bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herbal Compress Ball dalam Menurunkan Nyeri Gout Arthritis
Authors: Tasnim Tasnim , Rantesigi Nirva , Sufyaningsi Ulfa , Pratiwi Putri
Published: January 2021

Pendahuluan: Gout Athitis merupakan penyakit metabolic yang di sebabkan oleh kelebihan kadar senyawa urat di dalam tubuh, baik karna produksi berlebih, eliminasi yang jarang, atau peningkatan asupan purin. Salah satu terapi non-farmakologis untuk menurunkan skala nyeri otot adalah dengan terapi Herbal Compress Ball yang efeknya berasal dari konduksi panas yang dapatmeningkatkan aliran darah regional ke daerah nyeri, efek analgesik berasal dari bahan-bahan herbal dan minyak asiri aromaterapi memberi efek relaksasi.Tujuan:Dapat mengidentifikasi pengaruh Herbal Compress Ball dalam menurunkan nyeri GoutArthritis. Metode Penelusuran: basis data yang digunakan dalam studi literatur yaitu Publish Or Perish, Google Scholar, dan Google.Hasil jurnal: Herbal Compress ball lebih efektif daripada terapi standar yang direkomendasikan pada pasien dengan  masalah  muskuloskelektal pengobatan dengan herbal compress ball dapat mengurangi tingkat rasa nyeri serta dapat meningkatkan kualitas hidup. Ini dapat dianggap sebagai opsi alternatif untuk memperbaiki gejala kondisi ini terutama ketika efek samping dari perawatan lain seperti NSAID. Kesimpulan: Setelah dilakukan review dari beberapa jurnal didapatkan bahwa herbal compress ball dapat menggurangi nyeri muskuloskletal dan mebuat relaksasi.Saran: diharapkan hasil penelitian ini bisa menambah pengetahuan dan wawasan peneliti selanjutnya tentang intervensi keperawatan yang dapat mengurangi nyeri pada gout arthritis.
Asuhan Keperawatan Pasien PPOK Menggunakan Posisi Condong ke Depan dan Latihan Pursed Lip Breathing untuk Meningkatkan Saturasi Oksigen
Authors: Cahyani Regita Putri , Pujiarto Pujiarto , Putri Nandita Wana
Published: January 2021

Pendahuluan: Penyakit paru obstruktif kronik (PPOK) adalah penyakit yang ditandai dengan hambatan aliran udara di saluran nafas (paru-paru) yang tidak sepenuhnya reversibel. Orang dengan PPOK akan mengalami kelemahan otot inspirasi dan disfungsi otot yang berkontribusi terhadap terjadinya sesak nafas. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui dan mengidentifikasi keefektifan posisi condong ke depan (CKD) dan latihan pernafasan pursed lip breathing (PLB) terhadap peningkatan saturasi oksigen pasien PPOK yang dirawat di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Gedong Air Bandar Lampung. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen dengan rancangan penelitian terapan (Applied Research).Subyek penelitian yang diambil 2 orang yang sesuai dengan  kriteria inklusi.Intervensi penelitian ini menggunakan pulse oxymeter, SOP latihan pursed lip breathing dan SOP latihan posisi condong kedepan. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa setelah diberikan intervensi penerapan posisi condong ke depan dan latihan pursed lip breathing selama 3 hari berturut-turut pada responden pertama Tn.A terdapat peningkatan saturasi oksigen yaitu dari 95% menjadi 98% dan pada responden kedua Tn.K juga terjadi peningkatan saturasi oksigen yaitu dari 94% menjadi 98%. Hasil yang diperoleh dari penelitian ini terdapat pengaruh terhadap peningkatan saturasi oksigen kedua responden setelah diberikan terapi posisi condong ke depan dan latihan pursed lip breathing. Saran: Dapat menerapkan intervensi posisi condong ke depan dan latihan pursed lip breathinguntuk meningkatkan saturasi oksigen pada pasien PPOK.
Gambaran Pemberian Terapi Kegel Exercise terhadap Inkontinensia Urine pada Ibu Postpartum
Authors: Dewi Rusmala , Andani Alila , Mulia Madepan
Published: January 2021

Pendahuluan: Postpartum atau masa nifas adalah masa yang dimulai setelah kelahiran plasenta dan berakhir saat alat-alat kandungan kembali seperti keadaan sebelum hamil. Salah satu permasalahan pada ibu postpartum adalah inkontinensia urin. Inkontinensia urine merupakan ketidakmampuan seseorang untuk menahan keluarnya urine. Kegel exercise adalah tindakan non farmakologi yang dapat digunakan untuk memperkuat otot-otot dasar panggul. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran pemberian intervensi kegel exercise terhadap inkontinensia urin pada ibu postpartum di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Gedong Air Bandar Lampung. Metode penelitian menggunakan penelitian deskriptif. Penelitian ini melibatkan dua partisipan yaitu dua ibu postpartum. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah lembar observasi dan lembar kuesioner International Consultant Incontinence Questionnaire-Urine Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UISF). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pada partisipan pertama tidak terjadi inkontinensia urin di hari keenam dan partisipan kedua tidak mengalami inkontinensia urin pada hari ketujuh. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian didapakan hasil bahwa teknik kegel exercise dapat direkomendasikan untuk mencegah terjadinya inkontinensia urin pada ibu postpartum. Saran: Direkomendasikan latihan kegel exercise pada ibu postpartum dapat diberikan untuk mencegah atau mengatasi inkontinensia urin.
Zebrafish Neighbor Distance Changes Relative to Conspecific Size, Position in the Water Column, and the Horizon: A Video-Playback Experiment
Authors: Pita Diana , Fernández-Juricic Esteban
Published: January 2021

