bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Genetic Polymorphism in Apolipoprotein A5 and Lipoprotein Lipase Genes with Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Rural South Western Maharashtra
Authors: Durgawale Pratik P. , D. Datkhile Kailas , C. Patil Virendra , V. Devkar Vasant , A. Dabane Sarjerao , S. Wader Vijaykumar , V. Kakade Satish
Published: October 2021

The most commonly found type of diabetes in India is type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is characterized by decrease in insulin secretion and decrease in insulin sensitivity. Several environmental factors, genetic factors, socio-economic factors, life style, dietary habits have contributed to the surge of T2DM cases in India. Numerous genes involved in lipid metabolism are likely to be candidates as the markers for obesity and T2DM. In the present study, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of two genes namely Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) and Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) involved in triglyceride metabolism were investigated using polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The control group comprised of non-obese, non-diabetic subjects (n=120) and T2DM cases were divided into obese (n=120), and non-obese (n=120) groups based on their body mass index (BMI). The demographic features between the control and cases were compared using Chi-square distribution. The genotype frequencies of control and cases were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and binary logistic regression analysis (Odds’ ratio (OR) and adjusted Odds’ ratio). It was observed that APOA5 rs3135506 (OR = 0.46 (0.27-0.79); p = 0.007) was negatively associated, while APOA5 rs662799 (OR = 2.22 (1.28-3.84); p = 0.006) was significantly associated in non-obese diabetic patients. APOA5 rs3135506 (OR = 0.03 (0.01-0.06); p < 0.001) was negatively associated and rs662799 (OR = 4.68 (1.47-14.93); p = 0.01) was significantly associated in obese diabetic patients. Both LPL SNPs (rs285 and rs320) were found not to be associated with T2DM. The association of Apo A5 variants with T2DM may be because of post transcriptional inhibition leading to reduced Apo A5 expression or these alleles may be in linkage disequilibrium with alleles which directly affect the functioning of APOA5. The observations indicated that T2DM is a multi-factorial disease with a large number of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.
Optics enabled networks and architectures for data center cost and power efficiency [Invited]
Authors: Taubenblatt Marc , Maniotis Pavlos , Tantawi Asser
Published: October 2021

Bandwidth demand for data center networks continues as performance increases and is further fueled by the exploding demand for artificial intelligence and new high-performance computing workloads. Managing power and costs will require a range of solutions including new networking and workload specialized architectures, composable systems, and optical circuit switching. In this paper, we focus primarily on two topics: examining the benefits of flatter networks (enabled mainly by means of co-packaged-optics-enabled switches) and the utilization improvement potential for composable (disaggregated) systems, while discussing specialized hardware and networks, and optical circuit switching more briefly.
Individual bacteria in structured environments rely on phenotypic resistance to phage
Authors: Attrill Erin L. , Claydon Rory , Łapińska Urszula , Recker Mario , Meaden Sean , Brown Aidan T. , Westra Edze R. , Harding Sarah V. , Pagliara Stefano
Published: October 2021

Bacteriophages represent an avenue to overcome the current antibiotic resistance crisis, but evolution of genetic resistance to phages remains a concern. In vitro, bacteria evolve genetic resistance, preventing phage adsorption or degrading phage DNA. In natural environments, evolved resistance is lower possibly because the spatial heterogeneity within biofilms, microcolonies, or wall populations favours phenotypic survival to lytic phages. However, it is also possible that the persistence of genetically sensitive bacteria is due to less efficient phage amplification in natural environments, the existence of refuges where bacteria can hide, and a reduced spread of resistant genotypes. Here, we monitor the interactions between individual planktonic bacteria in isolation in ephemeral refuges and bacteriophage by tracking the survival of individual cells. We find that in these transient spatial refuges, phenotypic resistance due to reduced expression of the phage receptor is a key determinant of bacterial survival. This survival strategy is in contrast with the emergence of genetic resistance in the absence of ephemeral refuges in well-mixed environments. Predictions generated via a mathematical modelling framework to track bacterial response to phages reveal that the presence of spatial refuges leads to fundamentally different population dynamics that should be considered in order to predict and manipulate the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of bacteria–phage interactions in naturally structured environments.
Visual perception of texture regularity: Conjoint measurements and a wavelet response-distribution model
Authors: Sun Hua-Chun , St-Amand David , Baker Curtis L. , Kingdom Frederick A. A.
Published: October 2021

