bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Adachi Rehabilitation Programme on older adults under long-term care: A multi-centre controlled trial
Authors: Baba Yoshihiko , Ooyama Chika , Tazawa Yasushi , Kohzuki Masahiro
Published: February 2021

Objectives

We developed the Adachi Rehabilitation Programme (ARP), a community rehabilitation program. Under the supervision of professional caregivers, older adults cleaned and planted flowers in the park and they walked and shopped in the community. We examined the effects of ARP on individuals receiving small-group multifunctional at-home care at community facilities.

Methods

This was a multi-centre controlled trial at thirteen small multifunctional at-home care facilities in Adachi, Tokyo. The primary outcomes of the study were daily step counts and timed up & go (TUG). Secondary outcomes included gait speed, step length, Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living, Functional Independence Measure, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and EuroQOL 5 Dimension.

Results

Ninety-six individuals at thirteen small multifunctional at-home care facilities were recruited for participation in December 2017. They were allocated to intervention (38) and control (40) groups. The average daily step count of the control group decreased from 852 to 727, but it increased by approximately 650 steps, from 990 to 1635, for the intervention group. Average TUG decreased from 16.1 s to 14.0 s and MMSE score increased from 15.9 to 16.3 for the intervention group, but a significant interaction was not found. On non-intervention home days, the daily step counts of the intervention group increased significantly from 908 steps to 1485 steps, while those of the control group decreased from 865 steps to 722 steps.

Conclusions

ARP may have effectively increased the physical activity of older adults under long-term care by increasing motivation and changing behaviour.
The effects of a temporal framing manipulation on environmentalism: A replication and extension
Authors: Stanley Samantha K. , Klas Anna , Clarke Edward J. R. , Walker Iain
Published: February 2021

Recent research promotes comparing the current state of the environment with the past (and not the future) to increase the pro-environmental attitudes of those on the political right. We aimed to replicate this temporal framing effect and extend on research in this area by testing the potential drivers of the effect. Across two large-scale replication studies, we found limited evidence that past comparisons (relative to future comparisons) increase pro-environmentalism among those with a more conservative political ideology, thus precluding a full investigation into the mediators of the effect. Where the effect was present, it was not consistent across studies. In Study One, conservatives reported greater certainty that climate change was real after viewing past comparisons, as the environmental changes were perceived as more certain. However, in Study Two, the temporal framing condition interacted with political orientation to instead undermine the certainty about climate change among politicalliberalsin the past-focused condition. Together, these studies present the first evidence of backfire from temporal frames, and do not support the efficacy of past comparisons for increasing conservatives’ environmentalism. We echo recent calls for open science principles, including preregistration and efforts to replicate existing work, and suggest the replication of other methods of inducing temporal comparisons.
Assessment of dispersion of airborne particles of oral/nasal fluid by high flow nasal cannula therapy
Authors: Jermy M. C. , Spence C. J. T. , Kirton R. , O’Donnell J. F. , Kabaliuk N. , Gaw S. , Hockey H. , Jiang Y. , Zulkhairi Abidin Z. , Dougherty R. L. , Rowe P. , Mahaliyana A. S. , Gibbs A. , Roberts S. A.
Published: February 2021

Background

Nasal High Flow (NHF) therapy delivers flows of heated humidified gases up to 60 LPM (litres per minute) via a nasal cannula. Particles of oral/nasal fluid released by patients undergoing NHF therapy may pose a cross-infection risk, which is a potential concern for treating COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Liquid particles within the exhaled breath of healthy participants were measured with two protocols: (1) high speed camera imaging and counting exhaled particles under high magnification (6 participants) and (2) measuring the deposition of a chemical marker (riboflavin-5-monophosphate) at a distance of 100 and 500 mm on filter papers through which air was drawn (10 participants). The filter papers were assayed with HPLC. Breathing conditions tested included quiet (resting) breathing and vigorous breathing (which here means nasal snorting, voluntary coughing and voluntary sneezing). Unsupported (natural) breathing and NHF at 30 and 60 LPM were compared.

Results

Imaging: During quiet breathing, no particles were recorded with unsupported breathing or 30 LPM NHF (detection limit for single particles 33 μm). Particles were detected from 2 of 6 participants at 60 LPM quiet breathing at approximately 10% of the rate caused by unsupported vigorous breathing. Unsupported vigorous breathing released the greatest numbers of particles. Vigorous breathing with NHF at 60 LPM, released half the number of particles compared to vigorous breathing without NHF.

Chemical marker tests: No oral/nasal fluid was detected in quiet breathing without NHF (detection limit 0.28 μL/m3). In quiet breathing with NHF at 60 LPM, small quantities were detected in 4 out of 29 quiet breathing tests, not exceeding 17 μL/m3. Vigorous breathing released 200–1000 times more fluid than the quiet breathing with NHF. The quantities detected in vigorous breathing were similar whether using NHF or not.

