bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing teachers in the professional development system for participation in textbook development in the USA
Authors: Elbrekht Olga Myhaylivna , Bakhov Ivan , Vukolova Kateryna , Kostenko Larysa Davydivna
Published: February 2022

The article is devoted to the problem of preparing teachers for participation in the development of textbooks in the system of professional development in the USA. The authors analyze scientific works, which discuss the role of teachers in this activity, highlight the challenges teachers face in it and substantiate the importance of their appropriate training. The analysis revealed the peculiarities of the organization, forms and methods of teacher training, which adapt the USA system of professional development to preparing teachers for participation in textbooks development.
Blended learning for doctoral training in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Simón Yessy Villavicencio , Melian Ivan Gabriel Grajales , Silva Cícero da
Published: February 2022

Distance learning has been an option to mitigate the global spread of the highly contagious disease, named COVID-19 (coronavirus), and declared a Pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Social confinement as a public health strategy to address the health crisis has led to the adoption of new teaching methods in the new social sphere. Higher education contexts have gradually incorporated the opportunities offered by information and communication technologies (ICT). The purpose of the article is to present some theoretical reflections on the inclusion of the Blended Learning (B-Learning) methodological model in higher education, considering the changes that have occurred in the current situation due to the pandemic. Based on the review of the specialized scientific literature in relation to the integration of ICT in educational environments, the relevance of the advantages of technological tools in blended learning in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic is recognized, specifically for the doctoral training process.
The Influence of Learning Organization and Employee Resilience on Work Engagement at Bumn Bank Branch Office in Bogor
Authors: Sholikhah Sholikhah , Nathasya Marbun Reny , Parimita Widya
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study are: 1) To determine the description of learning organizations, employee resilience and work engagement to employees of BUMN bank branch offices in Bogor City, 2) To determine the influence of learning organizations on work engagement to employees of BUMN bank branch offices in Bogor City, 3) To determine the effect of employee resilience on work engagement to employees of BUMN bank branch offices in Bogor City, 4) To determine the prediction of the learning organization and employee resilience research model to work engagement to employees of BUMN bank branch office in Bogor City. This research was conducted on 200 employees of BUMN bank branch office in Bogor City. The technique used in data collection is the survey method by distributing questionnaires then processed using the SPSS 24 program. This study uses descriptive analysis and ex post facto. The results of the regression show that there is a positive and significant influence between learning organizations on work engagement, employee resilience to work engagement and research models of learning organizations and employee resilience can predict work engagement to employees of BUMN bank branch offices in Bogor City with Fcount> Ftable (19,157> 3.04) and significance (0.000 <0.05).
E-Transaction in Digital Era
Authors: Rohmawati T , Zulkipli H
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze the habits of students in the information technology in conducting transactions either in cash or by using e-money. Questionnaire was a method used in this study by distributing selected questionnaires only to students. Analysis of the results showed that the students preferred to use e-money for transactions because it was more effective and more efficient than paying in cash. It could be also because it was influenced by their shopping habits through social media and the globalization era. On the other hand, they needed cash and relatively bigger wallet for cash payments. Consequently, e- money was preferred by students compared to cash payments.
Analisis Dampak Pengembangan dan Implementasi Kurikulum MBKM Terhadap Kepuasan Mahasiswa FIP UNIKAMA
Authors: Chrisyarani Denna Delawanti , Rahayu Sri , Yulianti Yulianti , Meviana Ika , Asmah Ayu , Ladamay Iskandar
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the internal student satisfaction of Study Programs within the Faculty of Education. This research is a quantitative descriptive study with a survey method using a questionnaire as a data collection tool. The survey results show that the average student satisfaction in the Faculty of Education, Universitas PGRI Kanjuruhan Malang shows a very good category. Tangibles dimension has an average percentage of 40.33% with a very good category. Responsiveness with an average percentage of 57.72%, Reliability with an average percentage of 50.95%, and Empathy with the highest 75.4%. Based on the results of data processing, it is concluded that the overall level of student satisfaction based on the dimensions of service satisfaction on the implementation of MBKM is classified as very good
When the Messenger Is More Important Than the Message: An Experimental Study of Evidence Use in Francophone Africa
Authors: Fillol Amandine , Sween-Cadieux Esther Mc , Ventelou Bruno , Larose Marie-Pier , Kanguem Ulrich Boris Nguemdjo , Kadio Kadidiatou , Dagenais Christian , Ridde Valéry
Published: February 2022

