bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum after pulmonary tuberculosis cure
Authors: Ambreen Atiqa , Jamil Muhammad , Rahman Muhammad Aqeelur , Mustafa Tehmina
Published: July 2019

Background

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) with detectable Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the sputum is a major source of transmission. In resource limited TB endemic settings, cure is declared by sputum smear examination for acid fast bacilli without performing culture. This may lead to erroneous treatment outcomes as viable bacteria may be missed by low sensitivity of direct smear method of acid fast staining. The aim of this study was to investigate if sterilizing cure is achieved among the new pulmonary TB cases declared cured by sputum smear conversion and the impact of addition of ethambutol in the continuation phase in achieving sterilizing cure.

Methods

New sputum smear positive pulmonary TB patients registered at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan were followed under standard Directly Observed Treatment Short Course strategy for six months. Half of these patients received ethambutol in addition to isoniazid and rifampicin in continuation phase. Sputum specimens were examined on microscopy at 2 months and end of treatment. Sputa of patients with negative direct smear examination at the end of treatment were cultured on solid medium.

Results

Total of 533 newly diagnosed sputum smear positive pulmonary TB patients were registered from November 2013 to March 2014. Among these 504 converted sputum negative at 2 months and 348 converted at the end of six months of treatment and declared cured. Sputa of 204/348 patients were cultured, and 12/204 (6%) were culture positive. Culture positivity at 6 month was not associated with bacterial load, smoking, diabetes, presence of cavities, history of contact with TB, age, gender, socioeconomic status, or addition of ethambutol in the continuation phase of treatment.

Conclusion

Six month treatment does not provide sterilizing cure in all pulmonary TB leading to risk for relapse. Direct smear examination is not enough to declare cure in TB patients. Addition of ethambutol in the continuation phase did not result in better sterilizing cure. These findings emphasize the importance of performing culture and follow-up of patients to monitor relapse in routine TB care. More studies are needed to find the optimal duration of treatment for individual or carefully selected groups of patients.
Prevalence and Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida albicans Causing Vulvovaginitis Among Pregnant Women in Lebanon
Authors: Ghaddar Nahed , Anastasiadis Elie , Halimeh Rawad , Ghaddar Ali , Dhar Rita , AlFouzan Wadha , Yusef Hoda , Chaar Mira El
Published: July 2019

Background: Vaginal candidiasis is frequently prevalent in pregnant women and is associated with sepsis and adverse neonatal outcomes. This study determined the presence of Candida species in symptomatic pregnant women and evaluated the antifungal susceptibility profile of the isolated strains. It also aimed to explore whether Candida species predicts gestational complications and adverse neonatal outcomes.
Methods: A total of 258 pregnant women at 35 to 37 week of gestation participated in this study. Vaginal swabs from these patients were collected at various obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Lebanon for a period of 12 months. Candida isolates were identified at species level and antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans to fluconazole (FCZ), amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole (ICZ) and voriconazole (VCZ) was determined by the agar-based E-test method.
Results: Among 258 women tested, 100 (39%) were positive for Candida species. C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei were isolated from 42%, 41% and 17% of the women, respectively. C. albicans had significant positive associations with gestational diabetes while C. kreusi or C. glabrata had significant positive associations with gestational complications and vaginal discharge. The antifungal susceptibility tests of C. albicans isolates revealed 97.5%, 90%, 87.5% and 97.5% susceptibility to AMB, FCZ, ICZ and VCZ, respectively. .
Conclusion: The current study revealed high incidence of both C. albicans and non-C. albicans strains causing vulvovaginitis among pregnant women in Beirut, Lebanon. Whereas the susceptibility rates of C. albicans against AMB and VCZ were high, FCZ and ICZ proved comparatively less efficacious. The resistance profile of circulating C. albicans among pregnant women can predict the best outcome of appropriate prophylaxis or treatment of neonatal candidiasis. Vaginal candida colonization might lead to adverse neonatal outcome or gestational complications thus Candida screening as antennal follow up is advised.
Finding new QTL for yield traits based on a high-density genetic map in the super hybrid rice Nei2You No.6
Authors: Zhang Miao , Zhou Zhengping , Chen Yuyu , Cao Yongrun , Deng Chenwei , Xue Pao , Anis Galal Bakr , Zhan Xiaodeng , Cao Liyong , Cheng Shihua , Zhang Yingxin
Published: July 2019

