bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation, collective motion, and merging of macroscopic bacterial aggregates
Authors: Courcoubetis George , Gangan Manasi S. , Lim Sean , Guo Xiaokan , Haas Stephan , Boedicker James Q.
Published: January 2022

Chemotactic bacteria form emergent spatial patterns of variable cell density within cultures that are initially spatially uniform. These patterns are the result of chemical gradients that are created from the directed movement and metabolic activity of billions of cells. A recent study on pattern formation in wild bacterial isolates has revealed unique collective behaviors of the bacteriaEnterobacter cloacae. As in other bacterial species,Enterobacter cloacaeform macroscopic aggregates. Once formed, these bacterial clusters can migrate several millimeters, sometimes resulting in the merging of two or more clusters. To better understand these phenomena, we examine the formation and dynamics of thousands of bacterial clusters that form within a 22 cm square culture dish filled with soft agar over two days. At the macroscale, the aggregates display spatial order at short length scales, and the migration of cell clusters is superdiffusive, with a merging acceleration that is correlated with aggregate size. At the microscale, aggregates are composed of immotile cells surrounded by low density regions of motile cells. The collective movement of the aggregates is the result of an asymmetric flux of bacteria at the boundary. An agent-based model is developed to examine how these phenomena are the result of both chemotactic movement and a change in motility at high cell density. These results identify and characterize a new mechanism for collective bacterial motility driven by a transient, density-dependent change in motility.
Three classes of epigenomic regulators converge to hyperactivate the essential maternal gene deadhead within a heterochromatin mini-domain
Authors: Torres-Campana Daniela , Horard Béatrice , Denaud Sandrine , Benoit Gérard , Loppin Benjamin , Orsi Guillermo A.
Published: January 2022

The formation of a diploid zygote is a highly complex cellular process that is entirely controlled by maternal gene products stored in the egg cytoplasm. This highly specialized transcriptional program is tightly controlled at the chromatin level in the female germline. As an extreme case in point, the massive and specific ovarian expression of the essential thioredoxin Deadhead (DHD) is critically regulated in Drosophila by the histone demethylase Lid and its partner, the histone deacetylase complex Sin3A/Rpd3, via yet unknown mechanisms. Here, we identified Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) as essential for dhd expression and investigated how these epigenomic effectors act with Lid and Sin3A to hyperactivate dhd. Using Cut&Run chromatin profiling with a dedicated data analysis procedure, we found that dhd is intriguingly embedded in an H3K27me3/H3K9me3-enriched mini-domain flanked by DNA regulatory elements, including a dhd promoter-proximal element essential for its expression. Surprisingly, Lid, Sin3a, Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) impact H3K27me3 and this regulatory element in distinct manners. However, we show that these effectors activate dhd independently of H3K27me3/H3K9me3, and that dhd remains silent in the absence of these marks. Together, our study demonstrates an atypical and critical role for chromatin regulators Lid, Sin3A, Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) to trigger tissue-specific hyperactivation within a unique heterochromatin mini-domain.
Gene by Environment Interactions reveal new regulatory aspects of signaling network plasticity
Authors: Vandermeulen Matthew D. , Cullen Paul J.
Published: January 2022

Phenotypes can change during exposure to different environments through the regulation of signaling pathways that operate in integrated networks. How signaling networks produce different phenotypes in different settings is not fully understood. Here,Gene byEnvironmentInteractions (GEIs) were used to explore the regulatory network that controls filamentous/invasive growth in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. GEI analysis revealed that the regulation of invasive growth is decentralized and varies extensively across environments. Different regulatory pathways were critical or dispensable depending on the environment, microenvironment, or time point tested, and the pathway that made the strongest contribution changed depending on the environment. Some regulators even showed conditional role reversals. Ranking pathways’ roles across environments revealed an under-appreciated pathway (OPI1) as the single strongest regulator among the major pathways tested (RAS,RIM101, andMAPK). One mechanism that may explain the high degree of regulatory plasticity observed was conditional pathway interactions, such as conditional redundancy and conditional cross-pathway regulation. Another mechanism was that different pathways conditionally and differentially regulated gene expression, such as target genes that control separate cell adhesion mechanisms (FLO11andSFG1). An exception to decentralized regulation of invasive growth was that morphogenetic changes (cell elongation and budding pattern) were primarily regulated by one pathway (MAPK). GEI analysis also uncovered a round-cell invasion phenotype. Our work suggests that GEI analysis is a simple and powerful approach to define the regulatory basis of complex phenotypes and may be applicable to many systems.
Dengue virus seroprevalence study in Bangphae district, Ratchaburi, Thailand: A cohort study in 2012-2015
Authors: Limkittikul Kriengsak , Chanthavanich Pornthep , Lee Kang Sung , Lee Jung-Seok , Chatchen Supawat , Lim Sl-Ki , Arunsodsai Watcharee , Yoon In-Kyu , Lim Jacqueline Kyungah
Published: January 2022

Background

To determine the seroprevalence and transmission dynamics of dengue virus (DENV), age-stratified longitudinal serological surveys were conducted in Bangphae district, Ratchaburi province, Thailand, for 3 years between April 2012 and April 2015.

