bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lectoescritura Inicial y su Discurso Pedagógico en el Currículo Nicaragüense
Authors: MEZA-DURIEZ Rafael Santiago
Published: December 2020

RESUMENEste artículo resume elementos de una investigación que se propuso inferir el discurso pedagógico que subyace al método Fonético, Analítico y Sintético (FAS), tal como se aplica en Nicaragua como elemento fundamental del currículo y la política educativa para la enseñanza de la lectura y escritura. Se determinaron los elementos conceptuales que constituyen al discurso pedagógico como constructo teórico. Estos elementos fueron identificados en el currículo vigente para reconstruir el discurso pedagógico subyacente y determinar si este último es de tipo reproductor o transformador. El estudio se realizó mediante el análisis de un cuerpo de documentos curriculares de diferentes rangos jerárquicos. Su principal contribución es que revela el carácter reproductor del FAS como método insignia de la política nacional y, por tanto, su incapacidad para cerrar las brechas históricas de equidad que han sido sostenidas en el tiempo por el sistema educativo nicaragüense. Educación básica. Sociología de la educación. Alfabetización.ABSTRACTThis article resumes the findings of a research whose aim was to identify the pedagogical discourse underlying Phonics, Analytics and Synthetic method (FAS), which is the method implemented on the Nicaraguan curriculum as an essential element of the public policy on early grades literacy instruction. The conceptual elements that constitute the pedagogical discourse as a theoretical construct were explained. Those same elements were later identified on the national curriculum in order to make visible the underlying pedagogical discourse and to determine whether or not, its nature was reproductive or transformative. A documentary analysis was carried out on a corpus of curricular documents within a specific hierarchy. As its main contribution, this research reveals the reproductive nature of FAS and its inability to close in the historical equity gaps upheld for a long time by the Nicaraguan education system. Basic education. Sociology of education. Literacy.RESUMOEste artigo sintetiza elementos de uma pesquisa que se propôs a inferir o discurso pedagógico que fundamenta o método Fonético, Analítico e Sintético (FAS), aplicado na Nicarágua como elemento fundamental do currículo e da política educacional para o ensino da leitura. e escrever. Foram determinados os elementos conceituais que constituem o discurso pedagógico como construção teórica. Esses elementos foram identificados no currículo atual para reconstruir o discurso pedagógico subjacente e determinar se este é reprodutivo ou transformador. O estudo foi realizado por meio da análise de um corpo de documentos curriculares de diferentes níveis hierárquicos. Sua principal contribuição é que revela a natureza reprodutiva da FAS como o principal método da política nacional e, portanto, sua incapacidade de fechar as lacunas históricas de eqüidade que foram sustentadas ao longo do tempo pelo sistema educacional nicaraguense.Educação Básica. Sociologia da educação. Alfabetização.
Augmented Reality in The New York Times: the experience of editorial content according to Brazilian audiences
Authors: Puhl Paula Regina , Tietzmann Roberto , Kalil Samara
Published: December 2020

This article analyzes and seeks to reflect on Brazilian users’ immersive experience with content available in virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR), on the New York Times. The goal is to verify the perception of the immersive news stories made available by the newspaper in two articles that deal with fashion and behavior: “Augmented Reality: David Bowie in three dimensions”, published on March 20, 2018, which examines the costumes of the musician and composer based on the catalog of the exhibition “David Bowie Is” and “Ashley Graham: unfiltered”, published on September 5, 2018, which explores digital imaging resources to illustrate the model’s interview on the plus size fashion theme and acceptance of the body. The text begins with a literature review and research on the adoption of such technology by journalistic vehicles and proposes a study based on the investigation of the meaning/pertinence of the simulations for the interpretation of contexts and themes in journalistic matters.  Additionally, the text questions how these technological resources affect the processes of communication and perception, through a research dynamic with a group of Brazilian volunteers, to verify how these new technological resources explore the degree of immersion and the strategies of these experiences, with the preliminary results described at the end.
Mietkauf von Immobilien Mietverträge mit Kaufoption - Finanzierungsleasingverträge mit Kaufoption - nachträgliche Übertragungen nach dem WGG
Authors: Trummer Martin
Published: December 2020

Das Nachschlagewerk für den Mietkauf Der Begriff des Mietkaufs wird im Mieterland Österreich zwar inflationär verwendet, eine gesetzliche Definition hat diese eigenartige Verquickung von Gebrauchsüberlassung und Kauf(option) dennoch nicht erfahren. Verstanden wird hierunter Verschiedenes, nämlich Mietverträge mit Kaufoption, Finanzierungsleasingverträge mit Kaufoption sowie WGG-Mietverträge mit gemeinnützigen Bauvereinigungen, welche die Möglichkeit einer nachträglichen Übertragung des Objekts auf den Mieter eröffnen. Das Werk schafft Klarheit, indem es diese Vertragsarten komparativ aufbereitet. Der Fokus liegt auf den Auswirkungen der Kaufoption beziehungsweise des WGG-Übertragungsanspruchs auf das Vertragsverhältnis. Die folgenden Themen werden tiefgehend behandelt: Rechtsnatur der Verträge, anzuwendende Normen, potenzielle Vertragsparteien und -objekte, Leistungspflichten und -störungen, Zusammensetzung des (Miet-)Kaufpreises. Dabei wird mit ca 700 Judikaten und knapp 900 zitierten Werken das für Österreich zur Verfügung stehende Material aus Rechtsprechung und Wissenschaft kritisch beleuchtet. Mit der Berücksichtigung der WGG-Novelle 2019 ist das Buch auf aktuellem Stand. Es handelt sich somit um ein Nachschlagewerk, welches Vertragsstellern, Richtern und Wissenschaftlern Rat bietet. Es unterstützt ebenfalls Juristen bei Interessenvertretungen der Mieter, Vermieter, Leasinggeber und der gemeinnützigen Bauvereinigungen.
Discrepancy of Real Tariffs with INA-CBG’S for Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever Patients in a Hospital in Sidoarjo 2019
Authors: Jalmav Marthy Meliana Ariyanti , Lorensia Amelia , Suyanto Suyanto , Syahrani Achmad
Published: December 2020

