bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing a cascading train-the-trainer model of frontline HIV service providers in South Africa: protocol of an implementation trial
Authors: Kuo Caroline C. , Sibeko Goodman , Akande Morayo , Allie Shaheema , Tisaker Nurain , Stein Dan J. , Becker Sara J.
Published: April 2021

Background

South Africa is marked by high rates of both HIV and alcohol use, and there is a detrimental synergistic relationship between these two epidemics. The Institute of Medicine recommends integrated care for alcohol use treatment and HIV, but implementation of integrated services remains a challenge in South Africa. This protocol describes a study designed to evaluate trainer, provider-, and patient encounter-level outcomes relating to the national rollout of a cascade train-the-trainer model of task-sharing to build capacity of the HIV workforce to deliver Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to address risky alcohol use.

Methods

This 5 year protocol consists of two phases. First, we will finalize development of a robust SBIRT train-the-trainer model, which will include an SBIRT Trainer Manual, Provider Resource Guide, fidelity observational coding system, case vignettes, and a curriculum for ongoing consultation sessions. Materials will be designed to build the capacity of novice trainers to train lay workers to deliver SBIRT with fidelity. Second, we will recruit 24–36 trainers and 900 providers in order to evaluate the effects of the SBIRT train-the-trainer model on trainer- (e.g., fidelity, knowledge), provider- (e.g., SBIRT attitudes, confidence, acceptability), and patient encounter- (e.g., proportion receiving screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment) level variables. Data on patient encounters will be tracked by providers on programmed tablets or scannable paper forms in real-time. Providers will report on SBIRT delivery on an ongoing basis over a 6-months period. Additionally, we will test the hypothesis that trainer-level factors will account for a substantial proportion of variability in provider-level factors which will, in turn, account for a substantial proportion of variability in patient encounter-level outcomes.

Discussion

This protocol will allow us to take advantage of a unique national training initiative to gather comprehensive data on multi-level factors associated with the implementation of SBIRT in HIV service settings. In the long-term, this research can help to advance the implementation of integrated alcohol-HIV services, providing lessons that can extend to other low-and-middle income countries confronting dual epidemics.
Epidemiologic characteristics and double-buffered strategy for patients in orthopedic surgery during the novel coronavirus outbreak: Wuhan’s experience
Authors: Zhou Yan , Ming Jianghua , Liu Shiqing
Published: April 2021

Background

The purpose of this article is to summarize the epidemiologic characteristics and double-buffered strategy for patients in orthopedic surgery during the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, based on our own experience in our hospital.

Methods

A retrospective and comparative study was performed to identify all inpatients at our clinic from February 17 to April 20, 2020 (epidemic group), and from February 17 to April 20, 2019 (control group). Epidemiologic characteristics, screening effect, perioperative complications, and nosocomial infection were analyzed.

Results

In the epidemic group, 82 patients were identified, a decrease by 76.0% than the 342 patients in the same period in the 2019. Patients in the epidemic group (54.6 ± 20.2 years) were older than those in the control group (49.6 ± 22.5 years). For the epidemic group, the proportion rates of traumatic factures (69.5%) and low-energy injuries (86.0%) were higher than that in the control group, respectively (35.4% and 37.2%). The preoperative waiting time (7.0 ± 2.6 days) in the epidemic group was longer than that in the control group (4.5 ± 2.1 days). The postoperative complication rate (12.2%) in the epidemic group was higher than that in the control group (3.5%). No nosocomial infection of orthopedic staff and patients with COVID-19 was noted in the epidemic group.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, orthopedic inpatients showed unique epidemiological characteristics. The double-buffered strategy could effectively avoid nosocomial infections among medical staff and patients. Doctors should fully evaluate the perioperative risks and complications.
Pyruvate carboxylase and cancer progression
Authors: Kiesel Violet A. , Sheeley Madeline P. , Coleman Michael F. , Cotul Eylem Kulkoyluoglu , Donkin Shawn S. , Hursting Stephen D. , Wendt Michael K. , Teegarden Dorothy
Published: April 2021

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of pyruvate to oxaloacetate (OAA), serving to replenish the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. In nonmalignant tissue, PC plays an essential role in controlling whole-body energetics through regulation of gluconeogenesis in the liver, synthesis of fatty acids in adipocytes, and insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells. In breast cancer, PC activity is linked to pulmonary metastasis, potentially by providing the ability to utilize glucose, fatty acids, and glutamine metabolism as needed under varying conditions as cells metastasize. PC enzymatic activity appears to be of particular importance in cancer cells that are unable to utilize glutamine for anaplerosis. Moreover, PC activity also plays a role in lipid metabolism and protection from oxidative stress in cancer cells. Thus, PC activity may be essential to link energy substrate utilization with cancer progression and to enable the metabolic flexibility necessary for cell resilience to changing and adverse conditions during the metastatic process.
Paleoceanography of the northwestern Pacific across the Early–Middle Pleistocene boundary (Marine Isotope Stages 20–18)
Authors: Kubota Yoshimi , Haneda Yuki , Kameo Koji , Itaki Takuya , Hayashi Hiroki , Shikoku Kizuku , Izumi Kentaro , Head Martin J. , Suganuma Yusuke , Okada Makoto
Published: April 2021

