734 research outputs found

    Anyer Beach Resort (Pendekatan Arsitektur Neo-Vernakular Suku Baduy)

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    Anyer Beach is a beach located in the western part of Java Island, located in Serang Regency, Banten Province. Anyer Beach offers its beauty with beautiful white sand, and the beaches in the Anyer area also provide areas for playing water, swimming, diving, and enjoying the sunset in the afternoon. The advantages offered at Anyer Beach cannot be separated from the shortcomings that make the beach polluted. The untidy condition of the beach due to the 2018 Anyer tsunami made the visitors not very comfortable at the location. The existence of a beach area that is not maintained makes the area on Anyer Beach dirty and unsightly. Some lodging facilities also give an unattractive impression to the visitors. There is an old and dirty impression shown from several inns around the Anyer Beach area, without any updates to increase the interest of visitors to come.The design of the resort at Anyer Beach has a building concept that departs from the response to the slums of the environment around Anyer Beach. In addition, the design of this resort also uses the concept of Neo-Vernacular Baduy Architecture which is modified according to the needs of its users and the needs of the land area. Various potential areas on the land and around the location are also optimized so that they have a positive impact on each other. The exterior, interior, and landscape are designed with adaptations of the Baduy Tribe Architecture. With the application of this concept, it is hoped that it can increase public interest in visiting Anyer Beach with the atmosphere of Baduy Architecture on offer

    Asperity level frictional interactions of cylinder bore materials and lubricant composition

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    Parasitic frictional losses in internal combustion engines of race vehicles adversely affect their performance. A significant proportion of these losses occur within the piston-cylinder system. This paper presents a study of the compatibility of cylinder bore surface materials with typical lubricant base constituent stock (Poly Alpha Olefin (PAO) and Polyolester (POE)) as well as a fully formulated lubricant. Nanoscale boundary friction is measured using lateral force microscopy. The effect of material properties, nanoscale roughness and lubricant species upon underlying mechanisms of generated friction is presented. Advanced cylinder materials and coatings and lubricant molecular species used for high performance engines are investigated, an integrated approach not hitherto reported in literature

    Novel scheelite‐type [Ca0.55(Nd1‐xBix)0.3]MoO4 (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.95) microwave dielectric ceramics with low sintering temperature

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    Novel scheelite‐type [Ca0.55(Nd1‐xBix)0.3]MoO4 (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.95) ceramics were prepared using the solid‐state reaction method. According to the X‐ray diffraction data, a solid solution was formed in 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.95 and all the samples belong to pure scheelite phase with the tetragonal structure. As revealed by Raman spectroscopy, the number of vibrational modes decreased with the increase in x value, which further indicated that Bi3+ ions occupied A‐site of scheelite structure. As the x value increased, the sintering temperature decreased from 740°C to 660°C; the permittivity increased from 12.6 to 20.3; the Qf value first decreased slightly and gradually remained stable. Based on the infrared reflectivity spectrum analysis, the calculated permittivity derived from the fitted data shared the same trend with the measured value. The [Ca0.55(Nd0.05Bi0.95)0.3]MoO4 ceramic sintered at 660 °C attained a near‐zero value temperature coefficient ~τf (−7.1 ppm/°C) and showed excellent microwave dielectric properties with a ɛr ~ 20.3 and a Qf ~ 33 860 GHz, making this system a promising candidate in the ultralow temperature cofired ceramic (ULTCC) technology

    Design of an optimized Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) mRNA construct for enhanced WT1 expression and improved immunogenicity in vitro and in vivo

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    Tumor antigen-encoding mRNA for dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination has gained increasing popularity in recent years. Within this context, two main strategies have entered the clinical trial stage: the use of mRNA for ex vivo antigen loading of DCs and the direct application of mRNA as a source of antigen for DCs in vivo. DCs transfected with mRNA-encoding Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) protein have shown promising clinical results. Using a stepwise approach, we re-engineered a WT1 cDNA-carrying transcription vector to improve the translational characteristics and immunogenicity of the transcribed mRNA. Different modifications were performed: (i) the WT1 sequence was flanked by the lysosomal targeting sequence of dendritic cell lysosomal-associated membrane protein to enhance cytoplasmic expression; (ii) the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of WT1 was deleted to promote shuttling from the nucleus to the cytoplasm; (iii) the WT1 DNA sequence was optimized in silico to improve translational efficiency; and (iv) this WT1 sequence was cloned into an optimized RNA transcription vector. DCs electroporated with this optimized mRNA showed an improved ability to stimulate WT1-specific T-cell immunity. Furthermore, in a murine model, we were able to show the safety, immunogenicity, and therapeutic activity of this optimized mRNA. This work is relevant for the future development of improved mRNA-based vaccine strategies K

    Influence of Incubation Conditions on Hydrolysis Efficiency and Iodine Enrichment in Baker’s Yeast

