published: June 2020

Background:Measures introduced to delay the spread of COVID-19 may result in avoidance of emergency departments (EDs) for non-COVID related illness. Clinicians and medical representative bodies such as the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) have expressed concern that some patients may not seek timely urgent medical intervention. Evidence from previous epidemics found that hospital avoidance during outbreaks of MERS and SARS was common. While ED attendance returned to normal following SARS and MERS, both outbreaks lasted 2-3 months. As the COVID-19 pandemic is forecast to extend into 2021, little is known about the impact COVID-19 will have on paediatric attendance at EDs as the pandemic evolves.

Aims: This project aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on paediatric emergency healthcare utilisation, to understand how the health seeking behaviour of parents may have altered due to the pandemic, and to identify how any barriers to accessing care can be removed.  

Methods: Administrative data records from five EDs across Ireland and one Urgent Care Centre will be analysed to identify changes in attendances at emergency healthcare. Qualitative inquiry will be utilised to capture the experience of staff providing emergency healthcare to paediatric patients during COVID-19, and their feedback on identified trends will inform the interpretation of findings. A cross-sectional survey of parents will capture experiences, concerns and decision-making on accessing healthcare for their children during the pandemic.

Results and Conclusion:This information will help decision makers respond rapidly to meet the clinical needs of paediatric patients as the circumstances of the pandemic unfold and reduce the disruption to normal paediatric ED services during the onset of COVID-19. As the health of a child can deteriorate more rapidly than that of an adult, any delay in seeking care for an acutely ill child may have serious consequences.
Hotel management
Authors: Dmitrieva Nina , Zayceva Nataliya , Ogneva Svetlana
Published: June 2020

Examines the development and modern concepts of hotel management — system, process and situational approaches. Describes the features of hospitality management related to the organization of the network business, using franchising and management companies. Given numerous examples from the practice of Russian and foreign enterprises of hotel business.
Meets the requirements of Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
For students enrolled in the specialty "Hospitality", as well as graduate students, professors from specialized higher education institutions, listeners of professional retraining programs of employees of the enterprises of hotel business.
Online Display Advertising Markets: A Literature Review and Future Directions
Authors: Choi Hana , Mela Carl F. , Balseiro Santiago R. , Leary Adam
Published: June 2020

Display advertising is a $50 billion industry in which advertisers’ (e.g., P&G, Geico) demand for impressions is matched to publishers’ (e.g., Facebook, Wall Street Journal) supply of them. An ideal match is one wherein the publisher’s ad impression is assigned to the advertiser with the highest value for it. Intermediaries (e.g., Google) facilitate this match between advertisers and publishers by managing data and providing optimization tools and algorithms for serving ads. Although these markets exhibit high allocative efficiency, we argue there is considerable scope for improvement.
Achieving Sustainable And Inclusive Economic Growth In Latin America: National Development During The Commodity Boom
Authors: R. Mares David
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTThis article examines how government policy affects the sustainability and inclusiveness of national development after the boom. The impact of the latest commodity boom (2003-2014) on the sustainability and inclusiveness of Latin American national development varies, but not by whether governments were ideologically left. I present the economic results of the commodity boom for the major Latin American countries, followed by the social results as measured by the reduction in poverty rates and income inequality. I examine potential countervailing economic factors that could mitigate the importance of the political economic determinants of the use of resource wealth. Finding the countervailing economic factors inadequate to explain the variation in social results, I propose that the political economy of linking resource wealth with economic and social outcomes is the key determinant. I conclude the paper with a discussion of current challenges post-commodity boom.Keywords: Commodity Boom; Poverty; Income Inequality. RESUMOEste artigo examina como a política do governo afeta a sustentabilidade e a inclusão do desenvolvimento nacional após o boom. O impacto do último boom das commodities (2003-2014) na sustentabilidade e inclusão do desenvolvimento nacional da América Latina varia, mas não pelo fato de os governos serem ideologicamente de esquerda. Apresento os resultados econômicos do boom das commodities para os principais países da América Latina, seguidos pelos resultados sociais medidos pela redução das taxas de pobreza e desigualdade de renda. Examino os possíveis fatores econômicos compensatórios que podem mitigar a importância dos determinantes político-econômicos do uso de recursos financeiros. Considerando os fatores econômicos compensadores inadequados para explicar a variação nos resultados sociais, proponho que a economia política de vincular os recursos financeiros a resultados econômicos e sociais seja o principal determinante. Concluo o artigo com uma discussão dos desafios atuais do pós boom das commodities.Palavras-chaves: Boom de Commodities; Pobreza; Desigualdade De Renda.
Global patient safety initiatives and the NHS
Authors: Tingle John
Published: June 2020

