bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female Well-Being
Authors: Wakabayashi Hiroko
Published: May 2018

Book Review:Female Well-Being : Toward a global theory of social change
PENGARUH KOMPENSASI DAN DISIPLIN KERJA TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA KARYAWAN PADA MECHANICAL DIVISION PT MULIA MAKMUR ELEKTRIKATAMA
Authors: Izzah Nidaul , Ardiani Ida
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the influence of compensation and working discipline on employee productivity, while the purpose is to obtain data empirically the extent of the influence of compensation and working discipline in increasing productivity employee. The data analysis method used is quantitative method. Quantitative methods are used to determine the relationship between the variable compensation (X1) and variable work discipline (X2) on employee productivity (Y).Samples were employees at mechanical division of PT Mulia Makmur Jalan Jababeka VIIIA Elektrikatama SFB Block B 11 V Cikarang Bekasi, sampling is done by random sampling. After examining the completed questionnaires that have been distributed to the employees and the calculation of the correlation between compensation and discipline against the labor productivity by using multiple regression calculations obtained: Y = 0.0102 + 0,2149X1 + 0,7998X2 with b1 = 0.2149 have meaning relationships compensation (X1) and productivity (Y) is positive and b2 = 0.7998 has meaning relations work discipline (X2) and productivity (Y) is positive. While the analysis results obtained using the calculation of multiple correlation R = 0.9113 and KPB = 83.05%, which means there is a very strong positive relationship between compensation and (X1) and discipline (X2) together to work productivity (Y) and 16.95% contribution comes from factors outside of this study. The F-test results showed Fhitung> Ftabel or 66.13%> 3.35, which means all of the independent variable (compensation = X1, X2 = work discipline) together there is a significant effect on work productivity variable (Y) on the mechanical PT Mulia Makmur Elektrikatama division.
PENGARUH INVESTASI HUMAN CAPITAL IKLIM ORGANISASI TERHADAP KINERJA KAYAWAN DAN DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP KINERJA ORGANISASI PENGELOLAAN HUTAN PRODUKSI SECARA LESTARI (KINERJA PHPL) PT. KALIMANTAN SATYA KENCANA (PT. KSK)
Authors: Supriantna Nandang , Efendi Sugito , Sugiono Edi
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to analyze how much influence human capital investment,  organizational climate with employee performance and its impact on SFM either partially or simultaneously. This research study was conducted on employees of PT. Kalimantan Satya Kencana (PT. CWC) in West Kalimantan. PT. KSK is a company engaged in the management of forestry. The data used is primary data, collecting by direct interviews and filled out the questionnaire to 58 employees. The analytical method used is Path Analysis (Path Analysis) and processed with SPSS 17 software.The analysis showed that the significant and simultaneous human capital investment and organizational climate direction (positive) on the performance of employees with the coefficient of determination (R ²) of 17.6%. With this method of trimming that employee performance and organizational climate significantly and simultaneously direct influence and direction (positive) on the Performance of SFM, while the human capital investment indirect effect on the SFM with the coefficient of determination (R ²) as a whole amounted to 44.28%. These findings indicate that in order to meet and improve SFM, PT. KSK need to pay attention to factors of human capital investment, organizational climate and employee performance because of these factors shown to affect the success of the acquisition of certificates of SFM.
INTEGRASI PERAN PENDIDIKAN TINGGI DALAM PENGUATAN SEKTOR UMKM
Authors: Tamba Rousdy Safari
Published: May 2018

Education has high correlation on economic growth of a country .An increase in linkage higher education against small and medium businesses Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises , with tri dharma college , can be manifested in the strategic plan ( Renstra ) college , in the form of  ( 1 ) forming a network cooperation with Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises ; ( 2 ) Implementing activities road show cooperation with Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises; ( 3 ) to develop a comprehensive internship program based on project approach; and ( 4 ) the development of brand equity and exposure of institutional with the involvement of an agency in the professional activities through strengthening strategic functions and institutions for the laboratory study.
PENGARUH BEBAN KERJA DAN LINGKUNGAN KERJA TERHADAP PRESTASI KERJA KARYAWAN DENGAN KEPUASAN KERJA SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING DI BAGIAN GUDANG PADA PT. SARIJASA TRANSUTAMA JAKARTA
Authors: Lukiyana Lukiyana , Firdaus Firman Davi
Published: May 2018

This research was conducted to measure the Influence Workload and Working Environment on Employee Job Performance with Job Satisfaction as an intervening variable in PT . Sarijasa Transutama Jakarta warehouse. The sample studied totaled 68 respondents. This study uses qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis. Testing is done with the system simultaneously and partially. The analysis showed that the work load significantly influence employee performance, the working environment have a significant effect on employee performance, workload and working environment together - each has a significant influence on employee performance, intervention job satisfaction may mediate the effect of workload on achievement work, job satisfaction interventions may mediate the effect of the work environment on work performance.
ROADMAP PENGEMBANGAN PENANAMAN MODAL WILAYAH GARUT SELATAN KABUPATEN GARUT
Authors: Widaningsih M.
Published: May 2018

