bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Parent-Implemented Language Intervention on Communication Skills of Iranian Toddlers: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Salmani Masoomeh , Ghorbani Raheb , Paknazar Fatemeh , Bakhtiyari Jalal , Ranjbar Fatemeh , Gholamzadeh Majid
Published: September 2022

Introduction: In recent years, some studies have indicated that some aspects of language performance of children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families are lower in language tests. Appropriate and timely interventions can partially prevent communication problems in these children. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a parental education program on word acquisition rates in Iranian toddlers from low SES families.
Materials and Methods: Sixty-six mothers (toddlers aged 12-14 months) participated in this randomized controlled trial study. These mothers were allocated to the experimental group and control group using the randomization method of the permuted block (each block=6). After baseline assessments, mothers in the experimental group received parental education program aimed at enriching the mother-child interactions and mothers’ knowledge of communication development for 9 weeks. The control group did not receive any education. The outcome measures were children’s scores on the Persian version of the McArthur-Bates communicative development inventories and mothers’ scores in multiple-choice exams regarding workshops’ contents. Data were analyzed using of Chi-square test, independent t test and paired samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results: Both groups had a significant increase in vocabulary size, while changes in the experimental group were more than double that of the control group (P<0.001). Other aspects of communicative behaviors, such as imitation, naming, and intentionality were changed only in the experimental group according to the course of typical development (P<0.001). Mothers significantly got higher scores after the workshops in a multiple-choice exam regarding children’s communication, language, and interaction (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that mothers’ knowledge of communication development is malleable and probably has positive effects on the communication behaviors of toddlers from low SES backgrounds.
Motor Control Changes in Trunk Muscles after Using Anatomical Posture Control Orthosis in the Elderly Hyperkyphotic Subjects
Authors: Veiskarami Masoumeh , Gholami Mehrdad , Aboutorabi Atefeh , Ahmadi Bani Monireh , Khamesi Ebrahim
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Hyperkyphosis is known to interfere with the normal function of the trunk musculature in the elderly. Although the effectiveness of orthoses in improving posture and balance in hyperkyphotic elderly people has received much attention, the effect of an orthosis on motor control of muscles remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate changes in motor control strategies of trunk muscles during walking in elderly hyperkyphotic subjects after using an anatomical posture control (APC) orthosis.
Materials and Methods: A total of 19 elderlies (11 women  and  8  men)  with  thoracic hyperkyphosis of more than 45 degrees were enrolled in the study. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from 6  trunk  muscles  bilaterally  with and without orthosis. The voluntary response index (VRI) was calculated from quantitative analysis of surface electromyography (sEMG) data during level walking in those with and without orthosis. The outcome variables of VRI included the similarity index (SI) and electromyographic magnitude (MAG) of muscle groups. The effects of APC orthosis on trunk motor control were tested using a Wilcoxon non-parametric test. Cohen’s d effect sizes were also calculated.
Results: A significant improvement was observed (P<0.05) in MAG and response vector (RV) of five muscles from the right and left sides and the VRI increased significantly after using this posture control orthosis (P<0.05; effect size [ES]: 0.27).
Conclusion: Improving trunk motor control after using orthosis, with relatively medium effect sizes, was observed in the elderly with hyperkyphosis during walking.
Prediction of Vasovagal Syncope based on Body Vigilance and Alexithymia Variables
Authors: Ramesh Somayeh , Besharat Mohammad Ali , Soltanian-Zadeh Hamid , Rostami Reza , Vasheghani Farahani Ali , Farahani Hojjatollah
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Vasovagal syncope is the most common type of syncope and recurrent syncope attacks can have a profound effect on the patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to predict vasovagal syncope based on the variables of body vigilance and alexithymia.
Methods: The present study was a case-control study. The statistical population of the present study included the patients with vasovagal syncope referred to Tehran Heart Center in the year of 1400. Fifty patients with vasovagal syncope and 54 healthy individuals were selected by purposive sampling. Data collection tools included the Body Vigilance Scale and Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Data analysis was performed by logistic regression analysis and using SPSS software version 16 at the level of 0.05.
Results: The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow Test (P-value = 0.255, χ2 = 3.07) showed good model fit. According to the results of logistic regression test, the coefficient estimate for the alexithymia -0.053 and the body vigilance was -0.017.
Conclusion: Based on the results, in the patients with vasovagal syncope, by designing measures based on reducing body vigilance and alexithymia, they can be helped to improve and reduce syncope episode.
Chemical Composition, Total Phenolic Content, and Anti-Ulcerative Colitis Effects of Extract and Essential Oil of Cupressus arizonica Greene Fruits
Authors: Majnooni Mohammad Bagher , Mohammadi Saeid , Bahrami Gholamreza , Mohammadi- Noori Ehsan , Farzaei Mohammad Hosein
Published: September 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, which has a global prevalence. Also, the plants of the Cupressaceae family have prominent anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects, so they can be considered as promising candidates for the treatment of UC. In this study, the therapeutic effects of extract and essential oil of Cupressus arizonica Greene (C. arizonica) fruits in the animal model of UC were investigated. Total of 35 Wistar male rats were treated with essential oil and hydroalcoholic extract for one week after induction of colitis by acetic acid. The colonic segment cut for macroscopic and histological analysis. The total amount of extract phenol and flavonoid content was assayed by Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The extract at doses of 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg and essential oil at doses of 0.5 mg/kg showed significant effects on UC (P < 0.05). The total phenolic content of hydroalcoholic extract in terms of mg of gallic acid/ g of extract was 191.625 ± 7.04 and the amount of total flavonoids in terms of mg of rutin/g of extract was 66.52 ± 6.51. Also, according to the results of GC/MS analysis, α-pinene was the major constituent of essential oil. Our results revealed that the extract and essential oil of C. arizonica fruits had therapeutic effects on UC, and this effect may be related to the presence of polyphenolic and terpene compounds.
Combinar marketing de experiência com marketing de influência pode conduzir a um aumento do brand awareness digital?
Authors: Almeida e Souza Carolina , Costa e Silva Susana , Shimabukuro Sandes Fabio
Published: September 2022

