bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Pudu mephistophiles (sensu stricto) in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru: A maximum entropy model approach
Authors: Rivera-Portilla María del Mar , Bravo-Vega Carlos Andrés , Gómez-Bernal Luis Germán , Tirira Diego G.
Published: May 2023

Pudu mephistophiles (Northern Pudu) inhabits the Andean regions of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Studies on the reports of its occurrence are scarce and tend not to be up to date, making it difficult to analyze or carry out research on its populations and conservation status. In this study, we collected information on the presence of the northern population of P. mephistophiles (sensu stricto) to predict its potential distribution using a maximum entropy model. According to our results, we conclude that P. mephistophiles (sensu stricto) occurs along the Cordillera Central (Central mountain range) in Colombia, south of the Department of Antioquia and mainly in the Departments of Nariño and Cauca, and in apparently small areas of the Cordillera Occidental (Western mountain range); there are no confirmed records in the Cordillera Oriental (Eastern mountain range). In Ecuador, the species occurs in the provinces of Carchi, Loja, and Zamora Chinchipe; it also inhabits the extreme north of Peru, in the Department of Cajamarca. The main variables that determine the areas of distribution of P. mephistophiles were minimum temperature of the coldest month (BIO6), annual mean temperature (BIO1), and precipitation seasonality (BIO15). This information was contrasted with the known distribution of the species, a requirement for obtaining baseline knowledge to promote research and the conservation of this species.
Whale-watching tourism as a driving force for socioeconomic development in Puerto López, Machalilla National Park, Manabí, Ecuador
Authors: Castro Cristina , Castrillón Juliana , Gómez Wendy
Published: May 2023

We aim to analyze the socioeconomic impact of the whale-watching industry in one of the poorest areas in Ecuador. Puerto López, in Manabí, went from being a fishing village to leading the whale-watching industry in Ecuador. Thanks to the tourist attraction of humpback whales, the number of tourists in the area has increased by 15,000% since 1980, concentrated mainly around the whale season months of June to September. As a result, tourism services and employment opportunities also increased, bringing development and a better lifestyle to the region. The industry has become so important to the region that its value was estimated at USD 4.5 million in 2019. However, we consider this to be a conservative estimate and suggest that the real value may be even greater. Whale-watching benefits are not only economic: whales have brought a sense of identity to the region, which has worked to promote whale conservation laws at the national level. In recent years, the emergence of illegal whale-watching tour operators has become a threat to the industry, the region's economy, and the protection of the species, necessitating immediate action by the authorities.
Riqueza, abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en el Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco (Guayas, Ecuador)
Authors: Salas Jaime A. , Navas I. Benjamín , Merchán María Belén , Medranda-Benavides Jordan , Hurtado Cindy M.
Published: May 2023

Los estudios de mamíferos grandes y medianos basados en metodologías sistemáticas y técnicas estandarizadas han abarcado escasas localidades en la provincia de Guayas, donde existen acelerados procesos de urbanización, fragmentación ecológica y presencia de especies introducidas, como ocurre en el Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la riqueza, abundancia y patrones de actividad de los mamíferos grandes y medianos en esta reserva. Durante siete meses, entre marzo y septiembre de 2019, establecimos 17 estaciones de fototrampeo, con cuyos datos estimamos el Índice de Abundancia Relativa (IAR) y los patrones de actividad de las especies registradas. Con un esfuerzo de muestreo total de 2937 trampa/día y 1931 eventos fotográficos independientes de mamíferos, registramos 16 especies nativos y una introducida (Canis lupus familiaris); las especies Dasyprocta punctata y Procyon cancrivorus presentaron mayor IAR; cuatro especies fueron diurnas, seis nocturnas y dos catemerales. También registramos con fototrampeo a especies amenazadas, como Alouatta palliata y Cebus aequatorialis. Recomendamos mantener este tipo de monitoreos, continuos y sistemáticos, en esta reserva, para entender los efectos de la fragmentación y de las especies introducidas sobre los mamíferos nativos.
Education needs for clinical nursing practice using an Importance-Performance Analysis and Borich needs assessment model: Focused on nurses in the general wards of a tertiary hospital
Authors: Lee Mira , Kim Jiyoung , Kim Boyeon , Park Yooyun , Han Jiyoo , Lee Seunghee , Lee Hyunju
Published: May 2023

