bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep quality in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt
Authors: Ghoneim Adel H. A. , El-Gammal Mohamed S. , Ahmed Yasmeen R. , Gad Doaa M.
Published: January 2021

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes changes in sleep quality with accompanied nocturnal drops in oxygen saturation leading to cardiac dysrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, and more arousal. However, this sleep disturbance is an aspect of COPD that is still under evaluation. Therefore, this work is designed to detect sleep quality with type and frequency of sleep-related breathing disorders in stable COPD patients.

Results

This is a cross-sectional study that included 60 stable COPD patients. Full night polysomnographies were performed to all patients with assessment of their sleep quality and presence of sleep-disordered breathing. The studied patients were classified into two groups: group I (COPD with good sleep quality) and group II (COPD with poor sleep quality). The results revealed that the more severe the COPD degree, the worse the sleep quality parameters represented by sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and arousal index with a significant statistical difference (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a highly significant statistical difference was noticed regarding time spent in REM sleep among poor sleep quality patients with different grades of severity (P = 0.003). Additionally, obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome was the most frequent sleep-disordered breathing (65%), followed by nocturnal oxygen desaturation (17%) among poor quality sleeper.

Conclusion

Abnormal sleep quality is more common in moderate and severe COPD patients. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most frequent sleep-related breathing disorders among COPD patients. Increased BMI%, higher Berlin scores, and lower values of PaO2 and FOSQ-10 scores are strong predictors of poor sleep quality among COPD patients.
Large-offset P-wave traveltime in layered transversely isotropic media
Authors: Abedi Mohammad Mahdi , Pardo David
Published: January 2021

Large-offset seismic data processing, imaging, and velocity estimation require an accurate traveltime approximation over a wide range of offsets. In layered transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis, the accuracy of traditional traveltime approximations is limited to near offsets. We have developed a new traveltime approximation that maintains the accuracy of classic equations around the zero offset and exhibits the correct curvilinear asymptote at infinitely large offsets. Our approximation is based on the conventional acoustic assumption. Its equation incorporates six parameters. To define them, we use the Taylor series expansion of the exact traveltime around the zero offset and a new asymptotic series for the infinite offset. Our asymptotic equation indicates that the traveltime behavior at infinitely large offsets is dominated by the properties of the layer with the maximum horizontal velocity in the sequence. The parameters of our approximation depend on the effective zero-offset traveltime, the normal moveout velocity, the anellipticity, a new large-offset heterogeneity parameter, and the properties of the layer with the maximum horizontal velocity in the sequence. We have applied our traveltime approximation (1) to directly calculate traveltime and ray parameter at given offsets, as analytical forward modeling, and (2) to estimate the first four of the aforementioned parameters for the layers beneath a known high-velocity layer. Our large-offset heterogeneity parameter includes the layering effect on the reflections’ traveltime.
Pursuing Data Modernization in Cancer Surveillance by Developing a Cloud-Based Computing Platform: Real-Time Cancer Case Collection
Authors: Jones David E. , Alimi Temitope O. , Pordell Paran , Tangka Florence K. , Blumenthal Wendy , Jones Sandra F. , Rogers Joseph D. , Benard Vicki B. , Richardson Lisa C.
Published: January 2021

Cancer surveillance is a field focused on collection of data to evaluate the burden of cancer and apply public health strategies to prevent and control cancer in the community. A key challenge facing the cancer surveillance community is the number of manual tasks required to collect cancer surveillance data, thereby resulting in possible delays in analysis and use of the information. To modernize and automate cancer data collection and reporting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning, developing, and piloting a cancer surveillance cloud-based computing platform (CS-CBCP) with standardized electronic reporting from laboratories and health-care providers. With this system, automation of the cancer case collection process and access to real-time cancer case data can be achieved, which could not be done before. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the importance of continuity of operations plans, and the CS-CBCP has the potential to provide such a platform suitable for remote operations of central cancer registries.
Cost-Effectiveness of First-Line Versus Second-Line Use of Daratumumab in Older, Transplant-Ineligible Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Patel Kishan K. , Giri Smith , Parker Terri L. , Bar Noffar , Neparidze Natalia , Huntington Scott F.
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE

The MAIA trial found that addition of daratumumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DRd) significantly prolonged progression-free survival in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, compared with lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone (Rd). However, daratumumab is a costly treatment and is administered indefinitely until disease progression. Therefore, it is unclear whether it is cost-effective to use daratumumab in the first-line setting compared with reserving its use until later lines of therapy.

METHODS

We created a Markov model to compare healthcare costs and clinical outcomes of transplant-ineligible patients treated with daratumumab in the first-line setting compared with a strategy of reserving daratumumab until the second-line. We estimated transition probabilities from randomized trials using parametric survival modeling. Lifetime direct healthcare costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for first-line daratumumab versus second-line daratumumab from a US payer perspective.

