bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy assessment of open-source global digital elevation models (GDEMs) with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) levelling
Authors: Rahman Mohd Faizuddin Abd , Din Ami Hassan Md , Hamid Amalina Izzati Abd , Alihan Nor Surayatul Atikah , Yazid Nornajihah Mohd , Ansar Andi Mohd Hairy , Pa’suya Muhammad Faiz , Yamen Siti Nurshahira Mohd , Khalid Nor Fadilla , Junid Muhammad Arif Husaini
Published: July 2022

Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER ), Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 (GMTED2010), Advanced Land Observing Satellite World-3D (ALOSW3D), and TerraSAR-X Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-X) are open-source Digital Elevation Model (DEM) datasets for environmental modelling and studies. The spatial resolution and vertical accuracy of DEM data sources play a significant role, particularly in dealing with land inundation, periodic flooding, and coastal erosion. In this study, the comparison between orthometric height, H from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observation, and DEM is performed to evaluate the accuracy of each DEM in terms of their Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient, R2 for monitoring the coastline. The result has indicated that TanDEM-X shows the smallest RMSE of 2.574 m compared to SRTM30, SRTM90, ASTER, GMTED10, and ALOSW3D with RMSE of 2.968 m, 3.006 m, 3.217 m, 2.975 m, and 2.876 m respectively. Furthermore, TanDEM-X illustrates the largest correlation coefficients, R2 of 0.959 m, compared to SRTM30, SRTM90, ASTER, GMTED10, and ALOSW3D at 0.891 m, 0.899 m, 0.590 m, 0.888 m 0.913 m respectively. Hence, the result has indicated that TanDEM-X is the best option among all DEMs for any topographic applications.
Multi-temporal satellite image correction based on CNN features and adaptive contrast enhancement
Authors: Saberi Zamfirdaus , Hashim Noramiza , Ali Aziah , Abdullah Junaidi , Isa Wan Noorshahida Mohd , Embi Zarina Che
Published: July 2022

In recent years, identifying changes in multi-temporal images in terms of land use and land cover has been significant in a variety of applications, including urban planning. Due to weather and environmental effects, optical remote sensing has limitations in obtaining images where the image quality may be degraded. It’s because the images being registered are taken at various times, viewpoints, and types of sensors. In this article, the pre-processing methods, which include radiometric correction and geometric correction, are introduced to enhance the quality of satellite images and identify correct spatial alignment. For radiometric correction, adaptive contrast enhancement is done by combining histogram- and non-linear transfer function-based approaches in CIELAB color space. A comparison study is done to see how the new method compared to other methods. For geometric correction, the features from two images are extracted using Convolutional Neural Network to match and align them. The introduced approach for radiometric correction gave the best average rank of BRISQUE scores and RMSE of contrast scores, and the geometric correction can align two images together with an average accuracy of improvement of 91.78 percent. The findings of this research will provide the preliminary step for any change detection activities.
Deforestation analysis using Random Forest and interactive supervised classification approach
Authors: Yogender  , Guliyeva Sona , Alaksarov Elman , Singh Arunima , Kushwaha S.K.P.
Published: July 2022

The increasing demand for forest resources leads to overexploitation to a greater extent, raising the alarm for the environmental consequences. The excessive use of forest resources results in deforestation, which needs to be addressed for maintaining the natural ecosystem balance. This research focuses on the deforestation analysis of a territory in the Tartar district in Azerbaijan. The changes in the forest area have been analyzed using the high-resolution Azersky satellite datasets for the three alternative years, 2017, 2019, and 2021. Two classification approaches, namely Random Forest (RF) and NDVI- based interactive supervised classification, were implemented for this purpose. The statistical analysis of the results indicates the gradual decrease in the forest area from the year 2017 to the year 2021, which has been evaluated by visual interpretation through the change maps of the forest area. From RF classification results, it has been observed that there has been an overall decrease of 9.5% from 2017 to 2021. Also, the NDVI-based interactive supervised classification approach indicates an overall deforestation rate of 4.79% from 2017 to 2021. This work shows that the forest area in the study region has considerably reduced over the years, and there is a need to closely monitor deforestation in the considered study area.
Hotspots Forest Fire Susceptibility Mapping for Land Use or Land Cover using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Authors: Ya’acob Norsuzila , Jamil Ili Atiqah Abdul , Aziz Nur Farhana Abd. , Yusof Azita Laily , Kassim Murizah , Naim Nani Fadzlina
Published: July 2022

Forest fire is a very common natural disaster or caused by humans that happens throughout the year in a humid country like Malaysia. Forest fire had caused many problems like haze and disruption of the environment. The peat-swamp areas are more susceptible to forest fire due to having a relatively spongy forest floor and covered with a thick and dense layer of humus. The objective of this research is to determine active fire hotspots at Raja Musa Forest Reserve, Kuala Selangor by using Landsat 8 infrared based images for forest fire mapping. The method used to develop a hotspot susceptibility forest map is by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Land cover or land use (LULC), Land Surface Temperature (LST), Fuel type, road to map and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used to determine the vulnerability of study by using satellite images from LANDSAT 8. The findings from the MODIS real-time forest fire hotspot data and kappa coefficient to check the consistency of the LULC classification. After obtaining the weightage value of each factors map, the weightage overlay tool from GIS were used to find the significant weight of the hotspot susceptibility forest fire map.
Spatial Modelling for Landscape Ecological Carbon at Central Forest Spine (CFS) Corridors in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Ruslan Sofiya Zulaikha , Omar Hamdan
Published: July 2022

