bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sperm morphology and evidence for sperm competition among parrots
Authors: Carballo Luisana , Battistotti Alessandra , Teltscher Kim , Lierz Michael , Bublat Andreas , Valcu Mihai , Kempenaers Bart
Published: June 2019

Sperm competition is an important component of post‐copulatory sexual selection that has shaped the evolution of sperm morphology. Previous studies have reported that sperm competition has a concurrently directional and stabilizing effect on sperm size. For example, bird species that show higher levels of extrapair paternity and larger testes (proxies for the intensity of sperm competition) have longer sperm and lower coefficients of variation in sperm length, both within and between males. For this reason, these sperm traits have been proposed as indexes to estimate the level of sperm competition in species for which other measures are not available. The relationship between sperm competition and sperm morphology has been explored mostly for bird species that breed in temperate zones, with the main focus on passerine birds. We measured sperm morphology in 62 parrot species that breed mainly in the tropics and related variation in sperm length to life‐history traits potentially indicative of the level of sperm competition. We showed that sperm length negatively correlated with the within‐male coefficient of variation in sperm length and positively with testes mass. We also showed that sperm is longer in sexually dichromatic and in gregarious species. Our results support the general validity of the hypothesis that sperm competition drives variation in sperm morphology. Our analyses suggest that post‐copulatory sexual selection is also important in tropical species, with more intense sperm competition among sexually dichromatic species and among species that breed at higher densities.
Parental Self‐Efficacy for Reducing the Risk of Adolescent Depression and Anxiety: Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Nicolas Claire C. , Jorm Anthony F. , Cardamone‐Breen Mairead C. , Lawrence Katherine A. , Yap Marie B. H.
Published: June 2019

Burgeoning research suggests that parents can reduce the risk of anxiety and depression in their adolescents and that parental self‐efficacy (PSE) may be related to parental risk and protective factors for these disorders. As there are currently no measures available to assess PSE in relation to parenting behaviors that may reduce adolescent risk for depression and anxiety, we developed and validated a measure of PSE, the Parental Self‐Efficacy Scale (PSES). Using a sample of 359 parents and 332 adolescents (aged 12–15), the PSES was found to have high reliability, confirmatory factor analysis supported its validity, and most of the hypothesized relationships between the PSES and other measures of parenting practices and adolescent depressive and anxiety symptoms were supported.
Nativity as a Moderator of Familial and Nonfamilial Correlates of Latino/a Youth Prosocial Behaviors
Authors: Streit Cara , Carlo Gustavo
Published: June 2019

Familial and nonfamilial relations play prominent roles in fostering youths’ prosocial tendencies. The present study examined the direct and indirect relations among family conflict, parental and peer acceptance, deviant peer affiliation, and prosocial tendencies. Participants included 306 (53.8% female, Mage = 15.50, SD = .42; range = 14–18) U.S. Latino/a adolescents and their parents (87.9% mothers). The majority of adolescents were born in the United States (N = 206, 68.0%; average time in United States = 10 years) and identified as a Mexican heritage group member (N = 248, 81.0%). Findings differed by nativity as parental acceptance predicted prosocial tendencies for U.S. Latinos/as born outside the United States and peers were significant predictors of prosocial tendencies for U.S.‐born Latino/as.
Asthmatic children from lower‐income families are less likely to own an individualised asthma action plan
Authors: Harrison Philippa , Duggan William , Preddy John , Moline Adrienne
Published: June 2019

Aim

This study aimed to explore the relationship between indicators of socio‐economic status (SES) and prescription of a paediatric individualised asthma action plan (IAAP), as well as compliance with that plan.

Methods

Between May and September 2017, parents/carers of children aged 2–16 years who presented with acute respiratory symptoms and a prior diagnosis of asthma to the emergency department at one regional and one metropolitan hospital in NSW, Australia, were invited to participate in a questionnaire‐based study.

Results

A total of 175 eligible participants were identified, of which 113 completed the questionnaire. Eighty‐seven children had been prescribed an IAAP (77%). Forty‐nine parents/carers reported non‐compliance with that plan (56.3%). Children from low‐ to middle‐income families were significantly less likely to have a plan (P = 0.001). Being an only child was associated with greater IAAP compliance (P = 0.007) and better asthma control (P = 0.035). No significant relationship between other indicators of SES and rates of plan ownership or compliance was demonstrated.

