bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prototipo de mermelada a base de un edulcorante no calórico para su mayor consumo en la población ecuatoriana
Authors: Bravo Avalos María Belén , Arboleda Álvarez Luis Fernando , Tamayo Galarza Grace Natalie
Published: July 2023

Introducción: la alimentación es una de las necesidades básicas fisiológicas ubicadas en primer nivel según la famosa pirámide de Maslow, los alimentos han ido transformándose para mantener su tiempo de duración que se conoce como vida de anaquel, sin embargo, es indispensable cuidar la salud por las enfermedades causadas a causa del azúcar, motivo por el que surge esta investigación. Objetivos: elaborar un prototipo de mermelada a case de un edulcorante no calórico con sus costos de producción, a base de sucralosa, y determinar si es aceptado por la por la población ecuatoriana. Metodología: se emplea el método deductivo y la modalidades de investigación, de tipo no experimental y que esta a su vez necesita complementarse con otras, tales como: investigación cuantitativa que va orientada hacia los porcentajes que vamos a obtener a través de una encuesta conformada por preguntas abiertas y cerradas, en la provincia de Chimborazo, en la Ciudad de Riobamba, en el sector urbano de la ciudad, en las personas con un rango de edad de 15 a 64 años, activamente económicas; dentro de ellas se encuentran hombres (79710), mujeres (90320) y personas diabéticas (2102) con una población total de 261 360 habitantes, con una muestra de 400 personas. Resultados: el consumo de mermelada en los hogares ecuatorianos asciende a 91%, de ellos el 53% la adquiere en supermercados, la marca de preferencia es Gustadina con 56%; de la población objeto de estudio el 93% están dispuestas a consumir la mermelada de fruti-mora; el 34% de las personas encuestadas se fijan más en la cantidad que en la calidad; el 45% cuenta con un sueldo básico y el 65% están dispuestos a pagar $2.50 por el producto testeado. Conclusiones: es factible la mermelada con la sustitución de sacarosa por sucralosa, cambiando la formulación tradicional el proceso de elaboración de la mermelada fue optimo determinando los puntos clave del proceso, así como su costo-beneficio y su realce nutritivo al producto por el contenido de antocianinas por parte de estas frutas además del poder antioxidante que generan. Área de estudio general: Ingeniería y Economía. Área de estudio específica: Agroindustria e investigación de mercado.
Trap crop selection and economic threshold based ecological management of Spilosoma obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) for sesame
Authors: Dutta Souren , Chowdhury Neha , Sardar Bratatee , Roy Nayan
Published: July 2023

The stage-specific life table and nutritional ecology of a Spilarctia obliqua (Walker) along with respective economic thresholds (ETs) on four different crops such as sesame (Sesamum indicum), castor (Ricinus communis), jute (Corchorus capsularis) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) were studied during 2020-2022. The feeding and population dynamics of S. obliqua were significantly affected by the hosts in terms of host suitability or susceptibility (sunflower>jute>castor>sesame). The ET of S. obliqua on sesame (40.59±2.12 pests m-2 area) was significantly (F3,8=4.72, P=0.031) higher than the other crops (sunflower<jute jute>castor) were tested in a multi trap cropping system for sesame as main crop in a specific pattern depending on respective susceptibility. Data from the model trap cropping (without pesticide) supported minimum infestation of S. obliqua and other pests along with more predators on sesame with higher benefit cost ratio (BCR) and more (11.82%) carbon sequestration (CS) in same area relative to monoculture (with pesticide) of sesame. It supports pesticide free high production and better CS than sole culture of sesame for climate smart agriculture.
New distributional records on egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Trichogrammatidae) from Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Ikram Mohsin , Kaneria Manendra , Faisal Mohd , Ahmad Waseem
Published: July 2023

Egg parasitoids from the Trichogrammatidae family, including Aphelinoidea, Paracentrobia, and Ufens, parasitize the hemipteran eggs on crops, orchards, and forest tree species. In agro-forestry areas, trichogrammatids are widely recognised as effective biocontrol agents for lepidopterous insect pests of different crops. They play a significant role and are widely accepted in the biological management of insect pests. Many trichogrammatid egg parasitoids were explored in sweep net collecting samples during surveys carried out in the agro-forestry regions of Chhattisgarh, India, during February–March and October–November 2017. Ten species of trichogrammatids, namely Aphelinoidea gwaliorensis Yousuf & Shafee; Lathromeroidea ajmerensis Yousuf & Shafee, Oligosita debaiensis Yousuf & Shafee, Oligosita gilvus Yousuf & Shafee, Pseudoligosita nephotetticum (Mani), Oligosita novisanguinea Girault, Oligosita sanguinea Yousuf & Shafee, Paracentrobia magniclavata Yousuf & Shafee, Ufens gurgaonensis Yousuf & Shafee and Ufens jaipurensis Yousuf & Shafee were recorded as indigenous species, with new distribution in Chhattisgarh.
Report of Nonartha birmanicum (Jacoby) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) on mango inflorescence
Authors: Nayanathara J. , Narayana R.
Published: July 2023