Purpose: This study’s aim was to confirm the importance and performance of the clinical practice of nurses working in the general wards of a tertiary hospital and to analyze their educational needs.Methods: The study employed a descriptive research design, and a self-reported questionnaire was developed and used for nurses in a tertiary hospital. Data were collected from July 22 to July 29, 2022, analyzed by an independent t-test, paired t-test, and one-way ANOVA for the importance and performance of each clinical nursing practice according to general characteristics, and then a post hoc verification was performed by Scheffé’s test. An Importance-Performance Analysis and Borich needs assessment model were used to analyze clinical nursing education needs.Results: Clinical nursing practice performance showed a significant difference according to length of total clinical career, time working in current department, and preceptor experience. According to the results of the Importance-Performance Analysis, neurological evaluation, and nursing intervention, artificial respirator and high-flow oxygen inhalation nursing, chemotherapy, emergency nursing, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were identified as belonging to the “concentrate here” quadrant. All these items ranked in the top 10 in the Borich needs assessment model.Conclusion: Based on these results, the current education system should be reviewed, and short and long term education strategies based on educational needs should be established to strengthen the competence of nurses.
Needs assessment of a home-visit safety management training program for visiting nurses
Authors: Kim Eunjoo , Kim Hyori
Published: May 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the concrete educational needs of visiting nurses working in a community health setting in Korea.Methods: We conducted four focus group interviews from October 7 to October 18, 2021. Twenty-five visiting nurses who worked in public health centers were recruited through purposive sampling. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data.Results: The demands of educational contents for visiting nurse safety management practical training were: (1) coping with physical and verbal violence, (2) coping with sexual violence, (3) infection control for infectious diseases with a high prevalence in the community, and (4) preventing and coping with animal bites during home visits. In addition, visiting nurses suggested training programs that comprised: (1) case-based learning, (2) short video clips, and (3) recurrent integrated education.Conclusion: Safety management training programs for visiting nurses should be implemented to the extent that they add no burden on their workload and are easily accessible at any time. In addition, training programs should be based on actual cases and be focused on contents that can be applied in home visit situations. A practical safety management training program should be developed based on the educational needs of visiting nurses, as identified through this study.
The effect of verbal violence, clinical practice stress, and coping with stress on nursing students’ major satisfaction during clinical practice
Authors: Heo Heejung , Song Yeoungsuk
Published: May 2023

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effect of verbal violence, clinical practice stress, and coping with stress on the major satisfaction in nursing students during clinical practice.Methods: A cross-sectional study was used. A survey was conducted from May 3 to May 10, 2022, on 200 nursing students who were in their junior and seneior years at two universities in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé’s test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression analysis were employed to analyze the data.Results: Major satisfaction was found to be significantly negatively correlated with verbal violence (r=-.30, p<.001) and clinical practice stress (r=-.15, p=.032) and to be positively correlated with coping with stress (r=.24, p<.001). Their satisfaction with clinical practice (β=.29, p=.037), verbal violence (β=-.23, p<.001), coping with stress (β=.16, p=.015), religion (β=.14, p=.041), and clinical practice stress (β=-.13, p=.048) explained 19.3% of the variance in nursing students’ major satisfaction during clinical practice.Conclusion: A verbal violence and coping with stress program for nursing students should be developed to increase nursing students’ major satisfaction during clinical practice.
Impact of climate change on snowpack and avalanches in Slovenia: The Soča Valley case study
Authors: Komac Blaž , Zorn Matija
Published: May 2023

The article discusses avalanche occurrence in the Slovenian Alps (SE Alps) in the context of climate change. It analyses the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation and maximum snow depth over the last two centuries, and the relationships between maximum snow depth and avalanches over the last three decades. We argue that higher temperatures lead to precipitation in the form of rain at higher elevations even in winter, so that major wet avalanches occur already in winter rather than in early spring, as was more common in the past. A case study of extreme avalanches in January 2021 is presented to support the hypothesis.
Debris flow activity in the Slovak part of the High Tatras in the light of lichenometric dating
Authors: Kędzia Stanisław , Hreško Juraj , Bugár Gabriel
Published: May 2023

Rock walls and talus slopes, which are the most common features of high-mountain relief, have been researched for many years. Geomorphologists have taken particular interest in debris flows, which play a major role in the development of talus slopes. This paper presents the results of the first lichenometric dating of debris flows on the southern slopes of the Tatra Mountains. The greatest debris flow activity took place in the Little Ice Age and in the last two decades.
Evolution of the Holocene alluvial fan of the River Stryi in the foreland of the Eastern Carpathians (Western Ukraine)
Authors: Gębica Piotr , Jacyšyn Andrij , Szczepanek Kazimierz
Published: May 2023

The research reconstructs the development of the alluvial fan of the River Stryi in the Holocene and dates the phases of increased river activity and their correlation with other valleys in the upper Dniester and Vistula river basins. The age of the palaeochannels and the stratigraphy of alluvial fills are based on radiocarbon dating supported by the results of palynological analyses. The oldest (fossil) palaeochannel of the Stryi was dated to the Younger Dryas. The large-radius meander was abandoned at the end of the Boreal Phase during the period of flood intensification at about 8700 BP. The uneven top of the gravels (cut by palaeotroughs of a depth ranging from 2 to 4 m) indicates that during periods of increased discharges (Younger Dryas, end of the Boreal Phase, late Atlantic and beginning of the Subboreal) the troughs were cut and filled with channel sands. From the beginning of the Subboreal Phase (5400-5300 BP), aggradation of the valley bottom has been predominant, which is manifested not only by the overbuilding of the floodplain but also by the gradual elevation of the channel. The accumulation of sandy-silty overbank sediments dated to about 8300, 5400 and 2800 BP correlates well with the beginning of humid phases and floods in the upper Vistula and upper Dniester basins as well as floods recorded in lakes in the northern foreland of the Alps.
Suivi et conservation de l’agastache faux-népéta au parc national d’Oka
Authors: Nault Andrée , Codaire François-Xavier , Lemay Mathieu , Nantel Patrick
Published: May 2023

