bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pædagogiske bestræbelser og ambivalenser i overgangen mellem børnehave og skole
Authors: Christensen Kira Saaby , Johansen Lone
Published: November 2020

ResuméMed afsæt i empiri produceret i forbindelse med forskningsprojektet ’Læring for Alle’, UCC (Christensen & Kornerup, 2014 & 2015, Kornerup, 2016) undersøges det, hvordan pædagoger i børnehaver og børnehaveklasser oplever arbejdet med at understøtte børns overgang til skolen, hvilke pædagogiske bestræbelser, der arbejdes ud fra og hvilke udfordringer de professionelle oplever i forbindelse med dette arbejde. Artiklen viser, at pædagoger i såvel børnehaver som i børnehaveklasser oplever sig splittet mellem forskellige pædagogiske og politiske dagsordner og ambitioner. Disse udfordrer til tider det pædagogiske arbejde på måder, som kan skabe ambivalens hos pædagogerne og til tider medfører en pædagogisk praksis, som virker modsat de pædagogiske bestræbelser om at understøtte børns læring, trivsel og nysgerrighed i overgangen mellem dagtilbud og skole.   AbstractBased on data produced in the research project ‘Learning for All’, UCC (Christensen & Kornerup, 2014 & 2015 Kornerup, 2016) it will be investigated how pedagogues in kindergartens and kindergarten classes experience their work with the children’s transitions to school, what kind of pedagogical values the work is based on and what kind of challenges the professionals experience in relation to their work. The article shows that pedagogues in kindergartens and in kindergarten classes experience a division between different pedagogical and political agendas and ambitions. Sometimes this challenges the pedagogical work in ways that create ambivalence among the pedagogues and sometimes result in a pedagogical practice which is counterproductive to the pedagogical intentions to support children’s learning, well-being and curiosity in the transition between kindergarten and kindergarten class.
Det almene myndighedsbegreb
Authors: Nielsen Carsten Fogh
Published: November 2020

ResuméDenne artikel argumenterer for, at en adækvat forståelse af den pædagogiske fagpersons myndighedsudøvelse involverer tre distinkte, men tæt sammenknyttede, myndighedsbegreber: Et formelt eller juridisk begreb der forstår myndighed som en grundlæggende juridisk og retslig kategori; et fagligt eller professionelt begreb der knytter myndighed til den pædagogiske fagpersons faglige kompetencer, og endelig et alment begreb der vedrører den pædagogiske fagpersons evne til forsvarligt at kunne forvalte asymmetriske magtrelationer. Den nuværende pædagogiske diskussion om myndighed har primært fokuseret på de to første begreber, mens det tredje begreb er blevet systematisk overset. Dette betyder, at der er væsentlige aspekter ved den pædagogiske praksis, som debatten og forskningen har svært ved at få greb og reflektere over. Artiklen ekspliciterer det almene myndighedsbegreb gennem en diskussion af BUPLs ”Etisk grundlag for pædagoger” og argumenterer for, at dette grundlag både understreger behovet for og giver et bestemt, substantielt indhold til det almene myndighedsbegreb. Artiklen afsluttes med en kort diskussion af Rasmus Willigs analyse af umyndiggørelsesprocesser i århusianske daginstitutioner ud fra og i lyset af det almene myndighedsbegreb. AbstractThis paper discusses different aspects of the authority possessed by professional educators and caretakers and argues for the theoretical need and empirical relevance of adopting a threefold distinction between legal authority, professional authority and general authority. The first two forms of authority have featured prominently in recent educational debates in Denmark whereas the third has been systematically overlooked. The paper argues that this neglect biases our understanding of the obligations and responsibilities of professional educators and caretakers. To explicate the significance and content of the general concept of authority the paper then looks at the professional code of ethics developed by BUPL, the Danish Union of Early Childhood and Youth Educators. The paper argues that this code both illustrates the relevance of and gives a particular content to the general concept. The paper concludes by briefly using the general concept of authority to examine and elucidate Rasmus Willig’s critical analysis of the structural processes through which the authority and the criticisms of professional caretakers from day care institutions in the municipality of Aarhus are undermined and disabled.
Empowerment i velfærdsarbejde fordrer professionel læring
Authors: Andersen Maja Lundemark
Published: November 2020

ResuméDet sociale og pædagogiske velfærdsarbejde i Danmark har udviklet sig, så der kan iagttages to modsatrettede tendenser, hvor den ene handler om mere kontrol og sanktioner i velfærdsarbejdet, og den anden handler om at øge borgernes deltagelse og ejerskab i egen sag. Denne artikel diskuterer om – og hvordan – det er muligt at øge borgernes deltagelse og ejerskab i egen sag gennem en kommunikativ kompetenceudvikling hos de professionelle. Artiklens fokus er en undersøgelse af, hvordan et praksisforskningsprojekt kan bidrage til refleksion og læring i den professionelle praksis, som kan medvirke til et øget samarbejde mellem borger og professionel. Observationer og direkte supervision af praksis kan danne en frugtbar akse, hvor organisation, profession og forskning spiller sammen i en kritisk konstruktiv optik, der kan omsættes i læring og konkrete produktive forandringer i mødet mellem system og borger. AbstractEmpowerment within modern welfare requires professional skills. Power and power relations are dominant concepts in any form of social and relational work in modern welfare. In order to create an empowering partnership between service users and social workers it is necessary to research the production of power and to make power relations visible and negotiable. Service users’ perspectives and democratic principles could strengthen empowerment processes and develop social work practice. This article discusses how practice research as a process of collaboration is able to inform professional competence building and reflection to further cooperation between the professionals and the service users. Paying attention to details and micro processes in the individual meetings between service user and professional makes it obvious to understand how professionals can learn to communicate and work with empowerment in cooperation with the service users. On this basis the article concludes that it is possible for practice research – based on a close collaboration between research, social work and user perspectives – to inform new learning processes among professionals, and this in turn can contribute to a more empowering perspective in the collaboration between professionals and service users.
Pædagogik og Familie
Authors: Redaktionelt Redaktionen
Published: November 2020

