bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative dipolar electrocardiotopographic study of ventricular activation in Macaca mulatta monkeys and man.
Authors: Ruttkay-Nedecký I
Published: November 2022

Electrocardiographic correlates of ventricular activation sequence were studied in 22 Macaca mulatta monkeys, aged 1-18 years, and 145 human subjects, aged 11-72 years, using the corrected orthogonal lead system of McFee-Parungao and the dipolar electrocardiotopographic (DECARTO) data presentation, where the time series of instantaneous spatial vectors are converted into time series of areas of activation on a spherical image surface enveloping the heart. Macaques had shorter ventricular activation time (61+/-11 vs. 97+/-11 ms) that could not be explained exclusively by their higher heart rate. Their DECARTO image of the resultant activation front occurred 10 ms after QRS onset (septal activation) identically with humans, but it attained a more anteriorly oriented maximum earlier than in humans (20 vs. 40 ms). The time course of the extent of the resultant activation front in old macaques (15-18 years) resembled to that observed in humans. On the average, female macaques had smaller DECARTO images of activation fronts throughout the QRS complex than males. This finding is in agreement with the known smaller QRS amplitudes in women than in men.
New variants in the apolipoprotein AV gene in individuals with extreme triglyceride levels.
Authors: Hubáček JA , Adámková V , Češka R , Poledne R , Hořínek A , Vráblík M
Published: November 2022

Animal studies (on transgenic and knock-out mice) and human association analysis assessed the importance of APOAV gene for plasma triglyceride determination. New APOAV missense variants (Val153 → Met and Cys185 → Gly) have been detected recently. We have analyzed these variants in 83 unrelated patients with extreme lipid parameters (triglycerides of 20.4±12.8 mmol/l and total cholesterol of 10.4±3.7 mmol/l) and in a control population group consisting of 2,559 unrelated Caucasians. In patients, the frequency of the Met153 carriers was slightly but not significantly higher (9.64 % vs. 6.49 %) compared to the population sample. This suggested that Val153 → Met polymorphism in the APOAV gene does not represent an important risk factor for developing the extreme levels of plasma triglycerides. We did not detect carriers of the Gly185 allele among patients or 420 healthy individuals. We suppose that this variant is probably not present in Caucasian populations.
Non-Invasive Imaging Modalities in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Where Do We Stand?
Authors: Albhaisi Somaya
Published: November 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis and staging of fibrosis in patients with NAFLD; however, it is invasive, costly, and may be associated with morbidity and even mortality, so is not suitable for screening the large number of individuals who are at risk of, or have, NAFLD. Therefore, there has been tremendous focus on finding non-invasive diagnostic modalities, including imaging. New imaging modalities are emerging and may potentially replace biopsy. This review discusses the different non-invasive imaging modalities for the assessment of NAFLD.
RURAL LIVELIHOOD TRANSFORMATION AS AN EFFECT OF JATIGEDE DAM DEVELOPMENT IN SUMEDANG WEST JAVA
Authors: Widjaja Arni Muslimah Handayani
Published: November 2022

Jatigede dam development in Sumedang, West Java, was planned in the 1960s and facing a dynamic revolution in Indonesia’s Governmental System. The political shift causes a change in the government’s priority of development, and as a result, this project had been postponed for decades. In the 1980s, The Government had given land compensation to the rural householder who lives at the site plan. The long-postponed development execution makes rural people unaware to leave the site and continue living on the compensated land for generations. Then in 2012, Government decides to execute the development as a targeted Indonesian Economic Master Plan to boost economic growth. This sudden regulation causes shock and stress for rural people’s livelihood since they should change their way of living in a short time since access to resources became limited by inundation. However, the Dam development unavoidably causes rural transformation that has an impact on rural people’s livelihood. Rural Livelihood transformation can be seen in livelihood assets including natural, financial, physical, human, and social assets condition after the inundation. This paper aims to identify the condition of rural livelihood assets as an impact of rural transformation caused by Jatigede Dam development in Sumedang, West Java. Therefore, the study outcomes were determined as a recommendation for preventing vulnerability by implementing programs for the impacted rural household.
Evaluation of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Scavenging Activities of Ulva lactuca
Authors: T Tamilarasi , T Malarvili , K Suganthi , C Anitha
Published: November 2022

The objective of current study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activities of ethanol extract of Ulva lactuca L. The DPPH, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide, hydroxyl, and nitric oxide radicals assays were used to determine the ethanol extract of U. lactuca's in vitro antioxidant activity. At different concentrations, the radical scavenging activity was measured. The high concentration of phytochemical components in U. lactuca extract may be the cause of its antioxidant properties. The Ulva lactuca is a significant source of natural antioxidants that may provide defence against illnesses caused by free radicals. Additionally, research is needed to isolate and characterise the algal active chemicals for use in in vivo tests and to understand their mechanisms of action
Mathematical Analysis of an Atherosclerotic Artery in Presence of Externally Applied Magnetic Field
Authors: Ratan Kumar Bose , Deb Narayan Garain
Published: November 2022

