bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large scale genomic analysis of 3067 SARS-CoV-2 genomes reveals a clonal geo-distribution and a rich genetic variations of hotspots mutations
Authors: Laamarti Meriem , Alouane Tarek , Kartti Souad , Chemao-Elfihri M. W. , Hakmi Mohammed , Essabbar Abdelomunim , Laamarti Mohamed , Hlali Haitam , Bendani Houda , Boumajdi Nassma , Benhrif Oussama , Allam Loubna , El Hafidi Naima , El Jaoudi Rachid , Allali Imane , Marchoudi Nabila , Fekkak Jamal , Benrahma Houda , Nejjari Chakib , Amzazi Saaid , Belyamani Lahcen , Ibrahimi Azeddine
Published: November 2020

In late December 2019, an emerging viral infection COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China, and became a global pandemic. Characterization of the genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial in following and evaluating it spread across countries. In this study, we collected and analyzed 3,067 SARS-CoV-2 genomes isolated from 55 countries during the first three months after the onset of this virus. Using comparative genomics analysis, we traced the profiles of the whole-genome mutations and compared the frequency of each mutation in the studied population. The accumulation of mutations during the epidemic period with their geographic locations was also monitored. The results showed 782 variants sites, of which 512 (65.47%) had a non-synonymous effect. Frequencies of mutated alleles revealed the presence of 68 recurrent mutations, including ten hotspot non-synonymous mutations with a prevalence higher than 0.10 in this population and distributed in six SARS-CoV-2 genes. The distribution of these recurrent mutations on the world map revealed that certain genotypes are specific to geographic locations. We also identified co-occurring mutations resulting in the presence of several haplotypes. Moreover, evolution over time has shown a mechanism of mutation co-accumulation which might affect the severity and spread of the SARS-CoV-2. The phylogentic analysis identified two major Clades C1 and C2 harboring mutations L3606F and G614D, respectively and both emerging for the first time in China. On the other hand, analysis of the selective pressure revealed the presence of negatively selected residues that could be taken into considerations as therapeutic targets. We have also created an inclusive unified database (http://covid-19.medbiotech.ma) that lists all of the genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes found in this study with phylogeographic analysis around the world.
Moral “foundations” as the product of motivated social cognition: Empathy and other psychological underpinnings of ideological divergence in “individualizing” and “binding” concerns
Authors: Strupp-Levitsky Michael , Noorbaloochi Sharareh , Shipley Andrew , Jost John T.
Published: November 2020

According to moral foundations theory, there are five distinct sources of moral intuition on which political liberals and conservatives differ. The present research program seeks to contextualize this taxonomy within the broader research literature on political ideology as motivated social cognition, including the observation that conservative judgments often serve system-justifying functions. In two studies, a combination of regression and path modeling techniques were used to explore the motivational underpinnings of ideological differences in moral intuitions. Consistent with our integrative model, the “binding” foundations (in-group loyalty, respect for authority, and purity) were associated with epistemic and existential needs to reduce uncertainty and threat and system justification tendencies, whereas the so-called “individualizing” foundations (fairness and avoidance of harm) were generally unrelated to epistemic and existential motives and were instead linked to empathic motivation. Taken as a whole, these results are consistent with the position taken by Hatemi, Crabtree, and Smith that moral “foundations” are themselves the product of motivated social cognition.
Use of long-acting reversible contraception among adolescents and young women in Kenya
Authors: Kungu Wambui , Khasakhala Anne , Agwanda Alfred
Published: November 2020

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS 2014) revealed changing patterns in the contraceptive use of young women aged 15–24, shifting from injectable methods to implants. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is user friendly, long-term, and more effective than other modern methods. It could be a game-changer in dealing with unintended pregnancies and herald a new chapter in the reproductive health and rights of young women. This study determined the factors associated with LARC use among adolescent girls and young women to expand the evidence of its potential as the most effective method of reducing unwanted pregnancies among the cohort. This study analysed secondary data from KDHS 2014 using binary logistic regression. The findings showed a rise in LARC use (18%), with identified predictors of reduced odds being aged 15–19 [OR = 0.735, 95% CI = 0.549–0.984], residence (rural) [OR = 0.674, CI = 0.525–0.865], religion (Protestant/other Christian) [OR = 0.377, CI = 0.168–0.842], married, [OR = 0.746, CI = 0.592–0.940], and region (high contraception) [OR = 0.773, CI = 0.626–0.955], while the number of living children showed increased odds for 1–2 children [OR = 17.624, CI = 9.482–32.756] and 3+ children [OR = 23.531, CI = 11.751–47.119]. This study established the rising popularity of LARC and identified factors that can be addressed to promote it. Its increased uptake could help Kenya achieve the International Conference on Population and Development 25’s first and second commitments on teenage pregnancies and maternal and new-born health, thus promoting the health, wellbeing, educational goals, and rights of this critical cohort. This study can guide the accelerated efforts needed in Kenya’s march towards the five zeros of unmet need for contraception, teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, preventable maternal deaths, and preventable neonatal/infant deaths.
Nano zinc elicited biochemical characterization, nutritional assessment, antioxidant enzymes and fatty acid profiling of rapeseed
Authors: Sohail  , Kamran Khalid , Kemmerling Birgit , Shutaywi Meshal , Mashwani Zia ur Rehman
Published: November 2020

