bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of uptake of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with sulfadoxine pyrimethamine in pregnancy: a cross-sectional analytical study in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Anto Francis , Ayepah Christabel , Awini Elizabeth , Bimi Langbong
Published: October 2021

Background

Ghana malaria control programme recommends the uptake of five doses of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy following the review of the World Health Organization recommendations in 2012. The uptake of higher doses of SP since the implementation of the new policy in 2016, has been low across the country. The current study determined factors that can be improved to increase uptake of SP for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp-SP).

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among women who had just delivered in selected health facilities in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana. Participants were enrolled from the lying-in wards of the study facilities after delivery. Data including time of initiating antenatal care (ANC), number of visits, time of first dose of SP and number of doses were collected. ANC books were also reviewed. Logistic and ordered logistic regression analysis were done to determine respondent factors associated with uptake of IPTp-SP using Stata 15.

Results

Out of the 496 mothers who participated in the study, 370 (74.60%) initiated ANC during the first trimester, 123 (24.80%) during the second, with only three (0.60%) starting during the third trimester. Majority (463/496, 93.35%) made > 4 visits. Uptake of at least one dose of SP was 98.79% (490/496), ≥ 2 doses was 92.75 (460/496), ≥ 3 doses was 80.65% (400/496) and ≥ 4 doses was 40.32% (200/496). Uptake of IPTp 5 was very low (6.65%, 33/490).

A unit increase of one ANC visit was associated with 20% higher odds of receiving 3-4 doses of SP with respect to receiving 1-2 doses (p <  0.001). The probability of receiving 5 or more doses of SP with respect to 1-2 doses was 26% higher with a unit increase of one ANC visit.

Conclusion

Uptake of 3-4 doses and ≥ 5 doses of SP were associated with making more ANC visits. Encouraging and motivating expectant mothers to make more ANC visits can improve uptake of ≥5 doses of SP.
Predictors of physical activity among women in Bojnourd, north east of Iran: Pender’s health promotion model
Authors: Tavakoly Sany Seyedeh Belin , Vahedian Shahroodi Mohammad , Hosseini Khaboshan Zahra , Orooji Arezoo , Esmaeily Habibollah , Jafari Alireza , Tajfard Mohammad
Published: October 2021

Background

This study examined how socio-demographic characteristics constructs derived from the health promotion model (HPM) influence the level of physical activity (PA) women in Bojnourd, North East of Iran.

Method

This cross-sectional study has been carried out through multi-stage sampling design on 356 women aged 18–60 years living in Iran. Data was collected through reliable and valid questionnaire survey women who were selected from their homes.

Results

Most of participants (53.40%) had a low level of physical activity behaviors with minimal physical activity (PA) scores. Using regression analysis showed that 23.22% of the total variance in PA behaviors was predicted by socio-demographic variables, whilst 40.81% of the variance in PA behaviors was predicted by constructs from the HPM. The results from Path modeling indicated that prior behavior, interpersonal influences, perceived self-efficacy, perceived barriers and commitment to PA, were significant predictors for PA behaviors with 86.93% of total effects on PA, whereas, activity-related affect and situational influences had no significant effect on the PA behaviors.

Conclusions

We found that constructs derived from the HPM are determinants of PA among Iranian women and may be important in developing educational intervention programs to facilitate a physically active lifestyle in this population.
Tuberculous pleural effusion in a patient with sympathetic ophthalmia on immunosuppression: a case report
Authors: Thiagarajan Dharshana , Teh Daphne Ai Lin , Ahmad Tarmidzi Nor Azita , Ishak Hamisah , Abu Bakar Zamzurina , Bastion Mae-Lynn Catherine
Published: October 2021

Background

Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) is paucibacillary, making its diagnosis difficult based on laboratory investigations alone. We present a case of a patient with a TPE who was initially misdiagnosed to have azathioprine-induced lung injury. The diagnosis of TPE was arrived at with the help of clinical assessment, laboratory and radiological investigations.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old chronic smoker with sympathetic ophthalmia on long-term immunosuppression, latent tuberculosis infection and a significant family history of tuberculosis presented with a three-week history of productive cough, low-grade fever, night sweats and weight loss. Examination of the lungs showed reduced breath sounds at the right lower zone. Chest x-ray showed minimal right pleural effusion with a small area of right upper lobe consolidation. The pleural fluid was exudative with predominant mononuclear leukocytes. Direct smears of sputum and pleural fluid; polymerase chain reaction of pleural fluid; and sputum, pleural fluid and blood cultures were negative for M. tuberculosis (MTB) and other organisms. As he did not respond to a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics, he was then treated as a case of azathioprine-induced lung injury. However, his condition did not improve despite the cessation of azathioprine. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the thorax showed right upper lobe consolidation with tree-in-bud changes, bilateral lung atelectasis, subpleural nodule, mild right pleural effusion and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Bronchoalveolar lavage was negative for malignant cells and microorganisms including, MTB. However, no pleural biopsy was done. He was empirically treated with anti-tubercular therapy for 9 months duration and showed complete recovery.

