bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dilemas y preocupaciones de las familias sobre el uso de recursos educativos digitales en la etapa de la Educación Infantil
Authors: Peirats Chacón José , Digón Regueiro Patricia , San Martín Alonso Ángel
Published: July 2022

En el marco de una investigación en curso se presentan y analizan en este texto las visiones y valoraciones que una muestra de familias de tres comunidades autónomas distintas, Canarias, Galicia y Valencia, expresan respecto a la disponibilidad, uso, percepciones y mediaciones que hacen de los materiales y recursos digitales. Dispositivos, plataformas y aplicaciones que manejan en sus hogares, en algunos casos, como apoyo al proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje que se realiza en el sistema escolar con el alumnado de segundo ciclo de Educación Infantil. Las visiones y valoraciones de estas familias fueron recogidas en entrevistas grupales llevadas a cabo durante el período de la pandemia y en el marco de un proyecto con opción metodológica mixta. Las evidencias extraídas del trabajo de campo y buena parte de la literatura especializada, nos sugieren que, aunque disponen de recursos digitales más que suficientes, y sus hijas e hijos se muestran hábiles y motivados, su posición ante los riesgos y beneficios del proceso de digitalización es poco estable, contradictoria, insegura, foco de conflictos familiares permanentes y con una alta necesidad de formación. Aspectos que en su conjunto perjudican notablemente el apoyo escolar que en el hogar las familias les prestan a sus hijas e hijos, en particular de la etapa de infantil.
La accesibilidad, una clave para la inclusión educativa
Authors: Villaescusa Alejo M. Isabel
Published: July 2022

La escuela inclusiva busca ofrecer la mejor respuesta a la diversidad y esto implica identificar y eliminar los obstáculos o barreras que dificultan el proceso de inclusión. Requiere prestar atención continua al contexto escolar, en especial, al permanente diálogo e interacción entre ese contexto y la diversidad del alumnado. La accesibilidad en sus distintas dimensiones, física, sensorial, cognitiva y emocional, que conseguiremos implementando los principios del diseño universal, contribuirá a conseguir la presencia, la participación y el aprendizaje de todo el alumnado.
La reparación de los relojes. Los enfoques políticos de la temporalidad queer
Authors: Conde Arroyo Pau
Published: July 2022

Este artículo expone qué es y en qué consiste la temporalidad queer para dar cuenta de algunas de las aportaciones más relevantes en este ámbito emergente de estudio, así como de esbozar el diálogo entre las distintas propuestas teóricas a propósito de la articulación política de lo queer. Así, a partir de una lectura conjunta de Lee Edelman, Jack Halberstam, Heather Love, José Esteban Muñoz, Elizabeth Freeman, Sara Ahmed y Lorenzo Bernini se aborda la cuestión de la temporalidad de los afectos en relación con el debate de la asimilación y la transgresión política en la cultura queer. La postulación de una política queer del tiempo se opone al futurismo reproductivo y a la crononormatividad, traslaciones temporales de la heteronormatividad que ponen de manifiesto la vinculación entre las cuestiones eróticas, sexuales y genéricas y las temporales. Destaca la polémica entre Edelman y Muñoz, quienes discuten acerca de la viabilidad de un horizonte futuro emancipatorio para la política queer, representando el primero la postura de la negatividad frente al utopismo del segundo.
Parallel depth buffer algorithm based on a ternary optical computer
Authors: Song Kai , Zhu Jinliang , Wang Zhenxing , Yan Liping
Published: July 2022

The depth buffer algorithm, as a method at pixel level of computer graphics, can assist in realizing object collision detection and interference calculation in virtual space. It calculates the depth value of the object in a 3D scene to help construct the view model, while the traditional depth buffer algorithm cannot work without pixel-by-pixel operation and has the disadvantages of slow speed, low computational efficiency, and large space occupation. In this paper, the parallel depth buffer algorithm based on a ternary optical computer (TOC) is proposed by taking advantage of giant data-bit parallel computing, the reconfigurable processor of TOC. The parallel calculation scheme is designed using image segmentation to realize pixel drawing and interference detection. We analyze the resources and time consumption, and verify its correctness through experiment. The algorithm has better time performance and computing efficiency. It gives full play to the advantages of TOC for computing-intensive tasks.
Design of a high-performance graphene/SiO2-Ag periodic grating/MoS2 surface plasmon resonance sensor
Authors: Liu XiaoLin , Liu Jin , Yang HaiMa , Huang Bo , Zeng GuoHui
Published: July 2022

This study optimizes a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on

S
i
O

2

-

A
g

periodic grating using graphene and a

M
o
S

2

hybrid structure to enhance sensitivity. The sensing performance was analyzed by wavelength modulation. By optimizing the structural parameters, we can obtain the quality factor and sensitivity of

