bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential of Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on Tetranychus truncatus Ehara (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Jose Anna , Subramanian Madhu , Gopinath Pratheesh P , Bhaskar Haseena
Published: October 2021

Efficiency, functional and numerical responses of anthocorid bug Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius on the spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara were examined under laboratory conditions. Nymphs of B. pallescens exhibited a Hollings type II functional response when females of spider mite were offered at densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mites/bug. Individual fifth instar bugs consumed up to 45.3 adult females of T. truncatus in 24 h at prey mite densities of 60 mites/ bug. Studies on numerical response revealed that the nymphs of the anthocorid bug failed to complete development when the food was restricted to mite alone. Numerical response studies on adult bugs, when offered T. truncatus at densities of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 females showed no significant differences in the average fecundity of the female bug. Results indicate that the anthocorid predator, B. pallescens has a very high predatory potential though with a weak numerical response.
Record of Apochrysa evanida Gerstaecker, 1893 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Suryanarayanan T. B. , Bijoy C.
Published: October 2021

Apochrysa evanida Gerstaecker, 1893 belonging to the Chrysopidae family of Neuroptera is reported for the first time from the Western Ghats and Kerala state. The species is described with its distribution.
Sosyal Hizmette Sosyal Eylem Yaklaşımının Kullanılması
Authors: Karakaya Cihangir
Published: October 2021

Sosyal eylem, “insanları olumsuz yönde etkileyen maddi ve sosyal koşulları değiştirmeye yönelik sistematik ve bilinçli çaba” olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Tanımından anlaşılacağı üzere sosyal eylem kavramının çıkış noktası, sosyal hizmet mesleğinin hedefleriyle uyuşmaktadır. Sosyal hizmet uzmanları geçmişten günümüze mikro, mezzo ve makro düzeydeki baskı karşıtı ve güçlendirme odaklı mesleki müdahalelerinde sosyal eylemden yararlanmışlardır. Çalışma; toplumsal cinsiyet, engellilik ve mültecilik alanlarında sosyal hizmet uzmanlarının sosyal eylemden nasıl yararlandıklarını anlatmasından ötürü önem arz etmektedir. Çalışmada sosyal eylem kavramının içeriği, sosyal eylem kavramının sosyal hizmet uygulamasında kullanımına dair tarihçe ve sosyal eylemin sosyal hizmet uygulamasında kullanım alanları (toplumsal cinsiyet, engellilik, mültecilik) aktarılması amaçlanmıştır
İHMAL VE İSTİSMARI ÖNLEMEYE YÖNELİK ÇOCUK KORUMA POLİTİKALARINDA UZMANLAŞMIŞ KORUYUCU AİLE MODELİNİN YERİ
Authors: Çavuş Fatma , Çalış Nurullah
Published: October 2021

Çocuk ihmal ve istismarı temel bir insan hakkı ihlali olarak dünyada önemli bir sosyal sorundur. Sosyal devlet anlayışının gereği olarak devletler çocukların her türlü ihmal ve istismardan korunması noktasında sorumluluk üstlenmektedir. Bu nedenle, ihmal ve istismara uğramış ve öz ailesiyle birlikte yaşama olanağı bulunmayan çocukların devlet koruması altına alınması başlıca çocuk koruma politikalarından biridir. Ancak çocukların biyopsikososyal gelişimlerinin sağlanması adına aile ortamında bulunması her türlü kurum bakımından üstün görülmektedir. Koruyucu aile modeli korunma ihtiyacı içindeki çocuğun güvenli, sıcak ve destekleyici bir aile ortamında bakılmasını amaçlayan bir sosyal hizmet uygulamasıdır. Bunlardan biri olan uzmanlaşmış koruyucu aile modeli, ihmal ve istismara uğramış çocuklar gibi hassas vakalarda bir iyileştirme ortamı olarak işlev görmektedir. Türkiye’de de yasal altyapısı oluşturulan ancak henüz uygulamaya geçmeyen modele ilişkin çalışmalara ihtiyaç bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, çocuk koruma politikaları açısından önemli görülen uzmanlaşmış koruyucu aile modeli çocuk ihmali ve istismarı bağlamında ele alınarak modelin temel özelliklerine, özgün yanlarına ve modele ilişkin literatür bilgisine yer verilmiştir.
LITERACY IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC: HOW ARE STUDENTS' LITERACY SKILLS?
Authors: Widodo Arif , Umar Umar
Published: October 2021

