bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Animal Activism and Interspecies Change
Authors: Meijer Eva
Published: May 2020

In Chapter 7, the author focuses on the role of non-human animals as agents of social and political change. This role is not usually acknowledged in theory or in animal activism, because non-human animals are not seen as political actors or as agents of social change, even though they act politically and influence human political institutions and practices. This is problematic because it does not recognize non-human animal agency, and reinforces viewing them as mute, in contrast to human actors, which reaffirms anthropocentrism and unequal power relations. We therefore need to explore non-human animal activism and possibilities for interspecies political change. In this chapter, the author first discusses non-human animal acts of resistance, and investigates whether these acts can be seen as civil disobedience. She then turns to the relation between non-human animal oppression and the oppression of human groups via a discussion of intersectionality. This is followed by a discussion of the question of speaking for others, and options for assisting other animals as activists. The final section discusses how stray dog agency can function as a starting point for change.
Modelling Global Burden of Disease Measures in Selected European Countries Using Robust Dynamic Spatial Panel Data Models
Authors: Orwat-Acedańska Agnieszka
Published: May 2020

The aim of the paper is to study relationships between selected socio‑economic factors and health of European citizens. The health level is measured by selected global burden of disease measures – DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years) and its two components: YLL (Years of Life Lost) and YLD (Years Lived with Disability). We identify which factors significantly affect these indicators of health. The empirical study uses a panel data comprising 16 countries mostly from the old‑EU in the period 2003–2013. Fixed‑effects dynamic spatial panel data (DSPD) models are used to account for autocorrelations of the dependent variables across time and space. The models are estimated with a novel, modified quasi maximum likelihood Yang method based on M‑estimators. The approach is robust on the distribution of the initial observations. The empirical analysis covers specification, estimation, and verification of the models. The results show that changes in YLD are significantly related to alcohol consumption, healthcare spending, social spending, GDP growth rate and years of education. Exactly the same set of factors is associated with variation in DALYs. Sensitivity of the YLL component to the socio‑economic factors is considerably weaker.
Pelatihan Pembuatan Nata de Coco kepada Siswa SMA Negeri 1 Jorong
Authors: Aminarti Sri , Ajizah Aulia , Kaspul Kaspul
Published: May 2020

Kabupaten Tanah Laut pada umumnya dan kecamatan Jorong  khususnya merupakan salah satu daerah  penghasil kelapa sebagai produk perkebunan.  Daging buah kelapa dimanfaatkan untuk industri minyak kelapa, akan tetapi air kelapa tua masih banyak terbuang sebagai limbah. Air kelapa terutama mengandung glukosa, lemak dan zat-zat nutrien yang lain. Adanya bahan nutrisi tersebut sebenarnya masih dapat dimanfaatkan menjadi medium pertumbuhan bagi mikroorganisme, antara lain Acetobacter xylinum. Bakteri ini memanfaatkan bahan yang ada di dalam air kelapa untuk diubah menjadi nata de coco. Meskipun demikian,  siswa SMAN 1 Jorong belum mengetahui langkah-langkah pembuatannya, oleh karena itu perlu dilatih cara pembuatan nata de coco tersebut. Metode pelatihan dengan cara: 1) pemaparan materi tentang nata dan cara pembuatan nata; 2) Demonstrasi pembuatan nata de coco; dan 3) Siswa praktek membuat  nata de coco dengan dipandu Tim pengabdi. Hasil pelatihan menunjukkan bahwa 1) siswa memahami proses atau cara membuat nata de coco yang berasal dari air kelapa, 2) siswa dapat melakukan sendiri praktek membuat  nata de coco yang berasal dari air kelapa dengan peralatan yang sederhana. Jorong sub-district is one of the regions that producer coconut. Coconut meat is used for the coconut oil industry, but the old coconut water is still wasted as waste. Coconut water mainly contains glucose, fat, and other nutrients. The existence of these nutrients can still be used as a growth medium for microorganisms, including Acetobacter xylinum. This bacterium utilizes the material in coconut water to be converted into nata de coco. How ever, the students of SMAN 1 Jorong do not yet know the steps of making it, therefore it is necessary to be trained in how to make the nata de coco. The Training using methods: 1) presentation of material about nata and how to make nata; 2) Demonstration of making nata de coco, and; 3) Students practice making nata de coco with a guided team of devotees. The results of the training show that 1) students understand the process or how to make nata de coco that comes from coconut water, 2) students can practice making nata de coco from coconut water themselves with simple equipment.
Pelatihan dan Pendampingan Penyusunan Proposal Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK) bagi Guru IPA di kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah
Authors: Zainuddin Zainuddin , Dewantara Dewi , Wati Mustika , Misbah Misbah , Suyidno Suyidno , Haryandi Surya , Rahmatullah Panji , Munir M Jiddan Mishbahul
Published: May 2020

Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pemahaman dan kemampuan guru-guru IPA di Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah tentang PTK. Kegiatan pelatihan ini bertempat di SMPN 10 Barabai yang dihadiri oleh 36 orang guru IPA di Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah yang tergabung dalam Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran (MGMP) IPA. Kegiatan dilaksanakan menggunakan metode ceramah, tanya jawab, diskusi dan pendampingan pada saat penyusunan proposal. Kesimpulan dari hasil kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah pelatihan dan pendampingan penyusunan proposal PTK bagi guru IPA di kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah telah dilaksanakan dengan lancar dan mendapat respon yang positif dari para peserta. Pelatihan ini telah memberikan informasi bagi guru tentang penyusunan proposal PTK. Dengan demikian, para guru mampu memahami dan menyusun proposal penelitian tindakan kelas. Setelah pelatihan ini, guru diharapkan mampu membuat proposal penelitian tindakan kelas serta  melaksanakan penelitian tindakan kelas untuk mengatasi berbagai permasalahan yang ada dikelasnya.  This community service activity aims to improve the understanding and ability of natural science teachers in the Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency about Classroom Action Research (CAR). This training activity took place at SMPN 10 Barabai, which was attended by 36 science teachers in the Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency who were members of the Science Teachers' Conference (MGMP). Activities were carried out using lecture, question and answer, discussion, and assistance methods when preparing proposals. The conclusion from the results of this community service activity was the training and mentoring for the preparation of CAR proposals for science teachers in the Hulu Sungai Tengah district, which had been carried out smoothly and received positive responses from the participants. This training has provided information for teachers about the preparation of CAR proposals. Thus, the teachers are able to understand and prepare class action research proposals. After this training, teachers are expected to be able to make class action research proposals and carry out classroom action research to overcome various problems in their class.
Device/prototype production of synthetization of scaffolds the base of fibroin and Aloe barbadensis
Authors: Corteletti Mayra Campista , Almeida Pablo Prata de , Costa Gerlane de Souza Pereira da , Henke Thalia
Published: May 2020

This research established itself as principle the building of a device/prototype specific for synthesis of scaffolds composed of gel Aloe barbadensis Miller and fibroin extracted from cocoons of Bombyx mori, elaborate in favor of the development of equivalents dermo-epidermal. Consisting of an experimental study, with materials selection and related equipment, projection and construction of a prototype aiming at processing on larger scale and the best cost-benefit ratio, making the final product more accessible for those who need.In this way,the development of the device/prototypewas carried outnoting his performance in the process,being necessarythe conducting analyses physicochemical and microbiological of the scaffolds produced.
Extraction of Sea Ice Cover by Sentinel-1 SAR Based on SVM with Unsupervised Generation of Training Data
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Sun Yan , Zhang Qiang
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we focus on developing a novel method to extract sea ice cover (i.e., discrimination/classification of sea ice and open water) using Sentinel-1 (S1) cross-polarization (vertical-horizontal, VH or horizontal-vertical, HV) data in extra wide (EW) swath mode based on the machine learning algorithm support vector machine (SVM). The classification basis includes the S1 radar backscatter coefficients and texture features that are calculated from S1 data using the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM). Different from previous methods where appropriate samples are manually selected to train the SVM to classify sea ice and open water, we proposed a method of unsupervised generation of the training samples based on two GLCM texture features, i.e. entropy and homogeneity, that have contrasting characteristics on sea ice and open water. We eliminate the most uncertainty of selecting training samples in machine learning and achieve automatic classification of sea ice and open water by using S1 EW data. The comparison shows good agreement between the SAR-derived sea ice cover using the proposed method and a visual inspection, of which the accuracy reaches approximately 90% - 95% based on a few cases. Besides this, compared with the analyzed sea ice cover data Ice Mapping System (IMS) based on 728 S1 EW images, the accuracy of extracted sea ice cover by using S1 data is more than 80%.
Genetic Basis of Maize Resistance to Multiple-Insect Pests: Integrated Genome-Wide Comparative Mapping and Candidate Gene Prioritization
Authors: BADJI Arfang , KWEMOI Daniel Bomet , MACHIDA Lewis , OKII Dennis , MWILA Natasha , AGBAHOUNGBA Symphorien , KUMI Frank , IBANDA Angele , BARARYENYA Astere , SOLEMANEGY Marta , ODONG Thomas , WASSW Peter , OTIM Michael , ASEA Godfrey , OCHWO-SSEMAKULA Mildred , TALWANA Herbert , KYAMANYWA Samuel , RUBAIHAYO Patrick
Published: May 2020

