bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short communication: ‘Crystal’ guava fruit quality in response to altitude variation of growing location
Authors: WIDYASTUTI RADEN AJENG DIANA , BUDIARTO RAHMAT , WARGANEGARA HAYANE ADELINE , TIMOTIWU PAUL BENYAMIN , LISTIANA INDAH , YANFIKA HELVI
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Widyastuti RAD, Budiarto R, Warganegara HA, Timotiwu PB, Listiana I, Yanfika H. 2022. Short Communication: ‘Crystal’ guava fruit quality in response to altitude variation of growing location. Biodiversitas 23: 1546-1552. ‘Crystal’ guava is a popular fruit with high demand due to its delicious taste and super nutritious content. This study aimed to analyze the fruit production and quality of ‘Crystal’ guava in response to different altitudes of growing location, i.e., highland and lowland in the tropics. Ten individual guava trees were maintained in a nested design by small-scale farmers in both lowland (Brajaselebah orchard, 25 m asl) and highland (Gunung Batu orchard, 1000 m asl). The result showed that the altitude of the growing location affected the plant production and fruit quality of ‘Crystal’ guava. Although there was no significant difference in vegetative and generative shoot numbers among the two growing locations, there was a tendency for a dominant generative shoot in highland. Lowland orchards produced a significantly heavier fruit compared to highland orchards. ‘Crystal’ guava tree was able to produce 41 to 46 fruits per tree with a total fruit production of about 8.69 to 9.21 kg per tree. The significantly lower incidence of fruit smoothness in lowland compared to highland was affected by a significantly higher incidence of fruit scars in the lowland. Guava fruit from the lowland had a significantly higher TSS, while fruit from the highland contained a significantly higher vitamin C than lowland.
Short Communication: Molecular identification and assessment of bacterial contamination of frozen local and imported meat and chicken in Basrah, Iraq using 16S rDNA gene
Authors: MOHAMMAD ANSAM JASIM , ALYOUSIF NASSIR ABDULLAH
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Mohammad AJ, Alyousif NA. 2022. Short Communication: Molecular identification and assessment of bacterial contamination of frozen local and imported meat and chicken in Basrah, Iraq using 16S rDNA gene. Biodiversitas 23: 1598-1604. Meat is the main food source of daily meals with highly beneficial effects on human health. It is susceptible to the growth and reproduction of various bacteria due to its composition, which leads to its spoilage, and being an important carrier of pathogenic bacteria. The study aimed to isolate and identify the bacteria contamination of frozen local and imported meat and chicken samples using 16S rDNA gene. Twenty meat samples were collected randomly from local and imported meat sold in markets of Basrah province, Iraq. The results showed that the total aerobic bacteria count was within acceptable limits in all samples. Fifty-seven bacterial isolates were isolated and identified by amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA gene, where the gram-positive bacteria were the most abundant 34(59.6%), and S. pasteuri is the most common species in the samples with 14 (24%) bacterial isolates out of the total isolates. Fifteen isolates were identified as new strains and their sequences were deposited at GenBank (NCBI) under different accession numbers (MZ964582-MZ964596). The meat and chicken have many bacteria on their surface, therefore the products must be frozen, and sanitary precautions should be taken into consideration.
The Flow of People Matters
Authors: Lu Jixia , Sitholé Tawona
Published: June 2022

The poetry of The Flow of People Matters was originally written by Jixia Lu, as an effort to reflect the imagination and the facts of people’s flow in the globalization context.
Shifts in the Trend and Nature of Migration in the Ethiopia-South Africa Migration Corridor
Authors: Estifanos Yordanos S. , Freeman Laura
Published: June 2022

Over the past 25 years a significant (but unknown) number of migrants from Ethiopia have been migrating to South Africa through the “southern route.” This male-dominated migration is becoming more and more irregular and includes multiple transit countries, largely controlled by human smugglers. The size of the Ethiopian immigrant population in South Africa has increased. The profile of individuals on the move has also changed in terms of migrants’ age, ethnicity, place of origin, gender and socioeconomic status. Youth from rural areas have joined the migration trail, and, increasingly, women are migrating for marriage in South Africa. Today, migrants from southern Ethiopia (Hadiya and Kambata) dominate Ethiopian migration to South Africa. The age and socioeconomic status of the migrants have also changed where teenagers, college graduates and civil servants are entering the migration stream in recent years. Equally changing is the nature and operation of the smuggling and settlement processes. Like the broader field of migration studies in which source and destination countries receive the overwhelming focus, the multiple transit countries Ethiopians on the move to South Africa travel through, and the migration journeys themselves, have not received adequate research attention. The effects these journeys have on the settlement processes are also largely ignored. This article, therefore, explores these emerging patterns with a view to understanding the inequalities faced by Ethiopian migrants on their journey to South Africa and the factors behind it. With the intensification of border closures due to multiple factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, we examine the shift in the nature and trend of smuggling and how it is reflected in inequalities experienced by Ethiopian migrants in South Africa.
Phase image correlation spectroscopy for detecting microfluidic dynamics
Authors: Yu Lan , Wang Yu , Wang Yang , Zhuo Kequn , Ma Ying , Liu Min , Zheng Juanjuan , Li Jianlang , Li Junhua , Gao Peng
Published: June 2022