The success of development within the framework of regional autonomy can not be separated from the success of the region in implementing regional economic development. Regional economic development must involve development actors, local governments can not be alone in the development process because local governments have various limitations both human and budgetary resources. Therefore, it requires the involvement of other parties, in this case the private sector or investors. Local government is only responsible more fully in the form of basic policies needed for regional development, one of which is the basic policy of investment development. Garut Regency has the potential of a very large and varied areas. Its natural wealth includes mountains, the jungle, the sea, the coast, rivers, minerals, fertile soil and beautiful panoramas. This potential, if managed properly will be a huge driving factor for the acceleration of regional development.The problem that will be the topic of attention in this study is the issue of the leading business field of potential and investment opportunities that will be offered to investors. Currently, information about the leading business areas is not available as required.Benefits in this study are: Gain a picture of economic potential in the form of commodities / products that exist in Garut regency. Obtained a picture of superior products and potential / investment opportunities selected in Garut regency.The research design used in this study is descriptive analysis. This design aims to obtain a description of the symptoms studied in the present moment. From the results of the picture, then sought answers to solving problems or phenomena that exist.The result of this research is usually to identify the superior potential to be done an investment from various sectors Garut region south of Garut regency.
INDUSTRI FILM INDONESIA : MEMBANGUN KESELARASAN EKONOMI MEDIA FILM DAN KUALITAS KONTEN
Authors: Komalawati Euis
Published: May 2018

As an appreciation for creative works, the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) and the Indonesian Film Appreciation (AFI) aimed at giving an award for the best work. The interesting part was the implementation of AFI 2015 emerged several award categories such as Appreciation for the Local Government and Film Criticism Appreciation. This occurred in the midst of concerns about the development of Indonesian film industries which tend to be stagnant. Film communities tried to give fresh ideas and break the film market. This new award can certainly be seen as an effort through the film festival program in spurring the film industries with creative work of educating the nation's children, especially film as a "cultural builder". Film is a cultural construction. In America, the country where the Hollywood film industry is the mecca of film generation, people still debate the cultural influence of Hollywood on social phenomena. Sociologist Norman Denzim said that drinking shows in US films have influenced the misleading romanticism of alcoholism in public consciousness (Vivian, 2008: 160). On the other hand, borrowing Adorno's term, the film has carried the culture industry powerless with market power. Discussing the media industry leads to the film media economy, as the focus of Indonesian filmmakers today. For most producers, award-winning films at international film festivals are "less meaningful" when they are not in box office positions. This paper proposed to reveal the economic attractiveness of the film media and the quality of Indonesian film content in accordance with the Republic of Indonesia Act. Number 33 of 2009 on Film. It stated that the film has a function: culture; education; entertainment; information; the driving force of creative work; and economy.
KOMUNIKASI TRANSBUDAYA PONDOK PESANTREN: KAJIAN TEORETIS DALAM PARADIGMA KONSTRUKTIVIS
Authors: Wazis Kun
Published: May 2018

An intercultural communication that occurs in a boarding school (pesantren) environment is a unique phenomenon. A number of pesantrens in Indonesia apply a pattern of multicultural education.  Therefore, their students (santri) understand different culture of students who come from different cultural background. Through literature review and theoretical studies in constructivist paradigm, it can reveal a number of interesting scientific realities about transcultural communication of boarding schools in Indonesia. First, the students of different cultures understand each other and they make friends well during their study at the pesantren. Secondly, kyai has a strong influence in conveying messages of intercultural communication among santri by using pesantren symbols. Third, pesantren cultivation develops multicultural education based on Islamic teachings that understand plurality in human relations. Fourth, the boarding school environment can communicate a multicultural communication message through pesantren network, both national and international so they can build the spirit of togetherness in the diversity.
Sürdürülebilir Çevre İçin Arı Farkındalığı Yaratılmasında "Arı Biziz Bal Da Bizdedir" Projesinin Yeri
Authors: KEKEÇOĞLU Meral
Published: May 2018

Bal arısı

bal, polen, arı sütü ve propolis gibi arı ürünlerinin üretimi nedeniyle insan

yaşamında önemli bir yere sahiptir. Bundan daha önemlisi doğal tozlaşmada en

fazla etkili böcek grubu olarak geleceğin besin güvencesidir. Ancak ne yazık ki

çocuklarımız arı iğnesi ile sokar korkusu ile büyümekte ve bu korkuyla büyüyen

çocuklar arıların doğa ve doğal sürdürülebilirlik açısından önemini fark

edememektedir. Böcekler içinde önemli bir yere sahip olan bal arılarını

çocuklara tanıtmak bilgilendirerek sevdirmek ve bu şekilde farkındalık yaratmak

üzere TÜBİTAK Bilim ve Toplum Projeleri kapsamında “Arı Biziz Bal da Bizdedir”

projesi yapıldı. Projenin amacı çocuklara bal arısını ve onun insan yaşamı ve

ekolojik dengedeki fonksiyonunu kavratmaktır. Proje yaş grubuna yönelik olarak

teorik ve uygulamalı eğitimler şeklinde, toplam 80 katılımcı (4 grup, her

grupta 20 kişi) ile gerçekleştirildi. Her gruba eğitim öncesinde ve sonrasında

arılarla ilgili mevcut bilişsel, duyuşsal becerilerini, ekosentrik ve

antroposentrik bakış açılarını ve eğitim sonunda edindikleri kazanımları

belirlemek amacıyla ön test ve son test uygulamaları yapıldı. Başarı testi ve

resim çalışmalarından elde edilen bulgulara göre araştırma kapsamında amaçlanan

arılar ile ilgili bilişsel farkındalıklarının önemli düzeyde arttığı sonucuna

ulaşılmıştır.
BURSA İLİNDE SATIŞA SUNULMUŞ BALLARIN NAFTALİN KALINTISI YÖNÜNDEN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: TOSUNOĞLU Hakan
Published: May 2018

