bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job Satisfaction and Teacher Retention in Selected Senior High School in Ghana
Authors: Aduko Akaribo William , Adjei Augustine , Azaare Akuta Bertha
Published: February 2020

The study investigated into job satisfaction and teacher retention. Fifty teachers who were made up of 36 males and 14 females were randomly sampled. Questionnaire was used in the data collection. The data gathered was scored with a likert scale. The raw scores were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS) Software System. The first research question sought to find out what factors contributed to job satisfaction among teachers at Zuarungu Senior High School. A good number of the teachers agreed to factors such as salary, accommodation and administrative support contributing to job satisfaction. The second research question was to find out in what ways job dissatisfaction affected teachers’ performance in Zuarungu Senior High School. Majority agreed that absenteeism, refusal to do assigned duties, not setting and marking of exams timely are some of the effects of job dissatisfaction. Research question three was to find out what factors influenced teachers’ decision to quit teaching in Zuarungu Senior High School. The teachers responded to the following factors that would compel them to quit teaching; no provision of accommodation for teachers and non-payments of allowances due them. Research question four was to find out effective ways of attracting and retaining teachers in Zuarungu Senior High School. The teachers agreed that provision of accommodation, payment of allowances and soft loans would attract them to the school. The analysis was summarized and concluded that employees, especially teachers leave the teaching field because they are not satisfied with theirjob as a result of poor working conditions. They study recommended that Ghana Education Service should provide goodworking conditions like provision of accommodation and timely payment of allowances to mitigate their decision to quit teaching which in the long run affects the performances of the innocent school children. It was suggested that the research should be widened tocover more schools in the municipality
The Impact of Investment Climate on Industrial growth in the Central African sub-region (CEMAC)
Authors: Peter Angyie Dr. Etoh-Anzah , Martial Annicet Mr. Badjo Ngongue
Published: February 2020

The study on the Impact of Investment Climate on Industrial growth in the Central African sub-region (CEMAC) is centered on investigating into how macroeconomic stability, rule of law, political stability, legal and tax framework, infrastructure, and access to financial services will impact on industrial growth in the CEMAC region. It used data from World Development Indicators and World Governance Indicators database of the World Bank for 2002 to 2017 for all 6 countries of the sub region. Using the system-generalized method of moments (System-GMM) model and the fixed effects generalized least squares estimation techniques, our results on the average revealed that investment climate positively though not significantly, impact on the industrial growth in the sub region during the study period. However, up to about 45.5 per cent of the variables used for investment climate showed a negative impact on the industrial growth of the sub region. We therefore recommend that bureaucracy, government effectiveness, the type of government expenditure under taken, trade openness and value accountability be revisited and appropriate measures taken to permit for important improvements in industrial growth in the sub region.
A Conceptual Model: The Impact of Sociodemographic on Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Md Kassim Aza Azlina , Mohamed Juliza , Zainal Azim Zainal Azhar , Hafiz Rosli Mohamad , Abd Rahim Mohd Azrin , Salleh Mohd Nazil
Published: February 2020

The paper aims to examine the conceptual model on the impact of sociodemographic towards coronary heart disease. There is still limited study on the association between cost of living particularly the cost of food and housing and its impact on coronary heart disease. Therefore, this study incorporates five essential sociodemographic attributes namely, cost of food, children education cost, housing cost, smoking habit and gender. The study provides greater understanding on how the cost of living and lifestyle may give impact to coronary heart disease. It may provide the awareness among the regulators as the society faces burden of high cost of living. The burden may threaten the Malaysians quality of life particularly the lower income group.
O que deve aprender o professor de História? Reflexões sobre aprendizagem, ensino e formação docente inicial
Authors: Cavalcanti Erinaldo Vicente
Published: February 2020

O artigo faz uma reflexão sobre as principais temáticas de estudo que são ensinadas e aprendidas na formação inical do professor de História. Analisa quais temas aparecem nas disciplinas obrigatórias sobre o ensino de história para compreender o lugar ocupado pelos debates sobre a educação histórica. Para tanto, utilizo as matrizes curriculares dos cursos oferecidos nas universidades federais, localizadas na região Amazônica do Brasil, como uma opção para problematizar o que se ensina e se aprende na formação do professor dessa área. As análises demonstram que as licenciaturas pesquisadas não têm priorizado as reflexões sobre o ensino de História e, praticamente, têm ignorado o debate sobre educação histórica durante o período de formação inicial dos professores.
Resección histeroscópica de miomas de gran tamaño- Reporte de caso
Authors: Buitrago-Duque Carlos Arturo , Villegas-Sierra María Isabel
Published: February 2020