The Improving Connectivity in the Central Forest Spine (IC-CFS) is funded by the Malaysian Government (GOM) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The IC-CFS main objective is to re-establish, maintain, and improve the connectivity within the corridors and create linkages between the fragmented forests. The carbon stock assessment component is required to evaluate the corridors. The study was conducted at Primary Linkages in Pahang (C-PL1), A-PL1 in Perak, and J-PL2 in Johor, with an extent of 4,355 ha, 24,759 ha, and with 6,791 ha, respectively. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) tool was applied for assessing the carbon stock within these landscapes together with satellite images between the years 2010 and 2020 to produce land use classifications. Carbon stock in J-PL2 indicated depletion by -592,599 Mg C over ten years. On the other hand, C-PL1 and A-PL1 indicated an increase amounted 22,129 and 695,689 Mg C, respectively. These changes evidenced that the land use activities were influenced directly and significantly by the fluctuations of carbon stock, i.e., absorption and emission within the corridors. Conclusively, the InVEST tool is practical for carbon assessment, management, and conservation planning to ensure the connectivity and sustainability of CFS corridors in Peninsular Malaysia.
3D Modelling of Modern Urban Building Complexes and Sub-units Concept in 3D Cadastre
Authors: Salleh Syahiirah , Ujang Uznir , Azri Suhaibah , Choon Tan Liat
Published: July 2022

As space is a fast-reducing commodity in cities, buildings are developed as multipurpose building complexes used for residential, commercial and others. 3D cadastre represents these building complexes as 3D objects with individual building units that have shared surfaces or adjacencies. However, building complexes are often modelled as a single volume. This paper presents the methods to model a 3D building complex with sub-units of mixed uses. A building complex composed of commercial and residential sub-units was modelled based on a building plan and visualized in GIS ready format. The 3D model consists of a set of volumetric units within an exterior shell of the building complex. The sub-units are displayed according to its uses. This can facilitate further spatial analysis that requires adjacency information of sub-units within a mixed-use building complex.
The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Towards Socioeconomic Wellbeing of Rural Community in Malaysia
Authors: Yusoff N S , Rashid M F , Halim N A
Published: July 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the socio-economic well-being of people either in urban or rural areas. The Covid-19 cases and fatalities that concentrated in major urban areas in Malaysia. However, as the pandemic progressed, the rural community faced health vulnerability due to the Covid-19 pandemic threat. Among the significant impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are income generation, economic activity work, and health vulnerability, especially the rural community involved in rural economic activities such as agriculture and fishery. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socio-economic well-being of rural communities in Malaysia. The case study selection is in Mersing, Pontian and Batu Pahat involving three villages using GIS mapping. The methodology used is quantitative research through a household survey conducted using 182 heads of households based on the economic and social dimensions. The finding reveals that most of the target group experienced a decline in income generation, economic activity restriction, and education issues. Furthermore, there are also decreasing in the economically active population (age 15-60) in the village. As a result, this study is essential in formulating a post-Covid-19 recovery plan regarding socio-economic well-being impacts and the revival of rural community well-being in Malaysia through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping.
Framework for the identification of shallow ground movement in modified slopes (an expert opinion)
Authors: Ibrahim M.B , Salisu S.A. , Musa A.A. , Abussalam B. , Hamza S.M.
Published: July 2022

This paper has discussed and analyzed some significant ways to quickly find the root course of landslides on slopes, especially on shallow artificial slopes. Many mechanisms that trigger ground movement leading to landslides in slopes are discussed here. The general idea was to study the occurrence of slips on a modified slope under certain environmental conditions for a specific duration and develop a simple framework that can help to identify landslides’ causative factors subjectively. This whole idea was to help locals and other experts easily identify the triggering mechanisms of landslides to reveal the possible time when the slides will occur and control their impact. Furthermore, a framework was developed to help us understand the critical factors leading to shallow landslides on modified slopes. Establishing the mechanism that triggers landslides in an area helps greatly identify the landslides-prone locations, especially for the locals living in high-risk areas. The research also presented significant forms of landslides with their presumed causes. Although the general causes of landslides are not limited to what was presented in this text, the environment is the main factor deciding the nature and extent of landslides in an area.
Blood Pressure and Body Composition During First Year of Antiretroviral Therapy in People With HIV Compared With HIV-Uninfected Community Controls
Authors: Kavishe Bazil Baltazar , Olsen Mette Frahm , Filteau Suzanne , Kitilya Brenda W , Jeremiah Kidola , Krogh-Madsen Rikke , Todd Jim , Friis Henrik , Faurholt-Jepsen Daniel , PrayGod George , Peck Robert
Published: July 2022

Background

Body composition changes may explain the rapid increase in blood pressure (BP) in people with HIV (PWH) during the first year of antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

We analyzed data from a cohort of PWH and HIV-uninfected adults from the same communities in Mwanza, Tanzania. Blood pressure (BP, mm Hg) and body composition data were collected at baseline and 12-month follow-up. We used multivariable linear regression to compare BP changes in PWH and HIV-uninfected adults, and the relationship between changes in body composition and changes in BP.