During the pandemic, learning at elementary schools encountered many obstacles, including those related to literacy. One indicator of basic literacy skills is that having reading fluency and comprehension. During the pandemic, how are students' basic literacy skills? This study aimed to determine the profile of students' basic literacy skills during the pandemic. This study was conducted at one of the public elementary schools in Kabupaten Lombok Tengah. This study was survey research that administered a test as the instrument. The research subjects were 110 students who were selected saturated sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The survey results showed that 7% of the students were at the beginner level is 7%, while 10% of students were at the letter level. Then, 11% of the students were at the word level; 12% of them were at the paragraph level; 12% of students were at story one level as much as 12%, and 48% of students were at story level. Most of the students were not fluent in reading and could not understand the reading content. Students who were fluent in reading and able to understand the text were less than half of the population or only 48% of 110 students. These data indicated a decline in students' basic literacy skills during learning in the pandemic era.
EXPECTATIONS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TOWARD THE USE OF WEB-BASED APPLICATIONS IN ONLINE LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMIC
Authors: Haryati Linda Feni , Widodo Arif
Published: October 2021

The media has a crucial role in online learning in the pandemic era. One of the media that teachers need in online learning is a web-based application. This study aimed to determine teacher expectations of the use of web-based applications in online learning. This study was survey research conducted at one of the public elementary schools in Kabupaten Lombok Barat. The survey was conducted on 15 primary school teachers. The results of the study indicated that teachers were not familiar with web-based applications to facilitate online learning. Only 20% of teachers were reliable with the use of web-based applications for learning. Most teachers expected to receive training related to the use of web-based applications. The application used was only limited to the WhatsApp Group. Teachers' ability to use other web-based applications was still limited. At least 80% of teachers felt that they needed special training in the use of web-based applications for the learning process and the evaluation of students' learning outcomes.
Russia's New Authoritarianism
Authors: Lewis David G.
Published: October 2021

In this book, David Lewis offers an original interpretation of the Russian political system that developed under Vladimir Putin as a new form of authoritarianism. Lewis argues that the Putinist worldview challenged liberal beliefs about concepts such as sovereignty,  the state, and democracy, and instead promoted a set of illiberal norms and ideas that contributed to a global backlash against liberal politics. The book uses the political thought of Carl Schmitt, the Nazi jurist and anti-liberal political theorist, to explore political developments in Russia in the first two decades of the 21st century. Case-studies examine how ideas of sovereign decision-making and exceptionality undermined the rule of law in Russia, producing a system of politicised, selective justice. A striving for national unity degenerated into a search for external and internal enemies. Russia’s democratic institutions were gradually hollowed out as Russia developed a form of “illiberal democracy”. The second part of the book uses Schmitt’s theories of international relations to study Russian foreign policy, including a detailed case-study of the annexation of Crimea, a new interpretation of Russia’s search for a sphere of influence in the former Soviet space, and a study of messianic thinking in Russian policy in the Middle East. The book is a detailed study of contemporary Russian politics, but also draws parallels between developments in Russia and the global growth of right-wing populism and authoritarianism.
Media Literacy Education for Diverse Societies
Authors: Neag Annamariá , Bozdag Cigdem , Leurs Koen
Published: October 2021

Since the 1980s, media literacy became a central topic in the field of communication, media and education studies, as a result of a parallel growth of polarization between societal groups and use of digital technologies for self-representation. In this article, we present a brief overview of the evolvement of media literacy and other competing terms and discuss emerging approaches that incorporate issues related to the politics of difference, representations and voice of marginalised groups. Although existing concepts and projects focus on singular aspects such as representation and media production by minorities, they do not commonly integrate concerns of diversity and media literacy education from a critical and holistic perspective. Building on critical pedagogy, feminist and decolonial theory, we argue that there is a need for a more inclusive and intersectional approach to media literacy education. Such an approach should not only focus on marginalised groups, but society as a whole; it should advocate a critical understanding of the mediated construction of reality and offer grounds to successfully challenge dominant representations; it should not only equip people with the skills to participate and raise their own voices, but also pay more attention to practices of listening to work towards a level playing field between mainstream and marginalized groups.
COP 26 Futures We Want - India Country Profile
Authors: Debnath Ramit , Sagar Ambuj , Babu Suresh , Shuckburgh Emily
Published: October 2021

This regional profile for India was developed in the context of the BEIS COP26 Futures We Want project. It has been developed with input from in-country academic experts Professor Ambuj Sagar (Indian Institute of Technology, India) and Dr Suresh Babu (Dr B R Ambedkar University, India). It sets out a synthesis of the available evidence base on regional challenges and opportunities for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience measures for India associated with climate change and a global transition to an inclusive, desirable, and resilient net-zero future.
ZIP Code Versus Georeference
Authors: Bazan Jorge L. , de Almeida Thaicia S. , Ferreira Mauricio M. , Guzman Daniel C. F. , Louzada Francisco , Miranda Milton , Mota Alex L. , Rangel Socorro , Russo Cibele M. , Santos Lucas A. , Toledo Franklina , Santos Maristela O. , Cuminato José Alberto
Published: October 2021