Methodology

The surveys enrolled 2012 healthy children and adults between 1 and 55 years-of-age, and a longitudinal serosurvey of six repeated bleeds of the same cohort of individuals was conducted every 8 months for the first 2 years (M0, M8, M16) and every half a year (M24, M30, M36) for the rest of the study period. All samples were tested using in-house indirect sandwich dengue IgG ELISA to determine DENV antibody titer, and 640 paired samples which showed rising of DENV IgG titers in paired serum were further tested using in-house neutralization assay, Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT50).

Principal findings

When compared against the gold standard based on the results of PRNT50, sensitivity and specificity of indirect ELISA were found to be both about 85%. The overall DENV IgG positivity determined by ELISA was 74.3% in 2012 and increased to 79.4% by the final sample collection in 2015. In our study sample, more than 98% of subjects older than 25 years were found to be seropositive. Among 518 IgG negative subjects at enrollment, the seroconversion rates were measured in paired bleeds; the rates (between successive visits, approximately 6 months) ranged between 4.8% (between M16 and M24) and 14.7% (between M0 and M8). The dominant serotype of primary DENV infection cases based on seroconversion was identified from the PRNT results and it was DENV-2.

Conclusions

Our study documented high levels of seroprevalence and rate of transmission. Given the importance of the serostatus and disease burden in consideration for dengue vaccine introduction, our data could be used in decision-making on implementation of various dengue control and preventive measures.
Adenylate kinase 1 overexpression increases locomotor activity in medaka fish
Authors: Maruyama Michiyo , Furukawa Yuko , Kinoshita Masato , Mukaiyama Atsushi , Akiyama Shuji , Yoshimura Takashi
Published: January 2022

Maintenance of the energy balance is indispensable for cell survival and function. Adenylate kinase (Ak) is a ubiquitous enzyme highly conserved among many organisms. Ak plays an essential role in energy regulation by maintaining adenine nucleotide homeostasis in cells. However, its role at the whole organism level, especially in animal behavior, remains unclear. Here, we established a model using medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) to examine the function of Ak in environmental adaptation. Medaka overexpressing the major Ak isoform Ak1 exhibited increased locomotor activity compared to that of the wild type. Interestingly, this increase was temperature dependent. Our findings suggest that cellular energy balance can modulate locomotor activity.
Effect of incremental proportions of Desmanthus spp. in isonitrogenous forage diets on growth performance, rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites of pen-fed growing Brahman, Charbray and Droughtmaster crossbred beef steers
Authors: Mwangi Felista W. , Suybeng Benedicte , Gardiner Christopher P. , Kinobe Robert T. , Charmley Edward , Malau-Aduli Bunmi S. , Malau-Aduli Aduli E. O.
Published: January 2022

Desmanthus (Desmanthus spp.), a tropically adapted pasture legume, is highly productive and has the potential to reduce methane emissions in beef cattle. However, liveweight gain response to desmanthus supplementation has been inconclusive in ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate weight gain, rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites of Australian tropical beef cattle in response to supplementation with incremental levels of desmanthus forage legume in isonitrogenous diets. Forty-eight Brahman, Charbray and Droughtmaster crossbred beef steers were pen-housed and fed a basal diet of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay supplemented with 0, 15, 30 or 45% freshly chopped desmanthus forage on dry matter basis, for 140 days. Varying levels of lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay were added in the 0, 15 and 30% diets to ensure that all diets were isonitrogenous with the 45% desmanthus diet. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Model procedures of SAS software. Results showed that the proportion of desmanthus in the diet had no significant effect on steer liveweight, rumen volatile fatty acids molar proportions and plasma metabolites (P ≥ 0.067). Total bilirubin ranged between 3.0 and 3.6 μmol/L for all the diet treatments (P = 0.67). All plasma metabolites measured were within the expected normal range reported for beef cattle. Rumen ammonia nitrogen content was above the 10 mg/dl threshold required to maintain effective rumen microbial activity and maximize voluntary feed intake in cattle fed low-quality tropical forages. The average daily weight gains averaged 0.5 to 0.6 kg/day (P = 0.13) and were within the range required to meet the target slaughter weight for prime beef markets within 2.5 years of age. These results indicate that desmanthus alone or mixed with other high-quality legume forages can be used to supplement grass-based diets to improve tropical beef cattle production in northern Australia with no adverse effect on cattle health.
Aggressive local treatment for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma—Stereotactic radiofrequency ablation as a valuable addition to hepatic resection
Authors: Braunwarth Eva , Schullian Peter , Kummann Moritz , Reider Simon , Putzer Daniel , Primavesi Florian , Stättner Stefan , Öfner Dietmar , Bale Reto
Published: January 2022

Background

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and overall clinical outcome of local treatment for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2019 72 consecutive patients underwent hepatic resection for primary intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. If amenable, recurrent tumors were aggressively treated by HR or stereotactic radiofrequency ablation with local curative intent. Endpoints consisted of morbidity and mortality, locoregional and de novo recurrence, disease free survival, and overall survival.