In general Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the arteries caused by formation of plaque (fat and calcium) in inner arterial wall. Hardening in inner wall of the arteries restricts the speed of flow in the arteries, which prevents the organs and tissues to get sufficient oxygenated blood for smooth functioning. The characteristics of blood and its flow can deliberate the fundamental understanding with respect to different rheological and haemodynamic properties of blood, which may help in detection and medication of several cardio-vascular, cerebro-vascular and arterial diseases. Many cardio-vascular diseases are caused due to abnormal flow of blood caused by stenosis (tapered segment in local lumen of the inner arterial wall). The arterial turbulence and flow variations are mainly caused by means of unpleasant arterial flow of blood and viscous head losses due to stenosis. The platelets of blood are generally activated by means of very high shear-stresses near stenosis-throat. The induced thrombosis may cause reduced flow velocity of blood flow to the brain and heart. The collective applications of analytical measures and numerical techniques may analyze the problem for more quantifiable investigation. It has been notified to different analytical study that the resistance of flow causes the increase of inner wall skin-friction with simultaneous increase of height of stenosis. Here the character of flow in artery is considered as axi-symmetric in nature. The measure of asymmetrical stenosis found from a mild stenosed artery in threedimensional structure, so that from physiological approach analysis would be more authentic under consideration with the different parameters of flow. According to the rheological parameters the flow model is considered to be Herschel-Bulkley fluid Model. The outcomes connected to Newtonian model of flow are represented as a distinct event of investigations by assuming the suitable values of fluid-index considered as “n”. Blood is characterized as a fluid having electrical conductance, the externally applied magneto hydrodynamic effects are also applied to reduce the flow acceleration of blood in arteries. The analysis is much efficient to explore the collective measures of data information related to phenomena of physiological problem in Atherosclerotic artery.
La difusión de la gastronomía ecuatoriana mediante el geomarketing
Authors:   Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Haro Sosa Giovanny Lenin , Yépez Moreno Sheyla ,   Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Chávez García Elsita Margoht ,   Universidad Estatal de Bolívar
Published: November 2022

El emprendimiento en el Ecuador permanece enlazado con el ámbito comercial de las ciudades más importantes, y frente a la carencia de enormes organizaciones productoras, los individuos se ven en la necesidad de incursionar en pequeños negocios, varios de los cuales tuvieron un incremento sustentable. La presente averiguación tiene como finalidad exponer un trabajo sobre un instrumento de estudio y/o idealización como es el Geomarketing la misma que podría ser aplicada en cualquier compañía para que logre agrandar su cobertura en ventas. El Geomarketing se fundamenta en la utilización de herramientas informáticas de estudio espacial como son los sistemas de información geográfica (SIG o GIS). Esta indagación busca conseguir la comprensión y descripción integral del ámbito comercial; el ejercicio de su ejecución dejará detectar las oportunidades de la implementación del geomarketing y de qué manera es acogido, en el comercio ambateño, basados en la segmentación geográfica, las cuales integran la estimación, identificación y ubicación poblacional económicamente activa que van a ser los potenciales consumidores, además en donde está localizados los restaurantes dedicados a la preparación de platos típicos; los resultados son una representación mediante tabulaciones de acuerdo a la encuesta aplicada a los habitante de la parroquia Juan Benigno Vela.
Factores socio-educativos en la continuidad de estudios superiores en los bachilleres de la comunidad Chibuleo
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Moyano Cusco Juan Carlos , Hernández Junco Varna ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Published: November 2022

La no continuidad de los estudios universitarios persiste aun en la actualidad, lo que constituye un problema de carácter social que debe ser resuelto, especialmente en las poblaciones estudiantiles indígenas. Ante esta situación surge la pregunta: ¿Cuáles son los factores socio-educativos que inciden en la no continuidad de los estudios superiores en los estudiantes de la comunidad Chibuleo? La cual se responde, cumpliendo con el objetivo de determinar los factores socio-educativos que se relacionan con la no continuidad de estudios superiores de los bachilleres de la Unidad Educativa Intercultural Bilingüe Chibuleo. El enfoque metodológico utilizado es el cuantitativo, no experimental, transversal, de alcance descriptivo, correlacional y explicativo. Se aplica un cuestionario a 138 estudiantes y a 120 bachilleres egresados del bachillerato general unificado, cuyo resultado muestra que, aun cuando los egresados manifiestan interés por completar los estudios universitarios, el 40% de ellos nunca inició estudios superiores, y, el 43,33% de los alumnos que iniciaron los estudios universitarios desertó de la carrera en algún semestre. Se concluye que existe correlación significativa entre la continuidad de estudio y los factores socioeducativos relacionados con el perfil del estudiante, la trayectoria escolar previa al ingreso al tercer nivel, la preparación académica para el ingreso a la universidad, el financiamiento para los estudios universitarios. Además, de estos factores, la explotación del trabajo adolescente, los compromisos maritales del estudiante, el lenguaje y las prácticas pedagógicas autoritarias son los factores de mayor influencia en la continuidad de estudios.
A Dymola-Python framework for data-driven model creation and co-simulation
Authors: Wilfling Sandra , Falay Basak , Alfalouji Qamar , Schweiger Gerald
Published: November 2022