Background: Epistemic injustices are increasingly decried in global health. This study aims to investigate whether the source of knowledge influences the perception of that knowledge and the willingness to use it in francophone African health policy-making context. Methods: The study followed a randomized experimental design in which participants were randomly assigned to one of seven policy briefs that were designed with the same scientific content but with different organizations presented as authors. Each organization was representative of financial, scientific, or moral authority. For each type of authority, two organizations were proposed: one North American or European, and the other African. Results: The initial models show that there was no significative association between the type of authority and the location of the authoring organization and the two outcomes (perceived quality and reported instrumental use). Stratified analyses highlighted that policy briefs signed by the North American/European donor organization were perceived to be of lower quality than policy briefs signed by the African donor organization. For both perceived quality and reported instrumental use, these analyses found that policy briefs signed by the North American/European university were associated with higher scores than policy briefs signed by the African university whereas policy briefs signed by the North American/European regional office or international organization were associated with lower score than those signed by the African regional office of the international organization. Conclusion: The results confirm the significant influence of sources on perceived global health knowledge and the intersectionality of sources of influence. This analysis allows us to learn more about organizations in global health leadership, and to reflect on the implications for knowledge translation practices.
Mental health care for rare disease in the UK – recommendations from a quantitative survey and multi-stakeholder workshop
Authors: Spencer-Tansley Rosa , Meade Nick , Ali Farhana , Simpson Amy , Hunter Amy
Published: February 2022

Background Rare disease patients and carers report significant impacts on mental health but studies have focussed on relatively few, specific conditions. Collectively rare conditions represent a substantial health burden, with an estimated 3.5 million affected individuals in the UK.Method We explored the impact on mental health of living with a rare condition, and experiences of health service support, through an online survey. We offer recommendations, developed through a multi-stakeholder workshop, for policy and practice toward a more person-centred and integrated approach. Results Eligible responses came from 1,231 patients and 564 carers. Due to their rare condition, the majority of respondents had felt worried/anxious (95%); stressed (93%); low/depressed (90%); emotionally exhausted (88%). Thirty-six percent of patients and 19% of carers had had suicidal thoughts.Challenges that are particular to rare conditions and which negatively affect mental health included limited knowledge of the condition amongst healthcare professionals (88%), not being believed or taken seriously by healthcare professionals (80%), and lack of available information about the condition (76%). Only 23% of respondents felt healthcare professionals considered mental and physical health as equally important. Almost half of patients (46%) and carers (48%) reported never having been asked about their mental health, or that of the person they care for, by healthcare professionals. Our findings indicate that access to, and appropriateness of, professional psychological support needs to be improved. Peer group support is important but signposting is inadequate.Following a multi-stakeholder workshop we developed recommendations for healthcare professionals to be supported to effectively and sensitively recognise and address patients’ and carers’ mental health needs; and for service level coordination of care to integrate professional psychological support with rare disease services.Conclusion Living with a rare disease substantially impacts mental health. Many of the drivers of poor mental health reflect issues specific to managing rare conditions. To meet UK government commitments, there should be a focus on empowering healthcare professionals who treat rare disease patients and on integration of mental health support with rare disease services.
Local Environmental Legislation and Employment Growth: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Wen Lei , Li Hongbing , Bian Xueying
Published: February 2022

Using the data on provincial environmental legislation and Chinese manufacturing firms during 1998-2013, this paper empirically tests the impact of provincial environmental legislation on the firms’ employment growth with a difference-in-difference (DID) model. The results show that after the implementation of environmental legislation, the employment growth of regulated manufacturing firms decreases significantly by 3.07%, and this result is robust to alternative tests. The empirical analysis also indicates that local environmental legislation reduces employment growth mainly via the mediating mechanism of the firm’s entry and exit, export and innovation. Moreover, we find the local environmental legislation has heterogeneous impacts on employment growth in different industries and different regions, and the estimated effect is more obvious in high-pollution industries and areas with strong enforcement. This paper helps assess the impact of Chinese environmental policy on employment and provides important policy implications for improving existing laws and regulations to achieve higher social welfare.
Sources of Primary Bloodstream Infections in Internal Medicine Patients – a Cohort Study
Authors: Ben-Yosef Yonatan , Oster Yonatan , Cohen Matan J , Schwartz Carmela , Benenson Shmuel
Published: February 2022

Objectives: To describe the sources of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in internal-medicine patients, on admission and during hospitalization, and to determine the proportion of BSIs in which no secondary cause could be defined (i.e. primary-BSI).Methods: We analyzed all BSIs at the internal-medicine wards of the two campuses of the Hadassah Hebrew-University Medical Center, during 2017-2018. We defined the BSI source of each event (secondary, Central-line associated BSI (CLABSI) or primary non-CLABSI) and compared BSIs present on admission (POA) to hospital acquired (HA). Results: There were 595 patient-unique BSI events, 316 (53.1%) POA-BSI and 279 (46.9%) HA-BSI. Overall, 309 (51.9%) were secondary, 194 (32.6%) primary non-CLABSI and 92 (15.5%) CLABSI. Primary non-CLABSI in the POA-BSI group was 20.6% vs. 46.2% in the HA-BSI group (p=0.001). The length of hospital stay (LOS) from culture to discharge of the HA-BSI group was longer than in the POA-BSI group (mean LOS, 19 days vs. 13.6 days, p=0.01) and the mortality rate was higher (48.7% vs. 19%, p=0.001). Staphylococcus aureus was more common in primary non-CLABSI than in CLABSI and secondary BSI (29.5%, 12.8% and 16.2%, respectively).Interpretations: The proportion of primary non-CLABSI among HA-BSI events is very high (46.2%). The absence of any plausible source for these BSIs, and the fact that most patients in Internal-medicine wards have peripheral lines, suggests that the peripheral catheter is a probable source for primary non-CLABSIs. Measures to prevent peripheral line associated BSI (PLABSI), similar to those implemented successfully for the prevention of CLABSI, should be considered.
A study about the role of Wip1 in renal fibrosis by modulating macrophage phenotype
Authors: Jia Lining , Wang Yinhong , Ma Xiaotao , Wang Hao , Fu Rongguo
Published: February 2022