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses some recent WHO global and other related patient safety publications and how these are implemented in the NHS
A different way of nursing
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: June 2020

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, considers how different ways of working during the COVID-19 emergency have led nurses to reflect on and change the way they nurse
The Forearm Fracture Recovery in Children Evaluation (FORCE) trial: statistical and health economic analysis plan for an equivalence randomized controlled trial of treatment for torus fractures of the distal radius in children
Authors: Knight Ruth , Dritsaki Melina , Mason James , Perry Daniel C. , Dutton Susan J.
Published: June 2020

Aims

Torus fractures of the distal radius are the most common fractures in children. The NICE non-complex fracture guidelines recently concluded that bandaging was probably the optimal treatment for these injuries. However, across the UK current treatment varies widely due to a lack of evidence underpinning the guidelines. The Forearm Fracture Recovery in Children Evaluation (FORCE) trial evaluates the effect of a soft bandage and immediate discharge compared with rigid immobilization.

Methods

FORCE is a multicentre, parallel group randomized controlled equivalence trial. The primary outcome is the Wong-Baker FACES pain score at three days after randomization and the primary analysis of this outcome will use a multivariate linear regression model to compare the two groups. Secondary outcomes are measured at one and seven days, and three and six-weeks post-randomization and include the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) upper extremity limb score, EuroQoL EQ-5D-Y, analgesia use, school absence, complications, and healthcare resource use. The planned statistical and health economic analyses for this trial are described here. The FORCE trial protocol has been published separately.

