bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fifty-five years of Russian radio-echo sounding investigations in Antarctica
Authors: Popov Sergey
Published: February 2020

Russian (former Soviet) systematic studies of Antarctica by radio-echo sounding (RES) and ground-penetrating radar technique (GPR) were commenced in 1964. Since that time airborne RES surveys have covered about 5.5 × 106km2of the icy continent discovering remarkable geographic objects such as Subglacial Gamburtsev Mountains, and allowed studies of Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, Amery Ice Shelf and Lambert Glacier. Ground-based investigations during the 1990s and 2000s revealed the structure of the Lake Vostok area and surveyed along the Mirny to Vostok and Progress to Vostok traverse routes. GPR studies during the 2010s were to select the site for a new snow-runway at Mirny Station, with the resumption of the aviation after a 25 year hiatus.
Middle East Studies Association ANTI-SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMMITTEE August 2019
Authors: Ferguson Heather
Published: February 2020

MESA's Board of Directors established the MESA Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee (hereafter ASH) to help create a safe environment at the MESA annual meeting and in the wider Middle East studies community. Its goal is to strengthen the MESA community by building mutual trust and by providing resources to sexual harassment survivors. MESA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws during the annual meeting and thereafter.
Dietary B vitamin and methionine intakes and risk for colorectal cancer: a case–control study in China
Authors: Huang Chu-Yi , Abulimiti Alinuer , Zhang Xin , Feng Xiao-Li , Luo Hong , Chen Yu-Ming , Fang Yu-Jing , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: February 2020

B vitamins (including folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12) and methionine are essential for methylation reactions, nucleotide synthesis, DNA stability and DNA repair. However, epidemiological evidence among Chinese populations is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate B vitamins and methionine in relation to colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese population. A case–control study was conducted from July 2010 to April 2019. A total of 2502 patients with colorectal cancer were recruited along with 2538 age- (5-year interval) and sex-matched controls. Dietary data were collected using a validated FFQ. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess OR and 95 % CI. The intake of folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. The multivariable OR for the highest quartile v. the lowest quartile were 0·62 (95 % CI 0·51, 0·74; Ptrend < 0·001) for folate, 0·46 (95 % CI 0·38, 0·55; Ptrend < 0·001) for vitamin B2, 0·55 (95 % CI 0·46, 0·76; Ptrend < 0·001) for vitamin B6 and 0·72 (95 % CI 0·60, 0·86; Ptrend < 0·001) for vitamin B12. No statistically significant association was found between methionine intake and colorectal cancer risk. Stratified analysis by sex showed that the inverse associations between vitamin B12 and methionine intake and colorectal cancer risk were found only among women. This study indicated that higher intake of folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 was associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer in a Chinese population.
Market Exclusivity and the Right to Health in South Africa: A Primer for Tackling the Paradox
Authors: Ajibo Collins C
Published: February 2020

South Africa remains confronted with challenges to the realization of the right to healthcare services, shaped by both national and global dynamics. The proliferation of exclusivity regimes in intellectual property (IP) rule-making poses a threat to affordable healthcare services. Although South Africa is not a signatory to any of these enhanced IP norms, it may still be at risk through transposition, given that the current norm-setting constitutes the future direction of rule-making. These global dynamics are compounded by overly protective measures in South Africa's patent law as well as non-IP factors, particularly the prevalent weak health infrastructure. Although South Africa's IP Policy Phase I incorporates a raft of changes to address the situation, capacity constraints could thwart effective outcomes. Consequently, beyond the current patent law reform, there should be a roadmap for how to manage global IP norm-setting as well as non-IP factors, to foster universal healthcare coverage in South Africa.
Power line routing and configuration as major drivers of collision risk in two bustard species
Authors: Marques Ana Teresa , Martins Ricardo C. , Silva João Paulo , Palmeirim Jorge M. , Moreira Francisco
Published: February 2020

Collision with power lines is a major cause of mortality for many bird species. Understanding the biotic and abiotic factors that increase collision risk is therefore important for implementing mitigation measures to minimize mortality, such as power line rerouting or wire marking. Here, we used collision events registered during 2003–2015 along 280 km of transmission power lines in southern Portugal to analyse spatio-temporal patterns and collision risk factors in two sympatric, threatened, and collision-prone species: the great bustard Otis tarda and the little bustard Tetrax tetrax. The occurrence of collisions was not uniform across space and time, and variations could be explained by the species' ecological requirements, distribution patterns and behaviour. Although both species fly considerable distances between areas of suitable habitat, collisions were far more likely in power line sections with > 20% (for the little bustard) or > 50% (for the great bustard) of open farmland habitat in the surroundings. Power line configuration was also important: taller pylons and those with a higher number of wire levels posed a higher risk for both species. Wire marking had a small but significant effect for the little bustard, reducing collisions risk. There was, however, no similar effect for the great bustard, possibly a result of limited data. Mitigation measures should be implemented to prevent bustard collisions, including adequate route planning, ideally avoiding areas with > 20% of open habitat. Line configuration and wire marking are particularly important where such localities cannot be avoided and power lines cross areas with a high proportion of bustard habitat, including outside protected areas.
Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of a novel species, Mycobacterium hubeiense sp., isolated from the sputum of a patient with secondary tuberculosis in Hubei of China
Authors: Yu Xiaoli , Zheng Hui , Zhou Fang , Hu Peng , Wang Hualin , Li Na , He Juncai , Wang Peidong , Zhang Lu , Men Hongsheng , Xiang Jie , Zhang Shulin
Published: February 2020