objective: To investigate the effect of wild type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) on regulation the phenotype of macrophages and to participate in renal fibrosis.Method: RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IFN-γ for 24h into M1 macrophages with high expression of iNOS and TNF-α. RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated by interleukin 4(IL-4) for 24 h to induce M2 macrophages with high expression of Arg-1 and CD206. In the meantime, RAW264.7 macrophages were transduced with Wip1 lentivirus by overexpressing it, and transduced with Wip1 RNAi by reducing the Wip1 expression. Furthermore, after coculture the transformed macrophages and mice primary renal tubular epithelial cells, and the expression levels of E-Cadhrin, Vimentin and α-SMA were measured by RT-PCR.Result: it was found that macrophages with Wip1 overexpression had no statistical changes on the expression of iNOS and showed the decreased expression of TNF-α; macrophages with Wip1 siRNA showed the increased expression of iNOS and TNF-α compared to control group. In the meantime, macrophages with Wip1 overexpression had increased expression of Arg-1 and CD206; macrophages with Wip1 siRNA showed decreased expression of Arg-1 and CD206 compared to control group. Macrophage RAW264.7could be transformed into the M2 macrophage after transducing with Wip1 lentivirus by overexpressing it, and the RAW264.7 macrophages could transform into the M1 macrophages by reducing the Wip1 expression via the Wip1 RNAi. Furthermore, after coculture the M2 macrophage and mice primary renal tubular epithelial cells, there was a decreased E-Cadherin expression, increased Vimentin, and α-SMA on the mRNA levels.Conclusion: Wip1 in macrophages may participate in the pathophysiological process in the renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis by transforming them into the M2 macrophage phenotype.
Ruminal kinetics and nutritive value of zuri grass silage harvested at different ages and added with powder molasses
Authors: Ali Omar , Junges Luciana , Gomes Eva Nara Oliveira , Batistoti Juliana Oliveira , Candido Anderson Ramires , Gomes Fernanda de Kássia , Lima Rafael de Oliveira , Silva Amarildo Pedro da , Siqueira Jeniffer da cruz , Ítavo Luis Carlos Vinhas , Coelho Elson Martins , Difante Gelson dos Santos , Dias Alexandre Menezes
Published: February 2022

The ideal regrowth age of forage plants and the use of fermentation stimulants additives may improve the fermentative characteristics and nutritive value of tropical grass silages. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of regrowth ages and the use of powdered molasses on nutritional characteristics of Zuri grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silages. A completely randomized design was used, in a 3x3 factorial scheme: three regrowth ages (65, 80, and 95 days) and three inclusion levels of powdered molasses of sugarcane (0, 20, and 40 g), with four replications. The chemical composition, fermentation parameters, in vitro digestibility, and in vitro degradation kinetics of the silages were evaluated. Greater DM contents were observed in silages with 95 days with 40 g of molasses. The 65 days of regrowth silages with 40 g of molasses had greater IVDMD compare to others treatments. However, lower pH values, N-NH3, DM losses, gas losses, and density were observed in silages with 95 days of regrowth with 40 g of molasses. It is recommended to cut the Zuri grass in the range of 80 to 95 days of regrowth with the addition of 40g/kg of molasses in powders for the production of silages.
Assessing the drivers of connectivity declines for jaguars in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Martinez Julia , Saura Santiago , Insaurralde Ariel , Bitetti Mario Di , Paviolo Agustin , De Angelo Carlos
Published: February 2022

Context.Habitat loss is a major factor influencing declines in landscape connectivity for many species, but forest patch configuration and changes in matrix permeability can also represent important drivers. To evaluate which of these factors are predominant is key to guiding landscape planning at a regional scale. Objectives.We aimed to quantify the loss of jaguar (Panthera onca) habitat connectivity throughout 42 years and to analyse the drivers behind this process.Methods.We selected the jaguar as a focal species to 1) analyse trends in connectivity between 1973 and 2015 at the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest eco-region; 2) compare trends in habitat connectivity considering only forest area, considering forest patch configuration, and also considering matrix permeability; and 3) compare trends in connectivity at the scale of each of the three countries of the eco-region over the same period. Results.The connectivity trend for jaguars was negative throughout the entire period, losing up to 93% of connectivity. The forest patch configuration was the main driver of this trend, and the effect of decreased matrix permeability was also significant. Both effects had a larger impact on jaguar habitat connectivity compared to the effect of habitat area declines itself. Habitat connectivity trends for the three countries were negative, with the highest loss rates found in Paraguay and Brazil compared to Argentina.Conclusions.Analysing landscape dynamics using metrics that go beyond measuring net forest area is key when assessing landscape connectivity. Habitat patch configuration and matrix permeability are important components to evaluate after the habitat loss and fragmentation process.
A Novel Optical Sensor System for the Automatic Classification of Mosquitoes by Genus and Sex with High Levels of Accuracy.
Authors: Gonzalez-Perez María I. , Faulhaber Bastian , Williams Mark , Brosa Josep , Aranda Carles , Pujol Nuria , Verdún Marta , Villalonga Pancraç , Encarnação Joao , Busquets Núria , Talavera Sandra
Published: February 2022