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) patients in Indonesia reached 129,650 cases with a death toll of 1,071 people in 2015. DHF puts an economic burden on the community and government. This study aims to determine the difference in real cost tariffs and INA CBG's for DHF in a hospital in Sidoarjo, East Java. This cross-sectional study applied a descriptive design, conducted from January to December 2019. The data in this study consisted of characteristic data and differences in real hospital tariffs and INA CBG tariffs for DHF in the hospital treatment room. 625 hospitalized cases were included in this study. This hospital underwent a deficit (loss) of 30% from the difference between the total INA CBG's package tariffs and the total real hospital tariffs in 2019. There is a negative difference between the real hospital tariffs and the tariffs according to INA CBG's in the treatment of dengue fever in a hospital in Sidoarjo which produces losses for the hospital.
Outcomes of Patients Who Have Undergone AV Shunt Procedure at Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital in Banda Aceh
Authors: Razi Khalikul , Habibie Yopie Afriandi , Zulfan Zulfan , Pratama Rovy
Published: December 2020

In recent decades, kidney disease has been documented as a global public health problem. The current challenge is about improving the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in order to provide a longer life expectancy for them. In hemodialysis, there has been a considerable development in finding access to the vascular system, one of which developments was the creation of arteriovenous access by Cimino and Brescia (called an AV shunt). Research on the AV shunt is still limited, so the researchers are interested in conducting this descriptive epidemiological survey study on the profile of patients undergoing AV shunt procedures at Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital in Banda Aceh in 2017. Data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records of the Central Surgery Installation Department of Dr.Zainoel Abidin General Hospital in Banda Aceh, and there were 105 patients have undergone AV shunt, 72 men (68.6%) and 33 women (31.4%). The frequency based on the age was the risking age about 45-54 years as many as 30 people (28.6%). Based on the outcomes obtained 95 people (90.48%) who have used the AV shunt for hemodialysis access, consisting of 66 men (62.86%) and 29 women (27.62). Based on the duration of use, AV Shunt is mostly used for 1 year with the number of 48 patients (50.52%) in the proportion of men and women were 38.95% and 11.57%. With an average duration of use of AV Shunt 2,6 years. From the results of this study, we conclude that the result was obtained that the highest cases in patients who have undergone AV Shunt is man as much as 68.6%. Furthermore, Pertaining to this study, it was obtained that the majority of age who undergo Av shunt is 45-54 years. In addition, the result of this study showed that the success rate of surgery AV shunt in Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital in Banda Aceh was high. It is about 90, 48% with an average duration use of Av shunt is 2.6 years.
Museums During the Pandemic. The Important Role of Social Media
Authors: Amaral Leonor
Published: December 2020

The digital in museums, in particular the use of social media, has intensified over the past few years, with special intensity during the year 2020. The pandemic of COVID-19 become an opportunity to reflect on the potential of social media, and the importance of this tool for the connection and collaboration between museums and their audiences.

Faced with the pandemic scenario, most governments felt on the verge of decreeing the confinement of citizens, as well as the closure of all non-essential services for an indeterminate period. Museums were forced to close their doors and faced a moment in their History that had hitherto preceded it, of confinement, restrictions on circulation, closing of borders, breaking of tourism, the feeling of insecurity and generalized fear that drove visitors away from the rooms of museums. Social media have become an essential tool for museums in fulfilling their basic functions, as well as functioning as a vehicle for sharing content about the museum and museum collections that functioned in battling isolation and loneliness, as well as promoting well-being, disseminating education about the virus, sharing knowledge about artifacts, and so on.
Auditory Function Testing for Types of Dementia: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Park Sihun , Han Woojae , Kong Tae Hoon , Seo Young Joon , Han Jaehyun , Kim Tae Hui
Published: December 2020