RESULTS

First-line daratumumab was associated with an improvement of 0.52 QALYs and 0.66 discounted life-years compared with second-line daratumumab. While both treatment strategies were associated with considerable lifetime expenditures ($1,434,937 v $1,112,101 in US dollars), an incremental cost of $322,836 for first-line daratumumab led to an ICER of $618,018 per QALY. The cost of daratumumab would need to be decreased by 67% for first-line daratumumab to be cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000 per QALY.

CONCLUSION

Using daratumumab in the first-line setting for transplant-ineligible patients may not be cost-effective under current pricing. Delaying daratumumab until subsequent lines of therapy may be a reasonable strategy to limit healthcare costs without significantly compromising clinical outcomes. Mature overall survival data are necessary to more fully evaluate cost-effectiveness in this setting.
COVID-19 related calcific myositis cases
Authors: Tawfeeq Haseeba , Witham Fiona , Dulay Gurdeep S
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 related calcific myositis is a novel entity which is not well established in the literature to date. At Portsmouth, we encountered two cases during the initial peak of the pandemic that appeared to have similar clinico-radiological features. Our cases highlight the importance of COVID-19 calcific myopathy as a potential cause of prolonged shoulder and upper limb girdle symptoms.
Do various imaging modalities provide potential early detection and diagnosis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw? A review
Authors: Wongratwanich Pongsapak , Shimabukuro Kiichi , Konishi Masaru , Nagasaki Toshikazu , Ohtsuka Masahiko , Suei Yoshikazu , Nakamoto Takashi , Verdonschot Rinus G. , Kanesaki Tomohiko , Sutthiprapaporn Pipop , Kakimoto Naoya
Published: January 2021

Objective:

Patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) often visit their dentists at advanced stages and subsequently require treatments that greatly affect quality of life. Currently, no clear diagnostic criteria exist to assess MRONJ, and the definitive diagnosis solely relies on clinical bone exposure. This ambiguity leads to a diagnostic delay, complications, and unnecessary burden. This article aims to identify imaging modalities’ usage and findings of MRONJ to provide possible approaches for early detection.

Methods:

Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library to review all diagnostic imaging modalities for MRONJ.

Results:

Panoramic radiography offers a fundamental understanding of the lesions. Imaging findings were comparable between non-exposed and exposed MRONJ, showing osteolysis, osteosclerosis, and thickened lamina dura. Mandibular cortex index Class II could be a potential early MRONJ indicator. While three-dimensional modalities, CT and CBCT, were able to show more features unique to MRONJ such as a solid type periosteal reaction, buccal predominance of cortical perforation, and bone-within-bone appearance. MRI signal intensities of vital bones are hypointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI and STIR when necrotic bone shows hypointensity on all T1WI, T2WI, and STIR. Functional imaging is the most sensitive method but is usually performed in metastasis detection rather than being a diagnostic tool for early MRONJ.

Conclusion:

Currently, MRONJ-specific imaging features cannot be firmly established. However, the current data are valuable as it may lead to a more efficient diagnostic procedure along with a more suitable selection of imaging modalities.
rANOMALY: AmplicoN wOrkflow for Microbial community AnaLYsis
Authors: Theil Sebastien , Rifa Etienne
Published: January 2021

Bioinformatic tools for marker gene sequencing data analysis are continuously and rapidly evolving, thus integrating most recent techniques and tools is challenging. We present an R package for data analysis of 16S and ITS amplicons based sequencing. This workflow is based on several R functions and performs automatic treatments from fastq sequence files to diversity and differential analysis with statistical validation. The main purpose of this package is to automate bioinformatic analysis, ensure reproducibility between projects, and to be flexible enough to quickly integrate new bioinformatic tools or statistical methods. rANOMALY is an easy to install and customizable R package, that uses amplicon sequence variants (ASV) level for microbial community characterization. It integrates all assets of the latest bioinformatics methods, such as better sequence tracking, decontamination from control samples, use of multiple reference databases for taxonomic annotation, all main ecological analysis for which we propose advanced statistical tests, and a cross-validated differential analysis by four different methods. Our package produces ready to publish figures, and all of its outputs are made to be integrated in Rmarkdown code to produce automated reports.
Development of Learning Model of Youtube-Based Learning in Light Vehicle Electricity Maintenance Subject
Authors: Saputra Indra , Muchlas Muchlas , Achsan Bambang Nor
Published: January 2021

This study aims to develop a learning model of Youtube-Based Learning to facilitate the learning habits of digital-age students. This research used the research and development method. The research steps were analysis of potential and problems, data collection, product design, design validation, design revisions, limited implementation test, revisions, implementation tests, revisions, and mass production. Subject research was the students of class XI of Light Vehicle Engineering at SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Playen. Research data collection used closed questionnaire, open questionnaire, and integrated with interviews and observations. The data analysis technique used the effect size test. The results showed that the validity of Youtube-Based Learning included in the very feasible category to apply. The contribution given by Youtube-Based Learning on student learning outcomes was 58%. Other results showed that students and teachers gave positive responses to the learning model of Youtube-Based Learning.
Assessing Instructional Resources and Students' Self-Employment Readiness through Marketing Trade Subject in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Alao Olusegun Ezekiel , Onah Ngozi Faith
Published: January 2021