A new fast-growing mycobacterium, designated strain QGD101T, was isolated from the sputum of an 84-year-old man suspected of tuberculosis in Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, Hubei, China. This strain was a gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming and catalase-positive bacterium, which was further identified as the NTM by PNB and TCH tests. The moxifloxacin and levofloxacin exhibited strong suppressing function against QGD101T with MIC values of 0.06 and 0.125 µg/ml after drug susceptibility testing of six main antimicrobial agents on mycobacteria. Based on the sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, rpoB, hsp65 and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer, the strain QGD101T could not be identified to a species level. Mycobacterium moriokaense ATCC43059T that shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98%) with strain QGD101T was actually different in genomes average nucleotide identity (78.74%). In addition, the major cellular fatty acids of QGD101T were determined as C18:1ω9c, C16:0 and C18:2ω6c. The DNA G + C content was 64.9% measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Therefore, the phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of this strain led us to the conclusion that it represents a novel species of mycobacteria, for which the name Mycobacterium hubeiense sp. nov. (type strain QGD101T = CCTCCAA 2017003T = KCTC39927T) was proposed. Thus, the results of this study are very significant for the clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis and future personalised medicine.
Characteristics of within-household varicella transmission events associated with school outbreaks in Shanghai, China, 2009–2018
Authors: Chen Yuan-Fang , Zhou Qi , Liu Jing-Yi , Gong Rui-Jie , Mao Shu-Qian , Ye Zhuo-Jun , Wu Qiang-Song
Published: February 2020

Transmission of varicella occurs frequently in schools and households. We investigated the characteristics of varicella cases derived from within-household transmission and the modes of varicella transmission between school and household settings in Shanghai, China, from 2009 to 2018. Within-household transmission occurred in 278 households, of which 134 transmission events were between children. Sixty-one household varicella transmission events may be attributed to isolation procedures for infected students during school outbreaks, and 7.6% of school outbreaks were caused by schoolchildren cases derived from within-household transmission. The frequency of ‘school-household-school’ transmission adds an additional layer of complexity to the control of school varicella outbreaks. Administration of varicella vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis after exposure is considered to be an effective measure to control varicella spread within households and schools.
Resolving the “Dispute” Under Article 119(1) of the Rome Statute
Authors: KUMAR Aman
Published: February 2020

The decision of the Office of the Prosecutor to seek a ruling in the “Bangladesh/Myanmar Situation” on jurisdiction under Article 19(3) of the Rome Statute was lauded for its drafting. The ICC granted the request in a very controversial judgment. This paper focuses on self-invocation and misinterpretation of Article 119(1) of the Statute (paragraph one disputes). The Court thus created and lost a unique chance to explain one of the untouched provisions of the Statute. The two paragraphs of the Article envisage different types of disputes. The Chamber was divided on the meaning of the very term “dispute”. However, what is noteworthy is that nowhere in her request had the Prosecutor accepted that there exists a dispute in this situation. In fact, the term “dispute” was not mentioned even once in her request. Why then did the Court delve into it?
Differential effects of 11 years of long-term injectable testosterone undecanoate therapy on anthropometric and metabolic parameters in hypogonadal men with normal weight, overweight and obesity in comparison with untreated controls: real-world data from a controlled registry study
Authors: Saad F. , Doros G. , Haider K. S. , Haider A.
Published: February 2020

Background and significance

Obesity is a chronic disease, warranting long-term medical intervention. We evaluated effects of testosterone (T) therapy (Th) in men with T deficiency with normal weight, overweight and obesity on anthropometric and metabolic parameters, compared with untreated men.

Methods

Hypogonadal men (n = 823) with total T ≤ 12.1 nmol/L (age: 60.6 ± 7.0 years) participated in an ongoing registry study. Among these men 474 (57.6%) were obese, 286 (34.8%) overweight and 63 (7.7%) had normal weight. T undecanoate injections were administered to 428 men and 395 remained untreated. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured at least twice a year and changes adjusted for confounding factors to account for baseline differences between groups.