Many fish form schools and maintain visual contact with their neighbors in a three-dimensional environment. In this study, we assessed whether zebrafish modified their spacing and interaction time in an additive or multiplicative way relative to multiple sources of social information using computer animations. We simultaneously manipulated: (a) the size of the virtual conspecific (as a proxy of social cue magnitude), (b) the position of the virtual conspecific in the water column (as a proxy of the level of perceived risk), and (c) the absence/presence of the visual horizon (as a proxy of depth perception). We found that the size of the virtual conspecific independently affected spacing behavior (zebrafish increased their separation distance as conspecific size increased). However, some of these factors interacted significantly, such that their effects on social behavior depended on each other. For instance, zebrafish increased their separation distance under high risk conditions when the virtual conspecific was larger, but this risk effect disappeared when the conspecific was the same size or smaller, likely to avoid aggression. Also, zebrafish increased their separation distance when depth perception was enhanced under low risk conditions, but the effect of depth perception disappeared under high risk conditions. Overall, we found that certain dimensions of the visual social environment affected zebrafish spacing behavior in different ways, but they did not affect social interaction time. We discuss the implications of these findings for the spatial organization of fish schools.
A Review of Termite Pheromones: Multifaceted, Context-Dependent, and Rational Chemical Communications
Authors: Mitaka Yuki , Akino Toshiharu
Published: January 2021

Termite colonies, composed of large numbers of siblings, develop an important caste-based division of labor; individuals in these societies interact via intra- or intercaste chemical communications. For more than 50 years, termites have been known to use a variety of pheromones to perform tasks necessary for maintenance of their societies, similar to eusocial hymenopterans. Although trail-following pheromones have been chemically identified in various termites, other types of pheromones have not been elucidated chemically or functionally. In the past decade, however, chemical compositions and biological functions have been successfully identified for several types of termite pheromones; accordingly, the details of the underlying pheromone communications have been gradually revealed. In this review, we summarize both the functions of all termite pheromones identified so far and the chemical interactions among termites and other organisms. Subsequently, we argue how termites developed their sophisticated pheromone communication. We hypothesize that termites have diverted defensive and antimicrobial substances to pheromones associated in caste recognition and caste-specific roles. Furthermore, termites have repeatedly used a pre-existing pheromone or have added supplementary compounds to it in accordance with the social context, leading to multifunctionalization of pre-existing pheromones and emergence of new pheromones. These two mechanisms may enable termites to transmit various context-dependent information with a small number of chemicals, thus resulting in formation of coordinated, complex, and rational chemical communication systems.
Coexistence of Two Invasive Species, Procambarus clarkii and Aphanomyces astaci, in Brackish Waters of a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon
Authors: Martín-Torrijos Laura , Correa-Villalona Angel Jose , Pradillo Antonio , Diéguez-Uribeondo Javier
Published: January 2021

Procambarus clarkii is a worldwide freshwater invasive crustacean from North America and was first introduced into Europe the 1970s. Along with P. clarkii, another invasive alien species was also spreading: Aphanomyces astaci. This pathogen is listed among the 100 World’s worst invasive species and involved in the European native crayfish decline. Although both species live in freshwater ecosystems, P. clarkii can withstand brackish waters and inhabit estuarine habitats. However, the presence of A. astaci associated to North American crayfishes has never been described in brackish waters. In this study, we have investigated the presence of A. astaci in a P. clarkii population of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon in the Albufera Natural Park, Valencia, Spain introduced in 1976. Our study confirmed the presence of this pathogen, and suggests that A. astaci has been spreading for more than four decades in the mentioned estuarine environment. Mitochondrial ribosomal rnnS and rnnL indicated that the isolated pathogen belongs to d1-haplotype (i.e., D-haplogroup) typically hosted by P. clarkii. The presence of this pathogen in a brackish environment may suggest a better adaptation than other A. astaci strains to adverse conditions, such as high salinity levels. This is a matter of concern for the conservation of European native freshwater crayfish and highlights once more the risk of introducing invasive alien crustaceans.
Binding of Campylobacter jejuni FliW Adjacent to the CsrA RNA-Binding Pockets Modulates CsrA Regulatory Activity
Authors: Bogacz Marek , El Abbar Faiha M. , Cox Claudia A. , Li Jiaqi , Fiedler Jarred S. , Tran Lynn K. H. , Tran Paul M. H. , Daugherty C. Luke , Blake Kate H. , Wang Zhirui , Azadi Parastoo , Thompson Stuart A.
Published: January 2021