The challenges of youth unemployment and the need for a viable vocational and entrepreneurship education necessitated the introduction of trade/entrepreneurship subjects at senior secondary schools in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the availability and functionality of the recommended instructional resources and the self-employment readiness of students of Marketing Trade subject. The study answered three research questions and tested one research hypothesis. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised 1367 students and teachers of Marketing Trade subject in the selected public senior secondary schools in Education District IV of Lagos State, Nigeria. The sample of the study comprised 308 students and 9 available teachers of Marketing Trade subject randomly and purposively selected respectively from the population. The research instrument used was structured questionnaire. The Cronbach Alpha correlation coefficient used to determine the internal consistency of the research instrument yielded an average index of 0.88. The research questions and hypothesis data were analysed using bar-charts, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment of Correction statistical tools as appropriate. The findings show the recommended instructional resources were not adequately available and functioning in schools, and as a result, students lacked the self-efficacy and competences for self-employment readiness as marketers and entrepreneurs. It was therefore recommended that Government and other stakeholders should collaborate to provide necessary and adequate funding and instructional resources for the effective implementation of Marketing Trade subject in Nigeria.
COVID-19 and cosmetic dentistry: the ‘Zoom boom’
Authors: Norton Rachael
Published: January 2021

Rachael Norton is a dental nurse at Bow Lane Dental Group in the City of London. Here, she discusses the pandemic's impact on smile makeovers and how patients are considering the bigger picture when it comes to their dental care
One in a million
Authors: Cockcroft Barry
Published: January 2021

Barry Cockcroft explains the importance of fluoride in addressing oral health inequalities and why dental nurses should consider joining the British Fluoridation Society
Network propagation of rare variants in Alzheimer’s disease reveals tissue-specific hub genes and communities
Authors: Scelsi Marzia Antonella , Napolioni Valerio , Greicius Michael D. , Altmann Andre ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP)
Published: January 2021

State-of-the-art rare variant association testing methods aggregate the contribution of rare variants in biologically relevant genomic regions to boost statistical power. However, testing single genes separately does not consider the complex interaction landscape of genes, nor the downstream effects of non-synonymous variants on protein structure and function. Here we present the NETwork Propagation-based Assessment of Genetic Events (NETPAGE), an integrative approach aimed at investigating the biological pathways through which rare variation results in complex disease phenotypes. We applied NETPAGE to sporadic, late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), using whole-genome sequencing from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort, as well as whole-exome sequencing from the AD Sequencing Project (ADSP). NETPAGE is based on network propagation, a framework that models information flow on a graph and simulates the percolation of genetic variation through tissue-specific gene interaction networks. The result of network propagation is a set of smoothed gene scores that can be tested for association with disease status through sparse regression. The application of NETPAGE to AD enabled the identification of a set of connected genes whose smoothed variation profile was robustly associated to case-control status, based on gene interactions in the hippocampus. Additionally, smoothed scores significantly correlated with risk of conversion to AD in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) subjects. Lastly, we investigated tissue-specific transcriptional dysregulation of the core genes in two independent RNA-seq datasets, as well as significant enrichments in terms of gene sets with known connections to AD. We present a framework that enables enhanced genetic association testing for a wide range of traits, diseases, and sample sizes.
Exploring the influence of deforestation on dengue fever incidence in the Brazilian Amazonas state
Authors: Kalbus Alexandra , de Souza Sampaio Vanderson , Boenecke Juliane , Reintjes Ralf
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Dengue fever is the most prevalent arboviral disease in the Brazilian Amazon and places a major health, social and economic burden on the region. Its association with deforestation is largely unknown, yet the clearing of tropical rainforests has been linked to the emergence of several infectious diseases, including yellow fever and malaria. This study aimed to explore potential drivers of dengue emergence in the Brazilian Amazon with a focus on deforestation.

Methods

An ecological study design using municipality-level secondary data from the Amazonas state between 2007 and 2017 (reported rural dengue cases, incremental deforestation, socioeconomic characteristics, healthcare and climate factors) was employed. Data were transformed according to the year with the most considerable deforestation. Associations were explored using bivariate analysis and a multivariate generalised linear model.

Results

During the study period 2007–2017, both dengue incidence and deforestation increased. Bivariate analysis revealed increased incidences for some years after deforestation (e.g. mean difference between dengue incidence before and three years after deforestation was 55.47 cases per 100,000, p = 0.002), however, there was no association between the extent of deforestation and dengue incidence. Using a negative binomial regression model adjusted for socioeconomic, climate and healthcare factors, deforestation was not found to be related to dengue incidence. Access to healthcare was found to be the only significant predictor of dengue incidence.

