bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated human-animal sero-surveillance of Brucellosis in the pastoral Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia
Authors: Tschopp Rea , Gebregiorgis Ashenafi , Tassachew Yayehyirad , Andualem Henok , Osman Mahlet , Waqjira Mulugeta Waji , Hattendorf Jan , Mohammed Abdulkadir , Hamid Muhammed , Molla Wassie , Mitiku Simeneh Awoke , Walke Henry , Negron Maria , Kadzik Melissa , Mamo Gezahegne
Published: August 2021

Background

Brucellosis is widespread in Ethiopia with variable reported prevalence depending on the geographical area, husbandry practices and animal species. However, there is limited information on the disease prevalence amongst pastoral communities, whose life is intricately linked with their livestock.

Methodology

We conducted an integrated human-animal brucellosis sero-surveillance study in two adjacent pastoral regions, Afar and Somali region (SRS). This cross-sectional study included 13 woredas (districts) and 650 households. Blood samples were collected from people and livestock species (cattle, camel, goats and sheep). Sera were analyzed with C-ELISA for camels and shoats (sheep and goats), with I-ELISA for cattle and IgG ELISA for humans. Descriptive and inferential statistics analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 5469 sera were tested by ELISA. Prevalence of livestock was 9.0% in Afar and 8.6% in SRS (ranging from 0.6 to 20.2% at woreda level). In humans, prevalence was 48.3% in Afar and 34.9% in SRS (ranging from 0.0 to 74.5% at woreda level). 68.4% of all households in Afar and 57.5% of households in SRS had at least one animal reactor. Overall, 4.1% of animals had a history of abortion. The proportion of animals with abortion history was higher in seropositive animals than in seronegative animals. Risk factor analysis showed that female animals were significantly at higher risk of being reactors (p = 0.013). Among the species, cattle had the least risk of being reactors (p = 0.014). In humans, there was a clear regional association of disease prevalence (p = 0.002). The older the people, the highest the odds of being seropositive.

Conclusion

Brucellosis is widespread in humans and animals in pastoral communities of Afar and SRS with the existence of geographical hotspots. No clear association was seen between human and particular livestock species prevalence, hence there was no indication as whether B. abortus or B. melitensis are circulating in these areas, which warrants further molecular research prior to embarking on a national control programs. Such programs will need to be tailored to the pastoral context.
Imputation strategies for missing baseline neurological assessment covariates after traumatic brain injury: A CENTER-TBI study
Authors: Ercole Ari , Dixit Abhishek , Nelson David W. , Bhattacharyay Shubhayu , Zeiler Frederick A. , Nieboer Daan , Bouamra Omar , Menon David K. , Maas Andrew I. R. , Dijkland Simone A. , Lingsma Hester F. , Wilson Lindsay , Lecky Fiona , Steyerberg Ewout W. ,   the CENTER-TBI Investigators and Participants
Published: August 2021

Statistical models for outcome prediction are central to traumatic brain injury research and critical to baseline risk adjustment. Glasgow coma score (GCS) and pupil reactivity are crucial covariates in all such models but may be measured at multiple time points between the time of injury and hospital and are subject to a variable degree of unreliability and/or missingness. Imputation of missing data may be undertaken using full multiple imputation or by simple substitution of measurements from other time points. However, it is unknown which strategy is best or which time points are more predictive. We evaluated the pseudo-R2 of logistic regression models (dichotomous survival) and proportional odds models (Glasgow Outcome Score—extended) using different imputation strategies on the The Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study dataset. Substitution strategies were easy to implement, achieved low levels of missingness (<< 10%) and could outperform multiple imputation without the need for computationally costly calculations and pooling multiple final models. While model performance was sensitive to imputation strategy, this effect was small in absolute terms and clinical relevance. A strategy of using the emergency department discharge assessments and working back in time when these were missing generally performed well. Full multiple imputation had the advantage of preserving time-dependence in the models: the pre-hospital assessments were found to be relatively unreliable predictors of survival or outcome. The predictive performance of later assessments was model-dependent. In conclusion, simple substitution strategies for imputing baseline GCS and pupil response can perform well and may be a simple alternative to full multiple imputation in many cases.
The “business” of dentistry: Consumers’ (patients’) criteria in the selection and evaluation of dental services
Authors: Gray Laura , McNeill Lisa , Yi Weiming , Zvonereva Anastasia , Brunton Paul , Mei Li
Published: August 2021