Several herbivores feed on maize in field and storage setups making the development of multiple-insect resistance a critical breeding target. In this study, an association mapping panel of 341 tropical maize lines was evaluated in three field environments for resistance to FAW whilst bulked grains were subjected to MW bioassay, genotyped with Diversity Array Technologies single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers. A multi-locus genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed 62 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) associated with FAW and MW resistance traits on all 10 maize chromosomes, of which, 47 and 31 were discovered at stringent Bonferroni genome-wide significance level of 0.05 and 0.01, respectively, and located within or close to multiple-insect resistance genomic regions (MIRGRs) concerning FAW, SB, and MW. Sixteen QTNs influenced multiple-traits of which six were associated with resistance to both FAW and MW suggesting a pleiotropic genetic control. Functional prioritization of candidate genes (CGs) located within 10-30kb of the QTNs revealed 64 putative GWAS-based CGs (GbCGs) showing evidence of involvement in plant defense mechanisms. Only one GbCG was associated with each of five of the six combined-resistance QTNs, thus, reinforcing the pleiotropy hypothesis. In addition, through In-silico co-functional network inferences, an additional 107 Network-based CGs (NbCGs), biologically connected to the 64 GbCGs, differentially expressed under biotic or abiotic stress were revealed within MIRGRs. The provided multiple-insect resistance physical map should contribute to the development of combined-insect resistance in maize.
Community Research Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Genomics Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 over Public GALAXY server
Authors: Kumar Ambarish , Bangash Ali Haider , Gruening Bjoern
Published: May 2020

Citizen Science has come up to perform analytics over the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Public GALAXY servers provide an automated platform for genomics analysis. Study includes design of GALAXY workflows for RNASEQ assembly and annotation as well as genomic variant discovery and perform analysis across four samples of SARS-CoV-2 infected humans obtained from the local population of Wuhan, China. It provides information about transcriptomics and genomic variants across the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Study can be extended to perform evolutionary and comparative study across each species of coronaviruses. Augmented and integrated study with cheminformatics and immunoinformatics will be a way forward for drug discovery and vaccine development.
The Mental Health of School-Going Children During Existing Lockdown Situation Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Muhammad Anwar , Rahman Sanjida , Karim Md Rezaul
Published: May 2020

During this epidemic of COVID-19, children are in need of much concentration and profound love of the senior family members. Although the measures taken by the organizations are necessary to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, they may be causing widespread mental health issues, including depression and loneliness. Therefore, it is imperative that parents have to spend the lion-share of time with children while listening to them cordially. Parents can participate in sports with them to help them stay fit so that they can enjoy commemorating moments. However, in this additional time, the parents can also make them habituated to practice the rules of health, so does social distancing.
Production Forecasting: Optimistic and Overconfident—Over and Over Again
Authors: Bratvold Reidar B. , Mohus Erlend , Petutschnig David , Bickel Eric
Published: May 2020

The oil and gas industry uses production forecasts to make decisions, which can be as mundane as whether to change the choke setting on a well, or as significant as whether to develop a field. These forecasts yield cash flow predictions and value-and-decision metrics such as net present value and internal rate of return.

In this paper, probabilistic production forecasts made at the time of the development final investment decisions (FIDs) are compared with actual production after FIDs, to assess whether the forecasts are optimistic, overconfident, neither, or both.

Although biases in time-and-cost estimates in the exploration and production (E&P) industry are well documented, probabilistic production forecasts have yet to be the focus of a comprehensive, public study. The main obstacle is that production forecasts for E&P development projects are not publicly available, even though they have long been collected by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), a Norwegian government agency. The NPD's guidelines specify that at the time of FID, the operators should report the forecasted annual mean and P10/90 percentiles for the projected life of the field.

We arranged to access the NPD database in order to statistically compare annual production forecasts given at the time of FID for 56 fields in the 1995 to 2017 period, with actual annual production from the same fields. This work constitutes the first public study of the quality of probabilistic production forecasts. The main conclusions are that production forecasts that are being used at the FID for E&P development projects are both optimistic and overconfident, leading to poor decisions.1

1

The conclusions based on the analysis presented in this paper are limited to the set of fields from the NCS. However, other authors have demonstrated the optimism bias in production forecasts from fields around the world (Nandurdikar and Wallace 2011; Nandurdikar and Kirkham 2012).
Application of Miscible Ethane Foam for Gas EOR Conformance in Low-Permeability Heterogeneous Harsh Environments
Authors: Salman Mohamad , Kostarelos Konstantinos , Sharma Pushpesh , Lee Jae Ho
Published: May 2020

