bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crossmodal Correspondence Between Tonal Hierarchy and Visual Brightness: Associating Syntactic Structure and Perceptual Dimensions Across Modalities
Authors: Maimon Neta B. , Lamy Dominique , Eitan Zohar
Published: May 2020

Crossmodal correspondences (CMC) systematically associate perceptual dimensions in different sensory modalities (e.g., auditory pitch and visual brightness), and affect perception, cognition, and action. While previous work typically investigated associations between basic perceptual dimensions, here we present a new type of CMC, involving a high-level, quasi-syntactic schema: music tonality. Tonality governs most Western music and regulates stability and tension in melodic and harmonic progressions. Musicians have long associated tonal stability with non-auditory domains, yet such correspondences have hardly been investigated empirically. Here, we investigated CMC between tonal stability and visual brightness, in musicians and in non-musicians, using explicit and implicit measures. On the explicit test, participants heard a tonality-establishing context followed by a probe tone, and matched each probe to one of several circles, varying in brightness. On the implicit test, we applied the Implicit Association Test to auditory (tonally stable or unstable sequences) and visual (bright or dark circles) stimuli. The findings indicate that tonal stability is associated with visual brightness both explicitly and implicitly. They further suggest that this correspondence depends only partially on conceptual musical knowledge, as it also operates through fast, unintentional, and arguably automatic processes in musicians and non-musicians alike. By showing that abstract musical structure can establish concrete connotations to a non-auditory perceptual domain, our results open a hitherto unexplored avenue for research, associating syntactical structure with connotative meaning.
Olfactory Costimulation Influences Intranasal Somatosensory Perception
Authors: Karunanayaka Prasanna R. , Lu Jiaming , Yang Qing X. , Sathian K.
Published: May 2020

Olfactory sensitivity is influenced by intranasal trigeminal sensation. For instance, sniffing is central to how humans and animals perceive odorants. Here, we investigated the influence of olfactory costimulation on the perception of intranasal somatosensory stimulation. In this study, 22 healthy human subjects, with normal olfactory function, performed a localization task for stimulation using weak air puffs, a pure odorant, phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA; rose odor), or their combination. Visual cues were used to inform participants to briefly hold their breath while weak, poorly localizable, air puffs and/or PEA were delivered to either nostril. Although PEA alone could not be localized to the correct nostril, when it accompanied a weak air puff in the ipsilateral nostril, localization accuracy significantly improved, relative to presentation of the air puff without the odorant. The enhancement of localization was absent when the air puff and PEA were presented to opposite nostrils. Since ipsilateral but not contralateral costimulation with PEA increased the accuracy of weak air puff localization, the results argue against a non-specific alerting effect of PEA. These findings suggest an interaction between olfactory and intranasal somatosensory stimuli leading to their integration.
Well-being of North Eastern Migrant Workers in Bangalore
Authors: Pradeep Divya , Adaina K. C. , Kahmei Sonia
Published: May 2020

This paper explores the quality of life and subjective well-being of north-east migrant workers engaged in various formal and informal jobs in Bangalore. The composite well-being index reveals moderate well-being for the majority of workers. The disaggregated analysis, however, shows poor material conditions of life. Using the Day Reconstruction Method, we also find positive emotions associated with activities such as socialising but negative emotions for work and commuting. With respect to interacting partners, the negative emotions were highest while dealing with clients and customers. We also found positive correlations between life satisfaction and quality of life indicators, most strongly, with job quality. Lower quality of jobs, reported by women in comparison to men, suggests that organisations should aim to create more equal and enabling work spaces for all genders.
Evaluation of Decent Work Index for Informal Workers: An Empirical Study from Hooghly District, West Bengal, India
Authors: Banerjee Breeta , Kundu Amit
Published: May 2020

Decent work is considered to be crucial in the process of inclusive development and poverty alleviation in economies dominated by informal employment. This study is an attempt to understand decent work achievements of rural and urban informal workers of Hooghly district, West Bengal, India. The study uses the theoretical framework of seven work-based security dimensions from People’s Security Survey (by International Labour Organization) and constructs seven individual-level sub-indices and one composite individual-level decent work index using primary survey data. Then, it investigates the effect of the supply-side parameters on decent work using simple OLS regressions. The findings indicate ineffectiveness of education to improve decent work condition of informal workers in the absence of adequate skill-building initiatives. It also reveals the poor work condition of rural informal workers and self-employed workers in general. The study emphasises the need of vocationalisation of education and upgrading the quality of informal employment to achieve decent work.
Assessment of foot perfusion: Overview of modalities, review of evidence, and identification of evidence gaps
Authors: Rogers R Kevin , Montero-Baker Miguel , Biswas Minakshi , Morrison Justin , Braun Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Patients with critical limb ischemia have nonhealing wounds and/or ischemic rest pain and are at high risk for amputation and mortality. Accurate evaluation of foot perfusion should help avoid unnecessary amputation, guide revascularization strategies, and offer efficient surveillance for patency. Our aim is to review current modalities of assessing foot perfusion in the context of the practical clinical management of patients with critical limb ischemia.
Reliability analysis of GM and KG of ships from the inclining experiment
Authors: Taylan Metin
Published: May 2020