Campylobacter jejuni CsrA is an mRNA-binding, post-transcriptional regulator that controls many metabolic- and virulence-related characteristics of this important pathogen. In contrast to E. coli CsrA, whose activity is modulated by binding to small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs), C. jejuni CsrA activity is controlled by binding to the CsrA antagonist FliW. In this study, we identified the FliW binding site on CsrA. Deletion of the C-terminus of C. jejuni CsrA, which is extended relative to sRNA-binding CsrA proteins, abrogated FliW binding. Bacterial two-hybrid experiments were used to assess the interaction of FliW with wild-type CsrA and mutants thereof, in which every amino acid was individually mutated. Two CsrA mutations (V51A and N55A) resulted in a significant decrease in FliW binding. The V51A and N55A mutants also showed a decrease in CsrA-FliW complex formation, as assessed by size-exclusion chromatography and surface plasmon resonance. These residues were highly conserved in bacterial species containing CsrA orthologs whose activities are predicted to be regulated by FliW. The location of FliW binding was immediately adjacent to the two RNA-binding sites of the CsrA homodimer, suggesting the model that FliW binding to CsrA modulates its ability to bind to its mRNA targets either by steric hindrance, electrostatic repulsion, or by altering the overall structure of the RNA-binding sites.
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Chitinase GH18 Gene Family in Mycogone perniciosa
Authors: Yang Yang , Sossah Frederick Leo , Li Zhuang , Hyde Kevin D. , Li Dan , Xiao Shijun , Fu Yongping , Yuan Xiaohui , Li Yu
Published: January 2021

Mycogone perniciosacauses wet bubble disease inAgaricus bisporusand various Agaricomycetes species. In a previous work, we identified 41 GH18 chitinase genes and other pathogenicity-related genes in the genome ofM.perniciosaHp10. Chitinases are enzymes that degrade chitin, and they have diverse functions in nutrition, morphogenesis, and pathogenesis. However, these important genes inM.perniciosahave not been fully characterized, and their functions remain unclear. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis ofM.perniciosaGH18 genes and analyzed the transcriptome profiles and GH18 expression patterns inM.perniciosaduring the time course of infection inA.bisporus. Phylogenetic analysis of the 41 GH18 genes with those of 15 other species showed that the genes were clustered into three groups and eight subgroups based on their conserved domains. The GH18 genes clustered in the same group shared different gene structures but had the same protein motifs. All GH18 genes were localized in different organelles, were unevenly distributed on 11 contigs, and had orthologs in the other 13 species. Twelve duplication events were identified, and these had undergone both positive and purifying selection. The transcriptome analyses revealed that numerous genes, including transporters, cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs), cytochrome P450, pathogenicity-related genes, secondary metabolites, and transcription factors, were significantly upregulated at different stages ofM.perniciosaHp10 infection ofA.bisporus. Twenty-three out of the 41 GH18 genes were differentially expressed. The expression patterns of the 23 GH18 genes were different and were significantly expressed from 3 days post-inoculation ofM.perniciosaHp10 inA.bisporus. Five differentially expressed GH18 genes were selected for RT-PCR and gene cloning to verify RNA-seq data accuracy. The results showed that those genes were successively expressed in different infection stages, consistent with the previous sequencing results. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of pathogenicity-related and GH18 chitinase genes’ influence onM.perniciosamycoparasitism ofA. bisporus. Our findings may serve as a basis for further studies ofM.perniciosamycoparasitism, and the results have potential value for improving resistance inA.bisporusand developing efficient disease-management strategies to mitigate wet bubble disease.
Komagataella phaffii as Emerging Model Organism in Fundamental Research
Authors: Bernauer Lukas , Radkohl Astrid , Lehmayer Leonie Gabriela Katharina , Emmerstorfer-Augustin Anita
Published: January 2021

Komagataella phaffii(Pichia pastoris) is one of the most extensively applied yeast species in pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries, and, therefore, also called the biotech yeast. However, thanks to more advanced strain engineering techniques, it recently started to gain attention as model organism in fundamental research. So far, the most studied model yeast is its distant cousin,Saccharomyces cerevisiae. While these data are of great importance, they limit our knowledge to one organism only. Since the divergence of the two species 250 million years ago,K. phaffiiappears to have evolved less rapidly thanS. cerevisiae, which is why it remains more characteristic of the common ancient yeast ancestors and shares more features with metazoan cells. This makesK. phaffiia valuable model organism for research on eukaryotic molecular cell biology, a potential we are only beginning to fully exploit. As methylotrophic yeast,K. phaffiihas the intriguing property of being able to efficiently assimilate methanol as a sole source of carbon and energy. Therefore, major efforts have been made usingK. phaffiias model organism to study methanol assimilation, peroxisome biogenesis and pexophagy. Other research topics covered in this review range from yeast genetics including mating and sporulation behavior to other cellular processes such as protein secretion, lipid biosynthesis and cell wall biogenesis. In this review article, we compare data obtained fromK. phaffiiwithS. cerevisiaeand other yeasts whenever relevant, elucidate major differences, and, most importantly, highlight the big potential of usingK. phaffiiin fundamental research.
In vivo Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) Modeling and Establishment of the PK/PD Cutoff of Florfenicol Against Pasteurella multocida in Ducks
Authors: Xiao Xia , Lan Weixuan , Zhao Yaqin , Li Ruichao , Liu Yuan , Liu Juan , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: January 2021