Bu çalışmada Bursa

ilinde satışa sunulmuş olan balların naftalin kalıntısı yönünden durumlarının

ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda piyasadan alınan 45 bal

örneği Katı Faz Mikro Ekstraksiyon yöntemi ile ekstrakte edilip GC-MS cihazında

analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda çalışılan hiçbir örnekte tespit limiti olan

2 µg/kg değerinin üzerinde naftalin kalıntısına rastlanmamıştır. Bu sonuçlar

geçmiş yıllarda ülkemiz ballarında önemli bir sorun olan naftalin kalıntısı

probleminin ortadan kalkmaya başladığını düşündürmesi nedeniyle önemli

bulunmuştur.
Identification of Bacterial Isolates from Endotracheal Aspirate of Patients in Intensive Care Unit and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern
Authors: Khatun Mst Nazma , Shamsuzzaman SM , Fardows Jannatul , Siddique Abu Bakar , Joly Samsoon Nahar
Published: May 2018

Background: Nosocomial infections have been discussed as a critical issue among intubated patients leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Tracheal colonization of different bacteria may be responsible for added or superinfections and may increase the risk of mortality. Irrational use of antibiotics also increases the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.Objectives: We aimed to investigate the bacterial isolates in the endotracheal aspirates of ICU patients and to see the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on 40 specimens of endotracheal aspirates which were collected from ICU patients of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. All the specimens were processed and cultured on MacConkey and blood agar media. The isolated organisms were identified by different biochemical tests.Results: Among the 40 specimens, 38 (95%) yielded growths of different bacteria. Of them, Acinetobacter baumanni were 13 (34%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 6 (16%), Klebsiella pneumoniae were 3 (8%), Klebsiella oxytoca were 3 (8%) and Staphylococcus aureus were 3 (8%). All the isolated bacteria were sensitive to colistin and most of the Acinetobacter baumanni were resistant to different antibiotics. Among the 32 isolated gram-negative bacteria, 10 (31.25%) were ESBL producers.Conclusion: Most of the bacteria showed antibiotic resistance to different common antibiotics, which is very alarming for the ICU patients.J Enam Med Col 2018; 8(2): 67-73
Seroprevalence of Subclinical HEV Infection in Healthy Pregnant Urban Dwellers of Bangladesh: Identification of Possible Risk Factors
Authors: Sultana Gazi Zakia , Moniruzzaman Md , Mannan Tania , Sultana Rosy
Published: May 2018

Background: Hepatitis caused by hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is not uncommon in developing countries. It is usually a self-limiting conferring immunity against subsequent infection. However, HEV infection during pregnancy results in varying degree of morbidity, often fatal. The present study was designed to find out the seroprevalence of subclinical HEV infection during pregnancy at different trimesters without history of hepatitis.Materials and Methods: A total 255 asymptomatic healthy pregnant women of three trimesters (85×3=255) with no history of jaundice were included in this cross-sectional study. The subjects were sub-grouped according to socioeconomic status and education level. HEV IgG antibody in serum was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results were expressed as number (percent). Chi-square, Odds Ratio and 95% CI were calculated as applicable. Data analyses were carried out using statistical package for social science for Windows Version 15.0. A p<0.05 was taken as level of significance.Results: Seropositivity for HEV IgG was 38% (96/255) in pregnant women; the higher percentages were recorded in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters − 41% and 46% respectively. The seropositivity of HEV IgG was significantly high in pregnant women with low education level ((p=0.001; OR=2.70, 95% CI=1.602−4.575) and low socioeconomic status (OR=7.54, 95% CI=4.118−13.029) having monthly income below 27,000 taka (p=0.001).Conclusion: Data concluded that seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG is higher at third trimester in pregnant women in Bangladesh where low socio-economic status and less education level were identified as possible risk factors. Appropriate measures may diminish the possible exposure to infection and reduce maternal mortality.J Enam Med Col 2018; 8(2): 85-89
Per-vaginal Findings among the Women with Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka City
Authors: Khanum Tahamina , Begum Nasima , Akhter Kazi Mobina
Published: May 2018