Results

Long-term TTh in hypogonadal men, irrespective of weight at baseline, produced improvements in body weight, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, TTh decreased fasting blood glucose and HbA1c and improved lipid profiles. Gradual decreases in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and pulse pressure occurred in men treated with T in each group. Marked reductions in mortality and major cardiovascular events were recorded in men receiving TTh.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that TTh produces reductions in weight, WC, and BMI. There were 77 (19.5%) deaths in the untreated groups and 23 (5.4%) in the T-groups. Based on these findings we suggest that long-term TTh in overweight and obese hypogonadal men produces progressive and sustained clinically meaningful weight loss and that TTh may contribute to reductions in mortality and incident major adverse cardiovascular events.
Skeletal loading regulates breast cancer-associated osteolysis in a loading intensity-dependent fashion
Authors: Fan Yao , Jalali Aydin , Chen Andy , Zhao Xinyu , Liu Shengzhi , Teli Meghana , Guo Yunxia , Li Fangjia , Li Junrui , Siegel Amanda , Yang Lianxiang , Liu Jing , Na Sungsoo , Agarwal Mangilal , Robling Alexander G. , Nakshatri Harikrishna , Li Bai-Yan , Yokota Hiroki
Published: February 2020

Osteocytes are mechanosensitive bone cells, but little is known about their effects on tumor cells in response to mechanical stimulation. We treated breast cancer cells with osteocyte-derived conditioned medium (CM) and fluid flow-treated conditioned medium (FFCM) with 0.25 Pa and 1 Pa shear stress. Notably, CM and FFCM at 0.25 Pa induced the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), but FFCM at 1 Pa induced the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This suggested that the effects of fluid flow on conditioned media depend on flow intensity. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based evaluation of Src activity and vinculin molecular force showed that osteopontin was involved in EMT and MET switching. A mouse model of tumor-induced osteolysis was tested using dynamic tibia loadings of 1, 2, and 5 N. The low 1 N loading suppressed tumor-induced osteolysis, but this beneficial effect was lost and reversed with loads at 2 and 5 N, respectively. Changing the loading intensities in vivo also led to changes in serum TGFβ levels and the composition of tumor-associated volatile organic compounds in the urine. Collectively, this study demonstrated the critical role of intensity-dependent mechanotransduction and osteopontin in tumor-osteocyte communication, indicating that a biophysical factor can tangibly alter the behaviors of tumor cells in the bone microenvironment.
Estimation of Regional Economic Development Indicator from Transportation Network Analytics
Authors: Li Bin , Gao Song , Liang Yunlei , Kang Yuhao , Prestby Timothy , Gao Yuqi , Xiao Runmou
Published: February 2020

With the booming economy in China, many researches have pointed out that the improvement of regional transportation infrastructure among other factors had an important effect on economic growth. Utilizing a large-scale dataset which includes 3.5 billion entry and exit records of vehicles along highways generated from toll collection systems, we attempt to establish the relevance of mid-distance land transport patterns to regional economic status through transportation network analyses. We apply standard measurements of complex networks to analyze the highway transportation networks. A set of traffic flow features are computed and correlated to the regional economic development indicator. The multi-linear regression models explain about 89% to 96% of the variation of cities’ GDP across three provinces in China. We then fit gravity models using annual traffic volumes of cars, buses, and freight trucks between pairs of cities for each province separately as well as for the whole dataset. We find the temporal changes of distance-decay effects on spatial interactions between cities in transportation networks, which link to the economic development patterns of each province. We conclude that transportation big data reveal the status of regional economic development and contain valuable information of human mobility, production linkages, and logistics for regional management and planning. Our research offers insights into the investigation of regional economic development status using highway transportation big data.
Replica Symmetry Breaking in a Weakly Scattering Optofluidic Random Laser
Authors: Sarkar Anirban , Bhaktha B. N. Shivakiran , Andreasen Jonathan
Published: February 2020

We report the observation of replica symmetry breaking (RSB) in a weakly scattering optofluidic random laser (ORL). Coherent random lasing is indicated by the presence of narrow peaks rising out of the spectral background. This coherence helps to identify a random laser threshold, which is expected to be gradual with weak scattering. We find that lasing action initiated using optical pulsed pumping coincides with the onset of both RSB and Lévy flight statistics. However, the transition from the photonic paramagnetic to photonic glass phase is more subtle in that the Parisi overlap function broadens instead of completely changing shape. This subtlety is balanced by an accompanying result of identical experimental conditions giving rise to lasing or no lasing depending on the shot. Additional statistical calculations and investigations into the fundamental physical mechanisms present in the ORL support this conclusion. Using simple numerical models, we study the critical spectral properties required for RSB to occur, as indicated by the Parisi overlap function. The simplicity of the models helps demonstrate the sensitive nature of this tool and the necessity of additional verification of the physical mechanisms present in the experiment.
Probing ultracold chemistry using ion spectrometry
Authors: Liu Yu , Grimes David D. , Hu Ming-Guang , Ni Kang-Kuen
Published: February 2020

Reactions between KRb molecules at sub-microkelvin temperatures were probed using ion spectrometry.
Metal-free annulative hydrosulfonation of propiolate esters: synthesis of 4-sulfonates of coumarins and butenolides
Authors: Fernandes Rodney A. , Gangani Ashvin J. , Kunkalkar Rupesh A.
Published: February 2020

An efficient metal-free and cost-effective method for the synthesis of coumarin and butenolide 4-sulfonates has been developed involving addition of sulfonic acids to ethyl propiolates followed by lactonization.
A siramesine-loaded metal organic framework nanoplatform for overcoming multidrug resistance with efficient cancer cell targeting
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Tang Menghuan , Zhou Yanghao , Long Yijuan , Cheng Yuan , Zheng Huzhi
Published: February 2020