Results

BP data were available for 640 PWH and 299 HIV-uninfected adults. Sixty-four percent were women and the mean age was 38 years. In PWH, systolic BP (SBP) increased (114–118) whereas SBP decreased (125–123) in HIV-uninfected participants. Fat mass increased by 1.6 kg on average in PWH and was strongly associated with the change in BP (P < 0.001). The greater increase in SBP in PWH was partly explained by the lower baseline SBP but PWH still experienced a 2.2 (95% CI: 0.3–4.2) greater increase in SBP after adjustment. Weight gain partially mediated the relationship between HIV and SBP increase in PWH; a 1-kg increase in fat mass accounted for 0.8 (95% CI: 0.6–1.1) increase in SBP.

Conclusions

Weight and fat mass increase rapidly in PWH during the first 12 months of antiretroviral therapy and contribute to a rapid increase in SBP. Interventions to prevent excessive increase in fat mass are needed for PWH.
Implementation of implicit bias awareness and action training in a pharmacy residency program
Authors: Terry Kimberly , Nickman Nancy A , Mullin Shantel , Ghule Priyanka , Tyler Linda S
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To implement an implicit bias awareness and action seminar program for the University of Utah Health pharmacy residency program and measure knowledge, awareness, and comfort around race-related topics.

An implicit bias awareness training program was implemented with a pre- and post-training survey to measure knowledge, comfort, and confidence around understanding and addressing biases. Fifty-one residents and preceptors participated in the implicit bias training, and 47 (92.2%) consented to take the survey. Twenty pharmacy residents and 27 preceptors attended at least 1 of the 4 training modules and completed the pre- and/or post-training survey. Eighteen of 20 residents (90.0%) and 19 of 27 (70.4%) preceptors completed the pretraining survey (37 total), while 11 of 20 residents (55.0%) and 10 of 27 (37.0%) preceptors completed the post-training survey (21 total). On the post-training survey, more correct answers were obtained for knowledge-based questions and a higher number of responses of strongly agree or agree was observed when assessing participants’ comfort and confidence in addressing personal biases, bringing marginalized people into a conversation, addressing biased situations, and intervening when bias is observed.

Conclusion

After training, higher scores were attained on the survey for overall comfort and confidence in addressing personal biases and identifying and acting on witnessed biases.
Experience and Indications for the Use of the P4HB Scaffold (GalaFLEX) in Aesthetic Breast Surgery: A 100-Case Experience
Authors: Mallucci Patrick , Bistoni Giovanni
Published: July 2022

Background

The popularity of utilizing mesh in the breast has varied over the years. It is well described, and yet there has been poor uptake of its utilization in aesthetic breast surgery. Poly-4-huydroxybutarate (P4HB; GalaFLEX, Galatea, Lexington, MA) has recently been described as a useful adjunct in supporting poor tissue quality with positive early outcomes and low complication rates.

Objectives

The authors sought to determine the outcome and range of indications of PH4B in aesthetic breast surgery to document its effectiveness in assisting with long-term outcomes in mastopexy.

Methods

Firstly, an observational study was undertaken standardizing mastopexy techniques with P4HB included in the procedure. Photographic measurements were taken to determine the extent of lower pole descent and lower pole stretch at 3 months and 1 year postoperative to observe change over time. Secondly, other indications were explored, including the correction of secondary defects such as inferior malposition and symmastia.

Results

The results of the mastopexy study were highly encouraging and comparable with those previously published in the literature, confirming sustained stability of the lower pole over time for mastopexies and implant mastopexies. In addition, the GalaFLEX was successfully employed in correcting many secondary defects.

Conclusions

P4HB is extremely versatile and easy to utilize and has low complication rates. The results have led to a change in practice, with routine incorporation of GalaFLEX for all routine mastopexies. It has also replaced the utilization of acellular dermal matrices in aesthetic breast surgery.