The introduction of cyber-physical systems has been a recent development in energy systems. Cyber-physical systems contain digital components for applications such as monitoring or control. In many cases, modeling multiple aspects of such cyber-physical systems poses a challenge to conventional simulation tools. In addition, recent modeling approaches, such as data-driven modeling, are being applied. The combination of such data-driven models, which may consist of a different architecture than traditional models, with traditional models can be implemented through co-simulation methods. In co-simulation, components created from different simulation tools can be combined and coupled through standardized interfaces. This work presents a framework for data-driven model generation and co-simulation. The framework is implemented in Python and Dymola and is based on the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard. The framework implements the creation of data-driven models in Python, the generation of Functional Mock-up Units (FMUs) through the frameworks uniFMU and pythonFMU, as well the creation of a testbench model in Dymola and the co-simulation of this model. The framework is demonstrated on the application of a solar collector from a single family house heating system.
Developing methylotrophic microbial platforms for a methanol-based bioindustry
Authors: Singh Hawaibam Birla , Kang Min-Kyoung , Kwon Moonhyuk , Kim Seon-Won
Published: November 2022

Methanol, a relatively cheap and renewable single-carbon feedstock, has gained considerable attention as a substrate for the bio-production of commodity chemicals. Conventionally produced from syngas, along with emerging possibilities of generation from methane and CO2, this C1 substrate can serve as a pool for sequestering greenhouse gases while supporting a sustainable bio-economy. Methylotrophic organisms, with the inherent ability to use methanol as the sole carbon and energy source, are competent candidates as platform organisms. Accordingly, methanol bioconversion pathways have been an attractive target for biotechnological and bioengineering interventions in developing microbial cell factories. This review summarizes the recent advances in methanol-based production of various bulk and value-added chemicals exploiting the native and synthetic methylotrophic organisms. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of streamlining these methylotrophic platforms are discussed.
Chemical elicitation as an avenue for discovery of bioactive compounds from fungal endophytes
Authors: Munusamy Madhaiyan , Ching Kuan Chieh , Yang Lay Kien , Crasta Sharon , Gakuubi Martin Muthee , Chee Zhao Yan , Wibowo Mario , Leong Chung Yan , Kanagasundaram Yoganathan , Ng Siew Bee
Published: November 2022

The present study investigated the molecular phylogeny, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of fungal endophytes obtained from the A*STAR Natural Organism Library (NOL) and previously isolated from Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS2 gene suggests that these isolates belong to 46 morphotypes and are affiliated to 23 different taxa in 17 genera of the Ascomycota phylum. Colletotrichum was the most dominant fungal genus accounting for 37% of all the isolates, followed by Diaporthe (13%), Phyllosticta (10.9%) and Diplodia (8.7%). Chemical elicitation using 5-azacytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor resulted in an increase in the number of active strains. Bioassay-guided isolation and structural elucidation yielded pestahivin and two new analogues from Bartalinia sp. F9447. Pestahivin and its related analogues did not exhibit antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus but displayed strong antifungal activities against Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis, with IC50 values ranging from 0.46 ± 0.06 to 144 ± 18 µM. Pestahivin and its two analogues furthermore exhibited cytotoxic activity against A549 and MIA PACA-2 cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.65 ± 0.12 to 42 ± 5.2 µM. The finding from this study reinforces that chemical epigenetic induction is a promising approach for the discovery of bioactive fungal secondary metabolites encoded by cryptic gene clusters.
Biological synthesis of hybrid silver nanoparticles by Periploca aphylla Dcne. From nanotechnology to biotechnology applications
Authors: Arshad Saba , Anwar Natasha , Rauf Mamoona , Anwar Zeeshan , Shah Mohib , Hamayun Muhammad , Ud-Din Jalal , Gul Humaira , Nasim Sahar , Lee In-Jung , Arif Muhammad
Published: November 2022

