bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementasi Tutor Sebaya dalam Penanganan Cedera Luka di MTS Muhammadiyah Kota Makassar
Authors:   Poltekkes Kemenkes Makassar, Angriani Sri , Baharuddin Baharuddin ,   Poltekkes Kemenkes Makassar
Published: May 2021

Pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk memberikan informasi tentang keterampilan dan pengetahuan terhadap penanganan luka cedera pada siswa MTS Muhammadiyah Kota Makassar. Metode yang digunakan dalam pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah metode tutorial sebaya dengan menggunakan panduan penanganan cedera luka sebagai alat edukasi. Hasil pelatihan penanganan cedera luka yang dihitung secara statistic yang menunjukkan bahwa nilai mean= 6,66, nilai tengah= 7, simpangan baku= 1,552, nilai minimum= 3 dan nilai maksimum = 10. Adapun keterampilan mengenai pelatihan penanganan cedera luka didapat nilai mean= 2,89, nilai tengah = 3, simpangan baku = 0,252, nilai minimum = 1 dan nilai maksimum= 3. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa pelatihan penanganan cedera yang dilakukan oleh siswa-siswi SMP Muhammadiyah dapat dipahami dengan baik.
Dynamism of Instructional Aids on Teaching Physical Education Among Secondary School in Kogi State, Nigeria
Authors: Memunat Tunrayo Ajadi , Kayode Falaye Elijah , Babatunde Samson Adebayo
Published: May 2021

This study examined Dynamism of instructional aids on teaching of Physical Education among secondary school in Kogi State, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of survey type was used. The population for this study consist all Secondary School students within the study area. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select 394 respondents. Researcher–structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three lectures in the department of Human Kinetics Education, University of Ilorin and tested for reliability. A correlation coefficient of 0.85 was obtained. The administration of the instrument was done by the researchers. The data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and percentage count. The results revealed that, there was a significant relationship between behavioural benefits and cognitive benefits of instructional aids on teaching of Physical Education among Secondary Schools. The study concluded that uses of instructional aids are significant to quality teaching of physical education in schools. The study recommends that effective uses of instructional aids plays a significant role in teaching and learning of Physical Education in schools which also enhance the behavioural and cognitive benefits of the students.
Financial Actuarial Assumptions: Empirical Study of How Brazilian Companies Manage Their Defined Benefit Plans
Authors: Evangelista de Souza Neto João , Caio Galdi Fernando
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the factors that Brazilian companies use to manage their defined benefit plans, specifically the determinants of the three financial actuarial assumptions: discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation growth rate. The focus of this research is the companies listed on the B3 – Brazilian Stock Exchange - that recognized and disclosed, from 2010 to 2017, post-employment benefit characterized as Defined Benefit (DB). The sample containing 296 firm/year was divided into two subgroups considering the firm’s political connections. The results suggest that politically connected companies are less effective in managing the solvency of funds or, according to Kido, Petacchi and Weber (2012) act intentionally to justify the company's financial stress. The year before the elections proved to be the most relevant period of discretion, while the specific year of the electoral election only influences the determination of the actuarial financial premises in politically connected companies and, just like in Naughton, Petacchi and Weber (2015) the manager acts to improve the solvency (reduce the deficit) of the pension fund in these periods. The hypothesis that politically connected companies have an incremental adjustment in actuarial assumptions in electoral years has shown results consistent with the theory suggesting that this group of companies manages the reduction of the actuarial deficit in election times more incisively
Sociología Religiosa y Misiones
Authors: V. F.
Published: May 2021

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Analysis of requirements of regulatory documents regulating confirmation of shelf life of bakery products
Authors:   Ural State University of Economics, Bortsova E.L. , Lavrova L.Yu. ,   Ural State University of Economics
Published: May 2021

The article presents biological hazards that are assessed as part of the confirmation of shelf life using the example of frozen Carponat pizza, in accordance with the current regulatory documentation. Physicochemical quality indicators are considered, which are also monitored within the framework of this program. Their compliance with regulatory documents has been established. The analysis conducted by the authors showed the existence of contradictions in the current regulatory documents not only in terms of quality and safety indicators, but also in accordance with the basic principle of the Federal Law of 31.07.2020 № 247-FZ «On Mandatory Requirements in the Russian Federation».
Changes in Gait Pattern During Smartphone and Tablet Use
Authors:   Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand., Pakdee Sirinthip , Sengsoon Praphatson ,   Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.
Published: May 2021

Objectives: There exists no study concerning gait pattern while engaging in dual-task activities on different sizes of mobile devices. The present study aimed to compare gait patterns during normal walking, walking with smartphone use, and walking with tablet use. Methods: Seventeen healthy female participants with an age range of 19-24 years (Mean±SD age: 20.29±1.61 years, weight: 49.82±4.46 kg, height: 156.59±4.87 cm, body mass index: 20.47±0.84 kg/m2, and leg length: 81.35±3.79 cm.) participated in the present research. The study subjects were requested to walk for 10 meters under the following conditions: normal walking; walking while typing a text message with a smartphone, and walking while typing a text message with a tablet. The Vicon® Three-Dimensional (3D) motion analysis recorded the motion of reflective markers attached to the study participant’s body. Gait parameters (step length, stride length, step time, stride time, step width, velocity, and cadence) were compared between the explored walking conditions. Results: The gait parameter of normal walking, compared with walking during smartphone use as well as tablet use were significantly different in the gait pattern (P<0.05). Using either a smartphone or tablet during walking presented decreased step length for legs, gait velocity, and cadence. However, there was an increase in the right leg’s step time and stride time. Moreover, there was no significant difference in gait patterns between walking during smartphone use and walking during tablet use (P>0.05). Discussion: Changes in gait pattern during walking while typing a text message with either a smartphone or tablet may lead to greater attention and concentration required to type the message; such actions resulted in decreased gait speed and step length.
Fifth-generation (5G) communication networks and sustainability: A research agenda
Authors: Palazzo Maria , Siano Alfonso
Published: May 2021

