bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-guided digital treatment with virtual reality for panic disorder and agoraphobia: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Planert Jari , Machulska Alla , Hildebrand Anne-Sophie , Roesmann Kati , Otto Esra , Klucken Tim
Published: May 2022

Background

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment for patients with panic disorder (PD) and agoraphobia (AG). Yet, many patients remain untreated due to limited treatment resources. Digital self-guided short-term treatment applications may help to overcome this issue. While some therapeutic applications are already supported by health insurance companies, data on their efficacy is limited. The current study investigates the effect of self-guided digital treatment comprising psychoeducation and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET).

Methods

Thirty patients diagnosed with PD, AG, or panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG). Participants of both groups will undergo baseline diagnostics in the first two sessions. The subsequent treatment for the EG consists of a self-guided 6-week phase of application-based psychoeducation, one therapy session preparing for the VRET, and 4 weeks of application-based self-guided VRET. To control for the potential effects of the therapy session with the therapist, the CG will receive relaxation and stress-reduction training instead. All patients will then undergo a closing session which terminates with the post-assessment (~ 10 weeks after baseline assessment) and a follow-up assessment 6 weeks following the closing session. Symptom severity (primary outcome) will be assessed at baseline, interim, post-treatment, and follow-up. Additionally, remission status (secondary outcome) will be obtained at follow-up. Both measures will be compared between the groups.

Discussion

The current study aims at providing insights into the efficacy of short-term treatment applications including psychoeducation and self-guided VRET. If successful, this approach might be a feasible and promising way to ease the burden of PD, AG, and PDA on the public health system and contribute to a faster access to treatment.

Trial registration

ISRCTN ISRCTN10661970. Prospectively registered on 17 January 2022.
Preoperative Education for Less Outpatient Pain after Surgery (PELOPS trial) in orthopedic patients—study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dziadzko Mikhail , Bouteleux Axelle , Minjard Raphael , Harich Jack , Joubert Fanny , Pradat Pierre , Pantel Solene , Aubrun Frederic
Published: May 2022

Background

Successful pain management after outpatient surgery requires proper education leading to correct decisions on the analgesics use at home. Despite different strategies adopted, up to ½ of patients receive little or no information about the treatment of postoperative pain, 1/3 of them are not able to follow postoperative analgesia instructions. This leads to higher rates of unmet needs in pain treatment, post-discharge emergency calls, and readmissions. Structured educational interventions using psychological empowering techniques may improve postoperative pain management. We hypothesize that preoperative education on use of an improved pain scale to make correct pain management decisions will improve the quality of post-operative pain management at home and reduce analgesics-related side effects.

Methods

A total of 414 patients scheduled for an outpatient orthopedic surgery (knee/shoulder arthroscopic interventions) are included in this randomized (1:1) controlled trial. Patients in the control arm receive standard information on post-discharge pain management. Patients in the experimental arm receive structured educational intervention based on the rational perception of postoperative pain and discomfort (anchoring and improved pain scale), and the proper use of analgesics. There is no difference in post-discharge analgesics regimen in both arms. Patients are followed for 30 days post-discharge, with the primary outcome expressed as total pain relief score at 5 days. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of severe pain during 30 days, changes in sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Assessment), and patients’ perception of postoperative pain management assessed with the International Pain Outcomes questionnaire at day 30 post-discharge.

Discussion

The developed intervention, based on an improved pain scale, offers the advantages of being non-surgery-specific, is easily administered in a short amount of time, and can be delivered individually or in-group, by physicians or nurses.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03754699. Registered on November 27, 2018.
Effects of different doses of methylprednisolone on clinical outcomes in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hong Shukun , Wang Hongye , Liu Jian , Qiao Lujun
Published: May 2022

Background

The specific use of methylprednisolone in severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) has not yet formed a consensus. It is not clear whether the clinical efficacy of methylprednisolone in SCAP is dose-dependent, and how to balance the best efficacy with the least complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different doses of methylprednisolone in the adjuvant treatment for patients with SCAP.

Methods/design

This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different doses of methylprednisolone in the adjuvant treatment for patients with SCAP. Patients with diagnosed SCAP are randomized to the following four groups at a 1:1:1:1 ratio: group 1 (control group)—standard ICU patient care+100ml of normal saline once a day for 5 days; group 2—standard ICU patient care+40mg of methylprednisolone (dissolved in normal saline with a final volume of 100ml) once a day for 5 days; group 3—standard ICU patient care+80mg of methylprednisolone (dissolved in normal saline with a final volume of 100ml) once a day for 5 days; and group 4—standard ICU patient care+120mg of methylprednisolone (dissolved in normal saline with a final volume of 100ml) once a day for 5 days. The primary outcome is PaO2/FiO2 ratio at day 5 following randomization. The secondary outcomes are 28-day mortality, ventilator-free days at 28 days, mechanical ventilation duration at 28 days, endotracheal intubation rate, time for temperature recovery, duration of vasopressors use, serum CRP and interleukin-6 level at day 5 following randomization, hospital stay, frequency of nosocomial infections, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and hyperglycemia.