Discussion

Previous research has shown that deforestation facilitates the emergence of vector-borne diseases. However, no significant dose-response relationships between dengue incidence and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazonas state were found in this study. The finding that access to healthcare was the only significant predictor of dengue incidence suggests that incidence may be more dependent on surveillance than transmission. Further research and public attention are needed to better understand environmental effects on human health and to preserve the world’s largest rainforest.
CX3CR1 is a prerequisite for the development of cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction in mice upon transverse aortic constriction
Authors: Weisheit Christina Katharina , Kleiner Jan Lukas , Rodrigo Maria Belen , Niepmann Sven Thomas , Zimmer Sebastian , Duerr Georg Daniel , Coburn Mark , Kurts Christian , Frede Stilla , Eichhorn Lars
Published: January 2021

The CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis mediates recruitment and extravasation of CX3CR1-expressing subsets of leukocytes and plays a pivotal role in the inflammation-driven pathology of cardiovascular disease. The cardiac immune response differs depending on the underlying causes. This suggests that for the development of successful immunomodulatory therapy in heart failure due to chronic pressure overload induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, the underlying immune patterns must be examined. Here, the authors demonstrate that Fraktalkine-receptor CX3CR1 is a prerequisite for the development of cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction in a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC). The comparison of C57BL/6 mice with CX3CR1 deficient mice displayed reduced LV hypertrophy and preserved cardiac function in response to pressure overload in mice lacking CX3CR1. Moreover, the normal immune response following TAC induced pressure overload which is dominated by Ly6Clow macrophages changed to an early pro-inflammatory immune response driven by neutrophils, Ly6Chigh macrophages and altered cytokine expression pattern in CX3CR1 deficient mice. In this early inflammatory phase of LV hypertrophy Ly6Chigh monocytes infiltrated the heart in response to a C-C chemokine ligand 2 burst. CX3CR1 expression impacts the immune response in the development of LV hypertrophy and its absence has clear cardioprotective effects. Hence, suppression of CX3CR1 may be an important immunomodulatory therapeutic target to ameliorate pressure-overload induced heart failure.
Circulation of hepatitis delta virus and occult hepatitis B virus infection amongst HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Korle-Bu, Ghana
Authors: Attiku Keren , Bonney Joseph , Agbosu Esinam , Bonney Evelyn , Puplampu Peter , Ganu Vincent , Odoom John , Aboagye James , Mensah John , Agyemang Seth , Awuku-Larbi Yaw , Arjarquah Augustina , Mawuli Gifty , Quaye Osbourne
Published: January 2021

Background

Within HIV/HBV infected patients, an increase in HDV infection has been observed; there is inadequate information on HDV prevalence as well as virologic profile in Ghana. This study sought to determine the presence of HDV in HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Ghana.

Methods

This was a longitudinal purposive study which enrolled 113 HIV/HBV co-infected patients attending clinic at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. After consenting, 5 mL whole blood was collected at two-time points (baseline and 4–6 months afterwards). The sera obtained were tested to confirm the presence of HIV, HBV antibodies and/or antigens, and HBV DNA. Antibodies and viral RNA were also determined for HDV. Amplified HBV DNA and HDV RNA were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis carried out with reference sequences from the GenBank to establish the genotypes.

Results

Of the 113 samples tested 63 (55.7%) were females and 50 (44.25%) were males with a median age of 45 years. A total of 100 (88.5%) samples had detectable HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and 32 out of the 113 had detectable HBV DNA. Nucleotide sequences were obtained for 15 and 2 samples of HBV and HDV, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was predominantly genotype E for the HBVs and genotype 1 for the HDVs. Of the 13 samples that were HBsAg unreactive, 4 (30.8%) had detectable HBV DNA suggesting the incidence of occult HBV infections. The percentage occurrence of HDV in this study was observed to be 3.54.

Conclusion

Our data suggest the presence and circulation of HDV and incidence of occult HBV infection in HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Ghana. This informs health staff and makes it imperative to look out for the presence of HDV and occult HBV in HIV/HBV co-infected patients presenting with potential risk of liver cancers and HBV transmission through haemodialysis and blood transfusions.
“As young men we have a role to play in preventing sexual violence”: Development and relevance of the men with conscience intervention to prevent sexual violence
Authors: de Villiers Tania , Duma Sinegugu , Abrahams Naeemah
Published: January 2021

Sexual violence against women and girls is a major public health problem globally and in South Africa. Although young men have been identified as an important risk group for prevention interventions, scant attention have been given to this age cohort in low and middle-income countries. There is strong evidence that perpetration starts early and increasing attention is being drawn to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as settings for prevention interventions. The main objective of this study was to adapt the One Man Can Intervention for use with male university students in residences and develop materials for implementation. This paper presents the qualitative findings of the adaptation process of the One Man Can Intervention with 15 young male student leaders at a HEI in South Africa. The same participants who started in the study, participated throughout. Only five of the 15 participants were located and participated in the interviews six months post intervention. The results show the emergence of a six-hour session adapted intervention that addresses key drivers of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Critical engagement and dialogue on sexual violence is shown to shift key norms on gender equality, on being a man and reflection on their role in preventing sexual violence. This paper contributes to the field where much learning, refining and improvement of prevention interventions for VAWG are ongoing.
Personality types revisited–a literature-informed and data-driven approach to an integration of prototypical and dimensional constructs of personality description
Authors: Kerber André , Roth Marcus , Herzberg Philipp Yorck
Published: January 2021