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a major health problem for adult female. Women presented with pelvic inflammatory diseases give different per-vaginal findings. So we designed this study to assess the per-vaginal findings among the women presented with pelvic inflammatory diseases.Objective: The purpose of the present study was to measure the pervaginal findings among the women with PID.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dhaka Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka during January to June 2007. Women in the age group of 15−45 years presented with lower abdominal pain, tenderness, per-vaginal discharge and cervical motion tenderness were included in this study. After taking verbal consent from the patients, a pre-designed data collection sheet was filled in after per-vaginal examination.Results: The study was done on 50 cases, of which 20% patients had 1st degree perineal tear, 6% had utero-vaginal prolapse and 24% had foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Majority (90%) patients had healthy vagina. Ninety percent patients had anteverted uterus; and uterus was mobile in 60% cases. Cervical motion tenderness was present in 44% cases, tenderness of fornix was found in 34% cases and thickening of fornix was found in 22%.Conclusion: In this study first degree perineal tear, foul smelling vaginal discharge and cervical motion tenderness are the commonest findings among the women presented with pelvic inflammatory diseases.J Enam Med Col 2018; 8(2): 90-93
Expressive Things: Art Theories of Henri Focillon and Meyer Schapiro Reconsidered
Authors: Thomas Kerstin
Published: May 2018

The chapter discusses the art theories of Henri Focillon and Meyer Schapiro in order to explore the potential of an art history based on speculative realism. The focus lies on three basic positions in their writings, considered to be productive for the perspective of a speculative art history, as they transcend idealistic and language centered concepts of art history. First, both Focillon and Schapiro consider the artwork as an object with a reality of its own, causing things to happen. Second, both of them hold a relational and processual conception of the artwork: it is considered as a place of negotiation between human action, material and ideas. Thirdly, their materialistic and relational conception of the artwork is associated with a dynamic notion of form. These principals can be related to the speculative realist’s materialist and dynamic conception of the object. Focillon’s and Schapiro’s models may help to pave the way for an art theory that combines production and reception aesthetics, in understanding art as a never accomplished process of negotiation between the poles of artistic activity, material properties, society and the viewer.
Avatars de Raphaël Hythlodée, ou l'influence de l'Utopiede Thomas More dans le roman portugais contemporain
Authors: Reis José Eduardo
Published: May 2018

L'histoire de la réception littéraire de l'Utopie de Thomas More au Portugal a été une histoire d'omissions, de censures et de traductions différées qui met en évidence un défaut dans le système culturel portugais. En effet, il est quelque peu ironique qu'une œuvre aussi représentative de la littérature et de la pensée occidentale, historiquement associée à l'ouverture des horizons géographiques du monde, et qui attribue au personnage d'un marin lusitanien, Raphaël Hythlodée, la découverte d'un lieu idéal, n'a été traduite en portugais que dans la seconde moitié du vingtième siècle. Cependant, la première décennie du vingt-et-unième siècle semble annoncer une fortune littéraire plus favorable à l'Utopie de More dans la langue portugaise: non seulement une édition du chef d'œuvre de More a finalement été traduite du latin, mais aussi deux romans ont été publiés en 2004, A lenda de Martim Regos, de Pedro Canais, et Rafael, de Manuel Alegre. Dans le cadre de leurs propres déroulements narratifs, les deux œuvres réaccentuent les traits complexes du personnage du marin portugais et découvreur de l'île idéale. La même réinvention du personnage de Raphaël avait déjà été tentée, en 1998, par José V. de Pina Martins dans son long récit dialogique Utopia III. Dans cet essai, je me concentrerai à la fois sur les sources documentaires liées à la culture portugaise qui sont à la base de l'Utopie de More et sur certains aspects pertinents de la réception du personnage de Raphaël Hythlodée dans les romans susmentionnés.
The Quality of Mulberry Juice as Affected by Enzyme Treatments
Authors: Nguyen Chi L. , Nguyen Ha V. H.
Published: May 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of commercial enzymes on the extraction yield and the quality of mulberry juice. A mulberry mash was separately treated with two enzymes, namely Pectinex Ultra SP-L and Viscozyme L for different incubation times from 60 to 240 min. Determination of juice yield, total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, antioxidant capacity, l-ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity of juice were carried out. Overall, in comparison with the non-enzymatic treated juice, the juice incubated with Pectinex Ultra SP-L and Viscozyme L was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in all quality attributes. Moreover, samples incubated with Pectinex Ultra SP-L for 120 min had the highest results in extraction yield (87.1%), total soluble solids (11.9°Bx), titratable acidity (1.4%), l-ascorbic acid content (35.5 mg/100 mL), total phenolic content (160.6 mg GAE/100 mL), and antioxidant capacity (82.6%). For both enzymatic treatments, a prolongation of incubation period from 60 min to 120 min resulted in higher antioxidant values for the juice; however, longer 180 min, they were reduced, except total anthocyanin content. Two-way analysis showed that the impacts of the types of enzyme and treatment duration cannot be separated. Positive correlations between total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity indicated that phenolic compounds were the main antioxidants in the beverages.
Investigation on Gas Hydrate Slurry Pressure Drop Properties in a Spiral Flow Loop
Authors: Rao Yongchao , Wang Ziwen , Wang Shuli , Yang Minguan
Published: May 2018