…
Giant World of Monsters
Authors: Boysen Mikkel Snorre Wilms
Published: November 2020

ResuméInden for kreativitetsteori har der i de seneste 10 år været øget opmærksomhed omkring kreativitetens distribuerede og kollaborative aspekter. Først og fremmest har dette været udtryk for en epistemologisk drejning. Fra et fokus på individet har man således i stigende grad interesseret sig for, hvorledes kreativitet opstår som en konsekvens af et sammenspil mellem mennesker, materialer, teknikker, traditioner, m.m. Det nye perspektiv betyder ikke nødvendigvis, at velkendte pædagogiske metoder må forandres. På den anden side, er det oplagt at afsøge, hvilke potentialer denne nye optik kan tilbyde i forhold til at kvalificere pædagogisk rammesatte læringsmiljøer. Dette spørgsmål undersøges i denne artikel med afsæt i et autoetnografisk casestudie, hvor fire SFO børn udvikler et brætspil i sammenspil med en voksen. I casestudiet arbejder den voksne systematisk med at koble børnenes tanker og ideer til eksterne/interne netværk bestående af aktører, traditioner og materialer. Hermed benyttes kreativitetens distribuerede aspekt proaktivt med henblik på at kvalificere den innovative proces. Casestudiet peger på, at en sådan type didaktik er værdifuld i forhold til at fremme kreativitet og skabe nye typer af kollaborative fællesskaber mellem pædagoger og børn.

Giant World of MonstersA case study of collaborative creative processes among children and adults promoted and analyzed through the lenses of actor-network theory and distributed creativity.Within the last ten to twenty years of creativity research, the focus on interaction and collaboration has increased. First of all, this development is promoted by a new epistemological approach, according to which creativity is viewed as something that is distributed among people, materials, techniques, traditions, etc. This relatively new perspective does not necessarily have to affect well-known pedagogical methods. On the other hand, it seems relevant to explore the pedagogical potentials, this new perspective might entail. In this article, the potential is explored through an autoethnographic case study, in which four schoolchildren (ages 10 to 11) develop a game in collaboration with an adult. In the process, the adult systematically establishes connections between the children’ ideas and external networks represented by human and non-human actors, such as books, materials, persons, games, etc. Thus, the distributed aspects of creativity are intentionally activated and highlighted in order to strengthen the creative process. The case study indicates that this type of pedagogy might be productive in terms of promoting creativity and establishing new types of relations between children and teachers/pedagogues.
Redaktionelt. Pædagogik og ekspertise
Authors: Togsverd Line
Published: November 2020

Redaktionel indledning – intet resume
Problems on One Way Road Networks
Authors: Ajay Jammigumpula , Das Avinandan , Dutta Binayak , Karmakar Arindam , Roy Sasanka , Saikia Navaneeta
Published: November 2020

A One-Way Road Network is an ordered pair $OWRN = (W_x,W_y)$ comprising of a
set $W_x$ of $m$ directed horizontal roads along with another set $W_y$ of $n$
directed vertical roads. An $OWRN$ can also be viewed as a directed grid graph
$GG=(V, E)$, where $V$ corresponds to intersections between every pair of
horizontal and vertical roads, and there is a directed edge between every
pair of consecutive vertices in $V$ in the same direction corresponding to that
road.
A vehicle $c$ is defined as a 3-tuple $(t,s,P)$, where $c$ starts
moving at time $t$ and moves with a constant speed $s$ from its start vertex to
destination vertex along pre-specified directed path $P$, unless a collision occurs. A
collision between a pair of vehicles $c_i$ and $c_j$ $(i \ne j)$ occurs if they
reach a vertex $v \in V$ (a junction in $OWRN$) orthogonally at the same time.
A traffic configuration on an $OWRN$ is a 2-tuple $TC=( GG, C)$, where $C$ is a
set of vehicles, each travelling on a pre-specified path on $GG$. A collision-free
$TC$ is a traffic configuration without any collision. We prove that finding a
maximum cardinality subset $C_{max}\subseteq C$, such that $TC = (GG, C_{max})$
is collision-free, is NP-hard. We also show that $GG$ can be preprocessed into a data-structure in $\mathcal{O}(n+m)$ time and space, such that the length of the
shortest path between any pair of vertices in $GG$ can be computed in
$\mathcal{O}(1)$ time and the shortest path can be computed in $\mathcal{O}(p)$
time, where $p$ is the number of vertices in the path.
Kombinētā cikla energobloku elektrisko iekārtu modernizācija darbības pielāgošanai mūsdienu elektroenerģijas tirgus prasībām
Authors:   , Oļekšijs Romāns
Published: November 2020