Conclusion

During quiet breathing, 60 LPM NHF therapy may cause oral/nasal fluid to be released as particles, at levels of tens of μL per cubic metre of air. Vigorous breathing (snort, cough or sneeze) releases 200 to 1000 times more oral/nasal fluid than quiet breathing (p < 0.001 with both imaging and chemical marker methods). During vigorous breathing, 60 LPM NHF therapy caused no statistically significant difference in the quantity of oral/nasal fluid released compared to unsupported breathing. NHF use does not increase the risk of dispersing infectious aerosols above the risk of unsupported vigorous breathing. Standard infection prevention and control measures should apply when dealing with a patient who has an acute respiratory infection, independent of which, if any, respiratory support is being used.

Clinical trial registration

ACTRN12614000924651
Prediction and control of COVID-19 spreading based on a hybrid intelligent model
Authors: Zhang Gengpei , Liu Xiongding
Published: February 2021

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that emerged in the late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It caused a worldwide outbreak and a major threat to global health. It is important to design prediction and control strategies to restrain its exploding. In this study, a hybrid intelligent model is proposed to simulate the spreading of COVID-19. First, considering the effect of control measures, such as government investment, media publicity, medical treatment, and law enforcement in epidemic spreading. Then, the infection rates are optimized by genetic algorithm (GA) and a modified susceptible-infected-quarantined-recovered (SIQR) epidemic spreading model is proposed. In addition, the long short-term memory (LSTM) is imbedded into the SIQR model to design the hybrid intelligent model to further optimize other parameters of the system model, which can obtain the optimal predictive model and control measures. Simulation results show that the proposed hybrid intelligence algorithm has good predictive ability. This study provide a reliable model to predict cases of infection and death, and reasonable suggestion to control COVID-19.
Meta-analysis of the correlation between serum uric acid level and carotid intima-media thickness
Authors: Ma Mingzhu , Wang Liangxu , Huang Wenjing , Zhong Xiaoni , Li Longfei , Wang Huan , Peng Bin , Mao Min
Published: February 2021

Objective

Recently, increasing epidemiological evidence has shown that there is a correlation between serum uric acid level (SUA) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). This paper explored the relationship between them through meta-analysis.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched to obtain literature. The keywords used to retrieve the literature were carotid intima thickness, intima-media thickness, carotid atherosclerosis, carotid stenosis, carotid artery, uric acid, blood uric acid, and hyperuricaemia. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database through July 2020. Stata15.0 and RevMan5.3 software were used for statistical analysis. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated by a random effect model to estimate the correlation. Publication bias was assessed using the Begg and Egger tests. The stability of these results was evaluated using sensitivity analyses.

Results

Fifteen studies were included with a total sample size of 11382, including 7597 participants in the high uric acid group and 3785 in the control group, on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to the evaluation of the JBI scale, the literature was of high quality. The average age ranged from 42 to 74. Meta-analysis showed that CIMT in the high uric acid group was significantly higher than that in the control group (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: [0.38, 0.68]), and the difference was significant (z = 6.98,P< 0.00001). The heterogeneity among the 15 articles was obvious (I2= 89%,P< 0.00001). Subgroup analysis by disease status illustrated a positive relationship between SUA and CIMT in healthy people and people with diseases. SUA was shown to be positively correlated with CIMT in people aged 45–60 years and ≥60 years by subgroup analysis by age. SUA was also found to be positively correlated with CIMT in a population with BMI>24 kg/m2by subgroup analysis by BMI. In addition, subgroup analysis of other risk factors for CIMT, including TC, SBP, DBP, triglycerides, and LDL-C, all showed a positive correlation between SUA and CIMT.

Conclusions

There is a significant correlation between serum uric acid level and carotid intima-media thickness, and a high concentration of serum uric acid is related to carotid artery intima-media thickness.
Conserved amino acids in the region connecting membrane spanning domain 1 to nucleotide binding domain 1 are essential for expression of the MRP1 (ABCC1) transporter
Authors: Smith Emma E. , Conseil Gwenaëlle , Cole Susan P. C.
Published: February 2021

Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) (gene symbol ABCC1) is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter which effluxes xeno- and endobiotic organic anions including estradiol glucuronide and the pro-inflammatory leukotriene C4. MRP1 also confers multidrug resistance by reducing intracellular drug accumulation through active efflux. MRP1 has three membrane spanning domains (MSD), and two nucleotide binding domains (NBD). MSD1 and MSD2 are linked to NBD1 and NBD2 by connecting regions (CR) 1 and CR2, respectively. Here we targeted four residues in CR1 (Ser612, Arg615, His622, Glu624) for alanine substitution and unexpectedly, found that cellular levels of three mutants (S612A, R615A, E624A) in transfected HEK cells were substantially lower than wild-type MRP1. Whereas CR1-H622A properly trafficked to the plasma membrane and exhibited organic anion transport activity comparable to wild-type MRP1, the poorly expressing R615A and E624A (and to a lesser extent S612A) mutant proteins were retained intracellularly. Analyses of cryogenic electron microscopic and atomic homology models of MRP1 indicated that Arg615 and Glu624 might participate in bonding interactions with nearby residues to stabilize expression of the transporter. However, this was not supported by double exchange mutations E624K/K406E, R615D/D430R and R615F/F619R which failed to improve MRP1 levels. Nevertheless, these experiments revealed that the highly conserved CR1-Phe619 and distal Lys406 in the first cytoplasmic loop of MSD1 are also essential for expression of MRP1 protein. This study is the first to demonstrate that CR1 contains several highly conserved residues critical for plasma membrane expression of MRP1 but thus far, currently available structures and models do not provide any insights into the underlying mechanism(s). Additional structures with rigorous biochemical validation data are needed to fully understand the bonding interactions critical to stable expression of this clinically important ABC transporter.
Strain-specific morphological response of the dominant calcifying phytoplankton species Emiliania huxleyi to salinity change
Authors: Gebühr Christina , Sheward Rosie M. , Herrle Jens O. , Bollmann Jörg
Published: February 2021

