bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the exploitation, utilization and cooperation of geothermal energy between Iceland and China
Authors: Zhang Huan , Meng Wei , Zhao Fang
Published: April 2020

Iceland has a long history of geothermal resource utilization and gains successful experiences in the exploitation and management of geothermal resources. Although China has abundant geothermal resources, the utilization rate is not high, and its management mechanism is not perfect yet. There is still much to improve. Through the comparison of geothermal resource utilization and management between Iceland and China, combining with the evolutionary game model of energy cooperation, this paper draws a conclusion: although both sides can gain corresponding benefits by strengthening energy cooperation, the urgency of cooperation between them is not very strong and the cooperation is in a still mode. With the increasing proportion of China’s clean energy usage and pressure on traditional energy security, as well as the promotion of China-Iceland free trade zone in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, their willingness for energy cooperation is very likely to be strengthened. Therefore, both sides should be forward-looking when formulating energy strategies, establish a geothermal enterprise alliance, share knowledge and information, actively deepen the co-development of unconventional geothermal energy.
Assessment and countermeasure analysis of ship pollutant receiving, transshipment and disposal capacity-- take Port L as an example
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Chu Chunchao
Published: April 2020

In order to implement China’s environmental protection laws, regulations and technical policies, the ministry of transport of the People’s Republic of China has issued the guidelines for the construction of facilities for the reception, transfer and disposal of pollutants from ports and ships[1].Based on Port L vessel pollutant receiving disposal scheme work, put forward to the ship pollutants measurement standard, evaluation ship oil sewage, chemical washing water, discharge of sewage, life rubbish and receiving ability in Port L, Put forward Suggestions on the integration of pollutant receiving, transshipment and disposal from ships, effectively enhance the level of L port vessel pollutant control.
Synthesis of V2O5 nanoparticles using Calophyllum inophyllum leaf extract as photocatalyst under visible light irradiation
Authors: Megawati W , Yulizar Y , Sudirman S , Apriandanu D O B
Published: April 2020

Synthesis of V2O5 nanoparticles (NPs) using Calophyllum inophyllum leaf extract (CILE) as an eco-friendly material has been investigated. V2O5 NPs were prepared using NH4VO3 as precursor. The typical absorption peak of V2O5 NPs has been characterized using UV–Vis spectrophotometer at 204 nm. V2O5 NPs have the band gap value of 2.42 eV confirmed by UV-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that an average crystal size of V2O5 NPs was 68 nm. Identification of functional groups was characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The absorption band at 1023 cm−1 shows the V=O bond and the V-O-V bond at 849 and 578 cm−1, respectively. Size distribution of V2O5 NPs was characterized by particle size analyzer (PSA). Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) Spectroscopy analysis was used to determine the morphological and the element composition of V2O5NPs. The degradation percentage of methylene blue (MB) using V2O5 NPs was 74.83 % under visible light irradiation for 120 min.
Cellulose-Fe3O4 nanocomposite based on rice husk as catalyst for synthesis of methyl ester from waste cooking oil
Authors: Trisnawati L , Helmiyati H
Published: April 2020

Cellulose-Fe3O4 nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized by modifying Fe3O4 onto nanocellulose acetate surface derived cellulose from rice husk. It was supported by Fourier Tranform-Infrared (FT-IR) characterization, where there was absorption at 900 cm−1, which was a characteristic for cellulose absorption, and at 572 cm−1, which was the absorption of Fe-O. The morphology of cellulose-Fe3O4 nanocomposite by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) having fibers shape were the characteristic of cellulose and Fe3O4 nanoparticle attached on the surface of nanocellulose and supported by SEM mapping. The characterization of Tunneling Electron Microscopy (TEM) obtained nano Fe3O4 on the nanocellulose surface with average size around 55 nm. The cellulose-Fe3O4 nanocomposites have the capability, as catalyst for the synthesis of methyl esters from waste cooking oil with the optimal conditions at 60 °C for 120 minutes with the obtained conversion is 77.56 %. The nanocomposite of based biopolymer with nanomagnetite active side is potential for catalysts from the used cooking oil to biodiesel as renewable energy and can replace limited fossil energy.
Investigation of metalloporphyrins in Duri crude oil asphaltene fraction
Authors: Affendi T , Yulizar Y , Kurniawaty I , Haerudin H , Apriandanu D O B
Published: April 2020