Level of Evidence: 4
Identification of mouse bitter taste receptors that respond to resveratrol: a bitter-tasting polyphenolic compound
Authors: Narukawa Masataka , Misaka Takumi
Published: July 2022

The mouse bitter taste receptors (Tas2rs) that respond to resveratrol, a bitter-tasting polyphenolic compound, were identified. Among 35 members of the Tas2r family, Tas2r108, 109, 131, and 137 responded to resveratrol treatment. mRNA expression levels of Tas2r108 and Tas2r137 were higher than those of Tas2r109 and Tas2r131 in mouse circumvallate papillae, indicating that Tas2r108 and Tas2r137 may play important roles in detecting the bitterness of resveratrol in the oral cavity. The mRNA expression levels of Tas2r137 and Tas2r108 were also observed in several tissues, suggesting that Tas2r108 and Tas2r137 may also be involved in the physiological action of resveratrol.
Parameters of the adhesive setae and setal fields of the Jamaican radiation of anoles (Dactyloidae: Anolis): potential for ecomorphology at the microscopic scale
Authors: Garner Austin M , Wilson Michael C , Wright Caitlin , Russell Anthony P , Niewiarowski Peter H , Dhinojwala Ali
Published: July 2022

The subdigital adhesive pads of Caribbean Anolis lizards are considered to be a key innovation that permits occupation of novel ecological niches. Although previous work has demonstrated that subdigital pad morphology and performance vary with habitat use, such investigations have only considered the macroscale aspects of these structures (e.g. pad area). The morphological agents of attachment, however, are arrays of hair-like fibres (setae) that terminate in an expanded tip (spatula) and have not been examined in a similar manner. Here we examine the setal morphology and setal field configuration of ecologically distinct species of the monophyletic Jamaican Anolis radiation from a functional and ecological perspective. We find that anoles occupying the highest perches possess greater setal densities and smaller spatulae than those exploiting lower perches. This finding is consistent with the concept of contact splitting, whereby subdivision of an adhesive area into smaller and more densely packed fibres results in an increase in adhesive performance. Micromorphological evidence also suggests that the biomechanics of adhesive locomotion may vary between Anolis ecomorphs. Our findings indicate that, in a similar fashion to macroscale features of the subdigital pad, its microstructure may vary in relation to performance and habitat use in Caribbean Anolis.
Fine-scale population genetic structure and barriers to gene flow in a widespread seabird (Ardenna pacifica)
Authors: Herman Rachael W , Winger Benjamin M , Dittmann Donna L , Harvey Michael G
Published: July 2022

Pelagic seabirds are highly mobile, reducing opportunities for population isolation that might promote differentiation and speciation. At the same time, many seabirds are philopatric, and their tendency to return to their natal islands to breed might reduce gene flow sufficiently to permit local adaptation and differentiation. To test the net impact of these competing processes, estimates of differentiation and gene flow based on comprehensive geographical sampling are required. We leveraged diverse source material to achieve comprehensive geographical sampling in a widespread seabird, the Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica). Using data from sequence capture and high-throughput sequencing of 2402 loci containing 20 780 single nucleotide polymorphisms, we tested for population differentiation and gene flow among breeding areas. We found little evidence of deep divergences within A. pacifica but were able to resolve fine-scale differentiation across island groups. This differentiation was sufficient to assign individuals sampled away from breeding areas to their likely source populations. Estimated effective migration surfaces revealed reduced migration between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, presumably owing to land barriers, and across the equatorial Pacific Ocean, perhaps associated with differences in breeding schedule. Our results reveal that, despite their mobility, pelagic seabirds can exhibit fine-scale population differentiation and reduced gene flow among ocean basins.
The gut microbiota: a double-edged sword in endometriosis
Authors: Talwar Chandni , Singh Vertika , Kommagani Ramakrishna
Published: July 2022

Endometriosis that afflicts one in 10 women of reproductive age is characterized by growth of endometrial tissue in the extra-uterine sites and encompasses metabolic-, immunologic-, and endocrine-disruption. Importantly, several comorbidities are associated with endometriosis, especially autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. Primarily thought of as a condition arising from retrograde menstruation, emerging evidence uncovered a functional link between the gut microbiota and endometriosis. Specifically, recent findings revealed altered gut microbiota profiles in endometriosis and in turn this altered microbiota appears to be causal in the disease progression, implying a bidirectional crosstalk. In this review, we discuss the complex etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis, emphasizing on this recently recognized role of gut microbiome. We review the gut microbiome structure and functions and its complex network of interactions with the host for maintenance of homeostasis that is crucial for disease prevention. We highlight the underlying mechanisms on how some bacteria promote disease progression and others protect against endometriosis. Furthermore, we highlight the areas that require future emphases in the gut microbiome–endometriosis nexus and the potential microbiome-based therapies for amelioration of endometriosis.
CSF-derived extracellular vesicles from patients with Parkinson’s disease induce symptoms and pathology
Authors: Herman Shay , Djaldetti Ruth , Mollenhauer Brit , Offen Daniel
Published: July 2022

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the gradual appearance of intraneuronal inclusions that are primarily composed of misfolded α-synuclein protein, leading to cytotoxicity and neural death. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that misfolded α-synuclein may spread transcellularly in a prion-like manner, inducing pathological aggregates in healthy neurons, and is disseminated via secretion of extracellular vesicles. Accordingly, extracellular vesicles derived from brain lysates and CSF of patients with Parkinson’s disease were shown to facilitate α-synuclein aggregation in healthy cells. Prompted by the hypothesis of Braak and colleagues that the olfactory bulb is one of the primary propagation sites for the initiation of Parkinson’s disease, we sought to investigate the role of extracellular vesicles in the spread of α-synuclein and progression of Parkinson’s disease through the olfactory bulb.