It is essential to quantify the physical properties and the dynamics of flowing particles in many fields, especially in microfluidic-related applications. We propose phase image correlation spectroscopy (PICS) as a versatile tool to quantify the concentration, hydro-diameter, and flow velocity of unlabeled particles by correlating the pixels of the phase images taken on flowing particles in a microfluidic device. Compared with conventional image correlation spectroscopy, PICS is minimally invasive, relatively simple, and more efficient, since it utilizes the intrinsic phase of the particles to provide a contrast instead of fluorescent labeling. We demonstrate the feasibility of PICS by measuring flowing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres and yeast in a microfluidic device. We can envisage that PICS will become an essential inspection tool in biomedicine and industry.
Behaviors of photovoltaic cells illuminated by a laser of different operation modes
Authors: Chang Rui-Ting , Liu Cong , Huang Chen-Guang , Wu Chen-Wu
Published: June 2022

The ultimate capability of light-electricity conversion of a laser with different operation modes in a typical photovoltaic (PV) cell was investigated for the technologic concept of laser power transmission (LPT). The quasi-linear correlation between the maximum allowable laser power density and the pulsed laser power percentage (PPP) of the combined dual lasers was found experimentally on a tri-junction GaAs PV cell. At the same time, the patterns of thermomechanical damage in the PV cells were characterized. The physical mechanism on the difference in the light-electricity conversion ability for a multi-pulse (MP) laser and a continuous wave (CW) laser was revealed by the coupled model on thermal diffusion and the carrier transport.
Equivalent circuit model for the analysis and design of graphene-based tunable terahertz polarizing metasurfaces
Authors: Mazraeh-Fard Isa , Alighanbari Abbas
Published: June 2022

In this work, we present an equivalent circuit model that facilitates the analysis and
design of graphene-based transmission- and reflection-mode tunable
terahertz polarizers. The conditions for polarization conversion are
analytically derived, and a set of closed-form design formulas is
presented. Given the target specifications, the key structural
parameters are directly calculated. The proposed method is rigorously
validated for two linear-to-circular polarizers operating in
transmission and reflection modes. The results from the circuit model
and full-wave electromagnetic simulation are compared, and excellent
agreement is observed. The proposed circuit model is accurate and
effective, and speeds up the analysis and design processes. The
polarizers studied in the present work feature simple geometries and
competitive performance with respect to other metasurface polarizers.
The tunable fractional bandwidths, over which linear-to-circular
polarization conversion is achieved, by varying the graphene chemical
potential, are 65% and 36%, respectively, for the two transmission-
and reflection-mode polarizers.
Cr/C multilayer growth on a heavy metal layer for upgrading of high efficiency tender x-ray gratings
Authors: Zhuang Yeqi , Huang Qiushi , Tan Wen , Qi Runze , Zhou Hongjun , Zhang Zhong , Wang Zhanshan
Published: June 2022

To increase efficiency of single layer gratings used in the tender x-ray range, a high reflectance multilayer can be directly grown on single layer gratings. Multilayer growth quality was studied by depositing the Cr/C multilayer on a Pt single layer using flat substrates. Their structure quality and adhesion were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), grazing incidence x-ray reflectivity (GIXRR), x-ray scattering (XRS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and layer adhesion measurement. AFM results showed that the surface roughness was 0.218 nm for the multilayer without the Pt layer and 0.272 nm for the multilayer with the Pt layer. As GIXRR results showed, the average interface widths were 0.39 nm for the multilayer without the Pt layer and 0.42 nm for the multilayer with the Pt layer. XRS results indicated that the existence of a Pt layer enlarged slightly the roughness of the multilayer. Simulation results exhibited that these slight changes caused by the Pt layer had an insignificant effect on reflectivity. As XRD results displayed, the crystallization of the Pt layer had negligible effects on the crystallization of Cr in films. The layer adhesion measurement revealed that the critical loads to peel off the layer from the substrate were 84.64 mN for the multilayer without the Pt layer and 33.99 mN for the multilayer with the Pt layer. After 6 months, the latter layer structure is undamaged, demonstrating that the coating is not easily peeled off. This study proves the feasibility to upgrade a low efficiency single Pt layer grating to a highly efficient multilayer grating.
Human recognition with the optoelectronic reservoir-computing-based micro-Doppler radar signal processing
Authors: Feng Xingxing , Ye Kangpeng , Lou Chaoteng , Suo Xingmeng , Song Yujie , Pang Xiaodan , Ozolins Oskars , Zhang Lu , Yu Xianbin
Published: June 2022