The use of nanomaterials in agriculture is a current need and could be helpful in overcoming food security risks.Brassica napusL. is the third most important crop for edible oil, having double low unsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, we investigated the effects of green synthesized Zn NPs on biochemical effects, antioxidant enzymes, nutritional quality parameters and on the fatty acid profile of rapeseed (B.napus). Plant-mediated synthesis of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) was carried out usingMentha arvensisL. leaf extract followed by characterization through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX), and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). NPs exhibited irregular shapes ranging in size from 30–70 nm and EDX analysis confirmed 96.08% of Zn in the sample. The investigated biochemical characterization (protein content, proline content, total soluble sugar (TSS), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) showed a substantial change on exposure to Zn NPs. A dose-dependent gradual increase was observed in the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Oil and moisture contents dropped significantly from the control level in the rapeseed (B.napus) varieties. However, different trends in nutritional (Zn, Na+, K+) and fatty acid profiling ofB.napushave been noted. This study demonstrates that Zn NPs have the potential to improve the biochemical, nutritional, antioxidant enzymes, and fatty acid profile ofB.napusvarieties.
A study on the hydrodynamic performance of manta ray biomimetic glider under unconstrained six-DOF motion
Authors: Cai Wen-Hao , Zhan Jie-Min , Luo Ying-Ying
Published: November 2020

A manta ray biomimetic glider is designed and studied with both laboratory experiments and numerical simulations with a new dynamic update method called the motion-based zonal mesh update method (MBZMU method) to reveal its hydrodynamic performance. Regarding the experimental study, an ejection gliding experiment is conducted for qualitative verification, and a hydrostatic free-fall experiment is conducted to quantitatively verify the reliability of the corresponding numerical simulation. Regarding the numerical simulation, to reduce the trend of nose-up movement and to obtain a long lasting and stable gliding motion, a series of cases with the center of mass offset forward by different distances and different initial angles of attack have been calculated. The results show that the glider will show the optimal gliding performance when the center of mass is 20mm in front of the center of geometry and the initial attack angle range lies between A0 = -5° to A0 = -2.5° at the same time. The optimal gliding distance can reach six times its body length under these circumstances. Furthermore, the stability of the glider is explained from the perspective of Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) configuration.
Identification of microvascular and morphological alterations in eyes with central retinal non-perfusion
Authors: Hajdu Dorottya , Told Reinhard , Angeli Orsolya , Weigert Guenther , Pollreisz Andreas , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula , Sacu Stefan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the characteristics and morphological alterations in central retinal ischemia caused by diabetic retinopathy (DR) or retinal vein occlusion (RVO) as seen in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and their relationship to visual acuity.

Methods

Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) and OCTA (Topcon, Triton) data of patients with central involving retinal ischemia were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. The following parameters were evaluated: vessel parameters, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), intraretinal cysts (IRC), microaneurysms (MA), vascular collaterals in the superficial (SCP) and deep plexuses (DCP), hyperreflective foci (HRF), epiretinal membrane (ERM), external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, as well as the disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), age, gender, disease duration and ocular history were also recorded.

Results

44 eyes of 44 patients (22 with RVO, 22 with DR) were analyzed. The mean age was 60.55 ± 11.38 years and mean BCVA 0.86 ± 0.36 (Snellen, 6m). No significant difference was found between DR subgroups (non proliferative vs. proliferative). Between RVO subgroups (CRVO vs. BRVO) a significant difference was found in term of collateral vessel of the DCP (p = 0.014). A pooled DR and RVO group were created and compared. Significantly more MAs (p = 0.007) and ERM (p = 0.007) were found in the DR group. Statistically significant negative correlation was demonstrated between FAZ and BCVA (p = 0.45) when analyzing all patients with retinal ischemia.