Texture regularity, such as the repeating pattern in a carpet, brickwork or tree bark, is a ubiquitous feature of the visual world. The perception of regularity has generally been studied using multi-element textures in which the degree of regularity has been manipulated by adding random jitter to the elements’ positions. Here we used three-factor Maximum Likelihood Conjoint Measurement (MLCM) for the first time to investigate the encoding of regularity information under more complex conditions in which element spacing and size, in addition to positional jitter, were manipulated. Human observers were presented with large numbers of pairs of multi-element stimuli with varying levels of the three factors, and indicated on each trial which stimulus appeared more regular. All three factors contributed to regularity perception. Jitter, as expected, strongly affected regularity perception. This effect of jitter on regularity perception is strongest at small element spacing and large texture element size, suggesting that the visual system utilizes the edge-to-edge distance between elements as the basis for regularity judgments. We then examined how the responses of a bank of Gabor wavelet spatial filters might account for our results. Our analysis indicates that the peakedness of the spatial frequency (SF) distribution, a previously favored proposal, is insufficient for regularity encoding since it varied more with element spacing and size than with jitter. Instead, our results support the idea that the visual system may extract texture regularity information from the moments of the SF-distribution across orientation. In our best-performing model, the variance of SF-distribution skew across orientations can explain 70% of the variance of estimated texture regularity from our data, suggesting that it could provide a candidate read-out for perceived regularity.
Evaluation of progress toward universal health coverage in Myanmar: A national and subnational analysis
Authors: Nikoloski Zlatko , McGuire Alistair , Mossialos Elias
Published: October 2021

Background

Universal health coverage (UHC) encompasses 2 main components: access to essential healthcare services and protection from financial hardship when using healthcare. This study examines Myanmar’s efforts to achieve UHC on a national and subnational level. It is a primer of studying the concept of UHC on a subnational level, and it also establishes a baseline for assessing future progress toward reaching UHC in Myanmar.

Methods and findings

The study uses the Demographic and Health Survey (2015) and the Myanmar Living Conditions Survey (MLCS; 2017) and adapts a previously developed UHC index to provide insights into the main barriers preventing the country’s progress toward UHC. We find a negative correlation between the UHC index and the state/region poverty levels. The equity of access analysis reveals significant pro-rich inequity in access to all essential healthcare services. Socioeconomic status and limited availability of healthcare infrastructure are the main driving forces behind the unequal access to interventions that are crucial to achieving UHC by 2030. Finally, financial risk protection analysis shows that the poor are less likely to use healthcare services, and, once they do, they are at a greater risk of suffering financial catastrophe. Limitations of this study revolve around its correlational, rather than causal, nature.

Conclusions

We suggest a 2-pronged approach to help Myanmar achieve UHC: Government and state authorities should reduce the financial burden of seeking healthcare, and, coupled with this, significant investment in and expansion of health infrastructure and the health workforce should be made, particularly in the poorer and more remote states.
Evaluating the diagnostic test accuracy of molecular xenomonitoring methods for characterising the community burden of Onchocerciasis
Authors: Pryce Joseph , Unnasch Thomas R. , Reimer Lisa J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), the detection of parasite nucleic acid in the vector population, is recommended for onchocerciasis surveillance in elimination settings. However, the sensitivity of MX for detecting onchocerciasis-positive communities has not previously been evaluated. MX may have additional applications for control programmes but its utility is restricted by a limited understanding of the relationship between MX results and human prevalence.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the prevalence ofOnchocerca volvulusDNA in wild-caughtSimuliumspp. flies (MX rate) and corresponding prevalence of microfilaria (mf) in humans. We evaluated the sensitivity of MX for detecting onchocerciasis-positive communities and describe the characteristics of studies with reduced sensitivity. We conducted a linear regression to evaluate the relationship between mf prevalence and MX rate.

Results

We identified 15 relevant studies, with 13 studies comprising 34 study communities included in the quantitative analyses. Most communities were at advanced stages towards elimination and had no or extremely low human prevalence. MX detected positive flies in every study area with >1% mf prevalence, with the exception of one study conducted in the Venezuelan Amazonian focus. We identified a significant relationship between the two measurements, with mf prevalence accounting for half of the variation in MX rate (R20.50, p<0.001).

Conclusion

MX is sensitive to communities with ongoing onchocerciasis transmission. It has potential to predict human mf prevalence, but further data is required to understand this relationship, particularly from MX surveys conducted earlier in control programmes before transmission has been interrupted.
A novel computational strategy to predict the value of the evidence in the SNP-based forensic mixtures
Authors: Pascali Vincenzo L.
Published: October 2021

This study introduces a methodology for inferring the weight of the evidence (WoE) in the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-typed DNA mixtures of forensic interest. First, we redefined some algebraic formulae to approach the semi-continuous calculation of likelihoods and likelihood ratios (LRs). To address the allelic dropouts, a peak height ratio index (“h,” an index of heterozygous state plausibility) was incorporated into semi-continuous formulae to act as a proxy for the “split-drop” model of calculation. Second, the original ratio at which a person of interest (POI) has entered into the mixture was inferred by evaluating the DNA amounts conferred by unique genotypes to any possible permutation of any locus of the typing protocol (unique genotypes are genotypes that appear just once in the relevant permutation). We compared this expected ratio (MRex) to all the mixing ratios emerging at all other permutations of the mixture (MRobs) using several (1 - χ2) tests to evaluate the probability of each permutation to exist in the mixture according to quantitative criteria. At the level of each permutation state, we multiplied the (1 - χ2) value to the genotype frequencies and the h index. All the products of all the permutation states were finally summed to give a likelihood value that accounts for three independent properties of the mixtures. Owing to the (1 - χ2) index and the h index, this approach qualifies as a fully continuous methodology of LR calculation. We compared the MRs and LRs emerging from our methodology to those generated by the EuroForMix software ver. 3.0.3. When the true contributors were tested as POIs, our procedure generated highly discriminant LRs that, unlike EuroForMix, never overcame the corresponding single-source LRs. When false contributors were tested as POIs, we obtained a much lower LR value than that from EuroForMix. These two findings indicate that our computational method is more reliable and realistic than EuroForMix.
Fine scale behaviour and time-budget in the cryptic ectotherm European pond turtle Emys orbicularis
Authors: Marchand Théo , Le Gal Anne-Sophie , Georges Jean-Yves
Published: October 2021