Although many studies have been conducted to investigate the hydrates formation and slurry flow during the transportation, studies on the hydrates slurry pressure drop properties using spiral flow in a loop are still almost blank. In the current work, a series of experiments about hydrate formation process and pressure drop properties were conducted in a spiral flow loop. The experiments in this work were conducted in a spiral flow loop, the loop is 97 ms, and the internal diameter is 25 mms. The experimental results showed that characteristics of hydrate formation process in a spiral loop, and the twist rate of twist tape had an influence on hydrate slurry pressure. Finally, the pressure drop model of hydrate slurry in a spiral flow loop was established, and the relative error were within 10%. This work helped to understand the effects of spiral flow on the gas hydrate formation process and slurry pressure drop, and provide an insight into the mechanism of how spiral flow affect gas transportation.
Microgrids Real-Time Pricing Based on Clustering Techniques
Authors: Liu Hao , Mahmoudi Nadali , Chen Kui
Published: May 2018

Microgrids are widely spreading in electricity markets worldwide. Besides the security and reliability concerns for these microgrids, their operators need to address consumers’ pricing. Considering the growth of smart grids and smart meter facilities, it is expected that microgrids will have some level of flexibility to determine real-time pricing for at least some consumers. As such, the key challenge is finding an optimal pricing model for consumers. This paper, accordingly, proposes a new pricing scheme in which microgrids are able to deploy clustering techniques in order to understand their consumers’ load profiles and then assign real-time prices based on their load profile patterns. An improved weighted fuzzy average k-means is proposed to cluster load curve of consumers in an optimal number of clusters, through which the load profile of each cluster is determined. Having obtained the load profile of each cluster, real-time prices are given to each cluster, which is the best price given to all consumers in that cluster.
Tumor Size-Dependent Anticancer Efficacy of Chlorin Derivatives for Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Chang Ji-Eun , Liu Yang , Lee Tae Heon , Lee Woo Kyoung , Yoon Il , Kim Kwhanmien
Published: May 2018

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a suitable photosensitizer molecule is a promising anticancer treatment. We evaluated two chlorin molecules as potential photosensitizers, methyl pyropheophorbide a (MPPa) and N-methoxyl purpurinimide (NMPi), against A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro as well as in A549 tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Cell viability, microscopy, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses were performed for the in vitro studies. MPPa and NMPi showed high phototoxicity in vitro, which was dependent on the concentration of the photosensitizers as well as the light irradiation time. In the animal study, tumor volume change, tumor surface alterations, and hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferse-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining analyses were performed and compared between small (tumor volume of <50 mm3) and large (tumor volume of >50 mm3) size of initial tumors. MPPa and NMPi showed high anticancer efficacy against small-size tumors, indicating that early treatment with PDT is effective. Especially, repeated two times PDT with NMPi allowed almost complete eradication against small-size tumors. However, MPPa and NMPi were not effective against large-size tumors. In conclusion, the two chlorin derivatives, MPPa and NMPi, show good anticancer efficacy as promising photosensitizers for PDT in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, their activity in vivo was significantly dependent on the initial tumor size in mice, which confirms the importance of early cancer treatment.
Human Fibrinogen: Molecular and Genetic Aspects of Congenital Disorders
Authors: Tiscia Giovanni Luca , Margaglione Maurizio
Published: May 2018

Congenital fibrinogen disorders can be quantitative (afibrinogenemia, hypofibrinogenemia) or functional (dysfibrinognemia). To date, several genetic variants have been identified in individuals with fibrinogen disorders. The complexity of the fibrinogen molecules, formed by three non-identical chains and with a trinodal organization, renders the identification of molecular causes and of clinical and biochemical phenotypes very challenging. However, the acknowledgement of the type of molecular defect is crucial for a safer therapy, which is going to improve the clinical management of these patients. In this review, some aspects concerning molecular and clinical findings available on congenital fibrinogen disorders will be discussed.
Genome-Wide Screening and Characterization of the Dof Gene Family in Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas L.)
Authors: Wang Peipei , Li Jing , Gao Xiaoyang , Zhang Di , Li Anlin , Liu Changning
Published: May 2018

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is a species of flowering plant with great potential for biofuel production and as an emerging model organism for functional genomic analysis, particularly in the Euphorbiaceae family. DNA binding with one finger (Dof) transcription factors play critical roles in numerous biological processes in plants. Nevertheless, the knowledge about members, and the evolutionary and functional characteristics of the Dof gene family in physic nut is insufficient. Therefore, we performed a genome-wide screening and characterization of the Dof gene family within the physic nut draft genome. In total, 24 JcDof genes (encoding 33 JcDof proteins) were identified. All the JcDof genes were divided into three major groups based on phylogenetic inference, which was further validated by the subsequent gene structure and motif analysis. Genome comparison revealed that segmental duplication may have played crucial roles in the expansion of the JcDof gene family, and gene expansion was mainly subjected to positive selection. The expression profile demonstrated the broad involvement of JcDof genes in response to various abiotic stresses, hormonal treatments and functional divergence. This study provides valuable information for better understanding the evolution of JcDof genes, and lays a foundation for future functional exploration of JcDof genes.
Targeting the Bacterial Cytoskeleton of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex for Antimicrobial Development: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Carnell Sonya C. , Perry John D. , Borthwick Lee , Vollmer Daniela , Biboy Jacob , Facchini Marcella , Bragonzi Alessandra , Silipo Alba , Vergunst Annette C. , Vollmer Waldemar , Khan Anjam C. M. , De Soyza Anthony
Published: May 2018

