bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the probability of forest snow disturbances in Finland
Authors: Suvanto Susanne , Lehtonen Aleksi , Nevalainen Seppo , Lehtonen Ilari , Viiri Heli , Strandström Mikael , Peltoniemi Mikko
Published: July 2021

The changing forest disturbance regimes emphasize the need for improved damage risk information. Here, our aim was to (1) improve the current understanding of snow damage risks by assessing the importance of abiotic factors, particularly the modelled snow load on trees, versus forest properties in predicting the probability of snow damage, (2) produce a snow damage probability map for Finland. We also compared the results for winters with typical snow load conditions and a winter with exceptionally heavy snow loads. To do this, we used damage observations from the Finnish national forest inventory (NFI) to create a statistical snow damage occurrence model, spatial data layers from different sources to use the model to predict the damage probability for the whole country in 16 x 16 m resolution. Snow damage reports from forest owners were used for testing the final map. Our results showed that best results were obtained when both abiotic and forest variables were included in the model. However, in the case of the high snow load winter, the model with only abiotic predictors performed nearly as well as the full model and the ability of the models to identify the snow damaged stands was higher than in other years. The results showed patterns of forest adaptation to high snow loads, as spruce stands in the north were less susceptible to damage than in southern areas and long-term snow load reduced the damage probability. The model and the derived wall-to-wall map were able to discriminate damage from no-damage cases on a good level (AUC > 0.7). The damage probability mapping approach identifies the drivers of snow disturbances across forest landscapes and can be used to spatially estimate the current and future disturbance probabilities in forests, informing practical forestry and decision-making and supporting the adaptation to the changing disturbance regimes.
Analog hardware trojan design and detection in OFDM based wireless cryptographic ICs
Authors: Ali Liakot , Farshad
Published: July 2021

Due to Hardware Trojan (HT), trustworthiness of Integrated Circuit (IC) supply chain is a burning issue in Semiconductor Industry nowadays. Over the last decade, extensive research has been carried on HT detection methods for digital circuits. However, the HT issue remains largely unexplored in the domain of Analog Mixed Signal (AMS)/ RF circuit where it is now an appealing target for the attackers. The increasing popularity of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) based wireless cryptographic ICs in modern communication systems makes it a lucrative target for HT-based attacks which could have a devastating impact on data security. This paper presents a trigger-based Hardware Trojan Threat model that exploits the extended cyclic prefix (ECP) property of the OFDM communication scheme to leak the secret encryption key over low noise Additive White Gaussian Channel (AWGN) and developed a Cyclic Prefix (CP) checker based detection mechanism named “SENTRY” to detect such trojans once it is triggered.
Health worries, life satisfaction, and social well-being concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Lebanon
Authors: Bou-Hamad Imad , Hoteit Reem , Harajli Dunia
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 outbreak has struck Lebanon in its worst period of instability, not only impacting physical health, but also increasing psychological distress. Using an online survey enhanced by response time measurement, this study describes the overall patterns in mental well-being outcomes and examines their association with sociodemographic characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it identifies significant predictors for COVID-19 good practices. A total of 988 Lebanese were surveyed, with participants providing written online consent prior to filling the survey. Regression-based models were estimated. Findings show that individuals with higher education levels exhibit lower health concerns. People with children face higher health worries than those without. Men are more worried than women about their health and they are less satisfied with their lives during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics show that most Lebanese are very satisfied with their families (93.1%), but they are highly dissatisfied with their country (63%). Young adults and individuals who live alone exhibit significantly higher social well-being concerns. Age and having children were strong predictors for good COVID-19 practices. The odds of having good practices for older adults are 3.13 times higher than that of youth, while the odds for those with children are 3.18 times higher than those without. The findings of this study could pave the way for a well-coordinated national strategy and increased collaboration with public health professionals to mitigate the pandemic’s adverse effects on mental health in the long-term.
The psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis is higher among young Swiss men with a lower socioeconomic status: Evidence from a cohort study
Authors: Marmet Simon , Wicki Matthias , Gmel Gerhard , Gachoud Céline , Daeppen Jean-Bernard , Bertholet Nicolas , Studer Joseph
Published: July 2021

Aims

The present study aimed to investigate whether the psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis varied with regards to young Swiss men’s pre-crisis level of education and socioeconomic status and to changes in their work situation due to it.

Methods

A cohort of 2345 young Swiss men (from 21 out of 26 Swiss cantons; mean age = 29) completed survey-based assessments shortly before (April 2019 to February 2020) and early on during the COVID-19 crisis (May to June 2020). Outcomes measured were psychological outcomes before and during the COVID-19 crisis (depression, perceived stress and sleep quality), and the fear, isolation and psychological trauma induced by it. We investigated associations between these outcomes and their predictors: pre-crisis socioeconomic status (relative financial status, difficulty paying bills, level of education), changes in work situation during the crisis (job loss, partial unemployment, working from home, change in workload) and working in contact with potentially infected people, both inside and outside the healthcare sector. For outcomes measured before and during the crisis, the analyses were adjusted for their pre-crisis levels.