Pārmaiņas elektroenerģijas tirgū un Eiropas Savienības izvirzītie vides aizsardzības mērķi rezultējās ar darbības cikliskuma pieaugumu kombinētā cikla elektrostacijās, kuras ierasti tika ekspluatētas bāzes režīmā. Elektroenerģijas sistēma kļūst nestabilāka, sakarā ar nesabalansētu ģenerācijas jaudu izvietojumu, ko pārsvarā provocē atjaunīgā ģenerācija. Rezultātā Eiropā tika izstrādātas jaunas prasības ģeneratoru pieslēgšanai, esošajām elektrostacijām ir sarežģīti nodrošināt atbilstību tām. Viss iepriekšminētais noved pie augstākām kombinētā cikla elektrostaciju darbības izmaksām, jāatrod risinājumi, kas ļautu samazināt izmaksas un/vai palielināt peļņu. Cikliskai darbībai ir negatīva ietekme uz elektrostaciju ūdens-tvaika cikla iekārtām un tā ir labi izpētīta. Šajā Promocijas darbā tiek izskatīta cikliskas darbības ietekme uz termoelektrostaciju galvenajām elektriskajām iekārtām un sniegtas empīriskas formulas drošuma novērtēšanai priekš dažādiem darbības scenārijiem. Tika analizēti risinājumi priekš elektrostaciju modernizācijas, lai nodrošinātu atbilstību jaunajām prasībām un tīkla palīgpakalpojumu sniegšanu. Tika izvērtētas iespējamās palīgpakalpojumu izmaksas, sniedzot tos no kombinētā cikla elektrostacijam un ietaisēm, kas pieslēgtas pārvades sistēmai, tāda veidā nodrošinot informāciju priekš turpmākajiem aprēķiniem. Tika izstrādāta detalizēta metodoloģija–saules ģenerētās enerģijas pielietojumam pašpatēriņa nodrošināšanai, kas ļauj izvēlēties optimālāko ietaises jaudu, lai nodrošinātu visātrāko atmaksāšanas laiku. Tika izstrādāta elektroenerģijas lieljaudas baterijas darbības optimizācijas metodoloģija, kas ļautu samazināt elektrostacijas pašpatēriņa izmaksas, darbinot bateriju izmantojot saules ģenerāciju vai bez tās. Tika izstrādāta termoelektrostacijas darbības plānošanas uzlabošanas metodoloģija, kas izmanto papildus ienākumus no palīgpakalpojumu sniegšanas, lai pēc iespējas nobīdītu termoelektrostacijas visizdevīgāko palaišanas un/vai apturēšanas laiku, kas ļauj nodrošināt lielāku peļņu. Metodoloģija arī ļauj izmantot papildus ienākumus, lai nodrošinātu mazāku palaišanas skaitu gadā. Abu pieeju rezultāti tiek izmantoti incidentu biežuma aprēķinā ar izstrādātām empīriskām formulām, kas ļauj izvēlēties optimālu elektrostacijas ekspluatācijas stratēģiju. Iegūtās formulas var pielietot dažādās kombinētā cikla elektrostacijās. Izstrādātās metodoloģijas var pielietot pašpatēriņa optimizācijai. Metodoloģiju priekš elektrostaciju darbības uzlabotas plānošanas var pielietot priekš dažādiem scenārijiem. Visas minētas metodoloģijas ir pārbaudītas izmantojot vēsturiskos datus. Iegūtajiem analīžu rezultātiem, par palīgpakalpojumu sniegšanas apmaksāšanas ietekmi uz kombinētā cikla elektrostaciju galveno elektroiekārtu incidentu biežumu un iespējamajiem ienākumiem, vajadzētu novest pie jauniem pētījumiem šajā jomā.
Aļģu izmantošanas novērtējums biogāzes ražošanai Latvijā
Authors:   , Pastare Laura
Published: November 2020

Eiropas Savienība 2020. un 2030. gadam ir uzstādījusi mērķi palielināt atjaunojamo energoresursu īpatsvaru gala patēriņā par 20 % un 40 % attiecīgi. Lai sasniegtu šos mērķus, nepieciešams atbalstīt un attīstīt gan jau esošo atjaunojamo energoresursu pielietojumu, gan arī meklēt jaunus resursus vai jaunus veidus to pielietojumam. Latvijas bioekonomikas stratēģija 2030. gadam un Latvijas ilgtspējības stratēģija 2030. gadam nosaka nepieciešamību pilnvērtīgāk izmantot vietējos energoresursus, pieminot no jūras izskalotās aļģes, kā vienu no visnepilnīgāk izmantotajiem vietējiem resursiem. Lai gan aļģu izmantošanas pētniecība ir aktuāla nozare, neeksistē novērtējuma metodika, kas novērtētu aļģu izmantošanas potenciālu biogāzes ražošanai no enerģētikas, vides un ekonomiskajiem aspektiem vienkopus. Pamatojoties uz ES izvirzītajiem mērķiem klimata un enerģētikas jomā un Latvijas izvirzītajiem rīcības plāniem šo mērķu sasniegšanai, autore promocijas darbā izvirza mērķi izstrādāt no aļģēm ražotas biogāzes novērtējuma metodiku. Novērtējuma metodikā iekļaujot enerģētiskos aspektus (enerģijas potenciāla novērtēšana), vides aspektus (ietekmes uz vidi novērtējums) un ekonomiskos aspektus (pilna dzīves cikla izmaksu novērtējums). Promocijas darba pamatā ir 7 tematiskie vienotas zinātniskas publikācijas, kas publicētas dažādos zinātniskos žurnālos, un pieejamas zinātniskajās informācijas datu krātuvēs un starptautiskajās datubāzēs. Šo publikāciju mērķis ir pārnest un aprobēt aļģu izmantošanas biogāzes ražošanai novērtējuma metodikas ietvaru. Darbs sastāv no ievada un 4 daļām. Darba ievads definē tā mērķi un uzdevums, apraksta darbā pielietoto metodoloģiju un sniedz īsu pārskatu par promocijas darba aprobāciju. Pirmā nodaļa satur literatūras apskatu. Otrā nodaļa satur izstrādātās metodikas izveides pamatu un detalizēti apraksta pielietoto metodoloģiju. Trešā nodala satur gadījuma analīzes scenāriju aprakstu. Ceturtajā nodaļā aprakstīti scenāriju analīzes rezultāti, kā arī veikta modeļa testēšana un novērtēšana. Iegūtie secinājumi ir apkopoti darba noslēgumā.
Wiskott Aldrich syndrome protein regulates non-selective autophagy and mitochondrial homeostasis in human myeloid cells
Authors: Rivers Elizabeth , Rai Rajeev , Lötscher Jonas , Hollinshead Michael , Markelj Gasper , Thaventhiran James , Worth Austen , Cavazza Alessia , Hess Christoph , Bajaj-Elliott Mona , Thrasher Adrian J
Published: November 2020