The dimensions of patient-centred care include not only clinical effectiveness and patient safety, but, importantly, the preferences of patients as consumers of healthcare services. A total of 249 participants were included in the study, with a balanced population proportional representation by age, gender, ethnicity and geographic region of New Zealand. An online questionnaire was used to identify participants’ decision-making process, and what factors and barriers for participants to seek dental treatment. Cross-tabulations, Spearman correlation analysis and Pearson Chi-Square analysis were used for the statistical analyses. Three most common reasons for visit were check-up (77%), clean (57%) and relief of pain 36%). A desire to treat a perceived problem was the most common encouraging factor to seek dental care. Cost was the most common barrier to seeking dental services. The majority of participants attended a private practice (84%), with convenience of location and referral from professionals the most likely to influence their choice. Participants felt the most important trait a dental practitioner could demonstrate was to discuss treatment options with them before any treatment. Dental check-up, teeth cleaning and relief of pain were the most common reasons for patients to choose dental services. Cost and ethnicity of the consumers had a significant impact on how dental services were perceived and sought. Dental practitioners may need to reorientate how they express value of oral health practice, not just in regard to communication with patients, but also with government funding agencies.
Evolution of prosocial punishment in unstructured and structured populations and in the presence of antisocial punishment
Authors: Salahshour Mohammad
Published: August 2021

A large body of empirical evidence suggests that altruistic punishment abounds in human societies. Based on such evidence, it is suggested that punishment serves an important role in promoting cooperation in humans and possibly other species. However, as punishment is costly, its evolution is subject to the same problem that it tries to address. To suppress this so-called second-order free-rider problem, known theoretical models on the evolution of punishment resort to one of the few established mechanisms for the evolution of cooperation. This leaves the question of whether altruistic punishment can evolve and give rise to the evolution of cooperation in the absence of such auxiliary cooperation-favoring mechanisms unaddressed. Here, by considering a population of individuals who play a public goods game, followed by a public punishing game, introduced here, we show that altruistic punishment indeed evolves and promotes cooperation in the absence of a cooperation-favoring mechanism. In our model, the punishment pool is considered a public resource whose resources are used for punishment. We show that the evolution of a punishing institution is facilitated when resources in the punishment pool, instead of being wasted, are used to reward punishers when there is nobody to punish. Besides, we show that higher returns to the public resource or punishment pool facilitate the evolution of prosocial instead of antisocial punishment. We also show that an optimal cost of investment in the punishment pool facilitates the evolution of prosocial punishment. Finally, our analysis shows that being close to a physical phase transition facilitates the evolution of altruistic punishment.
China’s carbon emissions structure and reduction potential on the supply-side and demand-side of energy: Under the background of four influencing factors
Authors: Wan Xinwen , Jiang Tangyang , Li Shuangqi , Nie Jun
Published: August 2021

In recent years, the issues related to carbon emissions and environment have attracted extensive attentions. Considering four scenarios (the energy conversion, energy capital savings and loans, energy exports and cement production carbon emissions), this paper adopts the energy consumption method and input-output method to analyze China’s carbon emissions structure on the supply-side and demand-side of energy, and finally provides policy recommendations for China’s structural emission reduction. The results show that, if the four influencing factors were not considered, the measurement of carbon emissions from the final demand was 44.91% higher than the baseline scenario, 12.36% lower than the baseline scenario from intermediate demand, and 10.23% lower than the baseline scenario from the total. For China’s carbon emissions structure on the supply-side of energy, the carbon emissions from high-carbon energy, represented by raw coal, accounted for 66.805% of the total energy-related carbon emissions, while the carbon emissions from low-carbon energy, represented by natural gas, only accounted for 2.485%. For China’s carbon emissions structure on the demand-side of energy, the carbon emissions from intermediate demand (enterprise production) accounted for more than 95% of total energy-related carbon emissions, while the carbon emissions from final demand (residents and government use) accounted for less than 5%. For each specific industry in intermediate demand for energy, the heavy industry, electric power, fossil energy, and chemical industry have high carbon emissions and low carbon emissions efficiency. However, the agriculture, construction, light industry, and service are the opposite. Finally, we provide policy recommendations for improving the accuracy of carbon emissions measurement and carbon emissions efficiency.
Long-term mental wellbeing and functioning after surgery for cauda equina syndrome
Authors: Hazelwood James E. , Hoeritzauer Ingrid , Carson Alan , Stone Jon , Demetriades Andreas K.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) can cause persisting life-changing dysfunction. There is scarce literature regarding the long-term assessment of CES symptoms, and rarer still is the impact of these symptoms on mental wellbeing investigated. This study assessed the long-term patient reported mental wellbeing outcomes of post-operative CES patients.

Methods

Patients who underwent surgery for CES between August 2013 and November 2014 were identified using an ethically approved database. They then completed validated questionnaires over the telephone assessing their mental and physical functioning (Short-Form 12 Questionnaire), generating the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). Bladder, bowel and sexual function were also assessed using validated questionnaires. MCS scores were compared to both the Scottish mean and previously published cut-offs indicating patients at risk of depression. Correlations of MCS with bladder, bowel, sexual and physical dysfunction were examined and multifactorial regression to predict MCS from these variables analysed. Independent t-tests assessed the mean difference in MCS between patients presenting with incomplete CES (CES-I) and CES with retention (CES-R) and between those with radiologically confirmed and impending CES.