Background
Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world. To determine the genetic basis of yield components in super rice Nei2You No.6, 387 recombinant inbred sister lines (RISLs) were obtained for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for yield-associated traits, such as 1000-grain weight (TGW), grain number per plant (GNP), number of panicles per plant (NP), and grain yield per plant (GYP).
Results
Using whole genome re-sequencing, a high-density linkage map consisting of 3203 bin markers was constructed with total genetic coverage of 1951.1 cM and an average density of 0.61 cM. As a result of the multi-environment test, 43 yield-related QTL were mapped to all 12 chromosomes, among which 28 inherited from Nei2B showed a positive effect on yield traits. Nine QTL, qTGW-1a, qTGW-5, qTGW-7, qTGW-10b, qTGW-10c, qTGW-12, qNP-7, qGNP-6c, and qGYP-6b, showed stable effects across multiple environments. Five of the nine QTL were co-located with previously reported QTL, and four novel loci, qTGW-7, qTGW-12, qGNP-6c, and qNP-7, were identified in the present study. Subsequently, qNP-7, qTGW-12, and qTGW-7 were validated using corresponding paired lines which differed only in the target region.
Conclusions
the RISL population is an effective tool for mapping and validating QTL of complex traits, for instance, yield-associated traits, and newly detected QTL provide new genetic resources for research of yield components and molecular breeding in rice.
Functional categorization of de novo transcriptome assembly of Vanilla planifolia Jacks. potentially points to a translational regulation during early stages of infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vanillae
Authors: Cruz Marco Tulio Solano-De la , Adame-García Jacel , Gregorio-Jorge Josefat , Jiménez-Jacinto Verónica , Vega-Alvarado Leticia , Iglesias-Andreu Lourdes Georgina , Escobar-Hernández Esteban Elías , Luna-Rodríguez Mauricio
Published: July 2019

Background
Upon exposure to unfavorable environmental conditions, plants need to respond quickly to maintain their homeostasis. For instance, physiological, biochemical and transcriptional changes occur during plant-pathogen interaction. In the case of Vanilla planifolia Jacks., a worldwide economically important crop, it is susceptible to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vanillae (Fov). This pathogen causes root and stem rot (RSR) in vanilla plants that lead to plant death. To investigate how vanilla plants, respond at the transcriptional level upon infection with Fov, here we employed the RNA-Seq approach to analyze the dynamics of whole-transcriptome changes during two-time frames of the infection.

Results
Analysis of global gene expression profiles upon infection by Fov indicated that the major transcriptional change occurred at 2 days post-inoculation (dpi), in comparison to 10 dpi. Briefly, the RNA-Seq analysis carried out in roots found that 3420 and 839 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected at 2 and 10 dpi, respectively, as compared to the control. In the case of DEGs at 2 dpi, 1563 genes were found to be up-regulated, whereas 1857 genes were down-regulated. Moreover, functional categorization of DEGs at 2 dpi indicated that up-regulated genes are mainly associated to translation, whereas down-regulated genes are involved in cell wall remodeling. Among the translational-related transcripts, ribosomal proteins (RPs) were found increased their expression exclusively at 2 dpi.

Conclusions
The screening of transcriptional changes of V. planifolia Jacks upon infection by Fov provides insights into the plant molecular response, particularly at early stages of infection. The accumulation of translational-related transcripts at early stages of infection potentially points to a transcriptional reprogramming coupled with a translational regulation in vanilla plants upon infection by Fov. Altogether, the results presented here highlight potential molecular players that might be further studied to improve Fov-induced resistance in vanilla plants.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Mechanism Underlying the Differential Intestinal Functionality of Laying Hens in the Late Phase and Peak Phase of Production
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Wang Jing , Zhang Haijun , Wu Shugeng , Qi Guanghai
Published: July 2019

Background
The compromised performance of laying hens in the late phase of production relative to the peak production was thought to be associated with the impairment of intestinal functionality, which plays essential roles in contributing to their overall health and production performance. In the present study, RNA sequencing was used to investigate differences in the expression profile of intestinal functionality-related genes and associated pathways between layers in the late phase and peak phase of production.

Results
A total of 104 upregulated genes with 190 downregulated genes were identified in the ileum of layers in the late phase of production compared to those at peak production. These upregulated genes were found to be enriched in little KEGG pathway, however, the downregulated genes were enriched in the pathways of PPAR signaling pathway, oxidative phosphorylation and glutathione metabolism. Besides, these downregulated genes were mapped to several GO clusters in relation to lipid metabolism, electron transport of respiratory chain, and oxidation resistance. Similarly, there were lower activities of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase and Na+/K+-ATPase, and reductions of total antioxidant capacity and ATP level, along with an elevation in malondialdehyde content in the ileum of layers in the late phase of production as compared with those at peak production.