Nanotechnology is one of the advanced technologies that have almost universal implications in every field of science. The importance is due to the unique properties of nanoparticles; however, green synthesized nanoparticles are considered eco-friendly. The current project was rationalized to prepare green-synthesized biogenic Periploca aphylla Dcne. silver nanoparticles (Pe-AgNPs) and poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate coated AgNPs nanocomposites (PEGMA-AgNPs) with higher potential for their application in plant tissue culture for enhancing the biomass of Stevia rebaudiana calli. The increased biomass accumulation (17.61 g/3 plates) was observed on a medium containing virgin Pe-AgNPs 40th days after incubation, while the maximum increase was found by supplementing virgin Pe-AgNPs and PEGMA capped AgNPs (19.56 g/3 plates), compared with control (12.01 g/3 plates). In this study, PEGMA capped AgNPs supplementation also induced the maximum increase in total phenolics content (2.46 mg GAE/g-FW), total flavonoids content (3.68 mg QE/g-FW), SOD activity (53.78 U/ml protein), GSH content (139.75 μg/g FW), antioxidant activity (54.3 mg AAE/g FW), FRAP (54 mg AAE/g FW), and DPPH (76.3%) in S. rebaudiana calli compared with the control. It was concluded that virgin Pe-AgNPs and PEGMA capped AgNPs (hybrid polymer) are potent growth regulator agents and elicitors that can be exploited in the biotechnology field for growth promotion and induction of essential bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites from various commercially important and medicinally valuable plants such as S. rebaudiana without laborious field cultivation.
Deciphering the genetic network and programmed regulation of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens
Authors: Ramamurthy Thandavarayan , Ghosh Amit , Chowdhury Goutam , Mukhopadhyay Asish K. , Dutta Shanta , Miyoshi Shin-inchi
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is an important global health problem affecting humans, animals, and the environment. AMR is considered as one of the major components in the “global one health”. Misuse/overuse of antibiotics in any one of the segments can impact the integrity of the others. In the presence of antibiotic selective pressure, bacteria tend to develop several defense mechanisms, which include structural changes of the bacterial outer membrane, enzymatic processes, gene upregulation, mutations, adaptive resistance, and biofilm formation. Several components of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) play an important role in the dissemination of AMR. Each one of these components has a specific function that lasts long, irrespective of any antibiotic pressure. Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), insertion sequence elements (ISs), and transposons carry the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) on different genetic backbones. Successful transfer of ARGs depends on the class of plasmids, regulons, ISs proximity, and type of recombination systems. Additionally, phage-bacterial networks play a major role in the transmission of ARGs, especially in bacteria from the environment and foods of animal origin. Several other functional attributes of bacteria also get successfully modified to acquire ARGs. These include efflux pumps, toxin-antitoxin systems, regulatory small RNAs, guanosine pentaphosphate signaling, quorum sensing, two-component system, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems. The metabolic and virulence state of bacteria is also associated with a range of genetic and phenotypic resistance mechanisms. In spite of the availability of a considerable information on AMR, the network associations between selection pressures and several of the components mentioned above are poorly understood. Understanding how a pathogen resists and regulates the ARGs in response to antimicrobials can help in controlling the development of resistance. Here, we provide an overview of the importance of genetic network and regulation of AMR in bacterial pathogens.
Comparison of validation protocols for blood pressure measuring devices in children and adolescents
Authors: Stabouli Stella , Chainoglou Athanasia , Evripidou Kleo , Simão Carla , Antza Christina , Petrou Panagiotis , Hamdani Gilad , Calpe Javier , Lurbe Empar
Published: November 2022

Accuracy of blood pressure (BP) measurement is important for the evaluation of hypertension in children and adolescents, and it is critically dependent upon the accuracy of the BP measuring device. A device that could pass validated protocols with reliable accuracy would be desirable in clinical and research settings. Several scientific organizations have published recommendations on the validation of different BP measuring devices. Most of them focus on adults but separate recommendations and validation criteria for BP devices intended for use in children and adolescents are included in some validation protocols. In this review, we compare the validation criteria for BP measuring devices among consensus documents from different scientific organizations focusing on the pediatric population and we discuss the evidence gaps targeting the needs for validated BP measuring devices in children and adolescents. We also highlight common pitfalls in the validation studies of BP measuring devices in children and adolescents using the example of office BP devices.
A retrospective study of thoracic endovascular aortic repair timing in patients with uncomplicated type B dissection who have a smoking history
Authors: Gao Hui-Qiang , Li Guoqi , Zhang Hong-Kai , Zhang Lan-Lin , Xu Shang-Dong
Published: November 2022

Objective

To determine the optimal timing of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for patients with uncomplicated type B dissections who have a smoking history.

Methods

Data from 308 consecutive patients with uncomplicated type B dissections, who have a smoking history and onset-to-TEVAR time within 90 days, were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: Acute and subacute phases. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Smooth curve fitting and threshold analysis were performed to characterize the relationship between the onset-to-TEVAR time and follow-up deaths.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups. Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis showed that if early TEVAR was performed within 9.4 days from onset, there was better long-term survival and there was no significant difference after 9.4 days.

Conclusion

By studying the relationship between onset-to-TEVAR time and all-cause mortality, we found that early TEVAR may have a lower all-cause mortality rate during follow-up in uncomplicated type B dissection patients who have a smoking history and within 90 days from onset.
Myocardial injury and its correlation to mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ababneh Muhannad J. , Al-Kasasbeh Abdullah , Jarrah Mohamad , Malkawi Lujain , Sanduka Omar , Smadi Areje M. , Smadi Mahmoud M.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This retrospective observational study was conducted to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with positive cardiac enzymes in the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) in Irbid, Jordan.