The actin cytoskeletal regulator Wiskott Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) has been implicated in maintenance of the autophagy-inflammasome axis in innate murine immune cells. Here, we show that WASp deficiency is associated with impaired rapamycin-induced autophagosome formation and trafficking to lysosomes in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). WASp reconstitution in vitro and in WAS patients following clinical gene therapy restores autophagic flux and is dependent on the actin-related protein complex ARP2/3. Induction of mitochondrial damage with CCCP, as a model of selective autophagy, also reveals a novel ARP2/3-dependent role for WASp in formation of sequestrating actin cages and maintenance of mitochondrial network integrity. Furthermore, mitochondrial respiration is suppressed in WAS patient MDMs and unable to achieve normal maximal activity when stressed, indicating profound intrinsic metabolic dysfunction. Taken together, we provide evidence of new and important roles of human WASp in autophagic processes and immunometabolic regulation, which may mechanistically contribute to the complex WAS immunophenotype.
Interplay between bacterial deubiquitinase and ubiquitin E3 ligase regulates ubiquitin dynamics on Legionella phagosomes
Authors: Liu Shuxin , Luo Jiwei , Zhen Xiangkai , Qiu Jiazhang , Ouyang Songying , Luo Zhao-Qing
Published: November 2020

Legionella pneumophilaextensively modulates the host ubiquitin network to create the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) for its replication. Many of its virulence factors function as ubiquitin ligases or deubiquitinases (DUBs). Here, we identify Lem27 as a DUB that displays a preference for diubiquitin formed by K6, K11, or K48. Lem27 is associated with the LCV where it regulates Rab10 ubiquitination in concert with SidC and SdcA, two bacterial E3 ubiquitin ligases. Structural analysis of the complex formed by an active fragment of Lem27 and the substrate-based suicide inhibitor ubiquitin-propargylamide (PA) reveals that it harbors a fold resembling those in the OTU1 DUB subfamily with a Cys-His catalytic dyad and that it recognizes ubiquitin via extensive hydrogen bonding at six contact sites. Our results establish Lem27 as a DUB that functions to regulate protein ubiquitination onL. pneumophilaphagosomes by counteracting the activity of bacterial ubiquitin E3 ligases.
Genetic timestamping of plasma cells in vivo reveals tissue-specific homeostatic population turnover
Authors: Xu An Qi , Barbosa Rita R , Calado Dinis Pedro
Published: November 2020

Plasma cells (PCs) are essential for protection from infection, and at the origin of incurable cancers. Current studies do not circumvent the limitations of removing PCs from their microenvironment and confound formation and maintenance. Also, the investigation of PC population dynamics has mostly relied on nucleotide analog incorporation that does not label quiescent cells, a property of most PCs. The main impediment is the lack of tools to perform specific genetic manipulation in vivo. Here we characterize a genetic tool (JchaincreERT2) in the mouse that permits first-ever specific genetic manipulation in PCs in vivo, across immunoglobulin isotypes. Using this tool, we found that splenic and bone marrow PC numbers remained constant over-time with the decay in genetically labeled PCs being compensated by unlabeled PCs, supporting homeostatic population turnover in these tissues. The JchaincreERT2tool paves the way for an in-depth mechanistic understanding of PC biology and pathology in vivo, in their microenvironment.
Opposing JAK-STAT and Wnt signaling gradients define a stem cell domain by regulating differentiation at two borders
Authors: Melamed David , Kalderon Daniel
Published: November 2020

Many adult stem cell communities are maintained by population asymmetry, where stochastic behaviors of multiple individual cells collectively result in a balance between stem cell division and differentiation. We investigated how this is achieved forDrosophilaFollicle Stem Cells (FSCs) by spatially-restricted niche signals. FSCs produce transit-amplifying Follicle Cells (FCs) from their posterior face and quiescent Escort Cells (ECs) to their anterior. We show that JAK-STAT pathway activity, which declines from posterior to anterior, dictates the pattern of divisions over the FSC domain, promotes more posterior FSC locations and conversion to FCs, while opposing EC production. Wnt pathway activity declines from the anterior, promotes anterior FSC locations and EC production, and opposes FC production. The pathways combine to define a stem cell domain through concerted effects on FSC differentiation to ECs and FCs at either end of opposing signaling gradients, and impose a pattern of proliferation that matches derivative production.
In vitro anti-diabetic effects and phytochemical profiling of novel varieties of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (L.) extracts
Authors: Wariyapperuma W.A. Niroshani M. , Kannangara Sagarika , Wijayasinghe Yasanandana S. , Subramanium Sri , Jayawardena Bimali
Published: November 2020

Background

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is a leading metabolic disorder in the world. Anti-diabetic actions of phytochemicals from various medicinal herbs have been explored as an alternative therapy in the management of DMT2 due to adverse effects of synthetic drugs used in allopathic medicine. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential and phytochemical profiling were investigated in aqueous extracts of two new Cinnamomum zeylanicum accessions, namely C. zeylanicum Sri Wijaya (SW), C. zeylanicum Sri Gemunu (SG) and commercially available C. zeylanicum (CC).

