bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Makna Pesan Politik pada Foto Akun Instagram Anies Baswedan
Authors: Anggoro Gagas Tri , Suyanto  , Muchid
Published: August 2022

This study was motivated by the summons of Anies Baswedan by the authorities due to the permission of the prophet's birthday, demonstrations due to omnibus law, and the decline in Indonesia's democracy index, resulting in an Instagram photo of Anies Baswedan reading the book "How Democracies Die" on his Instagram account. This study aims to determine and analyze the denotation of political messages, connotations of political messages, myths of political messages, and the meaning of political messages contained in the Instagram photo of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan. This research method uses qualitative methods with semiotic analysis according to Roland Barthes. The results of the study show that: (1) the denotation of political messages contained in the Instagram photo of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan reading the book "How Democracies Die" is that Muslim leaders finish praying and take the time to read books related to democracy; (2) the connotation of the political message is a leader who wants to invite the public and the government to jointly improve Indonesia's declining democracy index, because a continuous decline in the democracy index can cause democracy to die; (3) the myth of the political message is that there are leaders who tell them there are problems related to Indonesian democracy; (4) the meaning of his political message is an invitation to improve Indonesian democracy, because democracy can die, another meaning is to improve his self-image and increase his electability as a political figure.

Abstrak

Kajian ini dilatarbelakangi peristiwa pemanggilan Anies Baswedan oleh pihak berwajib akibat izin maulid nabi, adanya peristiwa demonstrasi akibat omnibuslaw, dan adanya penurunan indeks demokrasi Indonesia, sehingga muncul foto InstagramAnies Baswedan membaca buku “How Democracies Die” pada akun Instagram-nya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis denotasi pesan politik, konotasi pesan politik, mitos pesan politik, dan makna pesan politik yang terdapat dalam foto Instagram Gubernur DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan analisis semiotik menurut Roland Barthes. Hasil penelitianmenunjukkan bahwa: (1) denotasi pesan politik yang terdapat dalam foto Instagram Gubernur DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan membaca buku “How Democries Die” adalah pemimpin Muslim selesai sholat dan menyempatkan diri untuk membaca buku terkait demokrasi; (2) konotasi pesan politiknya adalah pemimpin yang ingin mengajak khalayak dan pemerintah untuk bersama-sama meningkatkan indeks demokrasi Indonesia yang turun, karena penurunan indeks demokrasi secara terus menerus dapat mengakibatkan demokrasi mati; (3) mitos pesan politiknya adalah ada pemimpin yang memberitahukan ada masalah terkait demokrasi Indonesia;  (4) makna pesan politiknya adalah ajakan untuk meningkatkan demokrasi Indonesia, karena demokrasi dapat mati, makna lainnya adalah untuk meningkatkan citra diri beliau dan peningkatan elektibilitasnya sebagai tokoh politik.
The Impact of Social Media Campaign on Green Coffee Image at Instagram @BLACKPASSION.ID
Authors: Eka Putra Aditya , Agustina Setiyaningsih Lian , Setyaningrum Fitria , Widayati Sri
Published: August 2022

In recent years, the research on social media especially Instagram becomes gradually popular along with the upsurge of the developing number of users. This is an opportunity for companies to use social media as a campaign tool, specifically to build the image of a product through campaigns on social media. In this research, an evaluation of the impact of social media campaigns on the green coffee image is conducted on Instagram @blackpassion.id. In the study, researchers use a quantitative approach as a research methodology. There are two variables used in this study, the independent variable "the impact of social media campaign" (X), and the dependent variable "green coffee image" (Y). The studied population are followers of Instagram @blackpassion.id, 920 followers. In this study, researchers obtained a sample of 90 followers. Further the researchers use a simple linear regression analysis to analyze the data. The result shows that campaign messages delivered on Instagram @blackpassion.id can be well received by respondents. So that there is an impact of the campaign through social media.

Abstrak

Dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, penelitian tentang media sosial khususnya Instagram menjadi populer secara bertahap seiring dengan meningkatnya jumlah pengguna yang berkembang. Hal ini menjadi peluang bagi perusahaan untuk menggunakan media sosial sebagai alat kampanye, khususnya untuk membangun citra suatu produk melalui kampanye di media sosial. Dalam penelitian ini, evaluasi dampak kampanye media sosial terhadap citra kopi hijau dilakukan di Instagram @blackpassion.id. Dalam penelitian, peneliti menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif sebagai metodologi penelitian. Ada dua variabel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu variabel bebas “dampak kampanye media sosial” (X), dan variabel terikat “citra kopi hijau” (Y). Populasi yang diteliti adalah followers Instagram @blackpassion.id sebanyak 920 followers. Dalam penelitian ini, peneliti memperoleh sampel sebanyak 90 follower. Selanjutnya peneliti menggunakan analisis regresi linier sederhana untuk menganalisis data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pesan kampanye yang disampaikan di Instagram @blackpassion.id dapat diterima dengan baik oleh responden. Sehingga ada dampak dari kampanye melalui media sosial.
Pemanfaatan Media Sosial Disparbud dalam Promosi Destinasi Wisata Kabupaten Majalengka
Authors: Hanifah Karina Putri , Sumartias Suwandi , Dewi Retasari
Published: August 2022