Conclusion

This paper provides details of the planned analyses for this trial, and will reduce the risks of outcome reporting bias and data driven results. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:205–213.
Rapid assessment of lichen diversity in Baliem Valley, Jayawijaya, Papua, Indonesia
Authors: SUHARNO SUHARNO , LINUS Y. CHRYSTOMO  , PUGUH SUJARTA  , ROSYE H.R. TANJUNG
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Suharno, Chrystomo LY, Sujarta P, Tanjung RHR. 2020. Rapid assessment of lichen diversity in Baliem Valley, Jayawijaya, Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2403-2409. Lichen is a form of mutualistic symbiosis between phycobiont and mycobiont. Lichens play an important role in environment, either to maintain the biological diversity and the function of ecosystems. This study is aimed to determine the diversity of species of lichens in the Baliem Valley region, Jayawijaya, Papua. The method used was explorative surveys in several villages in Jayawijaya District. Species identification was based on morphological characteristics. The results showed that there were 37 species of lichen belong to 24 genera and 11 families on several habitats on altitude ranging from 1655 to 2179 m asl with temperatures between 18-26°C. The dominant species were from the families of Parmeliaceae, Cladoniaceae, and Teloschistaceae. The results indicate that the Baliem Valley region rich in lichen diversity and the existence of particular lichen species suggests that the region has healthy environmental conditions. This study provides new information on the existence of lichen diversity in Papua.
Vegetation and ecoregion analysis at Sipirok Botanic Gardens, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Siregar Mustaid , DANANG W. PURNOMO  , HARTUTININGSIH M-SIREGAR  , JOKO RIDHO WITONO
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Siregar M, Purnomo DW, Siregar HM, Witono JR. 2020. Vegetation and ecoregion analysis at Sipirok Botanic Gardens, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2526-2535. Botanic Gardens is an ex-situ plant conservation area. Enrichment of plant collections of Botanic Gardens in Indonesia is based on ecoregion types. To find out the type of ecoregion, the existing vegetation, main native species should be known. The research aimed to analyze the existing vegetation and ecoregion type at Sipirok Botanic Gardens. Existing vegetation has been carried out using a separate plot method 20x20 m which is placed on purposively in nine locations considered to have different vegetation types, namely remnant forest, young secondary forests and shrubs, rubber plantation, and grasslands. Around 66 species belonged to 45 genera and 27 families were found in vascular plants (dbh ≥ 10 cm). There were 66 species of sapling belonged to 54 genera and 35 families, and 110 seedlings belonged to 87 genera and 50 families. The tree species that have the highest Importance Value Index are Ficus sumatrana (PU-1), Myristica fatua (PU-3), Hevea brasiliensis (PU-4 and PU-7), Artocarpus elasticus (PU-8), and Knema cinerea (PU-9). No trees were found in young secondary forest/shrub plots and grasslands. Unlike the species dominance index, the species diversity index and species equitability index are higher in natural forest plots. Beta diversity based on Jaccard similarity index and Whittaker's index shows a relatively different species composition among plots. Cluster analysis shows the tendency of grouping in 2 types of communities, namely: a) remnant forest communities, and b) secondary communities. The natural forest community is further divided into two communities consisting of remnant forest tree species and industrial/plantation plant species also secondary tree species. Secondary communities are also further divided into secondary forest communities and grasslands. Based on ecoregion analysis using previous publications, altitude, and diversity of plant species in the study site, Sipirok Botanic Gardens is a transitional zone of the Sumatran lowland rainforest and mountain rainforest.
The density and diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with maize rhizosphere in Malakaji Highland, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Mirsam Hishar , AMRAN MUIS  , NURNINA NONCI
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Mirsam H, Muis A, Nonci N. 2020. The density and diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with maize rhizosphere in Malakaji Highland, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2654-2661. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are one of the important pathogens, especially in tropical countries, including Indonesia. Nematodes can cause high yield losses and economic damage if not managed properly. This study aims to analyze PPN density in the vegetative phase of maize in the Malakaji Highland Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi. The sampling method was a diagonal sampling technique, done by taking samples at points along a diagonal line, which were the middle and fourth corners of the maize crop. Nematode extraction was done by the modified Baerman method. The density of parasitic nematode communities counted was absolute community density, relative community density, absolute frequency, relative frequency, frequency of all nematodes, and dominance values. Nematode identification was based on morphological characters. The highest PPNs density was found in two weeks old of maize planted area where the absolute community density reaching 618 and the dominance value of 61.80%. Age of maize plants is negatively correlated with PPNs community with a regression coefficient of (-3.85). So that it can be assumed that the older the age of maize plants, the lower the amount of PPNs. Five genera of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with the rhizosphere of maize plants were found, namely Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, Haplolaimus, Longidorus, and Xiphinema. In addition to parasitic nematodes, non-parasitic nematodes were also identified as having no stylet, namely Campydoroides, Mononchus, and Rhabditis.
Population genetic structure of Asiatic Hard Clam (Meretrix meretrix) in Thailand based on Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I gene sequence
Authors: VERAKIAT SUPMEE  , PRADIT SANGTHONG  , APIRAK SONGRAK  , SUPPAPAN JUTHAMAS
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Supmee V, Sangthong P, Songrak A, Suppapan J. 2020. Population genetic structure of Asiatic Hard Clam (Meretrix meretrix) in Thailand based on Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I gene sequence. Biodiversitas 21: 2702-2709. The Asiatic hard clam (Meretrix meretrix) is an important commercial clam in Thailand. Last decade, this species had a dramatic decrease. Thus, to conserve this species, genetic information is essential. In our study, 135 samples of M. meretrix were collected from 7 sampling sites along the Thailand coast. The genetic structure was examined based on the variation of the nucleotide sequence in cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Twenty haplotypes were identified. Numerous rare haplotypes were revealed indicating the existence of a large female effective population size.  In the northern Gulf of Thailand population, the genetic diversity was low. The neutrality test and minimum spanning network showed experienced expansion events of M. meretrix in Thailand. The genetic structure showed that the M. meretrix population was separated into the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman population. This finding was possibly caused by a disruption of gene flow from the Thai-Malay Peninsula and larval behavior. Our finding suggested that the construction management program to maintain the genetic diversity of this species could be separated into 2 conservation units.
Environmental efficiency of rice production in Vietnam: An application of SBM-DEA with undesirable output
Authors: Le Truc-Linh , Luu Thi-Thuy-Hai , Huynh Nga , Chung Rebecca H.
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Le TL, Luu TTH, Huynh N, Chung RH. 2020. Environmental efficiency of rice production in Vietnam: An application of SBM-DEA with undesirable output. Biodiversitas 21: 2710-2715. In Vietnam, the agricultural sector is one of major sources of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and over half of that comes from rice cultivation. This study evaluates the environmental efficiency of 400 rice farms in the Mekong Delta using slack-based measure (SBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) with considering the total amount of CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions in the rice field as undesirable output. The findings revealed that the average environmental efficiency score of the farmers was very low, just only 0.461. Only 2.25% of the sample farms were environmentally efficient while majority of them (58%) obtained the efficiency values less than the mean indicating that their environmental efficiency needs to be further improved. The small rice farms were higher in environmental efficiency scores compared with large farms. The sample rice farmers who are members of agricultural cooperatives obtained a significantly higher environmental efficiency than the non-cooperative members. The estimated results of input and bad output excesses showed that about 1.35 tons of CO2-eq ha-1 could be reduced and an average of 54.18 kg N ha-1 could be saved in order to improve the environmental performance of rice production in the study area.
Short Communication: Effect of urban greening and land use on air pollution in Chelyabinsk, Russia
Authors: KRUPNOVA TATYANA G. , OLGA V. RAKOVA  , ANNA L. PLAKSINA  , SVETLANA V. GAVRILKINA  , EVGENY O. BARANOV  , ANTON D. ABRAMYAN
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Krupnova TG, Rakova OV, Plaksina AL, Gavrilkina SV, Baranov EO, Abramyan AD. 2020. Effect of urban greening and land use on air pollution in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Biodiversitas 21: 2716-2720. Chelyabinsk is a major industrial Russian city that faces diverse environmental issues, the most important of which is air emissions. The primary sources of air pollution in Chelyabinsk are industry (concrete product plants, ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy such as zinc production plants, and pulp production), thermal power stations, and transport. People have known that trees can help to reduce air pollutants for a long time. We studied 8 zones within a radius of one kilometer from state air pollution monitoring stations. Eight land-use types such as industrial category, residential category, natural and semi-natural broadleaved vegetation, natural and semi-natural coniferous vegetation, broadleaved forest, coniferous forest, artificial broadleaved vegetation, and artificial coniferous vegetation, were obtained. The response of air pollution to land-use and urban greening was analyzed. Analysis results showed that there was no correlation between industrial and residential categories of land-using and concentrations of the most dangerous air pollutants in Chelyabinsk (formaldehyde, hydrogen fluoride, and nitrogen dioxide). The dominant factor affecting urban air quality was urban greening.
Molecular identification of bacteria isolated from culture medium of rotifer fed on fishery waste diet
Authors: Wullur Stenly , HATOPAN NAPITUPULU  , LETHA LOISE WANTANIA  , ELVY LIKE GINTING  , VEIBE WAROUW  , SANDRA TILAAR  , TRINA EKAWATI TALLEI  , INNEKE FENNY MELKE RUMENGAN
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Wullur S, Napitupulu H, Wantania LL, Ginting EL, Warouw V, Tallei TE, Rumengan IFM. 2020. Molecular identification of bacteria isolated from culture medium of rotifer fed on fishery waste diet. Biodiversitas 21: 2735-2740. The aim of this study was 16S-rRNA sequences based molecular identification of bacteria isolated from culture medium of rotifer fed with fishery waste diet (FWD). We cultured rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis in sterilized seawater (salinity 25 ppt) using FWD, following the procedure in Patent No. P00201609066. Bacteria from the culture were collected, homogenized, diluted 10 to 1000 fold, spread on agar plates and incubated at 370C for 24 to 48 hours. Representative colonies of the bacteria according to their morphologies were isolated for further characterization. Genomic DNA of the isolates were extracted, and the 16S rRNA gene of the isolates were amplified. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) product of each isolate was sequenced and queried against the NCBI GenBank database. Six different isolates based on size, color, elevation, margin, and colony were observed during 24-48 hours incubation at 370C. The 16S rRNA genes of the six isolates were successfully amplified and produced DNA band at 1300-1500 bp, with quality value equal to or greater than 20 (QV20+) of each entire sequence around 941-1253 bases. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) queries in the NCBI GenBank and EzBioCloud database using the 16S-rRNA gene sequences showed that the six isolates belong to four different genera, i.e: Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, and Alteromonas.
Four-dimensional (4D) phase velocity optical coherence elastography in heterogeneous materials and biological tissue
Authors: Liu Hsiao-Chuan , Kijanka Piotr , Urban Matthew W.
Published: June 2020