ZIF-8@Sira/FA induces the cancer cells apoptosis and then eliminates cancer cells from the inside through the lysosomal death pathway.
The construction of novel and efficient hafnium catalysts using naturally existing tannic acid for Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction
Authors: Wang Xiaolu , Hao Jianxiu , Deng Lijuan , Zhao Hongye , Liu Quansheng , Li Na , He Runxia , Zhi Keduan , Zhou Huacong
Published: February 2020

A novel and efficient Hf–TA catalyst was constructed using sustainable plant-derived tannic acids (TA) as the raw material to catalyze the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds.
Electrochemical detection of exogenously administered melatonin in the brain
Authors: Castagnola Elisa , Woeppel Kevin , Golabchi Asiyeh , McGuier Moriah , Chodapaneedi Neharika , Metro Julian , Taylor I. Mitch , Cui X. Tracy
Published: February 2020

Optimized square wave voltammetry for electrochemical measurement of exogenously administered MT in vivo.
Polymorphic mechanoresponsive luminescent material based on a fluorene–phenanthroimidazole hybrid by modulation of intramolecular conformation and intermolecular interaction
Authors: Chen Guowei , Chen Wen-Cheng , Ji Shaomin , Zhou Peiqi , Cai Ning , Zhan Yingying , Liang Hui , Tan Ji-Hua , Pan Chengqiang , Huo Yanping
Published: February 2020

This study examined the multiple energetic pathways in solid-state photophysics, which are of increasing importance in solid-state lighting applications.
Ginkgo biloba leaf polysaccharide stabilized palladium nanoparticles with enhanced peroxidase-like property for the colorimetric detection of glucose
Authors: Cui Yanshuai , Lai Xiang , Liu Kai , Liang Bo , Ma Guanglong , Wang Longgang
Published: February 2020

Ginkgo biloba leaf polysaccharide stabilized palladium nanoparticles had high stability, good biocompatibility and low detection limit for glucose.
UCP1-independent thermogenesis
Authors: Roesler Anna , Kazak Lawrence
Published: February 2020

Obesity results from energy imbalance, when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) drives non-shivering thermogenesis which represents a powerful mechanism of enhancing the energy expenditure side of the energy balance equation. The best understood thermogenic system in BAT that evolved to protect the body from hypothermia is based on the uncoupling of protonmotive force from oxidative phosphorylation through the actions of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a key regulator of cold-mediated thermogenesis. Similarly, energy expenditure is triggered in response to caloric excess, and animals with reduced thermogenic fat function can succumb to diet-induced obesity. Thus, it was surprising when inactivation of Ucp1 did not potentiate diet-induced obesity. In recent years, it has become clear that multiple thermogenic mechanisms exist, based on ATP sinks centered on creatine, lipid, or calcium cycling, along with Fatty acid-mediated UCP1-independent leak pathways driven by the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC). With a key difference between cold- and diet-induced thermogenesis being the dynamic changes in purine nucleotide (primarily ATP) levels, ATP-dependent thermogenic pathways may play a key role in diet-induced thermogenesis. Additionally, the ubiquitous expression of AAC may facilitate increased energy expenditure in many cell types, in the face of over feeding. Interest in UCP1-independent energy expenditure has begun to showcase the therapeutic potential that lies in refining our understanding of the diversity of biochemical pathways controlling thermogenic respiration.
An Introductory Examination of Speech Disfluencies in Spanish–English Bilingual Children Who Do and Do Not Stutter During Narratives
Authors: Rincon Cristina , Johnson Kia Noelle , Byrd Courtney
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the frequency and type of speech disfluencies (stuttering-like and nonstuttering-like) in bilingual Spanish–English (SE) children who stutter (CWS) to SE children who do not stutter (CWNS) during narrative samples elicited in Spanish and English to provide further diagnostic information for this population and preliminary data toward an expansion of this study.

Method

Participants included six bilingual SE children (three CWS, three CWNS) ranging in age from 5 years to 7;5 (years;months) and recruited from the surrounding Houston, Texas area. Participants provided a narrative sample in English and Spanish. The frequency of speech disfluencies was tabulated, and mean length of utterance was measured for each sample.

Results

Results indicate that both talker groups exceed the diagnostic criteria typically used for developmental stuttering. Regardless of the language being spoken, CWS participants had a frequency of stuttering-like speech disfluencies that met or exceeded the diagnostic criteria for developmental stuttering that is based on monolingual English speakers. The CWNS participants varied in meeting the criteria depending on the language being spoken, with one of the three CWNS exceeding the criteria in both languages and one exceeding the criteria for percentage of stuttering-like speech disfluencies in one language.