Conclusion

A high index of suspicion for TPE is required in individuals with immunosuppression living in regions endemic to tuberculosis. Targeted investigations and sound clinical judgement allow early diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation to prevent morbidity and mortality.
A place migrants would call home: open-ended constructions and social determinants over time among Ecuadorians in three European cities
Authors: Boccagni Paolo , Armanni Bernardo , Santinello Cristiano
Published: October 2021

Is there a place in particular that international migrants would call home? How do they talk about it, where does it lie, and what characteristics is it expected to have, given their demographics and patterns of settlement? Similar questions are meaningful in themselves and in illuminating migrant biographical, family and housing trajectories. We address them, in this paper, through the categorization and multinomial analysis of the responses to a dedicated open-ended question in a survey on Ecuadorians in Madrid, Milan and London (n = 1175). This original dataset allows us to explore migrant views of home against the background of their demographics and of their migration and housing conditions. We analyse respondents’ ways to articulate, spatialize and prioritize key aspects of home through a logit model, thereby assessing their association with age, length of stay, housing tenure, family networks and city of residence. Overall, their predominant construction of home points to a place in the country of settlement, but not necessarily to their own dwelling. Younger and newcomer immigrants see home as a primarily relational construct, whereas older and long-stayers emphasize its place-based and private dimension. Significant variations in the expected emplacement and bases of home can be found across cities of residence. However, no significant variations are associated either with gender or with migrants’ transnational engagement.
Development and Proof of Concept of an Audit Toolkit for the Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: von Grünigen Sandrine , Falaschi Ludivine , Guichard Nicolas , Fleury-Souverain Sandrine , Geissbühler Antoine , Bonnabry Pascal
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

Chemotherapies are considered high-risk drugs for patient and staff safety. Considering the rising burden of cancer and the increasing use of chemotherapy drugs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), promoting continuous improvements in the safety and quality of practices in these settings is essential. This paper describes the development and proof of concept of a toolkit to audit chemotherapy handling practices in the health care facilities of LMICs.

METHODS

A steering committee defined the audit method and the toolkit content. Several checklists were developed to facilitate the audit and data collection. Items included in checklists were derived from key reference works on safe handling. Different tools were validated using Delphi surveys and expert reviews. Audits of pilot sites were performed to test the toolkit's applicability and relevance.

RESULTS

The toolkit contains a 134-item global assessment tool for the different processes at each step of the medication pathway and three step-specific observation checklists to assess different health workers' practices during the prescription, preparation, and administration of chemotherapies. The toolkit also proposes using a surface-wipe sampling method to measure any cytotoxic contamination of the immediate environment. The toolkit was tested in three teaching hospitals in Africa.

CONCLUSION

The toolkit developed was successfully implemented in a variety of LMIC settings, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the quality and safety of the chemotherapy drug handling practices in participating health care facilities. This toolkit can help facilities in LMICs to implement a new approach to continuously improving the quality and safety of their practices and ultimately ensure patient and staff safety.
Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin Versus Transarterial Chemoembolization for Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized Phase III Trial
Authors: Li Qi-Jiong , He Min-Ke , Chen Huan-Wei , Fang Wan-Qiang , Zhou Yuan-Min , Xu Li , Wei Wei , Zhang Yao-Jun , Guo Ying , Guo Rong-Ping , Chen Min-Shan , Shi Ming
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

In a previous phase II trial, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with infusional fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) yielded higher treatment responses than transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in large unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to compare the overall survival of patients treated with FOLFOX-HAIC versus TACE as first-line treatment in this population.

METHODS

In this randomized, multicenter, open-label trial, adults with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (largest diameter ≥ 7 cm) without macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic spread were randomly assigned 1:1 to FOLFOX-HAIC (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, fluorouracil bolus 400 mg/m2 on day 1, and fluorouracil infusion 2,400 mg/m2 for 24 hours, once every 3 weeks) or TACE (epirubicin 50 mg, lobaplatin 50 mg, and lipiodol and polyvinyl alcohol particles). The primary end point was overall survival by intention-to-treat analysis. Safety was assessed in patients who received ≥ 1 cycle of study treatment.

RESULTS

Between October 1, 2016, and November 23, 2018, 315 patients were randomly assigned to FOLFOX-HAIC (n = 159) or TACE (n = 156). The median overall survival in the FOLFOX-HAIC group was 23.1 months (95% CI, 18.5 to 27.7) versus 16.1 months (95% CI, 14.3 to 17.9) in the TACE group (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.75; P < .001). The FOLFOX-HAIC group showed a higher response rate than the TACE group (73 [46%] v 28 [18%]; P < .001) and a longer median progression-free survival (9.6 [95% CI, 7.4 to 11.9] v 5.4 months [95% CI, 3.8 to 7.0], P < .001). The incidence of serious adverse events was higher in the TACE group than in the FOLFOX-HAIC group (30% v 19%, P = .03). Two deaths in the FOLFOX-HAIC group and two in the TACE group were deemed to be treatment-related.