Results

After a median follow-up of 28 months, recurrence of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma was observed in 43 of 72 patients undergoing hepatic resection (60.3%). 16 patients were subsequently treated by hepatic resection (n = 5) and stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (n = 11) with local curative intention. The remaining 27 patients underwent palliative treatment for first recurrence. Overall survival of patients who underwent repeated aggressive liver-directed therapy was comparable to patients without recurrence (p = 0.938) and was better as compared to patients receiving palliative treatment (p = 0.018). The 5-year overall survival rates for patients without recurrence, the repeated liver-directed treatment group and the palliative treatment group were 54.3%, 47.7% and 12.3%, respectively. By adding stereotactic radiofrequency ablation as an alternative treatment option, the rate of curative re-treatment increased from 11.9% to 37.2%.

Conclusion

Repeated hepatic resection is often precluded due to patient morbidity or anatomical and functional limitations. Due to the application of stereotactic radiofrequency ablation in case of recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma, the number of patients treated with curative intent can be increased. This leads to favorable clinical outcome as compared to palliative treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma recurrence.
Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents and the perception of body weight by parents or friends
Authors: Al-Haifi Ahmad R. , Al-Awadhi Balqees A. , Al-Dashti Yousef A. , Aljazzaf Badriyah H. , Allafi Ahmad R. , Al-Mannai Mariam A. , Al-Hazzaa Hazzaa M.
Published: January 2022

Objective

Recently, the State of Kuwait has witnessed a steady rise in the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents. The present study aims to provide an update on the rate of overweight or obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents and examines the associations between adolescents’ overweight/obesity levels and their perception of body weight as seen by parents or friends.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuwaiti secondary schools and included adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 years, using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Body weight and height were measured. A specifically designed self-report questionnaire was used to assess parents’ and friends’ perceptions of an adolescent’s body weight.

Results

A total of 706 adolescents were included the study. The prevalence of overweight or obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents reached nearly 50%, with males (54.3%) having a significantly higher overweight or obesity percentage than females (44.6%). No significant difference in the prevalence of obesity relative to age, from 15 to 18 years, was found. In addition, logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and gender, revealed that adolescents perceived their parents (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001) or friends (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001) as more likely to classify their weight as overweight or obese, respectively.

Conclusion

Overweight or obesity levels appear to be high among Kuwaiti adolescents, and appears to have reached a plateau recently. Efforts to combat obesity and promote physical activity and healthy nutrition are needed. Future studies should seek to identify important moderators of parental and social underestimation/overestimation of children’s overweight or obesity.
Intraoperative transfusion practices and perioperative outcome in the European elderly: A secondary analysis of the observational ETPOS study
Authors: Grüßer Linda , Keszei András , Coburn Mark , Rossaint Rolf , Ziemann Sebastian , Kowark Ana ,   the ETPOS Study Group
Published: January 2022

The demographic development suggests a dramatic growth in the number of elderly patients undergoing surgery in Europe. Most red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) are administered to older people, but little is known about perioperative transfusion practices in this population. In this secondary analysis of the prospective observational multicentre European Transfusion Practice and Outcome Study (ETPOS), we specifically evaluated intraoperative transfusion practices and the related outcomes of 3149 patients aged 65 years and older. Enrolled patients underwent elective surgery in 123 European hospitals, received at least one RBCT intraoperatively and were followed up for 30 days maximum. The mean haemoglobin value at the beginning of surgery was 108 (21) g/l, 84 (15) g/l before transfusion and 101 (16) g/l at the end of surgery. A median of 2 [1–2] units of RBCT were administered. Mostly, more than one transfusion trigger was present, with physiological triggers being preeminent. We revealed a descriptive association between each intraoperatively administered RBCT and mortality and discharge respectively, within the first 10 postoperative days but not thereafter. In our unadjusted model the hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.08–1.15) and the HR for discharge was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74–0.83). After adjustment for several variables, such as age, preoperative haemoglobin and blood loss, the HR for mortality was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05–1.15) and HR for discharge was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78–0.87). Pre-operative anaemia in European elderly surgical patients is undertreated. Various triggers seem to support the decision for RBCT. A closer monitoring of elderly patients receiving intraoperative RBCT for the first 10 postoperative days might be justifiable. Further research on the causal relationship between RBCT and outcomes and on optimal transfusion strategies in the elderly population is warranted. A thorough analysis of different time periods within the first 30 postoperative days is recommended.
Deficits in color detection in patients with Alzheimer disease
Authors: Kim Hee Jin , Ryou Jae Hyun , Choi Kang Ta , Kim Sun Mi , Kim Jee Taek , Han Doug Hyun
Published: January 2022