The Department of Tourism and culture of Majalengka Regency uses social media as one of the strategies to increase tourist visits in Majalengka Regency. This study aims to determine how the tactics paid media, earned media, shared media and owned media used Disparbud Majalengka to promote tourist destinations on social media.. The method used in this study is qualitative descriptive. Focus describes the stages of PESO tactics (Paid Media, Earned Media, Shared Media, and Owned Media) from the concept of ROSTIR Regina Luttrell. Data were collected from interviews, observations and literature studies. Data validity techniques using source triangulation. The results showed that, 1) Disparbud Majalengka has not done Media paid tactics due to cost constraints budgeted by the government; 2) Disparbud Majalengka using earned media tactics although not fully done by Disparbud Majalengka; Instagram Facebook 3) Disparbud Majalengka often shares, creates and promotes content created by the team as well as from followers; 4) Disparbud Majalengka owns and maintains official social media among Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.

Abstrak

Dinas Pariwisata dan Kebudayaan Kabupaten Majalengka menggunakan media sosial sebagai salah satu strategi untuk meningkatkan kunjungan wisata di Kabupaten Majalengka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana taktik paid media, earned media, shared media dan owned media yang digunakan Disparbud Majalengka untuk mempromosikan destinasi wisata di media sosial. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kualitatif deskriptif. Fokus menjabarkan tahapan taktik PESO (Paid Media, Earned Media, Shared Media, dan Owned Media) dari Konsep ROSTIR Regina Luttrell. Data dikumpulkan dari hasil wawancara, observasi dan studi pustaka. Teknik validitas data menggunakan triangulasi sumber. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa, 1) Disparbud Majalengka belum melakukan taktik paid media dikarenakan kendala biaya yang dianggarkan pemerintah; 2) Disparbud Majalengka menggunakan taktik earned media walaupun tidak sepenuhnya dilakukan oleh Disparbud Majalengka; 3) Disparbud Majalengka kerap membagikan, membuat dan mempromosikan konten yang dibuat tim maupun dari pengikut; 4) Disparbud Majalengka memiliki dan mengelola media sosial resmi diantara Instagram, Facebook, Youtube dan Twitter.
Komunikasi Pemasaran sebagai Upaya Rebuilding Image Pizza Hut Restoran di Masa Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Iksan Nur , Imaddudin  , Athalarik Fadli M.
Published: August 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has made the F&B (food and beverage) sector also spin its brains to defend itself from market share. In addition, the concept changes with policies that must be adapted to the competition in the middle of the market. The purpose of this study was to determine the promotion strategy used in rebuilding the image of Pizza Hut during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research is descriptive qualitative, with data collection methods by observation, interviews and documentation which is processed by the data from reducing data to explaining based on findings and correlation of concepts and theories used. The results of the study describe the use of the 7P marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion, people, process and physical evidence) in a promotional strategy that supports the rebuilding of Pizza Hut's image, with a focus on approach to people and products. People who will continue to communicate directly with consumers, and the product becomes a Pizza Hut signature that should not be left behind. The concept of picking up consumers, promotions by lowering prices and other processes that support Pizza Hut promotions. So that the original image as a family restaurant with dining at the place is now closer to consumers and affordable prices for all levels of society and can be achieved not only in related restaurants but can be found in various strategic places while still showing the characteristics of Pizza Hut itself.

Abstrak

Kondisi Pandemi Covid-19 menjadikan sektor F&B (food and beverage) juga berputar otak untuk tetap mempertahankan dari pangsa pasar. Selain itu, perubahan konsep dengan kebijakan yang harus di adaptasi berdampak pada perebutan pasar ditengah persaingan. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui strategi promosi yang digunakan dalam rebuilding image Pizza Hut di masa pandemic Covid-19. Penelitian ini secara kualitatif deskriptif, dengan metode pengumpulan data secara observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi yang diolah data-data tersebut dari mereduksi data hingga memaparkan berdasarkan temuan dan korelasi konsep dan teori yang digunakan. Hasil penelitian menggambarkan penggunaan bauran pemasaran 7P (product, price, place, promotion, people, process dan physical evidence) dalam strategi promosi yang menunjang rebuilding image Pizza Hut, memfokuskan pendekatannya pada people dan produk. People yang akan mengkomunikasikan langsung kepada konsumen, dan produk tetap menjadi signature Pizza Hut yang tidak boleh ditinggalkan. Konsep jemput konsumen, promosi dengan banting harga serta proses lain yang mendukung promosi Pizza Hut. Sehingga image semula sebagai family restaurant with dining at the place kini menjadi lebih dekat dengan konsumen dan harga yang terjangkau bagi semua lapisan masyarakat serta bisa dijangkau bukan hanya di resto terkait namun bisa ditemukan diberbagai tempat strategis dengan tetap menunjukkan ciri khas dari Pizza Hut itu sendiri.
The Implementation of the Al-Qur'an Memorization Program at the Palembang Alumnika Science Elementary School
Authors: Febriyanti Febriyanti , Alfiyanto Afif , Zulkipli Zulkipli , Ayuni Bitri
Published: August 2022