Conclusion

Findings from this study contribute to the development of more appropriate diagnostic criteria for bilingual SE-speaking children to aid in the reduction of misdiagnoses of stuttering in this population.
Dynamics of surface charge and electric field distributions on basin‐type insulator in GIS/GIL due to voltage polarity reversal
Authors: Luo Yi , Tang Ju , Pan Cheng , Pan Zijun , Li Yi , Cui Zhaolun
Published: February 2020

In this study, a simulation model of surface charge accumulation has been established. The model considers three accumulation ways, i.e. electrical conduction within the gas, through insulator volume and along the insulator surface. The generation, diffusion, drift and recombination of charge carriers are also taken into account. Based on it, the influence of polarity reversal, reversal time on surface charge and electric field distribution on a basin‐type insulator are studied. The polarity of the surface charges and the direction of the electric field change after the voltage polarity reversal. When the preload voltage is equal to reversal voltage, the surface charge and the electric field distributions at steady state before and after voltage polarity reversal are all the same with opposite sign, and not affected by the reversal time. However, the time to reach the steady state varies with different reversal time. The steady‐state surface charge and electric field increased with the rise of reversal voltage. The transient normal and tangential electric field would not exceed the value of the steady state, which means voltage polarity reversal has no additional influence on insulation performance. This research can provide guidance to the design and manufacture of DC GIS/GIL.
Mitigating zero dynamic attack in communication link‐enabled droop‐controlled hybrid AC/DC microgrids
Authors: Rasoolzadeh Arsalan , Salmasi Farzad Rajaei
Published: February 2020

This article focuses on mitigation of zero dynamic attack in communication link‐enabled droop‐controlled hybrid AC/DC microgrids (MGs). To transmit setpoints for droop controllers and to also send measured AC and DC voltages and AC frequency in this sort of MGs, a communication link is required. Such links are exposed to cyber‐attacks. First of all, this article tries to indicate that the system would be vulnerable to zero dynamic attack. In the second step, it is shown that zero dynamic attack can be mitigated by closing the secondary control loop. It is also shown that the attack can be distinguished from load/generation disturbances. In order to proceed with the challenge, the control signal in a closed loop system is used as the tricks of the trade. To achieve the goal, parity space as a kind of model‐based fault detection approach is applied to a recently proposed dynamic model for droop‐controlled hybrid AC/DC MGs. Evaluation of the detecting approach confirms that not only it can detect the attack effectively, but also it distinguishes from disturbance perfectly.
Joint optimisation for time consumption and energy consumption of multi‐application and load balancing of cloudlets in mobile edge computing
Authors: Peng Kai , Huang Hualong , Pan Wenjie , Wang Jiabin
Published: February 2020

Mobile edge computing (MEC) is an effective assistant technology that can overcome some defects of cloud computing. For the sake of alleviating the clashes between the capability constraint of cloudlets and the needs of mobile devices (MDs) for reducing executing latency as well as decreasing the power consumption of MDs, a user‐oriented use case in the MEC named computation offloading is taken into consideration. Computation offloading is capable of effectively making the MEC adapt to the resources of cloudlets and MDs in different environments, and it is very beneficial to the development of the internet of things. Owing to the finite computation capabilities of the MDs and the resources of cloudlets are heterogeneous and limited; a three‐objective model is established to optimise the time consumption, and the energy consumption of MDs as well as the load balancing of cloudlets jointly. Technically, the authors propose an effective multi‐user multi‐application computation offloading method in the multi‐cloudlet environment on the basis of improved non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm III. Finally, comprehensive experiments and analysis were conducted to validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method.
Numerical study of a Solar Absorption Refrigeration Machine
Authors: Dardouch J. , Charia M. , Bernatchou A.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we present a numerical study of a single-stage absorption refrigeration machine, operating with a couple of water-ammonia fluids, equipped with a distillation column and associated with a solar heating system using solar collectors.

The study has showed the benefit of using the distillation column which is manifested by:

The decrease of the operating temperature,

The improvement of the coefficient of performance,

Surface reduction of the solar collectors,

The improvement of the solar coefficient of performance.

The solar study shows that the absorption refrigeration machine equipped with a distillation column is better suited to solar energy with significantly better performance compared to the simple absorption refrigeration machine.
Effect of the self-purification of Oum Er Rbia river on the elimination of fish releases
Authors: Ouaissa Khadija , Kritihi Assia , Oumessoud Youness. , Maychal Abdelaziz , Hasnaoui Mustapha
Published: February 2020

Fish farming is a rapidly growing production worldwide, where it covers nearly 50% of fish inputs for human consumption. Releases to the natural environment are also an important issue, especially as they are visible and quantifiable, being emitted directly into the water.

The physicochemical analyzes of the various Oued Er-Rbia points (ES, P1, P2, P3 and E4) show that the physico-chemical quality of the water downstream of the OumEr-Rbia magnification station shows no signs of deterioration of the receiving releases.