The future physiology of marine phytoplankton will be impacted by a range of changes in global ocean conditions, including salinity regimes that vary spatially and on a range of short- to geological timescales. Coccolithophores have global ecological and biogeochemical significance as the most important calcifying marine phytoplankton group. Previous research has shown that the morphology of their exoskeletal calcified plates (coccoliths) responds to changing salinity in the most abundant coccolithophore species,Emiliania huxleyi. However, the extent to which these responses may be strain-specific is not well established. Here we investigated the growth response of six strains ofE.huxleyiunder low (ca. 25) and high (ca. 45) salinity batch culture conditions and found substantial variability in the magnitude and direction of response to salinity change across strains. Growth rates declined under low and high salinity conditions in four of the six strains but increased under both low and high salinity in strain RCC1232 and were higher under low salinity and lower under high salinity in strain PLYB11. When detailed changes in coccolith and coccosphere size were quantified in two of these strains that were isolated from contrasting salinity regimes (coastal Norwegian low salinity of ca. 30 and Mediterranean high salinity of ca. 37), the Norwegian strain showed an average 26% larger mean coccolith size at high salinities compared to low salinities. In contrast, coccolith size in the Mediterranean strain showed a smaller size trend (11% increase) but severely impeded coccolith formation in the low salinity treatment. Coccosphere size similarly increased with salinity in the Norwegian strain but this trend was not observed in the Mediterranean strain. Coccolith size changes with salinity compiled for other strains also show variability, strongly suggesting that the effect of salinity change on coccolithophore morphology is likely to be strain specific. We propose that physiological adaptation to local conditions, in particular strategies for plasticity under stress, has an important role in determining ecotype responses to salinity.
Development and evaluation of inhalable composite niclosamide-lysozyme particles: A broad-spectrum, patient-adaptable treatment for coronavirus infections and sequalae
Authors: Brunaugh Ashlee D. , Seo Hyojong , Warnken Zachary , Ding Li , Seo Sang Heui , Smyth Hugh D. C.
Published: February 2021

Niclosamide (NIC) has demonstrated promising in vitro antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though NIC is already FDA-approved, administration of the currently available oral formulation results in systemic drug levels that are too low for the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. We hypothesized that the co-formulation of NIC with an endogenous protein, human lysozyme (hLYS), could enable the direct aerosol delivery of the drug to the respiratory tract as an alternative to oral delivery, thereby effectively treating COVID-19 by targeting the primary site of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition and spread. To test this hypothesis, we engineered and optimized composite particles containing NIC and hLYS suitable for delivery to the upper and lower airways via dry powder inhaler, nebulizer, and nasal spray. The novel formulation demonstrates potent in vitro and in vivo activity against two coronavirus strains, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and may offer protection against methicillin-resistance staphylococcus aureus pneumonia and inflammatory lung damage occurring secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The suitability of the formulation for all stages of the disease and low-cost development approach will ensure rapid clinical development and wide-spread utilization.
Approximating non linear higher order ODEs by a three point block algorithm
Authors: Rasedee Ahmad Fadly Nurullah , Abdul Sathar Mohammad Hasan , Othman Khairil Iskandar , Hamzah Siti Raihana , Ishak Norizarina
Published: February 2021

Differential equations are commonly used to model various types of real life applications. The complexity of these models may often hinder the ability to acquire an analytical solution. To overcome this drawback, numerical methods were introduced to approximate the solutions. Initially when developing a numerical algorithm, researchers focused on the key aspect which is accuracy of the method. As numerical methods becomes more and more robust, accuracy alone is not sufficient hence begins the pursuit of efficiency which warrants the need for reducing computational cost. The current research proposes a numerical algorithm for solving initial value higher order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The proposed algorithm is derived as a three point block multistep method, developed in an Adams type formulae (3PBCS) and will be used to solve various types of ODEs and systems of ODEs. Type of ODEs that are selected varies from linear to nonlinear, artificial and real life problems. Results will illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed three point block method. Order, stability and convergence of the method are also presented in the study.
Meta-analysis and sustainability of feeding slow-release urea in dairy production
Authors: Salami Saheed A. , Moran Colm A. , Warren Helen E. , Taylor-Pickard Jules
Published: February 2021