Results

About 21% of participants changed their employment status (job loss, partial unemployment or lost money if self-employed) and more than 40% worked predominantly from home during the COVID-19 crisis. Participants with a lower relative socioeconomic status already before the crisis experienced a higher psychological impact due to the COVID-19 crisis, compared to participants with an average socioeconomic status (major depression (b = 0.12 [0.03, 0.22]), perceived stress (b = 0.15 [0.05, 0.25]), psychological trauma (b = 0.15 [0.04, 0.26]), fear (b = 0.20 [0.10, 0.30]) and isolation (b = 0.19 [0.08, 0.29])). A higher impact was also felt by participants who lost their job due to the COVID-19 crisis, the partially unemployed, those with an increased workload or those who worked mainly from home (e.g. depression b = 0.25 [0.16, 0.34] for those working 90%+ at home, compared to those not working at home).

Conclusions

Even in a country like Switzerland, with relatively high social security benefits and universal healthcare, the COVID-19 crisis had a considerable psychological impact, especially among those with a lower socioeconomic status and those who experienced deteriorations in their work situation due to the COVID-19 crisis. Supporting these populations during the crisis may help to prevent an amplification of inequalities in mental health and social status. Such support could help to lower the overall impact of the crisis on the mental well-being of Switzerland’s population.
The influence of anger on empathy and theory of mind
Authors: Weiblen Ronja , Mairon Noam , Krach Sören , Buades-Rotger Macià , Nahum Mor , Kanske Philipp , Perry Anat , Krämer Ulrike M.
Published: July 2021

Social cognition allows humans to understand and predict other people’s behavior by inferring or sharing their emotions, intentions and beliefs. Few studies have investigated the impact of one’s own emotional state on understanding others. Here, we tested the effect of being in an angry state on empathy and theory of mind (ToM). In a between-groups design we manipulated anger status with different paradigms in three studies (autobiographical recall (N = 45), negative feedback (N = 49), frustration (N = 46)) and checked how this manipulation affected empathic accuracy and performance in the EmpaToM. All paradigms were successful in inducing mild anger. We did not find the expected effect of anger on empathy or ToM performance but observed small behavioral changes. Together, our results validate the use of three different anger induction paradigms and speak for rather weak behavioral effects of mild state anger on empathy and ToM.
Financial burdens of HIV and chronic disease on people living with HIV in Côte d’Ivoire: A cross-sectional out-of-pocket expenditure study
Authors: Stelmach Rachel D. , Rabkin Miriam , Abo Kouame , Ahoba Irma , Gildas Anago Mahena , Boccanera Rodrigo , Brou Hermann , Flueckiger Rebecca , Hartsough Kieran , Msukwa Martin , Zech Jennifer , Young Felicity , Nugent Rachel
Published: July 2021

Background

Although people living with HIV in Côte d’Ivoire receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) at no cost, other out-of-pocket (OOP) spending related to health can still create a barrier to care.

Methods

A convenience sample of 400 adults living with HIV for at least 1 year in Côte d’Ivoire completed a survey on their health spending for HIV and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In addition to descriptive statistics, we performed simple linear regression analyses with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals.

Findings

365 participants (91%) reported OOP spending for HIV care, with a median of $16/year (IQR 5–48). 34% of participants reported direct costs with a median of $2/year (IQR 1–41). No participants reported user fees for HIV services. 87% of participants reported indirect costs, with a median of $17/year (IQR 7–41). 102 participants (26%) reported at least 1 NCD. Of these, 80 (78%) reported OOP spending for NCD care, with a median of $50/year (IQR 6–107). 76 participants (95%) with both HIV and NCDs reported direct costs, and 48% reported paying user fees for NCD services. Participants had missed a median of 2 HIV appointments in the past year (IQR 2–3). Higher OOP costs were not associated with the number of HIV appointments missed. 21% of participants reported spending over 10% of household income on HIV and/or NCD care.

Discussion and conclusions

Despite the availability of free ART, most participants reported OOP spending. OOP costs were much higher for participants with co-morbid NCDs.
Role of information in consumers’ preferences for eco-sustainable genetic improvements in plant breeding
Authors: Borrello Massimiliano , Cembalo Luigi , Vecchio Riccardo
Published: July 2021

Consumers’ preferences for products derived from genetic improvements and innovations in plant breeding are often conditioned by technophobia and negative public imaginaries. The current study addresses this issue by analyzing consumers’ monetary preferences for a win-win innovation (generating gains for both private actors and the community) in the viticulture sector, namely fungus resistant grapes (FRG). The use of these grapes reduces the quantity of chemical inputs applied to vineyards, simultaneously improving firms’ economic performance. This study aimed to assess whether consumers prefer wines originating from FRG varieties to conventional wines. In particular, through an experimental online survey involving 627 Italian regular wine drinkers, the study compares individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP) for conventional wines with the WTP for two FRG wines produced with two different techniques: horticultural hybridization and genome editing. The study also assesses the potential effect of polarized media coverage on preferences by testing, in a between-subjects experimental design, two diverging (positive/negative) information scenarios, and the core drivers of these preferences. The findings suggest that respondents express a premium price for horticultural FRG wines compared to conventional wines (+9.14%) and a strong discount for genome edited FRG wines (–21.13%). The results also reveal that negative information reduces consumers’ WTP for horticultural FRG wines, while positive information increases their WTP for genome edited FRG wines. Last, the study highlights that individuals concerned with food sustainability issues and knowledgeable about wine are more likely to accept both FRG typologies. Overall, the study confirms the crucial role of appropriate information for market acceptance of innovations based on plant genetics to foster the adoption of sustainable pest-reducing practices in wine production.
Australian bus drivers’ modifiable and contextual risk factors for chronic disease: A workplace study
Authors: Brodie Alison , Pavey Toby , Newton Cameron , Sendall Marguerite C.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Little is known about workplace health promotion for bus drivers. Bus drivers are at-risk of chronic disease because they are exposed to the risk factor combination of poor nutrition, low levels of physical activity, high levels of sedentary time and are often overweight or obese. The purpose of this paper is to situate the quantitative baseline data collected from bus drivers within qualitative findings about the socio-cultural context of the workplace.