Extracellular vesicles derived from the CSF of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or with a non-synucleinopathy neurodegenerative disorder were administered intranasally to healthy mice, once daily over 4 days. Three months later, mice were subjected to motor and non-motor tests. Functional impairments were elucidated by histochemical analysis of midbrain structures relevant to Parkinson’s disease pathology, 8 months after EVs treatment.

Mice treated with extracellular vesicles from the patients with Parkinson’s disease displayed multiple symptoms consistent with prodromal and clinical-phase Parkinson’s disease such as hyposmia, motor behaviour impairments and high anxiety levels. Furthermore, their midbrains showed widespread α-synuclein aggregations, dopaminergic neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and altered autophagy activity. Several unconventional pathologies were also observed, such as α-synuclein aggregations in the red nucleus, growth of premature grey hair and astrogliosis.

Collectively, these data indicate that intranasally administered extracellular vesicles derived from the CSF of patients with Parkinson’s disease can propagate α-synuclein aggregation in vivo and trigger Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms and pathology in healthy mice.
Obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: new insights and pathophysiological targets
Authors: Borlaug Barry A , Jensen Michael D , Kitzman Dalane W , Lam Carolyn S P , Obokata Masaru , Rider Oliver J
Published: July 2022

Obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represent two intermingling epidemics driving perhaps the greatest unmet health problem in cardiovascular medicine in the 21st century. Many patients with HFpEF are either overweight or obese, and recent data have shown that increased body fat and its attendant metabolic sequelae have widespread, protean effects systemically and on the cardiovascular system leading to symptomatic HFpEF. The paucity of effective therapies in HFpEF underscores the importance of understanding the distinct pathophysiological mechanisms of obese HFpEF to develop novel therapies. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular features of the obese phenotype of HFpEF, how increased adiposity might pathophysiologically contribute to the phenotype, and how these processes might be targeted therapeutically.
Acquisition of cross-azole tolerance and aneuploidy in Candida albicans strains evolved to posaconazole
Authors: Kukurudz Rebekah J , Chapel Madison , Wonitowy Quinn , Adamu Bukari Abdul-Rahman , Sidney Brooke , Sierhuis Riley , Gerstein Aleeza C
Published: July 2022

A number of in vitro studies have examined the acquisition of drug resistance to the triazole fluconazole, a first-line treatment for many Candida infections. Much less is known about posaconazole, a newer triazole. We conducted the first in vitro experimental evolution of replicates from 8 diverse strains of Candida albicans in a high level of the fungistatic drug posaconazole. Approximately half of the 132 evolved replicates survived 50 generations of evolution, biased toward some of the strain backgrounds. We found that although increases in drug resistance were rare, increases in drug tolerance (the slow growth of a subpopulation of cells in a level of drug above the resistance level) were common across strains. We also found that adaptation to posaconazole resulted in widespread cross-tolerance to other azole drugs. Widespread aneuploidy was observed in evolved replicates from some strain backgrounds. Trisomy of at least one of chromosomes 3, 6, and R was identified in 11 of 12 whole-genome sequenced evolved SC5314 replicates. These findings document rampant evolved cross-tolerance among triazoles and highlight that increases in drug tolerance can evolve independently of drug resistance in a diversity of C. albicans strain backgrounds.
Out of step societal and Darwinian adaptation during evolution is the cause of multiple women’s health issues
Authors: Pei Zhenle , Lu Wenhan , Feng Yi , Xu Congjian , Hsueh Aaron J W
Published: July 2022

During human evolution, major changes in our societal conditions and environment took place without sufficient time for concomitant genetic alterations, leading to out of step adaptation and diseases in women. We first discuss recent societal adaptation mismatch (menstrual bleeding; increases in cancers of reproductive organs, endometriosis; mother’s nursing; polycystic ovarian syndrome; transgenerational epigenetic modifications), followed by Darwinian out of step adaptation (labor difficulties; sex chromosomes, human diseases and sex disparity in genomic DNA). We discuss the evolutionary basis of menstrual bleeding, followed by recent increases in cancers of reproductive organs and endometriosis. The importance of breastfeeding by mothers is also emphasized. Earlier onset of menarche, decreased rates of childbirths and breastfeeding resulted in increased number of menstrual cycles in a lifetime, coupled with excess estrogen exposure and incessant ovulation, conditions that increased the susceptibility to mammary and uterine cancers as well as ovarian epithelial cancer and endometriosis. Shorter lactation duration in mothers also contributed to more menstrual cycles. We further discuss the evolutionary basis of the prevalent polycystic ovary syndrome. During the long-term Darwinian evolution, difficulties in childbirth evolved due to a narrowed pelvis, our upright walking and enlarged fetal brain sizes. Because there are 1.5% genomic DNA differences between woman and man, it is of significance to investigate sex-specific human physiology and diseases. In conclusion, understanding out of step adaptation during evolution could allow the prevention and better management of female reproductive dysfunction and diseases.
Game-based Learning: Introducing the Subject of Transitional Justice through a Serious Game
Authors: Lyubashenko Igor
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT∞