Deficits in color vision and related retinal changes hold promise as early screening biomarkers in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This study aimed to determine a cut-off score that can screen for Alzheimer’s dementia using a novel color vision threshold test named the red, green, and blue (RGB) modified color vision plate test (RGB-vision plate). We developed the RGB-vision plate consisting of 30 plates in which the red and green hues of Ishihara Plate No.22 were sequentially adjusted. A total of 108 older people participated in the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Ishihara plate, and RGB-vision plate. For the analyses, the participants were divided into two groups: Alzheimer’s dementia (n = 42) and healthy controls (n = 38). K-means cluster analysis and ROC curve analysis were performed to identify the most appropriate cut-off score. As a result, the cut-off screening score for Alzheimer’s dementia on the RGB-vision plate was set at 25, with an area under the curve of 0.773 (p<0.001). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the RGB-vision plate thresholds and MMSE scores (r = -0.36, p = 0.02). In conclusion, patients with Alzheimer’s dementia had a deficit in color vision. The RGB-vision plate is a potential early biomarker that may adequately detect Alzheimer’s dementia.
Seedbank persistence of four summer grass weed species in the northeast cropping region of Australia
Authors: Chauhan Bhagirath Singh , Manalil Sudheesh
Published: January 2022

Summer grass weed species are a particular problem in the northeast cropping region of Australia because they are prolific seeders and favor no-till systems. Information on weed seed persistence levels can be used for the development of effective and sustainable integrated weed management programs. A field study was conducted over 42 months to evaluate the seedbank persistence of Chloris truncata, C. virgata, Dactyloctenium radulans, and Urochloa panicoides as affected by burial depth (0, 2, and 10 cm). Regardless of species, buried seeds persisted longer than surface seeds and there was no difference in seed persistence between 2 and 10 cm depths. Surface seeds of C. truncata depleted completely in 12 months and buried seeds in 24 months. Similarly, C. virgata seeds placed on the soil surface depleted in 12 months. Buried seeds of this species took 18 months to completely deplete, suggesting that C. truncata seeds persist longer than C. virgata seeds. Surface seeds of D. radulans took 36 months to completely deplete, whereas about 7% of buried seeds were still viable at 42 months. U. panicoides took 24 and 42 months to completely exhaust the surface and buried seeds, respectively. These results suggest that leaving seeds on the soil surface will result in a more rapid depletion of the seedbank. Information on seed persistence will help to manage these weeds using strategic tillage operations.
Effects of stress during commercial hatching on growth, egg production and feather pecking in laying hens
Authors: Hedlund Louise , Jensen Per
Published: January 2022

Every year, billions of egg layer chicks around the world are hatched under highly stressful, industrial circumstances. Here, it is investigated how the stressful procedure in the commercial hatchery, including incubation, hatching, processing, and transport affects the chicks with regards to traits relevant for the egg production industry. These traits were compared to those of a control group hatched in a small incubator and handled gently och quietly in a quiet room without any processing and transport. The chicks were weighed at hatch and at eight additional time points: 4 days, 1 week (w), 2 w, 3 w, 5 w, 8 w, 20 w and 25 w of age. Feather pecking was studied at 15 w of age and damages to the feathers and injuries on the comb and wattle were assessed at 25 w of age. From 19 w of age, eggs were collected on three days per week, counted and weighed. Chicks from a commercial hatchery had a lower hatch weight than control chicks (p<0.001). At 20 w of age, the weight of the commercial hatched chicks was still numerically lower, although this did not reach statistical significance. Commercially hatched chicks tended to show more feather pecking behaviour at 15 w of age compared to control chicks (p<0.1), although feather condition at 25 w of age showed the opposite pattern. Regarding production, commercially hatched chickens laid fewer (p<0.05) and smaller (p<0.05) eggs than chicks hatched and handled under calm circumstances. From this experiment, it is concluded that the stressful experience in the commercial hatchery has an overall negative effect on traits relevant for the industry.
Unveiling biogeographical patterns of the ichthyofauna in the Tuichi basin, a biodiversity hotspot in the Bolivian Amazon, using environmental DNA
Authors: Mariac Cédric , Duponchelle Fabrice , Miranda Guido , Ramallo Camila , Wallace Robert , Tarifa Gabriel , Garcia-Davila Carmen , Ortega Hernán , Pinto Julio , Renno Jean-François
Published: January 2022

To date, more than 2400 valid fish species have been recorded in the Amazon basin. However, some regions remain poorly documented. This is the case in the Beni basin and in particular in one of its main sub-basins, the Tuichi, an Andean foothills rivers flowing through the Madidi National Park in the Bolivian Amazonia. The knowledge of its ichthyological diversity is, however, essential for the management and protection of aquatic ecosystems, which are threatened by the development of infrastructures (dams, factories and cities), mining and deforestation. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been relatively little used so far in the Amazon basin. We sampled eDNA from water in 34 sites in lakes and rivers in the Beni basin including 22 sites in the Tuichi sub-basin, during the dry season. To assess the biogeographical patterns of the amazonian ichthyofauna, we implemented a metabarcoding approach using two pairs of specific primers designed and developed in our laboratory to amplify two partially overlapping CO1 fragments, one of 185bp and another of 285bp. We detected 252 fish taxa (207 at species level) among which 57 are newly identified for the Beni watershed. Species compositions are significantly different between lakes and rivers but also between rivers according to their hydrographic rank and altitude. Furthermore, the diversity patterns are related to the different hydro-ecoregions through which the Tuichi flows. The eDNA approach makes it possible to identify and complete the inventory of the ichthyofauna in this still poorly documented Amazon basin. However, taxonomic identification remains constrained by the lack of reference barcodes in public databases and does not allow the assignment of all OTUs. Our results can be taken into account in conservation and management strategies and could serve as a baseline for future studies, including on other Andean tributaries.
Insertive condom-protected and condomless vaginal sex both have a profound impact on the penile immune correlates of HIV susceptibility
Authors: Mohammadi Avid , Bagherichimeh Sareh , Choi Yoojin , Fazel Azadeh , Tevlin Elizabeth , Huibner Sanja , Shao Zhongtian , Zuanazzi David , Prodger Jessica L. , Good Sara V. , Tharao Wangari , Kaul Rupert
Published: January 2022