The variations of mechanical properties in soft tissues are biomarkers
used for clinical diagnosis and disease monitoring. Optical coherence
elastography (OCE) has been extensively developed to investigate
mechanical properties of various biological tissues. These methods are
generally based on time-domain data and measure the time-of-flight of
the localized shear wave propagations to estimate the group velocity.
However, there is considerable information that can be obtained from
examining the mechanical properties such as wave propagation
velocities at different frequencies. Here we propose a method to
evaluate phase velocity, wave velocity at various frequencies, in
four-dimensional space (x, y, z, f),
called 4D-OCE phase velocity. The method enables local estimates of
the phase velocity of propagating mechanical waves in a medium. We
acquired and analyzed data with this method from a homogeneous
reference phantom, a heterogeneous phantom material with four
different excitation cases, and ex vivo
porcine kidney tissue. The 3D-OCE group velocity was also estimated to
compare with 4D-OCE phase velocity. Moreover, we performed numerical
simulation of wave propagations to illustrate the boundary behavior of
the propagating waves. The proposed 4D-OCE phase velocity is capable
of providing further information in OCE to better understand the
spatial variation of mechanical properties of various biological
tissues with respect to frequency.
Approach for accurate calibration of RGB-D cameras using spheres
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Qu Daokui , Xu Fang , Zou Fengshan , Song Jilai , Jia Kai
Published: June 2020