Transitional justice scholarship has produced a significant volume of valuable knowledge. However, there remains a challenge in transferring this knowledge to non-experts, such as students of academic programs that are not centered around the issue of TJ. It is an important challenge from the perspective of the interdisciplinary field, which should be interested in popularizing its scholarship and engaging representatives of related disciplines to engage in TJ-related research. In this article, I claim that serious games can be used to address this problem. I present a concise review of the literature devoted to the application of serious games in the social sciences, focusing specifically on the application of serious games for didactic purposes. Then, I present a game designed to tackle the challenge mentioned, which presents non-experts with TJ-associated dilemmas inspired by real-life situations and thereby demonstrates the importance of existing knowledge for solving such dilemmas.
The cost of a first and second hospital-wide accreditation in Flanders, Belgium
Authors: Brouwers Jonas , Seys Deborah , Claessens Fien , Van Wilder Astrid , Bruyneel Luk , De Ridder Dirk , Eeckloo Kristof , Vanhaecht Kris , Kesteloot Katrien
Published: July 2022

Background

Hospital accreditation is a popular and widely used quality control and improvement instrument. Despite potential benefits, ques-tions are raised whether it constitutes appropriate use of hospitals’ limited financial resources.

Objective

This study aims to calculate the cost of preparing for and undergoing a first and second accreditation by the Joint Commission International or Qualicor Europe in acute-care hospitals.

Method

All (n = 53) acute-care hospitals in Flanders (Belgium) were invited to participate and report on the costs in preparing for and undergoing a first and/or second accreditation cycle. To measure costs, a questionnaire with six domains and 90 questions was developed based on literature review, policy documents and a multidisciplinary expert group. All costs were recalculated to 2020 euro to correct for inflation and reported as medians with interquartile range.

Results

A total of 25 hospitals (47%) participated in the study. Additional investments and direct operational costs for a first accreditation cycle amounted to 879.45 euro (interquartile range: 794.81) per bed and 3.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) per hospital additional new staff members were recruited for coordination and implementation of the trajectory. A second accreditation survey costed remarkably less with a total cost of extra investments and direct operational cost of 222.88 euro (interquartile range: 244.04) per bed and less investment in additional staff (1.50 FTE). Most of the costs were situated in consulting costs and investments in infrastructure. The median total extra cost (direct operational cost and additional investments) amounted to 0.2% of the hospital’s operating income for a first accreditation cycle and 0.05% for a second cycle.

Conclusion

A first accreditation cycle requires a strong financial commitment of hospitals, as many costs result from the preparation in the years prior to an accreditation survey. A second survey is less expensive for hospitals, but still requires a considerable effort in terms of budget and staff. Policy makers should be aware of these significant costs as hospitals are operating with public resources and budget is scarce. The identification of these costs is a necessary building block to evaluate cost-effectiveness of accreditation versus other quality improvement systems and the continuation of these accreditation systems and their costs needs further study and a thorough debate.
Korean Aesthetic Ideals: “Jayeon”
Authors: Park So-Jeong
Published: July 2022