Results

Forty-six participants with a mean follow-up time of 43 months completed the study. The mean (±SD) MCS was 49 (±11.8) with 22% demonstrating poor mental health related quality of life in comparison to the Scottish mean. Overall, 37% had scores consistent with being at risk for depression with in the last 30 days, and 45% within the last 12 months. MCS was significantly correlated with Urinary Symptoms Profile (USP) score (-0.608), NBDS score (-0.556), ASEX score (-0.349) and PCS score (0.413) with worse bladder, bowel, sexual and physical dysfunction associated with worse MCS score. Multifactorial regression analysis demonstrated both urinary (USP score p = 0.031) and bowel function (NBDS score p = 0.009) to be significant predictive variables of mental health related quality of life. There were no significant mean differences in MCS between those presenting with CES-I and CES-R or those with radiologically complete and impending CES.

Discussion

This study demonstrates a high frequency of being at risk for depression in patients with CES and identifies outcome measures (physical, sexual and more so bladder and bowel dysfunction) associated with poorer mental wellbeing. Our large cohort and long follow-up highlight that CES patients should be considered at risk of depression, and the need to consider mental health outcomes following CES surgery.
Improving stock trading decisions based on pattern recognition using machine learning technology
Authors: Lin Yaohu , Liu Shancun , Yang Haijun , Wu Harris , Jiang Bingbing
Published: August 2021

PRML, a novel candlestick pattern recognition model using machine learning methods, is proposed to improve stock trading decisions. Four popular machine learning methods and 11 different features types are applied to all possible combinations of daily patterns to start the pattern recognition schedule. Different time windows from one to ten days are used to detect the prediction effect at different periods. An investment strategy is constructed according to the identified candlestick patterns and suitable time window. We deploy PRML for the forecast of all Chinese market stocks from Jan 1, 2000 until Oct 30, 2020. Among them, the data from Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2014 is used as the training data set, and the data set from Jan 1, 2015 to Oct 30, 2020 is used to verify the forecasting effect. Empirical results show that the two-day candlestick patterns after filtering have the best prediction effect when forecasting one day ahead; these patterns obtain an average annual return, an annual Sharpe ratio, and an information ratio as high as 36.73%, 0.81, and 2.37, respectively. After screening, three-day candlestick patterns also present a beneficial effect when forecasting one day ahead in that these patterns show stable characteristics. Two other popular machine learning methods, multilayer perceptron network and long short-term memory neural networks, are applied to the pattern recognition framework to evaluate the dependency of the prediction model. A transaction cost of 0.2% is considered on the two-day patterns predicting one day ahead, thus confirming the profitability. Empirical results show that applying different machine learning methods to two-day and three-day patterns for one-day-ahead forecasts can be profitable.
Evidence on the contribution of community gardens to promote physical and mental health and well-being of non-institutionalized individuals: A systematic review
Authors: Lampert Tarsila , Costa Joana , Santos Osvaldo , Sousa Joana , Ribeiro Teresa , Freire Elisabete
Published: August 2021

Introduction

There has been growing interest in community gardens as an effective and affordable health promotion strategy. However, most available evidence is derived from qualitative studies, whereas quantitative research on this subject is limited.

Objectives

To synthetize the literature about physical and mental health outcomes associated with community gardening. Two main questions were addressed: a) is there evidence, from quantitative studies, that community gardening is associated to physical and mental health and well-being of non-institutionalized individuals? b) Does community gardening provokes any discomfort in terms of physical health, i.e., bodily pain, to their beneficiaries?

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was carried out following PRISMA guidelines by searching relevant electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Empirical, quantitative studies published in English with no restrictions concerning the date of publication were considered eligible. The quality of the evidence was appraised using the tool developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.

Results

Overall, 8 studies were considered eligible, of which seven studies were rated as having good methodological quality (one scored as fair). Community gardeners had significantly better health outcomes than their neighbours not engaged in gardening activities in terms of life satisfaction, happiness, general health, mental health, and social cohesion.

Conclusion

Community gardens are associated to health gains for their users, irrespective of age, being an affordable and efficient way of promoting physical and mental health and well-being. To encourage the design, maintenance, and prospective evaluation of supportive urban environments promoting healthy and, at the same time, sustainable lifestyles, is essential to achieve public health gains and environmental sustainability.
Antimicrobial use on 74 Japanese pig farms in 2019: A comparison of Japanese and European defined daily doses in the field
Authors: Fujimoto Kyoko , Kawasaki Mai , Endo Yuko , Yokoyama Takashi , Yamane Itsuro , Yamazaki Hisanori , Kure Katsumasa , Haga Takeshi , Sugiura Katsuaki
Published: August 2021