Conclusion

Although relatively high in our study sample, IAAP ownership rates remain well below published guidelines. Given the income‐based disparity in plan ownership, physicians must routinely prescribe plans to all asthmatics. Strategies to ensure IAAP ownership and promote their use, especially in the public health sector, would be valuable. Repeating a similar study with a larger sample size will allow more robust conclusions to be drawn regarding the impact of parental SES on compliance.
A Quality of Life Perspective on the New Eugenics
Authors: Brown Ivan , Brown Roy I. , Schippers Alice
Published: June 2019

Quality of life is a concept that has had robust development and application in the field of intellectual disability in recent decades. It functions as an apt goal for individuals to enhance their lives, as well as for policy and disability support. Quality of life helps address ethical issues by acting as a key guidepost in ethical considerations. Current philosophical and human rights approaches to disability support the view that intellectual disability is no reason to assume poor quality of life. Moreover, individuals with intellectual disabilities themselves typically rate their own quality of life quite high. Similarly, families perceive disability as contributing to family quality of life in some ways, although this is tempered by social constructs, especially normalcy, that support marginalization and discrimination. Disability Studies, and critical disability theory that constitutes much of its foundation, offer an alternative perspective of intellectual disability that values its contribution to larger society‐intellectual disability as a positive and necessary aspect of the diversity within the human mosaic. It is argued that this perspective of intellectual disability negates the necessity of new eugenics practices.
Floristic composition and endemism pattern of vascular plants in Ethiopia and Eritrea
Authors: Wang Sheng‐Wei , Boru Biyansa Hirpo , Njogu Antony Waigwa , Ochola Anne Christine , Hu Guang‐Wan , Zhou Ya‐Dong , Wang Qing‐Feng
Published: June 2019

Traditional attempts to delineate floristic regions are typically based on the qualitative analysis of species distribution, often ignoring the phylogenetic relationships among their taxa. Ethiopia and Eritrea are in the Horn of Africa, known as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. We quantitatively classified the flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea into meaningful geographical units by analyzing the taxonomic and phylogenetic β‐diversity at genera, total species, and endemic species levels at a scale of 0.5° × 0.5° grid cells. Hierarchical clustering was used to quantitatively delimitate the flora and analysis of similarities was used to test the significant difference between the derived groups in taxonomic composition and phylogenetic relatedness. In total, two floristic subprovinces, five floristic districts, and 13 floristic subdistricts, as well as three centers of species endemism associated with three floristic subdistricts were identified. Our results also showed that the species diversity, endemism, and turnover of the highlands in Ethiopia and Eritrea were much higher than the lowlands, indicating that the floristic differences are closely related to the topography of the East African Rift. In this study, we provided a scientific framework for the composition and relationships of the floristic units in the Horn of Africa, and similarly provided a scientific basis for better conservation of the diversity in this region.
Liver steatosis is a major predictor of poor outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients with sustained virological response
Authors: Peleg Noam , Issachar Assaf , Sneh Arbib Orly , Cohen‐Naftaly Michal , Harif Yael , Oxtrud Evelin , Braun Marius , Leshno Moshe , Barsheshet Alon , Shlomai Amir
Published: June 2019

Sustained virological response (SVR) results in reduced incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with advanced fibrosis. Since both advanced fibrosis and liver steatosis (LS) may coexist in CHC patients, we evaluated their individual effects on a composite outcome of all‐cause mortality and HCC in CHC patients with SVR following direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) treatment. We retrospectively evaluated inception cohort of 515 CHC patients who achieved SVR following treatment with DAA, with a mean follow‐up of 24 months. Baseline liver fibrosis was assessed by transient elastography, and LS was validated by at least three independent ultrasonographic examinations. 211 of 515 patients (41%) had baseline LS. Patients with LS had a higher cumulative rate of all‐cause mortality and HCC at 2 years of follow‐up compared to patients without LS (15.75% and 2.79%, respectively, P < 0.001), although they did not have increased incidence of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Consistently, multivariate analysis showed that LS was associated with a significant 7.5‐fold increased risk of all‐cause mortality and HCC (HR 7.51, 95% C.I 3.61‐13.36, P < 0.001) even upon adjustment to components of the metabolic syndrome, whereas advanced fibrosis showed only a trend towards statistical significance (HR 2.32, 95% C.I 0.97‐6.59, P = 0.06). In conclusion, LS is a major predictor of all‐cause mortality and HCC in patients who achieved SVR following DAA treatment regardless of fibrosis stage. These patients should be rigorously screened for HCC.
Canine size, condition and health in wild boars
Authors: Fernández‐Llario P. , Møller A. P.
Published: June 2019

Canines in wild boar Sus scrofa constitute weapons used in male–male conflict. We analyzed extensive data for the ecological correlates of canine size in several study sites in Extremadura, Spain, to determine their degree of condition‐dependence and their relationship with health status. Boars with relatively large body size had larger canines than small boars. Canine size was larger in estates without livestock, in estates with low population density, and in estates with rich holmoak forest. These findings are consistent with predictions for condition‐dependent secondary sexual characters. Boars with relatively large canines had large spleens for their body size, higher prevalence of Aujeszky's disease and higher prevalence of macroscopic lesions compatible with Bovine Tuberculosis than boars with relatively small canines. Thus, boars with large canines that were likely to be dominant and have differential access to females were in poorer health than boars with small canines. Since the virus responsible for Aujeszky's disease and Mycobacterium bovis are readily transmitted through direct contact during mating, we suggest that there is a sexual conflict over mating. Boars with large canines that are most likely to copulate with sows are also more likely to be a direct cause of transmission of disease to the sows.
Accompanying as accomplices: Pedagogies for community engaged learning in sociocultural linguistics
Authors: Arnold Lynnette
Published: June 2019

