bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FAKTOR – FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI KEJADIAN STUNTING PADA BALITA DI PUSKESMAS BIARO KABUPATEN AGAM TAHUN 2018
Authors: Medhyna Vedjia
Published: August 2019

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem caused by lack of nutrition for a long time generally due to food intake that is not in accordance with nutritional needs. Stunting prevalence in Indonesia is 37.2%, in West Sumatra 32.8%, and in Kabupaten Agam 22.1%. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Biaro Health Center in Agam district in 2018. This study is a quantitative research, analytical survey research method with a case control approach that aims to determine the relationship of diet, exclusive breastfeeding of BB birth and parent income with the incidence of stunting in infants. The study population was all children under five years old in the Biaro Health Center in Agam District in 2018, which was 2,040 people. Sampling using a sampling population for the incidence of stunting with a ratio of 1: 1, obtained samples of 142 people. Data obtained by using questionnaires and height measurement for under-fives from August 27-18 and data analysis include univariate and bivariate analysis.. The results of this study were toddlers who experienced stunting as much (57.6%), toddlers with good diet (50.7%), toddlers with exclusive breastfeeding (57.7%), toddlers with LBW (52.1%) and toddlers with low parental income (64,% 1). Chi square test results of diet p = 0,000, OR = 6,071, exclusive breastfeeding p = 0,004, OR = 2,902, BB birth p = 0,029, OR = 2,227, and parental income p = 0,014 OR = 2,557. Based on the results of the study there was a relationship between diet, exclusive breastfeeding, birth weight and parental income with the incidence of stunting in infants. For this reason it is expected that health workers provide counseling to mothers about the causes and effects of stunting to prevent the occurrence of stunting
Métodos proyectuales y audiovisuales en la (in)accesibilidad de personas con discapacidad en su entorno residencial
Authors: Gaete Reyes Mariela , Acevedo Lopez Javiera Fernanda , Carraha Molina Juan Ignacio
Published: August 2019

El presente artículo expone una metodología de investigación desarrollada para el estudio de la accesibilidad física y la experiencia espacial de personas con discapacidad en su vivienda y entornos barriales. Esta se basa en el uso combinado de métodos proyectuales y etnografías audiovisuales. Aunque la investigación se enfoca en vivienda social, la metodología desarrollada puede ser aplicable a vivienda general, y a espacios y edificios públicos. El artículo se divide en cuatro partes. La primera desarrolla una discusión sobre las concepciones de discapacidad, estableciendo la posición epistemológica de esta investigación. Además, revisa algunos abordajes sobre el estudio de las actividades de la vida diaria y la experiencia espacial de la discapacidad en el entorno físico-espacial, para terminar presentando el estudio del que se desprende este artículo. La segunda parte expone la metodología utilizada en el estudio mencionado, mostrando las innovaciones desarrolladas en el curso del trabajo de campo. La tercera presenta algunos hallazgos de la investigación. Por último, el artículo concluye sugiriendo usos de la metodología de investigación aplicada y desarrollos potenciales para la política urbano-habitacional chilena.
Operación Piloto: Santiago en tres actos
Authors: Celedon Forster Alejandra
Published: August 2019

El cambio de década (1970-1980) está al centro de esta historia: una bisagra entre operaciones inaugurales y políticas sistematizadas. Los últimos años de la década del setenta y los primeros de la década del ochenta fueron testigos de una serie de operaciones piloto sobre la ciudad de Santiago de Chile. Estos primeros operativos construyeron las imágenes inaugurales de políticas en torno a la vivienda que se consolidarían y multiplicarían en el resto de la década. En escalas distintas y con sus propias vías de propagación (desregular, liberalizar y atomizar), tres casos específicos funcionan como índices que explican el modus operandi de un período más extenso y de mayor alcance: las Operaciones Confraternidad de los años 1976, 1978 y 1979, la firma de títulos de dominio en el Estadio Nacional de septiembre de 1979, y la subdivisión comunal de 1981. Al revisitar estos tres momentos se aboga por la construcción temprana de vías de impartición ideológica en la ciudad.
Pendampingan Pajak UMKM: Masalah dan Solusinya
Authors: Sandra Amelia , Hanif Hanif , Arfianti Rizka Indri , Apriwenni Prima
Published: August 2019

Training on Income Tax Knowledge for MSMEs is the one step to improve the entrepreneurs’ taxation ability, as the members of the UPK PPUKMP Pulo Gadung East Jakarta. This training was held on 17 - 25 January 2019. Training instructors are lecturers who have a knowledge, expertise, and experience in fostering students. The purpose of this training, especially for entrepreneurs is to improve their simple accounting skills and taxation administration and other aspects related to it. The training process begins with a preparation by analyzing training needs, formulating training objectives, preparing material and conducting training. The training is carried out by giving lectures, discussions, question and answer, and audio-visual presentation. The results of this training are expected to increase technical knowledge for entrepreneurs in understanding their tax obligations, namely how to fill SPT, especially income tax for MSMEs and tax administration that should be done.
Studi Komponen Kimia Pelepah Sawit Varietas Tenera Dan Pengembangannya Sebagai Modul Pembelajaran Kimia
Authors: Arpinaini Arpinaini , Sumpono Sumpono , Yahya Ridwan
Published: August 2019