Current perception and monitoring systems, such as human recognition, are affected by several environmental factors, such as limited light intensity, weather changes, occlusion of targets, and public privacy. Human recognition using radar signals is a promising direction to overcome these defects; however, the low signal-to-noise ratio of radar signals still makes this task challenging. Therefore, it is necessary to use suitable tools that can efficiently deal with radar signals to identify targets. Reservoir computing (RC) is an efficient machine learning scheme that is easy to train and demonstrates excellent performance in processing complex time-series signals. The RC hardware implementation structure based on nonlinear nodes and delay feedback loops endows it with the potential for real-time fast signal processing. In this paper, we numerically study the performance of the optoelectronic RC composed of optical and electrical components in the task of human recognition with noisy micro-Doppler radar signals. A single-loop optoelectronic RC is employed to verify the application of RC in this field, and a parallel dual-loop optoelectronic RC scheme with a dual-polarization Mach–Zehnder modulator (DPol-MZM) is also used for performance comparison. The result is verified to be comparable with other machine learning tools, which demonstrates the ability of the optoelectronic RC in capturing gait information and dealing with noisy radar signals; it also indicates that optoelectronic RC is a powerful tool in the field of human target recognition based on micro-Doppler radar signals.
Rotational Doppler effect on reflection upon an ideal rotating propeller
Authors: Emile Olivier , Emile Janine , Brousseau Christian , le Guennic Tangi , Jian Pu , Labroille Guillaume
Published: June 2022

The rotational Doppler shift is the counterpart of the usual linear Doppler effect for rotating bodies. We study by an experimental approach coupled with theoretical considerations the rotational shift of a fundamental laser light reflected on an ideal rotating propeller. We decompose the reflected light on a Laguerre–Gaussian basis and show that only modes having the same rotational symmetry as the propeller are involved in the decomposition. The latter experience a frequency shift proportional to the rotation frequency of the propeller and the topological charge of the beam. Extensions of this work in the microwave domain are then considered.
Towards maximum optical efficiency of ensembles of colloidal nanorods
Authors: Miller Owen , Park Kyoungweon , Vaia Richard A.
Published: June 2022

Experimental and theoretical studies of colloidal nanoparticles have primarily focused on accurate characterization and simulation of observable characteristics, such as resonant wavelength. In this paper, we tackle the optimal design of colloidal-nanoparticle ensembles: what is the largest possible per-volume optical cross-section, which designs might achieve them, and can such response be experimentally demonstrated? We combine theory and experiment to answer each of these questions. We derive general bounds on the maximum cross-sections per volume, and we apply an analytical antenna model to show that resonant nanorods should nearly achieve such bounds. We use a modified seed-mediated synthesis approach to synthesize ensembles of gold nanorods with small polydispersity, i.e., small variations in size and aspect ratio. Polydispersity is the key determinant of how closely such ensembles can approach their respective bounds yet is difficult to characterize experimentally without near-field measurements. We show that a certain “extinction metric,” connecting extinction cross-section per volume with the radiative efficiencies of the nanoparticles, offers a quantitative prediction of polydispersity via quantities that can be rapidly measured with far-field characterization tools. Our predictions apply generally across all plasmonic materials and offer a roadmap to the largest possible optical response of nanoparticle ensembles.
High dynamic range electro-optic dual-comb interrogation of optomechanical sensors
Authors: Long D. A. , Reschovsky B. J. , LeBrun T. W. , Gorman J. J. , Hodges J. T. , Plusquellic D. F. , Stroud J. R.
Published: June 2022

An interleaved, chirped electro-optic dual comb system is demonstrated for rapid, high dynamic range measurements of cavity optomechanical sensors. This approach allows for the cavity displacements to be interrogated at measurement times as fast as 10 µs over ranges far larger than can be achieved with alternative methods. While the performance of this novel, to the best of our knowledge, readout approach is evaluated with an optomechanical accelerometer, this method has a wide range of applications including temperature, pressure, and humidity sensing as well as acoustics and molecular spectroscopy.
High-detectivity organic photodetectors with double bulk heterojunction enabled by water transfer printing
Authors: Li Yuhao , Zhao Dan , Zhang Dayong , Wu Mengge , Liu Yuzhe , Yu Junsheng
Published: June 2022

Suppressing the dark current is an effective strategy to boost the detection capability of organic photodetectors (OPDs). In this Letter, the water transfer printing method is demonstrated in double bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OPDs, which is solvent-independent rather than the traditional sequential spin-coating method, enabling the elimination of the negative effects of solvents on the underlying film and the suppressing of the dark current. As a result, a photo detectivity up to 1012 Jones was obtained in the wide spectral range of 400–900 nm with a small working area of 3 mm2.
Aberrant induction of p19Arf-mediated cellular senescence contributes to neurodevelopmental defects
Authors: Rhinn Muriel , Zapata-Bodalo Irene , Klein Annabelle , Plassat Jean-Luc , Knauer-Meyer Tania , Keyes William M.
Published: June 2022

Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely prescribed drug to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine. If taken during pregnancy, however, exposure to the developing embryo can cause birth defects, cognitive impairment, and autism spectrum disorder. How VPA causes these developmental defects remains unknown. We used embryonic mice and human organoids to model key features of VPA drug exposure, including exencephaly, microcephaly, and spinal defects. In the malformed tissues, in which neurogenesis is defective, we find pronounced induction of cellular senescence in the neuroepithelial (NE) cells. Critically, through genetic and functional studies, we identified p19Arf as the instrumental mediator of senescence and microcephaly, but, surprisingly, not exencephaly and spinal defects. Together, these findings demonstrate that misregulated senescence in NE cells can contribute to developmental defects.
The fourth national tuberculosis prevalence survey in Myanmar
Authors: Aung Si Thu , Nyunt Wint Wint , Moe Myat Myat , Aung Htin Lin , Lwin Thandar
Published: June 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Myanmar. The fourth National TB Prevalence Survey was conducted in 2017–2018 to determine the actual burden of TB not only at the national level but also for three subnational strata (the states, regions other than Yangon, and the Yangon region) and develop a more efficacious country strategy on TB care and control. One hundred and thirty eight clusters were selected by population proportionate sampling. Adult (≥15 years of age) residents having lived for 2 weeks or more in the households of the selected clusters were invited to participate in the survey. The survey participants were screened for TB by a questionnaire and digital chest X-ray (CXR) after providing written informed consent. Individuals with a positive symptom screen and/or chest X-ray suggestive of TB were asked to provide sputum samples to test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by Ziehl-Neelsen direct light microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert), and culture (Ogawa media). Bacteriologically confirmed TB cases were defined by an expert panel. Of 75 676 eligible residents, 66 480 (88%) participated, and 10 082 (15%) screened positive for TB. Among these, 322 participants were defined as bacteriologically confirmed TB cases. Cough lasting for two weeks or longer, one of the criteria used for screening for symptoms, could detect only 14% (45/322) of the study cases. The estimated prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed adult pulmonary TB was 468 (95% CI: 391–546) per 100,000. The prevalence was much higher among males, the older age group, urban Yangon and remote villages. In-depth interview with the participants on TB treatment showed that none of them was diagnosed in a TB health centre (primary care facilities). The prevalence of TB in Myanmar is still high due to challenges such as uncontrolled urbanization, an ageing population, migration, and poor access to health facilities in remote areas. New screening and diagnostic tools might help to detect more TB patients. There is a need to lay greater emphasis on multisectoral approaches, decentralization and the integration of basic TB services into primary care facilities.
Edaravone efficacy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with reduced forced vital capacity: Post-hoc analysis of Study 19 (MCI186-19) [clinical trial NCT01492686]
Authors: Brooks Benjamin Rix , Heiman-Patterson Terry , Wiedau-Pazos Martina , Liu Shawn , Zhang Jeffrey , Apple Stephen
Published: June 2022

Background

Edaravone slowed the rate of functional decline in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in phase 3 study MCI186-19 (Study 19). One of the Study 19 inclusion criteria was forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥80% of predicted (≥80%p). Therefore, the study provided no information on edaravone efficacy in subjects with FVC <80%p. In Study 19, 24-week, double-blind treatment was followed by open-label treatment where all subjects received edaravone. At 24 weeks, some subjects had FVC <80%p (FVC24 <80%p). This allowed for post-hoc assessment of the effects of edaravone in subgroups of subjects with FVC24 ≥80%p vs <80%p.

Objective

To address the question of the efficacy of edaravone in ALS patients with FVC <80%p.

Methods

Post-hoc analysis of Study 19 comparing edaravone efficacy at week 48 in subjects with FVC24 ≥80%p vs <80%p.

Results

With edaravone treatment, subjects in both the FVC24 ≥80%p and the FVC24 <80%p subgroups experienced a reduction in ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score loss vs placebo subjects through week 48. For the FVC24 ≥80%p subgroup, the changes in ALSFRS-R scores from baseline to week 48 were −7.63 for edaravone-edaravone vs −9.69 for placebo-edaravone, a difference of 2.05 (P = .034; 95% CI: 0.16, 3.94). For the FVC24 <80%p subgroup, the changes in ALSFRS-R scores from baseline to week 48 were −10.26 for edaravone-edaravone vs −15.20 for placebo-edaravone, a difference of 4.94 (P = .0038; 95% CI: 1.64, 8.25). Linear regression analysis indicated that, in the FVC24 <80%p subgroup, there was a notable change in the slope of the ALSFRS-R score-vs-time graph after the start of edaravone treatment.

Conclusion

ALS subjects in the Study 19 placebo arm had a slowing in disease progression, even when edaravone was added with an FVC of <80%p prior to starting edaravone. A randomized, placebo-controlled study is needed to validate these post-hoc findings.
Association between depression and quality of life in stroke patients: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV–VII (2008–2018)
Authors: Kang Sun Woo , Lee Sook-Hyun , Lee Ye-Seul , Kwon Seungwon , Bosch Peggy , Lee Yoon Jae , Ha In-Hyuk
Published: June 2022

Background

Stroke and depression are common diseases that affect quality of life (QoL). Although some recent studies have investigated the association between the two diseases, studies that examined the association between stroke, depression, and QoL are rare, with large-scale national-level studies lacking. We aimed to investigate the association between depression and QoL in stroke patients.

Methods

Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV–VII conducted in 2008–2018 were used, and 45,741 adults who were aged >40 years and had no missing data for stroke and depression were included in the analysis. The participants were first grouped by prevalence of stroke, and further divided by prevalence of depression.