Nonartha birmanicum (Jacoby) from the tribe Aliticini, is reported on mango for the first time. The chrysomelid beetles were found in abundance; nearly around 60 to 90 numbers on a panicle in full bloom stage. The beetle population was spotted particularly during the month of November, on the panicles in full bloom. These are bluish-black minute beetles and were noticed feeding mainly on pollen.
La sostenibilidad en los tratamientos actuales del taller de conservación del Archivo General de Indias
Authors: Cano Arroyo Daniel
Published: July 2023

Texto para el Debate 26 de revista PH: ¿Qué significa la sostenibilidad en conservación-restauración de bienes culturales?
Esquemas de assimilação revelados por estudantes do terceiro ano do Ensino Médio sobre os conceitos de ácidos e bases
Authors: Oliveira Weverson Júnior Castro , Mueller Eduardo Ribeiro
Published: July 2023

Este trabalho é resultado de uma pesquisa concluída e apresentada em forma de trabalho de conclusão de curso em ensino de química. Um diagnóstico produzido na unidade escolar onde a pesquisa se deu, em que apontamentos de professores e alunos revelaram falta de proficiência de estudantes para os conceitos de ácidos e bases foi sua justificativa principal. O objetivo foi qualificar os esquemas de assimilação para os conceitos de ácidos e bases dos estudantes envolvidos e, por meio de uma ação de ensino, verificar se houve modificação desses esquemas a acomodações. O teórico principal utilizado foi Jean Piaget, de quem derivou as categorias assimilação, acomodação e adaptação, utilizadas para analisar os dados. A coleta de dados se deu em ambiente escolar, com alunos, no contexto de uma oficina de química prioritariamente prática que durou uma semana inteira (20 horas). A metodologia utilizada foi qualitativa, e o método pesquisa-ação, dado que a intenção era intervir modificando a realidade, neste caso produzindo aprendizagem. As aulas foram promovidas com intensa participação dos estudantes. Os resultados apontaram para uma não adaptação dos alunos aos conceitos de ácidos e bases, pois após uma semana de participação efetiva em experimentos, eles não demonstraram acomodação mínima que os permita inferir cientificamente sobre estes conceitos. Em sala de aula muito provavelmente se lembrarão apenas dos grupos H+ ou OH-, e em laboratório não conseguirão classificar um ácido ou uma base sem que estes grupos estejam explicitados no rótulo dessa forma.
Validation of “Oral Mucositis Quality of Life (OMQoL)” instrument to Brazilian Portuguese
Authors: Aragão Amanda Silva , Ferreira Mariana Henriques , Bezinelli Letícia Mello , Eduardo Fernanda de Paula , Vieira Jozinete Pereira , Michel-Crosato Edgard , Biazevic Maria Gabriela Haye
Published: July 2023

To cross-culturally adapt the Oral Mucositis Quality of Life (OMQoL) instrument to Brazilian Portuguese and assess its psychometric properties. The cross-cultural adaptation was performed in six steps. In one of them, the instrument was applied to 40 participants who indicated whether items were comprehensible, which helped elaborate the final version. In the validation phase, 102 participants were interviewed. The sample included patients undergoing oncologic treatment. The softwares R version 4.0.5 and the R Studio 1.4.1717 were used, and the initial database used Dplyr, Tidyr, Gplot2. To assess the psychometric properties, confirmatory factor analysis was performed. The dimensionality of the instrument was investigated using a network analysis approach. The wording of items in a couple of questions were revised after participants indicated a lack of clarity. The relationship between the degree of oral mucositis and the different hospital groups showed statistically significant differences (p<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in good index scores (RMSEA=0.08; CFI=0.91; TFI=0.89; CD=0.99), which showed that the instrument had good properties. The OMQoL was translated, adapted and its Brazilian version adequately reflected the original instrument. The OMQoL is valid for the Brazilian population, as well as its short form proposed by this study.
Desenvolvimento de embalagens para o acondicionamento e transporte logístico de autopeças: um estudo bibliométrico
Authors: Cruz Marcelo Miguel da , Marujo Lino Guimarães , Floriano Filho Tiago , Carvalho Dayan da Rocha , Freitas Fábio do Vale
Published: July 2023