CONCLUSION

FOLFOX-HAIC significantly improved overall survival over TACE in patients with unresectable large hepatocellular carcinoma.
Kinematics of sea star legged locomotion
Authors: Ellers Olaf , Khoriaty Melody , Johnson Amy S.
Published: October 2021

Sea stars have slower crawling and faster bouncing gaits. Both speed and oscillation amplitude increase during the transition from crawling to oscillating. In the bouncy gait, oscillating vertical velocities precede oscillating horizontal velocities by 90 deg, as reflected by clockwise circular hodographs. Potential energy precedes horizontal kinetic energy by 9.6 deg and so they are nearly in phase. These phase relationships resemble terrestrial running gaits, except that podia are always on the ground. Kinetic and potential energy scale with body mass as Mb   1.1, with the change in kinetic energy consistently two orders of magnitude less, indicating that efficient exchange is not feasible. Frequency of the bouncy gait scales with Mb−0.14, which is similar to continuously running vertebrates and indicates that gravitational forces are important. This scaling differs from the Hill model, in which scaling of muscle forces determine frequency. We propose a simple torque-stabilized inverted pendulum (TS-IP) model to conceptualize the dynamics of this gait. The TS-IP model incorporates mathematics equivalent to an angular spring, but implemented by a nearly constant upward force generated by the podia in each step. That upward force is just larger than the force required to sustain the underwater weight of the sea star. Even though the bouncy gait is the rapid gait for these sea stars, the pace of movement is still very slow. In fact, the observed Froude numbers (10−2 to 10−3) are much lower than those typical of vertebrate locomotion and are as low or lower than those reported for slow-walking fruit flies, which are the lowest values for pedestrian Froude numbers of which we are aware.
Diet mediates thermal performance traits: implications for marine ectotherms
Authors: Hardison Emily A. , Kraskura Krista , Van Wert Jacey , Nguyen Tina , Eliason Erika J.
Published: October 2021

Thermal acclimation is a key process enabling ectotherms to cope with temperature change. To undergo a successful acclimation response, ectotherms require energy and nutritional building blocks obtained from their diet. However, diet is often overlooked as a factor that can alter acclimation responses. Using a temperate omnivorous fish, opaleye (Girella nigricans), as a model system, we tested the hypotheses that (1) diet can impact the magnitude of thermal acclimation responses and (2) traits vary in their sensitivity to both temperature acclimation and diet. We fed opaleye a simple omnivorous diet (ad libitum Artemia sp. and Ulva sp.) or a carnivorous diet (ad libitum Artemia sp.) at two ecologically relevant temperatures (12 and 20°C) and measured a suite of whole-animal (growth, sprint speed, metabolism), organ (cardiac thermal tolerance) and cellular-level traits (oxidative stress, glycolytic capacity). When opaleye were offered two diet options compared with one, they had reduced cardiovascular thermal performance and higher standard metabolic rate under conditions representative of the maximal seasonal temperature the population experiences (20°C). Further, sprint speed and absolute aerobic scope were insensitive to diet and temperature, while growth was highly sensitive to temperature but not diet, and standard metabolic rate and maximum heart rate were sensitive to both diet and temperature. Our results reveal that diet influences thermal performance in trait-specific ways, which could create diet trade-offs for generalist ectotherms living in thermally variable environments. Ectotherms that alter their diet may be able to regulate their performance at different environmental temperatures.
A survey to gather perspectives of DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance-funded researchers on public engagement with science
Authors: Iqbal Sarah , Kar Banya
Published: October 2021

Lately, the Indian research ecosystem has seen an upward trend in scientists showing interest in communicating their science and engaging with non-scientific audiences; however, the number and variety of science communication or public engagement activities undertaken formally by scientists remains low in the country. There could be many contributing factors for this trend. To explore this further, the science funding public charity in India, DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (India Alliance), in a first of its kind of study by a funding agency in India, surveyed its 243 research grantees in November 2020 requesting their views on public engagement with science in India through an online survey. The survey included both quantitative as well as open-ended questions to assess the understanding of, participation in, and attitude of India Alliance Fellows/Grantees towards public engagement with research, identify the enablers, challenges, and barriers to public engagement for India Alliance Fellows/Grantees, understand the specific needs (training/capacity-building, funding, etc.) and develop recommendations for India Alliance as well as for the larger scientific ecosystem in the country. The survey showed that India Alliance grantees are largely motivated to engage with the public about science or their research but lack professional recognition and incentives, training and structural support to undertake public engagement activities.
Meter in Traditional Kakataibo Chants
Authors: Prieto Mendoza Alejandro Augusto
Published: October 2021