As a field, sociocultural linguistics has a long legacy of public scholarship that has worked to counter linguistic prejudices and inequalities perpetuated through language. Today, current community engagement within sociocultural linguistics increasingly takes a collaborative approach that includes students. In this article, I therefore explore how the field prepares both students and faculty for this work. In particular, I focus on courses with a service learning component, suggesting that these constitute key spaces for developing the commitments and capacities necessary for engaged work that advances sociolinguistic justice. I highlight the insights of existing scholarship on service learning in linguistics before turning to a more detailed discussion of pedagogical practice, drawing on current critical pedagogy literature that emphasize the importance of language and culture. Synthesizing two social movement perspectives, I propose a pedagogical framework that supports faculty and students in learning to accompany as an accomplice. I demonstrate the application of this model by discussing specific pedagogical strategies enacted in a community engaged course I taught on Language and Migration at a university in the United States. Ultimately, I suggest that developing social justice pedagogies is a crucial endeavor if we are to counter the ways that language has been used to justify inequalities and motivate violence towards racialized communities, both in the past and in the present.
Delusions and visual hallucinations in a patient with Parkinson's disease with dementia showing pronounced Lewy body pathology in the nucleus basalis of Meynert
Authors: Sakai Kenji , Ikeda Tokuhei , Ishida Chiho , Komai Kiyonobu , Yamada Masahito
Published: June 2019

We describe an autopsy‐proven case of Parkinson's disease with dementia showing early‐onset delusions and hallucinations with limbic‐type Lewy body pathology. A Japanese man 72 years old at time of death, developed hand tremor at the age of 45. On neurological examination at 47 years of age, parkinsonian symptoms and signs were present. Pergolide mesylate 1000 μg/day improved his motor symptoms. Then, delusional jealousy appeared and he consulted the psychiatric department in our hospital at the age of 50. Pergolide mesylate 2000 μg/day and trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride 6 mg/day were prescribed. His delusional jealousy made him hit his wife at the age of 63, and visual hallucinations were demonstrated. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the age of 65 revealed mild frontal lobe atrophy. At the age of 72, apparent dementia and dysphagia appeared. The total clinical course was 27 years. The brain showed mild frontal atrophy and weighed 1295 g before fixation. Depigmentation of the substantia nigra and locus ceruleus was macroscopically apparent. Neuronal loss with gliosis was noteworthy in the substantia nigra, locus ceruleus, dorsal vagal nucleus, nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), and intermediate lateral nuclei; however, cerebral neocortex and limbic systems were relatively preserved. Widespread occurrence of Lewy bodies with a few Lewy neurites were demonstrated (limbic‐type). Noticeable Lewy body pathology in the NBM was shown in contrast to that in other limbic system structures, such as the amygdala and parahippocampal gyrus, and cerebral cortex. In vivo structural imaging studies revealed that cholinergic projections from the NBM could be responsible for generation of cholinergic deficiency syndrome, including delusions and hallucinations. Furthermore, basal forebrain volume is reduced in patients with Parkinson's disease showing visual hallucinations. Prominent Lewy body pathology in the NBM could be related to not only visual hallucinations but also delusions.
Spiradiclis densa sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from limestone areas in Guangxi, China
Authors: Wen Zhao‐Jie , Yang Jin‐Cai , Xu Yong‐Fu , Wu Lei
Published: June 2019

A new species of Rubiaceae, Spiradiclis densa, is described and illustrated from southwestern China. It is similar to S. tomentosa, but differs in the elliptic or oblong leaf blades, distylous flowers and inner sides of corolla tube with dense pubescence near throat. The conservation status of the new species is preliminarily assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ according to IUCN categories and criteria.
Phosphoethanolamine N‐methyltransferase 1 contributes to maintenance of root apical meristem by affecting ROS and auxin‐regulated cell differentiation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zou Yi , Zhang Xiaojing , Tan Yunyi , Huang Jia‐Bao , Zheng Zhiqiong , Tao Li‐Zhen
Published: June 2019

The continuous growth of roots requires the balance between cell division and differentiation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and auxin are important regulators of root development by affecting cell division and differentiation. The mechanism controlling the coordination of cell division and differentiation is not well understood.

Using a forward genetic screen, we isolated a mutant, defective primary root 2 (dpr2), defective in root apical meristem (RAM) maintenance. The DPR2 gene encodes phosphoethanolamine N‐methyltransferase 1 (PEAMT1) that catalyzes phosphocholine biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. We characterized the primary root phenotypes of dpr2 using various marker lines, using histochemical and pharmacological analysis to probe early root development.

Loss‐of‐function of DPR2/PEAMT1 resulted in RAM consumption by affecting root stem cell niche, division zone, elongation and differentiation zone (EDZ). PIN‐FORMED (PIN) protein abundance, PIN2 polar distribution and general endocytosis were impaired in the root tip of dpr2. Excess hydrogen peroxide and auxin accumulate in the EDZ of dpr2, leading to RAM consumption by accelerating cell differentiation. Suppression of ROS over‐accumulation or inhibition of auxin signalling partially prevent RAM differentiation in dpr2 after choline starvation.