Metalloporphyrins are a compound that leads the contaminant in catalytic cracking of crude oil. This study aims to investigate the metalloporphyrin in crude oil from Duri, Riau, Indonesia. The extraction process yielded maltene and asphaltene up to 71.87 % and 1.07%, respectively. Asphaltene fraction was extracted by soxhlet using methanol solvent. The separation of asphaltene fraction was perfomed by column chromatography using mixing of toluene: chloroform: methanol (5:5:1) eluents. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum of asphaltene indicated the presence of a pyrolle ring at 800 cm−1 in the fingerprint region as a porphyrin-formed group. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of methanol separation showed free porphyrin at 580 nm and metalloporphyrins at 500–700 nm. The Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES) qualitative analysis of asphaltene fraction showed the presence of vanadium, nickel, and iron. The Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis on asphaltene 15th fraction showed the presence of C34H39N4VO2 compound.
Preparation of ZnO nanoparticles in n-hexane-water system using Moringa oliefera leaf extract and its photodegradation activity
Authors: Pratiwi Y , Yulizar Y , Apriandanu D O B
Published: April 2020

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Moringa oliefera leaf extract in two phases system of n-hexane-water. The presence of secondary metabolites in n-hexane acts as a weak base source and precursor of Zn(NO3)2, in water were needed for the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. ZnO nanoparticles were further characterized using UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy(DRS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX), and Tunneling Electron Microscopy (TEM). Based on TEM characterization, the particles size of ZnO nanoparticles was approximately 67 nm. The band gap energy of ZnO was 3.2 eV. The photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanoparticles were observed through the methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV-light irradiation. The percentage of MB degradation was 99 % for 2 h.
Study of orthophosphate detection method using DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) device with modified binding layer Fe-chitosan-bentonite biocomposite in aquatic system
Authors: Andini S , Saefumillah A , Hafizah M A E , Yunarti R T
Published: April 2020

In this work, a study of orthophosphate detection technique in the aquatic system has been conducted. The detection technique used in this study was Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) with Fe-Chitosan-Bentonite (Fe-CSBent) biocomposite as the binding agent. The phosphate species diffused through the polyacrylamide gel and then bound by Fe-CSBent as the binding agent on the binding layer. The adsorption of phosphate by Fe-CSBent is through electrostatic attraction, inner sphere complexation, and ion-exchanged. The synthesized Fe-CSBent biocomposite was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, and the synthesized diffusive gel and binding gel were characterized using FTIR analysis. In this experiment, we examined the DGT-Fe-CSBent capability in orthophosphate binding with parameters such as the deployment time, pH of the solution and the presence of co-existent anion i.e. sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The mass of bound orthophosphate can be calculated after eluted the binding gel with acid and then measured with the molybdenum blue method using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Based on the experiment, DGT-Fe-CSBent bound the orthophosphates more efficiently in concentration of 2.2970 μg/mL with 90.208 % efficiency, compared to DGT-CSBent in concentration of 1.7333 μg/mL with 79.874 % efficiency. It was also known that the presence of STPP influenced the amount of orthophosphate concentration bound by Fe-CSBent in the binding gel. DGT-Fe-CSBent device that was made to be selective in predicting bioavailable phosphate, but the presence of other phosphate species such as sodium tripolyphosphate may be influenced orthophosphate bound by DGT.
Synthesis of metal oxide-hierarchical ZSM-5 (CO3O4/ZSM-5 and Fe2O3/ZSM-5) as catalysts for partial oxidation of biomethane to methanol
Authors: Putrananda A T , Nurani D A , Krisnandi Y K
Published: April 2020

This study presents a partial oxidation of biomethane from anaerobic organic waste of cow dung (83.7 % of methane and 16.3 % of oxygen) to methanol using modified cobalt and iron metal oxide-hierarchical ZSM-5 catalysts. Hierarchical ZSM-5 was synthesized using double template methods with tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride acrylamide copolymer (PDDAM) as the first and secondary templates, respectively. The as-synthesized ZSM-5 materials were characterized with Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and the results show the similarities of physicochemical properties with standard ZSM-5 materials. The hierarchical ZSM-5 was then modified with cobalt or iron oxides through impregnation with incipient wetness. The results of XPS analysis show that the impregnated cobalt and iron metal oxide are Co3O4 and Fe2O3, respectively. While the AAS analysis indicates that the metal content in Co3O4/ZSM-5 and Fe2O3/ZSM-5 are 2.1 % (Co) and 2.4 % (Fe), respectively. The partial oxidation of bio-methane to methanol was carried out in an atmospheric fixed batch reactor, c.a. 200 mL, with biomethane to N2 ratio of 0,2:2 (in bar). The results of application using biomethane show the hierarchical Fe2O3/ZSM-5 catalyst has higher methanol yield (17.61 %), compared to the yield by using hierarchical Co3O4/ZSM-5 (10.99 %). In addition, no side product is detected after reaction. Thus, it can be concluded that Fe2O3 is more active than Co3O4 as catalyst and biomethane can be utilized as source in this partial oxidation reaction.
NaAlg-PVA-g-AAm/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogel as material of wound dressing: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Helmiyati H , Hartina U
Published: April 2020