Objetivo: O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo discutir como a estratégia combinada de marketing experiencial e de marketing de influência pode conduzir a um aumento do brand awareness digital de uma marca. Ao combinar elementos do marketing de experiência com a divulgação por meio de influenciadores digitais, este artigo apresenta resultados encontrados em uma ação premiada em Portugal. Método: A metodologia utilizada é qualitativa exploratória, um estudo de caso prático de uma empresa do varejo de moda, uma ação premiada em Portugal. O modelo teórico usado na análise combina os elementos das estratégias de marketing de experiência e marketing de influência. Foram analisados fotografias, entrevista com gestor da empresa, postagens e comentários nas redes sociais da marca e das influenciadoras digitais. Principais resultados: A análise dos resultados sugere que uma estratégia que promove uma experiência de consumo às influenciadoras digitais resulta em maior envolvimento, maior número de publicações nas redes sociais e, em consequência, boca a boca maior e de melhor qualidade para a marca, amplificando a presença da marca nos canais digitais e, concludentemente, o brand awareness da marca. Relevância / Originalidade: Este estudo inova ao mesclar marketing de experiência com marketing de influência como análise dos conceitos que suportam essas estratégias e contribui com a literatura ao discutir um caso prático que obteve resultados positivos com essa ação de marketing. Contribuições Teóricas / Metodológicas: Este artigo apresenta a sinergia entre a junção das estratégias de marketing de experiência e influência nas práticas gerenciais de empresas do varejo de moda.
Intangibilidade, internacionalização e desempenho: uma análise para empresas brasileiras
Authors: Sant Ana Renata Pereira de , Carvalho Luciana , Ribeiro Kárem Cristina de Sousa
Published: September 2022

Objetivo: Investigar o efeito da intangibilidade no desempenho das empresas exportadoras e não exportadoras no Brasil.
Método: Foram utilizados dados financeiros e contábeis das empresas de capital aberto listadas no Brasil, Bolsa e Balcão (B3), e publicados na base de dados Thomson e na base do Ministério da Indústria, Comércio Exterior e Serviços, no período de 2014 a 2019. Como modelo econométrico, estimaram-se modelos de regressão de dados em painel.
Principais Resultados: Os resultados sugerem haver relação significante e negativa entre os ativos intangíveis e o retorno sobre ativos e o retorno sobre o patrimônio líquido para o grupo de empresas exportadoras. Quanto à variável grau de intangibilidade, houve significância negativa somente com o retorno sobre o patrimônio líquido. Para o grupo de empresas não exportadoras, não houve significância. Assim, verificou-se que, quando as empresas exportadoras aumentam seu índice de investimento em intangíveis e seu grau de intangibilidade, sua rentabilidade diminui.
Relevância / Originalidade: Esta pesquisa faz-se relevante visto que os estudos sobre a temática são inconclusivos.
Contribuições Teóricas / Metodológicas: O trabalho pretende trazer uma contribuição teórica por analisar a relação intangibilidade-desempenho para empresas exportadoras e não exportadoras no Brasil.
Contribuições sociais / para a gestão: Com este estudo, pretende-se auxiliar os gestores das empresas brasileiras exportadoras nas decisões de investimentos em ativos intangíveis e nas estratégias de competitividade nos mercados internacionais.
Fostering Data Literacy: Teaching with Quantitative Data in the Social Sciences
Authors: Ruediger Dylan , Cooper Danielle , Bardeen Angela , Baum Liesl , Ben-Gad Shmuel , Bennett Shaun , Berger Kathleen , Bonella Laura , Brazell Ryan , Bruce Symphony , Buckley Louise , Burrows Trevor , Calvert Scout , Condon Patricia , Curty Renata , Davis Hilary , Exline Eleta , Feerrar Julia , Finch Emily , Foster Elizabeth , Gainey Melanie , Ghouse Nikhat , Goetz Joseph , Greer Becca , Grogg Kelly , Gunderman Hannah , Goss Samantha , Hayslett Michele , He Yan , James Ann , Jerome Erin , Kern Barb , Kleekamp Jessica , Klein Jesse , Kramer Stefan , Lee Andrew , Levine Cynthia , Liss Ken , Lundeen Andrew , MacVaugh Kimberly , Mann Wendy , Maybee Clarence , McGinty Steve , McGowan Bethany , McNabb Kayla , Minnis Samantha , Moore Jennifer , Nicholson Shawn , Olson Kayla , Peters Christie , Phillips Jeff , Piacentine Julie , Porter Nathaniel , Potterbusch Megan , Rawls Mallary , Rimmer Miaomiao , Schaub Gayle , Schuler Eric , Scott Dorris , Shao Gang , Slayton Emma , Spahr Kendra , Spiro Lisa , Spitler Jasmine , Splenda Ryan , Thomas Amanda , Tickner Amanda , Treptow Emily , White Torin , Yatcill Jane
Published: September 2022

