bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lymphoepithelioma-like hepatic carcinoma: A report of 3 cases and review of the literature
Authors: Zhang Kai , Tao Changcheng , Wu Fan , An Songlin , Rong Weiqi , Wu Jianxiong
Published: March 2020

Background: Lymphoepithelioma-like hepatic carcinoma is a rare distinctive variant of liver cancer with unique epidemiological and pathological characteristics, characterized by dense lymphocyte infiltration. It can be divided into lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma and lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Existing research shows that its prognosis is good. Up to now, only 101 cases have been reported. More rarely, combined lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma has been found. Case presentation: The first patient was a 62 years old Chinese man with hepatitis B virus infection presented with a single lesion in the liver. The patient underwent surgical treatment and was discharged on the 4th day. The patient was diagnosed as combined lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma and has been alive for 15 months. The second patient was a 63 years old Chinese woman with right upper abdominal pain and hepatitis B virus infection. The imaging examination a single lesion in the liver. The patient underwent surgical treatment and was discharged one week later. The patient was diagnosed as lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma and was considered to be the recurrence of lymph nodes about 2 years after operation. The patient underwent local radiotherapy and has been alive for 60 months. The third patient was a 50 years old Chinese man with hepatitis B virus infection presented with a single lesion in the liver and two enlarged lymph nodes. The patient received liver puncture before operation to indicate lymph node metastasis and had local recurrence after liver resection. The patient underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient was diagnosed as lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma. Finally, the patient died at 24 months follow-up. Conclusions: This article reports 3 cases of LELC and reviews the current research discovery, which suggests that even the locally advanced patients of LELC with postoperative recurrence and preoperative lymph node metastasis should be actively treated and intervened for a longer survival period. Keywords: Liver Cancer, Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Cholangiocarcinoma
More potential risk factors for implant in patients with type 2 diabetes were detected by proteomics in addition to hyperglycemia.
Authors: Tang Dezheng , Wang Entang , Xu Yifan , Liang Chao , Liu Changying , Lin Xiao , Li Jun
Published: March 2020

Background: It is commonly accepted glycemic control can decrease the negative effects of implant in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Whether the remaining pathological changes besides hyperglycemia caused by T2DM will affect implant-bone integration during the healing period has remained unclear. This study aims to determine whether other risk factors besides hyperglycemia lead to failed osseointegration in T2DM patients during healing period. Methods: First, we compared the success rate between T2DM patients and non-T2DM patients during the healing period at our center. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were cultured from all enrolled subjects. Then, proteomics was used to detect differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) among the DM failure (DM-F), DM success (DM-S) and control (Con) groups. Additionally, the relationship between expression of the nine target DEPs and glucose concentration in media was investigated. Results: Significantly higher failure rates in T2DM patients were found. Fifty-two DEPs were found in DM-F group compared with DM-S group. Seventy-three DEPs were found in DM-F group compared with the Con group. Forty-three DEPs were found in DM-S group compared with Con group. Four target DEPs was influenced by glucose, while the other five expressed the same in different glucose concentration media. DEPs in DM-F group may affect the biological function and regulatory potential of BMSCs through gene ontology annotation and functional enrichment analysis. Conclusions: DEPs in DM-F group can be potential risk factors and intervention targets for dental implant in T2DM patients. More potential risk factors affect implant-bone integration besides hyperglycemia.
The effects of the primary health care providers’prescription behavior interventions to improve the rational use of antibiotics: a systematic review
Authors: Yao Lu , Yin Jia , Sun Qiang , Huo Ruiting , Yang Ding , Shen Liyan , Wen Shuqin
Published: March 2020

Background: Irrational antibiotic use, especially at primary health care institutions accelerates the spread of antibiotic resistance (ABR). It is important to systematically review the effects of interventions at the primary health care to give evidence for future studies about interventions of providers’ antibiotic prescriptions. A systematic review was conducted to explore the effects of interventions targeted to the primary health care providers for improving the rational use of antibiotics. Methods: The literatures were searched in Ovid Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and two Chinese databases with a time limit from January 1st, 1998 to December 1st, 2018. Only articles in the English and Chinese language were considered. Studies had to be the design of randomised control trial, controlled before-and-after studies or interrupted time series. Outcomes had to measure the change in providers’ behaviors. The Cochrane Collaboration criteria was used to assessed the risk of bias of the studies by two reviews. Narrative analysis was performed. Results: Of 4422 studies identified, we included 17studies. Most studies were conducted in the Europe or the United States and 4 of the studies were conducted in low-income and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Most studies had moderate to high risk of bias. There was moderate-strength evidence that interventions targeted at primary health care providers’ prescription behaviors were associated with decreases in antibiotic prescribing and promote the rational use of antibiotic.Conclusions: Provider-targeted interventions in primary health care could decrease the antibiotic prescription and promote the providers’ behaviours of irrational use of antibiotic However, we cannot compare the effects between different interventions because of heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes.
MiR-186 serves as a tumor suppressor in lung adenocarcinoma cells by down-regulation of Shp2 gene and inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Yan Shao-Hui , Xu Shu-Feng , Zheng Lei , Kang Li-Ying , Cao Jun-Li , Wang Ping , Gao Liming
Published: March 2020

