bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erlotinib Versus Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin as Neoadjuvant Treatment of Stage IIIA-N2 EGFR-Mutant Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer (EMERGING-CTONG 1103): A Randomized Phase II Study
Authors: Zhong Wen-Zhao , Chen Ke-Neng , Chen Chun , Gu Chun-Dong , Wang Jun , Yang Xue-Ning , Mao Wei-Min , Wang Qun , Qiao Gui-Bin , Cheng Ying , Xu Lin , Wang Chang-Li , Chen Ming-Wei , Kang Xiaozheng , Yan Wanpu , Yan Hong-Hong , Liao Ri-Qiang , Yang Jin-Ji , Zhang Xu-Chao , Zhou Qing , Wu Yi-Long
Published: June 2019

PURPOSE

To assess the benefits of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies in locally advanced EGFR mutation-positive non–small-cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a multicenter (17 centers in China), open-label, phase II, randomized controlled trial of erlotinib versus gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC chemotherapy) as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy in patients with stage IIIA-N2 non–small-cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations in exon 19 or 21 (EMERGING). Patients received erlotinib 150 mg/d (neoadjuvant therapy, 42 days; adjuvant therapy, up to 12 months) or gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m2 (neoadjuvant therapy, two cycles; adjuvant therapy, up to two cycles). Assessments were performed at 6 weeks and every 3 months postsurgery. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1; secondary end points were pathologic complete response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, safety, and tolerability.

RESULTS

Of 386 patients screened, 72 were randomly assigned to treatment (intention-to-treat population), and 71 were included in the safety analysis (one patient withdrew before treatment). The ORR for neoadjuvant erlotinib versus GC chemotherapy was 54.1% versus 34.3% (odds ratio, 2.26; 95% CI, 0.87 to 5.84; P = .092). No pathologic complete response was identified in either arm. Three (9.7%) of 31 patients and zero of 23 patients in the erlotinib and GC chemotherapy arms, respectively, had a major pathologic response. Median PFS was significantly longer with erlotinib (21.5 months) versus GC chemotherapy (11.4 months; hazard ratio, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.67; P < .001). Observed adverse events reflected those most commonly seen with the two treatments.

CONCLUSION

The primary end point of ORR with 42 days of neoadjuvant erlotinib was not met, but the secondary end point PFS was significantly improved.
Collaborative Molecular Epidemiology Study of Metabolic Dysregulation, DNA Methylation, and Breast Cancer Risk Among Nigerian Women: MEND Study Objectives and Design
Authors: Akinyemiju Tomi , Salako Omolola , Daramola Adetola , Alatise Olusegun , Adeniyi Adewale , Ogun Gabriel , Ayandipo Omobolaji , Olajide Thomas , Olasehinde Olalekan , Arowolo Olukayode , Adisa Adewale , Afuwape Oludolapo , Olusanya Aralola , Adegoke Aderemi , Ojo Akinlolu , Tollefsbol Trygve , Arnett Donna
Published: June 2019

PURPOSE

To elucidate the role of metabolic dysregulation and associated DNA methylation changes on breast cancer risk and aggressive subtypes among Nigerian women. We describe the design and methods of a collaborative molecular epidemiology study of breast cancer in Nigerian hospitals.

METHODS

The Mechanisms for Novel and Established Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Women of Nigerian Descent (MEND) study was designed as a matched case-control study of 350 patients, age 18 to 75 years, with newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve breast cancer and 350 age-matched healthy controls from surrounding geographic areas. Patients with breast cancer seen for initial diagnosis at four large tertiary hospitals in southwest Nigeria and one affiliated private hospital were recruited. Healthy female controls were selected from a cohort of 4,000 healthy women recruited as part of the Human Heredity and Health (H3) in Africa Chronic Kidney Disease Case-Control Study in Nigeria. Tumor and adjacent normal tissue, and blood and saliva samples were collected for molecular and epigenetic assays.

RESULTS

Although recruitment is ongoing, a total of 416 patients have been recruited to date, with tumor and blood samples obtained from at least 310 patients. Data on age-matched (± 6 months) controls have also been obtained and harmonized. Lipid assays for 350 pathologically verified cases and 350 age-matched controls is underway, and pathologic characterization of tumors (including immunohistochemistry for subtyping) is ongoing. Data on DNA methylation for tumors and adjacent normal tissue are expected by the end of the study period.

CONCLUSION

The MEND study will provide a unique, high-quality source of data to evaluate the contribution of metabolic dysregulation such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome to the biology of breast cancer among Nigerian women and foster collaborative studies relevant for women of African descent globally.
The role of lateral optic flow cues in hawkmoth flight control
Authors: Stöckl Anna , Grittner Rebecca , Pfeiffer Keram
Published: June 2019