The substance of this research is implementing the Al-Qur'an memorization program by involving leaders of educational institutions, teachers, students, and parents. This study seeks to determine the process of implementing the Al-Qur'an memorization program at the Palembang Sains Alumnika Elementary School and the supporting and inhibiting factors. The research used a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. The informants were the principal, the head of the program, and the teacher memorizing the Qur'an. Data collection techniques were used interviews, observation, and documentation. Data analysis techniques through data condensation, data presentation, and concluding. This study indicated that the implementation of the Al-Qur'an memorization program could be seen from 1) organizing, namely a) making an organizational structure; b) classifying teachers; and c) grouping students; 2) direction, which is given at the beginning of each new academic year; 3) motivation; and 4) coordination, namely holding a meeting at the beginning of each semester. The supporting factors, namely 1) the existence of motivation; 2) the age of students who are still children; 3) the availability of teachers to memorize; 4) there is support from the school environment and parents of students. While the inhibiting factors, namely 1) some students have not been able to read the Qur'an fluently; and 2) students are less routine in repeating memorization because of online learning.
The Influence of Machiavellianism, Love of Money and Internal Control on the Tendency of Asset Misuse in Government-Owned Enterprises XYZ in Semarang
Authors: Listyo Farlina Wahyu , Cahyonowati Nur
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to investigate the effect of Machiavellianism, love of money, and internal control on the tendency of asset misuses in the workplace, especially in the state-owned company XYZ in Semarang. This study used survey method to collect data from employees of a state-owned company in Semarang City. The data consisted of 161 questionnaires which were analyzed using WarpPLS 7.0. The finding showed that Machiavellianism, love of money, have a significant positive effect on the tendency of asset misuses in BUMN companies, while internal control has a significant negative effect on the tendency of asset misuses in BUMN companies. This finding implies the importance of considerations in psychological aspects when it comes to fraud prevention. Additionally, the finding implies that the internal control is a mandatory mechanism in the company's managerial activities for fraud prevention.Keywords:  Machiavellianism, Love of Money, Internal Control Misappropriate Assets, Government-Owned Enterprises.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Authors: Mantiri Meilani Dewinta Kristina , Eriandani Rizky
Published: August 2022

This study aims to analyze the characteristics of corporate governance influencing CSR disclosure in banking. Implementing good corporate governance allows the company's stakeholders to receive accurate and transparent information about the company's internal conditions through CSR disclosure. Thus, good corporate governance can affect the company's relationship with its stakeholders to maintain long-term sustainability. The research sample obtained was 180 companies from banking sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2016-2020 period. A multiple linear regression test was used to test the research model. The study results found that foreign ownership, state ownership, size of the board of commissioners, and the proportion of women on the board of commissioners significantly positively affected CSR.Meanwhile, the proportion of foreign members on the board of commissioners is known to have a significant adverse effect on CSR. In addition, the results showed that diffusion ownership, the size of the board of directors, the proportion of women on the board of directors, chairman of the board of directors, chairman of the board of commissioners, and the proportion of foreign members on the board of directors did not affect CSR. However, there are differences in the level of information disclosed. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the characteristics of corporate governance used in this study do not fully affect CSR disclosure in banks. This research enriches the existing literature, considering that the banking sector is often excluded from CSR studies because of its specific legal regulations and perceived small environmental impact. In addition, in developing countries, very few studies still analyze the effect of board characteristics on bank CSR disclosures. Furthermore, this study emphasizes important implications for the banking sector, shareholders, and regulatory bodies
All Azimuth, Insight Turkey ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergilerinde Yayımlanan Makalelerde Genel Bilim Felsefesinin Yeri
Authors: GÖKÇE Emrah Utku
Published: August 2022

Bu çalışmanın amacı, hem Web of Science (WoS) hem de Scopus veri tabanlarında yer alan Uluslararası İlişkiler ana temalı Türkiye adresli dergilerde yayımlanan makalelerin konu dağılımlarını sıklık/yüzde temelinde belirlemek ve genel bilim felsefesi bağlamında yapılan çalışmaların içeriklerini incelemektir. Araştırma nitel yöntem yaklaşımı içinde içsel durum çalışmasına göre tasarlanmıştır. İlgili veri tabanlarında taranan dergilerde yayımlanan toplam 587 makalenin tamamı incelenmiştir. İlk aşamada veriler nicel betimsel analize tabi tutulmuş ve konu dağılımlarının frekansları belirlenmiştir; ikinci aşamada ise veriler nitel betimsel analize tabi tutulmuş ve genel bilim felsefesiyle ilgili çalışmaların içerikleri betimlenmiştir. 587 makalenin %33,4’ünün bölgesel çalışmalar konusuna odaklandığı ve bölgesel çalışmaların başat konu olduğu; bununla birlikte genel bilim felsefesi eksenindeki çalışmaların %3.6 oranında kalarak toplam içinde çok az ağırlığa sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Blubber cortisol in four Canadian beluga whale populations is unrelated to diet
Authors: Kucheravy CE , Trana MR , Watt CA , Roth JD , Tomy GT , Anderson WG , Ferguson SH
Published: August 2022

