bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Participatory Rural Spatial Planning Based on a Virtual Globe-Based 3D PGIS
Authors: Yu Linjun , Zhang Xiaotong , He Feng , Liu Yalan , Wang Dacheng
Published: December 2020

With the current spatial planning reform in China, public participation is becoming increasingly important in the success of rural spatial planning. However, engaging various stakeholders in spatial planning projects is difficult, mainly due to the lack of planning knowledge and computer skills. Therefore, this paper discusses the development of a virtual globe-based 3D participatory geographic information system (PGIS) aiming to support public participation in the spatial planning process. The 3D PGIS-based rural planning approach was applied in the village of XiaFan, Ningbo, China. The results demonstrate that locals’ participation capacity was highly promoted, with their interest in 3D PGIS visualization being highly activated. The interactive landscape design tools allow stakeholders to present their own suggestions and designs, just like playing a computer game, thus improving their interactive planning abilities on-site. The scientific analysis tools allow planners to analyze and evaluate planning scenarios in different disciplines in real-time to quickly respond to suggestions from participants on-site. Functions and tools such as data management, marking, and highlighting were found to be useful for smoothing the interactions among planners and participants. In conclusion, virtual globe-based 3D PGIS highly supports the participatory rural landscape planning process and is potentially applicable to other regions.
Impact of Pyrolysis Temperature on the Properties of Eucalyptus Wood-Derived Biochar
Authors: Chaves Fernandes Bruno Caio , Ferreira Mendes Kassio , Dias Júnior Ananias Francisco , da Silva Caldeira Vinícius Patrício , da Silva Teófilo Taliane Maria , Severo Silva Tatiane , Mendonça Vander , de Freitas Souza Matheus , Valadão Silva Daniel
Published: December 2020

Pyrolysis conditions directly influence biochar properties and, consequently, influence the potential use of biochar. In this study, we evaluated the effects of different pyrolysis temperatures (450, 550, 650, 750, 850, and 950 °C) on the hydrogen potential, electrical conductivity, ash content, yield, volatile matter content, elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results, X-ray diffraction results, scanning electron microscopy results, specific surface area, and micropore volume of eucalyptus wood-derived biochar. The degree of linear association between pyrolysis temperatures and biochar properties was examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results showed a positive correlation of the pyrolysis temperature with the hydrogen potential value, electrical conductivity, and elemental carbon. There was a negative correlation of the pyrolysis temperature with the yield, volatile matter content, elemental oxygen, elemental hydrogen, surface area, aromaticity, hydrophilicity, and polarity indexes. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy data indicated an increase in aromaticity and a decrease in the polarity of high-temperature biochar. The increased pyrolysis temperature caused the loss of cellulose and crystalline mineral components, as indicated by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy images. These results indicated that changing the pyrolysis temperature enables the production of biochar from the same raw material with a wide range of physicochemical properties, which allows its use in various types of agricultural and environmental activities.
Effects of 8 Weeks of 2S-Hesperidin Supplementation on Performance in Amateur Cyclists
Authors: Martínez-Noguera Francisco Javier , Marín-Pagán Cristian , Carlos-Vivas Jorge , Alcaraz Pedro E.
Published: December 2020

2S-Hesperidin is a flavanone (flavonoid) found in high concentrations in citrus fruits. It has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improving performance in animals. This study investigated the effects of chronic intake of an orange extract (2S-hesperidin) or placebo on non-oxidative/glycolytic and oxidative metabolism markers and performance markers in amateur cyclists. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was carried out between late September and December 2018. Forty amateur cyclists were randomized into two groups: one taking 500 mg/day 2S-hesperidin and the other taking 500 mg/day placebo (microcellulose) for eight weeks. All participants completed the study. An incremental test was used to evaluate performance, and a step test was used to measure oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide, efficiency and oxidation of carbohydrates and fat by indirect calorimetry. The anaerobic power (non-oxidative) was determined using Wingate tests (30 s). After eight weeks supplementation, there was an increase in the incremental test in estimated functional threshold power (FTP) (3.2%; p ≤ 0.05) and maximum power (2.7%; p ≤ 0.05) with 2S-hesperdin compared to placebo. In the step test, there was a decrease in VO2 (L/min) (−8.3%; p ≤ 0.01) and VO2R (mL/kg/min) (−8.9%; p ≤ 0.01) at VT2 in placebo. However, there were no differences between groups. In the Wingate test, there was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in peak and relative power in both groups, but without differences between groups. Supplementation with an orange extract (2S-hesperdin) 500 mg/day improves estimated FTP and maximum power performance in amateur cyclists.
Computational Analysis of African Swine Fever Virus Protein Space for the Design of an Epitope-Based Vaccine Ensemble
Authors: Ros-Lucas Albert , Correa-Fiz Florencia , Bosch-Camós Laia , Rodriguez Fernando , Alonso-Padilla Julio
Published: December 2020