Methods

Microwave Digestion (MD), Pressurized Water Extraction (PWE), Steam Distillation (SD), Solvent Extraction (SE), Decoction Water Extraction (DWE) and Infusion Water Extraction (IWE) methods were used to prepare Cinnamon quill extracts. Total phenolic content (TPC, Folin-Ciocalteu method) and Proanthocyanidin content (PC, vanillin assay), α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of Cinnamon extracts were determined spectrophotometrically. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition were reported in terms of IC50 value. The phytochemical profiling was accomplished by GC-MS technique.

Results and Discussion

Lowest IC50 values were observed in PWE and DWE of SW. The highest PC and TPC were also observed in PWE and DWE of SW. Pressured water and decoctions are promising methods for the extraction of antidiabetic constituents from cinnamon. Benzoic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and 4-Allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol were identified as major compounds in SW extracts. These compounds are believed to be responsible for strong enzyme inhibitory activity of the extracts.

Conclusions

This is the first study to explore the use of pressured and decoctions water to extract anti-diabetic phytochemicals from cinnamon. The extensive metabolite profiling of novel SW and SG extracts and comparison of that with commercially available CC are reported for the first time in this study. The C. zeylanicum, SW accession holds some promise in the management of diabetes.
Assessment of autonomous nerve system through non-linear heart rate variability outcomes in sedentary healthy adults
Authors: Navarro-Lomas Gines , De-la-O Alejandro , Jurado-Fasoli Lucas , Castillo Manuel J. , Femia Pedro , Amaro-Gahete Francisco J.
Published: November 2020

Background

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a psycho-physiological phenomenon with broad health implications. Different data analysis methods have been used to assess the autonomic nervous system activity, but the validation of new indexes that accurately describe its balance through non-invasive methods (i.e., HRV analysis) is of clinical interest. This study aimed: (i) to evaluate the association of the Stress Score (SS) and the Sympathetic/Parasympathetic Ratio (S/PS) with time domain and frequency domain analysis of HRV, and (ii) to set reference values of SS and S/PS in sedentary healthy adults.

Methods

A total of 156 sedentary healthy adults (38.4 ± 15.57 years old, 81 women), aged were involved in this study. HRV was measured for 15 min in a supine position at rest. SS and S/PS were calculated from the non-linear HRV analyses based on Poincare Plot.

Results

Stress Score showed a non-linear negative power-law relationship with SDNN (β = −0.969; R2 = 0.963; P < 0.001), RMSSD (β = −0.867; R2 = 0.722; P < 0.001), high frequency (β = −0.834; R2 = 0.752; P =< 0.001), low frequency (β = −0.627; R2 = 0.330; P < 0.001), SD1 (β = −0.867; R2 = 0.722; P < 0.001) and SD2 (β = −1.000; R2 > 0.999; P < 0.001). There was observed a negative cubic relationship between SS with PNN50 (β = −1.972; R2 = 0.644; P < 0.001). A linear regression model was conducted between SS with Ratio Low/High Frequency (β = 0.026; R2 < 0.001; P = 0.750). Non-linear power-law regression models were built between S/PS and SDNN (β = −0.990; R2 = 0.981; P < 0.001), RMSSD (β = −0.973; R2 = 0.939; P < 0.001), high frequency (β = −0.928; R2 = 0.970; P < 0.001), low frequency (β = −2.344; R2 = 0.557; P < 0.001), SD1 (β = −0.973; R2 = 0.939; P < 0.001) and SD2 (β = −0.611; R2 = 0.908; P < 0.001). A non-linear negative regression model was built between S/PS and PNN50 (β = −3.412; R2 = 0.868; P < 0.001). A linear regression model was conducted between S/PS and SD2/SD1 (β = 0.075; R2 = 0.006; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results support the use of SS as a sympathetic activity marker, and S/PS as an indicator of the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system in sedentary healthy adults.
Non-SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences identified in clinical samples from COVID-19 infected patients: Evidence for co-infections
Authors: Abouelkhair Mohamed A.
Published: November 2020

Background

In December 2019, an ongoing outbreak of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/ 2019-nCoV) infection was initially reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Early in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new name for the 2019-nCoV-caused disease: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and declared COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Cellular co-infection is a critical determinant of viral fitness and infection outcomes and plays a crucial role in shaping the host immune response to infections.

Methods

In this study, 68 public next-generation sequencing data from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were retrieved from the NCBI Sequence Read Archive database using SRA-Toolkit. Data screening was performed using an alignment-free method based on k-mer mapping and extension, fastv. Taxonomic classification was performed using Kraken 2 on all reads containing one or more virus sequences other than SARS-CoV-2.

Results

SARS-CoV-2 was identified in all except three patients. Influenza type A (H7N9) virus, human immunodeficiency virus, rhabdovirus, human metapneumovirus, Human adenovirus, Human herpesvirus 1, coronavirus NL63, parvovirus, simian virus 40, and hepatitis virus genomes sequences were detected in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Besides, a very diverse group of bacterial populations were observed in the samples.
Optimizing and purifying extracellular amylase from soil bacteria to inhibit clinical biofilm-forming bacteria
Authors: Elamary Rokaia , Salem Wesam M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Bacterial biofilms have become a major threat to human health. The objective of this study was to isolate amylase-producing bacteria from soil to determine the overall inhibition of certain pathogenic bacterial biofilms.