Fish farming effluents are known to deteriorate the quality of freshwater and the excessive presence of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water leads to eutrophication of the environment. This is not the case at the Oum Er-Rbia station, but it is crucial to develop food formulations that cause the least amount of nitrogen and phosphorus released into the environment.
The pollution load of wastewater and the performance of the sewage treatment plant of Skhirat city
Authors: Bouhafa Mehdi , El Rhaouat Omar , Lakhlifi Mostapha , Belhamidi Sakina , El Midaoui Azzedine , El Hannouni Fatima
Published: February 2020

The Sewage Treatment Plant (STEP) based on Skhirat City receive on average an important volume of wastewater (about 66473 m3 with a flow of 2173.56 m3/day). The aim of this research is to evaluate the pollutant load of wastewater and the performances of the sewage treatment plant of Skhirat city in treating domestic wastewater. Sampling was carried out on the level of the entry of sewage treatment plant with a monthly rate. The analyses were carried at the laboratory with the cubic measure of wastewater received by the sewage treatment plant. The results show that the CODe/BOD5e ratio of 2.08, which makes it possible to confirm the normal state of the station in biological treatment since the ratio is lower than three. The results showed that the rate of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and the Suspended Matter (SM) respectively it’s of the order 87,4%, 90,68% and 79,50%. Globally, the results of the investigation revealed by the unilateral test Student, that this difference between the entry and the exit of the station which significant by p-value calculated is lower than the level of significance alpha= 0,05.
Multicriteria analysis for the choice of an intervention strategy for historic monuments-case of the enclosure of the medina of Salé-
Authors: Elhachmi Driss , Bahi Lahcen , Ouadif Latifa , Benkmil Rachid
Published: February 2020

Historical monuments in Morocco represent a heritage, of great value in terms of its history, culture, civilization and identity. This heritage is a non-renewable resource considered as one of the essential aspects of modern communities and contributes to the sustainable development of the country. Unfortunately, these monuments are subject to pathologies due to several factors that threaten its sustainability. The choice of the type of intervention thus becomes a strategic decision that has a crucial impact on the historic monument. Indeed, it requires a global approach because it involves simultaneously a multitude of stakeholders and a multitude of criteria (technical, environmental, social, political or administrative, human etc …). Several models in the literature have focused on the multi-criteria decision support process. This work proposes a decision support method based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, in order to apply it to a choice of an intervention strategy on historic monuments. Then, this approach is applied to the case of the enclosure of the old medina of Salé.
Treatment and reinforcement of the loose sands of the city of Kenitra
Authors: Boukhorb Hajar , Bahi Lahcen , Ouadif Latifa , Ejjaaouani Houssine , Gourri Abdeloihad
Published: February 2020

The Kenitra city belongs to the Rharb-Mamora domain, which is affected by a continuous subsidence from the Middle Vindobonien to the present day. The sedimentary cycle of the tertiary era ends at the Pliocene, characterized by regressive character deposits identified in outcrop at the margins of the basin: They are conglomerates in the North, yellow sands in the East, sands and sandstone in the South-East. These sandy deposits vary from more or less clayey sand to greying sand, with the appearance of a very loose sand layer, at varying depths. It is with this directive that the objective of this article is to define the risks, which may affect the works built on this soil, and also determine the actions to be taken to control these risks. As a first step, an experimental approach was carried out, including in situ and laboratory tests in order to identify these formations and define their mechanical behavior. Then, the results of geotechnical survey were analyzed and exploited in calculations of bearing capacity, settlement, liquefaction,… eventually resulting in the necessity of treatment and reinforcement of this soil. These approaches have shown that there are several soil reinforcement techniques, the choice of which depends on the granulometry of soil and the cost of project.
Contribution of multispectral remote sensing to mining exploration in the Rehamna Massif, Moroccan Meseta
Authors: El-Mimouni Mohamed , Aarab Abdellatif , Lakhloufi Abdellah , Hamzaoui Abderrazak , Akhssas Ahmed , Benyas Kawtar
Published: February 2020

The Western Moroccan Meseta contains mining sites in operation for several decades and others in development. The Rehamna Massif belonging to this, is the subject of this study. The present study reveals new results on the mineralization in this massif. It is based on the synergy of field investigation data and ASTER image analysis (L1T) covering this massif. Through spectral processing, namely the calculation of the band ratios, ACP and MNF, applied to the nine VNIR and SWIR bands of this image, it was possible to reveal the distribution of hydrothermal alteration minerals in the study area. The conjuncture of these data allowed us to select geological targets likely to be of potential mining interest in the massif.
A new formulation of the protective coating for historical monuments
Authors: Benkmil Rachid , Bahi Lahcen , Akhssas Ahmed , Ouadif Latifa , Elhachmi Driss , Ait El fakih Toufiq
Published: February 2020

Historic buildings are more closely tied to the ground than modern buildings. They are more porous, take water from the ground, transport it through their structure and evacuate it, generating side effects such as oxidation and crumbling. Walls and floors are the point of exchange for these reactions. An increase in the soil moisture could lead to a greater circulation of dissolved salts, and therefore to a harmful crystallization on the decorated surfaces but also to a greater instability of the soil. Our objective in this work is the choice of a plaster coating to limit damage due to climatic factors and mainly humidity. We are characterized the coating compositions firstly, and then proposed plaster based formulations. The choice of the best plank may be made by carrying out Karsten tube penetration and capillary absorption tests.
Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Reduce Expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 Alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and Endometriotic Tissue Size in Mice Model of Endometriosis
Authors: Syahrizal Dedy , Mustika Cut , Renaldi Teuku , Suryokusumo Mohammad G. , Hendarto Hendy
Published: February 2020