Patients and methods

A total of 676 patients admitted to KAUH for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 were included in the study. Clinical and mortality data were collected from patients’ electronic medical records.

Results

A significant association was found between myocardial injury and In-hospital mortality. Seven comorbidities were identified as risk factors for myocardial injury: Hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), previous cerebrovascular accident (CVA), ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiac arrhythmias. The need for intensive care unit (ICU) for invasive ventilation was also associated with myocardial injury. Acute kidney injury (AKI) during hospitalization had a significantly higher incidence of myocardial injury and mortality. Acute myocardial infarction (MI) and acute peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were also associated with higher mortality.

Conclusion

Myocardial injury is an important predictor of mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 disease. Patients with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, any vascular diseases, cardiac arrhythmias or heart failure are considered high-risk for adverse outcome. Additionally, COVID-19 patients with myocardial injury and acute kidney injury were recognized with the highest mortality rate.
Association between psoriasis and coronary artery calcification: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Huihui , Luo Zeyu , Liu Juanhua , Luo Diqing , Song Luli , Zhao Yukun
Published: November 2022

Background

Psoriasis and atherosclerosis have overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. However, the association between psoriasis and coronary artery calcification (CAC), a hallmark of atherosclerosis and a predictor of poor cardiovascular prognosis, remains to be determined. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the association between these related inflammatory conditions.

Methods

Observational studies evaluating the relationship between psoriasis and CAC were retrieved by searching PubMed, Cochrane’s Library, and Embase databases. Presence of CAC was confirmed according to an Agatston’s Score >0 upon computed tomography examination. A random-effect model incorporating between-study heterogeneity was used to pool the results.

Results

Sixteen studies involving 3,039 patients with psoriasis and 46,191 controls without psoriasis were included in the meta-analysis. All participants were without previously known cardiovascular diseases. Pooled results showed that psoriasis was associated with overall CAC [odds ratio (OR): 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.23–1.91, p < 0.001; I2 = 57%], after matching or adjusting the conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Subgroup analyses showed that study country, comorbidity of psoriatic arthritis, baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and duration of psoriasis (p for subgroup difference all >0.05) did not significantly affect the association of psoriasis and CAC. However, a stronger association was observed in younger patients (mean age <50 years, OR: 2.63, p < 0.001) compared to older patients (≥50 years, OR: 1.24, p = 0.02; p for subgroup difference <0.001).

Conclusion

Psoriasis is associated with CAC, and the association may be stronger in younger patients.
The efficacy of a four-stage learning model incorporating ACODESA method and mind map in fostering students’ mathematical communication skills: A data report
Authors: Tong Duong Huu , Uyen Bui Phuong
Published: November 2022

Learning mathematics equips students with the necessary competencies, and mathematical communication abilities allow them to discuss and exchange mathematical ideas with others. Correspondingly, research is needed into ways to help students develop these skills. These data were collected from 87 students in grade 10 at An Nhon Tay High School in the Cu Chi neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These students took part in a quasi-experimental study whose goal was to determine how a four-step learning model that included activities using the ACODESA method and mind maps affected the student’s ability to communicate mathematically. In the experimental group, students were taught using the learning mentioned above model, while those in the control group received traditional instruction. To determine the efficacy of this teaching strategy, a quasi-experiment that included a pre-test, a treatment, and a post-test was designed and carried out. The student’s development in mathematical and linguistic activities was evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data that was gathered. Data gathered may shed light on how effective the learning model is in helping high school students enhance their mathematical communication skills. Also, the pre-test and post-test items from the supplementary data files can be a starting point for creating new learning tasks to evaluate students’ mathematical communication abilities.
Simulating computerized adaptive testing in special education based on inclusive progress monitoring data
Authors: Ebenbeck Nikola , Gebhardt Markus
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Adaptive tests have advantages especially for children with special needs but are rarely used in practice. Therefore, we have investigated for our web-based progress-monitoring platform www.levumi.de of how to build adaptive tests based on existing item pools by computerized adaptive testing (CAT). In this study, we explore the requirements of item pools and necessary settings of computerized adaptive testing in special education and inclusion in order to achieve both short test length and good test accuracy.

Methods

We used existing items fitted to the Rasch model and data samples of progress monitoring tests (N = 681) for mathematics and reading to create two item pools for adaptive testing. In a simulation study (N = 4,000), we compared different test lengths and test accuracies as stopping rules with regard to an inclusive use of adaptive testing.

Results

The results show an optimal maximum test length of 37 and 24 items, with a target standard error for accuracy of 0.5. These results correspond to an average execution time of about 3 min per test.