A indústria automobilística é considerada como um setor muito importante na economia de diversos países, inclusive, sendo estudada por muitos pesquisadores e especialistas da área. No entanto, apesar dos estudos voltados ao setor, poucos são os voltados ao processo de desenvolvimento de embalagens para o transporte e o acondicionamento de autopeças. Diante desta lacuna, nesta pesquisa foi realizado um levantamento bibliométrico a fim de identificar as tendências de pesquisa acerca das publicações científicas relacionadas ao tema central deste trabalho, que é o desenvolvimento de embalagens para o transporte de autopeças utilizadas no processo de montagem de veículos. Para isso, os dados bibliométricos foram obtidos por meio de consultas às bases de dados científicas Scopus e Web of Science, que após serem extraídos, foram compilados em uma planilha eletrônica. Estes dados foram analisados a luz do tema de pesquisa, onde foram selecionados apenas os documentos que estavam relacionados. Em seguida, os resultados obtidos pela análise bibliométrica foram ilustrados sob a forma de tabelas, gráficos e figuras, que ao serem analisados, apontam o que já fora estudado e as atuais tendências de pesquisas. Por fim, o estudo identificou uma certa incipiência em relação a quantidade de pesquisas científicas desenvolvidas, apesar do crescimento do número de publicações ao longo dos últimos anos. Fato que justifica o desenvolvimento deste trabalho, que visa ser um ponto de partida para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas futuras.
Pengaruh Keahlian Awak Kapal Terhadap . Pelayaran Pada Kapal Penumpang Roll On Roll Off
Authors: Pratama Himawan Aditya , Nugroho Teguh Waskito , Reyhansyah Ivan , Siom Firstson
Published: July 2023

Berdasarkan analisa dari Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi atau KNKT, bahwa selama ini 90 persen kecelakaan laut yang terjadi di Indonesia dipengaruhi oleh faktor manusia kadang disebut dengan istilah human error atau kesalahan manusia. Sehingga faktor manusia adalah faktor yang sangat mempengaruhi di dalam menjamin ketercapaian keselamatan pelayaran. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh keahlian awak kapal terhadap keselamatan pelayaran pada kapal penumpang roll on roll off (Ro-Ro) di Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak Surabaya. Studi kasus: Kapal penumpang roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) milik PT. Dharma Lautan Utama. Penelitian ini dilakukan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Instrumen data yang digunakan adalah kuesioner dengan sampel penelitian sebanyak 103 responden. Analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linier sederhana dan analisis koefisien korelasi dengan pembuktian hipotesis melalui uji t, dan uji f. Hasil Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa keahlian awak kapal berpengaruh secara signifikan dan bernilai positif baik terhadap keselamatan pelayaran
Prosedur Ekspor Albasia Bare Core oleh PT. Rejeki Pulau Samudera Logistik Melalui Pelabuhan Tanjung Emas Semarang
Authors: Supartini Supartini , Fachruli Muhammad Adi
Published: July 2023

Dalam kegiatan ekspor, perusahaan Ekspedisi Muatan Kapal Laut (EMKL) mempunyai peran dalam pengurusan dokumen inti, pengangkutan, pengambilan empty container, membawanya ke shipper dan dilanjutkan sampai peletakan container di container yard (CY). Dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif, penelitian ini menganalisis prosedur ekspor Albasia Bare Core yang dilakukan oleh PT. Rejeki Pulau Samudera Logistik. Data diperoleh melalui pengamatan langsung di lapangan, wawancara serta dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa prosedur ekspor yang dilakukan oleh PT. Rejeki Pulau Samudera Logistik sebagai perusahan yang bergerak di bidang EMKL telah berjalan dengan baik sesuai Standard Operating Procedure yang ditetapkan oleh perusahaan tersebut. Dalam menangani ekspor Albasia Bare Core ini, PT. Rejeki Pulau Samudera Logistik berperan penting dalam pengurusan dokumen ekspor serta pengangkutannya dan juga memfasilitasi para eksportir dalam pengiriman barang ke luar negeri.
Analisis Kinerja Karyawan Bank Syariah berdasar Quality Of Work Life dan Burnout
Authors: Fadillah Nur Ahmad , Isfandayani Isfandayani
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Quality of Work Life and Burnout on the performance of Bank BTN Syariah Bekasi Branch Office employees. This research was conducted at Bank BTN Syariah Bekasi Branch Office. This study uses quantitative methods with data analysis techniques using SEM PLS (Structural Equation Model - Path Least Square) analysis. Based on the results of the analysis it is known that Quality of Work Life has a positive and significant effect on the performance of Bank BTN Syariah employees, Burnout also has a positive and significant effect on the performance of Bank BTN Syariah Bekasi Branch Office employees. This shows that the better the quality of work life provided by the company, the higher the performance produced, while the higher the level of burnout management obtained, it can affect the performance of the company's employees.
PENILAIAN KINERJA KARYAWAN MELALUI SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP, NORMATIVE COMMITMENT DAN ETIKA KERJA ISLAMI
Authors: Natoil Natoil
Published: July 2023

Abstract.

The purpose of this research is to test the influences of spiritual leadership, Islamic work ethic, and normative commitment, on employee performance moderated by work monitoring. Using these variables, the usage of  these variables are able to solve the arising problem within employees KSPPS Kabupaten Semarang. Statement of this problem is how increase employee performance?.

The samples size of this research is 106employees KSPPS Kabupaten Semarang. Using the Statistical Package Social Science (SPSS). The results show that spiritual leadership, Islamic work ethic, and normative commitment on employee performance moderated by work monitoring.

