bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of paper disc velocimeter for groundwater flow measurement in tropical peatland
Authors: Sutikno S , Ramawilis RD , Hutapea FA , Rinaldi  , Yamamoto K
Published: April 2020

This paper presents the application of paper disc velocimeter (PDV) for groundwater flow measurement in tropical peatland. The PDV is a simple and low-cost method used without electricity that is developed by Yamaguchi University to measure groundwater flow. This method was applied to understand the groundwater hydraulic in the tropical peatland as the impact of rewetting efforts using canal blocking. A study site at Lukun village, Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau in Pulau Tebing Tinggi peatland hydrological unit (PHU) was picked up for the application of this method. Five deep wells in each transect of three transects totally were prepared for the measurement using PDV. The Transect-1 and Transect-2 were located at the upstream side of canal block with a distance of about 400 m and 100 m respectively. The Transect-3 was located on the downstream side of the canal block with a distance of about 100 m. The results showed that the groundwater velocity in the upstream side of canal block tends to lower than that in the downstream side. This was because the groundwater level in the upstream was maintained in a stable condition due to the canal blocking. This finding showed the impact of canal blocking on the rewetting effort in the tropical peatland.
Preparation of magnetic chitosan microspheres using iron sand particles prepared by ball milling method
Authors: Rahmi  , Lelifajri  , Ayu ASW
Published: April 2020

Iron sand particles prepared by ball milling method have been used in the magnetic chitosan microspheres preparation. FTIR, XRD and SEM analyses were performed to characterize the magnetic chitosan microspheres. SEM images and FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of magnetic chitosan microspheres. The patterns of XRD showed the presence of iron sand particles reduced the crystallinity of chitosan. The adsorption experiments were conducted for mercury removal from aqueous solutions. AAS was performed to determine the mercury concentrations in the solutions after the adsorption process. The results showed the adsorption capacity (Q) of the magnetic chitosan microspheres was not significantly different from magnetic chitosan microspheres prepared using iron oxide.
Chemical and microbiological characteristics of Pacik Kule, a traditional fermented carp from Southeast Aceh
Authors: Muzaifa M , Martunis  , Nilda C , Nurhayati
Published: April 2020

Pacik kuleis a dish made from carp (Cyprinus carpio) which is commonly found in Southeast Aceh as traditional food. Before being processed intopacik kule, carps are fermented for 1 to 2 days at room temperature using salt or without salt. This study aims to analyze the effect of salt addition and fermentation time on the chemical and microbial characteristics ofpacik kule.This research used factorial completely randomized design consisting of 2 factors. The first factor was the fermentation time which consists of 2 levels, namely 1 day (K1) fermentation, and 2 days (K2) fermentation. The second factor is the addition of salt consisting of 2 levels, which is S1 (without salt) and (S2) with salt (1.5%). The analysis conducted is a chemical analysis and microbiological analysis. The results showed that the length of fermentation affected the total lactic acid bacteria but did not affect other parameters such as protein content, total volatile bases, and pH. The addition of salt affected the water content and total lactic acid bacteria but did not affect protein content, pH, and total volatile bases (TVB). The interaction between length of fermentation and salt addition affected water content, protein content, total volatile bases (TVB), and total lactic acid bacteria. Based on the results of chemical and microbiological analysis, fermentation for 1 day with the addition of salt (1.5%) was the best treatment with the highest protein content (11.93%), total lactic acid bacteria (9.4 log CFU/g), water content the lowest (17.41%) and the lowest total volatile base (13.63 mgN / 100g).
K2O/NbOPO4 solid acid catalyst for biodiesel production
Authors: Nurhazanah N , Sy Y , Husin H , Rosnelly CM , Maulana A
Published: April 2020

Biodiesel production from palm oil and alcohol has been carried out using a K2O/NbOPO4 solid acid catalyst. NbOPO4 catalyst was synthesized through the sol-gel method, followed by drying and calcination at a temperature of 800°C for 6 hours. The catalyst was further treated using K2CO3 with various concentrations of 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55% through the impregnation technique. Morphology and composition of the catalyst were evaluated by SEM, EDX and XRD instruments. The results showed that the catalyst has non homogeneous particles with size ranging between 1.86 μm to 25 μm, accompanied by the agglomeration. The results of the analysis also confirmed that the prepared catalyst contains potassium, niobium, phosphorus and oxygen with a composition of 10.15; 17.67; 6.11 and 41.83%, respectively. The catalytic activity was tested in the transesterification reaction for 3 hours, at a temperature of 65°C with the molar ratio of palm oil to alcohol of 12:1 and catalyst loading of 6%. The highest yield of 98.87% was obtained on the process using the catalyst impregnated with 35% K2CO3. The overall results show that there is a very promising potential of NbOPO4 catalysts for biodiesel production.
Performance of tannic acid/tetraethylenepentamine coated polymeric membrane for the separation of different surfactant-stabilized oil in water emulsions
Authors: Senusi F , Ismail S
Published: April 2020