Conclusion

This study has shown that the best predictor of visual outcome in center involved ischemic diseases is the size of FAZ. Besides the presence of MAs and ERM, all other OCT and OCTA parameters were present in a similar extent in DR and RVO group despite the completely different disease origins. Our results suggest that as soon as retinal ischemia in the macular region is present, it has a similar appearance and visual outcome independently of the underlying disease.
Estimated number of eligible Part B beneficiaries for the medicare diabetes prevention program at the county level and by urban–rural classification
Authors: Ng Boon Peng , Cheng Yiling J. , Rutledge Stephanie , Cannon Michael J. , Zhang Ping , Smith Bryce D.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Diabetes imposes large health and financial burdens on Medicare beneficiaries. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modification programs. In 2018, Medicare began to offer the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), a lifestyle intervention, to eligible beneficiaries nationwide. The number of MDPP-eligible beneficiaries is not known, but this information is essential in efforts to expand the program and increase enrollment. This study aimed to estimate the number and spatial variation of MDPP-eligible Part B beneficiaries at the county level and by urban–rural classification.

Methods

Data from 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys and a survey-weighted logistic regression model were used to estimate proportions of prediabetes in the United States by sex, age, and race/ethnicity based on the MDPP eligibility criteria. The results from the predictive model were applied to 2015 Medicare Part B beneficiaries to estimate the number of MDPP-eligible beneficiaries. The National Center for Health Statistics’ Urban–Rural Classification Scheme for Counties from 2013 were used to define urban and rural categories.

Results

An estimated 5.2 million (95% CI = 3.5–7.0 million) Part B beneficiaries were eligible for the MDPP. By state, estimates ranged from 13,000 (95% CI = 8,500–18,000) in Alaska to 469,000 (95% CI = 296,000–641,000) in California. There were 2,149 counties with ≤1,000 eligible beneficiaries and 11 with >25,000. Consistent with demographic patterns, urban counties had more eligible beneficiaries than rural counties.

Conclusions

These estimates could be used to plan locations for new MDPPs and reach eligible Part B beneficiaries for enrollment.
Shifting seas, shifting boundaries: Dynamic marine protected area designs for a changing climate
Authors: Cashion Tim , Nguyen Tu , ten Brink Talya , Mook Anne , Palacios-Abrantes Juliano , Roberts Sarah M.
Published: November 2020

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are valuable tools for marine conservation that aim to limit human impacts on marine systems and protect valuable species or habitats. However, as species distributions shift due to ocean warming, acidification, and oxygen depletion from climate change, the areas originally designated under MPAs may bear little resemblance to their past state. Different approaches have been suggested for coping with species on the move in conservation. Here, we test the effectiveness of different MPA designs, including dynamic, network, and different directional orientations on protecting shifting species under climate change through ecosystem modeling in a theoretical ecosystem. Our findings suggest that dynamic MPAs may benefit some species (e.g., whiting and anchovy) and fishing fleets, and these benefits can inform the design or adaptation of MPAs worldwide. In addition, we find that it is important to design MPAs with specific goals and to account for the effects of released fishing pressure and species interactions in MPA design.
Twitter reveals human mobility dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Huang Xiao , Li Zhenlong , Jiang Yuqin , Li Xiaoming , Porter Dwayne
Published: November 2020

The current COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns worldwide, leading to serious health, economic, and social challenges. The rapid spread of the virus at a global scale highlights the need for a more harmonized, less privacy-concerning, easily accessible approach to monitoring the human mobility that has proven to be associated with viral transmission. In this study, we analyzed over 580 million tweets worldwide to see how global collaborative efforts in reducing human mobility are reflected from the user-generated information at the global, country, and U.S. state scale. Considering the multifaceted nature of mobility, we propose two types of distance: the single-day distance and the cross-day distance. To quantify the responsiveness in certain geographic regions, we further propose a mobility-based responsive index (MRI) that captures the overall degree of mobility changes within a time window. The results suggest that mobility patterns obtained from Twitter data are amenable to quantitatively reflect the mobility dynamics. Globally, the proposed two distances had greatly deviated from their baselines after March 11, 2020, when WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. The considerably less periodicity after the declaration suggests that the protection measures have obviously affected people’s travel routines. The country scale comparisons reveal the discrepancies in responsiveness, evidenced by the contrasting mobility patterns in different epidemic phases. We find that the triggers of mobility changes correspond well with the national announcements of mitigation measures, proving that Twitter-based mobility implies the effectiveness of those measures. In the U.S., the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on mobility is distinct. However, the impacts vary substantially among states.
Why multilingual, and how to keep it—An evolutionary dynamics perspective
Authors: Wu Zhijun
Published: November 2020