Changing conditions in the Arctic have had severe consequences for many marine mammals. In this study, we examined blubber cortisol using radioimmunoassay in 4 Canadian beluga whaleDephinapterus leucaspopulations. The endangered Cumberland Sound population had higher cortisol levels (mean ± SE: 0.65 ± 0.11 ng g-1) than populations not at risk: Eastern Beaufort Sea (0.31 ± 0.03 ng g-1; p < 0.001), Eastern High Arctic-Baffin Bay (0.32 ± 0.09 ng g-1; p = 0.004), and Western Hudson Bay (0.44 ± 0.04 ng g-1; p = 0.004). To evaluate if measured cortisol differences were due to differences in diet, we compared stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen (δ13C and δ15N) and dietary fatty acids among populations. Beluga whales from Eastern Beaufort Sea had lower δ13C (p ≤ 0.017) and higher δ15N (p < 0.001) values than other measured populations, while Western Hudson Bay beluga dietary fatty acid profiles differed from other measured populations (p < 0.001). Population and sex were significant predictors of blubber cortisol (p ≤ 0.017). Females exhibited higher cortisol than males. Despite diet differences among populations, neither stable isotopes nor fatty acids were significant predictors of cortisol, suggesting differences in cortisol levels were unrelated to diet. Other factors, such as increased risk of predation, hunting pressure, vessel traffic, or differences in baseline blubber cortisol concentrations may be contributing to elevated cortisol levels in Cumberland Sound beluga whales. Measuring blubber cortisol in combination with chemical indicators of diet provides a useful method for monitoring population health and can be used to inform management and conservation.
Organ microcirculatory disturbances in experimental acute pancreatitis: a role of nitric oxide.
Authors: Dobosz M , Hac S , Mionskowska L , Dymecki D , Dobrowolski S , Wajda Z
Published: August 2022

Microcirculatory disturbances are important early pathophysiological events in various organs during acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of the study was to investigate an influence of L-arginine (nitric oxide substrate) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) on organ microcirculation in experimental acute pancreatitis induced by four consecutive intraperitoneal cerulein injections (15 μg/kg/h). The microcirculation of pancreas, liver, kidney, stomach, colon and skeletal muscle was measured by laser Doppler flowmeter. Serum interleukin 6 and hematocrit levels were analyzed. AP resulted in a significant drop of microperfusion in all examined organ. L-arginine administration (2x100 mg/kg) improved the microcirculation in the pancreas, liver, kidney, colon and skeletal muscle, and lowered hematocrit levels. L-NNA treatment (2x25 mg/kg) caused aggravation of edematous AP to the necrotizing situation, and increased IL-6 and hematocrit levels. A further reduction of blood perfusion was noted in the stomach only. It is concluded that L-arginine administration has a positive influence on organ microcirculatory disturbances accompanying experimental cerulein-induced AP. NO inhibition aggravates the course of pancreatitis.
Role of polyols in thermal inactivation of shark ornithine transcarbamoylase.
Authors: Bellocco E , Laganà G , Barreca D , Ficarra S , Tellone E
Published: August 2022

The ability of activity modulators of ornithine transcarbamoylase (OCT) from the liver of the thresher shark Alopias vulpinus to stabilize the enzyme against thermal denaturation was investigated in the tri-buffer at pH 7.8, at temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 °C, in the presence of polyhydroxylic molecules such as glycerol and sugars. The study indicated that in the presence of 0.5 M sugars and 1.6 M glycerol in the preincubation medium the OCT activity increases. When trehalose is introduced directly in the reaction mixture in a range of concentration of 0.25-0.5 M, the activity is lower than that with maltose, glycerol and buffer alone. Kinetic data for carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine with and without maltose and glycerol are similar, whereas trehalose increases the kinetic values. Arrhenius plots show an increase of activation energy due to trehalose, whereas values obtained with maltose and glycerol are similar to the control
Predicción de mortalidad en pacientes oncológicos en terapia intensiva. Un estudio de centro único
Authors: Ojeda Delgado Karen Sirley , Rivera Rivera Tannia
Published: August 2022

Introducción: La mortalidad de los pacientes con cáncer, ingresados en una unidad de terapia intensiva puede ser estimada usando las escalas de sepsis. El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar una prueba diagnóstica entre las principales escalas en un grupo de pacientes oncológicos de un centro de referencia de Guayaquil-Ecuador.
Metodología: Se realizó un estudio transversal, en la unidad de terapia intensiva del Instituto Oncológico Nacional “Dr Juan Tanca Marengo” de SOLCA-Guayaquil, en el período octubre 2019 a noviembre del 2020. La muestra fue probabilística, de pacientes con diagnóstico oncológicos clínicos ingresado en UCI. Se registró edad, tipo de cáncer, antecedentes familiares, mortalidad y las escalas SOFA y APACHE II. Se utiliza estadística descriptiva, se realiza una prueba diagnóstica y un análisis de supervivencia.
Resultados: Se analizan 99 casos, de 57 ± 16 años de edad, 37 hombres (37.4%). Con Hipertensión arterial (39.4%) y diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (17.1%). 12.1 % casos de linfoma no hodking y cáncer intestinal 11.1%; 17 fallecimientos (17.2%). La puntuación global SOFA fue de 6.8 ± 3.0. La puntuación global APACHE II de 18.6 ± 7.0. El riesgo de mortalidad fue estadísticamente significativo a partir del 5to día. La puntuación SOFA >6 tuvo una sensibilidad del 88.24 %, valor predictivo (VP) positivo fue muy bajo, así como la especificidad; el VP negativo fue de 97%. La escala APACHE II, tuvo una sensibilidad del 94.12 %, con una especificidad de 96.34 %; VP positivo, comparada a la escala SOFA fue el doble.
Conclusión: La escala APACHE II en pacientes oncológicos clínicos ingresados en UCI predice de la manera más exacta la mortalidad cuando la puntuación es mayor a 18.
Opportunities to monitor animal welfare using the five freedoms with precision livestock management on rangelands
Authors: Tobin Colin T. , Bailey Derek W. , Stephenson Mitchell B. , Trotter Mark G. , Knight Colt W. , Faist Akasha M.
Published: August 2022