BackgroundEvery year, more than one billion people are infected and almost one million die due to vector borne diseases mainly transmitted by mosquitoes. Vector surveillance plays a major role in the control of these diseases that includes, as a key factor, a suitable and rapid taxonomical identification. New approaches for mosquito surveillance include the use of acoustic and optical sensors in combination with machine learning techniques, to provide an automatic classification of mosquitoes based on their flight characteristics, including wingbeat frequency. The development and application of these methods could enable the remote monitoring of mosquito populations in the field, which could lead to significant improvements in vector surveillance.MethodsA novel optical sensor prototype coupled to a commercial mosquito trap was tested in laboratory conditions for the automatic classification of mosquitoes by genus and sex. Recordings of more than 4300 laboratory-reared mosquitoes of Aedes and Culex genera were made using the sensor. Five features were extracted from each recording in balanced datasets and used for the training and evaluation of five different machine learning algorithms to achieve the best model for mosquito classification.ResultsThe best accuracy results achieved using machine learning were: 94.2% for genus classification; 99.4% for sex classification of Aedes; and 100% for sex classification of Culex. The best algorithms and features were; for genus classification: deep neural network with spectrogram; for sex classification of either genus: gradient boosting with Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients among others.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first time a sensor coupled to a standard suction trap provides automatic classification of mosquito genus and sex with high accuracy using a large number of unique samples with class balance. This system represents an improvement of the state of the art in mosquito surveillance and encourages future use of the sensor for remote, real-time characterization of mosquito populations.
Effects of Balance and Timing Constraints on Performance During a Pointing Task with Target Uncertainty
Authors: Moya-Jofré Christopher , Mariman Juan José , Torres-Elgueta Julio , Bruna-Melo Trinidad , Aleitte-Leyton Fernanda , Carrasco-Plaza José , Muñoz-Puelman Cristian , Aedo-Muñoz Esteban , Burgos Pablo Ignacio
Published: February 2022

Introduction: In dynamic tasks, we must make online corrections when the position of the body or objects change, which alters the feedforward and feedback mechanisms. This research aimed to determine the effect of postural stability and correction times on a pointing task with uncertain targets.Methodology: 19 young subjects performed a pointing task toward targets that exhibited a change in position (at 200, 400, or 600 ms after) while remaining in a bipedal-firm, a bipedal-foam, and a unipedal-foam surface. Kinematics parameters were recorded during pointing.Results: What affects the precision and duration of pointing is the target change timing, not the postural condition. The target change timing and the postural condition affect the movement strategy, expressed in kinematic parameters of the center of pressure (CoP), the upper-trunk, and the index finger. However, the CoP control responded to the postural demands, while the finger and trunk control responded to the postural requests and the target change timing.Conclusion: Different postural strategies allow the achievement of a pointing task despite the changes in postural conditions. Moreover, the later the target changes, the more challenging it is to correct the reaching trajectory, achieved by a prioritization of the endpoint control.
EU Framework Programme for Research & Innovation contribution to the Circular Economy components’
Authors: POPA VASILE N. , POPA LUMINITA I. , (BUTNARIU) Anca N. IUGA
Published: February 2022

Background: The European Union governance for sustainability is presented within a Horizon 2020 project called “Science with and for Society (SwafS)”which is built around five strategic orientations. SwafS projects are expected to support a lot of UN Sustainable Development Goals. In order to help the European Union countries in improving their R&D systems, the European Commission's Directorate for R&D established an appropriate mechanism for the Horizon 2020 program policies, designed to increase the level of participation in projects, improving implementation and evaluation of research and development policies (UEFISCDI, Specific Support to Romania, 2017). The main purpose of this paper was focused to apply a multicriterial method to analyze the contribution of EU Framework Programme for Research & Innovation policies to the Circular Economy components, according with European Union policy and regulations.Results: Using a multi-criteria method we were calculating the “Aggregation coefficient” AcHP (Acj) and the Circular Economy Performance Index PICE which represent the complex contributions of Horizon 2020 projects’ parts on circular economy components.Conclusion: The novelty of this study lies in our proposal that the Performance Index of the circular economy PIce to be used as a standard of the European Commission when is evaluating the efficiency of the participation of EU and non-EU states in accessing European Funds. This is an interdisciplinary research on the relevance of policies and regulations on circular economy issues, using EU Framework Programme for Research & Innovation as a model and also the interactions among these issues
The Effect of Long-Haul COVID Towards Domains of The Health Related Quality of Life Among Recovered Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Trihandini Indang , Muhtar Manendra , Sakti Dea Allan Karunia , Erlianti Chintya Putri
Published: February 2022