RGB-D cameras (or color-depth cameras) play key roles in many vision applications. A typical RGB-D camera has only rough intrinsic and extrinsic calibrations that cannot provide the accuracy required in many vision applications. In this paper, we propose a novel and accurate sphere-based calibration framework for estimating the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of color-depth sensor pair. Additionally, a method of depth error correction is suggested, and the principle of error correction is analyzed in detail. In our method, the feature extraction module can automatically and reliably detect the center and edges of the sphere projection, while excluding noise data and outliers, and the projection of the sphere center on RGB and depth images is used to obtain a closed solution of the initial parameters. Finally, all the parameters are accurately estimated within the framework of nonlinear global minimization. Compared to other state-of-the-art methods, our calibration method is easy to use and provides higher calibration accuracy. Detailed experimental analysis is performed to support our conclusions.
Parametric effects by using the strip-pair comparison method around red CIE color center
Authors: Brusola Fernando , Tortajada Ignacio , Lengua Ismael , Jordá Begoña , Peris-Fajarnés Guillermo
Published: June 2020

The strip comparison method, based on the serial exploration method described by Torgerson [Theory and Methods of Scaling; Wiley & Sons (1958); Chap. 7], for the development of near-threshold color difference models was presented and validated with theoretical data by the authors in a previous work. In this study, we investigate parametric effects derived from the use of the strip comparison method on chromaticity-discrimination ellipses around the red CIE color center. The results obtained led to the conclusion that the strip comparison method has little effect on the parameters of the chromaticity-discrimination ellipses determined by the pair comparison method when pairs of patches in the strips are separated by a black line 0.5 mm thick or are separated by 3 mm spacing on a white background and also correlates well with the parameters reported by other authors using the pair comparison method at the threshold.
Ultrafast saturable absorption of large-diameter single-walled carbon nanotubes for passive mode locking in the mid-infrared
Authors: Okazaki Daiki , Morichika Ikki , Arai Hayato , Kauppinen Esko , Zhang Qiang , Anisimov Anton , Varjos Ilkka , Chiashi Shohei , Maruyama Shigeo , Ashihara Satoshi
Published: June 2020

We study the saturable absorption properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a large diameter of 2.2 nm and the corresponding exciton resonance at a wavelength of 2.4 µm. At resonant excitation, a large modulation depth of approximately 30 % and a small saturation fluence of a few tens of µJ/cm2 are evaluated. The temporal response is characterized by an instantaneous rise and a subpicosecond recovery. We also utilize the SWCNTs to realize sub-50 fs, self-start mode locking in a Cr:ZnS laser, revealing that the film thickness is an important parameter that affects the possible pulse energy and duration. The results prove that semiconductor SWCNTs with tailored diameters exceeding 2 nm are useful for passive mode locking in the mid-infrared range.
Similarity of angular distribution for THz radiation emitted by laser filament plasma channels of different lengths
Authors: Koribut Andrey V. , Rizaev Georgy E. , Mokrousova Daria V. , Savinov Sergey A. , Reutov Aleksei A. , Mityagin Yury A. , Seleznev Leonid V. , Ionin Andrey A.
Published: June 2020