The effect of spiritual leadership on employee performance are significant; The effect of Islamic work ethic on employee performance are significant; normative commitment on employee performance are significant; The effect of Islamic work ethic on employee performance moderated by work monitoring are significant; and The effect of normative commitment on employee performance moderated by work monitoring are significant.
ANALISA LITERASI KEUANGAN, INKLUSI KEUANGAN DAN KINERJA USAHA UKM PETANI BUNGA KOPENG
Authors: Fauziyanti Wachidah , Ernawati Fidyah Yuli
Published: July 2023

Abstract.

The purpose of this study was to determine the understanding of financial literacy and inclusion as well as the business performance of respondents who are members of cooperatives in Kopeng village. Data obtained by survey through a questionnaire given to 37 respondents. While the research method used is descriptive qualitative research. Where the survey results obtained the category index of financial literacy, financial inclusion and the performance of the respondent's business. The results of financial literacy were obtained by an average of 3.85 or a sufficient literate category scale with a percentage of more than 75% understanding, financial inclusion was obtained by an average of 3.71 or sufficient category financial inclusion because the respondents on average had access to banks and institutions financing, while the respondent's business performance obtained an average of 3.86. Suggestions for respondents to further improve financial literacy and inclusion which are expected to have an impact on improving business performance. For further research, a quantitative research method can be used, the effect of the three variables and other research objects.
Role Adaptive Management Ambidexterity : Construction Escalation of Small Business performance
Authors: Aldelia Febri Elsa , Budiyono Rokhmad , Rochmah Siti
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The growth of MSME business performance is a prerequisite for developing countries in improving the welfare of their people in the future. This study aims to investigate the ambidexterity adaptive management variable as a solution in realizing MSME business performance. Organizational learning and absorptive capacity become a panacea in improving business performance. The results of previous studies still leave a gap between organizational learning and absorption capacity in increasing business performance growth. so in this study offers a new idea as a solution in closing the gap from previous research. Adaptive management ambidexterity is the agility of the organization to adapt to the ever-changing business environment through learning adapted to the absorption capacity of MSME entrepreneurs. as a mediator of organizational learning and absorptive in improving MSME business performance. Myopia learning is learning to absorb experience and exploit other people's knowledge and explore their own knowledge, become a mediator of organizational learning and have a significant influence with adaptive management ambidexterity in spurring SME business growth. This research is very useful as a solution in solving the weaknesses of the organization's business performance, especially SMEs. The new concept of Adaptive Management Ambidexterity is used agilely and synergistically for the development of SME business performance, both internally and externally through myopia learning and absorption capacity. We suggest that the context of Adaptive Management Ambidexterity can be selected, tested and put into practice both theoretically and managerially, for future practice and research.
Consolidation of the unified social contribution and personal income tax in the context of Ukraine’s European integration aspirations
Authors:   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, SOKOLOVSKA Alla
Published: July 2023

Introduction. The high tax burden on labor is a problem not only for Ukraine, but also for many European countries, negatively affecting the labor market, in particular, it is considered one of the reasons for relatively high unemployment and informal employment. In Ukraine, it is proposed to solve this problem by consolidation the unified social contribution(hereinafter-USC) and personal income tax( hereinafter-PIT)(in fact, by abolishing the unified social contribution). Problem Statement. Despite the fact that the implementation of this proposal is associated with serious fiscal and social risks, it has not been the subject of scientific debate, although it was first published in Ukrainian periodicals in 2018-2020. Purpose. To assess the abolition of the unified social contribution in the context of compliance of such a transformation with European guarantees of adequate social protection and the European social model in general. Methods. The methods used are comparative and statistical analysis, abstract logic, analogies and theoretical generalization. Results. It has been established that, unlike the proposal to consolidate USC and PIT in Ukraine, the implementation of which will lead to a decrease in the living standards of people who have already retired and will receive a minimum income from the state budget, which will be able to protect them only from absolute poverty, and reliance on future pensioners-participants of private pension funds of all risks related to their provision after termination of employment, principle 15 of the European Pillar of Social Rights emphasizes the right of older persons to adequate pensions and a dignified old age. The importance of achieving this goal is evidenced by the fact that every three years, the European Commission publishes a report that reviews the current and future adequacy of old-age incomes in EU member states in three dimensions – poverty prevention, ability to replace income received before retirement and retirement duration – and analyzes key reforms aimed at ensuring the financial sustainability of pension systems. Such reforms are carried out in two main areas: revision of social contribution rates and expansion of financing from general government revenues, in particular, property, consumption, and environmental taxes. Conclusions. It has been found out that the abolition of USC as a stable source of financing the social insurance system in Ukraine will result in either its erosion or complete dismantling of the welfare state. This may complicate our movement towards the EU due to the inconsistency of Ukrainian approaches to solving social problems with European ones.
As estratégias de abertura ao intérprete e os procedimentos de controle do discurso
Authors: Gouvea Pizaia Daniel , Parra Furlanete Fabio
Published: July 2023