This study aims to (1) determine the levels of the components of the Tenera variety of palm oil compounds including extractives, holocellulose, ? - cellulose, and lignin. (2) Analyze the utilization of the pulp of Tenera varieties as pulp raw materials based on their chemical components; (3) application of chemistry learning module to improving student learning outcomes. Determination of extractive substance content with TAPPI test methods Q: 204; lignin content T: 222; holocellulose Q: 9 levels and ?-cellulose content with TAPPI test methods T: 204. then lignin, holocellulose and ?-cellulose produced from the procedure were characterized by an IR spectrophotometer. The results of the study were module and implemented in ICHO students in SMAN 2 Kota Bengkulu. The data of the research results were analyzed by ANOVA test at 5% level. The results of the characterization of lignin, holocellulose and ?-cellulose with FTIR obtained a distinctive peak of the respective functional groups of the macromolecules. From the research also obtained the average value of chemical component content on the palm velvet varieties of tenera according to their part of base, middle, ends with mean for extractive substance 8.49%, 7,87%, 6,74%, lignin 20,7 %, 18.95%, 16.69%. holocellulose 81.57%, 80.33%, 79.24% and ?- cellulose 44.57%, 43.56%, 43.26%. Based on the results of the variance analysis, the difference in position (base, center, tip) on the palm oil of the tenera varieties on extractive, lignin, holocellulose and ?-cellulose substances has significant differences. Based on the chemical component classification of Indonesian wide wood leaf, sheep betera varieties of tenera in all three positions are used as pulp raw materials because they have moderate lignin content, high levels of Holocellulose and moderate levels of ?-cellulose. The result of module implementation in students there is a significant difference between pretest and posttest value. The use of modules in learning in science groups can improve student learning outcomes.
Studi Keanekaragaman Makrobentos Di Wilayah Konservasi Kura-Kura Universitas Bengkulu Sebagai Sumber Belajar IPA
Authors: Zulistia Winda , Karyadi Bhakti , Susanta Agus
Published: August 2019

This study aims to determine the diversity of macrobentos that exist in the turtle conservation pond University of Bengkulu which serve as a source of learning science class VII MTsN 2 Bengkulu City. This research was conducted in February 2017 until May 2017. The sampling of macrobentos using a quadrant transect measuring 1x1 meter made of 6 quadrants. Based on the results of research conducted obtained 1,086 individuals belonging to macrobentos belonging to 3 genus namely, Bellamnya, Faunus, and Pomaceae. The data obtained were calculated based on macrobentos community structure consisting of population density (KP), relative abundance (KR), presence frequency (FK), Diversity Index (H ') and dominance index (C). The macrobentos diversity index found in turtle conservation ponds is below 1.5, with the result it can be said that in both turtle conservation ponds it has low macrobentos diversity. Development of learning refers to the modified Dick & Carey model. The lessons developed include Syllabus, RPP, LKPD, and performance appraisal instruments that are viewed from the students' process skills. The result of the validation of learning development shows that the teaching materials developed are very feasible in the test try to learners. The results showed that the average of students' process skills from the aspect of the highest performance performance was in good criteria. This is indicated by the percentage that reaches 67%. While the criteria include very good reached 33%. While for the result of measurement of process skill of student which counted by classical which counted on each indicator included into good category and very good.
Efektivitas	Penggunaan Model Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah (PBM) terhadap Hasil Belajar Fisika Siswa SMAN 9 Lubuklinggau
Authors: Maryam Eka
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT [The Effectiveness of Using a Model Problem-based Learning (PBL) to the Results of Physics Learning on High School Students 9 Lubuklinggau]. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the use of problem-based learning model. The research method used experiments with the form of Nonequivalent Control Group Design. The sample in this research is the students of class XI A and class XI B SMA N 9 Lubuklinggau City which amounted to 50 students. The  technique of collecting data in this research is a test. The test is in the form of pretest and finally test (posttest). The purpose of holding initial and final tests to determine the effectiveness of Physics learning with PBM model and conventional learning. The test instrument that was made before the test was tested was done by panelists test using Intracorelation class coefficient (ICC). Data analysis technique used in this research is t-test. The results showed that there are differences in student learning outcomes taught with Problem-Based Learning model (PBM) with students taught with conventional learning model. The difference can be seen in the result of t-test which yields t-count> t-table (3,98> 2.01). The effectiveness of using the PBM model in the experimental class is 13.5% better than in the control class. Keywords: Effectiveness; model; PBL; learning outcomes.
Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Siswa Melalui Pembelajaran Berbasis Lingkungan untuk Studi Ekosistem Sungai
Authors: Anggriani Fema , Karyadi Bhakti , Ruyani Aceng
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT[Capacity of student critical thinking through learning base on ecosystem study of water river]. South Bengkulu one of regencies in Bengkulu Province, located west in of the Bukit Barisan Mountains range which has a height of 600-1200 meters above sea level. South Bengkulu has a lot natural wealth that can be utilized as a medium of learning. This research aims to measure the ability of critical thinking and process skill student of class VII MTN 2 south Bengkulu by utilizing environment-based teaching materials. This research uses observation data collection techniques and test (pre test and post test ) Assessment of process skill conducted on two learning activities that is indoor and out door learning activities. Performance of process skill from student of class VII MTsN 2 South Bengkulu including into the category excellent and good while student critical thinking skills classically including into the critical categoryKeywords: student critical thinking skills; environment-based teaching materials’ pre test and post test.(Received November 19, 2018; Accepted April 15, 2019; Published June 18, 2019) ABSTRAKBengkulu Selatan adalah salah satu kabupaten di Provinsi Bengkulu terletak di sebelah barat pegunungan Bukit Barisan di mana ketinggian pegunungan tersebut rata-rata 600-1200 m diatas permukaan laut (dpl) yang mempunyai banyak kekayaan alam yang dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai media pembelajaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan 1) Mengukur kemampuan berfikir kritis siswa dan ketrampilan proses siswa kelas VII MTsN 2 Bengkulu Selatan dengan memanfaatkan bahan ajar berbasis lingkungan. Penelitian ini menggunakan teknik pengumpulan data observasi dan tes (pre test dan Post test). Penilaian keterampilan proses ini dilakukan pada dua kegiatan pembelajaran indoor dan kegiatan pembelajaran outdoor. Kemampuan kinerja keterampilan proses siswa kelas VII MTsN 2 bengkulu Selatan termasuk kedalam kategori sangat baik dan Baik dan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa secara klasikal termasuk kedalam kategori Kritis.Kata Kunci: Kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa, bahan ajar berbasis lingkungan, Pre test dan post test.
Jurnal Pendipa Tahun 2019 Volume 3 Nomor 2
Authors: Pendipa Jurnal
Published: August 2019