90.192

R
I
U

−
1

and

960

n
m

⋅

R
I
U

−
1

. The periodic grating surface covered with

M
o
S

2

prevents the oxidation of the silver layer and increases the adsorption of biomolecules. Compared with the conventional silver grating SPR sensor, the sensor’s sensitivity and quality factor can be significantly enhanced. Experiments were carried out using sucrose solutions with different refractive indices, and the results indicate there was a good linear relationship between the resonance wavelength and the sucrose solution. The sensor has vast potential for practical applications.
Polarization multiplexed electromagnetically induced transparency metasurface based on VO2 with high-performance sensing application
Authors: Gao Fan , Gao Shaojun , Yuan Peicheng , Deng Juan , Yan Bo
Published: July 2022

A vanadium dioxide (VO2) based dielectric metasurface is proposed to realize polarization multiplexed electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect with tunability. In the near-infrared regime, distinct transparency windows with high transmission intensity and quality factor (Q-factor) can be observed under the excitation of two orthogonal polarized lights. By changing the conductivity of VO2, the EIT peak intensity and the group delay of the incident light can be manipulated dynamically. Meanwhile, the narrow transparency window is extremely sensitive to the change of the surrounding refractive index, and the proposed metasurface exhibits high sensitivity and figure of merits in both x- and y-polarization conditions. Therefore, the proposed dielectric metasurface based on VO2 provides a new method for dynamically controlled EIT effects in the near-infrared region and inspires potential applications in optical modulations, tunable slow light devices, and high-performance refractive index sensors, etc.
NucleoMap: A computational tool for identifying nucleosomes in ultra-high resolution contact maps
Authors: Huang Yuanhao , Wang Bingjiang , Liu Jie
Published: July 2022

Although poorly positioned nucleosomes are ubiquitous in the eukaryotic genome, they are difficult to identify with existing nucleosome identification methods. Recently available enhanced high-throughput chromatin conformation capture techniques such as Micro-C, DNase Hi-C, and Hi-CO characterize nucleosome-level chromatin proximity, probing the positions of mono-nucleosomes and the spacing between nucleosome pairs at the same time, enabling nucleosome profiling in poorly positioned regions. Here we develop a novel computational approach, NucleoMap, to identify nucleosome positioning from ultra-high resolution chromatin contact maps. By integrating nucleosome read density, contact distances, and binding preferences, NucleoMap precisely locates nucleosomes in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes and outperforms existing nucleosome identification methods in both precision and recall. We rigorously characterize genome-wide association in eukaryotes between the spatial organization of mono-nucleosomes and their corresponding histone modifications, protein binding activities, and higher-order chromatin functions. We also find evidence of two tetra-nucleosome folding structures in human embryonic stem cells and analyze their association with multiple structural and functional regions. Based on the identified nucleosomes, nucleosome contact maps are constructed, reflecting the inter-nucleosome distances and preserving the contact distance profiles in original contact maps.
Polygenic and socioeconomic risk for high body mass index: 69 years of follow-up across life
Authors: Bann David , Wright Liam , Hardy Rebecca , Williams Dylan M. , Davies Neil M.
Published: July 2022

Genetic influences on body mass index (BMI) appear to markedly differ across life, yet existing research is equivocal and limited by a paucity of life course data. We thus used a birth cohort study to investigate differences in association and explained variance in polygenic risk for high BMI across infancy to old age (2–69 years). A secondary aim was to investigate how the association between BMI and a key purported environmental determinant (childhood socioeconomic position) differed across life, and whether this operated independently and/or multiplicatively of genetic influences. Data were from up to 2677 participants in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, with measured BMI at 12 timepoints from 2–69 years. We used multiple polygenic indices from GWAS of adult and childhood BMI, and investigated their associations with BMI at each age. For polygenic liability to higher adult BMI, the trajectories of effect size (β) and explained variance (R2) diverged: explained variance peaked in early adulthood and plateaued thereafter, while absolute effect sizes increased throughout adulthood. For polygenic liability to higher childhood BMI, explained variance was largest in adolescence and early adulthood; effect sizes were marginally smaller in absolute terms from adolescence to adulthood. All polygenic indices were related to higher variation in BMI; quantile regression analyses showed that effect sizes were sizably larger at the upper end of the BMI distribution. Socioeconomic and polygenic risk for higher BMI across life appear to operate additively; we found little evidence of interaction. Our findings highlight the likely independent influences of polygenic and socioeconomic factors on BMI across life. Despite sizable associations, the BMI variance explained by each plateaued or declined across adulthood while BMI variance itself increased. This is suggestive of the increasing importance of chance (‘non-shared’) environmental influences on BMI across life.
The evolutionary path of chemosensory and flagellar macromolecular machines in Campylobacterota
Authors: Mo Ran , Zhu Siqi , Chen Yuanyuan , Li Yuqian , Liu Yugeng , Gao Beile
Published: July 2022