Objetivo: presentar una técnica quirúrgica para la resección de miomas submucosos de gran tamaño por vía histeroscópica.Materiales y métodos: reportamos el caso de una paciente con dos miomas submucosos de gran tamaño, con componente intramiometrial, que fue sometida a miomectomía histeroscópica en la Clínica SOMA, centro de alta complejidad, ubicado en Medellín, Colombia. Se presenta una técnica de miomectomía por histeroscopia con el uso del resectoscopio para disminución del volumen tumoral acompañado de disección roma para crear un plano de clivaje adecuado para la enucleación y extracción completa del tumor.Conclusión: la técnica que combina el uso de la resectoscopia con la enucleación del mioma permitiría la resección de tumores de gran tamaño con menor tiempo quirúrgico, un menor gasto de glicina y, por ende, menor riesgo de intoxicación hídrica y de perforaciones.
The association of thiol/disulphide homeostasis with 6-month mortality in patients with acute st-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: ÇELİK Mustafa , SÖKMEN Erdoğan , ERER Murat , SİVRİ Serkan , YILDIRIM Alp , BODUROĞLU Yalçin , GÜÇLÜ Kenan , ÖZBEK Sinan Cemgil
Published: February 2020

Aim: Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STMI) is
significant determinant of mortality and long-term mortality rates has not
changed significantly over the last two decades. Thiols are an important
anti-oxidant mechanism in the body, and excessive reactive oxygen species
oxidize the thiol into their disulphide forms. Hence, higher level of
disulphide is regarded as an indicator of oxidative stress. In the present
paper, we sought to investigate any probable relationship between
thiol/disulphide homeostasis and 6-month all-cause mortality among STMI
survivors.Material and Methods: 238 consecutive patients with
STMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervension were included.  Blood
samples for thiol/disulphide homeostasis were drawn on admission. Syntax I and
II scores were calculated using the cineangiographic views and relevant patient
demographics. Results:  6-month mortality occurred in 25 patients
(mortality group), while 213 patients remained alive (non-mortality
group).  Total thiol, native thiol, disulphide, disulphide/total thiol ,
disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol were not different between
the mortality and non-mortality groups (p>0.05). Syntax I and II scores
were significantly greater in mortality group (26.11±8.06 vs 19.129.80, p=0.029
for Syntax I; 50.1314.59 vs 30.639.79, p<0.001 for Syntax II).

Conclusion: Syntax II score, glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
and white blood cell count (WBC) were found to predict 6-month mortality.
Catatan Beberapa Jamur Makro di Hutan Kampus Institut Pertanian Bogor
Authors: Putra Ivan Permana , Amelya Mega Putri , Nugraha Naufal Hafizh , Zamia Habibah Zam
Published: February 2020

Macroscopic fungi is cosmopolitan-heterotrophic organisms which have an important ecological role in ecocystem. The aim of this study was to explore the diversity of species and the potency of Fungi in the Campus Forest of IPB Unversity. Observation was carried out in March to April 2019 using exploration method. Identification used morphological characteristic such as fruit body shape, hygrophnous, cap color, diameter, edge, and margin, wetness level, himenophore type. Result showed that 11 species of macroscopic fungi were identified, divided into 7 families, 4 order, and 1 class. The Group fungi were identified as Termitomyces sp. 1, Termitomyces sp. 2, Marasmius sp. 1, Marasmius sp. 2, Psathyrella sp., Geastrum sp., Stereum sp., Microporus sp., Polyporus sp., Ganoderma sp. 1 and Ganoderma sp. 2. All identified fungi were Basidiomycota. Some fungi found to be potentially used as food source, medicine, and also played an important role as a decomposer in the IPB university campus forest.
Utilization of Online Media as A Learning Media Bahasa Indonesia
Authors: Rawinda Fitrotul Mualafina
Published: February 2020

This paper is a thought about the use of online media as a means of learning Indonesian. The method used is a qualitative method with data collection techniques with documentation and listening techniques. The analysis shows that online media, whether in the form of channels, online applications, and social media, can be effective learning media in addition to printed literature. Online media, as a learning tool, can also be an easier medium for language recognition and marketing in the community so that language knowledge is not only shared by language activists, but also the wider Indonesian community as its native speakers.

 

Keywords: teaching, learning, language, online media, social media, Indonesian

 

Abstrak

 

Tulisan ini merupakan buah pikiran mengenai pemanfaatan media daring sebagai sarana pembelajaran bahasa Indonesia. Metode yang digunakan metode kualitatif dengan teknik pengambilan data dengan teknik dokumentasi dan teknik simak. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa media daring, baik yang berupa kanal, aplikasi daring, dan media sosial, dapat menjadi media belajar yang efektif di samping literatur cetak. Media daring, sebagai sarana belajar, dapat pula menjadi media pengenalan dan pemasaran bahasa pada masyarakat yang lebih mudah sehingga pengetahuan bahasa tidak hanya dimiliki oleh kalangan pegiat bahasa, tetapi juga masyarakat Indonesia secara luas sebagai penutur aslinya.