In this study, sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol grafted acrylamide with modified ZnO nanoparticles to nanocomposite hydrogel NaAlg-PVA-g-AAm/ZnO have been successfully synthesized. The characterizations of hydrogels were supported by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Tunneling Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (TEM-EDX). The image of TEM obtained shows that ZnO nanoparticle are distributed evenly with about 70 nm diameter in hydrogel nanocomposite. The results for NaAlg-PVA-g-AAm nanocomposite hydrogel modified ZnO nanoparticles was obtained the best nanocomposite at 32.21 ppm Zn2+ concentration. It has Zn2+ ion maximum loading capacity at 80 %, maximum release capacity of 25 % measured by AAS, and its water maximum swelling capacity is 230.20 (g/g). While the maximum swelling capacity for NaAlg-PVA-g-AAm nanocomposite hydrogel is 106.30 (g/g). From in-vitro antibacterial activity test, S.aureus (gram positive bacteria) has more resistance than P. Aeruginosa (gram negative bacteria) in which S. aureus inhibition percentage is 60.22 % and P. Aeruginosa is 40.10 % with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 ppm.
Synthesis, characterisation and catalytic activity of V2O5 nanoparticles using Foeniculum vulgare stem extract
Authors: Jabbar J L Al , Apriandanu D O B , Yulizar Y , Sudirman S
Published: April 2020

A green synthesis route of metal oxide has been developed to synthesize the V2O5 nanoparticles. V2O5 was synthesized using Foeniculum vulgare stems extract (FSE) and ammonium monovanadate as precursors. The role of secondary metabolite compounds affect the particle size of V2O5. The crystalline phase and crystallite size of V2O5 were investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) with the orthorhombic crystalline phase and the average crystallite size around 78.6 nm. The presence of functional groups was evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR). The morphology, particle size, and chemical composition of V2O5 were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Tunneling Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX). V2O5 nanoparticles show a good catalytic activity for the reduction of methylene blue (MB).
Bi2O3 nanoparticles: synthesis, characterizations, and photocatalytic activity
Authors: Nurmalasari N , Yulizar Y , Apriandanu D O B
Published: April 2020

In this study, Bi2O3 nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using Jatropha multifida L. leaf extract (JMLE). Bi2O3 nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). These various characterizations were performed to analyze the functional groups, structural, optical, morphological, composition, and photocatalytic properties. The synthesized Bi2O3 have monoclinic structure, optical band gap of 3.34 eV, agglomerated morphology, and particle size of 17.26 nm. Photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3 nanoparticles was investigated for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation with degradation percentage of 92.53 %.
Study of orthophosphate uptake by diffusive gradient in thin film (DGT) system with Co-loaded chitosan bentonite biocomposite binding gel and the effect of its anion interferences on the phosphate response
Authors: Sitadevi P A , Yunarti R T , Saefumillah A
Published: April 2020

The binding gel in DGT has been modified with Co-loaded chitosan-bentonite (Co-CSBent) biocomposite in order to enhance the phosphate binding capacity. The comparison was also performed by Chitosan-bentonite (CSBent). The binding and diffusive gel for this method were made from acrylamide, ammonium persulfate, and N, N-methylenebisacrylamide. The synthesized binding gel and biocomposite were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Characterization results showed that biocomposites had been synthesized successfully. For control, DGT Co-CSBent and CSBent were tested with 2 ppm phosphate and without anions, CDGT of orthophosphate value of 1.9127 μg/mL and 1.6643 μg/mL were obtained respectively. Both binding gels in DGT were examined with various anions including Cl−, SO4
2-, HCO3
−, and NO3
− in the concentration ranging from 0.5 mg/L to 2.5 mg/L. At higher SO4
2- inhibitor concentration, CDGT value of 1.0153 μg/mL (CSBent) and 1.2736 μg/mL (Co-CSBent) were obtained. Whereas, at higher Cl− inhibitor, CDGT value of 1.2934 μg/mL (CSBent) and 1.9584 μg/mL (Co-CSBent) were obtained. At higher HCO3
− inhibitor concentration, CDGT value of 0.7371 μg/mL (CSBent) and 0.8628 μg/mL (CoCSBent) were obtained. And, at higher NO3
− inhibitor concentration, CDGT value of 0.459 μg/mL (CSBent) and 0.5889 μg/mL (Co-CSBent) were obtained. Based on the obtained data, Cl− and SO4
2- do not affect the CDGT of orthophosphate value. However, NO3
− and HCO3
− anions gradually reduced the CDOT of orthophosphate value compared with CDOT of the control value. Phosphate binding by biocomposite is controlled by ion exchange, electrostatic force, and Lewis metal ion complexation.
Effect of Nonidet SF-5 as surfactant in preparation of microspheres based on polyblend of poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone
Authors: Zilvania F , Budianto E
Published: April 2020