Background

People with long-haul COVID could experience various health problems, from mild to more severe ones. This research aimed to identify the effect of long-haul COVID, specifically on the Quality of Life domains, experienced by COVID 19 survivor. Data collection was carried out online, using data from DKI Jakarta hospitalized patients who have been confirmed with and recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infections. We selected patients who have a minimum of 28 days after being hospitalized for COVID 19 positive. Logistic regression technique was used to analyze the data. The questionnaire used in this research was measured by WHOQOL-BREF. The WHOQOL-BREF is a self-administered questionnaire comprising 26 questions on the individual's perceptions of their health and well-being over the previous two weeks. Prior to the data collection, we tested the questionnaire with 30 recovered patients who were hospitalized outside DKI Jakarta.
Result

In total of 172 recovered inpatients who filled out the questionnaire correctly and aged 18 years and above, were selected by random sampling. Almost one-third (30.2%) of the recovered inpatients had long-haul COVID, with 23.8% experiencing one long-haul symptom and 6.4% experiencing more than one symptom. This research also showed that the long-haul effects of COVID affected almost all domains of Quality of Life except the environmental one. Age, gender, and marital status were covariates for the association between long-haul COVID and The Quality of Life.
Conclusion

Due to the long-haul COVID effect on the decline in Quality of Life, the continuation of health services after discharge from the hospital is an important program to prevent it.
A Method of Sensitivity Analysis and Precision Prediction for Geometric Errors of Five-axis Machine Tools Based on Multi-body System Theory
Authors: Tan Zhou , Yinghua Liao , Jie Jiang , Junchao Zhou
Published: February 2022

In order to ensure the mechanical performance and machining accuracy of the machine tool, the problem of mutual deviations of the machine tool moving parts in the machining process, which cause machining errors and subsequent accuracy prediction difficulties, is solved.Firstly, the structure and motion mechanism of the machine tool are analysed, and a static accuracy model of the machine tool machining posture relationship is established using multi-body system theory and coordinate transformation, and the measured deviation values are fitted and solved according to the formula, and the geometric error law affecting machining accuracy and the distribution of machining point error values in the machine tool motion space are explored. Then the response surface method is used to simplify the solution. Finally, the blade is selected as the machined part and the machining trajectory is extracted for experiments to obtain the error distribution range of the machining surface of the blade.The final experimental results surface, along the Z-directional component and the integrated average compensation rate reached 42.6% and 89.6% respectively, verifying the effectiveness of the method in this paper.
Lysobacter Chinensis sp. nov., a Cellulose-degrading Strain Isolated From Cow Dung Compost
Authors: Liu Yu-Yue , Zhou Liu-Yan , Yang Xin-Ping , Li Peng-bin , Xie Yu-Qing , Feng Lei
Published: February 2022

A novel bacterial strain, TLK-CK17T, was isolated from cow dung compost sample. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped, aerobic, and displayed growth at 15–40°C with an optimum at 35°C, with 0–5.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5) and at pH 6.5–8.5 (optimum 7.0–7.5). Cells contained summed iso-C16:0, iso-C15:0, and feature 9 (comprising C17:1 ω9c and / or 10-methyl C16:0), as its major cellular fatty acids (>10.0%) and ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the exclusively respiratory quinone. The polar lipid profile of strain TLK-CK17T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 68.2 mol%. On the basis 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, strain TLK-CK17T showed the highest sequence similarity (98.9%) with L. penaei GDMCC 1.1817T, followed by L. maris KCTC 42381T (98.3%). Furthermore, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) between strain TLK-CK17T and closely related strains L. penaei GDMCC 1.1817T, and L. maris KCTC 42381T were 79.9–85.6% and 23.9–29.6%, respectively. Based on presented results, we propose a novel species for which the name Lysobacter chinensis sp. nov. is suggested, with the type strain TLK-CK17T (=CCTCC AB2021257T= KCTC 92122T).
FETAL BRAIN DAMAGE IN HUMAN FETUSES WITH CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION: HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES AND VIRAL TROPISM
Authors: Gabrielli Liliana , Giulia Piccirilli , Liliana Gabrielli , Paola Bonasoni Maria , Angela Chiereghin , Gabriele Turello , Caterina Borgatti Eva , Giuliana Simonazzi , Silvia Felici , Marta Leone , Mario Salfi Nunzio Cosimo , Donatella Santini , Tiziana Lazzarotto
Published: February 2022