Conclusions
The intestine of layers in the late phase of production were predominantly characterized by a disorder of lipid metabolism, concurrent with impairments of energy production and antioxidant property. This study uncovers the mechanism underlying differences between the intestinal functionality of layers in the late phase and peak phase of production, thereby providing potential targets for the genetic control or dietary modulation of intestinal hypofunction of layers in the late phase of production.
A phenomics-based approach for the detection and interpretation of shared genetic influences on 29 biochemical indices in Chinese south men
Authors: hu yanling , tan aihua , yu lei , hou chenyang , kuang haofa , wu qunying , sun Jinghan , zhou Qingniao , zhu yuanyuan , Zhang Chenqi , wei wei , li Lianfeng , li weidong , huang yuanjie , huang hongli , xie xing , lu tingxi , zhang haiying , yang xiaobo , gao yong , li tianyu , Jiang yonghua , mo zengnan
Published: July 2019

Background: Phenomics provides a new technologies and platforms as a systematic phenome-genome approach. However, few studies have reported on the system mining of shared genetics among clinical biochemical indices based on phenomics methods, especially in China. This study aimed to apply phenomics to systematically explore shared genetics among 29 biochemical indices based on the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey cohort.
Result: A total of 1,999 subjects with 29 biochemical indices and 709,211 single nucleotide polymorphism were subjected to phenomics analysis. Three bioinformatics methods, namely, Pearson test, Jaccard index, and linkage disequilibrium score regression, were used. Results showed that 29 biochemical indices were from a network. IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM, HCY, AFP and B12 were in the central community of 29 biochemical indices. Key genes and loci associated with metabolism traits were further identified, shared-genetics analysis showed that 29 SNPs (P < 10-4) were associated with three or more traits. After integrating the SNPs related to two or more traits with the GWAS catalog, 31 SNPs were found to be associated with several diseases (P < 10-8). Taking ALDH2 as an example to preliminarily explore its biological function, we also confirmed that rs671 (ALDH2) polymorphism affected mutiple traits of osteogenesis and adipogenesis differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.
Conculsion: All these findings indicated a network of shared genetics and 29 biochemical indices, which will helpfully understand the genetics participated in biochemical metabolism.
Effects of a vocational rehabilitation programme on return to work among sick-listed primary health care patients A population-based matched, case-control study
Authors: von Celsing Anna-Sophia , Kristiansson Per , Svärdsudd Kurt , Wallman Thorne
Published: July 2019

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of a multidisciplinary vocational programme in sick-listed, primary health care patients as compared to matched non-programme patients.
Methods: The design was a 3-year prospective population-based, matched case-control study. It was set in a large primary healthcare centre in the city of Eskilstuna, Sweden. The subjects were 943 sickness-certified patients (482 women and 461 men). Intervention: 170 high-risk patients and a matched control group (n = 340) with similar risk for not returning to work within expected time, based on propensity score was created. The intervention group passed a multidisciplinary medical assessment and a coordinated vocational programme, while the control group received usual care by their general practitioner. Main outcome measures: Sick leave conclusion and the day when it occurred.
Results: The follow-up time was subdivided into four periods. During the first two periods, days 1–14 and days 15–112 after baseline, the intervention group had a significantly lower sick leave conclusion rate than the control group (hazard ratios, (HR) 0.32, 95% CI 0.20–0.51, p < 0.0001 and 0.47, 95% CI 0.35–0.64). During the third period, days 113–365, the intervention group had an insignificantly lower conclusion rate (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.46–1.08, p = 0.10), and during the fourth follow-up period, days 366–1096, the intervention group had an insignificantly higher conclusion rate than the control group (HR 1.16, 95% CI 0.69–1.96, p = 0.58). Across the total follow-up period, the intervention group had a lower conclusion rate than the control group (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.45–0.66, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: No positive significant effects of the rehabilitation programme on time to sick leave conclusion were found.
A LIFE-HISTORY PERSPECTIVE ON SEXUAL SELECTION IN A POLYGAMOUS SPECIES
Authors: Ke Gao , Wijk Michiel van , Clement Zoe , Egas Martijn , Groot Astrid
Published: July 2019

Background

Ever since Darwin, evolutionary biologists have studied sexual selection driving differences in appearance and behaviour between males and females. An unchallenged paradigm in such studies is that one sex (usually the male) signals its quality as a mate to the other sex (usually the female), who is choosy in accepting a partner. Here, we argue that in polygamous species these roles may change dynamically with the mating status of males and females, depending on direct reproductive costs and benefits of multiple matings, and on sperm competition. We test this hypothesis using a polygamous moth species, as in moths not males but females are the signalers and males are the responders.