The present research reported on the surface coating of PVDF membrane with polyphenolic-amine, which improves the hydrophilicity and underwater oleophobic properties. The separation efficiency and antifouling property of emulsion oil by pristine PVDF and polyphenolic-amine coated PVDF microfiltration membranes were evaluated. The performance of pristine and coated membrane was compared using three different types of surfactant-stabilized oil droplets (T80/Diesel/H2O, SDS/Diesel/H2O and CTAB/Diesel/H2O) in terms of flux recovery ratio (FRR) and removal efficiency. The continuous cycle using cross-flow filtration mode was also investigated. The filtration experiments indicated that modifying the surface properties of the PVDF polymer membrane by polyphenolic-amine coating method can significantly improve the antifouling properties compared to unmodified polymeric membranes.
Stability and durability studies of zwitterionic adsorbent coating for the removal of organic pollutants: Chemical and thermal tolerance
Authors: Azha S F , Ismail S
Published: April 2020

The zwitterionic adsorbent coating (ZACC) was used to eliminate both cationic and anionic dyes. The ZACC was developed in a way to improve the current ordinary form of adsorbents (beads, powdery) for flexible working application especially in treating the industrial textile effluents. Since it is in a coating form, a number of factors have to be considered especially in terms of its stability and durability in wastewater. This is to prevent any detected adsorbent leaching and fast loss in treated water. This study was investigated for harsh conditions (chemical and thermal) to prove its strength. The chemical tolerance has established the stability of ZACC strip by showing a highly robust and potent structure and form even after 100 days in acidic, neutral and mix dyes solution. Result also showed the percentage removal of BG dye could attained within 87.4 - 97.1 % as increased the pH from 3 to 11. While higher removal of AR 1 obtained in acidic medium (99.4 %). The percentage weight loss obtained were 0.25 % and 0.11 % respectively for thermal stability test in drying oven and outside building.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Activated Carbon/α-Fe2O3 Nanocomposite and Its Application for Removing Tartrazine Dye
Authors: Lubis S , Ramli M , Sheilatina  , Ermanda Y
Published: April 2020

Hematite containing activated carbon (AC/α-Fe2O3) nanocomposite has been prepared by hydrothermal method and used as photocatalyst for removing tartrazine dye. Hematite was extracted from iron sand while activated carbon was derived from coffee waste which was activated using hydrochloric acid. The structure and morphology of photocatalyst was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption (BET) and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). These techniques indicate that the AC/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite has an average crystallite size of 35.47 nm and specific surface area of 41.52 m2/g. The photocatalytic activity evaluation showed that various factors influencing the removal of tartrazine dye including pH of dye solution, photocatalyst dosage, dye concentration and irradiation time. The results showed that AC/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite can remove tartrazine up to 91.01% under UV light and 93.69% under solar light which were obtained at pH value of 2, photocatalyst dosage of 250 mg and initial concentration of tartrazine is 15 ppm with irradiation time for 210 min under UV light and 180 min under solar light. The AC/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite also can remove tartrazine dye contained in noodle waste water up to 94.67% and 97.86 under UV light irradiation for 150 min and 120 min under solar light irradiation, respectively.
X-ray dose-dependent structural changes of the [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Ohnishi Yusuke , Muraki Norifumi , Kiyota Daiki , Okumura Hideo , Baba Seiki , Kawano Yoshiaki , Kumasaka Takashi , Tanaka Hideaki , Kurisu Genji
Published: April 2020

Plant-type ferredoxin (Fd) is an electron transfer protein in chloroplast. Redox-dependent structural change of Fd controls its association with and dissociation from Fd-dependent enzymes. Among many X-ray structures of oxidized Fd have been reported so far, very likely a given number of them was partially reduced by strong X-ray. To understand the precise structural change between reduced and oxidized Fd, it is important to know whether the crystals of oxidized Fd may or may not be reduced during the X-ray experiment. We prepared the thin plate-shaped Fd crystals from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and monitored its absorption spectra during experiment. Absorption spectra of oxidized Fd crystals were clearly changed to that of reduced form in an X-ray dose-dependent manner. In another independent experiment, the X-ray diffraction images obtained from different parts of one single crystal were sorted and merged to form two datasets with low and high X-ray doses. An Fo–Fo map calculated from the two datasets showed that X-ray reduction causes a small displacement of the iron atoms in the [2Fe-2S] cluster. Both our spectroscopic and crystallographic studies confirm X-ray dose-dependent reduction of Fd, and suggest a structural basis for its initial reduction step especially in the core of the cluster.
Efficacy of face mask in preventing respiratory virus transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liang Mingming , Gao Liang , Cheng Ce , Zhou Qin , Uy John Patrick , Heiner Kurt , Sun Chenyu
Published: April 2020

Background

Conflicting recommendations exist related to whether masks have a protective effect on the spread of respiratory viruses.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement was consulted to report this systematic review. Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP (Chinese) database.

Results

A total of 21 studies met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses suggest that mask use provided a significant protective effect (OR=0.35 and 95% CI=0.24-0.51). Use of masks by healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (Non-HCWs) can reduce the risk of respiratory virus infection by 80% (OR=0.20, 95% CI=0.11-0.37) and 47% (OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.36-0.79). The protective effect of wearing masks in Asia (OR=0.31) appeared to be higher than that of Western countries (OR=0.45). Masks had a protective effect against influenza viruses (OR=0.55), SARS (OR=0.26), and SARS-CoV-2 (OR=0.04). In the subgroups based on different study designs, protective effects of wearing mask were significant in cluster randomized trials and observational studies.