Discussion

The results of our study may find the optimal dose of glucocorticoid in the adjuvant treatment of SCAP and provide evidence-based proof for clinicians to treat patients with SCAP. Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) also belongs to community-acquired pneumonia, perhaps the results of our study will help to determine the appropriate dose of methylprednisolone in COVID-19 treatment.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100045056. Registered on 4 April 2021.
Molecular epidemiological study on ticks and tick-borne protozoan parasites (Apicomplexa: Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon spp.) from wild cats (Felis silvestris), Mustelidae and red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in central Europe, Hungary
Authors: Hornok Sándor , Boldogh Sándor A. , Takács Nóra , Kontschán Jenő , Szekeres Sándor , Sós Endre , Sándor Attila D. , Wang Yuanzhi , Tuska-Szalay Barbara
Published: May 2022

Background

Among live wild mammals adapted to urban and peri-urban habitats in Europe, members of the families Felidae, Mustelidae and Sciuridae deserve special attention as pathogen reservoirs because all of these families include members that are kept as pets. We report here the results of our study on two important groups of tick-borne protozoan parasites in ticks and tissues of wild cats, mustelids and red squirrels.

Methods

DNA was extracted from the tissues of carnivores (wild cats, mustelids; n = 16) and red squirrels (n = 4), as well as from ixodid ticks (n = 89) collected from these hosts. These DNA extracts were screened for piroplasms and Hepatozoon spp. using conventional PCR analysis and sequencing. In addition, 53 pooled samples of 259 questing Haemaphysalis concinna ticks were evaluated for the presence of Hepatozoon DNA, followed by phylogenetic analyses.

Results

One wild cat was found to be coinfected with Cytauxzoon europaeus and a new genotype of Hepatozoon felis, and two additional wild cats were infected with H. felis from a different phylogenetic group. In mustelids, Hepatozoon martis and two further Hepatozoon genotypes were detected. The latter clustered separately, close to others reported from eastern Asia. In addition, Hepatozoon sciuri was detected in red squirrels. Morphologic and molecular analyses verified eight tick species. One wild cat was infected with a H. felis genotype that was significantly different from that in Ixodes ricinus females infesting this cat. Only three pools of questing H. concinna nymphs tested positive for Hepatozoon, one of which contained H. martis.

Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence of the occurrence of any Cytauxzoon species and of three Hepatozoon species in Hungary. In addition to H. martis, two further mustelid-associated Hepatozoon genotypes were detected, one of which was new in terms of phylogenetic and broader geographical contexts. This may be the first indication that H. felis genotypes from both of its phylogenetic groups occur in Europe. This also appears to be the first evidence of H. felis and C. europaeus coinfection in felids in Europe, and of autochthonous H. felis infection in wild cats north of the Mediterranean Basin. New tick–host associations were also observed in this study. Based on the results, H. felis and H. martis might survive transstadially in I. ricinus and H. concinna, respectively.

Graphical Abstract
Monitoring of patients with rheumatoid arthritis by indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence optical imaging treated with anti-TNFα therapy
Authors: Hertrampf S. , Klotsche J. , Schefer Q. , Glimm A. M. , Burmester G. R. , Hoff P. , Schmittat G. , Häupl T. , Hermann S. , Backhaus M. , Ohrndorf Sarah
Published: May 2022

Background

Fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) enables visualisation of inflammation in both hands in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective

To investigate the usefulness of FOI in treatment monitoring under anti-TNFα therapy with certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with RA in comparison to clinical and laboratory outcome parameters.

Methods

CZP-naïve patients with RA were eligible for this open-label study with an observational period of 52 weeks. Disease activity was monitored by the clinical score DAS28, tender/swollen joint count (TJC-28/SJC-28) and laboratory outcomes for systemic inflammation (CRP and ESR). FOI results were analysed in three different phases (P1-3) and PrimaVistaMode (PVM) by the FOI activity score (FOIAS).

Results

Twenty-eight RA patients (median age 52.5 years, 26 females, thirteen with a history of other biologic therapy) were included. DAS28 (CRP) decreased from moderate disease activity at baseline (median 4.6, IQR 1.8) to low disease activity at week (w)52 (median 2.7, IQR 2.1; p < 0.001). Statistically significant decreases could also be demonstrated for SJC-28 and TJC-28. CRP/ESR were reduced numerically from baseline to w52. FOIAS in P1 (early phase) showed a continuous decrease of enhancement during the course of treatment period: from baseline (median 1.5, IQR 9.3) over w6 (median 1.0, IQR 3.0; p = 0.069), w12 (median 0.5, IQR 3.0; p = 0.171), w24 (n = 27, median 0.0, IQR 3.0; p = 0.004), until w52 (n = 18, median 0.0, IQR 2.8; p = 0.091), which could not be presented for FOIAS in P2, P3 and PVM.