The fluctuating position of the boundary between the Kuroshio (warm) and Oyashio (cold) currents in the mid-latitude western North Pacific affects both heat transport and air–ocean interactions and has significant consequences for the East Asian climate. We reconstruct the paleoceanography of Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 20–18, MIS 19 being one of the closest astronomical analogues to the present interglacial, through multiple proxies including microfossil assemblage data, planktonic foraminiferal isotopes (δ18O and δ13C), and foraminiferal Mg/Ca-based temperature records, from the Chiba composite section (CbCS) exposed on the Boso Peninsula, east-central Japan. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to capture dominant patterns of the temporal variation in these marine records, and shows that the relative abundances of calcareous nannofossil and radiolarian taxa are consistent with the water mass types inferred from geochemical proxies. The leading mode (36.3% of total variance) mirrors variation in the terrestrial East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM), reflecting seasonal trends dominated by the winter monsoon system. In the CbCS, this mode is interpreted as reflecting the interplay between the warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio waters, which is likely related to the latitudinal shift of the subtropical–subarctic gyre boundary in the North Pacific. The second mode (15.4% of total variance) is closely related to subsurface conditions. The leading mode indicates that MIS 19b and 19a are represented by millennial-scale stadial/interstadial oscillations. Northerly positions for the gyre boundary during late MIS 19c, the interstadials of MIS 19a, and early MIS 18 are inferred from the leading mode, which is consistent with a weak EAWM and consequent mild winter climate in East Asia. Nonetheless, the northerly positions for the gyre boundary during late MIS 19c and early MIS 19a were not associated with subsurface warming presumably due to the suppressed gyre circulation itself caused by the weak Aleutian Low. Intermittent southerly positions for the gyre boundary are inferred for the stadials of MIS 19b and 19a. Regional sea surface temperature (SST) comparisons in the western North Pacific reveal that the moderate SSTs during MIS 19a through early MIS 18 were restricted to the mid- to high latitudes, influenced by the weak EAWM. Comparison between MIS 20–18 and MIS 2–1 suggests that glacial MIS 20 and 18 had significantly milder winters than MIS 2, likely related to the relatively weak EAWM.
Development of a new quantitative structure–activity relationship model for predicting Ames mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals using StarDrop™ auto-Modeller™
Authors: Kasamatsu Toshio , Kitazawa Airi , Tajima Sumie , Kaneko Masahiro , Sugiyama Kei-ichi , Yamada Masami , Yasui Manabu , Masumura Kenichi , Horibata Katsuyoshi , Honma Masamitsu
Published: April 2021

Background

Food flavors are relatively low molecular weight chemicals with unique odor-related functional groups that may also be associated with mutagenicity. These chemicals are often difficult to test for mutagenicity by the Ames test because of their low production and peculiar odor. Therefore, application of the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) approach is being considered. We used the StarDrop™ Auto-Modeller™ to develop a new QSAR model.

Results

In the first step, we developed a new robust Ames database of 406 food flavor chemicals consisting of existing Ames flavor chemical data and newly acquired Ames test data. Ames results for some existing flavor chemicals have been revised by expert reviews. We also collected 428 Ames test datasets for industrial chemicals from other databases that are structurally similar to flavor chemicals. A total of 834 chemicals’ Ames test datasets were used to develop the new QSAR models. We repeated the development and verification of prototypes by selecting appropriate modeling methods and descriptors and developed a local QSAR model. A new QSAR model “StarDrop NIHS 834_67” showed excellent performance (sensitivity: 79.5%, specificity: 96.4%, accuracy: 94.6%) for predicting Ames mutagenicity of 406 food flavors and was better than other commercial QSAR tools.

Conclusions

A local QSAR model, StarDrop NIHS 834_67, was customized to predict the Ames mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals and other low molecular weight chemicals. The model can be used to assess the mutagenicity of food flavors without actual testing.
Concurrent estimation of lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz in blended mixture and triple combination tablet formulation by a new stability indicating RP-HPLC method
Authors: Godela Ramreddy , Kammari Vijayalaxmi , Gummadi Sowjanya , Beda Durgaprasad
Published: April 2021

Background

An easy, defined, rapid, and accurate reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and subsequently validated for the concurrent estimation of lamivudine, efavirenz, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in their pure blend and combined tablet formulation. An efficient and appropriate separation of the three analytes was attained with Zorbax eclipse XDB-Phenyl column, with a mobile phase of methanol: buffer (0.1% v/v formic acid in water) (73:27 v/v) at a flow rate of 1mL/min and isocratic elution by using 260nm as detection wavelength. Equal ratio of acetonitrile and water was used as diluent.

Results

The retention times of lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz were found at 2.6, 4.4, and 5.9 min respectively. The linear response for lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz was in the range of 15.0–45.0μg/mL, 15.0–45.0μg/mL, and 20.0–60.0 μg/mL respectively. The method validation was done in accordance to ICH guidelines and all validation parameters in compliance with ICH standards. The degradants produced by stress testing were well resolved from the peaks of active analytes, which stipulates the stability-indicating property of the method.