Defined daily doses (DDD) have been established in human medicine to standardize the measurement of treatment in a population. In veterinary medicine, the European Medicine Agency published defined daily dose (DDDvet) values for antimicrobial agents used in food-producing animals in 2016. National defined doses (DDDjp) for antimicrobials used for pigs in Japan have recently been determined. The aim of this study was to compare the results of calculated antimicrobial use in the field using the DDDjp and DDDvet values. Data from 74 pig farms in Japan relative to antimicrobial use in 2019 was collected. The numbers of DDDs (the weight of biomass treated in kg-days) using DDDjp and DDDvet values for each farm and for different antimicrobial classes were compared. Associations between calculated numbers of DDDjp and DDDvet on farm level were investigated. In addition, differences in antimicrobial use were investigated between different production types of farms (farrowing, finishing and farrow-to-finish farms). Using DDDjp and DDDvet values, the aggregated number of DDDs for 74 farms were 4,099,188 and 2,217,085 respectively, with the former being larger by 1.85 times than the latter. The most frequently used antimicrobial class was penicillin regardless of whether DDDjp or DDDvet was used. The absence of DDDvet values for certain antimicrobial agents used in Japan and the differences in the number of DDDjps/PCU and DDDvets/PCU indicated the need for Japanese DDDs. The number of DDDs per kg population correction unit (PCU) per farm tended to be higher in farrowing farms than in farrow-to-finish farms and finishing farms, with no significant difference (P = 0.19).
Morphological changes in amblyopic eyes in choriocapillaris and Sattler’s layer in comparison to healthy eyes, and in retinal nerve fiber layer in comparison to fellow eyes through quantification of mean reflectivity: A pilot study
Authors: Masri Oussama Samer , Abiad Bachir , Darwich Mouhamad J. , Sarkis Paulette Antonios , El Mollayess Georges M. , Nasser Zeina , Fares Youssef , Al Ahmar Elie , Estephan Elias
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Establishing the reliability of a new method to check the mean retinal and choroidal reflectivity and using it to find retinal and choroid changes in amblyopia.

Methods

Design: Retrospective case-control. Population: 28 subjects of which 10 were healthy controls (20 eyes): 8 with refractive errors, 1 with strabismus, and 1 with both. 18 patients with unilateral amblyopia included: 7 anisometropic, 6 isoametropic, 1 strabismic, and 4 combined. Mean participants’ age: 13.77 years ± 10.28. Observation procedures: SD-OCT and ImageJ. Main outcome measure: mean reflectivity of retinal and choroid layers. Amblyopic, fellow, and healthy eyes were compared.

Results

The method of measuring reflectivity is good to excellent reliability for all regions of interest except the fourth. The mean reflectivity of the choriocapillaris and Sattler’s layer in amblyopic eyes were significantly lower than in healthy eyes (p = 0.003 and p = 0.008 respectively). The RNFL reflectivity was lower than that of fellow eyes (p = 0.025). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons showed statistically significant differences between amblyopic and healthy eyes for choriocapillaris (p = 0.018) and Sattler’s (p = 0.035), and between amblyopic and fellow eyes for RNFL (p = 0.039).

Conclusion

A decrease in reflectivity of the choriocapillaris and Sattler’s in amblyopic compared to healthy eyes, and a decrease in reflectivity of the RNFL in the amblyopic compared to fellow eyes, indicate that the pathophysiology is partly peripheral and might be bilateral.
Production of minor ginsenosides by combining Stereum hirsutum and cellulase
Authors: Yang Wenhua , Zhou Jianli , Harindintwali Jean Damascene , Yu Xiaobin
Published: August 2021

Minor ginsenosides (MGs) (include ginsenoside F2, Compound K, PPT, etc), which are generally not produced by ginseng plants naturally, are obtained by deglycosylation of major ginsenosides. However, the conventional processes used to produce deglycosylated ginsenosides focus on the use of intestinal microorganisms for transformation. In this study, an edible and medicinal mushroom Stereum hirsutum JE0512 was screened from 161 β-glucosidase-producing soil microorganisms sourced from wild ginseng using the plate coloration method. Furthermore, JE0512 was used for the production of CK from ginseng extracts (GE) in solid-state fermentation (SSF) using 20 g corn bran as substrate, 4 g GE, and 20% inoculation volume, and the results showed that the highest CK content was 29.13 mg/g. After combining S. hirsutum JE0512 with cellulase (Aspergillus niger), the MGs (F2, CK, and PPT) content increased from 1.66 to 130.79 mg/g in the final products. Our results indicate that the Stereum genus has the potential to biotransform GE into CK and the combination of S. hirsutum JE0512 and cellulase could pave the way for the production of MGs from GE.
No tights, no flights: Constructing the wardrobe of television superheroes
Authors: Geraffo Monica
Published: August 2021