Methods

We used serial dilution and the streaking method to obtain a total of 75 positive amylase isolates. The starch-agar plate method was used to screen the amylolytic activities of these isolates, and we used morphological and biochemical methods to characterize the isolates. Optimal conditions for amylase production and purification using Sephadex G-200 and SDS-PAGE were monitored. We screened these isolates’ antagonistic activities and the purified amylase against pathogenic and multi-drug-resistant human bacteria using the agar disk diffusion method. Some standard antibiotics were controlled according to their degree of sensitivity. Finally, we used spectrophotometric methods to screen the antibiofilm 24 and 48 h after application of filtering and purifying enzymes in order to determine its efficacy at human pathogenic bacteria.

Results

The isolatedBacillusspecies wereBacillus megaterium(26.7%),Bacillus subtilis(16%),Bacillus cereus(13.3%),Bacillus thuringiesis(10.7%),Bacillus lentus(10.7%),Bacillus mycoides(5.3%),Bacillus alvei(5.3%),Bacillus polymyxa(4%),Bacillus circulans(4%), andMicrococcus roseus(4%). Interestingly, all isolates showed a high antagonism to target pathogens.B. alevihad the highest recorded activity (48 mm) andB. polymyxahad the lowest recorded activity (12 mm) againstStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) andEscherichia coli, respectively. On the other hand, we detected no antibacterial activity for purified amylase. The supernatant of the isolated amylase-producing bacteria and its purified amylase showed significant inhibition for biofilm: 93.7% and 78.8%, respectively. This suggests that supernatant and purified amylase may be effective for clinical and environmental biofilm control.

Discussion

Our results showed that soil bacterial isolates such asBacillus sp.supernatant and its purified amylase are good antibiofilm tools that can inhibit multidrug-resistant former strains. They could be beneficial for pharmaceutical use. While purified amylase was effective as an antibiofilm, the isolated supernatant showed better results.
The current knowledge gap on metallothionein mediated metal-detoxification in Elasmobranchs
Authors: Hauser-Davis Rachel Ann
Published: November 2020

Elasmobranchs are particularly vulnerable to environmental contamination, especially pollutants that may bioaccumulate and biomagnify, throughout the trophic web, such as metals. However, Elasmobranch management and conservation plans are challenging, and this group is often neglected regarding ecotoxicological analyses, particularly concerning metal detoxification mechanisms. This article discusses metallothionein (MT) mediated metal detoxification in Elasmobranchs and reflects on the current knowledge gap in this regard.
Changing health compliance through message repetition based on the extended parallel process model in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Yang Jingwen , Wu Xue , Sasaki Kyoshiro , Yamada Yuki
Published: November 2020

When people are confronted with health proposals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been suggested that fear of COVID-19 can serve protective functions and ensure public health compliance. However, health proposal repetition and its perceived efficacy also influence the behavior intention toward the proposal, which has not yet been confirmed in the COVID-19 context. The present study aims to examine whether the extended parallel process model (EPPM) can be generalized to a naturalistic context like the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we will explore how repetition of a health proposal is involved with the EPPM. In this study, two groups of participants are exposed to the same health proposal related to COVID-19, where one group is exposed once and another group twice. They then fill out a questionnaire consisting of items concerning behavior intention and adapted from the Risk Behavior Diagnosis Scale. Structural equation modeling will be used to determine the multivariate associations between the variables. We predict that repetition of the health proposal will associate with response efficacy (i.e., a belief about the effectiveness of the health proposal in deterring the threat) and perceived susceptibility (i.e., a belief about the risk of experiencing the threat). It is also predicted that following the EPPM, behavior intention will associate with both perceived efficacy of the health proposal, which will underlie response efficacy, and perceived threat of COVID-19, which will underlie perceived susceptibility. We will discuss the process, based on the model, where health message repetition affects behavior intention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Genome-wide discovery and characterization of long noncoding RNAs in African oil palm (Elaeis guineensisJacq.)
Authors: Xia Wei , Dou Yajing , Liu Rui , Gong Shufang , Huang Dongyi , Fan Haikuo , Xiao Yong
Published: November 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an important class of genes and play important roles in a range of biological processes. However, few reports have described the identification of lncRNAs in oil palm. In this study, we applied strand specific RNA-seq with rRNA removal to identify 1,363 lncRNAs from the equally mixed tissues of oil palm spear leaf and six different developmental stages of mesocarp (8–24 weeks). Based on strand specific RNA-seq data and 18 released oil palm transcriptomes, we systematically characterized the expression patterns of lncRNA loci and their target genes. A total of 875 uniq target genes for natural antisense lncRNAs (NAT-lncRNA, 712), long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs, 92), intronic-lncRNAs (33), and sense-lncRNAs (52) were predicted. A majority of lncRNA loci (77.8%–89.6%) had low expression in 18 transcriptomes, while only 89 lncRNA loci had medium to high expression in at least one transcriptome. Coexpression analysis between lncRNAs and their target genes indicated that 6% of lncRNAs had expression patterns positively correlated with those of target genes. Based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers derived from our previous research, 6,882 SNPs were detected for lncRNAs and 28 SNPs belonging to 21 lncRNAs were associated with the variation of fatty acid contents. Moreover, seven lncRNAs showed expression patterns positively correlated expression pattern with those of genes in de novo fatty acid synthesis pathways. Our study identified a collection of lncRNAs for oil palm and provided clues for further research into lncRNAs that may regulate mesocarp development and lipid metabolism.
Modeling the Probability of the Detection Process of Tax Evasion Taking into Account Quality and Quantity Indicators
Authors: Musayev Akif , Gazanfarli Mirvari
Published: November 2020

Aims: In contrast to the classical approaches of the standard model of tax evasion based on game theory, our manuscript has considered the detection of tax evasion as one of the main function of tax administration and has proposed a model for assessing the probability of tax evasion taking into consideration qualitative and quantitative indicators.