For ectotherms, behaviour and associated energetic costs are directly related to thermal conditions. In the present context of global change, estimating time-budget for these species is relevant to assess and predict their capacity to adapt to near future. We tested the hypothesis that in ectotherms where reproduction is highly energy consuming, energy expenditure should vary throughout the breeding season with a maximum around nesting events. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the fine-scale behaviour, time-budget and estimated energetic costs in eight adult female European pond turtlesEmys orbicularisequipped with data-loggers recording ambient temperature, pressure, light and the animals’ 3-axis acceleration. Deployments occurred over four months throughout the nesting season 2017 in semi-natural captive conditions in Alsace, France. All study turtles showed a clear daily pattern over the 24h cycle, with four distinct phases (referred to as Night, Morning, Midday and Evening), associated with different behaviours and activity levels. Before oviposition, turtles were mostly active during Morning, and activity was positively driven by ambient temperature. Activity levels doubled during the nesting period, mostly due to the increased activity in the Evening, when nesting events occurred. Throughout the active season, basking occurrence at Midday was related to air temperature but cloud coverage was an even more important factor. Our results are a first step in predicting the seasonal time and energy budgets of the European pond turtle, and demonstrate the usefulness of animal-borne accelerometers to study free living freshwater turtles over extended periods of time.
Female adolescents living with HIV telling their story through ‘my story’ book in Malawi: A visual methodology innovation
Authors: Mwalabu Gertrude , Mbendera Ida , Petrucka Pammla , Manjanja Violet
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Female adolescents living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus are a unique population facing lifelong challenges in reproductive and sexual health ranging from relational, social and legal-ethical considerations. While HIV prevalence of young females is higher than the males (4.9% versus 1%), evidence show that these adolescents in Malawi initiate sex as early as 15 years mostly with adult partners. Yet, young people are frequently reported to be reluctant to discuss sexual matters and demonstrate avoidance of direct questions on sexual issues during interviews. It is critical therefore that researchers invoke youth-friendly approaches to address these complex issues and enable these vulnerable individuals to articulate and advocate for their preferred futures.

Methods

This study used an innovative visual qualitative approach known as ‘my story’ book which combined image selection and sentence completion exercises to enable adolescents living with HIV to share their stories through interviews. The study involved 14 cases comprising of 14 female adolescents aged 15 to 19, 14 caregivers and 14 health providers working at HIV multidisciplinary centres in Malawi.

Results

The ‘my story’ book enabled in-depth exploration of the experiences and issues faced by this vulnerable population. The use of images and sentence completion exercise enabled the researcher to appreciate the type of interactions (or lack of) on sexual issues and status disclosure to significant others including sexual partners. Three themes were revealed, included creating meanings, revealing confirmatory and/or complementary evidence and enabling intergenerational research.

Conclusions

The ‘my story’ book captured the life experiences and needs of the female adolescents. The book assisted the participants in constructing, communicating, and controlling the articulation of their stories. It positioned female adolescents as a diverse group of social agents able to construct and reflect on their social worlds and real-life issues. This approach was highly effective in creating a youth-friendly context for reflection and revelation regarding sensitive cultural and social issues faced by this group. As such, the ‘my story’ book could be used in one-on-one counselling or provide data to inform intervention development.
A highly efficient method for the production and purification of recombinant human CXCL8
Authors: McKenna Sophie , Giblin Sean Patrick , Bunn Rosemarie Anne , Xu Yingqi , Matthews Stephen John , Pease James Edward
Published: October 2021

Chemokines play diverse and fundamental roles in the immune system and human disease, which has prompted their structural and functional characterisation. Production of recombinant chemokines that are folded and bioactive is vital to their study but is limited by the stringent requirements of a native N-terminus for receptor activation and correct disulphide bonding required to stabilise the chemokine fold. Even when expressed as fusion proteins, overexpression of chemokines in E. coli tends to result in the formation of inclusion bodies, generating the additional steps of solubilisation and refolding. Here we present a novel method for producing soluble chemokines in relatively large amounts via a simple two-step purification procedure with no requirements for refolding. CXCL8 produced by this method has the correct chemokine fold as determined by NMR spectroscopy and in chemotaxis assays was indistinguishable from commercially available chemokines. We believe that this protocol significantly streamlines the generation of recombinant chemokines.
Unequal geographic distribution of water and sanitation at the household and school level in Sudan
Authors: Cha Seungman , Jin Yan , Elhag Mousab Siddig , Kim Youngjin , Ismail Hassan Ahmed Hassan Ahmed
Published: October 2021