Advances in technology have led to precision livestock management, a developing research field. Precision livestock management has potential to improve sustainable meat production through continuous, real-time tracking which can help livestock managers remotely monitor and enhance animal welfare in extensive rangeland systems. The combination of global positioning systems (GPS) and accessible data transmission gives livestock managers the ability to locate animals in arduous weather, track animal patterns throughout the grazing season, and improve handling practices. Accelerometers fitted to ear tags or collars have the potential to identify behavioral changes through variation in the intensity of movement that can occur during grazing, the onset of disease, parturition or responses to other environmental and management stressors. The ability to remotely detect disease, parturition, or effects of stress, combined with appropriate algorithms and data analysis, can be used to notify livestock managers and expedite response times to bolster animal welfare and productivity. The “Five Freedoms” were developed to help guide the evaluation and impact of management practices on animal welfare. These freedoms and welfare concerns differ between intensive (i.e., feed lot) and extensive (i.e., rangeland) systems. The provisions of the Five Freedoms can be used as a conceptual framework to demonstrate how precision livestock management can be used to improve the welfare of livestock grazing on extensive rangeland systems.
The Influence of Sociodemographic Background on Active Transportation: A Case Study of Bangsar and Shah Alam, Malaysia
Authors: Harumain Yong Adilah Shamsul , Koting Suhana , Rosni Nur Aulia , Ibrahim Nuraihan
Published: August 2022

An essential element for promoting sustainable urban transport is active transportation. Many factors are associated with walkability, such as individual characteristics, sociodemography, and distance. This research presents findings on active transportation use relating to sociodemographic background. Using a questionnaire survey as an instrument, the study was performed in Bangsar and Shah Alam, Malaysia, via stratified random sampling. The binomial logistic regression model and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistically analyzing the data from 325 respondents. ANOVA demonstrated that education level and occupational status statistically influenced the home–public transportation station distance. The study outcomes could benefit many sectors, such as urban planning, transportation, health, and education. An enhanced understanding of the findings could contribute to decision-making among the relevant authorities for facilitating active transportation.
Molecular detection of fluoroquinolone-resistant Neisseria meningitidis by using mismatched PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique
Authors: Ota Yusuke , Okada Reina , Takahashi Hideyuki , Saito Ryoichi
Published: August 2022

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a commonly used antibiotic for meningococcal chemoprophylaxis, and the mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region of gyrA are associated with CIP-resistant Neisseria meningitidis. Here, we established a mismatched PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay to detect a mutation at codon 91 of gyrA, followed by high-level CIP-resistant meningococci. We designed PCR-RFLP primers to detect the T91I mutation in gyrA by introducing an artificial AciI cleavage site. This assay was performed using 26 N. meningitidis strains whose gyrA sequences have been characterized. The amplified 160 bp PCR product from gyrA was digested into three fragments (80, 66, and 14 bp) when there was no mutation, or two fragments (146 and 14 bp) when there was a mutation at codon 91. A correlation was observed between the mismatched PCR-RFLP assay and gyrA sequencing. This rapid, simple, and accurate assay has the potential to detect CIP-resistant N. meningitidis in clinical microbiology laboratories, contributing to the appropriate antibiotic selection for meningococcal chemoprophylaxis, will help maintain an effective treatment for close contacts of IMD patients, and prevent the spread of CIP-resistant N. meningitidis.
Role-taking in two micro-community sign languages: Phylogenetic insights
Authors: Martinod Emmanuella
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to examine the use of role-taking constructions in two micro-community sign languages (SLs): Yucatec Maya SL (YMSL), and Soure SL. Various role-taking types were quantified and changes in gaze direction were annotated on data regarding these two SLs. The results showed (i) a greater diversity of role-taking produced in YMSL, including complex role-taking (i.e., multiple perspectives or role-taking produced alongside lexical units), and (ii) changes in gaze direction before and after the production of role-taking constructions in both SLs. First, this suggests a phylogenetic development between the two SLs partly observable from the study of role-taking through the conceptual lens of bifurcation of the signer's intent. More broadly, an analysis of the phylogenesis of SLs would benefit from this kind of examination using analytical concepts relevant to SLs. Second, results seem to indicate that the phylogenesis of SLs would share similarities with the ontogenesis of SLs. Indeed, the less socially integrated and analyzed SL (Soure SL) displayed a less advanced degree of bifurcation since few complex role-taking constructions were observed. This is in line with the way these structures are acquired late by SL learners. Further studies on other micro-community SLs would be needed to validate the results of this study.
The prevalence and survival of pulmonary hypertension due to left heart failure: A retrospective analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Yangyi , Pang Lingpin , Huang Shian , Shen Jieyan , Wu Weifeng , Tang Fangming , Su Weiqing , Zhu Xiulong , Sun Jingzhi , Quan Ruilin , Yang Tao , Han Huijun , He Jianguo
Published: August 2022