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    The influence of incubation conditions, enzyme type, hydrolysis time, and potassium iodide concentration on hydrolysis and iodine enrichment were studied in supernatant and pellets of Saccharomyces cervisiae hydrolysates. The type of enzyme used and incubation time significantly influence hydrolysis efficiency and protein concentration in supernatant and pellet. The highest protein hydrolysis efficiency was obtained by 24-h incubation with papain. Significantly lower values were observed for pepsin and autolysis. The potassium iodide concentration influences the iodine content of supernatant and pellet, but not hydrolysis. Iodide enrichment of supernatant and pellet depends on the concentration of iodide using during incubation. High concentration of iodide and long incubation times were the conditions for optimal iodide enrichment and high-protein hydrolysates. The optimal hydrolysis efficiency and iodine enrichment were obtained during 24-h incubation with papain in a 4.5-mM potassium iodide medium. The efficiency reached 98.22% with iodine concentrations of 2,664.91 and 9,200.67 Οg/g iodine in pellet and supernatant, respectively

    Stochastic population growth in spatially heterogeneous environments

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    Classical ecological theory predicts that environmental stochasticity increases extinction risk by reducing the average per-capita growth rate of populations. To understand the interactive effects of environmental stochasticity, spatial heterogeneity, and dispersal on population growth, we study the following model for population abundances in nn patches: the conditional law of Xt+dtX_{t+dt} given Xt=xX_t=x is such that when dtdt is small the conditional mean of Xt+dti−XtiX_{t+dt}^i-X_t^i is approximately [xiμi+∑j(xjDji−xiDij)]dt[x^i\mu_i+\sum_j(x^j D_{ji}-x^i D_{ij})]dt, where XtiX_t^i and μi\mu_i are the abundance and per capita growth rate in the ii-th patch respectivly, and DijD_{ij} is the dispersal rate from the ii-th to the jj-th patch, and the conditional covariance of Xt+dti−XtiX_{t+dt}^i-X_t^i and Xt+dtj−XtjX_{t+dt}^j-X_t^j is approximately xixjσijdtx^i x^j \sigma_{ij}dt. We show for such a spatially extended population that if St=(Xt1+...+Xtn)S_t=(X_t^1+...+X_t^n) is the total population abundance, then Yt=Xt/StY_t=X_t/S_t, the vector of patch proportions, converges in law to a random vector Y∞Y_\infty as t→∞t\to\infty, and the stochastic growth rate lim⁡t→∞t−1log⁡St\lim_{t\to\infty}t^{-1}\log S_t equals the space-time average per-capita growth rate \sum_i\mu_i\E[Y_\infty^i] experienced by the population minus half of the space-time average temporal variation \E[\sum_{i,j}\sigma_{ij}Y_\infty^i Y_\infty^j] experienced by the population. We derive analytic results for the law of Y∞Y_\infty, find which choice of the dispersal mechanism DD produces an optimal stochastic growth rate for a freely dispersing population, and investigate the effect on the stochastic growth rate of constraints on dispersal rates. Our results provide fundamental insights into "ideal free" movement in the face of uncertainty, the persistence of coupled sink populations, the evolution of dispersal rates, and the single large or several small (SLOSS) debate in conservation biology.Comment: 47 pages, 4 figure

    The effect of antipsychotic medication on sexual function and serum prolactin levels in community-treated schizophrenic patients: results from the Schizophrenia Trial of Aripiprazole (STAR) study (NCT00237913)

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia in a community based study on sexual function and prolactin levels comparing the use of aripiprazole and standard of care (SOC), which was a limited choice of three widely used and available antipsychotics (olanzapine, quetiapine or risperidone) (The Schizophrenia Trial of Aripiprazole [STAR] study [NCT00237913]).</p> <p>Method</p> <p>This open-label, 26-week, multi-centre, randomised study compared aripiprazole to SOC (olanzapine, quetiapine or risperidone) in patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR criteria). The primary effectiveness variable was the mean total score of the Investigator Assessment Questionnaire (IAQ) at Week 26. The outcome research variables included the Arizona Sexual Experience scale (ASEX). This along with the data collected on serum prolactin levels at week 4, 8, 12, 18 and 26 will be the focus of this paper.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 555 patients were randomised to receive aripiprazole (n = 284) or SOC (n = 271). Both treatment groups experienced improvements in sexual function from baseline ASEX assessments. However at 8 weeks the aripiprazole treatment group reported significantly greater improvement compared with the SOC group (p = 0.007; OC). Although baseline mean serum prolactin levels were similar in the two treatment groups (43.4 mg/dL in the aripiprazole group and 42.3 mg/dL in the SOC group, p = NS) at Week 26 OC, mean decreases in serum prolactin were 34.2 mg/dL in the aripiprazole group, compared with 13.3 mg/dL in the SOC group (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study findings suggest that aripiprazole has the potential to reduce sexual dysfunction, which in turn might improve patient compliance.</p