Kata Pengantar dan Susunan Redaksi Jurnal Pendipa Tahun 2019 Volume 3 Nomor 2.
Social Influence in Adolescent Decision-Making: A Formal Framework
Authors: Ciranka Simon , van den Bos Wouter
Published: August 2019

Adolescence is a period of life during which peers play a pivotal role in decision-making. The narrative of social influence during adolescence often revolves around risky and maladaptive decisions, like driving under the influence, and using illegal substances (Steinberg, 2005). However, research has also shown that social influence can lead to increased prosocial behaviors (Van Hoorn et al., 2017) and a reduction in risk-taking (Braams et al., 2019). While many studies support the notion that adolescents are more sensitive to peer influence than children or adults, the developmental processes that underlie this sensitivity remain poorly understood. We argue that one important reason for this lack of understanding is the absence of precisely formulated models. To make a first step toward formal models of social influence during adolescence, we first identify three prominent verbal models of social influence in the literature: (1) social motivation, (2) reward sensitivity, and (3) distraction. We then illustrate how these can be translated into formal models, and how such formal models can inform experimental design and help identify developmental processes. Finally, by applying our formal models to existing datasets, we demonstrate the usefulness of formalization by synthesizing different studies with seemingly disparate results. We conclude with a discussion on how formal modeling can be utilized to better investigate the development of peer influence in adolescence.
A Novel Hybrid Genetic-Whale Optimization Model for Ontology Learning from Arabic Text
Authors: Ghoniem Rania M. , Alhelwa Nawal , Shaalan Khaled
Published: August 2019

Ontologies are used to model knowledge in several domains of interest, such as the biomedical domain. Conceptualization is the basic task for ontology building. Concepts are identified, and then they are linked through their semantic relationships. Recently, ontologies have constituted a crucial part of modern semantic webs because they can convert a web of documents into a web of things. Although ontology learning generally occupies a large space in computer science, Arabic ontology learning, in particular, is underdeveloped due to the Arabic language’s nature as well as the profundity required in this domain. The previously published research on Arabic ontology learning from text falls into three categories: developing manually hand-crafted rules, using ordinary supervised/unsupervised machine learning algorithms, or a hybrid of these two approaches. The model proposed in this work contributes to Arabic ontology learning in two ways. First, a text mining algorithm is proposed for extracting concepts and their semantic relations from text documents. The algorithm calculates the concept frequency weights using the term frequency weights. Then, it calculates the weights of concept similarity using the information of the ontology structure, involving (1) the concept’s path distance, (2) the concept’s distribution layer, and (3) the mutual parent concept’s distribution layer. Then, feature mapping is performed by assigning the concepts’ similarities to the concept features. Second, a hybrid genetic-whale optimization algorithm was proposed to optimize ontology learning from Arabic text. The operator of the G-WOA is a hybrid operator integrating GA’s mutation, crossover, and selection processes with the WOA’s processes (encircling prey, attacking of bubble-net, and searching for prey) to fulfill the balance between both exploitation and exploration, and to find the solutions that exhibit the highest fitness. For evaluating the performance of the ontology learning approach, extensive comparisons are conducted using different Arabic corpora and bio-inspired optimization algorithms. Furthermore, two publicly available non-Arabic corpora are used to compare the efficiency of the proposed approach with those of other languages. The results reveal that the proposed genetic-whale optimization algorithm outperforms the other compared algorithms across all the Arabic corpora in terms of precision, recall, and F-score measures. Moreover, the proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods of ontology learning from Arabic and non-Arabic texts in terms of these three measures.
Environmental and Economic Sustainability Assessment for Two Different Sprinkler and A Drip Irrigation Systems: A Case Study on Maize Cropping
Authors: Borsato Eros , Martello Marco , Marinello Francesco , Bortolini Lucia
Published: August 2019