L’agastache faux-népéta (Agastache nepetoides) est une plante vivace
herbacée remarquable par sa hauteur qui peut dépasser 2 mètres. Elle pousse dans des
milieux semi-ouverts, sur des sols calcaires, dans la grande région de Montréal. Sa
situation est actuellement très précaire au Québec, et la population locale au parc
national d’Oka serait la seule de taille viable. Des inventaires réalisés de 2010 à
2020 ont permis d’établir que cette population comprend 6 occurrences ou groupes
d’individus occupant chacun une aire distincte, dont 2 disparues et 2 de découverte
récente. Le suivi de plantes marquées dans 2 occurrences a révélé que cette espèce
croît rapidement, fleurit, puis meurt après 3-4 ans. Le nombre d’individus fluctue
grandement dans le temps, reflétant le cycle de vie court de l’espèce et son lien
avec des conditions écologiques éphémères. Des projections démographiques sur 20 ans
indiquent que les 2 occurrences sont vulnérables à long terme. Pour assurer la
pérennité de l’espèce au parc, nous proposons 3 mesures d’atténuation des menaces :
i) maintenir des habitats semi-ouverts ; ii) maintenir au moins 200 individus au
sein du parc, répartis dans au moins 3 occurrences ; iii) propager l’espèce dans les
habitats propices du secteur de la Grande Baie.
Changements de l’occupation du sol de la plaine inondable du lac Saint-Pierre de 1950 à 2016 et perspectives pour la restauration des milieux naturels
Authors: Jobin Benoît , Brodeur Philippe
Published: May 2023

Le lac Saint-Pierre (LSP) et sa plaine inondable offrent des habitats de reproduction et d’alimentation pour la faune, particulièrement lors des crues printanières. De 1950 à 1997, les milieux agricoles présents dans la plaine inondable du LSP ont été transformés, la majorité des cultures pérennes (fourrages et pâturages) ayant été transformées en cultures annuelles (maïs et soya). Une nouvelle cartographie de l’occupation du sol de ce territoire a été produite en 2016, permettant d’actualiser le portrait des habitats fauniques disponibles. La baisse de la superficie couverte par les cultures pérennes observée de 1950 à 1997 s’est poursuivie après 1997. Celles-ci représentaient seulement 2 % de la zone des crues de récurrence de 2 ans en 2016 alors qu’elles occupaient près du quart du territoire dans les années 1950. Près de 3 800 ha d’habitats fauniques (cultures pérennes et milieux naturels) ont été modifiés depuis 1950, principalement au profit des cultures annuelles. Les pertes nettes additionnelles d’habitats fauniques survenues entre 1997 et 2016 sont estimées à 550 ha. Pour soutenir le rétablissement des fonctions écologiques de l’écosystème du LSP, la restauration d’habitats et la mise en place d’une agriculture durable dans la zone littorale sont de mise.
Condiciones de empleo y autonomía: Una paradoja de los docentes universitarios
Authors: Barragán Diego Mauricio , Sarat Magda , Morales María Eugenia
Published: May 2023

Esta investigación analiza las tensiones entre las condiciones de empleo establecidas por las universidades y la autonomía de los docentes. En el trabajo empírico se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a docentes y observación participante en universidades públicas y privadas de Bogotá, Colombia. Para continuar en su empleo, los docentes deben cumplir las condiciones imperantes en las instituciones, desempeñar adecuadamente sus labores y establecer relaciones convenientes con miembros de los grupos de poder en las universidades. Luego, los profesores tratan de ejercer su autonomía buscando alternativas para cumplir con múltiples labores, donde se destacan la creación de conocimiento, la formación de personas, la participación en comunidades y la generación de recursos económicos para vivir dignamente. Una paradoja se evidencia debido a que los docentes deben desarrollar sus actividades amoldándose a las dinámicas imperantes para continuaren la institución y a partir de su autonomía buscar alternativas para establecer vínculos sociales, esforzarse en la creación de conocimiento y orientarse a participar en proyectos académicos. A pesar de la compleja cotidianidad en las universidades, se destaca la autonomía como el núcleo de la actuación de los docentes.
Alimentación escolar y compra pública sostenible. Estudio sobre la presencia de la alimentación procedente de la agricultura familiar en los menús escolares
Authors: Ramos-Truchero Guadalupe
Published: May 2023

La sostenibilidad alimentaria es nueva estrategia a seguir en los entornos alimentarios educativos. Entre sus medidas, las instituciones educativas buscan que los alimentos consumidos en comedores escolares sean comprados bajo criterios de sostenibilidad. La contratación pública sostenible es el instrumento administrativo que, a través de la inclusión de cláusulas de sostenibilidad en la adjudicación del servicio de catering escolar, permite a los gestores educativos asegurar la incorporación de alimentos sostenibles en la dieta escolar. La agricultura familiar es uno de los modelos de producción alimentaria con potencial para que la alimentación escolar cumpla con los estándares de sostenibilidad, fomentando un consumo social y apoyando a pequeños productores agrarios. Este trabajo explora la presencia de alimentos producidos desde la agricultura familiar en las compras realizadas desde las instituciones educativas, así como los retos y limitaciones para su incorporación. Mediante la realización de nueve entrevistas semiestructuradas a personas vinculadas al comedor de centros educativos de dos ciudades españolas, Tudela (Navarra) y Soria (Castilla y León), analizamos la adquisición de este tipo de alimentos en las compras y la percepción de los responsables sobre su aportación a la sostenibilidad. Los resultados muestran que, a pesar de los esfuerzos de los últimos años por instaurar una legislación para fomentar la compra de alimentación sostenible en las instituciones públicas, la promoción de la agricultura familiar es escasamente considerada por los administradores escolares y  la percepción difiere entre centros públicos y privados.
El contacto y la información como motor de cambio hacia una educación inclusiva
Authors: Simón Medina Natalia , Abellán López María Ángeles
Published: May 2023