Slow-release urea (SRU) is a coated non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source for providing rumen degradable protein in ruminant nutrition. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing vegetable protein sources with SRU (Optigen®, Alltech Inc., USA) on the production performance of dairy cows. Additionally, the impact of SRU supplementation on dairy sustainability was examined by quantifying the carbon footprint (CFP) of feed use for milk production and manure nitrogen (N) excretion of dairy cows. Data on diet composition and performance variables were extracted from 17 experiments with 44 dietary comparisons (control vs. SRU). A linear mixed model and linear regression were applied to statistically analyse the effect of SRU on feed intake and production performance. Feeding SRU decreased (P < 0.05) dry matter intake (DMI, -500 g/d) and N intake (NI, -20 g/d). There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) on milk yield, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk fat and protein composition. However, SRU supplementation improved (P < 0.05) feed efficiency (+3%) and N use efficiency (NUE, +4%). Regression analyses revealed that increasing SRU inclusion level decreased DMI and NI whereas increasing dietary crude protein (CP) increased both parameters. However, milk yield and feed efficiency increased in response to increasing levels of SRU inclusion and dietary CP. The NUE had a positive relationship with SRU level whereas NUE decreased with increasing dietary CP. The inclusion of SRU in dairy diets reduced the CFP of feed use for milk production (-14.5%; 373.13 vs. 319.15 g CO2 equivalent/kg milk). Moreover, feeding SRU decreased manure N excretion by 2.7% to 3.1% (-12 to -13 g/cow/d) and N excretion intensity by 3.6% to 4.0% (-0.50 to -0.53 g N/kg milk). In conclusion, feeding SRU can contribute to sustainable dairy production through improvement in production efficiency and reduction in environmental impacts.
The influence of patient-centeredness on patient safety perception among inpatients
Authors: Choi Nahee , Kim Jinhee , Kim Hyunlye
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study investigated the influence of patient-centeredness on patient safety perception among inpatients, with particular focus on the relationships between subfactors of patient-centeredness and patient safety perception.

Methods

Data were collected from 122 inpatients in a university hospital from September 24 to October 8, 2019. Patient-centeredness was evaluated using the Patient-Centeredness Assessment Scale; patient safety perception was evaluated using the Korean version of the Patient Safety Perception Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using SPSS for Windows 24.0.

Results

Average patient-centeredness score among inpatients was 77.14 ± 12.64 (range 0–100), and average patient safety perception score was 99.24 ± 15.90 (range 24–120). Patient-centeredness influenced patient safety perception (R2= 70%, F = 27.75,p< .001). With respect to subfactors of patient safety perception, the medical team’s activities to ensure safety was affected by the general treatment process and overall evaluation of patient-centeredness (R2= 54%, F = 13.14,p< .001); patient safety practice was influenced only by the general treatment process (R2= 39%, F = 7.02,p< .001); and trust in the medical system was affected by nurses’ service, the general treatment process, and the hospital environment (R2= 44%, F = 8.49,p< .001).

Conclusions

To enhance patient safety perception, strategies should seek to strengthen patient-centeredness and its related subfactors, particularly the general treatment process, the hospital environment, and nurses’ service.
Spatiotemporal characteristics and determinants of internal migrant population distribution in China from the perspective of urban agglomerations
Authors: Zhou Chunshan , Li Ming , Zhang Guojun , Chen Jing , Zhang Rongrong , Cao Yongwang
Published: February 2021

Urban agglomerations are fundamental regional units of development and attract large-scale migrant population. Previous studies have only focused on migrant population distribution in major urban agglomerations. Therefore, this study analysed the spatiotemporal characteristics of migrant population distribution in China during 2000–2010 at city level from the perspective of urban agglomerations. The results indicate that urban agglomerations were accumulation areas of migrant population. Numerous people have migrated into 19 urban agglomerations, which has enlarged regional differences in migrant population distribution. The interprovincial migrant population dominated within urban agglomerations, whereas the intraprovincial migrant population dominated outside urban agglomerations. In the future, intraprovincial migration will become the dominant migration mode. The evolution of migrant population distribution pattern in urban agglomerations agrees with classic theories of unbalanced regional development. The determinants of migration in different regions were compared. Results revealed that economic and government driving forces jointly influenced migration; however, economic forces exceeded government forces. Economic forces were more influential within urban agglomerations, whereas government forces played more important roles outside urban agglomerations. Increased income and job opportunities were the core attractions of urban agglomerations. Moreover, with an increase in the urban agglomeration development level, the influence of economic forces increased, whereas that of government forces decreased. The findings provide a deeper understanding of migrant population distribution in China, which will benefit population management across various regions.
Engineered degradation of EYFP-tagged CENH3 via the 26S proteasome pathway in plants
Authors: Sorge Eberhard , Demidov Dmitri , Lermontova Inna , Houben Andreas , Conrad Udo
Published: February 2021

Determining the function of proteins remains a key task of modern biology. Classical genetic approaches to knocking out protein function in plants still face limitations, such as the time-consuming nature of generating homozygous transgenic lines or the risk of non-viable loss-of-function phenotypes. We aimed to overcome these limitations by acting downstream of the protein level. Chimeric E3 ligases degrade proteins of interest in mammalian cell lines,Drosophila melanogasterembryos, and transgenic tobacco. We successfully recruited the 26S proteasome pathway to directly degrade a protein of interest located in plant nuclei. This success was achievedviareplacement of the interaction domain of the E3 ligase adaptor protein SPOP (Speckle-type POZ adapter protein) with a specific anti-GFP nanobody (VHHGFP4). For proof of concept, the target protein CENH3 ofA.thalianafused to EYFP was subjected to nanobody-guided proteasomal degradationin planta. Our results show the potential of the modified E3-ligase adapter protein VHHGFP4-SPOP in this respect. We were able to point out its capability for nucleus-specific protein degradation in plants.
First complete-genome documentation of HIV-1 intersubtype superinfection with transmissions of diverse recombinants over time to five recipients
Authors: Gao Yang , He Shan , Tian Wen , Li Dan , An Minghui , Zhao Bin , Ding Haibo , Xu Junjie , Chu Zhenxing , Shang Hong , Han Xiaoxu
Published: February 2021