“Fostering Data Literacy: Teaching with Quantitative Data in the Social Sciences” explores why and how instructors teach with data, identifies the most important challenges they face, and describes how faculty and students utilize relevant campus and external resources. Full details and actionable recommendations for stakeholders are offered in the body of the report, which offers guidance to university libraries and other campus units, faculty, vendors, and others interested in improving institutional capacities to support data-intensive instruction in the social sciences.
Riesgo para la salud asociado a la vivienda y su entorno. Propuesta metodológica para su evaluación
Authors: Grijalba Olatz , Barrena-Herrán Mikel , Modrego-Monforte Itziar
Published: September 2022

ResumenSegún la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) las condiciones morfológicas, materiales y de contexto de los edificios residenciales pueden exponer a las personas a distintos riesgos para la salud, tanto físicos como mentales. Dicho riesgo depende de factores de muy diversa índole (socioeconómica, sociocultural, ambiental, etc.). Es un fenómeno multifactorial y multicausal, donde los aspectos arquitectónicos y urbanísticos son una variable importante de un sistema complejo. Los retos a los que se enfrentan las estrategias de rehabilitación residencial deberían adaptarse para dar respuesta a las deficiencias de los distintos ámbitos.  En este contexto, se ha desarrollado un método para evaluar la vulnerabilidad residencial en función al riesgo para la salud de las personas. Se trata de una primera propuesta para incorporar aspectos como la iluminación y la ventilación natural o la espacialidad o flexibilidad de las viviendas en los métodos de evaluación del parque edificado. Pretende provocar una reflexión acerca de la diversidad existente en las necesidades, en contraposición a la uniformidad de las estrategias de rehabilitación impulsadas por la Administración Pública en esta última década. A su vez, posibilita entender la estructuración del parque residencial a nivel urbano e interrelacionar aspectos tipo morfológicos y socioeconómicos e indagar en las dinámicas de vulnerabilidad urbana. El análisis se ha realizado en cuatro tipos de vulnerabilidad (espacial, ambiental, energético y socioeconómico) a través de 24 indicadores recogidos en un modelo SIG basado en la lógica difusa y la evaluación multicriterio. Se ha utilizado como base la información cartográfica y alfanumérica del catastro. La escala de trabajo y de análisis es municipal siendo la unidad de desagregación el portal. El método se ha implementado en un caso de estudio, el término municipal de Donostia-San Sebastián, aunque es exportable y adaptable a otros contextos.  La propuesta metodológica desarrollada posibilita tener una visión holística del parque y comparar las afecciones en distintas áreas de estudio. Dicha información es la base para diseñar adecuadamente las intervenciones para cada contexto o tipología y definir una estrategia de escala municipal.
Áreas periurbanas en transformación. Estrategias para la resiliencia de los paisajes periurbanos en ciudades europeas y españolas
Authors: Díez Medina Carmen , Ezquerra Isabel , Monclús Fraga Javier , Simona Pierini Orsina , Sucena Sara , Ioannou Olga
Published: September 2022

ResumenEn las últimas décadas, el debate internacional sobre la expansión suburbana y el crecimiento periurbano de las ciudades europeas se ha intensificado. La descentralización de actividades industriales, terciarias y residenciales, así como la proliferación de infraestructuras viarias han dado lugar a la fragmentación de la trama agrícola con la formación de espacios de usos mixtos, vacíos o residuales. Por otro lado, es evidente el creciente interés hacia los valores culturales, ecológicos y paisajísticos de los paisajes periurbanos.
Personality traits: Support for survive in pandemic Covid-19 for SMEs
Authors: Septivani Mega Dwi , Utami Alivia Meyrizka
Published: September 2022

Purpose – Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the Indonesian economy. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has hampered the economic sector, companies must be able to create the best market opportunities one way through which entrepreneurial personality traits and skills can influence the market and entrepreneurial orientation. Therefore, it is important to know the important role of the personality and skills of SME owners in responding to this situation. Based on this, this study aims to examine the relationship between personality traits, entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation and performance.Methodology – This study uses a survey with a structured questionnaire with a total of 103 SMEs owners in Indonesia.Findings – This study shows that the ability to negotiation skill and risk taking has a significant effect on both entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation, but optimism and locus of control have no effect on market orientation and orientation.Implications – This study promises to examine how the positive role of personality traits here can help managers view any crisis in a new perspective. As for the managerial implications a manager can use the influence of their personality to inspire and mobilize their team to work effectively to achieve common goals.Originality – This research is to provide a useful view for SMEs owners, it is important to be entrepreneurship and market oriented in order to improve SMEs performance and increase awareness of the importance and adopting new technology as an effort to deal with the Covid-19 and anticipate the economy in the future.
Calibrating A Comprehensive Immune Age Metric to Analyze the Cross Sectional Age-Related Decline in Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Authors: Bröde Peter , Claus Maren , Gajewski Patrick D. , Getzmann Stephan , Golka Klaus , Hengstler Jan G. , Wascher Edmund , Watzl Carsten
Published: September 2022