The Sudanese Government launched the National SDG-6 Plan and commences its implementation to achieve and sustain universal and equitable access to basic WASH services by 2030. It is critical to understand the geographical heterogeneity of Sudan and patterns in the inequality of access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Through such research, the disease control strategy can be optimized, and resource allocation can be prioritized. We explored spatial heterogeneity and inequality in access to improved water and sanitation across Sudan by mapping the coverage at both the state and district levels. We decomposed the inequality across Sudan into within-state, between-state, within-district, and between-state inequalities using the Theil L and Theil T indices. We calculated the Gini coefficient to assess the inequality of access to improved water and sanitation, based on the deviation of the Lorenz curve from the line of perfect equality. The study population was 105,167 students aged 8–13 at 1,776 primary schools across the country. Geographical heterogeneity was prominent in the Central Darfur, South Darfur, East Darfur, Kassala, West Kordofan, and Blue Nile States, all of which showed severe inequality in access to an improved latrine at the household level in terms of the Theil T or Theil L index. The overall inequality in the coverage of improved sanitation went beyond the warning limit of 0.4 for the Gini coefficient. The inequality in terms of the Theil L and Theil T indices, as well as the Gini coefficient, was always higher for improved sanitation than for improved water at the household level. Within-state inequality accounted for 66% or more of national inequalities in the distribution of improved sanitation and drinking water for both the Theil L and Theil T indices. This is the first study to measure geographical heterogeneity and inequalities in improved water and sanitation coverage across Sudan. The study may help to prioritize resource allocation to areas with the greatest water and sanitation needs.
Association between antenatal care utilization pattern and timely initiation of postnatal care checkup: Analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Wassie Gizachew Tadesse , Belete Minyichil Birhanu , Tesfu Azimeraw Arega , Bantie Simachew Animen , Ayenew Asteray Assmie , Endeshaw Belaynew Adugna , Agdie Semaw Minale , Kiros Mengistu Desalegn , Haile Zelalem T. , Haider Mohammad Rifat , Ice Gillian H.
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite significant public health intervention, maternal mortality remains high in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Effective postnatal care is a critical service to reduce maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, only 17% of mothers received postnatal care services in 2016.

Objective

This study examined the association between antenatal care and timely postnatal care checkup among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

Methods

The study used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The current study included 4,081 women who give birth in the two years preceding the survey. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between antenatal care and timely initiation of postnatal care.

Results

Postnatal care services within 2 days of delivery were received by 16.5% of women. Women who had at least four timely antenatal care visits had higher odds of timely postnatal checkups compared to women who had no antenatal care [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 2.50; 95% CI 1.42–4.42]. Women who had at least four antennal care visits without timely initiation also had higher odds of postnatal check-up than their counterparts (aOR: 2.46; 95%CI: 1.22–4.97). Other factors significantly associated with timely initiation of PNC were secondary and above education (aOR: 1.64; 95%CI: 1.03–2.60), perceived distance to the nearby health facility as a significant barrier (aOR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.15–2.09), primiparous (aOR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.19–0.61) and institutional delivery (aOR: 14.55; 95%CI: 2.21–95.77).

Conclusion

The prevalence of timely initiation of postnatal care in Ethiopia is very low. Women who received recommended antenatal care services had higher odds of timely initiation of postnatal care. Thus, strengthening the existing maternal and child health programs to adhere to the recommended ANC care guidelines may improve the timely initiation of postnatal care.
A national snapshot of the impact of clinical depression on post-surgical pain and adverse outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy: 10-year results from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample
Authors: Chen Jiang , Li Jin-Yu , Tian Gui-Hua , Qiu Rui-Jin , Zhao Xue-Qian , Di Xue-Shi , Yuan Qiao-Mei , Long Shui-Wen , Ran Yu , Jia Yu-Song , Shang Hong-Cai
Published: October 2021

Depression is associated with poorer outcomes in a wide spectrum of surgeries but the specific effects of depression in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and impact of pre-surgical clinical depression on pain and other outcomes after surgery for cervical degenerative disc disease using a national representative database. Data of patients with cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy were extracted from the 2005–2014 US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Included patients underwent anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Acute or chronic post-surgical pain, postoperative complications, unfavorable discharge, length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs were evaluated. Totally 215,684 patients were included. Pre-surgical depression was found in 29,889 (13.86%) patients, with a prevalence nearly doubled during 2005–2014 in the US. Depression was independently associated with acute or chronic post-surgical pain (aOR: 1.432), unfavorable discharge (aOR: 1.311), prolonged LOS (aOR: 1.152), any complication (aOR: 1.232), respiratory complications/pneumonia (aOR: 1.153), dysphagia (aOR: 1.105), bleeding (aOR: 1.085), infection/sepsis (aOR: 1.529), and higher hospital costs (beta: 1080.640) compared to non-depression. No significant risk of delirium or venous thrombotic events was observed in patients with depression as compared to non-depression. Among patients receiving primary surgery, depression was independently associated with prolonged LOS (aOR: 1.150), any complication (aOR:1.233) and postoperative pain (aOR:1.927). In revision surgery, no significant associations were found for prolonged LOS, any complication or pain. In conclusion, in the US patients undergoing ACDF, pre-surgical clinical depression predicts post-surgical acute or chronic pain, a slightly prolonged LOS and the presence of any complication. Awareness of these associations may help clinicians stratify risk preoperatively and optimize patient care.
Invariance of the WHO violence against women instrument among Kenyan adolescent girls and young women: Bayesian psychometric modeling
Authors: Orindi Benedict O. , Ziraba Abdhalah , Bruyneel Luk , Floyd Sian , Lesaffre Emmanuel
Published: October 2021