This paper studies the principal aspects of meter of three traditional Kakataibo chants (a Panoan group of Peruvian Amazonia). Regarding meter, Kakataibo chants exhibit patterns relevant for the cross-linguistic study of line and meter typology. I describe the Kakataibo system of versification as a quantitative meter that counts an exact number of moras and regulates the distribution of these by imposing grouping restrictions; also, it establishes weight differences between light, heavy and superheavy syllables, and vowel lengthening plays an important role for meter purposes. In addition, the average duration of lines tends to last less than three seconds and decreases progressively during performance.
Clinical Efficacy of Scalene Injection for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Authors: Baek Samuel , Kim Seok , Shin Myung Ho , Kim Tae Min , Lee Seoung-Joon , An Sung Jin , Kim Sang-Hyo , Kwon Young-Ho
Published: October 2021

Purpose: We introduce the novel treatment technique, scalene injection, and study its clinical efficacy for diagnosis, treatment, and pain control for patients with thoracic outlet syndrome.Methods: Between November 2001 and October 2018, 266 patients were studied retrospectively. To evaluate the efficacy and sustainability, we checked the numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain relief and neck disability index (NDI) for functional improvements, prior to and 1, 12 weeks after the injection. The safety was evaluated by examining side effects for at least 24 hours from the point of injection.Results: NRS was improved from 7.12 to 3.11 at 1 week, and to 3.05 at 12 weeks (p<0.05). NDI was improved from 15.87 to 6.15 at 1 week, and to 6.19 at 12 weeks (p<0.05). There were two cases of convulsion immediately after the injection and were treated with prompt oxygen supply and sedatives. Transient side effects included two cases of dyspnea and one case of nausea and were resolved within 1 hour after. All five cases showed symptoms of side effects on the day of injection and were resolved within a day. A total of 242 patients (91.0%) experienced immediate declines in NRS and 161 patients experienced persistent declines for more than 12 weeks. However, 24 patients (9.0%) showed no improvement and 20 patients (7.5%) experienced increases in NRS.Conclusion: Scalene injection is also effective as a therapeutic method. However, this study suggests that it must be done with monitoring of vital signs in an operating room for any possible complications and side effects.
Towards an Agenda for Open Language Archiving
Authors: Bird Steven , Simons Gary
Published: October 2021

The Open Language Archives Community (OLAC) provides a comprehensive infrastructure that has allowed our community to index and discover language resources over the past 20 years. However, OLAC infrastructure has fallen behind as the digital libraries community has continued to evolve. New investment is required in order to move OLAC into the digital libraries mainstream. This paper reports on the first 20 years of OLAC and on an agenda leading to a more sustainable future for open language archiving.
TRAJETÓRIA CONTEMPORÂNEA EM TERRITÓRIOS AFRICANOS: AS EXPERIÊNCIAS ROMANESCAS DE PAULINA CHIZIANE EM MOÇAMBIQUE E SEFI ATTA NA NIGÉRIA
Authors: Saes Stela
Published: October 2021

Este artigo destina-se a apresentar um panorama do projeto literário contemporâneo das escritoras Paulina Chiziane de Moçambique e Sefi Atta da Nigéria, concentrando-se nos romances publicados por elas entre a década de 90 e anos 2000. O objetivo é demonstrar de que forma ambas posicionam o projeto político de seus escritos ficcionais, centrando as mulheres em suas demandas e lutas nos territórios africanos da contemporaneidade. Essa perspectiva é possível pois, enquanto autoras comprometidas com os processos de escrita ficcional, cujas condições materiais recaem de maneira política, econômica e social nas narrativas por elas colocadas, uma análise materialista da literatura é capaz de organizar os embates perpetrados pelas trajetórias das personagens e das escritoras enquanto agentes políticos. Ao analisar as experiências romanescas das escritoras, as imbricações entre feminismo, história e literatura revelam-se presentes, pois evidencia-se que a própria existência dessas escritoras e seus textos em um universo colonial, racista, patriarcal e capitalista que oprime constantemente suas mais variadas formas de expressão, é determinante para a consolidação de seus escritos ficcionais.
The art of prioritisation
Authors: Marsh Ellie
Published: October 2021

In this month's student column, Ellie Marsh recounts a shift where prioritisation was particularly important and how the lessons from this shift can be applied to future practice.
Consultation and clinical assessment of the heart and cardiovascular system
Authors: Byrne Jill
Published: October 2021

This article aims to increase knowledge of cardiac assessment. Anatomy and physiology of the heart are briefly reviewed and reference is made to pathology that can cause cardiac dysfunction. The main features to look for when taking a cardiac history are discussed, with suggestions for questions to elicit this information, and the signs to look for when undertaking a cardiac examination. There is also an introduction to the main investigations to aid differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning. A follow-up article will look in more detail at some common cardiac conditions presenting to emergency care, with an emphasis on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning. These articles are written from an emergency care perspective, and therefore do not focus in great detail on invasive investigation of cardiology conditions, but more so on picking up these possibilities in undifferentiated patients presenting to emergency care.
Understanding female sexual dysfunction, its causes and treatments
Authors: Gregory Angela
Published: October 2021