When dealing with predictive modeling of credit-granting, different types of attributes are used: Cadastral, Behavioral, Business / Proposal, Credit Bureaux, in addition to Public, Private or Subsidiaries Sources. The Postal Address Code (Código de Endereçamento Postal CEP in Portuguese) in Brazil, in particular, has a unique contribution capacity (uncorrelated with most other attributes in general) and reasonably good predictive power. CEP is frequently used by truncating its numeric representation, considering the first d digits, for example. In this report, a preliminary methodology is proposed, aiming to elaborate clustering sets of CEPs by considering the information of clients' defaults over a period of time. Additionally, we tested the number of clusters obtained using the Information Value criterion. Promising solutions are obtained using statistical and optimizing approaches. Other methodologies are suggested and could be complementary with the principal methodology proposed.
Православная вера и традиции благочестия у русских в XVIII – XX веках: Этнографические исследования и материалы
Authors:   Институт этнологии и антропологии Российской академии наук, Кириченко Олег , Громыко Марина , Тульцева Людмила , Листова Татьяна , Кремлева Ирина , Верховская Людмила , Дурасов Геннадий , Иникова Светлана , Буганов Александр , Кузнецов Станислав , Мелехова Галина , Воронина Татьяна
Published: October 2021

В монографии рассмотрены особенности бытования православия в различной социальной и сословной среде на протяжении XVIII–XX веков. Затронуты темы: почитание святынь русскими дворянами, православные обычаи и обряды в крестьянском доме, традиции духовных завещаний у купечества, особенности приходской жизни сельского священника, практика поста, монастырский быт в годы закрытия монастырей, благочестие в солдатской и городской среде. Публикуются редкие документальные материалы: церковная летопись, религиозные письма мирян, документы о хозяйственной жизни монастырей в советский период, неизданные письма оптинского старца к духовным детям, документы по русскому сектантству. Для историков, этнографов, а также читателей, интересующихся религией и ее проявлениями в культуре, хозяйстве, быту.
Святыни и святость в жизни русского народа: этнографическое исследование
Authors:   Институт этнологии и антропологии Российской академии наук, Кириченко Олег , Юренко Анастасия , Буганов Александр , Громыко Марина , Цеханская Кира , Крюкова Светлана , Кремлева Ирина , Листова Татьяна , Мелехова Галина , Шляхтина Наталья , Воронина Татьяна
Published: October 2021

Книга посвящена проблеме бытования святыни и святости в религиозной традиции русского народа. Понятия «святыня» и «святость» для авторов книги – это сфера православного дискурса народа, и в то же время отражение его жизненного уклада. Значение святынь и святости рассматривается с нескольких сторон: с точки зрения опыта непосредственного общения людей с этими явлениями, через проявления внимания к святости в государственной, общественной и семейной жизни. Исследователи обращаются к проблеме бытования народной агиологии, привлекая как письменные, так и устные источники. Задача книги – ввести в научный оборот большой массив новых интересных источников, а также обратиться к некоторым важным теоретическим вопросам, касающимся связи «народного» и «церковного», святыни и народной культуры и традиции.
Burnout en funcionarios/as de prisiones en Chile
Authors: Alvarez cabrera Percy Leonardo , Chacón Fuertes Fernando , Sanchez Moreno Esteban , Araya Urquiola Yerko
Published: October 2021

El presente estudio analiza el síndrome de estar quemado o síndrome de Burnout y su asociación con el estrés laboral en oficiales de prisiones (n=290) en el Norte de Chile (región de Arica y Parinacota). Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS), la escala para evaluar Indicadores Físicos y Psicoemocionales de Estrés. Los resultados muestran una alta prevalencia de síndrome entre las personas participantes, en consonancia con la evidencia empírica disponible para otros países. Los resultados destacan la importancia de la dimensión de despersonalización del síndrome de Burnout en la muestra, y constituye un rasgo distintivo de los/as funcionarias de prisiones chilenos/as. Se halló asociación significativa de las medidas de estrés con las las dimensiones de baja realización personal y despersonalización.
Las fortalezas de los mexicanos, un análisis desde la autopercepción
Authors: Ruvalcaba Romero Norma A. , Gallegos Guajardo Julia , Morales Sánchez Adriana
Published: October 2021

El estudio de las virtudes y fortalezas humanas desarrollado en el marco de la Psicología positiva por Peterson y Seligman (2004), ha servido para la identificación de aspectos positivos en el ser humano que puedan dar contrapeso a los factores de riesgo en las personas. Este estudio busca identificar cuáles son las fortalezas prevalecientes en una muestra de personas mexicanas e identificar su posible concordancia con modelos previos que han caracterizado al mexicano. Para este trabajo se aplicó el Inventario de Fortalezas y Virtudes (IVYF, Castro & Cosentino, 2008), así como un cuestionario de características sociodemográficas. Los resultados muestran que las fortalezas más autopercibidas en los mexicanos son la integridad; la bondad, la gratitud, la perspectiva y la imparcialidad. Por otro lado las menos percibidas son la autoregulación, el amor por el aprendizaje, la modestia, la ciudadanía y el humor. Así mismo se encontraron diferencias de género en 9 de las 24 fortalezas evaluadas, donde la mujer tiende a tener puntuaciones más altas. Los resultados se discuten a través del contraste con estudios similares en otros grupos culturales y su concordancia con modelos previos de identificación de las cualidades de la población en México.
Scientometric analysis of psychological interventions based upon the use of Hypnosis
Authors: Muñoz Miguel Angel
Published: October 2021

Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique that has developed for centuries, and every time with greater clinical and scientific weight. Currently, hypnosis constitutes a solid support method for treatments against chronic pain and for emotion control under situations that generate fear and anxiety -such as surgery or other type of phobias-, so it is presented as an alternative to the use of medicine/drugs by health specialists. On the other hand within the field of behavioral sciences, apart from controlling fear and anxiety responses, hypnosis serves as support to the various cognitive behavioral techniques by facilitating their assimilation and development. This work presents a scientometric study of the research done on hypnosis over the last fifteen years, from publications -in Spanish and English- in specialized journals, indexed in SCOPUS (a specialized international bibliometric database). The contemporary applications of hypnosis are presented and critically discussed; as well as the fields in which its application has proven successful; its limitations; the research networks generated within the time of the study; plus, probable projections for future research are also mentioned.
Abundance and Stability as Common Properties of Allergens
Authors: Foo Alexander C. Y. , Mueller Geoffrey A.
Published: October 2021

There have been many attempts to identify common biophysical properties which differentiate allergens from their non-immunogenic counterparts. This review will focus on recent studies which examine two such factors: abundance and stability. Anecdotal accounts have speculated that the elevated abundance of potential allergens would increase the likelihood of human exposure and thus the probability of sensitization. Similarly, the stability of potential allergens dictates its ability to remain a viable immunogen during the transfer from the source to humans. This stability could also increase the resilience of potential allergens to both gastric and endosomal degradation, further skewing the immune system toward allergy. Statistical analyses confirm both abundance and stability as common properties of allergens, while epidemiological surveys show a correlation between exposure levels (abundance) and allergic disease. Additional studies show that changes in protein stability can predictably alter gastric/endosomal processing and immunogenicity, providing a mechanistic link between stability and allergenicity. However, notable exceptions exist to both hypotheses which highlight the multifaceted nature of immunological sensitization, and further inform our understanding of some of these other factors and their contribution to allergic disease.
3D Structure From 2D Microscopy Images Using Deep Learning
Authors: Blundell Benjamin , Sieben Christian , Manley Suliana , Rosten Ed , Ch’ng QueeLim , Cox Susan
Published: October 2021

Understanding the structure of a protein complex is crucial in determining its function. However, retrieving accurate 3D structures from microscopy images is highly challenging, particularly as many imaging modalities are two-dimensional. Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence have been applied to this problem, primarily using voxel based approaches to analyse sets of electron microscopy images. Here we present a deep learning solution for reconstructing the protein complexes from a number of 2D single molecule localization microscopy images, with the solution being completely unconstrained. Our convolutional neural network coupled with a differentiable renderer predicts pose and derives a single structure. After training, the network is discarded, with the output of this method being a structural model which fits the data-set. We demonstrate the performance of our system on two protein complexes: CEP152 (which comprises part of the proximal toroid of the centriole) and centrioles.
Possible Involvement of Hsp90 in the Regulation of Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity During the Leishmania amazonensis Developmental Cycle and Population Proliferation
Authors: de Oliveira Beatriz C. D. , Shiburah Mark E. , Paiva Stephany C. , Vieira Marina R. , Morea Edna Gicela O. , da Silva Marcelo Santos , Alves Cristiane de Santis , Segatto Marcela , Gutierrez-Rodrigues Fernanda , Borges Júlio C. , Calado Rodrigo T. , Cano Maria Isabel N.
Published: October 2021

The Leishmania developmental cycle comprises three main life forms in two hosts, indicating that the parasite is continually challenged due to drastic environmental changes. The disruption of this cycle is critical for discovering new therapies to eradicate leishmaniasis, a neglected disease that affects millions worldwide. Telomeres, the physical ends of chromosomes, maintain genome stability and cell proliferation and are potential antiparasitic drug targets. Therefore, understanding how telomere length is regulated during parasite development is vital. Here, we show that telomeres form clusters spread in the nucleoplasm of the three parasite life forms. We also observed that amastigotes telomeres are shorter than metacyclic and procyclic promastigotes and that in parasites with continuous in vitro passages, telomere length increases over time. These observed differences in telomere length among parasite’s life stages were not due to lack/inhibition of telomerase since enzyme activity was detected in all parasite life stages, although the catalysis was temperature-dependent. These data led us to test if, similar to other eukaryotes, parasite telomere length maintenance could be regulated by Hsp83, the ortholog of Hsp90 in trypanosomatids, and Leishmania (LHsp90). Parasites were then treated with the Hsp90 inhibitor 17AAG. The results showed that 17AAG disturbed parasite growth, induced accumulation into G2/M phases, and telomere shortening in a time-dependent manner. It has also inhibited procyclic promastigote’s telomerase activity. Besides, LHsp90 interacts with the telomerase TERT component as shown by immunoprecipitation, strongly suggesting a new role for LHsp90 as a parasite telomerase component involved in controlling telomere length maintenance and parasite life span.
The Emerging Role of Exosomes in Cancer Chemoresistance
Authors: Li Jing , Gao Na , Gao Zhengfan , Liu Wei , Pang Bairen , Dong Xingli , Li Yong , Fan Tianli
Published: October 2021