Conclusions

This study adds additional evidence of the enhanced protective value of masks, we stress that the use masks serve as an adjunctive method regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.
Transcriptome and regulatory maps of decidua-derived stromal cells inform gene discovery in preterm birth
Authors: Sakabe Noboru , Aneas Ivy , Knoblauch Nicholas , Sobreira Debora R. , Clark Nicole , Paz Cristina , Horth Cynthia , Ziffra Ryan , Kaur Harjot , Liu Xiao , Anderson Rebecca , Morrison Jean , Cheung Virginia C. , Grotegut Chad , Reddy Timothy E. , Jacobsson Bo , Hallman Mikko , Teramo Kari , Murtha Amy , Kessler John , Grobman William , Zhang Ge , Muglia Louis J. , Rana Sarosh , Lynch Vincent J. , Crawford Gregory E. , Ober Carole , He Xin , Nóbrega Marcelo A.
Published: April 2020

While a genetic component of preterm birth (PTB) has long been recognized and recently mapped by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the molecular determinants underlying PTB remain elusive. This stems in part from an incomplete availability of comprehensive functional genomic annotations in human cell types relevant to pregnancy and PTB. Here, we generated extensive transcriptional and chromatin annotations of cultured primary decidua-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) andin vitrodifferentiated decidual stromal cells (DSCs) and developed a computational framework to integrate these functional annotations with results from a GWAS of gestational duration in 56,384 women. This resulted in a significant enrichment of heritability estimates in functional noncoding regions in stromal cells, as well as in the discovery of additional loci associated with gestational duration and target genes of associated loci. Our strategy illustrates how systematic functional annotations in pregnancy-relevant cell types aid in the experimental follow-up of GWAS for PTB and, likely, other pregnancy-related conditions.
Increased TSH-producing cells in the pituitary gland of Pax6 haploinsufficient mice
Authors: Johnson Kenji K. , Lauderdale James D.
Published: April 2020

Aniridia is a congenital condition characterized by absence of iris and is caused by a semidominant mutation in the transcription factor encoded by thePAX6gene. Although ocular phenotypes of this disorder are well characterized, recent studies report that individuals with aniridia have a higher propensity for obesity, infertility, polycystic ovarian disease, and severe eczema compared to theirPax6-normal siblings. These symptoms collectively suggest an underlying endocrine disturbance related to haploinsufficient levels ofPax6.In mice, during development,Pax6expression in the pituitary gland begins at E9.0 in the primordial anterior pituitary gland (Rathke’s Pouch). This expression becomes restricted to the dorsal anterior pituitary by E11.5, but is expressed throughout the anterior lobe by E14.5, and remains through adulthood. It is possible that a reduction inPax6could result in a change in pituitary hormone levels or cell numbers, which may explain symptoms experienced by aniridics. Using theSmall eyemouse model, we find thatPax6reduction results in a decrease in GH-producing cells and an increase in TSH-producing cells in neonate mice, with the TSH increase continuing into adulthood. AdultPax6haploinsufficient mice also have an increase in anterior pituitary volume and weigh significantly less than their wild-type littermates. Furthermore, we show that the increase in TSH-producing cells leads to an increase in thyroxin (T4) in mutant mice, although tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels remain unchanged. These findings present a new role forPax6in the endocrine system, which serves to refine our current understanding ofPax6in endocrine development and maintenance and provides new avenues for investigating endocrine-related symptomatology in aniridia.
Ebola virus inclusion body formation and RNA synthesis are controlled by a novel domain of NP interacting with VP35
Authors: Miyake Tsuyoshi , Farley Charlotte M. , Neubauer Benjamin E. , Beddow Thomas P. , Hoenen Thomas , Engel Daniel A.
Published: April 2020

Ebola virus (EBOV) inclusion bodies (IBs) are cytoplasmic sites of nucleocapsid formation and RNA replication, housing key steps in the virus life cycle that warrant further investigation. During infection IBs display dynamic properties regarding their size and location. Also, the contents of IBs must transition prior to further viral maturation, assembly and release, implying additional steps in IB function. Interestingly, expression of the viral nucleoprotein (NP) alone is sufficient for generation of IBs, indicating that it plays an important role in IB formation during infection. In addition to NP, other components of the nucleocapsid localize to IBs, including VP35, VP24, VP30 and the RNA polymerase L. Previously we defined and solved the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of NP (NP-Ct), but its role in virus replication remained unclear. Here we show that NP-Ct is absolutely required for IB formation when NP is expressed alone. Interestingly, we find that NP-Ct is also required for production of infectious virus-like particles and retention of viral RNA within these particles. Furthermore, co-expression of the nucleocapsid component VP35 overcomes deletion of NP-Ct in triggering IB formation, demonstrating a functional interaction between the two proteins. Of all the EBOV proteins only VP35 is able to overcome the defect in IB formation caused by deletion of NP-Ct. This effect is mediated by a novel protein-protein interaction between VP35 and NP that controls both regulation of IB formation and RNA replication itself, and which is mediated by a newly identified domain of NP, the “central domain” (CD).