The penis is the primary site of HIV acquisition in heterosexual men. Elevated penile inflammatory cytokines increase sexual acquisition risk, and topically applied cytokines enhance foreskin HIV susceptibility in an explant model. However, the impact of penile-vaginal sex on these immune parameters is undefined. Heterosexual couples were recruited to the Sex, Couples and Science (SECS) Study, with the collection of penile swabs, semen, cervico-vaginal secretions, and blood after a period of abstinence, and repeated sampling up to 72 hours after either condomless (n = 30) or condom-protected (n = 8) penile-vaginal sex. Soluble immune parameters were quantified by multiplex immunoassay. Co-primary immune endpoints were penile levels of IL-8 and MIG, cytokines previously linked to penile HIV acquisition. One hour after sex there were dramatic increases in penile IL-8 and MIG levels, regardless of condom use, with a gradual return to baseline by 72 hours; similar patterns were observed for other chemoattractant chemokines. Penile cytokine changes were similar in circumcised and uncircumcised men, and repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA models demonstrated that the degree of change after condomless sex was explained by cytokine levels in their partners’ cervico-vaginal secretions. This may have important implications for the biology of penile HIV acquisition.
Engineering, decoding and systems-level characterization of chimpanzee cytomegalovirus
Authors: Phan Quang Vinh , Bogdanow Boris , Wyler Emanuel , Landthaler Markus , Liu Fan , Hagemeier Christian , Wiebusch Lüder
Published: January 2022

The chimpanzee cytomegalovirus (CCMV) is the closest relative of human CMV (HCMV). Because of the high conservation between these two species and the ability of human cells to fully support CCMV replication, CCMV holds great potential as a model system for HCMV. To make the CCMV genome available for precise and rapid gene manipulation techniques, we captured the genomic DNA of CCMV strain Heberling as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Selected BAC clones were reconstituted to infectious viruses, growing to similar high titers as parental CCMV. DNA sequencing confirmed the integrity of our clones and led to the identification of two polymorphic loci and a deletion-prone region within the CCMV genome. To re-evaluate the CCMV coding potential, we analyzed the viral transcriptome and proteome and identified several novel ORFs, splice variants, and regulatory RNAs. We further characterized the dynamics of CCMV gene expression and found that viral proteins cluster into five distinct temporal classes. In addition, our datasets revealed that the host response to CCMV infection and the de-regulation of cellular pathways are in line with known hallmarks of HCMV infection. In a first functional experiment, we investigated a proposed frameshift mutation in UL128 that was suspected to restrict CCMV’s cell tropism. In fact, repair of this frameshift re-established productive CCMV infection in endothelial and epithelial cells, expanding the options of CCMV as an infection model. Thus, BAC-cloned CCMV can serve as a powerful tool for systematic approaches in comparative functional genomics, exploiting the close phylogenetic relationship between CCMV and HCMV.
Motivation Profiles in the Selection of a Study Program: Why do Physical Education Students Decide to Choose Teacher Education?
Authors:   Kiel University, Germany, Fischer Britta , Golenia Marion
Published: January 2022