The evolution of macromolecular complex is a fundamental biological question, which is related to the origin of life and also guides our practice in synthetic biology. The chemosensory system is one of the complex structures that evolved very early in bacteria and displays enormous diversity and complexity in terms of composition and array structure in modern species. However, how the diversity and complexity of the chemosensory system evolved remains unclear. Here, using the Campylobacterota phylum with a robust “eco-evo” framework, we investigated the co-evolution of the chemosensory system and one of its important signaling outputs, flagellar machinery. Our analyses show that substantial flagellar gene alterations will lead to switch of its primary chemosensory class from one to another, or result in a hybrid of two classes. Unexpectedly, we discovered that the high-torque generating flagellar motor structure of Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori likely evolved in the last common ancestor of the Campylobacterota phylum. Later lineages that experienced significant flagellar alterations lost some key components of complex scaffolding structures, thus derived simpler structures than their ancestor. Overall, this study revealed the co-evolutionary path of the chemosensory system and flagellar system, and highlights that the evolution of flagellar structural complexity requires more investigation in the Bacteria domain based on a resolved phylogenetic framework, with no assumptions on the evolutionary direction.
Metagenomic analysis of the dynamical conversion of photosynthetic bacterial communities in different crop fields over different growth periods
Authors: Cheng Ju-E , Su Pin , Zhang Zhan-Hong , Zheng Li-Min , Wang Zhong-Yong , Hamid Muhammad Rizwan , Dai Jian-Ping , Du Xiao-Hua , Chen Li-Jie , Zhai Zhong-Ying , Kong Xiao-Ting , Liu Yong , Zhang De-Yong
Published: July 2022

Photosynthetic bacteria are beneficial to plants, but knowledge of photosynthetic bacterial community dynamics in field crops during different growth stages is scarce. The factors controlling the changes in the photosynthetic bacterial community during plant growth require further investigation. In this study, 35 microbial community samples were collected from the seedling, flowering, and mature stages of tomato, cucumber, and soybean plants. 35 microbial community samples were assessed using Illumina sequencing of the photosynthetic reaction center subunit M (pufM) gene. The results revealed significant alpha diversity and community structure differences among the three crops at the different growth stages. Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum, and Methylobacterium, Roseateles, and Thiorhodococcus were the dominant genera at all growth stages. PCoA revealed clear differences in the structure of the microbial populations isolated from leaf samples collected from different crops at different growth stages. In addition, a dissimilarity test revealed significant differences in the photosynthetic bacterial community among crops and growth stages (P<0.05). The photosynthetic bacterial communities changed during crop growth. OTUs assigned to Methylobacterium were present in varying abundances among different sample types, which we speculated was related to the function of different Methylobacterium species in promoting plant growth development and enhancing plant photosynthetic efficiency. In conclusion, the dynamics observed in this study provide new research ideas for the detailed assessments of the relationship between photosynthetic bacteria and different growth stages of plants.
Nucleosome assembly and disassembly pathways in vitro
Authors: Hatakeyama Akiko , Shymko Yuliia , Hartmann Brigitte , Retureau Romain , Nogues Claude , Pasi Marco , Buckle Malcolm
Published: July 2022

Structural fluctuations of nucleosomes modulate the access to internal DNA in eukaryotic cells; clearly characterisation of this fundamental process is crucial to understanding gene regulation. Here we apply PhAST (Photochemical Analysis of Structural Transitions) to monitor at a base pair level, structural alterations induced all along the DNA upon histone binding or release. By offering the first reliable, detailed comparison of nucleosome assembly and disassembly in vitro, we reveal similarities and differences between the two processes. We identify multiple, sequential intermediate states characterised by specific PhAST signals whose localisation and amplitude reflect asymmetries of DNA/histone interactions with respect to the nucleosome pseudo dyad. These asymmetries involve not only the DNA extremities but also regions close to the pseudo dyad. Localisations of asymmetries develop in a consistent manner during both assembly and disassembly processes; they primarily reflect the DNA sequence effect on the efficiency of DNA-histone binding. More unexpectedly, the amplitude component of PhAST signals not only evolves as a function of intermediate states but does so differently between assembly and disassembly pathways. Our observation of differences between assembly and disassembly opens up new avenues to define the role of the DNA sequence in processes underlying the regulation of gene expression. Overall, we provide new insights into how the intrinsic properties of DNA are integrated into a holistic mechanism that controls chromatin structure.
Reconstructing the ecosystem context of a species: Honey-borne DNA reveals the roles of the honeybee
Authors: Wirta Helena Kristiina , Bahram Mohammad , Miller Kirsten , Roslin Tomas , Vesterinen Eero
Published: July 2022

To assess a species’ impact on its environment–and the environment’s impact upon a species–we need to pinpoint its links to surrounding taxa. The honeybee (Apis mellifera) provides a promising model system for such an exercise. While pollination is an important ecosystem service, recent studies suggest that honeybees can also provide disservices. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the full suite of services and disservices that honeybees provide is a key priority for such a ubiquitous species. In this perspective paper, we propose that the DNA contents of honey can be used to establish the honeybee’s functional niche, as reflected by ecosystem services and disservices. Drawing upon previously published genomic data, we analysed the DNA found within 43 honey samples from Northern Europe. Based on metagenomic analysis, we find that the taxonomic composition of DNA is dominated by a low pathogenicity bee virus with 40.2% of the reads, followed by bacteria (16.7%), plants (9.4%) and only 1.1% from fungi. In terms of ecological roles of taxa associated with the bees or taxa in their environment, bee gut microbes dominate the honey DNA, with plants as the second most abundant group. A range of pathogens associated with plants, bees and other animals occur frequently, but with lower relative read abundance, across the samples. The associations found here reflect a versatile the honeybee’s role in the North-European ecosystem. Feeding on nectar and pollen, the honeybee interacts with plants–in particular with cultivated crops. In doing so, the honeybee appears to disperse common pathogens of plants, pollinators and other animals, but also microbes potentially protective of these pathogens. Thus, honey-borne DNA helps us define the honeybee’s functional niche, offering directions to expound the benefits and drawbacks of the associations to the honeybee itself and its interacting organisms.
The exceptionally high diversity of small carnivorans from the Late Miocene hominid locality of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany)
Authors: Kargopoulos Nikolaos , Valenciano Alberto , Abella Juan , Kampouridis Panagiotis , Lechner Thomas , Böhme Madelaine
Published: July 2022