Results

The overall prevalence of stroke was 3.2%, and the incidence was 9% higher in men than in women. Multiple logistic regression was performed after adjusting for demographic factors, health-related factors, and disease-related factors. The results confirmed that the stroke group with depression had a lower overall health-related quality of life, measured using EQ-5D, score compared to the stroke group without depression (-0.15). Moreover, the concurrent stroke and depression treatment group had the highest OR of 7.28 (95% CI 3.28–16.2) for the anxiety/depression domain.

Conclusion

Depression was strongly associated with QoL in stroke patients. This association was more evident in stroke patients undergoing treatment for depression. Thus, clinical approaches that take QoL into consideration are needed for stroke patients with depression.
Relationship between thigh muscle cross-sectional areas and single leg stand-up test in Japanese older women
Authors: Kishigami Keiko , Kanehisa Hiroaki , Qi Shumeng , Arimitsu Takuma , Miyachi Motohiko , Iemitsu Motoyuki , Sanada Kiyoshi
Published: June 2022

In older adults, the quantitative decline of the quadriceps femoris is associated with the augmentation of difficulty in the execution of a stand-up task. However, it is unclear whether the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of individual thigh muscles differ between older adults who can stand up from a 40-cm-height chair on a single leg and those who cannot. To investigate this, the present study determined the CSAs of individual mid-thigh muscles in 67 Japanese women aged 60–77 years by using a magnetic resonance imaging method. Participants were asked to stand up from a 40-cm-height chair on a single leg, and those who could and could not stand up without leaning back and maintain a standing posture for 3 seconds on a single leg were allocated into the successful group (SG, n = 40) and unsuccessful group (USG, n = 27), respectively. Only the CSA of the adductors (sum of the adductor longus and adductor magnus) was significantly smaller in USG compared to SG. When CSA was expressed relative to the two-third power of body mass, the values for the four heads of the quadriceps femoris and biceps femoris long head, as well as the adductors, were significantly lower in USG than in SG. The current results indicate that in terms of the value relative to body mass, the reduced CSAs of the adductors and biceps femoris long head, as well as the four heads of the quadriceps femoris, are associated with the failure of attempts to stand up from a 40-cm-height chair on a single leg in older women. This may be due to the anatomical function of the two muscle groups, which contributes to hip extension movement involved in transitioning from a sitting position to a standing position during the stand-up task.
Prevalence and determinants of scabies among school-age children in Central Armachiho district, Northwest, Ethiopia
Authors: Misganaw Bisrat , Nigatu Solomon Gedlu , Gebrie Gebremedhin Necho , Kibret Anteneh Ayelign
Published: June 2022

Background

Scabies is a major global public health issue that might affect people from all socioeconomic levels. Globally, scabies affects more than 200 million people at any time. It remains one of the commonest skin diseases seen in developing countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of scabies among school-age children in Central Armachiho district, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 850 study populations. Data was checked for its completeness, coded, and entered by using EPI-INFO version 7 and exported to the SPSS version 20 for analysis. A Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the determinants of scabies. Crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI were used as measurements for the associations. P-values <0.005 were considered significant.

Result

Prevalence of scabies among the 850 participants studied was 10.82% (95% CI: 8.7–12.9). Contact history with confirmed scabies patient (AOR = 5.28,95% CI: 2.96–9.44), child not attending school (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI;1.45–6.54), rarely changing clothes (AOR = 2.43,95% CI: 1.27–4.62), sleeping on the floor (AOR = 4.11, 95% CI:1.95–8.67), bed sharing; (AOR = 3.38, 95% CI:2.86–6.15), rarely washing cloth: (AOR = 5.08,95% CI:2.75–9.36), living with internally displaced people; (AOR,95% CI: 3.47 (1.30–9.24) and using only water to wash hands; (AOR = 3.18,95% CI:1.74–5.80) had a statistically significant association with scabies infestation among school-age children.

Conclusion

The current study found nearly one out of ten school-age children had scabies. Not attended school, contact history with confirmed scabies patient, not washing cloth, infrequent changing clothes, bedding sharing, sleeping on the floor, living with internally displaced people, and only using water for handwashing practice were the independent predictors for the occurrence of scabies. Health education better to given to the parents or caregivers about the washing of clothing, changing clothes at least once per week, and avoid physical contact with known scabies cases.
Effect of sample management on quantitative HIV-1 viral load measurement at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Gutema Gadissa , Hailu Habtyes , W/semeyat Belete , Yilma Amelework , Abdela Saro , Kidane Eleni , Adane Sisay , Yimer Mengistu , Tsegaye Aster
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study was meant to determine the effect of time to plasma separation, storage duration, freeze-thawing cycle and dilution proportion on the HIV-1 viral load level.

Methods

Experimental study design was employed by collecting 10mL whole blood samples into two EDTA tubes from 88 eligible HIV infected patients at St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. The viral load test was done using Abbott m2000sp/rt analyzer. Data was entered into Microsoft excel and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to compare HIV RNA viral load mean difference between different time to plasma separation, storage, freeze-thawing cycles and dilution levels. Post-hoc analysis was employed to locate the place of significant differences. P value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance while viral RNA level of 0.5 log copies/ml was used to determine clinical significance.