It is acknowledged that there is a negative relationship between dementia and auditory function in older adults. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis based on the data of audiologic testings from patients with neurodegenerative diseases in terms of auditory eventrelated potentials and central auditory processing tests, while focusing on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). A total of 34765 articles were retrieved from the seven electronic databases. After being screened by Participants, Index test, Control, Outcomes, Study design (PICOS) criteria, 129 articles for AD were included and then 72 articles were applied to the meta-analysis. However, five and six articles were systematically reviewed for the auditory functions of DLB and PDD, respectively, due to a small number of articles. The results of meta-analysis showed a significant difference between patients with AD and age-matched normal subjects, for N200 and P300 latency, P300 amplitude, and the behavioral central auditory processing tests, although there was a high heterogeneity. On the other hand, the systematic review indicated that the results of mismatch negativity test might distinguish auditory performance of DLB patients from that of PDD. Furthermore, for P300 amplitude, anterior to posterior distribution of brain resulted in meaningful difference of auditory function between AD and DLB patients. In sum, current review study suggests that lesion and degree of auditory (dys)function may be different depending on the type of dementia, although future research should be followed.
Monte Carlo and Quasi Monte Carlo Approach to Ulam's Method for Position Dependent Random Maps
Authors: ISLAM Md Shafiqul
Published: December 2020

We consider position random maps $T=\{\tau_1(x),\tau_2(x),\ldots, \tau_K(x); p_1(x),p_2(x),\ldots,p_K(x)\}$ on $I=[0, 1],$ where $\tau_k, k=1, 2, \dots, K$ is non-singular map on $[0,1]$ into $[0, 1]$ and $\{p_1(x),p_2(x),\ldots,p_K(x)\}$ is a set of position dependent probabilities on $[0, 1]$. We assume that the random map $T$ posses a density function $f^*$ of the unique absolutely continuous invariant measure (acim) $\mu^*$. In this paper, first, we present a general numerical algorithm for the approximation of the density function $f^*.$ Moreover, we show that Ulam's method is a special case of the general method. Finally, we describe a Monte-Carlo and a Quasi Monte Carlo implementations of Ulam's method for the approximation of $f^*$. The main advantage of these methods is that we do not need to find the inverse images of subsets under the transformations of the random map $T$.
An Investigation of Phyllosphere Mycoflora of Phyllanthus amarus
Authors: Fatima Sumia , Lokare Priya
Published: December 2020

Most of the medicinal plants die because of disease attack. There are many reasons to cause diseases. Very few information is available about the incidence, prevalence, epidemiology and management of medicinal plants diseases. There is little information or research work on diseases of medicinal plants. Phyllanthus amarus is one of the significant medicinal herbs. A main herb in the Indian Ayurvedic Medicine System. Stomach, genitourinary organ, liver, kidneys, and spleen, as well as gonorrhea, menorrhagia, and other genital diseases, use the whole plant. P. amarus. In this study, there were a total of six fungi found; they are, Aspergillus niger, A. nidulans, Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp., Passalora sp.(Syn. Cercospora sp.), and one Unidentified. Most of the mycoflora were found on leaf surfaces. From the analysis, it is found that very negligible research has been done on phyllosphere fungal diseases. Therefore, care must be taken in this case as phyllosphere fungi also caused significant loss to the herb by damaging stem, branchlets, fruits, flowers. A total of six isolated and reported fungi have infected
an insignificant degree of Phyllanthus amarus.
Seasonal variation in Population dynamics of phytoplankton in Guthia Taal, Wetland of
Bahraich (U. P.) India
Authors: Ranjan Rajiv , Prakash Sadguru
Published: December 2020

Guthia taal is a large, shallow and horse shoe shaped wetland of tarai region of eastern U.P. The seasonal variation of phytoplankton density and diversity were studied for a period of one year. In the present study total 31 genera of phytoplankton were identified. Out of 31, thirteen belong to Chlorophyceae, 10 Bascillariophyceae, 6 Cyanophyceae and 2 Euglenophyceae. The annual density shows that Chlorophyceae dominates and constituted 51.57% of the total phytoplankton population was followed by Bascillariophyceae (27.37%), Cyanophyceae (16.45%) and Euglenophyceae (4.61%). However, the overall phytoplankton was found maximum in summer, medium in winter and lowest in monsoon season.
Microflora and fauna of the river Ganga in pristine conditions of Harsil, India
Authors: Srivastava Kalpana , Misra Sandeep , Verma Hariom , Thakur Venkatesh R. , Jha Dharm Nath , Das Basanta Kumar
Published: December 2020

The present study was conducted to document the flora and fauna from pristine of Harshil. During the study the water temperature at Harsil (31002’10’’N and 78048’19’’ E) was very low (2.5-11.7C 0C) and velocity was very high (0.8-1.5 m/s,) with 0.2-1.5 m river depth. The present study revealed (2017 May to Jan 2020) total 49 taxa (44 flora and 5 fauna). Wherein floral taxa belonged to Bacillariophyceae -28, Chlorophyceae -11, and Myxophyceae-5, while fauna belonged to Rotifera-3 and Protozoa-2. Planktonic abundance at Harsil ranged from 10 ul-1to 360 ul-1and periphytic population ranged between 40µcm-2 to 11,150 µcm-2. In the study bacillariophyceae noticed as dominant floral group at Harsil. So climatic changes resulted in occurrence of various planktonic groups, as previously only diatoms were recorded.
Physico-Chemical Analysis of Culture Pond for Induced Pearl Production in Lamellidens
marginalis
Authors: Rathour Vijiyata Singh , Yadav Vijay Kumar
Published: December 2020