Superheroes have always been defined by their dual lives, but analysis of the ways dress has informed characterization is often limited to just their superhero costumes, despite qualitative evidence that comic book heroes are depicted in civilian clothes at least half as often. Contemporary depictions of superheroes on television spend an even greater percentage of time dressed in civilian garments. This article combines both adaptation studies and industry studies approaches to discuss the overlooked influence of civilian clothing in conceiving the television superhero – examining both comic book source materials and the process of costume design through the intrinsic constraints of industry television production. Through case studies into the DC comics Arrowverse, a series of interconnected programmes aired on the CW Network, and Marvel’s Runaways, the Hulu adaptation about teenage superheroes without costumes, as well as interviews with costume designers and actors, this article recognizes strong visual similarities across programmes between pseudo-character archetypes, and presents a de facto formula for analysing civilian superhero costume design. The resulting narrative reveals a struggle within superhero civilian costume design: finding the balance between serving semiotics or characterization, and building a sense of realism and individual choice within costuming choices from within hegemonic structures.
The Indian Superheroine costume: Analysing Indian comics’ first superheroine
Authors: Roy Suddhabrata Deb
Published: August 2021

Comics are an important form of Indian popular culture. Like other forms of popular culture which have engaged with superheroes, male superheroes have dominated the comic book industry in India. Costumes enable the social construction of these characters in comics, determine their characteristic traits and emphasize their gendered roles. Female characters have had to struggle against multiple patriarchal social processes which are integral to the global comics’ culture. Costumes play a critical role in how these characters engage with the overall narrative of the comics. The article analyses the costume of Shakti – Indian comics’ first superheroine. It locates her costume within the broader literature available on graphic novels, comics and costumes. The article attempts to analyse the processes by which Shakti’s costume restricts her to a normative femininity where the power and authority of women become socially acceptable only when they are expressed or asserted without challenging patriarchal social norms.
Precarious, fragile and temporary interactions between the public sculpture collection of Santo Tirso and its non-specialized audience
Authors: Costa Rita
Published: August 2021

The following article depicts ongoing research from the project Quiet Dialogues, part of a Ph.D. thesis in artistic education in the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. Quiet Dialogues is a project that aims to map, explore and materialize the interactions that occur between the passer-by audience of the city and the International Museum of Contemporary Sculpture of Santo Tirso. The project’s resulting map will be in a public online archive showcasing all the interactions collected during the research. As the museum displays its artworks in the public space, this research explores three behavioural categories the audience may react towards the artwork. They are as follows: a mental relationship (a stand-off with the memory), a physical relationship (using the sculpture as shelter or support) and a playful interaction (using the sculpture as a game or in a ludic approach).
A calling into the wild
Authors: Halsted Whitney-Jade
Published: August 2021

In this investigation to the author’s own artistic practice, cultural theory and ontology are applied to the notion of ‘wildness’ and ‘safari’ to establish a paradox between what we know and simultaneously will never know about the wild within dominant Western paradigms of thinking. Through her analysis of these contemporary philosophies, the foundation of Halsted’s artwork is explained as a culmination of both performative controlled movements and uncontrolled action. This is achieved through the medium of watercolour that allows for the pigment and representative objects of the non-Western wild to break through oppressive borders and colonial gazes.

With the help of the wind, the scent of prey carries across the savannah. As it reaches the predator’s senses, deep feelings in the form of instincts create sudden and necessary action and the hunt begins. Although instincts are embedded within a predator, it has taken much time to develop the skills needed to ensure a successful hunt and there is still no guarantee for victory. Triumph is determined by constant trial and error, a never-ending journey of learning and the lesson always in motion. But who or what is the predator and who or what is the prey? Perhaps this behaviour is literal and confined to the animal hunt; or perhaps extends to human relations and power over others, whether it be other humans, non-humans and environment; perhaps it is about control and freedom; perhaps it can expand to how I feel about myself as being both the victim and perpetrator; or perhaps it is about all I have mentioned. As a Western assumption, the notion of wildness is acknowledged through ongoing interpretation, as a critical concept that points to the limit of our understanding by reminding us that there is something other. That is to say, knowing wildness suggests that there is an unknowing that is wild.
Suppressive effect of goat bile in Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in mice
Authors: Arwati Heny , Bahalwan Ramadhani R. , Hapsari Windya T. , Wardhani Kartika A. , Aini Kholida N. , Apsari Putu I. B. , Wardhani Puspa
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim: Some individuals in Indonesia consume intact goat gallbladder to prevent and treat malaria. The acute and subacute toxicity tests of goat bile (GB) have shown mild diarrhea in mice. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the suppressive effect of GB on parasitemia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and blood biochemistry to assess liver and kidney function in BALB/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA.

Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy mice were infected with P. berghei ANKA and divided into five groups. Mice in three groups were administered 0.5 mL of 25%, 50%, or 100% of GB by gavage. Animals in Group 4 were administered 187.2 mg/kg BW of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine phosphate as a positive control (POS Group). Mice in fifth group were administered sterile water as negative (NEG) controls. Further, 30 uninfected mice were divided into groups 6-8 and administered GB as were mice in the first three groups. Group 9 included 10 uninfected and untreated animals as healthy controls. Treatments were administered in a 4-day suppressive test followed by daily observation of Giemsa-stained blood smears. On day 7, mice were sacrificed to measure the length and weight of spleens and livers, plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine.

Results: GB suppressed parasitemia but did not affect the size and weight of spleens or livers or plasma levels of AST and ALT compared to uninfected GB-treated and healthy control animals. Conversely, plasma levels of BUN and creatinine were suppressed and remained in the normal range in all groups of mice.