Materials and methods

Baseline data about physical activity, dietary intake and sedentary hours was collected from 58 drivers employed by a large bus company in southeast Queensland. Ten drivers and seven key workplace informants participated in interviews and discussion groups about driver health behaviours, workplace structure, culture, and resources.

Results

The quantitative results of our study reveal bus drivers have a cluster of poor health behaviours—limited physical activity, lower than recommended consumption of fruit and vegetables and high levels of sitting time during working-hours—which contribute to a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and a heightened risk of chronic disease. The qualitative findings suggest there are individual and structural barriers to improving drivers’ modifiable health behaviours. Individual barriers include ingrained poor habits and more pressing life concerns, while structural barriers in the context of the workplace include time constraints, shift work, long days, a lack of work amenities and a general disconnect of drivers with their workplace.

Conclusion

In this workplace, health promotion strategies for bus drivers should be prioritised as a means of improving drivers’ health. To maximise uptake and effectiveness, these strategies should make use of existing workplace resources and consider the context of workplace health behaviour change. Further research is warranted in a broader sample of Australian bus companies to explore the context of workplace health behavior change so targeted strategies to improve bus drivers’ health can be developed.
Utilizing machine learning with knockoff filtering to extract significant metabolites in Crohn’s disease with a publicly available untargeted metabolomics dataset
Authors: Bin Masud Shoaib , Jenkins Conor , Hussey Erika , Elkin-Frankston Seth , Mach Phillip , Dhummakupt Elizabeth , Aeron Shuchin
Published: July 2021

Metabolomic data processing pipelines have been improving in recent years, allowing for greater feature extraction and identification. Lately, machine learning and robust statistical techniques to control false discoveries are being incorporated into metabolomic data analysis. In this paper, we introduce one such recently developed technique called aggregate knockoff filtering to untargeted metabolomic analysis. When applied to a publicly available dataset, aggregate knockoff filtering combined with typical p-value filtering improves the number of significantly changing metabolites by 25% when compared to conventional untargeted metabolomic data processing. By using this method, features that would normally not be extracted under standard processing would be brought to researchers’ attention for further analysis.
Predictors of plasma leakage among dengue patients in Thailand: A plasma-leak score analysis
Authors: Talukdar Sutopa , Thanachartwet Vipa , Desakorn Varunee , Chamnanchanunt Supat , Sahassananda Duangjai , Vangveeravong Mukda , Kalayanarooj Siripen , Wattanathum Anan
Published: July 2021

Delayed plasma leakage recognition could lead to improper fluid administration resulting in dengue shock syndrome, subsequently, multi-organ failure, and death. This prospective observational study was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand, between March 2018 and February 2020 to determine predictors of plasma leakage and develop a plasma leakage predictive score among dengue patients aged ≥15 years. Of 667 confirmed dengue patients, 318 (47.7%) developed plasma leakage, and 349 (52.3%) had no plasma leakage. Multivariate analysis showed three independent factors associated with plasma leakage, including body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.784; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.040–3.057; P = 0.035), platelet count <100,000/mm3 on fever days 3 to 4 (OR = 2.151; 95% CI = 1.269–3.647; P = 0.004), and aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase ≥100 U/l on fever days 3 to 4 (OR = 2.189; 95% CI = 1.231–3.891; P = 0.008). Because these three parameters had evidence of equality, each independent factor was weighted to give a score of 1 with a total plasma-leak score of 3. Higher scores were associated with increased plasma leakage occurrence, with ORs of 2.017 (95% CI = 1.052–3.869; P = 0.035) for score 1, 6.158 (95% CI = 2.914–13.015; P <0.001) for score 2, and 6.300 (95% CI = 2.419–16.407; P <0.001) for score 3. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves for predicting plasma leakage was good (0.677 [95% CI = 0.616–0.739]). Patients with a plasma-leak score ≥1 had high sensitivity (88.8%), and those with a plasma-leak score of 3 had high specificity (93.4%) for plasma leakage occurrence. This simple and easily accessible clinical score might help physicians provide early and timely appropriate clinical dengue management in endemic areas.
Food insecurity and mental health of women during COVID-19: Evidence from a developing country
Authors: Rahman Tabassum , Hasnain M. D. Golam , Islam Asad
Published: July 2021

Background

This study examines the association between food insecurity and mental health of women during the COVID-19 pandemic in a resource poor setting.

Materials and methods

Data were collected at two time-points (wave 1 and 2) from 2402 women, one per household, participating in a larger study during extended COVID-19 lockdown in the rural areas of the southwest region of Bangladesh. The primary outcome of the analyses is the association between food insecurity, measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and stress level, measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), for women during the lockdown. General awareness about COVID-19 and attitude towards prescribed preventive measures were also measured since COVID-19 health concerns could exacerbate food insecurity.