Las investigaciones sobre educación inclusiva muestran como el aumento del conocimiento y contacto del futuro profesorado con las personas con discapacidad favorece de manera positiva sus actitudes para un mejor desarrollo del trabajo en el aula con los niños y niñas con discapacidad. El objetivo de esta investigación es el estudio de las actitudes del futuro profesorado hacia el alumnado con discapacidad, así como el examen de ciertas variables sociodemográficas. La metodología cuantitativa se ha articulado a través de un cuestionario compuesto por 31 ítems para una muestra no probabilística a 400 estudiantes del Máster Universitario de Formación de Profesorado en Educación Secundaria. El procedimiento ha consistido en un análisis bivariante mediante pruebas t de igualdad de medias y correlaciones de Spearman, a partir de la Escala de Actitudes hacia las Personas con Discapacidad (EAPD) de Arias et al. (2016). El software utilizado es IBM SPSS Statistics 24.0 Los hallazgos muestran que la capacitación y el contacto con personas con discapacidad pueden reducir las incertidumbres y las inseguridades del futuro profesorado. Así, además de favorecer la educación inclusiva, el profesorado adquiere mejores competencias profesionales.
Resource allocation accounts for the large variability of rate-yield phenotypes across bacterial strains
Authors: Baldazzi Valentina , Ropers Delphine , Gouzé Jean-Luc , Gedeon Tomas , de Jong Hidde
Published: May 2023

Different strains of a microorganism growing in the same environment display a wide variety of growth rates and growth yields. We developed a coarse-grained model to test the hypothesis that different resource allocation strategies, corresponding to different compositions of the proteome, can account for the observed rate-yield variability. The model predictions were verified by means of a database of hundreds of published rate-yield and uptake-secretion phenotypes of Escherichia coli strains grown in standard laboratory conditions. We found a very good quantitative agreement between the range of predicted and observed growth rates, growth yields, and glucose uptake and acetate secretion rates. These results support the hypothesis that resource allocation is a major explanatory factor of the observed variability of growth rates and growth yields across different bacterial strains. An interesting prediction of our model, supported by the experimental data, is that high growth rates are not necessarily accompanied by low growth yields. The resource allocation strategies enabling high-rate, high-yield growth of E. coli lead to a higher saturation of enzymes and ribosomes, and thus to a more efficient utilization of proteomic resources. Our model thus contributes to a fundamental understanding of the quantitative relationship between rate and yield in E. coli and other microorganisms. It may also be useful for the rapid screening of strains in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
Spatial transformation of multi-omics data unlocks novel insights into cancer biology
Authors: Sokač Mateo , Kjær Asbjørn , Dyrskjøt Lars , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , JWL Aerts Hugo , Birkbak Nicolai J
Published: May 2023

The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed cancer research. As costs have decreased, NGS has increasingly been applied to generate multiple layers of molecular data from the same samples, covering genomics, transcriptomics, and methylomics. Integrating these types of multi-omics data in a combined analysis is now becoming a common issue with no obvious solution, often handled on an ad hoc basis, with multi-omics data arriving in a tabular format and analyzed using computationally intensive statistical methods. These methods particularly ignore the spatial orientation of the genome and often apply stringent p-value corrections that likely result in the loss of true positive associations. Here, we present GENIUS (GEnome traNsformatIon and spatial representation of mUltiomicS data), a framework for integrating multi-omics data using deep learning models developed for advanced image analysis. The GENIUS framework is able to transform multi-omics data into images with genes displayed as spatially connected pixels and successfully extract relevant information with respect to the desired output. We demonstrate the utility of GENIUS by applying the framework to multi-omics datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas. Our results are focused on predicting the development of metastatic cancer from primary tumors, and demonstrate how through model inference, we are able to extract the genes which are driving the model prediction and are likely associated with metastatic disease progression. We anticipate our framework to be a starting point and strong proof of concept for multi-omics data transformation and analysis without the need for statistical correction.
Coupling of Slack and NaV1.6 sensitizes Slack to quinidine blockade and guides anti-seizure strategy development
Authors: Yuan Tian , Wang Yifan , Jin Yuchen , Yang Hui , Xu Shuai , Zhang Heng , Chen Qian , Li Na , Ma Xinyue , Song Huifang , Peng Chao , Geng Ze , Dong Jie , Duan Guifang , Sun Qi , Yang Yang , Yang Fan , Huang Zhuo
Published: May 2023