The present study deals with new material of carnivorans (Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Ailuridae, Potamotheriinae and Viverridae) from the basal Tortonian (Late Miocene, late Astaracian) hominid-bearing locality of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany). The small carnivoran fauna includes 20 species belonging to nine different subfamilies (Guloninae, Lutrinae, Mellivorinae, Potamotheriinae, Leptarctinae, Mephitinae, Simocyoninae, Genettinae and Viverrinae). The identified forms include: “Martes” sansaniensis, “Martes” cf. munki, “Martes” sp., Circamustela hartmanni n. sp., Laphyctis mustelinus, Guloninae indet., Eomellivora moralesi, Vishnuonyx neptuni, Paralutra jaegeri, Lartetictis cf. dubia, Trocharion albanense, Palaeomeles pachecoi, Proputorius sansaniensis, Proputorius pusillus, Alopecocyon goeriachensis, Simocyoninae indet., Potamotherium sp., Semigenetta sansaniensis, Semigenetta grandis and Viverrictis modica. The new species Circamustela hartmanni n. sp. is differentiated from the other members of the genus by its small size and the morphology of its dental cusps in the upper and lower carnassials. This is one of the highest reported taxonomic diversities for fossil small carnivorans in the Miocene of Europe, including also first and last occurrences for several genera and species. Additionally, the assemblage comprises some rare taxa such as Palaeomeles pachecoi and Eomellivora moralesi. An ecomorphological comparison of the discovered taxa reveals possible cases of competition and niche partitioning.
Drought and nutrient pollution produce multiple interactive effects in stream ecosystems
Authors: Fournier Robert J. , Magoulick Daniel D.
Published: July 2022

Drought and nutrient pollution can affect the dynamics of stream ecosystems in diverse ways. While the individual effects of both stressors are broadly examined in the literature, we still know relatively little about if and how these stressors interact. Here, we performed a mesocosm experiment that explores the compounded effects of seasonal drought via water withdrawals and nutrient pollution (1.0 mg/L of N and 0.1 mg/L of P) on a subset of Ozark stream community fauna and ecosystem processes. We observed biological responses to individual stressors as well as both synergistic and antagonistic stressor interactions. We found that drying negatively affected periphyton assemblages, macroinvertebrate colonization, and leaf litter decomposition in shallow habitats. However, in deep habitats, drought-based increases in fish density caused trophic cascades that released algal communities from grazing pressures; while nutrient enrichment caused bottom-up cascades that influenced periphyton variables and crayfish growth rates. Finally, the combined effects of drought and nutrient enrichment interacted antagonistically to increase survival in longear sunfish; and stressors acted synergistically on grazers causing a trophic cascade that increased periphyton variables. Because stressors can directly and indirectly impact biota—and that the same stressor pairing can act differentially on various portions of the community simultaneously—our broad understanding of individual stressors might not adequately inform our knowledge of multi-stressor systems.
Adaptation of the infant gut microbiome during the complementary feeding transition
Authors: McKeen Starin , Roy Nicole C. , Mullaney Jane Adair , Eriksen Hannah , Lovell Amy , Kussman Martin , Young Wayne , Fraser Karl , Wall Clare R. , McNabb Warren C.
Published: July 2022

The infant gut microbiome progresses in composition and function during the introduction of solid foods throughout the first year of life. The purpose of this study was to characterize changes in healthy infant gut microbiome composition, metagenomic functional capacity, and associated metabolites over the course of the complementary feeding period. Fecal samples were obtained at three ‘snapshot’ timepoints from infants participating in the ‘Nourish to Flourish’ pilot study: before the introduction of solid foods at approximately 4 months of age, after introducing solid foods at 9 months of age, and after continued diet diversification at 12 months of age. KEGG and taxonomy assignments were correlated with LC-MS metabolomic profiles to identify patterns of co-abundance. The composition of the microbiome diversified during the first year of life, while the functional capacity present in the gut microbiome remained stable. The introduction of solid foods between 4 and 9 months of age corresponded to a larger magnitude of change in relative abundance of sequences assigned to KEGG pathways and taxonomic assignments, as well as to stronger correlations with metabolites, compared to the magnitude of changes and number of correlations seen during continued diet diversification between 9 and 12 months of age. Changes in aqueous fecal metabolites were more strongly correlated with KEGG pathway assignments, while changes in lipid metabolites associated with taxonomic assignments, particularly between 9 and 12 months of age. This study establishes trends in microbiome composition and functional capacity occurring during the complementary feeding period and identifies potential metabolite targets for future investigations.
Hyperbolic odorant mixtures as a basis for more efficient signaling between flowering plants and bees
Authors: Ghaninia Majid , Zhou Yuansheng , Knauer Anina C. , Schiestl Florian P. , Sharpee Tatyana O. , Smith Brian H.
Published: July 2022