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes congenital neurological lifelong disabilities. To date, the neuropathogenesis of brain injury related to congenital HCMV (cCMV) infection is poorly understood. This study evaluates the characteristics and pathogenetic mechanisms of encephalic damage in cCMV infection. Ten HCMV-infected human fetuses at 21 weeks of gestation were examined. Specifically, tissues from different brain areas were analyzed by: i) immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect HCMV-infected cell distribution, ii) hematoxylin-eosin staining to evaluate histological damage and iii) real-time PCR to quantify tissue viral load (HCMV-DNA). The differentiation stage of HCMV-infected neural/neuronal cells was assessed by double IHC to detect simultaneously HCMV-antigens and neural/neuronal markers: nestin (expressed in early differentiation stage), doublecortin (DCX, identifying neural cells with determined lineage) and neuronal nuclei (NeuN, identifying mature neurons). HCMV-positive cells and viral DNA were found in the brain of 8/10 (80%) fetuses. For these cases, brain damage was classified as mild (n=4, 50%), moderate (n=3, 37.5%) and severe (n=1, 12.5%) based on presence and frequency of pathological findings (necrosis, microglial nodules, microglial activation, astrocytosis and vascular changes). The highest median HCMV-DNA level was found in the hippocampus (212 copies/5ng of humanDNA [hDNA], range: 10-7,505) as well as the highest mean HCMV-infected cell value (2.9 cells, range: 0-23), followed by that detected in subventricular zone (1.8 cells, range: 0-19). This suggested a preferential viral tropism for neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), residing in these regions, confirmed by the expression of DCX and nestin in 94% and 63.3% of HCMV-positive cells, respectively. NeuN was not found among HCMV-positive cells and was nearly absent in the brain with severe damage, suggesting HCMV does not infect mature neurons and NSPCs do not differentiate into neurons. This could lead to known structural and functional brain defects from cCMV infection.
Detection of HBV DNA in ascitic fluid of decompensated cirrhotic patients to assess infectivity: A novel pilot study
Authors: Singh Shiv Pratap , Verma Sudhir Kumar , Patel M L , Atam Virendra , Jain Amita , Shukla Suruchi , Rungta Sumit , Gupta Harish , Chandra Abhijit , Patwa Ajay Kumar
Published: February 2022

Background and aims: Body fluids such as saliva, tears and urine from patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are well known to be infectious. However, the infectivity of internal body fluids like ascitic fluid from patients with HBV infection has not been established. So, we conducted this study to know the infectivity of ascitic fluid for hepatitis B in decompensated cirrhosis by detecting HBV DNA in it.Methods: Patients with HBV related cirrhosis with ascites were enrolled. The levels of HBV DNA in the ascitic fluid from these patients were quantified by real-time PCR, and compared with HBV DNA levels in serum. Clinical and laboratory parameters to predict HBV DNA positivity in ascitic fluid were also assessed.Results : Twenty one patients (mean age 45.43±13 years) with HBV related cirrhosis with ascites were enrolled. HBV DNA in ascitic fluid was detected in 4/21 (19 %) patients. The ascitic fluid HBV DNA levels ranged from 4.8 to 6.4 log copies/mL (mean ± SD = 5.27 ± 0.55). High levels of serum HBV DNA was significantly associated with HBV DNA detectability in ascitic fluid (p=0.001). Patients with HBV DNA detected in ascitic fluid had significantly higher serum protein levels as compared to those having undetectable HBV DNA in ascitic fluid (6.83 ± 0.33 versus 5.70 ± 0.77 g/dl, p=0.011). Conclusions : HBV DNA is detectable in ascitic fluid in about one fifth of HBV related cirrhosis patients with ascites so it may not be considered an important source for HBV transmission. High serum HBV DNA and high serum protein levels were positively associated with HBV DNA detectability in ascitic fluid.
Application of CD and Eu3+ dual emission MOF colorimetric fluorescent probe based on neural network in Fe3+ detection
Authors: Zheng Yuewei , Wang Xuan , Guan Zhihao , Liu Xinghai , Li Houbin , Zhao Pingping
Published: February 2022

A new highly fluorescent hybrid material (CD@Eu-MOF) was synthesized by encapsulating CD (Carbon Dots) prepared from citric acid and ethylenediamine on the basis of a metal-organic framework prepared from Eu3+ and 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid. The prepared composite not only maintains the excellent fluorescence properties of CD and Eu3+ respectively, but also forms a dual-emission fluorescence system, and the system has good stability in aqueous solution. It was further used as a novel fluorescent probe for the detection of Fe3+, which can effectively exclude the interference of other metal ions from the detection, and the intensity ratio of IEu/ICD of CD@Eu-MOF material has a good linear relationship with Fe3+ in the range of 1-200 μM. In this study, computer vision and BP (Back Propagation) neural network were used to train and fit the sample data, and it was verified that the actual fluorescence color of CD has a good linear relationship with Fe3+ concentration. In addition, the BP neural network also verified that the fluorescence spectrum data of CD@Eu-MOF also has a good linear relationship with Fe3+ concentration. This study provides a new method for the fabrication of ratio and colorimetric Fe3+ fluorescence sensors, and provides a feasible solution for the simple and visual detection of Fe3+ in the environment.
Risk Factors for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults: A 10-Year Cohort Study with Generalized Estimating Equation Models
Authors: de Araújo Natacha Christina , Silveira Erika Aparecida , Mota Brenda Godoi , Guimarães Rafael Alves , Modesto Ana Carolina Figueiredo , PAGOTTO VALERIA
Published: February 2022