Quinidine has been used as an anticonvulsant to treat patients with KCNT1-related epilepsy by targeting gain-of-function KCNT1 pathogenic mutant variants. However, the detailed mechanism underlying quinidine’s blockade against KCNT1 (Slack) remains elusive. Here, we report a functional and physical coupling of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.6 and Slack. NaV1.6 binds to and highly sensitizes Slack to quinidine blockade. Homozygous knockout of NaV1.6 reduces the sensitivity of native sodium-activated potassium currents to quinidine blockade. NaV1.6-mediated sensitization requires the involvement of NaV1.6’s N- and C-termini binding to Slack’s C-terminus and is enhanced by transient sodium influx through NaV1.6. Moreover, disrupting the Slack-NaV1.6 interaction by viral expression of Slack’s C-terminus can protect against SlackG269S-induced seizures in mice. These insights about a Slack-NaV1.6 complex challenge the traditional view of ‘Slack as an isolated target’ for anti-epileptic drug discovery efforts and can guide the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for KCNT1-related epilepsy.
Somatotopic organization among parallel sensory pathways that promote a grooming sequence in Drosophila
Authors: Eichler Katharina , Hampel Stefanie , Alejandro-García Adrián , Calle-Schuler Steven A , Santana-Cruz Alexis , Kmecova Lucia , Blagburn Jonathan M , Hoopfer Eric D , Seeds Andrew M
Published: May 2023

Mechanosensory neurons located across the body surface respond to tactile stimuli and elicit diverse behavioral responses, from relatively simple stimulus location-aimed movements to complex movement sequences. How mechanosensory neurons and their postsynaptic circuits influence such diverse behaviors remains unclear. We previously discovered that Drosophila perform a body location-prioritized grooming sequence when mechanosensory neurons at different locations on the head and body are simultaneously stimulated by dust (Hampel et al., 2017; Seeds et al., 2014). Here, we identify nearly all mechanosensory neurons on the Drosophila head that individually elicit aimed grooming of specific head locations, while collectively eliciting a whole head grooming sequence. Different tracing methods were used to reconstruct the projections of these neurons from different locations on the head to their distinct arborizations in the brain. This provides the first synaptic resolution somatotopic map of a head, and defines the parallel-projecting mechanosensory pathways that elicit head grooming.
A generative model of electrophysiological brain responses to stimulation
Authors: Vidaurre Diego
Published: May 2023

Each brain response to a stimulus is, to a large extent, unique. However this variability, our perceptual experience feels stable. Standard decoding models, which utilise information across several areas to tap into stimuli representation and processing, are fundamentally based on averages. Therefore, they can focus precisely on the features that are most stable across stimulus presentations. But which are these features exactly is difficult to address in the absence of a generative model of the signal. Here, I introduce genephys, a generative model of brain responses to stimulation publicly available as a Python package that, when confronted with a decoding algorithm, can reproduce the structured patterns of decoding accuracy that we observe in real data. Using this approach, I characterise how these patterns may be brought about by the different aspects of the signal, which in turn may translate into distinct putative neural mechanisms. In particular, the model shows that the features in the data that support successful decoding—and, therefore, likely reflect stable mechanisms of stimulus representation—have an oscillatory component that spans multiple channels, frequencies, and latencies of response; and an additive, slower response with a specific (cross-frequency) relation to the phase of the oscillatory component. At the individual trial level, still, responses are found to be highly variable, which can be due to various factors including phase noise and probabilistic activations.
Mechanism of stepwise electron transfer in six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate (STEAP) 1 and 2
Authors: Chen Kehan , Wang Lie , Shen Jiemin , Tsai Ah-Lim , Zhou Ming , Wu Gang
Published: May 2023

Six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate (STEAP) 1–4 are membrane-embedded hemoproteins that chelate a heme prosthetic group in a transmembrane domain (TMD). STEAP2–4, but not STEAP1, have an intracellular oxidoreductase domain (OxRD) and can mediate cross-membrane electron transfer from NADPH via FAD and heme. However, it is unknown whether STEAP1 can establish a physiologically relevant electron transfer chain. Here, we show that STEAP1 can be reduced by reduced FAD or soluble cytochrome b5 reductase that serves as a surrogate OxRD, providing the first evidence that STEAP1 can support a cross-membrane electron transfer chain. It is not clear whether FAD, which relays electrons from NADPH in OxRD to heme in TMD, remains constantly bound to the STEAPs. We found that FAD reduced by STEAP2 can be utilized by STEAP1, suggesting that FAD is diffusible rather than staying bound to STEAP2. We determined the structure of human STEAP2 in complex with NADP+ and FAD to an overall resolution of 3.2 Å by cryo-electron microscopy and found that the two cofactors bind STEAP2 similarly as in STEAP4, suggesting that a diffusible FAD is a general feature of the electron transfer mechanism in the STEAPs. We also demonstrated that STEAP2 reduces ferric nitrilotriacetic acid (Fe3+-NTA) significantly slower than STEAP1 and proposed that the slower reduction is due to the poor Fe3+-NTA binding to the highly flexible extracellular region in STEAP2. These results establish a solid foundation for understanding the function and mechanisms of the STEAPs.
Disulfide bridge-dependent dimerization triggers FGF2 membrane translocation into the extracellular space
Authors: Lolicato Fabio , Steringer Julia P , Saleppico Roberto , Beyer Daniel , Fernandez-Sobaberas Jaime , Unger Sebastian , Klein Steffen , Riegerová Petra , Wegehingel Sabine , Müller Hans-Michael , Schmitt Xiao J , Kaptan Shreyas , Freund Christian , Hof Martin , Šachl Radek , Chlanda Petr , Vattulainen Ilpo , Nickel Walter
Published: May 2023