Bioassay experiments were carried out in order to evaluate values of physico-chemical parameters of the cultured pond water for induced pearl production in Lamellidens marginalis. The pond was located at Botanical garden of Bipin Bihari P.G. College, Jhansi. The parameters included for this study were Colour, Temperature, Transparency, pH, Free CO2 , DO, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium and Total Alkalinity of cultured pond water and to maintain them for the healthy growth of mussels during the whole culture period for obtaining designer pearls.
Review of the structural and functional brain changes associated with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Michna M , Kovarova L , Valerianova A , Malikova H , Weichet J , Malik J
Published: December 2020

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to profound metabolic and hemodynamic changes, which damage other organs, such as heart and brain. The brain abnormalities and cognitive deficit progress with the severity of the CKD and are mostly expressed among hemodialysis patients. They have great socio-economic impact. In this review, we present the current knowledge of involved mechanisms.
Efficacy of mebeverin in treatment of abdominal pain
Authors: Baryshnikova N. V.
Published: December 2020

An original study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of mebeverin in treatment of abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are presented. Materials and methods: 40 patients diagnosed with IBS, according to the Rome Criteria IV, were monitored. Patients depending on the type of therapy were divided into two groups: 20 patients of the first group had recommendations for lifestyle modification, a hypocaloric diet and took mebeverin per os at a dose of 135 mg three times a day 20 minutes before meals for a month; 20 patients of the second group received only recommendations for lifestyle modification and a hypocaloric diet. All patients were evaluated before and after treatment using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Visual-Analog Pain Intensity Rating Scale (0–10 points), SF‑36 Quality of Life Assessment Question, adverse events assessment. Colonoscopy was performed before treatment to exclude organic pathology of the colon. Results. After treatment patients in the first group had a faster and more significant relief of complaints compared to the second group, a significant improvement in the quality of life on the scales of physical and mental functioning, as well as almost complete disappearance of pain on a visual-analog scale (7.1 out of 10 points before treatment and 0.4 points after). Conclusions. Mebeverin in a dosage of 135 mg three times a day during a month contributes to a significant improvement in well-being, optimizes the quality of life of this category of patients, is effective and safe, which allows us to recommend its use as a first-line spasmolytic drug in the complex therapy of IBS, as well as in various variants of visceral abdominal pain.
MEMBANGUN KETERAMPILAN ARGUMENTASI MAHASISWA MELALUIMODEL PEMBELAJARAN ARGUMENTATION REAL-WORLD INQUIRY
Authors: Herawati Desti , Istiana Rita , Ardianto Didit
Published: December 2020

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian Research and Development (R&D) yang bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model pembelajaran Argumentation Real-World Inquiry. Sebuah model pembelajaran yang dirancang dengan adanya sesi argumentasi disetiap tahapannya untuk melatih mahasiswa berargumen tentang isu-isu sosiosaintifik. Penelitian R&D yang dilaksanakan tersusun atas 3 tahapan, yang meliputi Tahap 1 (Perancangan model dan instrumen), Tahap II (Pre-Eksperimen), dan Tahap III (Implementasi Model). Artikel ini mengkaji tentang keterampilan argumentasi mahasiswa yang melaksanakan perkuliahan dengan model Argumentation Real-World Inquiry pada tahap pre-eskperimen. Pre-eksperimen dilaksanakan dengan desain penelitian one group pretest posttest design. Subjek penelitian melibatkan mahasiswa calon guru biologi semester 2 yang mengontrak mata kuliah Pengetahuan Lingkungan. Keterampilan argumentasi mahasiswa dijaring melalui instrumen esai yang mengandung konteks isu sosiosaintifik lingkungan. Hasil penelitian pada tahap uji coba menunjukkan bahwa model pembelajaran Argumentation Real-World Inquiry memberikan kesempatan kepada mahasiswa untuk mengembangkan keterampilan argumentasinya terhadap isu-isu sosiosaintifik lingkungan, sehingga kualitas argumentasi mahasiswa pun meningkat setelah melaksanakan perkuliahan dengan Argumentation Real-World Inquiry. Dalam pelaksanaan model ini, dosen memiliki penting dalam mengarahkan mahasiswa untuk berargumentasi terhadap isu-isu sosiosaintifik lingkungan. Kebiasaan berargumentasi dalam proses perkuliahan dapat dibangun melalui model pembelajaran yang menekankan mahasiswanya untuk menanggapi isu, mengajukan argumen, serta mencari bukti-bukti pendukung yang valid dan relevan untuk mendukung argumennya.
Modeled Structure of the Cell Envelope Proteinase of Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Hansen Egon Bech , Marcatili Paolo
Published: December 2020

The cell envelope proteinase (CEP) ofLactococcus lactisis a large extracellular protease covalently linked to the peptidoglycan of the cell wall. Strains ofL. lactisare typically auxotrophic for several amino acids and in order to grow to high cell densities in milk they need an extracellular protease. The structure of the entire CEP enzyme is difficult to determine experimentally due to the large size and due to the attachment to the cell surface. We here describe the use of a combination of structure prediction tools to create a structural model for the entire CEP enzyme ofLactococcus lactis. The model has implications for how the bacterium interacts with casein micelles during growth in milk, and it has implications regarding the energetics of the proteolytic system. Our model for the CEP indicates that the catalytic triad is activated through a structural change caused by interaction with the substrate. The CEP ofL. lactismight become a useful model for the mode of action for enzymes belonging to the large class of S8 proteinases with a PA (protease associated) domain and a downstream fibronectin like domain.
Communications Between Bone Marrow Macrophages and Bone Cells in Bone Remodeling
Authors: Chen Kaixuan , Jiao Yurui , Liu Ling , Huang Mei , He Chen , He Wenzhen , Hou Jing , Yang Mi , Luo Xianghang , Li Changjun
Published: December 2020