Este artigo propõe uma análise crítica da relação compositor/intérprete a partir da proposta do intérprete emancipado conforme articulada por Paulo de Assis. Situamos historicamente as configurações e mecanismos de poder que marcam a divisão de trabalho a partir das concepções de disciplina e soberania de Michel Foucault. Posteriormente, analisamos proposições metodológicas e artísticas fundamentadas na atualização da noção de Obra musical concebida por Assis. A fim de compreender os limites e as contradições que marcam tal proposição, traçamos paralelos entre a abordagem do autor e os procedimentos de controle do discurso. Acreditamos que tal via analítica nos possibilite compreender os mecanismos de ordenamento, delimitação e exclusão que marcam as formações discursivas pautadas no eixo da relação compositor/intérprete.
Self-assembly of gelatin and collagen in the polyvinyl alcohol substrate and its influence on cell adhesion, proliferation, shape, spreading and differentiation
Authors: Wu I-Chi , Liou Je-Wen , Yang Chin-Hao , Chen Jia-Hui , Chen Kuan-Yu , Hung Chih-Huang
Published: July 2023

Culture substrates display profound influence on biological and developmental characteristic of cells cultured in vitro. This study investigates the influence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) substrates blended with different concentration of collagen or/and gelatin on the cell adhesion, proliferation, shape, spreading, and differentiation of stem cells. The collagen/gelatin blended PVA substrates were prepared by air drying. During drying, blended collagen or/and gelatin can self-assemble into macro-scale nucleated particles or branched fibrils in the PVA substrates that can be observed under the optical microscope. These collagen/gelatin blended substrates revealed different surface topography, z-average, roughness, surface adhesion and Young’s modulus as examined by the atomic force microscope (AFM). The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated that the absorption of amide I (1,600–1,700 cm−1) and amide II (1,500–1,600 cm−1) groups increased with increasing collagen and gelatin concentration blended and the potential of fibril formation. These collagen or/and gelatin blended PVA substrates showed enhanced NIH-3T3 fibroblast adhesion as comparing with the pure PVA, control tissue culture polystyrene, conventional collagen-coated and gelatin-coated wells. These highly adhesive PVA substrates also exhibit inhibited cell spreading and proliferation. It is also found that the shape of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts can be switched between oval, spindle and flattened shapes depending on the concentration of collagen or/and gelatin blended. For inductive differentiation of stem cells, it is found that number and ration of neural differentiation of rat cerebral cortical neural stem cells increase with the decreasing collagen concentration in the collagen-blended PVA substrates. Moreover, the PVA substrates blended with collagen or collagen and gelatin can efficiently support and conduct human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into Oil-Red-O- and UCP-1-positive brown-adipocyte-like cells via ectodermal lineage without the addition of mitogenic factors. These results provide a useful and alternative platform for controlling cell behavior in vitro and may be helpful for future application in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Impacts of COVID-19 on educational buildings energy consumption: case study of the university of Jordan
Authors: Ayadi Osama , Alnaser Sahban , Haj-ahmed Mohammed , Khasawneh Hussam , Althaher Sereen , Alrbai Mohammad , Arabiat Mohammad
Published: July 2023

The global lockdowns adopted by many countries to combat the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant transformation in the teaching methods adopted in higher education institutions toward dependence on online learning systems. Although this pandemic has placed a technical and financial burden on academic institutions to facilitate the successful transition to online learning, it provides opportunities to understand the impacts of adopting new policies and strategies to improve the efficient utilization of resources and thus reduce operational costs. The detailed analyses of the changes in energy consumption can support assessing the potential savings in electricity bills with the wide-scale adoption of online learning methods in the future as a business as usual to improve and modernize the education systems. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the electrical energy consumption of the buildings within the campus of the University of Jordan. The diversity of building types on the campus (e.g., university hospital, humanities schools, scientific schools) supports the provision of more general and robust recommendations to extend the results to other institutions, particularly in developing countries. The Energy Use Intensity (EUI) per unit area and EUI per student are employed for the first time for benchmarking the energy usage in educational buildings in Jordan. Overall, the analyses show that the total electricity consumption in 2020 was significantly lower than in 2019, with a decrease of 20.8% from 27.7 GWh in 2019 to 21.9 GWh in 2020. It is also found that the most significant reduction occurred in the humanities buildings (i.e., a 39% drop in energy consumption). However, this volume of energy reduction is still relatively low, considering the absence of students. Furthermore, the hospital has an extremely high EUI value (161 kWh/m2/year) compared to the other categories (e.g., the EUI for humanities schools is 32.5 kWh//m2/year). To conclude, the electrical energy consumption data suggests that there may be significant opportunities for energy conservation in all building categories, especially in the hospital.
Derivation and characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells from a patient with acute myelitis
Authors: Cao Shuo , Gao Xinyue , Liu Fangyuan , Chen Yanglin , Na Qin , Meng Qiaoqiao , Shao Peng , Chen Chen , Song Yongli , Wu Baojiang , Li Xihe , Bao Siqin
Published: July 2023