    Silencing and Un-silencing of Tetracycline-Controlled Genes in Neurons

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    To identify the underlying reason for the controversial performance of tetracycline (Tet)-controlled regulated gene expression in mammalian neurons, we investigated each of the three components that comprise the Tet inducible systems, namely tetracyclines as inducers, tetracycline-transactivator (tTA) and reverse tTA (rtTA), and tTA-responsive promoters (Ptets). We have discovered that stably integrated Ptet becomes functionally silenced in the majority of neurons when it is inactive during development. Ptet silencing can be avoided when it is either not integrated in the genome or stably-integrated with basal activity. Moreover, long-term, high transactivator levels in neurons can often overcome integration-induced Ptet gene silencing, possibly by inducing promoter accessibility

    A randomized, phase III trial of capecitabine plus bevacizumab (Cape-Bev) versus capecitabine plus irinotecan plus bevacizumab (CAPIRI-Bev) in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: The AIO KRK 0110 Trial/ML22011 Trial

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several randomized trials have indicated that combination chemotherapy applied in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) does not significantly improve overall survival when compared to the sequential use of cytotoxic agents (CAIRO, MRC Focus, FFCD 2000-05). The present study investigates the question whether this statement holds true also for bevacizumab-based first-line treatment including escalation- and de-escalation strategies.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The AIO KRK 0110/ML22011 trial is a two-arm, multicenter, open-label randomized phase III trial comparing the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus bevacizumab (Cape-Bev) versus capecitabine plus irinotecan plus bevacizumab (CAPIRI-Bev) in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1, will be assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either capecitabine 1250 mg/m<sup>2 </sup>bid for 14d (d1-14) plus bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg (d1) q3w (Arm A) or capecitabine 800 mg/m<sup>2 </sup>BID for 14d (d1-14), irinotecan 200 mg/m<sup>2 </sup>(d1) and bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg (d1) q3w (Arm B). Patients included into this trial are required to consent to the analysis of tumour tissue and blood for translational investigations. In Arm A, treatment escalation from Cape-Bev to CAPIRI-Bev is recommended in case of progressive disease (PD). In Arm B, de-escalation from CAPIRI-Bev to Cape-Bev is possible after 6 months of treatment or in case of irinotecan-associated toxicity. Re-escalation to CAPIRI-Bev after PD is possible. The primary endpoint is time to failure of strategy (TFS). Secondary endpoints are overall response rate (ORR), overall survival, progression-free survival, safety and quality of life.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The AIO KRK 0110 trial is designed for patients with disseminated, but asymptomatic mCRC who are not potential candidates for surgical resection of metastasis. Two bevacizumab-based strategies are compared: one starting as single-agent chemotherapy (Cape-Bev) allowing escalation to CAPIRI-Bev and another starting with combination chemotherapy (CAPIRI-Bev) and allowing de-escalation to Cape-Bev and subsequent re-escalation if necessary.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01249638">NCT01249638</a></p> <p>EudraCT-No.: 2009-013099-38</p

    Evolution of an endofungal Lifestyle: Deductions from the Burkholderia rhizoxinica Genome

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Burkholderia rhizoxinica </it>is an intracellular symbiont of the phytopathogenic zygomycete <it>Rhizopus microsporus</it>, the causative agent of rice seedling blight. The endosymbiont produces the antimitotic macrolide rhizoxin for its host. It is vertically transmitted within vegetative spores and is essential for spore formation of the fungus. To shed light on the evolution and genetic potential of this model organism, we analysed the whole genome of <it>B. rhizoxinica </it>HKI 0454 - a type strain of endofungal <it>Burkholderia </it>species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The genome consists of a structurally conserved chromosome and two plasmids. Compared to free-living <it>Burkholderia </it>species, the genome is smaller in size and harbors less transcriptional regulator genes. Instead, we observed accumulation of transposons over the genome. Prediction of primary metabolic pathways and transporters suggests that endosymbionts consume host metabolites like citrate, but might deliver some amino acids and cofactors to the host. The rhizoxin biosynthesis gene cluster shows evolutionary traces of horizontal gene transfer. Furthermore, we analysed gene clusters coding for nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS). Notably, <it>B. rhizoxinica </it>lacks common genes which are dedicated to quorum sensing systems, but is equipped with a large number of virulence-related factors and putative type III effectors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>B. rhizoxinica </it>is the first endofungal bacterium, whose genome has been sequenced. Here, we present models of evolution, metabolism and tools for host-symbiont interaction of the endofungal bacterium deduced from whole genome analyses. Genome size and structure suggest that <it>B. rhizoxinica </it>is in an early phase of adaptation to the intracellular lifestyle (genome in transition). By analysis of tranporters and metabolic pathways we predict how metabolites might be exchanged between the symbiont and its host. Gene clusters for biosynthesis of secondary metabolites represent novel targets for genomic mining of cryptic natural products. <it>In silico </it>analyses of virulence-associated genes, secreted proteins and effectors might inspire future studies on molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial-fungal interaction.</p
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