Flying animals require sensory feedback on changes of their body position, as well as on their distance to nearby objects. The apparent image motion, or optic flow, which is generated as animals move through the air, can provide this information. Flight tunnel experiments have been crucial for our understanding of how insects use this optic flow for flight control in confined spaces. However, previous work mainly focused on species from two insect orders: Hymenoptera and Diptera. We therefore set out to investigate if the previously described control strategies to navigate enclosed environments are also used by insects with a different optical system, flight kinematics and phylogenetic background. We tested the role of lateral visual cues for forward flight control in the hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera), which possess superposition compound eyes, and have the ability to hover in addition to their fast forward flight capacities. Our results show that hawkmoths use a similar strategy for lateral position control as bees and flies in balancing the magnitude of translational optic flow perceived in both eyes. However, the control of lateral optic flow on flight speed in hawkmoths differed from that in bees and flies. Moreover, hawkmoths showed individually attributable differences in position and speed control when the presented optic flow was unbalanced.
MRI-based treatment planning for liver stereotactic body radiotherapy: validation of a deep learning-based synthetic CT generation method
Authors: Liu Yingzi , Lei Yang , Wang Tonghe , Kayode Oluwatosin , Tian Sibo , Liu Tian , Patel Pretesh , Curran Walter J. , Ren Lei , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: June 2019

Objective:

The purpose of this work is to develop and validate a learning-based method to derive electron density from routine anatomical MRI for potential MRI-based SBRT treatment planning.

Methods:

We proposed to integrate dense block into cycle generative adversarial network (GAN) to effectively capture the relationship between the CT and MRI for CT synthesis. A cohort of 21 patients with co-registered CT and MR pairs were used to evaluate our proposed method by the leave-one-out cross-validation. Mean absolute error, peak signal-to-noise ratio and normalized cross-correlation were used to quantify the imaging differences between the synthetic CT (sCT) and CT. The accuracy of Hounsfield unit (HU) values in sCT for dose calculation was evaluated by comparing the dose distribution in sCT-based and CT-based treatment planning. Clinically relevant dose–volume histogram metrics were then extracted from the sCT-based and CT-based plans for quantitative comparison.

Results:

The mean absolute error, peak signal-to-noise ratio and normalized cross-correlation of the sCT were 72.87 ± 18.16 HU, 22.65 ± 3.63 dB and 0.92 ± 0.04, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the majority of the planning target volume and organ at risk dose–volume histogram metrics ( p  >  0.05). The average pass rate of γ analysis was over 99% with 1%/1 mm acceptance criteria on the coronal plane that intersects with isocenter.

Conclusion:

The image similarity and dosimetric agreement between sCT and original CT warrant further development of an MRI-only workflow for liver stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Advances in knowledge:

This work is the first deep-learning-based approach to generating abdominal sCT through dense-cycle-GAN. This method can successfully generate the small bony structures such as the rib bones and is able to predict the HU values for dose calculation with comparable accuracy to reference CT images.
In-hospital mortality associated with transcatheter arterial embolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients on hemodialysis for end stage renal disease: a matched-pair cohort study using a nationwide database
Authors: Sato Masaya , Tateishi Ryosuke , Yasunaga Hideo , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Ikeda Hitoshi , Yatomi Yutaka , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: June 2019

Objectives:

No previous study has evaluated the risks associated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients on hemodialysis (HD) for end stage renal disease (ESRD), because invasive treatment is rarely performed for such patients. We used a nationwide database to investigate in-hospital mortality and complication rates following TACE in patients on HD for ESRD.

Methods:

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we enrolled patients on HD for ESRD who underwent TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma. For each patient, we randomly selected up to four non-dialyzed patients using a matched-pair sampling method based on the patient’s age, sex, treatment hospital, and treatment year. In-hospital mortality and complication rates were compared between dialyzed and non-dialyzed patients following TACE.

Results:

We compared matched pairs of 1551 dialyzed and 5585 non-dialyzed patients. Although the complication rate did not differ between the dialyzed and non-dialyzed ESRD patients [5.7% vs 5.8%, respectively; odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval (0.79–1.23); p = 0.90], the in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in dialyzed ESRD patients than in non-dialyzed patients [2.2% vs 0.97%, respectively; odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval (1.44–3.40); p < 0.001]. Among the dialyzed patients, the mortality rate was not significantly associated with sex, age, Charlson comorbidity index, or hospital volume.

Conclusions:

The in-hospital mortality rate following TACE was 2.2 % and was significantly higher in dialyzed than in non-dialyzed ESRD patients. The indications for TACE in HD-dependent patients should be considered carefully with respect to the therapeutic benefits vs risks.

Advances in knowledge:

In hospital mortality rate following TACE in dialyzed patients was more than twice compared to non-dialyzed patients. Post-procedural complication following TAE in ESRD onHD patients was 5.7%, and did not differ from that in non dialyzed patients.
Intervening along the spectrum of tuberculosis: meeting report from the World TB Day nanosymposium in the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cape Town
Authors: Hadebe Sabelo , Chengalroyen Melissa , Guler Reto , Nakedi Kehilwe , Koch Anastasia , Makatsa Mohau , Shey Muki , Parihar Suraj P. , Bryson Bryan , Marakalala Mohlopheni J. , Ndlovu Hlumani
Published: June 2019