Chemoresistance is an impending challenge in cancer treatment. In recent years, exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 40–150 nm in bloodstream and other bio-fluids, have attracted increasing interest. Exosomes contain proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which act as important signaling molecules. Many reports indicate that exosomes play critical roles in chemoresistance through intercellular interactions, including drug removal from cells, transfer of drug resistance phenotypes to other cancer cells, and the increase in plastic stem cell subsets. Exosomes can reflect the physiological and pathological state of parent cells. Owing to their elevated stability, specificity, and sensitivity, exosomes are served as biomarkers in liquid biopsies to monitor cancer chemoresistance, progression, and recurrence. This review summarizes the exosome-mediated mechanisms of cancer chemoresistance, as well as its role in reversing and monitoring chemoresistance. The scientific and technological challenges and future applications of exosomes are also explored.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among High-Risk Populations in Jiangsu Province, Eastern China
Authors: Mao Fanzhen , Yang Yougui , Chen Yuying , Zhang Qiang , Ding Xin , Ni Bixian , Xu Xiangzhen , Jin Xiaolin , Dai Yang
Published: October 2021

Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic protozoan, infects one-third of people worldwide and could lead to serious outcomes in immunodeficient or immunocompromised populations. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection among high-risk populations in Jiangsu Province, eastern China. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 4 categories of populations in 13 prefectures including HIV/AIDS patients, livestock breeding/processing (B/P) staff, pregnant women, and cancer patients. We detected specific immunoglobulin G and M (IgG and IgM) levels for each participant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and asked to complete a questionnaire for each participant that covered sociodemographic information as well as the basic knowledge of attitudes toward and the practices for the prevention of toxoplasmosis. A total of 5231 participants distributed across 13 prefecture-level cities was surveyed, including 2455 males and 2776 females. Total seropositivity rate in each population category was as follows: 9.08% (HIV/AIDS patients), 11.65% (livestock B/P staff), 5.50% (pregnant women), and 12.89% (cancer patients). We detected IgM positivity in HIV/AIDS patients (0.47%, 6/1289), livestock B/P staff (0.08%, 1/1330), and cancer patients (0.46%, 6/1303) but not in pregnant women. Further, we detected IgM+IgG positivity only in cancer patients (0.31%, 4/1303). The seropositivity rate for pregnant women was significantly lower, while cancer patients were significantly higher. Higher educational levels were associated with lower seropositivity rates for T. gondii infection. High seropositivity rates were associated with long period of HIV infection among HIV/AIDS patients, frequent contact with livestock among livestock breeding/processing staff and male older patients among cancer patients, respectively. Analysis of practices across all participants showed that frequent contact with pets in everyday life or using the same cutting board for both raw and cooked foods leads to higher seropositivity rates. Therefore, we obtained the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among high-risk populations in Jiangsu Province which could provide evidence for the implementation of control measures in the near future.
A Research Agenda for Affective Dimensions in Climate Change Risk Perception and Risk Communication
Authors: Salas Reyes Raúl , Nguyen Vivian M. , Schott Stephan , Berseth Valerie , Hutchen Jenna , Taylor Jennifer , Klenk Nicole
Published: October 2021

There is a growing body of literature that examines the role of affect and emotions in climate change risk perception and risk communication. Conceptions of affect and emotions have differed according to theoretical perspectives and disciplinary orientations (e.g., sociology of risk, psychology of risk, climate science communication), but little has been done to map these differences. This perspective article provides an in-depth analysis of the study of affect and emotions in climate change risk research through a literature review of studies published in the last 20 years. In this perspective, we examined how affect is conceived, what emotions have been considered, and their role in climate change risk perception and risk communication. Early studies in climate risk perception and risk communication included vaguely defined emotions (e.g., negative and positive) in climate risk perception and risk communication studies, more recently turning attention to how different affective dimensions interact with other factors, such as personal experience, knowledge, culture and worldviews, gender, and social norms. Using this review as a mapping exercise of the research landscape on affect and emotions in climate risk perception and communication, we suggest that future research could benefit from more interdisciplinary work that explores the role of different affective responses and their intensities before, during, and after climate-related events.
In the Climate Emergency, Conservation Must Become Survival Ecology
Authors: Gardner Charlie J. , Bullock James M.
Published: October 2021