Communication networks hugely improved many fields during the past decades (i.e. education, healthcare, engineering sector, management, etc.). However, the new fifth-generation (5G) communication networks is expected to be able to bring new developments in this sector even faster than the past technologies. This will happen, not only, as the technology will be presented in the field as a new way of approaching data and services, but also, as there is more pressure exerted on 5G, due to the rising need of data that companies and individuals feel in everyday life. The paper suggests that emerging trends in this filed will also be able to create improvements for society, economy, management and environment. Better use of energy, information sharing and resource efficiency, in fact, are some of the main goals that the 5G and the sustainability approach are aiming to achieve. This shows that 5G and sustainability have several features in common that are yet not fully explored nor in theory nor in practice. Thus, proposing a research agenda, the paper aims at analysing this common characteristics, but also to highlight that the 5G can be considered a strategic tool that enables companies to be involved in boosting sustainable development.
Il circuito innovazione digitale e sostenibilità istituzionale. Uno schema per la valutazione degli effetti sul lavoro
Authors: Esposito Gaetano Fausto
Published: May 2021

L'articolo esamina l'impatto delle tecnologie digitali sull'impiego del lavoro attraversol'el aborazione di un modello qualitativo basato sul concetto di sostenibilità istituzionale, inteso come un circuito in cui il frame istituzionale consente il dispiegamento delle libertà e capacità individuali e la promozione di una maggiore equità e inclusione permette di cogliere le opportunità disponibili. In particolare l'analisi si concentra sull'impatto della digitalizzazione sull'Obiettivo 8 dei Sustainible Development Goals elaborato per l'Agenda 2030 delle Nazioni Unite. Attraverso l'esame qualitativo della letteratura esistente si giunge alla conclusione, pur bisognosa di ulteriori approfondimenti e verifiche, che la digitalizzazione ha nel breve periodo un impatto negativo sull'occupazione se valutato in termini di sostenibilità istituzionale, in particolare per le mansioni di basso e medio livello aventi un carattere routinario.Di conseguenza sono necessarie, anche a livello aziendale, politiche di empowerment e di re-skilling digitale del capitale umano, per evitare il fenomeno di esclusione digitale (e-esclusion).
I rischi della Corporate Social Responsibility per le imprese etiche e lo scetticismo del consumatore green
Authors: Monda Antonella , Botti Antonio
Published: May 2021

Il presente studio ha l'obiettivo di indagare la percezione dei consumatori riguardo le attività di corporate social responsibility (CSR) di una azienda impegnata nel sociale che, tuttavia, non gode di un giudizio favorevole presso i propri consumatori, allo scopo di verificare se ad un giudizio negativo dell'impresa corrisponde una percezione negativa anche delle pratiche di CSR. A tale scopo, si persegue un duplice obiettivo: 1) individuare l'esistenza del fit tra il core business dell'azienda in questione e le attività di CSR intraprese dall'impresa, per comprovare l'eticità dell'impresa in questione; 2) identificare l'eventuale fit tra la comunicazione delle attività di CSR dell'azienda e la percezione delle attività etiche dell'impresa da parte dei consumatori.La ricerca è basata sulla metodologia del case study, che esamina il caso aziendale Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), tramite l'analisi di dati secondari e dati primari. I risultati confermano l'esistenza del fit tra il core business e le attività di CSR di FS ma, allo stesso tempo, mostrano una discrepanza tra la comunicazione delle attività di CSR dell'azienda e la percezione delle stesse da parte dei consumatori.
La neuropsicologia italiana contemporanea e il contributo del gruppo di Milano
Authors: Vallar Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

L'articolo si apre con una definizione di "neuropsicologia" e riassume le fasi iniziali dello sviluppo della neuropsicologia italiana contemporanea, con particolare riferimento all'approccio metodologico e alle prime attività del "Gruppo di Milano", formatosi, nei primi anni '60 del ‘900, attorno al neurologo Ennio DeRenzi, nella Clinica delle Malattie Nervose e Mentali dell'Università di Milano.La nascita di questo Gruppo, con lo sviluppo sistematico di ricerche su vari ed importanti temi (l'afasia e la sua riabilitazione, i deficit del riconoscimento degli oggetti, dell'intelligenza e del pensiero astratto, l'aprassia, la negligenza spaziale unilaterale) diede alla neuropsicologia italiana una visibilità internazionale mai raggiunta in precedenza. Prima dello sviluppo del Gruppo di Milano, in Italia gli studi neuropsicologici, per lo più di singoli pazienti con deficit appariscenti, pur presenti e con risultati talora di rilievo, erano rimasti episodi isolati, nel solco dei contributi maggiori degli autori Francesi, Tedeschi e dell'Impero Austro-Ungarico e Britannici, senza uno sviluppo organico di programmi di ricerca da parte di gruppi organizzati. Infine, sono ricordati i rapporti di Marcello Cesa-Bianchi con componenti il Gruppo di Milano e con l'autore di questo articolo.
Psicopatologia e invecchiamento nell'opera di Marcello Cesa-Bianchi
Authors: Cristini Carlo , Belloni Sonzogni Amelia
Published: May 2021