Students´ motivation to select a study program is an important factor that influences the professional development of student teachers. The exploratory study intended to clarify whether different study choice motivation profiles can be distinguished for PE students and how these profiles can be characterized. The analysis is based on 816 German PE students from 12 universities. The identification of different profiles was carried out by means of latent profile analysis. Among the PE students who were examined, four profiles can be identified concerning the motivation for the selection of a teacher education. The findings differ from most non subject-specific findings, mainly in the number of identified profiles. Further studies need to address whether this finding is subject-specific by comparing different subjects. Furthermore, it is necessary to examine the relevance of the identified profiles with respect to the development of competence of PE students
NUTRITION STATUS IN COMMUNITY DWELLING OLDER POPULATION IN AN EGYPTIAN URBAN AREA
Authors: Abdelrahman H.M.M. , Elawam A.E.E.
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To evaluate the nutrition status in community dwelling Egyptian older subjects, living in Cairo, and the factors that may be associated with malnutrition. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Egyptian social clubs, in Cairo. Participants: 318 older subjects, 60 years old and above. Measurements: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Mini Nutritional Assessment. Results: The nutrition status of the sample was: 44 % (140 subjects) were well nourished, 41.5% (132 subjects) had risk of malnutrition and 14.5 % (46 subjects) were malnourished. the mean age of the well-nourished patients was 64 ± 3.16, while for malnourished patients was 72.3 ± 4.83 [P: <0.001]. Sex did not show a significant difference between well-nourished and malnourished patients [P: 0.35]. Also marital status did not show significant affection of nutritional status [P: 0.254]. While education level and employment status showed significant difference between well-nourished and malnourished patients [P: <0.001]. The functional state assessed by ADL showed a significant difference between well-nourished and malnourished patients [P: <0.007]. Also the Cognitive impairment was more among malnourished than well-nourished patients [P: 0. <0.001]. Depression and polypharmacy were significantly found more among malnourished than well-nourished patients [P: 0.009, 0. 001] respectively. logistic regression analysis revealed that increased age, low score of MMSE, less years of education and increased number of medications were independent risk factor for malnutrition. Conclusion: Malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were prevalent in community dwelling older population, especially with increased age, less education, living alone, unemployment, cognitive impairment, depression and taking multiple medications. So we recommend that nutritional assessment to be included in any assessment of elderly person.
HIP FRACTURE IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY: A PICTURE IN NEED OF CHANGE
Authors: Vidal E.I. O. , Moreira-Filho D.C. , Pinheiro R.S. , Souza R.C. , Almeida L.M. , Camargo Jr K.R. , Villas Boas P.J.F. , Fukushima F.B. , Coeli C.M.
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To describe the clinical profile, patterns of care and mortality rates of aged patients who have undergone hip fracture surgical repair. Design: Retrospective patient record study. Setting: A public university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Participants: 352 patients aged 60 and older who underwent surgery for hip fracture between 1995-2000. Measurements: Sociodemographic data, type of fracture, cause of fracture, time from fracture to surgery, physical status, Charlson comorbidity index, type of surgery and anesthesia, access to in-hospital physiotherapy, use of antibiotic and thromboembolism prophylaxis, and mortality within one year after hospital admission. Results: Among 352 subjects, 74.4% were women. The mean age overall was 77.3 years. Very long delays from the time of fracture to hospital admission (mean 3 days) and from hospital admission to surgery (mean 13 days) were observed. Most femoral neck fractures (82.7%) were managed by hip arthroplasties, while 92.8% of the intertrochanteric fractures underwent internal fixation procedures. Less than 10% of patients received in-hospital physiotherapy. Mortality rates 30 days, 90 days and one year after hospital admission were 3.4%, 8.0% and 13.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence within the context of a developing country of major gaps in the quality of care of vulnerable older adults who suffered a hip fracture. Our findings suggest that hip fracture has not been treated as an urgent condition or a priority within the Brazilian public healthcare system. Further research should address current patterns of care for hip fracture in Brazil and in other developing countries.
La gestión de la crisis sanitaria de la covid-19 en España
Authors: Pérez Medina José María
Published: January 2022

La crisis del covid-19 ha puesto de relieve la poca claridad del papel de la Administración del Estado y del Ministerio de Sanidad, en un sistema de reparto de funciones en el que el Estado carece de recursos asistenciales propios y, por lo tanto, corre el riesgo de un excesivo alejamiento de los problemas reales del sistema sanitario. La regulación normativa en vigor en materia sanitaria se ha mostrado insuficiente y puede requerir de previsiones normativas adicionales en caso de incumplimiento y que aseguren su efectividad.
Modelos logísticos estocásticos aplicados a la cadena de suministro: una revisión de la literatura
Authors: Cuervo Cruz Ricardo Andrés , Martínez Bernal Javier , Orjuela-Castro Javier Arturo
Published: January 2022

Contexto: El análisis de la complejidad de los sistemas conlleva la evolución de los modelos de representación de la realidad, la logística ha avanzado de un contexto empresarial a la cadena de suministro, los modelos básicos de logística con parámetros determinísticos requieren representar el comportamiento real estocástico. En este sentido, aparecen la combinación de los modelos de inventario, la localización y el ruteo con enfoque estocástico aplicados a cadenas de suministro.
Método: Se desarrolló una revisión sistemática de la literatura en las bases de datos bibliográficas ScienceDirect, ScholarGoogle, SpringerLink, Scopus, SemanticScholar y Scielo, así como en ResearchGate. De los 79 artículos referenciados, el 65 % comprenden entre el 2015 y 2019.
Resultados: Se identifican y describen los modelos, a partir de lo cual se propone una taxonomía en cuatro combinaciones, tres de modelos diádicos: LIP, IRP, LRP y un modelo tríadico: LIRP. Se identifican los parámetros estocásticos utilizados en los modelos, los tipos de modelos, los métodos de solución, las funciones objetivo contempladas y el número de eslabones de la cadena contemplados, a partir de los cuales se proponen taxonomías de los diferentes tipos de modelos. Por último, se presentan líneas de trabajo para futuras investigaciones.
Conclusiones: La evolución de modelos determinísticos a estocásticos representa un incremento en la complejidad, lo que obliga a desarrollar nuevos métodos de solución con capacidad de encontrar soluciones factibles. Ha sido de reciente interés el desarrollo de modelos y problemas con medidas de desempeño ambiental, social y riesgo humanitario, en el último periodo toman relevancia modelos tríadicos multiproducto y multiperiodo.
Air Quality Measurement Using an IoT Network: a Case Study
Authors: Paz Penagos Hernán , Moreno Sánchez Andrés Alejandro , Poveda Zafra José Noé
Published: January 2022