African swine fever virus is the etiological agent of African swine fever, a transmissible severe hemorrhagic disease that affects pigs, causing massive economic losses. There is neither a treatment nor a vaccine available, and the only method to control its spread is by extensive culling of pigs. So far, classical vaccine development approaches have not yielded sufficiently good results in terms of concomitant safety and efficacy. Nowadays, thanks to advances in genomic and proteomic techniques, a reverse vaccinology strategy can be explored to design alternative vaccine formulations. In this study, ASFV protein sequences were analyzed using an in-house pipeline based on publicly available immunoinformatic tools to identify epitopes of interest for a prospective vaccine ensemble. These included experimentally validated sequences from the Immune Epitope Database, as well as de novo predicted sequences. Experimentally validated and predicted epitopes were prioritized following a series of criteria that included evolutionary conservation, presence in the virulent and currently circulating variant Georgia 2007/1, and lack of identity to either the pig proteome or putative proteins from pig gut microbiota. Following this strategy, 29 B-cell, 14 CD4+ T-cell and 6 CD8+ T-cell epitopes were selected, which represent a starting point to investigating the protective capacity of ASFV epitope-based vaccines.
Study on the Anti-Biodegradation Property of Tunicate Cellulose
Authors: Cheng Yanan , Mondal Ajoy Kanti , Wu Shuai , Xu Dezhong , Ning Dengwen , Ni Yonghao , Huang Fang
Published: December 2020

Tunicate is a kind of marine animal, and its outer sheath consists of almost pure Iβ crystalline cellulose. Due to its high aspect ratio, tunicate cellulose has excellent physical properties. It draws extensive attention in the construction of robust functional materials. However, there is little research on its biological activity. In this study, cellulose enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted on tunicate cellulose. During the hydrolysis, the crystalline behaviors, i.e., crystallinity index (CrI), crystalline size and degree of polymerization (DP), were analyzed on the tunicate cellulose. As comparisons, similar hydrolyses were performed on cellulose samples with relatively low CrI, namely α-cellulose and amorphous cellulose. The results showed that the CrI of tunicate cellulose and α-cellulose was 93.9% and 70.9%, respectively; and after 96 h of hydrolysis, the crystallinity, crystalline size and DP remained constant on the tunicate cellulose, and the cellulose conversion rate was below 7.8%. While the crystalline structure of α-cellulose was significantly damaged and the cellulose conversion rate exceeded 83.8% at the end of 72 h hydrolysis, the amorphous cellulose was completely converted to glucose after 7 h hydrolysis, and the DP decreased about 27.9%. In addition, tunicate cellulose has high anti-mold abilities, owing to its highly crystalized Iβ lattice. It can be concluded that tunicate cellulose has significant resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis and could be potentially applied as anti-biodegradation materials.
Mapping Aboveground Woody Biomass on Abandoned Agricultural Land Based on Airborne Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Sačkov Ivan , Barka Ivan , Bucha Tomáš
Published: December 2020

Mapping aboveground woody biomass (AGB) on abandoned agricultural land (AAL) is required by relevant stakeholders to monitor the spatial dynamics of farmland afforestation, to assess the carbon sequestration, and to set the appropriate management of natural resources. The objective of this study was, therefore, to present and assess a workflow consisting of (1) the spatial identification of AAL based on a combination of airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, cadastral data, and Land Parcel Identification System data, and (2) the prediction of AGB on AAL using an area-based approach and a nonparametric random forest (RF) model based on a combination of field and ALS data. Part of the second objective was also to evaluate the applicability of (1) the author-developed algorithm for the calculation of ALS metrics and (2) a single comprehensive RF model for the whole area of interest. The study was conducted in the forest management unit Vígľaš (Slovakia, Central Europe) covering a total area of 12,472 ha. Specifically, five reference areas consisting of 11,194 reference points were used to assess the accuracy of the spatial identification of AAL, and seventy-five ground reference plots were used for the development of the ALS-based AGB model and for assessing the accuracy of the AGB map. The overall accuracy of the spatial identification of AAL was found to be 93.00% (Cohen’s kappa = 0.82). The difference between ALS-predicted and ground-observed AGB reached a relative root mean square error (RMSE) at 26.1%, 33.1%, and 21.3% for the whole sample size, plots dominated by shrub species, and plots dominated by tree species, respectively.
Towards Decision-Making for the Assessment and Prioritization of Green Projects: An Integration between System Dynamics and Participatory Modeling
Authors: Olivar-Tost Gerard , Valencia-Calvo Johnny , Castrillón-Gómez Julián Andrés
Published: December 2020

This research article presents the integration of participatory modeling and system dynamics as a novel methodology for the consolidation of social dynamic models for the subsequent evaluation and prioritization of green projects in Colombian post-conflict communities. First, through participatory work carried out with a community, the citizen factors were identified, evaluated, and systematized in relation to the problems and needs of the region. Second, based on the results obtained, a simulation model based on system dynamics—which facilitates decision-making with regard to the evaluation of green projects—was calibrated. The proposed methodology lead to the conclusion that, with the participation of the community, and with a model based on the dynamics of the variables—such as supply and demand—for natural water and land resources, it is possible to warn decision-makers about variables that can lead to the maximization of investments, and thus to prioritize and select the most appropriate environmental, social, or economic initiatives that meet the needs or expectations of the involved community. In the future, the model could be used to facilitate the management, administration, and control of water and land resources by creating alerts called reserve margins.
Major Depression and Brain Asymmetry in a Decision-Making Task with Negative and Positive Feedback
Authors: Kustubayeva Almira , Kamzanova Altyngul , Kudaibergenova Sandugash , Pivkina Veronika , Matthews Gerald
Published: December 2020