The mammalian skeleton is a metabolically active organ that continuously undergoes bone remodeling, a process of tightly coupled bone resorption and formation throughout life. Recent studies have expanded our knowledge about the interactions between cells within bone marrow in bone remodeling. Macrophages resident in bone (BMMs) can regulate bone metabolism via secreting numbers of cytokines and exosomes. This review summarizes the current understanding of factors, exosomes, and hormones that involved in the communications between BMMs and other bone cells including mensenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and so on. We also discuss the role of BMMs and potential therapeutic approaches targeting BMMs in bone remodeling related diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteosarcoma.
Vitamin D Promotes Trophoblast Cell Induced Separation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Vascular Remodeling via Induction of G-CSF
Authors: Zhang Joy Yue , Wu Peihuang , Chen Danyang , Ning Fen , Lu Qinsheng , Qiu Xiu , Hewison Martin , Tamblyn Jennifer A. , Kilby Mark D. , Lash Gendie E.
Published: December 2020

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with complications of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and miscarriage, all of which are also associated with incomplete spiral artery (SpA) remodeling. We have previously shown that both uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) are required for successful SpA remodeling, but whether their activity in this process is modulated by vitamin D is not known. In the current study, we use a previously described chorionic plate artery (CPA) ex vivo model of vascular remodeling to determine the effects of 1,25(OH)2D treated uNK cell, placental explant (PEx), and uNK/PEx conditioned medium (CM) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) disorganization and phenotypic switching. Significant results were followed up in VSMCs in vitro. We demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D can enhance the ability of PEx to induce SpA remodeling, via a mechanism associated with increased secretion of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF appears able to increase VSMC disorganization and phenotypic switching in both an ex vivo vascular model and in vitro VSMC cultures. The clinical relevance of these findings are still to be determined. G-CSF may have differential effects depending on dose and vascular bed, and vitamin D may play a role in potentiating these actions. G-CSF may be an interesting potential therapeutic target for facilitating physiological vascular remodeling for the prevention of adverse obstetric outcomes.
Xeno-Hybrid Bone Graft Releasing Biomimetic Proteins Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of hMSCs
Authors: Zhu Hao , Blahnová Veronika Hefka , Perale Giuseppe , Xiao Jun , Betge Felice , Boniolo Fabio , Filová Eva , Lyngstadaas Ståle Petter , Haugen Håvard Jostein
Published: December 2020

Bone defect is a noteworthy health problem and is the second most transplanted tissue after blood. Numerous bone grafts are designed and applied in clinics. Limitations, however, from different aspects still exist, including limited supply, mechanical strength, and bioactivity. In this study, two biomimetic peptides (P2 and P6) are incorporated into a composite bioactive xeno hybrid bone graft named SmartBonePep®, with the aim to increase the bioactivity of the bone graft. The results, which include cytotoxicity, proliferation rate, confocal microscopy, gene expression, and protein qualification, successfully prove that the SmartBonePep®has multi-modal biological effects on human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow. The effective physical entrapment of P6 into a composite xeno-hybrid bone graft, withstanding manufacturing processes including exposure to strong organic solvents and ethylene oxide sterilization, increases the osteogenic potential of the stem cells as well as cell attachment and proliferation. P2 and P6 both show a strong biological potential and may be future candidates for enhancing the clinical performance of bone grafts.
Innovation or Introduction? The Impact of Technological Progress Sources on Industrial Green Transformation of Resource-Based Cities in China
Authors: Xie Wancheng , Yan Taihua , Xia Senmao , Chen Fengzhang
Published: December 2020

With the increasingly prominent problems of global resource consumption and environmental pollution, industrial green transformation has become one of the requirements of China’s industrial development in the new era. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of technological innovation and technology introduction on the industrial green transformation of resource-based cities. To bridge this gap, this study uses the panel data of 115 resource-based cities in China from 2003 to 2016, and uses the dynamic panel generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation method to study the impact of technological innovation and technology introduction on industrial green transformation of resource-based cities. The results show that technology introduction has a negative effect on the industrial green transformation of resource-based cities, while technological innovation can have a positive effect. Meanwhile, technology introduction has imparted a greater role to technological innovation in promoting this transformation. In addition, the interactive effects between technological innovation and technology introduction have obvious heterogeneity on the industrial green transformation of different types of resource-based cities. Therefore, resource-based cities should continue to increase investment in scientific research, to constantly improve and consolidate their technological innovation ability, optimize foreign investment strategy in technology introduction, and strengthen the digestion and absorption of imported technology, while increasing technological innovation and personnel training.
Simulating Growth and Competition on Wet and Waterlogged Soils in a Forest Landscape Model
Authors: Gustafson Eric J. , Miranda Brian R. , Shvidenko Anatoly Z. , Sturtevant Brian R.
Published: December 2020