Water scarcity is worsened by climate change. Water savings can be reached by improving irrigation efficiency both on farm and on water supply. To do that, the choice of the best irrigation technology is not always straightforward, because farmers need to renew and implement farm infrastructures for irrigation. This study compares three irrigation systems, one drip irrigation and two sprinkler (center pivot and hose-reel) systems, on environmental, economic, and energetic performance under irrigated and non-irrigated maize cropping. The study combines impact and efficiency indicators, addressing a sustainability analysis for the irrigation practice under the three different irrigation systems. The sustainability for the irrigation systems was assessed using water-related indicators (water use efficiency, irrigation water use efficiency, and water footprint), biomass (crop growth rate, relative growth rate, harvest index, and yield response factor), and energy indicators (energy footprint, performance, and energy cost footprint) for the environmental aspect; and the economic-based indicators (water productivity and economic water footprint) for the economic aspect. Main results address the center pivot system as the best solution for irrigation practice since it demonstrated higher economic and environmental performance. Moreover, maize under the pivot system allowed a higher biomass production, economic benefits, and water use efficiency.
Calibration and Validation of the EPIC Model for Maize Production in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Choruma Dennis Junior , Balkovic Juraj , Odume Oghenekaro Nelson
Published: August 2019

Crop models are useful tools to evaluate the effects of agricultural management on ecosystem services. However, before they can be applied with confidence, it is important to calibrate and validate crop models in the region of interest. In this study, the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model was evaluated for its potential to simulate maize yield using limited data from field trials on two maize cultivars. Two independent fields at the Cradock Research Farm were used, one for calibration and one for validation. Before calibration, mean simulated yield was 8 t ha−1 while mean observed yield was 11.26 t ha−1. Model calibration improved mean simulated yield to 11.23 t ha−1 with a coefficient of determination, (r2) = 0.76 and a model efficiency (NSE) = 0.56. Validation with grain yield was satisfactory with r2 = 0.85 and NSE = 0.61. Calibration of potential heat units (PHUs) and soil-carbon related parameters improved model simulations. Although the study only used grain yield to calibrate and evaluate the model, results show that the calibrated model can provide reasonably accurate simulations. It can be concluded that limited data sets from field trials on maize can be used to calibrate the EPIC model when comprehensive experimental data are not available.
Interactive Effects of Subsidiary Crops and Weed Pressure in the Transition Period to Non-Inversion Tillage, A Case Study of Six Sites Across Northern and Central Europe
Authors: Reimer Marie , Ringselle Björn , Bergkvist Göran , Westaway Sally , Wittwer Raphaël , Baresel Jörg Peter , van der Heijden Marcel G. A. , Mangerud Kjell , Finckh Maria R. , Brandsæter Lars Olav
Published: August 2019

Reducing soil tillage can lead to many benefits, but this practice often increases weed abundance and thus the need for herbicides, especially during the transition phase from inversion tillage to non-inversion tillage. We evaluated if subsidiary crops (SCs, e.g., cover crops) can mitigate the effects of non-inversion tillage on weed abundance. Two-year experiments studying SC use, tillage intensity, and nitrogen (N) fertilization level were carried out twice at six sites throughout northern and central Europe. SCs significantly reduced weed cover throughout the intercrop period (−55% to −1% depending on site), but only slightly during the main crops. Overall weed abundance and weed biomass were higher when using non-inversion tillage with SCs compared to inversion tillage without SCs. The effects differed due to site-specific weed pressure and management. With increasing weed pressure, the effect of SCs decreased, and the advantage of inversion over non-inversion tillage increased. N fertilization level did not affect weed abundance. The results suggest that SCs can contribute by controlling weeds but cannot fully compensate for reduced weed control of non-inversion tillage in the transition phase. Using non-inversion tillage together with SCs is primarily recommended in low weed pressure environments.
Animal Research, Accountability, Openness and Public Engagement: Report from an International Expert Forum
Authors: Ormandy Elisabeth H. , Weary Daniel M. , Cvek Katarina , Fisher Mark , Herrmann Kathrin , Hobson-West Pru , McDonald Michael , Milsom William , Rose Margaret , Rowan Andrew , Zurlo Joanne , von Keyserlingk Marina A.G.
Published: August 2019