 

Kata kunci: pengajaran, pembelajaran, bahasa, media daring, media sosial, bahasa Indonesia
Effectiveness Extending Concept Through Language Activities (ECOLA) Method in Learning Editing Student Scientific Articles
Authors: Asep Supriyana  , E Emzir , Endry Boeriswati
Published: February 2020

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the ECOLA method on the ability to edit scientific articles of students. The method used in this research is the expriment method. This method is used to examine the possibility of a causal relationship, by exposing one or more experimental groups and one or more experimental conditions. The design used in this study is the pretest posttest control group design. This research was conducted at the Indonesian Literature Study Program, Faculty of Language and Art, Jakarta State University. In this study, the independent variable is the ECOLA learning method and the dependent variable is the ability to edit scientific articles. Based on the research results it is known that there is an effective ECOLA method used to improve the ability to edit scientific articles of students.

Keywords: ECOLA methods, editing skills, scientific articles

 

Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas metode ECOLA terhadap kemampuan menyunting artikel ilmiah mahasiswa. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode exprimen. Metode ini digunakan untuk meneliti kemungkinan hubungan sebab akibat, dengan cara mengekspos satu atau lebih kelompok eksperimental dan satu atau lebih kondisi ekperimen. Desain yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pretest posttest control group design.  Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Program Studi Sastra Indonesia, Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni, Universitas Negeri Jakarta. Dalam penelitian ini, variabel bebas berupa metode pembelajaran ECOLA dan variabel terikatnya adalah kemampuan menyunting artikel ilmiah. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui terdapat metode ECOLA efektif digunakanuntukl meningkatkan kemampuan menyunting artikel ilmiah mahasiswa.

 

Kata kunci: metode ECOLA, kemampuan menyunting, artikel ilmiah
The Argument of Al-Hadith Critics in Proving the Hearing of a Narrator (Rawi) from His Sheikh "A Model Study"
Authors: Mashgagba Abdelrhman Mohammad
Published: February 2020

This research aims at studying a significant precise issue of the science of Illal al-hadith, which is to discuss the validity of some narrators who al-hadith critics have differed upon in proving their hearing from their Shiekh. In view of the fact that it was not proven that the narrator has heard al-hadith from his Shiekh or some others have refuted it. To achieve the aim of this study, I followed the incomplete inductive method in collecting the models studied and the reviewed data. Then I used the deductive and the critical approach in analyzing and studying these data to conclude a precise result for the issue of hearing. I devoted a chapter to each model. The most significant results of this study include the following: the fact of proving hearing or refuting it is a matter of judgment according to what evidence the critic has found and has proven. it does not always take on consideration the words of the critic who has proven the issue of hearing against the one who has denied it. The existence of many of the evidence used by al-hadith critics to prove hearing or refuting it, and other results.

Keywords: The argument of al-hadith critics, proven hearing, defusing of hearing, evidence
Theatre and Persona: Celebrity and Transgression
Authors: Luckhurst Mary , Mayer Sandra
Published: February 2020

Theatre, with its focus on live performance and the particular interest it places on the performer as creative agent, undoubtedly brings a distinctive set of enriching perspectives to the field of persona studies, which has often acknowledged its debt to performance studies and theories of performativity (see, for instance, Marshall & Barbour 2015). Despite some notable forays into the area of persona and (live) artistic performance made by scholars in this journal (see, for instance, Piper 2015; Colby 2015; D’Cruz 2015), work that specifically addresses the multi-faceted uses and disuses of persona in theatre and its often radically transgressive potential is still conspicuously under-represented in a vibrant and swiftly expanding field. As guest editors of this special issue for Persona Studies, we are delighted to make a substantial intervention in bringing some of the theories and practices of theatre studies to persona studies. Likewise, the lens of persona studies concentrates analysts of theatre on interrogations that are fundamental to the discipline and to advancements in the notoriously difficult articulation of acting and the embodied performance of self and other.
Mask and Persona: Creating the Bard for Bardcom
Authors: Holland Peter
Published: February 2020

This article explores a number of perspectives on the creation of very different Shakespeares as personas by first examining the celebration of the 400th anniversary of his death in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 2016 and Shake, Mr Shakespeare, a remarkable Roy Mack 1936 Warner Brothers short. From there it moves on to consider the brief appearance of Shakespeare in the time-travel comedy Blackadder: Back and Forth, in ‘The Shakespeare Code’ episode of Doctor Who and in the off-Broadway musical Something Rotten!, before examining the work of Ben Elton in his screenplay for All Is True and in the seemingly unlikely success of Upstart Crow, the BBC sitcom with Shakespeare as the lead character, which has so far completed three six-episode series and three Christmas specials. The article is concerned with the multiple masks of the sequence of personas that create these Shakespeares, from Shakespeare as perhaps the epitome of the celebrity author to Shakespeare as a sitcom Dad.
Making Mischief: David Hare and the Celebrity Playwright’s Political Persona
Authors: Mayer Sandra
Published: February 2020