A new algorithmic approach to personality prototyping based on Big Five traits was applied to a large representative and longitudinal German dataset (N = 22,820) including behavior, personality and health correlates. We applied three different clustering techniques, latent profile analysis, the k-means method and spectral clustering algorithms. The resulting cluster centers, i.e. the personality prototypes, were evaluated using a large number of internal and external validity criteria including health, locus of control, self-esteem, impulsivity, risk-taking and wellbeing. The best-fitting prototypical personality profiles were labeled according to their Euclidean distances to averaged personality type profiles identified in a review of previous studies on personality types. This procedure yielded a five-cluster solution: resilient, overcontroller, undercontroller, reserved and vulnerable-resilient. Reliability and construct validity could be confirmed. We discuss wether personality types could comprise a bridge between personality and clinical psychology as well as between developmental psychology and resilience research.
First approach to the population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in the indigenous population in Puerto Nariño-Amazonas, Colombia
Authors: Marín Alejandro Vega , Rastogi Nalin , Couvin David , Mape Viviana , Murcia Martha Isabel
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Tuberculosis affects vulnerable groups to a greater degree, indigenous population among them.

Objective

To determine molecular epidemiology of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis circulating in an indigenous population through Spoligotyping and 24-loci MIRU-VNTR.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 23 indigenous communities of Puerto Nariño-Amazonas, Colombia. Recovered clinical isolates were genotyped. For genotyping analyzes global SITVIT2 database and the MIRU-VNTRplus web portal were used.

Results

74 clinical isolates were recovered. Genotyping of clinical isolates by spoligotyping determined 5 different genotypes, all of them belonged to Euro-American lineage. By MIRU-VNTR typing, a total of 14 different genotypes were recorded. Furthermore, polyclonal infection was found in two patients from the same community. The combination of the two methodologies determined the presence of 19 genotypes, 8 formed clusters with 63 clinical isolates in total. Based on epidemiological information, it was possible to establish a potential chain of active transmission in 10/63 (15.9%) patients.

Conclusions

High genomic homogeneity was determined in the indigenous population suggesting possible chains of active transmission. The results obtained showed that specific genotypes circulating among the indigenous population of Colombia are significantly different from those found in the general population.
Extending the MaqFACS to measure facial movement in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) reveals a wide repertoire potential
Authors: Correia-Caeiro Catia , Holmes Kathryn , Miyabe-Nishiwaki Takako
Published: January 2021

Facial expressions are complex and subtle signals, central for communication and emotion in social mammals. Traditionally, facial expressions have been classified as a whole, disregarding small but relevant differences in displays. Even with the same morphological configuration different information can be conveyed depending on the species. Due to a hardwired processing of faces in the human brain, humans are quick to attribute emotion, but have difficulty in registering facial movement units. The well-known human FACS (Facial Action Coding System) is the gold standard for objectively measuring facial expressions, and can be adapted through anatomical investigation and functional homologies for cross-species systematic comparisons. Here we aimed at developing a FACS for Japanese macaques, following established FACS methodology: first, we considered the species’ muscular facial plan; second, we ascertained functional homologies with other primate species; and finally, we categorised each independent facial movement into Action Units (AUs). Due to similarities in the rhesus and Japanese macaques’ facial musculature, the MaqFACS (previously developed for rhesus macaques) was used as a basis to extend the FACS tool to Japanese macaques, while highlighting the morphological and appearance changes differences between the two species. We documented 19 AUs, 15 Action Descriptors (ADs) and 3 Ear Action Units (EAUs) in Japanese macaques, with all movements of MaqFACS found in Japanese macaques. New movements were also observed, indicating a slightly larger repertoire than in rhesus or Barbary macaques. Our work reported here of the MaqFACS extension for Japanese macaques, when used together with the MaqFACS, comprises a valuable objective tool for the systematic and standardised analysis of facial expressions in Japanese macaques. The MaqFACS extension for Japanese macaques will now allow the investigation of the evolution of communication and emotion in primates, as well as contribute to improving the welfare of individuals, particularly in captivity and laboratory settings.
Histologic factors associated with nintedanib efficacy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Nemoto Masahiro , Zaizen Yoshiaki , Kataoka Kensuke , Kuroda Kishio , Tabata Kazuhiro , Bychkov Andrey , Sumikawa Hiromitsu , Johkoh Takeshi , Aoshima Masahiro , Kondoh Yasuhiro , Fukuoka Junya
Published: January 2021

Background

Histopathologic factors predictive of nintedanib efficacy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have not been studied. We aimed to describe the characteristics, focusing on histopathology, of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients who did and did not respond to nintedanib.

Methods

This study retrospectively examined the clinicoradiopathologic features of 40 consecutive patients with surgical lung biopsy-confirmed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with nintedanib. Additionally, we compared the histopathologic scoring of 21 microscopic features between patients with functional or radiological progression and those with non-progression during 12 months of treatment.