Importance

Inclusion bodies (IBs) are cytoplasmic sites of RNA synthesis for a variety of negative sense RNA viruses including Ebola virus. In addition to housing important steps in the viral life cycle, IBs protect new viral RNA from innate immune attack and contain specific host proteins whose function is under study. A key viral factor in Ebola virus IB formation is the nucleoprotein, NP, which also is important in RNA encapsidation and synthesis. In this study, we have identified two domains of NP that control inclusion body formation. One of these, the central domain (CD), interacts with viral protein VP35 to control both inclusion body formation and RNA synthesis. The other is the NP C-terminal domain (NP-Ct), whose function has not previously been reported. These findings contribute to a model in which NP and its interactions with VP35 link the establishment of IBs to the synthesis of viral RNA.
The violence of narrative: embodying responsibility for poverty‐related stress
Authors: Thomas Felicity , Wyatt Katrina , Hansford Lorraine
Published: April 2020

Narratives of self‐responsibility are pervasive in neoliberally oriented contexts, and have been found to engender feelings of shame and failure amongst those affected by poverty. Here, we use findings from research in two low‐income communities in south‐west England to examine how these narratives become embodied within people's daily lives when they intersect with systems of welfare support and the current political drive to upscale treatment for common mental health conditions. Drawing on Bourdieu's notion of symbolic violence, we examine how narratives of self‐responsibility and associated welfare reform strategies impact on the mental health of people living in economic hardship. The data show how such narratives inflict, sustain and exacerbate mental distress and suffering, and how they become naturalised and normalised by individuals themselves. We demonstrate how this situation pushes people to seek support from General Practitioners, and how clinical interactions can normalise, and in turn, medicalise, poverty‐related distress. Whilst some people actively resist dominant narratives around self‐responsibility, we argue that this is insufficient under broader sociocultural and political circumstances, to free themselves from the harms perpetuated by symbolic violence.
Ethanol produces multiple electrophysiological effects on ventral tegmental area neurons in freely moving rats
Authors: Doyon William M. , Ostroumov Alexey , Ontiveros Tiahna , Gonzales Rueben A. , Dani John A.
Published: April 2020

Although alcohol (i.e., ethanol) is a major drug of abuse, the acute functional effects of ethanol on the reward circuitry are not well defined in vivo. In freely moving rats, we examined the effect of intravenous ethanol administration on neuronal unit activity in the posterior ventral tegmental area (VTA), a central component of the mesolimbic reward system. VTA units were classified as putative dopamine (DA) neurons, fast‐firing GABA neurons, and unidentified neurons based on a combination of electrophysiological properties and DA D2 receptor pharmacological responses. A gradual infusion of ethanol significantly altered the firing rate of DA neurons in a concentration‐dependent manner. The majority of DA neurons were stimulated by ethanol and showed enhanced burst firing activity, but a minority was inhibited. Ethanol also increased the proportion of DA neurons that exhibited pacemaker‐like firing patterns. In contrast, ethanol mediated a variety of effects in GABA and other unidentified neurons that were distinct from DA neurons, including a nonlinear increase in firing rate, delayed inhibition, and more biphasic activity. These results provide evidence of discrete electrophysiological effects of ethanol on DA neurons compared with other VTA cell types, suggesting a complex role of the VTA in alcohol‐induced responses in freely moving animals.
Ethnographic Reviews
Authors: Papavasiliou Faidra
Published: April 2020

Books reviewed in this issue.

An Anthropology of Anthropology: Is it Time to Shift Paradigms? Robert Borofsky.
On the drivers of UK direct investment in the Spanish regions: A spatial Durbin approach
Authors: Maza Adolfo , Gutiérrez‐Portilla Paula , Villaverde José
Published: April 2020

This paper empirically examines the key factors driving UK direct investment in the Spanish regions over the period 2000–2016 and, consequently, tries to unveil its main motivation. Applying a spatial Durbin panel model to capture spatial linkages, the results point to the existence of complementarity between the FDI received by a region and that of the remaining ones. This outcome, along with a positive and statistically significant spillover effect of market potential, reveals that complex‐vertical FDI motivation with agglomeration economies prevails among UK MNEs investing in Spain. Additionally, our findings unveil the role played by some other FDI drivers, such as wages and infrastructure. Furthermore, the paper is unique in decomposing the average direct and spillover effects by region and pairs of regions, so that remarkable differences can be identified. This breakdown has strong significance from a policy perspective since it can guide regional policy makers. In short, our findings point out to the fact that FDI policy should be jointly designed by those regions presenting strong bilateral spillover effects. Thus, greater cooperation among policy makers would be welcome.
Sanctions, short‐term mindsets, and delinquency: Reverse causality in a sample of high school youth
Authors: van Gelder Jean‐Louis , Averdijk Margit , Ribeaud Denis , Eisner Manuel
Published: April 2020

Purpose

We question the commonly assumed view of a fixed causal ordering between self‐control, delinquency, and sanctions and test the hypothesis that experiencing sanctions may reduce levels of self‐control, thereby increasing the risk of future delinquent behaviour. As a subsidiary goal, we argue for a parsimonious view of self‐control that is limited to its key components, risk‐taking, and impulsivity.

Methods

We use three waves of data from the Zurich Project on the Social Development from Childhood into Adulthood (z‐proso), an ongoing prospective longitudinal study of Swiss urban youth (N = 1,197), and include police contacts and school sanctions as predictors of delinquency. We test our hypothesis using path analysis and control for a series of potential confounders, including prior levels of self‐control and earlier delinquency.