Tuberculosis, caused by the highly infectious Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 1.6 million associated deaths reported in 2017. In South Africa, an estimated 322,000 people were infected with TB in 2017, and a quarter of them lost their lives due to the disease. Bacille Calmette-Guérin remains the only effective vaccine against disseminated TB, but its inability to confer complete protection against pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults calls for an urgent need to develop new and better vaccines. There is also a need to identify markers of disease protection and develop novel drugs. On March 25th 2019, the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cape Town hosted the second annual World TB Day nanosymposium. The theme of the nanosymposium was “Intervening across the spectrum of TB II” and the goal was to commemorate World TB Day by showcasing research insights shared by early-career scientists and researchers in the field. The speakers spoke on four broad topics: identification of novel drug targets, development of host-directed drug therapies, transmission of tuberculosis and immunology of TB/HIV co-infections. Assistant Professor Bryan Bryson gave a highly interesting keynote address that showcased the application of engineering tools to answer fundamental biological questions, particularly in the context of tuberculosis.
O grupo “Trilhando Saúde”: uma experiência para atuação na Atenção Básica à Saúde em Florianópolis
Authors: Blum Rukmini Amaral , Quinaud Ricardo Teixeira , Rech Cassiano Ricardo , Marinho Alcyane
Published: June 2019

Este trabalho descreve a experiência de implementação e desenvolvimento do grupo de Atividade Física e Saúde, denominado “Trilhando Saúde”, com foco nas atividades de aventura na natureza, na Atenção Básica à Saúde de Florianópolis. Realizou-se a sistematização das experiências vivenciadas entre março de 2017 a dezembro de 2018, confrontadas com discussões de referenciais teóricos. O planejamento e o modelo lógico de funcionamento do grupo “Trilhando Saúde” procuram desenvolver o papel ativo de coparticipação e corresponsabilidade dos profissionais da saúde, de diferentes áreas de atuação, bem como dos participantes do grupo. Além disso, pelas atividades serem realizadas em meio à natureza possibilita a exploração do território e propicia a discussão de temas acerca da realidade do bairro. A implementação de um grupo de atividade física em meio a natureza demonstra mais uma possibilidade de atuação junto à comunidade e potencializadora da interação dos moradores no bairro.
Leg care: improving assessment and adherence
Authors: Payne Drew
Published: June 2019

Oedema, a swelling caused by a build-up of fluid inside the tissues, can cause discomfort and lead to a range of other conditions, including leg ulcers. Therefore, treatment to improve circulation is key; Drew Payne explains how to choose hosiery and increase adherence
The role of gut bacteria in healthy ageing
Authors: Naghibi Malwina , Day Richard
Published: June 2019

There are many factors that contribute to healthy ageing, one of which is the composition of the gut bacteria. This rapidly-growing research subject has led to some important insights; Malwina Naghibi and Richard Day discuss the latest developments.
The therapeutic benefits of beauty products
Authors: Anthony Kelly
Published: June 2019