In November 2013, a group of international experts in animal research policy (n = 11) gathered in Vancouver, Canada, to discuss openness and accountability in animal research. The primary objective was to bring together participants from various jurisdictions (United States, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom) to share practices regarding the governance of animals used in research, testing and education, with emphasis on the governance process followed, the methods of community engagement, and the balance of openness versus confidentiality. During the forum, participants came to a broad consensus on the need for: (a) evidence-based metrics to allow a “virtuous feedback” system for evaluation and quality assurance of animal research, (b) the need for increased public access to information, together with opportunities for stakeholder dialogue about animal research, (c) a greater diversity of views to be represented on decision-making committees to allow for greater balance and (d) a standardized and robust ethical decision-making process that incorporates some sort of societal input. These recommendations encourage aspirations beyond merely imparting information and towards a genuine dialogue that represents a shared agenda surrounding laboratory animal use.
A Review of Endothelium-Dependent and -Independent Vasodilation Induced by Phytochemicals in Isolated Rat Aorta
Authors: Knox Marcela , Vinet Raúl , Fuentes Lida , Morales Bernardo , Martínez José L.
Published: August 2019

This review discusses the contribution of the use of the isolated rat aorta (IRA) as a model for the evaluation of extracts and metabolites produced by plants with a vasodilator effect in animals. This model continues to be a valuable approach for the search and development of new phytochemicals consumed as medicinal plants or foods. In most cases, the sources of phytochemicals have been used in folk medicine to treat ailments that include hypertension. In this model, the endothelium is emphasized as a key component that modulates the vessel contractility, and therefore the basal tone and blood pressure. Based on the functional nature of the model, we focused on studies that determined the endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatory activity of phytochemicals. We describe the mechanisms that account for aorta contraction and relaxation, and subsequently show the vasoactive effect of a series of phytochemicals acting as vasodilators and its endothelium dependence. We highlight information regarding the cardiovascular benefits of phytochemicals, especially their potential antihypertensive effect. On this basis, we discuss the advantages of the IRA as a predictive model to support the research and development of new drugs that may be of help in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the number one cause of death worldwide.
Dietary 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Supplementation Alleviates Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection by Improving Intestinal Structure and Immune Response in Weaned Pigs
Authors: Yang Jiwen , Tian Gang , Chen Daiwen , Zheng Ping , Yu Jie , Mao Xiangbing , He Jun , Luo Yuheng , Luo Junqiu , Huang Zhiqing , Wu Aimin , Yu Bing
Published: August 2019

We conducted this experiment to determine if feeding 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) to weaned pigs would alleviate porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection and immune response. Forty-two weaned pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary 25(OH)D3 treatments (5.5, 5.5, 43.0, 80.5, 118.0, 155.5 μg 25(OH)D3/kg diet) for 26 days. On day 22 of the trial, all the treatments were orally administrated with PEDV except for one of the 5.5 μg 25(OH)D3/kg treatments, which was challenged with the same volume of sterile saline and served as control. Another 5.5 μg 25(OH)D3/kg group for PEDV challenge was named CON-PEDV. Average daily gain (p < 0.05) was reduced by PEDV infection. PEDV administration also induced severe diarrhea (p < 0.05), reduction of villous height and the ratio of villous height to crypt depth, and increase of crypt depth and serum diamine oxidase activity (p < 0.05). Serum IgM and complement component 4 levels were increased by PEDV challenge. However, 155.5 μg 25(OH)D3/kg supplementation alleviated intestinal damage (p < 0.05) compared with CON-PEDV. Furthermore, 155.5 μg 25(OH)D3/kg supplementation downregulated the mRNA abundance of inflammatory cytokines and interferon signal pathway-related genes (p < 0.05) compared with CON-PEDV. These results suggested that dietary supplementation of 155.5 μg 25(OH)D3/kg could alleviate intestinal damage and protect against PEDV-induced inflammatory status.
Are Horses (Equus caballus) Sensitive to Human Emotional Cues?
Authors: Baba Chihiro , Kawai Masahito , Takimoto-Inose Ayaka
Published: August 2019

Emotions are important for social animals because animals’ emotions function as beneficial cues to identify valuable resources such as food or to avoid danger by providing environmental information. Emotions also enable animals to predict individuals’ behavior and determine how to behave in a specific context. Recently, several studies have reported that dogs are highly sensitive to not only conspecific but also human emotional cues. These studies suggest that domestication may have affected such sensitivity. However, there are still few studies that examine whether other domesticated animals, in addition to dogs, exhibit sensitivity to human emotional cues. In this study, we used a gaze-following task to investigate whether horses (Equus caballus) are sensitive to human emotional cues (happy, neutral, disgust) and if they adjust their behavior accordingly. In the study, the experimenter suddenly turned her head to either right or left and showed emotional cues. The results revealed that horses significantly decreased the frequency with which they followed the experimenter’s gaze and the total looking time during the gaze-emotional cue presentation in the Disgust condition compared to the Neutral condition. These results suggest the possibility that horses are sensitive to human emotional cues and behave on the basis of the meaning implied by negative human emotional cues.
Low Level of Allergens in the Argentinean Plant Zuccagnia punctata Cav.: Screening and Quality Control of North-Western Propolis Using an LC-DAD-QTOF System
Authors: Solorzano Eliana Rita , Di Gangi Iole Maria , Roverso Marco , Favaro Gabriella , Bogialli Sara , Pastore Paolo
Published: August 2019