Pasteurella multocida can invade and translocate through endothelial cells and result in vascular-system infection, which can cause severe economic losses in the poultry industry. Antibacterial therapy (especially florfenicol) plays an important part in controlling P. multocida infection. To preserve the effect of florfenicol, in vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling of florfenicol against three P. multocida strains in duck was established. Then, the efficacy of the currently marketed dose, a rational dosage regimen for populations, and the PK/PD cutoff were predicted through Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs). The area under the concentration–time curve from 0 to 24 h/minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC0–24 h/MIC) was the optimal PK/PD parameter. The PK/PD surrogate values of florfenicol against P. multocida were similar using different organs as the PD target, but varied in different strains. For the florfenicol-sensitive strain 0825Y1, when the AUC0–24 h/MIC reached 117.54 and 108.19, florfenicol showed a bactericidal effect in the liver and lung, respectively. For the florfenicol-sensitive strain 0901J1, the corresponding value was 78.39 and 54.30, respectively. For the florfenicol-resistant strain JY160110, florfenicol could attain a maximum effect of 1 – log10 reduction in bacteria in the liver and lung when the AUC0–24 h/MIC reached 2.03 and 2.06, respectively. The PK/PD-based prediction for the population dose indicated a poor effect for the low end of the currently marketed dose (40 mg/kg body weight per day), but a robust effect for the high end of the currently marketed dose (60 mg/kg body weight per day) with a target attainment rate of 92.79% and 81.44% against P. multocida in mainland China and worldwide, respectively. The recommended dose optimized by MCSs was 52 mg/kg body weight in mainland China. The PK/PD cutoff of florfenicol against P. multocida at the low end and high end of the current daily dose (40 and 60 mg/kg body weight) and predicted daily dose in mainland China (52 mg/kg body weight) was 0.25, 4, and 0.5 μg/ml, respectively. These results suggested that more than one strain should be involved for PK/PD modeling and contributed to rational use of florfenicol in populations. We also provided fundamental data for determination of florfenicol breakpoints in poultry.
Perceived Mental Workload Classification Using Intermediate Fusion Multimodal Deep Learning
Authors: Dolmans Tenzing C. , Poel Mannes , van ’t Klooster Jan-Willem J. R. , Veldkamp Bernard P.
Published: January 2021

A lot of research has been done on the detection of mental workload (MWL) using various bio-signals. Recently, deep learning has allowed for novel methods and results. A plethora of measurement modalities have proven to be valuable in this task, yet studies currently often only use a single modality to classify MWL. The goal of this research was to classify perceived mental workload (PMWL) using a deep neural network (DNN) that flexibly makes use of multiple modalities, in order to allow for feature sharing between modalities. To achieve this goal, an experiment was conducted in which MWL was simulated with the help of verbal logic puzzles. The puzzles came in five levels of difficulty and were presented in a random order. Participants had 1 h to solve as many puzzles as they could. Between puzzles, they gave a difficulty rating between 1 and 7, seven being the highest difficulty. Galvanic skin response, photoplethysmograms, functional near-infrared spectrograms and eye movements were collected simultaneously using LabStreamingLayer (LSL). Marker information from the puzzles was also streamed on LSL. We designed and evaluated a novel intermediate fusion multimodal DNN for the classification of PMWL using the aforementioned four modalities. Two main criteria that guided the design and implementation of our DNN are modularity and generalisability. We were able to classify PMWL within-level accurate (0.985 levels) on a seven-level workload scale using the aforementioned modalities. The model architecture allows for easy addition and removal of modalities without major structural implications because of the modular nature of the design. Furthermore, we showed that our neural network performed better when using multiple modalities, as opposed to a single modality. The dataset and code used in this paper are openly available.
An EZ-Diffusion Model Analysis of Attentional Ability in Patients With Retinal Pigmentosa
Authors: Luo Yan-Lin , Wang Yuan-Ying , Zhu Su-Fang , Zhao Li , Yin Yan-Ling , Geng Meng-Wen , Lei Chu-Qi , Yang Yan-Hui , Li Jun-Fa , Ni Guo-Xin
Published: January 2021

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by visual acuity decrease and visual field loss. However, the impact of visual field loss on the cognitive performance of RP patients remains unknown. In the present study, in order to understand whether and how RP affects spatial processing and attentional function, one spatial processing task and three attentional tasks were conducted on RP patients and healthy controls. In addition, an EZ-diffusion model was performed for further data analysis with four parameters, mean decision time, non-decision time, drift rate, and boundary separation. It was found that in the spatial processing task, compared with the control group, the RP group exhibited a slower response speed in large and medium visual eccentricities, and slower drift rate for the large stimulus, which is strongly verified by the significant linear correlation between the visual field eccentricity with both reaction time (p = 0.047) and non-decision time (p = 0.043) in RP patients. In the attentional orienting task and the attentional switching task, RP exerted a reduction of speed and an increase of non-decision time on every condition, with a decrease of drift rate in the orienting task and boundary separation in the switching task. In addition, the switching cost for large stimulus was observed in the control group but not in the RP group. The stop-signal task demonstrated similar inhibition function between the two groups. These findings implied that RP exerted the impairment of spatial cognition correlated with the visual field eccentricity, mainly in the peripheral visual field. Moreover, specific to the peripheral visual field, RP patients had deficits in the attentional orienting and flexibility but not in the attentional inhibition.
Age- and Sex-Dependent Modulation of Exogenous Ketone Supplement-Evoked Effects on Blood Glucose and Ketone Body Levels in Wistar Albino Glaxo Rijswijk Rats
Authors: Kovács Zsolt , Brunner Brigitta , D’Agostino Dominic P. , Ari Csilla
Published: January 2021