In età senile, le più frequenti condizioni che implicano una sofferenza psichica e che acquisiscono spesso connotazioni psicopatologiche riguardano il disadattamento, le ansie e le paure, la depressione e il declino cognitivo. Sono ambiti esistenziali e clinici che il Professor Marcello Cesa-Bianchi ha più volte trattato nella sua lunga esperienza scientifica. Fra i suoi primi lavori si annovera in particolare il disadattamento dell'anziano rilevato e analizzato in diversi contesti esperienziali.Se ansie, paure e depressione – oltre al disadattamento – si registrano anche in altri periodi della vita, in vecchiaia vengono ad assumere peculiari caratteristiche.Inoltre il processo di invecchiamento comporta il rischio della comparsa di una demenza, nelle sue varie forme. Il declino cognitivo – senza naturalmente ignorare le sue manifestazioni cliniche e la sua ancora incognita eziologia – viene considerato nella sua multidimensionalità e ipercomplessità evidenziando soprattutto le dinamiche affettive, relazionali e creative.
Recensioni
Authors: Grippo Andrea , Carlini Marta , D’ascenzio Anna
Published: May 2021

-Romeo, Marchetti (2020), #Noirestiamoacasa. Il mondo visto da fuori ai tempi del Covid-19

-Rufino (2020) Scegliere, decidere, cambiare. Perché il mondo dimentica di fare

-Migliorati (2020) Un sociologo nella Zona Rossa. Rischio, paura, morte e creatività ai tempi di Covid-19
An Evaluation on Dental Students’ Performance during the First Year of Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yusof Hazira M , Wan Ali Wan Nor Syariza , Mohamed Nusima
Published: May 2021

As with other university programs, dental school has been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic due to physical distancing and clinical restriction. Covid-19 pandemic changes the original method of study with the swift shift to online learning, which may affect students’ performance. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of online learning methods on the final examination performance for dental undergraduate students in their clinical years in a public university in Malaysia. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey tests were conducted to compare the effect of learning methods on the mean examination score, by comparing clinical students from the year of 2018 and 2019 face-to-face (f2f) learning method as compared to fully online learning in 2020. The analysis shows that there is a statistically significant difference on final exam performance at p < 0.05 for Year 3 [F (2, 102) = 11.68] and Year 5 [F(2, 95) = 22.32]. Post-hoc Tukey HSD test indicates that the mean examination result for 2019 is significantly different from 2020 and 2018 even though the same learning method was employed for the latter. There was also no statistically significant difference for when the 2020 cohort is compared to the 2018 cohort for both Year 3 and Year 5. There was no statistically significant difference in mean examination score across all cohorts for Year 4 students. Although limited in scope, the conclusion of this study was that, f2f learning method has no significant difference with online learning in terms of final examination performance.
BIM技术在建筑工程成本控制中的应用研究
Authors: 冯 振伟 , 郭 超
Published: May 2021

建筑行业处于现代信息社会，需要加强认识和应用现代信息技术。BIM是信息技术重点性代表，并且在建筑工程成本控制中发挥的作用越来越大。通过合理应用BIM技术能够达到降低成本费用的效果，可以优化各项资源的配置，为此，企业要加强该技术的应用，提升企业的经济效益，为企业持续稳定地发展提供保障。
Estudo da evapotranspiração máxima, mínima e anual sobre a bacia hidrográfica do rio Uruçuí Preto - Piauí, Brasil
Authors: Medeiros Raimundo Mainar de , Braga Salatiel Ewen , França Manoel Vieira de , Araújo Wagner Rodolfo de , Saboya Luciano Marcelo Fallé , Rolim Neto Fernando Cartaxo , Holanda Romildo Morant De , Pereira Márcia Liana Freire
Published: May 2021

Conhecer o clima local é um fator necessário para avaliação dos recursos hídricos, pois vários elementos meteorológicos são indispensáveis em todo ciclo hidrológico. Nesse contexto, os objetivos deste trabalho consistem em se estimar as evapotranspirações máxima, mínima e anual para a bacia hidrografica do rio Uruçuí Preto, estado do Piauí. A estimativa da evapotranspiração mínima, máxima e anual foi efetuada a partir das equações empíricas para a estimativa da temperatura do ar para a área da bacia em estudo. Foram utilizadas séries históricas de valores mensais da temperatura do ar, de períodos uniformizados com 30 anos de observações, para os 49 municípios que englobam a área de estudo. Com os dados dessas séries, foram ajustadas equações pelo método dos mínimos quadrados, obtendo-se equações de regressão linear múltipla e testaram o método estatístico. Com os dados de temperatura média do ar estimados, procedeu-se à estimativa da evapotranspiração pelo método empírico de Thornthwaite. Foram elaborados valores da temperatura média do ar, estimados pelo software Estima_T. A oscilação da evapotranspiração média da área estudada ocorre entre 92,4 mm em fevereiro a 170,1 mm no mês de outubro. A evapotranspiração máxima oscila entre 111,3 a 202,8 mm. A ETP mínima oscila entre 70,7 a 130,2 mm. As estimativas de ETP da bacia hidrográfica do rio Uruçuí Preto – Piauí apresentam dependência do posicionamento geográfico (latitude e longitude), e também da orografia local. Em termos médios, se sobressaem as classes de ocorrência de 70 a 125 mm, 125 a 175 mm e a classe mais alta superior aos 200 mm que, juntas, totalizam 84,4% da área de estudo, representando uma variação de 5,3 mm a 10,8 mm, em termos de evapotranspiração média diária, em praticamente toda a bacia.
The Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Vega Frank
Published: May 2021