North-western Argentinean propolis (NAP), having promising bioactivity, was recently included into the National Food Code. Zuccagnia punctata Cav., a native shrub of north-western Argentina, is one of the prevalent botanical sources of NAPs, but no information on its allergenic constituents was available so far. A liquid chromatography-diode array detector -quadrupole-time of flight system (LC-DAD-QTOF) was used as a screening method for the reliable identification of sensitizing agents belonging to caffeic acid derivatives in Z. punctata and in two NAPs collected in the provinces of Catamarca and Tucumán. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, one of the most active allergens in propolis, was never detected in either Z. punctata or NAP. Among 31 sensitizers, only geranyl caffeate was alleged in Z. punctata as <10% of its major constituent, whereas three caffeic acid derivatives with strong allergenic effect, i.e., geranyl, pentenyl, and benzyl caffeates, occurred in NAP samples (29%–36% of the Z. punctata major constituent), indicating other minor botanical sources. However, the high content of chalcones and flavonoids ascribed to Z. punctata significantly contributes to the antiallergenic and antioxidant character of these NAPs. This peculiar chemical profile depends on the extremophile condition in which this shrub grows and suggests other studies to characterize such raw materials for oral and topical formulations.
Multi-Objective Service Placement Scheme Based on Fuzzy-AHP System for Distributed Cloud Computing
Authors: Son A-Young , Huh Eui-Nam
Published: August 2019

With the rapid increase in the development of the cloud data centers, it is expected that massive data will be generated, which will decrease service response time for the cloud data centers. To improve the service response time, distributed cloud computing has been designed and researched for placement and migration from mobile devices close to edge servers that have secure resource computing. However, most of the related studies did not provide sufficient service efficiency for multi-objective factors such as energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and performance improvement. In addition, most of the existing approaches did not consider various metrics. Thus, to maximize energy efficiency, maximize performance, and reduce costs, we consider multi-metric factors by combining decision methods, according to user requirements. In order to satisfy the user’s requirements based on service, we propose an efficient service placement system named fuzzy- analytical hierarchical process and then analyze the metric that enables the decision and selection of a machine in the distributed cloud environment. Lastly, using different placement schemes, we demonstrate the performance of the proposed scheme.
Poly(phenylene methylene)-Based Coatings for Corrosion Protection: Replacement of Additives by Use of Copolymers
Authors: D’Elia Marco F. , Magni Mirko , Trasatti Stefano P. M. , Schweizer Thomas B. , Niederberger Markus , Caseri Walter
Published: August 2019

Poly(phenylene methylene) (PPM) is a thermally stable, hydrophobic, fluorescent hydrocarbon polymer. Recently, blended PPM has been proposed as a valuable anti-corrosion coating material, and, in particular, rheological additives such as external plasticizers resulted crucial to prevent crack formation. Accordingly, to avoid common problems related to the use of external plasticizers, the development of PPM-related copolymer-based coatings containing n-octyloxy side chains and their anti-corrosion behavior were explored in this study. The aluminum alloy AA2024, widely employed for corrosion studies, was selected as a substrate, covered with a thin layer of a polybenzylsiloxane in order to improve adhesion between the underlying hydrophilic substrate and the top hydrophobic coating. Gratifyingly, coatings with those copolymers were free of bubbles and cracks. The n-octyloxy side-chains may be regarded to adopt the role of a bound plasticizer, as the glass transition temperature of the copolymers decreases with increasing content of alkoxy side-chains. Electrochemical corrosion tests on PPM-substituted coatings exhibited good corrosion protection of the metal surface towards a naturally aerated near-neutrally 3.5% wt.% NaCl neutral solution, providing comparable results to blended PPM formulations, previously reported. Hence, the application of rheological additives can be avoided by use of proper design copolymers.
An Accurate Prediction of Daylight Pipe Harvesting of Interior Space
Authors: Kómar Ladislav , Kocifaj Miroslav
Published: August 2019

The performance of a light guide under arbitrary meteorological conditions is difficult to predict numerically because none of the present methods can account for the random configuration of clouds. Although, partly cloudy skies typically occur very frequently in many regions over the globe, the effects of cloud sizes, distributions, or altitudes on the luminous effectiveness of a light guide remain virtually unknown. The physical installation of light guides does not allow for a controlled experiment in which a single parameter can be varied within a defined range, while holding all other parameters constant. Numerical modeling is the only practical way to provide deep insights on the role of a specific property, such as cloud coverage, and its importance relative to all others (e.g., atmospheric turbidity). We have developed a unique solution through linking the UniSky simulator and HOLIGILM (hollow light guide interior illumination method) tool, while providing for the first time a powerful method that can provide accurate predictions and understanding of the fundamental differences of light guide behaviors under homogeneous and inhomogeneous sky states. The use of homogeneous skies in low-accuracy empirical models often results in overestimated/underestimated effectiveness of some light-guide systems. The model we have developed can predict complex optical signatures that are normally impossible to reproduce using up-to date empirical models (e.g., the illuminance patterns due to isolated clouds or clouds traversing across the sky). The optical efficiency, average cosine and working-place illuminance are analyzed and compared in order to demonstrate the model capabilities.
Review of the Performance of Low-Cost Sensors for Air Quality Monitoring
Authors: Karagulian Federico , Barbiere Maurizio , Kotsev Alexander , Spinelle Laurent , Gerboles Michel , Lagler Friedrich , Redon Nathalie , Crunaire Sabine , Borowiak Annette
Published: August 2019