Context: The evaluation of air quality in Colombia is localized; it does not go beyond determining whether the level of the polluting gas at a specific point of the monitoring network has exceeded a threshold, according to a norm or standard, in order to trigger an alarm. It is not committed to objectives as important as the real-time identification of the dispersion dynamics of polluting gases in an area, or the prediction of the newly affected population. From this perspective, the presence of polluting gases was evaluated on the university campus of Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito, located north of the city of Bogotá, and the affected population was estimated for the month of October, 2019, using the Kriging geostatistical technique.
Method: This study is part of the design and construction of an auxiliary mobile station that monitors and reports complementary information (CO and SO2 gases) to that provided by the Guaymaral meteorological station, located in the north of Bogotá. This information is transmitted through an IoT network to a server, where a database is created which stores the information on polluting gases reported by the 14 stations of the Bogotá air quality monitoring network, the information sent by the auxiliary station, and the statistical information of the population present on the university campus. Pollutant gas data and population information recorded from October 1st to 31st, 2019, are the input for data analysis using the Kriging interpolation method and predicting the affected population on said campus.
Results: There is a particulate matter concentration of 29 µg/m3 of PM10 in the coliseum and 12,6 µg/m3 of PM2,5 in building G, in addition to 9,8 ppb of O3 in building I, 14,9 ppb of NO2 in that same building, 0,79 ppb of CO in building C, and 0,65 ppb of SO2 also in building C, thus allowing to infer, according to the Bogotá air quality index, a favorable air quality for a population of 2.131 people who visited the campus university during the aforementioned period.
Conclusions: The correct integration of the data in the web server and their analysis, carried out in the R language, allowed determining the approximate indicators of the polluting factors around Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito. Additionally, to determine the affected population, these indicators were correlated with the information on the registered population that entered the campus during the period under study. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the air quality on the campus of Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito is favorable, and that 2.131 people benefited daily from these conditions.
SSOP Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Tibia and Fibula for Applications in Biomechanical Fracture Models
Authors: Mejía Gallón Valentina , Naranjo Cardona María Camila , Ramírez Juan , Atehortua Carmona Juan , Santa-Marin Juan Felipe , Vallejo Pareja Samuel , Posada Viviana Marcela
Published: January 2022

Context:  Non-fatal injuries represent a public health issue. Among them, lower limb fractures have a large impact on the costs related to orthopedic treatments. In this work, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the tibia and fibula was performed for biomechanical applications with the purpose of defining the 3D reconstruction parameters that allow reducing patients’ radiation exposure and computational costs.
 Method: For the 3D reconstruction, a computerized tomography taken from a volunteer was used, as well as two software applications specialized in DICOM image reconstruction (Mimics Research and 3DSlicer). The number of images included in the volume was modified, and the results were compared. The quality of the reconstructed volumes was verified by comparing the reference volume reconstructed with the total number of images/slices vs. the modified volumes. The MeshLab software was used for this purpose. The analyzed parameters were the distance differences between the reference and the alternative models, as well as the qualitative curvature analysis.
Results: The ANOVA results for the Max (maximum distance between meshes) response shows that software and slices are significant factors. However, the software-slices interaction did not have a significant influence. As for the RMS (root mean square) distance response, software, slices, and the software-slices interaction are not significant. For the Mean distance response, slices and the software-slices interaction are not significant. Nevertheless, software significantly influences the response. These results suggest a potential way to reduce the computational cost and the patient’s radiation exposure in future biomechanical and preoperatory analyses, since the same quality can be obtained by including fewer 2D images in the reconstruction.
Conclusions: The reconstructed surfaces are smoother when Mimics is used, even though the same smoothness factor was employed in both software applications during the reconstruction. When 16 slices are used (retained every 16 images from the complete original model), the distance differences increased for both bones (tibia and fibula). For the RMS, reducing the number of slices and using either one of the two applications analyzed would not show any significant differences in the reconstruction, thus allowing the potential reduction of radiation exposure of the patient.
Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to Universidad Nacional de Colombia for funding the project “Estado de esfuerzos en un elemento de osteosíntesis en la consolidación de una fractura de miembro inferior”.
Extraordinary Passive Safety in Cars Using a Sensor Network Model
Authors: Ruiz Castilla José Sergio , García Lamont Farid
Published: January 2022