Female sexual dysfunction can greatly affect a woman's quality of life. Affected patients need a comprehensive assessment that includes taking a sexual history, medical evaluation and, if appropriate, a manual examination in order to diagnose, treat or identify factors relevant for each individual woman. There may be biological, psychological, emotional and relationship issues. Any biological factors such as vaginal dryness, pelvic floor dysfunction or chronic pain need to be addressed first to help prevent more complex problems developing. Sexual problems may be the cause of or the result of dysfunctional or unsatisfactory relationships. Psychological and emotional factors can create difficulties in sexual response and, equally, they can be the result of unaddressed or untreated biological/medical issues. Nurses working in urology need to be aware of the physiology involved in sexual response and know which conditions and illnesses are likely to affect sexual functioning and which treatments can help.
COVID-19 as a Crucible: The Transformation of Global Educators
Authors: Kirshner Jean
Published: October 2021

This article examines how the crisis of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) became a crucible, or a means of transformation, for global educators. How teachers leverage their lived experience of teaching through the implications of COVID-19 to transform identity and practice is a new phenomenon and merits examination. Through a collection of interviews, the ways in which the life experiences of teaching through COVID-19 worked to create new identities in teachers and new practices within the classroom is examined. Data was gathered through informal interviews from eleven educators teaching through the crisis of COVID-19 across the world, including four continents and six countries. Drawing on simple thematic analysis, a narrative approach was utilized to examine the process of transformation in teachers across the globe. The findings and analysis of this research will help those working with teachers better understand how teachers leverage a crisis be it COVID-19, or another disruptive force, as a crucible for transformation.
The Application of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Cloud Computing Environment Resources
Authors: Zheng Yuan , Wen Xiangbin
Published: October 2021

With the continuous innovation and development of modern computer science and mobile Internet and other information technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) is not a new thing. It has been widely studied and applied in many fields, and it is very important for people in modern society. The research fields of artificial intelligence mainly include: deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, intelligent robot, automatic programming, data mining and so on. All kinds of industrial production and daily life will bring a very important practical significance and far-reaching influence. The rapid development and improvement of AI have effectively changed the daily life of modern people and improved work efficiency, and promoted the vigorous and healthy development of human economic and social civilization and the progress of information technology. When widely used, traditional network information and big data processing technologies are difficult to adapt to its development needs. Only by closely combining cloud computing technology with other technologies can it play a better role and give full play to AI technology and its development. The enthusiasm and promotion of related application technologies have promoted the smooth progress of AI technology and related undertakings. With the development and improvement of cloud computing technology, more and more users tend to use the cloud to work. However, a large number of cloud service failures occurred, causing huge losses for enterprises and individuals. In order to prevent damage to the interests of enterprises and individuals, cloud service providers will provide high-quality services as much as possible. This paper aims to study the application of AI technology in cloud computing environment resources, research on the indicator of reliability, and propose a cloud service reliability verification method for the infrastructure-as-a-service layer. Experimental research shows that through the reliability detection method in this paper, users can easily and quickly obtain the reliability of the purchased cloud service, and can intuitively feel whether the performance of each server meets the promised situation in the cloud service provider’s SLA.
Integrating ecological, social and policy aspects to develop peatland restoration strategies in Orang Kayo Hitam Forest Park, Jambi, Indonesia
Authors: Wulandari Christine , Novriyanti Novriyanti , Iswandaru Dian
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Wulandari C, Novriyanti N, Iswandaru D. 2021. Integrating ecological, social and policy aspects to develop peatland restoration strategies in Orang Kayo Hitam Forest Park, Jambi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4158-4168. Peatlands play an essential role in delivering various ecosystem services, yet in many areas in Indonesia, peat forests have been deforested, degraded, and threatened by repeated fires. As such, restoration efforts need to be done. But these require various considerations, including ecological aspects such as type degradation conditions, water table, species selected for planting, and climates, socio-economic aspects like community's involvement, and policy aspects such as regulations and institutions at national and local levels. This study aimed to analyze peatland restoration strategies in Orang Kayo Hitam (OKH) Forest Park, Jambi using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats, and Opportunities (SWOT) framework. The analysis was done by integrating multiple aspects such as policy, biodiversity conservation, and surrounding community participation. Data were collected using virtual ethnographic techniques due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key informants (i.e., OKH Forest Park Unit area managers, NGOs, staff of national government, and university academics) and selected respondents were interviewed to identify and determine factors considered as internal (i.e., Strengths and Weaknesses) and external (i.e., Threats and Opportunities). This qualitative data was then analyzed using a SWOT approach through the IFE (Internal Factor Evaluation) and EFE (External Factor Evaluation) Matrix. The research findings showed that from 12 internal factors and 11 external factors, efforts to restore peatland ecosystems in Orang Kayo Hitam (OKH) Forest Park had obtained very strong values in the biodiversity aspect. The SWOT matrix analysis showed values of S-W = 0.43 and O-T = 0.16 positioned in quadrant I. This result suggests that the most powerful strategies can be developed aggressively from the factors of strengths and opportunities.
Seed-transmission of Cowpea mild mottle virus on several varieties of soybean in Indonesia
Authors: Sutrawati Mimi , Hidayat Sri Hendrastuti , Suastika Gede , Purnomo Wahyu Sukarno Bonny , Nurmansyah Ali
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Sutrawati M, Hidayat SH, Suastika G, Sukarno BPW, Nurmansyah A. 2021. Seed-transmission of Cowpea mild mottle virus on several varieties of soybean in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4182-4185. Seeds and infected plants play important role as source of disease in the field for seed-transmitted virus, such as Cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV). Research was conducted to determine seed transmission nature of CPMMV on 10 soybean varieties based on growing on test method and dot immunobinding assay to confirm CPMMV infection. Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of seed-transmitted CPMMV as the source of initial inoculum in the field. Soybean var. ‘Anjasmoro’ from 3 cultivation areas (Cianjur, Bogor, and Cirebon) was used for field experiment. Seed transmission of CPMMV was confirmed on soybean var. ‘Detam 2’, ‘Detam 3’, ‘Malika’, ‘Anjasmoro’, and ‘Argomulyo’; but was not found on ‘Detam 1’, ‘Detam 4’, ‘Wilis’, ‘Grobogan’, and ‘Dena 1’. The infection of CPMMV did not show symptom, either on the seedcoat and the unifoliolate leaves. Infection rate of CPMMV on seeds were relatively high, ranged between 27 to 86%. Disease incidence on var. ‘Anjasmoro’ from Cianjur, Cirebon, and Bogor varied from 32.9 to 75% and 57.9 to 81.3% in screenhouse and field experiment, respectivelly.
Short Communication: Bacillus endolithicus and Bacillus paramycoides: New isolates from housefly Musca domestica in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ezzat Elghwas Dina , AL-NASSER ABIR S. , AL-SHEIKHY AISHA A.
Published: October 2021