Results

In line with our hypothesis, the results indicate that sanctioning reduces levels of self‐control, net of prior levels of self‐control, and earlier delinquency and that self‐control mediates the relation between sanctioning and subsequent delinquency.

Conclusions

We conclude that the relation between self‐control and crime may be bi‐ rather than unidirectional with sanctions reducing levels of self‐control, which in turn contributes to criminal behaviour. Implications for theory are discussed.
Adaptive Evolution of Geobacter sulfurreducens in Coculture with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Semenec Lucie , Vergara Ismael A. , Laloo Andrew E. , Petrovski Steve , Bond Philip L. , Franks Ashley E.
Published: April 2020

Geobacter
and
Pseudomonas
spp. cohabit many of the same environments, where
Geobacter
spp. often dominate. Both bacteria are capable of extracellular electron transfer (EET) and play important roles in biogeochemical cycling. Although they recently in 2017 were demonstrated to undergo direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) with one another, the genetic evolution of this syntrophic interaction has not been examined. Here, we use whole-genome sequencing of the cocultures before and after adaptive evolution to determine whether genetic selection is occurring. We also probe their interaction on a temporal level and determine whether their interaction dynamics change over the course of adaptive evolution. This study brings to light the multifaceted nature of interactions between just two microorganisms within a controlled environment and will aid in improving metabolic models of microbial communities comprising these two bacteria.
Polish adaptation and validation of the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PIRNCA) questionnaire: a cross-sectional validation study
Authors: Uchmanowicz Izabella , Kołtuniuk Aleksandra , Młynarska Agnieszka , Łagoda Katarzyna , Witczak Izabela , Rosińczuk Joanna , Jones Terry
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To develop a Polish adaptation of the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PIRNCA)questionnaire.

Design

Cross-sectional validation study.

Settings

Nurses working in surgical and cancer wards in Poland.

Participants

A sample of 513 professionally active nurses was enrolled in the study.

Intervention

To complete a Polish translation of the full original PIRNCA questionnaire.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was translation and adaptation of the full original PIRNCA tool and its validation to the Polish conditions. The secondary outcome was determination of relationships between sociodemographic variables, nurses’ assessment of patient care quality and their overall job satisfaction on the one hand, and PIRNCA scores on the other.

Results

The respondents’ mean score was 1.27 points (SD=0.68) on a scale from 0 to 3. Cronbach’s alpha for the entire instrument was 0.957. All items of the questionnaire were found to have a positive item-total correlation. The developed linear regression model showed that nurses’ assessment of patient care quality and their overall job satisfaction were independent predictors of PIRNCA scores (p<0.05). 94.15% of nurses reported rationing at least one of the 31 care activities.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate a high level of reliability and validity of the translated PIRNCA questionnaire, fully comparable to that of the original. The questionnaire can be used for the assessment of PIRNCA in Polish hospitals.
ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНОЇ ДОСТУПНОСТІ СІЛЬСЬКОМУ НАСЕЛЕННЮ ГІРСЬКОЇ І ПЕРЕДГІРСЬКОЇ ЗОН ПРОЖИВАННЯ ПЕРВИННОЇ ТА ДОЛІКАРСЬКОЇ МЕДИЧНОЇ ДОПОМОГИ
Authors: Rohach I. M. , Danko D. V.
Published: April 2020

Мета: провести комплексну оцінку територіальної доступності сільському населенню гірської і передгірської зон Закарпатської області первинної та долікарської медичної допомоги.

Матеріали і методи. Матеріалами дослідження слугують дані державної та галузевої статистичної звітності за 2018 р., а методами – медико-статистичний метод та метод структурно-логічного аналізу.

Результати. у 349 селах гірської та передгірської зон Закарпатської області проживає 503,1 тис. осіб. Протяжність доріг складає 3814,0 км, із яких з асфальтним покриттям – 342,9 (8,99 %) км, а 1107,0 (29,02 %) км у зимовий, весняний і осінній періоди є умовно проїзними. У передгірській зоні в розрізі адміністративних територій відстань від районного центру до найвіддаленішого села коливається від 24,5 км у Свалявському до 70 км у Тячівському районі. У Тячівському районі 20 км є умовно проїзними у весняний, зимовий та осінній періоди. Це означає, що в цей період року ускладнюється доїзд до вказаних сіл бригад екстреної медичної допомоги та забезпечення госпіталізації хворих осіб.

У гірській географічній зоні в розрізі адміністративних територій відстань від районного центру до найвіддалені­шого села коливається від 29 км в Міжгірському до 51 км у Воловецькому районі. Із загальної кількості доріг 26,12 % є умовно проїзними у весняний, зимовий та осінній періоди.

Для надання долікарської допомоги відкрито 173 фельдшерсько-акушерських пункти та первинної лікарської допомоги – 157 сімейних лікарських амбулаторій.

У передгірській зоні для надання первинної медико-санітарної допомоги 371,8 тис. сільському постійному населенню відкрито 108 сімейних амбулаторій з рівнем забезпеченості 2,90 амбулаторій на 10 тис. населення.

У гірській зоні для надання первинної медико-санітарної допомоги 131,3 тис. сільському постійному населенню відкрито 49 сімейних амбулаторій з рівнем забезпеченості 3,73 амбулаторій на 10 тис. населення.