Let's define $\delta(x) = (\sum_{{q\leq x}}{\frac{1}{q}}-\log \log x-B)$, where $B \approx 0.2614972128$ is the Meissel-Mertens constant. The Robin theorem states that $\delta(x)$ changes sign infinitely often. Let's also define $S(x) = \theta(x) - x$, where $\theta(x)$ is the Chebyshev function. A theorem due to Erhard Schmidt implies that $S(x)$ changes sign infinitely often. Using the Nicolas theorem, we prove that when the inequalities $\delta(x) \leq 0$ and $S(x) \geq 0$ are satisfied for some $x \geq 127$, then the Riemann Hypothesis should be false. However, the Mertens second theorem states that $\lim_{{x\to \infty }} \delta(x) = 0$. Moreover, a result from the Gr\"{o}nwall paper could be restated as $\lim_{{x\to \infty }} S(x) = 0$. In this way, this work could mean a new step forward in the direction for finally solving the Riemann Hypothesis.
Changing our Ways: The report of the Cambridge Sustainability Commission on Scaling Behaviour Change
Authors: Newell Peter , Daley Freddie , Twena Michelle
Published: May 2021

Behaviours change. That much we know. But there is little consensus about how best to deliberately shape and directly influence everyday behaviours around transport, food and energy use in more sustainable directions and where responsibility and agency to effect that change lies. This report of the Cambridge Sustainability Commission on Scaling Sustainable Behaviour Change draws on research syntheses about the potential contributions of behaviour change towards climate and sustainability goals to attain the goals of the Paris Agreement. The commission focused on the state of knowledge and empirical evidence of leverage points for societal transformations at national and regional scales. The report provides examples of past evidence and future options of major shifts in lifestyles and values, providing evidence, where possible, of leverage points for deep social transformations.
Metabolism Characteristics of Lactic Acid Bacteria and the Expanding Applications in Food Industry
Authors: Wang Yaqi , Wu Jiangtao , Lv Mengxin , Shao Zhen , Hungwe Meluleki , Wang Jinju , Bai Xiaojia , Xie Jingli , Wang Yanping , Geng Weitao
Published: May 2021

Lactic acid bacteria are a kind of microorganisms that can ferment carbohydrates to produce lactic acid, and are currently widely used in the fermented food industry. In recent years, with the excellent role of lactic acid bacteria in the food industry and probiotic functions, their microbial metabolic characteristics have also attracted more attention. Lactic acid bacteria can decompose macromolecular substances in food, including degradation of indigestible polysaccharides and transformation of undesirable flavor substances. Meanwhile, they can also produce a variety of products including short-chain fatty acids, amines, bacteriocins, vitamins and exopolysaccharides during metabolism. Based on the above-mentioned metabolic characteristics, lactic acid bacteria have shown a variety of expanded applications in the food industry. On the one hand, they are used to improve the flavor of fermented foods, increase the nutrition of foods, reduce harmful substances, increase shelf life, and so on. On the other hand, they can be used as probiotics to promote health in the body. This article reviews and prospects the important metabolites in the expanded application of lactic acid bacteria from the perspective of bioengineering and biotechnology.
Differentiation and Application of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived Cardiovascular Cells for Treatment of Heart Diseases: Promises and Challenges
Authors: Gao Yu , Pu Jun
Published: May 2021

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are derived from human embryos (human embryonic stem cells) or reprogrammed from human somatic cells (human induced pluripotent stem cells). They can differentiate into cardiovascular cells, which have great potential as exogenous cell resources for restoring cardiac structure and function in patients with heart disease or heart failure. A variety of protocols have been developed to generate and expand cardiovascular cells derived from hPSCsin vitro. Precisely and spatiotemporally activating or inhibiting various pathways in hPSCs is required to obtain cardiovascular lineages with high differentiation efficiency. In this concise review, we summarize the protocols of differentiating hPSCs into cardiovascular cells, highlight their therapeutic application for treatment of cardiac diseases in large animal models, and discuss the challenges and limitations in the use of cardiac cells generated from hPSCs for a better clinical application of hPSC-based cardiac cell therapy.
The Role of HIV Infection in the Pathophysiology of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Authors: Phoswa Wendy N.
Published: May 2021

Purpose of the Review: The main objective of this study is to investigate mechanisms associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in HIV infected pregnant women by looking how placental hormones such as (progesterone and prolactin) and basic haemostatic parameters are regulated in HIV infected pregnancies.