Conclusion

FOI in P1 appears to be a valuable tool for fast and easy monitoring of treatment response to certolizumab in a clinical setting.
Judo specific fitness test performance variation from morning to evening: specific warm-ups impacts performance and its diurnal amplitude in female judokas
Authors: Eken Özgür , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Nobari Hadi
Published: May 2022

Background

A number of specific tests are used to standardize competition performance. Specific Judo fitness test (SJFT) can be applied by considering the start of the competition qualifiers in the morning and the continuation of the final competitions in the evening. The improvement of test performances can be achieved with warm-up for elevating heart rate (HR) and muscle temperature such as raise, activate, mobilise, potentiate (RAMP) protocols.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different warm-up protocols on SJFT at different times of the day in female judokas.

Methods

Ten volunteer women participated in this study, who regularly participated in judo training for more than 5 years and actively competed in international competitions. Judokas completed SJFT, either after no warm-up, or RAMP protocols like specific warm-up (SWU), and dynamic warm-up for two times a day in the morning: 09:00–10:00 and in the evening: 16:00–17:00, with at least 2 days between test sessions. The following variables were recorded: throws performed during series A, B, and C; the total number of throws; HR immediately and 1 min after the test, and test index after different warm-ups.

Results

When analyzed evening compared to the morning without discriminating three warm-up protocols, evening results statistically significant number of total throws performed during series A, B, and C, the total number of throws; HR immediately and 1 min after the test, and test index than morning results (p < 0.01). Moreover, RAMP protocols interaction with time have demonstrated an impact on SJFT for index [F(2) = 4.15, p = 0.024, ηp2: 0.19] and changes after 1 min HR [F(1.370)= 7.16, p = 0.008, ηp2: 0.29]. HR after 1 min and test index results were statistically significant in favor of SWU (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, SJFT performance showed diurnal variation and judo performances of the judokas can be affected more positively in the evening hours especially after RAMP protocols.
ADataViewer: exploring semantically harmonized Alzheimer’s disease cohort datasets
Authors: Salimi Yasamin , Domingo-Fernández Daniel , Bobis-Álvarez Carlos , Hofmann-Apitius Martin , Birkenbihl Colin ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, the Japanese Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, for the Aging Brain: Vasculature, Ischemia, and Behavior Study, the Alzheimer’s Disease Repository Without Borders Investigators, for the European Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease (EPAD) Consortium
Published: May 2022

Background

Currently, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cohort datasets are difficult to find and lack across-cohort interoperability, and the actual content of publicly available datasets often only becomes clear to third-party researchers once data access has been granted. These aspects severely hinder the advancement of AD research through emerging data-driven approaches such as machine learning and artificial intelligence and bias current data-driven findings towards the few commonly used, well-explored AD cohorts. To achieve robust and generalizable results, validation across multiple datasets is crucial.

Methods

We accessed and systematically investigated the content of 20 major AD cohort datasets at the data level. Both, a medical professional and a data specialist, manually curated and semantically harmonized the acquired datasets. Finally, we developed a platform that displays vital information about the available datasets.

Results

Here, we present ADataViewer, an interactive platform that facilitates the exploration of 20 cohort datasets with respect to longitudinal follow-up, demographics, ethnoracial diversity, measured modalities, and statistical properties of individual variables. It allows researchers to quickly identify AD cohorts that meet user-specified requirements for discovery and validation studies regarding available variables, sample sizes, and longitudinal follow-up. Additionally, we publish the underlying variable mapping catalog that harmonizes 1196 unique variables across the 20 cohorts and paves the way for interoperable AD datasets.

Conclusions

In conclusion, ADataViewer facilitates fast, robust data-driven research by transparently displaying cohort dataset content and supporting researchers in selecting datasets that are suited for their envisioned study. The platform is available athttps://adata.scai.fraunhofer.de/.
Regeneration difficulties in patients with FQAD can limit the use of iPSc-based cell therapy
Authors: Grot Dagmara , Wasiak Katarzyna , Tyszkowski Jerzy , Stoczynska-Fidelus Ewelina , Ochedalski Tomasz P. , Rieske Piotr
Published: May 2022

Etiopathogenesis of fluoroquinolone-associated disability (FQAD) syndrome is not fully understood, yet research could progress by utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) from people with this syndrome. Similarly, iPSc, or rather their derivatives, could be used in their therapy, not only for FQAD but also for other disorders in which generated autologous iPSc and their derivatives might be helpful. Urine was collected from ten donors with FQAD, and reprogramming of these cells was conducted with the use of Epi5TM Episomal iPSC Reprogramming Kit. IPSc were generated in one out of ten person’s urine cells. While urinary cells are considered the easiest mature cells to be reprogrammed into iPSc, the urinary cells from six consecutive donors quickly became senescent. Stable urine primary cell cultures could not be obtained from the three remaining donors. Repeated attempts to reprogram epithelial cells were not successful. During parallel studies conducted for healthy donors, reprogramming success was achieved in six out of ten cases. These data may suggest serious limitations in the regeneration system of individuals with FQAD. Consequently, it indicates that therapy with autologous iPSc derivatives may face serious difficulties in their case, still, the first iPSc cell line from a person with FQAD was established.
Improving sign-algorithm convergence rate using natural gradient for lossless audio compression
Authors: Mineo Taiyo , Shouno Hayaru
Published: May 2022