Results

An individual-level evaluation of the effect of wave 2 FIES score on PSS score showed that worsening of the food security status increasing the stress level of the participants (95% CI: 1.61; 2.13; p-value: <0.001). Additionally, a significant negative association was observed between the PSS score and change in food security status between the two waves (Coefficient: -1.15, 95% CI: -1.30; -0.99, p-value: <0.001), indicating that deterioration in food security status over the pandemic period increasing the stress level. At the village level, the results showed a similar pattern. General awareness around ways coronavirus spreads was high, yet there were misperceptions at a higher level. Maintaining hand hygiene, wearing face masks outside the home, and going outside only when necessary were widely practised. Fewer respondents could maintain a 1.5-metre distance from others in the outside and maintained cough and sneeze etiquette.

Conclusion

The results indicate a higher stress level, a potential contributor to poor mental health, as food insecurity deteriorated. Policy initiatives in ameliorating immediate food insecurity during crises, improving long-term wellbeing, and expanding the reach of mental health support are warranted.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of community pharmacists regarding COVID-19: A paper-based survey in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Huong Thi Thanh , Dinh Dai Xuan , Nguyen Van Minh
Published: July 2021

Objective

To survey the knowledge, attitude, and practices of Vietnamese pharmacists regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

This cross-sectional, paper-based study was conducted from June to August 2020. A validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84) was used to interview 1,023 pharmacists in nine provinces of Vietnam. Analysis of covariance was employed to identify factors associated with the knowledge of pharmacists. The best model was chosen by using the Bayesian Model Averaging method in R software version 4.0.4.

Results

The mean knowledge score was 12.02 ± 1.64 (range: 6–15), which indicated that 93.4% of pharmacists had good knowledge of COVID-19. There was no difference in the average score between males and females (p > 0.05). The multivariate linear regression model revealed that the knowledge was significantly associated with pharmacists’ age, education level, and residence (p < 0.001). About attitude and practices, pharmacists daily sought and updated information on the COVID-19 pandemic through mass media and the internet (social network and online newspapers). Nearly 48% of them conceded that they communicated with customers when at least one person did not wear a face mask at the time of the COVID-19 outbreak. At medicine outlets, many measures were applied to protect pharmacists and customers, such as equipping pharmacists with face masks and hand sanitizers (95.0%), using glass shields (83.0%), and maintaining at least one-meter distance between two people (85.2%).

Conclusion

The pharmacists’ knowledge of COVID-19 transmission, symptoms, and prevention was good. Many useful measures against the spread of this perilous virus were applied in medicine outlets. However, pharmacists should restrict forgetting to wear face masks in communication with medicine purchasers. The government and health agencies should have practical remedies to reduce the significant differences in the COVID-19 knowledge of pharmacists among provinces and education-level groups.
A network autoregressive model with GARCH effects and its applications
Authors: Huang Shih-Feng , Chiang Hsin-Han , Lin Yu-Jun
Published: July 2021

In this study, a network autoregressive model with GARCH effects, denoted by NAR-GARCH, is proposed to depict the return dynamics of stock market indices. A GARCH filter is employed to marginally remove the GARCH effects of each index, and the NAR model with the Granger causality test and Pearson’s correlation test with sharp price movements is used to capture the joint effects caused by other indices with the most updated market information. The NAR-GARCH model is designed to depict the joint effects of nonsynchronous multiple time series in an easy-to-implement and effective way. The returns of 20 global stock indices from 2006 to 2020 are employed for our empirical investigation. The numerical results reveal that the NAR-GARCH model has satisfactory performance in both fitting and prediction for the 20 stock indices, especially when a market index has strong upward or downward movements.
Reproducibility challenges in the search for antibacterial compounds from nature
Authors: Masota Nelson E. , Vogg Gerd , Ohlsen Knut , Holzgrabe Ulrike
Published: July 2021

Background

Reproducibility of reported antibacterial activities of plant extracts has long remained questionable. Although plant-related factors should be well considered in serious pharmacognostic research, they are often not addressed in many research papers. Here we highlight the challenges in reproducing antibacterial activities of plant extracts.

Methods

Plants with reported antibacterial activities of interest were obtained from a literature review. Antibacterial activities againstEscherichia coliandKlebsiella pneumoniaewere tested using extracts’ solutions in 10% DMSO and acetone. Compositions of working solutions from both solvents were established using LC-MS analysis. Moreover, the availability of details likely to affect reproducibility was evaluated in articles which reported antibacterial activities of studied plants.

Results

Inhibition of bacterial growth at MIC of 256–1024 μg/mL was observed in only 15.4% of identical plant species. These values were 4–16-fold higher than those reported earlier. Further, 18.2% of related plant species had MICs of 128–256 μg/mL. Besides, 29.2% and 95.8% of the extracts were soluble to sparingly soluble in 10% DMSO and acetone, respectively. Extracts’ solutions in both solvents showed similar qualitative compositions, with differing quantities of corresponding phytochemicals. Details regarding seasons and growth state at collection were missing in 65% and 95% of evaluated articles, respectively. Likewise, solvents used to dissolve the extracts were lacking in 30% of the articles, whereas 40% of them used unidentified bacterial isolates.