Korean art and music have a long history, but aesthetic research on them has only been around for a little over a hundred years. Critiques and discourses on traditional arts such as poetry, calligraphy, and painting can be traced back to the Joseon or even Goryeo dynasties, but the modern discussion on the common features of Korean aesthetics was conducted much later than that in Western Europe, where the field of aesthetics was established in the mid to late eighteenth century. Early aestheticists who tried to explain aesthetic consciousness in Korean culture and art converged on the concept of Jayeon, which can be translated provisionally as “nature,” seemingly diverging from western aesthetics’ focus on the concept of “beauty.” Jayeon shares the same Chinese characters as ziran (自然), an early Daoist concept, but jayeon in a Korean aesthetic context does not appear to be limited to the connotation of its Chinese origin. This article unpacks the different ways in which jayeon captures the key characteristics of Korean art and aesthetics.
Weak genotype x environment interaction suggests that measuring scrotal circumference at 12 and 18 mo of age is helpful to select precocious Brahman cattle
Authors: Nascimento Bárbara M , Carvalheiro Roberto , Teixeira Rodrigo de A , Dias Laila T , Fortes Marina R S
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotype x environment interaction (GxE) for scrotal circumference (SC) measured at different ages using pedigree-based (A−1) and pedigree and genomic-based (H−1) relationship matrices. Data from 1,515 Brahman bulls, from the Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies (Beef CRC) experimental dataset, were used in this study. SC was adjusted to age and body weight measured at 6 mo (SC6), 12 mo (SC12), 18 mo (SC18), and 24 mo of age (SC24). Body weight (BW) measured at 6 mo (BW6), 12 mo (BW12), 18 mo (BW18), and 24 mo of age (BW24) was used as criteria to describe the environment for SC in each age. All the animals measured were genotyped using medium-density SNP chips (“50k” or “70k” SNP) and their genotype were imputed using a reference panel with 729,068 SNP. The environment gradient (EG) was obtained by standardizing the solutions of the contemporary groups obtained by Animal Model with BW as the dependent variable. Then, the reaction norms (RN) were determined through a Random Regression Model. The breeding values (EBV) were estimated using either A−1 or H−1. The rank correlation was obtained using Spearman’s correlation among the EBV estimated for the traits in analysis. For SC6 and SC24, higher estimates of heritability (h²) were obtained using A−1, when compared with those observed with H−1. In those ages, the improvement of the environment decreases the h² coefficient. On the other hand, the h² for SC12 and SC18 increased as the environment became more favorable, regardless of the matrix used. The RN for SC6 and SC24 estimated using A−1 and H−1 showed a decrease of variance from the worst to the best environment, an indication of existence of GxE. On the other hand, for SC12 and SC18, there were no significant differences between the EBV estimated in the lower and in the higher environments, regardless of the kinship matrix used, suggesting absence of GxE on those ages. Spearman’s correlation among EBV estimated using A−1 and H−1 in different EG was practically equal to unity for all traits evaluated. In our study, there was weak evidence of GxE effect on SC in ages suitable for selection for sexual precocity. So, the absence of GxE at 12 and 18 mo means that these ages are advantageous for measuring SC to selection for sexual precocity. The advantage is that no changes in classification were observed when the sires were evaluated in different environments.
Catherine Helen Spence’s Autobiography: Literary Culture and Associational Life in Nineteenth-Century South Australia
Authors: Shaikh Fariha
Published: July 2022

This article examines Catherine Helen Spence’s Autobiography through the lens of settler colonial sociability. It argues that Spence strategically depicts associational life in the Autobiography to showcase for her readers a version of organized settler colonial sociability that envisages a role for White, middle-class urban women in the construction and expansion of settler colonial Australia. Spence’s literary and political sociability extends between Australia, Britain and the US. While it is transnational in scope, however, at the same it is exclusionary in its politics: as its very foundation rests on the exclusion of the White working classes and Australian Indigenous peoples.
A deep survey of short GRB host galaxies over z ∼ 0–2: implications for offsets, redshifts, and environments
Authors: O’Connor B , Troja E , Dichiara S , Beniamini P , Cenko S B , Kouveliotou C , González J B , Durbak J , Gatkine P , Kutyrev A , Sakamoto T , Sánchez-Ramírez R , Veilleux S
Published: July 2022

A significant fraction (30 per cent) of well-localized short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs) lack a coincident host galaxy. This leads to two main scenarios: (i) that the progenitor system merged outside of the visible light of its host, or (ii) that the sGRB resided within a faint and distant galaxy that was not detected by follow-up observations. Discriminating between these scenarios has important implications for constraining the formation channels of neutron star mergers, the rate and environments of gravitational wave sources, and the production of heavy elements in the Universe. In this work, we present the results of our observing campaign targeted at 31 sGRBs that lack a putative host galaxy. Our study effectively doubles the sample of well-studied sGRB host galaxies, now totaling 72 events of which $28{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ lack a coincident host to deep limits (r ≳ 26 or F110W ≳ 27 AB mag), and represents the largest homogeneously selected catalogue of sGRB offsets to date. We find that 70 per cent of sub-arcsecond localized sGRBs occur within 10 kpc of their host’s nucleus, with a median projected physical offset of 5.6 kpc. Using this larger population, we discover an apparent redshift evolution in their locations: bursts at low-z occur at 2 × larger offsets compared to those at z > 0.5. This evolution could be due to a physical evolution of the host galaxies themselves or a bias against faint high-z galaxies. Furthermore, we discover a sample of hostless sGRBs at z ≳ 1 that are indicative of a larger high-z population, constraining the redshift distribution and disfavoring lognormal delay time models.
Hydroxypyridinones in nitrogen-fixing bacterial cultures: a metal buffer for molybdenum and simulation of natural conditions
Authors: Mohr Jan Frieder , Gama Sofia , Roy Sébastien , Bellenger Jean-Philippe , Plass Winfried , Wichard Thomas
Published: July 2022