Microspheres of biodegradable polymers have been widely investigated in delivery system for bioactive compounds. In this study, microspheres were prepared from polyblend of poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone using water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion solvent evaporation method with Nonidet SF-5 as surfactant. The effect of Nonidet SF-5 on the size of microsphere and its distribution was studied by varying the volume of surfactant (1, 1.5, and 2) mL. Additional variations such as emulsion stirring speed (700, 800, and 900) rpm and dispersion stirring time (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) h were also conducted. Microspheres were characterized using Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and optical microscope. The results showed that the addition of surfactant volume decreased the microspheres size from 34.58 μm to 28.70 μm and the most uniform microspheres size was obtained at 1 mL of Nonidet SF-5. While the microspheres that produced through variation of emulsion stirring speed showed the same size, that was 31.50 μm and the most uniform microspheres size was obtained at 800 rpm. Moreover, the increasing in dispersion stirring time also decrease the microspheres size from 31.50 μm to 19.76 μm, but it did not affect the microspheres size distribution.
An efficient one-pot multicomponent synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines catalyzed by guanidine hydrochloride
Authors: Cahyana A H , Ardiansah B , Aisy N R
Published: April 2020

Guanidine hydrochloride has been successfully used in one-pot three component assembly of aromatic aldehyde, ethyl acetoacetate and ammonium acetate to produce 1,4-dihydropyridines. Optimization of reaction conditions revealed that 10 mol% guanidine at room temperature for 4 h in ethanol is the best condition for synthesis of compound 4a in 85 % yield. Furthermore, compound 4b was synthesized and obtained in 62 %.
Effect of surfactant mixing in microspheres preparations using polyblend of poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone
Authors: Annisa M A , Budianto E
Published: April 2020

Microencapsulation has an important role in the drug delivery system in the medical and pharmaceutical world. As an attempt to improve the therapeutic effect of the drug, microspheres materials are developed by optimizing the size of microspheres and their size distribution to be suitable for drug delivery applications. In this study, poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone polyblend with 60:40 (w/w) composition, have been used in the preparation of microspheres through the solvent evaporation (O/W) method using a mixed of common nonionic surfactants, Tween 80 and Span 80 were used as emulsifier. The microspheres size distribution was observed at various compositions (60:40, 50:50, 40:60) and concentrations (0.5–2.5 % (v/v)) of Tween 80/Span 80. The resulting microspheres were round and have diameter distributed around 30.07 μm. Microspheres were also characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Particle Size Analyzer (PSA). The effect of mixing Tween 80 and Span 80 was shown in microspheres size formed, which was similar to the one of Tween 80 (0.375–43.67 μm) and larger than the one of Span 80 (0.375 - 0.791 μm). The distribution size of the resulting microspheres was slightly narrower than the one with the use of Tween 80. The microspheres physical appearances were observed by optical microscope (OM).
Determination of the effect of EDTA and PCMB on purified bromelain activity from pineapple core and in vitro antiplatelet activity
Authors: Hidayani W A , Setiasih S , Hudiyono S
Published: April 2020

Bromelain is an enzyme belongs to the cysteine protease. In this study, bromelain isolated from pineapple core (Ananascomosus[L.] Merr) was purified by fractionation using ammonium sulfate followed by dialysis and then ion exchange chromatography. The fraction of bromelain obtained from each purification step showed an increase in specific activity. The highest specific activity of protease was found in 20-50% ammonium sulfate fraction of 104.018 U/mg with a purity level 3.2-fold compared to crude extract. Further purification by ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-Cellulose, the fraction of bromelain showed an increase in specific activity to 278.333 U/mg with a purity level 8.8-fold compared to crude extract. The determination of kinetics parameter of purified bromelain using Lineweaver-Burk plot gives Km value of 0.15 % (w/v) and Vmax of 0.056 U/min. This bromelain can be strongly inhibited by EDTA and PCMB. The addition of EDTA and PCMB at a concentration of 0.5 mM can decrease the activity of the enzyme up to 88.50% by showing the competitive and mix-inhibition types of inhibition, respectively. The antiplatelet activity of the bromelain fraction was tested in-vitro based on the Born method, by using plasma (PRP), acetosal as a positive control and ADP as an aggregator. The purified bromelain showed the ability of an antiplatelet agent with percentage of aggregation 29.51% and percentage of inhibition 68.91%.
Effect of titanium substitution on the structural and optical properties of lanthanum orthoferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Hanifah U , Triyono D , Jufri D Y
Published: April 2020

A series of LaFe1-xTixO3 (x = 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6) nanoparticles was succesfully synthesized via sol-gel method. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry. XRD characterization revealed an orthorhombic crystal structure with the pnma space group. In the FTIR spectra, the vibrational modes of tilting, bending, and symmetric stretching of the Fe/TiO6 octahedra were observed. UV-Vis analysis showed the increasing of the energy gap with Ti content.
Scaling behavior of loop area, magnetic remanence and coercivity in thermal dependence of double perovskite Ba1.7La0.3FeMoO6 compound
Authors: Sari F P , Suriasugandha L H , Franata N , Handoko D
Published: April 2020