Unconventional plays pose a challenging set of operational conditions, including high temperature, high salinity, low permeability, and fracture networks. Aggressive development of these plays and the low primary recovery factors present an opportunity for using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. This work presents a laboratory investigation of miscible ethane (C2H6) foam for gas EOR conformance in low-permeability, heterogeneous, harsh environments [<15 md, 136,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS) with divalent ions, 165°F]. The use of C2H6 as an alternative to carbon dioxide (CO2) offers several operational and availability strengths, which might expand gas EOR applications to depleted or shallower wells. Coupling gas conformance also helps improve displacement efficiencies and maximize overall recovery. Minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) displacement tests were performed for dead crude oil from the Wolfcamp Spraberry Trend area using C2H6 and CO2. Aqueous stability, salinity scan, and static foam tests were performed to identify a formulation. Subsequent foam quality and coreflood displacement tests in heterogeneous carbonate outcrop cores were conducted to compare the recovery efficiencies of three processes: gravity-unstable, miscible C2H6 foam; gravity-stable, miscible C2H6; and gravity-unstable, miscible C2H6 processes. Slimtube tests comparing C2H6 to CO2 resulted in a lower MMP value for C2H6. We identified a stable surfactant blend capable of Type I microemulsion and persistent foams in the presence of oil. Corefloods conducted with gravity-unstable miscible C2H6 foam, gravity-stable miscible C2H6, and gravity-unstable miscible C2H6 recovered 98.4, 61.9, and 42.6% oil originally in place, respectively. Our work shows that miscible C2H6 injection processes achieved significant recoveries even under gravity-unstable conditions. The addition of foam provides better conformance control, enhancing overall recovery at the laboratory scale, showing promise for field applications.
Modeling Fracture Closure with Proppant Settling and Embedment during Shut-In and Production
Authors: Zheng Shuang , Manchanda Ripudaman , Sharma Mukul M.
Published: May 2020

Fracture closure and proppant settling are two fully coupled processes during both shut-in and production. Proppant distribution greatly affects the residual fracture width and conductivity evolution, whereas fracture closure might limit proppant settling and force the proppant to crush or embed into the rock. Modeling fracture closure with proppant settling and embedment is challenging because of the multiple coupled physical processes involved, large time-scale differences, and extreme nonlinearity in the coupling of the processes. Conventional fracture-closure models either use simplified analytical estimates of the stress-dependent permeability of the reservoir or explicitly calculate the fracture width using empirical relationships, without considering the effect of fluid leakoff and dynamic changes in the proppant distribution in the fracture. In this work, we use a novel fully implicitly coupled fracturing/reservoir simulator to study fracture closure and proppant-settling/embedment processes during shut-in and production. This simulator implicitly couples the reservoir (rock deformation and porous flow), fracture (fracturing-fluid flow, proppant transport), and wellbore (slurry distribution, production) domains. During shut-in, a modified Barton-Bandis (Bandis et al. 1983) formula is used to describe the nonlinear relationship between the contact force and the residual fracture aperture considering the dynamic proppant spatial distribution and rock heterogeneity. During production, fracture conductivity is evaluated according to proppant distribution and further fracture closure caused by proppant crushing and embedment. A Newton-Raphson method is applied to solve the coupled system of equations.

Results from the simulations clearly show that typical periods of shut-in after fracturing lead to the formation of proppant banks at the bottom of the fracture in low-permeability, low-leakoff formations. This can lead to near-wellbore tortuosity and poor connectivity between the wellbore and the hydraulic-fracture network. Stress-dependent permeability, likely induced by induced unpropped fractures, is shown to be essential to obtain reasonable values of leakoff and to history match production trends. Proppant embedment is shown to be an important factor controlling production-decline rates in clay-rich shales.
Propionic acid induces dendritic spine loss by MAPK/ERK signaling and dysregulation of autophagic flux
Authors: Choi Hyosun , Kim In Sik , Mun Ji Young
Published: May 2020

Propionic acid (PPA) is a short-chain fatty acid that is an important mediator of cellular metabolism. It is also a by-product of human gut enterobacteria and a common food preservative. A recent study found that rats administered with PPA showed autistic-like behaviors like restricted interest, impaired social behavior, and impaired reversal in a T-maze task. This study aimed to identify a link between PPA and autism phenotypes facilitated by signaling mechanisms in hippocampal neurons. Findings indicated autism-like pathogenesis associated with reduced dendritic spines in PPA-treated hippocampal neurons. To uncover the mechanisms underlying this loss, we evaluated autophagic flux, a functional readout of autophagy, using relevant biomedical markers. Results indicated that autophagic flux is impaired in PPA-treated hippocampal neurons. At a molecular level, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was activated and autophagic activity was impaired. We also observed that a MAPK inhibitor rescued dendritic spine loss in PPA-treated hippocampal neurons. Taken together, these results suggest a previously unknown link between PPA and autophagy in spine formation regulation in hippocampal neurons via MAPK/ERK signaling. Our results indicate that MAPK/ERK signaling participates in autism pathogenesis by autophagy disruption affecting dendritic spine density. This study may help to elucidate other mechanisms underlying autism and provide a potential strategy for treating ASD-associated pathology.
SETD1A augments sorafenib primary resistance via activating YAP in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: wu jugang , Li Feng , Xia Yan , Chai Hongjuan , Gu Yan
Published: May 2020