Conclusion

The method has the ability to separate lamivudine, efavirenz, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate concurrently in blended powder and their combined tablet. All degradants produced by application of stress conditions were separated with high resolution and determined with good sensitivity that ensures the stability-indicating property of the method. Thus, the projected method has high probability to adopt in the pharmaceutical industrial sector.
Suicide among Ugandan university students: evidence from media reports for 2010–2020
Authors: Kaggwa Mark Mohan , Muwanguzi Moses , Nduhuura Elicana , Kajjimu Jonathan , Arinaitwe Innocent , Kule Moses , Najjuka Sarah Maria , Rukundo Godfrey Zari
Published: April 2021

University students are in transition to adulthood and face multiple challenges that may lead to suicide. They are reported to have a higher risk of suicide by the World Health Organization. As there is no national suicide database in Uganda, we analysed student suicide using the press/media reports of suicides published between 2010 and 2020. A total of deaths by 23 suicide were identified: 19 were males, relationship problems were the main suicide reason (n = 6) and hanging was the most frequently used suicide method (n = 7). A strategic intervention to tackle suicide risk among university students is warranted.
Molecular changes associated with migratory departure from wintering areas in obligate songbird migrants
Authors: Sharma Aakansha , Singh Devraj , Gupta Priya , Bhardwaj Sanjay Kumar , Kaur Inderjeet , Kumar Vinod
Published: April 2021

Day length regulates the development of spring migratory and subsequent reproductive phenotypes in avian migrants. This study used molecular approaches, and compared mRNA and proteome-wide expression in captive redheaded buntings that were photostimulated under long-day (LD) conditions for 4 days (early stimulated, LD-eS) or for ∼3 weeks until each bird had shown 4 successive nights of Zugunruhe (stimulated, LD-S); controls were maintained under short days. After ∼3 weeks of LD, photostimulated indices of the migratory preparedness (fattening, weight gain and Zugunruhe) were paralleled with upregulated expression of acc, dgat2 and apoa1 genes in the liver, and of cd36, fabp3 and cpt1 genes in the flight muscle, suggesting enhanced fatty acid (FA) synthesis and transport in the LD-S state. Concurrently, elevated expression of genes involved in the calcium ion signalling and transport (camk1 and atp2a2; camk2a in LD-eS), cellular stress (hspa8 and sod1, not nos2) and metabolic pathways (apoa1 and sirt1), but not of genes associated with migratory behaviour (adcyap1 and vps13a), were found in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH). Further, MBH-specific quantitative proteomics revealed that out of 503 annotated proteins, 28 were differentially expressed (LD-eS versus LD-S: 21 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated) and they enriched five physiological pathways that are associated with FA transport and metabolism. These first comprehensive results on gene and protein expression suggest that changes in molecular correlates of FA transport and metabolism may aid the decision for migratory departure from wintering areas in obligate songbird migrants.
The Macroeconomic Effects of Income and Consumption Tax Changes
Authors: Nguyen Anh D.M. , Onnis Luisanna , Rossi Raffaele
Published: April 2021

This paper estimates the effects of exogenous changes in income and consumption taxes. The tax shocks are proxied with a narrative account of tax liability changes in the United Kingdom. Income tax cuts have large effects on GDP, private consumption, and investment. The effects of consumption tax cuts are modest and not statistically significant on GDP and its components. Shifting the burden of taxation from income to consumption is expansionary. Consistent with conventional public finance theories, these results indicate that it is crucial to distinguish between direct and indirect taxation when studying the transmission mechanism of fiscal policy. (JEL E21, E22, E23, H24, H25)
Impacts of Private Prison Contracting on Inmate Time Served and Recidivism
Authors: Mukherjee Anita
Published: April 2021

This paper examines the impact of private prison contracting by exploiting staggered prison capacity shocks in Mississippi. Motivated by a model based on the typical private prison contract that pays a per diem for each occupied bed, the empirical analysis shows that private prison inmates serve 90 additional days. This is alternatively estimated as 4.8 percent of the average sentence. The delayed release erodes half of the cost savings offered by private contracting and is linked to the greater likelihood of conduct violations in private prisons. The additional days served do not lead to apparent changes in inmate recidivism. (JEL H76, K42)
Aid, China, and Growth: Evidence from a New Global Development Finance Dataset
Authors: Dreher Axel , Fuchs Andreas , Parks Bradley , Strange Austin , Tierney Michael J.
Published: April 2021

This article introduces a new dataset of official financing from China to 138 developing countries between 2000 and 2014. It investigates whether Chinese development finance affects economic growth in recipient countries. The results demonstrate that Chinese development finance boosts short-term economic growth. An additional project increases growth by between 0.41 and 1.49 percentage points 2 years after commitment, on average. While this study does not find that significant financial support from China impairs the overall effectiveness of aid from Western donors, aid from the United States tends to be more effective in countries that receive no substantial support from China. (JEL F35, O19, O47, P33, P34)
Do School Spending Cuts Matter? Evidence from the Great Recession
Authors: Jackson C. Kirabo , Wigger Cora , Xiong Heyu
Published: April 2021

During the Great Recession, national public school per-pupil spending fell by roughly 7 percent and persisted beyond the recovery. The impact of such large and sustained education funding cuts is not well understood. To examine this, first, we document that the recessionary drop in spending coincided with the end of decades-long national growth in both test scores and college-going. Next, we show that this stalled educational progress was particularly pronounced in states that experienced larger recessionary budget cuts for plausibly exogenous reasons. To isolate budget cuts that were unrelated to (i) other ill-effects of the recession or (ii) endogenous state policies, we use states’ historical reliance on state-appropriated funds (which are more sensitive to the business cycle) to fund public schools interacted with the timing of the recession as instruments for reductions in school spending. Cohorts exposed to these spending cuts had lower test scores and lower college-going rates. The spending cuts led to larger test score gaps by income and race. (JEL E32, H52, H75, I21, I28, J15)
The Role of Electoral Incentives for Policy Innovation: Evidence from the US Welfare Reform
Authors: Bernecker Andreas , Boyer Pierre C. , Gathmann Christina
Published: April 2021