In lossless audio compression, the predictive residuals must remain sparse when entropy coding is applied. The sign algorithm (SA) is a conventional method for minimizing the magnitudes of residuals; however, this approach yields poor convergence performance compared with the least mean square algorithm. To overcome this convergence performance degradation, we propose novel adaptive algorithms based on a natural gradient: the natural-gradient sign algorithm (NGSA) and normalized NGSA. We also propose an efficient natural-gradient update method based on the AR(p) model, which requires $\mathcal {O}(p)$
O
(
p
)
multiply–add operations at every adaptation step. In experiments conducted using toy and real music data, the proposed algorithms achieve superior convergence performance to the SA. Furthermore, we propose a novel lossless audio codec based on the NGSA, called the natural-gradient autoregressive unlossy audio compressor (NARU), which is open-source and implemented in C. In a comparative experiment with existing, well-known codecs, NARU exhibits superior compression performance. These results suggest that the proposed methods are appropriate for practical applications.
Cognitive Remediation and Social Recovery in Early Psychosis (CReSt-R): protocol for a pilot randomised controlled study
Authors: Frawley E. , Cowman M. , Cella M. , Cohen D. , Ryan E. , Hallahan B. , Bowie C. , McDonald C. , Fowler D. , Wykes T. , Donohoe G.
Published: May 2022

Background

Psychosis, even in its early stages, is associated with significant disability, causing it to be ranked ahead of paraplegia and blindness in those aged 18–35 in terms of years lived with disability. Current pharmacological and psychological interventions intervention have focused primarily on the reduction of positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), with little benefit to domains of psychosis such as cognitive difficulties and social and occupational functioning.

Methods/design

The CReSt-R intervention trial is a single center, pilot randomised controlled study based at the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway. The trial will recruit participants from four clinical sites with assessment and intervention completed by the primary NUI Galway team. The trial will explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a novel psychosocial intervention for early psychosis based on a combined cognitive remediation training and cognitive behavioural therapy approach focused on social recovery. Participants, aged 16–35 within the first 5 years of a diagnosed psychotic disorder, will be recruited from the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service and the Adult Mental Health Services in the region.

Discussion

Cognitive remediation training (for improving cognition) and social recovery focused cognitive behavioural therapy, have both separately demonstrated effectiveness. This trial will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and explore the efficacy of a treatment approach that combines both approaches as part of an integrated, multicomponent intervention.

Trial registration

Cognitive Remediation & Social Recovery in Early Psychosis (CReSt-R):ClincialTrials.govIdentifier NCT04273685. Trial registered Feb 18th, 2020. Last updated April 14th, 2021.
Divergent Roles of α5 and β4 Nicotinic Receptor Subunits in Food Reward and Nicotine-induced Weight Loss in Male Mice
Authors: Breum Alberte Wollesen , Falk Sarah , Svendsen Charlotte Sashi Aier , Nicolaisen Trine Sand , Mathiesen Cecilie Vad , Maskos Uwe , Clemmensen Christoffer
Published: May 2022

A major obstacle to successful smoking cessation is the prospect of weight gain. Despite a clear relationship between cigarette smoking and body weight, surprisingly little is known about the physiological and molecular mechanism by which nicotine affects energy homeostasis and food-motivated behaviors. Here we use loss-of-function mouse models to demonstrate that 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits encoded by the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster, α5 and β4, exhibit divergent roles in food reward. We also reveal that β4-containing nAChRs are essential for the weight-lowering effects of nicotine in diet-induced obese mice. Finally, our data support the notion of crosstalk between incretin biology and nAChR signaling, as we demonstrate that the glycemic benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation partially relies on β4-containing nAChRs. Together, these data encourage further research into the role of cholinergic neurotransmission in regulating food reward and the translational pursuit of site-directed targeting of β4-containing nAChRs for treatment of metabolic disease.
Hippo Signaling in the Ovary: Emerging Roles in Development, Fertility, and Disease
Authors: Clark Kendra L , George Jitu W , Przygrodzka Emilia , Plewes Michele R , Hua Guohua , Wang Cheng , Davis John S
Published: May 2022

Emerging studies indicate that the Hippo pathway, a highly conserved pathway that regulates organ size control, plays an important role in governing ovarian physiology, fertility, and pathology. Specific to the ovary, the spatiotemporal expression of the major components of the Hippo signaling cascade are observed throughout the reproductive lifespan. Observations from multiple species begin to elucidate the functional diversity and molecular mechanisms of Hippo signaling in the ovary in addition to the identification of interactions with other signaling pathways and responses to various external stimuli. Hippo pathway components play important roles in follicle growth and activation, as well as steroidogenesis, by regulating several key biological processes through mechanisms of cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and cell fate determination. Given the importance of these processes, dysregulation of the Hippo pathway contributes to loss of follicular homeostasis and reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian insufficiency, and ovarian cancers. This review highlights what is currently known about the Hippo pathway core components in ovarian physiology, including ovarian development, follicle development, and oocyte maturation, while identifying areas for future research to better understand Hippo signaling as a multifunctional pathway in reproductive health and biology.
Hidden Defaults
Authors: Horn Sebastian , Reinhart Carmen M. , Trebesch Christoph
Published: May 2022