Abstract. El-Ghwas DE, Al-Nasser AS, Al-Sheikhy AA. 2021. Short Communication: Bacillus endolithicus and Bacillus paramycoides: New Isolates from housefly Musca domestica in Saudi Arabia. Biodiversitas 22: 4209-4214. Housefly Musca domestica Linnaeus is a common insect widely distributed all over the world. It is one of the domestic insects found associated with humans and animals. The present study investigated the bacterial diversity associated with Musca domestica samples collected from different places such as food courts and trash cans near fast-food restaurants in Makkah Province from October 2019 to December 2019. Eighteen pure isolates of bacterial strains were isolated and identified by Gram staining. Most of the bacterial isolates were Gram-positive except for two species, which were Gram-negative. The VITEK system was used to identify randomly isolate no. 5, 7, 17, 18, and 29. The results revealed that they belonged to the genus Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Micrococcus sp. respectively. Due to the most isolated strains were Bacillus sp., so 16S RNA was used to genetically identify novel isolated strains 5 and 7. Isolate no. 5 showed the highest similarity (99 %) with Bacillus endolithicus, and isolate no. 7 showed the highest similarity (99 %) with Bacillus paramycoides. This is the first record of Bacillus endolithicus and Bacillus paramycoides to be isolated from the house fly Musca domestica L.
SRAP analysis of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) populations maintained on differential rice host varieties
Authors: Chaerani Chaerani , Dadang Ahmad , Fatimah Fatimah , Amir Husin Bahagiawati , Sutrisno Sutrisno , Yunus Muhamad
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Chaerani, Dadang A, Fatimah, Husin BA, Sutrisno, Yunus M. 2021. SRAP analysis of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) populations maintained on differential rice host varieties. Biodiversitas 22: 4266-4272. Brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål) biotypes differ in virulence to rice varieties carrying different Bph resistance genes. These biotypes are reported can be genetically discriminated against using DNA markers. Four brown planthoppers (BPH) populations, which displayed two virulence phenotypes, have been produced by selection and adaptation on four differential host varieties. Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) marker preferentially amplifies the coding regions in the genome and, thus, can discriminate the observed virulence variations among those populations. This study aimed to analyze the genetic variation of four developed BPH populations using SRAP markers. Genetic analysis of a total of 40 BPH females with 18 polymorphic primers revealed equal genetic diversity parameter values among populations (Na: 1.1 to 1.4, Ne: 1.2 to 1.3, I: 0.22 to 0.29, He: 0.14 to 0.18, and UHe: 0.15 to 0.19). Analysis of population structure by AMOVA indicated low genetic variation among populations (9%). Still, pairwise PhiPT population values between all pairs of the population revealed the presence of moderate genetic differentiations (PhiPT ranged from 0.57 to 0.133, P<0.01). Two partial clusters in plots of PCoA were corresponded to two virulence groups, indicating the ability of SRAP markers to discriminate virulence phenotype. Further selection and adaptation are expected can form four desired virulence patterns with complete genetic separation among the population before its application as resistance screening agents of rice lines.
Methanol pigment extracts derived from two marine actinomycetes exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant activities
Authors: MESRIAN DOVA KELVIN , PURWANINGTYAS WIDYA ESTI , ASTUTI RIKA INDRI , HASAN AKHMAD ENDANG ZAINAL , Wahyudi Aris Tri
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Mesrian DK, Purwaningtyas WE, Astuti RI, Hasan AEZ, Wahyudi AT. 2021. Methanol pigment extracts derived from two marine actinomycetes exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Biodiversitas 22: 4440-4447. In recent years, natural pigments produced by marine microorganisms, especially actinomycetes, have become an important source of medically valuable drugs and other active compounds. Based on that crucial fact, this study aimed to determine the toxicity, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of methanolic pigment extract derived from marine actinomycetes HV11.P3 and SCA54.P2. Both extracts exhibited high toxicity activity based on Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). The results showed the lethal concentration 50% (LC50) values of actinomycetes HV11.P3 and SCA54.P2 pigment crude extracts were 94.60 µg/mL and 131.22 mg/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of those extracts was also tested against several microbes and showed the best results for inhibiting against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we assessed the antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and the results showed the inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values ??of actinomycetes HV11.P3 and SCA54.P2 pigment crude extracts were 231.08 µg/mL and 369.3 µg/mL, respectively. By using GC-MS analysis, we identified chemical compounds of actinomycete pigment crude extracts, revealing that the most dominant compounds were 1H-Purine-2,6-dione, 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl- (CAS) (44.65%) for HV11.P3 and 5-Methoxypyrrolidin-2-one (30.23%) for SCA54.P2. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that actinomycete HV11.P3 and actinomycete SCA54.P2 had the closest similarity to Micromonospora chalcea strain 1464-217L and Micromonospora tulbaghiae strain TVU1, respectively. This study revealed that two pigment crude extracts derived from actinimycetes HV11.P3 and SVA54.P2 had antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity activities. The actinomycete SCA54.P2 pigment crude extract had the best activity as an antibacterial against E. coli ATCC 8739, while actnomycete HV11.P3 pigment crude extract had the best activity as an antioxidant.
Floristic composition and diversity at Keruing (Dipterocarpus spp.) habitat in Tangkahan, Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia
Authors: Susilowati Arida , RACHMAT HENTI HENDALASTUTI , ELFIATI DENI , HIDAYAT ASEP , HADI ADHI NURUL , ZAITUNAH ANITA , NAINGGOLAN DARIN , GINTING IDA MALLIA