Background The study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-186, which targets protein tyrosine phosphatase (Shp2) PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, on the biological characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods In this experimental study, Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line SPC-A-1 was grouped as Blank group, negative control (NC) group, miR-186 mimic group, miR-186 inhibitor group, si-Shp2 group and miR-186 inhibitor+si-Shp2 group. Results The results showed that miR-186 can target and down-regulate the expression of Shp2 gene. Compared with the Blank group, levels of Shp2, N-cadherin and Bcl-2 and level of PI3K/p-PI3K, Akt/P-Akt, mTOR/p-mTOR as well as cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability and the proportion of cells in S phase significantly decreased in the miR-186 mimic group and the si-Shp2 group, while the levels of E-cadherin and Bax as well as the proportion of cells in G1 phase and cell gene and mediates apoptosis rate increased significantly (all P < 0.05). Compared with the miR-186 inhibitor group, the miR-186 inhibitor + si-Shp2 group showed similar trend in all parameters with the comparison above (all P < 0.05). Conclusions The overexpression of miR-186 can down-regulate Shp2 gene expression, further inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration and promote apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Digital Accuracy in Comuputer Guided Surgery a Multicentre Prospective Study
Authors: Luongo Fabrizia , Lerner Henriette , Gesso Camilla , Motroni Alessandro , Sormani Alice , Kalemaj Zamira , Polizzi Giovanni , Luongo Giuseppe
Published: March 2020

Background Digital technologies are becoming an irreplaceable assistance for a correct diagnosis and treatment planning of the dental therapy. Modern powerful software are able to match information coming from different sources (CBCT, IOS, lab and face scanners) creating a virtual patient where all the treatment options can be accurately tested. Guided surgery is based on the possibility to use these instruments to transfer the ideal plan directly into the operating theatre. However even in the hands of skilled operators there is always a difference between the position of the implant as determined on the virtual planning and the real position after the surgery. The aim of this multicenter prospective study is to test the advantages of the standardization of the digital workflow on the accuracy of the procedure. Methods 21 patients, for a total of 61 implants, have been treated in three different centers by operators with particular expertise in guided surgery. The accuracy of the procedure has been evaluated matching two files: the first from the pre-treatment virtual planning and the second from the optical impression taken immediately after the surgery. The digital workflow has been standardized using the same software for the planning, the same high quality manufacturing process, intraoral scanner and software for the overlapping procedure. Results All the implants showed an excellent primary stability. No intraoperative complications have been reported. The overlapping of the two files resulted in a mean angular deviation of 2.94°, a mean linear deviation at the platform of 0,73 mm and a mean vertical deviation at the apex of 0.01mm. Conclusions Almost the totality of the cases showed a better accuracy compared with the previous reported data of the literature. These results might be related with the standardization of the process so that following a precise protocol is mandatory for a safe use of this technique.
Communicating Prevention in the COVID-19 Epidemic: Case Study on Macau SAR
Authors: Au Anna Weng Ian
Published: March 2020

Background As the COVID-19 epidemic is unfolding, an infodemic has also developed. With commonplace social media usage, a massive amount of information and misinformation is spreading at the same time. Irrational responses are reported worldwide – face mask and detergent shortages, panic shopping, and xenophobia, which could possibly be a result of ineffective science communication. Using Macau SAR for a case study, this article sets out to understand effective prevention communication. Methods An observation study was conducted to understand Macau’s prevention communication in the COVID-19 epidemic. Results Macau has imposed a wide range of preventions, covering most dimensions of daily life. Lessons are learned in risk perception, language used, science communication, digital literacy, information flow, and support in STEM advancement. Conclusions Macau’s prevention communication is not perfect, but Macau’s experience offers insights to European authorities on how to contain the epidemic and minimize undesirable outcomes as the epidemic is just beginning in Europe.
Infection after knee arthroplasty in an immunosuppressive patient caused by Mycobacterium senegalense: a case report and literature review
Authors: Tian Lei , Wang Feng , Chen Zhongju , Zeng Yifan , Zhu Xuhui , Gong Lu , Wang Xueman , Sun Ziyong
Published: March 2020