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is essential for sustained work ability in good health, but declines with aging as does the functionality of the immune system, the latter process commonly referred to as immunosenescence. This study aimed to compare the capacity of immunosenescence biomarkers with chronological age for predicting low CRF in a cross-sectional sample recruited from the regional working population. CRF was determined by submaximal bicycle ergometer testing in a cross-sectional sample of 597 volunteers aged 20–70 years from the ’Dortmund Vital Study’ (DVS, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05155397). Low CRF was scored, if the ergometer test was not completed due to medical reasons or if the power output projected to a heart rate of 130 bpm divided by body mass was below sex-specific reference values of 1.25 W/kg for females and 1.5 W/kg for males, respectively. In addition to established biomarkers of immunosenescence, we calibrated a comprehensive metric of immune age to our data and compared its predictive capacity for low CRF to chronological age while adjusting our analysis for the influence of sex, obesity, and level of regular physical activity by applying univariate and multiple logistic regression. While obesity, low physical activity, chronological and immune age were all associated with increased probability for low CRF in univariate analyses, multiple logistic regression revealed that obesity and physical activity together with immune age, but not chronological age, were statistically significant predictors of low CRF outcome. Sex was non-significant due to the applied sex-specific reference values. These results demonstrate that biological age assessed by our immunological metric can outperform chronological age as a predictor for CRF and indicate a potential role for immunosenescence in explaining the inter-individual variability of the age-related decline in cardiorespiratory fitness.
Geostatistical Modeling and Heterogeneity Analysis of Tumor Molecular Landscape
Authors: Hajihosseini Morteza , Amini Payam , Voicu Dan , Dinu Irina , Pyne Saumyadipta
Published: September 2022

Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) is associated with therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis in cancer patients, and attributed to genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental factors. We developed a new computational platform, GATHER, for geostatistical modeling of single cell RNA-seq data to synthesize high-resolution and continuous gene expression landscapes of a given tumor sample. Such landscapes allow GATHER to map the enriched regions of pathways of interest in the tumor space and identify genes that have spatial differential expressions at locations representing specific phenotypic contexts using measures based on optimal transport. GATHER provides new applications of spatial entropy measures for quantification and objective characterization of ITH. It includes new tools for insightful visualization of spatial transcriptomic phenomena. We illustrate the capabilities of GATHER using real data from breast cancer tumor to study hallmarks of cancer in the phenotypic contexts defined by cancer associated fibroblasts.
Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Seroprevalence in Accra, Ghana during the Delta-Omicron Waves
Authors: Owusu Donkor Irene , Lomotey Elvis Suatey , Akorli Jewelna , Opoku Millicent , Frimpong Gyekye Emmanuel , Sedzro Kojo M. , Andoh Nana Efua , Ashong Yvonne , Abuaku Benjamin , Koram Kwadwo Ansah , Munster Vincent
Published: September 2022

A significant proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Africa are identified as asymptomatic, facilitating the silent spread of the virus especially in populated urban cities. With the surge of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the inclusion of asymptomatics in epidemiological surveys is key in estimating true infections and seroprevalence in the population. The aim of the study was to determine seroprevalence, active infection and circulating variants in Accra, the capital city of Ghana during the Omicron wave. The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 22 municipalities in December 2021. Naso-oropharyngeal swabs and serum samples were collected from 1027 individuals aged 5 years and above, for detection of infection by RT-qPCR and estimation of total antibodies using the WANTAI ELISA kit. Our results show 10% SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, with the Omicron and Delta variants accounting for 44.1% and 8.8% of infections, respectively. Omicron was most prevalent (48.9.%) among the 20–39-year-olds. Asymptomatic individuals accounted for 75.2% of infections. Seropositivity within the population was 86.8%, with the 60+ year group having significantly higher likelihood of exposure (OR 10.22: 95% CI: 3.51-29.73; p<0.001). This high seroprevalence appears to have been as a result of increased vaccination among this group (OR 2.7: 95% CI 1.78-4.09, p < 0.001). The high seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 in the capital could be a good indication of herd immunity among the population and while the low infection rate supports the role of vaccination in reducing viral transmission.
Comparison of the effectiveness of methods for solving systems of linear equations in the problem of modeling the contact interaction of fuel elements in a thermoelastic formulation
Authors: Aronov Pavel Sergeevich , Rodin Aleksandr Sergeevich
Published: September 2022