Results

There was significant HIV-1 RNA viral load log mean difference between plasma separation time at 6 hours (hrs) and 24hrs (p<0.001). There was also significant HIV-1 RNA viral load log mean difference between plasma tested within 6hrs and those stored at 2–8°C for 15 days (p = 0.006), and between plasma stored at 2–8°C for 6 days versus 15 days (p<0.001). There was significant log mean difference between plasma that was exposed to fourth cycle of freeze-thawing after storage at -20°C when compared with plasma tested within 6hrs (p = 0.013).

Conclusion

Plasma separated at 24hrs, stored at 2–8°C for 15 days or freeze-thawed for four cycles had significant effect on HIV viral load level. However, the differences were not clinically significant at a cut-off viral load level of 0.5 log copies/ml. Avoiding delays to plasma separation beyond 24 hrs, storing at 2–8°C for 15 days and freeze-thawing for no more than 4 cycles is recommended to improve the result quality.
Ucl fimbriae regulation and glycan receptor specificity contribute to gut colonisation by extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hancock Steven J. , Lo Alvin W. , Ve Thomas , Day Christopher J. , Tan Lendl , Mendez Alejandra A. , Phan Minh-Duy , Nhu Nguyen Thi Khanh , Peters Kate M. , Richards Amanda C. , Fleming Brittany A. , Chang Chyden , Ngu Dalton H. Y. , Forde Brian M. , Haselhorst Thomas , Goh Kelvin G. K. , Beatson Scott A. , Jennings Michael P. , Mulvey Matthew A. , Kobe Bostjan , Schembri Mark A.
Published: June 2022

Extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) belong to a critical priority group of antibiotic resistant pathogens. ExPEC establish gut reservoirs that seed infection of the urinary tract and bloodstream, but the mechanisms of gut colonisation remain to be properly understood. Ucl fimbriae are attachment organelles that facilitate ExPEC adherence. Here, we investigated cellular receptors for Ucl fimbriae and Ucl expression to define molecular mechanisms of Ucl-mediated ExPEC colonisation of the gut. We demonstrate differential expression of Ucl fimbriae in ExPEC sequence types associated with disseminated infection. Genome editing of strains from two common sequence types, F11 (ST127) and UTI89 (ST95), identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in the ucl promoter that changes fimbriae expression via activation by the global stress-response regulator OxyR, leading to altered gut colonisation. Structure-function analysis of the Ucl fimbriae tip-adhesin (UclD) identified high-affinity glycan receptor targets, with highest affinity for sialyllacto-N-fucopentose VI, a structure likely to be expressed on the gut epithelium. Comparison of the UclD adhesin to the homologous UcaD tip-adhesin from Proteus mirabilis revealed that although they possess a similar tertiary structure, apart from lacto-N-fucopentose VI that bound to both adhesins at low-micromolar affinity, they recognize different fucose- and glucose-containing oligosaccharides. Competitive surface plasmon resonance analysis together with co-structural investigation of UcaD in complex with monosaccharides revealed a broad-specificity glycan binding pocket shared between UcaD and UclD that could accommodate these interactions. Overall, our study describes a mechanism of adaptation that augments establishment of an ExPEC gut reservoir to seed disseminated infections, providing a pathway for the development of targeted anti-adhesion therapeutics.
Significant role of host sialylated glycans in the infection and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Authors: Saso Wakana , Yamasaki Masako , Nakakita Shin-ichi , Fukushi Shuetsu , Tsuchimoto Kana , Watanabe Noriyuki , Sriwilaijaroen Nongluk , Kanie Osamu , Muramatsu Masamichi , Takahashi Yoshimasa , Matano Tetsuro , Takeda Makoto , Suzuki Yasuo , Watashi Koichi
Published: June 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been transmitted across all over the world, in contrast to the limited epidemic of genetically- and virologically-related SARS-CoV. However, the molecular basis explaining the difference in the virological characteristics among SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV has been poorly defined. Here we identified that host sialoglycans play a significant role in the efficient spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while this was not the case with SARS-CoV. SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly inhibited by α2-6-linked sialic acid-containing compounds, but not by α2–3 analog, in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells. The α2-6-linked compound bound to SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 subunit to competitively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 attachment to cells. Enzymatic removal of cell surface sialic acids impaired the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and suppressed the efficient spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection over time, in contrast to its least effect on SARS-CoV spread. Our study provides a novel molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 infection which illustrates the distinctive characteristics from SARS-CoV.
Stern-en segidan oinarritutako ℚ+ zenbaki arrazional positiboen zenbait zenbakitze-sistema
Authors: Yurramendi Mendizabal Yosu
Published: June 2022

Zenbaki arrazional positiboen multzoa (ℚ+) zenbakarria da. Idazlan honetan azaltzen ditut argitaratu diren hainbat zenbakitze-sistema, eta horietako batzuk, ezagunenak, sailkatu egiten ditut. Sailkapen horren ondorioz bi zenbakitze-sistema berri definitzen ditut. Gainera, sistema horiek guztiek Stern-en segidaren bitartez defini daitezkeela erakusten dut.
Evaluación de la formación online por jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual: experiencia durante la covid-19 en contexto universitario
Authors: Coñoman Garay Gabriela Inés , Ávila Clemente Vicenta
Published: June 2022