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) recombinants in the world are believed to be generated through recombination between distinct HIV-1 strains among coinfection or superinfection cases. However, direct evidence to support transmission of HIV-1 recombinants from a coinfected/superinfected donor to putative recipient is lacking. Here, we report on the origin and evolutionary relationship between a set of recombinants from a CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC superinfected putative donor and diverse CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinants from five putative recipients. Interviews on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors for these six HIV-1-infected men who have sex with men showed that they had similar ways of partner seeking: online dating sites and social circles. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses demonstrated that the near-full-length genome sequences from six patients formed a monophyletic cluster different from known HIV-1 genotypes in maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees, were all composed of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC fragments with two common breakpoints onenv, and shared 4–7 breakpoints with each other. Moreover, 3’ half-genomes of recombinant strains from five recipients had identical/similar recombinant structures with strains at longitudinal samples from the superinfected donor. Recombinants from the donor were paraphyletic, whereas five recipients were monophyletic or polyphyletic in the maximum clade credibility tree. Bayesian analyses confirmed that the estimated time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC strains of the donor was 2009.2 and 2010.7, respectively, and all were earlier than the emergence of recombinants from five recipients. Our results demonstrated that the closely related unique recombinant forms of HIV-1 might be the descendent of a series of recombinants generated gradually in a superinfected patient. This finding highlights the importance of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy as well as tracing and testing of partners in patients with multiple HIV-1 infection.
PspC domain-containing protein (PCP) determines Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation through bacterial extracellular DNA release and platelet adhesion in experimental endocarditis
Authors: Jung Chiau-Jing , Hsu Chih-Chieh , Chen Jeng-Wei , Cheng Hung-Wei , Yuan Chang-Tsu , Kuo Yu-Min , Hsu Ron-Bin , Chia Jean-San
Published: February 2021

Bacterial extracellular DNA (eDNA) and activated platelets have been found to contribute to biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans on injured heart valves to induce infective endocarditis (IE), yet the bacterial component directly responsible for biofilm formation or platelet adhesion remains unclear. Using in vivo survival assays coupled with microarray analysis, the present study identified a LiaR-regulated PspC domain-containing protein (PCP) in S. mutans that mediates bacterial biofilm formation in vivo. Reverse transcriptase- and chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction assays confirmed the regulation of pcp by LiaR, while PCP is well-preserved among streptococcal pathogens. Deficiency of pcp reduced in vitro and in vivo biofilm formation and released the eDNA inside bacteria floe along with reduced bacterial platelet adhesion capacity in a fibrinogen-dependent manner. Therefore, LiaR-regulated PCP alone could determine release of bacterial eDNA and binding to platelets, thus contributing to biofilm formation in S. mutans-induced IE.
COMPETITIVENESS OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SÃO LUÍS - MARANHÃO FACING THE NORTHEAST BRAZILIAN CAPITALS
Authors: Martinz José Pessoa , Anjos Sara Joana Gadotti dos , Sohn Ana Paula Lisboa
Published: February 2021

The competitive advantage of a destination in relation to other similar destinations should stimulate the commitment of stakeholders on the supply side to encourage more investments and actions in the tourism sector, making it more attractive, competitive and sustainable. The objective of this study is to analyze the competitive position that the tourist destination São Luís occupies in relation to the other capitals of the Brazilian northeast. The study is characterized as descriptive-explanatory, whose universe is composed of 10 destinations in the northeast region of Brazil. The methodology of quantitative nature simultaneously analyzes, in a descriptive and explanatory way, the data regarding the tourist flow and the competitiveness indicators, based on the National Tourism Competitiveness Model. Non-parametric statistical tests were used for comparison and ranking of competitors. The data indicate that the tourist destination São Luís is ranked 6th among the Northeast capitals, both in terms of performance regarding the tourist flow and regional competitiveness. However, it presents a low coefficient of variation along the analyzed period, which indicates a slow and moderate growth, however, positive. The results can contribute to the tourism industry by subsidizing managers in decision making and effective action.
Sun and beach tourism, senior citizens and accessibility: a study at the coast of the city of João Pessoa, PB
Authors: Melo Priscila Fernandes Carvalho , Brambilla Adriana
Published: February 2021