In certain disease states, such as epilepsy, the elevation of blood ketone levels with ketogenic diets (KDs) has beneficial effects, while exogenous ketone supplements (EKSs) were shown to increase the level of blood ketone bodies (such as β-hydroxybutyrate, βHB) and decrease blood glucose levels without dietary restrictions. It has been suggested that ketone body and glucose utilization of the body may be modified by age and gender resulting in changes in blood βHB and glucose levels, but it was not investigated through several months yet. Thus, we investigated whether the effect of an EKS on blood βHB and glucose level is modulated by age and sex in Wistar Albino Glaxo Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats, a model animal of human absence epilepsy. We used KEMCT (1:1 mix of ketone ester/KE and medium-chain triglyceride/MCT oil) by oral gavage in female and male WAG/Rij rats. Animals were fed with standard diet, which was supplemented by KEMCT (2.5 g/kg) once per month by oral gavage for 17 months. One hour after KEMCT treatment, changes in blood R-beta-hydroxybutyrate (R-βHB) and glucose levels were measured. KEMCT gavage significantly increased blood R-βHB and decreased blood glucose levels, in both male and female rats, compared with the controls. In male rats, the KEMCT-induced increase in blood R-βHB levels was lower at the 7th and 8th months and higher at the 16th and 17th months, compared with the results at the 1st month. KEMCT-generated increase in R-βHB levels was higher in female rats, compared with male rats between the 2nd and 11th months, but older (between the 14th and 17th months) female rats showed lower levels than males. KEMCT gavage induced significantly lower glucose levels at the 4th, 9th, 10th, 12th, and 13th months in both sexes, but between the 14th and 17th months, only males showed significantly lower levels, compared with the results at the 1st month. KEMCT treatment induced lower blood glucose levels in female than in male rats between the 1st and 8th months, but higher glucose levels were measured in female rats at the 17th month than in males. These findings suggest that age and sex can modify the EKS-evoked effects on blood R-βHB and glucose concentrations.
The Molecular Regulation of Carbon Sink Strength in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Li You-Mei , Forney Charles , Bondada Bhaskar , Leng Feng , Xie Zhao-Sen
Published: January 2021

Sink organs, the net receivers of resources from source tissues, provide food and energy for humans. Crops yield and quality are improved by increased sink strength and source activity, which are affected by many factors, including sugars and hormones. With the growing global population, it is necessary to increase photosynthesis into crop biomass and yield on a per plant basis by enhancing sink strength. Sugar translocation and accumulation are the major determinants of sink strength, so understanding molecular mechanisms and sugar allocation regulation are conducive to develop biotechnology to enhance sink strength. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is an excellent model to study the sink strength mechanism and regulation for perennial fruit crops, which export sucrose from leaves and accumulates high concentrations of hexoses in the vacuoles of fruit mesocarp cells. Here recent advances of this topic in grape are updated and discussed, including the molecular biology of sink strength, including sugar transportation and accumulation, the genes involved in sugar mobilization and their regulation of sugar and other regulators, and the effects of hormones on sink size and sink activity. Finally, a molecular basis model of the regulation of sugar accumulation in the grape is proposed.
How Do Empowered Leaders Influence the Job Satisfaction of Kindergarten Teachers in China? Evidence From Mediation Analysis
Authors: Liu Li , Yang Chuan , Huang Dawei
Published: January 2021

Given the current shortage of kindergarten teachers, this study examines the relationship between empowering leadership and job satisfaction among kindergarten teachers in China from the perspective of their job characteristics and the Chinese cultural context. The participants were 557 Chinese kindergarten female teachers whose average number of years of experience was 2.82 (SD = 3.02). They completed a self-report survey regarding empowering leadership, vigor, affective commitment, and job satisfaction. The study results show that vigor and affective commitment could mediate the relationship between empowering leadership and job satisfaction. Finally, we discuss the findings of this study in depth. At the same time, we suggest that administrators should focus on the empowering leadership of Chinese kindergarten teachers, strive to increase their level of dynamism, and finally, strengthen the emotional connection between the organization and the Chinese kindergarten teachers. Thus, we suggest that educational administrators should empower kindergarten teachers more, rather than allowing them to be mere enforcers. In addition, how to enhance the individual dynamics of early childhood teachers and their emotional connection to the organization may also be something for educational administrators to consider.
Sense of Ethnic Belonging: Relation With Well-Being and Psychological Distress in Inhabitants of the Mapuche Conflict Area, Chile
Authors: García Felipe E. , Villagrán Loreto , Ahumada María Constanza , Inzunza Nadia , Schuffeneger Katherine , Garabito Sandra
Published: January 2021