While many languages are in danger of extinction worldwide, multilingualism is being adopted for communication among different language groups, and is playing a unique role in preserving language and cultural diversities. How multilingualism is developed and maintained therefore becomes an important interdisciplinary research subject for understanding complex social changes of modern-day societies. In this paper, a mixed population of multilingual speakers and bilingual speakers in particular is considered, with multilingual defined broadly as zero, limited, or full uses of multiple languages or dialects, and an evolutionary dynamic model for its development and evolution is proposed. The model consists of two different parts, formulated as two different evolutionary games, respectively. The first part accounts for the selection of languages based on the competition for population and social or economic preferences. The second part relates to circumstances when the selection of languages is altered, for better or worse, by forces other than competition such as public policies, education, or family influences. By combining competition with intervention, the paper shows how multilingualism may evolve under these two different sources of influences. It shows in particular that by choosing appropriate interventional strategies, the stable co-existence of languages, especially in multilingual forms, is possible, and extinction can be prevented. This is in contrast with major predictions from previous studies that the co-existence of languages is unstable in general, and one language will eventually dominate while all others will become extinct.
Head and body structure infants’ visual experiences during mobile, naturalistic play
Authors: Luo Chuan , Franchak John M.
Published: November 2020

Infants’ visual experiences are important for learning, and may depend on how information is structured in the visual field. This study examined how objects are distributed in 12-month-old infants’ field of view in a mobile play setting. Infants wore a mobile eye tracker that recorded their field of view and eye movements while they freely played with toys and a caregiver. We measured how centered and spread object locations were in infants’ field of view, and investigated how infant posture, object looking, and object distance affected the centering and spread. We found that far toys were less centered in infants’ field of view while infants were prone compared to when sitting or upright. Overall, toys became more centered in view and less spread in location when infants were looking at toys regardless of posture and toy distance. In sum, this study showed that infants’ visual experiences are shaped by the physical relation between infants’ bodies and the locations of objects in the world. However, infants are able to compensate for postural and environmental constraints by actively moving their head and eyes when choosing to look at an object.
A comparison of two remotely operated vehicle (ROV) survey methods used to estimate fish assemblages and densities around a California oil platform
Authors: Love Milton S. , Nishimoto Mary M. , Clark Scott , Kui Li , Aziz Azivy , Palandro David
Published: November 2020

Offshore oil and gas platforms have a finite life of production operations. Once production ceases, decommissioning options for the platform are assessed. The role that a platform’s jacket plays as fish habitat can inform the decommissioning decision. In this study, conducted along the crossbeams of a California platform jacket and using an ROV, we compared estimates of fish diversity and densities determined from a targeted “biological” survey with those from a replicated “structural” survey. We found that the water column fish species assemblages characterized by the two methods were similar. By contrast, the two survey methods yielded different species assemblages inhabiting the crossbeam at the platform jacket base. This difference occurred because, at least off California, the platform jacket base species diversity tends to be highest where the bottom crossbeam is undercut, creating sheltering sites for many species. Because the structural method inadequately imaged the seafloor-crossbeam interface, particularly where a gap occurred between crossbeam and seafloor, substantial numbers of fishes were not visible. While we cannot extrapolate from this study to all platforms’ worldwide, it is clear that routine platform structural integrity surveys may be a valuable source for opportunistic marine community surveys. Intentional planning of the structural survey to incorporate relatively minor variations (e.g., maintaining fixed ROV distance from the infrastructure and consistent 90° camera angle) coupled with a deliberate consideration of the platform ecology (e.g., positioning the ROV to capture the seafloor-crossbeam interface) can substantially improve the effects on fish assemblage assessments from routine structural surveys without compromising the integrity assessment. We suggest that these biases should be both acknowledged and, understood when using routine structural surveys to inform platform ecology assessment. Additional consideration may be given to structural surveys that incorporate incremental adjustments to provide better data applicability to biological assessments.
Comparing the success of active and passive restoration in a tropical cloud forest landscape: A multi-taxa fauna approach
Authors: Díaz-García Juan Manuel , López-Barrera Fabiola , Pineda Eduardo , Toledo-Aceves Tarin , Andresen Ellen
Published: November 2020