This article examines the fashioning of the authorial persona of British playwright, screenwriter, and director David Hare through autobiographically inflected extra-theatrical interventions. Both exploratory and explanatory companion pieces that frame his artistic work, Hare’s lectures, essays, and memoir capture and stage the field migrations between art and activism that lie at the heart of his public profile as a politically engaged celebrity playwright and astute social commentator. It will be shown how Hare exploits the generic properties of non-fictional life-writing formats that raise, and ostensibly meet, audience expectations of sincerity and authenticity and therefore become ideal vehicles for Hare’s ‘autobiomyth’ of the prophetic writer-propagandist who strives to appeal to the moral conscience of his readership. Hare’s conception of the authorial persona is informed by a Romantic tradition of strong authorship that is intimately connected with truth-telling discourses and that relies on the author’s combined identities of artist and politically engaged commentator. This contribution argues that Hare’s proclivity for non-fictional life-writing formats ties in with a sense of discomfort about his position as a playwright between establishment recognition and self-declared radicalism.
Theatre Costume, Celebrity Persona, and the Archive
Authors: Collett Emily
Published: February 2020

This essay considers the archived costume in relation to the concept of the celebrity performer’s persona. It takes as its case study the Shakespearean costume of Indigenous actress Deborah Mailman, housed in the Australian Performing Arts Collection. It considers what the materiality of the theatre costume might reveal and conceal about a performer’s personas. It asks to what extent artefacts in an archive might both create a new persona or freezeframe a particular construct of a performer. Central to the essay are questions of agency in relation to the memorialisation of a still living actress and the problematisation of persona in terms of the archived object. Can a costume generate its own persona in relation to the actress? And what are the power dynamics involved in persona construction when an archived costume presents a charged narrative which is very different to the actress’s current construction of her persona?
SUPPORTING LEARNERS WITH DYSLEXIA IN THE ELT CLASSROOM
Authors: Kotzé Henno
Published: February 2020

SUPPORTING LEARNERS WITH DYSLEXIA IN THE ELT CLASSROOMMichele DaloisoOxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 2017
Análisis biomecánico del ejercicio sentadilla libre en sujetos sin acondicionamiento físico
Authors: Blanco-Díaz Cristian Felipe , Quitian-González Angie Katerine
Published: February 2020

Los análisis biomecánicos proporcionan una fuente extensa de datos que son explorados ampliamente desde el punto de vista mecánico y fisiológico; dentro de estos datos se incluyen parámetros cinéticos y cinemáticos que son útiles para comprender la locomoción humana.

Por otro lado, la sentadilla es un ejercicio ampliamente utilizado para el acondicionamiento físico, ya que pone en funcionamiento al mismo tiempo varios músculos tanto del tren superior como del inferior, no obstante, una mala posición podría conducir a lesiones musculares y articulares, específicamente a nivel de la espalda y la rodilla, las cuales son especialmente comunes en pacientes sin acondicionamiento físico. En este estudio, los datos de sentadillas se analizan en pacientes sin acondicionamiento físico, organizados en dos grupos, uno compuesto por mujeres y otro por hombres, para evaluar posibles implicaciones en la articulación de la rodilla.

Con la realización de este estudio se determinó que el promedio de flexión de la articulación de la rodilla para hombres y mujeres cumple con los criterios de minimización debido a que sobrepasan el grado fundamental que radica hasta los 40 grados, por lo que se pudo comprobar que aparentemente ninguna persona sufre de alguna patología en la articulación de la rodilla. Además, se pudo observar que la ausencia de ejercicio puede afectar negativamente la movilidad de las articulaciones y en el mismo sentido se evidenció cómo la amplitud articular y el desplazamiento de los segmentos se ven afectados por la edad y el peso al momento de realizar cierta clase de movimiento.
Gingivitis Efficacy of a 0.454% w/w Stannous Fluoride Dentifrice: A 24-week randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Parkinson Charles Richard , MILLEMAN Kimberly R , MILLEMAN Jeffery L
Published: February 2020