Sensory experiences are important for residents living with dementia and these can help improve their quality of life. Kelly Anthony describes her involvement in organising beauty and make-up sessions in care homes.
Species diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Heliconia spp. collections of Purwodadi Botanic Garden (East Java, Indonesia) inferred by rbcL gene sequences
Authors: HAPSARI LIA , TRIMANTO TRIMANTO , WAHYUDI DIDIK
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Hapsari L, Trimanto, Wahyudi D. 2019. Species diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Heliconia spp. collections of Purwodadi Botanic Garden (East Java, Indonesia) inferred by rbcL gene sequences. Biodiversitas 20: 1266-1283. Heliconia L. is a single genus in the family Heliconiaceae, with approximate consists of 200 species. It has wide morphological variations among and within species which led to problems in species identification. Species diversity and phylogenetic analysis using morphology and rbcL marker subjected to 17 Heliconia spp. living collections of Purwodadi Botanic Garden (PBG) have been conducted. The rbcL gene located in chloroplast genome is one of appropriate proposed marker for plant barcoding assessment. This study aimed to study morphology and genetic variability of the PBG Heliconiaceae collections, to confirms the species name for a more accurate identity record and to reveal the diversity and phylogenetics of the species. Morphological characterization showed high variability among Heliconia species, which included 3 subgenera (Heliconia, Stenochlamys, and Griggsia) and 1 hybrid. Each species possessed unique morphological characteristics. The common morphological characters which distinguished among and within Heliconia species includes leaf form, inflorescence type, and bract characteristics. Key to the Heliconia species examined is presented in this paper. However, molecular confirmation using rbcL sequences showed high conservation level (0.932) and low genetic variability. About 656 nucleotides were monomorphic and 33 positions were polymorphic which comprised 18 singleton variable sites and 15 parsimony informative sites. Twelve haplotypes were produced with haplotype diversity value 0.8952. Pairwise distance analysis shows that they were shared high similarity of rbcL sequences with very low genetic distance (0.022 to 0.000). The topology of phylogenetic tree resulted by Neighbour-Joining algorithm has the best grouping and be able to explain the relationship among species of Heliconia, although supported by low bootstrap (65). It was separated into two clades following its subgen. classification. Clade 1 consists of subgen. Heliconia and Griggsia; while clade 2 consists of subgen. Heliconia and Stenochlamys; also hybrid species. Further, separation of deeper branchings (section) was inconsistent and unclear. Upon this study, rbcL marker was considered too conserved thus less valuable for phylogenetic analysis at lower taxa among and within Heliconia spp. However, rbcL was suggested to distinguish at higher level taxa between closely related genus and above.
Changes of ecological wisdom of Sundanese People on conservation of wild animals: A case study in Upper Cisokan Watershed, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: PERMANA SIDIK , ISKANDAR JOHAN , PARIKESIT PARIKESIT , HUSODO TEGUH , MEGANTARA ERRI N , PARTASASMITA RUHYAT
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Permana S, Iskandar J, Parikesit, Husodo T, Megantara EN, Partasasmita R. 2019. Changes of ecological wisdom of Sundanese People on conservation of wild animals: A case study in Upper Cisokan Watershed, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1284-1293. In the past Sundanese rural people had a very close relationship with the environment. They utilize natural resources based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and is strongly influenced by their perception of nature. This article elucidates the mythology of Sundanese rural people on wild animals and the changes of rural people perceptions and their behavior to wild animals in the rural ecosystem based on a case study in Bojong Salam and Sukaresmi villages, Rongga district, West Bandung, the upper Cisokan watershed, West Java. Method used in this study was qualitative, while some techniques, including observation, participant observation, and semi-structured interview were applied. The result of study showed that in the past Sundanese the rural people of Upper Cisokan watershed, West Bandung, West Java owned myths on some wild animals that is inherited from their ancestor through oral and using mother language. The influence of these myths on wild animals caused the rural people had prohibited to kill these animals and important role for traditional conservation. Nowadays, however, some myths on wild animals of rural people have not eroded or not recognized by young generations. Consequently, some taboos in hunting and catching animal based on myths on wild animals have tended not been applied to conserve wild animals traditionally. Therefore, to develop appropriate nature conservation, the biophysical, the socio-economic and cultural aspects must be holistically considered.
The presence of microplastics in the digestive tract of commercial fishes off Pantai Indah Kapuk coast, Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: HASTUTI AYU RAMADHINI , LUMBANBATU DJAMAR TF , WARDIATNO YUSLI
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Hastuti AR, Lumbanbatu DTF, Wardiatno Y. 2019. The presence of microplastics in the digestive tract of commercial fishes off Pantai Indah Kapuk coast, Jakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1233-1242. Microplastics in fishes have been reported in many studies due to their threat to marine fishes and human health. But only a few data exist on commercial fish for human consumption in Indonesia. This study revealed the presence of microplastics in the digestive tract of 9 commercial species collected from six sites along the Pantai Indah Kapuk coast. Ingested microplastics were identified using gut content analysis. Microplastic particles were counted and categorized by type, color, and size. 169 of 174 (97.13%) of examined fish had microplastics. A total of 2063 microplastic particles were collected with the average number of particles per individual of 12.21 ± 9.76. The highest number (20.0 ± 8.0 particles individual-1) was found in Sardinella fimbriata and the lowest one (4.9 ± 4.7 particles individual-1) was found in Oreochromis mossambicus. Majority of ingested particles were fibers (89.63%), followed by fragments (6.24%), films (4.13%) and no pellets were observed. In terms of color, the most abundant were transparent particles (79.20%), followed by blue (7.03%), red (3.54%), black (2.86%), green (2.71%), and others which were found in low number. The highest number of fibers by size was <20-100 µm (55.03%), films were 100 - 1000 µm (33.93%), and fragments were <100 µm (25.25%). Microplastics ingested per individual in each species were not correlated to total body length, total body weight, digestive tract length, digestive content weight, mouth height, and mouth length.
Diversity of mammals in forest patches of Cisokan, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: HUSODO TEGUH , FEBRIANTO PUPUT , MEGANTARA ERRI NOVIAR , SHANIDA SYA SYA , PUJIANTO MUHAMMAD PAHLA
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Husodo T, Febrianto P, Megantara EN, Shanida SS, Pujianto MP. 2019. Diversity of mammals in forest patches of Cisokan, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1281-1288.  Most species on Java, Indonesia are ecologically associated with or dependent on forests, the island’s high deforestation rates are a major threat to its species. Until now, various efforts to conserve mammals are still focused on natural ecosystems, such as forests. There has not been much research on mammals carried out specifically in non-conservation forest areas, whereas many regions in Indonesia have extensive community lands in the landscape and are directed to be areas that have a conservation function, besides still functioning as a production system. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the diversity of mammals that are still found in Cisokan especially those that have high conservation status and their habitat. Combination of several research methods applied, such as semi-structured interview, sign survey, direct observation, camera trapping, and collapsible trap. Mammalian diversity in the Cisokan forest patched is found in 26 species and among them are endangered species, such as Javan Leopard, Pangolin, and Slow Loris. These three species occupy diverse land cover from natural forest to human lands, such as production forests, settlements, rice fields, and agroforestry or mixed gardens. The existence of these species on human land has the potential for human-wildlife conflict, so it needs to be studied further in wildlife management in Cisokan.
The potential of indigenous bacteria from oil sludge for biosurfactant production using hydrolysate of agricultural waste
Authors: NI’MATUZAHROH NI’MATUZAHROH , SARI SILVIA KURNIA , NINGRUM IRINE PUSPA , PUSFITA APRILLA DILA , MARJAYANDARI LISA , TRIKURNIADEWI NASTITI , IBRAHIM SYAHRIAR NUR MAULANA MALIK , FATIMAH FATIMAH , NURHARIYATI TRI , SURTININGSIH TINI , YULIANI HANIF
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Ni’matuzahroh, Sari SK, Ningrum IP, Pusfita AD, Marjayandari L, Trikurniadewi N, Ibrahim SNMM, Fatimah, Nurhariyati T, Surtiningsih T, Yuliani H. 2019. The potential of indigenous bacteria from oil sludge for biosurfactant production using hydrolysate of agricultural waste. Biodiversitas 20: 1374-1379. Biosurfactants are amphipathic compounds which are useful in various fields of health, industry, and remediation. Biosurfactants are produced by bacteria that grow in hydrocarbon or sugar substrates. Hydrolysis product of agricultural waste can be used as a biosurfactant production medium. This research aims to obtain biosurfactant producing bacteria from Balongan oil sludge, Indonesia. The ability to grow and produce biosurfactant by indigenous bacteria was tested using a medium of Synthetic Mineral Water (SMW) added by 209.3 ppm of rice straw hydrolysis product (RSHP). The growth of bacteria was evaluated through Total Plate Count (TPC) and biosurfactant production was evaluated through measurement of emulsification activity and surface tension. Six indigenous bacteria were capable to produce biosurfactants in the RSHP. Emulsification activity was not detected, but surface tension reduction was founded. The best biosurfactant was indicated by surface tension value of 53.56 mN/m with TPC value of 20.07 CFU/mL at the 5th day of incubation by BP (1) 5. The indigenous bacteria were identified as Propionibacterium BP (1) 1, Propionibacterium BP (1) 3, Bacillus BP (1) 4, Corynebacterium BP (1) 5, Corynebacterium BP (1) 8, and Rothia BP (1) 6. Utilization of sugar as hydrolysis product of agricultural waste is an innovation of raw materials for biosurfactant production.