Results

We found that multiple matings are beneficial as well as costly for both sexes. Specifically, the number of matings did not affect the longevity of males or females, but when paired with a new virgin mate every night for five nights, only 67% of the males and 14% of the females mated successfully in all five nights. The female’s reproductive output increased with multiple matings, although when paired with a new virgin male every night, additional matings beyond 3 decreased her reproductive output, so that the Bateman gradient for females fit a quadratic model better than a linear model. The male’s reproductive success was positively affected by the number of matings and a linear regression line best fit the data. Simulations of the effect of sperm competition showed that increasing last-male paternity increases the steepness of the male Bateman gradient and thus the male’s relative fitness gain from additional mating. Irrespective of last-male paternity value, the female Bateman gradient is steeper than the male one for up to three matings.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that choosiness in moths may well change throughout the mating season, with males being more choosy early in the season and females being more choosy after having mated at least three times. This life-history perspective on the costs and benefits of multiple matings for both sexes sheds new light on sexual selection forces acting on sexual signals and responses.
The Relationship between Dietary Patterns and Depression is mediated by Serum Level of Folate and Vitamin B12: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Khosravi Maryam , Sotoudeh Gity , Amini Maryam , Raisi Firoozeh , Mansoori Anahita , Hosseinzadeh Mahdieh
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Major depressive disorder is among main worldwide causes of disability. The low medication compliance rates in depressed patients as well as the high recurrence rate of the disease can bring up the nutrition-related factors as a potential preventive or treatment agent for depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression via the intermediary role of the serum folate and vitamin B12, total homocysteine, tryptophan, and tryptophan/competing amino acids ratio.

Methods

This was an individually matched case-control study in which 110 patients with depression and 220 healthy individuals, who completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were recruited. In addition, to measure the serum biomarkers 43 patients with depression and 43 healthy people were randomly selected from the study population. To diagnose depression the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, were utilized.

Results

The findings suggest that the healthy dietary pattern was significantly associated with a reduced odds of depression (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61-0.93) whereas the unhealthy dietary pattern increased it (OR: 1.382, CI: 1.116–1.71). The mediation analysis showed that the healthy dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of depression via increased serum levels of the folate and vitamin B12; however, the unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with increased risk of depression via decreased serum levels of folate and vitamin B12, based on tree adjusted logistic regression models.

Conclusion

Dietary patterns may be associated with depression by changing the serum levels of folate and vitamin B12. Further studies are required to confirm the mechanism.
Diagnostic accuracy of QuickVue® Dipstick Strep A test and its effect on antibiotic prescribing in children in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Shabestari Seyed Ali Safizadeh , Malik Zainab A. , Al-Najjar Fadil Y A
Published: July 2019

Background: Unnecessary antibiotic prescription to children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) has led to the increase in antibiotics resistant bacteria rates. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of QuickVue® Dipstick Strep A test (QV-SAT) in children presenting with acute pharyngotonsillitis and its effect on antibiotic prescribing.

Methods: A single-gated diagnostic accuracy study of children with acute catarrh, fever, and inflamed tonsils presenting to a pediatric clinic between March 2016 and September 2018. Paired throat swabs for QV-SAT and culture were collected. None of the children received antibiotics prior to sample collection. Diagnostic accuracy of the QV-SAT was achieved by estimating the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Furthermore, the positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratios of the test were calculated.

Results: 204 children were included in this study. 111 (54.4%) were boys and 146 (71.6%) were under the age of five years. QV-SAT was positive in 44 (21.6%) and throat culture was positive for Group A β- haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) in 42 (20.6%) of the children. The results of QV-SAT were highly consistent with culture results: only 2 (0.9%) children with negative results had a positive throat culture. The sensitivity of the QV-SAT in the identification of GAS infection was 100% (95% CI 91.6%, 100%) and the NPV was 100% (95% CI 70%, 95%). Only 42 children (21%) were given antibiotics, while 162 (79%) were not.

Conclusion: The QV-SAT is a quick and reliable test which can help dramatically reduce antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with fever and acute pharyngotonsillitis.
Breaking it Down: Mechanical Processes in the Weathering Engine
Authors: Anderson Suzanne P.
Published: July 2019

The vast diversity of landscapes found on Earth results from interplay between processes that break rock down, produce mobile regolith, and transport materials away. Mechanical weathering is fundamental to shaping landscapes, yet it is perhaps less understood at a mechanistic level than chemical weathering. Ubiquitous microfractures in rock propagate and grow through a slow process known as subcritical cracking that operates at the low applied stresses common in the near-surface. Subcritical cracking is the most likely explanation for the mechanical processes associated with thermal stress, ice lens growth, mineral alteration, and root growth. The long timescales over which critical zone architectures develop require an understanding of slow processes, such as subcritical cracking.
Palaeoweathering: How Do Weathering Rates Vary with Climate?
Authors: Frings Patrick J.
Published: July 2019