Introduction

To make valid comparisons across groups, a measurement instrument needs to be measurement invariant across those groups. The present study evaluates measurement invariance for experience of violence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods

We used survey data collected from 1,081 AGYW aged 15–22 years from two Nairobi’s informal settlements of Korogocho (n = 617) and Viwandani (n = 464) in 2017 through DREAMS (an initiative aimed at reducing HIV incidence among AGYW with a core package of evidence-based interventions) impact evaluation project. Experience of violence was measured using the 15-item WHO’s violence against women instrument, and factorial (non)invariance assessed within exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) framework. Cross-group measurement invariance was assessed using Bayesian Multiple Indicator Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model across site, age groups, self-reported invitation to participate in DREAMS, marital status, currently in school, education level, religion, ethnic groups, ever had sex, slept hungry at night past 4 weeks, and wealth index.

Results

The mean and median ages of the AGYW were 17.9 years and 17 years, respectively. About 59% reported having had sex and 58% of AGYW were in school. The percentage reporting each act of violence varied from 1.6% (“attacked you with a weapon”) to 26.5% (“insult you or make you feel bad about yourself”). About 44% (n = 474) of participants experienced ≥1 acts of violence, and 2.7% (n = 29) experienced at least half of the 15 acts. The structure underlying the 15 items was configurally similar to that proposed by WHO, with three factors reflecting either psychological, physical, or sexual violence. Noninvariance was detected for five items—spread across the three domains. Three of five items showed noninvariance only for sleeping hungry at night in the past 4 weeks. As the majority of items did not show evidence of noninvariance, differences in latent mean scores likely reflect actual differences and may not be attributable to measurement artifacts.

Conclusions

Using state-of-the-art statistical techniques on a widely used instrument for measuring exposure to violence among women, this study provides support for the subscales of psychological, physical and sexual violence in a Kenyan AGYW population. The instrument supports comparisons across groups within this population. This is crucial when comparing violence against girls/women prevalence rates and to understand challenges and exchange strategies to reduce abuse or violence experienced by AGYW, or women in general.
Problematic Internet Use, Related Psychosocial Behaviors, Healthy Lifestyle, and Subjective Health Complaints in Adolescents
Authors: Klavina Aija , Veliks Viktors , Zusa Anna , Porozovs Juris , Aniscenko Aleksandrs , Bebrisa-Fedotova Luize
Published: October 2021

Objective: In this study, we explored Internet use-associated psychosocial behavior problems in relationship to adolescents’ subjective health complaints and healthy lifestyle habits. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of Latvian adolescents (N = 570, age range 11-19 years) completed a survey. Problematic Internet use (PIU) was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) that measures social impairment, emotional impairment, and risky/impulsive Internet use. Subjective health complaints assessed were somatic complaints and psychological complaints. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activity, time spent using information technologies (IT), eating habits, and sleep duration. Results: We found that 27.02 % (N = 154) of the participants scored at risk for PIU with significantly higher PIU mean scores in 15-16-year-old girls (p <.05). Also, 15-16-year-old girls reported significantly higher prevalence of subjective health symptoms than boys and girls in other age groups (p < .05). There were statistically significant associations between PIU-related psychosocial behaviors and subjective health complaints and limited physical activity (p < .01). Conclusions: PIU behaviors, subjective health complaints and lack healthy lifestyles were common in adolescents in this study with a significantly high prevalence in 15-16-year-old girls.
Formative Research for an Intervention to Reduce Plate Waste and Improve Produce Intake in Schools
Authors: Schachtner-Appel Amy , Sahyoun Nadine , Chen Jie , Song Hee-Jung
Published: October 2021