Background: Sorafenib, the approved first-line chemotherapy drug for HCC, remains the key treatment agent which can effectively improve the survival rate of advanced HCC patients. However, the sorafenib primary resistance limits the application of sorafenib for HCC treatment. The aims of current study are to explore the role and mechanism of SETD1A (Histone Lysine Methyltransferase SET Domain Containing 1A) in sorafenib primary resistance. Methods: The expression of SETD1A in HCC was analyzed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. The survival of HCC patients was analyzed by KM plotter: Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Western Blot and Real-time qPCR were performed to measure the protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay were performed to determine cell viability and proliferation. Propidium Iodide and Trypan Blue staining assays were performed to investigate cell death. Results: Here, we showed that the expression of SETD1A was markedly upregulated in both HCC cell lines and tumor tissues compared to normal hepatocytes and corresponding non-tumor liver tissues, respectively. The patients who had higher level of SETD1A underwent lower survival rate of overall and sorafenib treated HCC patients, respectively. In addition, SETD1A expression was positively correlated with the IC50 of sorafenib treated HCC cell lines. Furthermore, we indicated that knockdown of SETD1 augmented proliferation inhibition and cell death induced by sorafenib. SETD1A deficiency impaired YAP phosphorylation and activation. YAP activation contributed to SETD1A mediated sorafenib primary resistance. Conclusions: Taken together, the current study demonstrated that STED1A enhanced YAP activation to induce sorafenib primary resistance in HCC.
A techno-practical method for overcoming the biotoxicity and volatility obstacles of butanol and butyric acid during whole-cell catalysis by Gluconobacter oxydans
Authors: Hua Xia , Du GenLai , Zhou Xin , Ali Nawaz , Ikram Haq ul , Xu Yong
Published: May 2020

Background: Butyric acid is a platform chemical material, the production of which has been greatly stimulated by the diverse range of downstream applications in many industries. In particular, higher quality butyric acid used in food and medicine, is more dependent on microbiological production methods. Hence, the bio-oxidation of butanol to butyric acid has been identified as a promising method with good potential economic and environmental benefits. However, both butanol and butyric acid usually performs intensive toxicity on most microorganisms as well as the bio-oxidation pathway. To develop a green, efficient and competitive microbiological method is the primary work to overcome the bottleneck of butyric acid industry. Result: A combined bioprocess was designed with alternative whole-cell catalysis for butyric acid bio-conversion from butanol by Gluconobacter oxydans in a sealed-oxygen supply bioreactor (SOS). In the operation system, the escape of volatile substrates and toxic chemicals to cells can be avoided by the use of a sealed bioreactor, combined with the rejuvenation of cells by supplying energy co-factors. Finally, during one batch whole-cell catalysis, the utilization rate of substrate increased from 56.6% to 96.0% by the simply skill. Additionally, the techno-practical bioprocess can realize the purpose of cell-recycling technology through the rejuvenation effect of co-factor. Finally, we obtained 135.3 g/L butyric acid and 216.7 g/L sorbose during 60 h whole-cell catalysis. This techno-practical technology provides a promising approach to promote the industrial production of butyric acid with more competitiveness. Conclusion: The techno-practical biotechnology has powerfully promoted the process of butyric acid production by microorganism, especially makes up for the lack of aerobic fermentation in the industry, and surmount the shortcomings of traditional anerobic fermentation. At the same time, this technically-practical system provides a promising approach for the promotion of the industrial production of butyric acid in a more competitive manner.
Disability-adjusted Life Years for respiratory syncytial virus in Colombian children.
Authors: buendia jefferson , Polack Fernando , Villamil Juana Patricia Sanchez
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus infection is the leading cause of bronchiolitis worldwide. However, little is known about the real impact of bronchiolitis on society in terms of years of life lost due to this condition. The objective of the present study is to determine the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (1) in ColombiaMETHODS Data from the national epidemiological surveillance system were used to estimate DALYs, calculated from the sum of years of life lost and years lived with disability due to RSV infection in Colombia. A bootstrapped method with 10000 iterations was used to estimate each statistical parameter using the package DALY calculator in R.RESULTS In 2019, 260 873 years of life (IC 95% 208 180–347 023) were lost due to RSV bronchiolitis in Colombian children under 2 years. The estimated rate was 20 DALYs / 1000 person-year (95% CI 16–27).CONCLUSION This is the first report estimating the impact of RSV bronchiolitis morbidity and mortality in Colombia. The findings of the present study suggest that the actual burden and cost of bronchiolitis due to RSV is high. Prevention strategies to reduce morbidity associated with RSV infection should be encouraged in our country.
Cecum methylome response to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis infection in chicken through whole genome bisulfite sequencing
Authors: Wang Yuanmei , Liu Liying , Li Min , Lin Lili , Su Pengcheng , Tang Hui , Fan Xinzhong , LI Xianyao
Published: May 2020