El presente trabajo muestra cómo se adaptó a enseñanza online un módulo de formación laboral para jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual que participan en un programa universitario de formación para el empleo, esta adaptación emana de la crisis sanitaria producida por la COVID-19. El artículo busca conocer cómo este grupo de jóvenes evalúa la experiencia de formación online y comparar la satisfacción percibida en la formación presencial y online. Metodología: La investigación obedece a un estudio de tipo descriptivo transversal, a través de dos cuestionarios ad-hoc cumplimentados por 16 estudiantes. Resultados: Muestran que la formación a distancia tiene más ventajas que desventajas; los estudiantes autoinforman que afianzaron elementos relativos a búsqueda activa de empleo, habilidades de autogestión y manejo autónomo de programas digitales; además se manifiesta que no existen diferencias significativas respecto a la satisfacción entre modalidad virtual y presencial, tanto en satisfacción con las actividades como en la relación con los docentes. Conclusión: Los participantes están abiertos a la formación online y valoran de forma positiva el apoyo directo. Se vislumbra que Internet otorga oportunidades de desarrollo autónomo al colectivo, la formación mixta les permite poder generar otros usos a Internet, permitiéndoles enriquecer sus habilidades digitales y laborales.
A decolonising approach to genre cinema studies
Authors: Shamash Sarah
Published: June 2022

This paper examines the pedagogical and decolonial possibilities of teaching genre cinema through non-Western perspectives. As a sessional instructor teaching across multiple institutions in Vancouver, Canada, I elaborate on how I have taught genre cinema as a decolonial and pedagogical project. Through course design that recognises the way that the evolution of film theory in general, and genre theory in particular, has been encoded in Euro-Western-centrism and analysis, my teaching practice brings into conversation other knowledges and approaches to film-making and film studies that have often been excluded from film studies pedagogy. My pedagogical project is to decolonise film studies, including genre theory, as exemplified in such courses as: Re-Visioning Genre Theory, a fourth-year course at Emily Carr University of Art and Design; Genre Cinema: From Classical Hollywood to Global Contemporary, a third-year course at the University of British Columbia; and Refiguring Futurisms, a fourth-year film seminar at the University of British Columbia. Some of the questions explored in my research and teaching practice consider how genre cinema is adopted and subverted in contemporary non-Western films. In this paper, I use Latin American decolonial theory to focus on Brazilian cinema as an exemplar of non-Western and decolonial approaches to genre theory.
The influence of organizational compassion on Job Crafting: A motivational resource facilitator?
Authors: Araújo Maria Leonor , Marujo Helena Águeda , Lopes Miguel Pereira , Pereira Paulo Almeida
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between the perception of compassion at work  (consciousness, empathy, evaluation, response type) and compassionate “actions and organizational  characteristics” on job crafting (increasing structural job resources, increasing social job resources, increasing challenging job demands, decreasing hindering job demands). The study collected quantitative data from 231 professionals from different economic sectors. The results indicated that only the dimensions: “evaluation” and “response type” of the compassion process, as well as compassionate “organizational characteristics”, showed a positive influence in the “increasing structural job resources”, “increasing social job resources” and “increasing challenging job demands”. There was no negative relationship between the dimensions of the compassion process and compassionate “organizational characteristics and actions” in “decreasing hindering job demands”. The mechanisms by which compassion at work could have positive effects on the job crafting processes are presented.
Family foster care: Perceptions of Portuguese child protection professionals
Authors: Negrão Mariana , Aranha Maria Ana , Veiga Elisa , Veríssimo Lurdes , Moreira Marina
Published: June 2022

Family foster care (FFC) is the preferred out-of-home care measure for the protection of children and youth through Europe, in accordance with research findings of its superiority in meeting developmental needs of children and youth. Portugal, however, does not accompany the European trend in the implementation of FFC. Even after changes made to the law, prioritizing FFC, it represents only 2,7% of out-of-home placements (Instituto de Segurança Social, I.P. [ISS-IP], 2020).The main goal of this exploratory and descriptive study is to understand the perceptions of Portuguese child protection professionals concerning FFC. 101 participants, from different professional backgrounds and child protection contexts, filled out a questionnaire. Main findings show a heterogeneous degree of familiarity to FFC, and a generally positive although reserved attitude to it. Professionals seem to value its child-centred approach and ability to promote child development and healthy attachment relationships, due to the benefits of a family environment. Participants identified regulations and procedures related to selection, evaluation, training, and support to foster families both as obstacles and necessary conditions for placement success, indicating important arenas where change urges.
Children’s social and emotional behavior: Role of maternal emotion regulation, psychopathological symptomatology, and family functioning
Authors: Carvalho-Simões Sónia , Inácio Filipa , Espirito-Santo Helena
Published: June 2022