Background: Plaque-induced gingivitis can be prevented and treated with regular effective oral hygiene, principally via mechanical cleaning with regular toothbrushing. To complement the mechanical plaque removal, antimicrobial ingredients can be incorporated into dentifrices to inhibit the growth of plaque. This study aimed to evaluate and compare gingivitis, proportion of subjects moving between gingivitis severity (<10%, >10%<30%, >30% bleeding sites) and oral hygiene, following twice daily use of an experimental non-aqueous 0.454% weight/weight (w/w) stannous fluoride (SnF2) dentifrice, compared to a negative control dentifrice over 12 and 24 weeks. Method: This was a single-center, examiner-blinded, randomized, stratified, two-treatment arm, parallel group, 24-week clinical study in healthy adult volunteers with moderate gingivitis. At baseline, after abstaining from toothbrushing overnight, subjects underwent MGI (modified gingival index), BI (bleeding index) and PI (plaque index) assessments. Eligible subjects, who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, were stratified based on gender and baseline mean MGI score (Low ≤2.00/High >2.00) and randomized to treatment. Following randomization, subjects underwent a thorough dental prophylaxis and flossing. After 12 and 24 weeks of twice daily brushing with their allocated treatment, subjects returned to the site (with overnight plaque, having abstained from oral hygiene procedures for 8 hrs prior to visit) for MGI, BI and PI assessments. Treatment effect was evaluated by comparing the MGI, BI and PI scores. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine subjects were screened; 98 subjects were randomized and 90 subjects completed the study. Statistically significant differences between treatments, in favour of the 0.454% stannous fluoride dentifrice were observed, compared to the negative control dentifrice, for all outcome measures (MGI, BI, bleeding sites and PI at weeks 12 and 24 p<0.0001). At 24, 71% of subjects in the 0.453% SnF 2 treatment group demonstrated <10% of bleeding sites. Conclusion: A dentifrice containing 0.454% w/w SnF 2 was shown to be superior to a standard dentifrice in controlling gingivitis and supra-gingival plaque, over a 24-week period. Over two thirds of subjects in the 0.454% SnF 2 treatment group demonstrated a level of bleeding sites potentially representative of “clinical periodontal health” (<10%) following a dental prophylaxis and 24 weeks of product use.
Medication adherence and Survival among hospitalized heart failure patients in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Authors: Pallangyo Pedro , Millinga Jalack , Bhalia Smita , Mkojera Zabella , Misidai Nsajigwa , Swai Happiness J , Hemed Naairah R , Kaijage Alice , Janabi Mohamed
Published: February 2020

Objective : Management of heart failure is complex and multifaceted but adherence to medications remains the cornerstone of preventing avoidable readmissions, premature deaths, and unnecessary healthcare expenses. Despite of evidence-based efficacy on anti-failure drugs, poor adherence is pervasive and remains a significant barrier to improving clinical outcomes in heart failure population. Results : We enrolled 459 patients with diagnosis of heart failure admitted at a tertiary cardiovascular hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The mean age was 46.4 years, there was a female predominance (56.5%), 67.5% resided in urban areas and 74.2% had primary education. Of the 419 participants eligible for assessment of medication adherence, 313 (74.7%) had poor adherence and 106 (25.3%) had good adherence. Possession of a health insurance was found to be the strongest associated factor for adherence (AOR 8.7, 95% CI 4.7-16.0, P <0.001). Participants with poor adherence displayed a 70% increased risk for rehospitalization compared to their counterparts with good adherence (ARR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.9, p = 0.04). Poor adherence was found to be the strongest predictor of early mortality (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.6, p<0.01). In conclusion, Poor medication adherence in patients with heart failure is associated with increased readmissions and mortality.
Clinical T category for lung cancer staging: A pragmatic approach for real-world practice
Authors: Choi Yeonu , Kim Sun-Hyung , Lee Ho Yun , Um Sang-Won , Kim Ki Hwan , Choi Yeonseok , Park Sung Goo , Sohn Insuk , Kim Hye Seung
Published: February 2020

Background : To determine which components should be measured and which window settings are appropriate for computerized tomography (CT) size measurements of lung adenocarcinoma and to explore interobserver agreement and accuracy according to the 8th edition of TNM staging. Methods : One hundred sixty-five surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas earlier than stage 3A were included in this study. One radiologist and two pulmonologists independently measured the total and solid sizes of components of tumors on different window settings and assessed solidity. CT measurements were compared with pathologic size measurements. Results : In categorizing solidity, 25% of the cases showed discordant results among observers. Measuring the total size of a lung adenocarcinoma predicted pathologic invasive components to a degree similar to measuring the solid component. Lung windows were more accurate (intraclass correlation [ICC] = 0.65–0.81) than mediastinal windows (ICC = 0.20–0.72) at predicting pathologic invasive components, especially in a part-solid nodule. Interobserver agreements for measurement of solid components were good with little significant difference (lung windows, ICC = 0.89; mediastinal windows, ICC = 0.91). A high level of interobserver agreement was seen between the radiologist and the pulmonologists and between residents versus a fellow on different windows. Conclusions : A considerable percentage (25%) of discrepancies was encountered in categorizing the solidity of lesions, which may decrease the accuracy of measurements. Lung window settings may be superior to mediastinal windows for measuring lung adenocarcinomas, with comparable interobserver agreement and moderate accuracy for predicting pathologic invasive components. Keywords : lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), neoplasm staging, computed x-ray tomography, observer variation
Phylogenetic study of Ipomoeeae (Convolvulaceae) based on chromosome painting
Authors: Chen Lei , Sun Jianying , Su Dan , Cao Qinghe , Li Zongyun , Han yonghua
Published: February 2020