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is one of the pathogenic bacteria, which affects poultry production and poses severe threat to public health. Chicken meat and egg are the main source of SE. DNA methylation, an important epigenetic modification, involves in regulatory processes including gene expression, chromatin structure and genomic imprinting. To understand the methylation regulation in response to SE inoculation in chicken, the genome-wide DNA methylation profile following SE inoculation was analyzed through whole genome bisulfite sequencing in the current study. Results: There were 185,362,463 clean reads and 126,098,724 unique reads in the control group, and 180,530,750 clean Reads, 126,782,896 unique reads in the inoculated group. We found that the methylation density in gene body was higher than that in the upstream and downstream regions of gene. There were 8,946 differentially methylated genes (3,639 hypo-methylated genes, 5,307 hyper-methylated genes) obtained between inoculated and control groups. Methylated genes were mainly enriched in immune-related Gene Ontology (GO) terms and metabolic process terms. Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TGF-beta signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway and several metabolism-related pathways were significantly enriched. The density of differentially methylated cytosines in miRNAs was the highest. HOX genes were widely methylated and mainly distributed in Chr2 and 7. Conclusions: We firstly analyzed the genome-wide DNA methylation in the response to SE inoculation in chicken. SE inoculation promoted the DNA methylation in chicken cecum and caused methylation alteration in immune- and metabolic- related genes. Wnt signal pathway, miRNAs and HOX gene family may play a crucial role in the methylation regulation of SE infection in chicken. The findings herein will deepen the understanding of epigenetic regulation in the response to SE inoculation in chicken.
Association of interleukin 2, interleukin 12, and interferon-γ with intervertebral disc degeneration in Iranian population
Authors: Hanaei Sara , Abdollahzade Sina , Sadr Maryam , Mirbolouk Mohammad Hossein , Fattahi Ehsan , Khoshnevisan Alireza , Rezaei Nima
Published: May 2020

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is an age-related degenerative disease, presenting low back pain or radicular pain in a variety of severity. As the inflammatory changes in discs, the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as their respective genes, have been proposed to play role in pathophysiology of disease. This study has been conducted to elucidate the role of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in this disease.Method: 76 patients diagnosed with IVDD and 140 healthy subjects who have complied with eligibility criteria have been included. A total volume of 5cc peripheral blood of each participant has been used for investigating the IL-2 +166G/T, IL-2 -330G/T, IL-12 -1188A/C, and IFN-γ +847A/T single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) through PCR-SSP method.Results: The ‘TG’ and ‘TT’ genotypes of IL-2 -330G/T polymorphism have been significantly more common among patients and healthy controls respectively and therefore were associated with disease. The ‘GT’ and ‘TT’ haplotypes of IL-2, comprised of -330G/T, and +166G/T, have been also more common among patients and controls respectively.Conclusion: This study has indicated significant role of IL-2 genotypes and haplotypes in IVDD, as they have been differently distributed in cases and controls. Therefore, alteration in IL-2 gene structure could play an important role in pathophysiology of IVDD through alteration of its function.
Psychological correlates of COVID-19 pandemic in the Austrian population
Authors: Traunmüller Claudia , Stefitz Rene , Gaisbachgrabner Kerstin , Schwerdtfeger Andreas
Published: May 2020

Background: COVID-19 poses the greatest challenge for the entire world since the Second World War. Governments are forced to define strict measures to avoid the spreading of the virus, which may further impose psychological burden for the majority of the population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological distress in Austria during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: From 25 March to 3 April 2020, an anonymous online survey was conducted. Target group included all members of the Austrian population older than 15 years. The survey addressed the following areas (1) and sociodemographic data, (2) physical and mental health; (3) knowledge and concerns about COVID-19; (4) contact with infected people; (5) prevention efforts; (6) need for further information. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used to assess mental health. Analyses were based on 4,126 individuals (74% female, age: M = 38.68, SD = 13.36). Results: 43.3% rated the psychological impact as moderate (5.6%) or severe (37.7%). 26.5% reported moderate (13.3%) to severe (13.2%) depression; 20.3% moderate (8.9%) to severe (11.4%) anxiety and 21.2% reported to suffer from moderate (10.5%) or severe stress (10.7%). Being female, higher age, lower levels of education, concern about family members, internet as main source of information, student or pupil status, poor self-rated health, and the attitude that “there is too much unnecessary worry” were signiﬁcantly associated with higher psychological burden. Protective factors were the possibility to work in home office, frequent (indirect) contact with family or friends, the availability of virus-specific information, confidence in the diagnosis capability, and physical activity during the crisis.Conclusion: This study is among the first in Europe on the psychological correlates of the COVID-19 pandemic. 37.7% of the Austrian study population reported a severe psychological impact on the event and 1 in 10 is considered to suffer from severe depression, anxiety or stress. The present findings inform about the identification of protective factors, psychologically vulnerable groups and may guide the development of psychological interventions.
Deep Learning Accelerators: A Case Study
Authors: Bolhasani Hamidreza , Jassbi Somayyeh Jafarali
Published: May 2020