Searching for potential wood biomass for green energy feedstock: A study in tropical swamp-peat forest of Kutai Kertanegara, Indonesia
Authors: AMIRTA RUDIANTO , HAQIQI MUHAMMAD TAUFIQ , SAPARWADI SAPARWADI , SEPTIA ELIS , MUJIASIH DEWI , SETIAWAN KRISNA ADIB , SEKEDANG MUHAMMAD AFIF , YULIANSYAH YULIANSYAH , WIJAYA AKHMAD , SETIYONO BUDHI , SUWINARTI WIWIN
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Amirta R, Haqiqi MT, Saparwadi, Septia E, Mujiasih D, Setiawan KA, Sekedang MA, Yuliansyah, Wijaya A, Setiyono B, Suwinarti W. 2019. Searching for potential wood biomass for green energy feedstock: A study in tropical swamp-peat forest of Kutai Kertanegara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1516-1523. Recently, much attention has been focused on finding suitable plant species, from different forest ecosystems, having the potential to be used as sources of renewable energy. Most of such information was reported from the lowland forest area and only limited information is available regarding swamp-peat forest species, including their energy potency. Therefore, in this paper, plant diversity and energy potency of swamp-peat forest wood biomass were studied to reveal their potential as green energy feedstock. Physico-chemical characterization of wood biomass was performed using the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) protocols. Twenty-seven species of plants, consisting of 23 trees and 4 shrubs, belonging to 19 families were identified, amongst which Shorea balangeran had the highest importance value index (87.72%). The results showed that T. obovata exhibit the highest suitability to be used as energy feedstock indicated by the highest energy production of 4.60 MWh per ton of dry biomass, followed by L. indica (4.56 MWh/ton), D. excelsa (5.52 MWh/ton), F. rukam (4.20 MWh/ton), P. galeata (3.66 MWh/ton), S. caudatilimbum (3.61 MWh/ton), A. elmeri (3.59 MWh/ton), G. nervosa (3.49 MWh/ton) and G. bancana (3.42 MWh/ton). The high density of wood species correlated with the high value of energy potency. In contrast, the fast-growing tree and shrub species, such as K. hospita (1.76 MWh/ton), C. odorata (1.36 MWh/ton) and O. sumatrana (1.17 MWh/ton), showed lower energy potency. The most dominant plant species, S. balangeran gave only 2.96 MWh energy per ton of dry biomass and it was classified in the middle group of plant species suitable as green energy feedstock, along with other species, such as C. brachiata, C. rotundatus, P. javanicum, V. umbonata, L. speciosa, V. pinnata, and A. longifolius. Due to suitable energy properties, growth rate and also adaptability of this woody biomass, they can be exploited to support sustainable supply of biomass feedstock for the green electricity program in the study area.
Short Communication: Leaf architectural analysis of taxonomically confusing coffee species: Coffea liberica and Coffea liberica var. dewevrei
Authors: BALTAZAR ALCONA MAE P , BUOT INOCENCIO Jr E
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Baltazar AMP, Buot JrIE. 2019. Short Communication: Leaf architectural analysis of taxonomically confusing coffee species: Coffea liberica and Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. Biodiversitas 20: 1560-1567. Coffee is considered as one of the most important crops. The Philippines is known to produce four coffee varieties namely: Arabica (Coffea arabica), Robusta (Coffea canephora), Excelsa (Coffea liberica var. dewevrei) and Liberica (Coffea liberica). Further, the taxonomy of C. liberica and C. liberica var. dewevrei is still unclear. Since its earliest publication, the relationship of the two taxa have been confusing many taxonomists and also farmers. The status of the two confusing taxa are still under discussions due to contradicting evidence inferred from morphological and molecular data. The two taxa have been claimed as separated species but the markers are considered inconsistent in the field. This study has tried to examine the leaf architectural characters of both species as these have been known to be genetically fixed. Leaf samples of each species including C. canephora (outgroup) were collected and examined. Results showed that the two taxa were found to be different in laminar size, domatia distribution, major secondary attachment, and intercostal tertiary veins. Cluster analysis revealed that they are grouped separately. However, the rank of C. liberica var. dewevrei cannot be decided yet until further taxonomic study, particularly on the anatomy and distribution pattern of domatia, is completed.
Isolation and identification of caffeine-degrading bacteria from soil, coffee pulp waste and excreted coffee bean in Luwak feces
Authors: ISWANTO TOTO , SHOVITRI MAYA , ALTWAY ALI , WIDJAJA TRI , KUSUMAWATI DINIHARI INDAH , LISDIYANTI PUSPITA
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Iswanto T, Shovitri M, Altway A, Widjaja T, Kusumawati DI, Lisdiyanti P. 2019. Isolation and identification of caffeine-degrading bacteria from soil, coffee pulp waste and excreted coffee bean in Luwak feces. Biodiversitas 20: 1580-1587. The present study deals with the isolation and identification of caffeine-degrading bacteria obtained from the caffeine contaminated environment or caffeinated wastes. These bacteria are useful for various biotechnological applications especially in increasing the potential utilization of caffeinated wastes and producing the high-value chemicals. The suspected caffeine-degrading bacteria have been isolated from the soil of coffee plantation area, coffee pulp waste, and the excreted coffee bean in fresh feces of Luwak (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus or Asian Palm Civet) by growing them on the caffeinated agar medium (CAM) containing basal salt medium (M9) and caffeine as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. CAM-supplemented with 1.5 to 10 g L-1 of caffeine has been used for screening of the potential bacteria which able to grow in high caffeine concentration. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequence was performed to identify the selected bacteria. The result revealed that there were 11 and 3 strains of 12 selected bacteria which could grow on the CAM-supplemented with caffeine up to 7 and 10 g L-1, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis, those bacteria were from 5 Gram-negative species, namely Pseudomonas japonica (4/12), Methylobacterium populi (5/12), Raoultella ornithinolytica (1/12), Klebsiella quasipneumoniae (1/12), and Stenotrophomonas chelatiphaga (1/12). Further investigations to determine their metabolic pathway, enzyme, and growth kinetics in the caffeinated medium may provide insights into its possible utilization for scientific or other applications.
Macrozoobenthos community structure in the Western Segara Anakan Lagoon, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: RIMADIYANI WIYARTI , KRISANTI MAJARIANA , SULISTIONO SULISTIONO
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Rimadiyani W, Krisanti M, Sulistiono. 2019. Macrozoobenthos community structure in the Western Segara Anakan Lagoon, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1588-1596. Anthropogenic activity along the river and around the coastal area will potentially generate waste as it can cause the decline of water quality and affect the lives of macrozoobenthos. This study aimed to study macrozoobenthos community structure in western Segara Anakan Lagoon and its relationship with water physical-chemical quality. The study was conducted from June to November 2016, at six stations of the lagoon. Macrozoobenthos obtained during the study consisted of four phyla (Annelida, Mollusca, Crustacea, and Sipuncula), six classes, and 33 genera. The highest abundance of macrozoobenthos was at Station 6 (193 ind./m2) dominated by Malacostraca and the lowest abundance of macrozoobenthos was at Station 1 (13 ind./m2) dominated by Bivalvia. Diversity, Evenness and dominance indices of the macrozoobenthos were 0.0-2.0, 0-0.8, and 0.4-1.0, respectively, indicating a medium ecologically stressed. Mud substrate condition with high percentage of organic material affected the community structure of the macrozoobenthos expressed by a high density and diversity, but low dominance indices.
Variation on growth and yield traits among selected Phaseolus vulgaris landraces in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: NDLANGAMANDLA VALENCIA VUYISILE , NTULI NONTUTHUKO ROSEMARY
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Ndlangamandla VV, Ntuli NR. 2019. Variation on growth and yield traits among selected Phaseolus vulgaris landraces in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Biodiversitas 20: 1597-1605. Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean) of American origin is grown worldwide for edible leaves, immature pods and dry seeds. This is the first comprehensive study conducted on variation among P. vulgaris landraces in South Africa. This study aimed to characterize variability in morpho-agronomic traits of P. vulgaris landraces. Twenty landraces were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Variations in germination percentage as well as in stem, leaf, pod and seed traits were determined. Significant variations were recorded in all vegetative and reproductive traits except germination percentage and seed thickness. Vegetative traits correlated positively with each other, whereas reproductive traits correlated positively with both traits. Positive association of almost all traits with first and second components in a principal component analysis and biplot indicated them as potential discriminatory traits for landraces. The biplot and dendrogram associated landraces mainly according to their seed colour as well as growth and yield traits. This study revealed the potential vegetative and reproductive traits that can be used to select vigorously growing and high-yielding P. vulgaris landraces for future large-scale farming and breeding in South Africa. These traits could potentially result in desired plants with big stems, many branches, and numerous and broad leaves with high chlorophyll content, which will yield many, long and wide pods as well as many and heavy seeds. The taller landraces (D-50M50LB-Cl, D-50P50C-Cl, E-100YG-Cl, E-25YG-Cu, E-50M50LB-Cu, E-50B50C-Cl and E-50DB50C-Cl) from KwaZulu-Natal show good potential for future large-scale farming and breeding for vigorous growth as well as high pod and seed yield.
CO2 fluxes from drained tropical peatland used for oil palm plantation in relation to peat characteristics and crop age after planting
Authors: GUSMAYANTI EVI , ANSHARI GUSTI Z , PRAMULYA MUHAMMAD , RULIYANSYAH AGUS
Published: June 2019