We have detailed investigated the scaling behavior of loop area with respect to temperature for Ba1.7La0.3FeMoO6 double perovskite compound. The hysteresis loop was performed on a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM-Lakeshore 331) from below to critical temperature with a fixed applied field. Based on field dependence of magnetization, we observed that the loop area remains constant within the range below to near critical temperature then decreases abruptly at around critical temperature, exhibits scaling behavior with respect to temperature. The scaling exponent of magnetic remanence and coercivity field with respect to temperature are analyzed together. The result indicates a coexistence of loop area, magnetic remanence and coercivity field in Ba1.7La0.3FeMoO6 double perovskite compound.
Awareness, Treatment, and Control Rates of Hypertension in Adults Aged 35–75 Years in Three Provinces of Central China
Authors: Song Jia-li , Yang Jing-wei , Zhang Dan-wei , Cui Jian-lan , Wu Chao-qun , Li Jing , Zheng Xin , Li Xi
Published: April 2020

Background

To describe the status of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates and their relationships with individual characteristics in Henan, Hubei, and Hunan provinces in central China, and to describe the patterns of antihypertensive drug use in this region.

Methods

The awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension in this area were identified through analysis of the data from China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE) Million Persons Project in three provinces (Henan, Hubei, and Hunan) of central China. The patterns of antihypertensive drug use were also examined. The mixed model was used to analyze the relationship between the awareness, treatment, and control rates and individual characteristics at the patient level.

Results

A total of 268,461 subjects were enrolled with 37.9% male and an average age of (56.3 ± 9.7) years. Among them, 129,099 (48.1%) had hypertension, of which 49.5% were aware of hypertension, 42.9% received antihypertensive drugs, and 11.5% had blood pressure under control. Calcium channel antagonists (54.6%) were the most widely used among all antihypertensive drugs. Of the patients whose blood pressure were not controlled, 25,482 patients (86.4%) took only one antihypertensive drug. In addition, the rate of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension varied significantly among different populations: the rates were higher among the older, as well as among subjects with higher annual family income, higher educational status, and history of myocardial infarction, stroke, and diabetes (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension in adult patients of central China require further improvement. Meanwhile the proportion of combination drug therapy is low.
Show me you care: female mate choice based on egg attendance rather than male or territorial traits
Authors: Valencia-Aguilar Anyelet , Zamudio Kelly R , Haddad Célio F B , Bogdanowicz Steve M , Prado Cynthia P A
Published: April 2020

Female mate choice is often based on male traits, including signals or behaviors, and/or the quality of a male’s territory. In species with obligate paternal care, where care directly affects offspring survival, females may also base their mate choices on the quality of a sire’s care. Here, we quantified male reproductive success in a natural population of the glass frog Hyalinobatrachium cappellei, a species with male parental care, to determine the influence of territory quality, male traits, and paternal care behaviors on female mate choice. We found that attending males have a higher chance of gaining new clutches than nonattending males. Our results indicate that females do not select males based only on body condition, calling persistence, or territory traits. Instead, our findings support the hypothesis that females choose males based on care status. Indeed, males already attending a clutch were 70% more likely to obtain another clutch, and the time to acquire an additional clutch was significantly shorter. We also found that males adjust their parental care effort in response to genetic relatedness by caring only for their own offspring; however, remaining close to unrelated clutches serves as a strategy to attract females and increase chances of successful mating. Thus, males that establish territories that already contain clutches benefit from the signal eggs provide to females.
A cell-based high-content screen identifies isocotoin as a small molecule inhibitor of the meiosis-specific MEIOB–SPATA22 complex†
Authors: Xu Yang , Liu Rong , Leu N Adrian , Zhang Lei , Ibragmova Ilsiya , Schultz David C , Wang P Jeremy
Published: April 2020

MEIOB and SPATA22 are meiosis-specific proteins, interact with each other, and are essential for meiotic recombination and fertility. Aspartic acid 383 (D383) in MEIOB is critical for its interaction with SPATA22 in biochemical studies. Here we report that genetic studies validate the requirement of D383 for the function of MEIOB in mice. The MeiobD383A/D383A mice display meiotic arrest due to depletion of both MEIOB and SPATA22 proteins in the testes. We developed a cell-based bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, in which MEIOB and SPATA22 are fused to split YFP moieties and their co-expression in cultured cells leads to the MEIOB–SPATA22 dimerization and reconstitution of the fluorophore. As expected, the interaction-disrupting D383A substitution results in the absence of YFP fluorescence in the BiFC assay. A high-throughput screen of small molecule libraries identified candidate hit compounds at a rate of 0.7%. Isocotoin, a hit compound from the natural product library, inhibits the MEIOB–SPATA22 interaction and promotes their degradation in HEK293 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the BiFC assay can be employed to screen for small molecule inhibitors that disrupt protein–protein interactions or promote degradation of meiosis-specific proteins.
Spike Phase Shift Relative to Beta Oscillations Mediates Modality Selection
Authors: Zuo Yanfang , Huang Yanwang , Wu Dingcheng , Wang Qingxiu , Wang Zuoren
Published: April 2020