Tropical forest restoration initiatives are becoming more frequent worldwide in an effort to mitigate biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation. However, there is little consensus on whether an active or a passive restoration strategy is more successful for recovering biodiversity because few studies make adequate comparisons. Furthermore, studies on animal responses to restoration are scarce compared to those on plants, and those that assess faunal recovery often focus on a single taxon, limiting the generalization of results. We assessed the success of active (native mixed-species plantations) and passive (natural regeneration) tropical cloud forest restoration strategies based on the responses of three animal taxa: amphibians, ants, and dung beetles. We compared community attributes of these three taxa in a 23-year-old active restoration forest, a 23-year-old passive restoration forest, a cattle pasture, and a mature forest, with emphasis on forest-specialist species. We also evaluated the relationship between faunal recovery and environmental variables. For all taxa, we found that recovery of species richness and composition were similar in active and passive restoration sites. However, recovery of forest specialists was enhanced through active restoration. For both forests under restoration, similarity in species composition of all faunal groups was 60–70% with respect to the reference ecosystem due to a replacement of generalist species by forest-specialist species. The recovery of faunal communities was mainly associated with canopy and leaf litter covers. We recommend implementing active restoration using mixed plantations of native tree species and, whenever possible, selecting sites close to mature forest to accelerate the recovery of tropical cloud forest biodiversity. As active restoration is more expensive than passive restoration, both strategies might be used in a complementary manner at the landscape level to compensate for high implementation costs.
Establishing a predicted model to evaluate prognosis for initially diagnosed metastatic Her2-positive breast cancer patients and exploring the benefit from local surgery
Authors: Lin Hong , Wu Yanxuan , Liang Guoxi , Chen Liming
Published: November 2020

Background

For patients initially diagnosed with metastatic Her2-positive breast cancer (MHBC), we intended to construct a nomogram with risk stratification to predict prognosis and to explore the role of local surgery.

Methods

We retrieved data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Kaplan–Meier (KM) method and log-rank test were used for the selection of significant variables. Cox regression analysis and Fine-Gray test were utilized to confirm independent prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS). A nomogram predicting 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS was developed and validated. Patients were stratified based on the optimal cut-off values of total personal score. KM method and log-rank test were used to estimate OS prognosis and benefit from local surgery and chemotherapy.

Results

There were 1680 and 717 patients in the training and validation cohort. Age, race, marriage, T stage, estrogen receptor (ER) status, visceral metastasis (bone, brain, liver and lung) were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS and BCSS, while histology was also corelated with OS. C-indexes in the training and validation cohort were 0.70 and 0.68, respectively. Calibration plots indicated precise predictive ability. The total population was divided into low- (<141 points), intermediate- (142–208 points), and high-risk (>208 points) prognostic groups. Local surgery and chemotherapy brought various degrees of survival benefit for patients with diverse-risk prognosis.

Conclusions

We constructed a model with accurate prediction and discrimination. It would provide a reference for clinicians' decision-making. Surgery on the primary lesion was recommended for patients with good physical performance status, while further study on optimal surgical opportunity was needed.
Vigilancia de la salud, derecho a la intimidad y Covid-19
Authors: Poquet Catala Raquel
Published: November 2020

En este trabajo se plantea, a la luz de la situación que estamos viviendo con la pandemia declarada por la OMS el pasado 11 de marzo de 2020, ocasionada por el COVID-19, una serie de aspectos relacionados con la vigilancia de la salud y el derecho a la intimidad de la persona trabajadora. Concretamente, se trata de ver cuál es la capacidad de las empresas para obligar a las personas trabajadoras a someterse a un reconocimiento médico con el fin de determinar su estado de salud en relación con el COVID-19, o la posibilidad de que las empresas lleven a cabo prácticas consistentes en realizar un reconocimiento médico con carácter previo a la contratación, o solicitar a las personas candidatas a un puesto de trabajo información sobre si han pasado el COVID-19.
All that glitters is not fire. Apologia Lunae adversus Stoicos. Critical and stylistic observations on Plu., De facie 921E-922E
Authors: Pérez-Jiménez Aurelio
Published: November 2020

In this article I will analyse the passage of Plutarch’s De facie in orbe Lunae (cap. 5) where the author defends the earthy nature of the Moon against the Stoic theory that considers it a mixture of air and fire. I will pay special attention to the physicalphilosophical arguments of the Platonist on this subject as well as to the stylistical procedures that underline those arguments. My comment will have as starting point a previous critical discussion of some textual particularities of the chapter in question, as a result of which I propose a new edition of it. The article is closed with a stylistic analysis, which highlights the literary values of all the chapter and, by way of proposal, with a rhythmic commentary of the first Lamprias’ intervention.
Circulation of oxytetracycline- and ciprofloxacin-resistant commensal Escherichia coli strains in broiler chickens and farm environments, Bangladesh
Authors: Das Avijit , Dhar Pangkaj Kumar , Dutta Avijit , Jalal Mohammad Shah , Ghosh Priya , Das Tridip , Barua Himel , Biswas Paritosh Kumar
Published: November 2020

Background and Aim: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in commensal organism, such as Escherichia coli of food animals, is an alarming issue for global health. It increases the possibility of transmitting AMR determinant(s) to human bacterial pathogens by transferable genetic materials, particularly by plasmids. Hence, it is important to know which resistant genes are being carried by commensal organisms in food chain in a country and their level of temporal loads. As a result, pre-emptive measures can be advocated with an aim to reduce their risks in their primary source of circulation which consequently would benefit the public health.