Conclusion

Reproducibility of previously reported activities from plants’ extracts is a multi-factorial aspect. Thus, collective approaches are necessary in addressing the highlighted challenges.
Evaluation of redevelopment priority of abandoned industrial and mining land based on heavy metal pollution
Authors: Gao Xing , Tian Junping , Huo Zheng , Wu Yanbin , Li Chenxi
Published: July 2021

Heavy metal contamination in soil is an important factor affecting the determination of safe redevelopment methods for industrial and mining land. In this paper, the soil environment of a typical mining city in northern China was taken as the research object, 148 surface soil samples were collected and the contents of heavy metals were measured. The health risk classification criteria for heavy metal contamination of soils and the method of priority assessment for redevelopment were used. The results showed that: the risk of potential utilization types of heavy metals in the abandoned industrial and mining land is different. When the utilization type is agricultural land, the soil environmental quality is good as a whole, and a small number of plots are polluted by cadmium (Cd)and mercury (Hg); When the land use type is construction land, the risk of heavy metal pollution comes from chromium (Cr); The priority of development in this study area is as follows: agricultural land > construction land > ecological land.
m6A RNA methylation facilitates pre-mRNA 3’-end formation and is essential for viability of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Holmes Michael J. , Padgett Leah R. , Bastos Matheus S. , Sullivan William J.
Published: July 2021

Toxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular parasite that can cause serious opportunistic disease in the immunocompromised or through congenital infection. To progress through its life cycle,Toxoplasmarelies on multiple layers of gene regulation that includes an array of transcription and epigenetic factors. Over the last decade, the modification of mRNA has emerged as another important layer of gene regulation called epitranscriptomics. Here, we report that epitranscriptomics machinery exists inToxoplasma, namely the methylation of adenosines (m6A) in mRNA transcripts. We identified novel components of the m6A methyltransferase complex and determined the distribution of m6A marks within the parasite transcriptome. m6A mapping revealed the modification to be preferentially located near the 3’-boundary of mRNAs. Knockdown of the m6A writer components METTL3 and WTAP resulted in diminished m6A marks and a complete arrest of parasite replication. Furthermore, we examined the two proteins inToxoplasmathat possess YTH domains, which bind m6A marks, and showed them to be integral members of the cleavage and polyadenylation machinery that catalyzes the 3’-end processing of pre-mRNAs. Loss of METTL3, WTAP, or YTH1 led to a defect in transcript 3’-end formation. Together, these findings establish that the m6A epitranscriptome is essential for parasite viability by contributing to the processing of mRNA 3’-ends.
First historical genome of a crop bacterial pathogen from herbarium specimen: Insights into citrus canker emergence
Authors: Campos Paola E. , Groot Crego Clara , Boyer Karine , Gaudeul Myriam , Baider Claudia , Richard Damien , Pruvost Olivier , Roumagnac Philippe , Szurek Boris , Becker Nathalie , Gagnevin Lionel , Rieux Adrien
Published: July 2021

Over the past decade, ancient genomics has been used in the study of various pathogens. In this context, herbarium specimens provide a precious source of dated and preserved DNA material, enabling a better understanding of plant disease emergences and pathogen evolutionary history. We report here the first historical genome of a crop bacterial pathogen, Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (Xci), obtained from an infected herbarium specimen dating back to 1937. Comparing the 1937 genome within a large set of modern genomes, we reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships and estimated evolutionary parameters using Bayesian tip-calibration inferences. The arrival of Xci in the South West Indian Ocean islands was dated to the 19th century, probably linked to human migrations following slavery abolishment. We also assessed the metagenomic community of the herbarium specimen, showed its authenticity using DNA damage patterns, and investigated its genomic features including functional SNPs and gene content, with a focus on virulence factors.
Plasmodium falciparum PhIL1-associated complex plays an essential role in merozoite reorientation and invasion of host erythrocytes
Authors: Saini Ekta , Sheokand Pradeep Kumar , Sharma Vaibhav , Agrawal Prakhar , Kaur Inderjeet , Singh Shailja , Mohmmed Asif , Malhotra Pawan
Published: July 2021

The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum possesses unique gliding machinery referred to as the glideosome that powers its entry into the insect and vertebrate hosts. Several parasite proteins including Photosensitized INA-labelled protein 1 (PhIL1) have been shown to associate with glideosome machinery. Here we describe a novel PhIL1 associated protein complex that co-exists with the glideosome motor complex in the inner membrane complex of the merozoite. Using an experimental genetics approach, we characterized the role(s) of three proteins associated with PhIL1: a glideosome associated protein- PfGAPM2, an IMC structural protein- PfALV5, and an uncharacterized protein—referred here as PfPhIP (PhIL1 Interacting Protein). Parasites lacking PfPhIP or PfGAPM2 were unable to invade host RBCs. Additionally, the downregulation of PfPhIP resulted in significant defects in merozoite segmentation. Furthermore, the PfPhIP and PfGAPM2 depleted parasites showed abrogation of reorientation/gliding. However, initial attachment with host RBCs was not affected in these parasites. Together, the data presented here show that proteins of the PhIL1-associated complex play an important role in the orientation of P. falciparum merozoites following initial attachment, which is crucial for the formation of a tight junction and hence invasion of host erythrocytes.
A novel heteromeric pantothenate kinase complex in apicomplexan parasites
Authors: Tjhin Erick T. , Howieson Vanessa M. , Spry Christina , van Dooren Giel G. , Saliba Kevin J.
Published: July 2021