Conclusion: GB suppresses parasitemia with no significant impact on hepatic enzymes in GB-treated infected mice. Liver dysfunction in GB-treated infected mice was due to P. berghei rather than GB treatment.
Indonesia Emas Berkelanjutan 2045: Kumpulan Pemikiran Pelajar Indonesia Sedunia Seri 8 Energi
Authors: Ekadewi Putty ,   Laboratoire GEPEA, Université de Nantes (France), Putranto Reyhan Puji ,   University of Ulsan (South Korea), Putra Naufaldy Obianka ,   Université de Poitiers (France), Eterlita Rahel ,   Montpellier Business School (France), Irawan Dody ,   China University of Mining and Technology (China), Adiyaksa Ilham Putra ,   Tomsk Polytechnic University (Russia), Maharani Yohana Noradika ,   Chungbuk National University  (South Korea), Setiawan Sanjaya David ,   Tianjin University (China), Gusti Pratiwi Rizky ,   Khon Kaen University (Thailand), Pramana Fitrah Adam ,   Aalborg University (Denmark), Aby Malik Nasution Ghiffari ,   Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), Parman Parman ,   Vistula University (Poland)
Published: August 2021

Seri Energi mendukung poin ke-7 SDGs, yakni “akses energi yang terjangkau, dapat diandalkan, berkelanjutan, dan modern yang merata bagi masyarakat dunia”. Bunga rampai ini terbagi menjadi tiga subtema, yaitu dinamika energi di Indonesia saat ini dan di masa depan, teknologi percepatan energi terbarukan dalam bauran energi Indonesia 2050, dan percepatan energi terbarukan untuk smart city. Ketiga subtema tersebut sangat penting untuk menentukan keberlanjutan energi di Indonesia pada tahun 2050, mulai dari kebijakan, keadilan distribusi listrik, hingga konsumsi energi. Keberhasilan tersebut perlu didukung sektor terkait lainnya, seperti masyarakat dan seluruh pemangku kepentingan. Buku ini diharapkan dapat menjadi bacaan yang bermanfaat bagi masyarakat Indonesia, khususnya para pemangku kepentingan di bidang pembangunan dan pengelolaan energi. Temukan beragam sudut pandang baru terkait upaya pembenahan sektor energi di Indonesia. Selamat membaca!
Literature on Information Literacy
Authors: N.B. Nisha , Varghese Rekha Rani
Published: August 2021

The paper provides an overview of the research conducted on various aspects of Information Literacy. Many studies have been conducted in India and abroad on different facets of Information Literacy and pinpointed that information literacy is an essential skill in the era of information explosion. This paper provides an outline of the research done on Information literacy all over the world. By analysing 104 studies on information literacy, the present study indicates that Information Literacy is an essential skill in the current society. The importance of libraries in imparting information literacy is also mentioned in many studies. The literacy training has to be started at the school level, and it should be included in the curricula. The review shows that the only solution to reduce the digital divide gap among the information-rich and information-poor citizens is information literacy. Many initiatives have been started in India to bridge this gap. Many organisations and Associations like UNESCO, IFLA, American Library Associations, Society of Colleges, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) have framed different standards and Information Literacy models for various types of information users.
Students Perception about the Use of Media Platforms
Authors: Datt Gopal , Bisht Raj Kishor , Tewari Naveen , Joshi Mukesh
Published: August 2021

With the emergence of technology, there is a remarkable growth in media platforms for accessing information. With the increase of information exchange, information about the usage of different media platforms may play a significant role in making strategies for providing information to different sections of society. Students are the major part of the population who access information through different media platforms for various purposes and make their decision accordingly. The objective of the present work is to investigate highly popular and reliable media platforms among students. For the purpose, an online survey was conducted to get information about the usage and reliability of various media platforms among students. We use analysis of variance approach to check whether all media platforms are equally popular among students and apply t-test to find highly popular and reliable media platforms. We found that different media platforms are not equally popular among students and we further observed that YouTube is a highly accessible and reliable media platform among students.
Research on Fake News An Empirical Analysis of Selected Library and Information Science Journals
Authors: Sahoo Jyotshna , Sahu Sudam Charan , Mohanty Basudev
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the work is to make a quantitative and qualitative assessment of published research on fake news in light of the Library and Information Science (LIS) perspective and show the research trends. Essential metadata elements were collected from the SCOPUS bibliographic database pertaining to fake news with specific reference to the LIS domain from 2017 to 2020 for the research work and analysed as per the research objectives. While the bibliometric indicators and R package has been used to study the various quantitative dimensions of publication patterns of the research papers, qualitative content analysis has been used to determine the emerging areas of research on fake news within the discipline. The quantitative analysis reveals that a good number of research works (N=133) have been published in as many as 52 academic journals of LIS that received 628 citations. “Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology” is the most productive journal that published the highest numbers of articles on fake news, and the USA is the dominant country of publications. In the LIS field, “fake news” is an emerging study topic that is gaining momentum. The research works covered a wide range of topics, including social media and fake news, information literacy and fake news, the role of libraries and librarians in fake news, detecting and combating fake news, theories, models, and frameworks, as well as archiving, preservation of fake news.
Media and Information Literacy as a Panacea for National Integration in an Era of Hate Speech in Nigeria
Authors: Igwebuike Ejike Udensi
Published: August 2021