Materials and Methods: Commensal E. coli strains from broiler chickens on randomly selected 30 farms and the farm environments were examined for the frequencies of isolation of resistant strains to oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Five birds were randomly selected from each farm to collect cloacal swab samples (total of 150 samples). Furthermore, a total of 150 environmental samples comprising one each from feed, water, soil, litter, and litter damping site of each farm were screened for the isolation of commensal E. coli strains. Strains thus obtained were initially tested for their resistance to oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin by Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Oxytetracycline-resistant strains were further screened for the presence of resistance determining genes, namely, tetA, tetB, and tetC by uniplex polymerase chain reactions. Risks associated with the isolation frequency of oxytetracycline- and ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli were also assessed by univariable logistic regression analysis.

Results: The results revealed that all E. coli isolates, regardless of the source of origin, were resistant to oxytetracycline, while 78.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 69.1-85.5%) showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. All the randomly selected (20) oxytetracycline-resistant strains harbored the tetA gene, whereas tetB and tetC were reported in three and two isolates, respectively. After univariable analysis, only one variable, that is, strain 1 of broiler chickens compared to two other strains was found to be positively associated with the isolation of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli (odds ratio 12.75 [95% CI 1.0- 157.1], p=0.047).

Conclusion: Resistance emerged against oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin in commensal E. coli strains circulating in live poultry and farm environments in Bangladesh seems to be very high. Thus, human infection with drug-resistant E. coli strains through food chain will critically compromise the therapeutic measures currently available.
El territorio como apropiación sociopolítica del espacio. Entre la desterritorialización y la multiterritorialidad
Authors: Castillo Guillermo
Published: November 2020

El territorio es un concepto que, no obstante su origen geográfico, desde hace varios lustros y en diferentes áreas de las Ciencias Sociales y las Humanidades ha tomado relevancia para explicar procesos de tipo político, socioeconómico y cultural, en contextos tanto urbanos como rurales. En el marco de las concepciones de territorio de variadas escuelas geográficas (anglosajonas, francófonas, entre otras), este artículo argumenta que los planteamientos del geógrafo brasileño Rogeiro Haesbaert permiten que, en diversas escalas y en marcos de relaciones de poder desiguales con el Estado y otros actores sociales, este concepto de cuenta de procesos de apropiación y disputa del espacio, entre diversos grupos sociales e instituciones, y en contextos de carácter político y económico. Particularmente importantes son las contribuciones de Haesbaert sobre su lectura crítica de las dinámicas de construcción del territorio a través de los procesos de desterritorialización y su propuesta de multiterritorialidad(es).
Energía y navegación binacional en el río Uruguay. Las políticas públicas en las grandes obras de infraestructura (1938–1983) y la represa y conexión ferro–automotora de Salto Grande
Authors: Camarda Maximiliano , Mateo José , Rodríguez Leandro
Published: November 2020

El trabajo que presentamos es un análisis de los momentos del ciclo de las políticas públicas a partir de profundizar en la represa binacional de Salto Grande, sobre el río Uruguay, que involucró directamente a la República Argentina y a la República Oriental del Uruguay y de forma indirecta a la República Federativa del Brasil. Esta obra tuvo el objetivo de proveer energía barata para el desarrollo de la industria en ambos países, objetivo que más que consensuado en la superficie debió sortear considerables obstáculos por debajo de ella.
Marketing of Library Resources and Services: A Structured Literature Review
Authors: Bhardwaj Raj Kumar , Jain P.K.
Published: November 2020

This conceptual paper reviews literature on marketing of This conceptual paper reviews literature on marketing of library products and services, and discusses various ways and means for the same. Several marketing techniques to promote the usage of library resources and services have been highlighted in the literature. It is seen that majority of libraries do not have a marketing culture. It is recognised that libraries need to formulate marketing plan along with financial budget on a yearly basis so that library resources can be utilised optimally. Libraries in developing countries have been struggling to conduct outreach programmes to market their resources and services. Latest technologies such as, Web 2.0 and mobile services have opened up new avenues to do marketing in efficient and cost effective ways. Therefore, libraries should not leave any stone unturned to apply the latest technologies in promotion of resources and services amongst the stakeholders. The funding agencies must formulate guidelines for marketing the library resources and services so that the library resources can be utilised optimally.DOI: 10.14429/djlit.36.3.10027
Personalised Information Recommender Using Framework for Ontology Alignment Among Digital Libraries
Authors: Chakrabarty Anirban , Roy Sudipta
Published: November 2020