Discussion

The results are discussed in terms of the use of adaptive testing in inclusive settings and the applicability of such adaptive tests as screenings, focusing mainly on students with special needs in learning, language, or behavior.
Deficit irrigation scheduling with mulching and yield prediction of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in a subtropical humid region
Authors: Jat Rajkumar , Singh V. P. , Ali Abed Salwan , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Singh P. K. , Vishwakarma Dinesh Kumar , Choudhary Ashok , Al-Sadoon Mohammad Khalid , Popat Raj C. , Jat Suresh Kumar
Published: November 2022

Drip irrigation and mulching are often used to alleviate the problem of poor water management in many crops; however, these technologies have not yet been tested for applying water at critical stages of guava orchard growth in subtropical humid Tarai regions of India to improve the yield and quality. A field experiment was conducted over 2020 and 2021 which included three irrigation strategies: severe deficit irrigation (DI50), moderate deficit irrigation (DI75), and full irrigation (FI100), as well as four mulching methods: silver-black mulch (MSB), black mulch (MB), organic mulch (MOM), and a control without mulch (MWM). The results showed that both the relative leaf water content (RLWC) and the proline content exhibited an increasing trend with a decrease in the irrigation regime, resulting in a 123% increase in the proline content under DI50 conditions compared with FI100, while greater plant growth was recorded in fully irrigated plants and using silver-black mulch. Leaf nutrient analysis showed that FI100 and MOM produced significantly higher concentrations of all nutrients. However, moderate deficit irrigation (DI75) along with silver-black mulch (MSB) produced higher numbers of fruits per plant, higher average fruit weights, higher fruit yields, and maximum ascorbic acid contents. The irrigation water productivity (IWP) decreased with an increase in the irrigation regime; from severe water deficit to full irrigation, resulting in a 33.79% improvement in IWP under DI50 conditions as compared with FI100. Regression analysis outperforms principal component regression analysis for fruit yield prediction, with adjusted R2 = 89.80%, RMSE = 1.91, MAE = 1.52, and MAPE = 3.83. The most important traits affecting the fruit yield of guava, based on stepwise regression, were leaf proline, leaf Cu, fruit weight, and IWP.
Pretreatment of NaCl enhances the drought resistance of cotton by regulating the biosynthesis of carotenoids and abscisic acid
Authors: Ni Kesong , Dai Maohua , Lu Xuke , Zhang Yuexin , Fan Yapeng , Xu Nan , Feng Xixian , Huang Hui , Wang Jing , Rui Cun , Zhang Hong , Lei Yuqian , Liu Xiaoyu , Jiang Tiantian , Han Mingge , Sun Liangqing , Chen Xiugui , Wang Delong , Wang Junjuan , Wang Shuai , Chen Chao , Guo Lixue , Zhao Lanjie , Ye Wuwei
Published: November 2022

Drought stress is one of the abiotic stresses that limits crop production and greatly affects crop yield. Enhancement of plant stress resistance by NaCl pretreatment has been reported, but the mechanism by which NaCl pretreatment activates cotton stress resistance remains unclear. In this study, upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv H177) was used as the material to conducted the treatments with three replications: 0 Mm NaCl + 0% PEG6000 (Polyethylene glycol), 0 mM NaCl + 15% PEG6000, 50 mM NaCl + 15% PEG6000 to explore the molecular mechanism by which NaCl improves the drought tolerance of cotton. The results showed that pretreatment with 50 mM NaCl could alleviate the adverse effects of PEG on cotton seeds while promoting the elongation of root length. RNA-seq showed that NaCl specifically induced the expression of carotenoid-related genes. By silencing the upstream gene GHLUT2 of lutein synthesis, it was found that the chlorophyll of silenced plants decreased, and leaf wilting was more sensitive to drought. We found that NaCl enhanced the drought resistance of cotton by regulating genes related to the carotenoid and abscisic acid downstream synthesis pathways. This study provides a new reference for the study of drought resistance in cotton and a theoretical basis for the molecular breeding of cotton.
Assessing the spatial-temporal patterns of conflicts between humans and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) around the Gaoligongshan Nature Reserve, China
Authors: Ji Yunrui , Wei Xuelei , Liu Fang , Li Diqiang , Li Jiahua , Huang Xiangyuan , Jiang Jiajiang , Tang Jianyan
Published: November 2022

Conflicts between humans and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are widespread in Asia and pose challenges to human-bear coexistence. Identifying effective mitigation measures requires a thorough understanding of human-bear conflicts (HBC). We assessed spatial-temporal patterns of HBC and their impact factors around the Baoshan Section of the Gaoligongshan Nature Reserve (GNNR) between 2012 and 2020. The results suggested that crop raiding by bears occurred most commonly, followed by beehive loss, livestock depredation, and human casualties. HBC hotspots occurred near the protected area where local people frequently encountered bears. The landscapes with lower elevation and human density were at higher risk of HBC. Furthermore, villages with more fragmented forests or less fragmented croplands were more vulnerable to HBC. The differences in agricultural structures contributed to the diverse composition of HBC between the two regions. In addition, crop raiding by bears decreased significantly, probably due to the changing landscape composition and configuration derived from human behaviors, yet livestock depredation and beehive loss increased. Our findings indicated the complex interrelationship between the environment, bears, and humans, which could guide the implementation of mitigation measures. We recommend multiple approaches based on a social-ecological system to mitigate HBC.
Exploring the relevance of engaging the Orang Asli in Malaysia’s forest management
Authors: Diansyah Mohammad Wahyu , Abas Azlan , Sakawi Zaini
Published: November 2022