Objective: High plate waste in schools adds social, economic, and environmental burden and undermines child nutrition goals. In this study, we conducted formative research to examine potential for mindful-based approaches in reducing plate waste and improving fruit and vegetable intake. Methods: With a triangulation approach, research was conducted in 3 elementary schools using focus groups with students (N = 50), staff interviews (N = 15), and cafeteria observations (N = 9). Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, qualitative findings were analyzed using Constant Comparative Method. Results: Salient personal, behavioral, and environmental factors potentially contributing to student plate waste and eating behaviors were identified. School meal structure and regulations, cafeteria atmosphere, food quality perceptions, and food preferences were potential contributors to plate waste. Students had limited knowledge of mindfulness and were interested in reducing waste, particularly when others are food-insecure. Emphasizing mindfulness and sustainability in nutrition education, collaborating with parents and student leaders, and building on existing waste reduction initiatives could be considered to reduce plate waste and improve eating behaviors. Conclusions: Findings highlighted opportunities to design a program combining mindfulness and sustainable food system education and cafeteria environment changes to reduce plate waste and improve FV intake and sustainability of school meals.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Punica Granatum Peel Extract and their Biological Activity on different Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Al-Turnachy Hussein H. , alibraheemi Fadhilk. , Madhloom Ahmed Abd Alreda , Motaweq Zahraa Yosif , Abdulla Nibras Yahya
Published: October 2021

The present study was included the assessment of the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs synthesized by Punica granatum peel extract against pathogenic bacteria by testing warm aqueous P. granatum peel extract and silver nanoparticles. Punica granatum indicated potency for AgNP extracellular nanobiosynthesis after addition of silver nitrate (AgNO3) 4mM to the extract supernatant, in both concentrations (100mg and 50mg). The biogenic AgNPs showed potency to inhibit both gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial growth. Zons of inhibition in (mm) was lesser in gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. The resulted phytogenic AgNPs gave higher biological activity than warm aqueous Punica granatum peel extract. The inhibition zone of the phytogenic AgNPs on E. coli reached 17.53, 22.35, and 26.06 mm at (0.1, 0.5, and 1) mg/ml respectively. While inhibition zones of Punica warm aqueous extract reached 5.33, 10.63, and 16.08 mm at the same concentrations. phytogenic AgNPs gave smaller inhibition zones in gram-positive than gram- negative. Cytotoxic activity of the phytogenic AgNPs was assayed in vitro agaist human blood erythrocytes (RBCs), spectroscopic results showed absorbance at 540 nm hemolysis was observed. In general, AgNPs showed least RBCs hemolysis percentage, at 1 mg/ml concentration, hemolysis percentage was (4.50%). This study, concluded that the Punica granatum peel extract has the power of synthses of AgNPs characterized by broad spectrum antimicrobial activity with cyto-toxicity proportional to AgNPs concentration.
Study the Effect of Weight Fractions of Different Powders on the Attenuation Performances of the Epoxy Composite
Authors: Yahya Khaled W. , Khadeer Edrees E.
Published: October 2021

Among all types of radiation, X-ray has always garnered the most interest, owing to the growing availability of X-ray tubes in industry, research institutions, and medical facilities. In this research, the linear (μl) and mass (μm) attenuation coefficient, half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (λ) of the epoxy polymer-based composites which includes both lead oxide (Pb3O4), mixture of (Fe2O3 + Pb3O4) and barium sulfate (BaSO4) with different weight percentages were determined experimentally for the incident photon energies of (29-35 kV) emitted from (X-rays) source. The dispersion of the filler was also investigated using a scanning electron microscope to examine the composites morphology. The obtained results showed that adding these powders to epoxy has an effect on the X-ray shielding abilities of the prepared composites, meaning that there is a direct relationship between the weight ratios of the composite material with the linear (μl) and mass (μm) attenuation coefficient, and an inverse relationship with the half value layer (HVL) and free path rate (λ). While changing the X-ray shield with applied voltages showed a behavior opposite to what was mentioned above. The result also shows that the lead oxide (Pb3O4) composites yield better attenuation performance than the pure epoxy and the other two composites, especially at high weight fraction (50 Wt.%) of this filler, which due to the high density of these fillers and fine dispensability in the polymer matrix.
Study Total Atomic Cross-Sections, Effective Atomic Numbers, and Electron Densities for Palmitic Acid by Using Sources of Gamma Ray
Authors: Hadi Mohammed Yahya , Aldalawi Ali Adil Turki , Talib Karar Mahdi
Published: October 2021

The effective atomic number (Z effective), total atomic cross-section (б Total) electron density (N effective) have been Measured depending on the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ). By using Gamma-ray radiation (γ), emitted from sources (57𝐶𝑜, 133𝐵𝑎, 22𝑁𝑎, 137𝐶𝑠, 54𝑀𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 60𝐶𝑜) with energies from (0.122, 0.356,0.511,0.662,0.84,1.17,1.275 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1.33𝑀𝑒𝑉) respectively. using the Sodium Iodide Scintillation Detectors NaI(Tl) at 662 keV and resolution about 8.2% have been measured the mass attenuation coefficients for the sample “Palmitic acid” it’s chemical formula C16H32O2. The data from the mass attenuation coefficient were then employed to study Z effective, N effective, and б total of the sample. In the presence of gamma-ray energy, it was discovered that the effective atomic number and effective electron densities first drop and they tend to remain nearly constant. The experimental values obtained by Z effective and N effective were in excellent agreement with the theoretical values. The theoretical data that is accessible is obtained from XCom, which is available online. The study's findings aid in understanding how (μ/ρ) values change when Zeff and Neff values vary in the case of H, C, and O based biological molecules such as fatty acids.
Myšlení budoucnosti a potřebnost transformativního přístupu ve vzdělávání
Authors: Henderson Laura , Dlouhá Jana
Published: October 2021