The emergence and development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides an approach to understand the regulatory mechanisms of cell pluripotency and demonstrates the great potential of iPSCs in disease modeling. Acute myelitis defines a group of inflammatory diseases that cause acute nerve damage in the spinal cord; however, its pathophysiology remains to be elusive. In this study, we derived skin fibroblasts from a patient with acute myelitis (P-HAF) and then reprogrammed P-HAF cells to iPSCs using eight exogenous factors (namely, OCT4, SOX2, c-MYC, KLF4, NANOG, LIN28, RARG, and LRH1). We performed transcriptomic analysis of the P-HAF and compared the biological characteristics of the iPSCs derived from the patient (P-iPSCs) with those derived from normal individuals in terms of pluripotency, transcriptomic characteristics, and differentiation ability toward the ectoderm. Compared to the control iPSCs, the P-iPSCs displayed similar features of pluripotency and comparable capability of ectoderm differentiation in the specified culture. However, when tested in the common medium, the P-iPSCs showed attenuated potential for ectoderm differentiation. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that pathways enriched in P-iPSCs included those involved in Wnt signaling. To this end, we treated iPSCs and P-iPSCs with the Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor IWR1 during the differentiation process and found that the expression of the ectoderm marker Sox1 was increased significantly in P-iPSCs. This study provides a novel approach to investigating the pathogenesis of acute myelitis.
Know your neighbors: microbial recognition at the intestinal barrier and its implications for gut homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Iyer Krishna , Erkert Lena , Becker Christoph
Published: July 2023

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) perform several physiological and metabolic functions at the epithelial barrier. IECs also play an important role in defining the overall immune functions at the mucosal region. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on the cell surface and in other cellular compartments enable them to sense the presence of microbes and microbial products in the intestinal lumen. IECs are thus at the crossroads of mediating a bidirectional interaction between the microbial population and the immune cells present at the intestinal mucosa. This communication between the microbial population, the IECs and the underlying immune cells has a profound impact on the overall health of the host. In this review, we focus on the various PRRs present in different cellular compartments of IECs and discuss the recent developments in the understanding of their role in microbial recognition. Microbial recognition and signaling at the epithelial barrier have implications in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, epithelial barrier function, maintenance of commensals, and the overall tolerogenic function of PRRs in the gut mucosa. We also highlight the role of an aberrant microbial sensing at the epithelial barrier in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the development of colorectal cancer.
Antibiotic susceptibility and clonal distribution of Staphylococcus aureus from pediatric skin and soft tissue infections: 10-year trends in multicenter investigation in China
Authors: Su Wei , Liu Ying , Wang Qing , Yuan Lin , Gao Wei , Yao Kai H. , Yang Yong H. , Ma Lin
Published: July 2023

Background

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs) Surveillance Network of S. aureus In Pediatrics in China was established in 2009 to routinely report epidemiological changes. We aimed to monitor the present antibiotic sensitivity and molecular characteristics of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from SSTIs in children nationwide and track the changes over the past decade.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with SSTIs from the dermatology departments of 22 tertiary pediatric hospitals in seven geographical regions of China were recruited continuously from May 2019 to August 2021. S. aureus was isolated, and its sensitivity to 15 antimicrobials was evaluated using the broth microdilution method. The molecular characteristics of the MRSA isolates were determined through multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing. The presence of the Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene (pvl) was determined.

Results

The detection rate of S. aureus was 62.57% (1379/2204), among which MRSA accounted for 14.79% (204/1379), significantly higher than the result in previous study in 2009-2011 (2.58%, 44/1075). Compared with previous study, the sensitivity to cephalosporins and fusidic acid decreased to varying degrees, while that to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, penicillin, and tetracycline increased significantly. The sensitivity to mupirocin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TRISUL), and rifampicin still maintained at a high level (97.90%, 99.35% and 96.66% respectively). The leading multidrug resistance pattern of MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were erythromycin-clindamycin-tetracycline (55.84%; 43/77) and erythromycin-clindamycin-chloramphenicol (27.85%, 44/158) respectively. 12 high-level mupirocin-resistant strains were detected, and notable differences in geographical distribution and seasonal variation were observed. The main types of MRSA were ST121 (46.08%, 94/204), followed by ST59 (19.61%, 40/204). SCCmec V (65.69%, 134/204) and SCCmec IV (31.86%, 65/204) were dominant epidemic types. ST121-V, ST59-IV, and ST22-V were the most prevalent clones nationwide. The detection rate of pvl had increased markedly from 9.09% (4/44) in 2009-2011 to 22.55% (46/204) in 2019-2021 (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The antibiotic sensitivity and molecular characteristics of S. aureus from pediatric SSTIs has changed significantly over the past decade. To standardize medical care, provide timely and reasonable clinical treatment, and effectively manage infection control, Chinese pediatric SSTIs guidelines are urgently needed.
Geological and energy potential analysis of Küplüce-Gökçesu basin rich in coal and other potential energy resources
Authors: Şentürk Murat
Published: July 2023