Depressed patients are characterized by hypoactivity of the left and hyperactivity of the right frontal areas during the resting state. Depression is also associated with impaired decision-making, which reflects multiple cognitive, affective, and attentional processes, some of which may be lateralized. The aim of this study was to investigate brain asymmetry during a decision-making task performed in negative and positive feedback conditions in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in comparison to healthy control participants. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 60 MDD patients and 60 healthy participants while performing a multi-stage decision-making task. Frontal, central, and parietal alpha asymmetry were analyzed with EEGlab/ERPlab software. Evoked potential responses (ERPs) showed general lateralization suggestive of an initial right dominance developing into a more complex pattern of asymmetry across different scalp areas as information was processed. The MDD group showed impaired mood prior to performance, and decreased confidence during performance in comparison to the control group. The resting state frontal alpha asymmetry showed lateralization in the healthy group only. Task-induced alpha power and ERP P100 and P300 amplitudes were more informative biomarkers of depression during decision making. Asymmetry coefficients based on task alpha power and ERP amplitudes showed consistency in the dynamical changes during the decision-making stages. Depression was characterized by a lack of left dominance during the resting state and left hypoactivity during the task baseline and subsequent decision-making process. Findings add to understanding of the functional significance of lateralized brain processes in depression.
Uremic Vascular Calcification: The Pathogenic Roles and Gastrointestinal Decontamination of Uremic Toxins
Authors: Chao Chia-Ter , Lin Shih-Hua
Published: December 2020

Uremic vascular calcification (VC) commonly occurs during advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and significantly increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Uremic toxins are integral within VC pathogenesis, as they exhibit adverse vascular influences ranging from atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, to VC. Experimental removal of these toxins, including small molecular (phosphate, trimethylamine-N-oxide), large molecular (fibroblast growth factor-23, cytokines), and protein-bound ones (indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate), ameliorates VC. As most uremic toxins share a gut origin, interventions through gastrointestinal tract are expected to demonstrate particular efficacy. The “gastrointestinal decontamination” through the removal of toxin in situ or impediment of toxin absorption within the gastrointestinal tract is a practical and potential strategy to reduce uremic toxins. First and foremost, the modulation of gut microbiota through optimizing dietary composition, the use of prebiotics or probiotics, can be implemented. Other promising strategies such as reducing calcium load, minimizing intestinal phosphate absorption through the optimization of phosphate binders and the inhibition of gut luminal phosphate transporters, the administration of magnesium, and the use of oral toxin adsorbent for protein-bound uremic toxins may potentially counteract uremic VC. Novel agents such as tenapanor have been actively tested in clinical trials for their potential vascular benefits. Further advanced studies are still warranted to validate the beneficial effects of gastrointestinal decontamination in the retardation and treatment of uremic VC.
The Antimalarial Compound Atovaquone Inhibits Zika and Dengue Virus Infection by Blocking E Protein-Mediated Membrane Fusion
Authors: Yamamoto Mizuki , Ichinohe Takeshi , Watanabe Aya , Kobayashi Ayako , Zhang Rui , Song Jiping , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Matsuda Zene , Inoue Jun-ichiro
Published: December 2020

Flaviviruses bear class II fusion proteins as their envelope (E) proteins. Here, we describe the development of an in vitro quantitative mosquito-cell-based membrane-fusion assay for the E protein using dual split proteins (DSPs). The assay does not involve the use of live viruses and allows the analysis of a membrane-fusion step independent of other events in the viral lifecycle, such as endocytosis. The progress of membrane fusion can be monitored continuously by measuring the activities of Renilla luciferase derived from the reassociation of DSPs during cell fusion. We optimized the assay to screen an FDA-approved drug library for a potential membrane fusion inhibitor using the E protein of Zika virus. Screening results identified atovaquone, which was previously described as an antimalarial agent. Atovaquone potently blocked the in vitro Zika virus infection of mammalian cells with an IC90 of 2.1 µM. Furthermore, four distinct serotypes of dengue virus were also inhibited by atovaquone with IC90 values of 1.6–2.5 µM, which is a range below the average blood concentration of atovaquone after its oral administration in humans. These findings make atovaquone a likely candidate drug to treat illnesses caused by Zika as well as dengue viruses. Additionally, the DSP assay is useful to study the mechanism of membrane fusion in Flaviviruses.
Variations in BK Polyomavirus Immunodominant Large Tumor Antigen-Specific 9mer CD8 T-Cell Epitopes Predict Altered HLA-Presentation and Immune Failure
Authors: Leuzinger Karoline , Kaur Amandeep , Wilhelm Maud , Hirsch Hans H.
Published: December 2020