How do governors’ reelection motives affect policy experimentation? We develop a theoretical model of this situation, and then test the predictions in data on US state-level welfare reforms from 1978 to 2007. This period marked the most dramatic shift in social policy since the New Deal. Our findings indicate that governors with strong electoral support are less likely to experiment than governors with little support. Yet, governors who cannot be reelected actually experiment more than governors striving for reelection. These findings are robust to controlling for ideology, preferences for redistribution, the state legislature, and cross-state learning. (JEL D72, H75, I32, I38)
Ovary: MRI characterisation and O-RADS MRI
Authors: Sadowski Elizabeth A , Maturen Katherine E , Rockall Andrea , Reinhold Caroline , Addley Helen , Jha Priyanka , Bharwani Nishat , Thomassin-Naggara Isabelle
Published: April 2021

Ultrasound has a high specificity for the diagnosis of a benign lesion in cases of classic appearing simple cyst, hemorrhagic cyst, endometrioma and dermoid. However, ultrasound can sometimes be limited for definitive characterisation and risk stratification of other types of lesions, including those with echogenic content that may appear solid, with or without blood flow. Frequently, MRI can be used to further characterise these types of lesions, due to its ability to distinguish solid tissue from non-tissue solid components such as fat, blood, or debris. Incorporating the MR imaging into the evaluation of adnexal lesions can improve diagnostic certainty and guide clinical management potentially avoiding inappropriate surgery for benign lesions and expediting appropriate treatment for malignant lesions, particularly in the females with sonographically indeterminate adnexal lesions.
O PROCESSO DE APRENDIZAGEM GERENCIAL EM UMA UNIDADE DE SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA: OS DESAFIOS DE PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE NA ATUAÇÃO GERENCIAL
Authors: Oliveira Edilson Alcântara de , Araújo Bispo Ana Carolina Kruta de , Lima Thales Batista de
Published: April 2021

Este estudo objetiva compreender o processo de aprendizagem gerencial realizado por profissionais sem formação em gestão, contemplando a identificação de fatores limitantes e facilitadores e identificando as competências desenvolvidas pelos entrevistados neste processo de aprendizagem. A pesquisa de cunho qualitativo ocorreu por meio da aplicação de entrevistas com profissionais de saúde que atuam como gerentes em unidades de saúde da família na cidade de João Pessoa/PB. Os relatos resultam reflexões acerca da influência de valores familiares, do seu controle emocional, do uso de análise reflexiva para as tomadas de decisões, do desconforto da não utilização de sua formação no processo de gerenciamento e da insegurança na instabilidade do cargo. Concluímos que a falta de preparo para assumir cargos gerenciais conduz os entrevistados a aprenderem, socialmente, por meio de troca de experiência e de práticas que proporcionaram vivenciar melhor situações peculiares do trabalho.
A TRAJETÓRIA EMPRESARIAL E OS MOTIVOS PARA ABERTURA E ENCERRAMENTO DE EMPRESAS
Authors: Bockorni Beatriz Rodrigues Silva , Gomes Almiralva Ferraz , Alves Rita de Cássia Oliveira Lima
Published: April 2021

O sucesso ou o fracasso das organizações podem impactar positiva e negativamente a economia de uma região, tendo em vista que os empreendedores enfrentam diversas dificuldades, cotidianamente, em seus empreendimentos e ao longo de suas trajetórias. Nesta perspectiva, este artigo objetiva discutir os motivos para abertura e encerramento de atividades empresariais, assim como as dificuldades enfrentadas ao longo de suas trajetórias. A presente pesquisa se define, então, como empírica, descritiva-exploratória e optou, como estratégia de pesquisa, pelo estudo de caso, com múltiplas unidades de análise. Adotaram-se, como instrumento de coleta, entrevistas semiestruturadas, com tratamento qualitativo dos dados coletados em campo. A amostra, definida pela técnica de snowball, possui nove empreendedores. Quanto aos resultados, verificou-se que as empresas enfrentam conflitos interpessoais e carecem de mão de obra especializada. Ademais, confirmou-se a importância do conhecimento para os empreendedores.
Smartphone e folder podem ser uma alternativa para reduzir o comportamento sedentário? Estudo piloto
Authors: Santos Douglas de Assis Teles , Galvão Lucas Lima , Santos Rafaela Gomes do , Viana Ricardo Borges , Santos Emille Camila de Oliveira , Silva Rizia Rocha , Tribess Sheilla , Virtuoso Júnior Jair Sindra , De Lira Claudio André Barbosa
Published: April 2021