Background The infection caused by nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) is gradually increasing in both hospital-acquired infection and community-acquired infection. The most common NTM mainly includes Mycobacterium fortuitum group, the M. chelonae/abscessus group and the M. smegmatis group. The infection caused by the third biological variety in M. fortuitum group is rarely reported worldwide.Case presentation A 33-year-old female patient with 8-year history of rheumatoid arthritis underwent a right knee arthroplasty and developed postoperative infection. In hospital A, debridement was carried out to preserve the prosthesis joint. M. fortunatum was cultured in biopsy tissue taken out during operation and puncture fluid. Unfortunately, it is impossible to carry out the drug sensitivity test of Mycobacterium in hospital A. Local doctors used amikacin and levofloxacin to treat the patient empirically. In order to treat the infection accurately, the patient went to hospital B (a specialized hospital of tuberculosis) for drug sensitivity test. According to the results of drug sensitivity, cefoxitin, clarithromycin, amikacin and moxifloxacin were used in combination treatment. After two weeks of treatment, there was no significant remission, so the patient went to hospital C (a large teaching hospital) for joint prosthesis removal and bone cement frame transfer operation, and anti-infection treatment was carried out according to the drug sensitivity test results. One month later, the patient's condition improved significantly and the wound healed.Conclusions NTM should be considered as main pathogens in immunosuppressive patients when the wound did not heal due to infection. Simple antibiotic treatment is not good for deep abscess, but treatment combined with surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotics is obviously effective.
Rapid ultrasensitive diagnosis of pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii using a combination of enrichment and phage-based qPCR assay
Authors: Luo Jun , Jiang Mengwei , Xiong Jin , Li Junhua , Wei Hongping , Yu Junping
Published: March 2020

Background Accurate and rapid identification of ventilator associated or nosocomial pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii ( A. baumannii ) could improve the treatment.Methods In current study, we developed a phage-based real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) combined with enrichment culture for rapid and specific detection of viable A. baumannii in sputum from lung infections. Through short-term plate incubation, bacteria can be enriched and the DNA polymerase reaction disturbance of sputum can be decreased greatly. This approach is based on detecting phage replication in live A. baumannii cells through Taqman qPCR.Results Through the built detection system, down to 1 CFU of A. baumannii can be detected within 6 h in spiked sputum samples without any steps of bacteria isolation and DNA extraction. The established method was then applied to detecting both A. baumannii in simulated sputum with 100% agreement with the spiked amount of the bacteria and one clinical sputum sample from an 80-year-old male lung infection patient caused by A. baumannii with perfect accuracy, demonstrating that the assay developed in this study has the merits of high rapidity, high sensitivity, good specificity and being able to detect live bacteria not dead bacteria.Conclusions The assay is a potentially clinical method for diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia infection caused by A. baumannii or other bacterial infection in sputum or complicated samples through switching to other types of phages.
Determining the usefulness of serum hyaluronic acid levels as a predictor of progression of hand osteoarthritis: longitudinal analysis from the Iwaki cohort
Authors: Saruga Tatsuro , Sasaki Eiji , Inoue Ryo , Chiba Daisuke , Ota Saiya , Iwasaki Hiroki , Uesato Ryoko , Nakaji Shigeyuki , Ishibashi Yasuyuki
Published: March 2020

Background: Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) causes a significant disfunction in patient’s daily life. The predicting factor of hand osteoarthritis has been unknown. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of serum hyaluronic acid (sHA) levels in predicting progression of HOA from a 6-year longitudinal epidemiological study.Design: In 2008, a total of 417 participants in the Iwaki cohort were followed over 6 years. Hand radiographs were taken at baseline and follow-up and scored according to Kellgren–Lawrence grades and Kallman score for 15 joints. Based on the presence of osteoarthritis, participants were classified into HOA and non-HOA groups. Levels of serum hyaluronic acid (sHA) at baseline were determined by ELISA. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between levels of sHA, total number of involved joints, and Kallman score were estimated. Factors related to increasing number of involved joints over a period of six years were analyzed by liner regression analysis.Results: The prevalence of hand osteoarthritis was 19.9% at baseline and the number of joints involved was 3.6 ± 2.1. Levels of sHA in the HOA group at baseline were significantly higher than non-HOA group (p<0.0001), and correlated with the number of involved joints (r=0.399, p<0.0001) and Kallman score (r=0.540, p<0.0001). Progression rate was 55.4% and development rate was 19.1% over six years. In HOA group, the number of involved joints increased by 4.9 ± 2.3. Associated factors were age (p<0.0001) and higher levels of sHA (p<0.0001) at baseline.Conclusions: Higher levels of sHA correlated with number of involved joints and Kallman score at baseline. In the longitudinal study, Levels of sHA predicted progression of HOA over six years.
The Impact of Real Exchange Rate Undervaluation on Economic Growth: Evidence from Panel Cointegration Approach
Authors: Seraj Mehdi , Coskuner Cagay , Akadiri Seyi Saint , Bahadori Negar
Published: March 2020