Článek se věnuje potřebě transformovat vzdělávání, aby se podpořila osobní angažovanost žáků potřebná k nastartování společenských změn k udržitelné budoucnosti. Autoři se zabývají perspektivou budoucnosti ve školním vzdělávání – ukazuje, jak bychom mohli podpořit studenty při překonávání apokalyptických vizí budoucnosti, a/nebo omezit spoléhání se na technokratická řešení, která je zbavují odpovědnosti, protože neposkytují žádný prostor pro představu o tom, jak je možné aktivně přispívat a spolupracovat na utváření budoucnosti. Zkoumáme způsoby, jak žáci mohou kriticky zpochybnit dogma, že „neexistuje alternativa“ k současnému dominantnímu, sebezničujícímu systému, a poskytujeme přehled pedagogických přístupů, které podporují žáky v kritickém hodnocení vlastních hodnot a zapojují jejich představivost tak, že vytváří alternativní vize budoucnosti. Článek nabízí přehled o zdrojích, které poskytují inspirativní příklady k podnícení naší představivosti týkající se toho, co možné a co se již děje. Představuje aktivity, které jednotlivcům a pedagogům zprostředkují porozumění „imaginace“ budoucnosti, a podpoří jejich reflexi sebe sama jakožto činitele změny.
Surveillance of laboratory exposures to human pathogens and toxins, Canada 2020
Authors: Atchessi Nicole , Striha Megan , Edjoc Rojiemiahd , Thompson Emily , El Jaouhari Maryem , Heisz Marianne
Published: October 2021

Background: The Laboratory Incident Notification Canada surveillance system monitors laboratory incidents reported under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and the Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations. The objective of this report is to describe laboratory exposures that were reported in Canada in 2020 and the individuals who were affected. Methods: Laboratory incident exposures occurring in licensed Canadian laboratories in 2020 were analyzed. The exposure incident rate was calculated and the descriptive statistics were performed. Exposure incidents were analyzed by sector, activity type, occurrence type, root cause and pathogen/toxin. Affected persons were analyzed by education, route of exposure sector, role and laboratory experience. The time between the incident and the reporting date was also analyzed. Results: Forty-two incidents involving 57 individuals were reported to Laboratory Incident Notification Canada in 2020. There were no suspected or confirmed laboratory acquired infections. The annual incident exposure rate was 4.2 incidents per 100 active licenses. Most exposure incidents occurred during microbiology activities (n=22, 52.4%) and/or were reported by the hospital sector (n=19, 45.2%). Procedural issues (n=16, 27.1%) and sharps-related incidents (n=13, 22.0%) were the most common occurrences. Most affected individuals were exposed via inhalation (n=28, 49.1%) and worked as technicians or technologists (n=36, 63.2%). Issues with standard operating procedures was the most common root cause (n=24, 27.0%), followed by human interactions (n=21, 23.6%). The median number of days between the incident and the reporting date was six days. Conclusion: The rate of laboratory incidents were lower in 2020 than 2019, although the ongoing pandemic may have contributed to this decrease because of the closure of non-essential workplaces, including laboratories, for a portion of the year. The most common occurrence type was procedural while issues with not complying to standard operating procedures and human interactions as the most cited root causes.
Lex and Ius in the Period of Transformation
Authors: Ziembiński Zygmunt
Published: October 2021

The paper is an English translation of “Lex” a “ius” w okresie przemian by Zygmunt Ziembiński published originally in Polish in “Państwo i prawo” in 1991. The text is published as a part of a jubilee edition of the “Adam Mickiewicz University Law Review. 100th Anniversary of the Faculty of Law and Administration” devoted to the achieve-ments of the late Professors of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań.
ROSSEND ARÚS I ARDERIU, TEATRE COMPLET I. 1865-1873 (ED. DE MAGÍ SUNYER). TARRAGONA: PUBLICACIONS DE LA UNIVERSITAT ROVIRA I VIRGILI / EDICIONS DE LA UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA / BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA ARÚS – AJUNTAMENT DE BARCELONA, 2019
Authors: Ginebra Jordi
Published: October 2021

Publicacions URV (2021). Rossend Arús i Arderiu. Teatre complet I (1865-1873). Recuperat de http://www. publicacions.urv.cat/altres-colmleccions/altres-titols/15-cataleg/altres-titols/844-rossend-arús-i-arderiu-teatre-complet-i-1865-1873.
Świat jako tranzyt. Poetyka przestrzeni w poezji Gizelli Lachman
Authors: Brzykcy Jolanta
Published: October 2021