Coenzyme A is synthesised from pantothenate via five enzyme-mediated steps. The first step is catalysed by pantothenate kinase (PanK). All PanKs characterised to date form homodimers. Many organisms express multiple PanKs. In some cases, these PanKs are not functionally redundant, and some appear to be non-functional. Here, we investigate the PanKs in two pathogenic apicomplexan parasites,Plasmodium falciparumandToxoplasma gondii. Each of these organisms express two PanK homologues (PanK1 and PanK2). We demonstrate thatPfPanK1 andPfPanK2 associate, forming a single, functional PanK complex that includes the multi-functional protein,Pf14-3-3I. Similarly, we demonstrate thatTgPanK1 andTgPanK2 form a single complex that possesses PanK activity. BothTgPanK1 andTgPanK2 are essential forT.gondiiproliferation, specifically due to their PanK activity. Our study constitutes the first examples of heteromeric PanK complexes in nature and provides an explanation for the presence of multiple PanKs within certain organisms.
Scheherazade in Istanbul: A study of the popular Turkish TV series Binbir Gece
Authors: Ghorbankarimi Maryam
Published: July 2021

One Thousand and One Nights is a composite, transnational work, consisting of popular stories originally transmitted orally within its embedded cultures and developed over several centuries. Ever since its translation into European languages in the nineteenth century, or perhaps even before, it has been adapted and appropriated into different forms and mediums and thus has reached different corners of the world. This project was inspired by the level of popularity of One Thousand and One Nights, often known as The Arabian Nights, in the world today. Although only a relatively small number of people might have read all the tales, we can safely assume that most people do have an idea of what the Nights are, whilst some could even name one or two films, series or cartoons that they think are based on the Nights. Indeed, only a very limited number of stories included in editions of the Nights have been adapted into films or TV series. There are two main characteristics of the Nights that help identify adaptations and adoptions in popular culture: embedded storytelling using a frame tale, and the ‘feminist’, emancipating heroine Scheherazade. The popular Turkish TV series Binbir Gece (One Thousand and One Nights) (2006–09), which this article focuses on, not only makes use of these two popular features; it also offers a fresh and contemporary adaptation of the frame story of Shah Shahriyar and Scheherazade and elements from many other tales from the Nights, such as the emphasis on the importance of education for women, or the evil of cunning women. After analysing the degree of adaptation of the frame story in this series, this article sheds light on its global reach, reception and popularity.
Degrees of becoming on recent Netflix docu-shows: Representations of women in Unbelievable and Mercury 13 vs. The Keepers and The Staircase
Authors: Theo L. J. , Bechan Nirvana
Published: July 2021

Although billed as a ‘crime TV drama’, the Netflix series Unbelievable (2019) is more of a docu-drama. The correspondence between fact and fiction creates a powerful empathic relationship with audiences, the nature of which is comprehensible through how this film, alongside more traditional format documentaries on the online platform, engages ‘the real’ through representing bodies and actions that manifest cinematically in ‘the aesthetics of the frame’. What can be described as the occurrency of these manifestations is found both in a present- and past-oriented description of material facts, whether actual or imagined, and a future-oriented sense of becoming that derives from a relationship that docu-subjects and characters have with potentiality in the progression of the story. Some films describe what people do or have done, while others write docu-subjects and characters as people who have a view to the future. This takes the form of both an objective sense of agency qua freedom and autonomy and a subjective sense of psychodynamic potential formed by representations of their conative orientations towards a future. The sense of possibility that emerges reflects a more nuanced and subjectivized sense of becoming than explained by Ilona Hongisto as constituted by the generation of ‘imagination’, ‘fabulation’ and ‘affection’.
‘Nowhere to hide’: Regionalism and memory in Lisa McGee’s Derry Girls
Authors: Schwetman John D.
Published: July 2021

Derry Girls (2018–present) playfully satirizes regionalism and first-person narrative while re-enacting a collective memory of the Troubles. A close reading of the series’ opening montage provides the basis for a fuller understanding of the programme’s nuanced critique of efforts to look back on Northern Ireland in the 1990s and make sense of it all with the benefit of hindsight. In lieu of the reassurances of authoritative extradiegetic commentary, the series’ opening monologue provides a humorous account of the unresolved tribulations of adolescence and, in the larger political frame, a community’s continuing inability to situate itself as a region within the United Kingdom.
WWE fan reception and shifting perceptions of masculinity in the Trump era
Authors: McCreedy Jonathan
Published: July 2021