This study revisited Dani Rodrik (2008) work on real exchange rate undervaluation and economic growth by using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS). This research, to the best of authors' knowledge, is the first to use FMOLS and DOLS approach to empirically evaluate Rodrik work on the real exchange rate and economic growth using a Panel periodic data (six sets of five years) of 82 countries throughout 1990 to 2018. We used the Balassa Samuelson method to estimate the predicted real exchange rate and real exchange rate undervaluation. Finally, the study is in support of Rodrik conclusion that, real exchange undervaluation has a significant impact on the economic growth of the developing economies and statistically insignificant in the developed economies.
Construction and Clinical Verification of Cytoplasm Protein GFAP as Circulating Tumor Cell Separation target for Pediatric Neuroepithelial Tumors
Authors: Zhao Yang , Jiang Feng , Wang Qinhua , Wang Baocheng , Han Yipeng , Yang Jian , Dong Xiaoshu , Wang Jiajia , Wang Kai , Ao Junping , Guo Xunxiang , Liang Xiaofei , Ma Jie
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND: Pediatric Neuroepithelial Tumors (NT) are one of the most prevalent diseases among children. Developing a highly efficient cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) detection system with diagnosis and prediction function is very important. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) in CSF is a good choice. In contrast to the past use of epithelial EpCAM as CTC separation target, an cytoplasm protein of GFAP antibody was first selected to construct highly-sensitive immunomagnetic liposomes (IMLs). The validation and efficiency of this system in capturing CTCs for NT were measured both in vitro and in vivo. The associations between the numbers of CTCs in patients with their clinical characteristics were further analyzed. RESULTS: Our data show that CTCs can be successfully isolated from CSF and blood samples from 29 children with NT. The numbers of CTCs in CSF were significantly higher than those in blood. The level of CTCs in CSF was related to the type and location of the tumor rather than its stage. Genetic testing in GFAP CTC-DNA by sanger sequencing, q-PCR and NGS methods indicated that the isolated CTCs (GFAP+/EGFR+) are the related tumor cell. For example, the high expression of NPR3 gene in CSF CTC was consistant with tumor tissue. CONCLUSIONS: GFAP-IML isolation of CTCs, combined with an EGFR immunofluorescence assay of antitumor marker, can serve as a brand-new method for the identification of CTCs for brain tumors. Via lumbar puncture, a minimally invasive procedure, this technique can be clinically significant in diagnosis and efficacy assessments of pediatric NT.
Exploration of human movement processing in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Nijhof Dewy , Regener Paula , Kim Naree , Tohka Jussi , Kauppi Jukka-Pekka , Jang Seonhee , Pollick Frank
Published: March 2020

Evidence regarding whether people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show differences in processing human movement is mixed, with recent findings being both in support and in contrast. To provide more clarity, this study utilised inter-subject correlation (ISC) analysis to quantify similarities in human movement processing in fMRI responses to a naturalistic movie paradigm portraying ballet dance between adults with and without ASD. Moreover, similarities within each individuals fMRI responses over repeated viewings were quantified to see if responses were stable and if idiosyncratic patterns could be determined. One group difference found was a cluster in the right posterior cingulate showing significantly lower ISC for the ASD group, corresponding to extensive literature showing atypical activity in the Default Mode Network in ASD. Idiosyncratic brain activation patterns were found only for a subset of ASD individuals, opening up the possibility to subtypes and a possible link to severity in symptoms.
Study on mechanism of Tim-3 on immune escape in benzene-induced acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ning qiong , li xiangxin , Jian Xiangdong , He Xiaopeng
Published: March 2020

To study the mechanism of Tim-3 on immune escape in benzene-induced acute myeloid leukemia (AML), to provide potential targets of clinical monitoring and intervention of hematological toxicity in benzene-induced AML . C3H/He mice were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. Serum levels of IL-12 in the experimental group were significantly lower than that in the control group. Serum levels of TGF-β1 in the experimental group were significantly higher than that in the control group( p <0.05). The proportion of Tim-3 positive CD14 + monocytes of bone marrow and spleen in the experimental group were both significantly higher than that in the control group ( p <0.05) by Flow cytometry (FCM). Compared with the control group, the expression of Tim-3 on (M1+M2) macrophages of bone marrow in the experimental group significantly increased by immunofluorescence assay. The expression of type M2 macrophages in (M1+M2) macrophages of bone marrow and spleen tissues in the experimental group were both higher than that in the control group. The expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR in the experimental group were all significantly higher than that in the control group. Tim-3 was highly expressed in macrophages in benzene-induced AML. It promoted the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, stimulated the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. High expression of Tim-3 changed the phenotype and function of macrophages by promoting the macrophages polarization, thus inducing negative immune response in the tumor microenvironment and tumor immune escape.
Identification of hub genes and a prognostic model associated with ovarian cancer
Authors: Liu Jinhui , Jiang PinPing , Meng Huangyang , Li Siyue , Nie Sipei , Rui Sun , Jing Yang , Cheng Wenjun
Published: March 2020