A growing number of companies have started commercializing low-cost sensors (LCS) that are said to be able to monitor air pollution in outdoor air. The benefit of the use of LCS is the increased spatial coverage when monitoring air quality in cities and remote locations. Today, there are hundreds of LCS commercially available on the market with costs ranging from several hundred to several thousand euro. At the same time, the scientific literature currently reports independent evaluation of the performance of LCS against reference measurements for about 110 LCS. These studies report that LCS are unstable and often affected by atmospheric conditions—cross-sensitivities from interfering compounds that may change LCS performance depending on site location. In this work, quantitative data regarding the performance of LCS against reference measurement are presented. This information was gathered from published reports and relevant testing laboratories. Other information was drawn from peer-reviewed journals that tested different types of LCS in research studies. Relevant metrics about the comparison of LCS systems against reference systems highlighted the most cost-effective LCS that could be used to monitor air quality pollutants with a good level of agreement represented by a coefficient of determination R2 > 0.75 and slope close to 1.0. This review highlights the possibility to have versatile LCS able to operate with multiple pollutants and preferably with transparent LCS data treatment.
Transcriptome Analysis and Metabolic Profiling of Lycoris Radiata
Authors: Park Chang Ha , Yeo Hyeon Ji , Park Ye Eun , Baek Seung-A , Kim Jae Kwang , Park Sang Un
Published: August 2019

Lycoris radiata belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is a bulbous plant native to South Korea, China, and Japan. Galantamine, a representative alkaloid of Amaryllidaceae plants, including L. radiata, exhibits selective and dominant acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In spite of the economic and officinal importance of L. radiata, the molecular biological and biochemical information on L. radiata is relatively deficient. Therefore, this study provides functional information of L. radiata, describe galantamine biosynthesis in the various organs, and provide transcriptomic and metabolic datasets to support elucidation of galantamine biosynthesis pathway in future studies. The results of studies conducted in duplicate revealed the presence of a total of 325,609 and 404,019 unigenes, acquired from 9,913,869,968 and 10,162,653,038 raw reads, respectively, after trimming the raw reads using CutAdapt, assembly using Trinity package, and clustering using CD-Hit-EST. All of the assembled unigenes were aligned to the public databases, including National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) non-redundant protein (NR) and nucleotide (Nt) database, SWISS-PROT (UniProt) protein sequence data bank, The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR), the Swiss-Prot protein database, Gene Ontology (GO), and Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) database to predict potential genes and provide their functional information. Based on our transcriptome data and published literatures, eight full-length cDNA clones encoding LrPAL2, LrPAL3, LrC4H2, LrC3H, LrTYDC2, LrNNR, LrN4OMT, and LrCYP96T genes, involved in galantamine biosynthesis, were identified in L. radiata. In order to investigate galantamine biosynthesis in different plant parts of L. radiata grown in a growth chamber, gene expression levels were measured through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis using these identified genes and galantamine levels were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The qRT-PCR data revealed high expression levels of LrNNR, LrN4OMT, and LrCYP96T in the bulbs, and, as expected, we observed higher amounts of galantamine in the bulbs than in the root and leaves. Additionally, a total of 40 hydrophilic metabolites were detected in the different organs using gas-chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In particular, a strong positive correlation between galantamine and sucrose, which provides energy for the secondary metabolite biosynthesis, was observed.
New Design of the Electrophoretic Part of CLARITY Technology for Confocal Light Microscopy of Rat and Human Brains
Authors: Zach Petr , Mrzílková Jana , Pala Jan , Uttl Libor , Kútna Viera , Musil Vladimír , Sommerová Blanka , Tůma Petr
Published: August 2019

Background: CLARITY is a method of rendering postmortem brain tissue transparent using acrylamide-based hydrogels so that this tissue could be further used for immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, or gross anatomical studies. Published papers using the CLARITY method have included studies on human brains suffering from Alzheimer’s disease using mouse spinal cords as animal models for multiple sclerosis. Methods: We modified the original design of the Chung CLARITY system by altering the electrophoretic flow-through cell, the shape of the platinum electrophoresis electrodes and their positions, as well as the cooling and recirculation system, so that it provided a greater effect and can be used in any laboratory. Results: The adapted CLARITY system is assembled from basic laboratory components, in contrast to the original design. The modified CLARITY system was tested both on rat brain stained with a rabbit polyclonal anti-Iba-1 for microglial cells and on human nucleus accumbens stained with parvalbumin and tyrosine hydroxylase for visualization of specific neurons by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Conclusions: Our design has the advantage of simplicity, functional robustness, and minimal requirement for specialized additional items for the construction of the CLARITY apparatus.
Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Inhibitory Control among Individuals with Cannabis Use Disorders
Authors: Shevorykin Alina , Ruglass Lesia M. , Melara Robert D.
Published: August 2019