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar se a exposição a informações sobre vida saudável, via aplicativo de mensagem de smartphone ou folder impresso, reduz o comportamento sedentário (CS) de universitários. Este estudo é um piloto prospectivo quase experimental, constituído por 69 participantes, randomizados por turma, em dois grupos de intervenção via mensagem de texto Whatsapp (grupo MSG) e folder impresso  (grupo FOLDER). As intervenções apresentaram orientações semelhantes com foco geral de promover um perfil de vida saudável, reduzindo o CS. As mensagens foram encaminhadas às segundas-feiras por um período de quatro semanas consecutivas. O tempo exposto ao CS foi avaliado a partir do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física na Baseline e após quatro semanas de intervenção. Para avaliar o efeito do tempo, da intervenção e a interação (tempo*intervenção) no CS, foram utilizados modelos mistos generalizados para medidas repetidas, utilizando uma matriz de covariância autorregressiva de primeira ordem (AR1) e foi utilizado o teste post hoc de Bonferroni. Foi adotado o nível de significância de 5%. Foram observados efeitos significantes das intervenções (F = 5,30; p = 0,024), FOLDER (519,71 ± 28,01) e MSG (430,37 ± 26,82), e dos tempos (F = 19,05; p < 0,001) baseline (522,07 ± 22,18) e após 4 semanas (428,00 ± 22,18) mas não foi observado interação entre o tempo e a intervenção (F = 0,430; p = 0,514). Foram observadas diferenças significantes entre os grupos no momento pós intervenção (p = 0,022). Ambas as intervenções parecem ser úteis para a redução do tempo exposto ao CS em uma população de adultos jovens durante o período de quatro semanas.
Time-Varying Semidefinite Programs
Authors: Ahmadi Amir Ali , El Khadir Bachir
Published: April 2021

We study time-varying semidefinite programs (TV-SDPs), which are semidefinite programs whose data (and solutions) are functions of time. Our focus is on the setting where the data vary polynomially with time. We show that under a strict feasibility assumption, restricting the solutions to also be polynomial functions of time does not change the optimal value of the TV-SDP. Moreover, by using a Positivstellensatz (positive locus theorem) on univariate polynomial matrices, we show that the best polynomial solution of a given degree to a TV-SDP can be found by solving a semidefinite program of tractable size. We also provide a sequence of dual problems that can be cast as SDPs and that give upper bounds on the optimal value of a TV-SDP (in maximization form). We prove that under a boundedness assumption, this sequence of upper bounds converges to the optimal value of the TV-SDP. Under the same assumption, we also show that the optimal value of the TV-SDP is attained. We demonstrate the efficacy of our algorithms on a maximum-flow problem with time-varying edge capacities, a wireless coverage problem with time-varying coverage requirements, and on biobjective semidefinite optimization where the goal is to approximate the Pareto curve in one shot.
Noteworthy records of puma (Puma concolor) in Morelos, México
Authors: Castro-Campos Floriely , Valenzuela-Galván David , Meneses Marco Aurelio , Chávez-Tovar José Cuauhtémoc , Pacheco-Bahena Froylan , Barrera-Suárez Mario A. , Rueda-Rosas Adrián
Published: April 2021

Presentamos registros notables de puma (Puma concolor) en la Reserva de la Biósfera Sierra de Huautla (REBIOSH), Morelos, México obtenidos en fototrampeos hechos en 2019 en ejidos, dentro de esta reserva.  Estas fotografías de puma se obtienen pocos años después del primer registro de jaguar (Panthera onca) para esta área natural protegida y para Morelos.  Identificamos potencialmente a dos individuos adultos de puma.  Estos registros son la primera evidencia fotográfica de puma para la REBIOSH y para Morelos.  Existe poca evidencia confirmada de la presencia de la especie, considerada rara o ausente en diferentes sitios del estado.  En el caso de la REBIOSH, a pesar de escasos informes anecdóticos por parte de habitantes locales de avistamientos o registros de huellas, su presencia nunca había sido confirmada fotográficamente.  Consideramos que estos registros están relacionados con evidencia de estudios recientes que sugieren que la integridad ecológica es, en promedio, moderadamente alta como consecuencia del aumento de la cubierta de bosque tropical caducifolio.  Es de suponer que esto ha llevado a un aumento de las poblaciones de diferentes especies que componen la dieta del puma.  Además, se ha estimado que la calidad del hábitat de este depredador en la REBIOSH ha ido aumentando.  Por lo tanto, consideramos que nuestros registros fotográficos de puma en esta área natural protegida indican que los esfuerzos enfocados en la conservación de la diversidad biológica tienen resultados positivos y sugieren fuertemente que la presencia de puma en el área puede aumentar en el mediano plazo.
Evaluation of fluctuating asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of Channa striata using landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis from Agusan Marsh and Lake Mainit in Caraga Region, Philippines
Authors: Saura Rex Bomvet , Falcasantos Geneveve , Andante Rex Jr. , Munda Luna , Alimorong Marycris , Hernando Brent Joy
Published: April 2021

Abstract. Saura EBD, Falcasantos GC, Andante RJM, Munda LC, Alimorong MM, Hernando BJ. 2021. Evaluation of fluctuating asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of Channa striata using landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis from Agusan Marsh and Lake Mainit in Caraga Region, Philippines. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 100-110. Evaluation was conducted to determine the impact of ecological condition to Channa striata using fluctuating asymmetry (FA) employing the landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis, using TPS software, SAGE, PAST-Hotellings Test, including Physico-chemical analysis, cyanide and four base metals. Results of Physico-chemical analysis of the two habitats showed Agusan marsh with low oxygen level (3.37-4.55) and high in Iron and TDS as compared to DENR Standards. The statistical results showed high variations (p < 0.0001) on left and right-side having percentage of 79.22% in Agusan Marsh and 72.35% in Lake Mainit which is relatively high Fluctuating Asymmetry. In terms of sex, Agusan marsh had 84.27% and 85.41% FA in males and females while Lake Mainit having 85.12% and 80.89% in males and females. The fairly similar percentage of Fluctuating Asymmetry confirms no sexual dimorphism and no shape differences between male and female, and no peculiar characters to distinguished between sexes based on the 17 landmark points. Present study concluded that FA observed in the snout tip was due to breeding behavior, the landmark points in cephalic, pectoral, and caudal region were associated with burrowing and mobility factors within the lateral line system in these fishes which thrive in high turbid habitat and low oxygen. Furthermore, it was found that the level of FA tends to increase in disturbed environs.
Pengaruh Kombinasi Guided Imagery dan Musik Klasik Terhadap Tingkat Kecemasan Mahasiswa Menjelang Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Authors: Supriyana Dwi Surya , Rahmayanti Yeni Nur , Ambarsari Yeni
Published: April 2021