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecological cancers worldwide. The pathogenesis of the disease and outcomes prediction of ovarian cancer patients remain largely unclear. This study aimed to explore the key genes and biological pathways in ovarian carcinoma development, as well as construct a prognostic model to predict patients’ overall survival. Results: We identified 164 up-regulated and 80 down-regulated differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) associated with ovarian cancer. GO term enrichment showed DEGs mainly correlated with spindle microtubes. For KEGG pathways, cell cycle was mostly enriched for the DEGs. The PPI network yielded 238 nodes and 1284 edges. Top three modules and 10 hub genes were further filtered and analyzed. Three candidiate drugs targeting for therapy were also selected. Thirteen OS-related genes were selected and an eight-mRNA model was present to stratify patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different survival. Conclusions: The identified DEGs and biological pathways may provide new perspective on the pathogenesis and treatments of OC. The identified 8-mRNA signature has significant clinical implication for outcome prediction and tailored therapy guidance for OC patients.
Research on Inequality of Household Consumption and Social Welfare from the Perspective of Household Non-medical Expenditure
Authors: Hu Tiantian , Liu Huan
Published: March 2020

Background In China, income inequality has raised substantially over the last 40 years, especially after21st century.The rise in inequality in China has received considerable attention in academic field. But existing studies have paid more attention to comparative research on the relationship between household income inequality and consumption inequality, and ignored the impact of social welfare changes on household or overall consumption levels during the same period. Methods In this paper, we present an analysis of the trends in inequality of income and consumption in China from 1998 to 2015.Based on the data of China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS),we find that household income and consumption inequality have increased substantially over last 30 years.Utilize the inequality of consumption and social welfare and according to the differences in the composition of household consumption, medical consumption is used as the dividing standard to evaluate the inequality of non-medical consumption. In terms of empirical tests, a mixed-panel ols model was constructed to explore the inequality differences in household consumption under non-medical consumption and medical consumption samples. Results First, in terms of consumption inequality, from 1989 to 2015, Chinese household income inequality and consumption inequality showed an increasing trend. Among them, overall consumption inequality was mainly caused by urban and rural consumption inequality. Second,the results show that in terms of overall social welfare, the deterioration of consumption distribution has replaced the growth of social welfare caused by economic growth, and the estimated results under non-medical consumption inequality are less different from the overall. Third, the results of the panel fixed-effect test show that income inequality is the main positive influence factor on consumption inequality, but participation in medical insurance has a negative impact on urban and rural household consumption inequality,illness has a negative impact on household medical inequality and non-medical consumer inequality. Conclusion The result can provide a solid reference for understanding China's consumption inequality and also political implications for the government to weigh efficiency and fairness.From the perspective of consumption policy interventions, it is necessary to promote government departments to better safeguard the health maintenance of healthy or sub-healthy people through health management policies, and promote the cost protection effect of basic medical insurance policies on unhealthy people.
First-principles modeling of X-ray absorption spectra enlightens the processes of scandium sequestration by iron oxides
Authors: Chassé Mathieu , Blanchard Marc , Cabaret Delphine , Juhin Amélie , Vantelon Delphine , Calas Georges
Published: March 2020

Scandium is often associated with iron oxides in the environment. Despite the use of scandium as a geochemical tracer and the existence of world-class supergene deposits, uncertainties on speciation obscure the processes governing its sequestration and concentration. Here, we use first-principles approaches to interpret experimental K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra of scandium either incorporated in or adsorbed on goethite and hematite, at concentrations relevant for the environment. This modeling helps to interpret the characteristic spectral features, providing key information to determine scandium speciation when associated with iron oxides. We show that scandium is substituted into iron oxides at low concentrations without modifying the crystal structure. When scandium is adsorbed onto iron oxide surfaces, the process occurs through outer-sphere complexation with a reduction in the coordination number of the hydration shell. Considering available X-ray absorption spectra from laterites, the present results confirm that scandium adsorption onto iron oxides is the dominant mechanism of sequestration in these geochemical conditions. This speciation explains efficient scandium recovery through mild metal-lurgical treatments of supergene lateritic ores. The specificities of scandium sorption mechanisms are related to the preservation of adsorbed scandium in million-years old laterites. These results demonstrate the emerging ability to precisely model fine X-ray absorption spectral features of trace metals associated with mineral phases relevant to the environment. It opens new perspectives to accurately determine trace metals speciation from high-resolution spatially resolved X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy in order to constrain the molecular mechanisms controlling their dynamics.
Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activities of the Methanolic Extract Obtained from the Leaves of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck
Authors: HAFSİA Bouzenna , SABAH Dhibi , NOURA Samout , ABDELFATTAH Elfeki , NAJLA Hfaiedh
Published: March 2020