How does the brain selectively process signals from stimuli of different modalities? Coherent oscillations may function in coordinating communication between neuronal populations simultaneously involved in such cognitive behavior. Beta power (12–30 Hz) is implicated in top-down cognitive processes. Here we test the hypothesis that the brain increases encoding and behavioral influence of a target modality by shifting the relationship of neuronal spike phases relative to beta oscillations between primary sensory cortices and higher cortices. We simultaneously recorded neuronal spike and local field potentials in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and the primary auditory cortex (A1) when male rats made choices to either auditory or visual stimuli. Neuronal spikes exhibited modality-related phase locking to beta oscillations during stimulus sampling, and the phase shift between neuronal subpopulations demonstrated faster top-down signaling from PPC to A1 neurons when animals attended to auditory rather than visual stimuli. Importantly, complementary to spike timing, spike phase predicted rats’ attended-to target in single trials, which was related to the animals’ performance. Our findings support a candidate mechanism that cortices encode targets from different modalities by shifting neuronal spike phase. This work may extend our understanding of the importance of spike phase as a coding and readout mechanism.
The ordinariness of struggle and exclusion: a view from across the north–south urban ‘divide’
Authors: Ettlinger Nancy , Bose Debangana
Published: April 2020

Comparative literature on subaltern urbanism neglects inequalities among the poor that mimic exclusionary processes to which they have been subjected, what we call ‘scalar imitation’. Using Robinson’s ‘launching’ tactic towards ‘generative comparison’, we identify and explain the evolution of class differentiation within a resettlement colony in Delhi’s periphery, reference ‘glimpses’ of similar processes in literature on subaltern urbanism, and discuss epistemological underpinnings of our analysis. We revise ‘local uniqueness’, which Massey developed early in her career, and adhere to her later topological sensibilities and Foucault’s ‘ascending analysis’. We conclude by highlighting the blurring of worlding and place making processes.
Preferences and Performance of Erythroneura sudra (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on Five Fruit Tree Species (Rosaceae)
Authors: Huang Xunbing , Wang Yueyue , Zhang Zehua
Published: April 2020

Erythroneura sudra is a leafhopper occurring in northern China, which causes significant damage to fruit. The relationships between E. sudra and five fruit tree species (Rosaceae) were studied for 3 yr. The highest relative density of E. sudra was recorded on leaves of Amygdalus persica L. and Cerasus pseudocerasus Lindl. Likewise, it had the highest survival rate and shortest developmental time when it fed on these two plants species, indicating that they were the most preferred by E. sudra than the other plant species. The relative density and growth performance of E. sudra were negatively correlated with the levels of tannins and flavonoids in the leaves of the host species. Both plant species had relatively lower flavonoids and tannins, and this may have contributed to the enhanced survival and population growth of E. sudra. These results can guide the development of improved management strategies for this pest.
Longitudinal Associations Between Brain Volume and Knee Extension Peak Torque
Authors: Osawa Yusuke , Tian Qu , An Yang , Studenski Stephanie A , Resnick Susan M , Ferrucci Luigi
Published: April 2020

Background

Muscle strength and brain volume decline with aging; changes in the brain manifested as change in volume may play a role in age-related strength loss, but this hypothesis has never been tested longitudinally. We examined longitudinal associations between brain volume changes and knee extension peak torque change in participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Methods

Brain volumes and isokinetic concentric knee extension peak torque at 30 deg/s were measured in 678 participants (55.2% women; baseline age, 50.1–97.2 years; median follow-up time in those who visited two or more times (n = 375, 4.0 [interquartile range {IQR}, 2.3–5.0] years). Correlations between longitudinal changes in brain volumes and knee extension peak torque were examined using bivariate linear mixed-effects models, adjusted for baseline age, sex, race, education, and intracranial volume.

Results

Greater decline in muscle strength was associated with greater atrophies in global gray matter, temporal lobe, frontal gray matter, temporal gray matter, superior frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, and occipital pole (r ranging from .30 to .77, p < .05). After multiple comparison adjustment, only larger decrease in middle temporal gyrus remained significantly related to larger decrease in muscle strength (q = 0.045).