This article will study the world of American professional wrestling in connection to the reception of masculine tropes by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fans. Wrestling fans, who are in majority male and traditionally come from the American working class, are in the unique position to voice, or scream, their opinions of positive or negative masculine behaviours that they see live in the ring. Since it is a scripted show (or in wrestling jargon, a ‘work’), it offers us a fascinating insight into how men view masculine behaviour as they view the action from a fictional distance. As unlikely at it may seem, I will argue that based upon their live reception of positive and negative masculine traits, modern WWE fans are surprisingly liberal in their condemnation of masculinist beliefs such as misogyny, having a hatred of oppressive patriarchal systems and, mostly recently, opposing the sleazy objectification of women. I will additionally challenge accusations that wrestling is a fundamentally misogynistic industry, with particular reference to the modern reception of female wrestlers as serious athletes, rather than erotic valets leading males to the ring, or as sex objects in general, with reference to the successful 2015 ‘Divas revolution’ and the company’s decision to rename them ‘superstars’ in all broadcasts – giving them equal status to their male counterparts.
Gaur egungo hidrogeno-ekoizpena: metanoaren ur-lurrun bidezko erreformatzea
Authors: Gondra Ane , Araneta Maialen , Campillo-Robles Jose Miguel
Published: July 2021

Gure gizartean, gero eta garrantzi handiagoa duen energia-iturria da hidrogenoa. Ekoizpen-teknika guztien artean, metanoaren ur-lurrun bidezko erreformatzea da erabiliena. Prozesua honako urrats hauetan oinarritzen da: gas naturalaren garbiketa, beroketa-prozesua, labe erreformatzailea, ur-lurrunaren bihurketa eta hidrogenoaren bereizketa; horien artean, labe erreformatzailea da elementurik garrantzitsuena. Dena den, teknika honek hainbat erronka ditu, isuritako CO2-ari, katalizatzaileen diseinuari eta energia-kontsumoari lotutakoak. Dokumentu honetan, metanoaren lurrun-bidezko erreformatze-prozesuaren deskribapen orokorra aurkezten da, errekuntza-ganberaren, katalizatzaileen, eraginkortasun termikoaren eta labe erreformatzailearen modelizazioaren nondik norakoak azalduz.
Sare metal-organikoetan oinarritutako farmakoen liberazio sistemak: biomolekulak atxikitzeko funtzionalizazio-estrategiak
Authors: Celaya Azcoaga Leire , Fidalgo-Marijuan Arkaitz , Fernández de Luis Roberto
Published: July 2021

Sare metal-organikoetan (MoF, metal-organic framework, ingelesez) oinarritutako farmakoen liberazio kontrolaturako erabiltzen diren sistemak (DDS, drug delivery system, ingelesez) orain arte erabilitako sistema tradizionalek aurkezten dituzten mugak gainditzeko gai dira. Izan ere, haien izaera hibridoa dela eta, bai sistema ez-organiko bai organiko tradizionalek aurkezten dituzten abantailak batzeko gai dira, eta haien desabantailak murrizten dituzte. Lan honetan, DDSak sortzeko kontuan hartu beharreko ezaugarriak azaldu eta gero, MoF sareek DDS gisa erabiltzeko aurkezten dituzten ezaugarri nabarmenenak aipatuko dira. Azkenik, MoF egituretan biomolekulen atxikipen eta/ edo askapen kontrolatua lortzeko erabiltzen diren bost funtzionalizazio-estrategia nagusiak aztertuko dira.
Forma-memoria ehun biobateragarrien ekoizpena
Authors: Martín Ane , Veloso-Fernández Antonio
Published: July 2021

Material berrien ikerketak material adimenduen sorkuntza ekarri du. Material horiek, modu itzulgarrian beren propietate bat edo gehiago aldatzeko gai dira kanpo estimulu baten eraginpean. Talde zabal honen barruan, forma-memoria poliuretanoak daude, zeinak forma-memoria efektua duten. Efektu honen bidez, poliuretanoak berotzean hasierako forma aldatzeko aukera dute; behin forma berrian izanda, hoztuz, forma berrian finkatzen dira; eta azkenik, birberotuz jatorrizko forma berreskuratzeko gaitasuna dute. Lan honetan forma-memoria poliuretanoak (SMPU) sintetizatu dira poli(tetrametilen) glikola, isoforona diisozianatoa eta hexametileno diisozianatoa erabiliz eta, kate-hedatzaile moduan errizino olioa eta 1,4-butanodiola erabiliz. SMPU biobateragarriak lortzeko, sintesian jatorri naturala duen errizino-olioa erabili da. Sintetizatu diren poliuretano guztiak Fourieren-transformatu bidezko espektroskopia infragorri (FTIR), analisi dinamiko-mekaniko (DMA) eta analisi termomekaniko (TMA) bidez karakterizatu dira propietate fisiko-kimikoak ezagutzeko. FTIR bidez erreakzioa monitorizatu da eta isozianato-taldeak guztiz erreakzionatu dutela ziurtatzeko erabili da. DMAren bidez beira-trantsizio tenperatura determinatu da, non, poliuretanoaren pisu molekularra txikitzean edo estekiometria balioa igotzean, beira-trantsizio tenperatura igotzen dela determinatu den. Azkenik TMA bidez, poliuretano guztiek memoria-forma dutela ziurtatu da. Poliuretanoak aplikazio anitzetan erabil daitezke; hala ere, helburua ehun biobateragarri adimendunak diseinatzea izan da. Ehunak egiteko, sintetizatzen diren polimerotik zuntzak lortu behar dira. Horretarako, zuntzak prestatzeko elektrobiraketa (electrospining) edo estrusio teknikak burutu dira. Azkenik, zuntzak ehotuz ehunak lortu dira, modu desberdinetan.
Amazonia brasileña: ocupación y políticas socioambientales
Authors: Nonata Monteiro Raimunda , Do Espírito Santo Iadanza Enaile , Martins Lastres Helena Maria
Published: July 2021