China's lending boom to developing countries is morphing into defaults and debt distress. Given the secrecy surrounding China's loans, the associated defaults remain “hidden,” as missed payments and restructuring details are not disclosed. We construct an encompassing dataset of sovereign debt restructurings with Chinese lenders and find that these credit events are surprisingly frequent, exceeding the number of sovereign bond or Paris Club restructurings. Chinese lenders follow a resolution approach reminiscent of 1980s Western lenders; they seldom provide deep debt relief with face value reduction. If history is any guide, multiyear debt workouts with serial restructurings lie in store.
Social Distancing, Stimulus Payments, and Domestic Violence: Evidence from the US during COVID-19
Authors: Erten Bilge , Keskin Pinar , Prina Silvia
Published: May 2022

We examine the effects of social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the reporting of domestic violence to the police in the United States. Using daily domestic violence calls from 31 police departments from January to September 2020 (compared to 2019), we find that the early spike in police calls disappears around mid-April, coinciding with the distribution of CARES Act stimulus payments. We observe that domestic violence calls for areas with higher concentration of Hispanics and noncitizens remain elevated even after this period. These results underscore the importance of improved access to social safety programs in combating domestic violence.
Child-to-Parent Intergenerational Transfers, Social Security, and Child Wealth Building
Authors: Smythe Andria
Published: May 2022

I study the relationship among child-to-parent transfers, parents' social security eligibility, and child wealth building. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and a regression discontinuity approach, I find that the wealth of adult children increases discontinuously at the parents' Social Security eligibility age for Black, female, and low-income groups. Additionally, the probability that a parent receives monetary transfers decreases discontinuously at the Social Security age for these groups. The effects were not statistically significant for counterpart groups. These findings suggest that by reducing the reliance of parents on their adult children, Social Security may contribute to wealth building among economically disadvantaged households.
Parental Investments in Early Childhood and the Gender Gap in Math and Literacy
Authors: Chuan Amanda , List John A. , Samek Anya , Samujjwala Shreemayi
Published: May 2022

Parental investments shape children's educational specializations. Using a longitudinal study, we find that parents invest more in daughters than sons at ages three through five. We find that early parental investment can explain persistently higher English scores for girls than boys four to six years later. However, there is no gender gap in math. Parental investments at ages three through five appear to contribute to girls' advantage in English but have little impact on math. Our results suggest that parental investments at early ages contributes to girls' comparative advantage in English.
Integration Costs and Missing Women in Firms around the World
Authors: Miller Conrad , Peck Jennifer , Seflek Mehmet
Published: May 2022

Where social norms favor gender segregation, firms may find it costly to employ both men and women. If the costs of integration are largely fixed, firms will integrate only if their expected number of female employees under integration exceeds some threshold. We use the distribution of female employment to estimate the share of firms with binding integration costs. Using global survey data, we find evidence for these binding integration costs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South Asia but not in other regions. We also show that the intensity of gender segregation preferences is correlated with these integration costs in the MENA region.
Hacking Gender Stereotypes: Girls' Participation in Coding Clubs
Authors: Carlana Michela , Fort Margherita
Published: May 2022

Who are the girls who decide to sign up for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and coding clubs? In this paper, we rely on a large set of survey data from students to analyze how female students who apply to coding clubs differ from other students in the schools. Girls applying to coding clubs have higher STEM interest, but they perceive their own gender as a stronger barrier to achieve their educational goals. Supporting this pool of female applicants with STEM programs might have a substantial role in affecting their educational and occupational careers and closing the gender gaps in occupational choices.
Laissez-Faire, Social Networks, and Race in a Pandemic
Authors: Pongou Roland , Tchuente Guy , Tondji Jean-Baptiste
Published: May 2022

We study the effects of race, network centrality, and policies that tolerate some level of virus spread (laissez-faire) on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes in the United States. Our analysis uses unique data on nursing home networks and calibration-based estimates of states' preferences for health relative to short-term economic gains. Our findings suggest that laissez-faire policies increase deaths. Nursing homes with a larger share of Black residents experience more deaths, but they are less vulnerable to laissez-faire policies, especially when not central in social networks. Our findings highlight significant interactions between COVID-19 policies, race, and network structure among US seniors.
Is schizophrenia just a mental illness? - The correlation between schizophrenia and cancer
Authors: Wróblewski Hubert , Chojęta Dariusz , Zimna Aleksandra , Zygmunt Ewelina , Wróblewska Kinga
Published: May 2022

Introduction and purpose of the work:Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects approximately 24 million people worldwide. It is characterized by hallucinations, most often auditory, delusions, blunted affect, and distortions of thought, such as echoes of thought and perception. There is a predisposition to more frequent diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hormonal disorders, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases, even in patients not treated with antipsychotics. In connection with the above, the question may arise whether schizophrenia also predisposes to developing other diseases, such as cancer. The aim of this article is to present the relationship between the occurrence of schizophrenia and cancer.