Changes in CO2 concentration and climate are likely to alter disturbance regimes and competitive outcomes among tree species, which ultimately can result in shifts of species and biome boundaries. Such changes are already evident in high latitude forests, where waterlogged soils produced by topography, surficial geology, and permafrost are an important driver of forest dynamics. Predicting such effects under the novel conditions of the future requires models with direct and mechanistic links of abiotic drivers to growth and competition. We enhanced such a forest landscape model (PnET-Succession in LANDIS-II) to allow simulation of waterlogged soils and their effects on tree growth and competition. We formally tested how these modifications alter water balance on wetland and permafrost sites, and their effect on tree growth and competition. We applied the model to evaluate its promise for mechanistically simulating species range expansion and contraction under climate change across a latitudinal gradient in Siberian Russia. We found that higher emissions scenarios permitted range expansions that were quicker and allowed a greater diversity of invading species, especially at the highest latitudes, and that disturbance hastened range shifts by overcoming the natural inertia of established ecological communities. The primary driver of range advances to the north was altered hydrology related to thawing permafrost, followed by temperature effects on growth. Range contractions from the south (extirpations) were slower and less tied to emissions or latitude, and were driven by inability to compete with invaders, or disturbance. An important non-intuitive result was that some extant species were killed off by extreme cold events projected under climate change as greater weather extremes occurred over the next 30 years, and this had important effects on subsequent successional trajectories. The mechanistic linkages between climate and soil water dynamics in this forest landscape model produced tight links between climate inputs, physiology of vegetation, and soils at a monthly time step. The updated modeling system can produce high quality projections of climate impacts on forest species range shifts by accounting for the interacting effects of CO2 concentration, climate (including longer growing seasons), seed dispersal, disturbance, and soil hydrologic properties.
Host-Specificity and Core Taxa of Seagrass Leaf Microbiome Identified Across Tissue Age and Geographical Regions
Authors: Sanders-Smith Rhea , Segovia Bianca Trevizan , Forbes Coreen , Hessing-Lewis Margot , Morien Evan , Lemay Matthew A. , O'Connor Mary I. , Parfrey Laura Wegener
Published: December 2020

The seagrassZostera marinais a widespread foundational species in temperate coastal ecosystems that supports diverse communities of epiphytes and grazers. Bacteria link the production of seagrass to higher trophic levels and are thought to influence seagrass biology and health. Yet, we lack a clear understanding of the factors that structure the seagrass microbiome, or whether there is a consistent microbial community associated with seagrass that underpins functional roles. We sampled surface microbiome (epibiota) from new and old growth seagrass leaves and the surrounding seawater in eight meadows among four regions along the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada to assess microbiome variability across space and as leaves age. We found that the seagrass leaf microbiome differs strongly from seawater. Microbial communities in new and old growth leaves are different from each other and from artificial seagrass leaves we deployed in one meadow. The microbiome on new leaves is less diverse and there is a small suite of core OTUs (operational taxonomic units) consistently present across regions. The overall microbial community for new leaves is more dispersed but with little regional differentiation, while the epiphytes on old leaves are regionally distinct. Many core OTUs on old leaves are commonly associated with marine biofilms. Together these observations suggest a stronger role for host filtering in new compared to old leaves, and a stronger influence of the environment and environmental colonization in old leaves. We found 11 core microbial taxa consistently present on old and new leaves and at very low relative abundance on artificial leaves and in the water column. These 11 taxa appear to be strongly associated withZ. marina. These core taxa may perform key functions important for the host such as detoxifying seagrass waste products, enhancing plant growth, and controlling epiphyte cover.
Dog Urine Has Acute Impacts on Soil Chemistry in Urban Greenspaces
Authors: Allen John A. , Setälä Heikki , Kotze David Johan
Published: December 2020

Urban residents and their pets utilize urban greenspaces daily. As urban dog ownership rates increase globally, urban greenspaces are under mounting pressure even as the benefits and services they provide become more important. The urine of dogs is high in nitrogen (N) and may represent a significant portion of the annual urban N load. We examined the spatial distribution and impact of N deposition from dog urine on soils in three urban greenspace typologies in Finland: Parks, Tree Alleys, and Remnant Forests. We analyzed soil from around trees, lampposts and lawn areas near walking paths, and compared these to soils from lawn areas 8 m away from pathways. Soil nitrate, ammonium, total N concentrations, and electrical conductivity were significantly higher and soil pH significantly lower near path-side trees and poles relative to the 8 m lawn plots. Also, stable isotope analysis indicates that the primary source of path-side N are distinct from those of the 8 m lawn plots, supporting our hypothesis that dogs are a significant source of N in urban greenspaces, but that this deposition occurs in a restricted zone associated with walking paths. Additionally, we found that Remnant Forests were the least impacted of the three typologies analyzed. We recommend that landscape planners acknowledge this impact, and design parks to reduce or isolate this source of N from the wider environment.
Recent Advances in Genetic Tools for Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Sykes Ellen M. E. , Deo Soumya , Kumar Ayush
Published: December 2020