Висновки. Отримані результати вказують на низький рівень територіальної доступності сільському населенню гірської і передгірської зон Закарпатської області первинної та долікарської медичної допомоги.
Development of an autophagy-related gene expression signature for prognosis prediction in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Hu Daixing , Jiang Li , Luo Shengjun , Zhao Xin , Hu Hao , Zhao Guozhi , Tang Wei
Published: April 2020

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers that occur in men worldwide. Autophagy-related genes (ARGs) may play an essential role in multiple biological processes of prostate cancer. However, ARGs expression signature has rarely been used to investigate the association between autophagy and prognosis in PCa. This study aimed to identify and assess prognostic ARGs signature to predict overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in PCa patients.

Methods

First, a total of 234 autophagy-related genes were obtained from The Human Autophagy Database. Then, differentially expressed ARGs were identified in prostate cancer patients based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to screen hub prognostic ARGs for overall survival and disease-free survival, and the prognostic model was constructed. Finally, the correlation between the prognostic model and clinicopathological parameters was further analyzed, including age, T status, N status, and Gleason score.

Results

The OS-related prognostic model was constructed based on the five ARGs (FAM215A, FDD, MYC, RHEB, and ATG16L1) and significantly stratified prostate cancer patients into high- and low-risk groups in terms of OS (HR = 6.391, 95% CI = 1.581– 25.840, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.84. The OS-related prediction model values were higher in T3-4 than in T1-2 (P = 0.008), and higher in Gleason score  > 7 than  ≤ 7 (P = 0.015). In addition, the DFS-related prognostic model was constructed based on the 22 ARGs (ULK2, NLRC4, MAPK1, ATG4D, MAPK3, ATG2A, ATG9B, FOXO1, PTEN, HDAC6, PRKN, HSPB8, P4HB, MAP2K7, MTOR, RHEB, TSC1, BIRC5, RGS19, RAB24, PTK6, and NRG2), with AUC of 0.85 (HR = 7.407, 95% CI = 4.850–11.320, P < 0.001), which were firmly related to T status (P < 0.001), N status (P = 0.001), and Gleason score (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our ARGs based prediction models are a reliable prognostic and predictive tool for overall survival and disease-free survival in prostate cancer patients.
Surgery of ascending aorta with complex procedures for aortic dissection through upper mini-sternotomy versus conventional sternotomy
Authors: Wu Yang , Jiang Wei , Li Dong , Chen Lei , Ye Weihua , Ren Chonglei , Xiao Cangsong
Published: April 2020

Background

Use of minimally invasive approaches for isolated aortic valve or ascending aorta surgery is increasing. However, total arch replacement or aortic root repair through a minimally invasive incision is rare. This study was performed to report our initial experience with surgery of the ascending aorta with complex procedures through an upper mini-sternotomy approach.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 80 patients who underwent ascending aorta replacement combined with complex procedures including hemi-arch, total arch, and aortic root surgeries from September 2010 to May 2018. Using standard propensity score-matching analysis, 36 patients were matched and divided into 2 groups: the upper mini-sternotomy group (n = 18) and the median sternotomy group (n = 18). The preoperative assessment revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups.

Results

Hospital mortality occurred in one patient (2.8%). The mini-sternotomy group showed a longer cross-clamping time (160 ± 38 vs. 135 ± 36 min, p = 0.048) due to higher rate of valve-sparing aortic root replacement and total arch repair. The cardiopulmonary bypass time in mini-sternotomy group was shorter than that of full sternotomy group (209 ± 47 min vs 218 ± 62 min, p = 0.595) but fell short of significance. There was no significant difference in lower body hypothermia circulatory arrest time between the two groups (40 ± 10 min vs 48 ± 20 min, p = 0.139). The upper mini-sternotomy group displayed a shorter ventilation time (22 vs. 45 h, p = 0.014), intensive care unit stay (4.6 ± 2.7 vs. 7.9 ± 3.7 days, p = 0.005), and hospital stay (8.2 ± 3.8 vs. 21.4 ± 11.9 days, p = 0.001). The upper mini-sternotomy group showed a lower postoperative red blood cell transfusion volume (4.6 ± 3.3 vs. 6.7 ± 5.7 units, p = 0.042) and postoperative drainage volume (764 ± 549 vs. 1255 ± 745 ml, p = 0.034). The rates of dialysis for newly occurring renal failure, neurological complications, and re-exploration were similar between the two groups (p = 1.000).

Conclusion

The upper mini-sternotomy approach is safe and beneficial in ascending aorta surgery with complex procedures for aortic dissection, including total arch replacement and aortic root repair.
Adverse childhood experiences, DNA methylation age acceleration, and cortisol in UK children: a prospective population-based cohort study
Authors: Tang Rosalind , Howe Laura D. , Suderman Matthew , Relton Caroline L. , Crawford Andrew A. , Houtepen Lotte C.
Published: April 2020

Background

Epigenetic mechanisms may partly explain the persistent effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health outcomes in later life. DNA methylation can predict chronological age, and advanced methylation-predicted age beyond chronological age (DNA methylation age acceleration) is associated with ACEs, adverse mental and physical health, and elevated diurnal and baseline salivary cortisol. Childhood adversity is also associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which produces the neuroendocrine hormone cortisol. It remains unknown whether these associations are specific to certain types of adversity. Herein, we investigate the associations of ACEs with DNA methylation age acceleration and plasma cortisol in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort.