It is of paramount importance to determine the lightship characteristics of a newly built vessel correctly. Conventionally, an inclining experiment is performed after the ship is launched in order to determine the lightship GM and in turn KG values. However, there has been an ongoing debate about the validity of the results since it bears some assumptions during the test and calculation procedure. Although the inclining experiment is mandatory by the Intact Stability Code of International Maritime Organization, there emerged various alternative methods recently claiming to reveal better results. In this study, an uncertainty analysis has been carried out on GM and KG values of various sample vessels. Based on the results on the uncertainty analysis, a cumulative margin of error from various sources has been determined within a specified confidence level. Finally, the outcome for the sample vessels was detailed and evaluated in reference to that of the actual inclining experiment reports.
Heuristic mobile data gathering for wireless sensor networks via trajectory control
Authors: Ma Jianxin , Shi Shuo , Gu Xuemai , Wang Fanggang
Published: May 2020

This article focuses on the problem of scheduling the optimal paths of multiple mobile elements (e.g. robots, vehicles, etc.) to minimize the travel distance and balance the energy consumption and the data gathering latency in wireless sensor networks for smart cities. To partition the network for the multiple mobile elements and compute the trajectories of the multiple mobile elements, we utilize the sensor’s communication range and construct a multiple mobile elements scheduling problem. A heuristic mobile data gathering approach is proposed to solve this problem, which includes the following three steps. The sensor nodes are preliminarily partitioned into four levels, and then the clusterheads are further partitioned, and the traveling tour is scheduled for each cluster. After the first two steps, all the sensor nodes are partitioned reasonably for the multiple mobile elements. In the last step, the traveling tour is scheduled for each cluster, and the meeting point of each clusterhead is determined. We compare the proposed heuristic mobile data gathering with the existing approaches. The results indicate that the travel distance and the data gathering latency are reduced significantly, which further validates that the communication range is beneficial to minimize the travel distance.
The design and development of an automatic transmission solenoid tester for wheeled vehicles
Authors: Hu Ming-Sen
Published: May 2020

Solenoids are the most critical components in automatic transmissions. They are used to control the shift points, clutch locking, or pressure regulation of automatic transmissions. Since the number, type, and order of the solenoids all differ when they are used in different vendor’s automatic transmissions, making accurate normal/abnormal decisions for solenoids is very difficult, as it can lower the maintenance quality, to waste labor and material cost, and even reduce driving safety. This article proposes an “abnormal” inspecting method (i.e. for abnormality) for solenoids with high inspect ability and develops a learnable automatic transmission solenoid tester. This tester can perform solenoid testing on multiple channels at the same time. The test result statistics for all channel solenoids tested are generated automatically. It also provides visibility for users to view the difference comparisons of testing curves of temperature, pressure, voltage, current, and resistance on a graphical screen. The curve visibility function will be helpful for the solenoid diagnosis of abnormal or fault reasons.
New intelligent gear fault diagnosis method based on Autogram and radial basis function neural network
Authors: Afia Adel , Rahmoune Chemseddine , Benazzouz Djamel , Merainani Boualem , Fedala Semcheddine
Published: May 2020

Nowadays, fault detection, identification, and classification seem to be the most difficult challenge for gear systems. It is a complex procedure because the defects affecting gears have the same frequency signature. Thus, the variation in load and speed of the rotating machine will, inevitably, lead to erroneous detection results. Moreover, it is important to discern the nature of the anomaly because each gear defect has several consequences on the mechanism’s performance. In this article, a new intelligent fault diagnosis approach consisting of Autogram combined with radial basis function neural network is proposed. Autogram is a new sophisticated enhancement of the conventional Kurtogram, while radial basis function is used for classification purposes of the gear state. According to this approach, the data signal is decomposed by maximal overlap discrete wavelet packet transform into frequency bands and central frequencies called nodes. Thereafter, the unbiased autocorrelation of the squared envelope for each node is computed in order to calculate the kurtosis for each one at every decomposition level. Finally, the feature matrix obtained from the previous step will be the input of the radial basis function neural network to provide a new automatic gear fault diagnosis technique. Experimental results from the gearbox with healthy state and five different types of gear defects under variable speeds and loads indicate that the proposed method can successfully detect, identify, and classify the gear faults in all cases.
The Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the First General Election in West Bengal: The Enigma of Hindu Politics in early 1950s
Authors: Dasgupta Koushiki
Published: May 2020

The first general elections proved to be a disaster for the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Bengal in terms of its performance and its failure to make the Hindu Bengalis a consolidated political block. Prior to the election, the party had generated immense hopes and aspirations especially among the refugees from East Bengal. Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the leader of the opposition, appeared to be the sole spokesman of the Bengali Hindus and fought the election with a promise to secure the political fate of the Hindu Bengalis, especially the refugees from East Bengal. But very soon the party lost the essential spirit and enthusiasm to challenge the leftists especially in the refugee constituencies and failed to take a hold over the issues of multiple identities working parallel inside the refugee political space. The Hindu nationalist forces had never been a popular choice in Bengal; however, at least in the decades before partition they managed to make their presence felt in the political mainstream of the province. In this paper, an attempt has been made to understand why the Hindu nationalist parties in general and the Jana Sangh in particular lost its credibility among the Hindu electorate in Bengal after partition.
Comparison of ED95 of Butorphanol and Sufentanil for gastrointestinal endoscopy sedation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhu Xiaona , Chen Limei , Zheng Shuang , Pan Linmin
Published: May 2020

Background

Butorphanol, a synthetic opioid partial agonist analgesic, has been widely used to control perioperative pain. However, the ideal dose and availability of butorphanol for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy are not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluated the 95% effective dose (ED95) of butorphanol and sufentanil in GI endoscopy and compared their clinical efficacy, especially regarding the recovery time.