Acinetobacter baumannii is classified as a top priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of its widespread resistance to all classes of antibiotics. This makes the need for understanding the mechanisms of resistance and virulence critical. Therefore, tools that allow genetic manipulations are vital to unravel the mechanisms of multidrug resistance (MDR) and virulence in A. baumannii. A host of current strategies are available for genetic manipulations of A. baumannii laboratory-strains, including ATCC® 17978TM and ATCC® 19606T, but depending on susceptibility profiles, these strategies may not be sufficient when targeting strains newly obtained from clinic, primarily due to the latter’s high resistance to antibiotics that are commonly used for selection during genetic manipulations. This review highlights the most recent methods for genetic manipulation of A. baumannii including CRISPR based approaches, transposon mutagenesis, homologous recombination strategies, reporter systems and complementation techniques with the spotlight on those that can be applied to MDR clinical isolates.
Automated Extraction of Information From Texts of Scientific Publications: Insights Into HIV Treatment Strategies
Authors: Biziukova Nadezhda , Tarasova Olga , Ivanov Sergey , Poroikov Vladimir
Published: December 2020

Text analysis can help to identify named entities (NEs) of small molecules, proteins, and genes. Such data are very important for the analysis of molecular mechanisms of disease progression and development of new strategies for the treatment of various diseases and pathological conditions. The texts of publications represent a primary source of information, which is especially important to collect the data of the highest quality due to the immediate obtaining information, in comparison with databases. In our study, we aimed at the development and testing of an approach to the named entity recognition in the abstracts of publications. More specifically, we have developed and tested an algorithm based on the conditional random fields, which provides recognition of NEs of (i) genes and proteins and (ii) chemicals. Careful selection of abstracts strictly related to the subject of interest leads to the possibility of extracting the NEs strongly associated with the subject. To test the applicability of our approach, we have applied it for the extraction of (i) potential HIV inhibitors and (ii) a set of proteins and genes potentially responsible for viremic control in HIV-positive patients. The computational experiments performed provide the estimations of evaluating the accuracy of recognition of chemical NEs and proteins (genes). The precision of the chemical NEs recognition is over 0.91; recall is 0.86, and the F1-score (harmonic mean of precision and recall) is 0.89; the precision of recognition of proteins and genes names is over 0.86; recall is 0.83; while F1-score is above 0.85. Evaluation of the algorithm on two case studies related to HIV treatment confirms our suggestion about the possibility of extracting the NEs strongly relevant to (i) HIV inhibitors and (ii) a group of patients i.e., the group of HIV-positive individuals with an ability to maintain an undetectable HIV-1 viral load overtime in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. Analysis of the results obtained provides insights into the function of proteins that can be responsible for viremic control. Our study demonstrated the applicability of the developed approach for the extraction of useful data on HIV treatment.
Heme as Possible Contributing Factor in the Evolvement of Shiga-Toxin Escherichia coli Induced Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Wijnsma Kioa L. , Veissi Susan T. , de Wijs Sem , van der Velden Thea , Volokhina Elena B. , Wagener Frank A. D. T. G. , van de Kar Nicole. C. A. J. , van den Heuvel L. P.
Published: December 2020

Shiga-toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli hemolytic-uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury in children. Stx-mediated endothelial injury initiates the cascade leading to thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), still the exact pathogenesis remains elusive. Interestingly, there is wide variability in clinical presentation and outcome. One explanation for this could be the enhancement of TMA through other factors. We hypothesize that heme, as released during extensive hemolysis, contributes to the etiology of TMA. Plasma levels of heme and its scavenger hemopexin and degrading enzyme heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were measured in 48 STEC-HUS patients. Subsequently, the effect of these disease-specific heme concentrations, in combination with Stx, was assessed on primary human glomerular microvascular endothelial cells (HGMVECs). Significantly elevated plasma heme levels up to 21.2 µM were found in STEC-HUS patients compared to controls and were inversely correlated with low or depleted plasma hemopexin levels (R2 −0.74). Plasma levels of HO-1 are significantly elevated compared to controls. Interestingly, especially patients with high heme levels (n = 12, heme levels above 75 quartile range) had high plasma HO-1 levels with median of 332.5 (86–720) ng/ml (p = 0.008). Furthermore, heme is internalized leading to a significant increase in reactive oxygen species production and stimulated both nuclear translocation of NF-κB and increased levels of its target gene (tissue factor). In conclusion, we are the first to show elevated heme levels in patients with STEC-HUS. These increased heme levels mediate endothelial injury by promoting oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic state. Hence, heme may be a contributing and driving factor in the pathogenesis of STEC-HUS and could potentially amplify the cascade leading to TMA.
Host Genetics at the Intersection of Autoimmunity and COVID-19: A Potential Key for Heterogeneous COVID-19 Severity
Authors: Karaderi Tugce , Bareke Halin , Kunter Imge , Seytanoglu Adil , Cagnan Ilgin , Balci Deniz , Barin Burc , Hocaoglu Mevhibe B. , Rahmioglu Nilufer , Asilmaz Esra , Taneri Bahar
Published: December 2020