Failing BK polyomavirus (BKPyV)-specific immune control is underlying onset and duration of BKPyV-replication and disease. We focused on BKPyV-specific CD8 T-cells as key effectors and characterized immunodominant 9mer epitopes in the viral large tumor-antigen (LTag). We investigated the variation of LTag-epitopes and their predicted effects on HLA-class 1 binding and T-cell activation. Available BKPyV sequences in the NCBI-nucleotide (N = 3263), and the NCBI protein database (N = 4189) were extracted (1368 sequences) and analyzed for non-synonymous aa-exchanges in LTag. Variant 9mer-epitopes were assessed for predicted changes in HLA-A and HLA-B-binding compared to immunodominant 9mer reference. We identified 159 non-synonymous aa-exchanges in immunodominant LTag-9mer T-cell epitopes reflecting different BKPyV-genotypes as well as genotype-independent variants altering HLA-A/HLA-B-binding scores. Decreased binding scores for HLA-A/HLA-B were found in 27/159 (17%). This included the immunodominant LPLMRKAYL affecting HLA-B*07:02-, HLA-B*08:01- and HLA-B*51:01-presentation. In two healthy BKPyV-seropositive HLA-B*07:02 blood donors, variant LSLMRKAYL showed reduced CD8 T-cell responses compared to LPLMRKAYL. Thus, despite LTag being highly conserved, aa-exchanges occur in immunodominant CD8 T-cell epitopes of BKPyV-genotypes as well as of genotypes -independent variants, which may contribute to genotype-dependent and genotype-independent failure of cellular immune control over BKPyV-replication. The data warrant epidemiological and immunological investigations in carefully designed clinical studies.
Biological Reduction of Organic Matter in Buji River Sediment (Shenzhen, China) with Artificial Oxygenation
Authors: Che Lin , Jin Wenbiao , Zhou Xu , Cao Chenbo , Han Wei , Qin Changlei , Tu Renjie , Chen Yidi , Feng Xiaochi , Wang Qilin
Published: December 2020

In this work, artificial oxygenation treatment (pure oxygen aeration or oxygen enriched water injection) combined with the introduction of exogenous microorganisms was employed to purify urban river sediment for the first time. Results showed that the developed in situ remediation strategy could increase the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) value of the sediments. Benefiting from the increase of DO concentration, the bacterial diversity was enhanced. The highest removal efficiencies of organic matter were 18.4% and 22.3% through pure oxygen aeration and oxygen enriched water injection, respectively. More importantly, overlying water quality was not affected. By comparison, oxygen enriched water injection treatment could achieve better performance on sediment purification. Introducing exogenous microorganisms further reduced the organic matter content of the sediment. In short, the current work not only proposed a promising strategy for controlling urban river sediment pollution, but also provided novel insight for the understanding of river sediment containing highly concentrated organic matter.
Are more GPs associated with a reduction in emergency hospital admissions? A quantitative study on GP referral in England
Authors: Nicodemo Catia , McCormick Barry , Wittenberg Raphael , Hobbs FD Richard
Published: December 2020

Background

Recent studies have found an association between access to primary care and accident and emergency attendances, with better access associated with fewer attendances. Analyses of an association with emergency admissions, however, have produced conflicting findings.

Aim

This study investigated whether emergency admission rates in an area are associated with 1) the number of GPs, and 2) mean size of GP practice.

Design and setting

Analysis was conducted utilising Hospital Episode Statistics, the numbers of GPs and GP practices, Office for National Statistics population data, Quality and Outcomes Framework prevalence data, and Index of Multiple Deprivation data, from 2004/2005 to 2011/2012, for all practices in England.

Method

Regression analysis of panel data with fixed effects to address 1) a potential two-way relationship between the numbers of GPs and emergency admissions, and 2) unobservable characteristics of GP practices.

Results

There is not a statistically significant relationship between the number of GPs in a primary care trust area and the number of emergency admissions, when analysing all areas. In deprived areas, however, a higher number of GPs is associated with lower emergency admissions. There is also a lower emergency admission rate in areas in which practices are on average larger, holding GP supply constant.

Conclusion

An increase in GPs was found to reduce emergency admissions in deprived areas, but not elsewhere. Areas in which GPs are concentrated into larger practices showed reduced levels of emergency admissions, all else being equal.
CLINICAL PROFILE OF ISOLATED SYSTOLIC HYPERTENSION AND IT'S CARDIOVASCULAR AND RENAL COMPLICATIONS AT AIIMS, PATNA, BIHAR
Authors: Kumar Rajeev Ranjan , Kumar Shiv , Ravikirti Ravikirti , Jana Debarshi
Published: December 2020

Hypertension, its risk factors and complications is very poorly understood therefore it goes undiagnosed and untreated for a long time. The present study was undertaken to study the clinical profile of isolated systolic hypertension (systolic > 140 and diastolic ≤ 90 mmHg ) in elderly (above the age of 60 years)and to find out any other associated risk factors, any end organ complications, specially cardiac through electrocardiography and echocardiography and on kidney through creatinine clearance. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken on patients attending the outdoor department and indoor department of medicine. The study group comprised of 75 elderly patients who had isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Using Chi square test correlation of age with stage of BP, association of risk factors with ISH and Stage III BP and ECG changes with LVH calculated. It concluded that ISH associated with risk factors has definite effect mainly on cardiac in terms of LV hypertrophy and on kidney in terms of reduced creatinine clearance and is an even better predictor of mortalityand morbidity than is diastolic blood pressure.
Effects of Different Fluting Medium Geometries on Von-Mises Stress and Deformation in Single Fluted Board: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Mohd Basri Mohd Salahuddin , Mohd Nor Mohd Zuhair , Shamsudin Rosnah , Mohamed Amin Tawakkal Intan Syafinaz , Abdul Ghani Nur Hamizah , Kamarudin Khairul Manami , Mohd Mustafah Anas
Published: December 2020