El presente Dossier titulado Amazonia: Cultura, Educación y Memoria, es la segunda parte de la compilación de textos iniciada con el Dossier Amazonia Brasileña: ocupación y políticas socioambientales en la transición de los siglos XX al XXI. Esta edición reúne cinco artículos que discuten vivencias, imaginarios y expresiones culturales de pueblos tradicionales e indígenas. Es posible percibir visiones del mundo que expresan las especificidades y la diversidad de saberes, haceres y resistencias de grupos sociales representativos de las poblaciones amazónicas. Se describen cosmovisiones, pertenencias y representaciones sociales, así como las rupturas ocasionadas por las transformaciones impuestas por el "progreso". Los autores de este Dossier nos sumergen en la vida de comunidades y pueblos y nos proporcionan una pequeña inmersión en concepciones del mundo que forman los multiversos culturales de la Amazonia. También muestran que la Historia de la región se enseña mediante narrativas que ignoran las existencias y lugares (lugar sin lugar), generalizan y homogeneizan la Amazonia, reducida a las percepciones de los colonizadores.
Ecos de resistencia: tambores matriarcales del grupo de Carimbó Sereia do Mar de Vila Silva en Marapanim (Pará, Brasil)
Authors: Antonio Paim Elison , Ribeiro Calderaro Oliveira Sil Lena , Pinheiro Mendes Roberta
Published: July 2021

Este artículo es el resultado de un estudio del Máster en Educación de la Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina realizado entre las mujeres del carimbó Sereias do Mar, en Marapanim, estado de Pará. Se analizaron los recuerdos de las mujeres/maestras que componen el grupo y sus diferentes saberes, haceres, enseñanzas y experiencias, identificando cómo se constituyen las identidades, resistencias y culturas en el contexto del carimbó. El estudio cualitativo analizó las narraciones orales y las letras de las canciones del grupo de carimbó. Las narraciones orales transcritas se organizaron y construyeron en mónadas, inspiradas en las del filósofo alemán Walter Benjamin. Las narrativas son reveladoras de entendimientos y concepciones en un diálogo con los/as teóricos/as que pone en evidencia el contexto social, cultural e histórico, visando, así, apoyar la construcción y escucha de otros recuerdos y otras historias.
Una voz indígena contra el abuso de la razón
Authors: Araujo Santana João Rodrigo
Published: July 2021

Importante activista y líder indígena, Ailton Krenak reúne en el libro Ideias para adiar o fim do mundo entrevista y conferencias impartidas por él en Portugal entre los años 2017 y 2019. En este libro analiza la crisis ambiental y de civilización que vivimos actualmente, y apunta salidas para los dilemas del antropoceno basadas ​​en cosmovisiones indígenas y de otros pueblos tradicionales. Una voz importante para ser leída y escuchada y cuyas ideas también representan una contribución relevante a la antropología.
Un análisis sobre la reforma de la escuela secundaria brasileña y la reproducción de las desigualdades sociales
Authors: Alexandre da Silva Max , Aparecida de Souza Adriana , Henrique Moura Dante
Published: July 2021

El libro, titulado Ensino médio brasileiro: dualidade, diferenciação escolar e reprodução das desigualdades sociais, hace una crítica a la reforma de la Escuela Secundaria concretizada por la Ley nº 13.415 del 16 de febrero de 2017. Así, el trabajo analiza el momento político que configuró la reforma de la escuela secundaria en Brasil, así como la reproducción de las desigualdades sociales en el siglo XXI. El autor trae una discusión sobre la reforma de esta etapa de la educación básica, en su contexto político, económico y social, y sus impactos en la realidad social para la clase más empobrecida del país, la clase trabajadora. También enfatiza que esta reforma amplía la desigualdad social, debilitando aún más el derecho a la educación de los hijos pequeños de la clase trabajadora.
Vínculos de reciprocidad: sistemas de alianzas entre algunos de los principales de una región de Minas Gerais (1726-1784)
Authors: De Oliveira Hilton César
Published: July 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es retratar las cadenas de solidaridad constituidas por algunas figuras con un destacado grado de injerencia en la vida política y social del Distrito de Rio das Velhas, en el interregno de 1726 a 1784. Para lograr este objetivo, se recurrirá a una variada gama de testimonios, visando la composición de un mosaico en el que se pueda analizar el tejido social. Cuando se produzca la afonía de una fuente, o ante la información dispersa, se recurrirá a otras fuentes que puedan llenar las lagunas. El camino a seguir para alcanzar esta deseada reconstrucción será el análisis de la vida social de la región a partir de las fuentes del Archivo Histórico Ultramarino, documentos parroquiales, juicios eclesiásticos, entre otros. Conviene señalar la hoja de ruta metodológica seguida en el tratamiento otorgado a la documentación mencionada anteriormente, que no es otro que entresacar el movimiento que impulsa a los grupos sociales a reinventarse continuamente día tras día, adaptándose dinámicamente a nuevas formas de convivencia o soluciones de supervivencia, que moldean las relaciones entre ellos. En todos los campos, la improvisación ganó a la norma y la costumbre.