COVID-19 presentation is very heterogeneous across cases, and host factors are at the forefront for the variables affecting the disease manifestation. The immune system has emerged as a key determinant in shaping the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is mainly the deleterious unconstrained immune response, rather than the virus itself, which leads to severe cases of COVID-19 and the associated mortality. Genetic susceptibility to dysregulated immune response is highly likely to be among the host factors for adverse disease outcome. Given that such genetic susceptibility has also been observed in autoimmune diseases (ADs), a number of critical questions remain unanswered; whether individuals with ADs have a significantly different risk for COVID-19–related complications compared to the general population, and whether studies on the genetics of ADs can shed some light on the host factors in COVID-19. In this perspective, we discuss the host genetic factors, which have been under investigation in association with COVID-19 severity. We touch upon the intricate link between autoimmunity and COVID-19 pathophysiology. We put forth a number of autoimmune susceptibility genes, which have the potential to be additional host genetic factors for modifying the severity of COVID-19 presentation. In summary, host genetics at the intersection of ADs and COVID-19 may serve as a source for understanding the heterogeneity of COVID-19 severity, and hence, potentially holds a key in achieving effective strategies in risk group identification, as well as effective treatments.
Immunogenicity of Infliximab Among Patients With Behçet Syndrome: A Controlled Study
Authors: Esatoglu Sinem Nihal , Akkoc-Mustafayev Fatma Nihan , Ozguler Yesim , Ozbakır Fatma , Nohut Okan K. , Cevirgen Dilsen , Hamuryudan Vedat , Hatemi Ibrahim , Celik Aykut Ferhat , Yazici Hasan , Hatemi Gulen
Published: December 2020

Background

Immunogenicity of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFis) has been recognized as an important problem that may cause loss of efficacy and adverse events such as infusion reactions. TNFis are being increasingly used among patients with Behçet syndrome (BS) and scarce data exist on this topic.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anti-infliximab (IFX) antibodies in patients with Behçet syndrome together with suitable controls.

Methods

We collected serum samples from 66 consecutive Behçet syndrome patients (51 M, 15 F, mean age 37 ± 9 years) who were treated with IFX. Additionally, similarly treated 27 rheumatoid arthritis, 53 ankylosing spondylitis, 25 Crohn’s disease patients, and 31 healthy subjects were included as controls. Samples were collected just before an infusion, stored at −80°C until analysis, and serum IFX trough levels and anti-IFX antibodies were measured by ELISA. We used a cut-off value of 1 μg/ml for serum IFX trough level, extrapolating from rheumatoid arthritis studies.

Results

Anti-IFX antibodies were detected in four (6%) Behçet syndrome, five (18.5%) rheumatoid arthritis, three (12%) Crohn’s disease, and one (2%) ankylosing spondylitis patient. The median serum IFX trough level was significantly lower in patients with anti-IFX antibodies compared to those without antibodies [2.32 (IQR: 0.6–3.6) vs. 3.35 (IQR: 1.63–5.6); p = 0.019]. The serum IFX trough level was lower than the cut-off value in 6/13 (46%) patients with anti-IFX antibodies and in 25/158 (16%) patients without anti-IFX antibodies (p = 0.015). Among the four Behçet syndrome patients with anti-IFX antibodies, two experienced relapses and two had infusion reactions.

Conclusions

Immunogenicity does not seem to be a frequent problem in Behçet syndrome patients treated with IFX, but may be associated with relapses and infusion reactions, when present.
Toxicity Going Nano: Ionic Versus Engineered Cu Nanoparticles Impacts on the Physiological Fitness of the Model Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Franzitta Marco , Feijão Eduardo , Cabrita Maria Teresa , Gameiro Carla , Matos Ana Rita , Marques João Carlos , Goessling Johannes W. , Reis-Santos Patrick , Fonseca Vanessa F. , Pretti Carlo , Caçador Isabel , Duarte Bernardo
Published: December 2020

Increasing input of Metal Engineered Nano Particles (MeENPs) in marine ecosystems has raised concerns about their potential toxicity on phytoplankton. Given the lack of knowledge on MeENPs impact on these important primary producers, the effects of Copper Oxide (CuO) ENPs on growth, physiology, pigment profiles, fatty acid (FA) metabolism, and oxidative stress were investigated in the model diatom Pheodactylum tricornutum, to provide suitable biomarkers of CuO ENP exposure versus its ionic counterpart. Diatom growth was inhibited by CuO ENPs but not Ionic Cu, suggesting CuO ENP cytotoxicity. Pulse Modulated Amplitude (PAM) phenotyping evidenced a decrease in the electron transport energy flux, pointing to a reduction in chemical energy generation following CuO ENPs exposure, as well as an increase in the content of the non-functional Cu-substituted chlorophyll a (CuChl a). A significant decrease in eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5) associated with a significant rise in thylakoid membranes FAs reflected the activation of counteractive measures to photosynthetic impairment. Significant increase in the omega 6/omega 3 ratio, underline expectable negative repercussions to marine food webs. Increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances reflected heightened oxidative stress by CuO ENP. Enhanced Glutathione Reductase and Ascorbate Peroxidase activity were also more evident for CuO ENPs than ionic Cu. Overall, observed molecular changes highlighted a battery of possible suitable biomarkers to efficiently determine the harmful effects of CuO ENPs. The results suggest that the occurrence and contamination of these new forms of metal contaminants can impose added stress to the marine diatom community, which could have significant impacts on marine ecosystems, namely through a reduction of the primary productivity, oxygen production and omega 6 production, all essential to sustain heterotrophic marine life.