The public of senior citizens is growing, due to the greater concern with physical and mental health. Tourism is one of the ways through which this group enjoys their free time, especially the Sun and Beach Tourism, which provides them different kinds of activities. This work aims to answer the following research question: How senior-friendly are the beaches of the João Pessoa coast in terms of accessibility? To meet this research objective, bibliographic, documentary and descriptive research were carried out, and a qualitative analysis was conducted, based on field research,  on-site observation and the application of a checklist as the methodological procedures. Through the reports obtained from the on-site observations, it was clear that the urban beaches, i.e. those closest to large urban centers, are more accessible than those further away from the urban centers. However, none of the studied beaches fully met the accessibility criteria outlined in NBR9050/2015. As future contributions, an accessibility guide to the main beaches of João Pessoa will be produced, based on the information obtained, in order to provide information on accessibly for interested parties, including visitors,  the public sector and the tourist trade.
Creation of a Field Guide to Camas Prairie Plants with Undergraduates: Project-Based Learning Combined with Epistemological Decolonization
Authors: Bowcutt Frederica
Published: February 2021

Remnant camas prairies and associated oak woodlands are the focus of contemporary Indigenous food sovereignty efforts in the Salish Sea (aka Puget Sound) region of western Washington. They are also the focus of research and restoration to conserve at-risk species of animals and plants protected under the United States Endangered Species Act. Currently there is little collaboration between tribes and restoration scientists. These conditions create an opportunity and ethical imperative for developing undergraduate curriculum that highlights the connections between biodiversity conservation and traditional Indigenous ecological knowledge. Patchy mosaic prairie-oak woodland vegetation visibly reflects the imprint of human activity, which includes past burning to foster native food plants including common camas (Camassia quamash) and Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana). Using a floristic research project focused on these cultural landscapes as a case study, this essay illustrates how interdisciplinary inquiry and service learning can enrich college-level plant taxonomy curriculum, while creating rich opportunities for students to link their botanical studies to a historically-grounded understanding of why the conservation challenges exist in the first place. Through this collaborative, multi-year research effort, students contribute to the production of needed resources useful to regional conservation efforts. Affiliated learning communities also consider what it might mean to decolonize botanical knowledge in the context of ecological restoration.
FED’İN PARA POLİTİKALARININ KIRILGAN BEŞLİ ÜLKELERİ ÜZERİNDE YAYILMA ETKİLERİ: PANEL VAR YAKLAŞIMI İLE MODELLEME
Authors: AĞIRALİOĞLU Saltuk , DEMİRCİ Server
Published: February 2021

2008 Küresel Krizinin ardından FED, geleneksel para politikalarının yanı sıra geleneksel olmayan para politikalarını uygulamaya koydu. FED politikalarının, genellikle gelişen piyasa ekonomileri üzerinde yayılma etkileri olduğu düşünülmektedir. Bu makale Ocak 2008 – Aralık 2019 döneminde FED politikalarının kırılgan beşli ülkelerinin(Brezilya, Hindistan, Endonezya, Güney Afrika ve Türkiye) hisse senedi fiyatları, iki yıllık tahvil getirileri ve döviz kurları üzerindeki etkilerini panel VAR yöntemi ile karşılaştırmaktadır. FED’in 2008-2019 yılları arasında uyguladığı para politikaları, 2008-2012 QE(Quantitative Easing-Miktarsal Genişleme) dönemi, 2013-2015 Tapering dönemi (tahvil alımını azaltma) ve 2016-2019 normalleşme dönemi olarak üç alt dönemde analiz edilmiştir. 2008-2019 yılları arasında FED’in uyguladığı geleneksel olmayan para politikaların, geleneksel politikalardan daha etkili olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Özellikle 2008-2012 yılları arasında bu fark daha da büyük olmuştur. Geleneksel olmayan para politikalarının kırılgan beşli ülkelerin döviz kurlarında ilk başta değer kaybına sonra yükselişe neden olduğu gözükmüştür. Geleneksel ve geleneksel olmayan para politikalarının özellikle 2008-2012 QE döneminde borsa endeksi, döviz kuru ve tahvil faizi üzerinde 2008-2012 diğer iki dönemden
çok daha etkili olduğu görülmüştür. 2013-2015 yılları arasında Tapering açıklamaları bilanço genişlemesi devam etse de para politikalarının etkisinin azalmasına ve yönünün değişmesine neden olmuştur. 2016-2019 yılları arasındaki normalleşme döneminde faiz artırımı ve FED bilançosunun daraltılmasının QE dönemindeki kadar kuvvetli etkileri olmadığı görülmüştür.
VOLATİLİTEDEKİ ÇOKLU YAPISAL KIRILMALARIN FİNANSAL RİSK YÖNETİMİ AÇISINDAN ÖNEMİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: BÜBERKÖKÜ Önder
Published: February 2021

Bu çalışmada Dolar-TL kurunun finansal riskinin yönetiminde kullanılacak modellerin performansı üzerinde volatilitedeki çoklu yapısal kırılmaların olası etkileri incelenmiştir. Finansal risk yönetim modelleri olarak volatilite öngörü (volatlity forecasting) modelleri ile piyasa riski ölçüm modelleri esas alınmıştır. Volatilitedeki çoklu yapısal kırılmaların tespitinde ICSS algoritması ile Bai ve Perron (1998, 2003) testinden yararlanılmıştır. Zamanla değişen volatilite değerleri ise FIGARCH modeli ile tahmin edilmiştir. Çalışma bulguları, Dolar-TL kurunun volatilitesinin çoklu yapısal kırılmalar içerdiği fakat bu yapısal kırılmaların dikkate alınmasının risk yönetim modellerinin performansını artırmadığı sonucuna işaret etmektedir.
ULUSLARARASI FOSİL YAKIT FİYATLARININ FİNANSAL PİYASALAR ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİNİN ARDL SINIR TESTİ İLE İNCELENMESİ: 1986-2019 DÖNEMİ TÜRKİYE ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: İLARSLAN Kenan
Published: February 2021