Context:  The automobile industry has included active and passive safety. Active safety incorporates elements to avoid crashes and collisions. Some elements are ABS brakes and stabilization bars, among others. On the other hand, passive safety avoids or minimizes damage to the occupants in the event of an accident. Some passive safety features include seat belts and front and curtain airbags for the driver and other occupants. Method: In this research work, we propose a new category called Extraordinary Passive Safety (XPS). A model of a sensor network was designed to inspect the conditions inside the car to detect fire, smoke, gases, and extreme temperatures. The sensors send data to a device (DXPS) capable of receiving and storing the data. Results: Each sensor collects data and sends it to the DXPS every period. The sensor sends 0s while there is no risk, and 1s when it detects a risk. When the DXPS receives a 1, the pattern is evaluated, and the risk is identified. Since there are several sensors, the reading pattern is a set of 0s (000000). When a pattern with one or more 1s (000100, 010101) is received, the DXPS can send an alert or activate a device. Conclusions: The proposed solution could save the lives of children left in the car or people trapped when the car catches fire. As future work, it is intended to define the devices to avoid or minimize damage to the occupants such as oxygen supply, gas extraction, regulating the temperature, among others.
Między ziemią obiecaną a krainą rozczarowań – profile EUROPY we Wszystkich wojnach Lary Wojciecha Jagielskiego
Authors: Akram Sara
Published: January 2022

The aim of the article is to point out and describe the profiles of the concept of EUROPE in Wojciech Jagielski’s non-fiction book All Lara’s Wars. Profiling in ethnolinguistics is a process of creating an individual image (profile) of a particular object. The profiles can be diverse, depending on what kind of aspects are important in shaping a particular subjective vision. Based on the linguistic analysis of the chosen quotes from the book, six profiles of EUROPE have been pointed out: promised land, open home, fortress, package, waiting room and land of disappointment. The common aspect which can be found in all the profiles is the geographical one. However, each profile is shaped differently and is dominated by one of the aspects: living, social or civilisational (cultural). Two of the profiles are positively valued (promised land and open home) and the other four are negatively valued, which leads to the conclusion that the image of EUROPE presented in the book is mostly characterised as pejorative.
Metafora w służbie polityki. Aleksander Kwaśniewski o wstąpieniu Polski do NATO i akcesji do Unii Europejskiej
Authors: Wołoszyn Magdalena
Published: January 2022

The aim of the article is to analyse selected metaphors used by the President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, in public appearances during his presidency in from 1995 to 2005. The subject of interest are public appearances in which A. Kwaśniewski talked about the preparation and accession of Poland to one of the most prestigious organisations in the world – the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) in 1999 and the European Union (EU) in 2004. The author analyses selected metaphors (including: HOME, ROAD, FAMILY), regarding Poland’s accession to these structures, which were used by the president in his speeches. The author discusses how A. Kwaśniewski, who was then the head of state, used metaphors to present his attitude towards the issue of Poland’s integration with North Atlantic Alliance and accession to the European Union and what vision of Poland’s presence in these structures he had.
Exponentially fitted difference scheme for singularly perturbed mixed integro-differential equations
Authors: Cakir Musa , Gunes Baransel
Published: January 2022

In this study, singularly perturbed mixed integro-differential equations (SPMIDEs) are taken into account.
First, the asymptotic behavior of the solution is investigated.
Then, by using interpolating quadrature rules and an exponential basis function, the finite difference scheme is constructed on a uniform mesh.
The stability and convergence of the proposed scheme are analyzed in the discrete maximum norm.
Some numerical examples are solved, and numerical outcomes are obtained.
Reactions at the molten flux-weld pool interface in submerged arc welding
Authors: Coetsee Theresa , De Bruin Frederik
Published: January 2022

In submerged arc welding (SAW) of chromium (Cr) containing steels, Cr is usually added to the weld metal from the weld wire, and not from the welding flux. Manufacturing of weld wires of specific compositions is expensive and time consuming and cannot closely match all the desired alloy compositions. Therefore, the weld wire chemistry is usually over matched to the base plate composition. Better matching between the weld metal and base plate is possible if the weld metal incorporates Cr from Cr containing metal powder, instead of sourcing Cr from weld wire of limited Cr content. Because Cr is easily oxidised, the oxygen partial pressure in SAW must be controlled. This work illustrates the control of the oxygen potential at the molten flux-weld pool interface by using aluminium (Al) powder addition. The controlled oxygen potential at the molten flux-weld pool interface ensures increased Cr powder transfer into the weld pool, without interfering with oxygen transfer from the plasma arc to the weld pool. The objective of this work is to use targeted powder additions to better control Cr reactions in SAW to improve Cr metal transfer to the weld metal and maintain an acceptable level of oxygen in the weld metal.
Zeta functions of the 3-dimensional almost-Bieberbach groups
Authors: Sulca Diego
Published: January 2022

The subgroup zeta function and the normal zeta function of a finitely generated virtually nilpotent group can be expressed as finite sums of Dirichlet series admitting Euler product factorization.
We compute these series except for a finite number of local factors when the group is virtually nilpotent of Hirsch length 3.
We deduce that they can be meromorphically continued to the whole complex plane and that they satisfy local functional equations.
The complete computation (with no exception of local factors) is presented for those groups that are also torsion-free, that is, for the 3-dimensional almost-Bieberbach groups.