Taken together, we conclude that the EDZ of the root tip is most sensitive to choline shortage, leading to RAM consumption through an ROS–auxin regulation module.
Anticipatory effects of the implementation of the Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising on food and beverage product reformulation
Authors: Kanter Rebecca , Reyes Marcela , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Swinburn Boyd , Corvalán Camila
Published: June 2019

This study evaluated the anticipated food and beverage product reformulation by industry before the Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising (Law 20.606) was implemented in June 2016 requiring a front‐of‐package (FOP) warning label for products high in sodium, total sugars, saturated fats, and/or total energy. Fieldworkers photographed a purposive sample of packaged food and beverage products in February 2015 (n = 5421) and February 2016 (n = 5479) from six different supermarkets in Santiago, Chile. The same products collected in both years (n = 2086) from 17 food and beverage categories with added critical nutrients (nutrients of concern: sodium, total sugars, and saturated fats) were included in this longitudinal study. The average change in energy and critical nutrient content was estimated by category. The number of warning labels potentially avoided because of reformulation was determined. Between February 2015 and February 2016, no category experienced reductions >5% average change in energy or critical nutrient content; and some increased in critical nutrient content. Few products (<2%) would have avoided at least one warning label with reformulation. In a diverse sample of food and beverage products, there was minimal reformulation by industry in anticipation of the implementation of the 2016 Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising.
Surgical Experience and Complications in 50 Patients Treated with an Anular Closure Device Following Lumbar Discectomy
Authors: Ardeshiri Ardeshir , Miller Larry E , Synowitz Michael , Jadik Senol
Published: June 2019

Objective

To examine the results of an anular closure device for prevention of lumbar disc reherniation in daily routine practice.

Methods

Fifty patients with large anular defects were treated with limited discectomy and a bone‐anchored anular closure device. The device physically occludes the defect in the anulus fibrosus and is intended for prevention of lumbar disc reherniation. Pain scores on a visual analogue scale, back function on the Oswestry Disability Index, and neurological status were noted. Symptomatic reherniation and reoperation rates were assessed at each follow‐up. Surgical findings and complications, device‐related and/or procedure‐related, were recorded. Follow‐up was 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks.

Results

Mean anular defect height/width was 4.6 mm/10.1 mm. The overall symptomatic reherniation and reoperation rate was 2%. During the 1‐year follow‐up period, mean back pain decreased from 43 to 8 (P < 0.001), leg pain decreased from 71 to 4 (P < 0.001), and the Oswestry Disability Index decreased from 46 to 5 (P < 0.001). Among 15 patients with preoperative neurological deficits, improvements in neurological function were noted in 14 (93%). There were no serious device‐related complications.

Conclusions

The presented study shows promising early results in using the anular closure device. The procedure is safe with significantly fewer reherniations than for patients with large anular defects without anular closure. Further studies with longer follow‐up periods are warranted to prove these findings for long‐term outcomes.
National survey of prevalence and prognosis of thanatophoric dysplasia in Japan
Authors: Sawai Hideaki , Oka Kaname , Ushioda Mariko , Nishimura Gen , Omori Takashi , Numabe Hironao , Kosugi Shinji
Published: June 2019

Background

Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is a rare congenital disease of the skeletal system, with an incidence of 1.68–8.3 per 100 000 births, but statistical data on the estimated number of TD patients across Japan are not available. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the prevalence and prognosis of TD in Japan.

Methods

A nationwide primary questionnaire survey was conducted.

Results

A total of 127 obstetric, 186 pediatric, and 115 orthopedic facilities provided responses. Excluding duplications, we identified 73 patients with TD. Of the 73 cases, 15 were abortions, four were stillbirths, 51 were live births, and three had unknown details. Of the 51 live newborns, 27 died ≤7 days after birth, with an early neonatal mortality rate of 56%. Of the 24 newborns who survived the early neonatal period, 16 survived for ≥1 year. All of the 24 newborns received respiratory management and survived during the early neonatal period. Of the 51 live newborns, 25 did not receive respiratory management and died ≤2 days after birth.

Conclusions

The prevalence of TD in Japan is estimated to be at 1.1 (95%CI: 0.84–1.37) per 100 000 births, but the actual incidence is expected to be higher. To our knowledge, we have confirmed for the first time that newborns with TD may not always die during the early neonatal period but can survive the early neonatal period with appropriate respiratory management. Therefore, the term “thanatophoric dysplasia” does not accurately reflect the nature of the disease.
The patients are the ones missing out: A desperate need to standardize lung function reference equations
Authors: Thompson Bruce
Published: June 2019

See related Article
Mass‐scale red cell genotyping of blood donors: from data visualization to historical antigen labeling and donor recruitment
Authors: Denomme Gregory A. , Anani Waseem Q.
Published: June 2019

KEY IDEAS

Donor red cell genotyping provides efficiencies to identify “in demand” blood donors for transfusion recipients requiring antigen‐negative blood.