This paper examined hate speech as a threat to Nigeria’s national unity and national integration. It is designed to x-ray people’s understanding of what constitute hate and the role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in promoting national unity and integration in Nigeria. Qualitative research method was adopted in conducting the research. Data was collected using interview and descriptive method was used in the analysis. A total of 72 participants were purposively selected for the interview from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. The findings show that majority of the respondents were not familiar with the concept of MIL; the study also showed that effective implementation of MIL competencies will not only curb the spread of hate speech in Nigeria but also ensure national unity and national integration. The paper concludes by recommending that there is need for sensitisation among Nigerians on the dangers of hate speech and the remedy provided by MIL in order to produce citizens who will harmoniously work together to build the country.
O estudante trabalhador na escola pública: Um direito negado?
Authors: Franzoi Naira Lisboa , Fischer Maria Clara Bueno , Silva Carla Odete Balestro , De Barros Analia Bescia Martins
Published: August 2021

O artigo resulta de pesquisa cujo objetivo foi analisar o atendimento a estudantes trabalhadores na educação básica, em escolas da rede estadual de ensino do Rio Grande do Sul/Brasil, entre 2015 e 2017. Os dados foram produzidos através de questionários e entrevistas e, para análise e interpretação, procedimentos da Análise de Conteúdo e cotejamento com o referencial teórico adotado. Apesar dos avanços, o pleno direito ao Ensino Médio continua longe de ser alcançado, especialmente para essa parcela da população que combina trabalho e estudo. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que: o trabalho é invisível à escola; as medidas tomadas pelas escolas para apoiar os estudantes que trabalham são, de forma geral, tímidas e isoladas; duas delas, mais frequentes, chamam atenção: o encaminhamento para o ensino noturno, em que as condições de estudo são menos favoráveis, e para estágios não obrigatórios, que, longe de cumprirem a função precípua de aprendizagem, vêm se constituindo numa forma de trabalho precário. Afirmamos que se estabelece, assim, um paradoxo: no afã de reter e apoiar esses estudantes, a escola acaba reforçando a dualidade do sistema, expressa na “inclusão excludente” na escola vis-à-vis uma “exclusão includente” no mercado de trabalho. As análises tomam Kuenzer (2005, 2007, 2011) por referência teórica, e demais estudos críticos que enfatizam a dualidade constitutiva do sistema educacional.
“Do it all but don’t kill us”: (Re)positioning teacher educators and preservice teachers amidst edTPA and the teacher strike in West Virginia
Authors: Sherfinski Melissa , Hayes Sharon , Zhang Jing , Jalalifard Mariam
Published: August 2021

We explore how two “happenings” representing different political, social, historical and economic influences converge to shape the narratives of preservice teachers and teacher educators in West Virginia. These happenings are the 2017-2018 edTPA roll out and the teacher strike of February 2018. We use the framework of sensemaking to explore preservice teacher and teacher educator identity/agency using a phenomenological analysis of narratives accessed through narrative portfolios, artifacts, and interviews with pre-service teachers, mentors (supervising teachers), and teacher educators. We found that the confluence of these political moments reinforced a neoliberal orientation for both preservice teachers and teacher educators, positioning preservice teachers to expect teacher educators to intensively support the edTPA and ensure their success while silencing the collective history and moral imperative of protest. Preservice teachers and some mentors reframed the edTPA as a pathway to increased teacher pay/meritocracy by linking it with the National Boards, yet there were pockets of resistance within this among both preservice teachers and teacher educators. These findings are important for informing educational policy and practice around both corporate involvement in assessment/accountability policy and preservice teachers’ and teacher educators’ roles in protest at this moment when both are expanding simultaneously.
Lectotipificaciones y novedad taxonómica en Spigelia (Loganiaceae) para la flora del Cono Sur
Authors: Zanotti Christian A.
Published: August 2021

In the framework of the taxonomic treatment of the family Loganiaceae for the Argentinean Flora, it was necessary to lectotypify 12 names described for the genus Spigelia. On the other hand, Spigelia beccabungoides, cited as endemic to the Flora of Paraguay is synonymized under Justicia comata (Acanthaceae).
Augustine on the Existence of the Past and the Future
Authors: Anzalone David
Published: August 2021