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) bacteria are a group of opportunistic pathogens that cause severe lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF). Treatment of BCC infections is difficult, due to the inherent and acquired multidrug resistance of BCC. There is a pressing need to find new bacterial targets for antimicrobials. Here, we demonstrate that the novel compound Q22, which is related to the bacterial cytoskeleton destabilising compound A22, can reduce the growth rate and inhibit growth of BCC bacteria. We further analysed the phenotypic effects of Q22 treatment on BCC virulence traits, to assess its feasibility as an antimicrobial. BCC bacteria were grown in the presence of Q22 with a broad phenotypic analysis, including resistance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress, changes in the inflammatory potential of cell surface components, and in-vivo drug toxicity studies. The influence of the Q22 treatment on inflammatory potential was measured by monitoring the cytokine responses of BCC whole cell lysates, purified lipopolysaccharide, and purified peptidoglycan extracted from bacterial cultures grown in the presence or absence of Q22 in differentiated THP-1 cells. BCC bacteria grown in the presence of Q22 displayed varying levels of resistance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress, with some strains showing increased resistance after treatment. There was strain-to-strain variation in the pro-inflammatory ability of bacterial lysates to elicit TNFα and IL-1β from human myeloid cells. Despite minimal toxicity previously shown in vitro with primary CF cell lines, in-vivo studies demonstrated Q22 toxicity in both zebrafish and mouse infection models. In summary, destabilisation of the bacterial cytoskeleton in BCC, using compounds such as Q22, led to increased virulence-related traits in vitro. These changes appear to vary depending on strain and BCC species. Future development of antimicrobials targeting the BCC bacterial cytoskeleton may be hampered if such effects translate into the in-vivo environment of the CF infection.
Phycotoxins in Marine Shellfish: Origin, Occurrence and Effects on Humans
Authors: Farabegoli Federica , Blanco Lucía , Rodríguez Laura P. , Vieites Juan Manuel , Cabado Ana García
Published: May 2018

Massive phytoplankton proliferation, and the consequent release of toxic metabolites, can be responsible for seafood poisoning outbreaks: filter-feeding mollusks, such as shellfish, mussels, oysters or clams, can accumulate these toxins throughout the food chain and present a threat for consumers’ health. Particular environmental and climatic conditions favor this natural phenomenon, called harmful algal blooms (HABs); the phytoplankton species mostly involved in these toxic events are dinoflagellates or diatoms belonging to the genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, Dinophysis, and Pseudo-nitzschia. Substantial economic losses ensue after HABs occurrence: the sectors mainly affected include commercial fisheries, tourism, recreational activities, and public health monitoring and management. A wide range of symptoms, from digestive to nervous, are associated to human intoxication by biotoxins, characterizing different and specific syndromes, called paralytic shellfish poisoning, amnesic shellfish poisoning, diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. This review provides a complete and updated survey of phycotoxins usually found in marine invertebrate organisms and their relevant properties, gathering information about the origin, the species where they were found, as well as their mechanism of action and main effects on humans.
Effects of Microchannel Shape and Ultrasonic Mixing on Microfluidic Padlock Probe Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) Reactions
Authors: Ishigaki Yuri , Sato Kae
Published: May 2018

The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based padlock probe and rolling circle amplification (RCA) method allows for the detection of point mutations. However, it requires multiple reaction steps and solution exchanges, making it costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. In this study, we aimed to improve the efficiency of padlock/RCA by determining the effects of microchannel shape and ultrasonic solution mixing. Using a circular-shaped microchamber and ultrasonic mixing, the efficiency of microfluidic padlock/RCA was improved, and the consumption of the expensive probe solution was reduced from 10 µL to approximately 3.5 µL. Moreover, the fluorescent probe hybridization time was reduced to 5 min, which is four times faster than that of the standard protocol. We used this method to successfully detect mitochondrial DNA and transcripts of β-actin and K-ras proto-oncogene codon 12 in cells. Our method offers improvements over current padlock/RCA methods and will be helpful in optimizing other microfluidics-based FISH-related analyses.
Magnetic Detection Structure for Lab-on-Chip Applications Based on the Frequency Mixing Technique
Authors: Rabehi Amine , Garlan Benjamin , Achtsnicht Stefan , Krause Hans-Joachim , Offenhäusser Andreas , Ngo Kieu , Neveu Sophie , Graff-Dubois Stephanie , Kokabi Hamid
Published: May 2018

A magnetic frequency mixing technique with a set of miniaturized planar coils was investigated for use with a completely integrated Lab-on-Chip (LoC) pathogen sensing system. The system allows the detection and quantification of superparamagnetic beads. Additionally, in terms of magnetic nanoparticle characterization ability, the system can be used for immunoassays using the beads as markers. Analytical calculations and simulations for both excitation and pick-up coils are presented; the goal was to investigate the miniaturization of simple and cost-effective planar spiral coils. Following these calculations, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) prototype was designed, manufactured, and tested for limit of detection, linear response, and validation of theoretical concepts. Using the magnetic frequency mixing technique, a limit of detection of 15 µg/mL of 20 nm core-sized nanoparticles was achieved without any shielding.
Stand-Alone Wearable System for Ubiquitous Real-Time Monitoring of Muscle Activation Potentials
Authors: Mazzetta Ivan , Gentile Paolo , Pessione Marco , Suppa Antonio , Zampogna Alessandro , Bianchini Edoardo , Irrera Fernanda
Published: May 2018