Research has demonstrated that maternal emotion regulation strategies (self-criticism and self-compassion), mental health, and family functioning impacts child functioning. Due to the paucity of studies, we aimed to analyze: (1) the associations between maternal emotion regulation strategies, psychopathological symptomatology, family functioning, and mother’s perceived child social and emotional behavior (SEB); (2) the differences in mother’s perceived child SEB, according to maternal, child and family characteristics; (3) the predictive role of maternal emotion regulation in mother’s perceived child SEB. A sample of 431 mothers (25-59 years), with children aged 4-17 years (55.5% male), answered the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale. The results showed positive associations between self-criticism, maternal psychopathological symptomatology, worse family functioning and child social and emotional problems, as well between maternal self-compassion and child prosocial behaviors. Mothers who reported low income, elementary school education, a history of psychiatric illness and whose children had early behavior changes perceived more social and emotional difficulties in their children. Maternal self-criticism was the main predictor of child social and emotional difficulties. In conclusion, maternal emotion regulation strategies and psychopathological symptomatology are associated with family functioning and child SEB.
Identidad, inmigración y adolescencia
Authors: Mir Gual Andreu
Published: June 2022

El artículo pretende establecer una propuesta de componentes identitarios para adolescentes de origen inmigrante en España. Concretamente, se ha trabajado con personas relacionadas con tres nacionalidades diferentes como son Argentina, Marruecos y China. El proceso de recogida y análisis de los datos se ha desarrollado siguiendo el marco que plantean los modelos de investigación cualitativa, todo ello utilizando tres estrategias principales de recogida de información: la observación, entrevistas semiestructuradas y los grupos de discusión. La presencia de significados identitarios del país de origen, tiende a entremezclarse con otros más propios de la sociedad de acogida, lo cual suma una cierta complejidad a unos procesos de construcción identitaria ya de por sí marcados por la propia adolescencia. Es a partir de esta doble transición (la cultural y la vital) desde donde se enfoca la presente investigación.
El regreso de las travestis/trans sudamericanas hacia sus sociedades de origen
Authors: Pérez Ripossio Ramiro
Published: June 2022

El artículo analiza las experiencias de regreso temporal de las travestis/trans sudamericanas hacia sus sociedades de origen luego de haber concretado la migración en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. Estas personas migran como consecuencia de las hostilidades que experimentan en sus entornos y con las expectativas de acceder a derechos en el AMBA. Concretada la migración, las travestis/trans sudamericanas se comunican con sus familias e intentan recomponer los vínculos mediante experiencias de regreso en las que pueden percibir la aceptación, la tolerancia o el rechazo. El enfoque metodológico del artículo es cualitativo y se realizaron 44 entrevistas en profundidad mediante el muestreo teórico. Se halló que la migración, en algunos casos, posibilita una mayor aceptación social en las sociedades de origen. Esto se debe a que el desplazamiento les permite conquistar y expandir capitales que son percibidos por las familias y entornos como indicadores de éxito migratorio.
Entre dos culturas: acerca de la ambigüedad de las identidades de los descendientes de los inmigrantes chinos en España
Authors: Jin Yangmin , Gómez-Pellón Eloy
Published: June 2022

Este artículo examina la problemática identitaria de los hijos e hijas de los inmigrantes chinos como efecto de la migración. La investigación se ha realizado con los hijos e hijas de los inmigrantes chinos, y el trabajo de campo se ha desarrollado en España y China. La investigación tiene como objetivos analizar la forma en la que los hijos e hijas de los inmigrantes chinos construyen sus identidades y averiguar qué factores perciben como influyentes —como la familia, la lengua, los prejuicios, los estereotipos y las experiencias discriminatorias— que tensionan y causan sentimientos contradictorios en la identidad de estos jóvenes. Se concluye que estos últimos experimentan un proceso complejo de construcción de la identidad, que conlleva ambivalencias, confusiones e incertidumbres, debido a factores internos y externos, que devienen en ambigüedad. Con el tiempo, sin embargo, tendrán la posibilidad de ir construyendo identidades flexibles y dialécticas, tanto cuando son principales como cuando son complementarias.
Trata de seres humanos y migración: una exploración al sistema de protección en España a partir de la perspectiva comparada
Authors: Miranda Ruche Xavier , Villacampa Estiarte Carolina
Published: June 2022

España presenta unas cifras muy elevadas de personas migrantes entre las víctimas de trata de seres humanos. Por ello, este artículo plantea una aproximación crítica al sistema de protección español dirigido a dichas víctimas. Con este objetivo se realizó un análisis comparativo con cinco países del entorno europeo. Los resultados indican que España tiene una infraestructura deficitaria para la identificación. Ello impide a las víctimas no detectadas beneficiarse de las coberturas formales de protección y les bloquea su acceso al periodo de restablecimiento y reflexión, así como al permiso de residencia. Para garantizar la atención y los derechos de todas las víctimas, España debería articular un sistema de identificación integrado por un mayor número de operadores especializados, como se observa en el modelo británico, portugués y neerlandés. Dado el alto componente migratorio de la trata de seres humanos, dicho sistema debería ser especialmente competente en materia de diversidad cultural.