State of knowledge:There was no correlation between an increased incidence of lung cancer and schizophrenia, however, the analyzed studies were not homogeneous. In the case of breast cancer, data suggest a higher incidence of breast cancer among people with psychiatric disorders. In prostate cancer, a lower risk of developing the disease has been reported in patients with schizophrenia. It should be noted that despite the predisposition of people with schizophrenia to addiction to stimulants, low physical activity, the increase in the risk of cancer in some studies was not very high.

Summary: It can be noticed that there is a correlation between the occurrence of schizophrenia and the predisposition to developing malignant neoplasms. Currently, hope is placed on their use in anti-cancer therapy.
Is water fluoridation correlated with hypothyroidism?
Authors: Jarosz Piotr Michał , Gołacki Jakub , Matuszek Małgorzata
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a global health problem. Primary thyroid hormone deficiency may be caused by a wide spectrum of health problems, e.g. chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, thyroid or parathyroid surgery and drugs. In recent years, scientific studies have also been published indicating a correlation between excessive intake of fluoride and hypothyroidism. Fluoride is added to the water sources of many countries.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to review and compare currently available data on PubMed about fluoride-induced hypothyroidism.

A brief description of the state of knowledge: Evidence based knowledge suggests that there is a potential relationship between water fluoridation and endocrine system disorders, especially hypothyroidism. Current studies indicate that TSH hormone levels get elevated with increased fluoride intake. The reason is supposed to be that fluorine is more electronegative than iodine and therefore easily displaces iodine from the body, thus affecting thyroid function.

Conclusions: Current studies do not clearly show a simple correlation between excessive fluoridation of drinking water and the occurrence of hypothyroidism. However, inconclusive scientific evidence and the prevalence of hypothyroidism in the population indicate the need for further research in this area.
Reklama handlowa w dawnym Krakowie: Praktyki komunikacyjne
Authors: Pałka Patrycja
Published: May 2022

TRADE ADVERTISEMENT IN OLD KRAKOW: COMMUNICATION PRACTICES The main objective of the article is describing communication practices of the community of trading and advertising discourse against the background of the historic, economic and social reality which surrounded Krakow inhabitants in the 19th century and in the interwar period (1850–1939). These practices are related to the ways of both understanding and writing about the phenomenon of advertisement (shaping specialist language concerning advertisement), and to identification of Krakow companies, expressing linguistic politeness and using various communication patterns depending on the channel and form of communication. The sources used to write this work include many different materials that constitute a large collection of texts representing different forms of advertisement, such as press adverts, leaflets, postcards, posters, placards and notices, packaging materials, labels, folders, company catalogues and information brochures, price lists, company papers (forms, envelopes, notes, bills), other promotional printed materials (e. g. invitations, letters, thematic cook books), as well as radio and film advertisements. Moreover, the linguistic material includes the first Krakow advertising guidebooks and articles about advertisement. The method used in this paper is discourse analysis taking into account the approach that integrates various methodologies related to pragmalinguistics, including the theory of speech acts or the grammar of politeness, as well as text linguistics, multimodality, onomastics, semantics, lexicology, and corpus linguistics.
Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe Pisi) Management Studies in Grass pea (Lathyrus Sativus L)
Authors: Kahate R D , Kahate N S
Published: May 2022

Present investigations were undertaken to screen Grass pea germplasm for their resistance against powdery mildew in field condition & to test the efficacy of fungicides in vitro. The sixty Grass pea genotypes screened under natural field condition for the disease reaction against powdery mildew. The Experimental results revealed that elven genotypes including check RLK-279 were highly resistant, while twenty-four showed resistant reaction, sixteen were moderately resistant, and nine were moderately susceptible including susceptible check BioR-231 and none of the genotypes has shown susceptible and highly susceptible reaction (SR). The in-vitro studies revealed that, Tridemorph or Hexaconazole has inhibited the growth of E. pisi significantly. Thus, spraying of Tridemorph significantly managed powdery mildew disease caused by E. pisi in Grass pea with yield enhancement.
Development Learning Video of Integral Application Based on Conceptual Comprehension
Authors: Suparman Sumargiyani*, , Suparman Suparman , Robiah Nur
Published: May 2022

During online learning, students were having difficulties in understanding the concept of the application of integrals to find an area. The provided materials in PowerPoint and learning sources such as books are still insufficient to understand the concept. The students’ feedback showed that a learning video is required to help the students understand the concept of the application of integrals. This research aims to develop a learning video concerning the concept comprehension of integrals’ application and determine its validity and practicality. This research utilized the analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation (ADDIE) development model, where the subjects of this research were the students of mathematics education at the Ahmad Dahlan University. The data collection was conducted by using questionnaires and interviews. The obtained data was then analyzed for its validity and practicality. The media validity test result shows valid criteria with the assessment of the material expert of 4.629 (very good) and valid criteria with the material validity test of 4.735 (very good). The responses of the students to the learning video show 3.50 with the criteria of Very Good. Based on such results, this concept comprehension learning video is feasible to use.
The behavior of catfish traders on the food safety perspective in Malang Markets, Indonesia
Authors: Kartikaningsih Hartati , Yahya Yahya , Setijawati Dwi , Fathoni Harris Imam
Published: May 2022