This study was aimed to identify the phytochemistry and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract obtained from the leaves of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck (CLM). HPLC analyses revealed the presence of various phenolics (gallic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, coumaric, resveratrol) and flavonoids (rutin and apigenin).Qualitative analyses showed phenolics (302.91 μg EAG/mg), tannins (36.86 ± 0.71μg ECT/mg) and flavonoids (19.77 ± 0.06 μg EQ/mg) and coumarins. CLM exhibited a significant concentration-dependent in vitro antioxidant activity against DPPH radical and reducing power (FRAP test). This study concluded that the methanol extract obtained from the leaves of C. limon possess an antioxidant potential.
Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Activities of Nepeta cadmea Boiss.
Authors: YILMAZ Gülderen , ÖZTÜRK Gözde , ÇİÇEK Mehmet , DEMİRCİ Betül
Published: March 2020

﻿The genus Nepeta (Lamiaceae) is represented by 39 species, in total 50 taxa, 19 of which are endemic, in Turkey. Nepeta species are known as “kedinanesi” in Turkish and has many traditional usages such as antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, antitussive, and antiasthmatic activities. The aerial parts of N. cadmea were hydrodistillated for 3 hours by using Clevenger apparatus to gather essential oil. To determine its chemical characterization, the essential oil was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS, simultaneously. 4aα,7α,7aβ-Nepetalactone (74.0%), 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone (4.5%) and caryophyllene oxide (2.5%) were found as major components for essential oil. The potential in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oil was evaluated using the broth microdilution assay. A panel of human pathogenic strains Escherichia coli NRRL B-3008, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311, Bacillus cereus NRRL B-3711 and Streptococcus sanguinis ATCC 10556 were used. Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of the samples were determined, where in ciprofloxacin was used as a positive control in the assay. MIC values were found 2500, 1000, 600, 600, 600 μg/mL against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhimurium, B. cereus and S. sanguinis, respectively. Compared the literature, it was seen that the essential oil had lower effective against these strains.
Production of Biogas and Astaxanthin from Fruit and Vegetable Wastes Using an Integrated System
Authors: YAZGIN Okyanus , KESKİN-GUNDOGDU Tugba
Published: March 2020

﻿﻿﻿﻿The use of fruit and vegetable wastes in biogas production is an attractive option, as it provides simultaneous waste treatment and energy production. The use of the CO2 in biogas for algae cultivation with a zero waste approach would make this process even more attractive. In this way, biogas enrichment, which is traditionally done using economically costly and non-environmentally friendly methods, would be improved, and algae cultivation would become more economical. In the first part of this study, the operation conditions for the biogas reactor and the algae reactor for astaxanthin production were optimized separately. Rates of up to 1.2 L CH4/day and yields up to 0.5 L CH4/g volatile solids were obtained with a 2.5 g dry matter/L day organic loading rate with an anaerobic bioreactor, and 5.1 mg/g astaxanthin was produced by air feeding. When it was decided that sufficient astaxanthin was produced, astaxanthin was obtained using vegetable oils (olive and nut), an environmentally friendly extraction method. In the second part of this study, the anaerobic bioreactor and the algae reactor were integrated, and 6 mg/g astaxanthin production was observed using fruit and vegetable wastes as the substrate for biogas production and the CO2 in biogas for cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis and therefore astaxanthin production. The integrated system resulted in higher astaxhantin production with a zero waste approach. Moreover, the residual biomass remaining after extraction was fed back into the biogas reactor as a substrate, adopting a zero waste biorefinery approach.
Notes on the Native History of Cuba and the Dominican Republic
Authors: Sloan-Torano Randle
Published: March 2020

Caribbean history and ethnocultural evolution since the late nineteenth-century has been restructured to strategize a new scholarly native. This study examines how Cuba and the Dominican Republic became cultural markets for such trend. It also reviews the hypothetical extinction of the Caribbean naturals as it potentialized a highly commercialized era as theorists developed unique tools to implement an academic discourse irrelevant to Caribbean natives’ origins, cultures and fate. The cultural market trends were so far-reaching and successful that there is a need to assess pre-European native Caribbean history away from the sought-after taino market modeled after Constantine Samuel Rafinesque since 1836. Consequently, by the mid twentieth century a critical separation from traditional native Caribbean ethnohistory was well established within a suppositional trend inconsequential to original native biological evolution, language and diversity. This study analyses early ethnopolitical native contacts as tribal independencies interacted before and after discovery. Relevant historical facts originated from national archives and critical older books.
Entangled states of dipolar bosons generated in a triple-well potential
Authors: Tonel Arlei P. , Ymai Leandro H. , Wittmann Karin , Foerster Angela , Links Jon
Published: March 2020