Background

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart failure (PH-LHF) is currently the most common form of pulmonary hypertension (PH) encountered in clinical practice. Despite significant advances that have improved our understanding of PH-LHF over the past two decades, the mortality is still high in recent decades. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and survival of patients with PH-LHF, and explored the potential risk factors which may predict the prognosis of PH-LHF.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study of left heart failure (LHF) patients who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) between January 2013 and November 2016 was performed. The endpoint was all-cause mortality. Follow-ups were performed every 6 months ± 2 weeks.

Results

A total of 480 patients with LHF were enrolled, with 215 (44.8%) having PH-LHF. The proportion of PH-LHF was significantly lower in coronary artery disease (CAD) group than without CAD (41.3 vs. 57.8%, p = 0.003). However, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that CAD was not associated with PH-LHF (Adjusted OR: 1.055, 95% CI: 0.576 – 1.935, p = 0.862). 75 of 215 (34.9%) patients with PH-LHF died during a median follow-up period of 84.6 months. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year survival rates of all PH-LHF patients were 94.3, 76.9, 65.8, and 60.2%, respectively. New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA FC), hemoglobin, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) were associated with mortality of PH-LHF in multivariate Cox analysis.

Conclusion

PH is commonly identified in patients with LHF, with a prevalence of approximately 45%. The mortality is still high in patients with PH-LHF. NYHA FC, hemoglobin, and sPAP are independent risk predictors of mortality for PH-LHF. These findings may be useful for risk stratification in future clinical trial enrollment.
Confident, positive, but interested? Exploring the role of teachers’ interest in their practice of differentiated instruction
Authors: Pozas Marcela , Letzel Verena , Bost Nora , Reichertz Julia
Published: August 2022

Given the substantial ongoing increase of individual learning demands, teachers are urged to address student heterogeneity in their daily teaching practice by means of differentiated instruction (DI). As the successful and effective implementation of DI relies mainly on teachers, research has intensively focused on examining teacher-related variables, such as teachers’ self-efficacy and attitudes, that have played a crucial role in their use of differentiated instructional practices. However, besides these well researched constructs, teacher interest is another important teacher-related variable that has, up to now, received very little attention and has been rarely incorporated into inclusive education research. Against this background, this study aimed to bring together previous research on teacher-related variables on their differentiated instructional practice, and extend prior literature by incorporate teachers’ interests. In total, 168 German in-service teachers from different school tracks participated in the study. Results from hierarchical linear regression (HLR) analyses showed a significant and positive predicting role of teacher interests on their practice of DI. Noteworthy is that teacher interests contributed significantly to their differentiated instructional practice, even after controlling for their self-efficacy and attitudes. Implications of the results, as well as further lines of research are discussed.
Online prediction model for primary aldosteronism in patients with hypertension in Chinese population: A two-center retrospective study
Authors: Lin Wenbin , Gan Wenjia , Feng Pinning , Zhong Liangying , Yao Zhenrong , Chen Peisong , He Wanbing , Yu Nan
Published: August 2022

Background

The prevalence of primary aldosteronism (PA) varies from 5% to 20% in patients with hypertension but is largely underdiagnosed. Expanding screening for PA to all patients with hypertension to improve diagnostic efficiency is needed. A novel and portable prediction tool that can expand screening for PA is highly desirable.

Methods

Clinical characteristics and laboratory data of 1,314 patients with hypertension were collected for modeling and randomly divided into a training cohort (919 of 1,314, 70%) and an internal validation cohort (395 of 1,314, 30%). Additionally, an external dataset (n = 285) was used for model validation. Machine learning algorithms were applied to develop a discriminant model. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used to evaluate the performance of the model.

Results

Seven independent risk factors for predicting PA were identified, including age, sex, hypokalemia, serum sodium, serum sodium-to-potassium ratio, anion gap, and alkaline urine. The prediction model showed sufficient predictive accuracy, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.839 (95% CI: 0.81–0.87), 0.814 (95% CI: 0.77–0.86), and 0.839 (95% CI: 0.79–0.89) in the training set, internal validation, and external validation set, respectively. The calibration curves exhibited good agreement between the predictive risk of the model and the actual risk. An online prediction model was developed to make the model more portable to use.