Wearable technology is attracting most attention in healthcare for the acquisition of physiological signals. We propose a stand-alone wearable surface ElectroMyoGraphy (sEMG) system for monitoring the muscle activity in real time. With respect to other wearable sEMG devices, the proposed system includes circuits for detecting the muscle activation potentials and it embeds the complete real-time data processing, without using any external device. The system is optimized with respect to power consumption, with a measured battery life that allows for monitoring the activity during the day. Thanks to its compactness and energy autonomy, it can be used outdoor and it provides a pathway to valuable diagnostic data sets for patients during their own day-life. Our system has performances that are comparable to state-of-art wired equipment in the detection of muscle contractions with the advantage of being wearable, compact, and ubiquitous.
Profiling Shoulder Strength in Competitive Surfers
Authors: Furness James , Schram Ben , Cottman-Fields Tim , Solia Brendan , Secomb Josh
Published: May 2018

The shoulder region has the highest incidence of acute injuries in the sport of surfing. Little is known about the strength profile at the shoulder in a surfing cohort. The primary aim of this study was to establish the reliability of a rotator cuff strength testing procedure for surfers with a secondary aim of providing a profile of internal and external rotation strength in a competitive surfing cohort. Shoulder internal rotation and external rotation isometric strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer in 13 competitive surfers. Intra-class coefficient values ranged from 0.97 to 0.98 for intra-rater reliability and were lower for inter-rater reliability ranging from 0.80 to 0.91. Internal rotation strength was greater than external rotation strength bilaterally (dominant, p = 0.007, non-dominant, p < 0.001). No differences (p < 0.79) were found in internal rotation strength between the dominant and non-dominant arms. External rotation strength was weaker on the non-dominant arm compared with the dominant arm (p < 0.02). The non-dominant arm external rotation to internal rotation ratio (0.82 ± 0.15) was lower (p = 0.025) than the dominant arm (0.88 ± 0.14). The current procedure is reliable with the same clinician, and results indicate musculature asymmetry specific to the external rotators.
Outcomes and Challenges of A PD-First Program, A South-African Perspective
Authors: Davidson Bianca , Crombie Kenneth , Manning Kathryn , Rayner Brian , Wearne Nicola
Published: May 2018

Background

South Africa (SA) currently performs the most peritoneal dialysis (PD) in Africa. Yet outcome data on PD programs on the continent are limited. With the escalating need for renal replacement, PD remains a life-saving modality especially as hemodialysis is limited in the public sector. This study aims to evaluate and report the outcomes of a PD-First program performed in a resource-limited setting and identify factors linked to poor outcomes.

Methods

This observational cohort study was performed at Groote Schuur Hospital, analyzing all PD patients retrospectively from January 2008 to June 2014 and thereafter prospectively until June 2015. Variables included demographics, adequacy, modality, fluid status, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The influence of these variables on peritonitis rate, technique survival, and patient survival was assessed.

Results

In total, 230 patients were initiated on PD, 31 of whom excluded as they were on PD for < 90 days. The mean age was 39.7 ± 10.4 years (standard deviation [SD]), 49.8% were male, 63.8% were mixed ancestry and 9.8 % were diabetic at dialysis initiation. The average length of time on PD was 17 months (interquartile range [IQR] 8 – 32). The peritonitis rate was 0.87 (confidence interval [CI] 7.8 – 9.7) events per patient year. The 1-, 2- and 5-year patient and technique survival was 91.3%, 79.6%, 50.2% and 85.0%, 75.2%, 45.0%, respectively. Diabetes subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 3.16 (95% CI 1.34 – 7.45, p = 0.009) strongly predicted an increased cumulative incidence for death when accounting for competing risks. African ethnicity SHR 2.16 (95% CI 1.26 – 3.71, p = 0.005) was a strong predictor of increased cumulative incidence for technique failure.

Conclusions

In our PD-First program the results are encouraging, despite the lack of home visits due to safety, resource limitations, and a high disease burden. Technique failure in the African race needs further evaluation. Peritoneal dialysis remains a viable, life-saving alternative in an African setting.
Ultrasound-Guided Oblique Sub-Costal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block as the Principal Anesthesia Technique in Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Implantation and Plasma Ropivacaine Concentration Evaluation in Esrd Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial
Authors: Li Zi , Tang Xiao Hong , Li Qi , Zhang Wen-juan , Tao Tian , Zhu Tao
Published: May 2018

Background

The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is generally used for analgesia but not for anesthesia. A TAP block has a partial analgesic effect on the parietal peritoneum in abdominal surgeries. We hypothesized that an ultrasound-guided oblique subcostal TAP block, used as the principal anesthesia technique, could provide a better anesthetic effect on peritoneum stimulation in peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) implantation in end-stage renal diseases (ESRD) patients than local anesthetic infiltration (LAI).