Donor red cell genotype information can be used to label units with historical types and introduced throughout the supply chain from the blood center to the hospital transfusion service and has potential to be used in recruitment strategies.
Enhancement of Isobutanol and 3-Methyl-1-Butanol Production Yields in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae without Genetic Modification
Authors: Ramli Nor Azah , A. Rahman Roshanida , Md. Illias Rosli
Published: June 2019

Bio-based fuel produced from the renewable resources is efficiently overcome the shortcomings of fossil fuels. Several factors such as the increasing awareness on environmental problems, fossil fuel prices  and the sustainability of energy has encouraged the initiative in finding another source of transportation fuels. Higher alcohols have proved to be a better candidate to replace gasoline as vehicle fuel due to characteristics of higher energy content, low solubility in water, lower vapor pressure and higher blending ability with gasoline. Biologically, isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol are produced through the fermentation of renewable feedstock with microorganism. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known to be able to produce isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol titers naturally without heterologous pathways. However, the production of these alcohols by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is only in a small quantity, thus several efforts in enhancing the isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol yields have been conducted. In this study, the amino acids (valine and leucine) and amino acid precursor (2-ketoisovalerate) were added into the fermentation medium prior to the fermentation. The results obtained show that the supplementation of 2-ketoisovalerate and leucine individually into the fermentation broth leads to the increased in isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol titers by 3.3 folds and 1.9 folds, respectively. The combination of 2-ketoisovalerate and valine increased the isobutanol yield by 4.3 folds while the 3-methyl-1-butanol was increased by 2.5 folds when supplemented with 2-ketoisovalerate and leucine. These results portray that the isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol titers can be improved by manipulating several factors which is important for future production of higher alcohols.
The Utilization of Pineapples Waste Enzyme for the Improvement of Hydrolysis Solubility in Aquaculture Sludge
Authors: Syahirah M. Fatma , Nazaitulshila R.
Published: June 2019

High volumes of sludge discharge from the aquaculture industry have relatively high pollutant content that may lead to severe local environmental problems. Anaerobic digestion is one of the technologies for sludge treatment that might be an efficient method to reduce salty aquaculture sludge production load. However, hydrolysis solubility is becoming a limitation step during the anaerobic digestion process when the occurrence of intermediate accumulation resulted from the conversion of non-soluble biopolymers to soluble organic compounds. Thus, pretreatment is required to increase the solubilization of pollutant parameters from aquaculture sludge before it is further treated in the anaerobic treatment. Therefore, this study focuses on the production of biocatalytic enzyme from the fermentation of pre-consumer supermarket waste such as pineapple dregs to increase the solubility of aquaculture sludge. The fermentation of the pineapples waste was produced via a three-month fermentation of the mixture of molasses, pineapple dregs and water, with the ratio of 1:3:10 in a tight plastic container. Apart from that, analyses showed that the enzyme possessed lipase, amylase and protease activity. The sludge solubilization pretreatment was performed at different pH values, with treatment time for 120 hours and the solubilization was evaluated by determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) solubilization; the solubilization of COD and TAN increased by 80% and 50%, respectively. This finding showed that the pineapple enzyme has the capability to solubilize organic compound, which has the potential to improve hydrolysis in further anaerobic digestion process.
Design and Application of Silica Micro-Clusters for Microalgae Separation
Authors: K.Y. Tan , L.M. Chng , S.S. Leong , J.K. Lim , D.J.C. Chan , M. Masrul , P.Y. Toh
Published: June 2019

Eutrophication has attracted social’s attention as it is a worldwide problem in freshwater aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, cultivation of microalgae in nutrient-rich medium can serve as wastewater treatment as they remove the pollutants from aquatic environment and the microalgal biomass can produce biofuels or other valuable bioproducts. Although microalgae harvesting by gravity sedimentation method is less expensive but it promotes slow sedimentation rate and increases the possibility of biomass deteriorates during harvesting process. In this research, the silica micro-clusters (SMCs) was being synthesized and surface functionalized by positively charged chitosan to improve the attachment with microalgal cells in order to promote rapid microalgae removal through sedimentation. The cell removal efficiency of Chlorella sp. can reach up to 99.41 ± 0.64 % by using 1 g/L of surface functionalized SMCs (SF-Si). Moreover, it also tended to promote high rate of cell sedimentation at 22.71 ± 3.02 cm/h which was about 162 times faster than self-sedimentation. This method of silica-aided-sedimentation (SAS) had proven effective to harvest the multi-species microalgal cells which collected from Tualang lake, Perak, and achieved cell separation efficiency up to 100% by 80 mg/L of SF-Si.
Identify Energy Savings Opportunities from Operational “Self-Help “and “Quick Fix” Optimization Approaches
Authors: K. M Hashim , D. K. S Ng , Hassim Mimi H.
Published: June 2019