A feedback between Earth surface weathering and climate is thought to be fundamental in maintaining Earth's habitability over long times-cales, but investigating this control in the modern world is difficult. The geologic record of cycles between glacial and interglacial conditions of the last 2.6 million years allows us to study weathering feedback in action. A suite of mineral, element and isotope proxies have been applied to address how weathering rates have varied over glacial cycles. Despite evidence for substantial local changes, the emerging answer at a global scale seems to be, “not very much”.
Reflexões sobre Adolescências e juventudes segundo relatos de estudantes
Authors: Maciel Milena , Cruz Fatima Maria Leite , Monteiro Carlos , Carvalho Carolina
Published: July 2019

Discutimos neste artigo o que os adolescentes constroem sobre temas do cotidiano e relacionamos ao desenvolvimento sócio afetivo na adolescência e na juventude. Participaram do estudo 24 estudantes do ensino fundamental em escolas públicas da Paraíba, Brasil. No método, a realização de dois grupos focais tratados pela análise temática de conteúdo que permitiu a formação dos núcleos de sentido: O lazer como necessidade; A convivência de pares e a socialização; A transgressão como defesa e sobrevivência; As tecnologias digitais como controle social; Discriminação, preconceitos e exclusão social com ênfase na Sexualidade e na questão de gênero. Os resultados apontaram relações assimétricas de poder e a ausência de relações interpessoais mais igualitárias e afetivas dos estudantes com seus professores. Tais resultados implicam na necessidade de ampliação de mecanismos democráticos na escola; expressam que os estudantes adolescentes se sentem negligenciados em suas necessidades, como o lazer e a provocação à curiosidade intelectual; que a sexualidade ainda provoca estranhamentos; e que as desigualdades raciais e de gênero são temas contestados que precisam compor o debate intramuros na escola.
A proposal to improve narrative texts at the University using Genre Theory
Authors: Martínez Lirola María
Published: July 2019

Academic writing is an essential skill that language students need to develop at tertiary education. This article intends to be a contribution to teaching academic writing having Genre Theory as a framework so that students are able to use different texts depending on their communicative end. Students were asked to write a narrative at the end of the semester. This article shows the main difficulties students have to write this text type in a language subject at tertiary education and the main aspects they do well following the characteristics of the genre. The analysis shows that students have difficulties with the use of transitions, verb tenses and lexical cohesion. We intend to highlight that making explicit the formal and structural characteristics of the genres contributes to facilitate that students are able to see a clear connection between the characteristics of a particular text type, in this case narrative, and its function in context.
ESTUDO DO PROCESSO DE FABRICAÃ‡ÃƒO DE BISCOITO DE POLVILHO
Authors: Fonseca Fernanda Isabela , Ferreira Mariana FÃ©lix , Couto Renan Evangelista
Published: July 2019

O presente artigo trata de um estudo de caso realizado em uma fÃ¡brica de biscoitos, localizada na cidade de Lajinha (MG). O objetivo foi estudar o processo de fabricaÃ§Ã£o de um de seus produtos, o biscoito de polvilho. AtravÃ©s da observaÃ§Ã£o direta e entrevistas, foi verificado que a fabricaÃ§Ã£o do biscoito de polvilho, a partir da seleÃ§Ã£o da matÃ©ria-prima, percorre as Ã¡reas funcionais da cozinha, corte, forno, descanso, empacotamento e estoque. TambÃ©m foram estudados alguns tempos de produÃ§Ã£o, arranjo fÃ­sico das Ã¡reas funcionais e funcionamento de mÃ¡quinas e equipamentos, assuntos relacionados ao projeto dos mÃ©todos de trabalho.
Knowledge and perception of the role of water, sanitation and hygiene in containment of Ebola virus disease among secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Edoror Faith I. , Oloruntoba Elizabeth O. , Akinsete Shade J.
Published: July 2019

This study assessed the knowledge and perception of the role of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the containment of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 420 students from eight schools (public and private) in Ibadan was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Overall, 60% reported EVD was airborne. A majority (71%) of the respondents had good knowledge of EVD, while a majority (92%) had a good perception of the role of WASH in EVD containment. Class of respondents was significantly (p = 0.045) associated with knowledge of WASH. Although schools had satisfactory sanitary facilities, only a few (21%) sustained good hygiene practices at the end of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Our findings revealed suboptimal knowledge on transmission of EVD, and unsustainable hygiene practices among secondary students post-Nigeria's EVD outbreak. High priority should be given to hygiene education among educators and students. Implementation of monitoring and evaluation of hygiene behaviour among secondary school students should also be a priority.
Effects of 2,2-dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm), an emerging disinfection by-product in drinking water, on the intestinal microbiota of adult zebrafish
Authors: Xue Bin , Li Chenyu , Wang Shang , Zhao Chen , Dai Kun , Li Wenhong , Xi Zhuge , Wang Jingfeng , Qiu Zhigang , Shen Zhiqiang
Published: July 2019