Methods

The study was divided into two parts. For the first part, voluntary patients who needed GI endoscopy anesthesia were recruited to measure the ED95 of butorphanol and sufentanil needed to achieve successful sedation before GI endoscopy using the sequential method (the Dixon up-and-down method). The second part was a double-blind, randomized study. Two hundred cases of painless GI endoscopy patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 100), including group B (butorphanol at the ED95 dose) and group S (sufentanil at the ED95 dose). Propofol was infused intravenously as the sedative in both groups. The recovery time, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, hand grip strength, fatigue severity scores, incidence of nausea and vomiting, and incidence of dizziness were recorded.

Results

The ED95 of butorphanol for painless GI endoscopy was 9.07 μg/kg (95% confidence interval: 7.81–19.66 μg/kg). The ED95 of sufentanil was 0.1 μg/kg (95% CI, 0.079–0.422 μg/kg). Both butorphanol and sufentanil provided a good analgesic effect for GI endoscopy. However, the recovery time for butorphanol was significantly shorter than that for sufentanil (P < 0.05, group B vs. group S:21.26 ± 7.70 vs. 24.03 ± 7.80 min).

Conclusions

Butorphanol at 9.07 μg/kg was more effective than sufentanil for GI endoscopy sedation and notably reduced the recovery time.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trail Registry (Registration number # ChiCTR1900022780; Date of Registration on April 25rd, 2019).
Fatty liver index and development of cardiovascular disease in Koreans without pre-existing myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke: a large population-based study
Authors: Kim Jun Hyung , Moon Jin Sil , Byun Seok Joon , Lee Jun Hyeok , Kang Dae Ryong , Sung Ki Chul , Kim Jang Young , Huh Ji Hye
Published: May 2020

Background

Despite the known association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), whether NAFLD predicts future CVD events, especially CVD mortality, remains uncertain. We evaluated the relationship between fatty liver index (FLI), a validated marker of NAFLD, and risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in a large population-based study.

Methods

We identified 3011,588 subjects in the Korean National Health Insurance System cohort without a history of CVD who underwent health examinations from 2009 to 2011. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular deaths, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemic stroke. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to assess association between the FLI and the primary endpoint.

Results

During the median follow-up period of 6 years, there were 46,010 cases of MACEs (7148 cases of cardiovascular death, 16,574 of non-fatal MI, and 22,288 of ischemic stroke). There was a linear association between higher FLI values and higher incidence of the primary endpoint. In the multivariable models adjusted for factors, such as body weight and cholesterol levels, the hazard ratio for the primary endpoint comparing the highest vs. lowest quartiles of the FLI was 1.99 (95% confidence interval [CIs], 1.91–2.07). The corresponding hazard ratios (95% CIs) for cardiovascular death, non-fetal MI, and ischemic stroke were 1.98 (1.9–2.06), 2.16 (2.01–2.31), and 2.01 (1.90–2.13), respectively (p < 0.001). The results were similar when we performed stratified analyses by age, sex, use of dyslipidemia medication, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the FLI, which is a surrogate marker of NAFLD, has prognostic value for detecting individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular events.
Water intake and intra-meal fluid consumption in relation to general and abdominal obesity of Iranian adults
Authors: Salari-Moghaddam Asma , Aslani Negar , Saneei Parvane , Keshteli Ammar Hassanzadeh , Daneshpajouhnejad Parnaz , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad , Adibi Peyman
Published: May 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the association between whole-day water intake and intra-meal fluid consumption and odds of general and abdominal obesity among adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 7958 adults in Isfahan, Iran. Daily water consumption was assessed through the use of a pre-tested questionnaire by asking questions about the average number of glasses of water consumed in a day. Intra-meal fluid consumption was also analysed. Data regarding height, weight and waist circumference were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, and abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men.

Results

After taking potential confounders into account, individuals who were taking more than eight glasses of water in a day had 78% greater odds of general obesity (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.08–2.94) compared with those who were taking less than two glasses of water. Individuals with much water intake had no significant greater odds of abdominal obesity. Compared with those who were consuming less than a glass of intra-meal fluids, subjects with 1–2 glasses of fluids between meals had 34% greater odds of general obesity (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04–1.59). Although subjects with greater intra-meal fluid intake had greater odds of abdominal obesity in crude model, this association became non-significant after adjustment for potential confounders (comparing > 4 glasses vs. ≤1 glass: OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 0.81–3.34).