Animals use odors in many natural contexts, for example, for finding mates or food, or signaling danger. Most analyses of natural odors search for either the most meaningful components of a natural odor mixture, or they use linear metrics to analyze the mixture compositions. However, we have recently shown that the physical space for complex mixtures is ‘hyperbolic’, meaning that there are certain combinations of variables that have a disproportionately large impact on perception and that these variables have specific interpretations in terms of metabolic processes taking place inside the flower and fruit that produce the odors. Here we show that the statistics of odorants and odorant mixtures produced by inflorescences (Brassica rapa) are also better described with a hyperbolic rather than a linear metric, and that combinations of odorants in the hyperbolic space are better predictors of the nectar and pollen resources sought by bee pollinators than the standard Euclidian combinations. We also show that honey bee and bumble bee antennae can detect most components of the B. rapa odor space that we tested, and the strength of responses correlates with positions of odorants in the hyperbolic space. In sum, a hyperbolic representation can be used to guide investigation of how information is represented at different levels of processing in the CNS.
High-resolution gridded estimates of population sociodemographics from the 2020 census in California
Authors: Depsky Nicholas J. , Cushing Lara , Morello-Frosch Rachel
Published: July 2022

This paper introduces a series of high resolution (100-meter) population grids for eight different sociodemographic variables across the state of California using data from the 2020 census. These layers constitute the ‘CA-POP’ dataset, and were produced using dasymetric mapping methods to downscale census block populations using fine-scale residential tax parcel boundaries and Microsoft’s remotely-sensed building footprint layer as ancillary datasets. In comparison to a number of existing gridded population products, CA-POP shows good concordance and offers a number of benefits, including more recent data vintage, higher resolution, more accurate building footprint data, and in some cases more sophisticated but parsimonious and transparent dasymetric mapping methodologies. A general accuracy assessment of the CA-POP dasymetric mapping methodology was conducted by producing a population grid that was constrained by population observations within block groups instead of blocks, enabling a comparison of this grid’s population apportionment to block-level census values, yielding a median absolute relative error of approximately 30% for block group-to-block apportionment. However, the final CA-POP grids are constrained by higher-resolution census block-level observations, likely making them even more accurate than these block group-constrained grids over a given region, but for which error assessments of population disaggregation is not possible due to the absence of observational data at the sub-block scale. The CA-POP grids are freely available as GeoTIFF rasters online at github.com/njdepsky/CA-POP, for total population, Hispanic/Latinx population of any race, and non-Hispanic populations for the following groups: American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African-American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, White, other race or multiracial (two or more races) and residents under 18 years old (i.e. minors).
Super-resolution analysis of PACSIN2 and EHD2 at caveolae
Authors: Nishimura Tamako , Suetsugu Shiro
Published: July 2022

Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations that play important roles in both endocytosis and membrane tension buffering. Typical caveolae have invaginated structures with a high-density caveolin assembly. Membrane sculpting proteins, including PACSIN2 and EHD2, are involved in caveolar biogenesis. PACSIN2 is an F-BAR domain-containing protein with a membrane sculpting ability that is essential for caveolar shaping. EHD2 is also localized at caveolae and involved in their stability. However, the spatial relationship between PACSIN2, EHD2, and caveolin has not yet been investigated. We observed the single-molecule localizations of PACSIN2 and EHD2 relative to caveolin-1 in three-dimensional space. The single-molecule localizations were grouped by their proximity localizations into the geometric structures of blobs. In caveolin-1 blobs, PACSIN2, EHD2, and caveolin-1 had overlapped spatial localizations. Interestingly, the mean centroid of the PACSIN2 F-BAR domain at the caveolin-1 blobs was closer to the plasma membrane than those of EHD2 and caveolin-1, suggesting that PACSIN2 is involved in connecting caveolae to the plasma membrane. Most of the blobs with volumes typical of caveolae had PACSIN2 and EHD2, in contrast to those with smaller volumes. Therefore, PACSIN2 and EHD2 are apparently localized at typically sized caveolae.
Prediction of spontaneous onset of labor at term (PREDICT study): Research protocol
Authors: Migliorelli Federico , Ferrero Ludovica , McCarey Catherine , Marcenaro Sara , Othenin-Girard Véronique , Chilin Antonina , Martinez de Tejada Begoña
Published: July 2022

Background

Recent studies have shown that elective induction of labor versus expectant management after 39 weeks of pregnancy result in lower incidence of perinatal complications, while the proportion of cesarean deliveries remains stable, or even decreases. Still, evidence regarding collateral consequences of the potential increase of induction of labor procedures is still lacking. Also, the results of these studies must be carefully interpreted and thoroughly counter-balanced with women’s thoughts and opinions regarding the active management of the last weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, it may be useful to develop a tool that aids in the decision-making process by differentiating women who will spontaneously go into labor from those who will require induction.