Various algorithms for solving systems of linear algebraic equations that arise when modeling problems of contact interaction of thermoelastic bodies with a changing configuration of the contact surface are considered. The implementations of modified iterative methods, the Uzawa method, as well as algorithms based on the use of the Gauss method and the generalized method of minimal residuals (GMRES) with two iterative refinement options allowing for the exit from contact of individual sections of the contact boundary are presented. The efficiency of the presented algorithms is compared in relation to a problem simulating thermomechanical processes in a section of a fuel element that includes up to 100 fuel pellets.
A Bibliometric Analysis: A Tutorial for the Bibliometrix Package in R Using IRT Literature
Authors: BÜYÜKKIDIK Serap
Published: September 2022

The bibliometrix package in R programming language, which is frequently used in bibliometric analysis, was introduced in this research. The article aimed to illustrate the various analyses applied in a bibliometric study. For this purpose, articles containing the "item response theory" (IRT) or "item response modeling" or "item response model" terms in the abstract were searched in the Thomson Reuters Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (WoS at http://www.webofknowledge.com), and bibliometric data was downloaded. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) steps were followed in the study. Data from 3388 IRT-related articles on education and psychology, searched between 2001 and 2021, were used in the study. Data were analyzed with the bibliometrix package. Some of the stages in data analysis were shared with screenshots. As a result of data analysis through the real data set, the author’s keywords related to IRT were item response model, differential item functioning, psychometrics, assessment, measurement, reliability, validity, Rasch model, and measurement invariance. The countries with the highest number of citations in IRT studies were the USA, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and China, respectively. Turkey ranked 12th in IRT studies with 434 citations. It was thought that bibliometric analysis of articles related to IRT would shed light on researchers in the field of psychometrics.
Regulatory Framework Effects in the Recovery Factor, A New Approach from the Competition Concentration Analysis O&G Sector, Comparative Case Norway and Colombia 2000-2016
Authors: Orozco Cera Eusebio Jose , Romero Consuegra Felipe
Published: September 2022

This study shows that measures to reduce concentration in hydrocarbon markets should be considered and added and regulatory options must be addressed to provide incentives and avoid and / or reduce the impact of the concentration on competitiveness deficiencies for the efficiency of recovery of oil fields in the long-run.

The authors approach the theme of the curse of natural resources and the Regulatory Framework Effects in the Recovery Factor from the hydrocarbons and its economic incentives for Norway and Colombia with some of the particularities of Tax burden, Legal Framework and Structure of the Sector, addressing an analysis and comparison of measures of hydrocarbons market concentration for its Downstream, Midstream and Upstream of both countries emphasizing the particularities in the Regulation of access to the Pipeline System obtaining Results, Observations, Conclusions and Recommendations for Colombia, Norway and in general to economies exposed to hydrocarbon sectors with national state companies.
Begining of integration RATP model in LASER/F for thermo-radiative simulation of an urban district with vegetation
Authors: Chakkour Tarik
Published: September 2022

LASER/F is designed to simulate the energy budget of the urban climate. This
model has been developed for the needs of urban climate research. The framework of the
model is described in this paper. This article deals with simulating radiative fluxes and distribution
of the radiative energy in an urban canyon. Specific algorithms involving in these
computations are presented. When vegetation is present on the ground, the transpiration
is slightly underestimated using it. On the other hand, the model RATP simulates well the
spatial distribution of radiation and leaf-gas exchanges within vegetation canopies as a function
of canopy microclimate. The aim of the paper is to improve some geometric procedures
used in LASER/F in order to obtain globally a good level of performance. Coupling these
models stays chalenging and complicated. Then, we will consider the influence of urban
planning and in particular the influence of urban vegetation in the model.
Divergent subgenome evolution in the allotetraploid frog Xenopus calcaratus
Authors: Knytl Martin , Fornaini Nicola R. , Bergelová Barbora , Gvoždík Václav , Černohorská Halina , Kubíčková Svatava , Fokam Eric B. , Evans Ben J. , Krylov Vladimír
Published: September 2022

Allopolyploid genomes are divided into compartments called subgenomes that are derived from lower ploidy ancestors. In African clawed frogs of the subgenus Xenopus (genus Xenopus), allotetraploid species have two subgenomes (L and S) with morphologically distinct homoeologous chromosomes. In allotetraploid species of the sister subgenus Silurana, independently evolved subgenomes also exist, but their cytogenetics have not been investigated in detail. We used an allotetraploid species in Silurana—Xenopus calcaratus—to explore evolutionary dynamics of chromosome morphology and rearrangements. We find that the subgenomes of X. calcaratus have distinctive characteristics, with a more conserved a-subgenome resembling the closely related genome of the diploid species X. tropicalis, and a more rapidly evolving b-subgenome having more pronounced changes in chromosome structure, including diverged heterochromatic blocks, repetitive sequences, and deletion of a nucleolar secondary constriction. Basedon these cytogenetic differences, we propose a chromosome nomenclature for X. calcaratus that may apply to other allotetraploids in subgenus Silurana, depending on as yet unresolved details of theire volutionary origins. These findings highlight the potential for large-scale asymmetry in subgenome evolution following allopolyploidization.
In-vivo acaricidal efficacy of Tephrosia vogelii leaf extract against tick infestation in cattle
Authors: Jerjero Tajebe
Published: September 2022