Conclusions

We observed that taking more than eight glasses of water in a day and consuming 1–2 glasses of fluids between meals was associated with greater odds of general obesity.
The biomarkers of hyperprogressive disease in PD-1/PD-L1 blockage therapy
Authors: Wang Xueping , Wang Fang , Zhong Mengjun , Yarden Yosef , Fu Liwu
Published: May 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies (Abs) and anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) Abs, are effective for patients with various cancers. However, low response rates to ICI monotherapies and even hyperprogressive disease (HPD) have limited the clinical application of ICIs. HPD is a novel pattern of progression, with an unexpected and fast progression in tumor volume and rate, poor survival of patients and early fatality. Considering the limitations of ICI due to HPD incidence, valid biomarkers are urgently needed to predict the occurrence of HPD and the efficacy of ICI. Here, we reviewed and summarized the known biomarkers of HPD, including tumor cell biomarkers, tumor microenvironment biomarkers, laboratory biomarkers and clinical indicators, which provide a potential effective approach for selecting patients sensitive to ICI cancer treatments.
PET measurement of cyclooxygenase-2 using a novel radioligand: upregulation in primate neuroinflammation and first-in-human study
Authors: Shrestha Stal , Kim Min-Jeong , Eldridge Mark , Lehmann Michael L. , Frankland Michael , Liow Jeih-San , Yu Zu-Xi , Cortes-Salva Michelle , Telu Sanjay , Henter Ioline D. , Gallagher Evan , Lee Jae-Hoon , Fredericks J. Megan , Poffenberger Chelsie , Tye George , Ruiz-Perdomo Yanira , Anaya Fernanda Juarez , Montero Santamaria Jose A. , Gladding Robert L. , Zoghbi Sami S. , Fujita Masahiro , Katz James D. , Pike Victor W. , Innis Robert B.
Published: May 2020

Background

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is rapidly upregulated by inflammation, is a key enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of several inflammatory prostanoids. Successful positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand imaging of COX-2 in vivo could be a potentially powerful tool for assessing inflammatory response in the brain and periphery. To date, however, the development of PET radioligands for COX-2 has had limited success.

Methods

The novel PET tracer [11C]MC1 was used to examine COX-2 expression [1] in the brains of four rhesus macaques at baseline and after injection of the inflammogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the right putamen, and [2] in the joints of two human participants with rheumatoid arthritis and two healthy individuals. In the primate study, two monkeys had one LPS injection, and two monkeys had a second injection 33 and 44 days, respectively, after the first LPS injection. As a comparator, COX-1 expression was measured using [11C]PS13.

Results

COX-2 binding, expressed as the ratio of specific to nondisplaceable uptake (BPND) of [11C]MC1, increased on day 1 post-LPS injection; no such increase in COX-1 expression, measured using [11C]PS13, was observed. The day after the second LPS injection, a brain lesion (~ 0.5 cm in diameter) with high COX-2 density and high BPND (1.8) was observed. Postmortem brain analysis at the gene transcript or protein level confirmed in vivo PET results. An incidental finding in an unrelated monkey found a line of COX-2 positivity along an incision in skull muscle, demonstrating that [11C]MC1 can localize inflammation peripheral to the brain. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, [11C]MC1 successfully imaged upregulated COX-2 in the arthritic hand and shoulder and apparently in the brain. Uptake was blocked by celecoxib, a COX-2 preferential inhibitor.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results indicate that [11C]MC1 can image and quantify COX-2 upregulation in both monkey brain after LPS-induced neuroinflammation and in human peripheral tissue with inflammation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03912428. Registered April 11, 2019.
Indoor positioning and wayfinding systems: a survey
Authors: Kunhoth Jayakanth , Karkar AbdelGhani , Al-Maadeed Somaya , Al-Ali Abdulla
Published: May 2020

Navigation systems help users access unfamiliar environments. Current technological advancements enable users to encapsulate these systems in handheld devices, which effectively increases the popularity of navigation systems and the number of users. In indoor environments, lack of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals and line of sight with orbiting satellites makes navigation more challenging compared to outdoor environments. Radio frequency (RF) signals, computer vision, and sensor-based solutions are more suitable for tracking the users in indoor environments. This article provides a comprehensive summary of evolution in indoor navigation and indoor positioning technologies. In particular, the paper reviews different computer vision-based indoor navigation and positioning systems along with indoor scene recognition methods that can aid the indoor navigation. Navigation and positioning systems that utilize pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) methods and various communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) visible light, Bluetooth and ultra-wide band (UWB), are detailed as well. Moreover, this article investigates and contrasts the different navigation systems in each category. Various evaluation criteria for indoor navigation systems are proposed in this work. The article concludes with a brief insight into future directions in indoor positioning and navigation systems.
Technology Enhanced Assessment (TEA) in COVID 19 Pandemic
Authors: Khan Rehan Ahmed , Jawaid Masood
Published: May 2020