Large expansion of oil palm plantation on peatland has changed its important role for carbon sink into a carbon source.  Conversion of peat swamp forest with high carbon density into a monoculture of oil palm has released the significant amount of carbon into atmosphere either carbon previously stored in forest biomass or carbon stored in peat organic matter.  Drainage canal to artificially lower groundwater level as a prerequisite of oil palm cultivation provides the favorable condition for soil microbes activities in decomposing peat organic matter resulted in CO2 flux increase.  The fluctuation of groundwater level and variation of environmental factors near the peat surface may regulate the rate of CO2 released from the soil.  We aimed to measure CO2 fluxes from two sites of oil palm plantation with different peat characteristics and analyzed the correlation with groundwater level, soil temperature, air temperature,  gravimetric water content, peat pH, oxidative reductive potential, and crop age.  The measurement has been conducted from September 2016 to April 2017 in West Kalimantan, Indonesia by using portable infrared gas analyzer EGM 4.  In addition to soil sampling at the same time as the gas measurement, we collected soil samples for some peat characteristics analysis consist of bulk density, particle density, porosity, soil organic matter, ash content, carbon, and nitrogen content prior to CO2 flux measurement.  Our result shows that the difference of peat chemical characteristics between two sites has resulted in different CO2 flux.  Oil palm ages seemed to affect CO2 flux by regulating microclimatic condition around crop canopy.  Another finding is the insignificant relationship between CO2 fluxes and groundwater level unless the groundwater level reached more than 50 cm from the peat surface.  It implies that maintaining groundwater level-up to 50 cm resulting in similar CO2 flux.
Short Communication: Morphological characteristics and morphometric of Stingless Bee (Apidae: Hymenoptera) from Banten Province, Indonesia
Authors: EFIN ADE , ATMOWIDI TRI , PRAWASTI TARUNI SRI
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Efin A, Atmowidi T, Prawasti TS. 2019. Short Communication:  Morphological Characteristics and Morphometric of Stingless Bee (Apidae:  Hymenoptera) from Banten Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20:  1693-1698. Tetragonula (Meliponini:  Apidae) belong to stingless bees that characterized by complex communication, permanent colonies with division of castes, i.e., queen, males, and workers. This paper described morphological characters and morphometric study of stingless bee from Pandeglang, Banten Province, Indonesia. Local people (Sundanese) known as the specimen examined is “teuweul omas” that have different in nest entrance characteristics compare to nest of Tetragonula laeviceps found commonly. In average, specimens examined were 4.445±0.072 mm body length, 1.911±0.019 mm head width, mesoscutum has distinct hair bands separated by glabrous interspaces area, with plumose frontal hairs, and black metasoma, legs, and hairs on the frontal. Male genitalia of stingless bee examined are long gonostylus and slender with sparse hairs at apex, penis valve is very robust, tapering at the apex and shorter than gonostylus. Based on morphological characteristics and morphometric measurements, we identified the specimen examined is Tetragonula cf. laeviceps.
Short Communication: The tolerance level of local sorghum genotypes from Sabu-Raijua and Belu Districts, Indonesia to saline soil
Authors: BENGGU YOKE. I. , NGURU ELIAS ST. O.
Published: June 2019