Study Design: This investigation has been carried out on the basis of research methods such as scientific abstraction and systematic analysis, expert evaluation, logical generalization, statistical analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Mathematical provision of economic researches, between November 2019 and May 2020.

Methodology: For the evaluating of the probability of tax evasion’s detection firstly, efficiency indicators of tax administration were selected including 3 groups such as internal environmental, external micro, and external macro-environmental factors. These indicators consist of both quantitative as well as qualitative indicators. Quantitative indicators were assessed on the base on statistics information base. Quantitative indicators were assessed on the base of expert skills, knowledge, and experiences in accordance with under investigation countries. The objectiveness of obtained data that characterize qualitative indicators was checked and used both these as well as quantitative indicators for formulating the tax efficiency index. The next step is consists of using these formulations for evaluating the probability of detection of tax evasion under uncertainty. The impact degrees (membership functions) of the parameters that characterize the influence of 3 groups-environmental factors, in the detection of tax evasion were defined, and taking them into account in the fuzzy inference system probability of detection of tax evasion was assessed.

Limitations: Lack or uncertainties of the information base cause difficulties in applying our model.

Results: The probability of detection of tax evasion in the Republic of Azerbaijan was assessed with the proposed model and depends on the results recommendations have been consulted for improving appropriate tax system. As a result of model the probability of detection of tax evasion was defined 29%. The result shows that tax administration mechanism in Azerbaijan Republic need to be improved.

Conclusion: Proposed model drives practical significance as a providing effective activity of tax institutions by defining the level of tax administration, as well as, as an impacting remarkably the revenue of state budget by determining the probability of tax evasion's detection.
Ecology and Partial Restoration of Daha River for Fish Productivity
Authors: Tiwary Chandra Bhushan
Published: November 2020

Daha river, a threatened water body of polluted nature in the Gopalganj district of Bihar was studied for its degradation and possible restoration. The study reveals high rate of sedimentation and agricultural activities, changes in water quality and biotic community. Agricultural activities have led to high input of nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) fertilizers along with pesticides being used by the farmers. The positives response of restoration practices was observed with partial improvement in fish-productivity due to hindrance factors acting upon severe fish species.The mean concentration of phosphate, nitrate and ammonia corresponds about 0.60-1.40 mg/l, 1.30-2.50 mg/l and 23-43 mg/l in polluted river, while after restoration declines to 0.20-0.48 mg/l, 0.60-1.10 mg/l and 14-27 mg/l, respectively indicating more suitable towards fish productivity. The observations on other water parameters also showed similar trend during partial restoration of Daha river. The cause of algal bloom and other macrophytic population is inorganic ammonia, however, organic pollution is also in polluted state observed as more quantity of ammonia than nitrate especially at site II and Site III during the study period. The concentration of nitrate is much higher than the critical value in polluted river which causes algal diversity and macrophytic vegetation. Therefore, partial restoration of the river helped to enhance fish productivity concluded from this study.
Detection of Trichomonas SPP. from Penile Bulls Fluid in Iraq
Authors: Hassan Baqer J.
Published: November 2020

Trichomonas fetus. lives on the surface .of the penis and. prepuce of the. bull and in the. reproductive tract of .the cow . Bovine .trichomoniasis is a venereal. disease of cattle. caused by the. protozoan Trichomonas. fetus . Samples: In our study 100 samples were collected from penal bulls which send to the slaughter house , the samples were collected randomly from mature bulls before slaughtering. For diagnosis of trichomoniases we made the direct method (using slise smear). The result show that there are (2) positive  samples of trichomonas Fetus found in preputial fluid of bulls penis , this indicate that bulls have trichomoniases because of the disease represent as sexually transmitted disease.
Study of the Noise Level During the Construction of the Tanjung Jati Steam Power Plant
Authors: Isworo Slamet , Febriyanto Slamet , Oetari Poerna Sri
Published: November 2020

The impact of noise due to the construction of a Steam Power Plant can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. This study aims to assess the initial baseline condition of environmental noise before the existence of development activities, predictions after activities, and actions to manage/monitor the impact of noise that occurs. The research method is evaluative descriptive using the integrating sound level meter. The research data are the equivalent noise level (Leq), daytime noise level (LS), night noise level (LM), and day-night noise level (L-SM) from 9 sampling locations. The results of the noise analysis are categorized based on scale and compared with the Decree of the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia No. Kep-48 / MENLH / 11/1996 and IFC - EHS guidelines. Noise level data The initial environmental baseline of the laydown area utilization stage at scale 2, land clearing stage at scale 1, the construction phase of the main building, and supporting facilities at scale 1. The value of the scale of the noise level is assessed based on the difference in impact components that is smaller than the difference in the average environmental scale, so that the impact category is a manageable impact. The direction for controlling the impact of noise is to install a project guardrail, activities are carried out at 07.00-19.00 WIB and and tree planting. Environmental management and monitoring have been carried out well, the evaluation trend shows a decline.
Fermentation of Traditional African Cassava Based Foods: Microorganisms Role in Nutritional and Safety Value
Authors: Halake Niguse Hotessa , Chinthapalli Bhaskarrao
Published: November 2020