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) exits cells by direct translocation across the plasma membrane, a type I pathway of unconventional protein secretion. This process is initiated by phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2)-dependent formation of highly dynamic FGF2 oligomers at the inner plasma membrane leaflet, inducing the formation of lipidic membrane pores. Cell surface heparan sulfate chains linked to glypican-1 (GPC1) capture FGF2 at the outer plasma membrane leaflet, completing FGF2 membrane translocation into the extracellular space. While the basic steps of this pathway are well understood, the molecular mechanism by which FGF2 oligomerizes on membrane surfaces remains unclear. In the current study, we demonstrate the initial step of this process to depend on C95-C95 disulfide-bridge-mediated FGF2 dimerization on membrane surfaces, producing the building blocks for higher FGF2 oligomers that drive the formation of membrane pores. We find FGF2 with a C95A substitution to be defective in oligomerization, pore formation, and membrane translocation. Consistently, we demonstrate a C95A variant of FGF2 to be characterized by a severe secretion phenotype. By contrast, while also important for efficient FGF2 secretion from cells, a second cysteine residue on the molecular surface of FGF2 (C77) is not involved in FGF2 oligomerization. Rather, we find C77 to be part of the interaction interface through which FGF2 binds to the α1 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase, the landing platform for FGF2 at the inner plasma membrane leaflet. Using cross-linking mass spectrometry, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations combined with a machine learning analysis and cryo-electron tomography, we propose a mechanism by which disulfide-bridged FGF2 dimers bind with high avidity to PI(4,5)P2 on membrane surfaces. We further propose a tight coupling between FGF2 secretion and the formation of ternary signaling complexes on cell surfaces, hypothesizing that C95-C95-bridged FGF2 dimers are functioning as the molecular units triggering autocrine and paracrine FGF2 signaling.
Estimating the Post-mortem Interval Using Black Larder Beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae): A Case Study of Cats Abandoned Indoors in Daegu, Korea
Authors: Baek In-Seong , Kim Na-Yeon , Moon Tae-Young , Kang Taemo , Choi Jinhyuk , Park Seong Hwan , Lee Kyunghyun , Kim Ah-Young , Park Sang-Hyun
Published: May 2023

Black larder beetles prefer to feed on decomposing animal bodies, particularly those that are dried. When conditions are dry and warm, these beetles often appear in large numbers on dried animal carcasses. In our case, the dried carcasses of several cats were found nearly skeletonized at a villa in Daegu Metropolitan City on July 13, 2022. There were very few empty pupae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) in the villa, but many adult black larder beetles, larvae, and larval cast skin (exuviae) (Dermestes haemorrhoidalis Küster) belonging to the family of larder beetles (Dermestidae) were found. We estimated the minimum post-mortem interval to be 44.5 days using temperature data from the nearest meteorological observatory and reported animal carcass decomposition and Dermestidae developmental rates. Police investigation confirmed that the cats were alive at least 3 months ago. Consequently, the neglected cats could not have been deceased in the villa for more than 3 months. As a result, the estimate closely matched the statement from the suspect.
Inadvertent Intrathecal Contrast Injection during Percutaneous Epidural Neuroplasty: Two Autopsy Cases
Authors: Baek Taehwa
Published: May 2023

Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN) is an interventional technique used to manage spinal pain. However, the procedure may lead to various complications, such as dural puncture and inadvertent intrathecal injection of contrast agents. Conventional autopsy techniques may have limitations in identifying these complications, but postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) scans may be helpful in this respect. The pseudosubarachnoid hemorrhage sign on a PMCT scan is an important finding that suggests an inadvertent intrathecal injection of a contrast agent during the procedure. Here, we report on two rare cases of intrathecal contrast injection that mimicked a subarachnoid hemorrhage after PEN. These rare cases should be considered during autopsies of PEN-related deaths, and a PMCT scan should always be performed prior to such autopsies.
Experimental Study on the Fire Property of Pure Polymers and Polymer Mixture Pellets
Authors: Kim Jung Yong , Min Su Gyeong , Kim Sung Chan
Published: May 2023

The present study conducted a series of fire tests using a cone calorimeter to understand the effects of pure polymers and polymer mixtures on fire properties. An initial fuel mass of 50 g in a 10-cm-diameter pan was placed on the load cell. Polystyrene, polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polystyrene-polyethylene mixture, and polystyrene-polymethylmethacrylate mixture was used as fuel. The fuel ignited using a pilot burner was allowed to burn freely. The fire properties of polymer mixtures, such as the mass loss rate, the effective heat of combustion, the CO yield rate, and the soot yield rate, did not depend on the mixture composition or fuel types, suggesting it is difficult to apply the statistically representative values of fire properties of the mixture. Therefore, quantitative measurements based on experiments and their database are necessary for reasonable fire analysis.
“También podemos tener finales felices”: recepción e interpretación de personajes LGTBIQ+ en series de televisión
Authors:   Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, España, Sánchez Soriano Juan José , García-Jiménez Leonarda ,   Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, España, Rodrigo-Alsina Miguel ,   Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, España
Published: May 2023