Methods

End-stage renal disease patients undergoing PDC implantation were randomized into 3 groups: LAI Group, unilateral TAP group (Uni-TAP Group) and bilateral TAP group (Bi-TAP Group). A 40-mL dose of 0.25% ropivacaine was used for the regional block (LAI or TAP). The quality of anesthesia, visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain, cumulative rescuing sufentanil consumption, and venous plasma ropivacaine concentrations were compared among the 3 groups.

Results

Sixty-nine patients were enrolled, and higher ‘Satisfied’ anesthesia rates from nephrologists and patients were recorded in the 2 TAP groups, compared with the LAI Group. Significantly lower VAS scores were observed in the Uni-TAP Group at a majority of time points compared with the LAI Group. Less cumulative rescuing sufentanil was used in the 2 TAP groups (2.5 ± 2.7 and 3.0 ± 2.8 μg, respectively) compared with the LAI Group (5.8 ± 2.6 μg, p < 0.05). The median peak venous plasma ropivacaine concentrations were below the reported toxic threshold in all 3 groups.

Conclusions

As the principal anesthesia technique, an ultrasound-guided unilateral oblique subcostal TAP block with 40 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine provided better anesthetic effect in PDC implantations in ESRD patients than LAI.
Light extraction efficiency enhancement of flip-chip blue light-emitting diodes by anodic aluminum oxide
Authors: Huang Yi-Ru , Chiu Yao-Ching , Huang Kuan-Chieh , Ting Shao-Ying , Chiang Po-Jui , Lai Chih-Ming , Jen Chun-Ping , Tseng Snow H , Wang Hsiang-Chen
Published: May 2018

We produced an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) structure with periodic nanopores on the surface of flip-chip blue light-emitting diodes (FC-BLEDs). The nanopores had diameters ranging from 73 to 85 nm and were separated by distances ranging from approximately 10 to 15 nm. The light extraction efficiency enhancement of the FC-BLEDs subjected to different durations of the second pore-widening process was approximately 1.6–2.9%. The efficiency enhancement may be attributed to the following mechanism: periodic nanopores on the surface of FC-BLEDs reduce the critical angle of total reflection and effective energy transfer from a light emitter into a surface plasmon mode produced by AAO.
TECHNOLOGICAL SOURCES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN EUROPE AND THE U.S.
Authors: MOLINARI Benedetto , TORRES José L.
Published: May 2018

This paper assesses the role of different sources of technological change as determinants of economic growth in a group of selected OECD countries during the period 1980–2010. We consider three different sources of growth: neutral technical change associated with Total Factor Productivity, investment-specific technical change (ISTC) embodied in capital assets, and improvements in the quality of labor services generated by human capital accumulation. The contribution to growth of each of these sources is computed using two different approaches: the standard (statistical) growth accounting and the structural growth decomposition obtained from a general equilibrium growth model. We found that the effect of ISTC dominates that of neutral technology and human capital in all of the countries considered. On average, more than 50% of productivity growth is explained by ISTC. Contributions to growth from ICT and non-ICT technical change are in general of similar magnitude.
Circumnuclear Star Formation and AGN Activity: Clues from Surface Brightness Radial Profile of PAHs and [
S
IV
]
Authors: Esparza-Arredondo Donaji , González-Martín Omaira , Dultzin Deborah , Alonso-Herrero Almudena , Almeida Cristina Ramos , Díaz-Santos Tanio , García-Bernete Ismael , Martinez-Paredes Mariela , Rodríguez-Espinosa Jose Miguel
Published: May 2018

We studied the circumnuclear mid-IR emission in a sample of 19 local active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with high spatial resolution spectra using T-ReCS (Gemini) and CanariCam (GTC), together with Spitzer/IRS observations. We measured the flux and the equivalent width for the 11.3 μm PAH feature and the [S iv] line emission as a function of galactocentric distance. This allowed us to study the star formation (SF) at subkiloparsec scales from the nucleus for a large sample of nearby AGNs. The [S iv] line emission could be tracing the AGN radiation field within a few thousand times the sublimation radius (R
sub), but it often peaks at distances greater than 1000 R
sub. One possibility is that the SF is contributing to the [S iv] total flux. We found an 11.3 μm PAH emission deficit within the inner few tens of parsecs from the AGN. This deficit might be due to the destruction of the molecules responsible for this feature or the lack of SF at these distances. We found a sensible agreement in the expected shift of the relation of the AGN bolometric luminosity and the SF rate. This indicates that numerical models attributing the link between AGN activity and host galaxy growth to mergers are in agreement with our data, for most inner galaxy parts.
Persistent X-Ray Emission from ASASSN-15lh: Massive Ejecta and Pre-SLSN Dense Wind?
Authors: Huang Yan , Li Zhuo
Published: May 2018

The persistent soft X-ray emission from the location of the most luminous supernova (SN) so far, ASASSN-15lh (or SN 2015L), with

, is puzzling. We show that it can be explained by radiation from electrons accelerated by the SN shock inverse-Compton scattering the intense UV photons. The non-detection in radio requires strong free–free absorption in the dense medium. In these interpretations, the circumstellar medium is derived to be a wind (n ∝ R
−2) with mass-loss rate of

, and the initial velocity of the bulk SN ejecta is

. These constraints imply a massive ejecta mass of

in ASASSN-15lh, and a strong wind ejected by the progenitor star within

yr before explosion.