The objective of this paper is to describe the importance of formation of a pragmatic Energy Optimization Program (EOP) at the concerned oil and gas facilities. Substantial amount of energy savings can be realized by focusing on initiatives that require no investment or so called “self-help” that can easily be implemented without further a due. A “quick fix” initiative involves a nominal investment; it can also be easily executed without the need for detailed project justification. Given the increasing expectations to oil and gas organizations to maintain a competitive edge in the modern global economy have caused the instability of crude oil as the world’s major commercial energy source for the next coming years and greater commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Regardless of during high or low crude oil price, energy is certainly a critical business continuity driver for both users and producers. Having significantly greater EOP to explore energy savings opportunities require many efforts including new efficient equipment, new technology, new processes and approaches which should be given a priority. Ideally, EOP focused team shall effectively participate in early design stage of project, so that all significant energy efficiency concepts will be considered in the design. In reality, many energy efficiency efforts may be missed out as a result of loose energy efficiency definition, less competency of design engineers, hectic project schedule and/or resource constraint.
Analysis on the Effect of Capacitor Banks Operation towards Total Harmonic Distortions (THD) in Distribution Network Test System
Authors: M.S. Dalila , I.M.Y. Zaris , A. Nasarudin , H. Faridah
Published: June 2019

This paper purposely to examine and analyse the impact of the distribution capacitors banks operation to the transition of total harmonic distortion (THD) level in distribution network system. The main advantage of this work is the simplicity algorithm of the method and the system being analysed using free access open software which is known as electric power distribution system simulator (OpenDSS). In this paper, the harmonic current spectrum which is collected from the commercial site was injected to a node point on IEEE13 bus in order to provide the initial measurement of THD for the network. The proper sizing of the capacitors banks has been set and being deactivated and activated throughout the network to see the transistion in the THD level in the system. The results were achieved by simulation of the data on the configured IEEE13 bus. The simulation work was done by using the combination of C++ source codes, OpenDSS and Microsoft Excel software. From the output results, the THD current has increased up to two times from the initial value in certain phases and for the THD voltage, the THD has increased up to three times from its initial value in all phases.
HAZOP Study and Risk Reduction Strategy for Herbal Processing Industry
Authors: Kidam Kamarizan , Masri Mohamad Fazli , Salleh Nabila , Hassim Mimi H. , Adzman Nuramalia , Shahlan Siti Suhaili , Kamarden Hamidah
Published: June 2019

Herbal processing industries in Malaysia grow very rapidly in the recent years. Malaysia has a promising potential and huge marker demand on herbal medicine, as an alternative to the conventional medicine. This is supported by the abundance availability of various biological heritage and herbal corps, as well as the subsistence of herbal processing facilities in the country. Despite the rapid growth of herbal processing industries in Malaysia, safety and health compliance issue should not be compromised. Every aspect related to personnel and process safety shall be complied as required under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994. Improper handling of critical processing unit operation can lead to major accident such as fire and explosion. However, knowledge concerning process safety in herbal processing industry is still lacking. The objective of this study is to recommend a safer practice in herbal processing industry, by performing hazard and operability study (HAZOP) as a tool to propose possible design solution based on process safety hierarchy perspective. As a result, several risk reduction strategies for critical equipment were managed to be proposed and classified according to process safety hierarchy. This study will finally discover the element of knowledge ‘safe by design’ for process and equipment to be enhanced into the herbal processing knowledge and technology development.
Role of Promoters in Hoisting the Catalytic Performance for Enhanced CO Methanation
Authors: I. Hussain , A. A. Jalil , C. R. Mamat , T. J. Siang , M. S. Azami , H. U. Hambali
Published: June 2019

The increasing demand of natural gas and its rising cost have urged some countries to take initiatives to fulfil their energy needs. The production of substituted natural gas (SNG) by syngas (CO + H2) from coal or biomass is one of the most effective methods. As a promising source of energy, SNG has attracted much attention on research and applications due to the high demand for environmental protection. It is regarded as a clean energy source and an effective method for the application of coal resources, particularly in the regions with abundant coal resources but scarce natural gas such as in China [1-3]. SNG has attracted increasing attention due to its lower emission of sulphur and particulate matter. SNG is expected to be one of the main energy sources of the 21st century. It is environmentally friendly and less costly, has high calorific value, complete combustion, and smoke free compared to other energy sources. It has significant importance for the industrial level and transportation sectors.
A Contemporary Assessment on Composite Titania onto Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Based Catalyst as Photocatalyst
Authors: M. S. Azami , A. A Jalil , C. N. C. Hitam , C. R Mamat , T. J. Siang , I. Hussain , H. U. Hambali
Published: June 2019