Results

The histopathologic evaluation showed edematous changes in the interlobular septum as the only histologic finding observed more frequently in patients with both functional and radiological progression than in those without (58% vs. 14%, P = 0.007 and 50% vs. 0%, P = 0.003, respectively). Regarding per-year change, patients with edematous changes in the interlobular septum showed greater progression in median changes in spared area (-12%, interquartile range: [-25%–-5%], vs. -3% [-7%–0%], P = 0.004) and reticular shadow (7% [3%–13%], vs. 0% [0%–5%], P = 0.041) on computed tomography. Functional and radiological progression-free survival were shorter in patients with edematous changes in the interlobular septum than in those without (6.6 months, 95% confidence interval: [5.9–25.3], vs. event <50%, [12.1–Not available], P = 0.0009, and 6.1 months, [5.2–6.6] vs. 14.5 months [7.8–not available], P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Edematous changes in the interlobular septum may indicate poor nintedanib efficacy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and address the mechanism behind ECIS.
Impact of different management measures on the colonization of broiler chickens with ESBL- and pAmpC- producing Escherichia coli in an experimental seeder-bird model
Authors: Robé Caroline , Daehre Katrin , Merle Roswitha , Friese Anika , Guenther Sebastian , Roesler Uwe
Published: January 2021

The colonization of broilers with extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase- (pAmpC-) producing Enterobacteriaceae has been extensively studied. However, only limited data on intervention strategies to reduce the colonization throughout the fattening period are available. To investigate practically relevant management measures for their potential to reduce colonization, a recently published seeder-bird colonization model was used. Groups of 90 broilers (breed Ross 308) were housed in pens under conventional conditions (stocking of 39 kg/m2, no enrichment, water and feed ad libitum). Tested measures were investigated in separate trials and included (I) an increased amount of litter in the pen, (II) the reduction of stocking density to 25 kg/m2, and (III) the use of an alternative broiler breed (Rowan x Ranger). One-fifth of ESBL- and pAmpC- negative broilers (n = 18) per group were orally co-inoculated with two E. coli strains on the third day of the trial (seeder). One CTX-M-15-positive E. coli strain (ST410) and one CMY-2 and mcr-1-positive E. coli strain (ST10) were simultaneously administered in a dosage of 102 cfu. Colonization of all seeders and 28 non-inoculated broilers (sentinel) was assessed via cloacal swabs during the trials and a final necropsy at a target weight of two kilograms (= d 36 (control, I-II), d 47 (III)). None of the applied intervention measures reduced the colonization of the broilers with both the ESBL- and the pAmpC- producing E. coli strains. A strain-dependent reduction of colonization for the ESBL- producing E. coli strain of ST410 by 2 log units was apparent by the reduction of stocking density to 25 kg/m2. Consequently, the tested management measures had a negligible effect on the ESBL- and pAmpC- colonization of broilers. Therefore, intervention strategies should focus on the prevention of ESBL- and pAmpC- colonization, rather than an attempt to reduce an already existing colonization.
Enhancement Of Yield, Starch, And Amylose Content Of Two Indonesian Cassava Genotypes By Producing Gamma Irradiated-Induced Mutants
Authors: Sudarmonowati Enny , Hartati N Sri , Supatmi Supatmi
Published: January 2021

As an important carbohydrate-source food crop and raw materials of starch-based industries,  accelerated cassava breeding has been extensively pursued through various procedures, among others, is mutant induction using gamma irradiation combined with molecular marker. Iding, a local genotype cassava has been compared with a national variety Adira 4 for its yield attributes following gamma irradiation at various dose levels ( 2, 20, 30, and 50 krad). The mutation rate was conducted based on morphological characteristics and identification using RAPD by employing random primer OPB-10. Evaluation was conducted on mutant lines producing high potential yield,  high starch and amylose contents. The fourth generation of irradiated Adira 4 (2 and 30 krad) and Iding (2 krad) exhibited higher yield and amylose content as compared to their representative controls. The yield of 30 krad irradiated Adira 4 indicated by mean tuber weight per individual could reach more than twice of that of control and almost 1.5 times of that irradiated with 2 krad. The levels of amylose content of all irradiated ones, regardless of genotypes and gamma irradiation doses  (2 and 30 krad) were higher than that of control. In most parameters, irradiated Adira 4 was superior to irradiated Iding.
Kompetenciafejlesztés és vezetési kultúra egy ügyfélszolgálati esetpélda tükrében
Authors: Forgács Attila , Jekli Tünde
Published: January 2021