Türkiye, gerek günlük yaşam gerekse endüstriyel kullanım itibariyle fosil yakıtlar konusunda dışa bağımlı bir ülkedir. Fosil kaynakların fiyatları özellikle ekonomi ve finansal piyasalar üzerinde ciddi etkiler yaratabilecek potansiyeldedir. Bu çerçevede finansal piyasalar üzerinde etkili olabilecek faktörlerin incelenmesi, aralarındaki ilişkinin ortaya konulması yatırımcılar ile politika yapıcılar açısından önem arz etmektedir. Çalışmanın amacı uluslararası fosil yakıt fiyatlarının borsa endeksi üzerindeki etkisini incelemektir. 1986-2019 dönemini kapsayan çalışmada yıllık veriler kullanılmıştır. Bağımlı değişken olarak BİST100 endeksi, bağımsız değişkenler olarak uluslararası ham petrol, doğal gaz ve kömür fiyatları analize alınmıştır. ARDL Sınır testi çerçevesinde yapılan analizler sonucunda değişkenler arasında eş bütünleşik bir ilişki bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca uzun dönem itibariyle borsa endeksi ile petrol fiyatları arasında pozitif yönlü ve anlamlı, doğal gaz ile negatif yönlü ve anlamsız, kömür ile negatif yönlü ve anlamlı bir ilişkinin bulunduğu belirlenmiştir. Hata düzeltme katsayısına göre kısa dönemde ortaya çıkan dengesizlikler uzun dönemde giderilmektedir.
On different notions of calibrations for minimal partitions and minimal networks in ℝ2
Authors: Carioni Marcello , Pluda Alessandra
Published: February 2021

Calibrations are a possible tool to validate the minimality of a certain candidate.
They have been introduced in the context
of minimal surfaces
and adapted to the case of the Steiner problem in several variants.
Our goal is to compare the different notions of calibrations
for the Steiner problem and for planar minimal partitions that are already present in the literature.
The paper is then complemented with remarks on the convexification of the problem, on
nonexistence of calibrations and on calibrations in families.
Triharmonic Riemannian submersions from 3-dimensional space forms
Authors: Miura Tomoya , Maeta Shun
Published: February 2021

We show that any triharmonic Riemannian submersion from a 3-dimensional space form into a surface is harmonic. This is an affirmative partial answer to the submersion version of the generalized Chen conjecture. Moreover, a non-existence theorem for f -biharmonic Riemannian submersions is also presented.
Novel Assistive Device for Tomographic Ultrasound Neck Imaging vs. Freehand
Authors: Köhler Marcel , Jeto Gomes Ataide Elmer , Ziegle Jens , Boese Axel , Friebe Michael
Published: February 2021

For assessing clinically relevant structures in the neck area, especially the thyroid, it has been shown that 3D or tomographic ultrasound (3D US or tUS) is able to outperform standard 2D ultrasound [1] and computed tomography [2] for certain diagnostic procedures. However, when using a freehand and unassisted scanning method to acquire a 3D US volume data set in this area overlapping image slices, a variation of the probe angulation or differences in training might lead to unusable scanning results. Based on previous works [3] [4] we propose the design - with subsequent testing - of an assistive device that is able to aid physicians during the tUS scanning process on the neck. To validate the feasibility and efficacy we compared the image quality of both freehand and assisted scanning.
A method to determine the radial compliance of porcine coronary arteries ex vivo via optical coherence tomography
Authors: Brandt-Wunderlich Christoph , Bonin Franziska , Schmidt Wolfram , Grabow Niels , Schmitz Klaus- Peter , Großmann Swen , Stiehm Michael , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Siewert Stefan , Öner Alper
Published: February 2021

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) as imaging method is widely used in ophthalmology, oncology and cardiology. For intravascular imaging the OCT is used for pre-interventional as well as post-procedural assessments. Within the current study a test setup for ex vivo determination of the compliance of porcine coronary arteries via OCT is described. Diameter measurements based on OCT imaging were performed during consecutive pressurization of a porcine coronary artery from 40 to 200 mmHg in a physiological environment. The test results indicate that the radial compliance depends on the specific segment of the artery as well as the pressure range considered. The revealed compliance data can be used for numerical simulations of the vascular tissue as well as for optimization of in vitro test setups for pulsatile testing of vascular implants.
EIT based intrathoracic pulsatile impedance measurements during apnea: a case study
Authors: Krueger-Ziolek Sabine , Lovas András , Hawchar Fatime , Laufer Bernhard , Moeller Knut
Published: February 2021