Research has shown that experiences of discrimination cause harm to the health and well-being of people. In terms of the identity of members of a group, a positive evaluation of that group might involve devaluing the out-group as a way of raising the endo-group, causing discrimination toward the out-group. In the Chilean context, the Mapuche people have historically suffered discrimination and violations of their rights. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between Collective Identity, perceived experiences of discrimination, psychological well-being and distress in the inhabitants of the Mapuche conflict zone according to their sense of belonging to their ethnic group (Mapuche, Mestizo, Caucasian). This descriptive, correlative, and cross-sectional study involved 200 participants, including 94 men (47%), and 106 women (53%), between the ages of 18 and 83 years old (M = 39.02; SD = 13.45), who had lived for at least 1 year in communities in the Araucanía Region. The sample was stratified according their sense of ethnic identity, including 30% Mapuche, 33.5% Caucasian, and 36.5% Mestizo. The results show that participants with a sense of Mapuche ethnicity experienced more instances of discrimination, had a greater sense of collective identity, and that they also supported the Mapuche social movement and its methods. Based on evidence that well-being is directly related to collective identity, the study undertook a regression analysis of emotional distress and the psychological well-being of participants. The interaction between experiences of discrimination and collective identity has a significant influence. Collective identity and experiences of discrimination in themselves as well as the interaction between them, predict psychological well-being. The results suggest that the importance of the Mapuche group’s identity phenomena are related to a broad socio-historical context that leads them to identify themselves as a collective in conditions of inequality. This relationship between well-being and collective identity could be explained by their sense of cultural belonging, which can be a factor in protecting mental health.
Sleep or Play Online Poker?: Gambling Behaviors and Tilt Symptoms While Sleep Deprived
Authors: Hamel Alexandre , Bastien Célyne , Jacques Christian , Moreau Axelle , Giroux Isabelle
Published: January 2021

Online poker has the convenience of being accessible 24/7 allowing a large proportion of players to gamble at night. Although some studies postulate a bi-directional relationship between excessive online poker playing and sleep disturbances, sleep has yet to be studied as a primary outcome variable in online poker studies. Sleep deprivation has been linked to alterations in emotional regulation, decision-making, and risk-taking behaviors. All of which are known to induce episodes of tilt. Conversely, online poker playing during regular sleep hours may interfere with sleep quality. The objectives of the present study are (a) to explore the effects of sleep deprivation on tilt symptoms and gambling behaviors and (b) to assess whether playing an online poker session shortly before bedtime (120 min) influences the player's sleep quality. Sleeping habits, tilt symptoms, and online poker behaviors of 23 regular online poker players (22 men, 1 woman) were monitored daily for 28 days using questionnaires and hand histories. Tilt and gambling behaviors during online poker sessions (n = 588) played while the player was sleep-deprived were compared to sessions played while not sleep-deprived. Different sleep variables were also compared for sessions (n = 897) played 2 h before bedtime to no sessions played before sleep. Sleep-deprived poker sessions revealed higher emotional and behavioral tilt, a higher number of hands played and unfavorable financial results than at-rest sessions. Also, emotional and behavioral tilt was higher when alcohol was consumed. Sessions played 2 h before bedtime revealed a shorter sleep onset latency than when no sessions were played before bedtime. Post-hoc mixed regression analyses revealed that emotional and behavioral tilt is associated with shorter total sleep time and shorter sleep onset latency, while cognitive tilt is associated with a decrease in sleep efficiency. This study is the first to specifically explore sleep variables with online poker players within an ecological study design. The findings shed light on the daily impacts of nighttime online gambling practices. Future studies are needed to further explore the interaction between subjective and objective sleep variables and online gambling habits as well as investigate players' motives for playing while sleep deprived.
Entorno virtual sincrónico y su efecto en el desarrollo de un programa para padres y madres en tiempos de COVID-19
Authors: Tupac Yupanqui Bustamante Miguel Ángel , Palomino Gonzales Lutgarda , Rios  Espinoza Carmen , Cornejo Guevara María Elena
Published: January 2021

La presente investigación estuvo basada en la ejecución de un programa para padres y madres de niños en edad preescolar durante el confinamiento, caracterizado por el uso del entorno sincrónico como medio para interactuar, compartir las vivencias, experiencias, estrategias y recomendaciones necesarias para mejorar su convivencia familiar. El estudio tiene un enfoque cuantitativo, tipo aplicada, diseño cuasi-experimental, la muestra estuvo conformada por 80 padres y madres con hijos en edad preescolar, de los cuales 40 conformaron el grupo experimental y 40 el grupo control. El método utilizado fue de tipo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se elaboró un Registro de observación; el cual contó con 20 ítems, posee una confiabilidad Alpha de Cronbach de 0.80. Se concluye que el entorno virtual sincrónico influye significativamente en el desarrollo del programa madres y padres en tiempos de Covid-19.
Plan de intervención para estimular afectaciones cognitivas en niños y adolescentes institucionalizados
Authors: Tinoco Sánchez María Belén
Published: January 2021