Online teaching and learning is not a new phenomenon. For the last many years, it has been mainly used as a part of face to face teaching. Assessment is an essential part of teaching and learning, as it establishes the achievement of course learning outcomes by the students. Computer-based assessment is in place for a long time now, however, online assessments have been less practiced. This is because of the issues of validity, reliability and dishonesty. During the COVID 19 pandemic, the educational environment has taken a paradigm shift in many medical schools, both nationally and internationally. This situation demands a method of assessment that is safe, valid, reliable, acceptable, feasible and fair. This paper describes the different formats of online assessment and their application in formative and summative assessments during and after the COVID 19 pandemic.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2795

How to cite this:Khan RA, Jawaid M. Technology Enhanced Assessment (TEA) in COVID 19 Pandemic. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S108-S110.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2795

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ЛЕКСИКО-СЕМАНТИЧЕСКАЯ РЕПРЕЗЕНТАЦИЯ ОБОБЩЕННЫХ ПРЕДСТАВЛЕНИЙ НОСИТЕЛЕЙ АМЕРИКАНСКОЙ ЛИНГВОКУЛЬТУРЫ ОБ ЭГОЦЕНТРИЗМЕ
Authors: Vilchik Maya Konstantinovna
Published: May 2020

В статье представлены результаты изучения обыденного, обобщенного, коллективного, отражаемого в лексико-семантической системе языка представления носителей американской лингвокультуры об эгоцентризме. Изучаемые представления фиксируется в предметно-понятийном значении лексических единиц, используемых для обозначения понятия «эгоцентризм» и смежных понятий, объектов соответствующих понятийных полей (явление, субъект, признаки субъекта). Изучены и сопоставлены друг с другом семантические структуры 34 лексических единиц, образующих 3 синонимических ряда и связанных внутри рядов синонимичными отношениями. Применяются описательный метод, дефиниционный метод, анализ и обобщение. Выявленные интегральные и дифференциальные семы позволили автору реконструировать обыденные коллективные представления американцев об эгоцентризме. Кроме того, автор анализирует научные представления об эгоцентризме в таких областях знания как философия, психология, социология, педагогика, литературоведение и лингвистика.
Infrared measurements of glucose in peritoneal fluid with a tuneable quantum cascade laser
Authors: Jernelv Ine L. , Hjelme Dag Roar , Aksnes Astrid
Published: May 2020

Fast and accurate continuous glucose monitoring is needed in future systems for control of blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes patients. Direct spectroscopic measurement of glucose in the peritoneal cavity is an attractive alternative to conventional electrochemical sensors placed subcutaneously. We demonstrate the feasibility of fast glucose measurements in peritoneal fluid using a fibre-coupled tuneable mid-infrared quantum cascade laser. Mid-infrared spectra (1200–925 cm−1) of peritoneal fluid samples from pigs with physiological glucose levels (32–426 mg/dL, or 1.8–23.7 mmol/L) were acquired with a tuneable quantum cascade laser employing both transmission and attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. Using partial least-squares regression, glucose concentrations were predicted with mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) of 8.7% and 12.2% in the transmission and ATR configurations, respectively. These results show that highly accurate concentration predictions are possible with mid-infrared spectroscopy of peritoneal fluid, and represent a first step towards a miniaturised optical sensor for intraperitoneal continuous glucose monitoring.
Bakteri Endofit Asal Berbagai Akar Tanaman sebagai Agens Pengendali Nematoda Puru Akar Meloidogyne incognita pada Tomat
Authors: Ankardiansyah Pradana Pandu , Munif Abdul , Supramana Supramana
Published: May 2020

Infection caused by root knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita may cause yield losses. Little is known regarding the effectiveness of endophytic bacterial group as biocontrol agents of RKN. This research was aimed to obtain endophytic bacteria group from 16 species of plants, which effectively controlled the RKN. Isolation of endophytic bacteria group was conducted using NA 20%, NA 50%, TSA 20%, TSA 50%, and King’s B medium. All of the bacteria groups giving negative result in hypersensitive and haemolytic tests, was further examined for their ability to produce protease, chitinase, and cyanide acid. The same endophytic bacteria groups were also tested for their potential to control juvenile 2 of M. incognita on tomatoes by seed treatment and soil drenching. Agronomical and pathological traits were observed 40 days after nematodes infestation. Eighty endophytic bacteria groups were successfully isolated and 17 of them were considered potential. Physiological test showed that 16 groups of endophytic bacteria can produce protease enzyme, 12 groups can produce chitinase enzyme, and 5 groups can produce cyanide acid. Specific endophytic bacteria group, i.e. TmtN5 from roots of tomato plant, is the most effective isolate for suppressing root damage and population of RKN. This group was effective as biocontrol agents of RKN because it produceds chitinase, protease, and cyanide acid. This research provided a new information regarding the potential use of endophytic bacteria group as a biocontrol agent of RKN.
Status Fitonematoda pada Tiga Kisaran Umur Lahan Pertanaman Pisang Cavendish di Way Kambas, Lampung
Authors: Yanto Yanto , Swibawa I Gede
Published: May 2020