ABSTRAK

 

Pendahuluan: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) merupakan metode untuk menguji kompetensi klinik secara obyektif dan terstruktur dalam bentuk putaran station dengan waktu tertentu. OSCE memunculkan perasaan takut, tegang, gelisah, sulit berkonsentrasi dan gangguan pencernaan pada mahasiswa. Guided Imagery yang dipadukan dengan intrumen musik klasik merupakan salah satu cara mengurangi kecemasan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh Guided Imagery terhadap tingkat kecemasan mahasiswa menjelang OSCE.

Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental kuasi dengan pretest-posttest control group design. Sampel penelitian adalah seluruh mahasiswa aktif semester pertama (angkatan 2019) Prodi Sarjana Keperawatan STIKes Mitra Husada Karanganyar sejumlah 32 orang dengan kriteria belum pernah mendapatkan terapi relaksasi Guided Imagery dan baru pertama kali menempuh OSCE. Teknik sampling yang digunakan adalah purposive sampling. Subjek penelitian dibagi menjadi dua kelompok, yakni kelompok perlakuan dan kelompok kontrol. Kelompok perlakuan mendapatkan terapi kombinasi guided imagery dengan musik klasik selama 5 hari berturut-turut menjelang waktu pelaksanaan OSCE dengan durasi waktu 20 menit. Pengaruh guided imagery terhadap tingkat kecemasan dianalisis menggunakan uji statistik t independent.

Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukan terdapat perbedaan rata-rata antara tingkat kecemasan pada kelompok eksperimen pretest 62.19±1.83 dan posttest 54.88±1.78. Kelompok kontrol rata-rata pretest 62.50±2.22 dan posttest 63.00±1.93. Nilai p (CI 95%) < 0.05 (p=0.00) yang menunjukkan adanya pengaruh signifikan Guided Imagery terhadap penurunan tingkat kecemasan.

Kesimpulan: terdapat pengaruh siginifikan pemberian kombinasi guided imagery dengan musik klasik terhadap penurunan tingkat kecemasan mahasiswa semester pertama program studi keperawatan menjelang OSCE.

 
Kata kunci: Guided Imagery, tingkat kecemasan, OSCE
Transverse upper abdominal scars in DIEP flaps: pushing the limit of donor site abdominal skin perfusion
Authors: Dorairaj JJ , Roche N , Nanidis T
Published: April 2021

We present two immediate breast reconstruction cases utilising deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps in the presence of upper transverse abdominal scars and their outcomes. The available evidence in relation to its impact on abdominal skin perfusion and published clinical experience is reviewed.
Intracavity second harmonic generation from a WSe2 monolayer in a passively mode-locked picosecond fiber laser
Authors: Kilinc M. , Cheney A. , Neureuter C. , Tarasek S. , Xu G. , Thomay T.
Published: April 2021

A single layer WSe2 crystal is transferred on the tip of a single mode fiber that is placed in the cavity of a Yb3+ doped picosecond fiber oscillator. This intracavity monolayer generates second harmonics without affecting the stable mode-locking and laser output of the fiber oscillator. This method utilizes the higher intracavity optical intensities to increase the SHG conversion efficiency, thus combining the high nonlinear susceptibility and the phase-matching independence of a monolayer with the versatility of a fiber laser in an all-fiber integrated system. We also demonstrated a procedure to verify the monolayer placement on the fiber core by hyperspectral mapping. This intracavity SHG has possible applications for self-referencing f-2f interferometry in fiber-laser frequency combs.
Large thickness measurement of glass plates with a spectrally resolved interferometer using variable signal positions
Authors: Zhang Kaining , Choi Samuel , Sasaki Osami , Luo Songjie , Suzuki Takamasa , Liu Yongxin , Pu Jixiong
Published: April 2021

In order to measure exactly a large thickness of glass plate with a spectrally resolved interferometer using a spectral analyzer with a low resolution of 0.5 nm and a supercontinuum light source with a large bandwidth of about 300 nm, a new measurement method with a spectrally resolved interferometer is proposed where a variable signal position is generated by moving a reference surface with a piezoelectric stage. It is made clear how to decide the signal position by analyzing amplitude distribution of Fourier transform of the interference signal. Through four-step measurement by using four different optical configurations with four different signal positions the thickness of glass plate can be obtained from a slope of a spectral phase distribution which does not contain the refractive index of glass plate. A small measurement error of 50 nm is achieved in measuring 1 mm thickness of a glass plate.
Novel insights from the Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite-specific proteome by probabilistic integration of 26 studies
Authors: Meerstein-Kessel Lisette , Venhuizen Jeron , Garza Daniel , Proellochs Nicholas I. , Vos Emma J. , Obiero Joshua M. , Felgner Philip L. , Sauerwein Robert W. , Peters Marynthe , Yang Annie S. P. , Huynen Martijn A.
Published: April 2021