Ante la escasez de investigaciones sobre recepción, específicamente de aquellas realizadas con técnicas grupales, este estudio analiza la interpretación de la audiencia, tanto cisheterosexual como LGTBIQ+, sobre la representación de series actuales con personajes del colectivo. La metodología se basa en la realización de cuatro focus groups, dos con participantes LGTBIQ+ y dos con participantes cisheterosexuales, con preguntas basadas en un primer bloque sobre fragmentos de series con personajes LGTBIQ+, un segundo sobre representación e inclusión, y un tercero sobre identificación. El objetivo es detectar similitudes y diferencias en las interpretaciones de estos dos grupos. Los resultados muestran percepciones enfrentadas en diversas cuestiones. Así, entre otras conclusiones, mientras los participantes del colectivo manifiestan poder sentirse identificados con cualquier personaje, independientemente de su orientación sexual, los cisheterosexuales afirman no poder sentirse identificados con estos. Las conclusiones infieren que, a pesar de confirmar el paradigma de la audiencia activa en todos los grupos en cuestiones de sexualidad, hay una tendencia mayor a la crítica por parte del colectivo LGTBIQ+ y una mayor aceptación de los mensajes mediáticos por parte de los participantes cisheterosexuales.
Comunicación ambiental en México: entre la multidisciplina, la práctica y el conflicto socioambiental
Authors:   Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México, Aparicio Cid Raquel
Published: May 2023

A partir de una revisión bibliográfica sistematizada de la producción científica publicada entre 2000 y 2021, este artículo establece un panorama de la comunicación ambiental en México, para delinear una posible configuración de este campo. Con base en el análisis de 34 artículos, se describe el perfil del campo en el contexto actual, en función de los enfoques predominantes tanto en las prácticas profesionales observadas como en su investigación, las disciplinas de procedencia, objetivos y las características de los estudios. Los resultados muestran que la comunicación ambiental, como campo disciplinar, tiene escasos avances teóricos y metodológicos propios, y que está constituida de aportes de investigadores de la comunicación y las ciencias naturales, principalmente. Predominan las investigaciones enfocadas en el manejo mediático de los asuntos ambientales y los trabajos de otras disciplinas que observan la necesidad de incluir a la comunicación para abordar las distintas perspectivas y situaciones involucradas en las problemáticas socioambientales. Se observa una escasa reflexión sobre los paradigmas del ambientalismo contemporáneo y el rol de la comunicación en las cuestiones socioambientales, que permita una investigación pertinente al contexto nacional.
Fact-checkers iberoamericanos en Instagram: análisis de los posts con mayor interacción
Authors:   Universidade de Vigo, Pontevedra, España, Míguez-González María Isabel , Dafonte-Gómez Alberto ,   Universidade de Vigo, Pontevedra, España, Abuín-Penas Javier ,   Universidade de Vigo, Pontevedra, España
Published: May 2023

Las redes sociales son una de las herramientas más utilizadas por las entidades de fact-checking para difundir sus verificaciones. Aunque Instagram ha cobrado protagonismo y relevancia en los últimos años, no es el caso de los estudios sobre la actividad de los verificadores en esta red. En esta investigación se busca caracterizar la actividad de los fact-checkers iberoamericanos en Instagram considerando los contenidos que han generado una mayor ratio de interacción. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de carácter cuantitativo de los posteos con mayor interacción publicados durante el año 2021 por los fact-checkers pertenecientes a la International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), con una muestra resultante de 301 publicaciones. Los resultados muestran que el conjunto de los verificadores mantuvo una frecuencia de publicación bastante estable a lo largo del año; considerando la intencionalidad de los posteos, se observa que publicaron principalmente verificaciones (72,8%) y, de acuerdo con la temática, contenidos de tipo político (39,5%). Respecto del tema, las publicaciones sobre racismo son las que obtienen una mejor ratio de interacción (12%) mientras que, en cuanto al formato, el álbum alcanza una ratio sustancialmente superior a las imágenes o vídeos.
New indicators for commercial technical support development
Authors: Reis José Salvador da Motta , Neto Robertho Sebastião Peternelli , Espuny Ana Lígia Gil , De Barros José Glenio Medeiros , Sampaio Nilo Antonio de Souza , Barbosa Luís César Ferreira Motta
Published: May 2023

Quality management has been developing and its application is feasible not only in control rooms and production-related departments. New techniques and control tools have been developed to seek a better level of customer and stakeholder satisfaction. The work in question is a case study of the application of quality control tools, more specifically of two performance indicators, to measure the efficiency of the technical support service to the commercial team provided by a large company in the food industry. The analysis of the data obtained showed that the indicators evaluated were effective in this task and allowed us to see opportunities for improvement in the performance of the service provided.  From the results obtained and their analysis it was possible to verify that the proposed indicators are perfectly applicable, providing clear and objective answers, which allows for more precise decision making and focused on the company's objective.
Do descarte ao reaproveitamento do resíduo de estireno-butadieno (SBRr): produção de compostos de PA6/SBRr compatibilizados com SEBS-MA e reforçados com argila montmorilonita
Authors: Nogueira Jessika Andrade dos Santos , Luna Carlos Bruno Barreto , Medeiros Vanessa da Nóbrega , Wellen Renate Maria Ramos , De Melo João Baptista da Costa Agra , Araújo Edcleide Maria
Published: May 2023