The positive social and environmental outcomes of involving local and indigenous people in environmental management have made their inclusion in forest management increasingly considered. However, in Malaysia, where indigenous forest-dependent communities, known as the Orang Asli, are not yet involved in forest management, their significance needs to be empirically recorded. This study aims to investigate the relevance of involving the Orang Asli in Malaysia’s forest management. The study employed a participant observational study atKampungTanjung Rambai, an Orang Asli settlement located in the Malaysian state of Selangor. Dwelling with the community and engaging in their forest-based lives for a course of 1 month have managed to capture their current relationships with the forest, which were then analyzed to determine their roles as meaningful stakeholders. The results show that the community has maintained a relationship with their land that may ensure the prudent use of resources. Furthermore, their forest-based lives can be regarded as small-scale disturbances in the forest ecosystem, which are necessary for maintaining resilience.
Partial cutting in a dry temperate forest ecosystem alleviates growth loss under drought
Authors: Montwé David , Isaac-Renton Miriam , Standish Audrey , Axelson Jodi
Published: November 2022

The increasing frequency of severe drought and heat events under climate change is a major cause for concern for forest productivity and survival. One potential solution to improve forest resilience to drought may involve tree removal to reduce competition. To quantify potential benefits of partial cutting systems under drought, we use tree-ring data from a long-term partial cutting experiment in a dry ecosystem in western Canada, composed primarily of mature interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). We ask: (1) How does tree removal change growth responses to drought and (2) how persistent are effects across multiple drought events? We compare growth responses in 83 trees up to 400 years in age from eight treatment units in a randomized experimental design representing a logging treatment with 25% basal area retention and a control (100% basal area retention). Retention harvesting was conducted in winter of 2002/2003 after a moderate drought in the summer of 2002. The site experienced a more severe drought in 2009 and a drought-heat event in 2015. In 2020, we obtained tree height and diameter data as well as tree increment cores from canopy dominant Douglas-fir, which were used to derive basal area increments. Based on these growth increments, we calculated four indices of resilience to drought. Growth increments of remaining individuals substantially increased after tree removal. Relative to the control, the low retention treatment expressed significantly higher post-drought growth increments compared to growth increments after the drought years of 2002 and 2009, i.e., higher drought recovery. Growth increments in the low retention treatment also had a significantly higher ability to regain pre-drought growth levels after the 2002 and 2009 droughts, i.e., higher drought resilience. However, the treatment did not show higher resilience under a heat-drought event in 2015. Although the treatment effects on drought response indices diminished over time, the absolute growth increments of residual trees remained higher than the control 17 years after harvest, despite repeated droughts. These results suggest that partial cutting on moisture-limited sites provides immediate and medium term benefits for remaining trees in terms of drought resilience, which may help forests adapt to climate change.
SARS-CoV-2 epitopes inform future vaccination strategies
Authors: Shafqat Areez , Omer Mohamed H. , Ahmad Omar , Niaz Mahnoor , Abdulkader Humzah S. , Shafqat Shameel , Mushtaq Ali Hassan , Shaik Abdullah , Elshaer Ahmed N. , Kashir Junaid , Alkattan Khaled , Yaqinuddin Ahmed
Published: November 2022

All currently approved COVID-19 vaccines utilize the spike protein as their immunogen. SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) contain mutations in the spike protein, enabling them to escape infection- and vaccination-induced immune responses to cause reinfection. New vaccines are hence being researched intensively. Studying SARS-CoV-2 epitopes is essential for vaccine design, as identifying targets of broadly neutralizing antibody responses and immunodominant T-cell epitopes reveal candidates for inclusion in next-generation COVID-19 vaccines. We summarize the major studies which have reported on SARS-CoV-2 antibody and T-cell epitopes thus far. These results suggest that a future of pan-coronavirus vaccines, which not only protect against SARS-CoV-2 but numerous other coronaviruses, may be possible. The T-cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 have gotten less attention than neutralizing antibody epitopes but may provide new strategies to control SARS-CoV-2 infection. T-cells target many SARS-CoV-2 antigens other than spike, recognizing numerous epitopes within these antigens, thereby limiting the chance of immune escape by VOCs that mainly possess spike protein mutations. Therefore, augmenting vaccination-induced T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 may provide adequate protection despite broad antibody escape by VOCs.
Monoclonal gammopathies of clinical significance (MGCS): In pursuit of optimal treatment
Authors: Oganesyan Artem , Gregory Andrew , Malard Florent , Ghahramanyan Nerses , Mohty Mohamad , Kazandjian Dickran , Mekinian Arsène , Hakobyan Yervand
Published: November 2022

Monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance (MGCS) represents a new clinical entity referring to a myriad of pathological conditions associated with the monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). The establishment of MGCS expands our current understanding of the pathophysiology of a range of diseases, in which the M protein is often found. Aside from the kidney, the three main organ systems most affected by monoclonal gammopathy include the peripheral nervous system, skin, and eye. The optimal management of these MGUS-related conditions is not known yet due to the paucity of clinical data, the rarity of some syndromes, and limited awareness among healthcare professionals. Currently, two main treatment approaches exist. The first one resembles the now-established therapeutic strategy for monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS), in which chemotherapy with anti-myeloma agents is used to target clonal lesion that is thought to be the culprit of the complex clinical presentation. The second approach includes various systemic immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive options, including intravenous immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, or biological agents. Although some conditions of the MGCS spectrum can be effectively managed with therapies aiming at the etiology or pathogenesis of the disease, evidence regarding other pathologies is severely limited to individual patient data from case reports or series. Future research should pursue filling the gap in knowledge and finding the optimal treatment for this novel clinical category.
Turbidity maxima in estuarine networks: Dependence on fluvial sediment input and local deepening/narrowing with an exploratory model
Authors: Wang Jinyang , Dijkstra Yoeri M. , de Swart Huib E.
Published: November 2022

An estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) results from various subtidal sediment transport mechanisms related to, e.g., river, tides, and density gradients, which have been extensively analysed in single-channel estuaries. However, ETMs have also been found in estuaries composed of multiple interconnected tidal channels, where the water and suspended fine sediments are exchanged at the junctions with possible occurrence of sediment overspill. The overall aim of this study is to understand the processes that determine the ETM dynamics in such channel networks. Specifically, focusing on the ETMs formation due to sediment transport by river flow and density-driven flow, the dependence of ETM locations in an idealised three-channel network on fluvial sediment input and the local deepening and narrowing of a seaward channel is investigated. It is found that the ETM dynamics in channels of a network is coupled, and hence, changes in one channel affect the ETM pattern in all channels. Sensitivity results show that, keeping river discharge fixed, a larger fluvial sediment input leads to the upstream shift of ETMs and an increase in the overall sediment concentration. Both deepening or narrowing of a seaward channel may influence the ETMs in the entire network. Furthermore, the effect of either deepening or narrowing of a seaward channel on the ETM locations in the network depends on the system geometry and the dominant hydrodynamic conditions. Therefore, the response of the ETM location to local geometric changes is explained by analysing the dominant sediment transport mechanisms. In addition to the convergence of sediment transport mechanisms in single-estuarine channels, ETM dynamics in networks is found to be strongly affected by net exchange of sediment between the branches of a network. We find that considering the sensitivity of net sediment transport to geometric changes is needed to understand the changing ETM dynamics observed in a real estuarine network.
Testing the validity of the core-shell-surface layer model on the size dependence of effective magnetic anisotropy in magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Singh Sobhit , Seehra Mohindar S.
Published: November 2022

The stability of the stored information in magnetic recording media depends on the anisotropy energy Ea (=KeffV) of nanoparticles (NPs) of volume V or diameter D. Therefore, it is important to know how the effective anisotropy constant Keff varies with size D of the NPs. In a recent paper [Appl. Phys. Lett. 110, 222409 (2017)], the observed Keff versus D variation in NPs of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) was explained on the basis of the core-shell-surface layer (CSSL) model given by Eq.: Keff = Kb + (6KS/D) +Ksh{[1-(2d/D)]−3–1}, where Kb,KS, and Ksh are the anisotropy constants of spins in the core, surface layer, and a shell of thickness d, respectively. This CSSL model is an extension of an earlier core-surface layer (CSL) model described by Keff = Kb + (6KS/D) [Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 282 (1994)] proposed to explain the Keff versus D variation in Fe NPs. For the NPs of γ-Fe2O3, the additional term of the CSSL model involving Ksh was found to be necessary to fit the data for sizes D < 5 nm. In this paper, we report the validity of the CSSL model for NPs of several other systems viz. Co, Ni, NiO, and Fe3O4 using the available data from literature. In selecting the data, care was taken to consider data only for non-interacting NPs since the interparticle interactions generally overshadow the actual value of Keff in NPs. It is shown that the new CSSL model describes very well the Keff vs. D variation for all particle sizes whereas the CSL model fails for smaller particles with the notable exception of Fe NPs. This validation of the CSSL model for the NPs of Co, Ni, NiO, Fe3O4, and γ-Fe2O3 suggests its general validity for magnetic NPs. Discussion is also presented on the comparative magnitudes of the parameters Kb, KS, and Ksh obtained from the fits to the CSSL model.