Background: The phylogenetic relationships for Ipomoeeae species are incongruence in previous studies. Comparative chromosome painting (CCP) can provide valuable information for phylogenetic relationships among species. Results: In this study, 31 Ipomoea species were analyzed by oligo-based chromosome painting (CP) technique to better understand their phylogenetic relationships. The results indicated that the distribution patterns of oligo probes in three species with 28 chromosomes were significantly different from the other species with 30 chromosomes. Therefore, we proposed that the difference of chromosome number should be foremost factor in determining the phylogenetic relationships among species and the previous division of two large clades in Ipomoeeae wasn’t supported. The division of smaller clades within the Astripomoeinae in Ipomoeeae was generally supported with a few exceptions, whereas the division of smaller clades within Argyreiinae wasn’t resolved by our CP results. In addition, species relationship for the species belonging to same smaller clade with same CP pattern was further resolved by physical mapping of the 5S and 45S rDNA using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Conclusions: This study is the first phylogenetic analysis of Ipomoea species based on CP technique. Our results provide intuitive and reliable resolution of phylogenetic relationships for 31 Ipomoea species and demonstrate the validity of oligo-based CCP analysis in phylogenetic study.
Atypical gunshot injury to the neck with an unexpected nonlinear bullet trajectory: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Matsui Yuuki , Iguchi Sena , Sato Emiri , Sato Yoichiro , Shindo Ken , Ishida Michiko , Saito Yutaka , Nakamura Kazuki , Kushima Yu , Nishiwaki Masao , Imanishi Yorihisa
Published: February 2020

Background Gunshot injuries involving the head and neck region yield profound morbidity and mortality rates because of the region’s dense structure occupied with essential organs. Both projectile- and tissue-related factors determine the disruptive effects of projectiles on living tissues, with the former comprising various physical and dynamic properties of a bullet. Although a bullet generally passes straight through the body, we experienced an unusual case of a gunshot injury to the neck, wherein the bullet penetrated through the deep structures to the contralateral side of the shoulder without damaging any vital organs, allowing us to discuss the diagnostic implications of wound ballistics in managing gunshot wounds with unexpected bullet trajectories. Case presentation A 51-year-old man presented with a gunshot wound to the neck from a point-blank range shooting during a local gang conflict. On admission, a bullet entry hole was observed on the left side of the neck without an exit hole; however, the patient was conscious; vital signs were normal; and no active bleeding, cranial nerve palsy, or aero-digestive tract injury were found. Imaging tests revealed a bullet lying in front of the right humeral head, a comminuted fracture of the right clavicle, and soft tissue edema and small air sacs among the deep neck structures, including the retropharyngeal space. Emergency surgery was performed to extract the bullet, which turned out to be a full metal-jacketed bullet. Five days later, the patient was uneventfully discharged. According to the localization of the damaged tissues and the positional relationship between the bullet’s entrance and its destination, we estimated that the bullet nonlinearly penetrated the neck through the interstructural spaces associated with the least tissue resistance, almost transversely, during its intra-body movement. Conclusion Our experience strongly suggests the importance of realizing the unpredictable nature of a bullet trajectory in a body. Awareness of various ballistic factors and wounding mechanisms, which affect a bullet trajectory and the magnitude of tissue damage, can be of great help in adequate assessment and management of patients with gunshot injuries.
Soil Fungal Communities Investigated by Metabarcoding within Simulated Forensic Burial Contexts
Authors: Procopio Noemi , Ghignone Stefano , Voyron Samuele , Chiapello Marco , Williams Anna , Chamberlain Andrew , Mello Antonietta , Buckley Michael
Published: February 2020

Background

One of the most debated questions in forensic science is the estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI). Despite the large amount of research currently performed to improve the PMI estimation, there is still the need for additional improvements, particularly in cases of severely decomposed buried remains. A novel alternative to the morphological examination of the remains is the analysis of the soil microbial communities. Bacteria and fungi are ubiquitous and can be found in the soil and in/on the corpses, and their shifts in populational compositions present at different PMIs may reveal insights for PMI estimation. Despite it already having been revealed that bacteria might be good candidates for this type of analysis, there are knowledge gaps for this type of application when dealing with fungal communities. For this reason, we performed the metabarcoding analysis of the mycobiome present in the soil after prolonged decomposition times, from one- to six-months, targeting both the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) 1 and 2, to elucidate which of the two was more suitable for this purpose.

Results

Our results showed a decrease in the fungal taxonomic richness associated with increasing PMIs and the presence of specific trends associated with specific PMIs, such as the increase of the Mortierellomycota taxa after four- and six-months post-mortem and of Ascomycota particularly after two months, and the decrease of Basidiomycota from the first to the last time point. We have found a limited amount of taxa specifically associated with the presence of the mammalian carcasses and not present in the control soil, showing that the overall the taxa which are contributing the most to the changes in the community originate from the soil and are not introduced by the carrion, extending the potential to perform comparisons with other experimental studies with different carrion species.

Conclusions

This study has been the first one conducted on gravesoil, and sets the baseline for additional studies, showing the potential to use fungal biomarkers in combination with bacterial ones to improve the accuracy of the PMI predictive model based on the shifts in the soil microbial communities.
5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo [4,5] thieno [2,3-d] pyrimidine derivative attenuates lupus nephritis with less effect to thymocyte development
Authors: Wei Fengjiao , Zhou Xiaoqing , Chen Huanpeng , Tian Xuyan , Liu Zhonghua , Yu Bolan , He Xixin , Bai Chuan , Huang Zhaofeng
Published: February 2020

Objective

To investigate the effect of a RORγt inhibitor, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo [4,5]thieno [2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative (TTP), on the therapy of lupus nephritis and the safe risk on thymocytes development.