In the recent years, deep learning has become one of the most important topics in computer science. Deep learning is a growing trend in the edge of technology and its applications are now seen in many aspects of our life such as object detection, speech recognition, natural language processing, etc. Currently, almost all major sciences and technologies are benefiting from the advantages of deep learning such as high accuracy, speed and flexibility. Therefore, any efforts for improving performance of related techniques is valuable. Deep learning accelerators are considered as hardware architecture, which are designed and optimized for increasing the speed, efficiency and accuracy of computers that are running deep learning algorithms. In this paper, after reviewing some backgrounds about deep learning, a well-known accelerator architecture named MAERI is investigated. By using an open source tool called MAESTRO, the performance of a deep learning task is measured and compared on two different data flow strategies: NLR and NVDLA. Measured performance indicators of novel optimized architecture, NVDLA shows higher L1 and L2 computation reuse and lower total runtime (cycles) in comparison to the other one.
Novel mutation in the TGFBI gene in a Moroccan family with atypical corneal dystrophy
Authors: BENBOUCHTA Yahya , CHERKAOUI Imane , TAZI Habiba , ELORCH Hamza , OUHENACH Mouna , ZRHIDRI Abdelali , SADKI Khalid , SEFIANI Abdelaziz , LYAHYAI Jaber , BERRAHO Amina
Published: May 2020

Background: Corneal dystrophy (CDs) is a heterogeneous group disease, genetically determined non-inflammatory bilateral corneal diseases (usually limited to the cornea). CD is characterized by a large variability in the age of onset, evolution and visual impact and the accumulation of insoluble deposits at different depths of the cornea. Clinical symptoms revealed bilaterally multiple superficial, epithelial, and stromal anterior granular opacities, in different stages of severity among three patients of this family. 99 genes are involved in (CDs).The aim of this study is to identify pathogenic variant caused atypical corneal dystrophy in a large Moroccan family and to describe the clinical phenotype with their severe different stages of evolution.Methods: In this study, we report a large Moroccan family with fourteen individuals affected by corneal dystrophy. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was performed in the propositus (IV-7) which had corneal pain since the age of 18, associated with a decrease in visual acuity with anterior epithelial and stromal corneal dystrophy, in the form of microvacuole and poorly individualized anterior opacities, with fuzzy edges and an unevenness of the epithelial layers taking the sawtooth appearance. The familial segregation was done by Sanger sequencingResults: Whole exome sequencing showed a novel heterozygous mutation (c.1772C>A; p.Ser591Tyr) in TGFBI gene. Clinical examinations demonstrated bilaterally multiple superficial, epithelial and stromal anterior granular opacities; in different stages of severity among three patients of this family. Conclusions: This report presents a novel mutation in TGFBI gene, found in all family members affects with different phenotypic aspects. This mutation is associated with Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy and therefore, it could be considered as a novel phenotype genotype correlation, which will help in genetic counseling for this family
Beach boys in Sri Lanka: Multiple HIV risk behaviours and potential for HIV bridging
Authors: Bozicevic Ivana , Manathunge Ariyaratne , Beneragama Sriyakanthi , Gadjaweera Chathrini
Published: May 2020

Background: There are limited data globally on HIV in men who engage in casual and transactional sex with female tourists. Methods: In 2018 we carried out a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey among beach boys in Galle, Sri Lanka, to determine prevalence of HIV and other infections, HIV risk behaviours and utilisation of HIV prevention services. Eligibility criteria included men who cruise in and around beach areas and who had anal and/or vaginal sex with female or male tourists in the 12 months before the survey. Results: We recruited 373 beach boys. Married were 49.6%, while 45.7% were single and 4.7% divorced, separated or widowed. A lower percentage of beach boys reported regular partners in the past 12 months (52.3%) compared to casual partners (95.4%). Condom use at last sex with a casual partner was higher (76.7%) compared to condom use with regular partners (58.3%). Condom use at last sex with a tourist was reported by 75.3%. Ever receiving money, goods or services in exchange for sex was reported by 39.7%. For 85.5% of beach boys who sold sex, the last paying partner was a tourist (85.5%) and a woman (82.0%). In the past 12 months before the survey, 32.3% of beach boys paid money for sex, and 99.5% did so from women. Ever been tested for HIV was reported by 35.3%, and 69.1% of those were tested in the six months before the survey. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, significant correlates of never testing for HIV were lack of comprehensive knowledge about HIV and unprotected last sexual intercourse with tourists. The prevalence infections was: HIV, 0.3% (95% CI 0.0-0.4%); syphilis, 0.5% (0.0-1.2%); herpes virus type-2, 5.0% (2.5%-7.5%). Conclusions: There is low level HIV and syphilis prevalence among beach boys in Galle but high level of sexual risk taking. Beach boys may be acting as a bridge for HIV transmission between higher-risk groups (paying female tourists, men who have sex with men) and lower-risk heterosexual female population in Sri Lanka. More research is needed in South-East Asia on men who trade sexual services to female and male tourists.
Stakeholder Perceptions About the Establishment of Medical Simulation-Based Learning at a University in a Low Resource Setting: A Qualitative Study in Uganda
Authors: Najjuma Josephine Nambi , Bajunirwe Francis , Twine Margaret , Namata Tamara , Kyakwera Catherine , Cherop Moses , Data Santorino
Published: May 2020