Crop losses due to phytonematodes infection commonly occurred on intensive plantation practiced for a long time. The research was aimed to study phytonematodes status on several age-different plantation of Cavendish banana in PT NTF Way Kambas, Lampung. Soil and root samples were taken from three different plantations, selected based on time period of cultivation practice, i.e. 3–5, 10–12, and 17–19 years long. The modification of Baermann funnel method was applied to collect nematodes. The status of phytonematodes were determined based on the absolute frequency (AF), relative frequency (RF), and absolute population (AP) of each genus. The results showed that 13 phytonematodes genera inhabited Cavendish banana crops. Pratylenchus and Radopholus have important status on a land that had been cultivated for 3–5 and 10–12 years with AF 100%, RF 31%, and  AP 298.8, and 423.0  individues per 200 mL of soil, respectively on 3–5 years long lands, and AF100%, RF 39% and PA 215, and 126 individues per 200 mL of soil, respectively on 10–12 years long lands. Pratylenchus and Radopholus were less important on 17–19 years long rotated lands with AF 77%, RF 22% and AP 33.0 and 16.4 individues per 200 mL of soil respectively. The status of other phytonematodes were not important with low value of AF, RF, and AP.
Penapisan Cendawan Trichoderma spp. untuk Pengendalian Phytophthora infestans secara in vitro
Authors: Purwantisari Susiana , Priyatmojo Achmadi , Sancayaningsih Retno Peni , Kasiamdari Rina Sri
Published: May 2020

Late blight disease on potato caused by a plant pathogenic fungus (Phytophthora infestans)  is the most important disease in Indonesia.  The use of antagonist fungi Trichoderma is an environmentally friendly technology to control the potato disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of Trichoderma spp. to control P. infestans in vitro. Trichoderma spp. have been isolated from suppressive soil at central potato areas in district of Lembang, Bandung, West Java Province. To determine the inhibition ability of Trichoderma spp against P. infestans, a dual culture method was performed.  Variable observed was inhibition zone of Trichoderma spp. against P. infestans. The results showed that 9 isolates of Trichoderma were successfuly isolated from suppressive soil, i.e. T. viride (2 isolates), T. atroviride (1 isolate), T. harzianum (1 isolate) and T. aureoviride (5 isolates). All the Trichoderma isolates revealed growth inhibition abality against P. infestans and. The highest growth inhibition (68.6%) was observed by T. viride isolate ( Ti 9).
Dampak Penyakit Tanaman terhadap Pendapatan Petani Kubis-kubisan di Daerah Agropolitan Kabupaten Cianjur, Jawa Barat
Authors: Pratama Teguh , Suastika Gede , Nurmansyah Ali
Published: May 2020

Cruciferous vegetables are very important agricultural commodities for increasing  farmers  income. The main obstacles in their cultivation involved among others high level of pathogen infestation that may cause reduction in farmer’s income. This research was conducted to determine the main pathogens and their impact on farmer income in Agropolitan area of Cianjur Regency, West Java Province. The research was conducted through three activities, i.e. farmer survey, identification of the main pathogens, and measurement of disease intensity. The results showed that there were three main pathogens on assessed cruciferous vegetables, i.e. Alternaria brassiccicola (alternaria leaf spot), Plasmodiophora brassicae (clubroot), and Xanthomonas campestris (black rot), with disease intensity of 16.7%, 18.7%, and 15.1%, respectively. Clubroot disease was the most affecting disease in decreasing the  production of cruciferous vegetables and the farmer income. Incidence of clubroot disease with an average disease intensity of 16.67% might lead to the decrease of farming income about 24%–28%.
In Silico Screening Anticancer of Six Triterpenoids toward miR-494 and TNF-α Targets
Authors: Zaini Vikra Ardiansyah , Sugita Purwantiningsih , Irfana Luthfan , Achmadi Suminar Setiati
Published: May 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for up to 90% of all primary liver cancers worldwide. Cinobufagin is recognized to inhibit miR-494 as the HCC target. Increased expression of TNF-α results in an inadequate response to liver anticancer drugs. The models in this study were cinobufagin, cycloartenol, and ethyl acetate fractions of Ganoderma lucidum, 2–5. Seven docking targets in this study were Akt, ERK1, ERK2, PI3K, TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2. Cycloartenol and compound 4 comply with Veber’s rules, Lipinski’s rule of 5, and demonstrate moderate toxicity. The action implies a potential docking target since it produces bond affinities with the compound 2–5 that agree with the IC50 in the literature, which is based on in vitro experiments. Akt as a receptor target is AZD5363. Cycloartenol shows a low ability to inhibit Akt. Conversely, compound 4 inhibits the Akt better than that of cycloartenol, although it is not as good as cinobufagin and AZD5363. Therefore, compound 4, a triterpenoid with a basic framework of lanostane has the potential to be an anticancer candidate for the liver.
Anti-aggregation effect of Ascorbic Acid and Quercetin on aggregated Bovine Serum Albumin Induced by Dithiothreitol: Comparison of Turbidity and Soluble Protein Fraction Methods
Authors: Rifai Amat , Asy'ari Mukhammad , Aminin Agustina L. N.
Published: May 2020