Világméretű és megoldatlan munkaügyi problémát jelent a 285 millió látássérült foglalkoztatása. A kutatások a vak munkaerő alkalmazásának előnyeit hangsúlyozzák, szemérmesen kerülik az alulfoglalkoztatás okainak (a munkaadók racionális és irracionális félelmeinek) feltárását. A szerzők kutatásukban a vakok munkaerő-piaci esélyeit, erényeit és deficitjeit a velük kapcsolatos kollektív tapasztalatok fényében tárták fel 40 személyt felölelő, Osgood-féle szemantikus differenciál alkalmazásával. A megkérdezettek a vakoknak diszkréten csak a zárkózottságot és a gátlásosságot róják fel negatív tulajdonságként. A siketekhez képest leginkább konatív deficiteket észlelnek: félénkség, lassúság és a talpraesettség hiánya. Az egészségesekhez viszonyítva affektív és konatív deficiteket fogalmaznak meg. Affektív szinten alig akad olyan tulajdonság, amire pozicionálni lehetne egy látássérültet. Kivételt képez ez alól az együttérző képességük. Kognitív szinten a tapintatosság és megbízhatóság dimenzióiban emelkednek ki. Konatív szinten a fegyelmezettségben, a figyelmességben és a körültekintésben van munkaerő-piaci előnyük. A tréningek során azok a tulajdonságaik korrigálandók, melyekben az egészségesekhez képest deficit érzékelhető: zárkózottság, önállótlanság, gátlásosság, félénkség, lassúság, problémásság, humortalanság. Munkaerő-piaci előnyt szerezhetnek azok a látássérültek, akik az állásinterjú során enyhíteni tudják ezeket a sztereotípiákat és félelmeket.
OTANTİK LİDERLİĞİN İŞE YABANCILAŞMAYA ETKİSİ VE LİDER-ÜYE ETKİLEŞİMİNİN BU İLİŞKİDEKİ DÜZENLEYİCİ ROLÜ
Authors: ÇİÇEK Berat , TÜRKMENOĞLU Mehmet Ali
Published: January 2021

Bu araştırmanın amacı, otantik liderliğin işe yabancılaşmaya olan etkisini ve lider-üye etkileşimin bu ilişkideki düzenleyici rolünün incelenmesidir. İşe yabancılaşma sorunu uzun yıllardır düşünürlerin ve araştırmacıların kafa yorduğu ve çözmeye çalıştığı bir olgudur. Bazı çalışmalar iş yabancılaşmanın sebep ve sonuçlarını incelerken, bazıları da aracı ve düzenleyici rollerini araştırmışlar. Bu çalışma açıklık, şeffaflık ve dürüstlüğü önceleyen liderlik teorilerinden otantik liderliğin işe yabancılaşmadaki etkisini anlayamaya çalışmaktadır. Bu ilişki incelenirken, lider ile üyelerin ilişkisinin niteliğini tarif eden lider-üye etkileşiminin düzenleyici rolüne bakılmaktadır. Doğu ve Güneydoğu Anadolu bölgesinden 394 çalışan ile yürütülen bu çalışmada nicel araştırma yaklaşımı benimsenmiştir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda otantik liderliğin alt boyutlarının tümünün işe yabancılaşma üzerinde negatif yönlü bir etkiye sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca lider üye etkileşiminin otantik liderliğin alt boyutlarından ilişkilerde şeffaflık ile öz farkındalığın işe yabancılaşma üzerindeki etkisini düzenlediği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Quality of Nursing Care in Saudi Arabia: Are Empathy, Advocacy, and Caring Important Attributes for Nurses?
Authors: Alsufyani Abdulaziz M. , Aldawsari Abdulaziz A. , Aljuaid Sayer M. , Almalki Khalid E. , Alsufyani Yasir M.
Published: January 2021

Background: The examination of the literature indicates that practicing nurses are barely engaged in developing enhancement programs for quality nursing care. There are numerous studies on the value of nursing care, but none offers ways of assessing the value of care provided by nurses. Identifying the essence of quality nursing care can facilitate effective enhancement approaches. It was prudent to explore the relationship between advocacy, caring, and empathy in delivering quality nursing care.Purpose: This study aimed to comprehend the views of Saudi Arabian nurses on how empathy, advocacy, and caring act as measurements of quality of nursing care.Methods: A qualitative investigative, descriptive design was used to explore the advocacy, empathy, and caring from the viewpoints of practicing nurses. Twenty-one general and specialized medical care nurses from King Saud Medical City in Saudi Arabia were recruited through purposive sampling. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews that were recorded, written out, and subjected to thematic analysis.Results: The findings have led to the establishment of quality Saudi nursing care with the identification of core themes: empathy, advocacy, and caring. The findings of this study elevate the understanding of the quality of nursing care in the Saudi context.Conclusion: The participants aver that patient advocacy, empathy, and care are parts of the characteristics of nursing profession. These characteristics aid in listening and comprehending patients’ perspectives. Following the findings, it is suggested to provide training to the nurses to overcome the challenges faced by nurses in reflecting empathy.
The Improvement of Electric Power Losses Using Bank Capacitor and Tap Changer With Shark Smell Algorithm
Authors: Sumarno Radiktyo Nindyo , Handoko Susatyo , Facta Mochammad
Published: January 2021