Cassava is a drought-tolerant, crop grown in tropical and subtropical areas. For decades the communities of Africa have developed their process to ferment and use cassava. Ikivunde, Inyange, kivunde, Mokopa, Chikwangue, Meduame-M-bong, Cossette, Gari, Attiéké, and Agbelima are the main indigenous fermented cassava based food products from east, west and central Africa respectively. Lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and molds are the main microorganism involve in the fermentation of cassava-based food products and contribute to the production of biochemical compounds such as folates, several organic acids, volatiles organics compound, and others compounds. Role of different microorganisms in food preservation, increase in protein content, aroma, flavor enhancement, decreases in anti-nutrients, and cyanogen reduction as the elevated impact of the fermentation process.
Estimating the Fiscal Reaction Function for Namibia
Authors: Julius Evelina , Nyambe Jacob M. , Matundu Omu Kakujaha
Published: November 2020

This paper estimates the fiscal reaction function for Namibia with the aim of establishing how the Government of Namibia responds to changes in debt levels. The VECM and the ARDL models were adopted to explore the reactions between the two variables. Both the VECM and ARDL confirmed the long-run relationship between the variables and showed that government increases its primary balance (i.e. reduce its primary deficit) by 0.07 percent and 0.31 percent, respectively, for every 1 percentage increase in debt levels. On one end, the results from VECM indicated that fiscal policy in Namibia is pro-cyclical, reflected in a positive estimated effect of the output gap on the primary balance. On the other end, the ARDL model indicated an insignificant relationship between the output gap and the primary balance. The debt targeting analysis performed provides evidence that it is not enough to only reduce the primary deficit for fiscal sustainability. Instead, it is important to grow the economy and improve the ability of debt repayment so that debt accumulation declines. Thus, the paper recommends that Namibia needs not only a positive, but also a strong economic growth if it is to make significant impacts on the debt level and guarantee both debt and fiscal sustainability.
Phytopharmacognostic Evaluation of the Leaves OF Gnetum africanum Welw (Gnetaceae)
Authors: Umoh Romanus A. , Umoh Uwemedimo F. , Johnny Imoh I. , Umoh Omodot T. , Anah Victor U. , Udoh Anwanabasi E. , Elijah Akwaowoh A. , Adefabi Moses A. , Matthew Etido A.
Published: November 2020

Background: Gnetum africanum Welw (Gnetaceae) also called African salad and Afang in Ibibio language is an evergreen, perennial, shade-tolerant vine with woody stems which can climb up to 12m or more from a tuberous root-stock. It has culinary and medicinal importance.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacognostic parameters of Gnetum africanum.

Methods: The leaves were identified, collected, air-dried, pulverized, weighed and subjected to the evaluation of its microscopy, micromeritics, chemomicroscopy, fluorescence, soluble extractive values, moisture content and ash values using standard procedures.

Results: The results obtained from microscopy revealed that the leaf has brachyparacytic, stomata, 3-5 armed and stellate trichromes on the abaxial surface. The epidermal cell wall pattern was undulate on the abaxial surface and sinuous on the adaxial surface. Stomatal number was found to be 3.1 ± 0.25 on the abaxial surface and Stomatal index was found to be 16.8% on the abaxial surface. The micromeritics analysis of the leaf powder revealed passable flow with the angle of repose of 420. The result of chemomicroscopy of the leaf revealed the presence of mucilage, lignin, calcium oxalate crystals, starch and oil. For water-soluble extractive value, the result was 13.25%w/w, methanol-soluble extractive value 4.25%w/w, ethanol-soluble extractive value 4%w/w, moisture content 10.5%w/w, total ash value was 5%w/w, acid-insoluble ash value 1%w/w, water-soluble ash value 2%w/w and sulfated- ash value 6% w/w.

Conclusion: The results obtained from the pharmacognostic study provides information for the identity, quality and purity of Gnetum africanum.
Investigation of Effects of Ecological Factors on the Establishment of Azotobacter in the Rhizosphere of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Authors: Ngerebara Nathaniel N. , Amadi Lawrence O.
Published: November 2020

Aim: The present study investigates the effect of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (phosphobacteria (PB) and activity of soil bacteriostasis on the development of Azotobacter in Thymus vulgaris rhizosphere.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Kenule Beeson Polytechnic botanical garden and at the Science Laboratory Department of the institution for a period of 7months (from March 2018- September 2018). 

Methods: The impact of phytohormones produced by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in vitro and in the rhizosphere of T. vulgaris was used to assay for Azotobacter colonization. Bacteriostasis activity of the soil was determined by comparing the number of Azotobacter microcolonies on discs incubated over soil with respect to those on the controls.

Results: Decisive stimulation of Azotobacter population and establishment was observed in Thymus vulgaris rhizosphere when inoculated with phosphobacteria than when inoculated alone as reflected in 5% (0.05) least significant difference. Azotobacter was susceptible to the bacteriostatic factors in potted soils inoculated with it and without (Azotobacter). The increase in susceptibility of this rhizospheric bacteria was time dependent and reached a maximum and thereafter remained almost constant. However, this was overcome by the addition of NPK fertilizer to the plant at some critical stage of the assay.

Conclusion: The Presence of nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) in vegetation could play significant role in the sustainability and improvement of plant growth and yield. Soil bacteriostasis can also be an important factor that limits the survival and development of NFB.