Methods

BALB/C female mice were 2 months for pristane-induced mice model of lupus nephritis with the treatment of vehicle, prednisone acetate, and TTP. And 4-week-old BALB/C female mice were used for studying the development of thymus with the treatment of vehicle and TTP.

Results

TTP repressed the development of Th17 cells and ameliorated the autoimmune disease manifestation in a pristine induced lupus nephritis mouse model. The treatment of TTP in mice didn’t interfere with thymocyte development, including total thymocyte numbers and proportion of CD4+CD8+ double-positive populations in thymus, and had no substantial effects on thymoma incidence. Surface plasmon resonance identified the TTP had stronger affinity with full length RORγt protein compared the truncated RORγt LBD region, indicated TTP binding to RORγt beyond LBD region. Molecular docking computation showed the best binding pocket of TTP to RORγt located in the hinge region of RORγt.

Conclusion

As a RORγt inhibitor, TTP had potential to develop drug for treating Th17-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases with low safety risk for thymocyte development.
Gut microbiome signatures of nursing home residents carrying Enterobacteria Producing Extended-spectrum β-lactamases
Authors: BASTARD Quentin LE , Chapelet Guillaume , Birgand Gabriel , Hillmann Benjamin M , Javaudin François , Hayatgheib Niki , Bourigault Céline , Bemer Pascale , De Decker Laure , Batard Eric , Lepelletier Didier , Montassier Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

Background The prevalence of extended beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) has been constantly increasing over the last decades. These microorganisms that have acquired broad antibiotic resistance are now common human pathogens. Changes in the gut microbiome, induced by antibiotics or other drugs, enable expansion of these microorganisms, but the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Objectives To investigate taxonomic and functional characteristics of the gut microbiome of nursing home residents carrying ESBL-E using metagenomics. Patients and methods We included 144 residents living in two different nursing homes. All fecal samples were screened for ESBL-E and gut microbiome was characterized using shallow shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing. Results Ten nursing home residents were colonized by ESBL-E, namely Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae species, and were compared to non-carriers. We found that ESBL-E carriers had an alteration in within-sample diversity. Using a bootstrap algorithm, we found that the gut microbiome of ESBL-E carriers was depleted in butyrate-producing species, enriched in succinate-producing species and enriched in pathways involved in intracellular pH homeostasis compared to non-carriers individuals. Several energy metabolism pathways were overrepresented in ESBL-E carriers suggesting a greater ability to metabolize multiple microbiota and mucus layer-derived nutrients. Conclusions The gut microbiome of ESBL-E carriers in nursing homes harbors specific taxonomic and functional characteristics, conferring an environment that enables Enterobacteriaceae expansion. We describe here new functional features associated with ESBL-E carriage that could help us to elucidate the complex interactions leading to colonization persistence in the human gut microbiota.
Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for postoperative analgesia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Huang Jiao , Liu Jing Chen
Published: February 2020

Background: Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) has been increasingly applied in patients for postoperative analgesia. Its safety and effectiveness remain uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the clinical safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided ESPB in adults undergoing general anesthesia (GA) surgeries.Methods: A systematic databases search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ESPB with control or placebo. Primary outcome was iv. opioid consumption 24 h after surgery. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) or risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model. Results: A total of 11 RCTs consisting of 540 patients were included. Ultrasound -guided ESPB showed a reduction of iv. opioid consumption 24 h after surgery (SMD=-2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.76 to -1.5,p<0.00001), pain scores at 1st hour (SMD=-0.97;95% CI -1.84 to -0.1,p=0.03) and pain scores at 6th hour (SMD=-0.64,95% CI -1.05 to -0.23,p=0.002), Also, it lessened the number of patients who required postoperative analgesia ( RR=0.41,95% CI 0.25 to 0.66,p=0,0002) and time to first rescue analgesia (SMD=4.56,95% CI 1.89 to 7.22, p=0.0008). Differences were not significant with the pain score at 12th hour,24th hour and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided ESPB provides postoperative analgesic efficacy in adults undergoing GA surgeries with no increase in PONV.
Nurses' experiences and viewpoints about the benefits of adopting information technology in health care: A qualitative study
Authors: Farokhzadian Jamileh , Khajouei Reza , Hasman Arie , Ahmadian Leila
Published: February 2020