The influence of plasma channel length on an angular terahertz (THz) radiation distribution is experimentally studied for the channel formed under filamentation of an ultrashort laser pulse. It is shown that the angular distribution of the THz emission depends only on laser intensity in the filament and plasma density of the plasma channel and does not depend on the plasma channel length. A qualitative explanation of the THz emission screening by the filament plasma channel is proposed.
Optical trapping in the presence of laser-induced thermal effects
Authors: Zenteno-Hernandez J. A. , Vázquez Lozano J. , Sarabia-Alonso J. A. , Ramírez-Ramírez J. , Ramos-García R.
Published: June 2020

The inclusion of thermal effects in optical manipulation has been explored in diverse experiments, increasing the possibilities for applications in diverse areas. In this Letter, the results of combined optical and thermal manipulation in the vicinity of a highly absorbent hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer, which induces both the generation of convective currents and thermophoresis, are presented. In combination with the optical forces, thermal forces help reduce the optical power required to trap and manipulate micrometric polystyrene beads. Moreover, the inclusion of these effects allows the stacking and manipulation of multiple particles with a single optical trap along with the beam propagation, providing an extra tool for micromanipulation of a variety of samples.
Exact superregular breather solutions to the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation with nonhomogeneous coefficients and dissipative effects
Authors: Perego Auro M.
Published: June 2020

Superregular breathers are peculiar solutions to the integrable nonlinear Schrödinger equation that constitute the building blocks for analysis of the nonlinear stage of modulation instability developing from a localized perturbation on the nonvanishing condensate background. Here superregular breather solutions are extended to the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation with nonhomogeneous coefficients and in the presence of dissipation. Concrete examples are shown that may allow observation of new solutions in fiber optics where dissipation is unavoidable, nonhomogeneous spatial distribution of the amplification profile can be controlled, and current technology allows design of the longitudinal dispersion profile.
Polarization-insensitive ultra-broadband mode filter based on a 3D graphene structure buried in an optical waveguide
Authors: Huang Quandong , Chiang Kin Seng
Published: June 2020

We propose a polarization-insensitive ultra-broadband mode filter based on a 3D graphene structure buried in a few-mode optical waveguide. Our experimental device fabricated by burying an L-shaped graphene structure in a three-mode polymer waveguide provides polarization-insensitive filtering of the fundamental mode, while keeping the higher-order modes, with a mode extinction ratio of

∼

17

d
B

over the

S

+

C

+

L

band and beyond.
Bayesian optimization and rigorous modelling of a highly efficient 3D metamaterial mode converter
Authors: Elsawy Mahmoud M. R. , Hassan Karim , Boutami Salim , Lanteri Stéphane
Published: June 2020

We combine a statistical learning-based global optimization strategy with a high order 3D Discontinuous Galerkin Time-Domain (DGTD) solver to design a compact and highly efficient graded index photonic metalens. The metalens is composed of silicon (Si) strips of varying widths (in the transverse direction) and lengths (in the propagation direction) and operates at the telecommunication wavelength. In our work, we tackle the challenging Transverse Electric case (TE) where the incident electric field is polarized perpendicular to strips direction. We reveal that the focusing efficiency approaches 80% for the traditional design with fixed strip lengths and varying widths. Nevertheless, we demonstrate numerically that the efficiency is as high as 87% for a design with varying strip lengths along the propagation direction.
En una galaxia muy, muy lejana… Espectáculos romanos en el universo StarWars
Authors: Muñoz Santos María Engracia
Published: June 2020

Todo el mundo reconoce en la carrera de vainas de Star Wars Episodio I: la amenaza fantasma la competición de cuadrigas de la famosísima secuencia del film Ben-Hur de 1959, pero este no es el único espectáculo romano que aparece en las dos primeras trilogías: una pompa, una damnatio ad bestias y una venatio están también presentes en las películas de George Lucas. ¿Se basan estas escenas de la película en documentación histórica? ¿En historiografía sobre el tema? ¿En literatura? ¿En otras películas? creemos interesante hacer un pequeño análisis de todos ellos y con este trabajo intentaremos dar respuesta a estas preguntas.
Mujeres y acción política en la antigua Roma. Lecturas de Ettore Ciccotti, un socialista en la Europa del siglo XIX
Authors: Cid López Rosa M.
Published: June 2020