We study the generation of entangled states using a device
constructed from dipolar bosons confined to a triple-well potential.
Dipolar bosons possess controllable, long-range interactions. This
property permits specific choices to be made for the coupling
parameters, such that the system is integrable. Integrability assists in
the analysis of the system via an effective Hamiltonian constructed
through a conserved operator. Through computations of fidelity we
establish that this approach, to study the time-evolution of the
entanglement for a class of non-entangled initial states, yields
accurate approximations given by analytic formulae.
Penentuan Massa Jenis Oli secara Sederhana dengan Hukum Archimedes
Authors: Gideon Samuel , Tarigan Enda Rasilta
Published: March 2020

The most commonly used method for measuring the density of liquids is based on Archimedes' law. Lubricating oil generally has a defined density standard to show the quality of the oil. The purpose of this study is to determine oil density simply by applying Archimedes' law. This research was conducted in three steps. First, the measurement of the empty pycnometer. Second, the measurement of the pycnometer mass containing distilled water and oil. Third, measurement of copper mass in the medium of air, distilled water and oil. From the results of measurements and calculations, the obtained density of distilled water is (0.995 ± 3,582 x 10-4) gr/cm3 whose value is very close to the value of 1 gr/cm3 so that the distilled water used in this study is suitable as a reference/standard in finding volume copper; oil density is (0.868 ± 2.14 x 10-3) gr/cm3 whose value is very close to the value of oil density measured and calculated with a pycnometer of (0.875 ± 4.637 x 10-4) gr/cm3.
Modelling solar enhanced waste stabilization pond
Authors: Utsev J. T. , Agunwamba J. C.
Published: March 2020

Solar enhanced waste stabilization pond (SEWSP) was modeled in this research. In the analysis, SEWSPs of varying sizes, made of metallic tanks with inlet and outlet valves and solar reflectors, were constructed to increase the incident solar intensity. Wastewater samples collected from the inlet and outlet of the SEWSPs were examined for physico-chemical and biological characteristics for a period of twelve (12) months. The parameters examined were temperature, pH, detention time, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), algae count, faecal coliforms and E. coli. The efficiencies of the SEWSPs with respect to these parameters fluctuated with depth, location of reflectors and variation in width. The SEWSP with a width of 0.2 m whose reflector was installed at the outlet position gave the highest treatment efficiency. The conventional model was modified to account for solar irradiation. The faecal bacteria removal was significantly higher in the enhanced pond than in the conventional pond at 0.10 level of significance. The verification of the conventional model gave a good correlation of r = 0.882 between the measured and calculated Ne/No with a low standard error of s = 0.010, while the irradiated pond gave a correlation and standard error of r = 0.959 and s = 0.012 respectively. The research revealed that with the incorporation of solar radiation in WSPs, a length/ width/depth ratio of 1:0.2:0.2 can be used in the design of SEWSPs for maximum treatment efficiency.
ISO 55001 Certification at EPAL – the pains and the gains
Authors: Capela M. , Santos A. , Luís A.
Published: March 2020

In the second half of the 2000s, EPAL developed an integrated approach to asset management, designed according to the logic of PAS 55. Since then, asset management has been recognized as an invaluable function within the company and the portfolio of measures identified in the above-mentioned integrated approach has been implemented. With the release, in 2014, of ISO 55001, certification of the asset management system was made possible. Given the work already developed towards the deployment of asset management at EPAL, and because this had been based in the PAS 55 philosophy, EPAL was well positioned to obtain the ISO certification. The key challenges regarding the above-mentioned process were associated more with the implementation of the asset management at EPAL, rather than with the certification in itself. Because asset management was already an established practice at EPAL, key benefits of the certification are related to the documentation of such practice, which is something very important that was missing. Preparing for the certification also enabled the redesign of the Corporate Management System in order to meet the ISO and appendix SL requirements, making it more robust. And, of course, ISO 55001 certification became an asset in terms of image and reputation for EPAL!.
Dynamic grit chamber modelling: dealing with particle settling velocity distributions
Authors: Plana Queralt , Lessard Paul , Vanrolleghem Peter A.
Published: March 2020

Grit chambers are meant to reduce the impact of inorganic particles on equipment and processes downstream. Despite their important role, characterization and modelling studies of these process units are scarce, leading to a lack of knowledge and suboptimal operation. Thus, this study presents the first dynamic model, based on mass balances and particle settling velocity distributions, for use in a water resource recovery facility (WRRF) simulator for design and optimization of grit removal units.
A Defense Mechanism Based on Improved Allocation Strategy of VMs Co-Resident Attack in Power Cloud Platform
Authors: Li Yuancheng , Zhang Pan , Li Daoxing , Zeng Jing
Published: March 2020

Background:

Cloud platform is widely applied in the field of electric power. Virtual machine
co-resident attack is one of the fundamental security threats to the existing power cloud platform.