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Susilowati A, Rachmat HH, Elfiati D, Hidayat A, Hadi AN, Zaitunah A, Nainggolan D, Ginting IM. 2021. Floristic composition and diversity at Keruing (Dipterocarpus spp.) habitat in Tangkahan, Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4448-4456. Dipterocarpus spp., or locally known as Keruing, is a wood-producing tree and has high economic value. Keruing also produces derivative products in oil and oleoresin, which are widely used as raw materials for medicines and perfumes. Keruing natural population has been severely declining caused by habitat alteration and also over exploitation. Therefore, information on the composition and diversity of the floristic community at their habitat is important as an initial step in designing conservation actions. This study aims to determine the floristic composition and diversity at the keruing habitat in the Tangkahan area, Gunung Leuser National Park (Gunung Leuser NP). A line transect has been used to establish a purposive sampling in particular forest areas where the population of the keruing is known to grow naturally. Four line transects, each with five nested plots, totaling 110 plots, were established to gather data at four growth stages. The results found 47 species at the seedling stage, 43 species at the sapling stage, 48 species at the pole stage and 65 species at the tree stage. There were three species of keruing in the research location, namely Dipterocarpus haseltii, Dipterocarpus costulatus and Dipterocarpus elongatus Korth with low IVI values ??at each stage. D. haseltii was only found at the seedling, pole and tree stage with IVI values ??of 0.32, 0.30, and 6.90, respectively. D. costulatus was only found at the tree level with an IVI value of 3.43, while D. elongatus found at the sapling and tree stage with an IVI of 0.30 and 3.42, respectively. The diversity index in the research location was in the medium category at the seedling, sapling, and pole levels with a value of 2.96, 2.86, and 2.92, respectively and was classified as high at the tree level with a value of 3.18. The evenness index (E') in all growth stages is high or evenly distributed with the value of E' > 0.75. The species diversity in research location classified into medium-high category although in each stage showing dynamic on species domination. Disturbed habitat due to illegal logging and land conversion caused a problem on keruing regeneration. Conservation efforts, including active monitoring keruing occurrence, ex-situ conservation, and artificial regeneration, are needed to avoid keruing from extinction.
The natural resource management to support tourism: A traditional knowledge approach in Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve, West Papua, Indonesia
Authors: SONBAIT LUKAS YOWEL , MANIK HOTLAN , WARMETAN HERMANUS , WAMBRAUW YUSTINA LINA DINA , SAGRIM MEKY , DJITMAU DONY ARISTONE , WANGGAI JACOBUS , RETTOB BERNADUS BENNEDICTUS , Murdjoko Agustinus
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Sonbait LY, Manik H, Warmetan H, Wambrauw YLD, Sagrim M, Djitmau DA, Wanggai J, Rettob BB, Murdjoko A. 2021. The natural resource management to support tourism: A traditional knowledge approach in Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve, West Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4466-4474. Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve (PANR) is administratively located in three districts of West Papua, namely Manokwari, Manokwari Selatan, and Pegunungan Arfak that has diversity of protected flora and fauna. Therefore, it is crucial to study the local products for the development of ecotourism models based on local wisdom in supporting the potential economy of communities in the Pegunungan Arfak reserve. The data were obtained from direct interviews with communities around the nature reserve area through related government agencies in Manokwari District. The finding of this research highlighted that local people in Pegunungan Arfak (the Hatam-Moile sub-tribe) still use traditional knowledge for their livelihood. Most of the activities were the utilization of natural resources such as flora and fauna. They understand how to manage the natural resource to earn economic benefit along with the implementation of their traditional concept to promote the sustainability of nature. The biodiversity and social-cultural richness of local people in Pegunungan Arfak have value to be developed together with traditional ecological knowledge in sustainable nature management where local people earn benefits and nature is conserved simultaneously.
Assessment of combining ability in purple corn parents under line × tester mating design using GGE biplot
Authors: Mufidah Nurul , Sugiharto Arifin Noor , Waluyo Budi
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Mufidah N, Sugiharto AN, Waluyo B. 2021. Assessment of combining ability in purple corn parents under line × tester mating design using GGE biplot. Biodiversitas 22: 4545-4554. One strategy to increase corn quality is the development of new corn cultivars by incorporating the character of nutritional content. The study aims to obtain information on the combining ability of purple corn lines as well as determine the best parental lines for purple corn hybrid development using the GGE biplot approach. This study used 24 hybrids generated from crossings of 8 purple corn lines with 3 testers, which were crossed using a line × tester mating design. Plant performance was assessed using a randomized block design of three replications. The F-test was used to assess and test the experiment variance. The combining ability of purple corn lines was examined using the GGE biplot method. The result showed that the GGE biplot approach successfully identified the best combiner and combinations generated between purple corn lines and non-purple corn lines. Purple corn lines P1Y1 had the best general combining ability for fresh ear yield and total anthocyanin content, meanwhile, P1Y2 had the best general combining ability in most of the agronomic traits, namely ear diameter, shelled ear weight, number of grains row-1, and as well as total anthocyanin content. These 2 lines were also identified as the best parent chosen in the best combination in this study.
Degree of polymerization mapping Raman feature extraction of oil-paper insulation aging based on quadratic mutual information
Authors: Fang Jian , Chen Weigen , Yang Dingkun , Yang Zhuang , Song Ruimin
Published: October 2021