Objective

To develop a predictive model to calculate the probability of spontaneous onset of labor at term.

Methods

We designed a prospective national multicentric observational study including women enrolled at 39 weeks of gestation, carrying singleton pregnancies. After signing an informed consent form, several clinical, ultrasonographic, biophysical and biochemical variables will be collected by trained staff. If delivery has not occurred at 40 weeks of pregnancy, a second visit and evaluation will be performed. Prenatal care will be continued according to current hospital guidelines. Once recruitment is completed, the information gathered will be used to develop a logistic regression-based predictive model of spontaneous onset of labor between 39 and 41 weeks of gestation. A secondary exploration of the data collected at 40 weeks, as well as a survival analysis regarding time-to-delivery outcomes will also be performed. A total sample of 429 participants is needed for the expected number of events.

Conclusion

This study aims to develop a model which may help in the decision-making process during follow-up of the last weeks of pregnancy.

Trial registration

NCT05109247 (clinicaltrials.gov).
Association between MTHFR (677C>T and 1298A>C) polymorphisms and psychiatric disorder: A meta-analysis
Authors: Meng Xinyao , Zheng Ji-long , Sun Mao-ling , Lai Hai-yun , Wang Bao-jie , Yao Jun , Wang Hongbo
Published: July 2022

Recent studies showed that genetic polymorphism of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). However, no consistent conclusion has been determined. This meta-analysis aims to interrogate the relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) and the occurrence of ADHD, BD and SCZ. We retrieved case-control studies that met the inclusion criteria from the PubMed database. Associations between MTHFR polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) and ADHD, BD and SCZ were measured by means of odds ratios (ORs) using a random effects model and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additionally, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were performed. After inclusion criteria were met, a total of five studies with ADHD including 434 cases and 670 controls, 18 studies with BD including 4167 cases and 5901 controls and 44 studies with SCZ including 16,098 cases and 19913 controls were finally included in our meta-analysis. Overall, our meta-analytical results provided evidence that the MTHFR 677C>T was associated with occurrence of BD and SCZ, while the 1298A>C polymorphism was related to ADHD and BD, and additionally the sensitivity analysis indicated these results were stable and reliable. This may provide useful information for relevant studies on the etiology of psychiatric disorders.
An empirical analysis based on a panel threshold model of the effect of Internet development on the efficiency of Chinese government public service supply
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Liu Yuan , Hu Yuqun
Published: July 2022

With the development of information technology, improving the efficiency of public services with the help of the Internet has become an important work of local governments. However, under different institutional environments, the impact mechanism of Internet development on the supply efficiency of government public services is still unclear. Based on China’s interprovincial panel data from 2011 to 2019, this paper constructs a threshold effect model, sets the institutional environment as the threshold variable, and empirically analyzes the impact of Internet development on the supply efficiency of government public services. The results show that the difference in regional institutional environment will lead to the obvious threshold effect of Internet development on the supply efficiency of government public services: When the institutional environment is poor, the role of Internet development on the supply efficiency of government public services is not significant. With the improvement of the institutional environment, the role of Internet development in promoting the supply efficiency of government public services gradually appears, but the marginal intensity of promotion weakens. Compared with existing studies that mostly use linear models, this paper incorporates the institutional environment into the complex relationship between Internet development and government public service supply efficiency, and clarifies the role of the institutional environment in the process of Internet development affecting government public service supply efficiency and the non-linear relationship among the three. This paper reveals the mechanism of Internet development affecting the supply efficiency of government public services under different institutional environments and provides a new perspective for solving the shortage of public services.
Utility of hematological and inflammatory biomarkers in predicting recovery in critical Covid-19 patients: Our experience in the largest Covid-19 treating center in Lebanon
Authors: Salame Hassan , Nawfal Rashad , Kassem Jad , Mckey Remy , Kassem Ali , AlKhalil Nayef , Saleh Mohamad , Abdel Sater Ali H. , Ibrahim Ali , Abou-Abbas Linda , Eldbouni Oussaima , Khatoun Hoda , Matar Bassam
Published: July 2022

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has led to a catastrophic shortage of ICU beds. This has resulted in the need to identify patients that can be discharged early before full clinical recovery. We designed this study to determine if in changes routine tests like CBCD and CRP can be a useful complement to clinical status when deciding to discharge patients from ICU.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in Rafic Hariri University Hospital. Levels of biomarkers measured at admission (T1) and within 3 days of outcome (T2) were collected and ratios (T2/T1) were calculated. The Odds Ratios of association between the changes in these biomarkers and outcome were estimated. Multivariate analysis and AUC for the performance of these biomarkers were also conducted.

Results

We found on multivariate analysis that reduction in counts of lymphocyte and platelets and elevation in counts of neutrophils and level of CRP (T2/T1 ratio > 1) are strongly associated with mortality with respective ORs estimated at 6.74, 3.26, 5.65 and 4.34 [p-values < 0.001]. AUCs were found to lie in a range of 0.68 to 0.81 indicating fair to good performance. Other factors found to impact survival were AKI, AF and ACS [p-values < 0.01]. In contrast to other studies, risk factors didn’t show an association with survival when adjusted for effects of complications and changes in biomarker levels.