Background: Simulation based learning (SBL) is a technique where teachers recreate real life clinical experiences for health care teams for purposes of gaining clinical skills in a safe environment. There is evidence that SBL is superior to the traditional clinical teaching methods for acquisition of clinical skills. Although it is well established in resource rich settings, there is limited experience in resource limited settings and there is uncertainty regarding how SBL will be perceived among the stakeholders in medical education. As part of the steps leading to implementation of a SBL program at a university in Uganda, we sought to describe the perceptions of various stakeholders regarding the introduction of SBL methodology into learning at a medical school in Uganda.Methods: We conducted a formative qualitative assessment using key informant interviews (KIIs) among faculty members and university administrators and focus group discussions (FGDs) among medical and nursing students at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Data were collected till saturation point and were transcribed and analyzed manually using a thematic approach.Results: We conducted 7 KIIs and 3 FGDs. Overall, findings were categorized into four broad themes: 1. Current challenges of medical education 2. Prior experience and understanding of medical simulation 3. Opportunities arising from introduction of medical simulation; and 4. Drawbacks to establishment of medical simulation. Overall, our data show there was significant buy-in from the institution for SBL, stakeholders were upbeat about the prospects of having a new method of teaching, which they perceived as modern to complement the traditional methods. There was significant knowledge but very limited prior experience of medical simulation. Also, there was some concern regarding how students and faculty would embrace training on lifeless objects, the human resources needed and sustainability of simulation-based learning in the absence of external funding.Conclusion: Stakeholders perceive SBL positively and are likely to embrace the learning methods. Concerns about human resource needs and sustainability need to be addressed to ensure acceptability.
Integrative Application of an Educational Wiki and Flipped Classrooms: Student Learning Outcomes and Impacts on Doing Academic Group-Works
Authors: Khoynaroud Ali Ahmadian , Akbarzadeh Amirhossein , Ghojazadeh Morteza , Ghaffarifar Saeideh
Published: May 2020

Background: Active participation in group works is an invaluable way to realize collaborative learning; however, there are several challenges attributed to the traditional way of doing group works. This study explores the synergistic effects of flipped classrooms and a wiki-authoring group activity on students’ learning outcomes and the quality and quantity of their group-work.Methods: In this action research, 205 master students of a medical school were involved in a course blended with flipped classrooms. While learning from online and in-class activities, students did their group work on an educational wiki or in a conventional way. Using SPSS 21.0 and employing independent samples t or Mann –Whitney U tests, the educational impacts of the course were compared in two groups.Results: Students in the wiki-group were more satisfied with the course. Both quantity and quality of the group work among students in the wiki group was outweighed those among the students in the non-wiki group. Univariate linear regression analysis of the models between students' satisfaction with flipped classrooms and the quality of their participation in doing their group as well as their attitude towards the group work showed that the changes in the quality of the wiki students' group work and their attitude were dependent on the changes of their satisfaction with flipped classrooms.Conclusions: This study provides evidence that a wiki-authoring group work is effective in achieving student learning outcomes and integrating a wiki with flipped classrooms increases wiki accomplishment. Collaborating on a wiki activity improves both quality and quantity of group works among students.
Dietary Addition of Astragalus Fermented by Lactobacillus Plantarum Improved Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Antioxidant and Immunological Status and Intestinal Microbiota in Laying Hens
Authors: Shi Hongtao , Wang Baiyu , Bian Chuanzhou , Han Yingqian , Qiao Hongxing
Published: May 2020

Background

In the era of increased antibiotic resistance and ever stricter control on antibiotic use, it is urgent to develop green, safe and non-residue alternatives to antibiotics applied to the poultry industry. To this end, we supplied the potential Lactobacillus Plantarum (L. Plantarum) fermented Astragalus in the diet of laying hens, with a final addition of 3‰. Its effects have been assessed on laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant and immunological status and intestinal microbiota, and are compared to the control group, to the Astragalus group containing 3‰ unfermented Astragalus, and to the L. Plantarum group containing 2% L. Plantarum (1 × 108 CFU/mL).
Results

During the second half of the experimental period (15 to 28 days), the egg production rate was significantly higher in the fermented Astragalus group than that in the other groups, with the fermented Astragalus group having the lowest feed conversion ratio. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed among treatments on egg quality. Fermented Astragalus-treated hens exhibited significantly increased catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum. Furthermore, fermented Astragalus supplementation resulted in a significant increase in ileal microbiota abundance relative to control.
Conclusions

Feeding laying hens with L. Plantarum fermented Astragalus has beneficial effects on production, antioxidant potential, immunity and ileal microbiota. L. Plantarum fermented Astragalus is expected to be a novel feed additive used in poultry production.