La presente investigación busca estudiar a la institucionalización como medio para acoger a los niños y adolescentes víctimas de maltrato infantil. El estudio tiene como objetivo estimular las afectaciones de las funciones cognitivas en niños y adolescentes institucionalizados mediante la elaboración de un plan de intervención neuropsicológico. La investigación es de tipo cuantitativo con un alcance de estudio exploratorio y descriptivo. El instrumento utilizado fue la Escala de Inteligencia de Weschler para niños y adolescentes, versión IV, y fue aplicado a 44 niños y adolescentes de la institución. A partir de la revisión bibliográfica y la prueba aplicada, se determinó que las alteraciones cognitivas corresponden a las áreas de Comprensión verbal, Memoria de trabajo y Velocidad de procesamiento; las funciones cognitivas conservadas están asociadas al área de Razonamiento perceptual. Finalmente, las puntuaciones del coeficiente intelectual de los evaluados corresponden a categorías debajo del promedio. Esta metodología permitió concluir que la institucionalización produce deficiencias cognitivas y no todas cuentan con un programa de intervención integral para satisfacer las demandas en cada etapa del desarrollo, especialmente a nivel cognitivo.
Rotación del personal de nivel jerárquico superior y el clima laboral en el Servicio de Contratación de Obras SECOB
Authors: Parra Vaca Diana Verónica
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo comprobar la incidencia de la rotación del personal de nivel jerárquico superior en el clima laboral de una institución del sector público, específicamente en el Servicio de Contratación de Obras SECOB; para la medición de cada una de las variables se aplicó un instrumento utilizado por varios autores en temas de clima laboral, el mismo que fue validado a través del método juicio de expertos; así mismo, la confiabilidad se obtuvo a través del coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach, la encuesta fue aplicada a una muestra de 163 funcionarios de la institución, en los cuales se midieron las dimensiones: comunicación interna, reconocimiento, relaciones interpersonales en el trabajo, toma de decisiones, entorno físico, compromiso y adaptación al cambio, consideradas dentro de la variable clima laboral, y por otro lado para la variable rotación de personal de nivel jerárquico superior se consultó si existió rotación y el número de veces que rotaron los directivos en cada una de las áreas durante el año 2018, año escogido para la investigación por presentar el mayor número de cambios de jefes en la institución. La investigación realizada permitió comprobar que sí existe incidencia entre las variables estudiadas en la institución mencionada, pese a ello, se identificaron varias limitaciones en el desarrollo de la misma, al no existir suficiente literatura que relacione dichos constructos, tanto en el sector público como en el sector privado, siendo estos temas de relevancia para el mejoramiento del clima laboral.
Incomprensión o legitimación del concepto de Autoridad. ¿Qué se busca en Ecuador?
Authors: Hidalgo Montesinos Karla Paulina
Published: January 2021

Este artículo se enmarca en cuestiones de filosofía política-educativa y tiene como objetivo fundamental analizar el fenómeno de la “crisis de autoridad” en la educación ecuatoriana; en el sentido que la autoridad tanto en su discernimiento como aplicación parece haber sido mal asociada al poder o deslegitimada. Los tropiezos dentro del sistema escolar podrían estar relacionados estrechamente con la “crisis de autoridad”.  La investigación es de carácter documental, teórica, desde la perspectiva filosófica a través de la hermenéutica como método y técnica de interpretación y la dialéctica. Este artículo destaca el pensamiento B. Robbes, para quien la autoridad ocupa un lugar esencial en el proceso educativo, especificando que la “autoridad autoritaria” es un abuso de poder mientras que la “autoridad evacuada” es el déficit en el ejercicio de la autoridad, por consiguiente, ambos tipos de actitudes entrañan riesgos para el niño y/o el adolescente. Además, se ha considerado el pensamiento de Hannah Arendt, así como otros autores con el objetivo de ampliar el significado de autoridad para una convivencia en el entorno escolar saludable, que requiere de la misma para hacer efectiva la labor educativa. La “crisis de autoridad” en testimonios de profesores en Ecuador y otros países los enfrentan con la pérdida de autoridad, ya sea porque los estudiantes “no los respetan” o porque los propios profesores no la ejercen en el aula (falta de legitimidad).
Gestión del talento humano: Diagnóstico y sintomatología de trastornos musculoesqueléticos evidenciados a través del Cuestionario Nórdico de Kuorinka
Authors: Castro García Sebastián Ricardo , Yandún Burbano Edison Daniel , Freire Constante Luis Fernando , Albán Álvarez Mayra Gisella
Published: January 2021

La presente investigación es un estudio descriptivo no experimental de corte transversal, cuyo propósito es evidenciar el diagnóstico y sintomatología de posibles trastornos musculoesqueléticos de trabajadores administrativos a través de la utilización del Cuestionario Nórdico Estandarizado de Síntomas Musculoesqueléticos de Kuorinka, en sus actividades laborales. El objetivo del presente estudio es contribuir a la concienciación de las empresas en materia de gestión del talento humano en la línea de prevención de riesgos laborales, diagnosticando sintomatologías de posibles enfermedades ocupacionales desde la percepción del trabajador a través de herramientas validadas se puede prevenir las mismas de tal forma que en las organizaciones podamos tener trabajadores sanos y productivos que cumplan los objetivos organizacionales, además de evitarse costos por incumplimiento de gestión de seguridad y salud ocupacional, y obviamente evitar problemas sociales de personal enfermo o con posibles discapacidades.  La población que se evidencia en la presente investigación es de doscientas sesenta y ocho personas (N=268) que realizan labores administrativas pertenecientes a diez empresas ecuatorianas. Los resultados reflejan cierta similitud de percepción en los géneros masculino (n1=104) y femenino (n2=164) que sobrepasan el 75% de las muestras analizadas, siendo los más relevantes mano muñeca derecha e izquierda, columna lumbar y cuello. Estos datos obtenidos son el reflejo de la percepción ante posibles trastornos musculoesqueléticos y especialmente en el rango de edad entre 35 a 44 años, ante lo cual los responsables de talento humano y seguridad y salud ocupacional disponen de una información basal para poder plantearse medidas de prevención y control ergonómicos en puestos administrativos.
The Effect of Farmyard Manure and Mineral Fertilizers on Sugar Beet Beetroot and Top Yield and Soil Chemical Parameters
Authors: Hlisnikovský Lukáš , Menšík Ladislav , Křížová Kateřina , Kunzová Eva
Published: January 2021