Conclusions

Our results confirm that inexpensive tests like lymphocyte count and CRP can be reliably used to follow COVID-19 patients in ICU and to support the decision to discharge patients.
A specific EMC subunit supports Dengue virus infection by promoting virus membrane fusion essential for cytosolic genome delivery
Authors: Bagchi Parikshit , Speckhart Kaitlyn , Kennedy Andrew , Tai Andrew W. , Tsai Billy
Published: July 2022

Dengue virus (DENV) represents the most common human arboviral infection, yet its cellular entry mechanism remains unclear. The multi-subunit endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex (EMC) supports DENV infection, in part, by assisting the biosynthesis of viral proteins critical for downstream replication steps. Intriguingly, the EMC has also been shown to act at an earlier step prior to viral protein biogenesis, although this event is not well-defined. Here we demonstrate that the EMC subunit EMC4 promotes fusion of the DENV and endosomal membranes during entry, enabling delivery of the viral genome into the cytosol which is then targeted to the ER for viral protein biosynthesis. We also found that EMC4 mediates ER-to-endosome transfer of phosphatidylserine, a phospholipid whose presence in the endosome facilitates DENV-endosomal membrane fusion. These findings clarify the EMC-dependent DENV early entry step, suggesting a mechanism by which an ER-localized host factor can regulate viral fusion at the endosome.
Effects of dietary betaine on body temperature indices, performance, metabolism, and hematological variables of dairy heifer calves during hot summer conditions
Authors: Al-Qaisi Mohmmad , Abedal-Majed Mohamed A. , Abuajamieh Mohannad , Alnimer Mufeed , Al-Fataftah Abdur-Rahman A. , Irshaid Rabie , Titi Hosam , Abdelqader Anas
Published: July 2022

Background and Aim: Heat stress (HS) can negatively impact farm animal productivity and adversely affect animal welfare worldwide, placing a major financial burden on global livestock producers. Dietary betaine (trimethylglycine) has been known to have several biological functions, which may aid in offering beneficial effects on livestock productivity during HS conditions. However, information on the role of dietary betaine in heat-stressed dairy heifer calves is yet to be documented. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of supplementing dietary betaine on body temperature indices, blood metabolites, productive performance, and complete blood count (CBC) (hematological indices) in hyperthermic dairy heifer calves. Materials and Methods: In total, 14 Holstein heifer calves (4.0 ± 0.9 months old) were individually housed and randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: (1) a control diet (CON; n = 7) and (2) a control diet complemented with 21 g/d of natural betaine (BET; n = 7) top-dressed once daily. The experiment lasted for 28 d, during which all animals were subjected to natural cyclic HS conditions (26.1–39.2°C; 73.2–84.0 temperature–humidity index). Rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) were measured twice daily (0700 and 1500 h), whereas dry matter intake (DMI) was measured once daily (0800 h). In addition, blood samples (collected from the jugular vein) were analyzed for metabolites and CBC on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Results: Relative to CON, BET supplementation was able to decrease RT on day 23 of the experiment (p = 0.04). Alternatively, RR was similar between the dietary treatments (p = 0.73). Feeding BET did not affect DMI compared with CON during HS conditions (p = 0.48). Furthermore, compared with CON, BET supplementation did not change leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and hematocrit levels during HS conditions (p ≥ 0.17). However, a post hoc analysis indicated that hematocrit levels were decreased in BET-fed calves on day 7 of the study compared with CON calves during HS conditions (p = 0.05). Moreover, circulating glucose, albumin, and triglycerides were found to be similar between dietary treatments (p ≥ 0.55). Conclusion: BET supplementation slightly reduced RT and circulating hematocrit but did not affect other metrics in this HS experiment. More research into the effects of different doses of dietary BET on dairy heifer calves is needed.
The structure and origin of loess dolls
Authors: Barta Gabriella
Published: July 2022

The research of secondary carbonates from loess-paleosoil sequences focuses not just on the micro-scale types, but as well on the macro-scale ones. Loess dolls or concretions belong to this last category. Concretions are found frequently under the paleosoil levels referring to a very probable connection with leaching processes and precipitation from carbonate-rich solutions. Research was carried out on the loess-paleosoil sequence of Sütto", Hungary. The methods used in this work were the morphological description of concretions, the analysis of the structure after cutting into two or more parts and treatment with 10% hydrochloric acid. Altogether 29 samples were analysed from the sandy loess layers between the depth of 0.65–5.55 m and 12.70–14.75 m. Based on the results three main types concerning the inner structure of the concretions were determined: a.) concretions with longitudinal and/or perpendicular cracks; b.) concretions containing one or more condensation nucleus; c.) the combination of the above listed proper-ties. From these different structures more conclusions could be drawn on the origin of loess dolls. The carbonate precipitation could have taken place in or around cavity systems of biogenic origin (as root-related channels or features, and biogalleries) and of non-biogenic origin (because of the structural properties of the sediment). As precipi-tation nuclei the cementation of hypocoatings played an important role as well. A multiphase development history of the loess dolls were in many cases characteristic.
recepção do neorrealismo italiano por Moniz Vianna no contexto do subcampo da crítica de cinema brasileira (1948-1959)
Authors: Turibio Thiago
Published: July 2022