A study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the in-vivo acaricidal efficacy of Tephrosia vogelii leaf extract in controlling ticks on cattle. For this experiment, forty five naturally tick infested cattle were selected and equally divided into five treatment groups of nine animals in completely randomized design. The first three groups were topically treated with 20%, 25% and 30% w/v extract, the forth group was sprayed with diazinon as positive control at a recommended dose of 1:1000 while the fifth group was left untreated as negative control. Tick counts were conducted on day0 pre-treatment and on days4 and 7 post treatment on each animal. Post-treatment quantitative assessment of tick burden revealed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in tick load in all treated groups compared to untreated ones. The percentage tick count reduction was higher at day 7 than day 4 for all treated groups with their respective efficacy of 80.33%, 85.42% and 90% for 20%, 25% and 30% extracts and 97.67% for diazinon at day 7 post treatment. The observed tick count reductions were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) at all dilution levels of the extract but without significant difference (P > 0.05) among themselves. The results also revealed both time and dose dependent efficacy of the extract and its comparable effectiveness with diazinon which was an evidence suggestive of its significant anti-tick effect. Therefore Tephrosia vogelii could be recommended as effective natural tick control alternative, especially for poorly-resourced small-scale farmers in rural areas where commercial acaricides are unavailable or unaffordable.
Any positive integer n can be expressed as the sum of 3n fractions: n=[{𝟏/2+𝟏/2+…….+𝟏/2(nth term)}+{𝟏/3+𝟏/4+…….+ 𝟏(𝒏+𝟐)(nth term)}+{1/6+2/8+….+n/𝟐(𝒏+𝟐)(nth term)}
Authors: Sheikh Noorzaman
Published: September 2022

We aim to build an expression for any positive integer fractional form with the help of a basic concept in mathematics. We know that any positive integer n (n > 1) can be expressed as the sum of two or more positive integers. Additionally, a positive integer n (n > 1) can be expressed as the sum of positive integers and also a positive integer n can be expressed as the sum of only fractions. However, our proposal is different: we can express the fractional form of any positive integer in an attractive manner. Through a certain identity, we fulfill this objective. For any integer n, by applying the identity, we can express it as the sum of 3n fractions.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of a Cd hyperaccumulator Viola baoshanensis at Baoshan Pb/Zn Mine
Authors: Zhong Weiliang
Published: September 2022

Despite great potential for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi associated with heavy metals (HMs) hyperaccumulators in the phytoremediation of contaminated sites, rather limited information is available in literature about the community structure of AM fungi (AMF) in the rhizosphere of hyperaccumulators in nature. A field survey was conducted to investigate the colonization status and community structure of AMF of Viola baoshanensis, a Cd hyperaccumulator, growing at Baoshan Pb/Zn Mine. Shoot/root ratios of 1.78 for Cd, and 2.57 for Zn in V. baoshanensis indicate that these two metals were preferentially transported from roots to shoots, whereas Pb was mainly stored in roots. The roots of V. basshanensis were extensively colonized by AMF with M% of 69.1% , and A% of 46.9% , whereas mycorrhizal colonization was not affected by concentrations of Cd, Zn and Pb in the soil. 15 AMF species ( 5 Glomus, 3Rhizophagus,2 Claroideoglomus, 2 Septoglomus, and each one of Ambispora, Funneliformis, and Sclerocystis ) were identified by a morphological method. The dominant AMF genus was Glomus, showing high tolerance to excess Cd, Zn and Pb, while Glomus ambisporum and Claroideoglomus etunicatum were the most abundant species in the rhizosphere of V. baoshanensis.
Structural insights into cardiolipin stabilization of yeast respiratory supercomplexes revealed by Cryo-EM
Authors: Dowhan William , Hryc Corey , Mallampalli Venkata , Bovshik Evgeniy , Azinas Stavros , Fan Guizhen , Serysheva Irina , Sparagna Genevieve , Baker Matthew , Mileykovskaya Eugenia
Published: September 2022

Cardiolipin is a hallmark phospholipid of mitochondrial membranes. Despite established significance of cardiolipin in supporting respiratory supercomplex organization, a mechanistic understanding of this lipid-protein interaction is still lacking. To address the essential role of cardiolipin in supercomplex organization, we determined cryo-EM structures of a wild-type supercomplex (IV1III2IV1) and a supercomplex (III2IV1) isolated from a cardiolipin-lacking Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant at 3.2-Å and 3.3-Å resolution, respectively. Phosphatidylglycerol is located in the III2IV1 supercomplex at similar positions as cardiolipin in the wild-type supercomplex. Lipid-protein interactions in the latter are different from that observed for the former that conceivably underlies the reduced stability of supercomplexes in mutant mitochondria. Our studies provide evidence that anionic phospholipids appear to nucleate a phospholipid domain at the interface between the individual complexes, which may contribute to supercomplex stability. Destabilization of supercomplex formation by phosphatidylglycerol has significant implications for Barth Syndrome patients where mitochondrial phosphatidylglycerol levels are significantly elevated.
Melamine sponge skeleton loaded organic conductors for mechanical sensors with high sensitivity and high resolution
Authors: Wu Yufeng , Wu Jianbo , Lin Yan , Liu Junchen , Pan Xiaolong , He Xian , Bi Ke , Lei Ming
Published: September 2022