In the eleventh book of the Confessiones Augustine puts forward several considerations about the nature of time. The received view is that he held that only the present exists, while the past and the future do not exist. This received view has recently been attacked by Paul Helm and Katherin Rogers, who have offered alternative interpretations according to which Augustine held that the present has no privileged ontological status, and that past, present and future all equally exist. The aim of this paper is to defend the received view vis-à-vis these attacks. I argue that the received view fits best Augustine’s view of God’s eternity and relation to time and should therefore be preferred.
Individual Creativity and Career Choices of Pre-teens in the Context of a Math-Art Learning Event
Authors: Salmi Hannu , Thuneberg Helena , Bogner Franz X. , Fenyvesi Kristof
Published: August 2021

A sample of 392 students (aged 12-13 years, M± SD: 12. 52% girls) completed a learning module integrating informal hands-on mathematics and arts activity (extending STEM to STEAM). Within a 140 minute workshop period participants worked with commercially available ‘4Dframe’ Math and STEAM learning toolkits to design and create original, personal and individual geometrical structures. Two science pedagogues acted as tutors supervising the process and intervened only when needed. A pre-/post-test design monitored individual creativity, relative autonomy, and career choice preference. Path analysis elaborated the role of creativity (measured with two subscales: act and flow), and it showed that post-act, post-flow as well as relative autonomy are valuable predictors of career choices. Similarly, pre-creativity scores were shown to significantly predict the related post-scores: act and flow. As a consequence, our STEAM module was shown to trigger both the creativity level and the career choice preferences. Conclusions for appropriate educational settings to foster STEAM environments are discussed.
Properties of transmembrane helix TM1 of the DcuS sensor kinase of Escherichia coli, the stator for TM2 piston signaling
Authors: Stopp Marius , Steinmetz Philipp A. , Unden Gottfried
Published: August 2021

The sensor kinase DcuS of Escherichia coli perceives extracellular fumarate by a periplasmic PASP sensor domain. Transmembrane (TM) helix TM2, present as TM2-TM2′ homo-dimer, transmits fumarate activation in a piston-slide across the membrane. The second TM helix of DcuS, TM1, is known to lack piston movement. Structural and functional properties of TM1 were analyzed. Oxidative Cys-crosslinking (CL) revealed homo-dimerization of TM1 over the complete membrane, but only the central part showed α-helical +3/+4 spacing of the CL maxima. The GALLEX bacterial two-hybrid system indicates TM1/TM1′ interaction, and the presence of a TM1-TM1′ homo-dimer is suggested. The peripheral TM1 regions presented CL in a spacing atypical for α-helical arrangement. On the periplasmic side the deviation extended over 11 AA residues (V32-S42) between the α-helical part of TM1 and the onset of PASP. In the V32-S42 region, CL efficiency decreased in the presence of fumarate. Therefore, TM1 exists as a homo-dimer with α-helical arrangement in the central membrane region, and non-α-helical arrangement in the connector to PASP. The fumarate induced structural response in the V32-S42 region is suggested to represent a structural adaptation to the shift of TM2 in the TM1-TM1′/TM2-TM2′ four-helical bundle.
Grain refinement mechanism of rapidly solidified nickel alloys
Authors: Wang Hongfu , An Hongen , Yang Shaopei
Published: August 2021

The solidification microstructure evolution of Ni-25 at.% Cu alloys under different undercooling degrees were studied by the cladding method and cyclic superheating method. Two grain refinement phenomena were observed in the obtained undercooling. In the low undercooling condition, dendrite remelting is the main reason for grain refinement in the recalescence process, while in the high undercooling condition, the stress accumulated in the recalescence process leads to recrystallization in the later stage of recalescence. Under the condition of high undercooling, the solidification structure is composed of complete equiaxed grains with relatively uniform grain size, which indicates that grain boundary migration occurs during grain growth.
Impact of paternal presence and parental social-demographic characteristics on birth outcomes
Authors: Bamanikar Amruta A. , Shah Shetal , Aboudi David , Mikkilineni Soumya , Giblin Clare , Lavan Tessa , Brumberg Heather L.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Maternal race, marital status, and social environment impact risk of preterm delivery and size for gestational age. Although some paternal characteristics such as age are associated with pregnancy outcomes, the influence of the paternal presence, race/ethnicity and adverse life events is not well known. The objective of the study was to assess birth outcomes in mothers with a paternal presence compared to those without during the post-partum period. The secondary aim was to determine whether paternal race is associated with birth outcomes.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using parental surveys linked with birth certificate data from 2016 to 2018. Adverse birth composite outcomes (ABCO) including small for gestational age (SGA), prematurity or neonatal intensive care unit admission (NICU) were assessed.

Results

A total of 695 parents were analyzed (239 single mothers and 228 mother-father pairs). Compared to mothers with a father present, mothers without a father present exhibited increased odds of ABCO, prematurity and NICU. Non-Hispanic Black fathers had increased odds of ABCO and NICU compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Hispanic fathers had increased odds of NICU compared to NHW.

Conclusions

Paternal absence in the post-partum period and paternal race were both independently associated with ABCO and NICU. Assessment of paternal presence and paternal race in clinical practice may help identify opportunities for additional support necessary to optimize birth outcomes.