In the digital erantology is considered as one of the powerful tools for knowledge representation and efficient information retrieval. Ontology alignment is a process that discovers mapping between source and target ontologies, where each mapping is a relationship based on some similarity measure. This paper, has presented a new context aware alignment approach that needs little human intervention and it can map multiple ontologies to generate user interest dynamically. The objective is to design and develop an ontology alignment model that provides more benefits to its stakeholders in sharing resources and searching across digital libraries based on priorities of users. The experimental results evidently indicate significant improvement in search results when user profile and navigational pattern ontologies are aligned with digital library ontology.
Production and Purification of Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis and Development of a Sandwich ELISA for its Detection
Authors: Puranik Nidhi , Kumar Manoj , Tripathi Nagesh K , Pal Vijai , Goel Ajay
Published: November 2020

Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis is important for biowarfare as well as public health point of view. The virulence factors of B. anthracis are encoded by the two plasmids, pXO1 and pXO2. Protective antigen (PA), an 83 kDa protein encoded by pXO1 along with lethal factor (LF, 90 kDa) or edema factor (EF, 89 kDa), makes the anthrax toxin responsible for causing the disease. Current detection and diagnostic systems for anthrax are mostly based on PA, a potential biomarker of B. anthracis. The objective of the present study was to produce and purify the PA for development of a sandwich ELISA for its detection. In this study, pYS5 plasmid containing the full PA gene was transformed into an 8 proteases deficient Bacillus anthracis host BH480. The PA was produced under shake flask conditions and purified using the gel filtration chromatography. The reactivity of PA with rabbit and mouse anti-PA antibodies was confirmed by Western blotting. The antibodies were purified and used for the development of a sandwich ELISA for detection of PA. The detection sensitivity of ELISA was found to be 3.9 ng/ mL PA.
Seaweeds
Authors: Pandey A. K. , Chauhan O. P. , Semwal A. D.
Published: November 2020

Seaweeds are microalgae growing in coastal regions and resistant to salinity. Seaweeds are rich resources of natural nutrients some of which cannot be obtained from terrestrial plants. Bioactive compounds of seaweeds such as sulphated polysaccharides, peptides, minerals, phlorotannins, carotenoids and sulfolipids have proven health benefits against various diseases. Traditionally, seaweeds are used as folk medicine for treating diseases like goiter, wounds, burns, rashes, inflammation, diabetes and also gaining attention of pharmaceutical industries due to their anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-angiogenesis, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and antioxidant properties. Seaweeds polysaccharides have wide applications in foods as well as in pharmaceutical industry due to their bio-chemical properties such as stabilizer, emulsifier and gelling property. In food industry, seaweed polysaccharides are used as a functional ingredient in many products such as frozen foods, ice-cream, jam, jelly, beverages etc. Several commercial food preparations from seaweeds are also available in the market such as sea salt, nori snack wasabi, pink rock salt, seaweed thins toasted coconuts, crunchy seaweed chips, raw unroasted seaweed under different brand names. The present review is a compilation of nutritional, pharmacological and food properties of seaweeds along with its potential towards development of functional foods.
Language learning in the 21st century: current status and future directions
Authors: Czerkawski Betül , Berti Margherita
Published: November 2020

In Chapter 1, Betül Czerkawski and Margherita Berti focus on the challenges higher education faces when coping with new realities. How do learners acquire the skills necessary for effective cross-cultural communication? What professional learning opportunities do universities offer to language learners? What are some present practices found in universities today, and how are these practices shaping tomorrow’s FL language education? The key issues raised in this chapter center on the need to go beyond just language and focus more broadly on technology-supported communication in multicultural settings, the importance of better language teacher preparation, the necessity of FL curricula so they foster 21st century skills and lifelong learning, and the importance of instructional design to develop meaningful learning experiences that help people navigate complex realities and constantly evolving environments. The authors offer possible ways in which these issues can be addressed and end with a discussion of future trends.
Does the learning space matter? An evaluation of active learning in a purpose-built technology-rich collaboration studio
Authors: Donkin Rebecca , Kynn Mary
Published: November 2020

Studies in technology-rich learning environments have reported positive outcomes of active learning when compared to the traditional didactic classroom; others have found no benefits or have found interruption to learning due to the distraction of the technology. Evidence is required to support effective technology spaces that promote professional preparation, engagement and learning transfer. The impact of a technology-enabled collaboration studio on facilitating team-based learning for professional preparation through a case study in biomedical sciences was explored using a mixed method approach. Explicit assessment items as objective measures of student learning outcomes and implicit subjective, self-reported feelings of engagement and readiness for clinical practice is reported. Quantitative results showed an average 11.8% (p < 0.001; 95% CI 6.6-17.0) improvement in the final examination score for those students who had content delivered in the collaborative environment compared to a standard classroom. Qualitative results also support the notion that engagement and learning was enhanced. Investment towards a technology-enabled collaboration studio has shown a contributory effect that improves final grade outcomes through increased engagement, communication, motivation and professionalism for the learner. This research informs guidelines for best practice in active learning environments, particularly in purpose-built high technology learning spaces.