Studies on the anti-aggregation of dithiothreitol (DTT) induced - protein is generally determined by the fraction soluble (non-aggregated) protein. While the turbidity method is commonly used in studies of anti-aggregation, in which protein is induced by heat, in this study, both methods are compared in observing the anti-aggregation activity of ascorbic acid and quercetin toward bovine serum albumin induced by DTT. The DTT is a reducing agent for protein disulfide bonds and capable of inducing protein aggregation at physiological pH and temperature. The work was performed by the formation of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) aggregates induced by DTT under physiological conditions, which are pH 7.4 and 37°C. The aggregated protein profile was observed using the turbidity method at the end of incubation and measuring the difference of concentration between the fraction of soluble protein before and after incubation. The measurement was carried out using a spectrophotometer UV-Vis. The results indicate that both methods show similar inhibition profiles. The potential inhibition of ascorbic acid (AA) toward BSA protein aggregation induced by DTT increased along with incubation time. While quercetin shows the highest inhibition at 12 hours but decreased at 18 hours, this study reveals that both methods can observe the anti-aggregation activity of ascorbic acid and quercetin.
Resting Metabolic Rate in Female Rugby Players: Differences in Measured Versus Predicted Values
Authors: O'Neill Jack Eoin Rua G. , Walsh Ciara S. , McNulty Senan J. , Gantly Hannah C. , Corish Martha E. , Crognale Domenico , Horner Katy
Published: May 2020

O'Neill, JERG, Walsh, CS, McNulty, SJ, Gantly, HC, Corish, ME, Crognale, D, and Horner, K. Resting metabolic rate in female rugby players: differences in measured versus predicted values. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 845–850, 2022—This study investigated (a) the accuracy of resting metabolic rate (RMR) prediction equations in female rugby players and (b) factors that might explain poor prediction accuracy in some individuals. Resting metabolic rate was assessed in 36 female elite and subelite rugby players (age: 18–35 years, fat-free mass (FFM): 43–63 kg, fat mass %: 15–41%). After pretest standardization (24-hour exercise avoidance and 12-hour overnight fast), RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry and compared with predicted values determined by Harris-Benedict, Cunningham, Ten Haaf, Jagim and Watson equations. Body composition was assessed by air displacement plethysmography, muscle damage indicated by creatine kinase, and risk of low energy availability (LEA) by LEA in Females Questionnaire. Measured RMR was 1,651 ± 167 kcal·d−1. The Cunningham, Ten Haaf, and Watson (body mass) predicted values did not differ from measured (p > 0.05), while all other predicted values differed significantly (p < 0.001). Individually, prediction accuracy to within 10% varied widely depending on the equation used (range 44% [n = 16] to 86% [n = 31]). Three of the 5 individuals whose values were outside 10% of the measured value using the best performing Ten Haaf FFM equation could be explained by muscle damage or LEA. These measures may be useful to assist in understanding why measured RMR may be lower or higher than predicted in some athletes. Overall, the Ten Haaf equations showed the best accuracy, suggesting these equations may be most suitable for this population. The findings demonstrate the importance of considering the population studied when determining the most appropriate prediction equation to use.
How to Overcome Bone Resorption in Complete Removable Prosthesis?
Authors: Regragui Anissa , Alidrissi Najib , Sefrioui Amal , Benfdil Faiza , Merzouk Nadia
Published: May 2020

The existence of alveolar processes and the integrity of the maxillae outside of a specific pathological process are linked to the presence of teeth. The aging process is most often accompanied, at the buccal level, by a narrowing of the prosthetic corridor in relation to the importance of bone resorption and the invasion of peripheral elements. Thus, we are and will be confronted more and more with complete edentulous patients, presenting very strong resorption of the alveolar processes, even of the osseous bases, which will increase proportionally the difficulties of obtaining a good retention and good stability of the prostheses.Our work aims to review the various means available to us to prevent bone resorption, throughout the stages of prosthetic and post-prosthetic realization.
Matrix-matched calibration in LA-ICP-MS of silicate, phosphate and carbonate minerals: application of G-Probe samples
Authors: Kiseleva D. V.
Published: May 2020

Laser ablation (LA) sampling provides fast microelement ICP-MS analysis of a wide range of solid materials without their dissolution, thus decreasing contamination from water and reagents as well as reducing polyatomic isobaric interferences from acid solutions. However, the issue of matrix-matched calibration becomes crucial for LA-ICP-MS due to differences in behaviour during laser interaction and evaporation of solid samples. There are several approaches to LA calibration: simultaneous supply of standard solutions into a spray chamber; calibration using a set of NIST 61х synthetic glasses and glasses prepared from natural rocks and minerals (basalt, nephelinite, etc.) or pressed synthetic samples (calcium carbonates, phosphates and sulphides produced by USGS). A set of natural glasses for microanalysis is available from the International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG) in co-operation with the USGS. The G-Probe proficiency testing programme has been operating since 2008 and deals with solid samples for microanalysis (LA-ICP-MS, EPMA, EDS-SEM). A number of samples of different compositions were distributed: BBM-1G and BSWIR-1G natural basaltic glasses, GSM-1 gabbro; NIST SRM-based basaltic and diabase glasses; GP-MACS synthetic pressed calcium carbonate, GP-MAPS phosphate and some others. The aim of the present work was to estimate the LA-ICP-MS analysis quality using matrix-matched calibration with G-probe samples of various composition. All G-Probe samples were analysed using an ELAN 9000 Q-ICP-MS combined with a LSX-500 (Nd:YAG, 266 nm) laser ablation system. For silicate rocks, TB-1 basaltic glass was used for calibration; the remaining samples were analysed as unknowns. MAPS-4 calibration material were used for phosphate rock analysis. A combination of external matrix-matched calibration and internal normalisation was used for calculating element concentrations. LA-ICP-MS analysis quality was estimated using z-scores. Most of the results obtained were in a good agreement with assigned values.
Determination of platinum group elements in catalysts recycling products by SEM with energy dispersive spectrometer
Authors: Chebykin Nikolai S. , Sandalov Ivan P. , Zamyatin Dmitry A. , Votyakov Sergey L.
Published: May 2020