Hypoxia in endometriosis will increase the expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1alpha (HIF1alpha) and its expression could be decreased by Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO). This study aimed to analyze the effect of HBO 2.4 ATA for 3x30 minutes per day for 10 days on the expression of HIF-1 alpha and endometriotic tissue size on mice model of endometriosis. This study was an experimental laboratory study with a separate pretest-posttest control group design. The mice were divided into three groups, the first was a pretest control group (which describes the condition after endometrium transplantation), the second was the endometriotic group that received hyperbaric oxygen, and the third was the endometriotic group that did not receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The endometriosis implant size in the peritoneal tissue was assessed and the immunohistochemistry examination was conducted to determine the expression of HIF-1 alpha. The endometriosis tissue size was reduced in the HBO group compared to the control and nonHBO group. The lowest expression of HIF-1 alpha was significantly found in HBO over the other group. The decrease of HIF1 alpha expression mediates the reduction of size endometriotic tissue due to the therapy of HBO.
The use of transrectal massage combined with artificial vagina as semen collection in javan banteng (Bos javanicus) bull
Authors: Yoelinda Vincentia T. , Arifiantini Raden I. , Agil Muhammad , Setiadi Dedi R. , Hastuti Yohana T. , Manansang Jansen , Sajuthi Dondin
Published: February 2020

Semen collection in wild animals may be challenging for some methods such as electro ejaculator may cause pain and distress to the animals. Transrectal massage has been widely used in domestic and wild animals semen collection. Even though an artificial vagina may provide a condition that mimics the female reproductive tract and known to provide better results in some species, the application may face obstacles in the field. This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of modified semen collection in banteng bull by combining the transrectal massage method followed by the use of an artificial vagina. The bull was habituated and trained for semen collection in chute under veterinarian supervision in Taman Safari Indonesia, Cisarua, Bogor, West Java. Semen samples from one Javan banteng bull were collected once a week. Banteng bull showed stud and penile protrusion during semen collection. Watery semen with volume ranged from 12 ml were successfully collected, with sperm progressive motility ranged from 25%-40%. Our study also showed sperm abnormalities comprising 18.11% abnormal sperm heads, 28.82% abnormal sperm tails and 0.94% teratoid form. The results demonstrated the possibility of this modified method as an alternative procedure for semen collection in banteng bull which may also be useful for other wild animals in field conditions
The Potency of endophytic fungi from the bark of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels as antifungal agents
Authors: Nurhaida Nurhaida , Rashid Syarifah A. , Ibrahim Darah
Published: February 2020

The bark of Syzygium cumini is potential as an antimicrobial agent, so this bark is a reservoir of endophytic fungi. The purpose of this study was to isolate endophytic fungi and determine its antifungal activity. Several methods used in this research are surface sterilization, endophytic isolation on plain media and media containing host plant, morphology identification of endophytic fungi and determine antifungal activity. Thirteen endophytic fungi have been isolated from the bark of S. cumini, in which seven and six endophytic fungi grow on the plain media and media containing host plants, respectively. Based on the morphology identification, these endophytic fungi include the genus Phomopsis, Colletotrichum and Aspergillus. Seven endophytic fungi displayed antifungal activity against pathogenic microorganisms. The results demonstrated that endophytic fungi isolate from S. cumini bark could be a source of antifungal agents.
Oviposition Deterrent Activity and Ovicidal Effect of Pometia pinnata Leaves Extract against Dengue Vector, Aedes aegypti (Diftera: Culicidae)
Authors: Suharyo Luthfi , Arthari Rizqulla K. , Rochmah Fitria S.N.
Published: February 2020

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue fever that most commonly occurred in Indonesia. The application of botanical insecticides is being developed as an alternative vector control. Botanical components have been reported as the potential alternative to inhibit the process of oviposition and fecundity suppression. This study aims to determine the oviposition deterrent activity and ovicidal effects of ethanol extract of Pometia pinnata leaves against Aedes aegypti. Oviposition deterrent assay was conducted on twenty bloodfed females in a cage (40 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm). One treated oviposition trap and one control oviposition trap were placed in the opposite corner of the cage. Four replicates were performed for each concentration. The eggs were counted and analyzed after 72 hours of trial. Ethanol extract of Pometia pinnata leaves have antioviposition effect on female mosquitoes Aedes aegypti at 400 ppm (effective repellency / ER = 56.38%; oviposition active index/OAI = -0.39) and 500 ppm (ER = 66.4%; OAI = -0.49). In the ovicidal assay, twentyfive eggs are used for determination ovicidal effect and five replicates were performed for each concentration. The hatched larvae were collected and counted daily. The ethanolic extract of Pometia pinnata leaves at 0.05%, 0,1%, 0.15%, 0.2%, and 0.25% concentration have ovicidal activity of 11%, 28%, 87%, 94%, and 98% against Aedes aegypti eggs, respectively. This study revealed that the ethanol extract of Pometia pinnata leaves could be a potential alternative in controlling the dengue vector.
Correlation Between Testosterone Concentrations with Scrotal Circumference, and Semen Characteristics in Aceh Bulls
Authors: Dasrul Dasrul , Wahyuni Sri , Sugito Sugito , Hamzah Abdulah , Zaini Zulzya , Haris Abdul , Gholib Gholib
Published: February 2020