Introduction Nurses are the largest users of hospital information systems in any health care system. Hence, collecting nurses ‘experiences and viewpoints about benefits of integrating IT into health care can help managers facilitate nurses’ adoption of IT. This study explored the experiences and viewpoints of nurses with IT integration into health care and their adoption of IT. Methods This study was conducted with a qualitative research approach. Participants included 14 nurses from four hospitals, affiliated to a large medical university, who were selected using a purposive sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the conventional content analysis of Lundman and Graneheim. Results Six categories in the study reflected the nurses´ experiences and viewpoints about benefits of integrating IT into health care. These categories included improving the quality and efficiency of medical services and care, facilitating the communication management in the technological environment, improving information documentation, management, and monitoring, improving resource management, improving management performance and policymaking, and facilitating pathways of organizational and professional growth. Conclusions Understanding of nurses´ experiences and viewpoints about IT can contribute to the adoption, to overcome the barriers, and to develop appropriate strategies to orient nurses towards the benefits of IT in health care settings. Health care managers are recommended to investigate the experiences of nurses with IT in their hospitals and organize courses to orient hesitant nurses toward adopting IT.
A Rationale for the Ortho Effect in Electrophilic Aromatic Substitutions
Authors: Eckert Timothy , Harmeyer Grace , Legate Steven , Mathe Steven
Published: February 2020

The ortho effect arises in certain electrophilic aromatic substitutions when a meta director is
meta to an ortho/para director. Among the three expected isomer products, only the two isomers ortho
to the meta director are produced normally. To find an explanation for the ortho effect, nitrations of
two properly substituted benzenes were explored. Evidence supported an explanation based on resonance
involving the meta director.
Development of Sorbent Materials based on Polymer Waste and their Compounds with Nanomaterials for Oil Spill Remediation
Authors: Torres Cynthia E.I. , Quezada Thelma S. , López Israel , de la Fuente Idalia G. , Rodríguez Francisco E.L. , Kharissova Oxana V. , Kharisov Boris I.
Published: February 2020

Aims:

The purpose of this work was to obtain a hydrophobic sorbent material with potential
applications in oil spill remediation.

Background:

The accidents due to oil spills cause long-term ecological damage, especially in the
aquatic environment. The cleaning of oil spills can be carried out by many methods and techniques, being
absorbents the most attractive due to the possibility of recovery and complete elimination of the
hydrocarbons in situ from the water surface. In recent years, interest in polymeric materials for oil spill
remediation has increased due to its low cost, high stability, and recyclability.

Objective:

The objective of this work was the development of sorbent materials based on polymer
wastes, such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), obtained from recycled bottles, and recycled Polyurethane
(PU), for its application in the recovery of oil spills.

Methods:

Sorbent materials were prepared from polymer wastes, using salt molds for the formation of
porous materials with a composition of PU of 5, 10 and 15%, which were subsequently hydrophobized
using carbon nanotubes or silica nanoparticles by dip-coating technique.

Results and Discussion:

The obtained hydrophobic sorbent materials were characterized by Scanning
Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulting absorbent has shown capacity
to separate oil from water; the best result was obtained by the sponge of PET-PU (10% PU) hydrophobized
with a suspension with low multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) concentration, obtaining
an absorption capacity of 2.01 g/g.

Conclusion:

Besides the standard sorption capacity, these cheap sorbent materials had interesting
properties like low density, high hydrophobicity and buoyancy, which could be applied in other applications
related to solving oil spills.
Self-Practice of Stabilizing and Guided Imagery Techniques for Traumatized Refugees via Digital Audio Files: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Zehetmair Catharina , Nagy Ede , Leetz Carla , Cranz Anna , Kindermann David , Reddemann Luise , Nikendei Christoph
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Refugees have an increased risk of developing mental health problems. There are insufficient psychosocial care structures to meet the resulting need for support. Stabilizing and guided imagery techniques have shown promising results in increasing traumatized refugees’ emotional stabilization. If delivered via audio files, the techniques can be practiced autonomously and independent of time, space, and human resources or stable treatment settings.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the self-practice of stabilizing and guided imagery techniques via digital audio files for traumatized refugees living in a reception and registration center in Germany.

METHODS

From May 2018 to February 2019, 42 traumatized refugees participated in our study. At T1, patients received digital audio files in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, or Serbian for self-practice. Nine days later, at T2, a face-to-face interview was conducted. Two months after T2, a follow-up interview took place via telephone.

RESULTS

At T2, about half of the patients reported the daily practice of stabilizing and guided imagery techniques. At follow-up, the average frequency of practice was once weekly or more for those experiencing worse symptoms. No technical difficulties were reported. According to T2 and follow-up statements, the techniques helped the patients dealing with arousal, concentration, sleep, mood, thoughts, empowerment, and tension. The guided imagery technique “The Inner Safe Place” was the most popular. Self-practice was impeded by postmigratory distress factors, like overcrowded accommodations.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that self-practice of stabilizing and guided imagery techniques via digital audio files was helpful to and well accepted by the assessed refugees. Even though postmigratory distress factors hampered self-practice, “The Inner Safe Place” technique was particularly well received. Overall, the self-practiced audio-based stabilizing and guided imagery techniques showed promising results among the highly vulnerable group of newly arrived traumatized refugees.