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has drawn widespread interest by researchers as a precious semiconductor that is responsive towards photodegradation of various pollutants. This catalyst has its own limitations such as fast electron-hole recombination, wide band gap, and can only be utilised under ultraviolet (UV) region. In order to overcome these problems, the addition of a metal-free dopant is a common practice to prevent electron-hole recombination and enhance photodegradation under visible light. Among various types of metal-free catalysts, carbon nitride material has received much attention due to its numerous benefits such as good in terms of physical and chemical strength, as well as an attractive electronic band combined with a band gap (2.7 eV). This review summarised recent works in the development of titania incorporated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for enhanced photocatalytic activity.
Tanggapan Sokongan Organisasi Dan Penglibatan Aktiviti Kerohanian B40 Muslim Yang Berhutang (Perceived Organizational Support and Spiritual Activity Involvement of B40 Muslim Borrower)
Authors: Toto Ngadiman Dicky Wiwittan , Yacoob Salmy Edawaty , Wahid Hairunnizam
Published: June 2019

In Islam, organization has an important role in developing self-esteem and social relations of its members. Western researchers such as Maslow also suggested that organizational managers identify deficiencies in the needs of their employees as this may affect one's attitude and behavior. Maslow's motivational needs can be met through the support of organizations through their reward programs and so on. Thus, this study is conducted to evaluate the perception on organizational support and the level of involvement of the spiritual and social activities of the B40 Muslim community that can help improve their self-esteem and social relations. A total of 378 low-income Muslim of Felda who are also borrower were involved in this study. This study used questionnaire and data was analyzed by using descriptive method and mean score statistic. The result show that the perceived organizational support are at moderate level. However, the involvement of spiritual and social activities is at low level. Implicitly, this study can aide Felda management, employers and certain parties in Malaysia to draw up human development plan to further strengthen B40 self-esteem and social relationships in accordance with the syariah complience.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Gibbs Nikki
Published: June 2019

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 4 Andrey KudryavtsevAyoub Taha SidahmedErdal GumusGetamesay Bekele MesheshaHe NieHedieh ShadmaniIan McFarlaneIbrahim BaghdadiIgor MatyushenkoKaveh DalvandMagdalena ZiołoMahmoud Mohammed SabraMamdouh Abdelmoula M. AbdelsalamMarco MeleMarco MuscettolaNuno CrespoOltiana Muharremi PelariPatrycja Kowalczyk-RolczynskaPayal ChadhaRamona OrasteanRichard NguyenRomeo Victor IonescuSebastian SchichSteven V. CatesSzabolcs BlazsekY. Saidi  Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com
IFDMR Establishment – A Solution for Space Debris Mitigation and Removal
Authors: Sheer Abbas , Li Shouping , Sidra Fatima
Published: June 2019

Space debris is a global mounting ultimatum to the enduring maintainability of outer space activities and ought to be managed from the very beginning; otherwise, it will be too late. Based on the last couple of years, collisions are incidents that have enhanced space debris accumulation, and the rate at which space activities have resulted in the production of debris is at a threshold position in a linear fashion. Ultimately, space has become the rendezvous of space debris. Based on the growing accumulation of debris and the emerging apprehension regarding a horrible strike and collapse of whole space programs, to remove debris is very expensive process so this paper focuses on the financial challenges and solution as well. Developing and developed countries realize the value of a competent establishment of an International Fund for Debris Mitigation and Removal (IFDMR) that could address the financial issues. Thus, this paper suggests to create incentive opportunities for remediation of space debris and penalties for its production. it would be very strong and effective mechanism to halt this mounting issue by utilizing international fund. The revenue for fund would be collected mainly from contributing member states space agencies, the proportionate contributors of debris producer like (US, RUSSIA, CHINA), and other relevant stack holders, insurance of missions, levying fee from every launching, donations from various international organizations and private entities and UN Aid etc. The fund would be operated by the Director of fund having board of directors as management team under the umbrella of UNOOSA.
Pseudoisolationism: the Neoimperialism of the State(s)
Authors: Slaven James T.
Published: June 2019

During the Obama administration years, the American military seemed to be withdrawing and American global hegemony withering. The administration had adopted a new foreign policy doctrine called “offshore balancing,” and its critics were many, dubbing the doctrine “neoisolationist.” However, this label has misdiagnosed the doctrine, which as this essay will first argue, can more accurately be labeled “pseudoneoisolationist”—the American military may have withdrawn its conventional forces to a degree, but it continues to become increasingly reliant on unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). These UCAVs have allowed the United States to maintain Pax Americana while appearing to have staged a global retreat. This essay will then argue that two aspects of the American drone program have redefined territoriality: targeting methods and legal justification. This redefinition is a neoimperialist understanding, although admittedly it is one that cannot be correctly categorized as imperialist nor neoimperialist based on their traditional definitions. Finally, this essay will discuss why it is important to discuss the first two subjects (i.e. offshore balancing and the American drone program’s redefinition of territoriality) together, rather than in isolation.
GABAA receptors modulate sympathetic vasomotor outflow and the pressor response to skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation in humans
Authors: Teixeira André L. , Fernandes Igor A. , Vianna Lauro C.
Published: June 2019

Key points

The activation of the group III/IV skeletal muscle afferents is one of the principal mediators of cardiovascular responses to exercise; however, the neuronal circuitry mechanisms that are involved during the activation of group III/IV muscle afferents in humans remain unknown.