One way to optimize the transmission line is to reduce electrical power losses. Tap changers on power transformers and bank capacitors can be used to regulate the system voltage resulting in lower power losses in the transmission line. Determining the value of tap settings and bank capacitors in the planning process is challenging to do with certainty. It is generally carried out through a trial and error mechanism using the power flow method. Since the determination of tap settings and bank capacitors values is difficult to do with certainty, this research was carried out with optimization with the shark smell algorithm. Such optimization aims to get a more appropriate tap changer and capacitor bank change values on the IEEE 30-bus system. In this study, several optimizations were carried out, namely optimization of tap settings, optimization of bank capacitors, and tap setting optimization combined with bank capacitors' optimization. Conducting tap setting optimization, we obtained an active power loss of 0.65% from the condition without optimization. In optimizing bank capacitors, we reduce active power losses of 0.90% compared to conditions without optimization. In optimizing the combination of tap setting and bank capacitors, the active power losses are reduced by 1.23%. Comparing the results of all these optimizations shows that the combination of bank tap setting and capacitor optimization is obtained by reducing the most active power losses. In this study, the reduction of active power losses resulted in 217.2 kW. The results show that the Shark Smell algorithm can provide better optimization results of 1.23% compared to conditions without optimization based on the test value.
A Meta-Analysis of Single-Case Research Designs on AAC Training Using Aided AAC symbols for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Park Eun-Young , Chae Soojung ,   Korean Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this meta-analysis of single-case studies is to examine the research trends, characteristics, and effect size on aided AAC training for students with autism spectrum disorders. Methods: The final 13 papers were selected according to the selection and exclusion criteria by investigating the aided AAC training studies published on specialized academic search sites in Korea. Papers selected for each major variable were summarized and their characteristics were examined, and the mediation result value was coded after using a Digitizelt program. In addition, the quality level was evaluated according to the WWC's single-case research design standards. The Tau-U value was derived for the effect size, and Mann-Whitney U and Kruskall-Wallis tests were performed for the analysis of the control variables. Results: Aided AAC training for students with autism spectrum disorders demonstrated the effectiveness of intervention by showing a medium or higher effect size in acquiring communication behaviors, and analyzed by school level, symbol type, mediator, AAC type and preference evaluation of participants. The results also showed a medium or larger effect size, but there was no difference statistically between variables. Conclusion: Along with the discussion of these results, limitations of this study and suggestions for subsequent studies were presented.
CHİA (Salvia hispanica L.) İLAVESİNİN DONDURMANIN FİZİKOKİMYASAL VE DUYUSAL ÖZELLİKLERİNE ETKİSİ
Authors: ÜRKEK Bayram , GÜRMERİÇ Hüseyin Ender , ŞENGÜL Mustafa
Published: January 2021

Bu çalışmada, %5, %10, %15 ve %20 oranlarında Chia tohumu (Salvia hispanica L.) ilave edilerek üretilen dondurma örneklerinin fizikokimyasal ve duyusal özellikleri araştırılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, dondurma örneklerinin %kuru madde, %kül, %protein ve ilk damlama zamanı değerleri chia tohumu konsantrasyonundaki artışa bağlı olarak yükselirken, %yağ, pH ve erime oranı değerlerinin düştüğü belirlenmiştir. Dondurma örneklerinin viskozite değerleri artan chia tohumu oranına bağlı olarak yükselmiştir. Chia tohumu ilavesi dondurma örneklerinin kolorimetrik özellikleri üzerinde önemli değişiklilere neden olduğu ve L* ve beyazlık indeksi değerlerinin yükselen chia tohumu konsantrasyonu ile düştüğü tespit edilmiştir. Panelistler tarafından en yüksek duyusal puanlar kontrol örneğine verilmiştir. %5 chia tohumu ilaveli örnekler renk ve görünüş, sakısımızsı yapı ve genel kabul edilebilirlik bakımından istatistiksel olarak diğer chia içeren örneklerden daha yüksek puanlara sahip olduğu ortaya konulmuştur. Sonuç olarak, %5 oranında chia tohumu ilavesinin dondurmanın fizikokimyasal özelliklerini iyileştirmek ve aynı zamanda besleyici değerini artırmak için doğal bir kaynak olarak kullanılabileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.
Definiendo y teorizando el significado de comunidad de lugar en la era de la globalización
Authors: Perez-Sindin Lopez Xaquin
Published: January 2021

A pesar de tratarse de la típica palabra que, al igual que democracia, cultura o desarrollo, es fácilmente inteligible cuando es utilizada en el lenguaje cotidiano; la definición de comunidad en el seno de las ciencias sociales contempla algunas dificultades. El objetivo de este capítulo es el de hacer un breve recorrido por la evolución teórica de la palabra concepto “comunidad” en el discurso de la sociología, así como reflexionar sobre su significado en la era de la globalización e información. La conceptualización de comunidad o gemeinschaft de Tönnies como forma natural de relacionarse tuvo una enorme repercusión en el propio desarrollo de la disciplina. A medida que el flujo de interacciones entre los miembros de las comunidades tradicionales y el mundo externo se acentuó, no faltaron quienes quisieron dar por cerrado el viejo debate sobre industrialización y desintegración de la comunidad. Lejos de ser así, recientes desarrollos teóricos han supuesto una revitalización del concepto de comunidad y su capacidad para explicar procesos sociales contemporáneos. En este artículo propongo una definición de comunidad como lugar de identificación socio-espacial donde las interacciones se establecen, conscientemente, para, potencialmente, hacer frente a los efectos desintegradores de la globalización.