Conclusions

In older adults, declines in knee extension muscle strength co-occurred with atrophies in frontal, temporal, and occipital gray matter. These findings support the idea that age-related knee extension muscle strength is linked with atrophy in some specific brain regions related to motor control.
Analytic Training for Junior Investigators in Minority Aging Research: The Michigan Model
Authors: Mezuk Briana , Tarraf Wassim , Johnson-Lawrence Vicki , Ilardo Joan , Lichtenberg Peter A , Jackson James S
Published: April 2020

Since 1997, the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research Program at the National Institute on Aging has been the model for training social and behavioral scientists in minority aging and health disparities research. The latest cycle of these Centers implemented a new structure for the analytic training of junior investigators and for advancing methodologic work relevant to improving the rigor of minority aging research. In this article, we describe the conceptual framework, logistical approaches, challenges, and lessons learned from our experience training junior investigators in methodology through the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research over the past 20 years, with the goal of informing future analytic training efforts for the next generation of scholars focused on minority aging issues.
Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Molecules ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the Gut of Patients With IBD
Authors: Burgueño Juan F , Reich Adrian , Hazime Hajar , Quintero Maria A , Fernandez Irina , Fritsch Julia , Santander Ana M , Brito Nivis , Damas Oriana M , Deshpande Amar , Kerman David H , Zhang Lanyu , Gao Zhen , Ban Yuguang , Wang Lily , Pignac-Kobinger Judith , Abreu Maria T
Published: April 2020

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have intestinal inflammation and are treated with immune-modulating medications. In the face of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, we do not know whether patients with IBD will be more susceptible to infection or disease. We hypothesized that the viral entry molecules angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are expressed in the intestine. We further hypothesized that their expression could be affected by inflammation or medication usage.

Methods

We examined the expression of Ace2 and Tmprss2 by quantitative polymerase chain reacion in animal models of IBD. Publicly available data from organoids and mucosal biopsies from patients with IBD were examined for expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. We conducted RNA sequencing for CD11b-enriched cells and peripheral and lamina propria T-cells from well-annotated patient samples.

Results

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were abundantly expressed in the ileum and colon and had high expression in intestinal epithelial cells. In animal models, inflammation led to downregulation of epithelial Ace2. Expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 was not increased in samples from patients with compared with those of control patients. In CD11b-enriched cells but not T-cells, the level of expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the mucosa was comparable to other functional mucosal genes and was not affected by inflammation. Anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and steroids were linked to significantly lower expression of ACE2 in CD11b-enriched cells.

Conclusions

The viral entry molecules ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the ileum and colon. Patients with IBD do not have higher expression during inflammation; medical therapy is associated with lower levels of ACE2. These data provide reassurance for patients with IBD.
Design- and Model-Based Approaches to Small-Area Estimation in a Low- and Middle-Income Country Context: Comparisons and Recommendations
Authors: Paige John , Fuglstad Geir-Arne , Riebler Andrea , Wakefield Jon
Published: April 2020

The need for rigorous and timely health and demographic summaries has provided the impetus for an explosion in geographic studies in low- and middle-income countries. Many of these studies present fine-scale pixel-level maps in an attempt to answer the needs of the current era of precision public health. However, even though household surveys with a two-stage cluster design stratified by region and urbanicity are a major source of data, cavalier approaches are taken to acknowledging the survey design. We investigate the extent to which accounting for the sample design affects the predictive performance at the aggregate level of interest for health policy decisions. We consider various commonly used models and introduce a new Bayesian cluster-level model with a discrete spatial smoothing prior. The investigation is performed through a simulation study in which realistic sampling frames are created for Kenya, based on the population and demographic information, with a survey design that mimics a Demographic Health Survey (DHS). We find that including stratification and cluster-level random effects can improve predictive performance. Spatially smoothed direct (weighted) estimates and area-level models accounting for stratification were robust to the underlying population and survey design. Continuous spatial models showed some promise in the presence of fine-scale variation; however, these models require the most “hand holding.” Subsequently, we examine how the models perform on real data, estimating the prevalence of secondary education for women aged 20–29 and neonatal mortality rates, using data from the 2014 Kenya DHS.
Obstetric Medicine
Authors: Frise Charlotte J. , Collins Sally
Published: April 2020

Pregnant women regularly present with medical problems to many different medical specialties, and as their physiology is changed by the pregnancy, so too is the way in which many chronic illnesses behave. This new specialist handbook, Obstetric Medicine, provides a comprehensive overview of medical conditions in the pregnant woman, and covers the syllabus for both the RCOG Advanced Training Skills Module (ATSM) and sub-specialty training in maternal medicine. This is an essential new addition to the literature for all physicians who work with pregnant women in their practice. It contains links to national and international guidelines, and provides evidence-based management strategies for both chronic and acute illnesses.
The patients’ view
Authors: Dollfus Sonia , Vandevelde Anais
Published: April 2020