Recent Findings: HIV/AIDS are a major global obstetric health burden that lead to increased rate of morbidity and mortality. HIV/AIDS has been associated with the pathophysiology of GDM and HDP. Increased risk of GDM due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) usage has been reported in HIV infected pregnancies, which causes insulin resistance in both pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. HAART is a medication used for lowering maternal antepartum viral load and pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of the infant. In pregnant women, HAART induces diabetogenic effect by causing dysregulation of placental hormones such as (progesterone and prolactin) and predispose HIV infected women to GDM. In addition to HIV/AIDS and GDM, Studies have indicated that HIV infection causes haemostatic abnormalities such as hematological disorder, deregulated haematopoiesis process and the coagulation process which results in HDP.

Summary: This study will help on improving therapeutic management and understanding of the pathophysiology of GDM and HDP in the absence as well as in the presence of HIV infection by reviewing studies reporting on these mechanism.
Association Between Renal Dysfunction and Low HDL Cholesterol Among the Elderly in China
Authors: You Aijun , Li Yaxin , Tomlinson Brian , Yue Longfei , Zhao Kaijie , Fan Huimin , Liu Zhongmin , Zhang Yuzhen , Zheng Liang
Published: May 2021

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have a high morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), a traditional risk marker for CVD, are common in CKD patients. Little is known about the association of low HDL-C with renal dysfunction in the community dwelling population.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study included 4,753 participants enrolled in a prospective study, the Shanghai Elderly Cardiovascular Health (SHECH) study. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), calculated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (C-MDRD equation), was used to assess renal dysfunction. Associations between renal dysfunction and low HDL-C were evaluated using multiple logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines.

Results: Of 4,649 individuals who met inclusion criteria, 620 (13.34%) had low HDL-C at <40 mg/dl. In the fully adjusted model, lower eGFR of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.21–3.43) and marginal eGFR of 60 to 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01–1.58) were significantly associated with low HDL-C, compared with normal eGFR of ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2. Moreover, consistent findings were obtained in subsidiary analyses using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Fully adjusted cubic spline models indicated a significant dose-response relationship between eGFR and low HDL-C (P for non-linearity, 0.356).

Conclusion: In this general elderly population, renal dysfunction was independently and significantly associated with low HDL-C, and the prevalence of low HDL-C increased with decreasing eGFR, such that even slight changes in renal function may be associated with altered lipid levels.
Case Report: Changes of Vascular Reactivity and Arterial Stiffness in a Patient With Covid-19 Infection
Authors: Jud Philipp , Kessler Harald H. , Brodmann Marianne
Published: May 2021

Covid-19 infection may be associated with a higher incidence developing cardiovascular complications, however, the underlying mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular complications are largely unknown, while endothelial cell damage may be present. We want to report a 24-year-old woman with Covid-19 infection who had undergone measurements of vascular reactivity and arterial stiffness, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index and carotid intima-media-thickness (cIMT) at the time when Covid-19 was diagnosed. Reduced FMD of 0.0% and NMD of 15.5% were observed, while PWV (5.9 m/s), Aix (27%) and cIMT with 0.4 mm of both common carotid arteries were unremarkable. Repeated measurements of FMD, NMD, PWV, Aix, and cIMT 6 weeks after Covid-19 infection revealed persistently reduced FMD (0.0%), while NMD (17.24%), PWV (5.6 m/s) and augmentation index (13%) ameliorated. This case suggests potential impact of Covid-19 infection on endothelial function, also in young Covid-19 patients without any co-morbidity.
How Is Bark Absorbability and Wettability Related to Stemflow Yield? Observations From Isolated Trees in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Tonello Kelly Cristina , Campos Sergio Dias , de Menezes Aparecido Junior , Bramorski Julieta , Mathias Samir Leite , Lima Marcelle Teodoro
Published: May 2021

Few investigations have examined the structural controls of bark on its water storage and influence on stemflow, despite the bark being considered a critical component that determines the time and magnitude of this process. This study seeks to answer the question: Do bark water absorbability and wettability estimates correlate with stemflow yield? We hypothesized that (1) the absorbability and wettability are correlated, that is, greater water absorbability implies greater wettability, and (2) high rates of bark water absorbability and wettability has a strong and negative correlation with stemflow generation. Stemflow yield (Sy) was monitored over 12 months for 31 trees, representing 9 species common to the Brazilian savanna ecosystem known as Cerrado. Bark absorbability, per unit dry weight, changes over time of the water absorbability (BWA - by submersion methodology), bark drying (BWD), bark absorbability rate (BWArate), bark drying rate (BWDrate), and wettability (initial contact angle – CAin and CA rate - CArate) were determined under laboratory conditions. As insoluble lignin may also act to alter bark water storage dynamics, for each species, the bark insoluble lignin content was characterized. Stemflow variability was significant across the study species. Funneling ratios (FR) indicates that all species’ canopies diverted enough rainfall as stemflow to concentrate rainwaters at the surface around their stem bases (FR > 1). Differences in bark water absorbability were notable some of tree species. A decrease in the CA value as a function of time was not observed for all barks, which in association with stemflow yields, allowed a novel classification method of wettability, based on CAin and it’s rate of change: highly wettable (CAin ≤ 75.3° and CArate ≥ 0.26°h–1) and non-wettable (CAin ≥ 93.5° and CArate ≤ 0.13°h–1). So, only from the wettability classification could be observed that the non-wettable bark species presented higher Sy, FR, BWA, and BWArate than highly wettable bark species. The stemflow from species with highly wettable bark had a strong and positive correlation with BWA. On the other hand, non-wettable bark stemflow yield has a strongly and negative correlation with FR, CAin, and BWArate. Thus, bark wettability properties showed to deserves special attention. This novel classification of bark wettability had a substantial effect on stemflow yield comprehension and proved to be an important variable to link laboratory and field investigation for understanding the stemflow yield. These findings will improve our understanding of the stemflow dynamics, water balance and the ecohydrology processes of forest ecosystems.
Probiotic Bacteria and Their Cell Walls Induce Th1-Type Immunity Against Salmonella Typhimurium Challenge
Authors: Lemme-Dumit José María , Cazorla Silvia Inés , Perdigón Gabriela Del Valle , Maldonado-Galdeano Carolina
Published: May 2021