Intrathoracic ventilation related and pulsatile (perfusion) impedance changes can be measured by the noninvasive and radiation-free imaging method Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). Ventilation monitoring is still the key research area in EIT, whereby perfusion monitoring gain more and more in interest. However, there are still many unknown influencing factors concerning pulsatile impedance measurements which have to be investigated. Hence, in this observational case study the impact of prolonged apnea periods on pulsatile impedance changes was examined in a patient with suspected brain death undergoing several apnea tests. In addition, the correlation between changes in pulsatile impedance and certain blood gas parameters (carbon dioxide partial pressure, pCO2; oxygen partial pressure, pO2; pH; bicarbonate, HCO3 -) were explored. Results show that the pulsatile impedance signal changes over time during apnea. An increase in the area under the curve (Mean AuC) and the maximum amplitude (Mean Max) of heart beat associated impedance signals was observed (Mean AuC: up to 65 %; Mean Max: up to 57 %). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the increase in impedance and pCO2and HCO3 - was assessed (both: up to 0.99), whereas pO2and pH show a negative correlation (both: up to -0.99). These preliminary results indicate that pulsatile EIT monitoring may be applied to get additional information regarding cardio-pulmonary interactions sustaining diagnosis or treatment of lung diseases.
Investigating dynamic-mechanical properties of multi-layered materials for biomedical applications
Authors: Fiedler Nicklas , Arbeiter Daniela , Schümann Kerstin , Illner Sabine , Grabow Niels
Published: February 2021

The development and advancement of polymeric implant materials is a frequent focus in current research. The combination of polymeric materials with diverging properties provides a wide range of new materials with innovative characteristics. One technology for combining materials is to apply a coated layer onto a base material. In this work, a hyperelastic, synthetic base material was combined with a rigid biopolymer coating layer. A multilayered material with combined characteristics of both was built. In the field of processed polymers, the analysis of coating adhesion is not feasible using established methods. Therefore, a dynamic-mechanical method was investigated, which supplements the uniaxial tensile test and provides knowledge regarding mechanical resistance of the multilayered polymer structure. Furthermore, the method gets validated by SEM-imaging and evaluation of coating composition before and after testing under dynamic conditions.
Polymeric stents for the Eustachian tube: development and human cadaver study
Authors: Schümann Kerstin , Wilfling Tamara , Paasche Gerrit , Schuon Robert , Lenarz Thomas , Tautorat Carsten , Grabow Niels , Schmitz Klaus-Peter
Published: February 2021

Impairment of Eustachian tube function with nonsufficient ventilation of the middle ear is a main cause for chronic otitis media. To provide an effective and safe therapy, the innovative concept of Eustachian tube stenting was established. Biodegradable polymeric stents are developed to restore impaired tube function and dissolve after fulfilling their supportive purpose. To evaluate the applicability of the stents in the Eustachian tube, prototypes in conjunction with corresponding implantation instruments were tested in human cadaver studies. Radiopaque markers and a diaphanoscopic approach were tested as additional features to prove correct positioning of catheter and stent in the tube. In the current study biodegradable polymeric stents were implanted in the Eustachian tube of human cadavers without difficulty. Correct positioning of the stents in the tube was proved by diaphanoscopy during intervention and postoperative tomographic and histological analyses. Once designs are optimized on the basis of cadaver studies, preclinical safety and efficacy studies using animal models will be initiated.
Transcatheter mitral valve repair devices - in vitro studies on the influence of device-width on mitral regurgitation
Authors: Ott Robert , Kaule Sebastian , Großmann Swen , Stiehm Michael , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Siewert Stefan , Öner Alper Ö , Ince Hüseyin , Grabow Niels
Published: February 2021

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most prevalent valvulopathy in the USA and the second most prevalent valvulopathy in Europe. Despite excellent clinical results of surgical mitral valve repair (SMVR), transcatheter-based mitral valve repair (MVR) procedures emerged as a feasible treatment option for surgically inoperable or high-risk patients suffering from clinically relevant MR. The current study investigates the impact of device-induced coaptationwidth on the hydrodynamic performance of insufficient mitral valves (MV) during left ventricular (LV) systole. A non-calcified, pathological MV model (MVM) featuring a D-shaped MV annulus with an area of 7.6 cm2 and a flail gap in the A2-P2 region was employed in an experimental setup. Pressure gradient-volumetric flow rate (Δp-Q) relations were investigated for steady-state backward flow with transvalvular pressure gradients ranging from (0.75 ≤ Δp ≤ 177.36) mmHg. Glycerol-water mixture (36 % (v/v) glycerol in water) at 37 °C with a density of (1 098.2 ± 1.3) kg·m-3 and a dynamic viscosity of 3.5 mPa∙s was used as circulatory fluid. In order to determine the impact of the width of transcatheter MVR devices during LV-systole Δp-Q relations were investigated for three MVM-configurations: (i) MVM without MVR device, (ii) MVM with one MVR device and (iii) MVM with two MVR devices implanted in the A2-P2 region. The MVR devices were manufactured from steel sheets with a thickness of 0.2 mm and feature arm lengths of 9.0 mm and a width of 5.0 mm. The conducted investigations show that the implantation of MVR devices in the A2-P2 region prevents the manifestation of an A2-P2 flail gap and thereby effectively reduces the retrograde blood flow during the LV-systole by 13 % with one MVR device and 27 % with two MVR devices implanted. Thus, the application of two MVR devices with a combined device-induced width of 10 mm results in a better MR reduction than the implantation of one MVR device with a device-induced width of 5 mm.