Abstract. Kartikanigsih H, Yahya, Setijawan D, Fathoni HI. 2022. The behavior of catfish traders on the food safety perspective in Malang Markets (Indonesia). Biodiversitas 23: 2270-2275. Catfish markets in Malang are supported by catfish farmers in Tulungagung regency, delivered every two days, and distributed to 37 catfish traders in 16 traditional Markets. The study aimed to understand the behavior of catfish traders in traditional markets in Malang City in terms of food safety. Our deep interviews regarding catfish disease showed that the understanding of catfish traders was the dead catfish (97.3%), the skin wound of catfish was not caused by bacteria (97.3%), unnecessary to separate unsold catfish from the new one (94.6%), not necessarily in water replacement at catfish shelter (87.5%), no sanitation of containers and equipment prior opening stalls (97.3%), no sanitizing containers and equipment with water and soap when closing stalls (18.9%) and using sanitizing work equipment to prevent bacteria contamination (0%). The guaranteed replacement of dead catfish from the supplier (100%), catfish trading knowledge from relatives (89%), elementary school background of catfish traders (81.1%), and no consumer complaints (94.6%) were fundamental things in the behavior of catfish traders in a food safety perspective. From the swab test of catfish, skin wounds were found Aeromonas hydrophila, Salmonella typhosa, and Proteus mirabilis.
Bioclimatic modeling for the prediction of the suitable regional geographical distribution of selected bright-spored myxomycetes in the Philippine archipelago
Authors: LIMBO-DIZON JAMES EDUARD , ALMADRONES-REYES KING JOSHUA , MACABAGO SITTIE AISHA B. , DAGAMAC NIKKI HEHERSON A.
Published: May 2022

Abstract. Limbo-Dizon JE, Almadrones-Reyes KJ, Macabago SAB, Dagamac NHA. 2022. Bioclimatic modeling for the prediction of the suitable regional geographical distribution of selected bright-spored myxomycetes in the Philippine archipelago. Biodiversitas 23: 2285-2294. Myxomycetes communities in the Philippines have been well studied in terms of diversity patterns projected by their enigmatic fructifications. To predict potential suitable geographical distributions of three different bright-spored myxomycetes with known variations in its occurrences, namely, Arcyria cinerea, Perichaena depressa, and Hemitrichia serpula, species distribution modeling was utilized. Three different modeling approaches employing MaxEnt were performed in this study and have calculated high model performances based on the AUC values generated (0.778-0.873). In all of the modeling approaches, the three myxomycetes species were predicted to have an expansion of their localized fundamental niches pointing to the influence of isothermality (BIO3) as an important macroclimatic predictor for modeling approaches 1 and 2. Highly suitable habitats for the three bright-spored species were discovered primarily in terrestrial landscapes on the regions of Luzon Island, as well as in small parts of the Visayas and Mindanao Islands. The predicted models in this study do not tell missing geographical information but rather may use as tools for the exploration of potentialities, such as understanding the possible distribution patterns of the three bright-spored myxomycetes species in the Philippines. This can serve as a useful baseline to enhance the conservation efforts for most habitats in the country that are directly affecting microbial communities due to rampant habitat loss and rapid urbanization.
Current state of populations, resources, and biological activity Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae) in Northern Kazakhstan
Authors: AIDARKHANOVA GULNAR S. , KUBENTAYEV SERIK A. , KUKHAR YELENA V. , URAZALINA ALINA S.
Published: May 2022