Earth faces a climate emergency which renders conservation goals largely obsolete. Current conservation actions are inadequate because they (i) underplay biodiversity's role in maintaining human civilisation, which contributes to its marginalisation, and (ii) rely on false assumptions of how to catalyse transformative change. We suggest a paradigm shift from biodiversity conservation to survival ecology, refocusing the field on safeguarding a planetary system in which humans and other species can thrive. Rather than seeking to maintain a world which will no longer exist, survival ecology acknowledges unavoidable change and seeks to shape the world that will: it looks to the future, not the past. Since conservation science and advocacy have not been sufficient to achieve the required change, survival ecologists should additionally embrace non-violent civil disobedience.
Community-Based Approaches to Tackling Illegal Wildlife Trade—What Works and How Is It Measured?
Authors: Wilson-Holt Olivia , Roe Dilys
Published: October 2021

The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a global issue that threatens the conservation of many species of fauna and flora and affects the livelihoods of people who are dependent upon wildlife. By far the most common approach to tackling IWT is to enhance law enforcement, including arming rangers and tougher penalties for perpetrators. Yet, critics of this approach argue that efforts to reduce IWT in source countries are likely to fail without the involvement of local people. However, little is known about the effectiveness of community-based approaches to tackling IWT or how this is being measured. We used information from the www.peoplenotpoaching.org learning platform to analyze over 100 case studies of community-based anti-IWT interventions to understand what proportion have been effective and how this has been measured. We present a typology of frequently reported outcomes, their indicators and means of verification. We show that effectiveness in community-based anti-IWT interventions is measured by a number of indicators and using a variety of verification means. Our findings suggest that conservation practitioners more frequently implement activities to measure conservation outcomes in comparison to livelihood outcomes, which has implications for how we consider if a community-based anti-IWT project has been effective. We recommend that future community-based anti-IWT projects build in more robust monitoring, evaluation and learning activities to measure how livelihood benefits impact local communities given their support is crucial to achieving long-term conservation success.
SOFA Score as a Reliable Tool to Detect High Risk for Venous Thrombosis in Patients With Critical Stage SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Prouse Giorgio , Ettorre Ludovica , Mongelli Francesco , Demundo Daniela , van den Berg Jos C. , Catanese Carola , Fumagalli Luca , Usai Corrado , Spinedi Luca , Riva Francesca , Bertoni Maria Vittoria , Giovannacci Luca
Published: October 2021

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome from coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Different anticoagulation protocols have been applied in several studies in the absence of clear evidence. A reliable deep venous thrombosis (DVT) indicator in critical patients with SARS-CoV-2 could guide the anticoagulation treatment; however, it has not yet been identified, and clinical applicability of the most common markers is debatable. The aim of our study was to determine the actual incidence of DVT in critically ill SARS-CoV-2 patients and to find a reliable tool to identify patients who might benefit from therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation.

Methods: From March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020, all patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for SARS-CoV-2 at Ospedale Regionale di Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland, were prospectively enrolled and screened daily with ultrasound for DVT. Following international consensus, a higher-intensity thromboprophylaxis was administered to all patients who were not at increased risk for bleeding. Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated and time-to-DVT event in a COX proportional-hazard regression model was performed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine sensitivity and specificity and the Youden's Index to establish the best threshold.

Results: A total of 96 patients were enrolled. Deep venous thrombosis was detected in 37% of patients. Sepsis-induced coagulopathy and SOFA scores were both correlated to DVT. A SIC score of 1 vs. ≥2 showed a close association with DVT, with sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 90.0, 48.1, and 49.1, and 89.7%, respectively. Most significantly though, a SOFA score of 1 or 2 points was shown to be the most accurate value in predicting the absence of DVT, indicating no need for therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation. Its sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 87.9, 100, and 100, and 93.7%, respectively. The D-dimer test showed lower sensitivity and specificity whereas platelet count and aPTT were not found to be correlated to DVT.

Conclusions: Patients with SOFA scores of 1 or 2 are at low risk of developing DVT and do not require therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation. Conversely, patients with scores ≥3 are at high risk of developing DVT.
A Predictive Model Based on a New CI-AKI Definition to Predict Contrast Induced Nephropathy in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease With Relatively Normal Renal Function
Authors: Mo Hanjun , Ye Fang , Chen Danxia , Wang Qizhe , Liu Ru , Zhang Panpan , Xu Yaxin , Cheng Xuelin , Mei Zhendong , Zheng Yan , Dai Yuxiang , Jiang Sunfang , Ge Junbo
Published: October 2021

Background: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common complication in patients receiving intravascular contrast media. In 2020, the American College of Radiology and the National Kidney Foundation issued a new contrast induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) criteria. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential risk factors for CIN under the new criteria, and develop a predictive model for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with relatively normal renal function (NRF).