Objective:

This paper addresses a mechanism so as to defend virtual machine co-resident attack on
power cloud platform.

Methods:

Our defense mechanism wields the DBSCAN algorithm to classify the results through the
random forest and adopted improved virtual machine deployment strategy which combines the advantages
of random round robin strategy and maximum/minimum resource strategy so as to deploy
virtual machines.

Results:

We made a simulation experiment on power cloud platform of State Grid and verified the
effectiveness of proposed defense deployment strategy.

Conclusion:

After the virtual machine deployment strategy is improved, the coverage of the virtual machine is remarkably reduced which proves that our defense mechanism achieves some effect of defending the virtual machine from virtual machine co-resident attack.
Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly with Hearing Impairment
Authors: Lee Youngmee , Park Sungil , Lee Soo Jung
Published: March 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly with hearing impairment.Methods: We studied 23 hearing-impaired elderly persons aged 60 years or older. The participants underwent audiometric, neuropsychological, and depression assessments. Neuropsychological tests were subsumed in specific cognitive domains (general cognition, semantic memory, processing speed, executive function). The short version of the geriatric depression scale was administered to obtain depressive symptom scores for each subject.Results: First, among audiometric variables, the pure-tone threshold average, sentence-in-noise recognition scores, and hearing handicap scores were significantly correlated with the depressive symptom scores. Second, among neuropsychological variables, the reaction time on the part A of the Korean version of trail making test for the elderly (K-TMT-E), which is reflective of processing speed, was correlated with the depressive symptom scores. Also, the reaction time on the part B of the K-TMT-E, which is reflective of executive function, was correlated with the depressive symptom scores. Lastly, in the stepwise regression analysis, the pure-tone threshold average and the reaction time on the part B of the K-TMT-E were found to be factors significantly associated with depressive symptom scores.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, for the hearing-impaired elderly, hearing threshold levels and executive function, especially cognitive flexibility are significant factors associated with depression levels.
PURCHASING FAST-FASHION IN INDONESIA: DO WE LIKE IT OR DO WE HAVE TO LIKE IT?
Authors: Rostiani Rokhima , Kuron Jessica
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Fast-fashion has been contributing to the growth of fashion industry globally by shortening its life cycle and transformed the behavior of companies as well as younger consumers. Background Problems: Younger consumers generally motivated to purchase products, especially those image-enhancing, not only externally (e.g. subjective norms and behavioral control) but also internally (e.g. intention to look good, positive attitude) yet it is unclear which motivation is more dominant factors. Novelty: This study combine two concepts namely theory of planned behavior that explained how internal and external motivation shaped younger consumer purchasing behavior and trait of vanity as the internal motivation that drive them to purchase fast-fashion. Research Methods: This study was conducted through online survey to young consumers who are active in social media for data collection, resulting in 336 valid responses and analyzed with structural equation modeling. Findings/Results: It was found that attitude was the most important determinant of purchase intention, followed by physical vanity, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Further, perceived behavioral control also have significant positive relationship with purchasing behavior. Conclusion: Younger consumers are more affected by their intrinsic motivation to consume fast-fashion compared to extrinsic motivation from society. This information is useful for marketers to improve their communication strategy by emphasizing individual values that may shape positive attitude such as quality and comfort.
PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND CORRUPTION IN INDONESIA: A PANEL COINTEGRATION AND CAUSALITY ANALYSIS
Authors: Triwibowo Sugeng
Published: March 2020

Introduction: This paper aims to examine the relationship between the quality of public financial management and corruption in Indonesia. Background Problems: Despite the impressive progress on the quality of public financial management (PFM) after the financial reforms, Indonesia is still struggling to combat corruption. This raises the question of the effectiveness of the public financial reforms that have been carried out in support of the eradication of corruption. Novelty: This study found empirical evidence of a significant long-run and causal relationship between the quality of public financial management and corruption. Research Methods: This study employs panel cointegration and causality analysis with panel data from the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), and audit opinions for the period from 2006 to 2017. Findings/Results: This study found empirical evidence of the existence of a long-run relationship between the quality of public financial management and corruption and can verify the significant causal relationship between them. In the long run, sound public financial management could significantly encourage clean government. Conclusion: The Government of Indonesia (GoI) should continue its commitment to improve the management of public finances. Meanwhile, the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI)[A1]  is expected to strengthen its role to prevent and detect corruption, and to continuously enhance its methods and capacity to improve the execution of its duties and authority.