Plasmodium species, the causative agent of malaria, have a complex life cycle involving two hosts. The sporozoite life stage is characterized by an extended phase in the mosquito salivary glands followed by free movement and rapid invasion of hepatocytes in the human host. This transmission stage has been the subject of many transcriptomics and proteomics studies and is also targeted by the most advanced malaria vaccine. We applied Bayesian data integration to determine which proteins are not only present in sporozoites but are also specific to that stage. Transcriptomic and proteomic Plasmodium data sets from 26 studies were weighted for how representative they are for sporozoites, based on a carefully assembled gold standard for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) proteins known to be present or absent during the sporozoite life stage. Of 5418 Pf genes for which expression data were available at the RNA level or at the protein level, 975 were identified as enriched in sporozoites and 90 specific to them. We show that Pf sporozoites are enriched for proteins involved in type II fatty acid synthesis in the apicoplast and GPI anchor synthesis, but otherwise appear metabolically relatively inactive in the salivary glands of mosquitos. Newly annotated hypothetical sporozoite-specific and sporozoite-enriched proteins highlight sporozoite-specific functions. They include PF3D7_0104100 that we identified to be homologous to the prominin family, which in human has been related to a quiescent state of cancer cells. We document high levels of genetic variability for sporozoite proteins, specifically for sporozoite-specific proteins that elicit antibodies in the human host. Nevertheless, we can identify nine relatively well-conserved sporozoite proteins that elicit antibodies and that together can serve as markers for previous exposure. Our understanding of sporozoite biology benefits from identifying key pathways that are enriched during this life stage. This work can guide studies of molecular mechanisms underlying sporozoite biology and potential well-conserved targets for marker and drug development.
Plasma lipidome profiling of newborns with antenatal exposure to Zika virus
Authors: da Costa Faria Nieli Rodrigues , Chaves-Filho Adriano Britto , Alcantara Luiz Carlos Junior , de Siqueira Isadora Cristina , Calcagno Juan Ignacio , Miyamoto Sayuri , de Filippis Ana Maria Bispo , Yoshinaga Marcos Yukio
Published: April 2021

The 2015–2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil was remarkably linked to the incidence of microcephaly and other deleterious clinical manifestations, including eye abnormalities, in newborns. It is known that ZIKV targets the placenta, triggering an inflammatory profile that may cause placental insufficiency. Transplacental lipid transport is delicately regulated during pregnancy and deficiency on the delivery of lipids such as arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids may lead to deficits in both brain and retina during fetal development. Here, plasma lipidome profiles of ZIKV exposed microcephalic and normocephalic newborns were compared to non-infected controls. Our results reveal major alterations in circulating lipids from both ZIKV exposed newborns with and without microcephaly relative to controls. In newborns with microcephaly, the plasma concentrations of hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE), primarily as 13-HODE isomer, derived from linoleic acid were higher as compared to normocephalic ZIKV exposed newborns and controls. Total HODE concentrations were also positively associated with levels of other oxidized lipids and several circulating free fatty acids in newborns, indicating a possible plasma lipidome signature of microcephaly. Moreover, higher concentrations of lysophosphatidylcholine in ZIKV exposed normocephalic newborns relative to controls suggest a potential disruption of polyunsaturated fatty acids transport across the blood-brain barrier of fetuses. The latter data is particularly important given the neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental abnormalities observed in follow-up studies involving children with antenatal ZIKV exposure, but normocephalic at birth. Taken together, our data reveal that plasma lipidome alterations associated with antenatal exposure to ZIKV could contribute to identification and monitoring of the wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes at birth and further, during childhood.
Novel fluorescent-based reporter cell line engineered for monitoring homologous recombination events
Authors: Bernardi Alejandra , Gobelli Dino , Serna Julia , Nawrocka Paulina , March-Rosselló Gabriel , Orduña Antonio , Kozlowski Piotr , Simarro María , de la Fuente Miguel A.
Published: April 2021

Homologous recombination (HR) faithfully restores DNA double-strand breaks. Defects in this HR repair pathway are associated with cancer predisposition. In genetic engineering, HR has been used extensively to study gene function and it represents an ideal method of gene therapy for single gene disorders. Here, we present a novel assay to measure HR in living cells. The HR substrate consisted of a non-fluorescent 3’ truncated form of the eGFP gene and was integrated into the AAVS1 locus, known as a safe harbor. The donor DNA template comprised a 5’ truncated eGFP copy and was delivered via AAV particles. HR mediated repair restored full-length eGFP coding sequence, resulting in eGFP+ cells. The utility of our assay in quantifying HR events was validated by exploring the impact of the overexpression of HR promoters and the siRNA-mediated silencing of genes known to play a role in DNA repair on the frequency of HR. We conclude that this novel assay represents a useful tool to further investigate the mechanisms that control HR and test continually emerging tools for HR-mediated genome editing.
Extracts of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham. showed both phytotoxic and insecticidal capacities against Lemna minor L. and Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa
Authors: Younus Muhammad , Hasan Muhammad Mohtasheemul , Ali Sajjad , Saddq Bushra , Sarwar Gulam , Ullah Muhammad Irfan , Maqsood Ambreen , Ahmar Sunny , Mora-Poblete Freddy , Hassan Farazia , Chen Jen-Tsung , Noureldeen Ahmed , Darwish Hadeer
Published: April 2021