Benggu YI, Nguru ESO. 2018. The tolerance level of local sorghum genotypes from Sabu-Raijua and Belu Districts, Indonesia to saline soil. Trop Drylands 2: 1-4. A study aimed to determine the level of tolerance of local sorghum from Sabu-Raijua and Belu Districts to saline soil had been conducted in the experimental field and soil chemistry laboratory of Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Nusa Cendana, from June to October 2016. The study was designed in a factorial treatment design laid out in a completely randomized design with 15 treatments and three replications. The first factor was the variety of sorghum, consisting of three levels: local sorghum from Sabu-Raijua, local sorghum from Belu, Numbu variety. The second factor was the salinity levels of Vertisol, composed of five levels, i.e., 0, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mmos.cm-1. Variables observed were plant height, number of leaves, flowering date, and seed dry weight. Analysis of variance was conducted followed by Tukey test (5%). The result showed that there was an interaction effect between sorghum variety and salinity level of soil on all variables observed. In general, all varieties of sorghum grew normally with soil salinity level ranged from 0 to 8 mmos.cm-1. At salinity level of 8 to 12 mmos.cm-1, seedlings grew for a few weeks then gradually wilted and died. Local sorghum from Belu and Numbu variety were semi or moderate tolerant to salinity while local sorghum from Sabu-Raijua was sensitive.
Revisiting the shaman’s ecstasy: The intense emotion that ignites the performance of song and dance
Authors: Keeney Hillary , Keeney Bradford
Published: June 2019