Probiotics have been associated with a variety of health benefits. They can act as adjuvant to enhance specific immune response. Bacterial cell wall (CW) molecules are key structures that interact with host receptors promoting probiotic effects. The adjuvant capacity underlying this sub-cellular fraction purified from Lactobacillus casei CRL431 and L. paracasei CNCMI-1518 remains to be characterized. We interrogated the molecular and cellular events after oral feeding with probiotic-derived CW in addition to heat-inactivated Salmonella Typhimurium and their subsequent protective capacity against S. Typhimurium challenge. Intact probiotic bacteria were orally administered for comparison. We find that previous oral feeding with probiotics or their sub-cellular fraction reduce bacterial burden in spleen and liver after Salmonella challenge. Antibody responses after pathogen challenge were negligible, characterized by not major changes in the antibody-mediated phagocytic activity, and in the levels of total and Salmonella-specific intestinal sIgA and serum IgG, respectively. Conversely, the beneficial effect of probiotic-derived CW after S. Typhimurium challenge were ascribed to a Th1-type cell-mediated immunity which was characterized by augmentation of the delayed-type hypersensitivity response. The cell-mediated immunity associated with the oral feeding with probiotic-derived CW was accompanied with a Th1-cell polarizing cytokines, distinguished by increase IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. Similar results were observed with the intact probiotics. Our study identified molecular events associated with the oral administration of sub-cellular structures derived from probiotics and their adjuvant capacity to exert immune modulatory function.
A Dynamic Stress-Scape Framework to Evaluate Potential Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors on Gulf of Alaska Juvenile Pacific Cod
Authors: Blaisdell Josiah , Thalmann Hillary L. , Klajbor Willem , Zhang Yue , Miller Jessica A. , Laurel Benjamin J. , Kavanaugh Maria T.
Published: May 2021

Quantifying the spatial and temporal footprint of multiple environmental stressors on marine fisheries is imperative to understanding the effects of changing ocean conditions on living marine resources. Pacific Cod(Gadus macrocephalus), an important marine species in the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem, has declined dramatically in recent years, likely in response to extreme environmental variability in the Gulf of Alaska related to anomalous marine heatwave conditions in 2014–2016 and 2019. Here, we evaluate the effects of two potential environmental stressors, temperature variability and ocean acidification, on the growth of juvenile Pacific Cod in the Gulf of Alaska using a novel machine-learning framework called “stress-scapes,” which applies the fundamentals of dynamic seascape classification to both environmental and biological data. Stress-scapes apply a probabilistic self-organizing map (prSOM) machine learning algorithm and Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering (HAC) analysis to produce distinct, dynamic patches of the ocean that share similar environmental variability and Pacific Cod growth characteristics, preserve the topology of the underlying data, and are robust to non-linear biological patterns. We then compare stress-scape output classes to Pacific Cod growth rates in the field using otolith increment analysis. Our work successfully resolved five dynamic stress-scapes in the coastal Gulf of Alaska ecosystem from 2010 to 2016. We utilized stress-scapes to compare conditions during the 2014–2016 marine heatwave to cooler years immediately prior and found that the stress-scapes captured distinct heatwave and non-heatwave classes, which highlighted high juvenile Pacific Cod growth and anomalous environmental conditions during heatwave conditions. Dominant stress-scapes underestimated juvenile Pacific Cod growth across all study years when compared to otolith-derived field growth rates, highlighting the potential for selective mortality or biological parameters currently missing in the stress-scape model as well as differences in potential growth predicted by the stress-scape and realized growth observed in the field. A sensitivity analysis of the stress-scape classification result shows that including growth rate data in stress-scape classification adjusts the training of the prSOM, enabling it to distinguish between regions where elevated sea surface temperature is negatively impacting growth rates. Classifications that rely solely on environmental data fail to distinguish these regions. With their incorporation of environmental and non-linear physiological variables across a wide spatio-temporal scale, stress-scapes show promise as an emerging methodology for evaluating the response of marine fisheries to changing ocean conditions in any dynamic marine system where sufficient data are available.
HIV Stigma and Discrimination: Perspectives and Personal Experiences of Healthcare Providers in Yogyakarta and Belu, Indonesia
Authors: Fauk Nelsensius Klau , Ward Paul Russell , Hawke Karen , Mwanri Lillian
Published: May 2021