The presence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) increases the mutagenicity of water and may pose adverse health effects. Gut microbiota exerts a fundamental role on host physiology, and how extrinsic perturbations influence its composition has been increasingly examined. However, the effect of DBPs on gut microbiota is still poorly understood. In the present study, adult zebrafish were exposed to different concentrations of dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm, an emerging nitrogenous DBP) for 30 days. Sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons revealed a significant change in the richness and diversity of microbiota in the gut of DCAcAm-exposed zebrafish. At the phylum level, the abundance of Proteobacteria decreased and the abundance of Fusobacteria and Firmicutes increased significantly in the gut after exposure to 100 and 500 μg/L DCAcAm. At the genus level, the abundances of several bacteria which are considered pathogens or opportunistic pathogens in fish and closely related to fish metabolism, disease and inflammation (Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacteroides and Ralstonia) increased in the DCAcAm-treated groups. Our results reveal that DBPs in drinking water potentially affect gut microbiota composition, which may contribute to the toxicity assessment of DBPs in future and provide new insight into the complex interactions between the DBPs in drinking water and host health.
Constructing a fabula of resilience: a lived experience approach
Authors: Ching Leong , Yishu Zhou , Rajoo Nisha Francine , Tan Sarah Ruiqi
Published: July 2019

Recent research in the studies of socio-ecology has raised an intriguing side effect associated with coping strategies and perceptions of environmental risk – where a perceived ability to cope with the effects of climate change and ecological degradation leads to an over-estimation of self-reliance and resilience. Known as the ‘paradox of resilience’, little has been understood about how or when such over-estimations occur. This paper sheds light on such phenomena by constructing a fabula (or narrative structure) of the paradox by investigating the case of extreme water shortage and the coping strategies of residents in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Despite the long delay in providing public access to water, and the high cost this imposes on the public, members of the public have grown accustomed to the unreliable water supply, and willingly accept the high and coping costs of finding alternative sources of water. Using the lived experiences method, the paper reveals a link between self-perceptions of resilience, the incremental nature of the problem, a perceived ability to pay coping costs, and a lack of confidence in government capacity.
Detection of multiple leakage points in water distribution networks based on convolutional neural networks
Authors: Fang QianSheng , Zhang JiXin , Xie ChenLei , Yang YaLong
Published: July 2019

Currently, a total of 3.6 billion people live in water-deficient areas, and the population living in water-deficient areas may reach from 4.8 to 5.7 billion by 2050. Despite that, the water distribution system (WDS) loses an average of 35% of its water resources, and the leakage rates may reach even higher values in some regions. The dual pressures of the lack of water resources and severe WDS leakage become even more problematic considering that commonly used leakage detection methods are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and can only detect single-point leakages. For multiple leakage point detection, these methods often perform poorly. To solve the problem of multiple leakage point detection, this paper presents a method for multiple leakage point detection based on a convolutional neural network (CNN). A CNN can forecast the leakages from a macro-perspective. It extracts the features of the collected historical leakage data by constructing a CNN model and predicts whether the real-time data are leakage data or not based on the learning of the features that are extracted from the historical data. The experimental results show that the detection accuracies based on 21 sensors of one, two, and three leakage points are 99.63%, 98.58% and 95.25%, respectively. After the number of sensors is reduced to eight, the leakage detection accuracies of one, two, and three leakage points are 96.43%, 94.88% and 91.56%, respectively.
Effect of inorganic salts on inactivation of Escherichia coli and removal of fulvic acid by ozone in a rotating packed bed
Authors: Liu Han , Liu Taoran , Wang Dan , Wang Wei , Liang Qi , Arowo Moses , Shao Lei
Published: July 2019

This study investigated the effect of different inorganic salts on the treatment of simulated secondary effluent (SE) by ozone (O3) in a rotating packed bed (RPB) – (O3-RPB process), with Escherichia coli (E. coli) and UV254 of fulvic acid as the indicators. The inactivation efficiency of E. coli and removal percentage of UV254 were studied under different rotation speeds of the RPB and varying concentrations of inorganic salts such as NaHCO3, Na2SO4 and CaCl2. Results indicate that both the inactivation efficiency of E. coli and removal percentage of UV254 increased with an increasing rotation speed of the RPB but decreased with an increase in concentrations of the inorganic salts. Analyses on the mechanism of the treatment process reveal that the inorganic salts consume O3 and ·OH to generate products with lower oxidation ability, and thus result in a poor treatment effect on the effluent. This work provides fundamentals for the O3-RPB process in the treatment of SE from urban wastewater treatment plants.
Removal of phosphate by Donnan dialysis coupled with adsorption onto calcium alginate beads
Authors: Trifi Ikhlass Marzouk , Trifi Beyram , Ben Ayed Sirine , Hamrouni Béchir
Published: July 2019