In recent years, due to the development of flexible electronics, flexible sensors have been widely concerned and applied in intelligent robots, brain-computer interfaces and wearable electronic devices. We propose a low-cost and high-efficiency sensor component preparation method. The sensor Tetrathiafulvalene-Tetracyanoquinodimethane/ melamine sponge (TTMS) takes a melamine sponge as a flexible substrate and metallizes the sponge with the organic conducting molecule Tetrathiafulvalene-Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) to construct a conductive pathway with chemical stability. We use a physical load approach to ensure the advantages of low cost and efficient manufacturing. TTMS has good mechanical stability and can withstand 8000 compressions. 1000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry scanning proved that it also had good electrical stability. TTMS can distinguish pressure changes of 100 Pa and respond quickly to pressure application and release. These TTMS can be assembled to form an array of sensors that can distinguish the position and intensity of pressure. Therefore, the excellent performance of the sensor is expected to promote the commercial application of the piezoresistive sensor.
Adaptation of inductive power transfer to small household appliances that can operate on induction heating cooktops: wireless electric kettle
Authors: SEZER CANBERK , ALTINTAŞ NİHAN
Published: September 2022

In this study, the adaptation of the small household electric kettle to the inductive wireless power transfer system, which will allow it to be used as a load in induction heating cooktops, is presented. In the wireless power transfer system, a transmitter coil is used in the characteristics of the coil used in domestic induction cookers. In order to successfully transfer power, the receiving side is placed on the bottom of the existing corded electric kettle. The magnetic system model consisting of aligned transmitter and receiver coils is created in the Maxwell program. In the created model, the analysis is carried out depending on the air gap and frequency, which are the variables that affect the wireless power transfer. The coil model created to examine the dynamic behavior of the system is used in the simulation of the electronic circuit. The prototype of the system is established in the laboratory and tested under different output power values. Experimental results confirm the magnetic model and simulation results. As a result, wireless power transfer is realized without loss on performance in the electric kettle. System efficiency is greater than 90% specified in the standard and the harmonic currents drawn from the mains are lower than the values determined by the standard. Moreover, the results obtained confirm the usability of the proposal on induction hobs.
A physics-based source model for real-time tephra-dispersal prediction
Authors: Ishii Kensuke , Nishijo Akira , Koyaguchi Takehiro , Suzuki Yujiro
Published: September 2022

A physics-based model to estimate source conditions for a tephra-dispersal model is developed. The source condition is generally expressed by a distribution of released particles along an eruption plume (referred to as source magnitude distribution" SMD).The present model (NIKS-1D) calculates the SMD and the column height for given vent conditions(e.g. mass eruption rate and magma properties) on the basis of an eruption column model below the neutral buoyancy level (NBL), a downwind gravity current model around the NBL,and a particle sedimentation model.It quantitatively reproduces the following features of the SMD for typical explosive eruptions: (1) a significant amount of coarse particles are released from the rising eruption column, whereas most of the fine particles are carried to the NBL, (2) in a downwind gravity current, the coarse particles tend to decrease more rapidly with distance from the vent than the fine particles,(3) the SMD from the downwind gravity current decreases with distance more slowly in a strong ambient wind than that in a weak ambient wind, and (4) the SMD from the downwind gravity current for eruptions with large mass eruptionrates decreases with distance more slowly than that for eruptions with smalleruption rates. NIKS-1D includes a new parameter, $\mu$, which represents the ratioof the volumetric flux at the source of the downwind gravity current to that ofthe eruption column model at the NBL. This parameter is determined by thephysics of the entrainment process around the connection between the eruptioncolumn and the downwind gravity current, and depends on the intensity oferuptions. We propose an empirical formula to calculate the value of $\mu$ as afunction of the mass eruption rate on the basis of the observation data fromthree well-studied eruption events. In a real-time tephra-dispersal predictionsystem, NIKS-1D estimates the mass eruption rate from the observed plumeheight, and calculates the SMD from the estimated mass eruption rate as asource conditions for a tephra-dispersal prediction immediately after an eruption.
Climate Variable of Precipitation variation and its Drought Condition on Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Velsamy Sudhakar , Balasubramaniyan Gurugnanam , Shunmugam Kumaravel
Published: September 2022