Entre las diferentes luchas sociales del siglo XIX, destaca la feminista, por su impacto entre los políticos e intelectuales de la época. Muchos pensadores la criticaron, pero otros defendieron los movimientos de liberación de las mujeres. Muy llamativo fue el caso de Ettore Ciccotti (1863-1939) político del Partido Socialista Italiano y profesor de Historia Antigua. Este historiador se inspira en los hechos protagonizados por las matronas romanas, sobre todo en los dos últimos siglos de la República, para reflexionar sobre el alcance de las actividades políticas de las mujeres en su época. Y lo hace como un hombre inmerso en el contexto político e historiográfico de la Italia de su tiempo. A pesar de su compromiso político, sus imágenes de las antiguas romanas no se sustraen a los prejuicios androcéntricos que predominaron en la Europa decimonónica. De su curiosa obra Donne e política negli ultimi anni della repubblica romana (1895), el contexto en que se publicó y su posterior influencia en los inicios de la historia de las mujeres se trata en este texto.
Julián de Toledo, los judíos y el judaísmo
Authors: Martin Céline
Published: June 2020

Este trabajo examina la relación que guardan las obras de Julián de Toledo († 690) con los judíos y la religión judía. El obispo toledano pudo verse aquejado por un doble problema original: su procedencia familiar judía, percibida por él, como por el resto de la sociedad, como una verdadera alteridad, independientemente de su fe cristiana; y su apoyo al conde Ervigio en la deposición del rey Wamba en 680. Tanto su procedencia como su traición pudieron atormentar a Julián, que colaboró estrechamente en la política antijudaica de Ervigio. En su obra histórica al menos, "judío"y "traidor" vienen a ser conceptos intercambiables, lo cual incita a cuestionar las menciones que él hace a los judíos de la provincia Narbonense.
La antropotoponimia predial romana. Implicaciones interdisciplinares en el origen de un fenómeno europeo
Authors: Sabio González Rafael
Published: June 2020

A través del presente artículo, se pretende mostrar una panorámica sobre los primeros acercamientos por parte de la comunidad científica europea por académicos de muy diferentes disciplinas, a un fenómeno lingüístico muy característico de la cultura romana que entraña importantes consecuencias a nivel histórico y arqueológico: aquel relacionado con la designación de los predios agrícolas romanos que tomaron su nombre del de sus propietarios o possessores. Si bien se aludirá a su fundamentación en la segunda mitad del Siglo XVIII, como consecuencia del hallazgo de la Tabula de Veleia, se centrará la atención sobre el análisis del fenómeno por parte de los investigadores italianos, franceses y alemanes, en el periodo comprendido entre el último tercio del Siglo XIX y el primer cuarto del Siglo XX. Con dicho panorama, se contrastarán los orígenes de los estudios sobre el tipo toponímico en la Península Ibérica, distinguiéndose ciertos trabajos de ámbito local y autores nacionales de aquellos otros empeños llevados a cabo por lo que podría considerarse una "escuela germánica". Ante tales estudios, se abrirá levemente el marco cronológico para llevarlo hasta la Guerra Civil, aludiéndose puntualmente a su repercusión en ciertas publicaciones posteriores. Finalmente, se ofrecerán una serie de valoraciones y conclusiones generales a la cuestión, en las que se hará un especial hincapié en la naturaleza del fenómeno en sus primeros años de desarrollo científico y el singular papel del panorama hispánico.
New research trends concerning the historical relationship between Egypt and Mesopotamia
Authors: Justel Vicente Josué Javier
Published: June 2020

The aim of the article is to offer readers a list of aspects that recent historiography has worked on in respect of the relationships between Egypt and Mesopotamia through History. Thus, three studies are provided, one for each millennium BC, showing recent discoveries and research carried out during the last decade, and which are leading to a reinterpretation of the topic.
Marcadores Discursivos e(m) Tradução II
Authors: Carapinha Conceição , Plag Cornelia , Loureiro Ana Paula
Published: June 2020

Este volume reúne, entre outros, os trabalhos apresentados no 3.º e no 4.º Colóquios MarDisT, que tiveram lugar na Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Coimbra em 2017 e 2018, com a participação de especialistas internacionais na área. Os trabalhos aqui compilados abarcam diferentes línguas, diferentes perspetivas teóricas, diferentes géneros textuais, problemas de tradução, e problemas de aprendizagem de L2/LE, tendo como denominador comum os marcadores discursivos. Esperamos que a diversidade de reflexões venha a suscitar o interesse na área e a incentivar novas pesquisas.