To assess the aging of oil-paper insulation, an accelerated aging experiment is executed. Raman spectroscopy, a nondestructive detection method with access to component identification and fault diagnosis, is used to analyze the aging of oil-paper insulation. Raman feature of oil-paper insulation aging with a close relationship with the degree of polymerization is obtained based on the concept of quadratic mutual information. By analyzing the relationship between the extracted feature and the degree of polymerization of samples at different aging degrees, the feasibility of reflecting the aging degree of oil-paper insulation is determined. By load analysis, the chemical correlation between the extracted feature and oil-paper insulation aging is clarified. For eight test samples, the prediction error of degree of polymerization based on Raman features is less than 50. These results show that the features extracted in this paper are helpful to realizing the Raman spectrum diagnosis of oil-paper insulation aging.
Learning scene and blur model for active chromatic depth from defocus
Authors: Buat Benjamin , Trouvé-Peloux Pauline , Champagnat Frédéric , Le Besnerais Guy
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we propose what we believe is a new monocular depth estimation algorithm based on local estimation of defocus blur, an approach referred to as depth from defocus (DFD). Using a limited set of calibration images, we directly learn image covariance, which encodes both scene and blur (i.e., depth) information. Depth is then estimated from a single image patch using a maximum likelihood criterion defined using the learned covariance. This method is applied here within a new active DFD method using a dense textured projection and a chromatic lens for image acquisition. The projector adds texture for low-textured objects, which is usually a limitation of DFD, and the chromatic aberration increases the estimated depth range with respect to a conventional DFD. Here, we provide quantitative evaluations of the depth estimation performance of our method on simulated and real data of fronto-parallel untextured scenes. The proposed method is then experimentally evaluated qualitatively using a 3D printed benchmark.
Simple phase retrieval method based on two intensity measurements on a
single plane
Authors: Zhou Junhe , Pu Haoqian
Published: October 2021

In this work, a simple phase retrieval method is proposed by observing
two intensity patterns on a single plane, which are generated with and
without a lens. Rigorous theoretical derivations show that the two
fields constitute the Fourier transform pairs, and a modified
Gerchberg–Saxton algorithm is proposed to recover the phase patterns
from the Fourier pairs. The proposed method does not require the
intensity patterns to be measured on two different planes along the
propagation distance, and this is quite beneficial in a system with a
phase tuning element like a spatial light modulator, which can form a
virtual lens by creating a parabola-like phase distribution.
Experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the
proposed phase retrieval method.