‘Ecstasy’, long considered a primary experiential marker of shamanism, has been conflated with Mircea Eliade’s description of ‘cataleptic trance’ and the subsequent notion of an ‘altered state of consciousness’. More recent scholarship contests this fixation on the mental state of shamanism, whether in the Arctic or its presumed geographical migration elsewhere. We retrieve the more common etymology and definition of ecstasy as heightened emotional excitement, underscoring how it awakens the shaman’s song and dance performance. Highlighting ecstatic emotion brings back into focus early reports of the shaman’s trembling and shaking body, whose experiential plasticity, musical improvisation, rhythmic variability and movement spontaneity were later masked by an academic obsession with trance. With a performing arts orientation, shamanism’s wider spectrum of action and experience reappear onstage.
De Brasil a Angra do Heroísmo: la circulación del patrimonio musical en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX
Authors: Henriques Luís
Published: June 2019

Brasil fue el destino de una gran parte de la emigración de Las Azores desde la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII hasta la segunda mitad del XIX. De diversos orígenes, algunos de estos individuos fueron intelectuales que contribuyeron a la actividad musical en Río de Janeiro. Partiendo de varios ejemplos, especialmente los casos de Raphael Coelho Machado y Theotonio Borges Diniz, este estudio examina sus relaciones con Angra do Heroísmo. Las transferencias del patrimonio musical brasileño, en su mayoría música sacra, a Angra do Heroísmo es sinónimo de los vínculos establecidos con el clero local, figuras de gran influencia en los círculos sociales de la Isla Terceira en el siglo XIX.
Rastreando patrimonio y memorias vivas en culturas tradicionales
Authors: Antonacci Maria Antonieta
Published: June 2019

Al discutir cuestiones relacionadas con culturas letradas y culturas orales, sus prácticas de comunicación, lugares de memoria, patrimonios y poder de registro, surgen profundas diferencias en términos de instituciones y registros frente al "drama del saber" en sus diferentes civilizaciones. En el marco de la historia, rastreando imaginarios, símbolos, pensamientos o sentimientos expresados mediante actos performativos, aprendemos pensamiento discursivo y pensamiento simbólico, vinculado a la producción de conocimiento o sabiduría, en “razón gráfica” o potencial arqueológico de “logus oral” entre pueblos nativos africanos y en la diáspora, frente a la escritura occidental. Sus prácticas culturales están enraizadas en concepciones cósmicas, usos del cuerpo, sentidos de razón sensorial frente a racionalidad iluminista, extendiéndose en formas de raciocinio, lenguajes, saberes y vivencias individuales o comunitarias, consolidados en archivo o saber corpóreo, en "lógica de la letra” o “lógica de lo oral”.
Museos, investigación y catalogación: Patrimonio Cultural Luso-Brasileño de Ciencia y Tecnología en perspectiva
Authors: Teixeira Mendes Abalada Victor Emmanuel , Granato Marcus
Published: June 2019

El presente artículo tiene el doble objetivo de presentar los resultados del proyecto Patrimônio Cultural Luso-Brasileiro de Ciência e Tecnologia, y cuestionar la propia realidad de investigar en y sobre museos. Así, se revisan brevemente las cuestiones clave que circundan al tema, con el propósito de hacer hincapié en la propia práctica de la investigación, su proceso, razón y relevancia. La investigación se centra en la realidad actual de conjuntos de objetos relacionados con los procesos históricos de los avances científicos y tecnológicos, que se encuentran en Brasil y Portugal, y que pueden formar parte del patrimonio cultural de la Ciencia y la Tecnología. La investigación realizada fue cualitativa, pudiendo describirse como descriptiva-exploratoria, con un componente bibliográfico. Se establecieron dos recortes, un cronológico y otro por áreas del conocimiento, para la catalogación. Así, integran el conjunto de objetos, aquellos producidos hasta la década de 1960 y que pertenecen a las ciencias exactas y de la tierra e ingenierías. Después del tratamiento y análisis de los datos recopilados, se procuró producir conocimiento sobre los conjuntos encontrados. Sin embargo, las lagunas con las que nos deparamos dieron lugar a más preguntas que respuestas, así, el resultado es más un panorama general y una reflexión sobre la organización de la sociedad y del papel del patrimonio en ella, que la presentación de datos numéricos absolutamente apurados.
El pensamiento social en Brasil. Estilos, idiomas. Entrevista con Luiz Antonio de Castro Santos
Authors: Zentgraf Ricardo , Leoni Birriel Mariana
Published: June 2019

Los ensayos de O pensamento social no Brasil. Estilos, idiomas (Rio de Janeiro, EdUERJ & Gramma, 2017) abordan la obra de intelectuales que buscan pensar el Brasil, independientemente de modelos pre-establecidos. El autor, el profesor Luiz Antonio de Castro Santos, conversó con el Blog de la EdUERJ (Editora da UERJ; [https://www.eduerj.com/blog]) sobre su libro, publicado en asociación con Gramma Editora. La entrevista fue ampliada con preguntas acerca de la formación del profesor Castro Santos como sociólogo, historiador e investigador. A lo largo de su carrera, sus investigaciones han abordado temas vinculados al pensamiento social, salud y sociedad, con especial énfasis en cuestiones relativas al cuidado, instituciones y profesionales de la salud. Las preguntas fueron formuladas por Ricardo Zentgraf, periodista de la Editora de la UERJ y por Mariana Leoni Birriel, estudiante de doctorado de la UFSC, responsable también de la traducción de la entrevista al español. La autorización para la presente publicación en la REB fue concedida, expresamente, por la Editora.