Abstract. Aidarkhanova GS, Kubentayev SA, Kukhar YV, Urazalina AS. 2022. Current state of populations, resources, and biological activity Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae) in Northern Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 23: 2311-2320. Pulsatilla (Ranunculaceae Juss.) is one of the complex groups in systematic and nomenclature terms, which has more than 30 taxa. Pulsatilla species are widely used against many pathologies. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and antitumor properties of these plants are known. The object of our research was Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. (Ranunculaceae) from the allopathic complex P. patens with yellow flower color in the Northern regions of Kazakhstan. The article provides detailed information on environmental and biological features, morphology, geographical distribution, phylogenetic characteristics, and raw materials of P. patens in Northern Kazakhstan. In addition to these studies, the antimicrobial and fungicidal activity of extracts from leaves and roots of the species is shown. It was established that the species grows in 6 administrative regions of Central and Northern Kazakhstan and 7 floristic regions. In the studied region, P. patens are often found along rocky foothill terraces (mainly on the southern slopes), forest edges, along the southern slopes and tops of the hills of steppes, and among shrubs. Data on the study of P. patens biomorphology showed that quantitative parameters are characterized by the greatest intra- and inter-population variability CV (number of individuals per 1 m2 (38-69%); the number of basal leaves (44-61%); the number of generative shoots per bush (32-53%). Metric parameters such as height during flowering (17-27%), height during fruiting (12-18%), flower diameter (14-24%), leaf blade diameter (11-26%) are characterized by low and medium variability, both within the population and at the inter-population level. In the phenological aspect, the species begins to grow in the first half of April. Blooms from mid-April to early May. Bears fruit from the second half of May to early June. The complete end of vegetation falls at the end of September. Analysis of biological activity of stem extracts and leaves of P. patens of Kazakhstan population showed that they have pronounced fungicidal properties in relation to conditionally pathogenic yeast Candida parapsilosis and molds Aspergillus niger. Water decoction P. patens was also active against Escherichia coli, indicating that it has antibacterial properties.
Wolbachia genetic similarity in different insect host species: Drosophila melanogaster and Yogyakarta’s (Indonesia) Aedes aegypti as a novel host
Authors: ROVIK ANWAR , DANIWIJAYA EDWIN WIDYANTO , SUPRIYATI ENDAH , RAHAYU AYU , KUMALAWATI DIAN ARUNI , SARASWATI UTARI , HANDAYANINGSIH ANASTASIA EVI , RACHMAN MIFTA PRATIWI , OKTRIANI RISKY , KURNIASARI IRIANTI , CANDRASARI DAMIANA SAPTA , NURHAYATI INDAH , SHOLEH RIZKI , ARIANTO BUDI , TANTOWIJOYO WARSITO , AHMAD RIRIS ANDONO , UTARINI ADI , ARGUNI EGGI
Published: May 2022

Abstract. Rovik A, Daniwijaya EW, Supriyati E, Rahayu A, Kumalawati DA, Saraswati U, Handayaningsih AE, Rachman MP, Oktriani R, Kurniasari I, Candrasari DS, Nurhayati I, Sholeh R, Arianto B, Tantowijoyo W, Ahmad RA, Utarini A, Arguni E. 2022. Wolbachia genetic similarity in different insect host species: Drosophila melanogaster and Yogyakarta’s (Indonesia) Aedes aegypti as a novel host. Biodiversitas 23: 2321-2328. Wolbachia naturally presents in a large number of insects and other arthropod species. The Wolbachia strain wMel from Drosophila melanogaster has been stably transinfected into Aedes aegypti where it stops the mosquito host from being infected with medically important arbovirus like dengue. Consequently, Ae. aegypti infected with wMel have been released in Indonesia as a public health intervention against dengue. This study genetically compared wMel from Yogya field-caught D. melanogaster and the wMel in stably transfected Ae. aegypti used for field releases in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The genetic similarity between wMel Wolbachia was evaluated by sequencing of Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene and some polymorphic genomic regions of insertion sites (IS) and variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) loci. The sequence of the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene was 100% identical between hosts. There is no insertion sequence among specimens. The insertion sequence IS-WD1310 was identical between wMel from both hosts and among other strains, as well as the IS-WD516/7. The VNTR-141 period was identical within wMel from both hosts and among other strains, the VNTR-105 as well. Wolbachia Yogya field-caught D. melanogaster and Wolbachia strain wMel present in Ae. aegypti used for bio-control of dengue were genetically identical. These findings provide beneficial understanding to answer the public attention on safety issues, especially on the genetic similarity between Wolbachia strain in the natural and transfected hosts of this novel technology for dengue control.
RP-HPLC based analysis of different polyphenols in seven species of Carex L. (Cyperaceae Juss.) from West Bengal, India
Authors: RAJAK POOJA , GHOSH ASOK
Published: May 2022

Abstract. Rajak P, Ghosh A. 2022. RP-HPLC based analysis of different polyphenols in seven species of Carex L. (Cyperaceae Juss.) from West Bengal, India. Biodiversitas 23: 2329-2341. Carex L. is one of the important genera of the family Cyperaceae having immense ecological significance and probable therapeutic potentiality due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals i.e. polyphenols. RP-HPLC (reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography) based evaluation of polyphenols concerned with the chemotaxonomy of this genus, was a fundament of reported research but the evaluation of its therapeutic possibilities are still an open field of research. In concerned with the above aim, phytochemical investigation was done by analyzing the seven species of Indian Carexto to evaluate polyphenols employing RP-HPLC. The above-mentioned analysis reveals differences in the presence as well as the amount of these marker phytochemical components compositions of each and every studied species of Carex. Total of nine polyphenols was used as standard among which, except coumaric acid, all of the polyphenols were detected in considerable amount in the studied species. Among these seven species, Carex stramentitia Boott ex Boeckeler and C. alopecuroides D. Don were found to contain a higher number of polyphenols. Gallic acid was quantified in the highest amount in C. baccans Nees. A higher amount of phloroglucinol was also detected in C. insignis Boott and C. baccans. Remarkably, biochanin A, a highly significant therapeutic phytochemical, was only observed in higher amounts in C. alopecuroides.