BackgroundMuch of the knowledge on the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) in older adults is derived from cross-sectional studies, with little known about the risk factors over time. AimLongitudinal analysis was applied to estimate the occurrence and risk factors of PIM use among older adults in a 10-year follow-up.Methods Longitudinal study with 418 older adult residents of a capital city of Central-West Brazil. The PIM were classified according to the Beers criteria 2019. The usage rate was calculated at baseline (2008) and at the 10-year follow-up moment (2018). Analysis of predictors (sociodemographic, self-rated health, hospitalization, number of comorbidities, polypharmacy, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and nutritional status) was performed using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models.ResultsMean age at baseline was 70.6 years (SD 7.1) and 76% were women; 221 older adults took part in the follow up. The rate of PIM use was 50.4% at baseline and 57.5% at the 10-year follow-up. Multiple analysis showed that PIM use in the cohort was statistically higher in the older adults with a history of hospitalization (RRadj: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.01-1.40), with three or more diseases (RRadj: 1.41; 95%CI: 1.14-1.74), with polypharmacy (RRadj: 1.81; 95%CI: 1.47-2.24) and with diabetes mellitus (RRadj: 1.24; 95%CI: 1.05-1.47).ConclusionA high level of potentially inappropriate medication use was observed, reaching 50% of the older adults, with a 7% increase in the prevalence over the 10-year follow-up period. Hospitalization, multimorbidities, polypharmacy and diabetes mellitus were associated with the use of these medications. Interventions for surveillance of the deprescribing process need to be encouraged to avoid potential harm caused by the use of medications.
Radiomics for Differentiation of the Posterior Fossa Pilocytic Astrocytoma Versus Hemangioblastomas in Adults. A Pilot Study
Authors: Sotoudeh Houman , Saadatpour Zahra , Rezaei Ali , Sotoudeh Mahsan , Wheeler Charles A , Singhal Aparna , Tanwar Manoj
Published: February 2022

Purpose:Both pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) and hemangioblastoma (HB) are common primary neoplasms of the posterior fossa with similar radiological manifestations. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of radiomics in differentiating these two conditions in adults. Materials and Methods:After a retrospective search of our institutional imaging archive, adult patients with a known diagnosis of PA or HB were included. We reviewed each patient’s most recent preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The solid enhancing nodule of each lesion on post-contrast T1 sequence was manually segmented. Multiple radiomic features were then extracted from each nodule using the Pyradiomic library. Subsequently, the most predictive features were identified by feature selection models. Following this, different machine learning (ML) models were constructed based on these selected features to classify lesions as PA or HB. Finally, we evaluated the performance of each model by leave-one-out cross-validation. Results:With inclusion and exclusion criteria, 34 enhancing PA nodules and 39 HB nodules were selected. A total of 115 features were extracted from each enhancing nodule. Twelve characteristics were detected as most predictive of histopathological diagnosis. Among various ML models, the neural network had the best performance in differentiating these two conditions with an AUC of 0.9 and an accuracy of 82%. Conclusions:In this retrospective study, radiomic MRI techniques demonstrated high performance in distinguishing adult posterior fossa PA from HB. Future development of radiomic models may advance presurgical diagnosis of these two conditions when added to routine clinical practice and thus improve patient management.
Characteristics of Tsunamis Observed in Japan due to the Air Wave from the 2022 Tonga Eruption
Authors: Tanioka Yuichiro , Yamanaka Yusuke , Nakagaki Tatsuya
Published: February 2022

A large eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano in Tonga on January 15, 2022 generated air-sea coupled tsunamis observed at the ocean-bottom pressure sensor network along the Japan Trench (S-net) in Japan. Initial tsunamis from the 2022 Tonga eruption, detected by 106 ocean bottom pressure sensors, were well modeled by an air-sea coupled tsunami simulation, with a simple atmospheric pressure pulse having a half-wavelength of 300 km and a peak amplitude of 2 hPa. A one-dimensional air-sea coupled tsunami simulation having a simple bathymetry shows that an input atmospheric pressure pulse with a short half-wavelength of 50 km, which is shorter than the length of the slopes, caused an amplitude increase via the Proudman resonance effect near the deep trench. The wavefront distortion due to the separation of the air-sea coupled wave (v=312 m/s) and sea wave (v= sqrt(gd)) is also significant near the shore. In contrast, these effects are not significant for the half-wavelength of the input atmospheric pressure pulse of 300 km. These results indicate that observing the wavelength of an atmospheric pressure pulse due to an eruption is important for forecasting the heights of air-sea coupled tsunamis.
Structure Based Virtual Screening of Rivastigmine Derivatives as Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Mandal Bhagirath , Niyogi Syamantak , Sarkar Kaushik , Das Rajesh
Published: February 2022