Conclusion

The online prediction model we constructed using conventional clinical characteristics and laboratory tests is portable and reliable. This allowed it to be widely used not only in the hospital but also in community health service centers and may help to improve the diagnostic efficiency of PA.
Pathology confirmation of the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ding Min , Wu Gao-Song , Gu Jian-Hua , Shen Dong-Jie , Zhou Rui , Liu Ying , Xie Rong-Li , Wang Shu-Rong , Wang Hong-Cheng , Fei Jian
Published: August 2022

Background

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has rapidly increased in recent years. Microwave ablation (MWA) was proposed as an alternative treatment for PTC. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of MWA by exploring the postoperative pathology results of post-ablation lesions in patients with PTC.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed data from 12 patients who underwent thyroid surgery after MWA treatment for primary PTC between January 2015 and November 2021 in six hospitals.

Results

The average age of the 12 patients (8 female) was 45.3 ± 9.7 years. There was one patient with PTC (size > 1 cm) and 11 patients with micro-PTC (size ≤ 1 cm), of which eight patients had unifocal micro-PTC and three patients had multifocal micro-PTC. A total of 17 tumor foci with mean size of 6.2 ± 2.6 mm were treated by MWA. The median interval time between MWA and surgery was 6.6 months (range: 0.4–21.9 months). Intraoperatively, adherence to the anterior cervical muscle group was observed in three cases (3/12). Upon postoperative pathologic examination, all the post-ablation lesions of the eight unifocal micro-PTC and two multifocal micro-PTC showed no residual carcinomas. Outside the ablation zone, PTCs were detected in three cases, including two of the eight patients with unifocal micro-PTC and one of the three patients with multifocal micro-PTC. Cervical lymph node metastases were detected in seven patients (7/12).

Conclusion

MWA was feasible for the treatment of primary unifocal low-risk micro-PTC (T1aN0M0) with good efficacy and safety. However, the use of MWA for treating PTC (size > 1 cm) and multifocal micro-PTC remains controversial.
Starch granules from human teeth: New clues on the Epi-Jomon diet
Authors: Shibutani Ayako , Aono Tomoya , Nagaya Yukihito
Published: August 2022

This study examined starch granules from the dental calculus of specimens from the Epi-Jomon (Zoku-Jomon in Japanese, ca. 350 BCE–350 CE) period in Japan for taxonomic identification of plant food items and the reconstruction of human socioeconomic practices. Dental calculus was extracted from 21 individuals across six Epi-Jomon sites in Hokkaido. Moreover, 12 starch granules and starch clusters were recovered from nine individuals. The morphologies of the extracted starch granules were then classified into five types: elliptical, angular circular, polygonal, pentagonal, and damaged. Morphometric analysis indicated that a small portion of these starch granules may have derived from acorns, nuts, and bulb or tuber plants, with one starch granule supposedly from rice. Although extracted starch granules are poor predictors of food diversity at the individual level, the results can identify potential food sources of the surveyed population. This is the first study to determine how well plant microremains in dental calculus reflect a plant diet in the Epi-Jomon population. The starch granules discovered at the surveyed sites provide essential information about the utilization of plant species and cultural contacts in Hokkaido during this period. This is of great significance in reconstructing the Epi-Jomon subsistence patterns in Hokkaido and exploring cultural interactions between hunting-gathering-fishing and agrarian societies.
Investigating note repertoires and acoustic tradeoffs in the duet contributions of a basal haplorrhine primate
Authors: Comella Isabel , Tasirin Johny S. , Klinck Holger , Johnson Lynn M. , Clink Dena J.
Published: August 2022

Acoustic communication serves a crucial role in the social interactions of vocal animals. Duetting—the coordinated singing among pairs of animals—has evolved independently multiple times across diverse taxonomic groups including insects, frogs, birds, and mammals. A crucial first step for understanding how information is encoded and transferred in duets is through quantifying the acoustic repertoire, which can reveal differences and similarities on multiple levels of analysis and provides the groundwork necessary for further studies of the vocal communication patterns of the focal species. Investigating acoustic tradeoffs, such as the tradeoff between the rate of syllable repetition and note bandwidth, can also provide important insights into the evolution of duets, as these tradeoffs may represent the physical and mechanical limits on signal design. In addition, identifying which sex initiates the duet can provide insights into the function of the duets. We have three main goals in the current study: (1) provide a descriptive, fine-scale analysis of Gursky’s spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrumgurskyae) duets; (2) use unsupervised approaches to investigate sex-specific note repertoires; and (3) test for evidence of acoustic tradeoffs in the rate of note repetition and bandwidth of tarsier duet contributions. We found that both sexes were equally likely to initiate the duets and that pairs differed substantially in the duration of their duets. Our unsupervised clustering analyses indicate that both sexes have highly graded note repertoires. We also found evidence for acoustic tradeoffs in both male and female duet contributions, but the relationship in females was much more pronounced. The prevalence of this tradeoff across diverse taxonomic groups including birds, bats, and primates indicates the constraints that limit the production of rapidly repeating broadband notes may be one of the few ‘universals’ in vocal communication. Future carefully designed playback studies that investigate the behavioral response, and therefore potential information transmitted in duets to conspecifics, will be highly informative.
A comparative study of RNA yields from museum specimens, including an optimized protocol for extracting RNA from formalin-fixed specimens
Authors: Speer Kelly A. , Hawkins Melissa T. R. , Flores Mary Faith C. , McGowen Michael R. , Fleischer Robert C. , Maldonado Jesús E. , Campana Michael G. , Muletz-Wolz Carly R.
Published: August 2022