Methods

In this study of the children in ALSPAC, we used multiple linear regression to examine associations of cumulative exposure to ACE, as well as exposure to ten individual types of ACEs, with Horvath-estimated DNA methylation age acceleration and with baseline plasma cortisol. The ten ACEs were those included in the World Health Organization’s ACE International Questionnaire. Data on ACEs were prospectively collected from age 0–14 years. DNA methylation age acceleration and plasma cortisol were measured at mean 17.1 years and 15.5 years, respectively.

Results

We included 974 UK children in the present study. Exposure to four or more ACEs compared to zero was associated with DNA methylation age acceleration in girls (β, 95% CI = 1.65, 0.25 to 3.04 years) but not in boys (β, 95% CI = − 0.11, − 1.48 to 1.26 years). Also, in girls, emotional abuse and physical abuse were each associated with DNA methylation age acceleration (β, 95% CI = 1.20, 0.15 to 2.26 years and β, 95% CI = 1.22, 0.06 to 2.38 years, respectively). No other ACEs were associated with accelerated DNA methylation age in either sex. Associations were also null between ACE and cortisol, and cortisol and DNA methylation age acceleration.

Conclusions

In this prospective population-based study of UK children, cumulative ACE exposure, emotional abuse, and physical abuse between age 0 and 14 years were each associated with Horvath-estimated DNA methylation age acceleration at age 17 years in girls but not in boys.
Ovarian status modulates cardiovascular autonomic control and oxidative stress in target organs
Authors: Ferreira Maycon Junior , Sanches Iris Callado , Jorge Luciana , Llesuy Susana Francisca , Irigoyen Maria Cláudia , De Angelis Kátia
Published: April 2020

Studies have presented conflicting findings regarding the association between both fluctuation and deprivation of ovarian hormones and cardiovascular autonomic modulation and oxidative stress and their potential impact on resting arterial pressure (AP) and cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to assess cardiovascular autonomic modulation, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and oxidative stress in male rats (M) and in female rats during ovulatory (FOV) and non-ovulatory phases (FNOV) of the estrous cycle and after deprivation of ovarian hormones (FO). Direct AP was recorded, and BRS was assessed by using increasing doses of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside. AP and heart rate variability were assessed by spectral analysis. Oxidative stress profile was evaluated in cardiac, renal, and muscle tissues. In females, the ovulatory phase and ovarian hormone deprivation induced an increase in AP (FOV and FO ~ 9 mmHg) when compared to the non-ovulatory phase. Ovariectomy promoted increased cardiac sympathovagal balance (~ 17–37%) when compared to other groups. Both FOV and FO groups presented impaired BRS, associated with higher AP variability. In general, antioxidant capacity was higher in the FNOV than in the M group. Ovarian hormone deprivation induced a decrease in catalase activity in cardiac and renal tissues and an increase in lipid peroxidation in all tissues analyzed. Positive correlations (p < 0.05) were found between vascular sympathetic modulation and lipid peroxidation in cardiac (r = 0.60), renal (r = 0.60), and muscle (r = 0.57) tissues. In conclusion, both oscillation and deprivation of ovarian hormones play an important role in cardiovascular autonomic control and oxidative stress profile in target organs, which is reflected in AP changes.
Starvation causes female-to-male sex reversal through lipid metabolism in the teleost fish, medaka (Olyzias latipes)
Authors: Sakae Yuta , Oikawa Akira , Sugiura Yuki , Mita Masatoshi , Nakamura Shuhei , Nishimura Toshiya , Suematsu Makoto , Tanaka Minoru
Published: April 2020

The teleost fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes), employs the XX/XY genetic sex determination system. We show here that the phenotypic sex of medaka is affected by changes in lipid metabolism. Medaka larvae subjected to 5 days of starvation underwent female-to-male sex reversal. Metabolomic and RT-qPCR analyses indicated that pantothenate metabolism was suppressed by starvation. Consistently, inhibiting the pantothenate metabolic pathway caused sex reversal. The final metabolite in this pathway is coenzyme A, an essential factor for lipogenesis. Inhibiting fatty acid synthesis, the first step of lipogenesis, also caused sex reversal. The expression of dmrt1, a critical gene for male development, was suppressed by starvation, and a dmrt1 (Δ13) mutant did not show sex reversal under starvation. Collectively, these results indicate that fatty acid synthesis is involved in female-to-male sex reversal through ectopic expression of male gene dmrt1 under starvation.
German for students of Economics
Authors: Vasil'eva Marianna , Mirzabekova Natal'ya , Sidel'nikova Elena
Published: April 2020

The aim of the textbook is the formation of skills and abilities in different types of reading, writing and speaking in German. Contains 12 lessons, the application, consisting of 12 texts for independent reading, German-Russian dictionary and a concise dictionary of foreign terms. Covers a wide range of economic topics based on the requirements of state educational standard of higher professional education. The text is taken from German literature and are provided with exercises based on the communicative approach. Compared to the 4th edition (Moscow: Alfa-M: INFRA-M, 2018) some of the lyrics are updated.
Meets the requirements of Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
For students of higher educational institutions, students of economic specialties.
ECG of the month
Authors: Bloe Charlie
Published: April 2020