O principal objetivo do artigo é analisar parte das controvérsias estéticas e políticas implícitas na recepção do neorrealismo pelo crítico de cinema carioca Moniz Vianna. Argumentamos que as suas tomadas de posição em favor de Hollywood e contrária ao neorrealismo podem ser compreendidas, ao menos em parte, como uma forma de contraposição à crítica de esquerda recém-chegada ao subcampo da crítica. Para tanto, nos valemos sobretudo da análise de artigos publicados no Correio da Manhã entre finais dos anos 1940 e 1950, sendo parte deles compilada por Ruy Castro. Do ponto de vista teórico, mobilizamos alguns pressupostos dos estudos de recepção tais como apresentados por Janet Staiger, bem como os conceitos de campo e de habitus tomados à sociologia da cultura bourdieusiana.
história paulista do Brasil
Authors: Giarola Flávio
Published: July 2022

Nosso artigo analisa o manual didático A Linda História de Meu País, de César Martinez, publicado em 1929. Nosso objetivo é perceber como o autor procurou colocar São Paulo como protagonista da história nacional e como sinônimo do progresso do Brasil. Para isso, utilizou símbolos como os bandeirantes, para defender o papel dos paulistas na construção da nação; valorizou personagens e fatos históricos de São Paulo, em detrimento de outros tradicionalmente expostos na história escolar; e, ao falar do presente, defendeu o estado como centro do desenvolvimento da nação. Em contrapartida, afirmou que seu livro era voltado para o patriotismo e para a valorização da nacionalidade. Concluímos que na obra ocorre a convivência de duas identidades, a regional e a nacional, que o autor buscou, ao invés de polarizá-las, conciliá-las de forma que  a paulistanidade fosse vista como condutora da nacionalidade.
Representações do Sul do Brasil nos escritos da intelectualidade alemã (1896-1914)
Authors: Neumann Rosane Marcia
Published: July 2022

Objetiva-se analisar as discussões em pauta na Alemanha sobre as colônias alemãs no Sul do Brasil e os e/imigrantes alemães no exterior, no período entre 1890 e 1914/1918. O fio condutor são os escritos da rede de intelectuais americanistas vinculados ao Dr. Hermann Meyer, de Leipzig, Alemanha, um intelectual, editor e proprietário de colonizadora. Trata-se de um estudo de imigração, na perspectiva dos movimentos migratórios transoceânicos, em diálogo com a micro história e história intelectual. Como recorte, aborda-se o contexto migratório do final do século XIX; o olhar dos intelectuais alemães para/sobre o Brasil; e, em escala reduzida, os escritos do intelectual Dr. Ernst Kapff e sua defesa da e/imigração Sul-Sul. Portanto, o estudo contribui para compreender o que se conhecia, escrevia e discutia sobre a emigração alemã ao Sul do Brasil e suas colônias, a partir do posicionamento de sujeitos e instituições atuantes na Alemanha.
Measurement of solid particle emissions from oxy-fuel combustion of biomass in fluidized bed
Authors: Červený Ondřej , Vybíral Pavel , Hemerka Jiří , Mareš Luďek
Published: July 2022

The presented work summarizes the results of the measurement of solid particle emissions from an experimental 30 kW combustion unit. This unit has been used for the research of oxy-fuel combustion of biomass in a fluidized bed, which, when accompanied with carbon capture technologies, is one of the promising ways for decreasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. To implement a carbon capture system, it is first needed to separate various impurities from the flue gas. Therefore, the goal of this work was to identify solid particles contained in the flue gas.Part of the apparatus used for this measurement was an ejector dilutor. To evaluate the results of this measurement, it is key to know the dilution ratio of the dilutor. For this purpose, a method for determining the dilution ratio of an ejector dilutor was proposed and experimentally verified.
Do Social & Psychological Factors Affect Investment Intention in Islamic Capital Markets?
Authors: Yandra Fachmi Pachlevi , Wijayanti Dwi Marlina
Published: July 2022

This research aimed to predict social and psychological factors affecting individual investment decision in the Islamic capital market. Furthermore, the Theory of Planned Behavior Model (TPB) was used to explain irrational investor decisions affected by cognitive biases. We attempted to correct the pessimistic view of investors on the Islamic capital market using social & psychological perspectives. This study used a self-administered survey and obtained 82 investors and non-investors as respondents. The main criteria of individuals selected as respondents of the study were those who knew about the stock market and have heard the term Islamic capital market. This paper provided empirical insights on how the TPB model successfully explains the variance of change in investment intention. The results indicated that all predictors had a significant positive effect on individual investment intention. Individuals tend to exhibit a cognitive bias that lead to irrational decisions because individual’s attitude and PBC shape false perception of the usefulness of the Sharia capital market.