In this study the removal of phosphates from solution by Donnan dialysis and by adsorption onto calcium alginate beads were studied separately and then together. This hybrid process was conducted in order to benefit from each process, and it is an original and new combination. First, the Donnan dialysis process was performed with different parameters: the type of counter-ion, the concentration of the counter-ion, the initial phosphate concentration, the pH of the solution and the choice of anion-exchange membranes. Donnan dialysis achieved 68% and 12.5% phosphorus removal with AMX and AFN membranes respectively. Then a preliminary study into the adsorption of phosphate onto calcium alginate beads was carried out. A full factor design was applied in order to determine the effect of the main parameters and their mutual interactions for the adsorption process. The removal of phosphate onto calcium alginate beads reached 82.5%. Finally, coupling Donnan dialysis with adsorption onto calcium alginate beads for the removal of phosphate reached 89.5% with the AMX membrane. This hybrid process can be considered to be a solution for improving the contact time and for enhancing the removal of phosphate by 10% compared to adsorption onto calcium alginate.
Federalismo Brasileiro e Desenvolvimento Regional: As Agendas Governamentais Brasileiras
Authors: Colombo Luciléia Aparecida , Gileno Carlos Henrique
Published: July 2019

O objetivo geral deste artigo é apresentar como as diferentes agendasgovernamentais absorveram a temática do desenvolvimento regional,a partir de uma análise temporal. Em primeiro lugar, este artigo analisaaspectos das transformações históricas das políticas regionais quetiveram o seu início com a fundação da SUDENE na região Nordeste.Posteriormente, assinalaremos como o período dos governos militaresalterou as tratativas governamentais no tocante às questões regionais.E, finalmente, buscamos apontar como a Constituição de 1988, emborarecebida com muita euforia, relegou ao segundo plano as prerrogativasde uma política regional capaz de transcender as históricas desigualdadesfederativas existentes no país. Na redemocratização, a descentralizaçãofoi igualmente responsável pelo não estabelecimento exatodas competências e dos encargos dos entes subnacionais. Nesse cenário,podemos dizer que o ponto crucial na análise do federalismo brasileiroé a desigualdade regional observada principalmente no Nordeste,região que apresenta os mais altos índices de desigualdade econômicae social.Palavras-chave: Desigualdades regionais. Federalismo. Desenvolvimentoregional.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: CHANGING A MARGINAL COMMUNITY INTO A SUSTAINABLE HOME INDUSTRY SUPPLYING TRADITIONAL SNACKS TO A STAR HOTEL
Authors: - Purwanto , Suhardjanto Djoko , - Warto , - Supriyadi
Published: July 2019

Corporate Social Responsibility plays more and more crucial roles in the development of hotel business since many hotels were built the area where marginal people live and have conflict potentials between the hotel management and the marginal communities. This study aims to find a model of changing a marginal community around Pose In Hotel into a sustainable home industry supplying snacks to the hotel through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Surakarta City, Central Java Province. This research uses qualitative methods. This study found that (1) methods of local needs based training was conducted effectively and appropriately to empower the marginal community living around Pose In Hotel. The methods gave trainees the opportunity to experience making, packaging and displaying traditional snacks; (2)Â  the outcome is in the form of sustainability livelihood which creates new sustainable jobs for the community as a supplier of traditional snacks; and (3) the implementation of CSR creates harmonious relation between the management of Pose In Hotel and the community.
DRAWING UP FRAUD PRACTICES AT XYZ STATE UNIVERSITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF EXPENDITURE TREASURER ASSISTANT
Authors: Rakhmatullah Hans Wakhida , Irianto Gugus , Achsin M.
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study is to disclose fraud practices in State University XYZ based on the authorâ€™s experience in working as expenditure treasurer assistant. This qualitative interpretive study uses autobiographical approach. The result shows that fraud practices occur in work units in State University XYZ. The causes are (a) poor internal control in the university, (b) negligence and collusion committed by certain parties, (c) performance pressure that make employees do anything it takes to improve their performance, and (d) pressure from superiors to finish tasks regardless using inappropriate ways. Accountability report of public sector units does not care about appropriateness but document completeness and validity. The report can pass auditorâ€™s surveillance if it is complete and valid.Keywords: fraud, autobiography, accountability report
Using Traditional Ecological Knowledge to Adapt to Climate Change in Interior Sarawak
Authors: Hosen Nadzirah , Nakamura Hitoshi , Hamzah Amran
Published: July 2019