Animal specimens in natural history collections are invaluable resources in examining the historical context of pathogen dynamics in wildlife and spillovers to humans. For example, natural history specimens may reveal new associations between bat species and coronaviruses. However, RNA viruses are difficult to study in historical specimens because protocols for extracting RNA from these specimens have not been optimized. Advances have been made in our ability to recover nucleic acids from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples (FFPE) commonly used in human clinical studies, yet other types of formalin preserved samples have received less attention. Here, we optimize the recovery of RNA from formalin-fixed ethanol-preserved museum specimens in order to improve the usability of these specimens in surveys for zoonotic diseases. We provide RNA quality and quantity measures for replicate tissues subsamples of 22 bat specimens from five bat genera (Rhinolophus, Hipposideros, Megareops, Cynopterus, and Nyctalus) collected in China and Myanmar from 1886 to 2003. As tissues from a single bat specimen were preserved in a variety of ways, including formalin-fixed (8 bats), ethanol-preserved and frozen (13 bats), and flash frozen (2 bats), we were able to compare RNA quality and yield across different preservation methods. RNA extracted from historical museum specimens is highly fragmented, but usable for short-read sequencing and targeted amplification. Incubation of formalin-fixed samples with Proteinase-K following thorough homogenization improves RNA yield. This optimized protocol extends the types of data that can be derived from existing museum specimens and facilitates future examinations of host and pathogen RNA from specimens.
Culex quinquefasciatus Holobiont: A Fungal Metagenomic Approach
Authors: Flores Guillermo A. M. , Lopez Rocio P. , Cerrudo Carolina S. , Consolo V. Fabiana , Berón Corina M.
Published: August 2022

Microorganisms associated with mosquitoes have fundamental roles, not only in their nutrition, but also in physiological and immunological processes, and in their adaptation to the environment as well. Studies on mosquito hologenomes have increased significantly during the last years, achieving important advances in the characterization of the “core bacteriome” of some species of health importance. However, the fungal mycobiome has not been exhaustively researched, especially throughout the life cycle of some hematophagous mosquito species. In this work, the diversity and composition of fungal communities in different developmental stages, sexes, and adult nutrition of Culex quinquefasciatus reared on laboratory conditions were characterized, using internal transcribed spacer high throughput amplicon sequencing. Larvae presented a higher fungal richness, while sucrose-fed males and females showed a similar diversity between them. Blood-fed females presented few operational taxonomic units with an even distribution. Results are consistent with the reduction of larval microbiota after molting, observed for the bacterial microbiome in other mosquito species. The filamentous Ascomycota Penicillium polonicum and Cladosporium sp. were present in all stages of the mosquitoes; in addition, the presence of yeasts in the insects or their subsequent colonization associated with their diet is also discussed. These results suggest that some species of fungi could be essential for the nutrition and development of mosquitoes throughout their life cycle.
Socioeconomic inequalities and family planning utilization among female adolescents in urban slums in Nigeria
Authors: Akinyemi Akanni Ibukun , Ikuteyijo Olutoyin Opeyemi , Mobolaji Jacob Wale , Erinfolami Temitope , Adebayo Samuel O.
Published: August 2022

Background/statement of problem

Family planning (FP) utilization is important for preventing unwanted pregnancy and achieving optimal reproductive health. However, the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) among women of childbearing age is still low in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly in Nigeria, despite interventions to increase access and utilization. The low mCPR has been associated with a high prevalence of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, and high maternal and infant mortality in LMIC. Despite existing studies associating high family planning utilization to urban settings relative to the rural areas, the socioeconomic inequality in urban settings, especially among adolescents in urban slums has been given less research attention. This study examines the role of socioeconomic inequality on family planning utilization among female adolescents of various ethnic backgrounds in urban slums in Nigeria.

Methods

The study utilized data from the Adolescent Childbearing Survey (2019). A total sample of 2,035 female adolescents of ages 14–19 years who were not pregnant at the time of the study and were resident in selected slums. Associations between socioeconomic inequalities—measured by wealth index, social status, and education—and modern contraceptive use were examined using relative and slope inequality indices, and logistic regression models.

Results

The results show that only 15% of the female adolescents in the North, and 19% in the South reported modern contraceptive use. While wealth index and education were important predictors of FP use among adolescents in southern urban slums, only education was important in the North. However, the relative and slope inequality indices further indicate that adolescents with no education and those in the lowest social status group use much fewer contraceptives compared to their counterparts with higher wealth and social statuses. Those with secondary/higher education and the highest social status group, respectively, were more disadvantaged in terms of FP utilization (Education: RII = 1.86, p < 0.05; 95% C.I. = 1.02–2.71; Social Status: RII = 1.97, p < 0.05; 95% C.I. = 1.26–2.68) with results showing a more marked level of disparity when disaggregated by North and South.

Conclusion

The persistent socioeconomic inequalities among female adolescents in Nigeria, especially those in the urban slums, have continued to limit their utilization. Policy measure in education, communication and subsidized contraceptives should be intensified for vulnerable female adolescents in the slums.