This study was conducted to examine testosterone concentrations its relationship with the scrotal circumference and physical characteristics of semen in aceh bulls. Semen samples were collected weekly from jugular vein of three aceh bulls aged 4-5 years old for 10 weeks. Testosterone concentration was measured byenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method. Semens were collected by using artificial vagina and evaluated for physical characteristics namely ejaculatory volume, pH, and sperm motility, concentration, and abnormalities. Data were analyzed using correlation-regresion test. Testosterone concentrations showed a positive correlation with scrotal circumference (r = 0.799), number of sperm (r = 0.703), sperm motility (r = 0.857) and sperm abnormalities (r = -0,877). No correlation, however, was found between testosterone concentrations with semen volume (r = 0.038) and pH (r = 0.418). It can be concluded that testosterone concentrations correlated positively with scrotal circumference, numbers of sperm, sperm of motility and sperm of abnormality.
Diversity and Activities of Mosquito in Yogyakarta Special Region Province, Indonesia, a Non Filariasis Endemic Area
Authors: Istianah Siti , Mulyaningsih Budi , Umniyati Sitti R.
Published: February 2020

According to data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2018, there were 37 cases of Elephantiasis in Yogyakarta, even though Yogyakarta is not an endemic area of filariasis. This preliminary study was carried out to evaluate the diversity of species, relative abundance, frequency and dominance of mosquitoes in Yogyakarta and to determine the role of mosquitoes as a vector of filariasis. A cross-sectional study was used involving 3 hamlets with elephantiasis cases found in April 2019 in Yogyakarta. Mosquitoes around the house inhabited by the patient with elephantiasis were collected for 12 hours starting from 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Mosquitoes were dissected under a dissection microscope and the presence of filaria larvae was observed. A total of 9 mosquitoes species were found. They were Culex vishnui, Culex tritaenorhynchus, Armigeres kesseli, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex bitaenorhynchus, Anopheles vagus, Anopheles subpictus, Aedes aegypti. The highest diversity, frequency, and dominance was Culex vishnui, while the lowest was Culex quinquefasciatus. There was no filarial larva found during the study.
Effect of exposure to palm oil mill effluent on reproductive impairment of male Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758)
Authors: Muliari Muliari , Akmal Yusrizal , Zulfahmi Ilham , Karja Ni W.K. , Nisa Chairun , Mahyana Mahyana , Humairani Rindhira
Published: February 2020

One of the negative impacts arising from the existence of palm oil mill industries is the increase of pollution from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), particularly for the aquatic environment. This study was conducted to investigate the reproductive impairment of male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus 1758) after exposed to POME. An experiment of a chronic test was carried out using a completely randomized design consisting four treatments with five replication: control (0 mg/L POME), treatment A (1.565 mg/L POME), treatment B (2.347 mg/L POME), and treatment C (3.130 mg/L POME). The exposure of POME was performed for 45 days. Reproductive hormone concentration, gonadosomatic index and spermatocrite value in each treatment statistically analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that the POME exposure had no significant impact on estradiol and testosterone concentrations (p>0.05), but, it triggered a decline in the progesterone concentration (p<0.05). Progesterone concentration decreased significantly from 0.57 ± 0.24 ng/mL in control to 0.28 ± 0.04 ng/mL in treatment C. The hormonal decline resulted in a significant decrease in gonadosomatic index and spermatocrite of male Nile Tilapi (p<0.05). In conclusion, exposure to POME induced reproductive impairment in male Nile Tilapia.
Identification of Active Compounds of Kepok Banana Peel and the Effect on Testosterone Concentration in Male Rats with High-Fat Diet
Authors: Zulkifli Baidillah , Akmal Muslim , Wahyuni Sri , Siregar Tongku N. , Gholib Gholib
Published: February 2020

Our body needs an adequate supply of antioxidants to maintain physiological functions. Antioxidant compounds are found in natural plants, including inside of kepok bananas peel. This research was conducted to determine the potential of kepok banana peels to maintain testosterone concentration in male rats (Rattus norvegicus) with a high-fat diet. This study used 20 male rats 2.5-3 months old, which grouped into 5 groups: normal group given standard feed (K1), negative control group given high-fat diet (K2), positive control group given high-fat diet and simvastatin (K3), high-fat diet group and banana peel extract administered at 100 mg/kg BW (K4), and high-fat diet group and banana peel extract administered at 200 mg/ kg BW (K5). The blood serum was collected after 60 days of the treatment. The blood serum testosterone levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method at a wavelength of 450 nm. The major findings of this study were that there is a significant difference between testosterone concentrations by the K4 group compared to K2 and K5 groups (p<0,05). The result suggests that the dose 100 mg/kg BW of banana peel extract has the potential to maintain the testosterone concentration in male rats with a high-fat diet.