In this issue's ECG of the month, Charles Bloe presents the case of a 68-year-old man with acute central chest pain
Mathematical Modeling in Problems of Homogeneous (Pseudo)Riemaimian Geometry
Authors: Klepikov P.N.
Published: April 2020

Currently, mathematical and computer modeling, as well as systems of symbolic calculations, are actively used in many areas of mathematics. Popular computer math systems as Maple, Mathematica, MathCad, MatLab allow not only to perform calculations using symbolic expressions but also solve algebraic and differential equations (numerically and analytically) and visualize the results. Differential geometry, like other areas of modern mathematics, uses new computer technologies to solve its own problems. The applying is not limited only to numerical calculations; more and more often, computer mathematics systems are used for analytical calculations. At the moment, there are many examples that prove the effectiveness of systems of analytical calculations in the proof of theorems of differential geometry.This paper demonstrates how symbolic computation packages can be used to classify neither conformally flat nor Ricci parallel four-dimensional Lie groups with leftinvariant (pseudo)Riemannian metric of the algebraic Ricci soliton with the zero Schouten-Weyl tensor.
“To Fly Under Borrowed Colours”: Insulin Discovery Accounts, Scientific Credit, and the Nobel Prize
Authors: Jorgensen-Earp Cheryl R. , Jorgensen Darwin D.
Published: April 2020

The struggle over credit for the discovery of insulin serves as one of the ugliest examples of the tensions and rivalries inherent in the growth of large-scale laboratory science. An understanding of this historic controversy also lends insight into the use of informal self-narratives directed to the scientifıc community in the negotiation of credit for discovery. Such informal accounts constitute a distinct form of argumentative address that is separate both from formal oral and written presentations of research, also aimed at a scientifıc audience, and popularized accounts aimed at a lay audience. In providing informal self-narratives to their scientifıc peers, the four insulin principals discussed in this article apparently shared a tacit understanding of the narrative grounds on which they could base their claims for discovery credit. In this study, we uncover widespread thematic similarities within these narratives, possibly indicating a common set of criteria within the scientifıc community for judging not only formal scientifıc proof but also the narrative proof found in informal discovery accounts.
Trauma and Its Ancient Literary Representation: Mark 5,1–20
Authors: Hogeterp Albert
Published: April 2020

This article revisits Mark 5,1–20 from the perspective of trauma theory, in light of historical contexts of Gerasa’s collective trauma and the cultural contexts of ancient perceptions of demons and their exorcism. The interplay between individual and collective levels of the story sheds light on symbolic overtones of an unresolved trauma about Roman military presence in the country of the Gerasenes. The story represents this trauma through literary indirection, including not only the enigmatic relation between “Legion” and the drowning swine, but also the paradoxical contrasts between individual and collective requests to Jesus. Mark 5,1–20 evokes meanings not only as pre-Markan tradition, but also as Markan redaction which intersect in crucial ways with the prelude to Jerusalem’s destruction (68–70 C.E.).
Industrialization as a Historical Episode
Authors: Voskuhl Adelheid
Published: April 2020

This essay is part of a special issue entitled “Looking Backward, Looking Forward: HSNS at 50,” edited by Erika Lorraine Milam.
МЕТАМОДЕРНІСТСЬКІ ЗАСАДИ МЕДІАПСИХОЛОГІЇ ОСОБИСТОСТІ (англ)
Authors: Карпенко Зіновія
Published: April 2020

У статті наведено приклад реалізації методологічних засад метамодернізму в науковий дискурс медіапсихології особистості. Оскільки метамодернізм передбачає ситуативно виправдане почергове використання об’єктивних, кількісних, пояснювальних методів і суб’єктивних, якісних, описових методів, то обґрунтовується необхідність комплексних міждисциплінарних досліджень у царині медіапсихології загалом та медіавпливу зокрема із застосуванням методологічної тріангуляції, що використовує змішані методи – як експериментально-діагностичні із широким залученням математико-статистичних методів, так і герменевтичний метод, зокрема наративний аналіз. Насамперед здійснено перевірку статистичної значущості міжпоколінних та гендерних відмінностей між діагностованими змінними і зроблено висновок про універсальну й об’єктивну вікову і соціокультурну детермінацію цих відмінностей, а не їх тотальну зумовленість  матеріальним становищем, політичною і правовою самосвідомістю громадян. Поєднання обох груп методів, що стосуються організації та медіації конфліктної взаємодії учасників політичного ток-шоу, дало змогу виявити хибні інтерпретації статистичного матеріалу, представлені в книжці С. Шустера «Свобода слова проти страху і приниження…», зумовлені браком професійно-психологічної компетентності автора, а також експлікувати  провідні теми, смисли, рольові позиції, архетипні патерни поведінки учасників телепередачі. Подано аксіопсихологічну реінтерпретацію переживання масових емоцій Д. Муазі з позицій принципу інтегральної суб’єктності, висунутого З. Карпенко. Акцентовано на ролі ведучого як наратора, відповідального за режисуру телепередачі, та фасилітатора конфліктної взаємодії в негативному чи позитивному векторі.