The article is an analysis of the poetry of Gisella Lachman (1895–1969), poet of the “first wave” of Russian emigration, from the perspective of the poetics of space. The poet expressed her emigration experience (multiple changes of residence: Russia, Germany, Switzerland, USA) in her poems in spatial relations. They appear on different levels of the works’ morphology: in the construction of the lyrical “I”, in the organisation of the presented world, in the repertoire of motifs and the selection of poetic lexis and genre forms. Space plays a literal role in Lachman’s poetry; it is a representation of extra-literary reality, seen subjectively. It is also subject to metaphorisation, becoming a tool for expressing philosophical content. The poet creates not only a spatial model of the world, but also a spatial model of human life, which she perceives as a transit on the road to eternity.
Od kulturowego pojmowania przestrzeni ku rozważaniom o wieczności. Dyskurs przestrzenny w powieści Brisbane Jewgienija Wodołazkina
Authors: Sidor Monika
Published: October 2021

This article deals with different aspects of space in the text of Eugene Vodolazkin’s novel Brisbane as well as in its studies and reception. Successive parts of the research are devoted to lieux de mémoire in autobiographical fiction, cultural understanding of the space of the home and places which traditionally create the image of Kiev and the individual mythology of this city. Space perceived in the way modified by culture is a certain frame in which both the hero of Vodolazkin lives and a receiver reads the novel. It is also an important component of the work’s internal structure, the factor responsible for certain genre associations that determine the direction of the reading process. In all these forms of functioning, space is thematically related to the reflection on death. The author concludes that the understanding of space leads to the rejection of the physical future and the affirmation of eternity understood in a religious way, in line with medieval tradition.
High-power ultrafast thin-disk multipass amplifiers for efficient laser-based manufacturing
Authors: Abdou Ahmed Marwan , Roecker Christoph , Loescher André , Bienert Florian , Holder Daniel , Weber Rudolf , Onuseit Volkher , Graf Thomas
Published: October 2021

Thin-disk multipass amplifiers represent one of the most powerful approaches to scale the average and peak powers of ultrafast laser systems. The present paper presents the amplification of picosecond and femtosecond pulses to average powers exceeding 2 and 1 kW, respectively. Second-harmonic generation in lithium-triborate crystals with powers higher than 1.4 kW and 400 W at a wavelength of 515 nm with picosecond and femtosecond pulse durations, respectively, are also reported. Furthermore, third-harmonic generation was demonstrated with output powers exceeding 250 W at a wavelength of 343 nm. Finally, processing of silicon, metals, and polycrystalline diamond with fs pulses at an average power of 1 kW is presented to demonstrate removal rates that are improved by orders of magnitude as compared to state-of-the-art techniques.
Handle with Care: Regulatory Easing in Times of COVID-19
Authors: Valencia Fabián , Varghese Richard , Yao Weijia , Yépez Juan F.
Published: October 2021

The policy response to the COVID-19 shock included regulatory easing across many jurisdictions to facilitate the flow of credit to the economy and mitigate a further amplification of the shock through tighter financial conditions. Using an intraday event study, this paper examines how stock prices – a key driver of financial conditions – reacted to regulatory easing announcements in a sample of 18 advanced economies and 8 emerging markets. It finds that regulatory easing announcements contributed to looser financial conditions but effects varied across sectors and tools. News about regulatory easing led to lower valuations for financial sector stocks, mainly in jurisdictions with relatively lower capital buffers. These results stand in stark contrast with valuations of non-financial sector stocks, which increased in response to regulatory relief announcements, particularly in industries that are more dependent on bank financing. The effects also differed across tools. Valuations declined and financial conditions tightened following announcements related to easier bank capital regulation while equity valuation rose and financial conditions loosened after those about liquidity regulation.
Selection of oil extraction process from Chlorella species of microalgae by using multi-criteria decision analysis technique for biodiesel production
Authors: Pradana Yano Surya , Sadewo Brilian Ryan , Haryanto Samuel Andar , Sudibyo Hanifrahmawan
Published: October 2021

In the last few decades, the energy crisis has been one of the main concerns related to the lack of long-term petroleum-based reserves as primary energy resources. Biodiesel emerged as a promising alternative. Nowadays, it is produced from edible vegetable oil, thereby causing commodity prices and food security disruption. In this case, microalgae serve as a sustainable and renewable feedstock for their fast growth, high lipid content, and CO2 absorbing agent. Five processes are applied on the production of microalgae-based biodiesel, namely cultivation, harvesting, extraction, conversion, and refinement. There is currently limited study on technology selection on industrial-scale technology for oil extraction from Chlorella spp. of microalgae. Therefore, this study aims to review and select the most suitable technology using simple multi-attribute rating technique extended to ranking – multi-criteria decision analysis (SMARTER-MCDA). Preliminary studies showed that conventional organic solvent extraction (COE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), electric pulse extraction (EPE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) were the most promising technologies. These technologies required a series of evaluations using SMARTER-MCDA with several criteria, including easy scalability, extraction productivity, energy input, additional compound, and environmental impact. The result ranking showed that MAE technology was selected as the most suitable technology for oil extraction from Chlorella spp.