Paperboard box produced in large volume for packaging purpose either to pack light or heavy product. When a heavy product is packed, high strength and structural stability against compression and deformation of the paperboard box are demanded. This paper investigates the effects of different shape of fluting mediums on the von Mises stress and deformation using finite element analysis (FEA) tool. Solidworks and ANSYS software were used to design a 3-D model and perform static structural analysis, respectively. The result from the analysis and simulation revealed that common s-shape geometry experienced the lowest von Mises stress and deformation. Honeycomb geometry experienced the highest von Mises stress of 0.19576 MPa while triangle fluting medium recorded the highest deformation at 1.8695E-4mm.
Мировые энергетические инвестиции в 2020 г.
Authors: Демидов Сергей Александрович , Дербенева Анна Александровна
Published: December 2020

В статье, основанной на последних доступных данных, подготовленном Международным энергетическим агентством отчете World Energy Investment 2020, представлена всеобъемлющая картина того, как меняются потоки энергетического капитала в результате кризиса, включая годовые оценки глобальных инвестиций в энергетику в 2020 г.
Aligning the Affective Body
Authors: Siegl Veronika
Published: December 2020

Drawing on the concepts of «emotional labour» (Hochschild) and «technologies of the self» (Foucault), this article explores how women align their affective and thus risky bodies in order to become effective surrogate workers in Moscow. I argue that this alignment entails «dis-emotionalising» the pregnancy by strategically essentialising the female body. This essentialisation also serves as an authoritative tool of control and conceals the power disparities at hand.
Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Clinical Pearls for Providers
Authors: Chaput G. , Ibrahim M. , Towers A.
Published: December 2020

Lymphedema is a chronic inflammatory condition that results from damage to the lymphatic system. Lymphedema is classified as either primary or secondary, the former being caused by a malformation of lymph vessels or nodes, and the latter resulting from trauma, chronic lymphatic system overload, or the sequelae of cancer treatments. In the present article, we focus on secondary cancer-related lymphedema (CRL), a potential survivorship treatment-related effect. Treatments for breast, gynecologic, prostate, and head-and-neck cancers, and melanoma and other skin cancers are most frequently associated with CRL. The incidence of CRL varies widely based on cancer location and treatment modalities, with estimates ranging from 5% to 83% in various cancers. Given the lack of a universal definition and diagnostic criteria, the prevalence of CRL is difficult to ascertain; current estimates suggest that more than 300,000 Canadians are affected by CRL. Here, we present an overview of CRL, divided into 5 subtopics: lymphedema risk factors; early identification and intervention; diagnosis and staging; management, with emphasis on the volume reduction and maintenance phases, plus patient support and education; and clinical pearls to help providers integrate knowledge about CRL into their practice.
VARIACIÓN ESTACIONAL DE LA COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA DEL ACEITE ESENCIAL DE LAS HOJAS DE Ophryosporus peruvianus
Authors: Mattos Vila Edith María Fernanda , Collantes Díaz Ingrit Elida
Published: December 2020

El arbusto efímero Ophryosporus peruvianus fue recolectado por cinco meses (diciembre 2018 hasta abril 2019) en Andahuaylillas (Cusco). El aceite esencial de las hojas del arbusto fue obtenido por hidrodestilación y analizado por cromatografía gaseosa acoplado a espectrómetro de masas. Fueron identificados 89 componentes del aceite esencial entre monoterpenos oxigenados, hidrocarburos sesquiterpénicos, sesquiterpenos oxigenados, diterpenos oxigenados, entre otros, de los cuales los componentes mayoritarios fueron los hidrocarburos sesquiterpénicos β-cariofileno, (Z)-β-farneseno y β-sesquifelandreno y estuvieron presentes en las muestras de los 5 meses de colecta.
Penegakan Hukum terhadap Pencemaran Lingkungan di Sungai Cikijing, Jawa Barat Akibat Aktivitas Industri Tekstil PT. Kahatex
Authors: Sihombing Agung Kurniawan
Published: December 2020