Organic matter regulates the availability of important trace elements in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by acting as a source and container for microbes. To overcome the limitation of trace elements, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, e.g. release low-molecular-weight chelators (metallophores), which scavenge the essential cofactors of the nitrogenase, iron, and molybdenum (Mo), via complexation and subsequent uptake. The formation of metallophores is triggered by limiting conditions, which must be replicated in the laboratory in order to study metallophores as a mediator in metal cycling. While ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-based buffer systems for metal cations are well established, there is limited knowledge regarding the buffering of oxoanions such as molybdate in a bacterial growth medium. To mimic the availability of molybdenum in nature under laboratory conditions, this study created a Mo-buffer system for bacterial growth media of the model organisms Azotobacter vinelandii and Frankia sp. CH37. We investigated selected hydroxypyridinones (HPs) as potential molybdenum-chelating agents, determining the amount required for efficient molybdenum complexation by calculating speciation plots of the various candidate complexes in artificial growth media at various pH values. The Mo–maltol system was identified as an ideal, nontoxic molybdenum-buffer system. In the presence of the Mo–maltol system, the growth of Frankia sp. was limited under diazotrophic conditions, whereas A. vinelandii could acquire molybdenum through the release of protochelin and subsequent molybdenum uptake. The study paves the way for unravelling molybdenum recruitment and homeostasis under limiting conditions in bacteria.
Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes With Two Different Starting Doses of Lenvatinib in Combination With Everolimus for Previously Treated Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Bergerot Cristiane , Young Rha Sun , Pal Sumanta , Koralewski Piotr , Stroyakovskiy Daniil , Alekseev Boris , Parnis Francis , Castellano Daniel , Lyun Lee Jae , Sunela Kaisa , Ciuleanu Tudor , Heng Daniel , Glen Hilary , Wang Jinyi , Bennett Lee , Pan Janice , O’Hara Karen , Puente Javier
Published: July 2022

Background

Preserving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important goal during renal cell carcinoma treatment. We report HRQOL outcomes from a phase II trial (NCT03173560).

Patients and Methods

HRQOL data were collected during a multicenter, randomized, open-label phase II study comparing the safety and efficacy of 2 different starting doses of lenvatinib (18 mg vs. 14 mg daily) in combination with everolimus (5 mg daily), following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor–targeted treatment. HRQOL was measured using 3 different instruments—FKSI-DRS, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EQ-5D-3L—which were all secondary endpoints. Change from baseline was assessed using linear mixed-effects models. Deterioration events for time to deterioration (TTD) analyses were defined using established thresholds for minimally important differences in the change from baseline for each scale. TTD for each treatment arm was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Baseline characteristics of the 343 participants randomly assigned to 18 mg lenvatinib (n = 171) and 14 mg lenvatinib (n = 172) were well balanced. Least-squares mean estimates for change from baseline were favorable for the 18 mg group over the 14 mg group for the FKSI-DRS and most EORTC QLQ-C30 scales, but differences between treatments did not exceed the minimally important thresholds. Median TTD was longer among participants in the 18 mg group than those in the 14 mg group for most scales.

Conclusions

Participants who received an 18 mg lenvatinib starting dose had favorable HRQOL scores and longer TTD on most scales compared with those who received a 14 mg starting dose.
The Karrikin Receptor Karrikin Insensitive2 Positively Regulates Heat Stress Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Abdelrahman Mostafa , Mostofa Mohammad Golam , Tran Cuong Duy , El-sayed Magdi , Li Weiqiang , Sulieman Saad , Tanaka Maho , Seki Motoaki , Tran Lam-Son Phan
Published: July 2022

In this study, we investigated the potential role of the karrikin receptor KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) in the response of Arabidopsis seedlings to high-temperature stress. We performed phenotypic, physiological and transcriptome analyses of Arabidopsis kai2 mutants and wild-type (WT) plants under control (kai2_C and WT_C, respectively) and 6- and 24-h heat stress conditions (kai2_H6, kai2_H24, WT_H6 and WT_H24, respectively) to understand the basis for KAI2-regulated heat stress tolerance. We discovered that the kai2 mutants exhibited hypersensitivity to high-temperature stress relative to WT plants, which might be associated with a more highly increased leaf surface temperature and cell membrane damage in kai2 mutant plants. Next, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis of kai2_C, kai2_H6, kai2_H24, WT_C, WT_H6 and WT_H24 to identify transcriptome differences between WT and kai2 mutants in response to heat stress. K-mean clustering of normalized gene expression separated the investigated genotypes into three clusters based on heat-treated and non-treated control conditions. Within each cluster, the kai2 mutants were separated from WT plants, implying that kai2 mutants exhibited distinct transcriptome profiles relative to WT plants. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses showed a repression in ‘misfolded protein binding’, ‘heat shock protein binding’, ‘unfolded protein binding’ and ‘protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum’ pathways, which was consistent with the downregulation of several genes encoding heat shock proteins and heat shock transcription factors in the kai2 mutant versus WT plants under control and heat stress conditions. Our findings suggest that chemical or genetic manipulation of KAI2 signaling may provide a novel way to improve heat tolerance in plants.
Quantum circuit for the direct measurement of the three-tangle of three-qubit states
Authors: Yahyavi Marziyeh , Jafarizadeh Mohammad Ali , Karimi Naser , Heshmati Ahmad
Published: July 2022

Understanding how to decompose quantum computations in the language of the shortest possible sequence of quantum gates is of interest to many researchers due to the importance of the experimental implementation of the desired quantum computations. We contribute to this research by providing a quantum circuit to directly measure the three-tangle of three-qubit quantum states. Direct measurement of outcome probabilities in the computational basis quantifies the three-tangle of the three-qubit quantum states.