Methods: Patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University between May 2019 and April 2020 were consecutively enrolled. Eligible candidates were selected for statistical analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictive factors. A stepwise method and a machine learning (ML) method were used to construct a model based on the Akaike information criterion. The performance of our model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and calibration curves. The model was further simplified into a risk score.

Results: A total of 2,009 patients with complete information were included in the final statistical analysis. The results showed that the incidence of CIN was 3.2 and 1.2% under the old and new criteria, respectively. Three independent predictors were identified: baseline uric acid level, creatine kinase-MB level, and log (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) level. Our stepwise model had an AUC of 0.816, which was higher than that of the ML model (AUC = 0.668, P = 0.09). The model also achieved accurate predictions regarding calibration. A risk score was then developed, and patients were divided into two risk groups: low risk (total score < 10) and high risk (total score ≥ 10).

Conclusions: In this study, we first identified important predictors of CIN in patients with CAD with NRF. We then developed the first CI-AKI model on the basis of the new criteria, which exhibited accurate predictive performance. The simplified risk score may be useful in clinical practice to identify high-risk patients.
Heat Treatment and Surface Treatment of Nickel–Titanium Endodontic Instruments
Authors: Kwak Sang Won , Shen Ya , Liu He , Wang Zhejun , Kim Hyeon-Cheol , Haapasalo Markus
Published: October 2021

Knowledge and thorough understanding of the characteristics of endodontic nickel–titanium (NiTi) files is paramount for dentists performing root canal treatments to patients. Understanding the behavior of the NiTi files guides the clinicians in choosing the correct instruments for different clinical and anatomical situations. This review focuses on the metallurgical properties of endodontic NiTi files, with a special emphasis on recent developments and improvements in metallurgy and the effects of heat treatment and surface treatment. In this study, the impact that such developments have on the properties of endodontic NiTi files is discussed.
Reservoir Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Oil Content in Hybrid Sedimentary Rocks of the Lucaogou Formation, Western Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin
Authors: Xue Haitao , An Ce , Dong Zhentao , Xiao Dianshi , Yan Jinliang , Ding Guozhi , Yan Penglei , Zhang Jinxu
Published: October 2021

Hybrid sedimentary rocks (HSR) are a major reservoir type in unconventional oil exploration. The reservoir characteristics and controlling factors of the oil content of HSR are not clear, restricting the understanding of the storage mechanism and sweet spots within HSR. The Lucaogou Formation in the western Jimusar Sag is taken as a case study. Starting with the classification of the lithofacies system, differences in the microscopic pore structure, oil content and controlling factors of HSR reservoirs are revealed. The results show that seven lithofacies are recognized based on mineral composition, sedimentary structure, and organic matter characteristics, exhibiting rapid vertical and horizontal changes affected by the sedimentary environment. Layered mudstone lithofacies of the shallow lake mud and massive dolomitic mudstone lithofacies of dolomitic mud flats have the worst physical properties and oil content properties. However, they do have high organic matter contents and are the main source rocks of the Lucaogou Formation. The massive argillaceous siltstone and massive argillaceous dolomite lithofacies interbed frequently. Although their physical properties are moderate, “source-reservoir integrated” unconventional oil reservoirs can be formed, due to the adjacent to the source rock. Massive dolomitic siltstone, massive siltstone, and massive silty dolomite lithofacies are developed in the middle of the Lucaogou Formation, with the highest proportion of mesopores and macropores, which is indicative of good storage properties. When these lithofacies are filled with crude oil generated from source rocks at the top and bottom of the formation, “source storage adjacent” unconventional oil reservoirs be formed. The oil content is also controlled by the pore structure and specific surface area. The proportion of macropores and mesopores is positively correlated with oil content. The oil content of the samples is very low, when the specific surface area exceeds 2 m2/g. This manuscript provides a geological basis for evaluating and establishing reasonable interpretation models of HSR sweet spots.
Development of Numeracy and Literacy Skills in Early Childhood—A Longitudinal Study on the Roles of Home Environment and Familial Risk for Reading and Math Difficulties
Authors: Salminen Jenni , Khanolainen Daria , Koponen Tuire , Torppa Minna , Lerkkanen Marja-Kristiina
Published: October 2021