AbstrakHak untuk mendapatkan lingkungan hidup yang baik dan sehat merupakan hak fundamental manusia yang diatur dalam Undang-undang Dasar 1945 dan peraturan perundang-undangan di bawahnya. Di sisi lain, negara membutuhkan pembangunan sebagai upaya dalam memajukan negaranya. Sayangnya, kedua hal ini sulit berjalan beriringan secara optimal. Hal ini dikarenakan pemenuhan hak atas lingkungan yang baik dan sehat sering kali terhambat oleh aktivitas industri yang tidak bertanggung jawab. Contohnya, hal ini dapat dilihat pada kasus pembuangan limbah tekstil PT. Kahatex di Kabupaten Bandung yang telah mencemari Sungai Cikijing di Rancaekek, Jawa Barat. Meski izin pembuangan limbahnya telah dicabut, PT. Kahatex masih terlihat melaksanakan aktivitasnya dengan dampak pencemaran lingkungan yang masih berkelanjutan. Lebih lanjut, Bupati Sumedang tidak berani menghentikan operasi perusahaan tersebut mengingat jumlah karyawan PT. Kahatex yang terancam kehilangan pekerjaan. Oleh karena itu, tulisan ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis permasalahan lingkungan yang ada serta memberikan saran terhadap penegakan hukum yang sebaiknya dilakukan.                  Kata kunci: Cikijing, industri, lingkungan, penegakan hukum, PT. KahatexAbstractThe right to a good and healthy environment is a fundamental right which is regulated in the Indonesian Constitution and the regulations below it. On the other hand, the state needs development to make the people prosperous. However, these two concepts are difficult to go hand in hand optimally. This due to the right to a good and healthy environment is often hampered by irresponsible industrial activities. For example, this could be seen in textile waste disposal by PT. Kahatex in Bandung Regency which has polluted the Cikijing River in Rancaekek, West Java. Although the waste disposal permit has been revoked, PT. Kahatex was still carrying out its activities. Moreover, The Sumedang Regent did not have the courage to stop the company's operations, considering the number of employees from PT Kahatex is threatened to be jobless. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze existing environmental problems and suggests recomendation for the law enforcement.Keywords: Cikijing, industry, environment, law enforcement, PT. Kahatex
Correlations between microbiota and metabolites after faecal microbiota transfer in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Holster S. , Repsilber D. , Geng D. , Hyötyläinen T. , Salonen A. , Lindqvist C.M. , Rajan S.K. , de Vos W.M. , Brummer R.J. , König J.
Published: December 2020

Faecal microbiota transfer (FMT) consists of the infusion of donor faecal material into the intestine of a patient with the aim to restore a disturbed gut microbiota. In this study, it was investigated whether FMT has an effect on faecal microbial composition, its functional capacity, faecal metabolite profiles and their interactions in 16 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Faecal samples from eight different time points before and until six months after allogenic FMT (faecal material from a healthy donor) as well as autologous FMT (own faecal material) were analysed by 16S RNA gene amplicon sequencing and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GS-MS). The results showed that the allogenic FMT resulted in alterations in the microbial composition that were detectable up to six months, whereas after autologous FMT this was not the case. Similar results were found for the functional profiles, which were predicted from the phylogenetic sequencing data. While both allogenic FMT as well as autologous FMT did not have an effect on the faecal metabolites measured in this study, correlations between the microbial composition and the metabolites showed that the microbe-metabolite interactions seemed to be disrupted after allogenic FMT compared to autologous FMT. This shows that FMT can lead to altered interactions between the gut microbiota and its metabolites in IBS patients. Further research should investigate if and how this affects efficacy of FMT treatments.
Thermal investigation of montmorillonite/BSA by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements1
Authors: Caccamo Maria Teresa ,   Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres n 31, S. Agata, 98166 Messina, Italy, Mavilia Giuseppe , Mavilia Letterio , Calandra Pietro , Lombardo Domenico , Magazù Salvatore ,   Dipartimento di Patrimonio, Architettura e Urbanistica; Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, (PAU), Via Melissari, I-89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy,   Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per lo Studio Materiali Nanostrutturati, Via Salaria Km 29,300 00015 Monterotondo Stazione (Roma), Italy,   CNR–IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici – (Sez. Messina) Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres, 37. I-98158, Messina, Italy
Published: December 2020

This paper reports the analysis of the intramolecular OH stretching band obtained by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements. In order to characterize the effect of montmorillonite on the properties of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) the two-state model is adopted for the analysis of the OH stretching band. We assume that the OH stretching can be divided into two different states of inter-molecular bonding. The results of this experimental work confirm that the montmorillonite leads to a stabilization of the BSA structure. Also, the analysis of the spectra temperature dependence shows a montmorillonite-induced higher thermal stability of the BSA in respect to pristine BSA. Thus, this paper highlights the effectiveness of montmorillonite as thermal bio-protector. A FTIR analysis was carried out to investigate the interaction of Montmorillonite with BSA. Two different approaches, i.e. Spectral Distance and Wavelet analyses, constitute two effective and innovative approaches for the characterization of the thermal properties of pristine BSA and of BSA in the presence of Montmorillonite. The results allowed us to consider as BSA in the presence of Montmorillonite has a lower spectral sensitivity when the temperature changes and, therefore, the role of Montmorillonite as a thermal bio-protector is motivated.
A cicatriz invisível: o ser mãe de bebês com fissura labiopalatina
Authors: Melo Cynthia De Freitas , Morais Jaiana Cristina Cândido , Araújo Neto João Lins de , Feitosa Shéridan de Moura
Published: December 2020