Implications for practice or policy:

Learning outcomes can be improved by investing in technology-enabled collaboration studios.

Engagement and a sense of professional practice are enhanced by active learning in a technology-rich learning environment.

Institutions should invest in technology-enabled active learning spaces.
Accountability in educational dialogue on attrition rates: Understanding external attrition factors and isolation in online law school
Authors: George Amanda-Jane , McEwan Alexandra , Tarr Julie-Anne
Published: November 2020

Australian higher education institutions have focused on attrition rates with increased vigour in light of the introduction of a new student success metric tied to attrition rates. Online programs have been of particular concern given persistently high attrition rates, being roughly double that of programs delivered either face-to-face or in blended online/face-to-face mode. This study considers attrition theory as it has evolved for the online environment with particular reference to the role of external risk factors such as employment, and internal factors, such as social integration. The study presents data from a 2018 survey of students enrolled in a fully online law school program at an Australian university (n = 203). The data reveals a cohort with an array of external attrition risk factors, who are not only time poor but experience a strong sense of isolation. The study contributes to the attrition literature by providing insights into effective educational design and delivery aimed at student retention.

Implications for practice or policy

Online program convenors ought to consider the attrition risk factors at issue in their cohort before designing comprehensive retention initiatives and plans.

Instructors ought to consider external attrition factors, such as family and employment demands, when selecting and designing student assessments.

Instructors ought to realistically appraise retention initiatives, such as social media initiatives, to address internal risk factors of perceived isolation and institutional commitment.
The opinions of foster parents on the personal level of cooperation with teachers in the context of children’s special educational needs. A scientific report
Authors: Ćwirynkało Katarzyna , Bartnikowska Urszula Bartnikowska
Published: November 2020

Children from foster families are a specific group of students because they are often disabled, have special needs, difficulties and experienced violence or neglect. Foster parents have to face challenges related to their upbringing. The text is a scientific report presenting the opinions of foster parents on their cooperation with teachers. For this purpose, an interpretative paradigm was adopted and phenomenography was applied. The subjects (21 foster parents of school-age children) participated in three focus group interviews. Qualitative data analysis was used to identify positive and negative aspects of the foster parents’ experiences in cooperation with the school. The article is focused on the personal level of this cooperation. The answers provided by the parents in the study reveal predominance of negative experiences and emotions in this respect. The subjects pointed to such problems as: failure to notice and understand children’s problems/difficulties, the lack of individualization, maladjusted requirements, incompetence of teachers and the absence of informational feedback from the school. However, some respondents noticed positive elements of cooperation with teachers, such as the ability to recognize the child’s needs and problems by teachers and educators, sharing information about the child, taking into account the information provided by parents and adapting requirements to the child’s abilities. The results were used to develop recommendations aimed at improving cooperation between the school and foster parents.
Assessment of Water Retention Test by Continuous Pressurization Method
Authors: Kim Byeong-Su , Hatakeyama Masanori , Park Seong-Wan , Park Hyun-Su , Takeshita Yuji , Kato Shoji
Published: November 2020

The water retention test involving the stepwise pressurization method (SPM) and a pressure plate extractor has been mainly used to obtain the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) of soils. The disadvantage of this test is that the measurement of the drying and wetting paths of the SWCC is time consuming. Thus, a water retention test involving a continuous pressurization method (CPM) in this paper was proposed, and the experiments for three kinds of soil samples were performed. Unlike the SPM, the pore air pressure in the CPM is continuously given to the specimen at a constant pressurization rate. In particular, for the measurement of the transient pore water pressure inside specimen according to the applied pore air pressure, a microtensiometer (height: 25 mm, diameter: 3 mm) was placed vertically at the center of the specimen. The suction for the specimen was defined as the difference between the applied pore air pressure and the measured pore water pressure. It was confirmed that the testing time for the drying and wetting paths of the SWCC in the test involving the CPM was remarkably shortened. The results of the CPM for its verification were compared with those of the SPM under the same initial condition of the specimen. The two test results showed good agreement regardless of the soil samples. Furthermore, the effect of the pressurization rate of the pore air pressure for the CPM was examined. Finally, the proposed water retention test involving the CPM was found to be highly efficient and accurately measure the drying and wetting paths of the SWCC in a short time.