Recently, we showed that GABAergic mechanisms are involved in the cardiac vagal withdrawal during the activation of mechanically sensitive (predominantly mediated by group III fibres) skeletal muscle afferents in humans.

In the present study, we found that increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity and mean blood pressure during isometric handgrip exercise and postexercise ischaemia were significantly greater after the oral administration of diazepam, a benzodiazepine that increases GABAA activity, but not after placebo administration in young healthy subjects.

These findings indicate for the first time that GABAA receptors modulate sympathetic vasomotor outflow and the pressor responses to activation of metabolically sensitive (predominantly mediated by group IV fibres) skeletal muscle afferents in humans.

Animal studies have indicated that GABAA receptors are involved in the neuronal circuitry of the group III/IV skeletal muscle afferent activation‐induced neurocardiovascular responses to exercise. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether GABAA receptors modulate the neurocardiovascular responses to activation of metabolically sensitive (predominantly mediated by group IV fibres) skeletal muscle afferents in humans. In a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled and cross‐over design, 17 healthy subjects (eight women) performed 2 min of ischaemic isometric handgrip exercise at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction followed by 2 min of postexercise ischaemia (PEI). Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously measured and trials were conducted before and 60 min after the oral administration of either placebo or diazepam (10 mg), a benzodiazepine that enhances GABAA activity. At rest, MSNA was reduced, whereas HR and BP did not change after diazepam administration. During ischaemic isometric handgrip, greater MSNA (pre: ∆13 ± 9 bursts min−1 vs. post: ∆29 ± 15 bursts min−1, P < 0.001), HR (pre: ∆23 ± 11 beats min−1 vs. post: ∆31 ± 17 beats min−1, P < 0.01) and mean BP (pre: ∆33 ± 12 mmHg vs. post: ∆37 ± 12 mmHg, P < 0.01) responses were observed after diazepam. During PEI, MSNA and mean BP remained elevated from baseline before diazepam (∆10 ± 8 bursts min−1 and ∆25 ± 14 mmHg, respectively) and these elevations were increased after diazepam (∆17 ± 12 bursts min−1 and ∆28 ± 13 mmHg, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05). Importantly, placebo pill had no effect on neural, cardiac and pressor responses. These findings demonstrate for the first time that GABAA receptors modulate MSNA and the pressor responses to skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation in humans.
Arterial wall shear rate response to reactive hyperaemia is markedly different between young and older humans
Authors: Aizawa Kunihiko , Ramalli Alessandro , Sbragi Sara , Tortoli Piero , Casanova Francesco , Morizzo Carmela , Thorn Clare E. , Shore Angela C. , Gates Phillip E. , Palombo Carlo
Published: June 2019

Key points

The vasodilatory response to reactive hyperaemia is impaired with advancing age, but it is unclear whether this is because of an altered wall shear rate (WSR) stimulus or an altered flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) response.

Using new technology that allows detailed WSR measurement, we assessed the WSR–FMD response in healthy older people.

Our data show that older people have a markedly altered and diminished WSR response to reactive hyperaemia compared to young people, but reduced WSR alone does not fully explain reduced FMD.

In young people, WSR appears to be coupled to FMD but, by age ∼65 years, the arterial vasodilatory response has begun to uncouple from the WSR stimulus.

These findings point to the importance and utility of comprehensively characterizing the WSR–FMD response when using reactive hyperaemia to assess vascular function, as well as giving new insight into the age‐related alteration in vascular function.

The vasodilatory response to reactive hyperaemia is impaired with age, but it is unknown whether this is because of an altered wall shear rate (WSR) stimulus or an altered flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) response to the WSR stimulus. Inherent difficulties in measuring blood flow velocity close to the arterial wall have prevented detailed assessment of the WSR–FMD response. Using an enhanced multigate spectral Doppler ultrasound system (ultrasound advanced open platform), we aimed to produce new data on the WSR–FMD relationship in healthy older adults. Sixty healthy people, comprising 28 young (27.5 ± 5.5 years) and 32 older (64.9 ± 3.7 years) individuals, underwent FMD assessment. Raw data were post‐processed using custom‐designed software to obtain WSR and diameter parameters. The data revealed that older people have a much altered and diminished WSR response to reactive hyperaemia compared to younger people [e.g. WSR peak: 622 (571–673) vs. 443 (396–491) 1/s in young and older respectively; P < 0.05]. However, reduced WSR alone does not appear to fully explain the reduced FMD response in older people because associations between WSR and FMD were few and weak. This was in contrast to young adults, where associations were strong. We conclude that WSR during FMD is much altered and diminished in older people, and there appears to be an ‘uncoupling’ of WSR from FMD in older people that may reflect a loss of precision in the reactive hyperaemia stimulus–response relationship. These findings also point to the importance and utility of comprehensively characterizing the WSR–FMD response when using reactive hyperaemia to assess vascular function.