In order to recommend the dose of fertilization for sugar beet under currently unstable weather conditions, we analysed beetroot and top yields, sugar content (SC), and the effect of fertilization on soil chemistry over a three-year period (2016–2018). All three years were characterized by different weather conditions. The year 2016 was very warm and very dry. The year 2017 was warm with normal precipitation. The year 2018 was extraordinary warm and very dry. We compared the following ten fertilization treatments: unfertilized control, farmyard manure (FYM), mineral fertilizers NPK1–4, and FYM + NPK1–4. The applications of FYM, NPK, and FYM + NPK resulted in significantly higher yields of beetroots and tops as compared with the control, while no significant differences were recorded among FYM, NPK, and FYM + NPK treatments. The SC was not affected by the fertilization. The application of NPK resulted in a lower pH value, while the highest values were recorded for the control and FYM treatments. The application of FYM + NPK increased the content of organic carbon (Corg) in the soil, the total content of nitrogen (Ntot), and P and K concentrations. According to the results of the linear-plateau model, the recommended dose of N is 112 kg ha−1, corresponding to a beetroot yield of 66 t ha−1.
Physical Activity Effects on Blood Parameters, Growth, Carcass, and Meat and Fat Composition of Portuguese Alentejano Pigs
Authors: Martins José Manuel , Silva David , Albuquerque André , Neves José , Charneca Rui , Freitas Amadeu
Published: January 2021

This study evaluated the effects of physical activity on blood, growth, carcass, and meat quality of finishing Alentejano (AL) pigs. Pigs, reared from ~87 to 160 kg in individual pens (no exercise area, NE group, n = 9) or in an outdoor park (with exercise area, WE group, n = 9), were fed commercial diets (85% ad libitum). WE pigs were in a park (~400 m2) with a feeding area separated from the drinking area with an automatic waterer, forcing pigs to walk at least 800 m daily. Blood samples were obtained during the trial (weeks 2, 11, and 18) and at slaughter. The left-side carcass was submitted to commercial cuts, and samples from loin, tenderloin, and dorsal subcutaneous fat (DSF) were analyzed. Plasma urea in WE pigs was higher in weeks 2 and 11, while cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol and LDL- to HDL-cholesterol ratios, and cortisol were lower in weeks 11 and 18. Final weight and average daily gain were higher and feed conversion ratio lower in WE pigs. DSF thickness and carcass weight were higher in WE pigs, leading to higher carcass yield. Finally, loin and tenderloin from WE pigs presented higher total protein content. These data show that allowing physical activity affects metabolism, growth, and carcass and meat quality of AL pigs.
The Modulating Effect of Dietary Beta-Glucan Supplementation on Expression of Immune Response Genes of Broilers during a Coccidiosis Challenge
Authors: Omara Islam I. , Pender Chasity M. , White Mallory B. , Dalloul Rami A.
Published: January 2021

This study investigated the effects of a yeast-derived β-glucan (Auxoferm YGT) supplementation on mRNA expression of immune response genes in the spleen, thymus, and bursa of broiler chickens during a mixed Eimeria infection. Day (d)-old chicks (n = 1440) were fed diets containing 0% or 0.1% YGT. On d 8 post-hatch, half the replicate pens (n = 8) were challenged with a mixed inoculum of E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella. On d 10 and d 14 post-hatch, the spleen, thymus, and bursa were collected to evaluate mRNA abundance by quantitative real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX model (2-way interaction) and differences were established by LS-MEANS with significance reported at p ≤ 0.05. In spleen tissues at d 10, expression of interleukin (IL)-10 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were elevated in both 0.1% YGT-fed challenged and non-challenged birds. In thymus tissues at d 14, expression of IL-10, IL-17F, interferon (IFN)-γ, iNOS, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were elevated in challenged birds fed 0.1% YGT. In bursal tissues at d 10 and d 14, expression of IL-10, IFN-γ, iNOS (d 10 only), and MIF were elevated in 0.1% YGT-fed challenged and non-challenged birds. Dietary β-glucan supplementation to chicken diets modulated their immune response to the Eimeria challenge.
Genetic Population Structure of Wild Pigs in Southern Texas
Authors: Delgado-Acevedo Johanna , Zamorano Angeline , DeYoung Randy W. , Campbell Tyler A.
Published: January 2021

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) alter ecosystems, affect the economy, and carry diseases that can be transmitted to livestock, humans, and wildlife. Understanding wild pig movements and population structure data, including natural population boundaries and dispersal, may potentially increase the efficiency and effectiveness of management actions. We trapped, conducted aerial shootings, and hunted wild pigs from 2005 to 2009 in southern Texas. We used microsatellites to assist large-scale applied management. We quantify broad-scale population structure among 24 sites across southern Texas by computing an overall FST value, and a Bayesian clustering algorithm both with and without considering the spatial location of samples. At a broad geographic scale, pig populations displayed a moderate degree of genetic structure (FST = 0.11). The best partition for number of populations, based on 2nd order rate of change of the likelihood distribution, was K = 10 genetic clusters. The spatially explicit Bayesian clustering algorithm produced similar results, with minor differences in designation of admixed sites. We found evidence of past (and possibly ongoing) translocations; many populations were admixed. Our original goal was to identify landscape features, such as barriers or dispersal corridors, that could be used to aid management. Unfortunately, the extensive admixture among clusters made this impossible. This research shows that large-scale management of wild pigs may be necessary to achieve control and ameliorate damages. Reduction or cessation of translocations is necessary to prevent human-mediated dispersion of wild pigs.