Indigenous people often rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. This reliance increases their vulnerability towards the impacts of climate change, and coping with increased climate variability is a significant challenge for such communities. This research, conducted among the Sa’ban tribe of Long Banga in interior Sarawak, Malaysia, explored observations of local climate change, climate change impacts and tribal adaptation strategies. The results show that drought, wildfires and uncertain weather conditions are the Sa’ban’s primary concerns. However, the tribe have demonstrated their adaptation strategies through the use of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).Keywords: indigenous people, traditional ecological knowledge, adaptive capacity, climate change adaptationeISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1716
The physical factors comparison on running-bicycle route in Chiangmai.
Authors: Pannara Tanaporn , Raksawin Karuna
Published: July 2019

This research focus on the recreation route around Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre – 700th anniversary Chiangmai Stadium - Huay Tung Tao Lake. The main question is how to develop this route to support people's activities. The results from 400 users show that the users use the trail for other purposes beyond the primary intention, exercising such as recreation, transportation, travel. It can reveal that the need for two different types of users will make the future development of the route concerns more about multi-dimension along with exercise.Keywords: bicycle route; running route; 700th Chiangmai Anniversary Stadium; route environmental factoreISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1718
The Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Health Promoting Behaviour among Older Adults with Chronic Illness
Authors: Mohamad Norfidah , Mulud Zamzaliza Abdul , Ibrahim Maznah , Damanhuri Nur Farzana
Published: July 2019

Self-efficacy plays an essential role in increasing health-promoting behaviour among older adults with chronic illness. Chronic illness requires high self-efficacy to manage the disease appropriately. Hence, the purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviour among older adults with chronic illness. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to 218 older adults. The results from this study found a relationship between self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviour exists at rho 0.28 and p-value 0.001. This study revealed that self-efficacy strongly relates to health-promoting behaviour among older adults.eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
Service Culture of the Workforce in the Medical Tourism Industry: is Malaysia on Par With Thailand?
Authors: Rosnan Herwina , Yusof Norzayana , Shamsuddin Sofian
Published: July 2019

Despite the progressive revenue trend, service providers in Malaysia's medical tourism have been receiving numerous complaints. Hence, this article sets to illustrate the behaviour of the service providers by describing whether they met the expectations of medical tourists. This study conducted twelve in-depth interviews with private hospitals, doctors and healthcare facilitators. Through Atlas.ti version 8, this study unveils that Malaysia lacks behind Thailand in providing patient-centric hospital services. Due to the 'doctor shopping' behaviour and word-of-mouth between patients, the present situation may hamper the growth of this industry as patients could easily opt for alternative options for their treatments.Keywords: Medical Tourism; Private Healthcare; Service Culture; Service Providers’ BehavioureISSN: 2398-4287© 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1730
Health Education with Slide Media and Effective Videos Increase Knowledge about Breast Care
Authors: Wahyuningsih Wahyuningsih , Rizky Fikri
Published: July 2019

The high incidence of breast cancer is due to the lack of awareness of women to immediately check themselves in case of abnormalities in the breast. Therefore the need for knowledge about the early prevention of breast cancer by providing health education with various media such as slides and video. The purpose of this research was to know the effectiveness of health education with slide and video media to the level of knowledge about breast care on the students of class VII and VIII. This study was a pre-experimental study with three group pre-test and post-test design. The population in this research was the students of class VII and VIII SMP 2 Kasihan which amounted to 147 people. Sampling technique in this research used total sampling. The results obtained p value 0.000 with slide media, p value 0.002 with video media, and p value 0.000 with slide and video media which means that values are smaller than the error level is 0.05 so Ha was accepted and H0 rejected. Health education with slide and video media effectively improve students' knowledge. Health education with the most effective slide media increased the knowledge of VII and VIII SMP Negeri 2 Poor students compared to video media and slide and video media.
The Analysis of Adolescents Knowledge of Condom and Free Sex Behavior
Authors: Juwita Selvia , Muflihatin Indah
Published: July 2019

 

Teenagers are a group of young people in the transition from children to adulthood. At this particular period adolescents have experienced rapid physical and psychological development in which physically they are considered to be adults but psychologically immature. In terms of biological development, most teenagers are mature, but socially, mentally and emotionally still cannot be considered to be matured. Thus, such condition might trigger a variety of adolescent problems such as drug abuse, pre-marriage sex which will likely result in unexpected pregnancies and even illegal abortion. This study aims to identify and analyze adolescent knowledge of condoms and the incidence of free sex behavior. The research used cross sectional method with a sample of 70 people taken in total sampling. Data were analyzed with fisher exact. The results showed a significant correlation between knowledge and kissing and petting behavior with p value 0.02 <0.05. Yet, No relationship showed up between knowledge and necking behavior (p value of 0.13) and sexual intercourse (0.43) Based on the study results, schools are expected to cooperate with local health centers to provide counseling on adolescent reproductive health, especially on free sex behavior