Precipitation variation study is one of the most important studies for monitoring the drought condition on the earth's surface. Climate change leads to excessive drought throughout the world. The present study has assessed the rainfall variation and monitored the drought condition in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India. In this study, annual average rainfall and seasonal rainfall were estimated for 30 years. Moreover, monthly rainfall variation was computed through Standard Deviation (SD) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) for three decades from 1990 to 2019 and monitored the drought condition. The Thoothukudi district’s annual average rainfall varies more or less from year to year. During 1990–2007, significant rainfall variation was observed. Afterward, the variation was higher, and in 2008, the annual average rainfall was extreme. Seasonally, a high amount of rainfall was reported in the NE monsoon among four seasons for 30 years. The seasonal rainfall variability was less from 1990 to 2011. After that, the variation increased up to extreme than the state seasonal average except for summer. In the SW monsoon, rainfall has increased slightly, but it is below the state seasonal average due to changes in monthly rainfall. The monthly mean rainfall was less in the first two decades, while the third decade has high mean rainfall and varied from year to year. The first two decadal, April, May, August, September, October, and November, have < 100% of CV for mean rainfall, while January, February, March, and June have > 100% of CV for mean rainfall. In III-decade, mean rainfall has > 100% of CV for all decadal months except November. The precipitation variability leads to drought, either scanty or extreme. The study area has experienced scanty drought in the SW monsoon all the decades due to the lack of rainfall. Generally, excessive rainfall is recorded in the NE monsoon in Tamil Nadu. During III decades, excess rainfall has been reported in Kayalpattinam, Tiruchendur, Kulasekarapattinam, and Santhankulam, whereas scanty to deficient drought in the other two decades.
Experimental visualization of the gas-liquid two-phase flow inside the multi-cavity of a real-size marine piston model
Authors: LIANG BING , Ming Pingjian J. , Yu Guopeng , Hao Zhaohui , Zhao Haiyang
Published: September 2022

In the last decade, the marine industry has been pursuing higher combustion pressure and higher fuel economy, which makes the thermal load on the piston will increase significantly. Therefore, the efficient cooling of the piston is a crucial factor for reliable operation of the diesel engine. There are different types of cooling cavities inside the piston, which is usually cooled by "cocktail shaker" cooling mechanism. In the previous studies, simplified models were mostly used instead of complex actual models, and very few experiments were studied to investigate the multi-cavity with long-strokes, making it a challenge to analyze the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the complex piston cooling cavity. In this paper, a visualization test rig of a real-size marine piston model was built to observe the complex multi-cavity flow by using high-speed camera equipment. Flow mechanism of two-phase flow inside the multi-cavity piston is revealed, the variation of flow patterns with the rotational speed and the filling rate is also studied. It is found that swirl flow exists inside the multi-cavity piston, which was mostly neglected in previous studies. Experimental observations are also verified by extended simulation investigation of the flow field. Results of this paper reveal the full flow mechanism of a typical marine multi-chamber piston, and provide foundation and reference to the cooling mechanism study and optimal design of piston cooling system.
Glycaemic and Insulin Response of Some Common Ugandan Foods in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Semanda Sylvester , Mwebaze Raymond , Makhoba Anthony , Kaishusha David Salama , Mugenyi Martin , Bahendeka Silver
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND
Measuring glycaemic response to foods enables selecting the most appropriate in diabetes management.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the glycaemic and insulin response of three selected Ugandan meals in persons with type 2 diabetes namely: Katogo, Bushera and Chai-no-Mugati.
METHODS
Six type 2 diabetes and six matched healthy control participants were studied. On the day of testing, an indwelling sampling catheter was inserted in an antecubital vein from which blood samples were collected to assay for c-peptide and plasma glucose. Plasma glucose samples were obtained at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min following consumption of foods. C-peptide samples were collected at 0 and 120 minutes. Participants reported every three days and consecutively consumed the Katogo, Bushera and Chai-no-Mugati as breakfast. Glucose response curves were plotted and Insulin response calculated as difference between fasting and 120 minutes post meal.
RESULTS
Glycaemic response was highest in Katogo (107.3%), then Bushera (71.9%) and lowest in Chai-no-Mugati (89.4%) (p < 0.001). Similarly, insulin response was highest in Katogo, but least in Bushera.
CONCLUSION
Katogo elicited the highest glycaemic response, Bushera elicited the lowest; and Chai-no-Mugati was intermediate. The Katogo used in this study is associated with high insulin response and unfavourably high glycaemic response.
High Specific Surface Area γ-Al2O3 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Facile and Low-cost Co-precipitation Method
Authors: Gholizadeh Zahra , aliannezhadi maryam , Ghominejad Mehrdad , Tehrani Fatemeh Shariatmadar
Published: September 2022

Alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) are particularly adsorbent NPs with a high specific surface area (SSA) that may well be utilized to clean water. In this study, pure γ-alumina NPs are successfully synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and the effect of ammonium bicarbonate concentration on the synthesized NPs is studied to find the optimum concentration to provide the highest capacity of copper ions removal from water. The results declare that spherical alumina NPs with average diameters in the range of 19–23 nm are formed with different concentrations of precipitation agent, and the concentration has no significant effect on the morphology of NPs. Furthermore, the precipitating agent concentration influences the optical characteristics of the produced alumina NPs, and the bandgap energies of the samples vary between 4.24 and 5.05 eV. The most important impact of precipitating agent concentrations reflects in their SSA and the capacity of copper ion removal. Ultra-high SSA = 317 m2/g and the highest copper removal are achieved in an alkalis solution followed by a neutral solution. However, admirable copper removal of 98.2% is even achieved in acidic solutions with a given concentration of ammonium bicarbonate, so this sample can be a good candidate for Cu ions removal from acidic water.