The Küplüce-Gökçesu Basin, located in northwestern Anatolia, is an Eocene-aged shallow marine basin known for its rich carbonaceous sediments. The basin is underlined by Paleozoic metamorphic rocks, granites from the Sakarya Massif, and Jurassic-Upper Cretaceous turbiditic and carbonate rocks. The sedimentary deposits in the basin consist of two main lithological units, namely, the Tokmaklar and Sazlar Formations. The Tokmaklar Formation comprises marl, bituminous marl, clayey bituminous limestone, Nummulite limestone, and marl-clay-sandstone successions. Economic coal formations are found at the base of the Tokmaklar Formation, along with bituminous limestone and marl. The Sazlar Formation is composed of thick layered sandy limestones and marls, deposited in reefal conditions. Previous studies conducted in the 1980 s estimated the coal reserves in the Küplüce-Gökçesu Basin to be around 40 million tons. However, this study reveals the discovery of a new coal seam that was not previously identified, with a potential thickness of approximately 11 m. This discovery suggests that the coal reserves in the region could be significantly larger than previously known, potentially 5-6 times greater. The quality of the Küplüce-Gökçesu coals is classified as semi-bituminous hard coal of the lower bituminous coal group, based on chemical analysis results. This study contributes to the understanding of the geology and coal potential of Eocene basins in Anatolia and provides valuable information for future exploration and exploitation activities.
Extending use of instructional exchanges to research on teacher education
Authors: Chazan Daniel , Herbst Patricio
Published: July 2023

This article considers what teacher education candidates can show their instructors as evidence that they are learning what they are supposed to learn, and how that might be described as like what happens in mathematics classrooms in compulsory settings. To support this effort, the article extends the use of the construct of instructional exchanges from the analysis of mathematics instruction to the analysis of mathematics teacher education. We describe four ways in which teacher candidates exchange their work for teacher educators' assessments of their learning of mathematics teaching and illustrate how such exchanges are a subset of a more general kind of activity, a transaction of practice. Section 4 looks at ways in which the theorizing in the study might have practical implications. The examination of teacher education closes by looking back at what the attention to the transaction of practice might suggest as ways to develop a greater range of tasks for use in mathematics teaching in compulsory settings; the use of a wider range of tasks might allow mathematics teachers in compulsory settings to make a wider variety of claims about what it is that their students have learned. The article also highlights ways in which technological tools can be considered as an important infrastructure to develop to support instructional exchanges in mathematics teacher education.
A carbon metering method for distribution networks considering harmonic influences
Authors: Yu Jicheng , Chen Hao , Wang Zhen , Zhou Feng , Yin Xiaodong , Yue Changxi
Published: July 2023

Harmonics brought about by a large number of impulsive and non-linear loads connected to the grid has led to new challenges in regional carbon emission management. The existence of harmonics increases the consumption of power equipment, and the transformation of signal forms makes the accuracy of carbon measurement questioning, which damages fairness and is not conducive to a carbon trading market construction and the purpose of precise carbon verification. This paper proposes that the harmonic level of each node is monitored during carbon metering of the distribution network; carbon metering results are corrected based on the correction amount of harmonic carbon. Harmonic separation and electric carbon conversion of the current-containing harmonic source are conducted on the IEEE-33 node. The results show that harmonic carbon does exist. Carbon metering results are affected when the power quality is seriously distorted, which is not conducive to establishing a carbon metering trading market.
Using the dynamics of productivity and precipitation-use efficiency to detect state transitions in Eurasian grasslands
Authors: Zhang Tianyou , Chen Zhi , Jiao Cuicui , Zhang Weikang , Han Lang , Fu Zheng , Sun Zhongyi , Liu Zhaogang , Wen Zhongming , Yu Guirui
Published: July 2023

In the face of accelerated global dryland expansion and grassland degradation, signaling grassland ecosystem state transitions is an ongoing challenge in ecology. However, there is still a lack of effective indicators and understanding of the mechanisms of grassland ecosystem state transitions at the continental scale. Here, we propose a framework that links ecosystem function-based indicators and critical slowing down (CSD) theory to reveal grassland state transitions. Across precipitation gradients, we quantified the statistical characteristics and spatial patterns in ANPP and PUE dynamics (variability, asymmetry, and sensitivity to precipitation and temperature) in Eurasian grasslands. We show that the CVANPP, CVPUE, AANPP, APUE, SPUE-P, and SANPP-P of temperate steppes were significantly higher than those of alpine steppes, while the SPUE-T and SANPP-T were the inverse. In temperate grasslands, AANPP, APUE, and SANPP-P indicated the transition of typical steppes, and CVANPP, APUE, and SPUE-T indicated the transition from meadow to typical steppes. In alpine grasslands, APUE indicated the transition between alpine deserts and alpine steppes, and AANPP and SANPP-P indicated the transition between alpine steppes and meadow steppes. The interannual variability of precipitation strongly affected xerophyte proportion and demographic processes, which control state transitions in low-resilience grasslands. Community structures and limiting factors (nutrient, light, and/or temperature) regulate state transitions in high-resilience grasslands. Our results demonstrate that function-based indicators are predictive of impending state transitions of temperate and alpine grasslands, highlighting the complementation of ANPP and PUE dynamics that have the potential for predicting grassland ecosystem regime shifts and their underlying mechanisms.
On the feasibility of using TCR sequencing to follow a vaccination response – lessons learned
Authors: de Greef Peter C. , Lanfermeijer Josien , Hendriks Marion , Cevirgel Alper , Vos Martijn , Borghans José A. M. , van Baarle Debbie , de Boer Rob J.
Published: July 2023