O diagnóstico de uma malformação como a fissura labiopalatina demanda cuidados com o bebê, mas também convoca atenção para a mãe que idealizava um filho esteticamente e funcionalmente perfeito. Diante dessa demanda, a presente pesquisa objetivou compreender o processo de tornar-se mãe de um bebê com fissura labiopalatina e a reelaboração do sentimento materno do “bebê-sonhado” para o “bebê-nascido”. Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo exploratória, que contou com a participação de dez mães de bebês com fissura, que responderam um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturado, cujos dados foram compreendidos por meio de análise lexical no Interface de R pour les Analyses Multimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires (IRaMuTeQ). Os resultados mostram a reação das mães ao diagnóstico, o processo de aceitação do novo filho, a expectativa pela cirurgia e correção da malformação, as preocupações e dificuldades de adaptação às limitações do bebê e ao processo de tratamento. Conclui-se a importância de oferecer o diagnóstico precoce da malformação às mães desde a gestação e auxiliá-las na sua aceitação e no desenvolvimento de uma boa relação da díade mãe-bebê.
Knowledge Management in Projects
Authors: Pereira Leandro , Santos José , Dias Álvaro , Costa Renato
Published: December 2020

Knowledge transfer in project-based organizations has been recognized as a productivity and economic growth promoter that is currently not properly managed. Therefore, it is critical to investigate the importance of knowledge regarding its acquisition, use, and transfer across all departments of an organization. The main objective of this work was to evaluate how modern organizations from different business sectors manage and share their knowledge by following the knowledge management and transfer life cycles when developing their projects. Organizational surveys were performed to project managers working in project management within in multiple Portuguese industries (or with representation in Portugal) from multiple business sectors and holding different hierarchical positions. The present study revealed that most companies can identify, capture, and retain the relevant knowledge, and apply it to the development of other projects. Thus, the importance of implementing the knowledge management transfer to other projects is crucial for successful project implementation and management.
The Use of Ambisonic Audio to Improve Presence, Focus, and Noticing While Viewing 360 Video
Authors: Ferdig Richard E. , Kosko Karl W. , Gandolfi Enrico
Published: December 2020

Research has provided evidence of the value of producing multiple representations of content for learners (e.g., verbal, visual, etc.). However, much of the research has acknowledged changes in visual technologies while not recognizing or utilizing related audio innovations. For instance, teacher education students who were once taught through two-dimensional video are now being presented with interactive, three-dimensional content (e.g., simulations or 360 video). Users in old and new formats, however, still typically receive monophonic sound. A limited number of research studies exist that have examined the impact of combining three-dimensional sound to match three-dimensional video in learning environments. The purpose of this study was to respond to this gap by comparing the outcomes of watching 360 video with either monophonic or ambisonic audio. Results provided evidence that ambisonic audio increased perceived presence for those familiar with the content being taught, led to differentiation in what ambisonic viewers noticed compared to monophonic groups, and improved participant focus in watching the 360 video. Implications for the development and implementation into virtual worlds are discussed.
Enhanced Efficacy of Combined Therapy with Checkpoint Kinase 1 Inhibitor and Rucaparib via Regulation of Rad51 Expression in BRCA Wild-Type Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Cho Hye-yon , Kim Yong-Beom , Park Wook-ha , No Jae Hong
Published: December 2020

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate anticancer effects of combination treatment with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitors in BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer. PARP inhibitors can function as DNA-damaging agents in BRCA wild-type cancer, even if clinical activity is limited. Most epithelial ovarian cancers are characterized by a TP53 mutation causing dysfunction at the G1/S checkpoint, which makes tumor cells highly dependent on Chk1-mediated G/M phase cell-cycle arrest for DNA repair.Materials and Methods We investigated the anticancer effects of combination treatment with prexasertib (LY2606368), a selective ATP competitive small molecule inhibitor of Chk1 and Chk2, and rucaparib, a PARP inhibitor, in BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR3 and SKOV3).Results We found that combined treatment significantly decreased cell viability in all cell lines and induced greater DNA damage and apoptosis than in the control and/or using monotherapies. Moreover, we found that prexasertib significantly inhibited homologous recombination–mediated DNA repair and thus showed a marked anticancer effect in combination treatment with rucaparib. The anticancer mechanism of prexasertib and rucaparib was considered to be caused by an impaired G2/M checkpoint due to prexasertib treatment, which forced mitotic catastrophe in the presence of rucaparib.Conclusion Our results suggest a novel effective therapeutic strategy for BRCA wild-type epithelial ovarian cancer using a combination of Chk1 and PARP inhibitors.
Distribution of South American manatees, Trichechus manatus Linnaeus, 1758 and T. inunguis (Natterer, 1883) (Sirenia: Trichechidae)
Authors: Bonvicino Cibele Rodrigues , Viana Maria Carolina , Oliveira Edivaldo H. C. de , Emin Renata , Silva Junior José De Sousa e , Sousa Maura Elisabeth Moraes de , Siciliano Salvatore
Published: December 2020