This study examines the direct and indirect effects of home numeracy and literacy environment, and parental factors (parental reading and math difficulties, and parental education) on the development of several early numeracy and literacy skills. The 265 participating Finnish children were assessed four times between ages 2.5 and 6.5. Children’s skills in counting objects, number production, number sequence knowledge, number symbol knowledge, number naming, vocabulary, print knowledge, and letter knowledge were assessed individually. Parents (N = 202) reported on their education level, learning difficulties in math and reading (familial risk, FR), and home learning environment separately for numeracy (HNE) and literacy (HLE) while their children were 2.5 years old and again while they were 5.5 years old. The results revealed both within-domain and cross-domain associations. Parents’ mathematical difficulties (MD) and reading difficulties (RD) and home numeracy environment predicted children’s numeracy and literacy skill development within and across domains. An evocative effect was found as well; children’s skills in counting, number sequence knowledge, number symbol identification, and letter knowledge negatively predicted later home numeracy and literacy activities. There were no significant indirect effects from parents’ RD, MD, or educational level on children’s skills via HLE or HNE. Our study highlights that parental RD and MD, parental education, and the home learning environment form a complex pattern of associations with children’s numeracy and literacy skills starting already in toddlerhood.
The Position of Distractors in Multiple-Choice Test Items: The Strongest Precede the Weakest
Authors: Lions Séverin , Monsalve Carlos , Dartnell Pablo , Godoy María Inés , Córdova Nora , Jiménez Daniela , Blanco María Paz , Ortega Gabriel , Lemarié Julie
Published: October 2021

Middle bias has been reported for responses to multiple-choice test items used in educational assessment. It has been claimed that this response bias probably occurs because test developers tend to place correct responses among middle options, tests thus presenting a middle-biased distribution of answer keys. However, this response bias could be driven by strong distractors being more frequently located among middle options. In this study, the frequency of responses to a Chilean national examination used to rank students wanting to access higher education was used to categorize distractors based on attractiveness level. The distribution of different distractor types (best distractor, non-functioning distractors…) was analyzed across 110 tests of 80 five-option items administered to assess several disciplines in five consecutive years. Results showed that the strongest distractors were more frequently found among middle options, most commonly at option C. In contrast, the weakest distractors were more frequently found at the last option (E). This pattern did not substantially vary across disciplines or years. Supplementary analyses revealed that a similar position bias for distractors could be observed in tests administered in countries other than Chile. Thus, the location of different types of distractors might provide an alternative explanation for the middle bias reported in literature for tests’ responses. Implications for test developers, test takers, and researchers in the field are discussed.
Association of Urinary Sodium Excretion and Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Huang Yan , Liu Wenhui , Liu Jianfang , Guo Dan , Zhang Peizhen , Liu Deying , Lin Jiayang , Yang Linjie , Zhang Huijie , Xue Yaoming
Published: October 2021

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. Epidemiological evidence of the association between urinary sodium excretion and the presence of DKD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not yet been well established.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 1545 patients with T2DM over aged 20 years old from January 2018 to December 2020. Urinary sodium excretion was measured by 24-hour urine samples in inpatients and morning fasting urine samples in outpatients. The associations between urinary sodium excretion and the risks of DKD were examined using stepwise regression analysis, logistic regression analysis and multivariable-adjusted restricted cubic splines (RCS).

Results

Regression analysis showed that urinary sodium was independently associated with urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) level (P = 0.006) and the risks of DKD (P = 0.042). In multivariable-adjusted RCS analysis, urinary sodium excretion was significantly associated with UACR in all patients (P = 0.008), and exhibited a J-shaped relationship. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased urinary sodium excretion was significantly associated with increased risks of DKD [OR (95% CI); 1.56 (1.07-2.27); P = 0.020]. However, the relationships between urinary sodium excretion and the risks of DKD and albuminuria showed no significance, after further adjustment for HOMA-IR and ba-PWV (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity) (Both P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Higher urinary sodium excretion level was associated with increased risks of DKD among patients with T2DM, dependent of vascular sclerosis and insulin resistance.
Comparison and Analysis of GPS Measured Electric Vehicle Charging Demand: The Case of Western Sweden and Seattle
Authors: Hartvigsson Elias , Jakobsson Niklas , Taljegard Maria , Odenberger Mikael
Published: October 2021

Electrification of transportation using electric vehicles has a large potential to reduce transport related emissions but could potentially cause issues in generation and distribution of electricity. This study uses GPS measured driving patterns from conventional gasoline and diesel cars in western Sweden and Seattle, United States, to estimate and analyze expected charging coincidence assuming these driving patterns were the same for electric vehicles. The results show that the electric vehicle charging power demand in western Sweden and Seattle is 50–183% higher compared to studies that were relying on national household travel surveys in Sweden and United States. The after-coincidence charging power demand from GPS measured driving behavior converges at 1.8 kW or lower for Sweden and at 2.1 kW or lower for the United States The results show that nominal charging power has the largest impact on after-coincidence charging power demand, followed by the vehicle’s electricity consumption and lastly the charging location. We also find that the reduction in charging demand, when charging is moved in time, is largest for few vehicles and reduces as the number of vehicles increase. Our results are important when analyzing the impact from large scale introduction of electric vehicles on electricity distribution and generation.