O resíduo vulcanizado de estireno-butadieno (SBRr) proveniente da indústria de calçados foi reaproveitado como modificador de impacto de compostos à base de poliamida 6 (PA6). O copolímero SEBS-MA e a argila montmorilonita foram incorporados como aditivos de compatibilização e reforço, respectivamente. Os compostos foram processados em um misturador interno e moldados por injeção. As propriedades de reometria de torque, resistência ao impacto, resistência à tração, temperatura de deflexão térmica (HDT) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) foram avaliadas. O torque dos compostos aumentou em relação à PA6, especialmente quando 10% do SEBS-MA foi incorporado em PA6/SBRr, possivelmente devido ao maior nível de interação entre os componentes. A mistura PA6/SBRr/SEBS-MA apresentou valores expressivos na resistência ao impacto (124,2 J/m) e alongamento na ruptura (> 140%), com manutenção da HDT no mesmo nível da matriz de PA6. A morfologia obtida por MEV comprovou uma boa adesão interfacial e refinamento da fase dispersa, confirmando as boas propriedades mecânicas. Ao adicionar argila montmorilonita no sistema PA6/SBRr/SEBS-MA, o efeito mais proeminente foi para obtenção de alta HDT e, ao mesmo tempo, recuperação no módulo elástico e resistência à tração. Porém, houve deterioração da resistência ao impacto e alongamento na ruptura. Os resultados indicam potencial para o reaproveitamento do SBRr, visando a produção de compostos PA6/SBRr/SEBS-MA e PA6/SBRr/SEBS-MA/argila com propriedades sob medidas para aplicações específicas.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation and Intercropping Combine to Control Nematodes in Bananas
Authors: Mandou Marie Solange , Souleymanou Adamou , Chotangui Asafor Henry
Published: May 2023

Aims: To investigate the combined effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and intercropping on the control of the nematode Radopholus similis in banana.

Study Design: The study involved an experiment in which banana-banana monocrops alongside banana-groundnut and banana-sweet potato intercrops were inoculated with AMF Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL 41833 to control the nematode R. similis.

Place and Duration of Study: Centre Africain de Recherches sur les Bananiers et Plantains (CARBAP), from September 2016 to April 2017.

Methodology: An experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions (photoperiod 12 h. average temperature 24 - 28°C and 70 - 80% relative humidity) and R. irregularis were tested against R. similis with banana intercropped with either groundnut, sweet potato or banana itself. The plants were cultivated in boxes (30 x 15 x 10 cm) containing sterilized (2x1hour at 121°C) sand/coffee ash substrate (proportion 1:2 v/v), as an intercropping system with the following plant combinations: Banana-banana, banana-groundnut and banana-sweet potato. The experimental set-up was a completely randomized design comprising four treatments and six replicates: (1): Nematode (Nem), (2) AMF, (3) AMF + Nema and (4) control without nematode and without AMF. The ratio of banana: intercrop was 1:1 in the intercropping treatments. A total of 72 boxes was considered in the experimental set-up.

Results: AMF root colonization of banana was clearly affected by intercropping with about 25% increment observed in banana co-cultivated with groundnut or sweet potato compared to banana-banana combination. Positive effects of AMF expressed as an increase in banana biomass compared to the control treatment was observed in root fresh as well as shoot dry weights. However, the impact of AMF colonization in intercropping systems on R. similis did not confirm its bioprotective effect. Intercropping had a significant (P < .05) effect on R. similis and sweet potato has been shown to be more effective in controlling R. similis with 62% reduction compared to groundnut (24% reduction). Contrarily, banana plant growth decreased in the banana / sweet potato combination.

Conclusion: Findings in this study indicate that R. similis biological control in the banana intercropping system is more dependent on the intercrop species than on AMF.
Extracellular Synthesis of Fe-NPs by Bacteria/Biosurfactant, Kinetic Parameter and Reduction of Cr (VI) from Pollutant Samples
Authors: Swapna T. H. , Kumar P. Narendra , Khan Yahya , Reddy Gopal , Bee Hameeda
Published: May 2023

Hexavalent Cr is most toxic metal and hazardous compound worldwide. It is also considered to be cellular oxidizing pollutant causing damage, mutagenic and hematopoietic effects to living systems. Present work is focused on synthesis of zero valent iron nano particles (Fe-NPs) using Bacillus subtilis SHB 13, Achromobacter xylosoxidans SHB 204 and Surfactin and their application for Cr (VI) detoxification (100 ppm) in synthetic solutions and polluted sludge, sewage and soil samples about 90-100% reduction observed with above particles. Qualitative analysis, structural characterization of Fe-NPs, adsorption, and recovery of Cr (VI) were carried out using XRD, SEM and TEM. This work explains adsorption isotherm of Cr with iron nano particles (Fe- NPs), was best fitted with Langmuir model and it followed first order rate kinetic reaction. Microcosm studies were carried out using Fe-NPs in sludge, sewage and tannery samples and Cr (VI) was completely (100 %) removed within 72 h. In another microcosm experiment, bacteria were able to reduce (60-70 %) Cr (VI) from soils with and without moisture and glucose. In green house experiments both the bacteria were able to reduce Cr (VI) (65-90%) effectively from both polluted and non-polluted soil and there was increase in root length and shoot length of plant L. esculentum was observed and maximum plant biomass was observed with plants inoculated with SHB 204 and SHB 13.