The interaction of large protein molecules with small drug molecules is studied through in silico studies. The molecular docking and other important pharmacokinetic (ADMET) properties of the compounds were carried out with rivastigmine and its derivatives against protein Bovine Serum Albumin (PDB: 4F5S) to describe their better protein-ligand interactions and binding affinities. Rivastigmine is a promising drug that is used to treat Alzheimer disease. But due to the increased drug resistance property, its use becomes less effective. Hence, better drugs with higher potency are needed against this Alzheimer disease. In order to design a more potent drug computationally, we have taken here 52 derivatives of Rivastigmine and were docked against protein Bovine Serum Albumin. Besides, quantum chemical parameters like HOMO-LUMO bandgap energy and other important pharmacological analysis like ADMET studies were also carried out to predict better drug candidature. Molecular dynamics simulation and MMPBSA binding free energy calculations were also validated. From this computational study, 14 designed compounds were found to have better potency against Alzheimer disease.
Facial Phenotype Changes and Its Impact in Quality of Life of Acromegaly Patients
Authors: Martínez-Momblan Maria-Antonia , Alonso Sergio , Marqués Montse , Salina Isabel , Vázquez Federico , Soldevila Berta , Ciriza Raquel , Puig-Domingo Manel
Published: February 2022

Purpose: to study the potential relationship between disfiguring facial modifications and psychosocial and Quality of Life (QoL) impact in a group of acromegaly patients. Methods: Thirty patients accepted to participate in this study (n=13) women and 56.6% (n=17) men; mean age was 61.1 ± 15.8 and 56.3 ± 12.4 years, respectively. Variables studied included: a) Anxiety level, measured through the State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAI); b) Quality of life evaluation by AcroQoL; c) Self-esteem status through the Rosemberg Self-Esteem Scale and d) Facial acromegaly phenotypic changes evaluated from face photographs and scored by 8 trained endocrinologists. Results: Gender differences were observed in Anxiety levels, with higher values in women than in men (trait: 6.1±2.2 and 5.0±2.0 (p=0.025); state: 8.2±1.1 and 3.1±2.1 (p=0.004), respectively. Also, there were differences in the global AcroQoL score, being 69.3 (SD±17.7) for males and 51.1 (SD±21.8) for females (p = 0.004) and it was reflected in all dimensions. Self-Steem was similar in both groups. There were lower values at the face appearance scoring in women at pre-diagnostic phase (3.4±1.3 vs. 4.75±1.5). A negative correlation was found between self-esteem and changes in facial scores at the pre-diagnostic and diagnostic periods (rs= -0.559, p=0.074), consistent with a high impact of facial changes in the psychologic status of the patients. Conclusion: acromegaly facial changes negatively impact the psychosocial condition of these patients with maximal deleterious effects observed at the time of diagnosis; these disturbances persist over time despite disease control or curation and are of higher intensity in women.
Variation in autotrophic and heterotrophic sponge abundance in a shallow water seagrass system
Authors: Bachtiar Ramadian , Madduppa Hawis H. , Bell James J.
Published: February 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Determinant of Glass Material’s Parameters for Fiber Optic Application Durability
Authors: NIDZAM NAZIRUL NAZRIN SHAHROL , Lazim Nurul Najwa Farihah Mat , Hadi Az'lina Abdul , Kamari Halimah Mohamed , Khalid Nurul 'Izzah Ab , Nidzam Nazirul Nadzim Shahrol , Razali Nornadiah Mohd , Boukhris Imed , Kebaili Imen
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to determine the principle cause of variation in a measured glass durability using a melt-quenching method. Further goal for this study was to find the optimum level of the factor for producing the glass durability. For that purpose, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed. From the analysis, it was found that all longitudinal modulus, shear modulus 2 and shear modulus 3 were the significant parameters that produced high quality of glass durability (p<0.05). The mean analysis revealed that the best condition that maximizes the average of Longitudinal Modulus 1, 2 and 3 would be when the erbium concentration was 0.05. It was found that the erbium concentration with 0.03 produced the optimum Longitudinal Modulus 4 and 5. The findings also pointed out that the average of Shear Modulus 2 and 3 was maximized when the erbium concentration was 0.03 and 0.05, respectively.
Multicolor Multifocal 3D Microscopy Using In-situ Optimization of A Spatial Light Modulator
Authors: Amin M. Junaid , Zhao Tian , Yang Haw , Shaevitz Joshua
Published: February 2022

Multifocal microscopy enables high speed three-dimensional (3D) volume imaging by using a multifocal grating in the emission path. This grating is typically designed to afford a uniform illumination of multifocal subimages for a single emission wavelength. Using the same grating for multicolor imaging results in non-uniform subimage intensities in emission wavelengths for which the grating is not designed. This has restricted multifocal microscopy applications for samples having multicolored fluorophores. In this paper, we present a multicolor multifocal microscope implementation which uses the same grating optics to realize near-uniform multifocal subimage intensities across multiple wavelength emission bands. Using real-time control of an in-situ optimized spatial light modulator (SLM) implemented as a multifocal grating, we demonstrate multicolor multifocal 3D imaging over three emission bands by imaging multicolored particles as well as Escherichia coli (E. coli) interacting with human liver cancer cells, at ∼2.5 multicolor 3D volumes per second acquisition speed. Our multicolor multifocal method is adaptable across SLM hardware, emission wavelength band locations and number of emission bands, making it particularly suited for researchers investigating fast processes occurring across a volume where multiple species are involved.