Analysis of platinum group elements (PGE) extracted from various catalysts used in the car, petroleum and chemical industries requires use of microanalytical methods. PGE content in the platinum powder concentrates K176 and K177 was studied by SEM-EDS. The content of main elements was determined using analytical lines Fe Kα1, Si Kα1, Sn Lα1, Pt Lα1, Re Lα1. The obtained data for the chemical composition are in good agreement with the result obtained by X-ray fluorescence analysis and ICP-MS method. Powdered platinum concentrates are considered to be ferrosilicide (FeSi), where PGE are localized at the phase boundaries and in separate patches of the K176 sample, or distributed over the volume of particles in the K177 sample.
Phase formation processes and synthesis of solid solutions in Ca-R-Nb-M-O systems
Authors: Levina A. A. , Tadevosyan N. O. , Petrova S. A. , Buyanova E. S. , Morozova M. V.
Published: May 2020

During the study of the phase formation process in Ca-R-Nb-M-O systems (R=La, Bi, M=Mo, W), an attempt was made to obtain single-phase compounds of CaRNbMO8 composition by the standard ceramic technique. In addition, samples based on LaNbO4, CaWO4, BiNbO4 were also synthesized by the standard ceramic technique. The phase composition of the samples was studied by XRD analysis. The electrical conductivity of the obtained solid solutions and potential composite materials was investigated by impedance spectroscopy.
Gerenciamento de Sangue do Paciente (Patient Blood Management PBM): uma maneira eficaz, segura, custo-efetiva e baseada em evidências para prover tratamento médico diante da escassez das bolsas de sangue causada pela pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Montano-Pedroso Juan Carlos , Santos Antonio Alceu , Santos Werlen Souza Lopes , Araújo Rafael Silva , Rabello Guilherme de Castro Machado , Ferreira Lydia Masako
Published: May 2020

Introdução: A pandemia de COVID-19 provocou uma significativa escassez dos estoques de sangue em diversos países. Diferentes estratégias utilizadas neste cenário, como suspensão de cirurgias eletivas, chamamento de mais doadores e afrouxamento de normativas usadas nos hemocentros apresentam limitações. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia, segurança e custo-efetividade de um conjunto de cuidados médicos chamado de Gerenciamento de Sangue do Paciente (Patient Blood Management – PBM) através de uma revisão narrativa da literatura. Métodos: Busca não sistemática da literatura, sem restrição de tipo de estudo, data ou idioma, nas bases de dados científicas: MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, Biblioteca Cochrane, SciELO, Scopus e Web of Science. Resultados: Ensaios clínicos randomizados e metanálises de estudos observacionais demonstraram que o uso de PBM promoveu redução das transfusões de sangue, do tempo de internação hospitalar, das complicações como insuficiência renal aguda, infecção, eventos tromboembólicos, e da mortalidade. Estudos de análise econômica observaram relevante economia de recursos financeiros nos locais em que o PBM foi implementado. Conclusão: O PBM é eficaz, seguro e custo-efetivo, promovendo redução das transfusões de sangue, melhora nos desfechos clínicos e economia de recursos financeiros, características que o tornam relevante diante de um sistema de saúde sobrecarregado pela pandemia.
CALCULATING THE STRENGTH OF AN EXCENTRALLY COMPRESSED REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENT OF RECTANGULAR SECTION
Authors: ILYIN Nikolay A. , MORDOVSKY Sergey S. , MALGINA Vera A. , KIREEVA Nadezhda A.
Published: May 2020

One of the main tasks in the calculation of reinforced concrete elements is the determination of strength. This problem is relevant for structures in various stress-strain states - bending, eccentrically-compressed, eccentrically-stretched, eccentrically-compressed with torsion, etc. This article discusses the solution of the strength problem in the design of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element of rectangular cross section with symmetrical reinforcement. The improvement relates to taking into account the infl uence of structural parameters of the quality of reinforcement and concrete on the value of the design loads and the ultimate tensile strength of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element, taking into account its deflection. By simplifying the mathematical description of the influence of structural indicators and quality parameters of reinforcement and concrete on the calculated value of the bending moment and on the strength of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element, as well as simplifying the calculation of the coefficient of increase in the initial eccentricity of the longitudinal force taking into account the deflection of the compressed reinforced concrete element, this improvement is obtained. Using the proposed formulas in calculating the strength of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element of rectangular cross section allows us to ensure the convergence of the result with the classical version of the calculation with a reduction in labor costs due to the simplicity of the formulas.