Stigma and discrimination are major challenges facing People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) globally due to their HIV status. As part of a larger qualitative study in Yogyakarta and Belu, Indonesia, using in-depth interviews with 92 PLWHA (52 women, 40 men) and 20 healthcare providers, this paper describes perspectives and personal experiences of the 20 healthcare providers, relating to HIV stigma and discrimination toward PLWHA in both study settings. The healthcare providers were recruited from healthcare facilities providing HIV-related healthcare services, using a snowball sampling technique. A qualitative framework analysis was used to guide data analysis. Health stigma and discrimination framework guided the conceptualisation and discussion of the findings. The findings presented the views and perspectives of healthcare providers that HIV stigma and discrimination toward PLWHA still occurred within families, communities and healthcare settings. These were reflected in negative labelling, separation of personal belongings, avoidance, denial of treatment and rejection of PLWHA by healthcare providers, family and community members. Some healthcare providers reported that they had personally stigmatised and discriminated against PLWHA. A lack of knowledge about HIV, fear of contracting HIV, personal values, religious thoughts and sociocultural values and norms, were reported as drivers or facilitators behind this HIV-related stigma and discrimination. The findings indicate the importance of continued HIV/AIDS education for families, community members and healthcare providers, to raise awareness and to ensure that healthy and professional support systems are in place for PLWHA. The findings indicate the need to enhance improvement within the healthcare or HIV care system to adequately address the needs of PLWHA, which may facilitate their early initiation of HIV treatment and better treatment adherence and retention to increase Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4) count and suppress viral load. Future studies are also needed to explore the role that government and non-government institutions can play in improving health service delivery for people newly diagnosed with HIV and those living with HIV/AIDS.
LncRNA PITPNA-AS1 as a Potential Diagnostic Marker and Therapeutic Target Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via Modulating miR-448/ROCK1 Axis
Authors: Wang Qing-fang , Wang Qing-lin , Cao Ming-bo
Published: May 2021

Background: Long non-coding RNAs are critical to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developments. LncRNA PITPNA antisense RNA 1 (PITPNA-AS1) is a new regulator in several tumors. However, the mechanism by which PITPNA-AS1 mediates the tumorigenesis of HCC remains unclear.

Methods: RT-qPCR was used to detect the level of PITPNA-AS1 in HCC specimens and cells. The biological functions of PITPNA-AS1 were explored by several functional experiments in vivo and in vitro. The binding relationship among PITPNA-AS1, miR-448 and ROCK1 were studied by Luciferase assay and pull-down assays.

Results: We found that PITPNA-AS1 expressions were distinctly upregulated in both HCC specimens and cell lines. High PITPNA-AS1 levels were an unfavorable biomarker for patients with HCC. Functionally, knockdown of PITPNA-AS1 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells. Mechanistically, PITPNA-AS1 functioned as competing endogenous RNA to increase ROCK1 expressions via sponging miR-448.

Conclusion: The newly identified PITPNA-AS/miR-448/ROCK1 axis promoted the oncogenicity of HCC cells. This novel axis is likely to be a promising HCC therapeutic aim.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli and Enterococcal Isolates From Irrigation Return Flows in a High-Desert Watershed
Authors: Dungan Robert S. , Bjorneberg David L.
Published: May 2021

Irrigation return flows (IRFs) collect surface runoff and subsurface drainage, causing them to have elevated contaminant and bacterial levels, and making them a potential source of pollutants. The purpose of this study was to determine antimicrobial susceptibility among Escherichia coli and enterococcal isolates that were collected from IRFs in a south-central Idaho watershed. Environmental isolates can be a potentially important source of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and IRFs may be one way resistance genes are transported out of agroecosystems. Water samples were collected from nine IRFs and one background site (canal water from Snake River) on a biweekly basis during 2018. Escherichia coli and enterococci were enumerated via a most probable number (MPN) technique, then subsamples were plated on selective media to obtain isolates. Isolates of E. coli (187) or enterococci (185) were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using Sensititre broth microdilution plates. For E. coli, 13% (25/187) of isolates were resistant to tetracycline, with fewer numbers being resistant to 13 other antimicrobials, with none resistant to gentamicin. While 75% (141/187) of the E. coli isolates were pan-susceptible, 12 multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns with 17 isolates exhibiting resistance to up to seven drug classes (10 antimicrobials). For the enterococcal species, only 9% (16/185) of isolates were pan-susceptible and the single highest resistance was to lincomycin (138/185; 75%) followed by nitrofurantoin (56/185; 30%) and quinupristin/dalfopristin (34/185; 18%). In addition, 13 enterococcal isolates belonging to Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus casseliflavus, and Enterococcus thailandicus, were determined to be MDR to up to six different antimicrobial drug classes. None of the enterococcal isolates were resistant to gentamycin, linezolid, tigecycline, and vancomycin.
Bacterial Microcompartment-Dependent 1,2-Propanediol Utilization of Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Authors: Dank Alexander , Zeng Zhe , Boeren Sjef , Notebaart Richard A. , Smid Eddy J. , Abee Tjakko
Published: May 2021

Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are proteinaceous prokaryotic organelles that enable the utilization of substrates such as 1,2-propanediol and ethanolamine. BMCs are mostly linked to the survival of particular pathogenic bacteria by providing a growth advantage through utilization of 1,2-propanediol and ethanolamine which are abundantly present in the human gut. Although a 1,2-propanediol utilization cluster was found in the probiotic bacteriumPropionibacterium freudenreichii, BMC-mediated metabolism of 1,2-propanediol has not been demonstrated experimentally inP. freudenreichii. In this study we show thatP. freudenreichiiDSM 20271 metabolizes 1,2-propanediol in anaerobic conditions to propionate and 1-propanol. Furthermore, 1,2-propanediol induced the formation of BMCs, which were visualized by transmission electron microscopy and resembled BMCs found in other bacteria. Proteomic analysis of 1,2-propanediol grown cells compared toL-lactate grown cells showed significant upregulation of proteins involved in propanediol-utilization (pdu-cluster), DNA repair mechanisms and BMC shell proteins while proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation were down-regulated. 1,2-Propanediol utilizing cells actively produced vitamin B12(cobalamin) in similar amounts as cells growing onL-lactate. The ability to metabolize 1,2-propanediol may have implications for human gut colonization and modulation, and can potentially aid in delivering propionate and vitamin B12in situ.
Tegotae-Based Control Produces Adaptive Inter- and Intra-limb Coordination in Bipedal Walking
Authors: Owaki Dai , Horikiri Shun-ya , Nishii Jun , Ishiguro Akio
Published: May 2021

Despite the appealing concept of central pattern generator (CPG)-based control for bipedal walking robots, there is currently no systematic methodology for designing a CPG-based controller. To remedy this oversight, we attempted to apply the Tegotae approach, a Japanese concept describing how well a perceived reaction, i.e., sensory information, matches an expectation, i.e., an intended motor command, in designing localised controllers in the CPG-based bipedal walking model. To this end, we developed a Tegotae function that quantifies the Tegotae concept. This function allowed incorporating decentralised controllers into the proposed bipedal walking model systematically. We designed a two-dimensional bipedal walking model using Tegotae functions and subsequently implemented it in simulations to validate the proposed design scheme. We found that our model can walk on both flat and uneven terrains and confirmed that the application of the Tegotae functions in all joint controllers results in excellent adaptability to environmental changes.
A Novel Cross-Linked Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier, YQ23, Extended the Golden Hour for Uncontrolled Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats and Miniature Pigs
Authors: Kuang Lei , Zhu Yu , Wu Yue , Tian Kunlun , Peng Xiaoyong , Xue Mingying , Xiang Xinming , Lau Billy , Tzang Fei Chuen , Liu Liangming , Li Tao
Published: May 2021

Background: Hypotensive resuscitation is widely applied for trauma and war injury to reduce bleeding during damage-control resuscitation, but the treatment time window is limited in order to avoid hypoxia-associated organ injury. Whether a novel hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC), YQ23 in this study, could protect organ function, and extend the Golden Hour for treatment is unclear.

Method: Uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock rats and miniature pigs were infused with 0.5, 2, and 5% YQ23 before bleeding was controlled, while Lactate Ringer’s solution (LR) and fresh whole blood plus LR (WB + LR) were set as controls. During hypotensive resuscitation the mean blood pressure was maintained at 50–60 mmHg for 60 min. Hemodynamics, oxygen delivery and utilization, blood loss, fluid demand, organ function, animal survival as well as side effects were observed. Besides, in order to observe whether YQ23 could extend the Golden Hour, the hypotensive resuscitation duration was extended to 180 min and animal survival was observed.

Results: Compared with LR, infusion of YQ23 in the 60 min pre-hospital hypotensive resuscitation significantly reduced blood loss and the fluid demand in both rats and pigs. Besides, YQ23 could effectively stabilize hemodynamics, and increase tissue oxygen consumption, increase the cardiac output, reduce liver and kidney injury, which helped to reduce the early death and improve animal survival. In addition, the hypotensive resuscitation duration could be extended to 180 min using YQ23. Side effects such as vasoconstriction and renal injury were not observed. The beneficial effects of 5% YQ23 are equivalent to similar volume of WB + LR.

Conclusion: HBOC, such as YQ23, played vital roles in damage-control resuscitation for emergency care and benefited the uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in the pre-hospital treatment by increasing oxygen delivery, reducing organ injury. Besides, HBOC could benefit the injured and trauma patients by extending the Golden Hour.
Fine Motor Skills and Lexical Processing in Children and Adults
Authors: Winter Rebecca E. , Stoeger Heidrun , Suggate Sebastian P.
Published: May 2021

Children’s fine motor skills (FMS) link to cognitive development, however, research on their involvement in language processing, also with adults, is scarce. Lexical items are processed differently depending on the degree of sensorimotor information inherent in the words’ meanings, such as whether these imply a body-object interaction (BOI) or a body-part association (i.e., hand, arm, mouth, foot). Accordingly, three studies examined whether lexical processing was affected by FMS, BOIness, and body-part associations in children (study 1, n = 77) and adults (study 2, n = 80; study 3, n = 71). Analyses showed a differential link between FMS and lexical processing as a function of age. Whereas response latencies indicated that children’s FMS were associated with “hand” words, adults’ FMS linked to the broader concept of BOI. Findings have implications for shared activation theories positing that FMS support lexical processing.