T cells recognize pathogens by their highly specific T-cell receptor (TCR), which can bind small fragments of an antigen presented on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). Antigens that are provided through vaccination cause specific T cells to respond by expanding and forming specific memory to combat a future infection. Quantification of this T-cell response could improve vaccine monitoring or identify individuals with a reduced ability to respond to a vaccination. In this proof-of-concept study we use longitudinal sequencing of the TCRβ repertoire to quantify the response in the CD4+ memory T-cell pool upon pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. This comes with several challenges owing to the enormous size and diversity of the T-cell pool, the limited frequency of vaccine-specific TCRs in the total repertoire, and the variation in sample size and quality. We defined quantitative requirements to classify T-cell expansions and identified critical parameters that aid in reliable analysis of the data. In the context of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination, we were able to detect robust T-cell expansions in a minority of the donors, which suggests that the T-cell response against the conjugate in the pneumococcal vaccine is small and/or very broad. These results indicate that there is still a long way to go before TCR sequencing can be reliably used as a personal biomarker for vaccine-induced protection. Nevertheless, this study highlights the importance of having multiple samples containing sufficient T-cell numbers, which will support future studies that characterize T-cell responses using longitudinal TCR sequencing.
Nutrient supply and accessibility in plants: effect of protein and carbohydrates on Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera) preference and performance
Authors: Brosemann Jonah , Overson Rick , Cease Arianne J. , Millerwise Sydney , Le Gall Marion
Published: July 2023

In contrast to predictions from nitrogen limitation theory, recent studies have shown that herbivorous migratory insects tend to be carbohydrate (not protein) limited, likely due to increased energy demands, leading them to preferentially feed on high carbohydrate plants. However, additional factors such as mechanical and chemical defenses can also influence host plant choice and nutrient accessibility. In this study, we investigated the effects of plant protein and carbohydrate availability on plant selection and performance for a migratory generalist herbivore, the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera. We manipulated the protein and carbohydrate content of seedling wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by increasing the protein:carbohydrate ratio using nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and manipulated the physical structure of the plants by grinding and breaking down cell walls after drying the plants. Using a full factorial design, we ran both choice and no-choice experiments to measure preference and performance. We confirmed locust preference for plants with a lower protein-carbohydrate ratio (unfertilized plants). Unlike previous studies with mature wild grass species, we found that intact plants supported better performance than dried and ground plants, suggesting that cell wall removal may only improve performance for tougher or more carbohydrate-rich plants. These results add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that several migratory herbivorous species perform better on plants with a lower protein:carbohydrate ratio.
Monitoring turbidity in a highly variable estuary using Sentinel 2-A/B for ecosystem management applications
Authors: Chowdhury Masuma , Vilas César , van Bergeijk Stef , Navarro Gabriel , Laiz Irene , Caballero Isabel
Published: July 2023

The Guadalquivir estuary (southern Spain) occasionally experiences medium to high turbidity, reaching above 700 Formazin Nephelometric Unit (FNU) during extreme events, thus negatively influencing its nursery function and the estuarine community structure. Although several turbidity algorithms are available to monitor water quality, they are mainly developed for mapping turbidity ranges of 0-100 FNU. Thus, their use in a highly turbid region may not give accurate results, which is crucial for estuarine ecosystem management. To fill this gap, we developed a multi-conditional turbidity algorithm that can retrieve turbidity from 0 to 600 FNU using the Sentinel-2 red and red-edge bands. Four major steps are implemented: atmospheric and sun glint correction of the Level-1C Sentinel-2 data, spectral analysis for different water turbidity levels, regression modelling between in situ turbidity and remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) for algorithm development, and validation of the best-suited model. When turbidity was < 85 FNU, the Rrs increased firstly in the red wavelength (665 nm), but it saturated beyond a certain turbidity threshold (> 250 FNU). At this time, Rrs started to increase in the red-edge wavelength (704 nm). Considering this spectral behavior, our algorithm is designed to automatically select the most sensitive turbidity vs. Rrs, thus avoiding the saturation effects of the red bands at high turbidity levels. The model showed good agreement between the satellite derived turbidity and the in situ measurements with a correlation coefficient of 0.97, RMSE of 15.93 FNU, and a bias of 13.34 FNU. Turbidity maps derived using this algorithm can be used for routine turbidity monitoring and assessment of potential anthropogenic actions (e.g., dredging activities), thus helping the decision-makers and relevant stakeholders to protect coastal resources and human health.