Many phytochemicals can affect the growth and development of plants and insects which can be used as biological control agents. In this study, different concentrations of crude, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham., an endemic plant of the Cholistan desert in South Punjab of Pakistan, were analysed for their chemical constituents. Their various concentrations were also tested for their phytotoxic and insecticidal potential against duckweed, Lemna minor L., and the dusky cotton bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa. various polyphenols, i.e., quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and cinnamic acid were detected in different concentrations with different solvents during the phytochemical screening of E. nivulia. In the phytotoxicity test, except for 100 μg/mL of the butanol extract gave 4.5% growth regulation, no phytotoxic lethality could be found at 10 and 100 μg/mL of all the extracts. The highest concentration, 1000 μg/mL, of the chloroform, crude, and butanol extracts showed 100, 63.1, and 27.1% of growth inhibition in duckweed, respectively. In the insecticidal bioassay, the highest O. hyalinipennis mortalities (87 and 75%) were recorded at 15% concentration of the chloroform and butanol extracts of E. nivulia. In contrast, the lower concentrations of the E. nivulia extracts caused the lower mortalities. Altogether, these findings revealed that E. nivulia chloroform extracts showed significant phytotoxicity while all the extracts showed insecticidal potential. This potential can be, further, refined to be developed for bio-control agents.
SUST Bangla Emotional Speech Corpus (SUBESCO): An audio-only emotional speech corpus for Bangla
Authors: Sultana Sadia , Rahman M. Shahidur , Selim M. Reza , Iqbal M. Zafar
Published: April 2021

SUBESCO is an audio-only emotional speech corpus for Bangla language. The total duration of the corpus is in excess of 7 hours containing 7000 utterances, and it is the largest emotional speech corpus available for this language. Twenty native speakers participated in the gender-balanced set, each recording of 10 sentences simulating seven targeted emotions. Fifty university students participated in the evaluation of this corpus. Each audio clip of this corpus, except those of Disgust emotion, was validated four times by male and female raters. Raw hit rates and unbiased rates were calculated producing scores above chance level of responses. Overall recognition rate was reported to be above 70% for human perception tests. Kappa statistics and intra-class correlation coefficient scores indicated high-level of inter-rater reliability and consistency of this corpus evaluation. SUBESCO is an Open Access database, licensed under Creative Common Attribution 4.0 International, and can be downloaded free of charge from the web link:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4526477.
High molecular weight sodium hyaluronate improves survival of syndecan-1-deficient septic mice by inhibiting neutrophil migration
Authors: Baljinnyam Tuvshintugs , Radnaa Enkhtuya , Ouellette Casey M. , Nelson Christina , Niimi Yosuke , Andersen Clark R. , Popov Vsevolod , Lee Jae-Woo , Prough Donald S. , Enkhbaatar Perenlei
Published: April 2021

We investigated the role of endothelial glycocalyx and its component syndecan-1 protein in the pathophysiology of sepsis-induced vascular hyper-permeability and examined the therapeutic effects of high-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate (HMW-SH).

Methods

Sepsis was induced by cotton smoke inhalation followed by intranasal administration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in female (> 6 months) Balb/c and syndecan-1 knockout mice. Survival of mice, lung capillary endothelial glycocalyx integrity, lung water content, and vascular hyper-permeability were determined with or without HMW-SH treatment in these mice. Effects of HMW-SH on endothelial permeability and neutrophil migration were tested in in vitro setting.

Results

In septic wildtype mice, we found a severely damaged pulmonary microvascular endothelial glycocalyx and elevated levels of shed syndecan-1 in the circulation. These changes were associated with significantly increased pulmonary vascular permeability. In septic syndecan-1 knockout mice, extravascular lung water content was higher, and early death was observed. The administration of HMW-SH significantly reduced mortality and lung water content in septic syndecan-1 knockout mice, but not in septic wildtype mice. In in vitro setting, HMW-SH inhibited neutrophil migration and reduced cultured endothelial cell permeability increases. However, these effects were reversed by the addition of recombinant syndecan-1 ectodomain.

Conclusions

HMW-SH reduced lung tissue damage and mortality in the absence of syndecan-1 protein, possibly by reducing vascular hyper-permeability and neutrophil migration. Our results further suggest that increased shed syndecan-1 protein levels are linked with the inefficiency of HMW-SH in septic wildtype mice.
Radiological and histological findings in ancient salt mummies from the salt mine of Douzlākh, Iran
Authors: Öhrström Lena Maria , Marquez Herman , Seiler Roger , Bode Beata , Aali Abolfazl , Stöllner Thomas , Rühli Frank Jakobus
Published: April 2021

Computed tomography studies and histological analyses were performed on the mummified remains found in the Chehrābād salt mine in northwestern Iran. The ancient salt mummies are dated to the Achaemenid (550–330 BC) and Sassanid (3rd–7th century AD) time period and died in mining incidents. The aim of the study was to describe the radiological and histological findings of several ancient Iranian salt mummies with special interest in pathological and postmortem changes. The mummified remains show multiple traumatic alterations, such as fractures and signs of massive compression. Histological analyses can clearly differentiate soft tissue, however the preservation status is variable. These Iranian salt mummies are a rare example of the ancient Iranian population. The soft tissue and organs are well preserved, however in different degrees due to the varying conditions.