The use and the choice of standardized assessment tools are necessary for improving identification of negative symptoms and for testing new efficient therapies. Most of the scales on negative symptoms are based on observer rating. Compared to these scales, self-assessments have been overlooked. Nevertheless, they are quite relevant since they are generally simple; they allow the patients to report their own symptoms and so are complementary to the evaluations based on observer ratings; they require the patient’s participation and so improve their involvement in the treatment; they are time-efficient and can be very useful for identification of negative symptoms at the onset of illness. Among the self-assessments, we can distinguish those designed and validated in patients with schizophrenia and others that can be used in schizophrenia while they have been validated in other populations. Among the first group, two recent scales have supplanted old scales, the Motivation and Pleasure Scale–Self-Report (MAP–SR) and the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS). The last one presents all the psychometric properties required. Among the second group, the most used scales are focused on anhedonia and apathy which assess these dimensions in schizophrenia but also in various psychiatric and neurological disorders; the most well-known are the Social Anhedonia Scale (SAS), the Physical Anhedonia Scale (PAS), and more recently are, on the one hand, the Self-reported Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-S) and on the other, the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS) and the Anticipatory and Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale (ACIPS) which distinguish anticipation and consummatory pleasures.
Degradation of the Repetitive Genomic Landscape in a Close Relative of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Woodruff Gavin C , Teterina Anastasia A
Published: April 2020

The abundance, diversity, and genomic distribution of repetitive elements is highly variable among species. These patterns are thought to be driven in part by reproductive mode and the interaction of selection and recombination, and recombination rates typically vary by chromosomal position. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, repetitive elements are enriched at chromosome arms and depleted on centers, and this mirrors the chromosomal distributions of other genomic features such as recombination rate. How conserved is this genomic landscape of repeats, and what evolutionary forces maintain it? To address this, we compared the genomic organization of repetitive elements across five Caenorhabditis species with chromosome-level assemblies. As previously reported, repeat content is enriched on chromosome arms in most Caenorhabditis species, and no obvious patterns of repeat content associated with reproductive mode were observed. However, the fig-associated C. inopinata has experienced repetitive element expansion and reveals no association of global repeat density with chromosome position. Patterns of repeat superfamily specific distributions reveal this global pattern is driven largely by a few repeat superfamilies that in C. inopinata have expanded in number and have weak associations with chromosome position. Additionally, 15% of predicted protein-coding genes in C. inopinata align to transposon-related proteins. When these are excluded, C. inopinata has no enrichment of genes in chromosome centers, in contrast to its close relatives who all have such clusters. Forward evolutionary simulations reveal that chromosomal heterogeneity in recombination rate alone can generate structured repetitive genomic landscapes when insertions are weakly deleterious, whereas chromosomal heterogeneity in the fitness effects of transposon insertion can promote such landscapes across a variety of evolutionary scenarios. Thus, patterns of gene density along chromosomes likely contribute to global repetitive landscapes in this group, although other historical or genomic factors are needed to explain the idiosyncrasy of genomic organization of various transposable element taxa within C. inopinata. Taken together, these results highlight the power of comparative genomics and evolutionary simulations in testing hypotheses regarding the causes of genome organization.
PDBMD2CD: providing predicted protein circular dichroism spectra from multiple molecular dynamics-generated protein structures
Authors: Drew Elliot D , Janes Robert W
Published: April 2020

PDBMD2CD is a new web server capable of predicting circular dichroism (CD) spectra for multiple protein structures derived from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, enabling predictions from thousands of protein atomic coordinate files (e.g. MD trajectories) and generating spectra for each of these structures provided by the user. Using MD enables exploration of systems that cannot be monitored by direct experimentation. Validation of MD-derived data from these types of trajectories can be difficult via conventional structure-determining techniques such as crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CD is an experimental technique that can provide protein structure information from such conditions. The website utilizes a much faster (minimum ∼1000×) and more accurate approach for calculating CD spectra than its predecessor, PDB2CD (1). As well as improving on the speed and accuracy of current methods, new analysis tools are provided to cluster predictions or compare them against experimental CD spectra. By identifying a subset of the closest predicted CD spectra derived from PDBMD2CD to an experimental spectrum, the associated cluster of structures could be representative of those found under the conditions in which the MD studies were undertaken, thereby offering an analytical insight into the results. PDBMD2CD is freely available at: https://pdbmd2cd.cryst.bbk.ac.uk.
Matrix factorization and transfer learning uncover regulatory biology across multiple single-cell ATAC-seq data sets
Authors: Erbe Rossin , Kessler Michael D , Favorov Alexander V , Easwaran Hariharan , Gaykalova Daria A , Fertig Elana J
Published: April 2020

While the methods available for single-cell ATAC-seq analysis are well optimized for clustering cell types, the question of how to integrate multiple scATAC-seq data sets and/or sequencing modalities is still open. We present an analysis framework that enables such integration across scATAC-seq data sets by applying the CoGAPS Matrix Factorization algorithm and the projectR transfer learning program to identify common regulatory patterns across scATAC-seq data sets. We additionally integrate our analysis with scRNA-seq data to identify orthogonal evidence for transcriptional regulators predicted by scATAC-seq analysis. Using publicly available scATAC-seq data, we find patterns that accurately characterize cell types both within and across data sets. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these patterns are both consistent with current biological understanding and reflective of novel regulatory biology.