South America is unique as it is home of two species of manatees: the West Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus, and the Amazonian manatee, T. inunguis. These species are easily identified by the belly skin coloration, the first is entirely gray whereas T. inunguis has a white mark pattern in the belly, and presence of nails in T. manatus, absent in T. inunguis. The morphology and the range of Trichechus species have been clearly established. However, we show that the belly skin coloration and the presence of nails on the pectoral flipper may be polymorphic. These findings prompted us to check all available information about the manatee. In view of lack of accurate data on manatee locations, we produced a gazetteer and a map of Trichechus spp. in South America using records obtained by regular monitoring of aquatic mammal strandings conducted by the Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Aquáticos da Amazônia of the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, all available peer-reviewed data, reports, thesis, and newspaper files with photos showing diagnostic characters. These findings showed the need of improving the identification of these species before implementing conservation strategies. Finally, we present a complete report on the extant distribution of these species in South America.
Blockchain securitization: an innovative technology to boost asset liquidity
Authors:   Avantage Reply, Fabris Paolo , Begozzi Valerio ,   Avantage Reply, Santarossa Angelo ,   Avantage Reply, Dammacco Francesco ,   Avantage Reply, Fagiani Gianmarco ,   Avantage Reply, Rostagno Riccardo ,   Avantage Reply, Frigerio Chiara ,   Università del Sacro Cuore di Milano
Published: December 2020

The main aim of this paper is to show the potential benefits for the Securitisation process, both in terms of the setup of operations and in the entire product life cycle, derived from the adoption of the Blockchain Technology. For this purpose, we focused on the different aspects, starting from the securitisation market in which we analysed the causes of the decrease in the number of operations occurred in the last decade, although there still is a strong need to securitise some types of assets such as NPL’s and Trade Receivables. Specifically, for these two types of assets we represent the securitisation process with the As-Is limits and improvements made possible by the blockchain technology application. Along this “path” we have deepened some key aspects of the blockchain and how the application of this technology may help Financial Institutions to experience a strong reduction in operational risks and costs, liquidity risk and credit risk on managing the underlying assets. At the same time, the new framework might give to a wider category of individuals access to a product that otherwise would have been available only to a limited number of more sophisticated investors, tapping from more structured, controlled and certified information. All this being achieved at no additional costs but rather with stronger and more organized and transparent product structures.
HEADLINE AND PHOTO PORTRAYALS OF RAPED PERSONS IN SELECT EDITIONS OF NIGERIAN DAILIES: A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
Authors:   Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Federal University of Lafia Lafia, Nigeria, Idakwo Emmanuel , Mezewo Obuzor ,   Department of Sociology, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Published: December 2020

As a social plague that has been with mankind for all time, rape has left many stereotyped, stigmatised, and sometimes, irreparably damaged. The act is an evil that defies the age, race, location, and social status of its sufferers. Despite the heavy legal penalties that this crime attracts in many parts of the world, its occurrence has, nonetheless, been on the increase. Research reveals that many rape cases go unreported by their sufferers for fear of further harm from their attackers and for fear of stigma. In Nigeria, even when they are reported to the police, the authorities do too little to bring perpetrators to justice - a misnomer that gives the rapists more impetus to repeat their act. The few of these cases that are carried by the mass media, ostensibly, project the sufferers as hopeless and pitiable individuals, whose lives are ruined. Theoretically situated within the framing ideology, this paper adopted the textual analysis method to establish that Nigerian newspapers exploit the use of headlines and photos to re-victimise raped persons in the ways they are portrayed. Rather than ameliorate the effects of the evil done to such individuals, these texts present them and their loved ones as hopeless victims. This paper holds that rapists should be portrayed as the ones needing of pity and help. Although the paper agrees that both the rapist and the raped need dissimilar psychosocial (and medical) rehabilitations, it recommends that Nigerian newspapers should deemphasise angles that throw pity parties for those affected by the incidents, while the rapists should be projected as the real victims of themselves and of their acts.
COVID-19 AND NIGERIAN PUPILS’ READING DISTRESSES: EXPERIMENTING COLLABORATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR THE REVATALISATION OF LOWER-BASIC SCHOOL PUPILS’ READING CULTURE
Authors:   Department of languages, College of Administrative Studies and Social Sciences, Kaduna Polytechnics, Kaduna, Nigeria, Safi Lawal , Zakaric Umar ,   Department of languages, College of Administrative Studies and Social Sciences, Kaduna Polytechnics, Kaduna, Nigeria, Grace Oluwole ,   Department of English, School of languages, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin
Published: December 2020

The development of lower-basic school was replicated prior to the attainment of independent in Nigeria. This is a move to look inward on how the country can lay a very good foundation for Nigeria education. The emergency of covid-19 pandemic that compulsorily short down schools across the globe in no doubt affects Nigerian pupils reading culture. The trust of this paper therefore, is to experiment how collaborative as an instructional technique can close the reading-culture vacuum created by the covid-19 pandemic with a view to suggesting ways of improving the quality of teaching and learning reading comprehension. A quasi-experimental design with pre and post-test, non-randomized, and non-equivalent was adopted for data collection. The population for this study consisted of all upper-basic school pupils in Ilorin metropolis. Two schools were purposively sampled. The sample was categorized into one experimental group and one control group of fifty respondents each. The data collected were analysed using the percentage, mean, standard deviation and analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) to test the two formulated hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that: the general level of pupils’ achievement in reading comprehension was low before the treatments (42.79) but high after the treatments (77.76) irrespective of gender. The paper recommends that teachers of the English language should wake up and move in line with the modern trends through the use of collaborative instructional techniques in order to improve the teaching and learning of reading comprehension. Teachers and other stakeholders should try and leave up expectations by encouraging collaborative techniques for teaching reading. Curriculum planners and developers should not be left out in this regard.