To better understand the biopsychosocial mechanisms associated with development and maintenance of cannabis use disorder (CUD), we examined frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) as a measure of approach bias and inhibitory control in cannabis users versus healthy nonusers. We investigated: (1) whether FAA could distinguish cannabis users from healthy controls; (2) whether there are cue-specific FAA effects in cannabis users versus controls; and (3) the time course of cue-specific approach motivation and inhibitory control processes. EEG data were analyzed from forty participants (CUD (n = 20) and controls (n = 20)) who completed a modified visual attention task. Results showed controls exhibited greater relative right hemisphere activation (indicating avoidance/withdrawal motivation) when exposed to cannabis cues during the filtering task. By contrast, cannabis users exhibited greater relative left activation (approach) to all cues (cannabis, positive, negative, and neutral), reflecting a generalized approach motivational tendency, particularly during later stages of inhibitory control processes. The difference between cannabis users and controls in FAA was largest during mid- to late processing stages of all cues, indicating greater approach motivation during later stages of information processing among cannabis users. Findings suggest FAA may distinguish cannabis users from healthy controls and shows promise as a measure of inhibitory control processes in cannabis users.
Novel Human Bispecific Aptamer–Antibody Conjugates for Efficient Cancer Cell Killing
Authors: Passariello Margherita , Camorani Simona , Vetrei Cinzia , Cerchia Laura , De Lorenzo Claudia
Published: August 2019

Monoclonal antibodies have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of various human cancers. More recently, oligonucleotide aptamers have risen increasing attention for cancer therapy thanks to their low size (efficient tumor penetration) and lack of immunogenicity, even though the short half-life and lack of effector functions still hinder their clinical applications. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that two novel bispecific conjugates, consisting of an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) aptamer linked either with an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ErbB2) compact antibody or with an immunomodulatory (anti-PD-L1) antibody, were easily and rapidly obtained. These novel aptamer–antibody conjugates retain the targeting ability of both the parental moieties and acquire a more potent cancer cell killing activity by combining their inhibitory properties. Furthermore, the conjugation of the anti-EGFR aptamer with the immunomodulatory antibody allowed for the efficient redirection and activation of T cells against cancer cells, thus dramatically enhancing the cytotoxicity of the two conjugated partners. We think that these bispecific antibody–aptamer conjugates could have optimal biological features for therapeutic applications, such as increased specificity for tumor cells expressing both targets and improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties due to the combined advantages of the aptamer and antibody.
Plasma Biomarkers and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: New Tools for Better Patient Selection?
Authors: Costantini Adrien , Takam Kamga Paul , Dumenil Coraline , Chinet Thierry , Emile Jean-François , Giroux Leprieur Etienne
Published: August 2019

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment landscape for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although some patients can experience important response rates and improved survival, many others do not benefit from ICIs developing hyper-progressive disease or immune-related adverse events. This underlines the need to select biomarkers for ICIs use in order to better select patients. There is currently no universally validated robust biomarker for daily use of ICIs. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) or tumor mutational burden (TMB) are sometimes used but still have several limitations. Plasma biomarkers are a promising approach in ICI treatment. This review will describe the development of novel plasma biomarkers such as soluble proteins, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), blood TMB, and blood microbiome in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs and their potential use in predicting response and toxicity.
Recycling of Gas Phase Residual Dichloromethane by Hydrodechlorination: Regeneration of Deactivated Pd/C Catalysts
Authors: Liu Sichen , Martin-Martinez María , Álvarez-Montero María Ariadna , Arevalo-Bastante Alejandra , Rodriguez Juan José , Gómez-Sainero Luisa María
Published: August 2019

Dichloromethane (DCM) is an important pollutant with very harmful effects on human health and the environment. Catalytic hydrodechlorination (HDC) is an environmentally friendly technology for its removal from gas streams; it avoids the formation of hazardous pollutants like dioxins and phosgene (produced by other techniques), and the products obtained can be reused in other industries. When compared to other precious metals, Pd/C catalyst exhibited a better catalytic activity. However, the catalyst showed a significant deactivation during the reaction. In this study, the oxidation state and particle size of Pd was monitored with time on stream in order to elucidate the transformations that the catalyst undergoes during HDC. The deactivation can be ascribed to the formation of a new PdCx phase during the first hour of reaction. Carbon atoms incorporated to Pd lattice come from (chloro)-hydrocarbons adsorbed in the metallic species, whose transformation is promoted by the HCl originating in the reaction. Nevertheless, the catalyst was regenerated by air flow treatment at 250 °C, recovering the catalyst more than 80% of initial DCM conversion.